Heart of a Berserker: Oneshots

Different

A/N: This oneshot takes place ten years after the last scene in Heart of a Berserker. 'Frode' is pronounced 'FRUW-Dah.'

***

Different

"Frode, please get ready!" Brennda called from down the hall.

The nine-year-old boy picked up the small mirror his father recently gave him. Emerald eyes stared back at him. Frode ran his hand through his shaggy brown hair several times. That should do it. "I'm coming!" he shouted before running out the door.

Ruffrunner, the full grown Night Light, greeted him in the living room. Frode smiled and rubbed his head. He noticed his mother picking up the house with Sylvi, his three-year-old sister, attached to her hip. Two people he did not see were his father and his six-year-old sister, Ella.

"Dad and Ella are waiting for everyone outside," Brennda said as if reading his mind.

Frode decided it must be his dad's turn to watch the middle kids, which was comprised of Ella, Hiccup and Astrid's son Nuffink, and Dagur and Mala's twin sons, Gulbrand and Holmes. Once a month, the leaders of the four islands in the Great Alliance met at one of the islands to discuss current state of affairs. This month's meeting was on Auction Island. While the leaders and their spouses talked, the kids were watched by Brennda, Harald, and Cason.

"Don't tell me I'm stuck in here," Frode groaned. He wanted to get out and do something exciting.

"No, I'm watching Sylvi, Trygve, and Magnhild," said Brennda. Trygve was Nikora and Viggo's young son while Magnhild was Dagur and Mala's baby girl. "You're with Uncle Cason."

"Maybe we don't need a babysitter this time?" Frode gave her a hopeful look.

Brennda did not look impressed. "Go wait outside. Bring Ruffrunner with you."

Frode did not mind bringing the dragon along, but he wished his parents would stop treating him like a baby. He was not outside long when he spotted Cason approaching with the three other nine-year-olds.

"Hey, Frode!" Zephyr said brightly. She was the daughter of Hiccup and Astrid. She had Dart with her, and the Night Night immediately bolted forward to nuzzle her brother. "How's it going?"

Frode shrugged. "Same old."

"Sounds boring," said Bo, Dagur and Mala's son.

"We've got some excitement now that you're all here," said Nikora's daughter Agatha. "Let's go play!"

"Hey, wait for me!" said the 26-year-old Cason as the four kids and two dragons scampered away.

***

"What do you think they're talking about at the meeting?" Zephyr said while the kids relaxed on a hilltop near a cliff. Ruffrunner, Dart, and Turbo lay near them while Cason leaned against a tree.

"Probably boring adult stuff," Frode said.

"Or maybe they're planning something exciting like a festival!" Bo said. "Do you think they'll let us join them one of these days?"

"Possibly," said Agatha.

Frode frowned. "Why would they do that?"

"Because we're the next leaders," Bo replied. He paused and looked Frode up and down. "Well, except for you. Your parents aren't anything."

"Wh-What?"

"That's right!" said Zephyr. "Even Cason will be king one day. You're the only one here who won't take over for your mom or dad, Frode."