Chapter 7

They days went by quietly. Tenor stayed in his spot the whole time. Serenity had to give him another dose of the sedative every time it wore off. They all could tell it completely destroyed her whenever she had to do it. The only thing that made her feel slightly better was checking Windwalker's egg, and hearing the movement inside. The egg was due to hatch any day. Re and Aurora helped around the village, or sparred in the arena with Apollo and Avalon.

Serenity spent most of her time sitting on Tenor's other side. He liked that, it him showed her loyalty. He was still wearing the muzzle so he couldn't tell her that he didn't blame her in the slightest. The only time she left was to when she went to bed, or to take care of Edelweiss. Re and Aurora checked on him every once in a while. Tenor just laid there quietly.

Several weeks later Re, Aurora, and all three of their children came up to the tree from the arena. It was dusk and the sun was hiding behind the overcast of clouds. The hospital was quiet. Windwalker was checking her egg. Tenor was wide awake, but he couldn't move due the sedative. Serenity was dozing off next him, her hat pulled over her eyes and Edelweiss cradled in her arms.

"How is everyone doing?" asked Re quietly.

"We're all okay," said Windwalker.

"Any movement?" asked Aurora, looking at the egg.

"No," said Windwalker. "No one has moved all day." She looked at the other two. Chris knelt down in front of Serenity and gently lifted the brim of her hat.

"Hey, wake up," he said. Serenity opened her eyes and looked at him. She smiled.

"Oh, you're back," she said. "How was it?"

"It was pretty normal to be honest," Chris said, sitting next to her. "Apollo and Avalon have along way to go before they're ready to take me on." He chuckled softly. Serenity leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Right now I'm just handy for teaching them how to fight humans," Chris went on. Serenity smiled again and kissed his cheek. Then she looked over at Tenor. He was staring off into space, looking so bored.

"Re can I take off his muzzle?" Serenity asked. "I don't want him to starve." Re looked at his younger brother. He was looking rather miserable.

"Alright, he's earned it," Re said. Serenity handed Edelweiss to Chris, then turned to Tenor's head. She unbuckled the muzzle and slit it off. Tenor licked his lips, happy to have the muzzle off. Now he could talk. He raised his head as far as the sedative would allow.

"Serenity," he said weakly. "I don't blame you. I know you were just following orders. This is quite boring, sure, but I would have never been able to live with myself if I killed anyone." He laid his head down.

"You sure?" Serenity asked. Tenor nodded and closed his eyes. Serenity leaned against his shoulders. She took Edelweiss back in her arms. Chris wrapped an arm around her.

"You haven't gone flying in a long time," he said.

"I haven't really had an opportunity," Serenity said. "Tenor's been either injured or sedated." Tenor heard this.

"You can ride another dragon," he said. "I won't mind. I know you miss flying." Serenity considered for a moment, but she seemed to be taking her time. Chris gently ran the back of his fingers down her face.

"Please," he said. "We can ride Windwalker together, she needs to stretch her wings." Serenity sighed and put her hand on top of his.

"Alright," she said. Chris smiled, satisfied. They both got to their feet. Re and Aurora took Edelweiss, sling and all. Windwalker got up as well. She nuzzled Tenor's face. He slowly pulled the egg towards his body. Windwalker went over to Serenity and Chris, she was already wearing her saddle. Serenity was about to mount her, when Chris scooped her up into his his arms. She clung to his neck, quite surprised.

"I know how to mount a dragon," she said.

"Yeah, I know," Chris said, amused. He carefully put her on Windwalker's back, then got on in front of her. She wrapped her arms around him.

"But let's not be gone long," she said. "That egg could hatch at anytime, and I'm sure Windwalker wants to be present for it."

"We'll be back in no time," Chris said. Windwalker spread her wings and took off. Re and Aurora watched them fly away. The hospital grew very quiet. Aurora snuggled close to Re; she covered her dragonets with her wing, and wrapped her front paws around her granddaughter. Just then Hiccup came up the hill, followed by Toothless and Fishlegs. Re sat up.

"Yes?" he said.

"We were wondering if we could watch the egg hatch," said Hiccup. "We won't get too close." Re turned to Tenor.

"I can't object," Tenor said. "I don't wish be held prisoner under this sedative anymore, you may come watch."

"Thanks Tenor," said Fishlegs. "Meatlug will make sure I don't get in the way." Tenor nodded. The two riders left and Re turned back to Tenor.

"You don't have to let Fishlegs up here you know," he said. "That's not why we're keeping you sedated, it's so you don't loose your temper over this and kill someone."

"I promise I won't," Tenor said, it sounded like he was pleading. "Just please don't have Serenity give me anymore of that sedative." Re sighed.

"Alright, I think you've learned you lesson," he said. "Once this dose were's off you may get up." Tenor looked so relieved. He moved as much as he could.

The hospital grew quiet again. All three Draconians dozed off. The sun had set almost completely. The stars and full moon were starting to come out. Chris, Serenity, and Windwalker returned to find everyone fast asleep. Serenity and Chris dismounted. Windwalker went and laid down beside Tenor, her egg between the two of them. Chris looked at the egg.

"A lot of bad things have happened since that egg came," he said. Serenity wrapped her arm around his shoulder.

"It's not the egg," she said. "It's the change, not everyone adjust so easily."

"You're right," Chris said. He smiled at her. "I'm so glad I have you back." She smiled back at him. He gave her a big hug. She hugged him back.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Well, no changes there then," Chris said, cheerfully. Serenity smiled wider. They pulled apart. Chris gently cradled her face in his hands. He was about to kiss her, when there came a loud cracking sound.