Gothi, the elderly and wise healer of the village, sat at a cluttered desk covered in scrolls and vials. Skai, still adjusting to her new surroundings, stood nervously in front of Gothi. Hiccup and Gobber were outside per Gothi's orders, not wanting them to tamper with the examination. The healing hut was illuminated by the soft glow of candles, creating an atmosphere of tranquility. Skai nervously fidgeted.
At Gothi's grunt & hand gesture, Skai obediently took a seat on the wooden stool as Gothi approached, her gaze sharp and scrutinising. Gothi began her examination; listening to Skai's heartbeat, checking her pulse, and examining her eyes with a small light. Skai tried her best to remain calm. This was the first time she had ever been looked over by a healer before, so of course it was a very frightening thing because she didn't know what could possibly be wrong with her or what Gothi would notice.
Gothi scribbled into the ground. She wrote 'You gave us quite the shock, young lady. Emerging from the sea like a mythical creature.'
Skai had the decency to look sheepish. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble, Gothi. It's just because I'm somewhere new, and-" Gothi raised a hand, silencing her.
She scribbled again, 'Physically, you seem to be in good shape, Skai. Now, let's talk about those powers of yours.' When Skai's eyes widened & her expression turned anxious, Gothi gave a cheeky smile and scribbled again. 'I've noticed something about you, Skai. Your senses, your agility... they're reminiscent of a wolf.'
"Wha-? How-? I…" Skai stammered severely, trying to brace herself but not sure how.
Gothi carried on. 'I noticed the moment you ran away. I have never seen any man, woman or child run as fast as you could. Nor have I seen such a small thing like you use a great physical strength. You are definitely not an ordinary human, dear child… You are something special.' Skai's eyes widened with surprise, a mix of fear and uncertainty playing across her face. Gothi raised an eyebrow, studying Skai intently. 'My years of experience have granted me the ability to recognise unusual traits in individuals. I promise you when I say your secret is safe with me.'
Skai nodded, a mixture of relief and trepidation sweeping over her. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
Gothi retrieved a small notebook and a quill, jotting down some notes. 'I expect you to come by weekly for a check-up, Skai. We need to monitor these powers of yours, ensure they don't spiral out of control. Because I have a feeling they will get stronger as time goes on.' Skai nodded again.
"Thank you, Gothi. It means more to me than you can imagine that you keep this secret."
Skai's tense demeanor began to relax, a glimmer of trust finding its way into her eyes. Gothi reached across the desk, placing a comforting hand on Skai's along with a gentle smile. This was a shared moment of mutual understanding and their unspoken agreement.
Once the examination was completed - and true to his word of keeping an eye on her - Gobber escorted Skai to his hut. The cozy interior of Gobber's house was filled with a collection of weapons, armor, and Viking artifacts. Skai entered nervously, looking around.
"Welcome to my humble abode, Skai! Make yourself at home." Skai nodded, her eyes still filled with apprehension.
She spoke softly, "Thank you, Gobber. I appreciate your kindness."
"It's alright, lass," Gobber grumbled, "but I'll be keeping a close eye on you. You better not be some spy, mind you. We have enough trouble with dragon hunters and trappers as it is and we don't need another bit of trouble on the list."
Skai nodded eagerly, her determination shining through. "I promise, Gobber," she replied, her voice steady. "I mean no harm to anyone in Berk. I just want to be healthy and work out a plan to get home."
Gobber grunted, his initial skepticism beginning to waver much to his dismay. He had seen firsthand the change that Hiccup had brought to Berk, and he believed in the power of second chances. Perhaps Skai deserved a chance to prove herself after all.
"Very well," Gobber said, his voice softer now. "But I'll believe it when I see it. You step out of line, and I won't hesitate to put you back on the right path; and I mean by throwing you back into the ocean. Are we clear?" Skai nodded again. She understood the gravity of Gobber's warning. She knew she had to prove herself worthy of the trust being placed in her.
Gobber's gaze shifted to Skai's attire, or lack thereof. He noticed that she had no belongings with her, and a hint of concern crept into his grizzled features.
"You don't have any clothes or belongings, do you?" Gobber asked, his voice gruff but tinged with a touch of sympathy.
Skai shook her head, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "No, I arrived here with nothing," she admitted. "I... I lost everything."
Gobber's gruff exterior softened further, and he nodded. "Well, I've got some spare tunics and pants lying around," he said, gesturing toward his home. "I'll whip up something for you. Take your time settling in, and I'll call you down for dinner in the great hall."
Relief washed over Skai's face as gratitude filled her heart. "Thank you, Gobber," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I truly appreciate your kindness."
Gobber waved off her thanks with a lazy throw of his arm. "Don't mention it. Just remember, you're under my watchful eye now. And dinner in the great hall can get a bit overcrowded, so be prepared for that."
Skai smiled warmly, her eyes sparkling with a newfound sense of belonging. "I'll be fine, Gobber," she assured him. "I've faced worse than a crowded hall."
Gobber nodded approvingly, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "That's the spirit. Now, off you go upstairs, there is a spare room you can use. Get settled in, and I'll call you down when it's time for dinner."
With a grateful nod, Skai turned and headed towards sad room. She knew that with Gobber's guidance and the support of the villagers, she had a chance to start anew and find her place in the community of Berk, even if only for a short while. Gobber reminded her of Byril in a way. That was a good thing, she supposed, because it gave her some form of normality in this strange new world.
As Skai disappeared up the stairs, Gobber couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility for her. He would keep his word and watch over her, but deep down, he hoped that she would find whatever it was she sought, even if it was only a quick ride home. With a determined nod, Gobber set to work, crafting new clothes for Skai. In the great hall at sundown, the entire village would gather, and Skai would have her chance to prove she was trustworthy.
The following morning, with a hopeful smile, Hiccup approached Gobber's house, knocking on the door. Gobber swung the door open, his grizzled face showing a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Hiccup! What brings you here, lad?" he asked, leaning on his trusty forge hammer.
"Hey, Gobber. Is Skai here?" Hiccup inquired, trying to conceal his excitement.
Gobber raised an eyebrow, a mischievous gleam in his eye. "Aye, she's upstairs. Why do you ask?"
Hiccup's face lit up. "I want to introduce her to the village, show her everything we're proud of here. I think she'll enjoy it, you know, after what happened yesterday."
Gobber's gruff expression softened slightly, and he scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose there's no harm in that. Just try not to overwhelm her, Hiccup. Remember, not everyone is as used to dragons as we are."
Hiccup nodded eagerly, grateful for Gobber's approval. "Of course, Gobber. I'll make sure to take it slow."
With Gobber's reluctant blessing, Hiccup made his way upstairs to find Skai. He found her sitting by the window, her eyes fixed on the bustling village below. She turned her head as Hiccup entered, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Oh! Hello, Hiccup. What brings you here?" Skai greeted, her voice laced with curiosity.
Hiccup returned her smile, feeling a a warm rush. "I thought I'd take you on a real tour of Berk, show you our village and all its history."
Skai's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That sounds amazing. You want to go now?"
"Sure! Why not!?"
Together, they made their way through the winding streets of Berk. Hiccup pointed out various landmarks, sharing stories and anecdotes about the village's rich history. Skai listened attentively, her enthusiasm matching his own. She asked questions and marveled at the ingenuity of the dragon-infused island.
Their tour eventually led them to the Dragon Academy, where Hiccup introduced Skai to the gang. Tuffnut and Ruffnut greeted her with their usual loud enthusiasm, while Fishlegs beamed with joy at the chance to meet someone new who could potentially his love for dragons. Hiccup purposely left out the fact that Astrid wasn't present, not wanting to distract from the purpose of the visit. It wouldn't be a smooth conversation with a new girl on the island and his ex-girlfriend in the picture at the same time.
Her gaze locked onto a familiar Night Fury, who was perched on a ledge, watching their arrival. Toothless let out a low rumble of recognition, and to Hiccup's surprise, his dragon friend seemed immediately smitten with Skai.
Toothless instantly perked up as he spotted Skai. His eyes widened, and his ears perked forward, showing a keen interest in the girl who met him just earlier that day. Hiccup's surprise was evident on his face as Toothless leaped off the ledge and bounded towards Skai, his tail wagging excitedly.
"Whoa, Toothless, easy there," Hiccup said, his voice laced with both amusement and astonishment.
Skai, her eyes filled with wonder, extended her hand tentatively towards Toothless. The dragon sniffed her palm, emitting a gentle purr-like sound, and then proceeded to nuzzle against her, his scales warm and smooth against her skin. Giggling softly, Skai scratched behind Toothless's ear, causing the dragon's eyes to flutter closed in bliss. "Hey, Toothless. You remember me, huh?"
Hiccup was heavily in awe and admired how quickly she adjusted to him. "Would you look at that. You're a natural!"
The Dragon Riders gathered tightly around her, their curiosity piqued by the enigmatic Skai. Hiccup, leaning against a wooden pillar, observed his friends as they eagerly fired questions at her. The room buzzed with anticipation, waiting for Skai to share a glimpse of her life.
Ruffnut, her eyes gleaming with excitement, blurted out the first question. "So, Skai, where do you come from? You're not from Berk, that's for sure."
Skai smiled softly, her gaze fixed on the ground for a moment before meeting Ruffnut's eyes. "No, I'm not from Berk. I come from a village called Caelin."
"Never heard of it," Tuffnut chimed in, scratching his head. "Is it far? Do they have dragons there?"
Skai nodded, her voice filled with nostalgia. "Caelin is quite a distance away. It's situated in a lush valley, surrounded by towering mountains. But no, we don't have dragons there."
Fishlegs, his brow furrowed with curiosity, joined in. "How old are you, Skai? You seem around our age, but it's hard to tell."
Skai's smile widened, and she chuckled softly. "I'm seventeen, so I'm a couple years younger than you. Although, back in Caelin, I've been preparing to take on the role of chieftess, so sometimes I feel older than my years."
Snotlout, ever the flirt, leaned against a nearby table. "So, Skai, I have to ask. Are you single? I mean, you're kinda cute, and I'm always on the lookout for a strong woman to match my awesomeness."
Skai's cheeks flushed, her eyes glancing towards Hiccup for a moment as if to ask if he's serious. Hiccup mouthed 'just ignore him'. She shrugged and turned back to Snotlout. "Well, I appreciate the compliment, but I'm not really looking for anything other than to feel better and find my way home right now."
Hiccup, observing the exchange, couldn't help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards Skai. He knew the weight that came with leadership and the responsibilities it entailed.
Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Hiccup decided to interject. "Alright, guys, let's give Skai some space. She's shared plenty already, and it's only her first day here. I'm sure there's more she'll tell us in due time."
The other riders reluctantly backed off, their curiosity still evident in their eyes. Hiccup approached Skai and offered a reassuring smile. "You don't have to share everything right away, Skai. You can tell them to back off if they get too much."
Skai nodded, a grateful look on her face. "Thank you, Hiccup. It's just... back in Caelin, I didn't have many friends. It's refreshing to be surrounded by people who genuinely care."
Hiccup placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice filled with warmth. "You're most welcome. The Dragon Riders look out for each other. We'll be here for you, every step of the way, to help find you a way back home."
Skai's eyes shimmered with gratitude as she nodded, a newfound sense of joy settling within her. The Dragon Riders may have been curious about her past, but Hiccup's unwavering support reminded her that her future held endless possibilities.
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Hiccup continued to watch his friends interact with Skai, their laughter filling the arena. He couldn't help but feel a sense of joy, knowing that Skai had found a place where she could be herself and forge friendships that would last a lifetime.
As they continued their tour of the island, Hiccup watched Skai interact with the other vikings and their dragons; her natural affinity as a future Chieftess shining through. The dragons responded to her with trust and curiosity, much like they did with Hiccup himself, and the vikings were swiftly charmed by her. It was a testament to her nature. And he felt his heart thundering in his chest the more time he spent with her. It made him remember how it felt when he first touched her hand. He couldn't quite believe it. He knew she was meant to be here, somehow. But what for?
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the cove. Hiccup and Skai sat side by side on a smooth rock, their backs leaning against the cool stone of the cliff. The rhythmic sound of the water waves crashing against the edge filled the air, creating a soothing melody that matched the peaceful atmosphere.
Skai had been sharing stories about her childhood, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. She spoke of how Byril, her adoptive father, had taken care of her ever since he found her as a baby. Byril had always known how to make her favourite foods, and she reminisced about the comforting aroma that filled their home whenever he cooked. Hiccup listened intently, his eyes fixed on Skai. He couldn't help but notice the sparkle in her eyes as she spoke, the way her lips curved into a soft smile. It amazed him how much they had in common, their shared experiences of loss and being raised by only their fathers. Of course it was his luck the Valka was alive, but Skai wasn't lucky to know if she even had a mother.
Toothless, lying nearby, was contentedly munching on a freshly caught fish. He seemed to sense the peacefulness of the moment and was perfectly at ease.
As Skai finished one of her stories, Hiccup couldn't help but be captivated by her. "Skai, your stories are incredible. You have such a rich history," he said, his voice filled with admiration.
Skai blushed, feeling a mix of shyness and pride. "Thank you, Hiccup. That's very sweet of you to say."
A mischievous grin appeared on Hiccup's face. "You know, Skai, I've been practicing my drawing skills lately. Would you mind if I tried to capture your essence on paper?"
Skai's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, and she glanced away. "I'm not sure, Hiccup. I've never been good at sitting still for too long."
Hiccup chuckled and gently touched her arm. "Just try to stay still for a moment. I promise it won't take too long."
Reluctantly, Skai nodded and took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She looked out to the horizon, her eyes fixed on the twilight slowly creeping in. Hiccup's hand moved swiftly across the parchment, his fingers tracing lines and curves with practiced precision. His intense focus was evident, and Skai marveled at his skill.
Finally, after what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, Hiccup set his pencil down and turned the drawing towards Skai. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked upon the paper. Skai's image stared back at her, her features delicately captured.
Hiccup had managed to capture not just her physical appearance, but also the essence of her spirit. It was a beautiful portrayal that left her in awe. "Hiccup, this... this is incredible," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "I can't believe how beautiful you've made me out to be."
Hiccup couldn't help but smile at her reaction. "Skai, you're already beautiful. The drawing is just a reflection of what I see when I look at you."
Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The connection between them felt palpable, an unspoken understanding that transcended words. Just like when their hands touched, only this time it was just blue & gold staring into green... He couldn't get enough of her eyes.
However, their moment was abruptly interrupted by Astrid's voice cutting through the stillness. "Hiccup, you're needed in the great hall for a council meeting."
Hiccup jumped at first and then sighed, torn between the responsibility that awaited him and the desire to stay by Skai's side. He reluctantly got to his feet, Toothless following suit. "I'll see you later?"
Skai watched them go, a sense of longing filling her heart though she didn't know why. She couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment, knowing that their time together had been interrupted and yet she knew it wouldn't be right to be selfish with his time. He was the chief, after all.
Astrid approached Skai, her expression stoic and guarded. "Skai, I need to make something clear. Hiccup is the most important person in my life, and I won't stand for anyone hurting him. If you get too close and end up causing my friend any pain, it'll be the last thing you ever do."
Skai's eyes widened at Astrid's warning, her heart sinking. It was clear that Astrid didn't like her, and she couldn't ignore the underlying threat in her words. Skai nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I understand, Astrid. I would never want to hurt Hiccup. I care about him too."
Without another word, Astrid turned and walked away, leaving Skai alone with her thoughts. As the evening sky darkened, Skai couldn't help but wonder how she could navigate the complexities of her growing feelings for Hiccup while facing Astrid's unwavering protectiveness.
Hiccup trudged wearily into his home, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle heavily upon his shoulders. The day had started off promising, filled with hope and excitement, but all of that had been swiftly drained away during the council meeting. He let out a long sigh as he closed the door behind him, grateful for the quiet solitude of his own dwelling.
Valka, glanced up from where she was sitting, a warm smile lighting up her face. "Welcome home, Hiccup," she greeted, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "How was your day?"
Hiccup managed a tired chuckle, a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice. "Oh, you know, just fantastic," he replied, his tone dripping with mock enthusiasm. "It was all dragons, dragons, and more dragons. The council meeting was a never-ending discussion about dragon races, ice removal, and feeding stations. And you know how much I love dragons."
Valka laughed softly, her amusement evident. "Sounds riveting," she said, her voice laced with playful sarcasm. "I'm sorry I missed out on all the excitement."
Hiccup rolled his eyes dramatically. "You have no idea," he groaned, sinking into a nearby chair. "I think I'd rather have you strangle me until I fall asleep."
Valka raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, if you insist," she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I'll consider it."
Hiccup chuckled despite his weariness. "Please, spare me," he replied, his voice filled with mock desperation. "I don't think I can handle any more today."
Leaning back in her chair, Valka regarded her son with affectionate amusement. "How's Skai doing today?" she asked, changing the subject.
A flicker of concern crossed Hiccup's face before he replied, "She's fine, she had a tour of the village today." He paused, realization dawning on him. "Wait, I left her in the cove!" Panic began to creep into his voice.
Valka chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No need to worry, Hiccup," she reassured him. "Skai is already back home with Gobber."
Relief washed over Hiccup, his shoulders sagging as the tension drained from his body. "Oh, thank Thor," he breathed, sinking further into the chair. "I can't believe I forgot about her."
Valka's teasing smile returned, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Seems someone has developed quite an attachment to our new visitor," she teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Hiccup blushed slightly, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, she's grown on me," he admitted, his voice filled with warmth. "I can't help but care about her."
Valka's laughter filled the air as she stood up, moving to stand beside her son. She ruffled his hair affectionately, her voice tender. "I'm glad, Hiccup," she said, her eyes reflecting the love she felt for him. "Skai is lucky to have you, and from what I see you're lucky to have her too."
Hiccup smiled gratefully, leaning into his mother's touch. "I guess we're both pretty lucky then," he said softly, his weariness momentarily forgotten in the warmth of their bond.
As the evening settled in, Hiccup found solace in the laughter and companionship of his mother & dragon. The events of the day, though tiring, were overshadowed by the love that surrounded him. And in that moment, Hiccup knew that no matter how exhausting life could be, he would always find comfort and strength in the embrace of his loved ones.