I Love You to the Edge and Back (A How to Train your Dragon Fanfiction)

Chapter Twelve: To Merida or not to Merida

"Any word?" Greta asked, facing the window. Just like Viggo and Ryker, her arms were crossed behind her back.

"No. Merida hasn't made any progress. What shall we do?" The man asked. His face was hidden due to lack of light. He sneered with every word he spoke. The great Dragon Master doesn't answer to grieving children. He doesn't answer to anyone.

"We keep an eye on the Night Fury. Has Eret made any progress finding new dragons?" She inquired.

"None. He can't get to far with the Bewilderbeast helping those Riders out," the man replied. She heard his cape ruffle when he moved.

"Have they seen the masked figure's face?" Greta asked.

"No. He is rather well hidden."

"Well, this ends in one week. Whether Hiccup Haddock agrees or not, we will get vengeance."

"I, for one, am not waiting. We attack now. My dragon army will prevail."

"No, we are waiting until Berk is weak. Which means that we need both Night Furies. We need to kill."

"Then we agree to disagree," the man said. With a swish of his cape, he vanished. He did not answer to children.
***********************************************
Bang! Bang! Bang! Hiccup brought the hammer down on the glowing metal.

"So what did the metal do to deserve the hammer this time?" Astrid asked. She sat down next to the forge where Hiccup was working.

"Merida," he replied.

"I was wondering who you were talking so close to," Astrid said. She saw them talking earlier that morning. "Mind telling me about her?"

"She's, just a friend who was there for me when you guys all found out about F.F.C."

"F.F.C?" Astrid asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Fishbone Future Chief. We made that up when we were what, four?"

"So what's the problem?"

"I think she believes that she and I are more than friends. I told her more like we're brother and sister. She doesn't believe me," Hiccup replied.

"Why didn't you tell her about us?" She asked.

"Because, I was afraid if I told her then she would go after you. And, plus, she's been with the Berserkers for fifteen years," Hiccup said.

"And, why brother and sister?" Astrid asked.

"When my mother left, her mother raised me until I was five. They were on a fishing trip, when Dagur captured them. Earlier in this month he realized they were Berkian, so he let them go," Hiccup explained. "That's her side of the story."

"You sound like your not buying it," she said.

"Yeah, I'm not." He shoved the metal piece into the fire. After one more attempt at shaping it, he threw it on a pile of similar looking pieces.

"What are you making?" She asked.

"Flight suit for next week's races," he replied. "By the way, like your new outfit."

"Thanks. Heather helped me pick it out at the Markets," she replied.

"Oh, she's here?" He asked.

"I see what your doing," Astrid said.

"What am I doing?" He asked.

"Redirecting the conversation," she replied.

"Hey, you started it," he replied.

"Only so you wouldn't burn down forge," she replied. "Anyway, I'm beginning to think there is more to Merida than she's letting on," Astrid said.

"I agree," Hiccup replied. He put his stuff down, and followed Astrid out the door. Outside, Merida was cowered down while Hookfang was on fire, keeping her from Snotlout, who was waving a letter in the air. "Oh Thor," Hiccup said, going towards the two.

"What's going on?" Astrid asked.

"This," Jorgenson replied, handing her a letter. On it was written;

I'm finding nothing about H.T. You?

No. Nothing on the masked figure.

"Masked figure?" Hiccup asked. "Bring her to the Hall," Hiccup told Snotlout. He asked another, "Is my father around?"

"No, he left on a fishing trip. He'll be back tonight," he answered.

"Then I'll do the interrogation," Hiccup replied. Merida grunted as Snotlout and the newly arrived Fishlegs dragged her to the Hall.

Hiccup sat in his father's chair, where the acting Chief will sit for interrogations normally handled by the Chief. He sat uncomfortably until the Grand Council arrived.

"Merida Erickson. Who is this from?" Hiccup asked.

"Greta Grimborne," Merida replied.

"How do you know?" He asked. Astrid came up behind him, standing at his side. She, as always, had her axe at the ready.

"I'd know the writing from anywhere," was the reply from the defendant.

"Where did you get it?" Hiccup asked.

"On the ground."

"Why did you not bring it to me right away?" Hiccup asked.

"Well, I, uh," Merida started.

"Let me read the letter again," Hiccup demanded. Astrid walked over to Snotlout, who gave it to her. After reading the letter herself, she handed it over.

'Different one' she mouthed, so no one could see. Hiccup nodded his head, and she took off to find the real one.

"Well, the Grand Council and I will make a decision. You will be brought to Mildew's old hut until we need more from you," Hiccup said. The hammer sitting at his side was brought down on a wooden stool, and everyone started filing out. "Dragon Riders, I'll need you to."

After Astrid returned with the real one, the crew carefully examined the two of them. "What is different about them?" Snotlout asked.

"The texture of the paper. It's impossible to detect fingerprints," Hiccup replied. "Where did you find the real one?" Hiccup asked.

"I found it in your hut, where I'd figure it'd be," Astrid replied.

"Where was it?" He asked.

"Where the plans for Toothless's tail are?" He figured.

"Yep," Astrid replied.

"And those are missing?"

"Exactly. I saw her take them when she was talking to you," Astrid explained. "This morning."

"But, she me at the door," Hiccup said.

"She jumped from your window after you left. If you would walk with your eyes open, you would've seen her."

"Anyway, seeing as no information was given to her about us, should we let her go?" Hiccup asked.

"Did she get away with the plans for the tail?" Astrid asked.

"No, got them right here," Fishlegs said.

"Wait, if you guys are here, who's with Toothless on the Edge?" Hiccup asked.