Chapter 15: New Plan

Snotlout thought of himself as a master dragon trainer, but he was beginning to have his doubts as he struggled to retain control over the baby Snafflefang. Valka had left the baby dragons at the sanctuary, and apparently they were immune to the Bewilderbeast's control. So, the dragon riders flew to Berk on the backs of the little creatures.

"This does not look good," Stoick said in dismay as they neared the island. The Bewilderbeast hovered at the edge of Berk, and a large flock of dragons almost as big as the alpha swarmed next to him.

"It's going to be alright, Dad," Hiccup said gently. "We just need to get to our dragons and prove ourselves."

"Is that all?" Snotlout said dryly.

"It should be easy for you, Snotlout," Astrid said. "You're always trying to prove yourself."

"Shut up, Astrid."

"We should start by calming the villagers," Stoick said. "They have no idea what's going on."

"I don't think that's possible," Tuffnut said. He pointed to the center of the village, where Vikings ran in terror or threw rocks at the intruding dragons. There was ice everywhere, indicating the Bewilderbeast had attacked.

"We'll simply do our best," Hiccup said.

Snotlout wished he shared his optimism. He and Ingrid landed in the village and jumped to the ground. He never thought he'd be relieved to be out of the air. "Everyone, calm down!" Ingrid shouted, but it was no use.

"The wild dragons are being lured in," Snotlout said, his eyes on the forest being depleted of dragons. "We have to stop this."

"Let's find our dragons."

The two of them started for the edge of the island and the center of the conflict. Then they spotted Valka. She was still atop Toothless, shouting orders and waving her staff around. "Hiccup won't be able to get Toothless back like that, and I doubt he has what it takes to change it."

Ingrid frowned. "What are you-"

Snotlout raced to Valka and Toothless and leapt into the air. Valka noticed him at the last second and knocked him back with her staff. He groaned as he hit the ground.

Ingrid was instantly at his side. "Are you alright?" She took his hand and helped him up.

"Toothless!" Hiccup cried.

While Valka's attention was diverted by her son, Snotlout took the opportunity to charge at her again. This time, he managed to knock her off the Night Fury and pin her to the ground. He smirked triumphantly, and she glared at him.

"I'll take it from here, Snotlout," Stoick said from above them.

Snotlout scrambled to his feet to let the chief deal with his wife. In the next instant, he was the one knocked onto his back. His eyes widened with fear as he stared at Hookfang's growling face. "Hey there, Hooky," he said nervously. "Looks like you found me." He cowered when the dragon moved his head closer.

"Snotlout," Ingrid said, "stay calm and reach out to him."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? He looks pretty angry."

"He needs you."

Snotlout's fear slowly faded as he gazed at the Monstrous Nightmare that made no move to strike. Hookfang would never hurt him, Bewilderbeast or not. He slowly lifted his hand, pausing only when the dragon snarled. Taking a deep breath, he me made it the rest of the way, placing his hand on Hookfang's snout. "It's alright. I'm here." Then the dragon's eyes returned to normal, and Snotlout relaxed. He stood up and hugged his friend around the neck. "I'm glad you're back."

"I knew you could do it."

Snotlout smiled at Ingrid. "Now let's find your dragon." He climbed onto Hookfang's back and offered his hand to Ingrid, pulling her up behind him. They flew around, watching their friends attempt to calm the Vikings and dragons. Snotlout slowed down when he spotted Swiftwings spewing water balls everywhere. "Do you see Eira?"

"Over there!" Ingrid leaned over his shoulder and pointed to the right.

Snotlout steered Hookfang in the direction of Swiftwings. "Hey, over here!" After getting the Windwalker's attention, he flew to Eira with the dragon on his tail. Swiftwings stopped when she saw her trainer.

Eira smiled at him. "Thanks, Snotlout!"

Snotlout grinned back at her. Perhaps this would not be too hard after all.


Hiccup hated the battle that raged on Berk. It was almost like the old days. Vikings fought with dragons, either to keep them on Berk to to scare them away. Luckily, he was able to find Toothless and gain his attention. Unfortunately, he was still under the control of the Bewilderbeast.

Hiccup ran towards the alpha, making sure Toothless followed him. Then he stopped and faced his dragon. "It's okay, bud," he said in a gentle tone. "I won't hurt you." After making sure he had the Bewilderbeast's attention, he reached out his hand and closed his eyes. Relief flooded him when he felt the Night Fury's snout in his palm. Opening his eyes, he gently stroked the dragon. "There you are." He smiled at the Bewilderbeast before mounting his dragon. "Now, let's go help the others."

His friends surprisingly needed little help in getting through to their dragons. Even the other villagers made a good pass at it. Eventually, the Bewilderbeast seemed to give up entirely and released his control, causing dragons to swarm back onto Berk.

"No," Valka said in shock, stopping her fight with Stoick, which mainly consisted of them blocking each other instead of actually attempting to cause harm. "This can't be happening." She spun around to face the alpha. "Why did you free them? They'll be safer with us."

"But they choose to be with us," Hiccup said, coming up from behind her with Toothless. "They choose friendship over absolute safety. If you truly love dragons, shouldn't you respect their decision?"

Valka anxiously looked around at the Vikings united with their dragons. "Even them?" Her eyes fell on Eira, Dagur, Viggo, and Krogan.

"They want to stay with them," Eira said. "You're the one trying to control the dragons, not my friends. Even the Bewilderbeast understands."

"Please, end this," Hiccup said. "We don't want to fight."

Valka gazed at him sadly, her shoulder sagging in defeat. "I do not understand it, but I too must obey the alpha's command. I shall leave you in peace. It shall be like we never met."

"Don't say that, Val," Stoick said in a pained voice. "We can still work this out."

Valka shook her head. "I am afraid we are too different. You have your beliefs, and I have mind. We will see who wins in the end. Please do not look for me." Silence permeated the area as she strode to Cloudjumper and climbed onto his back. She did not even look at Hiccup or Stoick before taking off.

"Dad?" Hiccup said tentatively. "I'm sorry."

Stoick let out a heavy sigh. For the first time in Hiccup's life, he appeared broken. "So am I, son. So am I."


After the battle, the Berserkers spent the night on Berk. In the morning, Dagur and Heather left (after a heartfelt goodbye on Dagur's part), leaving Viggo to take part in the meeting Stoick convened in the Great Hall. Gobber, Eret, Krogan, and the dragon riders gathered in front of the chief to discuss their next course of action.

"We need to return our attention to Drago," Stoick said. "After everything yesterday, we just-" He faltered, his eyes clouding with sadness. "What I mean to say is..."

Gobber gave him a sympathetic look. "Are you sure you're up for this, chief? Yesterday must be a lot to process."

"Yeah, Dad," said Hiccup. "I can take over."

Stoick shook his head. "No, no. I just need to push past it and focus on the task at hand." His eyes swept the table until they landed on Eret. "You, dragon trapper."

"The name is Eret, son of Eret," said the sailor. "Greatest-"

"Right, right. What do you know about Drago?"

Eret's smile faded. "What do you want to know? I can tell you how many Vikings he has working for him, which dragons he's using for which purpose..."

"Are any of the dragons a threat?"

Eret shrugged. "In a battle, I'd say your trained dragons have the advantage." He paused. "But it probably won't come to that because he has a Bewilderbeast of his own."

"WHAT?!" Stoick leapt to his feet and slammed his hands on the table.

"Yeah, we kind of already deduced that," Hiccup said.

"And why didn't you tell me that?"

"I, uh, didn't get the chance with the whole... mom thing."

Stoick sank back into his seat. "Yes, of course. At least we've seen this dragon before. We know how to deal with it."

"I don't think I would count on that technique working this time," said Eret. "Valka and her Bewilderbeast live together with mutual respect, while Drago uses physical and mental coercion to control his. I know you guys are good, but this dragon will be difficult to reason with."

Stoick sighed. "Then we will have to do it the old fashioned Viking way like we planned with the Red Death."

Hiccup shook his head. "We never would have beaten the Red Death without our dragons."

"Plus there's Drago's army and all the dragons he controls to contend with," said Eret. "It won't be easy."

"Then what do you suggest?"

Eret shrugged. "Come up with a foolproof strategy?"

"No strategy will get you out of this," Krogan said. "You should all leave and find a place where you will never be found. And this time, keep to yourselves."

"As optimistic as ever, Krogan," Hiccup said dryly.

Stoick slammed his palms on the table. "We will never run and hide like cowards!"

"No, his attitude makes sense," Eret said. "Drago used intimidation to subjugate both Vikings and dragons to his will. He get inside your head and makes you believe your only option is to do what he wants. If you believe there's no hope in defeating him, you won't even try."

"And believing means you will win?" Krogan said.

"It gives us a better chance than not trying at all." Eret looked around the room. "I don't know what these dragon riders are capable of, but there's something different about them."

"You should understand what they're capable of, Krogan," Viggo said. "You did lose to them quite spectacularly despite your supreme confidence."

Krogan shot him a glare. "You're one to talk. You also lost to them."

"Yes, and the difference between us is that I learned from my loss and made the appropriate changes. Tell me, do you understand why you lost? Find the answer and perhaps you will know why they may win now."

"It would help if you shared that with us as well," Stoick said grumpily.

Viggo smiled. "Let Hiccup and Eira be themselves. They will find a way."

Eira appreciated his faith in them. If he thought they had a chance to succeed, then it must be true. "You know, I am wondering about something," she said. "If Drago is such an imminent threat, why hasn't he attacked us yet? We know his location, and surely he doesn't want to wait for us to attack him."

"Maybe he doesn't think we will," Ingrid said. "Or he believes he could easily beat."

"Or he doesn't know your location or the fact that you have a whole island of dragons," Eret said.

Ingrid gave him a surprised look. "You didn't tell him?"

Eret smiled slightly. "I thought it over and decided he might overreact if I told him and take it out on me. I thought it a much better plan if my trappers captured the dragons ourselves."

"This is good," Stoick said. "We have an advantage. We can construct the battle to our liking."

"I think we need more allies," Ingrid said. "Eret, do you think you can win over the other dragon trappers?"

Eret frowned in thought. "Many of the trappers enjoy capturing and torturing dragons. They would never join us. I should have a good shot at my own men, however. They're sailors more than anything, and they respect me."

"I don't know," Stoick said uneasily. "It's a risk."

"But it could pay off," Viggo said. "Even if we don't change their minds, we may be able to use their fear of Drago to convince them to ally with us politically. The Roman Empire grew so large so quickly because they offered the people they conquered the same rights as their own citizens, encouraging surrender. Obliterating everything in your path is not the only way to win a war." He looked pointedly at Krogan.

Stoick nodded. "It is worth considering. Eret, talk to me in private. Everyone else, prepare the way you know best. Let me review our options, and we will reconvene at a later date."

Ingrid followed Eira as the two of them left the Great Hall. "It's good to see Viggo and Krogan getting along," the younger sister said.

"What do you mean 'getting along?'" said Eira. "All they do is fight. And Viggo usually starts it."

"He's trying to help. Do you really think he would annoy Krogan just for the fun of it knowing what you're trying to do for him?" Ingrid stopped outside, and Eira followed her gaze and watched Viggo mount his Skrill while Krogan stood nearby. She left her sister to join them.

"Krogan, I've been meaning to thank you," Viggo said.

Krogan gave him an odd look. "For what? I don't recall ever doing you any favors."

"Not willingly, I admit, but if you had never sought me out for the Dragon Eye, I never would have reconciled with Runa or joined Eira and Hiccup in their quest. So, thank you, my friend."

Krogan let out a dissatisfied grunt. "If you recall, I also tried to kill you."

"I expected nothing less from you at the time."

"And what about all the damage I caused? Most of it would not have been possible if I never found you. Can you really say everything was worth it?" Krogan clenched his fists and stared hard at Viggo.

For his part, Viggo remained perfectly calm. "Once again, you look only at what is right in front of you and fail to see the big picture. After my defeat, I went into hiding because I was too afraid to change. I did not know how, and I did not think anyone would ever accept me or show me the way." He paused, his eyes falling on Eira. "I was wrong. We have both committed terrible acts, but good has come because of them, not despite them. Good finds a way to break through even the darkest nights. It is resilient that way, and you would be wise to have faith in it. You are not alone anymore. There is hope in that." Finally, he returned his attention to Sigurd and took to the air. Just before taking off, he smiled at Eira. "Good luck."

Krogan turned to look at Eira, his expression softening. They stared at each other for a long moment without saying anything. Then Krogan lifted his hand and gently brought it down atop Eira's head. "Let's go home," he said. Returning his arm to his side, he walked away, and she followed.


Runa slowly closed Tyra's door so as not to wake her. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the front door open and close. Viggo. He had barely laid eyes on her before she raced to his side and flung her arms around him. "Viggo," she whispered, breathing in his scent. "I miss you."

"I missed you too, my love," Viggo said softly. "I am sorry I was away for so long."

Runa pulled back and smiled at him. "It's alright. You had to help your friends." She gently touched the scarred skin on his left cheek. I love that you're so loyal."

Viggo bent down and lightly kissed her on the lips. "You are amazing. To think how close I came to giving all this up..."

Runa's hands traveled down to his chest. "But you didn't, and that's what matters. You made the right choice in the end."

"Only with your help."

Runa smiled. "I just never stopped believing in you. I always knew who you were, even if you forgot."

Viggo cupped her face before kissing her again. "Thank you."

Runa knew she should ask him about what happened during his trip. Dagur had given her some of the details, but she wanted to hear it from Viggo's perspective. However, his closeness made it difficult to formulate the correct question. Instead, she brought her lips back to his and kissed him passionately, and he responded in kind. The world could wait.

After some time, Viggo paused to gaze at her in adoration. "I love you, Runa, and I am grateful for everything that brought me to this point."

"So I am I. I don't regret a thing." Runa pushed his head down until his forehead rested against hers. "I love you, Viggo. I am so glad you're mine."

Viggo gave her a smile that melted her heart. "Always." Just before he could kiss her again, they heard the sound of crying. "I will take care of that." He kissed her forehead and then started for Tyra's door. Runa sighed happily as she watched his retreating form. Despite the problems in the world, all was well.


A/N: I couldn't resist adding a little bit of Viggo/Runa. I love them.