She woke up warm again. She saw red through one of her eyelids and knew the sun had risen, but she didn't want to move. She took a deep breath and basked in the smell. It was like everything warm had come together: sunlight, fire, smoke, lightning.

"Good morning," said a sleepy voice in her ear. She realized she was snuggling into Hiccup's chest. She kept herself from leaping from the bed this time, but still jumped at the surprise. "Sorry." He didn't look sorry. His eyes were still shut and he had a half smile on his face.

She slowly laid back down and wrapped her arms around him. He immediately pulled her to him and held her, as if they'd been doing this for years. She kept her eyes on his face as she gathered the courage to speak.

"Thank ye fer not heading out without wakin' me."

"Hmm?"

"I...I'm not a helpless babby, but I do like having ye around ta depend on if I need ye. Ye've scared me since I laid eyes on ye, but I trust ye." He held her more firmly, but never opened his eyes. "Make sure ye come back…" she whispered.

"I always plan to come back."

"Well, now ye haven't a choice." She nodded against him. He smiled and opened his eyes. He was about to say something when the sunlit loft caught his eye.

"It's past daybreak." His eyes were widening.

"Aye."

"I was to be with Dad checking over everything by dawn!" he explained, jumping from the bed. She barely had time to blush and turn her head as he began frantically changing.

Hearing his staggering cease, she looked to find him in his armored pants with no shirt, spinning in circles looking for an undershirt before he finished cinching his armor. She grabbed his arm and he locked eyes with her, his gaze wild as he ran through all the scenarios of the morning he could.

"You will come back." She enunciated every word.

His gaze softened and he finally seemed to see her. He didn't answer, but leaned forward so their foreheads were touching. She didn't know if this symbolized something in their culture, but she knew it felt intimate, whether romantic or not.

"'I pledge to you my living and my dying.'" She could feel his breath on her face as he spoke.

"Did ye mean those words? Or were they just to unite our people?" she whispered.

"If you ask me why I said them, it was to unite our peoples. But I meant them, and I will honor them the best I can. I already care for you," he murmured, "I hope love can come, too."

"Only when you come back alive."

He smiled and leaned in to place a light kiss on her lips. She gasped, but he didn't intrude any further.

"And you need to be here when I do return." She turned scarlet, but he was already finishing getting dressed, leaving his body armor over his arm as he left the room and the house.

She stayed curled in bed for a few more minutes. Could this truly grow into love? Did he know her plan to join Astrid? Would they both return? Finally, she decided to get dressed and begin her day. She'd be seeing off the warriors and attending to her duties as chieftess.

.

Astrid watched from afar. She would be acting chieftess in all but name. But only for two days. Then she'd leave Eret in charge and lead the reinforcements into battle. Merida would likely join her.

It was Merida she watched now. She held her head high and had very open body language. She was worried and angry. She bristled every time someone asked a question, but no one seemed to think her answers were invalid. It was strange when she approached Toothless. She was all nerves, poised as if she planned to attack. But she simply pet him, scratching behind his ears.

When it was time for takeoff Hiccup saddled up and Toothless made his way to the front. Hiccup gave a gruff warning of a long journey and a brief overview of the expected fight, dangerous foes but good odds.

His eyes found her briefly with a nod. She knew what was expected of her.

Then, he looked to Eret. Eret gave a salute and Hiccup rolled his eyes.

Last, he found Merida. His expression softened along with his posture. He didn't give a true smile, just a tender look.

Then, Hiccup and Toothless led the way through the clouds.

.

"I cannit stand it any longer!" Fergus shouted as he began pacing the room again. "They've run off with me lass and the raids continue! Four in the past two weeks! And we've only a brief word from her! The poor lass. What'd we do Elinor?"

"Fergus," she attempted to remain calm even as the same anxieties tore at her insides. "How long would it take us to reach the Hooligan tribe according to how they marked our maps?"

"Ah...a week?"

"And, even with preparations for war already under way, how long would you expect them to wait before leaving their home?"

"Another week…"

"And how long would the return trip take?"

"Blast it woman! A third week! That don' mean I can take the waitin'!"

"Wait and ensure the defense of our people is all we can do. We've got to stay strong for all the clans."

"Aye," he sighed, "aye."

.

It'd been a long day. The warriors had left the day before, and it seemed every detail after their departure had to be run through her. She was ever grateful for Astrid's presence, but when she'd collapsed on her bed that evening the last thing she wanted to do was answer the door.

"Come on! Come on!" Astrid ushered her out of the house before even saying hello.

"Where the devil are ye taking me?" she asked, as Astrid drug her by the arm up the main hill.

"Quit your yammering and let's go!" Astrid strode right into Stoick and Valka's home without a second thought. Merida was a bit more timid entering, feeling that this was a breach in privacy. "I am about to solve all your problems," she declared. Merida snorted.

"Oh? And which problems are those? I have a few."

"Ta-da!" Astrid fanfared as she pulled a cloth dramatically away from the table. What was underneath could only make Merida gasp in awe.

There were three pieces of armor, skirted pants, a breastplate, and a black helm with a silver ringlet; an odd looking quiver with three compartments and an insert that would keep her arrows in place; three matching daggers; and a small elegant sword.

She hefted the weapon and was pleased to find it was perfectly balanced and a phenomenal weight for her. She ran her hand over the helm and saw that it had amber lenses to protect her eyes as she shot and the silver circlet that was engrained in it very nearly matched the one she'd brought from home. Each sleeve of the armor and the right ankle had sheaths for the daggers. The belt accommodated the triple quiver sitting on her right hip and had a harness that she recognized would keep her attached to a flying dragon. The sword sheath could loop onto her belt as well.

Running her fingers over the material of the helm, she wondered what it was made of. It matched Hiccup's, pebbled and black, and was surprisingly lightweight.

"Merida." Astrid's voice was soft, and as she looked up she realized she'd shed some tears.

"They're amazing. Where…?"

"He began making them before he left for the Highlands. Thought better of it when he learned how your people differ from ours… But he finished them before you had your, um, quarrel."

"He issued an ultimatum after he'd already made exactly what I needed…"

"He likes to be prepared. Anything he'd think you'd need to protect yourself he would have made. Then he just had to hide them."

"Why are ye showing me now?" Merida was grateful, truly, but had Astrid brought her here the day before she could have left with Hiccup.

"I try not to directly contradict his orders. Such as 'She will not get these.' But he's not here now, and it'd be a shame for him to have made these and then they don't get used."

Merida threw her arms around the woman. She had no words to convey her emotions.

.

The armor fit perfectly. She found the stiff material more comfortable than she anticipated. Her range of motion was surprisingly unimpeded while shooting. As was her vision through the deathsong amber. Astrid braided her hair tightly and instructed her to leave it braided for as long as possible; it would take too long to rebraid it every morning. She wore both her circlet and her hair cuffs under the helm. Eret had joked that she seemed to be copying Astrid's style. She blushed realizing he was largely correct in both hair style and how her skirt fell from her armor.

Merida watched the two people Hiccup trusted most throughout the day. It was clear he was right, they had chemistry. They both seemed to be waiting for the other to make the first move though.

As Astrid strapped the supplies onto Stormfly that night Merida caught her gaze.

"We're going to a war."

"Yes."

"I had to find Hiccup before he left. I can't say I love him-we hardly know one another-but I couldn't...I couldn't leave things the way they were. If he didn't come back…" she trailed off and found Astrid's eye again.

"I don't…"

"Ye can' no' tell 'im, Astrid. Ye may ne'er get another chance." Astrid's face lost all color for a moment and then burst into a deep red.

"And what if it's in my mind?" she whispered.

"Now, why would ye think that?"

"He's very blunt. And brave. If he felt something..."

"Every man fears something."

"Can you…" she gestured towards Stormfly.

"Aye," Merida smiled.

"I'll be right back!" she called as she took off running.

"The wee lass just needed a kick, huh?" Merida spoke to the dragon.

Stormfly chirped and shook her scales. Even flaring her tail spikes for a moment.

"Och. She can handle the likes of him."

Stormfly chittered.

"Ye don' have ta like it, but ye do gotta deal with it."

She let out a squawk.

"Lemme finish this up, then you can make sure he's behaving himself."

She chittered again and leaned forward to allow Merida easier access to the saddle bags.

.

It took all evening and most of the next day to reach Caldera Cay. Merida was all kinds of sore and Stormfly was too tired to even glide by the time they reached the island. The upside was Astrid's company. They talked about everything, though Merida continued to circle back to guys in an attempt to find out what had been said between her and Eret. Frustratingly, Astrid got a lot of information about her suitors and Merida got little information on why there was a dark purple mark on her neck.

"Astrid! You must know you're always welcome, but we weren't expecting you quite yet," greeted a woman in black.

"Yes, well, I'm not always the greatest at following orders."

"What do you have in mind?"

"We're supposed to be support if the negotiations don't work, but I want to get in the fight and if we hit them in a second wave it'll lessen the impact they make on our numbers."

"Both valid points. I was glad to hear you would be leading our people. With me...incapable at the moment, I wasn't sure who would be taking over the role. I love Dagur, but he's a bit-"

"Deranged?" supplied a man with a scar as he approached.

"Well, yes," she laughed, grabbing his hand.

"And who might you be?" the man, Dagur, asked before falling into maniacal giggles.

"I'm Merida."

"Astrid?" asked Mala, looking for a more precise answer.

"Princess Merida of the Highlands, bane of Mor'du, wife of Hiccup," she answered with a smirk.

"Wait," Dagur lifted his hand, "Hiccup got married?" Astrid nodded, smiling. "And he didn't invite us?"

"It was a last minute affair," she reasoned. Merida felt out of place during their exchange.

"But-!"

"From the Highlands, you say?" broke in Mala.

"Aye."

"A princess no less?"

"Aye."

"So that's how he's avoiding civil war."

"Ye've a keen mind."

"As a leader must." They shared a smile as Dagur caught up with their line of conversation.

"We've existed in seclusion for most of our past, but we are more than willing to aid against such atrocities that have befallen your homeland, princess."

"And I will ever be grateful and indebted to you and your people."

"Nonsense. It seems you've already paid your dues." Merida blushed and looked away at her implication.

"I still can't believe Brother didn't invite us to th-"

"Brother? I thought Hiccup was..."

"Deranged, remember?" Astrid stage whispered. "Sooo!" she diverted. "How has everything been coming along?"

"She's been beside herself sick!" cried Dagur. "She refuses to relinquish her duties and they're pushing her to her limits. Seriously, she should be laying down even now! I won't be surprised if she throws up on our way back."

"I think she meant with the war preparations."

"No, Stormfly needs to recover from the flight. Any updates on preparations can wait. How are you?"

"Much as Dagur said," she answered with a sad smile.

"Have you been delegating?"

"Some," she stated.

"Hardly," Dagur murmured.

"Ye don' seem concerned about yer illness?"

"It's only natural," she replied with a smile.

"Oh! Congratulations!" Merida enthused as she realized Mala was pregnant.

"Thank you."

Dagur began his odd giggling again as they made their way into the village, chatting about marriages, children, and favored weapons.

.

The Defenders would not be traveling by dragon back. Dagur was the only rider on the island, but everyone had relationships with the beasts. They would be traveling by ships, connected to a handful of larger dragons. One was being pulled by an underwater dragon that could shoot boiling water from its mouth.

Dagur was accompanying Merida and Astrid as they traveled to Wingmaiden Island. The other warriors were heading south, their slower speed would make it easier to catch up after the Wingmaidens joined the party.

As the three came upon the island Merida found she missed Caldera Cay. They revered the dragons, but didn't ride them or invite them into homes. The Hooligans had a wonderful way of life, but it was difficult to adjust to.

"Dagur," Astrid called over, "stay over the beach edge for the time being. We'll make sure they're expecting a male presence before we drop you on their doorstep."

"It's not the nesting season," Dagur pointed out.

"Just being careful."

"Careful. Careful!" He fell into laughter again.

Astrid, Merida and Stormfly swooped into a beautiful village. The women wore silver armor. Merida saw no men as they drew near.

She wasn't told much about these people. Granted, she hadn't asked. She found it curious that Dagur had stayed behind, but was also a bit relieved to be away from the unstable man.

"Atali!" Astrid leapt from Stormfly and embraced the woman. Merida slid from the nadder's back and made her way over to introduce herself.

"Merida, this is Atali, Chieftess of the Wingmaidens."

"Have you come for the celebration of the Grand Transition?"

Astrid seemed to deflate.

"Is that now?"

"Mmhmm. We've been preparing for the mission south while we've been separated from the hatchlings. But the time for the choosing has come."

"Will you be able to come after the choosing?"

"We plan to call some of the last set of hatchlings to us. Those who stay behind will be creating more of a nursery than how we usually operate."

"Thank you, Atali. I know you don't make that decision lightly."

"Someone will be very glad to see you."

"Is Heather still here?"

"The Berserker Chieftess has been most helpful."

"Heather?" Merida asked.

"Dagur's sister. She became Chieftess of the Berserkers when he married Mala. Oh! Dagur is here. He's on the beach," she explained to Atali.

"He will be welcomed here."

"I guess I'll go get him." Astrid smiled and gave Merida a look. Merida smiled back, trying to assure her she would be alright.

When Astrid left Atali introduced Merida to some of the maidens. She was curious about everything they had been discussing, but it sounded like her curiosity would be sated if she had patience.

.

Four days. They'd been riding for four days. Another three days and Hiccup expected to arrive at the Wailers' encampment. Granted, he wasn't sure if he could stand another day of migration. It was so much quicker when there were only three dragons and four people to manage.

Toothless had been missing during the evenings the past two nights and tonight he was finally going to figure out why.

He didn't expect to see Toothless in a clearing with another dragon.

It had the same build and shape as Toothless, but was pure white instead of deep black. Its wing angles and features were more rounded with fewer adornments than the Night Fury. Toothless and the wild dragon exchanged warbles as they laid on either side of a small pond of water. Every now and then Toothless would catch a fish and offer half, which was always refused.

Hiccup was caught up in watching the two interact, he didn't even realize when the white dragon turned its hostile attention in his direction. He barely managed to duck below the plasma blast thrown his way and hadn't recovered his wits before Toothless was carrying him back to camp.

"So that's where you've been going?"

Toothless shoved him with his shoulder, rolling his eyes.

"What? I'm amazed! Is she a female?"

Toothless hid his eyes under his paws.

"Well that answers that," he laughed.

With a hurumph Toothless slumped onto the ground.

"She doesn't like humans?"

Toothless let out a bit of a whine.

"It's okay, bud. You do what you need."

He gave a grateful purr and laid his head on Hiccup's lap.

.

Hiccup was well acquainted with falling from Toothless's back, even with the harness. He was also accustomed to being forcibly removed from Toothless's back.

When Toothless began cutting away from the flock Hiccup waved for his mother to take over and let Toothless go where he felt needed. With his strange behavior and new relationship with the wild dragon, Hiccup was willing to follow his lead.

When the flock was out of sight she struck. He was hit from behind and the wind was knocked out of him. As he flailed for his armor's wings he flipped and saw her look back to Toothless. She looked so proud of herself. "You're free now!" She seemed to say.

Toothless growled and fell into a dive to retrieve Hiccup.

When he was back on Toothless the white dragon's expression changed and she prepared a plasma blast.

"Uh, Toothless?"

He stalled in the air and gave a harsh roar. A challenge.

She faltered, confusion on her features that were as expressive as Toothless's. She dipped briefly and then disappeared into the clouds.

Toothless grunted and then returned to the flock.

.

Merida sat back and watched everyone interact. She couldn't quite keep up with what they were talking about at any given time, but the atmosphere was pleasant despite the coming battles being at the forefront of most of their minds.

She learned the Berserkers were excitedly anticipating the fight and already en route under Heather's general. Heather was glad to give them something to direct their violence towards besides games. Games were great, but they could become monotonous after a while.

The Wingmaidens were a little more hesitant to join, because they had a duty they would be temporarily abandoning while gone. She had yet to figure out what the "Grand Transition" was, but it was very important and tied them to the island and the surrounding areas.

She'd already met some of the Defenders, but learned more of how their past was tied to both the Hooligans and the Berserkers and Wingmaidens. As a rule they did not ride dragons. Dagur and Sleuther had already bonded by the time Dagur married Mala. Mala had ridden with both Dagur and Hiccup, but never on her own. Her people believed dragons were to be respected and protected. They'd fought dragon trappers in the past and apparently had a rough start with the Hooligans when they saw people atop dragons.

After the meal Atali led them into a cavern, lighting a torch each maiden held. She detailed the island's history and outlined the relationship between razorwhip hatchlings and the women of the island. Several clumsy baby dragons made their way towards the alcove they were in. Atali explained that razorwhips were born blind and would choose a caretaker to bond with until it was time to return to the flock.

One baby immediately came to Merida and began attempting to climb her leg. Atali gave a small laugh.

"This is the second time one has chosen an outsider. She will likely choose to stay with her family when you go to leave though."

"And how do I get her off me in the meantime?" Merida asked with only a little hysteria in her voice. Astrid was cracking up as the baby dragon clung to her belt.

.

The beast was everywhere. The company was leaving in the morning, so the razorwhips were being ushered into a nursery immediately, while the maidens worked on calling some of the more mature dragons that were still a manageable size to them. There were many juveniles that were willing to go into battle with their previous caregivers and several adults as well.

But the one that had claimed her had refused to leave her be. While eating a quick meal before retiring a weight would pull at her shoulders. When she retired to bed she was awoken to the babe pouncing onto her sleeping form. At breakfast it scared her out of her mind as it circled her feet unexpectedly. She'd taken it back to the nursery each time, but it seemed hell bent on staying with her.

Merida rushed Astrid as they packed the saddlebags, not wanting to be caught by the hatchling again. Astrid laughed at her, finding it ironic that the one skittish of dragons was chosen by a dragon. Merida folded her arms and stuck out her tongue.

Several hours into their flight south, shortly before they expected to meet up with both tribes that were already en route, something brushed the girls' legs. Looking down, they discovered it was a silver tail hanging out of the saddlebags.

They called Atali over and the three were horrified to find the baby had stowed away and was now on her way to accompanying them to war.

(A/N I absolutely love the migration scene in HTTYD 3 and had to incorporate it.)