How to train your Dragon - The new age - Elorwin & Nightmera

Princess Talini Aleska looked down at the two long boats quickly jumping along the surf as they made their way southward towards Berk. It had been a long few days for her crew, three to be exact, which is a long time to be cooped up on a ship. Particularly if the ship was full of large, burly Vikings several of which were prone to awful seasickness. She did admittedly feel a little guilty, one for having a small escape and two for using it. Her best friend and partner Seraphina the Snowfury whom she was currently riding above the ships.

Seraphina’s pure white scales glittered in the light from the setting sun and her large, feathery wings beat in a languorous rhythm, keeping time with the ships, she could go much faster than this. Talini sat on her broad back upon a fur saddle pad which had been dyed blue in keeping with the princess’ noble status. Hands holding onto the large feathers behind her head Talini had no other means of staying on, knowing her friend would never let her fall.

Holding up a hand to her clear blue eyes Talini scanned the horizon. The wind whipped her silver blonde hair, normally it would be streaming out behind her like a banner but today she had chosen to tie it in a long braid the reached down to her lower back. She needed to look her part today. So her jewelled, golden circlet was on her brow and she wore the traditional garb of a royal envoy, dyed in rich blue and purple to show her as the heir to the throne.

Seraphina gave a low musical call to gain Talini’s attention away from assessing her apparel and back towards the island they were now heading for. Talini looked around to see large beacons rising from the sea in the shape of Vikings; they were already lit and looked like they were welcoming them in. Thankful to see dry land again Talini gave a small whoop which Seraphina echoed joyfully and together they rolled over in mid air and dove down towards the ships.

Calling to the crew the two ships raced together towards the shore with Seraphina and Talini at the front. Seraphina was running her claws in the water so just like the ships the three of them cut through the waves. Looking towards the shore Talini experienced a small bout of nerves. She hoped their message announcing their arrival had made it to the Berk chieftain, otherwise they were in for a tense greeting.

They quickly made their way in and docked at the bay with Talini and Seraphina landing lightly on the beach in front of them. Without dismounting Talini looked around wondering what kind of welcome they would get.

A few adjustments here, and a few there and done. Hiccup leaned back in his chair to admire his work, a small smile giving way as he imagined everyone using his new invention. On the table with a bunch of tools and curly shavings scattered about, sat a beautiful wood work of what he called ‘The Sun Dial.’ A design of entwining ivy was carved into the base. While on top, markings, well marking the time of day, and a dragon looking up was carved as well. It wasn’t particularly big, so it required delicate work. One couldn’t imagine how much time he put into this, out everyday and measuring how long the sun stayed out before setting, numbering and marking each time the sun got higher from dawn, to lower till set.

How in the world this idea came to him, was when he noticed his shadow changing positions while sitting outside for the whole day for dragon training. And bam, the idea hit him. Literally. A dragons tooth came flying at him, whacking him against the forehead and causing him to fall backwards in surprise after being jerked out of his thoughts. When he sat up to pick it up, it had landed perfectly right side up, casting a small shadow of its own. And it clicked. Hiccup bet he could utilize this in some way, and found one he did. Though, he still couldn’t figure out how a baby’s dragon tooth popped out like that from just pushing it out with his tongue.

Hiccup was snapped out of his thoughts as his door banged wide open, startling him and causing him to fall backwards in the chair. His head hit the ground with a loud thwack. “Why?” he moaned, laying there as he blinked his eyes open to see Gobber looking down at him. “The Princess is here!” He shouted, bending down to pull his the chief up. “What?! I thought she was coming tomorrow?”
“No, tomorrow was yesterday, today is tomorrow.” His friend answered, pausing to think about what he just said. “Anyways i’ve been searching for you all day! Hurry up and get your butt out there.”

Hiccup scrambled the rest of the way up by himself, panicking as he pulled his vest on. “I don’t even know what to say! I was going to practice that tomorrow but apparently thats not happening as tomorrow was today! Why didn’t you remind me?”

“I did, three times.” Gobber answered with a raised eyebrow. Hiccup paused. “Really?” He said with a puzzled expression.
“Never mind that! Just hurry!”
“Right.” And the two rushed out of the workshop, Hiccup whistling for Toothless. The black dragon took off from his resting area outside, making a small chirp as he landed to allow Hiccup to climb up. Once settled, both stared at Gobber waiting for him. The oblivious viking stood there for a moment with a blank look. Finally he seemed to register what they were waiting for and made a small o. “Right, right, sorry.” He climbed up as well, settling behind his friend.

“Hold on.” He warned, barely having any time before Toothless took off into the air and towards the beach. Already, they could see most of the village down there in greeting, two ships docked and a white dragon with woman waiting from what he could see. They circled, the small crowd moving out of the way to make way for them to land. Once they did, Gobber immediately jumped off, Hiccup climbing down. His village wooted at his arrival, their chief smiling at them, turning to now tend to their guests. “Welcome to Berk!” He greeted enthusiastically, walking up towards who he made out to be the princess. She defiantly looked the part, and impressed him. Maybe he should have dressed nicer than his usual green tunic and vest. A style that he had kept since he was fifteen. What could he say?

He held out a hand in greeting, giving his signature grin. “I’m glad you made it safely princess Talini Aleska. Any trouble on your way here?”
In the back of his mind he gave a small breath of relief, glad that at least he made sure he knew to what to say when she arrived. Even after all these years, he was still the old same Hiccup, even as chief. His clumsy and socially awkward self. As for the rest, he was just going to have to wing it. Shouldn’t be all that bad as both she and he knew the reason she was here.

Talini smiled as with a she heard the sonic boom of quick wings overhead, a noise she knew only a dragon of immense speed could make. It was a familiar noise but louder than the noise Seraphina’s wings made. Then a little way from her a Nightfury landed carrying on his back a large looking Viking missing an arm, leg and unless her eyes deceived her a tooth as well.

His rider then descended and she smiled this was Hiccup, chief of Berk, he did not look like a conventional Viking chief but she found she liked this. She could still see a bit of the skinny, awkward boy he had been but now he had grown out a bit. He would never be a pile of muscles like some of the others in his village but it suited him.

“Welcome to Berk!” He held out his hand in greeting giving her a shy but genuine grin as he held out his hand in greeting. She took his hand and smiled warmly back. “I’m glad you made it safely Princess Talini Aleska. Any trouble on your way here?” Talini shook her head in answer of his question.

“Couple of tidal waves and a few lightning storms, nothing we couldn’t handle. I think most of men are just sore about having to be stuck on a ship with seasick comrades for a few days.” Again she gave a small rueful smile as she tossed back her silvery blonde hair over her shoulder. “I was lucky to be with Seraphina and able to escape for a little while. Speaking of which let me introduce you to Seraphina.” At the sound of her name Seraphina moved her head around Talini’s legs and looked up at Hiccup with ice blue eyes, apprising him.

It seemed that Seraphina did not like what she saw and pushed herself gently past Talini to block her from Hiccup’s view, unfurling her wings so they lightly hit him across the face. Talini groaned and covered her mouth with her hand blushing furiously. She had worried about this. Seraphina was quite protective, overly so and it was not the first time she had acted up like this. She saw Hiccups Nightfury make a small growl at this interaction and move forward slightly and Talini knew she had to stop a dragon fight. Pushing gently but firmly on Seraphina’s snout she pushed her back behind her legs. Still blushing furiously she looked at Hiccup.


“Sorry she’s a little fussy and takes a while to get used to new people and places. So shall we go up, I know my men are desperate for solid land and possibly a taste of mead?”

The princess shook his hand, answering his question, which lead into a introduction of Seraphina, her dragon. She was smaller than Toothless, but looked almost the same besides the wings and color. He had heard of them on his travel's, taking notes in his journal. Serpahina had to be a Snowfury, a relative cousin of the Nightfury. Said dragon popped her head around Talini's legs, examining him for a moment before pushing herself around to block her from his view. Meanwhile, she unfurled he wings, lightly whacking Hiccup against his face. The chief blinked, rubbing his cheek as it did slightly hurt. This action caused Toothless to growl, the nighfury stepping up to confront Seraphina. "Down Toothless." He said, assuring his friend by holding out his hand. "Its alright." He gave a small chuckle, watching as the princess pushed her back, blushing furiously at her actions.

“Sorry she’s a little fussy and takes a while to get used to new people and places. So shall we go up, I know my men are desperate for solid land and possibly a taste of mead?” She apologized and asked. Again Hiccup smiled at her. "Of course, and don't worry about." He said, reassuring her. "Lets head up to the village. We also have a feast waiting, so let us drink and celebrate the Princess's and her crew safe arrival!" Hiccup raised his voice to let everyone else hear. Luckily, he saw the cooks setting out tables and well, cooking this morning. He wondered why, but now it was apparent. Otherwise he would have no clue. His clan cheered, a few of the men going over to the ships to help the crew dock properly and land. Meanwhile, others ran back up, probably to get last minute things ready. Turning, he hopped onto Toothless back, making sure to strap his leg in this time properly. It was difficult to fly without doing so, seeing as he was missing the lower half of his leg.

Sitting straight up, he waited for Talini to mount Seraphina. He wasn’t quite sure how the two dragons would react while flying together, so he leaned in close to Toothless ear. “Behave yourself, no matter what she does.” He warned him. Toothless let out a snort, his ear twitching. “Or no fish for you.” That seemed to catch his attention, Toothless licking around his lips and nose. He glanced back at hiccup, ears straight up. “Good boy.” The chief praised, patting his neck. At least he knew that the nightfury would try, and that was good enough for him. Looking over to see that the princess was ready, he gave toothless the signal, snapping his wings open as he gave a running start and took to the air.

Talini smiled through her still blushing cheeks as everyone around them cheered when Hiccup announced there was a feast being held in their honour. As Hiccup leapt onto Toothless she saw as he hooked his leg into the stirrups of his harness, following the line of the harness she noticed Toothless’ artificial tail fin. Individually they were both not quite whole but when together she saw they were more and greater than any individuals could aspire to. Although Talini and Seraphina did not rely on each other physically she knew the feeling of bonding so strongly to her partner.

Leaping lightly onto Seraphina’s saddle Talini adjusted herself and lightly stroked down the feathers around Seraphina’s head which made her croon. Dipping down slightly she whispered to the dragon.

“Seri you have to behave yourself. You know better than this, we are on an important mission here and these people, Hiccup, we hope to become allies, friends with.” Seraphina whined in a plaintive way, her blue eye roaming up to look at her face. “We don’t hit our new friends in the face.” Jigging slightly Seraphina made a sing song chirp before she saw the look Talini gave her upon which she settled back down with a small huff.

With a rustle of soft feathers Seraphina jumped into the sky after Toothless and together they swam through the night sky. Looking down she saw the people starting to make their way down from the docks of Berk up to the village proper. Swinging up besides Toothless Talini smiled at the experience of flying with someone with a dragon so similar to her own.

“Hey” she called to Hiccup over the rush of wind and wings “we have some time before they make it up the hill. How about you show me around, I would love to see Berk and no better way than from Dragons.” The moon was starting to come up and while the darkness hid Toothless like an inky patch in the star strewn sky while Seri glittered like an extended moonbeam. They looked good together, ducking and diving around each other as they rode the air.