Chapter Thirteen - Changing Seasons

Autumn

In the Great Hall, several dragon riders were gathered around a table in front of the chief's throne. It was occupied, not by Stoick, but by Hiccup.

Well, and Astrid, sitting in her husband's lap. "I can't believe you called an intertribal meeting at the start of our honeymoon," she complained to him.

"I'm sorry," he said contritely, "but this is convenient, since everyone came here for the wedding anyway. Also, I love you, but you're kinda cutting off the blood supply to my leg." Astrid rolled her eyes and moved to a seat next to his. "Thank you. First things first; has the war on the mainland ended?"

The question was directed at Sigmund, who replied "actually, no. From what we've heard, Norway hasn't been conquered, and they're even withdrawing from Denmark. Something about supply lines being disrupted. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that the tide began turning after we sent Ragnar back."

He looked pointedly at his uncle. "Why must you assume I did anything?" Viggo asked indignantly. Everyone else gave him pointed looks. "Oh, very well. I gave Ragnar some tactical advice in exchange for him not trying to retaliate against us. I didn't expect it to be put into practice," he admitted.

"At least we have a reprieve," Hiccup sighed. "I read your letter," he told Viggo, "and you're right; we can't fend off an empire, dragons or no dragons. The question is whether to risk getting their attention in the first place; but there are hundreds of dragons and humans who will suffer if we do nothing."

Sigmund declared, "it's not worth it, if you ask me. It's a damn shame for all of 'em, but they're not even your allies. Anyway, you just said you couldn't fight them, so why get involved in the first place? And for total strangers?"

"We wouldn't be trying to join the war," Hiccup explained. "We'd be trying to argue for peace, and co-existing with dragons. But that means getting their attention, and the empire might try to conquer us anyway, and take all our dragons for their own war just like Drago did. That's the risk we'd be taking."

"Not to mention the conscriptions, if you did end up as vassals. The only reason Vidareidi didn't have to send men to war is because they needed us to hunt dragons, but other settlements in the Faroe Island weren't so lucky. Not that you can call it luck, I suppose," Sigmund remarked thoughtfully.

Astrid protested, "I thought the whole idea was to get them to stop the war and free those dragons. We can't do that if they don't even know we exist."

"Exactly; and to answer your question," Heather told Sigmund, "we'd get involved because it's the right thing to do. Besides, if this war keeps going, sooner or later they'd find the archipelago and we'd get dragged in anyway."

Fishlegs admitted, "Hiccup, I don't understand. You've never suggested not helping dragons; and it's not like our dragons haven't been at risk before. Like when we fought Krogan or Viggo…uh, no offence," he added hastily.

"None taken."

"Of course I want to help," Hiccup insisted, "but this is different. We actually stood a chance against our former enemies, until Drago showed up. We got lucky, when it came to winning against him. Let's not pretend otherwise. And it's not like each of our tribes have a Bewilderbeast on hand to defend us."

Astrid tentatively inquired, "Hiccup, have you talked to your dad about this?"

"Yeah, but it didn't really help," he said glumly. "He'd rather we kept out of it, but it still has to be my decision if we do, seeing as how I'm the chief now."

"Exactly! You're the chief, so what you say goes. The villagers are going to complain either way; if that's what you're trying to avoid, then I hate to tell you this, but you really are wasting your time. What do you want us to do?"

Hiccup sighed. "I want us…I want Berk to take the risk, and try to end all this. If that means giving up our independence, then so be it." He looked at the others. "Our tribes are bound by treaties to come to each other's aid, but if any of you don't want to take this risk alongside us, I'll understand."

Sigmund cleared his throat. "Technically, I never signed a treaty with you…"

"You choose now of all times to bring that up?" Viggo asked, incredulous. "Well, even if you won't help, I don't want to pass up this opportunity. I'm in."

Heather declared firmly, "the Berserkers are in. Aren't we, Fishlegs?" He nodded in agreement. "Really, I don't know what else you were expecting."

"The Protectors stand with Berk," Mala declared formally. "It would go against everything my tribe stands for to leave dragons suffering, after all."

Atali hesitated. "I want to wait," she said finally, "and learn, before I make a decision. If the Wingmaidens got involved and it went poorly, it's not just our own tribe we'd be risking, but the lives of our baby Razorwhips as well."

"I understand," Hiccup nodded, "and I appreciate the support, Heather, Mala. Are you sure you don't want to wait and see as well?" he asked hesitantly.

Astrid whacked him in the arm. "Quit trying to make them change their minds," she scolded. "I know you mean well, but really, it's getting old."

Hiccup frowned. "I thought the punching was going to stop after we got married," he protested. Astrid leaned over and kissed him. "All is forgiven."

"Newlyweds," Throk muttered, just loud enough to make everyone chuckle.

Sigmund declared, "oh, damn it all; we're in as well, Vidareidi, I mean. It's not as if things could get any worse for us," he added rather pessimistically.

"It's settled, then," Hiccup announced. "Viggo, in that letter you said we ought to try and persuade Emperor Henry that it's in his best interests to end the war and not enslave any dragons. Any suggestions on how we do that?"

"It must be costing them a fortune just to keep this army of theirs fed; and a dragon army, no less. It would take them years to recoup those losses."

"But if we convince him he can get the money back sooner using our way, he's more likely to stop the war," Hiccup noted. "We're gonna need proof, though, aren't we? Supply and demand. We've got plenty of supply, what we need is to find a demand for dragon related stuff that doesn't harm them."

Astrid suggested, "there's the dragon-scale paint and dyes you invented. We have plenty of brightly coloured dragons that we can harvest scales from."

"Tools carved from razorwhip scales," put in Atali. "Or jewellery, perhaps."

"Ooh, and jewellery made from Nadder spikes," Heather suggested eagerly. "Are you getting all this, love?" she asked Fishlegs, who was taking notes.

He nodded, scribbling away. "I'm gonna put in fertiliser, from Gronckle lava - oh, and Gronckle Iron, obviously. Can't believe I almost forgot about that."

Throk prompted, "include Monstrous Nightmare gel, as a substitute for oil."

Nadia, Atali's second, inquired, "where are you going to sell these things?"

"Antwerp," replied Viggo. "A city in the Flanders province of Belgium, which is part of the Roman Empire. It hosts a trade fair in July," he explained.

Mala protested, "surely they won't be hosting a fair during times of war."

"Trade doesn't stop for anything, your majesty," Viggo pointed out. "There will be a lot of soldiers present, however; under the command of Count…well, whoever the count of Flanders is, nowadays. I suggest offering the best you have as gifts for his Lordship. If we persuade him to support our cause, we'll be in a better position to convince the emperor himself."

Hiccup decided, "we'll spend the time between preparing supplies for the fair; we should have plenty of time to stockpile enough to trade with. Then we'll send Snotlout and the twins to do the actual trading…and a few people to keep an eye on them," he amended. "Snotlout's good at selling things, plus it'll give Ruff and Tuff a chance to gather knowledge from other traders."

"Permission to accompany Miss Thorston on her journey, my Queen."

"Granted," replied Mala. "Are you going to send Minden as well, Atali?"

"I imagine she'll want to go." Atali turned to Nadia. "Will you accompany her as a chaperone and guide?" she asked. Nadia agreed. "It's settled, then."

Astrid remarked, "Heather, you and Sigmund ought to send a representative from your own tribes." She turned to Hiccup, adding, "please tell me we're going to send someone to represent Berk who isn't Snotlout or the twins."

"That doesn't leave us with a lot of options," he quipped. "I'd go myself, if I could…hey, why don't you go along? You'd be an ideal representative."

She looked incredulous. "Me? Hiccup, I'm a warrior, not - not a diplomat."

"You wouldn't need to be; it's just a trade fair. You'd just need to keep the twins and Snotlout in check, which I know you're perfectly capable of."

Heather declared, "you should go as well, Fishlegs. They'll need someone to help keep records, and you're good at mediating conflicts," she pointed out.

"Oh! I suppose I, um…" he looked at Astrid and begged, "please say you'll come. I don't want to be stuck with those three for who knows how long."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Fine, but you should come too," she told him. "Your dad can keep an eye on things. We both know you'll regret it if you don't."

"Fair point," he conceded, "but it feels unfair if I'm going and Heather isn't."

"You're right," declared Astrid. She turned to her best friend hopefully.

Heather sighed. "If you insist. I guess I can leave Vorg in charge for a while."

"Don't forget," said Viggo, "you'd have to travel at least some of the way aboard ship. Having four large dragons might be pushing your luck a little."

Heather waved this off. "Nadia, you and Minden can ride with me instead."

To their surprise, a moment later Sigmund said "you're going too, uncle."

"Me? Just because they're all sending the person sitting next to them" -

"That's a coincidence. Can you speak the language there?"

"I can speak French, but" -

"Then you're going. It's not a suggestion," Sigmund warned, when his uncle tried to protest. Viggo looked disgruntled. There were a few snickers around the table that his glare did nothing to quell. "Don't act like you won't enjoy it."

"Hmph. Fine. I'll come and be a translator, and I'll try to…" Viggo trailed off, frowning. "It just occurred to me…I can't be in two places at once, so we're going to need another translator; and it would have to be someone who doesn't mind being dragons. The good news is I know a man who fits that description. His name is Henryk. The bad news is that he's a dragon hunter."

Throk scowled. "You think we're going to trust someone like that?"

"Agreed," Mala said primly. "What reason would a hunter have to help us?"

It was rhetorical, but Sigmund answered glumly, "none at all. The war is good business for dragon hunters; this Henryk guy is probably raking it in."

"So we try to change his mind. Isn't that the whole point of this?" Viggo asked. "I'll try and find someone else, but we might not have a choice; and he will translate anything we ask him to, so long as he gets paid."

Hiccup considered it, and said "find someone else, if you can, and if not, we'll deal with this…acquaintance of yours. But if we talk to anyone official, a nobleman or something, you need to do the translating, Viggo. Got it?"

"As you wish, chief."

Winter

Several months had passed since their wedding, and Hiccup was looking forward to some new arrivals. Not his own children; although of course he would be thrilled by such an event; but his dragon's. Toothless had sired three eggs by Ripple, and all the Furies were eagerly anticipating them.

"I'm really happy for them," he remarked to Astrid one evening. "This is Toothless' first clutch; and Ripple's, of course. Hey, you know what would be great? If our kids ended up riding theirs. We could have three kids as well."

"Easy for you to say. It's not like you'd be the one giving birth to them."

Hiccup blushed. "I mean, uh…obviously we'll only have as many kids as you want to have," he assured her hastily. A thought occurred to him, and he paused. "It's kinda surprising you haven't already, um…y'know. Because we've been…y'know." Hiccup turned red again and made a vague gesture.

Astrid raised an eyebrow, and bluntly finished for him, "been having sex? I know we have, and just for the record, I have absolutely no complaints."

"Me neither," he agreed. "Um. So, how long does it normally take, to, errr.."

"Hiccup, we're going to be here all night at this rate," she said impatiently. "I know what you're asking, and the truth is…I've been keeping myself from getting pregnant," she admitted. "Or trying to, anyway; there's a reason I won't make love to you the week before my moon's blood starts, and I've pretty much cleared out Gothi's stock of pennyroyal tea, as a precaution."

He couldn't help asking "but why?" Then a terrible thought occurred to him. "Is it because of this trading expedition? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you to go; that was selfish of me. I'll get my dad to go instead, you don't"-

Astrid kissed him. "It's not that," she insisted. "I mean, the mission is a good excuse, but I'm not ready to be pregnant, or have children, or…or anything."

That's fine. To be honest, I don't know if I'm ready to be a dad either…I still think it'd be cool if our kids end up riding Toothless' kids, though," he added.

She chuckled and gave him a kiss. "What about Stormfly's hatchlings?"

"Or that too."

It wasn't just Hiccup; the whole island eagerly anticipated the arrival of hundreds of baby dragons. "It's gonna be a sight to behold," Gobber said cheerfully. "All those wee ones running about; and there's new sorts this year!" he added. "Rumblehorns, Stormcutters, and Night Lights as well."

Skullcrusher had sired eggs with Tempest, of course; and Cloudjumper had visited Crater Island to woo a female Stormcutter. He returned with a brave but wary drakaina named Sunrise, resplendent in light red, orange and pink.

The dragons had laid eggs in their nests, and those with riders were letting their humans watch the hatching. Toothless wanted Hiccup there, naturally, and thus he found himself in the cove, with snow on the ground and a fire crackling nearby, eyes fixed on the trio of eggs tucked against Ripple's side.

"I'm so proud of you," he said, not for the first time. His dragon nuzzled him, purring. The eggs had been twitching; they would hatch any moment now. One of them suddenly rattled, and a crack appeared in the shell. Another followed, and still more, until it broke open and the hatchling tumbled out.

Hiccup couldn't suppress an "aww," as Ripple curled around to lick the yolk from her baby. They'd inherited their dams' silver scales and blue eyes, which blinked and squinted in the light. Toothless coughed up half-digested fish from his crop, and the little one gobbled it up without any hesitation.

The other two eggs were hatching now, and soon two more hatchlings were being cleaned and fed. One was also silver, but with green eyes, and the third had blue eyes and black scales. "Ahh, they're so cute. Look at their little wings, and big eyes," Hiccup cooed. "What're you gonna name them?"

Ripple sniffed each one in turn. "These two are male," she said, nuzzling the silver hatchlings. "This one is female," she added, licking the black one.

"What do you wanna call the males?" Hiccup asked curiously.

Toothless nuzzled his son with blue eyes, and explained, "I want to name him Pouncer, like my sire." He glanced at his dam, Blaze, who crooned in approval. Toothless shyly admitted, "I want to name his brother after you."

Hiccup's eyes widened. "Really? Aw, bud, I'd be honoured," he smiled, "but…won't it get a bit confusing, if we're both called Hiccup?" he realised.

"Yes…" Toothless nodded. "I want to name him like your special name (1), name him after a little bird…I just not-know which little bird," he sighed.

Thoroughly moved, Hiccup thought for a moment. "I don't know any silver birds, but if you want to name him after me…what about Robin? Y'know, cos they're brown and red little birds" he explained, gesturing to his clothing.

The others approved of both names, Pouncer and Robin. "I not-can think of a good name for her," Ripple sighed in frustration, gazing at their sister.

Ruffle insisted, "Splash is a good name."

"That is your dams' name."

"So?"

Hiccup cleared his throat before they could bicker too much. "Um, if you don't mind me making another suggestion…what about Jet?" he offered.

Ripple cocked her head to the side. "Jet?"

"Yeah, as in a jet of water…it's also the name of a kind of black crystal."

She purred thoughtfully. "Robin, Pouncer, and Jet…those good names."

The hatchlings were oblivious to their new appellations. Pouncer yawned and snuggled against his dam to sleep; Jet squeaked impatiently for her sire to feed her again. Robin stumbled about, looking up at all the much bigger dragons in bewilderment, and spotted Hiccup. He blinked once, twice…

"Hey…" glancing at Ripple for permission, Hiccup carefully reached out to his sort-of namesake. "Don't be scared," he murmured, "I'm not gonna hurt you…" Robin sniffed his fingers, and gnawed them; fortunately his teeth hadn't grown in yet, but it still hurt a little. "Heh. Feisty little fella, aren't you?"

Toothless picked his son up in gummy jaws and deposited Robin in the hollow where the eggs had been, now scraped clear of shell, alongside his siblings. All three of them curled up together, worn out from hatching, and fell asleep. Hiccup felt supremely honoured, sore fingers notwithstanding.

Spring

Over the winter, Hiccup experimented to see what kind of scales made the best dye. Gronckle scales were too thick and leathery to be scraped easily. Zippleback scales were too mottled to get a single colour from them, and when mixed together it just went brown. Nightmare scales had to be cleaned before scraping, to ensure there was no flammable mucus left on them.

Nadders and Scuttleclaws were also mottled, but the scales on their legs and flanks were a single colour that made for good dye. Shovelhelms and Thunderclaws had patches of bright coloured scales that were also suitable.

Blue, purple, red and orange scales were collected - these colours were rarely made into dyes, since the usual ingredients were hard to come by. Hiccup built a larger version of his 'scale-scraper' invention; scales were poured into a funnel at the top, and fell through a slit between several spiky cylinders, which were turned by a crank and scraped the scales into powder.

Shearing day was approaching. Hiccup told the shepherds to keep some wool aside, and had large batches of dye made with the scale powder. That wasn't the only thing they had to prepare; Nadder spikes were being sanded smooth and scrimshawed, dried Gronckle lava was crushed into fertiliser, and the flammable mucus from Nightmares was collected and bottled up.

"How are we gonna get all this stuff down there?" asked Snotlout. "There's only ten dragons going, and I'm not weighing Hookfang down with Essence of Gronckle" he mocked, jerking a thumb at the sacks full of lava fertiliser.

Hiccup replied "I know we can't carry all - Pouncer, don't knock that over!" he warned suddenly, making the fledgling jump. The trio of Night Lights were already the size of large cats, and just as curious. Toothless herded his son away from the stockpile as Hiccup continued, "we're going to take a knarr."

Snotlout frowned. "But we're flying," he protested blankly.

"I mean, we're going to take a knarr with us," Hiccup elaborated. "Load the cargo onto that, and four dragons can carry it. We'll swap over when we stop to rest, so nobody gets stuck hauling it the whole way to Antwerp."

"Oh. That makes sense," acknowledged Snotlout. "I'm guessing Toothless won't be hauling anything," he added. "Y'know, because he's got short legs."

With a deadpan stare, Hiccup retorted "actually, I'm gonna rig up harnesses for the dragons. Which reminds me, I need to do some measurements on Hookfang; the harnesses need to be adjustable if we're gonna take turns."

"Sure, knock yourself out." Snotlout corked yet another bottle of flammable mucus. "So, listen. When we're at this trade fair, don't forget, I'm the one who's gonna be selling this stuff," he warned. "And, uh…thanks. For this."

"You're welcome," Hiccup nodded, "and don't worry, I won't forget." With any luck, this trip would get Snotlout to be less insecure about coming out from his shadow. Hiccup could only hope. "No! Jet, spit that out right now, missy!"

Snotlout went to Wingmaiden Island at the first opportunity. "Hey, babe, it's me. Sorry I took so long," he told Minden. "Ever since Hiccup became the chief, he's been pushing us to get ready for this trading expedition to the mainland in July. Are you looking forward to that? I know I am," he grinned.

Minden bit her lip. "About that…I don't think I'll be coming," she admitted.

His jaw dropped. "What?! Why not? I want you to come, you're my girl!"

She managed a smile, and explained "it's just kind of…daunting. I've never been that far away from home before, and I won't even get to really see it."

"I'll describe things to you," Snotlout insisted. "Look, I don't believe you're scared. You're one of the bravest people I know. What's really wrong?"

After a moment, she replied "if I came with you…what could I even do? I'm blind. I do want to come - I just don't want to be a tagalong, only coming because I'm your girlfriend. But I don't know what else I'm supposed to do."

Snotlout grimaced; he wasn't good at this sort of thing. "There's lots you can do. Um, you can…" he racked his brains. "You can help me tell everyone how great the stuff we're selling is! And uh…oh! You can help the twins with their spying by listening to people. Who are up to no good. Or something."

"Just one problem. I won't understand a word they're saying," she pointed out, "and I can't describe the goods you're selling if I can't see them."

He groaned. "Hey, I'm just trying to help."

"I know, and I really appreciate it," Minden reassured him. I don't mean to be contrary, I just…I guess I've been feeling rather useless lately," she sighed.

"Heh. I know that feeling."

"…You do?"

"Oh, sure. I mean…d'you ever feel like no matter what you do, it's not good enough? That everyone else has their lives figured out and you don't?"

"Sometimes."

"Yeah, well…I've never told anyone, but that's how I feel all the time. Aunt Valka told me I don't need to impress people, and Hiccup says I shouldn't compare myself to people, but it's not that easy, y'know?" he sighed. "That's why I'm going on this trip, to figure out what I want to do with my life."

Minden smiled. "You don't need to impress me. I like you just as you are."

"Same here. About you, I mean." He cleared his throat. "Okay, listen. Maybe you would be a tagalong, maybe you can't help much with the mission. But I want you to come anyway. Minden, remember when you nearly quit being a Wingmaiden? And I said, as easy as quitting might be, it never really works."

"I remember."

"You're not a quitter, Minden. You're like…I don't know what the opposite of a quitter is, but you're that. It's…" oh damn it all. "It's what I love about you."

She blushed. "Snotlout, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

He shrugged, insisting "I'm just saying what's true. And I suck at all this mushy stuff, ask anyone, but with you it just…it's easier, somehow."

Minden leaned towards him, lips puckered, and he gave her a kiss. "I'll come to the mainland with you," she decided. "You're right; I should take this chance. Who knows, maybe I'll end up helping you figure things out."

"I'd like that." Snotlout hesitated, but he was already saying mushy stuff, so he might as well keep going. "I do know one thing I want to do with my life."

"Oh?"

"Uh-huh. I want to spend it with you." He took hold of both her hands. "You are beautiful, determined, and smart. You make me want to be better, and nobody's ever done that before. I don't have a dowry or a house or a job, and I'll probably mess up a bunch of times, but…what I'm trying to say is, Minden, will you make me a very happy man and marry me?" he asked her.

Her eyes widened, she gasped, and for one heart stopping moment he feared she'd say no. "I…yes. Yes, Snotlout, I will marry you," she replied.

"Oh yeah!" He punched the air in excitement. "Snotlout and Minden, best couple in the archipelago! Thank you. Uh, I gotta get you a betrothal gift, don't I?" he realised. "Anything you fancy? Just name it, babe, it's yours."

She giggled. "We have plenty of time. You might find something at the fair."

Summer

The riders and their dragons travelled from Berk to Vidareidi, with a knarr loaded to the brim with cargo. "We'll be travelling on one of the larger ships to the mainland," Viggo told them, "so the dragons can have a rest. Oh, and don't worry; the captain is a friend of ours," he added as he led them aboard.

Said captain turned out to be Trygge, who shook Hiccup's hand with great enthusiasm. "I've gotta thank you, lad. Sorry. It's chief now, isn't it? Your idea really paid off, literally," he declared. "We went to this trade fair last year, my men and I; we sold the whole of our stock in two days! Never seen the like."

Hiccup grinned. "Glad to hear it; and thanks for taking us there. I thought you didn't want to sail with dragons anymore?" he remarked inquiringly.

Trygge shrugged. "Well, it's different when the ship isn't so…wooden. I'll show you where you can stay," he added, leading them towards the stern. Their dragons could sleep on top of the aft-castle, above the galley; there was a cabin each for the married couples and a compartment separated in half by a bulkhead, filled with hammocks, for the rest of their company.

"I reckon it's for the best if your group and my crew all try to stay out of each other's way," said Trygge, "and punish our own if they cross a line, agreed?"

Hiccup nodded. "We won't interfere with your crew or the ship, captain. Right, guys?" he asked the others pointedly, eyeing the twins in particular.

"Why are you looking at us?" Tuffnut complained. "Fishlegs is the boat guy."

"It's a ship, not a boat," Fishlegs retorted, "and you're the interfering ones."

"No one is interfering with anyone," Hiccup said firmly. "Let's get our dragons and make sure they can all fit on the deck up there. Could we bring them below deck, if it rains?" he asked Trygge. "We'll make sure they behave."

"Oh, I'm sure you will; but most of that space is for the crew and the cargo, y'see," Trygge explained, "and we still need to load all of your stuff. But don't worry, I already thought of the rain problem." He showed them a massive roll of tanned leather, made of several pieces sewn together, that could be stretched over the top of the deck between four poles like a gigantic tent.

Astrid inquired, "what about thunderstorms? This ship is covered in metal."

"That crossed our minds too," Trygge nodded, "but see, the tallest part of the ship is the masts, and those are mostly made of wood. So if the lightning does get drawn towards the metal, it won't go very far, we hope" he replied, in a way that didn't quite inspire confidence. "Thing is, if the swell gets big enough, even a ship size will tilt, and it won't help if the dragons slide about."

Viggo finished, "so we need to secure them to the deck somehow. I know it's rather inconvenient," he added to the others, "but it's for their own safety."

It was harder to persuade the dragons, who of course were wary of being chained down on a dragon hunter ship. "This isn't that kind of ship anymore, and besides, it's the only way," Hiccup insisted. "We can't let you fly in a storm, it's too dangerous, and you can't keep your balance if the deck tilts."

After convincing them of the necessity, the dragons were flown to the ship and got settled on the dragon-deck (2). They insisted on sorting this out on their own. The four biggest dragons placed themselves around the edges, leaving the rest of the deck for the other seven to get comfortable upon.

Four days after leaving Vidareidi, and passing by the Shetlands, they sailed alongside the coast of Alba and England. "We must be careful," said Viggo, "not to draw the attention of anyone patrolling the coast. If you go flying, be sure not to head towards the shore, and keep this ship in view," he warned.

Regardless, their dragons couldn't go very far; and two days later, the wind picked up. It went from clear skies to clouding over shockingly fast, as they scrambled to get the dragons secured to the deck and each other. "Sorry about this," Viggo muttered sympathetically to Moonlight. "It's for the best."

The tarpaulin was unrolled and stretched out just in time; already fat drops of water were falling on them, and lightning crackled in the clouds overhead.

After several long, unpleasant hours, they finally emerged from below deck into…not sunlight exactly, but not torrential rain either. The dragons were eager to stretch their wings, but first the tarp had to be pulled off. Before they could start, a lookout bellowed from the rigging, "Wing to starboard!"

Everyone looked to the right; a trio of Nadders, or something similar, were flying towards them. The ship had been blown closer to England during the storm. "There's just three! We can take 'em," Snotlout declared eagerly.

"No!" cried Trygge, overhearing. "All of you get below. Hurry! I'll handle it."

Below they went, despite Snotlout's protests, leaving the dragons chained to the deck. "Shh, listen," Trygge hissed at them. "Play along. Act subdued."

He turned in time to see the Nadders, clad in armour, land on the deck. All three carried a man on their backs, but they wore metal bits and halters like horses, and metal collars. The soldier in the middle demanded, "Who is the captain of this vessel, and what is your business in our waters?"

Trygge hurried forwards. "Captain Arnuldsson at your service, sir," he saluted. "We're on our way to Antwerp, but the storm blew us off course."

"This is a Norwegian battleship. Why are these dragons chained on deck?"

"My ship was captured from the Norwegians," replied Trygge, which was technically true. "There's no room below deck, so we chained the rest of the cargo up here. We're taking them to the mainland for the front lines, sir."

"Under whose orders?"

He swallowed. "I'll, ah, just go and fetch my orders, shall I?"

"Immediately."

Mopping his brow once he got below deck, Trygge went straight to the riders and entered the men's compartment. "They want to see our orders to take the dragons to the mainland, but I don't have any orders to show them."

Viggo declared "I'm way ahead of you. I had a feeling this might happen, now where did I put that bloody…ah!" He retrieved a scroll from his stowed belongings and gave it to Trygge. "Tell them it's from General Emelin."

He nodded gratefully and left. Hiccup looked over. "Who's General Emelin?"

"Some woman called Griselda. Ragnar mentioned her in passing, along with a very unflattering description. One got the impression they were enemies."

They waited anxiously. At last, Trygge returned to say the soldiers had left, and the riders could come back on deck. "You can unchain your dragons, too; just don't let them fly off until we're out of sight of land" he instructed.

Five days later, the riders were out flying when out of nowhere, it seemed, the mainland appeared before them, stretching far as the eye could see. The dragons back-winged and hovered, staring just as much as their riders.

"It just keeps going," Tuffnut observed; a little redundant, but not inaccurate.

Minden squinted. "It looks big…and green," she decided. "That's about it."

"Pretty much. There's a load of fields, and towns everywhere….oh no."

"What is it?"

Snotlout was peering through a spyglass. "There are catapults down there, and… bunkers, I think; and in the distance, some of the fields look burnt."

Fishlegs realised, "it's dragon fire. They're scared of being attacked again."

Astrid looked at Hiccup. "Do you really think we can make a difference?"

He took a deep breath, and replied "I think we have to try."

(1) inspired by the fic 'By Any Other Name' by Thursday26.

(2) shamelessly borrowed from the Temeraire series. Read it. It's good.