Once Eret had gathered all of his friends up in the Mead Hall, we sat at a long wooden table. From what I could remember of the strangers before I passed out, there were seven of them. The two blonde twins were sitting on the other side of the table, punching each other and arguing. The self-centered, black haired man was looking at me, flexing his biceps. Cringing, I quickly turned my gaze away from him to the husky man who had his nose in a book, murmuring to himself and jotting down notes. Eret was also sitting on the other side of the table, and when he and the muscle-flexing buffoon locked eyes, they glared at each other.

What do they want with me? Why can't they just let me go and forget this ever happened? Suddenly, I felt alone not having Blackstar by my side, but she needed to rest as much as I needed to. I clenched my fists, remembering the vision- no, memory I had while I was unconscious. Had that really been my life? Had my own Father been the one who gave me these scars that are permanently on my body? Never to go away? If so, what happened that threw him over the edge? And what happened to my mother? Was she still alive?

My hands shook in my lap as I clenched them tighter. I need to be strong, if not for myself, for Blackstar.

My thoughts were thrown off as the door to the Mead Hall swung open, and in walked Hiccup and his blonde friend that I still wasn't quite fond of. The blonde girl made her way toward the table that all of the odd Vikings were sitting at. At the table the blonde stopped when she noticed I was watching her. With a glare she sat in the seat right in front of me, still never breaking her glare. My eyes narrowed at the obvious distaste. What did I do to her?

Our stare off was broken when Hiccup sat in the chief's chair. Even though Eret had told me he was chief, it was still baffling that someone so young was the Chief of this village. I couldn't help but ask the questions that flew into my mind, "you're the chief?"

Hiccup looked at me, first surprised at me to speak up, but then he smiled and nodded. "Yes. I've been Chief of this tribe and village for four years."

"Why would you get appointed to be Chief at such a young age?" I asked, but after I finished, the whole room seemed to grow tense. Feeling, and noticing, the bad aura that was emanating from everybody I immediately regretted what I said.

The blonde glared at me, "enough questions about us. We're not the ones who don't know who they are or where they came from. But we intend to find out." Her blue eyes seemed to bore holes into my face the way she was staring at me.

"Yes, we'll get to the questions, but first let me introduce you to everyone." Hiccup, the Chief, said as he pointed to the blonde. "That's Astrid Hofferson, also my second-in-command." Astrid, huh?

Pointing to the husky built blonde man, who always had his nose in a book, but was now paying attention to the group, "that there is Fishlegs, the keeper of the Dragon Books, and the one who adds the new dragon species into them." Hiccup then pointed to the black-haired man, who was flirting with me a few moments ago, "that's Snotlout, and lastly the two twins are named Ruffnut and Tuffnut."

Snotlout, decided that was enough pleasantries, wasted no time in rushing to my side.

"Pleasure to meet your acquaintance, my fair lady." He reached down suddenly, and brought my hand to his mouth, "I hope sooner, rather than later, we can become friends. Get to know each other. Then after that, I hope we can become much, much more."

My eyes grew wide, the audacity of this Viking! My face grew hot with anger, but mostly because of the humiliation of it all. I ripped my hand from his and slapped him across the face, the sound reverberating throughout the now quiet Mead Hall.

Seconds that felt like minutes passed in nothing but silence, until there was an explosion of laughter. The Twins were doubled over, clutching their stomachs. Everyone else still looked shocked, but continued watching the entertainment happening before them.

"Who in Thor's name do you think you are?" I yelled over the Twins giggles, which snapped me back to reality.

Snotlout seemed shocked, putting a hand on the offended cheek gingerly, "Damn, woman! Why the hell did you go and do that for?"

"You just don't go up and kiss a total stranger's hand! What barn were you raised in?" There was a wave of uproarious laughter from the Twins. "Do that again and you won't have a hand!"

Snotlout's face turned upward in a flirtatious smirk, "oh a I like a Viking woman that can fight."

My blush disappeared, now all I felt was rage. I stood up, and started to walk towards him, but there was a new limp that I forgot about. That I wasn't used to. I ended up having to use the table for balance as I continued my way towards him. "Why you little-"

"As much as I would love to see how this pans out, I can't have that happen. One, that wouldn't be Chiefly. Two, Snotlout is going to get hurt." Hiccup interrupted, glaring at Snotlout, but there was a hint- of amusement in his eyes. Hanging his head in embarrassment from getting rejected, he went back to his seat next to the Twins and Eret. When he sat down Tuffnut started to make fun of the red, hand-shaped print of his face, while Eret and everyone else tried to hold back their laughter. All except for me, I was fuming. I sat back down with a plop. Thank gods, I thought, half-heartedly. Who knows how much leg would've held up? I had to use the table for Odin's sake. How threatening is that?

Hiccup cleared his throat and clapped his hands. "Well, now that that's all settled, let's get to why we're all here." He turned towards me and all of a sudden I felt exposed. Bare for all to see. "Who are you?"

All eyes on me. Eyes of strangers, wanting to know the secrets that were just now relieved to me. That were locked away inside my brain, understandably for a good reason. I scanned the group nervously, everyone looked at me hesitantly. After all, I was the stranger. Not them. A rock settled into my stomach, making me sick, until I locked eyes with amber brown. Eret was looking at me, but there was a soft expression on his face. Encouraging, almost. There was a slight nod, you got this.

Oh. I slowly exhaled, the rock in my stomach eased up. I broke eye contact with Eret, he was too intense. "There's not much I can tell you, only what I know."

"And what do you know?" Astrid scoffed, leaning forward aggressively.

"...not a lot. I can't remember much." My hands trembled, how can I make them believe?

She shook her head, throwing her hands up in the air. "How do we know that you aren't one of Dagur's henchen? Or one of Drago's pawns?" At the name of 'Drago', Eret visibly stiffened. The whole room seemed to stiffen. Who could have been that bad?

I stayed calm, they wouldn't trust me if I lost my cool here. "I don't know about my past. Where I came from, who my family is. It's like my brain's blocked it off. However, it's like the wall that was built up is slowly cracking. With the cracks there's flashes of a memory, but it leaves me with more questions than answers."

There were awkward shifting within the group of Vikings, not expecting me to be so serious, or so honest. I dare not look up though, not ready to look anybody in the eyes yet. Not sure if I could stomach it. I can't believe I'm saying this outloud.

"But everything that I know for sure, is that I've been living deep in the forest for years. Living off of the land, and not coming into contact with anyone. That's how I met Blackstar," I smiled at the thought of my dragon, and remembering how we first came into contact, "we've trusted each other ever since. We just happened to be flying that day. Wrong time, wrong place."

I glanced up finally, meeting everyone in the eyes one by one, "I'm sorry for impeding on your generosity for so long. Blackstar and I will be out of your hair come daybreak. Thank you."

There was silence at first, as everyone took in what I just said. But Hiccup just looked at me with such a warm expression that caught me off guard.

He shook his head, "we can't let you do that."

Shock. "What? Why not? What do you mean?"

"If you go out into the forest, you could die, you and your dragon. You guys aren't stable enough to be on your own." Hiccup explained, firmly. Like there was no room for question. But, I couldn't help it.

"It's always just been the two of us, we'll be fine. What right do you have? You're not my Chief." There was an edge in my voice, a threat.

Astrid took it.

She launched up, reaching for her battleaxe that was on the back of her chair, "Did you just threaten the Chief? Try again, and you'll be buried in those woods."

Hiccup held his hand out in front of Astrid, stopping her before she charged at me. "Astrid! It's okay, she has a point." The blonde huffed, blowing her bangs straight up, and plopped back down. Throwing her feet up on the table in protest. Hiccup chuckled, but turned his attention back to me, "You have to understand where we're coming from. It's not just you that would benefit from this. We could use another Viking to help out around Berk!"

I blanched, "you cannot mean me. I'm an outsider, if you guys don't trust me, how do you expect your people to? Trust me enough that they let me help them?" I shook my head, "there's no way."

"I think that's a mighty fine idea, Chief Hiccup, sir," Said a new voice. It was Eret's, he laughed next, "she'll be able to pay her dues, from us caring for her, by being a Berkian for a while."

His eye met mine, there was a glint of mischief, and Hiccup nodded. "I'm glad someone sees!"

I don't understand.

"But, we will not force this on you. Ultimately, it is your choice." Hiccup finished.

Astrid threw her feet off the table, shocked at what Hiccup just said, "Hiccup! We can't trust her! We can't just let her leave!" But Hiccup didn't respond, leaving the room in silence once again. They were waiting. Waiting for what I was going to say, what was going to be my response?

Can we really go back to the forest? An empty feeling settled in my stomach. What could happen if I stay in Berk? Would it be okay?

… just for a little bit.

"...Okay. I'll stay. But, only for two months. Then we'll leave." That's all I'll ask for. Two months. To hold onto forever.

Hiccup smiled the biggest grin, making even my cheeks hurt. "Then it's settled! Welcome to Berk, um uh… I don't think we ever got your name?"

I blush, how could I not have told them my name yet? "Ah! Uh, my name is Kira."

"Kira!" The group chanted, raising their fists in the air, all except Astrid. Hesitant if I leave, hesitant if I stay. Can't win. Everyone stood up then, and rushed to introduce themselves again. The Twins pulled me up from the chair and dragged me to an open area in the Mead Hall, shaking my hand vigorously. Both of them talking over each other, one gushing about their dragon, and the other gushing about theirs.

I tried to pull away, "Wait, I need my crut-"

Snotlout suddenly came up behind me and slapped me on the back in greeting, causing me to stumble. I tried to brace myself on my left leg, but it couldn't support my weight. I gasped in pain, but before I could hit the floor, I was caught and pulled into someone's side. Strong arms grabbing my waist and arm. Out of reflex, I grabbed onto whoever helped me until I got my balance.

Then I realized I was being touched, and who was touching me. My neck could've snapped at how fast I looked up. Eret gazed down at me, concerned about my leg. His grasp on my waist tightened slightly, "are you okay, lass?"

Suddenly, I became hyper aware of his touch, and it felt like fire. I pushed Eret away quickly, hopping away and brushed myself off. "I'm fine. Thanks." Eret nodded, extending his hand that held my crutch. Gods, when will he stop saving me? Embarrassing. I took it without looking, trying to retain any sense of decorum I had left.

Eret chuckled, but then turned towards Snotlout and smacked him upside the head. Fishlegs walked up to Hiccup then, "Well, now that we got our answers, why don't we send everyone home for the night?"

"Good idea, Fishlegs! Everyone, hit the hay for the night. Kira, we'll meet up tomorrow and we'll let you know where we could use an extra pair of hands." Hiccup winked, all jovial, like nothing happened, "but, we'll have to find you a place to stay in the meantime."

Everyone started talking then. Snotlout offering up a room, which was immediately shot down. The Twins offered up a room also, but was shot down too, due to them still living with their parents. Fishlegs didn't have a room either, he only had one bedroom. They continued to discuss my sleeping arrangements, like I wasn't there. This is awkward. I shuffled my feet, maybe I should've said no…

"You know, maybe-"

"I have a free room." Eret interjected. My mouth dropped, out off all the people, why did it have to be him?

"Oh no, absolutely-"

"Yes!" Hiccup yelled, "that's perfect! Thank you for offering, Eret!" The young Chief clapped Eret on the back and they turned towards me, "well, what do you say, Kira?"

It was like I was a fish out of water, my mouth opening and closing. Trying to find words to object with, but nothing came out except, "...okay."

There was a blinding light as Eret smiled, throwing an arm around my shoulder, the rest of the Gang filtering out, Eret and I bringing up the rear. "I'll show ya the way, lass."

I huffed, throwing his arm off my shoulder, hobbling a little faster with my cane so I was in front of him, "Don't touch me, I can find my way on my own, thank you." Trying to walk was a struggle, but anything to escape behind closed doors faster. There was a fork in the road, but I was too deep in thought and just started taking the left path before I heard a chuckle behind me.

My skin bristled. I whipped around and saw Eret holding a hand over his mouth, containing further chuckles. "What? Are you laughing at me?"

He averted his eyes quickly then, rocking on his heels, hands behind his back. "What? Me? No, no way, lass." His amber eyes looked back at me then, and he winked.

Heat flooded my face once more. "Good gods, fine. Just show me the way already." I can't believe this. "Y'know, if you were in my forest, I would be the one showing you around."

A deep, good-natured laugh came from Eret. It made me chuckle a little, too, which surprised me. I choked it down, I couldn't get attached, I'm only here for two months.

"And believe me when I say, I believe you." Eret walked up next to me, but did not touch me, respecting my statement from earlier. He jerked his head towards the path to the right, and chuckled once more when I started grumbling, but limped my way to the correct road.

We walked like that that night, side by side. Not quite as strangers, but not quite as friends. Just two Vikings, both with a past, and both needed healing. Who knows what this two months will bring?

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