Three Days Later - Outside of the Kingdom of Dunbroch

Merida closed her eyes as she raced through the wind on Noor. The Princess was the blind Razorwhip's eyes and the dragon was Merida's wings. They had an unbreakable bond. Every day, Merida races to the Edge just to fly and see Hiccup. But he was gone. He left yesterday to rescue dragons from the North. Merida volunteered to keep an eye on the dragons. Today she got them to the ocean for breakfast and lunch, now Merida was flying on an abandoned island where she set up targets. Merida touched the scales and slide her index finger down. Noor opened her wings to catch the wind slowing them down but letting her tail swing at a painted tree sending three barbs into the bark. They speed back to their path and dove down a cliff gaining more speed. Merida touched the scales and slider her index finger to the left. Noor fired several barbs into a painted target on a rock. No bullseye, but it was good. Merida and Noor practiced more maneuvers as they flew, enjoying every moment.

Elsewhere

Hiccup and Toothless landed on a cliff overseeing a Dragon Hunter camp. He grabbed a spyglass and looked at the captured dragons. He counted eight Monstrous Nightmares, nine Hideous Zipplebacks, three Gronckles, six Deadly Nadders, one Razorwhip, two Armorwings, one Death Song, and four Typhoomerangs. Toothless snarled and Hiccup pat the Night Fury's neck. "Yeah, I know bud. The biggest problem is the Dragon Root archers." Hiccup remarked as he planned out the attack. His best option was to wait for darkness, but he doesn't know when these dragons were to be loaded on a ship or killed. Then an idea came into his mind. "Remember the Typhoomerang incident?" Hiccup asked with a smirk and Toothless moaned. "Oh come on. We got out of there with eight dragons." Hiccup replied as the two walked through the woods heading to a better advantage point. After many minutes of silence, the two faced the drop. They jumped off the cliff and glided down, making sure not to make the Night Fury's iconic whistle. A difficult maneuver, but not impossible. When they landed, Hiccup jumped off the saddle and grabbed Inferno. He didn't ignite it, but for caution. The two raced past the empty cages before reaching the Razorwhip. It growled and Hiccup ignited the blade. The Razorwhip watched as the Rider waved it around. "I'm a friend." Hiccup promised as he looked at the lock. Simple slide latch. Hiccup pulled it in and opened the cage. "Follow me." Hiccup asked the dragon as it left the cage. The Rider began freeing the rest. They all followed him and Toothless. When the last dragon was freed, Hiccup got on Toothless and everyone launched into the air. Toothless fired the first shot and the dragons followed suit before they all escaped, fleeing South to the Edge. "Well bud, looks like we got more guests." Hiccup remarked and Toothless cooed.

Later - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Merida was having supper with her family when yells of fear echoed in the halls from outside of the castle. The family bolted to their feet as guards came down the stairs. Merida ready the bow Hiccup gifted her while her father unsheathed his sword. Her mother took the young boys to safety. Merida took deep breaths as silence filled the air. When the doors opened an old man in leather walked through. Then gasps filled the silence as six dark winged beasts followed the man. The guards shook with fear and Merida knew these were dragons. Fear for Hiccup, Toothless, Noor, and the rest of the dragons filled her stomach. One guard charged only for one of the beasts to tackle him down. The man screamed as the dragon stood on top of him. The old man walked past as the guards backed away.

"I am sorry for the intrusion my king." the old man apologized before snapping his fingers. The dragon let the guard go and he ran to safety. "This isn't what I intended. My pets can be protective."

"Who are you?" Fergus asked sharply not showing weakness.

"I am Grimmel. A legendary hunter who been hired to kill a dragon." Grimmel answered as he stopped at the table. "I won't be in Dunbroch long. Just a few days at most."

"A Dragon?" Fergus asked and Merida's heart pumped harder out of fear for Hiccup. "They're just myths."

"Do my pets look like myths?" Grimmel asked and no one could deny the answer. "Dragons come in many shapes and sizes. But they all die the same. I'm just here to avoid an armed army hunting me down." the man added and Fergus was dumbstruck.

"Just keep those beasts from my people and I won't hunt you down." Fergus eventually answered and Grimmel smirked.

"Thank you, your majesty." Grimmel replied before turning. As he walked, the dragons followed until he stopped. Grimmel grabbed one of the guard's swords and examined it. The old man turned back. "Light. I assume this is weak." Grimmel asked sliding his finger along the blade.

"No. Quite the opposite." Fergus answered and Grimmel handed the sword back.

"In that case, it is excellent craftsmanship. Perhaps I will get some new swords while I'm here." Grimmel replied before leaving. Merida lowed her bow shaking. This Grimmel is hunting dragons and Hiccup was protecting the dragons. When Grimmel disappeared on his strange craft, Merida walked to the stables. She jumped on Angus and raced to the Edge, keeping an eye on the sky and the woods. She didn't want to risk leading Grimmel to the Edge. When Merida reached Hiccup's home, she jumped off Angus and lead him to the barn. Once he was safe in the barn, she ran into the house and waited for Hiccup to return. Not daring to sleep.

Elsewhere

Elinor stared outside thinking of the mysterious man Grimmel. She didn't see the man, but Fergus was shaken from the meeting. But no one was harmed. Merida ran off and Elinor suspected her daughter raced to Hiccup to warn him of Grimmel. From what the Queen was told, the Hunter was interested in Hiccup's skills. Elinor just hoped Merida would be safe. In a matter of an hour, her world was turned around. Dragons existing. A man controlling the beasts with ease. No one knew what to make of it. Elinor remembered the incident with magic some years ago and wondered if that is how Grimmel control his monsters. With magic.

Two Days - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Hiccup and Toothless landed inside the cave with the rescued dragons. They lead the group into the Hideout where he noticed the dragons were saddened. He raised his eyebrows wondering why they would be sad. Noor was waiting by the Hideout's entrance. Merida would normally be flying at this time of day and that made him nervous. Once the dragons were safe in their new home, the two raced to the hatch. Hiccup climbed up and opened a creak to see the room empty. He opened the hatch all the way and climbed out. Hiccup grabbed Inferno and prepared for a fight. As he walked in his house, he heard noises from the kitchen. The Rider ignited the blade as he crept closer to his kitchen. As he looked around the corner, he took a breath of relief. He put Inferno back on his leg before walking into the kitchen.

"Hey Merida." Hiccup greeted as Merida finished her apple. She turned to the Rider and rushed towards him. He nearly fell over when she hugged him.

"Hiccup I was worried for you." she greeted and Hiccup hugged her.

"It's okay. I always make it back from my trips to the North." Hiccup reassured her and Merida ended the hug and looked up at him.

"It's not that. A man by the name of Grimmel arrived at the castle with six dragons. He's hunting a dragon in Dunbroch." Merida reported and Hiccup grew concerned. Now he understood why the dragons were sad. A Dragon Hunter was in Dunbroch. But how a Hunter found out that dragons were here is a mystery. "What are we going to do?"

"We'll wait him out. Let him assume that the dragon he is hunting left. When he leaves, then we can the dragons out again." Hiccup answered then he remembered the six dragons Merida mentioned. "What kind of dragons does he have?"

"I don't know. They're not in any of your books." Merida answered and Hiccup's concern grew. Merida gave a detailed image of the dragons and Hiccup drew the picture. Whatever they were, they would be a problem. Strike Class definitely. Venom would be high. Possible armor. Whoever this Grimmel is, Hiccup can't underestimate him.

Later - Kingdom of Dunbroch

"Merida." Elinor greeted her daughter with a hug. For two days her oldest child waited for Hiccup to return from a trip for materials. Merida stayed at Hiccup's home waiting for his return to warn him of Grimmel. Now Elinor was able to hug her daughter once more. So much relief fell over the Queen. "I assume Hiccup is safe."

"Yeah. I warned him about Grimmel. He's going to make some new inventions to defend himself from Grimmel and his dragons just in case." Merida answered and Elinor smirked.

"Smart lad. Let's just hope it won't come to that." Elinor remarked as the mother and daughter entered the safety of the castle.

Later - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Hiccup closed up the Forge after many hours of hard work past dark. He could only work in the Forge with Grimmel staying in Dunbroch. He couldn't risk Toothless or the dragons. Once the Forge was locked, Hiccup walked inside his house. There was no light, but it didn't bother the Rider. "So the great Dragon Rider returns." a man said and Hiccup ignited Inferno lighting the room revealing an old man sitting in a chair with two dragons to his side. "I must say you were more difficult to track than I expected."

"Grimmel I assume." Hiccup replied as one of the dragons snarled.

"Yes and I'm here for your Night Fury." Grimmel said calmly.

"What Night Fury?" Hiccup asked knowing the answer.

"You already know the answer. Your Forge emblem has Night Fury on it. Careless." Grimmel replied as the dragon to his left crawled closer to Hiccup. Grimmel snapped his fingers and the dragon backed off. "Tell me where the Night Fury is."

"I won't let you take Toothless." Hiccup said and the Dragon Hunter raised an eyebrow.

"You named the beast. I don't even name my pets." Grimmel remarked as he pet the dragon.

"He's not a pet. He's a friend." Hiccup replied and Grimmel chuckled.

"A friend? With a beast? What a ridiculous notion." Grimmel asked coldly.

"It's not ridiculous. I learned that there can be peace between humans and dragon." Hiccup answered and Grimmel shook his head.

"Peace with dragons is a foolish notion. We are the superior species. We can build complicated tools while all they can do is destroy what we build. All we can do is kill the dragons so we can have peace." Grimmel said and Hiccup felt chills down his back.

"I once thought the same thing. Then I shot down Toothless. When I looked into his eyes, I saw a scared creature. Not a monster." Hiccup replied and Grimmel laughed.

"When I was a boy, I found a Night Fury sleeping and I killed it where it slept." Grimmel said as he stood up. Hiccup's eyes widen in shock at what he heard. "I was a hero to my village. So I decided to kill every last Night Fury, bringing real peace. All except yours." Grimmel added and Hiccup's heart sunk. Toothless was the last Night Fury, because of this man.

"You won't get anywhere near Toothless. I fought many Hunters who tried to kill me and my friend. Each one failed. The only difference is that I want to bring your down hard." Hiccup promised and Grimmel chuckled.

"A fighting spirit. I love it. But you are mistaken. You've never seen anything like me." Grimmel said before snapping his fingers. The two dragons fired an inferno in Hiccup's home and within moments, everything he built and learned was burning. "I will destroy everything you love." Grimmel promised and Hiccup moved the burning rug that hid the hatch. He opened it and jumped down before Grimmel's dragons fired where he once stood. Toothless was started by Hiccup.

"Blast the ladder bud and call everyone out." Hiccup said as he jumped on the Night Fury. Toothless fired a blast up and made a loud roar. Moments later the flock of dragons fled the Hideout. Hiccup and Toothless lead the dragons out to find a new safe place to hide. As they flew above the sea, Hiccup looked back to see the Edge burning to the ground. Grimmel won the first round and now Hiccup needs to figure out his next move.

Next Morning - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Merida woke up that morning thinking of Hiccup and the dragons. She discovered that while she was waiting for Hiccup, the Lords and their eldest sons were coming for games. As Merida walked through the halls admiring her Gronckle Iron bow, a loud explosion could be heard and she smiled knowing the boys were up to no good. When she reached the Main Hall, the Lords were already talking of their glory day in war. The Lord's sons were talking amongst themselves near the servent hallway and Merida joined in.

"Hello gentlemen." Merida greeted and the three men laughed.

"Good to see you again Merida." Young MacGuffin greeted while Wee Dingwell just daydreamed.

"I heard a strange man with dragons arrived the other day. Is it true?" Young Macintosh asked.

"Aye. I'm afraid it's true." Merida answered and Macintosh chuckled.

"Well when I see him again, I'll kick his arse to the dirt." the Young man remarked as a figure appeared out of the servant hallway. Merida recognized him immediately.

"I would like to see you try." Grimmel replied as he brushed past the young ones. Young Macintosh was about to grab the old man, but one of the man's dragons sent the man to the floor gaining the fearful attention of the Lords.

"Let my son go whoever you are!" Lord Macintosh ordered and Grimmel just ignored the Lord.

"King Fergus. A pleasure to see you again. I used a different entrance hoping to avoid another incident, but it appears this boy was too ignorant." Grimmel remarked.

"What do you want Grimmel. I thought you were hunting a myth." Fergus replied and Grimmel chuckled.

"Aye and I hid some truths from you." Grimmel added before snapping his fingers. The dragon let Young Macintosh go and he bolted to his feet while the dragon walked to his master's side. "I was hired by a foreign King to track a Dragon Rider." Grimmel added and the hall erupted in whispers. Merida's felt chills down her spine hearing what Grimmel said.

"And you think someone in Dunbroch would ride a dragon. Last I check, there were none here except yours." Fergus remarked as Grimmel grabbed an apple from a tray.

"That is incorrect my king for I discovered that the Dragon Rider has been hiding in plain sight. Not only that, but he lied to your face." Grimmel replied whispers filled the hall. The Hunter grabbed a cloth from his pocket. I recognize the creature on his Crest. A Night Fury." Grimmel added as he unfurled the banner showing everyone Hiccup's Crest. "Not only that but the symbol in the center is the Emblem for the Strike Class Dragon species. Used by the Vikings of the Barbaric Archipelago."

"You're telling me that Wee Hiccup is a Dragon Rider and a Viking." Fergus asked and Merida's heart sank. Everyone knows now.

"Aye. But when I attacked his home, he fleed revealing the dragons he had hidden in the caves below his home. Hundreds of monsters ready for the conquest of Dunbroch." Grimmel lied, but Merida was concerned with how the Hunter of the caves. The Lords were silent learning much of the deceit to fill these halls. "But I will hunt Hiccup down and kill both him and his beasts." Grimmel promised as he walked to the doors. Merida disappeared from the crowd as they gathered around the Lords to discuss what happened. The Princess raced to the stables, jumped on Angus, and rushed to the Edge. Fear ever growing. She was worried for Hiccup, Toothless, Noor, and the dragons. Grimmel just made them all look evil and Merida was the only one with the truth. When she reached the Edge, she saw villagers from the nearby town dumping buckets of water onto the burning house. Grimmel just destroyed all of the knowledge, Hiccup gathered in his many years of peace. She looked at the night sky worrying for his safety.