Thank you for the chapter! I just stumbled across the story and read it in one go. It is a nice read :)

Hope all is well and cannot wait for future chapters! Have fun!

Please update! I’m pretty sure that this fic is unique; I’ve never read anything like it. I love this so much. You’re such a great writer and I’m sad that this hasn’t been updated in about a year. Please update!

oof. another unfinished fic. its almost sad the amount of great stories like this that get left behind and forgotten.

Can’t wait for next update, more hiccup

Loved it

I wonder how Astrid will react by the revelation that Valka is alive. During that scene when she's on a rock, sharpening her Ax.

Amazing chapter! I can’t wait to read more! Please update soon!

Any one else have like 2 pages worth of blank space after authors note

It feels like Valka’s priorities have become just as warped in her isolation as Stoick’s have in the aftermath of her disappearance. I’m hoping Hiccup finds his canon balance between the two viewpoints.

Finally found time to catch up! :D

This is so sweet! Looking forward to reading more when you have the time. I really need to get on with mine too... XD

My only thought through the chapter:

no no NO NO NONONONONONO! God damn it valka!

Do you plan on posting your elder scrolls/ASOIaf fanfiction, and the oneshot with Gerald?

It's awesome to see an update!
Though hopefully it won't get too dragged out.

Personally, I liked this chapter. The dialogue was good, and bits of history revealed is an added bonus.

I do agree that it was also a bit stilted, but for different reasons. The fact is, I get that you're trying to send the message that Hiccup has wounds in relation to his mother (as well as most things in his life), but it's not really shown except in his internal thoughts early in the chapter. It's not really reflected in ANY WAY via his actions, except for him not verbally referring to Valka as 'mother', but that's too small, despite how it sounds. Now, I get, and agree, that Hiccup shouldn't have a super extended angst-fest in regards to that, but I feel like this is rushing it. I know I've already commented on this, but I feel like I have to reiterate my point.

The fact is, he's treating her like a semi-pleasant stranger, but it's not really how I think it would go. He has wounds and issues due to her, and I have to point this out, INARGUABLY neglectful and cowardly decisions. I'm not a Valka hater or anything, but it is what it is. These wounds and issues are not reflected in his behaviour towards her. Betrayal from family is not the same thing as harm due to the actions of a stranger. There's an emotional factor that deepens the experience. Hiccup has never known his mother, so that lightens the burden A BIT, but it's still his mother that left him because of her own selfish desires and self-confidence issues. A desire to get to know his mother better and talk to her is fine, but there should be more reluctance, as well as bitterness and distance; not this smiles, laughter and relatively positive emotions he feels towards her (as mentioned earlier, him not yet forgiving her is only mentioned at the start, but after that, it's pretty much all somewhat muted sunshine and rainbows).

It just feels... forced and unrealistic.

I mean, taking all the factors into account, this relatively easy acceptance is NOT a sign of a healthy mindset and sense of self-worth, and I feel that is it goes on like this, the story will just encourage this method of thinking and dealing with things. I get that Hiccup, as of now, does not have much of either, but a point of Hiccup's arcs has always been his development of them. The movies are targetted towards children, so it glosses over the many facets of Hiccup's interaction with other characters that his various circumstances would've brought on, but you're obviously trying to give it a more psychologically realistic, drama feel. And if Hiccup just accepts all this with a mild reluctance at best, no other significant roadblocks in the development of their relationship, then I feel like it undermines the complexity of the issues involved; the emotional scars, the abandonment, and the resulting emotions and opinions, and so on. It would all end with Hiccup maintaining this harmful, self-disrespectful mindset (which most immature media presents as positive, to send a GENERAL message about forgiveness and avoid the real-life intricacies), shoving the negative emotions down into the dark bottom of his stomach where they'll never see the light of day, and thus, never be addressed and/or resolved, and everyone lives a presumed happily ever after.

I mean, would you encourage someone to become friends with a parent that abandoned them for many years in their time of need (Hiccup was a baby, enough said), or a bully who spent years tormenting them and leaving scars on their psyche? Personally, while I wouldn't recommend payback - revenge doesn't solve anything - I wouldn't necessarily recommend the opposite either. Or at least, I'd be much more worried if someone decided to go for it, than if someone decided to not want to have anything to do with that person.

Despite everything said, I feel like this story has tremendous potential, which, for the most part, it has achieved. Its premise is certainly unique and logical. All this criticism, which I hope is constructive rather than flaming, is because I want to see it shine its brightest.

Sorry for the long rant. Looking forward to the next chapter.

I've been thoroughly enjoying the story I would absolutely love to see some A Song of Ice and Fire crossovers with The Witcher o.r Skyrim