Here's chapter 4! Hope you enjoy it! I'll try and get Chapter 5 up later next week!

Chapter Four

Feeling the warmth of the sun on her face, Lydia slowly opened her eyes. After another late night of talking with Matt, she groaned realizing she only had about 4 hours of sleep. Rolling over onto her back, she slowly moved her covers off of her and tried to get the energy needed to get out of the warm bed.

"Uh…I need to tell Matt we can't stay up talking that late again…" She grunted to herself, finally getting her feet onto the ground.

Standing up, she slowly walked over to where a bowl of water and a mirror was. Standing in front of the mirror, she reached for a brush and began to run it through her brown hair. It's been a total of a week and a half since Matt arrived and he still refused to teach her dad how to train dragons. Continuing to brush her hair, she just gently shook her head at the thought. If it was up to her, she'd have let Matt go the day that she learned why he was here.

Sighing, she then whispered to herself "I guess if it was up to me at all, I'd be going on some of those trips with dad instead of staying here all the time."

Hearing some of the experiences that Matt had, she more than ever wanted to go somewhere. Anywhere! Finishing with her hair, she reached for her white head band. Making sure that it kept her hair out of her face, she then walked casually to where her armor hung. Reaching for one of steel gauntlets, and still thinking about seeing the world; a thought came to her. "Why not ask dad to let me go with Matt?" The thought kept on evolving as she strapped the gauntlet on tight "What we let Matt go home and I go with him to learn how to train dragons, to show them that we'll be a friend to Berk, and then come back to show my dad?"

Energized by the idea, and the small chance that she'll actually be able to go somewhere, she quickly strapped on her other gauntlet. Grabbing her leather and steel chest plate, she quickly tightened the belts. Looking into the mirror one last time, she then thought "I hope Matt would be ok with that…"

Running to her door, she quickly put on her boots. Making sure they were secure, she then swung the door open only to reveal Bruvos already standing there, waiting for her.

"Dad!" Lydia said in shock, taking a step back "I didn't realize you were waiting for me!"

Chuckling, Bruvos motioned Lydia to walk next to him and said "I didn't want to rush you; or wake you."

"Oh. Well, thanks." Lydia said with a smile, starting to walk next to her dad.

"I realized that we haven't really had a chance to talk. Or visit with each other." Bruvos said casually, walking down the hallway "I'm sorry that I've neglected you."

Lydia shrugged and replied "I know you've been busy." Then, with a wider smiled added "Plus I've been enjoying visiting with Matt. He's seen so many things!"

Laughing lightly at Lydia's excitement, Bruvos asked "I have noticed that you two have been spending quite a lot time together. How late were you up last night this time?"

Trying to cover a yawn, Lydia muttered "Perhaps a little too late for my own good."

Laughing, Bruvos guided Lydia to a balcony with a table on it. Set for two with food already prepared, he then pulled a chair out for Lydia. Taking a seat across from his daughter, Bruvos then said "I figured that we should have breakfast together. Since we should catch up with each other."

"That sounds nice." Lydia said with a smile, looking off the balcony and down on the village. After a few seconds of taking in the view, Lydia looked at her dad with a concerned look and asked "What about Matt?"

"Do you need to be with him all the time?" Bruvos asked teasingly, smiling at his daughter.

"No! I mean, no it's not that!" Lydia quickly said, looking at her dad in shock. "I meant what about him for breakfast?"

"I sent a servant to take him to the Great Hall. He'll be alone, but he'll have something to eat." Bruvos replied, dishing himself some fish fillets.

"Oh. Ok." Lydia replied, feeling bad that Matt was going to be alone "Where's Auger? I haven't seen him for quite a few days now."

"He's been busy doing something I've asked him." Bruvos answered, shrugging off any other talk about him "He'll be done later today actually."

"What's he doing?" Lydia continued to ask, also helping herself to some fish.

"He's preparing a way to…persuade Matt." Bruvos answered honestly "We've been trying to think of something for a while now, and came up with a plan. But now…I'm not sure it'll work." He was trying to downplay Auger's idea to keep Lydia from thinking about it.

Lydia stared at her dad, shocked that she was actually hearing this "Dad! You're trying to force him to tell you!?"

"The time's ticking" Bruvos said, defending his reason "The Berkians will be here any day now and we still don't know how to train dragons."

"Why is this important to you!?" Lydia asked, still trying to cope with the subject "We're still fine without dragons!"

"But think of what we can do with them!" Bruvos argued, smiling at Lydia "We'll benefit greatly with having dragons as pets!"

Jumping on the occasion, Lydia then said "But I have a better idea! One that won't risk us going to war!"

"Lydia…Berk wasn't going to teach us before I took Matt." Bruvos stated, staring at Lydia "Nothing would hav-"

"That was before I was in the picture!" Lydia quickly argued, cutting off Bruvos "Listen! Matt and I are friends now. He trusts me!"

"Yet he hasn't told you anything about dragons!" Bruvos said, getting a stern look on his face.

"True, but that's because I didn't want to know!" Lydia countered. Then driving her point, said "What if you let Matt go back to Berk, and I tagged along with him. I could live with them for a few months and learn how they train dragons! I'll come back and teach everyone in return!" Lydia was breathing heavily. She so desperately wanted to see a new place; and now she more than ever wanted to get Matt away from her dad. "Please dad! Berk would appreciate it if you returned Matt and I want to see the world! More than anything right now!"

Bruvos just stared at Lydia, with a facial expression mixed with anger, sadness, and disappointment. After looking at Lydia for a few seconds, which felt like a few hours for Lydia, he then said "No. I'm sorry Lydia, but I couldn't live with myself if I ever lost you. If I let you go to Berk with Matt, I know they wouldn't let you leave; if they hadn't killed you already."

"Dad!" Lydia shouted angrily "You say that you couldn't live without me, but you can spend a whole week not talking to me!" Standing up from her chair, she then yelled "The Berkians wouldn't kill me! Matt told me what they're like! They're reasonable! They're just as civil as us!"

"You believe a Viking saying they're civil!?" Bruvos shouted back "Of course he'd say something like that! He's one of them!"

"And yet, you're the one not letting him go home!" Lydia threw back "If you had just let him go to begin with, then w-"

"We'd have lost all chances of learning how to train dragons!" Bruvos yelled, cutting Lydia off "I'm sure there were better ways to get Berk to teach us, but this way was a sure way. We have a trainer! And now, we have something that means dear to him!"

Lydia recoiled back in shock hearing that. Taking a few seconds to recover, she then asked "You…you have something close to him?"

Realizing what he said, Bruvos slowly stood up from his chair. Walking slowly to Lydia, he then explained "Well…we have someONE that's close to him."

"wha…who?" Lydia asked weakly, staring at her dad in horror.

"I'll let you find that out for yourself." Bruvos replied, reaching and grabbing Lydia by the arm. Pulling her with him, he then said "We're having an event today. One that we'll not miss."

Struggling to get away from her dad, Lydia tried to pull back "Dad! This is insane! What's wrong with you!?"

"What's wrong with me!?" Bruvos roared, squaring up to his daughter "You're the one who wants to leave me!" Staring angrily at Lydia, he added "Auger was right…you'll be perfect…"

"Perfect? What do you mean!?" Lydia cried, still trying to get out of Bruvo's grasp.

"You're coming with me to the pit. We have…an event today." Bruvos said, resuming to drag Lydia with him.

Lydia just looked at her dad in horror, not wanting to believe what was happening. "Matt was right about you…" She whispered loudly "You are a controlling tyrant." Then eyes narrowing, she said "Dad! I don't want to stay here! I'm leaving!"

"No you're not. At least not today." Bruvos growled, grabbing Lydia with his other hand. Heaving her up onto her shoulders, he then began to walk down the hallway. Ignoring Lydia screams shouts and kicks, he turned to a guard that was staring at the sight. Growling he then ordered "Bring Matt to the pit. We're learning how to train dragons today!"


Matt finished another serving of dried fish and bread. Though it wasn't the most elaborate breakfast he's had since arriving, it was the most satisfying. It reminded him of Berk, and the usual meals they'd have. Smiling in comfort, Matt looked at one of the servants who was beginning to clean the table. Grabbing his plate and cup, Matt then asked "So…where do I take this?"

"No need to worry about that. I'll be doing that." The servant replied, smiling at Matt. Reaching for the plate, the servant was shocked when Matt pulled the plate away.

"Thought I'd help a little. Save you a trip." Matt said, smiling broader at the servant "It'd make me feel better that I'm helping the person who served me breakfast.

Smiling at the kindness, the servant grabbed a few other plates and began to walk to a doorway "Thank you sir, follow me then!"

"Lead the way." Matt said casually, following the servant.

Walking through the doorway, he then saw a kitchen that was already busy cooking the lunch. The smells flooded Matt's senses, reminding him of what Christmas dinner was like.

Feeling the plate grabbed, Matt turned to see another servant walk his plate over to a sink to be washed. About to ask a question, he then felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw a guard standing in front of him.

"King Bruvos has ordered you to come to an event. It's beginning now."

Matt's blood froze. He knew that this was going to be Bruvos attempt at forcing him to teach them how to train a dragon. "Where's Lydia?" Matt asked, not wanting to move.

Motioning Matt to follow him, the guard replied "She's already with Bruvos. They had breakfast together this morning and then immediately went to the pit."

"The pit?" Matt asked, reluctantly following the guard.

"It's where we host events and tournaments." The guard replied, walking down the stairs to the main floor.

"Great…" Matt muttered, making sure his brace was active "Can't wait to see it."


After walking for quite a few minutes, Matt was led to where the pit was. Seeing a few of the guards already there, Matt tried to quell the anger that was inside of him as he saw Auger and Bruvos standing by the pit.

Looking over at the arriving guest, Bruvos smiled and said loudly "Ready to help us train a dragon?"

"I'm ready to die if that's what you mean." Matt growled, narrowing his eyes at Bruvos.

"Well…I guess you're going to be waiting for a long time then…" Bruvos replied, a dark expression then came over his face "You'll be safe and away from the dragon at all times!"

"Wait…what?" Matt asked with a confused expression. Looking at Auger who was also smiling evilly, he then asked "What are you two up to then…I can care less if one of your men die trying to train a dragon."

Smiling, Auger grabbed Matt by the shoulder and pulled him towards the pit. Seeing Matt's horrified face, he laughed and said loudly "It's not one of our men who's going to train the dragon…"

Matt just stared into the muddy pit. There, looking up at him, was Lydia. Standing opposite from where a metal box was sitting, her face was written with fear and anxiety.

"Your own daughter!?" Matt yelled, turning towards Bruvos who was laughing "What kind of father are you!?"

"Are you ready Lydia?" Bruvos shouted, ignoring Matt.

"Dad! Why!?" Lydia yelled back, staring up at Bruvos "I don't even want to train a dragon!"

"Think of it this way…" Bruvos began to say, walking carelessly along the edge of the pit. "If you train a dragon, you can go anywhere you want to after!"

"Let her out! You son of a bitch!" Matt shouted, grabbing a guard's spear and rushing Bruvos. Only focusing on Bruvos, Matt felt himself tackled from behind and pinned on the ground. Turning his head, he caught a glimpse of Auger, still pinning him to the ground.

"Your choice Matt…" Auger said, staring at Matt "Help her train a dragon, or watch her die."

"Said the best brother in the world!" Matt spat back, trying to throw any kind of insult he could. Feeling himself picked up and placed on his feet, Matt looked up to see Bruvos inches away from his own face.

"What'll it be Matt? Save her and go home? Or let her die knowing that you could've done something." Bruvos whispered so that only he and Matt could hear.

Not saying anything, Matt just turned his head and looked at Lydia, who in turn looked at him; she didn't mouth anything, or attempt to make any plea. She just stood there in the ankle deep mud and stared at him. Completely torn on what to do, he knew that Bruvos would be crazy enough to let his daughter die. Not saying anything, Matt just hung his head.

Angry at Matt's resistance, Bruvos shouted "Open the cage!"

Lydia quickly screamed "Dad! Please! I promise I won't leave you if you just let me out of here!"

"You made your choice Lydia." Bruvos said angrily, looking at his daughter "But I promise, if you can train a dragon, I'll let you explore anywhere to your heart's content."

Lydia heard a metal sound. Quickly spinning around, she saw a cage opened by a rope. Backing up slowly, Lydia waited to see the dragon come out of the cage.

Matt stared in horror as he watched Lydia back up slowly. The internal battle that was raging in him was almost too much for him. Feeling sick to his stomach, Matt turned to the cage to see what dragon it was.

After a minute of seeing nothing, Bruvos turned to Auger and angrily asked "You did get a dragon right?"

"It's in there! I swear!" Auger said in a panicky voice "It couldn't have escaped could it?"

Suddenly a green gloop shot out of the cage and towards Lydia. Falling on her back, the green gloop passed above her and hit into the wall of the pit. Rolling onto her knees, Lydia stared at the cage, still not seeing anything.

Matt was also staring intently at the cage, not sure what kind of dragon it was supposed to be.

"See! Told you I had a dragon!" Auger said proudly, looking at his dad.

"Look out dear!" Bruvos shouted, watching Lydia slowly move away from the metal box.

Suddenly a glimmer shot out cage and ran straight for the wall of the pit. Matt watched as he saw an almost invisible creature claw at the muddy bank. "No…a Changewing!?" Matt shouted, realizing what he was looking at. He's only seen one with Hiccup before, to which it went invisible and that was when Matt and Hiccup promptly left.

Turning to Bruvos, he then yelled "That's a Changewing!"

"And?" Bruvos said, not taking his eyes off of the dragon that was still struggling to climb the steep bank.

"We have no idea how to train one of those!" Matt shouted, staring at Lydia "No one's trained one before!"

"Better start guessing then." Auger quickly chimed in, walking next to Matt.

Matt just stared at Lydia who was trying to sneak away from the dragon.

After exhausting itself from trying to climb out, the Changewing quickly turned to see Lydia. Growling, the dragon began to slowly crawl towards her, stalking her.

"DAD! PLEASE!" Lydia screamed, not taking her eyes off the approaching dragon.

"Help her train the dragon…please…" Auger whispered to Matt.

Turning to Auger, Matt was surprised to see a worried look on Auger's face. Turning back to Lydia, Matt didn't really know what came over him. Maybe it was him finally giving in to Lydia's pleas for help, or Auger's facial expression. Not really knowing, Matt quickly began to rack his brain for ideas.

He remembered Fishlegs telling him that they're really protective of their eggs, which look like shining gems. Getting an idea, Matt looked at a guard's decorative shield. Having a polished green and red look to it, he quickly grabbed the shield and ran to the edge of the pit. Jumping through the chain like barrier, Matt landed loudly in the mud, splattering him all over and in the face. His leg riveted with pain from landing roughly. Trying to ignore it, he began to shout "Lydia! Come over to me! Quick!"

Lydia immediately began to run towards Matt, making the dragon look directly at Matt. Roaring, the dragon went invisible and then charged Matt.

"Matt! Look out!" Lydia shouted, seeing a glimmer run around him.

Matt quickly spun around a whole 180, losing his balance. Landing on his back in the mud, he looked up to see the Changewing's face staring right at him. Out of reaction, Matt raised his shield. The dragon immediately lost its angry look as it stared at the shining red and green shield.

Seeing the dragon was distracted, Matt used his other hand to motion Lydia to come closer to it.

Slowly, and reluctantly, Lydia began to creep towards the distracted dragon. As soon as she got closer to the neck of the Changewing, Matt then began to make scratching motions on his chin; trying to send the message to Lydia.

Picking up on the queue, Lydia reached up and began to scratch the dragons chin. Almost immediately, the Changewing locked up and collapsed, its head landing on Matt.

"Oh my gods! Did I just kill it!?" Lydia gasped, taking a step back from the fallen dragon.

"No! Keep scratching it!" Matt groaned, trying to get out from under the dragon. Finally freeing himself from the weight of the dragon, he rolled onto his knees. Feeling his leg give him grief, Matt gripped his leg and shut his eyes, trying to quell the pain.

"What did I just do!?" Lydia asked, still staring at the dragon wide eyed.

"You calmed it." Matt grimaced, trying to stand back up on his feet. Looking up to see the dragon's face look like it was smiling, he added "Keep scratching it under the chin and right on the neck; it'll be your friend for life." Looking down on himself, he could see that he was completely covered in mud.

"I knew you could do it Lydia!" Bruvos' voice shouted up above the two. Looking at Auger, he then said "All we have to do is be able to scratch a dragon's chin and we'll be flying them around in no time!"

Both Matt and Lydia stared up at Bruvos and Auger, who were both smiling at the news.

"Thank you Matt…Thank you for showing us how to train a dragon…" Bruvos continued, looking at the Changewing proudly. Motioning to the guards near him, he then said "Bring it to the courtyard. We'll keep it there."

Matt looked at the Lydia and then to the Changewing. Finally letting the recent events settle in his mind, Matt fell onto his hands and knees just looked down at the ground and began to mutter "…I caved in…I failed…" Matt wasn't feeling angry, he was feeling despair. He had failed to keep the promise he made to himself, and now there was a chance that everyone he knew was going to pay a price for it.

Lydia just stared at Matt as she kept on scratching the dragon's neck. Seeing him begin to sob uncontrollably, she looked up at her dad who was laughing at the turn of events. "I hate you dad…" She whispered, staring at Bruvos who was busy talking to others.