All the Vikings were ready to go, besides Stoick and Gobber. Stoick laid a hand on Hiccup's shoulder as he was saddling Toothless up, and spun him around. Hiccup squinted into the sun, giving Stoick a glimplse of the clumsy boy Hiccup used to be.

"Dad?" He asked, his expression quickly turning cold as he remembered his status with the chief.

"What do you want?"

"I want to apologize," Stoick said. "It's the Vikings' custom to never be on bad terms with somebody going off to battle. And I agree."

Hiccup stared at him. "You're apologizing." A statement of disbelief, not a question.

Stoick looked uncomfortable, and sheepish, and not at all used to asking for forgiveness. "Yes. I, well, I know I did you many wrongs, son."

Hiccup nodded once, shooting his father a flash of his crooked grin. "Okay." He then turned around and hopped easily onto the dragon's back. Stoick watched as Hiccup glanced over at Merida, who was watching from afar with Phillip at her side. He frowned as Hiccup's shoulders sagged in sadness, his eyes going wistful for just a second, before leaning over and checking his stirrups.

Stoick knew something had to be done.

Merida watched Hiccup and the other Vikings get ready to go. As if on cue, her leg ached, making her nearly scream in frustration. She NEEDED to go with them, the curiosity in her blood was nearly forcing her to take Angus and run after them. But Phillip kept her grounded, especially with his excited comments.

"I can't believe this is happening," he said, almost laughing. "There are really dragons in front of me, and real live Vikings."

Merida grinned half-heartedly. "You get used to it, I suppose."

"Hey, Phillip!" Hiccup shouted suddenly. Phillip glanced over at the boy, who was perched on the biggest and most powerful of the dragons. "Come on over!"

Phillip laughed in agreement."Be right back," he called over his shoulder to Merida. She watched as he jogged over to Hiccup, who began talking to him and gesturing to different parts of his gear and Toothless. Phillip listened intently, thouroughly enjoying every second of his mini lesson.

But Merida was confused.

Why would Hiccup befriend the boy who was to marry her?Because he's good, she told herself. He has a good, sincere heart.

Gobber, who had been helping Astid gear up, cupped his hands around his mouth.

"Alright, kids!" He bellowed. "Follow Hiccup." He laughed. "Never thought I'd say that. Anyways, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, you can't fight. If you do, whisper. Snotlout, no showing off, Fishlegs, don't go crazy or anything, and Astrid make sure your big proud head doesn't get in the way of safety."
Every single person he addressed glared at him, but he just waved them off. "You are going to be scouting out the big guy's little cave, or hole, or whatever. If you find it, report straight back here. Do not try to get a glimpse of him, do not try to kill him. Just come straight back." He looked at them all gravely. "If he wakes up, or she, I guess, lose him. Run. He'll probably be big, but he won't be as fast as you. If it comes down to it, Hiccup will give you instructions."

Hiccup automatically straightened his back, trying to look as knowledgable and powerful as he could.

Merida's leg ached again.

"Off you go!" Fergus yelled. "Go save Scotland!"

The Vikings all let their dragons' wings catch the wind, soaring higher and higher until they disappeared into the clouds. Stoick watched, and then walked straght to Fergus.

"You've been training soldiers on how to kill the dragons?"

Fergus nodded. "Fishlegs and Gobber have been overseeing the training. We only have 50 who are 80% of the population is out of Scotland, and some others who refuse to leave."

Stoick shook his head. "What are they thinking?"

Fergus lifted his head. "We're proud people." But he was still worried about how there were still denfenseless families somewhere in his country. Not only that, but he couldn't believe only 50 men and women were willing to fight the dragons.

"Phillip!" A sharp voice called. Edwards' tone, his presence, made Merida's hair rise. She turned and watched as he strode purposely over to the boy, grabbed the hem of his shirt, and started to walk him back to the castle. Phillip, who was both taller and stronger, did not use his assets to his advantage and followed along obediently. Stoick shook his head.

"I need to talk to your wife," he said to Fergus. "I think you could find a much better suitor for your daughter."
Fergus glanced at the cloud that the dragons had disappeared into. "I think you're right."
...

Hiccup led the way, squinting his eyes in an effort to protect them from the cold air currents. He watched as Toothless's nostrils flared, searching for a scent.

"We need to get down lower!" He bellowed. He knew it was a risk to be seen by the dragons, but they were still up in the cloud cover, a place where it would be nearly impossible for any of the dragons to catch a scent. They all dropped a few hundred feet, until Ruffnut and Tuffnut started yelling.

"We've caught a scent! We've caught a scent!' At the same time, Toothless swung his head to his immediate right. In unison, the Vikings turned, following Hiccup as he led them over the forests and hills below, watching anxiously for anything that moved.

Snotlout and Astrid were at the back. He watched as Astrid peered down at the ground below, scanning the ground eagerly. He was still wondering how he had ever managed to even get a kiss from her. She used to say she would never touch him with a ten-foot pole, and now she was suddenly professing his love to him?

He wasn't complaining, though.

"See anything?" He asked, in an attempt at conversation.

"Nope," she replied tiredly. "Think we're gonna find anything?" She straightened, the wind whipping her blond hair around her face. She expertly pulled it back and re-braided it, somehow staying on her dragon.

Snotlout shrugged, watching her fingers move through her hair. "Maybe. Toothless is pretty amazing."

"That he is," Astrid smiled. She remembered the first flight she had on Toothless. Hiccup had dumped her on the top of a tree, where she was at a dizzying height. Yet when she had apologized, and Toothless levelled and slowed down, it was the most beautiful experience of her life.

"Hey!" Tuffnut yelled. "Lover boy! And lover girl...?" He glanced at Astrid questioningly, causing her to redden. "Keep on watching the ground."

"Yes sir," Snotlout said sarcastically, once again watching the scenery below.
...

Merida walked back to the castle, finally alone, and savouring every minute. It had been such a busy few weeks, almost a few months. Too stressful. She brushed back a few of her curls, and then turned around to get a view of the stable yard with the mid-day light illuminating it beautifully.
She didn't expect to see the crowd there.

They stood, all with battle axes and swords and clubs, all in their clan's kilts. She watched as they all, as one, got onto one knee, bowed their heads, and showed their weapons. There must have been 150 of them at the very least

Phillip was sitting with Elinor and Fergus, having lunch. His father was once again in bed, complaining of a weak heart. There was suddenly a bang as the door flew open, revealing a breathless, flushed Merida, her eyes alight.

"There's help!" She shouted, laughing. "There's people here to help!"
...

Toothless suddenly growled. Hiccup send him into a nosedive, and they glided to the ground fast and smooth.

"What are we doing?" Fishlegs asked.

"I think the dragon is around here," Hiccup explained. "I'm not quite too sure where. I just want to find the general area. Then we can scout it out until there's movement. They have to attack soon."

"Why do they have to attack first?" Ruffnut asked.

Hiccup looked confused. "I actually don't kn-"

He was interrupted by a few different growls. All of the dragons were staring at one point, baring their teeth like wild dogs. Hiccup followed their gaze to a huge stretch of water. Loch Ness.
Snotlout, who had been watching the water intently, suddeny went white.

"I dont think we have to wait long," he said slowly, lifting a shaking arm to point at a ripple, which slowly started to grow into waves.

"On your dragons," Hiccup muttered. "Now!" Everyone agreed, hopping on quick and fast, waiting for instruction. "Go, go!" Hiccup bellowed. They all flew straight up, but it was too late. The dragon had sensed them before they even landed on the ground in the first place. Before they were blinded by the white mist of the clouds, they got a glimpse of the enormous dragon below.

Black scales, bigger than the Red Death, yellow eyes focused.

Right. On. Them.

"GO!" Astrid screamed.

They went.
...

Merida was outside with Fergus, helping give instructions and tips on how to kill the dragons. Bottles of Fishlegs' potion were being handed out. Phillip, who was helping, cocked his head and glanced at her worriedly.

"Did you hear that?" He asked, scanning the sky. "There it is again. You hear it?"

She did. It sounded like.. Screams? Shouts?

They finally morphed into words. Run.
Six dragons shot out of the clouds, heading straight for the ground. All of the Vikings were screaming two words: It's coming.

Fergus glanced around at the soldiers, Phillip, and Merida, who was for once quite speechless.

"You heard them!" He bellowed. "Get inside! All of you!" He watched as everyone stampeded towards the doors except himself, Merida, and Phillip.

Merida, finally coming to her senses, blinked. She saw Toothless circle back, and shoot into the clouds again.

Hiccup had seen the dragon rise out of Loch Ness, and he had seen it start to fly. They were almost at the castle when he realized that he was leading it straight to where they were trying to protect. In one moment of extreme sacrifice, he turned around, ready to use himself as bait in an attempt to delay that attack, as the others landed their dragons and hurried inside.

It was never needed. He was just in time to see the dragon fall back in Loch Ness. One of its wings were not strong enough, yet. He breathed a sigh of relief and slowed Toothless down, giving him a break.

"We made it,"" he whispered. He leaned over Toothless's neck,trying to re-stock his body with the oxygen that had been ripped out of his body in the intense speeds that he had just experienced. Toothless carried him faithfully back to the castle, where Hiccup was able to pick out a head of fiery hair, an enormous man, and a boy. Merida, Fergus, and Phillip. He waved, trying to let them know that everything was ok, but it was evident that Hiccup himself was not when he tried to dismount Toothless and promptly fell flat on his face.

Fergus rushed over to him, Merida following with Phillip. Hiccup smiled at them shakily, and tried to stand. His legs simply would not hold him.

"What's wrong with me?" He asked Fergus, wondering why his legs, even his half metal one, would not support his weight.

"Must be shock," Fergus said, brow furrowing. He held out his arms. "I'll carry you. Princess style."

"No way," Hiccup refused flatly. "I think I'll just wait until my muscles aren't noodles."

Fergus smiled and pat Hiccup on the shoulder. "We're glad you're okay. Where's the Big Guy?"

"He fell," Hiccup said, his voice wavering as he remembered the enormous form falling back into Loch Ness. "His wing gave out. My guess is he isn't quite ready to attack. In fact the only reason he even tried was probably just to scare us off, away from Loch Ness.

"Wait, wait," Phillip broke in. "How big are we talking? Bigger than Toothless?"

Hiccup stared at him. "This dragon is probably the same size, if not bigger than, this castle."
Phillip and Merida and Fergus all glanced up at the towering walls of stone, the tall turrets.

Merida went pale. "Uh oh."

Hiccup staggered to his feet, still shaking. "How many soldiers do we have?"

"Around 200," Fergus said. Hiccup nodded.

"We have a chance." He strode towards the castle, the last bit of shakiness melting away and revealing his normal, slighlty clumsy, stride. "I need to go talk to the others."

And talk he did. After they all got over their nerves and shock, a meeting was held. Scouts would be sent out in shifts, watching Loch Ness. While they did that, the troops would be trained and given tips and instructions on how to fight the dragons. A plan would be formed, involving the Vikings and their dragons. The meeting lasted several hours. Hiccup found himself getting restless, and often took breaks to go for walks, nap, or eat. On one of his walks, he walked into Merida and Phillip, who were sitting in the hallway on one of the thick, furry bear furs stretched before a large fireplace.
"Oh, uh," He cleared his throat and backed towards the door. "I was just, uh, walking."

Phillip stood up, looking completely casual. "Why don't you stay?" He asked Hiccup, smiling. "We were just talking about the dragons."

Hiccup's shoulders loosened a bit, and he smiled back at the boy. "Sure. You want to know anything else?"

Phillip nodded. "Yes, but not right now. You said you'd stay, so do. With Merida. You two need to talk." He walked out of the room, shooting a mischevious glance at Merida. Hiccup stared at her angrily.

"You TOLD him?"

"Well, duh," she said defensively. "Neither of us want to get married to each other, you realize. I had to tell him something."

Hiccup sighed and plopped into an armchair. "Okay." He watched as Merida stretched out onto the rug. Their relationship was no longer full of tension, but it was still akward.

"I thought you were going to die today," Merida finally said. "When you flew back into the cloud."

"Well, I didn't," Hiccup yawned, staring into the flames. "I was completely fine."

"But you were prepared to die," she insisted. "For Scotland. For the people."

"For you," Hiccup mumbled. She stared at him.

"You'd die for me?"

He nodded, not even hesitating. "Of course."

She burst into tears.

Not only was this so out of character for Merida, but it made Hiccup uncomfortable and immediately obligated to comfort her.

"Hey, hey," he said awkwardly, walking over to her and kneeling down. "I'm sorry if I said anyth-"

"I don't want you to die," she wailed. "What if you die?"

Hiccup thought of something. "Now, look, we already had the PMS conversation..."

She swatted him. "Stop it! I'm just so stressed. It's only natural that I cry." She sat up, and that's when they both noticed Hiccup's hands clasping her own tightly.

He stood up hurriedly, not looking at her. "I should get back."

She nodded, her eyes following him as he walked away. He looked over his shoulder, his green eyes meeting hers. It scared her, seeing what they were full of.

Pain.

Okay guys. I uploaded before my new uploading date, and I wrote a lot more than usual.

This is for a few reasons

1. I wanted to avoid homework.
2. I was in a writing mood.
3. I had really good music to listen to while I did it.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy. This story has a few chapters left, two maybe three. I might do an epilogue, if you want it. Start feeding me story ideas if you have any. I want to start writing a new story right after this, so PM me if you have any ideas! I'll give you credit, of course :D