Astrid may accept Hiccup's story, (for now) but she will do some searching of her own.
After dropping off Astrid at her house, I make my way to the canyon. I can't simply project my thoughts anymore. Astrid might hear me and I don't want her finding out about Toothless just yet. As I make my way down the slope, I try to focus my thoughts toward Toothless's general direction.
"Toothless, you there? Something unforeseen has happened." He comes to meet me as I squeeze through the narrow opening in the cliff. "Careful when you talk, she might hear you."
Toothless looks concerned. "Is there a raid going on? I don't sense any other dragons nearby. At least none besides those in the arena."
While the fins on his head vibrate, searching for nearby dragons, I'm briefly reminded of a conversation about the arena dragons. We agreed to help them before the final test. When Toothless is done trying to find signs of a raid, he turns to me. "Show me what happened." I follow through, pulling up the memory of this afternoon and showing it to Toothless. He staggers back. Had Toothless been standing on two legs, he'd have fallen over. "How? I can see it happening but I can't tell why it happened. That female adolescent two-legs, Astrid, was it?" I nod. "Pulls you out of danger (good for her) and you fuse with her?" Toothless pauses. "What's the similarity between what happened with her and what happened with us?" I don't have an answer. I look over the event several times and don't see anything that might tell us.
"There's nothing I'm finding that might tell us why Astrid and I fused." I sit down and Toothless curls his body around me. "In the meantime, we need to find a way to communicate without Astrid overhearing anything." I switch to mental communication. "Can you focus your thoughts on me and only me?"
"I can, but it requires me to know where you are. Maybe if you can be alone with the female, I will detect her presence and remember to avoid it. I can't find her with all the other memory stones in your village." Toothless considers the plan. "But if we do this I can't say anything to you. You will have to tell me when you're going to be alone with her. Closer to the canyon would be better." Toothless perks up as he gets an idea. "Maybe I'll hide somewhere so I can see her and get a better signature. The more I know, the better."
"Sounds like a plan." I look up. "Hey, bud, do you mind if I stay here tonight? It's already late and-" Toothless trips me, pulling me to his chest and wrapping me in his wings.
"It does get lonely here." He hugs my head with his chin. "It'll be good to have company." I'm held close, Toothless's heartbeat lulling me to sleep.
"Goodnight, Toothless."
"Goodnight, Hiccup. " It takes a moment, but before I drift off, I hear Toothless say something else. "They'll appreciate you."
When I arrive back home, I'm surprised by all the voices I'm hearing. I'm glad my parents aren't home. They would've thought I'd gone mad, flinching at nothing. But then I remember what Hiccup told me earlier. I try to relax. Keyword is try because the gems on the shelf keep sending their thoughts in all directions. Deciding to try something before going to sleep, I scan the shelf of gems (prizes of past kills) and pick out a gem with an unusual cut. The gem in question belonged to a Skrill, slain by my great uncle Magnus. (He's currently residing in either Valhalla or Folkvangr.) The gem is tan with veins of blue and yellow zigzagging throughout its surface. I remember what Hiccup told me about what he did with the Windstriker and try projecting ideas of peace and curiosity toward the gem. My shock when I receive a response is so much that I almost drop the gem.
'Greetings, query, location?" Making sure I'm not in the image, I try sending an image of the room. The gem is suddenly alarmed. 'Escape quickly, not safe.' I decide to head to my room.
Once in my room, I offer thoughts of safety and security. I'm not sure what to do next, but then I remember Hiccup telling me how the dragons inside of the gems seem to have one-track minds. 'Query, desire? Goal?' I hope this works.
'Desire? Battle!' I take a sharp breath. It feels so, so, bloodthirsty I nearly drop the gem.
'Battle? With who? Killer?' Maybe I can satisfy it and tell the Skrill gem its killer is long dead, slain in battle by other dragons.
'Killer long dead. Battle! Glory! Still have power, can still fight!' I kinda feel a Valkyrie should have taken this one to Valhalla. Though if she is still alive in there, maybe not. I decide to take a risk and show the Skrill that I'm human. Its shock comes through clearly. 'Impossible! Two-legs with memory stone? Only one.'
I'm caught off guard. Had this dragon met Hiccup? Or did she speak of another human with a… did she call it a memory stone? That must be what dragons call gems. 'Query, who?'
I don't have long to wait as I'm shown an image of a human figure. All I see is his back, but despite his lanky frame and apparent youth, he holds himself like a veteran. Slung on his back is some kind of crossbow, but in the pommel rests two gems. I don't know what kind, but they don't appear to be simple decoration based on the metal wires connecting the gems to an unusual cartridge loaded in the weapon. But the thing that captivates me more than his gem-powered weapon is his pointy ears. 'Two-legs sharp-ears is strong. Turns memory stones into weapons. Make me into weapon, enter battle, earn glory in blood.'
Two-legs sharp-ears? I remember some tales of the citizens of Alfheim. The elves are known to have pointy ears. Perhaps this two-legs sharp-ears is an elf of some kind. Knowing this is going to take some deliberation, I return the Skrill gem to its shelf, but not before sending assurances that I will return. I go to bed, thinking about the mysterious two-legs sharp-ears and what he could mean for not just Hiccup and me, not even Berk, but the archipelago as a whole
Thankfully I return to the village before anyone notices I'm gone. But what does surprise me is half an hour after returning home, Astrid knocks on my door impatiently. I can tell it's her because I can sense her frustration and, oddly enough, a sort of giddiness uncharacteristic of her. I open the door and step back as Astrid enters my house and shuts the door behind her.
"Hi, come in, make yourself comfortable, " I say sarcastically but Astrid is too preoccupied with something else.
"Hiccup." Astrid looks me in the eyes. "Have any dragons, living or gem, mentioned an individual that can be best translated as 'two-legs sharp-ears'?" I'm shocked by the name, especially considering how similar it is to Toothless's nickname for me. Astrid sees my shock and assumes it's a yes. "So you've heard of him, too? Which gem was it?"
I take a moment to review my half-truth and give her an answer. "I haven't heard any dragons use that name before. But the Night Fury called me something that can best be interpreted as 'two-legs sharp-eyes' before he left." My hand drifts up to the gem on my forehead. "Is it possible another human has fused with a dragon?" The implications of such a thing could mean many different things, good and bad. "What was the dragon's opinion of two-legs sharp-ears?"
Astrid frowns, obviously disturbed by what she'd learned. "The dragon sees him as a fearsome opponent." She thinks for a moment. "Actually, I don't think he's human, all I got was an image of his back. Here, I'll try and show you." Astrid closes her eyes, and a few seconds later I get an image of an individual with a unique weapon and pointy ears. I don't see his face but his head is long and narrow. His hair is dark brown. But what really catches my eye is his weapon. This man wields a crossbow with two memory stones imbedded in the wood. From the appearance, I'm guessing they must be a Gronckle and a Deadly Nadders' gems. Either they act as some kind of magical reservoirs to be drawn upon, or maybe contain enchantments used to further enhance his weapon. Either way, with this new information, schematics for new gem-powered weapons are being crafted in my mind. Astrid clutches her head, hunching over, and I stop thinking about designing new weapons.
"Geez, Hiccup, what did you just do?" Astrid rubs her temples. "All those complex thoughts are hard to take in. It makes my head hurt."
"My bad." I'll do those calculations later. "Looks like I'm going to need to find a way to keep my thoughts to myself. You, as well, probably." The idea that other humans, especially Vikings, could read my mind is not a comforting possibility. "Anyway, since there are a few hours before class starts, could you grab the Skrill gem and meet me in the forge?"
"Sure, what do you need it for?"
"I'm going to try and replicate the work of two-legs sharp-ears."
I'm not sure how Hiccup plans to design these new dragon weapons, but if anyone on Berk can do it, it's him. When I walk into the forge, gem in hand, it takes a moment to find Hiccup's corner of the building. I can tell it's his because of all the schematics.
I offer the gem. "Careful, she's temperamental."
Hiccup looks up from his drawing and smiles at me. "She?"
It takes a moment before I remember yesterday's conversation. "Point taken." Something else Hiccup said yesterday comes to mind. "Hiccup, you said yesterday that you can't help but see dragons as living individuals now, right?" His smile changes from know-it-all to a mix of relief and gratitude. Like I'm assisting him with a heavy burden. (Though now that I think about it, that's exactly what's going on.)
"Considering they have their own religion, I'd say so." What? When di- nope. I'll figure that out later. "Glad you know where I'm coming from." Hiccup holds the gem in his palm. "I'm going to talk to her for a bit. If Gobber comes by, give me a heads up." Hiccup closes his eyes and goes to work.
While they are… talking... thinking… to one another, I decide to snoop a bit while Hiccup's in deep meditation. I quickly realize that the most I can understand from Hiccup's manuscripts are their function and nothing else. After about a minute or so of looking at some circular item with way too many parts to follow, I find one of Hiccup's journals. Inside the journal is a drawing of... some sort of sail? Or is it a rudder? It almost looks li-
"What are you doing?" I turn around fast enough to nearly get whiplash. Hiccup is done talking to the Skrill and is staring at me. He appears rather irritated, though I definitely would be, too, if someone snooped through my stuff.
"I was looking at some of your schematics. It's kinda hard to miss them." I gesture to the room, whose walls are covered in diagrams. "This one just caught my eye. Is it some sort of rudder?"
"You could say that." He puts the journal in his vest. Wait! I look down at my hand where the book had been. My hand is still open as though holding it. "I got the Skrill's permission to use her gem in a weapon. It'll take some time to design and I need supplies. I'll need a variety of metals to see which kind is better suited to what I have in mind." Hiccup keeps mumbling about materials he will need to construct a weapon capable of harnessing lightning. That thought catches me off guard.
"Hiccup." He looks at me. "You do realize you're basically attempting to build a weapon on par with Mjolnir, right?"
Hiccup looks at me blankly before he chuckles. "I suppose I am."
After drawing up several designs for a sword imbued with lightning, Astrid and I make our way to dragon training. As we walk into the arena, Astrid starts rubbing her temples.
"I can hear them." Astrid projects to me, not wanting to talk about this subject with the other teens nearby.
"I think we're dealing with the Deadly Nadder today. Try scratching her under the chin, it makes them go limp."
"Good to know. I'll try it today." Before Gobber opens the cage, he places several random objects around the arena.
"Today is about stealth. When ye encounter a dragon somewhere other than a battlefield, ye want to be able tae sneak up on th' beast." Gobber lifts a large barrel of rather potent plants and dumps the contents on us and spreads the stuff across the arena. "This way th' beast will hae a harder time sniffin' ye out. Try tae make things more even, ye see? Now find places tae hide at th' edges of th' ring an' I'll let th' beast out."
Gobber makes sure to have the twins on opposite sides of the ring and lets the rest of us hide wherever. Fishlegs is having trouble due to his… Viking girth. Snotlout tries to hide close to Astrid, but she stops him before he can say a word. "I'll not have my position compromised by your incessant half-baked attempts at flirting." She does a shooing motion with her hand to get him away. "Now go."
Snotlout, realizing that now might not be a good time, (for once) hides in another part of the ring.
"So what should we do?" Astrid projects to me. I'm on the other side of the ring but I can hear her clearly.
"Okay, I want to try something." I take a moment to send my plan to Astrid. "I'll do all the mental work. You do what you can while she's distracted."
"Understood," Astrid replies just as Gobber releases the Nadder. Her squawks are very bird-like and I can sense her irritation. The plants are working, but the dragon's guard is up more than usual because of this new setting.
Once the Nadder is near the center of the ring, I project an image of Astrid near the gate. She quickly focuses all her attention there, allowing Astrid to move closer. Unfortunately, Snotlout makes some noise moving to his next target hiding place. Once the Nadder sees him, she chases my cousin right to the gate, where he escapes.
"Snotlout, you're out." Once my cousin is no longer in view, the dragon forgets about him and starts searching around the gate for Astrid. Once she faces the other side of the ring, I create an image of me going from one barrier to another. Thinking she sees me, she lunges for the barricade and perches on it, radiating shock and frustration at my disappearance.
What the Nadder doesn't see is Astrid right behind her, who uses the opportunity to set down her ax, crawl under the dragon, and scratch her chin, making the blue dragon collapse.
Thankfully she gets out of the way before the dragon falls on her. "The Nadder's down!" Astrid calls up to Gobber, who stares in shock at her performance. In fact, all the teens stare at her. As we all come out from hiding, Astrid looks at me. "Care to help with this?"
"All right." Hefting one wing each, we carry the dragon to her cage. It's surprising how light Deadly Nadders are. As we leave, Astrid gets showered with praise.
"Your stealth is amazing!"
"How did you do that?"
"Girl, you need to show me a thing or two."
Before it becomes too much, Astrid does something none of the other teens expect. "You should really be complimenting Hiccup for his strategy, I just carried it out." Everyone's gaze goes from Astrid to me. Luckily I am already out the gate and running before they can crowd me.
I have a head start and am not hindered by heavy items. At least not until I make my way to the forge and retrieve a solo tailfin for Toothless. The spines on his tail have grown big enough that he can fly on his own now. I'm excited, but also nervous. What if, after this, he doesn't want to form the Shade Fury again? Or worse, leaves me entirely. It's at this moment I realize how important Toothless is to me. He's become a pillar for me to stand on. Someone who will always be there for me, through thick and thin. I've been able to complete the first half of my song. I hope he likes the finished product.
As I slide into the canyon, Toothless stares at me and the item in my hands. "Is that what I think it is?"
I smile. "Yup, it's your solo fin. Now you won't have to stay in this cramped sinkhole waiting for me." Toothless looks at the fin, then at me.
"Something's wrong." He stares at me, full of concern.
I frown. "You'll still want to see me, right?"
Toothless tilts his head. "Why wouldn't I?"
"I mean, I shot you down. I'm the reason you couldn't fly on your own for so long. I feel like you should resent me." "Like everyone else I know." This last part comes out unsaid, but Toothless hears it nonetheless, and he doesn't like it one bit.
"Hiccup, put the fin on for me, would you?" Toothless sounds serious. I quickly do so. "Good. Now, this is something I've put off long enough." Toothless trips me with his tail and looms over me. Then he grabs my shoulders and takes off. Once in the air, he holds me tightly to his chest with all four legs. I haven't flown as me since the first attempt with the tail.
"Toothless, what are you doing?!" I shout at him mentally. He looks down at me.
"Hiccup, nobody appreciates you in your village. The two-legs big-horns don't see your sharp eyes, only your lack of horns. Nobody there loves you. They call you useless!" The Night Fury's anger is nearly palpable. "They don't want you? Well, as far as I'm concerned, they don't deserve you. It's time you live with those who will see your genius and praise it."
I've got a bad feeling about this. "Toothless, where are you taking me? And to whom?"
"I'm taking you home. The Queen will love having you in the nest."
So Hiccup is heading for the Nest, things are sure to get intense. What will this Queen think of Hiccup?
Stephen51991: Hopefully, the wall of text doesn't return. Sorry again about that.
Fanreader26: Glad to, I know how painful text walls are.
Deadly Bagel: I think I fixed all the addressed plot holes. let me know if you step in another. Hopefully, she'll soon start to see dragons the way Hiccup does. You'd have to be super dense not to. (then again, these are Vikings.)
The next chapter is one I've rewritten several times to try and get right. hope you'll like it.