Chapter 1

"So, son," Stoick began, breaking the thick silence and startling Hiccup into dropping his fork with a dull thud on the wooden table, "Where do you go off to all the time?"

Hiccup looked up at his father in surprise then quickly looked back at his hardly-touched plate and swallowed nervously.

"Uh, I don't know what you are…um…" He mumbled, trailing off awkwardly. It was clear he was unused to being invited into conversation, especially when the topic of discussion was himself.

"Nothing happens on this island without me hearing about it," Stoick continued. "Gobber's told me you've been disappearing from the shop every afternoon or so. 'E thought you'd gone to practice with Spitelout, but I saw him earlier; said you've been scarce there too." He eyed his son curiously.

Hiccup pushed his food around distractedly. "Well, um…"

To the boy's relief, Stoick's out-of-character fatherly interest in his son passed as his mind got distracted with other matters. Good thing he never really listens for the answer, Hiccup thought sarcastically.

"You should really spend more time with your uncle, Hiccup," he scolded. "Those lessons he gives you won't amount to anything unless you make an effort. Archery may not be the weapon I'd prefer you to be skilled at, but I'll settle so long as it'll do something to improve… all this." He gestured to his son's small frame.

"You just pointed to all of me," Hiccup muttered.

Stoick went on, seemingly unaware of his son's misery: "I told him you'd be over this morning for a couple hours. You should get going once you finish eating." The Viking chief stood; then, eyeing his son's plate, he added, "And really, Hiccup, you ought to eat more. We've got to get some muscle on you."

Hiccup inhaled, gathering his courage. "Dad, I really don't think it's working out. With Spitelout, I mean."

Since his father had dumped him on his uncle's porch a few weeks ago and shoved a bow into his hands, Hiccup believed he might actually have a chance with this; At least he could lift the weapon. But after the first day or two he'd figured out his aim couldn't be worse if he were blind. Not only was this humiliating for him, but his failings gave his jerk-of-a-cousin Snotlout—who made sure to hang around for teasing opportunities—the utmost pleasure.

"Oh, you'll be fine," Stoick cheerfully brushed off his son's anxiety. Then, as he threw his enormous fur coat around his shoulders and placed his Viking helmet on his head, Hiccup heard him say quietly, "Thor help us if our future chief can't even shoot an arrow… at least he doesn't get in the way during dragon raids anymore…" And with that the large man lumbered out the door to assume his chiefly duties, leaving his despondent son in lonely silence.

...

Hiccup pulled his boots on and creaked open the front door, drinking in the fresh morning air and the beautiful view of the island from their elevated home. He allowed himself a small smile. Berk may be full to the brim with crazies, he thought contentedly, but it sure is a nice place to live otherwise. He made sure his faithful sketch book and charcoal pencil were tucked securely in his vest pocket before hopping down the steps and making his way into the village.

He'd barely come within view of the Jorgenson's house before he heard that unpleasant whiny voice that he knew preceded relentless derision:

"Hey, Useless!"

He turned slowly to see Snotlout strutting out of the smithy with a dangerous-looking ax in his meaty hands.

"What do you want, Snotlout?" Hiccup asked, feigning boredom to annoy the bulkier boy.

Scowling, Snotlout resumed arrogantly, "My dad's busy rebuilding some houses from the last dragon raid. Guess who he put in charge of teaching your sorry butt archery for the day?" Then, delighted by Hiccup's despairing expression, he shoved his scrawny cousin to the ground and crowed, "ME!"

"It's going to be a long day…" Hiccup sighed.

...

It was late afternoon when Hiccup finally got away from Snotlout's torment-filled lesson. Half of it was wasted by Snotlout's using Hiccup as target practice with his new ax—"To work on your arm strength!" He'd mocked, rattling Hiccup's bones with a blow to the target-painted shield he strained to keep up in self-protection.

He glanced worriedly at the sun's lowering position in the sky and turned weary footsteps towards the docks.

On his way he pulled out his sketchbook to look over drawings he'd made the day before, and in his distraction he bumped into someone.

"Sorry," He said, startled, looking up briefly in apology. Upon seeing whom he'd run into, however, he stumbled back in surprise. "Astrid!"

The blond teen flicked her bangs off her forehead, her lively blue eyes on Hiccup's drawing. "No prob… hey, that's a cool dragon."

Hiccup self-consciously gripped his journal closer to his chest. "Oh, um, thanks…."

"It's kinda different than any I've seen. Did you make it up?" She asked, lifting her gaze to Hiccup's face.

"Um, well, not really," He stuttered, hating how idiotic he must sound.

Astrid guessed he was unwilling to say more, so she gave him a friendly smile and walked off with a goodbye.

Poor kid. He's such a fishbone that no one ever takes much interest in him, but I bet there's more than meets the eye… she mused, before returning her thoughts to the afternoon training session she was heading off to.

Watching her go, Hiccup exhaled in relief at the close call. Some twenty minutes later, he entered the forest lugging a large whicker basket of fish over his shoulder.

"With all those interruptions, I won't even get to fly him today," He said aloud exasperatedly. "But at least I can get away for the little while I've got left."

As his trek led him near the cove off Raven Point, Hiccup readjusted the pack on his shoulder and called out, "Toothless!"

His one friend.

So, um, hello there... *nervous smile* This is my first time writing fan fiction; as a matter of fact, it's my first time in a long time writing anything other than essays for school. But I've recently discovered this wonderful website, and after reading a good amount, I think I'm ready to contribute something myself. Be gentle, please: I'm sensitive, but constructive criticism and plot ideas are welcome :)

Sorry if this chapter is lacking- I just wanted to get something out so I could get some feedback before proceeding.

Hope you're having a great day! *hands out virtual gummy worms*

~Raz :D