AN: Chapter 1 was my entry to a story-writing competition with the theme 'Holiday', hosted on the Sticks and Stones HTTYD forum.
'A Dragon's Gift' can be read on its own, although there are occasional references to events in my earlier story 'Learning Curve'.
Toothless, Hiccup and the gang belong to Dreamworks and Cressida Cowell.
A Dragon's Gift
Chapter 1
The young woman sat apparently alone on the boulder beach, her chosen rock comfortable enough to her toughened form. It was one of those rare winter days in Berk, blessed with the unlikely mix of light airs and sunshine. The rays seemed so precious at this time of year, not by virtue of their warmth (for they carried very little), nor so much for their welcome brightness, but for the way they transformed everything they touched. Placid and aquamarine, the waters of the bay seemed to tempt a swim despite the frigid temperature, while over the quiet ocean the sparse clouds hung low, incandescent curtains of ruby and orange haloed in azure by their icy friends above. Even the rocks around her were changed, their textures magnified, their colours deepened and saturated. With every small fissure and vein laid bare, it was as if each stone had been entranced by the sunlight, made aware of its own uniqueness, enabled and encouraged for this brief spell to tell of its own long history.
Astrid revelled in the unreal light, ever-grateful that Berk was not quite far enough north to lose the sun entirely in midwinter.
It was rather melancholy, she realised, to think such magic would only last for a few minutes at best. But such thoughts she could fend off easily enough, because of course she wasn't quite alone. Just off the beach, a glittering apparition of blue and green quartered the mirror of the sea. Viggen's wings beat quick-slow-quick, her head flicking this way and that, eyes ever sensitive to the sudden, bright flash of the mackerel that were her favourite food. A brief squawk then, a nimble midair pirouette, and now the dragon's body angled steeply downward. With two quick beats to gain speed she collapsed her wings to her back, drew up her legs, and lanced into the shoal. The percussive clap as her head struck the surface rang out clearly to the shore, and now the dragon was treading water, steadying herself on outstretched wings as she snapped at the stunned fish that rose to left and right. The light transfixed her; water streamed from Viggen's jaws in slender torrents of brilliance, a myriad of rainbows forming and reforming and lost forever in an instant.
Astrid hoped that, even when the sunlight had passed, the memory of this day would remain forever bright within her mind. She hoped that Viggen would not grow tired of her company, for she knew that her own fascination with the Nadder would never end. And she worried about the festival of Jól to come.
Viggen waded heavily ashore, still swallowing the last of her catch. Breathing out an oily waft she collapsed next to her human, gurgling in the low, musical tone that signalled her deep contentment. Astrid knew just how to prolong the moment. Shuffling over slightly, and smiling because she knew exactly what was going to happen next, she moved her hand to the preferred spot on the lower jaw. What was it about this place on dragons? The gurgle became a quiet rumble and then a purr, the dragon's eyes catching Astrid's for a moment before every muscle in the great body relaxed. The colours in the dragon's scales and hide stayed clear in her thoughts, just as surely as the hues gently slid from the sky and from the stones.
How did I deserve this, she thought, continuing to rub at the textured skin even though her companion was now fast asleep. In the two short months since the great dragon's defeat, she and Viggen had become almost inseparable, just like Fishlegs and Chops, his Gronckle. Just like the twins and their Zippleback. Even Snotlout and that huge Nightmare. Hiccup and Toothless she left out of such comparisons; she wouldn't pretend to understand the depth of their connection. But for the rest of her dragon-bonded friends, as well as for herself, it seemed such a one-sided deal.
The incomparable gift of flight. Companionship, affection, loyalty, all freely given. Sometimes, it seemed, even something close to love. And for what? Meagre scratches, a kindly smile, a few token fish for creatures quite able to provide for themselves.
Who really were these subtle creations that had wound their way so effortlessly into human hearts? And what motivated them to act as they did when they received so little in return?
The questions had been there for a while, niggling at the back of her mind. For a few weeks they'd seemed unimportant, but as the midwinter festival approached she found them harder and harder to ignore. Jól was a time for the villagers to mark the hinging of the year, to look forward to the bounty of lengthening days to come, to celebrate their success in staying alive despite all the hardships the world could throw at them. In Astrid's family, it was also a time for the giving of gifts to the special souls in ones life. And for Astrid herself, that now included a dragon.
What could she possibly give to her friend to mark how she felt, to express how she could no longer imagine a life without her companionship?
Eventually, when she couldn't bottle up her worries any longer, she shared them with the only person she could. Hiccup's reply surprised her.
"You know, I used to fret about exactly the same thing. I mean, I suppose the tail fin was kind of a gift to Toothless, but that... well, that happened under special circumstances. But the fin aside... I desperately wanted to give something back, something tangible, something he would appreciate."
"But you don't worry about it any more?"
"No need to. I got firm reassurance on that point."
"I don't understand. Reassurance?"
"Mmmm, yes that's right."
Hiccup hesitated, seemingly distracted for a few seconds, his eyes glancing aside. As if reaching some sort of agreement, he turned back to address her directly.
"It's kind of hard for me to explain. But there's someone who could. If you like, I think I could arrange an introduction."
Astrid came closer and prodded him firmly on the shoulder. "You," she said in playful accusation, "are being cryptic. Again. Must be Frjádagr..."
She paused, holding his gaze, hoping for further explanation. None was forthcoming. She sighed, and pulled back.
"Fine. Cryptic it is. I accept anyway. I want to meet this mystery advisor."
Hiccup gave her a small smile that she found impossible to interpret.
"Good. Meet me by the forge at midnight."
She could only wonder at the strange assignation, but she was committed now.
Incredibly, it had stayed calm into late evening. The heavens were veiled with thin cloud, but above them the norðrljós must have been shining strongly, for a pale greenish light filtered through from above. It quickened and faded with an irregular pulse, bathing the woodland floor in an otherworldly glow. Thus lit, the way was simple enough to navigate, and the going was easy after the passage of dragons over the past days. Frost crackled on dead leaves underfoot as the three friends, two walking upright and one on four legs, made the traverse of Berk.
Astrid reflected again on the changes of the last weeks. Had anyone told her three months ago that she'd be out at the dead of night on midwinter's eve with Hiccup and a Night Fury, calmly walking to an undisclosed meeting to learn more about dragons, she'd have laughed in their face. Just before she hit them, probably.
"Hiccup, we've been going for ages! Where are you taking me?"
She was intrigued rather than anxious, even when she realised they'd reached a part of the woodland she'd never visited before.
"Almost there now."
And indeed, there was something up ahead. A faint orange glow could be made out through the close-spaced trunks. They were on a narrower path now, heading straight for the light, which brightened as they neared. Eventually Astrid could make out occasional licks of flame, and half-remembered stories from childhood suddenly came back to her. Tales of caution and warning, tales of strange, dangerous creatures from other worlds making their home in Midgard for a spell, in special places, at special times. For the first time that evening she became uncertain.
"Hiccup, I don't know about this..."
But her friend showed no sign of concern, just continued steadily on, as if any pause would make him late for a party he didn't want to miss. Toothless nudged her gently, his huge eyes reassuring in the ambiguous light.
They breached the last line of trees, and Astrid stopped dead in her tracks.
A sizable bonfire occupied the centre of the clearing. All around it dozens of dragons were gathered in a great conclave, variously standing, lounging or even sprawled out in complete relaxation. All of the species she knew were represented, as well as several she didn't. A low cacophony of chitters and croons rose up from their mass, and their shifting shadows, thrown by the long tongues of flame, made hideous, demonic forms as they played across the trees beyond the glade.
Hiccup seemed completely unfazed, smiling calmly back at his companions frozen, wide-eyed stare.
"What, didn't you think that dragons celebrate midwinter too?"
"Dragons... celebrate?"
She could barely whisper his words back at him as the implications tumbled round inside her mind. Rather than try to make sense of them, it was easier to listen to what Hiccup said next. If anything, however, the words that followed only added to her confusion.
"Sure. Tonight is special for them. It's a time for them to forget old rivalries, to share stories, to learn new songs..."
"Stories... songs..."
Her mind rebelled, not wanting to recognise the truth of his words, but there was no doubting the evidence of her own eyes. Questions began to churn within her, mounting up; in desperation she clutched at the first one to rise out of the morass.
"Hiccup... you knew about this? How did you know about this place, these... things?"
He turned to face her, his manner as straightforward and patient as could be. He might as well have been explaining the basics of flight to one of his slower students.
"It's simple. Toothless told me."
The nearest dragons fell abruptly silent, their gaze falling on the trio of newcomers. The rest quickly followed, and a sense of keen anticipation filled the air, potent, palpable. Astrid quavered as more dragons than she'd ever seen turned their full regard upon her. The crackle of the fire was almost deafening to her now.
"Come on. She's waiting for you."
Astrid considered herself to be as open-minded as any of the villagers, at least as far as dragons were concerned. But this was far too much to deal with all at once. Her body fell back on instinctive responses and she stumbled forwards as if in a dream. Dimly she became aware of a familiar silhouette, a form and gait that were known to her, a colouration she would recognise under any circumstances. With a rush of relief she ran forwards to the one known, comforting element in her view.
"Viggen!"
The Nadder nuzzled her carefully, but there was something new in her demeanour. Through the gentle attentions of her dragon Astrid picked up a sense of longing, almost of expectation. In her fond glances Viggen seemed to be hoping against hope, seeking to strike some vital spark, sensing that this was the moment. Hiccup came up alongside the two of them.
"You wanted to know what you could give to your dragon this holiday. There really is only one thing she desires now, one thing she values above all else. She needs to have your absolute trust."
"I... I don't understand..."
"The promise they hold out forever is very great, but there is a price, of sorts. If you trust her tonight, things will be different between you hereafter. Believe me when I say she cares about you very, very much. You need to trust her enough to put yourself in her hands, to let go, even to let her in, to an extent."
"But I do trust her! Every time we go flying..."
"This is different. This requires something more."
Astrid forced herself to pause, and tried to imagine a life without Viggen. It was inconceivable.
"I do trust her." Her voice was calmer now, strong and certain. "Completely."
"Then tell her, now."
The Nadder was still there, standing quiet and patient. Astrid hesitated but a moment, then bent to her dragon's ear and whispered the words as she stroked the smooth scales of the crown and nape. Immediately Astrid became aware of a prickling awareness stirring somewhere deep down low within her consciousness.
"Hiccup?"
"I'm still here."
"It's like... is it... music?"
"That's what I heard the first time with Toothless, yes. But I can't hear anything right now. Only you can hear this tune. She is singing her love for you."
Astrid started to rock slowly on her feet, lost in the infinite care contained in her dragon's eyes. Hiccup moved to catch her as her balance failed.
"Soon, Astrid. Soon, you'll know it all."
As the assembled dragons crooned out their approval, the Night Fury and the young man lowered Astrid gently to the floor of the clearing.