The Gray Area (1/2) - A Viggo Love Story (HTTYD/RTTE)

2. Tracking

All Viggo could do was watch as the devilish dervish disappeared into the night. Left alone with the skrill, Viggo sighed and looked back to the dragon. Her purple eyes looked at him as if to ask, what now?

Viggo smiled crookedly and leaned back against a tree trunk. "You're a stubborn one," he spoke fondly. Crossing his arms, he squinted his eyes slightly, "if you're so determined to stay by my side, we'll need to call you something.." He trailed off in thought. He found it ironic that just weeks ago, he'd be trying to hunt and sell this dragon, not name it.

It didn't take him long to figure something out. He smiled as the skrill nuzzled his hand. "Lilith..." Viggo tested the name on his tongue. It fit the dragon perfectly; a creature of the storm and night. The dragon turned her head at the mention of the name, gurgling in approval. "That's right..Lilith," Viggo repeated and pet her snout.

Lilith closed her eyes momentarily, then pulled away, sniffing around the ground. This gave Viggo an idea. He walked over to where the mysterious woman stood before with Nightshade. He spotted a single throwing knife left abandoned in the grass. He picked it up and eyed it suspiciously. "Here, Lilith," Viggo held the deadly weapon out to the dragon.

Crawling over to him, Lilith sniffed the dagger, the squawked loudly. Viggo grinned deviously, "let us see how well you track." The dragon growled, ready to take on the challenge. She lowered her neck to let Viggo up.

The man hesitated. Guilt bubbled up inside of him. For his whole life, he tormented these beautiful creatures. And now here one was, ready to serve and protect him; and he found that he was willing to do the same for her. He thought of Hiccup and the other dragon riders. They wouldn't even recognize him right now. After a long hesitation, Viggo straddled Lilith's lower neck. Her electricity caused him to jolt a bit, static tingling through his entire body, but not enough to cause discomfort. He patted the dragon's neck and she flew off.

• • •

Nightshade flew swiftly through the night with her rider and only friend. The woman pet her dragon's neck soothingly as she looked down below for an island to stop at. It wasn't long before the sun threatened to peak over the horizon, and the dervish landed on an island of rock. "Cave, Nightshade," she cooed to her dragon almost desperately, "find us a cave."

Nightshade hissed in response and began to search. It wasn't long before they found one. Just as the sun emerged from the ocean, they took cover in the dark cave. The woman sighed in relief and began unpacking Nightshade's saddle bag. Setting out an old yak-fur mat and a pillow of wool-stuffed yak skin, she laid down. It had been a long night, and she needed her rest now.

The huge devilish dervish curled up as well, her long neck encircling her rider protectively. Then, they both fell into a deep sleep.

• • •

As the sun rose higher into the sky, Viggo remained on Lilith's back as she tracked the mysterious rider. Viggo's mind was overtaken by thoughts of her, trying to figure her out. She was obviously very cunning if she could slip in and out of the hunter base so easily. Not to mention, she'd miraculously saved his life. This woman was smart, and didn't seem like she wanted to be found. Yet she was careless enough to leave behind a throwing knife. It didn't make sense to Viggo.

Lilith gurgled, interrupting his thoughts. Viggo looked down to see them approaching a rocky island. He tucked the abandoned throwing knife into his belt as they landed. He hopped off of the skrill and looked around with suspicious eyes. Lilith did the same, hissing quietly as she surveyed the area. She sniffed the air, the began to creep toward a nearby cave.

Following his new friend, Viggo entered the cave cautiously. Sure enough, inside slept a massive mount of black scales and the woman who'd saved his life. What was once a small campfire had turned to a smoldering pile of ash, thin tendrils of smoke dancing elegantly above it.

Not wanting to wake them, Viggo stuck the knife firmly into a crack in the stone floor by the woman. Disappointment dawned on him when he noticed her hair draping down over her cheeks and mouth; he'd been hoping to catch a glimpse of her face without the mask. But for now, he would simply find food while waiting for them to arise.

• • •

The woman woke to the sound of a fire crackling. She opened her eyes and rolled onto her side. However, her heart jumped when she spotted the returned knife, just a foot infront of her face. Slowly, she reached out and dislodged it from the crack and sat up.

Looking around, she was unsurprised to find the man she'd saved. Viggo Grimborn. He sat on a rock seat, poking at the fire he'd revived with a long stick. Three fish were steaming deliciously on the cold ground beside him. Outside of the cave's mouth, the sun was completely gone.