Freaking long chapter this is, lot's of trouble it gave me. Longest chapter I have EVER written!

Next adventure of Hiccup and Wrenlou! Lightcity! What will they find...

Enjoy!

The Adventurous Adventures of Hiccup and Wrenlou

Becoming Friends, Part III

Hiccup sat up and yawned. He rubbed his eyes and looked around the room. He had awoken early, Wrenlou wasn't here yet. He slipped into his clothes and ran a hand through his hair to smooth it out a little. Then he walked over to the curtain and pulled it open.

He was up real early. The sun had just begun to climb in the sky, the clouds lit up with the bright colours that painted the sky every morning and every night. He sighed. He was awake now anyway, might as well go down to the Great Hall.

No, not Great Hall.

Here it was just the Hall.

He grunted while he rubbed his temple. There were so many things he had to get used to. The heat being the first. During the day it could get so very, very hot in Dragoncity. Around the midday hours, the city would fall into a sort of slumber. The dragons were piled up in the shade of the trees, which were plentiful, and the riders would either be inside the bathhouse, or the Hall, or any other building.

He smiled when he remembered his experience in the bathhouse. Wrenlou had been right about the massage. Even now, he still felt relaxed. The pain is his back was completely gone, and it felt like a weight had been lifted of his shoulders. His shorter hair was a blessing, now it didn't trap the heat in his neck.

He also had to learn the language, he thought as he opened the door and started walking down the stairs. If he was to stay, it would be nice if he could make himself heard. And if he could understand the other riders without Wrenlou having to translate everything they said to him.

As he stepped onto the plaza, he felt the cool air wash over him. Nights were cooler than the days, but even the night temperature from Dragoncity would be considered hot in Berk. He sighed. He tried his best to forget it, but it kept coming back into his mind, usually when he discovered something he liked about Dragoncity. It was like he needed to confirm it hadn't been in Berk, almost to justify leaving the place.

He was so early, that the plaza was deserted. There were a few dragons laying curled up along the edge, but they were still asleep. As soft as he could he walked over to the Great Hall.

No... Just Hall...

Sighing, he pushed the door open and stood there for a moment. The tunes of the violin from last night seemed to linger in the air. He smiled. The violinist had played about five more songs for him, varying in length and tune, before Wrenlou had decided it was time to go to bed. He had remembered the look in the man's eyes when he had thanked him, stumbling over the words, but trying.

After getting some food, he quietly sat down at the table in the corner. There wasn't really anybody there, but from where he now sat, he could oversee the entire Hall. Nibbling on his bread, he watched riders come and go, most of them leaving quickly. The light from the rising sun started peeking in through the windows, giving everything a golden glow. He sat up when he saw Wrenlou enter and waved at him.

'You're up early.'

Hiccup nodded. 'Couldn't sleep anymore.'

Wrenlou sat down, yawning. He rubbed his eyes and blinked a few times.

'I got a little scared when I found your room empty.'

'Sorry.' Hiccup mumbled a little ashamed. 'I wasn't thinking.'

'Don't apologize. Never apologize, unless you really, really screwed up.'

Wrenlou yawned again and now Hiccup could see vague dark lines under his friend's eyes.

'Are you alright?'

Wrenlou nodded. 'Just tired. I was up late last night, trying to fix something.'

'Did you do it? Did you fix it?'

A smile crept over Wrenlou's face as he nodded. He looked around before he got up. 'I'm going to get some breakfast, be right back.'

Hiccup just ate the last piece of his bread when Wrenlou returned. It was silent between the two boys for a while, the only sounds the murmur from the other riders and the squeaking from the door when it opened and closed. Occasionally, a Night Fury call ripped through the air.

'So, where are we going today?'

Wrenlou's smile got wider and he put his cup down. 'You wanted to go to Lightcity right?' Hiccup nodded. 'I got us two day passes. That was why I was up late last night.'

'Day passes? What's that? What does that mean?'

'It means that we get to go to Lightcity. Today. The entire day.'

'Really!?'

Hiccup nearly screamed the word through the Hall and Wrenlou started laughing. Almost choking on his food he nodded.

'Yes!' Hiccup was jumping up and down with joy.

'Would you please sit down again?'

Hiccup smiled, the smile lighting up his entire face. 'How do we get there?'

'Oh, that's the best part. Hiccup, we're going flying.'

This time he was sure everyone in Dragoncity heard his cry of happiness. Flying! They would go flying! He would see Lightcity, and they would go flying.

'Can I meet your parents?'

Wrenlou shrugged and stood up. 'Sure why not. We have to be out of the city before sundown, we could go for dinner at my place. My parents place. Whatever. Lets just get the dragons ready, okay?'

Hiccup nodded wildly and he ran back to his room. He almost forgot to bring some fish for Toothless. When he slammed the door open, the dragon looked up, his head cocked to the side.

'We're going flying Toothless! Flying!'

The dragon wailed and got to his feet. After a good stretch he sat down, eyeing the fish the excited boy held in his hands. When Hiccup didn't give him the fish, he wailed again. Hiccup stopped jumping up and down and looked at the dragon.

'Oh, sorry bud. It's just, I'm so excited! Can you tell I'm excited?'

After gulping down the fish Toothless crooned and Hiccup got to putting the saddle and the prosthetic back on the dragon. He was nearly done when a shadow fell over them and when he looked up, he saw Snowflake and Wrenlou. Even though he knew that Wrenlou was Snowflake's rider, he had never seen him on her back before. It was strange, but somehow right.

'Are you ready?'

'Almost. I just need to attach the connection rod... alright! I'm done! Can we go now?'

'Easy there hotshot. We have to go down to the plaza first.'

After that, Snowflake turned around and jumped down. After mounting Toothless and checking if everything was alright, Hiccup followed him, Toothless landing next to Snowflake. A man came walking towards them, carrying a bag. After speaking with Wrenlou he handed him the bag, and the boy slung it over his shoulder. The man bowed, Wrenlou gave a nod from the back of the dragon, then he turned to Hiccup.

'Let's go.'

Snowflake spread her wings and shot up to the sky. After adjusting the tailfin to the right position, Hiccup followed. It was wonderful to fly again, soaring through the clouds. He was holding on to the saddle with all his might. For the first time he flew without the suit and the safety lines connection him to Toothless. Wrenlou had assured him it would be fine.

He looked at Wrenlou and Snowflake, flying next to him. It was the first time he saw them fly. Wrenlou was leaning back, one hand on the saddle, the other stretched out. He was wearing some sort of suit, but had no safety lines attached to the saddle. Wrenlou smiled at him, his black hair getting messier by the second.

It was only a short flight, and after mere minutes he saw a city appear. From the distance it looked a lot like Dragoncity. The way it was build. The way it was nestled on the rock. The way the towers stood high above the city.

The approached over the harbor, the docks filled with people and carts and life stock. They flew over the city, high enough to be seen and Hiccup glanced down. The dragons were casting shadows on the ground, and heads turned in their direction when they flew over. Children waved at them, and he waved back, not entirely sure if they saw it.

To his surprise, they didn't land in the city. Wrenlou led him to a building outside the city walls, standing lonely on a large hill, overlooking the city. There they landed, Wrenlou jumping off when they were approached by a man. They talked for a while, Hiccup standing next to Toothless, not really sure what to do, then Wrenlou came back.

'The dragons stay here. They're not allowed in Lightcity. The streets are too narrow for them. I told him to leave the saddle on, okay?'

Hiccup nodded. Snowflake had already trotted off to the building, crooning and cooing at the other Night Fury's. She stopped halfway up the hill and turned around, wailing loudly to Toothless. The dragon turned to Hiccup, ears perked up.

'Go on. You'll be fine here. I'll be back soon, okay? Don't worry bud, I'll be safe.'

Toothless nudged his shoulder, pressing his nose against Hiccup. Then he pulled away and looked at the boy, before bounding after Snowflake. The two dragons then ran up the hill and into the building.

'Come on Hiccup, let's go. Don't worry, they'll be well looked after.'

Wrenlou adjusted the bag on his shoulder and started walking towards the road. After a short moment, Hiccup ran after Wrenlou and they followed the road towards the city. It wasn't long before the city walls appeared in front of them. The gates were opened, two guards standing beside them. People were walking in and out of the city, some pulling carts, other carrying baskets.

Hiccup stopped. Even from the distance the city looked grand. He saw towers rising above the wall, spots of green were dappled all over the city, breaking the white. The red roofs from the houses added another colour to the mix. All in all, it was already beautiful. Wrenlou turned around to him.

'Hiccup?'

'It's... it's beautiful.' Hiccup breathed.

'Wait till you get inside. Now come on! We're not seeing anything by just standing here.'

Hiccup was nearly bouncing when they reached the gates. As soon as the guards saw them approach, one of the stepped forward.

'Good day to you! Do you have a pass?'

Hiccup said nothing. The only word he understood was one he knew meant "Good day". Wrenlou nodded and pulled something out of the bag. It was a bundle of folded paper. He handed it to the guard and the man unfolded it, reading it quickly. Then he disappeared into a small room, only to come out moments later. He handed Wrenlou the bundle back, and then they were allowed to enter the city.

'The streets are crowded and busy, so stay close. Here, souvenir.'

Hiccup took the paper from Wrenlou. It had some writing on it, and the crest he had seen on the flags flying in Dragoncity. It also had some sort of a stamp or seal on it, with another crest. He needed no explanation to know that it was the crest of Lightcity.

They entered the busy streets, and Hiccup didn't have eyes enough to see everything. There were many different people in the street. He saw women in colourful clothes, men wearing armor, or only pants. But everyone, everyone, greeted them with a nod or a quick word. He realized they stood out. He was wearing his tunic and pants, Wrenlou was wearing that suit. The suit everyone in Dragoncity wore, but no one here in Lightcity would even touch. They navigated the streets, wandering past all kinds of different stalls.

Hiccup stopped in front of a stall with fruit, his eye catching the bright colour of the oranges. Wrenlou smiled, and a few moments later they were walking down the street with a bag full of oranges. Wrenlou had also found something that looked like a red orb wearing a crown.

'You have to try this, really.'

'What is it?'

'This? This is what we call a pomegranate. Wait.'

Wrenlou pulled a dagger from his arm. Hiccup hadn't even realized he had been carrying a weapon. He made a cut in the red skin, then pulled it apart. When the fruit broke open, the inside revealed a bunch of seeds all jammed together. He offered Hiccup one half, and he took it curiously. He plucked out one of the seeds and carefully ate it. It was a little harder than he had thought, but when he finally bit through the skin, some sort of juice spilled out. The taste was somewhere between the orange and the pineapple. He couldn't describe it any other way. He plucked out another seed, then another and another.

'This is delicious!'

'We import them. They're my favorite. We don't have them in Dragoncity, not much. Night Fury's hate pomegranates for some reason.'

'They do? Really?'

Wrenlou nodded and they started moving down the street again. It took them a while to eat all the seeds. By then they had reached a large plaza, larger than the one in Dragoncity. It was void of any trees safe one. There was a large palm tree in the middle, rising high above the crowd, it's large leaves weaving in the soft breeze. The plaza was filled with more stalls, and they walked past the many things on display.

Hiccup stopped in front of a man who had stacks and stacks of notebooks. His own notebook was still in the room, but it was nearly full... He jerked up when Wrenlou grabbed his arm.

'Come on, let's get something to eat, then we'll walk past all this, okay?'

'Hiccup nodded. Even though he had just eaten half a pomegranate, the walking and the heat made him very hungry. They ducked into a small ally and Wrenlou pointed at a table.

'Sit down.'

As soon as he did, a man walked over, greeting Wrenlou. Some words were exchanged and the man left.

'Look... I have to get some things... Don't worry, you'll be fine here. I told him to get you some food and something to drink. Just wait here, okay?'

'You're going? Where?'

'Don't worry. I'll be back as soon as I can. There's just some things I have to take care off. Okay?'

Hiccup nodded hesitantly. He didn't really like the idea of being left alone, but he didn't want to be a burden and keep Wrenlou from the things he needed to do. Wrenlou squeezed his shoulder gently and smiled. Hiccup watched him go and he felt fear creep into his heart. What of something were to happen to Wrenlou? What if he got lost? What if...

The man came back, setting a plate and a cup on the table. He mumbled a thanks, but he doubted if the man had heard that. He looked at the plate. Some bread, some chicken, other stuff he didn't quite recognize, and oranges. He smiled widely and went for the oranges first. He was nearly finished when he saw Wrenlou get back and relief washed over him.

'Told you I'd be quick.'

Hiccup smiled and nodded. He was poking a red, round thing on his plate. It felt smooth, and squishy.

'It's a tomato. We import those too.'

Hiccup frowned. Why hadn't they known all this on Berk? It really was a little, stupid, far out island where no one ever went. He was glad he left it. He took a little bite out of the tomato and discovered the inside was juicy. The little bite didn't give him any hints on the taste, so he ate the whole thing. He shivered, wrinkling his nose. He quickly grabbed his cup and drank the water to wash away the taste.

'Yeah, I don't really like those either.'

'So what did you need to do?'

Wrenlou smiled widely, but didn't answer Hiccup's question. The man from before brought another plate. Hiccup didn't say anything, he just nibbled on his bread, looking at Wrenlou.

'I got you a few things.'

'Me? What? Why?'

Wrenlou laughed and pulled a notebook from the bag. 'Here. A gift from the man with the notebooks.'

'A... gift?' Wrenlou nodded. 'But why?'

Wrenlou shrugged. 'You come here with an open mind. All these people have lived here all their lives. I lived here for a long time. But with you, I see new things. With you, I see things I would have walked past without even seeing them. The man with the notebooks noticed that too. He came up to me just now. It's for you. A gift.'

Hiccup looked at the little book. It was bound in leather, like his old one, but this one had intricate designs painted on it. He smiled and looked up.

'Thank you.'

'It's not me you should thank for that. Alright. This is something else entirely.'

Wrenlou put something on the table, something long and wrapped in cloth. Hiccup put the notebook down and pushed his empty plate aside.

'This is something you'll need in Learners Bay.'

He started to unwrap the object, and when the final piece of cloth was pulled away, Hiccup's jaw dropped.

It was a sword.

It was unlike any viking sword. It was long, small. He reached out to it, hesitant.

'For me? But... I don't even know how to use a sword...'

'That is why we learn Hiccup! That is why we learn. You think we just knew how to use a sword or shoot a bow?'

'But people get hurt when I hold a sword!'

Wrenlou smiled, wrapping the weapon again. 'Trust me Hiccup. With the right guidance you'll master that weapon in no time.'

'You really think so?'

'Sure! Now come on, the day won't last forever, you wanted to see the market, and we have to go to my parents house. No time to waste.'

With a wide smile, the sword and the notebook pressed against his chest, Hiccup followed Wrenlou to the plaza again.

They walked over the market, past the many stalls. Hiccup found the notebook vendor and thanked him a thousand times. The man laughed it off, saying that is was nothing.

The smile didn't leave Hiccup's face when they walked away from the man, towards the palm tree in the middle. There were several street performers on the plaza. There was a juggler, currently juggling with a hand full of eggs. Hiccup watched with his jaw on the ground as the man tossed the eggs from one hand to the other in rapid procession, none of them ever falling to the ground.

'How does he do that?'

'Practice. He will most likely wonder how you stay on the dragon if he ever saw you fly.'

'It's awesome. It's downright incredible.'

They watched as the juggler ended his act by balancing the eggs on his head, stacking one on top of the other. The watching crowd clapped and the man took a bow, his eyes meeting Hiccup's. He smiled at the boy and carefully packed the eggs away again. Wrenlou pulled Hiccup along. Their progress was slow. Hiccup wanted to see every act, every performer.

They watched the acrobat, twisting himself in all sorts of very awkward and painful looking positions. They watched the fire-eater, after which Hiccup mumbled that the dragons did it better. There was a man who swallowed a sword, only to pull it out of his mouth moments later.

Hiccup watched all of them with endless fascination. He couldn't understand how the fire-eater's mouth didn't get burned, but he didn't know how the dragons kept their mouth from burning. He didn't understand how the sword swallowing man didn't die. Wrenlou couldn't give him any answers, and after seeing all the performers, all the stalls and items in display, they left the plaza.

They wandered the streets for hours, Hiccup enjoying everything he saw. The sword was now hanging around his waist, the notebook in Wrenlou's bag. He was peeling another orange, his third this hour. He took a deep breath, and stopped walking abruptly. Wrenlou turned around.

'Everything okay?'

'My feet hurt. And my back too.'

Wrenlou came back and put an arm around Hiccup's shoulder. 'Let's go to my parents house then. It's time for some real rest.'

They made their way through winding streets and Hiccup realized he hadn't even seen the harbor yet. He considered asking to go there, but the pain in his feet and the dull nagging in his back told him he really needed rest. He hadn't walked this much in one day in his entire life. He was sure every inch of his feet was blistered.

'Well, here we are.'

Hiccup looked up from his orange. They were standing in front of a gate. Behind the gate was a green garden, and a paved path led straight through the front door. Halfway it circled around a fountain, spraying clear water in the air. The garden itself looked well maintained, palm trees waving in the breeze. The building was made form white stone, with a red roof. A row of pillars lined the outside of the house on either side of the door.

The gate wasn't locked, which surprised Hiccup. Surely, a wealthy family would lock the gates to keep murderers and other criminals out? He didn't dare ask about it. They stopped in front of a large door, made from dark wood. Wrenlou raised his hand to the doorknob, but hesitated.

'Something wrong?'

Wrenlou sighed. 'I haven't seen my parents in three years. Well, almost three years. I don't think they expect me to be here...'

He took a deep breath and took hold of the round doorknob. When he turned it, he found de door was unlocked and he opened the door. A hallway was revealed, light pouring in from the windows. The hallway was lined with a row of pillars. Between the pillars were statues, mostly of men staring down at him with a judging look.

'Please don't mind my ancestors, they're always grumpy.

Hiccup laughed. He couldn't help it. He was nervous, but Wrenlou had broken the ice. He looked at the statues again. The men sure looked grumpy.

'They used to scare me when I was little. Especially him. I still don't like his expression.'

Wrenlou pointed to a statue at the end of the pillar row. He had an angry expression, staring straight at them. Unwittingly, Hiccup moved closer to Wrenlou. The hallway split up, going left and right. It was still little more than a roof supported by rows of pillars, but there were no more statues. There was a large open space in front of them. Hiccup could see the house on the left and the right and the opposite of the rectangular plaza like space. There was another fountain in the middle, much like the one in front.

'Who's there?'

Hiccup's head jerked up. A woman's voice suddenly called out through the hallway. Their arrival had been noticed. He turned to Wrenlou, opening his mouth to say something, but Wrenlou hushed him, shaking his head.

'Mom?'

There were rapid footsteps and the sound of opening doors. Before Hiccup could say anything, the door on the end of the hallway opened, revealing a tall woman. She had long black hair that was braided on her back, her green eyes widened as soon as she saw them.

'Wrenlou...'

She stood frozen for a moment, and Hiccup could see the resemblance. She had the same hair as her son, the same build. After a short moment, she must have mustered her surprise and she stepped forward, taking Wrenlou in a tight embrace.

'Oh Wrenlou...'

After a short hesitation, Wrenlou wrapped his arms around his mothers shoulders, burying his face in her chest.

'Hi mom.' He mumbled, the sound muffled.

She pulled away from him, cupping his face in her hands. She was smiling now. She ran a hand through his hair, before hugging him again. Hiccup stood a little lost, the remains of his orange still in his hand.

'Who's this?'

The woman had spoken again and when he looked up, he found her green eyes staring into his own.

'Mom, this is Hiccup. Hiccup, my mother, Helen.'

'H...hi...'

He was sure she didn't understand anything he said, but she smiled at his obvious greeting. Before he knew it, he found himself in her arms, held close in a tight embrace. He tensed. He had never known motherly affection, as his mother had been taken by a dragon when he had just been a baby. And now a strange woman was holding him like he was her son. She let go of him and gestured to the boys to follow her.

She led them to a place in the garden where a table stood, chairs around it. She told them to sit and disappeared again. Only a moment later she returned, with three cups filled with a red juice.

'Don't you have servants or something?' Hiccup whispered.

'Only during breakfast and dinner. My mom likes to do things herself.'

After Helen had made sure that they were comfortable, she sat down herself. She was watching her son with joy in her eyes, the kind of joy only a mother could feel when she saw her child again after a long time.

So, Wrenlou... How are you?'

'I'm fine mom, really.'

'What are you doing in the city? I thought... I mean, I know you were in Dragoncity, but I never thought...'

'Hiccup wanted to see Lightcity. And we're joining the other riders in the Bay in a few days, so we had time. And well, since we were in the city anyway, I thought I'd drop by...'

She smiled widely and turned to Hiccup. He was a little taken aback when she started talking to him and he didn't understand. He turned to Wrenlou, a slightly desperate expression on his face.

'She wants to know how you are. And what you think of the city. And how you got here... And about Toothless... Mom, can't we do this later? We're kinda tired from walking all day.'

She smiled and nodded, ruffling Wrenlou's hair. 'We sure can. Your father won't be home for at least another hour, why don't you show your friend around?'

Wrenlou nodded and drank the last of the juice. Hiccup looked at his cup. He hadn't tried it yet. It was pomegranate juice, and he remembered the pomegranate he had eaten earlier that day. Carefully he took a sip. It was sweeter than the actual fruit, but just as delicious.

'Come on Hiccup, I'll show you my room.'

Hiccup stood up, still holding the orange peels. When Helen noticed, she took them from his hand, smiling. Hiccup quickly ran after Wrenlou. Her loving attention towards him made him shy. He didn't know her, yet she treated them as if he was just as much her son as Wrenlou was.

They went up some stairs, then through a hall. Finally they stopped in front of a door and Wrenlou turned to Hiccup.

'Well, here we are. My room.'

He opened the door and allowed Hiccup to step in. The room was a large open space, windows on two sides. There was a bed in the corner, neatly made and Hiccup sat down on the edge. He looked around. There wasn't much in the room. There were some weapons, small bows and toy swords mostly. A closet stood next to the bed, there was a desk, a chair, that was about it.

'I'm afraid it's pretty boring.'

'It's wonderful.'

Wrenlou laughed and picked something from the ground. It was a black case with a vaguely familiar shape. He sat down next to Hiccup, and sighed. After hesitating for a moment, he opened it. Hiccup sat up.

Inside the case was a violin.

Wrenlou let his finger glide over the strings, before plucking one. He winced.

'It's a little out of tune...'

He lifted the instrument from it's protective nest and then pulled the long stick from the lid of the case.

'This is called a bow. You use it to play. But you saw that.'

Hiccup nodded. It was strange to see Wrenlou with a violin in his hands, and he couldn't really believe that he could actually play the thing. Wrenlou closed the case and set it next to the bed.

It took quite some time to get the violin tuned again. Hiccup had pulled his legs up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, resting his head on his knees. When the instrument as tuned again, Wrenlou sighed.

'Can you play now?'

'Hiccup...'

'Please?'

'I told you, it's been some time.'

'You could tune it.'

'That's easy.' He smiled when he saw Hiccup's face. 'Fine. I'll try.'

Hiccup's face lit up and he moved a little closer to Wrenlou. The other boy laughed at his eagerness and stood up.

'I need room to play. Don't want to knock your teeth out. What do you want to hear?'

'Can you play the one that man played? The first?'

'The Dance of the Dragons? I can... I don't have second violinist though, so it won't sound the same.'

Hiccup shrugged, inching closer to the edge of the bed. After giving him a sly smile, Wrenlou set the violin on his shoulder and started playing. Hiccup closed his eyes, rocking back and forth as he let the music fill his ears. Even though Wrenlou said that he was out of practice, he was good. He could feel himself drift away on the music. It lifted his spirits, gently hummed him to sleep...

'I haven't heard that sound in a long time.'

Hiccup shot up and Wrenlou nearly dropped the violin. When they turned to the door, they found a man standing there. He spread his arms.

'How is my youngest son?'

'Dad!'

Wrenlou launched forward, wrapping his arms around his father, still holding the violin. The man started laughing, lifting his son from the ground as he hugged him tightly. When the man set him down he winced, rubbing his ribs.

'And you must be Hiccup.'

Hiccup's eyes widened. He had understood the man. He had spoken Norse. Completely baffled, he nodded.

'It is very good to meet you again. My name is Aaron, Wrenlou's father. Come, let's go down.'

'How... how do you...'

'Speak Norse? I was a trader Hiccup, I have been to the Northern Lands. Never as far as Berk though... But it must be nice to finally have someone to talk to, yes?'

'But I can talk to Wrenlou...'

Aaron turned to his son. 'You speak Norse? I never taught you that.'

'I had a lot of time to read.'

'You learned it by reading? You keep surprising me.'

With one arm around Wrenlou's shoulders, and the other around Hiccup's, Aaron led them down again. This time, they didn't go to the garden, but to a dining area where long couches stood. As soon as they stepped in, Wrenlou was jumped by a girl from about seven or eight years old. She squealed as she latched onto his leg.

'Alia!'

Wrenlou pried his sister from his leg and lifted her up, carrying her in his arms. She wrapped her own arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Another girl came in, stopping dead in her tracks when she saw them.

'Wrenlou! What are you doing here!'

'Hey sis.'

She smiled and embraced him, wrapping her arms around him and the girl he was holding. Hiccup watched the whole exchange with a little bit of a sad feeling. He looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Aaron was looking at him with a smile on his face.

'You look better than the last time I saw you.'

'You... you saw me? When? Why?'

'Right after we got word a castaway had been found. I was send to investigate. At that time I had no idea it was Wrenlou who had found you. I didn't even see him with you when I was there.'

'That would be because I had to convince some people to let me stay. No... Alia.. Don't... OW!'

Wrenlou dumped the girl on one of the couches, rubbing his head with a pained expression.

'Come on. Let's sit down. Dinner will be served soon. Hiccup, I want you to tell me everything.'

Hiccup looked at Aaron, then to Wrenlou. Wrenlou smiled and gestured to the couch. Hiccup sat down, Wrenlou on his left, Aaron on his right. Helen sat down opposite of her husband, her oldest daughter next to her. The youngest child, Alia, ran towards Wrenlou and climbed on his lap, her head against his chest.

'When do you have to leave?'

'We have to be out of the city before nightfall. So don't ask to many questions dad, we'll get in trouble if we're not back at Dragoncity when the sun sets.'

'Don't worry! Now, let's eat first, then we can talk. And when it's time for you to go, we'll walk you there and wave you off.'

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Dinner with Wrenlou's family had been the greatest dinner ever. After a while he had warmed up to Aaron. The man was everything his own father had never been. He was kind, caring, and he listened, really listened. At first, he had noticed he couldn't stop staring at the man's left hand and his missing fingers. When Aaron had caught him staring, he had let him examine the hand thoroughly. While they were eating, he had to answer all kinds of questions, some of which made him feel really uncomfortable. Aaron had sensed it, and had moved on. He was thankful for that.

Wrenlou had been claimed by his little sister. The girl had refused to leave his lap when the food arrived, so he had to eat with the child on his legs.

They had talked for what seemed to be hours, either Wrenlou or his father translating between Helen and Hiccup. He had just met these people, but they were warm and loving and he felt a kind of comfort and safety he hadn't felt before. And when it was time to go, they all went with them, as they had promised.

They were now walking through the streets towards the gates. Aaron was walking in front, arm in arm with his wife. Wrenlou's older sister, Stephanie, was walking beside her mother. Wrenlou and Hiccup followed a little slower, mostly because Alia was running all over the place, constantly brining back things she had found.

When they had finally made it back to where Snowflake and Toothless were waiting, the sun had started to set. The two riders were greeted with lots of slobber and Night Fury saliva on their faces. Wrenlou's parents seemed a little afraid of the dragons, while Alia didn't care at all. She had climbed up on Toothless' tail, hanging on with both hands when he lifted it to look at the little pest that had latched on.

'Come on Alia, get off.'

Wrenlou pulled his sister from Toothless' tail, handing her to his mother.

'Well, be careful.'

'Mom...'

Helen laughed and ruffled his hair again. After setting Alia down she embraced him, kissing his head.

'I love you, you know that right?'

'Of course I do.'

'Good. Give our love to Broghan as well.'

Wrenlou nodded and shrieked when he suddenly found himself in the strong arms of his father. Helen walked over to Hiccup embracing him too. This time, he didn't tense up, but he hugged her back. She pulled away from him and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, smiling warmly. Then she stepped back, putting an arm around her daughters.

'Well, Hiccup, it was nice to finally meet you.'

Aaron extended his hand and Hiccup shook it. Then he was pulled into a tight hug. Apparently people hugged a lot in Lightcity. He didn't mind. Actually, he loved it.

After saying goodbye to Stephanie and Alia, they mounted the dragons. There was a worried look on Helen's face when she saw her son climb onto a big, flying, fire breathing lizard. The Night Fury's spread their wings, eager to fly again.

With one hand on the hilt of his sword and the other on the saddle, Hiccup turned to Wrenlou. Wrenlou smiled and nodded. After waving at his parents one last time, Snowflake and Toothless jumped into the air, their wings beating fast to gain altitude. Hiccup found himself look back at the disappearing specks on the ground.

'I like them. Your parents.'

Wrenlou smiled. 'I told you, they're good people. And they like you as well. Especially my mom. Although I think she pities you.'

'That's okay... I would pity me if I were her.'

'Let's pick up speed. We don't want to be late.'

Hiccup nodded and moved his foot, clicking the prosthetic tailfin into another position. Almost instantly, the Night Fury's flew faster, racing across the sky. The wind was pulling their hair, their clothes and Hiccup clenched onto the sword as if he was afraid he would lose it.

Only now did he notice that Wrenlou had taken his violin, and he smiled.

He was exhausted, but it was a good kind of exhausted. He knew he would sleep great tonight.