Author's Note: This is the sequel to my story Running Away. It's not going to make much sense if you haven't read that one first.

So yeah, I know it's been a bit, and I know this chapter is short, but I thought a little bit of exposition wouldn't be a bad thing.

(LINE BREAK)

Hiccup lay in the soft grass of his island home, staring up at the small shapes of his family flying high above him. It had been nearly two years since he'd left on his journey outside the archipelago, and had been one year since he and Stoick had talked about Hiccup's early life.

So many things had changed since then. Addie and Rohan were entering adolescence, with terrifying speeds that made Hiccup's head spin. The pair were still close, but tended to bicker constantly. Addie had decided to speak Dragonese most of the time, while Rohan stuck to Norse. Rohan still rode Amastis, and Addie still rode Stormfly.

Fishlegs had become a fixture of Hiccup's oddball family, helping Hiccup with chores and dividing up workloads so they had more leisure time. Fishlegs still spoke mostly Norse, but his grasp of the two different types of Dragonese was excellent.

Astrid, Hiccup had learned, had taken up a different approach to dragons. Apparently, Valka and Stormfly had given her a lesson she was unlikely to forget. Since then, she had been kinder to dragons, treating them more like sentient beings and less like the monsters she'd been trained to kill.

In all, life was changing on Berk. Zipplebacks, Nadders, and even a few Gronkles had all joined life on Berk, somehow helping the people of Berk even with the language barrier. After the Nadders had moved to Berk, Astrid had somehow caught the eye of one, and the pair was currently learning how to fly and live together, even though they couldn't talk to each other.

Hiccup sighed softly, watching as Valka, Addie, and Rohan, and their dragons flew slowly back to the ground. Toothless nudged Hiccup's arm, earning a smile. What?

C'mon, you said we were going to tell them once they came back. Toothless was almost vibrating with exciting, earning a laugh from Hiccup.

We should give them some time to get used to being back on the ground, for at least a minute. Hiccup sat up, laughing at the angry glare Toothless shot him in response.

Seriously? If you don't go over there, I'm going to. With a sly grin, Toothless bounded over to the landed dragons and their riders. Hiccup shouted in exasperated anger, springing to his feet and following Toothless.

Seriously!? Hiccup threw his arms into the air in exasperation.

Toothless smiled, flicking his tail, attempting to make himself look innocent. Hiccup playfully slapped Toothless's side, and Toothless smacked Hiccup upside the head with his tail.

Is something wrong? Valka asked, looking a little confused.

Nothing's wrong. Hiccup replied, smiling widely. Fishlegs said yes.

Said yes to what? Addie asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.

Fishlegs is going to stay here, while we go on a trip.

"To Berk? Sanctuary? When is that something to be so excited about?" Rohan asked, "Besides, we just went to Berk."

Hiccup chuckled. Mom and I are going to take you two outside of the archipelago.

It took a moment for the news to register properly for the two preteens. Addie processed it first, running to Hiccup and throwing her arms around his middle. Really?! For real?

Hiccup laughed. Yes. Really. The four of us, and Amastis, Stormfly, Toothless, and Cloudjumper.

Rohan looked to Amastis, "Did you know!?"

We all did. Valka replied, sharing a secret smile with Cloudjumper.

Smoke curled from Amastis's nostrils. We wanted to keep it a surprise.

Rohan smiled, "I'm so excited! When are we leaving!?"

Anytime after today, though we should try to let Fishlegs know a few hours before we go.

Can we go tomorrow? Addie asked excitedly, pulling away from Hiccup.

Yes. If that's okay with your brother.

Sounds good to me, even if Addie thought of it. Addie stuck out her tongue at Rohan, who repeated the gesture in retaliation.

Hiccup rolled his eyes. Cut it out, you two. Go on, go get ready for tomorrow. I want to see what you pack before dinner tonight. Be ready to go to bed a little earlier than normal-

We're going to be leaving pretty early so we can get out of the archipelago before it gets too late. Valka butted in.

The two siblings ran off, leaving a crowd of dragons and two adults in their wake.

Are you ready for this, Hiccup? Valka asked reluctantly.

Of course. Why wouldn't I be?

Because you and Stoick finally reconnected. You could be gone for a long time.

He knows we're leaving soon. He knows it could be a while. Hiccup replied. The kids need to learn about the world, and need to understand that there's more to the world than the archipelago.

Valka nodded wisely. That's fair. Now, Cloudjumper and I are going to for a night flight, then go to bed. I'll see you in the morning.

Night, Mom.

Once Valka was in the air, Hiccup turned to Toothless, with a smile. Tomorrow, huh?

Tomorrow. Toothless replied with an air of finality.

For some reason, the word sent shivers down Hiccup's spine.

(LINE BREAK)

Author's Note: That's it, that's the chapter. Just setting stuff up.

Please let me know what you think, in PM or review. If you would like to help me out, you can find a link to my page in my profile. For $3 a month, you get access to sneek peeks of chapters, my original work, my art, and the like. Obviously, the more you donate, the more you'll have access to.

So yeah, happy reading!