A/N- So, I just noticed that the upload process wipes out some of the punctuation required for my story, specifically the form of the dragon's speech. For those who read the last chapter, I will be making some updates to fix that issue.

Also, in this chapter there is some belief-based conversation, and apologies if it reads awkwardly. Remember, these chapters were written a couple years ago, so bear with me. :D

Two Worlds Collide

Chapter 7: Secrets and Surprises

Throughout the day, I got to enjoy the lovely job of following Hiccup around the village doing this, that, or the other. Unsurprisingly, he spent most of his time doing his job at the forge, but near midday we also went down to the docks to help the fishermen. Toothless, of course, followed as best he could with his limp (despite Hiccup's protest for him to stay in the house), and helped himself to a whole bag of fish before the fishermen shoed us all away. At the forge, however, a couple of things happened. First, I got to see just how good Hiccup actually is at blacksmithing, and second, I also got treated to a couple of nice new burns, some of them received while preventing Hiccup from falling into something or the other. Naturally, with that much time spent together, even if Hiccup was rather apprehensive about me, conversation started up sooner or later.

"So, Hawken, what is it that you like to do, you know, coming from a whole new world and all?" Hiccup asked while he pounded a sword flat with his own special made hammer. "Actually, I enjoy a few different things," I began. "I like reading, fishing, and growing plants." "Well, it's nice to hear about at least one other person who likes to read, " Hiccup drawled, "except for Fishlegs, since he rambles off everything he reads, but what do you mean by the plants part? Do you enjoy growing food in a garden?" I laughed as I handed him a pair of cold tongs. "Well, yes, I do enjoy gardening, but my forte is carnivorous plants." The pounding stopped as Hiccup turned to me, eyes wide and bulging. "You mean, you grow man eating plants? There's such a thing?" At this, I had to laugh again, and shook my head. "No, no, there's' no plant big enough for that, however much I wish there was. They eat insects and things, and I have some that could eat rats one day." "That's still a big plant," Hiccup commented as he went back to the sword. I nodded and continued. "Yeah, it is, and they look cool too. Most of them look like or have fancy flowers, and that's why people like me usually grow them. Though I will admit, I am a bit sadistic when it comes to the insect eating part." Hiccup went over to the cooling bucket and dipped the sword in, causing a loud hiss. "Well, I know I've never heard of them, so I doubt there are any near here. How many kinds do you have?" "I have over 50, and there's nearly 700 around the world. And you know, there just might be some around here. They're just hard to find." Hiccup nodded as he looked over the sword, placing it back on the bellows to heat it up again.

"Any other strange things you like?" he asked. I nodded. "I like snakes." Hiccup turned and gave me a fisheye. "How do you like those things? Every one I've ever known about is dangerously venomous, especially the White Rogue." I snorted, shaking my head. "Not so. Maybe around here they're mostly dangerous, as often happens in cold parts of the world, but elsewhere most are harmless. I keep some of the harmless kinds as pets. Of course, if you scare them you will still get a painful bite," I said, smirking. Hiccup chuckled. "You sound like that's coming from experience." He began pounding out the reheated sword again, as it now began coming flat and sharp. "I have to admit, though, I do like looking for strange and new things, especially in the forest," He said. "There's lots I don't know about, and you just gave some perfect examples about things I would like to learn about."

As we worked, Toothless was lying up against the bellows and keeping an eye on both of us, of course especially on me. Hiccup looked down at him. "He seems to have warmed up a bit to you rather quickly after what you did yesterday." He looked over at the tool bench. "Hand me those tongs would you?" I shrugged as I grabbed the tongs. "Well, apologies can do wonders for breaking tension." I handed Hiccup the tongs, and he took them and dunked the sword into the cooling bucket again. He turned back to me, a confused look on his face. "Are you saying you actually apologized to Toothless?" "Uh, yeah, why not? I can bet he's nearly, if not equally, as smart as most people. He probably knows things we could never even guess at, too." Hiccup stared at me quizzically. "Okay, a bit confusing, but I see what you mean. He's probably a lot smarter than some of the Vikings around here." We laughed at that and continued working.

For a while we worked in silence, and I kept catching tidbits of conversation outside the forge window as other Vikings passed by. "He's definitely not from around here." "I don't trust him. Maybe he's a spy." "See what he did to Toothless? What if we're next?" "Maybe he's not that bad." ::He's not a Viking, but I kind of like him.:: I jumped and looked out the window. That voice was not a normal one, and much like what I had heard the night before. Hiccup looked at me with a bit of a concerned look on his face. "You alright? Something going on out there?" That brought me back to the present. I shook it off and decided not to tell Hiccup. Maybe it had something to do with the gift. "No, no," I said, "I just thought I heard something." Hiccup didn't look at all convinced, but went back to the current sword anyways. "You definitely are strange." I laughed. "Thanks, I'll take that as a compliment," I said sarcastically.

We stayed there for a few more hours until evening came around, and Hiccup decided it was time to head back to his house. I was glad it wasn't one of his famous 'stay up late in the forge' nights. When we arrived, a bit slowly since Toothless still limped, we were treated to a fairly uneventful evening and a meal of roasted chicken (who knew Stoick could cook at all?). After that, there was a bit of an awkward conversation between father and son about the day's events, especially awkward since a lot of it concerned me. Eventually, the two got tired and began heading upstairs to their rooms. As I prepared to go to sleep on my not-so-comfy mat, I noticed there was one being who was not following his usual nightly routine. Toothless got up and limped over to sit next to me. "What is it that you want?" I asked, slightly irritated. It was late at night now, after all. "This is time for sleep when it comes to us humans, whether you're nocturnal or not." Toothless continued to sit and stare at me with those huge, almost unnervingly green eyes. ::Don't kid me. You're not completely human anymore.:: I jumped back. That was the same voice I had heard the night before, and much like the one I had heard earlier that day. It was definitely not human, as it was more like a growling noise I could comprehend. At this point I finally realized where it was coming from: Toothless. "You… you can talk?!" Toothless narrowed his eyes. ::Yes, I can talk, every dragon can talk.::

I sat there in shock for a few minutes, unable to think. This wasn't like the dragon that gave me the gift, as she could actually speak like a human. Here, I actually understood a dragon in its own tongue! As those thoughts went through my mind, it clicked. The gift! I realized. "So, since I can become one of you, I can understand you creatures now?" I queried Toothless nodded and gave a draconic sigh. ::Yes, you can understand all of us now,:: he said, ::And vice versa, we can understand you perfectly whether said dragon has been near people or not. That is, if I am completely right about what you are, and who made you a Halfling.:: I sat there, dumbfounded for a couple of minutes. "So this has happened before?" I asked. Toothless nodded. ::A few times according to legend. Very few people or dragons have been worthy of receiving the gift, though nearly always indirectly, form one source or another. The last Halfling was a dragon, and she should still be alive now.:: I nodded. "Did she happen to be cream and peach in color, and look a lot like you?" Toothless nodded. ::So it was the Mystique who gave you the gift. She hasn't been seen anywhere near here for over 15 years.:: "So that's what that dragon is called. Did you know about here being able to speak human too?" Toothless sat there in thought for a few minutes. ::In theory, she should have been able to. I guess you proved that theory though.:: "Uh huh. Well, I am getting a headache from all this, so I think it's about time I go to bed. We can talk more if you want tomorrow." I turned to lie down, but Toothless nudged me in the side.

::Wait a second. Last night you were giving prayer to something. Do you believe the same thing the Vikings do?:: I sighed. "I really don't like these religious conversations, but no, I believe in only one God." ::We dragons only believe in one higher being too!:: I raised an eyebrow and gave Toothless the fisheye. "You're not making fun of me, are you?" Toothless hissed a bit at that. ::The Mystique said the gift was from God, yes?:: I nodded. ::Then would it not make sense that we dragons would believe her and those before her on that matter?:: I sat there for a moment. "I guess it could make sense." ::Exactly. So, yes, we don't believe the same things as the Vikings, and it appears we believe the same thing as you.:: I sighed. "Well, isn't this just a perfect time to sing 'It's a Small World After All.' But I am really getting a headache. Do you mind if I could go to sleep now?" Toothless sighed. ::Fine, but I wish to speak with you tomorrow again.:: "Alright, maybe tomorrow night. Good night then," I said, and turned to finally lie down and go to sleep. Toothless trotted off to his mat, and lay down. As I fell asleep, I had no idea how much I would need a good night's rest, as tomorrow was going to be one extremely hectic day for me.