Freya's POV

As Hiccup left, I felt guilt grab my heart and squeeze. I shouldn't have said anything. I should've told Hiccup to ask Gustav - it was his story to tell.

Guilt gripped tighter.

Running a hand through my hair, I paced slightly. This was the first time I properly had the time to go over everything that had happened, as yesterday was a case of judging whether I was safe or not.

Guilt followed each event - leaving Swiftstrike, losing the Dragon Eye, blabbing about Fanghook, leaving home and the whole mission.

I paced faster.

There were slight breezes, but instead of being refreshing, they stabbed into my skin like tiny knives.

I stopped, clenching my fists.

I would not wallow in self-pity.

I had already wasted too much time doing nothing on Berk. I would free Swiftstrike and then try to save Fanghook - Fanghook most likely had longer to live.

My stomache grumbled impatiently.

I would get food.

Walking quickly from the arena, I pushed the negative thoughts away. I could deal with them after I saved Swiftstrike - or at least earnt some trust from the riders.

*

It wasn't long before I reached the village. As I walked through, people stopped and stared. Faint whispers caught on the breeze weighed me down.

A young child pulled on his mother's skirt, pointing at me. "Who's that?"

"Who?" she asked, not very intrigued.

"The new one, over there," he clarified. At the word 'new' she looked up, her eyes shrinking slightly in disgust.

"Now you stay away from her," she ordered. "She's a hunter."

I walked faster. Of course this would've happened. I shouldn't have expected anything less.

Pretending not to have heard, I searched for the Great Hall, where I was pretty sure I could find something to eat. Easily locateable at the base of the mountain, I found the space quickly, despite my lack of orientation abilities. I took a deep breath, and pushed open the doors.

Light flooded into the hall, causing a number of heads to look up. I held my chin up despite the many eyes and walked as confidently as possible towards a couple of people that looked around my age.

There were three of them, sitting at a table. Two looked unbelievably alike, whereas the last resembled a man marshmallow. Blue and green eyes followed me as I approached. Wait... I knew these people. They were some of the riders!

But it was too late to turn away now.

"Um... do you know where I can get something to eat?" I tried politely, getting a snort from the male twin.

"Tuffnut don't be rude!" the largest of the bunch scolded, turning back to me. "You're Freya, right?"

I nodded. "I didn't mean to intrude or anything," I glanced back at the male twin who was staring intensley at the wooden table.

"Don't worry. You must be starving," he exclaimed. A small smile pulled at the edges of my mouth. Maybe I could become friends despite what I had done?

The female twin groaned. "Why do we need to take care of her? She seemed perfectly capeable when she was attacking the Edge," she addedd with venom. Ashamed, I looked down.

"It's fine," I mumbled quickly, "I know how to fish."

Tuffnut narrowed his eyes. "Then why did you ask?"

I visibly flinched. The large one hit him on the back of the head, earning a glare.

"What was that for Fishlegs?" he complained, rubbing the spot.

I began backing away. I was clearly not wanted. "It's fine honestly. I'll go fish. If you need me I'll probably be on the coastline." I didn't give them a chance to respond as I headed out, doing my best to not seem agitated.

Because I was.

Is it not normal to ask if there's any food before getting more?

Digging my nails into my palm, I blanked the stares. The quicker I got off this horrible island the better.

"Freya wait!" I snapped my head around, my eyes wide as Fishlegs bolted down to where I was. He stopped, hunched over and out of breath.

"Breathe," I reminded, raising an eyebrow.

"S-sorry, for Ruffnut," a breath, "and Tuffnut," he heaved, "they're not people people." I shook my head.

"I think it was overdue."

"No, no, you're our guest, you shouldn't have to fish," he countered.

There was a brief pause before he ruffled with a small bag. Opening it, he passed me some bread and fruit.

A massive smile took over my face. He cared?

Wait.

"Why are you being kind to me?"

He tensed, looking a bit like a deer caught in the headlights. Narrowing my eyes, I tried to figure him out. Then it clicked.

"You want me to show you how to tame a changewing," I accused. Fishlegs flinched, but looked me in the eye.

"I am very curious," he admitted.

I felt pain ring through my chest that he didn't actually care about me, only wanting my knowledge, but I forced it back. I was the one who attacked their island and lost their valuable possesion after all. Just a hindrance.

I sighed. "I'll show you, but I need my cloak."

He froze.

"That is where I come in," someone else stated.

A short, well-built man stepped forwards from behind a cart. Did these crazy people just hide behind carts for fun?

Fishlegs placed a hand on their hip. "Please tell me you weren't eavesdropping Snotlout."

"Yeah I was Fishface, and I think you're gonna need my help," Snotlout declared, pushing his chest out. Resisting the urge to groan, I narrowed my eyes.

"And why is that?" I asked, annoyed at his arrogance.

"B-because I know, you see, you need me to, um, I where you cloak is." His confidence vanished. If it wasn't because I was a Grimborn, it would've been satisfying.

"Wait, really?"

He rolled his eyes, supressing a slight gulp. "Yeah, really."

"So when do we get it?" Fishlegs asked.

Snotlout turned to him, mouth on the floor.

"I'm curious," he justified.

Time to get the cloak.

*

Getting the cloak was far easier than I thought it would be. It was on the desk of the chief's hut. I slipped in, grabbed the clcoak, and slipped out. That's it.

Without hesitation, Snotlout had suggested we fly to Changewing Island immediately. I agreed, not surprised when Snotlout took off without even considering how I'd get there. Luckily, Fishlegs was kind enough to offer me a ride.

The gronkle flew steadily, but relitavely slowly, giving me enough time to consider how bad of an idea this was. Should someone suspicious, like Astrid, realise my cloak AND I were gone they would presume that I had ditched the entire idea, or even that I was working with Ryker.

We should've left a note, at least.

Sighing, I tried to relax. We were just heading towards an island full of territorial acid-breathing dragons that were invisible with the full intention to kill on sight. Sure, I had trained Swiftstrike, but she was a subspecie of changewing - I only risked training her because I had heard Viggo and Ryker talking about the subspecie a few years back.

"There it is!" exclaimed Snotlout, turning to us.

"Ready Freya?" Fishlegs asked.

"Feeling fabulous..." I murmured.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you over the wind."

"I'm good!" I yelled.

Fishlegs directed the very tense gronkle towards the forest. It could've been my imagination but were there shimmers on the cliffs? Shaking my head, I watched the trees as we approached. From here I could just make out the individual trunks. Then branches. Then leaves-

There was a roar.

We had arrived, and the changewings knew it. What splendid luck.

"Okay guys, if you drop me off," I mumbled. Silently, we landed, and I slid off. There were wingbeats as they gained altitude, leaving me to the pack of changewings.

The world stilled.

My breathing seemed to disturb the quiet. Only the thought of proving myself kept me focused.

SNAP! My heart beat soared and I took a step back. Silvery lines snaked through bushes and trunks in front of me. And Beside me. I glanced back. Also Behind me.

There were crouches of leaves, and russles of bushes as the dragons slid past.

Don't panic don't panic don't panic don't panic OH MY THOR.

My hands were shaking and I fumbled putting on my cloak. Acid sploshed in front of me as I managed to put it on.

Everyone froze. I couldn't hear the gentle patter of feet, and I held my breath. Peeking out from under the cloak, I tried to find a changewing. Two intense yellow eyes stabbed mine.

I fell back.

Staggering to my feet, I searched for the changewing. It had disappeared.

A single bead of sweat dropped off my forehead.

I took my hood off. There was a snort of surprise to my right and I searched for the dragon. Its large eyes glanced at me in shock, but it wasn't the one I was looking for. I needed to find the alpha.

Large thumps darted thundered towards me. I turned. Green blurs decimated the ground where I just was.

I pulled the cloak down. More snorts of surprise. Up again. Inquisitive eyes searched me. Down. Up. There! The posture of the changewing made it very clear that it was the leader.

It had enough. It darted forwards, snarling. Lungeing to the side, I pulled my cloak down, but exposed a hand. It paused.

"Easy dragon, it's, um, okay. I want to tame, I mean, uh, be friends," I soothed, trying - and failing - not to stammer. With my other hand, I revealed my face again. Softening my expression, I took a step forwards.

Fully revealed, it raised its wings threateningly. I didn't move my hand.

"It's okay. D-don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you." It growled. "Or your pack." Its eyes softened. "That's it, nice changewing."

It was do or die.

I shut my eyes.

I could feel its breath on my skin. I couldn't move couldn't breath. My limbs were numb - frozen in fear.

Nothing happened. There was a deathly stillness. I didn't breath.

Warm scales nuzzled my palm. Gasping, I looked up. A broad grin swept over my face and I patted its neck.

"See? Nothing to worry about," I promised it, but I knew deep down I was telling myself that.

With a slight shriek-like roar, the alpha changewing called to its pack. They revealed themselves, creeping towards me with curiosity.

They won't eat me right? The alpha accepted me. Right?

My stomach churned. What if he said to eat me?

I stiffened as a changewing prodded me with one of its side horns.

They're not going to hurt me. They're not going to hurt me.

Pushing away any doubt, I gave the nearest one a stroke. It purred slightly and I smiled.

Then I saw the scars.

***

What happened to the changewings?

What are your thoughts on the chapter?

If you'd like to see an additional perspective if a past, future or implied scene, let me know.
(Hi this is the author from the future, while editing. This no longer applies, but as people responded I won't delete it!)

Characters:
Ryker
Swiftstrike
Fanghook
The changewings
Snotlout (exploring why is he so scared)
Other

Scenes:
Too many to list