Chapter 4

Chris and Serenity went to a small stony beach. They were both wearing swimming suits. The water was cold, but they were kept warm by their dragon DNA. The only occupants in the water were fish and frogs. Chris stood on the edge of the water, just looking at it. Serenity put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay," she whispered. "I've swam in this lake before, it's perfectly safe."

"You go first then," Chris said.

"Alright," said Serenity. She didn't hesitate. She went right into the water. When she was deep enough she dove head first into the water. She stayed under for a few minuets, then resurfaced. She looked back at Chris.

"Your turn," she said. "Don't be afraid." Chris waded out into the water, towards her. At once his mind went to his nightmares. He remembered the feeling of running out of air, with no hope of reaching the surface.

Serenity came out of the water and stood right in front of him. She grasped his hand in hers.

"You okay?" she asked. Chris sighed.

"I think so," he said. Serenity hugged him again and he hugged her back.

"Really I'm amazed you made it this far," Serenity said. "I freeze up just with the howling of wolves." Chris took a deep breath. They separated and Chris faced the water once again. He went further in, right up to his waist. Serenity followed him. For some reason this made Chris feel like he was five years old again, and learning to swim for the first time. He let his mind linger on that memory as it was a better one then drowning. He ran his hand through the water. Serenity came up next to him.

"Feeling better?" she asked.

"Surprisingly yes," Chris said.

"Then why'd you stop?" Serenity asked. He looked into her emerald green eyes. He placed a hand on her face, his thumb traced the faint scar on her cheek.

"You've never had to help someone get over their fears have you?" he said.

"Well, not a human," Serenity admitted. "Everyone gets scared sometimes. Even the bravest dragons."

"It's true," Chris agreed. "Windwalker had problems trusting humans before she met me. She's still kind of scared of them."

"So'm I," Serenity admitted. She wrapped her arms around him. "But I find things less scary when I'm not facing them alone."

"Also true," Chris agreed.

"Now, are you going to stand here all day?" Serenity asked, smiling. She stepped back from him. Chris smiled back mischievously, then suddenly sent a wave of water right at her face. She giggled and splashed him back.

They swam together in the lake. Chris's nightmares were completely wiped from his memory. They swam for a good two hours before it started to rain. They then got out and put their clothes back on. They went back up to Harmony and Ruby's cave. The fire was blazing in the fire pit. The cave was warm and dry. Chris sat next to Windwalker and Serenity checked on Ruby. She knelt beside him and gently stroked his neck. The first thing she noticed was that his temperature had gone down a great deal. She breathed a sigh of relief, her faith in the Cup of Life's magic had increased.

"How's he doing?" Chris asked.

"He's improving," Serenity replied. "The Cup does its job well. He'll be waking up very soon." She sat down next to her husband, and he put his arm around her.

The sun set and the two nocturnal dragons went out hunting. Serenity laid her head on Chris's shoulder. They were both sitting next to Ruby. Serenity already gave Ruby more water out of the Cup of Life. Harmony breathed more fire into the fire pit before falling asleep. The cave was quiet except for the crackling fire. A thunderstorm blew up over the mountains.

"The Berkians plan to visit this lake tomorrow," said Chris quietly. "They're currently staying in the main town."

"Ruby's siblings want to visit too," said Serenity. She sighed and wormed closer to him. "It's going to be awfully crowded."

"Maybe we could bring him outside," Chris suggested. "There'd be more room for everyone, and it would give him fresh air." Serenity smiled again and kissed the corner of his mouth. Chris smiled back and pulled her closer.

"Sorry I didn't come home last night," Serenity said. "Ruby really needed my help."

"I understand," Chris said. "I would have done the same." Serenity gently stroked Ruby's neck again. Chris could see tears in her eyes. He used the sleeve of his coat to wipe them away.

"You're not losing faith are you?" he asked.

"No, I just hate seeing him like this," said Serenity. "I know the Cup's working." Chris gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

"He won't be like that forever," he said. Serenity smiled again. She yawned and laid her head back on his shoulder. Chris carefully ran his finger around the heart shaped, dragon scale locket around Serenity's neck.

"I remember the day I gave that to you," Chris said.

"So do I," said Serenity. "It's both a sad one and a happy one." Her eyes were starting to get heavy. She yawned again.

"You should go to sleep, we can talk more tomorrow," said Chris. Serenity closed her eyes, and was asleep in seconds.

Serenity was woken up by a dragon licking her face. She giggled without opening her eyes. From the gurgles and croons she knew it was Toothless. She scratched his chin.

"Hey handsome," she said, still giggling. Toothless stopped licking her face so she could open her eyes. Chris was not longer next to her, and neither was Ruby. Serenity sat up, concerned.

"Where's Ruby?" she asked.

"It's okay," Toothless reassured her. "The others took him down to the lake already. They're all down there already, I volunteered to come wake you up." Serenity took several deep breathes and calmed down. She petted Toothless's head, making him purr. He helped her to her feet. Serenity put on her hat and gloves. She and Toothless went outside and went down to the shore of the lake. The rest of the Draconians and the Berkians were waiting. The sun was shinning and the air was very warm. Serenity spotted Chris leaning against a tree, near Ruby who was still asleep. When Chris saw Serenity he smiled. She smiled back and went right to his side. He kissed her cheek.

"Good morning," he whispered in her ear. "You overslept, it's about time to."

"I'm an early bird," Serenity said, hugging him. Then she turned her attention to Ruby. She knelt beside his head, and Chris knelt beside her.

"How's he doing?" Serenity asked.

"Well, he hasn't died yet," said Chris. "I gave him water already."

"That's good," said Serenity. She stroked Ruby's neck. "The fresh air will help." The Cup of Life was perched on a near by rock. Serenity tried rousing Ruby, but he only opened his eyes for a few seconds. Serenity felt a wave of pity come over her, seeing her Ruby so sick. She could feel tears in here eyes. Chris put a hand on her back. Just then Harmony approached and laid down beside her mate.

Eider was hanging out with Edelweiss and the dragonets, including several dragonets from the city of Apple Grove. They were jumping off a low hanging branch that hung over the lake. But Eider didn't feel like joining in. His mind was on Ruby. He knew Serenity would take good care of him, but he was still worried. He had lost his parents so suddenly and he still missed them so much it hurt. He didn't think he could bare it if Ruby died as well.

Eider was sitting on the branch watching the other dragonets play. Avalon noticed him and landed in front of him.

"Hey, are you going to join us?" she asked. Eider looked at her.

"No, I don't feel like it," he said. Avalon sat next to him. She nuzzled his neck.

"You're worried about Ruby," she said gently, it wasn't a question. Eider looked down sadly.

"Yeah," he said. "If he dies, it'll be like losing my parents all over again."

"Well, don't worry Serenity will take care of him," said Avalon.

"But nothing she's done has worked," said Eider.

"It just takes time and patience," said Avalon. "You can't give up on something just because it's not happening as fast as you'd like. You have to have faith." Eider sighed.

"I suppose you're right," he said.

"Trust me this isn't like your parents," said Avalon. "He'll be okay." Just then Apollo landed on the branch, Black Widow and Edelweiss circled overhead.

"Hey, come on you two," Apollo said excitedly. "We're going to go explore the underwater caves." Avalon turned to Eider.

"You coming?" she asked.

"I've already explored those caves," said Eider.

"Good, you can be our guide then," said Avalon. She got to her feet and ran to her brother. They waited for Eider. He sighed again and got up. He shook himself and flapped his wings. He ran to the edge of the branch and jumped into the water. The others followed.

Harmony was dozing off next to Ruby. She draped a feathered wing around his shoulders and entwined her tail around his. She listened to the dragonets playing in the water. Just then the Berkian riders came up to them.

"Hey, Harmony," said Hiccup. Harmony opened her eyes and sat up.

"Yes," she asked calmly.

"Can we see your cave, now that Serenity's awake?" Astrid asked. Harmony got to her feet and stretched her wings.

"Very well," she said. "This way." She led them to the small path that lead up to her cave. They reached the ledge. Harmony walked right inside and lit the fire place. The riders followed. They looked around at the jungle themes. Fishlegs spotted the tapestry.

"Whoa what is that?" he asked, pointing at the large serpent on the tapestry. Harmony looked at it with great respect.

"That is my ancestors," she said. "I inherited these wings from them." She held out her feathery wings.

"You mean that's a dragon?" said Astrid.

"Yes," said Harmony. "It's called the Quetzalcoatl or Feathered Serpent. They live in the southwestern rain forests."

"It's a new species," said Fishlegs.

"It's new to you," said Harmony. "But the Feathered Serpent is a very old breed. Sit down and I'll tell you all about them." They sat around the fire. Harmony grabbed a few logs from a pile in the corner, and put into the fire. She laid down and began.

"The Quetzalcoatl is a very snake like dragon," she said. "They have the head, neck, tail, scales, eyes, and forked tongue of a python, the body of a dog, and the legs and teeth of a jaguar. Running down their back, from the top of their head to the tip of their tail, are brightly colored feathers. They have feathered wings like I do, only theirs have different colors and patterns. The colors of their scales very as well; they come in any shade of brown, yellow, grey, and green. Like our good Queen, they have magic. They are able to change their size, and shape shift at will into snakes. They can also see the future, read minds, and make plants grow at a rapid rate. They also practice alchemy. To them humans are nothing more than toys. They may decide to help a lost human, or they'll just sit back and watch, or just kill them. They can be pretty unpredictable and aggressive. They're fully aware that the King and Queen have humans and treat Chris, Serenity, and Edelweiss with the same respect that they give their fellow dragons."

"Are they fire breathers?" asked Hiccup.

"Yes," said Harmony. "But they also spray a toxic mist, similar to a Flightmare, only this one will actually kill you. And their bite it poisonous."

"Wow," said Fishlegs. He immediately began scribbling in his notebook. Harmony narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything.

"Are they still around?" asked Astrid.

"Oh, yes," said Harmony. "But they're about as hard to find as the Night Fury, the Rain Forest hides them well."

"And this Feathered Serpent blood runs in your veins," said Astrid. Harmony nodded.

"Though, I just inherited the feathery wings and nothing else," she said. "And an interest in the jungle." She chuckled.

"Do they know you exist?" asked Snotlout.

"Yup," said Harmony. "In fact the chief, Jaguar, was the one who gave me that tapestry." She gestured towards the tapestry behind her. "I hope to meet them in person some day." She had a dreamy look on her face.

"They sound like very cool dragons," said Hiccup, as they all got to their feet.

"They are," Harmony agreed. "I'm proud to be their decedent." She led the way outside.

They went back down to the Berkian's campsite. Harmony laid back down beside Ruby. She licked his cheek. She had a feeling it was going to get harder and harder to keep the faith in the Cup of Life, the longer it took to work.