The sound of the Manumea's call startled me awake, having almost forgotten the sound of my island's birds calling in the morning. But once I remembered the events of yesterday, my pounding heart slowed. I looked around to see my family had woken up before me and already left to do their daily tasks, knowing they wanted me to rest.

Upon sitting up, I took in everything all over again. I had accepted it was real, but overwhelming. The fact that I was home again with my parents, my sister… my family. I ran my hand over the foundation of the fale, feeling the stone's smooth surface. Smooth from generations of my family living here.

I picked up a piece of rounded fa'atosina, looking at my reflection. I felt like the last time I saw myself was so long ago, and I knew I wasn't the same person. I looked and felt different. I combed out my hair, choosing not to style it like I had for my years on New Berk. I pushed back a section on the left side of my head, twisting and braiding it back, holding it in place with a shell comb.

Then I found some clothes I could wear. A rich coral top with shells sewn into the fabric and a cream-colored skirt with red floral patterns printed. I wrapped it around my waist, securing it with some thin rope at my hip.

After one last look in the mirror, I determined I was ready for the village to see me. After Mom and Dad found me and brought me home, they said to wait until the next day if I was ready for the village to know I was back since everyone was at Aihe's luau last night.

Just as I was leaving, Aihe came back to the fale. Upon coming up the steps, she froze when she saw me.

"What?" She slightly shook her head and blinked.

"… Nothing. I just-… it's kinda weird seeing you. I… honestly started getting used to the idea that you wouldn't be coming home..." I heard her tone change at the end of her admission, fumbling around with her fingers, still barely able to look at me.

"I mean… I'm still your sister." I assured her, teasingly poking her shoulder, "Just a bit more grown-up. That's all."

I saw the corner of her mouth twitch into a small smile. She stood there momentarily, observing me, before rushing into a tight hug. I was momentarily taken aback, but I quickly embraced her back.

"I'm still your sister." She laughed weakly.

"C'mon, let's go to mom and dad." I grinned widely, and we ran out of the fale. I followed her through the village's paths to the main gathering square.

I waited in the tree line just behind the platform, seeing Mom and Dad talking to the village. I could hear people's questions through the murmuring.

"Is it true?!"

"Is she back?"

"Where did she go?" Before my parents could answer, I ran up to their side. The crowd gasped upon seeing me. They were too stunned to ask any further. I felt my eyes well up with tears a bit, it felt wonderful to see my people again. All their faces. My aunts and uncles and my cousins. I realized two faces were missing from the crowd, though. But I'd talk to Mom and Dad after. For right now, the village deserved answers.

"Yes, I'm back. I'm here, and I'm safe. I know I was gone for a long time, but I promise an incredible story is behind it." Mom and Dad watched me, waiting to see what I would do or say. I smiled at them. I sighed deeply and happily recounted a shortened version of events. I caught my family's shocked expressions at what had occurred at sea.

After I finished my story, my people cheered again to celebrate my return and began to disperse, going about daily activities and chores. My family and I left the small stage to meet up with the rest of the extended family for a private celebration.

I brought up my observation from earlier.

"Where's Grandma Sina and Grandpa Tui?" I noticed everyone's faces fall upon mentioning Grandpa's name. I didn't like the look everyone had, especially Mom.

"How about we explain when we get there?" Dad offered quietly. I raised an eyebrow but nodded in agreement.

"Uh, okay? Sure." I followed them back to the larger Chief fale, where I saw familiar faces. My cousins shrieked with glee and came stumbling out, all to give me hugs.

"My gods, you're back!"

"We missed you so much!"

"You gotta tell us more about what you've seen!" Before I could start answering questions, one of my oldest cousins, Rua, spoke up.

"Did you meet anyone?" The questions immediately stopped upon his asking. And I wasn't sure how to answer. Aihe saw my uncertainty and stepped in.

"How about we settle down for our celebration, and we'll let her explain how she wants to." I sent her a thankful expression, and she just grinned back.

We all sat in our respective places like we had before I left. And the familiarity began to set in. Once we were all sat down, I finally spoke up, repeating my earlier question.

"Where's grandma and grandpa?" Upon asking, I saw Grandma Sina come up the stairs with the assistance of her cane. I saw her light up when she laid eyes on me. I don't think Mom and Dad broke the news to her yet, so when she saw me, I rushed up to catch her as she stumbled a bit.

"Laeli…" She choked out. I brought her in for a tight hug.

"I'm here, grandma."

"Minnow… why didn't you tell me?" She wheezed out. Mom stood to help her sit down.

"We didn't want to overwhelm you, we agreed it was best to have Laeli see you." Grandma's eyes welled up in tears as she touched my cheek.

"It hasn't been very long, but you've grown up so much. A lovely young woman." My cheeks began to hurt from smiling so much today. But there was still the other part of my question.

"I'm so relieved to see you, Grandma. But… no one's told me where Grandpa is." The air fell quiet and still again upon me bringing Grandpa up. Dad turned to me, a sullen look on his face.

"We're still processing it ourselves, even after all this time. But… not long after you left, your grandpa Tui passed into the next life to join your great-grandmother." I heard a few sniffles from my family, especially Mom and Grandma.

I felt my heart sink listening to Dad's words.

"Grandpa's… gone?" Dad nodded slowly, placing a hand on my shoulder. My breath felt shaky as I processed the news. I never… I couldn't tell him about my adventures…

I got to say one last goodbye…

At least I knew he was at peace. But it killed me knowing I couldn't have more time with him.

"I'm so sorry, meli… we wanted to break the news to you, but it took us a while to figure out how. And I couldn't bring myself to overwhelm you upon your arrival home." Mom explained.

There was another pause as the reminder of Grandpa's death sat in our minds. Aunt Huihana awkwardly offered to start eating together, and eventually, the chatter returned to a normal volume. And while everyone talked and ate, I ate my food silently, still processing the news. My heart hurt knowing Grandpa was gone…

"Laeli?"

"Laeli!" I blinked as I focused on Siale, Rua, and Amiri's younger sister.

"What is it?"

"Did you meet new people? Did you meet anyone…?" She raised her eyebrow and smirked at me, the pitch of her voice rising with her second question. I get my stomach twisted into knots. Do I tell them about the Haddocks? Do I tell them about Eyarr? What would they say?

"I, uh, yeah! I did meet some new people. They live very, very far north. Further than I'd ever been in my life."

"Oooh! That's cool! What were they like?"

"Yeah! Were they nice? Do they look like us?" I laughed.

"They were incredibly kind, actually. I had to learn their language to settle down for a bit. And no, they look nothing like us. Their skin is white, and they have all sorts of hair and eye colors, like blue and green eyes. And some of them have light-colored hair, too! Or even red!" I heard my family react in awe.

"Could you imagine? Red hair? Blue eyes like the ocean? Or even hair the color of sand!"

"Laeli, that's incredible!" Mom exclaimed.

"It is. I spent most of my time with this one family. They were the chiefs of their island. They're also incredible people, too."

"How so?" I sighed. This was going to blow their minds. I knew they would have difficulty comprehending what I would tell them.

"They learned how to train these incredible creatures. Giant lizards with wings that can breathe fire! They're called dragons! And they're huge, but not all of them are dangerous. Some can be aquatic! Like my dragon!" There was a pause.

"Your… dragon?" Dad sputtered out. I saw Mom place her hand on his back where his scar was. I nodded, grabbed a blank sheet of cloth and some loose charcoal, and drew a picture of Riptide the best I could.

"I learned how to train him. He's a fast swimmer and an incredible flyer. He came from a place called the Hidden World."

"The Hidden what?"

"Hidden World. It's literally a whole other realm beneath the ocean. Through a raging waterfall in the middle of the North Sea, through underground lava tubes into this massive cavern. I've seen it in person… there's, there's nothing that can truly describe it. It's full of dragons and other creatures. And it's so brilliantly colored, too." Mom's eyes were wide.

"Lalotai?" I shook my head.

"It's not Lalotai, but it wouldn't surprise me if they were connected. Both have massive creatures that live there."

"You never saw a Taniwha?" Dad hesitantly asked. I shook my head again.

"I never saw one. It might be too cold there for them."

"How did you go there?" Aihe asked, swallowing her pork. I felt my cheeks heat up knowing I'd have to tell them about Eyarr. But before I could even begin to explain, Siale saw my flushed cheeks.

"Laeli! You're blushing!"

"Is it a guy?!"

"W-what? Why is that your first question?"

"You blushed when we asked how you got there! And a guy totally took you!" I could feel Mom, Dad, and Aihe watching me.

"Uhhhhhhhhh…" Aihe elbowed me.

"C'mon! Let's hear it!" My breath hitched for a moment.

"A guy… did take me there, yes." I heard the girls faintly squeal in delight. I saw Aihe and Dad's expressions change once I finally admitted it.

"Tell us, tell us!"

"What does he look like? Is he strong and handsome?" Another cousin asked gleefully. Oh Te Fiti…

"What is this? An interrogation?" I was baffled that my cousins had an interest in relationships. They never asked about such things when we were growing up. But I knew they wouldn't stop asking.

"His name is Eyarr."

"What a unique name," Grandma commented. I couldn't help but smile with his name on my lips. I proceeded to describe him to everyone. And with every word I added, I could sense everyone's investment and fascination growing. But I could also feel Mom, Dad, and Aihe's gaze on me. What was on their mind? Hearing me talk about a guy?

I gave them what they needed to know. But I didn't want to talk about him too much. I couldn't bring myself to mention our fight. I already felt guilty enough about it, I bunched my skirt up in my fists at the mere thought of it.

"How about we let her eat and enjoy herself before we ask anything more?" Mom stepped in, shooting me an assuring smile. I gave her a grateful one back.

For the rest of dinner, everyone updated me on what had transpired after I left—new relationships, expanding families, engagements, new trade ties, Mom and Dad's retirement. I was thrilled that everyone found happiness and was moving forward with their lives.

But I did not feel the same.

Manumea: The tooth-billed pigeon, the only endemic pigeon found in Samoa

fa'atosina: obsidian mirror, direct translation is "attract"