A Very Haddock Morning
Astrid Haddock rolled over in bed and smiled at the figure snoring soundly beside her.
Hiccup had been up late the night before caring for Toothless and Stormfly's first litter.
Shortly after they had hatched, the baby Night Furies and Deadly Nadders had scattered throughout
the barn, terrifying Hiccup and Astrid's flock of chickens, three yaks and a dozen sheep. By the time
the young chief had fell into the bed, it was three in the morning. Astrid slipped out from beneath the
thick pile of furs, and crept to their newborn's crib. Seeing Eric still asleep, and finding Eira snoring
like her father, Astrid dressed warmly, and stepped out into the frosty morning.
Astrid walked carefully through the freshly fallen snow to the large barn where she found Toothless
yawning and Stormfly stretching. "Hey guys, ready for some breakfast?" Astrid asked as she dumped
several cod into a pan, and gave Stormfly a bucket of raw chicken.
Both slurped up their meal greedily as Astrid went on to feed the chickens.
"Almost done." Astrid said to herself, checking her biscuits in the fire. "Just need to fry some eggs and
breakfast will be ready." Hiccup sauntered into the kitchen, mumbling something about feeding a
useless reptile, when his eyes widened. "Astrid! Hi, uh, do you want me to help you, or, uh..."
"Morning, Babe. You were up way late last night, so I did your usual chores and fixed your
favorite: Biscuits, fried eggs and cod planks." Astrid said with a smile. "I promise, it's edible."
Since Valka had returned, she had been teaching Astrid all the things her mother had
never taught her, and Astrid had become the accomplished cook.
"Smells great, Milady. And thanks." Hiccup replied, as they kissed.
"Mama, Papa!" squealed Eira as she ran into the room, hugging both of them around their legs.
"Morning, Eira. How's our sweet girl doing this morning?" Hiccup asked with his classic crooked grin.
"Hi, Eira. Is Eric awake yet?" Astrid asked, kissing the top of her blond daughter's head.
"Yes Mommy. I think he's ready for breakfast, too." Eira said smiling. "If you want to go
ahead and eat, Babe, I'll go feed the little guy." Astrid said, heading for their bedroom. Little Eric
was cooing happily in his crib ,reaching his hands up at Astrid , begging for some attention too.
"Come here, Eric." Astrid said, picking him up. Born only three weeks ago, little Eric
seemed to be always hungry, but was very good already. "I think somebody needs a diaper change." Astrid laughed.
By the time Astrid had changed and fed Eric, she was
ravenous herself. Being a mother to two children, and a wife who also served as an
assistant to the island chief, was very tiring, but well worth it.
Astrid found Valka busy washing dishes as she came back in the dining room. "Morning, Mom."
Astrid said to her thoughtful mother-in-law. Valka had been more of a mother to Astrid since she was
a child than her blood mother ever had.
Most Viking mothers of her day were more
concerned with fighting dragons and outcasts than raising children. But Valka
and Astrid were exceptional mothers.
"Good morning, love. Hiccup left a few minutes ago to go settle a dispute between the yak farmer and
the sheep herders. He said to tell you breakfast was great, and he wished he could tell
you bye, but they wouldn't stop arguing long enough for him to get a word
in edgewise." Valka said with a shake of her head.
"Vikings." said Astrid agreeing.