Chapter 11

Serenity tried walking after every meal. Her strength was slowly returning to her. Another week went by and her face was finally starting to clear up and the pain was going away. The bandages came off bit by bit. One thing was for sure, her paranoia was long forgotten and not coming back. Once Serenity was walking normal again her family decided to get her riding again. She was very excited about that. She changed back into her repaired riding uniform and Tenor handed her her hat. Then he knelt down, already saddled. Though Serenity was walking again she was still weak and in pain. She carefully mounted her dragon, despite the pain. Tenor heaved himself to his feet and walked outside where the others waited.

"You ready?" Tenor asked.

"Yes," Serenity said.

"We'll fly to Berk and back," Tenor said. "Just to see if you have the strength to stay in the saddle." Serenity nodded and gripped the saddle. Tenor spread his wings and flew off the balcony. Whatever lack of strength Serenity had on the ground, it all vanished in the air. The wind in her face made her feel fully refreshed. She felt no pain, lightheadedness, or fear, she just felt free.

They flew over the ocean and headed towards Berk. They flew over the harbor and over the village. When the dragons saw Tenor fly overhead they knew that Serenity was okay and riding again. Tenor flew to the Golden Apple Tree and landed on the Dragonnip. Tenor knelt down and Serenity carefully got off. He got up again. Serenity leaned on him as the pain came back.

"You okay?" the dragon asked.

"Yeah," Serenity said. "I think I need to sit down." Tenor helped her over to her chair and she sat down. The Berkian dragons landed on the grass.

"Hello my friends," Serenity said smiling. They paid no attention to the bruises on her face, they were just happy she was alive.

"How are you? We heard what happened," said Stormfly. "We were so worried."

"I'm okay now," Serenity said. "I'm still in pain though but at least I can ride."

"Can we do anything for you?" Toothless asked, sitting beside her chair.

"I just need to rest for a while then, I'm going back to Dragon Island," Serenity said. She coughed.

"You don't sound so good," said Skullcrusher.

"I'm still fighting infection," Serenity said. "One of the wounds got infected and I'm doing my best to fight it."

"Why don't you use one of your remedies?" asked Hookfang.

"I do," Serenity said. "That's what I'm fighting with." She leaned back in her chair.

"Which one got infected?" asked Meatlug.

"This one on my leg," Serenity said, pointing to a huge gash on her right shin. It did look infected. Toothless licked it with his special saliva. It stung a bit but Serenity didn't care. When he finished Serenity patted his head in gratitude.

"Thank you," she said.

"How's Edelweiss doing?" asked Belch. "I hope she's not too emotionally scarred by what happened."

"Oh no," Serenity said. "She's happy now." Suddenly the dragons heard their riders calling them home.

"We have to go," Hookfang said.

"We should probably head back as well," Tenor said. Serenity moved to get up. It still hurt a lot to stand up but usually when she was up, she could walk just fine. She heaved herself painfully to her feet and took a second to regain her balance. She limped over to Tenor. Just then the riders came up.

"Oh, hi Serenity," said Hiccup. "Good to see you up and about."

"Thanks," Serenity said. "I'm glad everyone got out of that fine." She leaned her heavy head against Tenor's strong neck.

"What brings you out here?" asked Astrid.

"Getting back in the saddle," Serenity said. "I love flying so much it's worth the pain."

"You still hurt?" asked Fishlegs.

"Yes, but it's getting better," Serenity said. She coughed again.

"That was a very brave thing you did," said Eret. "Taking a beating to secure your child's safety." Serenity smiled quietly.

"Yeah, I don't think I could do anything like that," Hiccup said.

"What you? The one you got hit by lightning to save his dragon from exile?" Serenity said.

"Well, I didn't plan to get hit by lighting," Hiccup said. "We'll let you go now."

"Okay, I'll try to come back tomorrow," Serenity said. "Depends on how feel."

"Don't try too hard," said Astrid.

"I won't," Serenity said. The riders left and their dragons followed. Serenity was feeling tired and didn't know if she could stay in the saddle. Tenor looked at her concerned. She leaned her head on his neck again.

"You think you can mount up?" he asked.

"I don't know," Serenity said.

"Just try," Tenor said. Serenity put her foot in the stirrup. She tried to pull herself into the saddle but was hit be a lot of pain. She cried out and put her foot down.

"I can't do it Tenor," she said, clutching her middle. "It just hurts too much."

"You want to sit back down?" Tenor asked, worried.

"Yes, just for a bit," Serenity said. She limped back to her chair and sat down. Tenor laid down beside her in the Dragonnip.

"I'm amazed you made it this far," he said. "After all the damage you received. It seems our little frightened bluebird has turned into a brave eagle." Serenity smiled through her pain. She then focused on her breathing which had gotten shallow.

After awhile Serenity was strong enough to mount her dragon. Tenor spread his wings and flew back to Dragon Island. When they got there Tenor flew to the throne room where the other Draconians waited. He landed and Chris helped Serenity dismount. She sat in her armchair and Chris sat next to her. Tenor laid down next to Windwalker. Re figured Serenity was healed enough to make the long trip home. Serenity really wanted to go home but didn't know if she could bare the pain. Chris suggested she ride with him on Windwalker so he could make sure she didn't fall to her death.

"That sounds like a better idea," Serenity said. "Edelweiss can ride on Tenor using her own saddle."

"We'll head home tomorrow then," said Re.

"Good, I don't think I can handle anymore riding today," Serenity said. She leaned her head on the side of the chair and started to fall asleep. To spare her the pain of getting up, Chris carried her onto her saddle after Tenor knelt down. When she was secure in the saddle Tenor flew her back to their room. There Serenity got off her dragon and got into bed by herself, though a mountain of pain. She was out the minuet her head hit the pillow.