Our first night with the Hamiltons was a long one. Since Toothless had become Alpha all the dragons had come to Berk and we weren't accustomed to their casual dragon antics, like roof scratching, expelling of horrid dragon gas from their rear ends and loud calls to one another. I didn't get much sleep. We plodded down the stairs and plonked ourselves at the table.We had slept in, Angus and Alec had already gone to work. Chirsty swiftly placed in front of us eggs and toast.

"Morning! I hope you like eggs! I'm not a very good cook so...sorry if they are black on the bottom..."

We nodded and started to tuck into the slightly black eggs and charcoal toast. Faith took a sip of her orange juice and smiled up at her just to escape for a few moments from the black food.

"So...What's the plan for today?"

Chirsty's eyes lit up and she waved her hands excitedly.

"Today is Sunday, the day of rest. So you can explore the island, the village. Bucket is giving tours but, between you and me, I'd ask Alec for one on his dragon. I'm no good at giving tours so don't ask me, besides, it would take ages on foot."

Faith jumped up and grabbed Chirsty's hand.

"I've got time, you can give me a tour, c'mon!"

I heard Chirsty grumble and moan a few reluctant whines but she followed anyway. They ran out the door and I was left alone in the house. I finished my breakfast and headed out alone. The village was buzzing with action as I wandered through. I looked around for somewhere to go and spotted a sign for the 'Dragon Stables'. My feet carried me that way to a large wooden building much like many of the other wooden masterpieces the villagers had built. As I stepped in, somebody ran into me and I fell to the floor. When I looked up Alec was looking at me his cheeks red with embarrassment and eyes sparkling with concern.

"Are you ok, I'm so sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going!"

I rubbed my head and stood brushing the bits of sawdust off my top.

"Oh it's fine, I'm always running into things, I-I mean, people..."

He awkwardly grinned and apologised again.

"It's fine. So...you work here?"

He seemed happy for a change of subject and nodded enthusiastically. He had a passion stirring in his eyes, he obviously really loved what he did.

"Yeah, I work in the nursery. I would much rather be training the big dragons but...that'll never happen. Come' on, I'll show you."

I followed him into a small quiet area at the back of the stables where the hatchlings were nesting.

"Aww! They're so cute!"

I knelt down and stroked one baby Terrible Terror's head. If you thought a Terrible Terror was small, you should see a baby one! In the pen were four or five little ones and one un-hatched egg.

"What about that little guy?"

Alec shrugged with a little sigh and a raise of his eyebrows.

"Who knows, but we're waiting on him."

Alec stood and stretched his arms.

"Hey, do you wanna meet Shadowfall, my dragon?"

I nodded eagerly. We climbed some stairs and he was in the fourth stable on the second floor. The dragon awoke from his sleep and rumbled a deep, low purring sound at the feel of Alec's gentle hand.

"He's half-blind. I rescued him. Last year when I had my training. Stormcutter Island was struck by lightning and many of the dragons fled. They flew over Berk and Shadowfall fell out of the sky into the water near our fishing boat. I pulled him out and we hit it off immediately. With training and a little help, he;s perfect! He's my falling Shadow, aren't ya boy?"

I stroked the dragon's soft nose and ran my fingers over his head. Shadow nuzzled me and I smiled.

"He likes you."

I glanced at Alec shyly and continued stroking the great beast.

"Fancy a flight?"

The thought of flying exhilarated me.

"Yes!"

Alec strapped on the saddle and held out his hand to me. "Climb aboard!"

I took it and joined him, not so elegantly.

"Where should I hold on?"

I felt him smiling and he glanced round. "You'll figure it out."

The lump in my throat subsided as I wrapped my arms around his waist. Shadow took to the clouds and the wind brushed my hair. His four mighty Stormcutter wings thrust us through the air until we were high up over the village.

"There's the arena where you'll be training tomorrow, there's the Great Hall and the lake."

I could hardly hear him over the rattling of the wind. I stretched my arms up and combed the clouds with my fingertips. It was beautiful.

"He's amazing." Alec patted his dragon proudly. "Yeah, he's great."

The sun was just coming up to its midday peak and it washed over our faces like a warm blanket.

"So, where are you from?"

I looked down because I knew what was coming. "Eagle Foot Island."

He fell quiet. "Oh...wasn't it there where that storm hit a few years ago?"

I nodded uncomfortably. "Yes. My Mum and Dad were fishing down in the ocean when it hit and they were caught on the rocks. My Mum survived with minor injuries., but my Dad...wasn't so lucky."

An awkward silence filled the air and Alec swallowed hard. "I'm sorry."

I shrugged sadly. "You can't hold a grudge against the weather."

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