The Dragon Rider

Chapter 6 ~ The Alpha

"Whatever comes," Drago shouted over the blasts of the cannons and the screams and roars of the dragons, both attacking and defending, "keep hitting the mountain. We need to draw the Alpha out!"

Like that's going to happen, Merida thought to herself with a grin. The dragon riders were positioned ready, hidden inside Drago's dragon traps. Astrid gave the signal and as Drago yelled - "Ready the traps!" Barf and Belch began to breathe gas. Everyone crouched down as it was lit, bursting the trap open and they shot into the sky like bullets.

"Surprise!" Tuffnut shouted down to the equally bemused and enraged Drago. "Yeah!"

"WHAT?!" Drago screamed above the tumult of activity. They were supposed to have been thrown overboard! Not riding around and stopping him from taking the Alpha!

The other riders were cheering and shouting, but when Astrid saw Merida cautiously handling Stormfly, pretty well actually, she called out to her.

"You really are full of surprises!"

She jumped across from where she had been riding with Fishlegs onto the back of her own dragon, just behind Merida.

"Dragon riders coming through!" Tuffnut shouted gleefully as they freed more and more of the trapped dragons from Drago's metal traps.

"Cut them DOWN!" Drago roared but none of the riders fell - all of the ammunition missing it's mark. Astrid helped Merida with the basic commands as they flew through the falling debris.

"Up, girl. Lean left, Merida! That's it..." Her talk was interrupted when a particularly large piece of ice broke above them and began hurtling downwards. "Look out!" the blonde shrieked; it looked like it was too late but an all too familiar blast of blue plasma destroyed the icicle into splinters.

"Yeah baby!"

It was Hiccup. Merida caught her breath and allowed herself a small smile. He'd saved her. He'd saved her. Wow. He was more than she thought. Originally she believed him to be pig headed, idiotic and stubborn. Much like her then. However, her perspective changed in the few hours she'd been in company with him and his friends. He wasn't what she thought he was. He was much more.

And he'd saved her. But, she thought with a hint of annoyance, he'd have done that for anyone. His morality was so strong, of course he would have done. Plus, Astrid was in tow. He'd never go for someone like her over Astrid. Perfect, blonde, pristine. She was an untamed, ruthless dragon trapper, someone he'd been taught to hate and loath. And why was she even thinking this? He was just a guy, a guy who was oblivious of his obvious talent and wit...

Shut UP Merida. You haven't even known him five minutes!

"Welcome aboard, Dragon Rider!"

Hiccup's voice snapped her back to her senses and she looked up at his reassuring smile. She was still a little rusty on the commands but she was doing better than she thought she would.

"Thanks!" Merida replied, looking down at her hands clutching the handles so tight her knuckles had gone white. "I think!"

"Where have you been?" Astrid asked with a slight hint of exasperation. Hiccup grinned at the pair of them.

"Oh, you know. Catching up with Mom."

Merida and Astrid glanced up. Her?! The masked dragon rider? She was commanding the largest dragon Merida had ever seen, it breathed ice and spat icicles larger than the wingspan of Hiccup's night fury. Judging by the expression on Astrid's face she was clearly as stunned as Merida was.

"That's your mother?" Merida exclaimed before she could stop herself. Hiccup grinned in reply.

"Well, now you know where I get my dramatic flair!"

He slipped his helmet back over his face and took a sharp turn to the right. Back on the ground, at the sight of the Alpha rearing up to protect his dragons and his home, Drago grinned maliciously.

"The Alpha! Now we have a fight!"

A/N It's short - I'm sorry, and it might be a while till I can update again due to family issues. I will try though, but no promises.