A/N: And that happened XD Heehee ;) I'm so glad I got a double update out yesterday, otherwise I think I would have gone crazy. But still...six hours plus of non stop writing...*sighs* Well, whatever they chapters are out now :P I just want to take a moment to thank anyone whose reviewed this story (or raved). So many people tell me its amazing, but I get discouraged because of the lack of reviews :/ Without guy guys I wouldn't have continued! So lets continue reading Penny's journey :)
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Despite the slightly warmth in the barn where the dragons nestle in my lap, the cold eventually finds my arm and legs. I cuddle up against Raefor with the hope of warmth, but even after an hour I still feel like the cold is taking its toll on my body. I'm beginning to feel exhausted, but I can hear the wind as it picks up outside the stable. My dragon will be warm enough but I don't how much longer I can sit there.
I look down at the small bundles cuddling in my lap, "Time to go inside." The dragons heads pop up, "Not you. You have to stay in here," The dragons make parrot noises, bumping my stomach, "I really have to go." I place them nicely on the ground, and when I move, Raefor shifts so his wings are over the babies. And I smile at the sight. I wish I could stay, but if I don't get my coat, I will freeze. Plus Raefor needed time to recharge his energy from the trip, "I'll see you tomorrow," I pat his head softly, then smile before walking out the door and shutting it behind me.
The wind is still in the process of picking up, enhancing the coldness of my arms. I remember the time I got lost in the forest with Snotlout, it was slightly cold on that day even though the winter was still a bit away. I wish for a moment that I was back there, and that I knew what was going to happen so I could avoid making stupid mistakes I would regret. Throw this guilt away. Get rid of the world that I didn't want to see and instead, become aware of the world I wanted. MAKE the world I wanted.
But I would try, I would try to live up to my mistake. Watch from a distance and wait for the best time to...I shake my head. Would my apology would even be accepted? I don't know...I just don't know. I did something stupid.
A bush near the stable moves and I jump a little, facing towards it. Barf and Belch stand behind it, staring at me. I shake my head, "Whose there?"
"No one," A voice, Tuffnut, answers, "just us bushes."
"Tuffnut? What are you doing?"
"I'm not Tuffnut."
Silly Tuffnut, I walk over to the bushes and move some of the branches out of the way so I can see his face. I glare, "Tuffnut..."
"What?"
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Tuffnut..."
"I won't tell you," he stands up, brushing the leaves off of his pants, "its not important that i'm waiting for Snotlout..."
I tilt my head, "You're waiting for Snotlout?"
"Don't make assumptions!"
"You just said that!"
"I did not. Don't put words in my mouth," Tuffnut crosses his arms his chest, "pranking Snotlout takes a lot of work. And you're distracting me."
"You're...pranking Snotlout?"
"I am not."
"You just said that!"
Tuffnut goes to respond, but he doesn't argue, "Oh...well its top secret stuff so you can't know about it."
"What's left to tell? You just told me almost everything?"
"Hey, I didn't tell you the details," Tuffnut argues, "like the part about how I'm going to be a ghost and-" I scowl as he continues to, without knowing, give away all the details of his plan. When he's done, Tuffnut looks at me and frowns, "so you don't know everything."
Silence.
I shake my head, and head into my house without saying another word, leaving Tuffnut watching me. I grab my coat quickly, then leave the house. In those few seconds, Tuffnut has disappeared. Probably going back to his obvious hiding spot, "I'd ditch the dragon if you want to pull off a proper prank." Might as well give some advice at least.
As I head towards the Great Hall I can hear Tuffnut's voice echo through the vast space, but I'm only able to pick up a few words like "dragon" and "away." Though anyone could take those words and easily calculate what exactly is happening.
But just as I believe I'm alone, only plagued by the sounds of laughter coming from inside the Great Hall, I hear another voice, "You." I see someone approach me, the darkness makes it difficult to see. But even as this person approaches me, I find myself noticing specific details. The facial hair, the viking hat. The walking style.
Spitelout.
"You broke up with Snotlout I see," Spitelout doesn't babble, but gets right to the point, "you were wise to not ignore my demands."
"I felt I had no choice," This time I am talking. Last time I felt the weight of my heart, the guilt that was making it heavier. There is little different, I still feel guilty. Angry. But I also feel like I have more courage, "you pressuring me like that. I heard what you said to Snotlout."
Spitelout's frown deepens, "A viking does not like to know of eavesdroppers."
"I don't care," I say, "I don't care. My actions were the result of guilt, anger, pity."
"Your actions are your own."
"And so are yours," I remind him, "making your son want your approval, never respecting him. That's not a virtue most vikings love."
Spitelout laughs, "Who are you lecture me on my parenting methods? You're no longer involved with my son. That's all that matters," He approaches me, "stay away-"
"HEY!" I hear someone exclaim, we turn to see Snotlout covered in something...probably yaknog again. The twins appear from their hiding spots, laughing out loud. I watch as Snotlout angrily yells at the twins.
Minutes pass and Spitelout is in my face again, glaring, "Stay away from him." From the corner of my eye I see Snotlout say something to the twins, then turn towards us. We're near a path that leads to his house. Crap. I don't want him to see this, "and if you try to get into his head, or even think about getting back together with him..." I close my eyes, trying to ignore how awkward I felt. How much I did wish I was back at home, "...I will make sure your life becomes hard and painful." As if it wasn't already.
Snolout's father glares at me for a moment longer, but all I can do is open my eyes and look to the ground. My expression probably spoke for me, speaking wasn't necessary. He walks away, leaving me to stare at the ground, and reflect. Those pains of guilt were returning, overpowering my emotions. The things I felt for the man I loved. But I need to remember my father's words.
I turn to see Snotlout's eyes moving back and forth between me and the path in which I assume his father took. And he saw it. The end of our discussion. Great...I try to ignore him and keep heading in the direction I was taking. Out of the corner of my eye I see Hookfang. It was hard to spot him before, because of how dark it can get outside.
But I don't want to talk to him.
He needed time.
And so did I.
My father's words repeat in my head. Love is not always logical. Love is not always logical. Love is not always logical. It made sense but at the same time it didn't. To me, it stood as something different than I thought. Love wasn't just a mix of feelings. I didn't know how logical it was to run around causing problems through something no one accepted, and yet I understand that my actions were illogical. But at the time...at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. I was selfish. As selfish as anyone else. I wish I could turn back the hands of time and re-do what I did, change my mind.
But even if I did...would my mindset have changed?
Even now i know I did something that was wrong, but it seems like a decision that worked out best for everyone. Best for him. Best for me. Best for his father...And yet my father's word continue to echo in my mind. There was once a time when I felt marriage and dates were made up of nothing but love. But I don't know anymore. What happens when those moments come when it would make more sense to just walk away from the relationship?
Secretly I pray Snotlout doesn't follow me, but why would he? After I pulled a stunt like that. He should hate me.
I want him too.
----------
"This ones a beauty," Gobber exclaims the next day in the early morning in the shop, gesturing towards a steel arm, "it has no use of course. We're not that advanced. But it looks nice." He passes the arm to me, "go ahead. Try it on."
Hiccup is beside me, watching as I take the arm into my hand. The arm almost falls out of my hand even when I try my best to balance it. Outside the shop is Raefor and Toothless, they play with each other, running around. Hiccup catches the arm before it hits the ground, handing it back to me, "Do you need a hand?"
A crack at a joke, despite hearing my hurtful words to Astrid, "Hahaha...very funny." I'm trying to push away my negative feeling and emphasis on something positive, "No. I can manage on my own."
"Its easy to put on," Gobber says, "all you do is place it on your shoulder stump, and tighten the clasps. There's one on the bottom and top." Sounds easy if you had two hands.
I attempt to do as he instructed. Even though I'm left handed, I find myself struggling to get the arm in place, and then keep it there while trying to get the clasps to work. It almost falls again, I can see Hiccup out of the corner of my eye waiting for it to fall again. Instead, it doesn't, but I find myself continueing to struggle to get the clasps working.
"Let me do it," Hiccup says, fixing the clasps so the arm can hang off my shoulder stump, "there. How does it feel?"
There's a uncomfortable feeling, "It feels...weird."
"Aye, you'll get use to it," Gobber throws in, "I have something else for you." He walks to a table where a saddle is. He picks it up, "This is a saddle. But special," He points to a iron handle, "its got a special iron handle. You can wrap the fake hand around it. Makes for an easier flight."
"How does this hold on?" I ask pointing to the hand, "i mean, how will it stay?"
Gobber smiles walking over to me, "That's the best part. The fingers are designed to hold on by themselves."
"How-?"
"Don't ask. I don't understand either," Gobber replies, "when you want to let go, pull the fingers and they'll come loose."
"This is really odd..."
I try it and it works just like Gobber says.
"You should try it out."
"I don't know," I don't hesitate to speak, "Raefor and I haven't tried flying. I mean, what if I fall."
"I'm sure Hiccup would go."
"What?" Hiccup looks at me, "sure, i'll go with you."
"See? I'll show you how to put on the saddle."
Gobber leads me to Raefor, who runs over to us when he notices me leave the shop. He shows me how to put the saddle on, though I find it confusing. His instructions aren't very clear. When Gobber walks away Hiccup re-instructs me, "Place it here...then do this up..." He steps back, "and you're done."
"That's better. Whats with all of Gobber's steps?"
He shrugs his shoulders, "He means well. He just doesn't do well."
"I noticed," I pat Raefor, "alright boy, lets try this." I put my foot where its suppose to rest on the saddle, and take a deep breath. I jump up grabbing the other side of Raefor. Its hard to keep my grasp on his side, and I end up on the ground. The fake arm laying lifeless, still attached to me. But I frown, I was going to do this. So I get up and try again.
This time I'm able to pull myself up on to the saddle. I sit on Raefor, patting his back as he tilts his head, "Nice job."
"Wow..." I say, "this is...feels different." Slightly familiar because of all the times I rode Stormfly with Astrid, but being on Raefor for so long would eventually take its toll. I was hoping it wouldn't be too severe, "alright. I'm ready." Hiccup smiles, mounting Toothless and waiting for me to go up to the sky. I take a few deep breaths, "Alright Raefor. Lets try this...to the sky!"
Raefor takes a few moments before he does anything, but as he lifts his wings and flaps, I can see the ground. We are in the air now, and Raefor starts to have struggles flying, "You can do it!" I encourage, patting his back, "you can do it!"
The dragon continues to try, and we begin to ascend into the sky. Reaching for the clouds, but as we get high enough to see a lot of Berk Raefor begins to struggle again. And then we're falling.
I scream, attached to Raefor as he rolls in mid air and falls down towards the ground. Hiccup calls my name, Toothless springing into action but before either of them can do anything we crash. Raefor keeps me away from the ground, protecting me. When we land, he lands on his side i the middle of the square. I hadn't noticed in what direction we were falling, but I guess we fell sideways.
There is a bit of silence before anyone says or does anything. My arm is still attached to the saddle, and with some effort I'm able to follow Gobber's instructions. With the hand free from the saddle. Raefor stumbles a little as he gets up, I can see one or two scrapes, and my own head is throbbing a little bit. I touch the spot it hurts and whince, "Stupid..." I murmur, "not you Raefor," I look at his cut, "We should take care of that."
Hiccup jumps off Toothless, "Are you guys okay?"
"I am," I touch my head, "but Raefors got some scrapes."
As Hiccup checks my dragons leg, my head pain is still throbbing. I try to ignore it, "You don't look so good," Fishlegs pipes up from behind me.
"What-?" I jump when I see him, "don't scare me like that..."
"You should get that checked," He points to my head, Meatlug is behind him,"you could have a concussion."
"I don't have one," I argue, turning my back, "is he okay Hiccup?"
"Nothing serious," Hiccup says quickly, "you don't look so well."
"I'm fine," I walk back to Raefor, "we're going to try again."
"What? You're going to fly around with a concussion? Are you some crazy female person or something?"
I frown, "I'm fine. Its just a bump," I turn my attention to Raefor, "Lets try again."
He growls.
"Raefor, I'm fine. Now go!"
Again he growls, but listens this time. He lifts his wings and before we know it we're back in the air. Everyone is watching us, in the crowd I see Snotlout and Hookfang. But I don't focus on them. I put my fake hand back i place, grasping the handle, then focus on the air, "Lets do this!"
Even during our second attempt Raefor still struggles. He falls once, but just as we are to crash for the second time, he spreads his wings back out. And we are flying.
Raefor slowly ascends up into the air, and we start to circle around the village, "Yes!" I pump my fist into the air, "Go Raefor!" He makes his parrot noise, smiling, and slowly gaining speed. The longer we are in the air, the faster we go.
I look at the island as we ascend higher and higher above the village, smiling and wondering why I hadn't done this earlier. It was beautiful! Amazing! I loved being up here. Where no one could tell me what to do.
"Need some company?" I hear. Toothless is flying beside us with Hiccup on the saddle.
I laugh, "You're flying again?"
"Meh, slowly," Hiccup replies.
"Then how about a race?" I grin, "once around the island." Before I can get an answer Raefor and I speed towards the forest opposite of Svens farm, laughing. Soon Hiccup and Toothless have caught up to us, and easily pass. Of course they would. He IS the best rider. Toothless IS a Nightfury. Plus they know more about racing than me.
And they've had more practice.
-------
Despite the slightly warmth in the barn where the dragons nestle in my lap, the cold eventually finds my arm and legs. I cuddle up against Raefor with the hope of warmth, but even after an hour I still feel like the cold is taking its toll on my body. I'm beginning to feel exhausted, but I can hear the wind as it picks up outside the stable. My dragon will be warm enough but I don't how much longer I can sit there.
I look down at the small bundles cuddling in my lap, "Time to go inside." The dragons heads pop up, "Not you. You have to stay in here," The dragons make parrot noises, bumping my stomach, "I really have to go." I place them nicely on the ground, and when I move, Raefor shifts so his wings are over the babies. And I smile at the sight. I wish I could stay, but if I don't get my coat, I will freeze. Plus Raefor needed time to recharge his energy from the trip, "I'll see you tomorrow," I pat his head softly, then smile before walking out the door and shutting it behind me.
The wind is still in the process of picking up, enhancing the coldness of my arms. I remember the time I got lost in the forest with Snotlout, it was slightly cold on that day even though the winter was still a bit away. I wish for a moment that I was back there, and that I knew what was going to happen so I could avoid making stupid mistakes I would regret. Throw this guilt away. Get rid of the world that I didn't want to see and instead, become aware of the world I wanted. MAKE the world I wanted.
But I would try, I would try to live up to my mistake. Watch from a distance and wait for the best time to...I shake my head. Would my apology would even be accepted? I don't know...I just don't know. I did something stupid.
A bush near the stable moves and I jump a little, facing towards it. Barf and Belch stand behind it, staring at me. I shake my head, "Whose there?"
"No one," A voice, Tuffnut, answers, "just us bushes."
"Tuffnut? What are you doing?"
"I'm not Tuffnut."
Silly Tuffnut, I walk over to the bushes and move some of the branches out of the way so I can see his face. I glare, "Tuffnut..."
"What?"
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Tuffnut..."
"I won't tell you," he stands up, brushing the leaves off of his pants, "its not important that i'm waiting for Snotlout..."
I tilt my head, "You're waiting for Snotlout?"
"Don't make assumptions!"
"You just said that!"
"I did not. Don't put words in my mouth," Tuffnut crosses his arms his chest, "pranking Snotlout takes a lot of work. And you're distracting me."
"You're...pranking Snotlout?"
"I am not."
"You just said that!"
Tuffnut goes to respond, but he doesn't argue, "Oh...well its top secret stuff so you can't know about it."
"What's left to tell? You just told me almost everything?"
"Hey, I didn't tell you the details," Tuffnut argues, "like the part about how I'm going to be a ghost and-" I scowl as he continues to, without knowing, give away all the details of his plan. When he's done, Tuffnut looks at me and frowns, "so you don't know everything."
Silence.
I shake my head, and head into my house without saying another word, leaving Tuffnut watching me. I grab my coat quickly, then leave the house. In those few seconds, Tuffnut has disappeared. Probably going back to his obvious hiding spot, "I'd ditch the dragon if you want to pull off a proper prank." Might as well give some advice at least.
As I head towards the Great Hall I can hear Tuffnut's voice echo through the vast space, but I'm only able to pick up a few words like "dragon" and "away." Though anyone could take those words and easily calculate what exactly is happening.
But just as I believe I'm alone, only plagued by the sounds of laughter coming from inside the Great Hall, I hear another voice, "You." I see someone approach me, the darkness makes it difficult to see. But even as this person approaches me, I find myself noticing specific details. The facial hair, the viking hat. The walking style.
Spitelout.
"You broke up with Snotlout I see," Spitelout doesn't babble, but gets right to the point, "you were wise to not ignore my demands."
"I felt I had no choice," This time I am talking. Last time I felt the weight of my heart, the guilt that was making it heavier. There is little different, I still feel guilty. Angry. But I also feel like I have more courage, "you pressuring me like that. I heard what you said to Snotlout."
Spitelout's frown deepens, "A viking does not like to know of eavesdroppers."
"I don't care," I say, "I don't care. My actions were the result of guilt, anger, pity."
"Your actions are your own."
"And so are yours," I remind him, "making your son want your approval, never respecting him. That's not a virtue most vikings love."
Spitelout laughs, "Who are you lecture me on my parenting methods? You're no longer involved with my son. That's all that matters," He approaches me, "stay away-"
"HEY!" I hear someone exclaim, we turn to see Snotlout covered in something...probably yaknog again. The twins appear from their hiding spots, laughing out loud. I watch as Snotlout angrily yells at the twins.
Minutes pass and Spitelout is in my face again, glaring, "Stay away from him." From the corner of my eye I see Snotlout say something to the twins, then turn towards us. We're near a path that leads to his house. Crap. I don't want him to see this, "and if you try to get into his head, or even think about getting back together with him..." I close my eyes, trying to ignore how awkward I felt. How much I did wish I was back at home, "...I will make sure your life becomes hard and painful." As if it wasn't already.
Snolout's father glares at me for a moment longer, but all I can do is open my eyes and look to the ground. My expression probably spoke for me, speaking wasn't necessary. He walks away, leaving me to stare at the ground, and reflect. Those pains of guilt were returning, overpowering my emotions. The things I felt for the man I loved. But I need to remember my father's words.
I turn to see Snotlout's eyes moving back and forth between me and the path in which I assume his father took. And he saw it. The end of our discussion. Great...I try to ignore him and keep heading in the direction I was taking. Out of the corner of my eye I see Hookfang. It was hard to spot him before, because of how dark it can get outside.
But I don't want to talk to him.
He needed time.
And so did I.
My father's words repeat in my head. Love is not always logical. Love is not always logical. Love is not always logical. It made sense but at the same time it didn't. To me, it stood as something different than I thought. Love wasn't just a mix of feelings. I didn't know how logical it was to run around causing problems through something no one accepted, and yet I understand that my actions were illogical. But at the time...at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. I was selfish. As selfish as anyone else. I wish I could turn back the hands of time and re-do what I did, change my mind.
But even if I did...would my mindset have changed?
Even now i know I did something that was wrong, but it seems like a decision that worked out best for everyone. Best for him. Best for me. Best for his father...And yet my father's word continue to echo in my mind. There was once a time when I felt marriage and dates were made up of nothing but love. But I don't know anymore. What happens when those moments come when it would make more sense to just walk away from the relationship?
Secretly I pray Snotlout doesn't follow me, but why would he? After I pulled a stunt like that. He should hate me.
I want him too.
----------
"This ones a beauty," Gobber exclaims the next day in the early morning in the shop, gesturing towards a steel arm, "it has no use of course. We're not that advanced. But it looks nice." He passes the arm to me, "go ahead. Try it on."
Hiccup is beside me, watching as I take the arm into my hand. The arm almost falls out of my hand even when I try my best to balance it. Outside the shop is Raefor and Toothless, they play with each other, running around. Hiccup catches the arm before it hits the ground, handing it back to me, "Do you need a hand?"
A crack at a joke, despite hearing my hurtful words to Astrid, "Hahaha...very funny." I'm trying to push away my negative feeling and emphasis on something positive, "No. I can manage on my own."
"Its easy to put on," Gobber says, "all you do is place it on your shoulder stump, and tighten the clasps. There's one on the bottom and top." Sounds easy if you had two hands.
I attempt to do as he instructed. Even though I'm left handed, I find myself struggling to get the arm in place, and then keep it there while trying to get the clasps to work. It almost falls again, I can see Hiccup out of the corner of my eye waiting for it to fall again. Instead, it doesn't, but I find myself continueing to struggle to get the clasps working.
"Let me do it," Hiccup says, fixing the clasps so the arm can hang off my shoulder stump, "there. How does it feel?"
There's a uncomfortable feeling, "It feels...weird."
"Aye, you'll get use to it," Gobber throws in, "I have something else for you." He walks to a table where a saddle is. He picks it up, "This is a saddle. But special," He points to a iron handle, "its got a special iron handle. You can wrap the fake hand around it. Makes for an easier flight."
"How does this hold on?" I ask pointing to the hand, "i mean, how will it stay?"
Gobber smiles walking over to me, "That's the best part. The fingers are designed to hold on by themselves."
"How-?"
"Don't ask. I don't understand either," Gobber replies, "when you want to let go, pull the fingers and they'll come loose."
"This is really odd..."
I try it and it works just like Gobber says.
"You should try it out."
"I don't know," I don't hesitate to speak, "Raefor and I haven't tried flying. I mean, what if I fall."
"I'm sure Hiccup would go."
"What?" Hiccup looks at me, "sure, i'll go with you."
"See? I'll show you how to put on the saddle."
Gobber leads me to Raefor, who runs over to us when he notices me leave the shop. He shows me how to put the saddle on, though I find it confusing. His instructions aren't very clear. When Gobber walks away Hiccup re-instructs me, "Place it here...then do this up..." He steps back, "and you're done."
"That's better. Whats with all of Gobber's steps?"
He shrugs his shoulders, "He means well. He just doesn't do well."
"I noticed," I pat Raefor, "alright boy, lets try this." I put my foot where its suppose to rest on the saddle, and take a deep breath. I jump up grabbing the other side of Raefor. Its hard to keep my grasp on his side, and I end up on the ground. The fake arm laying lifeless, still attached to me. But I frown, I was going to do this. So I get up and try again.
This time I'm able to pull myself up on to the saddle. I sit on Raefor, patting his back as he tilts his head, "Nice job."
"Wow..." I say, "this is...feels different." Slightly familiar because of all the times I rode Stormfly with Astrid, but being on Raefor for so long would eventually take its toll. I was hoping it wouldn't be too severe, "alright. I'm ready." Hiccup smiles, mounting Toothless and waiting for me to go up to the sky. I take a few deep breaths, "Alright Raefor. Lets try this...to the sky!"
Raefor takes a few moments before he does anything, but as he lifts his wings and flaps, I can see the ground. We are in the air now, and Raefor starts to have struggles flying, "You can do it!" I encourage, patting his back, "you can do it!"
The dragon continues to try, and we begin to ascend into the sky. Reaching for the clouds, but as we get high enough to see a lot of Berk Raefor begins to struggle again. And then we're falling.
I scream, attached to Raefor as he rolls in mid air and falls down towards the ground. Hiccup calls my name, Toothless springing into action but before either of them can do anything we crash. Raefor keeps me away from the ground, protecting me. When we land, he lands on his side i the middle of the square. I hadn't noticed in what direction we were falling, but I guess we fell sideways.
There is a bit of silence before anyone says or does anything. My arm is still attached to the saddle, and with some effort I'm able to follow Gobber's instructions. With the hand free from the saddle. Raefor stumbles a little as he gets up, I can see one or two scrapes, and my own head is throbbing a little bit. I touch the spot it hurts and whince, "Stupid..." I murmur, "not you Raefor," I look at his cut, "We should take care of that."
Hiccup jumps off Toothless, "Are you guys okay?"
"I am," I touch my head, "but Raefors got some scrapes."
As Hiccup checks my dragons leg, my head pain is still throbbing. I try to ignore it, "You don't look so good," Fishlegs pipes up from behind me.
"What-?" I jump when I see him, "don't scare me like that..."
"You should get that checked," He points to my head, Meatlug is behind him,"you could have a concussion."
"I don't have one," I argue, turning my back, "is he okay Hiccup?"
"Nothing serious," Hiccup says quickly, "you don't look so well."
"I'm fine," I walk back to Raefor, "we're going to try again."
"What? You're going to fly around with a concussion? Are you some crazy female person or something?"
I frown, "I'm fine. Its just a bump," I turn my attention to Raefor, "Lets try again."
He growls.
"Raefor, I'm fine. Now go!"
Again he growls, but listens this time. He lifts his wings and before we know it we're back in the air. Everyone is watching us, in the crowd I see Snotlout and Hookfang. But I don't focus on them. I put my fake hand back i place, grasping the handle, then focus on the air, "Lets do this!"
Even during our second attempt Raefor still struggles. He falls once, but just as we are to crash for the second time, he spreads his wings back out. And we are flying.
Raefor slowly ascends up into the air, and we start to circle around the village, "Yes!" I pump my fist into the air, "Go Raefor!" He makes his parrot noise, smiling, and slowly gaining speed. The longer we are in the air, the faster we go.
I look at the island as we ascend higher and higher above the village, smiling and wondering why I hadn't done this earlier. It was beautiful! Amazing! I loved being up here. Where no one could tell me what to do.
"Need some company?" I hear. Toothless is flying beside us with Hiccup on the saddle.
I laugh, "You're flying again?"
"Meh, slowly," Hiccup replies.
"Then how about a race?" I grin, "once around the island." Before I can get an answer Raefor and I speed towards the forest opposite of Svens farm, laughing. Soon Hiccup and Toothless have caught up to us, and easily pass. Of course they would. He IS the best rider. Toothless IS a Nightfury. Plus they know more about racing than me.
And they've had more practice.