So my autumn isn't quite as overfilled as I thought though still pretty busy. It seems I'll be able to continue normal monthly update rate.

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Comments:

Nitroexpress / lara5170 : The bond is great thing for both of them, but great things come with a price, at least in good stories,

thearizona : Let the peopletraining begin. And yes it is a vulnerability and something that can affect character development too.

Guest : I'm not planning to stop anytime soon.

SkyHighFan: This already came up in pms, but I like to answer publicly. That part wasn't apparently as well written if there are more people who feel like you. Mainly the idea was to A) not have just a scene describing smithing and B) indirectly show Hiccup's skills. He wanted Hiccup to prove his skill, bang, he has been convinced.

Everlastingdreamshop : For this story the character developments have come quite naturally. I wish my original work had this easy characters.

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Other matters.

I think I mentioned few months ago that I was planning to add Another Nightmare to Wattpad. I have now edited (Since especially earliest chapters had much to fix with the language) and added the first book in its entirety. (story is under the same name there.) I will probably update new versions of text on this site in near future. Not sure if followers are going to get notifications for each updata, but I'll try to at least do it all at once.

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Beta read by 3Dphantom.

The sun had recently passed its highest point in the sky as Hiccup and Fishlegs walked up the hill towards the arena. It was the moment of truth. Hiccup didn't even notice the cold breeze as the small crowd came into sight. There was a dozen people from different walks of life there to learn from him: From a boy younger than Hiccup himself to an elderly woman. Two heavily armed warriors stood on the edge of the group. They noticed Hiccup and Fishlegs first.

"The chief ordered us to let you in the ring and make sure that you don't place the villagers in unnecessary danger."

"Does that mean you are going to be there armed?" Hiccup asked, eyeing their weapons.

"Yes."

"And I assume you aren't going to leave your weapons outside of the ring, if I ask you to."

"No."

"Great. At least try to stay out of sight."

"We will be where we need to be."

"Listen, there is a reason I told people to come unarmed. It's a lot easier to approach dragons when they aren't preparing to avoid your axe."

"Easier to get killed too."

"No one's getting killed," Hiccup almost shouted and then sighed. "There really is no point trying to get through to people with words. Can we get in the ring now?"

"Fine. Come with us."

'Already off to a great start,' Hiccup thought to himself sarcastically. He followed the men.

"Okay," Fishlegs addressed the group of people. "Um, those who came for the dragon… training. You should come also, with us to the ring."

"Are you're sure it's safe?" Someone asked. "Shouldn't you show us what to do before we get locked in the ring with a dragon?"

"You'll be fine," Hiccup shouted over his shoulder.

The guards guided them to a door hidden under the audience benches. A narrow stairwell led straight down to the ring. They stepped out of the same door that Hakon had used to enter the ring the previous day. There were a few people on the edges looking down on the ring, supposedly because they didn't quite dare to face a dragon. Hiccup recognised at least one from the earlier group and once everyone was down, he confirmed the group had shrunk to ten.

"Okay, open the nightmare's gate," Hiccup ordered.

"Wait, you're going to just let it out right away?!" An unfamiliar woman asked.

"If that wasn't clear yet, then yes. If I've learnt anything while studying dragons, it's that trying to get through to people with words alone is almost useless. My teacher in blacksmithing preferred learning on the job and I finally understand why. Don't worry. You already saw yesterday that I get along with this dragon pretty well. Just make sure you don't approach with weapons," Hiccup directed his final words to the two warriors.

The two didn't verbally answer, but moved to the sides of Shortclaw's gate. Most of the group went with them to help remove the logs holding it closed. Only the kid didn't go with them. Being just about Hiccup's size, he couldn't do much anyway. He was also slowly inching behind Fishlegs, so that the larger teen was between him and Shortclaw's gate. Hiccup took a few steps away from standing in front of it, to get closer to the boy. Maybe it would be easier to convince someone younger first...

"Come here," he told the boy.

The boy didn't seem convinced. His eyes darted between Hiccup and the gate behind him. Fishlegs stepped aside from between them and faced the boy.

"You don't need to worry," he added. "Hiccup knows what he's doing. Actually, it is probably safest to be as close to him as possible when there are dragons around."

"Thank you Fishlegs. So, what is your name?" Hiccup asked from the boy.

"Ivar. Are you sure the dragon won't attack? It hurt Hakon pretty badly."

"That is because he came here to try to kill it, her, actually. Here, let me show you."

Hiccup gestured for Ivar to come with him and now the boy did what he asked. Hiccup rested his hand on his back and walked him in front of the gate. The others had stopped removing the logs.

"Okay, we're ready now. Open it up," Hiccup said, and then focused to reach inside with his thoughts. 'Shortclaw, can you hear me?'

'Viking, are you finally getting me out of here?'

'You could say that I'm starting to work on it. I'm trying to show people that you aren't just some beast. Two of them have weapons. Try to stay away from them, but don't start anything. If you hurt someone it's all over.'

'So, you want me to act like a loyal dog.' She growled internally.

'Don't say that. It might be better anyway, if you don't act too nice when you come out.'

'If that is what you want.'

The logs came off and people ran to the sides.

Shortclaw threw the gate open. The doors slammed on the wall as she pushed through. Her roar echoed from the stone walls. Ivar took a step back, but Hiccup grabbed his shoulder firmly and turned his head to face Ivar rather than Shortclaw.

"The first thing to remember when facing a dragon is to stay calm. Running away isn't much better than attacking. After that, the main goal is to have mutual trust. Trust is everything with dragons. I already made a connection with this dragon before so it will be easier now. Note how everyone else is following her every movement, but I trust her enough to not do that."

Without turning his head, Hiccup lifted his other hand keeping it in front of Shortclaw. She got the message and brought her snout to meet the hand.

"Third, the sense of smell is very important to dragons. They can recognise you based on scent or even recognise what other dragons you have been close to recently. Sometimes that can be a problem. Not all dragons get along with each other, just like how not all people get along."

Ivar was simply staring at the dragon only literally an arm's length away from him. His voice was barely a whisper.

"I have never been this close to a living dragon."

"So, are you ready to introduce yourself?"

Ivar's eyes jumped back to Hiccup. The look in them was somewhere between surprised and terrified. Hiccup let go off his shoulder and grabbed his arm instead, guiding it closer to Shortclaw's face.

"Keep your hand open in front of her, but don't actually touch her. The dragon should decide if she wants to trust you. Turn your head and close your eyes to show that you trust her."

Ivar was undecided for a few seconds, but then he slowly turned his head. Hiccup lifted his own arm from Shortclaw's snout and faced her.

'So?'

'So, what?' The dragons asked.

'Do you trust him?'

'To not attack me? He isn't exactly in a position to do anything.'

'And he willingly put himself in that position.'

'I know what you want. I'll play along for now.'

After a few seconds Shortclaw finally turned her head to meet Ivar's hand. The boy shook visibly when scale met skin and Hiccup felt a tug in the arm. He didn't let Ivar pull back. He stopped trying almost immediately, but was still breathing heavily. Shortclaw too was inhaling as she sniffed the hand.

'At least he doesn't stink like a Night Fury.'

'You'd better watch your thoughts about Toothless, if you want to ever get out of here,' Hiccup answered. Shortclaw let out a low growl that made Ivar shake again.

"Hiccup?"

"Don't worry. She is a bit grumpy. Being imprisoned can do that," Hiccup lied. He stepped away so everyone could see Ivar alone with the dragon, and raised his voice to be heard by the rest of the people waiting by the wall. "Who's next?"

Many of the people still seemed uncertain, although they were staring at Ivar and Shortclaw with wide eyes. A large, older woman was the first one to step up from the group.

"You are such girls, guys. Let a woman show how it's done!"

"Great!" Hiccup said. This was working better than he had expected.

Not everyone was as eager to face Shortclaw, but Hiccup got more and more of them to try as the afternoon proceeded. Some people who had been viewing from above even came down to the ring. Hiccup was already congratulating people, about to finish for the day, when the door opened one more time. He could sense Shortclaw tense behind him and the dragon turned away from the trainee group to face the new arrivals.

Hakon had arrived at the ring with some other men. The two warriors who had observed the training session also left their posts on the edge of the ring to join him. Hiccup had to walk around Shortclaw's wing to face the man. The dragon was ready to pounce at Hakon, waiting to be given even the slightest of reasons to attack.

'Take it easy. Trying to provoke you might be just what he wants.'

Hakon for sure wasn't there for a friendly visit. His injuries were now fully treated and covered with bandages. It would take him a long time to get rid of signs of his earlier humiliation. Oh, the poor people who didn't have access to Night Fury saliva! Speaking of Night Fury, Toothless had already noticed Hakon's presence through their bond. Hiccup stood next to Shortclaw's head.

"Are you here for the training? We were just about to finish for the day."

"As if a twig like you could teach us how to deal with dragons. Spending time crawling in front of them is useless when you can chop their head off and be done with it, unless you are a weak hiccup. I came to look for my brother. That fishbone doesn't need to be any more distracted from important things. Ivar! Ivar get over here, now!"

Hiccup turned around to see the boy looking everywhere except to Hakon, his brother. Hesitantly he walked around Shortclaw. Hakon waited, a threatening smirk on his face. Hiccup had seen that look before. Those were the painful days before he could seek protection behind the armour of scales. As soon as Ivar got within Hakon's reach Hakon slapped him hard enough to make his little brother fall on the ground. Hiccup squeezed his hands in fists, feeling a need to tear open Hakon's throat, but that was probably just Toothless' influence, mostly. Shortclaw was also radiating anger. Hiccup could have sworn he felt actual heat coming from the dragon.

"Hiccup," Fishlegs whispered. Hiccup hadn't even noticed when he had sneaked closer. "I know what you are feeling, but we can't do anything here."

"Sure, don't interfere. There could be consequences. I know where that leads to. Why risk yourself for some hiccup."

"Hiccup, this isn't about getting bullied for showing support. This could end with a battle and people dying, including you and Ivar," Fishlegs pleaded. "And what will Toothless do if you get killed or captured?"

"You had to go there, didn't you?" Hiccup responded angrily.

"Sorry, but it is the one thing that makes you listen, no matter how you are feeling."

"You are right about that, but he doesn't like Hakon either," Hiccup answered. He focused on Shortclaw. 'Don't do anything.'

'And what if I want to do something?' She took a step forward, growling. In the next second she collapsed on the ground. Fishlegs had barely enough time to pull his arm from under Shortclaw's head. At least he remembered Hiccup's lessons. Even Hakon's angry look had been replaced by the surprise. Same with Ivar in his grasp.

"You should leave," Hiccup said to Hakon. "The chief permitted us to do this and since you aren't interested in learning, you should stay out of the way."

"I already got what I wanted, but you should be careful. You can't hide behind my father forever and that dragon is still here only to be killed."

At least he left without a fight, but Hiccup couldn't take his eyes off poor Ivar, who could barely stay on his feet, being dragged by his brother. Hiccup couldn't even imagine sharing a house with someone like Hakon. At least Snotlout hadn't lived with him on Berk...

On Ivar's last glance back, his eyes met Hiccup's. Both knew exactly what the other was feeling.