Chapter 8: Settling In

I looked around me and sighed, causing my new hatchling to look at me with sad, questioning eyes. "It's alright, Oakheart, it's not you." I picked him up, stroking his warm, smooth back, more for my own comfort than his. "This is going to be a lot harder than I thought, getting used to all the changes and people." I gave another glance around the tiny first year cabin, knowing that it wouldn't be any different than two seconds ago when I had walked in. Being barely fifteen by ten feet, it seemed overcrowded by the two beds and single dresser that were it's only furniture. Out back, as a newer add-on, it seemed, was a tiny bathroom.

"Don't get too comfortable." Gobber had told us, as he had settled us into our cabins, which were divided by which island we came from.

This had been answered by an, "As if we could." by Scary-boy's friend with the Whispering Death. Gobber would normally not have taken to this kind of comment, but it seemed that he had said it quietly enough that it didn't reach anyone else but me and Scary-boy, who had chuckled.

We had walked in, and gotten as comfortable as we could, which wasn't very at all. With low ceilings to add to the small space, I knew that I wouldn't be able to spend much time at all in there before going crazy. The young boy who was to be my roommate looked over at me. "Are you okay?" Even though he had to be fifteen, because this was the youngest you could be to attend, his enormous brown eyes and short, small build made him seem much younger. I looked over at him, cuddled on his bed with a black and red Nightmare hatchling curled beside him.

"Yeah. Today has just been rough. I need some sleep."

"You were the girl from Berk who got left behind because you were late, right? Then, you got here on Toothless, and then you disappeared, and rode on the fire Nadder, and then you fought for someone's egg, and then Gobber got mad, and you got the last egg, and it wasn't the dragon you wanted, and then Gobber kept his hand on your shoulder until we got here so that nothing else funny could happen to you, right?" He said this in one long sentence, rushing through it in a jumble of sounds.

His antics actually made me chuckle a little, which might have been his reason for talking so funny. Either that, or he was just over-excited from the day. I wouldn't blame him, it sounded pretty exciting when you said it like that. "Yes, that's me. I'm Frostfire. I live far up North in Berk. This is Oakheart." I pointed to the miniature leaf-colored dragon on my shoulder. "He wasn't what I was expecting, but he was the dragon I wanted. So, who are you? I'm assuming that you're from Berk as well, since we're sharing a cabin."

"I'm Boulder. This is Flash Fang. How did you ride the fire Nadder?"

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Boulder. Uuummm, that Nadder's name is Flare, and I know her rider. He saw me all alone at the top of a cliff, and he offered to give me a ride when we saw everyone coming back to get their eggs."

"It was so cool! I can't wait until Flash Fang is big enough to ride!" I chuckled again. Even though he was a teenager, his enthusiasm was on par with that of a ten-year-old. I hefted my saddlebag onto my shoulder, wanting to unpack into the chest before I went to bed. As I picked it up, it moved slightly, causing me to freeze. "What's in there?" Boulder seemed more curious than nervous. I gently placed it back on the floor, and ever so slowly lifted the flap...

"Tinscale!" I burst out at the sight of my naughty little terror. "You should be at home, you bad boy. However did you get in there?" I pulled him out, and pushed the bag under my bed. I'd sort it later. I went over to my bed, and plopped down, Tinscale still in my arms. Oakheart crawled off my shoulder, wanting to inspect the new arrival. "What am I going to do with you?"

"I heard that there's a Terrible Terror post office on the far side of the school. We could take him there, and you could have him take your parents a letter. Or, he could stay and roost there, and become your personal mail dragon."

"Not a bad idea. But I'm too tired to go exploring tonight. For now, he's staying here." I pulled my covers, and crawled in, relieved that at least my roommate was helpful and seemed to like me, and not want to tease me, or my odd dragons.

...

I woke up the next morning when it was just starting to get light. It was pretty quiet, so I took Tinscale and went looking for the post office. It was right where Boulder had said, near the entrance to the race courses. I opened the door, and saw many large cubby holes dotting the wall behind, kind of like a honeycomb. Inside each was a Terrible Terror, and behind the counter was an older girl, probably on her last year of school. "May I help you? We send mail here, either to other students, or to the various homelands of the students."

"Umm, I have a Terror who followed me from home. What do you think I should do with him?"

She eyed up Tinscale, who was happily perched on my head, looking at the other Terrors. "I suggest that you send him home. If you're doing that, you might as well send a letter, too." I nodded. I picked up some of the papers and a quill from the counter, and went over to one of the small tables to write.

Dear Dad, Mom, Braggart, Bjorn, Loki, and dragons,

I really miss all of you! As you can see, Tinscale here managed to sneak his way to the school with me. (He hid in my bag.) I guess that it's not all bad... He can bring you my first letter! Anyway, it's been an exciting first day at school.

My dragon is a leaf green Monstrous Nightmare, named Oakheart. He's adorable, but he's also a runt, and very easily scared. I had some interesting experiences while getting his egg...

I went on to describe all of what had happened in the hatchery, as well as my journey to the village.

I can't wait to see you, and I hope that everyone is safe. Has Glowworm returned yet? If she has, give everyone on the rescue party hugs for me! Has Bullheart made it home safe as well? Please just give everyone there my love! I miss you all so much! School is so loud and noisy and different!

Lots of love,

Frostfire and Oakheart

I finished up writing, and gave it a few minutes to dry. Then, I gave it, and Tinscale, to the girl behind the counter. "It will be a few days before we send him out. We always send them in groups, which makes it easier on all of them to travel long distances. He'll leave as soon as we get a few more letters."

I walked out the door, one dragon less, and followed my nose to a larger building, with good smells coming from it. I pushed open the door, and saw a carbon copy of the Great Hall on Berk! Walking between the tables, I quickly reached the hearth, were the delicious smells were coming from. As I sat happily eating the porridge, I started to feel more optimistic. Things couldn't be so bad, could they? I would get through this.