"I want to hide the truth
I want to shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide

No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come"

- "Demons" by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 19

I spent the morning going over my conversation with Harald in my head while I wandered around the island. Had I actually confessed that I loved him? I had not meant for it to come out. It was not something I had even admitted to myself. But I did not regret it. He needed to know the truth. I just wished I knew what was going on in his head.

I returned to the base just in time to greet Hiccup as he landed after his patrol. Bolt bounded over to us to say hello to Toothless.

"Hey Brennda," Hiccup said. "I just say Skulder, and he asked me to tell you to stop by Mudraker Island. I'm not sure what it's about, but he said that only you would be able to help him."

"Oh, I have an idea," I said.

"I hope you aren't secretly training cool dragons without me!" He laughed.

I smirked. "We've been up to something alright." I turned to Bolt. "I better be off."

"Good luck!" Hiccup called as I took to the air.

In no time at all, I landed at Skulder's camp. This time, he did seem in better spirits, and there was little mess. I noticed The Mudraker was out of the water, sniffing curiously at the archaeologist's belongings.

"Hello Skulder," I said. "How are you going?"

"Fine, fine," Skulder said. "Thank you for stopping by."

"How's Muddie?"

Skulder glanced at the Mudraker. "He's is still being playful. He hasn't calmed down at all, even though I've been throwing sticks for him. His latest 'fun' stunt is to grab my shoes and toss them in the mud. I've lost quite a few tools to these deep muddy swamps." He shook his head in dismay.

I gave him a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry about that. These things can take time."

"I know, but I wonder if the dragon just has too much energy and is falling into mischief because he has no one else to play with. To appropriate an old phrase, idle 'claws' are Loki's playthings." He sighed. "I don't know. Perhaps this is the price of having the Mudraker as a friend."

"If he really is all alone, perhaps he's overly eager now that he has you. Though, that doesn't help you solve the problem."

Skulder nodded. "I'm too embarrassed to bother Hiccup or Astrid with this. Would you go to the School and ask Heather for her advice? She generally has some good ideas."

"Sure. Wait right here!"

I had not been back to the School for awhile, and it was good to see my friend again. Heather listened attentively as I explained the situation.

"What an interesting dilemma!" she said. "Some dragons are more mischievous than others. Perhaps Skulder made a cheeky friend. That said, it's worth testing his hypothesis to see if having a friend will make the Mudraker calm down!"

"It couldn't hurt," I said. "What kind of dragon do you think would make a good friend for him?"

Heather appeared thoughtful. "Thunderdrums are Tidal Class dragons that also rely on sonic-based fireballs. Most dragons generate kinetic energy in the form of heat, but both the Mudraker and the Thunderdrum generate energy in the form of sound waves. Maybe the two dragons would be good friends because they're similar dragons!"

I grinned. "That makes sense!"

"Thornado helped us against the Death Song. I bet he would be willing to help us again. I saw him at the ship graveyard recently. You should try to find him there."

I nodded. "Thanks for the help, Heather!"

It was only after I left that I wondered if it had been rude for me to depart so abruptly. Then again, Skulder was counting on me to return quickly. I would see Heather again soon enough.

Once at the ship graveyard, I searched hard for the Thunderdrum. I could not find Thornado, but I did spot Bing, Bam, and Boom hanging out on a large rock. Luckily, they remembered me from our last adventure, and when Bolt took off, they flew behind us.

We all landed at camp on Mudraker Island. I could not spot Skulder, but Muddie was already eyeing the Thunderdrums curiously. "Hey, buddy," I said. "I brought you some new friends." The babies ran over to the Mudraker, who appeared pleased with the company.

I smiled. Mission accomplished. I then set off in search of Skulder. I found him not too far from camp. "Hey!" I greeted him. "I brought Muddie some friends!"

Skulder brightened at the news. "Really? How wonderful! I'm sure Muddie will be calmer now that he can expend some of his energy with playmates."

"Hopefully."

Suddenly, a loud crash rang throughout the island, coming from the camp. Skulder and I exchanged a worried glance.

"Oh dear," Skulder said. "Did you hear that? Can you go and find out what it could be? I have a suspicion it might not be the best news..."

I ran straight for the camp. I skidded to a halt when I saw Bing, Bam, and Boom running around like crazy, causing a ruckus. Muddie seemed pleased while Bolt snapped at the babies.

"Guys, calm down!" I cried. I ran around to the little dragons and pet them to try to make them stop. If they kept this up, they would break all of Skulder's stuff!

But it was no use. The babies were too happy to find a new friend, and their happiness increased their energy levels. Had I just made things worse for Skulder? In dismay, I turned around to find Skulder standing there

"Is everything alright?" he asked, taking in my dejected expression.

I shook my head. "Muddie's new friends are even more reckless than he is. I'm sorry."

But Skulder merely smiled. "Don't be. It's nice and lively to have these dragons here! Sure, they might make things... interesting, but I'm sure they'll get tired of creating a ruckus after a little while. After all, they're just baby dragons, and all babies tend to get tired after a while! It's very nice to see Muddie so happy. Thank you, Brennda."

My eyes widened in surprise. "Y-You're welcome!" I thought for sure he would be angry with the situation. Not too long ago he was ready to give up on the Mudraker for a similar reason. "You know, you're really starting to understand dragons."

"You think so? That's good to hear. I've found it's better to not get too worked up about the little things."

I smiled. "Yeah, that's generally a good idea."

"Say, I've been so busy bothering you with my problems that I haven't stopped to ask how you're doing. I hear you've been helping out around Dragon's Edge. How are things? Is there anything I can help with?"

"N-No!" I said a bit too quickly. "Everything is great. We're just preparing in case the dragon hunters attack, that's all." I chuckled nervously. The last thing I needed was to tell him my personal problems. Not to mention, I still did not know the story behind his alleged history with Harald, and now did not seem like the best time to bring it up.

Skulder frowned. "Are you sure? You seem a bit... on edge."

I took a deep breath to calm myself. "I'm fine. I promised."

He eyed me skeptically. "If you're sure... I'll let you get back now. But if you do ever need help with anything, I'm right here."

I smiled slightly. "Thanks, Skulder. I do appreciate it." Hopefully, I could figure out my own problems long before that time came.

A rapping sound woke me. I blinked my eyes open and slipped out of the bed I shared with Astrid. Thankfully, she was fast asleep. I padded over to the window and opened it. A second later, I had a Terrible Terror in my face.

"Leopold," I groaned. I grabbed hold of the dragon and held him away from me. "What is it?"

Leopold chirped. He wiggled out of my grasp and sailed to the floor. I followed him as he bounded to the door of the hut. Was something wrong with Harald? I looked back at Astrid to make sure she was still asleep and then quietly slipped outside.

I found Harald standing outside the clubhouse, staring off into the distance with a pained look on his face. I took a deep breath and approached. "Harald?" I said softly. "Are you alright?"

"No." His voice came out hoarse, and for once, he did not try to conceal his emotions. He turned his gaze on me, letting me see the sorrow in his eyes. "I'm sorry I woke you."

My heart lurched. "It's fine. What's wrong? Is there something I can do to help?"

"You can't - Just... stay with me. I don't want to be alone."

I immediately moved in and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me tightly as if he never wanted to let go. "I'll never leave you, Harald. I'll always be here."

He said nothing, but his warm embrace told me everything I needed to know. He was finally letting me comfort him, and that was all I needed. We stayed like that for a long time before the cold finally got to me.

"Let's go inside," I whispered, pulling away to look at him. "We'll freeze out here."

He nodded.

I took his hand and led him into the clubhouse where he had been staying. Leopold bounded in behind us. Then we laid down together on the spare bed. I thought nothing of my actions except my need to make him feel better. I curled around him and stroked his hair until he fell asleep. Then I drifted off too.

In the morning, I had another abrupt awakening. This time, it was because all the riders had suddenly poured into the clubhouse, letting the light stream in. I groaned and covered my face with my arm.

"Thank Thor! She's alive!" someone shouted.

"Shut up, Snotlout," I said. "Of course I'm alive."

"I told him we'd find you here," Astrid said with a hint of teasing in her voice.

Suddenly, everything snapped into place. I bolted up, but Harald's arm around me pulled me back down. We had fallen asleep here together. No wonder everyone had shown up. This looked bad. I tired to pull away, but Harald only held onto me tighter. I glared at him. "Let go of me!"

"Calm down," Harald mumbled, his eyes still closed. "It's too early to be shouting."

"It looks like you two had fun last night," Ruffnut said with a smirk.

I groaned. "They're getting the wrong idea!"

"Let them," Harald said.

"Try again." I elbowed him in the stomach. His eyes flew open, and he finally let go. I stood up with a huff.

"I get it. You're not a morning person."

I rolled my eyes. "That is so not the problem." I took in everyone staring at me with odd expressionz. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable. "I, uh, got to go!" I ran out of there as fast as I could. Thankfully, no one followed me.

A little while later, Astrid entered her hut where I had been hiding. "Hi there," she said with a small smile. "You feeling better?"

I looked up from her bed and nodded. "Yeah. I just didn't like all the attention."

"I can understand that." She sat on the bed next to me. "So, what were you doing last night?"

I stared at my hands. "Leopold woke me up and brought me to Harald. He seemed... distressed about something. I couldn't leave him alone. All I did was comfort him."

"Do you know what's wrong?" Concern laced Astrid's voice.

"I assume it's the same thing that's always been bothering him. It has to do with whatever it is he's hiding - the reason he thinks he has to leave."

"He still won't tell you anything?"

I shook my head. "At this point, I'm afraid to know."

Astrid placed a hand on my shoulder. "Whatever it is, you can handle it. You're strong. And if you need me, I'm here for you. We all are."

I gave her a small smile. "Thanks, Astrid. That means a lot to me." And hopefully, it would never come to that.

The day flew by. That evening, Harald and I went off together to talk about all sorts of random things. When they returned to the base, they found everyone else had gone to bed. Harald walked me to Astrid's hut, stopping just outside.

"Thank you for another wonderful day," he said. "I'm afraid after I take a test run tomorrow, it may be time for me to leave."

The smile faded from my face, and my heart squeezed. "And you will tell me everything? Whatever it is you've been hiding?"

He looked away. "You will come to learn everything. But not now."

A flare of anger arose in my chest. "You won't tell me now so I won't stop you. So I can't prove it doesn't matter."

Harald met my fierce gaze with a wry smile. "No, love, I am doing this for your sake. The truth will hurt you, and I'm trying to spare you."

I shook my head stubbornly. "Don't spare me. I want to help you. Whatever demons you have, I'll fight them with you!"

"And if they're too much for you?"

"They won't be. Not if we work together. "I believe in you, Harald."

Something flashed in his eyes. Then the tension left his face, and he gazed at me with adoring eyes and a gentle smile. He stepped closer to me until our faces nearly touched. "And I love you, Brennda."

Caught completely off guard, I could only gape at him. "W-What?" Did I hear him right? I confessed I loved him not too long ago, but he did not say it in return.

"Listen... There may come a time when you doubt everything I have said, but..." He brushed his hand across my cheek. "I love you, and that is the absolute truth."

My heart squeezed, but this time it was with joy as well as pain. How could he say this and still want to leave? Tears pricked my eyes. "I love you too."

Sadness tinged his smile at my words. "I wish that was enough."

"It could be."

"I will see you tomorrow." He turned and took a step away from me. I reached out and grabbed his arm. This felt too much like goodbye, and I was not ready to let him go. He did not resist as I pulled him back to me. I brought my other hand to the back of his neck and pushed his head down so I could kiss him.

Harald immediately wrapped his arms around me and kissed me back with such passion that it seemed like he thought it was the last time. I would make sure it wasn't, but I still returned his fervor.

He pulled back first. Then he cupped my face and kissed me once more. "Good night, Brennda," he whispered.

I felt dizzy from the kiss, and this time I let him leave. "Good night, Harald."

I ignored the buzzing in my mind that wanted me to piece something together. Something about that encounter bugged me, but I did not want to think about it. After all, it sounded like tomorrow I would learn the truth. Would everything really change?

Regardless, I remembered one lesson my parents taught me: love never dies.

Harald stared out at the black ocean from the edge of the base with a coldness in his eyes that Brennda would not recognize. The chilly air felt good. It helped him think, and he needed to do a lot of thinking. Tomorrow was the day. It had to be. He had to get out of there before he did something incredibly... stupid.

Leopold chirped at him from the ground.

Harald's eyes flickered down, and for a second, his expression softened. "We have to leave," he said firmly as if answering an unspoken objection from the Terrible Terror. "It's for the best."

Leopold gave him a dubious look and then nudged his leg with his snout.

Harald sighed. "I know you like her, but she's not part of the plan. Where we go, she cannot follow."

The little dragon let out an angry chirp.

"It was nice to dream for awhile, but it's time to wake up and face reality."

He swore Leopold glared at him. He groaned and turned away. He really had been there too long. Now he was talking to a dragon like he could answer him back! Then again, the little guy obviously understood what he was saying. Harald remembered what Hiccup told him when he first arrived. Dragons were more intelligent than mere pets. Perhaps there was something to that.

Either way, Leopold appeared uninterested in talking anymore. He turned around and stuck his head in the air as if angry at his master. Harald could not help but smirk in amusement. It seemed Brennda's attitude had rubbed off on him.

A sound caught his attention. Returning his gaze to the sky, he saw he had been wrong about everyone calling it a night. Hiccup spotted him and landed Toothless next to him. Harald immediately plastered on the smile that fooled everyone... except Brennda. "Good evening, Hiccup," he said cheerfully.

Hiccup dismounted and nodded at him. "Evening, Harald. What are you doing up?"

Harald motioned to the sky. "Observing the stars. Same as you, I suspect."

Hiccup smiled. "It is beautiful up there. Don't stay out too late."

"I will retire shortly."

Hiccup nodded. "Good night, Harald." As he passed Leopold, he smiled down at the Terrible Terror. "You too, Leopold." He stopped and suddenly looked back at Harald. "By the way... thank you for being such a great friend to Brennda. I have never seen her so happy around anyone. She's always been cautious about making friends..."

"No need to thank me," Harald said. "She has been as much a help to me as I have to her."

Hiccup smiled. "I know. I hope it always stays that way."

"Me too, Hiccup. Good night."

"Good night."

Harald waited until the Viking and Night Fury were out of sight before letting in the flood of thoughts and emotions. He had to sort through it all now, for tomorrow required absolute control. No more playing around.

It should have been easy. He was the master of deception. He could even fool himself into believing his own lies. And that was precisely what had gotten him into trouble. He let himself believe for awhile that he could do whatever he wanted with Brennda with no repercussions on his part. He had to make sure his mistake would not undo everything he had worked so hard for.

Even if he wanted to switch plans - which, he didn't - he still could not stay. He could not keep pretending he was someone else, someone without his past... and his future. He had made too many enemies, a few of which were Brennda's friends. She would find out the truth eventually, and then it would be all over and he would have nothing to show for it. He could not run from who he was or the path he had chosen.

The path of a pirate.

A/N: In case you didn't catch on, third person will be in Harald's POV (and maybe occasionally another character's). Usually I don't add multiple POVs when writing in first person, but I think in this case it adds something to the story. Let me know if you like it, and I'll add in some more when I can. As you can see, things are about to get really interesting here. Be prepared!