Well, the sun has disappeared for the near future so it must be December already. Lets read little about a nice flight in the summer sun.
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TheShipperOfTheCrystalBallroom: Well that was an exceptional review, not something I get every chapter. Hopefully the 5 year evolution includes the actual writing and grammar. Hoping to write good enough English eventually to make also English versions of my original writing rather than just trying to offer to publishers of my very small language market. Also my whole initial interest not just in writing AN but reading HTTYD fanfiction was largely the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless which is rare. Usually my ideas and interest for writing something is based on world and plot elements not character relationships.
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Proofread by 3DPhantom
Hiccup put the last of his clothes into a saddlebag and tightened the rope holding it shut.
"That should be everything except the weapons," he said, picking up the spear leaning against a rock. "I probably should have kept practicing after we came here."
"Yes," Fishlegs said, "the way things are going we could use a few years more practice."
"We don't have that much time," Hiccup said. "We don't even know if Hookfang and the hatchlings have been kept in Fjoll thus far." Hiccup stared at his spear for a moment. "We can only go and see what can be done."
He strapped the spear and shield on Toothless' saddle and got onto it himself. The flock had already gathered around them, ready to go. Well, most of them had. Windshear and Shortclaw weren't there. Hiccup rubbed his forehead. He wasn't sure what to do with the grieving Nightmare. Fishlegs shared his concern.
"Who's going to carry Ivar?"
"Someone," Hiccup responded, "probably Whiplash. Let's go."
Hiccup flicked his pedal and the opening they had gathered in was covered with extended dragon wings. The entire flock took flight behind him and Toothless. As the village came in sight they stayed in the air, flying in a large circle as Toothless and Meatlug landed in front of the healers' house, except Shortclaw who landed on top of its doorframe. There was no one around waiting for them. When the door opened only Ivar stepped out. He was still a bit pale, but at least he was up and getting around on his own. That was the only positive thing Hiccup could say about him. His expression was flat and tired with bags under his eyes.
Ivar looked through the flock above them and sighed.
"At least we're finally going back," he said. "Whether it's enough or not…"
"We'll see how things are once we get there," Hiccup said, trying to reinforce his words with more confidence than he had. "The flock is prepared."
"Some are missing."
"Shortclaw has spent most of her time alone," Hiccup responded. "She is still struggling but would not stay behind. Windshear has spent her time with the Wingmaidens but she is flying this way now..." Hiccup paused as his attention moved from the boy in front of him to the approaching dragon.
"There are Wingmaidens with her, many."
He turned in the direction where the dragon and her company could already be seen. Ivar stepped closer.
"They aren't going to stop us?"
Hiccup didn't answer. Windshear didn't feel alarmed, but too many things had gone wrong for him to not worry. Toothless' eyes could distinguish both Atali and Minden at the front of the group of twenty or so warriors. Everyone in the group was armed and had some kind of bags hanging from their waists.
Atali and Minden landed in front of the younger trio. Seriousness on their faces made Hiccup tense. He looked to his sides at Fishlegs and then Ivar, whose eyes opened wider as his expression… brightened?
"Ivar?" Hiccup asked.
"Look at Minden's lips," Ivar said. "She's pretending."
Minden gave up her act and had let a smile on her face by the time Hiccup turned to face her again.
"We are coming with you," she said.
"But, I…" Hiccup started.
"Both of us," Minden added. Atali didn't share her smile, but her expression softened even as she held her hatchling from jumping on Hiccup.
"Why?" Hiccup asked Atali. "Even if we succeed the Hunters might come after you."
"Perhaps, if they aren't planning that already. I am still not sure about this but," Atali sighed. "First I owe you an apology. For generations we have been taught to keep to ourselves and avoid the problems of men. That they would seek to use us if we didn't hold onto the rules of our traditions. Even after all you've done, I allowed those beliefs to influence my decisions. I never expected you to refuse the help you were offered for our own sake."
Hiccup looked away.
"We already got one village in trouble. I didn't want to cause trouble to another. Neither did Ivar."
"And that is why we believe you deserve help." Atali turned to look at Ivar. "If you accept it."
A tear slid down Ivar's cheek.
"Also," Atali continued, "if the Hunters have become powerful enough to take over one village for living with dragons they will eventually come here."
"She finally believed that," Minden said.
"I can still leave you to guard the village," Atali responded. Minden stayed quiet after that. No one spoke for a moment until Ivar broke the silence.
"Thank you," he said. Atali nodded.
The three boys got on the backs of dragons, Ivar on Whiplash with a sad glance to the sky. As they took off the Wingmaidens followed, carried by their hatchlings. Shortclaw rose from a forest nearby and settled near behind Whiplash. Meatlug and Fishlegs took their old place at the front of the formation with Toothless and Hiccup in the middle. Most of the Wingmaidens gathered close to them. Atali approached just outside the reach of Toothless' wing.
"I am curious. I understood that you are considered the leader of this flock, but this formation does not look like it?"
"There's a reason for that," Hiccup responded. "Toothless is the strongest flyer in the flock, even more so recently. On the way here we accidentally flew the rest of the flock to their limit without realizing it since they were left far behind us. This kind of flying is a bit frustrating for Toothless, but it's easier to stick together when Meatlug and Fishlegs set the pace. I just need to take some personal time to tire him out at some point."
"He is one of the most impressive dragons I have seen," Atali said. Toothless snorted at the "one of" part. Hiccup scratched him behind his ears as he talked to Atali.
"Most people think so, some just say it for different reasons. Luckily, he is also the most protective one."
"Most people don't understand the loving side of most dragons," Atali agreed.
They continued flying in the formation with occasional conversation for some time until Atali started glancing at her hatchling.
"I think it is time to take a break," she said. Hiccup glanced at her.
"Alre…?" He paused mid-sentence and focused his thoughts on the hatchling on Atali's back. The hatchlings while strong enough to carry their maiden's weight didn't have nearly the endurance of the adult dragons. Hiccup berated himself wordlessly as his eyes scanned the sea a for suitable island. A few moments later they landed on a small island that could hardly be called a rock.
The Wingmaidens immediately took water flasks from their back and let the hatchlings drink before drinking themselves. Only then they put their bags on the ground with most of the hatchlings resting next to them, though some played with each other. The hatchlings didn't understand the severity of their situation. They were just as happy and playful as ever, even if tired from the flight. The maidens themselves on the other hand got into pairs and began practicing with their spears.
"So," Minden said as she approached Hiccup and pointed at his spear, "is that just for show or can you use it?"
"I can use it decently."
"Then I'd like to train with you. We need to know what each other can do if we are going to go to battle together."
"Okay. You can probably teach me a lot of new things."
"Remember to separate first," Fishlegs called from behind Hiccup who muttered under his breath. He gave Toothless one sad glance and started pulling away the tentacles of his thoughts. He shivered despite the weather being as warm as it ever got in this part of the world. Minden waited patiently as he caught his breath and got ready.
It took about a minute for Hiccup to find himself on the ground.
'She's good,' Toothless commented from behind him.
"I hope you don't have a problem getting beaten by a woman," Minden said with a smirk.
"I'm already used to it," Hiccup responded as he got up. "Have I ever told you about a girl called Heather?"
By the time the hatchlings climbed back to their maidens' backs it was Hiccup who was breathing hard and in need of a break. Fishlegs wasn't about to give him one as he came from his own practice.
"Hiccup, I've done some calculations. If we keep like this it might take us four or five times as long to get back to Fjoll than it took to come here."
"Our hatchlings cannot fly faster, and we will not try to push them further," Minden said sternly.
"You don't need to," Fishlegs responded. "If your warriors split among the adult dragons, they should be able to carry us all and fly faster than the hatchlings, even if they need to carry 2 or three people."
Minden brushed her chin.
"Would they do it, the dragons?"
"If Hiccup asks, they will take you to end of the world."
'I'll take three of you if it lets us fly faster, four if they can hold on,' Toothless announced to Hiccup who could only chuckle.
"I'll talk to them. I am sure they are happy to help the hatchlings if nothing else." Hiccup looked at Minden. "Convincing your warriors to ride them is up to you."
Hiccup walked to where most of the adult dragons were resting. He could check on Shortclaw at the same time. He looked for the Nightmare with both his eyes and thoughts. He stopped when he found her. Shortclaw was laying a bit separate from rest of the flock with Ivar sitting cross legged in front of her head. After a brief hesitation Hiccup turned his head away from the duo and focused on rest of the flock. They were as willing to take on riders as he had expected. Only Stormfly muttered some dissatisfaction.
After some convincing the Wingmaidens too started climbing on the dragons' backs. When they were ready to leave Shortclaw turned up carrying Ivar. Hiccup decided to let them fly without other passengers. He, on the other hand, had to share Toothless' back with both Minden and Atali.
They continued their travel faster than before, though some dragons took up carrying multiple people better than others. At night the Wingmaidens cuddled with their hatchlings inside a ring formed by the adult dragons, except Toothless. He was curled up in the middle of the circle. Training sessions with Minden made sure that even with all his worries Hiccup collapsed and fell to sleep as soon as he got under Toothless' black wing.
Soon the scenery began looking more familiar and Toothless sped forward in the formation to fly next to Shortclaw near its front.
"Ivar!" Hiccup called.
"I know. We are getting close. What do you want to do? We can't just fly to Fjoll. If the Hunters have ships leaving or coming it is going to be dangerous to fly much further than this with sunlight and no clouds."
"Considering the numbers of our enemies, I recommend we come up with a different alternative," Atali said from behind Hiccup. "Do you know any safe island near the village where we could stay until we know more?"
"People often go hunting on the nearest islands," Ivar pondered. "That's why we picked an island so far away for Shortclaw and her family to hide out at, for all the good it did."
"Would that island work then?" Minden asked. "The Hunters shouldn't have no reason to go there anymore."
"They shouldn't," Hiccup thought and glanced at Shortclaw. 'Will you be okay if we go to the island where you… stayed after we originally left.'
'You mean where I lost my hatchlings. I am okay with anything that helps them.'
Hiccup kept looking at her for a while before turning his head to face Ivar.
"Stick close to her."
"I was going to. What then?"
"We should wait for dark, then fly to investigate the situation on Fjoll," Atali said.
"It is a bit of a flight. We might have to stay on the island over the day," Fishlegs joined the conversation, having guided Meatlug to approach.
"A small team should go then, perhaps three of you on Toothless and one or two of us," Minden suggested.
