The sorrow that hung in the air weighed down my shoulders and turned my footsteps to lead. The dark brown wood of the ship reflected in the water, a white cloth draped across the pyre.

I tuned out the words Gobber spoke in honor of Stoick, instead lost in my own whirling thoughts and regrets. The sudden realization of the alpha's control angered me, and scared me. How could I defend my family when I couldn't keep control of my own mind?

Hiccup shot his arrow, centering it below the pyre. I lifted my bow, gazing into the flaming arrow, before releasing the string and watching as a volley of fire rained majestically down upon Stoick's ship. His final resting place.

Sobs overcame me and I struggled to keep my solemn composure. I had known Stoick for mere moments, but in those moments of reunion with Valka I had seen a delicacy, a protectiveness, a tender love within Stoick that made my heart ache. Their long-lost love, so recently reignited, was so quickly wrenched apart and stolen away from them forever. And Hiccup-I remembered the wonder and awe on his face during the dance Valka and Stoick had performed. His face held such joy, his pure exhilaration with the reunion of the two people he loved most.

And just as soon as he learned how a true family felt, what it was like to see the spark of love and care that he had lost so many years ago, everything was torn brutally away from him. My heart ached terribly and the tears showed no sign of slowing. His words, now penetrating my sorrowed thoughts, reached deep into my soul and pulled painfully at my heartstrings. I closed my eyes, finding it too hard to look at him, highlighted by the roaring flames of his father's funeral.

Again I became lost in my own thoughts, separated from the rest, once again isolated from Hiccup and Valka and the others who had known Stoick. I took a step back.

Then Valka's voice, though quiet, rang through my head, with a phrase powerful and potent.

"You have the heart of a chief and the soul of a dragon."

I raised my head. Valka was right. Hiccup had formed a forbidden bond, had changed the hearts of those unwilling to change, and had brought worlds together that had once been torn apart. He was strong. He had brought our worlds together in harmony, and it was up to him to protect that bond.

I would help him. Regardless of my regrets, my pain, my sorrow, I would give my life to help him avenge the life of his father.

It was not only Stoick whom I was avenging. My family had suffered the same brutal fate, had suffered under the brutal flames of dragons led by a madman. My whole tribe had been lost to his power-hungry rampage, and I would do whatever I could to put their souls at ease, to restore hope to the spirits of man and dragon alike that I knew looked upon us to protect the peace.

I had to defend Valka, my mentor and mother who has watched over me since that fateful day I lost my entire family. I had to defend Hiccup, my friend and brother who showed me a kindness I had not known before. I had to defend Comet, my lifelong companion and soul mate, the dragon who had grown up with me and knew me better than I even knew myself.

Comet.

Slipping away from the group still mourning, I ran to Comet, who stood at the edge of the cliff, eyes scanning the ravaged battlefield. She bounded down to meet me, crying out to me. I wrapped my arms around her neck as she nudged against my cheek, wrapping her wings around me. We stood there, resting in each other's embrace, as tears cascaded down my cheeks. The smooth feeling of her scales under my fingertips soothed me, reminded me that she still remained by my side. A gentle purr emanated from her throat as she tilted her head closer to mine. Hesitantly I pulled back and stared into her eyes. Sorrow clung to the rich green, relief lingering among sad understanding. She nudged closer against me, the warmth of her body relaxing the tension that had tightened my body over the past few days. I collapsed to the ground as my legs gave out. She caught me with a tender wing, lowering me and curling around me.

I cried against her neck, clutching the amulet that hung against her chest. The symbol of our everlasting friendship hummed against my fingers as she cooed beside me, attempting to calm me down. All the pain and sorrow poured out of me in her embrace, and she gently stroked my arm with a healing wingtip.

I loved her more than any other. She was my friend. My family. My soul mate.