Guardians Rising

9: Away

Merida led them through a great expanse of forest, her energy renewed by meeting this new friend. He was very interesting, slightly built, but very intelligent. As for the dragon, she was still wary of him. His leathery wings were strong and lean, clearly accustomed to flying long distances.

"So," said Merida. "Where'd you come from?" Hiccup looked a bit awkward, then said,

"Well, I'm actually the chief of Berk." When Merida looked confused, Hiccup added, "It's a small island, far north of here."

"Ah," said Merida. "So, about the dragon-"

Hiccup sighed. "His name is Toothless."

"Not th' most adept name, don't y' think?" said Merida, looking at Toothless's rows of razor sharp teeth. Hiccup chuckled.

"No, maybe not."

They walked in silence for a few minutes, then Merida said, "Here we are." They were at the base of a huge mountain, its jagged, snow-capped peaks glowing rose pink in the last light of the setting sun. Hiccup realized this was the mountain range he had seen earlier while flying on Toothless.

"So, where is this place?" he asked. Merida just grinned and motioned for him to follow her. She led him closer and closer to the rocks, and Hiccup couldn't help wondering if she really knew where she was going. Then, just when Hiccup thought she would walk right into the stone, she turned, and led him down a steep incline, the start of which was concealed behind and assortment of boulders. There was now visible a deep depression in the ground; Toothless would easily be able to lie comfortably in it.

Hiccup looked at her, rather impressed. "How did you find this?" he asked. Merida shrugged.

"I was just wanderin' around, and I found it." Hiccup didn't completely believe her, but after all, it didn't really matter how she found it.

Toothless crawled into it and situated himself snugly at one end, his injured wing stretched out to the side.

>>>>>

The full moon rose slowly over the horizon, lightening the landscape almost like daylight. Merida sat silently on a stump, watching Hiccup apply a poultice carefully to Toothless's wing. "D' y' carry that stuff with you everywhere?" she asked him. He nodded without speaking, and Merida threw up her hands in frustration. She'd been trying to make conversation with him for the past half-hour, but his longest response had been, "Maybe I can." It frustrated her so much.

———-

"What was that?" asked Rapunzel, startled. Eugene held her hand reassuringly. The nightmare had come and gone like the wind, but a fear still hung in the air.

"A nightmare," said Jack. Then turning to them he added, "You should probably go back, nightmares can be dangerous."

Rapunzel drew herself up defiantly. "I'm not afraid!" she said. But then she looked worried and, turning to Eugene, said, "Would you go back and tell my parents?"

Eugene looked at her. "Only if you promise to stay safe."

She smiled and replied, "I promise." Jack turned away, slightly weirded out as they kissed.

Eugene now hurried to the boat and paddled away.

"Alright, let's find that nightmare!"

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