"So where are we going exactly?"

Ingrid led Hiccup up a winding path, brushing overhanging branches aside.

For the past twenty minutes, Hiccup had been following through the forest. He was curious what Ingrid had in mind.

There was a perfectly good reason why they were going this far.

Hiccup continued his cycle of questions, which earned a 'you'll see when we get there" and "Just a little further. I won't give you any clues until we get there. It's something nobody, especially my dad knows" from Ingrid.

The last thing made Hiccup grow even more curious. Wherever Ingrid was taking him, it was somewhere secluded and far from the village.

Hiccup cast a look at Toothless and Arrow, who trailed behind their riders, admiring their surroundings.

Too focused on his surroundings, Toothless was unaware of an overhanging branch.

The next thing he knew, he was sprawled on the ground, groaning at the sudden impact.

Hiccup chuckled in amusement.

"So...how much further?" Hiccup asked the umpteenth time, though it seems like it for Ingrid.

He cast a look at his dragon, who had recovered.

"You keep asking the same question," Ingrid grunted, slicing branches in her path, "It's not that far now. Let's keep moving,"

Hiccup exchanged looks with his dragon then followed after Ingrid up a rocky trail.

"So, tell me, what happened exactly?" Ingrid asked after a brief silence.

Hiccup cocked his head, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"Your mother," Ingrid said, facing the brunet Viking, "So, you never met her until now?"

Hiccup scratched the nape of his neck. He had to admit, this was quite a sensitive topic to talk about.

After all these years, he believed his mother was dead. At least that's what his father had told him.

"You see, all my life I thought she was dead; killed in a dragon raid seventeen years ago. At least, that's what da- I mean, Stoick told me,"

This time it was Ingrid's turn to cock her head.

"Who's Stoick?" she asked, curiosity brimming in her eyes.

Hiccup looked at her sheepishly then lowered his eyes.

Right now, the rocky path seems rather interesting.

"He's...he's my father. Well, used to. He...banished me because, you know..."

Ingrid nodded, already knowing what he meant.

"Oh. I'm sorry. That must have been harsh for you,"

Hiccup nodded silently. He said nothing since he was too caught up with his past life; the life he would never return to.

For him, this was also a sensitive topic to speak about to anyone.

"Anyway, my mother wasn't killed in the raid," Hiccup went on, "She was taken by a Stormcutter, and for the last seventeen years, she's been rescuing dragons. Can you believe it? Who knew all this time she was alive,"

Ingrid gave a light chuckle, "Well, she certainly leads an exciting life. Rescuing dragons and all. She seems to have learned a lot about dragons than most of us,"

Hiccup gave a light shrug, "Well, when you've been living with dragons all your life, you're probably used to it. And you learn so much more about them,"

Silence fell between them as they trudged up the path. Neither of them minded, though. It was rather peaceful, honestly.

When they reached their destination, a cove hidden among pine and close to a secluded beach, Hiccup gasped at the sight.

There were rock formations around the clearing and a lake in the centre. Vines snaked around rocks and scattered around the sandy beach.

Honestly, it reminded Hiccup of the cove back in Berk. It was the exact place where he found Toothless.

Yet, this one was far larger.

"So, what do you think?" Ingrid asked the stunned dragon rider.

Astonished, Hiccup walked towards the shore. He breathed in, taking in his surroundings.

"This...is...amazing," he then faced Ingrid with a smirk, "How did you find this place? Does anybody else know about this place?"

Ingrid watched Toothless and Arrow chase each other around the beach.

Within two years, the two dragons have grown inseparable that they enjoyed each other's company.

"Apart from Runa and Gunnar, nobody knows about this place," Ingrid said, brushing a hair from her face. She stared out into the water with a sigh, "This is where I usually go to clear my head and train. Sometimes,"

Ingrid lowered her eyes and drew a breath.

"Sometimes...I come here to ponder about my mom," she gently swiped a hand over her eyes, "I...I never knew who she is. I have no idea who she is, what she was even like. I...I wish I knew her, I'm sure she must have been a great woman,"

Hiccup nodded solemnly. He came to stand beside her, wrapping a comforting arm over her shoulders.

"I'm sorry," he managed to say as Ingrid quickly wiped her tears, "It must have been hard for you,"

Ingrid nodded, placing a hand over Hiccup's. She tried to hide the blush rising in her cheeks.

"Today's her birthday," Ingrid murmured, staring at the sand, "I would always come here every year, wishing her a happy birthday. I wonder what it would have been like if she were still alive,"

Hiccup couldn't help but pity her. Losing somebody, especially a loved one was tough. He thought he lost his own mother, but now finally knowing she was still alive, that made him happy.

Yet, a part of him still couldn't forgive her for abandoning him; for making him endure endless pain by the village; for not being there when he needed her the most.

However, the past cannot be changed. What happened remains in the past.

Ingrid cast her eyes to the dragons. They had ended their game to tag, and were nestled under a pine, basking in the glorious sun.

"Hiccup, I want to show you something," Ingrid grabbed Hiccup's wrist and gently yanked him towards a cave.

Taken by surprise, the brunette followed after her.

Inside, the cave had a watering hole, surrounded by jagged ledges lined against the rocky black walls.

Black rock sculptures jutted out of the ground, standing proudly at the mouth of the cave.

A breathtaking waterfall cascaded off a ledge, which connected to a stream behind the cave.

Ingrid led Hiccup down a makeshift staircase made up of rocks.

The auburn-haired teen stared at the contents of the cave. He was speechless at such a place that seems to take his breath away.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Ingrid announced, her words bouncing off the walls, "When we were kids, Runa, Gunnar and I would come here to play hide and seek," she chuckled at her childhood memory, "We'd stay here for a night exploring this place. Our parents would get worried, though that they'd get search parties to find us,"

The two teens wandered over to the watering hole, cautiously stepping over rock slabs. Vines snaked in between that it almost caught Hiccup in the leg. Well, his prosthetic.

Sunlight beamed through a thin gap in the ceiling.

Hiccup raised his hand against his brows. He shielded his eyes from the blinding sun.

"So, how are you with swords?" Ingrid asked as she propped down on the edge of the watering hole.

"Swords?" Hiccup repeated, slightly off-guard. He gave a sheepish smile, "I can use a sword. Though, there's always room for equipment. I mean, I don't really use weapons, especially when I have Tooth-''

"Good," Ingrid stood up, unsheathing her sword, "Let's see what you got. Come on, Dragon Boy. Show me what you're made of,"

Hiccup stared at his sword- Inferno and then exchanged a bewildered look at Ingrid.

Although he crafted his sword to frighten off foes, and let dragons know he was a friend, Hiccup has never used his sword to fight one on one with an opponent.

His father never taught him while growing up in Berk. Yet, he eventually learned a few basics himself.

Slipping a hand into his waistband, Hiccup hesitantly unsheathes his sword.

He backed away slightly, gently raising his sword.

An anxious feeling overwhelmed him.

"Promise you won't be too hard on me?"

Ingrid gave a devilish smirk, "Oh, I have a bad habit of keeping promises," she stood back, lifting her sword, "Be warned. I don't play nice,"

"Oh, gods," Hiccup gulped. He got into a fighting stance as Ingrid did.

Beads of sweat rolled down the brunette's freckled face. Hiccup swallowed an anxious lump in his throat, worried how this will all turn out.

Ingrid faced him; determination casted over her face. She circled her opponent, grasping her sword firmly in her hands.

"Just please let me keep my head," Hiccup muttered to himself, "That's the most important body part I need. I already lost my leg,"

The two opponents continued to circle each other.

Sapphire-blue met forest-green eyes. They grasped onto their swords for dear life, prepared for what the other will do.

Silence hung over them. The only sound they heard was the rushing of the waterfall.

As minutes went by, Hiccup felt his heart hammering in his chest.

Out of the corner of his eye, Hiccup swore he saw something moved between the ledges.

But he saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Must be some wild animal, Hiccup thought to himself.

Shoving that thought aside, the brunette resumed to his opponent.

A smirk played on Ingrid's lips. She stepped forward, ready to strike at the perfect opportunity.

Sweat rolled down Hiccup's face.

Anticipating his opponent to strike, Hiccup shifted his position. He prepared himself for the incoming attack.

Suddenly, he found himself off-guard as he watched Toothless and Arrow wander into the cave to watch their humans battle each other. Being dragons, they probably cared less about what their riders were up to.

Taking up this opportunity, Ingrid parried forward.

Alarmed, Hiccup dodged Ingrid's sword and back away as he swung his sword against Ingrid's.

The sound of clashing swords echoed through the cavern walls.

For the next twenty minutes, the young Vikings parried and dodged each other continuously.

They would often fall on their backs, but pick themselves up and continue.

Despite having good hand coordination, Hiccup would struggle against Ingrid's quick, unexpected reflexes.

The Edonian was unpredictable.

Hiccup's muscles began to ache as he fought.

Sweat ran over his body uncontrollably. Heavy breathing rasped in and out of his lips.

The boy continued parrying and blocking against Ingrid's quick attacks. Though, his movements were slow and hesitant.

"Is that the best you can do?" Ingrid exclaimed as she clashed her sword against Hiccup's.

With a grunt, she swung her sword.

Hiccup dodged Ingrid's attack, "Hey, at least I am trying,"

Grunting, Hiccup slashed his sword against Ingrid's. He dodged while backing away as Ingrid parried forward.

"Wow, you're fast," Hiccup remarked in awe.

Ingrid smirked, "Try to keep up. I am not so nice when I have a sword around," she let out a grunt, her movements becoming swift and agile.

Hiccup jerked his head back when Ingrid's sword almost reached the nape of his neck. He gave a sidelong glance at the sleeping dragons, almost losing concentration.

Grasping his sword tightly, Hiccup paced forward, raising his sword. He grunted as he moved his sword against Ingrid's.

Hiccup leaped to the side when Ingrid swung her sword.

Dodging Ingrid's strikes, Hiccup leaped from ledge to ledge blocking her attacks.

"You fight well," Ingrid remarked, dodging the lanky teen's attacks, "But not well enough. For a one-legged dragon rider," she glanced at Hiccup's prosthetic leg, "you're quite alright,"

Hiccup leaped down to the ground. A smirk played on his lips.

"Are you always this cocky, Ingrid?" he asked sarcastically, "Cockiness isn't an attractive trait to have, you know,"

Ingrid lifted her head, laughing, "Cocky? Who told you I'm cocky? I'm just a better, and more experienced at fighting, Hic,"

Hiccup quirked a brow, bemused, "Did you just call me 'Hic'?"

For a moment, the two circled each other. Then with one swift movement, Ingrid swung her sword while Hiccup tried to dodge as best he could.

He stumbled backward, falling on his bottom.

"I think it suits you actually," Ingrid declared, helping him to his feet, "So, give up?"

Hiccup panted heavily as he tried to catch his breath. He faced Ingrid with determination on his face.

"Not yet," Hiccup grunted, swinging his sword forward.

Ingrid sidestepped and dodged at her opponent's reflexes. Once she caught her breath, Ingrid swung her sword in swift motions.

"Give up now, Haddock. You won't win," Ingrid declared with a chuckle.

The auburn-haired boy shook his head, "And let you take all the glory? Never,"

The opponents lowered their swords. Then for a brief moment, silence hung between them as they slowly circled each other.

Forest-green eyes met with sapphire-blue. Heavy panting heaved in and out of their mouths. Sweat flooded their bodies, staining their clothes.

For a moment, Hiccup stared intently at Ingrid's mesmerizing blue eyes. A dreamy look formed on his face as he stared at Ingrid's features.

Despite her hair being messy and her face covered in sweat, Hiccup still thought Ingrid looked beautiful in the sunlight.

With the brunette completely off-guard, Ingrid took this opportunity to strike.

Hiccup edged backward as he tried to dodge his opponent's quick blows. He struggled to dodge her attacks, and he knew for certain Ingrid was going to win.

The auburn-haired teen suddenly lost his balance and plummeted into the water.

Grasping his sword in his hand, Hiccup submerged to the surface.

Drenched, he violently sputtered water from his mouth.

Then he heard laughter. He looked up to find Ingrid standing over him, her hands over stomach laughing hysterically.

Seeing him fall into the water must have been amusing for her.

Grinning, Hiccup exchanged looks between Ingrid then the water. An idea- a rather mischievous idea formed in his mind.

At the right opportunity, Hiccup grabbed Ingrid's hand and hauled her towards the water.

Caught by surprise, Ingrid fell into the water with a scream.

"Hey! What was that for?" Ingrid exclaimed sputtering water.

Hiccup smirked, and then whispered, "Payback. Besides, you deserve this," he splashed water at Ingrid while laughing.

Ingrid had to admit, the boy's laugh was infectious. To her, it was kinda attractive.

It was nice to hear him laugh.

Ingrid shot him a glare. Then her mouth slowly twitched into a mischievous grin.

"Oh, that's how you want to play, huh?"

Ingrid tread to the side, and then splashed water to the brunette.

"Ha! Don't be a sore loser, Haddock. There is always a next time," she continued splashing water at him, "Besides, you weren't so bad, Hic. Just be sure to keep up,"

Hiccup playfully rolled his eyes, "Why do you keep calling me 'Hic'?"

Tucking a hair behind her ear, Ingrid shrugged then lowered her eyes.

A blush crept along her face.

For a moment, Ingrid stared at the rippling water. She avoided the brunette's bemused gaze.

"Because...I like it," Ingrid smiled, finally facing him, "You know, I have always liked your name. It suits you. I think it's cute,"

This made Hiccup's eyes widened. He opened his mouth then closed it, completely speechless.

Compliments weren't something he usually got, especially being complimented about his name. Having Ingrid compliment him did make his heart melt.

"Anyway, you did great. Even for a one-legged dragon rider," Ingrid tread closer, planting a kiss on Hiccup's cheek, "But remember, I won fair and square,"

Smirking, Ingrid hauled herself out of the water, drenched.

Dumbfounded, Hiccup watched Ingrid tend her dragon. He stared at his reflection in the water, taken back by the kiss.

His cheeks became a scarlet-red as he replayed the kiss in his mind.

As he stared at Ingrid's retreating figure, Hiccup couldn't help but feel smitten.

~

"Toothless!" Hiccup chuckled as he was attacked by Toothless' slobbery kisses, "Stop it! Ahh! You know that doesn't wash out,"

It was late afternoon, and after getting back to the village, Hiccup spent the rest of the day working at the forge.

Ingrid had gone to feed Arrow and did some chores she needed to do.

Explaining to Bjorn about his absence days ago was nerve wrecking for Hiccup. However, the blacksmith didn't seem to take it so badly.

Though, Bjorn did seem surprised that Hiccup and Valka were blood-related.

To make up for his absence, Hiccup promised Bjorn to double his shift.

By now, villagers were heading home for the day.

Hiccup went to lock up the store while his Night Fury companion trailed behind him.

Toothless tugged on Hiccup's shirt, letting out a moan.

The young Viking looked at his dragon, who motioned his head towards the pastel pink skies.

Hiccup knew what his dragon wanted; a flight around Edon.

After being on the ground for so long, Hiccup knew Toothless had become restless.

Being a dragon himself, Toothless was always eager to soar through the air, chasing after the wind.

"Oh, it looks like someone is eager to fly,"

Hiccup whirled around to find his mother and Cloudjumper approaching the shop.

"Oh, yeah. He's been on the ground for the whole day," he said, rubbing Toothless' scaly chin, "So I guess we could go for a flight around Edon for a while,"

Valka chuckled as she watched Toothless playfully circled Cloudjumper. Then he hid under Cloudjumper's enormous wing, playing a game of peek-a-boo.

"Mind if we join you?" Valka asked, scratching Cloudjumper's chin, "We are going to head back to the sanctuary,"

Hiccup's face suddenly fell with dejection. He was pleased to finally meet his mother, and it did surprise him that she wouldn't be staying in Edon for very long.

After all, Hiccup did plan to spend some time with his mother. Then again, his mother did have dragons at the sanctuary to take care of.

"Oh, you're leaving?" Hiccup said with a deflated sigh, "I'm going to miss you. You'll come back, right?"

Valka chuckled softly. She walked towards her son, lifting his chin gently.

"Son, of course, I will be back," she glanced up at the twilight sky as a pack of terrors squawked over the village, "But the dragons need me. I promise to visit you frequently. Maybe you could visit me too," she drew a crestfallen breath, "I...I still feel bad about what has happened to you, my son," she shook her head dejectedly, "I abandoned you. Now I want to make it up to you. Really, I do,"

Hiccup stared into his mother's forest-green eyes. He could sense she was still guilty and regretted abandoning him all those years.

He had to admit, he was slightly angry at her for leaving him. But he chose not to hold a grudge. Now, all that matters is he found his mother, and he finally knew the truth about her.