Brothers Of Night

by toothlessgolfer

Hiccup and Toothless are reborn together after giving their lives on Dragon Island. They will learn, laugh, lose, find, grieve, and love throughout the adventure of their new lives; all culminating in why "There were dragons when I was a boy..." Dragon Hiccup, OCs, Astrid, Valka, Stoick. Three volumes. There are sequel stories set in this world.

19. I - Purpose

Author's Note - My apologies for the length of this chapter. It did not seem to want to end. I guess you have plenty of reading to do though.

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"Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment." - Viktor Frankl – Man's Search For Meaning

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Purpose

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The grass was still wet with dew, and few animals were about so shortly after dawn. Almost everything was still asleep. The other people at least were very unlikely to be in the forest at this hour, which is why the two of them came here for privacy.

Hiccup and Astrid eventually settled down in the cove, glad to be away from all other prying eyes. Neither of them had seen anyone else about when he knocked on her window early in the morning, but still it was still a good idea for them to not let others see these honest conversations. Especially so since he expected that this would take a long time to get through.

She couldn't help but notice how glum and downcast Hiccup looked all along their clandestine walk and as they fiddled with the scrolls she brought.

"What's the matter, Hiccup? You don't look good."

We flew to Dragon Island

"Really? Why would you go there?"

To see where I became a dragon

She slowly nodded, thinking that she understood why Hiccup was feeling odd even if it was something that she had no way to relate to.

"I can only imagine what that was like."

Oddly, Hiccup shook his head.

It wasn't that. We flew inside the mountain and saw something very bad.

"What?"

Hiccup's paw trembled as he hovered it over the parchment.

They are all dead, all the dragons

Astrid gasped and held her hand over her mouth while staring in disbelief. She reread the line to make sure she understood what he had written.

"What!"

Hiccup sadly nodded.

All the dragons in the mountain are dead

"But… but how? What could kill them?"

Something bad in the air

It was hard to breathe

I only lived because Toothless knew something was wrong

"What! You… you almost died!"

Hiccup shirked slightly at her outburst.

I didn't know

She took a deep breath to steady herself.

"Ok, ok. Sorry, I'm just glad you are safe. What do you think the 'bad air' was? Were they sick?"

No, not that. Maybe the bad air came from in the mountain

"But why didn't it kill them before?"

I don't know

A very sad and pronounced silence followed in which neither of them said anything. They were both obviously lost in their own thoughts. Astrid finally broke the silence after a minute.

"I guess that is why we never saw many dragons after the battle. Only the ones that came to Berk or went somewhere else made it. The ones that stayed in their home didn't make it…"

It was something that she had puzzled over for a very long time; why there had not been more dragons on or around Berk after the battle.

I wonder what actually killed them. Something bad in the air? That makes no sense.

Maybe it was something like the stuffiness of being inside a cabin for weeks on end during the winter, only far worse. Only the gods could know.

She felt a slight watering in the corner of her eyes and quickly turned away to wipe it on her sleeve.

"Do you think that we are responsible at all? I mean, none of this happened before we killed the monster."

Hiccup paused, almost like he wanted to shake his head but could not bring himself to do it. He had no idea what had actually caused whatever killed the dragons. But it was too coincidental that it had only happened after they had killed the Monster.

Some of the blame had to fall on them.

"We had to do it of course. No one could have known that any of this would happen."

He nodded in resigned agreement.

"Have you told anyone else?"

Just dad

"What did he say?"

Not much, just that bad things happen

"Not surprising. He is very tough and practical, after all."

I didn't tell him about my being in danger

"Good idea. Don't worry, I won't."

He solemnly nodded in appreciation.

"Is there anything else on your mind?"

Yes, he eventually nodded.

I have nothing to do

"Nothing to do?"

He grumbled in annoyance.

You get to go places and meet other people

What do I do?

I read books and fly

"That doesn't sound so bad. What about how you helped at the Academy?"

That is done and does not need to be done now

I stay here with people who don't know me

"Of course they know you."

Not really

She saw the hurt look in his eyes.

They know me as their Chief's cute little dragon

"Oh, I think I know what you mean."

I am a stranger in my own tribe

It was not a feeling that she had experienced, to be among people she knew but have them not know her. Every single day of her life.

"Do you think there is any chance that your father would let us tell everyone the truth now?"

No.

I already asked him

"What if you just told everyone anyway?"

He shivered at the suggestion and shook his head.

Everyone would know that he has been lying

It was true, that would expose Stoick's deception. And there were other reasons why it might not be smart for most of the people to know the truth.

But this still left Hiccup in the same place as before, feeling bored and aimless. Everyone needed a task or a place in the tribe in order to have purpose in their life.

"You just need to find something to do… Hey, I know that look. You are going to ask what a dragon can do."

Yes, he nodded.

"There is always exploring like how you did going to Dragon Island. It's not like your father can stop you from doing that. You could help with making maps. Maybe you can ask Gobber if he needs help with the forge; you certainly know your way around it."

He held out one of his clawed paws. His short digits were still as nimble as ever, but the growing and sharp claws could become a problem if they ever became as long as Toothless's has been. It seemed hard to imagine that they could be used to easily work metal.

"You can figure something out, I'm sure of it."

Perhaps, he shrugged.

They glanced up at the sun high overhead. Writing took a long time, and it was probably lunchtime already.

I think we should go eat

"Ok, we've been here all morning. Thanks for telling me everything."

She watched as he jumped aloft and flew back towards home. She meandered back, taking her time to think over his predicament and everything he had told her. There were very few things that a dragon could do to help the tribe beyond fishing or carrying things, neither of which were at all appealing to someone as thoughtful as Hiccup.

But even if some meaningful task could be found for him, there was still the issue of no one truly knowing who he was. Of Hiccup not feeling accepted or truly understood by his own people. Worst, there was no conceivable way that could be remedied.

That is something only he can deal with. I certainly can't understand it.

She paused in the forest and sat down on a boulder with her head in her hands. She couldn't stop thinking about the apparent tragedy that had befallen the dragons on Dragon Island. Neither she nor Hiccup seemed to know what had done it. The idea that their own actions had somehow brought about what had happened was almost too painful to consider.

We had to kill it. It was causing the war and eating its own dragons. But eating some of them meant that most were still alive…

The tear that she had tried hard to repress fell down her cheek. She thought of Stormfly and Blueback lying dead inside the mountain that had once been their home.

The parallels to what she had found in the catacomb caverns of Mount Thor seemed too conspicuous.

This is a very hard world for dragons. If they don't die to bigger dragons, they get killed by humans or the unknown. I wonder if everything will ever truly change for them.

---

Gobber returned to the forge after his quick lunch break. He tossed a couple more logs in the furnace and began to fan the flames. His work was so different now. All he had to do was repair farm equipment and animal traps, fix saddles, and make a few nails. The only weapons he ever worked with anymore were arrows, and even those were mainly used for hunting game.

Not that he did not appreciate the more peaceful life, but he did frequently wish he was busier. His hand felt restless not having work to do. Tuffnut had lost interest in working the forge, leaving him alone to his work again.

He was in the middle of collecting the scrap metal he intended to work on this afternoon when he noticed that he was not alone. Hiccup had wandered in and stood looking at him expectantly.

"Hiccup, how are ye doing?"

Hiccup just shrugged his shoulders in the way he understood to mean 'ok but something is bothering me.'

"Alrighty, out with it. What is on yer mind?" he asked while fighting the rope which worked the bellows.

Hiccup looked around the forge and grumbled. Gobber released the rope a moment later, satisfied that the forge was finally hot enough.

"I know that look. Lost in good memories aren't ya?"

Yes.

Then Hiccup walked over to the fireplace and scratched some runes in the ashes.

Can I help?

"What? Help here in the forge?"

His former apprentice rolled his eyes in one expression which managed to have not changed one bit. He twiddled his mustache in thought.

"I guess so. What do you think you can actually do?"

Hiccup rumbled as he looked about for tasks he could easily accomplish.

"Can't help get this furnace hotter can ye?"

No.

"What? You don't know how to breathe fire?"

He thought Gobber was a bit silly to even suggest it.

Too little

"Oh, I get it. That's only something adult dragons can do. Makes sense I guess. You wouldn't know anything about being too small, would you?"

He sat down and stared at Gobber. He would almost have been offended if it were not for the twinkle in Gobber's eyes. That and he knew Gobber's mannerisms well enough to know when he was being kindly teased.

"Here, let me see those paws of yours."

He stood up and held out one of his paws for Gobber to investigate.

"Hmm, ok… I think you can manage."

What?

"I was going to get started on some leather flying equipment for the riders. You would really appreciate it, it was the twins' idea I think. They are just normal leather armor with one surprise."

He fixed Gobber with a stare that clearly demanded an answer.

"Those," Gobber grinned while pointing at a pile of old candles.

He glanced between the candles and Gobber, not understanding the connection. Gobber grabbed one of the candles and a piece of already-prepared leather. Then he rubbed the candle against the leather until there was a caking of wax flecks coating the leather's surface.

Ok, but what good is that?

"Now we put the leather over the fire for a few seconds, and the wax melts into the leather. It becomes part of the clothing and…"

Wax… riding…

It struck him with a flash of inspiration. This perfectly solved one of the problems he had encountered when flying with Toothless long ago. Bee wax repels water, which should make the person wearing that…

Waterproof

"Exactly! It's brilliant and so simple. Really helps whenever someone is out flying in the rain for some reason. I have a few prepared hides in here that I need to get cut up. Think you can do it?"

Shouldn't be too hard.

He picked up the carving knife, hopped over to the table, and gave his former master a nod. Gobber hauled an armful of hides over to him and gave him a quick demonstration.

For the entire afternoon, Hiccup did nothing but stand at the table and carefully carve the needed patterns out of the hides. Gobber alternated between sewing the pieces of leather together and treating them with wax.

It felt very much like old times again, having a lot of tedious and repetitive work to do using his hands... paws. He was quite pleased at how little trouble he actually had holding the knife and rearranging the leather. Not only was the work useful and beneficial to the tribe, but Gobber did not fuss over him or seemingly treat him any different from how he used to.

Well, aside from the relative absence of well-intentioned teasing.

It was hours later when Gobber finally came over and gave him a pat on the shoulder while looking over his work. He felt that same bit of anxiety that he had once felt. What if he had messed up, cut them the wrong way, or something else had gone wrong?

"Well, I can honestly say that is the best bit of smithy-work I've ever seen from a dragon."

He darted over to the paper Gobber had brought over for him.

That is the only such work you've seen

"Never you mind that, point is that you did a good job."

Will you have work for me every day?

"Every day? Why do you want to work so much?"

I just do

Gobber cross his arms with a frown.

"Oh, no you don't. I know that look even on a dragon. Something is bugging you, I know it. What is biting your tail?"

Grumble.

"Come on, tell me."

I feel useless

"Useless? Not this again."

Yes.

What can I do?

Everyone works for the tribe

And what can a little dragon do?

Only a few people know who I am

Gobber waited a while before answering.

"You're not so little anymore. Not being known though, that is hard I'm sure."

Sigh.

"Let me tell you something, Hiccup. I'm not very… clever you know, but I do know this. If there is something that is bothering you, you can't run and hide from it. That is what working can be, hiding. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a man throw himself into his work because he was running from a problem."

Gobber stared aimlessly at the wall.

"Like after we all thought you were gone. Your father worked harder than ever, and I almost never left the forge. But it didn't help either of us. Whatever it is you are running from will always catch you eventually. It's like trying to run from your own shadow."

Thanks for the advice

"Don't mention it. I'd be glad to have you come help out whenever you want to and there is work to do. A lot of what you and I used to do in here doesn't matter anymore. Just think about it, a dragon learning how to work in the very place we used to make weapons to fight the dragons. Could anything be stranger?"

It is quite ironic.

"You are going to be Berk's first blacksmith dragon."

Then Gobber burst out in full throated laughter, though at what Hiccup had no idea. A raised eyeridge conveyed his confusion.

"Oh… it's just that I think you are already stronger now than you were… well, before. I bet you can lift a hammer or swing an axe better as a dragon than you did as a boy."

He could certainly appreciate the irony of the situation. In fact, he picked up the smithing hammer, stood on his rear legs, and swung the hammer at an imaginary foe. The rather unnatural motion left him slightly off-balance, and he stumbled for a moment before righting himself.

"That's something I've never seen before. Very… impressive."

Not saying much

"Heh heh, you said it, not me. If you are looking for something else to do today, I do have a little task you could do for me."

Yes, he nodded.

"I fixed a bunch of tools for Olga. Think you can leave them with her?"

It seemed a very menial task to take the carpenter her repaired equipment, but at least it was something to do.

Yes.

"Great, that'll save me some time. I'll get them."

He waited as Gobber brought the sack over and hung it on his neck. He left the forge a moment later, the heavy sack clinking with every step.

This is not so easy… It would really help to walk upright.

Still, he managed by taking it slowly. It was especially nice to see how many people glanced his way in surprise. A dragon carrying a sack of its own volition on some task was not a common sight.

He made his way over to Olga's house on the other side of the village and left the tool sack at her front door.

I think I should take a break since I've been working a long time. I wonder where Toothless is.

There was one obvious place he might look. What Toothless liked to do with most of his days he wasn't sure, but his late afternoons were almost always spent in one place. He took a few moments to scan the sky, and sure enough, spotted a black speck high above.

Alright Toothless, here I come!

Several minutes of swift flight brought him up and alongside Toothless, who was gliding into the wind and sunning himself in the afternoon warmth. Toothless glanced over at him and roared a greeting.

Then Toothless roared out something else which he could barely make out over the roar of the wind.

Toothless wanted to play.

He roared back his challenge, and Toothless shot off toward the clouds above. He followed closely behind but knew he could not match Toothless's speed.

His quarry vanished into the pillar of white cloud.

If he thinks it is safe…

He followed right behind Toothless and then slowed to a glide, listening for any sound of wingbeats. His vision was reduced to a few body-lengths in all directions. One shriek was all he heard and then…

Nothing… where is he?

He wasn't sure if he heard something or not, but he felt that he had to dive quickly. A gust of wind passed right where he had been gliding a moment earlier. A tail whipped past and vanished into the cloud cover.

That was strange.

He risked a couple beats to gain more height while pondering the obvious.

I can't see him, but he knows where I am. How? I know I'm flying quietly.

But flying in a cloud could be dangerous even ignoring his own previous misadventure. Flying blind meant that they could easily crash into each other and break a wing.

It's like he can see blind… like he is in the dark!

And it made sense. Toothless had to be seeing with sound again.

I can do that too.

He wheeled about, shrieked once, closed his eyes, and listened. It was very hard to hear anything over the wind. No clear image formed in his mind like it had in the cave.

Why is that? It should work. I guess I don't understand it.

A loud roar echoed out right behind him and made him jump in surprise, frantically beating his wings to gain speed.

But it was already over at that point. Toothless grazed his tail-fins and bugled his triumph.

They both dove for land and alighted behind their house, taking a few minutes to catch their breath.

"How you faster?"

Toothless's smug expression said it all.

"I am bigger. I fly more. Makes me faster."

Hiccup grumbled in frustration.

I guess he does do a lot more flying than me. But I have better things to do with my time than only fly, as fun as it is.

"You see me in chase. How?"

Toothless just grinned a slightly toothy grin that clearly showed he was not telling.

"You need to learn that with no help. Will make you better hunter."

But I don't need to be that. Not really.

"I am going to sleep in nest. I did much flying today. Need much sleep."

Toothless set off for the door, but Hiccup called to him.

"Toothless, do you ever feel…"

He did not know the word for bored or not having anything to do.

"…like you not have things you can do?"

Toothless grumbled in thought for a moment. This had to be one of Hiccup's two-leg ideas in some way. Any other way of thinking about the question made it seem a very stupid one. There was always flying.

"No, I can fly."

Of course he can fly… oh well. Maybe a different approach this time.

"Do you feel need for helping this nest?"

"Why now? A nest helps its young, and they help it when they are big. We are not big."

With that answer, Toothless darted inside, his tail vanishing around the corner almost instantly. No doubt he would be sound asleep in moments, so quickly could he doze off after exhausting himself.

Hiccup wandered around outside for a while, just watching the various comings and goings of his tribesmen and the dragons. Then he flew up onto the Great Hall and lay down, stretching himself out in the sun's warmth.

Why doesn't he want to do anything? I guess he is right that children don't always have to do the same work as adults, but they still need to do something. I don't understand him. It's like he doesn't even want to change…

Then it struck him like a hammer to the head.

It's like he is still trying to learn to be a wild dragon. He doesn't really want to live like us… like humans. That's why he never wanted to learn to write. He doesn't see a need for it.

He really is a dragon at heart.

He eventually wandered back inside and lay down in the living room while waiting for his father to get back. A talk was in order.

Stoick eventually returned after sundown and noticed Hiccup looking at him expectantly.

"Evening, son, do you want to talk about something?"

Yes, he nodded while getting up to stand at the table.

I helped Gobber make some flight suits today

"I heard from him at dinner. A few people said they saw you doing some other work around the village too. They were impressed."

It felt almost like old times in the forge

"It must have been very wistful being back in there, wasn't it?"

Yes.

One other thing

Toothless doesn't want to do much like I do

"Like helping at the forge or doing other work?"

Yes.

"Well, of course he wouldn't. He is a real dragon, and no matter how smart they are they are not the same as humans. He also doesn't have the experience with those things that you did. Didn't you try to teach him to write?"

He wasn't interested

"You can lead an ox to water, but you can't make it drink if it doesn't want to."

I guess you are right, dad.

Stoick noticed how Hiccup's ears slumped slightly and even he could tell that Hiccup felt a bit disappointed. He could imagine why.

"It is hard to learn that someone isn't what you thought they were, that they are very different from you and might want different things. I certainly learned that lesson long ago with someone I thought was my friend. But he wasn't. All you can do is live your life as you think is right, and maybe they will change with time."

Who was your friend?

"No son, don't ask me about that," Stoick answered with a firm finality.

Shame. I would like to know what he meant. Maybe Gobber would know.

---

Stoick went to see Astrid early one morning to discuss an important matter with her. There was something that had to be done, but no one else quite had the experience.

It was about time for someone to go and check on the other tribes to see what progress they had made through the spring and early summer. It was the final part of the compact he had signed with the other tribes and of course that duty had to fall on her. There was no one better for the task than her since she already knew the other tribes and had made the flight before.

Though, he did feel slightly bad at having to rely on Astrid so much and at putting her in the danger that travel brought with it.

She is becoming a very capable leader, well-liked by everyone and always willing to help her people. She certainly has proven that she has a way with the dragons.

He knocked on her door and wondered as he waited.

What kind of Chief would she have been?

She answered the door and snapped to attention.

"Astrid, I have something I need you to do."

"What is it, sir?"

"I would like for you to go see the other two tribes and see how they are doing. Give them some help where they need it. It's part of the agreement you see."

"Yes sir, I can do it."

He crossed his arms and smiled at her.

"Do you think you are ready Astrid? I know it will be a long time that you are gone again."

"I doubt it will take as long as last time. I won't get lost again on the way there for one."

He chuckled at her display of good humor.

"And no one will try to kill me this time," she added.

"That's definitely a good thing, Astrid."

"When do you want me to leave?"

"Tomorrow."

"Yes sir. I will let my parents know."

He gave her a kind smile.

"I'm sure they are very proud of you. I certainly am."

With that, he left her alone. She gave a great sigh as soon as the door closed. Then she collapsed back at the table and stirred her spoon in the porridge without eating.

Not again. Why not someone else?

It was not especially pleasant being out in the world and flying from village to village. Sleeping under a dragon's wing under the open sky at night had its charm but got old quickly. She always arrived sweaty and grimy after a long afternoon on Stormfly's back. Most of all though, she had missed her parents, the hearth, good food, and company. Mostly company that she could properly talk with.

Her mother came over later sensing something was amiss.

"What's the matter dear?"

"Stoick asked me to fly to the other tribes again. He wants to check on them and see how they are doing."

"And why does that bother you?"

"You remember what it was like last time, mom?"

"I remember that you said some of the men were rather rude to you."

She rolled her eyes.

"Yes, but it isn't really that. This is my home here. It doesn't feel right when I'm out there in the world."

Her mother sat down at her side, a very knowing look in her eyes.

"I remember when your father and I set sail for the north, for here. We didn't know what exactly we were getting into across the savage seas, but we had each other."

Astrid chuckled.

"So you are saying I should get a husband?"

"Well, eventually. The point is that we had company in each other. Maybe you should too. I know Stormfly is always there for you, but maybe you should take someone with you whom you can actually talk with."

Her mother left her with that thought. Astrid aimlessly wandered inside the house for a while more before she decided to head outside to find Stormfly. As usual, she was rewarded with a happy warble as she scratched under her dragon's chin.

"You excited to fly a long way again? I'm not."

At least this time should be better. I wonder if the Volsung ever softened. Maybe they will be better company.

Company.

Better company would certainly make the travel more enjoyable. Someone she could actually talk to. But who? Fishlegs most likely. Certainly not the twins or Snotlout. Was there anyone who…

A crazy thought came to mind.

There was someone else who it would be perfect to have meet the other tribes. Her idea would also help greatly with the predicament she knew this person was facing.

The most difficult part would certainly be convincing Stoick to allow it.

---

Astrid met up with the Chief outside the Great Hall after lunch.

"Sir, I gave it some thought, and I know something we could do to help the other tribes."

"Go on, I'm listening."

"We both know what our own people went through. It was not easy for most people to change, some didn't at all."

"I know."

"The other tribes were helped by meeting a friendly dragon, my Stormfly."

"Yes."

She hesitated before continuing.

"Nothing could help them more than meeting one of your dragons."

Stoick's demeanor seemed to suddenly freeze.

"Think about it, they can talk in their own way. At least one of them can. It'll be hard for everyone else to hold onto their anger when they meet a dragon that can write and is friendly. As friendly as Stormfly is, it is not the same as with yours."

"I… I don't know Astrid. They've never been so far away, and it is dangerous out there."

She weighed her words carefully before answering.

"No more dangerous than it was for me and Stormfly. No one actually threatened us until the Berserkers. As long as we avoid them, we should have no problems, and I do not plan on seeing them at all. It could also be good for your Furies to get out and see some of the world."

"Let me think about it."

"Yes sir, I'll start packing now and leave tomorrow. Just let me know by then."

He left without giving her any clear answer, not that she expected to get one right away. It was a rather brazen suggestion, but she thought it would work out well for everyone involved. It would give Hiccup an opportunity to get off the island, have time with her, and do some good by helping the other tribes with any of their remaining hesitance toward dragons.

The only person who would not likely approve would be Stoick, of course. The idea of letting his son out of his eyes and letting him possibly risk his life was surely trying for him.

I'm not going to mention it to Hiccup. His father might say no. But maybe… just maybe...

---

Stoick wandered the village, mindlessly working on menial tasks like chopping firewood, checking on cattle, and making small talk to pass the time. Anything to avoid the creeping feeling that Astrid was right.

His practical side told him that she was definitely right. Nothing could do more to help the other tribes overcome any remaining tensions with dragons than meeting a dragon who could talk and show that he was not a beast.

Not only that, but Hiccup had never truly been off Berk to see other tribes. It was something he had hoped to be able to do with Hiccup when his son became a man and was preparing to take on the mantle of being Chief. Seeing how differently other tribes lived helped to give perspective on how to lead or rule his own people.

But none of this helped with the deep angst he felt at the thought of letting Hiccup out of his sight or off the island without his supervision and protection. It was his responsibility to look after Hiccup, and the world could be a very hostile place. Letting him out of his sights felt like he was losing his son in a way.

I thought I had gotten over this already.

Sigh.

This would have happened eventually even if this hadn't happened to him. Every father must let his son become a man and do dangerous things. My father sure did. I just wish it didn't have to be this way.

He glanced back at his house where Hiccup was surely curled up asleep on the bed. Letting Hiccup out into the world also made it more likely that the truth would come out.

That would be the worst. The other tribes find out and think that we are a tribe of sorcerers. They would surely try to destroy us then. But he has held his tongue so far. Maybe it is not that dangerous after all.

"What would you do, my love?" he whispered to the winds.

.

"Yeah, you would have him go."

After waiting only a moment longer to weigh his decision, he made up his mind and proceeded straight home. It made sense to tell Hiccup first.

He pushed open the door to Hiccup's room, entered, and lay a hand on Hiccup's shoulder. Hiccup sleepily yawned and blinked his eyes before realizing who was there.

"Hiccup, come here. I need to tell you something," he whispered.

He rolled out of bed, followed his father into the living room, and looked up at him expectantly.

"There is something I want you to do."

What is it?

"Astrid is going to go to the other tribes again to see how they are doing and help them out with anything dragon-related. I would like you to go with her."

He was too surprised to react as his father's request sank in. He simply stared and gaped in shock.

"Uh, yeah don't get too excited, son. You can help her by being yourself. She thought it would be a good idea for them to meet a smart dragon."

Hiccup excitedly hopped over to the table and fumbled with the paper.

Really, you want me to go?

"Not really, it can be dangerous out there, and I wouldn't be there to keep you safe. But… I think it can be good for you and for the other tribes. It might help change the way they think. You have to keep your secret, of course."

Easy, no problem!

What about Toothless

"Uh, what about him? Do you think he would want to go too?"

Probably not actually, but it could be good for him to meet other human tribes.

I will talk to him about it

Before his father had a chance to leave he hopped down, stood up before Stoick, and gave him the biggest hug he could, his head just reaching his father's shoulders. His dad rather awkwardly returned the embrace.

"Well, uh, she will be leaving tomorrow morning. Let me know after you talk to him."

Ok.

Hiccup wasted no time, now flush with energy, and darted back to his room.

Toothless, you are not going to believe this!

He roughly shoved at Toothless's shoulder to wake him up.

Grr…

"What… Hiccup?" Toothless yawned.

"We will fly with Astrid to other-two-leg nests."

Toothless just stared and flicked his tail once.

"Why?"

"Why? See new nest. See other two-legs. Show them we not bad-kin."

"Why do we care? Those two-legs are not here."

"No, but they could be other-kin-like to this nest."

"Maybe," Toothless grumbled.

"You do not want to go."

"No, no need."

Hiccup glumly slunk back out and into the hall, this time with his tail dragging behind him.

Why doesn't he want to go? He doesn't care about seeing other tribes or showing them what we really are.

Sigh.

I just wish he wanted to do more and… be more.

"So? What is the word?"

He said no

"Just you then. Astrid should be leaving in the morning. I'll go let her know that you will be going with."

Stoick marched out the door and set off for the Hoffer household. Hiccup waited in the living room and turned his thoughts to the future.

This is going to be fun. I'm going to get to see other tribes and new islands. New islands… maybe I should start making that map that she mentioned.

It was something that had actually been on his mind for a while. One definite advantage he had over all the other mapmakers on the island was the aerial view he enjoyed. It was also easier to cover more ground.

I should probably rest today. Lots of flying to do tomorrow.

---

Astrid rose before sunrise, gobbled down some plain porridge, and finished packing. Changes of clothing, blankets to sleep in, an updated copy of the Book of Dragons, a letter from Chief Stoick to the other tribes, a few spare weapons, and hard bread and dried meats for her and smoked fish for Hiccup.

She thought about the imminent journey and the tribes to visit. Edgaras and his hotheads and Svana's tribe of fishermen, both were different and posed distinct challenges.

A neck-rub and scratch under the chin woke Stormfly just after dawn without disturbing Blueback.

I'm sure they can be apart for a while. I hope…

The dragon did not react any differently and patiently waited as she strapped on the saddle. Then Astrid brought Stormfly some fish and chicken, specially butchered for this long flight.

It wasn't long until Stoick and Hiccup showed up outside her house.

"Morning Astrid," Stoick yawned.

"It is indeed, sir. A good day for flying it looks like."

"Well, here he is. Take good care of him."

"You know I will, sir."

He nodded once and stepped back while she hopped up into her saddle. She and Stormfly were aloft a moment later.

Hiccup spread his wings and prepared to follow when his dad whispered to him.

"Son?"

He turned to face him.

"Be… be careful."

Of course I will.

He nodded once in acknowledgment and quickly thrust himself skyward, so eager was he to get the adventure underway. It took only a moment to catch up to Stormfly's level and was easy to match her speed. They quickly covered the distance to the cliffs and flew out over the crashing seas.

Despite seeing the sight many times before, he felt compelled to glance back at the village. His father still stood there staring up at the sky after him.

Something almost felt wrong about leaving like this.

I remember when I bugged him about going with him on the longboats. He said that I could join him when I was a man. Now I am finally going to see other tribes, but without him there.

He took a long and deep breath.

Dad wants me to go and do this. I want to do this, to meet other people and help them learn about dragons. And I get to go on an adventure with Astrid. This will be fun.

He stopped thinking about anything except the warm sun, the flow of the wind, and the feeling of complete freedom that enveloped his being on long flights.

Time began to flow together as they flew on out over the ocean.

The only change came when he saw Stormfly begin descending toward a small, mostly barren, island. It was clearly not their final destination.

Probably a break. Gods, it's already midday.

Stormfly landed on the sandy beach and Astrid jumped off. She took off her helmet and let her hair down.

"Hey, how are you holding up?"

Good

I like long flights

"Sounds like you have some stories you haven't told me."

He gave her an amused look as she looked out over the sea.

"Well, we're about halfway there. I thought we should stop for a while to eat and rest."

Good idea

She nodded at her dragon, who was busy frolicking in the waves.

"She was getting rather tired. Nadders don't do great in very long flights."

I know that.

"I packed some fish for you," she said as she handed him a rolled-up sack.

He could smell the smoked fish, and it made him realize how hungry he was. Dried though the fish was after he unrolled the sack, it still looked delicious.

Thanks Astrid

She gave him a kind smile.

"I thought you would like it. Cod is your favorite I think. It wasn't hard to make."

She got her sack of bread, butter, and nuts, and they started on their respective meals together.

"I think she could do with a nap," Astrid mentioned when she saw how her dragon had curled up on the beach.

Should we too?

"Why not?"

They both walked over to where Stormfly had reclined. The Nadder noticed them and made room under a wing for Astrid. Surprisingly to Hiccup, she also chirped at him a couple times and lifted her other wing for him.

Slowly, as if he thought he could be wrong, he slipped underneath and curled up against the Nadder's side.

It helps with the sun. Hmm, I guess this is what hatchlings see with their parents.

He remembered what Toothless had told him long ago about different dragons of the same nest. That they would protect each other's young.

That has to be what she is doing for us.

It was both bizarre and warmly comforting.

The satisfaction of a full belly, the slight ache in his wings from the long flying, and his warm and snug dragon-wing accommodations quickly had the expected effect and left him sound asleep in minutes.

Astrid lay awake a bit longer, content to listen to the two dragons' heavy breathing and the gentle lapping of the ocean on the shore.

This is so peaceful. Sigh. Just wait until we get there.

---

The company awoke a couple hours later in the afternoon, all feeling well-rested.

How far from here

"We are going to visit the Vaina first. They are the easier ones to get along with. I'd say we should be there by sunfall if we don't stop."

Sounds good. Looks clear and sunny the rest of the day too.

"There is something else we should probably talk about before we get there."

What?

"How are you going to act around them? Obviously, we won't let them know who you really are. But how should we introduce you?"

It was a fair question. Learning that a dragon could understand everything they were saying and could even talk back could be an unsettling revelation. No, it would almost certainly be one if prior experience was any indication.

Maybe just the Chief first

"That sounds like a good idea. I don't think we will have a problem with Svana or her people, but just in case…"

She whistled, and Stormfly hopped over to her side. He flared his wings and growled to show his eagerness.

"Excited, are we?"

Yes, he nodded.

She chuckled and smoothly mounted Stormfly.

"Alright, let's go then!"

Then they were off again for the last leg of the flight. It was a thankfully uneventful flight until the sun was very low on the horizon.

I wonder what kind of dragons they have there? Have they ever seen a Night Fury before?

Hiccup's excitement started to grow the moment land came into sight. There were even several boats out on the waters and several small specks aloft above the land. The flying things were too large to be birds.

Those are dragons!

He darted over to Stormfly and carefully brushed Astrid with a wingtip. Together they looked ahead at the approaching island. The seafaring village gradually began to appear in more detail. Houses, farms, animal pens, and statues all came into vision.

Stormfly clearly recognized the place from before and gave a joyous roar. His own roar of delight followed almost before he knew what he was doing. He sheepishly glanced over at Astrid a moment later.

She just laughed heartily.

They continued to draw nearer with him following her lead. Stormfly descended into the village, which quickly came alive at her approach. They landed together, and Astrid hopped off to greet the villagers.

He looked around his surroundings, drinking in all the sights and sounds of this new, to him, tribe. There were what were clearly dragon stables a short flight away. He could also see a couple of them lazing about over the village seemingly without a care in the world.

The people looked familiar but very different at the same time. Mostly it was that they were a bit smaller than people from Berk.

And they were all staring at him.

"What is that?" someone asked Astrid.

What am I indeed…

She walked over and stood next to him.

"His name is Hiccup."

"What kind of name is that?"

A massive woman barreled through the crowd before she had a chance to answer. Svana stood stock still for a moment in surprise when she saw Astrid standing next to a black dragon calmly sitting on its haunches and looking out over her village.

That must be Svana… she is big…

"Astrid!"

"Chief Svana," Astrid stepped forward and greeted her.

"What is that dragon?"

"What? You've never seen a Night Fury before?"

At that a great whispering broke out and several people visibly stepped back. Even Svana winced and looked uncertain.

Looks like they have heard of them at least.

"So… that is a Night Fury… what is it doing here?"

Astrid stepped back and stood next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"That is a long story. For now though, he is here to show you that Night Furies are not the terrifying monsters born of lightning and death that the stories say."

He groaned audibly and rolled his eyes.

"Come here and meet him."

"Careful Chief, they can eat the souls of their victims!" shouted one of the village graybeards.

"Don't give me that yak dung, Yngol."

Svana paused for a moment before tiptoeing forward. He held himself still and calm to avoid spooking her, even though she was the far taller of the two. She stopped a couple feet from him and slowly reached out a hand for his neck.

He gave a soft purr and let her stroke him. The audience all started murmuring again, this time in clear surprise and amazement.

The things I have to do…

"Wonderful. What is his name?"

"Hiccup."

"Odd name for a dragon."

"He is named for Stoick's son."

"The boy who died?"

"Yes."

She stepped back away from them, now with a hint of a grin on her usually stern features.

"Well, Astrid, that is one amazing dragon."

"Yes, he is. With respect Svana, we've been flying all day and are hungry and tired."

"Of course, of course. I'll take you to the stables."

Hiccup and Astrid winked at each other as they followed her to the dragon-dwellings. Astrid took special interest in these structures that had been built in the time since her last visit. The buildings themselves looked rather poor and didn't have much in the way of framing. But that was not unlike most of the homes on the island and it was better than having no shelter at all.

"You haven't had any problems with them burning anything down, have you?"

"Not anymore. And we are close enough to the water that we've been able to put out the fires we have had. Esbern, go get some fish for these beasts!"

A lad left the crowd and ran down toward the docks.

They finally arrived at the stables, and Stormfly finally allowed herself to be shooed into one of the empty ones after Astrid's coaxing. The other empty cell, which Svana shouted at some people to get cleaned up, was clearly mainly used to store tools and waste from other stables.

Oh no, I am not sleeping in there! That smells terrible!

He nudged Astrid and furtively shook his head after catching her eye.

"Ah," she nodded in understanding before turning to Svana.

"Don't bother with cleaning that one. He won't sleep in there."

"Where will he go then?"

"I'll figure something out."

"Oh well, you know your dragon," she shrugged as she called her men off.

"He is not mine."

"Seems like he could be. He is very calm and well-behaved."

"I'm glad you think so. You wouldn't mind him joining us for dinner then. Just the three of us."

"What?" she looked evidently confused.

"He joins my people during dinner at our Chief's table."

"You let your dragons inside!"

"Well, not all of them. Most of them eat outside at our fish stations. He is small enough, and we make an exception for him."

"We don't let dragons in our houses. There were… accidents last time."

"That won't be a problem with him," Astrid reassured her.

Svana regarded him as he patiently sat observing her village.

"I guess I can allow it. Helps that he is small and can actually fit through the door."

He smugly grinned when he was sure she wasn't looking.

The lad, Esbern, returned with a basket of the freshest catch.

"Ah, there he is. Give some to Astrid's dragon, and I'll take the rest," Svana commanded.

He obliged, and Stormfly was happily tossing back whole fish moments later. Astrid took a moment with Stormfly and then, satisfied that the Nadder was content where she was, she and Hiccup followed Svana across the village to her house.

They were almost there when several figures approached, three youths leading three dragons. Svana noticed who they were and turned to Astrid.

"Don't take too long, I need a moment to clean up anyway."

Then she ran on ahead as the youths approached.

"Helgrid, is that you?" Astrid exclaimed.

"And Ralof."

"And Orgnar."

"My, you all have grown! Tell me about everything that's happened…"

While Astrid was busy getting reacquainted with her former students, Hiccup was being corralled by three inquisitive dragons, two Nadders and one breed he only knew from the Book, the Rumblehorn. They supposedly had the best sense of smell of any dragon.

Uh, hi there… so you guys are the first non-Berk dragons I've met who have riders.

Each of them took a turn to sniff or gently prod at him while grumbling querulously.

Never seen a Night Fury before? Aren't you friendly fellows…

Whatever their reasons, he was content to just wait and patiently endure their attention. He inspected the saddles that the dragons had been fitted with. They vaguely reminded him of some of his first builds back with Toothless before he realized how he had to change a horse's saddle. Admirable attempts which could be improved with time and practice to make it more comfortable on the mounts.

Then one of the dragons got a bit too personal with where it tried to sniff him. He whirled around with a hiss and batted its head away.

No you don't!

The Nadder backed away and the other two gave him a bit more room before slowly meandering away.

He growled in their direction for good measure. A bit of attention was something he knew he had to endure, but he had to preserve his dignity. Then he hastily looked around to see if anyone saw that… altercation. Astrid still had her back turned to him and was eagerly chatting with her three former students, none of whom had seemed to notice either.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Once the dragons had wandered off, he strolled up next to the little group to get a better look at the youths. They each looked about twelve or thirteen, and each had the not-uncommon blonde hair.

"You really have some Thunderdrums around here? We don't have any around Berk, and I've never actually seen one up close," Astrid lamented.

"Oh yeah, five of them. They're not the friendliest beasties, but we leave them alone and they leave us alone," Helgrid explained.

Then the four of them noticed him calmly sitting next to them and listening in on their discussion. The three Vainians seemed suddenly unsure of themselves and started shifting on their feet.

"What's the matter with you three?" she teased them.

"Astrid… that's a… Night Fury," Ralof whispered.

"The unholy offspring of lightning and death itself," Orgnar also stammered.

Astrid burst out laughing and clutched at her sides to regain her composure. Only she had seen him mouthing along with those infamous words because the other three had been looking away.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing…"

"Why were you laughing then?"

"Oh, it's just that... we used to call them the same thing. Just because we didn't understand them."

"Understand them?" Helgrid asked in evident confusion.

Astrid took a couple steps over to him and again put her hand on his neck.

"I've known him for years. You'd be surprised how smart he is."

"Does he do tricks? Sit boy!" Ralof commanded.

He just stared back and glared at the lad until Ralof became uncomfortable.

"You can't order him around," Astrid explained.

"How do you get him to obey then?"

"It doesn't... work like that."

"Well... how old is he?" Orgnar asked her.

"Almost two years old."

"Can I pet him?" Helgrid wondered.

What do you think I am? A pup?

He grumbled softly and backed away from them.

"I don't think he wants to be petted."

"He let you though..."

"Because he knows me."

"Ok. He is a cute dragon, don't you think?" Helgrid asked her.

Astrid slightly paused before answering.

"Well, I don't know that 'cute' is the right... but in a way he kind of is..."

Humph. It was her turn to be glared at.

"Right, I think we have to be going. Wouldn't want to keep your Chief waiting."

"Ok, see you tomorrow Astrid. We can't wait to show you some of our tricks with our dragons," the three of them exclaimed before running off to find their beasts.

Hiccup glanced back at her and waited until she had almost caught up with him, then he flicked his tail and struck her in the shin.

"Ouch! Why would you do that?" she yelled as she massaged her leg.

He gave her his best puppy dog look and then glared again.

"Was that because I said you were cute?"

Obviously...

"Well, I can't help it if its true. Would you rather be a Gronkle?"

Of course not.

"Get used to it then. There are worse things that could come to their minds when they see you."

The pair resumed their journey to Svana's abode, Astrid giving him a little extra space just in case he decided he was still offended. She knocked on the door and Svana let them in. Once inside, she looked around at the many furs and pelts that adorned the walls.

"Just as I remember it."

Svana stood back up from lighting the fireplace, which Hiccup immediately went over and lay down next to so that he could bask in the glowing heat. Svana returned with several fish which she left on the floor for him and a couple others which she speared over the fire.

He glanced at the unprepared fish and grimaced. Astrid spared him a sympathetic look.

Great, I need to wait even longer. Wonderful.

"Things are very different around here now Astrid. You can surely see that. I have my own dragon now too."

"I'm glad to hear that. What kind?"

"It is a Nightmare. Though, I can't fly with him as you can imagine. There's a bit too much of me for that."

"Maybe I'll meet him soon."

"Probably. We still have some problems with the nearby Thunderdrums."

"My former students here said that those dragons don't bother you," Astrid said.

"Bother us, no they don't. But they do make it hard to fish when they are out."

"I will see what we can do about that."

"I'd appreciate that."

Svana nodded and turned back to face the fireplace and the dozing dragon.

"I can't get over him Astrid. He is so… beautiful, calm, and… I don't know… different from every other dragon I know."

Astrid glanced over at him too and took a deep breath.

"Do you have any parchment and a pencil?"

"Sure," she answered and obtained the items.

"Before we talk about your tribe, there is something else I need to tell you first," Astrid began.

"What?"

"It's about him. I didn't bring him here without reason. He is here to show you something."

"Show me something?"

They both looked over at the now-alert Fury.

"Hiccup, do you want to show her now?"

Yes, he nodded.

"Did he just…" Svana stuttered.

Astrid turned back to her.

"Talk to him."

Svana looked stupefied.

"W…what?"

"Talk to him. Ask him his name."

"But dragons don't…"

Her words died out as she stared into his green, unblinking eyes. Eyes that gazed at her with evident purpose and awareness. It again struck her that it was behaving too composed for a beast.

"No… it's imposs… What is your name?"

Hiccup got up, walked over to the table, his claws clicking against the wooden floorboards, stood up, clasped the pencil, and traced a single word.

Hiccup

Svana stared in disbelief.

"Bu…"

"Yes, he can understand you. Not only that but he can write too as you saw."

"It can write! By the gods!"

He grumbled in annoyance at being referred to that way.

Yes, it can

She turned to Astrid and struggled in vain to find words.

"He is just as smart as we are," Astrid explained.

"I… I don't believe it…"

"Believe it. It wasn't easy for some of my own tribe to accept either," Astrid offered.

"I didn't know that dragons were so smart."

Not all are

"What?"

Night Furies are special

"Only Night Furies? What about other dragons then? Are they…" she mumbled something incoherent and gestured in his general direction.

Astrid stared into her mug, her thoughts clearly elsewhere for the moment.

"They are not the same. Of all the dragons we know of, he is the only one who can talk like this and understands everything we say. That doesn't mean that you should treat the others worse though."

"No, I think we are beyond that here, Astrid. I know my dragon is clever for a beast, but nothing like this. This is still hard for me to believe. What, are our goats and dogs this smart too?"

Astrid chuckled at that.

"I doubt it. They don't try to talk. Dragons are not simple pets. My Stormfly is rather smart and she definitely has some personality, but even she is not like the Furies."

"Furies? How many of you are there?"

Only two

"We thought it would be best to show you this first. You would know better than us how to let your people know in the best way," Astrid offered.

"Definitely right about that. I'll need to think about that tonight. By Freya, they are going to be surprised."

Hiccup then nudged Astrid and nodded toward the fish that had been left for him. Svana noticed.

"What is the matter?"

"He likes his fish prepared. Right?"

Yes, he nodded.

"Of course he would... Why not? How about sitting on a chair and eating like us too, using a knife and spoon?" Svana groaned in exasperation.

"Well, actually…" Astrid began.

"No, just don't…" Svana closed her eyes again.

He chuckled, drawing another surprised look from her.

"Did he just… laugh at me?"

Yes, he nodded again with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Loki's breath… what is the elder going to say about this?" she muttered before returning to her mug of ale.

"It depends on how wise they are. Our previous elder never got to see this before she died."

Astrid speared the fish and held them over the open fire until the smell of roasting fish began to fill the room. Svana was clearly grateful for a few minutes of quiet after such a substantial revelation.

Once the fish were done, Astrid took them off the stake, gutted them, and handed him his dinner on a plate. Svana stared in amusement as he practically inhaled his dinner while being careful to not make a mess.

"Now I've seen everything… sigh… How far have your people traveled Astrid? Being able to fly on dragonback surely makes it easier to cross the seas."

"We haven't really gone far. Not beyond the nearby isles and local tribes. We've never had a need to go to the mainland or the wild north. Why do you ask?"

"Strange stories. Some people say that dragons don't even exist anymore out there and others say that there are swarms of hundreds flying around. I normally wouldn't trust those tales, but I've been hearing them for years now."

Astrid thought about those two contradictory claims; that dragons didn't exist out in the outside world and that there were large flights of them still out there. It didn't make sense. Could such powerful creatures have mostly died out, or did they only live up in this part of the world for some reason?

"How long are you going to be here?" Svana wondered.

"Just long enough to see how your tribe is doing, answer any questions anyone has, introduce everyone to this guy over here, and help with any problems you have. It's important that our tribes are allies."

She handed over the letter that Stoick had given her for Svana, which she accepted and briefly read over. Once she finished reading, she sat back down in her chair.

"Your Chief is a good man. That would be good for both of our tribes. You know more about dragons than we do, and we need to learn from you. Having some of our actual riders learn on Berk would help a lot. I'll talk to you more about my tribe in the morning."

That reminded Astrid how late it was, and she politely covered her yawn.

"You've had a long day. I had my people put up a tent for you near your dragon. You don't need to worry about being out there after dark. My people know not to bother you."

"I didn't think they would. Plus, I have the most feared dragon in the world here to protect me."

They both looked over to him, and he raised a single eye-ridge in clear amusement. Svana actually chuckled at the humor.

"Alright Hiccup, let's go."

He got up, walked over to the door, and pushed it open.

"Absolutely amazing," she overheard Svana whisper to herself.

Both Astrid and Hiccup took their time as they walked back through the nighttime village. Sure enough, a small tent with a little fire at the entrance had been set up next to Stormfly's stable. Hiccup waited outside the entrance while Astrid retrieved her pack and a blanket which she laid out for herself after briefly tending to Stormfly.

She stoked the fire, settled down, and noticed him standing there looking a bit lost. She remembered the poor stable room that they were going to clean up for him to sleep in.

I don't want him to sleep in one of those. That wouldn't be right. Neither would making him sleep outside on the ground.

"All right, come on," she beckoned him into the tent with a wave.

He blinked in surprise and carefully crept around her as she snuggled under a blanket. The tent was not especially large, having been set up just for one, and left them a bit cramped for space, but he managed to find room after accidentally knocking into her once with his tail. The warm glow of the fire and the crackle of the logs quickly left him feeling quite drowsy, especially after flying for nearly half the day.

"So, what do you think of her?" Astrid whispered.

I think she is nice. Anyone who has a dragon of their own can't be too bad.

It helped that she almost perfectly knew his expressions by now.

"She is not as rough as I thought she would be at first. Your dad told me all about the Vaina the first time I came here; that they lost over half their people in one dragon attack out at sea before we were born. But since then they didn't get attacked as much as we did, mostly because they didn't have any sheep or cattle to take. That it has been so long since then probably helped them be more willing to rebuild like this."

"Can you imagine their surprise when we show them tomorrow?"

Oh, I can. I just hope nothing goes wrong.

"It'll go fine. I hope. I wonder how different they will be from how we were. Remember when Fishlegs forced you to write all afternoon? He looked like he wanted to hug you like a stuffed toy."

He rolled his eyes and huffed at the memory.

"Almost everyone went home and tried to talk to their dragons afterwards. It took a while for them to learn that you were a special case. But that is how we are, slow to learn and stubborn."

A peace followed until all sound outside vanished, save for the fire's crackle and the distant roll of the surf.

"Do you think there are any other dragons that can learn to talk?"

I hope so. If Night Furies can, why not some other kind too?

Which translated to a shrug and half-sigh.

"The only way to know is to explore I guess. Find new dragons and see for ourselves."

Yes.

"Do… do you think what we are doing is right?" she eventually whispered.

He grumbled his confusion at the strange question without lifting his head.

"I mean, it is not exactly right that you are like all other dragons. Toothless is smart, but he hasn't tried to learn or talk to us at all without your help."

He just shook his head slowly with a sigh and grumble. Such a line of questioning had never given him an answer before. At least, no answer he could feel comfortable with.

I'm going to make him learn when I get back. Actually learn this time.

"I don't know either. I guess it doesn't matter. It's good to get them to treat all dragons better, of course."

Yes, he nodded.

"Well, Hiccup, I'm glad you're out here."

She then pulled the blanket over her head, leaving only her golden hair still showing. He did likewise with his tailfins and listened to the crackle of the fire, still soaking in the warmth from its dying tongues.

I am too, Astrid.

Try as he might to fall asleep, the question of personhood seemed oddly difficult for him to put to rest. Even despite pondering that exact issue off and on ever since learning that Toothless had more than simple thoughts and could talk.

I guess we can make sure they know that most dragons don't talk. It wouldn't be right to trick them.

He shuffled about for a moment before finding the most comfortable position.

Hmm, I wonder what Toothless is getting up to now?

---

Despite the exhaustion from flying most of the day, it was still a while longer before he fell asleep.

He perched silently and motionlessly in the tree's lower branches exactly where he had been for a long time. He didn't even risk flicking his ears at the annoying little buzzers.

This was one of the main game trails in this part of the forest.

Patience…

It had been far too long since he had hunted for himself. Not that relying on two-legs was a completely bad thing; it certainly was not since hunting was not as certain as the catch the two-legs always brought.

But not doing this on his own ran the risk of him forgetting how to hunt. It was no different from a kin that could fly but never did; their wings would grow weak from lack of use until eventually the kin could not fly even if it wanted to. He was still a hunter in his liver.

I know there are four-leg-bush-tail-prey here. Their droppings are all along this trail.

The sun had already traced much of its journey to the height of its flight. His waiting was eventually rewarded when a brown four-leg-bush-tail hopped through the underbrush. It sniffed at the air and slowly crept closer.

It is upwind…

Only his eyes moved, following its progress until it stopped to nibble on a plant.

Just a little more…

He tensed his powerful hind legs, readied his claws, and prepared to pounce.

The prey passed right in front of his tree.

He leaned forward, falling out of the tree, and pushed off at the last instant, darting toward his prey like a diving kite. He heavily crashed into the ground and rolled head over tail. The red coating on his claws was the first thing he noticed after regaining his breath.

The prey was dead and significantly flatter.

He roared in triumph to the trees.

"Yes! Fear me!"

Several birds were sent scurrying from their trees in fear at his roar. Then he settled down to his meal. The two-legs always wasted time and effort taking the fur off and carving meat from the bones. He just bit the bush-tail in half and swallowed both pieces. It was hardly a large meal at all, and he had eaten far more in fish already this sun.

But this was not hunting to live. This was hunting to be alive.

After spending the rest of the sun's light out in the woods without catching anything, he returned to the nest-den after nightfall and climbed into his bed. He curled up, fully expecting to quickly fall asleep without any worries. But something was different this time.

Something felt odd about seeing Hiccup's place empty again.

What is Hiccup doing? Probably talking to the other two-leg nest. What could he possibly need to say? They are not his nest, his near-kin.

Grumble.

He waited, shuffling about in search of rest until he overheard the door to the sire's sleeping-room close. The odd choking, grumbling sound that the male frequently made while sleeping started soon after.

He thought about Hiccup soaring above some distant island, drifting on a warm thermal.

Maybe I should have gone with him. If only to get away from here for a while.

---

A hunched figure with a ragged red mane stumbled through the brush and ran toward the cliff in pursuit of something elusive. The pursuing figure called out repeatedly, its voice cracked with despair and fear. Its quarry whipped around the bushes and darted for the cliff. Then the man stopped on the precipice and stared out over the ocean. The man shouted at the distant black speck gradually vanishing into the horizon. The man fell to the ground in grief and tore at his beard.

Stoick awoke in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and panic. Everything else was quiet and peaceful. He gathered himself for a moment, catching his breath, swung out of bed, and silently glided down the hall to check on Hiccup's room as if in a daze.

Unsurprisingly, he only saw Toothless's dark bulk curled in on itself in its usual place. His panic spiked and then subsided with his recollection. He glanced around the corners of the room just to check, and then he stepped back and closed the door.

Right, he is off with Astrid. What am I thinking?

Since he was already awake, he walked into the kitchen and chewed on some rough bread out of habit. It was hard to shake the vividness of the dream. Most troubling was that it was clear to him who the two figures were.

He returned to bed after the snack and restlessly lay there, unable to fall back to sleep.

I'm just afraid of letting him go; afraid that something bad might happen to him.

Such dreams had troubled him years ago. Tradition had once held that a boy had to go into the wild for a month and survive with no help to become a man. He had to hunt his own game and defend himself from wolves or attackers. Those who returned would be recognized as a man, especially so if they returned with pelts in hand.

Some of his worst nightmares had been about his little Hiccup having to survive out in the wilderness in a place where he definitely did not belong. Wolves hunting him and no strength of his own to speak of…

But… he can take care of himself. And he is with Astrid and Stormfly. Both of them are protective enough… I should be the one to protect him though…

But this risk was unavoidable and was a normal part of being a father. He had to let his child go out into the world, even in such odd circumstances as his. It was part of letting go.

His rest was very troubled when it finally came after much tossing and turning.

---

"Oh, look at it." "It's so dark." "So smooth." "I bet it's fast." "I want one."

What?

He shook himself awake and looked out the tent. Several youths, some of whom he recognized from the previous day, were standing there at the entrance and ogling at him.

Oh great, not more of this.

"Enjoying yourselves, aren't you?" Astrid spoke up.

"Just admiring your beastie here," one of the lads offered.

"I see. He isn't my dragon, Haldor."

"What?"

"Just what I said. He is not my dragon."

"But it is so well-trained."

Grr…

"Not really."

"No? What then?"

"That's a surprise. Run along now."

The young Vainans reluctantly left, albeit with many backward glances.

"Sleep well?"

Yes.

"Good, I guess I'll get changed and go check on Stormfly. Do you mind?"

He took her cue and left, leaving her alone in the tent. The village was surprisingly active for it being early in the morning. In many ways it seemed no different from home back on Berk. People were tending to livestock, washing clothing, working on the docks, and doing other necessary tasks. And just like back at home there were a few dragons laying about, though obviously not as many.

It was a very good sight.

He was in the middle of stretching when he noticed a man and his young daughter looking his way. She couldn't be more than three years old. And she had a fish in her hand.

Well, this is new. I think they want to meet me.

Eating a whole fish raw was not his preference, but sacrifices could be made in special situations when it would change someone's life for the better. Just like this one seemed to be. He started slowly walking toward them, and the girl backed up and nervously held her father's hand.

"Careful Illdia," the man whispered.

He stopped right before them and sat down. It was strangely difficult to know how to react or behave. Obviously, he didn't want to spook them, but neither did he want them to think he was a beast.

"See, it's like a pup."

Hey, I resent that… I guess it could be worse for a first meeting.

"Toss it the fishy."

The little girl, Illdia, seemed very nervous and did nothing except hold onto her father's leg.

Oh you poor little thing. I guess I am a little bit bigger…

He bent down and hummed at the little girl, then he held out his palm. She quickly glanced from his eyes down to his paw. She hesitated, then just when he thought she wouldn't move she stepped forward with her father right at her side, reached out, and dropped the fish in his outheld paw.

Then she stood still, innocently, though slightly anxiously, looking up at him with her big, blue eyes.

He glanced again at the little perch he was holding. Not eating it would definitely hurt the little girl's feelings, and he couldn't have that happen. So he swallowed it quickly and gave her a happy rumble, which she responded to with an innocent chuckle of her own. She seemed to gain some courage and reached out as if to touch him.

"Hiccup!"

He whirled around at Astrid's voice and saw her beckoning him over. He trotted over to her, sparing a glance back at Illdia and her father as the two looked on after him. As heartwarming, albeit brief, as the encounter was, there was still something that didn't sit right about it, though he couldn't place what was unsettling him.

I wonder what Toothless thought and felt in the cove that first time we met. Guess I should ask him when I get home.

"Making a friend?" Astrid whispered when he reached her side.

Yes, he nodded.

"Svana came by a moment ago. She wants to get the introduction over with soon."

They glanced over toward the clearing at the center of the village. People were indeed beginning to congregate there.

"Shall we?"

He took a deep breath and nodded, falling in step behind her. She had foregone her usual attire and was wearing a long, green dress.

Where did you get that? I don't recognize it. Must be a gift.

Perhaps three dozen of the villagers were gathered in a circle around their Chief, and they smoothly parted to let the two of them through.

"Ah Astrid! Sleep well, did you?" Svana's booming voice echoed out over the murmuring crowd.

"Very well. My thanks for the dress, it fits well."

"It is our gift to you. Veleth said it was about your size."

Svana paused and glanced his direction for a moment, as if finding reassurance in his even gaze. He gave her a subtle nod as he sat down next to Astrid. Then Svana took a breath and turned back to the audience.

"My people. You all remember Astrid of Berk. She came to show us how to get dragons to stay and be useful to us. How to not fight with us anymore. We treat them well and they help us with catching fish and game."

Nods followed all around. Svana pointed at the young adults who were the best dragon riders.

"Some of our young ones have trained their dragons very well indeed. Astrid is here to see how well we are doing and to teach us something new. Something about him," she nodded at him.

"What?" "Huh?" "The Night Fury…"

Astrid then stood up and addressed the audience.

"How smart do you think dragons are?"

She watched as the people looked around at each other in confusion.

"I know you've taught your dragons how to be useful. How to catch fish, hunt deer, and carry stuff for you. Maybe even some tricks like you would a wolf pup."

Nods of agreement went all around.

"What I want to show you is that they can be far smarter than any of that. This Night Fury is named Hiccup. He is named after my Chief's son, who died years ago and made my tribe what we are today."

She paused for dramatic effect.

"He is as smart as any of us."

Several of the audience laughed or guffawed.

"Good one…" "Silly…" "As smart as my husband maybe…" "Then let it talk! Ha ha…"

She grinned and turned to him.

"Yes, that would help settle this wouldn't it? Hiccup, would you please?"

Distinctly aware of all the eyes on him watching his every move, he reached out with a single talon and carved runes into the dirt.

Hello people

As expected, this led to a lot of murmuring and whispering among the audience after the initial period of jostling to get a view and their staring in disbelief.

"That's a trick… you just… trained it to do that.." one man protested.

Hiccup turned and evenly stared right at the man who just spoke. He made sure to not let his tail twitch in agitation. He had expected that someone would react this way. The man met his gaze for a moment and then looked away.

No, she did not

I understand everything you say

"It's true everyone. Astrid and Hiccup explained it to me last night." Svana spoke up.

Astrid stepped over to stand next to him and hesitated for an instant before putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Our Chief, Stoick the Vast, taught him how to write. It's also true that most dragons are not as smart as him."

"How many are?" Ralof asked in evident amazement.

"Well, only Night Furies as far as we know. So that means only him and his brother. We wanted you to know because you might find dragons that we don't know about and we want to make sure that you treat them well. You never know if they might be like him."

She looked around at the dragons she could see off in the distance.

"Even those that are not so smart, they are still creatures that can care and be loyal. I'm sure you already know that. They want many of the same things that you want; food, safety, and to raise their young. Be kind and respectful to them. Do any of you have questions for us?"

A moment of silence passed before almost everyone gathered started asking questions at once. Everything from how old he was, to how fast he could fly, to has he ever eaten anyone, to what to do about a dragon toothache, to whether dragon scales have magical properties…

They glanced at each other and groaned in pleased exasperation at how eager the Vaina seemed to be to learn. Hiccup was especially pleased at how smoothly they seemed to have taken the revelation about him. Some initial skepticism was understandable, but almost everyone there had a question for him and asked him directly.

As the morning went on and more and more people asked questions of him and patiently waited as he carved his answers, he noticed a change come over them. Fewer of them called him 'the dragon' or 'it' and more of them used his name, much to his delight. Some of them were clearly reluctant to address him or look at him, but the majority seemed to accept what they saw before them.

---

The conclave ended before lunch with Svana dismissing everyone with the command to attend to their duties. It was just Svana, himself, and Astrid who were left.

"Well, that went well," Svana muttered.

"Yeah, no one seemed like they wanted to kill him," Astrid jokingly replied.

"Astrid, we wouldn't do that. We already got rid of our troublemakers."

"When you say 'got rid of' do you mean…"

"Outcast."

Astrid nodded in acknowledgment.

"Ah, we had to do the same. Rebellion…"

"Stoick mentioned that. Not that it is surprising that it came to that with how stubborn we can be. Anyway, I'll have some food brought for both of you at your tent. Then you can help us with some of our… special problems Astrid."

Then she took her leave, and they both meandered back to the tent. Astrid practically collapsed on her makeshift bed once they were inside, and he did the same next to her. They were both exhausted from dealing with people. Then she turned to face him after a few moments, to which he gave her a quizzical look.

"People can be tiring. This afternoon is sure to be worse," she mentioned as she started gnawing on some bread.

Fair enough.

"What do you think about them now."

In truth, he was very impressed with them. Their initial disbelief had quickly changed into curiosity, awe, and even a bit of respect.

He found a bare patch.

They are good people

"I agree. They are the far more reasonable of the two tribes we are to visit, that is for sure. The Volsung are more… violent," she concluded darkly.

That doesn't sound pleasant. So they will be a bit more difficult. I'll manage this with them too.

A lad soon came by the tent with a basket of fish for him and some bread for her.

"Is it true that your dragon can… talk?" he stammered.

"How about you ask him?" she replied.

The lad turned to look at him.

"Is it true?"

He quickly nodded in the affirmative.

Yes, I can

"Wow, that's amazing. Uh, here is some fish."

He got up and walked over to the boy to take the basket. The lad nervously handed over the basket, glancing at his talons the whole time.

"Thank you for bringing him his food. Right, Hiccup?"

He nodded and toothlessly smiled at the lad before the boy left them. Then he glanced into the basket. All the fish were already prepared.

She thought of me. Wow.

"I see she remembered. Very thoughtful of her."

Yes.

"Well, I will leave you to your lunch. I'm going to help some of the people out as Svana wanted. I guess you can do whatever you want now."

He hummed in thought.

"The cliffs further up the coast look like they could be fun to fly around. Who knows, you might even see some new dragons."

Good idea

"See you later."

He nodded and watched as she left for Svana's house. He took his time finishing his lunch and then made up his mind to explore the island.

It felt good to spread his wings again and to observe the village from above. It was indeed smaller than Berk. He paid special attention to the dragons that he could see. There was one Nadder circling around a fishing boat offshore.

Well, I know where I've seen that before.

There were also several large shapes further down the shore that he only recognized from drawings.

Thunderdrums!

He darted over and hovered over the dragons lounging on the shore. The strange dragons were unlike any others anyone knew of. They were dragons that could only barely fly short distances and whose only attack was a very loud scream; creatures meant for the water instead of the skies.

They said that these dragons were causing problems. They're supposed to have bad tempers. Probably messing with the fishing and trying to defend their space.

That should be easy to fix. Just stay away from their turf and give them some fish whenever you need to get close.

He let himself drift on the wind. After a few minutes, he noticed something else farther inland that caught his attention. A large red shape in a clearing away from the village.

He gasped when he saw the dragon in more detail. A long snakelike neck and massive angular wings far larger than any other dragon's that anyone knew of.

That's a Timberjack!

It didn't look like a fully-grown one. At least it didn't live up to the mythical stature if it was an adult. Even so though, it easily had the greatest wingspan he had ever seen of any dragon.

It could probably stay aloft on the winds for days. Amazing…

He dove down into the clearing and landed a respectful distance away from the Timberjack. It must not have noticed him because it didn't even lift its head. It was then that he noticed the ropes around its torso and the saddle sitting on the ground by its side.

Oh, you have a rider. Lucky you.

He gradually crept closer, keeping his attention on its massive and, if the legends were true, dangerous wings. The front of its wings did indeed seem to have a bony growth that was very sharp.

It lifted its head and stared right at him when he was a few lengths away. It nervously shuffled on its feet and stretched its wings in a clear warning, even though it made no other aggressive move.

You are much bigger than me. Why so nervous?

"Woah Razor, what's the matter?" a girl's voice called out.

Oh, didn't know you were there.

A young girl, who could not be more than eleven or twelve, strolled around from the dragon's other side. The girl had on gear that was clearly only meant for riding. She froze the moment she saw him.

"Oh my, it's you. The talking dragon, right?"

He grinned and nodded back at her. She gave him a gleeful smile and fearlessly ran up to him. He was surprised and a bit embarrassed when she threw her arms around his neck in a hug.

"You are a beautiful dragon."

Oh shucks, that is sweet...

Then the Timberjack craned its neck out between them and drove them apart with a grumble.

"Hey, what was that for eel breath?" the girl teased.

It just huffed and snorted at him with a glare.

Don't worry, I'm not going to steal her.

"I'm Tembra, and this big guy is Razor," she added while patting her dragon's cheek. It purred happily and curled its neck protectively around her.

A fitting name.

Then she got a very excited look.

"Can you talk to him?"

He tried talking to the dragon but got no response other than a confused grumble, as he suspected he would.

One more type off the list to try.

No.

"That's ok. Do you want to meet the rest of my family? I think we can spare you some fish if you are hungry."

He eagerly nodded, excited at the possibility of meeting a Vainian family.

"Alright Razor, let's go home."

He flew slowly behind Razor, quite amazed at how much gliding the dragon did with its massive wings. There had never been another chance for him to see a Timberjack in flight until now.

I wonder if they can really cut down trees. Maybe they just like to roost in clearings and someone thought they make them too. Astrid might know or be able to find out.

The Timberjack dove and landed near a farm outside of town. He followed and watched as Tembra hopped off Razor's back and ran to get her family. Very soon thereafter, she returned leading her parents and several siblings, all of whom looked eager to meet him.

Here was a family that clearly had no fear of dragons and had already adopted one into its fold, so to speak. Everything about what he saw unfolding here was good and filled him with a warmth that reminded him of home. But it was still a bit different because this was a different people.

In a way though, it felt like he had been able to make a difference in the world since everything that had happened began with him years ago.

---

"So, one more time just to be sure that you remember..."

"Don't yell at him or tie him up when he does something wrong," the man mumbled back.

"Yes, and..."

"Reward him for being good but don't punish him for doing something wrong?"

"Exactly. Dragons can be like children. Sometimes they act out just to get attention, any attention."

"That doesn't seem right though."

"Think about it like this then. Whatever you have been doing until now has not worked. Try something different, try what I said. It cannot work worse than what you have been doing."

With that last reminder, Astrid left him behind and meandered back into town. A small crowd, most of whom she recognized, had gathered to talk about what she had done that day; about all the advice she had shared, problems mediated, and fears allayed.

She had little patience left for other people at the moment, having just dealt with all their problems, so she walked straight over to her tent. Hiccup was resting just inside and looking out at the village.

"Hey, you didn't stay here all day did you?"

No.

"Good. How did your day go?"

I flew around

Saw dragons

Met a family

Then he chuckled.

And they gave me lots of food

"I wondered what you would get up to. That sounds like a good day. They still have a few knuckleheads among their number. One guy said he didn't take orders from girls from other tribes. Nevermind that I was only telling him stuff he should already know."

She gave a great sigh and stared up at the top of the tent.

"I'm tired of this."

Tired of what?

She waved all around at the village outside.

"All this. Being told to travel to these tribes and help them with all their problems. Having to see how stupid and stubborn people can be. Don't get me wrong, it is good to see them learning, but I'm still tired of it all. There is only so much that I can do on my own. And isn't it better for them to learn these things for themselves instead of just being told what we learned?"

She sighed.

"I just want to go back to Berk and deal with my own people and our dragons. Is that too much to want?"

He waited for a while before responding.

But our people can also be very stubborn

"Oh, I know that. Gods, I know that. But they are like family, a crazy and frustrating one, and family deserves patience."

But that was something he had been thinking about for a while, though not in such words. Why were Nords so fast to divide groups into 'us' and 'them' when the two were actually very similar?

Maybe the Vaina can be like family

"What?"

Both tribes are now friends to dragons and have never been enemies before

She took a moment to consider before replying.

"Maybe with time. That would be a big change."

More of a change than riding dragons?

He retorted with a wry grin, to which she softly chuckled.

"True, nothing can really top that. Hey, follow me. I want to show you something."

They both got to their feet and strolled outside the tent to watch the sunset over the western sea. None of the few Vainians still around bothered them as they walked out of town and down onto the beach.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

Yes, he hummed.

"It's a bit sad that we don't have many beaches like this back on Berk."

She took off her boots and walked barefoot down to the surf as it gently lapped against the sand. He joined her and stood at her side.

He shuddered once at the memory of the last time he was in the ocean. He had tried to stay away from the sea ever since he fell and nearly drowned after flying into a storm.

I forgot how nice the water feels. Gosh, was it that long ago?

They watched as Stormfly flew slow circles above them on the evening winds.

"I think she is eager to get home. Only a couple more days here, and then we get the pleasure of going to the Volsung. They are going to be the worst."

How bad can they be? It won't matter.

She seemed to be left rather discouraged by the thought of the next place they had to visit. There had to be something he could do to lighten her mood.

"Astrid..." he muttered.

"Hiccup, you know I can't understand that. What is it?"

He said nothing, and she glanced over just in time to see him slap the water with his forepaw, sending a splash straight up into her face.

She stood still, as if in shock, as the water dripped down her front. Then she finally brushed aside her dampened bangs and glared at him.

"Why would you do that?" she screamed.

He just muttered sheepishly to himself and tried to avoid her apparent ire by looking away at the clouds. He looked away for just a moment too long and got a face full of water also, causing him to recoil in surprise.

"Is the little dragon afraid of some water..."

She laughed freely and heartily. This was the side of Astrid that he much preferred.

None of which meant that he didn't plan on any retaliation. He slowly turned around as if to head back up to the village, but then he whipped his tail around and gave her an even bigger splash.

"Hey, not fair!"

He just rolled his shoulders in a shrug and gave her a wink.

"Oh, no you don't. This means war!"

She charged after him through the surf, yelling about how she was going to get her revenge and laughing all the while. Within moments, they were completely drenched from head to foot and tail.

They didn't notice Svana and a small group of Vainians watching them from the edge of town as they played in the surf.

---

It was shortly after sunrise when Astrid donned her flight garb and finished packing the few belongings she had brought. She waited patiently as Stormfly chowed down on the fish brought for her. Then she attended to the rigging on Stormfly and made a few last minute preparations while waiting for Hiccup to return from his morning routine.

It was time that they move on from the Vaina. She had already helped with everything that she could reasonably be expected to address. She had spent the last day attending to various requests; everything from dealing with an unpleasant and especially territorial group of Terrors to explaining the finer points of saddle care to warning them about what to expect from the future breeding seasons. There were some hard cases and stubborn people who could not or would not learn, and she was fine leaving those to Svana to deal with. There was nothing more for her to do here.

Hiccup had seemingly had a better time as he had plenty of company during the day. Helgrid, Ralof, Orgnar and several other of the younger people who took most easily to dragons had many more questions for him that hadn't been asked at the main introduction. He had evidently relished his role as a representative of Berk and of dragons in general.

"Shall we?" she asked him when he trotted up to her.

Yes, he nodded.

They made their way through the village in search of Svana. They did not have to look hard, as she found them while leading a nervous-looking, yellow Nightmare.

Astrid slowly approached the male with her empty palms out as was normal when meeting a new dragon. She quickly gained its trust and started scratching under its chin.

"He must be yours, right?" she asked Svana.

"Yes, he is called Jorm."

Jorm and Stormfly regarded each other respectfully and kept their distance. Stormfly did nuzzle her human possessively when Astrid returned to her side though.

"Oh, you big baby," Astrid muttered before turning back to Svana and the others assembled.

"You are leaving us," Svana announced.

"Yes, we need to move on to the others."

"Very well. Astrid, on behalf of my tribe I thank you for coming to us. My people told me how helpful you have been. You and your Chief have met the terms of the treaty."

"I am glad that you are pleased, Svana. Both of our tribes are better off working with dragons than fighting against them. But I see that you already know that."

"Of course we do. They are far more useful to have on our side than otherwise. I will have some of my riders go to Berk next spring so they can learn more at your Academy. Tell Stoick that Berk can consider the Vaina their ally. May the gods watch over your flights and battles Astrid."

"I will."

Astrid climbed up onto Stormfly's back. Hiccup stepped away from Stormfly to make room for the Nadder to take off and was about to spread his wings when he noticed Svana staring at him quizzically. She looked like she wanted to say something to him.

"You did not need to come here to us. Why did you?" she eventually asked.

Why? I wanted to get away from home for a while. And being with Astrid is nice too. And…

Why had he flown to visit a strange tribe and left behind the comfort of Berk for a time, other than because his father asked him to of course? He thought back over the reactions his tribesmen had when they realized that he understood them and to how he had gradually seen them become more accepting of dragons in their village and their lives.

Being directly asked the question helped to crystallize the answer for him. He liked seeing the old hostilities come to an end and culture that was built on violence and defiance change into something new.

To make a better world

Svana stared at his response for quite a while before looking back at him. When she did it was with an odd expression, a mix of solemnity and amusement.

"That is very noble. That you are thinking beyond your own tribe is… most people don't do that. Most have more guile... Next time you come here you will have a much better place to stay, I promise."

He felt humbled by her words and deeply bowed towards her. Stormfly called out once and launched herself skyward at Astrid's coaxing. He waited a moment longer looking around the Vaina's village and all the people there to watch their departure. Then he turned away from them and leapt for the skies, quickly falling in beside Stormfly.

He found that he was going to miss some of them, even though he had only known them for a few days.

They are going to be just fine. Now off to the Volsung and another half-day of flying. I wonder what they are like. They can't be too bad.

---

Astrid directed Stormfly to land far down the beach from the Volsung. She wanted to have a word with him before they announced their arrival.

"Hiccup, I don't know what we will find when we get there. There were a few people who might have understood me when I was here the last time, but they are a far more violent tribe than the Vaina. Be ready to leave at any moment. If I say fly, you fly. Got it?"

He grumbled in acknowledgment, but privately thought that she was being too dramatic.

Don't worry

"Let's just not spend any more time here than we have to, ok?"

He couldn't disagree with that.

They took to the air again and flew in toward the village. The first thing that he noticed was how much larger the place was compared to the Vaina. There had to be easily twice as many people living there. Not only that, but the rowboats this tribe had were larger and clearly faster.

They were raiders after all.

Oddly, he couldn't see any dragons, though they supposedly had some already.

I wonder where they are.

He hovered alongside Stormfly as a gathering of people began pointing up at them. Then he followed her down into the dirt square where they landed. They were met with a ring of armed men holding spears and shields. Stormfly stirred hesitantly and hissed in their direction while Astrid dismounted and marched up to the men. The crowd predictably started murmuring and whispering to each other.

"Who are you?" one of the men demanded to know.

"I am Astrid of Berk. Where is your Chief?"

The man turned and whispered to one of his comrades, who then ran off into the village.

"What is that beast doing here?" the man asked while pointing at Hiccup with his spear.

"He is here with me."

"Make it leave."

"Why? Are you afraid of him?"

"It is a monster. Get it off our island!"

She glanced back at Hiccup who had cringed slightly at the man's open hostility.

"Or what?"

Hiccup blinked in amazement. Astrid did not even flinch and defied a burly man who stood a full head taller than her.

"What are you going to do to Berk's representatives? Do you want to start a war?"

The man stuttered for a moment before finding his words.

"It is an unholy demon."

Astrid then did the last thing anyone would have expected. She laughed.

"A demon? Just look at him. Does he look like he wants to eat you?"

Everyone glanced at the dragon calmly sitting in their midst and looking out over them.

"We all thought that about them at one time. This is no different."

"Let's see what the Chief says. He won't like it though and he makes the rules here."

She just shrugged.

"If your Chief will not let him stay, then I will not stay either."

Astrid returned to Stormfly's side and an uncomfortable silence followed until...

"That's one special beast you have there," a new voice spoke out from the crowd.

She whirled around at the familiar voice of the Volsung Chieftain, who dismissed the soldier.

"Edgaras," she greeted him coolly.

"Why is that creature with you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know."

Edgaras glanced between her and the Fury before shrugging his shoulders.

"Have it your way then. What brings you back to my... charming tribe?"

"As charming as a goat's rear end."

He gave her a twisted grin.

"I'm glad we made an impression."

She fetched her travel sack from Stormfly's rigging.

"Stoick sent me here to give you a message and to give you any help with any dragon problems you may have," she explained as she handed over a sealed scroll.

"Though," she added, "you seem to have driven off all the other dragons, so there may be nothing for me to do here. Am I wrong?"

"Partly. We do have beasts of our own now."

"Really, I find that hard to believe from the last time I was here. Where are they?"

"Not here. We keep them outside the village. It is best that way."

She couldn't help but think that there was something he wasn't saying.

"Well, take a look at what Stoick wanted you to see."

He opened the scroll and started reading. He rolled up the scroll and sighed as if in disappointment when he finished.

"Stoick really has gone soft. Why does he think we need to go to your island to learn about how you treat your animals? We have ways of making dragons do what we want them to do. Any animal can be broken."

"I see you haven't changed," Astrid sighed.

"No, of course not. We used some of your tricks to get the beasts to stay at first. Then we caught them and made them learn to obey. It is amazing what just a few days or weeks without food does to make them docile."

She barely resisted the urge to punch him then and there. He could tell that she was getting annoyed by his words and continued.

"Just imagine how the raids of the future will be. Those without dragons will be easy to fight against, just swoop down and pluck their cattle and women into the sky."

"And you will make people fear and hate dragons by using them that way. That goes against everything that we have been working for."

He leaned toward her and whispered.

"Why should we care what you think?"

She didn't bother answering his rhetorical question.

"The only part of this," he held up the scroll, "that I find intriguing is the idea for the dragon-owning tribes to ally against any common enemies. My people, Berk, and the Vaina have been friendly enough with each other for generations. It helps when plundering to know that your neighbor will not knife you in the back."

Something about the seemingly-innocuous way he said it deeply unsettled her. It was almost like a veiled threat.

"I guess I'm not needed here then."

Edgaras stepped away from her and turned to his men.

"What do you think boys, do you need the girl's help to show the scalies who is in charge?"

"No!" the chorus rang out.

He turned back to her with a grin.

"You heard them. Though I'm sure that my men wouldn't mind if you stuck around for them. You'd certainly be a feisty one."

Those who could hear his taunt guffawed. She calmly turned from him and mounted Stormfly after re-tightening some ropes. Stormfly got to her feet and seemed eager to leave the present company behind.

"Where did your tribe get a Night Fury?" Edgaras innocently asked.

She ignored his original question.

"I doubt that anything can change you now, but he came with me to show you something. Something that we already showed the Vaina. Hiccup..."

"Show me what?" Edgaras demanded.

She pointed down at Hiccup, and Edgaras reluctantly followed her direction.

There, in the full view of dozens of witnesses, Hiccup lifted a claw and quickly carved symbols into the ground. When he finished, he looked up at Edgaras and saw the Chieftain's complete shock and disbelief. It was the first time he saw the man thoroughly perturbed.

The swoosh of wings and rush of wind signaled Stormfly's departure. Hiccup turned tail and vaulted into the air right behind the Nadder, leaving Edgaras and all the bystanders staring at three short words cut into the dirt.

I pity you

---

Hiccup and Astrid stood beside each other on a bluff far enough north of the Volsung tribe that the village was barely visible. They stared out over the ocean, relaxing in the evening breeze for a while without saying anything. Stormfly lay resting behind them, being quite exhausted from all the day's flying.

"I did say that they were going to be worse."

That you did.

"Some of their younger people seemed more willing to listen to me last year. I wonder if what you did made a difference to any of them. That little stunt will surely get them talking. Did you really mean it?"

He solemnly nodded.

"I don't think I could be so kind."

Anger doesn't help anyone though.

"Looks like we are going to be staying here tonight. We go home tomorrow."

I like that plan.

He stayed on the peak overlooking the ocean after Astrid left to collect firewood. The events of the last few days kept playing themselves over in his mind. All the different reactions he had received and all the opinions he helped to shape for the better.

It felt like he had actually accomplished something meaningful. Doing menial tasks around Berk for his own tribe was better than nothing, but still left something to be desired.

He remained there and watched as the sun set beyond the horizon.