How To Train Your Dragon- From One World To Another, And Yet I'm Home  

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 (*) and a number mean that there's something written about this particular paragraph in the Ending Author's Notes.

The Chapter Title (below) is old Norse. Its meaning is 'cut asunder'

*D*** means Diary Text and *ED** means End of Diary

*BOF*** means the Beginning of Flashback

*EOF*** means the End of Flashback

...

Chapter 4 Taka í sunder

BANGGGGG

The door crashed open, violently, and I whirled around to meet the person barging outside face to face.

...

My mouth went wide at the sight. Stoick the Vast had been the one to barge through that door with a serious, and worried expression on his bearded face. I opened my mouth to speak but before I could a loud screech was heard from behind the tall Viking Chief, and something huge and dark of colour lunged at me.

I was almost bowled over completely before being engulfed in soothing warmth as the creature with scales and two wings curled its body around me, cocooning me to her side. I couldn't help a small giggle at the ticklish feel when the creature very insistently ran its hot tongue over my face, my neck, back, chest, arms and hands.

'' Thank's a lot, Anca,'' I murmured sincerely upon having the feeling actually return to the skin and limbs that had been exposed to the freezing elements.

My friend uttered a scolding huff before blowing a small gust of hot air from its nostrils before insistently nudging me under its belly. I stumbled a little, weak-kneed and sat down on top of my friend's large forepaw. Anca's large draconic wings were then raised up to wrap around me. And then she suddenly flamed up, but only from the entire length of her back right to the tips of her tail. Her fire didn't burn me as the dancing flames were kept contained where it wouldn't reach me.

'' Wow! Haven't seen Anca do that before, or any other of her kind, in fact,'' I thought in wonder, finding myself gushing over the unexpected new dragon's- ability. I reached up to rub under Anca's chin even as I nestled closer to her front leg.

''Ronja.''

I looked up to see the chief crouching down in front of me. I found myself unable to turn away from his green eyes that held a besieging and yet worried look.

'' You may call yourself a terrible sister. But what you did, giving my son something he desperately needed, being the someone to care about what he did and felt when I wasn't there for him; you might want to see it as redeeming quality.''

I wanted to disagree with that notion; he hadn't been there to see me mistreat Sonja. But before I could speak up the chief held up a palm to gently halt my words.

'' This solemn mood you have been showing these past two weeks isn't something that's appeared all of a sudden. Hiccup talked to me after today's dinner, saying that your moods have been piling up the entirety of this past year, from the very day you stepped onto these shores. He urged me to discuss this with you because you won't open up to him. And as a grown-up, I'm expected to be someone you can talk to when you need to let something out.''

I fought back a cringe at those words. Yes, I did want to be able to talk to a grown-up but my reasons of heart-ache were of such nature that I couldn't freely speak of them to this man, even though he was noticeably, and sincerely wanting to help me. I could feel tears stinging at the corners of my eyes again and my lower lip trembled dangerously as I bit back a small distressed sound that wanted to escape.

'' I know you want to help me, but the nature of my secrets are of such that I would need tangible proof. And I don't have that on my hands. If I were to tell you now I wouldn't know if I'd be safe. I- I just... I'm scared...,''

'' Your scared of what I could do to you as the Chief of this village?''

I winced as he finished my sentence, and looked away for a moment as abashment made my face redden. I focused my eyes on Anca's belly-scales that were kindled with inner fire and spreading warmth through the entirety of my body.

Stoick uttered a gruff, sorrowful sigh before saying,'' I've had enemies fear me for a good reason. But to have found myself in a situation where teenagers, of this island, ended up viewing me as a real threat to them and those they care about?! I will never forget the look of fear and desperation on my son's face when I ordered you to be tied to that execution-pole within the Kill-Ring. ''

He sighed again, before saying,'' And neither can I brush aside that image of you standing there tied to the pole. Your heart was filled with dread, and yet you willingly turned to face death right in the eyes as I towered over you with a weapon in my hand.''

I winced at his elaborate memorial of what happened on that day I'd made myself honorless in my Chief's eyes.

''You have the right to express how you feel towards and I won't try and contradict you.''

I peered into his sorrowful green eyes and felt my own heart clench within me. I nodded at him in understanding that his sadness and repentance was heartfelt. I sincerely respected that quality of him.

''Will this 'secret' of yours holds any mortal danger towards others of this tribe?''

'' No, Chief, not in a way a dragon- or Viking raid would wreak havoc on our tribe,'' I answered quickly, somewhat aghast at the quick and sudden question. I peered earnestly at my uncle, hoping that he would see the truth I was trying to instal on him.

There was a long silence as we stared at each other. Then...

'' I can see the conviction in your eyes. As long as your secret holds no threat to the people of Berk, then you have the right to remain silent over something that makes you think you will become subject to more punishment, Ronja.''

I inhaled in a sharp breath of relief at his words.

'' And yet, I deem that while we can't get to the very root of what's causing you to feel so solemn and lost, there must be something else that is causing you strife, Ronja. Some other matter you can discuss with me here and now.''

'' There is, isn't there?! While I can't tell him I am his niece, there are subjects I can own up to,'' I thought inwardly, my forehead furrowed in deep thought.

''Will you... tell me at least something, some reason that is 'gnawing' at you?''

I uttered a shaky sigh, my body trembling despite the warmth radiating from my dragon-friend. I stared at my uncle, wanting to be able to trust him. And discussing matters that bothered me with someone who would patiently listen to me would undoubtedly ease some of the cause of my strife.

'' W- well for one, I was shoved into another world a time when I'd been just some months away from my thirteenth birthday,'' I started to say, my voice starting out soft, hesitant before it turned louder as I allowed the agitation to seep through.

I threw my hands up in the air, crying out,'' What sane sort of person would purposefully want to be taken to another world without their consent?''

Anca who uttered a slight grunt of worry as her eyes followed the motion of my flailing limbs.

'' My father and I had already lost my mom and my sister Sonja! And dad had basically lost another family member the second I was ripped from my old world!''

I took several deep breaths before almost yelling,'' Mum told us that for a long while she had been heartbroken over losing her family. But then she had to eventually accept that she had become apart of a new world in a modern age. I know I have to do the same here, but I'm still angry at Odin for taking me away! I don't know if I'll ever see my father again!''

I choked back a sob and dived straight into explaining what, and especially whom, I believed had made my tattoo suddenly glow again. And why I had run-off from the Great Hall. I explained the flash-backs in detail, voice wavering when I told my uncle of the two people who had turned against me when they had arrived at my grandparent's house last August and had not respected my privacy.

'' But the worst part wasn't that they confronted me about what they had read. It was what I knew was true. I was so hateful and jealous towards my own sister because I felt she could do anything when it came to studies while I always struggled at school. I was a bully to her! And I never got to fully make it up to my sister for those times I bullied her and pushed her away for weeks on end. Sonja may have been on the road to fully forgive me, and yet we felt far from the norm that had existed before our sibling rift.''

I uttered a distraught whimper before managing to continue,'' On the day she and mom were killed in an awful tunnel- fire along with hundreds of other poor souls, they were going to have a fun time on those snowy slopes before we were to head home the next day. B-but t- then they were j-just gone! A-and I'd just said goodbye to them some two hours before i- it all happened!'' I finished with another whimper.

Two arms swiftly encircled me and the next thing I knew, Stoick the Vast had pulled me out of the warm cocoon of dragon-wings. Anca gave a dissatisfied grunt at his actions but didn't attempt to stop my uncle. Instead, she sidled closer to the pair of us as Stoick wrapped his heavy fur-cloak around me.

I sniffled, whimpering as I pushed against the wide chest. For some inexplicable reason, I found myself fighting his move to comfort me. Or maybe it was as straightforward as me not having counted on Stoick to actually give me physical comfort. Hence the likely reason I fought my uncle's hold when his beefy sized arms circled around me. But the funny thing was, I had been comfortable enough in telling the man what was bothering me and had been relieved that he had been willing to listen. So why couldn't I wrap my head around the fact that a tight, but comforting hold from a grown-up was something I'd desperately needed for ages.

'' Just let it all go, Ronja. Cry! Scream! Do whatever you need to rid yourself of the feelings that are causing your turmoil. While it may not heal you completely, it will at least ease the agony. You're just like Hiccup used to be before you became friends with him. Like you, he kept every turmoiling feeling in him until he was fit to explode.'' I heard my uncle murmur into my ear as I finally let go of my defences and relaxed in his hold.

I lifted my head slightly, looking at my uncle hesitantly. '' I- in any way I want?'' I whimpered, letting my forehead drop back against his chest. I was trembling slightly as I clutched onto his dark green tunic.

'' In any way you want, Ronja.''

'' T-then you better cover your ears, my Chief. And you too, Anca, because I feel like screaming.''

'' Then do it, if it will make you feel even slightly better.''

'' Aren't I in a sad state of mind if talking to a grown-up isn't enough for me?!'' I thought us I trembled more violently, for a moment as I purposely thought back to the most recent images of how my father and grandparents had looked like.

On how it had felt like to be embraced by my loving grandparents. How my father who had prolonged his leaving of my grandparent's house that day when he had brought me over there for the summer vacation. The love in his eyes, his voice and his familiar scent when he had hugged me close.

(*1) I found myself whipping my head back and screaming. And I screamed! The sound that came out at the top of my lungs was raw and filled with every kind of emotion of turmoil, recent and old, that I'd borne for too many months of my life. I inwardly laughed at the mind induced image of the Villagers piling from the Great Hall to find out what the 'Hel' was going on. But I wouldn't know now would I?! I wasn't turned towards the door.

I distantly heard Anca give a distressed sound and briefly felt regret for subjecting her to all the noise. When she pushed against my chest, eyes filled with noticeable worry, I clutched onto Anca's large snout with one arm as my free hand was still fisted into my uncle's green tunic.

A few seconds later my scream finally tapered off, leaving a fresh trail of tears already freezing onto my cheeks due to the cold wind swirling around us. I could feel a sense of calm, like the intense weight of my own emotions against my chest had been partially erased.

My tears were all spent, my voice weary and hoarse as I stammered,'' I- I'm sorry... f-for all of that.''

''Its quite alright, Ronja, I gave you my comfort freely. How are you feeling, now?''

'' I- I feel better, my chief,'' I answered and coughed slightly due to my scream ravaged throat.

'' That is good to hear, young one,' Stoick answered with a relieved sigh.

'' Is it really true what you said, that my actions helped Hiccup to become more stable?'' I found myself asking, quietly.

'' You haven't noticed?! By Odin's beard, when you became friends with Hiccup he finally had a friend he could talk to, who wouldn't push him away because he was different, or view him as a nuisance. You were there, and you listened to him when he needed to vent his feelings to someone.''

'' I listened to his insecurities because I care for Hiccup. He is my friend. And we are of the same blood; we are family,'' I thought as I smiled weakly at my uncle who smiled at me ruefully.

'' Now, please let my son do the same for you whenever it's needed. Talk to him when you feel the emotions in your heart build up. It's not healthy to keep them in, and you need to allow yourself to vent. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?''

'' I- I understand and I'll try, but I'd still need to watch my words,'' I answered in a hoarse voice, shrugging my shoulders.

'' As long as you understand the importance of letting other people in,'' Stoick answered as he slowly got to his feet, pulling me along with him until I was standing on my own two feet. I wobbled slightly, feeling weak-kneed, and leaned against his side. I felt safe and warm in his presence for the first time in a very long while. Going right to the day the Chief had decided upon finding out how I had gotten to this world, that it would have been a wise decision to take me along on his ship to meet his Village Wise- lady and healer, Gothi, who was known to be the wisest and most capable around the immediate Archipelago.

'' That was some scream!''

''Yeah, that really came from deep inside you. Very primal, indeed!''

Stoick slapped a palm over his face and muttered something along the lines of,'' Those twins never cease to drive me to the brink of madness.''

I tensed up a little at the sound of their voices, especially when the twins voices were followed by Snotlout, Astrid, Fishlegs and Hiccup all telling the two to,'' Shut up!''

Still, with the new enlightenment of my own past actions that had ultimately led to me creating another rift between the people I'd once been acquainted with as friends back in my old world, I was willing to at least listen what these muttonheads had to say for their actions.

''Was there another reason you guys came here, other than to compliment me on my screams?'' I asked in a wry, inquisitive tone.

The five teens responsible for taking my book shared worried, sheepish glances between each other even as Stoick the Vast and Hiccup gave them all sharp glances. Toothless, who had his Rider sitting on his back, and Anca, both uttered low rumbles from deep within their throats.

'' WERE SORRY! '' Fishlegs burst out all of a sudden, wringing his almost sausage sized fingers nervously. He paused, then continued in a quieter tone,'' We didn't mean to cause you so much strife from reading your diary.''

'' Yeah, really, I'm sorry we disrespected your privacy. W-we didn't know you had a history of others doing something like that to you,'' Astrid burst out.

I was surprised to see she looked close to tears, which was quite unexpected coming from the usually stoic Shieldmaiden.

'' We heard everything you said to uncle Stoick. Please, I'm so sorry!'' Snotlout cried out with widened, sorrowful eyes.

I raised an eyebrow at the sound of him stuttering for the first time in so long; he hadn't done that since he had admitted something important to me on that hill overlooking the ocean.

'' We're so very sorry, Ronja!'' the twins chorused as one.

I found my heart going out to the small group of people. They all looked so awkward and chastened as they stood there under my calculative expression. And at last, the calculative mask on my face fell away and a smirk grazed my lips; not quite friendly, but neither was it meant to be confrontational.

'' You all said you didn't mean to breach my privacy, and yet you eavesdropped upon a conversation, you know?! And I'm talking about you too, Hiccup.''

The teens jolted and shared another glance at my words. I had to hold back a chuckle at their almost 'stoned' expressions. Yep, I'd caught them off guard by that statement.

''Ummm... w-we were dropping no eaves, Ronja,'' Tuffnut spluttered out rather stupidly and was promptly cuffed upside the head by Astrid and Ruffnut.

'' She means we were listening to a private conversation, you muttonhead,'' Snotlout muttered, glaring at the blond haired boy in exasperation, which was shared amongst the others in the group. My uncle ran his meaty palm over his face, muttering something unsatisfactory under his breath.

I gave a slight chuckle at the scene happening in front of me before turning the conversation back on track. '' Well, can't say I find fault with you guys eavesdropping on me after the strange phenomenon happened in the Great Hall. I probably would have done the same thing if it had been someone else with a glowing tattoo created by Odin himself. But as for taking my diary?! Not cool at all!''

My voice had taken a sharper undertone at the end. Snotlout, Fishlegs, Astrid, Ruffnut and Tuffnut all turned their eyes to the ground that was blanketed with snow from the last blizzard. All five of them looked very downhearted.

'' Still, I've come to realize some mistakes I've made in the past.'' I paused for a moment, sighing, before saying,'' When I ran out of my grandparent's house in anger, I left a lot of things hanging. When I disappeared into those woods, there was scantly six full moon cycles between the two accidents. My dear father lost his wife and second born daughter, both whom he loved dearly. But our grandparents loved us all deeply, and the deaths also sincerely affected the two of them. I can only imagine what sort of turmoil their hearts were affected by when I went missing.''

I could hear the others swallowing hard at my words, and I could see many of them blinking back tears.

'' When I found myself floundering in a small boat in the middle of the ocean, I was left picking up the pieces of my life that had once again been torn asunder. I was in another world without a safe place to call home, for some time, until I eventually found myself stepping onto the shores of Berk. And I'd be here, as a loner, without a support system if I were to decide not to give you guys a second chance.''

'' So you're forgiving us?!'' Snotlout exclaimed hopefully.

'' What I said was I'm giving you guys a second chance,'' I repeated firmly which had Snotlout's hopeful gaze fall slightly.

I met his light blue eyes, which held a slight panic, with a reassuring look. I wasn't going to give up on him just yet. Not when we had reached a certain understanding a few weeks prior to the 'Devastating Winter' had fallen over Berk. But I wasn't about to let him, or the other teens, off the hook, that easily. Not when Snotlout, Fishlegs, Astrid, Ruffnut and Tuffnut had so callously decided that finding my secrets in that diary had been more important than respecting the line that went between curiosity and tearing down the walls of trust between people.

'' Saying your sorry is easy work. But proving that you will do everything in your power to make it up to the person is much harder than saying,'' I am sorry''. If you want me to be able to fully trust you again, your all going to have to prove that trustworthiness.''

I then gave a rather rueful grin at the other teens, one which was much softer and more approachable.

'' But it won't be just you who will have to work on restitching something that is broken, you guys. I'll have to learn to fully forgive and forget when it comes to patching things up with other people,'' I added, the rueful grin melting away and a real smile finally grazing my lips

End Of Chapter 4

...

Author Note:

(*1) I found inspiration for Ronja's scream from this 'video' seen at Author's Note. I read in Wikipedia that apparently a primal scream is a "strangely rattling' and involuntary sound.

https://youtu.be/4Je3wQD1L0o

Also, I honestly hope the ending of this Chapter didn't end up sounding too corny. I tried to make it sound like Ronja was willing to work on forgiving the other teens who had stolen her diary without outright forgiving them then and there

P.S. Constructive criticism is always welcomed by the Author