Hiccup's POV

Thunderous cheer erupted inside the Great Hall when I announced the success of our mission. Almost instantly, Gobber left to cook his 'special occasion' stew as Dad prepared decorations for a celebration. Even Mildew seemed relieved that the Dragon Hunters were finally defeated.

I glanced around the room with a soft smile. Whilst Ryker had Swiftstrike and the Dragon Eyes, no one could relax. But now, everyone was so much more at ease. Catching my gaze, Astrid grinned, walking towards me.

"You did it," she stated, eyes warm.

I shook my head. "We did it."

"You're so cheesy," Astrid said, gently punching my shoulder.

I felt my face heat up and I tried to force it back. "Yeah, well, what's wrong with that?"

Astrid pulled me into a hug, smirking slightly. "Nothing." Enjoying the embrace, I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms around her. After a moment, we seperated, sitting down at one of the many wooden tables.

My tiredness crept up on me sooner than I would've liked. Leaning on my palm, I slumped against the table. Chuckling slightly, Astrid patted my shoulder blades from her seat beside me. Without the need to say anything, we enjoyed each other's silent company. The quiet didn't last long though: familiar voices were approaching.

"For the last time, Snotlout, I don't care if you've 'mastered' any maneuvers!" Fishlegs cried, exasperated.

"You're just jealous," Tuffnut accused playfully, a teasing smile on his face. Instantly, Ruffnut backed him up.

"Yeah, there's no way you and Meatlug could pull that off."

Groaning, Fishlegs joined us at the table. Why are they like this, he mouthed.

Chuckling, I sat upright. There was no way I'd get any rest now. One by one, the others sat down.

"So, what's the plan with the hyopnowing?" Tuffnut asked, casting an innocent glance in my direction.

"The... the what?"

"Y'know, the changewing that hypnotises people."

Fishlegs hummed slightly. "Well, he's not wrong. The subspecies does need a name."

Tuffnut grinned. "See? Fishlegs agrees. Hypnowing! Hypnowing! Hypnowing!" Ruffnut joined in the chant. Between the two of them, the noise they created easily filled the large hall.

Rolling my eyes, I gave in. "Sure guys. Hypnowing it is."

Cheering, the twins high-fived.

"Anyway," Snotlout cut in over the whooping of the twins, "we have something more important to worry about."

"We do?" Ruffnut asked sarcastically. Snotlout didn't seem to realise.

"Yes! Like what we're going to do with -" he bent close to the table, lowering his voice - "with the Grimborn!"

Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair. Snotlout followed my movements, unamused.

"Well," I began, "since the whole Edge and Viggo situation, she hasn't harmed us. She's been a reliable ally."

"What?!" Snoutlout shrieked, no longer caring for subtlety. "You can't be serious! She is a Grimborn! You know, Dragon Hunter!"

"I do know, Snotlout. But she clearly isn't allied with them. I don't think she has anywhere to go."

"Uh Hiccup," Fishlegs said, looking in the distance, "she's over there." Immediately, the chatter stopped. Snotlout looked ready to punch Fishlegs for drawing her and Gustav's attention to us.

Hesitantly, Freya and Gustav wandered over. Ignoring Snotlout's glares, I tried some small talk. After a moment, the topic shifted.

"But the real question, Freya," I prompted, trying to be casual, "is what do you want to do?"

Immediately, Freya was uncomfortable. I forced back a wince from the guilt as she tried to speak. "I'm not- I don't, I mean I er... I don't know. Not really."

Tuffnut cut in, "Why don't you go back to the Dragon Hunters?"

I scowled as Fishlegs hit his head.

"Ow! What was that for? I'm just saying as she is the next in line to the throne, and actually has family there-"

"Only my mother. She barely spoke to me before but now... now she wouldn't want me," she murmured. "I- I befriended a dragon. I worked with the Dragon Riders, their sworn enemies." She gulped. "I attacked Ryker and released dragons. I- I- I'm a traitor."

There was an awkward silence.

I cleared my throat. "Well, you and Swiftstrike were attacked first. You are welcome to stay here." I did my best to be reassuring, but my words fell on deaf ears.

Gustav jumped up. "Hey, hey Freya listen to me. It's gonna be ok, let's just take a moment."

Freya was breathing faster and faster, eyes glassy. Gustav put a hand on her back.

"Try find five things you can see -"

Heaving, Freya started walking towards the door. Behind me, Snotlout and Fishlegs were arguing as Gustav tried to calm Freya.

But she didn't stop.

Quickening her pace, she rushed out the doors. With a loud bang, they slammed shut behind her. The few people in the hall, waiting for the celebration, had wide eyes as they stared at us.

"Okay, what was that?" Snotlout asked, standing.

Fishlegs glared at him. "Try to be empathetic for once in your life!"

Astrid gave Gustav a quizzical glance. "Aren't you going to go after her?"

Startled from his thoughts, Gustav nodded. "Uh. Yeah, yeah that makes sense. Well, er, see ya." With that, he hurried out of the doors.

That was... not smooth. Coughing, I tried to change the conversation.

"So... Snotlout, what were you saying earlier?"

"Well, Hiccup, Hooky and I are masters of the Through the Rings of Fire! Actually, the twins were going to help me set it up," Snotlout declared, puffing out his chest.

Tuffnut blinked. "We were?"

"Yeah! Remember?" Ruffnut jabbed her brother in the side with her elbow.

"This isn't going to end well," Astrid stated, raising an eyebrow.

"Shut up, Astrid."

**

Gustav's POV

Pushing the doors open, I looked around. Swiftstrike was running in a tight circle, roaring at anyone who came too close. My eyes widened and I headed towards her, calling out as I went.

"Hey, easy girl," I soothed, resisting the urge to step back as her acidic eyes bore into mine. "You're worried for Freya, right? Do you know where she went?"

Swiftstrike stared blankly at me. Snorting, she twisted her tail in short flicks.

"Where's Freya?" I tried again. This time, Swiftstrike seemed to understand as she perked up slightly, using her tail to point towards the woods.

I grinned. "Thanks."

Before I could get far, I felt a scaled rope grip my foot.

Wait, that's a tail -

"Aaaaaaah!" I was yanked up and out of my thoughts. "Let me down!"

Swifstrike snarled, revealing her acid-covered teeth.

"What's wrong with you?" I yelled. Apparently, this was the wrong answer as all I received was held even higher. Resisting the need to look down, I locked my eyes with hers.

"Okay, let's try this a different way," I began, using a much calmer tone. "I just want to help Freya because she's my friend. We can work together, is that what you want?"

Swiftstrike blinked. I squirmed in her grasp.

"Put me down so we can help Freya, yeah?"

Narrowing her eyes, Swiftstrike lowered her tail. My feet landed on solid ground but she didn't release her grasp of my calf.

I titled my head to the side. "Am I missing something?"

Cooing, Swiftstrike shook herself. The small, smooth scaled on her wings chimed.

"I'm not sure how to respond to that."

With a flare of her nostrils, Swiftstrike pulled her tail - and me - back in the air again.

"Hey!"

Almost as quickly as she picked me up, Swiftstrike placed me where her neck met her back.

Oh.

"Oh," I voiced, unable to comprehend that this powerful dragon would want me to ride her.

"Oh!" I repeated, realising. "You want to show me where Freya is?"

Purring slightly, Swiftstrike flapped her wings twice. Grinning, I patted her side.

"Then let's go."

**

Freya's POV

Traitor...

I threw my head back against the tree, eyes shut. My face was wet from tears but I din't have the energy to cry anymore. I didn't have the energy to do anything.

Traitor...

The ground was damp and uncomfortable but I didn't move. In the distance, I could hear birds chirping, unbothered. Irrational jealousy shot through me. What would it be like to be so unconflicted? To always know what to do?

Somewhere nearby, I could hear the crunching of debris. Gritting my teeth, I wiped the tears from my face and stood. My vision was blurry but I started walking anyway, tripping over tree roots.

"Freya?" someone called and I froze. If they were looking for me, I would need to hurry otherwise -

"Oh thank the gods!" Gustav said, jumping off of Swifstrike and rushing towards me. My lips thinned in what I hoped was a smile but I knew he saw straight through it. Concerned, Gustav stopped, standing awkwardly in front of me.

"I'd ask if you were okay, but we both know the answer to that one."

I grimanced. "You know me so well."

"I guess. So... do you want to talk about it?" He patted the ground beside Swiftstrike as he sat down, leaning against her. With a snort, lay down and turned her attention to me. Her eyes softened when they landed on mine and my throat tightened.

I didn't deserve this.

"Not really," I breathed, looking away.

"That's fine," Gustav assured in a calm tone. "Why don't we just take a moment to chill? The Dragon Riders are busy preparing for the celebration so we don't have to worry about them."

"...That sounds nice." Hesitantly, I settled next to Gustav. Swiftstrike purred slightly, wrapping here tail around us and placing her snout in my lap. A soft smile reached my mouth and Gustav grinned.

"She's surprisingly soft," he commented.

"Yeah."

Disapproving, Swifstrike hit him on the head with the end of her wing.

"Hey! It's a fact! Don't shoot the messenger," he scolded playfully. This earnt him several more whacks and Gustav groaned. "Really lizard?"

Lifting her head from my lap, she growled without any heat, showing her teeth.

"You're giving me mixed signals here," Gustav stated, raising an eyebrow. Shaking herself slightly, Swiftstrike settled again. Gustav's brows furrowed. "Changewings are so confusing. Monstrous nightmares are easier."

"How... how is, I mean, is he gonna be all right?"

Gustav ran a hand through his hair and I felt guilty. "Well, he shouldn't wear himself out because the Hunters hypnotised him to be docile. So until we figure out the instinct, we won't have to rely on Dragon Nip."

"That's good, right?"

"It's extra time. You mentioned that... the Hunters has a solution?" he prompted.

I nodded. "Ryker probably knew how but -" Gustav's face fell - "but maybe he wrote it down somewhere? Or we can work it out? Wait, how old is Fanghook?"

Gustav tilted his head. "About eight years, give or take."

"Ryker mentioned finding a suitable female... maybe it's a mating instinct? We just have to find him a girlfriend! He's been away from other nightmares his age for ages, that must be why the instinct kicked in!"

Grustav nodded quickly. "This... this could be it! This is how we save Fanghook!"

***

Did you like the Swiftstrike/Gustav meeting?

What else do you think Ryker has done?