YOUR POV

My palms started moistening as I walked through the Berkiens, my whole body was shaking. All I wanted to do was to turn back, towards Hiccup, where I felt safe. But I knew I had to face my family at some point.

I walked up the cobblestone foot path, past the loud crowd of Danes. I briefly saw familiar faces that brought back fond memories, but kept my head low to remain anonymous. I passed dragons of all shapes and sizes...

Hiccup is right. Everything has changed. Houses had dragon shaped carvings on their doors, colourful paint on the beams of their houses: representing the colours of their dragons. I saw the blacksmith stall that used to pour out sharp killing weapons, now being used to create saddles, leashes and even repairing dragon teeth! I saw Vikings and dragons living as one. Loving each other instead of killing each other. Everything seemed perfect-

Until I saw my old home... which had remained the same since the day I left. No beautiful carvings of the creatures, no paint, just the same exact building as when I left it. Not a single dragon in sight. The house seemed apart from the rest of the village - it didn't conform with the atmosphere.

I walked up to the greeting stone in front of the same old, plain door that I saw a million times for the first thirteen years of my life... *knock* *knock*

I could hear my heart beating in my ears, I was so scared to see them again.

As the door opened with a screech I saw a young man beneath the door frame. He was much taller than me, possessed piercing blue eyes, long strawberry blonde hair and a scruffy chin.

"Hello.. How may I help you?" He said in a deep voice. He held the door close to his body, and did not seem very welcoming.

"Iacob?!" I shouted in amazement. He's grown so much!

He didn't seem to recognise me at all!

Then I realised that I was still wearing my helmet... I took it off slowly revealing myself.

His face turned pale white, and he exhaled violently with painful relief.

"(Y/N)??... how- you- ... you're alive!!" He cried. He gave me a tight, heartwarming hug. I could feel the back of my armour getting wet from his tears...

"Look at you! You're almost a fully grown man, Iacob!" I said with tears forming in my eyes.

"Look at me? Look at !! You're a woman!" He blubbered and grinned immensely.

He took me inside and yelled for mother.

I saw Erik sitting on a chair beside the fire place. His face still looked identical to Iacob's, but I had always known the difference between them, even by looking at the back of their heads. He stood up quickly once he saw me and tears ran down his stubbly cheeks.

"(Y/N)! Impossible!... Well, don't just stand there! Come here!!" I jumped into his arms and cried. "Where on Earth have you been all these years! How are you alive!?"

"I've missed you all so so so much!! You have no idea!" I yelled.

"We thought you were in Valhalla, sister! All this time, you were alive! I- I have so many questions! How-" Erik continued...

Suddenly a door upstairs swung open. I heard stepping noises slowly making its way down the stairs.

"What's all this noise boys?" A gentle voice came closer. It was mum... She said, holding a flower pot with dead flowers inside. She looked up and saw my face. The flower pot dropped to the ground and shattered across the floor.

I stayed silent, my eyes in deep contact with hers. She collapsed to her knees on the floor and wept. Iacob ran towards her and started picking up the broken pieces of clay while consoling her.

"I'm home, mum" I said with a smile,

I started crying even more. My feet were glued to the floor. I didn't know how to start... I had been gone for so long. They didn't know about what happened to dad. To them, I was reborn and had no recollection of how he died..

Mum slowly lifted herself from the floor, with help from Iacob, and walked towards me with open arms, her face was covered in tears...

"I love you. We love you so much, (Y/N)" she wept, and held me tightly. For a split second, I felt complete. In that moment I forgot that I had to tell them the truth about dad..

~~~

We all sat down by the table, weeping happy tears. I told them about Libelle and where I'd been travelling with her. They told me about the island and how it's changed. They praised Hiccup as Chief but still showed grief while talking about Stoicks last years in power.

I asked them why they didn't have dragons like the rest of the village... they didn't seem angry or had any violent hate towards the dragons in their answer, but they all told me that they'd never befriend the creatures that killed dad. It made me very hesitant to tell them what happened. They looked so happy to have me back, I didn't want to ruin it.

My brothers kept on telling me about the people of Berk and what happened while I was gone..

"...and then Stoick had one! All the older Vikings wanted a dragon after he got Skullcrusher" said Iacob.

"Yeah, but I was most surprised when Astrid got a dragon..." Erik added.

"Yeah that was a shocker. She was so passionate to pass the dragon training exam where she had to.. you know- kill a dragon. But then... after Hiccup, she completely changed!" Added Iacob.

"Mmhm.. It was definitely Hiccup's influence that made her change her mind! I would've never ever expected her of all people to own a Deadly Nad-"

"So.. Hiccup and Astrid hung out a lot?" I interrupted, purely out of interest.

"Yes... I mean they were close when they were fifteen-sixteen but then they became actual partners when they were about eighteen years old, isn't that right?.."

"Yeah, I think you're right Erik, after being on the Edge, they were officially 'together', so yes, they were about eighteen.. two years ago" replied Iacob. Chills creeped down the back of my neck and my blood ran cold.

My heart broke. Suddenly Hiccup seemed so far away from me... like we had never reunited. I thought about the kiss we shared and what it meant... all those things we said to each other... Did it mean nothing to him? Was it all an act to get me back to Berk? For what?! Why didn't he tell me!?

"Are you okay sweetheart?" Asked mum, placing her hand on my shoulder. She noticed I wasn't speaking. I saw the very noticeable scars on her arm, from the wound that was bleeding the day I abandoned her...

"Yes, thank you. I have to tell you something..." I said confidently. I had nothing to loose.. Hiccup was not mine. He belonged to Astrid and there was nothing I could do... there was nothing keeping me here. My love for Hiccup was the only thing persuading me to stay. When I found out that he loved Astrid, I wanted nothing more that to leave Berk. But before I leave for good, I have to tell my family what I did. I have to tell them about dad...

"What is it?" Mum asked.

"I'm the reason he died..."

"Who dear?"

"Dad."

Their faces dropped.

I started telling them what happened and why I left. I kept it brief, sparing me my sanity. The three of them stayed silent. They looked scared to know the entire truth.. mum started balling her eyes, but my brothers, they kept their guard up. They both looked so similar to dad. They had the same disappointed face.

After I finished telling them, I apologised for my actions and for my previous disappearance, I turned for the door. My duty to repair the lives I had broken was complete. As I walked to the door, all I heard was mum crying. My heart wept for her but I kept my prowess high, I didn't want to cause them anymore pain... I closed the door behind me without saying goodbye. No one stopped me from leaving. I felt a thousand times lighter having spilt the truth.

Nevertheless...

I felt empty. My family hated me for what I did... and the love of my life was taken away from me a long time ago. It was too late. Hiccup had deceived me. For that, I had no reason to stay. I headed down towards the crowd whilst putting my helmet back on my head to retrieve my dragon... and to leave Berk for good... this time I'm not coming back.

END OF CHAPTER