Gobber locked the cabinet, containing the valuable metals and tools. Astrid sat on the counter of the shop, a big smile on her face. The girl had explained everything in to the smith, and he had to admit that, how strange it sounded, it did make sense.

The dragon, apparently one of the illusive Nightfuries, was locked in one of the cages of the arena, and still hadn't woken up. No one was allowed inside except for Stoick and Astrid, for they had seen the dragon already, and knew who it was. Life in the village began to be rather calm, for a few days there hadn't been any dragons. The ones in the arena had been calmer rested most of the time instead of trying to escape.

It wasn't till the fifth day that people started to question it. Many theories began to arise. Maybe the captured dragons was their king, and they didn't dare to attack. Maybe it was their leader, and they didn't know what to do. Nobody knew what was really going on.

Stoick personally guarded the arena, so that nobody could enter and inspect they unknown dragon. He knew Vikings all too well, and if one of them saw a Nightfury, their pride would take the better of them. Even if they got cast out they could boast about their success everywhere. He didn't want to risk that.

It was one of the gentler days on Berk, the sun shone through the metal caging off the arena and reflected of the steel. Stoick had been discussing something with Gobber, who had explained to his friend that Astrid told him what was up, when they heard a sound from inside the cage. It had been just a rumble, a small indicator that he was alive. They had checked on him daily, every time hearing the faint heartbeat grow just a bit stronger.

It wasn't the first time they heard a noise from there. They shrugged it off, knowing he'd probably recognise where he was and call down quickly enough. Otherwise, a blown open door would be a good indicator that he was awake.

Night came as it did every day, and Gobber's guard was relieved by Astrid. They always had two men guarding the dragon. And switched every third of the day. Astrid guarded most of the night, together with Stoick, who went had giving chiefing responsibilities to Spiteloud. Astrid's arrival came together with a basket of fresh fish, which they would change out with the uneaten old fish from the last day.

They closed the gates of the arena, mostly so that the village wouldn't grow suspicious, but also because Hiccup might get a panic attack and try to escape. Stoick opened the door of the cage a bit, just enough for Astrid to fit through with the basket. Inside lay Hiccup, his chest gently moving up and down and his wings twitching sometimes. She stared at him for a second, the large beast that had attacked their village for years, now gently resting on their island.

She checked the corner for the old fish, which would have to be removed before it began to smell too much, but found it empty. "Chief?" She called. "Did you already clean the fish?" The chief propped himself through the opening and looked at her confused. "No, why?" They shared a glance together before looking at the dragon, which had rolled over in its sleep, lying on his back.

Astrid slowly approached Hiccup, hoping to finally be able to wake him up after him being sound asleep for all those days. But when she was near his face the dragons did something they didn't see coming. It was a rather small burp, for a dragon, but because Astrid's head had been basically hanging above Hiccups mouth she could smell the full extent of it. He had definitely eaten the fish.

She stumbled back, gasping for fresh air. "He's eaten it." She said between breaths. "Don't question it." Stoick sniffed the air, already noticing the smell coming his way. "I think it would be best to come back later." He said as he moved to the door, hinting Astrid to follow, which she happily did. "When the smell is gone."

The night was calm, most of the village sleeping soundly, and the other half intoxicated beyond measurement. Vikings, go figure. Stoick and Astrid had been calmly chatting when a quiet shriek was heard. The two looked up to see a Nadder standing on the edge of the railing, looking down at them. Astrid immediately recognized the dragon, for it was her own. She ran up the slope to greet it, and send it away to make sure no 'brave' Viking attacked her.

Stormfly had other ideas however, walking down to greet her halfway, before walking towards one of the cells. She started scratching the wall with her claws. "I've never seen a dragon that wanted to be locked up." Stoick muttered as he witnessed the whole ordeal. It was quite clear that the large, bird like dragon wanted to enter the pen. Astrid opened the door with hesitation, before the dragon gently stepped into it and found a comfortable position on the stone floor.

"I guess she just wants to be near me." Astrid said as she gave her dragon a pat on the head, before walking out and closing the doors. "I hope she doesn't get in trouble." Stoick was sitting on a crate, heavily in thought. "Maybe we can use her." He said slowly. "Use her to convince the village that dragons are safe." Astrid looked at him dumbstruck. "Compared to that a dragon getting into a cage is perfectly normal." She said. "Think about it." Stoick began. "We have a trained, obedient dragon who understands you. If we get it to act like you tame it than we can show the village that they mean no harm." "Do you really think that it will be that easy?" Astrid asked, imagining the possibilities if something went wrong. "Will the village be convinced by an act of me?" "No, they won't." Stoick said, earning a sigh from Astrid. "But if their strong, powerful and wise leader is convinced, they might give it a try." Astrid smiles at the thought of the plan working. "Most of them at least." Stoick added.

: : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Everyone had gathered at the arena, Stoick had claimed that Astrid came up with an interesting theory about the change in dragon behaviour and that she wanted to show them. She stood in the ring with a shield and her axe. Ready for battle. The crowd was hoping to see a stunning match, they knew the power of the Hofferson girl and we're certain that whatever dragon came out of that cage it wouldn't be alive afterwards.

Stoick silenced the crowd as he sat down on the stone throne overlooking the arena. "Attention everyone!" He shouted. "There had been a change in dragon behaviour lately, as you all have noticed. Astrid here had an idea and she wanted to show us." He signalled Gobber to open the gate of one of the cages, from which a Deadly Nadder sprung out. It squawked a few times at the public as it jumped and flew around, before settling its gaze at Astrid. It acted like a normal dragon would, making itself large and hissing at the armed Viking. That was until Astrid dropped her weapon and shield.

The crowd reacted just like the dragon, a startled gasp. However, when the crowd stayed still to see what would happen next the Nadder started to circle Astrid, inspecting her. She stood in the centre of the ring, arms raised to indicate that she wasn't holding any weapons. Once satisfied with the results of the check, the Nadder lowered its profile, folding its wings besides his body.

Astrid took a step forwards, to which the Nadder also moved a bit back, but not taking a step. She extended her hand carefully and turned her head away. The whole arena was silent and watching, since everyone was expecting that the dragon would bite her hand off. Astrid's parents were almost fainting form the tension and Stoick was watching with incredible interest.

The Nadder observed her hand with wide eyes. Turning its head left and right to let both eyes inspect the limb that was offered. The crowd waited for the beak of the beast to open and swallow the whole arm, making her a young and female version of Gobber. But it didn't happen.

Instead, the dragon slowly pressed its head into the girls arm, emitting a low rumble from the back its throat. Astrid slowly moved to the side of Stormfly, scratching the side of her neck. She petted and awarded the dragon a bit more before calmly leading it back into its cage. Where it found the same comfortable position as a few days ago.

She closed the doors and moved back to the centre of the arena, where she faced Stoick. "Whatever made them hostile is probably gone. They don't raid us anymore and aren't a threat to us if we're not a threat to them." She explained. Earning a lot of discussion and yelling from the crowd. "Silence!" Stoick yelled, shutting the crowd up. "Do you truly think this is true chid?" "Yes!" Astrid said sternly. "I do." "I'm not totally convinced." Stoick said as he looked at the crowd. "But if this is indeed a chance for peace, how small and strange it might be, we must take it."

The crowd was silent for a second, before some Vikings started approving of the point. First it was one, Gobber, then it were six, then came eighteen. In the end, more than four fifth of the entire population was cheering, glad that the war could be over.

: : : : : : : : : : : :

Slowly but surely the eyes opened again, looking around the room for the meal. However he found nothing. Didn't they feed him, or had he already awoken today? That last one was highly unlikely. For the last few days? Weeks? Maybe even months. He would wake up, eat his the pile of fish that lay in the corner of the room, walk back, and fall back asleep. He guessed they refreshed daily, since the fish always smelled fresh.

He rose to his feet, finding it a lot easier than other days. He had noticed that the last few times it was easier to get to his feet and to walk, he even dared to stretch his wings a bit. He stretched his legs and his tail, finding that his fake tailfin had been removed. It would probably be best to stay in his dragon form, the change would ask a lot of his body and could possibly knock him out. And explaining why he was out cold in an escaped dragon's cage. He lay back down but quickly found that he couldn't sleep.

Since this was Hiccup, we all can guess what happens next. Curiosity got the best of him. He stood up again and walked towards the door, where small slits of light came through. He carefully and gently pushed the large door open, the sunlight blinding his eyes. They slowly adjusted to the bright sunlight, and his vision came back. He found himself in the arena where he had fought Astrid for the first time. He stuck his head out from the opening between the two doors and calmly checked the area for any Vikings, finding none.

His legs were aching, he had been lying still for a long while and he could use a good walk. Sure it wasn't the best idea to go out this time of day, in a Viking town, but when had he ever done a safe thing.

He stepped into the arena, expecting some kind of a trap or execution setup. But none came. What surprised him was that the cages were empty, all the doors widely open except for his. He slowly walked up the ramp that connected the lower arena with the stone viewing platforms. Finding Astrid lying against one of the wooden pillars outside, vast asleep. He gently grunted in her ear, and along with various other draconic noises tried to wake her up.

She opened her eyes slowly, being greeted by the big green eyes of Hiccup. "Hiccup?" She asked carefully, maybe Toothless had arrived a few days ago to check on them so she wanted to make sure she was talking to the right dragon. The Nightfury nodded. "You're awake!" She said as she hugged the dragon. She stepped back to look at it, he was still a bit beaten up, but he looked quite good. "What were you thinking going against the queen alone?!" She then yelled. Hiccup took a step back from his wife.

He had expected her to be a bit upset, it was natural with her. But he never imagined her having her battle-axe this quickly. He jumped back she tried to hit him with the side of the blade. He decided that it would be best to just run.

He jumped away from her, onto the bridge that connected the town with the arena, and started running towards the village. Who cared if a town filled with dragon killing Vikings saw him, he could probably take them better than a furious Astrid Hofferson. He ran through the village, Astrid close behind. Who knew she could run this fast?

The villagers all looked up from their work at the scene. They had decided to stop fighting dragon's right? Then why was the one who came up with it currently chasing some dragon? Hiccup arrived at the forge and quickly climbed the roof, a furious Astrid standing in front of the building yelling at him. Gobber came out of the building to inspect all the noice, and quickly found the furious Astrid.

"What's the matter lass?" He asked the girl when she was about to throw her axe towards the large beast. "Didn't we become friends with dragons?" "Right now not with that one." She said as she pointed to the dragon. "Guess who's awake?" "Hiccup!" The smith yelled with glee as he inspected the beast on the top of the building. "Good to see the marriage is still going strong."

Hiccup ignored Gobber's sarcasm and decided to look around the village. He was hoping to find a good way of escape but only found a lot, and I do mean a lot, of dragons, perched on rooftops with Vikings on their backs. He looked at them with a curious expression, and most of them looked back the same way. They had seen a Nightfury once before, the dark beast slept somewhere in the woods. But this was different.

He was snapped out of his reconnaissance by Gobber, who was calling his name. "Hey Hiccup!" He yelled. "We got something for you!" He held a large red tailfin in his hands, showing it folding and unfolding. "You probably want to stretch your wings again." Hiccup observed the tailfin with interest, and slowly started his decent towards the ground. He tactically jumped down, so that Gobber was between him and Astrid.

It wasn't better timing for Stoick and Toothless to arrive, both happy to see Hiccup alive and well. They joined the group and also directly noticed Astrid's mood, since it was pretty readable form her face.

Gobber moved towards Hiccups back to attach the tailfin, strapping the fin on his tail and attacking the small rod from to his other fin.

Hiccup and Toothless took to the skies, doing tricks as they flew. After a while, they were joined by Stormfly and Astrid, who's mood had definitely increased. They flew together as the sun began to set, and darkness would cover the land.

Because after all. A Nightfury? Those are a piece of the night sky.

AN:

Well, I couldn't think of a more cliché ending. And I finally have a way to make some sense of the title. So yay!

Anyway, I want to thank everyone for supporting me on this interesting journey, I hope this story can be followed by many more.

I want to thank everyone who reviewed, gave inspiration, favorited, followed and basically did anything to help me with the story. I'm kind of sad that it's finished but hey, time for a new one.

Those who have been keeping up with the autors notes (which I do on both stories so if you only read this one some information could be new) and the poll on my page you'll know that the next story will be an AU where Hiccup leaves Berk and becomes an assassin.

I hope you enjoyed reading this story as much as I did writing it, and I hope everyone will stick around for the next one. It will probably be called 'Nothing is true, everything is permitted.'

Hope to see you guys there!

R4y