A Siren's Song - A Hiccup Love Story (HTTYD/RTTE)

12

• • •

It was early the next morning when Aldru announced her journey to the other riders. "And if any of you want to come along," she concluded, "I can ensure us a safe flight."

"I'd love to!" Fishlegs immediately jumped at the opportunity.

Tuffnut, however, frowned, "uh, no can do. Someone's got to look after Chicken, and frankly, I don't trust Snotlout not to try and eat her." He glared at the black hair Viking while petting Chicken gently.

"Well, guess that means I'm staying, too," Ruff said before headbutting her brother hard.

Snotlout scoffed and responded, "I don't wanna be stuck here with you anyways; I'll come."

Astrid chuckled and shook her head. "I'll stay here and keep and eye on things." Everyone knew that by 'things', she'd meant the twins.

Hiccup shot her a grateful smile and sighed in relief, "thanks, Astrid."

Once it was decided who was doing what, Aldru changed into dragon form. She hopped playfully over to Chicken and nuzzled her side as she cooed happily and flapped her wings. After that, Aldru and the three other riders set off.

At first, she really had no idea where she was going. But after flying out far enough, random things seemed to point her in the right direction. They were things only she noticed, like a boulder pointing one way, or and seagull flying another way. She didn't know why, or how, but this was the way to her island of birth. And after hours in the air, they'd finally found it.

Aldru soared happily over the island, unable to contain her joy of remembrance. It was small for an island, only a quarter mile in diameter. Yet it formed a perfect circle. The entire perimeter was beach, and climbed up into beautiful forests.

"Woah," Fishlegs uttered, "this place is amazing."

The riders followed Aldru to a wide clearing and landed. Hiccup laughed as Aldru rolled around on the ground and bounced from tree to tree. Finally, she turned herself human. "It's exactly as we left it," she exclaimed with a happy sigh.

"You mean, no one else has been here?" Snotlout asked in confusion.

Aldru nodded. "Only a song wing can find the island, and only invited guests are allowed here."

"How does that work?" Fishlegs asked, readying his charcoal and notebook.

"I'm not entirely sure," Aldru admitted, "but the island has a mind of it's own. It knows who is and isn't supposed to be here, and points away those who aren't invited." Aldru then raced off, shouting back, "come on, this way!"

The four stopped at the entrance of a cave. "What is this place?" Hiccup wondered aloud.

Aldru lead the way with a torch lit by Toothless, "this is where the eggs are kept." They finally reached the end of the cave. It opened up into a huge room, the ground littered with empty nests. "Obviously, there used to be a lot more of us," she explained, "of course, I've never seen it, but my mother dragon said she remembered sitting eggs when this cave was full."

"Uh, 'mother dragon'?" Snotlout repeated.

"Oh, right," Aldru spoke as though she'd forgotten to tell them something, "song wings aren't raised by their actual mothers. Even full grown, song wings can barely take care of themselves. So before coming here to lay, they bring a trusted female dragon to hatch and raise the baby." She paused before adding with a smile, "I was raised by a very old monstrous nightmare; she lives back on Dragon's Edge now as a sort of second-in-command to me."

Fishlegs looked as if he were about to explode with delight at the new knowledge. "Aldru, would you mind if I take a look around the island?" He asked eagerly.

Aldru smiled bright, "go ahead." The Viking quickly rushed out of the cave. The song wing laughed and then turned to a very bored looking Snotlout and suggested, "hey, Snotlout, there's some really delicious fruit in the trees by the beaches."

At the mention of food, Snotlout perked up and also left the cave in a rush.

Finally, Hiccup was able to find his words. He admired the cave and smiled and he spoke, "this is just..unbelievable. This island, the history, all of it."

Aldru laughed, "I'm glad you think so." She paused before making a suggestion, "I'm sure Fishlegs would love to geek out with you right about now."

At this, Hiccup stopped smiling. He gave Aldru a curious look and asked, "..are you trying to get us all out of here for some reason?"

With a gentle smile of amusement, Aldru confirmed, "maybe, but don't worry so much about it. I just want to look for something."

But Hiccup wasn't going anywhere. Instead he shot her a sideways grin and inquired, "then let me help you."

Aldru rolled her eyes and grinned, then began to walk, careful not to crush any nests. She stopped by one nest along the back of the cave where a stone podium stood four feet tall. On top of it sat a small wooden box.

"I always saw this when I was young," Aldru began, "I never thought anything of it, really. But I wonder..."

Carefully she opened the lid. Inside was a small brown pouch and a letter addressed to her. Aldru gasped slightly. She didn't know what she'd expected to find, but it certainly wasn't this. With a shaking hand, Aldru picked up the letter.

The wax had been stamped with a blank seal, which only heightened her confusion and nervousness. She slid her finger under the flap of paper and opened it. The breaking seal made a sharp popping noise that echoed in the silent cave.

Finally Aldru removed the letter and opened it.

To my beloved Aldru, I'm deeply saddened that I will never meet you; there's so much I want to tell you. But circumstances demand you and I live apart. So I pass this to you, may you have better luck with it than I ever had.

Hiccup watched a tear rolled down the girl's cheek and placed a hand of comfort on her back. But still, Aldru kept herself together as she picked up the small brown pouch. It jingled softly as she did. But when she opened it and peered inside, her eyes widened and she breathed, "Hiccup..!"

Hiccup watched in shock as Aldru emptied the bag into her hand, and a dragon eye lense rolled out.