Rolling the Dice

((Did you read my headcannons? Is that why you mentioned stars?)) “Yeah,” Val admitted, coming to sit down next to him. She sat down, their fingers touching, but she didn’t seem to mind, or notice at that. “Yeah, I do like it out here. I like to sneak out at night and walk through the forest. Just listen to the frogs, and crickets, and the occasional dragon.” She looked up at the sky all lit up with stars. “They actually sound really nice at night. Really calm and peaceful…”

(Honestly, no. XD) Stoick nodded, “I’ve always dreamed of…” He stopped himself and laughed, “No, never mind. It’s stupid.” His green eyes glowed slightly in the darkness, “But it is very beautiful, isn’t it Val?” He let his hand move over hers and he squeezed it lightly, “Just like someone I met recently.”

She pulled her hand away a little, but left it where it was for the most part. “No… you don’t really mean that,” she replied shyly. She was not used to compliments at all. “What have you always dreamed about?” she asked him, looking over at the boy. It wasn’t too dark as to not be able to see him, but she did have to squint slightly.

"Of course I mean it. Why wouldn't I?" He left his eyes on her for a long time. Stoick really did think that this girl was very pretty. But, he would not let himself fall for her. She was just a ride, an escape, for now, "Well," He sighed, looking back to the stars, "I always thought about going up and just touching them, you know?" A few firefly dragons circled over he ad, flashing and sparks yellows and oranges. Stoick reached up and grabbed on, grinning, "Sort of like this!"

Rolling the Dice

((Did you read my headcannons? Is that why you mentioned stars?)) “Yeah,” Val admitted, coming to sit down next to him. She sat down, their fingers touching, but she didn’t seem to mind, or notice at that. “Yeah, I do like it out here. I like to sneak out at night and walk through the forest. Just listen to the frogs, and crickets, and the occasional dragon.” She looked up at the sky all lit up with stars. “They actually sound really nice at night. Really calm and peaceful…”

(Honestly, no. XD) Stoick nodded, "Ive always dreamed of..." He stopped himself and laughed, "No, never mind. It's stupid." His green eyes glowed slightly in the darkness, "But it is very beautiful, isn't it Val?" He let his hand move over hers and he squeezed it lightly, "Just like someone I met recently."

The Past Speaks

Stoick turned and looked at the boy, his eyes still stinging with tears. He looked down at the much shorter boy and frowned. Who was this? A short, little scrawny boy was staring him in the face and this confused the boy. He gulped and nodded, rubbing his eyes, “Hiccup!” He said loudly, “I like that name. Strong, mighty…” He sighed a bit and forced a smile. He thought for a moment and decided not to give his name. Instead, he kept smiling at the boy, trying to figure out if he really was from Berk. 

Hiccup looked up into the other boy’s face, his eyes narrowing in slight concern. His eyes shot away quickly as he didn’t want to embarrass the boy who looked as though he had been crying. It wasn’t a common thing to see a Viking cry and Hiccup felt guilty for invading his silence. He took an involuntary step back as the boy greeted him with a booming voice. “I-I um…mighty? Er…yeah. I’m sure that it instills terror in everyone I meet…That is if my face and…giant muscles don’t do that first,” he smiled. “Who…are you?”

Stoick suddenly turned his back to the boy and sighed, looking at his feet, “I don’t have a name.” He lied, undoing the string that held his hair up. Long dreadlocks fell onto his back and the large boy sighed deeply. He stroked his bare chin and looked back at the other. Why was he still there? What did he want? “Hiccup,” Stoick started, “Berk is a big place. Wouldn’t it be great if…No, nevermind.” He shook his head, “That’s to crazy.”

Hiccup watched the boy turn away from him, marveling at his long hair that was so matted. “You don’t? Your parents didn’t give you one?” He asked, his eyebrows raising in wonder. Everyone had a name, didn’t they? Well, accept those who went to the Outcast Lands. The smaller boy hiccuped as his name was called. He wondered what the other boy was getting at. “Crazy, huh? That’s practically my middle name. Try me.”

“I need your help to leave this island. For good.” He turned back to Hiccup, his green eyes pleading, “I must leave before…Before I go crazy!” He ran his fingers through his hair and shook his head, “You and I, Hiccup, can become pirates. Or warriors. Anything but from this island.”  

Okay, that was crazy. “You…what?” Hiccup looked back up into the man’s eyes; eyes that were exceptionally familiar. “You…why do you have to leave?” And he wanted him to go with him! Hiccup looked up at him, hiccuping as his name was used, and thought for a moment that he would like nothing more than to leave Berk. He couldn’t just leave Astrid and Toothless though…”Pirates? I…well…I don’t…I don’t even know your name! I…hate Berk as much as the next guy…probably more, but…why do you want to leave so badly? Tell…me that and I…I will help you.”

"I have a future here that I don't want!" He yelled, rage boiling in his blood, "I have a father who pushes things on me and a village that thinks I stupid as a rock!" Stoick roared and ripped a chunk of dirt from the ground, throwing it at a tree. He closed his eyes and tried to calm himself, "I don't have a name, Hiccup. The name I use to have means nothing to me now."

The Past Speaks

Stoick turned and looked at the boy, his eyes still stinging with tears. He looked down at the much shorter boy and frowned. Who was this? A short, little scrawny boy was staring him in the face and this confused the boy. He gulped and nodded, rubbing his eyes, “Hiccup!” He said loudly, “I like that name. Strong, mighty…” He sighed a bit and forced a smile. He thought for a moment and decided not to give his name. Instead, he kept smiling at the boy, trying to figure out if he really was from Berk. 

Hiccup looked up into the other boy’s face, his eyes narrowing in slight concern. His eyes shot away quickly as he didn’t want to embarrass the boy who looked as though he had been crying. It wasn’t a common thing to see a Viking cry and Hiccup felt guilty for invading his silence. He took an involuntary step back as the boy greeted him with a booming voice. “I-I um…mighty? Er…yeah. I’m sure that it instills terror in everyone I meet…That is if my face and…giant muscles don’t do that first,” he smiled. “Who…are you?”

Stoick suddenly turned his back to the boy and sighed, looking at his feet, “I don’t have a name.” He lied, undoing the string that held his hair up. Long dreadlocks fell onto his back and the large boy sighed deeply. He stroked his bare chin and looked back at the other. Why was he still there? What did he want? “Hiccup,” Stoick started, “Berk is a big place. Wouldn’t it be great if…No, nevermind.” He shook his head, “That’s to crazy.”

Hiccup watched the boy turn away from him, marveling at his long hair that was so matted. “You don’t? Your parents didn’t give you one?” He asked, his eyebrows raising in wonder. Everyone had a name, didn’t they? Well, accept those who went to the Outcast Lands. The smaller boy hiccuped as his name was called. He wondered what the other boy was getting at. “Crazy, huh? That’s practically my middle name. Try me.”

"I need your help to leave this island. For good." He turned back to Hiccup, his green eyes pleading, "I must leave before...Before I go crazy!" He ran his fingers through his hair and shook his head, "You and I, Hiccup, can become pirates. Or warriors. Anything but from this island."  

The Past Speaks

Stoick turned and looked at the boy, his eyes still stinging with tears. He looked down at the much shorter boy and frowned. Who was this? A short, little scrawny boy was staring him in the face and this confused the boy. He gulped and nodded, rubbing his eyes, “Hiccup!” He said loudly, “I like that name. Strong, mighty…” He sighed a bit and forced a smile. He thought for a moment and decided not to give his name. Instead, he kept smiling at the boy, trying to figure out if he really was from Berk. 

Hiccup looked up into the other boy’s face, his eyes narrowing in slight concern. His eyes shot away quickly as he didn’t want to embarrass the boy who looked as though he had been crying. It wasn’t a common thing to see a Viking cry and Hiccup felt guilty for invading his silence. He took an involuntary step back as the boy greeted him with a booming voice. “I-I um…mighty? Er…yeah. I’m sure that it instills terror in everyone I meet…That is if my face and…giant muscles don’t do that first,” he smiled. “Who…are you?”

Stoick suddenly turned his back to the boy and sighed, looking at his feet, "I don't have a name." He lied, undoing the string that held his hair up. Long dreadlocks fell onto his back and the large boy sighed deeply. He stroked his bare chin and looked back at the other. Why was he still there? What did he want? "Hiccup," Stoick started, "Berk is a big place. Wouldn't it be great if...No, nevermind." He shook his head, "That's to crazy."

Rolling the Dice

Val was out back behind her house, a longbow held in her hands, the arrow pulled back between her fingers lightly to her cheek. She took one long look at the target before letting go. It missed. For the sixteenth time. “Damn it,” she cursed loudly, dropping the equipment to the ground to retrieve the scattered arrows. ((That sounded better in my head. Oh well…))

(Like it! c: My name is Rain, by the way.)

“But Father, I—” 

“No buts, Stoick!” Said the chief of Berk, scowling down at his son, “You will be the heir. You are the oldest. You must learn to take charge and attack-“

“Father!” Stoick shouted, bawling his fists, “I don’t want to be a leader! I don’t want any of this!” And in an instant, the teenager was gone, tears stinging his eyes. What rotten luck. Another simple conversation with his dad gone horribly wrong. Stoick didn’t want to stay on Berk for the rest of his life. He wanted to travel, to fight. Not to be a political figure head. Once he had a son, he would let him be whatever he wanted to be. 

It wasn’t long before Stoick was out of breath and lost. He didn’t remember this part of te woods from his last walk. Stoick sighed and pushed back a red dread lock. Although he didn’t want to rule, he looked like a noblemen. He was strong and very well built for a boy his age. And, even though he was popular with girls, he over looked most of them. Stoick was indeed a viking down to his core. He just did not want the life his father had laid before him. 

What happened next would change his life forever. 

An arrow went straight into his chest. He couldn’t even react to this. He touched the spot gentle, noting it had missed his heart by inches. He mad no noise. He just stared at the arrow in disbelief. 

((I’m Nichole. Nice to meet you. :3))

Val pushed through the forest, grumbling to herself about how much improvement she needed. The freckled girl wasn’t often as serious about her weaponry skills, but today she had gotten into another argument with her sisters and was trying to blow off steam, putting her in an awfully frustrated mood.

She almost didn’t notice the redhead at first, but as soon as she did, she did a double-take. “Oh gods!” she exclaimed, pushing her brunette bangs to side and rushing to him. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” she repeated, examining the arrow in his chest, knowing it was her own.

Stoick did not even bother looking up at the girl. This could be the worst thing that ever happened in his life—or the best. He forced out a moan. “Ouch!” He wailed, “By great Odin, please, do not let me die in this terrible way! I am too young and too pretty to die now!” He talked in a loud, booming voice and a strange thick accident, both totally fake. 

“Please, my lady,” He begged, “I need medical aid at once! I may die here if we stay any longer!” He moaned again and stumbled forward, grabbing her shoulder and looking at the girl with his big, pleading green eyes, “I need your help.”

The thin girl stumbled a little at the sudden weight of the strong boy on her shoulder. “O-Okay,” she replied. In most situations, Val wouldn’t be as freaked out, but she did not want to be responsible for the death of anyone in her tribe. “Here, lie down. Or at least sit,” she ordered gently, kneeling down so he could easily do so and let go of her shoulder.

Once he had done as she said, her hands hovered around the arrow for a moment before grasping it softly. “Ready?” she questioned, looking back at him with her own emerald eyes.

“Yes,” He nodded, gripping the dirt around him. He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. He’d been through worst, however, he was a good actor. “Wait.” His eyes opened once more and nervously looked back at her, “W-Will you hold my hand? Please?”

For a few seconds, she gave him a strange look. This wasn’t normal behavior for a viking boy, a teenage viking boy at that. But a few seconds later, she gave in. This was her fault after all, she couldn’t just say no. Val put her hand in his and then, slowly but surely, slid the arrow out of him.

Luckily, it hadn’t gone in very deep so it should have felt nearly painless as she pulled it out, and there wasn’t very much blood. She placed the arrow on the ground next to her and looked at him again. “Are you alright? I’m really sorry.”

Stoick took a deep breath and groaned once the arrow was out. He shut his eyes and nodded, “I’m fine…” His said lowly, “Just…Ouch.” He opened his eyes again and blinked at the girl, “Who are you, noble woman?” He asked, smiling lightly, “Other than an angel, sent from the gods?” 

This was going to work. Stoick would use this girl. He would make her believe whatever she wanted to believe and then they would run away together and Stoick would disappear off this awful island. He couldn’t help but smile even wider, “A very pretty angel,” He added as an after thought.

Val blinked at the boy, and the compliment only made her give him an even stranger look. She wasn’t exactly the kind of girl that boys were jumping at. She wasn’t curvy, or visibly strong, or even tall like almost every other girl on the island. “I… what?” she questioned, still taking in everything he had said. She self-consciously looked down at herself then back at him. “Valhallar- I mean, uhm… Val. I’m Val. And you are?”

“Sto—” He stopped himself, “Sto…Sto…Storick!” He nodded, “My name is Storick.” He looked at the girl and stood up, groaning slightly, “Oof.” Stoick looked at her once more and smiled again, “Val. What a beautiful name. Val.” He repeated the name and nodded, “Strong, different. I like it.” The boy rubbed his noise and walked forward, “Were are we going now?” 

‘We?’ she thought to herself. ‘We aren’t going anywhere. I’m going home, so are you.’ All her thoughts were clearly readable in her expression, so she looked away. “Thanks. I like your name too,” she told him awkwardly, walking with him. “Uhm, well, if you want we could go to my house. I could make you something to drink, or eat, or something.”

“I think that would be a wonderful idea.”

Love. That’s what he would do. He would make her love him. Then he would leave. He’d create a new person, a more likable person than he was. Stoick smiled and waited for the girl to walk closer before speaking, “I think I could help you,” He started, “With your bow and arrow skills.” He looked from her to the speaks and huffed a bit, “We don’t want you to hurt anybody else, do we?”

“Alright,” she started, leading him in the direction back to her house. She listened to what he said, and looked over at him. Val was a very independant girl, you see, and more often than not she did not accept help with anything. But she had to admit that she wasn’t going to get any better without help. “You could?”

“Of course,” He bragged, grinning widely at her, “I’d do anything to the woman who saved my life.” Stoick kept his eyes on the girl and thought of how things would go. He wouldn’t leave her, even if she kicked him out. He would not go back to his father. He would rather die than do that. 

“Oh no,” she objected. “I… I didn’t save your life. You could have easily survived without me. The arrow hardly penetrated you,” she told him. Then she realized that he should not have been so ‘wounded’ as he posed to be when she got there. “But, that would be great,” she quickly said, not wanting to have him turn back on the offer. “If you could help me. I’m going to be the best dragon killing viking in the village,” she told him confidently.

Stoick stopped and looked at the girl, smiling a bit, "Really?" He laughed and moved a bit of his hair, "A pretty thing like you, fighting and killing dragons?" He could see it. She was a viking after all, "You're a strong one, though..." He mused, "Pretty, smart and strong!" Stoick laughed again and looked over at her home, "Is that it? He asked.

Rolling the Dice

Val was out back behind her house, a longbow held in her hands, the arrow pulled back between her fingers lightly to her cheek. She took one long look at the target before letting go. It missed. For the sixteenth time. “Damn it,” she cursed loudly, dropping the equipment to the ground to retrieve the scattered arrows. ((That sounded better in my head. Oh well…))

(Like it! c: My name is Rain, by the way.)

“But Father, I—” 

“No buts, Stoick!” Said the chief of Berk, scowling down at his son, “You will be the heir. You are the oldest. You must learn to take charge and attack-“

“Father!” Stoick shouted, bawling his fists, “I don’t want to be a leader! I don’t want any of this!” And in an instant, the teenager was gone, tears stinging his eyes. What rotten luck. Another simple conversation with his dad gone horribly wrong. Stoick didn’t want to stay on Berk for the rest of his life. He wanted to travel, to fight. Not to be a political figure head. Once he had a son, he would let him be whatever he wanted to be. 

It wasn’t long before Stoick was out of breath and lost. He didn’t remember this part of te woods from his last walk. Stoick sighed and pushed back a red dread lock. Although he didn’t want to rule, he looked like a noblemen. He was strong and very well built for a boy his age. And, even though he was popular with girls, he over looked most of them. Stoick was indeed a viking down to his core. He just did not want the life his father had laid before him. 

What happened next would change his life forever. 

An arrow went straight into his chest. He couldn’t even react to this. He touched the spot gentle, noting it had missed his heart by inches. He mad no noise. He just stared at the arrow in disbelief. 

((I’m Nichole. Nice to meet you. :3))

Val pushed through the forest, grumbling to herself about how much improvement she needed. The freckled girl wasn’t often as serious about her weaponry skills, but today she had gotten into another argument with her sisters and was trying to blow off steam, putting her in an awfully frustrated mood.

She almost didn’t notice the redhead at first, but as soon as she did, she did a double-take. “Oh gods!” she exclaimed, pushing her brunette bangs to side and rushing to him. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” she repeated, examining the arrow in his chest, knowing it was her own.

Stoick did not even bother looking up at the girl. This could be the worst thing that ever happened in his life—or the best. He forced out a moan. “Ouch!” He wailed, “By great Odin, please, do not let me die in this terrible way! I am too young and too pretty to die now!” He talked in a loud, booming voice and a strange thick accident, both totally fake. 

“Please, my lady,” He begged, “I need medical aid at once! I may die here if we stay any longer!” He moaned again and stumbled forward, grabbing her shoulder and looking at the girl with his big, pleading green eyes, “I need your help.”

The thin girl stumbled a little at the sudden weight of the strong boy on her shoulder. “O-Okay,” she replied. In most situations, Val wouldn’t be as freaked out, but she did not want to be responsible for the death of anyone in her tribe. “Here, lie down. Or at least sit,” she ordered gently, kneeling down so he could easily do so and let go of her shoulder.

Once he had done as she said, her hands hovered around the arrow for a moment before grasping it softly. “Ready?” she questioned, looking back at him with her own emerald eyes.

“Yes,” He nodded, gripping the dirt around him. He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. He’d been through worst, however, he was a good actor. “Wait.” His eyes opened once more and nervously looked back at her, “W-Will you hold my hand? Please?”

For a few seconds, she gave him a strange look. This wasn’t normal behavior for a viking boy, a teenage viking boy at that. But a few seconds later, she gave in. This was her fault after all, she couldn’t just say no. Val put her hand in his and then, slowly but surely, slid the arrow out of him.

Luckily, it hadn’t gone in very deep so it should have felt nearly painless as she pulled it out, and there wasn’t very much blood. She placed the arrow on the ground next to her and looked at him again. “Are you alright? I’m really sorry.”

Stoick took a deep breath and groaned once the arrow was out. He shut his eyes and nodded, “I’m fine…” His said lowly, “Just…Ouch.” He opened his eyes again and blinked at the girl, “Who are you, noble woman?” He asked, smiling lightly, “Other than an angel, sent from the gods?” 

This was going to work. Stoick would use this girl. He would make her believe whatever she wanted to believe and then they would run away together and Stoick would disappear off this awful island. He couldn’t help but smile even wider, “A very pretty angel,” He added as an after thought.

Val blinked at the boy, and the compliment only made her give him an even stranger look. She wasn’t exactly the kind of girl that boys were jumping at. She wasn’t curvy, or visibly strong, or even tall like almost every other girl on the island. “I… what?” she questioned, still taking in everything he had said. She self-consciously looked down at herself then back at him. “Valhallar- I mean, uhm… Val. I’m Val. And you are?”

“Sto—” He stopped himself, “Sto…Sto…Storick!” He nodded, “My name is Storick.” He looked at the girl and stood up, groaning slightly, “Oof.” Stoick looked at her once more and smiled again, “Val. What a beautiful name. Val.” He repeated the name and nodded, “Strong, different. I like it.” The boy rubbed his noise and walked forward, “Were are we going now?” 

‘We?’ she thought to herself. ‘We aren’t going anywhere. I’m going home, so are you.’ All her thoughts were clearly readable in her expression, so she looked away. “Thanks. I like your name too,” she told him awkwardly, walking with him. “Uhm, well, if you want we could go to my house. I could make you something to drink, or eat, or something.”

“I think that would be a wonderful idea.”

Love. That’s what he would do. He would make her love him. Then he would leave. He’d create a new person, a more likable person than he was. Stoick smiled and waited for the girl to walk closer before speaking, “I think I could help you,” He started, “With your bow and arrow skills.” He looked from her to the speaks and huffed a bit, “We don’t want you to hurt anybody else, do we?”

“Alright,” she started, leading him in the direction back to her house. She listened to what he said, and looked over at him. Val was a very independant girl, you see, and more often than not she did not accept help with anything. But she had to admit that she wasn’t going to get any better without help. “You could?”

"Of course," He bragged, grinning widely at her, "I'd do anything to the woman who saved my life." Stoick kept his eyes on the girl and thought of how things would go. He wouldn't leave her, even if she kicked him out. He would not go back to his father. He would rather die than do that. 

Rolling the Dice

Val was out back behind her house, a longbow held in her hands, the arrow pulled back between her fingers lightly to her cheek. She took one long look at the target before letting go. It missed. For the sixteenth time. “Damn it,” she cursed loudly, dropping the equipment to the ground to retrieve the scattered arrows. ((That sounded better in my head. Oh well…))

(Like it! c: My name is Rain, by the way.)

“But Father, I—” 

“No buts, Stoick!” Said the chief of Berk, scowling down at his son, “You will be the heir. You are the oldest. You must learn to take charge and attack-“

“Father!” Stoick shouted, bawling his fists, “I don’t want to be a leader! I don’t want any of this!” And in an instant, the teenager was gone, tears stinging his eyes. What rotten luck. Another simple conversation with his dad gone horribly wrong. Stoick didn’t want to stay on Berk for the rest of his life. He wanted to travel, to fight. Not to be a political figure head. Once he had a son, he would let him be whatever he wanted to be. 

It wasn’t long before Stoick was out of breath and lost. He didn’t remember this part of te woods from his last walk. Stoick sighed and pushed back a red dread lock. Although he didn’t want to rule, he looked like a noblemen. He was strong and very well built for a boy his age. And, even though he was popular with girls, he over looked most of them. Stoick was indeed a viking down to his core. He just did not want the life his father had laid before him. 

What happened next would change his life forever. 

An arrow went straight into his chest. He couldn’t even react to this. He touched the spot gentle, noting it had missed his heart by inches. He mad no noise. He just stared at the arrow in disbelief. 

((I’m Nichole. Nice to meet you. :3))

Val pushed through the forest, grumbling to herself about how much improvement she needed. The freckled girl wasn’t often as serious about her weaponry skills, but today she had gotten into another argument with her sisters and was trying to blow off steam, putting her in an awfully frustrated mood.

She almost didn’t notice the redhead at first, but as soon as she did, she did a double-take. “Oh gods!” she exclaimed, pushing her brunette bangs to side and rushing to him. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” she repeated, examining the arrow in his chest, knowing it was her own.

Stoick did not even bother looking up at the girl. This could be the worst thing that ever happened in his life—or the best. He forced out a moan. “Ouch!” He wailed, “By great Odin, please, do not let me die in this terrible way! I am too young and too pretty to die now!” He talked in a loud, booming voice and a strange thick accident, both totally fake. 

“Please, my lady,” He begged, “I need medical aid at once! I may die here if we stay any longer!” He moaned again and stumbled forward, grabbing her shoulder and looking at the girl with his big, pleading green eyes, “I need your help.”

The thin girl stumbled a little at the sudden weight of the strong boy on her shoulder. “O-Okay,” she replied. In most situations, Val wouldn’t be as freaked out, but she did not want to be responsible for the death of anyone in her tribe. “Here, lie down. Or at least sit,” she ordered gently, kneeling down so he could easily do so and let go of her shoulder.

Once he had done as she said, her hands hovered around the arrow for a moment before grasping it softly. “Ready?” she questioned, looking back at him with her own emerald eyes.

“Yes,” He nodded, gripping the dirt around him. He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. He’d been through worst, however, he was a good actor. “Wait.” His eyes opened once more and nervously looked back at her, “W-Will you hold my hand? Please?”

For a few seconds, she gave him a strange look. This wasn’t normal behavior for a viking boy, a teenage viking boy at that. But a few seconds later, she gave in. This was her fault after all, she couldn’t just say no. Val put her hand in his and then, slowly but surely, slid the arrow out of him.

Luckily, it hadn’t gone in very deep so it should have felt nearly painless as she pulled it out, and there wasn’t very much blood. She placed the arrow on the ground next to her and looked at him again. “Are you alright? I’m really sorry.”

Stoick took a deep breath and groaned once the arrow was out. He shut his eyes and nodded, “I’m fine…” His said lowly, “Just…Ouch.” He opened his eyes again and blinked at the girl, “Who are you, noble woman?” He asked, smiling lightly, “Other than an angel, sent from the gods?” 

This was going to work. Stoick would use this girl. He would make her believe whatever she wanted to believe and then they would run away together and Stoick would disappear off this awful island. He couldn’t help but smile even wider, “A very pretty angel,” He added as an after thought.

Val blinked at the boy, and the compliment only made her give him an even stranger look. She wasn’t exactly the kind of girl that boys were jumping at. She wasn’t curvy, or visibly strong, or even tall like almost every other girl on the island. “I… what?” she questioned, still taking in everything he had said. She self-consciously looked down at herself then back at him. “Valhallar- I mean, uhm… Val. I’m Val. And you are?”

“Sto—” He stopped himself, “Sto…Sto…Storick!” He nodded, “My name is Storick.” He looked at the girl and stood up, groaning slightly, “Oof.” Stoick looked at her once more and smiled again, “Val. What a beautiful name. Val.” He repeated the name and nodded, “Strong, different. I like it.” The boy rubbed his noise and walked forward, “Were are we going now?” 

‘We?’ she thought to herself. ‘We aren’t going anywhere. I’m going home, so are you.’ All her thoughts were clearly readable in her expression, so she looked away. “Thanks. I like your name too,” she told him awkwardly, walking with him. “Uhm, well, if you want we could go to my house. I could make you something to drink, or eat, or something.”

"I think that would be a wonderful idea."

Love. That's what he would do. He would make her love him. Then he would leave. He'd create a new person, a more likable person than he was. Stoick smiled and waited for the girl to walk closer before speaking, "I think I could help you," He started, "With your bow and arrow skills." He looked from her to the speaks and huffed a bit, "We don't want you to hurt anybody else, do we?"

Rolling the Dice

Val was out back behind her house, a longbow held in her hands, the arrow pulled back between her fingers lightly to her cheek. She took one long look at the target before letting go. It missed. For the sixteenth time. “Damn it,” she cursed loudly, dropping the equipment to the ground to retrieve the scattered arrows. ((That sounded better in my head. Oh well…))

(Like it! c: My name is Rain, by the way.)

“But Father, I—” 

“No buts, Stoick!” Said the chief of Berk, scowling down at his son, “You will be the heir. You are the oldest. You must learn to take charge and attack-“

“Father!” Stoick shouted, bawling his fists, “I don’t want to be a leader! I don’t want any of this!” And in an instant, the teenager was gone, tears stinging his eyes. What rotten luck. Another simple conversation with his dad gone horribly wrong. Stoick didn’t want to stay on Berk for the rest of his life. He wanted to travel, to fight. Not to be a political figure head. Once he had a son, he would let him be whatever he wanted to be. 

It wasn’t long before Stoick was out of breath and lost. He didn’t remember this part of te woods from his last walk. Stoick sighed and pushed back a red dread lock. Although he didn’t want to rule, he looked like a noblemen. He was strong and very well built for a boy his age. And, even though he was popular with girls, he over looked most of them. Stoick was indeed a viking down to his core. He just did not want the life his father had laid before him. 

What happened next would change his life forever. 

An arrow went straight into his chest. He couldn’t even react to this. He touched the spot gentle, noting it had missed his heart by inches. He mad no noise. He just stared at the arrow in disbelief. 

((I’m Nichole. Nice to meet you. :3))

Val pushed through the forest, grumbling to herself about how much improvement she needed. The freckled girl wasn’t often as serious about her weaponry skills, but today she had gotten into another argument with her sisters and was trying to blow off steam, putting her in an awfully frustrated mood.

She almost didn’t notice the redhead at first, but as soon as she did, she did a double-take. “Oh gods!” she exclaimed, pushing her brunette bangs to side and rushing to him. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” she repeated, examining the arrow in his chest, knowing it was her own.

Stoick did not even bother looking up at the girl. This could be the worst thing that ever happened in his life—or the best. He forced out a moan. “Ouch!” He wailed, “By great Odin, please, do not let me die in this terrible way! I am too young and too pretty to die now!” He talked in a loud, booming voice and a strange thick accident, both totally fake. 

“Please, my lady,” He begged, “I need medical aid at once! I may die here if we stay any longer!” He moaned again and stumbled forward, grabbing her shoulder and looking at the girl with his big, pleading green eyes, “I need your help.”

The thin girl stumbled a little at the sudden weight of the strong boy on her shoulder. “O-Okay,” she replied. In most situations, Val wouldn’t be as freaked out, but she did not want to be responsible for the death of anyone in her tribe. “Here, lie down. Or at least sit,” she ordered gently, kneeling down so he could easily do so and let go of her shoulder.

Once he had done as she said, her hands hovered around the arrow for a moment before grasping it softly. “Ready?” she questioned, looking back at him with her own emerald eyes.

“Yes,” He nodded, gripping the dirt around him. He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. He’d been through worst, however, he was a good actor. “Wait.” His eyes opened once more and nervously looked back at her, “W-Will you hold my hand? Please?”

For a few seconds, she gave him a strange look. This wasn’t normal behavior for a viking boy, a teenage viking boy at that. But a few seconds later, she gave in. This was her fault after all, she couldn’t just say no. Val put her hand in his and then, slowly but surely, slid the arrow out of him.

Luckily, it hadn’t gone in very deep so it should have felt nearly painless as she pulled it out, and there wasn’t very much blood. She placed the arrow on the ground next to her and looked at him again. “Are you alright? I’m really sorry.”

Stoick took a deep breath and groaned once the arrow was out. He shut his eyes and nodded, “I’m fine…” His said lowly, “Just…Ouch.” He opened his eyes again and blinked at the girl, “Who are you, noble woman?” He asked, smiling lightly, “Other than an angel, sent from the gods?” 

This was going to work. Stoick would use this girl. He would make her believe whatever she wanted to believe and then they would run away together and Stoick would disappear off this awful island. He couldn’t help but smile even wider, “A very pretty angel,” He added as an after thought.

Val blinked at the boy, and the compliment only made her give him an even stranger look. She wasn’t exactly the kind of girl that boys were jumping at. She wasn’t curvy, or visibly strong, or even tall like almost every other girl on the island. “I… what?” she questioned, still taking in everything he had said. She self-cconsciously looked down at herself then back at him. “Valhallar- I mean, uhm… Val. I’m Val. And you are?”

"Sto--" He stopped himself, "Sto...Sto...Storick!" He nodded, "My name is Storick." He looked at the girl and stood up, groaning slightly, "Oof." Stoick looked at her once more and smiled again, "Val. What a beautiful name. Val." He repeated the name and nodded, "Strong, different. I like it." The boy rubbed his noise and walked forward, "Were are we going now?" 

Rolling the Dice

Val was out back behind her house, a longbow held in her hands, the arrow pulled back between her fingers lightly to her cheek. She took one long look at the target before letting go. It missed. For the sixteenth time. “Damn it,” she cursed loudly, dropping the equipment to the ground to retrieve the scattered arrows. ((That sounded better in my head. Oh well…))

(Like it! c: My name is Rain, by the way.)

“But Father, I—” 

“No buts, Stoick!” Said the chief of Berk, scowling down at his son, “You will be the heir. You are the oldest. You must learn to take charge and attack-“

“Father!” Stoick shouted, bawling his fists, “I don’t want to be a leader! I don’t want any of this!” And in an instant, the teenager was gone, tears stinging his eyes. What rotten luck. Another simple conversation with his dad gone horribly wrong. Stoick didn’t want to stay on Berk for the rest of his life. He wanted to travel, to fight. Not to be a political figure head. Once he had a son, he would let him be whatever he wanted to be. 

It wasn’t long before Stoick was out of breath and lost. He didn’t remember this part of te woods from his last walk. Stoick sighed and pushed back a red dread lock. Although he didn’t want to rule, he looked like a noblemen. He was strong and very well built for a boy his age. And, even though he was popular with girls, he over looked most of them. Stoick was indeed a viking down to his core. He just did not want the life his father had laid before him. 

What happened next would change his life forever. 

An arrow went straight into his chest. He couldn’t even react to this. He touched the spot gentle, noting it had missed his heart by inches. He mad no noise. He just stared at the arrow in disbelief. 

((I’m Nichole. Nice to meet you. :3))

Val pushed through the forest, grumbling to herself about how much improvement she needed. The freckled girl wasn’t often as serious about her weaponry skills, but today she had gotten into another argument with her sisters and was trying to blow off steam, putting her in an awfully frustrated mood.

She almost didn’t notice the redhead at first, but as soon as she did, she did a double-take. “Oh gods!” she exclaimed, pushing her brunette bangs to side and rushing to him. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” she repeated, examining the arrow in his chest, knowing it was her own.

Stoick did not even bother looking up at the girl. This could be the worst thing that ever happened in his life—or the best. He forced out a moan. “Ouch!” He wailed, “By great Odin, please, do not let me die in this terrible way! I am too young and too pretty to die now!” He talked in a loud, booming voice and a strange thick accident, both totally fake. 

“Please, my lady,” He begged, “I need medical aid at once! I may die here if we stay any longer!” He moaned again and stumbled forward, grabbing her shoulder and looking at the girl with his big, pleading green eyes, “I need your help.”

The thin girl stumbled a little at the sudden weight of the strong boy on her shoulder. “O-Okay,” she replied. In most situations, Val wouldn’t be as freaked out, but she did not want to be responsible for the death of anyone in her tribe. “Here, lie down. Or at least sit,” she ordered gently, kneeling down so he could easily do so and let go of her shoulder.

Once he had done as she said, her hands hovered around the arrow for a moment before grasping it softly. “Ready?” she questioned, looking back at him with her own emerald eyes.

“Yes,” He nodded, gripping the dirt around him. He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath. He’d been through worst, however, he was a good actor. “Wait.” His eyes opened once more and nervously looked back at her, “W-Will you hold my hand? Please?”

For a few seconds, she gave him a strange look. This wasn’t normal behavior for a viking boy, a teenage viking boy at that. But a few seconds later, she gave in. This was her fault after all, she couldn’t just say no. Val put her hand in his and then, slowly but surely, slid the arrow out of him.

Luckily, it hadn’t gone in very deep so it should have felt nearly painless as she pulled it out, and there wasn’t very much blood. She placed the arrow on the ground next to her and looked at him again. “Are you alright? I’m really sorry.”

Stoick took a deep breath and groaned once the arrow was out. He shut his eyes and nodded, "I'm fine..." His said lowly, "Just...Ouch." He opened his eyes again and blinked at the girl, "Who are you, noble woman?" He asked, smiling lightly, "Other than an angel, sent from the gods?" 

This was going to work. Stoick would use this girl. He would make her believe whatever she wanted to believe and then they would run away together and Stoick would disappear off this awful island. He couldn't help but smile even wider, "A very pretty angel," He added as an after thought.

Nicolas Marlet