Merry Christmas. And sorry for not updating twice. I became sick and I was also really busy. Hopefully I won't be too busy this week.

"Welcome to the Island."

"They're not welcome here." Hiccup glared at the night fury and cleared his voice.

"We are pleased you could use your valuable time coming here."

"Not that we knew they were coming here but okay."

"If you would all please just wait a bit whilst Eret here," he gestured towards the strongly built guy, "brings the barrels over."

"Uhh," Gobber, the only one who had the courage to speak, started, "Barrels? Whah are they for?"

Hiccup and Astrid waited for Eret and Skullcrusher to come back with 4 barrels. Eret placed them in a line on front of the Berkians, "Alright. Weapons, sharp objects, anything that can hurt anyone will go in these now. Hurry up. We can't afford to waste time. We already have a lot of other things to deal with."

"I know right," Astrid remarked, "We still have to find the flowers for the crowns and we have to decide on the food. And the others will start coming in the next few days. And let's not forget that I still have to train the little ones. And he has a whole load more work than I do. And they pile up every day. Seriously. It's a miracle he can cope sometimes."

"Yeah. I feel pretty bad for him sometimes."

"Guys. Still here."

"Don't worry Hiccup. We wouldn't want anyone else to be in your position. You're the perfect person for it."

"Thanks, I think."

Stoick coughed and the trio looked at him, "Uhhh. As Chief of Berk, I would like to apologise for the intrusion we have caused. But as a father, Hiccup, I wanted to see you as soon as I can so I am not sorry for that."

"Why? Why would you want to see me? I'm nothing to you," Stoick stepped closer to them and Hiccup's grip on Astrid tightened.

"You are everything to me. You are my son. My heir. And I want you back in your rightful place," he placed his arm on his son's shoulder but Hiccup shrugged it off, almost feeling guilty at the look of pain in his father's eyes.

"Look dad," Stoick's eyes lit up, "I'm sorry, but I cannot be heir. I already have enough responsibility here. And I'm more than happy with that."

"What responsibility can you possibly have in this Island?"

Hiccup and Astrid looked at each other, "How about we go inside?"

A few moments later

The doors to the great hall opened and those inside turned to look at the new arrivals. Currently, people were in the hall finishing off their breakfast and helping to put up decorations for the big day. However, as soon as the chief entered, all activity seized to a stop.

"If everyone could please leave in the next few minutes, it would be appreciated. And that includes all of the dragons except Toothless and Stormfly. I'm afraid we have some last minute guests who we need to attend to, but while that is getting sorted, it is best if Astrid and I are to explain to them how our Island works. If anyone is willing to volunteer to help Eret make preparations for our guests, please do so," with a nod from Hiccup, they walked forward to the table placed on a raised platform and took their rightful place, watching for a few moments as their people and dragons left them with only the Berkians to keep them company.

"If you would all sit down please. It's a bit uncomfortable watching you people struggle to stand,"he waited for all of the vikings to find a place, ignoring the twins who were fighting over a seat, and placed his hand on the table, "First, you should know that the Island is a place where people and dragons live in peace and harmony, living and fighting together in hope of a better and brighter future for the world we live in."

"And who is the one responsible for this land of Vikings and beasts?"

"I am."

"And I guess I am too but it was mostly him."

The people from berk collectively gasped as  they realised what this information could mean.

"I am Chief of the Island and Astrid is my General. Together, we created this Island for people looking for an alternative to life. One without having to slaughter innocent beings for no reason. One without guilt and one where we can live freely in the sky a d on land."

Hiccup looked at his father and watched as his sour expression turned into one of understanding and acceptance. Hiccup tapped his finger nervously on the table as he wondered what it meant.

His father stood up.

"Hiccup. I understand now why you can't leave this place. You're a chief. And a chief protects his own," he closed his eyes for a few seconds and sighed, opening them again, "If it's okay with you, can you help us understand your better alternative?"

"What? Stoick?" Stoick shook his head at Spitelout.

"All this time we've been fighting dragons and for what? For pride and honour? What is Pride if I have to lose my loved ones in the process? I think it is time that Berk rises up and admits that maybe, maybe we were wrong," He sat down again and before anyone could protest Hiccup stood up instead.

"Dad. I'm not going to completely forgive you, but if you're being honest, please prove it. Show to me that you can change," he looked at Snotlout, "that you all can."

"Before we proceed, does anyone have any questions?" Astrid asked.

"What happened to your leg?" Snotlout asked.

"It got burnt off. Anyone else?"

"I do. Pick me. Pick me please. Look I've even got my hand up."

"What was going on with you an' the lass when we arrived?"

"Obviously, we were crashing Gobber. It would be better if we held onto each other wouldn't it? Less injuries."

"Reaally?"

"Yes Gobber. Next."

"Me. Pick me."

"Pick him before he explodes. I do not want to be here when my brother explodes."

"Tuffnut. What is your question?"

"Uuuh. Give me a second. I kind of forgot," he wiggled his fingers around his head, as if his memory would magically reappear.

"Any day now would be nice."

"Uuuhhh. Oh. Oh yeah. Why. Are. There. So many decorations? Are you celebrating Snoggletog early?" Astrid burst out laughing at the ridiculous faces he made.

"We are celebrating. But not snoggletog."

"Okaay. Then what?" Hiccup grinned and grabbed Astrid's hand, lifting it in the air.

"They're getting married," everyone looked at Fishlegs, "Uhhh. They proposed to each other in the jail cell that day. I don't think it was supposed to be like that but they still did it."

"Impossible fishface!"

"Nope. He's right. We're getting married next week," Stoick looked at the two.

"It's not arranged is it?"

"What? No. Astrid and I are getting married because we love each other."

"Good. I always said to your mother that I would prefer if you married a girl you liked rather than for political reasons," hiccup winced.

"Oh-uh. About mum. There's something you need to know."

As if it was a stage in a play, the doors burst open right then and there and stood in the entrance was the one woman every Berkian had thought was dead.

It was Valka Haddock.

"Hiccup, why did Eret tell me you had some unwelcome guests?" She looked around the hall and her eyes grew wider, before they finally resting her eyes on the father of her children and the only man she had ever loved, "Stoick."

Far away on dragon island

The girl stood at the foot of the remains of the huge beast. Its call, haunting her ever since her chief's son and that shield maiden came back. She walked through the ribcage and the call grew louder and louder. It was almost screaming at her.

And then it stopped.

She looked down and there it was. The heart of the red death. Black and brittle and the key to opening the gate of death and destruction.

She laughed manically.

She was going to take over the world and no one could stop her.

Pricking her finger, she watched as a drop of blood infused into the dragon heart and chanted. Magic surrounded her and the heart became one with her own, making her grin.

"Now, help me find that gate," she whispered, her hand clutching her new heart, as her eyes became an abyss of darkness and her feet began to move on their own accord.

And that's it for today. This last bit might be confusing. Don't worry. It's supposed to be. It will become clearer who the girl is but if you didn't already guess, things are about to get serious because of her.

Thank you guys.

Bug out sky riders.👋