The girl wound a stray lock of hair around her finger as she bobbed her head hesitantly.

Hiccup waited a moment before gently prompting, "what is it you wanted to tell me?"

The girl's sapphire blue eyes met Hiccup's green, and she slowly licked her chapped lips. After a moment of hesitation, she said softly, "My name is Hope."

Hiccup raised his eyes. "What does that..."

Hope held up her hand. "I wasn't finished," she said.

Hiccup smiles sheepishly as Hope continued, "I was captured by Dagur three days ago. Before that I was lost at sea." she swallowed and looked away.

"I'm sorry, Hope," Hiccup said softly, placing a hand on her arm.

She took a deep breath and looked back at Hiccup, her face calm. "It's not your fault, Hiccup. I know my family will find me. It's only a matter of time." she flashed a genuine smile and continued, "Now, while I was on Dagur's ship I overheard him griping about you and especially about some piece of paper." She cocked her head, her hair falling over one of her eyes. She huffed it away in annoyance, then continued, "it wasn't until you mentioned an island that it hit me what he was rambling on about."

Her eyes bored into his, and she whispered, "there's a dragon on that island, Hiccup."

Hiccup looked unimpressed. "We all ride dragons, Hope. Every island in this archipelago has dragons on it."

"I know that," she snorted. "Hiccup, he made it sounds like this dragon was special in a way that no other dragon is. Aren't you at least slightly curious?"

Hiccup studied her and slowly nodded.

"Well, then, I'd say that's motivation enough to check it out, wouldn't you?" Hope smiled hopefully.

Hiccup chuckled. "I would. You do realize the gang's going to want to come along, right?"

Hope's smile faded. "Yeah..."

Hiccup looked at her curiously. "Something wrong?"

"Your friends are nice and all, Hiccup, but..." Hope hesitated. "It's a lot for me to take in all at once."

Hiccup looked toward the door. "They can be a bit much at times," he admitted.

"You could pull one of your famous Hiccuppy escapes, you know," said Hope.

Hiccup looked startled. "How did you-"

"Long story," said Hope quickly. "So, let's say tomorrow morning at three?"

Hiccup sighed. "Alright, we'll check it out. But let me handle the dragon, alright?"

"Fine," grinned Hope. "See you in the morning."

Hiccup shook his head in amused exasperation as he held the door open for her.