The Vikings eventually loaded the ships and returned to Berk. What would have been a triumphant and celebratory return journey had been a quiet and somber occasion. The warriors were focused on the return journey not wanting to remain in the fog cover of Hel Heim's gate any longer. Heeding the words of what had been spoken to them to never return.

Chief Stoick was quiet and for once in his life remained introspective for much of his journey pausing from his internal dialogue to direct his people. Berk was soon sighted all the ships would be returning home in one piece for once. No casualties and few wounded. The villagers who had remained behind sent up the call that the ships were returning and an excited buzz went through the village.

Inside the blacksmith's shop a young adolescent woman was at work. The heat of the flames all about her she as lifted the back of her hand to her forehead to wipe away the perspiration as she was about to strike the metal on her anvil.

When she heard the call "THE SHIPS ARE RETURNING! THE SHIPS ARE RETURNING!"

She then took up the metal and dunked it in a barrel of water then set her tools aside. She removed her leather apron and hung it on the hook on the wall as she has done since she was eight years old. She washed her hands in a barrel of water, rolled the sleeves of her green tunic down, replacing the bear fur vest over green tunic, and brushed the soot and ash from her skirt and leggings. She stepped out of the smithy her auburn hair catching the light of the sun and reflecting red, her emerald eyes looking out to sea to see the ships nearing the harbor. Her fair, freckled face relaxing from worried lines at seeing all the ships nearing the docks. She then took off at a run to join the throng of excited villagers down at the docks.

As she ran she failed to see the foot that was sticking out from the shadows of a nearby house and down she went on her hands and knees.

"Oomph" was the sound she made as she went down. She could feel a stinging in the palms of her hands and knees as they had been scraped on pebbles and the ground.. As she struggled and attempted to stand she heard the sounds of laughter.

Looking up she saw her cousin Snotlout come up doubled over in laughter along with the twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut howling in laughter as well.

"Oh, Hiccupa you really make it to easy. You do realize that right" Snotlout said wiping tears from his eyes.

"LOKI!" the twins squealed together in unison and laughter.

Hiccupa brushed off her knees and cast dirty looks towards the three reprobates. "Don't you three have anything better to do than torment me day and night? You could go play in a wild boar pit instead" she suggested.

"Yeah, tried that the boars ran away" Tuffnut said as seriously as Tuffnut can sound.

"Still haven't been able to find them too" Ruffnut added.

Snotlout stepped forward angrily grabbing the front of Hiccupa's shirt "You should watch your mouth fishbone when you talk to your superiors" he said threateningly waving his fist.

'Never mind I am the Chief's daughter and immediate heir apparent' Hiccupa thought dryly.

It was then Ash and Fishlegs ran by "Come on you guys the ships are coming in lets go find out how the campaign went" Ash called to them.

Snotlout shoved Hiccupa to the ground roughly "Come on you guys I don't associate with runts for too long" he said and the three took off running joining in the group.

Hiccupa lay on the ground wincing her back now sore from being knocked down she attempted to sit up when she saw a hand in front of her. She looked up and saw Fishlegs standing their sheepishly with his hand held out towards her. She took his hand and he pulled her up grasping her elbow and then her shoulders and helping her too stand.

"Thanks Fishlegs" she said as she brushed off the dirt from her skirt.

"Yeah, just promise me you won't tell them I helped you. I don't want to be in your shoes" he said sheepishly as he pointed his two index fingers together avoiding eye contact out of guilt.

"FISHLEGS COME ON. LET'S GO." Snotlout yelled. Running back to see what was taking the husky Viking so long. Fishlegs then took off at a run not paying Hiccupa a second glance.

"Don't mind me. I'm OK really you go on ahead save me a spot." she mumbled sarcastically. Then she started at  a painful, stilted walk towards the docks resulting in being the last one to arrive.

Arriving at the docks the ships were at dock and already warriors were unloading the long ships and greeting loved ones they had left behind. Though it looked as though their had been no loss of life and few were injured. Hiccupa noticed none of the warriors seemed particularly elated at arriving home perhaps the mission was not a success she thought. Looking at the worried expressions that were on the faces of the Vikings who departed the ships as she drew closer. She even thought she saw looks of sympathy directed towards her.

Worse case scenarios soon began to run through her mind 'Where is my father? did something happen to him? I know we don't have the greatest relationship but I don't want to lose him'. She then frantically began pushing her way through the masses which was unsuccessful as she was a wee thing and couldn't make a dent. Giving up she started weaving through gaps and openings  where her small lithe form could slip through finally making it to the docks breathless. When she saw Gobber her mentor who was directing the villagers where to take supplies. Hiccupa ran to him.

"Gobber my father is he alright?" she asked wide eyed and concerned.

Gobber saw her worried expression sighed and said "Lass your father is perfectly alright. The mission was a success the dragon Queen was brought down." He said laying a reassuring hand on her shoulder and giving a sad grin in return.

"Then why does everyone look like they left a funeral?" Hiccupa said gesturing to the solemn expressions all around her.

"I'm afraid that is something I am unable to discuss with you. Let the adults and elders worry. Go see your father I think he would like to see you Lass." he said patting my shoulder and averting his gaze.

'He is clearly hiding something from me I don't like it. I will have to find out what is going on later' Hiccupa thought her brow wrinkling in concern at her mentors retreating figure. She then turned around and saw her father walking down the gang plank of his ship. Upon seeing her father she immediately felt a great relief and rushed up towards him. She wanted to throw her arms around him like she had when she was a young girl but recalled how her father disdained displays of public affection deeming them signs of weakness.

Imagine Hiccupa's surprise, when Stoick the Vast, warrior chief of Berk took one look at his daughter with a look of disapproval, causing Hiccupa to gulp, and then come forward and lift her up in a great bear hug causing her feet to leave the ground. Hiccupa was overcome with shock at first and then affection as she returned her father's embrace.

"Dad I was worried when I didn't see you at first but it's good to to have you home" she told her father happily. She would remember this moment as one of the last innocent memories of her father.

Stoick then set her down on her feet again patting her head. "Of course I would come home Hiccupa your here and this is where I belong" he said setting his massive hands on her slender shoulders. Looking down at her with love and a hint of sadness in his eyes for she so looked like Valka his late wife more and more everyday.

"What's wrong dad?" Hiccupa asked worried. "I've never seen Berkian's so somber upon returning from a successful campaign. Usually they would be into the mead and victory songs by now." she said.

Stoick sighed what should he tell his daughter the truth pf what occurred in hel heim's gate? No he would protect her so he chose the next painful option which was the truth so he wouldn't be lying. He knew his daughter enough that if he told a lie she would find out even if he had been distant all these years.

"It's just you look so like your mother, Hiccupa" he said sadly.

Hiccupa looked down sadly as well understanding her father's grief and the distance in their relationship they shared. "Dad I'm..I'm sorry.." she said looking away.

"No, it's not your fault you shouldn't be ashamed and I shouldn't make you feel so. I should be proud I have a reminder of her right in front of me. Now that the enemy is dispatched I promise from now on I will be the father you deserve Hiccupa" he said lifting her chin and smiling down at her.

"Really dad because I was thinking we could go to the cove just the two of us in a few days time..." Hiccupa started excitedly thinking finally she could have her father back.

"Actually, Hiccupa it will have to wait. At least a fortnight I have much to discuss with the Elders and the Tribal Council but I assure you we will spend more time together. Now if you'll excuse me a Chief's job is never done." Stoick said patting her absentmindedly on the shoulder and then moving up the dock slinging his pack over his shoulder.

Stoick then called over to Gobber "Gobber call a meeting in the council hut with the Elders and Council right away we have much to discuss right this instance. Also, be sure food and ale is spread out in the Great Hall give the villagers a chance to spend time with their families. And after that..." Stoick's booming voice trailed away as he got farther away from Hiccupa.

Hiccupa watched the hulking, retreating figure of her father as he joined in the rest of the villagers as they began the assent up the ramparts away from the docks. Not for the first time in her life she was left with a cold feeling of abandonment as she was soon left alone on the docks soon forgotten as though she was nothing more than an afterthought.