42: The Heir to Berk.

The warning horn jerked everyone from their normal tasks and Astrid's head snapped up from her inspection of the junior weapons class, raising a hand to stop them in their battles before she sighed.

"Wait here," she commanded them. "And that means here, Brit-I'm still watching you!"

"Yes, Mrs Astrid," the female twin sighed, ignoring Odd-Knut's sniggering at her chagrin while Astrid slung her axe across her back and sped through the gates and up to the cliff edge to see the Meathead fleet rounding the Harbour Guards. She stared for a long moment, her fists clenching at the necessity of seeing Mogadon and Thuggory again and then she turned back to her class, seeing the patrol fly overhead and hearing Gustav whoop. Shaking her head and smiling, she returned to the younger class: there was plenty of time to finish before they would be ready to dock.

In fact, she realised she was running late as she broke up the twins fighting and sent Sven Elofsson and Bjorn Nilsson on five laps of the Plaza for whispering and giggling in class. Cursing under her breath, she sped up from the Arena, along the cliff walkway and down the ramp to the docks where the Meathead flagship was pulling in, lines flying to waiting hands, feet shuffling among the welcoming party and eyes flicking to the feisty blonde as she slid into place by the tall shape of Hiccup, his hand unconsciously sliding out to find hers. She glanced up with an apologetic expression, her cheeks flushed with the run and breathing calming consciously.

"Sorry," she murmured. "The twins were being a pest."

"Tell me about it," he murmured back ironically. "Must be something about that family." His emerald eyes twinkled and she glanced up to see the dragons all perched on the walkway just below the cliff top, with fresh singeing of the ramp by the pair of Zipplebacks. The patrol zoomed past against the blue sky, the banks of grey clouds highlighting the brilliant colours of Fanghook and Hookfang as they zoomed round to land by the other dragons. She swiped her bangs off her face and took a deep breath.

"You ready?" she asked him.

"Are you?" he shot back, his refusal to answer telling enough. She smiled and nodded, the familiar sensation of the silver around her finger reminding her that she was safe.

"You fought for me and won, remember?' she murmured. "I'm yours."

A pointed clearing of the throat from the huge flame-haired shape by them silenced the pair and they shared a look then had to try not to laugh. Gobber stood by him and Else was there, standing proud and silent as the chief's niece. Beyond her, Fishlegs and the Thorston twins were stationed as representatives of the Dragon Riders while the trusted warriors and Elders-Phlegma, Not-So-Silent-Sven, Hoark, Ack and Lars the Steady-were lined up behind them. The thud of the gangplank hitting the docks snapped their attention back to the stiff and stern shape of Mogadon, marching heavily onto the docks with the tall, handsome shape of Thuggory walking behind him, the Heir's handsome face twisted in a smug smile.

"Welcome, Chief Mogadon," Stoick boomed, his grey-green eyes twinkling with challenge. Mogadon scowled.

"Stoick, you old bastard-still not dead yet?" he grumbled. Sticking his thumbs into his belt, the Chief of Berk smiled.

"Alvin tried pretty hard-but no," he said easily. "Giant dragon failed, Alvin failed, Dagur failed…" He offered his hand. "I'm sure you have no ambitions in that direction." Mogadon's cold eyes drifted up to the shapes of the dragons, perched and watching the visitors.

"Hmm…looks like the rumours were true," he said coldly. "You've gone soft and have allied with the dragons." Stoick's eyes cooled as the other Chief clasped his hand and there was a brief but intense moment as both men squeezed as hard as they could and glared at one another.

"I suggest you try riding one of the beasts and call it 'going soft'," he challenged the other man. "I have my son to thank for this." Mogadon turned and his cool inspection swept over the silent shape of Hiccup. His face twisted into a sneer.

"And this, I suppose, is the famous 'Dragon Conquerer'?" he taunted the young man and Hiccup stirred, his face passive. Dressed in a new deep red tunic with subtle decorative stitching around the laced neck and his woven leather tunic with the buckles across the chest and night fury symbol on his right shoulder, he looked every inch the warrior-though not a typical Viking. The sword on his right hip and the two little braids behind his right ear were a nod to his heritage but as he shifted his weight onto his right leg, the unique metal prosthetic clicked and he pulled his shoulders back as he gave a smile.

"I prefer 'Dragon Trainer'," he said pleasantly. "Welcome Chief Mogadon, Thuggory. I trust your journey was uneventful?"

"Very," Thuggory put in. "We were looking forward to some excitement-but I see a dragon hunt is out of the question…" Brows dipping, Hiccup stepped forward.

"Totally-unless you wish my Riders to return the favour," he said, his voice edged with steel. "You do not threaten or harm dragons on Berk. Is that understood?" Taken aback by the forceful reply, the Meathead Heir nodded and then turned his eyes to the beautiful shape standing beside the auburn-haired Viking.

"Astrid-how good to see you," he said smoothly. "I see you are more beautiful than ever." She stared stonily back. "And I am aware I owe you an apology for my actions last time. A man is sometimes driven beyond his senses with desire at the sight of such a stunning Valkyrie…" He gave a lazy smile, even white teeth gleaming in the weak sunlight. "And I wonder if you have reconsidered your Promise to Hiccup…?" Smiling sweetly, Astrid walked forward to take Hiccup's hand, ensuring her hand was angled perfectly to allow the sunlight to gleam off the silver ring on her hand.

"Nope," she said brusquely. "We've been married almost eight months now. And I regret not one second!" Dark eyes widened in shock at the blunt declaration and Thuggery's eyes snapped back to Hiccup, who was smirking.

"Officially the luckiest man on Midgard," he confirmed, his emerald eyes glittering in amusement. "And I wouldn't push her on it. She takes the 'wife' thing very seriously."

"But you…you're…you've…" Thuggory managed, his hands gesturing at the prosthesis.

"Killing a mountain-sized dragon is a hazardous business," Hiccup told him easily. "But annoying Astrid Haddock? Oh, even more so!" Reading the unity of their position, the closeness and the tender clasp of hands, Thuggory raised his own in defeat. He grinned.

"Well, since I wish to keep all my limbs intact, I can take a hint," he admitted. He offered his hand to Hiccup. "No hard feelings? Events since our last visit have proven many of my assumptions were wrong about Berk…and more were right about you. You are definitely the future of Berk…though I guess not how anyone, my father least of all, expected. And I wish you both joy and long life!" Hiccup nodded and accepted the hand.

"Thank you," he said easily, smiling. There would always be a wariness there, because Thuggory was a man who was manipulative, devious and always looked for his own advantage-in other words, his father's son-but he knew the man's words were genuine and he could afford to be generous in accepting the apology. Mogadon snorted as he finished his introductions to the rest of the party and cast his keen glance around, the rising breeze catching his black wolf-pelt cloak.

"I see the others are all here," he commented. "Bog Burglars, Visithugs, Shivering Shores, Berserkers? Thor, I thought you killed Dagur the Deranged?" Stoick gave a smug smile.

"Hiccup killed him when he broke the Treaty and helped the Outcasts attack Berk," he explained calmly. "But I knew there was a younger sister who Oswald had to hide because Dagur had threatened to kill her. Both their Elder, Vegard the Very Boring and I knew where she was hidden, for Oswald entrusted us with the secret when he had to hide her to save her life. She was fostered-adopted, really amid the Peaceables and we made contact shortly after Dagur died as Oswald would have wanted and offered her the throne of Berserk with their Council's blessing. And she and her adopted parents have moved to Berserk and accepted the offer. Chieftess Heather has already signed a Treaty between Berk and Berserk and she certainly seems to be Oswald's daughter, in character if not in upbringing!" Thuggery's eyes lit up.

"Then I should go an introduce myself to her," he suggested, flashing his most predatory grin and bowed, then headed up towards the Great Hall. Astrid stared after him.

"He's never met Heather, has he?" she commented and Hiccup shook his head.

"Nope-we're the first people from another Tribe to meet her and I have to say, she's really bonded with you, Milady," he replied calmly as they turned to follow the Chiefs up towards the village. "I'm not sure how she'll react to him-though I do believe she's a little more subtle than you, my love." Astrid elbowed him gently in the ribs and he winced. "Owww….."

"Yeah, yeah-you shouldn't have been trying that ridiculous trick and then you wouldn't have fallen off Toothless and bruised your ribs," she reminded him tartly, though the way she slid her arm around his waist reassured him her sharp words were born of concern, not anger. "You have other responsibilities now and can't go round getting injured and losing any more limbs!" He flashed her his genuine, lopsided grin.

"Hey-I thought you were aware there was a two-limb maximum to be a blacksmith on Berk!" he teased her.

"Oh no-you are losing any more pieces, babe," she told him sternly. "I need my husband just as he is!" He leaned forward and kissed her briefly on the top of the head.

"As Milady commands," he sighed as they turned and headed up the next level of the ramp.

The village was completely rebuilt, the houses repainted and dragon's head decorations dotted wth perched Terrible Terrors. The people were cheerful, waving at the visitors and carrying on with their business, moving fish and other food and taking wood to the site of a new house that was being built for newcomers who had come to Berk. In fact, the village was looking prosperous, bustling and busy. Trader Johann had been in recently, his wares brightening the place. The Thorstons were trailing at the back with Tuff maintaining a monologue to the new mace he had bought, much to the disgust of his sister while Fishlegs was revelling in his role as trusted adviser and dragon-training teacher.

Hiccup quietly drifted away from the group, spotting an agitated Nadder and gently approaching her, soothing her with a few soft words and a gentle stroke or two on her beak-like copper muzzle. He smiled and patted her again as she cawed and took off, flapping over to one of the reinforced wooden perches by the warehouses via the feeding station that Hiccup had suggested they set up to prevent hungry dragons annoying the villagers by trying to steal food. The dragons released from the thrall of the monstrous Chief had moved in to Berk and though many just lived happily in the woods, a number had taken up residence in the village and a lot of Hiccup's work had focussed on making sure the change in living arrangements didn't cause friction. And though dragons predominantly fed on fish, they would filch unguarded bread and chicken, much to the annoyance of the Hooligans.

But the people of Berk trusted Hiccup, who had protected the village, even when they had treated him so poorly, ended the war, defied the Outcasts and defeated the invaders, including his treacherous replacement. So when he had asked them to work with him in integrating the dragons with some perches, feeding stations and a few sensible precautions, they had been willing to listen-and many of them had started to bond with some of the new inhabitants, including Gothi, who had half a dozen Terrors living in her small hut. So Berk was generally peaceful, though the odd dragon skirmish broke out now and then and Hiccup's fire prevention system was on every house now. A few houses had small stables built at the back, for dragon companions to live with their human friends.

Of course, these included the homes of all the Riders-especially the Ingermans, who had reinforced floors as well because Fishlegs insisted on sleeping with Meatlug at the foot of his bed. Yaklegs kept Stoneskin down by the fire and was as besotted with his dragon as his older brother-though much cooler about it. He was sort of dating Tiril, though she made fun of him all the time but she gave him enough encouragement to know that she did care for him. Hilde was being pursued by Gustav who she was warming to-but she was very careful not to show it. While he was chasing her, he was learning all sorts of things to impress her, which she approved of. Else was adjusting to the fact that her father and brother were gone-no one had found any sign of Snotlout, alive or dead and she had finally accepted that he died in the fifty foot fall onto the rocks. And she was learning to ride a small grey Nadder who she had named Thundercloud. Stoick was very generous and welcomed the girl and her traumatised mother into his home, because they were family-and he had plenty of room, because Hiccup continued to live with Astrid in their home with their dragons-Stormfly in the stables and Toothless on a slab in their bedroom.

The familiar sleek black shape bounded up to Hiccup and he turned, automatically greeting the Night Fury, who had been watching his Viking carefully as he met the Meathead delegation. Toothless could tell that Hiccup was anxious at the prospect of the meeting and the dragon had realised that the tall, dark-haired Meathead heir was the person who had worried his rider. So Toothless had kept a very critical eye on the visitors and now they were back in the village, the dragon had no qualms in rejoining his friend and making sure he and his mate were safe. The visitors to the island were looking nervous and there were a lot of hands close to weapons-but all the Hooligans were on alert and reminded their guests that dragons were welcome allies on Berk. Hiccup sighed as Toothless gave a quizzical croon.

"No, it's okay," he sighed as Astrid started to walk towards him. "It's just…the last time they were here…well, I nearly died. Probably more than once. And though they should behave themselves, it's just the memories…" He shuddered and took a sighing breath. "But if I hadn't stepped up and protected Astrid, we would never have been promised. And Snotlout and the twins would never have attacked me, I would never have moved in with Astrid and I wouldn't have shot you down. The war would have continued and I would still be nothing."

"Oh, you're definitely something," Astrid reassured him, arriving at her side.

"Did I hear Dragon Conquerer?" Gustav asked. "Wow, that's cool!"

"Still prefer Trainer," Hiccup admitted.

"Though Conquerer is accurate as well," Hilde reminded him. "You conquered the Chief."

"OOOH! And you defeated Dagur!" Yaklegs put in, grinning. Tiril smirked.

"And we all kicked Outcast butt," she added.

"Macey was seriously impressed at how all that scrawny little viking could come up with such an awesome plan," Tuff commented. Ruff whacked him on the shoulder. "Hey! I mean she's a far better judge of character than you are, sis…" he snarked and she rolled her eyes.

"You know, saying something like that just moves me to TEARS," she shot back.

"WHAAAAAAAAAAA!" Hiccup rubbed his forehead and looked at his fellow riders.

"Tuff-do you need to go back on patrol to calm down?" he asked pointedly and there was a sudden silence, followed by a few small sniffs.

"No…I'll manage…." he sniffed, hugging the mace.

"Tiril, Yaklegs, please can you swing round the harbour and check the various groups aren't causing any trouble?" he asked.

"We'll check Thor's Beach as well-just to make sure no one is planning on ruining the celebrations," Yaklegs offered.

"You can rely on us," Tiril added with a grin, winked at her cousins and sprinted towards Jadespine with the husky younger brother a pace behind her. "Last one to Freya's Needles is Mildew's niece!"

"NOT FAIR!" Yaklegs protested as Stoneskin rocketed off after her. Astrid smiled and touched Hiccup's hand.

"Your father will wonder where we are," she murmured and he turned to her, his hands sliding down to her waist. He looked down into her affectionate azure eyes, his smile lighting his entire face.

"Do you think he'd miss us if we went off and did something much more fun?" he whispered in her ear and she smiled as she kissed him, her hands gently resting on her cheeks.

"Since you are the guest of honour, my love, I think so," she reminded him as they reluctantly turned to the long star up to the Great Hall and began to trudge up. "This is going to go fine, Hiccup," she reassured him.

"Yeah, what could possibly go wrong?" he replied sarcastically. "What with a hall full of vikings none of whom have been friends to us and who are pretty hostile towards dragons in a village…full of dragons. Oh and Thuggory hitting on Heather. Perfect!" Her hand tightened on his and she jerked him to a halt.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third!" she said sharply and his emerald eyes widened in shock. "You will go in there and act like the person I know you are-the brave, inventive, amazing dragon-riding man I love. You aren't the village pariah any more: you're the Pride of Berk! And Stoick has acknowledged his mistakes. This is just the official ceremony…"

"Maybe an earthquake? Lightning storm? Wrath of the Gods?" he murmured as they resumed their walk and reached the huge doors. Fishlegs was waiting for them, his face impatient.

"Do you know that it's considered terribly bad form to keep visiting dignitaries waiting?" he asked in a worried voice.

"They're vikings, Fish," Hiccup reminded him. "I'm sure they can cope."

"Yes, but Thuggory is trying to hit on Heather, Camicazi is stirring things up and Marius of the Shivering Shores and Roar of the Visithugs are squaring up to fight," the husky Viking reported. "And while I know their fathers will enjoy a combat. Stoick has already gone red…" Hiccup sped past him with Astrid in tow and they arrived at the large table in moments, the tall young man bowing slightly.

"Ah-there you are, son!" Stoick announced in his booming voice. "Come, take your seat with me!" Hiccup nodded.

"Sorry, Chief-I just needed to calm down a feisty Nadder," he said by way of apology as he slid by the others, seeing Gobber wink and Gothi manage a lopsided smile as his lean shape warily sat, making sure there was room for Astrid beside him. Camicazi, the Heir to the Bog Burglars, leaned forward.

"Any excuse," she teased. She was a little shorter than Astrid with wild blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and complete self-confidence. When they had been children, Hiccup had found her very pushy and daring, often getting him into scrapes at the Chief Meetings and leaving him to face the consequences. Now she was an adult, she was sexually provocative and seemed to take a delight in baiting Astrid-which had led to his wife punching her-hard-and pinning the Bog Burglar fiercely, retrieving her stolen knife which had been pick-pocketed by Cami and threatening her to keep her hands to herself-and off her Hiccup. And while it was a little flattering that there were two blondes fighting over him, Hiccup had blushed when Astrid had strolled triumphantly back.

"No job is too small for the Chief's attention," he quoted calmly, knowing his father would be listening. Stock had been training him again over the winter, his tacit acceptance of his son as his Heir once more endorsed by his formal 're-adoption' as Stoick's legal son as well as his blood offspring.

"But my understanding is that you aren't his Heir," Bertha commented. The Bog Burglar Chief was an enormous woman, referred by many politely as 'Big Bertha' but out of earshot as "Big-Boobied Bertha' in acknowledgement of her magnificent chest. As Chief of an all-female Tribe, Bertha was used to the sneers of the other Tribes, though Stoick was an old ally.

"Adopted back but not officially…until today," Stoick explained. Magnus the Mangler, the fearsome Chief of the Shivering Shores, gave a broad grin.

"So we could oppose your new Heir," he suggested with a calculating grin.

"Only if you wish Toothless to eat you," Astrid commented, taking a bite of her bread and gesturing to the black shape sitting quietly close to the doors of the Great Hall. "Or your Heir? That would be fair…" The man arched an eyebrow and then gave a huge laugh.

"It's a shame this girl is taken," he commented. "I would have wed her myself!"

"Too late!" Heather commented. She was a slender young woman with raven hair braided over her left shoulder and green eyes in her narrow, intelligent face. She smiled. "And they make an excellent couple. Berk is very fortunate to be confirming an Heir with an intelligent and ferocious wife." Astrid flashed her a grateful smile and nodded, seeing her new friend smile back. Aged mead was served and all the Chiefs took a sip then raised their goblets.

"To Berk!" Stoick announced, lurching to his feet and the other Chiefs and Heirs respectfully clambered up as well.

"TO BERK!" The words echoed round the Hall. The guests then all sat and enjoyed roast yak and boar and chicken, fish pie and cabbage, roasted apples and mead. And as they sat and discussed, the Treaties were all signed and the formal business was concluded…all but one final thing.

Sitting back with a satisfied look on his face, Stoick gestured and Hiccup laid down his goblet and slowly walked round to face the assembled Chiefs. His face was pale but his shoulders were back and his slightly uneven gait was more confident that Astrid could remember. Stoick and Gothi moved round to face him and Gobber lumbered round as well, ready for translation duties. The tall young man took a deep breath and his emerald eyes alighted on his father's face. Stoick was looking immensely proud, having finally realised that the 'useless' runt of a boy he had disowned had grown up into a lean but skilled warrior, an innovative leader, an inventive blacksmith and daring and selfless rider and friend. And a loyal subject. Hiccup had proven his father wrong in every area and had recalled all his lessons on Chief Training so that as Stoick had gently tried to reintroduce the lessons, he had realised there was relatively little he needed to cover.

"Before these Noble Witnesses and in the sight of the Aesir, we are gather today to acknowledge a new Heir to the Throne of Berk!" Stoick announced, his eyes trailing over the assembled Chiefs. Mogadon of Meathead and Vicious of Visithug were most likely to cause disruption, though Magnus of the Shivering Shores was renowned as a very difficult customer as well.

"Or do you mean an old one?" Mogadon snarked. The man had not taken it well that Stoick had disowned Hiccup and not informed him or called anyone to witness his adoption of a new Heir.

"Put a yak in it, Mogadon!" Bertha growled. "Your lot disown family members at a drop of a helmet so I wouldn't try to be smug. You're only Chief because your father disowned your brothers Dalmane the Difficult and Serax the Snide! So you sat through two of these."

"But I'm not sure the Viking Laws ever saw an instance where you could disown and then find a reason to readopt the boy," Vicious added in a growl. "Not that he looks like much."

"Looks like a Dragon Conquerer to me," Heather put in, smiling smugly. Gothi slammed the end of her staff on the ground three times and silence fell over the room.

"She says shut up!" Gobber added helpfully as the villagers quietly filed in, nudging and whispering. Toothless padded forward and stood guard at Hiccup's back. "Right, is everyone here?" Gothi nodded and began to scratch on the floor. "Four years ago, Stoick the Vast disowned his son and removed him as Heir, believing the laddie was unworthy. In the last year, he has seen that Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, his only child, has become a brave and determined man, who befriended a dragon, protected the village from raids, defeated the giant dragon tae end the raids that ha' scourged all of our islands and drove off the Outcasts who invaded Berk aided by the Chief's treacherous nephew!"

"I made a mistake in undervaluing my son, not seeing the fine qualities he possessed, only his small size," Stoick admitted. "But a man must have the strength to admit to his mistakes and do what is right for the good of the Tribe…and his heart." He stared into Hiccup's eyes and the young man stiffened, his mind whirling at the declaration. They had planned the ceremony for months, waiting until after the winter was over to ensure that their neighbours could all attend to honour Hiccup's recognition as Heir once more.

He sounds sincere. I mean he has apologised so often over the last few months, I sometimes think my name has changed to 'I'm sorry, Hiccup'. Really. And I think he really does regret what he's done. And though I can never make him understand the pain he caused me, I am glad he's my Dad again and he's sort of proud of me. I'm not bothered about being the Heir-I never was-but I know I can do it, with Toothless and Astrid at my side.

"Thanks, Dad," he replied, his lips lifting in a small small. "And a son must do what is best for his family and for his Tribe."

"Does anyone ha' any objections tae this?" Gobber asked gruffly, rotating his hook menacingly. Heather glared at Vicious and Magnus while Bertha stood hard on Mogadon's foot and he yelped but was unable to open his mouth. Camicazi pressed a slim dagger hard against Thuggery's side, while grinning broadly. Dark eyes widened at the menacing prickle against his skin but he took the hint and remained silent. "Good."

Gothi stepped forward and gestured so Hiccup slowly took a knee, resting his hands on his left knee and bowing his head. The Elder gave a small, proud smile and nodded, before scratching on the floor.

"Hiccup Haddock, son o' Chief Stoick the Vast and Pride o' Berk, do ye accept the role o' Heir tae the Throne of Berk and successor tae Stoick the Vast when he finally walks in Valhalla?" Gobber translated, his expression serious.

"I do."

"Do ye promise tae serve the island o' Berk and the people o' the Hairy Hooligan tribe with every ounce of yuir strength and every breath in your body?"

"I do."

"Will ye protect Berk against all enemies?"

"I will."

I had to say a lot less to get married. Or be the Heir to start with. I'm sure Gothi is just making this up to annoy Gobber…

"Will ye put the needs of people above yuir own needs?"

There was a pause and emerald eyes flicked up, searching Astrid's beautiful face and she gave him a proud smile, then nodded, granting her permission be relegated to second place in his priorities. Behind him, Toothless cooed his assent as well. Hiccup swallowed the lump in his throat and took a shuddering breath.

No turning back.

"I will."

Gothi turned and dabbed her thumb in a small bowl of black paste made from yak fat and charcoal then hobbled forward, squiggling a rune on his forehead, just between his eyebrows. Then she turned to Stoick and gestured him to kneel. There was the creak of floorboards and squeak of leather as the Chief knelt and then crouched forward to allow Gothi to mark the Chief's symbol between his own bushy red brows. Then she waved her staff and turned to the village, grinning.

"Aye, well-yuir Chief has been confirmed and his newly confirmed Heir is by his side. Ye may celebrate!" Gobber announced and grabbed his tankard of mead, then waved it in the air. "HICCUP!"

Cheers erupted through the hall and Toothless roared, his pupils wide and the toothless grin smug. Heather, Bertha and Camicazi all joined in the celebrations and even Thuggory shrugged and drank to the new Heir. The other riders were whooping, though Tiril had to confiscate mead from Odd-Knut and Brit. Marta Ingerman was hugging her sons, tears in her eyes and pride on her face. Ruff and Tuff were high-fiving and then head-butted each other, knocking themselves senseless. But as Hiccup struggled to his feet, helped by Toothless, he was promptly knocked down by an excited dragon, nudging him and licking him eagerly

"Gah! You know that doesn't wash out!" he protested, then pushed the dragon off him, hearing Toothless's laughing warble and seeing the dragon sit back, clearly sniggering. Astrid surged forward and grabbed his hands, pulling him to his feet and staring up into his emerald eyes, seeing his relief that the ceremony was over.

"I'm sure we can scrub it off, babe," she smiled as he leaned forward and lifted her chin with a calloused finger, then gently pressed his lips onto hers. She kissed him back-for about three seconds then pulled away, making a revolted face.

"No offence, babe, but that dragon spit tastes foul!" she spluttered, wiping her tongue on her arm binders. Hiccup grabbed a tankard of mead, took a long pull and then wiped his mouth on his vambrace. He smiled.

"Better?" he murmured and kissed her firmly, his hands capturing her soft cheeks and she wound her arms around his neck. There were whoops and cheers as they finally pulled away.

"Get a room!" Tuff yelled from the floor, where he was coming round. Hiccup gently rubbed his nose against Astrid's and smiled.

"We've got a house," he replied, never taking his eyes from Astrid's face. She glanced down then looked up into his face, pulling back a few inches.

"And we may need to extend," she murmured. "Maybe in about six months or so?" His eyes widened. They inspected her face, seeing uncertainty and then hope and he lunged forward, pressing a delighted kiss onto her mouth.

"Oh Thor!" he gasped, a smile stretching his lips as he pulled back. "You mean you…we…we're…wow!" Then he wrapped his arms around her and swung her round in a joyous, dizzy gesture, staggering as he put her safely down. Gobber hobbled forward and caught him, his blue eyes amused.

"I wasnae convinced bein' the Heir meant so much tae ye, laddie!" he commented as Stoick frowned and walked forward as well. Hiccup shook his head, his face lit with joy.

"I doesn't…but Astrid just told me she…we…" he managed and then stopped and turned to his father, his hand round Astrid's and eyes shining with joy and pride. "Um, Dad…you know how you just officially accepted me as your son and Heir again? Well, in say six months…would you mind being a Grandfather as well?"

There was a pause and then Stoick roared in delight, his arms shooting in the air as the assembled Hooligans began to cheer.

"Well done, son! Congratulations, Astrid! Gods, this just makes the day!" he exclaimed at the top of his voice as Bertha and Heather leapt up to offer their congratulations and Thuggory shrugged.

"Definitely no chance she's leaving him now," he commented then smiled at Camicazi. "No hard feelings?" She shrugged.

"Thor-she took me down when she was pregnant?" she said with a scowl. "Damn, that is one hard woman!" She looked into his dark eyes. "You know, being their friends would be much better than their foes?"

"Agreed," he said and smiled. "We'll talk to them tomorrow. And in the meantime-I'll take Marius while you have a word with Roar about making sure we ally with them."

"Give me the stupid one," Camicazi grumbled. "Okay-I'll talk him into it." She sighed. "They make a perfect couple."

"You know he was just a blacksmith's apprentice when he defeated me in single combat?" Thuggory commented, draining his mead and sloshing more into his goblet. His eyebrow quirked. "Maybe I need to take some lessons in the forge."

The couple were surrounded by the riders and the Thorstons were completely excited. The slightly concussed Ruff was hugging Astrid along with Tiril, Hilde and Else while Tuff, Yaklegs, Fishlegs and Gustav were all surrounding Hiccup-along with Gobber. Hiccup turned to his mentor and smiled apologetically.

"Um…Gobber…I think I may be in the forge even less now…what with Chief Training, leading the riders, patrolling and…um…looking after my pregnant wife…" he said slowly. Gobber's blue eyes narrowed. "I…I…um…I can understand if you want to get a new apprentice." There was a long pause and Hiccup felt his heart sink.

"I always knew this day was coming, laddie," Gobber said with unexpected seriousness. "Ye are the Heir to Berk and one day, yer will take the Throne and become Chief. And I hope yer remember some o' the lessons old Gobber gave yer on the way. But yer've bin meh apprentice for over seven years and in that time, yer've become almost as good as I am. Thor, yer run the forge most o' the time yer there. I canna keep yer as me apprentice because yer a fully fledged smith, lad! And I'd appreciate yer help in the forge whene'er yer can spare the time. But fer now, if yer not looking after the lassie and the wee one, I'll kick yer scrawny ass. Deal?"

Hiccup flung himself forward and gave his mentor a huge hug which the two-limbed blacksmith returned, though Gobber was careful not to spill his mead. "Thanks, Gobber," Hiccup whispered. "For everything-teaching me, protecting me, taking me in…"

"Aye…yer'll make me blub like a baby!" Gobber grumbled, giving one last squeeze and pulling away-to leave Hiccup to be engulfed in a rib-crushing hug from his father as the blacksmith tearfully wiped his eyes.

"You know, I couldn't be prouder-and you did it all in spite of me," Stoick admitted, releasing his son as the young man frantically patted his arm to be allowed to breathe. Hiccup sucked in air frantically and then managed to struggle free, his emerald eyes panicked.

"Um…scary almost-lethal celebration, Dad," he commented as his breathing calmed and his face grew stern. "And thanks. But…I want you to be part of my life going forward. And don't think to squash Astrid like that!" Stoick leaned closer and his eyes were sympathetic.

"Wouldn't dream of it-and I only do it to you because I've worked out you're the strongest of them all," he said conspiratorially. "Now take some advice as a father-to-be from a father who's done all of this bit. Go and hug your wife, take her for a flight on your dragon and let her guide you in what she feels she can do. Do not attempt to tell her what to do or restrict her. It went down really badly with your mother-and let me tell you-your wife is far scarier than your mother ever was…and that's saying something!" Hiccup grinned and hugged him warmly.

"Thanks, Dad," he said and surged forward, grabbing Astrid's hand and hauling her towards the door. He whistled for Toothless and the Night Fury bounded after the young couple as they sped towards the double doors and out into the bright afternoon. Hiccup swung into the saddle and felt Astrid slide behind him. "Fancy a ride, Milady?" he asked and her arms wrapped around his narrow middle, her head resting against his back. He felt Toothless bunch under then and throw himself into the air, wings beating hard as they arrowed up into the blue sky. For a few long moments, it was all rushing wind and exhilaration and two voices screaming in excitement. But as the climb slowed, Astrid stirred and moved against his taut shape.

"So…no longer a blacksmith's apprentice," she murmured. "Hmm…not sure I approve…I mean…that's not the man I married…" Toothless levelled out with a satisfied coo and Hiccup half-turned to look into her smiling face, the wind ruffling his auburn hair into its usual tousled mess. He returned her smile.

"Nah…I'm the son of Stoick the Vast, the Heir to Berk, the Pride of Berk, Dragon Trainer, Rider of Toothless and most important, the husband of the fabulous Astrid Haddock," he told her. "Good enough for you?" She smiled and leaned into a soft kiss.

"Yes, babe," she smiled. "You're perfect." He kissed her again.

"So are you, my fierce, protective and beautiful wife," he murmured, twisting to rest a hand lightly on her middle. "And him…or her." Astrid's hand covered his and she smiled. "You know, you saved me?" he murmured. "Even before I met my bud here? When I was disowned, you were what kept me going on. Just your friendship and your smile were enough." She kissed his cheek.

"And you saved me as well-not just when you snatched me from the jaws of the Chief but when my family died, Hiccup," she murmured, wrapping herself around him. "Now let's go home, babe. They'll be worried where the Heir to Berk is."

"As you wish, Milady," he smiled. "Toothless-take us home, bud. We've got plenty of time to spend together as a family-a life-time's worth."

And the Night Fury gave a smug warble and banked back through the blue sky towards the peaceful village of Berk.

The End.

A/N: So that's it. No longer a Blacksmith's Apprentice but the Heir to Berk, son of Stoick the Vast, husband of Astrid and Rider of Toothless the Night Fury. Finally the happy ending-back where he belongs with Astrid by his side and a baby on the way. It's been a long and difficult journey-and definitely not the same as the movie but I hope you enjoyed the ride. See you soon-harrypanther.

A/N 2: For those of you who wondered why Mogadon's brothers have such strange names: Mogadon is the proprietary name the benzodiazepine drug Nitrazepam (a sleeping tablet). So his brothers have been also given the trade names of other members of that drug family… :D