Italics mean Dragons speaking
The next two and a half months past by in a dull blur. While some parts were fine, such as Astrid talking to me, taking walks just about everywhere but the village, and talking to Toothless, most of the time I was left to myself. That alone wouldn't bother me; Night Furies are solitary by nature, and I was no exception. The problem was that before, I could fly anywhere I wanted to find some means of entertaining myself. Now I was stuck in one place and didn't have much to occupy my mind. Counting links in chains gets old after a few days, after all, and it was usually either overcast or there were no clouds at all. Needless to say, I thought a lot. Any more time in there and I would have become either a great philosopher or insane, or maybe both. Come to think of it, I'm not sure if there's much difference in between the two.
Finally the morning came when Hiccup said that he could take the stuff off my wing. I was almost quivering in anticipation as he peeled the layers off. The last strip of cloth slid to the ground, and I flexed my wing experimentally. It felt a little strange, after not being able to move it for so long. Astrid glanced between both my wings.
"Something doesn't look right." She sounded a little worried. Oh, please no. Don't tell me that I can't fly.
"It does look smaller than the other." Hiccup admitted. Crud.
"Do you think it healed right?"
"I don't know. We'd better ask the healer. You two stay here."
Hiccup and Astrid left. I sighed in frustration.
This is just great. Three months of torture, and I still might not be able to fly.
At least you can move now. Toothless sounded both surly and sarcastic. I was too upset to care why.
Yeah, well if Hiccup had been smarter and put less junk on my wing I could have been doing that a while ago.
Without warning Toothless tackled me. Because I hadn't been able to exercise properly he pinned me down on my back pretty easily.
Don't you ever, ever talk about Hiccup like that! He growled. We stared at each other for a few moments before I realized that I was in the wrong.
OK, I'm sorry.
Toothless reluctantly let me up. I shook myself in an attempt to gather what remained of my dignity before deciding to find out what was bothering Toothless.
What's eating you?
Nothing. Toothless sounded a little sulky. It probably had something to do with me.
Oh bull. Seriously, what's eating you?
Why do you care? You're going to be leaving anyway.
So that was the problem. I never said I was leaving.
Then you're staying? There was a definite hint of hope in his voice.
I never said that, either.
So what are you going to do?
Right now I want to see if sitting still for three months was worth it.
You'd better wait. Hiccup and Astrid aren't back yet.
So I've noticed. I said dryly as I began to pace. My muscles were stiff from not being used for so long, but as I walked around the ring they loosened up. Faster and faster I went, until I was practically a black blur. It felt wonderful, being able to go as fast as I liked without anyone having to help me. When I felt like I had warmed up enough I slowed to a stop, breathing deeply as if I could taste the freedom. Hiccup and Astrid came back two seconds later.
"The healer says that it should be fine as long as there's no big bump where the break was." Astrid said as she went to my right wing and began feeling along it. Hiccup looked surprised that I didn't mind Astrid touching me. I guess that sort of made sense, seeing as he himself had never touched me, at least when I was awake, and he never saw Astrid touching me either.
"Feels fine to me." Astrid said, "Let's see if you can fly."
The words I had been waiting for. I all but ran out, slowing down only when I remembered that I didn't know where I should take off from. The others laughed as they ran to catch up with me.
There's a nice cliff over here. Toothless said. I followed him to a high cliff that overlooked the sea. I crouched, feeling the air currents, before taking a deep breath and launching myself over the ocean. For the first half-second I wondered what would happen it my wing hadn't healed right. Then instinct kicked in, and I soared upwards. Roaring in sheer joy, I climbed upwards, then went into a picture-perfect dive. Spreading my wings, I sped over the waves before climbing again to soar over the others. I could fly again! Never did I think that it could feel so wonderful. At last I landed, almost humming with satisfaction. The others looked almost as happy as I was. Then Hiccup's face fell.
"I guess you can leave now, you know, if you want to."
They all stared at me, waiting for my choice. I ran through my options. If I left I wouldn't have to care about anyone else. I could do what I want whenever I wanted, without worrying if I would hurt anyone's feelings. Nothing would tie me down to one place. On the other hand, these guys were my friends now. Sure, they had put me through all that torture, but they had just been trying to help me. It was kind of nice to have others around that actually cared about you and would help if something went wrong, and Astrid had given me her trust and had received mine in return. Would it really be right to break that trust just so I wouldn't have to worry about what others wanted?
The others were still staring at me. I went over to Astrid and gently nudged her.
"You want to stay? With me?" she sounded surprised and uncertain. I gave her a "duh" look. "Oh, Midnight!" she cried as she threw her arms around me. I tipped a wink at Toothless, who gave me one of his goofy toothless smiles in return.
"Great!" Hiccup sounded happy, maybe because he didn't have to worry about taking care of another dragon. Wiping moisture from her eyes, Astrid led me to what was to be my new home.
"This is where you'll be sleeping." She said as she pushed open the double doors of a huge structure. The inside smelled like straw, fish, and dragons. The last was probably because a Zippleback and a Nadder were curled up taking a nap by the right wall and opposite the door, respectively.
"The Zippleback is my parents'. The Nadder was mine, until my little sister wanted it." she sighed, "She could sweet talk a rock to roll up a hill if she wanted, and apparently getting a Nadder to like you more than your sister is much easier." Astrid looked into my eyes, almost begging. "Please don't let her get you, too."
No worries there. My loyalty lay with three others, and Astrid's little sister most definitely wasn't one of them. I gave her a "don't worry" look. She smiled.
"I have some chores to do. Try not to get into any trouble."
OK, I'd try. No guarantees, but I'd try. Astrid gave me one final pat and left. I picked the corner farthest from the other two dragons and curled up. As if on cue they woke up at the same time and looked around sleepily.
Who are you? The Zippleback asked when she noticed me. The Nadder turned to look at me, apparently waiting for my answer.
Midnight. I'm with Astrid.
I'm Helga.
They call me Shatterglass. The Nadder seemed to study me. Astrid's nice, but her little sister is a lot nicer.
Hmm. Yeah right. Astrid's little sister didn't help hand-feed me for three months, and I'd bet anything that she couldn't scratch like Astrid could,either. The Zippleback stood and stretched.
I think I'll go for a little jaunt.
I'll join you.
With that the two left. I was perfectly fine with that. It wasn't that I had a problem with other dragons, I just didn't like to be around them for a long period of time. Well, except Toothless, but he didn't count. Now that I had the place to myself, I decided that I would take a nap. I had just gotten comfortable when a small human appeared at the door. With her blonde hair I guessed that she was Astrid's little sister.
"You must be the dragon Astrid was talking about." she said as she approached. Yes I was. Now go away.
"My name's Freya. Astrid said your name was Midnight."
Whoop-i-dee-doo. Leave me alone. By this time she was close enough to touch me, but didn't. Smart, this one. But not smart enough to know that one of the worst times to try to befriend a dragon was when it was trying to take a nap.
"You look really powerful."
Freya may be able to sweet talk a rock into rolling up hill, but I was capable of being stubborn to the point of bullheadedness sometimes, and right now was definitely one of those times. There was no way that she could convince me to be her new pet.
"I bet you could swallow me in one gulp."
Two, actually. Don't tempt me. She leaned in close, like she was about to tell a secret.
"You know, Astrid isn't really as nice as she seems."
Right, and she didn't put a significant amount of time into making sure I was doing alright when I had my broken wing, either.
"She even tried to kill dragons!"
So did just about every other Viking in Berk, according to what Toothless told me, and most of them were more successful than Astrid. Apparently Freya didn't know about my sources.
"But I've never tried to hurt a dragon."
I wonder why? Couldn't have anything to do with the fact that most dragons would think of her as the perfect size for breakfast, could it? She smiled shyly at me.
"You know, I don't really have any friends."
What about Shatterglass? Is he just one of your play toys? Just leave me alone and let me take my nap.
"Would you be my friend?"
I'd rather have to swim to the edge of the world and back while towing the entire island. Apparently she didn't get the message, because she started reaching out to touch me. I growled.
"I won't hurt you. I'm really nice, promise."
Her hand came closer, and I snapped at it. She pulled it back, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. Wrong move. Fake tears annoyed me almost as much as being prevented from taking my nap.
"Hey, Midnight, do..." Astrid came in and stopped dead when she saw Freya standing in front of me. "What are you doing in here?"
"Oh, I was just making friends with Midnight." Freya replied, tears immediately gone. Yeah, right. I'd sooner be friends with a giant eel. Astrid looked horrified. I stood up and went over to her, nudging her gently to assure her that she was still most definitely my favorite human. Freya's lip crept out in a pout, then quickly returned to normal. She gave me a dazzling smile and came towards me, hand outstretched. I growled as I crouched next to Astrid. This little human was quickly becoming a royal pain in the tail. Freya stopped and dropped her hand, her lip beginning to creep back out. Astrid stroked my neck, signaling that I should calm down.
"You know mom doesn't like you to be in here by yourself."
Freya was definitely pouting now. "I can take care of myself."
"Go tell that to mom. Come on, Midnight."
I growled at Freya one last time before following Astrid outside. When we were out of earshot Astrid beamed.
"I'm so glad you didn't let her take you."
Good thing I wasn't as stupid as a Nadder, huh? Plus, disturbing my nap and trying to use fake tears didn't help, either. We stopped in front of what must have been the smithy, from what Toothless had described. Sure enough, Hiccup was inside, hammering away at a piece of metal. Another human was also there. He must have been Gobber (where did they get all these stupid names?)
"I'll be right back." Hiccup said when he saw Astrid.
"Sure, sure." Gobber rolled his eyes as he continued his work.
"Could you make a saddle for Midnight?" Astrid asked as Hiccup came over.
"Yeah, but are you sure it's a good idea? I mean, she's only flown once in three months. Maybe she's not up to it yet."
Astrid's face fell. "I hadn't thought of that."
"But it'll take a little while to make, so if you'll wait out back for a minute I'll measure her."
"Thanks, Hiccup." Astrid gave him a peck on the cheek, making him blush a little, before leading me behind the smithy. Toothless was there, sunning himself. He opened an eye as we approached.
And to what do I owe the pleasure?
Hiccup's going to make a saddle for me. I glanced nervously at Astrid. I'm not sure if I want a human on my back.
Toothless stood and stretched. It can be really fun sometimes, especially if they scream. Do you like your new home?
Kind of. Do you think Astrid would mind if her little sister disappeared?
I doubt it, but her parents might.
Hiccup came out with a measuring tape and a notebook. I stood still while he and Astrid wrapped it around me again and again. Finally Hiccup rolled up the tape.
"I'll start working on it as soon as I can. Meanwhile you'd better start building up Midnight's strength."
"I'll do that." Astrid said goodbye to Hiccup and led me to the same cliff that I had flown from earlier that day.
"Well, I guess you should fly." she gestured vaguely, "And come back before sunset."
I blinked once in understanding before taking off. Once again the exhilaration of being in the air hit me. I flew for hours, landing on rocks occasionally to rest. I really had lost some of my strength. When the sun was nearing the sea I returned to the cliff. Astrid was waiting. I wondered if she had been there for the entire time.
"I bet you're hungry. Come on, I'll show you where the dragons eat."
Food sounded great. I followed her to the middle of the village, where a large pillar supported a huge bowl filled with fish. Almost drooling, I made a beeline for it.
Well look who's here. Hygelac casually stepped in front of me. Looks like you don't need one-fin to hold your hand anymore.
Move it, jerk. I didn't know who I hated more at that moment: Hygelac for keeping me from my meal, or Freya for disturbing my nap.
That isn't any way to talk to me.
Oh, I'm sorry, was I being too nice?
You know, I really don't like you.
The feeling's mutual. Now move it.
He moved in closer to me, teeth bared. I could rip you limb from limb right now if I wanted to.
I'd love to see you try. I was tired, hungry, and had absolutely no patience left. By this time we were hemmed in by a circle of people and dragons, most of them clearly expecting a fight.
"C'mon, Hygelac, give it to her!" his human shouted.
"Midnight, no!"
Right now I wasn't in the mood to listen to anyone, not even Astrid.
You little rat.
Your mother was an eel and your father was a midget dragon. I replied coolly. Hygelac roared and jumped at me. I did what he least expected: rolling onto my back, I used my legs to push him clear of me. He rolled a couple of times, clearly surprised, before getting up and pouncing. This time I met him head-on. It was woefully easy after that. I was tired, hungry, and out of shape, and I still pinned him after a few minutes. Growling, I put my face close to his.
Whoever taught you to fight was an idiot.
Hygelac growled, but was incapable of movement. I pressed a claw just hard enough so that a single drop of blood appeared on his throat.
Next time we fight I'll rip out your throat, so it would be in your best interest to make sure there isn't a next time.
With one last stomp in the stomach I leaped off him and headed towards the food. Humans and dragons alike parted to let me pass, staring at me with wide eyes. Ignoring them, I ate my fill before returning to Astrid.
"You could have gotten yourself killed." she murmured as she stroked my neck. I gave her a look that plainly said "but I didn't" before nudging her. She sighed. "All right, let's go home."
Once again the crowd parted. Hygelac's human started to say something, but quickly swallowed his words when I turned my eyes on him. Maybe having a reputation wasn't going to be such a bad thing after all. Helga and Shatterglass were already inside, but from the way they started when I came in I knew they had either witnessed the fight or at least heard about it. Astrid stayed long enough to make sure I was comfortable before saying goodnight and and leaving.
Freya said you were awful to her. Shatterglass growled.
I didn't do anything that she didn't deserve. I replied as I closed my eyes.
I don't like it when my human isn't treated right.
I don't like having my nap disturbed.
Know what I do to those who don't treat my human right?
I opened one eye and fixed him with a stony glare. Touch me and I will shove your tail down your throat. Don't think I won't, either.
He knew very well that I was capable of carrying out my threat. Grumbling, he settled down and went to sleep. Satisfied that there would be no more argument, I did likewise.