A/N: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON OR ITS FRANCHISE! THE ONLY THING I OWN ARE MY OCS!

Chapter 12: When Hearts Are One

Echo's POV

I was back in the nest that night, with my prosthetic tail still on, and watching as Jayla got her adoptive hatchlings to sleep. She truly cared for them. She admitted to me a couple nights after we first met and I met Star that she was debating having hatchlings of her own in the future, but she wasn't sure if there was ever going to be a male worthy of her heart.

But as the weeks went by and the more time we spent together, I could tell I was getting feelings for her. But the question was: Did she respond those feelings for me?

When the hatchlings were in a deep sleep and didn't show signs of waking up until morning, she walked next to me and nudged me a bit. I nudged her back making her give a quiet giggle. I looked at her as she walked back towards the entrance of the nest.

I followed her and she stopped at the edge, looking up at the stars. I stopped beside her and did the same.

"Ever think that the sky is truly endless?" she asked.

"I believe the sky never ends, no matter where you go on this world," I answered. "If the sky ever ends, I will never know where."

"I hope that's true. So Star and them will have the skies to see for miles with no end if they ever leave," I responded.

"You know they'll never want to leave you," I told her. "You are their mother. They won't leave the nest unless you're absolute urging. And maybe it would be best that they never leave. So they would never end up with a queen or alpha like the one I come from."

"I guess that is true," she responded. I nudged her again, comfortingly. She leaned into me, making me shocked and happy. "You care for me more than a friend, don't you?"

"A Child of the Ancients knows everything," I replied. She gave a small laugh. "And what about you, Jayla?"

Since she was white, her blush was visible but it wasn't too bad or noticeable. "Echo…" she muttered. She rubbed against me and lovingly, letting me know she felt the same. "My heart has never yearned for anyone like this before you."

"My heart is yours, Jayla," I told her. Those words were like a dragon's vow to never be with any other dragon and to forever stay with their chosen. And the only way you knew it was the right choice was after the dragon being said to agrees and responds with the same words.

"My heart is yours, Echo," she repeated, only using my name instead. It made me pleased to know I had her as mine.

As a symbol that she was taken, I lightly bit her chest over her heart, being sure it was going to leave a small scar. She did the same for me. She then turned to see the tail that finally worked and was right to use.

"Have you decided, Echo?" she asked.

"Yes," I answered. "I will do the change."

She nodded. "Let's head to the cove. Where you won't be heard too badly," she suggested. I nodded and we hurried down. When we landed, Jayla looked at me. "Hold still, please. This will hurt, I'm sorry."

"It's fine," I responded. "Just get it over with."

Jayla gave a small nod. She held down my tail again before letting out some light. I closed my eyes so I wouldn't go blind and looked away, but there was an excruciating pain soaring through my body, starting at the tail fin. I was managing to make the cries of pain into a whimpers, but it was getting harder and harder every second.

After what felt like centuries, the pain was slowly diminishing. I opened my eyes to see the light gone. I looked at my tail a bit to see it back and ready to use. Jayla got off of my tail and I took to the air. She quickly followed. I flew around the island in happiness.

She stayed close and laughed as I flew around. "What'll you do with Hiccup now?" she asked. "I know he's been riding you to help with the tail."

"I'll let him continue to ride me if he wants. He deserves it," I answered. "Besides, you were right. He's a pretty good Viking, just different from the others." She nodded with a small smile. "Let's get back to the nest and get some rest."

"Right," she agreed and we flew back.

We walked into the cave where the hatchlings were still asleep. She laid down and I followed, this time leaning against her. I laid a wing over her and set my head on her neck. She gave me a smile before falling asleep. I was quick to follow.