The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 3

Man, fuck winter.

Not even a day or two after I visited Ana for my nosebleed, everything got worse. I woke up violently coughing, my gag reflex triggered by phlegm forcing its way up my throat.

Swearing in my native tongue under my breath, I desperately tried to control my coughing by drinking some water, but it did little to help. Astrid came bounding up the stairs when she heard my distress, and she felt my forehead the same way Ana did.

"Laeli, you're burning up!" She exclaimed, blue eyes wide.

"What...?" I mumbled in reply, suddenly feeling woozy. She threw on a thick wool blanket around my shoulders and just like Nuffink had earlier in the week, she rushed me off to Ana's house. Knocking first and then bursting in, Ana didn't even need to be told what was going on.

"Frigg's grace, Laeli!" She helped me to a bed, cold washcloth in hand.

Nearly as soon as I sat down, I then felt nauseous. Seeing the expression, Ana told Astrid to get me a bucket. And I embarrassingly emptied my stomach.

Once I felt some relief, Ana tucked me into the bed, wrapped up in warm blankets with a cold cloth on my forehead. She then went off to the side to exchange some words with Astrid, both shooting me concerned glances during their conversation. I don't know what was said, but I knew it was about me.

Even though I'd been up for maybe less than two hours, I had fallen asleep once more.

***

I woke up to the sound of footsteps approaching the bed. I had no idea what time of day it was, and I briefly forgot where I was.

"...Talofa...?" I mumbled, my eyes slowly fluttering open.

"Well hey there." Came Dustin's voice. I stiffly turned onto my back, my joints aching terribly. Squeezing my eyes shut and breathing intensely at the discomfort, I felt my stomach clench in an unpleasant way.

"Hey, easy easy." He comforted, "mom gave me the lowdown. We both think you've got the flu." I could hear him speaking, but I wasn't really processing his words. Realizing I wasn't listening, he stopped talking and continued taking care of me for the time being.

Maybe a few days after I became ill, Snoggletog rolled around. I could hear the festivities outside, along with the sounds of dragons arriving. I wasn't sure if I was ready to see such creatures. I was too overwhelmed and far too miserable to leave my bed.

Ana and Dustin even offered to keep me company for the festivities, but I insisted they go and celebrate with their friends and family. I didn't mind.

"Are you sure? You could get to see Snoggletog and meet the dragons!" I flinched at the idea and turned down their offer again.

Conceding, Ana got me a few more blankets and made sure the hearth was keeping some pork stew warm.

Once they left, I got myself a small bowl and ate in front of the fire for a little while. After that, I changed and washed my hair, then snuggled into bed, cocooning myself in the warm wool and fur blankets, eventually nodding off.

***

Hours later, I stirred at the sound of the front door opening and hushed voices. Ana and Dustin were home.

"It was great seeing all the dragons, especially Dusk. I know you missed him, mom." I overheard Dustin's comment.

"I have, very much. My boy looks wonderful."

Dustin continued rambling about the visiting dragons, and I could tell both he and his mother had enjoyed every bit of the visit. I heard Ana mention something to him before she made her way toward my bed.

As she approached the bed, I rolled onto my back and blinked, allowing my vision to refocus. I smiled upon seeing Ana's beaming face, but then I raised an eyebrow at a little figure on her shoulders.

"Laeli, how're you feeling?" She gently asked. I just shrugged, not having much energy to speak. She then put her hand on my forehead, and she nodded approvingly, "your fever's dropped considerably! That's excellent. Did you already have food?" I nodded, sitting up slowly.

My gaze shifted to the little blue reptile on her shoulders, and I jumped.

"Maui...?" I choked out. It couldn't be... I reached out my hand to touch him, only for the lizard to hiss slightly, and I snatched my hand back.

"Thundersong! That's not nice, she's a guest." Ana scolded.

"W-wha- Thunder... Thundersong?" I repeated in disappointment and confusion.

"I'm sorry honey, this is my Terrible Terror, Thundersong. He's been a companion of mine for years. I figured I'd introduce you to him before you eventually meet the other dragons." She explained. I could tell she felt bad that she didn't have Maui with her. But it wasn't her fault.

The little Terrible Terror scampered down Ana's arm onto the bed, and I got a good look at him. He didn't have the same coloration as Maui's usual lizard form, instead having rich blue scales covering most of his body, with dark brown/black on the edges of his wings. Thundersong's wings fluttered as he stared at me with large beady yellow eyes. Hesitantly, I held my hand out again for him, attempting to show I wasn't a threat.

He purred as he pressed his head against the palm of my hand, and I couldn't help but crack a smile at the feeling of his scales and little horns.

"He's beautiful..." I gushed, chuckling sadly as he curled up on my lap next to my stomach.

"Awww, he likes you!" Dustin congratulated.

"Your first dragon friend." Ana grinned.

Together, the three of us, with Thundersong, stayed up for a little bit longer. I was weirdly emotional about the Terrible Terror for some reason, but I chalked it up to missing Maui.

It also hit hard that Hiccup, Zyrah, and the others were celebrating with their families and extended friends. Hearing the festive cheer kind of hurt, knowing I was so far from home. With a sniff, I pushed back the wool blanket curtain covering the window near my bed, peeking outside. It was snowing again, with a fresh layer of snow already covering up old footprints, and dusting the trees in a beautiful, delicate blanket of white.

In the distance, I could faintly see the massive silhouettes of dragons, along with hearing the variety of sounds they were making.

Then I heard an ear-piercing shriek echo from overhead. My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach, not knowing what it was.

"Heart of Te Fiti, what was that?" I gasped out.

"Easy, it was just one of the Night Furies."

"One of?" I repeated. Ana briefly explained that both Hiccup and their best friend Zyrah were/are dragon riders, much like other Berkians their age. But they specifically rode Night Furies. Once the most feared dragons in their world.

"Hiccup, and his Night Fury, Toothless, changed our world. We thought Toothless was the last of his kind, but then... Zyrah came along, with her Night Fury, Blueheart. But, it's not my story to tell. When you're better, we will sit down and tell our stories properly. Not just about us, but our dragons as well."

I could tell the topic of dragons was an emotional one for her. And I did want to know more, despite feeling intimidated. At least the first dragon I got to meet was Thundersong, who I could hold in my hands. A gentle little guy, I didn't mind him at all.

"Could... you tell me about yours?" Ana's gaze softened at the question, and she tenderly placed her hand on my cheek in a very motherly fashion.

"I'll tell you a little bit about him." She offered with a smile, and so Dustin and I listened. Albeit it was short, and I could tell that Ana was trying to hold back painful memories, so I didn't push the topic further.

Once she finished, she bid us goodnight, and made her way to bed, Dustin close behind.

"Happy Snoggletog, Laeli."