Home Again
Serenity and Tenor flew through the snow air. They were on their way to Berk. Serenity had just recovered from malaria. She had been unable to go to Berk with Re, Aurora, and Tenor when they went three weeks earlier. She was on her way to make up for lost time. She hadn't been to Berk in years and she was excited to see her friends again.
They were quiet as they crossed into the Archipelago. Snow fell lightly. Serenity suspected that Berk would be readying itself for the winter holiday, Snoggletog.
They saw more and more dragons as they got closer to Berk. They all shouted hello as they passed. Serenity shouted hello back in Dragontongue. Tenor kept his focus on flying. Berk was dead ahead. The wild dragons went back to fishing and Serenity and Tenor had the sky to themselves again.
But then suddenly Serenity got the feeling she was being watched. She sat up in the saddle and looked around. She saw nothing but sea, snow, and clouds. Tenor paused and looked over his wing.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Someone's watching us," Serenity said. Tenor glanced around.
"I'm not getting anything," he said. "But if anyone come out, i'll be ready for them." He thrust his wings back and continued forward. Serenity was still getting the feeling. Suddenly she heard the rush of big wings and was yanked off the saddle sharpish. Tenor roared in outrage. Serenity looked up to see a huge owl shaped dragon that was the color of rust. She was clutched in its huge talons. Serenity could barely see a rider on the dragon's back. She struggled to free herself.
"Let me go," she cried helplessly. "Please." The dragon glanced down at her. He didn't say anything. Serenity could feel his talons cutting into her shoulders. She struggled to get free, but the dragon had a strong grip.
"Help!" she cried. Tenor came flying at them and fired a plasma blast at the dragon's legs. He let got and Serenity fell screaming towards the ocean. Suddenly she was snatched up again by a different dragon. She looked up to see that a red Monstrous Nightmare had caught her. He glanced down and smiled at her.
"Hookfang," Serenity said, recognizing the dragon.
"Hey beautiful," said Hookfang. "Sorry about that, Valka hasn't met you yet. She has a bit of a hard time trusting new characters."
"Oh," said Serenity. "Where's Tenor?"
"We'll meet him on Berk," said Hookfang. "We're nearly there." He sped up and was joined by his fellow dragons and their riders: Astrid and Stomfly, Fishlegs and Meatlug, the Twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut on their Zippleback Barf and Belch. The only ones not present were Hiccup and Toothless. Serenity suspected they were very busy now that they were both leaders.
At long last they reached the village. It was all decorated for Snoggletog. Dragons and humans bustled about as usual. Serenity took in the recent updates to the village. She saw the water tower, the weather vane, the windmill, and the dragon hanger. Hookfang gently set Serenity on the ground, then landed. The other dragons landed as well. Tenor landed as well. He rushed over to Serenity.
"Are you okay?" he asked, sniffing her all over.
"I'm a bit shaky but, I'm okay," Serenity said. She leaned on Tenor. She then turned to Hookfang.
"Thank you Hookfang," she said. The red dragon nodded in response. Just then the big rust colored dragon landed next to the other dragons, and the rider dismounted. Serenity moved closer to Tenor. Valka took off her helmet and set her staff down. Tenor growled and went into a fighting stance.
"What is the meaning for this?" Tenor asked.
"I thought you were trespassing," Valka explained. "It's an old habit I'm trying to kick. Twenty years of fighting dragon hunters, I've become slightly paranoid of people I haven't met. I've never met your rider, so I didn't know her intentions."
"I was hoping to make up for lost time," said Serenity, shakily. "I couldn't come up here with the others last time because I was ill." She was massaging her shoulders, which were bleeding and very sore.
"You're the dragon healer Re and Aurora mentioned," said Valka.
"Yes, I'm Serenity." Tenor relaxed his fighting stance, but stayed close to Serenity. Valka carefully walked up to Serenity. She backed up, still frightened.
"It's okay," said Valka. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm Valka, Hiccup's long lost mother. The is Cloudjumper." Serenity glanced at the large owl shaped dragon. He was staring her with curiosity and concern. He slowly approached. Serenity didn't move, Cloudjumber didn't seem threatening anymore.
"I hope I didn't hurt you to much," he said.
"I've had worse, much worse," said Serenity. Both Cloudjumper and Valka looked surprised.
"You can talk to dragons?" said Valka.
"Dragontongue is my primary language," said Serenity. "I'm the only human alive who can."
"Fascinating," said Valka. "How are your shoulders?" Serenity pulled her hands away from her shoulders. There were two puncture wounds in each shoulder, and they were still bleeding.
"They're very sore," said Serenity. "I should get something on them so they don't get infected."
"Here comes someone who can help with that," said Tenor. They followed his gaze and saw Hiccup and Toothless coming out of the great hall, followed my the other riders. Toothless flashed a huge gummy smile and wiggled excitedly. Heh bounded down the steps and nuzzled Serenity's cheek. Serenity finally relaxed and stroked his muzzle.
"Hey handsome," she said, amused. Toothless purred and leaned into her touch. Serenity threw her arms around his neck, and he hugged her back.
"It's good to see you," he said. "It's been so long, we really missed you."
"I missed you too," Serenity said. She let go of him, but kept petting him as she acknowledged the other riders.
"Serenity, glad to see you," Hiccup said. "We missed you last time."
"I was very sick," said Serenity. "I could hardly open my eyes, let alone ride a dragon."
"I see you've met my mother already," said Hiccup, glancing between Serenity and Valka.
"Yup," Serenity said, putting a hand over one of her wounded shoulders. "Her dragon has sharp claws." Toothless saw her bleeding shoulders and licked them with his special saliva. Serenity patted his neck gratefully.
"My mom can patch that up for you," said Hiccup. They all looked at Valka, who seemed eager.
"Sure, it's the least I can do to make it up to you," she said.
"Alright," said Serenity.
"We can tell you everything you missed," said Hiccup as they headed for his house.
"Re and Aurora told me everything," said Serenity. She turned to Toothless again. "You're the big boss now." Toothless crooned proudly, and held himself tall.
"That's right," he said. "I have the right to dump you into the ocean if you misbehave." Serenity giggled and scratched him behind ears.
They went inside the house. Valka got right to work patching up Serenity's wounded shoulders. While she worked they talked some more. Valka was very curious about Serenity's life.
"So you're the only human in the dragon's homeland," she said.
"Yes," said Serenity. "Draconia is a safe haven from the rest of the world. Some of the dragons there like me and some don't. But they don't harm me because Re forbids it."
"How long have you lived there?" Valka asked.
"Since I was five," said Serenity. "I was raised by my guardian dragon, Ruby."
"And he taught you how to talk to dragons?" said Valka.
"He taught me everything about dragons," said Serenity. "Even though I learned my trade from the country's Healer Dragons, he taught me everything else. Such as how dragons breathe fire, the history of the dragons, how many dragon species were out there, he also taught me Draconian culture. He motivated me to go into healing."
"When did you first meet him?" asked Valka.
"The family I was originally living with abused me heavily," said Serenity. "Ruby was the first creature to ever show me kindness. When that family threw me out, he took me away from there and brought me to Draconia. Ruby now has a mate, named Harmony. Tenor is yet to find one. So I'm sticking with him until he does." At that moment Valka finished.
"Thank you," said Serenity.
"So, how long do you plan to stay?" Hiccup asked.
"I plan on staying on Berk for a week," said Serenity. "But then I plan to visit the rest of the Archipelago before I head home."
"Very well," said Hiccup. "You staying in your old hospital?"
"Yes," said Serenity. She got to her feet and went outside where Tenor was waiting with Toothless and Cloudjumper.
"All better?" asked Tenor.
"All better," Serenity answered. She mounted him and they headed up a steep hill towards the patch of land Stoic had given her to treat wounded dragons.
They soon arrived at the hospital. The lawn and hut were in the shadow of a huge golden apple tree. Unlike the rest of the trees on the island, it didn't have a speck of snow on it. The leaves, bark, twigs, wood, and fruit were all a rich golden color. It seemed to glow in the sunlight. Sitting in the tree's shade were all the rider's dragons were resting their wings. They sat up when Serenity and Tenor approached.
"Serenity, glad to see you weren't too badly hurt," said Hookfang.
"Thanks for catching me Hookfang," said Serenity. She hugged his snout. She sat in her armchair by the fire pit. Tenor leaped onto a low branch of the tree.
"When do you all leave for migration?" Tenor asked.
"At the end of this week," said Stormfly. "We want to help our riders with their holiday decorations before we go."
"Will you come with us again?" asked Meatlug.
"I will visit," said Serenity. "But I want to visit the other dragons in this area. I haven't seen them in a while. Anyway, how are you guys liking your new alpha?"
"Toothless still sees us as his friends, rather than his subjects," said Hookfang. "I can tell he will be a good leader."
"Well good," said Serenity.
"You should have seen him take on that Bewilderbeast," said Barf, energized. "It was amazing, I've never seen anything like it."
"I have," said Belch.
"Oh, shut up," said Barf. Everyone giggled.
"He did all by himself?" asked Serenity.
"Pretty much," said Stormfly. "Though, he gives credit to us and Hiccup as well. He's so sweet."
"I don't think any dragon could take him down," said Hookfang. "Except maybe another Night Fury, and no disrespect you Prime Minister sir, but I'm talking about a real purebred Night Fury. Toothless hasn't gone up against one of those yet." Meatlug then changed the subject.
"How's Draconia doing?" she asked. "Re said volcanoes erupted."
"Yup, very violently too," said Tenor, he sounded thrilled. "No one was killed luckily."
"Are you tired Serenity?" asked Stormfly. "You've flown along ways."
"No, I've flown for longer," said Serenity. "I'll be ok."
"You haven't Eret yet," said Stormfly. "I think you will like him." Serenity leaned back in her chair.
"You're not trying to set me up are you?" she asked.
"No," said Stormfly. "Well, maybe a little bit." Serenity smiled.
"What's he like?" she asked.
"He's pretty funny," said Hookfang. "He rides Skullcrusher now."
"Well good," said Serenity. "I would imagine it helps poor Skullcrusher overcome his loss."
"Indeed," said Meatlug. "Eret used to be a dragon trapper before Stormfly turned his head." Serenity frowned and clutched her neck.
"A dragon trapper," she said. The dragons could guess what she was nervous about.
"Don't worry, he's not at all like Viggo," said Stormfly. "He's not going to chain you up." Serenity lowered her hand, but still looked nervous."
"How about you come meet him," said Tenor, leaping down. "I assure you, he's harmless."
"Alright," said Serenity. She got to her feet. She mounted Tenor and they all went down to the plaza.
The vikings and dragons were busy with the holiday decorations. Hiccup and Toothless were both helping and supervising.
"There he is," said Stormfly. She pointed with her wing towards Skullcrusher flying overhead. On his back was a man about her age. Stormfly flapped her wings to flag them down. Skullcrusher saw this and landed next to them. Serenity studied the man on his back. He was a typical viking build. He wore a lot of fur around his shoulders. His black hair was pulled back into a bun, and he had strange blue markings on his chin. His face lit up when he saw Serenity.
"You must be Eret," Serenity said.
"Aye, that I am," said Eret, trying to sound impressive. "You must be Serenity." Serenity smiled at him as she dismounted.
"I've heard a lot about you," Eret said. "You're way prettier than I pictured." Serenity casually stroked Skullcrusher's snout. Eret jumped to the ground. He slowly approached her.
"Hiccup says you're good with dragon," he said.
"Better than I am with people," said Serenity. Eret noticed that she suddenly seemed nervous.
"You don't have to be afraid, I'm not going to do anything to you," Eret said. Serenity relaxed a bit. She looked over at Tenor, who gave her an encouraging smile.
"Say, how much of this place have you seen?" Eret asked.
"Well, I've been here several times before," said Serenity.
"Yeah, but you haven't been back here in many years," Eret pointed out. "Things have changed." Serenity considered. She went back to stand beside Tenor. "Plus Hiccup said you've never really had anyone to fly with." Tenor looked down at his rider.
"It's true Serenity," he said. "This would be very good for you." At last Serenity sighed.
"Alright," she said. Eret beamed and held his arm out to her. She hesitated, then took it. As they walked off Skullcrusher turned to Tenor.
"She doesn't trust him," he said.
"She doesn't know him," Tenor pointed out. "And the last time she met a dragon trapper, she was chained up by him. It's a rational fear." He and Skullcrusher hurried to catch up with them.
The rest of the day was spent with Eret showing Serenity all the new additions to Berk. Serenity could hardly recognize the place. She was really impressed with all the updates, especially when she saw the dragon hanger. She remembered when it was just a big cave created by Whispering Deaths and a Screaming Death. It reminded her of the Draconian Castle, as it too had once been just caves. A lot of the dragons in there either smiled at her as they passed, or just looked curious.
When the tour finally ended, the sun was setting. Serenity, Eret, and their dragons returned to the plaza. Hiccup and Toothless were just wrapping the day's excitements. When Toothless spotted Serenity he smiled big and trotted over to her. She smiled back and petted his muzzle.
"Why does he like you so much?" Eret asked.
"Because I'm nice to him," said Serenity. Hiccup joined them.
"How do you like all my hard work?" he asked.
"Impressive, I hardly recognize the place," said Serenity. "But I'm guessing it was not all you."
"It wasn't," said Hiccup. "But it all came from my head." Serenity looked at Toothless.
"Is that true?" she asked.
"Yeah," Toothless replied. "Basically." He wormed his head back under Serenity's hand.
"What do you plan to do tomorrow?" Hiccup asked. Serenity looked over at Tenor. He shrugged, indicating he didn't care.
"I might fly some more," Serenity said. "I've been bed ridden for a long time, I've really missed flying."
"My mother's training the others tomorrow," said Hiccup. "Maybe you can show here what you know."
"Yeah, maybe," said Serenity. "I'll sleep on it."
"Oh hey, check this out," Toothless said suddenly. Serenity looked at him and he split his back spines. Serenity smiled.
"Wow, that is special," she said. "I've never met a dragon who could do that." Toothless pranced on the spot, clapping his spines.
"Yeah, Valka helped me discover that," he said. "Aurora said you could do it too cousin." He looked at Tenor. Tenor also split his spines, clapping them together. Serenity yawned.
"I should head back up to my tree," she said. "It's getting late."
"Sure," said Hiccup. Serenity kissed Toothless on the snout, then mounted Tenor. They turned and walked up towards the apple tree.