Chapter 10:
They'd left the party at sunset. Elsa had promised to visit soon, and to take Anna flying (something both her sister and her dragon seemed excited about). But they still needed to introduce Maelstrom to the Northuldra.
As Grand Pabbie had predicted, the tribe trusted her judgment. When she swore that the dragon was friendly and wouldn't harm anyone (not to mention was well-liked by the other Spirits), Yelena had welcomed him with open arms…as did everyone else. Honeymaran and her fiancee Marit spent a good while petting him. Ryder tried to introduce the dragon to the reindeer herd…only for most of them to freak out at the sight of the dragon. The calves liked Maelstrom, though (much to their parents' horror).
The tribe spent the evening drinking, eating, singing and dancing in honor of the solstice and the Fifth Spirit's birthday. Gale and Bruni appeared, and kept people laughing with their antics. A Northuldra birthday celebration wasn't as big as an Arendellian one, but Elsa was glad. Two parties in one night was a bit much for anyone. She spent most of the celebration off to the side, occasionally talking or performing some ice magic. Her Night Fury was slowly making his way around the village, receiving pets or scratches from pretty much everyone (and was assaulted by giggling children for the third time in twenty-four hours).
The party was still going strong two hours later. It was at that point that Elsa and Maelstrom were partied out. Luckily, Gale and Bruni agreed to entertain in their stead while they got some rest.
The Ice Spirit conjured a large ice tent for both of them, and they went inside. Maelstrom heated the ground beneath him before cuddling up for the night. Elsa gave him one last pat on the head before crawling into her sleeping bag. "Good night, Maelstrom." She whispered.
He warbled back and got comfortable. As he fell asleep, he thought about the past week. He was now the friend and companion of a human woman who could shoot ice out of her hands. He had befriended a Fire Spirit (though he was still partially convinced it was some kind of dragon), the Earth Giants, a sentient gust of wind, the Water Spirit (although he sensed that the Nokk merely tolerated him), and the Trolls (who Elsa promised they'd visit again soon). What's more, he was now beloved by two groups of humans, and no one had tried to kill him in a week.
He didn't have any problem making his home in the Forest. After all, Elsa was his rider now. As long as she lived in the Forest, he did, too. She'd already promised to show him her ice palace on the North Mountain, as well as Atohollan (although she insisted that they not go too far inside). When they'd left the Arendelle party earlier, he'd even heard Queen Anna insist that Elsa bring him along for charades on Friday night (whatever that was, the snowman claimed that he was the leading champ).
Just before he fell asleep, the Night Fury thought of his brother. He wondered if he'd managed, in some way, to escape the nest. While no dragon had done it before, he wouldn't put it past his brother to do the impossible.
That night, he had a strange dream. He saw his brother, with an oddly-colored tailfin, flying through the sky…with a scrawny, one-legged human on his back. Together, they brought the humans and dragons of the island of Berk together for the first time, uniting them in peace.
He knew, even while dreaming, that this was likely impossible. But, then again, Maelstrom was the one living in a magic forest with humans, trolls and spirits for friends, not to mention a winter spirit as his rider. If anyone could do the impossible, a Night Fury could.
I hope my dream is true, brother. Maelstrom wished. I hope that you are as happy as I am.