Fluffy chapter! Well.. mostly *evil laugh*, you'll find out. But anyways I'm proud of it :) Hopefully posting a new one within the next two days, thanks so much for the follows and favourites! Love you guys xx
Chapter Eight
The rest of the day was surprisingly carefree; even though I was completely on edge and jumped at the slightest sound. Strike stuck to me like glue the whole time. He had been furious when I told him the news of the Berserkers, and he delt with his rage by being about a million times more protective of me as he had been before.
"We should go back to Hiccup and Valka's." He rumbled "It's getting dark."
I glanced up at the sky. The sun was just beginning to touch the tree line, turning the surrounding blue to a darkening orange.
"Oh come on Strike, it's only dusk!" I muttered back
The sound of running footsteps came from my right, Snotlout screeched to a halt beside me, throwing his arm around my shoulders. Strike gave a low but friendly growl.
"Thora! Me and the gang are making a fire down at the beach by the docks, you coming?" He asked
I ducked under his arm and patted his shoulder. "Wouldn't miss it for the world!" I replied "I'll be there soon"
"Alright!" He said, then ran off again, seemingly eager to get there.
I waited till he rounded the corner, then cast Strike a look, raising an eyebrow. He growled and squinted. It was like he was that overprotective parent that wouldn't ever let their kid go out of the house.
I stuck my bottom lip out making a pouty face "Please mom?" I tried chuckling
He swatted me with his tail. And rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed.
"Hey!" I winced, rubbing the back of my head where it had hit. "Come on we won't be there for long."
"Fine. But we leave as soon as it gets dark."
"Yes!" I gave his head a little scratch and jogged excitedly down the path to the docks, Strike tailing me.
We rounded the corner and stepped onto the beach. There was already a pretty large bonfire going, the smoke bothered me for a moment as I remembered my close encounter with fire just that morning. There were a few logs set around the it in place of benches were everyone was seated, talking amongst themselves. Except for Ruff and Tuff who were having a contest to see who could stick their hand closest to the flames, I hoped someone took notice and stopped it before one of them got severely burned. There was about 20 or more other vikings there (so much for just the gang) but hey, the more the merrier right? The dragons freely flew overhead, diving into the water for some fish. A couple were lazing around on the beach. Toothless was with Hiccup as usual, who had just finished talking to three men with weapons (I'm guessing they were night watch for tonight). As they departed he took a spot in the middle of Astrid and his mother. Eret and I noticed each other at the same time, and he waved me over. I sat on the edge of the log, close enough to him that our shoulders were touching. This was mostly because the log was pretty packed with people so there wasn't much room. I usually didn't like being too close to anyone, but this felt normal, comfortable. Strike just curled up on the sand next to the log, pretending to sleep, but I could tell by the way he was tensed up that he was still on guard.
Eret looked at me and opened his mouth to talk when he was interrupted by Gobber's booming voice.
"Let's 'git things started shall we!" He laughed, then pulled a little banjo attachment out from behind him, replacing his hook hand with it, and began strumming a lively, upbeat tune, attempting to croak along some lyrics to go with it.
Eret groaned beside me. "Oh no not again"
Gobber kept up his singing, only getting louder and louder with every verse. One viking began clapping along to the beat, encouraging other to with him and they joined in. Valka jumped up from where she was sitting, pulling Hiccup along with her.
"Mom wait I-" he began, but then just dropped it
They both twirled around in circles, matching the tune, hand in hand, feet stomping the loose grainy sand. I'd never seen anything like it before, but it made me smile.
"What are they doing?" I asked, a little confused
"What do you mean? They're dancing!" Eret said "Please don't tell me you don't know what dancing is!"
"No clue.. You really think they danced on Outcast Island?" I said with a chuckle, then lowered my eyes. The only activity included there was getting the crap kicked out of you every day..
Valka spun Hiccup back, and he grabbed Astrid. Valka pulled a different viking out and they started at their dance again with new partners. Soon enough everyone was up dancing too, laughing and shouting, having a great time.
Eret's eyes darkened as he saw my mood change, but then popped up, his bright hazel eyes changing to a happy sparkling gleam. "Then let me show you!"
Before I could protest he grabbed my hand, hoisting me up. I stumbled and stepped on his feet more than a couple times before I finally started to get the hang of it. Everyone was doing the same dance, like it was some kind of island tradition to know it. We all fell into two lines, weaving in and out of each other, then falling back into place with our original partners. This was the most fun I'd ever had in my life!
It carried on for a long time until everyone was out of breath and it was pitch black; everything just illuminated by the dying fire and starry night sky (so much for just staying until dark). Even Gobber had lost his voice and was just quietly strumming a different, softer tune, humming along to it. Most of the crowd had gone home for the night. It was just my friends and the dragons remaining.
Eret and I laid side by side on the sand, looking up at the stars. Skullcrusher and Strike also laid near where our heads were. I didn't know anything about constellations from spending mostly all of my nights dark cellar. It was almost embarrassing how little I knew of the world, but I'd also learned a lot since I'd came here.
"Okay... What's that one?" I said, pointing to an interesting looking cluster of stars
Eret closed one eye, and put his hands out, making a square with them.
I laughed. "What are you doing?"
"Trying to picture it in my head, making a frame helps" he said grinning, then snapped his fingers. "That's Orion, the hunter. See? Those ones make the body, and that's the bow.." He traced the outline as he explained it.
"Wow. Who knew there were so many little pictures in the sky" I said, then sighed. Well everyone did, except me.
Eret sat up, and I did the same, brushing the grains of sand off my arms that had stuck.
"You know you shouldn't feel bad about not knowing what some little things are" he said, like he had read my mind "It's not your fault that you never had the opportunity. On the bright side you sure catch onto things fast."
I considered this, it made me feel a little better. "Your right" I said "And I've had some great teachers might I add"
He dramatically put a hand on his chest, puffing up "Yeah I am just the greatest aren't I?"
I laughed and shoved his shoulder. Strike got up and lumbered over.
"It's late. Too late. We need to go." He grumbled
I knew he wasn't going to take no for an answer, and it was getting late. I suddenly realized how tired I was and yawned, my eyelids feeling heavy.
"I guess I'm past curfew" I said tiredly, tilting my head towards Strike.
Eret stood up, offering me a hand up. I took it. "Lemme walk you home." He said
"It's fine, we can manage. Stay and enjoy the rest of your night, I insist"
"I couldn't enjoy my night being unsure if you made it back safe or not." He said sternly. The flickering light from the fire danced on his face, highlighting his handsome features. I blushed.
With a Skrill as a bodyguard, I was certain I'd be fine. And two overprotective friends at the same time was a little overwhelming, but if it made Eret feel better walking me back, then so be it. And plus, I enjoyed his company.
I gave him a little smile "Okay, come on" I said
He left Skullcrusher at the beach, telling the dragon he'd be back soon. We walked back in silence. Away from the fire it was darker, and a little scary knowing the there could be someone in the bushes, watching.. waiting..
The thought made me shiver. Eret glanced at me out of the corner of his eye and smoothly took my hand in his, curling his fingers between mine and giving a reassuring squeeze. This just made me blush again, and I looked at the ground, hoping he didn't notice.
As we got to the doorstep of the Haddock house I let go of his hand. "Well goodnight, thanks for walking me. You'll be okay going back on your own?"
He did a small bow "Anytime m'lady" he said, then flexed "and I think I can handle myself"
I laughed, then stepped closer to him and quickly bounced up on my tippy toes, giving him a light peck on the cheek. This time he was the one to blush. He stuttered something I couldn't quite make out, then gave a floppy smile and left. I soon lost sight of him in the dark. I smiled dreamily to myself. Strike huffed beside me.
"Humans are strange creatures" he mumbled "You express love in the strangest ways."
"Strike!" I said, flustered, and gently shoved his big head.
I had turned to walk up the steps when I was grabbed from behind. I started to cry out but the person clamped their hand over my mouth, blocking it. Strike whipped around and reared up full heigh, and gave one of the most menacing snarls I had ever heard out of him. He was just about to lurch forward and attack when another figure emerged from the shadows and waved something smoky in front of his nose. Just like that, he fell unconscious to the ground. I screamed only for it to be muffled by the hand. I kicked and clawed at the person but it was useless, and I was practically dragged into the forest, leaving Strike behind with the other person. Defenceless. I felt tears brimming at my eyes as I pictured them killing Strike. No. They couldn't. He couldn't go down that easy. I heard thunder, and grey storm clouds rolled in. Could storms form that fast? Soon we were deep in the forest, and I could see light ahead. I kicked and squirmed more, not wanting to know what was there.
I was thrown into the clearing, branches scratching my skin and sharp little rocks biting into my palms. I flipped my head up to see what I was up against, and my blood ran ice cold.
Dagur stood over me, wielding a knife in one hand. His eyes flickered and all I saw in them was pleasure with a hint of psychopath.
He was grinning from ear to ear.
This wasn't going to end well.
