Hiccups

by KatieMarie999

Growing Up Haddock Story 8: Life has many ups and downs. What we would like to call hiccups. Hiccups are annoying, complicated. You can't always make them go away. Sometimes it takes time and patience. They can even be painful. But as the Haddocks find out, hiccups are a natural occurrence in life. It's how you deal with them that is the key.

38. Warrior

Hi guys!

Woof, this chapter. It's another long one haha I'm super duper excited for you guys to read it though! Let me know what you think!

Can you believe it's already almost June? What is this madness. Time, you may now slow down at any time, please and thank you!

Thanks for all the faithful readers! Hop on Discord for some friendly GUH chat and don't forget to even check out the GUH Tumblr account haddock-family for hilarious memes and art and other fun things!

Enjoy the chapter!

~Em

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Chapter 38: Warrior

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Adrianna was beyond sick of winter and she was beyond sick of being pregnant.

She should be grateful, her mother had remarked sweetly. At least she wasn't suffering in the sweltering summer heat. Adrianna supposed this was rational, but she was bored and tired of sitting at home doing nothing. At least it felt like nothing.

Decorating the baby's nursery had taken up most of the week. With her daddy's careful sketching and Erick's surprisingly steady hand at painting, a variety of Terrible Terrors and clouds were now painted throughout the spare room in the tiny house.

The work had given her a reprieve of her boredom. Truthfully she wasn't miserable. She just wanted to go the Great Hall or go to Taryn's or Inga's or something. All of their friends had come now and then to keep her company while Erick was working. But it was the distinct lack of her ability to go anywhere due to the icy roads that kept her spirits down.

With the exception of her weekly checkups with Mara, who had not yet deemed her under house arrest as long as she was careful. She still had two months to go until her due date after all. She was big but she wasn't a moose just yet.

Still, she could barely contain her excitement as she donned her coat and scarf. Erick had agreed that she go with him to the market for food as well, though they weren't exactly running out. She suspected that he was taking pity on her constant state of antsiness.

Adrianna stared down at her boots with pursed lips. This was going to take a while.

Erick emerged, a knowing smile on his face. She looked up at him through her bangs with what she was sure a pitiful expression. He crouched down with a barely restrained grin. "Need some assistance, m'lady?"

She sighed, flopping back on the couch as he eased her feet into the boots. "I'm so ready for this to be over."

"But then we won't be sleeping. Are you sure you're ready for such a sacrifice?" Erick smirked, his fingers making quick work of the laces.

"As long as you promise to lose sleep right along with me," Adrianna stated, raising her hands so he could pull her out of the depths of the couch. He complied until they stood nose to nose. "I have big big plans for you, mister."

His teal eyes crinkled at the corners. "Oh?"

"Oh yes," Adrianna nodded primly, buttoning her coat over the baby bump that seemed rather ginormous now. "You see, we will be taking turns with taking care of the baby at night."

Erick's smile deepened to reveal the dimples she loved so much. "There's one small problem with that."

"Hm?" Adrianna grinned.

"I appear to be missing a few key elements to the feeding process, don't you think?" Erick's gaze flicked south and she slapped his arm. He laughed and pulled her hood up, pulling her in for a brief kiss. "I promise to take turns with diapers and anything else you need assistance with, Annie."

"Good," She hummed, kissing him once more before marching to the door. "I'd expect nothing else from my beloved."

He laughed again and took her hand, giving the house a quick once-over to make sure there were no remaining candles burning. They left the house and Adrianna yelped at the sudden blast of cold air. She hadn't been outside properly (with the exception of outhouse trips) since her last checkup. Apparently a cold front had arrived in that time.

Erick tucked her into his side and led the way down the street. Mara's was luckily not very far so they made the trip with ease, watching for ice patches along the way. She glanced around the village, waving at those she saw. The women especially gave her a knowing smile and she beamed. In the distance she saw the hatchery and wondered if she could convince Erick to also let her go see Lily if she gave him the puppy eyes. It was warm and safe in there, not much risk of accident.

They stamped their feet on Mara's doormat before entering, the warmth of the healer's fireplace welcoming. Inga was busy making poultices across the room and gave them a nod as they hung up their coats.

"Hi guys," she said, a few jars tinkling together as she placed them in a basket. "How's everyone?"

"Good, Inga." Adrianna went to her side and lifted one of the jars. "What's this one for?"

She plucked it out of her hand with pursed lips and replied, "Cliff."

Adrianna blinked and felt more than saw Erick stiffen. "What?"

"Oh you didn't hear?" Inga asked with a raised brow.

"What happened?" Erick demanded. "I saw him yesterday and he was fine."

"Astrid dropped him off in the middle of the night with a horrible cough," Inga stated, putting the basket of poultices and medicines on a shelf. "Mara's still researching but it could either be in the throat or in the lungs. Either way, it sounds really painful."

Adrianna winced, a hand on her belly. "Can we see him or-"

"Nope. Mara said no visitors just in case it's in the throat. Those are usually more contagious than lung sickness."

"He must have picked it up somewhere," Erick commented. "Is he alright?"

"Well, he has no voice and he's coughing up a lung. How do you think?" Inga scoffed. "He's probably more miserable that he doesn't have a voice. I'm only pleased because he can't make stupid puns like he did last summer. Mara's worried though. Being his aunt and all. Not to mention furious!" Inga crossed her arms, grinning. "He and Taryn jumped in the ocean-"

"What!" Adrianna gasped. "Why?"

Erick sighed, rubbing his brow. "Why do they do anything crazy? Adventure."

"Well common sense says not to jump in freezing cold water this time of year. No wonder he's sick!"

"That's what Mara said. Like Erick, we assumed that he'd just picked it up somewhere," Inga shook her head. "That is until Taryn showed up fretting and begging to make sure he was okay. I knew it was more than just her being a worried girlfriend because she started cleaning."

Adrianna and Erick shared a small laugh. One could always tell when Taryn was feeling especially stressed or guilty when she started cleaning.

"So obviously I cornered her," Inga said proudly. "I told her, 'Taryn, if there's something you know that we don't, then you need to fess up right now. Cliff is our patient and we need to know anything that might have happened so we can know how to take care of him.' And then it was like opening the floodgates. She told me the whole story!" Inga shook her head. "She's got guts, I'll give her that. If any stupid boy tried to make me do that, I drop him like a sack of potatoes."

Erick snickered. "Well I'm sure they'll both learn their lesson. Adventures are good but they also require discretion."

"Oh trust me, Mara was in there giving him a lecture of the century for a while."

Adrianna looked around. "Where is she now? With another patient?"

Surprisingly, Inga's blue eyes darted to Erick for the briefest moment. "Yes."

"Okay," Adrianna nodded, dropping into one of the plush armchairs by the fire. "Then we shall wait most patiently."

Erick took the other one silently, watching Inga as she returned to her work station.

If it wasn't for the slight pinch in his brow, Adrianna might not have thought much of his silence. He wasn't chatty like Cliff or even Finn, who was more likely to make boring small talk just to fill up the silence. As it was, he was tense, the fingers of his left hand clamped on the chair.

Confused, Adrianna put her hand atop of his. A blink and the shadow in his eyes was gone and he faced her with a smile. She frowned. Tried to hide something from her, did he?

The answer to her unspoken question came moments later however and she could almost see the wall of protection Erick snapped up between them, like the very air became charged. Footsteps echoed down the stairs, Mara speaking amicably to a young couple not much older than themselves.

Melanie and Nikolas.

Adrianna blinked in surprise at the swell of the dark-haired girl's belly. She was pregnant.

She knew the girl had had a miscarriage sometime last year but she hadn't known she was expecting again. A quick glance at Erick answered her questions. He'd known and not told her. Not because she didn't need to know but because he still refused to acknowledge that he even had another brother. Whose family was growing.

Adrianna felt the natural spark of excitement, regardless of her husband and brother-in-law's estrangement. A new life was a wonderful thing and she'd always been excited at the prospect of a new child coming into the world, even when she was a little girl herself.

So naturally, she smiled at them when they stepped off the stairs.

Melanie drew up short but after a moment of hesitation, she smiled back. Nikolas though… The glare he threw at them was dark and unwelcome. His gaze darted to her own belly and back up to her face, and the look he gave her made the smile melt off her face.

Filthy. Unwanted. Weak.

Erick was out of his chair in an instant but Nikolas had already grabbed Melanie's hand and whisked her out of the house, grabbing their coats in the other hand. He didn't look back.

But Melanie did. Her eyes were wide and sad as she stared back at Adrianna before the door snapped to a close.

Inga released a small sigh from her corner. Mara's lips were pursed as she approached them at last. "Adrianna? Would you like some tea or water?"

Erick crouched down and brushed her hair from her neck. It was then she realized her eyes were brewing with tears.

"No," She wiped her face and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I'm alright-"

"Do not," Erick said very quietly yet gently. "Apologize for how he acts. Ever."

Adrianna nodded and took another deep breath. She hadn't felt that undesirable in a long time. She could forget sometimes how some people still didn't like or support her. Though Nikolas could very well use his estrangement from Erick as an excuse, he never had liked her. He'd always thought of her as small and useless.

Well that did not mean she had to hate him back. She could let it go, just as she had for every other jerk that had crossed her path. But she couldn't help but feel terribly for Melanie, her sister-in-law, who might have become a close friend if things had been different.

A sister.

The thought only made her sadder inside but she pushed the thoughts away. She had an appointment.

"Okay," She stood and pulled a smile onto her face. To Mara, she said, "Let's do this."

---

Once Adrianna had followed Mara into one of the patient rooms for her checkup, Erick glared out the window. Originally he'd planned to go with her, hold her hand while Mara made sure everything was going well with the baby. But after that encounter, he couldn't.

For once he wished Finn was here to wrestle with, blow off some steam. Cliff was out. Maybe Gustav was available later.

All it had taken was a glance from Inga and he'd known his brother and sister-in-law were here. He'd wanted to grab Adrianna's hand and run out before they appeared. He hadn't wanted any confrontation. Besides, she hadn't known that Melanie was pregnant. She was surely displeased now that she knew and he'd never told her.

Truly he'd only known since he returned from Hjart. Magnus and Gustav had mentioned Melanie's checkups in passing and it hadn't taken a genius to figure it out. He knew they'd been trying for a child for a while now and then she'd had the miscarriage last summer. He wondered if Gustav and Magnus had decided to drop those hints out of necessity or in the attempts to make them fix their relationship. Now that they both were about to be new fathers.

But what relationship? Nikolas had never acted like he cared for anyone except their mother. He'd certainly never cared for Erick. He'd always been cruel and rude and stubborn. Things had gotten better when he'd met Melanie and gotten married; for a while he was actually pleasant. But he'd returned to his stoic, grumpy ways within a few months. Erick knew he cared for Melanie just as he cared for Adrianna, he had no doubts there. He'd never hurt Mel. But when their father had died, it had only gotten worse.

"How about you, Larson?" Inga's brash voice broke the silence, making him jump. "Want some tea? You look tense as a board."

Erick exhaled out his nose and turned from the window, arms crossed tight across his chest. "I'm fine."

Inga raised a brow. "I'm going to need a shot of liquor before this day is over."

He blinked. "You're fourteen."

"There's a first time for everything."

Erick shook his head, surrendering a laugh. "Well if you do, I had nothing to do with it."

"Are you kidding me? With all this stress-"

"Yeah yeah." Erick didn't want to hear it. He'd been looking forward to a nice day off with Adrianna and now Nikolas had to-

"Stop scowling," Inga said, brandishing a mixing spoon at him. Erick blinked. "Adrianna is a queen for shoving away those feelings the way she did. You and I both know that Nikolas deserved to have his lights knocked out for the way he looked at her, but she pushed it aside so she could move on with her day. Don't drag her down by being sullen and moody."

Erick wanted to be stubborn and brood about it. What did she know anyway? She was just a kid. A smart kid though, wiser than her years. He huffed and forced himself to uncross his arms. "Alright."

Inga squinted at him before nodding with an air of finality. "Seriously, I should get a raise with all the Haddock and Larson drama I have to put up with."

He laughed. "Take it up with Mara."

"Might as well add Smedleys to the list."

"Pft, she'd probably do it too, what with her errant nephew," Erick said. He fought the temptation to search out his bestest bruh. "Will he be okay?"

"Once we figure out which tonic works best," Inga said, measuring a cup of a briny white substance into a jar and screwing the lid.

"What's that for?"

Inga's hand stilled and she blushed. "Its bh sts."

"What?" Erick asked, voice laced with laughter. It wasn't every day one got to see Inga blush.

She huffed. "It's bath salts, oh nosy one!"

"Oh," Erick shrugged. "My sisters loved bath salts growing up. That's not weird."

Inga shoved the jar away, muttering under her breath about annoying men. Erick chuckled and plopped back into the armchair, stretching his legs out toward the fire. The orange light flickered across the metal of his prosthetic.

"So," Inga said in a casual tone. Too casual. "Have you heard from Finn?"

Erick hid a smile. "Nope. I suspect he's busy training a dragon-riding army. Too busy to write."

"Hm."

He observed Inga's posture, wondering what she was thinking. He could read the girl surprisingly well in most cases but with Finn… he wondered if she was still torn up about his rejection. She hadn't heard his name cross her lips in at least a month.

"It's quiet without him here," she said softly.

"Yeah," Erick agreed. "Less to do around here without his daily patchups from whatever injury he acquired that day?"

"Well it's not like I miss him or anything."

Erick barely restrained his scoff and covered his mouth with a hand. If she turned around she might see his struggle but mercifully, her back stayed turned.

"Like I said, it's just quiet," Inga added, the mixing of salts in her bowl getting louder. He'd be surprised if they wouldn't be called bath powder soon. "I keep expecting him to walk by or hear him in the Great Hall or goofing around with Zap somewhere. It's just weird."

She totally missed him. Erick and Adrianna had wondered for some time if Inga still liked him. Without having Finn around for a few weeks now and Inga hadn't spoken to him since before the wedding, it had been difficult to figure out.

Finn's love life had become one of Adrianna's favorite topics of discussion since he'd returned from Hjart. For the first few days it had been "Genevieve this" and "Genevieve that". He honestly couldn't wait for the girls to meet, for he had no doubts that they would be fast friends.

There was something there, Finn and Genevieve. Erick had seen the spark. Hiccup had seen it too, he'd known by the way his father-in-law's eyes had lit up mischievously. He'd had to tell Hiccup not to go crazy on the flight home and let it run its course in due time. Erick would be lying if he said he wasn't crossing his own fingers though.

He'd never been one to play matchmaker but since the wedding, he and Adrianna had spent a copious amount of time discussing people and their potentials for dates. Morgan and Evan had even made the list.

His amused smile fell when he remembered the young girl standing a few feet away. What would Inga think if Finn started going out with someone else? Oh, he'd have to ask Adrianna about that. It would be one thing if Inga had moved on but the girl was clearly in denial at missing Finn. Deep down, she still liked him.

"All I'm saying is Berk isn't the same without him, that's all." Inga added abruptly.

Yup. She still liked him.

Erick swallowed, trying his best to sound casual. "Well he'll be back in time for Snoggletog."

Two weeks. Two weeks until his birthday when he'd turn nineteen. Things had changed so much in the last year and things would continue to change. They'd be having a baby in two months, hopefully they'd build a new house in the spring and move in by summer, and… and…

A grin spread across his face. And then life would carry on, a blank slate for the future.

---

Genevieve rung her hands together, staring at her parents doing the dishes in the kitchen. Her dad stole the scrub brush; her mom yelped and splattered him with soapy water, coating his beard. They laughed. She stared, terrified.

She'd always been close with her parents, though she did butt heads with her mother sometimes. Her mother was no-nonsense and logical; Genevieve was wild and free-spirited. Try as she might, it had been hard grooming Genevieve into the good girl she was today. She'd been obedient and compliant over the years, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

But that made it difficult for her to ask for things. Or just ask things. Almost like she was walking over some invisible line that existed between her and her parents. That asking for something was wrong by nature. There was only obedience, no questions asked.

That's what it felt like sometimes. Being stifled and guarded. Overprotected. Nervousness about stepping over the line clawed up her throat.

Talk to them, she chided herself. They're your parents, just ask them.

But what if they get angry?

They love you. Tell them the reasons why you want to train. Honesty is more valuable.

They'll be disappointed. That's not the future they wanted for me.

Around and around the thoughts swirled in her brain. And they had been since she'd talked to Finn on Tuesday night. It was now Friday morning. Between her fear and the various duties they were all accustomed to, she hadn't had much of a chance to speak to either of them the last few days.

But now she was almost out of time.

Panic clawed up her throat and she tiptoed back up the stairs before they noticed her presence. Overwhelmed, she walked into her room and sighed, rubbing her face. She really shouldn't be getting so worked up about it. She should just come right out and ask, not make a spectacle of it. She didn't need to start a false conversation and segue into what she really wanted.

But the thought of any variety of responses they'd have… it terrified her, crippled her, kept her from making a decision. She didn't know what to do.

The ceiling creaked above her and her thoughts evaporated. She paused, listening. Moments later, she heard it again. If she was hearing footsteps, that meant Finn was still here.

She'd gotten up early to give herself extra time but she'd assumed that he'd be gone by now. Apparently he didn't get up at the crack of dawn every day. Or maybe his nonstop working for nearly two weeks straight was finally starting to catch up to him.

Resolve filled her and she left her room, taking the stairs to the loft. She marched up to the door and knocked before she lost her nerve. She had to talk to someone or she'd combust and go crazy. Just what she needed was an emotional breakdown and then she'd be stuck in the Elders home for the rest of her life for losing her mind-

The door opened to reveal Finn, bare from the waist up except for the Fortis necklace.

Genevieve's mind went blank, torn between shock and embarrassment. She hadn't been imagining the muscles of his chest and stomach on that flight. With the sparse red hair on his broad chest, she tried to avert her eyes and instead caught sight of a thin yet ugly horizontal scar just below his ribs.

He smirked, leaning against the doorframe. "We've really gotta stop running into each other like this."

"Huh?" Genevieve forced her eyes up and his smirk broadened. She swallowed hard and averted her eyes, even as her face flushed. The only way she couldn't look at him was to either look straight up or straight down. He wasn't naked, for gods sake, she should calm down, but really, why did she have to put herself into these positions? "I haven't seen your- you shirtless before. I can come back later." She added hastily.

He laughed and opened the door wider. "I'm just messing with you. Come in, Gen."

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to talk to you. I didn't mean to barge in." She said as he turned to the bed, sifting through a small pile of freshly laundered clothes, presumably in search of a shirt.

"No problem."

She chewed her lip, glancing around the room, trying to focus on anything but him. The room wasn't very large though and he seemed to be taking his sweet sweet time looking for a shirt. Genevieve glared at his back. If she discovered that he was stalling just to make her squirm she'd… she'd…

Genevieve blinked. His back was just as muscled as the rest of him, covered in freckles and tan from long summer days in the sun. But it was the series of crossed stripes along his spine that halted her breath in her lungs.

Scars.

Genevieve halted the gasp that almost surged out of her mouth and dragged her gaze away. Finn is a man of secrets, Helga's voice rang through her mind. Whatever those secrets entailed, Genevieve doubted that Helga knew where the scars had come from. She added this piece of knowledge to everything she'd learned so far. That Finn had left Berk and gone on some adventure, seen and perhaps done things that most people did not know about, even his closest friends. Even some of his family. He himself had told her that he'd seen enough of the world to know that he belonged on Berk, as future Chief. That he wouldn't give that up to satisfy mere wanderlust.

She wondered if that's what had happened. If he'd left Berk and discovered that the world didn't satisfy, that Berk was his one and only true home? But how did he get those scars? Horror crawled up her throat. What if he'd left home because… But no, she'd met his family; it certainly wasn't abuse from anyone in his household. Well… not his immediate family anyway. She supposed that she'd never heard of any extended family members.

She was overthinking it. She had to be. Either way, Genevieve knew she didn't have the guts to ask, and even if she did, she knew she'd be crossing some line. No one would want to be asked such a prying question. He wouldn't even have to use their new codeword "frostbite" and she had a feeling that asking would be detrimental to their new, growing friendship.

Still, what sort of horrors had he been through for his skin to be marred by such scars?

Finn looped his arms through a grey shirt and laughed. "Relax, I'm almost decent."

He'd interpreted her fearful, tense look as afraid of his half-naked body. Sure, she wasn't used to… that, but she wasn't about to admit that she'd seen the scars, afraid of how he might respond.

Gulping, Genevieve watched as he pulled the shirt over his head and straightened it over that muscled abdomen. She was acting weird and needed to say something or he'd get suspicious. Lying had never been her strong suit. She was too good of a girl for that and while it might make her a coward, she did not want to ask about the scars.

So without thinking, she said, "It was a nice change of scenery."

Gods, take me now.

Eyes narrowing in amusement, Finn crossed arms. "Is that so?"

Genevieve wrung her hands. Of all the things she had to say... and now he was looking at her with a playful look, blue eyes dancing. Her rising stress prevented her from thinking of another snappy comeback. Maybe that was a good thing.

Her anxiousness must have shown on her face because Finn's amusement slipped away. "What's wrong?"

She felt crazy but a small laugh escaped her. "What's wrong?" Grabbing a chair, she dropped into it with a huff. "What's wrong is that Max is going to be freed today and I still haven't talked to my parents."

Finn pursed his lips. "Well… I hate to be frank, but there's only one way to fix that."

Genevieve shoved her hands into her hair. A sharp pain appeared at both her hands and her neck as the pendant of her necklace got caught in her hands and lodged itself in her hair. "I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm terrified! As much as I might want to be, Finn, I'm not like you. I'm not wild and crazy and fearless. Every time I see them, every time I start to say something, the words disappear and I don't know what to say." She slumped, not caring if she looked dramatic or ridiculous or uncouth.

Finn said nothing for a long minute. Then, he said softly, "I can't do it for you, Gen. I know you see me as wild and carefree, but I've always had a big mouth and have never had a problem saying what's on my mind." He sighed. "I wish Adrianna was here to help you."

Genevieve looked up at him through her bush of curls. "Really?"

He smoothed out a wrinkle in his shirt, the leather cord of his necklace peeking out at his collarbone. She tried not think of what he looked like without that shirt on mere moments before as he said, "She'd probably know what to say. Or heck, she'd hold your hand and go with you for moral support."

She heard the unspoken words: she wouldn't get that luxury with him.

Finn seemed to catch himself. "Not that I wouldn't go, I just don't want to get us both into trouble. Agh, and that makes me sound like I'm trying to save my own skin."

"It's alright," Genevieve said, removing her hand from her hair and hissing in pain at the necklace still caught in her tresses. Sometimes she could just curse her curly hair. Today was not her day for patience, she realized, so she took a long breath before she lost it completely and yanked it out with all the strength she could muster. That would just look ridiculous and childish (not to mention exceedingly painful).

She blinked in surprise when Finn knelt and placed a hand on her wrist. "Let me," Finn said, inspecting the the tightly wound strands wrapped around the pendant. "Gods woman, what did you do?"

A smile tugged at her lips as he tried to figure out the tangled mass of curls to save the necklace. If anyone were to walk in right now, they'd be concerned at the sight of Fearless Finn's hands deep in her hair, though they weren't even nose to nose. Still, she had to ignore the tingles that shot across her skin when his calloused fingers gently pulled, twisted and unbound the trapped hair. She couldn't let him see just what it did to her to have him this close.

She wasn't sure if she should be annoyed or grateful that it took him a few minutes to unravel it all. Not with him, but at her stupidity. But she couldn't deny that watching him concentrate on this small, trivial task was entertaining. His mouth narrowed to a thin line when he was this concentrated, blue gaze focused. Almost as if this little thing was the most important thing to him in that moment.

But that's the expression he wore whenever he was focused. She'd seen it when training the men or talking with people. Whatever he was focused on, nothing else mattered. He didn't get distracted easily.

"Almost there," he murmured, holding the chain up and pulling a long curl out of the loops. She had to hide the sharp inhale of surprise when his knuckles brushed the back of her neck. His blue eyes flicked to hers but his expression didn't change. Maybe he hadn't noticed.

Of course she hadn't chosen simple jewelry today. It had to be the bird flying over the waves, ensconced in a metal circle. It had always been her favorite. She'd always liked to imagine that she was that little bird, gazing at the horizon across the sea, waiting for the day when she could spread her wings.

Well that day had come. It was almost over. And what was she doing? Sulking. Embarrassment and irritation flared in her chest.

"There we go," Finn murmured, releasing the necklace so it dropped to her collarbone. "I'd highly recommend against doing that again."

Genevieve giggled and touched the small pendant. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said. He remained kneeling in front of her, his lips still a thin line.

"What?" Genevieve asked.

"You know I can hold off on releasing Max."

Her heart lurched. "No! No. It has to happen today."

Finn winced. "Gen-"

"No, I mean it," Genevieve said firmly. "We can't keep him locked up forever. Certainly not until the day that I decide is the right time."

Finn raised a brow, hearing the resolve in her voice.

Genevieve steeled herself. "It's now or never. I've waited for something like this for so long and when I finally get the chance, I'm going to let it pass me by? That's unacceptable."

"Well, there are other dragons."

"There's no one like Max."

Finn scoffed, finally coming to stand. "Well you've got that right."

"He's sweet," Genevieve stood as well, feeling defensive. "I'll prove to my parents and the village and even you and your father that he's not some savage beast, that he can be just as docile and peaceful as the Night Fury that your father trained!"

"Great!" Finn said, marching toward the door. She blinked in surprise as he opened it and waved her out. "Then let's get started. Why wait?"

Genevieve's heart thudded in her chest but she straightened her spine. She could do this. She would do this. For Max. For herself.

Leaving the loft, Finn grabbed a coat and followed her down the stairs, their footsteps echoing. Even though her nerves surged once more, she didn't slow her pace and raised her chin. It was now or never.

"Mom, dad," she said, marching into the kitchen where they were putting the last of the dishes away. "I have to ask you something."

Kiev's brows lifted at the sight of Finn at her heels. "You're leaving late today."

"I was out late." Finn said, glancing at Genevieve. She saw the flash of encouragement in his eyes and she took a steadying breath.

Molly dried her hands on a towel. "What is it? Be quick now, I'm running late for a baby shower, which I expect you to attend by the way."

A flash of annoyance rose but Genevieve choked it down. "I've been thinking… that with all the things I do every day, while I don't dislike doing them, I'm finding that I want to do more with my time than just helping others with their various needs. I'm not doing anything for myself."

Her father frowned but not negatively. Listening. Her mother's brows rose. Waiting.

Genevieve glanced at Finn, standing still as a statue beside her. Calm.

She exhaled. "With your permission, I want to train the Shockjaw."

There. She said it.

Her parents stared and the house was silent for nearly a minute. Then Molly's eyes snapped to Finn.

"Have you been giving her lessons?"

"No ma'am." Finn said.

"Then why is she suddenly so bent on training that dragon?"

Genevieve clamped her hands behind her back, trying not to let her rising frustration show. Not only did her mother instantly go on the defensive to Finn, but she also talked about her as if she wasn't standing right here, as if she hadn't been the one to bring it up.

"With all due respect," Finn said. "This is something that she's been curious about since before I got here."

"Yes, and I've been trying to stamp it out," Molly said fiercely. She turned to Genevieve. "This is not-"

"What you trained me for?" Genevieve asked. "Cooking, knitting, singing, and eventually breeding. What if I want more out of life?"

Kiev's brows shot up and he inhaled as if he'd speak, though he didn't look angry. Just surprised.

Molly cut him off. "Do not speak to me that way, Genevieve! People are looking to us as the leaders. When your brother started this dragon training business I was skeptical but I was able to be convinced of its usefulness. Having the Haddocks train the men has been useful. But it was decided that the women remain on the ground, as it should be."

"Decided? Or not considered?" Genevieve asked.

"It is not our way," Molly replied.

"Molly-" Kiev said.

"Don't you start," Molly's eyes flashed. "Genevieve will not be training any dragons and she is not going to get her way by being coddled like a child!"

Hurt flashed in Genevieve's chest. Finn stiffened but he remained silent.

"I'm not a child," Genevieve bit out. "Nor am I acting like one. Is it so much to ask for something for once? What if I just decided to train him without your permission?"

Kiev's gaze sharpened. "That would be ill-advised."

"Then let me be myself for once!" Genevieve cried. "I don't want to spend my life doing what every other woman is doing. It's monotonous and I'm tired-"

"Tired?" Molly exclaimed. "You, Genevieve, don't know what tired is. Until you've married and raised children of your own, you will not understand what tired is. If you marry an eligible heir and someday become a Chief's wife yourself, then you will understand what tired is-"

"Stop belittling me!" Genevieve said, her eyes beginning to burn. She had not known what her parents would say but she didn't expect this from her mother. Or almost nothing from her father.

"Enough!" Molly exclaimed. "You will go to your lessons, you will help in the Elders' home-"

"Molly-" Kiev said, but went ignored.

"You will finish your tapestry that will be presented to your betrothed when the time comes, and you will not be returning to that arena! A dragon rider is not what I've been raising all these years and we are certainly not going to be starting now!"

Tears welling up, Genevieve fought to breath. The pain and unfairness built in her chest.

"And you," Molly whirled to Finn. Sniffing, Genevieve looked up to see his face blotchy. She'd never seen him angry before but his jaw was quivering. "Get rid of that Shockjaw. It doesn't want a rider? Then free it and let it be finished."

Finn exhaled slowly. His hands were shaking at his sides. He worked his jaw for a minute before turning and leaving, clearly not trusting himself to speak. The door closed and Genevieve closed her eyes, the tears finally slipping down her face.

She wouldn't even get to say goodbye to Max.

"I'm very disappointed in you," Molly said in a low voice.

"Molly, that is quite enough." Kiev said, anger finally lacing his voice. "You did not need to say any of those things in front of Finn."

"It's alright," Genevieve sniffed, wiping her face and turning to the stairs. "It's good to know what she really thinks of me."

"What I really think?" Molly cried, charging after her up the stairs. Kiev blocked the way, which Genevieve felt a flash of thankfulness for as she continued up the stairs. "I've been proud of your accomplishments-"

"Accomplishments?" Genevieve shouted, whirling to face her parents. They both blinked at her in surprise. "What accomplishments? I've done nothing with my life! I do whatever I'm asked to do without giving myself any thought! I'm not trying to be selfish! But I give and I give and I give, and for once, I'm sick of giving! I want to be free to do something with my time and energy, I want to have the freedom to learn new things, whatever that entails, without being guilt-tripped or yelled at or being told what a disappointment I am, especially when all I've ever done is what you both have wanted!"

"Genevieve, sweetheart" Kiev released Molly and started up the stairs.

Genevieve shook her head and ran to her room, locking the door. She heard her parents' muffled argument from the downstairs even as she collapsed to her bed. Sobs broke from her in heaves, tears soaking her pillow. She knew that talking to them wouldn't work. She'd tried. Gods, she'd tried.

But in the end, she wasn't good enough. She'd never see Max again. She'd never fly again. Her mother would likely begin the search for a future husband now that Genevieve had made her request and had thoroughly been shot down.

It didn't matter. If Genevieve was such a disappointment for blindly obeying her entire life, the only sign of her indifference being her insatiable curiosity, then what was the point anymore? She still wanted to be a good daughter. She didn't want to rebel and cause enmity with her parents. But it was now or never. Either things had to change now or she'd have to obey once more. Comply once more. Yield all her hopes and dreams and wanderlust and submit.

Anger kindled in her chest and she sat up abruptly, scrubbing her face. There was still time. She could still see Max off, at least try to say goodbye. If she ran fast enough she could make it. She glared down at her dress.

"This will not do."

---

People must have known that he was ticked because no one stopped him as he stomped to the arena. Zap was nowhere to be found so it had been a walk through the busy village. Finn was glad for the cold air blowing off the ocean. His face was still burning with anger.

It had taken every ounce of willpower to not speak up, to defend Genevieve. It had been his father's voice to "not get involved" that had steeled his tongue. Still, he couldn't control his emotions into a cool mask like Erick. He found himself wishing to be his brother-in-law for the second time that week, if not for a moment, so he could calm the rage pounding through his veins so that the people around him would be none the wiser.

The things Molly had said to Genevieve… Finn understood, he really did. From Molly's point of view, tradition came first. It reminded him of the story of his Poppy's reaction to his dad's training Toothless all those years ago. The pain of discovering your son or daughter doing the very opposite of what tradition dictated… it was crippling and painful. It probably felt a lot like betrayal.

But like his Poppy, that did not excuse any parent from saying or doing something rash. There were still lines, even with children. Especially when those children were practically adults. Finn didn't know the first thing about parenting but he did hate the idea of someone being locked up, and right now, Genevieve felt like a little bird trapped in a cage in the back of a dungeon, never to fly free.

With a growl Finn kicked a bucket of weapons that rattled, the sound echoing through the arena. A handful of trainees gawked and quickly averted their eyes.

"No training today. Out." Finn snapped, stalking to the Shockjaw's open door. The beast was curled up on his side and blinked lazily at Finn as he halted, crossing his arms. Finn waited, huffing darkly as the trainees made themselves scarce.

Finn stared at the Shockjaw-Max, he reminded himself-as the arena finally went silent. "Why couldn't you have just cooperated? Picked a trainee to work with? Why Genevieve?"

Max perked up at the name, looking toward the door as if expecting her to walk through. He cooed in question.

"No, she won't be coming today. Or ever again, thanks to-" Finn cut off his dark muttering, in case someone was listening. He huffed and shoved his hands through his hair, willing himself to calm down. Now was not the time to lose his head.

Still, he wished his parents were here. They were so level-headed and calm; they could have helped talk Molly down, convince her that it wasn't a bad thing for Genevieve to train a dragon. His mom would have been a good advocate. No, instead she had Finn, who'd just stood there, biting his tongue.

As if opening his big mouth would have helped. If anything it probably would have gotten him kicked off the island and sent home with his tail tucked between his legs.

He exhaled slowly and dropped his hands. Max was watching him silently. Finn wanted to make Genevieve happy, he didn't want to do this… but what else could he do? It's not like he could tell Genevieve to get on Max's back and fly off into the sunset. He knew exactly what happened when kids ran away from home, bitter and reckless and unafraid.

Gritting his teeth, Finn stepped aside. "Come on."

Max stood and walked to the center of the arena with him. Finn knew the dragon still didn't like him very much. He'd still yet to touch him, save for the first few initial days when they'd fought. The dragon tolerated the occasional poke or prod. But they hadn't bonded. Still it was with a heavy heart that he realized Max followed him without complaint. They'd made progress after all this time.

The Shockjaw stopped in the middle, confused when Finn halted continued to the open portcullis. He jerked his head forward. "Come on."

Max blinked before slowly following, matching Finn's steps as they exited the arena. He lifted his head and sniffed the air, warbling deeply. The ocean stretched out before them, the scent of sea salt in the air. Max gazed toward the village in search of someone.

"She's not coming," Finn said. "She's not allowed to see you anymore." A low croon rumbled in Max's chest and Finn withheld a sigh. "You haven't chosen a rider. I've tried everything, shown you every trainee on the island twice. I've tried training you myself. Heck, you barely tolerated my dad who's the Dragon Master, whom every dragon in the Archipelago loves." Finn released the pent up sigh. "And out of all of them, you fall for the curious, gentle, curly-haired girl that loves art and music."

Max looked at him then with an open gaze Finn had only seen once. When Genevieve pet him for the first time.

This dragon did not deserve to be here any longer. If Molly and Kiev would not allow Genevieve to train him, the only person whom he'd chosen, then it was just as well that Molly forced him to let Max go. Today had been the deadline anyway. He couldn't stand the thought of keeping him in captivity against his will any longer. It was time.

Finn gazed at the ocean, heart twisting in his chest. "You're free to go."

The Shockjaw should have leapt to the skies. He'd wanted to be free for weeks. He could fly and hunt and find other Shockjaws, perhaps find the pod he'd been separated from. He could live the rest of his life away from humans. Yet he remained staring at the village. Waiting.

Finn pushed past the annoyance in his chest. Annoyance at this whole situation, that he had to be put in this position. He felt like he was betraying Genevieve, even though he was ultimately doing what she'd asked.

He shoved himself in front of Max's line of sight and threw up his arms, startling the Shockjaw. Max jumped back. "Go on, get out of here! You don't belong here, you don't really want to be here! Just go!"

Max warbled, his croon so deep compared to Zap's.

"Go!" Finn waved at him again, hating himself for it. What would he do if Max wouldn't leave? A flicker of stubbornness rose in his chest and he stamped it down.

The Shockjaw warbled sadly, looking toward the village. Searching the crowds for blonde curly hair. He came up empty. He lowered his head sadly.

Finn sighed. "I'm sorry. I really am."

Max stood in place for nearly a minute before he straightened, rustling his wings. His gaze hardened as stared at Finn for a few moments before snorting. His deep blue wings rose and fell, buffeting the wind as he rose into the air and at last flew off. The wind tousling his hair, Finn watched him go, a dark blot swooping into the distance, angling with the wind. Strangely, even though the dragon had almost tried to kill him a few weeks ago, he felt like a piece of him was leaving.

Soon enough, he disappeared into the distance.

Finn slid to the ground against the cold stone wall that stole the warmth from his body. It wasn't nine in the morning and he already needed a strong drink.

Ten minutes later, the crunch of gravel under running boots caught his attention. He glanced up to see Genevieve skid around the corner, panting and blonde curls flying. She planted her hands on either side of the arena entrance, staring inside with hope in her eyes.

He wasn't at all surprised to see her so soon. He'd expected her to try to sneak out and see Max again before he was released. What he did not expect to see was Genevieve wearing a pair of brown trousers. It took him a moment to stop staring. Dragging his gaze away from the curves she'd apparently been hiding under all those luminous dresses and skirts, he swallowed hard.

Gods, now was not the time notice these things.

"Where is he?"

Finn rubbed his face. "Gone."

Genevieve whirled on him. "Which way did he go?"

Angling his face up to meet her blotchy face, he said, "I have no idea."

Her face reddened. "Finn, don't-"

"What?" Finn uncurled to his feet and met her fierce gaze. "Don't what?"

"Don't lie to me. Which way did he go?"

"Genevieve, it's a dragon. He could be anywhere by now."

"Did you even try to wait for me?"

Finn fought to control the anger rapidly surging in his chest. "I was given an order. I followed it. And before you get any crazy ideas, no, you're not walking into the wilderness to find him because what would you do next? Train him without your parents knowing about it? Do they even know you're out of the house?"

"No, I just-" Her voice hitched and she covered her eyes with her palms. "I just wanted to say goodbye."

His anger and frustration ebbed away. He wasn't upset with her after all. "I know. If you'd been here though, I don't think he would have left."

She sniffed and dropped her hands. He was glad she'd at least thought to bring gloves this time. "I told you they wouldn't listen."

Finn saw the way her shoulders curled inward. He considered the wisdom of giving her a hug with all the propriety and circumstances of her parents already being upset with her. But he pushed those thoughts away quickly. Let the villagers gasp or scoff or tattle-tale. There was nothing wrong with him giving her a comforting hug. And gods knew there were times that was all he wanted in the midst of a crappy day.

Gesturing forward with his hands, he gently said, "Come here."

Genevieve stared at him for a moment. He saw the tears welling up in her eyes once more until finally she stepped into his embrace, burying her face in his shoulder. He kept the embrace loose so she could pull away easily but gently rubbed her upper back in what he hoped was soothing. She didn't seem to be a dramatic cryer but he could feel the tension in her body from the shuddering sobs she kept a tight lid on.

"She called me a disappointment," she whispered hoarsely.

"Don't you believe that for a second," Finn replied, pulling away enough to brush the tears off her face with his thumbs. Another inch and his forehead would be resting on hers. A little bell rang in the back of his mind to step back or anyone watching might think this more than just a comforting hug. He ignored said little bell and brushed a curl off her cheek. "Just because you're doing something different than what she has planned does not make you a disappointment. She will have to come to terms with the fact that you are different than all the other daughters she raised. You're different than she was. That's not a bad thing and it shouldn't be a disappointment. It's just different."

Genevieve wiped her face, her voice still thick with emotion. "Acting like a baby," she muttered.

"No," Finn gave her a small smile. "You take pride in the things you do and want validation from those you love most. It's perfectly normal to get upset when your parents have high expectations and don't respond in the best way. And that's putting it nicely."

A choked laugh escaped her and she gave him a small glare. "I do think that was the first time I've seen you angry."

"Ha," Finn looked askance for a moment, hoping she'd never see the day. "That was nothing. Just an abundance of self-control in the sight of injustice. Now I understand why my dad told me to stay out of it."

"He's smart."

"Very," Finn sighed, at last dropping his arms from the embrace. He gave her a wan smile. "You're going to be okay, Gen."

Genevieve took a deep breath. "Thank you. I'm sorry about all this nonsense. I suppose I should just… move on."

Finn shrugged. "Maybe you don't have to. Maybe it will just take more time with the women. And before you say that will never happen," he grinned when her mouth closed just as quickly as it had opened. "Give it time. Be patient but don't just lie down and give up."

"Still," Genevieve said. "Max is one of a kind, wouldn't you say? No other dragon would be quite like him."

Finn sighed, the wind snatching the puff of air away in seconds. "Well if it takes time for you to bond with a new dragon, by then hopefully it won't scent the Shockjaw on you."

"His name is-"

"He doesn't have a name," Finn said quietly. "You won't ever be able to let him go if you insist on the name."

Genevieve's lips thinned to a small line before she conceded a brief nod. He hated to say it but it was true. She had to move on in that respect. She swallowed hard. "Have you… have you ever done it?"

"What?"

"Let a dragon go free?"

His gaze snagged on a torrent of memories of Thornado, that mighty dragon who was friend and ally to the Great Stoick the Vast with shimmering blue scales and a roar so loud it threatened to rupture his eardrums. He remembered the very first flight he'd ever taken: it hadn't been with either of his parents on Toothless or Stormfly. No, it had been with his Poppy and Thornado, miles in the sky with the clouds as the roof and the ocean carpeting the world below. A feeling of loss and regret filled him as he remembered the last adventure he'd had with that fierce Thunderdrum. To the ache in his chest that wasn't dulled by anything for days after he'd bid Thornado goodbye and watched him disappear into the endless horizon.

"Finn?"

He blinked and found Genevieve staring at him, concern in her brown eyes. "Yes. He deserved to be free."

"Why did you release him?"

"He wanted to go. He was getting a bit old and cranky," Finn smiled in amusement, looking toward the ocean to avoid meeting her gaze. He should have known that the minimal response wouldn't satisfy her curiosity.

"What was his name?"

"Thornado."

Genevieve's eyes narrowed in recognition. "Wasn't… wasn't that your grandfather's dragon when he was Chief?"

Finn stared. "How did you know that?"

"Johann doesn't spare on the details."

He laughed. "No, he doesn't."

Genevieve smiled in amusement but it quickly faded. "After all that time in your family's life, why did he want to leave?

Finn pursed his lips. He considered the story, his past.

"Frostbite?" Genevieve asked with a wince.

"No," Finn rubbed his neck. Certain elements, yes, but he wasn't about to tell her that. The codeword might give her pause in a conversation but it would still alert her to a touchy subject that would still heighten her curiosity. He sighed and dropped his hand. "So a few years ago, I hit a bit of a rebellious patch. Long story short, I left Berk for about a week. After dragging him across the Archipelago, Thornado had had enough I think. So I gave him the option of staying or going. He decided to go." He kicked a few pebbles out from beneath his boots, avoiding her eyes once again. "It was hard and painful but it was on that same trip that I saved Zap from the net." Genevieve's brows rose with interest. "She tracked me to Berk and here we are."

Genevieve nodded. "And she didn't mind that you'd already been bonded to a dragon?"

"Some dragons are more territorial. Thornado was," Finn shrugged. "Zap wasn't even a year old yet so I don't think she cared."

"Interesting." Genevieve mused. "So on your trip away from Berk… where did you go?"

Finn gave her a small smile. "Frostbite."

"Oh come on."

Laughing, Finn shook out his arms to warm them up. "Sorry. Anyway," His gaze flicked down to the pants she wore, eager for a change in the subject. "I didn't expect to see those, like ever. How do they feel?"

Genevieve huffed a laugh. "They're very warm. Fleece-lined! I was feeling a little rebellious."

"Well," Finn smirked, pleased at this rising opportunity. "They're a nice change of scenery."

"Oh gods," Genevieve gasped, covering her face with a hand.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist."

Genevieve rolled her eyes and gazed at the sea, amusement morphing to sadness. "Do you think he'll be alright?"

"Yes," Finn said. She looked so crestfallen, he resisted the urge to take her hand. "This may not be a completely comforting thought but who knows? In time maybe your mom will loosen up and you can train someone else. It wouldn't be the same, but I imagine it's similar to having kids. It's not the same; just different."

She looked up at him with a slight twinkle in her eyes. "And what do you know about having kids?"

A mixture of amusement and embarrassment forced him to look away, an awkward laugh escaping him. "And here I thought I was being all smart and-"

Her elbow knocked into his and she grinned. "I'm just messing with ya."

This girl, Finn thought, remembering he'd said the same thing to her a mere hour before at the loft. It already felt so long ago that they'd spoken up there. She'd had a bit of a rough morning so far but at least she was smiling now. He thought back to fishing the necklace out of her hair and the way her breath had hitched when his fingers had brushed her nape. That personality combined with the curves and curls, he couldn't help the thrill in his chest whenever she smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling.

For a brief moment, he wondered what she really thought of him. If she maybe thought of him the same way he thought of her. In the few weeks he'd been here, the interest and curiosity hadn't waned. She was still just as fun and intriguing as when he'd first met her at Adrianna and Erick's wedding.

She always asked him questions, obviously to get to know him better. It was time he returned the favor.

Finn gestured toward a well worn path that curved around the arena that he knew led to the distant woods. "Walk with me?"

Genevieve looked askance at the arena. "Don't you have training today?"

"I might have dismissed them."

She gave him a knowing smile. "I came prepared for the elements today," she said, raising her gloved hands.

"Good," he said, ushering her toward the path. "I have to admit that I've been looking forward to our second date."

Genevieve halted in her tracks, staring up at him in surprise. Then she scoffed and slapped his arm at the smirk she found waiting on his face. "You are insufferable."

"Oh, so we're pointing out the obvious today, alright," Finn said, shoving his hands deep into his pockets. "You're beautiful."

"Please," Genevieve scoffed again, though her face tinged pink. "I don't think-"

"And your singing is gorgeous."

"Finn-"

"Hush I'm on a roll, you might not get a compliment from me in a long time, I'm not one for compliments," He cleared his throat and continued, ignoring her laugh. "And I have to say that if I had to choose, I'd definitely pick pants over dresses."

"Oh you little-" Genevieve made to shove him and Finn danced away, laughing.

"Come on, Gen," Finn said skittering up the path backwards. "Let's see what those legs can do."

Genevieve lunged and he turned on his heel, charging up the path. Branches and overgrown bushes tore at his clothes as he ran, the trees overhead indeed providing a brief respite from the wind. Combined with the overcast day, the shadows were thick beneath the foliage. A few times he nearly tripped on a rock or tree branch, but as always he dodged, leaped and bounded over the inconsistencies in the ground.

It occurred to him that maybe he shouldn't risk Genevieve twisting an ankle when he heard her panting close behind. A quick glance over his shoulder and he gaped. She was right on his heels.

"What the-" Finn sped up around and had to duck halfway to keep from getting his face slapped by a bare branch.

Genevieve tore past him, cackling. "Keep up, slow poke!"

"Who are you calling a slow poke," Finn demanded, matching her stride. "It took you eons to catch up."

"And now you're slowing down," Genevieve said, eyes glittering. "Maybe you should take Helga's advice and lose a leg after all. It might make you faster."

Finn scoffed. "Have you ever seen a one-legged man run? It's not as easy as it looks."

"Perhaps but then you can use your prosthetic as a weapon and chuck it at the back of the winner's head."

Guffawing, Finn allowed her to pull ahead. "That would be called cheating!"

"It wouldn't be cheating if the amputee then leaped over the finish line before the other could recover."

"It would still be cheating!"

"Not if you win!"

"Gods woman, cheaters never prosper!"

"Neither do losers. Are you getting tired back there?" Flecks of mud splattered his shirt as she pushed herself harder, gaining distance between them.

Finn stared after her, torn between shock and amazement. Then he shook his head. He was being beaten by a girl; the only girl to date who'd ever done so was Helga. She would not be pleased. He had to admit that he was merely impressed. And perhaps a bit turned on.

Shoving that thought away, Finn surged forward, trying to catch up. He was panting hard now, not having run like this since before the first snows had come. It was difficult to run in the winter with the invisible patches of ice and the brisk air turning one's breath to shards of glass in their lungs. Right now though in the deepest reaches of the Hjartan forest, Finn easily forget the potential for accidents.

How far they ran, he didn't know. One mile. Two. Hel, maybe it was three. Eventually they slowed to a gentler jog and a slow walk, both of them panting and flushed from exertion.

Genevieve pushed aside a few bushes and Finn followed, then turned in a circle. "I rec… whew, recognize this spot."

"It's near the cliff," Genevieve said, pulling off her gloves already and shoving them into a pocket.

Indeed, within a few minutes the clearing emerged with the large cliff. Finn remembered how just a week ago she'd joined him on Zap's back and she'd taken her first flight.

She didn't mentioned it though as she collapsed on the large boulder with a sigh. "I haven't run like that in… I don't even know how long it's been."

Finn unbuttoned his coat and yanked up his shirt to roughly wipe his face. "You're telling me. You never cease to amaze me, you know that?"

Genevieve batted an hand at him, too exhausted to do much else. "You don't have to keep up with the compliments."

"I mean it," Finn said, dropping to the boulder beside her. She peered up at him in surprise. "You're not like most girls."

"And how are 'most girls', Finn?" Genevieve asked, wagging her fingers to enclose the particular words.

"Most Berkian girls are… well, dragon riders. They're tough and competitive and no nonsense."

"Like Helga."

"Exactly like Helga," Finn sighed, laying back beside her. Now he was grateful for the cold wind on his sweaty face. He felt her gaze on his face as he added, "I don't mind it. I'm so blunt most of the time that I appreciate it. But I'm a lot more… emotional than I give myself credit for sometimes."

"You don't seem emotional," Genevieve turned on her side, leaning her head on a fist. "You seem very no nonsense and level-headed."

Finn gave her a wry smile. "You haven't really had a chance to see me emotional yet. We were close this morning but I kept a lid on it."

Genevieve's smile waned but she focused on his words. "So what is it about me that's so different?"

Everything. Finn debated telling her, thought about how he might put it into words, when a series of booms caught his attention. He frowned. "What is that?"

Genevieve's brows rose. "I don't hear anything."

Finn sat up, listening. For a moment only the sound of their breathing and leaves blowing in the wind could be heard. Then he heard it again.

Boom, boom, boom.

Genevieve frowned and sat up beside him. "I hear it. What-"

Finn held up a hand. Squinting, he picked out a series of dots on the horizon. Hopping off the boulder, he said, "Wingbeats. Someone's coming."

"Was your father coming to check on your progress?"

"If he is, he didn't tell me about it."

"Ah, well that's nothing to worry about," Genevieve said. "A heads up is usually appreciated but it's no trouble."

Finn frowned, wishing he had his eyeglass. The dragons emerged more clearly in the distance and he didn't recognize any of them. It certainly wasn't Toothless or Stormfly leading the pack.

And they were traveling fast. Too fast.

"What the Hel," Finn muttered, stalking toward the edge of the cliff.

Genevieve clambered off the rock after him. "Finn, be careful!"

Then he saw the leading rider lift something high over his head. Something long and thin… a sword. Heart galloping in realization, Finn watched as they neared Hjart, as they got closer and closer to the village at rapid speeds, the other thirty riders lifted bows and arrows. Their dragons' maws opened and fire and smoke rippled past as they prepared to fire.

"No!" Finn shouted. The Hjartans weren't ready, they weren't ready-

The sword fell.

Arrows and bolts of white hot fire spewed from the riders and rained down on the Hjartan village. Buildings shook and wood sprayed. Trees were engulfed in flames. And that's when the screaming began.

Genevieve grabbed Finn by the lapels, shaking him. "It's them! That's the people who raided us before!"

They watched as the group of riders split in half, one shooting to the businesses and market, the other firing on the village itself. The homes where people lived and were likely trapped inside. The Elder's home stood like a beacon, wreathed in smoke beside a home that was already engulfed in flames.

Finn snapped. "Not on my watch. You stay here!"

Genevieve clutched his arm before he could make two steps. "No, I can help! What do you want-"

"I want you to stay here where it's safe from that chaos!" Finn shouted, the screams of the village filling his ears. He had to get down there. Now. "Stay here, Genevieve!"

Ripping his arm from her hold, he bolted back through the trees, not sparing her another glance, praying she'd stay put. He couldn't save everyone, he couldn't do everything, but he could at least ensure her safety if she stayed on the cliff out of sight and away from the fight.

Ducking past branches, Finn ran headlong down the path, whistling for Zap as loudly as he could. He had to find her, he had to get in the air-

A boom sounded and the ground shuddered beneath his feet. More screams rose from the village and Finn quickened his pace, whistling again for his dragon. If he couldn't get in the air, he'd have to find a bow and try shooting them out of the air, or else be stuck on the ground with the rest of the village.

"I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming," he heard himself growling between clenched teeth.

He whistled for Zap one last time, praying she could hear him and find him, before the path sloped down a steep hill that opened directly into the village. Not checking his speed, his boots slipped on the mud halfway down and he ducked into a slide rest of the way before charging through the thicket. A blast of heat hit his face as he ran between a row of burning houses. He shielded his face with an arm until he entered the chaos of the lower town.

Thick black smoke belched out of the closest buildings. Fires licked up the walls of many homes. A woman held out a toddler by the arms at the topmost window, a man standing directly below to catch him. Three wailing horses bolted from a side street. Another explosion of dragon fire rocked the ground and they shrieked. Men and women fled up and down the streets, many screaming and crying for help while the raiders flew overhead, overtaking Hjartans and dragons alike. Dragons covered in armor dove, spraying fire and acid, shooting fireballs the size of boulders. One dragon snatched a man off the ground and carried him away, screaming and clutching the beast's foreleg.

Finn allowed himself a mere second to think before he sprinted into the chaos.

People knocked into him as they ran to and fro, calling names of loved ones or shouting for help. Zap would never be able to hear him over the noise and clashing of metal that began as a few raiders engaged in hand to hand combat with Hjartan soldiers.

Chaos. This was complete chaos-

A blood-curdling scream made his ears ring and he looked in time to see a man go down with an arrow piercing his side. He heard the wing beats and felt the massive body surging for him and without thinking, Finn dove to the side. Torrents of fire blazed right where he'd been standing seconds before. A Monstrous Nightmare landed amongst the flames and roared, furious that he'd escaped. Finn rolled to his feet and froze; the black clad rider atop its back already had an arrow aimed at his chest.

He couldn't see the man's face, which was obscured by a dark hood and mask covering his mouth and nose. But his eyes were narrowed, focus. Unyielding.

Finn didn't see it but he heard the twang. With a savage leap he dove to the side. A sharp white hot pain tore through his bicep and he bit back a shout as he ducked into a roll, and flung himself past the corner of a house. A second arrow shot past his head and he ducked low. He could outrun them, Monstrous Nightmare's were big and not as agile as-

Gasping, Finn came to a halt. It was a dead end.

Growling lowly, the Monstrous Nightmare blocked the exit. Finn slowly turned and faced them, sizing them up. The rider atop the Nightmare was thickset and broad-shouldered. He could tell the man was smirking beneath the mask by the way the corners of his eyes crinkled. Smoke curled from the Nightmare's nostrils and Finn tensed. He could feel blood dripping off his hand but he didn't bother looking at the wound.

"What do you prefer, lad?" The rider asked in a deep baritone voice as he pulled another arrow from the quiver slung across his shoulders. "Death by arrow or fire?"

The Nightmare stepped closer, his wing tips gouging into the earth. It growled low and guttural, yellow eyes hateful.

A brief second of distraction had Finn wondering what they'd done to it to make it so angry. But he shoved the thought away, unwilling to be distracted. A brief glance up at the sky as a dragon hurtled passed but still, there was no sign of Zap.

Finn glared at the rider. "I prefer to live a long and happy life myself."

The rider chuckled. "Quick wit won't save you. I haven't got the time for-"

A spray of blood accompanied by the rider's scream interrupted the silence of the alley and Finn leaped back at the sudden agonized sound. The man slumped in the saddle, an axe lodged in his spine. Dead.

"Finn!" Thuggory appeared from the other side of the Monstrous Nightmare, who roared ferociously. "Take this!" He threw a bow and sheath of arrows toward him, which fell at his feet in a heap.

Finn only had eyes for the Nightmare, who turned lethal eyes on him. He shoved the weapons away with his boot.

"What are you doing?" Thuggory shouted.

Steeling himself, Finn shouted, "Don't hurt the dragons!" Then he charged.

The Nightmare swung it's jaws toward him and he slid beneath them, barely missing the teeth by an inch. He grabbed one of the horns as he passed and kicked up, using the close quarters of the wall to pull himself up. Clinging to the dragon's horn, he shoved off the wall, the Nightmare roaring in anger as he was yanked off balance. Directly above its head, Finn slammed a fist into the space between the dragon's horns. The Nightmare gave a reeling cry of pain before collapsing to the ground with a thunderous boom that rattled Finn's bones. The ground shuddered and a plume of dust scattered until it lay still.

Panting, Finn slid off the dragon. He briefly assessed Thuggory, who didn't look injured but his dark eyes were wide in shock. "Nightmares aren't ticklish. If you can do it without losing a hand, punch them in the soft spot between the horns."

Thuggory nodded and grimaced at Finn's arm. "You should-"

"If you even think about telling me to go to the healers," Finn hissed, snatching a knife out of the sheath hanging at Thuggory's side. "I'll shove you off the cliff."

Thuggory gave a brief chuckle as Finn yanked off his coat and sliced off the sleeve of his shirt. The wound wasn't deep but continued to bleed even as they tied it off with the material. It would have to do.

"We have to find my brother." Thuggory said, eyes lingering for a brief moment on the body of the man he'd killed.

Realization dawned on Finn. Thuggory had killed a man to save him.

Shaking out of the brief stupor, Finn retrieved the bow and arrows and jogged back into the fray with Thuggory. Now was not the time for reflection. "No. We need to set up a perimeter and get them out of the air. If I can find Zap I'll-"

"Watch out!"

They whipped around in time to see a Changewing opening its maw that dripped of hot acid at a group of fleeing villagers. Finn knocked an arrow but before he could fire, a Deadly Nadder collided with the Changewing, sending them careening through the air. A girl with blonde hair grappled with the other rider as they careened for the ground.

"Helga!" Finn shouted, already running, though there was nothing he could do as they disappeared over the cliff edge. He skidded to a halt, panting. She could handle herself, she knew what she was doing. She knew how to fight dragon riders.

The Hjartans did not.

Finn looked in the sky, desperation beginning to claw up his throat. Half the village was burning and he still couldn't find Zap. Dozens of riders were in the sky though and not only the raiding party, he realized. For that was Ivan on his Nadder, Brutus shooting for a masked pair on a Hideous Zippleback. And while they might not be in the air, multiple dragons were defending the homes of the Hjartans. Spines shot in the air, colliding with arrows or blocking acid shots. Gronckles swallowed the boulders that were thrown and with growls, shot flaming fireballs right back at them.

It wasn't perfect or organized but they were fighting. The dragons were standing by their riders.

Finn searched for Thuggory and found him sparring one of the riders, whose dragon had apparently been shot down. A Hobblegrump lay sprawled in the street. Thuggory's training had served him well as a guard. Their swords flashed and he seemed to have a handle on the situation, as the man he fought did not seem to have the experience. He was merely fighting to survive.

Satisfied, Finn sprinted for the nearest building. Kicking the door in he located the stairs and took them three at a time. If he couldn't get in the air then he had to make himself useful in other ways.

Looping the bow and sheath of arrows around his neck, he shoved open the attic window and hauled himself onto the flat roof. He gritted his teeth against the pain in his arm as fresh blood oozed out of the wound. There he knelt and knocked an arrow, waiting for one of the raiders to get within close range.

The first shot missed its mark. The second landed but merely lacerated a rider's leg. Finn heard him scream as they flew by, blood raining down on the rooftop. Whistling once again, Finn gazed briefly at the village, allowing himself a moment to simultaneously search for Zap and assess the damage.

Most of the fires had been put out. A team of his trainees had their dragons hauling buckets from the ocean. A spark of pride filled him but it dissipated quickly when he saw Thorein and his dragon giving chase to another raider. A second pair was on his tail and dread filled his chest. They needed backup.

"Come on Zap, where are you?" Finn muttered, whistling once again. He prayed she wasn't hurt or worse. She had to have heard him, she had to-

The rooftop shuddered as a dragon landed behind him. Finn whipped around, staring at the sight of a monstrous dragon he'd yet to ever come face to face with. His parents had always taught him and his sister that if they ever came across one to get away from it as fast as they could. Now he seriously regretted not learning a bit more about them. He had no idea what to do with a Singetail.

The orange, flat-bellied dragon screeched at him, steaming tail poised to strike. Finn could barely dodge an arrow unscathed. How was he going to dodge a close-range fireball without falling off the roof and breaking his neck? He had very little hope that his meager bow and arrow would make a difference.

"Who are you people," Finn asked the rider, whose eyes glittered beneath the hood. "To get one of these bad boys wrapped around your finger?"

"A better question," The man said darkly. "Is why you can't just stay dead, Finn?"

He only had a moment to stare in confusion at the familiar voice before the Singetail rose into the air, flapping fiercely. Finn backed toward the edge of the roof he stood on, glancing back until his heels lined up with the edge. His heart pounded wildly in his chest at the drop, which was twenty feet to the ground… But past that was a hundred foot drop to the ocean far below. For it was on this stretch of the island that the ground rose up higher above the rest, that the Hjartans had built their homes along the outcropping of a massive cliff. And he was looking straight down it.

And far, far above him he saw a familiar form take shape.

Oh gods.

Swallowing his fear, Finn faced the Singetail. There was nothing else he could do except hope this would work. Without Zap, without proper weapons, he couldn't possibly hope to survive an exchange with the orange dragon, one of the few species his father feared.

The rider seemed to follow his train of thought. "Don't be a fool," He said, eyes widening a little as Finn edged back.

A rush of adrenaline filled him as in a flash, the Singetail slung it's tail in a wide arc and a thin bolt of fire shot toward him. Finn turned and leaped off the edge of the roof. The fireball rushed overhead, missing by a hairsbreadth. He felt a short rush of satisfaction that the Singetail was fast but he was faster still.

But that thought quickly evaporated as he freefell past the cliff face and plunged headfirst down the cliff-face.

He wasn't his father. He rarely, if ever, free fell off his dragon voluntarily. The lack of control, the potential for not being caught in time by Zap and shattering all his bones against the water did not sound appealing in any sense. Finn was a daredevil but he wasn't stupid.

Thus, he fought to not panic as the wind rushed past his ears, the cold air forcing his eyes to stream. His stomach swooped and he felt himself gain speed, felt the panic rise in his chest as the water loomed, as he saw the crags of rock jutting up from the waves that were far more shallow than he predicted-

"FINN!"

Twisting, Finn saw the Deadly Nadder, saw a flash of blonde, saw the wide brown eyes-

A hand grabbed his collar and suddenly he collided with a hard mass of scales, nearly flipping over a wing. His vision darkened for a moment but he could still feel the turbulence as they pulled out of the dive, still heard the wind whistling in his ears.

Someone was shaking his shoulders and he blinked rapidly, squinting at the clouds rushing past. Helga's terrified expression loomed over him. "Oh thank gods, I thought I broke your back!"

Finn groaned in sudden pain and clutched his middle. "Ow. Took you long enough."

"You stupid idiot!" Helga screeched, shaking him. "I almost didn't get there in time!"

"But you did," Finn coughed, sitting up and yanking her into a hug. She went still for a second before hugging him back. "Thank you."

Helga leaned back and Finn noticed a nasty burn on her collarbone. At his wince, rolled her eyes. "Stupid Changewing."

Finn carefully maneuvered so he was sitting behind her as her Deadly Nadder turned back toward the village. The distant view of the attack brought a gasp from Finn's lungs. Plumes of black smoke rose into the sky. If there had been any neighboring islands close by, they'd probably see the smoke rising in the distance.

But the Hjartans really had no close neighbors. Perhaps another reason these people kept attacking them. Not only for their wealth, but also for their seclusion from the other tribes.

"We've got to get back there. Hurry!" Finn urged.

"Finn, you don't understand," Helga said tensely. "You landed on top of Shade's spines, you nearly died, I don't think-"

"I'm fine Helga, get me back to the village."

She huffed but urged Shade to fly faster. "Where's Zap?"

A pit of worry yawned in Finn's chest. "I don't know."

Helga gave him a brief, concerned look but focused on the flight as they rose up toward the village. The Hjartans seemed to be rallying their troops. Another spark of pride lit in his chest as he saw a few of them riding their dragons bareback, chasing the raiders off their island. Already Finn could see many of them fleeing.

They flew over the expanse of the village, searching for the best place to land. A group of raiders were still hitting the upper town hard and Finn simultaneously saw a skirmish by the mill.

"Put me down here!" Finn shouted over the din.

Helga gave him a disapproving frown but obeyed. Shade squawked indignantly as Finn dropped to the ground. "Be careful."

"Go!" Finn shouted, waving at them to help the villagers. They took off in moments and Finn whirled toward the path that led to the mill. He'd lost his bow during the fall so he yanked off the quiver and threw it at the feet of another young man who stood sentinel nearby with a bow and arrow ready. "Take those, you need them more than I do!"

He didn't stop for a response and hurtled through the trees. Shouts of dismay sounded ahead and he picked up his speed, his breath like shards of glass in his throat. When he cleared the trees and the mill opened up ahead, what he saw made his heart leap.

Kiev stood at the front of a group of villagers, hands uplifted. A Changewing stood at attention, teeth dripping with green acid as the rider atop his back poised an arrow at the retired Chief's chest. At the front of the group, Genevieve struggled against the bonds of a man holding her back.

The Singetail flapped overhead, tail steaming, ready to strike.

Finn had no thought for himself. They didn't see him coming as they remained locked in a standstill. So as he hurtled into their midst, he took a flying leap just as the rider's fingers loosened on the bow, and he collided with the rider atop the Changewing.

The rider cried out in shock and anger as they collapsed in a heap, the people shouting and screaming. As he grappled with the rider who'd tried to kill Kiev, though he could barely think as the man tried to shove him off, he briefly hoped that the arrow hadn't hit Kiev or anyone else. Genevieve-

The man growled angrily and shouted, "FIRE!"

The Singetail obeyed, shooting a bolt of fire right at the crowd.

"NO!" Finn screamed.

The villagers dodged, the bolt exploded right before them. They screamed as they fell but he watched in horror as the guard holding Genevieve lost his grip on her and she toppled into the river. She disappeared in the current and was swept away.

Finn had studied the maps. There were rapids and a waterfall downstream.

Suddenly, a sonic scream filled the air. The struggling rider beneath Finn's arms froze, his blue eyes widening imperceptibly. A purple plasma blast exploded on the Singetail's side and it screeched. The saddle disintegrated and the rider grappled with the dragon's side, fighting for a handhold, but he dropped to the ground in a heap. The Singetail turned and flapped toward the sea as fast as it could, fleeing the Night Fury that circled the embankment. Finn had never been more happy to see his father and Toothless in his life as they hurtled after the orange dragon. The Hjartans cheered.

Realizing he only had seconds, Finn growled and scrambled out of the dirt. He locked eyes with the man and for a brief moment, time slowed. Those blue eyes seemed so familiar. But he didn't allow himself more than a heartbeat to stare before he whipped around and hurtled down the path of the river.

The villagers dodged as he flew past and he tore past a man staring downriver. He was ten feet away before he realized the man had been Kiev, staring after Genevieve and unable to help her. Finn quickened his pace.

The river was fast, a rush of water that pooled and eddied around massive rocks. He could tell by the darkness that it was deep, rushing from far within the island toward the ocean. He'd known by studying maps that it ran around the perimeter of the island and curved back inward where it eventually cascaded into a huge waterfall that plunged over the far side of the island. Right off the very same cliff he'd leapt off of earlier.

Rocks emerged in the river up ahead and the water began to shift in small waterfalls and canyons, froth forming at the edges of the water from the force of the current. Finn heard a scream up ahead and urged himself to go faster, even though his body screamed at him to stop.

Where are you, where are you-

Desperately, Finn whistled for Zap. It took two times for him to whistle properly, his breath was so ragged.

Then suddenly he saw a body grappling with a slick boulder before disappearing beneath the rapids again. Finn gasped and sped up, necessity urging him to catch up. He passed the place he'd just seen her and felt a flash of panic when he couldn't find her.

Genevieve emerged downriver, hacking and fighting against the current. For a moment she spotted him and she nearly swallowed a mouthful of water trying to call his name.

"Hold on!" Finn shouted, keeping pace with her. He nearly toppled in himself when he got too close to the edge. "Don't fight the current, you'll just wear yourself out!"

"Wha-" Genevieve screamed when a wave shoved her under. He could see the boulders beneath the water and it was only a matter of time before she hit her head. If that happened, she'd probably flip beneath the surface and drown.

Looking ahead, Finn saw the mist rising in the air from the waterfall. They were close, too close-

Gritting his teeth, he found a piece of land jutting out above the river and put on a burst of speed. With a fierce leap, Finn jumped into the river.

The sensation of sharp knives jabbed him from head to toe. He couldn't think or breathe, and it was all he could do to not inhale on instinct as the pull of the rapids jerked him to and fro beneath the water. He rammed into a rock and finally surfaced, gasping for air.

He relaxed and let the current take him, twisting and turning in search of Genevieve.

"Finn!"

He whipped around and found her twenty feet ahead of him. He surged forward, using the speed of the current to catch up. "Come here!"

Genevieve's face was white and her lips were blue but she fought the current to try to get to him. She reached out a hand and with a wild snatch, Finn grabbed her arm and yanked her to him.

"I got you! I got you," He said, pulling her toward the side of the riverside. A wave of exhaustion hit him and he shook it off. "Swim to the edge, we've-" A sucking sensation yanked him under and Genevieve yelped as they submerged, the water carrying them down the rapid. Finn kept his arms tight around her waist, unwilling to let her go. Water shoved its way up his nose and into his mouth with the torrents of their thrashing-

His feet hit the floor and he kicked up hard, forcing them to the surface. He shoved Genevieve above the surface first and came up hacking. With a surge of growing panic, he heard the crash of the waterfall not far behind. They kicked hard for the edge of the river but the strength of the current pulled them back.

I'm not strong enough- "ZAP!" Finn shouted desperately, clutching Genevieve to his chest as sudden the water curved outward.

A scream shattered from Genevieve as they suddenly fell. Finn clutched her to his chest as his stomach swooped into free fall and he curved her body around hers, ready to take the impact when they hit the water far below.

Right as they plummeted, a familiar roar sounded in his ears. Instinctively he reached up just as a flash of blue caught his eye and with a painful slam, they stopped.

Pain rippled through Finn's shoulder and he fought on a strangled scream as their combined weight, wet clothing and hanging above the terrifying drop hung from his arm socket. Genevieve yelped and clutched his waist, panting at the sudden stop in their fall. But he couldn't help the hitch in his voice when he looked up gratefully at Zap.

"Baby girl, I have never been more happy to see-" He gaped.

Genevieve gasped. "Max!"

Indeed, that was Max staring down at them with a wide, toothy smile. His membranous dark blue wings flapped steadily even as his claws threatened to cut into Finn's arm.

"Boy, am I glad to see you," Finn huffed a short, crazy laugh. The sound was so edged with panic he almost didn't recognize himself. "Put us down somewhere safe, you big galoot."

Max obliged, gently turning them so he didn't twist Finn's arm off. They flew a safe distance from the riverside and plunge of the waterfall. Max gently released Finn's arm and they collapsed in a wet, panting heap.

Genevieve's cold, shaking hands found his face. Her blonde curly hair was a mass of wet tangled and her lips were blue, but her eyes were clear. "Finn, are you alright?"

Even nodding felt like so much work but he managed. "Yes. Are you?"

"Yes." She stared at him long enough to make him feel silly lying on the ground. He slowly sat up, muscles protesting. She was still staring when he met her eyes again. "You saved me. And my dad. Finn-"

"I think," Finn said, his voice a low rasp. He couldn't think about it right now, everything that had happened. He was suddenly exhausted and the last thing they needed right now was any meltdowns. For all they knew the village was still in trouble and he might still need to help. "We should-"

Genevieve tackled him in a hug, her arms right around his neck. "You came for me."

Finn dropped his forehead onto her shoulder and hugged her back. "I didn't think. I just ran."

They stayed like that for nearly a minute. Finn forced back the overwhelming fear that surged in his chest.

"You're shaking." Genevieve murmured.

"Adrenaline," was all he said. He didn't trust himself to say anything else. In fact, he felt no shame in thinking that he'd be perfectly content sitting in the grass and holding her tightly for the remainder of the day. Reminding himself that she was here, that she was safe now helped ease the panic that threatened to overwhelm him.

Pulling back, Genevieve surveyed his expression. Then snorted.

"What?" Finn asked.

"You look terrible."

Amusement sparked in his chest and he prodded a sipping curl that lay on her shoulder. "Likewise. But I think we should thank Max, don't you think? We'd probably be dead if it weren't for him."

Genevieve turned toward the Shockjaw, who was sitting a few feet away, watching over them. Finn knew that look. A busybody parent watching the younglings to make sure they were alright.

"Yes," Genevieve stood on shaky legs and approached him. "How did you know where we were?"

"He probably heard you scream," Finn said, slowly coming to stand. His body screamed in protest. He gazed toward the direction of the village. The sky didn't seem to be full of smoke and no more screams rent the air, but the waterfall was loud. That didn't mean anything.

"We should go back," Finn said. "We have to make sure everyone is alright. Hopefully my dad chased the rest of them away."

Genevieve's amazed look at Max turned to him. "Your dad is here?"

He nodded solemnly.

"Oh my gods, your arm!" Genevieve rushed forward. "What happened?"

Finn looked down at the wound. He'd lost the makeshift bandage in the water and now a small stream of bloody water ran down his arm. "It's not as bad as it looks."

Not convinced, Genevieve said, "Let's go back before we both get pneumonia. Will you give us a ride, Max?"

The dragon in question crooned and nuzzled her shoulder, a deep rumble emitting from his chest. The grin that spread across Genevieve's face in that moment made all the pain of the last hour dissipate.

"The only problem," Genevieve said. "Is I'm afraid I've never ridden a dragon bareback."

Despite his exhaustion, Finn smiled and showed her what to do, ignoring the terrifying thought that he'd almost lost that smile forever.

---

Riding bareback was much different than in a saddle. It was extremely uncomfortable with Max's spines digging into her backend and now she understood exactly why Finn had built his saddle with extra loops to keep his legs strapped in. Max wasn't even flying in any strange pattern and she could feel herself slipping and sliding across his spine.

Genevieve kept a tight hold on Finn's waist as they made the short flight to the mill. Max sniffed the air and suddenly plunged down through a patch in the trees. Genevieve yelped at the sudden descent and clung to Finn, who's body strained to keep them from falling off in any direction.

She'd need to get a saddle as soon as possible. She didn't care at this point what her parents said, though she meant no disrespect. The argument she'd had with her parents felt like eons ago but it didn't matter anymore. Max had saved her life and Finn's. She would not part with him again.

They began a gentle descent toward a large group of people gathered around the mill. Max back-flapped to slow his speed and touched down on back legs before dropping to all fours, watching the villagers with a nervous look. The people gasped, though at the usually ferocious dragon's sudden docile personality, the fact that she'd survived the unforgiving river, was wearing pants, or that she was riding the Shockjaw with Finn.

Perhaps all of the above. Frankly she didn't care.

"Easy," Finn murmured, offering her a hand. Genevieve took his hand and made to slide down when a familiar bearded man shoved his way through the crowd.

"Genni!" Kiev cried, yanking her down. She yelped when he suddenly wrapped her in a tight bearhug, nearly squeezing her to death. His voice was peppered with sobs. "I thought I'd lost you forever!"

"Oh daddy," Genevieve hugged him tight and remembered the sudden terror of what had happened.

She truly did not know how to follow orders anymore it seemed. She found that she couldn't stay on the cliff alone while the raiders tore apart her village. She felt it was cowardly to stand there safe and sound and watch while her loved ones fought and suffered. So she'd run headlong into the forest mere moments after Finn had left her.

She'd gone first to the Elders home to help rescue the elderly. Thankfully only one side of the home had been scorched and none of the elderly or workers were injured, thank the gods. She helped the villagers put out the fire that blazed on the neighboring home, taking orders from a few of her older brothers. They insisted she head inside to safety and when they began to force her, she'd fled to another part of the village to help more people. She refused to sit inside and cower.

The horror of everything she'd seen threatened to overwhelm her but it was the sight of the man astride the Changewing pointing an arrow at her father's chest that had nearly undone her. She'd fought and cursed and struggled against the guard holding her back, watching in terror as her father raised his hands in a silent plea for mercy.

She'd known the rider would not grant it.

And then she'd thought she was seeing things when Finn hurtled out of the trees and tackled the rider right off the Changewing's back. She'd never seen such a thing before and none of them had even seen or heard him coming. Nevertheless, the thought of nearly losing her father right before her eyes and then Finn somehow saving her from the river directly after… it seemed impossible. The terror she'd felt when being tossed and turned by the water had created such fear and panic in her. The Hjartans always warned of taking great care by the river because anyone who'd ever fallen in and swept away was never seen or heard from again. They would be lucky to recover a body from the ocean.

Kiev stirred as Finn slipped off Max's back, patting his shoulder. "Finn," Kiev released her and hobbled to Finn. "You saved my girl."

Finn avoided his gaze. "Kiev-"

Her daddy grabbed him in a fierce hug. "Thank you, son, thank you, thank you, thank you."

Finn awkwardly patted his back. For the first time ever Genevieve saw him look genuinely uncomfortable. But she didn't care. He was amazing and brave and irrevocably fearless.

Kiev released him and held him at arms' length. "I owe you my life and my daughter's-"

"No," Finn said firmly. "We are allies and friends. We protect each other."

Nodding, Kiev patted his arms and gasped when Finn recoiled. Genevieve cringed when Kiev pulled back a bloody hand from the wound. "Oh dear, I'm sorry! Let's get that cleaned up."

"Daddy," Genevieve said. "Finn isn't the only one who saved me." She looked up at Max with a proud smile. "He saved both of us."

Kiev stared up at Max with a mixed look of fear and awe. Then he inhaled and lifted a hand. "Oh great dragon, thank you."

Genevieve stared, shocked at what was happening. To her eternal surprise, Max leaned down and after a tentative sniff, pressed his nose into Kiev's hand. Her heart bloomed with warmth despite her freezing limbs. A quick glance at Finn revealed a small smile on his face as well.

A roar echoed across the clearing and Finn snapped to attention, worry like Genevieve had never seen before filling his eyes. He shoved passed them and trotted into the clearing. "Zap?"

With a flash of blue, Zap dove from the skies and landed in front of him with a slam that had the ground trembling once again. Growling and yelping, Zap nearly knocked Finn off his feet as she sniffed him up and down, a deep whine sounding from deep within her throat.

"Gods Zap, where were you!" Finn demanded, holding her close. "I kept calling you, where were you?"

"She was in the village looking for you," a voice said and Genevieve actually gasped when Hiccup stalked into their midst. Toothless surged forward from the trees and shoved his face into Finn's arms beside Zap. She growled in displeasure but Finn held them both. "She could hear you but couldn't find you. She was in a panic when I found her."

Finn sighed with relief and rubbed her scales. "It's okay."

Hiccup's green eyes were dark with rage as he beheld his son's disheveled appearance and injury. "Are you alright?"

Finn swallowed hard and nodded. "Don't take this the wrong way at all because I'm extremely glad you're here. But what exactly are you doing here?"

Hiccup nodded in greeting to Kiev. "We wanted to see how things were going. Imagine our horror when we saw the plumes of smoke from leagues away."

Kiev sighed tiredly. "I'm forever grateful you came when you did."

"Sir!" A guard emerged from the woods. "The Chief is requesting all the leaders' presence in the Hall. They caught one of the raiders."

The Haddocks snapped to attention at that and surged forward. The surrounding villagers gasped and chattered with gossip. Kiev advised them to assist with taking any injured people to the healers immediately and held out a hand to Genevieve.

She stared. "You want me to come?"

"I want you to get warm," Kiev said, slinging off his coat and dropping it around her shoulders. "But I must go to the Hall and I am not letting you out of my sight."

Genevieve gave him a longsuffering smile and took his hand. "Well we best hurry then."

The walk down the path that led to the village was tense. When they emerged from the forest and saw the damage inflicted on their village, Genevieve halted in her tracks with a gasp.

The buildings that had been burned and shattered from dragon fire, the formerly well-worn streets battered by explosions. The bodies of fallen warriors and raiders and dragons that littered the streets.

Her heart rose in her chest and it took all her willpower to look away. Kiev tucked her in close and they picked up their pace, following the Haddocks to the Hall at a distance. Finn glanced at her over his shoulder more than once until Hiccup placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and murmured something. The tension in his shoulders eased and he nodded.

Max followed at her other side, looking at the carnage with solemn eyes. He noticed her wary gaze and trotted forward, blocking her view of the street. She looked up at him in amazement, shocked that he could read her expressions so quickly after so little time together.

As a group, they took the stairs into the Town Hall. The warmth of the hall pulled a sigh from her throat and she picked up her pace, eager to sit in front of one of the fires. Kiev halted her at the edge of a small group of men that was clustered in the middle of the room. Ivan was there, looking worn and exhausted but his eyes were clear as he glared at the raider sitting tied to a chair.

Surprisingly the raider did not look very old. He could not have been much older than she was. His hair was dark, cascading across his brow in layers and his blue eyes were mirthless above dark circles. A corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk when he beheld the Haddocks.

Toothless and Zap growled as their group stopped a short distance away. Kiev eased Genevieve into a chair near one of the fires but she hardly noticed as Finn's hands slowly fisted at his sides.

"Why am I not surprised?" Finn muttered.

She blinked.

Ivan's dark eyes snapped to the heir. "You know this man?"

"Know him?" Genevieve had never heard Finn's voice so cold and it sent a chill skittering down her spine. "His name is Cale. He's the one who stabbed me last summer."

Genevieve stared. That ugly scar beneath his ribs. She'd had no idea-

"But I'm not mad about that," Finn said, his voice a deep croon. "Hold him down."

The guards on Cale's either side grabbed his shoulders, even as he began to thrash against his bonds. Genevieve's heart leaped in her chest and it didn't escape her notice that Hiccup said nothing. He merely folded his hands behind his back and watched.

"You know what really gets to me?" Finn slammed his palms on top of Cale's arms so hard, the wooden chair groaned beneath the force. "What really gets me boiling is the fact that you not only tried to have your way with my pregnant sister, you drew a knife on her and threatened her child!"

Genevieve's blood ran cold. She must have made some sound of fear because Kiev placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Village whore-" Finn slammed a hand on Cale's throat and squeezed.

"It would be so easy to end you right now and spare the Archipelago of your miserable existence. After all, nobody would miss you."

Even as his face turned blotchy red, Cale grinned.

Finn hissed in disgust and released Cale, stepping away. "Is that what you want? We can arrange that after all the terror you've inflicted today."

When his hacking subsided, Cale settled low and relaxed in his chair. "You do what you think is right, Finn." His amusement shifted to something more sinister. "Just don't act all high mighty with me when you and I both know we're not so different."

Finn breathed a laugh and turned in a circle. "Here we go."

"I had nothing to do with Erick's, what do you people like to call it again? Accident?" Cale chuckled, blue eyes shooting to Genevieve. "Because shoving someone into a shredder is an accident."

Genevieve knew what Cale was doing. He was trying to get the Hjartans to doubt the Haddocks, to sow dissent. What a ridiculous idea, that Finn had caused Erick to lose his leg.

"I don't have to explain myself to you." Finn said.

"No, but you do have to explain yourself to them," Cale replied smoothly. "But tell me, I'm curious. When exactly were you going to tell them? These people think you're so special, don't they? The amazing Fearless Finn who can do no wrong and is apparently training them to be just like Berk." Cale's expression morphed to disgust. "Oh how the mighty will fall when the people realize it's just a ruse to build their empire."

At last a smile rose to Hiccup's face and he looked down at his feet, shaking his head.

"Laugh all you want, old man," Cale said. "Not everyone sees eye to eye with you."

"I'm just glad to see you're finally paying attention to something more than important yourself, Cale."

Finn snorted. "Oh I'm sure he's been burdened with glorious purpose after all these months away. Tell me, how is outcast life? Are you going to explain who exactly your little group of raiders are? What do you want with Hjart?"

Cale smirked and remained silent.

A quick glance at Finn and Hiccup and she knew they had not expected him to answer.

"Oh we'll get answer out of him soon enough," Ivan said with a wrathful promise. "For the lives lost today, we will get to the bottom of this one way or another."

"Do whatever you want with him, I don't care. He's under your jurisdiction," Finn said.

Ivan turned to Hiccup. "Chief?"

Hiccup gave a nonchalant shrug, hands still folded behind his back. "I banished Cale for hurting my twins. His fate rests with you now."

"But not before I've said my piece," Finn said before lunging forward and grabbing Cale's right arm. With a sharp twist and a snap, Cale's scream echoed across the walls. Genevieve covered her mouth and fought the wave of nausea as Finn grabbed Cale by the scruff of the neck and yanked him forward, still gripping the mangled wrist. "If you ever touch my sister again, I will slit your throat. You're lucky that I got stabbed that day because if I'd gotten my hands on you, you'd be in a lot worse shape than a broken wrist. Unlike my father, I have a much shorter fuse. Touch my sister or her baby again, and I will end you like the piece of scum you are."

Finn shoved Cale back in the chair so hard it tottered backward. The heir turned on his heel and stalked away without another glance back. In moments, Zap followed, trotting after her rider Genevieve stared after him, reeling. She wet her lips and took a deep breath, ready to get away from Cale, who groaned as the guards hauled him out of his chair. Ivan followed as they ushered him to the door where they were likely to take him to the jail.

Genevieve stood and made for the door to follow Finn when a gentle hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up in surprise at Hiccup's kind yet firm expression. "Give him some space for a while."

Nodding, Genevieve dropped back into her seat beside her father, who'd slumped in exhaustion. She wondered if he was as physically and mentally exhausted as she was. With all the things that had happened today, with everything she'd seen and heard, it was a wonder she didn't feel the stress rising in her chest.

Instead she just felt numb and cold.

Toothless crooned and nuzzled her shoulder. Genevieve smiled and rested her forehead against his velvety nose. "I don't know about you all, but it's been a long day."

The men chuckled and Kiev wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder. She didn't even want to consider the number of projects that waited outside to clean up the village. Despite her exhaustion a dozen questions flitted through her mind.

Cale had tried to hurt Adrianna. He couldn't be the one who'd raped her, could he? Somehow she doubted that sweet Adrianna would have fallen for a boy like him. Cale didn't seem to be one who could fake happiness or kindness even if he tried. He felt like he was nothing but darkness.

But he'd alluded to the idea that Finn was responsible for Erick's losing his leg. How could that be? Something about a shredder? She wondered what sort of contraption it was that could warrant someone losing a leg and why one would use such an item.

The thing that most captured her attention though was the ferocity of how Finn had dealt with Cale. Thus far she'd seen him as nothing but kind, carefree, happy. But in light of running into Cale, an old nemesis of sorts, it had brought out someone cold, harsh and… violent.

Fear and confusion wrapped itself around her heart and she abruptly looked at Hiccup, who was staring off into space. "Can I ask you something?"

Hiccup's green eyes snapped to hers and he waited.

Genevieve thought through her words carefully. "When Finn was talking to Cale… I've- we've never seen him that…" She couldn't say it.

The Chief's gaze softened. "Finn is a warrior at heart, Gen. When his loved ones are threatened, he'll do whatever it takes to protect them."

The words dulled her sudden unsurety and she nodded. Leaning against her father's arm, she closed her eyes and relaxed, fully ready for the day to be over.

---

The wind howled, chilling him to the bone. Parts of his clothing were still wet but the shaking in his hands had nothing to do with the cold. The sounds of battle still rolled through his mind and the panic of not finding Zap, of almost losing Genevieve, of almost dying multiple times kept his heart hammering within his chest.

And Cale...

He couldn't go back to the village yet. He knew they'd force him to go to the healers, and he was fine. Really, he was fine. He'd handled many cuts like the one on his arm before. He couldn't go back to the Sullivans. If he locked himself in that loft so soon, he knew he'd start tearing down the walls with anxiety and pent up energy, despite the exhaustion that weighed down his limbs. And he couldn't risk seeing Genevieve so soon. Not after that conversation with Cale.

Coward. Of all the things to be worried about, that should not have been the most important. Yet Cale had done a good job of stirring up old wounds.

Still, he didn't regret shattering Cale's wrist or saying the things he did. And he was grateful that his father did not step in or tell him to calm down. He merely watched and let Finn say what he wanted. It reminded him of the promise his dad had made to not hold him back when the time came for him to confront Brandyn.

He was glad that Genevieve had been there. He sincerely hoped he hadn't scared her but if she and the other Hjartans hadn't been present, the options of torture he could have inflicted on Cale were numerous.

That was another thing that still had him shaking, even after the ordeal had ended almost an hour ago. Nevermind that the rush of adrenaline had slowly ebbed away and that the day had seen many horrific events. It had been the thoughts of deciding which form of torture he could inflict on Cale that would be the most deserving that had his stomach in knots. The only other time he'd seriously considered beating another human being to a pulp or worse was Ratri.

A pang of self-loathing hit him suddenly and he choked on the emotion rising up his throat.

Mismatched footsteps echoed on the docks and Finn closed his eyes, not even caring that he felt comfort at the sound. His dad joined him a moment later. They were silent for a few moments before Hiccup gave him an assessing look. "Are you okay?"

Finn stared at the endless expanse of waves. A part of him wanted to nod but he knew that would be a lie. No, he was not alright.

"Finn, it's okay to be upset. A lot of people died today."

His dad's words were gentle but they were true. A lot of Hjartans died today. He didn't ask for a number. He hadn't thought he could stomach it when he'd come out here to brood.

Finn shook his head. "That's not all I'm upset about."

"Then what is it?"

It was hard to admit the words that had been circling his mind for the better part of his time on the docks but he forced himself to say it. "How do I know if I made the right decision in punishing someone? How do I know where the line is? How do I know if the decision I made is the right one for the situation?"

Hiccup frowned sadly. "Sometimes we have to use our best judgement, kiddo. Is this about Cale?"

Finn grit his teeth, fighting past the slight wobble in his voice. "I just kept thinking of all the ways I wanted to take him apart piece by piece for what he did to Anna and now I feel like I'm no better than Ratri for thinking it."

"No," Hiccup stepped in front of him wearing a firm expression. "Look at me, Finn."

Finn cleared his throat and lifted his head. He could handle this. He could talk about this.

"There is a big difference between discipline, judgement and abuse," Hiccup said. "There is a fine line in there where we have to use our best judgement as leaders to find out when is the appropriate time for certain forms of punishment. What you did and said to Cale was not crossing any of those lines. Not in my book."

"Are you saying that because it's personal and like me, you'd like to see anyone who hurts Anna punished?"

"I'd like for people to be kind towards one another," Hiccup said. "But that's not how the world works. As a result, when we're in charge of people, whether that's being a spouse or parenting or leading a village, every decision we make forces us to use our best judgement based on the situation. It's not always easy to make those calls and sometimes you're going to screw up. But I don't think you have it in you to be as foul and disgusting as that man was to you. So don't you ever think that about yourself, Finn."

Tears blurred his vision and Finn nodded, trying to keep them from falling but failing miserably.

"Come here," Hiccup said, pulling him into a hug. "Don't feel bad for getting emotional. Today was a rough day. Battles are difficult to deal with and you did everything you could, alright?"

Finn dropped his forehead into his dad's shoulder and held him tight. "I don't know what would have happened if you and Toothless hadn't shown up when you did."

"I know," Hiccup patted his back and Finn straightened, rubbing his face. Hiccup shook his head and huffed a laugh. "Can't you go anywhere without bringing the roof down?"

Finn laughed and rubbed the remaining tears from his eyes. "But that's what makes me so popular."

"Yeah yeah," Hiccup said, slinging an arm around his shoulders and steering him down the docks. "Come on. Let's get back to the Sullivans and get that arm stitched up."

"Alright."

As they walked, Finn was very grateful his dad was here. He recounted the events of the day, thinking back to the moment when he thought the rider atop the Changewing would murder Kiev and he'd somehow managed to tackle the rider off the dragon. His dad and Toothless had arrived mere moments later to help but before he'd taken off to help Genevieve, Finn's eyes had met the rider's and for a brief moment, he'd recognized him. He hadn't had he time to think about it then but a horrible realization occurred to him.

Finn staggered to a halt. Hiccup threw a hand up to catch him. "What? Are you alright?"

At the time with the adrenaline and chaos and urgency of all that had happened, Finn hadn't given it more than a moment of thought. But now in retrospect, the blue eyes, the Changewing, the way the man's eyes had widened when he heard Toothless sonic whistle-

"Oh gods," Finn whispered.

"What?" Hiccup demanded.

"It was Brandyn," Finn said, staring in horror at his dad. "It was Brandyn on the Changewing."

---

Whew, this was probably our longest chapter yet! 48 pagse on google docs, what is this madness?

I have dropped every project I've been working on except this one and my game. It's better for my mental health. When I told Em I was feeling up to writing again, she was actually kind of disappointed. But it's time. It's been time for a while. I even took a creative writing class last semester so now I'm an expert. Not really. ;)

One more thing: let me post the Discord server link again. Remove the parentheses: (ht)(tps)(:)(/)(discord).(gg/4xXCbz9)

We talk a lot! And Em finally joined it so it's a lot more active. We even have some new readers there, so join us if you can!

Something else I noticed though: I know reviews aren't everything, but I have been wondering if less people are reading now because, looking over older chapters, we had a lot more regular reviewers. I'm not sure if a lot of people stopped reading or if you all haven't had time, and I don't want to be demanding reviews or anything like that, but are y'all still here? A few of you are definitely still here but I'd love to hear from some of the lurkers, if you have a moment.

That's all for now! Don't forget to review! And thanks to those who have been keeping up, whether lurking or reviewing every chapter. We appreciate you all!

~Katie

P.S. Check out Brandon Farris on youtube. He reminds Em and me of Cliff SO MUCH!