Chapter 10

Fishlegs and Meatlug arrived at the Cove. They saw ripples on the surface of the lake, and just as they got a closer look they saw a little black tail and a wing slip into the water. Meatlug landed on the ground next to the lake and Fishlegs dismounted.

"Oh what do we do girl?" he asked, panicking. Meatlug looked out at the lake. They had to come up with something and fast, the little dragonet was drowning. Fishlegs couldn't swim. Meatlug could swim though, she had hatched in water. She immediately jumped into the water and swam towards Black Widow. She soon vanished beneath the surface. Fishlegs stood there fidgeting on the spot. The whole Cove seemed to hold it's breathe for what felt like decades. Then at long last Meatlug burst out of the water, Black Widow slumped over her snout. Meatlug flew her back to Fishlegs. He quickly examined the little dragonet. She was unconscious and had a few shallow cuts. Fishlegs carefully took Black Widow in his arms and carefully mounted his Gronkle. Meatlug took off and headed back to the village.

When they got there they ran to the Golden Apple Tree where the Draconians were waiting anxiously. They looked up when Meatlug landed.

"We found her," Fishlegs anounced. "She had fallen into the lake at the the Cove." Windwalker and Tenor got to their feet and ran over. Serenity got her medical bag out. Fishlegs set Black Widow down on the picnic. Tenor turned to Fishlegs and Meatlug.

"Thank you," he said. Serenity got right to work examining Black Widow. They all watched with baited breathe. Serenity listened to Black Widow's heart beat. Then used a small pump to get the water out of her lungs. Soon Black Widow spat out the last of the water and coughed oxygen into her lungs. She opened her eyes, but only half way. She let out a low moan. Serenity then addressed the dragonet's cuts, bruises, and cracked shoulder bone.

"Will she be ok?" asked Tenor.

"Yes," Serenity said confidently. "She's got a few scrapes, bruises, and a cracked shoulder, and she's beyond exhausted. But that's easily healed. She was lucky to get away with her life." All the dragons turned to Fishlegs and Meatlug.

"Our faith and trust in you has just been restored," Tenor said.

"Thank you," Fishlegs said. "I won't let you down again, I promise." He then got on Meatlug and headed for home, singing at the top of his lungs. Serenity put a cast on Black Widow's injured leg, then put in a sling. When she was finished she put her things back into her bag and closed it up. She carefully took Black Widow in her arms, so she wouldn't have to walk on her bad leg. Black Widow fell asleep almost at once. Windwalker laid down on the Dragonnip. Serenity gently placed Black Widow beside her. Windwalker nuzzled her hatchling. Serenity stood up and went to stand next to Chris.

"Not even a day old, and she's already getting herself into trouble," Tenor said.

"Like father like daughter," Re said amused. Tenor shot him an annoyed glare.

"She'll have someone to turn to if she's ever bullied," Aurora said. "I still remember it happening to you."

"Yes," Tenor said sadly. "Everywhere I went dragons both young and old mocked me, making sure I heard every word. I will not let that happen to Black Widow."

"You didn't have anyone to confide in when you were bullied?" Windwalker asked.

"Well, I did," Tenor said. "But they didn't quite understand what I was going through. They didn't know what it felt like to be the only dragon in the entire world that looks like this."

"Do they still bully you?" asked Windwalker.

"Yeah," Tenor said. "But these days I keep to the shadows and don't really give them an opportunity."

"I remember when he first started that," Re said. "He was no older than Apollo and Avalon. He came out with us. But every dragon in the city of Bluegreen started taunting him. He got so afraid that he turned around and flew back to the castle. He stayed indoors for several years, only coming out at night. No one saw him again until he was named Prime Minister. Even nowadays he never comes out by himself in the daytime."

"No one makes fun of you out here though," Windwalker pointed out.

"True," Tenor said. "But there have been dragons in this region in the past who have mocked me. The shadows are my only escape" He lowered his head in shame. Serenity stroked his neck. Then Re changed the subject.

"Well we should get some rest," he said. "Tomorrow we'll head for home." Everyone seemed to lighten up at this news.

"Is Black Widow able to travel?" Windwalker asked Serenity.

"Yeah," Serenity said. "Someone will have to carry her until she learns to fly of course." Tenor went over to his family and laid down next to them, he lit the fire pit in the process. Chris and Serenity sat in their chairs. Re, Aurora, and their two dragonets laid in the Dragonnip. Serenity had Edelweiss asleep in her baby sling.

One by one they all drifted off to sleep. Chris got up and stretched. Serenity saw that Tenor was still awake.

"I'm heading to bed," Chris said.

"Ok, I'll be right there," Serenity said. Chris gently kissed her cheek, then headed into the house. Serenity stood up and threw water on the fire. It went out with a hiss. She put the water jug on the table. She noticed Tenor watching her. As a nocturnal creature, it took him a bit longer than everyone else to fall asleep at night.

"Well Tenor, we both finally got what we wanted," Serenity said quietly.

"Yes, it's remarkable," Tenor said. He carefully got to his feet and approached his rider and she stroked his snout.

"I hope you'll still be my rider though," Tenor said. "I've rather enjoyed it."

"Of course," Serenity said. "I've enjoyed it too, traveling the world with you." Tenor nuzzled her face, purring softly. She gave him a one armed hug, holding Edelweiss in the other arm.

"Ten years and now our lonely travels are finally over," she said. Tenor smiled.

"Let's get to bed," he said.

"Good idea," Serenity agreed. She kissed Tenor's snout. He purred and blushed under his scales. He turned around and laid back down beside Windwalker. Serenity went into the house and went to bed as well. Tenor draped his wing over his new family. He glanced down at Windwalker and Black Widow. He never thought he would get such a blessing. He silently thanked Lord Draco. Then he laid his head down and closed his eyes.

The next morning snow clouds came rolling in over Berk. The Draconians woke up and gathered under the apple tree. Black Widow was restored enough for the long flight back to Draconia. Serenity put her gear on Tenor's saddle. Then she mounted up. Chris mounted Windwalker. Black Widow climbed onto her father's back. They all flew down to the plaza. The vikings and dragons were out and about. Hiccup, his fellow riders and their dragons came to see their allies off.

"You guys heading home already?" asked Astrid.

"Yup," said Re. "Winter is at hand, we must get home before we get snowed in here. We'll be back next summer." The Draconians prepared for lift off.

"When we come back we'll start turning Dragon Island into a summer home," Re said.

"Great," said Hiccup. "We'll help in anyway."

"Thank you," Re said. "See you all then." The Draconians spread their wings and took off. The Berkians watched them fly away, accenting above the clouds. They flew in a V formation. The Berkians watched them go until the snow clouds covered them up and they vanished.