"Ours is the commencement of a flying age, and I am happy to have popped into existence at a period so interesting." - Amelia Earhart (attributed to)

Wings

No disaster had appeared to have befallen the ice nest in their several weeks away. Valka and Shadowwing fell into the old routine that they had gotten used to in the fall. She would respond to any confirmed incidents and would go with Cloudjumper and the rest of the flight. Shadowwing would spend most of the day ranging around the nest and searching the islands for signs of traps. He knew exactly what to look for and where to look. The trappers were very predictable.

Most of the snares could be easily triggered with a stick or small log, and that was if he could not destroy the trap entirely. His years of practice in the forge working with metal proved invaluable, even if the going was a bit trickier now than it would have been with his old fingers. But every trap triggered or disassembled was another dragon not captured or maimed.

This continued on into the summer. And no other Night Furies happened upon the ice nest in all that time.

He also preferred being out on his own because he felt lost. The strange and disturbing words spoken by the spectral dragon Mimir haunted his waking moments. Most frightening were the twin claims that humans had somehow made dragons and that the humans who lived long ago had destroyed their own world somehow with fire and stars. Mimir had seemed so certain of it and had let him see something terrible that had apparently happened in ages past. That vision had conjured up images of Ragnarok itself.

Nothing can have that much power though.

He had eventually shared everything that Mimir told him with Valka. She was understandably stunned and confused.

"I... do not know what to think. That is all so... impossible."

I know

It makes no sense

She said nothing for a while.

"He showed me things that no one else could know about me. Things about my life. He laughed when I thought he was a god, but the things he said and showed me... I do not know."

I do think he is only a dragon

Toothless had magic after all

"You know as much about magic as I do, even if you do not have any yourself."

Then she grumbled with a slightly amused expression.

"Though it would help if you could figure out how to make your own fire."

What?

"Yeah, then I would not have to help pick the bugs off you. You could burn them off yourself."

He rolled his eyes.

With my luck all that would happen

Is roasted Night Fury

"Hey, I am quite sure you are fireproof on the outside," she chuckled.

Then he sighed again.

Even if what he said is true

I still do not understand it

How could humans make new creatures?

She frowned as she stared at the words.

"I do not know, and I do not think it matters. That world, if it ever was, is gone now. You and the other dragons are free creatures and have always been, as far as I am concerned. You do not owe the humans anything."

He slowly looked down at her and then surprised her by giving her a hug. She happily rested her head on his shoulder as he crooned softly.

"Well, this is new. Some of the smaller dragons liked to snuggle but never real hugs like this."

He stepped back and laughed heartily.

I am disappointed in Cloudjumper now

"What? Him give me a hug?"

It was her turn to laugh heavily.

"Oh, there is a small problem with that. I mean, just look at all this..." she held her arms out to draw attention to her small frame.

They both laughed freely, their cries echoing down the passageway and drawing the attention of several other dragons. After recovering themselves they both caught Cloudjumper staring their direction with pure confusion on his owl-like face.

They laughed again.

Ok, what is this?

He sat down on his rear and stared in befuddlement with his tail swaying as he thought. He had been inspecting one of the crates of her various supplies when he noticed that there was something very peculiar about this piece of gear.

"What are you looking at?"

He nudged the strange looking attire and gave a questioning warble.

"Oh, that? It is something I made several years ago but never actually tried to use."

His lifted eye-ridges and ears perfectly conveyed the question.

"Let me show you."

She unrolled it to its full length. It was a full-body riding garb not quite unlike what he remembered becoming common back on Berk.

"There is something special about it though."

Do tell...

She reached out and grabbed both of the arms which she then spread out. A leathery film extended from the arms down to around the knees. The space between the knees was also covered in the fine leather.

Hmm, that looks like a wing suit. Almost like one of the old designs that I thought I might try to make...

He blinked and looked up at her in amazement as the true purpose of the wing suit became obvious.

No, you did not!

Then he had to stop himself from bouncing around in excitement. He barely managed to make legible runes in the dirt.

Does it work?

"I never tried it, remember?"

Why not?

"It is not exactly the smartest thing to try. Cloudjumper is big and a little bit clumsy at times. He cannot fly that fast to catch me if something went wrong."

That is a fair point except for one important detail...

We should try it

Her eyes went wide at the thought.

I can easily catch you

"I... I do not know about that. It is too dangerous."

When have you ever been afraid

Of flying dragonback?

"Well, this is more falling with style. And a bit of a... special case... with you."

And this special dragon wants

His mom to touch the clouds

Like a dragon does

"But... oh fine... if you insist," she reluctantly added with a grin.

She started to change right in front of him, perhaps forgetting her audience or just not caring. He turned away for the sake of modesty and waited for her to finish. He did not try to still his tail though.

I always wondered if something like this could work! I'm going flying with mom!

"Done," she finally announced.

She looked very different with the wing suit. He could not stifle a laugh though.

"Oh, what is so funny, you useless reptile?"

He gave her a brief withering glare.

Now you need that

Your scale and horn helmet

And a fake tail

More convincing than when we first met

She laughed heartily at the mental image until she seemed to have stitches in her side.

"Alright... let's do this."

I will take it easy going up

You will need to hold on tight

We have no saddle after all

"Oh, I am used to that."

They walked down the narrow passage to the ledge while she put on her final piece of attire, a small mask to protect against wind burn. He crouched down and let her climb flat on his back. Once he could feel her arms at the base of his wings and her legs at his sides, he glanced back at her, gave her a nod, and gently hopped from the ledge.

Just like before on their one other brief flight together, it did feel very strange having that extra weight on his back. But she was quite light, and his own eagerness to share this experience with her helped to make the burden all the lesser.

It must have been good for Toothless that I was so skinny. Or maybe he was just that much stronger that it did not matter to him.

He pitched up and began to spiral higher on the thermals surrounding the nest.

"Look at them all!" she shouted over the faint wind.

There were indeed dozens of dragons of all colors and types soaring on the winds over the ice nest.

It is a very good sight indeed.

And still they continued higher even up above the lower clouds. He could feel her hands start to shake with her nerves as the moment neared.

He hummed deeply, sure that she would feel it and be reassured. Then their flight leveled off well above the lower clouds, and he started slowly gliding into the wind.

A moment passed during which he expectantly glanced back at her.

"Alright, I cannot believe that I am about to do this!"

I know. It is amazing!

She glanced down over his shoulder.

"Uhm, on second thought can we take this nice and easy?"

What? Mom, it will be fine!

She slowly crept forward on his back.

"Ready?" he grumbled and again looked back to face her.

She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. Then she opened her eyes with clear excitement and eagerness.

"Ok, now!" she shouted.

He pitched down and dove.

And spun himself around in freefall as her weight vanished from his back. She fell wildly in a tumble for several seconds, struggled to right herself, and then flung out her arm-wings.

His mouth fell open in amazement.

She was gliding, slowly pitching from side to side using her arm-wings to right each sway and gust of wind.

Soaring.

Free.

He recovered himself and beat his flight forward and under her before again spinning upside down. Her expression was completely hidden under her flying mask and her eyes were still squeezed tightly against the wind. She certainly could not hear even a happy roar over the whistling wind, but he could let his own bliss show another way and gave her a wide toothless grin.

He tucked his wings and spun in place again to right himself. Then he drifted up toward her from below while effortlessly matching her pitch. Very cautiously, he brushed a wing against one of her arm-wings and made her spin in place. She tumbled for a moment and then righted herself.

They glided down through a small cloud and caught sight of the ice nest again. She made a quick beckoning motion with her hand the moment they left the cloud cover. He immediately darted underneath her.

Steady now...

He felt her land on his back, and a pair of hands grabbed onto the base of his wings a moment later. He slowly pulled up into a steady flight, only then feeling her weight push into his back.

And they were smoothly gliding again back toward the ice nest after having fallen far in a glide. Then her hands vanished from his wings. He glanced back at her, still unable to see much past her flying mask.

But her cheering of delight was audible even over the wind as she held her arms out in the air. He let out a cry of elation as well, sharing in her bliss brought out by the simple act of free flight. That joy that it was too easy to take for granted in missions and quests.

That is the closest she will ever come to being a dragon. To truly being one of them.

He looked down at the ice nest far below and at the spiraling colors of dragons in the air. In the sky that was their domain.

In the sky that was his domain now.

And it never felt truer than it did at that moment as he glided back with the wind caressing his wings and while carrying her home. Even so, something about the distinction felt off, almost as though neither description truly applied.

He existed between two worlds.

To being one of us?

Dragon or human?

He sought her out shortly after the morning meal delivered by the King. There was something that he felt a duty to her to let her know. Helping to rescue dragons from traps and destroying traps was a good and worthwhile activity, but he had another mission nearer and dearer to his heart. It was a mission that he had not truly devoted himself to in far too long. And she was perfectly capable of handling trapper duties on her own as she had done for twenty years.

She looked down at his words and solemnly frowned.

"Are you sure about this?"

It is why I left Berk

"I understand. He is definitely not here or in these islands. We would have seen him if he was."

Any final suggestions on where to look?

She shook her head.

"You know more about where a Night Fury would want to go than I do. Whatever you do though do be careful with the human tribes."

I know how to meet people out there

"You told me before. It is so strange to me. I have never seen any of the villages here be reasonable or open to dragons."

Have you really tried?

"Well, no, but what else do I need to see when I see them with dragon skeletons as trophies? Or how about their trade in living dragons and... dragon parts?"

That does hurt to see

But I know what to do

She sighed.

"I am not going to be able to stop you, am I?"

He slowly shook his head.

"Ok, you go do what you have to do. I would not be much help out there anyway. Just come back here from time to time, will you?"

He hummed deeply at her.

Of course I will, mom

You are my family too

She hugged his neck again and then stepped back with a nod. He hopped over to the ledge and looked out over the green, living, and raucous activity outside the nest. He remembered what it was like deep inside the nest now. The King was resting in his deep pool while numerous yearlings and fledglings rested on his head and tusks. There was no fear or tension in the nest, except for the occasional tussling for turf or status, neither of which the King allowed to become dangerously violent.

It was all very good.

She can handle everything while I am gone.

Without further delay, he turned tail and flew from the nest with his course set for the distant mainland.

I guess start north of the Fireforge clan where I left. Maybe check further inland too. He might have wanted to get away from the ocean and people.

He spared a backward glance at the ice nest and all its freely flying dragons. The sight gave him some measure of strength and comfort as he continued out over the waters. As did the knowledge that he knew where family would be waiting for him when he returned.

She stroked the Nadder's side as she inspected the ripped wing. The King helped by calming the despondent dragon while she went about her healing work. Her only tools she had were a very fine nail she had long ago filed down to a very sharp point and some old string salvaged from clothing she had taken from dead trappers or found otherwise abandoned. She carefully drove the nail and string around the fresh tear in the wing and wove the membrane back into a whole. The entire process took the greater part of the afternoon during which she could endure no distractions.

She finally finished the last knot and tied the tear closed. A proper Elder or healer trained in medicine and mending could certainly do a far better job stitching such a wound but out here what she could give was the best that there was to be had.

She got up and patted the Nadder's snout. It got up and wandered away on foot into the nest.

Only the King was left behind, still gazing down at her. His massive eyes were as wide, powerful, and calm as ever. Then he softly huffed his icy mist breath on her, exactly as he had done many times before.

She inclined her head toward him in a practiced bow. It never ceased to awe her and fill her heart with humility that such a powerful giant could be so gentle around a creature as small as she was.

Then the King rumbled softly and looked up toward her ledge.

She followed the King's gaze and saw a black head looking down toward her. She immediately called out for Cloudjumper, who came and lifted her to their ledge. The Night Fury eagerly bounded over to her, and she knew without any doubt who it was.

She threw herself into his arms while she stifled her joyful tears.

Two whole months he had been gone, out in the world and away from the safety of this good nest. In the wild and among strange tribes.

How many times had her own dreams been haunted by the thought of him caged or worse because of his lack of experience with the world and his excessive optimism?

"Oh son... you are back."

They eventually broke apart and stepped over to their writing box.

"So, tell me. What happened out there?"

I did not find him

"Nothing, no hint of where he went?"

No, but I did meet a few small tribes

"And? How did that go?"

I think I still have my head attached

They both laughed at that, although her chuckle was more nervous than his seemed to be.

Actually, they were quite reasonable

It took a few days for one

And a couple weeks for each of the other two

But I let them see that I am not dangerous

"I do not know how you do that."

Come with next time and see

"You are going out again?"

Yes, I need to search one more time

Farther north before the winter

"There are some beautiful lands up there. Deep fjords, rocky cliffs, tall mountains, thick forests, and clear streams. It is quite wild. It is harsher than Berk in the winter, if you can believe that. Not many people live up there though."

He nodded.

That is why I want to look there

Toothless might have tried to get far away from people

"I would like to go out there with you, but the trappers have been very busy recently this year. There are more of them in these waters now than there ever have been before."

Any idea why?

"None. How long will you be here?"

A few days

I need to get back some weight

"You are looking a bit like a fishbone," she teased.

He groaned and rolled his eyes.

"What? What is it now?"

They used to say that about me back on Berk

Back when I was still human

I was so skinny and weak

"Back on Berk..." she whispered while averting her eyes.

.

"Have you ever thought about... going back there?"

He froze and found that he could not answer.

"Ever since you told me about everything that has happened there, I keep wondering if I should go back. See the dragons they have. See this new world they have made. See Gobber again, he was one of the few who listened to me at all. Oh, he did not agree or believe me back then, but at least he let me vent my frustrations to him. I think I should also meet this Astrid."

"And maybe see... other people too," she whispered while staring at the wall.

Maybe eventually

It is too soon for me to see him

"I understand. It is just something I was... wondering about."

He was about to depart to obtain a meal when an old question that he had never before thought to ask drifted into his thoughts. Thinking about years of time being away from home and not seeing people he knew and cared for in that time had turned his thoughts to something rather morbid to think about but also quite necessary.

And there was likely no human alive in the world who was better suited to answer this fateful question than her.

How long do dragons live?

"What?"

How long will I live?

She said nothing for a long time.

"I do not know. How long dragons can live was not something anyone ever cared about learning before. Cloudjumper was an adult twenty years ago, and he does not seem to be slowing at all. Did you ever talk with Toothless about this?"

He did not know

Guess what though

We were the same age before

Then he rolled his eyes.

Still are actually

"Really? That is quite a happy accident. Not knowing how long you can expect to live though, I cannot imagine what that is like."

He thought for a moment and then hummed with acceptance.

Only one way to find out

"Just do not get caught out there and have those years cut short."

He gave her his best incredulous and amused look.

Are you serious?

They would not know what to do with all this

She nervously chuckled. Her faint frown though indicated that she did have a very good idea what they would do under those circumstances.

The coast finally came into view on the horizon. It was more or less where he had left off when he returned to the ice nest the last time. The trees were finally starting to show the onset of autumn and there was far more of chill on the winds.

Where did this year go?

His course took him inland and then tracing north with the coastline visible on the horizon until a mountain range began to grow along the coast. He flew and searched for several days until he was well and truly in the wild. There were indeed fewer and fewer settlements the farther north he went. The forests became thicker with more pines, and there were absolutely no roads. Neither were there any signs of dragons.

This is really stupid actually. What are the odds that I will just happen to find him out here?

Maybe if he was out flying at the same time, then I would probably see him.

Sigh.

His flight eventually carried him back toward the west and toward the coast. As Valka had mentioned to him though there were almost no villages at all to stop at and try to get information from. He flew on up the range of mountains before the coast as the sun set far out over the western horizon. Then, exhausted from the better part of an afternoon of flying, he glided down the far side of the mountains.

Even in the gathering dark, he was still able to see the flowing and grassy plains, the thick pine forest, and a large number of deer and elk. It looked like a slice of the north completely untouched by people. It even had what looked like coves or depressions in the forest, not unlike another good place he fondly remembered. A stream far below caught his attention, and he dove to refresh himself in its clear water.

Where to now? It is getting closer to winter, and I do not want to be stuck out here for that. Back to the King's nest, I guess.

He flew out to the coastline after he drank his fill and began flying back along the shore. The cliffs dropped off straight down onto crashing waves and sharp rocks in some places. The full moon was bright in the sky with no other lingering radiance from the sun.

He glanced back at the large peninsula and took in the view illuminated in the moonlight as he peacefully flew. The towering mountains in the background, the thick forest, and the deep bay had a wild beauty.

And then a sound echoed out through the night.

A sound that he had not heard from anyone else in years.

A sound that almost made him fall from the sky in shock.

The unmistakable roar of a Night Fury.