Home-Bound: The Beginnings (HTTYD)

11 - This Feeling

Luneah's POV

I have no idea what this feeling is.

It's the same one I had whenever my parents would tuck me into bed, whispering 'I love you' just as they passed the door. The same feeling whenever my parents would stay up all night with me during a thunderstorm. The same feeling whenever I was hurt, and they would cradle me in their arms as I cried. Then, they would wrap up the wound and kiss my cheek, saying things like 'warriors have to be strong', or 'it's fine, just a small scrape'.

Whenever I see him, I get these shivers in my spine that no one else seems to be able to give me. Whenever he smiles, touches my shoulder, defends me from Ingrid and her stupid friends, or even glances at me, it reminds me of my parents. For some apparent reason, I feel something I have never felt before.

I remember I used to call them 'Mommy' and 'Daddy', and they would smile down at me, before lifting me up and I felt like I was flying like I was a dragon high in the sky. Those feelings of joy held me up, like I was higher than the treehouse, which of course was not built during that time. I never fell. And now I realize that although I was over six feet in the air, I was never scared. Even as a little girl. I never knew why. But now I do.

I trusted them. With all my life. That may not be saying much, but I don't trust anyone now, except perhaps Jeysannia, Elise, Allen, and...him.

Why? I have no idea! I just met him, but I trust him more than anyone else. The way he makes me laugh, the smiles he gives me. It's all not enough, and so overwhelming.

What is this feeling?

I snap my head up, to see him standing in an awkward position, which I guess is his version of a battle stance. Pathetic Vikings. Couldn't even properly train one of their own. "No, like this." I move over to him, and spread his feet apart, moving him into a stable position. His arms are in front of his head, prepared to block against an attack to his face.

"Now, let's see how good you are at sword fighting."

He visibly gulps. "Not that good."

"Come on!" I exclaim. "You're here to learn. Besides, I won't hurt you. I promise I'll go easy."

"Fine."

Allen tosses him a sword, which he easily catches in his left hand, before exchanging it into his right hand. I carefully take note of this small maneuver.

Elise hands me my favorite sword, and I crouch into a position, the blade close to my face. He charges with a loud cry, and just as he nears, my blade springs into action and I disarm him, pointing the silver sword to his nose.

His blade clatters on the stone arena, just feet away from his reach.

"Ok," he says, holding his hands up in surrender. "You win."

"No, not yet. I think you should try again. This time, use your left hand, since it's your dominant one."

"How did you know?"

"You easily caught the sword with your left, instead of your right. And for the gods above, please don't let out a Viking war cry again."

He had the gall to look sheepish. Stop that. It's making me blush.

We both get into positions again, and this time, I charge. My sword swings at his, and instead of falling out of his hand, he blocks me. The swords clash, and make a horrible sound, that grinds at my ears. As I am distracted, he twists his sword and disarms me, the blade falling uselessly to the ground.

"Good job." I say.

"Wow, Luneah! You got beaten by a newbie!" Allen taunts. He waves his hand around from his position on the wall of the arena. His legs dangle over the edge, and his hands loosely grip the metal bars.

I roll my eyes, and motion for him to come and teach the boy. He pushes himself under the metal railing and hops down, rolling to prevent damage.

"Alright, newbie!" Allen begins. "Time to make your life a living hell!"

I laugh, and walk to the entrance of the stone arena, and up the ramp, before sitting down in Allen's spot, next to Elise.

"Hey, idiots." I turn around at the familiar voice. "Whatcha doing?"

"Helping Hiccup learn swordsmanship." Elise responds, eyes watching the scene intently. She may not be good at close-combat, but she knew how it worked.

"What about you, Jeysannia?" I ask. "Where have you been?"

"Talking with Eret..."

I snort and Elise lets out a girly giggle I have only heard a handful of times from her. "I figured."

Jeysannia looks into the arena where the two boys were fighting. "How's Hiccup doing?"

"He's a natural. I just told him to use his left hand, and he disarmed me in five seconds."

"Like Eret and I when we first started sparring!"

"Yeah, yeah. Don't get me coiled up in those cheesy moments with you and your boyfriend. I would like to keep my lunch today, thank you very much," Elise snarks back, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture.

"Where's your boyfriend, Luna?" Jeysannia purrs.

My body freezes in place, and I slowly look over to Jay, with a look on my face that purely says 'are you serious?'.

"Excuse me, Rastus is not my boyfriend. Sure, I had a crush on him ten years ago when I was a toddler, but he does not like me back."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yep. You go ahead, and just keep on walking in delusion land."

"Whatever."

"Oh no! That's not good!" I turn to the sound of Allen yelling at Hiccup, and both of them are rolling on the stone, laughing their guts out. Apparently, Hiccup disarmed Allen, and the sword flew with so much force, it lodged itself into the stone wall. 

Jay looks wide-eyed at the sword stuck in the wall. "Will you two shut up and get my beautiful creation out of the rock!? I was so proud of that design!"

Hiccup stands up, still laughing, and attempts to yank the sword out of the wall. Allen comes to help him. Strength combined, the blade still will not budge. Hiccup goes so far as to put his foot on the wall. Elise jumps down to try and help them. The blade does not move an inch. Finally, I climb off the wall, and try to help them pull out the sword.

Once this does not work, Jeysannia groans in annoyance, and walks down the ramp and into the arena to help, mumbling "It better not be scratched." With a little bit more pulling, the blade finally pops out, and all of us tumble into a pile on top of each other. Seeing our disheveled state, we all burst out laughing.

The goosebump-feeling is back.

Now, with all of my best friends—no... family—I now know what this amazing feeling is.

Love.

.