Dear future King or Queen of Berk or to whoever reads this,

My Name is Astrid Haddock, the first queen of Berk. I think its best to start a tradition on my deathbed rather than earlier in life. I am the ripe old age of 78 when writing this, I've seen my child grow and have children of his own. I've seen some land lost and more land gained. When I leave this earth and go to Valhalla, Heaven, or wherever I go, I will know the Berk will last for hundreds of years. It is my idea that kings and queens of Berk write these letters as a way to reflect on their life.

I remember Hiccup the First fondly. A friend that I lost way too soon, a man who I loved but lost in our prime. He was the greatest friend anybody could have. He knew right from wrong and he knew how to respond to any situation, a tactical genius with his idea written down in books that I gave our son. History will remember him as a great king, and a great man.

As for our son, I love him with all my heart the sweetest boy that anyone could ever know. I remember his coronation day, it was a day after I abdicated when he had just turned 20, old enough to rule the land. I advised him with his military strategies but he learned everything from his father's journals.

Years passed and relationships soured. When I turned 25 in 1699, Russia and Berk fought over Finland, a war that lasted 10 years. Berk came out on top beating Russia, Denmark-Norway, and Poland (Who had betrayed our alliance.) The land was taken from Denmark and Russia, Poland was punished. Austria and Berk split Poland into two, Poland lost 33% of its land. By 1720 Poland didn't exist, split between Austria, Russia, and Berk. It was a quiet end for an empire that has lasted since the year 1000.

Berk's influence continued to spread as we allowed our colonies to expand farther west. Did Spain get mad at us yes, but we quickly shut them up with our superior troops. Speaking of which, Rommel was hard at work expanding the army and increasing its effectiveness. What a man he was, Rommel passed away in 1736 from his wounds he gained while we were unifying Scandinavia under one banner. Rosie was devastated, leaving behind her and three children. Rosie too lost her life in battle not a year later.

In 1747 my health began to deteriorate rapidly, my son and his children concerned about my well being. I know my time is coming, I lived a happy life, queen, for 20 years, then a servant of the people. I just wish I had Hiccup beside it all.

-Astrid, Queen of Berk

Hiccup the Second sat next to his dying mother, his children next to him. In her final hours, Astrid grew frailer and frailer.

"Hiccup" Astrid whispered.

"Yes, mother?"

"Help me up."

"Mother you heard the doctors, you need to lay down."

"No, I am not weak."

Astrid began to sit herself up but Hiccup quickly tried t stop her.

"Hiccup, help me up, please."

"Fine."

Astrid stood up on her feet, leaning heavily on Hiccup. Her 58-year-old son looked like his father, the only difference being the streaks of gray running through his auburn hair.

"Every time I look at you, you remind me of your father."

"Yes, you say that every time we spend time together. Why do want to walk?"

"I want one last look at Berk before I go."

Hiccup looked back at his wife and children, his eyes telling them to stay put. Mother and Son walked towards the balcony of the once great hall. Once they got there they noticed a setting sun casting long shadows on every building the sunlight touched.

"Ironic" Astrid said, "the sun is beginning to set on my time here. God is truly messing with me with this beautiful scene in front of us. Gourgous isn't it."

"It is, mother, you and father did a good job."

"Yes, but how many lives did we sacrifice to achieve this dream. I've done some things that I regret doing, killing many that shouldn't, wounding those that dare oppose."

"We all have done things that we regret, Remember the battle of Warsaw?"

"Yes I remember, they were surrendering I saw the white flag."

"I know but I didn't see the flag until it was too late."

"Your son will be a great leader, you saw him lead his men into battle in Copenhagen.

"Yes, he fought well alongside Uncle Aaron. It was a shame we couldn't save him, perhaps he could have saved Aunt Rosie."

"Hiccup it's my time to go, I feel it."

"Let's get you to bed then…"

"No, I will not go sitting down. I will... "

Astrid began to lose her balance and collapsed into her son's arms.

"Mother!"

Astrid smiled at her son and placed a hand on his cheek. Tears began to drop on her face as Hiccup clung onto her. Astrid whipped away the tears in his eyes before breathing her last.

Bells began to toll the next morning as a funeral procession marched their way to the royal cemetery. The first queen was dead, the last of an era dead.

The Royal family stood in front of the grave Hiccup kneeling with the aid of his sword. His tears falling was mixed with the pouring rain that surrounded them all.

"Rest easy mother, you are with father now."

In the harbor, Berkian flagship Carolus fired off 12 cannons as a salute to the queen. As a Royal decree from Hiccup, a black cloth was to be placed over any painting of Astrid. Time marched on Berk's overseas territory learned of Astrid's death, each grieving in their own way.

London, 3 months later…

Europe's Monarchs met for the first time in years inside Buckingham palace. The kings and queens sat and enjoyed their meal while they talked many throwing insults at others.

"I remember during the War of Spanish Succession, your mother Hiccup, God rest her soul, drank so much alcohol while we were camped outside of Madrid. You would think she would pass out after her ninth cup of ale but no she kept going" Said George the Second.

"My Mother was a Viking George, even when she was on her death bed she could have out drink us all."

The men listing in on the conversation laughed as Hiccup continued.

"My mother said when the Berkian army sieged down Berlin, my father, who according to her, drank so much he drunkenly called an artillery strike on the poor city."

"Aye, my Father, Aaron Rommel was there. I remember him telling me to never get your army besieged, it's not fun."

"Lukas your father was a good man but holy hell was that charge a bad idea."

"It wasn't my father's idea, the King of Prussia order him to commit that charge."

"So what is your relationship between the two of you?" asked Cathrine of Russia.

"I'm his majesties, royal advisor and cousin."

"He is also a ladies man, be sure to tell that to his wife."

"Shut up bastard."

Hiccup laughed and sipped his drink while Lukas tried to defend his actions.

"So Hiccup" started Emperor Franz of Austria, "how did your father come to power?"

"Well our story begins a long time ago. My father and just recovered from his injuries after fighting a massive beast know as the Red Death. That is where we begin the story of the Rise of a King."

The End