Chapter 9
Hiccup skimmed his fingers over the black ink of a large book detailing the cities of Essos, his gaze lingering on the jagged lines that represented the broken peninsula of Valyria. He sighed. They had been at the Citadel for over three weeks now, and the initial excitement of unrestricted access to its vast knowledge had long since faded into something heavier.
Desperation.
Every day, they scoured ancient texts, searching for answers—any answers. But the more they read, the less they seemed to find.
The visits to Toothless had become a welcome reprieve from the endless research. Every few days, they returned to their hidden cave, bringing food and water, checking on the eggs nestled under the Night Fury’s careful watch. Hiccup estimated it would be a few more weeks before they hatched, and longer still before the hatchlings would be strong enough to fly. Until then, all they could do was wait.
The sound of a chair scraping against stone jolted him from his thoughts. His head snapped up, his shoulders tensing, only to relax at the sight of Ellie plopping down beside him, looking winded.
A satchel bulged at her side, stuffed to the brim. He caught the faint scent of food wafting from it. Her short hair was a mess, strands sticking to her forehead with sweat, her cheeks flushed. She had run here, again.
Hiccup smirked. “What’s up?”
Ellie wrinkled her nose at the phrase, still unused to his odd mannerisms. Instead of answering, she scooted her chair closer, dragging a small pile of books to form a makeshift barrier around them.
Then, with a mischievous grin, she pulled out two crab cakes, still warm.
“I brought food.”
Hiccup nearly groaned in relief as she handed him one, the rich aroma making his mouth water. “You’re a saint.” He took a bite, savoring the taste.
“I thought you were out exploring the city?” he asked between bites.
Ellie rolled her eyes. “I did that ages ago. I know Oldtown better than anyone here. Thought I’d come back and bless you with my wonderful presence.” She smirked as she chewed.
Hiccup solemnly placed a hand over his heart. “Well, thank you for bestowing upon me your glowing presence.”
They held straight faces for a second before breaking into quiet laughter. They had learned their lesson after Ellie was once scolded by an irritated maester for ‘breathing too hard.’
Finishing his food, Hiccup wiped his hands on his tunic and turned back to his books. He had shifted focus to Essos, hoping that the libraries across the sea would hold more information. If the Citadel had nothing on the deeper secrets of dragons, then surely, somewhere in Essos, there would be knowledge he could use.
Beside him, Ellie busied herself with the books she’d brought, flipping through pages as they settled into familiar silence. The hours stretched on, the flickering glow of candlelight casting long shadows over parchment.
Hiccup’s eyes ached from scanning line after line of text, none of it offering anything useful. He pinched the bridge of his nose, shutting his eyes briefly.
A sharp gasp from Ellie had him sitting up straight.
“Look at this!” She twisted the book toward him, pointing at a detailed illustration of a wolf. “It says that there are creatures in Westeros that carry omens. The Direwolf—it’s twice the size of a grey wolf, sigil of House Stark, and once common in the North before they were hunted down.”
Hiccup leaned forward, his interest piqued. A wolf large enough to ride… He had heard old stories from Gothi as a child, legends of massive beasts that roamed the lands, but he hadn’t thought much of them. If direwolves were real, what else had been lost to time?
Ellie flipped another page. “You think they still exist?”
Hiccup shook away his thoughts, leaning forward and dragging another book closer. “Maybe…I think I’ve heard of something like that before. Anything else interesting in that book? Any dragons?”
He listened as Ellie flipped through the pages, the parchment crackling under her fingers.
“Nope,” she sighed, disappointment lacing her voice. “All it says is that dragons are large creatures that can fly and breathe fire.”
Hiccup scoffed, setting his book aside. “Well, that’s helpful.”
Ellie huffed in agreement but continued scanning. “It does say there are rumors of ice dragons in the North, but the book chalks it up to ‘northern myth and madness.’” She clicked her tongue. “It doesn’t say anything about the different kinds of dragons or their unique traits—this book is shit.”
Hiccup chuckled at her outrage. “Not everything can be as detailed as you'd like, Ells.”
She grumbled under her breath, flipping another page aggressively as he turned back to his own reading.
‘Dorne is the hottest region in Westeros, known for its dry and arid land…’
Hiccup sighed and shut the book, rubbing at his temple. This is useless.
He reclined against his seat, staring up at the towering ceiling of the Citadel. The great structure at the center of the building turned slowly, its golden mechanism reflecting the light of the moon.
He let out another breath, long and drawn out. They should leave soon, get some rest. Tomorrow, they would visit Toothless, bring him fresh fish from the creek near the cave, and check on the eggs.
He was just about to suggest as much when Ellie suddenly gasped.
“Look at this!”
Hiccup turned sharply, finding her hunched over her book, her finger tracing a line of text.
“The White Hart is a rare and magical creature,” she read aloud. “It is said to be a symbol of royalty. The White Hart represents royalty, grace, and… mage-sty.”
Hiccup blinked. “Majesty.”
Ellie waved him off and twisted the book toward him, revealing a detailed illustration of a tall, ethereal stag standing between two ancient trees. Its pale coat shimmered faintly, almost ghostly, as though it belonged to another realm entirely.
His breath caught.
Is that what I’ve been seeing?
For weeks now, the White Stag had appeared at the edges of his vision, watching, waiting, never lingering for long. He had chalked it up to exhaustion or tricks of the mind.
But now…
Ellie continued reading. “It says the stag itself is a symbol of royalty and power.”
Hiccup hummed in thought, fingers absently stacking the books they had gathered. “Does it say anything about the stag visiting more than once?”
She flipped a few pages, skimming quickly. “...Nope.” She looked up at him, smirking. “Maybe it just means you’re very royal.”
Hiccup shot her a deadpan stare, unimpressed.
They held eye contact for a long moment before both cracked, snickering under their breath.
“Alright, come on,” Hiccup said, shaking his head as he stood, grabbing his satchel. “It’s getting dark, and we have an early start tomorrow.”
Ellie groaned dramatically but hurried to shove her book back onto the shelf and sling her bag over her shoulder.
As they made their way toward the Citadel’s exit, the great library looming behind them, Hiccup spared one last glance at the book.
The White Hart.
A symbol of royalty and power.
His fingers twitched at his side, and he pushed the thought away. Answers would come later.
“And you’re sure we can trust the princess?” Ellie asked as she tugged on her night clothes, her voice tinged with doubt. “It’s just… we haven’t really found anything here.”
Hiccup, sitting cross-legged on his bed, absentmindedly counted his coin, fingers deftly organizing his satchel. He let out a long sigh. “Yes.”
Ellie hesitated. “Because she’s a witch.”
Hiccup rolled his eyes. “No, that’s just a theory… and it’s völva.”
“...Right,” she muttered, clearly unconvinced.
She climbed onto her bed, pulling the thin blanket over herself as she watched him across the small room. “So, are we visiting Toothless tomorrow?”
“Yes,” he said, shifting to fluff his pillow. “But we need to stop by the market first. We’re running low on supplies.”
Ellie hummed in quiet acknowledgment.
Hiccup turned onto his side and blew out the candle between them, plunging the room into darkness.
“Night, kiddo.”
“Night.”
“Why do we need a bow?” Ellie asks as she skips down the road, her energy boundless despite the early morning.
Hiccup adjusts the strap of the bow slung across his back. “To catch fish. Nets are useless in a creek that small.” He swings the bow off his shoulder and hands it to her. “Come on, we’re close. I want to teach you the basics before we start.”
Ellie grips the bow carefully, her fingers tracing over the intricate engravings carved into the wood. The craftsmanship is impressive, delicate patterns woven into the grain. She follows Hiccup as he leads her off the road and into the dense forest surrounding them.
The sky is still a cool shade of blue, the sun barely peeking over the horizon. Their trek is short, filled only by the occasional crunch of leaves beneath their boots. When they reach a small clearing, Hiccup gestures for her to stay put.
“Alright, hold on.” He rummages through his pack, pulling out a strip of bright red cloth. With practiced ease, he nails it to a tree with a small knife.
When he returns to her side, he pulls something from his belt. “This is an armguard,” he explains, fastening the dark leather brace snugly around her right forearm. “It’ll keep the string from smacking your arm when you release.”
Ellie flexes her arm, inspecting the fit as Hiccup hands the bow back to her. “Try pulling the string back.”
She grips the bow and tugs at the string, but the tension is stronger than expected. Her arms strain as she struggles to keep it drawn.
Hiccup hums in approval. “Not bad. You’re still a little weak, but the tension’s enough to kill something small.”
Ellie releases the string with a huff, shaking out her wrist. Hiccup chuckles and guides her toward the center of the clearing. He lifts the bow with ease. “Alright, stand straight. When you draw, keep your elbow high, shoulders relaxed. Your body should form a cross.”
She watches carefully as he lines up an arrow. His stance is steady, not a single movement wasted. With a swift pull and release, the arrow flies cleanly through the air and sinks into the center of the cloth.
“Your turn.” He hands her an arrow, stepping back.
Ellie swallows and mimics his stance. She grips the bowstring, pulling it back with determination. When she releases, the arrow flies wide, missing the cloth entirely.
She groans, frustrated.
Hiccup, standing to her side with his arms crossed, only smiles. “It’s alright. Breathe, aim with the notch here—” he lightly taps the bow, “—and remember, arrows dip with distance. Aim a little higher.”
She nods and tries again, this time inhaling deeply before releasing. The arrow soars and lands just below the cloth.
Ellie gasps in delight, turning to him with a wide grin. “That was good!”
Hiccup laughs, ruffling her short hair. “That was great. Keep this up, and soon you’ll be better than me.”
She swipes at his hand, scowling as he snickers.
“Come on, let’s go again. Once you get the hang of this, we’ll move on to moving targets.”
“Toothlessss!”
Ellie dashes into the cave, basket in hand, her excitement contagious. Hiccup follows behind at a more relaxed pace, watching in amusement as she eagerly recounts their day’s events to Toothless. The dragon, curled protectively around the clutch of eggs, lifts his head and sniffs at the basket before digging in.
The ground near the nest is warmer, the combined heat of dragonfire and stone making the space almost cozy. Hiccup approaches, brushing his fingers over the small pressure points on Toothless’ hide as he eats.
“How you doing, bud?”
Toothless lets out a soft croon, nuzzling against his hand before returning to his meal. Hiccup chuckles, reaching for a brush in his pack. Carefully, he runs it over Toothless’ sleek scales, cleaning away dust and smoothing them out until they gleam.
A quiet shift in the cave draws his attention. He glances over to where Ellie has curled up against Toothless’ tail, her chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of sleep. At some point, exhaustion had won over her boundless energy.
She looks peaceful.
Hiccup exhales, leaning back against the cave wall. His hand idly runs along Toothless’ snout, tracing the familiar ridges of his markings. “I’m scared, bud.” The words slip out before he can stop them.
Toothless hums in response, tilting his head slightly.
“I haven’t found anything at the Citadel. Every day, it feels more hopeless, like I’ll never find my people.” His voice drops lower. “And I don’t want to drag her around forever. She needs a home, not… this. A life of hiding, searching. She deserves more.”
Toothless shifts closer, pressing his snout against his side.
Hiccup sighs, rubbing at his temple. “But where else is there? Here, with us, at least she’s safe. Out there? People don’t care about children like her. They’d rather see her starve than offer a helping hand.” His voice tightens with frustration.
Toothless lets out a low, reassuring rumble, warm breath fanning over Hiccup’s hands.
Hiccup leans his head back against the stone and closes his eyes. “I don’t know what to do, bud.”
Hiccup stands at the entrance of the cave, breathing in the crisp morning air. The sky is a deep shade of gray, thick with heavy storm clouds, and the damp scent of rain lingers in the air. The ground outside glistens with moisture, droplets clinging to the foliage, making the forest look darker than usual. He exhales slowly, watching his breath mist before disappearing.
Turning back into the cave, he spots Ellie sitting cross-legged near the fire, scribbling in her journal. Her face is set in deep concentration, her lips moving slightly as she writes.
Toothless greets him with a nudge to the leg, his scales warm against the cold air.
Hiccup runs a hand over his friend’s head, speaking softly. “The eggs should be stable enough to go without you for a few hours. They’re hot to the touch—really hot, which is good. They might hatch soon.” He gives the dragon a small smile before glancing over at Ellie, who’s already hopping up from her spot, a pair of thick smithing gloves in hand.
She thrusts them on and carefully lifts one of the eggs—a deep red one with dark veins running through the shell. Holding it close, she grins. “What do you think they’ll look like? Will they be like Toothless?” She rocks the egg slightly, cooing at it as if it were a child.
Hiccup snorts. “That’s not how that works… but, then again, dragons do tend to nurture their own eggs. Maybe something could happen.”
Ellie just hums thoughtfully and continues stroking the egg before carefully placing it back among the others.
Hiccup turns to Toothless, patting his neck. “What do you say, bud? Want to stretch those wings for a bit?”
Toothless perks up instantly, standing and shaking his body like a restless hound.
“Oooo, can I go too? Pleaseeee?”
Before Hiccup can answer, Ellie has already scrambled to her pack, throwing on her riding gear with practiced efficiency. He barely has time to roll his eyes before she’s tugging on her helmet and bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“I guess that answers that,” he mutters before calling out, “Remember—stay in the clouds. Don’t be seen.”
“Yeah, yeah!” Ellie waves off his concern, already dashing outside. Within moments, she’s mounted, and with a whoop of excitement, she and Toothless disappear into the storm-darkened sky.
Hiccup sighs, shaking his head as he turns back to the cave. His gaze falls on the cluster of silent eggs nestled in their heated nest.
“Guess it’s just me and you guys, huh?” He huffs, rubbing his hands together. “Right.”
Hiccup hears the distant sound of rushing air before the familiar shape of Toothless swoops down, landing just outside the cave entrance. Ellie slides off clumsily, boots hitting the ground with a wet splat.
She’s soaked.
Water drips from her hair, her clothes are completely drenched, and her face is red from the cold. She sniffles, wrapping her arms around herself.
Hiccup crosses his arms. “Ellie—Odin’s beard—you’re going to catch your death!”
She huffs at him, but before she can argue, he’s already grabbing her by the arm, dragging her toward the fire. He sits her down and hands her a thick blanket. “Sit. Dry off.”
Ellie sniffles again and pulls the blanket tighter around herself, inching her hands closer to the flames. “Maybe I did go through too many storm clouds.”
“Ya think?” Hiccup deadpans, shaking his head.
Toothless, apparently deciding that he’s had enough excitement for one day, pads over to the eggs and curls back around them. His tail flicks slightly before settling into a relaxed position.
The scent of something rich and savory fills the cave as Hiccup stirs a large pot hanging over the fire. Ellie sniffs the air, stomach growling.
“That smells amazing,” she says, her voice still a little stuffy.
“Stew. You’re lucky I made extra.”
Hiccup ladles some into a bowl and hands it to her. Ellie greedily digs in, tearing off a piece of bread and dipping it into the broth.
“So,” Hiccup begins after a few bites of his own. “How was the flight?”
Ellie brightens instantly. “Great! Toothless is so fast. We did all these tricks—I swear, at one point, I felt weightless. The air was a little cold, but I got used to it.”
Hiccup watches her animatedly describe the ride, her eyes shining with excitement, her earlier shivers forgotten. He smiles softly, shaking his head.
Then she sneezes.
“Uh-huh.” Hiccup leans back. “Next time, maybe don’t get completely soaked before flying at high speeds.”
Ellie sniffles, rubbing at her nose with her sleeve. “Noted.”
They fall into a comfortable silence, the only sounds being the crackling fire and the occasional murmur from Toothless. They clean up quietly, each settling into their own bedrolls for some much-needed rest.
As Ellie pulls the blanket around herself, she hesitates before asking, “How long will we be in Oldtown this time?”
Hiccup shifts onto his side, staring up at the ceiling. “One day. We just need to restock on supplies. I also need to speak with a maester to explain our absence.”
Ellie hums at the answer, already thinking about what she might gather while they’re in town. Over the past few weeks, she’s built up a small fortune, trading materials, reselling items, even bartering for things Hiccup had no use for. She’s learned how to navigate markets better than most adults, her sharp eye catching deals even seasoned traders might miss.
Still, despite how far she’s come, the thought lingers.
A time before Hiccup.
A time of hunger, when she lay on a hard, flea-ridden cot, her stomach cramping from starvation. When Tom, thin and weak, curled beside her for warmth. When their mother, fragile, exhausted, sacrificed every scrap she could for them.
And where did that leave them?
She clenches the blanket tighter. It isn’t fair.
Her mother and brother, dead, forgotten. While she has this, safety, warmth, food. A place where someone looks after her.
Hiccup would tell her not to dwell on it. "The past belongs in the past," he always says. But sometimes, it doesn’t feel that simple.
She sighs, trying to push the thoughts away. The cave is warm, Toothless’ low breathing and Hiccup’s steady snores filling the space.
She lets her eyes drift shut.
For now, she is safe.
Hiccup sits by the fire, stirring the embers with a small stick as the flames flicker lazily. The cave is quiet save for the occasional crackle of the fire and the faint rumble of the wind outside. Toothless and Ellie had gone on another flight, her latest obsession now that she was comfortable in the air.
They’ve been in the cave for some time now, having last visited Oldtown three days ago to restock supplies. They hadn't lingered; the eggs were too close to hatching to risk being away for long.
His gaze drifts toward the small nest, where the dragon eggs lie nestled within the heated stone, the warmth of Toothless’ flame keeping them incubated. He carefully reaches out, gloved hands brushing against the surface of a cobalt-blue egg. The shell is slightly rough beneath his fingers, tiny, intricate scales giving it a textured feel. As he lifts it slightly, cradling it in his palms, he feels the steady heat radiating from within.
The dragon inside is alive and waiting.
The egg trembles slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible movement that sends a spark of anticipation through him. Small fractures line its surface, thin, hairline cracks that weren’t there before. Soon.
He carefully sets the egg back into its resting place, ensuring it’s secure before exhaling slowly.
A sudden commotion at the entrance of the cave snaps his attention away.
He turns just in time to see Ellie, flat on her back, completely pinned beneath the weight of Toothless, who is enthusiastically slobbering all over her face.
Hiccup stares for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“Hiccup! Help me!!!” Ellie’s muffled cry comes between desperate gasps as Toothless continues his assault, his tail wagging like an overgrown puppy.
Hiccup snorts but finally pushes himself up, shaking his head in amusement. He steps over and gently nudges Toothless aside before gripping Ellie’s forearm and hauling her to her feet.
She shakes herself off violently, flinging dragon slobber and sweat in every direction. Her clothes cling to her uncomfortably, her hair is sticking to her forehead, and she looks absolutely disgusted.
Hiccup can’t contain his grin.
Ellie glares at him before flicking her hand, sending a glob of drool straight at his face.
It lands with a wet splat on his cheek.
They stare at each other in silence.
Ellie books it.
She’s out of the cave in seconds, sprinting for her life like Ragnarok itself is chasing her.
Hiccup wipes the slobber off with the back of his sleeve, already plotting his revenge.
Toothless, still sitting beside him, rumbles in what can only be described as draconic amusement.
Hiccup shoots him a flat look. “I blame you.”
Toothless just blinks innocently.
“Slowly. Don’t drop it—just place it a little closer to the center of the pit.”
Hiccup’s voice is steady as he gently grips Ellie’s wrist, guiding her hands toward the nest. The small, black dragon egg in her grasp is cool against her palms, not as warm or restless as the others. It’s different. Quieter.
She swallows, her grip firm but careful, as she kneels by the nest where the other eggs rest, the glow of dragonfire reflecting off their hardened shells. The tiny space between them has already been prepared, a spot waiting for the dark egg.
Hiccup watches closely, making sure she doesn’t hesitate or make any sudden movements. The egg must be placed just right, close enough to absorb the heat and magic radiating from Toothless without being smothered by the others.
As soon as it settles into place, both of them exhale in relief.
Toothless immediately moves, his large, inky-black form shifting over the eggs, resuming his protective position. The glow of dragonfire flickers across his scales as he rumbles contentedly, curling around the nest like a watchful sentinel.
“Well, that’s that.” Hiccup claps the dust from his hands, brushing off the tension. “Any time now, they’ll be hatching. Come on—let’s wash up and get some food in us.”
Ellie nods, stretching her arms with an exaggerated groan before they grab their packs and start shuffling through their belongings.
The walk to the creek is short, the path well-trodden from their frequent trips. The air is crisp, the scent of damp earth and pine filling Hiccup’s lungs.
The cold water shocks him awake when he washes away the grime of the past few days, his fingers combing through his hair before he steps onto a flat rock, drying off quickly.
Ellie, further upstream, is a lot less graceful about it, he can hear splashing and muttered curses as she stomps through the water.
He smirks.
By the time she joins him, she’s dripping wet, her short hair sticking to her face and neck. Her pants are cuffed to her calves, and her tunic is soaked from the water rolling off her shoulders.
“What are we eating tonight?” she asks, sitting down beside him, wringing out her sleeves.
“I was thinking… fish.”
Ellie groans dramatically, but Hiccup chuckles, reaching for his bow and handing it to her.
“And it’s good practice.”
At that, her face lights up. She takes the bow with eager hands, immediately securing a few arrows before trudging back toward the creek.
Hiccup leans back against the warm rock, letting the sounds of water and the occasional thwack of her bowstring lull him into a light doze.
A firm shake rouses him, and he blinks up at Ellie’s grinning face.
The sky has darkened, the sun melting into warm golds and purples.
She stands before him, a string of fish draped over her shoulder, looking far too pleased with herself.
“Ready,” she says simply, already packing up her things.
Hiccup rubs the sleep from his eyes, snorting when he sees the fish pressing against her tunic.
“That’s going to make your shirt smell like fish.”
Ellie huffs, flicking one of the tails at him.
They start back toward the cave, their footsteps crunching against damp earth. The path, once untouched wilderness, has become familiar, worn by their routine.
But something feels off.
Ellie is quiet.
Too quiet.
Hiccup casts her a sideways glance, waiting.
“Something on your mind?”
She shrugs, kicking a small rock out of her path.
He doesn’t press. He knows she’ll talk when she’s ready.
Finally, after a long pause, she asks, “…Will I be able to ride a dragon?”
Hiccup frowns, slowing his steps.
What kind of question is that?
“Of course you’ll be able to ride a dragon—if one chooses you.”
She stops walking.
He barely catches the shiny glint in her eyes before she turns away, staring at her feet.
“What if none of them choose me?” she mutters.
Hiccup's chest tightens.
She’s always been strong-willed, quick-witted, and fierce in battle, but underneath it all, she’s still a child searching for a place in the world.
He kneels beside her, resting a steady hand on her shoulder.
“Ellie…” His voice is gentle, but firm. “Any dragon would be honored to have you as their rider.”
She sniffs, still not looking at him.
“And even if none of them choose you,” he continues, his grip tightening just slightly, “that doesn’t make you any less of a person. You are strong—stronger than most. You fight men twice your size. You adapt, you survive.”
His green eyes hold hers, willing her to understand.
“You don’t need a dragon or anyone else to prove your worth.”
For a moment, she doesn’t say anything.
Then, without warning, she throws herself at him, her arms wrapping around his middle in a tight hug.
The string of fish gets crushed between them.
Hiccup lets out a strangled cough, laughing as he pats her back awkwardly.
“Okay, okay,” he chuckles. “That’s enough emotional bonding for one day.”
Ellie snorts, pulling away, wiping at her face with her sleeve.
She sniffs dramatically before saying, “Let’s go before Toothless eats one of the eggs.”
Hiccup shakes his head, falling into step beside her once more.
“Yeah, yeah.”
And with that, they continue toward the cave, Ellie’s doubts left behind, but her hopes carried forward.
The cave reeks of sulfur, the scent thick and clinging, seeping into the stone walls and the very air they breathe.
Hiccup stands at the entrance, where the mountain winds offer some relief, cool and fresh against his skin. Behind him, the crackle of fire and the soft sound of a blade against wood tells him Ellie is cooking.
She had been out all day, fishing for Toothless, her newfound obsession with the bow keeping her constantly occupied. If she wasn’t shooting arrows at trees, she was tracking prey through the brush, always testing herself, always improving.
Hiccup has noticed the change in her, the way her arms have grown stronger, the way her steps are more confident, her body no longer frail and underfed but healthy, thriving. She’s even grown a couple inches, filling out in a way that speaks of proper meals and hard training.
Maybe he shouldn’t worry about her so much.
She seems happy, treating their life on the run as an adventure, adapting with ease to the chaos that follows them. She laughs more. She sleeps soundly. The sadness that once hung over her like a storm cloud has slowly started to fade.
And she is safe.
That’s what matters.
Hiccup inhales deeply, looking out over the Dornish mountains. The world stretches far and wide, painted in soft oranges, deep reds, and pink streaks that melt together as the sun sinks below the horizon.
The wind shifts, warm and steady, carrying the scent of dry earth and distant sea.
It’s calm.
It’s peaceful.
And then—
“HICCUP!!!”
Ellie’s shout echoes through the cave, sharp and frantic. “THEY’RE HATCHING!! THE EGGS—THEY’RE HATCHING!!”
Hiccup’s peace shatters like glass.
For a split second, he doesn’t move, the words not fully sinking in.
“When one hatches, they all do,” Gobber’s voice echoed in his memory. “Like thunder. Once it starts, there’s no stoppin’ it.”
Then his heart lurches. He spins on his heel, bolting into the cave just as Toothless lets out a deep, rumbling trill, the sound urgent and expectant, vibrating through the walls.
The glow of the fire pit flickers wildly, shadows dancing against the stone as Ellie kneels by the nest, her hands gripping her knees, eyes wide and breathless.
Before her, the eggs shift, cracks splinter across their shells.
The first sharp snap of breaking shell echoes through the cavern.
And just like that—
The world changes.