This one might be pushing it length wise, but oh well... Also, I took some dialogue straight out of How to Become a Friend, if it seems like déja vu haha.
Entry 72
So much is happening all at once, it's getting hard to keep up.
Before Training, I brought some fish to the Cove, hoping that Toothless wasn't still too upset over what had happened yesterday. When I got there, he was sulking around, not even seeming to care about the fish. So, I took a leap, and… talked to him. I said I was sorry about what happened, and I didn't understand how much went into flying. He looked up, meeting my eyes for the first time since I'd arrived. He looked surprised, as if he wasn't expecting an apology, then closed his eyes slowly, seemingly in acceptance. I smiled a little, then dumped the rest of the fish and left.
Later, in Training, I learned that all dragons do in fact hate eels. I got to test my theory on a Zippleback, and with the meer scent of the creature, the dragon backed all the way into its cage. I threw the eel in there just to make sure it would stay, then shut the doors. And when I turned back… everyone was staring at me. No one said a word, just looked on in disbelief. Taking that as my sign to get out, I ran off, to the forge.
I had found the perfect piece of leather to make into a saddle last night, and quickly finished up sewing it together. Before Gobber could even get to the forge and ask me what the Thor happened in Training, I was gone.
When I got to the Cove, Toothless was waiting for me. I was immensely relieved he had seemed to accept my apology so wholeheartedly, so I showed him the saddle I made. He responded… strangely.
Without warning, he took off running, and I started chasing him. After a few unsuccessful laps around the lake, I threw the saddle at him in frustration, hitting him in the nose. He quickly snatched it in his mouth, standing on his hind legs. I tried to jump for it, but he was too tall in this position.
"Stop it, Toothless! You're going to ruin the leather!" I yelled.
He grumbled in response, opening his mouth slightly, just enough for me to see his teeth were retracted. Was he… talking back to me? Were those sounds words, in response to my own? Was he showing me he wasn't ruining the leather?
"Oh, you're so clever," I said sarcastically. "Now give me my saddle back!" A look of understanding clicked in Toothless' eyes, and he dropped it. I went to pick it up, only to recoil in disgust at the coating of slobber encasing it. "Thanks, Toothless, for letting me know once again how disgusting dragon slobber is…" I said, remembering the feeling of slimy, half eaten fish in my throat. He crooned a couple more times, then gestured with his nose to the saddle.
He really WAS talking to me! I didn't even think about that… dragons have to have their own form of communication with each other. And now, he was trying to use it with me. It was amazing enough that he understood me. What kind of unfair phenomenon was this, that dragons know more than one language and I don't?
Suddenly, I realized, I kind of COULD understand him. Not the words he was trying to say, but the idea of them, based on the motions and sounds I could perceive. He was asking me what the saddle was for. A little unsettled by my sudden understanding, I said, "I guess I owe you an explanation, huh?" He nodded. "Well, I was thinking about that little flight we had yesterday, and how you can't fly without your tail being in the correct position. And I was thinking… maybe… I could help."
Toothless looked at me, eyes narrowed a little. He must've thought I was insane. Honestly, I was starting to think that too. "I know it's crazy," I said. "That's why I'm leaving it up to you. Do you trust me, Toothless?" I held up the saddle, praying I didn't look as worried as I felt. Toothless looked at me for what felt like minutes, a million thoughts seeming to go through his mind. And finally, he answered. With a movement of his lips, he was smiling. That same goofy grin he mimicked the day we first touched… I knew right then that the answer was yes. "Thank you, for letting me make this up to you. Even if your smile could use some work," I joked. I got up, buckling the saddle onto him below his head and above his wings. "There. Not too bad, if I do say so myself. How's it feel? Does it fit right?" He shifted around a bit before nodding again. "Thank Thor. I don't know if I could sneak enough materials to make another one…" I said, laughing. He narrowed his eyes again, seemingly not understanding my laughter. I tried my best to explain it, and all the while, he just watched, eyes big and full of light.
It's incredible… a week with this dragon, and I already know more about him than I've learned about the creatures in my entire life. There's so much Vikings don't know… but unfortunately, they never can.
This is a secret I have to keep to myself, after all. I can't risk anybody ever finding out. But, if I'm being completely honest… I'm okay with that. Because even if my life in Berk is miserable, I have another one now. A life with Toothless, where I finally feel as though I have a purpose. And even if it's a life of solitude, I'd rather be alone and happy than with my own people and despised.
For the first time in years… I have a friend.
Until next time…
-H
