What If | How to Train Your Dragon

Chapter 4

“So, how exactly are you going to take us to where you live?” Hiccup asked. He hadn’t seen any boats docked on the island.

Valka simply smiled and, without warning, let out a long, sharp whistle. Not even a second later, a dragon with two sets of wings came swooping down from the sky and landed next to her.

“Hiccup, Toothless, meet Cloudjumper. He’s my riding companion.”

Both Hiccup and Toothless let their jaws drop. Toothless quickly composed himself and start and started inching towards Cloudjumper, eager to make another dragon friend.

“He’s beautiful.” Hiccup gasped.

Valka smiled. “He is, isn’t he.”

“How’d you meet him?”

Valka hesitated before saying, “Let’s just say it was fate that brought us together.”

Hiccup nodded. He didn’t want pressure her into saying anything if she wasn’t comfortable with it.

“Shall we get going then?” Valka asked.

“Right.” Hiccup walked towards Toothless, “You ready bud.”

Toothless smiled and let Hiccup hop on his back. Cloudjumper did the same with Valka.

“Alright then.” Valka said enthusiastically, “Let’s get going.”

They took to the sky, flying quite gracefully considering they were riding on the backs of dragons. While Hiccup was focused on following Valka, the latter was more focused on the contraption that was Toothless' tail fin. She hadn’t seen anything like it in, well, ever.

“Did you make that!” Valka hollered over the wind.

Hiccup didn’t understand the question until she pointed to Toothless' tail fin.
“Um, yeah, actually, I did.”

“Impressive.”

Hiccup beamed with pride. It was the first time someone actually praised him for something he did, rather than discourage him.

After a few hours of flying had passed, Hiccup spotted an island with a singular mountain that took up most of the it. Well, maybe “mountain" was exaggerating it a bit. It was more like a really big hill.

“We’ve arrived!” Valka exclaimed. “You’re going to love it!”

They flew towards a spot on the hill that had an opening. Valka and Cloudjumper flew in with years of experience, Hiccup and Toothless following close behind. Valka was impressed. She had expected the two to at least wobble a bit of flying in, but they came in without a hitch. She could tell the two were close.

The first thing Hiccup and Toothless noted was how dark the cave was. There was no signs of light except from the he they just flew in from.

Without missing a beat, Valka nodded towards a narrow pathway, practically whispering, “This way.”

The two gave each other questioning looks but followed her anyway. She led them down the pathway for what seemed like ages until they finally came to an opening. They walked through and the sight Hiccup saw would forever be the most beautiful place he had ever laid eyes on.

There was vegetation everywhere, along with every flower imaginable. Dragons roamed free, flying everywhere, and anywhere, their wings would take them.

Valka turned towards Hiccup. “So, what do you think?”

“It’s beautiful,” Hiccup gasped. 

“I’m glad you think so.” 

Valka scanned Hiccup’s face, trying to get a good look of him now that they were closer together. Her eyes scanned down his face, finally landing on a single scar on his chin. Her eyes widened and her eyes seemed frozen on the spot.

It really is him, she thought.

“Is something wrong?” Hiccup asked, noting the way she stared at him.

Valka shook her head. “No, no. Everything’s fine.” 

Hiccup wanted to note how shaken up she looked but decided against it. “Alright.” 

It was at that moment that a baby dragon had decided to fly straight into Hiccup’s face. Hiccup shrieked, pulling the hatchling off his face. Valka just sat to the side laughing her arse off. 

“It’s not that funny.” Hiccup muttered.

 Toothless snickered.

“What are you laughing at?” He asked Toothless accusingly.

Upon noticing Toothless, the hatchling flew out of Hiccup’s hands and towards Toothless, gently nudging him as if he wanted to play.

“Aww,” cooed Valka, “Looks like Toothless finally made a playmate.”

Hiccup smiled. After all these years, he finally found someone who made him feel like he belonged. Someone who didn’t push him down every time there was an opportunity. 

For once in his life, he felt loved.