5 YEARS AGO

As the sun slowly rises in the horizon, the people of the island Bardes slowly awaken. One of the people on the island, Hiccup Haddock III, slowly rises from his bed. It has been a few days since he was allowed out of the house after Steinar decided his wounds were almost healed.

He sits up in his bed and stretches, wincing when his joints pop. He sighs and relaxes, looking for his companion who is currently sleeping on his slab of rock in the middle of the floor. Hiccup rolls his eyes, figuring Toothless would either still be sleeping or would be waiting for Hiccup to get out of bed so Toothless could get fed and they could go flying.

Toothless hated Hiccup being bed bound as much as his rider did, mainly because he himself wouldn't be able to experience the joy and thrill of flying once again. Hiccup feels guilt wash over him, knowing that Toothless will never be able to fly freely by himself again, now that he has been crippled by his own rider. Granted, Hiccup had his reasons for shooting him down, but now his reasons feel ridiculous.

However, Toothless did manage to get Hiccup back from the fight with the Red Death. Although, Hiccup will never blame Toothless for what he had to do. He did save his life after all.

With that, Hiccup swings his legs over the side of the bed, reaching for his metal prosthetic; he straps it onto the stump of his left leg. He slides closer to the edge of the bed until his feet touch the floor. He cautiously puts pressure on the prosthetic, and carefully stands up from the bed. He grimaces in pain, still not used to the feeling of his oversensitive stump having weight set upon it.

He hobbles over to Toothless and gently shakes him awake. Even though Hiccup knows full well that his friend hates being woken up so early in the morning, he can't stay mad at his rider when he is being offered breakfast.

Toothless grumbles and opens one eye, glaring at Hiccup. Hiccup smiles back at him and gestures for him to get up. He can instantly spot the moment when Toothless figures out what time it is because said dragon is instantly awake and out the door in seconds, yelping excitedly.

Hiccup laughs and slowly follows his friend outside. Noticing that his companion is being too slow, Toothless rushes back and helps urge Hiccup faster out of the house, while still being careful not to make him fall.

Hiccup understands why Toothless is more excited today than he was any other day since Hiccup woke up from his coma. With his leg wound finally healed and his face and chest burns no longer blistering and only remaining as damaged tissue, Steinar has finally given Hiccup permission to take to the skies once again.

If Hiccup had to guess, it has been over two months since he has woken up from his coma. And over that period of time, he has gotten to know Steinar better. He is a kind man and he really seems to care for Hiccup, even though they haven't known each other for too long.

Hiccup also hasn't told him who he really is. However, he wouldn't put it past the chief to not figure out that he is the son of Stoick the Vast, for all of the islands communicate with each other.

Steinar had come into the house one of the days when Hiccup was actually conscious enough to hold a conversation with the chief. Stoick had sent out notices to all surrounding islands in the archipelago that his son was missing. Toothless obviously wasn't part of the notice. And so, Hiccup assumed that his father really hasn't changed his views about dragons and decided it wasn't safe for either of them to go back to Berk. Hiccup also didn't want to assume that Steinar would hide the fact that Stoick's son was seeking shelter on his island and wouldn't notify his father. Therefore, Hiccup continues to go by the name Bjarte.

Hiccup and Toothless make their way down to the docks, greeting the people who have awoken so early in the morning and are going around, doing their daily routines. Apparently, Bardes has a relatively friendly relationship towards dragons. Most of the villagers don't have a dragon, but when there is a random dragon resting on the island, he is as welcome as new villagers. It was jarring at first for Hiccup and Toothless, based on their history, but they quickly adapted.

After Toothless is well fed, the pair take to the skies. Hiccup basks in the feeling of wind in his hair as they climb higher in the sky. Hiccup is glad he can finally just let go of his worries. After everything that has happened, he finally feels happy.

Eventually Hiccup and Toothless retire to the ground and make their way to the Great Hall. However, on their way there Hiccup sees boats in the dock with a symbol on the sail that he doesn't recognize. He pushes his way into the Great Hall and he spots Steinar talking to a broad man in full battle armor. His face is stern and hits too close to home for Hiccup.

Hiccup glances down at Toothless and slowly inches closer to Steinar and the visitor until he can hear what they are talking about.

"I never trusted you. I know that you know where he is. You're too soft to turn away a helpless runt." The man sneers at Steinar, who doesn't even flinch.

"I may have more humanity than you, but I can promise that he isn't here. Haven't you heard the rumors? He never would've survived the inferno." Steinar stays calm even when the man's face slowly turns more and more frustrated when Steinar doesn't seem to cooperate.

"Lair! You are lying straight to my face! I am not a fool!" The man's face turns even redder than what is probably healthy.

Steinar sighs at his frustration and Hiccup catches his eye. He gives Hiccup a look and Hiccup notices his hand shooing him away. Hiccup looks at him confused, but Hiccup walks farther behind the crowd that is slowly gathering. Toothless looks confused but doesn't hesitate to follow Hiccup. He vaguely wonders how that man never noticed either him or Toothless. His rage must really be blinding.

"I am not lying to you. Even if he was here, I would still make sure he was in good health and he told me what he wanted. I wouldn't force him to go or do anything he doesn't want to do. I really think you should go before you stress out my people more than you already have." Besides the fact that the chief subtlety kept throwing jabs at the man, Steinar manages to stay calm throughout this whole ordeal.

The man yells in frustration and storms out of the Great Hall, yelling at his men to get all their arses back on the boats. As all the men hurry out, Hiccup seeks out Steinar, Toothless following closely behind, cooing worriedly.

"What was that all about?" Hiccup asks Steinar as soon as the crowd dispersed.

Yet again, Steinar sighs, rubbing his forehead. "That was a chief from a neighboring island. His name isn't of any concern, Hiccup. He is just so very self-centered and hopes only for him to get recognition."

Hiccup sputters when Steinar speaks his unfortunate birth name. "H-Hiccup? Th-that's not my name. My name is Bjarte," Hiccup insists.

Steinar rolls his eye and looks down at Hiccup. "As I've said before: I am no fool. I'd have to be blind to not have recognized you when you were first brought to my island. But don't worry, I won't tell anyone. You are safe here."

Hiccup feels relief was throughout his body, shoulders sagging. He feels a weight lift from his shoulders. Toothless nudges Hiccup's hand as Steinar rests his hand on Hiccup's scarred shoulder. "Now, how about you head back to the house and rest. I know full well that you have been out all morning."

Hiccup groans, confirming his fate that being bedridden is not over.