Chapter 7: Treason

I kept staring to the roof listening to my father's snores. I couldn't sleep and the noise wasn't the problem, I had got used to it. What bugged me was the last class. Rolling to my left I glanced to the closed window, am I really going to do this? I groaned and rolled to the other side, don't wanting to think about it and looked at the door.

But I couldn't get it out of my head, what if something goes wrong? What if whatever dragon we face don't put me attention? What if I couldn't calm it if front of everyone? What if I could? What would they do? I would need to tell them about Toothless, about everything. But tell them that I befriended a dragon… gods, this was an act of treason. They were the enemy! And aside that, I had been lying to them for weeks.

I knew the consequences of my acts well; my last name would be ripped away from me, I would no longer be welcome in Berk and after killing Toothless I would be send to the sea by my own in the hopes that I die… if I was lucky enough that was it.

My thoughts began to run, what would be the worst they would do? Torch me alive in front of everyone? Behead me? Put me as the target of a dozen of arrows? Gods… being the Chief daughter would not help me this time; he doesn't have the word, the Village has. And the Hooligans didn't have the best sense when they were angry.

Returning to face the roof I buried my face in my hands, am I really going to do this?! Of course I was. I couldn't let them kill Toothless, I needed to show them that dragons weren't bloodthirsty beast and tomorrow was my only chance to do it.

Unless… I lowered my hands a bit; there was still another option.

What of I didn't show anything tomorrow? What if I step aside and let other win? I could let Asher win and… leave. I could leave.

I was getting crazy, leave with a dragon? Would I really do this? The memory of Toothless falling and screaming for me, us playing in the cove, resting in that island with the Terrors…

Yes.

Yes, I would leave with him. I would let everything behind for him. My name, my house, my tribe… my father.

Yes, I could leave, let Asher win, let him kill the Monstrous Nightmare. With Dragon Training over and with Asher to kill the dragon, hopefully, I would be alone again and I could plan this out; stay in winter and leave when it's over, just a few months more. I could do it… but what if I win? The last classes I even try anything and the dragons went for me.

"You leave," a voice rang inside my head "you leave and don't look back. There's no waiting until winter, Hiccup. If you are going to leave you are going to do it today."

I sat putting the blanket aside, took a deep breathe and stood don't bothering in putting my boots on, opened the door with trembling hands and went downstairs, telling myself to calm down.

The fireplace was completely off, the firewood not even moved. I swallowed the knot on my throat and spotted my father's door in the dark. Knowing that Dad would not hear my steps with his snores I walked quickly to his door; I stopped midway when I stubbed my little toe, "Shit!" I breathe out recoiling my leg to hug my foot on my hands. I gave the chair a mad look and continued my walking in the dark, now slower.

Holding my breath I pushed the door, it cracked as it opened more; I closed my eyes and kept pushing it slowly, it gave a loud crack and Dad stopped snoring. Freaked out I opened an eye and watched him shift to the side and continued snoring; I released my breath.

Walking on my tiptoes I headed to his desk. There was a map of the archipelago on top of it; finally I had some good luck on my side.

I took it and fold it; looking back to my sleeping father I leaved his room closing the door after me. I ran quietly to my room and grabbed a satchel putting the map inside; I went to the desk and grabbed… my sketchbook? Damn it! It was on the smith. All my tools were in there; I hung the satchel on my shoulder, I needed to have all ready.


The moon was getting down when I reached the mouth of the cove; the sun would replace it soon. Toothless was on the edge of the pond, playing with the water and splashing it everywhere. I smiled, readjusted the saddle on my shoulder and headed down. Making the minimum noise I hided behind a rock to see what Toothless did; I thought he slept in the night but it seems he sleeps whenever he wants.

I moved to a side to see him better; he was smiling –he made that a little more naturally now- and looked for a moment to the dark sky and howled to the moon and stared at it for a moment then turned away to his hide-spot and grabbed the sapling he uses to draw; he put a side on the ground, readjusted the sapling and began to draw. I kept walking to my side as I watched him spin.

A branch snapped; I froze, looked down to my boot and to the broken branch. I looked up again; Toothless was gone. I gulped as I heard a snarl over me, I yelped as I jumped over the rocks and tried to run in the open space. Toothless jumped over me taking me down, he turned me and before I could saw him I felt his rough tongue over my face.

"Agh!" I pushed him away but he kept licking me, "That's enough, stop!" He did and looked me with big green eyes, pleased with himself. I got the saliva off my face and stood up shaking off the dirt out of me.

Toothless ran to his hide place and returned with the saddle and harness on mouth, "I'm sorry, bud. Not now." I pat his snout, he lowered his ear-plates and wings, "I need to talk to you and it's serious."

I let the satchel on the floor and sat on a rock; putting the saddle and harness down Toothless looked at me worried, "It's okay, bud, it's just, um… tomorrow- today," I corrected myself "will be the final class and it's probably, very probably that I'm going to win." Toothless worried look disappeared and a new of courage replaced it, he gave me a supporting head-butt.

"That's not the problem." He looked at me confused, "The one who wins… gets to kill their first dragon in front of everyone." His face turned to pure horror and gave a step back, "I'm not going to do that, bud." I hurried to say before he made any wrong conclusion, "We need to leave."

The dragon was pure confusion; he looked away, thinking for a long moment then looked at me and gave me a strong nod before pushing the saddle to me, "Not now, we still have a chance. Winter is near, if I don't win we can stay till it's over, then leave."

I sighed as I looked up to the now orange sky; Toothless made a worried sound and rubbed his head behind my arm till I raised it and let him rest on my lap. I pet his forehead and after a second of thinking I curled my mouth and let out a howl from the back of my throat, the sound that leaved my lips were pretty similar to his.

Toothless' earflaps perked up and he looked me amazed. He made the same sound again and I imitated him; he stood up tapping the ground with his front paws and moved to sit in front of me; he made a more happy noise and waited in amusement till I replied. He jumped in circles and then rubbed his head on my chest, I laughed and hugged him, what did I say?

"Okay, bud. I gotta go." I said pulling him away, he licked my chin and stepped away. I grabbed the saddle, "I need you to keep it on, just in case something does wrong." I didn't struggle in putting it on, he was completely still but I felt his gaze on me the whole time. When I finished I turned to him, why was he looking at me like that? Like if he were hurt; I drew up my hand and he pressed his nose to it.

Taking the satchel from the ground I tied it to the saddle, "I see ya' latter, okay?" I grabbed my harness and took it with me.


I walked to the house as the sun showed up. I yawned extending my arms up and reaching for the back door; I froze seeing my father already in the kitchen and closed the door before he saw me. Damn, damn, damn, damn.

"Hiccup?" He called upstairs, "Are ya' still asleep?" No, unfortunately, I wasn't. I ran to the house's side and looked up to the open window.

"Oh, thanks Odin." I whispered and put an arm inside the harness; I jumped and grabbed to wherever I could and began to climb. I hate to climb. Walk? Love it; run? Have done it all my life; but climb? Once I loved climb trees, the branches were my hiding spot for my troll hunting but with the time –for no reason that I remembered- I began to hate it. I reached the window and tried to drag me inside; I fell on my room with a yelp, hearing Dad's steps on the other side of the door. I crawled to the bed, tossing the harness under it. The door opened with still me on the floor; quickly I used the bed to help me stand up.

"What were ya' doing on the floor?" He asked confused.

"I fell." I simply said, almost breathless.

"Hum…" He accepted the answer and entered the room with a smile on his face, "I made breakfast. The competition is not until noon but I need to go."

I smile and rolled my eyes. He was the Chief, he needed to organize everything and if he wasn't there everything goes to chaos. The only reason the island survives when he leaves was because most of the Hooligans leaved with him. "I know," I laughed –I have no idea where that laugh came from- "you better leave before Spitelout take care of something."

Dad chuckled and ruffled my hair; he ended with a sigh and with his hand holding my face, "Good luck." He leaned forward to kiss my forehead then leaved.

My tired body fell on the bed and after all the night without sleep I let my eyelids close.


The stupor outside waked me up and I knew it was time. I stood and quickly ate my eggs and smoked yak meat. I let the dishes on the table and grabbed a shield from the wall and my axe. I stopped in cold with my hand on the door and returned to my room to put on my helmet. I jogged to the door and put the shield on my back with the strap crossing my chest and grabbed the axe. Slowly I released my breath closing my eyes to calm myself and open them confident, I wasn't anxious or afraid; I felt powerful, with the feeling that I could win without Toothless' help. Even when I wasn't going to try, I knew I could.

I opened the door and a storm of cheers filed my ears, I didn't contain a smirk as I walked outside; Gobber was waiting for me.

"You were sleeping, weren't you?" his voice sounded a bit annoyed. I gave him a weak smile, he knew me well.

In all our way to the arena I didn't stop hearing 'good luck's' and complains of almost every Viking that couldn't go to se the final class because they got other things to do.

The other teens were with their parents when we arrived; I was the last one. By the look on their faces when they saw me you could tell today everyone was going for the glory. Except for me.

Gobber leaved to the Main Gate leaving me alone with my approaching father. Slowly I stood better.

"How ya' feeling?" his voice was weird; nervous and excited at the same time.

"Like if I am about to throw up." The words almost stuck on my throat.

"It's normal, you are just nervous."

"It's not, you never feel like this." I looked away to evade his eyes.

"Hiccup, everyone gets nervous." He said putting one knee down to match my size; he put his hands on my shoulders "Now, listen. Not matter what happens, I will always be here for you." He turned his gaze to Gobber and stood up "Take yer shield, it's time."

I passed the strap over my head careful to don't take down my helmet and adjusted it to my right arm remembering the first class when I couldn't carry with the axe and lift the shield at the same time; now I did it without problem.

"You look like a warrior." He raised my chin with a finger. "Good luck." I watched him leave to the upper part patting in the shoulder Spitelout in his way; he said a last word to Snotlout and joined his cousin.

Snotlout joined me without a word and we walked towards Gobber. The other recruits joined us on the way, anyone said anything; all faces were pure determination. It felt kind of weird to see them serious when you knew them as, well, them. No one seems like themselves, even Asher. Maybe it's because we were more dirty than usual; I had only bathe once in the last weeks –without counting the times I fell on the pond.

"This morning the council decided which dragon you are going to fight." Gobber began, I'm not allowed to tell you, good luck and remember what you learn in Training." Well, that was short; we gave a nod, any word was spoken; Gobber opened the iron gate to let us in, as soon as we were he closed it and joined the few people above.

I got distracted looking up, searching for a person willing to pull a lever. Without noticing we were on the middle of the arena in a circle with our backs to the others looking at the gates, waiting.

It wasn't until then that I noticed the barricades; they were low, don't work to evade a Zippleback, the Terror maybe but one Terror for the final class? I don't think so. Nadders were tall, long-legged; it could easily walk over the wooden barricades without problem. Gronckle; I realized as agate opened behind me. Everyone turned, except Fishlegs who was facing it already.

Ignoring what the others did, I move out of the way. Why it had to be a Gronckle? That thing loved me and always searched for me on Training even when I told it already to don't! The Zippleback obeyed me and ignored me most of the time. The Nadder would have been a better option for the final class; it attacks me, not to kill but to put up scene.

The Gronckle tackled Snotlout and he went flying and landed on my side; he took advantage of the hit rolling over himself and to his feet, the crowd cheered him.

The dragon lost interest on the boy and spotted me; I raised my shield covering half my face and twirled the axe's handle on my hand. The Gronckle didn't recognize me and shot; I heard the anxious screams of the crowd as I didn't move. They knew - I knew- that I couldn't resist a shot from the Gronckle but I waited until the last moment to spin to my side and hide in a barricade. The dragon lost any track of me, for it I was gone, blasted to ashes. Now the barricades have sense, I mean, they are dragons they can fly over them.

A battle cry cached my attention, I peaked over the barrier and saw Ruffnut screaming to catch up the Gronckle's attention, she didn't had her spear with her just the shield that she raised and launched to the dragon. It hit its head and took it down startled. Ruffnut laughed as she ran and rolled behind a barricade, she stood up with her spear and another shield -there are back up shields?!- her brother who was running to the other side high-five her as they pass each others sides.

I turned my gaze trough the arena searching for the others but just could see a helmet's horn once a while; a blonde haired boy covered my view and I crawled back as his blue eyes turned to me.

The Vikings above were cheering someone else as Asher lowered my shield to the ground and looked me dead in the eye; someone screamed as I heard the Gronckle shot again but I was more focused on Asher.

"Stay out of my way!" He fixed his grip on the axe and got close to my face till his forehead was touching my helmet, "I'm winning this thing."

"Gods, please, by all means." He gave me a last look and darted off, closing fast to the dragon; the crowd above cheered on him as he hided on a barricade behind it.

"You got it Asher!" Someone screamed.

I stood and looked around the crowd until I found my dad; he was beaming with pride. He locked eyes with me and gave me a nod of encouragement. I readjust my helmet on my head and gave him a half-hearted smile.

Hearing a buzzing coming towards me I turned and saw the Gronckle flying with its tongue out ready to play.

"No, no, no!" I muttered and raised my shield to stop the dragon. It head-butted it softly and pushed me back. "No! We can't play now!" I hissed loud enough for just the dragon to hear me. I began to back up axe raised and with the shield between the Gronckle and me. "Go away!" It gave me a sad look and rubbed its head on the shield till it pushed it away to rub its head on me to pet him; it made my helmet to fall. I heard Asher battle cry to my right but he was way to far to get in time; not having other option I released my shield and weapon to give a fast scratch on the back on its head.

The Gronckle fell and every one went in silence. I turned to Asher and shrugged trying to show that I was as unhappy with the situation as he was; the crowd began to cheer.

"No!" He stomped and raised his axe to his head closing hard his eyes, "No, no, no!" He swung his axe around him in exasperation and began to curse out loud, "You half-troll! Rat eating! Munge bucket!"

The main gate opened and Gobber patted my shoulder as he took the Gronckle and pulled it back to its cave.

"Wait, wait." My father said calming the crowd and making a way for Gothi to step forward.

"So, latter." I said and walked towards the door.

"Not so fast." Gobber snagged me and put me on line with the others.

"I'm kinda late for-" I shut as Asher drew his axe to me and his angry, blue eyes locked in mines.

"What?" He asked putting the wedge of his axe on my throat and pushing me with it "Late for what exactly?"

"Okay, quiet down." The Chief held out his hands to silence the jabbering crowd. Asher lowered his axe and got in line at my side; I drew my hand to my neck feeling it a little sore. "The elder has decided." The Vikings above lightened up excitedly again. Wait, he didn't see that? Really?

A loud clack rang out when Gothi smacked her staff at the metal ring and made everyone to shut up.

Gobber began with the recruits at my left, I was the last one; Gothi shook her head in a 'no' almost instantly at everyone. Gobber pointed Asher, he stood tall and proud with a serene expression; the crowd waited in silent anticipation until Gothi shook her head. A collective 'Oooh' could be heard above. No. Then Gobber pointed at me. Please say no, please say no. Sometimes it happens, sometimes she changes her mind. Please! The elder looked me for a moment then with a weakly smile nodded. The crowd erupted in cheers.

The first thing I did was turn to face Asher; he gave me a seething, deadly glare that I knew it just was going to give me problems for the rest of my life… if I would stay. Well, may be there's a good thing on this situation; I would not need to face… that every day.

"You've done it! You've done it, Hiccup! You get to kill the dragon!" Gobber began to scream and hugged me with his hook-hand.

"Ha, ha! That's my girl!" My father scream but I didn't get my eyes away from Asher until Snotlout helped Fishlegs to get me onto his shoulder, Ruffnut and Tuffnut head-butted in celebration. It seemed everyone were happy of my winning except for Asher and me, of course.

I tried to hide my panic; I was supposed to be happy! So I began to laugh even when it sounded as it weren't real "Oh yeah! Yes! I can't wait. I am so, so exited for tomorrow."

I let out a sigh as Fishlegs put me down. Evading people I walked towards my axe and helmet; I put it on and Gobber hugged me again to lead me outside, as soon as I was out the ring hands and more hands drove me towards the village and to the Mead Hall, great more people. The way were more long that I ever remember being and I didn't stop smiling and laughing, it sounded more real now.

"I'm gonna… leave this on the house." I said before I stepped on the stairs to the Mead Hall, the crowd of Vikings was bigger now that we were on the village, "I'll catch up with you." My father was about to say something but Gobber stopped him and gestured me to go.

Even when it was just a few meters from the beginning of the stairs to my house I felt it like of it were more; it was a big relief when I was inside. But as soon as I felt better I felt heavier and I fell on my knees, "What have I done?" I whispered to myself. I needed to press my thumb to the axe's edge to know if this was real; it hurt and a drop of blood ran out. I stared at it for a moment then drove my finger to my mouth and stood up.

"Calm down." I said with my thumb between my lips and walked upstairs. Closing my door's room I let the axe on the desk and grabbed a basket and began to pack up my winter clothes and my blanket. Gods, I'm leaving; I am really leaving. A tear leaved my eye and I didn't try to stop it, instead I bit my lower lip as more tears made their way down to my chin.

In the morning I went for my tools to the smith and got ready Toothless' saddle replacements, they didn't fit on the satchel so I need to go for them now, they would fit in here. "What else do I need?" I whispered and headed to the kitchen, I grabbed some bread, dried fruit and salted fish and put them on a little bag, it wasn't much but enough to survive a week at least; then returned to my room to get it into the basket.

Taking off the vest I grabbed the harness and put it on adjusting the belt and straps as I eyed the desk with my axe. I sat down on the chair with a sigh and glared at the blank and scribbled papers; I took a charcoal pencil and an empty paper, I couldn't leave without an explication.

How do I begin? Hey! I befriended a dragon I don't want to kill them anymore and gotta go? How do you even explain this? I tough it for a moment then began to write, no, wait; do I begin with Dad or with Chief? Stoick would be too weird same as Chief, he would think these are bad news… these are bad news… let's go with Dad.

"Dad," I stopped; what was I doing? I looked again to the paper completely lost. Right, telling him how much I fucked up. I sighed not knowing what to write again; I quickly tapped the desk with the pencil as I thought then grabbed it right ready to write, nope, I lost it again, "AGH!" I covered my face with my hands and rubbed it for a long moment; I looked at the paper with my hands on my hair for another long moment.

With a sigh I grabbed the pencil, "Dad, the day of the last raid I went to the forest, I wanted to find the Night Fury I was so sure I took down, I did. I took it down and found it on the woods, wounded and trapped, I tried to kill him but I couldn't." I stopped myself and took a deep breath before following, "Instead, I let him free and he escaped. The next day I searched for him again, I found him trapped on a cove not far from Raven Point. I had ripped out one of his tail fins and he couldn't fly. I made him a prosthetic so he could fly again but he can't without my help. I have got to know him and now I know they are not what we think they are, he haven't attack me since I freed him, they aren't bloodthirsty beasts, they can be gentle and playful. I have made my decision; I'm leaving Berk with him. Tell the Village whatever you want I don't care anymore what they think. I know what doing this means and I know I can't return but I'll take the risk if it means he is safe. I cannot kill them, I do not want to. I am not a Viking, I will never be. Hiccup."

I sighed as I stared at the paper and read it again; my eyes felt dry for crying but I had stopped minutes ago. I felt emptiness on my chest but at the same time like if it were filled of pure iron. I couldn't move; I just could sit there and stare at the letter.

It was stupid. Full of frustration I took the paper and made a ball out of it and threw it to the wall in front of me, it glanced off and hit me on the face. "Ow!" the paper fell to my lap and to the floor as I rubbed my nose.

Picking up the ball of paper and unfolding it on the desk I released a sigh still thinking the note was stupid but I couldn't do better. I had no head for it. I always had been good with words but I had never came across with a situation like this, neither a goodbye in this way… forever.

Standing up I took my helmet by the horns and took it off, looking at my weird reflection on it, a sob leaved my lips and I tried to kept it inside making it worse. Putting the helmet down I cover my mouth with my hand and use the other as support in the desk. "Wear it proudly. You deserve it."

No. I didn't.

My shoulders shivered as more tears made their way down. I couldn't carry with my weight anymore and fell on my knees, my sides hurting for the heavy breathing. I hugged myself. She wouldn't be proud. She would think I am a shame, a mess, a nuisance that deserve to die. "I'm sorry, Mom." I said between hiccups.

After not long I sniffed and passed the back of my hand under my nose and dried my cheeks with my sleeve. "Okay, you need to calm yourself." I mumbled with a broken voice. "We need to go and now or someone is going to come for you." I inhale until I couldn't fit any more air in my lungs and let it all out slowly.

Rubbing my sleeves again in my face I stood up and took my things; letting the helmet with the axe and the note.

I walked downstairs and with a last look back I leaved the house.


The way to the cove was shorter than I remember, probably because I didn't put attention where I was going –it was a miracle that I didn't fell on the woods. My head was listing over and over again what I had brought and what I already had on the satchel.

The replacements, winter clothes, a warm blanket, food, old leather Gobber would not need, money (just in case); I had my knife, tools, notebooks, and the map already attached to Toothless' saddle and my fur vest over the harness… do I have everything?

I let out a sharp breath as I dropped the basket from a few rocks above the cove's ground to made my last jump inside easier. I picked it up again and put it over my right shoulder.

"We're leaving." I said out loud and searched for Toothless… weird, he always welcomes me with a friendly tackling. "We are leaving, bud," I repeated louder, "Let's pack up. Looks like you and me are taking a little vacation… forever." Toothless was nowhere in sight, "I'm not in the mod of playing." I set the basket down and opened it with a sigh and kneeled in front, "Oh, man…" I sighed and took off my vest; I needed to make sure I got everything and we needed to go now, before anybody notices-

Shink. I looked up at the sound and saw Asher sitting on the rock in front of me sharpening his axe.

"Aggh! What the-" I gasped in shock stepping back and almost tripping with a rock, vest still on hand; He passed the tiny rock in the edge of the axe again and quickly I recomposed myself, "What are you doing here?" How did he even- did he follow me? I threw a fast look to Toothless hide-spot.

Asher dropped the rock and raised his axe to examine it, "I want to know what's going on." He used the axe as support and hopped down twirling his axe threateningly making me to back off, tripping with my own foot, "No one just gets as good as you do. Especially you. Start talking!" He changed the axe of hand, "Are you training with someone?"

"Uh… Training?" I stammered, my eyes searching nervously for Toothless.

"It better doesn't involve this." Asher grabbed me by the harness and picked me up a little.

"I know this looks really bad, but you see… this is, uh… Ahh!" Asher pushed me to the ground at the sound of a twig snapping from Toothless hide-spot and set off to investigate passing over me; he shook his head to get his bangs off the way.

"You are right, you are right, you are right!" I stood up in panic and ran to catch up with him, "I'm through with the lies." I tried to put in front of him, "I've been making… outfits." That caught his attention.

"Outfits?" He asked and looked me up and down.

"Yes?" I said with an awkward smile.

"Like if you care what you wear." He said and pushed me aside. I stood in the same place looking him walk with my jaw a bit opened.

"What's wrong with it?" I said extending my arms to my sides in exasperation. He turned a bit and gave me a look that I had no idea what meant. "Okay, whatever, that's the true. You got me." I rushed to his side and tried to stop him "It's time everyone knew." I grabbed his hand and put it on my shoulder "Drag me back. Go ahead. Here we go," he tried to look behind me and I kept putting on his view as I talked; he gave me a last angry glare and twisted my hand backwards, driving me down, "Ow! Why would you do that?!"

I tried to get up but Asher kicked me down, "That's for the lies." Then he pounced the hilt of his axe on my stomach and it bounced back to his hand, "And that's for everything else." He hissed tilting over me a bit. I yelped at the hit and hugged my stomach; the yelp was answered with a growl from the other side of the cove.

"Oh, man." I said feeble and stood up. Asher gasped and I knew it was too late.

"Get down!" he yelled and took me down again. I fell on my back with Asher's protective arm over me. We looked at the Night Fury, he was snarling, sprinting to our position; Asher rolled to a side and stood up in a second, "Run! Run!" Toothless pounced toward him and Asher pulled his axe, both ready to take on the other.

"No!" I put between the two and took down Asher by his axe, Toothless fell just behind us, I snatched the axe from Asher's grip and threw off of reach, then raised my hands to stop Toothless from crushing him. "No! It's okay! It's okay." Toothless stood in his back legs and extended his wings for balance and still trying to pass by me to get to Asher without hurting me, "He's a friend." I said calmly.

Toothless snorted in disagreement but landed softly, still snarling to Asher; I turned to him, putting my hands on Toothless' head, trying to stop him. "You just scared him."

"I scared him!?" Asher almost yelled standing up without taking out his eyes from the dragon. Toothless growled and Asher backed up half a steep, "Who is "him"?" He said in an intense whisper finally looking at me.

"Uh…" I took off my hands on Toothless and point with them at him, "Asher, Toothless." Then looked at Toothless and pointed at Asher, "Toothless, Asher." Toothless answered with a snarl, showing all his teeth.

Asher kept staring at us examining Toothless' saddle and my harness. He shook his head slightly and meet my eyes, "You are so busted." He turned and ran, climbing the rocks to the cove's exit without turning back once.

"Ta-da-da! We're dead." I sang; Toothless didn't seemed surprised by Asher's reaction, he just stared at him with his eyes half closed as he leaved the cove, then he just turned and walked away.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where do you think you are going?" I picked up my vest and ran to his side trying to stop him pulling from the saddle; He snorted over his shoulder and kept walking towards his hide-spot. "Toothless! Toothless stop!" He did and sat on his haunches, giving me his back. "I didn't bring him here. He must have followed me." I said and walked in front of him but he turned his head. "Come on! We need to go for him." The dragon turned, his face said it all: "I don't like him."

"He's going to tell the village." I said, a tired tone in my voice. Don't understanding reasons the dragon kept stating away. "Buddy, please." He made his best to ignore me but he threw glances at me. I kept looking at him with a somewhat fake worried face until he rolled his eyes and lowered his neck to let me jump to the saddle. I forced the vest inside the satchel and hopped on, "Okay, lets go."

We took flight and soared over the trees. I looked down trying to find Asher, damn, he was fast. "Down, down! We are too close!" I yelled when I saw the woods limit and a few roofs. Toothless twisted his body to return and I changed pedals before we fell. "We need to land," I said patting his neck and searching for a place where the trees weren't too close.

As soon as we landed I jumped off and ran to the village direction with Toothless at my side. "Stay here. Don't let anyone see you." I whispered and ran out of the forest.

"Asher?" I yelled, where was he?

"Yer just jealous, lad." Someone laughed as I turned in a corned and saw Asher surrounded for a group of Vikings.

"I am not." Asher said furious, remarking every word, his hands clenched in trembling fists.

"He's probably making up stories." Someone half-laughed from the back of the crowd.

"It's true!" Asher yelled but every they did was laugh.

"She sends those dragons running every time she steps in the rink!" I gave a steep back, I need to go.

"Because she uses tricks to control them!" Asher turned exasperated and saw me backing away. "See?!" he pointed at me and everyone's eyes followed his finger, "I told you! She even has an harness to hold onto that thing."

Whispers started to full my ears and more and more people began to gather on the plaza.

Then I realize where I was. The same place as some weeks ago with everyone's eyes on me. The only difference was that-

"What's going on!" A voice bummed over everyone else's. I turned to my house trail –never mind, everything is the same. He was angry and I could spot a paper wrinkled on his hand. He had already read it.

"The boy says that Hiccup's been lying and have a dragon on the woods." Someone said concerned. My head hurt, I couldn't focus my eyes on anything or anyone; just on my father's face and Asher's whose wasn't full of anger anymore he was … worried?

"It's true, sir." Asher said when the Chief turned to him, his voice shaking a little. "A Night Fury, on the woods, just southwest of Raven point. She had been disappearing off into that direction for weeks. I followed her today. She had been keeping it a secret. She- she can control them; everything she did on the Rink were tricks." He took a breath and pointed to the woods. "I-It has a saddle so she can ride on!" I stood froze on the same place staring at Asher and how much information he got in just some minutes on the cove.

Asher swallowed as the Chief turned his gaze to me. He didn't seem so sure of his actions anymore. The determination that I saw on his face when he leaved the cove wasn't there. There was almost an 'I'm sorry' on his eyes. Almost.

"Hiccup, come to the house." I returned my gaze to my father's face; it was as stoic as ever. I stood put don't knowing what to do, what to say. He began to walk towards me and made it in tree long steps. I drew my hands up with my palms to him and gave a step back, "Uh, Dad-" I began to stammer, trying to find an explication but there were none.

"I said to the house." He hissed and yanked my arm dragging me to the house.

"No, Dad. Please, listen!" I said as I tried to get off of his strong grip, trying to open his fingers with my hand but the only I got was to him to hurt me more. "Ouch! Dad, please. You are hurting me!"

A well-known roar –at least for me- were heard from the forest line, "No." I mouthed. A second later Toothless jumped from a roof with his wings fully opened. A black figure in an orange background for everyone to see.

"NIGHT FURY!" Someone cried out and every one that didn't have a weapon already ran for one. My father even without weapon or shield pulled me behind him.

Toothless landed on the plaza but as soon as he touched ground he pounced and tackled my father freeing me from his grip but taking me down as well.

I hit my chin on the stone-floor and after a dizzy moment I stood on my knees breathless, using my hands as support. A hand on my shoulder pulled me back, I couldn't even stand up as more hands kept pushing me away from the battle.

Looking between bodies I saw someone holding a hammer to the Chief, Toothless in front of him snarling and ready to pounce. More Vikings surrounded and attacked Toothless.

"No! Stop!" I creamed but no one heard me. I stood up trying to make my way to my dragon but they pushed me down; I fell on my back seeing how Toothless tossed everyone aside like rag dolls, his eyes were focused on the Chief.

"No, you will only make it worse!" I stand up as my father raised his hammer and charged for Toothless. The dragon ducked and pounced on him. They tumble until Toothless was over my Dad, he tried to get him off but the dragon pinned him down and inhaled. "No, NO!" The familiar hiss of gas building filled my ears.

My hands clenched in shaking fists. My chest filled with a raging fire that was threatening me for burn me from the inside. I let all the fire out in a scream. "Toothless, STOP!"

He did.

Toothless swallowed back the blast and turned with a confused look. He jumped off my father and walking backwards he joined my side, snarling to anyone who dared to hurt me.

But anyone moved. Theirs eyes shifted between the Night Fury and me in shock. My breath calmed but my heart was still racing. I locked eyes with my father who was standing up. My vision began to blur as tears filled my eyes.

The scene began to get darker and darker as the sun disappeared on the horizon. Toothless' tail curled around me for protection, he had stopped snarling but he kept sharp eyes on them.

Tears leaved my eyes, slowly falling trough my cheeks. I shook my head slightly, "I'm sorry, Dad." My voice broke. I hopped over Toothless and we took flight before I even could secure my harness but he flew slowly.

No arrow, axe, hammer, spear, or bola were threw at us. I tightened my grip on the handle and blend myself until my forehead touched my fists. My shoulders shook as more tears escaped my eyes and almost inhuman sobs leaved my lips from deep inside.

We flew away from what had been my home. Never in my life I will return there. Toothless growled lowly and I drew my arms around his neck with another ugly sob.

We landed after a few minutes but I didn't released Toothless. He called me for my name and grabbed my arms with his gums after I didn't answer, he pulled me as softly as he could until I was kneeling in front of him; my arms helplessly hanging at my sides.

Toothless called me again and licked my sore chin. I looked up and saw my moonlight-illuminated reflection on his eyes. I was a mess. I looked away didn't wanting to see me.

Giving a steep closer Toothless passed his head over my shoulder and pushed me closer. My arms instantly hugged his neck. I needed to stop crying.

Focusing on his breath and in his drumming heart I tried to forget what had happened and tried to match my breath and heart with his.

I didn't know how much it took but I almost fell asleep with the regular thump, thump of his heart on my ear. I let go and stood up, hands rubbing the tears away from my cheeks.

"Thanks, buddy." My voice shook a little. I put my hand on his muzzle and Toothless purred at the touch. I smiled and jumped to the saddle. "We need to get out of here." I said looking around; we were in the same island of last night.

Returning my gaze to where I knew were Berk I gave a last sigh for the place. "Winter is coming. We need to travel south, to a warmer place." Finally getting my eyes away of what was my home I pointed south, "Crossing the fog-wall and away from the Archipelago." I rubbed Toothless neck, "We will rest when we are out."

Toothless nodded and opened his wings. I didn't look back this time.