Chapter 60: Acceptance

Dagur dragged Krogan along while he and Eira searched for Hiccup. They had not gone far when Eira spotted the other riders landing near a cave, so they started in that direction. Sure enough, Hiccup and Toothless walked out of the cave, Hiccup holding a strange looking white dragon egg.

"Oh!" Fishlegs exclaimed. "Oh, my Thor. Is that the King of Dragons' egg? Hiccup, what did the King of Dragons look like?"

"I never even saw it," said Hiccup, appearing almost in a daze, "but it saved me. It saved us all."

"What about Fenris?" said Tuffnut. "Did he help?"

"This has his fingerprints all over it," added Ruffnut.

Hiccup stared at them. "Uh, sure. Why not?" Then he looked at Eira and Dagur and breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, you got Krogan. Where's Viggo?"

"Grimborn is alive?" Krogan said unhappily.

"Yes," said Dagur, "and unless you want me to hand you over to him, I suggest you shut up."

"Johann was the one who-"

"Don't care!"

"Viggo is with the dragon hunters who surrendered," Eira told Hiccup. "There were quite a lot of them, actually."

"Wow, really?" Hiccup said in surprise. "Good work, Eira. You too, Dagur. Any ideas on what we should do with them?"

"I want to keep them!" Dagur declared. "Some of them helped protect the village today. I can put them to good use."

"Well, you're the chief here. That's your decision." Hiccup turned to Eira. "You'll help him, won't you? You're good at this stuff."

Eira smiled. "Of course."

"Does that mean you're staying here?" Snotlout said as he and Ingrid landed. He appeared a little dejected at the thought.

Eira hesitated. "That is something I will have to think about, but with Swiftwings, I can easily fly here."

"As long as I still get to see you, whatever you choose is fine with me," said Dagur.

Eira nodded. "Me too."

"So, it's really over?" Ingrid said after a moment of silence.

"Yes, it's finally over," Hiccup said. "Our mission is complete. The archipelago is safe for dragons."

"For now," said Dagur, and everyone glared at him.

"That's technically true," said Eira, "but it doesn't matter. As long as we're here, we can handle anything."

Hiccup smiled. "Well said."

The dragon riders took a few days to recover after the battle against the dragon flyers. Krogan was placed in a cell on Outcast Island where he could do no harm. Hiccup gave the King of Dragon's egg to Atali and the Wingmaidens, who knew someone who knew someone who had a safe place to keep it. In more good news, Stoick recovered and took back his place as chief, with much great relief from Hiccup. Viggo and Runa decided to stay on Berserker Island for the time being despite Haldor's insistence it was safe to return to Torvald. Viggo claimed it would not be safe for the baby to travel such a great distance, but Eira had a feeling the rescued dragon hunters also had something to do with it.

After a long discussion, the dragon riders decided it was time to leave Dragon's Edge. They had fulfilled their purpose there, and it was time to return home. A bittersweet atmosphere as everyone packed up their belongings. They were in the stables getting ready to go when someone approached the door.

"Leaving so soon?" Haldor said amiably.

"Haldor!" Eira said in surprise.

"Yes, it's time we went back to Berk," said Hiccup. "What about you?"

"I'm about to be off as well," Haldor said. "I'm glad I caught all of you before we left." He looked around at the riders with a broad smile. "I just wanted to say I'm proud of all of you for what you have accomplished lately. Torvald is lucky to count you as friends."

Hiccup shook his head. "We're the ones who should be thanking you. You came all this way just to help us."

"It was an honor to fight beside you, Hiccup. It is about time Torvald stopped cutting itself off from the world. We may open ourselves up to more enemies, but the only way to improve the world is to join with allies. Together, we are stronger."

Hiccup nodded. "That's for sure. If you ever need us, we'll be there."

Haldor smiled. "Thank you. I suppose I should take my leave then. Make sure you all take care of Eira and Ingrid."

"Oh, I can do that by myself," Snotlout said.

Ingrid rolled her eyes. "More like we take care of you."

Eira chuckled lightly. "Goodbye, Haldor. We'll see you soon."

"Yes," Haldor agreed. "You all are welcome to my wedding next month."

"Ooo..." Fishlegs squealed. "I would love to see Torvald. Your dragon knowledge must be incredible!"

"And we will be happy to indulge you. Until then!" Haldor turned on his heels and departed.

With that, the packing resumed. Eira finished quickly and then stepped outside to wait for the others. She gazed at the island, allowing memories to seep in. This was really it then. They were leaving. She took a deep breath and let it out with a sigh.

"Hey," Snotlout said, stepping up beside her, "how are you handling everything?"

"As well as I can, I suppose," Eira replied. "Haldor was right; we accomplished a lot here. We had many good times, and we overcame the bad ones. Now everything is about to change."

Snotlout gave her a sympathetic smile. "I don't like change too much either. Everything was perfect here. Well, not perfect, but, you know..."

Eira nodded in understanding. "And it's not just leaving the Edge. After this, everything is going to start changing a lot faster. I know much of it will be good, but it's still hard."

"I guess that's what it means to grow up. But there are some things that will never change, right?"

Eira smiled slightly. "Right. We will always fight for dragons, and they will always fight for us." She paused as she took in the hint of emotion in Snotlout's eyes. "And no matter what else changes, you and I will always be friends."

Snotlout grinned at her. "I'll hold you to that."

"Hey, you two," Hiccup said from the stables. "Are you ready to go?"

"As ready as we'll ever be," said Eira as she and Snotlout walked back to Swiftwings and Hookfang.

Everyone stared at Snotlout when he tied the 'S' from his hut to Hookfang's side. "What?" he said. "I'm not leaving this 'S' behind."

Hiccup shook his head and mounted Toothless. "Who wants to race back to Berk?"

Snotlout pumped a fist into the air. "Yes!"

"But I'm going to win!" said Ingrid.

Eira smirked. "You wish."

And they were off.

Dagur had never been so nervous in his life. He had accompanied Hiccup and his dragon riders on the long flight to Torvald for Haldor's wedding. Everyone else was sent to rest while Dagur waited outside the Main Hall with Eira for Ingrid and Snotlout to finish up. It was finally time for him to meet Eira's parents, and he would have taken fighting dragon hunters over it any day!

"You'll be fine," Eira said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "If Ingrid says you're ready, then you're ready."

"But she didn't train me the way she did Snotlout!"

"And that's alright. You are not Snotlout. Besides, Haldor approves of you, and his recommendation is the best you can get."

Dagur smiled slightly. "You're probably right." He was glad that she was no longer worried about her parents' approval, but somehow that seemed to make him even more nervous. Ingrid had taught him the proper formalities but then said he should be himself. He hoped himself was good enough.

The door opened, and Snotlout and Ingrid emerged. "Nailed it," Snotlout said with a confident smirk.

"Good luck, Dagur," Ingrid said. "You can do it!"

Dagur hoped she was right. "Well, can't keep the king and queen waiting, can we?" He pressed his hands against the door and pushed it open. His eyes instantly fell upon the regal figures sitting on their thrones. His palms began to sweat as he and Eira made their way down the long walkway.

"Eira," the king said in a loud voice that echoed throughout the room, "it is good to have you back."

"It is good to be back," Eira said politely.

"And who is this handsome young man?" said the queen, sounding much friendlier than her husband. Dagur could almost imagine she was a normal mother.

Eira took a deep breath. "Mom, Dad, this is Dagur the Deranged, chief of Berserker Island, ally of Berk, and my boyfriend. Dagur, this is my mom, Queen Laila, and my dad, King Birger."

"It is an honor to meet you, your highnesses," Dagur said while giving a slight bow.

"We are pleased to meet you, Dagur," Laila said.

"Yes, we have heard a lot about you," said Birger.

"There is something I wish to ask of you, if you would permit me," said Dagur. He drummed his fingers together in anticipation, and when he realized what he was doing, he hid his hands behind his back.

Birger inclined his head slightly. "Yes, go ahead."

Dagur waited a moment too long to proceed. It all came down to this. He glanced at Eira and drew courage. "I would like to ask for your permission - and blessing - to marry Eira." The intense silence that follow sent his heart pounding.

"And why should we accept?" Laila said not unkindly.

Right, he needed to give reasons. "Because I -" He forgot all the fancy words that would impress these two, but that did not matter. He simply had to be honest. "I love her. I know I used to be pretty messed up, but being with her makes me better. She saved my life - literally and figuratively. She taught me what it means to care for others, and I want to spend my life caring for her." He paused and waited for a reaction, hoping this was enough.

Laila's small smile brought him some relief. "Thank you, Dagur."

"And what of you, Eira?" said Birger, his expression unreadable.

"I love Dagur," Eira said confidently. "I didn't understand this kind of love until I met him, and now I don't want to be without it - without him. He makes me better too. I am stronger and braver when he is around. And he has developed a deep appreciation for dragons. I know we can do a lot of good together."

Birger nodded. "Very good."

"Haldor and Ingrid have already spoken your praised," Laila said, "and we trust their judgment." At this, Dagur felt a great weight lift off his chest.

"Just one more matter, Dagur," Birger said. "Is it true you have offered refuge to former dragon hunters, including their notorious leader?"

And the weight was back. Dagur looked anxiously at Eira, but she gave no indication of the correct response. Honesty was his best bet again. "Yes, this is true. Viggo and the others have expressed a willingness to change. I deal with my enemies fiercely, but if they no longer want to be an enemy, I believe they deserve a chance. It was not that long ago I was in their boots, after all."

Laila smiled. "Excellent, Dagur. Compassion is important in a leader - and a husband."

"Not many understand the importance of unifying justice and mercy," Birger added. "You have have exactly the kind of character I want for my daughters."

"So, is that a 'yes' then?" Dagur said, holding back his bubbling hope.

"That is a yes."

"Yes!" Dagur exclaimed. Then he smiled sheepishly and lowered his head. "I mean, thank you, your highnesses."

"Yes, thank you," Eira added.

"You are quite welcome," said Laila.

"You are dismissed," said Birger. "We look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

With grins on their faces, Dagur and Eira left the Main Hall together. Once they were outside and along, Dagur pulled her into a heated kiss. She kissed him back just as fiercely in what seemed like forever even though it ended much too soon. The stood there smiling at each other for a long moment. No words were needed amongst them. All was well.

Eira watched through wet eyes as Haldor kissed his new wife in front of the giant crowd. They were outside in a beautifully decorated area. As per tradition, friends and family stood close to the couple while many Torvaldians watched from outside the gates. It was a magnificent ceremony, and Eira could tell her brother was happy. Now that he was married, he would soon be eligible to take the crown.

An interlude occurred while space was created for the proceeding celebration, which was invite only. Finally, the couple made their way to the center of the area and began to dance. Once they finished and everyone cheered, the floor opened up.

"I don't know this dance," Dagur said anxiously, looking around at all the Torvaldians who were moving in step. "Do you know this dance?"

Eira smiled at him. "Of course I do. Let me show you." She grabbed his hands and pulled him closer to her. He relaxed a bit as she showed him the steps and they developed a rhythm.

"This isn't so bad." Dagur glanced at Ingrid and Snotlout, who performed the dance perfectly. "Hey, how did he get so good?"

"I suppose it's from the lessons Ingrid gave him. I'm sure she can teach you as well."

Dagur leaned in. "I want you to teach me."

Eira's eyes widened slightly at his sudden forcefulness, but then she smiled. "Okay. If you wish."

"I do." When the song ended, instead of letting her go, he pulled her even closer and moved his face towards hers. He suddenly yelped when something hit his arm.

"It's not the time for that," said a young teenage boy, glaring at Dagur.

"It's okay, Oliver," Eira said gently.

"Keep an eye on him." And with that, Oliver stalked off.

Dagur frowned. "Who was that kid?"

"He's my younger brother," Eira replied.

"How many siblings do you have?!"

Eira chuckled lightly. "Just three. Do you want to continue dancing?"

Dagur agreed, and they danced for a few more songs before taking a break and moving off to the side. Eira took some time to observe everyone enjoying the party. They seemed to be celebrating more than just her brother's union. While she was also satisfied, something nagged at her.

"You've got that serious look on your face," Dagur pointed out. "What are you thinking about?"

Eira hesitated before deciding she might as well tell him. "I was just thinking about what Krogan said. What is his employer comes after us now that he failed? What if he's worse than Johann?"

"Then we'll defeat him just like we did Johann!"

"And what then? Will it ever stop? I know we're bound to face resistance when we're trying to change how things are, but we need a better long term strategy than simply fighting every enemy that comes our way."

Dagur smiled and took her hand in his, entwining their fingers. "We will. Between you, Hiccup, and Viggo, we can devise an excellent strategy. But for now, we should appreciate how far we've come."

Eira smiled back at him. He was right. For one, she never thought she would be here with him like this. It truly was wonderful. "I suppose as long as we refuse to give up, we will make it through everything." This was, after all, her destiny.

A/N: Hello! This long story is finally over. I hope you are satisfied with the way things turned out. Just so you know, I would like to write a sequel that takes place during the last two movies. However, creating a suitable plot is harder than I originally thought because of the narrative problems inherent in both movies. HTTYD 2 is not too bad, but it certainly has some issues that often plague sequels. I do have a pretty good grasp of what I want to change, so once I finish that, I will probably start writing.

HTTYD: the Hidden World is where I'm really struggling. It doesn't just have problems; it's a complete disaster in terms of plot, character, and theme. I am almost tempted to throw everything out and start over, but that would be too easy. It definitely needs a major overhaul, though. The characters of Grimmel and the Light Fury especially need more work. I have a general idea of the theme I want to convey that is consistent with the entire franchise. And then the plot needs to be drastically improved. I have a few ideas on this, but it's a work in progress. Your patience is appreciated.

Anyway, thank you for reading. It's been fun!