A/N: Another update and another chapter! And so soon too! I am rather pleased with myself. I started writing this a few days after the last update, ending in an all-day, half night session on Sunday. I hope you all like it! Thank you for hanging in there!

Chapter 13

The frost was creeping slowly from under her hands. She saw it. She wasn't too much panicked about it. Certainly not as much as she used to be. But still, it wasn't a good sign. She was keeping her emotions in check but only barely. She focused on the now, and not the myriad of thoughts and possibilities that flew through her mind right now. The Gods knew, it wasn't easy…

She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. Fighting to calm herself and not give too much away about what she was feeling at the moment. She was propped up by her arms, bent at the waist over the table. They were in the map room now. Only the top officers and a few of their staff members were here. She would meet with the full council later. She needed answers. And one of these people now in this room had them. But they were not forthcoming.

She opened her eyes, then blinked once, then once again. A calm started to take over, but the frost remained. Perhaps it wasn't a bad idea for now. Let them see at this point what was going on in her head. Perhaps she should keep it creeping towards them. Give them some chance to ponder their choices, and thus their prospects from here on. She entertained an idea of freezing the door shut, trapping them all in here until she got those answers…Maybe later...She took another breath and raised her head to look at them.

"So! None of you can tell me who authorized this? Who gave the order to have the guard burst into my room?" She gazed upon all of them. Each one individually for a second. Admiral Kreig seemed more panicked than General Burghaum, but that didn't tell her much. The other staff members were looking at each other. None would meet her gaze. She took another breath.

"I'm still trying to wrap my head around why this was necessary in the first place! Why did you all feel it necessary to take His Highness into custody?" She chose her words carefully. Letting them know they all had raised her ire. And they all would answer for it if no one came forward. Maybe it was just a matter of time before one of them gave in...But maybe not. General Burghaum pushed his chair back slightly and rose.

"Your Highness, in light of this attack led by King Haddock, we couldn't let slip the opportunity to capture him, and question him as to why he did it. What his purpose was, what his objective was. He needed to be detained." If he was nervous, he wasn't showing it. She did detect a slight wobble or shake there.

"So! You questioned him? What did he tell you?" He frowned, looking askance.

"N, nothing of note, He says he wasn't leading the attack. And he still maintains he wasn't controlling the beasts. He says he was trying to help. But I don't see how leading a horde of beasts to attack an innocent citizenry is helping anything! He still isn't telling us anything! But we will get the answers before long!" He faced her now. An angry glare in his eyes. It only fed her own anger.

"And I told you General. I was out there, and I saw! Hiccups' people didn't show up until the raid was well underway. His dragons started attacking the others as soon as they arrived. I heard someone shout to help put the fires out..." She paused for a breath. She'd made a slight mistake calling him by his name...His first name. But she didn't care too much. She straightened.

"Perhaps you're not getting answers, -the answers you want, because he is telling the truth! Perhaps there is some other hidden objective? Something kept from your Queen, to be used for some future end?" She nearly regretted saying it. They had all been loyal to her until now. This intrusion into her chambers, into her private space...She would not forgive.

It seemed to have an effect. Good! The slight shift in his jaw...The nearly imperceptible change in his color. It was a few tense moments before he spoke through clenched teeth.

"Your...Highness. Your, interest in this man...Is understandable. Your feelings for him..." Oh NO! She would NOT let him finish that statement!

"MY FEELINGS BE DAMNED!" She shouted. She had not realized she had slammed her hands on the table. The result was instantaneous. The table was frozen, as were the walls and ceiling. It was now a bit cold in the room even for her. She barely gave it a thought. But she did send a bit of ice towards the door. To get her point across. She was truly angry and a bit hurt too. They obviously didn't trust her. Well trust was a two-way street…She gathered herself but kept the ice…

"You forget yourself sir! Do not think for one second that I will forget where my true loyalties lie! And they are here, with Arendelle! With her people! My loyal subjects! If I'd had, even the smallest inkling, of something bad going on. The barest sniff of a threat...I would make anyone pay for even thinking of doing harm here! Yes, there have been strange comings and goings, some measure of secrecy on the part of His Highness and his party. He is at war! I will allow him some confidentiality in a strange country. But there has been nothing that would lead me to suspect them! That His Highness and many that he has brought with him are nothing more than truly honest people!" The General shifted slightly.

"But your Highness the reason behind this...event. The manner in which it was carried out. The dragons. We must know why and how it was possible!" She lowered her gaze and shook her head slightly. It was time to tell them.

"There was no reason! King Haddock had absolutely no reason to attack us! This happened the exact way he told you it did. Some, someone else carried this out. His Highness and his people were trying to help, they were trying to protect the dragons, and minimize the damage! Exactly as he said!" The general looked askance shaking his head. He chewed on his mustache for a bit, pondering. His next look was somewhat softer.

"How can you be sure? In light of everything that has happened? All the damage...The lives lost? The dragons...His people were riding the damned things! How can we be sure it is not some plot to win your favor? Only to capture or kill you once our guard is let down?" He seemed truly a bit at a loss. She felt a bit sorry for them, but only slightly. She steeled herself, even though inside, she was flushing.

"I know because...I, well. He, -he proposed to me...Afternoon yesterday at, -at lunch!" There were open mouths and wide eyes. The general had gone completely slack. Along with the gasps, she'd heard slight mumbles. 'Oh! Oh, my! And -Your Highness!' She was sure she was completely red from head to toe. She continued.

"Y, -yes! We, we had lunch together, and...I, I forwarded the idea...A, and he accepted!" They all, turned to look at each other. General Burghaum tilted his head this way then that. He looked at her, his eyes pleading.

"Your, your Majesty! Why? Why did you not...Di, did you tell anyone else?" He seemed lost, almost paled.

"I, I was going to make the announcement at dinner. Af, after talking with his Majesty. I was in my office, about to make my rounds with the Lady Astrid when the attack happened!" The General looked down and away, frowning. There was a flurry of activity going on behind him. Admiral Kreig was twisted around speaking in hushed tones to the officers behind him. Many of the others were whispering at each other. The volume was slowly increasing. General Burghaum nodded slightly and twisted around.

Inside, her heart was truly rending. The more she thought about it, the more devastated she felt. She could almost feel herself slipping. The black ice was slowly creeping. The same way it had before, but with darker connotations. She was pretty sure she didn't love him...not yet. But he had been the first in a long time she hadn't outright rejected. He was indeed handsome. And he was strong and spoke well. She could also tell that deep down, he was really kind and he was honest too.

And the time they had spent together had been a bit magical. That first time on the balcony. And just last night when he kissed her farewell...Her heart started fluttering at the thought. But the thoughts...The thought that she may never have those moments again, -not ever, caused her to feel as a great weight was pushing down on her. No matter which way, no matter how hard she tried, she could not get away from it. She tried to stay positive, but the weight of these consequences was smothering her.

She really wanted...No, she needed to see him. If not to talk to him, but just seeing him. Being in the same space with him, would calm her. Even if...Even if he refused to speak with her. Which she guessed he would. That thought alone tore something inside her. But if she could just, -just…

But she couldn't do that. She couldn't, -shouldn't be seen with him. If there was indeed a conspiracy against her...She should be seen as neutral on the matter. At least until she exonerated him. Both to the council, and the general public. She also couldn't let on that they could possibly target Hiccup to get to her. The idea was plausible, but didn't make a lot of sense. She'd seen Hiccup fight. He was certainly no pushover...And he had dragons at his command…

Dragons...Hiccup had...His people rode, -Dragons! An idea began to form in the guise of a theory...What if…If...Her thoughts were scattered by someone clearing their throat. The idea whisked away by other thoughts, including figuring out how long this person had been trying to get her attention. She blinked and shook her head mildly. A terrible mistake that! General Burghaum spoke.

"Your, Your Majesty? It appears the Queens guard had received a call to increase security on your chambers from a Captain Lambscombe. A recent transfer from Kalay." Kalay? Wasn't that the kingdom…

"A capable officer, according to his superiors. We have not as yet fully checked his credentials. We will confine him and question him. I was on my way from a meeting last night, passing by your room when I happened upon the detail in question. I was shocked when they entered your chamber, but I couldn't let go of an opportunity. P, please forgive me!" He bowed deeply. She would not forgive him just yet. Maybe not for a long, long time yet. Not any of them. Still…

"I accept your apology General, however, I will not let this go! See to it that King Haddock is properly fed and cleaned up! I want him released immediately! You will inform His Majesty that I will speak to him soon! I have a meeting with the council..." She looked at the wall. The clock thereon was frozen solid. She happened to glance up at the ceiling, and noticed several small spires of black ice had formed. They seemed to be receding, thank the Gods, she wanted to leave the ice, but better for them they not see that particular ice. She closed her eyes and willed it away. She then rose from her seat, dipping curtly.

"Gentlemen." She said by way of parting. She shot back a baleful look before she passed through the door…

oo00oo

The had been clamoring for her nearly as soon as she walked through the door. Her meeting with the military had been taxing enough, only to find the trip from the map room to the council chamber nearly as arduous. Many of the staff had found her, and asked questions about linens, and blankets, and food. Anna had been taking care of this she was sure. But that they were coming to her was odd. Thankfully answers were found with a minimum of trouble. She wondered what Anna was doing.

She didn't need to wonder long. She had turned a corner in one of the upper hallways and had run into Commodore Hansthrope. In a secluded alcove, he told her he had spied the Princess making her way to the cells below the castle. She was thankful he had presence of mind to accompany her. And more than relieved to find out that Hiccup was ok. A little mad, but ok.

She desperately wanted to see him. Talk to him before he left. She tried to be hopeful, but she couldn't imagine him wanting to stay after all that had happened. And she couldn't imagine how long it would be before his people came for him. It was already getting late in the afternoon. She should try to get a message to them. Apologize for what happened. She feared what might happen...She shook her head, and prayed to the Gods that this meeting would not last too long.

"Your Majesty! The town, the kingdom is at a standstill! What are we going to do?"

"Your Majesty! The port is otherwise open, however there was extensive damage to the warehouses..."

"Your Highness, The people are frightened! Most are angry. They want to know why King Haddock and his people attacked them without provocation!" Well, first things first.

"First, I would have it known that King Haddock had nothing to do with the attack yesterday. He and his people were merely trying to help. Both with the attacking animals, and with relief efforts. They had no reason to attack us, and furthermore, I want no attacks against the dragons nor their riders should they return." The room erupted.

"No, no reason? -Do not attack them? That's preposterous! No reason? They meant to conquer us! If we have him, we should make him pay!" It was getting out of hand. And she was mad enough as it was. To hear them calling for Hiccups' punishment was too much.

"ENOUGH!" She shouted. And her magic came out unbidden this time, but not as severe as in the map room. The room quieted instantly. She took a breath.

"Please!" She said by way of apology. She was a little sorry. "As I said, King Haddock had absolutely no reason to attack!" There were hushed sounds of disbelief still.

"How do you know this Your Highness?" Minister Milse Berendottor spoke. She straightened.

"He told me!" Again the room erupted, a bit more subdued this time.

"He...Told you..." Minister Fraine asked. She took a breath.

"Yes! He, he came to visit me...In my chambers last night. He told me what had happened. They had not yet figured out who did this. He was about to leave when the army took him!" She narrowed her eyes and scanned the room. Looks of shock and embarrassment, except for that one, -in the back. Who was he? An aide she was sure, but to whom?

"And, and you believed him?" Nicoline asked. A fair question. A why leaked out from in back.

"He, -proposed to me yesterday at lunch!" The room went dead silent. After a moment…

"Elsa! I, Y, your Highness? Is...Is this true?" Elenus asked softly. She nodded. And looked. His eyes seemed bright, welling up with water. He grabbed his chin in thought.

"I, I was going to make an announcement at dinner, but there was no time. I was about to make my rounds of the castle with Lady Astrid when the attack occurred." Many more thoughtful looks ensued. Nicoline and Gerda had a misty look in their eyes. Their hands were crossed over their hearts. She too began to feel warm. Her thoughts turned for a moment. Their meal at lunch, their conversation. And, their meeting last night…

Another look around the room brought her thoughts back. She was still in need of answers, and a few she needed to dole out. She needed also to find out if maybe there was one here on her council who might be working for whoever did this. It was a worrisome idea to say the least.

"That was, of course, before the Army took him." More looks of shock. It seemed to lift everyone out of their temporary stupor. "The guards burst into my chambers, unbidden and without my consent! They questioned him, and had him held in a cell. I have since ordered his release, but I fear the damage is already done! We, we need to do what we can to placate his people, assure them that it was a mistake and nothing more! There are to be no acts of hostility!" More urgent murmuring took place. Serious discussions.

"We, we need to get a message out to his people, but...But how?" Elenus said. She thought about this for a blink. The dragons...Hildeborg. She could disappear. Of course! They would be watching!

"I have an idea!" She said. The room quieted. All eyes turned to her. "One, one of the dragons they have. -It has the ability to disappear! They are sure to be watching us, and not just from afar! If we could somehow grab the attention of one of them, we might be..." She didn't get the chance to finish her sentence. There was a high-pitched squeal, or scream. Slowly building in volume and intensity. It became nearly unbearable until…There was one toll of a bell then…

BOOOOM! A blinding white light flashed through the panes of glass. The windows rattled, A few panes gave up, cracking and shattering before or after they hit the floor. A moment later, the was a gust of wind so strong, It caused many other panes to fall out. It was only a matter of a few seconds before she heard a great roar. The flapping of wings...Oh NO! They...They had run out of time! Many in the room started to panic.

"They're, they're BACK! They'll kill us all! We, we need to get out of here!" Four guards burst into the room. The same fear and panic she saw before. It all seemed a bit strange. She was concerned certainly, but not as much as yesterday. Maybe because she knew. She had met a dragon. Hiccups' words about them not being what they seemed. It helped her. She knew, or at least hoped that violence was not the intent here. Still she wouldn't take any chances.

"QUIET!" She screamed. They all turned to her. Some mouths were agape. She took a breath.

"I don't believe they are here to attack! They probably only want Hiccup! Now! Move to the storerooms just in case." She tried to speak calmly to assure them. It wasn't easy.

"Elenus? Come with me. Guards! Escort the council. You there!" She pointed at a couple of guardsmen that had just rushed up. "Find the Princess and escort her to the storerooms as well! You! Go down to the cells. Tell whoever is on duty there that I said to release His Majesty at once! Or find him, and bring him to the courtyard! -Move!" They seemed a bit hesitant at first, but complied. She glanced sidelong at her Prime Minister. He was nervously wringing his fingers together. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Elenus! It's all part of the job!" He looked at her, nodding. His whole body seemed to be quaking. He clearly wasn't convinced. She added..."I'll protect you!" He looked again. He tipped his head more firmly.

"Your Majesty!"

They followed the group of councilors down a few hallways and down two flights of stairs. She and Elenus continued on, reaching the ground floor and the doors leading to the courtyard. All along hearing the screeches and roars of the dragons. Another party met them there, led by Anna.

"Anna! What are you...Get down to the storerooms! Immediately!" Anna scowled at her.

"Not a chance Elsa! I'm not, I...I can't let you face them all by yourself!" She was very irritated, and yet, very grateful that she was there.

"Anna! I have these guardsmen, I have my powers. Thank you, but please get to safety!" Her features changed. She seemed hurt at the prospect. It hurt a little, but better she should be somewhere safe just in case.

"Elsaaaa!" She pleaded. And she never was great at resisting her puppy dog eyes. "I...I don't think they'll attack us. I, we...We should be there together!" She did have a point, and they were wasting time arguing.

"Fine! Just...Stay behind me!" She nodded. They turned towards the doors. More guards showed up, but she was not waiting for them. She pushed the doors open and walked out...There were many, many more dragons than last time. And as she looked, many more riders too. The sky was thick with dragons. There was barely any space where the sun or sky shone through. They were not attacking anything, however, if any dragons swept too close to the battlements...She turned to one of the men beside her.

"Tell those men to NOT fire upon them! Go NOW!" He nodded and quickly ran off. She scanned the skies looking for...There! She spotted the familiar shaped wings of a...Then it disappeared as it went into a dive. She looked harder. The dragon then appeared again, just above the castle wall. It knocked a couple of men off, while the rest scattered. It leaped back into the air, disappearing as it did.

She looked around some more. About the courtyard, nothing was burning. And above the wall and beyond too. No fires had been set. She breathed a small sigh of relief. She...They were only after a show of force apparently. Not causing damage, at least not yet. She heard a rushing of water again. She looked off to her right towards the port. The gigantic, -Be, Bewilderbeast had shown up again. He grunted as he plodded along. Above his head was that, that four winged dragon. So Valka was here too. Her dragon hovered over his head then stopped. He started rising in the air just as the leviathan started standing on his hind legs.

She heard the whistling sound again. Rising in pitch. She turned scanning the skies. She managed to spot a tiny black speck moving at incredible speed. She had just begun to make out its' shape when a point of bluish white light erupted from it. She ducked instinctively but followed the light. It crashed with a blinding flash into a make shift catapult that had been erected just last night. Men, wood, and stone went flying in all directions. Just as quickly as it appeared, the animal was gone. She had barely been able to follow it with her eyes. She marveled at the pure speed.

The Bewilderbeast roared. The sound shaking earth and sky. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Valka was twirling her staff above her head. She then pointed it at...Something. There was precious little time before she noted the beasts' mouth opening, his chest expanding. She blanched at the thought of how much flame such a large dragon could produce. Thankfully many of the men still upon the wall had spotted this movement. They started to scatter. Some even leaping off. She was glad to see they still had the ability to keep running. The beast came crashing down on his forelegs, his mouth opening even wider still. She mentally braced herself for the ensuing destruction.

She expected searing heat...A great flame, only it was...Ice? Ice spewed forth, encompassing the wall, and anything else in its' path. Crates, barrels, and unfortunately a few unlucky men went flying. A few blocks of stone came loose. Only to be frozen in mid-flight. It was incredible! She was instantly curious. If not for the desperate state of their situation…

He drew his head back once more, and turned slightly in her direction. She ducked, casting her arm in an arc over them. After a few moments. She willed the dome of her ice away. It revealed the Bewilderbeast had struck the wall to her left. Tiny chunks of ice were all around, but the beast had hit his mark…

Again he rose. He tucked his head down and let go once more. Another ice wall had formed on her right. As she looked. They were completely walled in. Nothing short of a dragon could get them over, or through she suspected. They were trapped, with any help not able to reach them. It was ingenious! She wondered for a moment if it was the dragons' doing, or the humans with it. She scattered the thoughts. They were all in a dire situation. With this many dragons, it would be a slaughter. She might be able to stave off many of them, but not all.

But as she looked around, there was no real damage. Certainly nothing was burning yet. She imagined the ice would melt with time. But otherwise, they were mostly unharmed...Yet. At this point the dragons and their riders could do as they pleased. With them all trapped here, they could even wait them out. Just place a small force outside the wall and pick them off one by one...Or starve them out.

The Bewilderbeast roared again. And again, she hear a deep rumbling, thrumming sound. Many of the dragons overhead began to disperse. They flew over and started circling its' head. He then settled down on his haunches it appeared, turning his gaze to the ice walls he had just formed.

The dragons with riders began to descend. First a few, scattered near the walls, then many more. The last of them dropping just a few yards from her at the bottom of the stairs where she stood at the top. Heather had landed with a slender, silver-colored dragon. She was in full armor, an axe strapped to her back. Her expression stony. Camicazi landed next on Heathers' left It was the same kind...The same as Hildeborg! And yes, a few moments later, two more landed on either side of Cami. One of them she was sure...Yes. Hilde gave her a wide-eyed look before her rider reined her in. The dragon turned her head towards her rider, then back at her, A pitiful, doleful look in her eye.

A few more landed close by. There was a greenish-looking dragon that had a single horn. I was ridden by a very large, and very, very handsome man. Another landed. A large one with a blonde-haired rider almost as large as it. Then another, and another. The whole courtyard seemed filled with dragons and their riders.

She heard the scream again...The high-pitched whine. She had to fight a basic instinct to duck down. A second later a black form whizzed by. So close, she could feel the wind of its' passing. The shape swooped far into the air, then back down. It circled the castle once before coming down, hovering for a breath then setting down. This one sent a slight chill down her spine. It was entirely black. Its' eyes were green and menacing. As she looked up, Astrid straightened. She was in full armor as well. She took the axe off her back and twirled it in her hand. Valka landed last in the center of the group.

She looked about. There were menacing looks from both dragons and their riders. She thought she might whither from the intent, but...They hadn't caused any major damage. And they were all still alive and breathing for now. She closed her eyes, and drew a deep, calming breath. She clasped her hands in front of her and walked down the stairs towards Heather and her dragon. She fought to stay calm. She got within a few paces of her when her dragon turned slightly and snarled.

She froze immediately. She considered the animal. Its' pupils were tiny slits in its' eyes. There was a green fluid oozing from its mouth. Her teeth were bared. She wanted to reach out, but thought it best to wait. She looked up. Heather gave her quite the frosty glare, then spoke.

"Give us Hiccup, Elsa! Give us Hiccup NOW, and we'll leave!" She said. She nodded a bit nervously. She turned and thankfully, Hiccup came through the doors. Only...It appeared he was limping! She wanted to rush over and help, but someone...The Commodore! Commodore Hansthrope was helping him. But why? Oh Gods, she hoped they hadn't...She turned.

"Heather, Please! This is all...I, I didn't give the order to take him! You have to believe me!" Heather said nothing. She only watched as Hiccup made his approach.

"Heather? Y, You must believe me!" She didn't want to sound as though she was begging. But the prospects…

"He trusted you!"

"What?" She took a half-step closer The dragon snarled again.

"He trusted you! -We trusted you! And with what's happened, we cannot trust you any longer!" The bottom of her stomach dropped out.

"Heather, I...I didn't want him taken! And...I didn't want to see him get hurt. Someone else...Had, had given the order!" She looked. Heather had raised an eyebrow, but still that cold look.

"That's your excuse?" She gave her a look of utter disdain. "How do we know it wasn't some plot? A plot by our enemies to kill or capture our King? Cut off the head of our forces? You, you let one of our sworn enemies into your house, then conveniently let him escape!"

"No! Heather! That's not...I, I didn't even know until Hiccup said something! You must believe me!" A rustling caught her attention. Hiccup and the Commodore had made it to the top step. She caught his eye. The look he gave her...It nearly shattered her heart.

"H, Hiccup?" She took a step and reached out, but stopped herself. He looked a bit thin and haggard, but seemed otherwise fine. She looked down and noticed his leg was missing below the knee. Looking up, she shot an angry glare at the officers gathered. She opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it. She waited until they passed and followed after.

"Hiccup? Can we...Talk?" He said nothing, only continued to hobble towards the black dragon. It seemed to wiggle when he came along side. She continued until the dragon snarled. She looked down. A chill ran down her spine once more. She didn't realized she was this close. She was in the midst of them. Oddly, she didn't feel as frightened as the thought she would, or should, possibly. This dragon could easily bite her. Its' pupils too were a narrow slit in its' eyes. Its' mouth was slightly open revealing sharp white teeth. She took a step back. The dragons' eyes followed.

"Hiccup? Please!" Astrid had put her axe back, and was leaning. Giving Hiccup an arm to help him. The Commodore helped the rest of they way. Hiccup leaned forward seeming to rest against her back. Astrid then reached around, then placed her hands back on the saddle. Her insides sank. She was feeling trapped, desperate...She needed his words...Something…Anything! Her future was slipping away…

The dragon snarled again. She hadn't moved any closer but...She then remembered something. She closed her eyes and calmed herself. When she was sure, she reached out, taking a tiny step closer. She felt a warm breath against her hand. A sniff...The was a tiny croon...Then after what seemed like an eternity...Warm scales. Vibrant and alive. She opened her eyes slowly. The dragon had closed its' eyes too! She may have felt...Something pass between them. She started running her fingernails lightly across his snout. Taking a bit of courage, she brought her other hand up and rubbed across his jaw as she'd seen Hiccup do. There was a soft rumbling coming from the dragon now, almost a purr if she had to guess. She looked down. The dragon opened his eyes. His pupils were open now, giving him a less intimidating, more innocent look.

She looked up. She saw a look of surprise on Astrids' face, before it turned into a scowl again, though not as intense. Hiccup had seemed to look around Astrid for a moment too, but was retreating behind her.

"H, -Hiccup? W, will you talk to me? Please? I, I'm really, very...Very sorry!" She continued to scratch and rub the dragon somewhat absently. It was calming, and heartened her. Though her world, her heart, her future seemed to be crashing down all around her. She whispered his name. The dragon cooed pitifully.

"I'm...I'm sorry Elsa..." She looked up. His countenance seemed to soften slightly.

"I...We, -we have to go!" Her heart sank even lower. The dragon cooed again. She looked down. He looked happy. It lifted her spirits a fraction. He then nudged her and huffed, shaking his head. She wasn't sure why, but it made her smile in all this. He then appeared to look at his rider, then back. He spread his wings. She backed off quickly, even though her heart, her...everything was screaming to go forward. She choked. Trying to say his name...She couldn't.

The dragon leaped into the air, and with one stroke of his wings they were high above the castle. The other riders took their cue and began to lift off as well. She tried, but she couldn't say anything around the knot that formed in her chest and throat. Her vision blurred from the tears. She heard another mournful croon as Cami and she guessed Hildeborg took off as well. One by one they all lifted off, slowly clearing the courtyard. She staggered backwards, reeling...Off balance. Her knees weakened. Her eyes burned. She blinked...Huge drops of water fell.

She blinked again. There was one dragon left...Valka stood looking at her, considering. She looked down slightly. After a few breaths, she looked again. She opened her mouth and took a breath...Only to close it once again. She then turned around. She pulled her helmet on, then climbed onto Cloudjumpers' back. Valka looked once more. She tapped her staff on the dragons' horn, and they took off.

She took a couple of feeble steps...One, then another, then another again. She couldn't hope to...But she tried. She watched Valka and Cloudjumper turn away towards the rest. She seemed to find her strength...But she stumbled. She fell on her hands and knees. She turned her face towards the sky and found a bit more strength to scream.

"HICCUUUUPPP!"