We Had Dragons
Hiccup has never really been one for crying, but as he watches Toothless disappear in the sky - the night fury looks back at him and manages to give him a sad, gummy smile - Hiccup lets the tears stream down his face. He can see Toothless' reflection in the water of the Cove. And then, he can't see his best friend at all.
The dragons, led by their Alpha, to protect their humans, had left Berk.
"Thank you for nothing, you useless reptile," Hiccup mumbles, furiously wiping his eyes, dropping to his knees, shoulders shaking.
.:years later:.
This... is Berk.
The houses of the island stand tall, strong, elaborately decorated with paintings of dragons of all colours, of every breed and species, for that is the only way to remember them now.
Many islands have extraordinary legends of amazing creatures. The main problem with ours is that they're real. They once roosted on our rooftops and we rode upon their backs; we fought against them, then with them, and then for them. They filled our skies with squawks and wings and fire, and our hearts with peace and joy and love.
Many large sculptures have been made, one standing proudly as the other half the statues guarding Berk. Young children run around houses and old buildings - especially the stables, now abandoned.
Most people would leave, as the island is so empty now. Not us; we're Vikings: we have stubbornness issues.
A man is standing on a cliff overlooking the sea; his left leg is a pegleg, and a cloak weighs heavily on his shoulders. His hair is gray, mixed with some strands of auburn. A graying woman stands behind him, watching. "Hiccup?" his wife asks tentatively.
You see, no one is quite sure where the subjects of our legends went, but we make sure they will never be forgotten. We will carry them in our hearts, to try to fill the void they left.
He left.
I have not seen my best friend in over 50 years. I know my end is soon, and I hoped he would come, perhaps...
The old Chief continues to gaze at the horizon, his green eyes searching for something. Not getting any response, Astrid leaves him alone. The sky darkens, the stars spring out of it.
You see, while most places had mermaids, or fairies, but we...
Hiccup sees black on black, hears a familiar high pitched whistle. And he knows that the Alpha has come back, to be with the Chief in the very end.
The night fury lands beside him. "Hey bud," Hiccup croaks, and he leans down against the dragon, closing his eyes. His breathing stills, then stops.
We had dragons.
I have no idea where this came from but I've been having really intense dragon feels recently so I figured I'd share them. If I made you cry this attempt was successful.
(Dragonheart should be updated soon!)
:)
