First off...I AM SO SORRY! This update took way longer than expected and I should've done this much sooner! I'm sorry! I hope that the content/excitement of this chapter will be enough for the wait! But now, read/review/criticize/enjoy! Constructive criticism welcome!

Chapter 7

Hiccup hadn't slept all night. His arms were suspended in the chains and they ached…a lot. He saw the moon rays creep into the cave, but the moon was heading to the West; dawn was coming. Hiccup tilted his head back and prayed for sleep with all he had. It wasn't working.

Footsteps entered the cave, but Hiccup knew who's they were.

Sure enough, Valka rounded the corner with a loaf of bread and a chicken thigh in her hand. "Good evening," she lulled, tiredly.

"Good night, you mean." Hiccup smirked and waved his fingers around. "Any chance that I can get out of these?"

Valka shook her head. "Not yet. Even if I did let you out, there's no way we could get to Toothless now."

"How is he?"Hiccup asked, completely forgetting himself.

"Same as he was before the training disaster, just more heavily guarded."

Hiccup closed his eyes and groaned. "Because of that stupid…that idiot Olaf…"

"Oh it's the same with all men, trust me." Valka grinned and winked at Hiccup, still hooded.

Hiccup realized her joke, but he didn't smile. "Is that my midnight snack?"

Valka squatted down and held the bread forward. "Or do you want the meat?"

"Bread."

Valka held the bread forward and Hiccup gobbled it down. As he ate, he noticed Valka's aging eyes. They were nostalgic, almost trapped. But he couldn't place why.

"Eat the chicken quickly," she ordered.

"Why?"

"Just eat. Please. Hurry. You'll understand later."

Hiccup gnawed at the chicken reluctantly, wondering what Valka could be so fidgety about.

"Hurry up!" She urged.

Hiccup ate faster, careful of bones, actually frightened he'd choke on a bone. That was why he never really ate meat. He finished his chicken and stared at Valka. "What is going on?"

Valka fished through her deep pocket on her left thigh and something jingled. When she pulled out her hand, a ring holding many keys came out. She smiled. "I'm a pickpocket. Time to get out."

Hiccup hesitantly scanned the keys, Valka, and the entrance. Tips from Astrid and the past five years of dragon training taught him to be wary. "Why are you letting me go? What about Drago? What are you doing?"

Valka unlocked the chains and Hiccup relished in the feeling as he dropped his arms.

"You have a funny way of showing gratitude," she sarcastically snapped. "Come on. I need to show you something. We'll be back before dawn to chain you up again."

Hiccup stood up hesitantly, staring at Valka. She had given him many reasons to trust her, but it was often those people who he needed to watch most.

Valka sensed his doubt and sighed. "Hiccup, I'm the only one who you should even think about trusting here. Please, trust me. I told you that I knew how to train the dragons. Let me prove it."

Hiccup nodded. "Okay. I'll go with you."

He followed Valka out of the cave, avoiding snoring Vikings sleeping on the beach. Toothless wasn't in the old place; they must've moved him.

"Come on!" Valka hissed. "But quietly!"

Valka rushed across the sand, glancing back so that Hiccup was still in her sights. Hiccup kept his eyes on Valka, but on his way off the beach, leapt three feet to the weapons arsenal, and grabbed a dagger.

He hid it in his sheath…

…just in case.


Hiccup found himself being led by Valka along the same path that Drago had brought him down earlier.

"Valka, are we going to the dragon cove?"

"Yes. I'm going to prove to you that I can be trusted and that we can escape."

"Escape?" Hiccup gasped.

"Yes. Now, just follow me."

Valka slowed down as they neared the cove. She halted, raising her arm across Hiccup to stop him.

Valka looked to the confused Hiccup and stared him down. "Be very quiet. Disarm that dagger you stole from the arsenal."

Hiccup widened his eyes. "How did you…?"

"Just do it!"

Hiccup unsheathed his weapon and threw it into the forest. "There you go. What now?"

"You come with me. Stay behind me by about ten feet. We're going to the Monstrous Nightmare, one of the most temperamental dragons. I haven't trained him yet. Just watch me."

Hiccup reluctantly sighed. "Alright."

Valka leapt into the cove, leaving Hiccup on the cliff, and tiptoed to the Nightmare. "Hey, big boy."

It reared up, infuriated by the chain, and lit itself aflame.

Valka drooped her arms down, looked up at the beast. "You're in that mood, are ya? I've dealt with worse tempers, big boy."

She reached into her bag and threw a fish to the Nightmare. It gobbled it down.

Concentrating hard, Valka threw the bag to the side and removed each and every sheath on her body, including the hood. Her waist long braid fell.

Valka stretched out her arms, the same way Hiccup did. "No weapons, you're fed, what else could you want?"

The Nightmare growled.

"I'm not in the mood to play "Who's Tougher", Nightmare."

The dragon opened his mouth. An orange glow grew brighter behind his tongue.

Valka ducked.

The flame shot above her body, grazing her back. When the Nightmare stopped blowing deadly flames, Valka remained still, clenching her teeth in pain.

"Valka," Hiccup breathed, stopping himself before he could shout.

Slowly, Valka felt her back and winced, biting back a scream. "You hurt me," she said.

The Nightmare sniffed her, curious about this thing. Valka smiled. She rolled over, balancing on her waist, and stopped when the Nightmare backed up.

She waited until the dragon inched closer to even think about moving again. She held up her hand. "I didn't fight back," she pleaded. "Trust me."

The Monstrous Nightmare huffed. It scanned her body, smugly debating. Valka reached her hand out more. "Come on, big boy. You can trust me."

The Nightmare huffed once more, and snorted. Then, he shoved his snout into her hand.

Valka smiled. "Good boy!"

Hiccup gaped. "Okay. I admit it. You're better than me!" He slowly slid into the cove, making sure the Nightmare checked him out before he came closer.

Cautiously, he moved around the dragon's personal bubble. "Valka, how did you do that?"

"Ten years of practice, kid." She smiled up at the trained dragon and patted his snout.

"Can you get up?"

Valka winced and propped herself on her elbow. "I think so. I've had worse." She shakily stood on both feet and rubbed the dragon's snout. "You're a good boy." She scratched the bottom of his jaw. The giant monster lulled like a weak hatchling.

Valka laughed, glanced back at Hiccup, and folded her arms. "Do you believe me now?"

Hiccup flew up his arms and rolled his eyes. "Yes, I bow to your dragon training superiority." Hiccup bowed. "Congratulations milady." Hiccup's eyes were aglow with wonder.

Valka smiled at the much younger Viking and walked forward. "Come on. There's some more stuff I want to show you."

For the next hour, Hiccup toured Valka's dragons, learning stuff he, frankly, knew since five years ago, but he kept his mouth shut.

"Nadders are fierce," Valka lectured, "but if you compliment them and appeal to their vain side, they're more likely to submit to you. Hey, you precious, beautiful Emerald." She kissed a Nadder's nose. "Good boy." She looked to Hiccup. "Like that."

"I know. I have a friend who owns a Nadder. She's fierce and beautiful, just like a Nadder."

Valka motioned for him to follow her, to the next dragon. But as she looked to Hiccup again, her eyes saw the sky, and her face flooded with fear. "We have to get back to camp. Run!"

Hiccup automatically followed her, belatedly realizing the pink tint rising in the east. The Vikings would be up soon.

"Hurry!" Valka urged. "Come on!"

They halted when they reached the shore, relieved that every Viking was still asleep. Valka grabbed Hiccup's hand and dragged him to the cave.

"Hurry! Sit down!" Valka ordered when they reached the cave. Hiccup slid into position and Valka locked him in.

"That was close." Hiccup sighed.

"I'm not done," Valka whimpered. "I have to return the keys." She raced out.

Hiccup didn't see her for the next little while, but just watched the sun's light climb the cave's wall.


Ruffnut threw her spear at the targets hanging from the Academy ceiling. She was practicing for the different events coming up in the games. The games were scheduled to continue as planned, even though the village was more abuzz with gossip of the chief heir's disappearance. Spending most of her evening hours gulping Meade in the Great Hall told Ruffnut of the latest gossip.

"You know that the greatest spear thrower in Berk is going to beat you, right?"

Normally it would've been Tuffnut who'd say these things to her, but it was early morning, as dawn was rising, and Tuffnut never woke up until noon. This time, it was a different teaser.

Ruffnut chuckled. "Yeah, and if a Night Fury were here, he and his rider would knock you off Hookfang's back." She eyed her next target.

Snotlout stole her spear just as she was about to throw it. He sent it flying across the entire arena and, miraculously, it landed in the direct center of the smallest target.

Snotlout flexed his muscles, as if that was how people would notice him. "See? Best spear thrower."

"Same chance for a Gronckle to be skinny!" Ruffnut cursed under her breath.

"What was that?" Snotlout snapped.

"Nothin' at all." She grabbed her favorite axe and nailed it right into the barrel a few feet away.

Snotlout grinned. "Do you miss Fishlegs yet?"

Ruffnut mocked laughed and punched Snotlout in the face. "Just about as much as I miss peaceful walks on the sunset beach and being the most lovable girl on Berk."

"So with all your heart?"

Ruffnut strangled Snotlout. She grinned mischievously. "I'm going to rip out your tongue."

"Guys! Mount your dragons!" a voice from above ordered. It was Astrid, riding Stormfly through the entrance.

Ruffnut released Snotlout and rushed to Astrid. "Did you search all night? Like the whole night? Like no rest stops? What's wrong with you?"

Astrid leapt off of Stormfly and Fishlegs landed beside her. Ruffnut ignored Snotlout's discrete smooching sounds.

Astrid grabbed Ruffnut's shoulders. "Get Tuffnut and mount your dragons. We still have to find Hiccup."

Fishlegs yawned. "I said wait a while before we go again."

The chief thundered in. "And I say we go now!"

The four young adults jumped in shock. "Chief!"

Thornado drowsily and obediently crawled behind his rider. Stoick continued, "We're looking for Hiccup. You are the best dragon riders on Berk. We're all splitting up on our dragons and searching the entire area around Berk. Fishlegs, Astrid, I know you just spent the whole night and I thank you but I need you out there."

"Yes, chief," Astrid and Fishlegs answered in unison.

"Alright, all dragons and riders assemble. We're going."

"Good luck trying to get Tuffnut out of bed," Ruffnut chided.

Stoick glared at her.

Tuffnut raised her hands and tiptoed past him. "I'll get him and the Zippleback." She raced out.

Stoick huffed. "Alright, everyone mount your dragons. Fishlegs, Astrid, where did you two search?"

Fishlegs answered as he patted Meatlug's snout, apologizing. "West of Berk. We figured that Toothless would head for the sunset."

Stoick was pained by the information of Hiccup and Toothless that he'd somehow forgotten, but asked, "All of it?"

Astrid nodded. "As much as we could."

"Alright, this'll be easy. Twins and Fishlegs take North, Astrid and Snotlout take South, me and my team will take the East. Everyone go." Stoick didn't wait for confirmation as he mounted Thornado and flew.

"C'mon Astrid," Snotlout whined. "Let's get this over with."

Astrid clutched his vest and pulled him to her. She deathly whispered, "I still haven't forgiven you."

"For what?" Snotlout retorted. "I didn't make him run away. That was his choice. If you're going to blame someone for losing your boyfriend, blame the boyfriend."

Snotlout wrestled himself out of her grasp and called for Hookfang, who automatically ran away. Snotlout, fed up, raced after him.

Fishlegs rode Meatlug to the Academy entrance. "You know, he does have a small point."

Astrid sighed. "I don't care. Good luck with the twins."

"You need more help with Snotlout. I respect the chief, but I don't think pairing you two together was the best choice. You want to pair up with the twins?"

Astrid answered what she did for only one reason: Ruffnut's hidden crush on Fishlegs. "No, I have to settle some things with Snotlout. I'll see you here at sunset."

"Okay, bye. D-don't kill Snotlout. Don't." Fishlegs stared at her, daring her to disobey him, then muttered under his breath, "Time to get the twins."

Astrid flew away and met Snotlout just as he was mounting Hookfang. She'd have to put her protective instincts behind her if they were going to find Hiccup with Snotlout being in one piece. Fighting back a yawn and a temptation to punch, she flew South of Berk, Snotlout following.

She and Snotlout flew side by side for about an hour, silent.

Finally, Astrid had enough. "Ugh! Just fly by yourself Snotlout! I'll find him myself!"

"Will you just calm down!" Snotlout shouted. "We'll find him! Your future hubby will be fine!"

Astrid glared at him. "What did you just say?"

Snotlout stared at her, snarling.

Astrid was infuriated. She needed to yell at Snotlout for something…anything it seemed. "You said he couldn't be chief!" Astrid yelled. "You lowered his confidence! This is your fault!"

"I told him to run away?"

"Do you even think you'll make a better chief than him?" Astrid hollered.

Snotlout screamed, "Just shut up, Astrid! Just shut up!"

Unknown to the riders, Hookfang and Stormfly shook their heads in annoyance, wishing with every ounce of their being that their riders would just…shut up!

Hookfang jerked his head up, sensing something. Stormfly sensed it too. You hear what I hear, Nightmare?

Hookfang responded, Yeah. A stupid human is setting a trap somewhere.

Stormfly tuned out their riders' bickering and hummed, But we're high above the ground.

A Night Fury was hit high above the ground too…

No second later, a bola choked Hookfang. He lost balance and jerked out of the sky. Snotlout screamed.

"Snotlout!" Astrid shrieked. Stormfly didn't need to get kicked in the thigh to know to follow them.

They dove while Hookfang and Snotlout twisted through the clouds. It was only a few moments before the ocean and an island appeared. Astrid knew there was only half a minute before they crashed.

"Faster Stormfly! Faster!"

Stormfly angled her body to be more streamlined. Three more bolas trapped Hookfang. Snotlout's grip on the saddle loosened and he fell.

Astrid screamed as she saw Snotlout and Hookfang separate. She scanned between dragon and man, breathing hard. "After Snotlout, Stormfly! Go!"

They angled to Snotlout. Astrid reached out to him. "Snotlout!" she shrieked.

Snotlout slowly grew closer to them, but so did the sea. Snotlout reached to Astrid.

"Level up! Level up!" Snotlout cried. This order was muffled by the wind rushing past their faces.

Astrid leaned down. Snotlout's hand was inches away from hers. They clasped. Astrid heaved him on.

A bola knocked Stormfly's neck. She banked. Astrid was jolted off, taking Snotlout with her.

"No!" Astrid shrieked. She looked below her. The ocean was approaching fast.

"Dive straight! Dive straight!" Snotlout ordered.

He let go of Astrid and flexed his arms out. Astrid did the same, ready to dive. Both sucked in as much air as they could. Astrid winced, and slammed into the ocean.

She lost control of her body. Her eyes widened and she almost lost her breath. Ice cold water soaked her entire body, chilling her to the bone. Shock forced air out of her lungs. The darkness of the ocean shrouded a veil over her. She tried to flail her arms, tried to swim, but she had no strength left. She needed to breathe. Unwillingly, air slipped between her lips. Her head went limp and her eyes closed.


Valka, relieved, awoke from her sleep. She returned the keys to Drago's pocket, thankful that he hadn't awaken. She then raced to her bunk and demanded sleep, only to have it come a few minutes later. The stupid morning bell interrupted her snooze fifteen minutes later. Unwillingly, she lumbered out of bed and entered the hastily made Great Hall.

The men and women around her chatted while enjoying a hurriedly prepared breakfast. She, yawning, retrieved her bowl of porridge.

"Hullo, Valka," one of her female friends chirped. "You look like a sleepyhead."

Valka nodded. "I didn't get much sleep last night."

"What do you think Drago will do to the dragon trainer they captured?"

Valka ate a bite, then said, "He might kill him or torture him. With Drago, you don't know what could happen."

Down the beach, an overjoyed voice annoyed the villagers. "Everyone! Everyone! Guess what I just did!"

Valka groaned. "It's Eret."

"Drago's son must've caught another dragon."

Valka growled. "If I have to hear one more droll story…That idiot claims himself the best dragon trapper."

"You can't deny the many dragons he's caught."

Valka bit her tongue. "All of the dragons in the cove."

Eret raced to the villagers. "Guess what I just did! I trapped a Mosntrous Nightmare and Nadder! I shot them from the sky!"

"Bravo," Valka dryly cheered.

The teenager, frustrated, turned around and yelled at someone some distance behind him. "Come on, you idiots! Bring in the dragons!"

Threatened, out came a team of a dozen men, dragging a Monstrous Nightmare and a Deadly Nadder onto the beach.

Valka gasped and nearly dropped her bowl. These dragons had saddles on them.


OKAY! A couple of things that I have to explain.

I know I said that the things in this story would be based on leaks Berk's Grapevine (thanks so much guys) but I took liberties with a few things. 1) I have no idea if Eret is Drago's son, and I seriously doubt Dreamworks will make that move, but I wanted it for the story so I put it in. 2) I'll try to update this story as soon as I can! Please review!