In the city of Berk, at one of its most high end and popular restaurants, everyone was enjoying their night except for one Henry Haddock. Better known as Hiccup. His head was in his hands as his mother and girlfriend talked, this being their first meeting. And as customary with mothers meeting their son's girlfriends she was now embarrassing him with stories of his youth.

Valka was busy entertaining Merida with a story about how Hiccup believed his cousin when he told him he'd seen trolls and that they stole his socks, only the left ones. Merida smiled and giggled, covering her mouth and trying to suppress her laughter and spare Hiccup his embarrassment.

Hiccup prayed that something, anything would happen to cut their night short. Like a bank robbery or a supervillain attack. But no, it appeared that this was the one night that all was quiet.

Meanwhile in the kitchen one of the chefs was attempting to make one of the famous Chef Linguini's soups. He'd gathered up all the ingredients and was in the midst of preparing the broth, only to hit an unwelcome snag.

"Damn it, not now!" the Head Chef cursed as he attempted to fix their very expensive stove oven. He'd tried everything, but it still wasn't working. "It was working just fine earlier! We can't work with one our most importants pieces of equipment out of commission!"

Some of the other customers had begun to question what was taking their food so long. They'd even begun asking for the manager, who was doing his best to assure everyone that their food was on its way.

Hiccup had begun to notice everyone growing a bit impatient for their food. He watched as some people even got up and began to leave. He decided to check what was happening, and get out of listening to an embarrassing story of him as a child.

He stood up and looked to his mother and girlfriend, "I'm going to check and see what's taking our orders so long. Be right back." Then he proceeded to head towards the kitchen,

Valka watched him go before looking to Merida. "I think that's enough embarrassment for half an hour, don't you agree dear?" she said with a small smile.

Merida smiled back and nodded in agreement. She took a sip from her wine glass before looking to her once more. "Do you have any pictures of Hiccup as a lad?" she asked curiously.

"Of course dear. Only my favorites though," she said as she took out her phone and began pulling up the images of her son as a child. They ranged as far back to Hiccup's infant years. Merida looked and smiled fondly at the pictures of her beloved as child. He was so chubby faced and cute.

Back in the kitchen the manager was trying to find out what the problem was. He looked to the head chef, "What is going on here? I got guests out there waiting for their dinner and some of them are starting to leave!"

One of the chefs quickly explained the situation. "The damn stove isn't working."

The manager felt his pulse quicken as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't believe his luck. And to make matter worse, the restaurant owner was here, along with Ms. DunBroch, and his mother. He could practically feel his future unemployment coming at him like a speeding bullet.

A moment later Hiccup stepped into the kitchens. "Looks like you guys are having some problems," he said aloud. The manager and chefs all turned to look at him in surprise. Hiccup began to casually take off his jacket and roll up his sleeves. "Mind if I take a look see?" he said calmly.

No one protested, too frozen in shock to see the restaurant owner waltzing in. He took the tools the staff had dragged out and got to work.

Merida held her fond smile as she looked at more and more pictures of Hiccup as a child. Seeing him couldn't help but make her wonder what their children would look like. A moment later she blinked and began to blush, that last thought having come out of nowhere and not something she was ready to face just yet. She glanced at Valka, thankful her attention was on the pictures and not her red face.

After looking at another picture her brow quirked upward curiously. It was Hiccup at the age of four, holding onto what looked like a black dragon plushie. "What is that Valka?" she couldn't help but inquire.

Valka glanced at the phone. She smiled and gave a laugh. "Oh that's just Toothless," Valka answered.

"Toothless?" Merida asked.

"Yes. That's what he named his toy. Hiccup used to be quite fond of the idea of dragons as a boy. Probably from all the stories I used to tell him of Vikings and the old Isle of Berk."

"Can you tell me more?" Merida asked.

"Sure dear," Valka said with a nod. "Well when I was a girl, my grandmother would tell me stories of dragons…"

Back in the kitchen Hiccup frowned before looking to the manager. "You said you had men come in and take a look at it?"

"Yes sir. They told me they'd fixed it," the managers responded.

Hiccup sighed. "Well whatever they did was only meant to look like it'd been fixed," he explained. "What else did they take a look at?" The manager showed him to the equipment that had been looked at.

He looked to the manager and asked about the repair company. The manager gave him the name and number and after inquiring the manager admitted that he hadn't been able to reach them, the number had apparently been disconnected.

"Looks like you were scammed," Hiccup surmised. The manager swallowed thickly, fearing his impending job termination at being swindled. "Well nothing seems too bad. I should be able to make some repairs at least for tonight. I'll look into some legit repair companies later."

"Yes sir," the manager responded. Hiccup gave the manager a nod before resuming his task. With that the manager got the staff to resume their tasks, now that the stove was working again. He rushed back to the patrons and apologized for the long wait before assuring them that their food was on its way.

Back at their table Valka was regaling Merida with stories she'd been told as a child. Stories of Vikings and the creatures who lived alongside them. Valka laughed as she recalled once making it her life's mission to one of the legendary beasts. When she'd gotten older she'd visited the isle of Berk, trying to find some evidence that the creatures existed.

Merida was enthralled with her stories and tales of her youth. "Did you find any proof?"

Valka sighed and shook her head. "No. I must have spent months searching high and low too, but nothing. No bones or fossils. Nothing to show for it," she said in a low tone. "I was close to giving up, but then I found something. An old book written in runic. From what we could translate it appeared to be a bestiary of dragons cataloguing their characteristics and aspects."

"Wow," Merida said in amazement.

"Yes, I thought it was amazing too. So did Hiccup," Valka said fondly as she remembered showing it to him, even reading it to him when he was younger. "I got him the dragon because it was his favorite species from the book," Valka revealed.

"What was it called?" Merida asked.

Valka opened her mouth to answer only to stop as Hiccup returned, with the waiter and food in tow.

Hiccup gave them a smile as he slid back into his seat. "Ladies," he said with a nod to them both.

"Henry, what took so long son?"

"Just a little technical trouble. But how about we dig in. I'm starving," Hiccup said as the waitered placed his food before him. Merida and Valka were in agreement.

And so they ate. Valka moaned in delight as she ordered a familiar dish she used to have at Gusteau's in her younger days. Somehow the recipe had been made even better. She'd have to bring her husband with her.

After an hour of eating and making idle chatter the three of them finished their dishes. Stomachs full and the night wearing on they decided it was time to get the check. Hiccup called for the check and looked to his companions with smiles, glad to see the two most important women in his life were having a good time.

Merida in turn couldn't be happier with the way their evening turned out. Merida was glad to have had the opportunity to meet with Hiccup's mother and was delighted to find out they got along splendidly.

The manager brought the check to their table personally. He paused before offering it to Hiccup. "Are you sure you want to pay Mr. Haddock? This is your restaurant after all and you did help us out tonight. I could just comp your meal."

"Nah, it's fine," Hiccup said dismissively as he held his hand out for the check. "Oh, and go ahead and pay for everyone who stuck around," he said as he handed the check and his credit card to the manager. The manager gave a dutiful nod before walking to the kitchen.

When he returned to give Hiccup his receipt and card back a cheer went up. The three of them looked around to find the restaurant giving Hiccup a round of applause in thanks. Hiccup smiled bashfully before waving to them in acceptance. With that the three of them stood up and made their way toward the exit.

Once outside Hiccup invited his mother to stay at the mansion for a few days, or even the night. But Valka laughed and said she didn't want to trespass on he and Merida's little love nest. The couple blushed and Valka said she'd stay in a hotel before flying out the next day. As her limo pulled up and she prepared to climb inside she stopped, remembering something as she looked back to them.

"It was lovely to meet you Merida," she said with a smile.

"You too Val," Merida replied honestly.

"But don't be giving me grandchildren before you too are married," she suddenly said, eyes narrowed, and face stern.

The couple stiffened and their faces started to turn a matching shade of red. Valka laughed in good humor before getting into her limo. It drove away as Hiccup and Merida waved goodbye. With that Merida handed her keys to the valet and they awaited for him to bring her car so they could return to Hiccup's home.

As they were waiting someone exited the restaurant behind them.

"Mr. Haddock," came a female voice.

Hiccup and Merida turned to meet the gaze of a tall woman behind them. This woman was unknown to Merida, she swept her gaze up and down to take her in. The woman was about six feet tall with short blond hair, and green eyes. She had peach colored skin and wore a long black dress with golden designs woven in.

"Mala," Hiccup greeted with a nod and a small smile.

"And Ms. DunBroch, a pleasure to meet you too," the woman, Mala, said as she looked to Merida in greeting.

"The pleasure is all mine…" Merida replied formally while glancing to Hiccup and waiting for an explanation.

Hiccup raised a hand to gesture to Mala. "Merida, this is Berk's Chief of Police. She and I became acquainted a few years back," he briefly explained.

"Ah," Merida said curiously. Despite having come to berk frequently since the start of their relationship and the Big Four Merida had yet to learn about her. She seemed young, maybe a year or two older than them at most.

"I was wondering when you'd finally buy me dinner Mr. Haddock," Mala joked with a smile as she looked to Hiccup.

"Oh yeah. I did promise that didn't I," Hiccup said as he rubbed the back of his head. This made Merida arch a brow

Mala gave a chuckle. "Seems like we're even then," she said. "Have a good night Mr. Haddock. And you, Ms. DunBroch," Mala said as she began to walk down the street and away from them.

Merida watched her go before looking to Hiccup in question, wanting to know what that last part meant.

"It's not what you're thinking," Hiccup said quickly. "Over the years I've helped the police solve a string of cyber crimes. Caught a hacker once. Mala treated me to dinner in thanks and I promised to return the favor someday. That's it."

Merida gave a hum but ultimately believed him. She let it go, leaning into his side and grabbing hold of his hand as they waited together.

Meanwhile, Valka stared out the window of her limo with a smile. She was glad to see her son was alright, and happy to see he'd found a good woman. She liked Merida. She was a vibrant, spunky, spitfire of a girl. A perfect match for her son.

It eased her mind to know he was in good hands. She remembered just a few years ago, when Hiccup was alone, when he'd pushed everyone away after he lost his girlfriend in Japan. He'd changed, and it worried her. Then he'd called and told her he'd made some friends, and they helped him. They brought back her son, the real him. But even with them she could still tell he felt alone, missing someone in his life.

But Merida had become that someone, and she could see no one better suited for that task.

As she recounted the evening she remembered her talk with Merida. Their talk about Hiccup and dragons, and his favorite toy. She laughed, remembering how he used to read that book to Hiccup when he was younger. He'd probably forgotten about it, his interests and mind drawing him to explore the wonders of science. But that toy was based off his favorite type of dragon.

The Night Fury.

Back at the mansion Merida revealed that she'd bought a bottle of wine and suggested they have a glass before bed. Hiccup liked the idea and went off to the kitchen to find them some glasses. Merida smiled evilly, her revenge not forgotten. She uncorked the bottle and dropped a little white pill inside. Hiccup, returned, glasses in hand as Merida offered him the first glass.

new chap.

so some people suggested I make Mala Berk's commisioner/police chief. After a bit of contemplation I found that I liked the idea, so there, its canon now.

Thanks again to Alexander James Rubenacker for writing this chapter and letting me use it.