A.N.

This idea came from a combination of watching Twinsanity and remembering a quote from Hiccup in We Are A Family part 1.

Takes place after Escape. You do not need to read the last story to understand what's going on.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Burdened Onus

Chapter 1

Tasked

Night had fallen on Berk, its residence already full in their stomachs as the last of them exited the Great Hall. With a couple good-nights and kisses of sweet dreams, the villagers huddled in their warm homes or cozy beds. Few were still out in the night however, Mulch and Bucket herding the last of the sheep into the barn, some shop owners just now closing up, guards standing at their posts, and the two blacksmiths at the forge tinkering with their projects.

Hiccup mumbled to himself while focused on working out some bugs in his design; Toothless sleeping my his feet, his tail curled up close to his head. Gobber was sharpening one of his many daggers, Bertha as he liked to call this particular one. The last of the sparks flew off of the grinder and the wheel ceased its spinning. Gobber held up his dagger, fully satisfied with his work.

"There we go, good as new." Hiccup didn't remove his eyes from his project, but he still listened in on what his old mentor was saying. "I'll have to remember to not bash you against rocks when trying to kill some fireworms." Hiccup chuckled, lifting his right hand to his mouth to hide his grin on his face. He placed it back down when he got control.

"Is something funny?" Gobber asked, turning around from where he was standing and eyed the young viking.

"No, no, nothing's funny." That goofy smile came back on his face.

"Alright then, what are you working on?" Gobber asked, approaching Hiccup and examining his project.

"It's just a prototype." Hiccup answered while leaning back in his chair.

"Looks like a shield." Gobber said, not really getting its purpose or function.

"I-It's more than a shield. I'd show you, but I've got to work out some bugs."

Stoick walked through the streets, waving hello to some passersby before coming to his destination—the forge. Once he stepped in, Gobber greeted him with a smile and a wave of his prosthetic blacksmiths hammer.

"Well hello, Stoick. What brings you here; if its for Hiccup, he's almost done... at least I think he's almost done." Hiccup lifted his eyes up from where they were glued at the table and turned his head over to his father. Getting up off the chair, he walked over to him.

"Not exactly. I came by to inform you two of the visit we're going to have tomorrow with the Meatheads' chief and his wife. Normal peace-treaty signage is all." Stoick announced.

"There's not gonna be much trouble this time, the Meatheads are far better allies then those Berserkers." Gobber commented.

"Oh, please tell me we don't have to hide the dragons again." Hiccup asked his father.

"No, the Meatheads are more sensible people. They understand that the dragons are like family here. But just because your dragons are trained, that doesn't mean they are well behaved." Toothless lifted his head up.

"You can say that again. I tried to remove a tooth from a Zippleback the other day, and he sprayed me with its gas! I was tripping the rest of the evening." Gobber remembered.

"My point is, just keep your eye on them." Stoick took over again.

"Make sure they don't get into trouble, got it." Hiccup replied, smiling while he nodded.

"And," Stoick continued, "I want you to keep Snotlout and the twins busy as well."

"Whoa-what, Snotlout and the twins? Why?"

"They're troublemakers, son. They're just as bad if not worse then the dragons."

"No I mean, why do I have to watch them?"

"Because they are your friends and you've been doing a good job with keeping them busy, what with the whole dragon training sessions." Stoick tried to reason.

"But I don't have a dragon training session to do tomorrow."

"Well then, try to come up with something else; just keep them busy and out of the village for tomorrow."

Hiccup sighed, but excepted the challenge. "Alright; you won't see them at all tomorrow."

"Good, I'm counting on you." Hiccup smiled, knowing that his father still had trust in him made him feel better about himself. "Now, its getting pretty late, I want you home soon."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he gets there in one piece." Gobber joked, earning a confused and curious look from Hiccup. Stoick just shook his head and headed home.

Later that night, close to midnight to be exact, Hiccup sat at his desk, taking another shot at drawing Toothless sleeping. He moved his wrist around, getting the curves and details. He had hoped that Trader Johann would come by again soon so he trade for some more ink wells. He liked using his feather pen, though he had no hatred towards his charcoal pencil, he found it easier to get a more fine line.

His mind ventured off to the task he was given earlier. What on earth was he going to do to keep Snotlout and the twins busy for an entire day? His hand motions stopped as a thought came to him. He thought back to the time when Snotlout found that hidden treasure map behind the Hammish's portrait. All three of them were practically obsessed with finding the gold, well, Snotlout more then Ruffnut and Tuffnut.

"A scavenger hunt! That'll keep them busy for more than two days!" Toothless lifted his head up, tired eye lids half open. Hiccup left his drawing and began to make a list of the things he hide tomorrow morning for the three morons to find. With inspiration working its magic, Hiccup didn't stop until all of his ideas were written on paper. Once done, he set down his charcoal pencil and venture over to his bed.

He tucked himself in, the candle on his bed stand illuminating a soft golden glow throughout the room. He smiled as he closed his eyes and let himself drift away from the world.

TO BE CONTINUED...

I didn't state this at the top author's note, but this story is sort of like a breather from my other suspense stories. Kind of like Thawfest was for the whole Heather incident.

I thank anyone who chooses to review and I'll see ya in the next chapter!