The last chapter was a short one, so you're getting two at once. These were going to be up tomorrow, but once again, thanks to my crappy schedule, you are getting them a day early. The next one will not be up now until Friday.

_

It was late in the evening by the time Hiccup and Toothless made it back to the village. Leaving Toothless at the forge, Hiccup practically ran to the home he had shared with the Eret family for nearly a year. Eret the younger greeting him jovially as he entered. "Scáth! You made it! We wondered if perhaps you had fallen off that dragon of yours and we needed to come rescue you out of a bog."

Laughing, Hiccup greeted Mrs. Eretson before joining the men by the fire with a tankard of mead. Without hestitation, he began to fill them in about the fight he had just seen and his intervention, followed by the proposition from the commander. Both men listened intently. When he had finished with his story, Hiccup asked seriously, "what do you think? Was I right to accept his offer?"

Eret the elder scratched his chin thoughtfully for a moment. "He told you the truth young Scáth. We ourselves have traded goods with the Romans beyond the wall. They are mostly peaceable men sent to protect and oversee the trade at the border and represent the empire. The empire itself is supposed to be incredibly vast and drowning in wealth. I have only witnessed this wealth in some of the goods I have received from them. I can show you."

With that he got up and left the room. Returning promptly with a small, ornately carved wooden box. He handed it to Hiccup, who took a moment to appreciate the skill that had gone into crafting the box alone before opening the lid. Inside it was a pair of earrings and a necklace made with some sort of iridescent stone that shone rainbow colours in the fire light. Beside those was a small glass bottle of liquid. He looked up questioningly at Eret senior and asked, "What are these things? Where did they come from?"

"I traded two very fine saddles for them with a man across the wall and brought them home for my wife. The jewelry is made from a substance they call mother-of-pearl which is apparently harvested from inside the shells of oysters. The bottle contains a substance called perfume, which comes in many different fragrances and is used by the wearer to give themselves an appealing aroma. This particular perfume comes from an oil procured from the petals of a flower they call a rose. According to the trader, the empire has scores of products like this available everywhere. It seems to be an extravagant waste of effort and resources to us."

Hiccup picked up the bottle and removed the stopper. Lifting it to his nose, he inhaled the delicate scent of fresh flowers. It was a divine and intoxicating smell unlike anything he had ever experienced. He longed to know how it was made. Did the women of Rome really smell like this? It must be terribly distracting for the men if that was the case. Toothless chuckled through their connection at the direction his thoughts had taken. Stupid, judgemental reptile! Picking up the necklace, Hiccup held it up to the fire's glow and watched the beautiful rainbow patterns glisten and dance over the surface. If these were the common man's trade items, what other incredible knowledge did these Romans possess?

Hiccup could sense Toothless' approval through their bond as he made his decision. They would offer their services to this emperor if he proved to be an honest enough man. This should gain Hiccup access to the wonders and knowledge of the empire without him having to swear fealty to anyone and renounce his ties to his homeland. Both the Eret's agreed with him. Eret the Younger even went so far as to say that if he wasn't needed to help support his family here, he would gladly assist Hiccup on this venture.

"You will have to send word to us with Sharpshot and let us know if the tales about the empire are true," Eret the Elder joked. As they prepared to turn in for the night Hiccup sent one last thought to Toothless through the connection. He had an idea of a way to repay the Eretson family for their hospitality and kindness towards a young man with very little to offer.

"Should be an interesting adventure. I suggest we arrive better prepared this time though. Otherwise you can find a way to get there yourself." Toothless' grumbled reply left him laughing. The dragon undeniable had a point too. Hiccup would have to think up some way to protect his brother this time around. The perfect solution came to him just before he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Hiccup sought out Bríghid to tell her the news and also to let her know he would not be able to meet with her the next couple of days. She agreed that his plan was a good one and with that he left. It took him most of the day to reach Melody Island as he had decided to call it. He and Toothless set up camp on a nearby sea stack, not wanting to spend the night in constant worry. They awoke with the dawn and after fitting some crude moss earplugs into Toothless' ear flaps, they made their way to the shore. Hiccup began to gather as many of the strange orange stones, that Eret had called amber, from the beach as he could carry. Loading the saddle bags while Toothless kept his ever watchful eyes turned to the forest.

Just as they were about to leave Hiccup heard a dragon screeching in fear. He and Toothless took off towards the sound, but stopped when they saw a large and brightly coloured dragon devouring a nadder. The poor creature seemed to be encased in a cocoon of the same orange amber from the beach. When they tried to swoop in closer, the strange dragon shot a stream of the orange goo towards them that Toothless barely dodged. It was a hard decision, but they both knew that it was too late for the nadder, so they turned tail and fled from the island.

The brothers conversed about this new discovery on their way back to the mainland. Hiccup speculating that the beast must use its call to lure the other dragons in. Then it traps them with the sticky amber substance so that they can't escape before it eats them. How horrible to be eaten while defenceless and still alive, he thought. Toothless was pretty enraged, but even he had to concede that with a rider on his back and a loaded down saddle, he would be an easy target for the beast.

Arriving back at the village, Hiccup went straight to Eret the Elder and offered him the amber. He explained where he had found it, but conveniently left out the actual directions to the island. It was a good source of wealth for him, as well as an incredibly dangerous place to venture on foot. He did tell Eret about the dragon. Having decided to call it a Death Song because once you hear its song, you're dead. Eret had heard stories about such a creature from other trappers, but had not put much stock in them. He did agree with Hiccup that it was not to be trifled with. Eret himself feared what could become of the dragon trade if the trappers were to get their greedy hands on a dragon that could call and trap others.

Eret had tried to refuse the gift, saying it was far too much. Hiccup however, laughed and stated that it was the least he could do after losing the family their dragon trapping income. "Now you can support your family in the lean times until you can find another way to earn extra money," was Hiccup's argument. Finally Eret senior agreed to take the large pouch full of amber.

"Ah, perhaps you are right. Maybe we will go into the livestock business instead," Eret chuckled as he weighed the pouch in his hand.

Satisfied that he had repaid his debt in full, Hiccup used some of the silver pieces he still had from Berk to purchase supplies for his trip. He also made some extra arrows for his bow, since he was not sure when he would next have use of a forge on his journey. He had no idea how far this Petriana was from Marcus' garrison outpost, nor how far he would need to travel after that.

Hiccup spent the next few days packing all his supplies and saying his farewells to the villagers. On the last day he went to meet with Bríghid in the stone circle. She smiled at him as he arrived. "That was very kind of you to offer so much in repayment to the Eretson's. I saw Eret leaving his home for the forge and he was practically skipping. If I am correct, you have made yourself some very loyal friends and allies here in your short stay. You will be terribly missed by many."

Her words surprised Hiccup, surely she knew he wasn't leaving forever. "You speak as if I will never return here, my lady. You know I will miss this place too much to stay away. The wealth of the empire could not rob me of loyalty to the friends who have shown me such kindness."

"I fear that you will not be able to return as soon as you may think. Indeed it may be some time before the villagers see you again and your stay will not be a lengthy one at that. Your destiny leads you to the lands of our southern neighbours, but that is only the beginning. I have prepared you as best I can. My only advice is to keep your magic, mind and body in top form at all times. You will need all three to face the challenges ahead. Do not let your skills wane due to lack of challengers. It would be best to keep your magic hidden from others though. It would only be coveted, feared, or misused and is not for the uninitiated."

"Have you received another vision, Master Bríghid?" Hiccup asked, feeling he already knew the answer.

"I have indeed. I have foreseen a winding path stretching out ahead of you and you should know that not every turn will lead to happiness. There will be darkness in your future and it is unavoidable. Allow it to shape you, but not to define you. It will make you stronger in the end. Remember what I said about those in power wanting to use you for their own gain. You must make your own choices with your heart. Follow it, for it will never lead you astray. You and I will meet again some day. Though it will not be for many years and will likely be in a place you least expect."

She reached a hand into her robe then and produced a small amulet in the shape of an intricate twined knot and fashioned into a type of necklace. Placing the leather chord of it around his neck she said, "take this. It will help to protect you from those that seek to harm or control you. I have bestowed my personal blessing upon it. That will mean much more to you in the coming years than it does now. Good luck Scáth Rothaí. I shall be interested to see what you have become when next we meet."

With that she left him alone in the circle. Hiccup had never really put much store in prophecy, but he couldn't help believing Bríghid when she spoke of his future. Maybe he would be away longer than planned. The future was a twisting and winding path, as she had said. He didn't like the promise of darkness ahead, but Bríghid had said that it was unavoidable. He supposed he would just have to face it when it came.

Fingering the necklace she had given him, he wondered what exactly she had seen in her vision. Seers were always so cryptic. Tucking the amulet beneath his tunic, Hiccup was surprised to find that it felt pleasantly warm against his skin. Rather than cold, as he had expected the metal to be. Taking one final look around the circle, he began to make his way back to the village for the last time.

*

Hiccup had arrived at the outpost early in the morning to find Marcus and his men finishing the last of their preparations for travel. According to the commander, it would take three days by horse to reach Petriana. Toothless grumbled at this, claiming he could be there by tomorrow. Hiccup agreed, but they needed to make a good impression on the emperor if his plan was to work. Abandoning his escort because he was impatient would hardly cast an honest light on him. Unfortunately they would have to travel at horse speed.

So here they were, on the final day of travel. Hiccup had taken Marcus up on his offer of a horse since he knew that Toothless would be unable to move easily on the ground at this pace. Finding it much easier to ride the simple beasts than it had been to learn to fly on a dragon. Once again Hiccup was grateful to Eret for all of his patient teachings. Though the slow, jarring pace and lack of involvement on his part left him sore in entirely new places. This caused Toothless endless hysteria as he watched Hiccup hobble around every evening after dismounting from his steed. The dragon also feeling the need to remind him at these moments that they could have been there already if Hiccup hadn't insisted on travelling at "land speed".

At last the main gates of the village came into view in the distance. Once they were near enough, Marcus suggested that they pause long enough for Hiccup to switch to dragon-back. He seemed to think it would make an impressive statement if the newcomer was to arrive at the headquarters on his dragon, instead of by horse. Gratefully Hiccup agreed and Toothless was instantly on the ground. As if he had been impatiently waiting for this very moment. With a chuckle, Hiccup climbed onto his back and they took off. The pair making a couple quick loops to let of steam before returning to lazily glide over the heads of the soldiers and their mounts.

*

Marcus smiled up at the young man and his dragon now casting shadows over their garrison. I was right, he thought proudly. This sight would be a spectacular one to behold. Almost wishing that he could be on the other side of the gate to experience it, Marcus squared his shoulders and spurred his horse to a swift canter. His men following his lead.

It was exactly as Marcus had hoped. Commoners, soldiers, and nobles alike all stared in awe as the men cantered through the open gate. The great black dragon and his rider swooping in above them. After a moment of silence the gathered crowds began to cheer at the sight. The group waving pleasantly to the onlookers as they made their way straight to the main fort in the centre of the townsite. The Imperial Guard already awaiting them there.

News of the dragon rider had clearly arrived before them, as the Captain stepped forward to offer his greetings to the young man as soon as his dragon had touched down. With quick efficiency, he then ushered Hiccup inside. Marcus following with his men behind them. The black beast blowing a small puff of smoke from its nostrils, but grudgingly remaining outside in the courtyard due to its size.

*

Hiccup was brought to a central dining hall. Here he was confronted with the sight of an assortment of powerful looking men on a raised dais. All of them gathered around the one who must be Hadrian. These men had a wide array of skin tones. From the familiar fair skin of the northern regions, to a richer brown or black that was new to Hiccup. Despite the differences in their appearances, they all had a distinct air of wealth about them. Their clothes all richly coloured and decorated.

The man in the centre turned to Hiccup then and eyed him speculatively. He was adorned in even more finery than his advisors and he sported short brown hair and a closely cropped beard. He did at least look the part of a powerful ruler. Motioning to Marcus to step forward and act as interpreter, he began to address Hiccup directly. "I had heard that there was to be a young man with a dragon accompanying the garrison under Prætor Marcus. You are not exactly what I had in mind, but that is not really surprising given the circumstances. We have never seen a dragon rider before now. I suppose I figured you would be much more imposing to have tamed a dragon."

Hiccup bristled at the man's words, but refused to let it show. He wanted something from this man and he had spent the majority of his life dealing with bullies. Besides, in a battle of wits Hiccup knew that he could best most men easily. He had always had a quick tongue. "I am sorry to disappoint you sir. I assume it is easier to fly with a lighter load to carry. Besides, my dragon is not tamed. Brute force would be of little help."

"He allows me to fly with him as a friend and ally, not as a thrall," he clarified. "If someone tried to bend him to their will he would probably just eat them. Or throw them off over open ocean and let them drown." Hiccup shrugged lightly and met Hadrian's gaze straight on. His lips twisting into a lopsided smirk.

Marcus looked slightly nervous at this exchange as he repeated Hiccup's words. He clearly couldn't believe this small boy was openly challenging the emperor. To his utter shock though, Hadrian simply smiled and nodded to the boy. Waving his advisors away and leaving the three men alone together now. Hiccup allowed his gaze to follow the other men out of the room before turning back to Hadrian and clasping his hands behind his back. It was a quietly defiant gesture that gave the impression of polite attention and Hadrian burst out laughing.

"You have spirit young man. I will give you that. It seems to me that neither you nor your dragon are truly as tame as you first appear. My apologies. I have received Prætor Marcus' report and I believe that I owe you a debt of gratitude for your assistance securing my Empire's borders. Ask your price, young rider and it shall be yours. If it is in my power to grant that is."

Hiccup was ready for this, having planned his words well in advance with Eret the elder and Toothless. "I would ask you to grant me access to your empire with all the privileges of a citizen, whilst retaining my free will and culture. In trade, I will provide my services to your army in the protection of your subjects. I also must retain my right to decide how and where my services are provided. I will not fight a dishonourable war against the innocent for material gain, regardless of the compensation. We both know that having a dragon fighting on your side will greatly bolster your power and influence over the people of your empire. If you try to abuse that power, I will withdraw my services immediately."

*

Hadrian considered this proposition for a moment. The boy had a very clever mind and he was clearly well versed in politics. He was correct, after all. Just the tales of a dragon leading his army would be enough to squash many rebellions or invasions before they even started. It was unfortunate that he wished to stay a free agent, but if that was the price, Hadrian would pay it. It would not be the first time that Rome had employed foreigners during their campaigns. This agreement would most likely prove to be even more advantageous than most.

"So you wish to be a mercenary," Hadrian questioned. Wanting to ensure that he had understood the young man correctly. When the boy nodded his affirmative, Hadrian glanced once at Marcus briefly before giving his answer.

"Very well then. I accept your terms young rider. You will be given lodgings in the capital near the Imperial Guard and receive a salary from the Empire that should more than cover any other desires. I am grateful that you are willing to lend your services to the protection of my people as I have long considered the fortifying of the Empire to be of higher value than conquering more lands. You shall be free to move about as you wish and will be treated as a citizen of Rome. You are now officially in the employ of the Empire and I am glad to have you stand with me. Welcome to the Roman Army, Scáth Rothaí."

The young man smiled at the Emperor and gave him a deep bow with an exaggerated flourish. "At your service, my liege."

_

One of my favourite things about Hiccup is his quick wit and sharp mind. He takes the time to strategize before he makes his move. Easily outsmarting many of those around him. Add to that a certain quiet tendency towards defiance and I could easily picture this meeting playing out in a similar fashion for real. The Romans did often have a tendency to underestimate those that they considered to be 'lesser people'. They would, however, be less inclined to punish this boy for his insolence since he was offering the rare gift of a soldier on dragon back. What ruler wouldn't overlook a bit of attitude for that?

No matter how many times I proof-read the thing, this always feels like the turning point in the story to me. The point where we leave the relatively familiar to jump head-first into the unknown. Up until now, Hiccup has remained the same sweet and innocent, yet sarcastic boy that we all know and love from the first movie. He may have some new found skills, but he's still the same awkward little guy. We all knew he couldn't stay that way forever. He certainly doesn't in the HTTYD Universe. Now he is going to Rome and anyone that knows anything about history realizes that there is no way this adventure will not affect him in some way. Exactly how remains to be seen.

Do you think his decision will be beneficial in the end? What will life be like for a young mercenary on dragon back in the midst of the vast Roman Empire? Is Hiccup truly prepared for this venture? What kind of darkness did Bríghid see in his future? His own? Or that of others?

From this point it will return to one chapter posted at a time. I will try to get them up on Tuesdays and Fridays, depending on my work schedule. Unfortunately I work a 4-on/4-off schedule that ruins most of my careful plans.

*You will notice that in this chapter as well as the previous one, I have only capitalized 'Empire' and 'Emperor' part of the time. This is done on purpose as a way to display a tone of respect/authority or a lack-thereof. This theme will continue into later chapters, but sometimes for a different purpose. I will try to remember to explain these instances to you as they arise, but I make no promises. Lol