686Chapter 22: Behold The Light
Author's Note – None of the information in this note impacts this story, but I wanted to briefly mention something about Galadriel since nothing of her backstory is presented in the cinematic productions. She is part of a group of Elves who rebelled and left Valinor/The Undying Lands in favor of ruling over a portion of Middle-earth long ago. While her history is less spotless than the films implied, she never became a truly morally grey figure. She was not part of the Kinslayings (Elves killing fellow Elves). Yes, Elves in the First Age were very different from the film portrayals of Elves. Feanor is to blame for a lot of that. Anyway, Galadriel always used her ring for good purposes only. Just thought you'd like to know these details.
Behold The Light
The constant patter of a soft rain sounded in the morning. The light never grew too bright, both because of the clouds and also because of the massive Mallorn crowns which cast the entire world beneath in shadow. A clean, soft wind flowed through the branches around the platform and large tent he and Toothless were given.
Hiccup lay with his hands behind his head while listening to the drizzle and the faint Elven song that even now echoed through the air.
"Melmemma noren sina..."
"Nur ala earo nur..."
"Si dannatha nauva..."
He had no idea what the words in the song meant, but they were peaceful, solemn, and timeless. He had to wipe away a few tears that he didn't know he had shed.
What a place...
He kept listening to the ethereal singing while his thoughts wandered far.
While this hidden Elven world was amazing in so many ways, it also felt like this was a place of hiding away, which it absolutely was. The Elves of this people hid themselves away from dangers while trying to preserve their past and also while the Elves remained ready for war.
This realm did not feel anything like the rest of the Middle-earth that he had seen. The trees were different, the people were different, everything was different and strange. Even Rivendell was still part of the land and open to the sky, but the depths of Lothlorien felt like... another world entirely. This was a place of magic mirrors and visions, massive and towering trees that felt especially alive, constant song, and passing of lifetimes.
This was not a human world at all.
Then he sighed, not sure what he was truly feeling, shuffled over to Toothless, and flicked one of his ears.
"Sleep well, bud?"
"Until an annoying human tickled me awake..." Toothless grumbled without opening his eyes or moving.
"I thought you wouldn't want to miss the basket of fish."
Toothless flew to his paws and spun around, looking wildly for the basket.
"Where is it?" he barked.
"Not here yet," Hiccup shrugged.
Toothless settled down and glared at him.
"You woke me up for fish that are not here yet!" he indignantly pointed a paw.
"Gotcha! I just didn't want you to sleep all day."
"I would not do that! Not now on this journey anyway," Toothless pleasantly fumed.
"And to talk about anything if you want to..." Hiccup added with a contented sigh.
"Like what?" Toothless asked while resting his head on his paws.
Hiccup shuffled over and leaned against his side. Together, they stared out at the mystical view of Lothlorien, now so peaceful in the steady drizzle. They saw a few Elves walking along the pathways built into the Mallorns or between the massive branches.
"I don't know. Anything. How about this: what happens if we do find other dragons?"
"Good ones or bad ones?"
"Good ones. Other Night Furies, maybe. Hopefully."
Toothless's tail twitched on the floor next to him while the Fury hesitated to answer.
"I try to not think about it. That way I cannot be disappointed by not finding them."
"That's understandable, but we should have some idea what to do about them," Hiccup frowned.
"I do not know my kind though."
"No, but let's think about it anyway. We can figure something out. They will be as smart as you, that's for sure. They will probably be able to talk just like you can."
"True."
"You want to find others of your kind, so they might live in a pack instead of on their own. They are living somewhere far away from humans or anyone else. They live out in the wild because... they want to stay as far away from humans as they can... because they remember being hunted before and the fighting in the past, probably. Out there is where they feel safe."
Toothless thought about it and then huffed after nodding.
"That all has lift. We are going to tell them they should come back and fight in a war for humans? Why would they do that? Why would they leave the life that they know?" Toothless countered.
Hiccup hesitated to give an answer to that.
"Yeah, I'm not sure about that. Maybe because it is the right thing to do. That sometimes there is no choice but to fight."
"But why would they trust humans when humans probably hurt them in the past?"
A pensive silence ensued while they both thought about the answer to that obstacle.
"Why did you trust me, bud?"
Toothless curled his tail around Hiccup and lay the tailfin in his lap.
"Because you proved yourself to me even after I got hurt..."
Hiccup nodded while stroking the tailfin. He glanced around the platform, feeling for a moment as though they were not alone, but there was no one else there.
"It should be much better for them in this world. Remember that Elrond, Gandalf, Strider-Aragorn, and even the Elves here, none of them saw or even heard of any Night Furies before. That means that there has probably not been any fighting between the Furies and humans or anyone else in this world. If the Furies, or even other dragons that we know, do join the war on our side, well, there is a saying that goes like 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend'."
Toothless hummed in thought.
"Seeing humans and dragons joining flights against the same enemy would help make trust," he agreed.
"That would be a start, but more would be needed for the peace to last," Galadriel spoke.
They both jumped in surprise and wonder at the suddenness of her appearance and how silent she could be. She stood at the door to their combination platform and tent. However, she was not alone. She was hand in hand with her husband, both of them fully clad in pure white. Several other attendants stood behind them.
"I trust that you both rested well," Celeborn regally greeted them.
"Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel," Hiccup got to his feet and bowed.
Toothless did likewise with a bow of his head.
"When do you plan on departing from our realm?" Celeborn asked.
They glanced at each other, silently coming to agreement.
"We want to fly soon. Today if we can," Hiccup answered.
"We thought it would be so. We have brought supplies for both of you," Celeborn gestured to his attendants.
The other Elves came forth and started piling various things on the floor in the middle of the platform. Then the other Elves departed, leaving only Celeborn and Galadriel with them.
"What are these?" Hiccup politely asked while investigating some odd vials and what looked like loaves of bread wrapped in large leaves.
Celeborn answered his question.
"The drink is Miruvor, a cordial that should be drunk sparingly. The bread we call Lembas. It will keep for many months, and, while it will not fill the belly entirely, it strengthens the will and endurance the longer you rely on it. This should be enough to sustain you for several months in the barren lands, should you need it."
The Elf-lord turned over a cloth which hid a quiver and a cloak.
"We also will gift you several Galadhrim arrows for your bow. They have been blessed so that they will not fail you so long as your purpose is pure. Finally, you may find this cloak helpful against the cold or if you must hide."
Hiccup took up the dark green cloak and threw it around his shoulders. It was not heavy, but it was very warm, which could be very helpful in the north. The part about it helping him to hide was strange though and made little sense.
He glanced at Toothless, who gave him a purr of approval, and then he bowed to Galadriel and Celeborn.
"That is all very helpful. Thank you."
"I hear that you plan to stop at Dale on your venture to the Heath. I would recommend that you obtain additional supplies for your journey into the far North there," Celeborn suggested.
"We will, Lord."
Celeborn inclined his head and then stepped back. He retrieved a basket which had been out of sight. The basket was filled with fresh fish.
Where did they get those from?
"I hope that this is satisfactory to you, good dragon."
"It is. You have my thanks," Toothless answered.
"I shall leave you now. My Lady has one final gift for you."
Celeborn then departed, his white robes vanishing outside the corner of the large tent.
Galadriel approached them. She drew a long, thin cord from a pocket in her flowing white dress.
"I have a special gift for you, Toothless."
Toothless looked up from the basket of untouched fish.
She held out her hand, the cord dangling from both sides off her open palm. The cord held a small silver pendant. In the center of the pendant was a small, white jewel like a pearl.
The pearl glowed from within with a very faint but pure white light.
They both stared in awe.
Hiccup had never seen anything like this before. Rocks or crystals that could make light were amazingly beautiful. Had he heard any stories about gems that glowed with light? It felt like he had somewhere...
Toothless could not look away from the gem. The tiny rock that was burning with light was soul-fire-warming and precious, and the light felt unnaturally powerful, as if the jewel was truly a star. He had seen dead gems that did not have any light in the Barrow-wight's den, but this was very different.
"What is it?" he whispered.
"It is a gem in which I have bestowed some of the light of Earendil," she whispered.
"What is Earendil?" Hiccup softly asked.
She gave a very ancient and warm smile as she looked to the hidden heavens.
"Earendil the Mariner sailed across the great sea to Valinor to beg aid for all of Middle-earth in a time of need. He brought back the Valar themselves, who then fought against Morgoth and cast the Great Enemy beyond the edge of the world and outside the Door of Night until the end of time. It was in that battle that Earendil, flying in his sky-ship, Vingilot, and aided by the Great Eagles, slew the greatest dragon that ever was, Ancalagon the Black, whose fall destroyed the three peaks of Thangorodrim. For his valor, Earendil was set among the stars, to fly forever in his sky-ship with his Silmaril upon his brow. He waits there as a sign of hope until the end days."
She kissed the small, glowing pearl. Then she gazed at Toothless as he stared wide-eyed at the jewel.
"This light is but a pale image of the Silmaril he carries now, but know that no being of evil could bear this light for long without suffering great pain. Ela i ca! What do you think of it?"
Toothless, numb and at a loss for words, still stared at the glowing jewel. Unlike with gold or the presence of the Ring, there was no deep desire to claim or hoard despite this being a very precious thing. This was entirely different.
"I feel warm. It is very beautiful."
Without any further words, she strode over to him and slung the looped cord over his head and down his neck. The small pendant came to rest snug on his chest after she secured the loop and tied it off. Then she stepped back and nodded to him.
"It is most appropriate that you should be the one to bear this. It will shine brightest when night and despair are upon you. Let it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights have faded."
He held up a paw to the small gem and touched it.
"It can help me not be tempted by gold?" he whispered in wonder.
"Yes, it can be a light for you, but it is not the greatest protection you have."
She spun in place and paused at the entrance to their platform-tent, where she then turned back to them.
"If you see a dark tower in the south of Mirkwood, pass by that place without stopping there. There is nothing good in Dol Guldur. Mirkwood is also home to fell things, and you should avoid those woods if you can. I bid the winds be warm and the blessings of the Valar and the Eldar upon you. The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the Earth. I smell it in the air. What will you change next, I wonder?"
She held up her hand, and there was a flash of light. They blinked, and she was gone from sight without even seeming to have departed.
They recovered themselves and stared at each other in a stupor. Both of their gazes were eventually drawn to the jewel on the pendant hanging from Toothless's neck. The light the pearl shed was just barely visible on Toothless's chest.
Hiccup stumbled over to him and held the pendant for a moment. The pendant felt unnaturally warm in his palm.
"That is... something special... bud."
"I know," Toothless again nudged the pendant with his paw.
Then he chuckled softly.
"This is a good hoard."
"Yeah, I'll agree with that. I hope it helps you not feel so... twisted and tempted."
"Somehow, I think it will help me."
Hiccup then looked around at all the various items that they had been left with.
"Great, guess I should get packing."
Toothless snorted.
"I will pack away the fish."
"Bet you will. Finally found something the dragon is good at..."
The tail swept him off his feet and sent him tumbling to the floor.
"I should have seen that one coming..." Hiccup chuckled.
"Yes, you should have," Toothless laughed.
Hiccup packed away the wrapped Lembas bread and the vials of Miruvor while Toothless attended to the basket of fish. The Fury spared one fish and flamed it for him.
At some point Hiccup realized that the rain had stopped falling.
That looks like a sign to me...
He strapped the additional supplies into the riding rig, fitted the tailfin on again, and then he had his dragon-flamed fish for breakfast. Once he finished, he joined Toothless on the ledge where they perched and once again beheld the alien beauty of Lothlorien.
The massive Mallorn trees with homes, stairs, and halls woven into their trunks and crowns. The aetherial song that floated on the wind. The pure lights from lamps slung along walkways and rope bridges. The timeless beauty and elegance of this unearthly place that probably had no equal in all Middle-earth.
"I'll miss this little hidden world," Hiccup sighed.
"Me also. But we will remember it always. I think we will see this place again," Toothless purred.
"Yeah, I'd like that. Probably wouldn't want to live here, but just to see it again... definitely."
Hiccup briefly held Toothless's pendant in his hand. The tiny pearl almost glowed brighter for a moment before fading again.
"You want to keep that on for now?"
"Yes, I do," Toothless purred.
"Alright then. Are you ready to fly?"
"Am I a dragon?"
"Yeah, good point."
Toothless held his head high and perched on the ledge while Hiccup hopped into the saddle. Wings were spread as they prepared to leap.
A faint flash of light gave them pause before they took flight.
Galadriel stood on a far ledge. She was visible upon it since she wore her pure white as always. Her hand was raised toward them in a gesture of parting. A faint light like that of a star burned on her hand.
'Namarie, farewell until we meet again...'
Another flash of light followed. She vanished from sight as though she were only a phantom.
Gods, that's magic...
Hiccup remembered that she was a secret bearer of a ring of power. Perhaps that explained some of her strangeness. That Gandalf had a ring explained some of why simply being around him was encouraging.
"Let's go," Hiccup whispered.
Toothless gave a solemn yet piercing roar as he jumped from the ledge. He soared up between the massive Mallorns and gradually spun higher toward the beams of light from above. He twisted and turned through the interwoven crowns until a large opening appeared before them.
With a spin and a joyful cry, they burst from between the branches and emerged in the open sky, the storm clouds having passed and a bright sun now shining down on the forest of Lorien in all directions out to the horizon. The massive trees' green crowns below flowed in the warm wind.
There was no indication that an Elven realm lay hidden down below in the forest.
Their flight turned for the northeast. Somewhere beyond the horizon lay the expanse of Mirkwood and the far distant realm of Erebor beyond which the first of their true destinations lay.
The Withered Heath.
But first they would make at least one stop.
His wings did not tire at all.
This new strength he felt was probably a combination of having had many fish, the knowledge that he was on a flight to possibly find his kin, having his friend and human brother with him, and the warming, precious jewel he now carried.
They had left behind the woods of Lorien the prior day and had flown over a massive plain and river, the shores of which they had slept by last night. This day of flight had brought them deep over the massive forest called Mirkwood. They had been aloft without stopping well past midday.
He glared down at the forest and growled at it again.
Its appearance looked very twisted and wrong. It looked from above to be very thick and dark, but in a different way from how Lothlorien was dark. There were many barren trees interspersed with the green ones. This forest almost reminded him of the old forest that had tried to attack him in harmless ways.
Whatever was wrong and twisted about this forest, he had no desire to stop there at all, especially since Galadriel had warned him and Hiccup against stopping here.
Neither of them said anything as they continued on through the afternoon.
Finally, they arrived at a small mountain range around sunfall. The mountains were mostly barren at their rocky peaks, though there were some large trees with twisted, knotted crowns. The forest at the base of the mountains was covered in a smothering mist and fog that reminded them both of the Barrow-Downs.
"Bud, I hate to say it, but we should rest soon," Hiccup offered.
"Yes, we should."
He dove for the nearest mountain, but then almost immediately recoiled in alarm and hovered in the air. He saw a number of large holes around the base of the mountain. Creatures always lived in such holes. There were also what looked like large spiderwebs on some of the smaller trees.
"What's the matter, bud? See anything?"
He pointed a forepaw at what he saw.
"Bad things live there."
"It's too far away for me to see. I'll trust you on that. What should we do?" Hiccup asked.
"We should rest now, but we need a safe place to do it," he growled.
The peaks looked free of true danger, at least in one place.
He flashed his teeth and purred deeply.
"I know where!"
"Alright, lead the way."
They flew up the slope of the mountains while he looked for an appropriate location. Then he saw one and dove for it after a wingbeat of consideration.
The tree he touched down in was a very big one about halfway up the slope. The knotted branches were more than large enough to hold his weight, though he carefully tested them to make sure they were not rotted inside.
"We sleeping up here?" Hiccup asked.
"Yes, the ground is not safe for you."
"No argument from me, bud."
A couple leaps and bounds left him tightly wedged in a nook where he could lay down on his side. If it were only himself he could have just hung by his tail from a large branch to be more comfortable.
He doubted that Hiccup could sleep well upside down, so this would have to work instead.
Hiccup hopped down from his back, and he held Hiccup tightly to his belly with a wing draped over him.
He should be warm there.
"Thanks, bud. This is crazy, sleeping in a tree," Hiccup whispered.
"Do you miss the den in the Shire and the beds in the Elf-cities?"
Hiccup shrugged.
"Maybe a little, but we're going on an adventure, so it's fine..."
Something was twisted about the way Hiccup said that. Maybe it was just that he was tired after a full day of flying, but that did not feel right.
"Hiccup, is something nibbling your tail?"
"You haven't changed me into a dragon yet, so I don't have a tail..." Hiccup chuckled.
He snorted.
"You know what I meant..."
"I'm just eager to get out there, just the two of us, and start searching."
"So am I."
He remained awake well after the stars came out and Hiccup's breaths slowed. Nothing moved on the mountain for a long time. There was a distant flurry of motion under a far grove of trees, small shapes scuttling along under them. A few twisted calls and cries echoed in the night. A pawful of bats and other winged things flew by.
But nothing came their way or noticed him.
He was nothing but a shadow hidden near the top of a gnarled tree.
They took to the sky before dawn; they were very eager to put some distance between themselves and the ground. Neither of them wanted to stay in Mirkwood any longer than was necessary.
Many leagues of forest passed underwing throughout the morning until they finally flew out from over the last of Mirkwood. The land became more open with healthier trees, more green, and no menacing mist.
Hiccup checked the map once they reached a rushing river, and he confirmed that they were getting closer to the first destination. The twisting river also looked like a good place to rest late in the morning, so they settled down there to rest, stretch their legs, and do anything else that needed doing.
He nibbled on some of the Elven waybread, the Lembas, for an elevensies, or maybe luncheon, meal.
Hmm, so this is the River Running. We should see the Long Lake before too long. Why would people build a town on a lake? To be fair, I could ask why anyone built anything on Berk too.
Toothless bounded back to his side after drinking and relieving himself.
"I want to rest some. I did not sleep well," Toothless yawned and curled on a warm rock by the river.
"Sure, we aren't in a rush anyway. Why didn't you sleep well?"
Toothless grumbled at that and covered his head with his tailfin.
"There were small things on the ground and in the air. I stayed up to watch them. The ground-things might have been the goblin creatures."
"Yikes, good thing they don't climb."
"They never knew we were there."
"Well, while you rest I'll practice some with my new bow. Haven't had a chance to yet."
"Making your claws sharper is good," Toothless agreed.
Hiccup retrieved the bow, strung it, and grabbed a handful of arrows. He set up across from an empty stretch of grass. The first shot would only be to set a target for him to aim at.
Gods, I'm glad no one is around to watch this. This will not be impressive at all to anyone who knows what they are doing.
The arrow was fitted in place, and then he drew the bow while remembering the many lessons his father and Gobber had given him years ago. The bow was not a preferred weapon in direct combat back on Berk, but nothing compared to it for the purpose of hunting normal game. He suspected that his father had used those lessons as opportunities to try to have quality father-son bonding time, though most of the conversations had been very one-sided.
But the lessons had been learned, and he was not a bad shot at all. True, he never had a bow all his own and that fit his draw-strength. That might have contributed to his trouble learning at first.
This was also a much finer bow than the ones back on Berk.
The Elven arrow flew true and embedded into the dirt perhaps fifty paces away.
Yes! I didn't fail!
Toothless gave a curious grunt.
"What?" Hiccup asked.
"Good shot. You did not miss the dirt!" Toothless toothilly grinned.
"Thank you for nothing, you useless reptile!"
Hiccup idly paced while taking a break from practice with the bow. The shots were dispersed many paces apart around the first shot he had taken.
So I haven't forgotten all my old lessons, but I'm definitely rusty. I've got plenty of time to practice.
He gathered up the arrows, returned to Toothless's side, and saw that the Fury was still asleep.
Might as well take a bath. I definitely need one or I'll smell like dragon. That's hard to avoid but while I have the opportunity...
He meandered down to the river, took everything off, and gave himself and his dirty clothing a thorough washing. Something about the act of bathing in a running river out in the wild felt very satisfying, as long as no one was around to watch of course.
Finally finished, he emerged, dried himself off, and put on his change of clothing. Then he wrung his wet clothes, lay them out to dry in the sun on the rocks at Toothless's side, and put on his outer layer of fine Elven garb.
Toothless stirred and yawned widely.
"Good nap, bud?"
"Yes, it was. What you did is one of many twisting things about you humans," Toothless chuckled.
"Huh?"
Toothless lifted a paw and nudged his cloak.
"That you wear so many different types of hides and coverings and can take them on and off as you want."
Toothless looked curious about something from how his ears lifted.
"What do humans look like with no false-hides on you?"
Hiccup froze.
"Uh, what?"
"What I said. What do you look like with only your natural skin and furs?"
"Toothless, no."
That only made the Fury more inquisitive.
"Why are you being twisted? And why is your face turning red?"
"Nope."
"Hiccup, I want to know."
Hiccup spun on and glared at Toothless while pointing a finger at him.
"I really don't want to talk about this!"
"Why not?"
"It is embarrassing."
"Why?"
"It just is!"
Toothless snorted and rolled his eyes as he sat back on his rear.
"That has no lift. You can talk to me. Are you being twisted because of mating-parts?"
"Leave it to you to talk about this... like that. Yes, it is," Hiccup groaned.
"What is twisting about that? Making new life is good and those are part of you."
"Yeah, but it's not a topic people talk about or want to... show..."
"Show?"
Hiccup almost want to scream or pull out his hair, but he did neither. He struggled to figure out what to say.
"Okay, bud, you know how you... look... down there? How there is... nothing to see..." he vaguely gestured.
"Yes."
"Yeah, human males look a little different. That... part... is right there to see... or get hurt..." Hiccup stammered.
"And that is a reason why humans wear many false-furs? To hide..."
"Yes, it is. That and wanting to stay warm and other reasons," Hiccup hastily interrupted.
Toothless nodded.
"I understand now. That is all I wanted to know."
Toothless then lay his head on his paws and returned to resting.
"Thank you for nothing..." Hiccup grumbled.
"You useless human..." Toothless snorted.
"Fine, be like that! I'm going to go do something useful, like practice my archery more."
Hiccup grabbed his bow and arrows and then stalked off.
"You need it. You could aim at the sky and miss..." Toothless muttered.
A long lake finally appeared on the horizon. The lake was easily several miles wide and maybe twenty miles long. There was what looked like a floating city on the lake. There were even a lonely mountain and another city, definitely Dale, off in the distance between the mountain and the lake.
The stories Hiccup had heard from Bilbo and Gandalf felt very real in that moment.
He could easily imagine Smaug soaring over a wooden city, raining fire down on helpless innocents, terrible though it was to think that any dragon could do such a dreadful thing.
"That's it, bud. Smaug died somewhere in that lake."
"The nest-city does not look burned..."
"It looks like they rebuilt since then. It has been some sixty years since all that happened."
Their flight continued closer to Lake-town while staying high enough to probably pass unseen. Hiccup pondered how to go about this meeting since the people of Dale and this Lake-town would not know Toothless like the Elves did. They also certainly had a poor history with dragons.
He was not about to endanger himself or his friend without reason and without taking appropriate precautions before any meetings with this people.
"Let's set down outside Dale, but be sure to fly over it so they see us not doing anything dangerous."
"I can do that!"
Toothless turned for Dale in a gentle glide.
"Probably a good idea to not roar."
"True."
"And no flaming anything!" Hiccup cheekily added.
An ear-slap followed that.
Dale was a very impressive city, especially since it had been completely ruined once. There were now many people living in it and going about their daily lives. Stalls were filled with goods, horse-drawn wagons rolled through the streets, and kites floated in the wind. Homes had shingled roofs of all different colors.
Alright, should be expecting an alarm any moment now...
The horns started blowing only moments after he thought that. There was some shouting from inside the city walls, and a number of guards began running about.
Toothless dove for the road outside the main gates, landed there, and then Hiccup got off to stretch his legs, feeling very, very sore. They had only stopped once since shortly after leaving Mirkwood, to relieve themselves, rest, bathe, and eat a quick meal.
"Gods, my legs..."
"Are they still there?" Toothless smirked.
"I think so. Haven't lost a foot or anything. I better get used to this with how much flying we'll be doing."
The horns grew louder as a large company of armed guards began filing out of the city. They bore large shields and long spears. Archers appeared on the walls, but those people were likely too far away to be a danger.
Hiccup stepped in front of Toothless. He adjusted his Lorien cloak and fiddled with his robes.
My shoes are the only non-Elf things I'm wearing now. With this cloak and my bow they might even mistake me for an Elf at first. The ears are a give-away, though my hair might cover those.
It was still an amusing thought that he might be mistaken for an Elf.
"Steady, bud," he gave Toothless a gentle neckrub.
"You be steady..." Toothless muttered.
Perhaps three dozen of the guards had assembled into a semi-circle before them. They all held out their shields and spears at the ready. Toothless remained still, but he kneaded at the ground with his claws.
Then a lone man in fine regalia stepped forth from behind the guards. The large man slowly approached while staring in open disbelief.
"Greetings, friend! Who do we have the pleasure of meeting?" Hiccup cheerfully asked.
"I am... Gildor, Captain of the Dale Guard..."
"Gildor. My name is Haddock."
"What is that creature?" Gildor furiously pointed a finger.
"If you do not already know," Toothless began, ears and frills lifted in amusement, "I am a dragon. No, I am not like Smaug, as you can see from my not burning everything I see."
"This is impossible!" Gildor exclaimed.
Hiccup smiled back at him.
"No, only very improbable. Not the same thing at all. We come here in peace from Lothlorien."
"You are with the Elves, I see that. But how did you tame the dragon?" Gildor asked.
Toothless grumbled very deeply.
"I am not tame!"
"No, you are not. You are my best friend," Hiccup added.
Gildor looked between them in open astonishment.
"Why are you here?" the Captain then asked, recovering himself.
"We are on a mission from the great Elf-Lords, and this mission has us flying north. We wanted to stop here because of what happened here long ago and to get some supplies," Hiccup explained.
"Ours is not a good history when it involves dragons," Gildor objected.
Hiccup bristled at that, even though he understood that this people had more than enough reason to be suspicious of any dragons. But he still wanted to make a point.
"Do not judge him for the actions of others! He has never hurt me, and he is not like any dragons you have heard about or seen before!"
He only then realized that he had just raised his voice to a much older and bigger man and had not backed down. Sure, having a purring Night Fury at his back for reassurance helped him feel more confident, but that probably was not his only source of newfound strength, small though it was.
Gildor paced before coming to a decision and calling off his guards. They started to return to the city, although several stayed with him.
"I cannot deny what I see before me, though I do not understand it. What is that pendant on the dragon?"
Toothless stepped forward and held his head high.
"It is a gift from Lady Galadriel of Lothlorien."
Gildor stared with awe at the pendant and then bent his head.
"I have heard stories of the Elf-witch in the Great Wood. If she met with you in peace then who am I to speak ill of you? You both wish to rest here with us and obtain supplies?"
"We do," Hiccup answered.
Gildor slowly nodded.
"I must first report to King Brand and send a messenger to King Dain Ironfoot of Erebor. They will decide if you can be allowed to stay here. You are in luck that King Dain is here discussing formal matters with my King. Will you wait here?"
"Yes, we will," Toothless answered.
Gildor then left with his remaining guards and returned to the city. The archers did not disappear completely from the ramparts, likely to keep their eyes on him and Toothless. That was fine. He and Toothless knew not to try anything suspicious.
Hiccup gave a sigh of relief that this would be a peaceful meeting after all.
One aspect of standing outside the city gate with Toothless at his back struck him. It appeared that he got to play the peacemaker everywhere they went. First was the Shire, then Rivendell, then Lorien, and now Dale. It helped immensely that Toothless knew what to do to show that he was a good person and good dragon.
But he himself was still getting to meet the most important people in all the realms he went to. Gandalf. The Mayor of the Shire. Strider-Aragorn. Lord Elrond. Lords Celeborn and Galadriel. And soon he was going to meet the Kings of Dale and Erebor.
This is a real change from being the village screw-up. I wouldn't have had a chance of meeting with the other Viking chiefs. And this is all because of Toothless. They are rightly interested in him and the difference he can make in the war.
He winced at where his own thoughts were leading him. The truth was obvious, though he did not want to think about it.
Everything he had or was that mattered in any way came from his knowing Toothless.
He did his best to turn his thoughts elsewhere.
"Bud, remember that this King Brand is the son of the son of the bowman who killed Smaug."
"I know. I want to hear where Smaug fell so I can go see for myself," Toothless hummed.
Hiccup started in surprise, though he realized that seeing a massive dragon's skeleton could be impressive.
"Maybe you can if it is not too deep in the water. Any reason why?"
"It is proof that other dragons lived here, and because I want to know how big he was. That might help if we ever find any others like him."
"Good point. Do you think we will find any other Middle-earth dragons up there?"
Toothless grumbled and looked to the north.
"I do not know. The Dwarves live in these mountains, true?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"We should ask them if they know anything about more living dragons or about my kind. They would probably know anything the Elves do not know."
Hiccup nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. They'd know if there are others. While we are waiting I might as well practice some more with the bow."
He took out the Lorien arrows from the quiver and inspected them. They were masterful works of fletching.
I wonder if I can get good at this. Probably just need a lot of practice.
Then he remembered that Smaug had been killed by a single masterful shot with a special arrow.
King Brand is a descendant of Smaug's killer, Bard the dragon-slayer. I hope this King is not like the Vikings.
He highly doubted that Elrond and Celeborn would suggest that he take Toothless somewhere definitely unsafe for him. Gildor had seemed rather reasonable. But until he had an idea what these Kings were like... he and Toothless were going to be extra careful with whatever happened next.