Chapter 6
“So why exactly do you want to meet the Targaryens?”
Ellie was no longer screaming at the sight of Toothless, which Hiccup silently counted as progress. It had taken nearly ten full minutes, a lot of coaxing, and one thoroughly disgusting lick from the dragon’s tongue before the girl’s terror had melted into something else, disgust, amusement, curiosity. Now, she sat cross-legged across from him, the hem of her too-long shirt twisting between her fingers, as she listened to his explanation.
Toothless, for his part, was lounging upside down in the nearest tree, his wings draped over a branch like an oversized bat. Occasionally, he blinked at them, bored but alert.
“I come from a realm where the sky is ruled by dragons,” Hiccup said, his voice low but steady as he stared into the flickering fire between them. “Where my people ride them as partners. Not as beasts, not as weapons, but as equals. Toothless and I—we’re a team. We’ve saved each other’s lives more times than I can count.”
Ellie’s brows furrowed, her blue eyes flicking to the black dragon who was now lazily gnawing on the bark of his branch. “Your people… all ride dragons?” she asked, her voice small.
“Not all. But many. My tribe was migrating to a new home when something happened—something I still don’t understand.” He glanced up at the dark canopy above them, the glow of the fire casting warm light across his face. “I got separated. Fell through something. I haven’t been able to find a way back.”
Ellie didn’t respond right away. She hugged her knees to her chest, the fabric of her pants bunching around her ankles. “And the Targaryens?”
“They’re the only dragonriders I’ve seen here,” Hiccup said, his tone thoughtful. “If they have knowledge—about dragons, portals, anything—I need it. And if they don’t… maybe they have books. Maps. Lore. Anything that can help me figure out where I am and how to get home.”
Ellie was quiet for a while, chewing on her lip. Her fingers picked at a loose thread in her sleeve.
“They won’t just let you walk in and meet the king,” she muttered finally. “The closest anyone gets is through the daily petitions. Even then, it’s usually the Hand that hears them.” She paused, then added, “But… you have a dragon. That might change things. Or make it worse. They might see you as a threat.”
Hiccup nodded slowly. He had considered that. A dragon was both a calling card and a warning. He wasn’t here to fight, not unless he had to, but he also wouldn’t let anyone chain Toothless. The very idea turned his stomach.
“I’ll find another way to reach them,” he said after a beat. “But first, I’m heading back into the city. You can come if you want.”
Ellie looked down at her lap. Her clothes still hung off her in odd places, too big, too worn. Hiccup added, “I’ll get you something that fits better. Maybe a belt for your sword. Besides, I need to find a horse.”
He stood, starting to pack his bag. He moved efficiently, sorting through herbs, cloth, tools, and coin. He was already mentally listing the items they needed, clothes, food, maybe a second blade.
Behind him, he heard the soft crunch of footsteps. When he turned, Ellie was standing close, her eyes wide, hands clenched into fists at her sides.
“You’d… let me stay with you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Hiccup blinked, then smiled gently. “Sure, kid.”
Her face flushed red, and she turned away quickly, trying to play it off. Hiccup didn’t press. Instead, he rummaged in his pack and pulled out a small bundle of soap, herbs, and a rag.
“Here,” he said, holding it out. “There’s a creek west of here. You can wash up. I’ll be at the market by the River Gate. If you need me, head that way.”
Ellie stared at the bundle in her hands for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she nodded, clutching it tightly.
Hiccup added with a half-smile, “Toothless will keep an eye on you.”
Ellie’s eyes widened. “The d-dragon will be watching me?”
Hiccup crouched, resting his hands gently on her shoulders. “You’ll be okay. I swear. Toothless would never hurt you. He’s my best friend. And you… you’re one of us now, an outsider.”
Ellie snorts, a reluctant smile creeping onto her face. She squawked as he ruffled her hair and swatted at his hand, but he was already laughing, disappearing into the trees.
“All right,” he says, slinging his satchel over his shoulder. “Try not to wander off. We’re still too close to the city for comfort.”
Ellie watches as he disappears into the trees, heading north toward the market. She clutches the soap and herbs to her chest, then turns back to Toothless.
The dragon lets out a low, inquisitive rumble.
She groans. “This is going to be a long day.”
The water is cold, but it feels good against her skin.
Ellie scrubbed herself vigorously, the rough herbs and fragrant soap lathering against her skin, washing away the grime and blood from the night before. The scent was foreign but not unpleasant, a mix of earthy plants and something faintly floral. She inhaled deeply, letting the clean smell settle into her senses. It felt… strange. She wasn’t used to being this clean, wasn’t used to the luxury of proper soap. Even the high ladies at court or the women in the whorehouses likely didn’t take such care in their bathing.
A splash broke her from her thoughts.
Her head snapped up, eyes locking onto the dragon.
It stood just a few paces away, watching her with those eerie, intelligent green eyes. Not like the dragons that soared above the city, the ones she had glimpsed in the sky since she was a child. This one was smaller, sleek, compact, built for speed. But there was power in every muscle, in the way it held itself, in the way it moved. More than anything, it was smart. Too smart. It seemed to understand everything Hiccup said, responding to him as if they spoke the same language.
Ellie eyed it warily as she dunked herself into the creek, rinsing away the remaining suds. The water was cool, refreshing, easing the tension in her limbs. She waded toward the shore, stepping onto the sun-warmed rocks where her clothes lay.
Slipping into the fresh pants and shirt, she rolled the cuffs of the trousers, opting to leave her boots off for now. She grabbed a small comb from her bag, Hiccup’s bag, really, but he had given it to her without hesitation, and dragged it through her damp hair, wincing as it caught on tangles. Finally, she was clean. For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no blood under her nails, no sweat and filth clinging to her skin.
But as she stood there, still, breathing in the crisp forest air, something inside her twisted.
She shut her eyes tightly, pressing her lips together. Don’t think about it. Don’t think about last night. Don’t—
Water splashed across her face.
Ellie gasped, eyes snapping open. Cold droplets dripped from her chin, soaking the front of her shirt. She blinked in shock.
The dragon stood a few paces away in the creek, tail swishing through the water, head tilted, watching her intently.
Had it—?
She frowned, wiping her face with her sleeve. Slowly, cautiously, she crouched, dipping her hands into the water. In one swift motion, she flung a handful toward the dragon.
The effect was immediate. It reared back with a squawk, flaring its wings and shaking its head violently, as if personally offended by the attack. Ellie froze.
Then the dragon lowered itself, muscles coiling.
Her stomach dropped.
Oh gods, it’s going to kill me.
She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself. She shouldn’t have trusted Hiccup or his beast. She was stupid to let her guard down. She was going to die here, torn apart by a dragon. Maybe she’d see Tom again—her mother too—
Another wave of cold water hit her square in the chest.
Ellie stumbled back, sputtering. “What in the seven hells?!”
She wiped at her face, blinking rapidly as she processed what had just happened. The dragon—it—had splashed her back.
Her eyes widened.
A deep, chuffing sound rumbled from the dragon’s throat, a strange, rolling noise, accompanied by the frantic swishing of its tail. Its wings twitched in amusement.
It was laughing at her.
Ellie gaped.
“Oh, you little—”
She lunged forward, scooping up as much water as she could before flinging it at the dragon. It struck true, dousing its snout. The dragon froze. For a long, tense moment, they stared at each other.
Then, with a flick of its tail, another wave of water crashed over Ellie’s head.
She shrieked, half in outrage, half in shock. “HEY!”
Abandoning all hesitation, she charged into the creek, getting as close as she dared before launching another splash.
The game was on.
Water flew back and forth between them in rapid succession, neither willing to relent. Ellie darted through the shallows, dodging the dragon’s precise tail flicks, retaliating with cupped handfuls of water. Laughter bubbled out of her, uncontrollable, unfiltered.
The dragon, just as determined, crouched low before sweeping its tail in a wide arc. Ellie yelped as her legs were knocked out from under her, sending her crashing into the creek with an unceremonious splash. She surfaced with a gasp, dripping wet, completely soaked.
The dragon chuffed again, its whole body shaking with mirth.
Ellie wiped water from her eyes, then grinned.
“Oh, it’s on, lizard.”
They play for a long time, long enough for Hiccup to return.
Ellie crouches behind a cluster of rocks, gripping a wooden bucket filled with water. She moves carefully, each step deliberate as she steadies her arms to keep from spilling. The dragon is just ahead, blissfully unaware, or so she hopes. She counts to five in her head, then lets out a triumphant yell, sprinting forward as she flings the bucket’s contents at its smug, scaly face.
But the dragon is faster.
With an effortless sidestep, it dodges entirely. Ellie barely has time to register the movement before the water soars past its empty space—
And crashes into Hiccup instead.
Her stomach plummets.
Hiccup stands frozen, dripping, his tunic clinging to him, his hair slicked against his forehead.
Ellie stares in horror, her fingers going numb as the bucket slips from her hands and clatters onto the ground.
“I—I’m so sorry!” The words tumble out in a panicked rush. “Please forgive me! I wasn’t—” She stops abruptly, watching as Hiccup’s face splits into a grin. His shoulders shake, and then he’s laughing—laughing—his voice warm and unbothered.
Her cheeks burn with embarrassment. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t scolding her. He was laughing.
He finally catches his breath, shaking water from his hands. “No harm, no foul.” He ruffles his damp hair, still chuckling. “You know, it’s been a long time since anyone’s actually snuck up on me. You’re quiet when you want to be. Good job, kid. You can now officially say you’ve snuck up on a Viking.”
Ellie’s face scrunches. She has no idea what a Viking is, but the way he says it, so casually, so proud, makes it sound like something important. Something grand.
She clears her throat, trying to ignore the way her face feels too hot. “Did you find a horse?”
“Yup.” He wrings out the bottom of his tunic before tugging it off, leaving only his undershirt as he folds the damp cloth over his arm. “She’s at camp. We just need to hook her up to the cart. Did you want to rest before or after we go into the city?”
Ellie hesitates, glancing down at her oversized, soaking clothes.
No one had ever asked her what she wanted before.
She studies him from the corner of her eye. Hiccup dressed well, not like a noble, but better than the common folk. He had a dragon, carried coin, could afford a horse, and he had given her new clothes without blinking. Was he like the highborn? Was this a trick? Her stomach twists. She wants him to be good, but wanting something didn’t make it true. If he wasn’t, if he was just like the rest, then she’d take what she could, coin, food, whatever, and disappear.
“…After?” she says cautiously.
Hiccup nods. “Sure. Don’t put your boots on yet—we’ll find you some new clothes first. You can ride in the back of the cart until then.”
She gathers her things quickly, stuffing them into her bag before trailing after him. She keeps him in her line of sight, studying his relaxed posture, his easy movements. He doesn’t seem to notice, or care, that she’s watching.
She giggles when she catches the dragon stalking up to a frog near the creek’s bank, its body low to the ground, tail swishing like a cat about to pounce.
A chuckle draws her attention back to Hiccup, who is also watching the scene with amusement. “You know, sometimes he really does remind me of a big cat. My mother’s dragon was like a larger version of Toothless—it was always funny watching them tussle.”
He smiles, but there’s something in it that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. A shadow, faint but unmistakable.
Ellie hesitates. She doesn’t know why she does it, but she speaks before she can stop herself.
“I worked in the castle for a short time,” she says quietly. “Just the help. No one important.” She shrugs, feigning indifference. “Prince Aemond had cats. I’d see them wrestling on the floor sometimes. It’s hard to imagine dragons doing the same.”
She peeks up at him, hoping the words might distract him, hoping they might pull him from whatever place his mind had wandered to.
He blinks, then, a real smile this time. Something lighter, more genuine.
Ellie feels oddly proud of herself.
“You worked in the castle?” he asks, stepping closer, his interest piqued. “What was that like? Were you treated well? Did they pay you?”
Ellie snorts, sidestepping him as she hops onto a large rock by the water.
“My ma didn’t have enough money. She took care of me and my brother, which was hard for her, I think. So we helped. My brother worked the docks, helping fishermen with whatever they needed. He was only six, so there wasn’t much he could do, but he always came home with a fish or two.” She smiles faintly, remembering his excitement each time he brought something back.
“And you?” Hiccup asks, his tone softer.
“I was lucky enough to find work in the castle. I didn’t do much—changed sheets, lit fires, emptied pots. The nobles weren’t kind, and I got my fair share of backhands and lashings, but the castle was warm, and the servants got to eat scraps from the feasts.” She grins suddenly, shooting him a mischievous look. “I even managed to sneak sweets home for my brother. Almost lost a hand for it once, but it was worth it.”
Hiccup watches her closely, quiet as she talks, his expression unreadable.
“The pay was shit,” she continues. “A few coins every other day, but it was enough to get my ma extra food and clothes.”
Her voice softens.
Her ma had been kind. Gentle. She had taught Ellie everything, how to sew, how to cook, how to survive. She had told her stories of Meereen, of the warm, sunlit streets, of the language Ellie still remembered in pieces.
Ellie missed her more than she could put into words.
She missed Tom more than she could put into words.
She shuts her eyes briefly, breathing through the ache pressing against her ribs.
“What happened to your mother?”
She flinches.
The question cuts through her thoughts like a blade.
Ellie lifts her chin, scowling at him. “She’s dead.”
The words come out clipped, cold. She doesn’t want to talk about this. She won’t.
Hiccup doesn’t push.
The ride into the city is quiet. Ellie swings her legs over the edge of the cart, watching the people pass as she chews on a piece of sweet bread. She hadn’t asked for it—Hiccup had just given it to her.
She still wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
They stop a few times as he buys and trades for supplies, gathering food and clothes. Eventually, they reach a stall filled with belts, each one made of fine leather, some with engraved designs, others simple and plain.
Hiccup returns with two in hand, one a simple brown, the other a striking black with delicate floral carvings.
“Which one do you want, kid?”
Ellie hesitates.
She eyes the black one, tracing the elegant design with her gaze. It’s beautiful. But it must be the more expensive one.
“The brown one is nice,” she says instead, forcing a smile.
Hiccup studies her for a long moment. Too long. Then he turns, walking back to the merchant.
“I’ll take the black one.”
Ellie’s head snaps up.
She watches, stunned, as he returns, handing her the one she had actually wanted, grinning like it was no big deal.
“Here, for you.”
She takes it carefully, fingers running over the intricate carvings. It’s beautiful. It’s hers.
Her throat tightens.
She clutches it to her chest, leaning back against the cart’s bundles as Hiccup climbs onto the horse.
“Alright, let’s get out of here and head back to camp.”
Ellie doesn’t respond.
She just smiles.
And for the first time in a long time, it doesn’t feel like a lie.
The sun is beginning its descent, casting warm, golden light through the trees as Hiccup guides the horse along the path. They’ll make it back to camp in time to start a fire and get a quick meal before resting for the night. Tomorrow, he’ll be meeting with the Targaryens, representing his people, his home. He’ll need to look his best. And, of course, Ellie is coming with him. He wouldn’t leave her alone, not in a place like this. Too many things could go wrong.
But something nags at him.
Ellie has been quiet since they left the city. She had smiled for most of the ride, but now, she seems withdrawn, her shoulders slightly hunched as she stares at the belt in her lap. Hiccup clears his throat, hoping to catch her attention.
“What’s got you down, kid?”
Ellie stiffens slightly, gripping the belt tighter. Hiccup waits, letting the silence stretch. Finally, she exhales, voice small and uncertain.
“I don’t have any money.” She hesitates, then continues. “You keep buying me things, and I won’t be able to pay you back. And the belt… I don’t even know how to swing a sword. You shouldn’t have wasted your coin on me.” Her voice drops lower, hesitant. “What… what do you want from me?”
Hiccup pulls the horse off the road, stopping in a small clearing. He dismounts, walking around the cart to where Ellie sits. She’s drawn her knees up, arms wrapped protectively around them, the belt clutched tightly to her chest.
She looks up at him, wide-eyed, a flicker of something vulnerable in her expression.
Hiccup exhales, then climbs onto the cart beside her. He leans forward slightly, watching the trees as the fading sunlight dances between the branches, small creatures scurrying through the underbrush.
“I am the chief of my people,” he says simply. “It’s my duty to take care of them. Even now, even when I don’t know where they are, I hold onto that purpose.” He glances at her, voice steady. “And that purpose now extends to you.”
Ellie shifts slightly, as if not sure how to respond.
“You’re just a kid,” Hiccup continues, his tone gentler. “You need someone looking out for you. I can help you—if you let me.” He gestures toward the belt she’s gripping so tightly. “I’ll teach you how to use that sword. I’ll teach you everything I know.” His voice softens. “Your brother… he wanted to take care of you. That much is clear. If I can give him even the smallest bit of peace in whatever comes next, then I will.”
For a long moment, she doesn’t move. Then, with a sharp inhale, Ellie launches herself at him.
Hiccup barely has time to react before her arms are around him, her small frame pressing into his. He doesn’t hesitate, just holds her as she clings to him, her shoulders shaking with quiet sobs.
He lets her cry, lets her grieve.
After a few minutes, she pulls back, wiping at her eyes with quick, frustrated movements. Hiccup rests his hands on her shoulders, waiting as she takes a slow, steadying breath.
“…Thank you,” she murmurs, voice still thick with emotion. She forces a small smile. “I think my brother would’ve liked you.”
Hiccup smiles back, but his muscles tense as movement catches his eye beyond her.
Something in the shadows.
His gaze flickers to the trees just as a massive, white stag steps into a shaft of golden sunlight. Its antlers are tall and proud, its coat gleaming like fresh snow. It watches him. Directly. A silent understanding passing between them.
Then, as quickly as it appeared, it turns and disappears into the forest.
Ellie shifts, sensing his sudden stillness. “Are you alright?” She glances over her shoulder, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
Hiccup forces an easy smile, shaking his head. “Nothing. Just a trick of the light.” He swings his leg over the horse, keeping his eyes on the trees for a moment longer. “Let’s head back to camp. Does fish sound good?”
Ellie looks unconvinced but lets it go. “Yeah… fish is good.”
“Cool.”
Later, as the fire crackles low, Hiccup carefully turns the fish over the flames, letting the skin blacken. Ellie is licking her fingers clean, having already devoured her second portion. Across the fire, Toothless is working through his own pile of fish, tearing into them with all the grace of a wild beast.
Ellie watches him with a mix of fascination and mild horror.
Hiccup smirks but doesn’t comment. Instead, he keeps his gaze on the fire, casually asking, “I’m going to meet with the king tomorrow. I’d prefer if you came with me, but if you’d rather stay behind, that’s fine.”
Ellie pauses, considering. Then shrugs. “Sure.”
Hiccup raises a brow at how easily she agrees but doesn’t press.
Instead, he glances at her sword where it’s propped against the log beside her. “We’ve got a few hours before we turn in,” he says, tone light. “Want to train?”
Ellie jerks upright, eyes going wide. “Yes!”
The excitement in her voice is immediate and unfiltered, so much so that she instantly blushes, her ears turning red as she quickly clears her throat, trying to compose herself. “I mean… yes. Thank you.”
Hiccup chuckles, shaking his head as he pushes himself up.
They go about their tasks for a while, Hiccup organizing his packs, tending to Toothless, brushing down the horse. Ellie works fast, packing and repacking her things, as if unsure where to put everything now that she has things.
Eventually, she finds her way to him, sword in hand.
Hiccup studies her posture as she approaches. The blade droops in her grip. She’s standing too stiffly, uncertain in her own skin.
He motions for her to follow him to a clearer area, free of obstacles. She does so silently, stopping a few paces away.
“First thing you need to understand,” he says, arms crossed over his chest. “Always fear a blade in someone else’s hand—but never fear your own. You wield it with honor, with care. It’s yours.”
Ellie swallows, gripping the sword a little tighter.
Hiccup tilts his head. “You’re weak right now. There are going to be people stronger than you.”
She opens her mouth, ready to protest, but his sharp look makes her snap it shut.
“But you’re faster.” He steps forward, voice steady. “Quieter. And if you train, you’ll be strong enough to put all those advantages together—to take down anyone who underestimates you.”
He takes a few steps back, smoothly drawing Inferno from its holster and extending the blade. The familiar weight is comforting in his hand.
Ellie watches him with wide eyes.
Hiccup meets her gaze, leveling his sword in front of him.
“Let’s begin.”
Ellie sat on a small log, shoulders tense as Hiccup combed his fingers through her hair, weaving the strands into a simple but clean braid.
“How exactly do you know how to braid hair?” she asked, slightly skeptical.
Hiccup smirked, securing the end of the braid with a thin strip of string. “There are plenty of people in my tribe with long hair—men included. Though I prefer mine short, I’ve had a lot of practice.”
She hummed in response, fingers tracing over the braid. It felt neat, better than she’d ever done on her own.
Hiccup took a step back, giving her a once-over. She was properly dressed for the first time since he’d met her, a fitted black tunic that fell just past her thighs, cinched at the waist with her new belt, her sword resting at her hip. The dark brown boots he’d bought her fit snugly, a much better alternative to the ones she had before.
It was an improvement, but something still felt missing.
Reaching under his tunic, Hiccup pulled at the thin chain around his neck, withdrawing a small, metal coin engraved with his family sigil, a dragon curled into a tight coil, resembling Toothless. The design was intricate, each detail etched with care.
“Here,” he said, stepping forward and looping it over her head.
Ellie blinked, glancing down at the coin now resting against her chest. She traced a finger over the engraving, frowning slightly. “What is this?”
“My sigil,” Hiccup explained. “To show people that you’re one of mine.”
Her fingers curled around the coin, gripping it tightly. She turned away, but not before he caught the sheen of unshed tears in her eyes.
“…Thanks,” she murmured, voice barely above a whisper.
Hiccup gave her a moment to collect herself before waving his arm, signaling her to follow. “Alright, we’re heading for the city first, then straight to the castle. I’m going to try and request a private audience with the king. I know you said it’s unlikely, but I’d like to try.”
Ellie huffed but didn’t argue.
The walk through King’s Landing was straightforward enough. They passed through the River Gate, following a direct path along River Row that led toward the Red Keep. Ellie stayed close to his side, her presence quiet but watchful.
When they neared the castle’s towering walls, she suddenly grabbed his arm, nodding toward a side gate where carriages and armored men on horseback passed in and out. “If you want a private meeting with the king, that’s your best bet. The guards might let you in.”
Hiccup nodded, straightening his shoulders as he approached. He adjusted his posture, keeping his steps purposeful but relaxed. Maybe, if he carried himself with enough authority, they wouldn’t question him.
That hope was short-lived.
“Hey! Where do you think you’re going?” a guard barked, stepping forward to block their path. He was shorter than Hiccup, but he carried himself with the pompous air of someone who thought he was bigger than he was. “Only men of noble houses are allowed through here.”
Hiccup remained calm. “I wish to speak with the king about a private matter concerning both of our families.”
The guard snorted. “Yeah? Well, the king doesn’t take visits from just anybody. What’s your name?”
“I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III.”
The guard raised a brow, unimpressed. “And the girl?”
Hiccup glanced at Ellie, then back at the guard. “Ellie. My sister.”
Ellie stiffened beside him, barely concealing a sharp intake of breath.
Hiccup continued smoothly, his expression unreadable. “We need to speak with the king about an urgent matter concerning his family and my tribe.” His voice was firm, unwavering.
For a moment, the guard looked thrown off, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. But he quickly recovered, straightening with a sneer. “The king doesn’t accept meetings with northern savages. If you really need to speak with him, get in line with the rest of the smallfolk.” His smirk widened. “Now be on your way. Wouldn’t want to leave the girl all alone without her brother in the world.”
Hiccup’s fists clenched. A low noise of irritation rumbled from Ellie’s throat, but before either of them could react, Hiccup forced a polite, almost lazy smile and raised his hands in surrender.
“No need for trouble. We’re leaving.”
With that, he turned on his heel, looping an arm around Ellie’s shoulders as he steered her away.
They walked in silence for a while, putting distance between themselves and the gate. Then, Hiccup sighed.
“You can say it.”
Ellie grinned. “I told you that was going to happen.”
Hiccup rolled his eyes, nudging her lightly with his elbow. She giggled.
After a moment, her tone turned more hesitant. “Why did you say I was your sister?”
Hiccup slowed his steps, thinking carefully before answering. “I once knew a girl who, for a brief time, I thought might be my sister. She was lost. Scared. And sometimes, that led to bad decisions.” He exhaled, glancing down at her. “In the end, what she really needed was family. And I decided to be that for her.”
Ellie’s steps faltered slightly.
“I’m not trying to replace her,” Hiccup clarified. “And I’m not trying to replace your brother. But I did say I’d look after you. And I meant it.” His voice softened. “Right now, you don’t have anyone. But I’d rather you be alive and well—just like your brother would have wanted.”
Ellie didn’t speak right away. But after a beat, she reached out and took his hand.
She didn’t let go.
“The smallfolk line is this way,” she said finally, tugging him in a new direction. “We should hurry before the line gets too long.”
They waited for hours.
The line stretched far beyond the castle gates, a sluggish tide of people inching forward under the afternoon sun. Some carried grievances, others clutched petitions, but all of them waited, hoping for a moment of the king’s attention.
Hiccup stood with Ellie near the back, arms crossed, scanning the people ahead. She had kept close, her presence a constant shadow at his side. Occasionally, she wandered a few feet away, counting the stones on the castle walls, or watching the wealthier nobles pass through the main gate with an ease they’d never be afforded. She never drifted too far, always circling back to him like an orbiting star.
Finally, to pass the time, he asked, "Why did you stop working in the castle?"
Ellie, perched on a stone ledge, swung her legs idly. She had been chewing on a bit of sweet bread he had given her earlier, but now she paused, staring down at it as if deciding whether to answer.
“I started working there when I was eight, close to nine," she said at last. "The other servants didn’t trust me much at first, said I was too young, but I followed them around and helped where I could. Then one day, they finally gave me a real task—I was supposed to clean Prince Aemond’s room while he was out."
She paused, her lips twitching slightly. "Except he wasn’t."
Hiccup raised a brow. "He caught you?"
"More like we caught each other." She smirked slightly at the memory. "He was supposed to be in a lesson with the maester, but I guess he skived off. Came stomping into the room, throwing his books on the table. We both froze when we saw each other. I thought he was gonna throw me out or have me whipped, so I just… blurted out, ‘What’s wrong?’"
Hiccup huffed a quiet laugh. "Bold."
Ellie shrugged. "He must’ve thought so too, 'cause instead of throwing me out, he just started ranting about his lessons. Said he was struggling with his letters and that his brother and nephews kept teasing him for it. I tried to cheer him up—I told him I didn’t know how to read or write at all."
She hesitated, then smiled faintly. "And you know what he did? He sat me down and told me he’d teach me, so we could be bad at it together."
Hiccup watched her carefully. She had that faraway look in her eyes again, caught between memory and longing.
"It didn’t last long, though," she muttered, her expression darkening. "The Queen found out. She came storming into his chambers one day and found us reading at his desk. She was furious. Didn’t care that I was just a servant, or that I was actually learning. All she saw was me sitting at the same table as her son."
Hiccup clenched his jaw. He could already tell where the story was going.
"She threw a fit," Ellie continued. "Had me kicked out of the castle that same night. Never even got to say goodbye to him." She scoffed. "But I learned my letters, at least. Smarter than most of the kids in Flea Bottom because of it."
She smirked then, like it was some grand joke, but Hiccup could hear the bitterness beneath it.
He exhaled slowly, looking back at the grand walls of the Red Keep. The rulers of this land, these people who sat on golden thrones and wielded dragons like weapons, had let a child be cast out simply for learning. It sickened him.
The line moved forward.
Hiccup looked down at Ellie, who had started tracing idle patterns in the dirt with the toe of her boot. She was eager to learn. That much was clear. And if the people who should have guided her had failed, then maybe he could step in.
The thought settled in his mind, solid as stone.
They waited some more.
Ellie wandered off again, never straying too far. She crouched near the edge of the courtyard, watching the nobility pass through the main gates. When she returned, she settled beside Hiccup with a quiet sigh. He glanced at her, about to ask if she was alright, when the castle doors suddenly swung open.
A man stumbled out, his face streaked with tears. He hurried past them without a word, his sobs swallowed by the murmur of the waiting crowd.
Hiccup frowned after him. He glanced toward the doors, catching the briefest glimpse of the great hall before they shut again.
Something wasn’t right.
The sun had shifted lower in the sky by the time they were finally summoned inside.
The doors creaked open. Hiccup and Ellie straightened, pushing off the wall as the guard surveyed them. With a flick of his arm, he gestured for them to pass into the castle.
Excitement surged through Hiccup as they were guided through winding corridors toward what he assumed was the great hall. He was closer than ever to finding his people, surely the Targaryens could help him. Ellie, walking beside him, smirked at the way he practically vibrated with anticipation.
At long last, they were summoned forward. Hiccup schooled his expression into the composed, diplomatic mask he had worn many times when addressing other chiefs. Beside him, Ellie mimicked his movements, smoothing her tunic and squaring her shoulders before stepping in behind him.
The great hall was nothing like Berk’s. Instead of long wooden tables filled with rowdy, laughing Vikings, the room was lined with finely dressed nobles, each one watching them with cool, scrutinizing gazes. A throne of jagged swords loomed at the far end of the room.
Hiccup noted a small group of distinguished individuals standing closest to the throne, set apart from the rest of the court.
To the left, a red-haired woman in a deep green gown stood with a white-haired boy about Ellie’s age by her side.
To the right, a heavily pregnant woman with silver-white hair stood next to a dark-skinned man, their matching white hair marking them as highborn Valyrians. Strangely, two boys stood with them, neither sharing their coloring, pale-skinned with brown hair and dark eyes. Perhaps from a past marriage.
Hiccup pulled his gaze away and looked toward the throne, his steps faltering.
For a fleeting moment, he saw Grimmel.
His pulse spiked, but when he blinked, the image was gone. Instead, a frail, balding man sat slouched upon the throne. Even beneath the heavy layers of his robes, Hiccup could see the subtle tremors of his breathing, the pallor of his cheeks, the stiffness of a man hiding illness beneath his finery. The bandages peeking from beneath his sleeves did not go unnoticed.
A man in black, with neatly trimmed brown hair and a beard, stepped forward. His voice rang across the hall, steady and commanding.
"You stand in the presence of Viserys Targaryen, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm. What matter do you bring before your king?"
Hiccup inclined his head, speaking clearly. "I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, Chief of the Hooligan Clan. I seek an audience with His Grace regarding an urgent matter."
A wave of whispers swept through the gathered nobles. Northerner. Savage. Chief.
Hiccup ignored them, keeping his gaze locked on the king.
The brown-haired man beside the throne regarded him evenly. “And what is this matter?”
“I have been displaced from my people,” Hiccup began, choosing his words carefully. “I seek answers from His Grace, as his family are dragonriders.”
At that, the king straightened slightly, frowning down at Hiccup. His weary gaze examined him more closely, lingering on his brown hair, his striking green eyes. Then, just as quickly, he leaned back, his interest fading.
“And what could a Northern chief possibly need to know about my family?” The king’s voice was dismissive.
Hiccup exhaled sharply. “I am not from this world—”
Laughter erupted.
He clenched his jaw as the court dissolved into mocking murmurs and muffled chuckles, but he did not falter.
“—I was lost in unknown waters. My people are also dragonriders,” he continued, his voice unwavering. “I had hoped to find a connection between us. A way to return home.”
The nobles erupted once more, the sound of jeering filling the vast chamber.
The king’s lips twitched with amusement, as if indulging a madman. “Perhaps you lost more than just your people in those waters,” he mused dryly, casting a glance toward a maester standing nearby before turning his attention back to Hiccup. “The only dragonriders in Westeros are of Targaryen blood. The last surviving Dragonlords of Valyria.”
Hiccup fought to keep his expression neutral. “But you have seen other dragons,” he pushed, desperation creeping into his tone. “I was following my people when I was separated. Surely, you have encountered other dragonriders. If not riders, then dragons. They must have passed through here.”
The king’s gaze darkened, patience wearing thin. “Boy,” he said, irritation lacing his voice, “the only dragons in Westeros belong to my family. They are chained in the Dragonpit as we speak. If there were others, they are long gone.”
Hiccup’s stomach dropped.
“Chained?” he whispered, the word leaving him like an exhale of horror.
Beside him, Ellie’s small hand clutched his elbow, grounding him.
The king barely noticed. “Why, yes,” he said, as if discussing the weather. “All dragons are cha—”
“I WANT JUSTICE!”
The voice rang out, shattering through the chamber like a warhorn.
Hiccup didn’t flinch. Not this time.
He’d already known. Had seen the signs. Had counted the names missing from every account he’d scavenged.
But hearing it confirmed, so casually, so certainly, landed like a stone in his gut. Not shock. Not even pain.
Just a deep, cold settling.
No dragonriders.
His mother. Gobber. Astrid. The Riders. Gone.
He didn’t gasp or crumble. He just stood there, the grief humming low beneath his skin like a dull, ever-present ache.
Ellie’s grip tightened on his arm.
He blinked. A breath in. Felt her beside him.
Still here. Still alive.
He exhaled slow.
Focus.
The voice belonged to a man, loud, grieving, his fury cutting through the court.
“I demand justice, Your Grace! My son—my heir—was burned to death in the streets! This was a premeditated attack!”
Hiccup’s gaze flicked over, drawn by the sound.
The man was older, dressed in deep-colored finery. But it was the sigil on his cloak that caught Hiccup’s eye.
Black field. A white lamb. A golden goblet.
His heart sank. Next to him, Ellie sucked in a breath.
Lord Stokeworth.
Of course.
Hiccup shifted instinctively, pulling Ellie behind him, cloaking her with his body as the man threw a scorched cloak before the king.
“There was a witness! A dark figure in armor—consorting with a small girl. Your Grace, we must find them!”
Ellie was stiff behind him. Hiccup’s hand found her wrist, grounding.
The king’s expression was solemn. “We will investigate this grievous crime. I assure you, Lord Stokeworth, the Crown will see justice done.”
And then the king looked at Hiccup.
Not truly seeing him. Not yet. But seeing enough. “There are no other dragonriders,” he announced to the hall. “Any and all came from Valyria. Not the North.”
Dismissive.
Certain.
Hiccup held his gaze for a moment longer. Then the king turned, waving for the chamber to be cleared. “This session is adjourned.”
The nobles rose in a rustle of silk and murmurs, the scent of spice and sweat thick in the air. Whispers followed them like vultures circling something wounded.
Ellie touched his sleeve. “Are you alright?” she asked, voice barely above a breath.
He didn’t answer right away. His mind was already elsewhere.
“They’ll come looking,” he said softly. “We need to move before they find the camp.”
He didn’t look back.
Just walked.
And Ellie followed, quiet as a shadow
“What are we doing?” Ellie asked, watching as Hiccup tied the last of their supplies to Toothless’s saddle. The sky had darkened, the faint glow of their dying fire casting flickering shadows across their camp. They had worked in silence, gathering everything they could carry, their movements quick and efficient.
Hiccup had run back to camp after selling the horse and a few extra items, slipping through the streets unnoticed. The guards had begun asking questions about the attack, lingering around the markets and alleyways, forcing him to leave quickly before drawing suspicion. He wasn’t too worried about them finding him, he had evaded worse, but with Ellie, he had to be cautious. He wasn’t going to risk her getting caught in whatever punishment they’d deal out.
They had packed as much as they could, organizing their supplies between Toothless’s saddle and their bags. Hiccup had prioritized food and water, carefully wrapping their dried rations in cloth before securing them. Anything too heavy or unnecessary had been left behind, including the extra bedroll and cooking pot. Instead, he had packed flint and steel, making sure they could light fires on the road.
He had already made a visit back to the market to sell some of the extra supplies and horse.
Ellie had been tasked with clearing any signs of their presence. She had worked quickly, scattering their remaining firewood, kicking dirt over the ash, and ensuring no footprints or disturbed grass gave them away. Once she had finished, she strapped on her sword belt, adjusting the weight of it around her waist.
Hiccup had changed into his dragon armor, tightening the straps and ensuring his weapons were secured. He had also given Ellie a leather under-armor vest to protect her from the cold and the winds they’d face in the air. The fit was a little loose, but she hadn’t complained.
Hiccup secured the final strap, running a hand down Toothless’s side before checking the saddle one last time.
“Ever ride a dragon?”