Chapter One

Cold torrents of rain whipped across the island of Burgus. A sudden flash of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the village down below.

Vikings were preparing for the arrival of Chief Volstaf's firstborn child. Lightning and rain were normally a bad omen for the village. But the arrival of a newborn was a sign of celebration. Especially when said new arrival happened to be the Chief's child.

Volstaf himself, a rather large and muscular man with burly brown hair, was pacing outside his house. The healer of the Meathead tribe had been working through most of the afternoon with his wife. Her pregnancy had lasted longer than they expected, and both were worried the child would suffer because of that. The pained cries of his wife could be heard despite the howling winds.

"It's worse this time," Helena whispered as she and her husband, Mavrick, arrived. Their one-year-old daughter, Zena, was sleeping peacefully at their place during the whole ordeal. Helena was more than pleased with Zena, and swore that Zena would become the finest Dragon Slayer the island of Burgus had ever seen. "I've heard too many stories of women who die giving birth during a storm like this."

"No such thing will happen, not to Anya," Volstaf snapped, shaking his head in disapproval. He would never forgive himself if anything happened to his wife.

Though even he was beginning to doubt his confidence. He sent a prayer to the Gods that she would survive this night. That in the end both mother and child would survive. But his prayers weren't answered when the healer emerged from the building, a solemn expression on her face. That look was all Volstaf needed to know that something had gone horribly wrong.

"S-Sir, it might not be a good idea to go in there," she began in a rather timid voice. "The mother isn't doing well, and the child…"

The healer didn't get a chance to finish her statement as Volstaf roughly shoved her to the side. She bowed her head the moment Volstaf entered the room and his eyes widened in horror. What he saw in front of him only confirmed his worse fears.

"How did this happen?" he demanded when he saw so much blood staining the bed sheets. The healer simply went over and tried cleaning whatever blood she could from a ragged cloth. She kept quiet as a body lay motionless in the bed. "How did this happen?" Volstaf repeated, his voice louder this time.

"There was so much blood," the healer explained, her voice sounding shaken as she recalled the horrific scene. "Her face grew paler and paler, and by the time the child arrived…" The healer swallowed and tried to explain what had happened to Anya. "Her mother didn't make it."

"'Her'?" he repeated, realizing that Anya had given birth to a daughter. The healer merely nodded in response.

Anya was meant to survive this, he thought bitterly, realizing that his beloved wife had perished in the most tragic way. And it's all that child's fault!

"Sir, we-we thought it might be wise for you to see the child," the healer went on as she rounded into a second, smaller room. It was meant to be the nursery for the child. But as Volstaf followed the healer into the room, he knew that such a place was too good for the creature responsible for his wife's death.

As Volstaf studied the newborn warily, he noticed just how small and frail looking she was. He would never notice the faint glow at the edge of her tiny hands, or the fact that she had her mother's face. Volstaf was filled with grief and anger at the thought of losing his wife.

"Get that thing out of my sight," he growled, his voice dangerously low as he spun around to avoid meeting the baby's pale blue eyes.

"B-But sir—"

"Get her out of my sight!" His voice had risen, and the baby started wailing seconds later as the healer gently held her. "I don't care what you do with that thing. Throw her to the dragons, use her as a sacrifice for the Gods. Just make sure I don't see her again!"

The healer gasped at his cruel statement, realizing there was no point in arguing. Volstaf was one of the most stubborn Vikings she had ever known. Once his mind was made up, there was no changing it. So this child would grow to never know who her father was, or the fate her mother had suffered upon her birth.

As she stepped outside, the faint glowing had begun to fade. The healer suddenly realized at that moment the child would have a destiny like no other. Whatever the Gods had planned for her, she knew the child would have to face it alone. There would be no family for her, whatever path she chose.

…

It amazed Aniu at how much time had passed since the battle against Drago Bludvist. The island of Berk was finally at peace. Homes were currently under repair while the people of Berk managed to blast away the ice that once claimed their village. A stone statue of Stoick was also currently under construction just outside the village where two large pillars once guarded the island.

Speaking of the people of Berk, life was good for them. Astrid and Eret had officially started courting, making an announcement the same night Hiccup had proposed to Aniu. Zena and Fishlegs had become more than just friends, and even Ruffnut was with Snotlout. Poor Tuffnut was all alone now, but Aniu had a feeling he preferred it that way. He was happy causing destruction wherever he went while keeping the age-old excuse that it was Loki's calling.

Aniu herself couldn't believe that Hiccup had proposed to her. Just weeks after the battle during a celebration, he had proposed in front of everyone. She couldn't contain the shock that had followed. Especially when Valka had given her approval afterword's.

In a sense, she was still trying to figure out what this all meant. She had returned to Berk after the battle against Drago to help Berk recover from his attack. Little did she suspect that doing so would mean staying for good. Yet oddly enough, she wanted to stay. Spending time with Hiccup made her realize just how much she had missed him. How much she trusted him.

She spotted Toothless and Cybele sunning themselves in a patch of rare sunlight. They had asserted their positions as Alphas since the battle, and earned a nice long rest. Aniu still found it hard to believe that half a year ago, the two Night Furies had turned on her and Hiccup. A shiver ran through her as memories of that moment rushed back. She could still remember the shock of losing Stoick during the battle, and having to admit the past to everyone.

Soon the nesting season would be upon the dragons. Cybele and Toothless were old enough to conceive, according to Valka. Aniu was looking forward to seeing baby Night Furies run around Berk for the very first time. She could still remember what it was like growing up with Cybele, who had only been a hatchling when they first bonded.

"You up for some flying?" Aniu asked after Cybele opened one eye and yawned.

"Do you really need me to answer that question?" Cybele retorted with a roll of her eyes.

Aniu couldn't help but laugh at that as Cybele said her goodbyes to Toothless and took off. Once again she was thankful to speak Dragonese. Valka was the only other one who understood the language – and that was just the basics. Nina was the one who had taught her, that and spending so much time with the dragons had given her the chance to learn.

Once Cybele was up in the air, they headed off towards their favorite flying course. Flying was one of Aniu's favorite activities to do with Cybele. Up in the sky, she was free. Free of any criticism others would give her. Free of the scornful looks anyone would give her. Here she didn't need to worry about how to behave or what to do in public. When she was alone with Cybele, it was just like old times.

Cybele maneuvered between the sea stacks that scattered along the ocean. From this vantage point, Aniu could see targets slung around rocks and boulders. Deadly Nadder spines and scorch marks could be seen from a distance. This was a popular area for target practice. Aniu had seen Astrid with Stormfly practicing their marks while enjoying what free-time they had. Once Cybele had cleared the course one time, they flew through again and this time Aniu fired her arrows. Each arrow hit the mark with ease, some of them surging straight through the Nadder spines.

"Is it just me, or have you gotten stronger?" Cybele warbled as they finished the course and landed on one of the sea stacks.

"I've just been practicing out in the forest," Aniu replied after climbing off and watching the waves crash against the rocky island. "It's amazing what a little practice can do for you." Cybele merely snorted in amusement.

"Or maybe you just enjoy showing off in front of everyone," she retorted. "Though I can't really blame you, since everyone on this blasted island are so competitive. Did you see the way Hiccup acted when Snotlout beat him during the Dragon Race? The look on his face was priceless!"

"Ah, yes. That was until after he found out Snotlout was cheating," Aniu said while trying to contain her laughter. "He really got an earful after that."

She hadn't been on the island long enough to participate in the Dragon Race. Apparently it was a sport that the original Riders had invented to replace the boat races that used to be held annually. Even Stoick had gone along with the idea, and it turned into a weekly event. The races were held once a week at the arena where they also taught younger children the importance of Dragon Riding. Zena, Fishlegs and Astrid were the teachers who had enough patience to help younger children experience what it was like to have a dragon as their best friend.

She didn't want to admit that she missed these days, when she would just lounge about with Cybele and the other dragons without a care to the world. Hiccup and the rest of his friends had accepted her on Berk, but there were those who hadn't. She could see the looks Spitelout, Snotlout's father, would give her whenever he walked past. Even some of the younger children would look at her as if she was some wild animal.

"It's hard to believe that it's been six years since we found Berk," Cybele sighed as she gazed at the village plaza longingly. Hiccup was down there with Gobber trying to sort things out with some newlywed couple, who apparently had some full-blown argument over something. Aniu rolled her eyes at the sight as a young Viking woman shouted something at her supposed husband, who looked frightened and was hiding behind Gobber.

"Remind me again why getting married is a good thing?" Aniu wondered out loud. "From what Zena told me, mum and dad split up too after the argument over finding out she left." Cybele pressed her snout against Aniu's shoulder comfortingly, already knowing where she was going with this.

"You and Hiccup are different, though," she reminded her sister/best friend. "The kind of bond that you two share is almost like the bond between Rider and dragon, only stronger, if that's possible."

Aniu smiled at that, having already realized that Cybele was right. She was full of self-doubt. Living on Burgus had created a barrier in her mind that couldn't be shaken easily. Hiccup was the only one who was ever able to gain her trust on Berk. Valka, on the other hand, had been living in the dragon Sanctuary at the time they met. Over time she had learned to trust Gobber and a few other people on Berk. It was like she had formed her own little circle around the people she truly cared about.

Cybele landed gracefully in the village plaza as the fight broke apart. People who had been watching the scene walked away as if nothing had happened. This must be an every-day-sort of thing on Berk. From what Aniu could gather, she had seen plenty of fights break out over the slightest things.

"Good morning Milady," Hiccup greeted her with a kiss the moment she hopped off.

"Have a fun day in the village?" Cybele asked as Toothless brushed his snout against hers in greeting.

"If you call putting up with annoying people who like to argue loudly all the time fun, then yes," Toothless replied with a roll of his eyes

"Good morning… rough start to your day?" Aniu asked after noticing how exhausted he looked already.

It was a good thing Gobber was there to help him. She wasn't sure whether Hiccup would have lasted his first week as Chief of Berk. Between losing his father and everything else, it had been a very stressful week.

"You have no idea," Hiccup replied as they headed for the forge. "One couple wanted a blessing, another was arguing over something their partner lost. I don't know how my dad handled this on a daily basis."

"He had years of experience," Aniu reminded him. "I'm sure in a few months, you'll be just as good as your father."

Though she doubted he would want to be any better than Stoick. Having everyone compare him to the former Chief only added the extra stress on his shoulders.

Hanging out in the forge was the one place where Hiccup could vent off his frustration. When it came to making saddles or weapons that were meant for protection, he was the best person to ask. Aniu had never seen someone with the skills that could easily outmatch Gobber's.

"Mornin' Chief," a Viking waiting in line greeted him, and a few others looked at the approaching pair in surprise.

"Morning, lass," another said with a firm nod as Aniu walked past them. She gave them uneasy looks after following Hiccup inside.

She still didn't trust most of these people, and they shared the same view towards her. Having lived among dragons for most of her life, it was difficult to push down old habits. Especially when some of the Vikings in Berk forced themselves to act friendly towards her. Luckily she didn't have to stick around long with them.

"So why do I get the feeling there's another reason you brought me here?" Aniu asked once they were inside, noticing that Gobber had returned as well and was working hard on some new saddles.

The blacksmith merely nodded in greeting before returning to his work. Not only was Gobber the blacksmith of Berk, he was also the approved Dragon Dentist as well. Aniu had learned from Zena that Hiccup struggled to find a place for Gobber after making peace with the dragons. Eventually he discovered Gobber's special talent with dragons and their teeth.

"Well, I've been thinking of how I designed a flight suit for myself," Hiccup began as he led her to another part of the forge, passing over Grump in the process.

"Mind your manners, younglings," the Hotburple grunted when Aniu jumped over him.

I still wonder how you were able to design that, Aniu thought as she nodded.

"And I realized that… it would be great to have a flying partner," he finished after stopping in front of a work table. "So I decided to work on another flight suit, one just for you."

Aniu blinked in surprise at that. Hiccup pulled out a suit with leather wings similar to his original design. A chest place with shoulder pads made up the majority of the suit. For a moment she wasn't sure what to say, still trying to comprehend what he had made for her.

"You made all of this, for me?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, it took a few tries to make it work the way it was designed for, but I finally got it right," Hiccup replied with a shrug, rubbing the back of his neck as if he was embarrassed. "I wanted to give you something before our big day."

Her body reacted faster than her mind. Before Aniu knew what she was doing, she wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

"Hiccup, this is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me," she whispered after pulling apart and giving him a kiss.

Hiccup had given her the one thing she had always wanted: To fly among the dragons rather than ride them.

"Oi, it's about time ya gave that to her!" Gobber exclaimed after peering into the room. Both Hiccup and Aniu rolled their eyes at the blacksmith's sudden appearance. "It was takin' up too much space."

"Do you wanna try it out?" Hiccup asked as she examined the suit curiously.

She was all too eager to try out the new flight suit. Especially after Hiccup had helped her put it on. Strapping the suit on was easier said than done, especially since she was only used to wearing her tunic and skirt. This was like an entirely different sensation, and the shock hit her like full force when she peered over the ledge of a cliff. Cybele and Toothless were there to watch them in case anything went wrong, which hopefully, wouldn't happen.

"We'll be there if the suit suddenly fails," Cybele warbled with a smug expression.

"Which I'm sure will happen," Toothless added with an equally amused look.

Aniu just stuck her tongue out them before glancing at Hiccup, who was already dressed in his flight suit and gave her a thumbs up before jumping off the cliff. She took a deep breath before doing the same.

A rush of cold wind hit her face almost instantly. She resisted the urge to scream in surprise as she pulled the string that opened the flight suit, following Hiccup's example. One second she was falling, and the next, she was gliding through the air like a Night Fury.

"This is incredible!" she shouted with glee after getting the hang of it. Hiccup was well ahead of her, and soon Aniu caught up with him and exchanged grins.

"Just like a Night Fury, right?" he asked over the howling wind.

She didn't have the words to describe what this felt like. Moments later and Cybele had jumped off the cliff to join them in flight. Aniu looked over her shoulder and flipped onto her back, just like Hiccup once did when they were flying with Valka, his mother. Cybele soared over her and looked down with a gummy smile.

"Looks like you've finally gotten your wish," Cybele crooned.

It was only seconds later that they had landed on a sea stack nearby that Aniu realized just how much of a rush this really was.

"Hiccup, that was amazing," she breathed out after they both landed on the grass. For a while they just lay there, catching their breaths as Cybele looked towards the cliff where Toothless stood on. "I never thought that one day I could fly just like a Night Fury… or alongside my sister, for that matter. Thank you, for everything."

To her surprise, Hiccup was more than pleased with that. She knew that 'thank you' was never enough for someone who had given her a second chance. But it was a start. One day she would repay Hiccup for everything he had done for her.

AN: So... it's been a while since I've posted anything. And, I'll admit, I've been distracted. Lets just say I may or may not have started a secret side account on FF a few months ago and was writing stories on it. But, I want to get back into the groove of writing for HTTYD, and I really wanted to post this sequel. Now, I'm going to be frank when admitting updates will be slow. But, it will be finished, along with the Paradigm. I haven't given up, I just have a lot going on, right now. Anywho, a big thank you to readers who reviewed the last chapter on Dreams Don't Turn To Dust. Hopefully, this is the sequel that everyone' been waiting for ^^