I neither own nor claim any rights to How to Train Your Dragon

Jarin and the Riders of Berk

Chapter 7 - Shadowhorn

Hiccup looked over at Astrid who was sitting on the couch beside him and smiled. She looked back and returned it. Her hair was messed up, as he was sure his was as well. There had not been many words between them after Stoick had left. Only kisses. He was new to this sort of thing, but discovered that it wasn't hard to learn. Part of him wanted to do more than kiss her, but he had refused to give in. If all went well, and there was no reason why it shouldn't, now that he was someone the people respected and even trusted, there was a real chance that he and Astrid would be married. So there was plenty of time for that later. Right now, he just wanted to love her and enjoy being loved by her in return. He wanted an emotional, intellectual and spiritual bond with her first and foremost, because it only made sense to him that as time goes by, the body may fail, but the heart, mind and soul remain stronger longer. Sure, there were exceptions, but he wasn't going to dwell on that.

"I need to go," Astrid said, standing. "I've got things to take care of before I get ready to join you at your father's house."

Hiccup stood as well. "Well, at least let me see you out."

She did not reject his offer, so they walked hand in hand to the door. Before unlocking it, Hiccup reached over and gently pulled her close, kissing her slowly and gently on the lips. "I love you," he whispered.

She opened her eyes and looked into his. "Obviously," she said. Her smile indicated that she felt the same. But Astrid would be Astrid, and if she was going to actually say that she loved him, too, it would be on her own terms and at a time of her own choosing. He could wait. There were so many things worth waiting for.

He unlocked the door, took down the "meeting in progress" sign, and looked back at her. She was looking towards the center of the training yard, eyes wide. "Hiccup, look!"

He turned his gaze to where she pointed, and smiled as he saw the Monstrous Nightmare they had all been caring for with its snout resting in Jarin's outstretched palm. Jarin's shoulders were slumped and his head was bowed, and it looked as if his knees were about to buckle. "The Dragon Bond," he said.

Astrid nodded. "I've never experienced anything else quite like it."

Hiccup could imagine one thing that would be even better, but he refused to dwell on it. "Let's go congratulate Jarin on this breakthrough, and give the newcomer a proper welcome."

O O O

Jarin was overwhelmed by the sense of joy that seemed to invade every corner of his being the moment that the Monstrous Nightmare touched his snout to his palm. He knew that this was the Dragon Bond that he had so longed to experience, and it was everything he had imagined. There was this connection that could not be explained by words. As if he knew this creature as a brother, not just as a friend. To his mind, a new and brighter day ahad just dawned, even though it was already noon. Tension he didn't even know he had suddenly vanished, and his shoulders slumped, his head bowed, and he felt like his knees were about to buckle.

They held that position for a long moment, and it was the dragon that pulled away as a deep gurgling sound came from its stomach. Jarin smiled. "Feeling up to eating?"

The dragon bobbed its head and grunted.

"Bring fish!" came hiccup's clear and commanding voice from behind, and Jarin turned to see him standing there with Astrid standing a little closer to him than usual. Several junior trainers broke away to follow the command. "Congratulations, Jarin. I'm glad that the bond was successful. Care to introduce us?"

Jarin smiled. "Of course." He turned back to the Monstrous Nightmare who was glancing back and forth at the newcomers. "This is Hiccup, First Rider of Berk, and this is Astrid, Senior Trainer."

The dragon bobbed his head at Astrid and bowed it before Hiccup, as Toothless strode over to his side. Jarin figured that the grunts and growls exchanged between the dreagons had something to do with an explanation of what was what and who was who. Hiccup's role in things must have been included. It made sense.

Hiccup bowed respectfully back. "And what shall we call you?"

Jarin smiled. "I've been thinking of that. His horns are thicker than most of his species, and they are black, rather than the usual dark brown. I was thinking of calling him 'Shadowhorn.'" he turned back to the dragon. "What do you think? Shadowhorn?"

The dragon cocked his head to one side and then the other, clearly mulling it over. A moment later, he bobbed his head, and from that moment on, he was known as Shadowhorn.

Hiccup took a step forward, extending his hand, palm outward. "Welcome to Berk, Shadowhorn."

Shadowhorn touched his snout to Hiccup's hand. then he turned towards the commotion of the junior trainers returning with several baskets of fish, which they poured out before him. He licked his lips and began devouring the fish. It didn't take too long to finish it all off, and when he did, he laid his head down and closed his eyes and began to snore.

"He's got a lot of energy to recover," Said Jarin.

Hiccup nodded. "First day awake after all these days, and after so much hardship. You did well Jarin."

Jarin couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, chief!"

Hiccup seemed to open his mouth to protest, but just nodded. He and Astrid took their leave and Jarin began to clean up the scraps of fish that Shadowhorn did not eat. The dragon had not stood up, no doubt still too weak. the scraps were pushed beyond his reach. He was awake now, but still had a long road ahead of him. But he would not travel that road alone. Jarin would travel it with him.

Okay guys. This is shorter than usual. I need to figure out where I want to take the story from here. I have some ideas that are connected to something I've touched on already. I'd really like to know what you guys think of things so far. Any suggestions? Things you would like me to expand upon? General opinions?

Be blessed...