Chapter 6

Thunder woke up in the middle of the night. It took him a minuet to get his bearings. He was laying on the floor of Edel's cabin, with Edel asleep under him. Thunder remembered them falling asleep on the floor during foreplay. He sighed and glanced down at his girlfriend, sleeping under his body with her head and shoulders between his front paws. However, she wasn't sleeping peacefully. She was twitching, and whimpering, her bow furrowed. Suddenly she started crying. Thunder nudged her, worried.

"Hey, wake up," he said. Edelweiss's eyes flew open. She glanced around for a minuet, catching her breath. She calmed down a minuet later. Thunder nuzzled her. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just a bad dream," Edelweiss said. She nuzzled him, wrapping her arms around his warm neck.

"It's over now," Thunder said. "Nothing to be scared of."

"It wasn't scary," Edelweiss clarified. "Just unpleasant. As we get closer to Berk, the more unpleasant things I'm starting to remember."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Thunder asked.

"No, I'm already erasing it from my head," Edelweiss said. She breathed in his scent, which helped her forget the dream. Now that he was clean his scent was stronger. She pulled back to look at his face. "Let's talk about something else. It can be anything." Thunder considered for a moment.

"I'm thinking we should tell Tom and the other riders about us," he said. "You know they don't like it when secrets like this are kept from them."

"Yeah, they're going to find out sooner or later," Edelweiss agreed. "Not sure what they're reactions are going to be though, not that I care what they think. I love you too much." Thunder smiled and nuzzled her neck. She sighed and relaxed, then she yawned.

"You want to go back to sleep?" Thunder asked, nuzzling her.

"We both should," Edelweiss said. "We have all of Berk to explore tomorrow." She looked in the direction of her bed. Thunder got to his feet and helped Edel up, by gently grasping her hand in his mouth and pulling her to her feet. They got onto the bed and laid down in the same position they had been in on the floor. Edelweiss kissed him, before they both fell asleep.

The next morning; the Roost found itself sailing among sea stacks and small islands. The sky was cloudy and silver. Edel and Thunder woke up and got out of bed. Edelweiss got dressed and they headed down to the lounge. It was mostly empty except for Jun who was doing her makeup. The others were outside watching the islands go by.

"Morning Jun," Edel said, as Thunder headed outside to join Tom.

"Hey," Jun said. "You weren't kidding about it being cold here."

"Yeah, it's even colder in the Wintertime," Edel said. "Which is why I chose to come in the Summer." She turned to head for the kitchen.

"Hey, Edel can I give you a makeover?" Jun asked. "I've already given Alex one, and there aren't any other women on this boat."

"Ah, makeup doesn't work on my skin," Edelweiss said, gesturing to her scales. "It'll blow right off in this breeze."

"Oh right," Jun said, sounding guilty. "How about your hair then? I know you like it up and out of your face." Edelweiss considered.

"All right," she said. "Let me get breakfast on the table." She headed for the kitchen.

A few minuets later; Edel set out a tray of toast, hard boiled eggs, sausages, and orange juice onto a table out on the pool deck. She sat in a deck chair and let Jun style her hair. She gave her free reign as long as her hair was out of her face. The dragons had headed out fishing, except for Apollo and Avalon who were on helm duty.

"So you've never worn makeup?" Alex asked as she played a card game on her tablet.

"No, that'd be like putting makeup on a rock," Edelweiss said. "The only thing I use is my special, homemade soap and skin cream."

"What exactly goes into your skin cream?" D'Angelo asked.

"Yeah, maybe I can get some," Eugene said, using is phone to check his reflection. Keeping her head very still, Edel reached into her pocket and pulled out a small tub of the skin cream. She handed it to D'Angelo who was closest. He looked at the handmade label.

"It's made with edelweiss flower extracts," he said.

"Yes," said Edel. "That's one of reasons I grow those flowers myself, not just because I'm named after them."

"Is that why you always smell like flowers?" Jun asked.

"Yes," said Edel. She took the tub of cream back, and retuned it to her pocket. At that moment Jun finished.

"There all done," she said. She handed Edel a large hand mirror. Edel looked at the results. Jun had given her silvery white highlights, and pulled her hair into a pair of Dutch dragon braids that joined into one braid down her back.

"Huh, that's actually quite nice," Edel said. "Thanks Jun." At that moment the ship's whistle blew. "Guess we're coming up on Berk." They all headed for the bow.

When they reached the front; they could see in the distance a mountain peak. Edel handed all the riders binoculars. These helped them see the island they were approaching. The Roost slowed as it approached. Tom soon spotted through the binoculars the tall pointed rock, he felt his heart thumping with excitement. Thunder nudged him, beaming. Tom looked at him, and the dragon gestured to his saddle. Tom got on and they took off. The other riders got on their dragons and followed. They left the ship behind and headed for the tall pointed rock that had once held Hiccup's village. They soon landed on what once been the plaza, and looked around. The houses and other buildings were long gone by now. There were, however, still some carvings in the rocks of vikings on the backs of dragons. There was a large cave at the top of the old plaza, and set of crumbling stone stairs leading up to it. It was deadly quiet except the sound of the waves below.

"This place feels spooky," said Alex. "You think it's haunted?" Tom pulled out his phone and took several photos.

"This is incredible," he said. "This is where Hiccup lived. We're walking on the same ground he walked on, and flew through the same skies he and Toothless flew through." At that moment Edelweiss landed Black Widow near them. Edel glanced around silently.

"Where's Avalon and the others?" Jun asked.

"They're preparing for tomorrow's Dragon Race," said Edelweiss, she sounded distracted.

"You okay?" D'Angelo asked. "You look sad."

"I'm fine," Edel said, rubbing her eyes. "It's just a bit weird being back here, so many memories coming back to me. I haven't been back here since my dragons and I left it with Hiccup and the other Vikings, over a thousand years ago. Yet I remember a lot about the village."

"Do you remember where the buildings were?" Tom asked.

"Not all of them," said Edel. "Just a few. I didn't spend a lot of time in the village back then." She steered Black Widow to the base of the old stairs, and pointed to a spot to the right of it. "That's where the old blacksmith used to be. Whenever Hiccup wasn't out flying, he would spend time in there, tinkering."

"Where was his house?" Jun asked. Edel pointed up the hill a short ways.

"It was right on that spot next to the stairs," she said. "It was one of the only buildings I was comfortable going into. And that cave up there was their Great Hall. They would have big feasts and take shelter in there during really bad storms." She looked around some more, then steered Black Widow to the other side of the stairs.

"Did they get a lot of bad storms?" asked D'Angelo.

"Oh yes," Edel said. "Snow, rain, lightning, wind, sleet, and hail, sometimes all at once. That's why my family only came here during the Summer months." She looked over the side of the rock, and pointed to a lower cliff in the distance where there was a giant stone basin. "That was their training arena down there. Hiccup used it as his Dragon Academy. He and his fellow riders would instruct younger people to train dragons."

"You said he taught you as well," said Alex. "Were you in this Dragon Academy too?"

"Sort of," said Edel. "Hiccup taught me privately. I had a big head start on the other students, and I had a hard time making friends with the other humans. Vikings weren't the easiest people to get along with, and could be very aggressive. A lot of them bullied me."

"And I bet you'd run off crying to your dragons," Eugene taunted, sneering.

"Actually no," said Edel. "I tried ignoring it all, but they only got worse to the point where I'd lash out."

"Oh, I see," said Eugene, looking sorry.

"Yeah," Edel said. "But Hiccup was nice to me. He never had a problem with my being half dragon, or talking to dragons. Both he and Toothless stood up for me multiple times." She then shook herself. "Anyway, there's one more spot you should see. It's, in my opinion, the best spot on the whole island." She clicked the reins and Black Widow took off again. The others followed.

Edelweiss led them farther inland. They soon flew over a large hole in the ground, that concealed a beautiful cove. Edel led them down into the Cove. They landed next to the lake that took up half the Cove. Next to the lake was a small pavilion made for tree roots, the tree grew up the wall of the Cove. There was a thick bed of ferns under the roots. The rest of the Cove had grass and a few boulders. The air smelled of water and damp earth.

"Wow," Jun said breathlessly. "This place is beautiful."

"Yeah, but what's so special about it?" Alex asked.

"This is where it all started," said Edel. "This is where Hiccup and Toothless first met, and formed their bond." The riders and dragons glanced around the Cove, now more respectfully.

"Here?" Tom asked, stunned. Edel nodded quietly. Tom dismounted and wandered around the Cove with Thunder following him. The other riders dismounted as well. No one spoke for a few minuets. Tom took a few pictures on his phone, then put it in his pocket.

"You think Hiccup and Toothless knew what they were getting into that day they met?" D'Angelo asked.

"I'm not sure," Edel said. "They were meeting in secret, since Vikings and dragons were at war at the time."

"You think they're here now, in spirit?" Jun wondered aloud.

"It sure feels like they are," Tom said, coming back over. "Since it played such a big roll in their lives, and now our lives." He patted Thunder on the neck. "Did you come here often Edel?"

"Yes, we spent hours in this Cove," said Edel. "Here we could run, swim, and play all we wanted without getting in anyone's way." Black Widow purred in agreement.

"Thanks for bringing us here Edel," Tom said. "It's nice to find a connection like this."

"No thanks needed Tom, you have every right to see this place," said Edel. "Well, I'm going to head back to the ship and get dinner started. You guys come when you're ready." She got back on Black Widow and they flew out of the Cove.

They flew back to the ship and landed on the pool deck. The rest of the Draconians were sunning themselves. They looked up when Black Widow landed, and Edel dismounted.

"Is everything ready for racing tomorrow?" Edel asked.

"Yup, we placed it all in the old training arena," said Apollo. "We'll be refereeing since we've all raced before."

"Great," said Edel. Avalon shifted a bit then placed her front talons together.

"Now Edel," she said knowingly. "How are things going on between you and Thunder?"

"I'm not in trouble am I?" Edel asked, worried.

"No you're not," Avalon assured her.

"I love him," Edel confessed, she took a deep breath. "I want to marry him." All the dragons beamed. "I know I have to wait until he asks me. Avalon, can you see in his mind if he plans to ask me."

"Ah, that is between you and him," said Avalon. "I don't want to spoil anything." Edelweiss slouched.

"Right," she said. "Well I should get to the kitchen." She headed inside.

Later that evening; all the riders and dragons were gathered on the pool deck with the tacos Edel had made. They were all talking about Berk. Stories were exchanged. The sun was setting, and the air was getting colder. Then Eugene, who was getting a bit bored with the conversation, looked over at Edel.

"Hey Edel, are you a virgin?" He asked boldly.

"Eugene!" Jun scolded, embarrassed.

"It's fine Jun," Edelweiss said calmly. "And yes I am." Eugene looked surprised at that.

"Really? You've been alive for a thousand years and you've never banged?" He asked.

"I've only ever engaged in foreplay," Edelweiss said. "But I've never been fully intimate. And I won't do it with just anyone, so whatever you're thinking Eugene it won't happen." Eugene looked a bit disappointed. Edelweiss got to her feet.

"You going to bed already?" Tom asked.

"Actually no," said Edelweiss. "I'm going night flying. Nights around here are pretty breathtaking." Black Widow got to her feet excitedly. The sky was fully dark now, with a full moon and stars.

"What are you even talking about?" Alex asked. "It's just the same old moon and stars."

"Ah, it's not just the moon and stars," said Edelweiss, mounting her dragon. "Keep watching." She looked up at the sky, and the others followed her gaze. Then a moment later it exploded in yellow, purple, and turquoise lights. Everyone gasped.

"Whoa! The Aurora Borealis ," Jun said in a hushed voice. "I've always wanted to see them."

"I've seen them a few times," said Tom, taking more photos on his phone. "But, I keep forgetting how cool they are."

"My mother was named after those lights," said Avalon. "The night she and my dad hatched the skies lit up with those lights, in the same colors as her scales." While they were talking, Edelweiss and Black Widow stealthily turned around and took off into the colorful night.