Chapter 11: Gunna and Berk's legacy

Summary:
Silverwings has been able to accept the fact that her lover Nighthawk has a close bond with a human. Through ups and downs she eventually is able to fully accept Hiccup. Nighthawk is overjoyed to meet his children. Hiccup extends a formal invitation to her to come visit Berk. She agrees to this and travelling is made possible by a group of dragons and humans that carry her children in a basket. Being very moved by Nighthawk's love and all that has passed, Silverwings finally speaks her wish that they mate for life.

Flying over land and a mountain range they reach the ocean. Scouts from Berk spot them and herald the news that Nighthawk is bringing his dragoness to the island. Within eyesight of Berk the travelling group is welcomed by a swarm of dragons from Berk. After a brief meeting with Hiccup's family they go to the house that is prepared for them. It is not in the village, but some distance into the woods, much to Silverwing's delight. Late that night it happens that both Fireweed and Kari, Hiccup's youngest daughter, leave the safety of their homes to go look for the other. It becomes clear why: they are drawn to each other so much, it must be bonding.

A/N: I chose to go by the name of 'Gunna' instead of Gothi, as my wise-women-character differs too much from the movie-one. But in looks she is the same.

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Chapter 11. Gunna and Berk's legacy

Breakfast
*My children are playing, I hear them laugh and chatter. Haha, they are such a happy bunch, my sweetlings. But… those are not their voices, what…?*
"Careful, she's waking up…"
*What…?*
I sprang to my feet and roared around. That is until some realisation of the situation sank in and the roars died in my throat. My yearlings were out playing with what…? Hatchlings of the Gronckle kind… Thump was there and a female Gronckle, halfway the glade. More to the side were Sunrise and Stormfly, Astrid's Nadder. In between they and I sat Nighthawk, looking a bit lost. "Uhm, dear..." he started apologetically, but another voice cut him short.
"My, my, not exactly a morning type, are you? Good morning to you and sorry, the party started without you. You know, we just couldn't keep away. Thump here wanted to bring his mate and hatchlings so bad. And I was just plain curious, you see." I saw it was Stormfly speaking, and now she walked toward me together with Sunrise.

At that same moment Boulder and Tumble raced past me "Mammy, mammy, look, hatchlings", immediately running back to the three Gronckle hatchlings. There, playing with them were my other children, including Fireweed. It was mid-morning now. I figured I had fallen asleep again after the events late this night… "Mammy" Heather cried "they are so young, they cannot even speak yet! But -ump- they BUMP, hihihi, -ump-ohh-, hihihi." Still not fully awake I watched stunned as my children let the hatchlings chase them around and bump into them. They in turn did their trick of flipping them over, but that didn't work so well on these hatchlings, as they rolled on and immediately stood on their chubby feet again.

"Haha, shut your jaws dear and brighten up. Never thought a Night Fury could look that unintelligent" Sunrise laughed. "We decided to give you a hard time. Aaand bring you breakfast. The Nadder cocked her head "That is, you overslept and it's all gone. Hahaha, just teasing. This here is-"
"Stormfly" I blurted "one of the Heroes."
"Correct" Stormfly replied "as is Thump's mate, here. But better not mention that to her. She tries to forget the past. Nice to meet you."
I summoned up some dignity and replied "Greetings to you, Stormfly, my name is Silverwings".
"Hah- only half awake and formal already. Couldn't be anything else than a Night Fury" she replied, and, facing Nighthawk: "Oh, Toothless, cheer up! It's not like we're going to eat her. That is, about breakfast -Meatlug…?" she called over to Thump's mate.

The female Gronckle came walking over.
"I am Meatlug, dear" she said "nice to meet you. Sorry about Thump, he just dozed off."
"Silverwings. Greetings to you M… Me…"
"Meatlug. I was aptly named by my human, Fishlegs, who recognised my potential even back when I was no more than skin and bones. Uhm, we tend to say 'our human', Silverwings, but that's only a matter of speech. Surely you must have been told already it is too cumbersome to say 'the human I bonded with' all the time."
Before I could even think of giving a reply she prattled on "I am just so very happy with my human. He is of a healthy girth, and he is an incredibly nice and caring human person. And he knows so much, all this knowledge in him, it's great! Him talking away, while massaging my feet, is the best way to fall asleep…" She paused, lost in some fond memories which I did not dare to break into.
I took the opportunity to briefly look over to Nighthawk, who had settled, and gave him a silent greeting before returning my attention to the Gronckle female.

"But where are my manners" Meatlug said, pulling herself together. She sat upright solemnly and respectfully, before barfing up a pile of fish.
What honour and generosity! My ears flew up in surprise. Not just one half of a fish, following etiquette, but a whole pile of them! I didn't quite know how to react.
Seeing my amazement, Meatlug replied "It's a bit of a combination between welcoming you and providing breakfast. Please honour it and eat your fill. Though it's only half of what we brought. The other half is inside my mate, and he is digesting it right now, I fear."

The whole thing was yet again an intrusion on our privacy, but I had promised myself firmly to take things as they came and desensitize.
So I respectfully gobbled up the fish, while half listening to Meatlug babbling on: "You definitely could use some decent food to put up weight dear, you look so, uhm… petite… in an elegant way of course! No offence! But a bit more fat would give your mate something to hold on to." I kept my peace. I never thought anything about my weight and decided to not start today. She continued "Oh, the journey must have been horrific: all that flying around without enough rest to let the food settle. My mate came back all skinny, I will have to fatten him up again, my poor darling" and she gave her mate an affectionate stare. "I hope this experience cures him of any further wish for adventure".
I looked over to the bulky form of Thump, who was snoring off a heavy breakfast and mumbled something noncommittal.

However, she wouldn't let the subject rest; the sight of her poor mate and of me must have struck a deep cord. "You know, let me advise you about the fish, so you can choose the best ones for your children, poor skinny things. -Oh, sorry, no offence" she quickly added when I stopped eating and gave her a glare. A bit less self-assured she continued "It's just, I cannot imagine how this journey must have affected them. My motto is 'nest and rest' in order to build up steadiness and a clear mind. Uhm, well then" she said, poking through the pile of fish "here you have salmon, and that one is a mackerel. Those are the fatty ones that will put some meat on the bones. I hope you take my advice, as Toothless sadly seems to prefer cod, choosing taste over nourishment. It was nice for him as a lone dragon, but it won't do for raising children. You as a mother should realise it's a lean fish, you know. …Ahh, you have finished already? Your stomach must have shrunken dear, but I'm happy to say I've got the perfect solution for leftovers. -Children…" she called over to the playing bunch "we have some food left, how about that!" In no time her little ones were happily munching away what was left of the fish.

"Thank you so much for the food, Meatlug" I said to her "and for the advice. And I am still thankful to your mate who had the wisdom to build us a nest when we were out in the open. Will you please tell him that? Your kind does a great job with building nests."
"Yes, he is quite something, isn't he" she sighed happily, looking back at Thump, who had rolled over with all fours up in the air. "I'll go join him and leave you to your rest. -Children…?" And she hobbled off to her mate with her children wobbling behind, followed by my curious yearlings. The Gronckle hatchlings had become sleepy by now. One didn't make it all the way. It slowed, rolled over and fell asleep on the spot. My children approached it cautiously and prodded it gently. When the hatchling did not wake up they settled themselves in a protective ring around it, looking all smug and alert except for Fireweed, who's head sank down when she too succumbed to sleep.
I smiled at them. My sweeties. You must suddenly feel so grown, for the first time meeting little ones younger than yourselves.

"Leave protection to Night Furies, even this young, it seems. You have to give them that" Sunrise remarked, one eye resting on the yearlings. "Why don't you and Nighthawk take a tour of the island, Silverwings" she continued "I'll keep an eye on the little ones here together with Aina, until you return. She will be here any moment. Go fetch Hiccup and jump in the air."

Food and freedom
Together with Stormfly we trotted down to Hiccup's house. Nighthawk told me he already had a stiff talk with the children about last night, speaking with them about the dangers of going off alone. But he had not talked much about the reason why Fireweed had left the nest and soon released them, as all five longed to go out and play. He told me the tree stumps were an absolute favourite; they climbed on top and then defended their 'nest' to the others. I smiled at him, happy with his developing parenting skills.

"You will not see Stoick today" Stormfly told us "he went into the great hall to start preparations for the welcoming feast for you, Silverwings. Berk will give the mate of Toothless a warm welcome of course. A GRAND welcome I may add, set for the day after tomorrow." When she noticed the look on my face she added with a smirk "And after that you can go hide in the woods for as long as you like. But not before all of Berk had a good look at you and your yearlings. We have our 'formalities' too, dear. Hahaha. Just let the whole thing wash over you and satisfy the curiosity of everyone. We haven't had a major celebration for ages, so your arrival is the perfect excuse to have one."
"Did you know that?" I asked Nighthawk uncertainly.
"No, but I should have guessed. How stupid of me." He shook his head, but then a little smile crept on his face and he suddenly perked up. "Yes, why not. Why not celebrate!" he exclaimed. "Humour me in this, my love, let me show you off to all of Berk. I am so proud of you, I could shout!"

Once at Hiccup's house we met his family and this time we made formal introductions. I looked into Astrid's laughing eyes, and even went so far as to somewhat stiffly lean over and let her pat my head. "Thank you, Silverwings" she said. "Hiccup told me you used to live a solitary life. Hopefully things are not too difficult for you. But I am glad you came, you and your dragonets. Sorry about the disturbance early this morning though, we will make sure it does not happen again." At seeing my eyes search around for Kari, she added "We put Kari back to bed, she fell asleep during breakfast. Shall I introduce you to the other children?"

So she did. The oldest, a twelve-year old male was called Stoick, after Hiccup's father. He was a willowy yellow-haired male that already was as tall as his parents. Their second child had a complicated name, but they repeated the name Valla to me. She was a slender female of 11 that looked much like her mother, apart from the colour of her hair-pelt, which was brown. Their third child should better have been called Stoick, as he had the stocky build and red hair-pelt of his grandsire, but his name was Sunnar, a nine-year old male. Then there was Brennan, a little male of seven. He was like Hiccup in miniature, up to the bright intelligence in his eyes. And Kari, they told me, was five years old.
I sniffed every one of them while they, on instruction of their father, tightly pressed their hands together so they wouldn't touch me. I was pleasantly surprised by the sweet smell of their young bodies beneath the smelliness of their clothing-wraps. Carried away somewhat, I snuffled on for quite a while. I was just giving the youngest male a little lick, when suddenly something shuffled behind my back.

WHAT. Something sneaking up on me!
Instantly outraged, I swung around with a growl and pounced on the source of the noise, knocking it flat. NOTHING sneaks up on me like that. Nothing had, for most of my life. My teeth unsheathed and I was about to plunge them into my prey, when I realised the shrieking thing was a human. Just in time I managed to curb my attack, so my snout slammed into the ground next to his head. I rolled over to the side to get off and once on my feet, leapt even further away. Aborting the attack did nothing to satisfy my killer instinct though. Growling, I tore at the grass with my talons, ripping loose whole chunks, to drain off the energy.
Nighthawk had come stumbling after me, having just missed me when trying to knock my head away. He came standing in between me and the screaming humans. When I finally hung my head, he nuzzled my face gently. It made me lay down. He lay down too, still blocking my view. After I gave a final snort, he said "I think that will be the last human to startle you. Word will spread quickly that one better not sneak upon a certain dragoness". His dry remark made me look up to him. "That was Snotlout, Hiccup's relative" he added "maybe he'll finally take Hiccup's warnings to heart."

Lifting my head, I looked over to the humans. Next to Hiccup the human Snotlout hung pale faced against the house. Astrid stood in the doorway, the children peeking around her with big frightened eyes. Hiccup observed us.
"Nighthawk, what if -" I started.
"Hush. You didn't" he cut me short.
"I want to be away from here, let's go back" I said.
"Better not walk away from this, dear, if you will take my advice. The villagers have been scared stiff by dragons before, back when we got accustomed to each other. And Snotlout should have known better than to startle you. Let's wait this out."

Snotlout finally walked off, on wobbly feet. Hiccup called his children to him and spoke with them. Kari stepped out of the house too, obviously woken up by the noise. After a talk of their father the children looked over at me less frightened and went into the house with their mother.

Hiccup disappeared for a moment and then returned with the flying harness. "Come Toothless, Silverwings. Let's fly."
"Silverwings" he added while putting the harness on Nighthawk "things will work out. It has for all dragons, it will for you too. You'll see. Let's fly and feel the wind. It will make you feel better."
Hiccup had been right, once up in the air it was nice to feel the breeze. As nice as his speech had been. I deeply inhaled the fresh air and nodded at Nighthawk relieved.

First of all we made a swoop over the village and I saw how it lay on an outcrop of rock into the ocean. The rest of the island was much bigger, Nighthawk told me. We flew past a spike of a mountain. "There" Nighthawk said "that patch of forest over there, that's where Hiccup found me, all tied up. When we flew over a cove next, I knew what that was. But I didn't want to land yet, as I wished to learn the general lay of the land. To my satisfaction much of it was like the taiga I came from, though the forest was denser. There were also glades, some with heather and shrubs, and others grassier. On one of those I saw deer. Deer!

Immediately I landed to go and hunt one. But Nighthawk landed also and stopped me. "What is the matter?" I asked surprised. He then told me that the dragons on Berk did not hunt for deer. He explained to me "Even if every dragon would only take one deer a year, there soon would be no deer left." And he added another piece of information: "You also better not taste the round, fluffy animals that are called sheep. As long as you do not taste them, you do not crave them. The sheep are for the humans, who need the wool to make clothes, as they lack scales or pelt." Unbelieving, I looked Nighthawk in the eye. He said "I am sorry about this, Silverwings, but there is no way around it. In order for so many to live on this island, we have to turn to the ocean for food."
I didn't know what to say to this disturbing information and we took to the air again. So I cannot hunt what I want and not eat what I want? So the reality of living on this island is that I will have to eat fish while my favourite prey is near?
I felt distressed. Food. What is more important than food?

"Come, Silverwings, let's gain height to get an overview over the island." Nighthawk said. We climbed straight up and it didn't even take that long before we indeed overlooked all of the island. It wasn't all wooded, the highest part was covered in heather.
But this is it? This is all of the island? Berk is supposed to be the biggest island around and even this island was… small, much too small for my taste. My heart sank; even all of Berk was nothing compared to the Mainland. It made me feel homesick.

Oh, the majestic expanses of taiga! Nothing but taiga from one horizon to the other, no matter how high you climbed. Only when you reached the thin airs high up and saw the earth bend in a curve beneath you, did you see glittering ice to the north…

Unable to watch any longer I soared down and sped towards the far end of the island. Being faster than Nighthawk, burdened with Hiccup, I landed on a cliff's edge before he arrived. I felt so uprooted because of all recent changes in my life that for the first time I seriously doubted my decisions. Had I made the wrong choice? Wouldn't it be better to return to the Mainland with my children? But what about Fireweed? Can I separate her from Kari? And once gone, there is no hope of returning for several years. My children would rapidly outgrow the baskets and then there would be no return unless their own wings carry them.

Nighthawk landed next to me. "Silverwings?"
"You tell me I cannot hunt what I want. Not eat what I want" I snapped at him. "This island is so small it's hardly bigger than my territory. And I cannot even call it mine! I have to share it with many dragons. So many that you do not even know them all, you told me. How strange is that! And there are so many humans, it is suffocating. The only spot that is mine is the little glade and the house. And that is not even mine, it's ours. What dragoness does not have her own territory? Everything is different here. I knew there would be changes, but…" What about my freedom, to do as I please?
I turned away from him and flopped down, overlooking the ocean. My sensors told me I looked in the direction of the Mainland. Home.

"You can always go back…" Nighthawk said in a quiet voice from behind me.
I did not turn around to him. I was at a loss. My love for Nighthawk had felt as wonderful as flowers carpeting the forest floor in springtime. Was the reality of life on Berk changing it?

A love like flowers in springtime… but the flowers of spring do not last, they wither and fall.

To realise that gave a pang of pain. Had I been wrong about everything?

Flowers wither and fall, but the plant lives. Flowers have to fade away in order for the plant to bear fruit… Necessary changes…

Necessary changes… Nothing stays the same for ever, not even love, it seems. It changes. Changes you…

I turned my head to look at Nighthawk again. There he stood, stiff and tense, looking out over the ocean. This time he did not plead or humble himself like he had done before. It was a decisive moment and it was up to me.

I stood up, walked over to Nighthawk and gently pressed my head against his.
He deflated. "I had not realised how much you would have to give up, Silverwings" he softly said.
"Neither did I. But life… change…" I stuttered. "Back in the taiga I would be without you, my love. And without many new friends. But… my daughter… and my favourite food is taken away from me; I will regret that dearly." I sighed. "It will have to be give and take, I guess. And I received much already."

It had been a sobering experience and we started out flying back quietly. Hiccup, who had given us space while we were on the ground, now rode Nighthawk in silence with a pensive look on his face. Again I noticed their closeness, like they were one in flight. Nighthawk's sleek, strong body caught my eye. Suddenly could not suppress the urge to touch him, so I brushed his wingtip with mine. Surprised, he looked at me. "Sorry." I said "Sorry I upset you. –No, hush. I'm being difficult, I know I am. I mean, have I even said sorry to you once? It was long overdue." Now a grin crept on his face. He stroked my wingtip too and calmly we sailed back.

Gunna the wise woman
When we circled our glade, we saw Kjell standing on the lookout, waving at us and signalling excitedly. He carried an urgent message: "Gunna asked for you, Toothless. She also much wishes to see your lady and the children. She would have liked to give you more time, but she feels her end is coming. Will you please come? Hinnan told me that she is already so much weaker than yesterday…"
Nighthawk shot me a worried glance and I nodded: of course we would go, I already started to gather the children.

During our long travel Nighthawk had told me about Gunna, the wise woman of Hiccup's tribe. Also that she had grown old and that he feared he would not see her alive again. Her successor, Hinnan, looked after her, he told me. I knew Nighthawk greatly respected her and why. That's why in no time we were on our way in a quick trot. Nighthawk let Hiccup ride him for speed.

Yes, Nighthawk had grown terribly fond of Gunna. At first, he told me, she ignored him when all others of Hiccup's tribe gawked at him or stealthily tried to touch him. But she had not hesitated to come to his aid when Hiccup and he had split up in the first major row of their friendship. Her wise intervention had brought them back together, and she gave her people a better understanding of the strange, solitary Night Fury in their midst.
When she had looked Nighthawk up, lurking at the other side of the island all angry and confused, they had sat together in silence. At that moment Nighthawk realised how intrigued he was, how much he wanted her to talk to him and tell him stories. To let him share in the wisdom he saw in her eyes. But she had kept silent and only at their parting said the words that made him rush back to Hiccup*.

"It did not take long before I started to stalk her, Silverwings. I felt so much drawn to her. I followed her around secretly, though what is secret about a black dragon trying to slink through the middle of the village in broad daylight, huh huh huh. I felt so stupid. She knew in no time, of course" Nighthawk told me with a twinkle in his eyes. "She kept me dangling for a while, just for fun, I guess. But unobtrusively she took up the habit of sitting on a log overlooking the docks, away from the crowd. Thus she forced me to give up my secrecy and approach her. Eventually I mustered the courage -or should I say: overcame my pride- and sat down silently at some distance behind her. But did she acknowledge me then, I ask you? No! I had to go sit next to her and huff a greeting before she addressed me. She sure knows how to exercise her authority. Could be a dragon!"

"Hello Nighthawk" she greeted back. I nodded and turned my head towards her when suddenly I sprang to my feet, backing away from her. She had used my true name, how…?
"I know things, my brave dragon. I simply do, don't get alarmed" she said with a little smile. "Things 'come to me'. I sense a lot, more than my people think I do. It's a gift I was born with as one cannot learn such a thing. What I needed to learn though was how to master it. And I had to learn all other knowledge and lore that come with the job the hard way as an apprentice, rehearsing and memorising until I fell over with sleep. But I honed my skills to perfection during my long life."
Then she cackled some. "Of course I don't know everything. Nobody does. I failed to see what Hiccup was up to at first."

After a silence she continued "I instruct my tribe, and advise Stoick who was as stubborn as they come, but who was wise enough to heed my council. Became a skilled chief, he did, could have been much worse. He definitely stepped up to the challenge.
At festivals I tell and retell the lore of our tribe to my people. I much like the art of telling stories, dragon, but I wish I had a more willing ear than that of the average villager occupied by the content of his mug."

"At that I must have beamed, Silverwings, ears wide, wings trembling with excitement like: Pick me! Pick me! I'm all ears! Huh huh, that smart woman. Of course she knew what I had come for. She cleverly lay out the bait and I took it instantly. Oh, was I hooked. She outsmarted me by far!
She chuckled and said "I behave terribly, dragon, because I know full well you want to hear stories. Please forgive this old woman for teasing you so. But it amused me tremendously." And she cackled some more.
From that moment on she called me 'dragon'. She never said my true name again, but also never addressed me by the name of 'Toothless'."

"And so she started to tell me stories. First simple or funny ones. But she was also fickle and moody and sometimes would only drone up the names of all flowers on Berk or all different types of rock. But I kept with her and eventually she relaxed and enjoyed our little meetings. She would test me at times and for instance mention the names of all families on Berk except for one and ask me if she missed one. My answer was nearly always right.
Eventually she rewarded my patience and told me much of what she knew. Of the families of Berk and their histories. Of the history of the tribe. About how long ago they had come to Berk and why. Where they had come from. About the beliefs of the tribe and all things they hold sacred."

"She told me their names for the stars, Silverwings. She knows a lot about the path of sun and moon, nearly as much as we dragons do, and she had an intricate way to help her remember when it was time to plant the crops and when was the right time for the festivals. She told me about the Romans and where they originate from. She made a drawing of the world in the sand and told me which tribes live where and what the lands are like. Also about the taiga, Silverwings, and it proved she was right about many things! She also knew some of the things Thundercloud told you. About an ocean at the other side of the world. About a people that live in the lands bordering it, that revere a whiskered, elegant dragon that sometimes visits their cities. She told me so many things of interest and importance. I listened mesmerised, and forgot nothing she told me. Not even the names of the flowers on Berk."

"Strange thing, I share so much with you, dragon" she mused "but the paths of both of our kinds have intertwined. We will walk together, or should I say, fly together for a while, but I have a foreboding your kind will outlast us. So I trust you with all of our lore, our legacy, to keep alive the Miracle of Berk. And to maybe even pass it on to one of your children." At that my head sank down, Silverwings. Being a cripple, I did not believe that ever a child would spring from my fire. And now see me, see us."

I nuzzled my love who told me such a wonderful and strange story.

"You know, Gunna also told me that maybe our kind came from the sea and once again will sleep there for a long period of time. She pondered an ancient rhyme which children sing at play:

Fire rose from water
On the first of days
First the fire warms us
Then the fire burns us
Then it grows so friendly
And for a while it stays
Then it crawls back under
And sleeps beneath the waves
Rise again! Rise again!
In a thousand years

It is believed to be a rhyme about the sun, but living together with us dragons made her think again. We do bury our dead in the waves, but… I don't know.
'The sun only stays away for one night and not for a thousand years she said. Of course there is no way of knowing if she is right. But why should a human sense something about the dragon kind that we ourselves do not know? It's just too strange."

"Oh, and about children: often children would gather around her and beg her for stories. Then I would sit down with them. I observed how she skilfully downsized a story to fit their young brains without losing too much of the meaning.
I realised her trust in me when I heard her telling lore to the villagers on festivals in the great hall. She told them story after story. Every story was right and detailed in a certain way, but I knew the depth behind it and what she did not tell: the story behind the story. Or should I say: the truth behind the lore. I have a hunch this must be the difference between knowledge and wisdom, but I cannot put a claw on it. Although truth, truth…" he paused and looked down, to continue "truth is fickle, like smoke. You see it, but when you bite it, there is nothing to get a grip on."

Nighthawk looked at me again and chuckled: "It must have been a strange thing to the villagers: seeing us walk or sit together. They had already grown accustomed to me dropping a fish at her doorstep regularly, but ever more often they saw a Night Fury patiently waiting next to her door to see if their wise woman would maybe come out and take a stroll with him.
Hiccup never fully understood, but at times when he looked for me he knew where to look first. Sometimes I would not hear Hiccup call me when I listened to Gunna, which really annoyed him!"

So now we were on our way to Gunna. Soon we reached the village. The villagers looked up in amazement as we hurried past them in a single file: first Nighthawk, carrying Hiccup, with Kjell jogging next to him, next the yearlings and me at the rear.

When we arrived, we barely fitted inside Gunna's house. She lay down on a flat nest of sorts that was raised from the ground on poles. A woman that must be Hinnan helped her up.
I could not help but gawk. Never had I seen a human that ancient. The flesh of her face and body had sunken, her head-pelt had become very thin. With feeble movements she shifted somewhat. But her eyes, they were something else entirely! When she looked at Nighthawk, they shone brightly, and the wrinkles in her face rearranged in a joyful manner.

A hoarse voice: "There you are, dragon! You kept me waiting, didn't you? But why do I complain? Waiting is all that is left to me… Still, you never failed me, my good dragon. Hello, Hiccup, good to see you. You came back in time."

She coughed.

"Don't be sad, dragon. Heaven willing, we will meet again."
At that she coughed again and closed her eyes. Worried, Nighthawk nuzzled her hand, but when he snuffled her face she opened her eyes again and asked in a surprisingly clear voice "Did you bring your lady? Is Silverwings with you?"

I neared her respectfully and nudged her hand. When I dared to raise my eyes I was surprised to see tears in her eyes. "Silverwings" she rasped "have you any idea how happy you made my dragon?"
Her eyes closed again, but a sweet, contented smile played around her lips. She whispered "I heard you came to stay. That is good, my dear, good…"

Silence.

"You have my blessing, you and Nighthawk, and your children. I wished… I will watch over you from the Hereafter, if such a thing is possible…
Then she looked me full in the eye, and instantly I felt enveloped in the warm glow that poured out of her eyes. It made my head sink until it touched her side, if only just. She placed a frail hand on my head and left it there for a moment, a light weight.

"Now show me your children" she asked, visibly mustering strength.
We lined them up. They looked up at her nervously.
"Hello little darlings. Don't be afraid. My body is very old, I will soon die. But when I die, I believe I will get wings, just like you. Then I'll fly… soar like you dragons… like I often did in my dreams… Then I'll fly… home."

She paused, looking at my children.

"Your father will tell you all about me. I told him a lot of stories. Which one of you likes stories?"
All nodded yes, but Pinecone rose on her hind legs and nodded vigorously.
"So you are the one…" Gunna whispered and smiled a little smile. "I will ask your father to tell you everything I told him. -Nighthawk, you tell her everything, will you, my dragon? You know what I mean. You have my consent."

With a weakened voice she continued "Now leave me, little Furies. You made an old woman happy. Go, Silverwings, all is well. Now that I have seen you, I can die in peace."
She sank back onto the nest. Her eyes fell to, her pale face had flushed. The talk had exhausted her.

"Did she just die, mammy? Boulder asked confused.
"Oh, can I watch her fly away?" Tumble asked hopefully.
"No, my darlings" I replied "she went to rest, and we should let her. And we will not get to see her last flight: I sense that is not for us to witness. Come with me." And I guided them out. When I watched over my shoulder I saw Hiccup tenderly hold her hand, and Nighthawk huff a breath over her. Yes, she saved their friendship. They love her for that.

Suddenly my children pressed themselves against my body. My wings covered them immediately and I looked around to face… a crowd! It turned out many villagers had followed us and now gaped at me and at my wings, where the yearlings were hidden. While the eyes of some humans shone, there were also many with a guarded look. They must have heard what I did to Snotlout this morning. But most looked worried at the house as they realised why we had been summoned.

Though I felt no immediate threat coming from the whispering crowd, I shrank back to the walls of the house nonetheless. We were surrounded completely, there was no way out. My heart started to pound. Not wanting to get aggressive again, I didn't know what to do.
Suddenly I heard a familiar voice. "Lady Silverwings! Lady! Shall I bring you home? Would you like to come with me?" It was Valla. She stepped out of the crowd and hesitantly neared me. Yes, she must be nervous as only a few hours ago she had witnessed my attack on Snotlout. Looking at the child's friendly face, my ears perked up again and I gave a snort. She then asked the humans to make way, and the crowd split wide apart to lend us passage. Relieved, I followed Valla while keeping my children under my wings. Still many humans pointed and a sigh went through the crowd when they caught a glimpse of them.

Valla first guided me past the houses silently, but once we cleared the village she began to babble. "My Dad told us not to be afraid of you. Dragons are our friends. You will be too. That is, I hope you will be." I listened to her pleasant voice, while she stole glances at the emerging yearlings. "Did you hear that there will be a great welcome for you?" she asked me. "It will be held in the Arena. That's where we have our outdoor festivals."
The Arena. Now what did that remind me of? Something nagged at the back of my head, but I dismissed it as I watched my children getting ever more playful with Valla.

oOoOoOoOoOo

* see my other story "Toothless in a crisis".

Inspiration
As a writer you need inspiration and challenge. I am pleased to say I had both, so this chapter has been inspired by:

- a suggestion from my editor Tagesh. He asked me how everyday life on Berk would affect Silverwings. He is right in asking so. In every relationship there is the issue of actually living together, and what it might do to you and to the love you feel. So that's what the part "Food and freedom" is about.

- a notion in Cressida Cowell's book of 'How To Train Your Dragon'. The first book of the series starts and ends with Hiccup describing how dragons are disappearing from the face of the earth as they crawl back into the ocean where they once came from, leaving no trace. And that maybe, just maybe, they sleep deep down on the ocean's floor to one day awaken again. Tagesh and I discussed this easily overlooked notion and we were both much drawn to the idea.
As an aside, I suddenly come up with a parallel: what if 'dragons' lie dormant, buried in the deepest regions of our brain. To emerge again when 'Heroes are needed once more'. What a thought.
That aside: IMAGINE, IF ONE DAY THEY WOULD BE AROUND AGAIN, JUST IMAGINE.
The final section of the chapter ('Gunna') touches on this.

A short note from Tagesh: Before discussing these concepts with White Aspen, I had paid attention to the movie but not the books. When Aspen told me about how the book opens and Hiccup tells us "There were dragons when I was a boy…" and in closing mentions "There may yet come a time when the dragons will come back" I was amazed- and knew I wanted to read it for myself. The idea of "the once and future" dragons strikes a chord with me and opens my mind to imagining what else the HTTYD universe will contain. Perhaps Hiccup would be pleased at Aspen adding a few more words on the subject of dragon behaviour and lore. And I look forward to exploring what these ideas might reveal.

- a suggestion from Gamejoy

He was curious if maybe there would be Nadder yearlings, and how they and the Fury yearlings would mix. Well Gamejoy, they turned out to be Gronckle hatchlings, but I hope you enjoyed them anyway.

About the content of this chapter

Gunna, the third part, was originally all I wanted to write here. The story about Gunna has been growing ever since I wrote "Toothless in a crisis", November 2011. I am so happy this little story reaches you in this way.

I had tremendous fun imagining Toothless 'secretly' following Gunna around everywhere. But I also cherish the idea of Gunna telling him stories (imagine them sitting together, enjoying each other's company) and eventually planting the lore and history of the tribe in his brain. He in turn will pass it on to his daughter Pinecone. And maybe, just maybe, Pinecone now sleeps beneath the waves to one day rise again and tell us about 'The Miracle of Berk'. *sigh*

Breakfast, the first part, just happened to come out, and turned out to provide a little fun in between a tense night and Silverwings' disillusion.

Thanks for reading!