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

Disclaimer:

'How To Train Your Dragon' Franchise 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.

The Harry Potter Franchise is Copyrighted by J.K Rowling and Warner Bros.

Author Warning:

This Chapter overshadows a small smidgen of my own OC-character's future story-events. It also holds some spoilers for How to Train Your Dragon 2.

To those who have YET to see the second film and don't want to read any spoilers, enter this story with caution.

P.S. This symbol (*), and a number in the middle tell that there is something written in the Ending Author's Note about said paragraph.

...  

Filler Chapter II- Of Meddling Gods, Other Dimensions and The Interview, Oh My!

'' Oh, before I begin asking questions, I need to give you this.''

Ronja raised an eyebrow before reaching over to take the letter held between the witch's fingers.

'' Odin asked me to give you this letter upon our meeting.''

The second she heard those words, Ronja had her knife out again; she split the wax-seal in one quick motion and began to read.

Ronja,

Some stories are known to become legends when those who know the true story die from old age or illness; or they have no children to pass on the story to the next generation.

A legend can also be a story about famous people or events in a way that is not quite true.

Ronja blinked at the cryptic beginning to the message.

I am very much aware that in your eyes I have been acting as if I don't care for the feelings of your allies, friends, and family. But the truth is that I do care, and value their feedback.

Nevertheless, I'm just a bored old god who sometimes needs a bit of excitement and adventure in his forever existing life.

''What a way to amuse oneself, Odin,'' Ronja groaned out loud, to which Claire responded with a confused stare.

There are many different dimensions and planets out there, just waiting to be explored, and I admit I have taken liberties in planting life- stories of the different people I've met in the consciousness of others in different dimensions and planets.

I also admit I have been taking people from their own dimensions in an act to study whether they can cope with living in entirely different ways of life then there used to, though I always went to great lengths to protect them.

'' Then WHERE were you on several occasions when my family and I needed your assistance? Where were you that day two of my family and so many others were killed?''' Ronja grumbled out loud, hitting the table lightly with a fist, which had Claire jumping at the unexpected reaction.

And yet, even I can't be everywhere at once, sometimes accidents happened on their own volition and I couldn't be there to assist.

Ronja blinked back tears as she read that part of the letter.'

' You were out somewhere else, watching someone else you had brought to another dimension or planet? Why in the world would you even think it a good idea to uproot a person from the world their familiar with?''

She gave another sigh before turning back to the letter.

And I will forever regret not being there to assist when your mother and sister were in mortal danger, but alas, sometimes fate cannot be changed.

Ronja lifted a hand to her eyes and rubbed it across her face when she felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She coughed to get rid of the lump in her throat.

I'm sure you are wondering the cryptic opening lines of my letter to you, but to me, they were clear when I wrote them down.

There is a woman who lives on the same planet your father, sister, and yourself were born. She finds amusement in writing fan fiction; which are fictional stories about characters or settings from an original work of fiction.

I'm sure you are well reversed in what fan fiction is all about, but I'll enlighten you anyway.

Fan fiction is created by fans of said work rather than by its creator and is rarely commissioned or authorized by the original work's creator or publisher and is rarely professionally published. Therefore this Author will not be gaining any profit from her work, except the simple fun of writing.

And as far as she is concerned, its all in her head as an imaginary story based on your life, Ronja. And your allies, friends and family.

'' Okay, what in the gods' names is this all about?'' Ronja thought in bewilderment.

I have taken liberties seeing that someone, a Writer named Cressida Cowell had created a children's storybook called the How To Train Your Dragon and several sequels.

Ronja's eyes widened in shock.

The plot of these books had similarities to your cousin Hiccup's original life-story, and yet still very different. And before you ask if I interfered in the making of these books, no, I had nothing to do with Cressida Cowell's work. These storybooks were created solely by the Author herself.

Ronja paused for a moment to mule-over the information, sighing in exasperation before continuing to scroll through the text.

Therefore when the books were to be made into a movie, I was there to influence certain areas of said movie to make it more the real story-line.

'' So there is a movie no, eh?! And not just one?! A well-done job, Odin. Truly, a job well done,'' Ronja groaned inwardly and held herself back from slamming her forehead against the table repeatedly.

While still keeping some things unsaid. Your immediate family's story was not included in the published movies. But it was brought to attention in the Fanfiction story made by the above-mentioned Author, called Hooky99.

'' This just keeps getting better and better,'' Ronja muttered out loud, rolling her eyes in exasperation, which had both Anca and Claire give her strange looks.

But the next part had Ronja reconsider the thoughts from just a moment ago.

If you wish to see the proof of my words for yourself, and what Hooky99 has done with the Disclaimer introduction, feel free to touch the symbol at the end of this paragraph.

Ronja raised an eyebrow at the last bit but slowly reached forward to lightly press two fingertips against the mentioned symbol.

Immediately there was a sudden draft, like a high wind coming through a window, and a tiny square started appearing onto the paper. It was like a miniature TV screen that grew larger and larger until it engulfed the entire page. Hands could be seen typing on a keyboard, and Ronja gasped quietly at the realization that this must have been the Fanfiction Author Odin had been talking about.

Another thing Ronja found highly intriguing, was how much the technology had actually changed from the time when she had still been a child. She remembered the laptops from the time when she had still lived on Earth with the heavier frames. Now said frames were so thin Ronja was actually surprised the laptop held the screen together at all, but it seemed to do so very well, and the object looked small and light enough to be easily transported to another area of the room or stuffed in a backpack.

Focusing at last on the words being typed onto the computer screen, Ronja began to read...

Chapter Soundtrack:

Taylor Davis, Lux Aeterna (from 'Requiem for a Dream)

Disclaimer:

The Film 'How To Train Your Dragon', is Copyrighted by Dream Works 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:

This Chapter overshadows a small smidgen of my own OC-character's future story-events. It also holds some spoilers for Dragons: Race to the Edge Season 6.

To those who have yet to see the newest season and don't want to read any spoilers, enter this story with caution.

P.S. (*) and a number in the middle tell that there is something written in the Author's Note about said paragraph.

This symbol (*) means 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

***

How To Train Your Dragon- Chapter 1 PROLOGUE ...

***

Ronja blinked in shock at the text for a moment. But now she understood. This author was simply writing for the fun of it and not gaining any profit from it. Besides, no one there knew that the fan fiction story was based on real events.

Except for...

'' Those people who knew us! The people my father worked with every day and those who had been friends and acquaintances with my mother might remember us if they read that story! So would the people who went to school with Sonja and me,'' Ronja thought in sudden fear.

Our family had withheld a secret from everyone who wasn't in relation to us or hadn't been there when Sigrun had appeared out of nowhere. For a very valid reason!

'' Odin, you better have made the story undetectable to any of the people MY FAMILY AND RELATIVES have dealt with in the past or I swear I'll attempt to strangle you with your own BEARD the next time we meet face to face!'' Ronja burst out loud, and harshly slammed the parchment against the table.

Claire flinched back in her seat and Anca gave a worried grunt at her Rider's fierce reaction.

The food on the display table had jumped lightly at the violent outburst, but by some miracle (or magic) had not fallen off the large tray.

...

After a moment of taking in calming breaths, Ronja turned her eyes back onto the letter and started reading the last paragraph.

After reading, and seeing what my letter holds I wager a guess you would feel a certain amount of anxiety towards the safety of your relations back on Earth.

I've gone to lengths in making sure that everyone who has had an audience with your family (but who are not of relation to your father, or you), will never find this life-story from the Internet (if they happen to come across, or follow Fanfiction).

Like you, I have no intention of allowing your relations to be deemed as eccentric. Or in the worst case scenario, be locked up in the Finnish Nation's Mental Asylum.

'' Thank 'god' for certain miracles,'' Ronja said out loud in a sarcastic voice.

'' I'm thankful you thought to assure their well-being, but I'm still very much mad at you, Odin; over many things here and now and back there in the 'dusty past''.''

Her upset at Odin for scaring her had been granted. She really had been thinking her relations back on Earth would have had to deal with much turmoil if those who had come to have audience had alerted the authorities. Because if the authorities had been alerted, the likely scenario would have been detectives forming an investigation-group to figure out the truth as to where exactly Klaus and Ronja Aho had disappeared years ago.

After a moment of watching the magically made video again, Ronja read the last part of the letter where Odin urged her to not reveal certain critical parts of her own life story. Or certain people as of yet due to Hooky99 only having just begun writing the tale.

Sighing again, Ronja finally set the parchment aside and turned her full attention to Claire who was watching her carefully.

''Are you all finished with reading Odin's message to you?'' Claire asked tentatively, and Ronja nodded her head firmly.

'' So, I shall fire away with the questions you so eloquently said earlier. First of all, what was the exact Adventure Timeline to the happenings of the year your younger self-came to be in this world?''

'' Care to further elaborate that question of the timeline?'' Ronja asked inquisitively with a raised eyebrow.

'' When is the date of Sonja's, and your birthday?''

'' On the 15th of September. ''

'' How old was your younger self when that famous, so-called 'Twin argument happened?''

'' It happened a month after Sonja's and mine 12th birthday, in the middle of October. That Birthday turned out to be the last one we had as 'Twins','' Ronja answered rather dully, giving a small, sad sigh before lifting the teacup to her lips.

'' Oh, I'm sorry. For a second there I sounded a bit too much like my aunt. So when, and how was the indifference your younger-self had been shown to Sonja, disrupted?

Ronja looked at Claire Skeeter with a slight frown on her face before answering civilly.

'' It wasn't disrupted until the 1st of December when I'd foolishly went on a bike ride. That year the snow was late in coming, but there was ice on the ground. The wheels of my bike lost traction on the icy dirt- road and I was flung off my seat. I fell to the ground at a wrong angle and broke my arm, and the wound was bad enough that I had to wear a cast for 6 weeks and was told not to do much physical activity until 4 weeks later.''

'' Ouch, that must have been an excruciating experience, and you Muggles don't have the kind of means of healing like we have in the Wizarding World,'' Ms Skeeter commented with a grimace.

'' So it's really true you witches and wizards can heal bones with just a few moves of a wand and spells?'' Ronja asked with a small grin before jumping slightly in her seat when she felt her baby kick her hard.

'' Yes, although we have healers for that sort of thing; not all of us can heal broken bones. Now, when was the unfortunate, tragedy-filled family trip to Austria?'' Claire asked in a very sympathetic tone.

Ronja gave a long sigh and stroked her abdomen where she could feel her baby continue to kick.

'' It was a trip we did for Finland's annual Ski- holiday in February. The first four days were just perfect, but on the last full day in Austria, I'd fallen on the ski-slope and had jostled the same arm that was just healed. By the end of the day it was aching, and my parents decided it was better for me to not go to the slopes the next day, and just rest the arm for the final day. We had planned to go out for lunch and sightseeing with them later, followed by a family dinner; but then that awful tragedy occurred and my two beloved family members were lost.''

A tear slipped down Ronja's cheek and she reached up to wipe it away even as Ms Skeeter looked on with sad, sympathetic eyes.

The clicking and squeaking of the 'Quick-quotes quill' had both turn to see what it had written.

Claire uttered a long-suffering groan, but Ronja was unable to hold back uproarious laughter at the sentence which read:

Those startlingly myriad shaded eyes fill with tears as our conversation turns to the tragic, but ever-present ghosts of her past [quote from an interview with Harry James Potter; done by the very attractive blonde, Rita Skeeter, who is a former Daily Prophet reporter and interviewer. (*1)

'' I must remark that I was (and still am) a big fan of J.K Rowling's Harry Potter book- series. I can't help but find this hilarious, despite the fact that what the Quick Quotes Quill wrote about my tears is definitely accurate,'' Ronja huffed out between laughter.

Even Claire allowed a laugh to escape her lips despite the fact that she looked ready to set said quill on fire.

She waited until Ronja had gotten a handle on herself before saying,'' Okay, to continue, did your younger-self experience the guilt of survival when two of your family members were lost?''

'' That is a rather personal question, but yes, I did experience the thoughts; but that's all I'm gonna say on the matter,'' Ronja answered with a dulled voice, lowering her eyes to her baby- belly.

Scritch scritch scritch

Young Ronja couldn't help but feel the thoughts of, '' why was I spared, and not my mother or my twin sister, Sonja? They deserved the chance at life much more than I!''

'' SCRATCH that part out right now or I swear to Merlin I'll throw you in the apartment fireplace the second I get home!''

Ronja jumped violently when Claire Skeeter practically shouted the threat at her quill.

Scratch, scratch, scratch [the quill was quick to do as the witch had threatened it to do]

'' I'm gonna have to read the entirety of these parchments once we've finished,'' Claire hissed out with clear irritation in her voice before turning her attention back to

Ronja who was looking at her curiously.

'' I apologise for that outburst. Now, when exactly did your younger-self disappear from your father's world?''

'' I disappeared in August, during the last week of Summer vacation. The school would have begun the following week.''

'' And where did your younger self-end up at?

'' I was very much shocked and surprised when I woke up on a small boat in the middle of the ocean. For at least a half-day and night I drifted until the next day when I ended up being taken on board a large Viking- ship.''

'' And how long was your younger self on board the ship?''

'' For the next 2-weeks before we reached the port of Lake-town. I then spent almost a full week in the said village.''

'' And your younger self eventually met people who took you to your mother's home- village of Berk?''

'' I met the Chief, Stoick the Vast who was meeting the Berserker, Oswald the Agreeable in the Trader-port Island, that is called Lake Town. After Stoick heard about the unorthodox story of how I came to be there in Lake Town, he felt it would be a good idea to take me to see his Village's wise- woman and healer, Gothi, who was known to be the wisest in that side of the archipelago. He wanted my story proven to be the truth. ''

'' Hmm... and when did your younger-self leave with the people of Berk?''

''We didn't leave until a few days later, after the meeting Stoick had with Oswald.''

'' Ah, interesting. And how long was the voyage to Berk?''

'' I spent another week at sea with Chief Stoick and his ship-crew.''

'' Ah, then that means you had your 13th birthday in the new world?!'' Claire exclaimed, eyes shining with interest.

'' There wasn't much of a celebration, though, I was too busy trying to cope with my surroundings to even think about a birthday party,'' Ronja answered, nodding her head.

She then took a spoon to the interesting looking dessert in a glass as Ms Skeeter halted her questions in order to check over everything her 'Quick Quotes Quill had written on the parchment.

The dessert turned out to be a very tasty combination of cream, berries and cookie crumbs on top.

Ronja closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the taste it left on her tongue.

***

After a moment of silent reading, the Interviewer (and Reporter of the Daily Prophet) set the parchment back down and turned her attention to the slightly older woman who immediately set down the spoon.

'' Alright, now that we have cleared out the Timeframe, I'm going to ask you some profiling questions. Is that alright?

Ronja nodded her head in affirmation.

'' All right, then. What is your full name?

'' Ronja Sharpstryke Aho. Uncle Stoick bestowed my middle name to me officially following the revelations at a Movie Theater years ago. Moving pictures with sound, if you know what I mean.''

''Hmm... yes, Odin enlightened me on the topic of movies on one of his visits. And what is the current faction of your younger self?''

'' Listen, Claire, I'm gonna give you a proposition, now. Nothing much, just that you might refer my 'younger-self as 'Ronja ' for this interview, and I'll do the same?!''

'' Do you usually refer to yourself in the third person?''

'' Absolutely not, Claire! I just thought it might be easier to just answer with 'Ronja this' and 'Ronja that' since the questions are asked about myself when I was but a teenager. And to answer your other question,' Ronja' is a 'Hooligan' of 'House Aho'.''

Ms Skeeter nodded her head with an amused smile to her lips.

''What is 'Ronja's' current status?'' she asked.

''Oh, 'Ronja' is alive, if that's what your asking,'' Ronja answered, smirking at the reporter with amusement twinkling in her eyes.

''Where is 'Ronja's' current location?''

'' Ronja lives on the island of Berk.''

''What is Ronja's alignment?''

'' Ronja is considered as one of the 'good- guys'.''

'' What is Ronja's alias(es)?

'' 'Sharpstryke', which was a nickname from 'her' parents as she was growing up. Hiccup started calling her 'Ro' once they became good friends, and Dagur the Deranged also gave her a nickname when they became acquainted in Laketown. It wasn't one Ronja liked very much back then, but it stuck; and when Dagur and her were reacquainted next year, he continuously used it to annoy her. It only became an endearment 3 years later when he became a very dear friend and ally to not only Ronja but also to the rest of the Dragon Riders.''

''And what was that nickname?'' Ms Skeeter asked with a gentle smile.

'' It's Serpent's eye'.''

'' Serpent's eye, eh?! Why that kind of a nickname?''

'' I think it was due to 'Ronja' being very precise with her hands when it came to dagger throwing contests,'' Ronja answered with a smirk.

Claire grinned at the answer before saying,'' And what's Ronja's gender (even if it's pretty much obvious)?''

''Ha ha ha! Ronja is female,'' the older- Ronja answers with an amused laugh.

'' And what was Ronja's age in the first part of the story?''

'' Back when Hiccup first befriended Toothless, Ronja was still 13 years years old. She turned 14 years old some months later.''

'' And when is Ronja's Birthday (even though we have already established that)?''

'' Her birthday is on September 15th.''

''What is Ronja's height?''

'' Ronja is practically a midget at 5'2 ft tall, (157 cm) at 13- 14 years old. She will grow a bit, though she'll still be a midget at 17-18 years of age. But at least by then, her height stands at 5,4 ft (160 cm). Apparently, Hooky99, the fan fiction writer back on the planet I was born on, took inspiration from her own 5'1.42 ft (156 cm) of height that she wrote it on her own Fanfiction Profile. Hooky99 is even tinier than I am, heh, heh, heh!''

The Daily Prophet reporter chuckles in amusement for a moment.

'' Oh yes, you read the letter Odin sent with me to give to you. So as you know, he mentioned this Hooky99 to me, too, on one of his visits. But seriously, you really shouldn't comment on your Author's height, Ronja, or she will get ideas in her head that are clearer than the last. She would likely use said ideas to make your story even more miserable.''

'' Legimite fear, but unknowingly to her 'that ship had already sailed' many times over the years; but your right, who knows what the future will hold for my allies, friends, family and me.''

Claire Skeeter chuckled before asking, '' What's Ronja's hair colour?''

'' She has strawberry- blond hair.''

''And what's Ronja's eye- colour?''

'' She has bluish- green eyes with tiny brown spots, and a dark-blue ring surrounding the iris in both eyes. Those eyes in the picture below which surprisingly look exactly like mine, actually belong to Hooky99. Of course, with not knowing the finer details about me, she decided to add a bit of herself in the looks of the character in her fan fiction story.''

'' Ah, and who are the members of Ronja's family?

'' Her Father is Klaus Sakari and her mother, Taru, is named after a Finnish word that means 'legend' or 'myth'. Ronja's mother's second name is Ingrid. She used the name, Taru, as an alias name back in the 20th century Finland. But her birth name, Sigrun, is derived from the Old Norse elements sigr "victory" and rún "secret". Unfortunately, Sigrun died long ago when Ronja was but 12 years old. ''

The older Ronja paused for a moment before continuing,'' Ronja's sister's name was Sonja, and she was... not just a younger twin sister to her. She was her identical twin, who lost her life in that same unfortunate accident. ''

Ms Skeeter was silent for a moment as she regarded the younger woman with real sympathy and sorrow in her eyes.

After a moment of silence in which the two had sipped at their drinks thoughtfully, Claire Skeeter finally set her teacup back onto the plate and asked, '' Who are Ronja's grandfathers?''

''Aaro Aho is her paternal grandfather, and Trygwe is her maternal grandfather. Unfortunately, she was never able to meet her mother's, and uncle Stoick's, father. ''

''And who are Ronja's grandmothers?''

''Sirkka Aho, her paternal grandmother, Ranveig from her mother's side of the family.''

Claire Skeeter 'hummed' and nodded her head before asking,'' Who is Ronja's cousin, or is there more than one cousin?''

'' Ronja has two cousins she never even knew about until that year she and the other Dragon Riders spent on the island of 'Dragons Edge'. Their from her mother's side of the family, but in the letter from Odin I have been asked not to talk about that moment in my life. I am to 'keep readers in the dark' until the time comes for everything to be revealed in the Fanfiction story back on Earth. But the two cousins I can mention are Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. He is a blood-cousin from the maternal side of Ronja's family. And Snotlout Jorgenson is a cousin through Ronja's uncle's marriage to Spitelout Jorgenson's sister, Valka.'' (*2)

'' You are aware, of course, that the story of your past has almost been told to full completion; we are currently stuck in the events following your kidnapping by Krogan and his minions. Therefore the identity of certain relations isn't big news to our readers at this current time.''

'' To quote Odin, there are so many dimensions and planets out there; therefore I wouldn't be surprised if this interview was being broadcasted live somewhere out there this very moment. And probably not all said dimensions or planets have caught up to this current timeline. Therefore I will only broadcast the information once it's certain Hooky99 has updated that part of the tale.''

Claire nodded her head in understanding even as the 'Quick Quotes Quill' continued flitting across the parchment between them.

''And who are Ronja's uncles?''

'' 'Ronja' has an uncle whom she never even knew about until that year the Riders stayed on 'Dragons Edge'. Like her cousins, he is from her mother's side of the family. But as it is with her two cousins, I have been asked not to talk about one of the uncles. But there are two other uncles I can mention. Stoick The Vast is an uncle to her by blood, as he is Ronja's mother's older brother. Spitelout is an uncle to her through Stoick's marriage to Valka.''

''And who are her aunts?

'' Her father has no 'cousins', but he does have little- cousins back on Earth. Valka is Ronja's aunt through her marriage to her uncle, Stoick the Vast. There is an aunt from' Ronja's' mother's side of the family whom, like with her cousins and uncle, Ronja never even knew of until that year on Dragons Edge; and that information will be kept in the dark for now.''

'' Hmmm... so many secret relations?! Oh well, let's continue with who are considered Ronja's allies in her 'Current Timeline' ?''

'' 'Ronja's' allies are Astrid Hofferson, Fishlegs Ingerman, Tuffnut Thorston, Ruffnut Thorston, Stoick the Vast, Gobber the Belch. Of course, she has other acquaintances from the Village of Berk, but they're not really her allies. But in the beginning all these people were just that, allies; not considered her friends until after the so-called ' How to Train Your Dragon- From One World to Another ' film that all of Berk witnessed during the time of 'Devastating Winter'.''

'' Did she have any allies that she considered as true friends?''

'' Well, in the beginning, she had seen Dagur the Deranged as her ally and friend until a certain incident with Fishlegs Ingerman, (who had accompanied his father, when the older Ingerman had been asked to accompany the Chief to Laketown), made her become wary of the Berserker. And another person she had seen as more than an ally was, of course, Fishlegs Ingerman, until she had witnessed the way he, too, was treating her cousin Hiccup. The said boy became her only true friend on the island until that momentous day she had befriended her dragon, Anca. And of course, Toothless, whom she saw a lot of in the days she and Hiccup spent in the 'Cove'. ''

Claire Skeeter 'hummed' again before asking,'' What are Ronja's abilities, skills and talents?''

'' Compared to say, Astrid, she doesn't have as much strength, but neither is she a weakling either. Sometimes adrenaline can make people stronger. That year she met Anca, Ronja was quite intelligent and clever. But her intelligence wasn't at the same extreme level her cousin and Fishlegs seemed to possess. Ronja was capable when it came to strategizing and was quite cunning because she had learned to infuse her knowledge of 'chess' (and Maces and Talons), into her plans. I wouldn't say she was a definite master at strategizing, but she had been playing chess against her grandfather since she was little.''

Ronja gave a wide grin upon mentioning her beloved grandfather.

'' Therefore, she had learned to be observant when it came to reading other people. And so 3 years later, she was able to plan ahead for months and when most needed, she was able to fool certain people; people that I'm not in the liberty of mentioning because it just might spoil the story for some readers.''

Ronja thoughtfully fingered the belt- buckle by her waist. Said buckle used to have a certain ornament that had to be destroyed; an artefact that had once belonged to her mother. A long time ago when Sigrun had, unfortunately, 'passed on' to the 'world of the dead' her daughter had inherited the belt and the artefact decorating it.

'' As for Ronja's knowledge in weapon-use, like everyone in the village 'she' was capable of using an axe, sword, and daggers in close combat. As well as archery when it called for it. The injury to her left arm did end up being hampering. Therefore she had to learn a new stance that didn't give an indication to the enemy that she couldn't use that arm to its full potential. That certain handicap was healed through certain events that I'm not in liberty to speak off at this time. ''

She then raised her right leg upwards to rest against Anca's jutting horn for only a moment before dropping it back onto the floor. But Anca crooned and used her snout to raise not just said leg back up, but also the other.

With the way she had already been sitting, Ronja's feet were now fully elevated, and she couldn't help but give a sigh of relief at the ease of pressure on her knees.

'' Thank you, Anca, '' she murmured sincerely and reached over to give her friend a fond head-rub; she barely noticed Claire Skeeter give a tiny sound of shock upon seeing the artificial leg at a closer glance, but her expression almost immediately melted into one of sorrow.

''Unfortunately, it was replaced by another, more noticeable handicap.''

'' I take it that it was a horrid experience to lose that leg!? The readers, or I, haven't heard the story behind it as of yet, but however, it happened must have been excruciating.''

'' It was very painful, and I'm not afraid to admit it. But in those circumstances, what else could I have done in order to live another day and assure the safety of my cousin and his beloved dragon? Nothing! Nothing at all!''

Skeeter regarded at her sorrowfully for a moment before continuing, '' And what of 'Ronja's' leadership skills?''

'' Ronja was capable of acting as a leader when it was needed, but she felt she was more of an adviser type than a constant leader. She felt that her cousin was more up to the job of leadership, although she did her best to guide and advise him. Alas, the others didn't always listen to her sincerely given advise, which accumulated into some very big issues during that year spent on Dragon-edge three years later. Issues that I can't speak of at this time because of spoilers.''

'' I see, and what was the extent of Ronja's knowledge in 'Dragon Information' qualities?''

''She did pay attention to Hiccup's, and Fishlegs's knowledge of Dragons. And she has read the 'Book of Dragons', the 'New Book of Dragons' and Bork's Notes' several times over the years. She has listened to Hiccup and Fishlegs go on and on about the information they had discovered in the 'Dragon Eye lenses'. She was even allowed to look at the lenses herself whenever the 'Hic-legs love Fest' wasn't busy with it.''

Claire Skeeter gave a good-natured snort at the last sentence that sounded like an afterthought.

'' What, in the name of Merlin, do you mean by 'Hicc-Legs love Fest'?''

'' Oh, it's just a stupid nickname my husband gave for the sometimes over the top 'Nerd- attack' moments. Hiccup and Fishlegs often worked together to solve a problem, and they had the tendency to speak in words that the rest of us had a hard time understanding,'' Ronja answered, unable to suppress a snort of amusement.

'' I see, and I take it that Ronja didn't have the books and notes learnt off by heart?'' Claire answered with a grin to her lips.

'' Not to the same extent as say, Fishlegs and her cousin. There were several occasions where Ronja had gaps in her information about different dragons. That just made 'her' more endearing in her husband's eyes; the forgetfulness, I mean. ''

Claire gave a laugh at the older woman's afterthought before asking,'' And what is 'Ronja's personality like?''

'' 'Ronja' had (and I still do) have this thing called a 'poker face' that slid into place when she didn't want people finding out her true emotions. Some found said stare unnerving but it's how grandfather Aaro used to play professionally, and Ronja learned from him. Ronja was only 6 years of age when she witnessed her grandfather play chess against an opponent. She found the game intriguing and wanted to learn more about because it had some similarities to Maces and Talons.''

Ronja grins at the fond memory. '' I can recall how happy grandpa had been when he realized his granddaughter had an aptitude for 'Strategy games'. Since then every opportunity to learn chess from him was enthusiastically taken,'' she said fondly before running a hand through her hair that had grown to settle at a length where it reached her upper-back.

Quite a difference from the aftermath of her unfortunate 'kidnapping' by Krogan and his Singetail riding cronies.

'' The old me usually didn't lash out when she was angry at someone, or at something. She tended to be passive- aggressive; which was quite counterproductive when it came to solving differences. If 'Ronja' had been like most people on Berk, the problem would have been out in the open in no time and people would be able to talk it over.

Ronja takes a sip of the tea that had once again magically appeared into the cup before her.

'' And alas, that brooding personality, while changed tremendously after Hiccup and she gained friends, is still present on occasion. But that wasn't even the worst of her personality! And I'm not gonna sugar-coat any of 'her' past faults. ''

(*3)

Ronja gives a small sigh, before saying,'' 'Ronja' was a 'bully' to her sister when they still lived in Finland, and she paid dearly for the bad-attitude when she lost Sonja just some months after their sisterly relationship had been amended to a truce. Another fault was the habit of holding grudges towards people who had done wrong with her or the people she cared for very much. 'Ronja' didn't instantly 'forgive and forget' when people apologized.''

Ronja sips at her tea again as she struggled to hold back the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes.

It may have been years since her twins death, but as the Quick Quotes Quill (which was scraping lines onto the parchment) had so eloquently written earlier, the ghosts of the past still haunted her. And having to mention her beloved sister and mother in this sort of light never failed to make her cry silent tears.

''The old me tended to speak sarcastically when she was tired, or annoyed at something; or at someone. She could have ended up pointing out other people's 'flaws in thinking'. Ronja also ended up trying to push some of her values to the other Riders. Like on how important it is to read for the sake of knowing one's opponent's weaknesses. Of course, Hiccup and Fishlegs already saw this as important, but the other's definitely lay in matters other than reading.''

Ronja took a large spoonful of the pudding that had appeared on her plate suddenly when the culprit, Claire, used her wand to levitate it onto her plate.

'' Of course, 'this pushing of values' turned out to be a great flaw in 'Ronja's' character, as one should know that everyone's different and one can't simply expect everyone to have the same opinion as me. Which, I'm afraid, goes both ways. While 'Ronja' dearly loved and cared for the dragons she and the others held a company to, there were moments during the year on Dragons Edge where she honestly felt that she just wanted to put the lives of her allies, friends and family first before another dragon's. Being more specific, the new Dragons who were essentially wild animals and not too receptive to a company of humans. Sure, 'Ronja's' opinions may have sounded cruel to 'certain' people of the company, but that's how she felt. ''

Ronja gave a somewhat 'sour' look down at the pudding she was eating.

''But despite the want to establish her opinions within the group, it was Astrid's, and more importantly, Hiccup's, words that overrode everyone else's.''

Claire looked very thoughtful for a moment as she, too, stared down at her own dessert for a moment in silence.

'' And... what of the good qualities in her? Surely you can name some things that you find amiable about yourself?! So far you have already mentioned only your faults.''

'' Well, I hope to think that 'Ronja' had kept her blank-poker face in the midst of being tortured for answers by the enemies Johann and Krogan,'' Ronja joked out before turning solemn at the rather horrified expression that sparked across Claire Skeeter's face.

'' I'm sorry, Claire. I don't know why what made me say that but I do want to point out that that's another one of my faults; I have a tendency to become sarcastic, or make light of things when I'm upset, tired or not feeling my best,'' Ronja sighed with a sheepish grin to her lips.

'' Merlin's beard!'' Claire couldn't help but mutter; she shook her head slightly as she looked at the other's sheepish expression for a moment in slight disbelief that she would want to give a joke over something so serious as being kidnapped and tortured.

After a moment she then gave Ronja a reassuring look before asking,'' So, what good qualities does Ronja possess, opposed to the faults you have already enlightened me with?''

To be continued...

End of Filler Chapter II

***

Author Notes:

(*1) Quote from J.K Rowling's Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

(*2) When I introduced Valka as Spitelout's sister I took liberties. I happened to read another person's fanfiction story where she was introduced as Spitelout's younger sister. Therefore, with Ronja marrying Snotlout in the future,  I thought it sensible for the story to introduce Valka as Spitelout's little sister.

(*3) If I were to imagine what Ronja was to look like as a real person and not as a cartoon character, this image would be close to the mark.

This was an excruciatingly difficult chapter to make sensible (rolls eyes in exasperation). And I admit I hadn't put thought into how to explain Ronja's good qualities, yet.

I'll update the final conclusion for this Filler arc as soon as I can, but if I don't update next week it means I've had to put much thought into what to write about in the second part of the interview.

Hopefully, you will all enjoy this chapter. And I shall welcome any comments and constructive criticism that 'flies my way'.