Eret walked with Hiccup and the others as they made their way back towards New Berk. He watched as Sigrunn walked with Astrid after the chieftess had "saved" her from Snotlout's failed attempts at flirting, the twins' arguing again, and Fishlegs' endless questions. He had to smile a bit seeing her relieved when Astrid shooed them off.

"So, Mom, you knew her mother?" Hiccup asked, looking to Valka as they walked.

Valka nodded. "Ranghild was my best friend. We grew up together, were practically inseparable, and she was even there for the wedding when your father and I got married. It was a real shock to all of us when she vanished."

"What happened?"

"Well, as you know, this was still when dragons and humans were at odds with one another. Ranghild's husband, Magnus, was a good friend of your father's and went along with him on his many voyages to search for the dragons' nest." Valka sighed as her gaze fell on Sigrunn. "One day, though, the fleet had returned after another defeat and Magnus didn't return with them. His ship was lost, whether to the dragons or the sea no one knew, but Ranghild was devastated and had a difficult time accepting the news. She shut herself away from the world for days, refused to see anyone- even me- and when I went to check on her one day not long after, I found a letter she left behind. She had taken one of our small fishing boats, leaving Berk to search for Magnus. I begged Stoick to send someone after her, but when he had, she was nowhere to be found."

"My mother was caught in a storm," Sigrunn said, looking back at Valka when she heard her. "She told me that the storm had blown her way off course and wrecked her boat upon the cliffs of this island. Then, a dragon came across her clinging to the wreckage and it brought her here, to the forest, and stayed with her until she was able to fend for herself again."

"And she had you not long after, didn't she?" Valka asked.

Sigrunn nodded. "She raised me alone, teaching me the ways of the forest, but she got sick one day and just never got better."

"I'm sorry, my dear."

"It's alright, she passed painlessly," Sigrunn replied. "If you'd like to visit her grave, she's buried beneath the willow tree at the eastern waterfalls."

"I'd like that very much, thank you, Sigrunn," Valka offered her a smile. "You know, you are welcome to come to the village. You are a Berkian, through and through."

"Mom's right, you could come live with us, be apart of the family," Hiccup added, nodding.

Sigrunn stopped just as they reached the village's outskirts. "I appreciate the offer, but I seem to spook your people, so it's best that I stay away."

Valka gave her a smile. "I understand. Perhaps in time, things will change."

"Perhaps." Sigrunn dipped her head down. "I will take my leave. If you ever have need of me, just look for Bera. She never strays far from my side."

"It was nice to meet you, Sigrunn," Hiccup said, bowing his head in turn. "If you ever need anything, please don't be afraid to come to us."

"I will keep that in mind," Sigrunn shifted her gaze over to Eret, who held it for a few moments as though he was looking for something to say to her. When nothing more was said, she bowed her head to him as well, then she took her leave.

Eret watched as she disappeared through the trees, fading into the shadows. He had wanted to say something, but he lost it when she met his gaze. He was a bit taken aback when the sunlight peeked through the tree branches and shined down on her- showing how blue her eyes were.

"Well, what do you think?" Hiccup asked, looking around at everyone.

"She's definitely interesting," Astrid said. "She's going to need time to get used to being around other people again, though. She got overwhelmed quickly with the others, but she seems fine when it's just one other person."

"I'm digging the whole mysterious vibe," Snotlout added, "that and she's hot."

Eret rolled his eyes and sighed, looking to Hiccup when he asked him for his opinion. "I agree with Astrid. If your plan is to gain her trust, you need to start small."

"It would be wise to let her come to us, son," Valka added. "She's so used to living on her own, it's all she's really ever known." She reached up to touch Hiccup's shoulder. "But, if you're going to try and approach her, then it's best that you send someone that she can trust."

"Understood. In the meantime, let's get back to the village. We still have a lot of work to do today."

Sigrunn made her way back home, finding her way through the trees to the large mossy hill that her mother had built their home into. Bera hopped off of Sigrunn's shoulder and went up to her nest in the pine tree next to the hill as Sigrunn slid the sash that held her staff over her head. Sigrunn moved aside the curtain of leafy vines woven together that hung over the entrance of her home and set her staff against the wall near her bed.

Sinking onto the fur-lined bed, she sighed heavily.

"Your tribesmen are interesting people, Mum," Sigrunn said, looking down at the crystal pendant her mother had left her, "but some of them are quite exhausting."

Sigrunn lay back on her bed, looking up at the ceiling as she thought over Valka and Hiccup's offer. While the idea of her living amongst others had its benefits, she knew she would feel more comfortable in her humble forest home.

'I wouldn't be opposed to the occasional visitor, I suppose.' she thought to herself.