"Carefully dear. No rush, just take your time." Valka cooed.

She had been assisting Gothi when Hiccup came nearly crashing into Berk. Toothless was perched on the outer deck of the elders sky hut. Hiccup rushed to explain, as best he could, the events of the evening. Gothi had started with basic healing and what she knew about dragon root to try and slow the spreading. But they'd need the bolt to determine what else was at play. The sun was just rising when Astrid and Eret landed. Valka examined the bolt in growing sunlight and was able to pick up on traces of Mire. A bristly and harsh moss found ironically in swamps, a paralytic that kicks in fast but kills slowly. She was at Gothi's side, sharing knowledge and working diligently to save their mysterious guest.

The young woman had been unconscious for the entirety of the day. Stirring come the night. They had managed to neutralize the poison and infection and were now working on healing the wound itself. The following night was spent with cleaning all exposed injuries, which she had a good few scattered about her body, and in a sleepless daze.

They had used a vast majority of the elders medical stores. She insisted on lending a hand to help forage for more come the morning. So while Gothi dealt with a local and got the foraging supplies ready, Valka helped their ward to her feet. Fresh air would be good for her too.

"How are you feeling?" Valka kept her hands gently on the girls shoulders as she swayed slightly. Her feet resting on the floor as she breathed deeply.

"Much better thanks to you." Her voice was hushed but unwavering. "What should I call you? So I can thank you properly."

"I am Valka, and the elder is Gothi." The young woman nodded, raising her arms when prompted. They had to tear away the dress she arrived in in order to treat her. Valka gingerly slipped a pale blue dress over her head and guided her into it. They couldn't have her roaming in nothing but a few strips of bandage. The dress was loose enough to not bother the raw skin, and light enough for the summer months. The last few days rising in temperature on the island. "What might your name be dear?"

"Fena."

"Fena? Not a name I've heard around here, but it is a lovely one."

"Thank you. It's not very popular, but it was more common a name in my fathers tribe in the far North I've been told." She was up on her feet now. Resting a hand on the post in the center of the hut. She stood straight once her head stopped rushing. Valka helped her into the apron that accompanied the dress. They couldn't bind her chest, some injuries would have been irritated and slow to healing if they did. But the apron was a sturdy enough material to provide some decency and comfort.

Fena took a few steps, one hand gripping Valka's arm in fear she might fall over, but she didn't. Her body was a little stiff, with a dull ache, but she otherwise felt fine and let herself be lead out the door.

Fena Jumped back and hid behind the tree of woman when she saw what was waiting for them. Cloudjumper looked at her curiously as the elderly woman slung a leather sack over her shoulder. Fena was not comfortable with the idea, but as there was no other way down from the tall structure at the moment, she timidly clambered onto the back of the massive beast. She stayed crouched and hugged Valka's leg for the brief decent, not daring to look.

They landed just outside the forge, Gobber was yelling at Grump about the fire and Hiccup was hunched over a table, trying to figure out how he could use the trappers traps for their use and defense. His attention was brought to the ruckus behind him, as Valka was trying to coax Fena back to her feet and get her steady.

"I take it you don't fly much." He approached the group, placing a hand on her arm to keep her upright. "You get used to it."

"With all due respect, I really don't want to get used to it."

"That's what most say, but it's really not that bad."

"My previous encounters with such creatures haven't been the most pleasant."

"I promise you, the dragons here are not a threat. They are our friends and allies, protectors and defenders."

"That's it Grump, get out of here! You're nothing but trouble."

She couldn't help but chuckle with the others at the smithy's antics. Once she was standing, Hiccup went to help pick up the weapons Grump had knocked over. Valka and Fena followed him in. While she admired the craftsmanship, Valka gathered all they would need for their supply run.

"I'm actually surprised." Hiccup placed the last of the axes on the workbench. The carving on one of the handles caught her eye and she lightly ran her fingers over it. "You seem to heal quickly. I thought you'd still be on bed rest."

"I've had worse."

"Worse than a laced bolt through the shoulder?"

She shied away but went to admire the next axe down the line.

"Thought my eyes were deceiving me the other night." She stopped. Hand hovering over the hilt of a hatchet. Staring hard at the table before her. She didn't move but listened to the approaching footfalls. "But I'd know that moonlit hair anywhere."

"Have I not suffered enough." All noise stopped. The one who approached her stopping just behind when she spoke. Opening his mouth, but she spoke for him.

"Why must you keep haunting me Odin. Did I not tell you I've had enough. Why can't you just let me be."

She swung on her heal. Axe in hand, swept from the table and brought under his chin. Eret stood stunned as the blade was held against him. Her eyes held fire and a desperate plea. Her lips were curled into a snarl. She held the axe in her right hand, and he could see a small spec of red begin to seep through the fabric of the summer dress she wore.

"Nothing to say this time bastard. Come now, speak. I know all that you'll say, for you've said it before. I tire of these waking dreams. Speak."

No reply. Everyone gathered in astonishment, but none dared to interfere. They knew he could easily take this fight but he just stood there, staring. The crate he carried still resting on his shoulder.

"Speak drengr!"

Still holding her gaze, he took a deep breath. Licking his lips, he spoke as gently as he could.

"Little Fena, born at midnight. So precious was she, that she stole the moon's light. She made no sound, eyes full of wonder. The nine realms gifted us their splendor." He slowly reached up to take the axe from her quivering hand. He handed it off to Valka, and without letting go of her hand, knelt down to set the crate on the ground. Eyes never leaving hers. Her expression changed from fury to shock, and her breath heavy. "Do you remember? My mother had just told us of flyting. We came up with poems for each other. I mean, they aren't something a bard would boast about, but we were only children at the time."

She couldn't move. Her mind was racing. Never had her visions been like this. He never looked like this or sounded like this. The words he spoke brought back the memory he mentioned. And it hurt, but she felt a weight lift. She felt lighter but also that she would collapse. His free hand found the base of her neck as he brought their foreheads together. Almost willing her remember. She couldn't hold his gaze any longer, choking back the lump in her throat. When she spoke, her voice shook and was not her own.

"Little Eret, with noble brow. Adventurous spirit, stood fast on the prow. With shield in hand and blade held high, he sailed far beyond, were sea meets sky."

Finding courage she reached out to touch his face, slender fingers tracing his jaw and cheeks. Finally looking him in the eyes.

"Are you dead?"

"No." His voice matching her hushed tone.

"Am I?"

He couldn't help but grin at that, even if it was a serious question.

"No."

She lept, wrapping her arms around his torso as tightly as she could manage.

"By the gods." She cried. He returned the embrace, caring not for those who watched. He was careful though of her shoulder as to not cause further damage.

"Little Eret." She pulled back to fully look him over. "Well, not so little anymore I suppose. Odin's balls, you're taller than the mountains now." She stood as straight as she could manage. Her brow coming to line with his lips.

"Well you're still Little Fena to me."

The mid-day sun had made the air almost unbearably hot. Everyone had stored their furs for the summer, and left any non-essential leather accessories at home. Most of the women were in light summer dresses, or tunics and trousers, while most of the men walked around in only their trousers and boots. Eret being one of them, but being engrossed in the moment, Fena hadn't a care. He was coated in sweat and smelled of it as well as that of sawdust. She didn't mind that her apron had a few smudges from the exchange, she was more worried about the marks that would appear on his shoulders from where she had unintentionally dug her fingernails into.

"Okay, I now have several more questions than I did before. So you two know each other?"

"We were born in the same village." Eret answered the chief. Still revelling in the new energy coursing through him.

"So then what happened? How long have you been apart? Where even is your village? I'm not sure if you've shared that with me or not."

"Give them a moment babe." Astrid placed a hand on Hiccup's arm, trying to calm him down and take in the scene before him. "I mean, I have my questions too. But let them catch their breath before we dive right into it."

"It is quite a tale to tell." Fena turned her attention to Valka, who had a distant look of fondness in her eyes. "But it is better told around the glow of a fire and good drink in hand. The day is only half over and there is still work to be done. It seems most of your medical stores was used on me, and for that I am beyond grateful. I would like to return the favour by helping your elder replenish what I have used. And you seem to be working on something as well. From those plans I can see over there. So I won't take up more of your time right now. And you, Little Eret, should also get back to work."

Both boys went to protest, but she was insistent. She took a basket from Valka's hands and went in the direction of the stout healer. Valka only laughed as both Eret and Hiccup stared dumbfounded after her. Astrid got Hiccup to get back to work on the plans of defences and new dragon upgrades. Valka gave Eret a pat on the shoulder, wiping her hand on her top, and followed after her ward. Cloudjumper following at the back of the group as protection. But mostly curiosity at the new human.

"Women. A myriad of mystery. Best to just go along with it." Gobber hefted a large crate of sharpened axes into Eret's hands. He staggered, being unprepared for the assault, but easily hoisted the crate to his shoulder to take to the loggers.

He left the forge, but stood for a moment to watch as Fena jumped and hid behind Valka when cloudjumper nudged her. Valka did what she could to calm and encourage her of her beastly friend, but she simply skirted past and ran to catch up with the hunched old woman that was farther ahead on the path. An amused sigh left him shaking his head as he continued on his path.

Drengr - (modern translation, it means lad, boy) Old translation it would be considered a complement, meaning valiant, gallant. Fena is using it in terms of referring to him as a warrior, so she's not necessarily complimenting him, but she's not insulting him. She will explain her reasoning for the term in a future chapter.

Flyting - Though the term is of Scottish origin, it's used to describe a battle of wits, like roasting the other person with poetry. Their poems about each other will also be explained in a future chapter, as Eret mentions how his mother brought up the term and encouraged them to make a poem for each other. Although they don't fit with the flyting theme of insulting each other, it was more an exercise in learning to create poetry on the spot at the time.

I usually read through my previous chapters, so I can continue on with the flow of the story, but even reading one chapter five times in a row I still miss spelling mistakes or grammar errors. Let me know if I miss anything or if my translations or spelling of languages I don't fully know are wrong.

Enjoy and thank you.