Chapter 9

Tenor landed back at the hospital. Black Widow ran right too him. She seemed to have been unharmed in her fall. She rubbed against his legs. Tenor beamed at her.

"Well Black Widow," he said. "You've tried eating apples, now how about something softer." With that he regurgitated some of the fish he ate at the feeding station, before his gut turned it into fuel for fire breathing. Black Widow didn't hesitate as she was very hungry. She ate every last regurgitated fish. She paused once to look up at Tenor, and gave a grateful smile. Then she turned back to her food. Tenor stood next Windwalker.

"We should all go down to the plaza," Re suggested. "It would help Black Widow get used to being around so many dragons and humans."

"Good idea," said Windwalker. Black Widow finished and ran to Avalon and Apollo. They all made their way towards the plaza. Black Widow stayed by Tenor's side.

When they got to the plaza they found everyone up and about. Dragons filled the sky. The riders and their dragons were in their yards. They looked up when their allies came into the plaza. Black Widow looked around both curiously and nervously. The riders and dragons came over to investigate.

"Good to see you all up and about," said Astrid.

"Yeah it's been a while," said Re. Fishlegs turned his attention to Black Widow. She looked back at him and pinned her ears back in fear. She backed up and let out a tiny growl. Fishlegs didn't get too close when he saw that he was frightening her. Then the Twins approached her recklessly. She hissed and flashed her gums, she still didn't know how to access her teeth.

"Back off," Fishlegs ordered. "She'll bite you if you get too close." The Twins reluctantly backed off. Black Widow turned her attention to the rest of the riders. She cautiously approached Hiccup. He knelt down to her level. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of Dragonnip. He held it out to Black Widow. She sniffed it. She remembered the sent as this was the same kind of grass that made up Serenity's entire lawn. She purred and approached further. Hiccup reached his other hand out towards her. Black Widow snorted and drew back shyly.

"It's okay," Hiccup said softly. "I won't hurt you." Black Widow looked at his open hand for a minuet. She looked over Toothless who gave her nod, indicating that Hiccup was telling the truth. She turned back with a croon. Then she put her whole head into Hiccup's hand. He gently stroked behind her ears, making her purr. Hiccup then realized just how small she was. She had long legs like Apollo and Avalon, but everything else was quite small and slim. Black Widow stepped back when she'd had enough and stood between her parents. Hiccup got back to his feet. Black Widow yawned exposing her gums.

"How come we can't see her black teeth?" asked Snotlout rather disappointed. "I thought all dragons hatched with their teeth."

"They're still in her gums," Tenor said. "She has to work out how to access them by herself." He turned to Black Widow who was now inspecting Fishlegs. Tenor growled a warning. Fishlegs ignored him.

"Wow, she came right up to me," he said loudly. He went to stroke her but he was too eager and moved too quickly. He accidentally stepped on Black Widow's wing, then her toes. She squealed in pain. Fishlegs withdrew, but again too quickly. He accidentally kicked Black Widow's shoulder, hard. She roared in pain, then turned and limped off as fast as she could.

"Black Widow! Come back!" Tenor and Windwalker cried in unison. The poor little dragon kept running, and soon vanished. Both adult dragons turned to Fishlegs snarling. He backed up against Meatlug. Tenor, who was closest, lunged at him with a loud snarl.

"Wait, wait," Fishlegs begged. "Let me go find her. I can bring her back safe." Tenor growled and gnashed his teeth. He turned to Windwalker. They chatted in Dragontongue for a few minutes. The riders held their breath.

"Please, let me have a chance at redemption," Fishlegs said. Tenor turned back to him. He growled again and jabbed Fishlegs's stomach with is talon.

"You have 24 hours," Tenor hissed. "If you fail, It will put both of us in a really bad mood." He snarled again and turned away. The Draconians headed back to the apple tree. Fishlegs turned to Meatlug.

"Come on girl, let's get started," he said. Meatlug gurgled in agreement. Fishlegs mounted her and they set off. The rest of the riders and dragons went back to their daily activities.

Fishlegs and Meatlug flew through the forest, keeping their eyes open for Black Widow. Meatlug called for her over and over, to no effect. They checked every cave and every shadow. Black Widow was no where to be found. The problem was, the little dragonet was constantly moving; she climbed trees and boulders. When she got wind that Fishlegs and Meatlug were looking for her she stayed out of sight, she was afraid of FIshlegs. She thought about going back to her parents, but she did not know the way. She cowered at the base of a large cedar while Fishlegs and Meatlug searched that particular area.

When they buzzed off, she came out and ran in the direction she thought her parents were. She limped as fast as she could. Her shoulder bone was cracked where Fishlegs kicked her and it hurt her to walk normally, it even hurt her to limp. She suddenly heard the rapid wingbeats of a Gronkle coming her way. She panicked and ran for it. Her shoulder burned with pain and it forced her to stop. She looked at her wings. She had seen other dragons using them to fly. She opened them up and flapped them as hard as she could and jumped. She got a few feet off the ground, but then crashed down again. Her wing muscles weren't developed enough to support her. The rapid wingbeats came again. She ran off, trying to ignore the pain. Suddenly the ground vanished beneath her feet and she fell way down. She hit several rocks on her way down. Then she splashed into water. She sank deep, struggling to breathe. She fought her way to the surface, using her tail, talons, and wings. Eventually her head broke the surface and she gulped down huge breaths of air. She splashed around trying to stay afloat. She called out for help, but it was very difficult with so much water in her face and eyes. She soon began to tire from all the struggling and she started to sink again.

Back at the apple tree the Draconians were all worried about Black Widow. Tenor was on his feet pacing up and down, smoke pouring out of his mouth and nose. Suddenly Re started coughing.

"For Draco's sake Tenor," he said. "Give it a rest before we all suffocate." He fanned the smoke away. Tenor relaxed and used his wings to blow away the smoke.

"Sorry," he said.

"Don't worry Tenor," Aurora said with sympathy. "Black Widow will be returned safe and sound. I can foresee it." Tenor paused and breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to his rider who was sitting in her chair.

"You have your medical bag at the ready?" he asked.

"Yes Tenor I do," Serenity said calmly. "There's nothing to worry about." Tenor stopped pacing and laid next to Windwalker. He was swishing his tail nervously. Windwalker could tell he was scared.

"It's okay Tenor," she said. "I'm worried about her too. But you heard the queen, she'll be just fine." Tenor took several deep breaths and calmed down more and more. He laid his head down. Windwalker rested her head on Tenor's shoulder. All they could do now was wait.

Meatlug and Fishlegs flew through the forests still searching. Black Widow was still no where to be found. They were near the Cove. Suddenly Meatlug's animal instincts blared, telling her something was wrong. She turned around abruptly, ignoring Fishlegs's protests, and headed for the Cove as fast as she could.