The 'Dragon Defender'

Nip It In The Bud

Needless to say, Adriana was thrilled to be offered to come along once the week was up. "Of course I'll go!" She squealed excitedly. "I can't wait to see your home! I bet it's gorgeous!"

"Some parts are," I agree. "Though we try to go for function over form, a lot of the place is kept as natural as possible. I want to let the pack be as wild and free as possible while still living where it's safe for them."

"That sounds pretty neat," she nods. "Well I'll definitely come. I'll drag Asher along, too, whether he likes it or not." I chuckle at the mental image I'm now getting of her dragging my brother kicking and screaming.

Adriana and I talk for a little bit longer before I fill Selene in on where I'm going and head out to collect some dragon nip, which I've grown quite a taste for. I fly off towards the usual island, daydreaming about the sweet blades and their intoxicating aroma.

When I'm surrounded by humans riding dragons, I'm snapped out of my pleasant thoughts. Pity. "Nightling!" Hiccup grins to me from atop Toothless, who is a lot less hostile around me now that I've saved his rider's life. "You alright?"

"Just fine," I growl to him in reply. "I mean, better than when you attacked me, of course."

His expression fell. "I'm sorry, Nightling. I was not thinking. I only wished to protect my rider." "I can understand that," I admit. "I'd do anything to protect those close to me. That is why I stepped in to defend the Bewilderbeast. He has my loyalty."

"So where are you going, girl?" Astrid asks me. I reply by opening my mouth, as if to fire at her. She quickly gets ready to evade the attack, but I just snicker. "Same old tricks, I see," she remarks with a slight smile.

"I still want one of those," Dagur pipes up. "She'd make a nice gift for Mala, don't you think?" I growl at him, causing him to raise his hands in mock defence. "Okay, Okay! Not into royalty?"

I shoot him a questioning glance, then the most wonderful scent hits my nostrils and I swoop downwards towards it. The other dragons all follow, grinning as they all know what I'm doing.

We land on the island, which is filled with dragon nip. I start inhaling the scent of the blades, enjoying the rich aroma. "I thought Stealthwings didn't like dragon nip," Fishlegs remarks from behind me, watching me closely. "Maybe she just didn't feel like it when we gave her some?" Hiccup suggested.

I tune out their conversation and focus on my lovely treat, just like the other dragons are doing. It's a truly wonderful snack, really. Just wonderful.

I notice Dagur trying to get closer to me, so I turn to face him boredly. "Mala would love you," he says. "You know Mala? She's the Queen of the Defenders of the Wing? Crazy with a sword? Yeah, you probably know her."

I really don't, though I am curious as to what he means, so I cock my head at him. "Ooooooh, I need to take you to Mala!" He grins manically. "Dagur, nobody is taking Nightling to Mala," Hiccup sighed. "Just because she's not attacking us doesn't mean she's trainable."

"But just look at her, brother!" Dagur yells, gesturing to me. Brother? What? "I'm not your brother," Hiccup grumbles under his breath. Oh. Probably just a weirdo being a weirdo then.

I turn to go back to my dragon nip, but suddenly I feel some kind of weight on my neck. "Let's take you for a spin, girl!" Dagur laughs from atop me, trying to guide me into the air.

Idiot.

I roll over, causing him to fall off of me, then take him in my wings. "She... likes hugs?" Astrid seems amused. I show her what I'm actually doing by waiting a moment longer and unfurling my wings.

Dagur is sleeping already thanks to my abilities. Now he won't be able to bother me. "Dagur!" Heather gasps, running to his side. "Is he...?" Fishlegs asks quietly, joining Heather.

A loud snore escapes Dagur, causing everyone to relax a little. "He's asleep," Heather says, looking from Dagur to me. "She put him to sleep."

Everyone looks at me. I just go back to my dragon nip. What? Would they rather I blasted him into next week?

"Hey, I just thought of something," Fishlegs says. "Nightling looks a lot like a Razorwhip... maybe the Wingmaidens know something about her?"

"It's always a possibility," Hiccup starts thinking. "Maybe we can see about taking Nightling to Wingmaiden Island. We know she likes dragon nip, maybe we could lead her there with that."

Defenders of the Wing? Wingmaidens? What is it with all these tribes or packs or whatever they are and people wanting to take me there?

"Want to see Wingmaiden Island, Nightling?" Astrid asks me, walking over. I nuzzle her. Not because I'm agreeing to go, but because I still need to thank her for handling a few things at the sanctuary while I've been gone. She seems surprised, but pets me back.

"Let's get to Wingmaiden Island," Hiccup began ordering the group around. "Astrid, it looks like you're the one taking care of Nightling."

They all mount up except for Heather and Dagur. I nudge Heather away before I roar in Dagur's face, causing him to sit up and scream. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

"Well, that's one way to wake him up," Fishlegs remarked. "What happened?" Dagur asked, looking around. "Nightling has some kind of method of putting people to sleep," Hiccup explained. "She used it on you."

Dagur looks to me. "Oh now I really want one!" He grins crazily, causing me to growl at him. Seriously, does this guy never take a hint? I'm not property!

"Let's just get to Wingmaiden Island," Astrid says. Heather and Dagur mount their dragons and everyone starts flying off. "Come on, Nightling," Astrid gestured for me to follow. I decide that I might as well, so I grab some more dragon nip for the road and join them.