"Okay, and you're sure everything is good to go?"

"For the last time, duh! We need to get going!"

I open my eyes upon hearing voices, my groggy disposition making it hard to focus. I roll over, blinking a few times before my eyes fall on two figures hovering over my bed.

I let out a shrill scream, launching backwards and completely tipped off the other side of my bed. Astrid and Ruffnut wince, the two of them leaning closer. Nightstar, Dark Moon, and Thunder Song shamble over to me in distress.

I groan, using Nightstar as balance as I pull myself up, completely aware of my horrid bedhead.

"Oops," Ruffnut says.

"Astrid? Ruff?" I ask, my voice still slurred with exhaustion. "What are you doing in my house?"

"We've got a party to go to! Come on, you didn't forget already did you?" Astrid rolls her eyes.

"No, I didn't forget," I insist, cracking a long yawn as I rub my eyes.

"Get dressed! Go go go!" Ruffnut urges. "Last one ready is a butt-elf!"

They run outside, laughing. Nightstar and Dark Moon bound out after them, while Thunder takes this chance to spread out completely in front of the fireplace. I smirk a tiny bit as I shake my head, moving past my dragons as I get ready for the day. I pull my hair into two thick braids that drape over my shoulders, getting dressed swiftly.

I walk outside, seeing that the men have gathered near Hiccup's house with their dragons waiting patiently. Hiccup looks almost as sleepy as me, yet he still smiles and waves at me. I return the hand gesture.

"Plenty of time to see each other later!" Astrid exclaims, ushering me away. She looks over her shoulder and waves to the guys, but Tuffnut is the first to wave back.

"Wait, what about Dark Moon and Emerald?" I ask, looking back at my friends.

"Valka's dragon-sitting them today. Don't worry," Ruffnut says. "Focus on the fun times we're gonna have. Just the three of us against the world!"

I look back as the men drag Hiccup away, Toothless following behind them with a goofy grin on his face. Nightstar follows behind my group, making me smile as I take a deep breath.

This can be fun.

"Where are we going anyways?" I ask.

"We were hoping that you could show us around the other spots around Berk," Ruffnut says. "You know, since you've travelled all over the place."

"Could you show us a place or two?" Astrid seems to plead. "We know that flying is your favourite thing, so..."

I shrug. "I don't think that's a bad idea."

"Too bad I won't have Barf with me," Ruffnut sighs.

"Are you borrowing another dragon or what?" Astrid asks. I nod, asking the same question in my mind. Tuffnut and her have always shared a Zippleback.

"Well, I was thinking we could double up..."

"Sure! Stormfly can carry both of us," she offers immediately, her blue eyes seeming to light up.

We come to the edge of the village and I walk closer to the water, breathing in the ocean air. The sun is just barely peeking over the horizon, painting the sky orange and pink. Nightstar comes up next to me, looking at me with curiosity in her big blue eyes.

"Yes, we're going now," I answer her unspoken question, climbing onto her back.

Astrid and Ruffnut shamble over to me on Stormfly. The two dragons greet each other jovially, touching noses in a respectful show of acknowledgement.

"Off we go!" Astrid hollers.

We take off into the air, the wings of our dragons beating against the air in powerful strokes. Nightstar grins, her slightly forked tongue hanging out. I laugh, feeling a sense of peace washing over me for the first time in a long time.