Ok, I know I said I'll update next week, but... I just managed to write this really soon, so just be grateful & read.

Enjoy!


The covers were quite comforting, offering the sweet warm sensation she missed for so long. She would've slept much longer, if someone wouldn't shake her shoulders. The shake was gentle, but it was enough to wake her up and that was the last thing she wanted right now. She promised herself she'll kill the daring one who disturbed her slumber.

Her eyes opened and blinked. She saw no one. Sitting up, she eyed the room, to find the boy from the forest sitting at the fireplace. She cleared her throat. Loudly.

He turned around and examined her for a moment, then pointed at the bedside table. "There are some dry clothes. Put them on," he said. Pointing at a dining table, he added: "I brought you some food. I bet you're hungry." He then turned to watch the fire again, his back turned to her.

Well, at least he won't look while I'm dressing.

She got out of the bed. Wearing only the tunic, she shivered a little. She looked at the bedside table and sure, there were folded dark brown pants, light brown furry jacket and on the floor, next to the bed, was a pair of old boots. Not much her style, but they should do the trick. She put the pants and boots on, letting the jacket be. It was warm enough in the room.

She sat at the table and eyed her meal suspiciously. It was roasted chicken legs. Ok, she was starving, but after so long time without food, she felt sick only thinking about eating. She sniffed at the meal. A delicious smell of meat filled her nose and her stomach growled. Well, she should try it. Picking up one leg, she took a small, hesitant bite. The fantastic taste exploded in her mouth and she quickly gulped. She took bigger bite and chewed the delicious chicken. There was nothing she would rather do than eat more. For her, it was the best, most amazing meal on Earth.

"You should slow down a little, you know, unless you want a stomach ache."

She gulped and looked up from her diner. The boy looked truly concerned for her. She didn't know what to say, so she put down the nibbled chicken leg and put aside the plate.

"I didn't ask for your help," she scowled.

"And here I was hoping you would at least say thank you."

"There's no point in thanking for something you reject."

"You don't look like rejecting."

She sighed. He was right. It was nice, finally having a warm place to sleep and something to eat. "Fine - thanks. Happy?" He simply smiled back. When he once again turned to the fire, she brought the plate closer to take some more bites. She was still pretty hungry. Even if he was right - she shouldn't eat so quickly - she was weak, thin and her stomach was killing her. Not to mention the fantastic taste!


When he got back home, she was still sleeping. Hiccup took the kettle from the fire and put the chicken legs there instead, so they could heat up a little. Outside was almost freezing and on the way back the meat went cold. He poured himself some tea into a mug. Sipping on it, he slowly approached the bed. The girl slept soundly. She looked much better - her skin colour was back to normal. He didn't want to wake her up, but she was so thin. Apparently she didn't eat for a long time. She looked even thinner, because she was tall.

He shaked her shoulders a little. She made a low grumble and moved under the covers. He decided to check if her clothes were dry or not. They were better, but still wet. Before there wasn't much time for him to study her clothes, but now he noticed the leather of the cloak and boots was a lot different from anything he's ever seen. He took the chicken from the fire and put it back on a plate, placing it on the diner table. He went to examine the clothes more, but before he had the chance, the girl cleared her throat.

He turned around, taking in her looks. Her eyes seemed a little brighter, now bluish gray colour. She looked horrible, the dark circles under her eyes even more visible in the light of fire. She looked bad, really bad, but it seemed better. At least she wasn't cold. He pointed to the clothes he prepared for her and her meal on the table. Then he turned his back to her so she could have a little privacy, ignoring the fact that he already saw her when he was taking of her wet clothes. After he heard her sit at the table, he turned to her again and watched her take first hesitant bite and then attempting to swallow the chicken leg whole (at least it looked like that).

"You should slow down, you know, if you don't want a stomach ache," he informed her.

She scowled, looking him up and down, eventually putting the plate aside. "I didn't ask for your help," she replied looking away. It came out almost like a growl.

"And here I was hoping you would at least say thank you," he commented dryly.

"There is no point in thanking for something you reject."

"You don't look like rejecting."

First in the forest and now again. Why is she so distant? Anyone else would scream "Help me! Help me!" until he saved them. Yet, she almost forbided him to even try it. And now, warm, rested, in font of hot meal, she looked actually happy for a moment. But still, she refused to thank him. Why? She must know it's rude. She didn't ask for his help, true. She should be thankfull though. There was something wrong about it. She knew he could kick her out. Did she actually wish to die?

She seemed to think about it for a moment. Her gaze rested on him, then flicked to the chicken. Her shoulders slumped and she gave a sigh. "Fine - thanks. Happy?"

Simply smiling back, Hiccup watched her start eating again. When her attention was back on the food, he looked once more on the cloak. That was another mystery. What was it made of? It was dark blue cape, black on the inside, with a hood. Cautiously he reached out and ran his fingers over the strange material. On the inside, it was smooth and soft, but on the outside, it was hard, coarse and a little... glossy? He took the piece of clothing and placed it in his lap. His fingers ran over it, taking in how beautiful it looked. He liked it. The surface of the material was divided into random circular shapes, which stood out a little. They looked almost like...

Scales?

"You didn't ask for a permission." The girl suddenly appeared right behind him. "That's rude."

Startled, he jumped and the beautiful cloth ended in the fire. He tried to grab it before the fire could do any damage, but the flames covered the whole thing and he couldn't take it out without getting a burn. "I- I'm sorry, really, I didn't mean to-" the girl cut him of when she wet her hand in the kettle with the tea, grabbed for her cloak and took it out. Hiccup gasped seeing it completely undamaged.

Noticing his startled expression, she simply said: "Fireproof."

She examined it, as well as the rest of her clothes. She then threw the cloak on her shoulders, fastening it with a clasp made of what looked like three fangs. When he send her a questioning look she simply raised an eyebrow, daring him to question her actions.

"You like it on? Fine!" he chuckled nervously. Quickly standing up, to put some distance between the two of them, he said more for himself than for her, "Guess you won't need that one," meaning the jacket he prepared for her.

Even in her weak state, her stare could cut holes in your back. Damn, that girl was creepy!

"Oooor, maybe I should just leave it here, heh, if you needed more clothes." He tried his best to avoid her gaze, he was pretty uncomfortable, feeling those eyes on him. "I should go to sleep now, I have dragon training tomorrow.." he told her. The boy urged himself to make an eye contact and added: "You should go to bed too, in your condition and all."

She remained silent, simply looking him straight in the eye. If she wasn't looking at him, he'll think she didn't even hear him.

"You don't talk much, do you?"

Her lips pulled into a small smirk. "I save my words for those who need to hear them the most." And with that, she turned back to the fire.


She smirked at his reaction. She stood up and walked to the kitchen to find a mug. Then she came back to her bed, took one of the hides and placed it at the fireplace. She poured herself some tea. It wasn't bad. Sitting at the hide near the fire, staring into the flames and sipping her tea, she unconsciously stroked the scaly cape.

After many minutes have passed and many mugs were emptied, that was when she finally fell asleep.


So, hope you liked it!

I reply to every review, unless you specifically tell me not to reply - and I think you won't. ;D

Now, review, please and tell me if you liked it or not, what I should improve and so on. And, if you are going to review, please, tell me what you think about the girl. I am kinda curious... =)