Later - Somewhere Far From Dunbroch

Hiccup and Toothless landed on a deserted island with many trees to rest and plan their next move. The rest of the dragons landed and made themselves comfortable. The Rider grabbed a book from the satchel on the saddle and put it on the ground. Hiccup opened it and turned several pages. He unfolded the paper revealing a map of Dunbroch. The Edge was gone and Grimmel would undoubtedly try to ruin Hiccup's reputation with lies. In moments, Grimmel showed that he isn't like the Hunters Hiccup deals with. This one managed to track down Hiccup without a trail. Only rumors and a banner. The banner Hiccup thought to himself. He put the Strike Class Emblem because he never thought anyone from the Archepeligo will see it. Not thinking that it'll bring the Night Fury hunter to his front door. The world just got a whole lot dangerous for Hiccup. Now his best friend was endangered because Hiccup didn't expect a man like Grimmel.

"Well bud. Looks like we'll stay here for a bit. But we need to get back and warn Merida." Hiccup remarked and Toothless nudged the Rider's arm. "Yeah I know. I underestimated him. Now Grimmel is after us." Hiccup added petting his friend. "I left Berk to protect you, yet here we are. Hunted by a Night Fury Killer. With only one ally." he added and Toothless cooed. "We'll find Merida and figure out what is going on between Dunbroch and Grimmel. We need to make sure of what the old man is planning before making a rash plan."

Later - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Merida raced along the countryside and woods searching for where Hiccup could be. Her mind was racing with every terrible scenario. She knew Hiccup escaped, but Grimmel was hunting him down. Merida didn't know how successful of a hunter Grimmel is, but she knew how much damage he could cause. Dunbroch and the dragons were endangered as long as the Hunter remains in Dunbroch. When the Princess decided to reluctantly call it a day, Merida rode back to the castle with fear for Hiccup. As she rode closer to the castle, Merida caught a dark figure in the woods. She grabbed her bow from the saddle and aimed it at the figure. "Show yourself!"

"Okay relax." a familiar voice replied and Merida's eyes widen. She jumped off Angus and raced to the figure. When she saw Hiccup's face, she hugged him.

"I was so worried. Grimmel returned and said he found you. He told everyone everything, but corrupted the truth." Merida said with sobs and Hiccup hugged her closer.

"It's alright. Me and Toothless are safe. Grimmel may have destroyed the Edge, but he hasn't won." Hiccup reassured and Merida smiled.

"What are we going to do?" Merida asked and Hiccup brushed his hand against her hair.

"Find out how your dad is going to react to me being a Viking. Then meet me at Fire's Falls tomorrow morning. We'll make a plan then." Hiccup answered and the two locked eyes. Merida pulled him in for a sweet kiss.

Later - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Merida entered the castle to find soldiers preparing the castle's defenses for war. The Princess walked through the crowd to greet her father who was discussing the preparations. She listened in as they planned to fight Hiccup and his 'Dragon Army'. Grimmel's lies had cut deep into the Lords and her father. Merida knew her father loved fighting and was stubborn as a mule. She went up to her room sad to know that she and Hiccup need an amazing plan to convince her father. His duel with Hiccup made him a bit bitter, but he accepted it. But knowing Hiccup was a Viking, that bitterness turned into a grudge. When Merida closed the door to her room, the Princess slide down to the floor. Grimmel was a lier and a trickster. Making a fool of her father. There was a knock on the door and Merida bolted up. She opened the door to be greeted by her mother.

"Oh wee darling." Elinor remarked hugging her daughter. Merida hugged her mother feeling a sense of calm. "I can't imagine what you're going through. I know you like Hiccup."

"Grimmel is lying. I know it." Merida replied as the hug ended.

"He's a Viking. Hiccup's been lying to us this whole time." Elinor added and Merida brought her mother in and closed the door.

"I've known about his dragons." Merida said surprising her mother. "I was surprised at first, but he taught me that they aren't monsters. They're gentle creatures." Merida added as the two sat on the foot of the bed. "Yes he kept secrets but he had his reasons. His home village killed dragons and he befriend one. The story of the Night Fury he told us about. That was his story. When he met his best friend Toothless." she added and Merida could tell that her mother was processing the information. "The Battle against the Red Death was true. Hiccup lost his leg in that battle. The Night Fury Toothless saved him."

"Why did you keep it a secret?" Elinor asked confused at her daughter's deception.

"Hiccup taught me how to fly and the feeling of the flight was amazing. It was unlike anything before." Merida answered holding her mother's hand. "He was planning on revealing the dragons once everyone understood that they aren't blood thirsty monsters. I kept the secret because I cared for the dragons as he does." Merida added and silence filled the room.

"If what you're saying is true, then I want you to promise me that you'll stay safe during the dark times. I don't want to lose you." Elinor said and Merida hugged her mother.

"Don't worry, I'll stay safe. I have a few friends." Merida promised.

Next Morning - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Hiccup and Toothless waited at Fire's Fall heating up some fish for Merida. Hiccup had spent the last day remembering every move Grimmel played. The Hunter threatened to destroy everything Hiccup loves and he was worried for Merida. Toothless nudged Hiccup's arm and the Rider smiled as he pet the Night Fury's head. Hiccup promised himself that he'll win the fight against Grimmel. Then show the world the peace between humans and dragons. The fighting may stop for many, but there will always be men like Grimmel. Then the fight for the dragon's lives will begin. Toothless raised his head and Hiccup stood up. When Angus and Merida came into view, the Dragon Rider smiled.

"Good to see you're safe." Hiccup greeted as Merida jumped off the horse.

"Aye and I'm glad to see Grimmel hasn't found you." Merida replied before the two hugged. When the hug ended, the two sat down next to the fire. Hiccup handed Merida the fish and she started to eat.

"So what damage did Grimmel cause?" Hiccup asked.

"My dad is going to war against you and I told my mom the truth." Merida answered before taking another bite of the fish. Hiccup wasn't surprised King Fergus hated the Viking. But he was surprised at the fact Merida told her mother the truth.

"What were her feelings on the truth?" Hiccup asked concerned.

"Surprised, but I think she'll help. My mother is stubborn but she cares for our family the most." Merida answered and Hiccup smiled. He left his family and tribe to protect Toothless. Many days he wondered what would have happened if he stayed. In his mind, he thought of so much disaster. In his heart, Hiccup hoped for the best.

"Merida. All I have are dragons and you. I can't fight Grimmel by myself and I won't endanger the dragons or you. I'll never forgive myself if any harm comes to you." Hiccup replied and she flicked a pebble at him.

"Too bad. I'm going to help you fight Grimmel. So don't you try keeping me away. This is my fight too." Merida remarked and Hiccup shook his head. This was a losing argument.

"Well then, let's make a plan that brings Grimmel down and free his dragons." Hiccup replied and the two smiled.

One Day Later - Kingdom of Dunbroch

Hiccup flew on Toothless with Merida on Noor to his left side, both clad in Dragon Scale Armor. He was terrified. He didn't want Merida hurt and Grimmel wanted to destroy everything Hiccup loves. That includes Merida. If Merida was hurt, Hiccup would never forgive himself. He would use every advantage to stop Grimmel and never stop until Grimmel was gone for good. Toothless fired a plasma blast in the open air every five minutes making sure to get noticed. The plan was simple, lure Grimmel out into the open air, free the dragons, and capture the Hunter. Then reveal the truth about dragons with Merida by his side. After Toothless fired another blast, Hiccup noticed a sharp came closer.

"There he is." Hiccup reported and the group slowed down flying midair waiting for Grimmel.

"Ah I see you brought Hiccup. Another fool." Grimmel greeted from the side of his crossbow mounted on his airship.

"Surrender Grimmel. End this before anyone gets hurt." Hiccup ordered and Grimmel chuckled.

"No." Grimmel replied as two of his dragons glided down fast from above. Hiccup and Merida maneuvered their dragons out of the way of the acid. Toothless fired a blast at the airship shaking it but the trailing dragon kept Toothless from making a lethal shot that would destroy the airship.

"You said there can't be peace with dragons yet you have your own!" Hiccup yelled as Grimmel moved the large crossbow.

"My Deathgrippers are controlled with their own venom. They have no free will. They just follow me." Grimmel replied furthering Hiccup's resolve to end this. Toothless fired a blast toward the airship damaging the crossbow. Hiccup smiled knowing that Grimmel was closer to defeat. But the old man pulled out a crossbow from his back while whistling. The Deathgripper chasing Hiccup and Toothless increased the attack forcing them away from the airship. When Hiccup looked at Grimmel again, his heart nearly stopped, the Deathgrippers were flying back to the smiling Hunter. The Dragon Rider looked down to see Merida falling to the ground. Toothless went into a dive catching the Princess. The Night Fury roared getting Noor to follow them. They raced to Fire's Fall and landed. Hiccup raced to Merida's side to see an arrow in her back. Hiccup pulled out the arrow and grabbed water to clean the wound. The Dragon Rider grabbed bandages, string, and a needle to seal the wound. As he did it, Hiccup prayed that Merida would be spared. Once the wound was real, Hiccup made a ragged bed for her to lay on. He grabbed the arrow and examined it to find a green substance on the arrowhead. It was some kind of poison. What kind Hiccup didn't know. All he knew was how to treat wounds and broken bones. Poisons were out of his skill set. If Hiccup took her to the castle, both Hiccup and Toothless would die. But there were only so people who could help. Which left only one option left. An option Hiccup had hoped to never face.

Elsewhere

"What is it now Grimmel?" Fergus asked from the Main Hall while Elinor watched from above. She was still trying to wrap her head around what Merida had said. Seeing Grimmel again, made her stomach turn. She didn't trust this hunter and Merida was determined to be right. That Hiccup was innocent.

"I'm sorry my King, but I have grave news. One of your fellow Dunbroch side with the Dragon Rider." Grimmel answered and Elinor's heart sank fearing for Merida. "I was forced to fight them. I tried to convince her to see the truth and Hiccup killed her to get to me." Grimmel added and Elinor grabbed the stone pillars to hold herself up fearing the worst.

"Did you recognize the traitor?" Fergus asked.

"Sadly yes. It was Princess Merida of Dunbroch." Grimmel answered and gasps echoed the hall. Elinor put her hand over her mouth fearing that what Grimmel said was true.

Two Days Later - Berk

Chief Stoick the Vast walked through the village boosting morale. But he still wasn't the same since Hiccup ran off. Stoick searched for his son for days turned months. But he had to call off the search, hoping Hiccup would return. Berk changed greatly since Hiccup left. The Dragon Raids stopped, the teens were married off, and Stoick regretted everything. He promised his dead wife that he would look after Hiccup, but he failed. Paying attention to his son when Hiccup caused a mess. If the Chief could change things, he would have. He just wanted Hiccup home. When Stoick reached the Forge, Gobber was making a new axe.

"How it going Gobber?" Stoick asked and Gobber paused what he was doing.

"Fine." Gobber answered and Stoick sighed. Things have been tense between the old blacksmith and Chief. The Chief felt it was his fault for Hiccup leaving and Gobber agreed.

"I better go." Stoick remarked and yells could be heard.

"Dragons!" Snotlout yelled and the two men grabbed their weapons and charge to the village center. Looking in the sky, they saw two dragons flying to Berk. But they were something strange about them. When they came closer, the village saw a man riding on the black dragon. Stoick held tight to his axe ready for a fight. When the beasts landed on the island, the thin man grabbed a woman from the back of his beast.

"Help! She's been poison!" the man pleaded but no one dared go near his dragons.

"Gobber get Gothi." Stoick ordered as the man walked to the villagers with the dragons following behind. "Who are you boy?" Stoick asked but the man just brushed past him. Stoick backed up as the black dragon followed his master. "Who are you boy?" Stoick repeated agitated as he followed the man from a distance.

"Not the time Chief Stoick. I just need your healer." the boy answered and Stoick wondered how he knew the Chief's name. Stoick never told him and it was clear he wasn't from here. No Viking would ever fly on dragons. When the small group arrived, the boy put the woman in Gothi's hut. The healer began to examine the wounded girl. The boy handed Gothi an arrow. "I took this out of her back. Can you identify the poison?" the boy asked and Gothi examined it before going to her self of herbs, ointments, and other healing objects. Stoick noticed the metallic scale dragon putting its head through the window. What surprised Stoick the most was the noise it was making. it sounds like a coo. Stoick touched the boy's shoulder and he bolted up.

"We need to talk." Stoick said sternly wondering why someone like this could and would fly on a dragon.