=Normal POV=
(Frjadgr, Einmanudur; Night)
(Berk; The Village-Great Hall)

Hiccup was so thankful that he got the Vikings to give him a chance to talk about his theories regarding Drage Riddari; it was risky because he is Drage, but he had to do something to get them off his back during raids. If Hiccup could run the raids without the Vikings attacking him; things would go much smoother. The dragons listened to Hiccup, to an extent, but it was worse if they felt threatened by weapons. And the dragons that Hiccup was closer with, such as Toothless and a few other ones; wouldn't get so aggressive in making sure Hiccup was safe. For now; it seemed this might be the best course of action, at least until Hiccup got more answers on who was behind all this. Perhaps he could get the Vikings to help him, or explain the Red Death situation and that some dragons can be controlled by bigger ones.

Hiccup had a lot of options now that the Vikings were a little more open to the dragons can be docile with the right step forward. Nobody else was willing to try what Hiccup did, out of nervousness, but if things went well with a talk from Drage, perhaps they'd be more open to trying some things. And Hiccup was going to arrange to stay after the next raid, as Drage, but he wouldn't be able to stay for long without someone realizing Drage was present, but Hiccup was gone. But this was a good way to end things, and Hiccup could go back to living one life with the Vikings, and if things went well, the dragons too. Hiccup knew he could help the others live in a world with both, as he did. Hiccup would love not to have to hide Toothless, and he would have used Toothless as his example earlier, but that would give away that he was Drage.

It was supper time in the Great Hall now; the Chieftains and Heirs were sitting together; Hiccup and Brenna were side by side to get used to being around one another since they'd be married soon in two weeks from today. Everyone was chatting; Hiccup seemed tired still and possibly sick.

"You should get some sleep, Hiccup," Brenna suggested to her betrothed.

"I'm alright, besides…I have your betrothal gift. I finished it this morning," Hiccup smiled some

Brenna blushed a little. "I-I have yours too. I wasn't sure the best time to exchange," she admitted.

"Would you…Like to do it now?" Hiccup suggested.

"Sure, that would be alright," Brenna nodded.

"Um, ladies first?" Hiccup offered. The Chieftain table had grown quiet, watching the two interact. Brenna brought out a cloth-wrapped object onto the table and slid it towards Hiccup.

"I-I'm sure it's nothing compared to all the ones you might already have, but at the time; I thought it was a good idea," Brenna said gently. "Go on, open it," she insisted with a smile. Hiccup unwrapped the cloth to reveal a beautiful dagger; a stunning white, freshly polished, and sharpened metal blade. The handle was all wood with intricate designs that had been hand carved. And on the handle was a wonderful array of purple scales; there were the initials HHH on the hilt. Hiccup looked at all angles of it, smiling.

"I think it just became my favorite," Hiccup stated as Brenna blushed again. "I take it Gobber did all the making of this?" he asked. Brenna nodded. "I figured; I know his work. Still; it's amazing. Thank you," he added. "I'll always keep it near," he removed his old dagger off the sheath on his right arm, sliding the new one in and happy that it was a perfect fit. "And for you," he reached into one of the mini storage compartments on his belt; he pulled out a small black leather box and slid it towards her. "In some of my travels; there are other traditions for becoming…Betrothed, and this happens to be one of them," he added.

Brenna gently opened the box, revealing a silver ring with a purple heart-shaped stone fixed at the top, and two smaller white stones on either side. "Oh, my…Hiccup; it's beautiful…" Brenna gasped. "Where did you ever come across such a treasure?"

"Come across? No, Milady…I made this," Hiccup informed. "In other parts of the world, women love such jewelry. And when presented correctly; it symbolizes engagement or betrothal. This ring is worn in front of a wedding band as betrothal comes before marriage. The customs vary from place to place, but since I'm not exactly your…Typical Viking; it didn't seem fitting that I do things the normal way," he chuckled a little.

"It's…Incredible, Hiccup. I love the design…I love the gift itself. Thank you," Brenna went to hug him. "So..How do these…Other customs go?" she wondered.

"Well, unlike us Vikings. When two people like or love one another and had been seeing one another for a while; the male will have a ring made for the female. The, uh, male would get on one knee, and present the ring to the female, asking if she would marry him. And usually, the female says yes. The male will put the ring on her finger; they'll hug, maybe kiss, and then after some time; they marry. The presented ring will be worn with the wedding band, and…That's it," Hiccup shrugged a little.

"Seems a little silly in words, but I can imagine it's different if seen," Brenna blushed a little. "I-I don't suppose; you could show me? The custom as it should be?" she hinted, genuinely liking the idea and wanting to see if Hiccup would do it. Interestingly enough, so did the others watching this scene.

"I, uh," Hiccup tensed a moment, but then cleared his throat and composed himself. "I-I can do that if you like," he nodded, lightly taking the ring and getting off the bench, leading Brenna to a more open spot in the Great Hall. This happened to be where Stoick's Chief chair was. Stoick raised his hand, silencing the room. "I…Guess it would go something like this; I only saw it once or twice," he stated as he held Brenna's left hand with his left gently.

"You are the most amazing woman I've ever met. You are understanding, smart, and beautiful inside and out. Every day I find another reason to love you when the day before I tell myself there is nothing else I could love more. I want you to be the first person I see when I wake up, and the last one I see before I fall asleep. I ask myself how I ever survived before our lives crossed paths, and I come to the same answer that it's because I was meant to make it this far in life because we're meant to share our lives," Hiccup said in a clear, meaningful tone.

Brenna was blushing like mad, her heart racing and pounding in her chest as Hiccup said these things. Even if he was just showing her how it was done. "You are my friend, my ally, my partner…And overall, my better half. So, Brenna Rose Grayson…" Hiccup now lowered himself to one knee, looking into her eyes and lifting the ring up. "Will you make me the happiest man alive, and do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me?"

Brenna saw that Hiccup was about to get up, seeing as he demonstrated how it worked. However, she decided to catch him off guard. "Yes," Brenna said. Hiccup fumbled as he quickly looked back at her.

"Wh-What did you say?" Hiccup asked instantly, looking shocked.

Brenna giggled a little. "I said yes, to the question you asked about marrying you. My answer is yes; I would be honored to be your wife, Hiccup. I will marry you," Brenna informed lightly. Hiccup chuckled a little, smiling as he slid the ring onto Brenna's finger; it was a perfect fit, shockingly. Hiccup got back on his feet as Brenna blushed before wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. Hiccup returned the embrace before they pulled apart slightly.

"Well done, s-," Stoick started, but stopped when he saw Hiccup and Brenna staring into one another's eyes. There was a blush on Brenna's cheeks, but both of them were smiling gently. What happened next, shocked everyone in the Great Hall.

"Didn't you say a kiss usually followed all this?" Brenna asked. Hiccup brought a hand up, cupping Brenna's cheek before leaning in and closing his eyes at the same time Brenna did; their lips met in a kiss. Everyone's eyes widened, some even gasped. The action lasted a few long moments before the two split apart and looked at one another. Brenna seemed fine, Hiccup, though; looked a bit scared almost. "Hiccup? What's wrong?" Hiccup backed away from Brenna.

"I'm…Sorry," Hiccup stepped away more, lowering his head. "I have to leave," and without another word; Hiccup dashed for the door and escaped outside, hurrying out of sight before anyone could follow him.

Gobber looked at Stoick now. "He was looking at her the way you looked at Valka before you two got hitched,"

"Your point?" Cuyler questioned.

"I think that kiss might'a sparked something between them," Gobber informed. "He's starting to feel something for the lass, and it scares him; to feel these kinds of emotions. He's running to figure things out because he doesn't know how to take it,"

"Wait, are you saying that kiss caused Hiccup to start falling in love with Brenna?" Stoick asked.

"Good chance," Gobber shrugged. "I'd go talk to him, Stoick," he added casually. "Might be a good way to be his father right about now. You almost lost Valka when the feelings hit you, but you came together after that battle with the Berserkers and got married. If Hiccup doesn't sort things out; I don't put it past him to take off for a while. And we've all seen he could easily take a dragon…And venture much farther out than we can follow him,"

"I'll go," Stoick stood up. "He likely headed for the cove," Stoick left the Great Hall.

. . .

(Berk; The Cove)

Stoick thought about what Gobber said as he walked to the cove. As expected, Hiccup was sitting in front of a small fire on a chair, poking the logs a bit. Stoick took a deep breath and began making his way into the cove. "Son?" Stoick said calmly. Hiccup glanced over.

"Now isn't a good time, Dad," Hiccup remarked. "I'll…Deal with Chieftain training stuff tomorrow,"

"I didn't come about Chieftain training, Hiccup," Stoick said, getting beside him now. "I came to talk to you about what happened back in the hall," he added. Hiccup sighed.

"I don't want to talk about it; that's why I left…" Hiccup said, looking back into the flames.

"Hiccup, listen to me, son. I know we haven't had the best relationship over the years, but I'm trying to do better. I can't do much if you're not giving me a chance," Stoick tried.

"Dad, this has nothing to do with that, alright? I just…Got a lot on my mind and it's easier to figure out if I'm by myself. I'm used to dealing with problems by myself," Hiccup stated.

"But you're not by yourself, Hiccup. You have Gobber, me, the Tribe…We know you're still…Hostile about the past years. But as I said; we can't do much to prove that you have us if you aren't letting us in," Stoick attempted again. Hiccup glanced at him; his father wasn't going to let this go. Hiccup closed his eyes, looking away. Stoick sighed, preparing to walk away.

"How'd you know you loved mom?" Hiccup asked out of nowhere. Stoick faced him.

"What?" Stoick inquired.

"When you and mom met; how'd you know you loved her?" Hiccup inquired again. Stoick returned and sat down on one of the large logs.

"Started as something small, like…" Stoick paused looking at the crackling fire before him. "Embers of a fire. When I first met your mother; something…Sparked and continued to glow with some heat coming off it. As you know, embers start burning with kindling, and you get a low flame. Add bigger sticks; the fire grows larger. That's what it's like when you start to have feelings for someone, and it grows into more as you get closer, get to know one another. The little things make a big difference," Stoick explained.

"I see," Hiccup looked down a little.

"Hiccup, what is all this about? Is it because the kiss with Brenna might have sparked something in you? And you want to know if it's real or just a sudden thing because of the moment?" Stoick decided to ask. "Please, talk to me. I want to help if I can,"

"Am I that obvious? I can train a dragon, fight with my fists or weapons, but I can't handle having feelings for someone. Gods, I am pathetic. No wonder everyone hated me," Hiccup chuckled sarcastically.

"Hiccup, enough. We didn't hate you; I guess we just didn't…Understand you. We always knew you were different, son. And though it was wrong of us, myself too, we didn't accept it. I suppose for me; perhaps I didn't because your mother was different and she got taken away. I suppose I refused to accept things because I didn't want to lose you too. But no, we don't hate you, son," Stoick put a hand on his shoulder. "As for what you're feeling," Stoick took a breath, continuing. "Why can't you handle it? It's not a bad thing. It might even make the marriage easier; it seems less…Forced if there are feelings involved,"

Hiccup arched a brow at his dad now. "You still arranged for me to get married when I was twelve. That alone makes it forced because the feelings wouldn't have come on if we didn't have to be nice to one another over the fact we were arranged to be married,"

"But Hiccup, I never said you had to do all the things you have for Brenna. I did say you had to marry her in two weeks a month ago, but that was all, son," Hiccup's eyes softened some. "I didn't tell you that you had to be such a gentleman with her when you two met. I didn't say you had to defend her against Astrid. I didn't say you had to do what you did tonight. Well, except for the exchanging of betrothal gifts; I did say that. But you're the one who did all that on one knees stuff, and you did it at her request. Most of all, Hiccup…I did not tell you that you had to kiss her,"

"I would have had to at the ceremony, so technically, you did," Hiccup remarked.

"But I didn't tell you to do it tonight, son. And regardless…If you feel this way now after the kiss tonight, would you be in any different of a position had it been tonight or two weeks from now at the ceremony?" Stoick asked as Hiccup paused, not having an answer. "You two still would have kissed, and I bet how you feel now would be something you question about," he mentioned next. Hiccup sighed again. "Listen, Hiccup. If you have feelings for Brenna, you shouldn't fight them. Let it happen because all it's going to do is make the marriage easier, and you will both be happy. And as your father; that's all I want for you, son. To be as happy and in love with someone as I was with your mother,"

"Really?" Hiccup looked at him.

Stoick nodded. "Hiccup, I've seen arranged marriages where the couple is only seen at public events. Behind closed doors; there's nothing at all. Including that they don't even share the same bed because they feel nothing for one another, and are entirely miserable. There are even some Chieftains in power right now who do this, like…Madguts. He's married, but aside from when they said their vows and had Soren, the Heir to Murderous; there is no contact between them. Madguts runs the Tribe, and his wife runs the household. They see one another, very few times, and there's nothing at all between them. So if you like, or even love Brenna despite being arranged to marry her…Let it happen, son," Stoick stated.

"Well, still not sure about things. There…Was a spark, I guess, but…Not sure if it was because of the moment and she's the first girl I've kissed…Or I feel something," Hiccup said.

"Well, now that we've had this chat, maybe it'll help you figure more out. I'll give ya some time," Stoick smiled as he kissed the top of Hiccup's head. "I love you, son,"

"Love you too, Dad," Hiccup replied as Stoick headed out of the cove, leaving Hiccup to consider everything since learning he was betrothed to marry someone, and meeting Brenna; the girl who would be his wife in two weeks.