Chapter 40: Catching Up

Eira and Ingrid stopped by Berk at the end of their week long trip. Eira introduced her sister to Chief Stoick, caught up with Asmund, and sent a Terror Mail to Dagur asking him and Heather to meet her at the Edge. She allowed the chief to feed them, and then the sisters set off for Dragon's Edge.

Eira found the island in disrepair. If she had to guess, she would say the volcano erupted and the riders stopped the lava flow. She hoped everyone was alright. She did not see her friends outside, so she and her sisters left their dragons and entered the clubhouse. Sure enough, the riders were huddled inside, conversing.

"Hello, everyone," Eira said.

The Vikings turned to the door in surprise. "Eira!" they exclaimed at once. They rushed at her, and she laughed when they engulfed her in a group hug.

"We were wondering when you would get back," Hiccup said. He looked past her at the younger girl. "Who is this?"

"This is my sister, Ingrid," Eira replied. "She will be staying with us for awhile."

"How long is awhile?" Snotlout asked.

"Until I find Eira a husband," Ingrid said cheerfully, seeming oblivious to the gaping looks she received.

"What?!"

Eira chuckled nervously. "We can talk about that later when Dagur and Heather get there. For now, telling me what happened while I was gone. It looks like you went through a lot."

Hiccup nodded slowly. "The volcano erupted, but we managed to seal the cracks combining Gronckle iron and Death Song amber. We were going to leave the Edge because the dragon hunters are defeated, but..."

"It turns out they're not as defeated as we thought," Tuffnut said.

Eira gasped. "What do you mean?"

"Remember Garf, the baby Death Song?" Astrid said. "Well, he's all grown now, and we found him nearly beaten to death by dragon hunters. The other Death Song wasn't so lucky..."

"It seems the hunters have a new leader," Hiccup said, "and he's even more ruthless and cruel than Viggo. We need to stop him."

"That sounds serious," Eira said. She turned to her sister. "Maybe this isn't the best time for you to visit."

Ingrid shook her head. "I want to help. Besides, I'm exactly the age you were when you left home."

"True, but it was months before I battled dragon hunters." Eira paused as she thought about it. "You can stay, but you won't engage in missions with us."

Ingrid frowned. "Come on!"

"Listen to your sister," Hiccup said. "It's not safe."

"Fine." Ingrid eyed the Vikings one by one. "Who are you all again?"

Eira quickly went around introducing everyone. She had just finished when she heard a loud voice from the door say her name. She turned to see Dagur and Heather enter the room.

"Hi, Dagur," Eira said with a smile.

Dagur closed the distance between them and enveloped her in a bone-crushing hug. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." When he eased up, she hugged him back. She pulled away and looked past him at this sister. "You too, Heather."

Heather smiled at her. "Hello, Eira." She turned to Ingrid curiously. "Who is this?"

"I'm Ingrid, Eira's younger sister," Ingrid said. "I'm here to help her with her romance problems."

Eira frowned. "I don't have romance problems."

Heather lifted her eyebrows. "You kind of do."

"She came all the way here just for that?" Astrid said.

"Our parents sent me," Ingrid said. "And, well..." She looked to her sister hesitantly.

Eira held in a sigh. "Listen, there's something I need to tell all of you. There is a reason by family has an interest in my love life."

"They're over protective?" Ruffnut guessed.

"No, that can't be it. They let her move in with us," Astrid said.

"Guys, Eira is trying to tell us something," Hiccup said. He caught the girl's eye and nodded. "Go ahead."

Eira took a deep breath and looked around at everyone. It was now or never. "There is something I have been hiding from you. The truth is... my dad and mom are the king and queen of Torvald." She received blank stares.

"Hold on," said Tuff, "That would make you-"

"-a princess," said Ruff, eyes wide. A second later, the twins were at Eira's feet, rapidly bowing.

"You're a princess!" Snotlout exclaim. "Why didn't you tell us?!"

"Maybe to avoid that reaction," Astrid said, jerking her thumb at the twins.

"Guys, stop that," Hiccup said. He managed to guide Ruff and Tuff away from Eira.

"Astrid isn't far off," Eira said. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to treat me differently."

"Why would we treat you differently?" Dagur said.

Eira looked at him incredulously. "Huh?"

"Why would we treat you differently just because you're a princess? Yes, it's cool and amazing, but it's just another part of you. You're still you, right?"

Of all the possible reactions, Eira had not expected this one, and she was not quite sure what to say. "Well, yes."

"Don't be a muttonhead," Snotlout said. "Of course she deserves to be treated different. She's special!"

Dagur frowned. "I always thought she was special."

"Now she's special-er."

"Snotlout, Eira didn't tell us because she wanted us to get to know her as herself," Hiccup explained. "She didn't want you - er, us - to like her just because she's a princess."

"How do you know that?" Astrid said, eyeing him suspiciously.

Hiccup shifted nervously. "Well, uh, she told me awhile ago."

Snotlout narrowed his eyes at Eira. "You told Hiccup but not me?"

"I didn't want to," Eira said, "but he's the chief's son and-"

"So, Hiccup gets to be treated special but you don't? I see how it is." He crossed his arms and turned away.

"I'm sure she didn't mean it like that," Fishlegs said. "Although, I am a little hurt she didn't tell us."

"And that Hiccup didn't tell us," said Astrid.

"It wasn't my secret to tell!" Hiccup said defensively.

Eira winced. "I'm sorry. I never had any real friends growing up because no one would tell me how they really felt. And once I got to know all of you, there never seemed to be a good time to bring it up."

"I think I understand," Heather said. "You technically never lied to us, just withheld information. You don't need to share everything about yourself with everyone right away."

"But this is important," Snotlout said. "Do you know how much I would give to be royalty?"

"Yes!" Eira exclaimed. "That's why I didn't tell you!"

Everything turned silent as the two stared at each other. "And the truth comes out," Ruff said.

Suddenly, Eira could not take it anymore. She had feared Snotlout's reaction the most, and now the worst had shown itself. "I need some air." She started for the exit.

"What about your sister's plan to find a husband for you?" Tuff called after her.

Eira paused at the door. She did not feel like discussing this. "Ingrid can give you the details." Then she was gone.

As soon as Eira was gone, Dagur rounded on Ingrid. "What is this about a husband?!" he exclaimed.

Ingrid smiled at him. "Our parents have a vested interest in finding suitable partners for us. Our older brother recently became betrothed, so now it is Eira's turn. She may have mentioned suitors our parents arranged for her before she came here."

"She did mention something about that," Heather said. "She also seems to think it made her confused about what she wants."

"Eira wants to balance her own feelings with what our family expects of her. That is why I am here. I understand our parents' high standards, and they have given me authority to grant their seal of approval."

"That sounds a little archaic," Astrid said. "Shouldn't her feelings matter most?"

Ingrid shook her head. "Maybe in your mind, but we grew up in a different culture where community and family are important. Relationships affect everyone, not just the couple. And it is not like we're forced into anything. Eira can be quite independent, as shown when she pushed to live here with you, and would not choose someone only because our parents wanted her to."

"That does make sense," Snotlout said. "Royalty doesn't belong with just anyone."

"Right."

"And what makes you think you are deserving of royalty?" Astrid said.

Snotlout glared at her. "Shut up, Astrid."

"Ingrid, what exactly is your plan?" Hiccup asked tentatively.

Ingrid sent him a reassuring smile. "Eira has already told me all about the two guys she's interested in." She looked from Snotlout to Dagur. "I will first need to spend some time with the to get to know them a bit."

"So, we need to impress you to gain your approval?" Snotlout said.

Ingrid shrugged. "Basically. Of course, Eira still has the final say."

Snotlout grinned. "When can we begin?"

Dagur had been listening patiently throughout the conversation, but he finally had enough. "I don't understand the point of all this," he said, "but I'll do it if I have to. If we're done, I need to go check up on Eira."

"Go right ahead," Ingrid said.

"But Eira already likes both of us," Snotlout said. "The one we need to win over is right here."

Dagur ignored him and left the clubhouse. He did not want to play games. He had to find Eira. he stopped in the middle of the base and looked around, but he did not immediately spot her. He decided to head for the trees, since that was where he found her in the past. He relaxed when he saw her leaning against an oak tree, appearing deep in thought.

"Eira!" he said as he approached. "There you are!"

Eira's eyes snapped to him, and she gave him a small smile. "Hi, Dagur. Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine. I wanted to make sure you were alright."

Eira appeared surprised at this. "Oh. I'm alright. I've just been thinking."

Dagur leaned up against the tree next to her, his arm brushing hers. "About your sister?"

"Yes." Eira cast her gaze to the ground. "Did she tell you what she wants to do?"

"Yep."

"And are you alright with it?" She looked up at him almost anxiously.

"Honestly, I don't understand it, but if this is important to you, then I'll do whatever she asks of him. I want you to be comfortable and confident in your decision. If your sister can help you with that, then I won't argue over the details."

Eira appeared surprised at first, but then a warm smile spread across her face. "Thank you, Dagur. That means a lot to me."

Dagur turned so he was facing her and placed a hand on her cheek. "Anything to make you happy."

Eira moved in closer to him. "You make me happy."

Dagur grinned. "Good." That may not be enough, but it was half of the equation at least. He still had a chance at this. Feeling pulled to her, he moved his other hand to her waist. When she did not object, he slowly leaned down and kissed her.

Eira responded immediately by wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back. Dagur smiled and pulled her closer to him. He loved the way their bodies fit together. He loved the feeling of her lips on his, and he wanted to be able to do this every day. He needed more of her. He needed her to want him just as badly.

When they broke away for air, Dagur rested his forehead against hers and smiled at her. "Don't worry, Eira; I'll win your sister over for sure!"

Eira bit her lip and smiled cutely at him, giving him confidence she felt the same way.

"Thank you for helping me take care of Shadowwhisper, Snotlout," Ingrid said as she offered her dragon a barrel of fish. Snotlout had just found a place for her in the stables and explained how everything worked.

"What kind of dragon is he?" Snotlout asked curiously as he watched the dragon devour the fish. "And I think he may be sick. I'm pretty sure his scales weren't that color earlier..."

Ingrid laughed. "Don't worry, that's normal. He's a Hobblegrunt."

Snotlout blinked. "Oh. Of course, I knew that." He paused. "You sure he's not sick?"

Ingrid gently stroked the dragon's back. "Hobblegrunts change color based on their mood."

"Wow. That's a pretty neat talent. What does purple mean?"

Ingrid smiled. "Purple means he's curious. He's very interested in his new environment. He was yellow earlier because he was happy. And that's only one of his abilities. He's also sensitive to the emotions of others and can help calm them down or rile them up against an enemy."

"That's pretty cool, for a dragon that's not Hookfang, that is." Snotlout looked at Ingrid with interest. He needed to learn more about her so he could win her favor. She seemed a bit more open and outgoing than when he first met Eira. She was pretty like her sister but with short, brown hair and striking green eyes. "You know, Eira told me once that Vikings often choose dragons that reflect their personality."

Ingrid nodded, seeming impressed. "That is true. Yes, I am like a Hobblegrunt in a lot of ways. I am often in tune with the emotions of others and can help them work through their problems. That's why I'm here to help Eira."

"That makes sense, I guess." Snotlout wanted to ask her more, but Eira suddenly appeared in the doorway and locked eyes with him. He stared at her, unsure what to say.

Ingrid offered her sister a friendly smile. "Did Dagur leave?"

Eira tore her gaze from Snotlout. "Yes. He and Heather headed back to Berserker Island. Do you want me to show you my hut?"

"In a minute." Ingrid glanced back at Snotlout. "You two should talk first." She left before either could protest.

Snotlout scuffed his boot on the ground in an attempt to buy some time. "Are you still mad at me?" Eira asked tentatively.

Snotlout frowned. "I was never really mad, just... I wished you would have told me. It's a lot of news to take in."

"Would it have changed things between us if you would have known?"

Snotlout opened his mouth to respond but then closed it again. Why did she look so worried? He had a feeling he was missing something big here. "I - I don't know." He wished he knew the right answer.

Eira bit her lip and nodded. "Does it change things now?"

"Of course it does. Now I've got more to work with. I know more about you, so I can like you more. That's not a bad thing, is it?"

"No, it's not. It's just... different. It means change."

"And you don't do well with change unless you're in control of it." Snotlout remembered that about her. He should have been more sensitive. Maybe spending time with Ingrid and her Hobblegrunt could help his relationship with this girl as well.

"But it is inevitable. Just please be patient with me as we navigate through this."

Snotlout smiled at her. "Of course. I won't rush you. I wouldn't want you to make a mistake."

Eira offered him a tentative smile in return. "Thank you, Snotlout. I am feeling better now."

Snotlout grinned. "Great!" Now he felt really confident about his chances with her in the future. He was not going to lose!

A/N: It's time for round 2!