A\N*

Eh. Hi. I'm really sorry about the extremely long wait. I have no idea where the time went and it wasn't until New Years that I realized how long its been. I promise I'll try my hardest to get the next chapter up as soon as possible. Unfortunately it seems like the story may be reaching its climax and ending. Don't worry. I have some ideas for a sequal and do intend to write other FanFics based around the HTTYD & Brave universe. Thank you all for you patients.

Chapter 25

War Begins

"Da!" Merida called as they entered the great hall. Her father and mother sat at the head of the table with Hamish, Hubert and Harris sitting beside them. All the lords and their children were seated towards the end of the large table. A seat remained open on one side with the young lords sons that was closer to her parents, obviously reserved for her. Two more seats on the opposite side were left opened reserved for Hiccup and Astrid.

Merida blushed slightly as all the eyes turned towards her. She had forgotten about the lords unexpected arrival. "Merida! Come her lass. Supper is just about to begin." Fergus waved for her to come sit down before he looked over at Astrid and over her shoulder, looking for Hiccup. "Is the lad alright? We haven't seen him all day." Astrid looked towards Merida, wondering who's job it was to inform him and today's recent events.

"Uh. Not really. We sorta found a new friend." Everyone at the table looked at each other surprised before looking back at Merida. Merida looked at Astrid, knowing she'd do better at introducing the dragon.

Seeing the silent que, Astrid stepped forward. "Hiccup found an injured Typhoomerang in the woods." All eyes turned towards Astrid.

"Typhoo-a-what?" Ailbert Macintosh spoke, looking incredulously at Astrid. Astrid rolled her eyes.

"Typhoomerang. Very large dragon. Spins like a top and burns the ground." Astrid spoke, eyes remaining on the King, Queen and the three lords.

"Hiccup found her injured in the forest. By the looks of it she's been tortured. For a long time." Murmurs erupted around the table.

"Tortured? How? Who?" Lord MacGuffin spoke.

"That's what Hiccup went to go find out." Merida spoke, dividing attention between her and Astrid.

"Great. Just great." Fergus spoke, slumping into his seat and earning a glare from Elinor.

"Lets hope Hiccup finds these people and figures out their intentions." Elinor spoke.

"Theres one more thing you should know." Merida spoke.

"Stoick the Vast of Berk is paying a visit to DunBroch." Astrid finished. The table turned deathly quiet as everyone looked at the pair as if the had just sprouted wings.

"Welp. There goes the kingdom." Lord Macintosh spoke.

The beating of dragon wings vibrated through the castle walls. Both King Fergus and Queen Elinor sat in the throne room, awaiting their latest visitors. It had been a little over an hour since they learned Stoick the Vast of Berk would be coming to DunBroch. Merida sat beside them, having cleaned up and put on a purple dress. Astrid stood beside her as the triplets were escorted in by Maudie. "What do they look like?" Merida whispered to Astrid.

"Stoicks as big as your father, probably bigger." Merida nodded her head reluctantly and glanced towards her father. Stoick must be an awfully big man. The hum that vibrated through the walls stopped abruptly and all eyes trained towards the door to the halls.

"Oh Hiccup. You better hurry up. Stoicks not going to like this." Astrid spoke softly.

With a loud bang, the doors to the hall burst open. Six long shadows spread into the hall as their corresponding bodies entered. In the lead, a large man stepped into the fire light. "Fergus." He spoke.

"Stoick." Fergus acknowledge, standing up. "I wish it was under better terms."

"Wasn't that great of terms the last time." Stoick said approaching the throne, the five other members of his entourage following suit. Merida looked towards Astrid.

"Who are they?" Astrid glanced towards Merida then towards the second largest man in the group.

"See that man to Stoicks right?" Merida nodded her head. "Thats Gobber. Stoicks oldest friend and Hiccups mentor. The two to Gobbers right," Merida glanced at the blonde boy and girl, "Ruffnut and Tuffnut Thorston, their twins. On Stoicks left, Snotlout Jorgeson. Hiccups cousin." Meridas eyes widened at this. The two looked nothing alike, at all. Where Hiccup was lean, Snotlout was muscular; where Hiccup was tall, Snotlout was short.

"The large man to his left is Fishlegs, one of Hiccups closest friends."

"Astrid," The pair jumped at Stoicks call, seeing the large man look around then look back to Astrid.

"Where's Hiccup?"

Astrid paled slightly. "Well, you see chief. Hiccups not exactly here at the moment."

"What do you mean he's not here at the moment?" Stoicks eyes burned into Astrid. Astrid flinched at the venom in the words. Hey, even the toughest of vikings would flinch under Stoick the vast iron gaze.

"We found an injured Typhoomerang in the woods. Its been tortured. Hiccup left to find out who did it." Merida spoke, alleviating the burning gaze Stoick had on Astrid. Stoick glanced at Merida and sighed.

"Figures it had something to do with a dragon. Astrid." Stoick looked over at the Viking who perked up at the call of her name.

"Go find him. Ruff, Tuff. Follow her."

"Yes chief." The three turned and ran down the hall.

"Fishlegs, Gobber. Go take care of the Typhoomerang. Make sure its in a good enough condition to take back to the Archipelago."

"Righty o." Gobber spoke before turning and walking out followed by Fishlegs. Gobber stopped abruptly and turned.

"Uh. Where exactly is it?" Stoick looked over at Merida.

"I'll go with ye." Merida spoke standing.

"Be careful." Elinor spoke up. Merida turned and smiled at her mom before following the two vikings out of the hall.

"Now Stoick. We have some business to attend to."

"Aye, we do." With that Stoick, Fergus and Elinor retreated to the castles library.

Toothless glided through the air. Instead of the calmness that came with their normal flights, both him and his rider were tense and actively looking around. "I don't like this Toothless." Hiccup looked over the side to see a long line of camp fires. "Dagur wasn't bluffing. By the looks of it, its an entire legion alright. Luckily the darkness kept them hidden from sight. Hiccup looked forward, the light from the castle illuminating the darkness on the horizon. By the looks of it, the army was at least a few hours march away. Most likely resting to prepare for the assault that will most likely occur in the morning.

"Hiccup!" Hiccup looked behind him to see Astrid with Ruff and Tuff following close behind. Hiccup waved. "Meet me at the castle!"

"Did you find them?"

"Yep."

"Who is it?"

"Romans and you're not going to believe who's leading them."

"Who, Grendel?" Tuffnut said bitterly.

"Worse." The already chilly atmosphere dropped a few degrees.

"Who is it?" Astrid spoke.

"Dagur."

"Dagur! You're talking about Dagur the deranged?" Tuffnut looked in shock and horror at Hiccup, the look mimicked on his companions. Even barf and belch looked worried.

"No way! He's dead. You killed him! We all saw it. There's no way anyone could survive-"

"That's enough Ruffnut." Astrid hissed looking from Ruffnut towards Hiccup. His gaze was locked on the castle in the distance, his face covered from his mask but obviously distressed. Astrid looked down towards Toothless, who shared a worried look with the female Viking. Stormfly gave a worried chirp and Astrid instinctively rubbed the side of her head. "I know girl. I'm worried too."

OUTSIDE THE CASTLE

"So, you two knew Hiccup all his life?" Merida asked as she lead them to where the Typhoomerang was currently kept. "Aye. I knew that young lad since he was a baby. Taught him everything he knows about blacksmithing. Well, almost everything. The inventions the lad has are all his known. Thor knows any other viking wouldn't be able to comprehend, let alone design such contraptions." Gobber spoke, interrupting Fishlegs just as his mouth opened.

"So...what he said about losing his leg is true?"

"Depends on what he said." Fishlegs spoke, this time interrupting Gobber.

"Giant dragon?"

"Aye. Largest dragon any of us have ever encountered. Had to burn my undies after that one."

"Thats something I didn't need to know." Merida muttered to herself.

"It gets worse." Fishlegs grumbled.

A quick cuff to the back of the head abruptly stopped his grumbling. "Hey! Those were my favorite pair! They were so soft, like a babies bottom. Paid for them with a freshly made axe I did."

"You go to fight a giant dragon in your favorite underwear?" Merida spoke, raising an eyebrow.

"Aye. Well. The giant dragon part was a bit of a surprise. And left a bit of a surprise," He leaned down towards Fishlegs. "If you know what I mean."

"I think we both know what you mean, Gobber." Fishlegs grumbled more. Meridas look of disgust made him chuckle.

"What he says is true though Merida. Most of the vikings that went to fight on the nest wore their best clothes."

"Why's that?"

"Ha! Well you don't want to go to Valhalla in your worse now do ya?" Gobber interjected as they rounded a corner. The Typhoomerang sat waiting patiently, upon seeing seem it slowly got up.

"There she is." Merida spoke.

"We'll take it from here lass." Gobber spoke, slowly approaching the Typhoomerang, who was shifting uncomfortably at the strange faces.

"You won't need any help?" Merida asked as Gobber placed a calming hand on the frightened dragon, who immediately welcomed the warm hand.

"We've done this plenty of times before. But if Hiccup arrives could you let us know?" Fishlegs spoke, opening a bag of different medicines to begin the lengthy task of healing the dragon. Merida nodded her head and turned to head back to the castle. A flash of light from above caught their attention. "Nevermind. Looks like the lad is back." Gobber spoke. From their position the could distinguish the shape of a Nadder and Zippleback, followed closely by the legendary outline of a Night Fury. "Go on lass, don't wanna be missed now." Merida nodded her head and turned back to the castle, wondering if Hiccup found the people who tortured the gentle giant that was the Typhoomerang.

Hiccup landed with a soft "ooph", the days events rattling the boy to a state of utter exhaustion. Dagur, the young man who declared war against the Hooligans was alive. He pushed the thoughts away. Now was not the time to dwell on the past. At this very moment an entire Roman Legion supported by dragons was at the castles gates. He had to inform the King and Queen. Hopefully they'll have enough time to evacuate the castle.

"Whats the plan Hiccup?" Astrid spoke, dismounting Stormfly and jogging towards the Viking heir.

"We warn the castle. Defend it if we can't get everyone out. Ruff, Tuff. You stay above the castle. Warn us if you see anything suspicious." The dynamic duo nodded their heads and took off skyward.

"Are you ok?" Astrid asked, placing a comforting hand on Hiccups shoulder.

"Ya. I will be." Hiccup spoke, giving her a soft smile. She returned it.

"Best be on our way then."

"So, thats the terms then." Stoick spoke leaning his large frame against the back of a chair.

"Are they acceptable?" Elinor spoke, folding a piece of paper in half. Stoick cast his gaze upwards.

"If you require further compensation…" Fergus spoke.

"Its not the money. Never had a use for it up north."

"Then what are you concerned about?"

The door to the library opened up and Hiccup walked in. "Hi dad." Stoick immediately stood and walked over to him.

"Good to see you still have all the body parts you left with." Stoick chuckled, slapping him on the shoulder affectionately.

"And I see you've been spending a lot of time with Gobber." Hiccup spoke, smiling up at his dad as he rubbed his shoulder. Stoick let out a hearty laugh.

"The man has been awfully lonely without his apprentice to keep him company in the shop." The joyfully atmosphere turned somber as Stoick changed topic.

"Did you find out who tortured the Typhoomerang?" Hiccup nodded his head.

"And you aren't going to like who it is. Any of you." Hiccup looked towards the Elinor and Fergus, who by now were standing next to them. Stoick frowned deeply.

"Who is it?"

"Dagur." Stoick blinked in surprise.

"Dagur? Dagur the deranged?" Hiccup nodded his head in confirmation.

"Who's Dagur?" Fergus spoke.

"A monster more than a man. We have to move quick. While we have the upper hand." Stoick moved past his son towards the door.

"He already knows you're here." Hiccup spoke, stopping Stoick in his tracks.

"This entire thing was his idea. The assassination attempts, the attacks on Dunbroch and the Highlands. All of it. Just to get the most powerful leaders of the North in one location. Dad, he has a Roman Legion with him."

Stoick looked from his son to Fergus and Elinor. "Do you have enough manpower to hold the castle?"

"Against a Roman Legion?" He frowned. "No. We can hold them at bay, but we can't hold on if they get over the walls. Then there's the issue with the dragons..."

"Don't worry about the dragons. We'll take care of them. Hiccup, send a message to Berk. Tell Spitelout to recall all the dragon riders and send them here. We'll hold out as long as we can. In the meantime we evacuate as much of the castle as we can." Stoick turned from Hiccup to Fergus. "Agreed?"

Fergus face was grim. "Agreed."