Until They Can Return in Peace - How to Train Your Dragon

Chapter 50 - Hiccup

There were dragons when I was a boy. There were great, grim, sky dragons that nested on the cliff tops like gigantic scary birds. Little, brown scuttly dragons that hunted down the mice and rats in well-organized packs. Preposterously huge Sea Dragons that were twenty times as big as the Blue Whale.

Some say they crawled back into the sea without leaving a bone nor fang for men to remember them by.

Others said they were nothing but folk-tales to begin with.

Eh, I'm okay with that.

—

The vast blue ocean was bright as the blue sky was seen through the scattered clouds. Almost as if the winter was ceasing to exist.

Nuffink was in my arms as we let the cool air wash our faces with the fresh sea salt.

He watched me carefully as I looked out on the waters, searching for a sign of that great waterfall.

"Here", I say softly.

Astrid begins fastening the sail and Zephyr helps her with the second rope.

I nod at my boy with a smile and he lays his hand on mine to help me drop-anchor.

The fog wasn't as dense as the night a couple of years ago, but it was a mist that acted as a veil between us and their safe haven that is, "The Hidden World".

My heart is pounding in my chest.

Astrid senses it as she walks over to me.

Nuff reaches out for mom as I hand him to her. Zeph excitedly leans on the edge of the wooden railing and tries to see where I'm looking.

I take two steps forward and lean on the smooth, sanded wood myself.

All is silent for a moment. My heart beat trying to keep up with my breathing as I see figures on the rocks ahead of us.

I see the silhouette of his oval head and ears lifted at full attention at the sight of our ship.

I gasp in disbelief of my eyes.

Was it my imagination?

Or am I really seeing him?

Suddenly the outline of the Light Fury appears as well. Then, in between the mated furies, three little heads pop up. Each one uniquely mixed in scale color and eyes that resembled Toothless and the Light Fury so well.

Astrid "awes" at the sweet sight.

Toothless stands to his claws and wings spread open wide as he leaps from his rock, only to land upon the head of the carved dragon on the bow on my ship.

My children gasp and Astrid pulls Nuffink into her chest and Zephyr hides behind her.

His pupils are stick skinny as if resembling a wild Toothless I found in the meadow all those years ago.

I put my hand up as to stop him from attacking, but I knew deep down he would remember the simple motion of my hand that bonded us.

"Hey... hey there, bud", I say as Astrid holds the kids close.

Toothless creeps down the large wooden mast and onto the deck.

"Remember me?", I say with such desperation. My family's lives are at stake and pray to the gods my best friend recognizes me.

My hand is still out as he stands on his hind-legs.

"It's okay", I hear Astrid behind me. Little gasps following.