"Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?" – Henry David Thoreau

Chapter 20

The length of light during the day gradually increased over the following week. I spent the time either wandering around Auction Island with Harald, planning with Viggo and Nikora, or getting to know the residents better. I still did not know our next course of action, but I was laying the groundwork for what was to come.

My wound finally healed enough for a mini adventure. I asked Nikora if she wanted to visit the cave we discovered with the map, and she agreed. Harald and Viggo joined us. We reached the underwater cave with some sort of boat that sailed under the water. I did not understand how it worked, but at least we were dry when we arrived at the cave.

"Good, everything is still visible," Viggo said, the first to approach the wall. "It seems the map is no longer needed to view the engravings."

Nikora came up beside him and gazed at the wall. Her hand reached out and touched an image of he Luminous Krayfin. "What does it say?"

I glanced at Harald, who stared hard at the ground. "Uh, it tells the story of why your ancestors lost the great war."

Harald finally looked at me, and he nodded. "The tribe had a close relationship with the Luminous Krayfin," he started slowly. "They were friends. Both sides benefited." He hesitated, taking in Nikora's cool expression. "The tribe betrayed the Krayfin. They tried to control him to gain more power over their enemies. Their plan backfired when the Krayfin escaped. Without the support of their friend, the tribe lost the war and were forced to leave the archipelago."

Nikora's eyes flickered back to the wall. "You're saying that betraying the dragon caused their downfall."

"Yes... My ancestors shared a similar fate. Instead of betrayal, they hid away their dragon friends and ran."

"Berk and Berserker Island weren't innocent either," I added. "They may have won the war, but both had serious problems afterwards because of the way they treated dragons."

"And why did you show me this?" Nikora said in a calm voice. Her hand swept over the Krayfin again and then moved to her insignia.

I looked from Viggo to Harald. They both appeared curious about my answer as well. I took a deep breath before saying, "Harald thinks these stories are warnings about punishments for taking the wrong path, but I see it differently. The map was created because the four friends had hope for a peaceful future. Condemnation doesn't fit with that. Instead, I think the stories are here to help us and show us the path forward. Our ancestors all made bad decisions in the past, but we can make up for them now."

"I understand what you are getting at," Viggo said. "Berk has reconciled with dragons - starting with Hiccup and the Night Fury, you have transformed Berserkers' relationship with the Skrill, and Harald has reunited with the Light Fury."

"And now it is my turn," Nikora said. He looked at me a if waiting for confirmation.

"Yes," I said.

"I do not know if Harald told you this, but I originally planned to gain control over the Krayfin once he was full grown. I wanted to restore my clan's place in the archipelago. I believed they controlled the Krayfin in the past and knew nothing of this friendship. Even if I had known, I would have found it foolish." Nikora glanced at Harald, and her expression softened. "But now I see it is much more effective to use voluntary cooperation than control."

Harald looked at me with interest. "Do you really think you can help her and the Krayfin - Lumie - get along?"

"I don't see why not," I said. "I think it will be easier than bonding with a random dragon." I turned to the wall. "Bonds are powerful, and I believe even ancient bonds are not easily forgotten. It was a Night Fury Hiccup befriended, after all, I was drawn to the Skrill, and the Light Fury was fascinated with Harald when she was suspicious of everyone else." I gave Nikora a soft smile. "Lumie did already kind of help you out of instinct when he found your family heirloom. I think part of him knows. He'll be receptive if you put in the work."

Nikora nodded. "I will do what needs to be done."

"Hiccup won't like this," Viggo warned. "He is quite opinionated about who should be training dragons."

"Good thing I don't live under Hiccup's rules anymore," I said. "He can't control me."

Viggo smirked in amusement. "He will live to regret his most recent actions."

"This all sounds good," said Harald, "but we should not take the trip to Impossible Island until your wound is completely healed."

I frowned. "But I feel fine." Harald narrowed his eyes at me, and I sighed. "Alright, we'll wait until the two weeks Allvaldi mandated have passed."

"In the meantime, I will dig up what information I have on the Krayfin," Nikora said, almost smiling. "I do look forward to meeting him."

In the mornings, the four of us took to discussing strategy near Nikora's, allowing others to come to us with their questions or concerns. A few days after we visited the cave, a nervous looking pirate approached us in the middle of a discussion. "Stormheart," he said, "there are dragon riders at the dock."

Nikora's eyes narrowed. "Which ones?"

The pirate hesitated. "Um, the chief and his wife."

"This should be good," Viggo mused.

"Maybe he's here to apologize and negotiate peace?" I suggested. If he had been the old Hiccup, I would not have doubted it, but this new Hiccup seemed incapable of compromise.

"Or they're here for him," Harald said, his eyes on Ruffrunner and Leopold playing in the dirt.

"Do they look like they're here for a fight?" Nikora asked.

"Er, no," said the pirate.

"Send them up. And make sure they leave their dragons behind."

The pirate dipped his head. "Yes, right away." He scurried down the hill.

Nikora looked from Harald, to Viggo, to me. "How shall we handle this? Are we open for negotiation?"

"It will be hard to find the treasure without Hiccup," Viggo said. "Not that it can't be done."

"Peace is preferable," I agreed. "I don't care what happened in the past as long as he's willing to work with us now."

"But can he really do that?" said Harald.

I let out a sigh. "He's capable of it, but I don't know if he's ready."

Nikora nodded. "This is our chance to find out." Her eyes fell on the approaching Vikings. Harald and I quickly got in place on her left side while Viggo stood on her right. Hiccup and Astrid stopped before the throne and stared at us, their expressions unreadable.

"Why does this terrify me?" Hiccup said, motioning to Nikora and Viggo.

"Because you know you'll never defeat our combined efforts?" Viggo said in amusement.

"We are an unstoppable team," Harald said, "so if you're here to make threats, you can save your breath."

Astrid gave him a sharp look. "We came for a peaceful discussion, but you're not helping your case."

"Let them speak," Nikora said. "They did come all this way."

"Yes, thank you," Hiccup said. He took a deep breath and looked right at me. "First, I want to apologize to you, Brennda. I overreacted when I locked you up, kept you from your dragon, and threatened to banish you if you left. I was upset about losing Toothless, and I panicked. I don't blame you for your actions. I would have done the same thing in your place. You are free to return home." His eyes flickered to Viggo. "You too, Viggo. I know you were just trying to help Brennda."

"You're half right," said Viggo. "Before we can accept your apology, you are forgetting someone."

"Oh, we didn't forget," Astrid said, her hard gaze on Harald.

Hiccup, on the other hand, looked at him with a much softer expression. "I overreacted with you too, Harald. Regardless of the consequences of your actions, I doubt you meant any harm. I already accepted you as part of us and should have given you the same treatment as I would anyone else. I am sorry for acting rashly."

"That is hardly an apology," Harald said. "You said nothing about accusing me in the first place - and I still maintain my innocence - but for the sake of peace, I will accept."

"I will accept your apology too," I said.

"As will I," said Viggo.

Hiccup smiled in relief. "Good. Now we can go back to New Berk and-"

"Hold it," I interrupted. "We forgive you, but we said nothing about going back with you."

Hiccup furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Why not?"

"While we may have come her originally out of necessity, that does not mean you can conclude we do not have alternative reasons for staying," Viggo said.

Astrid placed her hands on her hips and gave him a disgruntled look. "Thanks for the technicality, Viggo."

Viggo smirked. "You're welcome."

"Look," Hiccup started again, "I know we messed up, but if you need us to make it up to you, we can-"

"You assume our decision is out of spite," Harald said. "That, too, is incorrect. This has nothing to do with you. We are here because we want to be."

Hiccup's eyes widened as if realizing something, and he looked at Nikora anxiously. "Stormheart, if you have any objects-"

"My opinion on the matter is irrelevant," Nikora said smoothly. "I accepted these three when you rejected them, and your loss is my gain. They are free and able to leave if they so choose."

Hiccup nodded. "Okay, good. Thank you." He turned to me. "Then why-?"

"We're preparing to take on Toki and Randel," I explained. "Nikora asked for our help, and we accepted. We're working with the residents of this island to come up with a way to unite and defeat our enemy once and for all."

"What?!" Astrid exclaimed. "But they're pirates and dragon hunters!"

"Former dragon hunters," Harald corrected. "More like dragon traders now. Dragon hunting was banned when Nikora took over."

Astrid frowned. "That doesn't make it much better."

"You just disregarded a whole group of people," I said. "You don't even know them."

Astrid glared at Harald. "I know enough of them."

"It's an over-generalization. Isn't that the kind of thinking that brought us to war with dragons?"

"That was different. They were innocent!"

"From the pirates' perspective, so are they."

"Who cares about their perspective?"

"I do."

Astrid crossed her arms and stared at me long and hard before responding. "They've done something to you. This place has corrupted you. I never thought you'd actually side with them."

"You need to come home," Hiccup pleaded. "Clear your mind of this filth. We can help you."

My gaze hardened when I realized they did not get it. How could I make them understand? "I don't need help. I'm not some sort of victim. Look." I lifted my shirt halfway, revealing my bandages. "Toki attacked Harald with a dagger, and I got in the way. I would have died without Nikora's help. She saved me. Saved us."

"I did it for Harald," Nikora said. "I will not allow harm to come to either of them, for I am not foolish enough to try to break them apart." Her eyes narrowed at Hiccup.

"So, you feel gratitude?" Astrid said to me, for the first time, appearing uncertain.

"It's a bit more complicated than that," I said. "The point is, we're a team now. But that doesn't mean we all can't work together. You guys should join us and help take down Toki."

Hiccup looked at Nikora warily. "I'm sorry, Brennda. I can't do that. We can't trust these pirates; we've had to many problems in the past."

"And if you insist on siding with them, we will have a problem with you," Astrid added. "You're better than this, Brennda. Don't let them get to you."

"Your condescension masked as concern is insulting," Viggo said.

"I abhor your lack of faith in Brennda," Harald said thickly. "I don't care what you think of me, but I do not tolerate thinking ill of her. If you honestly believe she has been influenced for the worst, you've lost all sense. You're blind if you cannot see the opposite is true."

"They're deceiving themselves," I said. "I get it now. This is futile. You can't make someone accept the truth if they refuse to consider certain possibilities." I sighed heavily. "We're done here. Come back when you're actually ready to negotiate."

Hiccup shook his head. "It doesn't have to be this way."

"I couldn't agree more."

Hiccup glanced at Ruffrunner and Leopold, huddling together off to the side. "We need Ruffrunner back."

"I told him to go home, but he refused to leave us," Harald said. "His parents trust us to look after him. Are you doing to disregard the dragons' will? Then again, you are the one who wants to force all dragons to do what you think is best."

Astrid glared at him. "It's not like that!"

"The dragon will not be harmed here," Nikora said. "You have my word."

"Ruffrunner?" Astrid said hopefully. When the Night Light did not come, she turned to Hiccup with a sad look. "Let's fight this battle later. Forcing him might do more harm than good."

Hiccup nodded. "Alright." He gave me one last regretful look. "If you change your mind, you know how to reach out to us." Then he and Astrid began their descent.

"He'll come around," Viggo said once they were gone. "He's stubborn, but he's not incapable of learning."

"Yes, but will it be too late?" I wondered, to which no one had a reply.

The next day, Allvaldi removed my bandages for good. I felt great, though Harald insisted I still take it easy. Of course, I ignored him when appropriate. The day after that, Nikora, Harald, Viggo, and I made a trip to Impossible Island. It was time to check in on Lumie.

There was already a ship docked at the island when we arrived. I stared at the Berserker symbol on the sail while the others exchanged looks. "It could be worse," I said. It could be Fishlegs visiting the island, though he might still be there because we would have no warning.

"Dagur and Mala, I assume?" Viggo said.

I nodded. "Looks like it."

Nikora's hands tightened on her weapon. "If they cause any trouble-" she started.

"Don't attack them!" I said quickly. "We want them on our side. Dagur loves me; I'll win him over."

"Give her a chance," Harald said. "At the very least, I know he won't hurt her."

Nikora relaxed her hands. "Very well. Let us proceed."

We started walking along the shoreline, hoping to run into Lumie. Bolt, Leopold, and Ruffrunner accompanied us. I was beginning to think we would miss the other visitors altogether when I saw two figures in the distance. We stopped only when I could make out the forms of Dagur and Mala.

Dagur, it seemed, could only see Nikora. "You!" he cried. He ran straight for her with his axe held high. Mala walked behind him at a moderate pace.

I immediately stood in front of Nikora. "Dagur, no!" Bolt stood by my side and growled while Harald and Viggo moved between Nikora and me, adding a second barrier.

Dagur skidded to a halt right in front of me, his axe still raised and his eyes wide. "Brennda?"

I gave him a hard, confident, look. "Back off."

Dagur stumbled back, seeming dazed, and he finally lowered his axe. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize-"

"What did I tell you about acting before thinking?" Viggo chided him. "You could have hurt someone."

"Brennda, what's going on?" Mala said, her eyes tight as she stood beside her husband.

"We were minding our own business when he threatened us," Nikora said before I could respond.

"And I'll bet you were up to no good," Dagur spat.

"Jumping to conclusions?" Harald said. "Viggo is right; stop and think a little."

"Fine." Dagur let his suspicious look linger on Nikora for a moment longer before he turned to me. "Why are you with her?"

"Well," I started slowly, "I do live on Auction Island now, and-"

"What?!" Dagur's eyes widened in horror.

I frowned. Something was not right about this. "Dagur, when is the last time you talked to Hiccup to Heather?"

Dagur's expression turned thoughtful. "Not since Snoggletog." He shrugged. "The endless night and everything."

"Or Hiccup was afraid you would side against him after what he did," Harald said.

"And what did he do?" Mala said carefully.

I took a deep breath. "It might be best to start from the beginning." And so, I did. I explained how Toki attacked New Berk and kidnapped Toothless and the Night Lights, how Hiccup blamed Harald, and how I left New Berk to save him. I told Dagur Nikora saved our lives, and now we were all dedicated to defeating Toki together.

"That is quite a story," Mala said at the end. "I would not have believed it if I heard it from anyone but you."

Dagur looked at Nikora skeptically. "I'm glad she saved you and all, but do you expect me to just forget everything she did to us?"

I gave him a look. "Dagur. You hardly have room to talk. The dragon riders forgave everything you did to them."

"But I had proof I changed (even if it did take awhile for everyone to believe me). I did it for family!"

"It is not so different in my case," Nikora said. Dagur stared at her, uncomprehending.

"Let me put it this way," Harald said. He looked from Nikora, to Viggo, to me. "These three are more family to me than my living relatives ever have been - and the feeling is mutual."

Dagur's eyes lit in understanding. "Oh! I see. My apologies." He glanced at his wife, who looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Give us a minute." He pulled Mala off to the side, and the two of them talked in hushed whispers. Dagur was smiling when they returned to their previous positions. "Alright, we forgive you. How can we help take down Toki?"

Nikora looked at me with mild disbelief. "That was quick."

I shrugged. "Dagur is extremely loyal once he's on your side."

"Toki might as well have declared war on Berserkers when he hurt Brennda," Dagur said darkly. "I won't let him get away with it!"

"We will definitely need you when the time comes to look for the treasure," Harald said.

"In the meantime, you might not want to tell Hiccup you're with us," I added.

Dagur frowned. "Then how am I supposed to knock some sense into him?"

"Trust me, there is no knocking sense into him right now," Viggo said. "We will figure out a plan to deal with him later. We will need him as well."

"Fine. But Heather is on your side, right?"

I smiled. "Of course."

"Brennda, I hate to interrupt," Mala said, "but you never explained what you're doing on Impossible Island."

"Oh, we're here to see the Luminous Krayfin," I replied. "Nikora's ancestors were friends with the Krayfin, and we want to see if we can revive that relationship."

Dagur grinned. "That sounds like a worth pursuit. Let us accompany you!"

When Nikora did not protest, I smiled and took the lead, continuing along the shore. Eventually, we reached the bay where Lumie liked to swim. I called out for him, and a minute later, his head broke through the surface of the water.

"Hey, Lumie," I said with a smile. While still not full grown, the dragon was huge and loomed over me. "I've got some friends to see you." Curious, Lumie looked into the face of each person.

"Hi there, Lumie," Dagur said brightly. "Remember me?"

Lumie seemed to regard him for a second. He made a low sound and then put his face in front of Harald's. He seemed to smile when the pirate reached out and stroke the side of his face.

"Hello, Lumie," Harald said. "It's good to see you too. You're growing up quite well."

Lumie let out a pleased sounded. He lifted his body up and slapped his fins together. Then he pushed his head into Harald's hand again.

"My, he seems to like you," Mala said.

"I don't know why," Harald said, though he appeared pleased as he stroked the dragon. "I've hardly spent a few minutes with him."

"Not true," I said. "You took care of his egg for nearly a year, right?"

"'Care' is a strong word.'"

"He may recognize your voice," Viggo said. "Some dragons - especially larger species - retain memories from when they were in the egg."

I gave him a curious look. "How do you know-" I stopped myself when the answer came to me. "Dragon Eye, right."

"Aw, did you talk to his egg?" Dagur said, grinning at Harald.

"N-Not like that," Harald stammered. "I was alone, and it was better than talking to myself."

"He also converses with Leopold when he think they're alone," I said. "It's adorable."

Harald shot me a look. "Well, he does understand. Dragons are highly intelligent, you know."

I smirked. "Exactly. Anyway, I think you should introduce them." I looked from Lumie to Nikora.

Harald frowned. "You would be better at it."

I shook my head. "I want you to do it. You're the one who tracked down Lumie's egg and brought him home. You need to finish the job. You'll be great." I gave him an encouraging smile.

"You heard her," Nikora said when Harald looked to her for help.

Harald pat Lumie's snout before lowering his hand. "Lumie, I want you to meet a friend of mine." He nodded at Nikora, who stepped forward. "Introduce yourself to him just like you would any human."

Nikora gazed at the Krayfin. "Hello, Lumie. I am Nikora Stormheart. Our ancestors knew each other well." Lumie watched her with his big eyes.

"Reach your hand out to him and touch him.

Nikora lifted her hand but stopped halfway to the dragon. Harald took hold of her wrist and guided her hand to Lumie's snout. The Krayfin pushed against her hand, and she slowly rubbed back and forth. "It is nice to meet you too."

Dagur sniffed and wiped at a tear in his eye. "I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship."

I smiled as I watched Nikora and Lumie interact. "I couldn't agree more."