Wings Over Eternia
Tarn 2013
Note: This crossover takes place about a year after the events of the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" and in the MOTU 2002 series after Adam takes up the power but before the Snake Men arrive (Late Season 1-ish).
"Does it seem like this forest goes on forever to you?" complained a young blonde woman as she adjusted her harness for what had to be the fifth time within an hour.
"If the map Gothi gave us is accurate we should be in Eternos within the hour. Getting antsy Astrid?" The young woman's companion quipped, but to be truthful this was the furthest they had traveled away from Berk so he understood what she was feeling.
"I'm not used to flying for this long Hiccup, my legs are cramping up. I think Stormfly is getting tired as well." Astrid replied, rubbing her left leg in an attempt to regain some feeling in the appendage.
"How are you doing bud?" Hiccup asked of his own mount, a sleek obsidian colored dragon. The soft warble from the Night Fury rang with exhaustion, not surprising since it had been six hours since their last landing after clearing the Sea of Rakash.
"Okay Toothless, we'll be there soon and then we can get some rest." He assured his dragon with a stroke to his friend's long neck.
An hour passed before the immense forest gave way to sprawling plains, illuminated by the late afternoon sun. The trip from Berk had provided some amazing views and this one was no different, so as they took in the sights, neither dragon nor their riders noticed a small metallic bird trailing them for a short time before pulling away at incredible speed and vanishing into the horizon.
As they soared over farm and village alike, their presence was certainly not without notice. Hiccup watched with some level of trepidation while he waited for negative or violent reactions to the dragons, but was somewhat amazed that none came.
"That's new..." Astrid commented as she observed a group of children waving to the riders as they passed overhead. She relented and waved back with a slight grin.
"Maybe I won't even have to convince them about dragons. That should make some kind of agreement a boat load easier to approach." The male rider mused, hoping this trip would pan out as his chieftain father had wanted.
"That would be nice, since I don't like leaving Berk for this long. If the Outcasts attack..."
"My dad and the others will handle it. I'm hoping Snotlout will grow up a little with the responsibility we gave him." Hiccup chimed in immediately, having faith that they left behind capable defenses for their island village.
"I wouldn't count on it, but maybe 'lout will surprise us. He did at Helheim's Gate after all." Astrid replied with some uncertainty in her voice.
"That he did... Hey, I think that's the palace!" Hiccup exclaimed as he strained his eyes through the haze of the oncoming sunset. The walls of Eternos city spread out wide and proud along the landscape as they approached. Navigating closer, the riders noticed ample defensive features along the northern facing wall.
"Your father did send a message ahead to expect us, right?" Astrid questioned, spotting a number of archer's stationed along the walls.
"Yes, but just the same we should land outside the city and walk in. No sense spooking anyone into shooting at us. Let's find somewhere safe to land." Hiccup scanned the fields surrounding the city walls for a decent landing site where they could collect themselves.
"Hiccup, how about there?" Astrid pointed out a grassy area to the west of one of the gates into the city. "We should have room to land and we can get the dragons situated before we head in."
"Nice work Astrid," The night fury rider said excitedly at the prospect of getting some blood back in his one good leg. "Down Toothless" he said to his dragon and the duo began to descend.
The dragons landing was uneventful for the most part, although some of the horses belonging to various caravans nearby seemed a touch spooked by their presence. The owner's however, seemed to be very used to this level of disruption and had the horses under control quickly.
Astrid had dismounted from Stormfly first, letting out a groan of exhaustion as feeling started to return to her long legs. She started pulling some dried fish from a side saddle to feed her Nadder before seeming to remember something.
"Hiccup, wait!" She cried as her companion jumped down from his Night Fury, only to watch him collapse into a heap as pain shot through the stump attached to his false leg. Running to his side, Astrid crouched down and helped him sit up. "You idiot," Astrid began to scold the young man "You've been on Toothless for almost three days without much rest, give yourself a minute before jumping on that damn leg."
Hiccup looked down sheepishly at his false leg, and then thankfully at Astrid as she used both of her hands to rub firmly around his knee where the stump met the metal prosthetic that their blacksmith Gobber had fashioned.
"Thanks Astrid, sometimes I just forget..." The young man admitted softly, thankful she had made the trip to Eternos with him.
"Ouch! What was that for?!" He exclaimed as the young woman slugged him in the shoulder, a bit of fury in her eyes. "That was for not thinking." she asserted but did not stop her treatment of his leg. Moments later she leaned in and brought the man into a tender kiss. "That's for letting me help you."
After spending a minute more getting their bearings and feeding their dragons some dried fish rations, the two removed and packed their riding harnesses away and set off towards the gate to the city.
"Halt travelers!" A voice beckoned as they approached the massive entrance. They noticed two guards coming up, long spears in hand but not held in a threatening stance.
"Toothless, Stormfly. Be good." Hiccup instructed the dragons as the two Eternians stopped a couple of yards away.
"Greetings travelers, what is your business in the grand city of Eternos?" The taller of the two guards questioned, looking at the two dragons with a mix of awe and fear.
Hiccup stepped forward and clearing his voice he spoke, "Hail, we are envoys from the Island of Berk on behalf of Chief Stoick the Vast and have official business with King Randor."
"Ah yes, Captain Teela of the Royal Guard told us to expect you and has requested we bring you to her upon your arrival. This is standard protocol for all foreign dignitaries." The taller man seemed to nod with recognition, but still kept his gaze upon the Night Fury and Nadder that stood silently next to their riders.
The shorter man chimed in for the first time, also not removing his gaze from the Night Fury, "We ask that you keep tight control of your... mounts... while within the city walls. We have had less than pleasant experiences in the past with dragons and the guard will defend its people if needed."
"We understand and will respect your ways. As do our dragons." Hiccup gestured to Toothless who nodded his head in acceptance and gave the two guards a grin with his teeth retracted, which to his pleasure seemed to throw off the guards for a second.
"Very well guests," The taller gentleman with a short look and a nod to his companion which sent him back towards his post, "Please follow me and I will take you to the palace."
The four followed respectfully behind the guard as he lead them through the massive carved stone pillars that made up the gate into the city. "Welcome to Eternos."
To Be Continued...
