There was fire. Lots of fire. A flash of silver, a blast of light, a blur of purple. Sword hot sword, metal on metal. People screamed, they cried. Too much was happening and he couldn't focus on any one feature.

His eyes darted over the scene, everything was a blur. Scales could not be distinguished from armour, fire of beasts from fire from torches. Then he saw her, fire in her eyes. Nothing but burning hatred. She was scaled, she was deadly. She swung a sword, the silver blade flashed before him, something seared his face and he screamed.

Alexander woke in a cold sweat and sat bolt upright, a small dragon was thrown from his chest as he did so. It squawked indignantly and hissed. He backed into the corner of his cell, panicked. What had he been thinking?! Helping the Viking girl?! Saving that infernal dragon?! And then he'd come back here with her! Was he out of his mind?!
"Hello there, how are we doing today?" He looked up and saw the man with the blue tattoos standing outside his cell grinning. Eric? Eren? What was his name again? "Oi! Get out of there!" He called at the small dragon still hissing at him. "Sorry about that, Terrible Terrors. They can be little pests when they want to be." He said smiling. Alexander attempted a nervous smile in return but it came out rather weaker than he would have liked. "Come on; let's get some food inside you. You'll feel a bit better then." And just like that, he unlocked the cell door and let him out. Alexander couldn't decide if this was foolish trust, or a brave attempt at peace and chance.
"What exactly is for breakfast?" He asked.
"Oh probably fish and eggs. If you'd like we'll get some bread as well and some milk." It was not the feast Alexander was used to, but it was food. So it would do. He was led through the village and he took the opportunity to look and see what it looked like in the daylight.

All the houses looked small and simplistic and Alexander couldn't work out which was the chief's. Surely his was huge and grand?
"I'm sure you'll get given a tour later." The man chuckled. What was his name? "This is my place in the village. It's only small because well, it's just me, and I prefer to stay on my boat." He said, gesturing to a very small hut. It wasn't built like the other houses. There was more fabric and sticks. Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Built in the style of my forefathers. I'm not a born Viking. Besides, I tend to live life on my boat." Still feeling somewhat apprehensive, Alexander sat down onto a crate covered with a brightly woven blanket. He kept staring around as the village bustled to life.
When the first dragon let out it's morning cry he jumped right off his seat. The man just laughed.
"It might take a while, but you get used to that sort of noise. You get used to a lot of noises here on Berk and dragons is a biggun. It's just nice to hear chirps and happy calls rather than pained and distressed." He said as he cooked over a fire. "Course there are other common noises too like..."
"...AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT YOU LOUSY LONG FACED..."

"WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE?! AND GIVE ME BACK MY SHIELD BEFORE I SHOVE THAT SWORD OF YOURS UP YOUR..."

"ENOUGH!" Alexander stared at him again, he was chuckling.
"Like that. That'll be the Haddocks getting up... Never used to be that loud apparently. Teenagers... Honestly." He chuckled again and offered a flagon of milk to Alexander who accepted it, sniffing in case of poison which only made him laugh harder. "I haven't poisoned it lad! She'd skin me alive if I tried!" There was the sound of a door slamming, voices yelling then... "One, two... three." He murmured quietly. The instant he said 'three' a black dragon soared into the skies, it's rider barely visible on his back.
"And there goes Hiccup off to do chief duties... and..." A blue dragon shot off a moment later. "...Astrid going to contain chaos outside of her home and now..." Another bang and two figures came bursting out of the house over-looking the village, both charged part way together before going separate ways. Alexander turned away to begin eating his eggs and drink the milk he'd been given. It definitely wasn't like the food from home, but it was edible and truth be known, he was hungry.
He'd not long been eating when a small blonde figure leaped up behind him yelling "Surprise!" He was so startled he actually fell to the floor before turning to look at his surprise attacker. She was laughing somewhat manically, holding her stomach and pointing to him as she did so. He glared and straightened up, brushing the dirt from himself.
"You actually fell off your seat!" She laughed. "You actually fell! That was so funny!"
"Good morning Camicazi" The man said calmly as if this was common-place, which frightened Alexander more than he wanted to admit.
"Morning Eret!" She chirped back. Eret! That was his name! "Alright Zander? How was your night in the cells?" He shot her a glare for the use of the nickname.
"It was alright I suppose." He grumbled. "Could have been worse but not especially comfortable."

"No kidding! But hey, the cells aren't exactly designed for comfort. Not my favourite place to spend time I have to admit." She said with a slight shudder.
"What was the fight about this morning?" Eret asked taking a bite out of some bread. Camicazi rolled her eyes. For the first time Alexander was able to take in her features properly, since it wasn't dark and neither she nor anyone else was trying to kill him. The first thing he noticed, besides the fact that her hair was as richer gold as the most prized treasures in his father's home, was that her eyes were extraordinarily green. They sparkled as if there really was a fire lit up behind them giving fair warning of the dangers of staring at her, you might just get burned, and they were greener than the emeralds on his mother's necklace.
"The usual." She said taking a seat on the crate next to his own. "He misplaced his stupid shield... probably left it in the arena knowing him, too busy running after Buffnut to pay attention to his weaponry or defence." She snorted in disgust. "And of course he blamed me. Like I'd take his stupid shield! So I got mad and he told me he knew full well I could kick his ass any day of the week and well, I'm guessing you heard that." She said with a shrug. She glanced up at him, her eyes narrowing slightly when she caught him staring. "You can sit back down. Odin's beard, Romans!" He sat down and dropped his gaze. He hated to admit it, but Octavias might have had a point about her not being bad to look at... Not in the way he'd meant it of course, a trophy slave... but just... Not unattractive. Of course if he even breathed such an idea she'd probably slice his head clean off, so maybe not quite so attractive.
"I'm assuming it was your father you told you both to stop?"
"Yeah... Told us we needed to quit fighting, he added a new threat today though..." She stood up and flailed her arms around whilst speaking in a slightly deeper tone to mock her father's. "Camicazi this has got to stop! If you and Finn do not stop fighting, neither of you will race on Freya's day and I mean it!" She slumped. "Course that shut us both up right away. I'm already this close to not being able to race as it is!" As she sat down she threw her hands up in annoyance. Eret was smirking, Alexander had to wonder why.
"What are your conditions for today then?" He asked and she looked up at him darkly.
"I'm allowed to come here for breakfast, then I'm to go up to the Hall and apologise to Thuggory and his dad before I can do anything else. Provided I'm polite and at least try to be sincere, then I can show Alexander around." She sighed. "Dad won't even let me see Sparky today. He's fed him and everything. I'm banned for the day so I won't be tempted." She slammed down her fist on the crate covered with food. "It's not fair!" She yelled. Alexander made a mental note never to forget she had a temper as fiery as a dragon.

"If you keep to his rules and make nice with Thuggory, you'll be flying again in no time!"
"A week Eret. A week. That's like..."
"A blink of an eye to your dragon. Sparky will be fine."
"He'll pine for me! He'll fight them! He'll..."
"He'll not resist his alpha and you should not resist yours either." Eret cut across and she sighed again.
"I just hate being grounded. I like being up there. Do you think if I was really good I could persuade Dad to take me with him on Toothless later?"
"Only if you were really unbelievably good. Sweet and sincere and polite and did as you were told." That didn't sound too bad to Alexander but she pulled a face.
"No chance then."
"I'd say not. Maybe later in the week when he's calmed down. You scared him."
"I know but still..."
"Why've you got to go apologise to Thuggsy?" He asked. Camicazi snorted with laughter and sprayed a mouthful of crumbs everywhere.
"Thuggsy?! Oh great Odin's ghost! That's funny!"
"She has to apologise to them because..."
"Don't!" She snapped, suddenly serious and harsh again. She'd stood and was pointing her knife at Eret. "Don't you dare tell him! It's bad enough that most the village is gossiping about it without him knowing too!"
"Cami, calm down! He's going to hear about it eventually..."
"Are implying that I might, even for a second consider it?!"
"No no no!" He said hurriedly, holding his hands up in surrender and keeping his eyes on the knife in her hand. Alexander didn't understand why Eret didn't just knock it away and restrain her. "I didn't mean that! I just meant someone will eventually mention it within his earshot!"
"Eurgh. I hate men." She spat sitting back down. This seemed an unfair thing to say. Alexander went to retort despite Eret frantically shaking his head and drawing a line over his throat to suggest he cut it out.
"What? Why do you hate men? What's wrong with us?" The instant he'd asked he regretted it. Her eyes snapped up to him, burning still more brightly, and not in that beautiful enchanting sort of way they had when she laughed... wait why did he notice that? She stood again and stood over him, a look of pure hatred on her face.
"Why? WHY?! You want to know why I hate men?!"
"Errr actually I changed my mind..." He said in a quiet voice.
"Because men think they're so powerful! They think they're the stronger sex! Men like to show off their power and pride! They think women can be traded and sold like livestock! They make stupid arrangements and offer a dowry for a bride! They don't care what she wants so long as she'll be a good housewife who provides for him and gives him decent sons or heirs!" She was screaming at him and he couldn't but cower. "They beat anything they consider lesser than them without consideration and they get kicks out of abusing their power! But you want to know why I personally hate them?!" She yelled again, he tried to shake his head but apparently she was going to answer him anyway. "Ever since I was a child men beat me! They hit me and abused me! They beat Sparky and they lied to me! I was nothing but a pathetic little girl to them! And that's what your people think of me too! Some pretty little trophy! Men think they can buy me and I cannot and will not be bought! Men have always controlled everything in my life and I hate it! I hate them! Men are vile and cruel and they don't deserve the women in their lives! They beat them and beat them until they break! I will not break! Men flirt and try to woo and think they can just choose a girl and own her! They think they can take anything and just claim it! I hate them all!"

"Cami..."
"WHAT?!"
"You don't hate all men..."
"I do! I hate every last..."
"You love your father." Eret said and she stopped in her raging to look at him. "You love him and you know he's none of those things. You love your brother no matter how much you might fight. You love your uncles, and Gobber... You loved your grandfather." She suddenly seemed to shrink, as if something of the fire was suddenly smothered. "Camicazi, just because there are bad men that you've known in your life, just because men now are making you angry... You know you don't hate us all." Once again she sighed, as if deflated, she sat down again.

"Ok... I hate most men. I like the ones who live on Berk year round. The ones here currently I'm iffy with." Eret grinned.
"That's fair. You know no one is expecting you to agree right?"
"Good because I'm not. End of discussion. So Alex, what do you think of Berk so far?" He was shocked by the sudden change in her attitude given she'd been yelling at him not two minutes ago.
"Umm... I think it's very different to home. It's loud and slightly odd. The people are pretty aggressive and you have different ways to us. Very different."

"Perhaps not as different as you think." A softer voice spoke and an older woman with streaks of grey now very prominent in her brown hair. Her eyes were bright, a greyish colour, but there were crows feet and soft wrinkles on her face now.
"Grandma?" Camicazi looked at her.
"What do you mean we might not be so different?" Alexander asked confused.
"I mean that exactly as it sounds Alexander. There are of course undeniable differences between our two peoples, but that does not mean by any means, we are completely different, that we share no similarities."
"Ok Grandma, besides being human, what do we have in common with them?" She punctuated the 'we' and 'them' and jerked her thumb to point from herself to Alexander. "They hate dragons, they wear stupid helmets, they wear stupid sandals and armour..."
"It's not stupid!" Alexander defended
"Their weapons and fighting skills are pretty weird too, their shields are rectangular for Thor's sake!"
"It makes for a brilliant defence!" He retorted.
"They aren't the best sailors either, the women dress in funny silky dresses, they fight strange animals for fun..."
"And where Camicazi, is the difference? Some Vikings still hate dragons, Drago, Dagur... And some Vikings cannot sail as well as other tribes, especially those located in the mainland. And to Alexander here, you wear very stupid clothes as well, you fight strange animals for fun, or at least ride them..."
"But none of that makes us similar!"
"She may have a point there." Alexander said from beside Camicazi. "I mean, look at us. Camicazi and I could not be more different!"
"In appearance maybe. But your people and ours share common things, like a desire to protect our loved ones, we have rulers and leaders, and warriors, we each ride different animals to battle, we each know how to battle. Children are raised by their parents, you still live in homes, you still eat even if it different to our food. We all do what we must to survive." Camicazi snorted in derision and Alexander privately agreed. The woman, Camicazi's grandmother, just smiled more.
"Perhaps in time you'll see it. After all Cami, you could not understand why you were so different to the Berserkers..."
"That was different! I was meant to be here! With you and Mum and Dad and Finn and..."
"She's right. I come from Rome, it's my home and my culture. It's who I am!"

"Your upbringing does not define who you are Alexander. And where you come from does not mean where you belong."
"Grandma... I belong here on Berk..."
"You belong," She looked at them both "wherever you want to. What matters is not the place, but rather what's in it. Berk was destroyed, but Berk itself, at its heart was not. The people, the life makes it up. You belong with the things that matter most."
A whistling of the wind and a black shape flew overhead in a blur. The chief and his dragon.
"Your father belongs on Berk, leading his people, protecting his family... But he belongs with Toothless, in the skies just as much. Like you with Sparky Camicazi."
"I thought this was about how we are not so different me and Alex." She mumbled watching the dragon fly wistfully.
"It is. But the very fact that you did not let your father banish him when you saved him shows something."
"I don't like where this is going."
"Compassion. It's human nature."
"Not all humans." Cami and Alexander said at the same time. They looked at each other and then away.
"Hmm... You're still both just humans. Only your current views limit your similarities." And with that she walked off. They sat in silence for a moment wondering what that was all about.

"Well eat up you two or you'll never get everything done today!" Eret said brightly and they did so.

It wasn't long later that Camicazi was staring darkly across the Great Hall, or Meade Hall, as she told Alexander it was called. There were a lot more Vikings in here and he had to admit it made him feel anxious. Hiccup came over, his face stern as he looked at Camicazi. She scuffed her boot on the floor and avoided looking at him. He took a heavy sigh and his expression softened as he looked at her and spoke gently to her.
"Cami..." She looked further to the side, still avoiding his gaze. "Cami... I know you're mad at me. I'm just, trying to do what's best for you." She snorted air out of her nose, her teeth gritted as he'd done last night. She really was very like him. Even the eyes he noticed were a perfect match. But her eyes seemed far more beautiful and deadly than her father's. He shook his head lightly. "Camicazi, you know I am. I'm not going to even suggest you go through with this. I know it's not what you want. And in all honesty, it's not what I want either." At this point she finally looked at him, a single blonde eyebrow raised. "I know you're growing up, but you're still my little girl. And having lost you to one tribe for thirteen years..." She looked away with another snort, he gently turned her face back by pinching her chin. "... I'm not sure I'm ready to lose you to another one just yet. Maybe that's selfish, but I'm your father. I'm allowed to feel a little selfish about keeping my baby girl." He smiled at her, a crooked somewhat goofy smile. It was good natured and caring and Alexander felt himself relax. He noticed the corners of her mouth twitch upwards slightly.
"That look might work on mum but it won't work on me." She said, but her voice was light and friendly. He gave a light pout.
"Damn... I was hoping it would work. If I tried singing really badly would it work?" At this she did laugh.
"Alright, you're forgiven." She chuckled
"Is my singing that bad?"
"Not as bad as Gobber's" She chuckled and he pulled her into him hugging her tightly, kissing the top of her head. He was surprised to see her hug him back.
"Well thanks for that. You know I love you baby. I'd never willingly give you up. I'd die before I gave you up." Her face was screwed up slightly as if pained as he said this but she just held him tighter.
"I know. I do know. I love you too Daddy."
"Come on then, let's get this over with. We'll go and politely decline and apologise for yesterday, you were just in shock." She gave a small nod and walked across the hall with her father by her side. Alexander watched from beside Eret, trying to make sense of what he'd seen, because his father had never been anything like that. Not ever.

"Ah Hiccup! Camicazi!" Thuggory boomed as they approached. Thuggory Junior flashed her a smile which she did not return. "Come to discuss the contract?" Camicazi went to spit a reply but her dad nudged her ribs lightly and she bit her tongue.

"We have come to discuss the matter yes." He said, but though he kept his tone even, there was a definite edge to it.
"Well then, let us discuss! Son?"
"Cami, I just want to say that, I will treat you with the utmost respect. I know you are a warrior and I respect you and value your opinion..." But not enough to ask me what I thought in the first place she thought to herself. "... and you should know that I admire you and will always take on board what you say. You and Sparky will always be welcome on Meathead island and you will be able to help us with the dragons and change everything. You'll improve it for the better. With you by my side..."
"She won't be accepting."
"What?" Both said, it was not harsh... but there was surprise in the tone. "Speaking for your daughter now? I thought she did not allow that."
"That did not seem to have bothered you much yesterday." Even Cami stared at him for his reply. "She can speak for herself, I was just telling you."
"I see, well. Camicazi?" Thuggory asked. His son looked at her; she hated that look in his eyes, somewhat sad, hurt and disappointed. But she was not soft. It would not get her. She looked up at them, her eyes determined.
"I won't be accepting. I'm not yet seventeen! I'm not even thinking about settling down! And, I don't want to leave Berk anyway. This is my home. I belong here. And I missed out on it for thirteen years. I'm not ready to go yet. I don't know that I ever will be." She told him calmly, but reasonably.

"But Camicazi... This is a chance for us to..."
"I don't want to hear it. I made my decision."

"We wouldn't have to get married for ages, you could stay here. After you come of age, then we can think about getting married..."

"No Thuggory. You've been a good friend, but that's not what I want. It's not who I am..."

"If I recall your mother was the same way once."

"Astrid and Camicazi are not the same people. Astrid and I were not married until we were twenty and..."

"She had Finn not long after that if I remember." Hiccup shot Thuggory a glare.

"Astrid and I had been with one another for five years by the time we were married and had our first child. This is different. Camicazi is not even of age yet! She and your son have never seen one another..."

"So we could start..."

"Again! Cutting me out! Is anyone asking my opinion here?!" She snapped

"You're absolutely right sweetheart, this is about you."
"Yeah babe, you get a say."

"Don't call me babe!"

"This ridiculous!"

"Yes it is... She's given her answer..."

"But babe..."

"I told you not to call me that!"

"Hiccup? Is everything alright over here?" Astrid asked walking over.

"Mum! Tell them they can't make me start seeing Thuggory! That I don't have to marry him!" Camicazi pleaded grabbing her mother's tunic.

"What? Of course you don't."

"Now Astrid, you know that she..."

"She does not have to enter into this if she isn't ready!"

"Thank you Astrid!"

Eret sighed. Alexander looked up. "Are they... Are they getting married?" He asked. He was surprised, she didn't strike him as that kind. He tried to picture her walking down the aisle in some fancy white gown... It didn't seem quite right, but the image came surprisingly easily to him. But picturing some big butch Viking man waiting for her at the end... that he couldn't see.

"No. Camicazi wouldn't go for it. That's why they're arguing. She doesn't want to but they do. They are trying to arrange a contract. Come on, best go bail them out before Hiccup unleashes Inferno or summons the alpha."

"What's Inferno?"
"Oh, his sword, its blade sets on fire and blasts. I'm sure you'll see it one day." He followed Eret approaching the bickering families with caution.

"Is everything ok here chief?" Eret asked. All heads snapped towards them. Alexander shifted uncomfortably and edged towards Camicazi.

"Are you alright?" He asked her quietly. She looked at him with surprised green eyes. He couldn't help but be drawn to the gaze.

"I'm ok... Just frustrated."

"I can tell." He shifted on his feet again. The adults were all still arguing; somehow Eret had got involved now too. "You must be really annoyed. Having people try and decide your future must be irritating."

"It is. I don't like having people decide my life for me..."

"Who's this?"

"Our unexpected visitor. Camicazi rescued him."

"He's dressed like a Roman."

"He is." She spat. "Got a problem with that Thugs?"

"What besides the fact he's a Roman?" He scoffed. "What've I got to have a problem with?" Camicazi rolled her eyes again.

"I came over here to apologise for running off yesterday, I was angry and caught off-guard. I also came to tell you I have no interest in becoming anybody's intended. That's all I have to say. Dad, can I show Alex around now? If Eret accompanies me?" Hiccup glanced at them.

"You'd let her wander off with a Roman?!"

"Eret, would you accompany them both please, at least until someone else can take over. I need to have a discussion with Thuggory here." He said, his teeth gritted. Camicazi's face lit up.

"Sure Hiccup, whatever you need. After you two." Eret said waving a hand.

"Thanks Eret, thank Mum. Thanks Dad." She hugged him briefly and then pulled Alexander by the hand out of the hall.

"You seemed keen to get out of there."

"I promised I'd be polite. That would not last if I stayed. And trust me, when my parents get angry, they're scary. Mum is always scary, because she's a warrior. A fighter. No one messes with her. Dad though, he never gets angry. So when he does, you know about it." She was grinning somewhat.

"And that makes you happy why?"

"Because he's not letting anyone buy me. He's getting really serious and cross for me. It's just nice knowing that your dad loves you that much you know?"

"I cannot really say that I do." He sighed. Eret was walking just a little way behind them. "I mean, you saw what he was like. Do you really think he was ever the loving nurturing kind? I was always just trying to live up to expectations."

"Hey, we've all been there. Tried to uphold someone's expectations. It sucks."

"No more than having people control your life"

"Kind of the same thing isn't it?"

"But my father never tried to sell me."

"Nor did mine, Thuggory tried to buy me."

"I was supposed to be married." He said quietly as they walked over to the cliff edge and over looked the view.

"You were?" She asked surprised. "How old are you anyway?"

"Eighteen. Just."

"So... you've got a girl waiting to marry you back home?"

"Yes... It was a good match." He sighed again.

"You were matched up?"

"Yes. My father is a fine soldier, commanding entire Roman legions. Her family have a title. It made sense to arrange us together."

"You don't sound too excited about it."

"I'm not. I was never especially excited by it, she's a nice enough girl I suppose, very pretty, but I don't feel anything for her. But what am I supposed to do?"

"Help a Viking girl free a dragon, burn down your entire camp and then run away with her?" She suggested with a smirk. He looked at her and he couldn't help but grin.

"Yeah, I guess that works. Got me out of it right?"

"I guess so. But if you're using us as a hide out, you should really try to blend in."

"Fine, just give me something warmer to wear. This stuff is freezing me to death!"

"You came to the archipelago in just that stuff, of course you're cold."

"Are you two alright?" Eret asked.

"Yeah, he's just got cold feet." Camicazi teased. Alexander glared at her for her joke.

"Let's get you some warmer clothes and shoes, and then she can show you around." Eret ignored the joke, not understanding the reference she was making.

"Sounds like a plan."

"I should have some things you can put on for now. Then we'll have to see if any of the lads are any closer in size to you to get you a better tunic. Come on." They followed Eret back to his little hut where he pulled out some furs and boots for Alexander to wear until they could find him something more permanent.

Alexander felt off stripping off his armour so he just stood in his top. He blushed furiously feeling decidedly more naked even though all he'd lost was his armour. Camicazi giggled slightly and Eret turned her away, for this he was immensely grateful. He pulled on a pair of pants that were far too big for him. Chuckling Eret passed him a belt and a pair of boots. With the belt on and the boots, the pants no longer caused him trouble. He then pulled a fur shrug around his shoulders feeling considerably warmer for it.

"Can I turn around again yet?" Camicazi asked.

"Yeah. Now you can." She turned back to face him and her eyes widened momentarily. The change to more Viking like, or at least more familiar clothing changed everything. He no longer looked quite so stupid. Besides the much shorter hair, he almost looked the part. She had to admit, it was an improvement.

"Suits you." She said

"Really? Was that a compliment?" He asked grinning. She hit his shoulder and he flinched rubbing it "Ow!"

"Shut up!" Eret just rolled his eyes.

"And so it begins" He muttered.