AN: This is the newest chapter. Not much else. Please direct all questions to my inbox.

Sorry about the long wait. I had a sudden influx of papers to write. By the way advice to any highschool seniors and college freshman: It gets a fraction more difficult every semester, Don't procrastinate.

And here we go.

I own nothing.

OF BOWS AND DRAGONS

Chapter 6

'Knock knock knock.'

Hiccup opened his eyes suddenly and quickly bolted upright much to the displeasure of his injured side. Pain snapped his mind back to where he was and the previous days events came rushing back to him in a flurry. He relaxed slightly and gave the concerned dragon in the corner a nod that he was alright. Another knock at the door made Hiccup get out of his borrowed bed. Clutching his throbbing side he stumbled to the door tripping over different items strewn across the floor. He let out a loud stream of colorful curses that could make Gobber blush. When he finally reached the door he opened it quickly, startling the already timid looking servant boy.

"It's ti-time for breakfast, s-sir." the boy said, his voice trembling as he spoke.

The young chief's face softened immediately. "Thanks. Sorry about all that, uh, language. I tripped getting out of bed. I didn't mean to frighten you."

That seemed to relax the young boy somewhat but, the sight of the black beast that had come to investigate the door. "Uh-uh." he stammered before he turned and bolted down the hall.

Hiccup shrugged and shut the door. He stepped over to the mirror by the wash basin. Carefully and gently unwrapped the blood streaked bandages. The scene underneath was not in as such a dire shape as he had thought. The flesh around the stitches was red and irritated but definitely was not infected.

Taking a rag and soaking it in the wash basin, he washed his wounds. The dried blood cleaned easily. He took a bandage from the bags by his bed and rewrapped his midsection.

'If I keep the activity to a minimum I can be gone in a couple of days.'

-_-AT THE GREAT HALL-_-

The leaders of the Kingdom of DunBroch sat at the breakfast table in relative sclience with their kids.

"So, messengers arrived last night after dark. They bring news from the other clans," started Fergus after taking a large chunk from his piece of toast.

Merida's hand unconsciously tightened on her eating utensil and her eyes flicked from her father to the stuffed bear in the corner. "What was their message?"

Elinor intervened, "We haven't heard them yet. They were hit hard by rough seas and storms on the way over. The message isn't urgent. They must rest."

Fergus nodded, "They are resting and when they are able they'll give it to us."

Merida grimaced still unsure, "So is there anything I have to do today?"

The Queen gave her daughter a small smile, "Nothing today. Why don't you take Hiccup around and show him the town and around the castle for the day."

"That sounds fine to me," came a voice of the visiting male. Hiccup was descending the stone steps favoring his left side. His face revealed that he had not slept well either. Toothless, however, looked as cheerful as ever. The rider and his dragon took up their seats from the night before.

Merida's face split into a wide smile, "Mornin, Lad!" She then gave the dragon a scratch on the chin and she and the family, were shocked at the sound of pleasure from the dragon and the fainting of it soon after with a pleased look on his face.

Hiccup let out a bellowing laugh to the faces of the monarchy, "Every dragon loves to have their chins scratched. It always ends with the same reaction. Not even the terrifying and fearsome Night Fury." Toothless ears perked up. He was fierce. He was terror. Ever so subtly he smacked his human in the head with his tail. "Ow! Thanks for nothing. You useful reptile." Toothless' only response was his namesake grin.

The Scots at the table, while amused, had their curiosity piqued by the name 'Night Fury'. Fergus voiced these concerns, "So I take it that your dragon is one of these 'Night Furies'?"

"The one and only," said Hiccup taking a bite of his food.

Elinor raised an eyebrow, "The only one?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yep. He's the only one anyone's ever seen. Not even Toothless has sen another Night Fury."

Hiccup took another couple bites of food, "Up until I shot him down, no human had ever actually seen one. Village policy was that they were the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. We supposed to run instead of the usual kill on sight."

"Whoa hold on a minute boy," called Merida, "What do you mean you shot him down?"

"It's how we met. I used to be the village burden and was always in the way, especially during dragon attacks. So, one night I slipped out and shot him down with a bola launcher."

The three boys and Merida leaned forward. "Is that when you got the respect of your village?"

"Not in the slightest." Hiccup chuckled, "No he landed in the forest and in a crazy turn of events I set free a dozen dragons and damaged parts of the village."

A trio of hearty laughs came from the otherwise silent triplets across from the table. This made Hiccup's face split into a wide grin. The happiness was infectious around the table and within moment everyone there was spilling happiness.

Elinor looked to her daughter who was grabbing her bow and quiver from the leg it was resting against. The Queen almost wanted to comment on how her daughter ought to be more lady like but decided against it., "Be back by dinner. And be careful!"

Merida rolled her eyes, "Yes, mum." She grabbed the young chief's hand a dragged him out with Toothless in tow.

Fergus looked over at his wife but with a slightly concerned face, "Is it a good idea to let her wander around the village with our daughter unsupervised? I mean I told you my suspicions about him being a Viking."

"Husband, were he immediately hostile he would have harmed her in the woods. Just be cautious."

Fergus looked down and nodded, "Fair. But I'm keeping an eye on the lad."

"I'd be disappointed if you didn't."

Suddenly the door burst open and a runner from the docks came running into the room. He ran directly up to the king panting heavily. Taking a hurried breath he tried to deliver his message. All that came out however, was a rough wheezing sound.

"Calm down boy. Catch your breath."

The messenger sucked in a deep breath he said, "The clan Messengers have awakened. They wait at the docks." Quickly before sprinting back out of the door.

"That boy's gonna have himself a heart attack. Shall we my dear?"

The pair proceeded to make their way quickly to the docks. Stopping only long enough for Fergus to whisper orders to a guard captain.

At the docks the two monarchs were directed to the ship the messengers had arrived in. It wasn't hard to find really. It was the one that had obviously been heavily damaged by a serious storm. Climbing the gang plank difficult given the knotty wooden leg. On deck finding the recovering messengers was simple. They entered into the lone cabin toward the back of the small ship.

"Sire!" called the three men sitting on the cots on the far wall. They tried to stand in a sort of drunken fashion. They sat down quickly after their king gave a small chuckle and motioned for them to sit down.

The king and queen pulled chairs from the table and took a seat. "Now lads what is your message?"

-With Hiccup and Merida-

Hiccup couldn't stop scratching.

Despite his insistence that he had changed to bandage that morning, Merida forced Hiccup to go back to the healer's hut. The healer had been much less than impressed with the state of his handy work.

"I told you not to even try to put on a bloody shirt you halfwit!" shouted Conner, as he bound the wounds tighter than he had the previous day. "This is how you lost your damn leg."

Conner continued to rant for several more minutes until he shoved the pair roughly out of his place of business.

"Well. I guess I am no longer his preferred customer." Said Hiccup scratching his very itchy bandage.

Merida gave a hearty laugh. "No. It's not that. Connor cares deeply for his patients. Not to mention fighting a bear to save a princess is a big booster." Hiccup just blushed. "Wanna hear a story about one of the last bear I faced?"

_-_LINEBREAK_-_Back to the King_-_

"So, the clans are demanding to force Merida into marriage again?" asked Fergus calmly. The messengers nodded nervously. Turning to his wife he said, "I would refuse but a king is nothing without his people," his voice was softer than usual. He was upset by this turn of events. Turning back to face the messengers he grit his teeth. "Tell the leaders of the clan this, and use these words exactly: We accept the demands you have forced upon us. We will send for them when we determine an acceptable time."

Fergus and Elinor left abruptly after giving the message over. Neither one of them were remotely pleased with the message. The clans had agreed to allow Merida and the heirs to choose their own spouse. According to the messengers, the clans have rethought this based on the murmurings of unifying of the tribesmen to the north.

"I don't like this," stated Fergus as he descended the plank, "A harsh winter is on the horizon, Viking tribes are unifying under a single banner, and the clans were going back on their word. This is not good."

Elinor put a gentle hand on her husband's shoulder, "Fergus, have faith. We've survived Viking advances before, even in the dead of winter. Now we just have to deal with the other clans."

"Oh, just most of the damn kingdom, then"

"Husband!"

Fergus gave his wife a pleasant smile and they continued back to the castle with heavier hearts. Little did they know, another player was about to be fully revealed in their little game.

At the great hall Fergus was greeted by the guard he had sent on orders. He was quickly approached by him. "Sire, I searched the lad's room like you asked. I found this." He showed the king a pauldron, presumably from the armor Hiccup reportedly had worn.

Etched into the leather was a red symbol, one that made Fergus's blood freeze in his veins.

He didn't know the symbol exactly. But it was similar to ones he saw on the battle field so many years before. Perhaps he had seen, however.

The lad was Viking.

End of Chapter.

This chapter has finished. Please leave any questions and comments with my inbox homies.