Chapter 5:

Hiccup's P.O.V

"Ruby!" I called out but she was already a speck disappearing into the distance. I heard shuffling as my father helped up one of the men that were knocked over by Ruby's dragon, Kanu.

"Well that went well", said Stoik the Vast dryly. He stroked his large beard as he gazed at the spot were Ruby and Kanu disappeared.

I stared with him befuddled. "That's strange she never acted like that with us. She looked afraid." I said thinking aloud. "I wonder what caused it."

I felt Toothless nudge my leg. I grabbed a hold of his saddle and flung myself onto his back. Toothless stretched out his wings and with a push, launched us into the air. I turned to call out to my father, "I'm gonna go look for her. Go ahead and start the tournament without me!"

We flew father away before Stoik could protest. I was worried that Ruby would get herself lost. She knows so little about Berk and besides, this was just an excuse to avoid my father. My twentieth birthday is approaching and I will be considered an adult and worthy of taking up the family business. I just don't know how to tell my father I don't want to be chief.

The cool ocean breeze blew the hair from my face as I scanned the tree tops for sign of Ruby and her dragon. Toothless's head swiveled back and forth as he searched for the red headed girl, his tail flicking anxiously. I patted him softly of the head, "Don't worry buddy, we'll find her." After a few minutes of fling aimlessly I caught a glimpse of blue as we sailed over a small familiar cliff and lake.

Ruby's P.O.V.

Kanu landed softly with a thumb and I threw myself off his back onto the ground. Kanu slithered closer to me and gently drew a wing over my back to comfort me. I clutched his wing as I calmed my breathing. I stood up and walked to the small lake we landed by and splashed water on my face.

"Ruby, are you alright?" Kanu asked nuzzling my side.

I patted his head giving him a small smile. "Yes, I'm sorry. I was just remembering." I said frowning. "There were too many shouting people; I guess I just got over whelmed."

Kanu's head extended as he looked up, alerting me to the sound of the fluttering wings of a descending dragon. Before I had the chance to act a familiar voice called out to me.

"Ruby!" Hiccup shouted at me as both he and Toothless bound towards us. I couldn't help but smile a bit. I was touched that he had come after me; I had never met a kind human like him before.

He stopped in front of me looking a bit confused at why I was smiling at him. "Are you alright? You kind of just took off without warning." He asked concerned. Toothless nudged my hand checking to confirm my well being.

I patted his head absently, "Ya, sorry about that." I responded, my face darkened a bit. "I guess I've never had a good experience with crowds." I scrunched up my face in anger at myself. How could I let myself look weak in front of strangers? I looked back at Hiccup, he couldn't be a bad person. He did save my life after all, I suppose he is trust worthy.

"Once a long time ago," I started staring at Toothless who was looking up at me curiously, "I was out flying with Kanu when we came across a burning village."

The echo of screams and roars of dragons filled my ears and the smell of smoke clouded my senses as the memories of that day opened to me. I could see the burning houses and the villagers attempting to flee the charging dragons covered in metal.

"These dragons in metal armor were attacking this village for no reason and the only thing I could think was I had to stop them." As I told my story images continued to flash before my eyes.

"When we landed the village was in utter chaos. I tried to talk to the dragons but they didn't seem to hear me. Their eyes were clouded and minds fuzzy. I couldn't get through to them. That's when I saw him." I saw the dragon's blank faces in my mind and shuttered. In my mind's eye I formed the image of the man I feared most.

"He was large, scared and dark man with long black hair." I shivered as I recalled his face. "He looked at me as though I was nothing but a bug to be squashed under his foot."

"He stood there with an army of Vikings behind him covered in armor and armed with the biggest swords I had ever seen. Before I had a chance to get my wits about me, he yelled and swung a huge staff above his head and pointed it right at me. Instantly I was surrounded by soldiers."

"He looked right at me and said, 'You're a long way from home, girl. I'll be taking that dragon.' Before I could respond he yelled again and the soldier descended on me and Kanu ready to strike. I would have died that day had my mother not came and rescued me. Just as I was about to be slaughtered by that man my mother swooped in on her dragon and knocked over the soldiers. We barely got out of their alive. Was only about seven years of age at the time." I finished my story and glanced over at Hiccup and Toothless. They both looked shocked.

"Your mother is a dragon rider too?" Hiccup asked

I looked at him frowning. Was that all he got out of my story? "Ya, of course." I responded a little bit ticked. "Doesn't yours?" I asked crossing my arm.

Hiccup rubbed his arm awkwardly, "I don't have a mother."

I looked at him surprised, dropping my arms, "Oh... I'm sorry. I didn't know." I looked down at the ground feeling a bit ashamed.

"Ah, it's ok. I don't remember her much." He said with a sigh and a sad look in his eyes. "She was taken by dragon when I was baby."

"She was taken by a dragon?" I exclaimed shocked. Kanu lifted his head off the ground where he had been resting, interested. "And you don't resent dragons because one took your mom?" I asked.

"Well I used to." Hiccup responded rubbing the back of his head ashamed, "but then I met this guy" he said affectionately rubbing Toothless head, who rested beside him. "I discovered that not all dragons are bad, isn't that right bud?" he said smiling at Toothless.

"You aren't too bad yourself." Toothless responded with an affectionate huff.

I giggled a bit and Hiccup turned to me with big eyes. "I forgot you can understand them!" He said gesturing to Toothless and Kanu. "How can you do that?"

I frowned "I don't understand how you can't. My brother and I have been together since birth, it's only natural we can understand each other."

"Wait you have a brother?" Hiccup asked confused. It took him a minute but soon his eye widen. "You mean the dragon?! Kanu is your brother?"

"Yes, we were born on the same day and have been together ever since," I said with a huff. I really don't know why this was so hard for him to understand.

"But your human… ah never mind." Hiccup said shaking his head. He looked back up at me and smiled.

"Hey I have an idea that might cheer you up." He said with a grin and mischievous glint in his eye.

"Oh ya?" I asked looking at him skeptically.

"How about a race?"

I apologies to my followers, it has been so long since I updated. I've been busy with school but I'm going to college! Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter I will post the next one soon. =)