New Lands and Pastures Anew

Disclaimer: On the exception of my own plots and OC's, I own nothing. All copyright and property belongs to Cressida Cowell, Dream Works and Disney.

A single Rider and Dragon sped across the ocean, occasionally the pair would perform a spin or some other graceful aerial acrobatics, going where no one goes, slowing for no one. Hiccup and Toothless were on a long range recon mission for Berk, flying solo. Since peace had been made between Berk and the Outcasts, mediated personally by the Pride of Berk himself, the seventeen year old Viking found himself being kept busy fulfilling the terms and conditions of the peace treaty. Helping Alvin and the Outcasts to train Dragons on Outcast Island, as well as conducting the Three Year Plan for both Berk and Outcast Island. Even two years into this Plan, there was still plenty of work to do, so what little spare time Hiccup had was spent with his Dad, Astrid and flying with Toothless. Today had been his day off, Hiccup had decided to invest it wisely and carry out one of his many hobbies. Flying all day on his Night Fury and exploring new lands, adding them to his growing map, almost like a collection. He had gotten up early, shared breakfast with Stoick and had spent a few hours with Astrid and their fellow Riders. The pair also made sure they had some alone together, no longer feeling the awkwardness and embarrassment that the two had felt when they had first began their relationship two years ago. The Pride of Berk had wanted the his Lady to join him, unfortunately however, she was busy with chores at home and could not. They parted company with one last kiss and a warm hug.

Back in the present, he missed her company already. The journey could be long, even riding a Dragon as fast as Toothless, cutting days of sailing into mere hours of flight, there was no guarantee if land would be discovered. So the presence of the Hofferson and her Deadly Nadder would have been comforting and reassuring. Toothless gave a small warble, bringing his Rider out of his thoughts.

'What is it Bud?' Hiccup questioned.

The Night Fury gestured to ahead of himself.

'Great job Bud,' his Rider said, leaning forward and patting the Dragon on the side of his head.

Before them was land. It was green, riddled with rocky hills and mountains, populated by forests of healthy green conifer trees. A suitable resting place if any to take a break, recharge and explore.

'Let's go Toothless,' Hiccup remarked, shifting his leg and adjusting the flight gear.

The pair landed with grace in a small clearing near a flowing river and the Viking dismounted. Both quenched their thirst, Hiccup filled up his water skins, and began gathering firewood. Within the hour, Hiccup had a fire going and was sharing a meal with Toothless, enjoying a serving of cooked fish and rabbit he had caught successfully with his bow, his accuracy improving each day. Sitting propped up against Toothless's resting form, Hiccup felt the morning's activities catching up and he closed his eyes to rest for a moment, before his exhaustion took him and he slipped into slumber himself.

She had seen some black speck in the sky far off in the distance, so she had decided to investigate. She had had to gallop her horse for over twenty minutes, eventually reaching a forest. She knew this land like it was the back of her hand, so she knew whatever it was that she had spotted would be somewhere in the clearing just beyond the woods. The woman slipped from her horse and harnessed her weapons and, leaving the horse at safe distance, she entered the undergrowth.

She moved with caution, the woman had done this many times, stalking and killing game for the banquets and family feasts. The lady crawled with stealth towards the clearing. She was amazed by what she saw before her. She saw some sort of weird creature, she had never thought would exist, only in myths and legends. It's vast wings lay folded on its back, its long tail moving across the floor as it slept its deep sleep, one of its tailfins black, the other of a red and white material. Leaning against the side of this creature was person, a man, himself asleep. She stalked forward, getting a closer look. He looked completely different from any other men she had encountered. He was tall and lean, she could tell even with him laying against his 'steed'. He was encased in a suit of brown leather and black metal armour, a bow and sword lay near his side. From this distance, the woman could not deny that this stranger was handsome in a rugged way, the way she secretly liked them. Since he was a stranger to these lands, there was no telling if he was friendly or hostile, the same could said about the creature he was leaning against. A warning shot might get their attention, even though a part of her head told to go back to the castle and reveal what she had discovered. Not that her parents would believe her, she wouldn't have herself, if she had not seen what she saw before her now. Notching an arrow in her bow, she crept forward.

Hiccup had been aware that he and Toothless were being watched. Despite having been resting his eyes, he had been aware of this presence for the best of fifteen minutes. Unsure of whether it was friendly or hostile, it was best not to be too hasty in provoking it. This lesson he had learnt from his Sire in his Chiefing training and from experience as Vice Chief to both Berk and Outcast Island. He had woken Toothless quietly and had signalled him to remain calm, but ready if necessary and he stood up. He stretched casually and picked up his weapons and his gear.

'I know you're out there, whoever you are,' he announced with authority in his voice. 'I mean no harm to you, neither does my Dragon. We're travellers and strangers to this land and are willing to make new allies and friends where we find them.'

His statement was met by a eerie silence, both the clearing and the woodland. Toothless had slowly stood up from his resting place and now he too was observing the undergrowth facing their camp. The rustling of a bush nearby caught their attention. Hiccup had placed his hands on his belt, his right hand close to his sword, Toothless crouching, ready to give off a shot.

Then the stranger emerged from the forest, their bow drawn. Hiccup studied this new character with interest. Judging by the dark green dress he could tell this person was feminine, her clothing hugging her form well. As she approached from the clearing closer to the pair, Hiccup got a better look of her features. Despite him being happily boyfriend to Astrid, he could not deny, with great guilt, that this young lady was an attractive one. Her lovely round face, her wild red hair and her intense, shining blue eyes were amazing. With caution and grace, she walked towards him, Hiccup wondered if she was Freya incarnate. Sensing his throat was dry, he gulped and cleared his throat, before speaking again with authority he could muster.

'I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, the Pride of Berk and Son of Stoick the Vast. Who are you, Miss?'

The stranger stopped ten paces away and remained silent and still for a moment. Then slowly, but surely, she withdrew her arrow, placed back in her quiver and slid her bow over her shoulder. The Freya incarnate looked full on in the eye and she herself then spoke with an authority of her own.

'I am Merida, firstborn descendant of Clan Dun'Broch and Princess of the Highlands.'

Hey ladies and gentlemen, new story. Like with the rest of my HTTYD stories to date, it incorporates the events from Thawfest: How it should have happened, and the same with other HHTYD stories written before Hiccup reached seventeen in this story, unless mentioned otherwise. This will not a pairing between Hiccup and Merida. It will still be a HiccupxAstrid story. But I will probably make one sometime soon. As said with my other stories, I hate cliffhangers and with that said I will never leave a story incomplete. I will try to update regularly and as soon as possible. Hope you enjoy :)