HI EVERYOOOOOOOOOONE. I guess I owe everybody a huge sorry for the delay. My life is just so busy and I must admit writing isn't my only personal activity. Sometimes, I have to make compromise.
But here I am with a new chapter for all my readers. There is a little surprise for you in there, I hope you'll like it. I'll tell you more at the end.
Before we continue, there is someone I have to respond to.
-Quimby fletcher: Hi and thank you for reviewing. The answer to your question is in this chapter. I hope it will be worth the wait for you :)
Hiccup's POV
The night just fallen, the usual cold air of the dark high sky barely bothering us, since it's still the end of the summer. In addition, we are in the warmer side of the archipelagos. Everyone is silent and the dragons are flying calmly. We stay above the clouds where we are the most in security. We should soon catch sight of…yes, there it is. Dragon Edge.
I was worried the hunters, or someone else, would have claimed the island since we left, but the place is unoccupied. We all land on the platform in front of the stables and quickly notice we are not alone. One white Night Terror walks out of the stable, body low and growling, while dozens of regular blacks Night Terrors surround us. Eret put his hand on his sword until I signal him not to react.
-Smidvarg, Fishlegs calls him. How are you old friend? It's us.
Hearing his name, the white Night Terror looks at us closely. Toothless and the other dragons talk to him, proving that it is us. The Night Terrors then roar in joy and jump all around us, happy to see us again. Smidvarg jump on Fishlegs and licks his head.
-So this is the island where you lived for more than a year, Valka says. Quite interesting.
-It's true you never came here before, I tell her and Eret. I could give you a tour.
-Why, we can't see anything in the dark, Eret complains. Better wait sunrise.
We take the time to say 'hello' to the whole swarm, since we haven't seen them in two years and they were part of our defense system when we lived here. Once done, they go back to their usual activities, their attitude confirms there is no danger here.
My friends then head toward their old huts with their dragons, except mom who prefer to stay in the wilderness and Eret who go inside the stables. I'm about to leave when Toothless grabs my arm in his toothless mouth before looking at my left. I follow his eyes, but don't see anything.
-What is it?
He seems worried about something. He gestures to himself with his paw, then to the direction he was looking to and gives me a push in this direction with his head. It's clear he wants me to follow him somewhere, but why.
-Hold on bud. Is there a problem?
He gestures to himself again, but I doubt he's talking about himself.
-Dragons, I try but he shook his head. Night Fury?
He grunts approvingly.
-You're talking about Falla, I realise and he flaps his wings happily. What about her?
Despite what happened in the past, I'm happy to see her back with us. She's the only other living Night Fury besides Toothless and I can't forget my best friend's feelings for her. I have no problem giving her a chance like we did for several other people and dragons.
Toothless then shows me his hind leg and whines, acting like he was hurt.
-Wait. Are you saying she's hurt?
He nods before trotting off and I follow him.
Falla's POV
I chose a soft spot under a tree overlooking a small cliff, facing the ocean, not far from the human's huts. My hind leg still hurt every time I use it, so I walk on three paws. I lay down, happy to finally be able to settle down with my injured leg stretched on the ground. On one wing, I'm happy to be out of the Skrill's colony. On another wing, I'm not sure what to do now. My goal is still to avenge Owen. But how, I don't know.
I'm about to try to sleep when I hear something, but even with the full moon I can't see past the trees. Rising my head, I let out a small roar, sending a wave of sound in the direction from which the sound came from. After a few seconds, the sound bounces back toward me, giving me the image of trees, a Night Fury and a human with one leg walking toward me.
-Can I help you with something, I ask as Toothless comes into view followed by Hiccup.
-It's the opposite actually, Toothless responds. Hiccup's here to see your leg.
I can't help but roll my eyes.
-Hi Falla. Toothless told me your leg is hurt. Can I take a look?
-It's not necessary. I'll be fine, I respond showing my teeth to Hiccup so he understands my answer. I can take care of myself.
It is Toothless turn to roll his eyes although I can see a smile on his face. Hiccup, however, simply stay where he is, not intervening. Why? I'm not sure.
-I know. However, not helping someone hurt is not my style. We're not finished with the Skrill nor the hunters. You probably don't want to join in our battle, but you'll need all your strength anyway. Besides, I'm the Alpha thus I make the decisions.
He said the last sentence with a joking tone. Yet, it is the first time I hear him say something like that.
When Owen died, I chose to deal with this pain alone. It was a mistake. I realize this now. I also can't deny the pain in my leg when I try to use it. Since we flee his village, Owen was the only one I ever trusted. Travelling with Toothless and the others made me think about reconsidering that.
-Fine, I give up rolling on my side to give Hiccup better access to my injured leg.
Hiccup understands the gesture.
-Thank you. I promise to be as quick as possible.
While he kneels in front of my leg, I look at Toothless.
-Oh. I though you'll be harder to convince, he admits making me grin.
Hiccup hold a big stick that Toothless immediately light and then plunge the bottom into the ground to have some light. Hiccup then gently pats my legs, which hurt, but I do my best to keep my head high with dignity.
-I don't see any bleeding both outside or inside. There isn't any external injury and I don't think the leg is broken but the bones are certainly damaged. Toothless, could you go see Fishlegs and borrow his special ointment with a couple of bandages?
Toothless nods before taking off. Hiccup then sits in front of me.
-You, I'm glad you're okay, beside your leg, and back with us.
I look at him with an eyebrow raised.
-I understand what it must have been to lose Owen.
A part of me is not comfortable talking about him, but Hiccup and Toothless are more than generous to accept me among us and help me with my injury. The least I can do is listen to what they say.
-I lost my father not long ago. When it happened, I was so angry, so hurt, so…lost. I guess that's how you felt too. Then, during your time with the wild colony, your mind slowly calmed down and things appeared differently.
I look away, both scared and surprised that he knows so much. My silence, however, means more than any answers I could have provided.
-Don't be so surprised, I've been through the same thing when my father died, so I understand.
I look back at him, astonished. Not because of his father, I already heard that story, but because he seemed to know exactly what I was thinking.
-I believe in the good souls most people and dragons have. We can't achieve true peace if we stay in the past. Some says I'm too forgiving or naïve, but most times we gave a second chance to someone, things go better for everyone. Just look at Dagur, he's the perfect example of what I'm saying.
I tilt my head to the side, not knowing who this Dagur is nor what happened with him. Again, Hiccup somewhat understand exactly what I'm thinking.
-Oh right, you don't know him. Let's us say he's a bit crazy and tried to kill us countless times. The reason I'm saying all this is to show you that we don't have any problems with you, and you have nothing to fear from us despite what happened. If you wish, you can stay alongside us.
I look back at him, but don't have the time to respond. Toothless lands close to us, creating almost no wind in the process. Something that requires a lot of skills. He carries in his mouth a bag that he puts on the ground next to Hiccup.
-Sorry it took so long, he says, but I got everything Hiccup asked.
Hiccup takes the bag and remove from inside it a small bottle and a large tissue.
-Perfect, nice job buddy.
As Hiccup resumes working on my leg, Toothless lay down on the ground. It still hurt when Hiccup touches my leg, but like before I don't react except for the casual wince.
I let out another wince as Hiccup applies a liquid on my leg. He apologizes and finishes wrapping my leg in a bandage.
-There, I'll change the bandages each day until your leg doesn't hurt anymore. Knowing dragons healing rate, you should be good in a few days.
-Thank you, I say sincerely.
Hiccup smiles, saying it was his pleasure and extend his hand toward me. I look at his hand during a few seconds, before slowly leaning forward and press my nose against it. I stay like this for a few seconds before leaning back. Hiccup then yawns loudly.
-Sorry, but I'm tired. I better go get some sleep if I want to be in good shape tomorrow. Or is it later today? Either way, I'll see you later Falla.
Hiccup then walks away.
-Your rider is really intriguing, I tell Toothless who tilt his head to the side. He's different from most humans in the way he acts and talks. And when he talks with us it's almost like he cans hear our words. It's…weird.
Toothless smiles.
-That's Hiccup for you. He understands dragons like no one else except maybe his mother. Like Astrid once called him, he's a smart stubborn talented muttonhead.
It is now my turn to smile.
-In more than one way, you are similar to him.
-What? I'm not a muttonhead.
-Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that, I joke chuckling at Toothless shocked expression. What I meant is that you're not like most dragons, and I don't say that because you're a Night Fury or the Alpha.
-Maybe. I won't deny meeting Hiccup completely changed my life. Which I don't regret. He freed me and helped me become who I truly am. He's like a brother to me, the only family I ever had beside my mother.
-You knew your mother, I ask surprised.
Toothless lets out a sight. I roll back on my belly while keeping my injured leg extended on the ground. Dragons usually don't care much for beings they don't know. For example, I don't miss those who gave me life. However, I can see a certain sadness in Toothless's eyes.
-Yes, but not for long. A Whispering Death attacked her by surprise and killed her. She served the Red Death like many other and, later, me. Despite everything, she taught me that surviving doesn't mean becoming a monster like our queen, that there were choices we could make. It's thanks to her I didn't kill Hiccup after he freed me when we first met.
-I'm sorry. She seemed like a great dragon. Not everyone can stay strong and keep their convictions in situations like these.
-Yes she was, Toothless purrs gratefully.
The next few minutes are spent in silence before Toothless speaks again.
-You know, I'm happy you're here.
I smile and look up at the stars.
-Me too. I don't know where I could go, but I admit I feel like I could belong on Berk. Hiccup told me he's ready to accept me. Do…you agree with him?
The last sentence came out a lot more unsure than I meant and I internally scold myself. I know staying with them is the most logical choice. However, I still expect some humans or dragons to be against it because of my 'betrayal'.
-I do, Toothless responds with an honest smile. I know our meeting at the Sanctuary didn't go smoothly…
I scoff at this statement.
-…but I have nothing against you. Quite the contrary in fact. I'm sure Hiccup already told you we're ready to accept you. I can guarantee you'll love it on Berk. It's certainly better than the wild colony.
-Without any doubt.
We both laugh. I then notice something, a butterfly landing on Toothless's head. A smirk appears on my face, knowing full well what that means.
-By the way, there's a butterfly on your head.
As expected, Toothless pupils become wide.
-Really! Where?
He stands up, looking around for the butterfly until he finds it when it takes off. He immediately starts playing with it with his front paws, his tongue sticking out of his mouth as he stands on his hind legs before falling on his back. The butterfly still flying around his paws.
I can't help but laugh seeing this.
Hiccup's POV
I walk back toward my hut. I know Toothless stayed back with Falla. He'll certainly join me later. I kind of feel weird, knowing Toothless spend his time with someone else. How this could change everything is…unsettling.
What am I thinking? I have no right to think like that. Things already changed. I just married Astrid. No need to be worried about our friendship, we both promised to always be best friends. I'm so into my thoughts that I don't notice him until he stands right in front of me.
-HICCUP, Fishlegs calls with a loud voice.
I scream, completely scared by his sudden appearance, and fall on the ground.
-Oh, sorry sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, Fishlegs apologizes as I breathe strongly to calm myself.
-Fishlegs. Sweet Freya, please stop doing that, I respond as he helps me stand up.
-Sorry. I couldn't sleep after what happened earlier. You know, dozens of wild dragons trying to kill you would scare any real Viking, right? Anyway, I couldn't sleep so I decided to continue the translation of Tarell's book. You asked for the chapter about the Night Furies, remember?
Hearing this, a hopeful smile immediately appears on my face.
-Yes. Did you…?
-Yes, I did, Fishlegs answers showing me the book with a few parchments inside the bag he carries.
-So? What does it say?
-Well, Fishlegs begins taking out a parchment on which I suppose contains the translation. Several things we already know like their top speed, diet, plasma blast power, habits and so on. Other things we don't like how they act with each other and details about their reproduction. For example, Night Furies are among the rare dragons that only lay one egg at the time.
I take the parchment from his hand.
-Fascinating, I say to myself as I start to read it.
All those news formations about Toothless and his kind. I waited so long for that, to learn more about my best friend and on
-Yeah, Fishlegs confirms standing next to me to read too. According to Tarell, Night Furies are the rarest and fastest dragons while also being cunning and powerful (no surprise here) but they are more vulnerable to sickness.
-That confirm the theory I made when Mildew planted blue orlanders on Berk years ago.
-Indeed, but it's not the best part. Look at the end.
Following his suggestion, I notice three lines on the left bottom of the parchment.
-The course of the moon follows the stars. At her peak, the night might become a day. When it arrives, a new storm will light the sky. What does that mean, I ask.
-I don't know. It's the only part of the text that isn't clear and I don't know why. For me, it's obviously a riddle, but it may take a while to decrypt it.
A huge smile appears on my face, before it is suddenly replaced by a big yawn. Soon imitated by Fishlegs.
-We'll try to understand it, I reassure him. I never though I'll say that, but first we'd better get some sleep. There are more pressing matters sadly. Don't worry though, we'll work on it as soon as we can. I'll ask Toothless and Falla, maybe they'll have an idea.
Fishlegs takes the opportunity to ask about Falla's condition as we walk back toward our huts. Ready to have a good sleep.
So, did you spot the little surprise? It's the riddle. Can you find out what it means before the story reveals it? It is the first time I try something like that, so maybe it is too easy, or too difficult. I don't know. Don't hesitate to tell me your opinion and to PM me if you think having the answer.
Otherwise, also feel free to give me your opinion on the chapter in general or about what you think will happen. The favorite and follows buttons are also there waiting for you.
I sadly can't say when the next chapter will be ready, but I'll do my best. Until then, take care.
P.S.: I just realised I put the dialogue between Hiccup and Fishlegs in black which is suIpposed to be for dragons only. Don't worry, I fixed it. I hope it didn't confuse anyone.
