Set Fire to the Rain

Chapter 13

Freya was genuinely at a loss for ideas, she lied when she said she had a plan, but if she told him the truth he'd worry even more. She spent most of the night talking to Wren before he left to go home, and then it was just her, the stars, and her inner turmoil. By herself she came up with the only plan she could think of to stop her family from being destroyed and their dragons from being killed. She was going to set the Monsterous Nightmare free. How? That was unclear.

Freya came to the conclusion that there were only two ways this could end. Either she would get killed by a dragon, or get killed by her father. The dragon seemed like the better option maybe they'd make it fast.

Taking a deep breath, the girl slowly stepped into the arena. It was late, everyone was home or asleep. Freya snuck through the village and came here, where she was about to do possibly the stupidest thing she's ever done. Anything bad or dumb Hiccup has ever done was about to be overshadowed by her in just a few minutes, but this was the only way she could think of to save the dragon's life and her brothers.

Standing in front of the cage, Freya took a moment to breath. She assumed the dragon could smell her standing here for the past five minutes, she could hear him growling inside the cage. She also assumed he could smell the fresh chicken and fish she had with her too.

Slowly, she slid open the feeding hatch and quickly pushed the food inside. She didn't close the hatch though. She kept it opened as the listened to the dragon quickly ate all the meat.

The dragon must be starving. All of these dragon's must be. Freya knew they rarely got fed after all the village didn't care what happened to them. In the village eyes they don't deserve to be treated nicely. They're beast. It didn't take long for the dragon to finish his small meal. He quickly stuck the tip of his muzzle out of the hatch, sniffing for more.

Slowly, Freya extended her hand towards the food hatch, the smell of the meat clinging to her skin and mixing with her own natural scent. The dragon forked tongue darted forward, licking all the remnant of meat off her palm. Freya couldn't help but giggle at the scratchy texture.

The dragon let out a coo as Freya moved her hand to scratch under his chin. Freya could only imagine the cute sight of this huge dragon being pet like a dog for a small girl. If only the villagers could see this, then they could begin to understand just how wonderful dragon's really are. They weren't cold hearted killers. They were kind, gentle, beautiful creatures. They were complex with lives of their own. They should be striving to understand dragons not killing them.

Freya pulled back and wiped her hand on her skirt, cleaning the slobber off, before standing from her spot, "Lets get you out of here." She whispered softly to the dragon as she resealed the feeding hatch.

Freya quickly made her way to the other side of the ring and grabbed hold of the large, wooden lever. Freya using all her strength, finally pulled it all the way down, letting out a soft groan as she rolled her shoulders. Suddenly a hot breath on the back of her neck made her fully aware of exactly what she had just done.

The brown-skinned girl turned around, coming face to face with a Monstrous Nightmare. The dragon's beautiful black and red scales glimmered softly in the moonlight. He was beautiful but extremely dangerous. This dragon wasn't bonded to her like Starfire was, he could strike her at any moment and just leave.

Freya made no sudden movement, and steamed her face and body so she wouldn't show any fear. Freya really didn't think this through. The dragon still didn't fully trust her. He could attack her before escaping, darting off into the night after burning her village to the ground. It would be all her fault.

Freya snapped herself out of her thoughts. Dragons weren't like that. Dragons were gentle, kind if you gave them the chance. Starfire, Toothless, and the Terrors taught her that. She had to remember that. Now, she was going to give them that chance, the chance to prove that.