Three women and a dragon stopped to pause just past Ravens Point. A path of carnage was now being reclaimed by moss and grass and weed. Valka had informed Fena of her son's tales, how he managed to tame a nightfury using the word tame lightly. Having not known the former chief, it didn't surprise Fena in the least at the correlation between mother and son. Not just in spirit, but physically he shared her features. They plucked what they found along the route, but the better fields were up ahead beside a spring. Pausing only once more, as Fena felt the call of nature and had to step off the path a moment.

"You could have stayed you know." Valka had waited patiently for the younger to finish pulling down the hem of her skirt before speaking. Fena merely hummed in response, refusing to look her in the eye. "Back in the village I mean. The loggers would've been fine without Eret for a day, and you should be resting."

Gothi crept in-between the two, grinning mischievously when Fena jumped out of her skin, clearly distracted by Valka's statement. She earned a solid whack on her head when she muttered something about a creepy hag, and she gave the old woman a credulous look for it. Gothi pointed back to the spot where Fena had ventured. Valka studied what the healer had scrawled in the dirt path.

"You're a little late to scare the literal shit out me you know." She rubbed her head, feeling a small bump forming.

"She says that all looks good. Whatever was left of that Mire poison, if any remained, has passed. Aside from the cuts and bruises, you're fine."

"Wonderful." She huffed, steadying her breathe only to have it taken again when Cloudjumper sprang through the trees, curious of the cause of the commotion. Fena sprinted along the beaten path, following after Gothi, who was remarkably fast for her advanced years.

"Patience my friend." Valka comforted her companion who snorted hurtfully at the reaction. It didn't take long for Valka's long strides to make up the distance. Cloudjumper had taken to a boulder along the edge of the open field, revelling the warmth of the sun. The three women were within arms reach of each other, focused on finding the right plants and herbs. Fena wiped the sweat from her brow noticing the specs of red dirt on her arm. Her fingers showed faint traces of new blood as she touched the spot again. Taking in her appearance she also found the new blood stain on the shoulder of her dress, the one bandage was dirtied with dried blood as well, and dirt coated the underside of her fingernails. The few strands of hair that fell over her shoulder had dried blood spots from the other night. Perhaps she could return here tonight and clean herself properly in the spring.

Cries of laughter and banter pricked her ears and she stared in the direction of the merriment. Splashes resounded with it as she saw figures in the far distance. The spring was full of children and guardians, cooling off and bathing from the hot days work and play. A small group walked past them heading in the direction of the village. She watched them until they were out of sight. The small curve turning into a reminiscent smile as she looked back at the water.

"Our last night together," Fena's voice strained, "we rolled in the mud after the rains. Covered head to foot. His mother called us little piglets. She took us to the waters by my house, and we played until our fathers came home." Her voice grew as her eyes glossed over, willing the memory to life. Valka came to sit beside her as more groups made the journey home to prepare for supper, the sun casting everything in gold and shade.

"That first year I spent on my own I felt so alone and afraid. I came across a village and saw a boy I thought was him. He shoved me off and yelled at me, so I turned tail and ran to the woods bording the village, feeling even more alone and confused. I saw a few others that resembled Eret, but learned quickly that they weren't him. I rarely went into the villages as I got older, it was safer. But images of what I thought he would grow into started plaguing my dreams. He never looked like the man I saw today, nor did he sound like that. I always saw him as more an image of his father, this one holds more of his mother." She turned to Valka, grasping the woman's hands in her own.

"I've felt him before though. I've grasped his hands in mine! I've felt his arms surround me! I've reached out and touched his face! Every groove and crease! They were just as real as this one. He would stay for days if I was alone. And every time a raven calls he disappears. I'm tired of these games, but the gods care not for their pawns." Her face turning to stone as her hands drop to her lap, turning to face the now empty waters.

Helping her to her feet the two women trailed slowly after Gothi, having found all they needed. Valka tried to offer some solace, regaling her with the tale of how she came to find Hiccup soaring over the frozen waters. And how her late husband, Stoic, came to find her in the home of the alpha dragon. How she dreamed of that moment countless times, being reunited with the ones she loved. But that moment, when they were a family again, was different than she thought it would be. It frightened her, and she hesitated when they asked her to return.

Upon returning to the village, Valka took the basket that Fena had when Astrid and Fishlegs approached the three and stole her away, their own curiosity getting the better of them. They also hoped to prepare her for the others who would join them in the Mead Hall. The days were growing shorter, so they sat on the steps leading to the great hall as the sun set slowly against the horizon. Others passed them by as they went inside to either help prepare the food, or chat with others of the current events. Fena sat between the two, who did what the could to offer comfort and protection from the passing dragons who accompanied the other locals entering the hall. Peppering her with questions as they waited for the others to show.

They had gained little knowledge of her past life, as she was too young to remember most of it before she was abruptly taken away from her home. They had been able to figure out that Eret was born two years before her. As he had just passed into his 27th year, Fena should be on her 25th. Although she couldn't remember what season she was born in. When asked why she didn't want to stay and catch up with Eret she gave them the same excuse, that there was work to be done and the day was still young. Not ready to confide in them like she had to Valka. They were curious of the poems they recited and she explained to the best her ability how Eret's mother had them practice poetry and make up a poem for each other. She had completely forgotten about them until she heard Eret speak his piece. Astrid asked again about the fire spitting on the boat the other night, Fena just laughed.

"They kept calling me witch. So you mumble some random words, wave your arms a little and blow anything in their direction and they run for hills."

"Sailors can be a superstitious lot." Astrid's remark was directed at the approaching figures, Eret in particular, who now donned a light tunic, and was accompanied by the rest of their ever growing group.

"Yes and for good reason too." He point to them, as if it added emphasis. "You never know what devilish creatures are waiting to lure you below the tide. But it's nothing I can't handle."

"You could handle anything."

His cocky grin turned sour as he felt a rather abrupt hit to his rear-end following the statement. Ruffnut attempted to walk past subtly while everyone shared their distaste in annoyed groans. The only thing they couldn't refute was her blunt forwardness, seemingly unafraid of the consequences, she went for what she wanted.

"Ruffnut, what's wrong with you?" Astrid chastised the blonde as she chased after her. Fena flinched when a baby dragon came running about their feet, adoring the attention from the more rotund viking. Fishlegs picked up the small reptile, cooing about feeding time, before heading inside the hall as well. Tuffnut patted Eret's shoulder as he made his way inside.

"I do not envy you my man."

"What's there to envy." Snotlout shoved his way past, searching the halls for the one his admiration had captured. Eret adjusted the strap of the satchel that was draped over his shoulder, running a frustrated hand over his face as Hiccup helped Fena to her feet.

"I'm told you get used to them." He fell into step with them as Fena's face turned from amusement to concern with the chaos that sounded from inside the hall.

"I grew up with them and I'm still not used to them."

Toothless came bounding over and danced around them as they climbed the steps, which resulted in Fena almost chocking Hiccup with her death grip on his tunic as she tried to dodge the curious nightfury. They managed to calm her and the dragon down. Hiccup tried to get her close to Toothless, for a moment she wanted to. Her hand twitching but recoiled back, curling into herself and shaking her head. Toothless was unsure and went to nudge her encouragingly, but she only took to hiding behind Eret. Her heart ached slightly, seeing dragon and rider share guilty looks. But dragons were too unpredictable, she couldn't risk it.

They came to the doors, opened wide and welcoming, as Toothless plodded his way through the crowds giving the trio some space and to find Cloudjumper. And maybe some fish. She stopped, unprepared for the sight before her. The boys saw the mild terror on her face as they looked back. Retracing their steps the were with her again, giving words of comfort. Not everyone was used to dragons and humans gathered peacefully in one place, albeit a bit unruly. Hiccup stayed about a step in front but placed a guiding hand on her back, as Eret stayed just behind. Forming a human shield of sorts as they slowly made their way to the table near the middle of the hall. Hoping some good food and company would help Fena feel more at ease.