Are we ready?

Sisu yawned, stretching her spine and tail. She stared out at the rising sun that lit up the flowing river. She glanced across at her siblings beginning to wake up to first light. Pengu glimpsed at her. "Good morning,"

"Good morning,"

In their little hanging beds in Hiccup's room, Sharpshot and Smokey yawned. They stretched out their wings and tails. They peered down and saw Toothless still asleep on his slate slab. Then they observed Hiccup, who slept peacefully in bed. They fluttered down and landed on either side of him. They nuzzled his face and he stirred and sat up. He rubbed his eyes yawning and he jumped seeing the affectionate Sharpshot and Smokey chirping like morning birds at him. "Good morning guys,"

Good morning. The two licked his face and his loud giggling woke toothless up in an instant, battle ready.

"What's wrong Hiccup? Is danger here?" Toothless frowned when he saw the little dragons making Hiccup laugh with his licks. "You guys…" he muttered. Irritated, he curled like a cat again on his slab and pressed his paws over his appendages trying to block out the sound.

Sisu and her siblings dined on some cooked fish. Compared to them, she ate rather slowly. Pengu glanced at her worriedly. "Are you okay Sisu?"

"I'm fine,"

Pranee didn't believe it. "You're not fine. You're very slow on your food. Something's on your mind,"

"You know you can tell us anything," Jagan comforted.

Sisu still didn't stop her slow habit.

"We're your siblings Sisu. We wouldn't judge you at all," Amba promised.

Sisu stopped eating and looked at her siblings, glancing at her worriedly. She sighed. There was no denying her feelings. She sat up. "I have feelings for Toothless,"

She expected criticism but instead, she received joyful smiles.

"That's lovely," said Amba, who looked like she was daydreaming.

"What is there to be upset about?" Pranee asked.

"I feel like we can't be together,"

Her siblings wouldn't believe it. "Why?" Jagan asked.

"Because I'm the reason he got killed," As she spoke, Sisu remembered everything that happened from Namaari's second betrayal to the arrow flying into his chest. "When I tried to talk to Namaari, everyone else wanted to protect themselves. And Toothless wanted to protect Hiccup. Namaari's finger was on the trigger. And Raya feared she would fire. When she tried to deflect it, the arrow shot at Hiccup and Toothless was killed. It was my fault that it happened because I cared more about my own opinions than everyone else's safety. If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have been shot. And I fear that if something like that happens again, I'm gonna get him killed," Sisu started to cry.

Pengu moved close to her and nuzzled her face. She nuzzled back and she lied against him. "We remember how guilty you felt when we spoke to you in the Heart Temple. But we were not angry at you. Toothless was brought back to life in the end and for the last three years, we have never seen him bear a grudge against you. He knows you were only trying to do what was right and he forgave you. Don't permit the past to ruin your happiness,"

"It doesn't matter. It wouldn't work out. We're just too different," Sisu sniffled.

"You both are just two different dragon species. You both are more similar than you think,"

"It's better if we just stay as friends," Sisu leaned off her eldest brother and walked over to the edge of their cliff. She made the rain pour and she galloped off across the sky for some privacy. Her siblings watched sorrowfully.

After a delicious breakfast, Hiccup sat by himself on his royal bed inside his room. He was rubbing a small velvet box, thinking about a certain girl.

What's that you got Hiccup? Sharpshot's head popped out from behind his shoulder.

Hiccup quickly stuffed the little box into his pocket. "Nothing,"

Smokey's head popped out the other side. That's not nothing. He smirked. Is it for Raya?

"Shut up you two," Hiccup stood up and opened Toothless's saddle box. He pulled out the saddle. Toothless stood before him. They clipped it on. As he patted it, Hiccup looked down at Toothless's complete pair of tail fins. Toothless glimpsed at it too. It felt so great to have both fins by themselves. But there were times when he missed needing Hiccup to fly. Because with his prosthetic fin obliging him to need Hiccup to fly, he felt like that had strengthened their bond. He missed that feeling. Noticing his discomfort Hiccup patted his head. "A complete tail doesn't change anything between us bud,"

"I know," Toothless said. "But I always felt that it was this need to bring us closer together,"

"I'm happy that you've got a proper tail now. And I want you to be happy too. Our bond is already so strong. And I'm proud that it is," Hiccup embraced Toothless and he hugged him. Sharpshot and Smokey joined in the hug much to Hiccup's amusement but Toothless's envy.

Mounting Toothless, he flew from the balcony towards the front courtyard where some carts of special Heart food awaited them in a giant net with Benja and Raya.

"All packed and ready for Boun?" Hiccup asked.

"Sure is," Raya smiled.

"He should be here any minute," Benja said.

"Right above you!" a cheery voice called.

The group looked up to see Boun riding Hookfang. He descended to the ground and Toothless and Sharpshot and Smokey bounded over to play with him. Even Tuk-Tuk decided to join in the fun. They let him.

"Hey, pal…" Hiccup high-fived Boun.

"Good to have you around," Raya greeted hugging him. Over the past three years, he had stretched up to her shoulders. He was quite a fast grower.

"How's Tail?" asked Benja.

"Very well chief,"

"Your food is ready as promised," Benja showed him the crates of Heart's special nourishments.

"Thanks again chief,"

"Please call me Benja," the kind chief insisted.

"Toothless and I will give you and Hookfang a hand," Hiccup said.

"You coming too, Raya?" Boun asked.

"Actually, I've got some duties to take care of," said Raya. As the future chieftess of Heart, it was important she performed duties in preparation for this responsibility when her time came. But she was sure she wouldn't be alone. She would have Hiccup to hang on to. And their companions and friends. "Besides you guys could use some good guy time,"

"See you later," Hiccup kissed her on the cheek but whistled for Toothless. He mounted his dragon and Boun mounted Hookfang. They flapped their wings. Everyone stood back as they hooked their claws around the rings of the net and lifted it with all the crates into the air.

"We'll be back by tonight!" called Hiccup.

"See ya!" Boun waved.

Hookfang and Toothless flew into the distance carrying the cargo pursed by Sharpshot and Smokey. Hiccup looked back and waved at Raya who smiled out to him in the distance. How he loved that girl with all his heart. The dragons flew along the river. It would take a while to reach the furthest kingdom in the land but with a Night Fury and a Monstrous Nightmare working together, they would get it done in no time. They passed the kingdom of Spine as the three powerful points of the mountain came into view.

They smiled seeing dragons everywhere. A Gronkle carrying a huge man flew into their sight.

"Hi, Tong!" Hiccup waved.

Tong saw them and waved over them. He carried his kid who was now four years out. He lifted him in the air and he waved. Meatlug flew over to them and they stopped in mid-air.

"How ya doing?" Boun asked.

"Oh the usual, delivering pounds of rock from the mountain to the Gronkles," grumbled Tong.

Hiccup chortled at his tone.

"See you two are delivering Heart's specialities to Tail,"

"Yep!" Boun popped off on the 'p'.

"Well, we've got to get these over before nightfall," Hiccup said. "Bye, Tong and Tua,"

Tong and his boy Tua waved them off as they continued to fly east.

Between Spine and Talon, they placed the net of crates on the beach and took a moment to sit down on the beach and relax. Sharpshot and Smokey swam around the water and Hookfang and Toothless lapped up the cool refreshing water. It would get very hot upon reaching Tail and they needed to stay hydrated as much as possible.

Hiccup laid down on the sand, closing his eyes, feeling the sun's warm tanning him. As his eyelids shut, his peaceful state sent him on a gentle voyage of remembrance. Kumandra was restored to peace. The kingdoms were brought together. He had found a new home in Heart with his dragons. He had found the most wonderful friends in the world. Dragons from the Archipelago were kindly welcomed into Kumandra where they could live forever in harmony. And over time he fell more and more in love with the most amazing girl in the world. Raya. Hiccup didn't know what he would do without her. He loved her so much.

"You ready pal?" Boun asked.

Hiccup flicked his eyes open. "Uhh? Oh yes. Sure. Let's get this over and done with," He stood up and stretched out his arms.

"You okay?" Boun asked.

Hiccup smiled. "I'm better than okay. I just feel so happy that Kumandra has given me more joy than I've ever wanted. And you guys are the most wonderful friends anyone could ask for,"

"It makes me happy to hear you say that. And I'm so glad you and Raya are so in love with each other," Boun said. He had to come to see Hiccup and Raya as siblings and out of their friends the human friends Hiccup had made other than Raya, he was the closest.

They mounted their dragons again and set off again. Minutes later they were passing over the city that stood on the water. They peered down and saw the exquisite marketplaces. They scanned the streets for one particular family. Then Sharpshot squeaked when he saw a mother carrying a four-year-old kid with three Ongis and a Zippleback behind her.

Barf and Belch saw their friends high above and roared joyfully. The mother, the Ongis and the child looked up. Toi giggled and waved up to the boys. They waved back down. After passing over Talon, they saw the landscape below them turning arid and sandy. They had found Tail. They descended towards the river and followed up to the port towns. There they saw Boun's family waiting for them. Carefully Toothless and Hookfang lowered the cargo onto the docks.

Boun hugged his loved ones and Hiccup was greeted with pats. Boun's older sister gave the dragons some fish and a special stew for Hiccup.

"Why don't you guys chill out?" Boun's mother suggested.

"No. Let us help," Hiccup insisted.

"No need. The market is right here and you guys need to relax. You carried it many miles here and now we can handle the rest,"

The boys chilled in the Shrimporium. As Hookfang was too big, he sat on the dock but poked his head above the deck. Boun decided to start preparing dinner for tonight so he got to work with cutting vegetables and heating some sauces. Thanks to Hookfang's fire abilities, they made the perfect cooking pair.

Hiccup sat, on the other hand, his bare feet dangling over the cool water. Toothless curled around him. Sharpshot and Smokey sat around his shoulders and on his lap. Hiccup felt his hand trace to the box inside his pocket and he sat very still. Too still. Sharpshot and Smokey felt him drifting off into thought. Even Toothless saw it too.

"What's on your mind Hiccup?"

Hiccup didn't respond.

"Hiccup!"

Hiccup jumped. "What?"

Hiccup, you're very silent. Chirped Smokey worriedly. What's wrong?

Hiccup didn't answer.

"Oh dear," said Boun from across the boat. "I'm gonna need to get some new fresh water. Be right back," he pulled a giant pot onto the dock. He mounted Hookfang and the dragon carried it and him away.

Hiccup felt Toothless's strong eyes staring into his soul. Sharpshot and Smokey sat beside him and gave him the same expression. He felt flushed and queasy.

We're not gonna stop staring until you tell us what you're thinking. Sharpshot warned.

Hiccup huffed. There were no keeping secrets from his dragons at all. "Guys…I…" he struggled. "I…"

"Just spit it out," Toothless demanded impatiently.

"I want to ask Raya to marry me!" Hiccup slapped his hands over his mouth. Too late.

His dragons' jaws fell one after the other. Their tongues rolled out. They stared at Hiccup with that expression until Toothless suddenly leapt on him like a dog and lapped his sticky tongue over his face.

"Bud! Stop it! Stop it!' Hiccup begged "Sharpshot! Smokey! Help me!"

But to his chagrin, his little dragons joined in the licking. "Stop it! Stop it!"

The dragons moved off him and he sat up, covered in saliva from head to waist. He growled at the dragon. He washed in the river and dried his hair. "Man you guys are gonna regret this,"

"We're so happy for you Hiccup!" Toothless said, licking his cheek again much to his annoyance.

"But I'm not even engaged yet!" he complained.

Then go up and ask her. Why would she say no? Smokey asked.

"Because maybe she might not be ready,"

Hiccup, you two have been together for three years. Sharpshot reminded. And we have seen you two fall more and more in love with each other.

"But she has other duties other than our relationship. She's gonna be the next chieftess of Heart. And she has to focus for when it comes,"

When that time comes, she's gonna need you to stand by her side. Marrying her wouldn't be getting the way of responsibilities.

"Please tell us you at least have a ring," Toothless insisted.

"Actually. I do," Hiccup reached into his pocket for the small velvet box. With his dragons watching, he opened it and inside was a golden ring with a dragon made of emeralds.

"It's beautiful," said Toothless.

No way she can refuse a ring like that. Smokey stared at it charmingly.

"Smokey, don't even think about it," Hiccup warned.

"Hiccup, all you have to do is approach her, tell her how much you love her and ask. I know she won't no," believed Toothless positively.

"You really think so?" asked Hiccup.

Hiccup, there is no one more deserving of her heart than you. Spoke Sharpshot proudly.

A large smile grew on Hiccup's face. "Thanks, guys," He embraced his dragons and Toothless engulfed them all in his broad wings.

"So you're going to ask her?" came Boun's voice.

The boys turned to see Boun smirking as he leaned against the wooden rails with Hookfang.

"Tell anyone and I swear I will have Sharpshot gobble all your pots of stew," Hiccup warned.

"Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me," Boun promised.

For the rest of the afternoon, Hiccup chilled out with him and his family. Then he decided it was time to head home to Heart. He waved goodbye to his close friend and Toothless and the little dragons took off.

Raya walked around the gardens of Heart with Tuk-Tuk. She stared up at the evening sky waiting for Hiccup. Her hand reached for a pair of necklaces around her neck. Her mother's golden pendant. How she missed her deeply. Her father always said that she looked so much like her. It fell to another necklace. A pendant with a green emerald in the centre. Hiccup's birthday gift to her. She cradled it tenderly. She loved him so much. They had grown so close together these last few years. Being boyfriend and girlfriend was such a powerful feeling she loved experiencing. But she began to wonder if it was perhaps time to take perhaps the biggest step in their lives together.

Tuk-Tuk cooed beside her. She smiled and patted his cheeks. They heard the roar of a Night Fury. She smiled seeing the love of her life descend towards her. Toothless landed gracefully and once Hiccup dismounted Raya threw her arms around his neck. Toothless bounded over to play with Tuk-Tuk with the little dragons, leaving the couple to walk around the gardens together.

The sky turned dark but the sweet moon and twinkling stars. It felt romantic. Raya took Hiccup took to the top of Heart Mountain and sat on a bench, their eyes held the most amazing view their home had to offer. Raya's head fell onto his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. His warm arms made her loved and safe. Her affection made him feel loved and overjoyed. Since they met each other three years, they had given each other one thing that the other hadn't. Raya, protection, and safety as she has spent a long time alone with just Tuk-Tuk. Hiccup, love, and companionship which he lacked from other humans. Both had felt alone in their unique ways yet gave each other devotion and love which healed their hearts.

"So, how'd it go today?" he asked.

"Very well. I fear it's only a matter of time before ba makes my chieftess. He always said that I had my mother's compassion and determination. I just hope he's right,"

"Of course, he's right. I've never seen anyone more committed to their kingdom than you," Hiccup believed in her highly. "I think she would be very proud of you,"

Raya blushed hearing him talk about her like that as always. She sat up straight and clasping his hands looked into his eyes. "I wouldn't be what I am without you. You're the only one who makes me feel good about who I am. You changed me Hiccup. I feel like you made me into a better person,"

"And you made me the happiest person in the world. These last three years with you have been the happiest in my life. Without you I wouldn't have found everything I've always wanted," Hiccup's hand stroked her cheeks, wet from tears of devotion.

"Let's stay here all night," said Raya. "Let's just stay here and be us,"

Hiccup nodded. "I don't what or where I'd be without you,"

"Me neither," Raya reached forward and kissed him. He held her close and it was just the two of them under the bright full moon shining on them as their love became passionate. It was at that moment that Hiccup finally realised that he wanted to propose to her more than anything. He knew in his heart that they were ready to take the biggest step in their lives together. He was going to find the perfect moment to propose.

That's another chapter. So Hiccup wants to propose to Raya. When will he? And will she say yes? I think you can all guess where the next chapter will take place. See you all soon.