Things from that day on forward continued more or less the same. Eret would venture out every few days to visit Sigrunn, exploring new parts of the island with her. When he returned to his village, he would meet with Hiccup and Astrid to fill them in on the new things that he had learned- even updating their map of the island.

Sigrunn's teachings were proving very beneficial to New Berk and its people, giving them bountiful fishing grounds and medicinal herbs that they gathered and could cultivate the seeds from among other things.

Hiccup and Astrid noticed a difference in Eret, too, similar to how Toothless had been after meeting the Nightfury- just not to nearly the same degree. He seemed happier, even distracted at times, but quickly brushed it off as nothing and would go back to work. After a few months, they decided it was time to ask Eret if he thought that Sigrunn was comfortable enough and ready to be around other people.

"Eret, you got a minute?"

Eret looked up from his work to see Hiccup approaching. "Sure, Chief, what do you need?"

"Aye," Eret looked at Hiccup with a brow raised. "Why?"

"It's been nearly four months since you started meeting with Sigrunn, hasn't it?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think she'd be comfortable meeting with the others? Get to know a few more people?"

Eret rubbed his neck, thinking about his question. "I don't know, but I could ask her when I see her next if you'd like?"

"No pressure, or anything, but we'd like to personally thank her for all her information."

"Right. Well, she seems comfortable enough around me, so I suppose she might consider it."

"Great, just let me know what she says?"

"Will do, Chief."

Sigrunn swam in the rather large pool at the base of the willow waterfall not far from her home and relaxed. It was a rather warm day, telling Sigrunn that spring was coming to its close and summer was not far behind. She dipped under the surface of the water, letting its coolness wash over her. When she resurfaced, she sighed with content and looked at the waterfall.

It wasn't a large waterfall, like many of the others throughout the Monolithic Island, and flowed over the stones that formed one of the walls around the pool. The stone wall stood twice as tall as Sigrunn and met lichen and moss-covered soil that lined the banks of the pool on one side, then met some trees and boulders along the others. The water itself flowed from a seep that drew from the groundwater deep beneath the earth and glistened in the light of the sun and moon.

"Wow, this place is beautiful."

Sigrunn jumped a bit and turned, seeing Eret standing on the bank.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," Eret said, raising his hands up and stepping back. "I checked at the hill first, then Bera led me here when I couldn't find you."

Sigrunn spotted Bera perched in the willow tree, then looked back to Eret. "What brings you here?"

"I was hoping that we could talk," Eret said.

"About?"

"Well, for starters, the chief wanted to convey his gratitude for all the knowledge you've been passing along. It's been really helpful to the village."

"I am glad to hear it." Sigrunn gestured to the pool. "Care to join me?"

"I wouldn't want to intrude," Eret replied, rubbing his neck nervously.

Sigrunn shrugged and resumed swimming about. "Suit yourself."

Eret watched her swim around for a moment, then sighed and shook his head with a small smile. He undid the fastens of the thick waistband that held the sheaths for his two swords, then kicked off his boots and slipped out of his fur vest, his tunic, and pulled off the fur wristbands he wore- setting them all off to the side.

Sigrunn glanced back when she heard a splash and chuckled when she saw Eret balked slightly at the cooler temperature of the water. She waded towards the deeper parts of the pool and watched him dip under the water entirely for a moment before resurfacing.

"Refreshing, is it not?"

Eret looked at Sigrunn, seeing her smile. "I take it you do this often?"

"It's a great way to cool down in warmer weather," Sigrunn replied, then looked to the willow tree that grew next to the pool. "And my mother is buried there."

Eret followed her gaze and spotted the runestone marker she had told Valka about. "You miss her, don't you?"

"There are times where I wonder how life would be different if she were still alive, but it has been so long since she passed that I've grown used to the solitude." Sigrunn looked at Eret as he reached her near the center of the pool. "Though, I find myself feeling a bit more at ease each time you visit me."

"Oh?" Eret met her gaze and held it for a moment, wondering what was going through her head. "I suppose that would lead to the other reason I came to talk with you."

"And that would be?"

"You seem comfortable enough around me," Eret started, "do you think you're ready to start interacting with others?"

Sigrunn had been thinking about that for a while, especially since she had noticed the comfort she found in Eret's company. "Perhaps."

"Hiccup and the others don't want to rush you, but they are eager to get to know you," Eret continued, "and to be honest, I can't blame them."

Sigrunn was surprised by that and eyed him with curiosity. "What do you mean?"

Eret realized the thoughts that had accompanied his words and cleared his throat, looking away to hide the warmth beginning to creep along his cheeks. "What I mean is that you are a rather interesting individual with a vast understanding of this island and your continued air of mystery leaves much to the imagination of others." When Eret looked back at Sigrunn, he balked a bit at how close she had swam to him, wading within arm's reach of him. "W-What?"

Sigrunn eyed him a moment, sensing that there was something more than what he had already said. She wasn't going to press him, though, as it had only been a few months since they had first met.

'Everyone has their secrets,' she thought to herself and swam back from him a bit. "So, was there anything more that you wanted to talk with me about?"

Eret shook his head. "Not really."

"That can't be the only reason you came all this way," Sigrunn said, swimming a ways further from him.

"Perhaps I just wanted to enjoy your company again," Eret replied, bringing some water to his face to try and wash away the warmth at his cheeks.

Sigrunn chuckled. "Then swim with me, Eret, Son of Eret,"

Eret smirked at her playfulness and obliged her, genuinely meaning what he said. As they swam around the pool together for some time, he was realizing more and more that he truly did enjoy her company.