The 'Dragon Defender'

You Know Too Much

After we sunk the dragon hunter ship, we flew off back to Wingmaiden Island. "So that's where you've been all this time?" Hiccup asked me, sitting me down against a tree. He insisted that I needed to 'regain my strength'. Seriously, if I didn't have my strength, how would I have escaped the hunters?

"More or less," I reply with a nod. "What happened to you after you left?" Astrid asked. "You were so sick."

"I was poisoned," I shrug. "Long story short, never let a crying Razorwhip near your food. Flashwing got hurt during a hunter attack. I didn't notice her tears got into my food because I was too busy making sure she was alright."

"Who was that Selene person you were talking about?" Heather questioned. "She's... a close friend," I hesitate this time. I can't say that she's my mother, after all. "She healed me. I was with her and her children for a while, then I got caught by those hunters when I was freeing some dragons from them. I've been down there on that ship for a while now. How long have I been gone?"

"About a month now," Fishlegs replies. "What?!" I pretend to be shocked. "Ugh, I hate hunters. A month is too long for me to be away from home. Far too long. Alpine and the others have been defenceless for a whole month!"

Astrid comes over and hugs me comfortingly. "I went to the sanctuary once in a while and helped sort things out, everyone is fine," she whispered, revealing her true intentions with the embrace. "Thank the gods for Astrid Hofferson," I whisper back honestly. I'm very grateful for her help.

"So what exactly is this place?" I pretend to be confused. "You're on Wingmaiden Island," Atali replies, realising why I'm acting like I don't know anything. "I am Atali, Chieftess of the Wingmaidens."

"Then my thanks for your aid, Atali," I say to her. "I can leave if I'm intruding, just say the word."

"You're in no condition to leave," she insists. "I can't in good conscience allow you to leave like this."

"I'm fine, really," I say to her, attempting to stand up. Unfortunately Toothless decides I need to be pinned down. I glare at him, but he simply licks my face. "You are so lucky that I can't stay mad at a dragon for long, Night Fury," I huff, stroking his scales. He purrs in contentment.

"Artemis, can we talk for a minute?" Hiccup asked me. "Alone?" "Sure," I agree. "Though it seems like we'll have to talk here unless Toothless releases me."

Grumbling, Toothless lets me stand up. "Thank you," I say to him, patting his head lightly as I turn to Hiccup. He and Astrid are holding hands, ready to walk off. I guess she's coming too, not that I mind.

I follow them out to a more private location, where they stop and look at me, their dragons at their sides. "What did you need to talk about?" I ask. "Let's start with why those hunters had you on that ship when for all we know they were just hoping to take off with a few Razorwhips," Hiccup began.

I thought quickly as usual. "They said something about following you guys here. They were going to use me as a hostage if things went south. I managed to finally get out of the cage I was in, then when they brought that Stealthwing in I pounced them. I managed to get some of the dragon root out of her system, just enough that she could fly out of there. She got away much sooner than I did."

"We were following the ship for ages, how did we not see her?" Astrid pressed. "How am I supposed to know?" I shrug. "Look, if you're accusing me of lying, I'm not. I only lie to protect others. Who would I be protecting by lying now?"

They think it over, then sigh. "That's... actually a good point. Sorry."

"As long as we're clear on this, I couldn't care less," I reply honestly. "I wouldn't trust me either."

"Then there's just one more thing," Hiccup says. "Which is?" I question. "Atali told us more about Stealthwings."

What did she say?!

"Really? She knows about them?" I act surprised. "It turns out they're actually called Morphwings," Astrid said. "They're just as intelligent as a human. That's all we really know."

I hold back a sigh of relief. Atali didn't share too much information. Good. "I bet Fishlegs is already geeking out over this and how much it'll benefit the Book of Dragons, then," I remark. They chuckle, causing me to relax slightly. They don't know.

"We should get back to the others before they suspect anything," I suggest. "Good idea, Indigo," Hiccup agrees. "That's Artemis to you," I joke, turning around to leave.

The first thing I see is Fishlegs, standing stock still with wide eyes.

"Oh for the love of the gods!" I can't help but snap. "Again, Fishlegs?! Really?! This is the third time now!"

"Third time?" Hiccup questions. "He's been very prone to discovery lately, let's just say that," I reply, not taking my eyes off of Ingerman. "Are you the secret person Hiccup and Astrid keep going to see?" Fishlegs asks.

"That's... partially true," I confirm. "Though as you've heard they haven't been able to get to me lately."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Fishlegs asked Hiccup and Astrid, sounding hurt. "It wasn't their secret to tell," I cut in to save them the awkward conversation. "I told them not to say a word. The reason I allowed them to keep their memories is because the last time I did things didn't go so well with my previous associate."

"Why not?" He pries curiously. "The less you know the better," I snap. "Now keep your mouth shut about what you've heard or else. I'll take care of your knowledge once I can get back home."