The Gift of the Princess (HTTYD)

Reunion

"Be careful," Astrid said in a low voice.

"Just trust me," Ingrid whispered back. She ignored her frantic heartbeat as Drago moved to stand right in front of her, leering at her. "Listen, I think we got off on the wrong foot. Berk has no quarrels with you. I know a dragon rider has been attacking your men and freeing your dragons, but I promise you that wasn't us."

"You expect me to believe that?" Drago sneered.

"That's exactly what I told her," Eret said.

Drago looked over his shoulder at him. "Silence!" He returned to glowering at Ingrid. "You riders are an affront to me. I ALONE control the dragons! They all belong to ME!"

"That's pretty selfish of you," Tuffnut said. "Leave some for the rest of us."

Ingrid took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She didn't see much hope for winning this guy over, but she had to try... for Eira and Hiccup. "You don't need to control dragons. There's a better way. Whatever dragons did to you in the past, we can work through it."

"I don't need your help!" Drago bellowed. "I don't need anyone. I have all the power!"

"That seems to be working out really well for you. You look very happy."

Drago scowled. "Happiness? Who needs it?"

"You're only saying that because you can't get it," Snotlout said.

"There's no need for us to fight," Ingrid tried again. "Let's just sit down and talk about our problems. We can find a way to peace if we try."

"I have had enough of you!" Drago growled, grabbing Ingrid and pulling her forward. "Peace is impossible. Let me show all of you what happens when you mess with my by getting rid of this one." He pushed Ingrid towards the group of men, who bared their weapons.

"No!" Eret shouted.

Drago slowly turned around. "Are you offering to take her place?"

Eret winced. "No, I, uh, just-"

Drago grabbed him again. "First there was one rider. And now there's all of them. And YOU lead them to me.." He threw Eret across the dock and then looked at his men. "Get rid of him."

Eret trembled with fear. "Drago please..." The men threw their weapons at him, but Stormfly raced in front of him, shielding him. A second later, she was tranquilized.

"STORMFLY!" Astrid shouted. "NO!"

Ingrid and Eret were pushed in with the rest of the group. Ingrid noted the amazed look on Eret's face. Maybe she hadn't had an effect on Drago, but it seemed like someone learned something.

***

"We are not attacking Drago with the Bewilderbeast," Hiccup insisted. Krogan finally wanted to help them, and this was what he came up with? "If we launch a preemptive strike, war will be our only option."

"It needs to be an option," Krogan said. "When your feeble attempts at peace fail, you will need a plan to defend yourselves. This dragon is our best bet." He pointed to the observing Bewilderbeast. "Only the King of Dragons can defeat one of his own kind."

Hiccup frowned. "One of his own- What are you talking about?"

Eira looked at Krogan curiously. "You think Drago has a Bewilderbeast?"

Krogan nodded. "Drago has his own way of controlling dragons, but leading the massive army he's forming requires the power of the King of Dragons. He entrusted me with acquiring one. If he's back in the archipelago, I assume he's found one on his own."