Sorry this chapter is a little late, work is seriously trying to kill me!

Anyway IMPORTANT NOTICE: This year I have decided to sign up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which if you don't know what that is you can check out the link on my profile page; however because of this updates may not be coming out as often until after November, so please bare with me, and I want to thank everyone in advance for their support!

Now for what you all really came here for!

P.S My Beta reader is still MIA (Missing in Action), so if I can't get a hold of them by the next update, then I will see about hunting down a new beta reader, until then please excuse my mistakes! I tried to catch as many as I could...

Chapter 5

The Cursed One

Eirwyn looked towards Salus, whose hand remained on her shoulder in a calming gesture, though inside the young sorceress was anything but.

"A dragon?" Eirwyn asked in disbelief, "How is that possible, I thought they had all died out millenniums ago?"

"Not quite," Salus said as he slowly lead Eirwyn over to the creature, "While it is true that they have been wipe out mostly to extinction, it is impossible to completely kill them off." The dragon growled in protest at their movement, but Salus seem to ignore it, and continued walking slowly forward, his hand guiding Eirwyn along with him, "After all dragon are incredibly magical creatures."

"If you say so," Eirwyn said. They finally stopped, and Eirwyn could practically feel the dragon's warm breath on her skin.

"So it has begun," Eirwyn had barely caught Salus' words, but hearing them only confused the girl even more.

"What has begun?" Eirwyn asked, "Salus what is going on?" The older man said nothing for a moment, as if he had not heard Eirwyn. The sorceress was about to repeat herself when she suddenly felt a burst of air, and realized that it was the dragon taking off. Eirwyn was pulled back by Salus just before she was knocked over, and Eirwyn turned completely to the man, as the dragon flew off, "What did you mean Salus, what has began?"

"It is nothing my lady, merely an old man thinking out loud," Salus said and Eirwyn huffed, knowing she wasn't going to get any answers out of the man any time soon.

"Well in any case, we really should be going," Eirwyn said turning away from Salus, "If Sadie is here then we must have crossed over into Gunda territory, we must move quickly if we want to save our kingdom." Eirwyn slowly made her way over to where she could sense her horses presences, choosing to ignore Salus for now.

Eirwyn awoke to the sound of something banging on the roof above her, and for a moment Eirwyn wondered where she was. The bed on which she was laying was hard, and it was to cold to be her room, since it was the middle of summer in Virginia. That was when she remembered everything that had happened the day before. She wasn't at her father's house anymore; instead, she was on a strange island called Berk where viking where still alive and they rode on the back of dragons. The banging sound above her continued, and Eirwyn realized that it must have been either Toothless, Nightlight, or both doing something on the roof.

"Oh your up," Eirwyn shot straight up out of bed, almost falling off, "Sorry, I guess Toothless must have woken you up."

"No that's okay," Eirwyn said rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she herd Hiccup shuffling around like he was looking for something, before he suddenly paused, and Eirwyn could feel Hiccup's eyes on her.

"Hey Eirwyn, did you want to go flying with me a Toothless this morning?" Hiccup asked. Eirwyn stared at Hiccup, startled by the question.

"Sure, if you don't mind," Eirwyn said.

"Not at all," Hiccup laid some clothes on the bed near Eirwyn, "these are some things Astrid brought over for you to change into..." Hiccup let his sentence trail off, and Eirwyn had to hold back a giggle at the embarrassment rolling off Hiccup.

"Don't worry Hiccup, you wait outside while I get dressed," Hiccup seem relieved and quickly walked outside to the hallway to wait for Eirwyn.

The clothes Astrid gave Eirwyn where nothing fancy, and Eirwyn was grateful for that. It was a simple cotton shirt, with a pair of cotton trousers, a leather vest, and the same pair of boots Astrid had allowed her to barrow before. As she was dressing Eirwyn couldn't help but think about what Salus had said I her dreams. It was obvious that the old man thought something was beginning, but what?

"What am I thinking?" Eirwyn asked lightly hitting herself in the head, "It was just a dream." Once she had finally slipped on her boot, Eirwyn made her way to the door.

"Oh there you are," Hiccup said, "I was beginning to wonder what was taking so long."

"Sorry, these clothes aren't exactly what I'm use to," Eirwyn explained. Hiccup shrugged his shoulder, and lead the girl outside where Toothless was waiting for his rider.

"Hey bud, mind if we bring along an extra rider?" Toothless let out what sounded to Eirwyn almost like a bark, if the dog was the size of a horse that is. Hiccup helped Eirwyn onto the saddle before jumping on in front of her, "Alright you'd better hold on!" And with the Toothless shot up into the air.

Once again the take off had her leaving her stomach on the ground below; however this time the feeling went away faster, and Eirwyn one again could feel the dragon's muscles as they tightened and relaxed with the dragon's movement. It made her feel as if she was literally one with Toothless as he flew through the clouds. In front of her Hiccup was laughing, and Eirwyn barely had time to wonder what was going on, before Toothless suddenly went into a bomb dive. Eirwyn gripped onto Hiccup tighter as once again her stomach decided to abandoned her, and that seem to remained the older boy, that they had another passenger. As Hiccup moved Toothless back into a normal flying position, Eirwyn felt as though she was gonna be sick.

"Sorry about that," Hiccup said sheepishly, "You wanna go ahead and go back."

"Please," Eirwyn squeaked, trying not to throw up on the back of Toothless. Hiccup guided Toothless back to Berk, and as soon as they touched the ground, Eirwyn ran away from the dragon as she finally lost anything she had eaten since yesterday.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you that badly," Hiccup said as he walked over to Eirwyn once she had finished dry heaving.

"It's alright," Eirwyn said taking a deep breath to try and calm her rolling stomach, "The lack of vision kind of intensifies everything else, so it's make me more prone to things like motion sickness."

"If you're sure," Hiccup said. Eirwyn stood up, dusting herself off, before turning to Hiccup.

"Yes, I'm sure," Eirwyn said smiling, "However since I did just lose everything I've eaten, I think it's time for breakfast." Hiccup laughed at the girl, but lead her back into his house anyway. When they got inside Eirwyn herd someone else moving around, and figured it must have been Hiccup's dad.

"Oh hey dad," Hiccup said as he sat down at the table with Eirwyn next to him. From his movement, Eirwyn imagined that the man was pretty big, like some kind of body builder, and it made her just a little bit more nervous to be in his presences.

"Oh Hiccup there you are," The man's voice was deep, and Eirwyn was surprised he had a Scottish accent, much like the man she had met the day before, Gobber. He stopped as he turned to look at them, and Eirwyn squirmed a little in her seat as the man's eyes focused on her, "Hiccup who is this."

"Dad this is Eirwyn," Hiccup introduced, "She needs our help." The man was silent for a moment, before there was the sound of a chair scraping against the wood floors.

"Alright I'm all ears," Hiccup told his dad everything that Eirwyn had told him the day before, and Eirwyn was thankful. She wasn't certain she could have made any noise with the feeling of Hiccup's father's eyes boring into her. Once he was finished, the man sat in silence, and Eirwyn couldn't help but shake the feeling she was being studied.

"Alright she can stay," Hiccup's father finally said with a sigh, "But I want no funny business out of you young lady is that clear?"

"Crystal," Eirwyn squeaked.

"Alright, well I have something around the village that needs to be done, so you two stay out of trouble," The man got up from the table, and left the room, leaving Eirwyn and Hiccup to themselves.

"Well that went well," Hiccup said, as he stood up to get the two of them breakfast.

"Hiccup I'm really sorry," Eirwyn said looking at the boy, "But your dad is terrifying!" Hiccup laughed as he set a bowl in front of Eirwyn, before sitting back down where his father was sitting before.

"Yeah my dad is more of a traditional viking," Hiccup explained, "More of the beat up first ask questions later kind of guy."

"Reminded me not to get on his bad side." As the two ate their breakfast Eirwyn couldn't help but think about her ride of Toothless. Other than the bomb dive, it had been one of the most freeing feelings in the world. Then she thought about Nightlight, it was obvious that the dragon had taken a liking to her. Maybe Hiccup could teach her how to ride Nightlight?

"What are you thinking about so hard over there?" Hiccup finally asked, startling Eirwyn out of her thoughts.

"Well I was just thinking..." Eirwyn trailed off her a moment debating on whether or not she should ask. With a sigh, she decided just to get it over with, "Do you think you can teach me to ride Nightlight?"

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Hiccup asked.

"Yeah, I mean I was fine until you decided to plummet as fast a possible toward the ground."

"That not quite what I meant," Hiccup said, embarrassment shining through in his voice. Eirwyn thought for a moment, trying to figure out what Hiccup could be talking about

"Is it because I can't see?" The silence coming from Hiccup was more than enough of an answer, "Hiccup I've never been one to let my lack of sight stop me from doing something before, c'mon it's not like we'll know until we at least try." Hiccup didn't say anything, and Eirwyn was worried that he would say no to teaching her; however, she could practically hear the gears turning in his head as he thought about it.

"Alright," Hiccup said finally, "But there is going to have to be some modification on the saddle, and you have to promise me you wont go flying without someone else with you."

"Scouts honor!" Eirwyn said, though she realized to late that Hiccup wouldn't understand the reference. The girl bounced in her seat with excitement, and she could hear Hiccup chuckling from across the table.

"Don't get to excited, I've gotten good at making the saddles, but it still going to take me at least a day to complete it."

"Then lets go!" Eirwyn said jumping up from the table, and grabbing Hiccup's arm.

"Whoa hold on I can't go through a table!" Hiccup pulled his arm away from Eirwyn and walked around the table, "Alright lets go."

As they began to head towards the door, Eirwyn could hear the sounds of shouting coming from outside the hut. Hiccup must have herd it too, because he suddenly stopped Eirwyn and began to walk towards the door. Eirwyn followed his footsteps as slowly as possible, trying not to trip over anything.

"Wait right here for a minute," Eirwyn nodded and Hiccup opened the door.

"...another night furry, isn't one bad enough as it is?" The older man cried in rage. Eirwyn realized that the man must have been talking about Toothless and Nightlight. Had they gotten into something last night?

"Mildew that is enough," The chief said, and Eirwyn could tell the man was quickly becoming annoyed by the older man's rant.

"Stoick I swear those two dragons..." The man, Mildew stopped mid sentence, and Eirwyn could feel his eyes burning into her skin, "What is she doing here?" The man was outraged, which confused Eirwyn.

"What are you going on about now old man?" Eirwyn recognized that voice as Gobber, the man she had met yesterday. Eirwyn herd the sounds of someone walking closer to where Hiccup and her where standing.

"That girl should not be here Stoick," The was a warning in Mildew's voice, "Her kind will bring down the wrath of the gods."

"What are you talking about?" Eirwyn suddenly blurted out.

"Oh don't think you can fool me girl, you've been marked," Eirwyn stood there looking towards where the man's voice was coming from until everything clicked into place.

"You're talking about my skin," Eirwyn cried out in rage. She had had enough of people judging her because of her skin back home, and now old fool's going to go around saying she cursed or something?

"That is enough Mildew," Stoick walked over to Hiccup and Eirwyn, "Hiccup why don't you take Eirwyn and show her the village?" Stoick suggested in a whisper once he arrived at the teens. Hiccup didn't say anything, but Eirwyn can assume he nodded as she felt his hand on her shoulder suddenly, and the two walked over to where Eirwyn could hear the two night furies growling possibly at Mildew.

"Don't listen to Mildew, he's just an angry old man."

"I know, people like him just irk me," Eirwyn admitted. Eirwyn felt a bump on her side, that caught her off guard, and almost made her lose her balance.

"Whoa easy Nightlight!" Hiccup said as he helped Eirwyn regain her balance.

"Sorry about that," Eirwyn said sheepishly, "I tend to get caught off guard easily." Eirwyn placed a hand on Nightlight's snout, letting the dragon know she was forgiven.

"Oh hey bud there you are," Eirwyn herd Toothless grunt in response, and a question began to form itself in Eirwyn's head.

"Hey Hiccup quick question," Eirwyn paused for a moment, trying to think of how to phrase the question, "How did you and Toothless meet exactly, I mean didn't dragons and human like hate each other at one point?"

"Well yeah," Hiccup said, "It's kinda a long story though, so why don't we head to the workshop and I'll tell you while I work on your saddle."

"Sound good to me!"

When the two arrived at the workshop, Eirwyn was guided to the back, and sat down in a chair that she assumed must have went with Hiccup's desk. She could hear Hiccup moving around as he gathered his things, and that's when Eirwyn noticed something. There was an uneven sound to Hiccup's footsteps, like every time he stepped down with one foot, there was metal hitting the floor instead. Eirwyn was curious to ask about it, but decided against it, figuring Hiccup would tell her if he wanted to.

"Alright so where to begin," Hiccup asked himself. He wasn't to far from where Eirwyn was sitting, though he was far enough away that she could only just feel the heat coming from the forge he was working at. He began to tell Eirwyn about how he had first meet Toothless, and Eirwyn found herself entranced by the story. By the time he was finished Eirwyn was shocked.

"Wow, so you really did all of that?" Eirwyn asked, unable to believe that a boy barely older than her could fight a dragon that big and win!

"Yep, of course none of it would have been possible if not for Toothless," Hiccup said smiling. Eirwyn had to admit to herself that the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless was nothing like she had ever experienced, except for with one person.

"You know," Eirwyn said, "You and Toothless remind me of me and one of my friends." Hiccup didn't say anything, and Eirwyn took that as to continue, "Yeah, me and this one girl named Sadie meet when we where in kindergarten, and we where pretty much inseparable." Eirwyn paused, a smile gracing her face as she thought about those early years.

"What happened?" Hiccup asked startling Eirwyn out of her thoughts.

"Well, I lost my eye sight when I was little, and that along with my hair and skin made it difficult to be friends with me," Eirwyn sighed, and closed her eyes, "So come middle school Sadie made a new group of friends and began harassing me for the fun of it." Eirwyn opened her eyes, and not for the first time, she wished she could see something other than darkness.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Hiccup's voice was quiet, and Eirwyn just shrugged her shoulders.

"When it finally happened, I was kinda excepting it," Eirwyn admitted scratching the back of her neck, "The summer before sixth grade, Sadie began avoiding me like the plague, she wouldn't hang out with me, or even talk to me." Hiccup paused in his work, before slowly going back to it.

The two continued to talk as Hiccup worked on the saddle, though mostly it was Eirwyn asking question about Berk. When Hiccup had finally finished it, he allowed Eirwyn to run her hand around it slowly, allowing her to get a picture in her mind of what the saddle looked like. It almost reminded Eirwyn of a horse saddle though it was more flat, and it had a hook which allowed the rider to lock themselves onto the saddle if need be. Hiccup had also made a riding harness for Eirwyn that would secure her in place better. Finally finished, the two headed back to Hiccup's house for a quick meal, before heading to bed.

As Eirwyn rode through the woods, she could still sense the presence of the dragon, and knew that it was following them through the woods. Salus rode beside her, usually quiet for the old man, as he was usually talking about something or another. The forest seemed unnaturally dark, and there where no animals scurrying about. The feeling made Eirwyn shiver, and she could practically feel the concern eyes of her companion.

"My lady perhaps it is best if we stop of the night, after all it will be getting difficult to see soon." Eirwyn looked over at Salus with a raised eyebrow, "Yes I understand some of use do not need to see; however old men like myself do, and it is quiet difficult enough to see during the day." Eirwyn cracked a smile at Salus' lighthearted humor, and nodded her head in agreement.

"Alright then, we shall set up camp for now and continue in the morning," the two quickly found a clearing and began to set up camp; however as they where setting up Eirwyn herd the sound of a creature approaching, and was about to turn to chase it off before she was suddenly stopped by Salus' hand on her shoulder.

"Do not worry my lady, it is merely the dragon from before," Eirwyn didn't know how to feel about that as the dragon cautiously crept closer to the two humans. As the dragon neared Eirwyn noticed something, there was a light cutting through the darkness of her non-existent vision. It wasn't intense or even that large. It was just a small little light that remained Eirwyn of a fairy. It took a minute for her to realize that the light was coming from the dragon as it began to near her.

"What in the world," Eirwyn muttered.

"My lady, what is it?" Salus asked, though something in his voice told Eirwyn he didn't have to.

"The dragon," Eirwyn whispered, almost as if she was afraid that if she spoke to loud, then the light would disappear, "There's a light, coming from the dragon...I can see it." Salus didn't say anything as the dragon finally made it's way to where the two where standing, and gentle nudged her snout under Eirwyn's hand.

"It seems she like you," Salus said in amusement, "Perhaps you would like to give her a name?" Eirwyn smiled, gentle petting the dragon's nose.

"Nightlight."