I forced my legs to move faster. The trees went by in a blur on either side of me. My breathing was now heavy and I took in deep breaths, trying to keep going. Faster! I thought. Faster!

Ahead, between the trees, I made out the village. I slowed to a jog, making sure to breath evenly. I had run the whole forest as fast as I could just for the fun of it. Well, also because there was no way I was going to get out of shape.

I jogged to my house and stopped by my porch. Panting, I bent over the sun-dial I had set out and smiled.

Fastest yet.

I had been the fastest person in my village back where I used to live. Now I was sure I had to be the fastest on Berk.

Satisfied, I tossed my white braid tipped in grey back over my shoulder and stepped onto my porch.

"Oh!" Egil chirped as he rounded the corner, jumping back from the porch when he saw me.

I stopped. Bjorg was there, too. The difference was that he smiled a greeting while Egil hid behind him. I giggled.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, walking up to them.

"Jus' goin' fer a walk." Bjorg smiled, resting a hand on his belt. "Whah are ye goin' inside on such er fine day?"

"I've already gone out for a run." I told him, resting my weight on one hip.

"Aye, runnin'." Bjorg nodded, still grinning. "Ye fast?"

"Pretty fast." I grinned. I was pretty fast alright.

"Do you 'ave lunch in the Great Hall?" Bjorg asked.

"Sometimes." I told him.

"Good." He beamed. "Maybe I will see ye at lunch then."

"Sure." I said. Then I looked at Egil staring at his taller, older brother while twiddling his fingers.

"I'm sorry for Bluewing's actions yesterday. I'll have to make it up to you."

"Yes." Egil stammered. On cue, Bluewing came to sit on the edge of the roof. Egil clutched the treasures on his belt, shaking.

Bjorg burst out laughing. "Aye, he told me the story!" he bellowed. "Hilarious! Aye, Thor. He needs tha' book, forgets everything otherwise. He has a terrible memory." Bjorg grinned even bigger.

I smiled. "Then watch it around Bluewing."

"Right." Egil quivered.

"Alright, see ye later." Bjorg waved and walked away, roughly pushing Egil ahead of him and making Egil stumble.

I watched them go, then went inside.

In the kitchen, I noted my trash bucket was getting full. On top was the broken glass. I sighed, but looked away and went upstairs.

Now added to my wall treasures, was the rolled up note that had been in the bottle. I had tried reading it again, but the message was in a different language. It looked nice in it's new place, though, among the gifts from my friends and the shells I had put there.

In my room, I stacked the messy papers on my desk and moved them to the top shelf. After I had tidied up everywhere else, I considered going back outside.

I bit my lip and looked down at my arm. I had bandaged it only because it started bleeding every time I bumped it. Yes I was bored, but if I went outside with the bandage on, Snotlout would keep bugging me. Almost holding my breath, I hurried to the kitchen window and leaned out. Snotlout wasn't in sight. I decided to take a chance.

Walking into town, I hoped to bump into Hiccup. A picture of us under the stars came to mind and I smiled.

Someone came out from behind a house. Snotlout! I jumped back.

"Hi Cloud." Ruffnut greeted in her hoarse voice. Tuff came up beside her. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hi Ruff, Tuff." I managed a smile. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Tuff grunted. Just a week ago, he wouldn't have said more than a few words when I was around, but now we knew each other well enough so that he wasn't always gawking at me. He continued, "Hiccup and the chief have been patrolling too much for us to do anything."

"Hey, nice hair." Ruff grinned.

I held up the tip of my braid. It was grey and stringy. "I need to cut it." I said, feeling a tiny lump in my throat.

"Nah. It could be your trade mark." Ruff studied it. I flipped it behind me, out of sight.

"So where are YOU going?" Tuff asked.

"I dunno. I'm bored." I admitted.

"Kindred spirits." Tuff smirked. He looked at his sister. "What should we all do?"

An evil grin spread all the way to the back of Ruff's head.

My stomach went into knots. I knew how much trouble these two got into.

I didn't hear what Ruff suggested. But a minute later, I was sitting behind her on Barf and we were flying to who knows where. For once the sky and clouds didn't make me feel good. Yes they called to me, but it was the words, "Come here and escape."

There was no way I was eating in the Great Hall in this condition.

I cleaned up the dirt, blood, and ash from my disheveled figure. I re-braided my hair and changed my clothes. I would never hang out with the twins alone again.

Clean, I entered the Great Hall, and when I had gotten my food, looked around for Hiccup. I saw him sitting with his father. The other dragon riders sat at a table near there. I took it only chieftains and their heirs sat where Hiccup was and headed over to where my friends sat.

On the way over I spotted Egil sitting at a table in the corner. I walked by, smiling in greeting.

He reached out to grab my arm but pulled back at the last second. "Have ye seen Bjorg?" he quivered.

I frowned. I hadn't realized Bjorg wasn't there. I looked around the Great Hall then shook my head.

"No, sorry." I said. "Do you want to sit with us?"

He shook his head until his face was a blur. "No thanks. I am good."

"Suit yourself." I smiled, walking over to the table my friends were at.

When Snotlout asked if my arm was better, I groaned. How had I forgotten he would ask that? That wasn't the only thing. After spending time with the twins, my arm was worse.

None the less, the meal was nice. But to my dismay, Hiccup left with Stoick right after. To make me feel worse, Stoick scowled at me as he passed by.

I excused myself and left the Hall. Hiccup and Stoick were walking up to their home. I headed to mine.

The sky was pink, and there was a charming view of the sunset. I forced myself to relax. Why should I be tense anyway?

Then I stopped and frowned. Someone was running away from my house. Someone tall and well muscled. In the dying light, I could just make out the face.

Bjorg.

I ran after him, trusting in my legs to catch up. "Hey!" I shouted.

Bjorg zipped around a corner. I dashed after him, then slammed to a halt.

He was nowhere to be seen.