Chapter Six:
Toothless-Cove
A cloud of mist caressed my belly and paws as I soared across the sea. The waves split apart in my wake. Hiccup shifted on my back flipping his mask down. A neck pat. I pulled myself up. With each wing beat, we rose higher and higher. Bursting through a cloud, I nosedived down. Wings furled in brought us down faster. Each second the water grew closer and closer. My wings burst open slowing our descent. Another beat and we're parallel to the water again. Hiccup's laughter rang in my ears. It was a welcome sound. Berk came into view then. Flying through the rock pillars, I kept my distance from the island.
Hiccup sighed and said, "I know, buddy, but we gotta go back."
Patting my head, Hiccup pushed down on the pedal of my saddle. My faux tail wing followed course. And I had to too. Grumbling to myself, I flew us back.
Over the village and to the Great Hall, I landed near the door. Hiccup hopped off; helmet pulled off, he fixed his hair. I trotted after him inside. Gobber greeted us along with some advisors. I paid no heed, instead I flopped down. Their voices ghosted over my back. The tones were low yet frantic, meaning important. To me, it meant Hiccup was busy.
Too busy for me.
Something warm and gentle stroked my back. I picked my head up. Kneeling next to me was Astrid, a knowing smile on her face. She looked back to Hiccup then me.
"How bout we get out of here, Toothless?" Astrid said.
I nodded. Slowly I got to my feet and followed after Astrid. Her hand was pressed to my head. Through the village we walked, every so often we earned a bow. Silence hung between us. Our trek brought us to the training grounds. Screeches and growls poured over us as we walked in.
In the center ring was Stormfly and her children. The Deadly Nadder whipped her tail to the left hurling spikes at the wall. Cracks radiated out from the spikes. Head lifted, Stormfly looked to her children who squealed happily. Her pack began flailing their tails around wildly.
I pushed Astrid down as a barrage came flying at us.
"Alright that's enough!" Astrid yelled out from under me. The hatchlings paused before spinning again. Stormfly let out a mighty roar. They stopped. Heaving a sigh, Astrid crawled out from under me. She dusted herself off before walking over. Hands planted on her hips Astrid shakes her head. Stormfly mirrors her the best she could. The kids all tilted their heads. The sight of Astrid attempting to train their tails had me rolling on the floor.
The sun was starting to set over the arena, casting it in coolness. Stormfly and Astrid were leaning against each other panting. The kids were still spinning. Their aim was getting better though.
Laughing, I got up and walked over to them. Astrid gave me another bet. She then went to the kids to train more. "Have fun, Toothless?" Stormfly said while yawning. I nodded with a grin. An exhale was thrown my way.
"Your kids have really grown. I didn't know they could throw their spikes at this age. You're a wonderful teacher and mother!" I said.
Stormfly bowed her head and said, "thanks, Toothless, but you give me too much credit. This is normal really. I'd be more shocked if they didn't know how to do it. They see their kind do it all the time. How weird would that be?"
"Aha, yea be pretty weird huh…" I replied, flattening my ears.
Stormfly eyed me curiously before her eyes grew wide. She hopped to her feet. Leaning down, she whispered softly, "I-I didn't mean it like that. What I meant is.. What I really meant was how they see their family and... " She closed her beak. Her eyes scanned the ground never to me. She swallowed and finished, "that wasn't directed towards you."
"It's ok, Stormfly."
Footsteps pounded behind and towards us. Stormfly let out a trill as did her kids. Looking back, I saw Hiccup running over. Bent over and hands on his knees, Hiccup sucked in several breaths. Astrid was by his side instantly. Hiccup stands up straight. He ran his hand through his hair smiling big.
"Sorry, I ran all the way over here! I didn't realize how late it got. Thanks for hanging with Toothless, Astrid," Hiccup said, kissing Astrid on the cheek.
Astrid waved her hand in the air; shrugging she said, "Duty calls, I know. He wasn't much help though in training these guys."
"Yeah, well, he can only do so much. Hatchlings don't really listen that well. Even to the Alpha," Hiccup said.
"Uh-huh," Astrid mumbled, rolling her eyes
A smile graced Astrid's lips. Her arms slipped around Hiccup's waist pulling him closer. I saw Hiccup grinning; he cupped Astrid's face. I heard him say, "I'll make it up to you later. Right now I have to-"
"Take Toothless out. I know, I know," Astrid finished. She leaned into his touch before lightly pushing him away. She added, "go on! You two have fun, I'll be home when you get back. Oh and brace yourself."
I tackled Hiccup to the ground licking his face. His hands flailed around in defense. He laughed still. He pushed me off and shook off my saliva. He muttered under his breath. He was smiling though.
We both waved Astrid and the Deadly Nadders off before leaving the arena. We flew up and over the village. The sun had set revealing the moon faintly. Flying across the treetops, Hiccup steered me lower and towards our destination: the cove.
Once my paws hit the dirt, Hiccup hops off. He takes a sit next to the stream, patting the spot next to him. I take the spot sitting on my haunches. Hiccup gave me a smile. He then stared down at the water. I followed his gaze to see a fish swimming. Hiccup reached out touching my shoulder. I blinked curiously. Hiccup swallowed a breath then says, "Sorry our flight got cut short today, buddy." Lowering my head, I nuzzled his cheek.
He chuckled and said, "I know it's been rough, but I'm so proud of you, bud. For handling it so well and for being Alpha. You've taken care of the dragon half of the island. That's a feat in itself. And it's been a huge change.. Not just for you and me but for all of us. Again I'm so proud of you." I wagged my tail before scooping Hiccup in a dragon hug. His laughter brushed against my neck. The sound of crickets chirped in the distance before fading away. That was when I set Hiccup back down. We look at each other in silence. A mischievous thought comes to mind. One step back then two. Hiccup lifts a brow. He must have figured it out since he goes white. I spin around; my tail made contact knocking Hiccup into the water.
Arms flailing, Hiccup bobs in the water. He dips lower before breaking the surface gasping. He shoots me a glare. His teeth are chattering. I drop to all fours low to the ground. Hiccup's eyes grow wide. He stutters something but it was too late. I dove into the water, sending waves into Hiccup. Eyes above the water I grinned. Casually I swim towards Hiccup who is still glaring. Lips curving upward, Hiccup muttered, "oh so that's how you wanna play huh?"
Hiccup makes the first move. Water splashes in my direction blurring my vision. My ears though twitch as Hiccup dives under the water. I follow suit. Though the moon is heavy, the water's pitch black. I can't see beyond my paws. Paddling through the water, I searched for Hiccup. Nothing. Fear licks the back of my mind.
Something wraps around my neck.
I crash the water's surface and flap towards land. Panting, I glare behind me and growl. Hiccup grins at me. My jaw drops. I grumble to myself before flopping on my belly. Hiccup pats my head from where he is. I can feel him slipping off my back though rest against my side. I give him a side glance. He's still grinning; his shoulders are shaking. Hiccup has his arms crossed.
"Did I scare ya, bud?" Hiccup asks.
I stick my tongue out. He pats my shoulders and I feel my annoyance melt away. Wrapping my tail over him, I laid my head down. Soft moonlight washes over our backs; the summer heat drying us quicker.
Hiccup yawns loudly. Stretching his arms to the sky before pushing my tail off. I yawn too. Hiccup walks past me rubbing his neck. I see him crane his neck up to the sky. He lets out a whistle and says, "we should head back Toothless. It's already midnight. Come on!" He turns to me and pats his knees.
My cue.
I shake back the tiredness and hop to my feet. I run towards Hiccup.
A roar shatters the silence and sends a flock of birds screaming into the air. I'm in mid stride when I'm knocked over. I can hear Hiccup yelling. The world spins around as I side roll. Finally, I land on my back. My vision is hazy and blurry. Through the blurriness I see a figure on top of me. On instinct I growled baring my teeth. My attacker growls back.
My vision begins to settle and that's when I get a good look. My breath hitches in my throat. Hiccup stands a few feet away. He breathlessly says, "it's her...the Nightfury!"
