Disclaimers : I do not own How To Train Your Dragon nor the characters nor the dragons. I only own the personnality of Zephyr and Nuffink, the OCs, the winterwind dragon and the shadows.

Cover art by me, please don't use it.

Thank you all for following this story and still be here after so many chapters :)

Hope you enjoy !

Love and scales !


Chapter10

Binding

The following day, another lesson took place at the center place of the village. Dragon of the day was the deadly nadder, yet Nuffink couldn't help but ask questions about the night fury. Since he didn't seem to drop the subject no matter how many times the teacher would go back to deadly nadder, he gave up and changed class subject. After all he was there to teach them about dragons, all dragons, no matter in which order.

Nuffink wanted details about the different species of furies. He recalled his father told him about Light, even if the chief didn't call her that way. Fishlegs explained Toothless was the last known night fury and that his mate, a light-fury, was actually from a relative specie.

Unlike night furies, light furies weren't extinct but since they all lived in Drakanheim in the first place, they were never seen before. Then Nuffink finally asked the real question that was nagging his mind : how would vikings name the offspring of these two species ? Without the young viking noticing, a mocking smile crept on Braan's face when he asked the question.

''And if the two species were to have hatchlings, like Toothless and his mate, how would they be called ?''

''Well…'' Fishlegs didn't have an answer yet, but he was always pleased to be asked tricky questions that needed thinking and were showing his students were really interested. It wasn't the first time Nuffink would do this, hence he was one of Fishlegs' favorite students.

Plus he had to admits he never thought about that before. He remembered his friend Hiccup telling him about a visit to Drakanheim, the first time he found Toothless again and saw his family. The light fury and him did had babies, but noone thought about naming them.

''Huh… I suppose we could call them nightlights ?'' He finally said, shurgging.

''Wow.'' Zephyr approved. ''Nice name.''

Nuffink agreed with her and sat down again, finally letting Fishlegs resume his lesson. The young viking disturbed it that much the teacher decided to keep on going about night furies, reporting deadly nadder for another time.

When Nuffink got settled back next to Braan, he noticed the insisting glance and the one-sided smile, so he asked him – rather growled at him – what was amusing him.

''Nothing.'' The boy faked with a smirk. ''You ask for Day, heh ?''

''No, I was curious, that's all.''

He straightened proudly but this didn't erase the chestnut boy's smile. Despite resisting, Nuffink smiled too, even if he rolled his eyes trying to hide it.

After the class, and after a good lunch, the boys decided to go visit the dragons at the Stairs. Neither thought their constant round-trip into the woods would raise suspicions around them, yet it was the case. Zephyr watched them disappearing in the trees, curious and a bit upset. She wondered what they were doing there.

She got even more suspicious when she spotted her brother a few minutes later, going back into the forest while dragging a heavy basket. She felt the urge to follow him but was distracted when one of her friends called out for her. By the time she turned her gaze towards the trees again, her brother was nowhere to be seen. She gave up following him, but her suspicions remained.

The young blond-haired viking walked through the woods, dragging and trying to carry the heavy, fish-fulled basket. It took him some time to reach the Stairs, but surprisingly less than he thought. Was this dayly exercice making him gain some muscles ?

When he finally arrived at the Stairs, he glanced around him and got a glimpse of the exact dragon he was searching for. Day was quietly lying on the grass and popped up his head when he heard the footsteps.

''Hi Day !'' The viking greeted him.

Said dragon immediatly smelt the fish and rushed to it, making the young viking laugh. He dropped the basket on the ground and spread its contents. The white nightlight beams seeing how much fishes there were.

''So, there's some cod, salty salmon, and some trout. I think I took a perch fish too but I'm not sure.''

The dragon burried his snout in the pile and started to stuff himself with the meal, amusing his neighbor even more.

''Try to spare some for the others, would you ?'' He teased.

Then he noticed the dragon didn't wear his splint. The tail was no longer swollen and the bruise didn't seem visible anymore, but it was difficult to say since there was this strange green-colored substance on his scales.

''Are you… healed ?'' The viking half-asked, half-beamed.

The dragon lifted his head at the sound of his happy voice, then tilted it to the side. Nuffink pointed at his tail and then the dragon understood. He swayed the tail back and forth with this seemingly toothy grin of his, starting to bounce around the viking.

Yet this good mood faded when Nuffink noticed it was just the two of them. He frowned and get a look below, but he couldn't see the others. Strange, usually they were that noisy he didn't have to see them to know they were here. But they weren't. He got used to the fact Toothless wasn't coming back – he surely had a lot of things to do in Drakanheim, as the chief in the village – but all the others ? Why would they leave Day alone ?

Neither of Light, Dawn, Dusk or Snow were there, evenless Braan.

''We said we would meet up here…'' The viking mumbled to himself.

He tried to think it out, find an explanation, but Day cut out his thoughts when he muzzled him on the back. The viking glanced at him and saw the basket was now completely empty.

''Did you seriously just ate everything yet ?''

The dragon warrbled at him with a pleased expression, making the viking grin and stroke his scaly head.

''Say buddy, do you know where the others are ?''

Day didn't reply, obviously not with words since Nuffink couldn't understand him, but he did with movements. He walked past him and motioned him a direction with his head. Nuffink hesitated with a puzzled look, the dragon lowly growled and suddenly took off. He turned around and grabbed the viking's arms before flying away.

''What, Day ?!'' The viking panicked, his legs flailing around in the void. ''What are you doing ! Let me go ! Let me go ! Aaaaah !''

The dragon didn't pay attention to his cries and struggling as he flew above the forest, taking him towards the north side of the island, reaching the sea within blinks of eye. Nuffink couldn't stay calm but stopped yelling like a mad-man, getting a strong hold of the paws that were securing him. Day brought him to a part of the island the young viking hasn't explored yet since it was at a good three-days walk from the village.

There, thanks to thei high position from the sky, he saw the others. They were all there, except from Toothless, at the bottom of a dizzyingly high cliff, playing on the sand of an hidden beach. Braan saw him and made wide signs with his arms. Nuffink understood he was yelling at him, but he was too far to hear him.

Day dove and slowed down before dropping the viking on the sand and landing a few steps next to him. Nuffink stumbled to get up and wiped off the sand on his tunic before Braan could reach him, a wide glee on his face.

''I thought we would meet at the Stairs.'' Nuffink stated.

''Me too, but Day healed, so change plans.''

''Change for what ?''

The mischievous boy smiled even more and put his fists on his hips while straightening. His posture seemed imposing, image instantly wasted by his slim frame. Nuffink tried not to laugh at this, plus he was too curious to do so.

''You want fly ?'' Braan asked.

The chief's son froze in confusion. Fly ? What did he mean by that ? On a dragon's back ? ''Really ?'' he gaped.

Braan smile again and started to bounce.

''Yes ! You come, me show you game.''

''What game ?''

Now the viking was confused. Braan talked about flying, and now playing game ? What was he planning again ?

The boy motioned him to come next to him, curiousity made the viking obey blindly. They steps next to each other, facing the wide blue ocean, one step distance between them, legs parted. Braan seemed to be impatient, as if this game was one of his favorite and he couldn't wait to share it with the viking.

''Now rise arms.''

Nuffink hesitated, not sure of what the boy wanted him to do exactly. He glanced at him and saw how he himself rose his arms over his head, as if he was trying to catch the sky itself. Nuffink noticed how Snow reacted to the gesture, her big round eyes sparkled with a glint of playfulness, looking straight at her offspring's arms.

''Mommy !'' The boy called out. ''Slide !''

The winterwind dragon immediatly took off with a cooing and excited sound, she passed over the boy and took his arms in her paws, lifting him from the ground before heading towards the ocean. Braan's laugh followed them as he was calling out for Nuffink, trying to make him do the same thing. The young viking shook his head, trying to get rid of his astonishment, and rose again his arms.

''D-Day ! Slide !''

He wasn't sure what he was expecting for, but he felt two strong paws grib his arms and lifting him into the air. His legs wiggled in the non-existent ground while the air brushed his face, blowing his hair out of the way. By looking over his shoulder, he could see how Light, Dawn and Dusk were following them, the two young seemed very happy to play in the water. Then Nuffink looked again in front of him to see Day bending his head to look at him, green eyes sparkling and tongue hanging out his mouth.

The viking chuckled and allowed himself to relax even if being hung in the void, only held by his arms, was frightening. Then he saw Snow flying in front of them, coming from the left side and drifting to the right, lowering her level until Braan's fet met the water, splashing around. She kept this pace and suddenly, it looked like Braan was sliding on the water surface, as if he was skating on the ice. His laugh seemed to fill the entire sky with his pure joy.

Nuffink then understood why this game was called 'slide', and came his turn. Day lowered too and Nuffink started when cold and wet water met his boots. Then he chuckled and straightened his legs, sliding on the water, creating little splashes and waved on his path. He guffawed as loud as the other boy, the dragons chortling around them, Dawn and Dusk whirling about and palying with water.

Even if the viking got scared in the air, he had to admit this game was really funny. Risk of falling was still there, but he had this reassuring feeling Day wouldn't let go of him at any cost, he had a strong hold of him, he knew he could trust him not to drop him.

The moment lasted for a few moment before they all went back to the beach. There, it was Nuffink's turn to show some game to Braan. They started by building a sand catle, yet the boucing and too-excited dragons kept on destroying it by stepping on it, smashing it with their tail of wings… Nuffink even got hit by on of Dusk's wings but he just laughed at it.

After the third fall of the great sand kingdom, they decided to stop. When Nuffink picked up a twig and started to draw on the sand, the dragons got interested. Suddenly, Light torn off a young tree from the cliff and dragged it on the sand, tracing whirling circles and waves all around them. She seemed to try and mimick him, but the tree was too long to be handy.

She still had a great time and managed to tantalize her hatchlings. They started a new game, consisting of boucning and jumping in the area without stepping on the several lines. Braan laughed and joined them, Nuffink following suite. Light stopped her draw and watch cooing the youngling playing, Snow doing the same.

Nuffink was enjoying himself like crazy, thanking all the gods to have sent him a friend like Braan. They were having such a good time they lost track on time, until the sky covered itself with the warm colors of the twilight.

Nuffink lost his smile and his shoulders dropped, he didn't want to go back home. Je wanted to stay there and play some more games with his friends. Yet he knew another scold would wait for them if they were too late. Then it dawned on him that they were farther than the Stairs. The way back from the Stairs were a good hour-walk, but this beach… it was a good three-days ! They were so going to be late… And what about climbing this awfully too high cliff ?!

''Mom's gonna kill us…'' He lamented.

''Us can go back by fly ?'' Braan shrugged.

Nuffink hesitated, then contemplated the idea. It was true it would be way much faster, but what if the vikings see the dragons ? He told so to Braan, who chuckled before telling him they would land in the woods and finish on foot.

The plan settled, Braan climbed on his mother's back, then extended his hand to his friend. Nuffink tried to be not reluctant, but he was really anxious. He took Braan's hand with a shaking one and settled just before him. He didn't feel at ease, he tried to sit between two icy horns but had to slightly turn on one side. Snow's skin irridiated with cold, which wasn't helping him get comfortable.

When the dragon took off without any warning, only one beat of her gigantic wings sending them in mid-air, the echoing noise of her wings and the whistling of the wind filling the viking's ears, he panicked and wrapped his arms around her neck. She was cracking the air with great speed, the rest of the group followed her.

Nuffink felt sick, even more than when Day grabbed him the first time. He clenched his eyes shot in attempt to block out everything, but it was worst since it made it strengthened the feel of the void, the dragon's movements and the blowing wind.

Seeing he wasn't well, Braan tried to cheer him up. He lifted his legs and crouched behind him.

''Hey, Nuff !'' He called out louder to be heard through the wind.

He waited for the viking to look at him, eyes wide opened.

''Look this view- WAAAH !''

When the boy suddenly fell, ejected by the wind, Nuffink panicked even more and thought his heart would stop. He tried to straight up and look behind him, only to see Light just behind them, laughing her dragon laugh while Braan was wriggling in laughter on her back, safe and sound.

''You worried ?'' He teased.

''Show-off !'' Nuffink growled back.

He just had the fear of his life, yet he had to admit that distracted him from his previous anxiety. Braan could be a pain in his own way, but since it was obviously to make him feel better, Nuffink couldn't get mad at him.

''Oh, us stop !'' The boy suddenly said.

The dragons landed near the village, completely hidden in the woods, leaving the boys with only a five-minutes walk to do. Nuffink was glad to slide down Snow's back, he stroke the side of ther neck as a thank while trying to calm down in dizzying feeling. Then Braan came to him and elbowed his arms while still smiling.

''So ?'' He innocently asked.

Sometimes Nuffink just wanted to tear this smile off his face.

''So what ?'' He growled.

''Fly. What you think ?''

''It was… intense.''

He couldn't find another word to describe the experience. He had to admit he was scare, terrified even, but at the same time it was… intense. He may have felt a bit sick and dizzy, he had enjoyed it. He alsmot felt like doing it again.

''Cool. Tomorrow again.''

''What ?''

Braan laughed and taped his back before walking to Snow. He wrapped his arms around her head and hugged her, she cooed before coming to Nuffink and blowing in his face a chilling and misty air. It chased all his hair behind his face, making him laugh, she seemed to wish him good-night.

Both boys greeted all the dragons before watching them take off and disappeared behind the trees. The young viking felt a weight in his chest, in his heart, when they came out of view. He was so happy he had been accepted by them. It looked like he, just like Braan, was admitted in their family, and he got attached to them.

This surely was the explanation of seeing them leave made him sad. Was it what Braan felt everytime they had to leave ?

The following day's lesson was so long it became torture for both boys. They learnt about the hiddeous zippleback, but Nuffink could only think about the white nightlight. Braan had proposed him to fly on Day's back, while he would fly on his mom's.

If Braan was glad to fly, Nuffink wasn't in the same mood. Not that he didn't like to fly. Actually he found the experience incredible, but he was so frightened and couldn't handle the fact he didn't control anything.

However he had an idea to correct that. After a quick lunch at the forge, delighting Gobber with both boy's presence, they started working on a saddle. Nuffink remembered dragon riders mounted the dragons with it, some of the old leathered pieces could be found in some houses.

He got all the measurements he needed from Braan, which laughed of his idea all along the process.

''Day no like that.'' He teased.

''We'll see.'' The viking retorted.

They spent the rest of the day and a small portion of the night working on it, so they could only test it the following day. They woke up awfully early and headed to the Stairs where their reptile friends were still settled. Looked like they really liked this place.

When Day saw the saddle, he ran away, forcing Nuffink to pursue him, holding the not-so-heavy object at arms length. Braan couldn't help but laugh at it, and took notice of the teasing/ smugging look on the dragon's face, his tongue hanging out of his mouth with clear playfulness rather than complains about the object. He didn't seem against the idea to wear this thing on his back, he just wanted to play with the viking youth and make a fool of him just for fun-sport.

At last, Nuffink succeeded in fixing the object on the white nightlight's back, then they took off. Just a little fly around the Stairs rose a security issue when Nuffink fell off and landed in a bunch of thickets. He just had the time to get rid of the countless leaves they alreay had to head back to attend Fishlegs' lesson.

The chief's son never paid attention to the tales of scauldrons as he burried his nose in a notebook, thinking of how he could improve the saddle. Borrowing his father's old saddle and examine it proved to be pretty handy and he stole a couple ideas, mixing them with what he had learnt about Day's behaviour and way of moving.

In the mid-afternoon they went back to the dragons and made a new fly test with Nuffink's modifications of the saddle, now binding him to it with two ropes to prevent another fall. This time, they went a bit farther into the forest but when Nuffink tried to pilot Day, they crashed again. Braan, on Snow's back the whole time, followed them and found them in the middle of a wide grass field where Day rolled himself with pleasure and purrs.

The two other nightlights joined him, forcing the boys to find another occupation. It ended up in a hide-and-seek game in the high-grass, Snow loosing all the time because of her heigh and sun-glowing scales. This was also the moment Nuffink learnt that nightlights, as well as light furies, had the capacity to really hide.

Their scales reacted to heat and turned into a reflective surface that made them almost invisible. The young viking could still see the outlines of the dragons but if he wasn't close, he couldn't see them at all. It was the first time Nuffink saw it, yet Braan told him it was actually one of their favorite trick and game, which astounded him.

The brown-eyed boy felt happy to see his friend getting more and more enthusiastic about flying. He always had loved flying, so seeing he could share this with someone else just made him… so happy. He was looking forward to Nuffink getting used to fly, he couldn't wait to race his friend and play mid-air games, even if he knew Snow was way faster than night-furies.

The following days, Nuffink had a hard time realizing he was getting more popular in town. It seemed to be a secondary effect of Braan's presence, or maybe it was him showing his true colors when he was with the boy ?

Once they were stepping out of the family house, the Gunter sisters and Zephyr's gang were always coming to talk to them. Them, not only Braan. Nuffink found himself talking much often and longer with Olga, finding out a soft and very nice personality. She reminded him a bit of Birdlegs, but shyer and less clever than the neat-minded Ingerman girl.

To his surprise, Sneezelout and Braan got along very well, their prankster side of personality moved them together. The boy's passion for dragons also drew him closer to Birdlegs, both boys and her spent all Fishlegs' lessons stuck up together.

Since Nuffink was slowly gaining muscles by dragging a basket of fishes through the forest once or twice a day and also riding Day, Zephyr, Gorth and Igvid spent more time with him, making him join their training.

Days slowly became more and more fulled of activities. Before they only had to deal with classes and the dragons, but now they had also to count their new friends in their schedules. Nuffink didn't complain. If, at first, he had been worried Braan would spent much time with them and forget about him, the boy kept on proving him he was his best friend by spending most of his time with him and the dragons.

Nuffink contemplated how much meeting Braan was good for him and changed his life. He never had realized how withdrawn he was before – being made fun of all the time about the imaginary dragon surely didn't helped him to open up, but whatever. It was only a comment from his sister that helped him realize. She assured him she liked to see him like this, more opened to others, more welcoming, more assured too.

It was as if the chestnut boy helped him out of a cocoon he didn't even realized he had built around him. But as he thought about it, we wondered if it was really only Braan's doing, or the dragons' too.

He coudln't say, but he didn't really care, he had never felt as well-being in his village as since Braan arrived in his life. The more time Nuffink spent with the boy and the dragons, the more he stregthened his friendship bounds, the more he learnt about the winged creatures, the more he pushed further his limits and discover himself anew, the more he felt free and happy.

He could even sense the rising proud of his parents, his mother didn't talk to him in the same way, and she didn't look at him in the same manner either. Zephyr was happy about it, yet came the moment Nuffink feared : she asked to come with the boys in the forest so she could be part of one of their adventures.

Nuffink couldn't imagine introducing her to the dragons, so suddenly, whereas she didn't even believed they could be elsewhere than in Drakanheim. Not that he enjoyed lying to her, but he liked to know that the dragons were a secret he shared with Braan. With Braan only. It was kind of the sement of their frienship.

He declined his sister, assuring it was a secret between the two boys. Obviously, that didn't pleased her. She was really curious, she wanted to know what was so important in her brother's life, she wanted to be a part of it too.

She let it go for the time being, but her curiousity only increased everytime she would see them leaving for the forest or going back from it.

She was patient. Eventually she would find out.


Chapter 10 already ? o.O

So... what do you think ? Will Zephyr find out what's happening ? ;)