=Normal POV=
(Manudgr, Tvimandur; Dusk)
(Berk; The Great Hall)
Hiccup despised being sick, but at least he was feeling a little better now, three days later from when it began. Hiccup knew it was due to stress and lack of sleep. Hiccup always felt like crap when he had to deal with three or more raids a night for two or more nights in a row. Hiccup loved that Brenna had been so understanding and let him recover; she'd even been helping to take care of him. Right now, Brenna had gone off to the Great Hall for dinner, and Hiccup was waking up from a nap he'd started a little after lunchtime. Awake now; he felt a lot better and more energized. Hiccup knew that he and Brenna needed to talk about the Drage Riddari thing, so Hiccup figured he could whisk his wife away to the cove to meet Toothless and explain how it happened.
Getting a quick wash in, and dressed; Hiccup exited the house and moseyed over to the Great Hall, entering. "Son!" Stoick beamed.
"Hi, Dad," Hiccup waved. "Hey, Mom," he added seeing Valka beside Stoick, also smiling and happy to see him.
"How are ya feeling, laddie?" Gobber inquired.
"A lot better than three days ago," Hiccup replied as he made his way over to Brenna. "Hello, Milady,"
"Hey…Feeling good after the nap?" Brenna asked.
"Much. Got my energy and appetite back, so I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me, alone, in the cove?" Hiccup asked, hoping she'd agree.
"That sounds nice. Are you cooking, or should I make something at the house?" Brenna inquired, rising from her seat. Hiccup smiled, taking her hand as they headed for the door.
"I'll cook," Hiccup offered. Brenna nodded while they went out of sight and the Hooligans plus Hiccup's friends went back to talking amongst one another and eating their food. Once outside and out of hearing range, Brenna leaned her head on Hiccup's shoulder with a smile. "I thought it'd be easier for us to talk outside of the village, but knew they'd be nosey, which is why I suggested the date," he informed.
"I liked the idea, and I don't mind at all. I enjoy the quiet time we get when you aren't super busy training," Brenna replied.
"I hope it's almost over," Hiccup sighed.
"You know once training ends; it means your father will make you Chief, right?" Brenna stated.
"Don't remind me…" Hiccup mumbled. Brenna frowned; it was like Hiccup didn't want to become Chief at all, or perhaps he had another reason that she hoped to uncover while they talked. The two continued to their house, grabbing some things to make for dinner, and then walking to the cove.
. . .
(Berk; The Cove)
Arriving about fifteen minutes later, Hiccup helped Brenna down into the cove. Brenna instantly saw the other dragons that belonged to Hiccup's friends. There were a lot of different kinds, but Brenna was half expecting to find a Night Fury in there; she had to assume that Hiccup was keeping Drage Riddari's dragon hidden on Berk. Of course, Hiccup warned Toothless he was coming and to stay hidden until he said to come out.
"These are…Your friend's dragons, right?" Brenna asked.
"Yes, Milady. I'll introduce you to them in a bit," Hiccup nodded. "First…I'm sure you'd like to meet Drage's dragon…?" he inquired. "Or eat?"
"I was snacking in the hall, so I'm not super hungry right now. I do want to meet your Night Fury, though," Brenna hoped.
"Alright," Hiccup smiled. "Just stay calm," he reminded as Brenna nodded. Hiccup gave a slight whistle as he pulled Brenna beside him gently. Brenna watched as the door to Hiccup's old shack opened and the Night Fury emerged. "Hey, bud," Hiccup greeted.
"This your wife?" Toothless asked as Hiccup nodded to him. Toothless approached closer as Brenna stayed relaxed.
"Milady, this is Toothless, the Night Fury. Bud…This is my wife, Brenna," Hiccup introduced as he brought her hand forward slowly, letting Toothless sniff it before purring and leaning into her palm.
"Why did you name him Toothless?" Brenna wondered. Toothless opened his mouth, revealing teeth, and then he retracted them inside his gums. "Ah, nevermind," she giggled. "Oh, he's adorable…" she smiled scratching under his chin a little, causing the Night Fury to warbled and purr more.
Hiccup chuckled a little watching Brenna interact with the dragons who wanted her attention now. Hiccup brought out a table and two chairs, he covered it with a sheet and set up plates, cups, and utensils. Hiccup lit a candle in the middle before getting to work on making the meal for them; fish on sticks, corn, and baked potatoes. Hiccup started the potatoes first once the fire was going, knowing they took the longest. Hiccup took care of preparing and seasoning the fish and then cut the corn off of the cob.
"This is amazing, Hiccup," Brenna said, looking over at him.
"Glad you think so, and are so accepting of it…Not sure the Hooligans or other tribes would agree," Hiccup informed, coming beside her and rubbing Toothless's head.
"So…How did all this happen?" Brenna decided to come out and question. Hiccup took a breath, beginning to explain when he met Toothless, defeating the first source at sixteen, which was a Red Death. Hiccup went on regarding how he took off after that, exploring the world and meeting his friends before returning a week before turning eighteen. Hiccup didn't mention his abilities to her, feeling that she hadn't questioned them, so why give away too much?
"And…That's it. I didn't travel with Johann; I had Toothless. I did find Johann many times and ask for things or restocked. And I trained with my friends and Krogan. I couldn't tell my dad or the Chieftains this…Not at the time. I can't risk them knowing about Toothless, or that I met him when I was fifteen," Hiccup finished while checking the food.
"I can see why you'd be worried, but they know you train and ride dragons, Hiccup…" Brenna said.
"But would they understand that I met Toothless when I was fifteen? That I refused to kill a dragon? Would they accept that I've been harboring a Night Fury on Berk, using him to get around and learn all the things I do? I know they are coming around to some stuff…But I don't think they'll take well to knowing I'm Drage Riddari…" Hiccup mumbled, getting the food and setting it on their plates for dinner.
"I guess you're right, but it'll come out eventually Hiccup. You told us as Drage we would learn one day," Brenna reminded.
"I will…When this is over. I can't tell them before; they won't understand, and the situation isn't handled. I don't want to tell them until the second source is gone, and peace comes," Hiccup revealed.
"Your father is going to make you Chief soon, Hiccup…" Brenna sighed.
"I know…Why do you think I've been letting him continue to train me? I'm putting off becoming Chief because if I do…I'll never stop this, Brenna. I won't have time to be Chief all day and Drage at night. This guy…The one causing the raids; he's strong and smart…" Hiccup informed.
"But so are you, Hiccup," Brenna put her hand on Hiccup's now. "You've come this far; I know you can do it,"
"I know I can too, Bren. But like I told my mom; this stuff serious planning. I can't charge in, dragons blazing for a big attack. This guy has a Bewilderbeast; an Alpha species that uses an ability to take control of other dragons…Like, mind control; the dragons do what he says," Hiccup said.
"Yes, I remember this when you brought your mom to Berk," Brenna nodded.
"Well, Drage has a Bewilderbeast too…But I'm not about to start a power struggle between Drago Bludvist's and mine…That's how my mom's Bewilderbeast died. That's the only way to shift power to the Bewilderbeast; a fight to the death. The victor becomes the new Alpha," Hiccup explained. "Mine is comfortable beneath Berserker Island, but no one but you and I know the location,"
"I won't say anything," Brenna promised.
"I appreciate that," Hiccup said.
"Hiccup…How come you didn't tell me, about you being Drage Riddari?" Brenna inquired.
"I haven't told anyone, honestly. My mom learned because I saved her from Drago as Drage Riddari…When she introduced herself as Valka Haddock; I took my mask off and told her I was Hiccup Haddock, son of Stoick and Valka Haddock. I was shocked to learn she was alive, and we were safely hidden inside her nest. As for my friends; I crashed where they are from. They brought me in and took my armor off to treat me," Hiccup stated.
"But Hiccup…I'm your wife…" Brenna looked down. "I just…Thought you trusted me more,"
"It's not about trust, Brenna. If Drago ever finds out who I am before I can defeat him, all of you become targets that he can use against me," Hiccup said. Brenna's eyes widened a little. "And I can't have that…"
"So you're…Protecting me?" Brenna questioned.
"Bren, I'm protecting everyone. All the islands are under Drage Riddari's protection, Milady. I interfere in all the raids because I don't want Drago figuring out which one Drage is from. Drago is a madman with no conscience of mercy; he wants world domination, using the dragons to make people bow to him, and get rid of those who don't. The fate of the world as we know it rests on my ability to stop raids, Brenna…At least until I figure out how to stop Drago, safely; this is my responsibility," Hiccup said firmly as Brenna looked into his eyes.
"This is why I'm always stressed out, and tired…My work never stops. I'm either training to be Chief, helping Gobber in the forge, being a husband to you, and interfering on raids to stop Drago Bludvist and restore peace…" Hiccup looked down.
Brenna stared at Hiccup; hearing all he said about the matter of being Drage Riddari and found that she couldn't be upset with him for hiding such a big secret. Hiccup was right; the Chieftains would never understand why Hiccup was doing this. And Hiccup didn't want to reveal anything until the matter was handled; to show that Drage took care of things, and finish what started. Hiccup desperately hoped everyone would understand when it was over. But no, Brenna couldn't be mad at Hiccup; he was risking his life for all of them.
Brenna smiled a bit, leaning in and cupping Hiccup's cheeks. When Hiccup looked up at her; she kissed him. Hiccup returned the action before they broke it and looked into one another's eyes. "I understand, Hiccup. I'm not mad you didn't tell me, and it makes things easier now that I know where you disappear to," Brenna laughed a little. "Everything will be fine; I know you can do this, and I'll help any way I can,"
"Thank you, Brenna," Hiccup replied.
"You're welcome," Brenna smiled. "Now, why don't we eat before this gets cold? You can introduce me to the other dragons," she added.
"I will," Hiccup nodded.
"Maybe…You can help me bond to one?" Brenna hoped as Hiccup blinked a few times.
"You…Want to bond to a dragon?" Hiccup asked.
"Yeah! Why not? You said it's what your goal was after defeating Drago. Having Vikings and Dragons live in peace, right?" Brenna giggled.
"Well, yeah, but I don't suspect anyone is gonna wanna do what I did with Toothless? Or my friends and mom did…" Hiccup shrugged.
"Maybe not everyone, but some will and I'm one of them? So…Can you teach me how to bond with a dragon?" Brenna hoped.
"I…Suppose I can," Hiccup said as Brenna's eyes lit up. "But not right now. There's a lot going on already, and my time for extra things is pretty scarce,"
"That's fine, I understand," Brenna replied.
"Thank you for being so understanding," Hiccup stated. "It…Does help me out and feel better now that you know everything," he added.
"No problem," Brenna chuckled a little.
After that, the two of them began to eat and enjoy the food Hiccup cooked for them. Brenna and Hiccup chatted about random things; how Hiccup managed the raids and knowing when there would be an attack. Hiccup didn't tell her it was because he talked to dragons; he said it was because he developed a schedule when the dragons would attack, learned the pattern. Hiccup talked about his outfit for Drage; all black clothes and armor to blend in with Toothless. Brenna found everything fascinating that one person; that Hiccup did all this.
When the meal was over and cleaned up from; Hiccup and Brenna continued to relax by the fire and the dragons around them; Hiccup introduced her to the others, and then they kept talking, having fun with it. Hiccup told Brenna some of the ideas he had for when he became Chief, and Brenna told Hiccup stories about things that happened when she was growing up, or current since Hiccup was busy everyday training. Hiccup and Brenna briefly discussed trying for another baby when her time came again, but Hiccup said that things were going to be a bit busy around that week as far as raids went, so they agreed to hold off. Overall; it was a great time for them; to get to spend time together like this.
In fact; it was such a good time that when they left and returned to their home; Hiccup and Brenna locked the door, closed the curtains, and made love to one another because they could. At the end of two hours; Hiccup and Brenna cleaned up and went to sleep, feeling a bit closer than they ever had.