Astrid had insisted that she would meet us back at Berk. She knew Stormfly was no match for the other dragons' speed. We could get back before midnight, while she would get back an another hour or so if Stormfly pushed it.
I couldn't relax as we rocketed through the sky. My entire focus was on Orris and keeping us in the saddle. I would rub one of his arms until my own got tired, then switch sides, trying to keep his circulation going. The tinge of blue in his skin wasn't comforting.
"I know you're probably at your limit." I reached forward, placing a hand on the Woolly Howl's neck. "Just a little more. Once we're back at Berk I'll never ask you to fly like this again." She looked back at me for a second. Her wing beats picked up just enough for me to notice.
"How's he doing?" I shot Hiccup a flat look. "Dumb question," He admitted. I rolled my eyes and focused on keeping my brother alive. I wished I could give him my shirt, but both of us freezing to death wouldn't do any good. All I could do was pray we got there in time.
"There's Berk!" Hiccup called out, pointing. I could barely make out the dark shape by the faintest flickers of light.
"We made it!"
The Woolly Howl picked up on my relief and pumped her wings as hard as she could. She didn't have a full grasp on the situation, but she knew the young human was important to her friend.
Her determination kept her in the sky, despite the slight ache in her wings. That, and her concern for her friend.
Dare she say hatchling? He was so young, and maybe a little naïve in her eyes. She found him alone, away from the others, after all. But wisdom came with experience and age. She could help him grow.
But first, Berk.
We came to a running stop after Hiccup directed us to his hut. I hauled Orris off the saddle and hugged him tight as Hiccup held the door open for us. I set Orris down near the fireplace, which had started to burn out. Hiccup tossed some wood on it. Toothless shot a small fireball into the fireplace, restarting the flames easily. Hiccup nodded and headed for the door again.
"I'm going to get Gothi." He ran out, nearly slamming it shut in the process. I flinched when a snore in the background broke into a small shout. The other door on the first floor was thrown open. Stoick filled the frame. His eyes, alight with anger at being woken up, landed on me.
"Are you the one making that racket?" The Woolly Howl stepped closer to me, watching the bigger man carefully. He stepped into the room and folded his arms, ignoring when she bared a tooth at him in warning. "Well?"
"That was Hiccup."
"And just what are you two doing up at this hour?"
"…We just got back." I shifted to the side just enough to reveal my brother. I kept him mostly hidden though. His eyes narrowed and he walked closer. My dragon stepped between us, but I pushed her leg with my hand. She stepped back, but stayed close. I moved back a little more as Stoick knelt next to me and looked the still form over.
"You were able to save him, then. He looks like death warmed over."
"Hiccup is getting someone."
"Gothi, I'm assuming. Given these marks on his shoulders." He went to roll Orris over, but I stopped him.
"No, please, don't touch him."
"I'm not going to hurt him, lad. But Gothi will need to know where and how he is injured when she gets here." I cringed but there was nothing I could do. This man could throw me across Berk without straining. I could only watch as the scarred back was exposed to the light of the fire.
His face grew grim.
"Just how old is he?" Stoick's voice had dropped to a whisper. I swallowed hard.
"T-twelve…" The color drained from my face as his eyes narrowed in anger.
"Who did this?"
"…" I backed away, not liking the look in his eyes. My dragon stepped between us and promptly sat down, daring the Chief to move towards me. He contemplated telling her to move, but decided it wasn't worth it. She wouldn't bow like Toothless could under his voice.
He stood up before sitting in his chair.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Either of you. But I must know what's going on. So let's start with the basics." Before he could ask further, Hiccup came in. He noted the difference in atmosphere and paused.
"Ah, dad! You're awake."
"You slamming that door startled me out of my dead sleep faster than any raid." Hiccup flushed as an old woman with a walking stick hobbled in. Her eyes assessed the situation before kneeling next to Orris and looking him over. Her gnarled fingers twitched against the wounds ever so slightly.
"Alrighty, what's the big idea of waking…" Gobbler thump-thudded his way in before stopping. "Oh…"
"Sorry, Gobber, we needed you to translate what Gothi will say." Hiccup rubbed the back of his head.
"I see, I see. So, who's the little one?"
"My brother." The answer floated across the room. Every eye turned to me. The Woolly Howl cooed and brushed against me.
"Those are whip marks," Stoick noted. I nodded as I looked at the long welts. I wiped at my eyes.
"Our, um…" My voice caught. Hiccup walked over and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay." I nodded at him before swallowing the lump in my throat.
"Our parents put us in the local mine. We weren't, treated well." Stoick sat back in his seat.
"That is why you reacted so harshly when I mentioned a life debt." I didn't meet his eyes, instead choosing to watch the woman carefully. "Gothi is the best healer in the Archipelago. She'll have him healthy in no time."
"We've endured worse before. I'm more worried about how cold he was for the flight back." The sheer strength in Stoick's fist was heard as it clenched.
Gothi stood up and grabbed a handful of ash near the fireplace. Spreading it on the floor, she began writing in it with her staff. Gobber walked over and began translating. My heart twisted at every mention of a wound.
Maybe if I had taken him with me when I ran.
…
But I barely survived myself. I couldn't have kept us both alive.
I also had to remind myself that as harsh as it was to leave him behind, I hadn't had a way to get him free. It was either I leave and hopefully survive, or neither of us get free.
'He's safe now. That's what matters.' I thought as I rubbed my arm. Fur brushed against my cheek as the Woolly Howl purred. I scratched her jaw mindlessly. Gothi walked out while I was distracted. Hiccup explained she was going to get supplies. I watched Orris' breathing. It had deepened a little as his body warmed up, but it was still far too shallow for my comfort.
"What am I going to do with him?" I asked aloud.
"Well help you get him back to health. You're not alone, John," Hiccup said. I glanced at him before lowering my eyes to the floor.
"I meant after he's back on his feet. I honestly thought he'd be dead when we found him. A form of…punishment from my parents for me leaving."
"Those weren't your parents," Gobber said. I glanced at him before a humorless chuckle slipped out.
"And yet in my panic to stop him from hurting Orris, I called him father." Concerned eyes fell on me. Gothi walked in and went straight to work.
"Bah, means nothing. No father would treat their son like that," Gobber said with a wave of his hand. I barely caught a squint from Stoick. I ignored it, unsure where his mind was going.
"There's not much that you can do now except wait." Hiccup stood up. "Get some rest. That was a long flight and you're going to be sore in the morning." I shook my head.
"Couldn't sleep even if I wa-ack!" Something wrapped around me and dragged me backwards. I turned to see the Woolly Howl. I sighed as she pulled me against her more with her wing.
"Alright, alright. I'll try to sleep." I laid against her shoulder. My eyes landed on Orris. Gothi finished minutes later. Orris' entire torso was wrapped up with bandages. She looked at me for a second before nodding with a small smile and walking out.
"A'righty then! Off to bed for a few more hours." Gobber followed her out the door. Silence, aside from the fire, fell over the hut. Toothless nudged Hiccup, who proceeded to removed his saddle. Stoick stood up, watched me for a second, then went to bed without a word. His door shut a little more firmly than I thought necessary. Hiccup's hands paused and he glanced at the door before his eyes shifted to me.
"That's…not good." My head snapped up and my eyes flicked between him and the door.
"What? What just happened?"
"Oh nothing. Probably just a plan brewing in that head of his." I sat up a little.
"What plan?"
"The idea of slavery has always sickened my dad. Paying up debts? That's one thing. Being worked without pay never has been my dad's style. Torture is out of the question."
"Hiccup," I grew nervous. "What is he planning?"
"He'll probably want to check out that mining colony you're from." I sat straight up.
"Absolutely not." Hiccup watched me before heading to the stairs.
"Not my idea. I'm not the one you need to talk to. Good night, John." Toothless followed him, disappearing for the night. I muttered a response while staring at the floor.
"Ugh! Gross! The others are trying to sle-can you not?!"
I wasn't getting to sleep anytime soon with this mother of a dragon at my side.
««{{¤}}»»
I awoke to a knock at the door. The Woolly Howl stayed asleep even as I untangled myself from her wing and legs. I stumbled over and opened it.
"Hello?"
"John."
"Astrid. Glad you made it back safe." She tried to peak inside and I stepped aside. "He made it. Barely." She walked over and knelt down next to Orris. Her hands hovered over his sleeping form as her eyes took in every detail.
"Your Healer patched him up." I sat down next to her, crossing my legs. "I almost wasn't able to sleep."
"I can imagine," She said as she sat back on her feet. "I'm no Healer, but I trust Gothi's work."
"That's what everyone else said too. I've got no choice at this point." I rested a hand on Orris' shoulder. "I only hope it's enough."
"Good morning m'lady." Hiccup came down the stairs, latching his armor to his arm. Toothless followed and walked over to me. He crooned, looking me over, before his eyes went to Orris. His ear flaps fell as he looked over the injured form. I patted him on the neck.
"Hiccup. Anything else happen after you got back?"
"Not really. Dad might be planning something, but that's just speculation."
"And what's this, something?"
"Oh, you know, raiding a village." He said it so casually as he adjusted more of his armor. We both stared at that.
The bedroom door opened, startling us. Stoick stepped out. He nodded to us, gave a glance at Orris, turned, and walked out the door.
"Yup. He's mad." Came Hiccup's simple words.
"H-Hiccup, you can't be serious." I felt my chest tighten. Toothless had gone to wake up the Woolly Howl, only for her to bat him in the head a few times in reprimand. She sneezed at him before moving around Astrid and sitting next to me. Lifting a paw, she began grooming herself. I could only shake my head at the baffled Night Fury.
"Come on, bud, let's go for a flight." Hiccup pulled Toothless' attention to him and the dragon pounced for the door. They both left and I heard a 'whoop' of joy. Astrid could only shake her head and mutter something fondly.
"I need to check up on Stormfly. She wouldn't slow down last night, so she's definitely sore." My brow furrowed.
"Is she going to be okay?" Fear or not, I didn't wish the dragon harm.
"It's not the worst flight we've been on, she'll be fine." She stood up and looked at me, contemplating something. "I know you're scared. I get why. But, you could come with me." My eyes fell to my lap. Hot breath fell over my neck, the Woolly Howl leaning close when she saw my shoulders hunch.
"Not ready yet?" Astrid asked. I shook my head. "I won't push, just thought I'd offer." She stepped outside. I slumped, letting out the breath I had been holding. I looked over my shoulder to see the Woolly Howl staring at the door in a curious manner.
"You can go outside if you want. It's not like we're attached at the hip." She looked down at me, tipping her head to the side just a little. Her eyes moved over to Orris before she slid down and laid so she was slightly wrapped around both of us. I couldn't help the small smile as I scratched her chin. She purred before settling in and grooming her wing.
I moved around the room occasionally, stoking the fire, helping the Woolly Howl by combing her fur, checking on Orris, etc.
There was a knock at the door. Trading a glance with the Woolly Howl, I went over and answered it. Gothi was standing there. I let her in. She replaced Orris' bandages, cleaning up the wounds at the same time. She turned and glanced at the Woolly Howl, who had been quietly watching the whole time.
The two females observed each other, almost sharing a private conversation. The dragon's lower eyelids raised a bit, and her tail shifted before she looked at me.
"…What?"
««{{P.O.V.C}}»»
The old human female was strange. Well, stranger. She apparently knew healing, though why she didn't clean the wounds with her tongue I couldn't guess. When she looked at me, it was like I was seeing a kindred spirit. Kindness, empathy, a want to help. It was like I could tell she was asking how my hatchling was.
Stubborn. He had hardly eaten a thing since we had gotten back, even though I could smell food aplenty here. He refused to sleep unless my held him down.
Naïveté is one thing. Not taking care of yourself is another.
It's like she knew my thoughts and smiled at me as if saying, 'yes, younglings were careless sometimes. That is why we must be there for them.'
Even if they are of a different species.
««{{P.O.V.C}}»»
Gothi smiled as the two shared a silent joke and she left with a wave.
"What just happened?" I was completely lost. The Woolly Howl rested her head on her paws and smiled at me. I could only throw my hands in the air.
"Whatever."
Hiccup came by to check on us a few hours later. He asked me if I could read Norse, then offered me a few books to read while he was away. Apparently being the "dragon master" required his attention on top of being the Chief's son.
The first book was the old version of their Dragon Manual. Barbaric, simplistic, with just enough information to know how deadly each dragon was.
The second book detailed some of the history of the Viking-dragon war. I was still appalled at the idea that they had been dealing with this for so many generations. It was pure insanity in written form. I looked at the Woolly Howl.
"This, this war…it lasted for three hundred years." She glanced between my eyes and the book, not knowing what I was saying. At a tilt of her head I did some quick math. "Over one thousand seasons." Her eyes bugged out and she froze for a minute.
"They've…" The book fell to the floor. "…They've been killing each other, for generations."
"We didn't know why." Surprisingly, I didn't jump at the new voice. I looked over and saw Stoick standing at the open door.
"What changed?"
"Hiccup." He walked over and sat down in his chair, watching the flames lick the firewood. "He shot down that Night Fury of his. He wanted to prove he could be like the rest of us. We all knew it wasn't possible. So he found his own way." Stoick explained how Hiccup trained Toothless and the events that followed. I winced when he mentioned how Hiccup had lost his leg.
"And he still trusted him after that?" Stoick laughed lightly, well, lightly for him, before sighing.
"If anything, it brought them closer. Toothless didn't mean to hurt him."
"I consider it payment." Hiccup stepped into the room, Toothless peaking over his shoulder. My gaze snapped over to him, flicking over his form, looking for a hint of sarcasm.
There was none.
"I took his flight." He gestured to Toothless' tail fin as the dragon stepped past him. Said tail whipped through the air and clipped him in the head. "D-ow! Toothless!" I couldn't help the snicker that slipped through.
"Seems like he disagrees with you," I said. Hiccup looked exasperated.
"We've had this talk before." Rider and dragon shot each other the stink eye.
"I thought you were crazy before, riding a dragon and treating them like an equal. Now I know you're just downright insane." I shook my head with a smile.
"We're Vikings. It's in our blood."
"Speaking of blood." Stoick gestured to Orris. "How is he?" My smile fell.
"He hasn't moved. At all."
"If there was something wrong, Gothi would have told us. He'll be okay." Hiccup reassured me.
"It's paranoia, really. I finally have him safe, I just don't know what I would do if I lost him again." Hiccup crouched next to me, watching the still form.
"Why didn't you mention him before yesterday?"
"I was confused. Lost. And truthfully freaking out after that whole life debt thing." I noticed Stoick's eyes squint by just a hair. "All I wanted was to be free from the pain. I couldn't think of him, even if I wanted to." I brushed a lock of hair out of his face.
"…When I did think of him, I thought…" That thought died before it reached my tongue. "He looked up to me. Even though I cowered from our parents and dragons, he always turned to me. I just…I couldn't let him see me so broken. It would shatter his heart. I stayed strong, for him."
"I don't think it would," Hiccup said, "He's a strong kid, isn't he? I think he'll be just fine." I sat back against the Woolly Howl, wrapping my arms around my legs.
"I hope you're right." Hiccup pushed himself to his feet.
"Come on, I want to get you used to that saddle. Both of you."
"Wha-! We just flew for hours!"
"And this little flight we're about to do will help loosen you up. I know you're sore." I sighed.
"Fine. Only if she wants to." I started to turn to my dragon, only for her support at my back to lift away, leaving me sprawled on the floor. Her head appeared upside down above me. "Very funny, Sapphire." I pushed myself to my feet, stretching my arms over my head. Hiccup and the Woolly Howl were staring.
"What?"
"What did you just say?"
"I said very funny."
"No no, after that." My brow furrowed. My eyes widened and I looked at the Woolly Howl.
"I, uh."
"You just gave her a name."
"Well, I wanted to, um." I turned sheepish. The Woolly Howl stepped closer, her pupils so wide they almost hide her irises. A weak keen came from her.
"I, wanted to ask you first. It just sort of slipped out," I stuttered. She stepped up so all I could see was her head. "Um, well, w-what do you thi-ack!" Her claws reached out and grabbed my arm. She pulled me into a hug with both of her front legs, lifting herself upright as she nuzzled my head. My feet left the ground and kicked a little. She purred so loudly I felt my teeth rattle. After a minute, she set me down, but continued rubbing against me, nearly knocking me over.
««{{P.O.V.C}}»»
A name. It wasn't something common among dragons. We didn't need them, given that we went off of scent and appearance to tell each other apart. Names were normally reserved for the oldest dragons in a nest.
I couldn't help the strange feeling in my chest, it felt like how I imagined fire burning before other dragons released it, the complete opposite to my own breath.
I couldn't sit still, it felt like my entire body was overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude and…
Care. I cared for this human. As naïve as he may be, as fragile as he appears, I have grown in this short time to care for him as my own.
I didn't even realize I had wrapped my legs around him at first, lifting him off the ground as I nearly suffocated him with my fur. My entire frame vibrated with my purrs as my tail swished along the floor.
Once I came back to full awareness, I set him down, still smothering him with my scent, marking him officially as my own.
Sapphire.
My name.
I had a name!
I was overjoyed!
««{{P.O.V.C}}»»
"Okay, okay, I get it! You like the name!" I laughed as she wove around me. She stepped in front of me, looking in the eyes again. She couldn't stop purring. She tipped her head down and pushed her forehead into my chest. Her wings slackened by her sides and her tail went limp as she just breathed. I looked over at Hiccup.
"Is, this normal?" I asked. He kind smile only grew as he spoke.
"I haven't seen this very often, but…I think she's claimed you."
"In what way?"
"You're now considered her hatchling in her eyes. She's marked you with her scent." My eyes widened at that and I looked down at the fur.
"Hatchling…?" The newly dubbed Sapphire stepped back and looked at me with bright eyes. A breathy chuckle escaped me and I shook my head.
"You don't want me as a hatchling, Sapphire. I can't even be around your kind." Her expression turned a little sour and she poked me in the shoulder with a knuckle. Then she clobbered me in the head with the same outstretched paw.
"Ow! Hey!" She got right in my face, cutting off my protest. I put my hands up, unsure what she was doing. She huffed before stepping around so we were standing shoulder to shoulder. Her right wing draped over my right shoulder and she pulled me close. I pressed my hands into her fur, watching my fingers comb through it. My mind went back to when I had cried into her shoulder about wanting a mother. She couldn't take the place of an actual human mother, but, maybe she could step in as a second best.
"…Alright," My voice almost cracked, barely above a whisper, "I accept."