Chapter 10: The Choice

Hiccup set down his engraving tools and looked over his work carefully. After a moment of inspection he smiled in satisfaction and began polishing the wood and metal, allowing his mind to wander in the process. Winter was steadily approaching, and Beata's Choosing Day was only a week away. The village was buzzing with the excitement of meeting the new member of the Hairy Hooligans. People had begun visiting his house to see the maiden, sitting and walking around with Toothless. Several of the guests were younger vikings who want to see Beata after hearing Snotlout's dramatic description of her. Hiccup didn't worry about it, though, because his best friend would keep them at bay. All he wondered about was how she would handle choosing a dragon for herself - she may have befriended one Monstrous Nightmare, but being surrounded by dragons could prove dangerous.

"Hey, boss," called a young male voice. The chief broke free of his thoughts and glanced over his shoulder to find Felix, his first apprentice for the saddle shop. The boy was about fifteen years old, with dirty blonde hair and olive skin. Freckles covered his cheeks after being in the sun, tanning the leathers needed for the dragon saddles. His hazel-green eyes peered at the piece on the worktable and sparked with curiosity. "Who's that for?"

"Our newest recruit," Hiccup said. He finished wiping down the wood and gave it a final once-over before reaching down beside his stool and picking up a cylindrical container by its shoulder strap. He counted the contents, nodding at finding them all there and stood up, taking his finished product with him. "I'm going to head out now, make sure ya finish cutting the starting shapes of hides and bring in all the tanned leathers before nightfall."

"You got it, chief." The boy stepped aside and let Hiccup pass. The young man ruffled his apprentice's hair as he left.

"Don't hurt yourself, okay Felix?" he said genially.

"I won't, sir." The boy waved farewell before running to the back room and setting up shop for the morning clients for the saddle-room. The enthusiasm in the boy's eyes and energy in his actions made Hiccup smile. It was actually quite nice to have an apprentice. The boy learned fast, which made it all the better for Hiccup since he needed to get around the village as often and quickly as possible. Valka and Astrid had suggested it, especially after the insistence of having a dragon medic along with their resident dragon dentist, Gobber. Once Felix had been hired and taught most of the basics, Valka had moved on to set up a station for injured dragons. It was a good practice, and because she had lived with them for so long, diagnosing and treating the reptiles was hardly a problem. With this new progress, Hiccup had less to worry about.

The chief greeted any villager who hollered a good morning on his walk to the hill where his house was. He noticed the figure of one of the younger dragonets landing at the top of the hill and picked up his pace the slightest. When he reached the house, he saw Beata stroking the head of a baby Scuttleclaw, who easily towered over her. Being only nine months out of the shell, it was already three meters tall. It was currently craning his Zippleback-like head down for the maiden to scratch it. While he purred at the touch, Toothless bounded over to his rider and nudged him somewhat roughly.

"Hey, bud," Hiccup greeted, hugging the drake with one arm while hiding his gift behind him with his other. "Calm down, boy, don't wanna break her present, now, do ya?" The Night Fury rumbled in agreement and took several steps back. The young viking then looked past Toothless to see Beata smiling at him.

"Morning, chief," she called. After giving the Scuttleclaw a loving pat on the snout, the young woman walked over to him. Her gait had improved the past three weeks, and she hardly seemed to show any discomfort.

"Glad to see you looking better, Beata. I stopped by to see if you felt confident enough to go through with the Choosing?"

"Well, I have managed a good walk around the house, and there doesn't seem to be too much of a tightness in my side." The maiden raised her arms in a stretch, showing that she could and assuring herself that she was indeed healed. "I think I'll do well enough. As long as I don't wrestle with a Monstrous Nightmare."

"That's great," the chief said, beaming. "Perhaps we should test your muscles?" When the young woman tilted her head quizzically, Hiccup held out the gift to her. "A little "welcome home" present for you, Beata."

The dragon-child's eyes widened at the weapon in his hand. It was a wooden bow, and upon inspection she recognized that it was made of dark oak, smoothed and polished to glow in the light, but not so intense as to distract dragons or alert prey. Her focus went to the metal plates on the back of the bow, above and below the handhold. On each of these shining plaques was an engraving of a Night Fury, tails fanned out and their noses facing the rest where the arrow would be. With a closer look at the leather grip of the bow, Beata found a Monstrous Nightmare embossed upon it, giving the illusion that it was curled protectively around the weapon. The texture made by the artwork gave excellent grip, too. All the work was perfectly, beautifully done. The maiden broke her gaze away from the bow to look at the chief, her blue eyes moist.

"It's amazing," she managed to say after a moment. Her eyes went to the bow again as she let her fingertips run lightly over the engravings. "You didn't have tuh make this for me, Hiccup."

"Well, Eret told me how you like to hunt and lost your bow. Astrid mentioned that you loved archery, and I figured you would like to have the weapon of your choice with ya." The young man smiled softly at her surprise. "It wasn't trouble at all. In fact, it gave me something to do between my duties."

"How long did it take? I was planning on making one myself, but this...I couldn't do anything this detailed." Happiness and joy rushed through her at the kindness, and she abruptly threw her arms around the viking. "Thank you!"

Hiccup almost fell over with the sudden weight thrown against him, but he recovered and managed to hug her back. "You're welcome, Beata." He let her stay there for a moment while Toothless sat quietly, watching them. At the sound of the drake's rumble, she stepped back. "So," Hiccup prompted, shouldering off the quiver of arrows, "wanna do some target practice?"

The Valkyrie accepted the quiver and strapped it on, a weight that she was accustomed to having on her back. She looked at the bow again before grinning at her chief and his Night Fury. "I'd be happy tuh get some shooting done."

Peering down the length of her arrow, Beata waited as her prey slowly walked into her line of fire. The buck came into the grove, nibbling at the frosted morning grass. The dragon-child took a silent breath. She released the arrow on the exhale, and the deer started as the projectile found its mark. He took several uneasy steps before falling to the ground. The huntress counted to fifty then climbed down from her perch in the lower branches of a pine tree. She examined the buck before pronouncing it dead, pulling out the arrow as Astrid emerged from a hidden place in an opposite tree. The blonde stared at the deer and the single weapon in surprise.

"Wow," she breathed, "That was a neat shot, and he didn't even bolt."

"Thanks," Beata replied. She wiped the blood off the arrowhead and shaft with some icy grass before patting it dry on her pants. She stored the projectile in her quiver, indigo feathers facing up. "I like to take the shot when I'm certain that it'll do as I wish. No reason tuh have the prey suffer if it's for food."

Astrid nodded in agreement. It was something she could understand, given the gentleness that she saw in her new friend. Still, seeing the focus and fluidity of the maiden's shooting made a chill run down her spine. Finding that Hiccup wasn't exaggerating her skills, the blonde concluded that he wasn't crushing on her as she had teased. "Shall I go get Stormfly?" she asked a moment after her friend's comment.

"Sure." Beata smiled, not telling that she had noticed the stare and subtle fear that went through Astrid's eyes as she took in the downed buck and its quick end. There was enough surprise and awe in her gaze that made the dragon-born feel more comfortable than when she hunted with villagers back in Stein. Astrid whistled for her dragon, almost wolf-like in sound, and Stormfly dropped into the clearing. The Nadder nudged her rider happily and received a scratch on the neck for her promptness.

"Are you okay with her carrying the buck in her talons?" the blonde asked. "She won't damage the meat too much, we carry live sheep every so often and they aren't harmed."

"I'm sure Stormfly will be careful with the kill." Beata approached the dragoness and rubbed her offered snout with affection. "Ready to fly back to the village?" she inquired the beast.

The Nadder bobbed her head enthusiastically, and Astrid allowed Beata to sit in front for the ride home. "Might as well start practicing your flying now, right?" the blonde replied when the maiden tried to decline. "Don't worry, she's good with new riders, and you're not imposing," she insisted.

"If you say so…" The raven haired Valkyrie held the handles of the saddle tightly before telling their ride that they were ready. Stormfly launched herself into the air, and once they leveled out Beata glanced underneath them to see that the dragoness hadn't forgotten the buck. They set their course for Berk, and the newcomer suggested that they share the kill.

"I'll be making a stew with what I can," she explained, "but it really is a lot of meat. I'm sure you and your father would like some good venison."

"Are you sure?" Astrid asked.

"Of course, you gave me that chicken a while ago, and this is my thanks. You don't have tuh cook it now. Having it dried and salted would be a great idea as a snack during the winter, right?"

"True." The blonde smiled at the kindness. "Thanks, Beata."

"No problem. We help each other when we can, right?" The maiden turned a smile to her friend and gazed at the horizon before them. "It's so nice to fly," she said wistfully. "I've never felt so at peace bafore."

"It feels nice, doesn't it?" Remembering the day, Astrid asked more seriously, "Are you sure about which dragon breed you want?"

Beata smiled. "Of course. I'm a huntress more than a fighter, so I think a Deadly Nadder is perfect. They can shoot their tail-spines with great accuracy to hunt prey and cripple foes; their sense of smell is keen enough to track people or animals; they are quick on land and air, and their aerial acrobatics is ideal for avoiding attacks by and thrown or launched weapons, even some fireballs." The young woman patted Stormfly's neck. "And they are wonderfully loyal and a joy to play and spar with. Isn't that right, girl?"

The dragoness bobbed her head in flight, making Astrid smile. "Those are great reasons," the rider said. "And with that I will gladly help you find your own dragon."

"I will help, too," Stormfly chimed. "After we eat, of course."

Beata beamed and scratched the Nadder affectionately. "Thanks, both of you." The trio landed on the hill behind the Haddock House, and the two Valkyries dismounted. With quick work, Beata skinned and gutted the buck while Astrid brought the cooking pot outside for the fresh meat to be transferred. Deciding that she would have the rest of the venison dried, Astrid set about that while the meat boiled with some water back at the fire pit inside the house. Beata rushed to the back of the house again to check the small garden of herbs that Valka kept nearby and took some back inside to place in the stew. With several dry ingredients and roots, the food was taking on a pleasant smell. To help air out the hot room, the women kept both doors open to allow a cross-breeze. Stormfly guarded the back door after being treated to the organs of the deer, and Cloud Jumper lingered at the front of the house, curious by the new smell.

Astrid entered from the back, having completed the preparations for drying the salted meat, and sat at the table. She watched Beata cook for a while before asking, "When did you learn to shoot like you did?"

The maiden paused in her stirring to think about it. "I watched my mother - well, foster mother, Frida - shoot her bow and arrow when I was little, and it intrigued me. When I was eight, Frida finally allowed me to have my own bow and quiver and taught me how to shoot. I took to it naturally, and eventually I was one of the best marksmen in Stein, aside from her, of course."

"That's cool. And you're good at throwing knives, too, right? Eret told me what you did to the guy trying to attack him."

"Having over ten years of practice is a great help. I may not do as well with axes like you, or swords like Eret, but if I have knives and arrows I can do almost anything. Most times I like avoiding confrontation - not really part of the Viking way, I know - but I've gotten enough close combat experience to survive." Beata then thought about it for a moment before touching her left side. "Then again I wasn't accustomed to an axe being used at close range like Ulrik did."

Astrid nodded. "And that's fine. You survived, and that's what you said you could do. Nothing wrong with getting a few scars out of it."

"Right," Beata laughed. She checked the contents of the cooking pot and tasted a sample. She then added a few more herbs and let it simmer. "So," she prompted in a more businesslike tone, "What's the best way to approach a Deadly Nadder?"

"Well, it may seem crazy, but it's best to approach one from behind. As long as you show that you aren't a threat, the Nadder will allow you to smooth its tail. From there, it'll see you as a friend."

"Interesting. I'll keep that in mind while I check them out today." The maiden looked to the brewing stew and gave it a quick stir. "Where are we going, again?"

"Since the colony just about doubled with the addition of Valka's nest of dragons, some of them have spread throughout the Isle of Berk. Others hide in the forests closer to here, but each type has their preferred habitat. There's a large forest on the easternmost side of the island where most of the untrained Deadly Nadders like to nest. They raise their young there and make trips to Berk for food and socialization. If we leave before noon, then we should be able to reach their forest after the adults have finished eating, making them less likely to feel threatened. I can drop you off there and come back for you before sunset, too."

"That'd be great. The food should be done in another five minutes." A thought came to Beata. "How does Gothi know when to approve of a viking's choice of dragon?"

Astrid shrugged. "I can't say for sure, but she has a knack for divination and omen reading. She'll probably look at how the two of you interact and see details that would show her who you are."

"I see. Well, then I'd best choose very carefully." The two young women shared a grin, and soon enough the stew was finished. Both Valkyries had a bowl for their somewhat late breakfast. Finding themselves well fed, Astrid went to the back of the house to close the door and bring Stormfly around while Beata banked some coals under the cooking pot to keep its contents warm until Valka returned from her new job. From there it could be kept warm for Hiccup. The maiden smiled at her cooking and hoped that her hosts would like it. She then collected her cloak and draped it over her shoulders, hiding her new black leather armor that Valka helped outfit and cut. Making sure she kept minimal weapons, Beata took up her bow and quiver and exited the house, closing the door behind her. She turned to find Cloud Jumper staring at her.

"Hey," she greeted him. He came close for some stroking of his brow spines, warbling his own hellos. Stormfly landed moments later, and Astrid waited for her to climb aboard. Beata nodded to her friend and smiled at the Stormcutter. "Wish me luck, boy."

"You'll do fine," he assured her. "Good luck." The drake watched as the dragon-child mounted the Nadder, and with a wave from both riders and a bob of the head from Stormfly, the three took off.

Beata waved farewell as Astrid and Stormfly took off for their shift on patrol. Once the rider and dragoness were out of sight, the maiden walked in the direction that Astrid had indicated would be the main part of the nesting grounds. Beata made her steps soft but not silent, purposeful but not slow. She wanted them to know she was there, but she did not want to come off as challenging. She listened carefully for any dragons as she made her way and began to hone in on the sound of conversing voices. Eventually the forest gave way to a small meadow where at least thirty Deadly Nadders were resting.

Three of the largest Nadders turned in her direction, and Beata smiled and greeted, "Hello, fine hunters. I am Beata, and I've come tuh get tuh know everyone in order tuh fulfill a task given be the alpha and the chief of Berk."

The dragon closest to her took a step closer, nostrils flaring. "A new one has come to select a companion," it reported to its comrades.

"Indeed, my friend," Beata replied. She smiled when the creature stared in surprise and bowed humbly. "I wish tuh better acquaint myself with all, that way the mighty dragon I choose will be comfortable with me as their rider."

All eyes were on the maiden, studying her. Several of the glances flickered to the Nadder standing five meters away, the only one who had spoken. Taking it as the sign of deference, Beata directed her eyes to that dragon, calm and patient. It seemed to think its words over before bobbing its head. The voice was aged but feminine. "Very well, Beata. You may explore this area, but do not harm the babies."

"Of course. Thank you very much. What may I call you, friend?"

"I am Cloud Skimmer, eldest of the Deadly Nadders."

The dragon-child inclined her head. "I'm honored to make your acquaintance, Cloud Skimmer." She walked toward the dragoness, hand held out for her to take in her scent. As the lead dragon showed in interest in her, the other Nadders behind Cloud Skimmer followed suit, sniffing the newcomer and introducing themselves. After two hours of conversation with the dragons, Beata sat in the shade of a pine tree and watched them mill about, observing their natural behavior. One of her potential choices, a rich blue Nadder named Sky, was preening herself by the pool of water they used for a drinking source and a mirror. The younger dragons were running about the meadow, chasing one another in a game of tag. Several other dragons were play-fighting, practicing their pouncing and their aggressive tail displays. Beata watched the latter activity with interest, noting that the most popular target of their attacks and spite was the smallest Nadder. It was the most unique of the dragons that she had seen in the meadow, being a deep purple with a lavender belly and ocean blue stripes on its tail. The creature's spines were a pale purple tipped with the same blue from its scales. They also lied flat as the dragonet ducked away from the others and retreated. Whenever it tried to escape, the other blue and green tinted dragons boxed it in and nipped at the oddball's skin. At one point the purple Nadder hissed and flared its tail, which brought the others' bristling and chasing the Nadder from the circle.

"Is that normal?" Beata asked Sky. The adult Nadder lifted its head from the placid water to glance at the fleeing purple dragonet.

"Yes, poor thing," the dragoness clicked. "Always chased around, but that happens when you're the runt."

The maiden nodded slowly, watching the little Nader find refuge in a sunny patch of tall grass. After a moment of debate, Beata stood up and made her way to the dragonet. She waited a meter away and spoke softly. "Hello there, little one. May I sit with you?"

"Are you here to tease me?" came a small high voice, allowing the young woman to conclude it as female. "If you are, then go away, before I use my tail!" The purple and blue tail was raised, spines ready. Carefully, Beata moved around the baby dragoness and had her hand held out in a placating gesture.

"I'm not going to taunt you, I promise. I am here as a friend, my dear. Please, let me sit with you?" She waited quietly, keeping an eye on the barbed tail. Her heart thudded in her chest for a long time before the Nadder lowered her weapon. Taking Astrid's advice, Beata slowly approached the dragonet and carefully flattened the creature's venomous spikes, stroking from the base to the tip. As she did so, the purple reptile relaxed and shook herself. She turned her head to look at the Valkyrie with apologetic golden eyes.

"Sorry for threatening you," she crooned. "No one is ever really nice to me."

"I've noticed, and let me tell you now that I'm not like those other dragonets. As a matter of fact, I was more like you back where I lived." The dragonborn sat down on the grass, and the small dragoness settled as well, wrapping her tail around herself.

"I thought people were nice in Berk?"

"I wasn't born in Berk. I was a viking from Stein, which is very far from here. The people there didn't like me much and chased me away, so I wandered the lands til I found Berk." The maiden smiled. "And then I made many friends. Perhaps you would like tuh come with me tuh the village sometime?"

The dragonet's head perked up at the words, but her eyes were unsure. "What do you mean?" she asked hesitantly.

"I'm asking if you would like to be my companion. I will be your friend, and we can get used to Berk together. How's that sound?"

"Being somewhere I can be seen as a normal dragon would be nice. All I get here is hisses and dragons telling me I'm too different." She lowered her head in sorrow. "Would others only see me for my colors in Berk?"

"Well, they're bound to notice, but they would admire you, dear one. Look," Beata gently took the tip of the dragoness's left wing and lifted it, exposing the blue and purple patterns. "These wings are beautiful! I honestly think that the dragons here are just jealous of your unique coloring. You're a very gorgeous hunter, if my words have any say."

The dragonet looked at herself and tilted her head at the patterns that she had once seen as the mark of an outcast. Given a moment to look at it differently, just as they were, made the creature purr and preen herself. "It is a very lovely blend," she allowed. Amber eyes peered at her questioningly. "Would it not suit you to choose a larger, older dragon who can carry you back to Berk?"

Beata smiled. "You're a smaller dragon, true, but you will be larger once you've reached maturity. I can always help out around the village before being able tuh go on flight patrol. We can learn about the village together." She scratched her friend's neck, earning a thankful nudge in reply. "So, what do you think?"

"I'd be happy to be your companion." The dragonet peered at the other dragons first. "Would you want to check with the other dragons first? Maybe I'm not the best riding partner for you."

The maiden chuckled at the Nadder's uncharacteristic modesty. She then patted the dragoness's side, nodding her head thoughtfully. "Tell ya what? I will go speak and work with some other dragons during my visits, but for at least an hour per visit I want tuh spend time with you. If you want to prove tuh yourself that you are strong enough tuh be my companion, then we can see what you can do. The other dragons can join, too, so it is fair. How's that sound?"

"Sounds good." The idea of putting the bullies in their place was a tempting one. The dragonet nudged her new human friend affectionately. "How long until you head back to Berk?"

"Well, Astrid said that she would need tuh rest Stormfly after their patrol, which takes about five hours on average. Resting could take an hour, and it'll take a quarter to get here. It's been three hours since she left, so she should be back around sunset."

The dragoness bobbed her head. "What will you do in the meantime?"

"If you'd like, I can talk with you for a while more before I have tuh hunt for some food."

"Okay, and maybe I can join you? Food sounds good."

Beata smiled. "Sure, I'd like that. You can keep me from getting lost." The small dragon gave a laughing squawk, which the maiden accepted and chose to answer the Nader's questions about Berk and her friends there. As they spoke to one another, the other dragons in the meadow watched, intrigued or confused. Cloud Skimmer's tail swished thoughtfully while watching the two outcasts interact. Eventually she bobbed her head and settled herself by the water for a nap.

Hiccup finished adjusting the last strap on Toothless's saddle and completed a final once-over before stepping back. It was the day of Beata's Choosing, and it was his duty to guide the new Berkian to the nesting site where she had found her companion. The sun was rising higher into the sky, the sound of dragon calls echoing in the air. Most of the village was beginning to rise already, so he knew that by the time he and Beata returned to Berk, the populace would be at the training ring that was once used as a killing arena for initiating vikings. What used to be a place of fear and death was now a symbol of mending their relationship to the dragons, and everyone had embraced the tradition of Choosing once they witnessed the love and friendship that arose through Hiccup and his friends' example. Now someone else who shared their appreciation for the brilliant creatures was to become an official member of Berkian society, which made the young chief smile.

"I should go make sure that Beata is awake and ready to leave soon," the viking said to his dragon. He and Toothless had woken up before dawn to have a quick circuit of the island to make sure that no trappers were making a move toward the village. Ice had begun to stick to the grass and the rims of the pond in the cove, heralding the arrival of Winter. Once the snow and ice decided to stay, it would become difficult for the dragon trappers to check and set any snares or other harmful traps. Finding that no tracks were made in the snow surrounding the northern mountains that he had last seen their base, Hiccup had made his way back to the village. He had figured that Beata would be awake by the time he returned, and after readjusting the Night Fury's saddle for the ride to the nesting grounds, she still hadn't come outside. Now he was hoping that his guest remembered what day it was.

Toothless rumbled as the chief walked toward the door. The viking paused and looked to the dragon, who suddenly came close and tried nudging him away from the house. Hiccup sighed and gently pushed his friend away. "She said that she was well enough to go through with the ceremony, bud. No need to baby her."

The drake growled and shook his head before giving another insistent shove. His rider patted his dragon's neck and assured him, "I know you did a great job running patrol this morning. You were excellent, bud, and I promise to get you some salmon after I make sure that Beata is awake and ready to leave." Without further distractions, the young chief opened the door enough to slip through without Toothless barging in and entered the house. He glanced around the great room and did not find the maiden in bed, but where he did see her brought a flush to his cheeks.

Beata was using the large metal tub to cleanse herself of any dirt and bad luck that would ruin her chances to please Elder Gothi in her choice of dragon. The water was hot but not scalding. It relaxed her muscles and her mind, something that would help her greatly in the events she had to do today. It had been a long time since she was able to bathe properly, and the maiden relished the luxury, washing herself very attentitively, scrubbing her arms, legs, and her back. The latter was facing Hiccup when he walked in, showing the young man her birthmark.

Valka had mentioned the tattoo to him the first night they met Beata, but the chief could not have expected such a stunning mark. The entire circular design looked to be five centimeters in diameter, placed between the shoulderblades, where wings would sprout from a dragon. Its shape did indeed form the profile of a curled Night Fury, much like the emblem that hung above the Training ring. Seeing the mark's similarities shocked the young man, and there was suddenly no doubt in his mind that her elder would have believed that Beata was destined for something about the dragons and Berk. Just as quickly as the thought crossed his mind, the Night Fury mark vanished as the owner of the tattoo whirled around to lock gazes with him. Her blue eyes widened momentarily before they narrowed in a glare. A high pink rose to Beata's cheeks.

"Hiccup!" she gasped, wrapping her arms over her breasts. The sound of her voice and its shock broke the chief free of his staring, allowing him to look at the ground in shame. His hands went up to prevent him from seeing her naked again as he turned toward the door.

"Sorry!" he cried, flinching out of reflex. "I thought that you were still asleep."

Beata glowered at the cringing viking for another moment before settling in the cooling water of her bath. She heaved out a calming breath and closed her eyes. She knew that her host wasn't a pervert, especially when he was so flustered at finding her naked. Deciding to let the intrusion slide, she opened her eyes and watched her chief a little longer before speaking. "Well," she said, "I'm very much awake and, as you can see, preparing for the day ahead. I will be done washing in five minutes and dressed in three. Did you need tuh fetch anything before I leave this tub?"

"Oh, um, no. No, I don't think so, just came to check on you. I'll go wait outside with Toothless. Sorry, again." Hiccup pushed the door open and slipped out into the cold air of early morning. He shut the door and leaned against it, letting the heavy oak knock on the back of his head. After a moment of collecting himself, the rider looked to his best friend, who sat in front of him with a look on his face that clearly declared that he got what he deserved.

"Fine," Hiccup sighed, "I admit it, you tried to warn me. Now I know, so stop giving me that look and let's get you that meal before we leave." Toothless brightened at the prospect of fish and happily followed the chief. It didn't stop him from having a smug expression on his draconic face, though. By the time Toothless had his after-flight meal, Beata was outside waiting at the front of the house. Her hair was still damp from the washing, but she kept the strands out of her face with a high, tight braid that ended at the small of her back. Remembering what her back looked like, the chief blushed momentarily before shaking the thought from his head. Instead he smiled and greeted, "Mornin' Beata. Ready to head out?"

"Yes, and good morning tuh you, too," she replied whilst tightening her cloak around her shoulders. After assuring him that she ate breakfast prior to washing, the two vikings mounted Toothless, who launched them into the air. He climbed to gliding altitude and stayed there, flying at a steady pace northeast. As the wind tugged at their hair and stung their faces, Hiccup felt himself relax. Flying was something that would always lift his spirits, soothing his flustered thoughts of what happened earlier. For several minutes he was able to ignore the incident, but soon enough the tattoo came to mind, bringing long-buried questions with it.

Toothless crooned worriedly, and Beata glanced over her friend's shoulder to peer closely at his face. "Hiccup, are you okay?" she asked.

"What? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking." His words were rushed, and he knew that the maiden was staring at him. He tried to brush it off by keeping his gaze ahead, but her hand touched his shoulder gently.

"It's clear you have questions, so ask, Hiccup." The giving of permission made him glance back to her, and Beata offered, "If you think I'm still mad about earlier, I'm not."

"No, that's not it," he said with a flush of his cheeks. He looked at the rocks and hills passing below. "I was wondering about your tattoo - which is the only thing I saw, I promise!"

He listened to the Valkyrie's silence. "What do you want tuh know?" she questioned. She was aware that she owed him an explanation, having already explained some of her story to his mother and Astrid. It was only fair to tell him what he asked for, especially since he was the one who helped save her. That, and he was going to be her chief, so she needed to answer anything he wanted to know. It was how she worked, how she was raised.

Hiccup thought about his words for a moment. "How did you get a tattoo of a Night Fury on your back? From what I know, seeing one is rare for people, and your mark looks very accurate. Do...Are Night Furies found where you lived before, in Stein?" He held his breath, waiting for a reply.

"I hadn't seen one before in my life, until I came here, that is. And it's not a tattoo," she said softly. The wind almost took it away, but the chief heard it. When he looked back to study her, she was looking at the landscape beneath them. "I was born with this mark, Hiccup. I don't know how it got there, if it's a tattoo at all, but it was there for as long as I can remember. I couldn't ask my birth parents because they were nowhere to be found, and my foster parents never told me about it either."

"But your elder said that you were meant to come to Berk. Was it because of your...birthmark?"

"I suppose so. She never told me outright, even before she died she only said that I was meant to bring peace and to trust my dreams. She gave me her dagger as a sign that she would always protect me." Beata held a hand to her chest, where her treasured weapon was hidden under her clothes. "Never once did she mention my mark."

The young man let go of one of the handles to his saddle and rested it on the hand touching his shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss, Beata. Pardon my asking, but you said that that dagger belonged to your grandmother. Was she the elder you're talking about?"

"She wasn't my biological grandmother, if that's what you're asking. She was the first person tuh take me in. I was a babe when they found me outside the village. No one wanted tuh deal with me because I wasn't theirs, and I was found by dragons, not really the best omen for them. Only Eleanor Blomgren took me as her own, giving me her name tuh prove tuh the villagers that I belonged. After she passed, Chief Einar saw it his duty tuh care for me. He and Frida knew of my mark, but they didn't tell me either. I guess they thought that it would make me feel more different than the other vikings."

"Did you feel any different when you found out about it?"

Beata smiled sadly. "Honestly, it seemed tuh help explain why people avoided me. I didn't feel more different, but it simply showed me what kind of person I am." She shrugged. "Though I noticed the mark after I left Stein, so it couldn't have made me feel less a viking because I was already gone."

"That reminds me," Hiccup said with a frown. "Why did the villagers chase you out in the first place?" He listened to the silence, patient and understanding. He knew that if she did not want to talk about it, she would say so, and he wouldn't push it.

To his surprise, she answered. "I was hunting with my foster brothers, and a Deadly Nadder tried to steal our kill. Her warning came loud and clear to me, but not just by hissing. I heard her voice, her words." The maiden laughed half-heartedly. "I honestly thought that all dragons could speak and be understood - we never had dragons come so close to Stein due to our arrows and our spears - so I spoke to her. I managed to get her to go away with the kill and not our lives, but my brothers were afraid of me. Gunnar, the oldest, called me a freak and threw his axe at me. Now that I think about it, I must've been speaking in dragon tongue when I tried helping them."

The chief glanced back to see Beata's serious face, and before he could say how crazy it sounded, he remembered what she said when he first spoke to her. "So when you said Toothless told you my name, and his I'm sure, and that we're companions, you weren't kidding…"

"Correct. And that's how I found my way here, through Flame Runner. When Gunnar told the villagers about the Nadder, they thought that I was a witch who set the dragon on Gunnar and Birger, who were the only ones injured. I hadn't wanted tuh kill her, and they got hurt in the process." The girl looked away in shame. "That more than anything brought me to run away. When I took one last stop at the village to take my things, Chief Einar told me where Eleanor wanted me to go, and then I left."

Toothless rumbled in sympathy, and both Hiccup and Beata patted his neck in assurance. The former kept his gaze on his dragon a moment before having a thought. "So those times that you and Toothless were together while I was out, were you speaking to each other?"

"Yes, but I manage to speak as a human while understanding Toothless. Couldn't have people hear me spitting like a dragon, right boy?" The Night Fury bobbed his head, and Hiccup gave a pensive frown.

"So what does dragon language sound like anyway?" he asked.

"What you hear: hissing, roaring, squawking, growling, and rumbling are emphasized with body language to produce dragon-speech. I can understand dragons perfectly, and they can hear me well enough to know what I'm saying."

"And you can make those sounds?"

"Yup. Care for a demonstration? I can ask Toothless any question that you and he would be the only ones to know the answer to, so then when I answer right you'll have proof of my abilities. You can even whisper the question to me so he doesn't get hints on what you're asking and have the answer beforehand."

The viking thought about it for a moment. He then carefully turned toward her as she leaned over to listen to his question. Beata nodded at the words and leaned around the rider to speak to the drake.

"What did it take for you to trust Hiccup?" she asked, heard as a rumble that heightened in pitch as any question could. The sound didn't seem like it should've been able to come from her, but the young chief knew that the noise wasn't made by Toothless.

The Night Fury gave a thoughtful rumble. "First off, he freed me from a trap instead of killing me. When he saw that I was unable to fly out of the cove I landed in, he brought me a fish as a peace offering. Not trusting a Viking, I told him to disarm himself before taking the food. Finding it rude to eat all the fish, I gave him back half, which he ate and made this strange face he calls a smile. At the beginning I found his curiosity annoying and tried to get away from him, but soon enough he showed me that he was different than other Vikings. He sketched markings to look like me, and I returned the favor. When I realized that all he wanted was to be a friend to me, trusting me to not hurt him while he presented his vulnerable hand and back to my face, I allowed him to touch me. I still was unsure, but I knew that he wouldn't harm me, nor would I him." He gave a pleased sound and added, "Hiccup is the best friend that I am thankful for every day. He gave me my flight back, and he gave me a better life."

Beata smiled and sat up. She relayed the story to the chief, making sure to keep the details such as the smile and the sketching. As she translated the series of growls and roaring barks from Toothless, Hiccup's eyes widened. By the end of her answer, the viking was staring down at his dragon, surprised to hear his thoughts and memories. The young man smiled, and scratched his Night Fury's chin. "Thanks, bud. You always find ways to surprise me, and I'm glad to have met you, too." The drake purred and shook happily, smiling up at Hiccup, who ended up beaming in return. The rider glanced back at his passenger and said, "Thanks, for letting me know what he thinks."

Beata smiled. "It's my pleasure." She was happy to have helped them communicate more directly, and she was amazed by the bond between the viking and his dragon. It was a true friendship, born of mutual trust and faith. She hoped that she could find that with her chosen companion.

Hiccup nodded and looked ahead. Upon surveying their surroundings, the trio were almost to the nesting grounds. "So, dragon whisperer," he said with a grin, "what's the plan on finding your dragon?"

"Oh, right." Beata smiled and explained, "Once we're over the lake in the nesting grounds, I'm going to whistle for her. She's a dragonet, so she's a little small to be carrying me. Would Toothless need to rest before flying back, or can we just turn around once Archer joins us?"

"Well, this guy here can run a four hour patrol with no issues, so another twenty minutes won't kill him, right bud?" Toothless gave an affirmative roar and a small surge of speed. Hiccup also commented, "It's much more efficient to have your dragon join us mid-flight, anyway. Are you sure...uh, Archer will be able to hear you?"

"Pretty sure, we've been practicing the past three days. She'll recognize it by the second time if not right away."

"Alright. We're almost to the lake. Get ready, Beata." Seeing her nod, Hiccup patted Toothless's side and urged him faster. They slowed once over the lake, and as they circled back toward Berk, Beata put two fingers in her mouth and gave three sharp notes, two shorter than the last. After three heartbeats she repeated the whistle, and a cry came from below. Toothless paused in his flight to hover above the water as a purple Nadder flew up from the shore to meet them. Hiccup gaped at the blue and lavender markings he had never seen before. When the dragonet hovered beside the Night Fury, amber eyes found Beata on his back while her head bobbed in greeting.

"Hello, Archer," she called. "Ready tuh meet Gothi and the Berkians?"

The Nadder gave an excited nod and flapped her wings double time. The maiden laughed and instructed the dragoness to follow Toothless. The group then continued on their way to the village, Nadder trailing alongside the Night Fury. Hiccup glanced at the dragonet several times before asking, "So, why'd ya name her Archer?"

"She is a skilled tracker and an excellent shot. Out of the dragons that I would choose as my companion, she was the only one to hit every target I gave her. I admire a good shot, and she can throw her tail spines with amazing accuracy." The purple Nadder bobbed her head at the praise, making Beata smile. "She's a sweetheart. Poor thing was an outcast in her nesting group, so I knew how she felt. I'm hoping that Berk will give her the confidence boost she needs."

"Huh, a Deadly Nadder that isn't completely vain? Interesting."

Toothless gave a doubtful grumble. "I saw her admiring her reflection before she came up to meet us," he said.

"I don't stare at it all day!" Archer interjected. She then looked bashfully at her rider. "But I've been noticing how pretty my colors are compared to the others. Now they're jealous that I can shoot and hunt better than them. And the ones who teased me are angry that I got to be partners with a beautiful and dangerous viking lady."

Beata smiled and said, "I'm glad that you're seeing your skills and differences as positive things, my dear." She looked to Hiccup and said, "Perhaps she's on the road to being a normal Nadder, beauty and all."

The chief laughed and replied, "Well, you asked for it. Hey, Archer, think you can handle a quicker pace? We can shave off three minutes if we speed up a bit." Instead of nodding, like he expected, the dragonet shot out ahead of Toothless, who made a surprised yelp. He caught up to the purple creature and took lead, giving the young reptile a reproachful look before focusing on the route.

"She's a sprinter," Beata said with a shrug. "She'll have a ways to go before maintaining that speed." The rest of the flight was in general silence, interrupted with the maiden's encouraging words to her companion. Soon enough they were flying over the village, passing by the mountainside where the carving of a large, quintessential viking stood watch over the homes. Toothless made his way to the old battle arena, now repurposed as the Dragon Training Academy and Choosing Arena. After calling to Archer about the best way to land, the Night Fury landed first. Beata dismounted smoothly as her Nadder settled on the stone floor. Hiccup alighted from his place on his dragon and walked to the place where a small old woman was standing, closer to the gates once used to house dragons. The chief inclined his head respectfully to the woman, and she nodded in return. After the tribe's leader and the aplpha dragon took their place behind the elder, Gothi's withered hand motioned Beata and her dragon to approach, and they did.

Following Hiccup's example, the maiden bowed her head a little lower to show more deference. The Nadder mimicked her rider and gave a bow as well, which made the elder smile gently. She looked at Beata in askance, and the Valkyrie touched her dragon's shoulder and spoke, her voice loud enough to reach the spectators surrounding the arena.

"Honored Elder Gothi, I would be honored if I could introduce you to my friend, Archer. She has come to be my companion, and we look forward to flying the skies together as kindred spirits. May we have your blessing?"

The old woman's pale grey-blue eyes stared at the maiden for a moment, studying her. She then shifted her gaze to the Nadder, who managed a look of respect that expressed her unyielding choice of rider. Archer wanted to be Beata's friend, her dragon. Surely the elder must see that? Gothi shuffled around the pair, looking at them from all angles as her large walking stick clacked against the floor. Having completed her inspection, the elder paused where she started and smiled. She shifted her grip on her staff and made an assenting nod. She then stood between the dragonet and Beata and raised her staff to the vikings watching. The world rang with a hearty cheer as the villagers of Berk rejoiced at the new addition to their tribe.

Beata's heart soared in delight as she was accepted into their lives. Once Gothi shuffled away with Hiccup and Toothless, Archer nudged her rider affectionately, careful with her horn. Beata smiled and stroked her neck, earning a happy squawk in return. Astrid appeared from the main gate where vikings entered the ring and ran up to the maiden, beaming.

"Congratulations!" she said cheerily. Her eyes went to Archer. "She's beautiful!" The blonde held her hand out for the Nadder to sniff, and the dragonet nudged the hand gently in response. Astrid grinned and looked to Beata. "The village is going to have a feast to celebrate this Choosing. What do ya say to a hunting party?"

"I think it'd be great to show how excellent a team we are." The raven haired maiden stroked her dragon's horn. "Archer is very good at tracking. We can find some good boar in no time!"

"That's ambitious for a first hunt with your dragon, but let's do it!" Astrid glanced to the dragonet, who stood with her head level with her rider's chest, and asked, "You ready for a good chase, Archer?" The Nadder bobbed her head excitedly and unfurled her wings in anticipation. "Good, let's go meet up with Stormfly and Toothless." The two Valkyries and dragoness dashed out of the arena, and Beata couldn't help but smile at being so welcomed into her new home.

Yay! I reached 50 followers! Thanks to everyone who has read this story and reviewed it! I don't give many personal thanks, but I read your reviews and they make me smile. So, THANKS A TON!

I'll try to get the chapters up as quickly as I can, but classes are bogging me down. Hopefully I won't fall off the face of the earth ^^"

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and will stay tuned for more! Thanks again everyone!

Until then!

~RedWolf210