Chapter 41: Love Investigation

Ingrid slept well in Eira's hut and woke up feeling rested. She followed her sister in her morning routine, deciding to stay silent for now. Then they headed to the clubhouse together for an informal meeting. Hiccup wanted to search for dragon hunter activity but told the others they were free to do as they pleased.

"Do you want me to show you around the island?" Eira asked her sister.

Ingrid smiled and shook her head. "No, thank you. I'll have Snotlout show me."

"What?" said Snotlout, who was standing nearby.

"It'll be a good chance for us to get to know each other."

"Oh, uh, right."

"Okay," said Eira. "Have fun."

Ingrid gave Snotlout a bright smile. "Let's go!"

The two of them headed straight to the stables and their dragons. They were soon in the air, surveying the island. Ingrid could tell Snotlout was nervous around her. He kept attempting to show off, which usually resulted in awkward failure. She remembered what Eira had told her about his anxiety problems. She thought she knew a way to help.

"Let's take a rest here," Ingrid said after Snotlout dove down to show her a swimming hole. "We can talk in private."

"Right," Snotlout said. He stumbled while trying to dismount Hookfang and fell on his back. The Monstrous Nightmare snorted at him. "I meant to do that."

Ingrid chuckled lightly. "It's alright." She offered him her hand and helped him to his feet.

"I-I can do better!" Snotlout said quickly. "I'm not normally like this. I just-"

Ingrid shook her head. "You need to calm down. Shadowwhisper, can you help me out here?"

"What?" Snotlout said in confusion. The Hobblegrunt strode up to Snotlout and stared into his eyes. A moment later, he visibly relaxed. "Wow, that feels really good!"

Ingrid smiled. "You're more yourself when you're calm and can think clearly. If you're ever feeling anxious, Shadowwhisper can give you a hand - er, claw."

Snotlout grinned at the dragon. "Thank you, Shadowwhisper! You too, Ingrid."

"Anytime. Now are you ready to talk?"

Snotlout nodded. "I think so."

"Don't worry, I'll start with the easy questions." Ingrid walked over to a tree and leaned against it. "Why do you want to be with my sister?"

Snotlout blinked. "Why?"

"Yes. Think back before you met me and knew she was a princess. Why were you so determined to win her affections? Why her?"

"Because she's the most amazing girl I know. She's kind, patient, and brave. She's the only person who always listens to me and supports me. She puts up with me when the others don't. We fight well together and have become really good friends. I want things to stay that way. I want to continue overcoming dangers together. I've come to rely on her, and I don't want to lose her."

Ingrid nodded with a small smile on her face. "That is very good, Snotlout." She was surprised he had opened up so quickly. Shadowwhisper's work seemed to have really done the trick. "I know she feels the same way about you. The question is, why take the leap beyond friendship? What are your feelings?"

Snotlout shifted uncomfortably. "Feelings? I'm not exactly good with those."

"Just try your best. How do you feel when you're around her?"

"I feel happy... and safe... and calm. I do feel a pull to be with her all the time. I don't know if it's supposed to be that way. I know there's nothing overly passionate, but I feel there's something. There's a connection. We fit well together."

Ingrid smiled. "That sounds just fine to me. Passion is not everything in a relationship, and it often dies out - if it doesn't cause trouble first. Intense feelings themselves are only a small part of the equation, which goes back to why I'm here. Torvald is great at forming lasting relationships. From my experience, the best unions start with solid friendships like yours."

Snotlout looked at her with the most hopeful expression she'd seen from him so far. "So, you really think I have a chance?"

"I'd say you have a great chance! But we're not done yet. Do you think you could learn to uphold the proper image required of you?"

"I can do anything I need to!"

Ingrid nodded."Good. We'll get to that soon. Now, let's go find Eira so I can examine how you two interact together!"

Snotlout smiled brightly. "Sounds good to me!"

Throughout the following week, Eira spent as much time with Ingrid and Snotlout as possible. At first, her sister's presence made her (and Snotlout) nervous, but she got used to it and found the three of them got along quite well together. She was pleased that Ingrid's dragon was very helpful in calming down Snotlout and helping him to focus.

During the first few days, Ingrid simply observed how Eira and Snotlout acted around each other. Snotlout enjoyed showing off what a great team they made. Later on, Ingrid started offering suggestions to him about how he could act more like a proper Torvaldian gentleman. He was eager to learn, Eira was impressed with how much he was able to pick up. He just might survive a meeting with her parents.

"Here you are, ladies," Snotlout said one evening upon approaching Eira's hut with a girl on each arm. "I trust you will have a good night."

Eira smiled at him. "Thank you, Snotlout." She kissed his cheek, making him blush. "Good night."

"Snotlout is a pretty good guy," Ingrid said once the girls were alone in the hut. "I can see why you like him so much."

Eira smiled. "We didn't get along at first, but we worked through our problems. We were able to turn our differences into strengths."

Ingrid nodded. "That's great. I probably could give my approval for him now if you wanted." She paused. "But how do you feel about him?"

Eira sat on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. She was afraid her sister would ask her this at some point. "I... don't know."

Ingrid sat beside her. "I think you do know, but you don't want to admit it."

Eira worried she was right. "He's a really good friend, I am attracted to him, and I can see how he would make a good husband. But is that enough?" She looked at her sister in worry.

Ingrid gave her a gentle smile. "If you had to marry him tomorrow? No. But that's not what's happening here. Everything you listed is a great starting point for a relationship. You have to decide you want it and work to nurture it so it grows into something beautiful."

This did make Eira feel a little better. Part of her worried that she would lead Snotlout on if she chose him when her feelings weren't strong enough, but Ingrid had a good point. She needed to learn to not put so much pressure on herself. "If it was just Snotlout, I probably would give it a try, but..."

"There's Dagur. I know." Ingrid smiled brightly. "That's why I'm going to talk to him next! Do you think you can get in touch with him for me?"

"Yes, of course." Eira wondered how Dagur would react to Ingrid's 'interrogation.' Snotlout had been fine, so maybe she did not have to worry.

Ingrid clasped her shoulder. "Don't worry, Eira. I'll help you figure this all out!"

Eira wished she shared her confidence and enthusiasm.

As soon as Dagur landed on Dragon's Edge, he ran to Eira and embraced her. "Eira!" he exclaimed. "I missed you!"

"It's good to see you too," Eira said. "Thank you for agreeing to talk to Ingrid."

Dagur let go of Eira and turned to her sister. "Hello! Are you sure Eira can't join us? I haven't seen her in forever!"

"Dagur, it's been a week."

"It feels like forever."

Ingrid laughed. "I understand. I'll try to make this quick. There will be plenty of time for the three of us to hang out later."

"It'll be great," Eira said, giving Dagur an encouraging smile.

"Is there some place we can speak in private?" Ingrid asked him.

"Oh, I know just the place!" Dagur said excitedly. "Let's go!" He hopped back on Sleuther and took off. Ingrid and Shadowwhisper were soon flying behind him.

"Where are we going?" Ingrid said as they flew over the ocean.

"There's this really cool island nearby where I used to meet Eira. I'll race you there!"

"But I don't even know where it is!"

"That's what makes it fun!"

To help her out, Dagur did not fly in a straight line. He and Sleuther engaged in twists and turns along the way. He had grown close to the Triple Stryke since they met during the battle against Ryker. Now the two of them made an excellent team!

Dagur slowed down when he neared the island. "There it is!" He glanced back at Ingrid. "I win, by the way."

Ingrid smirked. "This time."

The two of them flew over the island. Dagur took his time pointing out everything, especially the fun stuff that had significance to him and Eira. Eventually, they landed on the beach and dismounted to give their dragons a rest. They sat together in the sand, staring out at the ocean.

"This is a really neat island," Ingrid said. "Now do you mind if I ask you a few questions about Eira?"

Dagur beamed at her. "Go right ahead!"

"Why do you want to be with her?"

"Because I love her!" Dagur said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Ingrid looked at him with keen interest. "That's a pretty strong word, Dagur."

"I know, but I mean it! I haven't loved very many people." Dagur wondered too late if he should admit this, and then he decided honesty was the best policy. "I love my sister Heather a lot too, but it's different with Eira."

"Different how?"

"Well, it would be weird if I wanted to kiss and hug Heather all the time the way I do with Eira. I want to be with her always."

Ingrid nodded. "Do you have any idea why you feel so strong about her?"

Dagur thought back to when he met Eira. "I have always been drawn to her. There is something different about her. She never judged me or hated me even when I tried to kill her friends. She wanted to be my friend. She saved my life and got injured in the process." He closed his eyes as the old emotions returned. "I don't think I understood fear until was the first time I realized someone else mattered." He opened his eyes and noticed Ingrid gazing at him with kindness. "Since then, my feelings have only grown. Eira is the most wonderful Viking I know. She deserves to be happy, and I believe I can make her happy."

Ingrid gave him a soft smile. "That's beautiful, Dagur. I can tell you are very sincere."

Dagur grinned at her. "Of course I am! What else do you want to know?"

Ingrid appeared thoughtful. "Well... you seem to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, which is great, but how are you with peace and quiet?"

"I used to be terrible, but Eira has really helped me out with that! She taught me how to relax and enjoy the moment. It's still difficult sometimes, but I'm working on it!"

Ingrid smiled. "That's great. You know, Shadowwisper has the ability to make you feel calm."

Dagur brightened. "Really? Can I try?"

"Go right ahead. He is happy to help."

Dagur leapt to his feet and ran to the Hobblegrunt. "Hello, Shadowwhisper! Can I have some calm, please?" The dragon gave him a long, hard stare. Then, slowly, Dagur felt his muscles relax and his worries fade away. "That's amazing. You're incredible." He gently stroked the dragon's snout. Then he returned to his spot beside Ingrid. "You've got a neat dragon."

Ingrid chuckled lightly. "Why, thank you. Now, I want to know if you're willing to play the part hat is expected of you if you are with Eira."

"I'd much rather be myself, but..." Dagur knew Eira wanted him to try, so he had to find some way to make it work. "I do kind of play a part as the Berserker Chief. If it's like that, I can do it."

Ingrid nodded. "Great. How about you tell me about your island?"

"What do you think of Dagur?" Eira asked her sister back in her hut later that evening.

Ingrid hopped onto the bed and swung her legs back and forth. "He's a really interesting guy. I don't think I've ever met anyone with so much energy."

Eira smiled as she sat beside her. "Yes, he goes all out in everything he does."

"Including loving you."

"Yeah..." Eira lay on her back and stared at the ceiling. "I like that he is so intense, but do you think his passion will run out one day?"

"It's possible. He seems sincere to me, but he may just be too caught up in the moment. Passion is great, but it's not everything. You would need to work hard at a relationship with him just like with anyone else. Sometimes strong feelings can help, but they can just as easily get in the way."

"I know, you're right." Eira hated that there was no clear cut answer here. She needed to know what to do.

A moment of silence passed between them. Then Ingrid said softly, "You're in love with him, aren't you?"

Eira bolted up and looked at her sister in surprise. "Why do you say that?"

"I'll need to see you two interact more to know for sure, but it's the way you look at him... and the way you talk about him."

Eira considered her words. "I don't know if it's love, but I do feel strongly about him. I'm always happy when I'm around him. He makes me want to do crazy things, whether for better or worse." And she enjoyed kissing him...

"He said you saved his life."

Eira's hand went to the bandanna around her head. "Yes. I pushed him out of the way of falling rocks." She lifted the fabric to reveal the scar.

Ingrid whistled. "That was pretty brave of you."

"Even though he was our enemy, I couldn't let him get hurt. There was something that drew me to him. I always saw good in him."

Ingrid smiled at her. "That's wonderful, Eira, but why didn't you tell us? Why do you hide the scar?"

Eira dropped her hand and shifted uncomfortably. "I - I didn't want anyone to worry about me befriending someone like him. I thought Mom and Dad might make me stay home."

"Well, that's pretty reasonable, but he's on the right side now."

"I guess I never found a good time to bring it up."

"To bring him up." Ingrid looked at her with raised eyebrows. "You've only mentioned him to me. You're worried about what the rest of our family will think."

Eira sighed. "Yes, that's true. He's very... different." She remembered what Viggo had told her.

"That's for sure, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a chance."

"Do you really think Mom and Dad could ever accept him?" Eira wondered at the meaning of the tiny ball of hope forming in her chest.

Ingrid smiled. "That's what I'm here for. I need to spend more time with him to discover his potential."

Eira nodded. "Thank you, Ingrid." Perhaps she had been overthinking everything.

"No problem. And don't worry about being honest with me. It helps me to know how you're feeling."

"Well, I'm not always sure how I am feeling."

Ingrid smirked. "That's why I'm here as well. I'll break you out of any denial you're facing!"

Eira chuckled lightly. "Great." She felt more at ease after talking to her sister. Maybe she could find a quick way out of this mess after all.