Hi ya'll, it's great to talk to you again! First up for today I would actually like to ask if anyone actually looks at the concept art I link on Profile. I was planning to post for all of the dragons I created for my story but have been a bit slack, wondering if anyone even bothered. Anyone who knows me on dA knows I'm pretty lazy in posting on a regular basis. Anyway just say yes if you do and I'll post up what I have so far.

Anyway, a scene in this chapter helps earn the T rating so readers be warned. It is also reminiscent of a particular anime scene. You get a cookie if you can tell me which anime it's from! Enjoy pplz!=^-^=

Ch. 21 - Morning Surprise

Hiccup's pov

Once he closed the door his expression changed. He seemed far more serious than he had just been. He looked at me as though I was on fire but then his eyes calmed. "So…. Hiccup is it? What do you know of these attacks?"

I was hesitant to answer given his mood swing just now and Toothless seemed to be getting the same vibe. "I know they are being orchestrated by someone we haven't met yet. He takes control of one dragon who in turn controls the others."

He paced across the floor a bit before he turned back to me. "So it's an army? Just who could possibly be capable of controlling an army of dragons?" His gaze became cold. "That question is partially why I wanted to find you. I felt that you might have something to do with it…. At first."

Figures. This explains why he seemed a bit crazed at getting us by sending out his men immediately even though we would be back in the morning. "Well it's not us… I didn't even know anything was happening until the swarm hit Berk. According to what we've found out, this has been happening for around 5 months now."

"Yes and major trade ports and warrior villages have been decimated. The first move was definitely the smartest because he wiped out the fleet of Berserkers who guarded the southern border. I almost though it was an attack by foreign enemies before my adviser said otherwise." He stopped pacing and stepped forward. "One of my advisers read the bones and it said that you know whom it is we are being assaulted by."

I found myself sweating a bit under my armor. This man's glare was piercing…. Even more so than my dad's. "Actually, I do. I spoke with him once…. I'm not exactly sure how but he said he was called Wight Death….."

Eirikr looked pale as he stopped himself from falling to the floor. "No…."

"What's wrong…..?"

He took a moment to try and compose himself but seemed to struggle a bit. "That name….. it is as old as Langaholt itself…. I need to consult.." He wasn't able to finish because he was interrupted by a younger man.

"Father!" I turned to see him running up as fast as he could. He did resemble the king quite a lot though he was much younger as should be obvious. He also was not wearing any armor but high quality garments that could have easily been made of silk. He flinched as he noticed Toothless and quickly backed away. "What have you done to my father you foul beast!"

The king composed himself and tried to disarm his son. "No Hakon, this is our honored guest. I know I have mentioned the dragon riders before, have I not?"

Hakon eyed Toothless warily. "Yes you have father, but truth be told, I did not believe you." His terror was still very evident as Eirikr led him back over to the hall where he had entered from.

"What is it you came to see me about son?"

He slid his fingers through his hair trying to regain his calm. "My sister said there were dragons on the grounds. I wished to warn you father."

He pat his son's shoulders. "Tell Frida there is nothing to fear. These Dragon Riders are here to help us, not harm." He then proceeded to lead him out. "Hiccup… please forgive my rudeness but I must retire for now. I hope to continue this tomorrow if that is to your liking."

"Of course…." I really didn't know what else to say. It's not like I could command him to tell me what was up. He definitely knew something about the Wight Death… question is, what?

I saw the servant from earlier enter the room. "Lord Hiccup, this way please." I followed on Toothless' back down the large hall and it opened off in a T intersection. He pointed to his left. "Down this hall are the stables where we have made arrangements for your dragons." He turned right without another word and guided me down yet another grand hallway. "These are the guest rooms. They house visiting lords who seek audience with the king. You and your companions will be staying in these rooms here." He gestured to the five at the end of the hall. "Your room is this one." He opened a door to reveal a large somewhat extravagant room. I entered with Toothless and he protested. "Excuse me my lord but are you not going to take your dragon to the stalls?"

I hopped off Toothless with Scorch still on my back. "Sorry but if it's all the same to you, Toothless and Scorch are staying with me." Toothless grunted at the man causing him to shake a bit. His protest ceased further and he bowed and left the room. "Alright Bud, I'm going to go check on the others. I want both of you to stay here."

I lifted Scorch and placed him on Toothless' back. Scorch yawned again and Toothless gave me an approving grunt before making his way to a corner. I exited my room and knocked on the one next to me. "I'm coming." Balimund pulled open the door immediately. "Aww…. I was expecting room service."

"Sorry, I was just checking in on you guys."

He looked back inside his room, then to me. "Considering I had spears pointed at me earlier I'd say this is a pretty good outcome lad." I saw a fleeting smile form across his face only for a moment. "Oh right, Mathias wanted to talk to you when you finally made it. He's in the room next door." He pointed to his left and then retreated back into his own room, closing the door behind him.

What was that about? Mathias probably knows…. I made my way over and simply opened the door this time around. That decision was quickly regretted as I realized this wasn't Mathias' room but Astrid's… and she was changing. I froze in place at the scene of her removing her shirt. She had it half way up her chest before she noticed me but didn't say a word.

She folded her shirt down and strode over to me in a very calm fashion. "Is giving you an excuse going to save me any pain at all?"

"Nope." She then kicked me right in the gut and finished me off by elbowing me in the back. "I'm guessing someone else caused that….. Balimund most likely."

I manage to cough out a response as I kneeled over in pain. "Yeah… it was him."

She grabbed my arm and dragged me up to seat me on the bed. "So what did he want?"

I was still nursing my sore gut, but I was able to speak coherently now. "He wanted to know what we knew."

As I composed myself I felt her lean on my shoulder. "I was a bit worried when you didn't come down the hall. The servant said Eirikr wanted to speak with you privately." It's scary that she could punch me and beat me to the ground one minute and then lean on my shoulder the next. Though, to be fair I did sort of earn that….. even if it was Balimund's fault.

"I told him about the Wight Death…"

"And?"

"He definitely knew what it was. He wasn't able to tell me though, because his son interrupted. He said we'll talk again tomorrow."

She wrapped her arm around mine. "I had a feeling he knew something about it. The way he was so eager to get to us and the fact that he practically welcomed us the minute we were here. He had to have at least an idea of what was going on to be able to adjust so fast."

I placed my arm around her shoulder. "That's what I was thinking."

"Good." She gazed to me with a slight blush and I reach over and kissed her. We stayed that way for a few seconds before she broke away. She sat up and then pushed me away, turning the other direction in the process. "Now next time, I'm sure you'll knock right?"

I gulped as I responded. "Yes ma'am!" With that I swiftly left the room before Astrid decided get even angrier than she already was. Once safely inside my own room I couldn't help but fantasize at least a little bit. I, for all intents and purposes, just saw her half-naked. I felt my face burn up as I remembered the scene. Toothless gave me a worried whimper from the corner where he laid with Scorch. I turned away from him immediately. "I-I'm fine Toothless!... Don't worry."

I then heard a knock on my door. Okay it's time to calm down Hiccup! I turned to the door now sporting a calm demeanor…. At least I felt calm. I half expected it to be Balimund, ready to laugh it up at the trick he pulled, but it wasn't. Instead it was a young girl with dirty blonde hair and dressed in noble attire. She couldn't have been very far in age from me and had here hair bundled in a single long braid that sat on her shoulder. "Excuse me dragon rider…?"

"Uh yeah, my name is Hiccup."

Her face beamed once she realized she was right. "Oh, good. My brother came and told me of you after I saw the dragons in the stalls. I need to talk to you about something important. Could you meet with me at first light? It is very important that it be at that time exactly."

I really didn't know what to make of that request. What could be so important at sunrise? I nodded. "Sure, but why?"

She took a good look in both directions before shaking her head. "Not here. I will tell you when we meet in the morning, my name is Frida by the way. King Eirikr is my father." Oh! That explains….. actually it doesn't explain anything but her clothes. "Please keep this between us." Whatever this is she needs to talk to me about, it's obvious she hasn't told many people if she's worried about being over heard.

"Well I don't have a problem with it….."

She smiled and clasped her hands together. "Wonderful! Please do not be late. I will be sure to explain everything then!" With that she rushed off down the hall.

That was kind of….. weird? First the King now the princess….. I have a feeling this whole ordeal is going to get kind of crazy. "Who was that?"

I turned to my left and saw Mathias peeking out his door. "Oh, she was Eirikr's daughter."

He gave me a dry expression. "Flirting with the King's daughter outside your room? I thought you were better than that!"

I felt my face burn as I denied it."No! She just wanted to talk to me, it's not what you think honest!"

He shrugged and gave me a smirk. "Well, whatever. What did she want to talk to you about?"

"I don't know, but she told me to meet her first thing in the morning."

He scratched his head. "That's kind of an odd request for someone you just met isn't it?"

"Tell me about it." I turned back into my own room. "Well, I'm turning in. Night Mathias."

"Night."

The morning came silently…. At least until Toothless started his morning routine of waking me up at the crack of dawn. "Come on Toothless! Can't you wait just a bit longer?!" He answered by jumping on me. "Gahhh! Alright I'm up!" I sat up in the bed and stretched. I've got say that was probably the best sleep I've had in weeks. They really know how to make them when it comes to nobility huh?

I turned and noticed the light barely registering in the window. "Damn! I forgot!" I rush myself ready, being sure to grab my helmet. I planned to take Toothless on his morning flight after I meet her and the last thing I need is to look scorched when I talk with the king later. I rushed out of the room with Toothless eagerly following. Scorch was still out like a light, I swear he could sleep through Ragnarok if he was given the chance.

I was sure to be at least a little quiet in the hall so that I wouldn't wake everyone else up and headed to the stables. It was very quiet out in the yard, and didn't see much of anyone aside from a servant drawing water. I took a good look around before seeing a hand poking out from behind a wall. I looked at it curiously and turned to Toothless who also seemed confused by it.

"Over here!" It was Frida? I rushed over with Toothless in toe and it was indeed her. She was leaning against the wall with a bowl full of….. honey? It smelled like honey at least.

"Is that honey?"

She nodded and placed a finger on her lips. "Follow me, and be quiet." She guided me around the yard, sneaking behind walls and through bushes until we found ourselves in what appeared to be a neglected corner of the courtyard.

"Where are we?"

"This is where my mother used to keep her private garden. She would show me and my little sister how to grow foods and other plants here. No one comes here anymore since she died. My father forbade anyone to touch it, and to leave it as it is." She stepped out into a broken brick paved circle at the center.

"Why are we here then?"

She gazed up at the sky. "I come here all the time. It is a secret spot where I meet with a friend of mine. We have been good friends for years now."

I looked up with her at the slowly brightening sky. "But why bring me?" She is being more and more confusing by the minute.

She turned to me with a smile. "Because you are a dragon rider Hiccup; I believe you will understand a bit more when she comes." She sat down on an old stone bench just on the other side of the brick paved center. Vines had grown along almost everything here including the bench she adorned. I stood there a moment thinking over this situation. Meeting with a princess in a private location via secret invitation…. I really hope I don't get beheaded for this; whether it by Astrid or King Eirikr.

After a few minutes I started to hear something. It sounded like a soft, smooth tone. I really didn't know how to describe it, though maybe like some sort of flute? (think crystal glasses!) She stood up excitedly and watched the sky again. "She's coming."

Who could she be waiting for? A musician….. wait…. Because I'm a dragon rider? Is she waiting for a dragon?! It saw a slight blur cross the sky and vanish just as fast as it came. "What was that!?" A moment later I saw a shape forming in the sky. It seemed to barreling towards our location at amazing speeds. "Is that a…" I backed away and covered my head as it dropped to the ground leaving a small dust cloud in its wake.

It wasn't very loud, but it did hit rather hard. If it does that every time it's no wonder the bricks that lined the garden are broken. I uncovered my eyes as the dust cleared and what I saw wasn't only unexpected, but amazing as well. The dragon towered over us both on two legs. It was a day-glow orange color with a few silver scales in various spots.

I suddenly found myself remembering Bo'mar's crude drawing back when I was in Berk and felt my jaw drop as the realization hit me. "Is that….. the Dawn Striker?"

I bet some of you guys forgot all about it right? Yeah, I bet Hiccup forgot it too but this is important! Super important! anyway I hope ya'll enjoyed the chapter and look forward to my next installment!=^-^=

Don't forget the scene reference. Can anyone figure it out? Please review and I shall post again soon given the quota!=^-^=