Hello, everyone! Welcome to the fanfiction! This is a request from BlueNovaNF, my one and only! It took a lot of hard thinking and planning, but I think I have all my ducks I a row. We'll see how this goes! I don't own HTTYD but I do own my OCs. Thank you for taking the time to read! Let's get started!

Flight by Night

The Search Begins

Mala bowed her head slightly as she entered the gathering square. The villagers knelt as she passed them, her goal the throne that sat atop the platform. The elders of her family, dressed from head to toe in dark red stained leather and decorated with gold tribal patterns, were gathered in front of the throne. She briefly glanced to each in turn as she settled into the large chair, her hands rising to rest on the arms. "I see you've all gathered once more."

"For good reason," one of them lifted his chin. He was at least in his 60s, freckled skin the color of wheat with pitch black hair gathered into multiple braids that reached his shoulders. His jawline was taunt and sharp, "We've heard of your recent antics, Mala, and we are concerned." The villagers began whispering amongst themselves as the elder recalled the past few months. "When we heard that you had wed a Berserker, it seemed our decision was already made clear."

"Dagur is indeed a Berserker, but he is also their chief," Mala interjected, her expression hardening slightly. "He has proven his valor and sense of comradery time and time again."

"And yet he is clearly insane, completely unfit to lead any clan!" The elder narrowed his sharp grass colored eyes. "How could you even think to dirty the family line with such filth!"

"How dare you!" One by one the villagers began to shout and point up at the elders. "Queen Mala has protected us from things you could scarcely imagine!" They were quickly subdued by a stern look from their queen, though it held a hint of appreciativeness. Hearing her people express their favor and loyalty only increased her belief that her actions were justified.

"If you doubt my choice, then I invite you to remain here until he returns from visiting his sister. He will be back by sundown." Her eyes darted upward as a familiar dragon cry pierced the air. She couldn't help but smile as the Triple Stryke landed beside her. "Welcome back," she blushed lightly as Dagur threw his arms around her and rubbed her nose with his. "You're earlier than you said."

"How could I stay away from my Queenie?" he grinned. It grew wider as his eyes fell on the group in the center square. "What have we here? A party? I love parties!"

The elder that had been vocal found himself speechless. This man, this IDIOT, was truly mad! "Explain yourself, madman! How dare you force the dragon to carry you! Such disrespect!" Whispers filled the air as the other elders began conversing amongst themselves. Every so often you could hear words such as "blasphemy", "disgraceful", and "dishonor".

Dagur's expression twisted into an angry grimace as their words fell on his ears. "Are you calling my Queenie a failure?!" Mala blinked in surprise as the Berserker stomped forward so that he could glare the elder pointedly in the face. "She is one of the best fighters I've ever seen, not to mention she has the best way of speaking! She makes anything and everything sound so royal!"

"Silence, incompetent outsider!" the elder barked, his eyes flashing dangerously. "How dare you raise your voice a former king, Fergus McMicistern!"

Mala stepped forward as Dagur prepared to retaliate, her body tense. "You may say what you want about me, but I must ask you to leave my beloved out of this." Her eyes locked with each of the elders' in turn, before finally resting on Fergus. "You have yet to explain why you have all gathered here."

Something close to a sneer lifted his lips. "Why, my dear, we have come to inform you that we no longer stand behind you. You have turned your back on the old ways that we have held dear and we have no intention of letting you continue this reign of defilement."

"The title is handed from woman to woman of the family." Mala's eyes narrowed. "You were the ones who established that rule. Only women are handed the title, but there have been cases where a man of the family may undertake the trials and assume the throne. Dagur, as you may have guessed, passed the trials and instead of taking my throne he has chosen to share it with me by taking me as his queen." They very well knew the way of the family, so why would they approach her like this? Her eyes widened. Unless-

"We have a challenger to present to you," Fergus smiled. "She is my granddaughter, you remember Melaeny, yes?"

Shock filled her. Melaeny was her childhood rival, a brute of a girl that was as strong as a dragon and as silver tongued as the devil himself. "I see." Her thoughts raced with memories of her childhood, most containing the larger girl sneering or causing trouble for her. It's been nearly ten years though. Surely she couldn't still be the same girl as she had been. "She is fairing well, I hope?"

"Indeed she is, I hear her travels have taught her much about the world and she has matured quite nicely." His eyes locked with hers. "She is quite fit to be queen."

"Whoa whoa whoa," Dagur held up his hands. "You can't just take things away from my queenie without a fight." His expression suddenly became serious, a sight that she had witnessed only a few times. "Since I passed the trials as well, wouldn't she have to fight me first?" Fergus snapped that only women could partake in the series of tests that would decide royal title passing. Man, this guy was touchy! "You said you were a former king, right? I can't envision anyone wanting to undergo the trials for someone like you. How exactly did that happen?" Mala nearly gawked, a strangled giggle catching in her throat as Fergus' face flamed. She wasn't the only one, a few of the elders had to cough in order to cover their own amusement. It was true, no woman who had gained the throne had any interest in marrying him.

"If the head female of the family line does not wish to gain the title, the siblings are given the chance to undergo the trials," one of the elders pipped up. Her silver eyes that matched her cropped hair shone brightly, but they held a strange dullness as her head shifted in the direction of whoever was speaking. "When that happens, the family title is then passed to the sibling who completes all trials. When they marry, it then passes to their female offspring."

"So it's strictly woman based unless otherwise?" Dagur stroked his chin. "Too bad you're an only child." His eyebrow rose as everyone seemed to gasp. "What, was it something I said?"

Fergus' expression soured. "You are her intended and yet you know nothing!"

"Forgive me," Mala stepped forward to stand next to Dagur. "it never seemed the right time to tell you that I have a twin brother."

Dagur blinked. "I must not have heard you right. Did you just say-" His eyes bugged as she nodded, his hands rising to grasp his hair. "YOU HAVE A TWIN BROTHER?!"

"Hard to believe, I know," the old woman chuckled. "I was there myself when they were born. Twins are a rarity in the family, and when they are born usually only one survives. The fact that both did was a blessing." Mala cast her a smile as the woman began making her way to them, one arm outstretched while the other held onto a walking stick tightly. A wide grin spread across her face as her hand met Mala's shoulder. "My, my, how much you've grown."

Mala nodded appreciatively as the woman's hands rose to her cheeks. "You're kind to say so, thank you." The woman suddenly grew serious as she pulled Mala's head down enough so that her lips nearly reached her ear. She whispered that she needed to speak with her alone after dark. The queen agreed, stating that they would best meet in her personal residence after the evening meal.

Thankfully, they didn't have to wait long. The evening meal was served an hour before the sun began to brush the horizon and it was exquisite; roasted wild boar slathered in thick gravy, wine nearly as old as the Eruptadon itself, steamed herbs topped with goat butter, and a selection of various candied nuts and fruits for dessert. Fergus conversed loudly with many of the villagers that approached him, though they were few. Seeing as everyone was occupied, Dagur turned his attention from the visiting group in front of them to his queen.

"So?" Mala offered him a piece of meat, which he readily consumed, but his eyes never waivered from hers. "You mind telling me about him? What's his name? What's he like?"

She sighed, a knowing smile spreading across her face. "So curious, and yet so impatient."

"But you love me for it," he grinned, poking her cheek lightly with his finger. His expression faltered when hers became filled with sadness. "Sorry, is this one of those things that you'll tell me when I need to know? I'll understand but I won't lie and say I'm-" Something soft pressed against his lips briefly, causing him to blink in surprise as she leaned away. Did she just-

"It's alright," her lips lifted into a smile. "I just miss him is all."

Dagur's gut twisted. "Did something happen?"

"Since we both survived, the family wasn't sure as to how to proceed. Many viewed the situation to be trivial and pressed for me to be given the trials. However, there were others who viewed it as an opportunity." She nodded in the old woman's direction. "As she mentioned, twins are a rarity in the family line. The fact that we both survived past infantry was a miracle in itself. So it was decided that we both would undergo the trials once we became of age." Mala's chest rose as she gathered her bearings. "I alone came back from them…"

"Mala…" Dagur's hand grasped hers.

"We were very close," she smiled. "and I'll forever miss him."

"My queen," Throk approached with the elder woman. "she would like a word with you before retiring."

"Very well," Mala nodded, standing. "Shall we?" The elder woman moved to grasp the offered arm she held out but Dagur slipped between the two, saying that he would be honored to assist a friend of his beloved. "You've traveled a great distance, are you sure that you wouldn't rather rest first?" Mala offered as they entered the hut.

The old woman laughed heartily. "I may be on in my years, but I don't require your coddling quite yet!" She released Dagur's forearm with a smirk, briefly nudging Mala's side as she moved to sit in a chair that had been offered. "He's quite the sturdy one, not to mention the keeping you on your toes bit. A keeper, if you ask me!"

"I'm glad you think so." Mala smiled affectionately as Dagur's cheek's dusted with pink. Her expression became serious as the old woman took her hands. "Now, what is it that you wanted to discuss?"

The woman's eyes creased. "I've heard something through the grapevine, my dear, and I'm not quite sure what to think of it. Many of the traders that visit us bring news of events that are happening in the Archipelago. Tell me, have you ridden on the back of a dragon?" Mala nodded. "Tell me, what is it like?"

"Why not see for yourself?" Dagur whistled, Triple Stryke appearing in the window.

"Perhaps another time," she shook her head, stating that the night air would give her more wrinkles, but opted for rubbing its snout. "Such a magnificent dragon! You must be very proud!"

Mala's brows furrowed. "That can't be the only thing you have come to discuss."

The woman smiled. "Ever the shrew one, my dear. Honestly, I wasn't the least bit surprised by the news that you had been sighted sitting atop a dragon. It's about time our Defenders became more acquainted with the dragons. Yes, there is something that I must discuss with you." The woman turned her glazed eyes in Mala's direction. "There is talk that he is alive."

Everything in Mala's world froze, but she remained stoic. "That isn't possible. Many went out to search for him and they never found a trace. What nonsense were those drunken fools spreading?"

"You think I would come here without checking on it?" the woman tsked her tongue, shaking her head. "Shame on you, Mala, you doubt this old woman's mind. Of course I looked into it." A hand slipped inside her clothing, pulling out a folded piece of cloth. "You remember this, don't you?"

Dagur's breath caught as moisture gathered in Mala's eyes as the cloth was unfolded. In the old woman's lap sat a leather strap just big enough to fit around a wrist. The leather was old, but there were traces of gold tribals and black stitching in the design of a "Z". Mala's hands slowly reached out and lifted the accessory into the air, turning it this way and that as she examined it in the lantern light. Almost as if in a haze, she made her way to a special chest that where she kept her private personal belongings and revealed a similar one. She had made them before the trials, one for herself and the other for…him. Blinking away the moisture that had begun to cause her vision to blur, she turned to the old woman. "Please tell me everything."

What do you think? Let me know in the comments!