CHAPTER 4
"Alright Toothless, let's see those toes." Tengan stifled a yawn behind her hand as she lifted the large forepaw up to her eyes, turning the digits to get a better view in the early morning rays. Releasing the Night Fury before he could sneak another lick at her fingers, she quickly sketched a few tiny details on her scroll. "I think that about does it. What do you two think?" She turned her finished sketch to the dragons, failing to keep her perch on the rotting log she had been occupying as they jostled each other to sniff at the parchment.
"Argh, alright alright! I'm glad you like it" she chuckled, shoving their heads back. "Thornado, your turn! Strike a pose."
She was so absorbed in capturing the curve of Thornado's spines the sudden voice in her ear sent her tumbling forward.
"That's a fine rendition of him, lass." Stoick smiled warmly as she scrambled to her feet, collecting the mildly crumpled parchment and charcoal slivers from last night's fire.
"Good morning Stoick!" she squeaked, eyes darting around the small clearing.. "Uh, where's Hiccup?"
"Still sleeping" the chief took one large step over the log before occupying her recently vacated perch. "He's still sleeping. Thought you would be too, seeing as we only landed a few hours ago." He patted the spot next to him as the dragons sauntered off back towards the campsite.
Tengan sighed and took the offered seat. For several moments she stared at the collection of supplies in her hand, eyes tracking a small bug crawling along the edge of a mushroom. "I couldn't sleep."
"I guessed that." Stoick shifted on the log, his bulk forcing several creaks of protest out of the wood.
"I… I woke up when Thorndao started snoring and..." she gulped "and I didn't know where I was for a moment. I had forgotten about leaving and I started looking for Mother…. Is it wrong to be homesick already? At my age?" She wiped the back of her hand vigorously against her eyes.
"The first time I sailed away on a hunt without my father I cried myself to sleep for three days." Stoick rested a hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"How long was the hunting trip?" she hiccuped.
"...Three days" Stoick chuckled. "But, that was the first time I slew a Scauldron. When I brought it's head back to my Da he was so proud. Don't be ashamed of missing your home."
Tengan nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Stoick. I am really happy to be here."
Stoick patted her shoulder. "I know you are, lass."
The pair sat in silence for several moments, content to watch the slow ascent of the sun as it climbed above the distant waves.
"There's something I need to tell you." Stoick spoke with a somewhat forced tone, his eyes still fixed determinedly on the horizon. " As chief, and your host, I feel it's my duty to warn you. Since the dragons have joined us, we've seen the longest period of peace in recorded history. However, Berk is not without its enemies. Your mother knew and had no reservations when it came to your talents as a warrior, but I wanted to make it very clear that you will never be expected to put your life on the line to defend our home."
Tengan stared up at the mountain of a man for several moments, considering his words. "Stoick, sir, while I stay with you, Berk will be my home too. My people are accustomed to defending who and what we care for. In fact, I'm sure that's why Mother passed your gift onto me. I owe you a great debt in allowing me to live and learn on your shores."
A small smile lifted the corners of Stoick's beard. His hand thumped on her shoulder a couple times before he lifted himself off of the somewhat flatter log. "Why don't you go and wake up Hiccup. It's time we got going. We have a long day of flying ahead of us."
It turned out when you're on the back of a Night Fury on a bright sunny day, it was quite difficult to be homesick. Tengan had the sneaking suspicion that Stoick had mentioned their chat to Hiccup, who was doing his absolute best to show off every maneuver Toothless knew.
"Hey look at that! That's the third barrel roll where you didn't crack any of my ribs!" Hiccup winced as Tengan's grip shifted.
"S-Sorry H-i-i-ccup." Tegan laughed through chattering teeth. Despite layering every piece of cold weather clothing she owned, the biting seawind still cut her to the bone. "H-how m-m-much farther for t-t-t-today?"
"A couple more hours. Tomorrow I'll let you borrow one of my yak-wool shirts."
"T-Thanks! T-t-tomorrow we'll s-s-s-see B-Berk?"
"Yup! Tomorrow you'll get your first glance of your new home away from home!"
The following morning dawned chillier than Tengan had ever felt. Thankfully the long sleeved shirt Hiccup lent her kept most of the cold at bay. That and the several other layers she had stuffed between her body and the wool outer layer.
"Tengan, this is Berk. The archipelago's first, best, and only dragon sanctuary. Here you will find the finest group of vikings north of the Shimmering Shores." Hiccup finished his small speech with a flourish of his arm over the village as the dragons sped overhead.
Tengan could barely make out the upturned faces and cheers of greeting as they winged their way towards the center of town. The two dragons slowed to a hovered in front of a large door set in the face of a cliff.
"I'll have to fill Gobber in on a few things." Stoick hollered over the dull thud created by the dragon's wings. "Why don't you take Tengan to the Academy? Introduce her to the others?"
"Will do chief! Toothless?" Hiccup patted the dragon's neck. "What do you say? Wanna go say hi to the others?" Toothless roared joyously and spun around to face a large caged arena.
They had only closed half the distance before a chorus of clashing roars and rowdy cheers descended upon them. "Oh dear, they found us." Hiccup laughed. "Prepare to meet the best vikings Berk has to offer!"
A whirlwind of shapes and colors surrounded them, encasing Toothless and his two passengers in roars and shouts. Tegan twisted her body in ungodly positions to catch more than quick glimpses of scales and teeth.
"What you got there, Hiccup?" a somewhat gravely voice on the large green blur shouted.
"I call dibs on her!" Another voice boomed from the largest blur as it zoomed by.
"Snotlout you can't call dibs on a person!" A definitely feminine voice chided from by far the fastest blur.
"Ooooo Hiccup is she one of the knowledge seekers from the Shimmering Shores?" said a larger boy astride the only dragon moving slowly enough for Tengan to get a decent look. They both shared a wide, pleasant smile.
"Let us land and I'll introduce you!" Hiccup called out to the circling pack. With a pat he directed Toothless down and into the opening of the arena. The thud of many wing-beats followed them closely as the other dragons crowded into the area moments after. Sliding out of the saddle, he held a hand out to help Tengan down. "Guys, meet Tengan. She'll be staying with us for a while. And yes, Fishlegs, she's from the Shimmering Shores. Tengan, meet the Dragon Riders of Berk!"
"Ok, ok let me see if I have all the names straight." Tengan stood giggling in the middle of the arena roughly ten minutes later, the riders and their dragons lined up in front of her. "Hiccup and Toothless obviously." Smiling, she shifted her attention to the next pair "Astrid and Stormfly, the powerful Deadly Nadder."
Astrid nodded with a small smile as Stormfly proudly shuffled her wings. "Very good."
"Next is Fishlegs and his adorable Gronkle, Meatlug" she pointed to the two who seemed to wiggle in excitement at her answer.
"See Meatlug? She knows you're adorable too!" Fishlegs cooed as he cradled Meatlugs face in his hands.
Tengan turned her attention to the smirking boy standing directly across from her. "Snotlout and Hookfang, the impressive Monstrous Nightmare."
Snoutlout winked in response, one eyebrow cocking. "You got that right, baby."
"...Ok then." Tengan blinked in surprise before turning to the final pair. "That leaves Ruffnutt and Tuffnutt with the most interesting dragon I've ever seen, Barf and Belch the Zippleback"
"Ya hear that!" Ruff called out to the group.
"The most interesting dragon she says!" Tuff grinned, puffing out her chest.
"She only said that because she hasn't seen us in action!" Snotlout sneered as he clambered into Hookfang's saddle. "Hookfang, FLAME UP!"
With a mighty screech Hookfang spread his wings and coated his body in flames. Problem was his impressive display did not exclude the section of skin under the saddle.
Tengan wasn't sure what to be more impressed by; Hookfang's inferno, Snoutlouts high pitched scream, or his impressive three second sprint from his dragon's back to the water trough halfway across the arena.
Hiccup's voice barely reached her through the chorus of laughter. "And that's the crew. Welcome to Berk, Tengan."
The rest of the afternoon was spent trading questions back and forth with the crew. Fishlegs absolutely squealed with delight when he heard she'd be documenting all they encountered over the next two years. The twins, after realizing she came from a society of "all knowing book readers" as they put it, proceeded to pelt her with the most random line of questioning she had ever heard. She was thankful when Hiccup stopped them at "How many moles are on Tuffnutt's butt?" She wasn't quite sure if it was a cultural thing, or if Snotlout in particular was exceptionally bad at understanding personal space. If she had to venture a guess it would be the latter, as Hookfang made a point to bodily drag the boy backwards a few times.
Only Astrid seemed a bit standoffish. She would smile, ask a few polite questions, and had no reservations answering any asked of her. However, Tengan noticed that when they weren't making direct eye contact, Astrid's smile would fade and she would cast a suspicious look at her borrowed yak-hide sweater. It was a mild relief when the shadows lengthened and Toothless yawned rather loudly.
"And that's our cue. We'll catch you all tomorrow for training, alright?" Hiccup smiled, barely containing a yawn of his own. "Comeon Tengan you're bunking with us for now."
Bidding the group farewell and promising Fishlegs she'd trade more stories with him in the morning, she scrambled into the saddle. Looking back to wave once more at the group her eyes fell once again on Astrid, still wearing that look of distrust.
"Hey, Hiccup?" Tengan chewed her bottom lip, feeling a bit silly for even wondering. "Does Astrid not like me already? She seemed… upset."
"Astrid? No way. That's just how she is. Always the warrior." Hiccup chuckled nervously. "You'll see. Astrid is one of the nicest most inclusive people on the island once you get to know her!"