Merida just stood staring at the black creature looking back at her. He was actually kinda cute, for a dragon.

"Uh, Merida, this is Toothless, Toothless, well, this is Merida. There, you've met, can we go now?"

"I can see him, I can't believe it, I can see him!"

"Uh, yeah, he turned visible so you could see him"

"Can I pet him?"

Hiccup glanced at Toothless, who merely walked towards Merida, "Yeah, I guess so." Merida grinned as she petted the cool scales of the black dragon.

She glanced at Hiccup, "I'm sorry, for not believing you sooner."

"Yeah, well, it's nothing new."

"Well, then, it's time for something new." Hiccup glanced at her questioningly. "You said you had a plan?" Hiccup glanced at Toothless, and grinned.

"You bet, but I'll need the help of your brothers."

Merida giggled, "Oh, you can be sure they'll be happy to help." A couple of hours later, the six met up at the end of the Scottish hall.

"Alright, we're done!" grinned Hamish, as the triplets gave Hiccup the thumbs up.

"I'm all set on my end," stated Merida.

"So are we, I guess we're good to go."

"Are you absolutely sure about this, Hiccup?"

Hiccup nodded, "This is the only way. Thank you for everything." Merida quickly kissed him on the cheek, causing his cheeks to burn.

"You be careful, alright?"

"Uh, uh, yeah, sure, for you, I mean, uh . . ." Toothless and the triplets began snickering. "Oh, shut up! Let's get this over with." Toothless turned invisible, and followed Hiccup down to the main hall. There, Merida's parents were speaking to Hiccup's nightmare incarnate, Alvin. Drago was also there, still seeking Toothless for his own gain, along with several other Scots. He was the one who noticed Hiccup entering, and approached him.

"Where's the dragon?"

"What, uh, Toothless? Um, not here . . ."

"There's the stupid brat! Get over here!" Hiccup wanted to curl up in a corner somewhere, but forced himself to stand up straight, he had to face Alvin sooner or later, best do it when Toothless was nearby.

"No!"

"What? You dare talk to me that way!"

"I won't be your slave!" There were gasps as Elinor glanced between Alvin and Hiccup with horror.

"You made him your slave?"

"What? You're going to believe this little brat over me?"

"We didn't believe him about the dragon, either," Elinor pointed out. That made Alvin pause before snarling at Hiccup.

"And I want the dragon," stated Drago.

"You can't have him! He's free to come and go as he pleases!" blurted Hiccup.

Drago pushed him, "Be quiet, boy, the adults are talking."

Elinor handed a bag of gold coins to Alvin, "Here, this should be enough for the boy. Now leave, and if I ever see you here or hear of you prowling around here again, you will be thrown in the dungeons, am I clear?"

Alvin growled, "Perfectly." He took the gold with a greedy glint and left.

Fergus turned on Drago, "As for the dragon, you'll have to talk to the boy about that."

"I already gave my answer," stated Hiccup.

Drago growled as he turned on him, "I will get that dragon!" Toothless let out a growl as he became visible, he was getting tired of Drago. Everyone gasped as the dragon stepped between the two. "So, now he shows up. Come here!"

"No! He's just trying to protect me!"

Drago laughed, "What? Protect you? The only things a dragon would protect is its hoard of gold."

"Toothless doesn't have a hoard of gold," Hiccup muttered, realization starting to dawn in his mind.

"All dragons hoard gold."

"But not Toothless, and I should know, he's my friend." Toothless gave a quick nod.

"Are you sure, or is just because you claim the gold?"

"I can't claim what isn't there," snapped Hiccup, knowing now for sure what Drago was really after.

"You're lying."

"Hiccup hasn't lied to us thus far, why should he start now?" asked Elinor.

"Where is it?" growled Drago as he grabbed Hiccup by the shoulders. Hiccup shook him off.

"Toothless, now!" The two took off for the stairs, Drago gave a yell and followed.

"Hiccup, wait! What are you doing?" shouted Elinor as she and Fergus led the Scots after them. Hiccup didn't reply, his attention too focused on leading Drago through the halls and to the roof.

"Please be ready to move," he muttered under his breath. He didn't want Merida and the triplets to get caught in the path of the barrelling madman who was slowly starting to gain on him and Toothless. "Come on, bud, almost there!" shouted Hiccup as they turned a corner and raced up the final staircase, Drago gaining fast. They burst through the trapdoor on the roof, and circled around.

"Now!" came Merida's voice, and Drago quickly found himself entangled in a net. The Scots quickly surrounded Drago as Merida and the triplets rushed to Hiccup's side. "Are you alright?" Merida asked.

Hiccup nodded, "Yeah, nice timing."

"Take him out of my castle!" barked Fergus. The Scots dragged Drago off, practically kicking and screaming.

"I will get your dragon, I will come back and get your dragon!"

Elinor approached them, her hands on her hips, "And why couldn't you inform us of your little plan?"

Hiccup winced, "Um, because, I wasn't sure you'd believe me. I'm sorry, I should have . . ." Hiccup paused as Elinor pulled him in for a hug.

"Oh Hiccup, that was our fault, we should have believed you from the start, we're sorry."

"Would you consider a proposition that Elinor and I have?" asked Fergus.

Hiccup blinked, "What?"

"Would you stay with us, and consider us your family?"

"Aw, but mom!" began Hamish.

"He and Merida will be flirting a lot!" blurted Hubert.

All three stuck out their tongues and said, "Bleh!"

"Wh-what?" blurted Hiccup as he and Merida began to turn a nice red. Toothless began snortling. "Shut up!" hissed Hiccup as he swatted at the dragon.

"Oh really, huh?" asked Elinor as she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. Fergus just kinda stared in shock.

"You like Merida, and she likes you back? Um, Elinor, maybe we should reconsider . . ."

"I'd like to stay," muttered Hiccup.

"Really?" asked Merida, her eyes sparkling. Elinor and Fergus glanced at each other before Fergus sighed.

"Alright, he can stay."

"Yes!" The children shouted and jumped in the air before Merida gave Hiccup a hug. Toothless made a sound, and Hiccup glanced at him questioningly.

"H-hey bud, what is it? You're happy for me, but, why did you sound sad?" Toothless made a few more noises as Hiccup's eyes widened. "You - you're leaving? Why?" Toothless answered in grunts and whines. "I don't need you anymore? What are you talking about? I do still need you! You're my best friend!" Toothless let out a soft purr as he nuzzled Hiccup.

"Hiccup, you said so yourself, he's free to come and go as he pleases," Elinor stated softly.

Hiccup wiped his eyes on his sleeve, "I know, but . . ." Toothless nudged him. "You'll come back and visit?" Toothless nodded. "O-OK, but make it soon, OK, buddy?" Hiccup hugged Toothless again, the tears falling freely. "Thank you, for everything. You'll always be my best friend." Toothless backed out of the embrace, gave Hiccup one final loving look, and took off for the skies. He turned gave a roar as the family waved goodbye.

"You'd better come back soon Toothless, or we'll come and find you!" shouted Merida. Hiccup laughed, that was the truth, to be sure. Toothless snortled as well before giving another goodbye roar and disappeared into the clouds.