"Do you really have to go so soon?" Selene asks after our flight. "I do," I nod. "But I'll be back soon." "Take care out there, sis," Asher smiled. I smile back, despite knowing he can't see it around my mask. "I'll do my best, but no promises," I joke, to which he chuckles.

Stylive rawks to Asher, Selene and Melanite before we take off and start flying home. I keep an eye out to make sure they aren't following, but thankfully it doesn't happen. They either trust that I'll return, have a nice respect for my privacy or they aren't bothered.

I sigh slightly and lie face down on Stylive's back, tired. I just want to get home and sleep, maybe with Gordon curled up with me if he behaves himself and doesn't keep me awake.

My eyes are already drooping by the time we get back home and I waste no time in getting inside, yawning. Stylive walks me over to my room and drops me off outside the door. "Thanks, Stylive," I smile to her as I pull off my mask. "Do me a favour and sort Hiccup and Astrid out of they're still here. They'll be thinking we died."

She nods and hurries through the sanctuary, ready to let people know that I'm home at last. I head into my room and remove my armour so I can have a more comfortable sleep.

The minute my armour is off and only leaving the clothes underneath, the door opens and Hiccup and Astrid charge in. "You're okay, right?" Astrid asks. "I'm fine," I confirm. "Just got held up."

"Where were you?" Hiccup questioned, him and his betrothed calming down a little now. "Got caught by some dragon hunters," I lie, knowing better than to blab about me being with a supposedly extinct dragon pack that want to stay a secret. "Took us a while, but Stylive and I got out of there at sunrise and flew straight back here. Even if I try, I can't get a break. I did tell you."

"Okay," Hiccup nods slowly, taking the bait. "Did anything happen while I was gone?" I question. "And don't lie to me."

"Well... there was one thing, but I doubt you'll like it," Hiccup says. "And none of the dragons were hurt or anything, it's all sorted out already."

"Tell me," I snap, getting defensive. It's my natural response. "Valka got in," Astrid explained. "She came with that Stormcutter of hers. The Sentinels let her through, but then your Bewilderbeast used their mind control to make her Stormcutter fly away again."

I sigh slightly. "I told you the Alpha wasn't happy with Valka. She's not welcome here right now as far as the Alpha is concerned."

"Can't you just tell him to let her in?" Astrid asked. "No," I reply. "Well, I could try but I'm not sure how it would go down. Besides, I respect the Alpha's wishes and if he doesn't want her here then that's one less human to worry about."

"She's not going to harm a dragon here," Hiccup pointed out. "And what of me, the girl she threatened to kill for following a painless precaution on the child I never knew was her own?" I argue, cocking an eyebrow. This causes him to back down, knowing there's not much he can say about that.

"Oh my Thor..." Astrid mutters, looking at us with wide eyes. "What?" I ask her. "Did you just get the Hiccup Haddock to back down from an argument?"

We all laugh at that. "I guess I'm just that good," I joke. "Right, so what now? As fun as it is having people I can understand around, you can't stay forever."

"Might as well leave now," Astrid sighed. "If you're just going to erase our memories then there's not much point in staying any longer."

"Actually, I think I can make an exception to that rule with you two," I say, causing them to both look at me in surprise. "What?"

"You've proved several times over that you can be trusted around here," I state. "And I know I can trust you not to tell anyone... right?"

"Of course we wouldn't," Hiccup says. "Not even your little group?" I press. "Not even Fishlegs or Heather?" Astrid asks. "With Fishlegs I know for sure that I can trust him around here, but not that he can keep his mouth shut through an interrogation," I explain. "And with Heather... I don't know her well enough to trust her yet."

"We won't tell a soul, we promise," Hiccup smiles slightly. I can't help but smile back. "Thank you. But keeping your memories of this place will make you both prime targets for hunters and anyone else who wants to find this place. You speak to anyone about it, you're putting yourselves in just as much danger."

"Well, what else is new?" Astrid shrugs. "You're not the only one with dragon hunters after you."

"True," I nod, standing up. "Well as long as you keep it a secret, I think I can trust you. Just don't let this bite me in the butt."

"We won't," Hiccup chuckles. "We'd better be going, then. Can't leave Berk without their chief." "You're the chief now?" I ask in surprise. "What happened to Stoick?"

Their expressions grow sad. "He died protecting Hiccup," Astrid whispers in my ear, making me realise my mistake. "Oh my gods... I'd say I'm sorry, but words mean nothing. But I know you'll make him proud of how you'll run Berk, Hiccup. He died protecting you, don't let that be in vain."

He nods, now smiling slightly. "You really know how to handle these talks, don't you?" "I used to get it a lot when the subject of parents came up around the school," I shrug. "Picked up a few things that people do and don't want to hear."

"Well you did good," he nods. "Thank you. Would it be possible to come back here at some point or is that off limits?"

"If you're going to keep your memories, you might as well be able to come here again," I reply. "I'll let the patrols know you're welcome, but if you come with human guests be prepared to be watched like a hawk."