Chapter 22

                                    

                                          
Hey, guys! Hope you enjoy this chapter and happy reading!
                          
The group continued on, nothing out of the ordinary happening. They talked about meaningless topics, they joked and teased with one another, and they told stories about themselves.
                          
"So your dragon is the only one of his kind?" Rapunzel said.
                          
"Well, yes and no," Hiccup said. "The only Night Fury we've encountered was him. That's why we've concluded that he's the only one of his kind left out there."
                          
"Doesn't he get lonely?" Merida asked. "If he's the only one of his kind and if you're not there with him, I'm sure the guy would feel isolated."
                          
"Toothless? No, of course not!" Hiccup laughed. "That dragon is friends with everyone in Berk. He understands that I have some quests that I can't bring him along for. And if I'm not there, he's got everyone in the village to keep him company.
                          
"And besides, Astrid will make sure that he's well taken care of," Hiccup said, smiling wistfully at the mention of his girlfriend.
                          
"You really miss her, don't you?" Rapunzel smiled sympathetically.
                          
"Yeah," Hiccup chuckled. "I miss her a lot."
                          
"That sounds so romantic," Anna sighed dreamily.
                          
"Here we go again," Jack rolled his eyes.
                          
"Being away from the one you're destined to be with? That sounds super hard but beautiful at the same time!" Anna said, sighing once again. "I wish I could find a guy that missed me like that."
                          
"All this talk about love is making me gag," Merida said.
                          
"Oh come on, Merida, you can't possibly be serious," Elsa teased.
                          
"I am most definitely serious," Merida said. "This is a conversation that I do not want to be a part of."
                          
"You really feel that way about true love?" Anna said. When Merida scowled at the last words, Anna said, "I'll take that as a yes."
                          
"Don't you have anyone you like?" Hannah asked.
                          
"Nope, not even a tiny crush," Merida shook her head vehemently.
                          
"I guess we have one more thing in common then," Hannah grinned.
                          
"Really?" Merida said.
                          
"What?" Anna gasped at the same time.
                          
"Anna, it's not like it's a crime to not like someone," Hannah rolled her eyes teasingly.
                          
"You guys really don't have a crush. Really," Anna said.
                          
"Won't now. Won't ever," Merida said.
                          
Hannah shrugged. "Having a crush is not high on my list. I'm always going on quests so I guess I don't have the time to really develop one for somebody."
                          
"I can't believe this," Anna shook her head. She turned to Galaxy. "Can you believe these guys?"
                          
Galaxy laughed. "Remember that not all people are like you, Anna."
                          
"I bet that they just haven't found that special someone yet," Anna thought aloud.
                          
"Anna," Elsa chuckled. "Stop nagging them about their love lives and talk about something else."
                          
"Or just zip it altogether," Jack said.
                          
Anna punched him on the arm.
                          
"I'm not really sure that us guys are supposed to be hearing in on this girl talk," Hiccup teased.
                          
"You never know, you could get some bonus points by hearing from the girls themselves about what they like and dislike in a guy," Galaxy laughed.
                          
"Yeah. Let's just change the topic," Merida said, a hopeful gleam in her eyes.
                          
Anna sighed. "Fine. But I wish we could talk about love all day."
                          
"Please don't," Merida said.
                          
"Well, what do you suggest we talk about now?" Rapunzel said.
                          
"Ooh! I've got it!" Anna said. "Let's play Who Can Find It First?"
                          
"What's that?" Hiccup said.
                          
Jack rolled his eyes. "It's a game that Anna and Elsa play when Anna's getting on Elsa's nerves."
                          
"That's not true!" Elsa and Anna said at the same time.
                          
"Just kidding," Jack chuckled.
                          
"I'll teach all of you the rules and then we'll play!" Anna clapped her hands together. "This is going to be so fun!"
                          

                          
"I found it!" Rapunzel said, pointing at a dark oak tree with three gaping holes in it, and one orange leaf hanging on one of its branches. "So that means I get a point."
                          
"Hey, that was no fair! You opened your eyes way earlier before I said go!" Anna said.
                          
"And how would you know that?" Rapunzel raised a brow.
                          
"Um, er....," Anna said, a guilty blush on her cheeks.
                          
"Ha! I knew it!" Rapunzel said. "You're the one who cheated!"
                          
"Did not!" Anna huffed.
                          
Jack chuckled, listening in on the two girls' little squabble. He heard footsteps catching up with him and looked behind him.
                          
"Got tired?" he smiled knowingly.
                          
"Yeah," Elsa chuckled. She looked at him. "It seems like you and Hiccup did too." She gestured to Hiccup, who was looking at his map again while walking ahead of them.
                          
"Wow. Not even the big sister could handle it," Jack whistled. "That's saying something."
                          
Elsa playfully pushed him. 
                          
"Kidding," Jack laughed. He held her hand in his. "It's been a long journey, hasn't it?" he said. 
                          
Elsa nodded. 
                          
"I don't know how I'll feel when this is all over," Jack said. 
                          
Elsa looked up at him. 
                          
"I mean, I'll be happy that we'll be back to Guardia and all, but," he paused, looking back at the others, who were laughing with each other. "I'm going to miss the others.
                          
"I haven't been so close to other members in a quest. The last time I remember I did was when I met you," Jack said.
                          
Elsa chuckled. "I remember that very well. We were on a quest to help defeat the hippogriff. You were such a showoff back then."
                          
"Who says I'm not now?" Jack teased. 
                          
Elsa laughed softly. She looked up at him and smiled gently. "Don't worry. I'm sure that the others feel the same way."
                          
"Yeah," Jack smiled. 
                          
"Hey, Jack?" Hiccup said. His voice sounded urgent. 
                          
"Yeah?" Jack turned to him. The group had fallen silent and stopped, all waiting for what Hiccup had to say. 
                          
"We're here," Hiccup said. He nodded ahead and all eyes fell on the ominous cave. 
                          
The cave of the Black Dragon. 
                          
AN: I had to write two rough drafts until I found one that was to my liking. And now it's the main event! What will happen? You'll find out soon! Thanks for reading and see you in the next chapter!