Every Viking warrior was was lined up ready for the night shift to go search for Arkyn Gobler was in charge and pep talking them before they went out and making sure they had all they needed for the night.

"Now remember all, we don't leave any place un searched, those are orders. Make sure you have everything packed if you need to take double, that means you tuffnut and ruffnut" Gobler instructed.

"Whaaat why do you always assume we need it" tuffnut nagged.

"Because last time you almost started a forest fire and couldn't put it out cause you dank all the water" Astrid told him as he handed him an extra jug of water.

"Hey I was thirsty okay this hero stuff isn't easy" tuffnut replied.

"And it won't get any easier." Replied an angry voice getting closer.

"Hiccup !" Gobler said in surprise.

"Ready my weapons Gobler and I'm going to need my hunting bow, my other one disappeared" hiccup said demandingly.

"But hiccup...what are you, you don't do night shift anymore" Gobler said confused at what was happening.

"I also need another canister of Zipple back gas for my sword just in case" hiccup continued ignoring Gobler.

Hiccup was angry and everyone could tell, he was getting things ready in aggressive manner until he felt a hand grab his arm.

"Hiccup..." said Astrid.

And her touch made him ease up it was wired but Astrid was one of the only people that could snap him out of any mood he was in. She was his long time best friend since they were little so she knew him way back before he was a dragon rider and even before toothless. She was always able to remind him who he was before every battle before every heart ache. She kept him grounded. If he ever doubted himself she was the one who would bring him back to his senses, she was like the sister he never had.

"I just need to keep looking" he said to her.

"You already did this morning hiccup, don't wear yourself out we got this" she said as he turned to face her.

"Just let me do this Astrid...I need to do this" hiccup said in a emotionless tone but Astrid could see his eyes filled up with tears but before they could fall he looked away.

Astrid knew what he meant he didn't need to explain, something had happened moment before but she didn't question him about it, especially since they never talked or show emotion to one another she knew he just wanted to keep being productive because she knew that if he didn't do something about it those emotions would eat at him.

"Okay...okay. Just...don't do anything stupid" she said softly with a half smile trying to lighten the mood.

Hiccup let out a small chuckle under his breath at that expression 'cause there was no way he wasn't going to. His mood then went back to serious but without anger. He turned to his gang and said,

"I know you all aren't usually with me, and you still won't be. I'm here on my own mission You will all still take orders from Gobler"

"Yes chief" the group responded.

But Astrid, Eret, Snotlout, Tiffnut, Ruffnut and Fishlegs looked at each other in sadness knowing as tough as hiccup looked they knew him, and they could tell that ever day they didn't find Arkyn Hiccup lost himself a little too but they still stood beside him and he was grateful for that. Hiccup was finally ready to leave, Gobler then handed him the last thing he needed his special bow. Hiccup took it with appreciation and honor because that bow meant a lot. It was passed down for generations carved from the strongest tree and wrapped with the most sacred string that was hand made. Everyone knew what that meant. It meant war was going to begin and if it was powerful with a simple Viking, it was now more powerful that ever. A weapon within a weapon. And with that thought Hiccup flew into the night.

"You think he'll be okay?" Astrid said to Eret as she looked up into the sky.

"He'll be fine love, he's a strong person and a fighter it's like he's been training for this his whole life." Eret joked trying to remove the worry from Astrid as he went hug her and giving her a small kiss on the top of her head.

"Hope your right" she replied.

"I am. Now come on we got a night of searching" Eret said as he went to hop onto his dragon. Astrid smiles at him and hopped on hers and it's was not long till the group of riders were off into the night.

Hiccup searched for a good few hours but still had found nothing. At this point he knew he had to rest even if it was for a few hours. After he got the dragon he was riding back to its sleeping post he walked over to go check on toothless, he was sleeping outside hiccups home on the balcony. He was glad he left him behind to rest there was no way he was making him fly the whole day. Thats why he took another dragon instead. After he made sure toothless was okay he left to stay out for a bit more before head inside. It was really late but not late enough for the run to rise. Hiccup sat on the ground a few feet away from the edge of a Clift so he was still able to feel the cold breeze of the ocean on his face but he wasn't close enough to fall into it. This is where he liked to be when he would want to just think and enjoy the moment everything was silent until some foot steps caught his attention he turned around slightly so see who they were coming from. It was Merida she was still in her dark blue dress from the day it seemed she had never changed out of it.

"Hi..." she said softly

"Hey..." Hiccup reply back the same then turned back to the scenery he was looking at before.

Merida was uncertain if Hiccup was still upset so she proceeded with caution until she was standing a couple of inches away from him.

"May i sit...?" She asked nicely.

"Um yeah go ahead" Hiccup replied.

Merida sat right down right beside but still put a bit of space between them since she didn't know the term they were on but she was hoping she could fix it. She let a few minutes of silence pass by before she spoke.

"Is this where yeu go to think?" She asked him.

"Yeah...this is the place"

"I'm not disturbing yeu am I?" Merida asked nervously.

"Oh, no, no. I was just...not ready to go to bed..."

"Ah i see." Merida replied a little confused and torn between asking him if it was because of her or not asking at all but she couldn't decided. But before she could say anything. Hiccup began to speak,

"Merida I-"

Merida quickly turned to face him and spoke before he could continue his sentence.

"No I need to say somethin' first, I'm sorry I snapped at yeu I shouldn't have said that, yeu just want to protect me i get it, it's just..."

Merida looked down at the ground and hiccups face turned to worry. He could tell she was trying to gather the strength to not cry and that's when hiccup realized what she was trying to say so he reached for her hand and kissed the back of it then shifted his body to face her and scooted closer to her putting her between his legs as she sat on her knees. She noticed the gesture and looked up at him, her blue eyes met his and it felt like the day the first met. Butterflies filled their bellies and a rush that made them feel like they were flying for the first time. Hiccup didn't hesitate and pulled her closer and kissed her Merida let him take control and melted in his arms wrapping her hands around his neck to deepen the kiss. Sure they have had their share of kisses but this one was different it was so many emotions in one kiss, Merida felt the gentleness if Hiccups kiss but with an intensity as-well she thought of how safe she felt in his arms. She was independent but she knew hiccup was right about how he protects her not in a controlling way but in a loving way. Hiccup felt how Merida fell into the kiss and into his arms showing him how she did want him to keep her safe and hiccup felt at peace for the moment. After a good few minutes they broke the kiss. Both of their foreheads rested on each other and hiccup finally whisper.

"I'm not going anywhere Mer. Nothing bad is going to happen, I'll always come back to you" he whispered to her.

"Promise ?" She whispered back

"I promise." Hiccup assured her.

At the sound of the words she hugged him and buried her face into his neck she. She missed his smell even with the ever different sent through out the day she could still smell his it was such a comforting feeling. He hugged her tight and they sat there until they headed back home together.