Hellllo my dear readers. It is I, the author. Didn't expect I would add a chapter on New Years Day did ya (in my timezone it still is New Years Day okies)? Well, I made sure to push myself to at least finish the story by then...WAIT WHAT I AM FINALLY FINISHING THE STORY?! I know I hate myself for taking this long. You all did not deserve to wait nearly half a year for an update. Initially I planned to finish by Thanksgiving...then Christmas...then I slapped myself as I was going to be damned if I waited until 2020 to finish this thing. Well good news is I just kept writing and writing and writing, so much so that I had to split this installment into not one but TWO chapters. Consider chapter 29 the last chapter of Love on the Run, an epilogue if you will. Anyways, read and respond!
The entourage had returned a week later. Of course flying did make things a lot easier and with a multitude of dragons they were able to attach ropes to them and carry the boat in the air. An ingenious idea Hiccup has been implementing for years once dragons got used to living alongside humans.
They touched down on soil midday. Immediately everyone rushed them, especially the young adults of Berk and the rest of the Berkians. From there the Berkians debriefed and relaxed, with Hiccup needing some long rest and alone time with his family. The Draconians headed back to their little outpost near the far cliff on the edge of the town. They reunited with their family as well.
"Oh thank Draco you guys came back alive!" Aurora cried out as she spotted Tenor and Windwalker carrying back Re and Chris respectively. She grew worried once more once she saw how patched up they were. Serenity was riding Drogon and once he landed she slid off his wing and onto the ground and approached the rest of her family.
"What happened to our brother and father?" Avalon asked, timidly.
"They are gonna survive, right?" Apollo added, nervously swishing her tail.
Serenity smiled and nodded. "They just need rest, and should be fine."
"Stop speaking to us like we are hatchlings! They are clearly far from fine. What happened to them?!" Black Widow snapped, growling.
Everyone except the hatchlings were taken aback.
"Black Widow enough!" Tenor growled back, surprised a bit his daughter spoke out like that.
"You will not address Serenity with such disrespect. She has been through enough." Windwalker added, giving a hard stare only a mother could give. Black widow stifled a growl and submissively backed off, giving off a scared demeanor.
"She's speaking to you both as well." Aurora commented as she reprimanded her children as well, who too submissively backed off.
The hatchlings, well, yearlings really, were all whining and fidgeting nervously. Serenity picked up on that, surprised at first but understanding as her thoughts settled. They were right to be upset. They weren't little hatchlings anymore. They were not full grown but had been growing up so fast before their own eyes. They were preteens really and they didn't need to be coddled.
"No. They're right to be distraught. Listen." She then addressed the children. "They were barely alive when we found them. They both had suffered extreme torture unlike anything I've ever seen. They were beyond mangled and broken, but I did my best to keep them alive. Re and Chris are going to recover, but I don't know how long that would take. As much as I was able to do, their body's have to do the rest. But, I have faith in them and you all should too. All we can do is have faith and pray to Draco they make a speedy recovery. Understand?" She eyed each dragon.
The kids looked around at each other before nodding in understanding.
"Now let's give them some space to rest. If you want to help, I'm going to need fresh water and a lot of wood to keep some heat around them constantly as well as some healing herbs." The yearlings needed no further instruction and took off. Black widow stayed behind turning to her parents before nearly attacking them with licks and nuzzles.
"You guys are back!" She whimpered.
"Of course we are. Your mother and I don't go down so easily. Especially at the hands of some humans." Tenor chuckled before wincing as his daughter accidentally disturbed a wound of his.
"Sorry." She then pulled back and folded her ears back. "Are you guys...staying together? I don't want our family breaking up. I'm sorry if this is my fault." She hung her head.
Both parents' eyes went wide in shock before Windwalker came forward and wrapped a wing around her daughter. "No! This is not your fault and never was. Daddy and I may have our disagreements which can get...quite heated, but so long as I'm alive I will always return back to him and you Black Widow."
Tenor joined on the other side and completed the hug with his wings and cocooned his family. "We are family. Nothing will ever change that no matter what." He then licked his mate and daughter across their heads. Black Widow and pulled back, sniffling with a small smile on her scaly lips.
"Now go and help your friends." Windwalker added, watching her daughter nod and take off.
Windwalker shivered as she felt her neck suddenly nibbled on and her tail entwined. She tried to turn to see what Tenor was doing but purred naturally as he focused his attention on behind her ears and licked there soothingly.
"I should be doing this to you, since you are the one with the most injuries." She smiled as she slowly laid down with her mate who quickly pulled her closer with his forepaws and hindlegs in a warm hug, cuddling her.
She was surprised by how forward he was, contrasting from his usually shy and reserved demeanor.
"My turn can come later." He said between licks before laying his head across hers and tumbled deeply as he began to settle in. "You are the light of my life."
Windwalker, for the first time in awhile, blushed. She shifted her weight and pinned her ears back while the rest of her tendrils wiggled in delight. She gently pressed back against him and knocked his head back softly, nuzzling under his chin and giving him a snuffle.
Tenor groaned in delight and just pressed them tighter together.
Meanwhile Aurora was with Serenity in their abode, watching as she wiped them carefully as they slept.
"Did Chris regain his memory?"
"Yes...partially. He remembers bits and pieces and most of you. But, he has yet to remember me." She admitted, trembling as she spoke the last part.
"It will come in time. I'm sure of it" Aurora reassured as she nuzzled the human.
"I hope so. I don't know what's worse: being dead or being forgotten." She responded with a sad exhale.
"Like you said earlier: have faith." Aurora stated as she then gently pushed Serenity down, much to the human's surprise. "You need rest too. I'll watch over you all. You can't heal if you don't have your strength."
Serenity was about to say something but didn't, giving a tired smile up at the queen before relaxing. Soon she was asleep as well, not realizing how much she needed to rest.
Hiccup had immediately crashed upon arriving home. It wasn't until sometime at night that he woke up. He tried to move but noticed how Hagen and Astrid were curled up next to him. He gave a soft smile and pulled them closer. He was back home and safe, no more dangers anymore. He then closed his eyes and did his best to put himself back to sleep.
Outside was Drogon taking in the sights of such a place. A place where dragons and humans existed! He never knew such a thing was viable. All he knew was his mother and his siblings Rhaegal and Viserion. In fact, thinking about them made him a bit sad. While he was surrounded by many dragons of all shapes and sizes, he didn't have his family. He turned back and meandered back to where the royal dragons were. He then spotted Windwalker and Tenor waking up from their slumber.
"Hello Drogon. Would you care to accompany us as we go out fishing?" Tenor offered.
"This late?"
"Well we are nocturnal dragons after all." Windwalker chimed in.
"But...this whole journey you guys have been awake clearly during the daytime and went to sleep at night like the rest of us." Drogon growled in confusion.
"Well not like we want to. Our riders are day people so we gradually adjusted to their sleep schedule. However we do get restless at night every now and then so we can't ignore our instincts." Windwalker yawned, smacking her lips.
"And our instincts are telling us to get some food." Tenor commented as he finished stretching out like a cat, groaning as he felt his muscles relax delightfully.
Drogon started at the ground for a bit before he addressed the two. "Thank you for the offer, but I must leave. I've been away from my mother and siblings for too long. Plus it was part of our deal that I would return at once after we rescued your family."
Windwalker and Tenor nodded in agreement. "That is true. I'm sure your family misses you." Windwalker smiled.
"Aye."
"Hey Drogon. Did you get a bit taller since we first met? I think you grew." Tenor questioned as he inspected the other male.
"Likely. I don't seem to stop growing." Drogon responded as he inspected himself.
"Can't imagine how big you may get." Windwalker said.
"You know, you guys are incredibly strong. I'm surprised you guys aren't allies with my mother. She is building up an empire and plans to liberate the kingdoms around her from war and tyranny. If we teamed up we would all be unstoppable."
Tenor and Windwalker looked at each other once more.
"Tell me Drogon, the places your mother has liberated, how did she do it?" Windwalker asked.
"Well we would show up, and I think she would ask them to do something with their knees and bending them. Like the human version of how we show submission." Drogon pondered.
"And for those who didn't willingly submit to her?" Tenor asked.
"Hmmmm…she would then let my siblings and I have fun! Much like we did a few days ago. A lot of fire and blood is left behind."
Tenor and Windwalker gave him a shocked look, partially in disbelief and slight worry. Drogon picked up on the look and snorted.
"What? We don't do it whenever we want! The humans who didn't want to align with mother were terrible humans. They would keep slaves of other humans and animals. They would conquer and kill and steal for no reason. For example one place cared only about wealth, stole my siblings and I from our mother, and tried to have her killed! Every kingdom we have crossed with have always been slavers! Mother hates slavers. So we began liberating the people shackled with irons and those who live a life of agony. We take care of the bad people!" Drogon defended himself.
Tenor and Windwalker gave each other another concerned look before the latter sighed.
"What is she doing now?"
"Currently she is amassing an army, figuring out a way to cross the Narrow Sea of Westeros so that we can defeat an evil queen. My mother's father apparently ruled there but was murdered by the people close to him and the murderer's family took place as the rulers. Rightfully my mother is next in line to rule the place. So she is just following her destiny and dream. Of course there are other places who try challenging her rule in that area. But I'm not worried, we'll just take of them too. They'll see why mother is the rightful ruler."
"Well umm, I'm sure she'll do her best." Tenor coughed.
"Of course she will! We have me and Rhaegal and Viserion! We have never lost and never will!" The red and black drake declared proudly with his chest puffed out.
"Well, we'll see about trying to aide you in anyway possible." Windwalker gave a small smile.
"I'm sure our paths will cross again in the future someday." Tenor mirrored that small smile his mate adorned.
"Hope so! Fighting alongside you guys was great. Well anyways, until we meet again!" Drogon exclaimed as he unfurled his mighty wings before ascending in the sky. He turned around and took to the sea. Pretty soon he disappeared under the cover of the skies.
Tenor and Windwalker watched him leave.
"You were kidding about allying with him and his mother right?" Tenor inquired he started to look at constellations.
"It was a bold faced lie." Windwalker nodded.
"Good, cuz I was lying too." Tenor exhaled.
"I fear if his mother continues on her current path she will end up losing and destroying this empire of hers."
"Yeah sounds like a dangerous game she is playing."
"From the sound of it, it seems like a game of thrones. Either you win or die."
"Like how are you gonna just gonna slaughter anyone who disagrees with you?" Tenor turned to face his mate with an incredulous look.
"I know! I feel bad for him though, she sounds like a mad queen to me and I don't think he knows what he's getting himself into." Windwalker responded, matching Tenor's expression.
"As long as they don't spread across the archipelago then we should be fine."
"Yeah, we should be fine. He apparently lives incredibly far from us. Like on the other side of the world. We won't be hearing from him anytime soon."
"Anyways...hungry?" Tenor then smacked his lips.
"Yeah. I'm in the mood for a nice tuna or salmon."
"I concur. And then after we can have some fun!"
"I don't know if I'm up for a long wild flight. We still are recovering from that big trip."
"Oh I was uh, talking about something...else. But it could be long and wild as well." He snickered a bit awkwardly, a rather innocent yet cunning cue to what he was getting at. He tried his best to hide the small smirk on his muzzle.
Windwalker's eyes widened and she blushed a second time that day, but only for a brief moment before bringing her tail fins around and giving him a smack across his head.
"Ow! Hey!" He hissed as he swatted a few more swings from her.
"Tenor you literally just suffered a few injuries. Not to mention your brother and my rider are both unconscious!"
"I'm not denying that! I was just thinking of something to pass the time is all."
"Ugh...maybe. And that's a BIG maybe. I'm tired so I don't know." She then brushed past him and took off, leaving him behind.
"You are making it seem like a bad thing. Hey! Wait up Windwalker!" Tenor called out as he spread his wings and soon was behind her flying out to sea. They began bickering back and forth like any couple would do. It was more lighthearted jabbing and teasing than anything. All they knew was that they never felt closer to each other than ever before.
It was not until the next 4 days that the tension between Serenity and Chris finally play out. Serenity sat on a cliff near Berk, overlooking the ocean. Tenor laid next to her with his head in her lap. His eyes were closed but he wasn't asleep while Serenity stroked his snout absentmindedly. It was a peaceful moment as she leaned her head on Tenor's shoulder.
"What are you thinking about?" Tenor asked, keeping his eyes closed.
"I remember when we used to do this on Dragon's Edge," said Serenity.
"I miss those days," Tenor said. "But I'm happy with my life now."
He stretched his wings, opening his eyes to peer at at his rider. "You showed real guts out there. You should be very proud of yourself."
Serenity smiled, but it quickly faded away. "I didn't fight."
"No, you came to the rescue. It's always a relief when you show up. Folks can relax, knowing they're going to be okay in your hands. I will continue saying this until the day I fly the eternal skies: you are an equal and valued member of Draconia and ally to Berk. You matter."
He smiled at her before gazing at the sunset. "You up for a night flight? We haven't been on one for a while."
"Is the moon full tonight?"
"It's still waxing. It's nearly full though."
Serenity sighed. "Sure."
They both then got to their feet. Serenity checked Tenor's saddle to make sure it was tight, adjusting the saddle straps to make sure they were secure. Just then there was a rustle in the bushes. The duo turned to see Chris approaching them, Windwalker following right behind him. Tenor beamed when he saw his mate, and she grinned back at him.
"Hi Chris," Serenity softly greeted. "Hi Windwalker."
"Where are you going?" Chris asked.
"Night flying." She finished tightening the saddle straps, and turned to face Chris. He could see caution in her eyes. "How's Edelweiss?"
"She's sleeping, along with her friends," Chris answered. "I've never seen a child be that passionate about dragons before." Serenity gave him a sideways smile.
"She gets that from you," she responded genuinely, stroking Tenor's neck.
Chris took in her form; he couldn't deny that Serenity looked well, regal standing beside a large fire breathing dragon. Couple that with her beauty made for quite a sight. He slowly approached her, naturally causing her to tense.
"You go night flying often?" Chris asked her.
"When I can," Serenity said. "We used to go together, since we ride nocturnal dragons, before you lost your memory." She sighed. "I'm so sorry that happened to you. I wish I could fix it." She avoided his gaze.
"You're an amazing healer Serenity," Chris replied. "But just because you couldn't bring back my memories, doesn't mean you failed. I'm still here, alive, because of you. And I don't think I ever thanked you for that." Serenity blushed. "And maybe nothing in your bag can cure amnesia, but it doesn't mean it can't be done. You share a lot of the same memories. You can tell me everything I've forgotten."'
"That's a good idea," she admitted. She looked more hopeful now.
"I'm also sorry I yelled you right before I was captured," Chris confessed.
"No, you were right I was worrying too much. I know you guys are capable of taking care of yourselves. I shouldn't use my past as an excuse to fall apart at the seams." She looked at the two black dragons.
"But I should have helped you overcome it, instead of just shouting at you."
Tenor looked up at the moon, a bit impatiently. Windwalker gave a soft reprimanding hiss and slapped his flank with her tail, causing him to yip in surprise before narrowing his eyes at her suspiciously.
"How about we join you on your night flight, to make it up to you?" Serenity looked at him surprised that he asked.
"You mean it?" She beamed eagerly.
"I mean it.I may not ride like I used to, but I want to get back in the saddle." He mounted Windwalker while Serenity then mounted Tenor. She looked even more attractive sitting on the back of the fire breathing dragon. Even with her flaws, Chris couldn't deny that she was very beautiful.
"You look very good on that dragon," he remarked. Serenity smiled and blushed.
"Tenor makes anyone look good," she said modestly. Tenor snorted, affirming her statement with his gesture. The two dragons spread their large wings and took off with a big whoosh.
They flew high over the island, Serenity and Chris giving their dragons full reign. The two Night Furies flew out over the ocean, leaving the island behind. Chris watched Serenity fly ahead of him. She rode like it was easier than breathing, no matter how fast Tenor flew or what maneuvers he did, she managed to stay square in the saddle.
They flew under the stars. Serenity told Chris all the things he'd forgotten. Tenor and Windwalker filled in any blanks that Serenity wasn't there for. The three of them answered all his questions. Chris was told all about the times the four of them would go night flying, and they places they explored. Serenity told him about their wedding, and about Apollo and Avalon hatching, then their daughter Edelweiss being born, then about Black Widow hatching, with the Dragon Song War followed by the Hael ordeal not being so far behind. Chris just sat quietly, trying to process all the information as he pieced everything together like a puzzle. It was difficult though as the recountings was much to take in.
"Has Edelweiss ever been on these night flights?" Chris wondered. Serenity's brow furrowed as she thought of an answer.
"No, she hasn't...Hmmm, perhaps she and Black Widow should join us one of these nights. Edelweiss is becoming an amazing rider herself." Chris steered Windwalker a bit closer to Tenor.
"So what lead you to becoming Tenor's rider?" Chris questioned.
"I don't know, I guess it was him being the only dragon left without a mate. Re and Aurora would go off hunting, or for romantic flights and that left the two of us alone in that big castle." Tenor crooned bashfully.
"I didn't have a whole lot of friends back then," he admitted. "I was too busy hiding in the shadows and fighting bad guys." Serenity patted his neck.
"Now you have a lot of friends," Windwalker added. "And a family."
"And I'm grateful for all of them."
Serenity soon spotted a small island below and steered Tenor down to it and landed on a cliff of basalt columns. Serenity dismounted, she could feel the tears in her eyes. She leaned her head onto her dragon's shoulder. She heard another dragon landing next to them, and heard Chris dismount.
"I'm sorry," Serenity sniffled. "I know I cry too much." She wiped her tears away, and tried to stop more from falling. Chris approached her and put a soft hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay," he said. "I know it is pretty hard to be positive right now with everything that has happened recently" Serenity gave a shaky exhale, avoiding his gaze again.
"I don't mean to doubt you or be pessimistic. I guess recounting everything we have been through, we have experienced a lot of bad things in our lives...a-and even though you are here with me, I feel alone." she croaked, her voice cracking a bit. Chris stood in front of her. Tenor went over to stand beside Windwalker, not wanting to disturb the moment their humans were having. Chris grasped Serenity's hand in his; her hand felt clammy. With his other hand he used the hem of his shirt to wipe her tears.
"It's okay. With everything that you have told me, our lives have been anything but simple and easy. It has been hard. I am sure that despite what we endured, having each other by our sides made experiencing it easier. We had each other to rely on, and I do not blame you that you think you lost part of me. It is probably really difficult to see any good in this situation; we'll make sense of it later " She finally looked at him as he finished, red and puffy eyes staring at the estranged man.
"I am tired of feeling this way Chris. I want to be better. I do not want to be shackled by the past or things I cannot control."
"But it is okay to think about it!"
"It feels so terrible! So terrifying!" Serenity lamented.
"That is okay, too!" Chris took a step forward with his right leg.
"I don't want to feel like this anymore..." Serenity reiterated, dropping her head.
"You have to! You have to be honest about how bad it feels, so you can move on. After everything you have been through, you have survived. You always haved. You have held up stronger than any shield ever crafted in this world. That is your strength and no one can take that away from you." Chris breathed in slowly. "Do you trust me Serenity?"
"I trust you." She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, stepping closer to him. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder. Chris wrapped his arms around her back, and pulled her in. Serenity wished she could hold onto him forever, and never let him go.
"I may not remember everything about you," Chris whispered into her ear. "But I do remember that I love you." Serenity drew back so she could look him in the eye, and she smiled.
"I love you too," she trembled. "Not matter what happens to you or how far away you are, I won't love you any less." Chris grinned back at her, and held her face in his hands. He pulled her lips to his, time slowing down in that moment. Serenity leaned in and kissed him back, without hesitation, holding each other for what seemed like eternity.
Tenor and Windwalker watched them, not saying anything for a while. Then Windwalker laid her head on Tenor's shoulder.
"I'm sooo glad that's fixed."
"Me too," Tenor agreed. "I really hope things can get better from here. This took a toll on all of us."
It was silent for a moment before Windwalker decided to change the subject. "Hey Tenor, if were to have a second egg, what would you want to name it?" Tenor looked at her dumbfounded.
"Why, are you with egg again?"
"Well no, but we did go through the process a few times," Windwalker commented. "So I could happen." Tenor relaxed. He thought a moment.
"I don't know..Maybe Belladonna, or Irukandji, Atracinae, or Gila."
"And what if they aren't born venomous?" Windwalker huffed. Tenor thought again. The moon caught his eye.
"You know my parents call me by the name they would've given me, had they kept my egg?" He asked her
"Yeah, Batman," Windwalker snickered lightheartedly. Tenor just rolled his eyes.
"Yeah no...I would have been called Nightwatcher."
"Both sound pretty dark and brooding, with a serious tone implied to it."
"Anyways, that could be an option, or.. oh! Starflight!"
"So something to do with the night sky then?" Windwalker tilted her head. She nibbled him
behind his ears, making him purr with pleasure and as a gesture to show she was merely teasing him earlier. He entwined his tail around hers, something that always made her heart flutter.
"I just hope that if it does happen, that Black Widow isn't left under the sun," Tenor uttered.
"Oh no, both of you will know at the same time. I'm sure she'd be excited."
"Are you hoping for another egg?"
"Yeah, honestly. What do you suppose they'd look like?"
"They'd probably be another hybrid. I'm not sure if they'd look exactly like me and Black Widow. And like you said, they may not have venom. There is a lot about this new subspecies that we do not know about."
When they got back an hour later the whole island was dead quiet. The two dragons landed next to the apple tree, and their riders dismounted with Chris and Serenity unsaddling their dragons. Tenor and Windwalker looked over at Edelweiss and her friends who were sleeping in a very tight huddle.
"What do you guys plan to do the rest of the night?" Serenity asked the Night Furies.
"Perhaps we'll hunt," Windwalker thought out loud. "We haven't hunted in a while." Tenor looked excited.
"Well we'll see you in the morning then," Chris yawned as he grasped Serenity's hand. They went into the house and closed the door behind them. With the humans gone, Tenor turned to Windwalker who promptly llicked his face. He was all too happy to lick and nuzzle her back
"Lets go!" she called as she took off and Tenor followed her. They headed over the island, letting their predatory instincts take over. Immediately though, Tenor kept glancing up at the moon.
"Focus Tenor, you'll never catch anything staring at the moon!"
"I know." He went back to scanning the ground, though his mind was not on the hunt. Suddenly he stopped in mid air, turned on a dime, and sped toward a sea stack adjacent to the area they were flying over.
"Where are you going!?" Windwalker called after him.
"I have to check something!" Tenor called back, without looking back or stopping. Windwalker sped after him. He soon landed and began looking directly vertical, trying to spot something amidst the night sky.
"Now what is so important that we had to interrupt our hunt?" Windwalker grunted as she landed a few seconds later. Tenor was silent before spotting his prize.
"Right there look! Draco's constellation, alongside Orion's Belt, Hydra, Canis Major, and Canis Minor!"
"What is so important about them?"
"Well umm… usually you can see 2-4 constellations out at one time but seeing so many out at once...I have not seen that happen ever! Look see there is Arcturus, Sirius, Canopus, Vega and Capella! Wow!" Tenor geeked out, doing a little hop as he pointed his wings up to the sky to show Windwalker which stars and formations he was talking about.
"This is outstanding! This has to be a sign of something good to come! Something really big is gonna happen soon I just know it! This does not happen like ever! All of those bright stars out there in those particular positions it is just-" Tenor suddenly cut himself off as he saw his mate giving him a blank stare.
"Wow you really love the stars."
"Sorry, I...well I always loved looking at them at night when I was growing up. It made me feel less lonely. It would quite literally give me hope, a light in the darkness." Tenor pinned his ears and whined, completely embarrassed.
Windwalker stared for a few more seconds before giving him a gummy smile. "Don't worry. This is nothing to be ashamed of. I am glad you could show me something you are excited about."
"Yes," Tenor meeped, looking sheepish. "Thanks for waiting. And for putting up with my silly stargazing." Windwalker nuzzled his neck and chest.
"I know you're excited Tenor and I don't blame you. I just hope you don't become too obsessed with this, and forget to eat or sleep." Tenor nuzzled her back, and wrapped his neck around her.
"I won't. But I can't promise something I can't keep" Tenor chuckled.
"I appreciate that," Windwalker remarked as she leaned into him. She felt the muscles under his scales flexing as he breathed. His breath smelled of fire and burning wood which relaxed her. Tenor nibbled her neck, remembering to keep his teeth in his gums.
"You want to go back to hunting?"
"Sure." She gave him an affectionate nip on the neck. "Lets go my stargazer." She spread her wings and took off, and Tenor followed her.
It took about another week for everyone to settle in again. The injuries the Berkians sustained were taken care of and life seemed to return to normal, if one could call Vikings living with dragons in a cramped environment normal.
The sun was barely about to set on the cliffs of Berk. People were beginning to finish up their work for the day. Down near one of the beaches adjacent to the docks sat Kassandra and Raeya. Both were busy looking at the sky and although their faces were calm and poised, their minds were heavy with decisions. The sound of flapping wings and sand being displaced caught the attention of the two females.
"Hey you guys! Everyone's been looking for you both." Hiccup remarked as he dismounted from Toothless, both males slowly approaching the other Night Fury-rider duo. He immediately picked up on their facial expressions.
"What's the matter?"
Kassandra looked at Raeya who gave the human a gurgle-croon and a soft nudge. The Greek female sighed and looked up at the chief of Berk.
"Well, they will likely have to continue looking for us."
Hiccup gave a look of confusion. "I don't follow."
"Well, I've been-" Kassandra then glanced at Raeya. "We've been thinking, and we aren't going to stay here, on Berk."
Hiccup immediately pulled back, slowing his approach and furrowing his brow in confusion. "W-what do you mean you guys aren't staying?"
Kassandra gave a sad smile. "It's not that we don't like it here." She turned partially to the side, admiring the beautiful yet rigidly cold ocean to the right and the bustling of the metropolitan like village with the swarming dragons up above to the left.
"In fact, I can't imagine a better place for both of us to be accepted as people."
"Exactly! It's a dragon utopia!" Hiccup exclaimed.
"Well that's the thing. We just dealt a severe blow to the Roman Empire, Hiccup. Gods above I'm sure we just decimated a dynasty because of what we did."
"Well it wouldn't be my first time defeating dictators and toppling over regimes." Hiccup chuckled as he remembered his crusade against the Song Dynasty where they first met Chris and Windwalker years ago.
"I won't even doubt you from all the bewildering events I've seen these past weeks. But, we all have a target on our backs, especially me. I can promise you that we haven't seen the last of Berengar and will stop at nothing to get revenge, or if not him then the next emperor who sits on that iron throne."
"An iron throne? That sounds uncomfortable."
"Actually I'm not sure it's made of iron. It's likely created from cement and marble. I couldn't imagine how much of a headache an iron throne would cause..anyways, we don't want to jeopardize that harmony Berk has. I've never seen a place like this and the last thing Raeya and I want to do is cause more harm."
Hiccup sighed softly. "You guys aren't a nuisance. You guys fit right into our little, compact village. Plus, we have faced danger and villains before, we'll be ready for them."
"Hiccup…"
"Kassandra, if that's your only reason for going, then you must take me for a dumb Viking."
Kassandra blinked. "Wait what?"
"Kassandra, you remind me a lot like an old friend of mine. Her name was Heather. You're strong, fierce, courageous, cunning, and are not afraid to stand up for yourself. But Heather didn't at first feel like she fit in either. We eventually got her to see that she could trust us and consider us family. But that's not what caused her to leave. She left because she had a fire in her to live her own life, mainly to find her family, to figure out her purpose of sorts. And essentially, while she had a home on Berk, it wasn't her purpose to stay here and that was okay. She was living her best life on her own, especially after she found her brother and found out what happened to her parents."
Kassandra and Raeya were silent as the chief continued.
"You are just trying to find your purpose too, and your purpose isn't here on Berk. You know you are always welcomed here, but I don't blame you, or Raeya, for wanting to leave. I'm not negating that you want to leave out of fear of eminent danger or anything like that but, I feel there is a bigger reason. A reason I don't know, but only you can figure out, out there." Hiccup explained as he pointed to the never ending sea and golden sky.
Kassandra was speechless; even Raeya had dropped her wings and her maw hung open, stunned.
"I...I don't know w-what to say." Kassandra stammered out as she looked to the dragon beside her for answers. The night fury could just give a confused chortle as she came up with nothing.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. Just know that everyone will miss you guys, and don't disappear forever, please at least visit every now and then."
Kassandra slowly approached the man, staring at him hard before clenching her fists and hanging her head, inhaling and releasing a shaky breath. "Thank you..f-for everything chief Hiccup of Berk."
The chief came closer and rested a hand on her shoulder. "You're welcome Kassandra of Athens. But you can call me Hiccup instead." The man chuckled loudly. "Come on, at least say goodbye to everyone and have a proper meal with some rations for your travels before leaving." Kassandra sniffled, a few tears spilled across her cheeks as she was processing these feelings of warmth and acceptance. Something she hadn't felt since her father was alive, back when she had a family. She never thought she would experience that again.
When Toothless and Raeya dropped off their humans at the top of the cliff, they watched them depart towards the Mead Hall. However Toothless didn't follow after Hiccup as he stayed where he was, quiet and still, ears slightly pinned.
"So you are gonna leave with her?"
"Well yeah...she can't exactly swim across the ocean, plus traveling through the air is quicker." Raeya explained awkwardly; feeling the tension in the air as she shifted on her haunches as she didn't want to make contact with the male quite yet.
"That's good. Make sure to protect your human and take care of her at all costs. You really only get one in your lifetime, and cherish that bond for as long as you may live. While they are weaker then us, can't fly, are really squishy and small, they make up for it in so many other ways." The alpha explained.
"I know...I have you to thank for that. I never thought a dragon and a human could live as one. Two completely different beings entwined by fate and defying all expectations."
Toothless pinned his ears, blushing if he could.
"I take it you enjoyed having a human on your back?"
"Well it put some extra weight on my shoulders but it was a unique experience, one I'm truthfully kinda excited to explore with her."
"I'm going to miss you, terribly." Toothless said a bit to hastily, tensing his shoulders as he realized how honest his statement was. There was no turning back now. He forced himself to face the female, doing his best to relax himself in front of the now flustered Raeya.
They locked eyes for a bit, pupils dilating as their heart beats quickened.
"I will miss you too Toothless. I...I enjoyed your island, your nest, and willingness to help me against my family. I've never thought I'd meet a male quite like you." Raeya lowered herself a bit submissively, not sure how to process her words but saying them nonetheless.
"Of course… your words are quite kind and sweet. Will I ever see you again?" Toothless asked, his eyes pleading for a yes, tail swishing as he licked his lips anxiously.
"I...I don't know. Leaving the past behind us is too general and inconsistent a statement to make. Kassandra and I want to turn over a new fish in our lives. This is something we never experienced before and given how messed up our families were, we want to explore something new. We want to see where this friendship of ours can go. We want to see what else is out there in that big and scary world. We want to well, have a bond like you and Hiccup do, or any of the other dragons have with their humans. We don't know how long that will take so I can't give you an answer." Kassandra whined a bit, not wanting to disappoint Toothless.
"Oh...okay." The alpha said quietly.
"If it means anything.." Raeya state's as she slowly got closer to the bigger night fury, causing Toothless to freeze up a bit and dilate his eyes. "I would love to stay here and get to know you a lot more and see what Berk has to offer. If my family hadn't been so vengeful and all, causing these chaotic events to occur...then perhaps we could have...well, gotten a lot closer to each other in more ways than one." She purred before nuzzling up the male's throat and chin, knocking his head gently upwards.
Toothless gasped a bit and shivered, groaning a bit more loudly than he would've liked in front of the female his heart was racing for. Raeya pulled back and watch the male almost fall awkwardly on his front paws, panting. He slowly looked up at her tilted head, eyes narrowing as she giggled at his goofy demeanor before sloppily composing himself.
"Is there a-any chance we could...still do that?" Toothless whined.
"As much as part of me wants to see that through, a bigger part of me wants to see what the world has in store for Kas- my human and I. I don't want to rush into anything. I just went through losing all of my family, and so did Kassandra. I don't think it's not too crazy for us to want to just breathe and collect ourselves."
"..yeah that, makes sense. I understand." Toothless sighed, accepting her decision.
"But who knows, maybe in a few years, if you are still available and still alive–hopefully I am too–I think it would be a splendid idea to come back and settle down in this place. It definitely seems like a great place to live, although if it continues growing and growing in size, perhaps it will be very cramped. At that point I wouldn't be so sure." Raeya thought out loud.
"No need to worry! As long as Hiccup and I are together, this place will always remain standing." Toothless puffed out his chest with a bit of pride, forgetting his awkwardness temporarily.
"Good! Well...any chance I can get some mackerel before I leave? I haven't had that in awhile!"
"Yeah sure! Follow me!" And with Toothless bounding off with Raeya tailing behind, the two young Night Furies began the hunt for some prized fish.