Honestly... I thought I'd have given up by now but here we are on story number 6 and I'm still going strong! I would like to stress that this story is co-written by EmmerzK, who is completely in charge of one aspect of it while I will be taking on another. Since it's a joint effort, I think it's only fair to credit her as a co-author as opposed to a helper or editor or whatever else she could be called. But I won't bore you with the details! Here we go!

Chapter One: Away From Home

This is Berk

As Vikings, we have a strong sense of community because we all have to rely on each other. It's reassuring to have neighbors to depend on and lend a helping hand in times of trouble.

However, not everyone has an easy time of trusting one another. For some, trust doesn't come naturally. For others, it has been broken so many times, they become wary of who to trust and who to avoid. No matter what the reason, betrayed confidence is never taken lightly.

Unfortunately, we all will betray someone's trust at some point. And though we can pay them back and beg for second chances, we can only pray that they will come to forgive us.

The young man smiled sweetly and cupped Darcia's chin in his hand. "You are the most beautiful, kindhearted, special woman I have ever met."

Darcia blushed, the urge to look down at her shoes fleeting. "I don't try to be…"

"That's the beauty of it though, isn't it?" Bryant smiled. "It's natural. You couldn't fake it if you tried. And that's what makes you amazing… perfect."

A laugh escaped her as she tried to look away from his firm gaze. "Why are you being so… sweet?"

Bryant shrugged. "It's the truth." His brown eyes glanced down for but a moment until he lifted her chin and carefully leaned forward. Darcia froze, entranced by the feel of his breath ghosting her lips before-

CREAK!

Adrianna Miracle Haddock jumped on the couch, nearly dropping her book. She scowled at losing her spot on the page when her mother and Benen walked inside from the cold, talking and laughing between themselves. Snowflakes flurried around them as the outside wind gusted through the house. The fire even crackled at the sharp contrast. Adrianna quickly pulled her toes up under legs to conserve the warmth and scanned the page to continue that quite lovely scene before she was so suddenly interrupted. The 13-year-old did her absolute best to hide her annoyance and ignore the adults' conversation still raucously going on behind her.

"Honestly Benen," Astrid Hofferson Haddock was saying. "You don't have to be so sweet. I could have carried it by myself."

Benen, a close elderly friend of the Haddocks, set the basket of groceries on the kitchen table before waving his hand dismissively. "Nonsense! Someone has to be the man around here with yours gone."

Astrid sighed. "I can't wait until they're back. It's too quiet without my boys. Boring…" she considered Benen for a moment before smiling, "The sound of Hiccup's prosthetic fills the house when he's here. It's become a comforting sound more than I ever would have expected."

Benen nodded. "Ahh, even terrible things can become sweet over time. Any idea when they'll be home?"

"His last note came in yesterday. Establishing the Bogs into our system is easier said than done, but their chief Camicazi is confident her people will come around. If there's anything Hiccup loves doing more than flying, it's persuading people that dragons are good. He said they'll hopefully be home in about a week, but it could be longer."

"Good. How's Finn?"

A smile spread across Astrid's face at the mention of her son. Just that morning she'd been making him some new clothes. Fearless Finn Haddock's constant growth spurt didn't seem to be ending anytime soon; surely his clothes would be bursting at the seams by the time he got home. Again. "Hiccup said he's really enjoying himself: meeting a lot of people and learning a thing or two about diplomacy. Well," Astrid scratched her chin idly. "I'm sure he's not enjoying that part… but I doubt he's complaining."

"I wouldn't think so," Benen chuckled. "Do you think he's grown more?"

"No doubt about it. He'll be taller than Hiccup by his next birthday, I'm sure of it. He's already almost as tall as me!" Astrid shook her head as if she couldn't wrap her mind around it. "My little man was never supposed to actually become a man…" Benen laughed again, making her smile. He turned toward the couch to stare at the back of Adrianna's head.

"Then you have that one." Benen nodded to her. "I don't think she's left the house since Erick left."

Astrid sighed. "Pretty much only for flights and meals. If she didn't have her books, I don't know what she'd do. Probably be bored out of her mind… I know I'm bored just watching."

Benen gave her a knowing glance. "Well, why don't you do something with her? Surely she won't say no."

"Well, given how long we've been talking about her and she has yet to notice…" Astrid remarked dryly.

Benen smirked and waltzed to the back of the couch. He gently tugged on Adrianna's ponytail, making her lean closer to her book in slight annoyance. "Stop, I'm just getting to the good part!"

"And what might that be?" Benen leaned over her shoulder and read a few lines. He made a face. "No wonder Finn doesn't like to read."

Adrianna faced him and took in the playful expression. "Fearless Finn doesn't read because Fearless Finn doesn't want to read. Content has nothing to do with the matter," she stated.

The adults chuckled. "She's got a point, Benen."

"That she does." Benen stood up, frowning for a moment when Adrianna turned back to her book. "Well I suppose if you don't want the treat of the week…" He turned to walk away and grinned at Astrid when he audibly heard the book close.

Adrianna jumped up to stand beside him, hand outstretched to accept the small package he pulled out of his satchel. But Benen paused with a look of disbelief. "Good Odin's beard, girl!"

"What?" Adrianna looked down at her plain outfit, touched the lily in her ponytail and ran a hand across her face. Nothing out of place or out of the ordinary. "What is it?"

"You've grown! Look, you're almost as tall as me!" Benen gasped with wide blue eyes.

Adrianna smiled but took in her height. Yes, she had grown taller. Of course she hadn't sprouted enough to notice a big difference like her twin brother, but she could see it.

"And…" Benen paused lightly. "Better be careful or the boys might start chasing after you."

"Why would they-" Adrianna looked down and quite visibly saw the reason for this statement. "Oh." A blush covered her face as her mother and old friend continued to torture her with laughter. Before either could say another word, she held out her hand. "Can I have my goodie now? Please?" She widened her Haddock green eyes pitifully, quite the contrast in color to her puce face.

Benen chuckled and handed over the small paper back. "Of course, Anna."

The young blonde opened the package with some excitement. No matter how old she got, Benen's special goodies from the baker's would never lose their sweetness and excitement. A sweet roll with cinnamon wrapped in a napkin met her eyes and she nearly jumped happily. "Thanks Benen! You're amazing!" Adrianna hugged the old man around the middle, kissed his cheek and skipped to the kitchen to find a plate. "Finn's missing out!"

Benen scoffed. "Oh I'm sure that boy is getting spoiled out of his mind."

"Him and Erick both," Adrianna mused before taking a generous bite out of her roll. She hummed loudly and didn't try to act polite. Astrid watched almost jealously as she devoured the first half of the roll.

"Anna, slow down or you'll get sick."

"Sorry, I haven't had one in a long time," The girl apologized through a full mouth and unabashedly licked her lips clean of the creamy frosting. Adrianna smiled at her mother's scowl—everyone knew Astrid had a sweet tooth that she very thankfully inherited.

"Now now, don't be a sour puss. I wouldn't forget the second of my two favorite girls!" Benen remarked as he pulled out a second package and held it out to Astrid, who gaped at him.

"Benen, how much-"

"Ah!" Benen stopped her with a single finger. "A gift is a gift. Free. Take it."

Astrid cocked an eyebrow at him before taking the package. But before he could step away she enveloped him in a tight hug. "Where would we be without you, Benen?"

"Oh no," Benen shook his head as he hugged her back. "Where would I be without all of you?"

Astrid pulled back with a wide smile. She didn't answer; she didn't have to. "Stay for dinner?"

"Absolutely!"

"Perfect! I'm making stew and rolls." Astrid said as she sauntered to the kitchen.

Adrianna's eyes opened wide. She asked with an again full mouth, "Wiff garlic budder?"

Astrid eyed her daughter's terrible manners before catching the sparkle in her eyes. Just like Hiccup's. "Oh yes, with garlic butter."

"Yes! Dad AND Finn are missing out!" Astrid and Benen laughed again, the latter ruffling her hair.

"So." Benen stated blankly before wiping a smudge of frosting off Adrianna's lip. "Do you miss Erick?"

Adrianna raised an eyebrow. "Do you miss spring?"

"Ha! Touché."

Adrianna narrowed her eyes at Benen's bright, teasing expression. Instead she focused on Astrid cutting potatoes on the other side of the counter. "We're just friends. I don't know why anyone acts different."

"Well," Benen attempted to stop his grin. "I suspect your parents were good friends for a time before they got-"

"Don't. Say it. Benen." The teenager interrupted promptly and Benen couldn't withhold the grin any longer. The girl's eyes narrowed to slits once again before she smiled sweetly. "All right. Have your fun. But I'm going back to my book now."

Benen watched her fling her long ponytail over her shoulder and march back to the couch. "Oh it's all right," he called after her. "That book will probably teach you more about love than I ever will anyway."

"I seriously doubt that." Astrid muttered to the carrots she was mercilessly chopping.

Benen patted her wrist. "All in good time, Astrid. All in good time."

"Doctor," Rory said warningly, eyeing the entrance.

Restac was lying on the dirt on one elbow, looking murderous. She seemed barely conscious.

"She was there when the gas started. She must have been poisoned." Amy told them, not taking her eyes off the firearm in the Siluran's hand.

"You!" Restac cried furiously.

"Okay, get in the TARDIS, both of you." the Doctor said, stepping toward the blue box while keeping his eyes fixed on the lone Silurian. He put his hand in his pocket and grasped the sonic screwdriver.

"You did this!" Restac immediately pointed the firearm directly at the Doctor and fired.

"DOCTOR!" Rory bolted forward, shoving the Time Lord out of the way.

The blast seemed to go in slow motion from the firearm into Rory's chest. Amy felt frozen to the spot as he let out a scream and collapsed on the ground just as Restac finally succumbed to the poison.

"No!" Erick yelped.

Four pairs of eyes immediately fixed themselves on the nearly 15-year-old boy, who was staring at the blue book in his hands with wide eyes. Three sighs of exasperation soon followed this outburst but Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III bounded out of his chair and looked over Erick's shoulder with interest.

"Rory's second death... that's a good one." he said enthusiastically as he scanned the page.

Olaf Larson stared at his son with a raised eyebrow. "Rory... who?"

Finn rolled his eyes. "That guy from the stupid book dad and Anna have read a thousand times."

Both of Olaf's eyebrows were raised, now in surprise. "Really? They've got you reading it too?"

Erick's teal eyes lit up as he recalled the utterly fascinating book that he'd been reading for the entire trip whenever he could. "Yeah, and it's getting really good! Last chapter was my favorite. See, there was this Dream Lord and he put the characters in these two universes and made them choose between-"

Olaf held up a hand. "I'm already lost."

"Ooh, Amy's Choice! I loved that one!" Hiccup paused for a moment before smiling fondly. "You know, that was Addie's favorite too."

"What was yours?" Erick asked his best friend's father.

"The Lodger. You'll get there." Hiccup patted Erick's shoulder before going back to his chair near the fire pit.

Horst shook his head at the two readers. "Okay, enough book talk before we all get hopelessly lost." he said with a chuckle. He then focused on Erick. "So you and Anna have the same interests, do you?"

"It's not... you know it's not like that." Erick's face quickly turned vermilion.

Olaf leaned back in his wheeled chair, folding his hands on his lap and giving Erick a very amused look. "Oh really?"

Finn let out a laugh. "Even I see it."

"Can we change the subject? I'm not too keen on talking about my daughter's love life." Hiccup gave them all his most authoritative look (which he'd been working on for months without any real progress).

"Hey!"

"Potential love life, then." Hiccup corrected.

"Suits me fine." Erick's face began to return to its original color. He sighed deeply. "When will we start heading home?"

"I'm not sure yet." Hiccup replied, looking slightly exasperated. "Camicazi's close for sure but she's got a lot of questions and it doesn't help that she keeps trying to engage me in sword fighting in the process."

Olaf chuckled at this statement. Camicazi was definitely a piece of work. "Maybe you can negotiate while attempting to stab each other."

"That's not dangerous at all." Hiccup deadpanned.

Horst stared at his chief thoughtfully. "I don't know, Hiccup. It's not a bad idea."

Hiccup shrugged. "In theory, no, but it's a bad idea for me. Can't risk this leg getting any worse." he gestured to the prosthetic attached to his left leg.

Olaf waved his hand as if to wave away Hiccup's concern. "You've been doing fine these last few years."

"It still hurts sometimes." Hiccup looked saddened for a moment but soon brightened up. "I don't want to get into any unnecessary fighting. I've got a village to run. Let someone else have all that glory. I don't need it."

Finn jumped to his feet. "I'll fight her!"

Hiccup gazed at his tall, muscular son. The boy certainly looked like he could take on a woman Camicazi's size in any kind of duel. The more Finn grew older, the more it seemed like Stoick the Vast lived once more. His thick, red hair grew so fast, his mother had to cut it once a week, and even that was almost futile as it seemed to grow in all directions as well. His voice, which had started changing not long before, was right in the middle of the awkward stage but when he spoke in the lower voice he was now acquiring without it cracking horribly, his grandfather's booming voice emerged from his vocal cords.

Hiccup shook his head and laughed a bit at the boy's suggestion. "It's good that you're showing initiative but she's the best sword fighter on this side of the archipelago. You'd be pummeled for sure."

Finn suddenly looked indignant. "I would not!"

"Yes you would." Horst added. "You need more practice."

Finn sat back down and crossed his arms across his chest. "Always with the practicing."

Before anyone could give Finn cliché advice about how practicing would only improve his skills, the door to the guest house Camicazi had reserved for them burst open and a snow-covered, bundled up Snotlout stomped in. He quickly shut the door behind him before any more snow got into the house.

"It's freezing." he griped at no one in particular. "I hate this place. At least Berk isn't as windy when it's negative twenty degrees."

Hiccup snorted. "Tell me, Snotlout, do you feel submerged in this frigid weather?"

"Yeah." Finn added with a cackle. "At least you had your coat to shield you from the wind."

Everyone burst out laughing. Snotlout glared at the lot of them.

"I hate you all." he grumbled as he hung his coat on the hook.

"No you don't." Hiccup said between guffaws. "We make your life interesting."

Snotlout certainly had a good reason to scowl at the laughing men in front of him. As they had arrived at the island of the Bog Burglars, he had been bragging about how he could win in a fight against any of the members of the foreign tribe (since most of the warriors were women). As he did so, he hopped on the edge of the ship and walked around, pointing his sword at various people and cutting random, unimportant objects that were within his reach. He showed quite a few excellent moves but, unfortunately, not quite as excellent balance. The ship lurched and the burly man immediately toppled off the edge with a high pitched yelp of surprise, his balance thrown off by the heavy shield in his other hand. Hookfang, who had been helping the other dragons thaw the ice around the ship so that it would move despite the ocean being frozen over, hesitated before finally leaning over and plucking the freezing cold and completely soaked Snotlout out of the water. The laughter that followed wasn't merely from the Hooligans. The Bog Burglars, who had gathered to greet the Hooligans as they docked, had also witnessed the incident. Snotlout had been given dry clothes and plenty of time in front of the fire so he suffered no ill effects. Camicazi, on the other hand, burst out laughing every single time she'd seen him the entire duration of the trip thus far.

Snotlout waited until his fellow Hooligans were finished laughing before turning to look at Finn, who was clearly in charge of cooking the fish and vegetables over the fire. He smirked.

"So Finn's cooking again, is he?" he asked as he sauntered over and sat down.

"He's very good at it." Hiccup patted the boy's shoulder. "My son the chef."

Finn rolled his eyes as the laughter was now directed at him. He had discovered a talent for cooking fairly recently and was now called upon to do most of it while staying on the foreign island since no one else had the knack for it that he had.

"That better not leave this house." he huffed.

"What, that my son can feed people decent food?" Hiccup asked with a shrug.

"Yes." Finn said through his teeth.

"Oh, I'm sure your future wife will appreciate it all the times she births your children and she can't do anything." Hiccup chortled.

Finn's face suddenly turned as red as his hair. "Dad!"

Erick's distinct laugh became quite audible over the others' at this outburst. Olaf rounded on him.

"Don't you laugh, mister. It could apply to you too one day." he patted his son's knee.

Erick rolled his eyes. "I don't cook."

"Neither do I." Finn winked at the fellow teenager.

"No funny business now." Hiccup stated quite seriously. "That's my baby we're talking about."

"And what about me?" Finn asked in mock offense.

"I'll let your mother deal with it." Hiccup replied, rubbing his hands together. "I wash my hands of you and your scandalous cooking traits."

Uproarious laughter followed this statement. As Finn finally finished the stew he was making, he began to pass out bowls, offering the ladle to each Viking in turn. Erick was the last to be served because he was busy frowning at Hiccup.

"Don't make assumptions about stuff like that." he said as calmly as he could. "Who knows what the future has for us?"

"Everyone." Olaf piped up immediately. "At least concerning yours and Miss Haddock's."

"Don't I know it." Hiccup grumbled.

He didn't like thinking about his daughter growing up and bringing home boys. He'd put up a bit of a fuss when he had found Astrid adjusting one of her old bras so it would fit their daughter. It had seemed like yesterday that he had been rocking her to sleep or chasing her around the house on his hands and knees.

Erick rolled his eyes in response to Olaf's comment. "Whatever gave you guys these assumptions to begin with?"

"You were holding hands when she was three." Finn shook his head with a smile. "You started early, man. I thought I was the macho one."

"What-"

"You've been best friends for ten years." Hiccup added.

"Really?" Erick hadn't bothered to count but it certainly hadn't felt like it had been ten years. But now that he did the math in his head, he was shocked to realize that Hiccup was right.

Horst let out a booming laugh at his apprentice's embarrassment. "And then you stare at her every time she walks by the shop. Can't get you to focus."

"That's not true!" Erick yelped. "Mostly..."

Snotlout snorted in amusement. "I am surprised they haven't kissed yet."

"NO!" shouted Hiccup.

"Oh, Hiccup, you've got to be ready for that." Olaf told him sympathetically. "She's thirteen."

"She's still a kid." Hiccup sighed deeply. "Though honestly, I still feel like a kid."

"Hate to break it to you dad..." Finn began.

"No, really! I don't... feel old." Hiccup insisted.

"It will catch up to you fast." Olaf told him.

Horst's eyes flitted to the prosthetic. "Unfortunately, you are facing some effects already and you aren't that old."'

"Well that's different." Hiccup crossed his bad leg over his good one. "Not age, just being an amputee."

"What was it like? Waking up without a leg, I mean." Erick's eyes immediately turned away and he looked rather embarrassed at asking such a personal question.

"It's fine, Erick. It was a long time ago." Hiccup assured him.

"Actually, I want to know too. What was it like?" Finn asked with interest.

Hiccup was silent for a while, gently patting his sleeping dragon's snout. Toothless had snuggled next to his hip after he had sat down.

"Different. Strange. But I accepted it quickly."

"Why?" Finn scooted closer. "Weren't you mad?"

Hiccup shrugged. "Mad? Not really. A bit sad? Definitely. I went through a grieving process of sorts. But there was no sense in being angry about it. I couldn't get it back, just like Toothless can't get his fin back." he rubbed the Night Fury's head and scratched behind the ears. "But I helped Toothless fly again after permanently injuring him. And he helped me walk again after saving me. I was alive and I had my best friend. I had nothing to gripe about in the end." he suddenly scowled. "At least for the summer. That first winter... man, that was bad."

"And your big growth spurt." Snotlout added helpfully. "I remember you were out for the count for a while."

"That was really, really bad." Hiccup cringed at the memory.

"Why?" asked Finn."

"Think about it... your brain is telling your body to grow but some of it is missing." Hiccup explained. "What was left grew but it was beyond painful. So let that be a lesson to the both of you." he addressed both Finn and Erick. "Don't lose a foot while you're still growing."

"Duly noted, chief." Erick said with a nod.

Horst stretched and yawned, his back making odd cracking sounds as he did so. "I think it's about time I went to bed. Long day tomorrow."

"Tell me about it." Hiccup slowly stood up. "I think it's time for us to turn in, Finn."

Finn, who was most definitely a morning person, nodded and followed his father to the room they shared. Hiccup heard the others getting up and going to their respective rooms, Olaf with Erick and Horst with Snotlout. As he settled into the bed, which was comfortable enough, Hiccup felt a small ache at the memory of his bed at home. How he wished he could fall asleep snuggled up to his wife and listening to her deep breathing. He missed her and Adrianna very much but hopefully he would be seeing them soon. After all, Camicazi would see reason. Dragons were good, they would join forces, and he'd find some way to avoid sword fighting with her.

As his body finally relaxed and sleep began to overcome him, he promised himself that he would be home for Snoggletog, which was one week away. Yes, he would make sure everything was cleared up until then. He finally fell asleep thinking that he was going to have to work quite a bit harder to make this a reality. But for the two most important women in his life, he could do anything.

This was definitely an introductory chapter. This story seems to be split into three parts and they're all quite different in tone. But this definitely fits the tone of the first part so I think I'm doing okay!

So who is excited for this story? I'm back to the T-rating and some of my old tricks. It's good to go back to some of the basics while also trying new things.

Special thanks to EmmerzK for proofreading and writing the first section with Benen, Astrid, and Adrianna. I was hopelessly stuck but the opening really was fantastic! Also to Frtiz96 for helping with the opening segment.

This story's cover will be more detailed and done by a different artist (i-like-writing-stories) so it's not quite ready yet but I'll add it as soon as I can.

Don't forget to review!

~KateMarie999