Drago Bludvist is cruel and unfeeling. There isn't an ounce of humanity to find within him. He doesn't care who he harms as long as gets what he wants.

Eret has no choice but to obey him. If he doesn't, the children will suffer for it.

It's partly the reason why Eret has strayed away from personal attachments. When you care about something so much it can potentially be used against you.

But despite keeping himself at arm''s length, Eret still feels it's his duty to protect his tribe, especially the women and kids who are nothing but innocent bystanders.

So he relents.

Not because he wants to but out of an unspoken obligation, out of duty. It's also the right thing to do, and deep down, Eret is a good guy.

Trapping dragons sounds easier in theory. Eret isn't too familiar with the beasts but know them to be a common problem in the Archipelago. His first encounter leaves half the men with broken bones and deep gashes. It's as scary as it's eye-opening. How little value he and his men have to Drago.

The injuries and wounds become less painful over time, and he gets used to the agony, the hunger and the restlessness.

It's just a part of the new lifestyle.

Eret always manages to capture dragons in time for Drago. All save for one particular episode which earns him a hot rod to the chest. Drago doesn't care if Eret is usually successful in his task, slip-ups aren't allowed under any circumstance. Drago has no mercy in him to give.

That one incident leaves Eret fearful for his life. He doesn't regret the reasons behind his failed delivery but is certainly adamant to never let himself be that vulnerable again. Not for anyone.

Love is a distraction, a shortcoming. It steals off all your strength.

And as far as Eret is concerned there is no room for any weaknesses in this kind of life.

"What did I tell you about leaving the fort unprotected while I'm gone," Eret shouts at his crew members as he reboards the ship.

Teeny and Ug are stunned by his unexpected brash tone, he is usually very soft-spoken, and exchange a weary look. "Sorry, Captain," the sailors reply in unison. "We just a got little distracted, it will not happen again."

Eret sighs, rubbing his temple. "It better not, unless you want us to leave empty-handed again."

"N-no," No-Name interjects. "Drago would not hesitant to kill us for real this time."

"Exactly. So get the pace up, we have some dragon-wrangling to do."

So these are the suggestions I've gotten so far..

Heather: 3 votes

Astrid: 1 vote (and -2 votes)

Valka: 1 vote

Atali/Mala/Nikora: 1 vote

I got no votes for Eret/OC which is why I didn't choose an OC to begin with. No one ever read those.

So Astrid and Eret is no-go in canon but what about in an AU where Astrid is single and free for the taking and Hiccup is with someone else? Would you read an Astrid and Eret AU if I ever wrote one?