Lenora and Drago

Eight years ago…

It was a dark and stormy day as fifteen-year-old Lenora Horrendous Haddock, walked along the beach of Odin Island.

There had been a call for the tribe leaders and their heirs to gather at the Main Hall for a two-week meeting to discuss the dragon scourge they all faced. Lenora hadn't particularly wanted to go, but as she was Stoick's only heir (for the time being unless he chose her cousin instead) and she wished to please her father, Lenora had, with some reluctance, accompanied Stoick.

She found the meetings boring as they all sounded the same after a while. They all wanted to make the dragons extinct by finding their nest, but no one knew how to find the nest and no one had any new ideas for fighting the dragons. Lenora had some ideas, but as Stoick wasn't in the best of moods and she didn't want to make it worse, she'd kept silent until she could escape.

Now, she was wandering around the beach, enjoying the warm summer's rain upon on her skin and going over invention ideas in her head. She was so busy daydreaming and looking up into the sky that she failed to watch where she was going and tripped over something big.

"Ow," she moaned. She'd landed face-first into the sand and spat some out of her mouth. "What in Thor's name—oh, Odin's ghost!"

Lenora's eyes widened when she saw what she'd tripped over. There, lying face down on the beach floor being soaked by the lapping waves of the sea, was a young man almost as big as her father and he wasn't moving.

Quite afraid, Lenora ran to the man's side and rolled him onto his stomach. When she felt his labored breath on her hand, she knew he was alive, but just barely. He was unlike any man she'd ever seen before. He had dark brown dreadlocks, his skin was tanned and heavily scarred, he wore a dragon-skin cloak, he had a badly damaged prosthetic arm and he was sporting an infected wound that resembled a dragon's claw marks on his chest and abdomen. To make matters worse, when Lenora felt his forehead, she drew back her fingers at the heat. He was burning up hotter than dragon's fire.

Oh, Thor. What was she supposed to do? Telling her father was out of the question. Stoick was suspicious enough of strangers as it was. With the mood he was in, he'd probably convince the other tribe leaders to throw the stranger into a dungeon or something of like. Lenora couldn't entirely fault Stoick for this as they lived in difficult times and she had to admit, she knew nothing about this stranger, but at the same time, Lenora couldn't bring herself to leave him alone in the woods, injured and ill. Chances were whatever happened to the stranger could be easily explained and he was an innocent bystander and not an enemy from Outcast Island. But either way, if he was going to live, he needed Lenora's help before it was too late.

Thinking fast, Lenora slowly dragged the stranger to a nearby cave. It was no easy feat as the stranger was quite heavy and Lenora was tired once it was done. But there was no time to rest. Thankfully, she remembered what Gothi had taught her about medicine and was even more grateful she hadn't forgotten her supply of healing herbs in her satchel when she'd left Berk. Once Lenora got a fire going, she found a small pool of cold water in the cave and used it to wet her rag, which she placed on the stranger's burning forehead to lower his fever.

With her other rag, Lenora wetted it and used it to clean the stranger's wound. Once it was cleaned, she made a poultice of rainwater and healing herbs, applied it and then began closing up the injury. When she nearly finished, she cried out in surprise and pain. The stranger had suddenly awoken and in a moment of fevered panic, tightly grabbed Lenora's wrist and growled at her. But he tried to sit up, he let out a groan of pain and clutched his injury.

"Hey, easy there. Easy," said Lenora, soothingly. Her heart was pounding and she was shaking, but she forced herself to be calm. Clearly whatever the stranger had endured, it'd been traumatic. It was the only reason for his reaction, besides that of his high fever. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. You're injured and ill. I'm trying to help you. No one knows you're here. You're safe here, I promise. Believe me."

The stranger narrowed his dark brown eyes, which were dull with fever, but nevertheless he began to relax and he released his grip on Lenora's wrist. He believed her and what's more, Lenora's touch seemed to soothe him.

"Thank you," murmured Lenora. Her wrist ached from his tight grip, but she ignored it as she resumed her ministrations.

"Where am I?" demanded the stranger, hoarsely.

"In a cave on Odin Island. I brought you here after I found you washed up on shore." Lenora longed to know how exactly he'd ended up there and in such a state as he was as she'd seen no sign of a shipwreck, but she knew better than to ask. Some things were better left in the past, unspoken of and forgotten. "This may sting. How old are you?"

"Sixteen…ow," he grunted.

"Sorry," said Lenora, apologetically. Why couldn't he have slept a little more and avoided feeling this? Sixteen. How can he possibly be sixteen and yet be as big as Dad? "I'm almost done, just stay still. I'm Lenora, by the way. What's your name?"

"Drago Bludvist…"

Lenora finished closing the wound, wetted her rag and dabbed at Drago's fevered, sweaty face. "Well, Drago, it's nice to meet you." She blushed a little when Drago's hand brush against her own and he looked at her as though she were something special. "You need to sleep. You're burning up. Just sleep, Drago. Sleep."

After a few moments, Drago's eyes fluttered shut.

XXX

Three days later, as soon as she was able, Lenora slipped away to Drago's hiding place.

As her presence was only required during the meetings, and afterwards all those in attendance went off to do as they pleased either with each other or with some of the local villagers, Lenora wasn't missed by Stoick when the meetings ended—provided she returned by suppertime, that is.

Lenora knew that the meetings were for the good of all Vikings and she was doing her best to learn from them, but at the same time, she wished they'd quit repeating themselves and do something other than what had already been tried and failed before.

Lenora brought with her some lanterns, fresh food and bandages, a water skin, some stronger herbs and a bottle of chicken broth that was highly recommended for fevers. Lenora hoped that her fresh supplies would do some good, for she was greatly worried about Drago. Drago's wound was healing nicely, but his fever hadn't yet broken. Drago kept drifting in and out of consciousness and more than once, he'd frightened Lenora down to the core when he'd had a fevered delusion. But in spite of it all, she kept going back, telling herself that Drago's actions were only because of his illness and whatever trauma he'd suffered

When she arrived, she brushed aside the piece of driftwood that concealed the cave's entrance and went inside. There she found Drago where she'd left him. While at first glance, Drago still appeared to be in some pain, he no longer looked ill and best of all, he was awake.

"Hey, you're properly awake," said Lenora, relieved. "Forgive me, I'm not sure if you remember, but I'm Lenora. I found you washed up on shore. You were injured and sick, and I've been taking care of you. How're you feeling?"

Drago did not respond at first. He just gazed at Lenora as though she a memory from a dream. "You're real," he said, quietly. "And you came back."

Lenora nodded as she knelt down beside him. Probably thought I was just a fevered delusion. "Of course I'm real and of course, I came back. Why wouldn't I? Here, you should drink this. Slowly." She helped Drago sit up and then she handed him the waterskin, which he drank slowly yet thirstily.

Drago passed her back the water skin. "I don't remember much about the last few days except for that first time I saw you…you seemed like a dream, like the light of an angel, saving my life."

Having never been spoken to in such a manner, Lenora blushed. "That's very kind of you to say." She could feel butterflies in her stomach as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Let me see how you're doing." She felt his forehead and sighed in relief at the cool skin. "Your fever's gone, thank Thor. I need to see to your wound dressings, so if you could just hold still…"

Lenora's voice wandered off when her sleeve fell back and her wrist caught Drago's attention. Quickly, Drago grasped Lenora's wrist in his hand and his eyes darkened with anger and pain at the sight of the five blue and purple finger-shaped bruises on Lenora's pale skin.

"I did this to you, didn't I?" said Drago. It wasn't a question. "I hurt you."

"It's nothing," said Lenora, as she tugged her wrist away and lowered her sleeve. "You've been here for four days, three of which you've had a high fever. You were ill. Your actions weren't your own. It's all right, Drago." One would've thought Lenora was just showing mercy or even acting out of fear, but she truly didn't blame Drago for the bruises. It was an accident.

Drago wasn't convinced and he pulled away when she attempted to examine his wounds. "You've been taking care of me, a stranger you know nothing of, and I hurt you. Why? Why're you so benevolent when I've done nothing to deserve it?"

The real question is, why can't you accept it? Thankfully, Lenora had the sense to hold her tongue on that thought. "My mother taught me that compassion has nothing to do with worth. Compassion is a choice, a sense of selflessness and care. When I found you alone in the woods, I didn't see a stranger or an enemy, I just saw someone who needed help. And I don't blame you for my wrist. I've seen people with lesser fevers do worse. It's all right. Now, I do hope that's a satisfactory answer, because unless you know anything about medicine, I really do need to examine your injury and change your bandages. So, let me!"

Despite the fact that Drago was a great deal larger than Lenora and could easily take her in a fight, she was prepared to do what had to be done for Drago to fully recover. Like many Vikings, Lenora had stubbornness issues and could often be just as stubborn, if not more, than her own father and wouldn't give up without a fight.

Drago's eyes narrowed at Lenora's commands, but he didn't yell or argue. He scooted closer and allowed her to resume her ministrations.

"Where do you hail from, Angel Light?" asked Drago, quietly.

Despite knowing Drago couldn't see her, as she was sitting behind him while tying off his fresh bandages, Lenora raised an eyebrow at his choice of nickname.

"I come from Berk. I'm the daughter of Stoick the Vast, the Chief," said Lenora. "I'm sure you've heard of him." How could anyone not have? Stoick's reputation was widespread. He was a powerful figure of authority with the ferocity of a dragon and the heart of a lion. They said you had to be either a complete fool or insane beyond measure to cross Stoick wrong, and Lenora agreed with them.

"Who hasn't? He's hard to miss," said Drago, with a hint of humor in his voice.

Lenora chuckled and then began dishing out the food she'd brought. They continued chatting as they enjoyed their meal together.

XXX

Four days later, with some difficulty, Lenora pushed a cloth-covered wheelbarrow to Drago's cave.

Although Drago was fully recovered, he show no indication of leaving the island anytime soon, for which Lenora was glad, as she liked having the older man around. True, Drago was showing signs of anger issues and he frightened Lenora when he yelled as he unleashed his rage onto whatever tree or rock he found in the woods, but he had good qualities too. Drago was willing to talk with Lenora and listen to her without judgement, he seemed to like how different Lenora was in comparison with other Vikings, he didn't hurt Lenora physically or emotionally and he could be so gentle when he wanted to be.

Lenora didn't know how to quite define their relationship. She still hadn't told anyone about Drago's presence on the island, which was probably a sign. They seemed to be good friends, but were they truly? Lenora wanted to believe that they were as her life as Berk's klutzy reject was often a lonely one and Drago seemed to ease away that loneliness. But at the same time, she was beginning to have a feeling that something was wrong with Drago, at the very least he seemed to be keeping a secret from Lenora. Not to mention, Lenora didn't have the slightest clue what was going to happen once the meeting was over. In six days, she would be returning to Berk with Stoick and probably never see Drago again, not unless he went with her or something. How was it going to work out?

I can't dwell on that now. I should stay focused on the present. It was the only thing to do. Live for the moment, because a moment's all I have.

Lenora sighed and tried to focus on other things. Today was one of those days when she wanted to be with Drago and forget everything else, as there had been an incident earlier that day involving Dagur of the Berserker Tribe and both Lenora and Dagur's respective fathers.

"You're late," said Drago, when she came in. There was concern in his dark brown eyes. "Is everything all right?"

"Everything's fine. I was just delayed. I've got a surprise for you." Lenora took the cloth off the wheelbarrow, revealing Drago's newly remade prosthetic arm. It was no longer dented beyond measure, blackened with dragon's fire, or missing pieces. The prosthetic was polished with a special wax to prevent rust, it was the same length and width of Drago's other arm, she'd made it easier to attach to Drago's person and she had even added spikes here and there to add to Drago's warrior image. "Ta-da! Do you like it?"

Drago looked astonished. "You did this? How?" He'd seen her heal his wounds and sickness and mend his shirt, but he hadn't known she was a talented blacksmith.

"Well, I may be the Chief's daughter but our blacksmith is my godfather and a close friend of my dad's. I've been his apprentice since I was six." When it came to blacksmithing, Lenora had learnt from the best and she was good at what she did. "I'm sorry it took so long, but it was pretty badly damaged after your accident. Would you like to try it on?"

Drago nodded and then attached it to his person. He ran his hand over it and his smile grew wider as he became used to it. When he looked at his reflection in a pool of water, he looked very satisfied indeed, for the spiky prosthetic arm combined with Drago's giant scarred body and his dragonskin cloak gave him the appearance of a dangerous warrior that wasn't to be trifled with.

"It's perfect. Is there nothing you can't do?"

Slay a dragon or win my dad's approval and make him proud of me, Lenora wanted to say, but she knew Drago wouldn't like hearing that. Drago already strongly disapproved of Stoick as it was. Drago felt that Stoick didn't deserve such a talented young Viking girl like Lenora for a daughter and he made no secret of it.

"I'm glad you like it." The prosthetic arm had been her hardest project yet and between her appearance at the meetings and dinnertime and her visits to Drago, Lenora's time to work on the prosthetic was limited and it had been quite a feat getting it done without raising unwanted questions from the town's blacksmith and keeping it hidden from Stoick. "So, what do you want to—hey!"

The 'hey' was due to Drago noticing the bandage on Lenora's upper arm and gently grasping it as he frowned deeply.

"Who did this?" he demanded sharply.

"Nobody. I did it myself," she lied.

Drago's eyes narrowed. "Angel Light…" he said, warningly. "Tell me what happened."

Lenora found herself squirming and feeling uncomfortable under Drago's gaze, much like she did when Stoick could tell she'd done something wrong but wouldn't tell Stoick about it. So, naturally, Lenora confessed the truth.

"It was Dagur, all right?" she confessed. "After the meeting, Dagur said he wanted to talk with me in private. Normally, I would've said no, but he's been hounding me like crazy since we got here and I thought if I gave in, he might finally leave me be. We walked down to the shooting range and then out of the blue, Dagur announced that he intended to have me as his future bride."

Drago's frown deepened. "Did he now?" His tone was frighteningly calm, which sent chills down Lenora's spine. "What happened then?"

"I refused, told him that even though our tribes were allies, my dad would never sanction a marriage between us because my dad hates Dagur." While Oswald the Agreeable was a much-respected and adored man, his son Dagur was the opposite. Dagur was insane and he had a tendency to be an arrogant jerk. "I also mentioned that even if my dad did agree, I wouldn't because I don't love Dagur. I love another." Lenora's heart fluttered as she thought of Aster back home, the boy she'd secretly been in love with all her life. "And I'd sooner be eaten by a dragon than marry a lunatic like Dagur."

Normally, Lenora would've tried to be more courteous, but past experience had taught her that politeness got nowhere with someone as deranged as Dagur of the Beserker Tribe, only harsh words and firmness combined with a smack upside the head got anywhere with that lunatic.

"Then what happened?"

"For a moment, I thought Dagur was going to go berserk, but instead he got all quiet. He said it was fine and invited me for target practice. Once again I said no and I was walking away to get your prosthetic when suddenly, Dagur tossed his knife at me. It grazed me. He said he didn't intend to hurt me, but if I wasn't going to be his bride then I was going to be his knife-throwing target whether I liked it or not," said Lenora, unconsciously rubbing her arm where she'd been cut. Thankfully, it hadn't been a bad cut, but it still hurt and there had been a moment when she thought Dagur might seriously harm her or worse.

Drago's eyes darkened with fury. "I'll kill him."

"Get in line. Oswald and my dad already punished him. They happened to be walking by just as Dagur threw the knife and they were furious." Lenora had never seen Oswald the Agreeable, who was normally such a pacifist, so angry, heck she didn't even know he could even be angry. But his rage had been nothing compared to Stoick's. Stoick had been like a ticked-off Monstrous Nightmare and that was before Lenora had managed to explain the full incident to him. "Oswald has Dagur confined to his room under armed guards and they're leaving first thing tomorrow morning. And before that, my dad tossed him across the island like a skipping stone and then almost smashed Dagur with his hammer."

While Lenora didn't have the close relationship she longed for with Stoick—partly due to their differences and partly due to Stoick's inability to talk and listen—Stoick was still her hero and his actions in protecting her from Dagur had furthered strengthened those feelings. Regardless of their lack of closeness, Stoick always made Lenora feel safe and she knew she could rely on him in times of danger. It was one of the many reasons why she loved her father.

Drago, however, didn't share in Lenora's sentiments. "Why didn't Stoick finish it?"

Lenora gave Drago an incredulous look. "Finish it? Drago, you can't seriously tell me you're actually condoning such a thing!" Executing a traitor was one thing, but killing someone out of pure hatred or a desire for vengeance was wrong. People had to be better than that.

"Dagur hurt you. He could've killed you!"

"And Dagur's been punished for it. Look," she placed her hand on his, which seemed to calm him down a little. "I hate Dagur, always have and always will, but there're lines we can't cross, not if we want to be better than our enemies. We have to show that we're more than that, understand? Now please, promise me you won't give into your hate and kill Dagur. Promise me."

Drago growled softly and sighed as he reluctantly nodded. "I promise."

Satisfied with his answer, Lenora sighed in relief. "Thank you. I know it's hard, but I'm glad you agree, even though I think we'd both love to see Dagur eaten by a dragon." It was meant as a joke to lighten the mood, but Lenore instantly wished she hadn't said it, as a strange look crossed Drago's face and his eyes became cold as ice.

"They'd destroy him and then choke on that maggot's bones. It would serve them right too, filthy devils," he said, bitterly. "They should all burn, just like they burned my people."

Lenora's eyes widened. His people? Oh, Thor. "Is…is that what happened to you?" When Drago turned away, she quickly added, "Wait, I'm sorry. It's just…well, in all the time we've been talking, you've hardly spoken of your past. I don't even know how you got here in the first place. But please, don't turn away from me. You don't need to tell me if it's too painful."

Having grown up on an island often raided by dragons and suffered casualties like the loss of some of her people and her mother dying of sickness when Lenora was six, Lenora knew better than some did how hard it could be to talk of painful memories of the past. Lenora wished she'd kept silent, because it looked like she'd just reopened some painful wounds.

But after a moment, Drago faced her again. "I want to tell you." He closed his eyes as memories of darker times came over him. "When I was a boy, I lived a life of privilege and happiness as the only son of the Chief. I had power, wealth, friends and I had family. But all that was taken from me when my homeland was attacked by dragons. They came without warning or provocation and though we fought bravely, I lost everything.

"My arm, my people, my family…they all burnt and I was left with nothing but scars, memories of fire and ashes and the fear of dragons. Since then, I've vowed to rise above the fear of dragons and liberate the people of this world. That's why you found me on the beach, I was fighting a dragon and he bested me, left me for dead. You're the only reason I'm alive, Angel Light."

Lenora's heart ached for Drago. How could you have survived all that? You poor soul. Berk had known losses in the war against the dragons, but never on such a scale as Drago's. She couldn't imagine how she would feel, much less survive if she'd been in Drago's place. Hesitantly, in an attempt to comfort Drago, she placed her hand in Drago's and as he squeezed it tight, she reached up and gently wiped away his lone tear before resting her hand on his cheek.

"It's all right," she whispered. "I know what it's like to be afraid, to feel like you're alone, but you don't to feel that way anymore. You're safe here and I'm with you now. You survived so much and you'll continue to do so because you're a survivor. You and I…we…we're friends and friends care for and protect each other. That's the way it'll always be with us."

Drago's only response was to lift Lenora up with his arm and then hold her close against him in a tight embrace.

XXX

Five days later, Lenora was feeling sad as she walked to Drago's cave for the last time.

Tomorrow was the fourteenth day and right after the meeting, everyone was going straight back to their respective homes. They'd finally reached an agreement and the following day's meeting was just to tie up loose ends and maybe resign some annual peace treaties and even have a few drinks afterwards.

I'm probably never going to see Drago again. Maybe it was better that way. Lenora had no regrets over the time she'd spent with Drago, but deep down, she'd always known their friendship—if you could call it that—wasn't going to last. After all, when Lenora had broached the subject of Drago's current place of residence, she'd learnt that he was a nomad and not normally prone to living in one place for so long. It was probably just as well as Lenora failed to see how he could be happy living on Berk. Lenora's return to Berk was never in question as regardless of difficult life could be there, Berk was her home and where her family was. She couldn't leave it and them behind like that.

Oh, Thor, how am I going to tell Drago? He knew the meetings could come to end, but I never said when! What if he hates me for it? Oh, Odin, give me strength.

"Drago?" she called, when she came upon the cave entrance.

Drago emerged from the cave at the sound of Lenora's voice. Half of a pendant was on his neck, it was a pitch black stone engraved with a dragon's wing. His hand was tightly clenched, as though he was concealing something in it.

"Angel Light. You're early, good. I—" he frowned at the sad look on her face. "What's wrong?"

"There's something I need to tell you. I should've said something sooner, but I…" Lenora sighed and took a deep breath. "We're leaving tomorrow. As soon as the meeting's over, my dad and I are going back to Berk. I'm sorry."

Lenora braced herself for the worst, but a surprise came her way when Drago didn't seem the least bit concerned, angry or upset. He was calm and unconcerned. Heck, he seemed happy even, which puzzled Lenora.

"Is that all? That's nothing to be sad about," said Drago.

Lenora couldn't believe what she was hearing and felt hurt that he was showing such disregard. Had the time they'd spent together just talking and going on walks in the forest, all of it meant nothing to Drago? Lenora knew that even if it was for the best, their parting was hurting her inside. How could Drago be so thoughtless?

"How can you say that? I'm leaving and I don't know if I'll ever see you again!" she protested.

"We're not going to be parted." Before Lenora could ask what Drago meant, she gasped as he opened his hand, revealing the other half to the pendant he wore on his neck. It was a pure white stone engraved with an angel's wing and he placed on Lenora's neck before he took her hand into his. "Lenora Horrendous Haddock the Third…Angel Light, from the first moment I saw you, I've loved you more than words can ever say. Will you join me in my travels and marry me?"

Lenora's heart was pounding and tears were pooling in her eyes. Drago had just proposed marriage and proclaimed his love, but Lenora couldn't accept either one. Oh, what have I done? Thor Almighty, what have I done? She'd always fantasied about marrying her true love but now wasn't the time for a wedding. She wasn't ready for it and even so, by the laws of Berk, she was too young. Not to mention that while Lenora cared for Drago, her heart didn't belong to him. Lenora's heart had always been and was still Aster's.

"Drago…" Lenora was never going to forgive herself for this. How had she let this happen? "Drago, I-I'm sorry. I'm flattered. You mean a great deal to me as a friend, but I don't want anything more than that and I'm so, so sorry that I led you to believe otherwise. I never meant to hurt you."

Lenora looked over the events of the last two weeks in her mind and failed to see how she could've led Drago on. She hadn't even been expecting him to propose like this when he hadn't shown any sign. They hadn't been courting properly and Stoick knew nothing of Drago! Besides, how could Lenora be certain Drago's feelings for her were actual true love and not misplaced gratitude for all she'd done to help him recover from his dragon attack? But nevertheless, Lenora hated herself for so being so oblivious and hurting Drago's feelings like this.

Drago was hurt, that much was clear by the wounded look on his face and the angry look in his dark brown eyes.

"I don't understand this. I can give you everything, protect you from the dragons, and yet you refuse me? You told Dagur that you didn't love him because you love another! How can it not be me? Or was that a lie?"

"No, it wasn't a lie!" said Lenora. She ran her fingers though her hair as she struggled to explain. "There's a boy back on Berk. His name is Aster. I've loved him all my life and I love him still." Aster was everything she wanted in a man, and even though he knew nothing of her feelings, it didn't change the fact that Lenora loved him. "But that doesn't mean you and I can't still be friends. Drago—"

Drago wasn't listening. He pulled away from Lenora and glared at her. "You'll regret this. You are mine and no one else's. Just you wait and see!"

What? What's he talking about? Lenora started chasing after Drago as he stormed off into the woods. "Drago! Drago, wait, please!"

But Drago was gone before Lenora could catch him, leaving her alone and heartbroken. As she sat on the forest floor, weeping, she thought back to the last two weeks and realized that it was truly better this way. At first, things between Lenora and Drago had been fine, but as time went on Drago was frightening more often than he was kind, sometimes she could see he disliked how she handled things and he'd strongly voiced his thoughts on how she could change, and Lenora suspected Drago was the one who'd scared the living daylights out of Dagur and brutally injured him before Dagur left the island with Oswald.

What had started out innocent and friendly had become dark and dangerous. Regret and guilt ate Lenora as she thought of her extremely foolish behavior.

I never should've done this, kept Drago a secret. He could've severely injured Lenora or worse when she'd refused him. What had she been thinking? Drago was a never a true friend. He never truly accepted me for me. He never really cared about anything except for his power. Everything was just a lie, a fantasy, a mistake…just like me.

XXX

The following day, Lenora slept late and missed the last meeting.

When she'd gone back to the village for dinner, something in the food hadn't agreed with her. She'd been up late being sick as a dog while Stoick had rubbed her back to calm her, fetched her water to drink when it was over and sat up half the night make sure she wasn't going to be ill again.

When Lenora awoke, she was no longer sick but there was a feeling of dread in her stomach. Judging by the light coming in from the window, Stoick should've returned and had them sailing back to Berk by now. Then she smelled the smoke and began to panic.

Quickly, Lenora raced out of bed and to the edge of the village, only to stop in her tracks when she saw that the meeting hall was ablaze and the villagers were trying desperately to put it out.

Oh, Thor, no! Not him. Not my dad! Please, no!

"DAD!" screamed Lenora, as she ran towards the burning hall.

"It's too late! Your father's burnt and joined Valhalla with the rest of those fools!"

Lenora froze when she saw Drago standing behind her with a smug, deranged look on his face that made Lenora's blood ran cold.

"Drago, please," she begged, as her throat tightened. She didn't want to believe that Drago had done this, betrayed her in the worst way, but the evidence seemed undeniable. "Please, tell me you didn't do this."

"I did," replied Drago, his voice was cold and hard as steel. "And I regret nothing!"

Lenora felt as though the rug had been yanked out from under her feet as grief and horror threatened to overwhelm her. How could he? How could he do this? Destruction and loss of human life on such a scale committed by someone that she'd trusted…

"Why?" she demanded, through her tears. "Why did you do this? How could you?" So many innocent lives lost, including Stoick's, and all for what? Lenora had shown Drago kindness, offered him friendship and trusted him! And in return, he'd betrayed her.

Drago's eyes narrowed. "How could I not? I gave them a chance to be liberated from the dragon menace, to be live under my rule, but they refused my generous protection, so I showed them the error of their ways. And now that there's one less tie to Berk, you're one step closer to severing ties with your past and loving me as you should've done in the first place!"

Lenora's tears ceased flowing and she began shaking with rage. "You murdered my father because of some delusion that it would make me love you?" I can't believe I ever thought that Drago was a good man. I never should've helped him in the first place. Never before had she regretted an act of compassion or hated someone as much as she did in that moment. "You're wrong! All you've accomplished is proving to me that you are madman and a heartless murderer! After today, I will never love you! I'd sooner die than marry you, Drago! And once Berk finds out what you've done, you'll regret ever meeting me!"

Lenora's threat alone would've made an ordinary man quake with fear, but Drago was no ordinary man. He grinned a sickening grin as he grabbed Lenora by the wrist.

"I don't think so," he said, as his lip curled. "You're mine and if I can't have you, then no one on this earth will!"

Despite Lenora's protests and her attempts to fight him off, Lenora was dragged to a cliff's edge by Drago, who refused to let her go. Before he could do anything more, the ground shook from an earthquake that caused Drago to release Lenora. Unable to run, Lenora clung to a nearby tree branch for dear life, then suddenly the ground beneath Drago crumbled and he lunged for Lenora. He grabbed the pendant he'd given her and the cord snapped as he fell back into the sea and disappeared beneath the dark blue waves.

Lenora closed her eyes tightly and willed herself not to feel sick knowing that she'd just let Drago die like that. She'd knew that had he lived and gone to Berk to be punished, it wouldn't have changed the outcome, but Lenora had never done anything like that before now and she disliked how it made her feel. It felt wrong.

Eventually, the earthquake ceased and Lenora fell to her knees in grief. Her heart ached with not just grief for the loss of her father and the lives of all the others who'd died for Drago's madness, but also with guilt for her unwittingly role in their deaths. If she'd never gone to the beach or if she hadn't helped Drago or if she'd just told someone about him, or if she hadn't been so blind as to the kind of man he really was, the tragedy would've been prevented. But she hadn't and now their deaths were on her hands as well as Drago's. Now with her remaining parent gone, Lenora was an orphan.

"Dad, forgive me. I'm so sorry," she murmured. It's all my fault. It's all my fault!

"Lenora?"

Lenora spun around in hopeful disbelief and saw Stoick standing behind her. He was covered in ash and soot, and was sporting some bumps, bruises and burns, but seemed otherwise unharmed. He was alive. He was alive!

"Dad!"

Without hesitation, Lenora ran into her father's arms and buried her face in his shoulder as she cried and silently thanked the gods for Stoick's survival. Stoick seemed to share in Lenora's feelings, for he was holding her so tightly she almost couldn't breathe. Eventually, they broke apart.

"I'm so glad you're okay. I was so scared you might've…how did you survive? I saw the fire. I thought—"

"I'm all right, Lenora," interrupted Stoick. His green eyes were filled with concern. He'd obviously panicked when she hadn't been found on the boat. "It's not important right now. Are you hurt? Did you see him?"

"I'm fine, Dad," assured Lenora. Physically, she was perfectly fine. "Did I see who? Who's 'him'?" As if I didn't already know…

Stoick's eyes darkened with pain and rage. "A madman called Drago Bludvist. He attacked the meetinghouse with armored dragons when we refused to follow him. I was the only survivor. Did you see him, Lenora? He was huge, as big as I am with a prosthetic arm, scars and a dragonskin cloak. Did you see him at all?"

For a moment Lenora was about to tell Stoick everything about Drago, but then she fell silent as she realized what might happen if Stoick knew the truth. I can't tell Dad the truth about Drago. He'll be as ashamed of me as I am. What if he hates me? Cowardly it might've seemed, but the idea of Stoick's worst possible reaction was just too much for her bear, so Lenora did the only thing she thought she could do.

"No," she lied. "No, I haven't seen anyone like that, Dad."

Much to her relief, Stoick accepted Lenora's answer without question. He accepted that Drago had escaped and prayed they'd never encounter the likes of him again. Once Stoick was examined by the village's physician, he and Lenora left Odin Island, deeply shaken by the tragic event.

That night, Lenora made a promise to herself. Though these events will be my eternal shame, the truth behind Drago's attack and what happened between us, shall die with us both and I will face the gods' judgement for my actions when my time comes. Until that day comes, I will strive to do all I can to atone for my role in this tragedy.

XXX

Berk, present time

As Lenora finished telling her tale, her audience was gazing at her with shocked and horrified expressions and tear-filled eyes. In the past eight years, Lenora had never given any indication that she was carrying such a terrible burden and knowing they'd been oblivious to her pain caused them much pain and misery.

Toothless looked equally upset, but he kept silent. Instead, Toothless leaned against Lenora and allowed her to use him for support. Then Toothless wrapped his tail around Lenora and gently nuzzled her in an attempt to comfort her. Lenora was grateful for the dragon's actions as she needed him now more than ever.

"I thought Drago died that day, that the world was safe from his insanity, but I was wrong," said Lenora, her voice dull with pain. "I was as much to blame for the lives taken that day as Drago was. He nearly killed you, Dad, and he would've destroyed Berk too. I don't know why he didn't. But the fact that he's planning to do so now means that whatever happens is my fault. I messed up and now I have to make sure no one else pays the price."

Stoick was pale and looked visibly ill. "Lenora…"

"That's why you insisted Eret was lying about Drago," said Aster. He looked visibly hurt. "And you've carried that all these years? I can understand why you didn't tell Stoick, but why didn't you ever tell me?"

Lenora understood why Aster was hurt. She was his fiancée. They weren't supposed to keep secrets like this from each other and yet she had. She'd lied to her family, her people and worst of all, she'd lied to him. But as hurt as Aster was, he needed to understand why Lenora had done what she had, even though it had killed her inside to do so.

"I never told anyone, not even Toothless. And I wanted to, Aster, believe me, I wanted to. But I couldn't. It took me years to move on past the guilt and shame I felt. By the time I thought I was over it, you and I were together and I couldn't risk losing you over my secret," said Lenora. She hung her head as a lone tear slid down her cheek. "I know that doesn't help, but it's the truth. I'm sorry that I kept secrets from you, I truly am. But it changes nothing."

"You're right, it does change nothing," said Aster, causing Lenora to look up at him in shock. But there was no hint of anger or judgment to be found in Aster's voice or on his face, only concern and love. "This secret doesn't change the fact that there's nothing in this world or the next to change how I feel about you. It doesn't change the fact that I have always and will always love you or that I'm still going to marry you or that you are not to blame for this madman's actions. You didn't know what Drago was going to do, Lenora. You may not believe it wasn't your fault, but I do."

"As do I," said Stoick, firmly. He gently lifted Lenora's chin, making her look at him. "Nora, listen to me very carefully. Men like Drago, men who kill without reason…their actions are their own. They're not ours to bear. You were trying to do the right thing and you were in the wrong place at the wrong time, that's all! There's nothing you could've done to prevent Drago's actions then or now. He's a madman with brainwashed dragons on his side. What he did, he would've done even if he hadn't met you. I need you to believe that."

The more Aster and Stoick spoke, the more Lenora came to see the truth in the words and she felt some of her guilt and shame fade away. They're right. There's nothing I could've done back then. And just like that, Lenora no longer felt burdened by the past. However, there were still some things that no amount of encouragement from Aster and Stoick could change. Drago's motives for his return and future attack on Berk, for one.

"I believe you," she said, making them all sigh in relief. "But be that as it may, it doesn't change the fact that what's happening down is partly because of me."

Everyone groaned and tensed, Stoick even looked angry.

"Lenora," said Stoick, warningly.

Lenora ignored Stoick as she got onto Toothless' back. "I know what Drago's like and I know he's not going to stop until either he has me or he's gone for good. He almost took my family away from me once, I won't let that happen again. A Chieftess, so for the good of Berk and all of you, I'm going after Drago and I'm going to stop him by any means necessary, with or without your aid and consent. Just go back and get Berk ready. If I fail, then someone needs to make sure that Berk survives. Good-bye." She patted Toothless' cheek. "C'mon, bud. Let's go."

And with that, Lenora took off with Toothless and didn't look back.