On The Road

After the first week of caring for the cursed birds, it seemed Ava had earned their respect. Getting them in or out was no longer a tortuous struggle. After two weeks they almost started to like her. When it was time to come in, the chickens wouldn't scatter and play chase like they had the first day. Some admitted defeat the minute she walked in the fence, and headed for the coop without any fuss. Others stubbornly remained defiant, scratching around until Ava went after them. They would flutter towards the coop a few yards, just far enough so they could peck around until Ava caught up.

Ava was thankful that the birds had finally lost their initial dislike of her. Her arms definitely were. Feeding time had toned down slightly, but it was still chaotic. Ava hoped it would eventually become peaceful, but it felt like a far off wish.

Missing dragon training was always a disappointment. Here she was surrounded by creatures believed to be only things of fairy tales, and she spent her time with chickens. Studying the book of dragons was something she looked forward to each evening, but it wasn't satisfying enough. Sometimes she would daydream about having her own dragon to train and ride with the rest of the academy. But she wasn't sure if she could handle it. Listening to the teens talking about dragons during meals was both fascinating and confusing. Most of the topics that came up were so advanced, the only information Ava could connect with her studies was that it was about dragons. After all, the book was the basic knowledge the entire village grew up with. She had major catching up to do if she wanted to get to academy level.

With all this information making her head spin, she went into overload when Hiccup told her they had written other books about various dragon related topics. He had put together a book with his notes on saddles. Fishlegs had compiled information on the abilities of Terrible Terrors. And Astrid was working on a book for the uses of Nadder poison, a truly versatile substance.

Ava felt lost in the sea of knowledge that surrounded her, with no time to explore it. Even with the extra free time she had now that the chickens were more civilized, it still was barely enough to scratch the surface of what she wanted desperately to dive into.

Each moment she spent working on her copy of the book of dragons she gave it her all. She worked as quickly as she could without compromising legibility. And as much as she wanted to, she decided to not ask questions until she had the book finished.

She could not say she had too much free time anymore. In fact she had none at all. Every free moment she had was spent working on the Book of Dragons. When Fishlegs was unavailable, she would find some unsuspecting villager to read to her. Most often it would be the children who helped. They weren't as busy as their parents, and they were overly curious about the strange girl. There was one boy in particular who was her most willing helper. The smallest of the group, Gustav was quite an individual. What he lacked in size, he made up for in personality. The hardy little imp had his own helmet that never left his noggin, and he marched around the village with an air of confidence. In his free time, he chased around the teens from the academy, doing whatever they asked. Snotlout and the twins took full advantage of this, much to Hiccup's disappointment.

The boy was so interested in the Book he would occasionally seek Ava out and ask if she wanted him to read to her. He was just as chagrined as Ava when they had to end their sessions early. Seeing the shrimpy boy's expression so doleful cut her deep, and was the major motivator for finding ways to do her chores more efficiently each day.

By the fourth week Ava had her routine with the chickens down to a science. She had found the most efficient method of checking over a bird was stroking it from head to tail, then under the wings and down the legs. She could get the birds out in record time, and daily maintenance in the coop made cleaning a cinch.

Each morning took an average of an hour and a half. After that she had several hours before the midday meal, then until sunset to do as she pleased, which usually consisted of translating the Book of Dragons and bombarding Hiccup with questions. The best time to catch him was when he was working in the forge. While he hammered steel and sharpened blades he was more than happy to chat about his favorite subject.

Some days when Hiccup was too busy, Ava would look through any illustrated books about dragons she could find. Since she couldn't read the runes that covered most pages, she had to glean what she could from any diagrams or pictures between the copious amounts of text. When Gustav discovered where she disappeared to when she wasn't out and about in the village he started to visit the archives himself. Most of the information was outdated, focused on killing dragons, but it still held valuable pieces hidden in the gory details. Dragons were dragons after all and whether you wanted to kill them or train them, they still thought and reacted the same.

With Gustav reading to her while she examined maps and illustrations, they found a wealth of information, including the answers to some previously unanswered questions. Fishlegs commended them on their research, glad someone finally got to looking over all the documents in the archives. He set to work putting all the details in order so they could be added to the Book of Dragons.

The other children's jealousy did not go unnoticed. They were not at all happy the pipsqueak was her favorite. He followed her like a pet. Gustav was glad to do her bidding, but Ava preferred him as a friend more than a slave.

The eeriness of walking the seemingly haunted path to her house every day finally faded away. After walking it twice a day, in light and dark, without incident, she grew comfortable with it. In truth Ava was growing comfortable in Berk. The food still hadn't grown on her, but she didn't expect it ever would. Her days started to blend together in a blur of chickens and books until she stumbled upon a mystery.

Ava was lighthearted as she walked home from dinner that evening. The sun, a glowing orange orb was just beginning to meet the sapphire ocean. Thin, wispy lavender clouds drifted above her. Preoccupied with gazing at the clouds, Ava didn't notice the tiniest stone in the path ahead of her. Ever graceful Ava was unlucky enough to land her next step with the smooth pebble under the heel of her boot, causing her ankle to buckle, and flop to the ground in a heap. A thin cloud of dust began to settle back to the ground where it had been before it was disturbed.

Choking on the dusty air Ava was temporarily distracted from the growing pain in her shoulder. Her elbow took the brunt of the fall and sported a patch of raw skin through a hole in her sleeve. But unfortunately her right elbow was connected to her right shoulder, which still had not fully healed. At least it's not dislocated, Ava thought optimistically about her wrenched shoulder. Still slightly annoyed Ava carefully pushed herself off her stomach to a sitting position. When fully upright a glint caught her eye. She squinted and followed the gleam to find a pointed ivory object settled in the dust. She picked it up gently to examine it in her palm.

It was surprisingly weighty for an object its size. It was triangular in shape, with a slight curve and base was somewhat yellowed, it was quite a curious find.

Glancing at the darkening sky Ava knew all her friends would be home getting ready for bed. She didn't want to disturb them. The item fit nicely in her pocket, being only two inches in diameter it left plenty of room in the folds of the fabric for more treasures. Heaving herself off the ground Ava resumed her trek home.

In the month she had been living on Berk she had collected a few more household items. Items such as a much needed comb from one of the kind ladies who tended the sheep, a spool of twine Viking's duct tape, and a small knife that she kept strapped to a belt that Thorn had given her.

The habit of leaving her hair down was quickly dying with all the work she had been doing. It seemed anything she did, her long wavy locks got in the way. Whenever she leaned forward or bent down, it tumbled over her shoulders blocking her vision of anything but the small area straight below her. Berk's notorious breezes constantly blew it in her face, no matter which direction she traveled. As she tugged the comb through her golden mane she noticed it had grown two inches, for a length of almost three feet. Giving up on the idea of tangle free hair, Ava combed it back and separated it into three sections. Masterfully twisting each section and weaving them together, she quickly made a single braid. Cutting off a small length of twine, Ava knotted it around the tips feeling victorious.

It may not be tamed but at least it's out of my way, Ava thought happily. She wished for a mirror to check her work, but there were none she knew of on Berk. It's not like she went through everyone's private belongings searching for one, she just hadn't happened to notice one anywhere. She unbuckled her belt, and slipped off her boots. Scraping the last remains of ointment from the jar, Ava applied a thin layer to her wounds. They had almost fully healed. Surely there would be scars left, but there would be no lasting damage.

Ava began to sit down on her creaky wooden bed but quickly straightened back up when she felt a sharp prick at her hip. Stuffing her hand in her pocket, she felt something smooth and hard. Retrieving it she found the ivory object from earlier. Tiptoeing down the chilly wood carved stairs and across the board floor she set the treasure on the table by her knife. She padded quickly across the cold floor with her bare feet and made it upstairs and in bed in record time. Pulling the blankets close around her, she made herself as comfortable as she could to fall asleep for the night.

The next morning she awoke feeling rested. While waiting for her eyes to adjust to the darkness she stretched her arms and twisted her back getting a satisfying crack. She stood up and reached for her belt hung over a bed post. After buckling it she pulled on her socks and boots. Moving downstairs she went to the table for her knife, smiling when she saw the pointed ivory object from the day before. Strapping on her knife and pocketing her treasure, she stepped outside. The cool morning air nipped her cheeks, turning them a rosy color while the breeze played with her hair. The thick braid swung behind her as she walked, keeping most of her hair out of her way. A few short strands had escaped and they now hung around her face.

The routine she had created with the animals could be completed before the great hall stopped serving breakfast, so Ava usually went through her morning chores and ate alone, but not rushed, later. The chickens were familiar with the routine now, and clustered by the door expectantly. Without the struggles Ava breezed through checking over the birds. Once they were out she speedily cleaned the minor daily messes around the coop and headed for the great hall.

As usual the teens and almost everyone else had already eaten, leaving a practically deserted hall. Feeling her pocket to assure herself that her treasure had not fallen out, Ava grabbed a plate and found a table. She choked down her breakfast and dashed for the academy. She glanced down into the arena to make sure the teens hadn't left yet. They were at the tail end of their meeting, going over the performances of each rider in the day's exercise. Ava took a moment to compose herself before entering the arena. She paused in the tunnel to catch her breath and strode through the gate. She planned on taking a seat in the back and waiting for their meeting to end, but that plan quickly went out the window.

Upon seeing her Hiccup promptly ended the meeting. "Wow hi Ava, you don't usually show up for dragon training."

"Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt your meeting, I can come back later."

"No it's fine, we were almost done anyway," He replied good-naturedly. "What can we do for you?"

"Well I found something yesterday, and I don't know what it is. I thought maybe you would know." Bringing the small item out of her pocket, she laid it in her flat palm for him to see. This brought all the other curious teens out of their seats and crowded around in an instant.

"Is it a scale?" Snotout asked.

"Maybe it's a horn," Astrid suggested.

"Or a claw," Fishlegs added.

"I think it's a tooth," Hiccup stated as he held it up for a closer look. He ran his fingers across its smooth surface, feeling the tapered edges. He handed it to Fishlegs to allow him a look.

"It's not like any tooth I've seen. It's heavy," Fishlegs commented before handing it to Snotlout. Astrid peeked over his shoulder while he examined it. "I'm going to get the Book of Dragons," Fishlegs announced as he scurried away.

"It's shiny. I like that," Ruffnut said as she grabbed it from Snotlout, ignoring his protests.

"I wanna see! Give it to me!" Tuffnut shouted as he snatched it away from his sister.

"No it's mine!" She replied swiping it from him and holding it out of his reach as he grappled for it.

Ava watched in horror while the twins fought over it. When Tuffnut was finally able to knock it out of her hand, it bounced several yards away. While the twins looked around bewildered at the object's disappearance Ava scampered over to where it had landed.

"There it is!" Tuffnut pointed when he spotted it.

"No! I want it!" Ruffnut exclaimed as she shoved her brother out of the way.

"I found it," Ava stated flatly as she picked it up off the ground.

"She's right guys," Hiccup asserted. "Ava found it, so she gets to keep it."

The twins groaned and sulked back to the group. Fishlegs had returned with the book and was flipping through the pages.

"Ava can I please see the tooth?"

She nodded and brought it over. She held it between her thumb and forefinger so he could get a good look at the shape and size. He scanned over each dragon species, looking at drawings of teeth in particular. After looking over every page, he closed the book with a sigh.

"There's nothing in here that matches it. But not every species has information on the teeth. Small details like that are still missing. It's a work in progress," he shrugged.

"Why don't we just hold it up to every dragon on Berk and see which one matches?" Snotlout suggested sassily.

"That's actually not a bad idea," Hiccup said with surprise.

The teens gathered their dragons and they began comparing teeth. Barf and Belch's teeth were too thin and long, Toothless' were too rounded. Hookfang's were much too big, Stormfly's were too curved and Meatlug's teeth weren't even close to the size or shape of the tooth. Not yet discouraged the teens set out in search of other species of dragons to compare.

They knew for a fact Whispering Death teeth were not a match. The Book of Dragons ruled them out which was a relief to the academy members. Ava didn't know why they were reluctant to face the boulder class dragon but she didn't worry herself over it too much. When Gustav heard of the search he brought them a Terrible Terror. The little lizard squirmed in his arms and nipped at his hair, but the smile on the boy's face was radiating joy. He set down the small dragon and pinned it before it could scurry away. Astrid stopped him before he could put his little fingers in its mouth to pry it open, suggesting someone with more experience should do it. His disappointment was obvious, but the other teens were glad Astrid intervened. None of them looked forward to explaining why the boy was missing fingers.

The Terror's teeth turned out too small, and the dragon raced away the moment it was released. The only other species they knew of on the island was the chief's Thunderdrum. They planned to tackle it after the lunch hour since it was getting late. Hiccup said he would set up a meeting with the chief, since he kept his dragon with him while he did his chiefly duties they wouldn't be able to compare the teeth without having him take a break from his busy schedule.

The meeting was set for right before dinner. Ava and Fishlegs spend time after lunch translating more of the Book of Dragons. Now they were halfway through. Ava was happy to finally be translating the pages for the different dragon species. Each night she would read over what she had written, memorizing the statistics of each kind. She made sure to leave pages open for the illustrations.

Finally the time came to meet with the chief. Ava was extremely nervous about it. What if he's upset we're wasting his time? What if he won't let us look at his dragon? What if he gets mad if the tooth doesn't match? What if it does? Different scenarios raced through her head all ending in disaster. Just calm yourself. Whatever happens, happens. Deal with it. Deep breaths. Calm. Ava tried to keep herself from shaking as she walked beside Fishlegs towards the Great Hall.

The chief stood at the base of the steps with his dragon. He was a gigantic man, everything about him was huge. His arms bulged with muscles; his auburn beard was long and fanned out in front of him. His dragon was slightly disproportionate, but it still looked fierce. Hiccup was talking to the chief when they approached. Probably explaining what they wanted to do. The man seemed agreeable enough, he wasn't scowling, and nodded every now and then in an understanding way.

Ava was fighting the urge to run away as they got closer and closer. I'm not that interested in finding out who this tooth belongs to. I could just say I don't need to know and be done with it. A glance at Fishlegs told her no. He and Hiccup were just as curious as she was and even more determined. There was no getting out of this now. Her fists were clenched at her sides, tense with the rest of her body as she tried to keep from shaking. She forced herself to take slow steady breaths, trying to appear as calm and collected as she could.

She almost lost it when he looked at her. His gray eyes seemed to bore right into her, as he sized her up from head to toe. Ava felt self-conscious about the flyaway frizz that had escaped her braid, and the way her heart raced loudly inside her chest. She hoped no one else could hear it. The tall man seemed to dwarf fishbone Hiccup beside him, and petite Ava in front of him.

Ava almost fainted when he spoke to her. "So you're the Ava I've been hearin' about."

Gulping she stuttered out the first thing that came to her mind. "Uh... Yes. Yes sir. That's me." Stupid! Oh stupid, stupid! Think about what to say don't just throw out random garbage. A polite smile was plastered on her face despite the inner turmoil.

"Well it's nice to finly meet you. I heard you wanted to take a look at my dragon."

"Yes sir. We have a tooth of unknown origins we would like to compare," Fishlegs replied eloquently.

Ava thanked him over and over in her mind.

"Well then, let's see it."

Ava's hands fumbled with the tooth getting it from her pocket. She held it up shakily.

"That's a beauty. Let's see if it is one of Thornado's."

They moved over to the dragon, the chief stroking its muzzle. The Thunderdrum opened his mouth obediently when asked, and waited for further instruction. Ava handed Fishlegs the tooth and let him do the comparison. Holding it near the row of razor sharp teeth embedded in the dragon's jaw he turned it several ways, trying to get the position right.

"You might want to consider getting a new bit for Thornado," Hiccup suggested after examining the dragon's teeth on the opposite side. "It's starting to wear down his teeth. It needs to be about this thick," He continued holding up his thumb and forefinger almost an inch apart.

"I didn't notice. Thank you Hiccup, I'll speak to Gobber in the morning," He promised.

Fishlegs continued his investigation comparing the sizes and shapes of different teeth in other areas of the Thunderdrum's mouth. "No I don't think this is it," He said disappointedly.

"That was the last dragon on Berk, what are we gonna do now?" Hiccup asked.

"Maybe it's not a dragon tooth?" Fishlegs offered.

"Oh no, that's a dragon tooth alright," The chief answered.

"If we really want to find who this belongs to, we're gonna have to search other islands then," Hiccup stated.

"Let's leave that till after dinner Hiccup," The chief replied with a chuckle as he started up the steps to the Great Hall. The smell of cooked meat had begun to waft out the open doors and reminded them of their empty stomachs.

"Ok, Dad," Hiccup called after him.

Ava stared at him wide eyed. "You never told me you were the chief's son!" She exclaimed, not loud enough to reach the chief's ears.

"Eh slipped my mind. It's not like I go around announcing my heritage."

"But he... you..."

"So? I'm still Hiccup."

"The first ever dragon trainer, and slayer of the Red Death," Fishlegs added smugly. "You can't ignore it Hiccup. You're kind of a big deal."

Ava's jaw hung open, her eyes were still wide and unblinking, and she was frozen in place, speechless. The boys couldn't hold in their giggles at her complete shock. She couldn't believe she knew so little about the people she considered her friends. She was given new motivation for studying not only dragons, but some of Berk's history.

"What else do I not know?" Ava asked, curiosity blooming. Looking at the pudgy young man, known for being timid, she tried to imagine the most unlikely deed she could. "Are you some kind of war hero?" She shot at Fishlegs.

"No," he answered with a chuckle.

"I don't know Fish, you've done a lot of defending Berk from Berserkers, the Outcasts, the Screaming Death and you helped distract the Red Death," Hiccup cited.

Fishlegs blushed and Ava's jaw dropped again.

"You guys make me sound so boring," Ava whined with a fake pout.

"You can't be that simple," Hiccup argued.

"What have you done?" Fishlegs asked.

"The biggest thing I've done is survive a plane crash and become stranded on an island infested with dragons."

"What's a plane?" Fishlegs questioned confusedly for the both of them.

"Never mind. I'm just saying, you two are way more awesome than I thought."

"Hey aren't you guys coming?" Astrid called from the doorway of the hall.

The trio turned around, reminded of the meal waiting for them, and headed up the steps to enjoy their dinner.

I understand when Stoic is speaking, some things are spelled weird. I tried to write things like he would say them.

See That Guy:

Wow thank you for the amazing review! I never imagined someone would like my story so much. Thank you for the advice, I tried to implement it in this chapter. Since I've gotten back into this story I've been working really hard and it makes me so happy to know other people are enjoying it. There is so much more I have planned and I can't wait to hear what you guys think!