"RIGHT . . ." SHE REMEMBERED HER FIRST ENCOUNTER with Skullcrusher. Eret had mentioned then, that the former chief had been that dragon's rider, and Mari could still feel the potent grief coming from him then. HIccup hadn't had the mercy of being sworn in when he was ready—something that Mari realized she might've taken for granted. Years after the deaths of her own family, she had the fortune of being looked over by Chief Gara, who would likely continue to watch over Mahana well after she herself was gone.
She smiles a bit as she's pulled into a slight hug. still staring thoughtfully at her knees, allowing the gesture. At this point, she hardly minded such a thing. Maybe there was pride that swelled in that little chest of hers, in knowing she could consider Eret and his partner family. The strength of the heart and its pull gets Mari thinking.
"Well, I guess so. The truth is, I thought I knew what I wanted for as long as I could remember. I was always told I was going to be a rider, and lead like my grandfather did. And I went with it. For years, that's all I thought I was gonna be."
"I guess in hindsight, I did always wonder what was beyond the island. Just . . . I didn't get to really experience it until I had to leave. Like really experience that want to travel. Sure it was scary being somewhere unfamiliar at first, but in time I came to like it. I came to love flying most of all."
". . . And now everyone believes that Red's supposed to protect the island someday, like the old Island Guardian. But I don't know what that's gonna mean for him, or for me. I'm kinda scared I won't get to leave home anymore."