Chapter 7

It has been three days since Azora was found, rescued, and taken to Berk for treatment for her injuries. Toothless did not left her side in all that time, watching her and the only person who was allowed near her was, so far, Hiccup and, due to Toothless' overprotectiveness, the healer of the village had to take Hiccup's word about the injuries that Azora sustained.

Azora had awoken on the second day in a strange place in front of a fireplace, only to discover that it was the head vikings home through Toothless and, though she was told most of her injuries were fixable, she had to prevent from moving in order to sustain from further damage. She was getting irritated by the constant tending of her wounds and had to refrain from snapping at the only human she has seen so far, which was Hiccup. She knew that Toothless would be furious with her if she snapped at him so she focused her attention on the fire in front of her.

During her stay, Toothless told Azora all about the war between vikings and dragons, how Hiccup changed the view on all dragons, what happened between the queen and the vikings, and how they now lived in peace with those who were once their enemy. Azora didn't quite understand how years of fighting and hostility towards each other could be forgotten so easily after just one battle but didn't voice her opinion about it. Hiccup was currently by her side treating her rib injuries but she only glanced his way as he finished. "I'll be back with some food for you two." He told her petting Toothless' head on his way out.

Toothless crooned at him in affection before gazing upon Azora. Her body was pretty banged up but the injury he was most concerned about was her tail fin. Every other injury could be healed with time but the tail fin was one injury that could have the dragon be healed or have the dragon be doomed. Hiccup had to stitch it up, splint it very carefully, and then make a special wrap for it that was called a cast. Toothless could just imaging the weight of the wrap and the uncomfortable feeling it brought her. He hoped that it would help her fin heal.

"Your human, Hiccup, is very bright." Azora said evenly bringing Toothless out from his thoughts.

He looked at her as she continued to stare at the fire with a neutral face. "Yeah," he said. "He is a one of a kind human. It is like he brings cheer with him."

They spent the wait for their food in silence and when hiccup returned with a barrel of fish for them, Toothless immediately went over, took the barrel, and rolled it over to Azora leaving a train of slimy fish he soon gulped up.

"Hey!" Hiccup exclaimed as Toothless started gulping the fish trail up. "I was going to give it to her you know…"

Toothless looked at Hiccup and did a toothless grin. "I know." He warbled making Hiccup laugh.

"So Azora," Hiccup said making the said dragons look at him curiously. "I do have to ask if you wanted to meet one of the other dragons or humans." He caught her sharpening glare and quickly added. "Only if you want to! I won't bring anyone if you don't want me to but my father kind of…."

Azora tilted her head in curiosity as Hiccup bent his head down rubbing the back of his neck. "Your father what?" She warbled to him knowing he wouldn't understand but knew it would encourage him to continue.

Hiccup looked up and sighed. "He kind of wants to come back into his home…"

Azora looked at Toothless. "Is he saying that he wouldn't even let his father in to gain my trust?"

Toothless gulped and hid slightly behind Hiccup at her narrowed eyes as he sensed her irritability at the situation. "Yes?" He said in a question like fashion.

"Why." She warbled looking back at Hiccup.

Hiccup knew she wanted an explanation. "My father is the Chief, and though he usually means well, he is large as a bear, loud, and stubborn. I know you are probably wary of humans so I didn't want to startle you by letting him come home. He is a scary guy on first glance to a lot of people and dragons."

Azora nodded in understanding and did a sigh as her irritation passed. "Bring him slowly in." She said to Toothless who looked at her in surprise. "That way I can try to see if I can adapt to humans now or I need more time."

Toothless nodded and leapt out the door quickly followed by Hiccup yelling out his name in concern, closing the door behind him.

As soon as they were gone, Azora grew nervous and scared at the prospect of meeting a fully grown human for the first time since her time at the Dragon Kings' home. She hated meeting humans, especially after her experiences but she knew that sooner or later it needed done. She looked back into the fire, wishing that it was the soft blue flames that was in her papa's home. Those brought her comfort and warmth that seemed to lighten her soul but these flames couldn't do that. They seemed to tell her that this was to be her new home, her new life and Azora just felt out of place.

She then heard Hiccup's voice along with a low but loud booming voice from behind the door and turned her head towards it. "Dad," Hiccup's voice sounded calm. "I don't know her experiences with humans but please take it slow and keep your voice down to not startle her." Azora has to give Hiccup credit. He definitely knows how to assess a situation when the need calls for it. "She didn't even let me around her when she woke until Toothless proved that I was okay and trustworthy."

"Alright son," the booming voice said in a tone that was quieter than before. "I will let you take the lead in this. As long as I can sleep in my own bed again and not have to listen to Gobber's snoring." There were a few snorts at that.

The knock came quietly. "Azora?" Hiccup said opening the door slightly but not enough to let me see past him. "My father's here. Are you ready or would you like Toothless to be with you before he comes in?"

Azora tilted her head in thought and crooned out for Toothless. Hiccup then stood to the side and let Toothless in, waiting until he was by Azora's side before opening the door the whole entire way revealing his father. Azora immediately froze and tried to calm down her breathing as she gazed upon the huge being that was Hiccup's father.

The one word to describe him was gigantic. He was a big burly, 6'7" man that had red hair covered by a viking helmet, green eyes, a big flared out red mustache and beard that had tied at the ends to shape it into a star like figure, he had a long green tunic on that had a belt with hanging chainmail, brown pants, wrist cufflinks, and boots, and a long fur cape that hooked onto his shoulders.

Toothless was whispering comforting words in her ears but Azora couldn't hear them. Flashbacks of her capture and painful punishment that was delivered were getting to her, making Azora lost in her own memories.

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Toothless noticed Azora starting to breathe heavier and quicker as she gazed upon the Viking chief. He tried to whisper comforting things to her but it did nothing as he noticed her pupils narrow and almost gaze past everything in her terror. He looked at Hiccup in desperation and Hiccup quickly ushered his father out closing the door behind him. Toothless then turned his attention to Azora and did the only thing he could think of doing to bring her back, he bumped noses with her gently and gazing every emotion he felt in that mom into her eyes. Slowly, but surely, Azora started to come back to herself and reluctantly, Toothless pulled away.

He watched as Azora started blinking rapidly as she was brought back to herself. "Toothless?" She asked. "Where is Hiccup and his dad?"

"You had a panic attack Azora." Toothless explained gently. "As soon as you saw Hiccup's father, you panicked."

Azora looked down ashamed. "I'm sorry." She whispered to him. "I thought I could do it."

Toothless gently purred to her. "It's alright-" but suddenly he was cut off.

"No it's not!" Azora yelled in a roar making Toothless jump back in shock. "I should be over this! I shouldn't have to panic just because someone reminds me of something in my past!" Her roars were getting louder with each word. "You shouldn't have to suffer just because I can't control my damn feelings!" She then collapsed in pain while whining in pure sadness. "I want my papa…"

Toothless slowly went over to her and nuzzled her in comfort as she let out her feelings. "I can't say that I know for absolute certainty that I understand what you are going through," he said gently while crooning in comfort. "But I will try to help you the best I can." He looked into her sad blue eyes that still amazed him. "I promise."

"Please…I need my papa…" she whimpered as her eyes closed with exhaustion taking over.

Toothless watched as sleep overcame her and got up slowly and quietly went out the door making sure it closed behind him. Hiccup was under a tree with his father talking in low tones with him but once he spotted Toothless, he got up and walked over to him. "Is she okay bud?" He asked in concern. Toothless just looked away in sadness. "She must have been through a lot in order to have a panic attack." Toothless looked back and nodded then gestured to his tail and the sky. Hiccup needed a few gestures but soon he got the idea. "You want to go on a flight bud?" Toothless crooned but gestured for Hiccup to stay on the island. "You have an idea on how to help her don't you bud?" Hiccup smiled softly and Toothless crooned in confirmation. "Very well bud," Hiccup smiled as he went to Toothless' tail and made sure it was on automatic mode. "I will make sure Azora is well taken care of and possibly build a home for her so she can heal in peace without my father or the other villagers to worry about."

Toothless nodded and took off with a flap of his wings. He needed to find Azora's father, and quickly. He had no idea on where he should go and so headed to the only island he knew of to find clues, the island he found her on. It was a long flight but he flew until he saw the island and after several more minutes, finally landed on the island. He walked to the cave where Azora was found and sniffed around it gently, searching for answers and caught something he hadn't smelled in a long time. An elder Aglovale Helmar.

He looked up and nearly had a heart attack at the eyes that were glaring down at him from the trees above him. "HOLY!" He screeched in surprise. "Where did you come from?!" He exclaimed still trying to calm down his heart.

"I've been here for a while." The elder said, his green eyes narrowing. "I'm wondering what you are doing here."

"I'm searching…" Toothless mumbled, lowering his eyes in respect to the elder male.

"Searching?"

"Yes."

"For what exactly?"

Toothless hesitated. "For my friend's father. She is in desperate need for him."

The elder's eyes widened. "Is her name Azora?" Toothless' eyes shot up to the elders and he nodded. "I am her father. Take me to her!" He ordered.

Toothless nodded in slight fright and took off in the direction of Berk with the elder following close behind him.

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Azora woke up only to find Hiccup sitting beside her stoking the fire. She looked around the room for Toothless but didn't see him anywhere. "Hey there," Hiccups voice said from beside her making her look at him. "Toothless will be back a bit later. He had some personal business to tend to." He smiled at her goofily. "I know I'm probably not the most fun person in the universe but at least you have some company, right?"

Azora snorted at Hiccup's attempt to cheer her up a bit. She took her paw and pushed him over playfully. "Like a entertaining book…" she grumbled in jest.

"I know, I know." Hiccup laughed not understanding her but getting the impression she was making fun of him. "I don't have anything else to do anyway." He sat up.

"Obviously." Azora shook her head. She snorted at Hiccup's grin towards her and turned away from his imploring look.

"You know," Hiccup said grabbing her attention again. "Your eyes are the most beautiful color of blue. Reminds me a bit of Astrid."

Azura looked at him and grunted in disapproval. "I am nothing like a human…." She murmured in a light growl.

"I don't mean in a bad way!" Hiccup rushed. "You have the same look in them. So much determination and other feelings show. The blue of your eyes just like sapphires, shine when in happiness but dull in sadness or flare in determination."

Azora thought on Hiccup's explanation and nodded her head in slight acceptance then turned away again. She still didn't like being compared to humans but would make an exception for Hiccup this once. She watched the flames of the fire deeply and got lost in their movements, she was going to be here at this village for a little while yet.

She remembered the feelings that were brought upon her when she saw Hiccup's father and cursed herself once more for letting her emotions get to her like that. She didn't want to disappoint Toothless or make things harder for him by getting terrified of every human she sees.

She understood why she was afraid, but she hated the fact she froze up and spaced out. She needed to be stronger, she needed to stop freezing up, and she needed to overcome these fears in order to find peace.

Hiccup watched as Azora and let her be as her face turned sad and thoughtful. He didn't know what all was going on in her mind but didn't want to interrupt her thoughts any more than necessary so he waited for Toothless to come back.

He just hoped it would be soon.

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Toothless was extremely nervous and cautious of this larger male flying beside him. He knew Azora and clearly from the scent, he was, in some way, truly related to her but at the same time, Toothless knew absolutely nothing about him.

"You have questions." The male beside him stated suddenly making Toothless almost fall out of the sky due to being startled.

Toothless looked over at the male and cleared his throat. "Yes." He said. "First though, I am Toothless."

The large male laughed making Toothless slightly scowl. "That is quite a name, my young Aglovale Helmar." He said gently. "As for mine, it is Maaran. Now, tell me Toothless, how did you meet my daughter?"

Toothless gulped and for the next half hour, told Maaran all that happened since first meeting Azora. Once finished, he noticed that Maaran's face was grim and concerned. "She has Hiccup with her now keeping her company but doesn't know that I went searching for you." Toothless added. "She isn't comfortable with humans but Hiccup has been slowly working on at least being in the same room with her."

"She has always been hesitant of humans." Maaran said. "Some, unfortunately, send her into flashbacks of a worse time."

Toothless looked straight ahead at that revealing information. "I'll try to help her as much as I can Maaran." He said in determination as he noticed Berk coming into view.

"Indeed" Maaran agreed as he fell silent.

Toothless had to wonder though, what happened to Azora to make her so fearful of humans?

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Azora sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time as Hiccup started to ramble on about his adventures with Toothless after defeating the Red Death. She had to admit that he was an okay human but after a while his voice was starting to bore her. Though she still paid attention, as was the proper thing to do, she just wanted to get up and walk away to have a tiny break from him.

"Hey Azora," Hiccup said as he got up. "I'm going to get us some lunch." He walked to the door. "See you in a bit."

Azora huffed in slight relief as Hiccup shut the door behind him. 'Finally,' she thought. "Some relief.' She groaned as she shifted her body into a slightly more comfortable position on the hard floor of the viking hut. She looked at the fireplace once more, noticing that the flames were sightly dwindling because of the firewood becoming almost non-existent. She sighed in frustration and looked around slightly for extra firewood but saw none. "Damn." She hissed. She looked to the floorboards and a light gleam shown in her eyes. "Perfect." She purred as she ripped one of the floor pieces out with her claws and teeth gently then placed it in the fire.

As the fire bloomed to life, Azora heard a loud shriek in the air and immediately recognized it. Her father was here and, by the sound of it, he was insanely worried and angry. She sighed before answering his shriek with one of her own and patiently waited. Soon, the door opened and she was engulfed by the warmth that comforted her and soothed all of her fears. "Azora," Maaran's voice filtered into her ears gently and she whimpered in complete and utter sadness and loneliness. "My darling young one, I am here now."

Azora fell into a deep slumber after that but the last thing she saw was of Toothless and Hiccup at the doorway looking at them with sad and understanding looks.