This is why we ship.
Snotlout Frigg off. Find something useful to do.

*sniggers*
Oh yes, Hiccup can certainly keep up with himself.

Oooh Hiccup, run while you can.
Astrid's almost got you now.

It's always Gobber who gets it first in these stories. He's smart like that

Thank you so much for your notes following this chapter. Some of what you reveal I figured on my own, while others were things that I'm grateful to know. This story has been such a wonderful romp (albeit causing much lost sleep!). I hope that you are still connected to this site given your expressed dislike of it and given that I am reading it years after it was posted. And I hope that you still can find the time to write given the pressures of your profession (something that I understand all too well having to split my time between my profession and my avocation, an aviation museum that I have volunteered my time at extensively over the years). Kudos!

I tried your ambiance sounds in the first part of this chapter. Couldn't find the specific site, but located a good substitute. I didn't get too much of a mental picture with the ocean waves, but used a campfire background for the brazier scenes. That did enhance the mental images of Thug, Hic and Toothless around the brazier. I've been around more than a few campfires in my time, so that helped as well. This is a long time past when you posted this, but I thought you might find it interesting. I'm always up for an experiment (scientist).

I very much enjoy your writing style. I'm very new to fan fiction, and as an HTTYD fan have been trying different stories from all time lines. I look forward to reading some of your other works when I finish this.

Rereading this series again. Still loving it.

Hiccup's dad doesn't know how to communicate with him in pretty much any of the movies or the show. He tries and succeeds sometimes in the end but there are a lot of miscommunications because they are different people. Hiccup was a runt so was small and clever; Stoick was the perfect Viking and that's the life he knows. They have differing views because of this. That's what makes their relationship strained but also so compelling and wholesome-because they both TRY. Stoick learns to listen and not to underestimate Hiccup just because of his outward appearance and 'oddities'. Hiccup learns to read his dad's underlying intentions and emotions even though Stoick is, well, stoic, and bad at showing how much he loves his son. He didn't know how to raise a kid alone (one as odd as Hiccup to boot) and be chief at the same time, probably raised by tough love because he is the perfect Viking. So he tries to use that to raise Hiccup and it just kind of backfired, here and in the movies (I never read the books) and left a bunch of misunderstandings. Because Hiccup wears his heart oh his sleeve and his father absolutely does not and it can be difficult to navigate a relationship when you need/want different things. Hiccup needed to hear the words his father couldn't bring himself to say and Stoick needed to learn to listen to his odd son at all. So I really like this story because it puts a big focus on this relationship and dynamic and it's great and I love it so much, thank you for it and the others.

I somehow always forget how much I love Thuggory before a re-read but I must say, I do really love him. He's a great friend to Hiccup. They all are in their own ways but Thug just has that best friend vibe going and I adore it so much, thank you.

Astrid going through her menstrual cycle during the training and blowing up is so realistic lmao I would snap at anyone then too. I am a nightmare when my period hits. I have a very short fuse and god help you if you set me off. So I can see her saying things she regrets in that moment, and again, she was a kid! Kids do that. She learned, obviously.

There was a bunch of hints through the story for everyone to figure out who Cattongue really was. Even though I'm rereading this for like the 5th time, I still always forget who figures out what when and everything so I enjoyed it when people did find out and have a conversation with Hiccup.

Ruffnut marrying Fishlegs is great. She's so sweet with him and then the whole thing with him not naming their daughter for so long is great; brought a lot of humor for me especially when she looked like she was about to strike Dogsbreath down there and then lol. I love Ruff in this fic even if I don't really care for her in the movies or TV show. (To be fair, I don't care for her or her brother in the movies or show... I just don't like people who exist solely for comic relief, but I like them more than Snotlout who I have always hated... he's so petty and prideful lol at least in the movies he seems to learn (somewhat) but in the TV show it drags on and on because hey, can't have him permanently learn this lesson because then what would we do for episodes lmao so he just gets stuck learning the same lesson and it's frustrating to me)

I could go on for a while, but I guess I'll wrap up by saying I love your writing style; it makes it a fun, easy read and I always enjoy it. There are some stories where the plot is okay but I just keep getting thrown off because of the writing itself but this is always a pleasure to read through and thank you for that. Really. This story is always a joy to read and I always come back to it.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Oh god, I'm sobbing here.
I don't know how you do it, because I usually DON'T cry when reading, but EVERY SINGLE TIME I read this fic (which, granted, this is only the second time) I ALWAYS cry here.
God.

Just wow... I am in tremendous awe after finishing this story The way that you (the author) created this atmospheric wave that washes over the readers through each detailed characteristic within this amazing story. I'm in shock that you(the author) managed to make me(the reader) experience emotions through your carefully created chapters that brought these characters to life. Hooked into Storick's backstory as he felt conflicted as a Chief who lost his heir. Pulled into Astrid's deep regrets that carry a message. Hypnotised by the features of Hiccup who sought for approval in his village. This story was well written, the plot was astounding and the details within the chapters kept me flipping to the next page. Being completely honest, I shed some tears as the relationship between Hiccup and his father grew to an ending level of pure happiness. I especially teared up when Stoick thought back on his own actions with Hiccup and the "later" that is always promised but never fulfilled. Coming across this masterpiece brings me immeasurable joy. Sure I may be 7 years late, but this story is a treasure worth reading. Thank you Author for making this legendary story and I hope that you will continue to use your amazing gift to create more amazing stories in the future. Now I'm off to continue reading this storyline into your sequel which I shall find somewhere after a good night's sleep. .

i always found that scene in the movie so heartbreaking, wondering how hiccup felt having been told that by his father. it's nice to see a story where someone tackles what would happen if his will truly had dissolved, even if it is very sad to read. can't wait to see where else this story takes us

This is really good, i wish their was a hard cover version that I could buy

so far this has been pretty damn solid

omg gonna make me cry. I love how you portray Stoic the Vast. Theres a humanity about his character in particular that really resonates with me

Awesome story! I think you were a little hard on some of the characters and hiccups reasons for staying hidden should have folded when the blacksmith found out. He better than anyone knew how much hiccup was wanted, was party to the conspiracy going on and yet seemed to do little about it. Still, it is a great story and thank you for sharing it.

This is probably the millionth time I'm reading this, and it never gets old. Congrats on spinning such a riveting tale!