You were a dragon rider. You knew your mother, Valka, but your father remained a mystery. You had a brother named Hiccup, but you had never met him either.

Twenty years ago, just before you were born, your mother vanished from the island of Berk. She never returned, and everyone assumed she was dead. Little did they know, she had been hiding away all those years, dedicating herself to rescuing dragons alongside her 19-year-old daughter. You only knew this story because it had been told to you countless times, over and over, each telling leaving you with the same mix of awe and longing.

One day, your mother returned to the cave. You were perched on a cliff inside the cavern, hidden in the shadows, watching her every move. She wasn’t alone—she was with a young man who appeared to be in his twenties. He moved with ease around the dragons, gentle but confident, his eyes scanning the space with curiosity and care.

You listened intently as your mother spoke with him, your heart pounding with anticipation. Their voices carried softly through the cavern, blending with the occasional flap of wings and the gentle crackle of fire from the hearth. You had almost convinced yourself it was just another visitor, until you heard one word—“son.”

It froze you in place. Who was this? Could this be your brother? Your thoughts raced, a thousand possibilities swirling in your mind, but you decided not to reveal yourself just yet. You stayed hidden, crouched behind the rocks, gripping the edge of the cliff as a low growl of a nearby dragon rumbled beneath you.

About an hour later, two other men entered the cavern, their presence commanding attention. They were taller, broader, and older than the young man. One had blond hair that caught the light from the fire, and the other had brown hair that fell loosely over his forehead. You noticed the way your mother paused mid-motion, carefully setting down the cooking utensils she had been using, and smiled with a mixture of relief and familiarity.

Your heart skipped a beat when you heard her speak his name—“Stoick.” The name resonated in your mind, echoing from the stories you had been told for years. Could this really be your father? Your mother approached him cautiously, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. Her eyes glistened as she reached out, and for a moment the cavern felt suspended in time.

Valka stepped closer, her voice warm and full of emotion as she said, “Oh Stoick, it’s so great to finally see you again.” She hesitated for a heartbeat, then added with a tender smile, “I never thought I would see you after all these years. The dragons kept me busy, but my thoughts were always with you.”