She stood in white, lace crawling up arms in spiderwebs. Her hair cascaded around her like rivulets of sunshine. The waves picked up her skirts and carried them round like wind whipping in a field. Her hands outstretched and grasped his, a smile forming on her face. The priceless ring hugged her finger as they interwove with his own. This was it. This was the day he been looking forward to since he had met her.

A large hand clasped his shoulder. "And do you, son of the water, take this lovely creature as your bride?"

"I do." He said.

"Then by the power I have, I declare you as fish and wife!"

Astrid drew close to him, her arms about his neck. He leaned in, breaths mingling like forgotten friends. "Oh Astrid…"

"Hiccup…?"

"Yes?"

"We need to go…"

"I know." He smiled. "I'll take you with me…"

"What? I need to go home!"

"What?"

"The Gaul's left, we need to go back to the village."

"But, we—…"

"Hey, as much as I'd like to stay with you, Stoick's going to be wondering where I am. So get your lazy fins out of this hammock."

Hiccup awoke, blinking the heavenly dream out of his mind. Strangely, it had been so realistic, but he knew it wasn't possible. He sat in a daze, trying to understand why he had concocted such a fantasy.

"Midgard to Fishboy! Hello!" Astrid snapped in his face.

"Oh, right. Sorry. I'm just…not awake yet." He had only half lied.

"Well, finish waking up. I'm going to get my stuff together. You wanted to bring your sketchbook with you, right?"

"Yeah."

"Anything else?"

"Ah…" He half-heartedly looked around. "Ah, that little bag up there, the brown one."

"Okay." She climbed up the rocks and grabbed the bag, then felt it. "What—?" She opened it. "Grass? Really? We have so much grass up there."

"It's for dragons," he elaborated.

The blonde nodded like she understood, but she only humored him. Still, she stuck the bag in hers. "Anything else?"

"No…I think that's it."

Regaining her spot on the main floor, she began to fold up the clothes she had left behind. "Maybe you should bring some treasure with you. I could trade it with Johann if you'd like."

"Johann?"

"He's our trader, many nice goods. He can be really annoying, but he's nice." She laughed. Then she started to take down the hammock she had slept in.

"Oh, leave it!" He called. "In case you want to…uh, come visit…sometime. You know, like a vacation."

She smirked and re-tied the knot. "Talk to your dragon, will you? He still doesn't like me."

Hiccup smirked and rolled out of his bed. "Toothless..." He sang.

The dragon gave a contented purr.

Hiccup waved Astrid over, so she could kneel near him. The merman stroked the side of the beast's head and scratched under his chin. The girl joined in, scratching behind his ear flaps.

"Toothless...can you get up, bud?"

The dragon awoke with a yawn; hot, rank air blowing over them. Hiccup held his breath. "Hey bud..." He smiled.

The merman knew how to put the dragon in a good mood, as he opened his eyes, dilated with friendliness. He seemed much less hostile from the previous day.

"This is my friend, Astrid. She wants to be your friend."

Astrid moved up to resume scratching under his chin, where Hiccup had been. "Hey there, Toothless." She cooed.

The dragon lulled his tongue out of his mouth, smiling at her, teeth retracted. Then he gave a long, slow, sound lick to the side of her face. She grimaced.

"He likes you!" He laughed. "Just be glad he didn't puke up a fish on you."

"Yeah," she wiped the saliva off with a thick swipe. "Praise Thor."

Shortly after, Astrid had packed away everything they were taking with them. She poised up top by the opening, ready to jump on Toothless after they exited the cave, keeping her and her luggage dry. The ride back was a lot more calm then the ride there, as Toothless took a lap around the island. Astrid knew she was supposed to get home as soon as possible, but as she gripped Hiccup's bare shoulders, she relaxed and just enjoyed the ride.

Too soon, they touched down outside the ring, since the Vikings wouldn't take kindly to the Nightfury. Hiccup and Toothless said their tearful goodbyes, before Astrid lifted him and began to carry him back.

"I miss him already," he said softly, his arms around her shoulders.

"I'm sure you do." In truth, she knew she would miss the reptile as well.

Astrid carried him through town, where they were well received.

"Got away just in time, eh?"

"Good to see our treasures are both safe!"

"About time you got a vacation from her!"

Hiccup mused the ridicule that spanned over the crowd. "Wow, no one likes Darla, do they?"

She laughed, "No, not at all. And be glad you missed out on this experience."

Astrid brought him to the forge, where his barrel of water had been replaced by a large wash basin, which perched on the edge of the far wall. Just close enough to the fires, but overlooking the ocean view.

"Got an upgrade huh?" She stated as she lowered him into the water.

Gobber laughed. "Yeah, Stoick made the twins and Snotlout set that up as punishment. But don't worry, I checked it, it's sturdy."

Hiccup stretched out in the tub, enjoying the warmth of the water. "I think this will do nicely." He stated.

Astrid sat down in a chair nearby, just to recover her breath from the trip.

"It's nice ta have ye back." Gobber smiled. "It wasn'ta same without ye."

"Really? But I don't say much," Hiccup wondered.

"Aye, that you don't, but I missed the feeling of silent judgement," the man chuckled.

Astrid stood and took his book from her bag and set it next to the tub. "Well, if that's all, then I better be going. Gotta check in with Stoick and unpack."

"Thanks for everything Astrid," the boy smiled. "Will I see you later?"

The blonde smiled, but she didn't say anything as she left the forge.

"So…" Gobber slyly slinked over to the tub. "Anything…happen?"

"Like what?"

"Oh, I see the way you where looking at her. You fancy Astrid."

"Why wouldn't I? She's beautiful, and smart, and kind…"

"We are taking about the same person, right?"

The merman rolled his eyes. "Once you get her to open up, she's a very interesting person." He muttered under his breath, "especially when she's drunk."

Gobber snorted. "Had quite the party eh?"

"It was nice," he stated. "I think…I think I've made a friend." Scratch that, he knew he had made a friend.

"Besides me?" The old goat asked.

"Yes, Gobber. Besides you."

"Now laddie," Gobber stated, walking over to his counter where a blueprint sat. "I've been working on your tail, but I seem ta be stuck on the plans." He scratched his chin. "I'm used to weapons. But this? Well, I'm having some problems with it. I hope you can stand being here for a awhile."

"Well…" the boy said as he reached over and took up his book. "Maybe I could try? You would probably need a device that replicated the motions of my good fin in the bad fin. For instance, if this one closes, so should the fake fin. Maybe gears?"

Gobber looked at him, "how do you know about these kind of things?"

The boy shrugged. "Observing, reading, experimenting."

Gobber shrugged. "It could work."

—

A week passed, and Hiccup was devastated. The sun was setting, but his eyes where trained towards the village. Astrid had not come to see him since the day she left him there. He felt betrayed, and abandoned. He sighed.

"Don't worry lad," Gobber mused, sharpening a sword.

"What did I do?" The boy whispered, mostly to himself. "I thought she liked me. I thought we were friends…I thought she trusted me."

"I'm sure she's just busy."

"I'm not human, Gobber. Did that scare her off? What did I do?" He was certain he just lost both of his best friends.

"Your not human, alright," the blacksmith offered. "But I think that might be why she likes ya. Not annoying like the other kids around here."

"Maybe…I was just convenient," he moaned. "She just wanted someone to talk to…"

"You need to stop doing this to yourself, Hiccup. Astrid…is a mystery. She doesn't really show her emotions."

Hiccup stared at the man, confused. "That doesn't sound like her."

Gobber's eyebrows raised. "You mean…?"

"She was very open with me. She told me right the point what was bothering her." He smiled sadly, "She has the most beautiful laugh."

Gobber scratched his chin in wonder. "I don't know what ta make of it, lad."

Dejected, he flopped back down into his tub, only his tail visible.

Little did he know, he did nothing wrong, except bring her happiness. Those feelings she had experienced? She dwelt on them, and attributed their arrival to her new friend. Some day, he would be repaired and return to the water. She couldn't bare the thought of never being happy, never feeling fulfilled again. So, she stupidly decided to stifle the emotions before she could get attached to them. However, she was unaware of how truly damaging her actions were.

—

Early morning. The village was still asleep, the dark of the night still clung to the atmosphere. Hiccup roused ever so slightly, and raised out of the water. The air was crisp and cool as he poked the dying fire with an iron rod. Gobber would be in at first light, and would bring it back up. The boy yawned, and scratched his head. Too much was on his mind for him to sleep. He rested his head on his arms, and closed his eyes.

There was suddenly a loud roar. He sat up straight and listened as it crowed again. It sounded like a Nightmare. Then the shriek of a Nadder answered it a few seconds later.

"Dragon! Dragon attack!" Someone shouted.

Hiccup leaned out the window in an attempt to see what was going on. More dragon noises called and then fires were lit, illuminating the chaos.

"Don't let them get the livestock!" A man shouted.

Gobber hobbled into the forge, and immediately got to work. "Morning, lad!"

"What's happening?!" The panicked merman asked.

"Ah, the beasts are at it again! Come to steal our food!" He took a bola off the wall and handed it to a man waiting at the window. Then he sent a sly smile over his shoulder. "I see why you like them, you have a trait in common."

Hiccup flushed at the insult. "Well!"

"Just kiddin', boy-o."

Hiccup didn't like the joke.

After the weapons were passed around, Gobber took out an axe. "They need me out there, but don't worry. I'll be back!" And he shouted as he burst out into the fray.

Hiccup watched him go with sadness. He didn't like the idea of fighting. It wasn't good.

There was a loud 'whump' that came from the space behind him, followed by a low purr. Hiccup whirled around to meet bright green eyes watching him.

"Toothless! What are you doing here?" He nearly shouted. "It's not safe! You need to leave!"

In response, the beast nudged him heartily and lovingly.

"Oh..." Hiccup moaned as he hugged his friend. He was lonely. As much as Gobber was good company, he missed Toothless and Astrid. "Fine, you can stay...just stay out of sight and be careful! They won't love you like I do."

A long lick to the face suggested that the dragon understood his rider's request. His ears perked up and he darted behind the short wall. Gobber stumbled back in.

"Had my wrong hand on!" He shouted, before running out again.

Hiccup listened in horror at the sounds of shrieks and growls echoing over the landscape. Some sounded friendly, others sounded hurt. But to the humans, they where all evil, and needed to be ridded.

Toothless whined and rested his head by Hiccup. "It's going to be okay bud…" He said, mostly to reassure himself.

Over the coarse of an hour, Hiccup's fear for his companion waned as the shrieks of the beasts receded into the distance. The Nightfury huffed on the boy's hair and then curled up in his little spot behind the forge.

Gobber hobbled back into place, trading out his hand. "They got away. Each and every one of them. Along with a good amount of supplies! Unbelievable!"

Hiccup cringed. With losses like that, forgiveness would be unlikely.

"Ah, don't worry lad. They only come every once and awhile. Takes us a long time to get our stores back, but we'll manage."

Suddenly the sound of bickering was heard from outside the forge.

"That's my sword!"

"Nuh-uh! You broke your sword!"

"I know! And that sword is broken, genius!"

The twins and Snotlout appeared at the window, brandishing weapons.

"And the repair work begins," Gobber lamented. "Alright, who's first?"

"Me! I'm first! I'm the oldest!" Tuffnut threw his sword down.

"No way! I'm older by a minute! Little brother!"

"I'll go! Sheesh!" Snotlout broke up the fight and laid down a hammer. Then he glanced back and met Hiccup's gaze. "Hey, buddy! How's it going?"

Hiccup was silent.

"What's wrong? Catfish got your tongue?" He chuckled. "Still sore about the hill thing?"

The merman turned his head away.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry about that. And I'll make it up to you. What do you say? I'll get you anything you want! When I marry Astrid, I'll be the richest guy on Berk!"

Hiccup's head snapped over and stared at the boy. "Marry?"

"Now he speaks! And yeah, marry! It's when two people decide that they are going to be together. So they share everything and have kids. The husband, that's the guy, does all the hard manly work, and then the wife, that's the chick, does all the cooking and cleaning. Then when the husband comes home, the wife dotes on his every need."

The merman huffed. "I know what it is." He had heard stories, and he had read tales, but Snotlout's depiction sounded wrong. Hiccup's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and anger. "And…so you and Astrid have agreed on this?"

Snotlout shrugged. "Basically. I mean, not technically, but it's pretty much a given."

Tuffnut popped into the conversation. "What he really means, is that he thinks Astrid likes him, but she actually hates his guts."

"Shut up!" Snotlout punched him.

At the sound of fighting, the Nightfury perked up and let out a low growl.

"What was that?"

"Uh- uh- uh…my stomach!" The merman stuttered. "Yes, I'm so hungry! I have not eaten since yesterday…"

Snotlout didn't buy his bluff as he entered into the forge. "That didn't sound like a stomach."

"Oh? Well, Mermaid stomachs must sound different from humans…" He nervously glanced around.

"You're hiding something." The brunet accused.

"Me? Hiding? No. I can't even walk! How would I—?"

Ruffnut stifled a shriek from behind the forge. "DRAGON!"

"No!" Hiccup whirled.

Almost instantly, people ran over to where Ruffnut was screaming.

Hiccup pleaded, "Stop! Stop, he won't hurt you!"

Toothless was standing and hissing, his back to Hiccup. He wouldn't fight, but he wouldn't leave his companion with these barbarians.

"Go bud!" Hiccup shouted as he pushed on the dragon's hide. "Toothless, go! Get out of here!" But the reptile would not budge.

A bola sang through the air before grappling two legs together. The dragon stumbled and the vikings rushed him, ropes in hand.

"Stop! Stop! Please! Don't hurt him!" The merman lifted himself from his tub and flopped on the muddy ground. "Toothless!" He reached out, crawling his way over.

By time the chief and Astrid arrived on the scene, the dragon was bound completely and Hiccup clutched his head tightly.

"We found this dragon hiding back here, Stoick." A man stated. "What do you want to do with him?"

Hiccup rose tearful eyes to the man he once called his father. "Please…" he urged. "Don't hurt him. He's my best friend. Please…please!"

"Put him with the others," Stoick stated calmly.

"No!" Hiccup shrieked, lunging at the man, but he was only able to glare up at him from the ground. "You said nothing would happen to me! You said you would take care of me!"

Angered, Stoick lifted the merman by the hair and looked him in the eye. "I promised you! Not this devil! Don't you know anything? They're evil creatures!"

"No, they aren't!" Hiccup squealed as he writhed in the man's grasp. "They are capable of great things! They can help you!" He twisted his head to glare at him, "They are intelligent, gentle creatures. Capable of love and affection! Just give them a chance!"

Stoick shook him, "Don't act like you understand us, you monster! The dragons took everything from me! Why would I change my mind just because of the word of some…fish man!?" Then he threw the boy down on the dirt. "Don't get too comfortable. You aren't one of us. And you never will be!"

Toothless whined against his muzzle as the men began to push him onto a cart. Hiccup dug into the ground and tried to get to him. "I can prove it! I can prove he's good! Just give me a chance!" He scanned the crowd. "Gobber! Talk some sense into him! Please!"

"Lad…it's a dragon…" he replied, melancholy.

Scared, tears came to his eyes as the last fleeting moments with his dragon started to slip away. Then, the merman found a familiar face, standing near Stoick. She had been silent the whole time. "Astrid…please…you know Toothless. I beg you. Don't let him die. He's all I have...Please…"

The blonde glanced over at the dragon and then to the chief. She sighed, "Stoick, would it really hurt to give him a chance? With all the stuff that's gone from the raids…we could really use help gathering more before the frost."

Stoick crossed his arms, but remained silent.

Astrid reached out and gingerly touched his arm. "What would Hiccup say about this narrow-mindedness?"

The chief knew she wasn't speaking of the merman. But of a little boy that loved dragons, never allowed to see peace achieved between them. Killed because of the fear they instilled. His little son.

In a small voice, the man responded. "Alright." Then his nostrils flared as he jabbed a finger at the boy. "You have one chance. Teach us to train the captive dragons, and your Nightfury goes free. But, if any harm comes to my people, from those dragons, that beast will be killed. Understand?"

Hiccup looked up, something akin to delight in his eyes. "Oh thank you! I promise it'll work! You'll see!"

—

He may have spoken too soon.

"I don't know what I expected," Hiccup lamented to Gobber, chanting echoing in the background.

"Well, you didn't think et'd be a picnic, did ya?"

"No," he nodded, looking out to arena, where he waited. "I just didn't expect to go all gladiator style."

"Gladiator?"

"Roman thing."

"Ah." The man nodded. "Well, ready?"

"I guess, I don't think they're going to wait much longer."

"You're probably right." Gobber grabbed the edge of the barrel and wheeled him into the arena.

The crowds circled around the chain linked fence, shaking the barriers and calling down to him. All in all, it seemed like the village wasn't too keen on training dragons, but seeing a fish fry.

"My friends!" Stoick's voice called above the crowd once Hiccup was in place. "Today, our guest is going to attempt to train these beasts that have plagued us for years." He sat in his great chair. "Okay, merman, get on with it. Start with whichever one you wish."

"Wait, Stoick— sir, chief, your highness." He stumbled. "I said I would help you train them, not do it for you." He clarified.

The great man scratched his chin. "Elaborate."

"Well," the boy scratched the back of his neck. "If you send someone in here, I'll teach them."

"How do I know this isn't a trick?"

"You said if anyone was injured, you'd kill Toothless. I'm not willing to take any chances." He looked at the man earnestly. "I want to help you, sir. With viking's on the backs of dragons, the world could be so much bigger! Think of the power! The defense! They wouldn't take from you anymore."

Stoick was quiet while the crowd broke into curious chattering.

"Who do you want?" Stoick finally asked.

"Astrid," the boy replied.

The blonde stood up calmly, nodding once.

Stoick grabbed her shoulder, "be careful…"

She rolled her eyes. "Piece of cake." And she started over to the entrance.

"Oh, Astrid!" The merman called. "No weapons!"

She silently dislodged the axe from her back and dropped it at Snotlout's feet, nearly taking them off. "Hang on to this for me."

Inside the ring, Astrid sided up to the merman as the crowd buzzed in curiosity. Gobber stood at the other side of the arena, by the cage doors.

"So, what's first?" Asked the girl.

"First, you should chose which dragon you think would best suit you."

She turned the question right around on him, "Okay, oh dragon master, which dragon do you think suits me the best?"

"Uh…" he glanced at the crowd, watching him critically, and then looked back at the blonde. Beautiful, powerful, graceful… "Nadder!"

"Excuse me?"

"The Deadly Nadder! Do you have one?" He turned to Gobber.

"Aye!" And he hurried to the latch by the cage.

"You think I'm deadly?" She accused.

"Would you rather be monstrous or hideous?"

"Point taken," she laughed.

"Ready!" Gobber called, and pulled the latch.

The curious dragon squawked as she hopped out of the containment. It's eyes narrowed in the bright sunlight and she stomped around.

Astrid's attitude changed completely once the reptile came out. Without her axe, she felt very vulnerable. Rigidly, she stood near Hiccup, not even breathing. The dragon snuck closer, sniffing, it's eyes changing in size.

Hiccup touched Astrid's back and gently pushed her forward. "Relax…" he urged.

Taking a heavy swallow, the girl came close enough to feel the heat from the Nadder's nostrils. "What now?" She whispered.

"Talk to her."

"Uh…" she swallowed. "H-hello! My name is Astrid…you're so pretty. You're nice, you don't want to hurt me!"

Hiccup smiled as the dragon huffed and Astrid stiffened. It was one thing when she was interacting with Toothless, who was already trained, but this was a wild and no doubt vengeful Nadder. She was poisonous, and had a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, which was about a foot from her face.

Surprisingly, the dragon chirped happily and came closer.

"Yeah, good girl…." Astrid clenched her hands into fists, terrified.

"Now, raise your hand in front of her snout and close your eyes."

She did as told. Her fingers inches from the warm hide. Her heart hammered in her chest. Carefully, she closed her eyes and waited for the dragon to make its decision.

Like a kiss, the Nadder lovingly nudged the girl's hand. Cool scales vibrated with a warm purr as Astrid felt her lips pull into a smile. Her other hand reached up and began to stroke the side of the Nadder's head of it own accord.

"Give her a name." Hiccup prompted.

Astrid had seen this dragon in flight. the powerful beat of wings, the ferocity in motion, like a storm embodied into one being. One name came to mind, "Stormfly."

Stormfly decidedly liked her name as she nuzzled into Astrid's tummy. The blonde scratched the dragon's head heartily.

Hiccup smiled as the girl laughed. Hushed awe went up through the gather crowd as they realized something very important.

Astrid was laughing. And a dragon had caused it.

Stormfly crouched and allowed Astrid to climb up on her back. There were sounds of protests from the crowd, but Astrid ignored them all and called out to Gobber. "Open the gates!"

The older man obliged as he flipped the switch and the Nadder rocketed out with the girl hooting and hollering all the while.

While this hadn't been the first flight she had been on, it was her first alone, and that seemed to make it even more exhilarating. The island fell away as Stormfly pressed on, higher and higher. The wind in her hair, the cold biting at her skin…her dragon's wings were just an extension of her soul. Flying to freedom and tranquility. She had been foolish to try to block out Hiccup, as he had found his way back into her life. Whether he knew it or not, he really was a magic being.

Who else could make her this joyful?

To dissuade any fears the vikings would have, Astrid steered the Nadder back to the ring, and the dragon obediently replied. She touched down back in the ring, a radiant smile on her face.

"Are—Are you alright, lass?" Gobber asked.

"Perfect!" She laughed. "Hiccup was right! They are wonderful creatures!" She hugged the Nadder from behind.

"So," the merman spoke up. "Who's next? Fishlegs?"

The next two dragons to train went fairly well. Astrid helped with the twins, as they fought more then paid attention. A little bickering, but they named the Zippleback appropriately. Fishlegs was quick to bond with the Gronkle, after Astrid retrieved the bag of Dragon nip she had brought from Hiccup's cave. Meatlug and Fishlegs' relationship was off to a beautiful, if not a bit strange, start.

Then it was Snotlout's turn. He waltzed into the arena, acting high and mighty.

"Alright, Snot," Hiccup sighed. He still was uncomfortable around the brutish boy. "You've got the Monstrous Nightmare, and they have a nasty temper."

"So do I," the older boy laughed. "I can handle it." He snapped his fingers and Gobber grabbed hold of the latch. "I know what I'm doing."

In a burst of flames, the Nightmare plunged into the arena. It's body alight with fire, it hissed with vibrant intensity.

Like Astrid, once the dragon was released, Snotlout drew back in fear.

"Relax Snotlout, they can sense fear."

The brunet straightened. "I'm n-not afraid!"

The Nightmare growled and flames licked the floor.

"I'm not!" He insisted, puffing out his chest. "I'll prove it!" And he ran towards the dragon.

"No! Don't!" Hiccup warned.

Snotlout ignored him. "You listen to me, you beast!" He pointed at the monster.

The Nightmare's eyes narrowed into almost invisible slits. It's lids quaked with rigid rebellion.

"Snotlout, listen to me, you need to be gentle," Hiccup warned. "You're treading a dangerous line…"

"Oh, shut up!" Snotlout shouted back. "I know what I'm doing!"

Hiccup watched in odd fascination as the other boy flared his nostrils at the Nightmare. "You answer to me now!"

The Nightmare snapped it's jaws, just barely missing his hand.

"No!" Snotlout scolded. "Sit!"

The Nightmare growled as fire began to flicker up on it's skin. His strategy was failing.

Stoick stood from his chair. "Stop," he claimed.

"Wait!" Snotlout insisted.

"I SAID STOP!" The chief shouted, his hammer smacking into the bars.

The clang irritated the Nightmare passed its patience, and it blew flames as Snotlout danced away. The result was Snotlout's fanny smoked like a salmon. The boy ran to Hiccup and shoved him out of the way to cool his cheeks.

Horrified, the merman looked passed his oaf of a cousin and up to Stoick, who was livid with anger. "No…It…it was an accident…"

"You promised no one would be hurt." Stoick scowled.

The Monstrous Nightmare descended onto the duo. "Well, if you don't let us finish this, you'll have worse than a boy with chapped buns!"

"Snotlout, get out of there!" The chief commanded.

Astrid watched with horror from the sidelines. Snotlout wriggled his way out of the barrel and stood. Eyes locked on the nightmare, he scurried out of the arena.

The Nightmare gave him a sideways glance, but let him go. Then, seeing the tail sticking out of the water, it licked it's chops.

"Stoick…?" Hiccup asked.

"What?" Asked the man, staring him down with anger. "You said you could train them. You certainly don't need my help."

Startled, Hiccup glanced to Gobber, who had already escaped through the gate and was lowering the door. "Wait!" He panicked.

Astrid ran back to Stoick. "You can't do this, he's defenseless! He can't move! He can't run!"

Stoick was silent as he crossed his arms.

The dragon came much too close for comfort. "Nice Nightmare…good dragon. Yeah, good boy." He reached out and touched the dragon's skin, but quickly recoiled, the water on his hand turning to steam in a sizzle.

Hiccup gulped. "Come on…It's okay…"

But the beast was far too angered to listen. He roared in the merman's face, and Hiccup jumped to recoil. His weight shifted the barrel, and it tipped to the side. Hiccup sprawled out on the dirt, just barely dodging the snapping jaws of the Nightmare.

"Hiccup!" Astrid shouted. It was all up to her! She snatched up her axe and chucked it at the latch on the far side of the arena.

Hiccup rolled away just in time for fire to hit the cement. "TOOTHLESS!"

A blue glow illuminated the back cage as a plasma blast shot across the arena and hit the Nightmare and knocked him over. With the speed of lightning, the infamous Nightfury stood guard over his rider and friend. Though, unlike earlier that day, the dragon glowed with an eerie blue flame from deep inside.

"Toothless…" The merman whispered.

Toothless shrieked, his roar echoing over the walls and mountain side. Every living creature stood still. The trained dragons, now sitting outside with their riders bowed low with respect. The Nightmare backed into the corner and laid flat to the ground, whining apologetically.

Hiccup patted the side of his companion. "It's okay, Toothless. I'm okay…"

The re-assurance from the boy allowed the glow to fade as he turned and nuzzled him.

"Thank you, buddy. You're amazing…" He hugged his head tight. Then he looked up to the chief. "Do you see now? Once you gain the loyalty of a dragon, they will do anything for you. They will even lay down their own lives for your protection. It's that something worthwhile?"

Stoick was a lucky man. Born true to his name, his face would not convey any emotion he felt. What he did feel though, was anger towards himself and guilt. He should have helped. He could have, he should have listened. Hiccup was right.

The merman starred up at him with sad, wide green eyes. And although he was far away, the chief could see them clearly.

We don't play with dragons!

Why?

Stoick stood and cleared his throat. "My friends, it's time we put the past behind us. This is the end of tradition. A new age begins today! The age of the dragon!"

Cheers of the crowd broke out as the dragons in the audience were petted and nuzzled.

Hiccup looked around and was pleased. There was plenty of loose ends to tie up, such as getting Snotlout to understand the Nightmare, and instating Toothless as the Alpha. But first…

"Hey Stoick?" Called Hiccup.

The chief gave him his attention.

"There's a little Terrible Terror still down here…would you like him?"

The man smiled, a twinkle in his eye.

—

Sunset. Gobber had gone home for the evening, and Toothless curled up by the fire. Hiccup sat in his tub, sketching out his blueprints, when there was a soft knock on the door. He looked up, only to smile at the sight.

"Astrid!"

"Do you have a moment?"

"All the time!" The shut the book and set it down.

The girl took careful steps to get around the slumbering dragon.

"Isn't this great?" He asked. "Gobber said when he's not busy as Alpha, he can have a job as fire stoker, and he can stay here with me!"

"Yeah, that's great." She smirked. Then she bit her lip. "I…I wanted to apologize. I'm sure you noticed that I was avoiding you…"

He nodded curtly and glanced away.

"And…it was for a dumb reason, and I'm just really very sorry."

He smiled, "It's okay…"

"Hiccup, you have showed me so much kindness. I really don't deserve any of it. I've been awful to you. You took me in, you gave me gifts…you brought Stormfly and I together…I never thought I'd feel that close to a dragon before! You…you amaze me Hiccup."

He blushed. "It wasn't anything special."

Without warning, the girl caught him in a warm embrace. "Thank you…for everything. My dearest friend."

Hiccup returned the embrace, thinking the exact same thing.

College is eating up my time, and I've run out of cushion chapters. I'm going to do my best, but the next chapter may be late. Sorry :/