I finally opened my eyes upon hearing soft chatter echo around me. As my vision adjusted to the darkness of the night, I saw the faces of the villagers watching us with wide eyes. I turned to Eyarr, who was just now opening his eyes.

"Welcome back, you two." I heard Eir greet us.

"You sly fool, you had this planned the whole time!" I exclaimed, realizing I was back in my purple dress and Eyarr in his regular tunic. Eir chuckled, playfully poking my shoulder with his staff.

"As soon as I heard you were engaged, I knew it was time. I'd communicated with the gods months ago, and we were waiting for the right moment to set things straight and explain everything."

"Well, we certainly understand everything that's been laid out for us," Eyarr said with a grin, resting an arm around my waist and pulling me to his side. He gazed down at me, nothing but love in his eyes, "I think we finally know what we want… and need."

Eir looked to Morgan and Siobhan and then turned to the chief.

"Chief, it's your word." While neither Eyarr nor I had developed a particularly strong relationship with the chief, Bradan, we still knew we had mutual trust and respect.

"Anything for the both of you. You've proven how smart, trustworthy, and, most importantly, responsible you are." I encouraged us to continue the conversation within the chief's house, as since we were to sail to the Hidden World, I wanted to make sure it was clear that as important as this was, the location of the Hidden World only be known to Eyarr and me.

"So, what is this place you plan on sailing to? Where is it?"

"Well, see, the thing is, we don't have a pinpoint location of where it is. But I have a vast knowledge of how to read the stars and guide myself that way. Even on the back of a dragon, I can read nature's signs of where to go. And we've been there before."

"Forgive me for being somewhat intrusive, but what is this place called?" Eyarr and I glanced at each other, and he shrugged. Would it matter if we told him? They wouldn't know where it was, and we only knew its location because of Cliffire and Riptide.

"It's called the Hidden World." Bradan raised a brow.

"The Hidden World?"

"Yes, sir. Legends say it's the ancestral home of all dragons, including ours. Only a few know where it is, us being two of them. But it's imperative we keep its location secret because, for decades, dragon hunters have searched high and low to find where to eliminate all dragons. And I was entrusted with the knowledge through the first person to go there. I promised I'd keep the location secret."

"I see. So what is your plan?"

"We wish to take one of your boats and sail it there. Once we get our dragons… we intend to let the ship fall down into the abyss so no one will ever know we were there." Eyarr explained. And I nodded to confirm his thoughts. We knew that would be the only way for this plan to work.

Bradan looked between the both of us as he thought about it. It was a big risk, taking someone's boat and then letting it be wrecked. But I hoped he understood enough and trusted us to do this.

It was very quiet, as Bradan thought, and I glanced over at Eir, who stood next to Morgan and Siobhan. Eir must've known what I was thinking as he approached Bradan, placing a hand on his shoulder. The two whispered softly for a moment, and I hoped Eir could ease the chief into this plan.

Finally, after a long moment of quiet chatter, Bradan turned back to face us.

"Well, from what Eir was able to explain a bit more… I'll allow it." My eyes widened.

"Wait, really?" He nodded.

"Yes, Laeli. I understand and trust your insight on this journey. And while I'm not thrilled with the idea of a ship intentionally being wrecked, I understand why. And I respect it."

"Thank you, sir. I deeply appreciate it."

"My pleasure. It's been a joy having you both live here, albeit temporarily. We all wish you the best and blessings on a safe passage. And once more, congratulations."

I could feel his gaze on me as I checked the ship's rigging; I tightened the halyard and adjusted the sheets. Based on what Eyarr and I had observed at the waterfall all those months ago, the sailing conditions would be unpredictable; after I calculated where the waterfall would be compared to Old and New Berk's locations.

Upon thanking the chief profusely for providing us with the ship and supplies needed, we were going to the Hidden World to get our dragons.

"Eyarr," I began, glancing over my shoulder as he put our stuff away. He turned to face me, "While we are on this ship, I am in charge, and you'll have to learn how to navigate this ship. Am I clear?" He nodded with affirmation.

"Of course."

"You may know the sky, but I know the sea," I said with a slight grin. After all those months of watching Eyarr masterfully fly his dragon through the skies, I could finally demonstrate my skills and knowledge of the sea.

Slowly I opened the mainsail upon feeling a steady gust of wind come from the south. I released the ship from the docks, and we were off.

I could tell he was impressed and intrigued with my adaptability to the sea. He would offer help occasionally, and I would give him simple tasks to do so I could focus on the more difficult parts of navigation. I planned to show him how to measure the stars since my people traveled without maps. It was a perfect skill to have when you're in the wilderness and lack supplies.

One slow night, I sat on the edge of the starboard part of the boat, craning my neck up and observing the night sky. Hearing creaking footsteps approaching, I let him take a seat next to me without glancing behind. We sat there in silence, with nothing but the sound of the boat rocking in the waves, the wood creaking, and the faint wind blowing against the sail.

I turned to face him, and he caught my grin, smiling back.

"What?" I simply took his gloved hand in mine and brought it up, positioning it like so.

"What're you doing?" I positioned myself in front of him, my back against his chest.

"Showing you how I navigated without a map. Only the stars, wind, and sea." He didn't ask any further questions and let me guide his hand. I explained how I measured the stars and used them as markers and guides for long travel. I showed him how to use his fingers for degree measurement. He chuckled for whatever reason before pressing a kiss on my head.

He gently rested his hand on mine, bringing it down, both of us gazing at our hands together. I had always loved how much bigger his hands were compared to mine. I could feel the callouses and old blisters on my knuckles compared to the softer skin of my hand, though not by much.

"Every part of you is beautiful." I heard him whisper ever so softly. He leaned forward, resting his face near the left crook of my neck, planting a light kiss on the bare skin. I tilted my head to the side, exhaling slowly. He wrapped one around my waist, pulling me closer to his body, humming quietly.

"Enjoying the mood, eh?" I commented. He just hummed more in reply.

"It's romantic, Y'know? Being under the stars?" I hmphed in agreement, kissing his hand.

"I can agree on that."

"How about you take a brief break, and rest your eyes." I playfully scoffed.

"I don't need to. A real Wayfinder never sleeps." I remarked, echoing Uncle Maui's words that he taught Mom and was subsequently taught to me.

"Lack of sleep makes you go crazy." He replied, crossing his arms. I just stared at him, knowing damn well he wouldn't let me function without sleep.

"Look, I promise I won't touch any ropes or sails. But I want you to get some sleep. Can you do that for me?" I watched him again, clenching my jaw to fight off a yawn.

"I'll lay down for a bit. Only for a bit."

"Hey, any sleep is good enough." He led me over to a covered area he set up for sleeping (he mostly slept). I let him care for me as he pulled a blanket over my body and kissed my forehead.

"I'll be right here."