Authors Note: Sorry for the wait!

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

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Chapter 7: Battle Of The Heirs

(Hiccup POV)

"No, it totally makes sense." Astrid argues.

The walk towards the village has been for the most part uneventful. Astrid's arm is firmly on my elbow as she steers me through the forest. Half her sentences are cut off by warnings. "I pretend to try and kill the NIghtmare than you train it, showing the village that dragons aren't so bad."

"Astrid, incase you've forgotten I'm blind. I wouldn't even know if the dragon was going to snap off my hand or not."

"Hiccup it could work! It's the only way. I can't kill that dragon."

"Astrid-"

"No just trust me-"

"I do trust you, it's just this wouldn't-"

"Hiccup. It's the only way. I've never trained a dragon before. It would end in disaster for me."

"Ast-"

"Please." She begs. I can bite my inner lip. She's been extremely pushy of this idea since we left the cove, she drags me into the arena with her and I train the Monstrous Nightmare she's supposed to kill. I can tell she's at the point of begging on her knees if it comes to that.

I let out a long breath, "Fine." I say through gritted teeth. What would have been a cheery response I'm sure is cut off as Astrid sucks in a breath. I turn my head in her direction. "What is it?"

"Berserk. HIccup, Berk is being attacked!" Astrid yells.

My thoughts skid to a halt.

"What!?"

"What a fine observation, Astrid." Torunn's nasally voices announces. I still. "You want a medal."

"Torunn! We have to warn Stoick!" Astrid shouts. Torunn laughs and my blood runs cold. He is full aware there's an attack on Berk. The blade of a dagger presses against my throat and I tense my spine going rigid.

"I don't think that's necessary, girl. If you're smart, you won't stop me." He hisses and the blade digs deeper in my throat and I hiss slightly. Toothless. We need Toothless. I need him to be my eyes! I need him!

"You traitor." Astrid hisses. "You knew!" She growls.

He probably helped plan the attack to. Torunn's other hand lands on my shoulder and he starts to back up dragging me with him. "Let him go, Torunn or you lose the hand." Astrid commands and Torunn drags me back further, using me as a shield. I clench my jaw in frustration.

Astrid lets out a war cry and there's a moment before I'm thrown from Torunn's grasp hitting the ground with an 'oof'. Metal meets metal and another thump sounds, "I'll let you choose." Astrid hisses, "The left or the right."

Man, I am glad I'm not Torunn right now! Astrid can be terrifying.

"How about option three?" Torunn asks and Astrid gives a cry of pain her body smacking against the ground.

"Astrid!" I yell in panic and sit up frantically searching for her with my hands. Where is she!? Is she okay!?

"I'm fine." Astrid groans and there's a heavy clang as soon as the words levae her mouth.

"Now, where were we?" Torunn says and I can almost see the wild smirk. My blood runs cold and suddenly I feel the center of this man's attention is a very bad place to be.

000o000

(Dagur POV)

I swing off the side of the boat and hit the sand with a soft thump.

Berk's beach is mostly deserted, though it probably helped that Torunn suggested we land on the secluded beach towards the west side of the island. Speaking of which. I grab the small map I was given and unroll it.

My father had put me and solely me in charge of bringing Hiccup and Torunn back to the boats, not like it will be incredibly hard, Hiccup should be easy to capture and drag towards the boats, the child is truly pathetic.

The other Berserkers and Dragon Hunters jump off the sides of the boat and begin to form ranks. I give them a half glance before I turn and slip into the woods quickly moving forward. I squint looking down at the map I was given, I should have brought a light source, the clouds are thick and a light rain is beginning to fall.

On the plus side, the cloud coverage will help sneaking into the village. Chuckling to myself slightly I weave through the woods stuffing the map into my back pocket for later use.

The rain makes a soft ting as it hits my armor and the sound is starting to get irritating.

Releasing a long breath, I move forward shoving several trees out of the way, after an undocumented amount of time, I finally reach the place I'm supposed to meet Torunn.

I shove a branch to the side and look at the selected clearing spotting...nothing. He's late.

Surprise, surprise.

Giving a soft roll of my eyes I turn and scan around myself. There's a passage cleared as if someone has been walking back and forth from here to who knows where. At least several times a day for the last while. My eyebrows narrow slightly and I take a step to follow the trail to wherever it leads when a thump stops me.

Someone gives a hiss of pain and I turn looking back as Torunn with a Dagur placed against Hiccup's throat shoves the teen into the clearing. Hiccup's hands are bound behind his back and though his eyes are open it's clear he can't see.

There's a ferocity in his stance and had he not been gagged I'm sure that the Haddock would have had plenty to say to Torunn.

"Well, well, well," I say smirking slightly before moving forward towards them. "Look who finally decided to show up."

Hiccup stiffens at my voice and his dead eyes widen slightly. The sudden shift makes me look at them and I immediately regret my decision. Though I'm sure they were once deep emerald and full of life, they're covered in a grey mist with little red vein looking strands weaving through the eyeball. His gaze rests on the ground but it's obvious he sees nothing.

"Sorry," Torunn says and his eyes flash over with annoyance as Hiccup starts to struggle, "it took a bit longer than I thought." Torunn presses the blade deeper into the Haddock's throat and it only seems to dampen his struggles slightly.

I finger the hilt of my axe and raise an eyebrow. "I can tell."

Hiccup murmurs something but it's muffled by the gag. "Oh, shut it." Torunn commands whacking the back of his head with his other hand. Hiccup flinches and has to physically restrain his neck before it's sliced open by the dagger.

I send a scowl at Torunn, "Now, now, Torunn. My father wanted him alive, don't get crazy."

Torunn laughs and shoves Hiccup forward, "You're talking to me about crazy!"

Torunn shoves Hiccup past me and I grab the blonde man's shoulder, "Let's just put it this way: Hiccup shows up dead, and so do you." I promise and give a wide smile before moving forward humming merrily.

Hiccup mutters something to that and for a second I'm tempted to remove his gag just to see what he has to say. Then again, nearly every other word is sass or sarcasm, seriously the kid should be called the king of sarcasm.

I start to shove through the forest and as soon as we leave the clearing lighting ripples overhead before thunder roars. Rain pours down on us in a flash flood and I scowl slightly my merry mood getting smashed slightly.

But we're winning.

We have Hiccup.

Soon it won't be long before Berk is ours to.

Torunn gives several grunts of frustration and I look behind me. Surely the stupid kid isn't that hard to keep in one place. He looks as if the next large gust of wind will throw him towards the ocean.

Hiccup is struggling widely looking but not really seeing in the direction of where the path lead to. Ah! So there was something there! "Stop it!" Torunn hisses and Hiccup looks at him utterly defiant before with the layer adding, he smacks his forehead against Torunn's chin. I cringe slightly at it and Torunn yelps the dagger landing on the ground at their feet.

Hiccup rips from Torunn's grasp and starts race forward.

Ha. Ha.

No.

I race after the teen and catch up with his stumbling pace easily. I grab his shoulders and drag him back clicking my tongue, "Now, now, Hiccup, we wouldn't want you lost in the woods now would we?" I ask retorchally my voice coated in a thick layer of sugar despite the venom.

The gag slips down at his struggling and instead of a sarcastic retort, sass or downright defiant snarky response I'm expecting the only thing that comes out of his mouth is a howl. What on Thor's name, has the teen gone crazy!

"Shut it!" I yell and slam a hand over his mouth. I start to drag him back and Hiccup struggles harder before clamping his teeth down on my hand. I yelp and draw my hand back staring at him in shock and feeling slightly offended.

He just bit me.

"TOOTHLESS!" Hiccup yells and I shake my head in shock slightly. What on Thor-oh for the love of Thor. I move my hand back towards my back sliding my axe from it's holder, "TOOTHLESS!" "TOOTH-" I smack him across the back of his head and he crumbles forward instantly; I manage to catch him with one hand before he hits the ground and release a long breath. "-less." Hiccup croaks before he goes completely limp.

I turn and slide my axe onto its holder before turning back towards Torunn. "See. I told you the kid's more trouble than he's worth!" Torunn cries. "I even had to battle Astrid to get to the kid, she's going to quiet the shock when she wakes up." he mutters the last part before looking back up at me.

Oh, right. Astrid...whoever she is.

I grab Hiccup bridal style, I would just swing him over my shoulder but I have a weapon and the goal is to try and keep him alive until Stoick pays the ransom. Releasing a long breath I start to move forward.

"Well, it is a lot easier to deal with him like this." I comment as we start to move through the woods. Torunn snorts.

"For someone who's blind he acts like he can see." Torunn mutters and I give a soft roll of my eyes before a roar stops us both dead. I turn my eyes widening with surprise and fear as a dark shape barrels towards both of us a glowing pair of green eyes narrowed to thin slits of anger.

Torunn sucks in a breath his hand flying towards his sword hilt. My breath catches in my throat slightly and one of us chokes out the two words before the dragon reaches us, "Night Fury."

000o000

(Heather POV)

The water smacks against all sides of me as I try to keep afloat on the piece of driftwood I managed to salvage after the boat was struck by lighting a few hours ago. I squeeze my eyes shut as another wave smacks against my exhausted body.

My fingers feel frozen and the tips of my hair are frozen together and stuck to my face. Lighting crackles overhead and I look up at the sky for another moment before the rain starts to pour harder. My hood fell off hours ago and if I move my hand away from the wood I don't think I'll be able keep myself above the water.

A wave smacks against me and my death grip on the wood slips my fingers sliding away from the wood before I'm swallowed by the waves. I struggle up towards the surface but my tired limbs refuse to move.

My eyes slip closed.

No.

I just got freedom, i won't give up so easily.

I shove up towards the surface forcing my eyes open and break it. I gasp for air staring around myself for a moment through my left eye I can spot an island, or maybe it's just my imagination of a dot.

I'm not sure.

Another wave smacks against me and before I can get good enough grip above the water the board I was using as support minutes ago smacks me in the side of my head.

My vision swirls and I'm again sucked under the waves. I struggle towards the surface but I can't find it, for all I know I could be going further under water. I don't have enough air! I struggle to hold my breath but it's impossible, the need for air is growing.

My mouth slips open and water starts to surge in where air was. I cough but only swallow more.

My ribs start to ache and after a moment they start to burn like someone is taking each rib and snapping them one by one taking their sweet time. My vision swims before my eyes slip closed.

I let the water take me.

000o000

(Dagur POV)

The Night Fury stops roughly ten feet in front of us growling murderously.
A Night Fury.

They do exist!

Focus. Torunn draws his sword and the dragon in response snarls. It's back is arched and it's leaning into the ground wings outstretched as if to make itself bigger. I know of no man that can say they've survived a NIght Fury attack, let alone seen the dragon.

Elusive and deadly.

"Dagur!" Torunn yells in warning. I snap away from my thoughts half a second to late. THe dragon pounces on me and I go tumbling onto my back, Hiccup rolling across the ground a few feet away. The Night Fury snarls at my face before leaping off of my chest onto Hiccup.

Are you serious! We finally get the stupid teen and the dragon has to murder him right now!

I scramble to my feet and grab my axe as Torunn moves next to me his sword is shaking in his hand. He's terrified.

The Night Fury growls lowly at us. My eyebrows meet in confusion.

He's growling at us.

His attention is on us.

Not Hiccup.

The dragon...is over Hiccup's limp body as if he's protecting him. No. That's ridiculous, the Night Fury's probably just planning to get rid of us first, then deal with Hiccup. But if I could kill it, then I would be the first person in the entire Archipelago. The first person to slay the deadly Night Fury; the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself.

"Do you have another weapon?" I demand through clenched teeth at Torunn. His voice fails him and he shakes his head. I grit my teeth in silent frustration before with a quick movement I rip the sword from his grasp and roll forward smashing the Night Fury over the head with the flat end of my blade. I move to shove the sword through it's chest but the dragon manages to avoid the strike.

It stares at me slightly glazed like it's vision is spinning and I smack it over the head again with the axe. The dragon growls angrily at me and stumbles forward slightly. I give a half glance at Hiccup again before ramming the Night Fury's head with the axe again. The dragon groans before collapsing next to Hiccup's lax body.

Yes!

I raise the sword. "Say buh bye, little dragon!" I taunt and start to slide the sword down. A hand grabs my forearm halting the descent and rage bubbles through me. I rip my hand from Torunn's grasp and look at the man, "How dare you!" I yell and he backs down for a moment then shakes his head.

"No, Dagur, look!" He exclaims and points at the dragon's back. I wipe water from my eyes with the back of my hand and blink in surprise.

"Is that a-" I start.

"Saddle. Yes." Torunn says and I follow the saddle towards the tail. The dragon is crippled. Someone was riding it. And I think I know who. Both me and Torunn's gaze turn down towards Hiccup. He's bloody crazy.

"Think about it," Torunn says quietly, "If you can get the dragon conquered and you could ride it...you'd be a terrifying chief, brother." Torunn finishes. I stare at him for a moment. The title sounds slightly off despite how true it is. Torunn is my younger brother but we've seldom seen each other. He's right though.

Conquer the Night Fury.

Ride a Night Fury.

I cackle slightly and hand the man his sword, "You're right Torunn. We'll take the dragon and conquer it." I agree and Torunn grabs Hiccup's limp tied arms dragging the teen off the ground and I smile. "Now come, we're going to need some help to bring our prize home with us."

000o000

Nearly an hour later, I toss Hiccup into a cell. After gathering around five Berserkers we were able to drag the Night Fury to the boats. The dragon, chained to the ship and muzzled is on the deck of our lead ship.

Hiccup groans slightly but doesn't do anything else to indicate he felt the toss. I turn and slam the door shut chuckling to myself slightly before quickly moving through the cell block towards the deck of the of the ship.

Clashing metal and the smell of smoke even through the rain is visible from where I stand. As I watch the forest, Berserkers, being pushed back by the Berkians start to appear. All part of the strategy, let Berk think they've won but we've taken their heir and now we have a Night Fury.

"RETREAT!" My father yells and the Berserkers and Dragon Hunters spin around racing towards the boats, they quickly pile up in the boats and we push of the beach as the Berkian's cheer wildly.

"Good to be going home, right?" Torunn asks and I smirk slightly and lean against the railing of the boat.

"It is." I agree the glee in my voice isn't hard to spot. Now all we have to do is kill the teen and Berk will be ours.

Authors Note: Heads up, Heathers NOT dead. :) *Shakes head back and forth* Toothless wasn't even planned to be in this chapter. Way to go T! Inserting yourself! XD

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