"We have to make it back to the Sanctuary, Comet. Please." I whispered into her ears. She forced herself to fly higher. I could feel her pain, but there was nothing I could do until we made it back to the Sanctuary.

As we grew near, Comet began to tremble horribly, the pain beginning to wear her down. I stroked her neck, the edges of her wings, trying all I could to assure her I was there and that we were almost home.

The Sanctuary loomed into view, and I breathed a sigh of relief. If Comet could hold only a few seconds longer...

We flew into the kitchen and Comet, immediately after landing, collapsed. Valka gasped as she ran to look at Comet's wings, which were bleeding ferociously. As I looked up after dismounting, I noticed two strangers and two dragons huddled near Hiccup within the kitchen. I froze.

"Lucaria." Valka stood up and embraced me, then shot a worried look towards Comet. "One second, dear."

She disappeared momentarily. I turned towards the strangers that were standing in the kitchen, looking towards me awkwardly. I looked curiously at them, waiting patiently until Valka had returned with aid for Comet.

Valka came back with ice and bandages in her arms. I took them and kneeled down beside Comet, tenderly wrapping them around Comet's wings. She cringed as I put pressure on the wounds, and I could sense she was trying hard to restrain from crying out. I stroked her snout gently, attempting to calm her down. She gave a weak, gentle purr and nudged one of her wingtips before curling up and falling asleep. I stood by her a moment longer, just watching the gentle rise and fall of her chest. She deserved the rest.

I turned back towards where Valka and Hiccup were standing beside the strangers. "Well? Are you going to introduce me?"

"This is Stoick, and Gobber. From Berk," Valka said, though I could sense the hesitant joy in her voice. "You remember, don't you?"

"I do. I remember you telling me many stories of your home when we first met." I turned to Gobber and Stoick. "It's a pleasure to meet you both."

Gobber reached out and shook my hand enthusiastically. I gave him a smile and a gentle nod, smiling and rubbing his Hotburple's nose. The Rumblehorn beside me nudged my arm, and I turned to stroke the side of his snout. I assumed he belonged to Stoick. I turned, and holding out my hand to Stoick, was met with a bear hug.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucaria. I've heard much about you since...we first reunited." He looked over lovingly towards Valka. "How long have you been here?"

"About several months now, maybe a year? I don't rightfully know. It's definitely been a while," I laughed. I could hardly believe this huge viking was Hiccup's father. They looked so...different. But then again, I took after my mother much more than my father.

Another stab of remorse filled me and the kind smile that had been lingering on my face vanished. Stoick's face crossed with concern.

"Are you alright, Lucaria?"

"I'll be okay, thank you. Just...memories."

He nodded his head, and I assumed Valka had told him my story. I was grateful I wouldn't need to tell it. I don't think my mind could have handled it. I retired to a corner of the kitchen, sitting behind Gobber, who gave me a smile and pat on the shoulder. I watched as they began cooking (rather making raw fish shish kabobs), and watched as Hiccup excitedly ran about helping and commenting on this and that.

I sat back with a peaceful smile, tuning out the cheerful banter, until all of a sudden it stopped. I sat up, curious as to why silence had fallen so suddenly.

Valka had a small mug, and was gathering glacial water that ran from a large icicle on end of the kitchen. Stoick stood on the other end, sneaking hesitant and awkward glances towards her. Whistling broke the silence, and I saw Valka freeze up. I watched curiously as Stoick walked up behind Valka, taking the jug from her hands.

He began singing slowly, and I recognized the tune. It was a marriage song. An old, ancient, long-used marriage song my ancestors had used as well. My father had sang the same song to my mother before he proposed to her. I remembered my mother and father singing the tune occasionally at night when I was in bed, and heard the tapping of feet on the floor as they danced. A wave of feeling washed over me, but this time, it was wonder. I had never seen the dance before, and it stirred an ancient feeling inside me.

I'll swim and sail on savage seas...

With ne'er a fear of drowning...

And gladly ride the waves of life...

If you will marry me...

His voice froze my blood. He paused after every verse, searching for a reaction, anything from Valka. His voice was pleading, searching for the long-lost love and passion that had disappeared so many years ago. The emotion held within those words hung heavily in the room.

No scorching sun...

Nor freezing cold...

Will...

It was here where Gobber intervened loudly (and not so melodically), finishing the verse "stop me on my journey" enthusiastically, but breaking the emotional atmosphere. Stoick and Hiccup glared at him, and he sat down with a sheepish "sorry."

If you will promise me your heart...

And love...

He sighed heavily, turning away slightly from Valka. I held my breath, knowing it was Valka's cue to come in. But she stayed turned away from him, her body tense. For a moment, I was afraid she would not continue the song. And then, with a shaky breath, a beautiful voice rang out through the air, and Valka had turned to Stoick, whose faced was filled with surprised relief.

The song began to fill the air, Valka's voice clear and beautiful, Stoick's voice ringing harmoniously hearty and deep. The dance began, and my eyes widened as it unfolded before us, the unique and quickening pace matching my racing heartbeat. I looked over at Hiccup, who was watching the scene with a huge smile, in wonder. Their voices blended and joined together so perfectly, and I could hear my parents' voices in my head. All too soon, the song was over, and Gobber's voice was shattering the ice around us, Toothless pawing at his ears.

I watched with a small smile as they joined together, the entire family, pleading Valka to return home them. With a laugh and smile, she agreed, and with a snarky comment from Gobber, they all began to laugh. I took another step into the background. Where would I go when she returned to Berk? Once again, I had an overwhelming feeling of intrusion. This was a true, honest family, and I felt isolated, as if I were an outsider, an intruder upon them. How could Valka see me as a daughter when she had her true family again?

"Lucaria?" Valka called, her face lit up with a joyous smile. "Come!" She held out her arm for me to join in, and the previous feelings of doubt melted away. With a few timid steps, I joined them, and as Hiccup pulled me into the circle, and a broad smile approached my lips. Even though I was not bloodborne, this family still saw me as one of their own and accepted me. It felt nice to be accepted. Wonderful. We separated, everyone laughing with smiles lingering on their faces. Seeing Stoick and Valka reunited, I could tell, both fascinated and elated Hiccup, and rightfully so. If only I could be reunited with my family...

Suddenly Toothless let out a growl, glancing out of the kitchen towards the open shores of the Sanctuary. We went out to look, until suddenly an explosion broke on the side of the mountain, followed by several more. Valka ran to see what was happening, followed closely by the rest of us, exchanging worried glances. She skidded to a halt on the edge of an ice spike, glaring down at the hideous army gathered below us. Thousands of men and armored dragons littered the land below us, bombarding the mountain with explosions and sending armored dragons upon ours of the Sanctuary. Hundreds of ships swarmed the seas, and dragon traps were clustered on the shore, awaiting the helpless dragons that were defending the Sanctuary.

Drago's army. I looked out over the scene, fear rising up into my chest.

War had come.