How many chapters of this will I write in advance? Time will tell! This bunny is growing bigger and bigger...

-HTTYD-

Valka spent most of the night awake with the Hobblegrunt, who whined if she moved but was still too on edge for her to fall asleep. Eret eventually retired to bed, having never answered her question. She knew he'd tried to escape - how could he not? A trapper would never turn down such an advantage - but the scouts had reported in and Valka couldn't leave the dragons unprotected because of one troublesome trapper.

She had cramp in her neck, back and legs by the time she moved the next morning, longingly thinking of heated water to soothe her muscles. A peek beneath the bandages showed very little fresh bleeding, which was encouraging. Well, as encouraging as it could be for a dragon Valka knew was now blinded. Rubbing the long snout, Valka cooed soothingly.

"If you'll allow me, I'll take you to where the other injured dragons are resting. It's warmer and more comfortable, and you won't be lonely."

Slowly, her new friend agreed, rising up onto their hind legs. Valka placed a hand on their foreleg, speaking softly the whole way there and stopping whenever the dragon wanted to sniff at something - scent was going to be their main way around now, after all. Settling him in a nice, warm patch with soft grass beneath, Valka continued talking to him until he calmed down again.

"There we go. You rest. I'll come in to check on you as much as I can."

Valka checked in on the others, smiling at healing marks and healthier dragons. Her stomach rumbled fiercely, but she'd eat with the dragons later. Right now, she desperately needed to bathe. Dragon blood was difficult to wash off, and she was stiff and tired so a soak would do wonders. In truth, she'd all but forgotten Eret, jumping when he roused from next to the embers of a fire she hadn't lit.

Had he...

She shook her head. He could probably do it himself.

"Are you still going to take me back soon?"

"Good morning to you too."

Eret shrugged, and Valka noticed the motion didn't draw as much pain to his face as it had before. He appeared to be healing.

"Morning."

"I'm going to take a bath, I'll... deal with you later. I've been up all night."

"With that dragon?"

"Yes. He wouldn't settle without me."

"So... you stayed up all night. To keep a blind dragon calm?"

Valka nodded.

"Yes?"

Eret shook his head, obviously perplexed.

"Riiiight. Any chance I can take a bath too? After you. Obviously."

He had been in the same blood-and-sweat-stained clothes for a while.

"Yes. Which reminds me" Valka remembered why she'd had Cloudjumper drop two of the bags they raided in her rooms "I found some things that should fit you, so you can wash your own."

"Gee, thanks mom."

He said it with disdain, a joke. The word still make Valka seize up. Gods, no, she couldn't... not in front of Eret. Swallowing back the lump in her throat, Valka stood up and threw the things in Eret's direction.

"I wouldn't bother changing if you want to bathe, but there you go. Try staying put this time."

Grabbing her towel and fresh tunic, Valka left Eret there and hastened past to the path that would lead down to the water pool. It was no hot springs, of course, but a small breath of dragon fire usually brought the warmth up enough that Valka could wash in it comfortably. She grabbed the soap solid, placed it atop her towel within easy reach and began to undress. Cloudjumper perched near the door - he'd seen her naked thousands of times, dragons didn't care about such things - keeping watch and helping keep the heat in the room with his large body.

Her muscles melted into the hot water, easing the tension of uncomfortable positions and a long night after a rescue. Fingers slid across her belly, feeling faded lines where her skin had stretched to accomodate the growth there. She did her best not to think of Hiccup, of all the years she'd missed with him. Sometimes the memories came up, especially during hatching season. And she always knew when it was around his birthday by the seasons, wrote him a letter each year telling what she'd done. Oh, he'd never see them, but sometimes Valka would take them out and read them, imagine a son who was like her, who loved dragons.

A foolish notion, perhaps, but then that was why Valka didn't allow herself to dwell on it often.

Any stray tears were washed away with the water, Valka dragging the solid soap over herself to remove any residual blood, sweat or dirt. She rinsed her hair, though she hadn't bothered to unbraid it - it was so laborious to braid it back again that Valka largely did her best to keep it clean without. Once a month or so, she'd undo the lot and brush it through, give it a thorough clean before taming it back into braids.

Clean and relatively dry, Valka dressed and supposed she ought to head back. Eret followed her down, and Valka left him there to deal with his own business. He could find his way back. Tired but knowing there was a whole day ahead, Valka made up a stimulating tea, prepared the usual things she might use to treat Eret - once he was dealt with, she could get back to her dragons.

"Surprised you didn't stay to watch. Girls usually like watching me get my kit off."

Valka rolled her eyes.

"I've been treating your wound and somehow kept from swooning. And I am no girl."

Eret seemed put out that it hadn't gotten to her, crossing over and lifting the borrowed tunic - he'd torn the sleeves off it, but Valka conceded his broad shoulders may not have fit comfortably and it was a temporary measure - to expose his chest. It was in much better shape than before. She had little cause to worry about taking him back soon.

"Here. You can do it yourself now. I'm going to check on the dragons."

Cloudjumper stayed to watch; he didn't trust Eret as far as he could throw him. Which, in fairness, was quite a distance. Perhaps as far as Valka could throw him. She was stronger than she looked, but Eret had a fair bit of weight on her. Broad. Strong. Warm...

Oh gods, that was the last thing she needed. Valka knew she was... lonely, in a sense. There were types of companionship she could not get from dragons, but it was a tiny sacrifice she barely noticed against the joy and right of saving dragons, living with the beautiful creatures. The only one she truly ached for was Hiccup. It cut at her heart to imagine him in Dragon Training, smug and prideful as he proved himself a capable dragon killer.

Shoving down any stray thoughts, Valka headed on through to check on sick dragons. The Hobblegrunt sniffed for her immediately, relaxing when he felt her hand on his scales. She cooed, checking his bandages gently and nodding to herself. The sight couldn't be saved, but healing looked promising otherwise. Promising several others she'd bring back fish and water for them as she moved through, Valka went to fetch Cloudjumper.

"Rrrowww."

"I know, but he wouldn't get far anyway. And we need to feed the ones who can't go flying for themselves yet."

"I can hear you you know."

"I am aware."

Eret huffed, then turned away and pulled his borrowed tunic back on. Valka grabbed her staff and headed out, itching to be up in the sky again. Her damp hair tried to catch a chill but she didn't feel it, not when they soared, the Bewilderbeast and the Seashockers working together to bring the fish up for the flock of dragons. They changed the spot they sourced from regularly, allowing the populations to sustain themselves. Sometimes they went out much further, letting the dragons feel the air if the scouts had said the oceans were clear.

They'd missed the sunrise, but there would be all the time in the world once Valka didn't have Eret to deal with. The sky chased away the tiredness, refreshed and invigorated her as she skipped from dragon to dragon, sometimes stopping to lay flat on their back and stroke a horned head or ridged neck. They filled some barrels up with fish to take back, Valka giving most to those who could not fly and the rocks salvaged last night going to the Gronckles. Gronckles could eat fish if they absolutely needed to, but rocks were much more agreeable with their systems.

Eret had, surprisingly, only left to wash his clothes before sitting back where Valka left him, his things drying next to the fire.

"Do you always raid the ships you destroy?"

Eret asked as he watched Valka sort through the things they'd brought back. A barrel containing a lovely assortment of leather and linens was most needed and a welcome find, so Valka could patch some of her clothes up and possibly make new boots - her old ones were wearing out and had been patched countless times now.

"Not always, but if I see something I or the dragons need, I certainly don't feel guilty taking things from those who seek to take dragons. Mostly fabrics and medicine, supplies I can't source for myself easily."

He caught the apple she tossed at him with fairly good reflexes, eyed it with suspicion before biting into it. Valka wasn't going to eat the entire barrel of fruit herself. Some of the dragons would have some, she mused. She could add some to honey and make a drink out of it. The cool temperature of the nest in places helped stop her food rotting too fast, as Valka didn't go through a lot by herself.

"When are you taking me back?"

"Two days. Now be quiet before I decide knocking you out is the easier choice."

Freya's day was when the island would next likely be full of dragons. Eret could fend for himself over there. This weird little hostage situation could be over and they could get back to their opposite sides of the fight.

"Sleep now my dear. There we go."

Eret heard the quiver in her voice, and he'd seen the dragon for himself.

She was soothing them through their final moments, injuries too severe for even her to fix. Another victim of a poorly laid trap - they were designed to capture, not kill. Drago wanted live, healthy dragons that could fight, after all.

He watched, unsure what to do. It felt... wrong, somehow, to just see her crying and do nothing about it. She hadn't meant to go out at all, he was sure, but a heavy-built Snafflefang reported in that there were dragons in need and Valka was gone in a blink, returning with blood on her armour and a dozen injured dragons. She'd tended to them all, but the Prickleboggle was too far gone.

And Valka... she cared. Not just in a human compassion way for unnecessary suffering. She wept over that dying dragon like she'd lost a son, a brother, a father. Cloudjumper hovered by, and until then Eret would never have suggested a dragon could cry, or even come close, but the emotion in that dragons face was almost human. Almost.

"Not now Eret."

When she realised he was there, Valka wiped hastily at her tears, as though he could have missed her devastation. He knelt down, needing to do something to leave this woman, who had sort of saved his life in a weird way, with a clear conscience.

"What do you do with the ones you lose?"

"We bury them. They aren't supposed to die with us, they have... never mind. But I do what I can."

"I'd like to help."

He was almost as surprised as Valka that he said it. Valka shook her head.

"No. How can I trust you to respect what you're doing when you don't respect dragons?"

A sickly rattle from the Prickleboggle silenced them both, and Valka turned to continue soothing the beast until they stopped moving completely. The other dragons bowed their heads, making soft, quiet sounds. Valka nodded to Cloudjumper, who moved to pick up the dragon and lay it across the back of another. She wiped her face, jaw set tight in determination.

"Stay here."

Then they were gone, and Eret felt oddly wrong-footed by the whole thing. She was right. Why did he care about the funeral of a dragon? Dragons barely had a concept of anything other than mating, eating and killing humans.

Eret ignored the niggling thought that not a single dragon had threatened him the entire time he'd been there. Except maybe Cloudjumper. And that was protective more than anything.

He supposed since Valka defended them, they defended her. It was just one animal working with another. They were still animals. Beasts. They needed controlling somehow.

So why was this nest so tame? Valka never answered his questions unless it was about the specific dragon she was stroking, or things that wouldn't help him as a trapper. He supposed that was smart enough of her.

They were gone a while, and when Valka returned she was silent save for quiet sobs, detouring only to where he assumed the sick dragons were before retiring to her rooms and curling up against Cloudjumper's belly. Eret followed, awkward and unsure of himself. The big dragon wrapped two of his wings around Valka, and they seemed to mourn quietly together.

After a while, Valka simply got up, wiped her face and continued on like nothing was different. Perhaps she couldn't dwell too long on all the ones she didn't save. It would probably drive her mad if she did.

"Don't worry. I'll still take you back tomorrow."

"I wasn't... ok. I'm gonna need my swords back. My father made those for me."

Valka nodded tightly.

"Fine."

By the next day, Eret's chest wasn't healed, but he could go without a bandage and that was close enough, compared to the angry reddened thing that made him sick before. He'd be branded forever though. Marked by his failure to provide enough dragons for Drago. Permanently recognised as a dragon hunter.

He dressed back in his own clothes, figuring if nothing else Valka could use the ones she stole for him as material for bandages. She went through enough of them. Pinning his fur in place with his owl, Eret reached instinctively for his swords, but they weren't there. Right. Valka had them. She was in her armour, helmet and staff at her side as she made last checks on the most seriously injured dragon in her care, one who slept in her rooms with them and made Eret get very little sleep the night before.

"You rest. I won't be too long."

She gave it what looked like grass, but the dragon settled calmly for it whatever it was.

"Ready?"

"Just need my swords."

"I have them. I'm hardly going to arm you on the way there am I?"

He couldn't really argue with that, and worried if he did Valka would change her mind and keep him trapped there. She approached him with fabric in hand, intent to blindfold him clear. Eret let her, rolling his eyes dramatically so she knew his disapproval.

"I suppose this is fitting. Even now you don't see the truth."

Eret stayed quiet. He was almost out! Valka grabbed him quite firmly by his wrist, and Eret realised she expected him to get on a dragon.

"Whoa, are you crazy?"

"Would you rather be hung from a dragons claw, blind, the whole way back?"

"... No. I guess not."

"This is Gustnudger, and he's a very steady flyer. I've added some rope for you to grip too, but don't pull too hard or he might just buck you off."

She guided his hand strangely, murmuring "it's ok" and Eret realised she was reassuring the dragon, not him. Surprisingly warm scales pressed to his hand, a happy little grunt following. That was... weird. As was getting on its back blind. He gripped the rope, heart in his throat as Valka shuffled nearby, answered by a warbling sound from Cloudjumper.

"Gently now Gustnudger. I don't want to have to go back for him in the ocean."

"Heh. Surprised you'd bother."

"Then I'd be no better than you. Come on Cloudjumper."

Her voice was muffled - helmet on then. Eret wondered if he'd be able to tell anyone he knew what she looked like. Thin and oddly... pretty, he guessed. Still a dragon vigilante nutcase, of course, but she had wide eyes and soft smiles and high cheekbones... Eret probably would have chatted her up in a tavern if he'd seen her there. Not now, obviously.

How would he even explain? His crew mates would laugh themselves silly if he described her as pretty, say his time in captivity had sent him mad. But 'green eyes and red hair' didn't quite cover it. Half of them weren't even convinced she was definitely a she.

The dragon lurched beneath him and Eret clung on to the rope as tight as he dared, tasting the difference in the air when they got outside. Wingbeats all around him, rattles from Valka's strange staff and chittering from one dragon to another. His stomach twisted, threatening air sickness. Eret never got sea-sick, but he'd never been so high before and he couldn't even see. After what felt like all too long, the blindfold was removed from him by Valka's staff; he felt the curved edge of it.

Oh gods. The ground was very far and Valka was standing on the back of her dragon. He'd seen her leap from it in battle, but never just calmly soaring along. Eret couldn't stop looking down, seeing the ocean so far away, waves tiny white lines in the blue-black water. Valka lifted her helmet, knelt down and twisted to look at Eret, her eyes glittering as they reflected the moon.

"Don't look down. Look up. Look around you. Not many humans will ever see the night like this."

Eret did, if only so his stomach wouldn't roil so violently. He looked up, the stars bigger than he'd ever seen them, the moon seeming so close he could almost reach to touch it. All around him the dragons flew, instinct or practice meaning they left just enough room for each other to flap their wings between gliding motions. The Windgnasher beneath him barely seemed to move, and Eret wasn't jostled at all. Small, wispy clouds brushed his skin and left chilled moisture, but the cold barely seemed to touch him at all up there.

"We're not far" wow, dragons were fast "and I'm warning you. If you try to get in my way when we land, I will throw you into the ocean."

He believed her. Especially since if she didn't? Her dragon definitely would.

"That's fair. After this, no promises."

"Likewise."

They soared up into the clouds, from any ships down below and Eret's hands were numb by the time Valka had her helmet back on. He caught glimpses of the ocean below, but it didn't seem so high anymore. Cloudjumper grabbed him off of Gustnudger's back, his grip surprisingly secure as they edged closer.

"Quiet."

Eret bit the inside of his cheek, not keen to be flung into the ocean as they swooped down one by one, a steep dive by Cloudjumper dropping Eret on a deserted stretch of rock. His swords landed next to him, and then dragon and rider were gone. Eret had barely reattached his sword belt when he saw a flash of fire, heard yells that were human and not Valka. On foot, he'd never get there in time to help either side, but his crew would never find him hidden amongst barren rock.

He jogged along, the weight of his swords familiar and awkward all at once after over a week with them away from him. There was a steep hill between him and the action, his legs burning with the exertion of climbing what felt like an almost completely vertical incline. When he reached the top, he found action a little closer to home, trappers wrestling with a dragon wrapped in a net. He caught the shine of metal, saw the flecks of blood on the ground and the heavy muzzle on its face. Razor netting. Even in the dark, even with it twisted and tangled and their head wrapped in leather restraint, Eret was chargrined to realise he recognised the species.

Valka said they hardly ever saw Stormcutters.

His hand curled around his sword. He could help the trappers contain the dragon. Or he could go on a suicide mission to rescue the dragon, like Valka would. Eret hesitated, mind rebelling and showing him images of Valka tending sick dragons, singing to Cloudjumper, weary after a night comforting the injured.

He remembered the exhiliration of the flight over. The rush in his blood as he saw the sky anew.

Damn her.

He crept along, the trappers distracted by several thousand pounds of pissed off dragon. Eret swung his sword upward and the razor netting peeled apart around two wings.

"Hey!"

The Stormcutter, sensing help, rolled onto their other side and let Eret free the other wings. Once those were free, the dragon reared up with an irate roar, hooked wing claws tearing the muzzle from their face. Two trappers turned on Eret, who pulled his second sword and found himself in the ridiculous position between dragon and human.

Stormcutter fire was almost completely unique, a burning and sustained twister that could reduce a boat or house to ashes in seconds. The trappers scattered, more dragon blood spattering the ground as the Stormcutter wings flared up high. Even injured, the red-and-purple dragon was not going down without a fight. Eret saw the moon catch iridescent shimmers of pink on the wings, saw the dragon was considerably smaller than Cloudjumper.

Female, maybe?

"Get him!"

Yep. Suicide mission. Eret braced himself, figuring if he was going down, he'd go down fighting too. He braced, ready to fight.

Fireballs crashed down around them, never touching Eret or his new 'friend' but scattering the trappers, a stream lining the space between them so close that Eret felt the heat on his face. Cloudjumper swooped down with his rider, both rearing up to fight for Eret and the rescue. Yet more dragons swarmed, ones he didn't recognise from the flight over that she'd clearly already freed.

"Let's get out of here!"

Clearly, one Stormcutter was not worth their lives. Eret apparently hadn't had the same sense. Valka lifted her helmet, shocked face illuminated by the flames.

"What... what changed your mind?"

Eret didn't get a chance to answer before a big, wet tongue slobbered across his face, looking up to see grinning Stormcutter and incredibly suspicious Cloudjumper. With her head thrown back and a hand clutched to her stomach, Valka actually laughed.

-HTTYD-

N'awh. Dragon kissies! The female Stormcutter has been borrowed from Titans Uprising, and her name is Tripfire if you wanted to look her up.