Dragon Trappers

As Lenora and Aster flew towards the smoke on the backs of Toothless and Brightscales,

It wasn't long before they came upon a cloud of ash and soot surrounding a massive forest burnt black by dragon's fire. The damage was too great for any one dragon, which probably meant an entire flock of large ones—maybe Typhoomerangs or worse—had gone crazy and burnt the woods. It seemed a logical explanation given that there were no other signs of anything else occurring the woods.

But the biggest surprise of all came when they discovered an ice formation unlike anything they'd ever seen before. It was clearly unnatural as it was giant, the color of sea foam, spiky and looked as though it had been blown into formation.

"Holy crap…" whispered Lenora. "What happened here?" Obviously a dragon's done this, but what kind of dragon breathes ice instead of fire? It was the only explanation Lenora could think of and while she was excited about the idea of a new dragon species, she also had the sinking feeling that the creature wasn't a friendly one. "Aster, stay close."

"No kidding," said Aster, as he gazed in awe and fear at the ice formation.

As they explored the ice, they could see human forts impaled on the ice and when they spotted gigantic dragon footprints in the mud, Lenora's suspicions were confirmed.

Toothless whimpered in fear. The last dragon with footprints that large had been the Red Death and Toothless still had nightmares about the years he'd spent living under Red Death's tyranny and how he'd almost lost Lenora to her.

"Easy, bud," murmured Lenora, in dragonese as she rubbed his cheek. "It's okay."

Toothless crooned in reply.

Aster suddenly gasped. "Lenora, look!"

"FIRE!"

Lenora yelped as Toothless dodged a net being flung at them. Armed men were down below in the remains of the wreckage and were firing at them. As Lenora dodged the attack, Aster did not and was knocked off Brightscales as the Deadly Nadder became trapped in the net.

"LENORA!" yelled Aster.

Quickly, Lenora swooped in and Toothless snatched Aster out of the air before he met his demise. They then went to rescue Brightscales, who'd bravely defended herself from her captors with her deadly spikes, only to end up pinned down by the men's leader, an arrogant buffoon that Aster recognized all too well.

"STOP!" yelled Lenora.

"Brightscales!" cried Aster. He quickly drew his sword as the dragon trappers threateningly held out their own spears and swords. "What do you think you're doing? Let my dragon go!"

"Do as he says!" commanded Lenora. She drew out her own blade, a special one she'd invented that became alight with dragon's fire. As she waved the blade around, Eret's met oohed and ahhed at the sight of it.

Eret, who'd been pinning Brightscales' head down, sneered. "Well, soil my britches! If it isn't little Aster Hofferson, all grown up and engaged! Isn't this a delightful surprise?"

Lenora frowned as she glanced at Aster. "You know this idiot?"

Eret looked indignant. "Oi! Watch your tongue, little lady!"

Lenora scowled at Eret. How dare he speak to her like that?

Aster ignored him and his glare deepened. "Lenora, meet Eret son of Eret. He's a dragon trapper and one of the biggest morons I've ever met in my life. We met a trade fair when we were kids and used to be friends until he decided to use me to test out his dragon traps!"

Toothless, who'd been crouching defensively while snarling and hissing at anyone who dared come near, let out a plasma blast in front of the trappers' feet. If there was one thing Toothless hated, it was dragon trappers and people who dared harm his family. He already had half a mind to flambé Eret right then and there for hurting Aster and Brightscales.

Eret was unrepentant. "In my defense, you volunteered for my project. Not my fault you didn't bother asking me what the project was!"

"Enough!" said Lenora, loudly. "Look, why don't I make this simple for you? Gives us back Brightscales and I'll make sure my Night Fury leaves you all in one piece."

Instead of accepting Lenora's generous offer, Eret became intrigued and walked towards them. "A Night Fury, you say?" Eret's eyes widened when his gaze met Toothless' angry green one. "Oh, my. It is a Night Fury. I thought they were all gone for good." Eret looked at Lenora with awe and respect as he knelt down on one knee and tried to kiss her hand. "Forgive me. I do believe we got off on the wrong foot. Anyone who can capture such a magnificent creature is a friend of mine. What might your name be, fair lady?"

Lenora gave Eret a disgusted look and pulled away just as Toothless nearly bit Eret's arm off and Aster held his sword under Eret's chin.

"My name is Lenora Valka Horrendous Haddock the Third, daughter of Stoick the Vast, Chief of Berk," she said, proudly.

At the mention of Lenora's name, Eret's men whispered amongst themselves as they backed away in fear. Clearly, they were smarter than Eret, as they knew better than to mess with Stoick's daughter. The last man to try had been Dagur the Deranged and everyone knew what had happened to that fool when Stoick had gotten ahold of him.

But Eret wasn't smart, because he didn't do as his men did. There was a glint in his eyes and he was grinning in satisfaction as he encircled them. "So, you're the one. Won't the boss be pleased when I tell him I've found you and delivered his message?"

"What boss?" demanded Aster.

"The greatest and most dangerous of men you'll ever meet," said Eret, smugly. "He's the Dragon Conqueror and he's amassing a dragon army! And we're helping him build that army, or at least we were until one of your lot attacked us last night!"

Lenora and Aster exchanged horrified and puzzled looks before turning back to Eret.

Someone's amassing dragon army? Oh, Thor.

"What're you talking about? No one from Berk came anywhere near here last night!" said Aster.

Eret scoffed. "Liar! I know the truth, Aster! I know all about your fiancée's abilities! I've heard the stories! Do you really expect me to believe that the rider of the Night Fury that destroyed the Red Death didn't order an attack on me and my men? All our dragons were stolen and our fort was blown to bits!"

Eret's men angrily murmured in agreement.

"Dragon trapping is hard enough work as it is without do-gooder dragon riders on giant ice-spitting dragons sneaking in to rescue them!" said Eret.

"A dragon rider?" echoed Lenora, in disbelief. So, it was a dragon that caused the ice formation. And if they have a rider, then whoever did this isn't an enemy of Berk. A dragon rider who helped the dragons and rode an ice-breathing dragon would an invaluable ally of Berk. Perhaps there was a chance to make a new friendship and alliance and together they could stop Eret's dragon conquering boss from amassing his dragon army. "Did you get a good look at who it was?"

No-Name, one of Eret's brainless lackeys, shook his head. "No. They were wearing a mask. But whoever it was, was terrifying!"

"Well, I hate to break it to you, but it wasn't one of us," said Aster. "None of our dragons can breathe ice like this."

Eret scowled. "Forgive me if I don't believe you. Now, it may be all good for you to live an easy life, Aster, but some of us aren't so lucky. I still have a quota to fill or else my boss is going to be unhappy with me. He's expecting a new shipment of dragons by tomorrow and he doesn't accept excuses. So, I can't exactly tell him about your new pal, can I? After all, just look at what he did to me the last time I showed up empty-handed." Eret pulled back his shirt, revealing a scar made by a branding iron. "Drago promised to be far less understanding in the future."

"Drago?" repeated Aster, confused. "Drago who?"

"Drago Bludvist," said Eret, smugly.

Lenora's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Drago's name and she became as white as snow.

Drago. It can't be. Not him. It's impossible. No….

"You're lying," said Lenora, when she'd found her voice.

Toothless' ears folded back in concern. He'd never seen his friend act like that.

Aster frowned in surprise. "Lenora…"

"You're lying!" said Lenora, angrily, ignoring her fiancé. She thrust her flaming sword under Eret's chin, causing the older man to whimper in fear. "Who're you really working for?"

It wasn't possible for Eret to be working for Drago. She knew it wasn't.

"Drago said you'd say that, Lenora, which is why he told me to give you this." Eret pulled out a pendant from his pocket, or rather half a pendant and tossed it to Lenora, causing her to draw back her sword and examine it.

The pendant was a pure white stone engraved with an angel's wing.

"He also said to tell you that if 'Angel Light,' whatever that is, doesn't become truly his once and for all, then he'll destroy Berk and everyone on it."

Lenora became paler than ever and her heart skipped a beat. Though she wanted to continue denying what Eret was saying, she couldn't. The evidence was undeniable.

He's alive. I don't believe it. Drago's alive! And apparently, he was back with a vengeance. She remembered all too well what her last encounter with Drago had almost cost her. And if he really was amassing a dragon army, Thor alone knew what his wrath would do to Berk and Lenora's loved ones. She couldn't let that happen, not again.

Aster didn't take kindly to Eret causing Lenora's panic. He grabbed Eret's arm and twisted it back, causing Eret to fall to his knees in agony as Aster held the tip of his sword under Eret's chin. "Look, I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing, but it ends now. We don't know anything about a dragon thief, an ice-breathing dragon or your lunatic boss! Let my dragon go and maybe I won't tell Stoick how you've been threatening his daughter and maybe I'll let you go without you being stung by Brightscales's spikes!"

With a painful yowl, Eret freed himself of Aster's grip and drew his dagger. "Forget it! I'm not letting your woman's Night Fury escape. Drago will be so pleased when I hand him the beast. After all, it's not just anyone who can capture the last of the Night Furies."

Toothless roared in anger. "If you so much as try, I will end you, you eel-eating piece of filth!"

"His name is Toothless!" snarled Lenora. "And he says we're leaving. Now, bud!"

Toothless fired a blast at the top of the ice, causing Eret and the dragon trappers to scatter as a large chunk of ice fell down and shattered. While the dragon trappers were distracted by the shattered ice flying everywhere, Lenora and Aster freed Brightscales and then took off on their respective dragons as fast as they could.

"You will never hold onto those dragons, you hear me?" yelled Eret. "Drago is coming for them all, I promise you!"

In response, Brightscales shot one of her tail spikes at Eret. It hit him in the foot, causing him to yelp painfully before passing out from the venom. Unfortunately, Eret would live, but he wouldn't feel a hundred percent anytime soon.

As soon as they were far enough away from the dragon trappers, Aster turned on Lenora.

"Lenora, what was all that about?" demanded Aster. In all the time Aster had known Lenora, he'd never once seen her act like that. It worried him. "Who's Drago and why's he got you so freaked out?"

"Drago is a madman I pray you'll never meet," said Lenora, gravely. She'd dreamt of this day coming in her worst nightmares, so she'd prayed fervently that it never would, but it seemed her prayers had gone unanswered. "Look, Aster, there's no time to fully explain, so just trust me on this, okay? All that matters is that Drago is a monster who nearly killed my dad eight years ago. If we don't stop him, then it's not just Berk that'll suffer. The entire world will too."

Please, don't ask me anything more. I can't tell you, I just can't! she silently prayed.

Thankfully the seriousness in Lenora's voice convinced Aster not to press further and they flew back to Berk in silence.

XXX

Back at Berk, Stoick was headed to Gobber's blacksmith stall with a smile on his face.

He had every reason to be happy. It was a beautiful, peaceful day, Berk hadn't fought with anyone in ages, everyone on Berk was happy and healthy; his daughter was getting married in a few months and when she returned, hopefully she'd have told Aster about his retirement plans which meant Stoick would be able to announce it before too much longer.

Stoick smiled to himself as he thought of Berk's reaction to the news. Everyone was going to be so thrilled. Since the Battle of Red Death, Lenora had really made Berk a prosperous place and everyone loved her for it. She'd come so far in her young life and Stoick was exceedingly proud of her for it. She was going to be one of the greatest leaders Berk had ever known, he just knew it.

"Gobber, has there been any sign of Lenora?" asked Stoick.

Gobber, who was busy sharpening a new prosthetic tooth for a blue Hideous Zippleback, shook his head. "Ack! Lenora's probably flown off the edge of the world by now. She's been gone since the crack of dawn! Are you sure you didn't scare her off by surprising her like that?"

"Positive," said Stoick, flatly. "Besides, it's better she finds out now rather than the day of her wedding. Val would've come back from the grave and feed me to a dragon if I'd done it that way. And another thing, Lenora's reaction is natural. Anyone would need a little time and space to breathe."

"Aye," agreed Gobber. He finished placing in the Zippleback's new tooth and gave the dragon a quick pat on the head before it took off. "But are you sure you're ready for retirement? You can always delay it if you want to."

Stoick nodded. He'd been thinking about it long and hard for quite some time and he was more than ready to pass on his duties to Lenora. She was a highly accomplished, highly responsible young woman. If Lenora could befriend and train a Night Fury, end the Great War and change Berk for the better, then she was more than ready to become Chieftess of Berk.

"Do you think Lenora's not ready?"

Gobber shook his head. "No. I think she's more than ready. It's just hard to get my head around, you know? In my mind, I still see her as the little lass that would ride on my shoulder while I told her stories of dragons and trolls. I'm very proud of her, but part of me doesn't want her to be all grown up, you know?"

As Lenora's godfather, Gobber had a deep attachment to Stoick's daughter. Gobber had always looked after Lenora and treated her as his own. He couldn't have loved her anymore than if she had been. Gobber had fond memories of teaching Lenora how to be a good blacksmith and others chasing after her while they played silly games.

Stoick nodded sympathetically and gave his old friend's shoulder a squeeze. "Aye, I know. If I could keep her a little one, I would." Children growing up was an emotional hardship all parents faced. Children grew up so quickly. One minute, they're little and needy and the next they were big and independent. "But Lenora's always going to need us, so we'll be there when she is."

"Aye, that we will," said Gobber. "Now, if she would just get here, maybe you could finally tell everyone the news."

Right on cue, Lenora arrived home with Aster as everyone on Berk cheered and Stoick let out a hearty laugh.

"There she is! My Nora, the pride of Berk!" said Stoick, proudly.

"Who finally decided to show up for work," said Gobber, teasingly.

Normally, Lenora would've laughed or apologized with a light-hearted smile, but this time she did neither one. She just looked grave as she leapt off of Toothless' back and ran straight for Stoick.

"Dad, we need to talk—"

"Aye, that we do," interrupted Stoick, gleefully. He was so caught up in his joy that he was being oblivious as to how upset his daughter was. "I take it you told Aster, then? How'd he take the news?"

"Great, Dad. But that's not—"

"Excellent!" said Stoick, loudly. Now that Aster knew, Stoick could announce to Berk the good news. "Come help me with this saddle order, would you?" Without waiting for a reply, Stoick grabbed Lenora and gently dragged her to the table where a large stack of saddle cloth was sitting, ready for cutting and sewing. "Excuse us, Bonehead."

Bonehead was a Gobber's Boneknapper dragon. The two of them used to be enemies as Gobber had taken the bone that Bonehead needed to complete its coat of armor. Bonehead had chased Gobber all over the world for years until Gobber finally returned it. And since then, oddly enough, the two of them had been close friends. At that moment, the Boneknapper was asleep by Gobber's forge, but he woke up at the sound of his name.

"Ack! Bonehead, you idiotic sack of bones!" scolded Gobber. "You let the forge die down again!"

Bonehead rolled his eyes as he blew fire into the forge, but accidentally overdid it, causing an explosion of fire that forced Gobber to use the fire extinguishing system.

"That's it, Bonehead! You're going up for adoption!" said Gobber, irritated.

As Gobber made that threat every other month and didn't follow through on it, no one believed him, not even Bonehead himself.

"Now, Nora, this saddle is a high-seater with spikes and a big storage compartment," said Stoick, as he got out a pair of scissors. "Also, about the announcement. I was thinking we'd tell everyone at dinner and—"

Stoick was cut off when Lenora slammed a giant hammer into a large anvil, creating a terrible loud noise that made everyone clutch their ears and fall silent.

"Dad, listen to me!" said Lenora. She sounded both agitated and desperate, a combination that Stoick did not like at all. "We've got an emergency situation. Berk is in danger and if we don't stop it, then the entire world is too!"

Stoick's face lost its excited expression and he became serious. "What happened?" He knew his daughter well enough to know she wouldn't be this upset unless the situation was dire.

Lenora took a deep breath. "Aster and I were out exploring a new land—"

"Another one?" said Gobber, surprised. "I would've thought you'd found all the lands in the entire world by now."

Fishelgs, who'd been outside the blacksmith's stall with Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, burst in looking excited. "Any new dragons?"

"There was a new one, but we didn't actually see it," said Aster, testily. "We just saw its giant footprints and the giant spike ice it created out of its own breath."

"Wow," said Fishlegs, in awe.

"Yeah, it's not like anything we've ever seen before," said Aster, briskly. "But that's not important right now. What is important is the people we encountered. We ran into Eret."

Stoick looked surprised. "Eret son of Eret? The would-be dragon trapper? That Eret?" Stoick didn't recall Eret being much of a danger, except perhaps to himself.

"He's not a would-be anymore," said Lenora. "He's a professional and he's got his own group of followers. They're getting stopped by an unknown dragon rider who's allied with the ice-breather, but that's the least of it. Dad, they're not trapping dragons for their own amusement or even for people like Alvin. They're collecting them for a dragon conqueror who's amassing a dragon army."

Everyone fell silent and looked horrified at this. They'd lived in peace with dragons for over five years. The idea of them having to go to war with the beasts once again wasn't a particularly enjoyable thought.

Stoick looked grave. "And does this dragon conqueror have a name?"

By this point, Lenora was shaking and not from the cold. "Dad…it's Drago. They're working for Drago Bludvist. Drago's back."

At once, Stoick became pale and he gripped Lenora's shoulders. "Drago Bludvist? Are you absolutely certain, Nora?" He'd encountered Drago once before several years ago and nearly died from it. He'd seen what the man was capable of. For over eight years, he'd lived in fear that the monster would return and finish the job. If Drago had actually returned, then they were all doomed.

"Positive," said Aster, before Lenora could speak. "Eret gave Lenora something of Drago's and gave her a message."

Stoick's eyes narrowed as he released Lenora. "What? What was it?"

Lenora reached into her pocket and held out the pendant, which caused Stoick's eyes widen.

"Last time I saw Dragon, he was wearing a half pendant. It was a different color, but this is definitely the other half," he said, in a hushed tone. "What was Drago's message?"

Aster was silent as he cast a look at Lenora, who sighed. "Drago wants me. Unless he gets me, he's going to destroy all of Berk."

Naturally, no one took this piece of information well, especially not Stoick and Gobber.

"He wants WHAT?!"

XXX

As Lenora had expected, Stoick began fortifying Berk's defenses and preparing Berk for war.

After ordering Gobber to get their weapons and the warriors ready, Stoick ran down into the tunnels beneath the village and began barking out orders. Lenora, Aster and their friends and dragons followed close behind him.

"Ground all dragons!" yelled Stoick. "Seal the gates! Lower the storm doors!"

"Whoa, whoa, Uncle Stoick, wait!" cried Snotlout. "What is happening?"

Stoick didn't reply. "No dragon or Viking is to set a foot off this island unless I give the word! Especially not Lenora! Take her to her room and make sure she's protected no matter what!"

Lenora didn't take kindly to this and beat back anyone who tried to fulfill Stoick's orders and those who didn't listen to her, listened to Toothless when he snarled at them.

"Wait, because some guy you knew is stirring up trouble in some faraway land?" said Tuffnut.

Stoick ceased walking, spun around and faced them. "Because Drago Bludvist is a madman who kills without reason, conscience or mercy! I'll sooner die than see him lay a hand on my daughter!" Stoick had come close to losing Lenora once, he had no wish to do so again. She was his only child and all he had left of Val. "And if Drago's built a dragon army, then the gods help us all if we can't stop him!"

"But Stoick, wait! Who is this guy?" demanded Aster, impatiently. He was getting sick and tired of everyone's secrets. "What happened between you two? Don't you think if we're going to be prepared, we should at least know more about Drago?"

Stoick was about to object and tell Aster to just do as commanded, but stern looks from both Gobber and Lenora convinced him otherwise. Realizing he had no other choice, Stoick sighed and with some reluctance, told the story of Drago Bludvist.

"Eight years ago, there was a great gathering of the tribe leaders and their heirs to discuss the dragon scourge we all faced. The meetings lasted for two weeks, but it was on the last day that it happened. Lenora had been up half the night, sick from some bad meat from last night's dinner, so I decided to leave her alone on the ship, asleep. During the meeting on that last day, we were all talking when suddenly into our midst came a stranger from a strange land. He was young, sixteen maybe, but he was as big as I am and that wasn't the least of it. He was covered in scars and draped in a cloak of dragon skin.

"He carried no weapon and spoke softly, saying that he, Drago Bludvist, was a man of the people devoted to freeing mankind from the tyranny of dragons. Drago claimed that he and he alone could control the dragons and that he alone could keep us safe, if we chose to bow down and follow him. We didn't believe him, so we laughed until he wrapped himself in his cloak and cried out, 'Then see how well you do without me!' The rooftop suddenly burst into flames and from it, armored dragons descended, burning the hall to the ground. Much of the attack was focused on me, something I never could explain, but somehow I…I was the only one to escape. And until now, I believed Drago was gone forever."

Those who were listening to Stoick's tale looked sickened and scared. They'd encountered many dangers over the last five years, but none as bad as Drago. Stoick himself looked shaken down to his core, for he was breathing hard and his eyes were glistening with tears. Sometimes old wounds like that never fully healed.

"Did Lenora ever meet him?" asked Fishlegs.

"No. She didn't," said Stoick, shaking his head. At least, as far as Stoick knew, she hadn't.

"Then what does this lunatic want with my cousin?" asked Snotlout, in confusion. "And why did he call her 'Angel Light' if they've never met?"

"I don't know, but I don't intend to find out," said Stoick. He turned to Lenora. "Nora, you're to stay with Toothless and the other riders. I don't want you alone for any reason."

Lenora's eyes flashed with indignant anger. "I'm not a child anymore. I can take care of myself and I refuse to let Berk risk their lives for me while I sit here hiding like a coward!" she spat. "You wouldn't do it, so why should I? What kind of Chieftess does that?"

Knowing she had a point, Stoick conceded and ceased insisting that Lenora be locked up for her own her protection. But pleased as she was by her victory, Lenora wasn't finished yet. She'd been prepared to fight Drago until Eret had given her the message and now she had another idea as to how to take him down.

"Dad, look, there's another option. If Drago wants me, then why don't I go find him? I could stop this war before it even begins," said Lenora.

"How, by sacrificing yourself to him?" joked Ruffnut.

It was meant as a joke, but Lenora's face was serious. "If need be."

"What?" said Aster, shocked she was considering it. "Sacrifice yourself to Drago? Lenora, you can't be serious!"

But Lenora was quite serious. "Listen, Eret knows Drago's location. While you're getting Berk's defenses ready, I'll find Eret and follow him back to Drago and once there, I can deal with Drago once and for all. It's worth a shot." If she could prevent the war from happening, wasn't it worth the risk she'd be taking?

No one agreed with her and immediately voice their disapproval while Stoick nodded in agreement.

Lenora gave Stoick a pleading look. "Dad, please! It's my duty to keep the peace!"

Stoick shook his head. "Peace is over, Nora. I must prepare you for war. You're staying put to help fortify Berk's defenses and that's final! A Chieftess protects her own."

And that's exactly what I intend to do. As Stoick walked off, Lenora glanced at Aster, who seemed to guess what she was thinking he shook his head.

"Lenora, no. Don't. I'm begging you," said Aster.

"I'm sorry, Aster, but I can't wait around for Drago to show up. I won't let Berk pay the price for my mistake," said Lenora. I have to protect my loved ones no matter what. Lenora looked at him with regret but no hesitation as she tenderly kissed him. "I love you. Good-bye."

Without waiting for a reply, Lenora leapt onto Toothless' back. The Night Fury let out a screech before it took off. Lenora and Toothless slipped under the gate and then after they were blocked by the closing stable doors, Toothless managed to fly them out of the closing door of the landing pad just in the nick of time.

Lenora knew Stoick would be furious but she didn't care. One way or another, she was going to save Berk from Drago.

XXX

Finding Eret didn't take long as Toothless only needed to smell something or someone once to get the scent ingrained in his memory.

The flight to Eret's ship was silent. Lenora was tense and had no wish to speak as she had a great deal on her mind and was trying to stay focused on her plan. If giving herself up to Drago didn't work, then Lenora intended to do what was necessary to stop him. It made Lenora sick to her stomach to think of it, but what other choice did she have? Doing this was the only way to keep Berk and her loved ones safe. She knew if she lost someone like Stoick, Aster, Gobber or Toothless, it would destroy her completely.

If I do this right, no need pay the price for my mistake. Everyone will be safe and no one need ever know my secret that I've kept for so long. Lenora was surprised no one had figured it out yet. Her reaction to Eret's revelation about his boss's identity, the fact that she recognized the pendant and knew what Drago meant by Angel Light should've given it away even though she'd never said a word, but at the same time she was grateful. She didn't want to think of everyone's reactions if they knew the truth about her and Drago.

Sensing his friend's distress, Toothless cocked his head a little and pretended to have an itch as he knew that doing little things like that helped Lenora relax. He was dying to ask Lenora more about Drago as she'd never once mentioned anyone by that name in all the time they'd known each other, but Toothless kept his questions to himself. Toothless was respectful enough to respect Lenora's privacy and trusted her to tell him of Drago when she was ready. And whatever course of action she planned to take against Drago, Toothless would stand beside her no matter what. He was her protector and most faithful friend. He'd never let anything happen to her.

Eventually, they found Eret's ship traveling up north and when they came into view, Eret and his men immediately fired nets at them. Toothless dodged them with ease and then landed onto the deck of Eret's ship.

Eret looked smug as he drew his blade. "And here I was thinking we might turn up empty-handed, but I guess it's my lucky day."

"That it is," said Lenora, as she slid off Toothless' back and held out her hands. "We surrender, Eret. So, you can take Toothless, the finest Night Fury in all the world and his rider, the one that Drago's after, to the man of the hour. I imagine that'll please him greatly, won't it?"

Eret was rendered speechless at this and didn't move as muscle as Lenora pushed past Eret and his men before climbing into the ship's brig. Toothless followed close behind and growled at those who dared point their spears at Lenora, making them back off in fear.

"Toothless, stay," said Lenora, holding up a warning hand as she climbed down.

Toothless made a worried noise but didn't disobey.

"What're you doing?" demanded Eret.

Lenora smirked to herself. These idiots are playing right into the palm of my hand. "Keeping you from doing something stupid. Dragons hate cramped spaces. So, Toothless will just hang out with you. He won't be any trouble."

Toothless anxiously paced the entrance to the brig and then jumped a foot and snarled when the dragon trappers yelled and thrust out their spears and swords.

Lenora laughed as she poked her head out. "Unless you do that, which I wouldn't, if I were you. You know, wooden boats, big oceans…how's your swimming?" But even that wouldn't do much good if sea dragons were near or worse, if they froze to death in the icy water.

"Not good," moaned No-Name, worriedly as Eret scowled.

Lenora thrust out her sword and ignited it. "Oh, I almost forgot. You can't have armed prisoners." She sheathed her blade and handed it to Eret before ducking back down. "I made it myself. If you really like it, I can easily make you all one. It's quite useful. One end coats the blade in Monstrous Nightmare saliva and the other sprays out Hideous Zippleback gas. All it takes is one little spark."

Eret handed Lenora's weapon to No-Name, who accidentally switched on the gas and then accidentally ignited the gas, causing an explosion. When Lenora came back up, she was finding it difficult not to laugh at the sight of the dragon trappers all covered in ash and soot and Toothless playfully swatting the cinders in the air.

"Give me that!" growled Eret, as he snatched Lenora's weapon from No-Name.

When Eret tried to toss Lenora's sword over the boat at least twice, Toothless fetched it both times and then placed it in Lenora's hands while wagging his tail like an eager puppy.

"What kind of game are you playing?" demanded Eret, scowling at Lenora.

"No game. I just want Drago's location. I'm prepared to pay you handsomely for it and I'm more than happy to show you an alternative lifestyle than one as Drago's lackey," said Lenora. She climbed out of the brig and stood by Toothless, who wrapped his tail around her. "Did it never occur to you that working for Drago's going to end badly for you? Once you've outlived your usefulness, he'll dispose of you in a heartbeat!"

Eret's scowl deepened. "You're wrong. Drago needs us."

Lenora shook her head. "For now. But that won't last long, believe me."

No-Name tugged on Eret's arm. "Eret, son of Eret, she said she's willing to pay us. Maybe we could consider it? We are short on money. And if she goes straight to Drago, he might be merciful to us when we get there."

Eret placed a finger to his chin in thought. "That's true." He looked back at Lenora. "You said something about money for Drago's location. How much are we talking?"

Lenora tossed him a heavy pouch of money from her satchel. Eret poured it onto the deck and quickly counted up the gold and silver coins. As the number grew higher, Eret and his men looked more and more excited.

"Okay, you've got yourself a deal." After putting the money back into the pouch, Eret reached into his pocket and took out a folded piece of parchment. "Drago's location is marked on this map. What is it you intend to do when you meet him?"

"That's none of your concern," said Lenora, briskly as she pocketed the map. I'm going to deal with him once and for all, not that it would matter to you. As if she would tell Eret her plans.

"Fair enough," admitted Eret. "Now, not that I'm considering it, I'm just curious, what's this 'alternative lifestyle' you mentioned?"

"Well, at the risk of sounding boastful," said Lenora, slowly, "did it also never occur to you that instead of trapping dragons for an evil lunatic like Drago, you could do what I did—befriend and train them?"

Eret and his men stared for a moment and then they all burst out laughing.

"Befriend and train a dragon?" said Eret. He wiped away a tear as he slowly ceased laughing. "You're crackers, you are!"

Lenora shrugged as she rubbed Toothless' ears. "Maybe I am, but I do know this: once they see you as one of their own, there's nothing a dragon won't do for you. I'm more than willing to show you. May I?"

Eret paused for a moment in consideration and then stepped back and nodded. "Well, seeing as how I've been paid and we'll be parting in a moment, please, milady. I'll give you long as it takes to deflate that oversized head of yours."

"Watch it with the insults, eel-eater!" snarled Toothless.

"Toothless, hush," scolded Lenora, shooting him a warning look. She glanced back at Eret, who'd drawn his sword. "So, what's so great about dragon trapping, anyway? Going all over creation and delivering dragons to a madman…sounds like a crappy life to me."

Eret climbed onto the ship's rail. "It's a great life, except when it gets disrupted by dragon thieves like you and your lot!" He let out a battle cry as he leapt down, but Lenora acted quicker. She cut the ropes holding the barrels of food and fresh water, causing Eret to land on one of them and struggle to keep his balance for a few moments before falling flat on his butt.

"Right. My fellow dragon rider astride their ice-breathing dragon friend. How could I forget?" said Lenora, amused.

Eret frowned at Lenora's laughter. "Laugh all you want! The days of rescuing dragons are over! Drago's conquered the most powerful dragon of them all!"

"Pardon me while I tremble in fear," said Lenora, sarcastically. Inside, however, she was worried. The most powerful dragon of them all? What kind of dragon is that? Another ice-breather? She didn't know, but she did know that if it was true and Drago actually did have such a creature under his thrall, then the situation was worse than she'd previously thought. "Whoa!" She narrowed dodged swings from Eret's sword as she backed up to one of the sails.

"Soon, all of your dragons will be claimed for his army!" said Eret.

"Right, the dragon army. Let me guess. He pulled that off with intimidation and fear. And he's working his same methods on you. No wonder you're working for him if you're lacking that much of a spine," said Lenora.

Eret let out a frustrated growl as he grasped the scuff of Lenora's shirt. "I am not a coward! And you'd better watch that tongue of yours, little lady! No one and I mean no one messes with Drago! Not even Red Death ever crossed him! Is this part of changing my mind?"

"That part's coming." Lenora drew her dagger and slice through the ropes, causing her to be flung up to the mast.

"Come now!" said Eret, mockingly as he climbed up to Lenora's position. "Drago's going to take over the world! You're either with him or against him. And the way I see it, against is a losing proposition! Anything else you'd like to try to change my mind, little missy?"

Lenora grinned. The idiot had fallen into her trap and didn't even know it. "Just this." Quickly, she cut the ropes and they were both flung into the air, as if from a catapult.

"AUGH! YOU IDIOT!" screamed Eret.

Lenora just smirked before Toothless came to her rescue. Once she was on the Night Fury's back, Eret was snatched out of the air before he could fall to his death.

Once they were in the air, Toothless performed a serious of impressive aerodynamics while Eret screamed like a little girl.

"AHH! Make it stop! Make it stop! Make it stop!" he screamed.

Toothless laughed at Eret.

"Oh, would you relax? You're not going to die, you big baby!" said Lenora, rolling her eyes. What an overdramatic buffoon. But all the same, she found it rather amusing. "Just calm down, Eret. We're almost there."

Lenora cheered in delight as Toothless took them back to Eret's ship. Eret was literally kicking and screaming the entire way until he landed on the safety of his ship's deck.

Toothless purred and wagged his tail in delight. He thought the flight had been successful, as did Lenora, who was smiling.

"So?" she prompted.

Eret looked at her incredulously. "So what? You didn't do anything, it was all that beast's doing!"

"Exactly," said Lenora, making them all stare at her in stunned confusion. She looked them as though the answer were obvious. Why're they so blind? "Toothless does what I ask because we're bonded through friendship and loyalty. He trusts me and loves me as much I do him. Once you've earned that, there's nothing a dragon won't do for you. Don't you think allying with dragons is better than alienating them?"

Some of Eret's men murmured in agreement while others did not. Eret in particular, remained unyielding in his mindset. But all of them, including Eret, stared in disbelief when they saw Toothless, the dragon that had almost bitten their hands off, lying on his back with his tongue hanging out and purring in delight as Lenora rubbed his itchy belly.

Lenora and Toothless' moment was interrupted when Lenora was suddenly snatched out of the air by a dragon.

Ready for anything, Toothless leapt onto the sail, climbed it and landed on the mast but then relaxed when he saw who it was that had snatched his rider.

Stoick, Gobber and the other dragon riders had apparently tracked Lenora and Toothless down and were coming to their rescue. Lenora was being carried away by Firewyrm and she was not happy about it in the slightest.

"Snotlout, what in Thor's name do you think you're doing?" yelled Lenora. "Put me down!"

Snotlout pretended to think about it. "Let me think…no! I'm letting you go so you can go off and do something stupid and insane! That's my job!" He looked sweetly back at Tuffnut. "See how well I protect and provide for my little cousin?"

Ruffnut groaned in disgust before quickly dodging the nets that came flying at her and Tuffnut. "Hey! What's with all the nets? That was cl-o-o-s-e…." Ruffnut's gaze fell upon Eret and a dreamy look crossed her face at the sight of his dark hair, big muscles and brown eyes. "Oh, my. Me likey." She thrust out her arms. "Take me."

And just like that, Ruffnut and Smokes were caught in a net, leaving Tuffnut to drive Sparks by himself while he groaned in annoyance.

Lenora didn't have time for this. Knowing that Snotlout wouldn't be much help, she turned his dragon instead.

"Firewyrm, if you don't let me go this instant, I swear you can forget about the extra-large bowl of extra-spicy salmon salsa I promised you!" warned Lenora. She spoke in dragonese so that Snotlout wouldn't understand what she was saying. "I'll never make it again, do you hear me?"

Firewyrm's eyes widened in fear. One afternoon when Lenora had been experimenting with new recipe ideas with Gobber, there'd been an accident that resulted in there being too much spice and chunks of fish in the mixture. No human on Berk liked it, but Firewyrm loved it. The extra spicy salsa mixed with Firewyrm's favorite fish, was the dragon's most favorite food in the world and as Lenora kept her recipes secrets, she was the only one who knew how to make it. So, naturally, Firewyrm released Lenora from her talons and Lenora activated her flightsuit.

Once in the air, Lenora dodged a net that came at her, grabbed a rope and then slid down to the ship's deck as the others did the same.

"What're you all doing here?" asked Lenora.

"We're here to rescue you!" said Gobber, as though it were obvious.

Lenora sighed in exasperation. "I don't need rescuing! I have the situation under control!"

"Enough!" barked Stoick, as he landed Skullcrusher on the boat. He walked towards Eret's men, who quickly huddled together in fear and remained as they were under Fishlegs and Snotlout's guards and then he shoved Eret away when the dragon trapper tried to intimidate Stoick. Eret ended up being pinned beneath Bonehead's head and then whacked on the head by Gobber's club. Satisfied that the threat was dealt with, Stoick turned to Lenora. "You, saddle up. We're going home."

Lenora stubbornly shook her head. "No. I'm not going home. I'm going after Drago. I know his location and I'm going to stop him."

Stoick growled in frustration as he narrowed his eyes. "Of all the irresponsible—"

"'Irresponsible'?!" echoed Lenora, incredulously. She was trying to do what was right and save lives! "I'm trying to protect our dragons and stop a war! I'm trying to save Berk from paying the price for my mistake! How is that irresponsible?"

"Because war is what he wants, Lenora!" said Stoick.

"NO, IT'S NOT!" yelled Lenora, making everyone jump. Lenora rarely yelled or lost her temper, and for her to do so now meant business. She sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "If my plan works, there won't be a war because either Drago won't be around to see it or he'll give up his plans for it because he'll get what he really wants."

"Giving yourself up won't change anything!" said Stoick. "You'll just get yourself killed!"

Lenora's hand clenched into a fist. "Do you really have so little faith in me?" Why couldn't Stoick trust that she could handle Drago? She'd handled Red Death, Alvin, Dagur and so much more. Why should Drago be any different?

"Don't put words in my mouth, Lenora!" growled Stoick. "I have every confidence in you, you know that, but there are some things even people like us can't face alone!"

"Stoick, enough," said Aster. He sighed as he placed a hand under his fiancée's chin and lifted her face up to meet his. There was no anger or judgment in Aster's blue eyes, only concern and love. "Lenora, please, talk to me. Ever since Drago's name was mentioned, you haven't acted like yourself at all. Whatever it is you're hiding, it's not going to change anything if that's what you're afraid of."

Lenora closed her eyes and didn't reply as Stoick's eyes narrowed.

"Hiding? What do you mean by that?"

Aster took Lenora's hand in his before turning around and speaking to Stoick. "When Eret first mentioned Drago's name, Lenora insisted he was lying until he showed her the pendant. Now, Stoick, you said you only saw half of the one Drago was wearing and Drago never encountered Lenora, yet Lenora recognized the other half of the pendant and knew what Drago's message meant." As this bit of information sank in, Aster turned to Lenora. "Right before you left, you said Berk couldn't pay the price for your mistake. And Stoick said you never met Drago, but he's wrong, isn't he? You know Drago and something happened that's caused you to think you made a terrible mistake."

Everyone was quiet and then exchanged worried glances.

"Lass," said Gobber, uneasily. "Is there something we should know?"

"There can't be," said Stoick. He sounded as though he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else. "I know what happened eight years ago! I know—"

"You don't know, Dad," interrupted Lenora, unable to stop herself. She pulled away from Aster and looked up at Stoick. Already, she could feel her heart breaking as she knew how this was going to end. "You don't know. You've never known because I've never been able to tell you."

"Tell me what?" asked Stoick. He had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Lenora was really worrying him.

Tears pooled in Lenora's eyes as her throat tightened. "Aster's right. I lied all those years ago. I lied when I said I didn't encounter Drago. I was ashamed and I couldn't tell you the truth." Lenora had thought that her secret would die with Drago, it was what she'd promised herself, but it seemed fate was working against her and now she had to reveal the terrible secret she'd kept for so long. With a heavy heart, Lenora took a deep breath. "Eight years ago, I did something very wrong…"