AN: Okay, this took way longer than I'd expected. I feel sorry for that, but then, this story isn't meant to be updated regularely.

And trying to answer that question in the reviews... This story won't stick very closely to the original, and if you've ever read others of my stories and/or the AN in those, you know that I'm generally a sucker for happy endings.

. o O o .

Chapter 2 – Where A Dragon Walks On Man's Road

After the decision to go against Grimmel and free the dragons had been made, Hiccup wanted to directly jump up into the sky and fly off. Now that he had a goal, a plan, waiting any longer was jarring to the dragon. However, he needed these humans to reach his goal, and it still took a while before they could start their journey. The Sorcerer, whose name turned out to be Elkhart, and his daughter needed time to pack all those things they didn't want to leave behind and to prepare provisions. So Hiccup rolled up next to the house, watched them, grumbling to himself, and tried to find solace in at least not having to disguise his appearance as long as he was at the Sorcerer's home. But he was glad when, over one and half days later, they were finally ready to get going.

It was a slow journey. Hiccup hadn't really known just how slow travelling on foot was until he had two human travel companions. Sure, he probably could have carried them both on his back and maybe even their backpacks, too, with how the Sorcerer had enchanted them to be lighter. But the old man had advised them to not act suspiciously in any way. If they wanted to have even the slightest chance against Grimmel and his power, then they would need every advantage they could get. And that certainly included the element of surprise.

The dragon could see the wisdom in the human's words, for a dragon in flight was sure to draw more attention than a normal travelling group. But the slow pace and the regular need for rests took their toll on his patience, not helped by the fact that he needed to keep himself disguised at any time, for nobody knew when they might meet other travellers on the road.

There was one thing in his new companions' favour though. They refused to leave him outside when they rested for the night at an inn. Instead, they were content with sleeping at the stables, which the innkeepers gladly allowed so long as their big scary dog didn't frighten the horses.

After a week of travelling like this, Hiccup became more restful. His brothers and sisters had spent many years in that man's captivity. What difference would another couple of weeks make? This rescue mission was important, too important to risk it for unnecessary hast. And once he had accepted this truth, his mood lightened considerably. In some fashion, he even learned to enjoy the journey.

For as long as he remembered, humans had always made him curious. They had no fire inside them to keep them warm and no fur on the outside either. They had no claws or fangs to hunt or to defend themselves. And yet, they were not only able to survive but their population was growing constantly. Travelling with the Sorcerer and his daughter brought enlightenment to some of his questions. For the first time ever, the dragon noticed all the tools the humans made, not only swords or bows and arrows which they use for hunting but also pots and scissors and tongs and gears. It was fascinating and intriguing. He regularly asked his companions about the things they saw, making for great conversations on their long journey.

"That's called a scythe," Elkhart explained as they wandered past a field where several people were hard at work. "We use it to harvest some sorts of crops. These people were scything hay for the winter."

[But you don't eat hey,] Hiccup commented, bemused. [Why would you do something like this if it doesn't give you anything? It looked to be exhausting.]

That seemed to amuse Elkhart. "You're right there, on both point," he said, chuckling. "It is quite exhausting work for something we can't even digest. But it is not for us anyway. It is for our livestock. Cattle, sheep, horses; they all need this hay as food for the winter."

[So you gather food for your animals so they can live through the winter and you can slaughter and eat them later?]

This time, both Elkhart and Astrid laughed, and after a moment, Hiccup joined in, barking out sounds of amusement. Oh, he had understood what Elkhart had explained, and he had to admit that it was a smart move. The humans were taking care of the other creatures around them, even if they ended up eating them. It wasn't unlike what he did to the animals of the forest, taking care of them and keeping them safe from outer threats, but feeding on them when he needed.

Over time, Hiccup began to understand the humans better, both in general and his two companions specifically. Elkhart was happy to explain every device and practice they encountered, like the big smithy in one village and what it got used for. More often than not though, Astrid had to interrupt him when he got caught in too many details or had to get him back on topic as he was easily sidetracked.

Astrid, on the other hand, was the better option when he had a question about human behaviour. From her, he learned for example that a handful of fresh flowers given as a gift usually were meant as a sign of affection while a bunch of dried herbs hanging over the entrance to a house were supposed to ward off evil spirits.

He learned that the easy way in which the Sorcerer handled making a campfire or drying their clothes by magic was something Astrid enjoyed teasing him with. According to her, he wouldn't even be capable of getting dressed without using his magic.

And he learned that Elkhart the Sorcerer really was the last of his kind beside their enemy, for he had no other offsprings besides his daughter, and she hadn't inherited his talent for magic. Oh, she had her own gift in being immune to most magic and also being able to sense certain spells, but she couldn't wield it herself.

. o O o .

One night, when they all once more slept in the fairly empty stables of an inn, Hiccup suddenly woke up. There were noises, hushed voices and careful steps, giggling. His eyes, that could see in the dark of night just as well as in broad daylight, spotted two figures sneaking inside. At first, he felt alarmed. Did they want to attack them? Had the dark magician learned about them and had sent assassins? But he quickly discovered that his worries had been for nothing. The two humans, a female and a male of young age, climbed up the ladder to the hayloft, and soon other noises beside giggling were audible, noises that confused the dragon.

Puzzled, he moved closer to where Astrid lay and nudged her arm with his nose.

"Hm, what?" came her sleepy response, and she turned to see who had woken her.

[Listen,] Hiccup told her. [There are other humans here. But I can't tell what they are doing.]

Astrid listened into the darkness, then pressed her hand to her mouth to smother her laughter.

[What are they doing? It sounds weird.]

Astrid gave him an amused look, then pursed her lips, thinking. "They are… mating," she eventually whispered, so low that no human would be able to hear her but loud enough for his sensitive ears to understand her perfectly well.

Hiccup nodded, understanding but still wondering about this odd human behaviour. [I see. But why were they sneaking around then? And why did they need to go up there to mate? Is it another human custom with dead plants?]

He could feel Astrid's body vibrate with laughter, even as she managed to stay silent.

"No, nothing like that," she whispered back, her words ringing with amusement. "It's just… humans are weird when it comes to mating. Complicated. There are rules to it that even I don't always understand. First, humans don't mate in public. Mating it something private, intimate, only to be shared between the participants and for nobody else to see. And it's not something done with just anyone either. You're supposed to be certain that the person you're mating with is the one you want to raise possible offspring with, too. Because human children stay for a long time with, usually, both their parents."

Hiccup cocked his head. He had understood her words, but they still didn't make much sense to him. [But why would they be mating if not to produce offspring?] he asked, puzzled. Humans never ceased to baffle him.

To him, his question had been perfectly sensible, but Astrid quietly laughed again nonetheless.

[Did I do something wrong?]

"No, no," she assured him. "It's just, well, the same as before. Humans are weird when it comes to this. In most cases, mating isn't meant to produce offspring, but instead, they do it because… well, because it's fun."

She shrugged, and Hiccup decided to leave it at that. He still didn't feel as if any of this made sense, but that was true for many things regarding humans, and he'd already accepted that there were things he would never understand. Like the odd jumble of people in the middle of the village the other day which Astrid had called dancing, or how the people they met on the road could miss that Astrid's hand occasionally resting on his back was much too high to be patting a dog.

Spring turned into summer as they wandered on until they reached the land where Grimmel ruled. Hiccup felt a shudder running down his spine as they climbed a hill and then, all of a sudden, a city was visible in the distance. It was a vast city, bigger than any other human settlement he'd seen so far, hundreds of houses built side by side with a big castle looming over it.

"Here we are," the Sorcerer said, sounding tense, angry even. "The city of Aerilon, where my order was destroyed and where the dark magician still keeps hundreds of innocent creatures captive. But we will put an end to all this!"

Hiccup growled in agreement, but when he was about to go ahead, to start the last part of their journey, Astrid stopped him.

"Wait!" she exclaimed. Her eyes were darting around, squinting. "There's something wrong here…"

Both Hiccup and Elkhart watched her in puzzlement as she walked back and forth, right and left, looking highly concentrated. Eventually, she nodded to herself and turned to address her father.

"Is it possible that Grimmel is somehow observing the border? Something feels different over here."

The Sorcerer's brows furrowed. He made a step backwards, closed his eyes, and raised his hands as if feeling for something invisible. Then he nodded. "Yes… It seems like he is tracking who enters his land. I wonder…" He threw Hiccup a quick glance, then he sighed. "This might actually be a problem."

[Why?] Hiccup inquired, impatiently. They were so close. It would be so easy to jump into the air, fly over toward the castle in less than a minute, and attack the dark magician. Grimmel wouldn't even know what was coming.

"I can imagine what you are thinking, my friend," Elkhart said in an oddly soothing tone. "But we mustn't barge in on him without a plan. We don't know where he is right now, don't know where exactly the dragons are kept. Before we can attack, we need information."

The dragon growled. [So what now? Am I supposed to wait here at his front door until you found those pieces of information? How long will that take? The journey there and back again alone will take you two days. I can't wait here that long!]

"He's right, Father," Astrid threw in, glancing around in discomfort. Her hand around her bow over her shoulder tightened. "He can't stay here. Even if I stay with him, it would be too dangerous. Suspicious." She pondered a moment, then asked, "Can you even enter? Wouldn't he detect your magic, too?"

The Sorcerer shook his head. "No. I should be able to mask it well enough. It means that I won't be able to use my magic at all while we're in Aerilon, but that shouldn't be a problem." Both Astrid and Hiccup gave him flat stares. "Okay, okay, it will be difficult. But I can manage if the alternative is being captured and killed," he grumbled.

[Can you do that for me too? Mask me from his view?] Hiccup asked impatiently. He didn't like just standing around here.

But, again, the Sorcerer shook his head. "That won't be enough. I can't hide what I am, only cover my magic, as if I was locking it away somewhere deep inside me. It's a bit like your natural disguise. It wouldn't change what you are, just how you appear, and that wouldn't be enough to trick this spell."

Hiccup nodded, understanding.

"And… if you do change what he is?" Astrid suddenly asked. She looked hesitant, reluctant even, her hands shaking.

Hiccup cocked his head, intrigued by her strange reaction. He also noticed that the Sorcerer did barely better, blanching at her words. His mouth opened and closed a few times without him ever uttering a word.

[What does that mean?] he asked after a while, tired of waiting for the humans to come to a decision. For a race that lived for only such a short time, they certainly were prone to wasting incredible amounts of it.

"Using magic is a complicated matter," Elkhart eventually replied, sounding tired. "It's not easy to… to command it. I can only – how can I phrase it – I can only express a wish, an intent, and then I have to lend my body to the magic for it to flow through me and let it find its own way to fulfil what I asked for. I can specify my intent, channel the magic and thereby make it easier. But that only works with simple things or when I really know what to do. But actually, physically transforming you into something else, something the border magic won't register as something unusual… Well, that's will take a lot of magic, and there's no way of channelling it. I…" he paused, and licked his lips, thinking, then nodded. "I think I can do it. But I won't be able to guide the magic in any way. You might end up becoming a mouse, or… or a sparrow. Something the border magic won't detect as unusual, something that'll be inconspicuous when we're in the city looking for information."

Hiccup cringed at the idea of turning into a mouse. Mice were food. No, not even that! They were the food of what his food hunted as food. Shuddering, he turned away from his friends, angrily pacing in front of the invisible border. There had to be a better way, something less degrading and humiliating.

"Maybe it won't be something like that though," Astrid gently interrupted his pondering. "Maybe you will become an eagle, flying high above through the sky. Or you'll become this big black dog you always pretend to be for real. Whatever the magic thinks works best. And you can end the spell whenever you need to. Right?" She turned to throw her father a questioning look.

"Right," the Sorcerer confirmed. "It would be similar to what I'd do with my magic. Your real self would still be there, locked inside you, and you can call it back whenever you need it. But keep in mind that that will immediately alert our enemy, so you better keep that for when it's absolutely necessary."

Grumbling, Hiccup looked at them both, then kept on pacing. He didn't like this plan; something about it felt… off. But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't come up with a better one. They had to free the dragons, and they had to get in there first without getting noticed.

[All right,] he eventually gave in. [Do what needs to be done.]

They didn't waste any more time. Both Astrid and Elkhart took a handful of steps away from him, then the Sorcerer raised his hands, eyes closed, and began to mumble incoherently. At some point, Hiccup thought he detected the words "Magic, do as you will, do as you will," and he honestly couldn't say that they filled him with any form of confidence.

But before he could think about it or even stop the Sorcerer, a cloud of light was forming around him. It became brighter and brighter, blinding even. Then it turned hot. As a dragon, Hiccup was immune to fire and burns, but this heat was different. It seeped into his body, burning, melting him from the inside. It hurt! He wanted to scream, to tell them to stop. But he wasn't able to reach them. Nothing existed anymore besides the heat and the light.

He couldn't even say how long it took. It could have been seconds or years, he wouldn't know. But when it ended, he felt weaker than he'd ever felt before in his life. All strength had left him and his limp body slumped to the ground as if it was dead. From somewhere came hands, turning and lifting him, and a voice, familiar yet different, not as vibrant as he remembered it yet somehow sharper and more focused.

"Hiccup? Hiccup, can you hear me? Are you all right?"

I'm okay, he thought, grimacing at how everything felt so weird, so different. But he was okay. The pain was ebbing away and his limbs felt more capable with every second. Slowly, he was able to open his eyes and look up into Astrid's comforting face.

"Hiccup! Oh, you're awake, that's good. Can you hear me?"

Yes, loud and clearly, he threw back, irked by her repeated inquiry. Whatever they had done to him, it had worked. He just needed a few minutes to get used to it.

"Please, answer me, Hiccup. Are you okay?"

Hiccup paused. Hadn't she heard him? Was something off with his thoughts? Groaning, he remembered what they had explained to him, that other living beings weren't able to project their thoughts as dragons did. He moved his lower jaw, testingly opening and closing his mouth. He tried to get out any form of noise, but all it did was making him cough.

"Slowly," Astrid advised him gently. She reached to her hip, to her waterskin, and a moment later held it out for him. "Here, try to drink something. But carefully."

Hiccup followed her advice and took a few sips of water. It felt wonderful on his parched throat. "Thanks," he croaked.

Astrid relaxed noticeably. "Are you all right?" she asked again, more gently now than before. There was an odd concern in her eyes, one he didn't really understand.

"Yes?" He was all right… wasn't he? Everything felt dull and muzzled, different, his mind feeling as if enclosed in mist. But at least he didn't feel pain anymore. He looked around, trying to clear his head, when his eyes fell on Astrid's waterskin… and on his hands around it!

"W-what am I?" he gasped, disbelievingly. He obviously was no mouse, that much was clear, but…

Carefully, as if to show rather then tell him, Astrid laid her hand over his, and when he looked up at her again, he saw weird things there. Fear. Pain. Sorrow.

"You are human."

. o O o .

Duh duh duuuh...