════ ⋆★⋆ ════

chapter thirty-three
how to say goodbye to your dragon

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

    THE BATTLE continued on. It was a haze of roars, fire and angry war cries. While Hiccup fought from the air, the rest of his team battled on the water. And they worked well━for the first time in a very long time, they worked side by side. They were fluent, they bounced off each other without argument and without frustration. When Valkyrie was surrounded, Tuffnut would scare them off━running straight at them with his arms up high and a terrifying, ridiculous face. And she didn't even need to blink an eye before she spun her mallet and knocked the Hunter right over the side of the boat. Astrid bounced off Ruffnut to leap upwards and unlock the cages━with ferocious roars, the rest of Berk's dragons were being freed left, right and centre. Once she landed, they'd share a high-five in their celebration and move on, skidding past Hott who knocked warriors right into the direction of Snotlout's swinging hammer. He'd grin and shout: "YEAH━!" as he hit their noses. "YOU JUST GOT SMASHED BY THE SNOTMAN!" And when things became too much, Fishlegs somehow found enough courage to grab the rope and swing his way down, clearing Hunters out of the way like wooden pegs. 

    If their dragons were helping from above, they barely even noticed━they barely even needed their help. As more and more dragons escaped and made their way back to New Berk, the rest of the calvary landed to help. Valka, Eret son of Eret and Gobber the Belch joined the firestorm, and somehow, the group of them started to have an entire fleet at their mercy. 

    "Guys!" Snotlout shouted as he tugged open the cage of a pair of Snafflefangs. "That's two more on me! Four to go!"

     Valkyrie gasped and started off at a run after him, "Don't you dare!" she shouted, "I'm going to win this!"

    (But never once could they ever not turning something into a competition). 

    Around them, it was chaos. Masts crashed into the sea. Vessels slammed into each other. Sails were burning and Hunters were falling from the sky. The morning had turned into a hell of ash and smoke; the clouds grey and the water an ocean of fire. Dragons swooped and they fled━species of all sizes joined the battle; fighting for their right to live in peace. Valkyrie gawked as the vast wingspan of the Crimson Goregutter overpassed her, turning the entire deck she stood on into night before it passed on, ramming its antlers straight into the mast of the adjacent ship.

       Valkyrie raced to the next cage, tugging it open with a grunt just before Snotlout could struggle open his next to her. She poked her tongue out, smug as a whole swarm of Hobgobblers shot past. "Count them yourself!" she jeered. "But a whole swarm of Hobgobs will never amount to what you've..." her words trailed off, and her mouth fell agape when Snotlout just held his hand out, letting a legendary Silver Phantom take flight. She watched it go, in awe of the shine of its long, slender wings and the mysterious, haunting cry it made towards the sky.

     Snotlout arched a brow. Obnoxious, he leaned forward and said, "Oh━" he held his hand to his ear, "━what was that? What did you say, Valkyrie? Oh, yeah━Snotlout wins! Snotlout, Snotlout, oi, oi, oi!" He ran off, cheering with victory. 

    She made a face after him, simultaneously elbowing a Hunter in the nose as he tried to sneak up behind her. 

     Once she did, Valkyrie glanced up to the clouds back towards New Berk, her heart rising momentarily in her throat as she prayed for Hiccup to be okay. 

     Not far from her, Tuffnut leapt down from the deck below. He started the warrior nearby, crying out: "FEAR THE FACIAL HAIR━!" the guard gasped and spun around, bringing his blade down in a swift arc━

    Tuffnut stared, horrified as his makeshift beard split into two braids down the side of his face. Slowly, a look of horrific revenge crossed his face. He set his eyes onto the guard with nothing but murder on his mind. Then, he screamed. 

     The guard screamed and ran for his life as Tuffnut sprinted after him like a manic. They passed the entire swarm of Hobgobblers that had set their beady eyes on one, poor Hunter who was racing against time as the small dragons consumed the very deck floor in their flight towards him. Gobber cheered them on, waving one that had decided to latch its jaws on the end of his wooden hand. 

     Once the final dragon was let loose from its cage, Valkyrie took a deep breath and looked around. Astrid had taken flight to the nearby warship and taken over the steer, slamming her axe against the handles. She locked it to the deck and the vessel took a wide turn into its sister to its left. She waved goodbye, wishing the all the best as Stormfly picked her up by her arm and carried her away back to where Hott was already in the air. Together, the two of them followed the swarm of dragons back to New Berk. 

     With the ships aflame, Hunters screaming and other ships falling into the depths of the ocean, Valkyrie knew it was time to leave. But she hesitated. She climbed up onto the edge of the ship she was on now, gazing up amongst the army of dragons to search for just one. Her heart started to pound with worry when she didn't see him. 

     "Come on, Hiccup," she pleaded. "Come on."

     "Valkyrie!" Ruffnut called from where she kicked a final guard before hooking her arms around Belch's neck. "We need to go!"

     Cages were sliding across the tilting deck. Ships were slamming into each other with shattering force. They needed to leave now otherwise they'd be trapped in the disaster with the rest of the warlords and their army. She knew this.

     But Valkyrie just set her eyes upon the cliffs of New Berk once more. She expected to see Hiccup and Toothless fly straight towards her with the Light Fury in tow, cheering with victory. 

     She couldn't even hear the Night Fury's high-pitched cries. 

    "Valkyrie!" shouted Fishlegs.

    She pursed her lips. She fought her stubborn urge to stay and whistled for Zephyr. She leapt off the side of the ship and her dragon caught her, just before another vessel rammed into where she had just been. She climbed onto her dragon's back amongst flying, shattered wood, taking to the sky with the others━and she felt something strange; something permanent. As she flew with her closest friends and family on the back of her dragon, feeling the wind rush against her armour towards the heavens, there was something about it that made her feel as if she'll never do this again. 

     Valkyrie glanced to her side, seeing Astrid laugh and cheer in her saddle, her hands up in the air. She saw the Twins fight over something━reaching over to try and hit each other in the face. She saw Snotlout struggle as he realised he accidentally climbed backwards onto his saddle. She memorised the sight of Fishlegs hugging Fishmeat to his chest. She caught the eye of Hott on the other end, and she felt a wave of sadness wash over her as he sent her a delightful grin━beaming in celebration of their impossible win. And she remembered all the days where they soared into the sun, ready to take on the world. As youngsters barely even fifteen, as mature adventurers of eighteen ready to step away from their childhood, and now as young adults flying back to a home they found themselves on the back of companions that have been apart of their lives for over half a decade. 

    The Vikings of New Berk were cheering as they returned, leading an entire flock of dragons with their Chieftess in the lead. She saw them run to the edges, crying out and stamping their feet. Children were on their parents shoulders in order to make sure they saw this moment in history━and Valkyrie smiled, she waved. She grew tearful. She's never once been more happy to see them━to see her people all together. It didn't matter where they were, or what they faced, Berk was the people, and she's never loved them more before than she did in this moment, right now. Never been more grateful and proud. 

     She pulled off her helmet and held it up in the air and the crowd of Vikings below erupted into applause. Valkyrie grinned so bright her cheeks hurt. Especially when she saw her daughter, held in the arms of her grandparents, squealing and pointing upwards the minute she recognised her mother in the sky━and Valkyrie knew what she truly was fighting for. Her future, and right now, that future looked greater than it ever has before. 

    When they landed, they were swarmed with hugs and pats on the back. Children rushed forwards to tug on Ruffnut's braids and ask questions, and she went into an elaborate recount on everything that had happened. Snotlout's mother gave him a great big kiss on the cheek to which he recoiled only to rush forward and hug her when he thought no one was looking. Valkyrie saw Astrid tug Hott down into a kiss as soon as she was off her dragon and the crowd leapt into an even louder uproar at the sight. When she pulled away, Hott looked almost dazed, chuckling and bright red at the cheeks. Tuffnut rushed forward to scare the kids that surrounded Ruffnut and they squealed with delight. Fishlegs gave Meatlug the biggest hug he could manage. Eret son of Eret went over and held out his hand to shake Snotlout's. The Jorgenson turned up his nose, but relented and the two men finally came to a truce. Valka touched her fingertips to Cloudjumper's maw, gentle and loving. 

    Valkyrie ran straight to her parents. Linnea reached forward and she wrapped her daughter up into a tight hug, spinning her around as she laughed and squealed. Valkyrie kissed her amongst her hair, letting her nuzzle her cheek into her shoulder, relaxing there to grin at Zephyr who huffed a soft breath of smoke that tickled her nose. 

     Everyone was happy and everyone was celebrating. But there was one missing. With her daughter in her arms, Valkyrie searched the cried, the trees, the construction and the skies for her husband ... and her face started to fall as she noticed he had still not returned. 

    She turned to her mother as she pulled away from the hug with her parents and brothers. "Has Hiccup touched down?" she asked, trying not to sound distressed. 

    Her mother faltered. She glanced up at the skies, too. "We saw him pass overhead just a minute ago━"

    "It was awesome!" let out Erik, hands flying out in wild gestures. "He and Toothless had this whole group of Deathgrippers on his back and then Toothless just exploded into lightning and they turned invisible and it was amazing!"

    Valkyrie waited for her younger brother to finish. Soon realising he had, she rushed out, "A━and that's it? Nothing else?"

    Erik made a face, looking at her as if she was the weirdest creature on this island. "No. What else do you want?"

    She sent him an exasperated look at his sudden moody response. 

    Hott reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "He's still after Grimmel. But don't worry, he'll make it back━"

    The sound of a distressed, high-pitch shriek silenced them all. Valkyrie spun around, her heart in her throat. But it was different. It was softer. It was higher. It sounded as if it came from the heavens rather than vibrating within their very chests. 

    And then Valkyrie saw her. A flash of pure white dived down through the sky in the distance after something else; a figure of midnight black falling straight to the cliff's edge. 

     She didn't think twice. 

    "Look after her━" Valkyrie ordered Hott, passing Linnea over. He took her awkwardly, making a face after his sister as she took off at a sprint.

    "Wait!" he called, holding out a crying Linnea. "Wait━hey━where are you going?!" 

     Valkyrie didn't answer. But they all knew it━she had made a promise to Linnea's future. And she damned the gods if they thought they'd let her father not be apart of it. 

     She skidded through the long grass, hearing the rest of Berk and their dragons follow. They ran towards the cliff Toothless and the Light Fury toppled to; a length of rock that extended out towards the ocean━an arc over the waterfalls and sea shore; as if they were rushing towards a broken bridge to Valhalla. 

    Valkyrie stumbled, but she kept herself on her feet as the Light Fury reached Toothless. She wrapped him up in her wings as the two of them crashed into the grass. They tumbled and they rolled━they skidded a path right to the centre. 

    "Toothless!" cried out Valkyrie, rushing to his side. But she stopped before she got too close, hesitant as the Light Fury let out a ferocious growl to them all as they neared. But then as she saw the woman at the front of them━saw her breathless heave and her distressed face, the Light Fury's snarl softened. It turned into a curious purr as she tilted her head ... and in that moment, she saw herself in a Viking who wanted nothing more than to make sure the one she loved was safe. 

     The Light Fury yelped. She leapt back onto all fours and bounded towards Valkyrie. The Chieftess's heart pounded, confused as the dragon circled her with distressed guttural cries. She kept jerking her body back towards the sky, leaping small jumps into the air. 

     Valkyrie's eyes widened. She couldn't believe the sight. She was breathless for a second, but then she knew what this dragon wanted her to do. She glanced back at Zephyr and as if knowing exactly what she was asking, her dragon nodded. She smiled before taking a deep breath. Valkyrie Haddock set her jaw before running forward and throwing one leg over the Light Fury's back.

    Settling bareback, she held on tight as the dragon turned to face the cliff's edge. "Let's go, girl━" she said and the Light Fury let out a bellowing roar. She heard the others cheer her name as the dragon hunched her legs and the two of them took off back into the sky. 

    Valkyrie remembered the first time she flew a dragon. She remembered the freedom of how the wind struck her cheeks and billowed her clothes. She remembered the thrill of darting through the clouds and over seas they once thought they could only sail━never fly. She remembered feeling ready to conquer every inch of the clouds and the sky━she felt invincible. 

     She was overwhelmed with this feeling again; clinging on tight to a dragon she's never ridden before without a saddle and without any handles━with nothing more to keep her on than the strength of her own arms and legs; speeding through the sky faster than she has ever done before on a dragon that was nothing if not completely, and wonderfully wild━who faced this world on her own terms. 

     Valkyrie pressed herself close the Light Fury's back, her ears popping at how fast she was going. Faster than she's ever gone on Zephyr, on Toothless━on any dragon. The whole world around her was a blur as the Light Fury dipped them down into a steep dive through the clouds back towards the ocean; past the steep and towering cliffs of New Berk. They darted in and out of sea stacks, spun through behind waterfalls and raced against the rules of time towards the silhouettes that were free falling below. 

    The Light Fury folded her wings. Valkyrie felt her shriek rattle through her arms and legs. She clenched her jaw and locked her arms, eyes narrowed as they aimed straight ahead. 

     She saw Hiccup glance upwards at the sound. His eyes widened━there was a distant sound of Grimmel shouting in fury as he desperately tried to drag Hiccup down with him to the grave. 

     Hiccup drew a breath of determination. As they descended quicker and quicker towards the water below, he managed to reach down and with a tug, unclasped his metal leg from his body. The last thing they saw was Grimmel's pale, white look of horror━the last thing they heard was his bone-chilling scream━

     Valkyrie pulled the Light Fury back up as soon as she felt the thud of her legs wrapping around Hiccup's chest. She turned away at the mighty crack! as Grimmel hit the water. They shot back up within showers of water━pushing through every gust of wind.

     The Light Fury stretched her flight once they were free of the sea stacks and Valkyrie rubbed her neck to say, thank you. Then, she grinned, trying to glance down, "You got him, girl?"

     She ducked her head down and there Hiccup was, breathless and shaken━but very much alive. She tilted her head and lifted her gums to give him a smile. 

    Hiccup chuckled. He shook his head in disbelief. Then, a wonderful beam brightened across his cheeks. "See?!" he laughed, a little crazed with relief. "I knew you'd come around!"

    He glanced up to where Valkyrie leaned over from the Light Fury's back. Hiccup's smile softened. She nodded, telling him she didn't need to hear him say anything━she knew it all. And her heart grew light to see him soon crack a mischievous grin, "Well, hello there, Milady!"

     She felt her chest swell at the name, "You have a habit of free-falling off cliffs, you know."

     "Eh," Hiccup joked with a shrug as they neared the cliff, "someone has to keep you on your toes."

    Valkyrie chuckled, shaking her head at him. But the smile did not leave her face. She let out a long sigh, slumping backwards as she, too, let out a relieved laugh.

     It was finally over. 

    The Light Fury let Hiccup go softly onto the grass as they returned. She landed and Valkyrie slipped off her back. She turned, and the two shared a quiet moment. Val cupped her snout and she purred. Leaning in, she whispered to the dragon, "Thank you."

    All around them, Vikings gathered. Their cheers returned. They blessed the gods for the Chief's safe return. They called his name and their dragons roared into the heavens. Their victory had finally come━after all these years fighting against those who hunted and killed dragons ... at last they won the battle that saved them all. 

    Valkyrie breathed a tired smile. She rushed over to where Hiccup knelt on the grass, crouching down beside him with a hand on his shoulder. Her hand reached up to his hair where she cradled his head to lean in and hug him tight. He held her just the same, whispering I love you into her ear. 

     She gradually pulled away, brushing some ash off his cheek so she could see his freckles. Together, the two of them glanced over to where Toothless was starting to stir on the grass. Valkyrie met Hiccup's eye again, and she understood. She kissed his temple before helping him up. When he was ready, he squeezed her arm and he let go, taking stumbling strides with only one leg towards his dragon. Throwing his gloves off, Hiccup gently lowered to the grass in front of his dragon, his knuckles reaching out to softly coax Toothless awake. 

     His dragon huffed, eyes fluttering open to stare back into his rider's own. "Hey ..." murmured Hiccup. "Good morning, bud..." he scratched him under his chin and Toothless nudged tiredly into his palm. "Here you go." As Toothless held up his head, Hiccup quickly shuffled in so his dragon could rest against his legs. "Boy," he stroked his snout━tender up along the fins of his head, "you are full of surprises..."

    Valkyrie stumbled forward when something nudged her against her back.  Glancing around, she chuckled to feel Zephyr immediately shove his head to her chest and into her arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, scratching his scales as he brought his snout up to meet his horn against her forehead. "That's my boy," she murmured sweetly, tracing the colours on his snout with her fingers. He gave her a low, soft guttural squawk in reply and she smiled, closing her eyes and letting herself have a moment to relax amongst the cheers with her best friend. 

     Though as soon as she heard Linnea call, she was there. She stepped back and knelt down, holding out her arms as her little girl ran to her. Her little Linnea that was more her father than anybody else━with her little legs and her little hands; but her smile. The bright look in her eyes ... the way she squeezed the breath from Val's lungs in her excitement ... she was her mother's little girl━she was always going to be her mother's little girl. 

    "Oh!" Valkyrie dramatically fell backwards onto the grass and her daughter laughed. "You are getting heavy! A mighty Viking you'll make one day━" she squeezed her and rocked her sideways as she sat back up, showering her with kisses that made her heart soar when she heard her daughter's wonderful giggles. 

      It was a happy moment. Valkyrie was happy. 

     Standing up, Valkyrie hugged Linnea to her chest. She smiled as she wrapped her arms tight around her neck, clinging like a little bear who never wanted to let go. She glanced back at Hiccup, and she continued to smile as when he noticed the Light Fury approach, he stepped back. He brushed her maw with his fingers and said, "He's all yours."

     And she saw a part of him finally letting go. Finally growing up. 

     Valkyrie stepped forward as she saw him struggle to stand. She ducked her head underneath his outstretched arm and grasped his side. He leaned against her as he gently tucked hair out of Linnea's eyes, nudging her cheek to make her smile and hide her face. Valkyrie breathed a soft chuckle, setting her head against Hiccup's shoulder. And she felt safe and at home, with her husband and their daughter━together; and she knew that was all that mattered. 

    Together they watched Toothless and the Light Fury reunite. They smiled as they nudged snouts and rubbed their heads against each other's scales. Valkyrie's heart was full━something was complete to see Toothless with his own family. To finally find companionship in his own kind. It was something beautiful. 

    Valkyrie rubbed soft circles on Linnea's back, feeling her start to fall asleep now that she had them back━happy, content; home. 

    She felt Hiccup run a few fingers through the strands of her hair and she glanced up him to find his gaze already set upon her. Her brows furrowed slightly as she tried to decipher the look in his eyes, but once she did, she smiled. Valkyrie nodded, breathing a quiet, yes. Hiccup fixed the flower she had in her hair before cradling her head━their foreheads met in a loving embrace; the three of them. And for once, the future they had in mind for Linnea━for their family, however big it might turn out to be ... was one and the same. 

    When he glanced up, her gaze followed. Valkyrie slowly set it upon Toothless, finding him watch the three of them━and she's never seen such a bittersweet sadness, and yet happiness in his eyes. Hiccup pursed his lips. 

    His dragon glanced back out towards the horizon, his ears falling back flat against his head. When he met Hiccup's gaze again, a silent understanding weighed down upon the both of them━and it settled heavy in both of their hearts. 

     Hiccup took a deep, solemn breath. He turned to Val, and he rested his forehead against the side of her head━full of grief until he found the strength to press a kiss amongst Linnea's hair and surge forwards. 

    Toothless met him in the middle, dipping his snout down low to catch him before Hiccup fell. A long, sad purr left his throat, meeting the eyes of the boy he's protected all these years ... but he was no longer a boy anymore━and he no longer needed to be protected. 

    Hiccup's brows knitted together. He felt a painful lump grow in his throat. He gently held his dragon's snout, nodding to tell him that he understood. "You're right, bud," he whispered. His voice cracked━and for a second, he sounded like that fifteen-year-old boy all over again, finding the dragon that would change his life for the very first time. "It's time."

    He brushed the scales above Toothless's right eye and breathed a sad smile, "I was so busy fighting for a world that ... that I wanted, I didn't think about what you needed..."

     Hiccup leaned in close to his dragon, "You've looked after us for long enough," he whispered to him, voice filled with a gratitude he could never quite express in proper words. "Time to look after yourselves."

     His words settled deep within Valkyrie's chest. Her frown deepened, and it took her a moment to understand what he meant. She felt her heart fall━it dropped, and all of the sudden, she felt sick. Her breath hitched, and an aching feeling rose up into her chest; it replaced her heart, and Valkyrie found it hard to breathe.

      Her face fell. Slowly, as tears started to well up in her eyes, Valkyrie turned to where Zephyr sat waiting patiently for her to return━and some part of her was torn away. 

    This whole time, Valkyrie thought it was Hiccup that needed to let Toothless go. That it was him that had to say goodbye in order to give his dragon the best life; one that he could not have at Hiccup's side ...

    She thought that she would be watching Hiccup say his farewells. 

    She didn't know━she didn't let herself understand━that she must say her goodbyes, too. That the only way to keep their dragons safe; to give them a better life, one they could never have at their sides ... was to let them go. 

     Valkyrie had to let Zephyr go. 

    All around her, there was a sinking feeling━it settled upon every Viking of Berk like a gentle wave. They shared glances, they looked down at their feet, they turned to their dragons━they all wondered what was happening; until it began to hit them like a damning blow to the chest. And they started to wonder ... what will they do now? How ... how could they live without their dragons?

     A tear fell. Her throat ached as her dragon tilted his head, noticing that she was upset━and wondering why. He dipped his neck and head low, walking towards her with those loving, protective eyes that were so small, but held the biggest emotion━that as she gazed at them, were a reflection of herself. 

     Keeping her daughter in a tight hold against her chest, Valkyrie reached out her palm and her dragon raised his head to meet it, closing his eyes and settling at the very touch. She sniffled, stepping in closer to run it up and down his neck━she walked underneath him until her fingers found the clasp to his saddle. His gaze followed her, confused when she started to tug the leather━and just like that, all of it; the leather, the handles, the stitching and the seat that had become a second home, fell to a heap on the ground. 

    Zephyr glanced down at it. A hesitant crone resonated deep in the back of his throat. Valkyrie bit back more tears as he ducked down, sniffing at the leather. He nudged it towards her boots, trying to get her to pick it up and put it back on.

     She couldn't stop the tears this time. They dotted the edge of her shoes as she shook her head and stepped away. "No," she croaked. "No, Zeph. Not this time."

     He looked up. He met her height. He made that same noise again━his gaze flickering between her and Linnea rested against her chest. He hunched his wings and nudged his saddle again. He shoved it━it struck her shins and Valkyrie let out a stifled sob. "No, boy," she tried to tell him. He whined and she brought her hand up to cover her eyes as she started to cry. 

    Zephyr forced his head under her wrist and pressed his snout against her cheek as she did, comforting her and Linnea who woke up at the sound of her mother's cries. 

     "It's okay," she whimpered to her dragon as he matched her tears with broken squawks. "It's okay. We're going to be okay."

    All around them, there were goodbyes. Saddles fell at people's feet. Tears were shed. Vikings hugged the same creatures they used to kill with ruthless vengeance, but now, had become their most trusted and loved companions. Their company at dinner, their beloved friend who visited their back door. Their dearest friends that of which were bonded true to each other━in their hearts, their minds and very much in their souls. And just as they had met, did they say goodbye. Just as they had their beginning, must they all have their ending. 

     Valkyrie clenched her eyes tight, already knowing she'll miss the warmth of Zephyr's scales. She felt as if she hadn't been given enough time. She felt as if there was so much more they could do. Before she met Zephyr, Valkyrie never realised how much a part of her life had been missing. It was as if as soon as she locked his gaze in the dragon arena when she was just fifteen, this stern, protective, and yet loving and playful Windstriker had filled the hole. He showed her the stars, and he showed her the ocean━he showed her the snow-capped mountains and the heavenly sky; he showed her freedom, and Valkyrie knew she had been blessed with the greatest memories of her life with him. 

    Zephyr had been her friend. He had been her companion, he had been her protector as well as her heart. He had been her guardian━her armour and her hearth; all of these years, Zephyr overlooked Valkyrie grow up. He saw a child desperate to prove herself, but deep down, was terrified and lost ... he took her under his wing; wrapped her up into his embrace and decided he was going to look after her━was going to adopt her as one of his own. 

     She pulled away, her palm lingering until it rested back against his snout. She blinked back her tears as Zephyr tilted his head to gently nudge Linnea's arm; puffing a soft, warm breath against her cheek━and Valkyrie knew that her dragon had done his best to take care of her, too, and now, he said goodbye. 

     Valkyrie had a bittersweet smile on her face. She rubbed his horn. "It's okay," she told him again. "We will be okay." His eyes met her own and she nodded, promising him that they will be all right. "Thank you, boy," then said Valkyrie to her dragon. "For everything━thank you." She stepped back, hoisting Linnea up higher. "Now, go." She nodded towards to horizon. "It's time for you to find your way back home."

    Zephyr watched her for a long moment. Valkyrie smiled at him, tearful and proud. 

    Then, as Toothless bellowed a calling cry, her dragon's gaze snapped away. His wings ruffled. His muscles tensed. And then, without a second glance, Zephyr took off into the sky. Valkyrie watched him leave━she watched all the dragons leave. She watched each and every one launch off the cliff's edge━she watched Stormfly depart Astrid's side, and her friend stumble a little after her. She watched Meatlug join the flock of Gronckles with little Fishmeat in her open jaw. She saw Hott take a sharp breath through his nose, just as tearful as he waved Spikemoth farewell━until his arm dropped to his side and he furiously wiped at his cheeks. Hookfang, Barf and Belch, Skullcrusher, Cloudjumper━Asrifth's dragon Boulder, Mak and Erik's Terrible Terrors━each and every one ... they filled the sky. They became a cloud of many different colours, about to take this journey together ... 

     But the grounds they left. The grass and the trees and the mountains ... they had suddenly become so very silent ... so very empty. 

    Hiccup hugged Toothless close one last time. "I know, bud," he whispered. "I love you, too."

     He managed to pull away. His hand lingered; it brushed the scales of his dragon ... his palm rested against Toothless's snout ... and as Hiccup looked away, slowly, did his hand fall. 

     Valkyrie wandered up to his side. Tears continued fall as she watched Zephyr's blue and white scales become a silhouette. She held back a muffled sob when she could no longer see the glow of yellow against the sun. She hung her head when he became nothing more than a distant blur ... a distant memory. 

     Hiccup pulled her in close and held her. He did not take his eyes away as Toothless stopped by the very edge━the final dragon left on New Berk. 

     He glanced back. Linnea raised her little hand. Her cheeks and her young eyes red, she waved goodbye. 

     Toothless reared his head back. He seemed to take a deep breath. Then, he turned and set off into the distance. For a short while, he was the only one━a single black figure amongst the clouds ... but then he cried out━it echoed across the island; through the caves, rustled the forest leaves and splintered up the mountain sides ... 

     And then he caught up with the rest of them. 

    And just like that, they were gone. 

════ ⋆★⋆ ════

    a/n: happy christmas to those who celebrate. 

    ...

    what a chapter omg. 

    I think I had to stop multiple times and take a break because otherwise I was going to sob all over my keyboard.

    I don't think I actually realised how emotionally attached I am to this book and these characters━and zephyr and val's relationship━until I literally broke writing their farewell.

    and I didn't focus much on hiccup and toothless. or the others and their goodbyes. this chapter, this goodbye ... this was meant for val and zephyr alone. this series may be a hiccup x oc, yes, but this was their book. their series. their story.  just like in the films, the most important relationship in this fanfic is the companionship between valkyrie and her dragon. and I'm proud of it, because I think I conveyed it very well. it physically hurt writing this. 

    just like zephyr, we've watched valkyrie grow up. and he was her guardian angel. he was her protector. and just like she had to let him go, he had to let her go and let her finally look after herself. 

     but I am going to be writing into detail about hiccup and toothless's goodbye for my other book. and that is also why I saved a lot of it, because that goodbye is going to be something important and special for yrsa just as much as it is for hiccup. 

    here's a drawing. it's crap, but I know I'd hate myself if I didn't do one for this chapter and for their farewell:

    I ran out of pages in my drawing book so ignore the journal lines lol.

    one more chapter to go of httyd 3 ...