[ Chapter Six: Mating Season ]

The month sailed by quickly on Berk. I was constantly with Astrid, Ruffnut, Hiccup, or Tuffnut. I had grown a close friendship with the four, considering them the closest I'd ever had besides Zera.

Mating season had begun and today the dragons were leaving for their special island out farther in the waters. The small group I'd begun to run with, including Snotlout, would be setting sail at the same time, allowing the dragons to fly faster ahead of us. We'd be reaching the island within a few days, giving them time to have their eggs and then carry the hatchlings back via the same boat, though flown by the dragons, back to Berk. It was a tradition they had done for many years now.

Tuffnut and I had grown very accustomed with each other's presence. I was infatuated with him, I'd come to terms with that, and apparently he had the same feelings growing as I. Ruffnut had approved, as had their mother and father- very eagerly, mind you- and since he has been courting me.

We were not serious, though exclusive to one another. Every waking moment was spent with him, and I was unsure what it would be like without his presence near me. It would be especially awkward over the next few days, considering we would be sharing a bunk together. Astrid and Ruffnut had offered for all of us to share one, but I would not pull them from their husbands like that.

"Alright, be careful and go make babies, got it?" I laugh, holding my dragon tightly. She picks me up in the best hug she can manage, having taught her how to do so years ago. A mewling noise coos in the back of her throat, setting me down properly. "Good. Now shoo! We'll be there a few days after you are."

Zera nods, looking to Toothless before they take flight, following a massive herd of dragons, both those from Berk and the ones flying from all over, into the sky and off towards the Isle of Dragons.

"That means it's time for us to go too," calls Hiccup, motioning all of us to join him. "We're off, Dad. Fishlegs, you're in charge of scouting."

"Got it!" The bulky man nods and Stoick begins saying his goodbyes to everyone.

"And may Odin and Thor watch over all of you," he finishes, looking to me with a small smile. I return the gesture, loading up on the ship with the others in tow. They were the only ones that knew where the island was located, and liked to keep it that way. I was allowed solely because they deemed me worthy and not a threat to their beasts.

"Let's get going!" Ruffnut hollers, throwing her hands in the air. She bumps into her brother on accident. "Watch it, punk!"

"You watch it, brat!" He scowls.

The two begin a minor argument before Astrid grabs Ruff and I pull on Tuff. "Am I going to have to make this journey without you, Tuff?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, babe," his arms go around me.

"Hey, lovebirds, get in the ship already!" Astrid yells, already at the helm. "I'll leave you behind!"

"Let's go."

Midnight

I had just finished getting ready for bed, wearing a comfortable pair of leggings and a soft tunic in comparison to my armor, and set everything off to the side.

"You can come in now, Tuff," I call to the door, the man peaking in moment's later.

He was in nothing but his leggings by now, showcasing the muscles and scars I very much enjoyed to trace. His tattoo, though light, suited him with the giant scars tracing through it.

"I know you probably don't want to share with me yet, so I'll sleep on the floor." He moves to lie down, causing me to laugh.

"I certainly doubt you'll feel too good in the morning after that. Come on, I don't mind. Keep your hands to yourself and I won't break them." I fall under the covers, making room on the small bed for him.

Tuffnut wedges himself in, grinning playfully down at me. "Is that a promise?""Possibly," I smirk in return. "Go to sleep. We have a few days of this to go."

"I'd stay right here the entire trip if you were next to me." Despite the fact that this line was supposed to be sweet, his playful smile hadn't faltered and I smack him lightly on the stomach. "Well, I like it rough-"

"Shut up, you idiot. I'm tired." I laugh, lying against his chest and falling asleep to the gently rocking of the ship.

Switching Point of Views

Damn.

Yeah, I think I was in love. It had only been a few weeks spent with the valkyrie, but I already knew everything about her. She had my heart already, and as emasculating as it was, I loved it.

She was rough, mean, and feisty, but still carried a softer, more loving side. She could cook, fight, and rode her dragon like a pro. Not only did my parents love her, being valkyrie especially, but so did all my friends and the entirety of Berk.

With the woman lying in my arms, peacefully asleep and snoring lightly, probably embarrassing if she would know about it, I couldn't keep the stupid smile off my face. I got the perfect girl, that was right.

I wasn't an idiot though, and made sure to stay by her side at all given opportunities when I wasn't needed. Many Vikings had been keeping a close eye on her, waiting for their moment to court the female. Few wanted her for the woman beneath, while others merely wanted the valkyrie for bragging rights. I'd even seen her knock a guy out in the tavern for a roaming hand. I didn't even need to handle it, though I certainly didn't let him off that easily…

I would be asking her hand after a few months, if she truly did stay on the island. Even the thought of her leaving plagued me… She had mentioned that she wanted adventure and for Zera to be happy, now she had both, along with a handsome man. Ha.

I couldn't watch her any longer. The waves tilted and rocked the boat until I was to weary to stay awake. My mind passes into subconscious and I dream of things to come.

Valdis' Point of View: Days Later

The island was a beautiful cover, covered in all different colors of beasts and their little ones. I expected the dragons to be weary on our arrival, but none stirred and all simply looked upon our ship as we docked it in the middle of the cover.

"I'll tie the boat up," Snotlout murmurs, obviously still slightly nervous around the hoards of beasts. It was enough to make anyone nervous and I felt the slight pang of dread in my chest. Something bad was going to happen…

"I'll stay too," Ruffnut agrees, rolling her eyes at the childishness of her husband.

"Come on. This is a sight you won't want to miss," Hiccup motions me to follow.

Tuffnut's arm loops around my shoulders, a custom I was used to. He only kept it there momentarily, leaping up on a small ledge and giving a hand to help me. I take it, my armor clinking as I do so, and allow him to lace his fingers with mine and show me the process.

"So dragons lay a whole bunch of eggs at a time," Astrid begins explaining, "and they come here because they drop the eggs in pools of water to hatch them when it's time. That way, they don't have to deal with the explosion.""Yeah, like you burning half the village down years ago," Tuffnut sneers. Astrid's hand whops upside his head, spinning his horned helmet. "Ouch!"

"This is a story I have to hear sometime," I giggle.

Apparently the dragons from Berk always chose the same spot to congregate, and Hiccup lead us directly to them. All sorts of baby dragons come running forward, but I was more interested in my own pet.

"Zera!" I call, finally seeing the black beast, huddled together with Toothless. "There you are!"

Toothless gets up, running in circles and jumps at Hiccup, licking him anywhere he can. His rider had attached a special hookup on his missing tailfin, allowing the dragon to make the flight on his own. Apparently Toothless hated this contraption and had already tossed it into the ocean, or lost it, because it was no longer worn.

"If you keep destroying those, I won't make you a new one!" Hiccup laughs, strapping all the necessary riding gear onto his pet. "Now, do you have a few little ones I can meet?"

Tuffnut had taken his presence behind me, where I was squatting next to my dragon. She held something under her wing, almost smiling at me. I see a movement, eyes lighting up joyously.

"Don't be stubborn. You know I hate anticipation," I scold her, the dragon making a noise much like a laugh, before opening up the wing.

Underneath was a beautiful little dragon, identical to Toothless with red eyes like Zera. Surprisingly, there was only one offspring, but the energy it produced rivaled an entire herd. The small dragon leaps on me, nestling into my arms and causing a loud 'aww!' to sound from Astrid and myself.

"Alright, this is cutest thing I've ever seen!" I coo, playing with the baby. "Boy or girl, Zera?"

She nods her head towards Toothless, indicating it was a male. I throw the little dragon high into the air, waving it around enthusiastically. Hiccup takes him for a moment, the two of us sharing great laughs.

"Well, come on, it's time to get loaded up. We have a day's worth of flying back to Berk, in the least," Hiccup hollers.

"You happy now?" Tuffnut whispers in my ear.

"I haven't been this sort of complete in years," I whisper back, leaning up and sharing a heartfelt kiss with the man. I still had that feeling that something was not right…