[GEM]

The combined songs of the snipes and plovers chirped across the forest, as well as the distant roar of a dragon likely fetching breakfast for its nest.

The sun was bright and warm, a comforting sensation for them this morning.

Moira opened her eyes slowly as she felt restriction, noticing Uriah's arms around her waist from behind as he held her in his sleep. She could feel each gentle breath that he took against her neck and his subtle heartbeat against her back.

Cailean had fallen asleep where a bed's headboard would be, his wing propped up like a lean-to.

[MELODY]

A small smile appeared on her face when she noticed Uriah holding her in his sleep. She didn't dare to move, not wanting to wake him but she did try to reach for Cailean. Ikatere was laying against Uriah's back fully curled up.

[GEM]

The wing of her dragon blocked them from the view of the others but she could hear them talking and walking about in the distance as they woke up and were most likely packing.

"You kicked me in your sleep last night," she heard Tuffnut say.

"Oh no I was fully awake when I did that," his sister remarked, adding to the little talking she overheard.

The view before Moira was just that of the forest, the tall green grass with spots of light dancing top it from the branches above it, stones dotting the landscape covered in moss. Even a small red bird landed on a branch and looked curiously before flying away.

Uriah stirred when she moved a little and when he realized she was awake he tightened his grip around her and kissed the back of her neck. "Good morning firefly," his husky voice said softly, a very welcoming sound to be woken by.

[MELODY]

A light blush appeared on her face when he did that as she reached carefully behind her going with her hand through his hair gently. "..good morning..ye seemed to have slept well.." she said softly to him.

[GEM]

He laughed when she did this and let her go so she could flip to her back and he propped himself up over her on one elbow, smirking at her as his hand rested at the crook of her waist. "I wasn't the only one. You look so much better than you did last night," he joked as if being serious.

[MELODY]

"Oh do i?" She asked him as she copied his smirk. She was very aware of her 'morning hair' like she called it. Even if she put her hair in a braid before sleeping, the next morning it would be a mess.

[GEM]

He chuckled, showing off his dimples. "I'm jesting, love..." he said sweetly and then added, "You still look awful." with a forced frown.

[MELODY]

She rolled her eyes at him. "..thank ye so much for that compliment .." she said to him with sarcasm as a small smile appeared on her face anyway. "We should probably pack.." she said but didn't want to get up.

[GEM]

He laughed again when she made that first remark and wrapped his arms around her to keep her captive again as he kissed her cheek.

"Nah they don't need us," he replied to her second comment, putting another small kiss by her ear.

[MELODY]

Moira smiled warmly when he did that laying her head against his shoulder as he held her closing her eyes again. "..I just want to stay here like this.." she whispered honestly to him.

[GEM]

"God knows I wouldn't mind waking up like this every morning," he remarked with a smile in his voice, using his fingers to move some tangled hair out of her face. His heart felt like it would overflow with how much he adored her. He didn't even have a way to put it into words.

[MELODY]

"..let's try to keep this up then.." She said opening her eyes again as she looked into his. "..I want that as well.." Her gaze said enough about how much she loved him.

[GEM]

He gazed at her with surprise at her words, worried he was saying too much or coming on too strong. But as he looked into her eyes he saw a future he thought he wasn't good enough to have and it made his heart leap in his chest with joy. His was lost in her eyes and he leaned forward to kiss her with love pouring out of every gesture.

And when their lips parted he said, "I think I love you more than the flower loves the spring—"

She giggled with amusement at this.

"I-I'm sorry that was weird and incredibly cheesy—I just find myself unable to think of the right words sometimes—"

"No, it wasn't," she tried to say.

"No it was," Faelan suddenly said, alerting them that he was there as they both froze and looked over at him as he was standing casually against the tree. He made a smile and said, "Breakfast," before dropping them some cooked fish and bread on a cloth by their bedrolls and sauntering off plainly.

There was silence that fell over the two love birds as Uriah blinked and said, "How long had he been there?"

[MELODY]

"I-..I don't know.." Moira said as her face had gone red when she saw Faelan. She sighed softly before she carefully sat up when he let her go. "I guess we need to eat.."

[GEM]

"Mhm," he said uncomfortably, scratching the back of his neck.

As Faelan walked back to the others he gave a thumbs up and Snotlout said, "Ha! I told you!" to Ruffnut.

"That's disgusting! It's daylight!" she said as if repulsed.

"Just pay up, blondie."

Hiccup walked over to where Kahu was sharpening his spear, hesitant but sure of himself. "Uh... Hey. We cooked some fish. If you want any," he handed him a spit stuck through a freshly roasted cod and then turned to walk away.

[MELODY]

Kahu looked up from his spear as Hiccup began to talk to him. He looked over at the fish he placed down not sure how to react to this as he wasn't used to this kind of kindness. "..thank you.." he said as hiccup turned his back to him but it was clear this kindness from them made him slightly uncomfortable.

[GEM]

Yrsa was nearby, sitting Indian style under a tree eating her own fish for breakfast as she watched that exchanged curiously but when back to eating.

Astrid was looking up at Hiccup as she strapped her bedroll to Stormfly. "So we're all just expected to be chummy with this guy that was trying to kill you?" she said as she fastened a buckle aggressively.

Hiccup glanced at her but went back to fixing his bracer. "He was fighting for his convictions like the rest of us."

She scoffed. "You can't possibly believe that. Do you remember the way he spoke to you? He treated you like you didn't even deserve life in the first place," she spoke with emphasis as she faced him, her expression showing anger.

He looked back at her and then away. "What do you want me to do, Astrid?" he asked, done with this.

"We saved his life. Let him go but don't bring him back to Berk," she said with disgust. "I don't trust myself not to kill him if he steps wrong."

[GEM]

"No... No, Astrid I'm not going to treat people with contempt just because I don't understand them. Yes, he practically spat on me. And I won't forgive him for threatening your life. But I'm not going to send him away with the kind of enemy we're facing. We need every ally we can get," he insisted, talking with the same passion she did. "I don't think you have grasped what we are up against... I assume you've witnessed his fighting skill by now and we need that on our side so play nice and we can focus on what to do after this war is over."

"If you seriously expect me to—"

"We have a common enemy. He's not going to fight us now. Not without anything to give him and especially now that all of his people are gone. We need him to fight with us. So yes... play nice. And that's a chief's order," he spat, not realizing he had taken on that role already but he just walked over to Toothless to begin packing the saddle, leaving her there to think about what he said.

She worked a muscle in her jaw but went back to what she was doing with annoyance still brewing in her system.

"Shouldn't you guys be packing?" Ruarcc said skeptically to the twins who were arm wrestling on a flat boulder.

"Yeah, after I win," Ruff said with struggle.

Tuffnut was straining.

Uriah and Moira joined the others as this was happening and saw them.

[MELODY]

Moira raised an eyebrow when she saw the twins arm wrestling when she looked over her shoulder at Uriah. "Who do you think wins? I think Ruffnut." She whispered to him with amusement in her voice.

[GEM]

"Hmmm... I say Tuff," he decided with a hand at his beard in deep contemplation.

"Do I hear bets being placed?" Faelan said suddenly as he popped up behind them with an arm on each shoulder, holding a coin purse in his right hand.

Uriah nearly jumped and said, "Would you please stop popping up out of nowhere?" He then took his coin purse. "And this is Astrid's!" he scolded.

[MELODY]

Moira jumped when Faelan popped up behind that before glaring at him as she gave him a slap against the back of his head. "..and stop stealing from everyone!" She scolding him as well.

[GEM]

"Ow!" he complained as he took his arms off them. "You dare clip the wings of a dove?" he said with offense.

"You mean a crow, you kleptomaniac?" Uriah shot back.

"Either way," he replied.

Uriah rolled his eyes.

"Oh come on, Tuffnut, you're better than that," Arne said with a mouthful of bread.

"Finish him, Ruff!" Gregor joined in.

"I'm trying!" she replied through her teeth but he was winning.

"You got this! She's a useless and ugly wench anyway!" Snotlout said suddenly, making Ruffnut gape in offense but that's when her grip give out as her arm was slammed to the stone.

"Yes!" Tuffnut shouted and stood up as the ones who were rooting for him cheered.

[MELODY]

As Moira turned around and let out a deep sigh before watching the match again. When Snotlout made that comment about Ruffnut she shot him a glare wanting to punch him in his face but she knew Ruffnut could handle herself towards him.

[GEM]

Ruffnut also stood up immediately. "No! Fowl! I call fowl! Interjection! Interception! Or something!"

Snotlout and Tuffnut grabbed each other's hand in congratulations before Snotlout looked at her and said, "You play to win, sweetheart. Even if that means you play dirty."

She lost it as she grit her teeth and chased him off with fury.

[MELODY]

Moira looked after them as a small smirk appeared on her face before she looked up at Uriah. "I should check on Fionnlagh.." she said before giving him a kiss on his cheek. She then walked off to look for him.

[GEM]

"And the king is Tuffnut Thorston!" Tuff said with his hands in the air.

"I'm subbing in," Yrsa interrupted the merriment with her arms crossed.

"What?" Tuff asked with confusion.

"You heard me..." she sat in front of the boulder they were using. "Unless the little gutter rat is scared huh?" she antagonised.

He scoffed and sat down full of confidence. "Just try not to break your arm then."

"I'll try," she replied plainly.

Gregor hopped over to referee. "Are we ready?"

"Bets?!" Faelan said as he held up a different coin purse this time.

Uriah glanced down at his belt and then at his friend with an irritated eye-roll.

"I'm ready," Yrsa said with a glare at her opponent.

[MELODY]

Kahu had noticed her making her way to the others. As he wondered what was going on and what she was planning he followed her. He was now leaning against one of the trees closest to them watching the match.

[GEM]

"Go!" Gregor announced.

The two began to wrestle their arms with intensity, both of them very competitive and that could be seen in their eyes. The others cheered and talked loudly around them about this as it was happening, the two straining to win over the other.

"You're going down!" Tuff said through his teeth.

"Yeah? You seem confident, don't yuh?" she replied with more sass.

"You seem like a stupid... idiot..." he said but couldn't think of a good insult while straining this hard.

"You think I'm givin' in you'd be mistaken," she replied smoothly. "I don't ever quit. Not here, not in combat... and not even in the bedroom—"

His eyes widened suddenly and she slammed his hand down. "Ha!" she gloated.

Uriah lifted his brows at her comment and the others began shouting and cheering and then loudly arguing about fairness.

"What?!" Tuffnut realized, shaking his head. "No! Do-over!"

"You play to win and you play dirty, ye?" she said with a smirk.

[MELODY]

Kahu scoffed shaking his head slightly in reaction to her comment but a smirk appeared on his face anyway when she smirked like that. But before others could see it disappeared again.

[GEM]

"You're a stupid..." he began and then just stormed off because he couldn't think of a comeback.

Uriah smirked with amusement as the others continued to argue.

Fionnlagh was leaning against a tree nearby as he watched this all go down and he smiled with Moira came to him. "It's good to see the group morale is still high despite everything," he told her. He looked more like himself today; stronger and with some extra gear provided by others given his old clothes were dirty and torn up.

[MELODY]

Moira nodded in agreement as she went to stand next to him. "..it is..this group of people surprisingly always keep it high..even in these circumstances." She said with a small smile as she watched the group as well. "..it's important to keep going."

[GEM]

He nodded, his arms crossed as he watched them. "I'm glad you have them," he said thoughtfully.

[MELODY]

Her smile grew as he said that. "I am glad I got them as well.." she said as it showed in her expression how much she cared for them all. "Although sometimes I want to punch some in the face..they can be eejits.." she said sighing softly. "And a hand full.."

[GEM]

He chuckled. "I know the feeling," he said with nostalgia. When there was a moment of silence between them he added, "They would be proud of you, Moira... all of them," but not speaking about the group before her.

[MELODY]

Moira was a bit caught of guard by that as she glanced over at him giving him as her smile became slightly sad. She wasn't sure how to reply to it as she looked down to her feet. "Edgar would have probably made a few comments about my choice of friends.." she said with a dry chuckle.

[GEM]

He chuckled as well. "He'd be jealous," he jested.

When she copied his chuckle he put his left arm around her in a hug lovingly, genuine gladness in his eyes.

Uriah looked over at the two of them for a moment as this happened.

Moira smiled up at Fionnlagh but then when she looked forward her expression changed to one of annoyance. "Oh come on!" she said with disbelief and stormed over to break up the fight between Snotlout and Ruffnut as she was sitting on him and slapping him in the face repeatedly.

Fionnlagh shook his head with amusement.

Uriah watched her yell at them both as he walked up to the war chief.

"Thank you, lad. You not only saved my life back there but you've been watching over her well..."

"She's a treasure. And I do it gladly," he admitted with a slight smile but as he looked back at the others, standing at Fionnlagh's side, his attitude began to gradually shift into something more sober...

Gregor and a few others intervened with Moira, Snotlout, and Ruff, making jokes and talking over one another.

As Uriah watched Moira laugh with them, he said in a serious tone to Fionnlagh, "...Does she know?"

The man hesitated, not replying at first as he glanced over at Uriah, the man returning his gaze with a stern one. Fionnlagh then looked back ahead of him as he staid, "...No."

Uriah continued to stare at him for a moment before he turned and walked away from him...

[GEM]

Fionnlagh watched Moira with something weighing on his heart now... but he dismissed it.

As they prepared their dragons for departure from the island, Hiccup took the lead with Toothless. "It will be likely an all day flight but we should arrive on Berk by the evening," he told his group. "So keep the shenanigans to a minimum." He shot Ruffnut a glare but she just threw up her arms in defense, Snotlout beside her all bruised from their tussle.

"Come on, we're burning daylight," Astrid said.

Uriah gave Moira a kiss on the cheek before he mounted Ikatere. "Try not to kill us, alright lad?" he asked his dragon.

[MELODY]

Ikatere rumbled lowly as if he was slightly annoyed by that comment. You could almost see him roll his eyes. Moira chuckled as she watched them mounting Cailean. "He is really like a young lad being scolded by his father." She said with amusement in her voice.

[GEM]

Uriah laughed. "If that child were to drop me in subzero temp waters then I'd be just as hard on him as I would be on Ika, isn't that right?" he threatened the dragon.

[MELODY]

Ikatere let out another low rumble as if grumpily promising he wouldn't pull anything impulsive like he normally would. Moira installed herself in Cailean's saddle as she watched the two of them with the same amused look on her face.

[GEM]

Uriah pat the dragon on the side of the neck and held on tight when Toothless glided off the edge of the cliff.

With that, the group of riders took to the sky and headed south, nothing but the open ocean ahead of them as they left their island behind...

It had been a long time since Muiredach was awakened by the warmth of the sun and the sounds of various birds and woodland creatures so near... It was like waking up in some kind of dreamscape. His eyes opened as the light coming from the trees made patterns across his skin, almost having to squint because of the occasional sunray that would shine into his eyes between the blowing branches.

He shut his eyes again as he breathed in the fresh scent of the woods, the smell of sweet pine and tree sap filling his nose. There was an overwhelming sense of peace in his body, as if feeling like a ghost was embracing him. He couldn't quite explain it.

He felt warmth around his arm and when he looked down he saw that Melody was wrapped around it, sleeping soundlessly with her cheek against his shoulder.

His heart began to flutter with the feeling of gentle gladness at such an endearing, and even cute, sight... and he rested his head back against the pillow again. He closed his eyes once more as he enjoyed such a dreamy feeling in his soul. The two of them in this cozy cottage in the woods, the sun shining on them, safe and sound... it felt like for a moment none of his problems existed.

Of course that was silly... but he couldn't help letting himself believe that...

Just for a minute or two...

[MELODY]

A small smile had appeared on Melody's face as she stayed asleep holding onto him like that. This was the first time she slept more peacefully being with him then she would have with Lyre. Often there was this feeling in her sleep creeping up at her that made her wake up rather abruptly.

[GEM]

Runa was outside, considering waking them up to start the day of training but when she saw them through the flap that opened from the blankets covering the hole in the cabin wall, she smiled to herself, never seeing him look so at ease before. So she walked away back to her dragon and left them there.

Muiredach was lost in this moment, and didn't consider anything that they had to do for once, enjoying the strange freedom of an empty mind, quiet from all the thoughts fighting their way to him at a constant rate.

When he looked down at her he suddenly felt the urge to keep her close forever but he couldn't explain why. Of all people why her? Had he just been getting soft? He thought about this as he looked back at the ceiling instead, not wanting to move and wake her.

[MELODY]

After a while Melody slowly started to wake up as she shifted slightly before groaning softly as she opened her eyes slowly. She had to close them again against the bright sunlight shining in. When she opened them again she noticed Muiredach was still next to her and the position they were in. A soft blush appeared on her face as she glanced up at him. Not sure if she should move and let go when she wanted to stay like this.

[GEM]

He was staring at the ceiling when she looked at him, lost in thought. And when she laid her head back down, she felt his eyes on her. He was surprised she didn't move away or was somehow embarrassed of the koala-like position she was in but for some reason her shameless content to remain like that forced a slight smile to his lips, liking when she was confident.

He looked back at the ceiling. "Sleep well?" he finally asked in a morning voice, something that she weirdly liked; the idea of her being the first person he spoke to in the morning adding to it.

[MELODY]

A smile appeared on her face when she saw his. She realized that she just loved watching him; to go over every detail of his appearance and expression. "..I did..did you?" She asked him at a calm but soft tone.

[GEM]

There was something that tempted him to say the smallest response possible to keep closed off from her but he pushed through that and gave an honest answer. "...Better than I have in a long time," he said, realizing this as he was speaking, still watching the beams above his head but but despite how he looked, his mind was only on her...

[MELODY]

Melody's smile grew when he said that noticing how calm he was now. "I am glad you did.." she said to him quietly as she kept her gaze on him.

[GEM]

He looked at her finally, something in him flickering on when he did. But he kept his composure, the hand belonging to the arm she was still wrapped around fiddling with the soft tips of her white blonde hair. He looked up again when he said, "...Despite what you were saying in your sleep."

[MELODY]

"What?" She asked with a confused expression on her face as she looked into his eyes. "What did I say?"

[GEM]

"Oh just my name of course... over and over. But in a much softer way than before," he said with his brows knit together as if talking about something troubling.

[MELODY]

Melody's blush got redder as she quickly let go of him and sat up. She took a deep breath before looking over her shoulder at him. "..well I will stop myself from saying it again then.." she said to him plainly as she got off the bed.

[GEM]

"Melody," he said in a strange way.

[MELODY]

She had picked up her boots to put them up as she glanced over at him. "Yes?"

[GEM]

He was giving her an interesting look, seemingly like he was holding back amusement as he remained where he was...

She pursed her lips and looked away with frustration. "That wasn't funny," she said with annoyance.

He cracked into an actual genuine chuckle, the first she had heard and his expression was stretched into a wide grin as he did, revealing dazzling teeth and an adorable laugh that she wasn't expecting from him as he just couldn't resist, looking away from her in order to stop.

[MELODY]

She stared at him when she heard that chuckle and saw that grin. It made blood rush to her cheeks again and return a smile to her face. "Jerk..." She mumbled as she shook her head slightly. She sat down on a chair to put her boots on.

[GEM]

She heard him get up but didn't pay attention to where he walked to until he was right in front of her, kneeling down to tie the boot she was struggling with. He had his hand on her calf as he looked up at her and said, "Indeed I am," smugly before leaving her to put on his own gear.

[MELODY]

She rolled her eyes at him as he said that but the blush stayed on her cheeks as she watching him walk away again. She then picked up the armor they had given to her. She hesitated having never worn armor before but she knew it was necessary. She sighed softly before trying to put it on properly which wasn't easy.

[GEM]

"You might want to wear something a bit less... well less... under that armor," he remarked plainly, seeing she was trying to put it on over her sleeping clothes.

[MELODY]

"..well..alright.." Melody said sighing softly as she took the armor off again and looked through her clothes she got out of the rubble. "Can you...like..get out?" She asked as she glanced over at him having to change into other clothes.

[GEM]

"Well I wasn't planning to stay if that was where your mind was," he said as he fastened his cloak on and left out the door.

[MELODY]

She let out an irritated sigh when he said that and watched him leave before she switched her sleeping clothes for the clothes that came with the armor. She did however keep them as she put the outfit in her bag. Without her own clothes underneath the armor went on much easier. She still felt uncomfortable however as it had belonged to someone else who died in it.

But she put that aside for now. After all, she had a long day ahead of her.