The cold nipped at his face, his hands clenched firmly around his Hand Grip. It was only because of the force of his clenched hands that managed to fend away the brisk evening air, which is already assailing his face.
But even through his discomfort at this chilled evening, nothing could be more perfect. His joy at riding on Toothless dulled the frigid ache. The contentment at watching the sun set, triggering the end of another day, and singling for its midnight brother to claim its place in the heavens above.
No more than three hours ago, he abandoned his futile endeavor. The people of Berk would never accept him as who he is, and they would most certainly never accept Toothless.
And now, as they soar above swirling sea, of red, and orange, a deep sated peace came over him.
He didn't have to worry about Toothless, or how he would conceal where he goes, or what he does. The only thing that matters now is that they are together, and they can go anywhere they want.
Unlike Vikings, Hiccup is no longer bound by his earthly ties. He can fly to the heavens above, glide along the vets of hot air that rush up from the cold-water bellow.
This is his domain now, not that of earth, or rock, water or wood, but unimaginable possibilities, here, at the ceiling of the world, with the other person who's ever cared for him.
Hiccup rubbed Toothlesses neck, to convey his appreciation for her.
She responded with a soft purr, barley audible over the whistling wind. Hiccup removed his hand after a moment.
He will have to make gloves, or find a way to buy a pair in the next village they arrive at. Toothless pulsed her wings again, gaining more altitude, and angling over to a thermal vent.
She spent hours describing these phenomenons to him, and how she uses them to assist her flying. She doesn't know how they occur, or for what reason they do. But she is able to sense these pockets of rising air, and use them to raise her higher, without doing anything.
This not only allows her to travel remarkably long distances, but preserves her strength as well. Hiccup felt Toothless slowly begin to descend now, as she continued to glide effortlessly.
Below him, White Sea-birds flocked together, diving at a school of Herring. Toothless didn't give them a second glance as they continued unchallenged.
Toothless had the fore sight to go hunting before they left, this was a not only a challenge, for the ocean water was far to cold for him, and they where not able to sneak into town.
This left one other option to them, the wild boar that occupied the grassy mountainside that resided north of Berk.
Despite his proficiency at flying Toothless, he still lacked the fine motor controls to allow for the complicated Arial maneuvers that where required for her to sneak upon the animals, and take them by surprise.
After several close attempts and many Ear-smacks later, Hiccup managed to successfully complete the sequence of daunting tasks that landed Toothless a rather large pig.
Whatever she didn't eat, he butchered, and assisted by her fire...or fire-like attack, seared the meat, and turned it into jerky in a mater of minutes.
Hiccup shifted his head, and closed his eyes, absorbing the dying warmth of the sun. Toothless tilted her wings, and drifted to the left, to catch another air vent.
That was something else he learned, by keeping her tail fin straight, and level with her other one, Toothless could drift side to side, without him having to do anything.
He locked the pedals into place, and pulled his feet free of their metal cages. There he stretched his legs, and arms. His shoulders released several satisfying "Pops" before he lowered his arms, and dangled his legs lazily.
Toothless sensed his moment, and looked back to see he was relaxing this gladdened her. Hiccup had rather quickly grown to be her closest friend.
Since she was assigned to this quadrant of ocean, to wait for any sings of The Half-Dragons' return, she has distanced herself from the others.
She didn't want to establish a relationship with any of the Dragon's who remained under the Tyrant's influence. Seeing that there was not one dragon in her sector that remained free, she remained distant.
At first it was nice, flying from island to island, keeping an eye open for any sign for the Heir to Fortido. But she would never expect for Hiccup to land in her life as he did.
Or maybe it was she who landed in his, Toothless smiled inwardly at the unintentional pun.
Over the past few weeks, Hiccup had grown to mean more to her than she thought possible. He was kind, sweet, and had a way with words that no one else had.
But that was only a few reason for why he now means so much to her. The main one being, is that he gave her something she never had before, a companion, just as she was his first.
They had grown close over these past days, now she can't imagine life without him, and by some foul decision on fates behalf, for him to leave her life, then the world no longer looks as it did, with him around.
She cares for him more than anything else, she will do anything for him, even lay her life down, if need be.
Toothless was about to continue mulling over all the wonderful reason for why she now cared for the boy, but his kind hand laid upon her side, and she purred happily at his warm touch.
It's funny really; a boy can elicit such feelings. This truly is deep bond, deeper than either of them probably realizes.
"We should land for the night."
Hiccup half yelled, half spoke as he leaned over her ear. She glanced around, until her eyes settled on a fairly large island, just beneath her.
Pausing to consider it, she deemed it would be a better idea to rest while they can. Who knows how long they will have to fly, before land presents its self once again.
Sensing her body shift, Hiccup adjusted her tailfin, so that she was able to circle down towards the island in a controlled manor.
Toothless then leveled off, and began searching the forest bellow for a decent place to land.
Her search was not long in coming, but before she landed, Toothless began circling again; only to make sure nothing harmful was hidden from view.
After a few passes, she landed in the middle of a small clearing, the trees rose around them, and their tops rose over the lips of the small clearing. Rendering it smaller than it actually was from the sir.
On the ground now, Hiccup saw a small stream trickling nearby, and walked over to it. The water ran clear, and there was no foam where it collided with stones. All good sings that the water is clean, and safe to drink.
Refilling his water skin, Hiccup walked back over to Toothless, where she had laid down on a spot of thick moss, dried by the suns rays, and still warm from the day.
Hiccup then removed the bags, and began unfastening the straps which held the saddle, and mechanical section in place.
"What are you doing?"
Toothless asked as he pulled at a strap, and loosened the saddle.
"You'll be more comfortable without the saddle, now lift your leg, so I can finish unbuckling."
She raised her right fore leg, allowing Hiccup to undo the final strap. Then he pulled the saddle off, and the mechanical rods with it. Toothless sighed a breath of contentment as the wait left her back.
And the metal against her side lifted. He was right; there is a noticeable difference to the Saddle.
She looked back over, as Hiccup placed the leather pad, several yards away, before walking back to her, and laying down next to her.
"What are you doing now?"
Toothless spoke with an exaggerated tone as he looked at her with an all to Innocent look.
"I'm trying to get some rest, as you should too."
"Not right there your not."
Not waiting for his reply, Toothless reached out with one paw, and wrapped it around his arm. Hiccup yelped as she pulled him over, and pulled him against her belly.
"Night here get cold, and I highly doubt you can survive without proper shelter."
Toothless spoke softly, as Hiccup laid his head against her inner leg, using he soft skin of her inner leg as a pillow.
Then he was plunged into darkness, as her wing folded over him. Almost immediately, the air began to warm, and his body untighten.
Hiccup felt oddly appreciative towards Toothless for this. He placed a hand on her side, and padded I once before pulling back, and stuffing it under his side.
Her sides began to vibrate, as a low purr emanated from deep within her throat. This was all the thanks he needed, before closing his eyes and slowly drifting off into his waking dreams. Aided by a new sense of closeness that now existed between the pair.
The moon was somewhere between its Zenith, and the Horizon. A small breeze carried the scent of decaying leave, and warm smoke from somewhere down wind. A deep sigh escaped him as he looked around the cave.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of peace, and joy. Something shifted next to him, and he glanced over to see a white female Night furry lying next to him.
She shivered as another gust as wind blew past their cave, pulling out the warmth, and replacing it with a dull cold.
His wing tightened around the female, and pulled her closer against him. He could feel her as she leaned into his contact, pulling herself tighter into his side. Hiccup crooned softly, and she warbled a soft reply, from somewhere in her incoherent slumber.
He felt his lips part in a smile, and leaned over to nuzzle her affectionately, before shifting so she would be able to claim more of his belly for her own warmth.
She instantly claimed the space he made, and exhaled a breath of hot air, which fogged at is it came in contact with the night. He tightened his grip around her, focusing more of his heat around her, and shielding her from the nightly chill.
Despite his exhaustion, Hiccup was content to lie still, and watch as the one he loves, sleeps peacefully next to him.
Her nostrils as they flare slight with each breach she takes, and releases. Expressions of happiness laid into her sleeping form. Her sides as they rose and fell against him, and her own warmth, replacing the heat he loses from the night air.
Hiccup tears his attention from his mate, and glances up as he hears a stick branch, but the sound of it falling through the treetops, then the muffled sound of it impacting the ground, alerted him that it was the wind, and not an enemy.
He would have smelt them if it was an enemy, seeing they are down wind of any potential ambush spots.
Turning his attention from the cave opening, Hiccup slowly looked around the walls, examining how the moon light out side, casts shadows across the uneven surfaces of their cave.
Continuing around, Hiccup's gave settles upon a pool of motionless water. Staring back at him, where two, massive silver eyes enhance by the moon light.
They appeared to be glowing, against the dark blue of his scales. Hiccup wanted to look longer upon the figure, but the dream didn't permit it.
Something smooth and warm, trailed across the inside of his neck, sending waves of joyful passion flooding through his body.
Turning around, his eyes met two blue ones. Who stared at him with tender love, and curiosity, but tinged with worry.
He warbled softly again, and the female relaxed, but now taking her eyes off him. Glancing back outside, Hiccup laid his head down; the female Night Fury licked his cheek once more, before laying her head down against his.
The last thing he recalled was a soft, purr, as his mate proclaimed her happiness to him. A purr he eagerly returned.
Hiccup woke up, feeling better than he had ever dreamt possible...that's right. As if this thought was a gate, his memory of the dream filled his mind.
Not a dream, another memory, one of his ancestor, or one of.
Picking his head up, he felt Toothless shift next to him, and her wing retracted, exposing him to the rays of light that flooded into the clearing.
"Sleep well?"
She asked in a friendly tone. Hiccup nodded his head, wondering if telling her about his memory was a good idea. Sitting up, Hiccup ran his hands through his hair, not only straitening it, but also quelling an itch that had set in.
"Yes, how long have you been up?"
"Not long, an hour or so."
Hiccup looked at her curiously, and noted a strange gleam in her eye. He wondered at it for a moment, before dismissing it, and focusing on their current predicament.
"Why didn't you wake me?"
Toothless gave the equivalent of a shrug, and laid her head down, watching him.
"You looked so peaceful sleeping, I was loathed to wake you."
Hiccup smiled appreciatively.
"Thanks for that."
He said softly, then allowed his eyes to wonder around the clearing again. Unaware of Toothlesses eyes drilling into him. Something is different about him, she can't place her talon on it, but there is a new Aura about him.
"Hiccup, is everything alright?"
Her sudden voice snapped him out of whatever reverie he was occupied with.
"Why do you ask?"
"You seem...on edge?"
That was the best word she could come up with, that wouldn't alert him to her full curiosity.
Hiccup sighed, and looked at the ground, unsure of how to start, or what to say.
"I had another memory last night."
He stated flatly, then looked up to meet her gaze.
"You said that some of the Half-Dragon could change into a dragon."
Toothless nodded, affirming his words.
"Well...last night...I had a memory of one, he was in dragon form."
Hiccup was speaking slowly now, he was having trouble talking about his memory, or he is just unsure of how to continue.
"It was in a cave, and he was with another dragon..."
He trailed off, turning to look at Toothless, who seemed to understand what he was trying to say.
"You where exposed to his emotions for his mate?"
Hiccup nodded once, taking his eyes off Toothless.
"It was all so real."
He whispered.
"So what's the problem?"
"No problem, just unexpected. I wasn't expecting to experience something as profoundly intimate as that."
Toothless detected a trace of something behind his words, but couldn't determine what it was.
"Did you see the color of the dragon?"
"I was blue, and she was white. But the oddest part was, her eyes matched my scales, just as my eyes matched hers."
Toothless began coughing deep in her throat, a sound that was her form of laughter.
"No need to be shy Hiccup. All dragons are exposed to such emotions; it is something you grow used to. AS for the dragon, I am unfamiliar with his name, but I believe he was the late brother, of Fortido's wife.
"So that would make him my uncle."
"I am unfamiliar with your family terms."
Hiccup acknowledged her with a nod, but his mind seemed to have drifted away again, most likely to his memory of last night.
After several moment, Toothless got his attention with a breath of hot air.
"Its time we get going, unless you want to spend the rest of our time here."
"No, your right."
Hiccup said, getting up with surprising haste. She watched as he walked over to her saddle, and with a faster than normal attitude, began strapping it around her.
Once finished, Hiccup retrieved his bag of supplies, and attached them to her saddle. Before mounting and taking control, as she launched them into the air.
He seems distracted by something. Toothless observed as she climbed to Cruising altitude. Hiccup was in an awful hurry to leave just now.
After thinking about it for several minutes, Toothless tied it to his dream, more specifically, his ancestor taking a dragon mate.
It was not uncommon for one of the Half-Dragons, to take a Night Fury as a mate. It was a noble decision on both parts, as they where declaring how much they loved each other.
How ever, because of the natural bond both species share with the earth, and their similarities in magic, and spirituality.
Almost always, their bond grows to such strengths, that the dragon of the pair, gains the ability to change into a human. Similar to how the dragon side takes over for the first time.
When a dragon and Half-Dragon have bonded, the dragon side latches onto the human side.
It is all a complicated process that even now, isn't understood that well among her race. Hiccup must be having trouble comprehending this. His entire life have revolved around killing dragons, he never paused to consider...
There she goes again, ranting on topics that are best left unsaid. Snorting her irritation at allowing herself to become distracted by topics that do not concern her, she changed course, feeling the wind shift as Hiccup makes his almost imperceptible fin shift.
Yester day they flew south, today they need to travel southwest. There they will travel to a small outpost, one that she's visited before.
They're not as hostile towards dragon's there, due to the tyrant's control. His control can only reach so far, and that far south, only a select few of dragon species there are affected.
Mainly the ones Hiccup calls, Terrible Terrors, and Gronkle, due to their smaller brains.
After the outpost, they will need to travel east for six days. Luckily there are small islands along the way, so resting won't be a challenge.
After they reach Double-mountain top-low-valley-island, they will fly directly southeast, until they reach the Island of Ser'gious.
A bustling market village, where the king's control does not reach, and where dragons are revered.
Somehow, time has managed to preserve the legends of the Dragon-Sentinels, and their unmatched feats, concerning not only the humans, but the Dragons as well. Hiccup will love it there she just knows it.
Here it is, the concluding chapter for Book 1. Now I know it will be hard for you to wait until I return. So to thank all of you for your feedback, and for the knowledge that you are enjoying my story, I give you something to look forward to in the next book.