The White Gulls
Many roars of joy and welcoming pierced the morning sky as the rest of the pack caught up to them on the sixth day after the departure from the Shire. All the Furies, except those carrying cubs or unable to flame yet, danced in the sky, brushed wings, and flamed for joy.
Hiccup watched the over two dozen Furies soaring freely. He was barely able to tell them apart. Everyone except Wing-Of-Ice and his immediate family was here. He even saw Dreamcatcher joining in on the fun, though she probably didn't know what was going on.
His family and the Alpha pair shortly thereafter dove from the sky, touched down, and bounded over to him.
"Hiccup! Warm winds to you!" Flame-In-The-Night greeted him.
"Alphas! Warm winds to you! How was the flight?"
Snowfall purred while gazing to the sky.
"Good. We had no problems on the flight. Wing-Of-Ice and his kin gave us their answer," she said.
Flame-In-The-Night nodded.
"And that is their decision to make. We want to fly ahead to the water so we can hunt fish or rest. Will that be a problem?" he asked.
Gandalf shook his head.
"No, feel free to fly ahead to the Havens. We will meet you there this evening."
Toothless crouched down beside the wagon, and Hiccup gladly hopped on his back. They followed their family into the sky and joined the flight, always flying further west in a chorus of roars and cries. Many games of wing-touching, spinning, and flaming happened, though Toothless avoided the fire for Hiccup's sake. The mothers carrying their cubs in slings similarly didn't partake of any of the play.
They passed over steep hills on which three tall white towers stood. The land beyond the hills sloped down into the Gulf of Lune, a massive bay framed by sheer rock walls.
Hiccup gasped in awe when he saw Mithlond, the Grey Havens.
The city was clearly of Elven design, bearing some resemblance to aspects of Rivendell, Lorien, and Dol Amroth. Spires stretched to the sky between stone walkways, arches, and trees. Just like Rivendell, the city also looked very empty, as if almost no one lived in it anymore. Tiny white shapes flitted and dashed in the sky while calling aloud in very familiar cries, so reminiscent of his times in Dol Amroth.
The white gulls were singing.
"Wow," he breathed.
The Furies without cubs to care for flew out over the bay and began fishing, filling the water with blasts and scooping up stunned fish.
But he noticed the actual harbor within the Havens. There were several ships, one of which was under construction, docked in the harbor. The grey ships had white sails, curved decks, and stems in the shape of swans.
There was a lone Elf standing on the docks and staring up at the circling Furies.
Who is that?
"Bro, let's go introduce ourselves!"
"Yes, we should!"
Toothless and Moonbeam dove for the docks and gently touched down on them. Hiccup dismounted while the strange Elf strode toward them.
Wait, he has a beard! What? I've never seen an Elf with a beard!
The Elf stopped before them and regarded them. He was very tall and old, and his eyes were as keen as stars. He seemed especially interested in Toothless's pendant.
"Welcome to Mithlond. I am Cirdan, Master and Shipwright of the Havens."
Hiccup, Toothless, and Moonbeam inclined their heads out of respect. Morning-Star briefly peeked out, chirped, and went back into hiding, very snug in her sling.
"We are Haddock, Burning-Star, and Moonbeam. The baby is Morning-Star," Hiccup explained with a gesture to each of them in turn.
Cirdan smiled and fondly gazed at the pendant.
"I have heard of you and know why you have come. It warms my heart to see such light, though it is but an echo of the Silmaril upon Earendil's brow. I helped him build his sky-ship, Vingilot."
Hiccup almost gasped when he realized that meant Cirdan was truly ancient, having been alive in the First Age, much like several of the other important Elves of the world.
He helped Earendil build the sky-ship that fought against Ancalagon. By the Valar!
"My pendant is a gift from Galadriel. What do you do here, good Elf?" Toothless asked.
Cirdan looked to the sea and gestured at the waters.
"Long have I labored here, building ships such that the Elves may depart when their time comes. I shall be the last to leave these shores. You and your kin are welcome here. All is now ready."
Cirdan nodded to them and departed up the dock toward a building which was probably his workshop or home.
Hiccup turned to Toothless and Moonbeam.
"Well, I guess we relax until the evening," he proposed.
"Yes, I would like that. We have been flying long," Moonbeam hummed.
Toothless let him get on, and they flew off to join the rest of the pack where they were gathering to rest on the slopes outside the Havens. Everyone returned from their fishing and began to settle down on the grassy slope that overlooked the massive bay.
Hiccup relaxed and crossed his arms while his robes flowed in the wind. The entire pack, save Wing-Of-Ice, Eyes-That-Shimmer, and Nightfall, was gathered together now.
Flame-In-The-Night, Snowfall, Snowflame, Windripper, Free-Flight, Starlight, Wind-Biter, Storm-Chaser, Tail-Hunter, Hunts-In-Deep-Waters, Lightning, Hunts-Golden-Light, Jumps-At-Fire, Dark-Fire, Cloud-Swimmer, Dances-In-Shadows, Sun-Spark, Dancing-Flame, Hidden-Star, Ashen-Whisper, Tempest-Cloud, Cloud-Whisper, and Dreamcatcher.
Resting beside and around him and Toothless were their closest family: Far-Flight, Sky-Dancer, Kindled-Dream, Breath-Of-Sky, Mystery, Moonbeam, and Morning-Star.
Even as he watched them resting together in the afternoon light, he found his gaze being drawn to the far distant horizon beyond which a hidden world lay. What was that hidden world of Valinor like? It must be very beautiful.
What was it he could see on the horizon? The water was very calm and smooth, almost like silver glass. A faint sparkle of white light seemed to rise above the distant waters. Was there a faint song drifting on the wind from out of the West?
Then that moment was gone, leaving nothing behind except the empty horizon and the calm sea.
He lay back, closed his eyes, and listened to the distant roar of the sea, the whistle of the wind, and the calls of the white gulls.
The sun fell lower over the western horizon, painting the sky orange as the day drew to a close. The white gulls continued singing and calling out on the wind. The grass swayed in the evening breeze that smelled of the sea.
Hiccup and Toothless stood together and saw motion at the docks. People started arriving and gathering together. Several Elves were working on the ship moored by the docks and beside the growing assembly.
"We should go to them," Toothless hummed.
They took to the evening sky. The entire pack arose from their rest and flew with them, gliding low over the water. They, their family, and the Alphas gently touched down on the docks while the rest of the pack perched atop the empty buildings or on the walkways of the Havens.
Hiccup took a deep breath of awe when he saw everyone who was gathered in that moment.
Gandalf, the five Hobbits, Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, and Cirdan were patiently waiting for them. All the Elves were wearing white robes and fine jewelry. He also noticed that Shadowfax had been helped aboard the ship and was obviously following his master, Gandalf, on the journey into the West.
Flame-In-The-Night nudged Hiccup's shoulder.
"Who are all these new Elves?" he softly asked.
"They are Alphas for their packs. They were also fighting in the war, though you did not meet all of them," he answered.
Flame-In-The-Night hummed softly.
They continued together until they stood to the side of the Elves and the group of Hobbits. Frodo and Sam were helping hold Bilbo up while the elder Hobbit leaned on his crutch.
All the Furies sat down, sitting upright and attentively wherever they were. Toothless hummed softly and bent his head toward the Elves, all of whom similarly acknowledged him without any spoken words.
Silence fell and was broken only by the constant song of gulls, the lapping of the waves, and the breath of the wind.
Galadriel, wearing her white robes as always, stepped forward and spoke in a soft voice that yet carried and was heard by all.
"A great evil has departed from this world. The Enemy has fallen, and his Ring was destroyed. And yet the Elven rings have also lost their strength. They were bound to the One Ring, which is no more. They can no longer sustain us here in Middle-earth."
Hiccup frowned, unsure why that was necessary. He could clearly see rings being worn by Gandalf, Galadriel, and Elrond.
Maybe their magic rings helped maintain their lands somehow.
A spark of bittersweet realization came to him. The Elves knew that destroying the Ring would doom themselves, and they fought for that anyway. They knew they would have to go even if they won the war.
Galadriel continued.
"Our lands of Lothlorien, Rivendell, and the Greenwood shall not endure after we depart. The Dwarves will, in time, return underground when they retake Moria. They too shall not be seen again. The time has come for Men, at least, to rule in Middle-earth."
Elrond, his robes fluttering in the breeze, held out his arms toward Bilbo.
"I aear can ammen bar," Elrond whispered.
Bilbo started nodding with an eager look in his eyes.
"I think I'm quite ready for another adventure!"
Bilbo started for Elrond without any assistance beyond the crutch. Elrond smiled fondly and helped see Bilbo onto the ship.
Gandalf stepped forward between the three groups. He faced the Hobbits, leaned on his staff, and smiled at them.
"Farewell, my brave Hobbits, for my work is now finished. Here at last, by the shores of the sea, comes the end of the Fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in peace."
Merry and Pippin were weeping and holding each other for support.
"I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil," Gandalf slowly and solemnly added.
Gandalf stepped over before Hiccup and Toothless. Toothless hung his head and hummed softly. Gandalf extended a hand and rested it on Toothless's forehead.
"Be not cold, Burning-Star. I came to Middle-earth for a purpose, and that purpose has been fulfilled. Even so, I count myself blessed that I met you and your human brother on the road to the Shire years ago."
"I am glad I did not flame you back then," Toothless huffed.
"Despite your best efforts," Gandalf chuckled.
A chorus of clear cries pierced the evening sky, and all the Furies lifted their heads as one. Hiccup stared up in renewed awe when he saw what made that familiar sound.
Over a dozen Great Eagles were soaring high above the Havens. Their pinions and wings almost glowed with orange and red fire in the fading light. One of the Eagles was far, far larger than the others.
Gandalf leaned on his staff as he gazed longingly into the sky.
"Yes, the Great Eagles are also leaving. They were sent to keep watch on the Enemies, on Morgoth and Sauron, and now they are free to return to their aeries in Valinor, never to return here."
Flame-In-The-Night deeply exhaled.
"They are good birds, yes, even if we do feel some fear of them," he said.
"That is understandable. To be great and powerful is to be capable of doing great harm as well as great good. With them, you know what humans feel in your presence," Gandalf explained.
Flame-In-The-Night and Snowfall purred softly and bent their heads after hearing that explanation.
Elrond returned from helping Bilbo aboard the ship. Gandalf nodded once to Hiccup and returned to Elrond's side. The Wizard leaned on his staff and faced the Hobbits.
"It is time, Frodo," he said.
Hiccup and Toothless froze and stared in shock at Frodo while Sam, Merry, and Pippin did the same. Frodo did not look surprised. He simply stared as the evening glow spilled on his pale, thin face.
No! He's not...
"What... does he mean?" Sam gasped.
"I have been too deeply hurt, Sam. We set out to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me."
"You don't mean that... you... you can't leave..." Sam gasped, his voice breaking as tears started in his eyes.
"It must often be so when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them."
Frodo handed over a red book which Sam reluctantly received.
"I leave to you all that I have. The last pages are for you, Sam. You cannot be always torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do."
Frodo turned away from Sam and embraced Pippin and Merry, holding each of them fondly as they wept. He turned aside from them and strode over to Hiccup and Toothless without saying anything.
Neither of them knew what to do or say either.
"I... uh... don't... know... what to say..." Hiccup stuttered.
"I am glad that I met you, your brother, and your family before the end. If I had to do all that over again to see the Ring destroyed, I would, even though this be necessary again. As I said before, you cannot be torn in two either. Remember that, just in case."
Frodo hugged him, and he hugged Frodo back while stifling his own tears. Frodo stepped away from him and held a palm out to Toothless. Toothless, whining pitifully, put his nose to the palm.
"Be warm, Frodo."
"I shall be."
Frodo strode over to Sam. They stared at each other for several seconds without moving.
Hiccup tried to think about what they must have gone through together: leaving home with no certainty of coming back, escape into the wild, wounds he knew of and didn't know about, hunger and long burden, and the journey through Mordor itself with no one truly to rely on except each other. They were like brothers.
Frodo and Sam embraced each other while Sam wept freely. They held each other long until Sam let go. Frodo kissed Sam's forehead and then slowly and solemnly stepped away to take Gandalf's extended hand. Celeborn helped Frodo onto the ship. Frodo paused on the plank, faced his friends, and faintly smiled.
It was the first smile that he had seen from Frodo since they parted in Rivendell.
Frodo nodded at them and went to sit by Bilbo. The three Hobbits held each other for support as their tears slowed, reluctantly accepting what must be.
Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel, the keepers of the three Elven rings, stood together on the docks while facing Hiccup and the Furies.
Gandalf spoke in a voice that carried over the wind.
"Sauron was not of Middle-earth. He was one of the Maiar, and his master was one of the Valar. They have both left upon the world scars that may never fade. The Marring of Arda shall not be cleansed until the end times."
Gandalf raised his staff, and there was a flash of light. Nothing happened except that one of the Great Eagles answered the light with a piercing cry that shivered the water and echoed from the stone buildings. Everyone, Hobbit, Elf, and Fury, gazed upwards as the largest of the Great Eagles tucked its wings and dove. With a wingspan of thirty fathoms, this Eagle was noticeably larger than the other Eagles. The stroke of the Eagle's wings as it landed out on the pier sent up a roaring wind that disturbed robes, sails, and tucked wings.
The Great Eagle settled down and silently stared their direction as Gandalf strode toward it.
"Thorondor!" Gandalf greeted the Eagle.
Thorondor bowed his great head.
"Olorin. My kin brought word to me, and I see that they spoke the truth. These dragons are as I was told."
"And our master agrees with the plan?" Gandalf asked.
"Yes, you may hear from him," Thorondor answered.
The Great Eagle stepped aside on the pier, revealing someone else now standing on the far edge of the docks. That someone was staring into the West, holding his arms aloft, and singing in a male voice that carried over the wind, echoed from the sky, and brushed away all fear and chill.
"A Elbereth Gilthoniel... silivren penna miriel... o menel aglar elenath! Fanuilos, le linnathon... nef aear, si nef aearon! A Elbereth Gilthoniel! A tiro nin, Fanuilos!"
A calm fell as the strange person then strode toward them. He was clad in blue robes, bore a gold scepter with a blue gemstone, wore no shoes, and had long white hair that seemed to flow about his back. His eyes were a piercing, deep blue filled with power, compassion, and wisdom. The wind whispered at his approach.
Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, Cirdan, Celeborn, and Thorondor bowed deeply to him and stepped back. Gandalf then spoke in a voice of power.
"Hail the King of Arda, King of the Valar, Lord of the West, Lord of Aman! Hail, Manwe!"
Hiccup's jaw fell open. He remembered enough of his history lessons in Rivendell that he knew the significance of that last name. This person was almost like this world's Odin.
He immediately averted his eyes and bent his head in respect.
Oh my gods, literally! But what is he doing here?
No one said anything or moved. Manwe stood before the Elves while gazing up at the Furies perched on the houses or sitting peacefully on the docks. Then he spoke with a voice as calm as a gentle wind and as strong as the fiercest gale.
"I have seen your actions, and know of your struggle. You bear two Flames in your souls. The Flame Imperishable, which is freedom of will, is a gift from Illuvatar. The other Flame is a spark of Udun, of Morgoth. Though you were formed by Morgoth to be his weapons and instruments of his will, you have free choice and have been adopted as Children of Illuvatar."
Manwe paused and looked to the sky in which the distant clouds glowed orange.
"The Flame of Udun within each of you can never be fully extinguished, not by any power in this world of Arda. If you stay here, you will always face temptation from gold and Morgoth's Marring of Arda. You would need to always resist that temptation in your souls. You have fought against the Enemy because you want to be free of his control. For your deeds and wounds suffered against the Enemy, you have permission to fly to Valinor where you may live in peace and be free of temptation or threat to your lives. After this day, the path will be closed, save for the Elves."
Silence fell, only broken by the whisper of the wind, the call of the white gulls, and the lapping of the waves.
Hiccup heard and didn't want to hear.
He was vaguely aware of Flame-In-The-Night and Snowfall stepping forward to ask questions or say something, though he heard nothing of what was said. His legs shook and didn't support him as he dropped to a knee.
It was so terribly obvious now. There was nothing that he or the Furies themselves could do on their own to fully escape their origins. Morgoth made them long ago to be weapons and even gave them part of his evil soul, or something like that. While that was not what gave them freedom, it did give them strength, possibly magic, and an innate weakness to gold and temptations.
Flame-In-The-Night and Snowfall hopped into the sky and flew toward the rest of the pack, again saying something to them that he had no way of knowing or truly hearing.
Why did the tears fall freely now?
Would the Furies always be in danger from other humans if they stayed in Middle-earth? There had already been an attempted attack on them by trappers who would try to use them.
What was best for the pack?
They could resist that temptation in their souls, if they had sufficient reason to. With Sauron gone now, there might never be another force to truly spark that Flame of Udun to life... as had been happening with Toothless.
Toothless.
His own guilt for what happened and the terrible mistakes he had made... that guilt was so raw still because he knew that he was, in part, responsible for wronging his brother. He had been clingy and possessive, so like a corrupt dragon himself.
And now...
A nudge.
"Did you hear what the Alphas said?" Toothless whispered after nudging him again.
He covered his face, not wanting to turn around.
"No... what... did they... say?" he gasped.
"They said that they cannot make this decision for all in the pack. Each pair must decide what to do."
That was fair of them. This truly was a decision that every family should make on their own.
Family.
Those who are loved and who love.
What does it mean to love, if not to want the best for the one who is loved without regard for oneself? Love was not clingy, needy, or possessive.
He slowly stood up, turned, and stood before Toothless, gazing into his deep green eyes that looked worried and disturbed.
Could he do it? Was it even his choice to make?
No, it was not.
"Brother, I... will not tell you... what to do."
"What are you saying?" Toothless whispered after glancing at Moonbeam.
"I want you to be happy, both of you, all of you. I see how you hurt every year. You might not be safe in this world, and I..."
He took a deep breath as all control faded. It was not his decision to make or even try to influence to his own benefit. His own hope and dream for what the future should be was out of his hands.
He knelt and gently held Toothless's head as fresh tears fell freely.
"If you need to go, don't think you need to stay... for me. I'll be fine..."
"I'll be fine..." Hiccup weakly whispered as he wept, let go, and stepped back.
Toothless froze as he understood fully what Hiccup meant. His human brother wanted him to do what was truly best for himself and his kin.
Even if that meant leaving him and letting the winds of their lives separate forever.
It was such a wrong and chilling idea that went against everything they were trying to be and make in the world. And yet, he had to think about it.
The possibility of living in a world without the temptation from gold or twisted thoughts was very appealing. It would be the very freedom that he had been searching for ever since he felt the claws of the Ring and learned that he had been touched by a rotted soul-fire that twisted some of his wants.
He had fallen from the skies of innocence and wanted to recover that prior life without temptation.
But maybe that was impossible normally. Maybe there was no going back to how life was before. He wished that this had not happened to him, but that was not for him to decide. All he had to decide was what to do with the time given to him, with the rest of his life.
The pain from the Nazgul wound was terrible, but it was endurable with his kin there to comfort him. The temptation from gold was almost nothing to him so long as he kept close his family and his starlight pendant that so warmed his soul-fire only by having it around him. Maybe he would never be strong enough to resist temptation on his own, but he did not need to try to face that enemy alone. No one flew the winds of life alone.
There was danger from bad humans in Middle-earth, but the people of Rohan had proven their loyalty to the pack. He and the pack were safer living in peace with good humans who were willing to protect them than they would be on their own in the wild somewhere. Any remaining danger was only a necessary part of life.
And Hiccup wanted him to do what was best for himself and his own family.
He blinked as tears fell from his own eyes. It had been so long since that happened. Dragons did not weep easily.
Brother...
Slowly, he turned to Moonbeam and lost himself in her purple eyes as he had many times before. Without saying anything or any further prompting, she stepped over to him, stood at his shoulder, and lay her tail over his. Morning-Star stuck her head out of the sling and chirped at him.
"You know my answer, my dear mate," Moonbeam hummed.
He knew indeed.
What his sire and dam were going to choose, he thought he knew, though they might be waiting to see what he and Moonbeam decided.
So he stepped over to Hiccup, grabbed him in a hug, and whined softly, nuzzling his head as he spoke the only answer he could give.
"We are staying here," he gasped.
Hiccup sobbed and held his neck when he heard that answer.
They held each other for a very, very long time.
"Are you... sure?" Hiccup whispered, letting his tears fall again.
He reluctantly sat back while purring softly to his dear, amazing, human brother.
"Yes, we are," Moonbeam hummed in agreement.
Far-Flight bounded forward and behind Hiccup with a nudge of his shoulder.
"Dear cub, we are also staying. All of us."
Sky-Dancer, Kindled-Dream in the sling, Breath-Of-Sky, and Mystery came forward and surrounded them, filling the space with solemn purring.
"Okay, okay... good to hear," Hiccup weakly whispered as he wiped away the last of his tears.
Together, they looked toward the rest of the pack to see what their decision was. All the Furies rescued from Mordor: Dances-In-Shadows, Sun-Spark, Dancing-Flame, Hidden-Star, Ashen-Whisper, Tempest-Cloud, Cloud-Whisper, and Cloud-Swimmer had stepped forward and were calmly sitting a respectful distance from Manwe.
Toothless thought that their wanting to leave made sense. They never became close to humans and were most hurt by being around Mordor.
Flame-In-The-Night gently guided Dreamcatcher forward to the others who were leaving. If there was anywhere she could find help from the rot in her thinking, the good hidden world beyond the horizon would be that place.
He blinked in surprise when he saw Dark-Fire and Jumps-At-Fire slowly walking forward together to stand beside the others.
She was going to go with and take the offer. She was going to leave Middle-earth.
It felt like there was something he had to do for her now while he still had the chance.
He got to his paws and calmly walked over to her. She paused at his approach and watched him.
They had both made so many mistakes in the past, and they would never see each other after today.
"You are staying here," she hummed.
"Yes, I want to stay with the humans, just like the rest of my closest kin. Why are you leaving?"
"We are leaving because my mate wants help being free of the... twistedness in his soul-fire. I want to go with him."
That was as good a reason as any he could come up with.
"Good. I wish you a warm life-flight. Go and fly in new skies we have never flown in. Go and see mountains that I will never see."
"I will," she said.
He chuckled softly, ears lifted with humor.
"What?" she wondered.
"You will probably be one of the first dark wing dams in that hidden world. How twisted is that?"
She purred.
"It is twisted, yes, but it will happen. I am with cub."
He purred at that wonderful news. This was the first he had heard of it.
"The good Elves will surely help with the cub. You will all be well there," he whispered.
She paused and stared at her paws.
"Thank you for everything, Burning-Star," she whispered.
He turned away from her and Dark-Fire, and walked back to Moonbeam, Hiccup, and their kin. He glanced back toward her and nodded at Dark-Fire; the male slowly nodded to him and leaned against Jumps-At-Fire.
Everything was happening more or less as he expected once he realized the offer was being given to the pack.
Flame-In-The-Night stood tall and roared.
"Do any others want to fly?"
None moved.
Starlight, Wind-Biter, Hunts-In-Deep-Waters, Lightning, Snowflame, Windripper, and all the respective cubs remained where they were.
Toothless purred in approval of their decision to stay.
"Wing-Of-Ice, Eyes-That-Shimmer, and Nightfall are also staying!" Snowfall shouted.
With that news given to the pack, Flame-In-The-Night and Snowfall padded over to him and Hiccup. Hiccup seemed to be struggling to speak, so Toothless spoke instead.
"You knew about this?" he asked.
Flame-In-The-Night nodded.
"Gandalf told us what he was thinking about doing to help those of the pack who want to go and find healing. He sent news to his Alpha about this plan. We spoke with Wing-Of-Ice since he cannot fly, and he and his mate said that they wanted to stay here with all their family. He will not fly again and will always be... colder, but he wants to stay with those he knows."
Flame-In-The-Night paused and huffed.
"And I am... glad that Jumps-At-Fire and my brother will warm each other's life-flights. I know they are with cub now. They told us."
Snowfall softly hummed.
"It will be good to have another mated pair there in the new world. With three grown pairs and Cloud-Swimmer as new blood once he takes a mate, there should be enough pairs there that we dark wings can grow and be many. That way we will still be even if bad happens in this world here."
Toothless entirely agreed that it was good for there to be enough pairs that were not blood-kin in the new world so that the new pack could be sustainable and grow.
Flame-In-The-Night sighed.
"That place will also help Dreamcatcher be well again. Gandalf told us that someone there knows how to help with problems like hers."
Snowfall grumbled.
"On a different matter, some of us want to see that hidden island, the one Jumps-At-Fire and Dark-Fire flew to, where no humans can go. Some of us who are staying might want to live there or make a new pack there in time. We want all in the pack to fly this flight together."
Hiccup nodded, understanding that this was the real reason why the Alphas brought the entire pack.
"I can show you where to go. Later."
"Later."
They considered the eleven packmates who were present and volunteering to truly leave. Something about being in Manwe's presence was very calming, and none of them looked afraid. It probably helped that Manwe was gently patting young Hidden-Star's forehead. Manwe then moved on to hold Dreamcatcher's head and whisper to her.
Gandalf approached him and Hiccup without saying anything at first. Meanwhile, Galadriel and Elrond boarded the ship as the moment of their departure neared.
"Sneaky Wizard," Toothless huffed.
"I did not wish to reveal anything before I was certain of this. To allow the dragons welcome in Valinor was no small feat, though Manwe is the wisest of the Ainur and best knows what should be. His delight is also in the winds, the clouds, and all good beings that go on the wing."
Gandalf leaned on his staff.
"Haddock, you were a Ringbearer too, even if for a very short time."
"At the Council," Hiccup remembered.
"You did not wear the Ring, but you felt its power nevertheless. You too have permission to pass into the West, if you so wish that. However, I suspect that you will have no need to do so for healing, not even in your great age."
Hiccup frowned while rubbing his palm. He entirely agreed with what Gandalf said.
"Yeah, I don't think I will need that. I still remember the Ring, but not like Frodo seems to."
"Indeed," Gandalf agreed, "his scars are far worse and are why he must pass. You choose to stay here in Middle-earth and work for the good of the pack by shaping this world to be more accepting of them. Know then that you should be concerned with the most regrettable features of Man's nature: quick satiety with good and easy forgetting of the lessons of the past."
Gandalf faced Toothless.
"It is possible that you dragons could be a reminder to the Men of this world and a check on their failings, much as they can do the same for you. There is in this world no perfect kingdom or land, and there may always be some who will fear and not trust your kind."
Toothless grumbled.
"What are you truly saying?"
"There will never be a moment of perfection when total peace will reign. Rather, it is through working always and stubborn, constant, and tireless laboring that the world may be made better for all."
Gandalf glanced at Cirdan and chuckled at something as the Wizard held up his free hand. The evening light glistened off the ruby flame on his finger.
"This is most appropriate. Two different rings of fire were present throughout the War of the Ring. Narya granted hope and courage against despair, temptation, and doubt. The One Ring twisted a person's deepest wishes and corrupted anyone who would try to claim it as their own or use it to make themselves more powerful."
Gandalf briefly paused.
"The greatest part of Narya's strength was lost with the One's unmaking. Narya cannot summon flame, extend life, or provide concealment anymore. However, Narya may yet have echoes of the strength it once kindled. Therefore and to repeat what another once told me when I received this ring..."
Gandalf took off Narya and held it out to Hiccup.
"Take this ring, for your labors will be heavy, but it will aid you in the weariness. For this is the ring of fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill."
Awed, Hiccup reverently took Narya and slipped it on his left index finger. The ring fit perfectly and felt faintly warm, though he didn't know if that was because of the ring itself or because it was being worn beforehand.
I... don't... even...
It was too much to think about right now.
Gandalf wordlessly spun away and boarded the ship as the sun touched the western horizon.
Manwe held his arms out wide, as if to embrace the sky, and the wind rushed through the bay, filling the sails of the Elven ship. His voice echoed from the sky and whispered from the wind.
"Never again shall the Valar and the Maiar abide upon this world which has been changed forever. Thus Eru shows that He is the Source of all themes and that none can alter the music against His will. Any who attempt so shall prove but His instrument in the making of things more wonderful than can be imagined."
With those last words, Manwe strode to Thorondor, and the Great Eagle bent down to let his master up. Thorondor leaped for the sky, his vast wings stirring up a storm the same as upon his arrival, and gave a piercing call answered by all the Eagles above. The departing Furies jumped in answer and glided out over the departing ship while the Great Eagles flew on ahead toward the horizon.
Sam, Merry, and Pippin came forward and stood beside Hiccup. He slung an arm around Sam's shoulder and the other on Toothless's neck as they all watched together. Time, or their awareness of it, faded as the ship rolled out into the harbor, aided by a soft wind.
A flash of white light flared from on the ship, though Hiccup knew not why, as the vessel and the wings approached the horizon and the setting sun. So many memories passed through his thoughts. Meeting Gandalf on the road, Frodo and Bilbo in the Shire, Elrond in Rivendell, Galadriel in Lothlorien, and everything Elven about the world.
Breath left him and fresh tears fell when he saw the beautiful and bittersweet sight around him.
All the remaining Furies were standing upright with their wings stretched wide out of respect for their departing packmates. Toothless howled a solemn cry which was taken up by all others in the pack. Their echoed songs reflected off the rocks and shivered the red sky and the calm waters.
Silence followed as they all stared, as if in a dream, until the grey ship and the wings passed into the sunset and were gone.