Chapter Eleven

The village was celebrating after the Red Death was killed. No one took notice of the strange girl who suddenly appeared in the crowd. That was probably a good thing. Because that said girl had spent most of her time making sure that Hiccup got the proper care he deserved. She refused to leave his side even after the healers had left. All the while the kids had learned how to fly their dragons so they could show Hiccup how much they had learned.

I let out a sigh as I sat next to Toothless. The Night Fury was in worse shape than me. He hadn't eaten since Hiccup blacked out after that battle. His chin rested on my leg as I looked out the window. He really was a sweet dragon. His refusal to eat had something to do with the fact that Hiccup was hurt, and I couldn't help but admire his loyalty.

Speaking of Hiccup, he had lost a leg. Gobber managed to add a bit of 'Hiccup' flare to it by creating a metal prosthetic. I've seen them before in my own world, albeit they weren't made of metal. Some of the prosthetic legs and arms I've seen were pretty impressive. This one was no different.

"Hey bud, you think he'll wake up soon?" I asked while scratching Toothless' chin. Toothless made a soft crooning sound in response. He just wanted his rider back, and understandably so.

The only other person to spend so much time up here was Gobber. I'd gotten to know him pretty well since than. Gobber was actually very caring despite his appearance. He'd told me that Hiccup was his apprentice since he was a small boy. Well, smaller than he is now. Stoick had entrusted Hiccup under Gobber's watchful eye because he was afraid of the trouble Hiccup might get into.

Toothless suddenly jumped up onto one of the wooden beams as Hiccup stirred. He'd perked up almost instantly at the slightest motion. I could see the hope in Toothless' eyes as he looked down at his rider. It really was a touching sight.

But I knew at that point it was time to leave. The last thing I wanted was for Hiccup to know I'd been watching him. Truth be told I wasn't even sure what had led me to do such a thing. I felt responsible for what had happened, and guilt gnawed at my stomach. Maybe it was my fault he'd lost a leg. Maybe I was just another hiccup. And maybe it was time to leave the island before I made things worse.

Snowfire was already waiting for me outside when I got down. Thanks to a little help from Gobber, I managed to create a saddle I put on her back. Snowfire had been reluctant at first when I told her what I was up to. Eventually though I managed to convince her that I wouldn't be flying again unless she let me put it on.

'You are not staying,' she said in an accusing tone. Her expression told me everything. She thought I was making a mistake. The only mistake I'd made was staying as long as I had.

"Look, Snow, I don't belong here," I murmured so that only she could hear. A few people were already out and about. "If I stay than trouble is likely to follow." Snowfire nudged me gently as if to protest, but luckily she didn't argue.

'These humans have changed for the better,' she crooned. I nodded in agreement and climbed onto her back. 'Perhaps in time they would even come to accept you as one of their own.' I forced back a groan at that statement. Snowfire had already taken off the moment I was secure in the saddle.

"Please don't make this any harder than it is," I replied with a roll of my eyes. Snowfire only hummed in amusement as we flew past the beach. I spotted Astrid and the Deadly Natter she'd named Stormfly flying nearby. She stopped in mid-flight and just hovered there until realizing what I was doing.

"Where are you going?" she demanded as she flew Stormfly closer. Snowfire let out a warning growl, causing the Deadly Natter to move with unease. Astrid held on tightly though, making sure that Stormfly didn't shake her off.

"I'm leaving," I explained without looking at her. I'd already seen the way she looked at Hiccup. It's obvious she has feelings for him, though she had a difficult time showing them. Maybe those two would get together eventually.

"I thought you and Hiccup were…." Astrid cut herself off and blushed as she realized what she was about to say.

"We aren't," I replied in an instant.

"But why spend so much time with him than?" she demanded, suddenly sounding angry. "I mean, you refused to leave his side all that time!" Stormfly made a crooning sound when she realized her rider was getting pissed off. I let out another sigh when I realized where this was headed.

"Look, I spent so much time with him because I was…. I felt responsible for what happened," I explained warily. Astrid looked at me in surprise, but I didn't stop there, "Hiccup was the only one who thought I wasn't crazy. And maybe at some point we were more than just friends. But he's the Chief's son, and I'm just some… random kid who was thrown into a world she knows nothing about."

Astrid was at a loss for words as I finished my rant. I can't believe I just opened up to her like that. But I couldn't stop myself, and now I was starting to regret what I said. Luckily Snowfire chose that moment to take off while Astrid was too stunned to move.

We continued flying for what felt like hours until Snowfire reached her island. I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen this place. To me this had become more home than my old world. The familiar trees and beaches made me wish that I had never left.

'Speak your mind, hatchling,' Snowfire suddenly told me. 'Holding in your frustration will only make things worse.' I looked at her in surprise before sinking in to the saddle. Even if that were true there was no way I could shout my frustrations to her.

"I don't even know why I'm so angry," I muttered crossly. "She was just trying to help." I hadn't realized until now that I was crying again. All of that pent up rage and frustration had finally gotten to me. Finally I let it all out in a final scream before laying back down on the saddle.

Snowfire landed on our cliff and made a strange noise. I quickly climbed off the saddle and rested next to her, not realizing she had sighed in contentment.

'You humans are strange creatures,' she said thoughtfully. I was ready to defend myself when I thought better of it. Snowfire gently nudged my hand with her muzzle before I rubbed it affectionately. 'Perhaps you are feeling lost and confused. This world brought you here for a reason.'

"Yeah? Well if that's the case than the world could suck it," I snapped. I sat down and leaned against her, not quite prepared for what happened next.

Spikes let out a cry of delight when he realized we were back. Snowfire hummed in amusement as he charged after me, nearly knocking me over in the process. The little dragon was quick to cover me in licks while I tried shooing him off. I had to laugh when I realized what he was doing.

"It's good to see you too bud," I giggled while rubbing his chin. Spikes crooned happily and curled up next to me. He acted so much like a cat. I couldn't help but laugh at that. Dragons were similar to cats and dogs. Even Toothless had his moments when I watched him.

'You belong here,' Snowfire suddenly pointed out. I looked at her in surprise before shaking my head doubtfully.

"Nope," I muttered. "I belong at home where mom is. I just… wish there was a way back."

'Why are you so desperate to go back?'

"Because I miss her." My voice had dropped to a whisper. To my horror I could barely remember what my own mother looked like. Had it really been that long since I last saw her? "I just want to go home."

'Your home is here.' I didn't miss the defiance in Snowfire's voice. I was ready to argue when I heard the familiar sound of a Night Fury. Snowfire got up just as Toothless landed nearby, crooning in excitement as he spotted us. Spikes was quick to climb on my shoulder at the sight of another rider.

Unfortunately for me Toothless chose that moment to charge after me. Spikes had to jump onto Snowfire's shoulders as Toothless tackled me to the ground. Snowfire let out an irritated growl just when Toothless had finally gotten off of me.

"He just wanted to say hi." I looked at Hiccup in surprise as Toothless scurried over to his side. Spikes jumped back down onto my shoulder once the threat was gone. He rubbed his head against my neck while I scratched his chin.

"I can see that," I replied. Guilt stabbed at my stomach once again when Toothless nudged Hiccup forward. He was leaning against Toothless for better support. But I could see that he was just getting used to the prosthetic leg. "I'm sorry, about what happened," I murmured.

"I know." Hiccup rubbed his arm as if embarrassed by what he'd say next. Truth be told I wasn't looking forward to this conversation. I had a feeling that something like this would happen back on Berk. That was part of the reason I chose to leave. "Astrid told me what you said to her," he suddenly added.

I couldn't hide the blush that followed even if I wanted to. "Remind me not to spill out everything I'm feeling to her," I grumbled crossly. Hiccup smirked at that. I'm sure Astrid's told him exactly how she feels about some crazy kid he led to the island.

"But are you really leaving?" he asked.

"Well, I don't really belong with your people," I replied with a shrug. "In fact I really don't belong in this world. I'm not even sure what to call home now." This island had provided me with enough food and shelter that I could call it home.

'Home is where the heart lies,' Snowfire suddenly told me. I tried to ignore her as Hiccup looked at me in surprise.

"You're more than welcome to stay on Berk," he pointed out.

"Would I be?" I couldn't help but ask, remembering how some of the villagers had reacted to my appearance. Most of them had ignored me and made a point to avoid me. But I had seen the way others just glared at me for even being there. I knew there were people who would never accept me.

'Oh just go with him already!' Snowfire shouted in frustration. I barely had time to react when she suddenly shoved me forward, so that I was only inches away from Hiccup. Spikes quickly climbed off of my shoulder so that he wouldn't be caught in the crossfire.

"You'd fit in perfectly," Hiccup reassured me. "You have just as much a right to stay as Toothless and the other dragons." Toothless made a crooning noise as if to agree with him.

I looked at him doubtfully before realizing that he was probably right. Snowfire nudged my arm gently when I had nothing left to say.

"I guess I could stay," I murmured thoughtfully. "Only for a short while though." I rubbed Snowfire's chin as I gave it more thought. I knew the longer I stayed the harder it would be to leave. Maybe that was what they were both hoping for.


AN: I couldn't resist adding this bit :P And yes, she will be staying on Berk. Temporarily of course. I have big plans for the future chapters, but they're still in the planning stage. Also, has anyone heard Hozier's In A Week song? If not than you should check it out; it's really a pretty song :)

Mimzy94 - Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it so far :)

silverwolvesarecool - I know :( I always feel bad for him too. And hopefully this chapter was just as good ^^

Alexa Twilight - Thank you for reviewing! As for Hiccup and Astrid getting together, I'm not sure. I'm kind of leaning towards an OC pairing, if you get my drift ;)

kimmay94 - I was actually thinking of adding like a couple of episodes before leaning towards my own storyline. Thanks for the suggestion, and for reviewing! Very much appreciated!