How To Train Your Dragon- From One World To Another

Chapter Soundtrack(s):

'The Promise'

Copyrighted by: Dwayne Ford

Disclaimer:

The Film 'How To Train Your Dragon', is Copyrighted by DreamWorks Animation and Distributed by Paramount Pictures. Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois and released on March 26, 2010

The DreamWorks 'Dragons' were directed by Dean Deblois and Chris Sanders and released in 2013- 2018. I only claim Copyright to my characters and some of the elements of the story that are of my own creation.

Author Warning, Notes:

This symbol (*) means that there's something written about this particular paragraph in the Ending Author's Notes.

Viewpoint Signs:

***MS*** (movie scene)

***EMS*** (end of movie scene)

***WPov.*** (watcher's point of view)

...

Chapter 27

I suddenly began to feel concerned when I hadn't heard a peep from any one of the other humans, or dragons, watching what was happening on screen with me from quite some time. 

When I turned around to see my father's face I was immediately shocked to see that he was frozen in his seat.

Not literally, though, but he seemed to be entirely out of it, not registering what was happening around him.

And it wasn't just him!

My heart constricted painfully and goosebumps appeared all over my arms when I realized uncle Stoick, Hiccup, Snotlout, Astrid, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and all other Villagers of Berk (including all our dragons) seemed to be in the same sort of state.

'' Odin, what did you do to them all?'' I shrieked out into the silence of the room, shaking with outrage even as I grabbed my father's shoulders to try and waken him from the stupor, or frozen state he was in.

'' Dad? Dad! DAD!''

My throat tightened when there was no movement or response from him.

I gasped sharply, vaulted out of my father's lap and hurried over to my uncle and cousin where began shaking uncle Stoick by the shoulders before moving to repeat the motion on Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs, Ruffnut and Tuffnut.

But like father, there was no response from any of them!

Scrambling to my feet from where I'd been shaking Snotlout by the shoulders, I could feel my heart racing exponentially as I peered around the theatre room where I quickly discerned that all of Berk's community was in this very same state.

Like with those I had tried to force a movement out of, there was not even a twitch of a muscle from the people who had been watching the 'movie' with me.

'' Relax, young Ronja, I mean no harm to any of them, or to you, either. Your family and friends are only frozen in time.''

My hands clenched into tight fists by my sides at the sound of Odin's voice, but the soothing calm in the voice echoing into my ears made them eventually unwind.

I sucked in a breath, the tense muscles in my body beginning to relax and my harsh breathing becoming less uneven.

Then I jumped at the feel of what I believed was a warm hand on my shoulder.

But when I turned around to see who had done so, I saw nothing.

But I was sure someone was there, though I couldn't see or touch whoever it may have been. There was a bright, warm golden light by her side, albeit Odin wasn't revealing himself to me in human form.

'' This next part will be only for your eyes, as a reminder of what happened in the past,'' continued the soothing, calm voice of Odin. 

I stopped shaking, drawing in a deep calming breath as I turned my attention to the screen for a moment before.

'' But WHY is it only for my eyes, Odin? Wasn't the whole point of you bringing the whole of Berk, and my father, here to this theatre that you would reveal what I'd gone through? And the thoughts in my mind, the whole several months?'' I asked, my voice raw and tight.

 I hadn't quite shaken the worry I felt for my relations, friends and fellow Villagers.

'' Very true, young Ronja. This was my initial plan, but so was holding back some of the information I felt necessary to keep from the others until a later time in your lives. Your cousin, Hiccup, is a tenacious and bright minded individual who also, like all your friends, hold a strong sense of justice when it comes to protecting the creatures that have become a tight part of your Viking society. I feel that young Hiccup wouldn't stop to consider that he might be out of his league against the kind of people...''

'' Who have been hunting dragons for a living for years?! Of course, the people on that ship who brought me to Laketown were dragon hunters,'' Ronja murmured, wide-eyed.

'' And not just those particular Dragon-hunters you met on your journey,'' Odin answered seriously.

Ronja drew in another sharp breath and looked down at her feet.

'' Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, like all your teenaged friends and you, are still too inexperienced to face the threat looming outside the lands of your own archipelago. You all need time to learn and become a strong knitted group who will not be easily broken by those who oppose you.''

Ronja slowly looked up again as Odin said: '' Therefore I ask that you don't relay anything that I'll only reveal to your eyes.''

I clenched my jaw for a moment and said: '' Show me what you feel that I should relive, but afterwards, make me forget all that I saw until the time you say we are ALL ready to face these enemies you are so insistent on US not knowing until later on in our lives.''

'' You do know that you'll eventually have these memories, the past and the present discussion, returned to you one day.''

'' YES, I' M VERY AWARE OF THIS FACT!'' I snapped out, looking angered that Odin would think I wouldn't realize this particular detail on my own. '' But you are asking too much of me if you think I should agree in being the only one aware of these important pieces of information and carry the burden of knowing what others DON'T alone for who knows how many years! Let me remain innocently unaware until a time when I NEED to remember all that you are showing me today. I can cope with telling them that I ASKED you to make me forget, even though I feel it is more than prudent to FORCE you to make me forget, Odin!'

Ronja stopped to breath in the air for a moment before saying rather miserably: '' You have already ruled my fate so many times, Odin! Do you even realize that for over fifteen months I suffered mentally from being unable to confide in anyone that I was related to my cousin Hiccup and uncle Stoick?! Please, Odin, let me remain innocently unaware so I can have the 'gift' of telling my friends and family that you showed me all this in private, but then made me forget until a time we are all ready to know everything beyond our archipelago.''

I jolted when I felt a heavy, warm hand clap my shoulder, and Odin's voice filled my ears.

'' Well played move there, young Ronja and I applaud you for voicing your opinion to me so bluntly. You WILL become a great strategist one day, but for that, you will need the time to grow. I promise you that I'll make you forget all that I've shown, and revealed, to you. But that time isn't now. When it does happen, you will know.''

'' I so want to pull your beard for what you've already made me go through, Oh Great Odin,'' I answered with a slightly tearful laugh and was granted with the sound of Odin chuckling good naturally at my words.

'' I quite expected you to have the want to throttle me for my previous actions, young one,'' he answered between chuckles.

'' Yes, but thank you, Odin Thank you for allowing me this freedom of not knowing until its necessary,'' I said softly and bowed to the bright light in front of me before moving away from the touch of Odin's hand on my shoulder.

I walked resolutely back to where my father sat frozen in the cinema-theatre seat, stopping only to stroke and pat the snout of my motionless dragon friend, and climbed back in his lap.

I sighed quietly as I touched both my palms to his cheeks.

Father's eyes were open but completely unseeing (like with all those in the room dealing with the unexpected freeze in time). His skin was warm to the touch, but with no visible muscle movement to it.

When I touched a palm to his chest I could feel his heartbeat. He was breathing, the only sign of movement being the rise and fall of his chest.

I snuggled against my father's chest and turned my attention back onto the screen just as the image on the screen started moving, again...

...

Later that evening...

Ronja had been sleeping (albeit lightly), despite her rather odd accommodations inside what was a closet of sort inserted into the wall. (*1)

It was large enough for her to fit rather snugly, and yet it was still roomy enough for her to stretch out on the floor.

The closet may have been closed, but thankfully not kept locked if an emergency happened on board the ship during the sea voyage.

But the opening was still obscured in the way it was situated with the large bed (that belonged to the sister of the captain) partially blocking the entrance.

Any movement of getting out of the hidden closet inserted into the wall of the room would have been hindered by the large bed, and those sleeping on it would likely be alerted by the movement.

A safety measure that not only hindered the person attempting to crawl out but would act as an alarm to the other person sleeping in the room.

A heavy set of footsteps in the hall made the floors creak slightly under the weight of the people.

Ronja was startled awake inside the closet of the Captain's sister by the creaking of the door being pushed wide open, then closed.

She became more aware by the heavy footsteps entering the centre of the room and what sounded like an important, but a heated discussion between the two men inside the room that was empty of people (aside from herself).

Ronja tried to breathe evenly, but as quietly as possible as she stayed curled up on the floor listening with rapt attention.

''I don't understand why you couldn't have brought up this topic at a better time and location, Lars? The walls literally have eyes and ears in this room with the blasted teenager staying in these living quarters.''

Ronja had to stifle a giggle at the man's words. That had been unintentionally hilarious despite the insult to her.

'' This is important, and you know it, Ryker! What did the 'Healer and Wise woman' say of your condition when you went to see her before this expedition? Did she confirm the symptoms to be what you already believed them to be?''

The person, who Lars was talking to, was no doubt the captain of the ship.

'' So his name is Ryker, '' Ronja thought inwardly, recognising the gruff, accented voice easily even through the door.

The Captain, Ryker, gave an exasperated sigh before saying: '' Yes, the constipation, tremors, stiffness and most annoying of all, muscle weakness, are of the same sort as our grandfather's had been years before his condition deteriorated to the point where he could no longer function in a normal way.''

'' How long did our 'Healer and Wise women' say you have until the symptoms worsen?''

Ronja could almost imagine the cringe in the other man's demeanour as he asked this of the captain.

'' The symptoms will probably be more noticeable in four years or so. ''

An audible, exasperated groan from the Captain was heard through the door.

''Gods above! I'll have to watch how I act when I'm not working physically. Those tremors disappear when in movement.''

'' Do you really believe a certain someone would condemn you to a 'merciful death' if he were to find out about these symptoms?'' Lars could be heard asking with a sigh to his voice.

'' Yes, and you know how much this certain someone was affected when grandpa was given his own merciful death through the decision of our old chief, my father. Grandpa was an important person to Viggo. My little brother is practically obsessed with that stupid game these days because he was introduced to it at a young age. Gods, Viggo was taught everything there was to the game before grandpa's condition worsened and he started forgetting things. It left my brother feeling sour over the fact, that he was never able to beat our grandpa at the game while he had still been in reasonably prime condition.''

'' Yes, but you know that Gunnolf was an important person to you, too, and that it wasn't just your little brother whom your grandpa took time to teach the game. You and I were the first, then Viggo and Valda together. You weren't half bad in strategising within the game when you were a young teenager, but then the strange symptoms started occurring and you just weren't the same again. Anyone else could have just dismissed those symptoms as something that was an older teenager changing his interests and not bothering to become proficient in what didn't interest him. But I know you! We've been as thick as thieves since early childhood.''

Ryker just sighed at Lars's words.

'' And I'm surprised Viggo hasn't spotted the symptoms you've sported to be of the same sort as your grandfather's had been years ago,'' Lars continued.

'' You know how badly grandpa's death affected Viggo. He mourned his loss much longer than the rest of us. Besides, he was grandpa's favourite grandchild and he would indulge Viggo's curiousness,'' Ryker sighed out, sounding weary. '' And so he just might've decided to close his eyes from the signs or he just hasn't noticed yet. Its very plausible, as not every single detail can be taken to account. Although Viggo is very good in that apartment.''

'' And how long are you going to keep this a secret from your younger siblings?'' Lars asked with a sigh.

'' As long as possible; possibly to the day I've finally decided will be the one where I'll leave this world by my own choice. Not through another person deciding I have no more value! You know how ruthless Viggo is these days and I'm not going to be just another one of his game-pieces he can move and discard with one order.''

''He does care for you in his own way, '' Lars answered with a hint of exasperation in his voice.

'' Cares for me in his own twisted way, you say?! HAH!'' Ryker scoffed out with a dark, bitter chuckle.'' He lost interest in being a friend and brother to me after I could no longer do well in Maces and Talons. And don't think for one second I'm ornery enough to not notice the constant veiled insults he adds in between sentences sometimes to mock my apparent dull-brainedness. Cares for me?! Hah, sooner dragons will become our friends than Viggo ever caring for my fate.''

Lars could be heard uttering an exasperated grunt at Ryker's words. '' But what about Valda? She still looks up to you sometimes. And what about little Hrolf? Your little nephew adores you, Ryker.''

Ryker uttered a deep sigh.

'' I don't like keeping either Valda or Hrolf in the dark in this matter, but neither do I like the idea of not being the one to choose my own end to life. You will keep your mouth shut, Lars. And YOU...!''

Ronja's heart skipped a beat when she heard the footsteps approach the bed, and the creaking of it being pulled aside. 

The closet door opened and a hand reached inside to grab her by the front of the shirt.

Ronja gulped soundlessly as she was dragged out by the powerful limb.

'' If I find you have spilt any of the information you've overheard to the crew or more importantly, my sister, I swear that it will be the last ever piece of gossip you will ever spill! Do you understand?'' Ryker hissed, pulling Ronja so close to his face that their noses almost touched.

'' Y-yes, yes I understand. I- I promise I will not tell anyone what I overheard in this room'' Ronja squeaked out, stammering with her words and nodding intently as she stared into the large man's narrowed, dark eyes that were peering at her face warningly.

'' You better not, or it'll be your head that'll roll if you do gossip,'' Ryker growled to her face.

Ronja cringed at his words and yet she didn't dare to drop her gaze from his brown eyes.

'' Y-yes, of course,'' she stammered out quickly.

Ryker huffed and stared at her for a moment longer before changing his position slightly and pulling back his arm.

'' AHH!'' Ronja yelped as the captain flung her back inside the closet.

She hit the wall with a 'thump'.

'' Was throwing her really necessary, cousin?'' Lars sighed as he watched Ronja rubbing the back of her head with a grimace to her face.

'' What better way to put my words across to her,'' Ryker snorted as he decisively closed the door of the closet.

'' And as for you, do I need to pull out my twin swords to make a point that I don't want you blabbing any information to Valda and Viggo?''

Ronja couldn't hear an answer from the man who had pulled her aboard and escorted her to the Captain's cabin and so she could only guess how Lars had responded to his cousin's biting, threatening words.

...

I sighed inwardly and rubbed a hand over the back of my head as if soothing a phantom pain from the impact with the wall of the dragon-hunter ship.

'' Sure, Odin did say these parts are only for my eyes, but is he also... protecting me by not showing these scenes to the others? Could it be that one of the reasons Odin is purposefully leaving these particular scenes out of the other's knowledge is because he wants to preserve the promise I had made to the hulking sized captain of the ship, Ryker Grimborn?''

I sighed again.

'' Whatever the reason, I am partially grateful that this part had been left out of the 'movie'. I'm already embarrassed over having had to resort to lying about my origins to someone else other than my uncle, the Chief of Berk (even though there had been truth in my words, too). But to have been forced to make an oath to a Dragon-hunter...''

Ronja looked back at the Cinema-theater screen...

'' Is even more embarrassing.''

End of Chapter 27

...

Author Note(s):

(*1) I got the idea for these 'ship wall-closets' from the 'wall-closets' my own grandpa had built in his summer house  ;).

The name 'Valda' translates to the word or name 'brave'

The name 'Hrolf' translates to the words or name' famous wolf'

The name 'Gunnolf' translates to the words or name 'fighting wolf'

Constructive criticism is much appreciated by me, the Author