Chapter 12

The next day everyone gathered at the arena again. Edelweiss was among the last to arrive with Black Widow and her bow n' arrow. Hiccup and his riders sat on the platform with the Draconians. Hiccup noticed that his allies looked nervous.

"You guys going to be okay?" he asked.

"Edelweiss won't get disqualified will she?" asked Aurora. "I can't see."

"Only if she cheats or breaks the rules," said Hiccup. "I'm not going to punish her for being dragonborn." Aurora looked somewhat relieved.

Down in the arena the contestants lined up with for the first challenge; the hurtles. Edelweiss and Black Widow went first. Edelweiss laid as flat as she could to her dragon's back. Black Widow took off and shot through the hurtles, not hitting a single one. They landed on the other side and Edelweiss dismounted.

"We made it," said Black Widow.

"And I didn't break anything," said Edelweiss. They watched as the other contestants made their runs. Only a few of them made a clean run.

"You think we'll win?" asked Black Widow.

"That'd be nice," said Edelweiss. "But I just want to get through this so we can go home." She picked up her bow'n arrows.

"You're sad," said Black Widow.

"I'm still thinking of yesterday, and everything else that's been going on," said Edelweiss. "Maybe they're right. Maybe I shouldn't exist. All I've gotten from these vikings are nervous stares and muttering." Black Widow looked shocked.

"Hiccup's been nice to you," she said. "He doesn't care that you're dragonborn."

"I like him," Edelweiss agreed.

"I think you have some things in common with him," said Black Widow. "You have the blood of a dragon, he has the soul of a dragon."

"And he's taught us a lot this passed summer," said Edelweiss. "I have to remember to thank him later."

Soon the arena was cleared of the hurtles and the set up for the Fly'n Straight was put on the outside of the arena. Edelweiss watched the other contestants go through the course, not really paying much attention. The other dragonets joined them while they waited.

Finally it was their turn. Black Widow entered the course while Edelweiss readied her bow, fitting an arrow into it. Black Widow took off and flew low and slow over the course. The first target popped up, and it was an enemy target. Black Widow blasted it. She landed and they went through the rest of the course on foot. Another enemy target popped up behind them. Edelweiss whipped around and shot an arrow at it, hitting it in the face. She put another arrow into the bow and they continued. They went through the course. Black Widow hit many of the enemy targets and Edelweiss hit the rest with her arrows. They reached the end of the course. One last enemy target popped up behind them. Edelweiss spun around and shot it with her arrow.

"Nice shooting Edel," said Black Widow.

"Thanks, you too," said Edelweiss. They took off and went back to stand beside their friends, after Edelweiss collected her arrows.

The rest of the contestants went through the course. Edelweiss watched with her friends.

"That was great teamwork out there," said Hiccup.

"Thank you," said Black Widow. Edelweiss smiled gratefully at him. Soon the other contestants finished the course. After a conversation between Gobber and the riders, Edelweiss came through with the cleanest run. The dragons around the arena roared in applause which was louder than the humans' applause. Edelwiess didn't really notice.

The course was cleared up and the contestants went back into the arena with their dragons. Gobber decided to let Edelweiss do her stunt first since she got the highest score on the Fly'n Straight. Edelweiss asked for several targets to be set up around the arena, one of them facing the sky. Edelweiss took off and circled the arena. Black Widow dove towards the first target at high speed. Edelweiss whipped out an arrow and shot it towards the target, hitting the bullseye. They zipped over the arena as fast as they could. Black Widow did fancy flips and spins so Edelweiss could shoot the targets easier. She hit each target right in the middle. Soon she was down to her last arrow and her last target, which was the on facing the sky. Black Widow sped over the arena. She did a high speed loop and Edelweiss shot the arrow, hitting the target in the center. Black Widow looped back around and landed in the arena. Edelweiss dismounted and collected all her arrows. Then she and Black Widow looked up to see what their score was. They got 7 out of 9. They looked at each other.

"That's pretty good," said Black Widow.

"Yeah," said Edelweiss. "And we're done for the day." She got back on Black Widow and they flew out of the arena.

They landed beside their friends.

"Was that as fun as it looked?" asked Avalon.

"Yeah," said Black Widow. "It's good we practiced before hand."

"No dragon hunter will dare mess with us," said Eider, boldly. He thumped his tail on the ground. They all went over to sit beside the Riders and their dragons.

"That was pretty amazing," said Hiccup.

"Thank you," said Edel.

"I certainly wouldn't want to be on the run from you," said Astrid. Edelweiss dismounted. "Especially after what happened yesterday."

"Do you think I'm too dangerous to exist Astrid?" Edelweiss asked.

"You are dangerous," said Astrid. "You could accidentally hurt or kill someone if your not careful."

"Or intentionally if you get too angry," said Fishlegs, who was nearby. Edelweiss looked over at the other riders, then at her friends.

"What are they thinking?" she asked Avalon. Avalon listened for a moment.

"They think that if you see things not going your way, you'll get mad and do something terrible like set them of fire, or break their bones," she said. "And there's nothing they can do to stop you, because you have supernatural strength and speed."

"You know it's not very polite to poke around in people's head," said Snotlout.

"Edelweiss just wants to know if you're going to execute her for being Dragonborn," said Avalon.

"Are they?" Edelweiss squeaked. "Even Hiccup?"

"No," said Hiccup. "No one's going to execute you on my watch."

"You saw what happened to my ax," said Astrid.

"And how she reacted when Gothi grabbed her," said Fishlegs. "She could have killed her easily."

"So they do want to execute me?" Edelweiss asked Avalon.

"No," said Avalon. "But they aren't real comfortable with you being in the village, around so many breakable things." Edelweiss sighed sadly.

"I don't want to be dangerous," she said. "I'm so sorry guys" She buried her face in her hands. "I promise I won't set foot in the village ever again." She turned and ran into the woods, she was gone in a flash. Avalon glared at the Riders.

"Why do guys have to be so mean?" she asked.

"We weren't being mean," said Astrid. "We're just worried that she'll hurt someone with all that power."

"Edelweiss shouldn't have to be sorry for what she is," Hiccup said.

"We need to find her and make things all better," said Black Widow.

"I'll find her," Hiccup said. "I know those woods pretty well." He mounted Toothless.

"We'll come too," said Apollo. "She's our friend." Hiccup didn't object. They took off and headed over the woods.

"You know I'm not so sure this village is the best place for any dragon," said Avalon. "It's nice yes, but it's awfully small and cramped. Dragons don't like cramped spaces."

"They seem happy," said Apollo.

"And I'm trying to make it comfortable for them," said Hiccup.

"Yeah," Avalon agreed. "It is a nice place. Certainly better than where most of these dragons came from. But that's a lot of dragons for one small village to accommodate for."

"Can we talk about this later?" said Black Widow. "Edel's out here somewhere."

"You're right," said Avalon. She scanned the trees below, looking for her friend. They all kept their eyes and ears open. They flew on either side of Toothless.

"No sign of her yet," said Hiccup. "And you guys are leaving tomorrow." The dragonets called for Edelweiss. Suddenly Toothless spotted her near the Cove, sitting on the tree Toothless had crashed into. She was curled into a ball, and crying. The dragons landed beside the tree, and Hiccup dismounted. Toothless nudged Edel's shoulder. Hiccup sat beside her and the dragonets formed a semicircle around her.

"Hey Edel," said Avalon.

"I'm sorry that upset you," Hiccup said. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"It's a good thing Lord Draco warned me that the humans wouldn't like me being Dragonborn," Edelweiss said, wiping her eyes. Hiccup put an arm around her.

"I hope you still come to Berk," he said. "I don't want this to be to the reason you don't come back."

"Are you all going to Dragon's Edge next year?" Edelweiss asked.

"Yeah we are," said Hiccup.

"I want to see it," she said. "Tenor speaks so highly of it."

"So you'll come back next year?" asked Hiccup.

"Yes," said Edelweiss.

"Good, and if anyone gives you a hard time you come tell me," Hiccup said.

"Or us," said Avalon.

"Or me," said Toothless.

"Thank you," said Edelweiss softly. She patted Toothless's nose.

"We should get back to the village," said Eider. "Our elders will be looking for us." Hiccup and Edelweiss got off the tree and mounted their dragons. They all took off, and headed for the plaza.

The other Draconians were waiting with the Dragon Riders in the plaza. They looked up when Hiccup and the dragonets landed.

"Are you all right Edel?" Aurora asked. "We hear what happened."

"Yes Grandmother," said Edelweiss. "I feel better now." She took a deep breath.

"We didn't mean to upset you Edelweiss," said Astrid. "You are dangerous, but you're not evil."

"I accept you apology," said Edel. "Can we go home now?"

"Tomorrow," said Re. "First thing in the morning."

"Next year we get to revisit Dragon's Edge," said Tenor excitedly. Edelweiss turned to Hiccup and Toothless.

"Thank you for being nice to me," she said. "And letting me come to the Academy."

"You're welcome Edel," said Hiccup, Toothless crooned in agreement.

The Draconians flew back to the Dragon Island as the sun went down. They landed in front of the entrance. Edelweiss and her friends decided to spend their last night in their hideout. They all entered and laid down around the fire pit. They sang themselves to sleep.

Edelweiss was suddenly woken up some hours later. It was still dark out, but her new dragon eyes could see the world as though it were still midday. She sat up and looked around. The dragonets were still asleep. She heard someone moving around outside. She got to her feet and looked outside. She saw a the huge shape of a dragon looking out at the sea, his head seemed to be wrapped in a halo of golden light. Edelweiss came outside and cautiously approached the dragon. He looked at her, the golden light was coming from his eyes. Edelweiss immediately recognized him as Draco.

"Hello Draco," she said.

"Hello Edel," Draco said. "There's a few other things I forgot to tell you."

"But gods never forget," said Edelweiss. "Nor do dragons." Draco smiled.

"We only forget when we want to," he said. "Anyway, because you are a combination of two different species, you won't be able to reproduce."

"Oh, that's okay," said Edelweiss. "I never really wanted to."

"One last thing," Draco said. "I normally don't tell a dragon what their titan wing will look like, but I think your's will be one you wouldn't want to discover by accident."

"I have a titan wing form?" Edelweiss asked.

"Yes," said Draco. "When your titan wing is unlocked, you will be able to transform into a dragon temporarily."

"Cool," said Edelweiss. Draco suddenly narrowed his eyes.

"You know, I don't think that color's really working for you," he said. He thought a moment then clicked his talons. Edelweiss saw her scales changing colors. They turned from metallic blue, to arctic white. They shone vividly against her tan skin.

"There that's better," said Draco.

"Thank you sir," said Edelweiss. "And thank you for warning me about the humans."

"You're welcome," Draco said. "And if they continue to give you trouble you can come to me as well. You'll never be alone." Edelweiss bowed gratefully. "You may go back to sleep now."

"Good night Draco," said Edelweiss. She hurried back to the hideout. Draco waited until she was inside. Then he spread his wings and ascended back to his kingdom.