Hiccup stood on the docks, watching the men prepare to leave for their expedition; they were likely to be gone for little over a month. Much like when she was still just a daughter, she often stood at a dock just like this, seeing off her father on his expeditions. Now she did as a wife. Dagur was overseeing a few things and Hiccup had to be impressed about how far Dagur had come since their disaster of a wedding. Like Oswald thought, he probably just needed an outlet of sexual tension and while there was no doubt in Hiccup's mind that he was still dangerous, violent and a bit of a sadist, at least he clung to lucidness more than not. The most insanity she saw these days were when he returned from a hunt or a fight and practically tackled her to the floor in an adrenaline rush, still covered in the blood of whatever was unfortunate enough to face him, which was followed by a bit too rough but passionate lovemaking on the floor. Even now she still had quite a few love bites and bruises from an over-excited Dagur, who claimed he wanted to make a proper goodbye to her for the time being. He was violent, he was cruel and even unnecessarily so, Hiccup accepted it, but at least he was kind as he could be with her.

But she stood on the deck and watched him help his father get the boats prepared. His men complied with his every demand as Hiccup watched sadly. If you had asked her a year ago if she would be saddened by Dagur's departure, she would have laughed but now it felt like a real ache in her chest. Vessa stood with her; the pair of them bundled under thick fur cloaks to fight off the chilly autumn weather. The ships were ready to leave far too soon for Hiccups' liking; it was when the men started saying goodbye to their wives and children that both Dagur and Oswald came her way.

"Keep an eye on the village for us Lass." Oswald told her fondly, scruffing her hair gently. Dagur waited not so patiently or his father to walk off before gripping at her hair and planting a big kiss on her mouth, nipping hard enough to cut her lip just a bit. Hiccup was a smith by trade and she could take a little pain frankly she hadn't even winced from the hair pulling and lip biting, which Vessa seemed to be impressed with.

"Stay safe." She mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"Who do you think you're talking to Silver-tongue?"

"I don't know a man who thinks with his axe before his brain." He laughed, the same damned, awkwardly long laugh. Once he finished he grabbed for her and pulled her roughly against him.

"I'll be fine, since nothing can best Dagur!" It was a little strange for him to be shouting at her when he had her face pressed into his chest, but he was called deranged for a reason. Then he pulled back his hand cupping her babyish face, then patting it twice.

"How about one more for the road." Hiccup rolled her eyes. For some bizarre reason Dagur enjoyed her back sass; when if it had been literally anyone else, they would lost a limb for it.

"Come on, I need something to keep me company on these long nights without you in my bed. Poor Dagur has only his hand for company; he'll need a little something to make those nights pass." He mock whined.

"Dagur!" She hissed, her face turning that ugly shade of red that Dagur thought was cute, as much as he could think of something was cute. She slapped his arm and Vessa snickered, loudly.

"Come on, little Silver-tongue….." He goaded. Hiccup huffed loudly before standing on her tiptoes kiss him. Dagur pounced and swept her off her feet leaning over her, ravaging her mouth, quite graphically. By the time he was satisfied, Hiccup was panting her face even more red than it was before, not at all helped by the endless cat-calling of the men.

"Okay, okay, you got your kiss, gods I think I don't care if a dragon eats you anymore." She grumbled, lightly beating his chest with his fists.

"Please, what man could satisfy you after having me?" He leered, touching his cheek to hers.

"Someone who doesn't need me constantly stroke their ego." Hiccup muttered

"Is that what you're calling it?" It was then Hiccup shoved him, which really didn't mean anything beyond the intent, because he was easily twice her size. She actually just ended up pushing herself backwards.

"Oh, just leave already." She pouted, crossing her arms and willing for the red in her face to fade. He chuckling fondly, pressing a kiss on the crown of her head before strolling off onto the ship. Hiccup watched reluctantly at the ships left and eventually the vanished over the horizon. She wouldn't' move until the last dot faded into the blue of the waters. Vessa stayed with her until Hiccup finally turned to leave.

"Damn, you really like him, don't you?"

"I wouldn't say like as much as got attached."

"Call it whatever you want, but you like him and he likes you. Now we just have to pray it'll last."

"Hmm."

"We're going to have to redo those braids; your lover boy did a number on them." Hiccup reached back to feel the several loose strands hanging from her braids.

"Ugh, Dagur…." She huffed.

"He really likes your hair."

"Yeah, Thor knows why…."

X

Hiccup needed something to distract her, so when she managed to shake off Vessa, she set time in the cove with Toothless, as she'd dubbed him. He watched him mill about his days and suddenly, he stopped. Hiccup stared as Toothless watched carefully as a bird flew from its nest and into the sky, his gaze not moving from the bird until it was out of sight. Toothless looked over at his tail with the missing fin, his expression seeming so human, like he was grieving. Then he lowered his head down and went to sleep. Hiccup cocked her head and crept over. Toothless opened his eyes briefly to confirm it was her, before dozing off again.

She looked over the construction of his tail fin. Hiccup began to feel the echo of sadness, it made her think of her own situation, trapped in what was once an unwanted marriage, but now…. She had learned to manage it and then, then she found a way to fix things, by using her skills as a smith. Then it came to her like a wave over sand. Hiccup could build nearly anything, and the design as right in front of her. She would build Toothless a new tail, help him fly again. It would be a good way to hide from the emptiness left by Dagur's departure.

X

Unfortunately, it was time to tell Vessa about Toothless. She still wasn't sure if she could trust the Roman girl, but Vessa was wondering where she disappeared to constantly. Vessa was loyal to Hiccup, as far as she knew; ultimately if a better offer came along, Hiccup wasn't sure she wouldn't take it. But she was a slave, a slave to the Chief's wife, and she had little hope for more. In her position she was being protected and educated. Bu Vessa needed to know that this was a trust between them, that they could both depend on. Sure Vessa could tell her secret, but she was also a slave and belonged to Hiccup who could technically have her killed without any problems. No to mention it would turn to her word against Hiccup's, and reputation or not, a Chief's wife trumped a thrall.

She might as well know by now. Vessa had enough dirt to use, even if she had no credibility. Besides, Vessa might understand more than a Viking about the dragon. She hadn't been raised to hate them as Hiccup had. So one day, after Vessa had taught her a bit of weaving, because apparently every woman needed to know how to do it, or something like that. Hiccup led her down to the cove where Toothless was. While Toothless had come to be okay with casual touching, bringing in someone new could be very dangerous. So Hiccup as sure to bring some fish as she slowly made her way down the rock face with Vessa following a bit behind. Once they were in the cove, Hiccup called out.

"Toothless!" And like clockwork, the beast came running. Vessa had tensed up and moved to grab Hiccup and get her away, but Hiccup shrugged her off with a reassuring grin. Vessa stilled and watched Toothless approach, stalking them, but Hiccup had to show her. Hiccup walked up to him casually, planting her hand behind his frills.

"This is Toothless."

"Draconem…" She mumbled in awe. Hiccup did hate when Vessa started rambling in Latin.

"What's does that mean?"

"Dragon…"

"How did you do this?"

"I trained him."

"You trained a dragon."

"Um, more like befriended him."

"This, Mistress, is amazing."

"Hiccup, my name's Hiccup."

X

Stoick saw the crest of the Berserker tribe over the horizon. He had been promised that both Oswald and Dagur would be there. With them would be news of his girl, his daughter. Gobber pestered him constantly to send her letters via Johann, as he did, but neither of them had received anything from her. She was probably still angry with him. Stoick could hardly blame her; she had screamed and raged against him for the first time in her life when he told her she was to be married.

But what was he supposed to do. Dagur needed a wife; the Berserkers need incentive to stay loyal in the impending rule of the mad boy. Oswald had asked for her, more than he had ever expected. He had simply planned to give her to his nephew and hope for the best, not like anyone else would ever have her. Love was luxury she would probably never have. Stoick was lucky; his own marriage hadn't been arranged, a love match. But their child, years of trying, and trying, and the only one that survived the birth was a runt, a hiccup. Everyone in the village said to throw her to the waves, like they did with all runts. Hiccups were weaknesses, burdens to the tribe, a mouth to feed that couldn't contribute. But his wife, how she had raged at the idea of surrendering their child to gods of the sea. She had declared if Stoick so much as tried that she would take to the sea once more, but not return as she had done before.

Stoick weighed his options, he wasn't exactly keen to surrender his only surviving child, but traditions existed for a reason. The baby was weak, probably wouldn't survive long anyway, and if she did, would live to an old age, probably dying in youth, or in childbirth. It was mercy to kill such children so, they would not have to suffer, but his wife, she was determined to keep the baby. And Stoick knew better than to argue the point. So Val got her way, the baby lived and when Val vanished, Stoick was thankful for the child, even if she was a hiccup. But at least Hiccup was a girl; weakness was more acceptable in a daughter than a son. He would marry her well and hope that her sickliness wouldn't be passed to his grandchildren. She could marry and bring honor to his line in the birthing bed.

The ship docked and Oswald came to greet him. The man was younger than him, not by much, but he looked older than his years. Probably run ragged from his madman of a son and hellion of a daughter. But the daughter had been married years ago and Dagur had grown, unlikely that the stress decreased. But he looked healthier, no like a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Stoick, old friend."

"Oswald, good to see you. We'll be leaving ourselves in an hour, so maybe take some time to catch up."

"Eager after news from Hiccup hmm?"

"She has sent no letters, with your son… I'm concerned."

"Well, then the news I do have will relieve you. Hiccup is thriving."

"What?"

"Dagur and Hiccup seemed to bond, they're thick as thieves now; Dagur's infatuated and she seems fond of him now as well."

"How…?"

"You'd have to ask Hiccup that. She works at our forge helping the smith make weapons; she befriended one of the village girls and has definitely earned Dagur's affections. He was so reluctant to let go of her so we could leave. She practically had to swat him off. Your girl is a spitfire Stoic, she's done wonders."

"Wonders…"

"The shield Dagur's carrying, it was a gift from her, made it herself and it doubles as a crossbow. He's very fond of it. And Dagur seems to have calmed down considerably; I'd say your girl is a temptress Stoick, no offense, because she has that boy wrapped around her finger. She seems to have tamed him…."

"I'm glad she's alright."

"I tried to get her send some letters with the trader, but she seemed adamantly against it. Give her a year or two and she'll come to terms with it. I'd say she's changed a bit too. Perhaps all your girl needed was a marriage like my son."

"Or maybe they needed each other."

X

Over the next few weeks, hiccup and Vessa worked on repairing Toothless' tail. Hiccup did most of the main fiddling but having an extra pair of hands certainly made the work go by quickly and easily. Though frankly, Vessa spent most of the these flights laughing her Roman butt off as the dragon and human frequently crashed into everything from water to cliff faces. With Hiccup constantly being attended and only spotted with tools, it was assumed that the young chief's wife was working on some project. So there were no negative rumors about her. Not that anyone even could think of such a thing, being that they were deathly afraid of earning her wrath would become her husband's wrath. Every day passed with a new adjustment. Finally it was at the point that they could hover while tethered to an anchor. Before long it was time for the first real test flight.

Hiccup was nervous. The first real flight she had ever done with Toothless was the product of many falls, bruises and discoveries about dragons. She wasn't sure she could do this and stared into her cheat sheet like a lifeline. The flight was originally slow and deliberate. The whole things felt surreal and for once in her life, she felt utterly free. She started slowly, stuttering over the position of the tailfin, while keeping her eyes glued to the cheat sheet. They dove down and Hiccup felt her stomach jump at the feeling. She was all but screaming in gee as the wind blew through her hair. Toothless tuck n against the water, Hiccup kept alternating between fearing for her life and laughing like a child. It was working, really working. Then Toothless clipped a rock, mostly working then. She apologized and Toothless groaned in response. Then they clipped another and Toothless made his displeasure clear with a fin to the face.

Then they were climbing. It was more intense than any horse or ship, this feeling of utter freedom and power. No wonder Toothless missed it. They climbed higher and higher, Hiccup was shouting and laughing all the while. Then everything went to hell. In the moment that they hung in the air, Hiccup became unfastened from the saddle and with herm the sheet of paper as her acting life line. Understandably she panicked like a mad woman, reaching out and lashing for anything that could slow her descent. Toothless was in a similar state. Even as they plummeted Hiccup attempted to make her way to Toothless babbling like a madwoman. She saw the mountains rushing up to her and she tried to get back on the spinning dragon only to get whacked in the face by his tail. Death was getting closer with each passing moment. It was odd, but the one thought that wouldn't leave her was how mad Dagur would be if she died. After some groping around he managed to get back on the saddle with her cheat sheet in her mouth. She hooked back in with practiced grace as they fell further. Toothless was screaming and she had to act fast. She looked to her cheat sheet but found she couldn't see it. There was no time so she trusted her instincts and moved.

Hiccup was rewarded; her instincts gave her better flight than ever. She and her dragon wove through the rocks at high speed. She had to trust Toothless and she had to trust herself. It worked by Loki it worked. She was too focused to enjoy the sensation of successfully navigating. Once the pair was in the clear, Hiccup threw up her hands, crowing in victory. Toothless had his own version, spiting a fire ball out….. Which the two of them proceeded to fly into with Hiccup lamenting her luck.

"How bad is it?" Vessa was barely containing her snickers. Toothless seemed oblivious to the plight and continued munching away. Hiccup could feel the soot on her face and the stiffness which may have mean her hair was burned, though she seriously hoped not. Toothless regurgitated a fish for her, trying to cheer her up.

"No thanks, I'm good." Vessa was all out laughing now as she undid Hiccup's hair trying to comb it out.

"Doesn't look like there's any real damage, a good wash should get this all out." Vessa filled a bucked with water and began running a wet cloth through her hair. Hiccup wrinkled her nose.

"What's in that water?"

"Lye, haven't you used it before."

"No."

"Even men use the stuff, it's the only way to get all that soot out of your hair, and it might even make it lighter."

"My hair's fine."

"Other than being lightly toasted."

"Ha ha."

"Oh? Not worried about what lover boy will think if he comes back to a bald wife?" Vessa noticed the pause in Hiccup, her face was contemplative. There was a look on her face, akin to worry.

"I wonder how he's doing." She mumbled.

"I'm sure he's fine Hiccup, and probably thinking of you." Vessa shrugged and continued washing out the soot.

X

Dagur was standing over the bloody corpse of a Hooligan. Everybody was standing around him in fear. He looked up, as if he was ready to challenge anyone with complaints. Then the massive shadow of Stoick the Vast overtook him. Dagur looked up, defiant to his very bones. Stoic took in the form of the corpse and his son-in-law standing over it.

"Are you out of yer damn mind boy!?"

"I don't take insults."

"Insults, you killed this man over an insult?!"

"An insult to my wife, your daughter. An insult to her is an insult to me, and no one insults a Berserker."

"How dare you kill one of my men over something so insignificant!?"

"I will not have anyone badmouthing me or my wife!"

"Dagur!"

"Oswald, get your boy on a leash or by Odin, you will have a war on your hands."

"We're leaving Stoick, I promise that this won't happen again."

Dagur was all but dragged screaming back to his father's cabin. Once they were inside Oswald slammed the door and turned on his son. It was the first time Dagur had ever seen his father so angry or even angry at all. He had never thought his father an intimidating man, not very tall or particularly muscular, not even a magnificent beard. His father looked plain and average to him. Yet there was a spark in his eyes, the spark of their ancestors that gave them their name. The fury did exist in his father but it was buried, either by will or not, but it was there. He was so taken aback; he just stood there as his father began to yell at him.

"What were you thinking!?"

"He insulted Hiccup!"

"And what, was so horrible that he deserved having his throat ripped out."

"He called Hiccup a curse; he called her a curse and said she should be killed, like she could have been at birth." Why couldn't he understand? Hiccup was so little and dainty, she need protecting and nobody should speak ill of her. She was wonderful! He was just trying to be sure she was happy, like his father wanted, like he wanted!

"They are just words!" Was he blind, words did as much damage as a sword!

"An insult to her honor, to my honor, our honor." Oswald turned away, rubbing into the deep creases of his forehead. One meaty had was planted on the chair in the room.

"Damn it all, I thought we were past this." He mumbled. Dagur blinked.

"What do you mean?"

"I married you to her because I thought she would make all this stop!"

"Stop what?!"

"Your violence Dagur, we might have a war."

"Good!"

"Good? Do you want a war, a war with your precious wife's tribe? Did you even think about how she will feel about this?!" He hadn't, but it was done and nothing could change it.

"It doesn't matter, they're weak and they don't respect us, especially you!"

"Dagur if this keeps up, so help me I'll send her home." It was like ice invaded Dagur's veins.

"What did you say?"

"I arranged the marriage and can have it dissolved. I'll send her home if you don't shape up. A girl like her deserves better than you. She will make that cousin of hers a good wife."

Dagur didn't even realize what he had done until blood started leaking over his hand. Father and son looked down to see a sword stuck in his father's gut. They both looked up and locked eyes. His father could only cough and gurgle. Dagur couldn't believe he had truly done this, he let go of the hilt and stared at his father, his mouth opening and closing. He wasn't sure if he wanted to make an excuse, tell him he deserved it, or apologize. Eventually though, he managed to speak.

"Father, I couldn't…" He paused, taking a shaky breath.

"I couldn't let you take her; she's the first thing in my life that has been utterly mine. You were going to take her away. This is your fault, yours, not mine." His father only gurgled in response. His body slow slid off the blade and into a crumpled heap on the floor.

"No one takes her from me, not even you."

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Princess: Dun, dun, dun! Dagur kills his daddy. I know we don't really know if Dagur killed his father but it is pretty heavily implied. Here I try to show his reasoning deranged as it may be. Sorry about the delay and chances are this won't be the last. I have a satanic painting teacher who likes to overload us with work. He's crazy really, so like Dagur. So, yeah, new chapter. Btw my fic made it on a rec list, yay!

Reviews: So many this time wow.

Darkanny: I'm glad.

Takara410: he's a sweetie really

X-Jinxa-X: Thanks sempai!

Aqua7night: I love it too

Viking Lady: she may very well say it.

Pony1997: well, Hiccup was thirteen, Dagur was sixteen. Oswald was literally waiting until Hiccup was old enough to marry his son to her. Didn't want the chance to slip away.

OSR fanatic: Keep reading

Sakura Haruno554: Thank you

Kitty.0: Thanks

Shade ShadowWolf: more toothless in this chapter

Swam evolution lord: Oh, don't do that sweetie

Biggles789: Thanks!

Crazy Cowgirl Cassie: More is here

E. Ashley Bunnymund: keep reading

Yoaishipper4eva: your questions will be answered if you continue to read.

Snowball A.K.A Winterwolf: More is here!

Happyfish: thanks

TGirl15: Aww, you're sweet. Your questions will be answered if you keep reading.

Wildtrance: Well more there is

MySweetYoai49: aw, I'm your first? -/-

Guest: Well tell me what you thought about this.