Chapter 16

Juggernaut

It was the next morning when Namira's paralysis poison wore off and, after being well-rested, the Dragonborn and Toothless got to work. Renee was still gone, no doubt hunting and venting her frustrations at the prospect of being cursed. As soon as they stood up, the brothers began to debate on where to start.

"I know you said we should work on the wall, but we need a place to craft supplies like nails. Our best bet is to fix up the smithy first." Rahm-Ku reasoned.

"But we also need a defensive perimeter so we won't get attack by bandits and Divines-knows what." J'Kiir argued.

"But Rahm-Ku's right, J'Kiir. We need that wall, yes. But we need a place to gather and create supplies. Toothless and I can go back to Whiterun and pick up what we need to get the smithy into shape and inform the jarl of our plans." Hiccup added.

While it was true he suggested the wall should be their first priority, Rahm-Ku had a point. He wasn't going to go back and forth between Emeralda and Whiterun for building supplies.

They needed the forge.

J'Kiir sighed, knowing he wasn't going to win this argument.

"Fine. But while Hiccup runs the errands in Whiterun, you and I should clean out the smithy."

He then looked to Hiccup.

"Anything specific you two need that we could get?"

Hiccup nodded as he stroked his dragon's head.

"See if you two can find some mining supplies like pickaxes. Back on Berk, I have this stone slab Toothless likes to sleep on. If you two can carve one out of the mountain near the mine entrance, we'd appreciate that."

The brothers nodded before Rahm-Ku got another idea.

"If you can, bring back the chest that has the Daedric artifacts we've collected thus far. It's best if those are safe from prying eyes."

With that, the Dragonborn gave their Viking brother all of their gold and he and the dragon took off. As the pair flew off, Rahm-Ku and J'Kiir got to work. Entering the smith's home, the brothers went to opening the windows, letting the faint sunlight in and the dust out. Much like with Breezehome, the blacksmith's house was caked with cobwebs and dust. Thankfully, there was a broom in perfect condition.

J'Kiir looked to the bed and cringed slightly.

"Uh…Rahm-Ku?"

"Hmm?" Rahm-Ku replied as he grasped the broom. "What is it?"

J'Kiir placed a hand on the mage's shoulder before answering him.

"I think the biggest thing we'll be working on is a cemetery. And he's our first burial."

Rahm-Ku turned around and realized what J'Kiir was talking about. On the bed was a skeleton, dressed in ruined clothing and cobwebs.

Emeralda's last blacksmith.

Looking to the door then back to the bed, Rahm-Ku spoke.

"We'll bring the bed out. When Renee gets back, we'll have her identify him. And while we're carving out Toothless' stone, we'll make a tombstone."

J'Kiir agreed and got to the head of the bed. Rahm-Ku opened the door and propped it open with a stone before moving to the foot of the bed.

"On three. One…two…three!"

At the Argonian's word, the brothers lifted the bed and carried it out the door. Once they reached the earthly ground, J'Kiir spoke, straining.

"Where do you want him?"

Rahm-Ku jerked his head to his right.

"Over there."

In agreement, the brothers placed the bed on the destined ground and sighed in relief.

"The guy better appreciate what we're doing." J'Kiir muttered as he arched his back, cracking it slightly.

The two then returned to the smithy and got back to work.

That Afternoon…

Hiccup sighed as he flew on Toothless back in the direction of Emeralda. As promised, Hiccup first stopped at Dragonsreach and spoke to Jarl Balgruuf in private. There, he explained to the jarl about what had transpired the past two days and told them the truth when they've rediscovered in Emeralda. He did tell the jarl about Namira providing the answers and handed him some sticks of Blood's Bane as evidence. He also kept Renee's curse out of the equation as well.

After convincing the jarl that Emeralda was safe from plague, Hiccup announced his proposal of granting Emeralda to the Dragonborn as an outpost and explained to him their plans. After hours of discussion, the jarl agreed to give Emeralda to the Dragonborn siblings and granted him wagons of building materials to be taken to the town. This gave Hiccup plenty of time to purchase supplies and collect the chest from Breezehome. He also explained to Lydia what was going on and named her Breezehome's primary caretaker, making it her home as well.

Now, it was nearing dusk and Hiccup was looking forward to what his siblings did. But just as he passed Rorikstead, according to the map, he noticed a familiar figure crouching in front of a cave.

"Renee?"

Motioning Toothless to land, the pair landed a few feet away from the Nord before Hiccup dismounted. The Viking and dragon quietly made their way to the Nord as Hiccup whispered to Renee.

"What's the matter, Renee?"

Despite being miffed at her brother about the night before, Renee motioned him and Toothless to crouch.

"I was on my way back with a fresh deer as well as some fish when I decided to stop for a spell. I went to get a drink in a nearby stream, not exactly thinking at the time. When I came back, the fish was gone! I followed the trail to here. That's when I saw it."

"What?" Hiccup dared to ask.

Renee pointed to something on one of the stone slabs that marked the entrance to the underground cavern.

"Look over there."

Hiccup followed his sister's finger to the spot where she was pointing. To his surprise, he saw movement on the rock. He then proceeded to pull a spyglass he made when Renee went to Orphan Rock and peered through. What he saw gave him the shivers and caused Toothless to growl.

It was a mass of spiders. No doubt Namira's.

"I see them. Think that's where Dralsa's hiding out?" Hiccup asked.

Renee shook her head.

"I thought it was at first. But remember what she said? That…that…flesh-monger is somewhere in the Reach. And this cave's in Whiterun. And remember what she said about finding a dragon north of Rorikstead?"

Hiccup's eyes widened as he turned to his sister in surprise.

"Are you saying…that a dragon's in there. As in, the dragon Namira said would be beneficial to us?"

Renee nodded before they turned their attention to Toothless, who started to growl even more. Returning their attention to the mouth of the cave, the teenagers hid behind a nearby gathering of rocks with the Night Fury. The sound of light, yet thunderous footsteps alerted them that something was coming out. After a couple of breathless moments, the saw the dragon.

This was clearly a dragon that Hiccup had never seen before back in the archipelago. It was a quadrupedal beast that was about 15 to 18 feet from head to tail. It was lean like a cat, with tan-gold scales and pale underscales. It had a whip-like tail and a shorter, slender neck. Its head was similar in shape to that of a triceratops, but without the frill and the nose horn was slightly smaller.

The muzzle was beak-like, but sharp teeth was still present when the beast opened its maw to let out a yawn. It had piercing green eyes that looked like emeralds. It also had a set of horns that curved inward at first, but curved outward, as if it could shift from a battering ram to a sharp weapon with just a tip of a head. It also had sharp spikes at the back of the bottom of each side of its bottom jaw with webbing connecting each spike.

Its wings were just as unique. Unlike a normal dragon's wings, which could fold out and in like a bat's, this dragon's wings folded backwards in an anti-clockwise fashion that its two clawed 'fingers' pointed to the ground. The three watched as the dragon unfurled its wings and stretched them out like a normal dragon's. They also took into account the muscular features of this dragon. No doubt it was powerful, but judging from the leg muscles, it looked like a skilled runner.

Needless to say, the pair of humans were amazed at the sight of this dragon.

"Oh…my…Thor." Hiccup whispered as he returned his spyglass' line of sight to the dragon.

Renee was equally breathless.

"Lean, yet powerful. Looks like it prefers to run. Menacing in appearance."

She then turned her gaze to Hiccup.

"Think this is the one?"

Hiccup kept the spyglass on the dragon, refusing to let it out of his sight.

"One thing for sure: Namira know how to pick a dragon."

He then gave a soft laugh.

"Oh, I'd love to see the look on Fishlegs' face when I tell him about this dragon."

Renee turned her head to Hiccup and gave him a look.

"'Fishlegs?' That's your friend's name?"

Hiccup gave a slight smile to his sister, taking his eye off the spyglass.

"We have a tradition among Vikings. If you are given a scary name, evil spirits will flee from you."

"Aye, but come on. 'Fishlegs' and 'Hiccup?' Those aren't scary. In fact, it sounds like names used for children destined to be bait, target practice, or just really unlucky."

Hiccup narrowed his eyes at his sister.

"Oh? And what do you suggest I should've been called?"

Renee gave a smirk as she examined her brother, forgetting the new dragon.

"To be honest, you look more like a 'Rune' than a 'Hiccup' to me."

Hiccup was about to retort, only to find himself speechless. His sister's suggestion of the name was definitely better than his own. Then again, he was the runt of the village.

Hiccup then returned his gaze to the spyglass, only to gawk.

"It's gone!"

Renee, hearing this, turned her head to find that the dragon was indeed gone.

"Damn! Think it went back inside?"

A low rumble came from above, causing the pair to slowly look up. Standing on the tallest boulder was the dragon, perched and looking angry.

"I think not." Hiccup replied as he slowly walked backwards.

The dragon snarled at them, Toothless doing the same back at it.

"Toothless. Hold." Hiccup told his Night Fury.

While he obeyed, Toothless continued to keep his gaze on the dragon. Keeping his eyes on the dragon, Hiccup slowly reached into one of the Night Fury's saddlebags.

"I think now's the time to begin the lesson."

"Lesson? What lesson?" Renee asked as she struggled to contain her fear.

She got her answer once Hiccup handed her a salmon.

"You're going to learn how to train your first dragon."

Renee tensed up, causing the strange dragon to arch slightly.

"Are you insane?! Do you really think now's a good time for that?"

"I say it's the perfect time." Hiccup countered, moving back slightly with Renee.

This allowed the dragon to jump down on the ground in front of them. Renee quietly gulped as she spoke to her brother.

"Ok, genius. Now what?"

"First, stand your ground. Then, offer him the salmon." Hiccup instructed.

Seeing no way out of this, Renee proceeded to follow through. She lifted the salmon in front of the dragon, allowing it to sniff it.

"Uh…hey? I…uh…got some fish. Want some?"

It was several gut-wrenching silent seconds before she got a response. The dragon was quick as he bit into the tail-end of the fish and pulled it from Renee's hand, gulping it down.

As it at the fish, Renee whispered to Hiccup.

"Now what?"

"Now, let him know that you aren't a threat. Any weapons you have, toss them aside. Do not use any magic or Shouts. Let him know you are approachable." Hiccup told her.

Renee noticed something in Hiccup's words and spoke as she disarmed herself.

"I take it you've figured his gender already?"

Hiccup gave a slight shrug as he helped move Renee's weaponry away.

"We'll talk about that later. For now, focus on the dragon."

Once the last of Renee's weapons was away from her, the dragon began to circle around them, keeping his eye on Renee. Renee felt like she was a slab of meat from a butcher's shop, being examined for anything that proved undesirable. Hiccup, meanwhile, took mental notes about how the dragon was moving. He circled like a dog or a wolf, yet move with the fluid grace of a cat. As the dragon made his way back to where he started, Hiccup whispered some more to Renee.

"Be on your toes. If he accepts you, he'll let you place your hand on his snout. Otherwise he'll test you in something else."

Renee nodded as she watched the dragon come to a halt. Suddenly, the dragon unfurled his wings again. This time, he started flapping. Or at least, he tried. As he started to flap, Renee noticed that the dragon flinched. Almost as if he was in pain. Renee's eyes darted around to find any sort of injury until she eyed the dragon's left wing. Behind the rock, she was only able to get a glance at his right side. Now that he was in front of her, she noticed something else.

His left wing as bloody.

Seeing this, concern overtook Renee as she reached for Hiccup, keeping her eyes on the dragon.

"Can you hand me another fish, Hiccup?"

Though unsure of what his sister was going to do, he complied and handed her another salmon. Once the fish was in her hand, Renee slowly made her way towards the dragon.

He noticed her approaching and growled, causing her to stop. But Renee stood her ground and spoke gently.

"Easy, easy. I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to see to your wing."

She then offered the fish.

"A peace offering, at least."

The dragon took this into consideration. He had dealt with her kind before. None of it good. But this one was different. While she was anxious around him, she was indeed concerned. He looked to the boy and the strange dragon, both not making any sudden movements. What were they waiting for? This was the perfect opportunity to take him down. So why are they just standing there?

He then returned his gaze to the female, his eyes catching the fish. His stomach knotted itself, telling him to feed. And this female was genuinely trying to help. Without further thought, he let down his guard and took the fish, laying down so that the female could look at his wing.

Seeing the dragon was going to comply, Renee carefully made her way to the injured wing. She tore off a piece of cloth from her tunic and poured some water from her canteen on it.

"Now, I'm going to clean this blood off. That way, I can get a better look. Alright?"

The dragon gave a soft snort and allowed Renee to work. Hiccup, meanwhile, marveled at how Renee was handling the situation. Although it did remind him of when he first met Toothless. The difference was that he was the one who caused the injury.

Toothless kept an eye on the dragon, making sure that the strange one didn't do anything to Renee. Over the past few days, Renee and the others had grown on him. Like Hiccup, Toothless had his own silent observations concerning the trio and knew Renee was strong, yet can be gentle when need be. Of course, she was still reckless at times. But not as reckless as J'Kiir.

The pair continued to watch as Renee cleaned the wing. It wasn't long before she was able to determine injury.

"I'm going to check the bone, alright?" She told the dragon.

She then carefully touched the wing bone, causing the dragon to flinch. She frowned as she determined the cause.

"This wing was crushed under something heavy. Meat around the bone is swollen, but the bones inside feel like shattered glass."

She then looked into the dragon's eyes, gaining his attention.

"I know you don't want to leave this cave, but there's someone nearby who can help you. If you are willing to walk."

The dragon debated about what she had said. He didn't want to leave the cave he took from a group of trolls. But his wing did need repair. He looked to Renee and their eyes met. Renee kept her own emerald eyes focused on his own. Her fear was fading and he was beginning to see what she was through her eyes. Determined to the point of absolute stubbornness, strength mixed with compassion, and there was something else. Something that the dragon couldn't put a claw on. Something that told him that being with this female was something that must be.

Trusting her, the dragon got back on his feet and nodded, letting her know that he was willing to go. Seeing this, Renee looked to Hiccup.

"Hiccup. Which way back to Emeralda?"

Amazed at the situation before him, Hiccup pointed to the northwest.

"About a few miles. Why?"

Renee answered him, still standing by the dragon.

"Go back there and tell the boys. Rahm-Ku might know the 'Healing Hands' spell."

"But what about you?" Hiccup asked with concern.

Renee answered him again.

"Chances are there's going to be some unwanted company drawn by his blood. I'll stay by him and walk with him back to-!"

But the dragon wasn't going to have it. He quickly picked Renee up by her tunic and, with a swift movement, tossed her onto his back whilst folding his wings. This caught the three travelers by surprise as Renee straightened herself out.

"What in-!"

But her words were cut off as the dragon began to run.

Hiccup, astonished, jumped onto Toothless and took off as well.

"Well, that's the first time that's ever happened."

The pair flew after the dragon and the Nord, Hiccup making more mental notes about the dragon. When it came to speed, this dragon was no pushover. Renee, however, was struggling to stay on the dragon as he ran.

"What in Oblivion?!"

She placed her arms around the dragon's neck until she noticed the wings. She took the chance and grabbed the good wing while holding on with the opposite hand.

It didn't take long, however, to find herself actually enjoying it. It was like riding a horse bareback, except that the 'horse' was scaly. Her anxiety once again ebbed away and instead of cursing, she found herself laughing.

"Hah! Well aren't you a fast one."

She then looked forward and grinned.

"What say we see how fast you can really go?"

The dragon let out a smirk at the female's suggestion. If there was one thing he loved to be, it was fast.

Seeing the dragon was going to comply, Renee placed her hands firmly on the dragon's neck and held on.

"Alright! Let's go!"

The dragon complied and ran faster, letting out a burst of energy as he did. While she did struggle, Renee found herself having the time of her life. She completely forgot her curses and her woes and instead found herself having fun.

Hiccup watched the scene from above and even he couldn't help but smile. His sister was a natural and was actually enjoying riding a dragon for once. And from what he could see, the dragon was enjoying it as well despite the injured wing. It seemed the swift dragon and the stubborn Nord were meant for each other.

"I wonder if it's because we're Dragonborn that Renee and I have been able to tame our dragons easily."

Realizing what he thought, Hiccup spoke to Toothless.

"I think we may have a new member of the team, bud. Let's just hope he agrees."

The pair flew until they were alongside the ground pair. There, Hiccup called to Renee.

"Hey, Renee? Wanna race back to Emeralda?"

Renee let out another huge grin as she called out to her brother.

"Oh! You're on!"

Hearing this, the dragons ran and flew faster.

Emeralda…

It was nearing sunset and Rahm-Ku and J'Kiir had finished chiseling out a slab of stone for Toothless. They had finished with the majority of the forge's repairs and after a quick lunch got to work in making a fresh bed for Hiccup since the original was currently occupied. Once they got the new bed inside they got to work on the slab.

Once the slab fell to the ground, J'Kiir spoke.

"Alright. But now how do we get this inside the house?"

Rahm-Ku was about to answer when he noticed some pebbles moving on their own. And he wasn't the only one who noticed. J'Kiir saw this and climbed onto the smithy's roof. He looked out into the faint fog and saw two things coming towards the town.

"Hey! We've got company!"

Hearing this, Rahm-Ku climbed up after his brother and took a look himself. He squinted his eyes to identify the black flying object.

"I think that's Hiccup and Toothless. But who or what's that on the ground?"

The boys waited until the objects were in line of clarity before they saw the dragon running on the ground. Surprised, J'Kiir shouted.

"What in Oblivion is that?!"

He then noticed something on the dragon's back and looked harder. What he saw surprised him.

"Is that…Renee?!"

This caught Rahm-Ku's ears as he looked at what J'Kiir was looking at. His jaw dropped as he saw that it was indeed his newest sister riding the back of a new dragon.

"Think we should open the gate?" J'Kiir joked as the four entered the town center.

The brothers got off the roof and slowly approached the four.

"What is all this?" Rahm-Ku asked.

Hiccup answered his brother with a smile.

"Guys. We've got a new dragon."

Renee then dismounted and spoke to the pair.

"But he's got an injured wing. Think you guys can help?"

The beastly brothers looked to each other for a moment before they approached they got to work.

"I'll concoct a healing salve with what I've got. I don't know how it will affect dragons, but it's worth a shot, right?" J'Kiir contributed.

"And I'll use my Healing Hands spell. It'll take some time, though. It's an Apprentice level spell, so it'll cost me more Magicka." Rahm-Ku replied as he examined the wing.

"As long as you can repair the majority of his bones, that'll be good." Renee replied as she stroked the dragon's snout.

As the brothers got to work, Renee and Hiccup got to work at making wooden splints from the ruins of the town. As they gathered the wood, Hiccup decided to speak to Renee.

"So? What are you going to name him?"

Renee had given the name some thought, having figured out a name during the race.

"What do you think of 'Bane'?"

Hearing the name, the dragon grumbled happily as the two strangers cleaned his wing. Hearing him, Hiccup smiled.

"I think he likes it."

Renee smiled happily.

"'Bane' it is, then."

Hiccup then took the time to ask another question as he began to set up his part of the splint.

"Alright. And since you've discovered him, why don't you name his kind of dragon?"

Renee gawked at her brother.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

Renee took the time to think as she worked on Bane's wing. As she worked, she noticed how strong the dragon's wing muscles were. This brought her attention to the dragon's other muscles as well. On a rampage, this dragon would be a force of nature. It was then that a name popped up in her mind.

"How about 'Juggernaut?'"

Hiccup raised an eyebrow.

"Juggernaut?"

Renee then gestured to Bane's muscles.

"He's pretty strong. Most of it looks natural. Who knows what kind of power he has."

Hiccup thought about it for a while. It wasn't until Bane's wing was cleaned, slightly healed, and splinted that he voiced his opinion.

"Looks like 'Juggernaut's' the name. And he looks like the kind of dragon meant for the Tracker Class of dragons. I'll have to write all of this down and learn more later."

Hearing this, Renee held up a hand.

"Uh, how about we let him rest, first. In the meantime, we should get some fish."

Hearing this, Hiccup nodded and decided to let Renee off her punishment this time.

"I'll get the fish. You stay here with Bane."

Renee nodded as Hiccup removed everything he brought back from Whiterun with Toothless and left with some baskets. He came back an hour later just as dinnertime came.

Not once did Renee leave Bane's side. And the dragon greatly appreciated it.

AN: Bane's appearance is based off of Beau from the tv show "Dragon Booster."

I played with Shakespeare when looking for an insult for Renee to call Dralsa. I settled with Flesh-monger.

The 'Rune' conversation is a shout-out to Ember Neutron and her 'How to Become Dragonborn" story.

And for the wings, I got that from the first cinematic of Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver.

I do not own The Elder Scrolls, Legacy of Kain, Dragon Booster, or How to Train Your Dragon

Bane, Renee, Rahm-Ku, and J'Kiir are mine.