Author's Notes: So, yeah, as I said in the summary, this is a part 2 for Defenders Of The Wing, because we loyal fans deserve more than that horrible cliffhanger! Do you like the title? i thought of it while I was supposed to be doing schoolowork...Oops. Tell me your thoughts in a review. I need more riders to join me on Author's Aisle! Just go to my profile and it'll tell you what to do. I think you spell Mala with one L? So, without further ado...TRIAL BY FIRE.
The cold steel of the blade cut into Hiccup's throat, drawing droplets of warm crimson blood. His eyes were down, looking at the cold stone floor. Finally, defiantly, he lifted his scarred chin and evenly met Mala's gaze. One who can meet the eyes of the one they are killing is strong, but one who can look into their killer's eyes? Stronger still. Green eyes met green, bright to gray, a speechless, motionless battle of strength that only one could survive. The sword held true, not wavering for a moment, not yet cutting into tender flesh. The whole world was held still, waiting to see who wouls pass this test. In Mala's eyes...There was something, something that almost made him hesitiate. Dissapointment? Regret? Grief? Whatever it was, it was gone in an instant, veiled by fury strong and cold as steel.
At last, long last, he spoke. With a calm, even tone, as though nothing out of the ordinary were happening, as though the two pairs of eyes were not locked in a battle of life and death, he spoke. "Kill me, if you must. But before you do, think of the life I have led. Soaring through the clouds on the back of a noble creature that serves me not as a slave, but is loyal as a friend and priceless companion. I saved his life, and he saved mine. We have each repaid the other's debt many times over. Listen, and believe me now. I will not beg you to accept what I say, but I do wish this to be the case. I have had more experience in eighteen years than many people have in thirty. I was privileged enough to change my people's minds about dragons, but now I have a far, far harder task. I must change yours about me."
"Fine words, but in no way can I now believe that there is heart behind them." Still, Mala's stony gaze wavered, giving way for a split second to the expression of longing that had greeted his invitation to fly. Only for a split second, then it was gone. Yet, he knew the feeling exactly. She was a strong leader for her people, but hidden in the darkest corners of her was a desire for something more. A soaring spirit, one that matched his own! Still he continued, this time in a softer voie that rose with emotion in description of a fantastic scene. "Kill me, and you will never know how it is to soar through a world of sunset, where you an brush the clouds with your fingertips or toes. A world where everything is backwards, sideways, and inside out. A world of amber, gold and scarlet, where violet dances through the eastern sky and fuschia tints the clouds around you. Picture, for one moment, being in the sky, of the sky, and one with the gentle creature who shows you these wonders."
Now her stern demeanor slipped, a look of pure longing in her emerald eyes. Mala was at war with herself, raging to kill, but not, to soar, to lead, to stay grounded, but then- oh, to know, just once, the picture he paints with his words! But is he not a liar? Could a serpent's tongue speak with such conviction? Could crocodile tears be so faint, so true? Her mind and heart were wrestling for her thoughts, and she could only grab scraps of shrapnel from the battle that showed, barely, in her gaze. Back to her people, she had to be strong as iron, cold as steel, never wavering in conscience and honor. But- a world of sunset. Stay grounded. Grounded in tradition, grounded in law, grounded with both feet on the ground. But, oh, to soar! feet on the ground, head in the clouds? Impossible! Unfathomable! But oh, so alluring...to fly!
"I must lead my people and abide by our laws, Hiccup Haddock." But the expression of desperation in her eyes, a soaring spirit shackled, was one he knew all too well. He spoke once more."I offer an alliance, Mala. I offer a team of dragon riders who know Viggo Grimborn all too well." He spat the name, and threw Viggo's map into the fire. "We may retrieve your Great Protector, the Eruptadon, if you let us live." Mala's brow furrowed. "Very well, Hiccup Haddock. But I have a timer here, and a dragon who can track you here. You have until sunset to retrive our Great Protector, or else I will truly kill you. No words will sway me, for I'll give no more chances." "Fine," Hiccup agreed, "And once it is done, I can take you on a flight." This said, and her greatest wish realized, Hiccup and his Dragon Riders left the cave to plan.