Whoa this was epic! Loved it!

This scene is so intense! I just had to come back and read it again. Bravo. Seriously, this is written so incredibly well.

This story is written ridiculously well! The emotions, characters and plot are perfect! I loved every moment, even when my heart was in my throat! Seriously laughed out loud at the last encounter with Astrid's aunt.
Great job!

Interesting fact about viking culture

A bit of historical subtext: It was extremely dishonorable for Vikings to let any harm come to a woman or children, to the point where they would not attack the house of a sworn enemy until any women or children had left. Lack of courage is humiliating for a seasoned fighter, but the nastier jokes would have been stopped by a simple order from Stoick to be polite to his grieving family. However, an accusation that Finn would fail to defend his niece would certainly hold up for ten years, particularly without evidence to disprove it. Luckily, he was proven innocent.

This last chapter was nice. I liked how described in detail about Hiccup going through the day. However, it was a bit lengthy, and I think I liked the incredibly detailed process of making his new peg better because it was broken up into segments a bit.

But really, the detail you wrote for the sequence where he made his peg is amazing! I don't know if I've ever read so much detail about forge-work in an HTTYD story!

The part with Astrid's aunt was good humor! Yeah, cause Hiccup is sooo the type to strangle adult Vikings ten times his size...HA!

The interaction with Astrid was also nice, and I appreciated how Astrid declared she was done caring what people thought about her family's name, just so long as Fishlegs and Hiccup knew the truth. I'll admit that I liked the ending in the episode where Hiccup announces to the village that Fearless Finn, like all Hoffersons, really was fearless, but your ending has just as much symbolism, and in fact, seems a bit more realistic, 'specially in terms of the overall tones and theme of your story. Maybe even more emotional and satisfying than the series' version.

The interaction between Hiccup and Toothless was wonderfully written as well. And I liked the humor behind the fish jokes and how he'd follow Astrid anywhere for a fish! HA! Hmm, maybe Astrid can take him out for a ride for just a few days while Hiccup recovers? We've seen that Toothless will allow single riders other than Hiccup in necessary, and aside from Hiccup, she probably knows how to operate his fin better than anybody.

Though...I don't think I would've minded a bit more of a romantic expression from Astrid than just a kiss. Don't get me wrong; it's better than what the series has been giving us lately, but still, with all of the emotional and deeper connections and character interactions here, I don't think it would've been OoC to have something perhaps a bit more meaningful in the way of an ending conversation or contact between them.

I liked the end segment as well. You started the chapter with a slice-of-life, and ended on the same note, and it works really well for an end chapter.

Look forward to more stories from you in the future!

Good foreshadowing with the lack of sound on the step and lack of pain in his knee. I guessed it was a nightmare of some sort, and even thought that maybe he got hit with Flightmare mist again.

Maybe it's a lingering effect? Then again, maybe not, since Astrid doesn't seem affected. I like the "dream-theme" of this story in general, from Astrid's flashback and dreams at the start, to how the Flightmare's mist doesn't just paralyze physically but psychologically, to Hiccup's subconscious fears here.

Astrid's a real trooper in this one, she doesn't even faze when Hiccup tells her to go away. She's starting to know them almost too well. ; )

Glad that Gobber made the gesture. I was a bit worried that he was so insistent on listening to Hiccup and that Toothless was the Flightmare. Seemed almost contradictory to his character and I thought Astrid's aunt would be the loony one instead.

I like that you did the "skip" between this chapter and the last, and the buildup with the dream was good, but I'd still also like to hear about how Astrid and Fishlegs were able to hold the village off. Maybe Astrid will tell him when he wakes up?

Hmm, and how will Astrid deal with Snotlout? Not to mention her aunt? At least she know Hiccup and Toothless are safe...for now. And hopefully Hiccup can still help restore the Hofferson family name.

Vikings are being their typical stubborn selves, I see. In both good and bad ways. Good in how Astrid, Hiccup, and Fishlegs are so determined to protect Toothless, and bad in that the others are too stubborn to even see reason.

Hmm, but how did Snotlout know how a Flightmare's mist effects people?

Also, kinda strange turnaround for Fishlegs, to go from bein' so afraid of the Flightmare, to instantly willingly to face off against Stoick and Gobber. I think he was bit more afraid of the Flightmare here than he was in the series, and it affected him?

What a great update. I really like this story and the interactions between the characters. I'm not sure why you have so few follows and reviews, the story deserves more. Looking forward to the next update.

Another emotional and detailed addition!

The idea of the Flightmare's fog not only paralyzing its victims physically, but /mentally/, was a good twist! I almost wish they had used it in the episode.

I do however, kinda wish that Astrid was able to ride with Hiccup on Toothless in this one. That was one of the highlights of the episode.

It seems that they'll try to divert the Flightmare the same way they did in the episode. Will they succeed? I wonder what Snotlout and the Twins are up to? Since the fire is early, I guess they're not at the "bunker"?

I kinda wonder what the others would hallucinate, if they were hit by the Flightmare's mist?

Ah, so Arvendale's fire has come early, eh? Seems like the villagers' "sacrifice" didn't go so well after all, hmm? I wonder if they'll learn anything from it...nahhh!

Very emotional and descriptive chapters. Can hardly believe that all of this revolves around just the Flightmare episode, but you've seemed to make it work well. Everyone is pretty much in-character, if not a bit more emotional than in the series (which I approve of).

The "tag" game was nice. A respite to lure them into a false sense of security, and maybe fortell some of tricks they'll use later in the story?

Can't wait to see what happens next!

Very graphic, but highly detailed. Good description of the dragons and riders' movements and expressions.

Interesting take on how, even after the villagers demand (and get) their sacrifice, Hiccup and the others still feel an obligation to help their village out. Many authors would've used this as an opening to have Hiccup and/or Astrid and/or possibly Fishlegs to want to leave the village permanently, but you seem to be going in a unique direction here.

How will the villagers react to their drunken actions? How will Stoick chastise them? How will the Astrid-Hiccup-Fishlegs trio react to Snotlout after his participation?

I really look forward to seeing what you come up with!

Aww Astrid.

Wow, way to make a person cry. The dialogue and description was just perfect.

Awwwww! So sad! But I love this! I was really excited to learn more about Astrid's life in the episode, but it was a little disappointing. This is so much better! Poor Astrid! This is really well written, and I enjoyed it immensely! Great job! :)