Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

-Past tense-

For the longest time I wanted to be the best Viking, the best dragon killer, I wanted to make my father proud. My name is Hiccup Haddock, my name itself is a curse, I’m a useless hiccup.

My mother was stolen by dragons, taken away when I was just a small boy. I should’ve wanted to destroy all dragons no matter how weak I was right? Wrong, I didn’t like violence, I was nearly a replica of my mothers personality if you didn’t count my dads stubborn nature, which I also had a bit of that hadn’t come out. 

It’s like I’m a black cat to everyone around me. While I’m having the best luck possible, everybody else had something go wrong. Whether it be the fact I shot a nightfury, by pure luck but a monstrous nightmare noticed and had chased me, I had to run for my life, and the nightmare ended up burning one the huge fire camps. Due to the monstrous nightmare fire it snapped and went down rolling and freed a few netted dragons. Proof of my bad luck. 

Until, suddenly, well my luck paid off for myself. I had hit the nightfury. When I tried to claim I had hit something, that I had hit an actual dragon, and nightfury at that nobody batted an eye. They’d rather believe Snotlout when he gives vague details and he’s always lying But since he’s the normal dumb guy but big enough and brute he was more believable. Rather they laughed me off, they rather believe I lied than think someone as useless and bad luck as me could do anything.

They were right, just in the wrong way. 

 The thing is I couldn’t kill it. I don’t know why, but when I looked into his eyes he seemed as frightened as I was. When I looked into his eyes, it felt like I would be killing myself, killing another emotional and intelligent creature. It was wrong, so I let it go, and rather than leave it, I may have studied it. 

I always found my interest opposite to Vikings who were brute in force and lacked strategy. I made up with every nerdy Viking thing. Drawing wild animals I used to study and stare at, now my sketchbook was filling up with the drawing of this specific dragon. I believed it was a night fury, I searched the book dragons to make sure of that, 3 times! So no way I didn’t miss it, and the night fury didn’t have anything on it, so it had to be.

In my case of studying the wild nightfury we both began to bond, he let me even touch him can you believe it! Not only that I made him a new tail fin, since my bola had taken one of his, a shame to say, a shame that was my fault too. 

The next thing he let me do is ride him! He actually let me on his back, I got to feel the air in my hair, and in the breeze. I have never felt so well.. free. It’s like for once in my life all the village’s expectations had dropped. It felt like everything was off my shoulders. I could fly forever, I wished I had my own wings. I wanted to soar the skies without help, and I bet toothless did too.

One day, one day maybe I could be free from my tribe. Maybe like a dragon I could find a new flock that appreciated me for who I was. It’s what I always wanted, until I accepted the fact I was useless and I was just a hiccup and the black cat of humans. Funny how toothless was a black dragon and I was the human version of a black cat of bad luck. We were a pair that bonded over silence, time and trust.

The next thing I did was my fault, I wanted to learn more about dragons. I just wanted to learn, so in my mistake I did learn. The problem came when I used what I learned in the ring. I didn’t want to be succeeding just wanting to be passing and not dying like a wimp.

Everyone believed I was a dragon killer machine prodigy. Everyone was so proud, they were so cheerful, but I didn’t want this attention. Due to all this sudden attention it made it hard to get back to toothless.

—present—

It was the final round. I looked at the colorful blue and tanned Nadder that had circled the arena in running motion. She was a beauty to say, her scales were sharp and her scales would be even pretty if she wasn’t buried with grime and dirt. 

Suddenly before I knew it Astrid was screaming carrying her bloody axe in the air in the worst way possible. While I barely hold weapons myself I think that was bad form, she must’ve been really desperate. Yet I was more desperate to make sure she didn’t hurt this poor Nadder.

So as the Nadder ran at me, and jumped into her blind spot, and scratched the same spot I had used on toothless. It worked when Nadder dropped down like she had a heart attack. She was completely fine; she was just softly purring as her quills and spines twirled as she looked like in pure comfort.

As Gobber came into the ring he grabbed me and Astrid pushed us next to him as he looked at the healer and elder of the village. Gothi, was our old healer who had often treated my wounds. I spent some time with her too, more than I did with my own father. With this I picked up a few knots of her remedies, herbs and slavas. 

So when she nodded as Gobber pointed at me, I couldn’t think it was because she liked me more than the others. It felt like an unfair comparison, like a rigged vote. It wasn’t, but it’s what I thought, at that time I didn’t know gothi was trying to push me out. Trying to push me away from doing what I knew I couldn’t. She was the push that sent me over the edge, or rather her choice which sent me over the edge, of the line I refused to cross.

I won the right, the right to be a viking, but now that I finally had the chance it made me sick. My stomach turned and twisted, it hurt, and I hate it. My home was proud of me, my village proud of me, my father was even proud of me. The trick, no not a trick it was a mistake, the mistake was, that it wasn't even the real me. He didn't love the real me, he wasn't proud of his real son. Not the real me, no he was proud of the mask of an excellent dragon hunter in the ring. Which wasn’t real, I couldn’t actually hunt a sentimental animal.

Dragons are intelligent, and bonding creatures they even had their own language, there is no way I could truly make my father proud. I was named after a word useless, a problem, or a mistake for a clear reason, that’s what I was, a misfit among them all.  They were right, it hurt at first, but the name fitted me, Hiccup the useless befriender of dragons.

What was I supposed to do, I won the right in the ring to battle the monstrous nightmare. The problem was I couldn’t, I couldn’t take its life, I couldn’t do such a thing, not to another animal that wants to survive. Dragons and humans are the same, we both just want to survive, live, be comfortable, well most of us want that. 

—flashback—

I seemed to zone out, I was over everything, I bit the inside of my mouth. I even tapped my charcoal pencils, what could I do? What if I try to show them dragons aren’t bad? I remember when a kid who almost did the same, he ran instead of fighting, the dragon didn’t attack, but my father had banged his hammer on the metal, and the dragon in a rage attacked. 

The poor kid was with Gothi for a week. I tried to apologize to her for my father, both her and the young dragon killer. The boy stayed quiet; he didn't dare say anything bad in front of Gothi.  The boy resented me, and hated me just like all villagers, and did so even more now due to my fathers actions leaving him so badly injured, I could tell by the eyes, eyes tell a lifetime of stories.

I had winced when Gothi suddenly hit me with her stick and wrote on the ground. “Kiddo it ain’t your fault, it was Stoick, so stop blamin yer self.” I nodded along with a comfortable smile, but at the same time I tried to look back at the boy, look at the damage my father had caused. I couldn’t,  Gothi was pushing me out, I nearly tripped over her stairs. “Ok I’m going, I’m going. Have a good day Gothi, get better soon!” I practically ran down the stairs, I always went up and down stairs fast. 

—End flashback—

I found myself running, I had gotten better, thanks to toothless running around a forest was second nature. Was it the fact that me and the dragon had bonded so close that we learned each other's language? No, toothless had taken on the roll of a protector. In dragon packs and families there is a designed protector of the hatchlings after the hatchling is all grown up. While me and Toothless are the same age, Toothless had been a bit more mature and trained, so he took on the role of a protector.

Do you know how annoying a dragon protector can be, very annoying, it’s like actually having a parent, watching over you like a reckless toddler. Granted I am reckless, and sometimes act as reckless as a toddler about to walk off a very tall cliff, granted, but that's just who I am, doesn’t mean I need someone watching me.

I mean look at me, I haven’t lost any limbs like Gobber, I still had all my teeth, I had everything. Rather my recklessness is saving my life to escape this crazy hell hole. Granted there were a few close calls when I was younger, and still was just like when I escaped my house and the forge to try and hunt dragons there were a few close calls with lady death, but that was normal, everyone has those.

As I got to the spot where toothless was I dropped my supplies, I had packed earlier than planned just for this, and of course I was able to disappear into the woods like always. It's what I was best known for other than my keen abilities of being useless, and the new title of dragon prodigy. The keen ability to lose anyone chasing me in the woods, my only good quirk especially if I ever had to escape a dragon.

 I used to get lost, lost is not the right word, the word was I would hide away in the woods from the other kids. So in short no one could chase me in the woods and keep up, I would always lose them, even Astrid and my dad. At some point my dad refused to believe I had lost them on purpose and that I would stay out there for hours because I got actually lost, not for the fact I might actually be not a hiccup in something.

Toothless looked up as he saw me drop the supplies, he looked over my supplies, which was reasonable. In the bag I had brought were a few notebooks, some charcoal pencils, some extra metal and thick fin like material for toothless tail. I really need to fix toothless’s tail so he could fly without me. It would be safer just in case we ever got into a predicament, but I’ll do that another day. When we get to a new home, after we leave berk for good.

 I had packed some beef jerky, just a lot of dried out meat that could last me a while. This was so I didn't have to worry about toothless feeding us both with raw fish. Plus raw fish wasn’t the most appetizing thing to eat especially if it takes me and toothless days to find a new place to call home. Another thing I had in my bag was a key, the key belonged to my father, the key to the dragon arena.

If I left the dragons I would surely regret it, not only would I regret it. The dragons would be forced to keep training more recruits and someone else will take my place for the battle with the monstrous nightmare. I didn’t want that, so on my way out I planned that I would free the arena caged dragons. I would do it in the darkest of nights while the vikings slept, in a tired slumber, expecting nothing from the sudden dragon prodigy.

“Hey toothless, I'm going to suit you up, but we ain't going yet, I’ll come back at night. I just want you to be ready so we don't lose too much of the night sky later.” I said, I hoped saddling toothless up didn’t bother him. I knew it wouldn’t but deep down there's that feeling eating away I’m burdening him. 

“It's ok” Toothless responded, he talked in his dragon language as it's what he was used to, he tried to say my name before giving up and just said ‘its ok.’  Toothless’s dragon tongue didn’t quite have my name, I needed one for the tongue, but that occurs changing my name. I don't know if I'm ready to truly change my name, changing my name means I've accepted that I'm different. Changing a name means so much, it disconnects me from my father.

I sat down next to toothless, clicking on the saddle tightly, and fixing the tail fin some bit, and making sure it wouldn't shut or close on its own during the night fly we would soon have.  

I found myself sighing as I finished saddling up toothless. “See you later toothless” I said as I left my bag, and climbed my way up the sides of the place and headed out. Toothless didn’t respond and just nodded me off as he laid back down. Using his fire to heat up a spot on the ground and fall asleep until night stroke and I returned.

I made my way through the woods, finding my way home, waving at all the villagers heading to bed, many of them congratulating him with words like ‘Good job hiccup!’ ‘way to go kiddo’ ‘you’re gonna do great against the monstrous nightmare bud!’ While it felt great to finally be normal, to be special to be appreciated but it turned my stomach. At the same time it felt wrong, it felt not right, they were happy about my mask, not the real me.

I even helped one of the drunk Vikings to their home. “Smithen head, you shouldn’t drink so much” I tried to give a light scolding to the toppling viking. The man burped loudly as he stumbled, using me for support. “Hiccup! I do as I pleaseee.. you know the villagers used to whisper that you should’ve been a girl, at least you could’ve got a strong heir from someone like snotlout, which could make up for your uselessness..” His words slurred and he groped my ass, I instantly almost growled. I stayed quiet, I also didn’t comment on the fact about people saying I should’ve been a girl, I heard, I didn't hear it as often as I was called useless. I still hated it, but it chilled me to the core. If I had just been a girl people would tolerate me just a bit more, but I would be forced into a marriage with some dumb brawn idiot.

“Then you proved us wrong! Prove us you're a prodigy in the ring!” He said, once more slurring over words,and then nearly passing out in my arms, I shuffled him to his door. Handing him over to his poor wife.

 As I looked at her, she was weak by Viking standards, a shame, she was thin and lean like me, but she had a few bruises and scars on her skin, yet she didn’t fight a bit. I felt sorry for girls like her, cause in truth I would be just like that if I had been born a girl. Seeing her, a true reflection of my fathers, and all Viking ways, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stay here, I couldn’t be part of a village like this!

My eyes felt weak, my heart felt like it was being squeezed. I left the woman with her drunk husband as I walked away. I could feel my eyes begin to release waterworks. I rubbed my eyes, I didn’t want red spots due to crying. I didn’t want to cry, I’m not weak, I can do this. So smiled as my heart winced and ached through the pains of everything. I didn't even know why it hurt so much. It’s not like I had bottled that much down for so long right? I just ignored people, I didn’t bottle anything down right?

I found myself slowly opening the door. I did this purposely to get my dads attention on ‘accident’ just so he would note I was home, and wouldn’t notice me when he snuck out. The door creaked when opened slowly, so it creaked loudly similar to a dragon clawing at the door. 

Stoick turned to face me, his face got brighter, his eyes lightening up and softening unlike the usual disappointed face. Unlike the usual stark contrast to his eyes falling down nearly off the man's face, and his teeth closing, and his mouth frowning. 

“Hiccup, I’m very proud of you.. Valka.. Your mother would be proud of you” I nodded along, until my eyes shot up when he mentioned valka. Stoick didn’t talk much about my mother, not much after he told me a dragon took her during a raid. It was a sensitive topic, and many people would only whisper about her when Stoick wasn't around. They feared the man's rage when they badly mouthed his dead wife. They called Valka a coward, a weak woman, too soft, too naive, similar words he was called.

“You started out like her, soft, naive, too sweet, I'm glad you toughened up, you needed it to survive my boy.” That's the problem there, he didn’t have to change, he didn’t have to be strong at all to survive. He just stayed with me, with myself, stayed true to my nature, and nobody noticed as my mask was so good, and they didn’t bat an eye.

“One more thing, a gift from your mother for your coming of age.” His voice nearly booming, he was always too loud, I was too tired for this. He handed me a Viking helmet.. I didn’t deserve this, I wasn’t a Viking. I stayed quiet as I stared at it.

“It was your mothers left breastplate. I have the other half, matching set, you and me.” He said it so proudly, but I couldn’t see it as my moms. My mom didn’t even have much of a Viking helmet either, all my father had was of her breastplates. I didn’t want to throw it away cause it was hers, but I was no Viking I didn’t deserve such a helmet that represented what I knew I now hated and stood against.

“Thanks.. Dad.” My words barely left my mouth, it nearly stuttered but I didn’t. Yet I knew the truth behind those words, the words that said thanks didn’t actually appreciate it.

“You nervous boy? It's ok, it's going to be just fine. You’ll be just like me in that ring tomorrow. Now off to bed sprout! Off you go, gotta rest up for the big fight!” My dad said practically shoving me up to my room. I gave him the best weak smile I could muster for him. 

As I was pushed up to my room I waved Stoick off as I closed the door, I looked through my window, slowly watching the sun set. I took my last deep breath in my room, I opened the window, this was the last time I would see this place. I carried my bag which carried the key to the arena, as my other bag with all my stuff was with toothless.

I climbed out the window, unknown to me some scales that had been stuck on my boots fell off. There on the floor was some old blood which had been there for a bit due to being wounded earlier from the problems of the other kids a few days before dragon training.

I made my way down, sliding down the house using the wood and carefully sliding down. As I did my feet planted on the warm ground, I sighed, I'm really doing it, I’m getting away.

As I made my way quickly back to toothless, I arrived in the cover, everything already packed. I started to connect the light bags to toothless and lock my foot into the place. As everything was secured and packed, and I was on his back, I shifted my foot to shift his tail fin and we flew straight to the arena.

As I opened the gates, one by one, unlocking each cage, carefully leading them out of them too, I spoke calmly in dragonese the best I could. “Dont worry, I don't want to hurt. Let's get you guys out.” I spoke dragonese, I knew most of the basics and wasn’t fluent so my message was quick, simple, and slow. A human speaking the dragon language surprised them. They quickly took notice and pieced it all together, suddenly accounting all the training. How I had known all their weaknesses yet never harmed them. They gave a nod to me, I nodded back.

We all flew out, flew away, getting away from the berk, flying far, far, far away. I don't know where we were going. We flew through thick fog, I don’t know how long we were in that fog. The fog was humid, the fog was thick, and it was a heavy fly on toothless and the 5 other dragons from the arena. Truly I should give them a name too, but at the moment I couldn't. I was too tired, too busy, and couldn’t think straight of where we were going.

As we flew even longer with nothing to do, this felt like the best time to name the dragons actually as I looked at them. Truly look at them and admire their differences, color, style of talk, sound of their roars and personality. I looked at the Nadder first. Her colors reminded me of a light day storm. Maybe day storm? No, that sounded stupid.. storm?.. storm something but what sounded right? Then it hit me, she was a tracker dragon so she probably loved to fly and chase prey and eat chicken so it hit me. Stormfly! That’ll be her name, Stormfly for the Nadder.

Next was a monstrous nightmare that kept himself warm by keeping himself on fire with his nightmare gel. Hmm hookfire? Nope fire was too obvious for a dragon. I looked again, the hook seemed right but it felt too plain. Then I saw his teeth. They reminded me of shark fangs that Johann would sell as jewelry. Hook fang was the perfect name for a crazy looking dragon!

Next was the two headed friend. Hmm the two dragons seemed to argue a lot and seemed quite silly. They reminded him of the twins but much nicer but still the same prankster part. The gassy head, hmm, to match his prankster vibe maybe barf, to represent his nature of chaos of barfing has readying an explosion.  The lighting head could be named.. hmm, I want the name to correspond and match, so belch sounded perfect, which was similar word to burp, since the dragon kind of burped when lighting the match of gas.

I looked over at the Gronkle, but was interrupted by the tiny terrible terror crawling into my clothes. I adjusted my clothes, allowing the small dragon to slide in and keeping us both warm. He was a little warmth stealer. Hmm, what should he name this little shooter? Shooter?.. hmm that sounded good but it needed something. Dragons usually have sharp hits so maybe Sharpshot! Yeah it worked perfectly. Now that the little guy had a name I could go back to Gronkle.

I looked over the slow but heavy Gronkle, she sure had some meat and lug for her.. she was chonky maybe but a sweetie pie to her heart. So what about Meatlug, to represent her chubby side as a part of her love sweet pie side!

Finally I had named all the dragons in under about an hour. Maybe 47 minutes to be exact to pick out unique names for each one. It’d feel lazy if I had put no thought to their names, they were just as unique as toothless. Don’t tell anyone this but toothless will always be his favorite though.

Finally after what felt like two whole days straight, which it nearly was, it was 32 hours straight they finally reached the light. The light felt like such a relief, even if toothless was for the night, the light just felt right after being in such thick fog for so long.

We probably spent another 6 hours looking for the right island, for the perfect island.

The first island we found had so many holes which turned out to belong to a flock of whispering deaths. Blind but deathly scary dragons that we swore to fly far away from and never bother their home.

The next island wasn’t good, no running water, too many wild boars that were over populated and aggressive. Maybe good hunting grounds but not safe to call home.

The third island seemed too creepy, the dragons had been drowned to it even, so bad I. Yet once we landed it seemed too perfect and I didn’t trust it. With those actions I forced our little flock to the next island. I later learned that island belonged to a death song, a cannibalism dragon. Which I didn’t care or bother with, since that dragon didn’t hurt my flock, I couldn't blame it for its nature.

 We finally landed on the perfect one, the cliffs perfect for watchtowers, the mountains steep and only possible for dragons to climb easily, or fly over easily. It had a secure water way, not any aggressive wild dragons that didn’t want them, and had good spots for food. Good population of deer, boars, and fish, most of the predators were low and almost nothing due to the dragons in the area and dragons were the apex predator.

Now that we have the island and the place to call home we need to think of a name. Like every piece of land, it had a name after a tribe settled on it, so it was only fair to give our home island a name now.

We needed to call this place something, something like.. Dragon safe heaven? No. Dragon home? No. none of them sounded right until it hit me like a 500 pound gronkle. Dragon’s edge was perfect, this new place would be their home, the Dragons Edge.

Chapter Text

The languages now will have different fonts depending what they’re talking in, like if they're speaking norse or dragonese. 

Dragonnese; mreow         (italic and bold (had to change cause won’t show up)

norse/ human; mreowww      (nothing)

Thinking to self ‘mew’ (one floatin pair dot)

Talking “meow” (two floatin pair dots)

Author note in text ()

POV SWITCH (BOLD, ITALIC, CAPS AND UNDERLINING)

Getting used to living on the dragon's edge was hard work. I found myself busy planning, sketching, and helping direct the dragons. The first thing we built was a house near a large empty cave that none of the other dragons on the island had occupied yet. The house was simple at first, nothing special until over a few days I kept adding more to it, I always had to. Fire proofing the house for when hookfang set himself on fire and accidentally would set the wood on fire, too many times to count so had to be done.

Next thing I made was a forge, my own little blacksmith forge. While it was quite small, it was about ¾ the size of the one at Berk because unlike berks forge I didn’t have to store many weapons, just my inventions, but even those are getting piled up. I might just have to expand said forge sooner rather than later than I had planned, I always knew it would have to be expanded anyway.

I had also built watch towers, oh how long are we in. This had to be the fifth full moon had passed. Anyways the island was being watched over by these tiny guys, oh yeah I stole the book of dragons, so I would be able to recognize wild dragons I didn’t see often from berk. These little black dragons were terrible terrors, the white one, was a titan wing night terror which leads the black ones to make a bigger version of themselves.

Something felt different. I found myself recounting the dragons, we were missing someone, or rather two someones. The nadder I had finally named Stormfly as she flew through the storms with such bravery it was inspiring, the blue and yellow nadder was missing. Along with the monstrous nightmare which I had named hookfang, with his fangs being like hooks, cause the dragon would hook his teeth around my clothes to pick me up.

As I looked at the gronkle who was eating some rocks after taking a break from helping rebuild a large nest for some other gronkles on the island, I stared at her. Meatlug. “Hookfang and Stromfly on patrol together.” I asked her in dragonese, making similar roars fluently. After almost a whole year learning the language I was getting better, more fluent, and barely any stutters over a roar, and mispronunciations or mix up with the words.

The tired gronkle rumbled back with a short response “think so.” With the two words said she sprawled back onto her back stretching out as she rested. To not bother her anymore than I already had I just hummed in response and moved away from her. I walked around Dragons edge, and specifically on the mountain edges, and cliff edges looking over the sea.

That's when I saw it, two dragons flying in from a distance. I stiffened up when I noticed one dragon was carrying a smaller dragon in its claws that had silver and sharp look, but much too thin and small, it couldn't be a full adult. I looked at the other dragon who carried what seemed like a small human.

My eyes had gotten much better, like zooming in, like a cat focusing on its prey. I could tell the human being was being carried by what seemed to be nadder. Not any nadder Stormfly, but the human was a girl with Raven-like hair that was messy, and not smooth and clean at all, and she looked as thin as the silver dragon, which I noticed now was being carried by Hookfang, now seeing his red and tannish scales clearer, along with his antler like horns as most nightmares had.

I took a deep breath, my foot tapping, then I noticed, made myself question what I was going to do here, on the edge of this cliff. I bolted, I was running towards the house, we need to build a medic next, that's what we need next, but now I have to make space for the girl and her dragon to be treated with the few places we could. I cleaned up my house the best I could, even pushing food out of its spots, furniture around, until it was clear enough. I opened the large door to my house as hookfang carried the small dragon as best he could. When I build the medic I should add an opening roof mechanic for when dragons have to carry in things with their talons instead of their mouths.

I couldn't get out of my own head of inventions, not even for the life of someone, I’m the worst human, if I could even be considered human. I was losing most of my accent and speaking the norse language, while I could still speak and haven’t talked to anyone for 5 full moons. I felt afraid of losing my ability to speak norse, but I truly didn’t know if I really was losing it. It was a fear and the norse language if I lost it, this disconnected not just from the tribe I came from but the whole species of humanity.

Would I even be able to speak to this girl if she woke up, it did worry me but I didn’t have time to worry as Stormfly dropped the human girl on my bed, and Hookfang dropped the silver dragon on Toothless's bed. Toothless didn’t complain he was worried about the dragon and its assumed rider, the pair reminded toothless of himself and hiccup but genderbent. I could see it in his eyes, toothless, thinking about him and me if we could ever be in this situation. I can’t not with all these dragons hovering I couldn’t even start to see what's wrong with the dragon and its rider.

“OUT” I yelled with a tone I rarely used if I ever had, I always spoke dragonese with the dragons as even hookfang had hard times with norse, only toothless was more fluent in it, which was fine. I was fluent in dragonese, and shouting in dragonese added more effect to my demand. It's like a mother yelling in their language they always spoke in, it's serious and not to be taken lightly, well for me it was my father, since my mother was taken when I was young, but Gobber told me stories. The dragons quickly shoveled out the house even toothless obeyed such a confident and loud order, even if it was just temporary.

I found myself first hesitant as I stared at her clothes, it’d be quite rude to remove them without asking for permission. Then a voice in my head overpowered my moral compass. ‘ a moral compass is nothing if she isn’t alive.’ Which is why I listened to more than the other one. I tore them off her, wrapping everything important with a cloth instead as he checked on her, checking her for injuries. Just by pure glancing at her bare chest it was clear she wasn’t in the best chest. I could ignore being thin and nearly seeing ribs, I couldn't talk much on being the big type I was rather thin too. The thing I couldn’t ignore was the dragon root tips in her body, she had been shot at with bows and arrows.

Dragon hunters, I had heard about the hunters only bits but it was from some of the wild dragons on the island. They told me stories of them, men who hunted them for a profit, and even stole their young, and a dragon's young was their life. Dragons reminded me of swans when I learned about how they are. If their young don't make it, not a single one, they will fly all the way up and free fall from the highest height they could. They had emotions like any other being, so I may have grown a fond hatred for these hunters I’ve had yet to encounter.

I carefully picked out the arrows, while most of the medics I've met, which was only Gothi, would insist on not taking weapons out of a wound. I figured it was best while dragon root wasn’t supposed to bring any harm to humans, it didn’t mean the dragon root was clean, I highly doubt it. So to prevent infection I took them up and wrapped the bleeding wounds tightly.

As I made sure the girl was clean I scooted over to the dragon, luckily the girl had blocked all the arrows with her body so no dragon root had entered the dragon's system, there was a bola tightly stuck in one of the dragon's wings. I knew personally how dangerous a bola could be if it ripped or worse tore the wing in two. So I carefully took my sharp small blade and began cutting away gently to make sure the bola didn't cut or injure the dragon any more than it was.

I was done finally after a straight carefully prodding and cutting for about 15 or so minutes, while it was pain it was worth the trouble. Seeing the silver dragon up close was my first time seeing her species, while the two rested I stayed ever close to the female dragon. Studying through the book of dragons but her species wasn’t in there, such a shame. Well since dragon hunters existed they must have a log of all the dragons. I will have to find that one day, maybe with some help from trader johan, that trader always seems to know where everything is, which is a blessing and a pain.

“She’s a razerwhip” Toothless said, he had come in when I had refused to come out, he was going to try and drag me out. I could tell toothless was going to argue, he only had such a disapproving tone when he was annoyed I hadn’t done enough for the day.

I remember the last time he used such a voice. I had been working all day in the workshop to improve my dragon shield so it could double work also as a crossbow. Toothless did eventually pull me out as soon as I was done with said invention and then we spent the whole day outside doing work, and expanding the house some more as it started out too small.

“Toothless I know you hate me being cooped up, but I won't leave their side until they are awake. I know how scary it can feel waking up in a place that isn’t home, worse they don’t know how they got here so it’ll make their panic worse. I rather explain to them before they try to bolt when they wake up. So I understand why you worry, I won't leave them. I would feel like my father if I did such a cruel thing-” before I could finish my explanation I had been wrong, Toothless interrupted me to be exact. “I know, I came to drop by to bring you some jerky, you haven’t eaten enough today, you had a small breakfast.” Toothless said, causing my once stiffened, defensive, and tense tone to drop, and my tense body to relax. I didn’t even notice I got defensive, the fact that I got tense, the fact I was trying so hard to explain myself.

I laughed smiling at toothless, no matter his temperament except for a few times toothless understood him. “Sorry, guess old habits don’t truly disappear” They do, it just took time, I would learn that. The fact was that some of my old habits I had with Stoick still remained even after 5 months later, which made sense in contrast it wasn’t very long and I was still adapting, which wasn’ t bad, I was learning, and accepting.

I took a deep breath. I did need a slight break, my finger was numb, I had been tapping the charcoal pencil for the whole time that it was even starting to wear and dull. I grabbed some jerky and took a bite. While there was nothing special in its flavour as it went down my throat into my stomach I didn’t notice how hungry I was. My stomach seemed to hum along as I ate away at all the beef jerky that toothless had bought me.

HEATHER POV

I woke up, there was barely any light, the only light came from a dying flame from a lantern on a desk. I winced, the wounds, I nearly forgot about them, but as my eyes adjusted I noticed I was in a bed, wait. A lantern on a desk? I tried to sit up, but I felt a cold breeze, so I looked down. 

I had no shirt, my chest wasn’t bare thank goodness, it had been covered up. Not only that, there were bandages around wounds where I had left the arrowheads. Did someone patch me up? If so, who, and how. Wait where’s windshear! 

In a desperate attempt I looked around, my tense body slightly relaxed as I saw that she had been patched up too. Specifically she had been cut free from the bola that had hit us, and knocked us from our skies. She looked much more relaxed, I was glad she was ok.

As I looked around I saw a figure, I nearly tensed up, I was quite jumpy I admit, but as I took another look the person was fast asleep. He must’ve been waiting for us to wake up, how nice. Yet, I was still wary, even if he showed kindness didn’t mean he was trustworthy. The room was near pitch black, and my eyes did adjust but it was still hard to see.

I could only catch a few features of the man, nothing too distinguishable or hard to piece. It looked like he had some long auburn brownish hair. It was long and messy, it went past the boy's shoulder. If the kid was nice to her, she might teach him the ways to having perfect hair 24/7 cause, hair should always be perfect. Plus hair was one of the few things, or well many possible things that would people usually look at first if it wasn’t a woman's chest. The chest was a close top 1 too, but behind that running in second place is hair.

My eyes felt heavy, I was still exhausted, I didn’t want this man’s bed, but I didn’t want the wounds to reopen. I won’t run, not yet, not until I understand everything. So I let my eyes drift back asleep, drift me back into a kind slumber. A very much needed stress free and comfortable, in a bed for once slumber.

———- (THIRD POV)

Yet if this dude whoever saved her showed any malice or means to take advantage of her, heather swore on windshears and her fathers life she’ll take his life. Take it away, and keep it out and send it to Valhalla herself, even if he looked around her age.. just maybe, she could try to talk to someone her own age. Later, maybe later, now it was time for her to take the rest that she very much needed.

——

HICCUP POV

My eyes slowly opened. It was dark, almost no light except for some that shined from my open door. The lantern on my desk wasn’t producing any light, the flame had died out. I must’ve fallen asleep, oops. I looked towards my bed, the woman was still passed out, or asleep, one of the two. I was glad she hadn’t woken up while I was asleep cause she would’ve ran, I assumed. I looked outside, it was an early sunrise. To not bother the girl I closed the door so when the sun rose more it didn’t flash her eyes with its bright orange and yellow shining colors.

I sat up, my back ached from falling asleep in the chair, it felt like I had been a slumped over zombie. I took a breath and stood up twisting my back as I heard pops as I stretched. I always tried to stretch when I woke up, it was both good for my health and felt good.

Slowly I sat up, my ears twitching, weird, my hearing wasn’t this good yesterday, was it? Were my ears this long yesterday too, and more pointy,I swore they weren’t. Over time I was noticing more subtle changes that occurred to me. I thought I was finally going through puberty, but in reality I didn't understand what it was.

With the more that changed, I was believing this wasn't puberty, but I stopped questioning it as long as whatever it was didn’t bring me any pain. I ran my hand over a scar on my chin, my father said I got the small scar from a dragon who was trying to eat my face when I was just a mere baby in a crib. I would have believed him when I wanted his approval, but now, I wouldn't believe a single word my father says about dragons. Dragons had  a soul, they had a thought process they wouldn't do that, they wouldn’t go for hatchlings, they’re too small and don’t often provide enough food. They only target hatchlings and eggs if they’re from a rival dragon, other than that it made no sense.

I tore away my thoughts from the scar. My hands ran back along my pointy and droopy ears that came out, like facing more forward, weird. I felt my ears, wrapping each finger around them. They had become weirdly longer, and instead of facing back like ears, they were facing more forward. The idea of facing forward ears reminded me of cows, yaks, and deer. Maybe it was just me going crazy finally after being alone for so long.

My thoughts all stopped when I saw the girl move, she was stirring from her sleep to be exact. I quickly covered my ears with my long messy hair. My hair had become a slight mess, I need to make something of a comb some day. I was getting distracted again, ugh, something is seriously wrong with me, but that's not new information to me.

The girl's eyes fluttered open, I kept my distance. I didn’t want to shove my face into hers as soon as she opened her eyes fully, nobody would like that. “Good morning.” I said gently, hoping to not spook the girl, she did jump at first, but right after followed a wince. Her wounds must hurt with too much movement, maybe I had done a bad job wrapping her up.

“Did I do a bad job?” I asked out loud looking over her bandaged wounds and chest.  Thank god I asked in norse, and hadn't accidentally asked in dragonese, that would be sad. The girl looked up, her raven hair seemed to naturally stay smooth, and clean, unlike my long messy brown hair. When she’s feeling better I must get her secrets, I hate my messy brown long mop hair, distracted again! ‘Dang it hiccup focus!’ I thought to myself as I awaited her response.

“No you did great, it just hurts.” She was really sweet at first but she switched from kindness to serious, in a matter of seconds. “Now. Who are you?” She nearly demanded with such a rude tone. Which was understandable. She was in a place she didn’t know, and her dragon was injured and an unknown man stood by her. In all fairness, if I was in her shoes I wouldn’t be as calm as she was, as soon as I woke up and if I saw Toothless injuries I would lose it and trust no one near me. I would’ve lunged, or tried to make sure I had the upperhand, just to keep myself safe and Toothless too of course.

I hesitated, my name was hiccup, it always was my name, but now as I stopped to think about it, I didn’t like it. Hiccup had no translation in the dragon language other than for a word useless, and that wasn’t very nice, and Toothless refused to call me that. Did I really still want to be the hiccup, the useless one, no. So after a minute of awkward silence I spoke up. “I don't have a name.”

Such an answer made the girl's green eyes, ever so similar to my own, also briefly paused and stared back. “Oh” she finally said, before going silent again. Very awkward silence among the two of us. 

“What's your opinion on dragons?” Her eyes stealing a glance towards her silver dragon. I smiled hoping to reassure her.

“I love them, don't worry, this is my home actually. The dragon's edge to be exact, I even have my own dragon that I ride, so no need to worry, I’m no foe.” I said with the warmest tone, and smile I could manage as I watched her. She was cautious; she didn’t seem to believe me, by her tense and unweirdling of refusal to move away from the close area of her dragon. Understandable I would do about the same thing if I hadn’t start fight already

“I’ll prove it to you then!!” I said with excitement, I never could share my dragon love, nor the new language I had learned with anyone. Especially not with anyone when I was at Berk, I’d been lucky to be disowned by my father if I ever admitted such things. My own father would probably bend me out of shape if I ever did talk about dragons with such honor, respect and love. So maybe I had shouted it a bit loud, and my excitement was a bit too much.

The girl seemed to relax with my excitement. I assume she could tell I was truly excited. I didn't even take note of this at first before going into a showcase, as I called in Toothless. It took a minute, Toothless had been busy collecting some wood, but as he heard my call he began making his way back it seemed.

I waited in awkward silence for the useless reptile to show up, could the unholy offspring of lightning and ___ itself hurry its slowbutt up. I waited but nearly jumped when he finally ran in. 

“Hey Toothless I wanna prove that I'm a friend to the new girl!” I said with joy, chirping coming after I was done. Dragons usually communicated dragonese with specific roars but mostly chirps were affiliated with happiness, and energy, which I had learned and accidentally picked up on.

HEATHER POV

I had woken up to the same boy I had seen sleeping in the chair earlier. He seemed quite zoned out, but he seemed nice. While I was tense, I wasn't trusting him, no matter the size a viking is still dangerous, I learned that the hard way. He looked as sweet and small as they came, and may look too small and thin to hurt a fly. I've seen some tiny men pull out some dirty tricks. That one man Viggo Grimborn may not possess the power his brother ryker has in brute strength but he pulled some dirty tricks with mind play on me, he almost caught me in a dang trap.

The guy was nice enough he seemed to have closed the once open door, and the lantern was out of light, so it probably was an hour or 2 after the time she was stirred awake first.

Which was another question I had, Viggo nearly had me, those dang hunters nearly had me. Yet, here I am in this man's house, and even in his bed. It made me wonder, how did he find me, save me? I just had so many questions, I figured I should ask him after I get past determining if he’s friend or foe.

Before I could ask he finally spoke up. The question this long haired boy asked me was about my bandages “Did I do a bad job?” While the boy asked me this he seemed to have looked over his bandages. The bandages were actually really good, the kid didn’t do a half bad job, with me or windshear. 

“No you did great, it just hurts.” I stayed sweet, as he did a good job so why not be nice. Then I switched the tone I was singing, time to ask the serious questions now. No more getting distracted or stopping me now. My green eyes narrowed as I stared at the also green eyed boy. “Now. Who are you?” My voice came out demanding, similar to how I heard my father use to rule. I guess I got some of his traits, and some good ones at that. I wish he could see me now, but he’s gone. Gone due to that stupid dagur! I’ll get my revenge, I swear, if it’s the last thing I do.

The boy seemed to take his dear time, did he not remember his own name? Strange, I waited for the boy's response. It was a bit quiet, and weird but oh well. “I don't have a name.”

I went quiet, who doesn’t name their child? Is what I wondered, it's what I questioned silently. I paused, stared at the boy, this poor kid needs a name. “Oh” was all I could mutter out, with a slight tone of pity I believe.

‘Get back on track heather! Figure out if he’s friend or foe!’ 

“What's your opinion on dragons?” I asked with a tense tone as I stared into his eyes, making sure to catch any shifts, catch any bats of an eye. I need to catch every movement, to make sure he’s not lying. I noticed when people lie they might make sudden or subtle movements with their body to try and relax.

“I love them, don't worry, this is my home actually. The dragon's edge to be exact, I even have my own dragon that I ride, so no need to worry, I’m no foe.” he said it so sweetly, he reminded me of a baby slow loris. A creature of the night, there were always a couple around my fathers island deep in the woods to be exact and they were cute but hard to find. It has the cutest and the largest large eyes,  and usually very slow movements to hide from predators. This big green eyed boy with long brown hair reminded him of the creature.

(facts about a slow loris to look at if curious  :3 https://factanimal.com/slow-loris/)

“I’ll prove it to you then!!” he suddenly said, I didn’t even need to ask for such proof he was willing to provide it. I softly smiled as I relaxed, this kid, this kid around my age, maybe wasn’t half bad. I might befriend him, maybe, this place, maybe his island I could call base for my search for Dagur and that horrid Viggo next for trying to harm windshear. Revenge was always on my mind, yet, it slowly was going away, or rather I was forgetting about it more with this boy it seemed. I’m just talking crazy, I mean how interacting with another kid could work such magic.

We stood there silently, the boy said he was going to prove it, but we both stood there awkwardly. Did the boy not trust me to leave me alone? I wondered but my eyes shot up as I saw a bunch of darkish scales come rushing into the house. How did that get here!? IS THAT A NIGHTFURY DNHDBHHBAJ. My thoughts were going thousands miles per hour, it was a nightfury how else could I react!?

I didn't get a chance for my thoughts to calm down, because what happened next nearly made me fall off the bed from dear shock of a near shocking heart. The boy began to roar and chirp, like he was actually talking with the dragon.’ OH I SO GOTTA LEARN’ I thought to myself as I saw the dragon and the crazy boy interact.

I looked over at my own dragon Windshear, maybe if this boy could teach me, maybe I could talk to windshear! I smiled at the mere thought of talking to windshear, it would be like a dream come true. No, it would be fantasy coming to reality if I could learn and talk to her!

As I took another look at the boy I noticed something off, my hand nearly reaching out, nearly about to touch his ears. Before I could I snapped my hand away and crossed my arms trying to keep myself from doing it. His ears were weird, they were long, flat, and curved slightly. I had never seen anything like them, but they were very adorable on my younger brother. I mean the boy!

God I just lost my whole family, and now I find this weird oddly dragon lover like herself and rider of one too. Was it pure conscience  or was it fate for them to come together. My father always said in every world there are soulmates. That's the thing soulmates don’t have to be lovers, they can be close family like bonds and friends, the perfect pair that comes together due to fate. Was this the kind of soulmate that her father talked about, soulmating too hard with a fellow boy. Soulmating so hard they could be long lost siblings from the same womb, it tore her strings.

Suddenly he spoke again, this time not roars, or chirps like earlier, he was back to normal, or her normal of norse.”You can stay with us if you wish” the boy offered, tears began to form up inside my eyes, I couldn’t believe it at all. I lost my whole family, I lost nearly everything, then I found windshear, and now this boy was willing to give me a place, a new place to call home. It had to be some sick yet at the same time lovely dream I couldn’t quite make sense of. Did the universe hate me so much, or did it pity its mistake for taking it all away and now threw me towards the golden boy of the gods' sick and yet best creation, a true sunshine.

Maybe this dark sunshine could lead me to the light, to the purpose of life rather than just revenge. I questioned it all, I didn't know I was full on sobbing in front of the young man until I felt a feeling of going warm. I was being embraced by gentle hands, they were so gentle, and not only gentle but smooth. They were as smooth as the scales on snakes I once picked up when I was younger with my father. I looked up, my eyes now red and puffy I assume.

“You really want me to stay?” I asked to be certain, did I really have a place. Did I have a place to call home? Did I have a partner in crime for my revenge? I couldn’t believe it, but he just kept muttering the same words to me. “Yes, yes, my home is yours now.” I let a smile break from my sobbing face as I enjoyed the embrace the boy gave me. “Y-you still need a name” I choked out through my tears, the tears not of sadness now, no pure joy.

The boy paused, suddenly the black dragon next to him made a small roar. “Ryun?” the boy said with a question, it must be the name the dragon suggested. With how the boy questioned it I spoke up quickly, I won't let him deny the name. "That's perfect for you little brother. Ryun, the dragon master that soared, the man who soared away from the shackles of humanity and their flightless nature” I said my tears, almost completely gone as I spoke with pride, and confidence to him.

Chapter Text

The languages now will have different fonts depending what they’re talking in, like if they're speaking norse or dragonese. 

Dragonnese; mreow         (italic and bold (had to change cause won’t show up)

norse/ human; mreowww      (nothing)

Thinking to self ‘mew’ (one floatin pair dot)

Talking “meow” (two floatin pair dots)

Author note in text ()

POV SWITCH (BOLD, ITALIC, CAPS AND UNDERLINING)

A Week Later

Today felt great! I got to tell you it was going to be a good day, an amazing day to be exact. The sun was shining. The wind had the perfect gentle breeze that felt so good on my skin, it just felt like a nice day. 

Nobody was arguing, the sun shined right into my home. I had all kinds of plans I would do. Just yesterday I finally finished the blueprints for Heather's house, cause it’d be rude to have her stay in a small part of mine. So the plan was to start working on Heather house, and seemed like the perfect day to do it.

Even the birds sang in great sync, and weren’t a tired annoyance that woke me from my slumber. No, I was woken up by something far worse. Something so bad it would ruin my whole day, and ruin my plans.

I had been sleeping ever so peacefully, the sun hadn’t even started to rise nor was the moon setting. It was weird, and not my habit. I woke up in my bed. I awoke quite early, always did, and the meantime I would wait. I’ve never woken up before the sun had started to rise, this was early, even too early for my early dragon standards.

Except I couldn’t actually think this, I couldn’t believe it to be exact. The perfect day, the perfect breeze, the perfect everything ruined by extricating pain. The pain felt like someone took a sizzling fire sword to my back trying to cut open my back.

Let’s be exact I guess in the timeline of the event, I fell asleep fine, slept for a few hours. Then I began to wake up with my back aching, like my back was on fire, like it was being burnt to open my skin with a hot weapon, like my sword inferno but at the hottest degrees like dragon fire insane. 

Heather wasn’t too pleased to be woken by my pain and screaming. That’s how bad it was, I was screaming from pain so loud that Heather woke up and heard me.

“Ryun what's going on!?” Heather shouted but her noise became more of a background noise through my pain. I couldn’t focus, I turned over into my bed, arching my back that felt like it was on fire. It felt like my bones were breaking apart and ripping out of my skin, along with my tailbone felt like it was stretching out. I couldn’t, it just hurts, it hurts so bad, a pain I couldn't describe a single bit, wait yes I can. It felt like my bones were breaking over and over again and reforming into something new. 

This pain felt like it was never ending. Suddenly I felt heather’s arm rip my shirt off, which felt a lot better, but the pain didn’t cease. The shirt being off my skin felt life relief, like freedom, like whatever was coming out had more room than ever, the room it needed. So it eased only a small bit, I flinched away when I felt Heather's hand touch something that was painful, I could feel whatever it was, it was bursting out.

“Hey uhh ryun.. Was it normal for people from your home to tend to I don’t know… grow wings?” Heather said, this time my confusion outweighed the pain slightly to the point as I snapped my pain ridden looking face to her. “What. Do. You. Mean. OF COURSE NOT.” I did slightly shout, I’ll regret it, and apologize later, but right now, it really hurts. I was a little short tempered since it hurt so bad.

I winced and finally I worked up the courage to turn my head out of the pillow. Looking at my back, the pain eased down. It was over, and as I looked at my back, my mouth nearly hit the floor from shock. 

As I looked at my back I saw two black scaled wings that were quite large, they had to be about the same length as Toothless's wings, if not bigger. I watched them flap, and spread out. I didn’t have complete control, actually it felt like an extra pair of arms that didn’t quite fit right, it felt out of place to say. 

(https://www.reddit.com/r/natureismetal/comments/phttye/red_panther_the_pink_panthers_more_metal_cousin/) one link I took inspiration of color from.)

(https://freepngimg.com/png/73786-jaguar-panther-leopard-snow-lion-black) another link that snow leopard pattern looked good as dark)

Now I had another thing, slowly I was becoming more and more separated from humanity. It seemed like Valhalla had declared me dragon, something not completely human, yet I wasn’t an actual dragon. Yet, as I looked at the wings, the less I hated their indifference, the idea of being free, being able to fly like toothless without worry of falling. I once dreamed of having wings of my own just a few full moons ago. Now I had them, I had my dream, my luck was alive.

Now that I would be able to fly on my own once I learned I should probably make Toothless a new tailfin so he could fly on his own too. I tried to flap the scaled wings, admiring their beauty. Unlike Toothless who had a pattern with a tint of blue, my tint seemed to be different, my tint seemed to be more of a purplish red, it wasn't exactly a brown I would say. Not only did our tints of color we had, our patterns were different,  toothless’s patterns were similar to the thicker stripes of a bengal tiger my pattern was more like a  snow leopard and I loved it.

I remember when I climbed the towers in berk to watch this wild snow leopard, it had thrived through the harshest winters, and the numbers of snow leopards on our island was decreasing. He was a beauty to see. One day I remember when my father boasted about targeting it for a gift for a neighboring island they wanted to trade with. I was able to convince my dad to hunt them a large buck instead as it had more meat than a snow leopard. I was thankful as I was able to keep studying the pretty kitty. I hope to this day that the snow leopard is still alive, and could see how much I changed.

Sometimes, I see toothless as the new snow leopard that had caught my eye. Something that once was wild and free, and so many existed before becoming endangered. At least this time my father didn’t find out about him, so I didn’t have to beg for a second time. I doubt that would’ve worked with a dragon like it did with the snow leopard too.

As I looked at the wing I turned to toothless. “Toothless what’s going on with me, why am I like this!?” I begged Toothless to explain as I begged in dragonese. Toothless was quiet, a sign of guilt to be exact.

“You know when I bit your hand when you touched my head. We became spiritually bonded, it’s why it was so easy for you to pick up my language. I didn’t know much about spiritual bonding or being bonded in general, just a few rumors, but I didn’t want to worry your head with all the possibilities that could occur.” Toothless explained with vivid amounts of detail for a short explanation.

 I was about to yell at him but I began to scream again, the pain wasn’t done. The pain wouldn’t be done for what felt like forever. It had to be an hour, cause I was rolling on the floor as it felt like bones were stretching out and breaking up into new bones. I felt my eyes wince as they flashed with a vivid memory.

—flashback—

I found myself searching the woods for the nightfury I shot down. The day was quite dull, like it didn’t want to be out on the evening shift. I wondered, if the sun could choose, would it always choose to rise, or would it just reflect all of its light onto the moon if it could. As I continued to walk looking for the dragon with rising agitation. 

“Oh normal vikings they lose a boot, or a mace, or even a net. Not me, I lost a whole dragon.” I muttered to myself as I hit a branch with little force behind it, it didn’t snap off, rather it came tenfold and smacked me in the face. I winced that probably left a bit of a red mark, I could feel some bits of barks on my face. I ran my head over my face to clean it up a bit.

As I looked at the branch that dared snap back at me I saw it. I saw the trees twisted and bent. Like something came crashing in and at fast speeds that it tore through the trees, C-could it be the dragon, I slowly edged closer. I looked over the last fallen tree and saw a batch of black scales trapped in bola! My bola! I did it, I jumped over the tree as I slowly approached the down nightfury.

It was pretty, it reminded me of the snow leopard. Wait no, this is no leopard, this was no cat, this was a dangerous dragon! A dragon with such green eyes, so very similar to mine. As I took another look I winced, I couldn’t stand seeing it. I couldn’t look at it, my bola was tightly wrapped around the dragons. I saw the scars now etched deep and thin scabs over the parts where the bola cut through the dragon's scales. As I looked at the ground I could see small puddles of blood where he had been bleeding until it healed over. Seeing the scene reminded me of when I was in the same crimson red colors of puddles but being surrounded by fellow humans, fellow vikings.. Was I the dragon in my village, was this dragon no different than me?

As I double looked into his eyes, those green eyes reflected my own image. I didn't look like my father, I had brown hair compared to his ginger hair. His furious and mean eyes are unnatural to my soft green eyes. It was like comparing a cub to a full grown adult, you can vividly see the difference. I hated it, I clawed at my face, until the dragon closed his eyes. I couldn’t see the mistake of my own face once more. As I looked at the dragon again. Truly looking and acknowledging the trouble and pain I had brought this poor reptile. I looked at the small rather nearly useless knife in my hands. I couldn’t do this, I couldn’t harm such a creature, a creature that seemed to have emotions as real as my own. I clenched my hand around the handle and tore down the knife into the dragon, rather into the bola that held the dragon to be exact. I grinned ear to ear as the bola began to fall.

Finally the bola fell off the dragon. Its green eyes are sharper than before snapped open. The dragon lunged up and hit me up against a rock I yelped loudly, my back hurt from such a shocking wisp of an attack, my back bruised. As I opened my eyes that I had closed on the impact I saw the dragon standing over me. I could see its very sharp teeth bared, it had bit my hand just minutes earlier. I couldn't feel the pain, but I saw the wound as my hand held my chest, clutching my beating chest where my heart should be. The dragon eyes sharpened as it wined up in what I thought was going to be a blast. I threw my hands up trying to shield myself but only to see no fire, but it roared loudly in my face. I quickly used my hands to cover my ears to make sure I didn’t go deaf.

–end of flashback–

Suddenly the flash of memories finished. I paused. I looked at toothless. “Toothless, did you biting me do this??? Am I some dragon werewolf!?” I yelled at him in shock. Toothless paused, he shrugged, toothless didn’t know what a werewolf was. As I looked over my new found wings once more, running my hand over the smooth scales that reminded me of geckos, or snakes.

“So I wasn't going crazy, my hearing, nearly everything that I thought was happening but chalked it up to nothing is actually happening! I'M MORE OF A FREAK BASICALLY!?”

I was emotional to say, I mean i used to be human, just a useless mistake, of a bad luck charm human. Now, I wasn’t even considered human anymore, how could I. I could only see the negatives, which was the fact I was a freak.

As I looked around my eyes looking at the worried heather, who ran her hands over my wings, which felt nice. Similar to how birds like having their feathers preen dragons with shedding scales and cleaning under scales work the same way to say. “I think you're a freak, but a good one. I rather you be this, than a dragon hunting monster. You might be different, but isn’t that good? Think about it, you’re separated from the bound rules that keep you bound to the ground. You’re free from the shackles of the grassy floor, you can go, you fly in the sky without any help now. Is that not a blessing for people like you and me.”

Heather ranted for a bit, but I was keen to listen. While out the two of us I had more brains and creativity, I was never good with psychology for myself. Tears began to well up in my eyes as I listened to her. I wasn’t human, no I was much better, I was a dragon, and I was free and wild. I was the wild, the wild of the outer archipelago to be exact. The thing about the wild, the wild is one you can’t tame the wild, just bond and connect.

I’d once been a dragon stuck in a human body, with a human brain stuck in a weaker human body. Now I had this form, I had this new found power. I could use this to be truly what I was made to be, a clever mix of human brain, and the soul of a dragon.

Heather was right, and she made me believe it. Heather was such a good twin sister, that I didn’t know I needed her until I found her. She was my soulmated sibling, and so was toothless, no one could break our bond. This was no friend group, no friends could grow apart and argue.  This was family, while we may fight, we always come back together especially when it matters.

“Thanks.. I needed that” I said as I took in a deep breath trying to relax my tensed muscles, trying to let the adrenaline dye down. I looked over at Toothless, I knew he didn’t mean to harm me, but I yelled at him. I’m an awful hatchling, how could I yell at him? This was barely his fault just as much as it was barely mine.

I walked over, he didn’t flinch, he fully trusted me, and the fact that I had calmed down. “Toothless I'm so sorry.. I was just overwhelmed. It felt like a pain of fire on my back, and everything was too loud, and I could see every little thing, it was just. It was just overwhelming and sensory overload. That doesn’t excuse me for yelling at you. I’m truly sorry, you’ll forgive me right?” I said my voice was near broken, nearly about to burst into tears, the tone that I carried. The same scared tone I used to talk to myself in when I was alone at Berk and Gobber was too busy and Stoick paid me no mind.

“Of course, I would never blame you when you're overwhelmed, we all have sensory issues at some point. It would be no better to scold you for just having an attack, it would be like scolding you after having a panic attack among other dragons. It’s useless and just makes you feel worse, forever know and remember that Ryun.” Toothless reassured me with a soft and much kinder tone my father had never used. I remembered I had left berk, I left berk cause I was already an outcast. I was already a freak among humans, now I had something that made me better than them. 

“Thanks, thank you, both of you.” I said with a smile, as joyous tears rolled down my cheeks, my wings folded up close, the wings felt like another thing hugging me to comfort me. It was quite a lovely field of safety, secureness, and felt like cuddling or hugging in a way.

“Do you want something to eat? I can cook some good lamb.” Heather offered her voice soft toned and not pressuring, I gave a tired nod, some lamb, any meat, sounded nice right about now. 

It felt like I was forever stuck in my bed, none of the dragons let me leave my house. Sharpshot, a small green and lime colored terrible terror, refused to let me up from even in my bed. It sat on me, and breathed fire when I dared to try and attempt an escape. My legs felt a bit numb, I pulled them from under the covers seeing the patches of scales. It was like I had spotted snow leopard patterns of thin scales on my body, luckily while I was a freak I could fold some in.

The reason earlier my tailbone was hurting was I had actually grown a tail. Anyway the good news is I figure out how to turn more back into a human. I first started with the tail because it wasn't the best to sleep with yet. So while my tail bone poked a bit out with the black scales I could easily cover it with my clothes, and as for the wings I could do the same, but it hurt a bit more.

Keeping my wings folded in for too long, or too many hours, I learned the hard way it hurts, it’s like when girls tried to walk in those ridiculous high heeled shoes, in a dress, just a pain to be said. Luckily I didn’t have to hide them a lot yet.

After a few hours Heather was back, and with a plate full of lamb and a side of some greens. Those same greens which I didn’t bother to take a second glance at to think what I was about to eat. I was just a hungry dragon boy, and wanted food.

Tore into food like I hadn’t eaten for ages, like I had an eating disorder. Which I probably did from all my time on berk and avoiding the great hall and eating all in general due to wanting to avoid being injured by snotlout and the gang. The food tasted so good and I was scarfing it down. 

“Slow down there tiger, scarfing it down ain’t healthy.” *Heather said as she pushed my head away from the food to force me to chew it down slower. I did slow down but I still ate pretty decently fast, I was used to it, I did that back at Berk too. Again to avoid the people and disappear once done eating.

As I looked over my bedtime I saw the piles of scales, I was collecting the scales, all the scales that each dragon picked out like a bird or shedded like a snake. They were so pretty, the Nadder spines, and perfect and pristine scales and dragon other features that he could sell like Nightmare gel, Gronkle iron, and Nadder spines in better condition than everyone else.

We had an overwhelming amount of supplies, especially dragon gear, herbs, and food. I began to pause, the northern markets weren’t too far from here, shorter distance than berk to be exact. I could sail there if I wanted, or ride toothless there, set up a stall, and sell my gear.

Yet my train of thought process was interrupted by a smack on the hand. Turns out I had paused eating entirely and zoned out thinking. Heather had hit me across my face, I smiled softly at her with an awkward grin, as I finished the food and handed her the plate with zero scraps on it.

“Thanks Heather, if I didn’t have all of you guys.. I don’t know where I would be today..” I said I was grateful but I was still thinking about the northern markets. They were dangerous but I could use the northern markets to gather information on all the dragon hunting groups. Did I forget to mention that, there wasn’t just the Grimborn family village of hunters, nope there are 2 more. At least 2 more that could pose any slight of a threat. I believe the Grimborn family was the most dangerous, they are led by an even more dangerous man, I didn’t quite know his name yet. I believe Heather does, but I wasn’t going to pressure her for it, she’d hit me before she gave it away.

Heather knew I had a habit of burying myself in excessing myself over bad guys. Also I may have spent months on perfecting a plan to kill the dragon queen, which in the end worked, but I didn’t account for one thing. In the end I lost a foot, and now wore a metal one. So maybe I over plan now due to a slight ptsd issue over that, but that’s ok! 

Anyways the 3 I knew was Grimborn village, the most dangerous and wide casted net over all the islands and had a secure trading line and allied with many islands whether it be to sell and trade or offer protection their net was wide.

 Next was Grimmel the self proclaimed ‘night fury killer’ except for that he didn’t have much, his reach less than half of the Grimborns reach, a real utter disgrace to give a man such a name. So what the guy killed, maybe what a few dozen, the same dude is out of his mind and believes he killed them all. Why? That’s because I’ve seen a few, rather we have three night furies on dragon's edge! I count myself because I think I’m part nightfury hybrid. There was toothless, and then they found an older night fury who had been living on the island before them and he was like a mother to hiccup and toothless since they were both still hatchlings in all eyes until a certain age which they weren’t at sadly.

(In my au Grimmel didn’t kill all the night furies he just believed he did because nightfuries did decrease, change habits, change to adapt due to his overhunting them, like most animals did. I mean look at the war between Australia and the emus. Something like that, he killed a good amount, but there was still a large population just now hidden away, whether it be they were with the queen, hidden world, Valka home, or other hidden places. The idea Grimmel is so set on his old ways of hunting, he didn’t know how to hunt a now adapted night furies, cause he didn't even notice they adapted.)

The last one which I considered a close third, but was second was Drago bloody fist. He’s probably the one I disliked them most. He was much like me but he took my best qualities and switched them into evil. He tried to use, control, and abuse dragons. The reason he doesn’t come first is because again he has little influence because all he wanted to do was conquer the world and rule with a dragon's teeth at the world's throat.

I was snapped out of my thought by heather pinching my arm. I looked her dead in the eyes, trying to be serious. “Okay Mr smarty pants, go to bed, you can think about your plans later, sleep time is now.” She said it like she’s my mother, like she’s my mother. Yet I didn’t argue, nor was I angry, I just relaxed, tucked myself back into bed, lay my head back. I didn’t even notice how late it had gotten. What felt like just an hour ago the sun had been rising. As I looked out my opened door, the sun was setting. Strange all pain was in the morning and none now as the sun set. What a weird but lovely coincidence I didn’t quite mind. As long as it meant the pain was finally over.

inspiration for northern markets idea;

Keep your gaze of my little sleeper by ConstelationAliothgold

link;

https://archiveofourown.to/chapters/182335506?show_comments=true&view_full_work=false#comment_1008578526

Chapter Text

The first thing I learned was how to suppress the dragon parts of me. While I could hide most of the scales they didn’t quite all go away but I could cover those. The wings and tail I learned I could make them fold back into my skin and only leave a few scales on my back and tailbone. Funny how the first thing I learned was how to suppress and hide away. Reminded me of how I used to mask myself at Berk. 

The reason I learned that first was just in case we had any humans or traders stop by the island while I was still learning to control my new dragon side. There wasn't any worry since no one came back, but it was a precaution I had done.

Heather even helped me learn while there was few she could help with, her axe made a nice training tool for my teething and clawing. I promised to make her a new axe once we get the forge expanded and more ores and items to repair it. My teeth were sharper and my nails could sheath and unsheath and so could my teeth similar to that of cats like the snow leopard, the teeth were a night fury thing.

Oh I learned a new fact too! The reason night furies have a sheathe and unsheathe mechanism for their teeth is due to their blast. I may or may not have learnt that lesson the hard and painful way. I shot an accidental plasma blast and the fire soared through my teeth like face on, and it hurt like hell to say.

I was in the middle of training, hitting targets with light plasma blasts so I didn’t destroy them. I had the control and strength, what I needed was an aim. I ran and moved around firing at each barrel marked with a red X. There were quite a few shots I missed in my fast paced movements and moving targets, but I was getting better. For someone it was harder to miss than to hit. The night fury name, they never miss to say, so I was learning to try the same. Soon I’ll be a nightfury too, and not miss a shot.

For now let’s master the basics before aiming for perfection. We can bite as much as we could chew, and learn to chew perfectly later with bigger bites, for now at least make sure we know how to chew so we don’t choke.

Today was a great day, it was raining, it was thundering, it's too loud. Yep I was being sarcastic. I was kinda stuck in a tree to be at it. I wasn’t used to hearing storming so loud, with animal hearing it really does hurt, it’s like someone was ringing bells of thunder right next to my ear. Oh how I hated it with every fiber of myself and anyone else.

I learned the hard and painful way of why such a thing exists for teeth, or rather why for night furies. I learned night furies teeth aren't like normal dragon teeth and were not as durable or regrowable, or fire proof. I learned this fact when I accidentally fired a plasma blast with my teeth not sheathed. My teeth hurt for hours, and it was difficult to eat without the nerves giving me pain each bite I took. 

I really hated the pain, so I did learn my lesson in the end with this one. As berk would say you learn while in a ring. Learning my abilities by making mistakes lined up to my learning.

— during thunder—

I had expected a storm to roll in as a storm always does.  The tide was changing, the clouds gray and rolling closer. I could feel the sprinkle of drizzled rain hitting my skin. I thought it was going to be a light storm. Yet, like a dramatic change of scene when something went wrong in the storms it began to rain heavily.

At first it was fine, I could work in the rain, I had done it dozens of times on the berk. It’s quite common for me to do such work. I wasn’t expecting the pain and ear hurting pain I’ll get.

I had to cover my ears, wincing with every crackle of lightning and thunder that struck. The lightning permitted a sharp flash to my newly sensitive eyes, and the thunder sounds made my new ears wince and droop down. How dragons ever dealt with storms, I would never know how to tolerate such sounds like the dragons did. I could now hear how they could, which was a drastic change from my once human hearing of tuning out thunder was now nearly impossible.

“You good there Ryun?” asked Heather, she had come over to my room when it began to thunder. She didn’t fear thunder one bit judging by her reaction. I could tell she was just trying to check on me. “No.. too loud” I said muttering quietly, I used to be a lot worse at announcing my issues, the problems, the things that are wrong or hurtful. I found it hard to speak out about my pain without worry of being pushed aside how Berk used to. I just needed more time, I knew that, and at some point this habit will wear out.

Heather just gave me a polite nod before leaving me. This had increased my pain, anxiety and everything, overload senses, and I thought she left me alone. Maybe I was right to not trust, maybe I shouldn’t trust. I should put my walls back up, I should keep myself safe. Maybe toothless was wrong, walls were important, even if they were over pain, it's to prevent pain to the soul to keep my already shattered heart safe. My heart had been broken in too many pieces at Berk, it was weakly taped together and would break once again. Slowly strong glue was mending its broken pieces, and some fire was fixing my glass heart which was being reborn from its ashes with the fire. The glass heart of mine was hard to heal without shattering it more, but it was easier to break and crack . I doubted herself and myself, trying to rebuild those downed walls quickly, that's when I noticed her walking back.

Heather came back over to me and slipped something over my head. 

“They’re ear muffs. I made them, they muffle sounds all around me. I made a strong pair for you, since I figured hearing everything when you over sensorized might hurt.” she said but some of her wording was muffled, and I loved it. The thunder didn’t hurt and shook me like the earth, heather yelling in my ears to make sure I heard it sounded like just a whisper. They were perfect to be exact.

I kept the earmuffs on the whole time until the storm was fine, until the storm was fine. I found it quite boring to stay in my room. The ground was too wet even for me to work. I had to wait for it to dry up. 

I found myself cutting up wood with a wood cutting knife and carving a new piece. When I was bored I’d make toys, small statues and much more. 

I carved dragons, animals, and interesting flowers mostly, I didn’t do people except for Heather. I made her a wood statue of herself with her razorwhip windshear and her double axe, which I still need to actually fix. 

I figured since it’s wet it’s best to make statues and forging to stay both busy and start making more things that I could sell at the northern markets. I had a lot I could sell now that I could gather quite easily.

I had herbs, salvas, and other healing medicines I had learned from Gothi so I could do the same. I didn’t have just herbs, I also had the wood carvings and statues now. I also had dragon unique things like Nader spines, monstrous nightmare gel, and shedded dragon scales. Thanks to the dragons being healthy the dragon supplies were the best quality, quantity and abundant amount.

–dried up—

Storm was finally done and the ground was strong and dry enough to get into some work. We went a whole week without any work being made to the island, I refused to have any progress turn into two weeks. I couldn’t sit still, I had to be useful the only way I knew how. I took out the blueprint I had made while in bed. It was a blueprint of what Heathers hut would look like. The design was unique to her and her personality but the structure, and materials were the same as mine. To give it that dragon proof touch to keep it safe.

As I was helping start on Heather’s hut, I also used this free time to double task and learn more about my dragon abilities and use them to help build up and move things along faster.

My wings were very large using the size of my house to measure the wings. My wingspan I had rounded to around 15 ft when unfolded and spreadspread. So each wing was probably around 6 to 8ft each. I didn’t quite understand why they were so big but comparing it to some of the other dragons, mine were much smaller, similar to how toothless wings were quite smaller than the others. (I spent like 10 minutes making calculations of body portions not taking in wing depth and weight just on mostly size based off the falcon. I used math to calculate and put into Hiccups thinner size, with an estimated weight of 150 I worked off of. Fact; The fastest bird in the world is the peregrine falcon, which can reach speeds of up to 240 miles per hour (386 km/h) during a dive, making it not only the fastest bird but also the fastest animal on Earth. In level flight, it averages around 40–55 mph.i used about 680 grams estimate from the falcon, which is similar to 1.5 pounds)

My wings reminded me of short winged birds, their wings were made for aerodynamic, agile, and fast flying. Falcons and night fury were seen to be very similar. At least to me who had studied both, others did not have such research I did. Falcons were agile birds with shorter wingspans about 3.5 feet wings with an estimated amount of 330- 1000 grams which I found really interesting. Despite popular old viking belief the larger the wings the more agile, and speed, which clearly was disproved by the peregrine falcon. So maybe my quite small wings were going to make me super agile and fast. I still had so much to wonder about them, so much to learn. Learning both ways on how to use them and how to calculate them in my own way.

My numbed like night fury, long humanoid ears twitching as 8 heard a voice. The ears reminded me of tales of fairies, Fea, and other such things like Elves, they twitched and wiggled with each noise. As I looked up to see Heather approaching me with a disappointed look. I just stayed quiet and kept working. I have to push myself before those dragons force me back to rest.

“Ryun. I know you want to help me settle in on my own but it can wait. Maybe you should do something more easy on your tired body. Maybe help the dragons with pretending to pick shedding scales off the dragons.” She tried to convince me but I looked her dead in the eyes silent. I had been cooped up in my bed for a week, no way I was still tired and weak. I had too much energy, and if I didn’t get it out now it was going to be hell for her later which I was pleased and fine with. 

She just sighed heavily as she just gave me a nod. A polite surrender but a warning at the same time to not overwork myself. That woman is nothing like my father, while there were times I feared her, it wasn’t my dad. It was unlike tip-toeing around active volcanoes, it’s like I’m surrounded by a cold and comforting mountain and enjoying its comfortable and quiet nature, unlike the active volcanoes I used to live around. Actually a great day to spend laying in the shade.

As I was following my blueprints carrying the heavy stones one by one on my own. I didn’t notice but I had all the stones, I had done half and meatlug had joined in and collected similar stones. I was stronger and faster and with the help of the slow grunkle actually helped speed it up.

“Thank you.” I said to her, meatlug just gave me a nod back.

As I turned around I was met with panicked Stormfly hissing and trying to get me on her back. I took a break from the house and jumped on her back, the only thing on me was a dagger I always carried.  A dagger I made in honor of my change. Similar but different from the dagger I used to free toothless with. This dagger was made with a specific night fury design with a red tail. While I loved toothless red tail, it wasn't practical for stealth, hunting or anything other than to look cool so I gave him a natural black one.

As Stormfly sped through the air I noticed we were heading to an island that was dangerous. The deathsong dragon ruled this island. He always left the dragon alone, didn’t bother us and she was just trying to survive.

As we landed on the island I was expecting to hear its call, to hear the call of its hypnotizing song. Yet, the land was silent, details silent not even a cry of a trapped dragon in its amber. Something was wrong. I folded my wings and tail just in case this was a hunters case.

“Stormfly what’s going on. Danger?” I asked, the reason I didn’t speak dragonese was to not make much more noise. The dragons weren't the best in the Norse language. They did learn the Norse word danger. The blue and tan Nadder Stormfly nodded along. I went quiet, followed the path I knew. I had made a layout of each island we had passed just in case.

I followed the path to her open den, there he was. He was trapped in a dragon trap. His wing and leg unluckily both caught in a dragon-proofed armored ‘bear trap.’

As I approached he began to growl. “Stay back, you small two legged pest.” He growled, his head slicking around as he tilted it, if I hadn’t known what he said he would look like a curious dog. The wild deathsong didn’t know much about the two legged creatures known as humans as it lived a solitary life and only ate whatever came near its home. 

 “Please. Be quiet. If hunters are here you can draw them over.” I begged of course I’m dragonses which confused the deathsong who paused, he relaxed but still on edge, his teeth major sharp but he lowered his head. “Get my wing and leg free, and I might consider making a deal. You live on that other island little hatchling with your mismatched flock?” I responded with a nod. I didn't want to make any more noise than we had too.

As I got close to the bear trap that was dragon size or rather deathsong size. I looked closely at the trap, looking for something to disarm the trap. If I attacked or destroyed the wrong snap of metal I could keep it in a locked gear meaning I would have to find a new way to open it if I messed this up.

As I analyzed the trap I noticed my enhanced hearing could hear something. I didn’t have time, I needed to be faster. So I took a gamble. I had narrowed it down to a 50/50 choice. With that I dug my dagger down into the trap. 

The dragon yelped quite loudly, I could hear the footsteps in the distance speed up. It hardened and locked before snapping open. He couldn’t fly, he was injured. This was a problem, could Stormfly carry the deathsong and him? No, I couldn’t put that weight on her.

“Stormfly, carry the death song. I’ll fly.” I hadn’t learnt much, flying was hard, and never filed over 20 minutes with my new wings, my best time was 12;32 until I was tired. I didn’t let Stormfly argue, I climbed up the closest mountain. 

I watched as Stormfly picked him up, the deathsong winced but didn’t argue, he couldn’t fly there was a bruise and twist in his wing. He was dead if he was to be left behind if he dared to argue. Death was simple, a far worse thing could have occurred if he were to argue and not be saved. 

As I climbed the mountain my ears twitched. I shoved my growing long hair into my clothes, and pulled out a black cloth I usually carried for smoke, and fixed it around my face. As I climbed the mountain, I dared to look back. I saw a bald big man, a man who carried a bow, staring me down. Like he could see where I was like I was wearing bright colors. 

I climbed up the mountain, and then noticed he was climbing after me. I mean, if I saw someone free a deer from my trap I would be mad. Yet this was dragons they had emotions, and they weren’t doing this to survive and eat. I moved faster using my claws to climb the steeper parts. The cloak I wore for the cold times wrapped around me as I climbed, my wings began to unfold from their hidden scales. As I reached the top I jumped off towards the sea. My wings spread and glided first, and I flapped them, trying to move. I couldn’t reach the top speeds the same as toothless could, only at a 23 mph compared to the unholy speed the night fury had.

I didn’t dare look back now. I couldn't focus on flying. Thank god for my awful flying as I watched as an arrow missed me barely. If I had flown just perfectly it would’ve hit me. Whoever that man was, he was used to hunting dangerous and agile dragons, thank god I wasn’t that for now. 

I flew for a while, sometimes being too close to the waters, I felt exhausted. I was about to fall into the waters of the vast ocean. I was just so tired. I had flown a new record 18:11. It was a drastic improvement but my wings felt soar, they hurt, I was pushing every muscle in them to keep flying. It was hurting so bad. As my wings began to give out I felt them stop all of a sudden and talons holding my shoulders. With that same thing I looked up. Hookfang, thank god the nightmare noticed I was gone and so was stormfly and probably did his best to slowly follow our scent. Must've been so hard for him since hookfang was a stroker class and not a tracker class like stormfly. “I’m so proud and thankful for you hookfang. My savior” I said ever so tiredly as I relaxed, my wings falling and couldn't even fold them back into the scales tattoo pattern they could go into. 

I found myself falling asleep in hookfangs talons. I was exhausted from the flight. I fell asleep in a matter of minutes while relaxing in his talons. It would be funny if anyone saw this look like a sad sight, a young Viking being carried by a dragon if you failed to notice the wings. He flew us all the way home I assume.

I woke up in my bed, curled up under something dark, and scaly. Toothless, I opened my eyes to be met with his green eyes looking over me concerned. He noticed my eyes open and his once soft and scared gaze hardened as he bared his teeth. A growl coming from his low throat “what were you thinking ryun!” he yelled at me as he licked my face and clothes. I recoiled back in disgust, dragon salva takes forever to get out if it even comes out if I'm lucky. I guess this was part of my punishment for being so reckless.

He had his wings wrapped tightly around me, trying to prohibit me from leaving the bed. I knew rest was important but I never finished heathers house, and I should check on that deathsong. Toothless growled as I wiggled my way through his nest, or rather my bed which he had changed into a nest it seemed.

I tried to push toothless wing off me finally but was met with Heather sitting on the floor, leaning onto the wall, her eyes snapping at me. Great, I'm about to get a second scolding. I sighed, I covered my ears in preparation. “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, YOU COULD’VE BEEN CAUGHT OR WORSE HURT” she yelled much louder, much more angry, worried, and demanding for me not to do it again implied, how fun. 

I gave a nod as I moved my hands away from my ears. I knew they were both worried, for a good reason. I just gave away my existence to dragon hunters. Not only that I revealed my existence, I risked revealing our whole island as I sent Stormfly and I flew straight not knowing if anybody was tailing us by their ships. Thank god they hadn’t, they probably went to report to someone, which had worried me more. I was thinking again, zoning out, I didn’t even notice Heather was trying to talk to me still. Her scolding went on deaf ears. 

Clearly the bark guy had to be a right hand man or at least a general. He was the toughest guy there it seemed with the best knowledge, he had almost hit me when I dove away. I took a deep breath, this was going to be troublesome, at least they didn’t see my face or hair.

“Do you understand?” Heather was coming to a conclusion that I had snapped from my thinking. I noticed I missed her whole scolding, I would rather not sit here again, cause that had been a long scolding. 

“Yes, I’m sorry Heather, it won’t happen again. Just you two let me up, I need to check on the deathsong. Unless y’all forgot I’m the only one here with any clue knowing how medicine, herbs, and general healing works.” While I was a bit rude I feel I didn’t mean to, I was just being brutally honest. Yet I was right and they knew it. So hiccup opened his wings, I nearly fell off the bed but caught myself. I looked back at the laughing dragon, and scoffed. “Real mature bud.” I muttered as I stood up.

As I stood up I took a breath as I made my way out. I paused, walking right back in. I didn’t know where the deathsong was placed. Before I could ask toothless the dragon grumbled “by the base of the dragon house stables.” I paused. I didn't make a foundation for the dragon stables, that was tomorrow's plans. “You’ll know it when you see it.” Was all he said as he looked at my confused face. 

Did they work on it while I wasn’t looking! I ran out looking around, searching and I saw it, the gronckle iron flooring, the rocks surrounding, and some wood next to it ready for the next step. I also saw the deathsong laying on the grunkle iron flooring. I walked over ever so slowly not to startle the colorful dragon.

“Human.” He growled at first his eyes sharp, but he lowered his head once more as he noticed it was just me, his eyes softening too. “Oh just you” the dragon muttered and relaxed a sigh of relief. He rested his head down as he lifted his injured wing and legs to spread them out trustfully. “Treat me please. No one’s even come close to me since your nadder dropped me here.” He grumbled, he was clearly riddled with pain that was needless. I made my way over crouching down. I noticed I forgot my herbs. Damn it I cursed to myself under my breath ever so quietly.

Suddenly I felt something tiny ram into me. It was sharpshot carrying a shoulder bag over him. My herb supplies. Carrying herbs by terrible terror wasn’t a bad idea. Not at the northern markets just in general here at the edge. I grabbed the bag from sharpshots small green and lime body, petting his soft scaled back. “Thank you bud.” I said to him with a smile, no teeth. Teeth was aggression among dragons. I was taught that very quickly, so I learned to smile with no teeth. Now with retractable teeth it was much easier to do so. 

I took some herbs from the bag. I first took out a few things to make a specific mixture I had made with gothi a long time ago. It was usually to help birds with torn feathers to stop bleeding and infections so it made sense to use it here. The dragon's wing was torn and bleeding quite a bit, and his leg nearly had been cut off both by trap taking it out in general and cutting off some bloodstream.

Turmeric paste as I call it. To explain it, it’s a saliva mix me and gothi made up, which happens to be a mix of some turmeric powder with a small amount of salt water and toothless’s spit or saliva to create a salva we could apply. The salvas was incredibly helpful both for humans and the little creatures I’d bring to Gothi to help patch up. Turmeric has antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties that can help wounds heal faster I noticed over time. 

I took a cloth I had, the same black cloth I had used to cover my face, dipping a bit into the mixture. I begin to rub the cloth into each wound one by one. The deathsong hissed as I applied the cloth, the salt water may have caused an acidic burn as I cleaned it.

“Sorry, the burning is supposed to help kill off bacteria so it doesn’t get infected cause if it does you could lose this leg or even the wing.” I tried to reason, hoping he would listen. While the deathsong which I had always thought was a heartless cruel violent dragon, yet this beats I once thought cruel was doing his best to stay calm. He was like any other dragon I had met, he had feelings, he just ate differently.

 I can’t judge him for his natural diet, it’s all fair in game. Maybe we could change that if he wanted to stay. Maybe we could help the dragon get to a herbivore diet. Like some examples could be of getting him to eat fish, chicken, or even some deer instead. 

It would be a massive overturn and win for both sides. The dragon would have much easier access to food and to hunt. He would also have bountiful amounts thanks to the flock hunting the same source making piles of the food. Not only that, saving up some deathsong amber might sell well in the market and might help me make new creations in a forge. A much larger forge which I still need to expand. So much work but let’s focus on the task at hand. Helping this deathsong not lose any limbs today.

I kept applying the substance to the scratched and torn cuts until I was finally done. The deathsong relaxed a lot more as the stinging and applying was finally over. He relaxed on to the nearly icey cold grunkle iron flooring. “Thanks kid..” the deathsong muttered as he enjoyed the nice floor.

“I was thinking, will you stay?” I asked, the dragon seemed to freeze, he slowly turned his head to look at me. He looked at me like I had lost my mind, which in all aspects it might’ve looked that way.

“Kid, I've never had a flock. I eat dragons for god sake.. why would you want me here?” Deathsong were solitary creatures; the biggest they would flock up to is maybe when they’re a pair with a mate and maybe some hatchlings. Yet, the hatchlings leave their care once fully grown, so most deathsong just stick with one dragon their whole life, their fated mate.

“Yes. If you're willing to try and adjust your habits, your hunting nature. I know it’s a lot to ask, but you can get a lot in return. Food everyday even if you don’t hunt. You can supply me with amber and I can get us more stuff too, I can make creations. There a lot of positives, but I’m not saying to force yourself-“

“Fine. I’ll attempt a flock life. I’ll try my best. If it doesn’t work I’m going back to my island.” The dragon said as he ruffled his scales, they were dirty and not their normal shiney. Dragons are like birds; they like to look like pretty birds too. He was disappointed to see himself so weak it seemed to me. If he had to flock with a mismatched group to keep safe from those ambushing two legs he’ll really try it seems.

“Thank you. Thank you. Can I get your name please? Or do you need one?” I asked him, I was about to suggest one, but it would be rude to not allow him to say something before I blurted one out.

“I do. Its spectrum” the dragon said as he looked at his scales again, his name supposed to represent his strength and the beauty of his colorful bright scales. Now he didn’t match his name. I looked at him with sadness. “Do you want me to help you clean them?” 

The dragon stared at me. “A human. You’d really do that for a cannibalistic dragon like me?” He questioned me, I understood why, I was different from other people. Where humans saw greed, blood, torture and raw Viking power. I just saw the opposite: I saw trust, compassion, friendship and family.

“I’d gladly do so if you allow me.” I said with the easiest smile I could muster with no teeth. The dragon gave me a nod. I took out a bucket of water, some soap, and a dragon brush I had made. I slowly took my time delicately and cleaned the scales making sure to not to scratch any of them. I picked out each old scale, shredding scale or loose scale as I cleaned him up. As I finished up the right touches he looked brand new, and as healthy as a young hatchling again.

“Thanks kid. You probably shouldn’t have done that. You still need to build this thing don’t you?” I dropped the brush with a curse. How could I forget it? I still need to finish Heather hut too, so much work to bury myself in.

“It’s fine.” I muttered as I moved towards the chopped wood, it seemed like windshear did half of the work already. I was planning to work on my own, until I noticed the deathsong had gotten up from the floor and began dragging the large log over. He helped me carry the logs helping speed up the process just like how Meatlug had helped me with the start of Heather hut. 

We probably were working together for a few hours. I lost track of the time, I only came back out of zoning out once my hands began to hurt, and I noticed I had worked so long and hard my hands were bleeding. My father said you aren’t tired if you ain’t injured, a bad unhealthy saying. Now my hands were bleeding, I winced. I threw some salva mixture I had leftover, rubbing it all into my bleeding hands. Should I rinse off the blood first? Yes, did I? Of course not. At least I attempted to treat them even if it's a halfway shitty job. I even wrapped them with the cloth by tearing it in half and wrapping them around my hands.

The stable was coming along well and the deathsong and I were able to finish up the walls and the roof. None of the walls or cages were up, not even the door has been made just yet. I hated cages as much as the next person, but not every hurt dragon might corporate. We got lucky with a chill deathsong, toothless, Stormfly, hookfang, shapeshot, meatlug, barf and belch. They were all pretty chill. Now wild dragons, well might be a different story. For now we didn’t really need walls or cages, just having the base done had me pleased. I need to work on heathers next.

“Hey spectrum I’m going to go work on Heather hut since we have the base for this place down. Once I’m done with heathers work I’ll try on designing, and making a latch for above, and a dragon size door too.” I said as I grabbed the bag that sharpshot had carried my herbs in. I licked my dry lips and made my way out the large door shaped but missing door hole.

As I made my way over I could see Heather trying to dive a crack into my blueprints wanting to do it herself it seemed. I snuck up on her accidentally. I was naturally a stalking quiet cat, if not more quiet. “I’ll help you with that Heather, don't worry.” I said, right behind her, she jumped, she didn’t turn to hit me, she recognized my voice easily but it did give her a spook.

“God. Got to get you a cow bell with how quiet you are.” Heather complained with a breath of relief after what felt like a mini heart attack. She swung her axe down into the ground as she moved the logs. I joined her, zoning out once more. 

We built her hut up bit by bit. Each log is placed strategically one by one. As we kept building I made sure to make it unique to her, cause Heather was my unique sister. In my own house I had used toothless night fury scales to give it detail and make it unique to me. As we had the base of the walls finished I begin to ale a pattern with the shedded scales I had from windshear.

A hand grabbed me, stopping my action. “Ryun. We need money, I can get scales when we’re stable. You sell what we have.” She said, it was smart but we were comfortable and we didn't need to trade. Yet, she was missing out on quite a bit so we could get a step into the trading worlds. She knew what I was thinking or rather planning now. She wanted to help, but I didn’t want her to, I wanted her to be comfortable.

“Fine” I said as I stopped, leaving the few scales I had placed on the door. Placed the rest back in my pockets.

We worked for another few hours on the roof and secured it. I worked until blood soaked through the black fabric too much to note I should stop. Now the cloth was too damn cold to hold it and a slight orange tint to it. We were done though I believe. I looked at the house. I helped to put sweat, tears, and actually a bit of blood in there too. 

It was a pretty hut. Much better, stronger and designed better than the ones I had seen on berk. The house wasn’t ugly with skulls of dragons, or trophy’s of animals. It’s cruel to handle such an intelligent creature in such a way. Me and Heather refused to do so.

I jumped when Heather hugged me. I smiled and hugged her back with nearly tears of joy, but I didn’t dare let them fall. “Now. We need to get into trading.” Heather said, I froze up, I was worried about trading. Northern markets were dangerous, and dragon hunters were common.

I’d have to truly think about it. I found myself burying myself in my bed now. I didn’t know about the northern market

It'd be hard to keep going back and forth to the market because if I have to carry a lot of tradeables I need to get everything figured out. 

Ok, we’ll figure out what to do in the future with bigger loads. For now let’s just get into the trading world. If we can get into trading we can get one foot into the pricing and trading world.

Chapter Text

At berk over the time the raids had gotten worse. Spitelout looked at Stoick. “You gotta let the night fury go Stoick. He took my nephew, the only thing I had left of my sister, even I've moved on.” Spitelout did love his nephew, not his personality, not the person he was, he was some part of his sister that he missed, the sister that had been taken and presumed eaten by dragons. 

“God I just wish he had been a girl now. At least then I could have him married off to a strong man. Someone that could protect him. That had the time to watch over him.” Stoick said, not even noting down the dangers and pain women faced. He loved women of course, he just didn’t want a weak son, he rather had a weak daughter so he could marry her off.

Gobber overheard the conversation and was livid, livid with anger. “Stoick! That boy was your son. Weak or not he was your kid! You don’t get to pick and choose, you can’t make a plate of dinner with children with your favorite foods. Now I won’t let you disrespect my boy, he was clever, he was smart, and creative. Just because he’s dead I won't let you ignore that boy's potential and heart. I won’t stand for slander on my kids name!” Gobber was the only one allowed to dare talk back to Stoick. Don't get Gobber wrong, Stoick was his best friend, but the man was an awful father.

He didn’t care how bad Stoick was; he thought it was just because of the grief over his wife Valka, his sister in law practically. He remembers when she sacrificed herself to protect her baby. Her premature baby suspected not to make it past 1 year, much less 15 years, his demise only brought by a dragon, not even his weak body.

Gobber would never blame him, he would never let them tarnish the kids genius mind. The kid would have been the best chief, he could have changed anyone. His heart was too big for everyone. Nobody could appreciate the bouquet of flowers among all the weapons.

Nobody accepted the bouquet of flowers. Only Gobber watered and protected the flower from the harsh feet trying to step on it. Yet the flowers had been plucked away from them, the flowers didn’t die because they were weak, they died because of cruel flying monsters.

Astrid was the chief in training. Despite being a girl she fought any male that dared to try and take her place. In berk if there is no heir the strongest kids would fight it out. Which was in this case a fight between a group of teens. Astrid, snotlout, fishlegs, tuffnut, and ruffnut, the oldest of the kids but the best age to go through mentoring. Astrid beat the twins and Snotlout with easy strategies. She also beat fishlegs using brute force. She both had the brute force and enough intelligence to lead perfectly.

The brutal blonde carried around her cherished coming of age axe. The axe had been specially by hiccup, gobbers apprentice, the heir of berk, the dead boy. It was a sad reminder of the man they lost, well to Astrid it was, nobody else really cared.

You can say in a cruel world Spitelout did but he only saw his nephew as a weak replacement for his sister. He truly never saw the boy's genius nor the fact that he was even a boy.

Stoick did, but again he only cared after he was gone. He neglected the boy when he existed, and once he was gone he mourned him. His grief of his wife, now the grief knowing the son he neglected died due to a dragon. Yet, the man was still a hard working but even more short tempered chief. Hiccup's name was practically banned from anyone that wasn’t close from saying or even whispering about. 

The twins liked hiccup, he was like a third sibling, but they were quite a bully to him, cause he was weak. They regretted it since then, hiccup had been that fun little smart guy that saw through their Loki and prankster nest and saw the two of them truly quite smart. It felt nice to be admired, but they still loved their pranks, it was a sick way of their love. Which hiccup had understood and outsmarted many of their pranks. It was like a clock, a clock hand always chasing the other, and playing catch up.

Fishlegs loved hiccup genius initially. That was until the two grew apart. Fishlegs and hiccup used to be the closest as they were both clever and loved to study everything. That was until fishlegs gained weight and hiccup stayed a stick. The change of few extra pounds changed, hiccup was the weak stick and fishlegs was the bulky chubby Viking. Fishlegs all of a sudden better with him and fishlegs distanced himself from hiccup. He found himself hanging with Snotlout and taking part in the bullying.

Did Snotlout miss hiccup? Yes, but not for a good reason like the few others. Due to hiccup being killed by a dragon his father had gotten more strict. His father was more tough on him. Spitelout was a worried man while he didn’t show it, he didn’t want his son to be weak, he didn't want to lose everyone so being stricter was his solution. If hiccups stupid twig ass hadn’t gone and got himself killed everything would’ve been fine. It’d been much easier to get his dads approval but it was all ruined by hiccup. Along with not only his dads stricter behavior he had barely any outlet now. His outlet to let out his anger was chasing, bullying and beating up hiccup, but that boy was gone, he was a dead boy. Yet, Snotlout was angry, he didn’t dare reflect on himself

(I love Snotlout yall bc he grows through the shows/movies but since hiccup did run away, he didn’t mature or grow. This is no hate to his character.)

To make things worse, he wasn’t even the next heir. Astrid had been declared the perfect next heir. She was a girl, so what if she was strong, a male should be the heir. Which wasn’t fair in his opinion. It’s not like she put him on his ass in the arena.

—flashback—

The teens were all looking around the arena with quiet awkwardness. The dragons had all been released, all the cages were left open now that they were empty. Gobber stayed on the outside right next to Gothi the healer who’d have the final decision on the next chief or chieftess in training.

“Ok small brained pubrecents. Today we have no dragon training, since we have no dragons. So instead you’ll be fighting each other, and the last one standing will have a chance at being mentored to be the next chief or chieftess.”

With those few words everyone who was once tired now was awake and ready. They all rushed to grab a weapon from the stand. Except Astrid who used the axe hiccup had made not so long ago.

The twins fought over a mace and a shield. They both wanted it. The two tugged and fought each other for the same gear. They got hit by Snotlout throwing a spare hammer at them. Knocking the shield out of their hold.

“Twins, you're out!” Gobber yelled as he watched each kid closely. It was a shame none of these kids could compare to hiccup. None of them, they didn’t have his brilliance, his strategies, or his plan making.

The twins whined as they walked out the arena defeated. They sat around at the top of the arena observing into the maze of an arena. Gobber had pulled up the nadder course.

Astrid was a beast she had memorized the nadder course stalking like a cougar between the walls. 

In the chaos fishlegs was quick to give up, feeling too stressed to say the least. Fishlegs wasn’t for fighting, he was too cowardly and surrendered. Not chief material, if a chief always surrenders when things get rough the village wouldn’t last to say. 

The last two standing were Snotlout and Astrid. Gobber had a pretty good idea who was going to win. To be honest he didn’t mind. She was the best possible choice to be the next chief.

Snotlout was on edge as he turned every corner. Astrid could be anywhere and she was like an apex predator. He clutched the axe he got from the thing. He checked every corner slowly scanning each turn.

Suddenly he tripped, or rather something tripped him. Astrid was in a corner he failed to check and had stuck her foot out last second to trip the passing Snotlout. Snotlout yelped like a little girl. With that Astrid put her axe close to his face before withdrawing it. “I win.” She said coldly.

“Snotlout you out! Astrid’s the winner.” Gobber said as he flipped the lever and watched as the nadder course fell. All the teens stood up. All standing in a horizontal line looking at the healer. It didn’t matter if you won, the healer always got the final say.

Gobber pointed at the tuffnut first, he knew it wasn’t but it was respectful to go through each one. Tuffnut just shrugged, accepting he wasn’t chief.

Gobber pointed at ruffnut next. Another shake of the head from Gothi, Ruffnut just sighed and stepped slightly away. She leaned onto the arena walls as she watched.

Gobber pointed at fishlegs, Gothi paused, thought about it. Shook her head. Fishlegs nodded gratefully. Being a chief would be too much pressure and honor even for him.

Gobber really just wanted to skip Snotlout. He and Gothi should know he wasn’t fit. Yet, he pointed at the boy anyway, getting instantly a shake of the head from her.

Snotlout eyes widen, this could not be happening. He’s the closest related to Stoick. He should be heir by rightful bloodline! Yet. That wasn’t how Viking worked, or how choosing a next heir works. The healer must decide what’s best for the tribe.

“No! Try again you old hag! I’m Snotlout for gods sake! Try again, you just some old Haag with no husband! You should be in the kitchen you stupid bitch!” Snotlout yelled at the healer, causing the healer's eyes to twitch of annoyance from the teen. If that dimwit had any right mind he would shut up. Gothi wanted to hit him so hard with her stick right now.

Gobber slapped Snotlout so hard he hit the ground. “You don’t disrespect the only healer berks got. She’s going to be treating you when you're sick and injured. So you better show her some respect, or I’ll send you to her office personally.” Gobber warned the dimwit, who went real quiet.

Gobber moved on pointing at Astrid. Gothi hesitated about to shake her head, yet she didn’t. Something in her guts, in her spiritual form told her that hiccup was alive. Yet, if he doesn’t want to be the heir it’s best to choose for the village and give them closure for their empty heir spot. So Gothi nodded as she met eyes with the ambitious blonde. Her blue eyes weren’t soft, they were hard, tough and dragon fighting ready.

Astrid was going to be the next chieftess. She’d probably make one the best chieftess there was with her iron fist, and her ability to take critics and strategise a plan. She could give Berk the chance it needed to survive, or even thrive if possible.

—end of flashback—

In his opinion, Astrid cheated, she had like a perfect memory of the nadder course. That isn’t fair, a chief will have to adapt to new places, all she did was work memorizing it.

Astrid was sad, she was glad she won, she was to be the next chieftess of course. Yet, this ironic fact meant she’ll have to accept hiccups death, and so would Stoick.

She took a deep breath as she made her way around the village, beginning her chiefly training duties. First things first, stay active, do a walk in the morning. She jogged in the morning, she felt like she shouldn’t be alone in the morning like the spirit of someone else should be here, yet she moved on.

As she rounded the last turn as she looked back to the village a second time after her morning workout was complete, she’s fit to go. Next was to check on the forge to make sure Gobber is there, and running it, ready for dragon raids. Pretty reasonable, she made her way over to the blacksmith building.

She knocked on the window. The window snapped open with a grumpy and tired Gobber “I’m here yer young lassy!” Gobber always assumed it was fine to be straight up and truthfully to children, and hands on experience, hiccup had influenced that part of him

—flashback—

Stoick was always so busy, leaving hiccup alone. Which would’ve been fine if hiccup could sit still. That kid could only sit still when he was drawing, even then it wasn’t long. For that kid to stay in a house longer than a few hours, was like asking for a miracle.

So Gobber took it on himself to get up early each morning, to check on the boy. Thank god he did because by each time he was getting there, tiny little hiccup had parkoured though the house and out strategised the locked door. The kid was an escape master, if he were to ever be caught, Gobber was sure they wouldn’t hold him long unless he wanted to be held.

“Come here my little escape artist. Let’s go with uncle Gobber to the forge today.” He hadn’t babytalked hiccup one bit, he did speak just a tad softer, gentler and cuter. Which in gobbers defense wasn’t baby talk, but it was his baby talk in a way, he was just in denial.

He placed hiccup on the ground and got to work in the forge making sure to scold and catch hiccup on everything. The boy was learning fast with hands-on experience. Hiccup overtime with gobbers yelling and manic panics he had learned what he shouldn’t touch at all, what he could touch with an adult around, and what he could always touch.

It was like testing waters, figuring out where the fish are, the sharks are and the clear water is. It’s important to know about different situations. Like if you're hungry you need to know where the fish are. If there wasn’t enough fish and overpopulation of sharks you need to know where you can target certain species to stop overpopulation. Find the clear waters to try and collect water you can clean up and drink. All important but for different reasons, just like the forge.

For some reason hiccup was perfect at doing it, perfect learning and listening. Gobber wasn’t one to take care of kids but hiccup was his nephew. Not only was he his nephew but he was the sweetest joy. As years passed Gobber got more annoyed. Not with hiccup rather hiccups body.

As the years passed tiny little hiccup would come running in, he’d sometimes have red marks like he’d been hit. Sometimes it was a bruise, or a black eye. It annoyed Gobber so much it was very painful and harsh to see. The kid was as sweet as they came yet he was being bullied and bad.

Gobber began to grow to spite and hate. Gobber as the blacksmith was always nice and chill but over time, the more hiccup was excluded the more he gained a short temper. Anyone who talked bad about the kid would find themself carrying a bad weapon that'd break fast. 

—end of flashback—

Astrid gave a nod to the sassy blacksmith Viking. She knew Gobber only as a mentor, she didn’t hate him, she didn’t love him. The man was tough, but he was someone she could gloss over.

She moved on, if hiccup was doing chiefly duties he would’ve been nice. He would’ve started a chat with Gobber, at least say good morning. Yet Astrid was no hiccup and moved onto the next thing on her chiefly list.

While Astrid was a good chieftess, good brain and brawn, but she lacked something hiccup was full of, empathy and love. Empathy, trust, love and many things are needed to connect with the people, with your Vikings. 

Astrid moved onto the next thing, getting all her duties done.

—scene change—

Stoick was finally done looking over all today's requests from Vikings. He was looking over the last piece of paper he had left. Quiet, awkward and silent. As he looked over the letter.

Dragon hunters, the Grimborn family and its tribe. They were asking for a peace treaty, to make an alliance. It was from the old man of the tribe, Viggo's own father. Asking for a marriage candidate, he probably had a girl since the only heir he had been hiccup.

Stoick pushed the letter to the side uneasily. Not yet, he isn’t ready to remember his dead son. He doesn’t want to think of it. So for now he ignored the peace offer.

He also looked back at another one he had ignored earlier. A letter from Johann talking about Alvin, and the escape of dagur. Dagur had fled into the outer archipelago. So many problems all at once.   

Berk was falling behind. The raids are increasing, the decreasing food storage. It’s just a mix of problems that Berk can’t settle. Not on their own at least, yet right now they refused help.

Astrid walked into the great hall. “Stoick, I finished all my tasks.” She said as she walked over, she looked at the letters on the desk. Quite a few unfinished or rather very specific ones that weren’t from the townspeople it seemed.

She looked over on Stoick's desk. She placed her axe down allowing it to lean onto the desk.

“Did a headcount over the livestock” Astrid noted,as she tried to read the letter but Stoick stashed them under his beefy arms.

“Do we have enough for winter?” Stoick questioned with a tone of worry. He may be a harsh man and had been neglectful of his own son but he did care. He cared a lot, he didn’t want the village to starve.

“For now, but if we get just a few more raids I’m afraid not enough for the whole village. It’s dangerously towing on the line of just enough to stay happy.” Astrid admitted as she let out a heavy sigh.

“We might have to call in help.” Stoick threw the word out finally. He was a stubborn man but he knew those dragons were desperate and more stubborn than ever and they’ll run out of food when they come raiding.

“From who? I thought the other islands didn’t deal with dragons?” Astrid questioned whether anybody in the village knows anything except from the nearby islands and treaties they had with berserkers and a few others. The only exception was Gobber and a few higher people which were made for making decisions, for things outside the bounds of their archipelago. 

“Dragon hunters. The Grimborn tribe, we can give them so much gold, or even offer up a husband or wife, because last I checked they’re trying to marry their next chieftess or chief I assume, since they did send me something asking for men and women. Guess he’s a picky dude, so I don’t know.” Stoick was tired, he lost his wife, then his son, now he could risk losing the whole village. He may be the best hunter and dragon killer there was but even he couldn’t fight off a nest forever.

Astrid paused, that was convenient, but who would even work in this case? Who would this picky Grimborn even desire, is it strength? Intellect? Beauty? In other words Astrid believed it would be near useless, they don’t even know if they want a guy or a girl. A waste of time and to send men or women they can’t spare in their time of need.

“Thank Astrid. You can go rest up, or do what ya want. I have actual chief problems, this ain’t learning time dear.” Stoick pushed the girl away. He didn’t doubt her, but he had a hard decision, wasting the gold that Stoick had so much of to ask for help from dragon hunters. A hard and difficult choice, he holds off, if they lose any more food he’ll send a letter.

Astrid grabbed her axe and left the chief alone in the great hall. She made her way back home. She glanced at the blacksmith forge, no hiccup to give a wave to anymore. She kept moving and arrived back at home.

“Oh how I miss you Hiccup.” She would mutter to herself, missing the son, even if it meant she wouldn’t be the chieftess. Maybe letting the boy be bullied had been an ass move of her.

—hiccup Pov—

“Accchoo!” I sneezed loudly, having to brace my body to not topple over. Damn, is someone talking about me? Oh well, I continued to work on the last of my small wood statues.

“Bless you” Toothless roared out next to me. Laying his head back down on his nest. Rather my bed which he turned into a nest made of blankets, and fur. I had made it official by changing the wooden stake into a large nest shape for me and him, since he always wanted to cuddle ‘his hatchling’ in other words. Overgrown lizard was all I had to say.

Chapter Text

“What do you mean a guy grew wings and flew off.” Viggo said with an annoyed tone, using his hands as he tried to incite wings. Viggo always spoke with his hands especially in high stress emotional situations. Right now he was stressed with confusion. He was so confused, how does a human just grow wings and fly off. It was impossible, had his brother finally lost his mind?

“I mean he had wings, Viggo. What else can I say!” Ryker argued, what else could he say was the question Ryker himself had. I mean he was chasing a guy, or girl, he thinks it was a girl or very small guy he was chasing. Well he chased him up a mountain, and the dude jumped off the mountain. The kid nearly gave him a heart attack.

–Ryker POV flashback– 

I chased after the small cloaked figure. They looked like a small kid, no way was that a full grown adult. Yet this little runt let the deathsong go, there was no other way for that dragon to get out the trap. The trap had been destroyed by a weapon of mankind, otherwise something manmade. I could see the sparks and dents of where the metals collided perfectly where the trap had sprung open. This kid was the only thing close by, so I chased after him, the kid was a good climber that was for sure. He scaled the mountains like a little nimble snow leopard.

I was luckily able to keep up close enough. As one of the best hunters of the dragon hunters. I could follow my prey's moves, even if they were as graceful as a mountain cat. The kid was racing up the mountain like he was afraid to get caught. I would understand why, cause I was pissed, this kid lost me a valuable dragon. Nobody messes with the hunt that the dragon hunters did, this kid had to be either clueless, or very naive, which I was considering both. Cause who in their right minds frees a dragon, and much less a cannibalistic deathsong.

As we reached the end of the mountain, I was reaching the top. The kid was looking at the edge. He surely wouldn’t do that now, no human would survive such a height even if there was water. The kid would have to be pretty reckless and would be dead if he dared to take the jump. As I was about to fully pull myself onto the snowy patch little land on the mountains.

 As I pulled myself up I saw the kid jump, I rushed to the edge of the mountain throwing my hand out at least attempting to grab the falling kid. My heart was beating too fast, it was too loud, I didn’t even hear the words that came out. “No!” I had screamed, but the kid hadn’t heard me, I didn’t even hear myself. Suddenly a gasp of breath left my mouth as I saw two wings.

The kid wasn’t falling anymore, he was flying, he was flying like he was just a free bird. I looked closer, my eyes narrowing down onto the said wings. They were black with brown tint. I couldn't quite see the patterns on them and what type but I could tell they were there. 

I couldn't even mutter a word, my breath after I had gasped was now caught in my mouth. It was like my breath had been an animal trapped in a cage that couldn’t quite get out. 

Before I knew it the small kid looked so much like a dragon in my eyes. I didn’t even know I had drawn my bow and aimed the arrow for a perfect flying dragon. All I saw was the arrow wheezing past, missing the sloppy flying human winged kid. I let out a relieved breath, not of any anger, knowing I was quite glad that I had missed the kid for some strange reason. Maybe, I was quite soft on the kid for their small size. The kid reminded me of Viggo when he was just a small boy. He may not have had brawn, but Viggo had the brains. His village respected brains more than brawns, so he was never bullied at home, but meeting other heirs of other villages wasn’t quite the same. I would always have to protect him until he learned how to outsmart their brawns which hadn’t even taken my clever brother very long.

–end of flashback–

The kid raised so many flags, and questions to Ryker. How did a human have wings, was there more out there? Was this some cursed subspecies? Ryker was no idiot, but he had thrill and wonder for the hunt and understanding his prey. He hates to have prey he doesn’t understand. It makes it ever so harder to enjoy the hunt, his favorite part of being well a hunter for gods sake.

Viggo heard a lot of stories, he even heard of a tale called the Lykon wing, men who turn into dragons, but they were just that, tales, stories made up. “Ryker, are you sure it wasn’t just a human sized dragon you mistaken? You did say you saw a black mask, that could’ve been his scales. I think it was just a mask, and those wings have a more plausible explanation like maybe some inventor who made some type of flying mechanism into his clothes.” Viggo argued, he couldn’t believe this, no he won’t believe this until he sees it himself. He knew his brother wasn’t one to lie, but it was impossible.

“Viggo, I know dragons. That was no dragon! Those wings were no mechanical wings! That was a human with wings, real scaley wings!” He argued quite loudly. Ryker wasn’t one to be angry at his brother. Him and his brother often agreed on many things. God he knew he sounded crazy but he knew what he saw. He saw some humans grow wings from his back and glide off. Ryker knew his animals, knew scales, knew colors, that kid grew scaly dragon wings. He didn’t quite know what dragon the wings took after but he knew those were dragon wings, no one can say anything else if they were also to see them like he had. 

“Fine. Ok I’ll believe you Ryker. I want this thing then. If it’s human with wings I want it, even if it’s a dragon you mistook. I want it. Can we work with that Ryker?” Viggo said making work and conditions to put perspective to it. Ryker took a deep breath and gave his little brother a nod.

Ryker stumbled into looking at the map on Viggo's wall. He pointed at the deathsong island. “This is where we were hunting, we almost. No, we had a deathsong in a trap, we just had to retrieve it.” Ryker said as made sure to be near the spot on the island where the nest was.

Viggo smiled, deathsong were quite rare and their amber could sell for a good price at the northern markets. Yet he paused, Ryker was speaking in the past tense. Did this unknown winged man or dragon have freed it? Maybe it was a guy, dragons weren’t smart enough to free others from traps or escape traps in general. So maybe there was a human, maybe his brother wasn’t going crazy for once. WHat didn’t make sense was the wings part, and the boy was actually freeing the dragon. Who in their right mind frees a wild dragon from clearly a dragon hunter trap. The kid was either very clueless, or naive, or rather both. The dragon was dangerous beyond degree, no one in their mind frees a dragon much less a deathsong. Now while dragons weren’t known to attack children, or small viking but if provoked it was very possible. In this case the wild dragon should’ve been scared, thrashing and attacking around. There should've been no way for a human to free the angry deathsong.

“By the time we got there, we saw no deathsong, I only saw someone or something climbing up the closet mountain. So I followed after it. By the time I reached the top they had sprinted full force and threw themselves off the mountain nearly giving me a shock. I had run to the edge but as I looked over their body didn’t splat, rather they grew wings and flew off. About..” Ryker guided his hands to an estimated direction and path the flyer had taken. “This way.” The estimated direction didn’t lead anywhere exactly but the flyer seems new to flying so maybe it was around that area. There were quite a few islands which could make a home for their winged human.

“Ok, we’ll send some scouts to look around. See what we can find, for now brother. Me and you are due for a trip to the northern markets.” Viggo said, their little winged project comes second to their work for now.  For now a brief short pause on this winged human. They can restock and they’ll go search for Ryker's mythical creature. A hunt sure to be in vain, but Viggo played along. Even if it was just an incredibly smart inventor Viggo wouldn’t mind having that anyways.

“No, I want to hunt that thing now. How about you take grandfather, he’s been wanting to buy something from there.” Ryker argued, he didn’t really want to deal with this at all. Ryker loved to buy for his own wife, and even attempted to find new merchants at the market. He just couldn’t pass up the hunt on the new winged monster.

“No father will just try and convince me to marry. He’s been sending letters to everybody, trying to give me options.” He complained as he sighed. Viggo was sure his father went insane. He sent one too berk even, which is crazy on way too many levels even for him. 

One he was pretty sure Berks heir was a child, not only that he was sure the same berk had lost the same heir to a dragon. He did want to investigate that a bit more. Dragons rarely attack small, or young Vikings, it wasn’t impossible but Viggo was naturally curious and questioning. Best chance was someone wanted to decrease their line and to get close to being chief and eliminate the boy.

 Humans are quite cruel and violent when it comes to power. Viggo would know he’s seen many other hunters that wanted power rather than the money and security that Viggo had. Grimmel was just insane, and lost a few brain cells. He likes the game as much as Viggo himself but he lacked the fun, the respect, the honor, so he was worse than Viggo. He was like a bad ripoff that got lucky with finding the night furies, the man went as far as to say he killed them all. Which Viggo believes is impossible to truly know, and also nightfuries are an adoptable species, he knew that much. There was no way the insane man had got them all.

Drago was just a power hungry one armed Viking. He was reckless, loud, and much more dangerous as he somehow controlled dragons. Viggo had another plan, he wanted to get rid of Drago he was most dangerous with being able to control dragons and lock them up much easier than how he and his hunters did it.

“Too late I sent him a letter a few days ago since we needed to stop by there. Sorry little brother.” Ryker said, which snapped Viggo from his thinking. He grumbled under his breath as he tore his mind away from everything else as he looked Ryker in the eyes.

“Oh you damn traitor.” Viggo muttered, how did he not see this coming, he was so busy thinking. May his unsurpassed intelligence may be his downfall, real shame.

—hiccup Pov.. future—

I found myself in the northern markets, wandering around. I was gazing over each stall, today was going to be a good day I could feel. This morning went perfectly so shopping and selling and this whole northern market trip shouldn't be bad. It was just two short days, nothing can go bad with two days.

Whatever could go wrong. The answer is nothing! Right? RIGHT!?

—earlier that morning.—

I found myself curled up and cuddling in both furs and scales. I had found the perfect sleeping position. I woke up a few hours later and it felt perfect. I wanted to get out of bed at just the right time, and wanted to get off of it all.

I crawled out the bed, feeling perfect, I felt like today was going to be perfect, which it is. Today I’m going to the northern markets. The night before I had everything packed. I grabbed each bag labeled with what they held. Herbs, dragons, and wood statues. I grabbed another empty bag for any money I’ll make. I grabbed a last empty bag for anything I might buy. It might be a good bit of stuff but it’s not all, this is just a small trip and learning curb.

“Hey toothless, morning bud.” The dragon yawned as he stretched out as I called his name out. He stretched like a cat, his paws outstretched and a big ol yawn.

“Morning hatchling.” Toothless responded as he finished stretching, he flapped his wings once to stretch them real quick.

“I’m not a hatchling toothless. I mean look at me. I’m nearly 16, I’m practically an adult.” I tried to argue, even though toothless was stubborn. Dragons didn’t know how humans aged and when a hatchling leaves their nest. So until toothless saw me doing any sort of mating ritual he wouldn’t dare take back on calling me a hatchling. A pain in the ass is all I hear, but it didn’t bother me too much. In other words it was just fine and didn’t dare ruin my perfect morning. 

I moved over, grabbing toothless saddle, and his *fly on his own* tail fin too. Toothless growled as I grabbed it. Toothless loved to fly with me, and didn’t trust me to not do something while he wore it. Last time he had worn it I had jumped off a cliff and had him catch me. He said I gave him a heart attack, but oh well.

“Just for the northern markets bud. They’re dangerous, if we get into a pickle we don’t have a second to spare and think about this, one second too late and we can be dead.” I argued, toothless didn’t like it one bit, he much less didn’t want to go to the northern markets if they were so dangerous. 

Yet, Ryun had been planning to go for quite a bit, almost a month and half now. Toothless let out a sigh of Smokey fog, some even coming through his nose.

I clicked the saddle right onto toothless back, I began to pet his neck, my hand pressing down. I didn’t notice what happened until they popped out. I jumped back as the dorsal fins split into two, each one.

“Hey toothless.. is this normal?” I asked letting my hand roam over the split dorsal fins, fascinating they must be to make sharper turns.

“Uhh.. never knew they were there..” toothless admitted as he tucked them in and out, two, to one, and back to two. 

“Well, this could be good if anything goes wrong.” Ryun said as he looked at the fins. He took a deep breath as he got down, and began to click some of the extra bags he could onto toothless.

Ryun slid on his best boots which were still a little red with rips and holes every now and then. He slipped on a dark shirt that was a dark red, but was covered with filth and torn and stretched out from working in it many times, along with a hooded cloak which was the only thing that didn’t have a single hole yet. Pulled up some old jeans. He really needs new clothes badly.

He brushed his hair back with a hairbrush Heather had given him to help with his long wild matted hair. The brush really helped and he’s been brushing and washing it for a few days now, and looked brand new and healthy as a lion.

Finally I had everything I needed. I climbed onto toothless back. Swooping my leg over his saddle. Snapped my foot in place of the fin. While this fin could allow toothless to fly on his own if he wanted to I could still control it as long as my foot was in the slot. 

“Let’s go before Heather tries to make me back out of this” I said as I leaned forward and adjusted myself as I gripped onto the saddle's front handles which I had made specifically for when toothless wants to go at the sound of light. I didn’t believe I’d fall off even if I rode without a saddle, it was to keep toothless scales from graying faster over the stress of little chance. 

We moved out in early daylight so we could still have the shadows to cover us as we flew into the northern markets. We did make it safely, barely any ships in yet, early morning wasn’t busy, perfect time to figure out the works.

As me and toothless landed in the forest parts of the island I sighed with a smile. “Ok toothless you got to stay here. We both know how dangerous it’s for a human to be alone, sure. Yet,a kid with a dragon none the less a night fury is asking for trouble and hunters. So stay here, stay hidden, and for godsakes stay quiet.” I practically begged, toothless knew why. He was stubborn but he wasn’t that stubborn to get us both killed.

A grumbled roar came from the night fury, a simple “fine..” 

I left toothless hidden near a dark cave surrounded by the thickest of forest and hard to reach place. It was the best spot I could find and it wasn’t a bad spot for most of this island ridden with clearings and trading.

I found myself in the northern markets, wandering around. I was gazing over each stall, today was going to be a good day I could feel. This morning went perfectly so shopping and selling and this whole northern market trip shouldn't be bad.

The morning was great, it wasn’t packed busy and was rather light. This same light of people and merchants setting up stalls and pricing their things it seemed. I looked through each stall, admiring whatever they had. My eyes landed on some jewelry from a merchant. They had many valuables and the purple gem reminded me of toothless fire. It was very pretty, but very much out of any price range I probably had. Anything purple was very expensive, because purple is meant for royalty and the rich since it’s so rare.

I tore my eyes away from the purple jewelry and kept walking. I suddenly froze in my tracks. A stall of dragon supplies. They were unlike mine, these worn down, picked painfully, bloodied, and disgusting sight to see. I nearly threw up from just the sight, I wanted away from it, and now, so I bolted.

I smacked right into some old man, damn it clumsy Ryun! Clumsy hiccup! Just a hiccup! A useless hiccup! 

“You ok there kid?” The man asked, his tone soft, yet his voice deep. His tone reminded me of a softer version but deeper tone of Stoick. Unlike Stoick ginger hair this man’s hair was a rich chestnut that the man had combed back lightly. Unlike my fathers eyes, this man’s eyes were soft and nearly sparkling blue eyes. I was zoning out when taking in his every feature I nearly forgot to respond, stupid me!

“Uh.. yea, I’m sorry for running into you sir.” I muttered as I avoided eye contact now, if I didn’t make eye contact I didn’t have to see what I expected with annoyed, angry or disappointed eyes. I flinched when he touched my shoulder, he was quick to remove it and help me up instead, trying to play off kindness.

“It’s fine, kid. Accidents happen. Where..” the man paused,his eyes seeming to gloss over me, staring at my thin frame. “Are you hungry?” The man tried to play it off, I figured he was going to ask where my parents were which would be reasonable. Heather says at a lot of times I can look like a lost puppy even if I’m nearly 16. So it makes sense for someone so young in the markets to lose their parents instead of being there alone.

The man dragged me to a nearby tavern, the tavern wasn’t busy, and there was a red-haired girl working the bar side. She looked over at the old man. “Hey daddy. Oh and hello little guy.” So she must be this guy's daughter, she seemed nice, but I wasn’t sure yet. “I’m nearly 16..” I muttered quietly, I’m not that small am I?

“Oops. Sorry you need to eat some more, I thought you were 13 kiddo!” She said looking over to her what I believed father, or rather the man next to me with a worried look. She left the counter and went to the back. She grabbed some food from the back and returned. She placed a warm plate of a lot of food. It smelled so good, nothing like heathers cooking but good enough I would drool over. Which I accidentally was, I was hungry, I hadn’t noticed I left without eating. I didn’t want to wake Heather up and if I had she would’ve tried to stop me.

“Go on, it’s yours kid.” The old man pushed me to sit down, I flinched when he pushed my back, but moved on sitting in the chair. Did I really look 13? Well Heather says I’ve been gaining weight, she said when we first met I looked like I was starving to death, and nearly as small as an 11 year old. So progress is slow, but it’s ok, I just need to heal more. I stuffed my face down and ate as fast as I could, it’s what I was used to, a bad habit, and could lead to an eating disorder I know. Suddenly someone grabbed my ravaging hands,I winced and growled, never touch a dragon when it’s eating.

“Kid slow down, that ain’t healthy.” Was all he said, not harsh, just comforting and worried father. I took a deep breath, the man let my hands go. I slowly or at least slowed down more than usual and ate. It was good, filling, and very flavorful.

“Now what’s someone like you doing out all the way at the northern markets?” The girl asked, the man had wanted to ask too I could tell. I should’ve come up with a story, I can’t go saying I’m hiccup, some merchant may recognize the name and me as the heir of berk. Along with if people go asking about what she asked, what would I say. Oh I’m a dragon rider and ran away from home, now trying to trade. No I can’t say that, I was zoning out too long they might thing I’m lying once I say something!

“Oh. I’m trying to trade..” I responded, I looked at the bags that I had clipped to my clothes,my very torn and old clothes. Seriously, I need to get new clothes while here.

“Oh what do you got to trade kiddo.” The man asked, he didn’t sound like he was just trying to entertain me either. It sounded like the man was actually curious and ready to listen which I wasn’t quite used to. I paused for a good minute thinking about it, and then spoke.

“A lot.. dragon wear, like scales, gel, teeth, and other stuff like that. I also have some herbs, and medicines. Some wood statues and I can take weapon commissions, I have my own dagger to show off my work to see if anyone will take my business.”

The old man chuckled. “That’s a lot of good things there kiddo. My wife runs a fabric shop, good quality scales are in for designs, especially colorful ones, if you got any good ones in large amounts we could buy those off ya.” The old man offered I smiled, my eyes lighting up. I was doing it, I was getting into the world of trade. Today is one small step for me, but the biggest step in the right direction.

“Yes please, I have an abundance of scales, there’s a lot dragons on my island and shed a lot.” I say presenting colorful blue scales of Stormfly the nadder. The old man’s eyes lit up, taking one from the bag, lifting it up to the light. The scales were perfect, clean, and pristine for clothing.

“Kid these could sell for a lot, a lot more than whatever those hunters bring in, they’re not nearly as good as these. If I can have a direct line with you and these scales first pick, I’ll start helping you into trading other things, pricing, and even getting you a stall close to us you can use once you have more to sell.”

The old man was so kind and offering. What turned into a small step was huge! This was the biggest win he had yet. “Yes sir. That sounds great sir.” I said with a smile.

“Hey, for your herbs, go down to the ends of the stalls. There's an old woman there named Shell, she’s grouchy but she’s nice to younger ones if you're respectful at least, and she’ll charge a fair price for good herbs.” The old man informed me.

I smiled, this old man was the grounds of where everything is going right, this man might as well be his good luck charm now! “Thank you. I never got y’all’s name, may I have it?” It only seemed rude to not get their names.

“Names William, this red haired tavern keeper is my daughter Nicky, you’ll meet my wife later hopefully her name is Dandy, and almost exact older replica of our daughter, or rather Nicky is a replica of her mother I like to say but with my attitude." William said with a chuckle which got him a playful smack from his daughter. “You old crow, I got your stubbornness too. Wanna test that one out for dinner tonight?” The woman seemed to threaten the old father, chuckled and quickly shook his head. Must be outnumbered at home for voting for dinner.

I made my way out of the tavern, followed the directions ignoring each stall until I reached the one. It looked about right. It matched the idea I had thought about. I looked over the stall, it had a few medicines already up but not fully stocked. 

I walked over to the old lady, her hair gray with rare streaks of blonde that remained, her silver eyes looking at me as I looked at her.

“Are you shell?” I asked as I walked over, and got close to her stall. Jittering with my hands as I looked at the stall again, it wasn’t set up fully yet, I looked at a few of the medicines.

“What ya want youngin.” The old lady asked as she looked at me, she was tall for an old lady. While she didn’t stand perfectly straight she was taller than me even if bent a little awkward.

“Some herbs to sell..” I said as I un-clipped the bag full of herbs and medicines, and placed it on the desk of the stall. The old woman looked at the bag, grabbed it with her wrinkled but large hands. As she looked into it she took one out, admiring it. 

“Hmm, not half bad. You might have some talent I guess. Keep trading stuff like this I’ll pay well.” She said as she placed the picked up herb back into the bag. Placing the bag under the stall with her other herbs and medicines. She grabbed some money from her pack of money. She placed 3 gold coins on the table with 17 silver. “Keep bringing me more and we can have a permanent thing here.”

I gave the old lady a nod as I counted the coins, I took the coins placing them into one of my two empty bags I had clipped on. Before I could wander off she gave me a small book. “For herbs that you can find and climates and temperatures they grow in, along with medicines and other slavas that are basic. I have a spare, so take it.” she pushed it, the old lady had a lot of these ‘spares’ I hadn’t known she gave these to all new traders, despite her rough demeanor she was a sweetheart helping me get a step ahead. I gave her nod as I took the herb book, glancing through the pages before slipping it inside an empty bag.

I counted the money again as I walked back to the tavern. My eyes caught onto some pretty clothes, they had bits of purple in certain areas, and they all looked well designed, I could only afford maybe 1 shirt, and pants which would cost 10 silver. I jumped when I felt someone come from behind to toss 10 silver to the fabric clothing stall. “You look like you need something new.” I looked back to be met with an old man, maybe 50’s? He had short gray hair, and gray small cut beard, his eyes darker than his hair, and his skin slightly light and pale.

“Thanks..” I muttered, the man gave me a bad feeling to say one thing. I smiled as I grabbed the shirt and pants without purple. I placed the clothes in my hand, and looked over at the man again.

“Father, could you not run off?” Came a short haired black man, with a black cut French beard. He had pale skin and sunken eye bags.

“Uh.. hey kid?” The man noticed me, I tried to shrink down avoiding looking at the man. I took the clothes, I really wanted to bolt, and that's what I did.

I ran through the markets, landing myself back into the tavern. The day was getting late, it’s nearly halfway to noon, so running between a few people who were early looking in the filled up stalls. So losing the old man and what had been his son probably was too easy especially when they hadn't bothered to try and follow.

As I walked into the tavern there were more people than earlier in the morning. It was mostly filled with merchants and customers getting a late breakfast before the noon rush began. 

The red haired tavern girl, or rather Nicky looked over as the door rang as I walked in. She smiled at me and pointed over to a table which mr Willaim sat with a ginger haired woman with amber eyes to match, with tanned skin which was filled with small nicks and cuts from sewing, and working with fabrics.

I walked over, cautious as ever but gave a small smile as I approached, no teeth.

“Hello deary, now look at you, quite thin aren't ya, hope my little angel tried fattening you up.” She said with a disappointed smile, not at me but rather that her work wasn’t going the best. She made expensive and good looking clothes, dragon scales were in stock thanks to the Grimborn tribe, but it was hard to get good scales.

“Hi miss Dandy?” I said as I approached her. I un-clipped the bag of scales from my side and handed over the bag. The tired woman grabbed the bag and opened it, her eyes shooting open, like she just found god. Yet, rather she found salvation and could be the richest fabric merchant in the northern markets with these scales.

“Dear god. You're a blessing. You're my little star.” She said with joy as she looked at each scale with admiration. She grabbed a bag and pushed it over. It was 7 gold coins and 26 silver. It sent me by shock to see so much just for some easy scales I could pick from the dragons when they shed.

I placed the money with my other money, now I had 10 gold coins, and 43 coins of silver. This was going great today, I sold all the scales and herbs. Now all I had left was wood statues, and trying to get requests from people.

“Thank you very much, miss.” I muttered as I made my way out. They were nice but I shouldn’t stay long. I still have a lot to do and no offense. I didn't want to stay too long, I promised Heather I wouldn’t be gone more than 3 days, so I wanted to get everything sorted, sell everything in quick time.

As I made my way around I tried to approach children with some of my wooden toys or figures, as they would be easiest to sell to. A foul play and bad to pray on children but it was the best choice. 

“Hey girly, where's your mama?” I asked a young blonde girl. While I was going to show off some wooden statues, something was just wrong. The girl looked at me, now I can see her puffy red bags under her eyes from crying. I sighed, I can handle children, I mean small ones.

“Hey it’s ok.I’ll help ya find your mommy. Does she look like you?” I asked her softly as I bent down to her level to seem non threatening. Children were never to blame, it was mostly adults but I knew adults could easily lose their rumbunctious children. I mean I gave Gobber a hard time as a kid.

—flashback—

I giggled as I watched Gobber scouring around the woods.

“Hiccup! Come out here! Where have you gone you little rascal!” The worried Gobber yelled as he searched through the woods. He kept pacing around looking up each tree.

“Found you little man. Now come down, you’re in a lot of trouble, little man.” Gobber said, scolding as he looked up at the tree I had buried myself to hide in. I climbed down from the leafy branches slowly inching down.

I took my sketchbook from my pocket and showed off the drawing I had done. Pretty birds I had seen while waiting for Gobber to find me. “Do you like them Gobber?” I asked my eyes sparkling with joy and need for the only man who dared to give me approval.

“Now they look great kid. But you can’t go running off, and not into the woods. What would happen if a dragon found ya instead of me. Hiccup you’re too small and it’s too dangerous.” Gobber said, he may have lost them and looked away too long didn’t mean he didn’t care, or not worry. He loved me and would be devastated if I was ever to die.

“Yes uncle dada” the little me said innocently. Gobber used to have to correct me. Many times I would call Gobber, dada or dad it’s just slip. I hung out with Gobber more than my own father so little me used to say it a lot.

“No, no hiccup. Uncle Gobber, no dada. Uncle Gobber” he tried to coach me to call him uncle Gobber which at many times felt just wrong, just not right, but I rolled with it. I rolled with it because it pleased Gobber and that’s all I needed to roll with something.

—end of flashback— 

“Ok Kid, let's find your mommy.” I really tried my hardest, I searched the whole market, asked stall owners, asked Viking walking around, nothing. It was useless, I couldn’t find her. I kept searching for hours. 

It was getting late and I still hadn’t found her mother. It’s like her mother has vanished. It was common for merchants to abandon children they don’t want by just dropping them off somewhere. Personally I never witnessed it, I rarely left berk so I was secluded a bit. Yet even if I was secluded I believed it was shameful for people to abandon their hatchlings or children. They should’ve never become parents. 

I personally wanted to take her home with me. I choose against it for multiple reasons though, one I’m not bringing Heather a whole child back. 2 children are a lot of work. 3 I’m a child myself. 4 we are doing dangerous dragon things. 5 I’m targeting dragon hunters. 6 we still need to go after the queen. Too many factors, too many dangers. A big no go to say the least.

I made my way back to the tavern a third time to this day. This tavern is going to be the place I go to the most, cause damn more than one was too many. As I walked in with the kid it was late,the tavern was starting to clean up and usher drunk people out. The red hair tavern girl Nicky was still working, god she's been working so long, I hope she takes a break. 

Her eyes looked up hearing the door open. Her eyes filled with annoyance at first but when she saw it was just me they softened. Then they turned to worry seeing me carrying a tired tiny kid.

I handed her over to Nicky. “I don’t know what to do, I think she was left behind..” I said as I left a small wood dragon statue in her hands as she slept. A gift for an unfortunate child. 

“You brought her to the right place, kid. Heading out tomorrow?" I nodded as she asked if I was heading out tomorrow.

“You can stay here, sleep in the spare room with this little lady.” She offered but I shook my head, no, toothless wants to cuddle probably since I was without him all day I wouldn’t deny the one thing from my best bud toothless.

“I’m fine. Thank you for the offer.” I said with a kind smile I could muster. No teeth, never teeth with kindness.

I made my way out. Made sure no one was around before slipping into the darks of the forest that the northern markets offered. I slid around following the path I remembered where I left toothless. I made it to the cliff, I climbed up the steep cliff using my claws to drag my way in and curl up next to a sleeping toothless.

Luckily toothless was asleep when I arrived, I was expecting to be met with licks and worry tones of questioning. I dug myself under him, folding myself in his wings, since I didn’t want to fold myself with my own wings.

The night was peaceful, as it could be in a busy place. I could still see the busy streets of bustling people, luckily after a few hours into the late night it finally began to die down. With the noise also drowning out I was able to fall asleep with a foggy night sky, no stars to see tonight.

My slumber was interrupted by the sun, shining right in my eyes. Toothless was up, and had gone out. So in other words I didn’t have his wings to shield my eyelids from the evil sun. I groaned as I turned in the cave before sitting up. Opening my tired acid green eyes looking at the empty cave I was in.

It had to be boring for toothless to wait here, but it was to stay safe. Wait a god damn minute, toothless went out? That stupid dragon someone could see him! Worse he could get himself caught. My worries strike high as I shoot up. I was about to jump out the cave before he had come back carrying fish in his muzzle.

“Ahem.” I said with a cough as I looked at the toothless with disappointment.

“Sorry. But breakfast?” He excused, I rolled my eyes in response. I took the fish and ate it raw, I was too tired to even care at this point. 

“Stay here. Don’t leave again, it’s dangerous enough we’re here, but what if dragon hunters stop by, we don’t want them to see you.” I tried to reason, I wasn’t mad, just worried and calculating the problems.

Toothless sighed, laying his head down. Just a few more hours of boredom and they’re gone. That’s all he has to survive. An over dramatic and overgrown lizard is all he is, I sighed seeing him pout. I turned and made my way down and out of the cliff side cave.

Carefully I got down quickly and safely. I walked through the woods, casually making it back to the market side of the island once more. Today was the final day to get it all done. Time to continue, and finish up, I still need to get blacksmith orders, shame. 

I made my way across the stalls, trying to even sell the few wood statues I had leftover for cheap, just to get rid of them. Which worked in total I was able to add 10 bronze and 10 silver to the bag.

10 gold, 10 bronze, and 53 silver in total is an amazing haul, now I just need to get commissions. It was still early and unlikely to have many people but at noon people were too busy. Such a hard market I’ll have to travel through, but I’ll find my way I bet.

I was zoning out and didn’t notice I was still walking. I smack right into the same man from yesterday with their dad. I winced, the man had to be in 20’s once more. The black french cut beard, and short hair buzzed down, and darker eyes to match.

“Hey there kid.” was all he said as he kept looking at the stall he was at. I glanced at what he was looking at, nothing particular he was gazing over some weapons. This could be my chance, my eyes lit up, I worked out my words and got them out.

“Looking for weapons sir? I can make you one or a few, as long as you give me an idea of what you want” I said looking at him, he seemed skeptical which was fine, I looked tiny compared to the bulky man. He sighed, as if I was a last ditch effort. 

“Got any work I could see for example?” the man asked me, I smiled and gave him a nod. I pulled out my dagger showing off its embroidery, sharpness, perfect weight of gronkle iron, and the handle's perfect size, for me anyway. The handle was covered with scales that helped grip it better. His eyes seemed to light up, letting out a low whistle.

“Wow kid, can’t believe I doubt ya, this is some great work. I would love to commission ya.I would like a light sword, something about heavier than this, about double the size, and not this dull, I rather it be sharper, more for fighting than your little thing here.” I took down the notes, as he admired them. And suddenly he began again. “I’d like two, the second one to be bigger, heavier and for more brute force than weight worry, and jagger sharp side instead of straight, for my brother.” The man said as he looked at the dagger one last time before handing it back over. 

“I’m Viggo anyways kid, what's your name?” the many finally spoke of something not concerning the weapons and the ideals he wanted. I paused, questioned if I should before shrugging and spoke ahead anyway. 

“I’m Ryun.” I responded with a kind smile, not teeth never teeth with kindness. I figured I would use my given name. It’s what I could go by, and it wasn’t connected to berk.

The man looked at my toothless smile, raising an eyebrow, but shrugged it off as a tradition of wherever I came from I assumed. He seemed smart, and more dangerous than most people, I could sense that. Not quite sure of why or what to be exact, but he was a customer so I left it at that.

Suddenly he handed me a bag. I was confused at first, it felt like money when I looked in there for 6 gold, 15 silver, which in my defense was a lot for two simple swords. “This is the deposit, only half will give you the other half when you produce the two swords in about a month's time at most.”

I grinned ear to ear and stashed the bag with my others after pointing the money in my money bag. So many empty bags now, and about time to go home, I’ll even get toothless some special treat fish to reward him for his patience and a good trip to the northern market.

If I was right with my calculations and math I had 10 bronze 16 gold 68 silver. Which I call an amazing haul. At this rate if I make easy money like this each time I could easily rack up a lot of silver and gold. I could secure our island into the trading business.

“Also kid, you should set up a stall if you want to make more than just scraps and doing this schedule every time you stop by here.” Viggo said as a tip as he moved onto a different stall, leaving me alone once more. How is the money I had scraps? If they were scraps how much more could I make? How much more could I help mine, the dragons, and Heather’s home?

He was right, maybe before I leave I should get that set up for next month that I do this. I plan to come down here once a month, but if I do, I might need to stay at least longer than two days to really sell, maybe rent a stall for a week once a month. The plan was now in my head. Now I just need to find the people who run the place. Tavern was the only place that came to mind, Nicky was sure to know and point me to the right direction.

The tavern group of people and Nicky and her family were so helpful, and kind. I made my way back to the tavern for like the 4th time in this one single trip. As I walked in it was filled mostly with people drinking now. I made my way over to Nicky, and had a station, she was actually done, she didn’t do nightshifts often maybe. She was wrapping up and switching shifts with another bartender. It seemed as if I made my way in just in time to catch her on her way out.

“Hello kiddo” she said I smiled back, no teeth once more.

“Hello Miss Nicky. Please call me Ryun at this point, you guys have been so helpful, I wanted to thank you guys before I left. Then I got some helpful advice from a man. Maybe I should set up a time, like rent out or preorder a stall you know?” I asked her as I looked at the girl and she smiled at me, but with teeth which made me uneasy but i just relaxed knowing she didn’t mean any bad probably.

“Ok ryun, I'll take you to the owners of the island for that.” She offered and gave her a nod, and followed her. Now personally I wouldn’t follow people, that's if I didn’t think I wouldn’t be able to fight them if things went wrong. I feel like no offense to the girl boss Nicky. I could just burn her if I had too. 

She led me up a hill, to a house that was highest on the island, not on a cliffside where I had hid toothless or nowhere near it luckily. As we arrived there she knocked on the door. I was met with an old lady, suddenly a young man was behind her, her adult son probably. 

“Mom, go sit down, you're getting old, don’t need you tripping over a loose plank.” Her son seemed to argue as he forced her back inside, and answered the door. “Ah hello Nicky.” The man said as he recognized the tavern girl.

“My friend Ryun here was hoping to rent out a stall for next month if that’s possible Scott” Nicky asked, scott hummed in response I took another look noting the man's features in my head to never forget his face. Light chestnut hair I almost mistaken for blonde, silver eyes with a tint of near baby blue, and tan body that was scarred but still young and in its best possible prime of life. 

“Sure little man, that’ll be 5 silver, for a deposit, and depending if you show or not, we'll get the full amount if ya don't mind. “ Scott explained the conditions terribly but I understood. Basically show up on the date you say or lose 5 silver and the whole stall too. If you do show they get a full deposit and you can sell. I handed him 5 silver.

I was down now to 63 silver, rather than my earlier amount of 69. I still had 10 gold and bronze. This was fine, 5 silver seemed like a fine half deposit. I suppose I didn’t know much about stalls and cost. I could be getting ripped off right now and I wouldn’t even know.

“Next month, and the start of the month, for 7 days.” I said as I smiled, the man just took out a notebook probably to keep track of which stalls were filled up and for how long.

“Got ya kid, just come back on time got it” Scott said as he stuffed the silver in his pocket with a smile. I hated his smile to say the least, his teeth missing and yet he still showed a toothy smile that missed a few. He probably fought in rings before settling down to take over his parents' successful business of northern markets.

Once I was done with setting my stall up with Scott and his little book of well stalls I assumed, I headed back off. I split off from Nicky, making it seem like I was heading to the docks. Well I tried corrections to follow me to the docks trying to see where I go, and which ship I board.

She shouldn’t poke her head into my business, we’re just business partners. She wasn’t my mother, she’ll never be that. I don’t need any adults, all I needed was my dragons, and Heather. I really hated nosy people, they couldn’t stay out of my business neither as hiccup the useless or Ryun the mystery.

I boarded a random ship trying to satisfy her nosy needs. As I did I noticed something. It was empty, and thank god. Yet, that wasn’t the only thing I heard, I heard cries. Dragons!? I rushed down to the deck of the ship. There were about a dozen of them in cages, all dragons.

The poor things had scars all over them, they all seemed scared, agitated and in pain. I couldn’t stand to see their pain, it hurt just to see them. My hand grabbed onto the latch which caged a red Nadder with a burnt brown underbelly. 

She hissed quite loudly at me, and yelled at me in dragonese expecting I didn’t understand a word she said. Yet, I did, and it was heartbreaking, heartbreaking to hear the scared Nadder. To hear and understand all the caged dragons actually.

“Stay back! I don’t care if you’re hatchling! I’ll end your spoiled life, human monster!” The dragon hissed loudly and saw her Nadder spines shooting up along with her tail.

“Please. I’m not like them. Let me help you. Just be quiet and don’t run until I can open you all, so you don’t alert anyone early.” I begged slightly, I begged just like how I had begged toothless just the earlier morning.

The red Nadder paused, freezing in their cage which I opened slowly. All the dragons quite frozen in small state of shock of hearing I could speak dragonese roughly. 

I was able to open all the cages with the dragons not taking off straight away. Thank god they had listened, I pulled one the extra bags I had over my face. I had no black cloth today so this would have to do. Just in case, to be safe.

 I sprinted out the basement of the ship, running right past a man I had seen before but I didn’t dare look back to get a second glance. Neither did the dragosnt hey took off as soon as I jumped off ship and flew away with my sore wings that had been cramped up for quite a while now.

As the dragons had spilt off into the sky, all going to their respective homes and nest, only one stayed with me, wanting to go back to my nest. I would never take every dragon back to my home just the few that needed a home truly.

She was a beautiful color, a rare breed I hadn’t seen before, truly not during the raids at the very least. She was a brown color with darker brown stripes, her eyes a gold color reminding me of the warm sun.

 Her tail was sharp and reminded me of a scorpion. She may look all big venomous and scary but in truth to me she looked so gentle. She was called a deathgripper I would later learn, and also learn she has venom in her tail I could sell for a high price. She’ll have a bright future full of fish and a pack now with us is all I did know for sure.

(Diff from movie hiccup, cause he smart. I want make him a mix of book and movie, but I haven’t read the books yet I need to get them so bad!!! Might redo this, or make similar scenario runaway au again mixed more with book hiccup once I do read the books.)

I had seen how overcrowded places could ruin balance. It meant too many mouths to feed, too many loose ends, and more blind spots.

I arrived at the wooded side only to be knocked down by an overgrown lizard. “Finally! Let's go!” toothless screeched happily, trying to lick me to death. I pushed the scaly dragon off with an annoyed huff. With my new found hybrid power I pushed the dragon off more easily than before when I didn’t have the powers.

I chased the dragon and jumped onto his back, locking my foot into the place. Clicking the tail fin open as I pushed my foot down. I looked back at the brown deathgripper. She needed a name now didn’t she. Her colors, they reminded me of a Scorpion, but that would be too plain and obvious right? Venu. I’ll name her Venu, still quite simple but it stuck and I liked it.

“How about we call you Venu?” I asked her, wondering and hoping she’d like the name and it would stick. She nodded her head as she let out a soft chirp of approval too. I smiled, no teeth, just a gummy smile.

That late night we flew back, not aware of the unknown chase and hunt we brought onto ourselves.

—Ryker Pov—

Me and my men had made it back to the ship, carrying back some half decent weapons we could get. They weren’t bad, but they could’ve been better. I saw someone bolt pass me suddenly, making me drop the box I was holding. I was about to curse but lost my words. Was that the kid? Had he been in the northern markets the whole time!? He wore a bag over his head instead of the black cloth he had last time. He grew wings and flew off.

I heard the clatter of boxes being dropped that held weapons. All my other men were in shock, even two of them dropped the boxes they had been carrying. I grinned, I hadn’t gone crazy, I wasn’t seeing things, they were there, and they had wings to fly. 

I didn’t have time to reach for my bow and to draw an arrow out, because all the dragons we had in the cages came rushing out, unsteadying my bow, making me drop it. I cursed, the person was out of range, clearly far out of range now. These damn scaly beasts ruining my hunt!

I watched as all the escaped dragons flew out of range. Viggo was going to be pissed, that was for sure. I let out an annoyed and agitated sigh that held all the anger I had. I balled my fist in annoyance, snapping it into a nearby railing. I was pissed, no I was livid, seeking with anger that was way too much. Maybe that sigh hadn’t released quite all of my anger as I had believed it did.

I watched over the side of the boat. Looking over the sea, angling where the boy flew off to. Suddenly as I watched over the edge I saw two dragons. One had been the deathgripper we had, and another dragon I didn’t quite recognize at first glance. Its body reminded that of a black cat with scales, its face long and smooth with nubs coming out. I didn’t know this species or I didn’t see it much. Whatever could it be, black as night, and agile looking dragon. Then it clicked, like it had been so obvious, my eyes lighting up, as I muttered its species under my breath. “Night fury.”

—Viggo Pov.—

I came back to a ship lacking the many dragons it had once held. I stormed over to my bald brother Ryker who was staring out into the waters. Should’ve known something was up if this was what he was doing. Oh wait I did, I just ignored it. 

“Ryker!” I screamed as I approached him, he turned to face me, his face now filled with annoyance as it usually was when I scolded him. He just looked, well, like he had found a new prey to hunt to say the least.

“I saw the brat again. He was here. He’s getting bolder.” I froze up, the brat was here. The kid was not only here at the same time. A coincidence clearly, not a problem, maybe the winged human had been shopping, but if the kid had wings he would’ve clearly seen them. It would be pretty damn hard to hide some huge scaly wings.

“Ryker. Let me guess. He just grew those damn wings and flew off?” I questioned. One of the men from earlier who also watched it spoke up.

“Sir.. He’s not lying, we all saw it too.” The man’s voice was a bit shaky, even stuttering as he started. Every man knew not to lie to the brothers. Much less betray them, he ran mostly by fear for his subordinates but it worked, and the men spoke with truth.

I froze. Ryker wasn’t seeing things or going crazy. My mouth began to twist up into a wicked smile. So something new, something interesting. I want it, and I want to study it, and sell it when I’m done, a special edition would probably sell for a lot too. 

Oh and how I loved to hunt rare things, this is just what I need. Something new and exciting. I paused, he freed the dragon. Maybe there is more to this already rare dragon species. If it can understand human speech maybe we won’t sell it. Cause it seems this thing could calm dragons judging off how any trapped dragons would bolt when freed yet these didn’t cause his brother would’ve caught them. Maybe they could use this new species to capture and sell more dragons. However, I still loved a good chase, this was going to be fun.

“He had a night fury I believe too.” Ryker said, I froze, my eyes glistening. Our new hunt had a nightfury? The rarest dragon believed to be extinct, which I hadn’t believed but everyone else did. Now his grin sharpened. I was getting hooked in, this was too good to be true.

“How fun. This.. dragon master, we’ll ever be so fun to hunt.” I said finally out loud, I can’t wait. Can’t wait to meet this now dragon master face to face. Once our game is over, I can’t wait to see who was behind it all.

Chapter Text

As I settled back into the edge. The night before I unpacked and took off the bags and saddle. Everything was placed in its spot, everything was fine. Yep it was ok and I kept thinking like it was I’d be fine

I found myself throwing myself onto my nest letting my wings and tail out after holding them for over 48 hours if you didn’t count the one time I used them to escape the hunter ship. They hurt so much, how I kept working in the markets I wouldn’t know or right now care. It just hurts so much and feels so much better to have them out. 

It was dangerous to attack a docked hunter ship, yet I did, and did it ever so boldly. I’ll never regret saving them, that I knew for sure. Even if I had been caught I would’ve still felt accomplished. Toothless may not agree but that’s fine he didn’t need to, it was my choice.

—Heather Pov 2 days before—

I was alone for two whole days. Bored, and just doing some plain old axe training. Joking, I was able to get some work done.

I was working on expanding the forge. I rolled logs and followed hiccups fireproof metal recipe feeding meatlug the exact amount. I had expanded the forge in a few hours, almost nearly doubling its size. If Ryun was to come back with a blacksmith request now he had more space to do it. I just hoped it didn’t full up too fast with all his inventions.

As I finished up the forge, I looked up. The sun is halfway in the middle. It’s time, I grab my saddle and slide it onto the windshear. “Come on girl. While Ryun is still gone, we can try to see if we have anything new.”

Me and windshear flew through the ocean. We flew for about an hour before landing on a merchant ship. The man on board shrieked, I covered my ears with annoyance.

“Trader Johann. Any news on dagur. On that god damn killer.” I questioned him. Windshear’s tail cutting into the ship too easily and very dangerous and a bit of a bold threat.

“Ah hello master Heather. He escaped. He’s going to raid my ships. It’s a sheep graveyard where I’ve hid all my valuables.” Johann offered up with a smile I hated. I wouldn’t trust Johann as far as I could throw him, but he was reliable for information.

He began to speak again but I was tuning him out nearly. I had an idea of where he’s going to be. Finally I had information on dagur. Wait what’s Johann talking about now. Blabbing off about some dude named Alvin. I didn't really care, and ignored it.

“Oh really?” I said as he mentioned valuables. Maybe getting something out of trader Johann for once made me feel better. Me and Ryun could be so rich and get a bigger step into the merchant world. My eyes lit up, with a grin. “Ok, give me a map.” I said so ever so carelessly, there’s always a twist with Johann. 

As he handed me the map I snatched it, and took off with windshear, disappearing into the clouds. Flying back to Dragon's Edge, I’ll go when Ryun gets back so we could do it together.

Night approached, I had to survive one more day without Ryun. I could do this, I’ve lived without him for years, I don’t need him now. Even though not knowing if my little brother was safe or not, put me on edge to say. 

I threw myself into my bed, rolling into the yak fur a comfortable warm black coat of fur. My heart laid down, I twisted and turned. I couldn’t do this, my unease was getting to me. What if Ryun was hurt? What if someone knew him as hiccup? What if they knew him from Berk. So many possibilities and my mind racing with the dangers. I should’ve stopped him from growing, should’ve at least tried to reason harder.

My thoughts were paused as I felt something on my lap. As I looked down, Windshear rested her head on my lap. She must’ve felt my rising heartbeat and stress. I took a deep breath muttering to her even though she probably didn’t understand my words quite well. 

“He’s ok. Ryun’s smart, he’s ok, I’m just stressed and afraid of losing him like how we lost our other families.” I muttered to myself and my dragon. Windshear had lost her family just like mine. I had found her after a bad fight she had with a triple strike, and had nursed her back to health. I was glad she was fine now, but now I can’t get it out of my head. The idea of all the dragons and Ryun covered in blood alike they’ll be fighting for their lives. A horrid nightmare I wish I could cleanse myself of.

Suddenly everything was bloodied, windshear. Ryun. Toothless. Stormfly. Meatlug. hookfang. They were all bloodied, caged and covered with dragon hunter arrows.they were all dead, the world seemed to crumble around me. In my daze I let out a scream. A scream like I was screaming for help. Rather this scream was for my family, the family I lost.

I don’t know how long I had laid in bed. I hadn’t even felt my eyes get heavy. All I knew I woke up in a sweat and screaming my head off. Waking up a windshear who growled loudly as she jumped up and stood in front of me. Ready to put herself in her way to defend me even though she didn’t know the danger. Dragons, animals, everything were too good for me, for humans, we didn’t deserve such loyal and kind creatures. Yet, people hunt them, they hunt wild animals and dragons.

I took a deep breath, rubbing my tired eyes. I was both tired, and exhausted. I looked outside, barely the sun had risen, it was sunrise. I force my legs over by throwing them over the side of the bed. Letting them touch the floor, and I had work I could be doing. 

As I stood up I yawned tiredly. Dragging myself out of my new hut. It was so nice to have my own place. Trying not to burden or bother Ryun by sleeping in his hut. Yet, with no Ryun around the dragon's edge felt empty, quiet, too quiet.

As I looked around the edge, it was still quite dark but it was time for work. When Ryun comes back I want him to be impressed with my hard work. I wanted to set a good example for my little brother Ryun. Huh, was I older or younger than Ryun? I don’t care, Ryun’s the little brother no matter what.

I worked onto the next thing. The stables already were overall done, but I dragged wood and began to make adjustments. It was hard work, I’m glad the dragons could pick up on my work and help out. If it wasn’t for the dragons we may never have got so much work done so fast and easy.

By the time we finished it was all patched. The walls were more tight rather loose than they were before. Specifically made stalls for each dragon species if they ever need to be treated and caged if they’re too aggressive. I knew Ryun would never want to cage a dragon, but I knew wild dragons from the human experience. Wild dragons can be aggressive and scared, if Ryun wasn’t around and if it comes to a push and pull scenario I rather not be in harm's way.

I still had a long day ahead with nothing much more to do. As much as I wanted to go hunting after that family killer, I wanted to go after the one and only berserker chief Dagur, yet I held off. Ryun said it’s dangerous to go without anyone knowing you’re going, at least they’ll notice your missing if something ever goes wrong. As much as I hate it, he’s right, it would be a whole 2 days or 3 days before Ryun would notice my missing. If anything Ryun would blame himself if I was harmed in any way. So for Ryun’s safety, to keep him sane, and healthy I moved on for now, temporarily to be exact.

Instead I could help Ryun out on the chores now. I collected the dragon's evening shedded scales, placing them up in a pile. Next I collected water from the nearby stream, putting in the drainer supposed to get all the harmful substances out. Next I moved onto stacking up on the smaller woods, for the carvings Ryun would do when bored. 

I wiped my sweating forehead and moved onto ores, restocking every ore collection Ryun had. He kept it all near the forge, there has to be a better way to sort them. With the help of windshears sharp scales and shredding abilities I was able to make a few barrels, the first ones I hadn’t stolen. They were uneven, my inability to have the same delicate hands hiccup had when it came to carving talents was very obvious.

With the new barrels I sorted the ore, I may have made a few extra barrels for my own reasons. I began to pour in some supplies. Some very specific supplies that if it worked out could sell for a lot in the end. The supplies of alcohol, traveling merchants always wanted a bountiful amount to sell to nearby island chiefs for double the price they buy it. While they make more money in the end we wouldn’t need to waste time getting friendly with chiefs to sell the alcohol super expensive and have them unlikely to buy it. There are ups and downs and tricks in the markets and trading business that we couldn’t complain much about. That’s how it goes, traveling merchants had their purpose as did the northern market sellers.

The last thing to restock was the herbs, the hardest of them all. I only knew a few herbs which I had watched Ryun combine and mix into medicines. The only ones I knew I had learned from Ryun’s treating me, windshear, and other injured or sick dragons.

I searched the island only finding a few. It was hard work, learning where they grow, collecting them,storing them. As I had searched the island I still hadn’t found even half of them! I guess me and windshear could go out looking. It was still dangerous, the hunters could still be hunting nearby on other islands.

I took windshear, saddling her up in the saddle and we took off. Only the closest of the islands we searched, the old deathsong island. No new traps set up it seems, and no ships. Strangely, where had they gone, I still had to travel carefully.

I made my way, searching each close island I could until I was getting close to the northern markets. I could just stop by, I could go check on him. Just land windshear in the woods and search for him in the markets. Before I could even decide I saw an arrow almost hit us. I steered windshear up, hiding behind clouds. Dragon hunters, damn it they are here? At the northern markets the same time hiccup was! No, no maybe they’re just passing by and just happen to stop by.

I took a deep breath. They don’t know Ryun, they wouldn’t recognize him as long as he didn’t do anything stupid. With that thought of mind I turned me and windshear around, heading back to the dragon's edge. I had as many herbs I could find. This was ok, I looked up to notice the sun setting. Yep, it’s definitely time to get home. 

As windshear landed right next to Ryun’s hut, I jumped off. I stored the herbs away once more like I did with everything else. It was late, I guess time for bed. In the morning I can make Ryun some food. Wait what was he eating for the last few days, damn it he probably didn’t eat anything. That thin brother of mine needs more, he’s already skinnier than a twig.

I should train Ryun into fighting, he always said he fought with his right hand. Yet, every time I saw him work and draw he used his left hand. Maybe, I should ask why he doesn’t use his dominant hand, when fighting always use your dominant hand. Why didn’t he? Was he taught something different, something wrong? 

I wish he would trust me more. No he does trust me, he’s scared, I can see it when I look at him, when I see him flinch, jump and hiss. I can see it, the fear, the ptsd, i just don’t know what it’s from exactly, and sometimes I didn’t want to know. I know if I ever find out, I know if I ever learn the truth it could hurt more than help.

It would curse me with a rage. I didn’t want to think about it, what could’ve caused the sweetest boy to be so jumpy. Who could ever harm such a harmless angel. Did it make people feel better to hurt things that were just flowers? Flowers don’t hurt anyone, they’re sweet gestures of kindness, smell better, and are as pretty as a goddess. Yet, people throw and step around on them when angered. Who stomped my little white flower bouquet, who hurt them so bad that it’s hard for them to regrow. 

As we arrived back, I didn’t notice. I didn’t notice until Windshear pushed me off to make sure I hadn’t fallen off. I chuckled and climbed off her. My kind chuckles died in my throat. Thinking of Ryun, his mystery past, something in me didn’t want to think about it now. Yet, now it’s all I could think about. I’ll just try to sleep early, get it out of my head.

—hiccup Pov—

I woke up to the smell of Heather, and her cooking. I missed her cooking, she can make a 10 star meal from scraps. No offense to the girl Nicky, she made great meals at the tavern but nothing compared to Heather. I followed my nose, I bounced on in, like a cat bouncing between furniture and railings.

“Ryun, no jumping across furniture.” Heather scolded me without even turning to look at me as she flipped the sweet bread thing she had. She said they were called pancakes. I tried them for the first time a week ago. I learned they are this very sweet, softer, and warm bread, and taste great with syrup. 

I jumped into a chair at the small table that would at most hold 4 people probably. It wasn’t too big, it didn't have to be, it was just me and Heather that lived here, plus now we had separate houses, but I doubted we were going to eat separately. Mostly because of me, living with dragons made me also follow their behaviors a bit much.

Eat in groups, in order of ranks. There’s a role for every member. The alpha coordinates the whole pack. All dragons protect hatchlings and eggs. All dragons listen to the alpha. Toothless told me every dragon followed this rule. Except for one, she was a tyrant who didn’t bow to even dragons she lost against. The same tyrant dragon that tormented Berk with raids. As much as I didn’t want to ever kill a dragon, what was I supposed to do with a dragon like that?

I didn’t question it now. Now it was breakfast time, I mean I wasn’t doing anything today, I could think about it later. Heather tossed the last fluffy so-called pancake into my plate. 3 pancakes for each of us, big, round and fluffy. She drizzled it with some syrup, sugar, and cinnamon. As she placed the plate next to me I ate with my hands. Shoving it into my face, we needed silverware. 

Heather, unlike me, was much more gentle but took big bites instead of shoving it down. We finished up breakfast, I smiled at her, no teeth, just a gummy smile. She replied to my smile with her own gummy teethless smile.

I got up shoving my plate into a simple quick made sink I had carved from cutting out a box sized hole in some wood. As I put my plate down I suddenly saw something out he corner of my eye. I wasn’t too happy to see it. 

A map, a map with the markings and sigil from trader Johann. The trader literally trades with the chief of the berk, Stoick the vast himself. He may have found out about me and didn't snitch but something in my gut felt wrong. Each time, it’s not always but it’s only with him still, but we get more problems, maybe it’s panicked dragons, or dragon hunters hunting me, it’s always something, something smelt fishy. It’s not every time to the point we question if he’s evil or just plain old magnet for trouble, but it raises my eyebrows to say the least. I have never let him come near or even know the action of dragons edge, for a very good and safe reason.

So I knew seeing that trader didn’t just so happen to stop by, no, no she had to get that from him personally too. Meaning Heather didn’t even talk to me, granted I wasn’t here but she went out, without even telling me. Granted again 8 wasn’t here, but I worry,I worry so easy, what if Heather were to run into danger and get hurt. I didn’t want my older sister- no my fellow dragon rider to get hurt. So I knew Heather went out looking for the danger and problem primed trader. My eyes narrowed and I stared into her eyes, my gaze sharpened and serious, along with disappointment along them that kept them still looking ever so soft, which I hadn’t wanted.

“Look I wanted information on dagur, I can’t let it go, I’m not like you Ryun I hold grudges and they won’t leave.” Heather said as he rested her head on her arms burying it in them. She looked angry, tired, and sad. She was grieving, she grieved differently from me, but I didn’t lose my family so we had every right to grieve very differently. I took a deep breath and sat down across from her, just silence. She just needed acknowledgement and listening ears. Silence was the best cure right now, and I was completely fine with it.

Heather began to calm down, taking a deep breath, rubbing her hands together in a way to keep herself confident and warm. Finally she opened her mouth speaking of what she had gathered from trader Johann. 

“I went to go get Dagur's location. He escaped the outcast island to say the least. I was waiting for you to come back so we could chase after him. He moved from outcast island towards the fog, to a graveyard of ships where Johann keeps his treasure. I was thinking we could beat him to it with Toothless’s speed” 

I looked over, contemplating over the idea, over the words. I took a deep breath, Johann sometimes caused more problems than helping. Johann to be as far I knew I didn’t know how well I could trust him. He didn’t snitch me out for running away to Berk but rather kept my secret. Yet, there are times where times something doesn’t add up, when something just goes so far south that it feels too coincidental. 

I found myself agreeing, why I was a sucker for some good jewels. Keeping trader Johann also on good terms seemed the best idea as he didn’t have to keep me a secret. Maybe, I was just overly cautious and a big worry wart. I was just overthinking it, my intelligence did lead me to overthinking a lot, a common issue I had. I remembered when I spent weeks wrapping my head around a new mechanism for toothless tail but I had it finished in one day when I had just stopped thinking so hard.

“Fine. BUT. we need masks, just in case, we meet any other people that aint a war machine –censored dagur name–” I wouldn’t let my foot off on this, I was hard on a mask. After that close encounter with those strange people at the earlier deathsong island it was just too risky. There was also no way I was leaving without improving fly on his own tailfin for toothless and making a spare just in case too. I wasn’t taking any risks if we were being sent by trader Johann to a place. Never go unprepared when trader Johann sends you somewhere you better be prepared and have backup and backup supplies, or you might end up stuck for a while.

Heather pouted but nodded along as it meant we still got to go and she had a chance to get her revenge on Dagur. She was too obsessed but I didn’t do anything. She needs to learn on her own to let it go. It's not my place to try and tell her to let go of her family and forgive dagur in anyway.

I made my way into the forge to be shocked. It was bigger, it was a dream come true. A miracle of hard work from heather and the dragons I assumed. I began to work away using meatlug as my personal iron maker as gronckle iron and scales were the best choice for armor and helmets. I may, or may not want to make me and Heather full armor.

I first made our helmets to get a basic idea of what we want. I followed my sketches of toothless overall. I made it similar to toothless as I wanted, the scales sharper, a locking mechanism I had picked up from Gobber. As I moved onto the armor, it was mostly just metal coated with black scales from toothless. Which I had collected when he was shedding. I hadn’t sold the nightfury scales, lucky me.

I finished up the mask, next I moved on to Heather mask. I used the sharp scales and cutting edge weapons of silver from Windshear. Making it even sharp and more pointy than mine. I made sure to add a locking mechanism, I’ll have to teach Heather how to unlock it by herself. That was fine, I’d rather have safety, privacy. and security over comfortability.

I buried myself in the work moving on to make us suits, dragon suits. To be a dragon or at least look the dragon part. While I could have my own scales Heather not so much. Yet, while as much as I loved my own scales it would be best to have armor, just so if they ever caught they think they’re just normal riders, not some rare hybrid freak. I even went as far as making an extra set of wings, which could only glide probably but if it came to push and shove it could prove useful when my wings are tired or if I’m keeping them a secret for some reason.

I did the exact same things to heathers armor, even the gliding wings so she could fly a bit like me. After hours of working I had everything done. Heather's sharp razorwhip inspired armor and my nightfury inspired armor. I was so thin, the scaled armor looked nothing more than a light tunic if anything.

I pushed it down and far away. I grabbed the spare tail I had made toothless, and the new improved fly on your own tail. He was already waiting, licking under his scales like a cat cleaning up. He looked up as I threw his saddle on, and connected the fly on your own tail.

“Are we about to do something stupid.” Toothless roared at me, a disappointed but expecting glare. I gave a shrug, and a slight nod, knowing us, something's going to go wrong. Plus this wasn’t just them, this was trader Johann information meaning something was going to go wrong. Toothless sighed like I was giving him more gray scales.

Heather was saddling up windshear when I finally found her. 

“Your armor, my damsel?” I said with a huge grin she smiled back, teeth, teeth gentle for now.

“My my dear knight, thank you for bringing the lady knight her dear armor, as I’m no damsel!” She declared slipping on the outfit. It suited her quite well, the scales of a specific silver razorwhip. The declaration of love and power between us and our dragons, the scales were an honor of love and trust.

While the armor was thin and didn’t look very intimidating it was more practical. Its light weight made it easy for dragons, for movement, and flexibility. In terms of its thin nature I was able to leave some special features. Some for Heather and some open areas for my dragon abilities.

Heather’s suit had more features than open areas. The armor's hands had retractable claws, just in case she ever lost her axe. Of course there were the foldable glide wings that could connect to her arms. The boots are light, and dragon shaped, the dragon shaped boots would make it harder to track two humans. Her mask had an opening fang features, so if close enough sink gronckle iron teeth in as another resort

My armor on the other hand had more holes for certain things. My armors hands had holes to where I could sheathe and unsheathe my claws through. My mask also had the same fang features, even though I had my own, having some on the outside was good too. I also had two holes for my wings and where they sprout, I had retractable metal pieces to cover it up when they’re not out. I had the same dragon shaped boots too except they were more than and bigger, shaped more like toothless, and based on cats too. Since night furies and cats had flexible and great hunting skills.

—skip—

As we travelled through the fog toothless windshear and myself were on edge. We traveled through the thick fog not much to hear, except for the splashing of water and life inside the water I and the dragons could lightly hear. Heather and her subpar human hearing seemed to not pick up on it like us.

Something was in the water, they were big, and seemed to travel or hunt in packs similar to killer whales. Yet the movements of these things seemed slimey, this was no shark or killer whale.

“I don't like this place” I muttered outloud, looking over to Heather, who seemed completely fine with pushing on. As much as I loved her bravery, her bravery was turning into naivety. I growled as she tried to pass me, and so did toothless. She quickly fell back, having Windshear glide to stay behind us. 

“I get you’re on edge, but I don't think you need to growl at us and make us stay behind ya. There's jewels here we need to get them before dagur so we can set a trap” Heather argued, she was pushy and reckless, she was getting reckless thinking her revenge was at arms length. Revenge didn’t feel very close, something was off, I didn’t like the fog. I felt very unsafe, why did we ever listen to that damn Johann. Why did I ever agree to this in the first place, there’s always a twist with that trader.

I sighed, rubbing my mask in an attempt to rub my eyes. My mask was on, so no luck, I need to get used to the mask, this is ok. I just tightened my grip onto toothless’s saddle, my foot jittering and my ears twitching. I looked at every sunken ship we passed, observing and reading each one.

The symbol on their ships I didn’t recognize, I didn’t have to, I could figure out what they were. The ship's sails were old and tan, worn out with a red symbol. The red marking of their tribe was a dragon being stabbed it seemed. Dragon hunters, or some type of dragon hating tribe was my assumption. 

We kept moving through the uneasy fog, there was one big ship, I was curious. It hadn’t sunk yet luckily so I had toothless land on its desk. Heather did the same and I shook my head. “We should split up, but stay alert and listen to windshear. Us spitting up is more dangerous but maybe we can get this done faster.” I stated, trying for her to see reason and my understanding. She did and gave me a nod, and took right back off into the skies, or the fog rather, and headed to another ship.

Me and toothless walked through the ships design, cages made out of a blueish metal, it looked like a cheap version of my gronckle iron. Curious, I removed my mask temporarily, heating my mouth and shooting a light plasma blast. Even a light one can put an easy dent into almost any metal. Yet the cage showed no sign of break, or dents. These guys had to be hunted, and not just hunters of anything, hunters of dragons. I was a lot more uneasy. Toothless looked at me with growl, without talking I could understand that he wanted to get out. “Me too bud. Me too.” I muttered back in a few quiet grumbles and roars.

I looked to the floor and it didn't take long to find a hatch to the bottom deck. I opened it right on up. The floor covered in leaves below, I didn’t trust it. I dropped a spare snack I had from my bag onto the leaves. Snap, bear trap, I winced just watching it snap. I hope that was the only one. Toothless tried to follow me as I climbed down, I growled. If this was a ship belonging to hunters they probably had traps that could harm a dragon. I wouldn’t let toothless get hurt, I wouldn’t let anything happen to him, I wouldn’t allow that.

I left toothless on top of the dock's pacing. I made my way down, I got close to the cages to make sure to try and avoid any traps or triggered boards. My body stiffened looking into the cages. Dragon bones, they probably were trapped in this ship when it crashed and starved to death. I winced just thinking of their hunger, the pain they must have felt.

As I neared the end of the hall was a bedazzled looking door. Strange to decorate a door so expensive looking but I didn’t check. I opened the door and in the middle was just some weird cylinder object. I got closer to examine it. It was carved expertly, and was shaped to have a dragon-like head and mouth and some weird lens in its said mouth. I picked it up carefully, checking if anything was connected, to see if it set off a trap. Oh nothing, it didn't seem to be guarded so badly as I believed. I let out a sigh of relief before jumping.

The axe from above fell onto the desk, I’m going to assume that wasn’t some coincidence. I held the object tightly and bolted, suddenly arrows shot out of every place as I ran through halls, I used my shield for cover. I never leave without it, I used to cover myself as I jumped onto the ladder. I climbed out as fast as possible. I stuffed the new found object into my bag to hide it. I didn’t know when I was going to find dagur and rather not have his greedy eyes.. I wouldn't say greedy, no Dagur just wanted to have the upper hand when it came to opponents.

I remembered the young man vividly, when me and father would have to go to berserker island or rather when he also came to me. For the treaty signing ceremony between the berserkers and berk. Dagur wasn’t bad, he may have been insane but he didn't condone bullying on me. While I was rather small there were many things Dagur hated. The few were the thrill of his hunt being interrupted, traitors, and bullies. Plus the bullies gave him a reason to start fights under the cause of a good reason so he couldn’t be scolded without people seeing the irony.

Yet, I couldn’t forget we were on different sides now. I was no longer hiccup the runt, no, I was Ryun the dragon rider. Meaning me and dagur are enemies, meaning me and dagur now are no longer honorary brothers. Meaning when I see dagur, the ginger haired berserker won’t be protecting me any more, no dagur will be hunting me like the dragon I am.

As I pulled myself out of the underbelly of the ship, closing the latch behind me. I was met with a ginger haired Viking. Not only was I met with that but the once empty cage on the boat was filled with windshear and Heather, they had failed to take her mask off it seemed as she still wore it. Another proof was one of Dagur’s men was bearing the cuts from trying to slip past the sharp scales of the mask.

“Why hello dragon person.” Dagur taunted with a wicked grin. I wasn’t used to this, I was used to him calling me brother, this was new. I looked dagur in the eyes, silence covered us. 

“Do I know you from somewhere?” He suddenly asked, I was still as thin as a bone. It's possible Dagur felt like he knew me, yet my mask raised doubts if he knew me. I shook my head silent, I wouldn’t talk to him, I won’t talk to any dragon hunter or human. Maybe I’ll just act feral, full dragon, full dragonese.

I roared at him, just saying “hello Dagur.” Yet it only sounded like the roar of an actual dragon. Dagur jumped at my roar, rolling back. He was not the only one who did this; it was multiple of his men. You could guess they all agreed I was some feral freak by then. Just what I wanted, believe, and underestimate, I want them to believe what’s wrong. 

I don’t want to be known as human. If I’m going to keep dragons safe, I won’t be depicted as human myself. I want them to see something they’ll fear, Vikings think twice when they fear something. Rumors and fear spread faster than good work.

“Freak” he muttered under his breath, I didn’t take it personally, not yet at least, it was just an insult, Dagur would never say that if he knew who I was. Dagur would never insult me, he wouldn’t dare let anyone insult me in his line of hearing.

“We’re just here for the jewels, silver, metal, gold and all valuables, so move over dragon freaks.” Dagur said he was demanding me to step aside or fork over anything I had collected. I moved away and roared again, Heather going to have to talk for me if I want this charade to work. 

Luckily she picked up on the plan and spoke up. “He doesn’t know how to speak Norse. He only understands it.” Heather said, which caused dagur to look over at her for a second before letting out a loud sigh. 

“Ok dragon freak.” He cracked his knuckles to seem threatening. His knuckles were nothing compared to my claws. I held my hand up and unsheathed my claws, he flinched back. He wasn’t expecting that for sure.

“Just hand over whatever you found in there” he said muttering, he didn’t seem pleased to fight me just yet. Yet, dagur was still confident as he came. I didn’t want to hand over the cylinder dragon thing I had found. I shook my head with a low roar.

“He’s saying he has nothing. It was probably just a place to hold dragons, so just bones left behind” Heather said, understanding my play. Dagur seemed to shrug and grin broke out. “That’s fine, you guys might catch a better price on the market.” My eyes widened at his words, his men bolted at me. I growled. I lunged at one sinking my masked teeth into his throat. I had never fought except against bullies, but I usually had my ass beat when that occurred.

Now my improved dragon hybrid body hunted like a wild cat. My claws scratched into his skin leaving a bloody wound that’ll leave a scar. Another man tore me off the one I was on. My weight wasn’t much so grabbing me was easy. Didn’t mean I wasn’t going to fight back. I scrambled and one of my claws hooked into his eye. My nail digging into his eyeball and yanking it out. I could hear his devastating scream. I couldn’t even focus on the pain I was causing, I was fighting for my life. The eyeball on my claw I let go of, I could see the blood gushing out of his now empty socket where his eye had once been. He was crying, and yet no tears came from the right socket as there was no eye. Only a blood cry from the blood he had dripped out.

“Oh, you’re brother material..” muttered an excited dagur seeing the blood. He loved a good match, he loved a good Gorey mess. The only thing he didn’t like was that it was his men shedding the blood instead of me.

Dagur grabbed the remaining of his men going to flee. He turned to look back at me one last time. I was a panting mess, my new armor covered with the blood of Dagurs men. A mess I couldn’t quite see for myself yet, but I looked deranged and monstrous probably.

“This isn’t over. This isn’t over dearest brother!” I felt relieved to hear him call me brother. Maybe, when we meet again it won’t have to be a fight? I highly doubted it, but I bet if I tried I could convert dagur to our side. Just, not yet, not ready, I turned to Heather who was stuck in the dragon proof cage. I grabbed the rusted key, and opened it up.

“Let’s go Ryun, we can still catch him!” She declared as she was about to hop into Windshear. I grabbed her by her armor, my claws digging into the armor as I yanked her back.

“No, it was a tie this time. We leave it at that. Plus I got something we must learn about, so settle back down, we’re heading back to the edge.” As much as I wanted to go after Dagur too it just wasn’t right. He let us go, it’s only fair to do the same. I was all about playing fair, dagur had been an honorary brother. I couldn't see myself stabbing him in the back after he let us go. I don’t think I’ll ever truly be ready to face dagur again.

Me and heather rode home as we did she grumbled and cursed. I looked at the water my eyes going wide under the water I could see giant shadows of slime looking creatures. Giant eels thank god we weren’t too loud and hadn’t caught their attention. These giant eels must be why dragons fear eels so much. Giant eels we’re quite the scare and could probably eat their prey whole. I shivered as I looked at the shadows in the water before turning my head away to continue to flying.

 I noticed Dagur’s ship. We flew a good distance from it. We watched each other carefully, readying each other to break the silence and attack. Silence filling the air, and angry heather on windshear. “Don’t you dare, you could get yourself and wind shear injured.” She sighed, moving on, her blood boiling she wanted to curse Dagur out at the least I could tell by her eyes I’d seen those eyes on enormous they had been slightly different. It was always in the eyes of insulting someone.

We flew home finally, after a quick fly we made it home. I rushed inside my house looking into the new item. Heather hovered over me, curious about what I had hidden from Dagur. 

“What is that?” She asked me. I shrugged, running my hands over it, each rune seemed to be a class of dragons, interesting. As I ran my hand over some other runes it was obvious what they were.

“Dragon eye..” I said, slightly muttering it. Looking over the runes once more, it brought out my curiosity.

“Dragon eye? That sounds good, I vote we keep it” Heather said with a grin. While I was glad to have this and away from the hunter ship I was confused. Someone had to have made this, and a dragon hunter none the less. What worries me would be that they come looking for it, once they go to retrieve it from the dead ship.

As I looked it over, just in case I began to sketch it out on paper. I can rebuild my own design if I could get all of it sketched out and understood. Heather left me alone as I sketched and studied the so-called named dragon eye. My work was interrupted, or rather paused by a small terrible terror. I wonder what she had for me today, I saw a scroll in her hands. Hmm how interesting, I smiled at her, no teeth, never teeth, just a gummy kind smile.

Chapter Text

Hiddenstalk was a small terrible terror that I had steal things from Berk. Her scales were a brown and orange underbelly, letting her blend into Berks natural buildings, and the fire of dragons too. Mostly their mail to see how berk are doing. While I’m not one to usually care in the end this time it came to worry. Reading over the recent scroll Hiddenstalk had brought me. Berk was finally calling for help on the raids from none other than the dragon hunters and their chiefs? Wait chiefs? Hmm I made sure to note that down, there’s more than one leader of the dragon hunter tribe. 

As I read over the letter I muttered it out in dragonese so the nosy dragons hiding in the bushes could hear. While they were doing a terrible job trying to stalk me, I had to give them a scale for effort. If it had been anyone else, even Heather they would’ve gotten by and probably wouldn’t have been noticed, but a fatal mistake to try me, it’ll never work with my hearing.

‘Dear Grimborn tribe, the two heirs

I wish to consult your recommendation on looking for a wife with my chieftess if you allow trade among us. Not only trade but if you could kindly help us with our dragon problem. The dragons are becoming more frequent and aggressive. We do wish for your assistance and if you no longer wish for a wife we’ll pay you in gold and clothes we can trade. If you can’t at least help us destroy the nest, maybe you can just help us find it.

-chief berk, Stoick The Vast’

Dad- no stock the vast was getting desperate asking for help. None the less the dragon hunters. He always despised their method of capturing instead of killing all the beast. Yet, here he was, asking for their very help. Stoick hated dragon hunters to say the least he rather killed the dragons than trade. 

Stoick the vast always found it better to eliminate the winged beast than to trade. He failed to see their potential and worth. How much the meat could sell for, how much scales and gels sell for. They were just a pest to him, nothing more, nothing less.

I was going to do this. I was going to save those dragons. I was going to free those dragons from the queens control. It was finally time, and I had a plan. Yet, as they say plans never go as you plan do always have a backup. I should’ve made a backup but I didn’t have any more time. Who knows how long ago when the first letter was sent because it’s very hard for letters to make it to their source so usually Berk sends multiple letters to stop this very thing happening. For all I could know was the dragon hunters could be at berk looking for the nest. I didn’t have time to spare so I was going, no time to question or inform Heather.

Was it a mistake to not inform her, probably. Would it be my downfall? No way, I can handle myself. I could handle myself before Heather, why wouldn’t I be able to do so now. Confidence is key, to strive for greatness and success it starts with confidence.

I looked at heather hut, if I didn’t come back I deserved to let her know. I left a note on my bed for her, just in case I didn’t come back and get to say anything. With that I took off with toothless and the core gang which wouldn’t let me leave alone. They followed me and toothless back.

They followed us through the lands, oceans, and never ending feeling of fog we had first encountered when we ran away. It was a heavy heart to go back, and heavy work. We stuck to the smaller islands and hunted only fish. I made sure we stayed clear of berks normal fishing grounds so we didn’t run into one of their boats. Along with staying away from areas I knew was abundant in eels.

During our flight we met many runaway dragons, fleeing from the tyrant red queen. Nobody left their flock, none of them trusted us to take her down. They just wanted out of the area before it became a war, they talked about snapping from her control and hearing rumors the humans were talking by. 

Many of the red death dragons understood a good amount of Norse. They had picked more and more up each time they raided berk for food and listened to Vikings orders to calculate where to go next. Even when they had been under the queen's control they still had quite the brains still. I was glad to hear they escaped and could leave without fear and death hanging over their very bodies.

I didn’t even have to worry about them looking for the island now. Berk had given up and called for dragon hunters. There was no way they were going to go out anyway.

As me and the gang traveled the seas we rested on rocks we stopped by. One faithful morning we fell asleep on some rocks, be energized before the final battle. I woke up to hiding dragons and toothless staying as low as possible. We had slept during the day as night was our best cover with toothless. It was dark out, hard to see for normal humans but not me.

I looked into the dark beyond’s, into the dark seas and saw it. A ship, this wasn’t one of berks either. It must be dragon hunters. They won’t reach the island, only a dragon can find the island. It’s why I knew where I was going so perfectly. I could hear her call of hunger and a hypnotic feel to it. It felt like something was calling me to her too. Like an amazing voice that was promising a safe heaven but I didn’t count on it. Through her voice I could hear slight tones of ‘feed me’ and other such phrases like ‘serve me’ ‘give me your loyalty’

“Let’s go bud..” I muttered to him as I saw the ship. I didn’t want to take chances, we weren’t ready for them exactly. plus we had a dragon queen to dethrone and reason with. If we four, any of us got injured trying to immobilize the ship it could be our end. With that in mind and me and toothless openly communicating we both agreed. Off me and our small gang went continuing to the island. I was uneasy as we got closer her voice got louder and more hypnotic I refused to listen just tuning it out the best I could. It felt like I was being praised for something I loved, after never receiving any from my tribe. A cruel manipulation tactic to promise personal dreams of a person only to use them and not give them what you promise.

As reached the island the voice in my head was getting Harsher, more direct, and much more clear. Demanding my loyalty, demanding my heart, demanding of my wings and talons. I growled back, I wasn’t going to listen to her control, I was going to fight it. Me and toothless went inside personally just us first. First was to try to convince and beg. If the queen fails to see reason then we must eliminate her from the crown she had. 

“What’s this.” She declared poking her head out. A low but the loudest low growl I’ve ever heard that made the lava in the volcano shake. Her head poking out, all old and bad looking, she looked like the biggest dragon villain ever if there could be. If that was a dragon I dreamed that was a monster no matter the doubt it was her. Yet, I wasn’t one to judge on appearance. I used to believe all scaly and winged creatures were ruthless monsters. I had no right to judge her as I used to have no right to judge any dragon when I’ve failed to talk to them, failed to understand them.

“I haven’t seen a dragon born human for centuries..” she helped partially already, maybe, she could really change. She knew what I was, maybe she could be reasoned and I could question why I am the way I am now. Her skin was dark color and her face reminded me of a spider with her 6 eyes, and her wings seemed old and dusty. She probably hasn’t moved from the very lava spot she laid in for quite a while.

“You’ll make a great addition to my nest.” She suddenly said, catching me a bit surprised. What did I expect? I knew this was a nest, not only that. A nest with a queen noted to take all dragons in to get more food for herself.

“No. Your royalty is cruel, many of your servants are starving. Please hear me out. You don’t have to rule with your fear and power. You can rule with loyalty, with honor.” I tried to reasons with her but I fell down onto toothless whimpering. It felt like she wanted nothing to do with honor. She was a dishonor among dragons. I didn’t want to hurt her, I didn’t want to be a Viking, I didn’t want to kill a dragon. Yet the longer I tried to reason and refused to resort to violence her voice got louder. Her voice demanded of me. Demanding my honor and my work. She wasn’t planning to listen, she just wanted me to stay so she could put me under her spell.

“No! No! Stop it! I’m not yours to control!” I begged as I tried to cover my ears, I should’ve brought the earplugs we used with the death song a vital mistake which could be my last one. I’m an attempt to stop my dragon side I locked everything. I locked tre spot where my wings could come out of. I locked my mask, I locked everything of my armor, trying to maintain the human side of me. The human side of me must be stronger if I want to regain control. Toothless was struggling too, his pupils sharper too, much sharper than usual. 

We were losing if I had just been human if I had been just normal, maybe we could’ve defeated her. Suddenly my head stopped as a boulder broke the wall interrupting her hypnotizing voice. 

“Humans.. They shall pay!” She screeched like a wild banshee and her roar with the screech shook the whole volcano. With her deafening roar every dragon flew out even me and toothless took to the skies, of course I was on toothless’s back. We flew out just in time as she broke down the volcano's walls. The dragons were spooked and had broken free from her control, and are bolting, a good idea.

I couldn’t let her hurt them, they may be my enemy but I refused to have more life to take. I just have to take one life, it’s just one life to take for peace. I could do this, it doesn’t make me a monster for killing one bad dragon. One dragon can’t ruin the whole batch. Killing one thing won’t make me a killer.. or a Viking right?

I didn’t even notice when toothless landed on the hunter ship growling. I noticed what he was doing was a bit brave but foolish. I was staring at the man from the market. Viggo, he was a dragon hunter, and there was that bald man again.

Okay, just don’t talk, I winced hearing the queen's orders. Ok I have to forget my feral act. This was too important to deal with, and I just couldn’t.

“Stupid to come here.” I tried to reason by staring at them, my voice low, and tired. I was trying to fight the queen's voice as I tried to reason with the hunters.

“Well dragon master, we say otherwise. Quite a hefty dragon there would sell for a lot. All dragons here would sell for a nice price.” Viggo said he was trying to be smart and I hated it. Viggo and me both knew he didn’t know how to defeat a dragon that size

“Shut up. Leave her to me.” I said growling, he wasn’t going to ruin my plan b. I got low onto toothless saddle and took him to soar up. The core gang was lost in the chaos of fleeting dragons. Thank the gods they were busy and I didn’t have to worry about them.

“Seems like she’s got wings bud. Let’s see if she can use them.”

We divebombed hitting the queen's wings over and over again. She roared out at us growling and no longer her song going off. She was too mad and past hypnotic control, she wanted us dead now.

“I’ll kill you! I don’t care how useful you are! I’ll kill you!” She screamed at me, her roar deafening. I threw my mask to my side after unlocking it. I shot my own plasma blast with toothless as we took her down.

She began to spread her wings, her old wings dusty, and almost looked too tearable. Me and toothless took a harsh u-turn into the stormy dark sky. Yet, no storms, that was fine, we just needed its darkness. We owned the darkness, we owned the darkness as two black creatures of night. My face turned fully scaled and black to blend in with toothless and my scaled armor.

—Viggo Pov—

I cracked the code to find the nest finally. I had grabbed a terrible terror using a small cage. Each turn and fog we got pass. The dragon was leading us to the nest. Seeing the dragon eyes, the sharpened pupils, we have to be dealing with an alpha dragon. This was no normal nest, Ryker was right behind me, his eyes told the same.

“Brother. I don’t think we’re getting paid enough for this. There is something wrong here. Just earlier we saw a pack of dragons and they didn’t attack us. Dragons always attack when we get closer.” Ryker spoke, he was a hunter of dragons too. He was a stubborn Viking who didn’t dare run unless it was wise. Right now it felt real wise to run, even Ryker knew that. Part of me knew something was wrong too, but with that small mismatched flock we had seen was a rare dragon. A night fury, I didn’t get a good look, I just saw its silhouette through the fog fly away. 

Even with the danger we pushed on, that pack didn’t seem to belong to this queen. Something told me that, something told me it was the witch Ryker saw. The witch that could grow wings, and flew away. I wonder if she, or he was subject to this queen.

As we got closer to the island, the fog cleared up just barely. We docked, the place was terrible. The land was burnt crisp only rocks, dirt, and ash, no good land. In the middle was a large volcano, covered with ashes and claw marks. The nest, we found the nest, yet it made me uneasy and Ryker felt the same.

One of our men took an edge on his own. Sending a bolder hollering through the air. It hit the side of the mountain, making a hole in the side. Silence at first, before thousands of dragons rushing out. This was not good, dragons don’t flee a good nest without a fight.

As the volcano suddenly began to shake. It looked like it was about to erupt but that sound that came from within was not shaking. A roar of a giant monster, my hands tighten. We might be dead, our chances were the same as a sick yak surrounded by a pack of strong wolves.

Yet my eyes widened when I jumped back. A dragon landing on the decks and on its back a human shaped silhouette. Observing it now, it was very clear what was in front of me. A night fury, a wild dragon with someone on its back. The unholy offspring of life and death somehow tamed, how was it possible to tame dragons?

The figure took a minute to look over. He seemed hesitant like debating a problem and its consequences like I’ve done many times before. I stared into the dragon mask, made from dragon scales clearly. Does he wear the scales of his friends, I highly doubt he harmed dragons. So the scales must be from a dragon shedding, I always wondered if dragons could shed scales or skins like snakes. Maybe we can make more money from the creatures once we learn how they do it.

He spoke, not roars, he spoke like a person, he spoke Norse. “Stupid to come here.” Just a few words, but quite rude if I say so myself. Yet, it was true, any person who came here was stupid, so it wasn’t rude, but unfathomable. As monster people would never talk to me like that both as being a chief and dragon hunter. Yet this scrawny thing riding an unholy dragon of pitch black wasn’t afraid. No he was afraid, I could see his shaking hands. Yet, he wasn’t afraid of me, he’s afraid of whatever is in that volcano.

Then I saw it, it came crashing out enlarging the hole the boulder earlier made, it was giant, the size of a mountain. No wonder the kid was shaking. No wonder he was scared, I would be lying if I wasn’t worried for me and my men too.

Still, my honor and sass have no bounds. I always loved to play games with my prey anyways. “Well dragon master, we say otherwise. Quite a hefty dragon there would sell for a lot. All dragons here would sell for a nice price” I was being smart, I was playing a fun game. Even I knew I couldn’t defeat that dragon. I don’t know why I tried to play the upper hand I just did, and always will.

No I knew why, cause I had honor and sass above myself. No one could outmatch my intelligence, I wouldn’t be outmatched by this scrawny well, dragon rider.

“Shut up. Leave her to me.” The young thing, he was even growling like a wild beast. How interesting he was, I can’t wait. He’s going to try and fight the alpha. It’s like everything if I hadn’t even planned was going perfect. While he fights that massive alpha I can focus on capturing the fleeing dragons and even attempt to catch him once the battle is over. 

He got low on the black scaly dragons back, before soaring into the sky, like a bird shooting straight up. I saw him move his head. Looking at a small bunch of dragons. A small pack that wasn’t fleeing. I grinned, it must be his pack, so he ran with a pack of dragons like he himself was one of the wild beast.

“Ryker, order the ships to capture all fleeing dragons. Get that small pack over there too.” I studied the dragon pack, a brownish female gronckle, a small male green and lime terrible terror. Another terrible terror brown and orange, that one was female, a colorful blue and tan female nadder. The last two were males, a bright red colorful monstrous nightmare and a zippleback that was greenish and yellowish underbelly. 

I continued to watch the nightfury and its mystery rider. They divebombed the queen. They shot multiple plasma blasts at time, still very strong. If my eyes were any worse I’d say the rider was firing plasma blasts too, but that was impossible. That was impossible even for a witch like him or her.

The attacks seemed to anger the alpha. The dragon let out a devastating roar. I grinned, this was like a show, and I loved to watch the little rider, the little witch.

I watched the queen tear her wings up, dusted and old wings, looked too short and thin to carry her weight but it did. I watched the rider and dragon duo make a sharp u turn mid air to get the queen chasing them. They soared for the dark sky. Clever boy, going for the darkness, to use the nightfury darkness and speed to their advantage.

“I know that look. You want him” Ryker came from almost nowhere, I was just zeroing in on the rider so I probably didn’t notice. I chuckled at Ryker's words, I did. I wanted this interesting witch.

“They fascinate me.. if they can control dragons that aren’t alpha they’ll still be a helpful companion to control.. imagine how much easier it would be to transfer the wild and uncontrollable dragons.” I said, rambling a bit to my brother, my hands pointing at the sky which was filled with only strikes of purple from the fight going above.

“We got that pack you wanted. Any specific reason you wanted them” a random hunter informed me ruler looked over too. Both of them hadn’t put together why. What did I expect none of them rivaled my intellect. No, I need a true, intelligent, and worthy adversary which I was yet to find. 

“The rider looked back at them, I’m assuming it’s his well dragins or flock” I said like it was the most average conversation ever. Ryker just stared at me blinki my all hard before letting out a chuckle. His hand reaching out to gently squeeze my shoulder.

“That’s my baby brother noticing the smallest things, and  most important details” he said, praising me, which I didn’t mind. I had to notice every small detail because any detail can be important. Every detail counts to play and win the game.

Suddenly I saw it. The fire stricken dragon and the nightfury divebombing. What are they doing? They’re going to crash! My eyes widened watching the rider and dragon duo diving to the ground. Suddenly they flipped, and a once single shot fired into her mouth. 

She tried to spread her wings but they tore against the pressure. Gravity was against the giant queen, I watched as her body went up in flames. A waste of resources I would say. It was a shame to see all those scales meat get destroyed by her crashing fire. Money being burnt up all at once.

—hiccup Pov—

The fire was creeping up a danger restless trying to take us. Toothless tail had been destroyed in the sky just moments earlier. My foot severely burnt, having a harder time pressing it into the mechanism I used to control toothless’s tail fin. I fought on though the pain, ignoring my charred foot and kept pressing it, kept using the metal mechanism, yet there was no tail to flap.

I know what I had to do. With a heavy breath and slight worry and panic, and pain I unhooked myself from toothless’s saddle. We were nearing the end of her tail! One last chance to save at least one of us. My lock mechanisms on my armor were stuck. I didn’t care, I was willing to die for toothless. 

I took out the spare tail from the saddle bag I had. I slowly lowered myself down using my tail to hand from the unaware toothless. I carefully place the fly on your own tail fin on toothless. I yelled in pain, a gut wrenching pain as I felt my back hit the harsh and nubby rocky texture of my body ramming into her tail. In my shock of pain my tail unraveled weakly from around toothless waist in pain. I had lost grip, and I fell.

It felt like everything was a blur suddenly. Like everything was in slow motion my eyes flickering in and out. Was I dying? Am I going to die? I could see the blur of the black figure chasing after my falling body. The dragon hunters, no, no if toothless stays by my side he’ll fight them to the ends. I won’t have him captured. I tore at my own armor as I fell, tearing it off my own back, spreading my weak wings but I was still plummeting. Doing the exact same thing the old queen tried. The wings just winced and nearly tore against the air, useless. I’m useless, and I’m going to be the cause of my best friend's capture. No I wouldn’t, I let out a sound I didn’t know I could make.

A hypnotizing song, a song of control, a song of order and obedience. “Leave me, go home, inform Heather.. please” I spoke in dragonese but this wasn’t a simple ask. No this was me begging, this was my forcing my order. With my order toothless eyes sharpened, the pupils went like slits. With that the dragon flew away. I need to land on my own, I can’t rely on toothless. I maybe can’t use my real wings, but I grabbed the flight material connected to leg armor, and connected it to the armor. It hurts so bad but I need to survive and I’ll survive.

It wasn’t working, in a sudden change of events I felt something soft when I landed. Strange, huh, everything is so blurry. I think a nap is good, yeah a quick nap.

Chapter Text

I felt warm, something soft, but no scales. Where’s toothless? Where am I? 

Why is everything so hot? 

Why does my leg hurt so much? 

My legs hurt a lot, like someone is torturing my leg and tearing it from its bone, like someone was burning it to a crisp. I tried to move it but I couldn’t feel it move. Maybe my leg was asleep? I woke up, I woke up in a bed, but it wasn’t my bed?

I tried to sit up, it hurt. As I sat up, straightening my back, everything felt sore. My back felt like I had been leaning all day, but I couldn’t pop it to let out a cry of relief. I didn’t like it to say the least. Everything just felt painful, wrong and off. That’s when my ears became mine again.

I could hear, what was once just muffled was now full volume. A very overwhelming lot of sounds, it was giving me a painful headache. Cries of dragons, dragons screeching in pain, the sounds of waves splashing, the sounds of too many footsteps, the sounds of someone shouting orders, more sounds of crying dragons. 

The dragon cries felt like they were right in my ears, they sounded so sad and painful, crying about wounds they had. Begging for help yet only other wounded dragons responded, the idea that was no help, hearing them wounded me. Their cries weren’t helping with my worry and confusion.

I stiffened up as I opened my eyes, I was expecting to be blinded by the sun but no. As my eyes adjusted, and the blur was gone I noticed I was in a room. I steadied myself, I could feel myself sliding around, like there were turns every second. I must be on water, on a ship, but whose ship was on, I didn’t have a ship. Last I knew dragons didn’t really know how to build a ship, they didn’t know how to use a hammer much less make a whole floatable ship for all the cries of the dragon I could hear. 

The unsettling cries I could hear chilled me more, I was cautious, I looked around the room. It was empty, there was a lot of herbs all over on a desk that was hammered into the ship floor. Smart so it doesn’t slide around during sea. I steaded my feet, throwing my legs from the bed onto the floor.

I was silent, this wasn’t good. Now I had to be on an enemy ship. The only ship there had been near the nest was the hunters, it would explain the cries of dragons I heard. Not only was I most probably an enemy ship, I didn’t have the best chance of running. There, as I looked down a missing foot, it had gotten burned during the fire. I remember the pain, the hurt, the feeling of my charred foot shifting into toothless’s metal mechanism.

It must’ve been beyond saving, I hoped that was the case anyway. I didn’t want to think the hunters would try to disable me in a way to weaken me. The idea, the problem, it all seemed probable. I stood up the best I could. It felt like my foot was there but it just felt painful more than anything. I couldn't even push my foot onto the floor to ease the pain but the foot wasn’t there to ground the pain.

It hurts a lot but I move on, I have to go. I couldn't stay here, I wasn't going to wait for someone to find me awake. No, I wasn't going to wait for the leader of this group to lock me up.

I moved on, I used the wall for support each time I nearly fell. As I opened the door, it hadn’t been locked which was good for me. As I moved out, I saw who had been guarding the door, looking towards the chair in the corner. The guard was fast asleep, humans, always so lazy and unreliable, except for a couple few. Men like him are how prisoners escape, prisoners like Dagur.

I stumbled, I kept close to the wall still, as I walked the hallway suddenly felt my hand slide into a hole in the wall. As I looked up I was met with cages, dozens of cages. A dozen or so dragons too, my heart seemed to freeze. As I looked at them all, many of them carried scars from axes, arrows and other such wounds. Their once loud cries had stopped, they all seemed to look at me.

I let out a shaky and tired sigh of breath that I didn't know I was holding, I looked at the dragons again, as I looked over each dragon one by one, there at the end I saw a familiar bunch. It was the core flock, it was all of them! Stormfly, hookfang, Hiddenstalker, meatlug, sharpshooter, Barf, and belch. I was shocked to see the dragons, and surprised. They had gotten caught, I knew for a fact that this was a dragon hunter ship. 

This could be no Berk ship, I was looking at the cage my hand rested on, inside was nothing. The only empty cage left on the ship it seemed. I questioned why this was the only empty one, was there a changewing in here I just couldn’t see?

“I see you’re up our dear alpha” a voice said, I recognized such a voice. I jumped and glared, staring at the silhouette standing in the hallway doorway. The guard who'd been asleep in the corner on the chair jumped awake. His eyes went wide seeing the figure in the hallway door, and me as an escaped prisoner he was probably supposed to watch.

I looked at the figure, the very same figure I had seen at the market. I was uneasy, my hand twitched, I stared at him. He stared back, just silence, the guard who'd been sitting in the corner avoided eye contact, like a dog who knew they were in trouble. 

“Would you join me for breakfast oh dragon master?” He suddenly asked me, I didn’t know exactly what to do. I glanced at the injured dragons in the cages, before glaring at the man. I had talked, we had traded. It disgusted me, causing my stomach to turn. To turn in a bad way, a way that felt like instead of butterflies it was like a gut wrenching monster in my intestines that tore to get my heart, and mess my insides up.

Yet I knew better, if I was to get out of this faster I gotta play nice guy. I just gave a quiet nod, small non verbal agreement, trying to catch if he questioned it or rather rolled with it. He seems to not care moving on. I looked at the guard in the corner who was fuming. This would be the last time I saw him hopefully, he seemed annoying to deal with. I followed Viggo quietly, his frame smaller than most of the men. This made it hard to lose him, yet so easy to lose him among these large men at same time. 

It wasn’t a far walk anyways, we just went to his personal room. I glanced at every possible escape exit, just to note it down. I knew I couldn’t quite escape but like a game you plan ahead before you make any moves. Well, that’s how I played games anyway. 

“You know there’s two ways to lose a game. Believe what isn’t true. Or refuse to believe what is.” The man suddenly spoke his voice seemed more creepy than the time at the market. I felt uneasy standing just behind him. It was better than being in front probably I guess. No, no it wasn’t cause as I turned to look back at the door I was met with a bald man.

“Your bald man from the song island” I blurted out accidentally without thinking. I went really quiet as the man looked down at me. Studying me now that he wasn’t chasing me. Now that I was right in front of his eyes. It was probably, No. Definitely a sore sight for him to gaze upon me.

I wasn’t some pretty little gem. I was tiny, too thin to be any healthy, scrawny pile of fish bones. My long hair was a bit tussled and knotted needing a brush, some the ends had been burnt ruining its once silky feel that took me weeks to achieve. It felt like any work I had made in the past weeks to improve had gone down the drain.

All the scars I had from the bullies were all healed. Now in place of those scars were small burns, nothing serious and with time those will heal too. Yet it felt like the healthy working of letting my body get better was useless. I felt disappointed in myself no matter what I couldn’t keep my body to myself, to keep it healthy.

I didn’t want him staring, I didn’t even fully know how and I looked now. After the fight with the queen I probably looked worse from the small things I could feel.

I moved in trying to ignore the small, or rather large fact that the tallest man on this ship was standing right there behind me. I was lead right to a table with food. I didn’t quite know where to sit. I was a prisoner, father never let prisoners eat with him. Much less did I eat with him myself, so I was a bit clueless.

Ryker noticed my pause, he suddenly pushed me nearly causing me to trip. I did trip but he caught me with his large hands, they reminded me of my father. Wait, don't think of him, as I looked at Ryker as he caught me his eyes were wide. He hadn’t expected something so simple and weak push to topple me over. He was no gentle giant but he wasn’t a monster, I didn’t know quite yet, I needed more into their character, their beliefs to judge more harshly.

“Brother, be careful with our small guest.” Viggo said as he saw him catch me from hitting the floor. His eyes seemed strategic, he reminded me of trader johanns eyes except they lacked the fake empathy, and maybe some other things. His dark eyes, I didn’t know how to feel about them now, they’re just eyes but they almost made him look soulless. Yet, behind those dark eyes seems to be a soul, a soul who’s only known eyes of business unlike my eyes of what has learnt the wild.

“Just sit there kid.” The man called Ryker seemed to grumble as he pointed towards the seat in the middle. The seat that was right between the ends. I moved over sliding into the chair, glancing between the two brothers. They reminded me of, none other than me and my father. They barely looked alike, they only shared the same eyes and skin. Maybe it’s because Ryker was bald and I couldn’t see his hair color which made me question it.

“You seem to control the dragons.. care to explain that. Dear dragon master?” Viggo said as he stabbed his fork into what I hope was just yak or chicken, or literally anything else but what I thought. I looked at the meat on the table, I really hoped none of it was dragon. I dreaded to even attempt to put it between my tongue and teeth.  To taste its flavor and be proven wrong and it would taste nothing like the meats I found fine. 

“I don’t control anything, they follow me. They are intelligent creatures.” I argued, my argument didn’t go quite so well with what the two hunters were to be noted. Viggo's once curious expression stayed curious, just short tempered, his brow lowering. Ryker on the other hand didn’t care, he just rolled his eyes with a tired sarcastic look, believing I seemed to be telling lies. Neither of the two brothers had seemed to believe my truth. As the hunter said, there were two ways to lose a game. To believe what isn’t true, or to refuse to believe what is. Maybe, just maybe this was that instant, maybe this was the only chance. 

Play them like a fiddle. They won’t believe my truth, fine, I can work with that. I’ll play not only the lies but the truths too, and mix it all up so they couldn’t discover which was which. I won’t let them learn, I can’t let them. I was going to protect the dragons at all cost, nobody, nobody but me and Heather will be allowed to ride and aid them. I didn’t need them, I didn’t need to change them.

‘They’re hunters for god sake! There’s no way I could change two chief of a literal dragon hunting tribe's mind! No way! Why should I even attempt it? I won’t attempt it, no way, I need to keep the dragon's safe, that’s my first priority. If I could change their mind on my plan to keep the dragons safe, I guess that’d help. No way would it actively try to change them. I shouldn't, right? Hunters, they just want to hurt them, I’ll never let them hurt my friends!’

My thoughts, those I kept to myself. Viggo's eyes seemed to stare me down, dig into my soul, dig deeper trying to study me. I stared back for a solid second, challenging his stare. I wasn’t some runt about to back down, I’m not berms heir no longer. I’m not associated with the weakness I once had, I could stare him down too.

—Viggo Pov—

The kid interested me was one thing to say. Not many people caught my interest yet he did despite it all. He wasn’t even trying, he wasn’t some annoying girl or man trying to get close, no he was just a scrawny kid, who now only had one foot. Maybe it was for the better because the kid was missing the limb. If this kid had been able to outrun my dearest brother it would pose a worry.

Maybe it was the fact he was staring me down with no fear. The kid seemed to be either foolish or fearless. Yet, it was foolish to not be cautious but he did show caution at the same time. He’s showing his bravery without acting out on a sudden thought. I had always found kids one minded, and well doing actions without thinking. I figured this was because they weren’t grown, this kid had to do the same. Yet, at the same time, he didn’t seem to do it as often as I see many kids do it.

My first question had been about how he controlled the dragons. Yet the kid didn’t say, no he just said he did no such thing. Which I knew was a lie, there was no other way. Dragons were simple creatures, that’s why they could move like a hive of bees, they were simple creatures that worked in a nest and listened to a queen. Dumb, scaled, winged animals, creatures that follow only the control of an alpha. 

Which brought the question: how could this kid command such wild beasts? This kid had to be an alpha of some kind, but how does a human become an alpha? How could I gain this power, I need to squeeze it out of the scrawny boy. Yet, not with violence, my dear dragon kid didn’t seem like the one to betray his friends to end pain or even to save his own life.

That’s ok, I’m ok, I’m fine with playing the long game. Patience and strategy is how you win any game of cat and mouse. My case is about a hunter and a dragon boy I guess. We continue to play nice for now, until I find a way to get it out. To break it out of that head of the scrawny boy.

“What’s your name?” I asked as I placed a bite of food in my mouth. I wasn’t stupid it was just yak. If I fed the kid dragon meat he’d probably start a fight. I rather not give the scrawny green eyed youth another reason to hate or not trust me. The boy stayed quiet for a minute, he didn’t seem too used to talking to people. Did this kid seriously only live with dragons?

I stuffed a vegetable into my mouth, chewing it down awaiting the boy's answer. Ryker seemed to be getting impatient I could tell by his damn eyes. His eyes twitching and his teeth gritting. Time to break this up before it goes south.

“May we acquire your name. Not much we can do with a name.” I asked again, the boy yet again didn’t respond right away. That’s fine, he’s scrawny, he reminded me of a girl. An evil plan settled, rather than an evil, just a tactic to get the kid to speak.

“Ok princess, don’t speak, that’s fine. Princess-“

“It’s Ryun!” The young boy shouted quite loudly and interrupted my attempt to finish talking. A small smile came out from my lips, not too obvious just the curve of my mouth at the end. That’s fine, the boy might be smart or whatever but he didn’t rival me. I doubted he even noticed my subtle grin.

“Ok. Hello dear Ryun.” I said with a comforting tone. My grin had fallen and I replaced it with a slightly forced big smile. He seemed to sink into his chair as I bared my teeth with my smile. Did he not like my teeth, hmm, was he really just that. No longer human, he acted like a wild beast, if he was truly a wild beast he took my teeth as aggression. I let the forced tooth filled smile fall, he relaxed if you could call him just straightening up in the chair relaxing.

I looked at him. If I hadn’t made it clear before I couldn’t ignore the skinny figure. God this kid needed to eat more. I pushed a plate I had filled up, towards his seat. Being friendly was better anyways, how else would I manipulate the boy. I need to keep him isolated, dependent on me, that way I can learn the way. Learn the way he controls those damn winged beasts.

He hesitated, I knew the very reason why. Well I believed I did and that’s all I needed. My belief and intelligence, I just gave him a brief closed smile.

“Just yak.” I said as he looked up at me when I spoke. I hoped he would listen and believe my words, probably didn’t matter either. If he trusted it, that was a good step, if he didn’t he would get hungry soon, and if he refuses he’ll get weak. The kid seemed to remind of a cautious cat, hesitant to take the love and cherish I was giving him. It was odd, I had always heard children are usually clingy. Maybe, it’s because he was a teenager, the people say they usually go through a phase. Especially in those hormonal teenage years, everything goes wild.

 Granted I never did, but I’m not like them, I’m not like normal people, I was an outcast in my own ways. Which I’m fine with, just means I need to focus more on learning their behaviors. Maybe I could ask Shafe, he has 3 kids, two of them are teenagers. Maybe he’ll know more about this, getting some info from a man with person experience seemed to be my best bet. For now, I’ll play the cards I have until we throw him back to bed. 

I suddenly heard the chewing, the uhh, the dragon behavior I would say. He didn’t even grab the utensils and went straight to tearing a piece off and taking a big chunk. Yet, it wasn’t that bad I guess, as long he ain’t eating anything raw. This scrawny dragon boy, I feel like is going to cause a lot of controversial opinions and issues when we arrive home. I much less want to hear what father has to say about him.

I looked out the small window. Watching the waters splash around. Trying to ignore the ravenous hungry boy scarfing down his plate just right across from me. Maybe if I didn’t look, I’ll not be the next thing he bites into out of his unquenchable hunger.

—hiccup Pov—

As I finished scarfing down as much food as I was offered, it was probably a bad idea, they could’ve poisoned it, yet, deep down I knew they didn’t. Why save me just to poison me later?

I knew they wanted me for something, I assumed for the dragons. I mean the man had literally asked me how I controlled them. So they wouldn’t kill me, not yet, not without trying to extract any information. So I’m fine, I’m just a very lavish prisoner right?

Don't forget that! Don’t forget it, I can’t forget it. These men were hunters, they hurt, they torture, enslave, and I refuse! I refuse to help them.

So if I’m forced to stay here, I’m going to take advantage of it. Plus if I were to ever have a chance of escape, I better stay healthy, full, and have tons of energy. Flying takes a lot of energy, and if I wanted to attempt an escape with that I would have to make the escape plan perfect. I rather not reveal my secrets unless I’m forced too.

As I finished up the last of the fruit I felt a hand reach towards me. I could feel the sense, the air change. I jumped as he had been reaching for the back neck. The very same way Snotlout would do, would do to squeeze and tear into. I only let the dragons touch the back of my neck, they rarely even did it unless they were picking me up. So I got a little spooked. I tried to dodge the hand. I made it worse. The man’s eyes hardened when I skidded across the room and threw the chair into him. The chair was way too light and too easy, so without thinking I may or may not have thrown it into the bald man.

“You little brat!” He yelled as he pushed the cracked chair to the side, about to lunge at me. Viggo stopped his brother, putting his hand towards me. Crouching, trying to seem non-threatening I believe. Trying to win my trust I believed, I didn’t trust his hands at all. Yet, to avoid his brother I hesitatingly took his hand and pulled myself up to my two feet. I had jumped away onto my four feet, defensive in a corner. Now I was on two feet, still in a corner for a bit.

“Now brother. Let’s not scare our new guest..” his sentence seemed to trail off. Making note that I was listening. Deciding not to finish the other word he was going to say. I’d take a wild bet it was ‘yet’ I was wary and didn’t trust them, so yeah.

Ryker seemed to growl. Instead of him leading me back, it was Viggo. Not fully trusting his hothead brother. I’m glad I had no siblings, I would hate to have an idiot for a brother. Maybe I was being harsh since they were dragon hunters.  You know what? I don’t care anymore, dragons are my life, and Heather, but other than Heather being the one exception dragons were my life. Any animal and dragon has never hurt me as bad as any human has, so why, yes why, why should I trust humans. Yes I’m repeating myself, I know I am. 

—flash back sequence—

“Dad.. are you busy” a small hiccup asked as he opened the house’s large door. His father was quite busy, he was the chief. Why did hiccup bother to ask, his dad used to make time for him. Wait no he didn’t, his dad just wasn’t so busy a few years ago when he was just a toddler.

He didn’t receive any answer. Hiccup looked around the house. Alone, he was alone once more, his father was still at the great hall probably drinking his beard off. While his father was drunk as he’d say, Stoick was one known to lose track of time and come home reeking of alcoholic beverages from beer, or wine. Hiccup didn’t know which, and honestly, he stopped caring. Hiccup one night, just one goddamn night to his father cooking him a big meal. Noting down all his bruises, listening to him talk, listening to his cries. Listen to his weak goddamn hiccup of a son! Yet, that was wishing on a star that would never come true.

Maybe, maybe hiccup is just a teenager, just a stupid boy going through an emotional wreck. Yes, all this dramatic outburst was a cry of attention and distraction from hormones. Just let yourself believe that hiccup, he knew he didn’t but he really tried to. He’ll just try again next week, maybe next week Stoick won't be so busy.

——-

Hiccup found himself quiet again, darkness where he wished there was light. God he would rather be blind than sitting in this darkness. No Stoick, no meal, and no way was he going to the great hall for food. Snotlout always interrupts his eating and nearly causes him to choke multiple times. He hated the feeling of choking; he was so sick of it! The feeling of choking on food, it felt like something was suffocating him from the inside when he choked. The one place that felt safe from the bullying but it wasn’t, no it wasn’t safe one bit.

Hiccup found himself curled up in his room, drawing the nighttime bugs he could spot. He watched a shadow fly by, how he wished he was just a bird. A bird or a dragon, something with wings that’s for sure. If he had wings he could fly far away, far away from Berk. He wouldn’t stop, he’d keep going until he found a new tribe to call home.

—

No father, that’s fine maybe next week? Maybe his fathers is really busy. Yeah, just busy, that’s ok, he has the tribe to worry about. His father always said the ‘worry over the many was to be considered over the few.’ Hiccup just so happens to be the only one with this issue. So stay quiet, he’s the few, he can live like this.

 It’s ok, cooking is not just a woman’s job he can learn. Maybe he could ask Snotlout mom, the woman was kind and was all for teaching young men the ‘womanly’ or ‘feminine’ skills. I mean the woman had taught Snotlout himself how to stitch in multiple ways and how each stitch helps different things. So she could teach him to cook for himself, for when Stoick wasn’t home. Which was becoming too often, and hiccup was getting thinner.

—-

As he arrived home, no father again. Perfect, he’ll go out looking for that nightfury he shot down! Heading out just the back door of his house

—

No father still. Huh, he was gone for hours, he’d even found and released the nightfury. Yet, they hadn’t noticed his absence, he wasn’t even here to note he wasn’t there for a solid few hours. That’s fine, his father said he had a meeting to conspire to look for the nest. Not like they ever find anything they just bring back injured and less weapons, ships, and such.

—

No father again, maybe this no father wasn’t so bad. Finally he could appreciate it. He doesn’t need his father now, he has toothless now. Spending hours with toothless without the worry of being caught was so much better. So maybe, all these years of yearning for him to be home had paid off. 

—end of flashback.—

I couldn’t even depend on my own father to at least come back at a reasonable time. Why should I trust this new and probably worst adversary I had. He’s way too smart, he’s manipulative, he’s too many things that I just couldn’t trust. That’s fine, I’m fine with that, but would Viggo be ok with him distancing away?

—Viggo pov—

I led the young boy back to his temporary cell. The safest place to keep the kid locked up without him trying to escape easily. The boy seemed quiet, very quiet, he didn’t talk much that was noted. He didn’t trust me, that was very obvious. I didn’t blame the kid, I wouldn’t trust myself either. Didn’t mean it didn’t annoy me, I need this kid to trust me. Yet trust only comes with time. I can play a time game, I can play nice. 

I’m perfectly fine playing this game. I only wondered would this brown hair dragon boy be fine playing my game too. Or would my dear boy be a failure to my expectations. I guess that’s the fun part, I guess I’ll have to wait and see. I smiled as I opened the tinted blueish metal cage door.

“Sorry my dear, you still are a prisoner. Maybe we can upgrade your accommodations if yer a.. good boy” I said, maybe a good boy praise would hit. It didn’t, I need to figure out what makes this kid click, what makes him flinch, what makes him relax. So much more ever to learn and study in this single itty bitty green eyed scrawny boy.

I just let out a smile. Stay nice, stay calm, this is fine. I didn’t expect to get anywhere from one day, this is fine. I had wished I had gotten more, but that’s ok. I need to be patient is all. The boy curled up into the corner of the cage, his green eyes like acid from a changewing, burning into my every movement. I shrugged and just smiled back. With that smile I waved him a Good bye and made my way around and disappeared towards my quarters.