Hiccup places the book inside the interestingly designed trunk in Grandmamma's basement. He places it in the center of the trunk and closes the lid with a soft click, locking the hatch. The trunk was an old white color with gray metal corners traced into exquisite floral curves, the outer rim traced in silver and located at the very back of Grandmamma's basement. Kneeling, he gazes blankly at the trunk; expecting Hadrian to come out again and try to strangle his throat.

He pushes himself up and takes the vial with a rounded bottom filed with salt and traces it around the trunk before sprinkling it across the top in a thin coat. Then stepping away from the trunk, he places the vial onto a nearby nightstand and takes a deep breath.

Grandmamma said that the salt was supposed to cleanse the air and space of evil spirits, and also trap them within that limited space so they're not allowed anywhere else. Hiccup was doubtful, but after quickly going over the previous battle in his head, he now knows not to question that within the realms of magic.

Hiccup walks back up the stairs and looks back. The darkness an inky black blanket covering the stairs. Hiccup sighs, and turns up the final step, closing the door behind him. He makes his way through the house, glowing a warm buttery glow due to the multiple candles stands located in various parts of the room. Looking around, Hiccup reminisces on the feeling of power and strength he had during his final battle. A part of him almost going to miss that feeling; those energy bolts, the eye blasts gave him a feeling of, freedom and courage he rarely ever felt.

But for now, being free of Hadrian, was all he needed, and all he wanted.

He steps out through the threshold of the old cabin and sees Toothless and the others waiting outside. Toothless' head was the first to pop up and notice him, the others followed. He walks up and greets Hiccup as he comes to the end of the stairs leading out of the cabin. He walks over and dips his head under Hiccup's hand; in which Hiccup instinctively scratches. He smiles down at his Night Fury as he hears him purring.

"Hiccup," he hears Astrid say. He looks up to see her nervously fiddling with her hands. "Are you okay?"

Hiccup looks around at the many eyes peering at him, waiting on his very voice to shatter their silence and tension. Hiccup turns back to the cabin, and takes a deep breath, sighing; a cloud of air puffing out.

He looks back to Astrid. "Yeah. I'm fine."

Astrid smiles and wraps him in a hug. When she releases him he looks to her.

"Let's go home." He says smiling.

The ride back to Berk seemed relatively calm. But Hiccup's mind was anything but relaxed. Just something about this whole thing doesn't seem real. Hadrian's really gone. He'll no longer invade hiccup's dreams, won't be plotting with the Outcasts to take over Berk. He had grown so accustomed to seeing Hadrian everywhere, it's hard to believe he's suddenly gone. But the sense of what the future will be like without him only excites Hiccup more.

And yet, for some reason, Hiccup wishes he could've done more to try and help Hadrian. Maybe he could've helped him turn good, but then again, he did say himself he was beyond help. But what he really wanted was to be real, to be acknowledged. Hiccup couldn't imagine what it must be like to walk around the world where no one ever sees you. Hiccup looks to the sky and takes a deep breath.

This is what Hadrian wanted.

To smell the scent of real ocean. To feel the sun on his skin. The wind in his hair. Beneath the excitement and relief, a small kernel of pity takes root and burrows. Hadrian wanted freedom, and Hiccup only trapped him for eternity in a book where darkness itself dwells. Forever imprisoned, smelling ash instead of air. Walking around a dead valley in a sea of grey instead of lush green fields.

A breeze kicks up and Hiccup feels a small line of his cheek feel cold. Wiping his eyes, Hiccup realizes he had been crying.

Amazing.

After everything Hadrian's done to Hiccup and his family, to the people of Berk, he still feels sorry for him, and actually wants to help him be better. Hiccup shakes his head and sniffs. Gripping Toothless' saddle, he whispers to himself.

"Goodbye Hadrian."

Then as if Toothless had been feeling Hiccup's connection, with one powerful flap of his wings, Toothless zooms forward, and Hiccup loses himself in the cocoon of clouds.

The villagers had line up on either side of the streets leading to the Great Hall as Hiccup and the other Vikings fly overhead. Days after Hadrian had been recaptured, villagers slowly started returning to Berk. Within a week's notice, more than half of the village's population had come back. Others wish to stay away, looking for change of scenery, or they wish to move on. But some have bluntly said they don't want to live on Berk mainly because they blame Hiccup for bringing disaster to the village. Outcasts, tired of Hadrian, and Alvin's strict rule have moved to the village as well, and after seeing what they had gone through with Hadrian, Hiccup had welcomed them with open arms.

Cheers erupt and people scream and shout to Hiccup as he lands at the base of the steps to the Great Hall. Pats on the back were given and kisses from girls were brushed on his cheek. Hiccup made his way with Stoick up to the Great Hall where it had been decorated specially for Hiccup. Banners streamed across the walls, lanterns from Snoggletog loop around the columns and an enormous tapestry with the Berk crest dangles over the fire pit.

Hiccup greets and says hello to the villagers and many of the already drunks in the room. He takes his plate of food and makes his way over to his spot at the head of the table with his father. Everyone else settles into their seats and Astrid and the other Vikings take their seats around the pit. Stoick raises a mug in the air and the Hall falls silent.

"I'd like to make an announcement." Stoick begins. "I know we have seen so much happen in these difficult times. But through it all, our bond of strength, power and loyalty, has carried us through them, and brought us back together. But most importantly, it brought back my son, Hiccup." Stoick looks down to Hiccup and the hall cheers and roars. "Hiccup, through these challenging times, I've watched you suffer. And I've watched you grow. You overcame a great obstacle, and I have never been more proud of you in my life. I know I've never taken the time to really appreciate you, or say it, but I do, and I love you. And I know your mother is greatly proud of you as well."

Hiccup's eyes water and he gets up to hug Stoick. Everyone cheers and applauds them both and Stoick takes Hiccup's hand, and raises it to the crowd.

"Now let's eat!" Gobber cheers and the Vikings roar in agreement.

As the Vikings gather their plates, Hiccup sits down and feels a hand on his shoulder. He looks up to see Stoick. "Thanks dad. That really means a lot."

"Of course son. I'm proud of you. And I know, you will make an even greater chief, than I ever will." Stoick says.

Hiccup smiles and tears fall down his cheeks. He wipes his eyes and smiles. Toothless comes up and coos to him in happiness. Hiccup laugh as Toothless' forked tongue tickles at his cheek. As he tries to push the Night Fury off, he hears he door to the hall open. He looks and sees Heather poke her head in. Hiccup smiles and gets up from his seat.

Heather nervously looks around, rubbing her arm as Hiccup approaches her. She smiles at the ground and steps forward. "Hey. She says timidly.

"Welcome to the party." Hiccup says and the two laugh in unison. "Hey listen, Heather,"

She looks up, her green eyes sparkling.

"Come here." Hiccup says extending his hand. "I want to talk to you."

Heather blushes as she takes Hiccup's hand. He leads her out of the Hall and through the village until they reach a hill bordered by a wooden fence, separating them from the edge of a Cliffside. There, they stare out at the vast ocean as it washes and waves in and out of the Meridian of Misery. Hiccup and Heather lean on the fence as seagulls caw and dive for fish on the surface.

"Heather, I'm going to ask you straight." Hiccup states, then they turn to each other. "Do you like me?"

Heather blushes; eyes wide at his bluntness. She swallows, and smiles. "Yes. I do."

"Since the beginning?" Hiccup asks as he turns back to the gorgeous view.

"No, it was just something small. But watching you, getting to know you. Things changed." She admits. "I know it's probably shallow and wrong of me to like you because you're a hero now and all. But, trust me when I say it's more than that." She says.

"It wouldn't be the first time being a hero helped me get the girl." Hiccup says as he chuckles softly.

"I know you probably think little of me since I like you now . . ." Heather starts.

"No, I don't." Hiccup interjects. "Astrid was the same."

Heather turns to him in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah, we weren't the closest in the beginning. I liked her like crazy, but to her at the time I was a simply screw-up who could never live up to his father. But soon after a few weeks of good in the arena, and thanks to her curiosity and a dragon ride, she eased up."

"That's different Hiccup." Heather states.

"I fail to see the difference."

"You weren't really a hero yet, and after you showed her the other side of things, she . . ."

"She eased up. She did kiss me, but things haven't been moving along." Hiccup admits.

"Because you're both too coy to admit it?" Heather teases, bumping Hiccup's elbow.

"The point is," Hiccup says as he chuckles. "Both of you girls didn't start to like me until you got to know me. Whatever you think is wrong on why you like me, or if you think it's not right, it is." Hiccup admits.

"I'm not following." Heather says.

"I know you both like me, and I know it's because I'm a hero and because I've proven whatever theories you had of me wrong. And there's nothing wrong with that." Hiccup says.

"Heather smiles and looks out to the view. "Look, I don't want to come in the middle of you and Astrid, and I certainly don't want to make you choose."

"You're not. And frankly, I don't know who to choose, and I don't want to make you girls wait." Hiccup says.

"So, you're not going to pick, yet?" Heather asks.

"Not yet." Hiccup says.

"Things are still blowing over, and I'm still trying to get used to things."

"Of course." Heather says. "So, what are you going to do now?"

Hiccup stares out at the ocean before answering. "I don't know." He takes a deep breath. "I mean, I've gotten so used to seeing him everywhere, and now that he's gone, I almost have nothing to do. I'm almost expecting him to do something else; like to come back and try to kill me. But for the first time, and forever, he never will again."

"Don't worry," Heather says placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sure adventure will find you again. It always does."

"Honestly, in the beginning, I never thought I would be you, Heather. I never thought you'd notice me as something more than a pleasant Viking." Hiccup admits.

"Neither did I, but what was before I realized how passionate, strong and courageous you can be. As well as a hero." She jokes.

Both decide it's best to head back to the Hall before people notice Hiccup's disappearance. As they talk, the sun soon vanishes and three early night stars appear in the sky. They had just entered the hall and a small section of the floor has been cleared for dancers. They both hear Gobber's panpipes play from the open doors of the Hall. The band soon chimes in with soft strings and guitar chords. A soft melody trails out and fills the air with a comfort and peace.

Hiccup turns to Heather and holds out his hand. "Dance with me?"

Heather smiles and nods, taking Hiccup's hand. Leading her into the crowd of couples and several people, they begin to slow dance, rocking back and forth to the sway of the music. Heather soon rests her had on Hiccup's shoulder and Hiccup rests his cheek against her head. Astrid was finishing her mug when she looks over and sees the two dancing together. A feeling of barbed wire coils around her heart and yanks, sending a searing pain through her chest. She watches as the two dance, simply rocking back and forth in a circle. They don't seem to be staring at each other in that romantic way Astrid always hears, but still, seeing Hiccup dance with her makes Astrid crazy in ways she can't quite fully explain.

Heather rests one hand on Hiccup shoulder while the other stays wrapped around his back. Hiccup holds heather's hand, stroking the skin with his thumb, the other on her lower back.

"You know what I've been thinking?" Heather mumbles.

"What?"

"How is it that my grandmother, of all people was chosen to help you in your adventure?" she asks.

"I don't understand." Hiccup admits as she raises her head.

"If I never decided to come here, you never would've met her, or even know about her." She states. "And maybe this would've all turned out different."

"So, you think it was something of fate? Destiny?" Hiccup teases.

Heather laughs. "I'm trying to be serious. I came here for a reason. It might be calm now, but I don't know, maybe I was destined to help you or something." She smiles.

"That is possible. And who knows, maybe there's a place for you in my future." Hiccup says smiling.

"We'll see." She breathes as she rests her head on his chest.

They stay like this for the rest of the song. Far off in Goathi's cottage, she and Grandmamma are restless.

"I'm telling you honey, that boy is something special. There's more to him than the skill to train dragons." Grandmamma says as she flips through one of her books.

Goathi draws in the dirt and Grandmamma reads it.

"Yes, there might be something bigger for him out there. I've haven't seen that kind of energy power in ages. And as you can see that's saying something."

Goathi writes again.

"I'm not sure if it's just when he's dreaming, but with his power, and if it's real, we're in bigger trouble than before."

Goathi writes, asking what she could possibly be talking about.

"Hiccup's powers, they're more than just something of a dream. He's something very special, and very rare. He has greater power than any of us, even the Outcasts could've imagined."

Goathi looks to her in confusion, yet fascination.

Grandmamma turns away and looks down into her book. After flipping through more pages, she suddenly gasps, and Goathi rushes over.

"Oh my. It is true." She breathes. "This is incredible, and terrifying."

Goathi places a hand on her shoulder to inform Grandmamma to tell her.

"Not yet sweetie. We must keep this to ourselves for the time being. Let everyone have their celebration." She closes the book after marking the page with a ribbon. She walks over to the window and looks to the full moon.

"I'll tell you this Goathi, that boy is something special. I just hope no one else will find out. It'll be devastating."

Within the depths of a secret underground grotto, water drips from the stalagmites. A soft blue glow emanates from natural crystals. A light mist dwindles through the cave as moonlight pierces the darkness with iridescent darts. A small underground pond is placed in the epicenter of the small room of the grotto. Ripples dance across the surface as a dainty fingers pokes at the water. Grandmamma's face ruffles away and as her finger swirls in the water, the water mimics her movements until Hiccup's face materializes.

He's holding a mug, raising a toast to the villagers.

The soft yet sultry giggle of a woman echoes off the walls. Layers of glowing white draped and clung to the curvatures of her slight though tall frame, and it was as though the fabric itself was made from moonlight. A gauzy veil of white covered her head, like a cerement of the grave. She was beautiful. Luminescent, like a sliver cut from a dying star. Trails of gently curling hair, thick and raven black, tumbled past the length of her fingertips, a stark contrast to the white. Behind the veil, two large onyx eyes stared fixedly at the water.

"It is true." She speaks. Her voice was deep and throaty yet wholly feminine. "The man I've long been searching for really does exist."

She raises her hand away from the water and takes a step backward, the train of her veil whispering against the floor. She pivoted where she stood as Hiccup's image faded away from the small pond and reappeared on the walls of the cave where water streams down from the surface.

"Finally, after all this time, we can finally be together." She whispers.

The black pools of her eyes stared deep into Hiccup. As if exploring his soul.

"And I will finally have my happy ending."

~ To Be Continued ~ . . .