Left in the Night will go on a brief hiatus until I can find some motivation to continue and work on the plot more. I've been focused on my Moana works atm, but I will be working on this fic privately!
A little over a day later, Hiccup and Zyrah finally caught up with the Riders and the villagers at the Edge.
Needless to say, Zyrah was outright stunned at the sight. It was incredible! There were about five houses, and she could easily identify who they once belonged to. The main meeting house had a massive deck and a small training arena! Everything was connected via bridges and decks down to the docks.
Despite being abandoned for only a couple of years, all the buildings seemed in great condition, just slightly weathered down by the elements. But that could be easily repaired and upgraded.
When Hiccup and Zyrah landed on the massive deck at the stables, Astrid, Fishlegs, Konall, and Ana greeted them.
"We've given them the go-ahead to build housing for the others," Astrid informed them after giving Hiccup a smooch on the cheek.
"That's great! Guess we only need to wait on word back from Mala, Dagur, Atali, and Alvin?"
"Pretty much. But we can start our planning now. The dragons are getting comfy and doing their thing. Though, we need to take precautions with Nightfire." Fishlegs pointed out. And he was right. Even though Hiccup was certain the baby Night Fury would be safe with her parents and the Rider's dragons, ensuring she was closely monitored would still be wise.
As the Riders and Berkians settled in and worked on their plans, the dragons began to reminisce about their time here. They had never admitted it to one another, but in the chaos of the past couple of years, they never found time to admit that they missed the Edge. It had opened a whole new world of exploration and time to bond with their Riders in a way they couldn't quite have on Berk.
Toothless led Blueheart and Nightfire to his and Hiccup's old house, showing them Hiccup's small workshop.
He was always busy with something, wasn't he? Blueheart commented.
He's always loved improving things. He had multiple variations of my tail in the Clubhouse. Never liked them very much, though. They were more for decoration than anything else.
For the next few days, Toothless and the other dragons showed Berk's dragons around, especially where it would be safest for the young and elderly in case the Edge was attacked.
And while Blueheart was happy to be here and help her mate, she still couldn't help but worry about her family and the colony miles away. If Grimmel was searching for them, he would look on any island near Berk. And although the colony's island was very far south, she knew that in the mind of someone like Grimmel, no distance would stop him from obtaining what he wanted.
One night, she found herself unable to sleep. Toothless was completely knocked out, rolled onto his back with his tongue lolling out, and one of his back feet twitching. It was such a goofy sight, but she adored him. And right by his side was Nightfire, also sound asleep. Her nose quivered slightly, but she barely stirred.
Giving Toothless a light lick on the cheek, Blueheart made her way outside, thankfully not waking Hiccup, Konall, or Zyrah.
Just a quick walk… She told herself.
She flew up into the forest that surrounded the Edge, catching sight of a few Night Terrors flying away. Toothless had informed her about the flock, including its leader, Smidvarg. She had caught sight of him the previous night, his white body a stark contrast to the rest of his flock.
As she walked, she came across what she guessed was an old training ground, with painted targets on tree trunks and a few small axes scattered about.
She leaned down to sniff, catching Astrid's scent on one, but it was faint. That said, unremarkable. There was another scent that was unfamiliar to her, but she had heard Astrid mention the visitors they would occasionally have.
Whatever.
Continuing her walk, she gazed up at the sky, dotted with twinkling stars and a nearly full moon. A warm breeze rustled the leaves around her, carrying a scent past her nose.
Wait a minute… that scent was familiar.
Sniffing the air again, she was surprised and perplexed that it was the scent of the white dragon who'd landed on Berk about a week prior.
Hello? She called out.
She then spied a flash of white dart through the brush up ahead. She lightly bounded after it and caught up to the figure.
It was the white dragon! What did Hiccup and Astrid call her? What was it…?
The Light Fury!
Hey! She called out again, and the Light Fury froze just meters ahead. The Light Fury slowly turned, and her light blue eyes widened upon seeing Blueheart approach her.
It's you. Blueheart said, why are you here?
The Light Fury had no answer. She appeared awkward and uncertain. Sensing that discomfort, Blueheart relaxed, trying to assure her that she meant no harm.
Look, I don't want to attack you. I just want to know who you are. Did you follow us here?
There was a long pause before; finally, the Light Fury spoke.
Yes… I did follow you all here. I, too, mean no harm.
Then why are you here?
I'm also escaping the Night Fury killer.
Oh. Blueheart watched her closely, now she was paying attention. She invited the Light Fury to tell her what happened.
She was astonished to hear that the Light Fury had been captured by Grimmel quite some time ago. Grimmel and his lackeys were trying to figure out what to do with her before they set on using her as bait to lure Toothless and Blueheart away from their riders so that Grimmel could either capture or kill them.
I don't know what he planned on doing with me after he hoped to capture you. He would have probably killed me as well… or enslaved me.
I'm sorry. I'm glad you told me, though. My mate and I can protect you.
The Light Fury shook her head.
That's not necessary. Now that I'm free, I'm planning on going home.
Oh? Where is… home? If I may ask? The Light Fury smiled a bit, her head twisted in the approximate direction of where home would be.
We never gave it an official name, but it's a great caldera in the middle of the sea. Filled with extensive caverns and tunnels. With endless room for dragons of all kinds. My kind and I have resided there for eons.
A caldera… in the middle of the sea. That sounded awfully familiar…
Wait.
The Hidden World!
She lived in the Hidden World!
Oh, my gods… You live in the Hidden World! Blueheart exclaimed.
What?
My mate's rider proposed that he find the Hidden World to help keep me, my mate, and his flock safe from dragon hunters. They've become a bigger problem recently. And my mate and I have a little girl, and we also want to keep her safe. That's why we left Berk.
I see. Well… I suppose it is a wise idea. No human has ever reached us. Those that tried, their ships would crash on the rocks surrounding them and would drown. Plus, even if they did get inside, it's no place a human should be.
Blueheart was dumbfounded. She couldn't believe the Light Fury did have the solution Hiccup was looking for! Yet, she knew the Light Fury didn't trust humans, which she understood.
Uh, hey. What's… What's your name? Blueheart asked, realizing that during this whole exchange, she didn't know the Light Fury's name.
Oh, it's Elin. And you?
Myrai.
And what is your mate's name?
Ryvir. He's the Alpha of the flock we brought here.
I see.
The two females continued chatting, becoming more comfortable around each other. They slowly revealed more information, and Blueheart felt more assured that because of Elin, Hiccup was right to think the Hidden World would be the perfect spot for the dragons to hide from dangerous humans.
Then Elin asked about Night Furies.
So, are you, your mate, and your daughter the last of your kind? I grew up being told Night Furies were practically extinct. That is until I saw you all in the forest.
Many assume so, and maybe it's for the best. But no, we're not. There's one colony of us left that reside south of us. There's about 150 of us left. The humans didn't know about it until the past year. And even then, only a select few know its location. But I worry that other humans will figure it out. My family lives there, and I've already lost my father to a hunter. I need to protect them like my mate protects his flock.
In that case, you should bring the colony and the flock to the Hidden World since that is what the humans call it. They will be safe there.
I agree. But I worry that the colony will be immediately targeted once they leave the island.
Hmmm. Well, I could bring you and your mate to look and ensure it is what you want.
You'll have to come to us. My mate's rider won't easily let him go anywhere independently.
Elin gave her a look of confusion and suspicion.
I assume your rider lets you do what you please?
My mate is disabled. He lost a tailfin many years ago and cannot fly on his own.
Oh. I see. Elin thought about it for a moment. It would be a risk going directly to the humans, yet she did know that these were dragon-loving humans, and they would be extremely unlikely to harm her.
If it's in a safe location… I will meet you at the edge of the settlement at dawn.
That works. My rider is usually up early.
Then that settles it. See you at dawn.
With that worked out, Blueheart watched as Elin took off into the night, her white, luminous figure standing out against the inky black sky. Once she was gone, Blueheart made her way back to the edge, settling next to Toothless on his old rock bed, thankful that neither he nor their daughter had woken to her absence.
This crazy plan just might work.