For the third time Dagur tripped over his unfamiliar snowshoes and fell into the snow. Ahead of him, Jon just scoffed. He understood the older man's anger. He would have felt the same way in his shoes. However it was getting ridiculous.
It was just past noon and all they had were a couple of rabbits. Jon made it his mission to interrupt each of Dagur's shots. First he tried to send him on a wild goose chase but Dagur knew how to track so it didn't end as he wanted. So he settled for spooking any targets Dagur had his sights on or bumping into him so he missed or fell in the snow. Which he had done a few times.
"I get it, I get it," Dagur said as he got up yet again. "You don't like me. I don't blame you. Is all this worth it though?"
"I'm not allowed to kill you so yes," Jon snapped. "And you don't get it. If you did you wouldn't be frolicking around my daughter like she's a bitch in heat."
"We haven't done anything," he ground out. "I haven't touched her." I won't until she's ready, he thought to himself.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I expect you to have some faith in Iris. You are one of the people who raised her."
"Then why were you coming out of her room?"
With a groan Dagur pinched the space between his eyebrows. Why couldn't he have just asked at the house? Why did he have to drag him all over the forest? He was hungry and tired and wet and wanted to go back already.
"Because I've been having nightmares," he explained slowly. "Bad ones. When I'm near Iris I don't have them and I can sleep." Jon scoffed. "Of course I don't expect you to believe me. Ask Iris. She'll tell you how she almost punched my lights out the first night."
"Shit."
"She does have good reflexes."
"No. Behind you."
Something snorted behind him. Jon's face was pale, the blood drained from his face, and his eyes were full of shock with some fear. Slowly Dagur turned around. What he saw made him want to whoop but kept him frozen in place.
Crouched amongst the trees was a Night Fury, he thought it was at least. It's body shape was similar to Toothless' low and slender profile however what looked like hair surrounded the neck, starting behind its ears, like a lion's mane. The hair ran in a thick strip down it's back to mid length of it's tail. It's wings were tucked against its side with the tips almost reaching the tip of its twin finned tail. Where Toothless was pitch black, this one was white with grey spots covering its body with the hair being a blend of white and grey. What made him freeze though were its eyes. Its had bright red eyes that stared straight at him.
It hissed at their stares, exposing a set of sharp and long teeth and a pair of fangs that almost hung past its jaw. When it closed its mouth the fangs seemed to retract. It growled, sniffing at them cautiously.
"No sudden movements," Dagur said quietly.
"Wasn't planning on it," Jon said just as quietly.
The strange Night Fury growled again before raising from its crouch. Its legs were definitely longer than Toothless'. Slowly it walked towards them, still sniffing. It angled its body to circle them. Dagur slowly turned to continue facing it.
"What does it want?" Jon asked.
"I don't know," Dagur answered. Now would be a nice time to have some Hiccup back up. "Hey there. We aren't going to hurt ya." The dragon growled at him.
He stretched out his right hand, causing the dragon to pause at the movements. It eyed him before resuming its circling movement. Already it began to circle a second time. He kept his hand outstretched while he reached to his waist with the other one where he kept his rabbits. Slowly he unhooked one and held it out towards the dragon.
At the sight of the rabbit the dragon stopped. It sniffed, licking at its lips, before growling again. The poor thing was hungry. He tossed the rabbit towards the dragon, causing it to jump back with a snarl. It didn't stay back for long though. It was back in a second, sniffing the rabbit eagerly. It held the rabbit in its paws and grabbed the head. With a swift jerk it removed the head and swallowed it.
"Glad I don't eat that way," Jon muttered. "Let's go while its busy eating."
"No way," Dagur said. "This might be my chance to tame it."
Before he could even take a step the dragon grabbed the rest of the rabbit and bounded off into the forest. Its white body helped it hide in the snow in a matter of seconds. Dagur stared after it in awe. He just saw a new type of Night Fury.
"Don't even think about it," Jon said. "You go after it and get killed, I'll get the blame. Let's head back. I want to make sure everything is okay at the homestead." He stared at Dagur, who stared back. "I don't know what the hell Iris sees in you but you're quick on your feet and quick to take action. Just know I don't fully approve of you."
"Does that mean you aren't going to push me in the snow to ruin my chances at hitting a rabbit?" Dagur asked drily. Jon grinned slightly. "Just because I use a bow doesn't mean I can't out shoot your gun."
"Keep talking and I'll make you eat those words. Let's get out of here. Someone is probably pacing through the floor waiting for you."
