Prompts for Stoick’s youth

Once Stoick turns seven, he is able to carry more money.

Once Stoick and Flint's relationship is restored, Stoick begins challenging his little brother to do harder things. He does not want his brother to fall into babyish ways. Instead of Flint begging and demanding things of Stoick, Stoick provides the opportunity to earnn them by acting more maturely.

Brenna is best friends with Bertha. She does not see how troublesome Bertha is for Stoick and Mogadon. It is not until Stoick says “It’s easier for you—you do not have all the heir duties, and you can enjoy your time with Bertha. Mogadon and I, we need to clean up her messes and soothe people and apologize. She knows we will protect her because she’s one of us. That is why she causes trouble. She thinks it’s funny to made life hard for us, because we are only boys. We deserve to take the blame, since we are unimportant. We cannot report her.”

“Did you try telling Papa?”

“Papa knows. Chief Flummox knows. They had the same problems. That’s why Oswald was allowed on Berk for so long. People complained about his actions and how he treated us, but Berserk’s Chief Egmund did nothing.”

“Well, I can do something about it. Do not fret yourself. As Papa says, “I have yer back.’ Wait until the next time Bertha visits.”

“‘Yer,’ Brenna? Did I hear my sister use improper language? My ears must need a good cleaning, I am hearing things.”

“I mean it, Stoick. I will not be in charge of Berk. I never believed I had more freedom than you do, but in this I do. Bertha does not understand people outside of Bog Isle, and that is a weakness.”

“If ye can help us, I would be grateful. Bertha’s mama does not like wrong behavior, and I suspect if enough folks complained to her, Bertha would be in trouble with Stealthie. Ye are willing?”

Brenna grinned. “I am willing, for true,” before spitting on her palm and holding it out for her brother. He did likewise, and She felt herself grin. “Bertha is in need of a lesson, and I am giving her one.”


At the time Stoick is thirteen and in exile, Spitelout despises him. Spitelout looked up to Stoick, and discovered his hero had feet of clay. After the first week of Stoick’s absence, Flint begins a campaign against Spitelout’s attitude. No, he doesn’t have time to work with Spitelout. Shouldn’t Spitelout be practiced enough in his studies that he doesn’t need help with his greater calculating?
Why doesn’t Spitelout help his mother and sister? Ragna and Brenna keep him occupied more than he likes, but Stoick would usually free him with some reason or other. Stoick would train with him, assist with schooling, and practice Latin. Stoick sometimes played King’s Table with Flint, and they let him watch and taught him the game. Stoick told stories, asked questions, and listened to answers. In ways Spitelout never considered, Stoick cared for him. Flint is a little cruel, a little neglectful toward Spitelout, but neither parent stops him. The Haddock children care for one another. Flint’s behavior is not unusual for many families, but unfamiliar from his brother in Haddock house. By the time Stoick returns, Spitelout has recognized Stoick isn’t all bad, and can be helpful, even kind and caring. He is still angry, but no longer hates Stoick as he did before.


One night at the forge, young Gobber overhears his father talking to Chief Halvar. He is telling th3 Chief about his life and family. He reveals how the other clans tricked Clan MacKenzie into overbreeding. The other clans were afraid that the fey streak that ran through clan MacKenzie would let them see the future and give them too much power. It became a competition; women became pregnant regularly and bearing and rearing offspring was seen as a status symbol. Clan MacKenzie realized this when Coalie was about 20.

Gobber is surprised by the conversation. His da was close enough to the Chief to laugh and tell stories and use his first name.

Alvin comes up with the nickname Slightpout for Spitelout. Spitelout admires Alvin, but hates the name. Alvin keeps using it, claiming it’s funny. Spitelout has started noticing Alvin’s nasty streak.

Alvin’s desire to be Stoick’s best friend is because Stoick is powerful; they began as friends, but Alvin is greedy and insensitive, and wants to own Stoick. He also wants to best Stoick. Halvar recognizes a similar dynamic as the one between himself and Mildew. He is concerned for Stoick, and has to decide whether to speak to him about it.

Astrid is about to marry when a dragon raid occurs, injuring her and killing her fiancé. What happens when she meets a guy named Hiccup?


By the time Oswald attacks Berk, Alvin is clearly a liability to Berk. Lord Marshal Hardnut Thorston allows Stoick to give Alvin a final chance. The caveat is any problem caused by Alvin gets him banished from the battle. Stoick believes even Alvin would not act against Berk in a battle against invaders. Alvin is placed in the back lines, but forces his way forward. He does not fight as commanded. Stoick is shouting, “Alvin, get out of here,” but Alvin remains. Stoick sees Valka on the field and orders Alvin to take her to safety. By the time Alvin returns, the fight should be over.

Fourteen-year-old Phlegma is smitten with Alvin. He’s tall and strong, with broad shoulders and a firm chin. He was born on a different island and that makes him exotic. He’s a warrior and bold. Phlegma is attracted to him, and would agree to a marriage contract when the time comes.

During the battle against Oswald, Phlegma is a lookout, watching the battlefield. She sees Stoick speak with Alvin, then Alvin stomp off. She also sees Alvin grab Valka by the arm and drag her off. He arrives at the top of the slope where the Chief has his house, where Phlegma is stationed and dumps her on Phlegma. It is not the safe space Valka ought to be at. Phlegma does not see Alvin return to the field. She finds he led an unauthorized expedition to the forest, searching for ambushers. He finds some of Oswald’s men and confronts them. One man is killed, another wounded. Two more escape. The Jorgenson clanheir is killed, a woman loses her baby, another man is maimed and requires an amputation from below his elbow.

Phlegma is disgusted, and finds Alvin’s actions and attitude—”I’m an ‘ero, I am”—despicable. Any interest she had in him is gone, and Phlegma wants nothing to do with him. No family will marry their daughter to him.

When Phlegma speaks of Valka, she says “Alvin risked the life of my friend Valka.” The girls have never been close, but at that moment, Phlegma claims her as a friend. Their relationship improves after that. The men of Haddock house note this, but do not question it. Phlegma begins to mature, developing a more adult outlook.

Alvin knew of Phlegma’s crush, and speaks to her casually, expecting her to be pleased at the attention. She rips him to shreds, and makes public some of what she saw and experienced. Many who were supporting Alvin or on the fence oppose him now.

Halvar has been hoping clan Jorgenson will accept Valka and her parents. The clanhead has not refused, but is stringing Halvar along, because he’s a self-centered jerk. The loss of his son is difficult to bear. The clan matriarch, his wife, approaches him about agreeing to the Chief’s request. It will make him look good to Halvar. She points out that Ragna was his other love, and became his wife. The additional three people will provide little drain on the clan’s resources. After all, Spitelout Jorgenson was Halvar’s stepson, and a credit to his clan. Halvar had invested as much effort into raising Spitelout as he had his own sons. Her argument is persuasive, and he agrees to allow them in. The seed of Spitelout as clanheir has been planted.