Whew, okay. I made it! I'm alive! The story is alive! We're all alive! Alive is good! Dead is bad! Yay!
Okay, so, I apologize for the wait. I know I told you guys that this story wasn't going to be priority and all, but I did not mean to have you wait that long. I mean... what has it been? Six months? Half a year?! For one chapter?! Yep, sorry. My bad. Kinda. Been busy, but I'll talk more about it at the post-AN for this chapter.
Otherwise, enjoy...
Chapter 3: Arrival
High in the sky, a dragon flies with two riders upon its back as the sun begins to end its westward course across the sky. Far below were islands, secluded from the rest of the island chain. This part of the region was largely uninhabited. Dragons roamed wild and free. No villages. No raids, not that there had been any reason to do so. The monster that had forced them to do so had been defeated and slayed.
Peace was brought upon the archipelago, but why there was peace was a mystery. No one in the Viking tribes knew exactly why the dragons had suddenly ceased their raids. Everyone thought that the beasts would return to raid their livestock and food stores, and so they had waited. And waited, but still no raid had occurred. Dragons were seen, but the beasts didn't attack. It puzzled many a Viking.
It was disturbing. Not a day has gone by since the mysterious end of dragon raids that the Vikings were not on edge and ready for another attack. They built stronger defenses. More secure food stores.
They waited, prepared, anticipated… But no raid came. At first it had made the Vikings fearful of an attack of epic proportions. Superstitions arose of the devils lying in wait, ready to strike once the villagers let down their guard. No one knew when the dragons would return, if they returned.
No one knew what happened those four years ago that ended the dragon raids besides two individuals riding atop a dragon's back and a village far to the northeast. One of the dragon's riders was on her way to unravel a mystery of her own. The other was on his way back to a secluded village to continue to try and hide himself from his past…
But the past has a habit of not remaining buried...
Astrid dozed against Hiccup's shoulder, her arms still wrapped snuggly around him. She was aware of how intimate this position was, but she had yet to see a negative response from the man whose shoulder she was currently using as a pillow. Her eyes had long since closed as the wind gently pushed through her golden hair as the subtle swaying motions of the flying dragon and the warmth from the body of Hiccup that she was so closely pressed against lulled her to the brink of sleep.
She could stay in this position forever. For the first time in a long time, she felt relieved and free. She didn't have to worry about her life. She could just stay up amongst the clouds, away from her problems, troubles, fears…
Fears…
She was afraid. She only opened up to Hiccup the way she did because the shock of him being still alive outweighed her fear for the most part. So, before she knew it, she put her trust in him, and was clinging onto him like a lifeline. Perhaps that is why she wasn't keen on returning to Berk. Hiccup didn't want to go back, and she would go wherever he went at the moment.
"Astrid."
Astrid hummed in response, still flitting between sleep and consciousness.
"Astrid. Wake up."
She reluctantly fluttered her eyes open and raised her head with tired eyes.
"Huh? What?" She mumbled as she sat upright, having slumped against Hiccup during her slumber.
Hiccup turned his body to look at her with a smile.
"We're close, Milady. And just in time to see the famous Dale sunset." He stated, gesturing to the orange orb sinking below the misty horizon.
Astrid blinked her eyes some at the sight as she took in the sight.
The sunset was indeed stunning. The clouds were bathed in a warm light, painting them a mixture of fascinating colors. The islands cast shadows around the waters that seemed to shift and change with the waves.
The mist that seemed to cling to the cluster of islands only heightened the spectacle. The water vapor seemed to create an ocean of orange cloud that covered the actual ocean below and left only the highest reaching islands to breach above the clouds. The whole setting gave off a magical feel. In simpler terms… It was beautiful
"Wow…" She breathed.
Hiccup smiled knowingly as he guided Toothless into a steady descent, shifting into a more northward direction of travel.
Astrid continued to admire the scenery. This was where Hiccup's been all these years? It's no wonder he never returned. The view was stunning.
She looked down at the islands. They seemed peaceful, void of any signs of human habitation.
She noticed that there weren't that many mountainous ones like Berk. Ones with high cliffs maybe, but the landscape on each seemed relatively smooth, filled with trees.
She felt Hiccup nudge her as they leveled out much closer to the surface of the ocean and treetops of the small islands they passed.
She looked up to meet his green eyes looking at her with a kind of excitement. He smiled at her while he nodded his head forward.
"There it is, Milady. Straight ahead is the secluded village of Dale, our destination."
Astrid leaned over to the side slightly to get a better look, eyes widening at the island coming into view and the small village set atop the highest point of it. It looked exactly like Hiccup's sketch in his journal with the exception of a few added structures and other more recent constructions. The mist surrounding the isle didn't reach the height of the village, giving the illusion that the top chunk of the island was resting on top of a cloud.
She saw glows of windows illuminating in the dim light as the sun became a mere sliver of red upon the horizon, slowly plunging the landscape into darkness.
Astrid took a breath, feeling nervous all of a sudden.
"Oh wow, okay. Um, so what's the plan?"
'What's the plan?!' Did I really ask that? It isn't like we are infiltrating an enemy stronghold! Odin's Ghost… I'm such a mess. But what if they don't like me? What if they aren't as accepting of me as Hiccup is?!
Hiccup smiled reassuringly at the gulping woman behind him as if he detected her panicked thoughts.
"Don't worry. Just stick by me and let me do the talking. Uh, though I might have to leave you with some friends for a bit, if that's alright."
He looked at Astrid questioningly.
She bit her lip at the prospect of being left alone with a bunch of strangers, but she mentally slapped herself the instant the feelings of panic started to fill her mind.
NO! I will not let myself get afraid of people. These were good people. Right? They won't try anything. Still…
"Astrid?"
She flinched out of her thoughts and snapped her eyes upon the questioning gaze of Hiccup.
He had risen an eyebrow at her.
"You alright?"
Astrid shook her head free of lingering thoughts and managed a smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll stay with your friends while you do stuff, if you want."
No problem… No problem at all…
Hiccup nodded his head with a smile.
"We'll skip the dramatic entrance. Sorry, bud." He directed that at Toothless who seemed to croon with disappointment.
Astrid ginned a bit at that but then jumped in the saddle when a squeaky roar of some sort suddenly sounded from the below.
"What was that?!" She exclaimed, leaning over to try and see the source of the noise when a blur of scales and wings shot past her to collide into Hiccup's head, making him flinch and give a cry of surprise.
Astrid yelped in fright, leaning back from the Terrible Terror that was clinging to the man's head and rubbing its head rapidly against his brown hair, purring.
"Uh, H-Hiccup?" She questioned in wary surprise.
Hiccup just chuckled as he reached up to pry the small dragon from his head and into his hands.
"Well, this… ow. This is Sharpshot. Sharpshot, Astrid. Astrid, Sharpshot." He said gesturing between the two.
She just grinned nervously at the small greenish dragon, who just licked his yellow eyeball in greeting.
Hiccup rolled his eyes at the Terrible Terror and held him out in front of him.
"Glad to see you too, buddy. Now, go back home. We'll meet you there."
SharpShot licked his eyeball again before spreading his small wings and zipping away as the man released him.
Astrid sat back up, watching the little dragon fly away back down to the village.
"Well, I didn't expect that." She commented in a daze.
She looked back at Hiccup to see him leaning forward, directing Toothless into a steep descent. She quickly leaned forward too as she felt the air begin to race past her.
She now saw that Hiccup was taking them directly to the village.
She instinctively wrapped her arms around him again as the nervousness welled up within her.
Oh Gods, here we go…
It didn't take them long to reach the ground and soon Astrid's stomach was doing summersaults as she shakily stepped off the dragon.
They had landed in a dark and quiet space at the center of the village. The buildings surrounded them, varying in height. Astrid noticed several shops and such scattered around the plaza. It was a nice and small village. Not nearly as big and grand as Berk, but it certainly held a tranquility to it.
Hiccup smiled reassuringly at her as she stood beside him, looking around at the village warily.
"Welcome to Dale, Astrid."
Astrid took a breath and grinned nervously.
"Well, it's… quiet."
Hiccup shrugged.
"It's dinner time. Everyone should be in the Mead Hall at the top of the hill."
He directed Astrid's attention by pointing at a large structure up the hill from their position in the village square.
She could see a warm light coming out of the wide open doors of it and heard the voices and laughter coming from it, shadows betraying the presence of people within.
Astrid breathed a sigh of relief. At least, she knew where everyone was now.
She felt Hiccup take her hand and begin to pull her in the opposite direction.
She looked at him in confusion as Toothless followed patiently behind them.
"Where are we going?"
Hiccup looked back at her with a grin.
"I'm going to take you by Marge's to get that wound looked at from a more professional eye. I was also planning on asking her if you can stay with her while you're here."
Astrid gulped with anxiety at the reminder that she wasn't going to be staying with him. Oh, she wished she was staying with him, but if Hiccup said that she could trust this person, she would give them a chance.
"Okay, so where is sh—"
"HICCUP HORRENDOUS HADDOCK THE THIRD!"
Astrid's eyes bulged at the loud use of Hiccup's full name while he just winced as if he just stepped on a thorn. They both froze where they stood.
Hiccup grinned nervously at the questioning gaze of Astrid and quickly turned to greet the woman storming up the path towards him.
"Uh… Marge!" He greeted with a cheerful voice, in hopes of avoiding the scolding he was apparently about to receive.
Astrid relaxed a bit and raised an eyebrow at Hiccup.
So this was Marge?
The taller older woman came to halt in front of Hiccup, glaring at him with intense amber colored eyes as her grey hair bounced off her back in a single braid. She wore a plain blue dress with brown leather boots, black leggings covering her legs. She was a strong built Viking woman, through and through. From her height to her impressive muscles for her age and gender, this Marge looked like a warrior, even though time had weathered her appearance. Her face showed signs of wrinkles, but her eyes and voice remained as strong as they must have been in her prime.
She definitely had the intimidating glare down…
Marge huffed and placed a hand on her hip while waving a finger down at the man.
"Ohhh, no. Don't 'Marge' me, young man. Where have you been?! You were supposed to be back days ago!"
Hiccup groaned, rubbing the back of his neck before shrugging with both hands.
"Yeah, well, long trip, went to places I wasn't expecting, and had to help an old friend and yada yada- Astrid!" He suddenly flung his arms backwards to gesture to the newcomer to the island. "This is Astrid! Astrid, Marge. Marge, Astrid." He introduced hastily with a grin, in an obvious nervous effort to divert the attention away from his lateness.
Astrid blinked as Marge snapped her eyes upon her with a softened expression and warm smile, looking unlike the intimidating aged Valkyrie she had been before. Instead she looked more… motherly? The blonde young woman blinked again in put-off surprise and smiled nervously.
"Hi, nice to meet you…" She hastily greeted.
The older woman nodded with a welcoming gaze and smile.
"Pleasure to meet you, dear." She greeted sweetly before her eyes instantly turned stern again as she snapped her attention back upon the slightly cowering Hiccup.
"But you, young man, have some explaining to do." Marge growled sternly, waving her finger at him in an oddly motherly fashion.
Astrid saw Hiccup wince and grin apologetically while he rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah, later, okay? It's been a complicated few days." He said with a sigh.
Marge seemed satisfied enough and nodded firmly, expression softening back to a kind peaceful woman.
"Good. Now! Mind introducing me, properly, to this fine young lass?" She asked with a sweet smile at the young woman.
Astrid couldn't help but relax a bit at the motherly feeling this woman gave off.
Hiccup grinned at the healer before stepping back to lay a hand on the blonde's shoulder.
"Marge, this is Astrid. She and I knew each other back on Berk, though… uh, we weren't really friends then." He admitted with a shrug.
"But we are now." Astrid added, a smile to her voice, trying to hide her ever present unease at being in this foreign place but feeling like she should say something instead of standing in awkward silence.
Gods, they were friends. Her and Hiccup. It just felt so… right to say that. This was how it should have been years ago…
Marge nodded with an understanding smile.
"Ah, well, it's nice to see you reconciling with your past, Hiccup." She commented.
Astrid noticed Hiccup's grin faded a bit and the hand on her shoulder tightened slightly, but he hid it well with a shrug, making her frown slightly.
"Only with Astrid at least. She was in a sticky situation with the Outcasts that I helped her get out of. She'll be staying here for a little while." He said with a smile. Astrid, on the other hand, fought a grimace and tried to not think about what happened, biting the inside of her lip.
"Get off me, you sons of half-trolls! Loki spawn! Brainless disgusting worms!" "Hold her down, boys!" "No, stop it! Don't touch me! Ahh! Get your hands off-!" "Keep her down! Quit your squirming you bitch. Let me show ya some manners, eh boys?!" "No! Stop! STOP! ST—AAHHH!"
Astrid felt her chest constricting as her scream reverberated through her memory, making her eyes sting and the color drain from her face. She inhaled a bit and shook herself to clear her head. She felt Hiccup's grip tighten reassuringly on her shoulder, and she blushed slightly, realizing he must have noticed. She didn't need to look at him to know he was giving her a sympathetic frown.
Damn it! Keep yourself together, Astrid!
Marge raised an eyebrow, oblivious to what just happened, and glanced at Astrid, looking her over.
"Outcasts, eh? Nasty bastards, them lot. Well, I'm sure the chief will allow it. Astrid, dear? You look hungry. I know exactly what you need. My famous Sheep, Deer, and Bean Stew!" She proclaimed, suddenly grabbing Astrid's hand and hauling her down the path with Hiccup and Toothless following behind.
Astrid's eyes bulged at the sudden contact and stumbled a bit over her feet trying to keep up with the brisk walk of the tall woman.
"Uh, Hiccup?" She quickly questioned back to the man in question.
He smiled reassuringly.
"It's alright, Astrid. You're in good hands."
Marge suddenly drew to a halt, making Astrid grunt as she was jolted to a stop.
She blonde blinked in surprise as the older woman glared down Hiccup.
"What are you doing hanging around? Don't ya worry yourself, boy! I'll take good care of Miss Astrid here. Don't you have someone you need to see?" She challenged with a raised eyebrow that made Hiccup's eyes widen.
"Oh, uh, yeah, but…" He stumbled over his words as his eyes flicked to Astrid.
Astrid gave him a small grin in response.
"Eira?"
Hiccup's face flushed red with a nervous look.
"Yeah." He muttered.
"When do I get to meet this mysterious Eira?" She asked suddenly, her mounting curiosity getting the better of her, but the moment the question left her lips, she wished she could take it back.
Something changed inside Hiccup's eyes as his face hardened and his nervous demeanor vanished. His eyes bore into her for a moment before he looked meaningfully at Marge.
"When I am ready for you to." He stated in a tone that eliminated any further prodding.
Astrid winced and shrunk back, wishing she hadn't brought it up.
Damn me and my curiosity…
Marge frowned with concern at him, eyes flickering between him and the woman whose hand she was still holding.
"Hiccup, dear. You might as well tell h—"
Hiccup's eyes narrowed.
"No." He said with a hint of a growl in his voice, silencing the older woman.
Astrid grit her teeth, not believing the difference in the man standing before her. He was no longer the nervous and awkward Hiccup she had known during her childhood. He carried an air of authority and capability that she had only ever seen in his father. What changed during all these years?
Marge sighed and shook her head.
"Fine, but you go to her now. Understand?"
Hiccup's features softened a bit as he shook himself from an apparent daze and nodded, flickering an apologetic gaze at Astrid.
"Uh… yeah. Yeah, I'll see you in a bit, Astrid." Then he smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, enjoy the stew. It's infamous for a reason."
Astrid just looked at him in confusion before Marge started to yell at him, making him jump upon Toothless' saddle with a snort of laughter.
"Hiccup Haddock! Are you implyin' what I think your implyin'?! My stew is the best on the island!"
The older woman shook a fist at the young man as he fluidly clicked himself into the saddle with a smirk.
"Of course, Marge. Of course. I believe you. We all do." He assured in a not-so believable way, padding Toothless' neck, cuing the dragon to take off.
Astrid grinned as the older woman growled after him, still shaking her fist in the air at the barely visible shadow above. Well, Hiccup sure hasn't lost that sarcastic flare. She bit back a bout of laughter as she looked to the healer.
"I'm sure he's just joking around, ma'am." She commented politely, directing the scowling healer's attention to her.
Marge hmphed and pulled the younger woman down the path between a few buildings.
"He better… That young man- Ooo!-sarcastic as they come!"
Astrid smiled at that. Hiccup indeed was one of the most sarcastic people she knew. She liked that.
Her heart fluttered a bit at the thought. Gods, she was hopeless…
She hid a blush and brushed a rebellious strand of air behind her ear as she was guided to a door of a building on the edge of the village.
Marge released her hand with a sigh and opened the door.
"He's a sarcastic but sad lad. Been through a lot, that Hiccup."
Astrid raised an eyebrow in question as she followed the woman into the building.
"Like what?" She asked curiously.
Damn her curiosity! It's none of her business!
The woman looked at her with a frown.
"Well, I probably shouldn't tell you. That young man is one of the sweetest I've met, but he has a dreadful temper at times, becomes someone else entirely. Sad part is, he wasn't always like that."
Astrid felt her eyebrows raise in interest, waiting for the woman to elaborate but was sorely disappointed when she didn't.
The blonde sighed with a hint of frustration as she closed the door behind her and looked around the interior.
It was decorated with everything you would expect to be in a Viking house. Shields and weapons adorned the walls along with several portraits of people that the blonde could only assume to be relatives of Marge.
The wooden rafters held up the top floor of the structure around the ceiling of the rectangular room. A staircase ascended to the floor above on along an adjacent wall to the left of the door. Everything was kept neat and clean. Astrid couldn't see a speck of dust anywhere.
A stew appeared to be boiling in a cauldron over an open flame in the firepit at the center of the room, the smoke trailing out through a hole in the ceiling that led to the pipe the funneled the smoke out of the building.
Astrid blinked a bit as she heard an odd growling sound from above her, making her slowly look up, instincts suddenly making her heart rate quicken.
Her eyes bulged with a startled cry as her heart skipped a couple beats when a large bluish mass fell from the rafters above her to land with a heavy thud on the floor in front of her with a growl.
"SON OF A…
She stumbled back to stare warily at the unmistakable form of a Monstrous Nightmare. It was a light blue color. Darker tones of blue detailed the patterns upon the wings and body typical of the dragon's species. It's yellow eyes were narrowed at her with a hiss, but it was quickly silenced by an angry Marge yelling at it.
"FLAMER! WHAT IS YOUR FILTHY GOOD FOR NOTHIN' BLUE HIDE DOIN' IN MY HOUSE?!"
The Nightmare's eyes suddenly bulged with fright, wings flaring out slightly as the dragon snapped its head around to cower in the gaze of the fiery woman.
Astrid relaxed a bit after the shock of coming face to face with an unknown dragon but noticed that she had been reaching instinctively for her axe on her back… which she didn't have. She quickly lowered her hand, silently scolding herself for her instinctive reaction.
Dragons are not what you thought they were… She thought to herself in encouragement.
The Nightmare squawked meekly at the healer who was sending a death glare at the reptile without fear.
Marge rolled her eyes as she stood firm with her hands akimbo. She frowned in thought.
"If you're here, then…" She suddenly turned and bellowed at the stairs. "BARD!"
"Yep!" Came an answering male voice from somewhere in the upper level of the structure.
Astrid's eyes glanced to the stairs as she warily skirted around the young Nightmare. There was a tapping sound along with some shuffling as a set of feet appeared, descending the stairs.
She was surprised when she saw a black-haired man wearing a simple blue long-sleeved tunic and black pants with brown-furred boots. He carried a small white lamb in one arm and a wooden staff that was hooked on one end in his other hand. He had a grey scarf wrapped loosely around his neck.
His hair somewhat resembled Hiccup's unruly hair, though it was longer than the dragon rider's.
His dark blue observant eyes swept over her with curiosity before settling on Marge. He smiled at her in greeting, seemingly unfazed by the middle-aged woman's ferocious glare.
"Hey, Marge. Just had to get this guy patched up. Fell into a hole and broke his leg." He informed, gesturing to the splinted and bandaged leg on the lamb.
The healer rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh, pinching the space between her eyes.
"Bard, how many times do I have to tell you to not bring that Nightmare of yours inside my house?" She growled.
Bard grinned apologetically.
"Sorry, Marge. Won't happen again." He assured, but Marge only scowled, placing her hands on her hips as she shook her head and moved away.
"That's what you said the last time…" She grumbled as she made for her cooking pot.
"Well this time for sure then." He assured with a hopeful smile at the retreating form of the healer. The old woman merely waved a dismissing hand, not bothering to turn around.
He gave a chuckle as he then turned to the unknown blonde in the room with curious eyes.
Astrid grinned nervously at him as his analytical gaze looked at her.
He smiled at her before shifting his staff under his arm and extending a hand.
"Well. Well. A new face to the village. I'm Bard."
The blonde's grin slipped from her face as she flinched, a sudden impulsive fear claiming her chest for a moment. Memories fluttered through her mind.
Hands reaching towards her. Grabbing at her…
Chained. Naked. Afraid. Helpless—
She sharply inhaled as she shuddered and quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts as the man in front of her took back his hand with a warm smile, seemingly not caring that she didn't return the polite gesture.
Bard retook his staff in his hand and shifted his weight upon it.
"So, I am just going to assume that Hiccup is back and brought you along with him, right?"
Astrid blinked in surprise. How did he…
"Uh, yeah. How did you know?" She questioned with a puzzled look.
The man shrugged.
"We don't have many new faces around here. Only a few traders every once in a while, none of which have visited in the past day. So, that leaves only a few other options, none of which seem likely except you coming to our humble island by dragon," He shrugged and continued, "and since there are no other dragon riders that we know of besides here in Dale, that only leaves Hiccup, who has been gone for a while, and it would only seem logical that he would have returned tonight if a new face appeared suddenly out of the blue." He explained logically.
The Astrid blinked again before grinning. Wow. Well, when he put it like that…
"Well, okay then. Makes sense." She commented in a slightly bewildered voice.
Well, isn't he a smart guy?
Bard nodded in response before cocking his head to the side with an arched eyebrow.
"Yep, so you are an old friend of Hiccup's?"
Astrid had to quickly stop a wince at the question. She shrugged, averting her eyes. Old friend? No. Not in the slightest. Old bully? Yeah… She felt that guilt shift within her stomach, making her feel nauseous, but she didn't let it show.
"Something like that. We knew each other back on Berk." She answered, head hung downward a bit and eyes downcast as she rubbed her arm.
"Ah, so you're Astrid Hofferson then." Bard suddenly hummed.
The blonde's head snapped up in surprise as a blush crept up her neck. Her name! He knew her name! How much did Hiccup tell people about her?! That thought made her blush harder.
"How did…" She started before seeing his sly smile and wink.
Bard chuckled a bit, leaning forward slightly as if telling her a secret.
"I didn't. It was a guess. But it seems I was right." He observed, straightening up again.
Astrid blinked before frowning with a sigh, rolling her eyes as she shifted her feet. Of course... Hiccup and him must get along great. Sassy. Smart. It was like they were brothers.
"Yeah, well, you were." She admitted with a grumble, somewhat uncomfortable with the thought that a stranger knew who she was so far away from home. What else did Hiccup tell them about her?
Bard smiled at her and interrupted her thoughts.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Astrid. As heir to the Chief of the Mistkeeper Tribe, allow me to be one of the first to welcome you to Dale." He offered with a slight bow.
Astrid blinked in surprise. He was the heir? But he looked to be a shepherd. Kind of odd for the heir, but she guessed it was alright. After all, Hiccup was heir to Berk by birthright, and he hadn't seemed to fit the role when he was smiled politely and nodded gratefully.
"Um, thank you." She responded awkwardly.
The black-haired man grinned in response before turning to the Monstrous Nightmare that had been waiting patiently in the background.
"I see you already met Flamer."
The woman laughed nervously, keeping a wary eye on the dragon who was looking at her curiously.
Why is it staring at me like that? I swear if you try anything you overgrown lizard, I will have your head…
"Uh, yeah. He kind of… dropped from the ceiling." She explained, smile remaining on her face but her eyes narrowing in challenge at the dragon.
The blue dragon seemed to copy her movements, his yellow eyes narrowing as well, though lacking aggression.
Bard rolled his eyes in a way that told Astrid this wasn't the first time that the dragon had surprised someone by dropping from the rafters.
"Typical. Anyways… Flamer, I need you to take this guy back to the pasture." He told the dragon while taking out a section of cloth and creating a sling around the injured lamb.
Flamer crooned as he slithered closer, opening his mouth to accept the knotted end of the sling that now held the lamb inside it.
The Nightmare kept his head aloft as he carefully maneuvered it around with the dumbly blinking lamb dangling beneath. Astrid stepped out of the way with a bemused look on her face as Bard stepped towards the door and yanked it open for the reptile to exit with his package into the night.
She gaped in disbelief. She had half expected the dragon to eat the lamb right then and there.
"He won't eat it?" She asked, mind blazing with questions.
Bard looked at her with a knowing grin.
"A recent convert on the views of dragons, are you?" He gestured to where the Nightmare had disappeared into the night. "To answer your question, no, he won't. Dragons are fiercely loyal and obedient when treated properly, as I'm sure Hiccup has told you."
Astrid nodded in confirmation. She had discussed that with him during their flight, but it was still bizarre witnessing it in person.
The man sighed with a grin, looking back to Astrid.
"Well, I have to get back to the sheep. Can't tell what they got themselves into while I was gone. A flock of idiots is what they are. Be sure to come to breakfast at the Great Hall tomorrow…" He trailed off as his eyes flickered to where Marge had dismissed herself to attend to a pot of boiling stew over a firepit. His voice lowered.
"I hope Hiccup's warned you about Marge's stew. She's a great healer but a horrid cook." He warned in a voice just a above a whisper.
Astrid grinned a bit.
"Oh, he has, but it can't be that bad, right?"
Bard gave her an uneasy grin, that was suspiciously like Hiccup's and made her fight to keep a snort of laughter from escaping her lips.
"You'll see." He told her ominously before shaking his head. "Anyways, I must get to the flock. Might even try and find Hiccup while I'm at it. Knowing him, he'll want to be with Eira… who just so happens to be out with the sheep with me tonight." He told her with a chuckle.
Astrid's interest spiked after hearing the mysterious name. That name… Eira. Who was Eira? Maybe Bard had answers. Her heart skipped a beat as she gave a curious look.
"I keep hearing about this Eira, but Hiccup is being very secretive about her for some reason. Who is she?" She asked hopefully.
Bard's face fell into a frown, looking thoughtful and more befitting of a chief's heir.
"He hasn't told you?" He questioned with a slight note of disappointment to his voice.
Astrid shook her head with a cautious frown. Should Hiccup have told her?
"No." She answered.
The man sighed, shaking his head and rolling his eyes upward as he raked a hand through his black hair.
"Looks like I'm going to have to talk to him about that, but if he hasn't told you yet, then it won't be right for me to. Sorry…" He informed with an apologetic look as her face fell into disappointment. "Gods, it's really silly for him to be keeping that from you." He commented, shaking his head again. "But… I have to respect his wishes." He shrugged.
Astrid mentally stumped her foot at another fail at getting answers but kept it to herself as she nodded with a frown and sigh.
"I understand. I was just wondering." She gave him a polite smile. "Have fun with your sheep, um, Bard. Nice to meet you."
The shepherd smiled and gave a nod of his head as he stepped further into the cooling night air.
"Thank you, Astrid. Nice to meet you too, and see you in the morning. Oh, and, uh, don't eat too much of that stew. Trust me." He quipped with a grin before limping away into the darkness, tapping his staff.
Astrid grinned as she closed the door to keep the chilly night air out. She exhaled softly as she listened to the comforting stillness of the warm interior of the structure. It was a very satisfying change from a cold cage on Outcast Isle. She shuddered just thinking about that place, even if she had only been held captive for a few days. It may not seem like a lot, but it was the strenuous and traumatic experiences and situations that made it seem like weeks since she had been safe at home with her family. The crackle of a fire in her clan hall. The warm wooden walls. The decorations on the walls.
Astrid sighed, before looking to Marge at the call of her name.
"Astrid dear, come eat." The grey-haired woman beckoned while ladling some thick stew into a bowl.
The blonde smiled some as she wandered over. At least she felt comfortable enough with this woman. She guessed she could spend the night in this place after all. It reminded her of home, and she bet the cooking would be just as great, no matter what those two clowns said.
Astrid sat across the table from the healer, blue eyes watching as the woman slid a steaming bowl over to her.
Marge's amber eyes crinkled with a warm smile as she gestured to the bowl with her own spoon.
"Well? What are you waitin' for? Eat up!"
The blonde grinned, but couldn't help the wariness that suddenly popped into her mind as she picked up her spoon and looked down at the steamy pile of… stew. She cocked her head in slight confusion at the substance in her bowl. Was… Was stew supposed to look like that?
She shook her head, banishing the doubts form her mind and fixing her face into a determined frown as she scooped some of the stew onto her spoon and raised it to her mouth.
How bad could it be?
Bard frowned as he stared at the bundle of blankets, a head of long brown hair poking out from the cocoon as its owner slept soundly against the side of the blue young Monstrous Nightmare. Flamer's long serpentine body curled around the blankets as the reptile breathed lightly in a peaceful sleep.
Bard's frown deepened when he heard the familiar wing flaps of a dragon coming in for a landing. He sighed and smiled a bit as he turned away from the fire he had constructed under the tree that sat the top of a hill that overlooked the sheep pen.
He looked as the black dragon landed with a croon in greeting and his rider slipped off.
Bard used his staff to push himself to his feet as he walked over to greet the rider.
"Nice to see you back, Hiccup." He greeted as he opened his arms in askance.
Hiccup laughed a bit as he embraced the older man while Toothles padded over to lay beside Flamer, who had woken up to see what was going on.
The auburn-haired man smiled as he pulled away with a content sigh, green eyes glinting in the firelight.
"Good to be back."
Bard nodded as he led the dragon rider back over to the fire, an arm around his shoulders.
"Eira was worried about you." He informed with a knowing grin.
Hiccup scoffed lightly as he looked lovingly at the bundle of blankets.
"So nothing new." He joked as he sat down on the log beside the black-haired man. He sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "I'll just let her sleep for now."
Bard nodded in understanding as he stoked the fire some with a stick, his staff laid aside.
"So, Astrid…" he began, raising an eyebrow.
Hiccup's exhaled heavily as he laughed a but anxiously, eyes glancing over.
"Uh, yeah. So, you've met her." He guessed, rubbing his neck.
Bard nodded, his face falling into a frown.
"Yeah." He confirmed before looking at Hiccup. "You know she likes you, right?"
Hiccup tensed as he snapped his wide eyes in surprise upon the Mistkeeper heir.
"S-She… what?" He stuttered.
Bard rolled his eyes with a sigh as he pinched the space between his eyes.
"Gods, Hiccup. I swear you are blind sometimes! I only was with her for a few moments, and I could already see that she likes you."
Hiccup bit his lip as he stared into the fire.
"How can you be so sure?" He asked quietly his ears turning red.
The shepherd frowned and gestured to his eyes.
"She had that twinkle in her eye. Trust me. I know that look. You had it in your eyes when you fell in love with my sister." He stated before leaning forward to look into Hiccup's eyes before sighing and closing his eyes in realization. "And you have it now when you think of Astrid." He observed with a frown.
Hiccup tensed, but did not deny the accusation.
Bard narrowed his eyes at the dragon rider.
"You still have feelings for her, don't you?" He asked.
Hiccup hung his head, hiding his face from view as his neck flared red.
"I don't know what you're talking about." He grumbled.
Bard shook his head in disbelief.
"Oh, yeah, you do. Don't try that yakshit on me, Hiccup. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
Hiccup groaned silently as he glanced anxiously at the sleeping form amongst the blankets. He lowered his voice so it wouldn't carry as far.
"Yeah, I do, okay?" He admitted, shame leaking through his voice before hastily adding, "But I still love your sister with all my heart." He defended, though he looked a bit guiltily towards where Eira was nestled in the blankets.
Bard released a groan as he rubbed his face in his hands in irritation.
"Hiccup." He began with slight exasperation as he struggled to keep his cool. "You know you have to tell Astrid the truth, right? About Eira?"
Hiccup immediately went defensive as he shot a glare at the man.
"Do I?" He challenged with some heat to his voice.
Bard, to his credit, didn't flinch at the aggressive tone but instead glared back.
"Yes, you do." He stated firmly before cutting Hiccup's retort off as he continued. "For your own sake. I know you love my sister, but I can see it in your eyes that you love Astrid too. Don't you deny it! For Thor's sake, Hiccup, you have to choose?! My sister or Astrid. You can't have them both."
Hiccup threw a stick into the fire with a growl, knowing Bard was right as he glanced over to Eira, expression softening.
"I know. It's just… Seeing her after so long, it just awakened some feelings that I thought I buried long ago." He admitted softly before shaking his head with a determined frown. "But I need to put that in the past. I can't do that to Eira. I'll remain loyal to your sister to my dying breath."
Bard sighed as he shook his head, frowning softly at Hiccup.
"Do what you think is right, brother, but take my advice. Tell Astrid. Tell her everything. You can't keep playing with her head like you have by keeping Eira a secret."
Hiccup made a pained look as he fiddled with a twig in his hands.
"I'm not sure I can do that, Bard. What will she think?" He frowned in thought. "And what about Eira?"
Bard rolled his eyes.
"What about her? You won't be protecting her by keeping her a secret." He fixed the dragon rider with a mild glare. "And you can't protect her by flying off to who knows where for weeks at a time either, Hiccup."
Hiccup's frown deepened as he continued to fiddle with the twig in his hands, but he didn't respond.
Bard sighed, realizing he wasn't getting anywhere with the stubborn dragon rider. He shook his head before nudging Hiccup's shoulder with his own.
"I know you feel like you are a magnet for pain and suffering and you want to distance yourself from the people you care about in order to 'protect them,' but Hiccup, you have to realize that you are not making the pain go away. You are only making it linger… for all of us." He whispered.
The auburn-haired man visibly winced at the words, knowing that there was truth there, but he shook his head lightly, not wanting to think about it. He suddenly stood up and walked over to Toothless.
"I'm going for a flight." He announced softly.
Bard sighed again with a frown.
"You can't keep running from your past, Hiccup. The ghosts always come back to haunt you." He told him.
Hiccup froze in his steps for a moment, his back to his friend, before silently resuming his approach to the awaiting Toothless, who had sensed his rider's conflicting mind and knew that it meant a flight.
Bard stood up, leaning upon his staff as he called out to Hiccup while the man paused a moment to carefully adjust some of the blankets around the sleeping Eira to keep her warm, her loose brown hair tumbling down her shoulders as her head lulled awkwardly to the side in her sleep.
"You can't keep blaming yourself for what happened, Hiccup! It's not your fault." The shepherd urged as he limped over to him.
Hiccup sighed as he pushed Eira's head into a more comfortable position before turning around to mount Toothless, unable to meet Bard's gaze.
"I'll be back later." He stated as he clipped himself into the saddle.
Bard groaned a bit with frustration.
"Hiccup…"
"Just…" Hiccup began with an irritated voice before forcing a calm. "…drop it, Bard." The dragon rider growled as he made a pained expression, his face hardening as his knuckles grew white when he gripped the bars on the saddle. His green eyes narrowed at something unseen. "I need time to think."
The Night Fury suddenly complied with his rider's unspoken signal to take off with a croon before Bard could react. The shepherd was left with his hand raised to block the gust of wind that blew into his face, gazing after the shadowy streak.
Bard shook his head and banged his staff on the ground to vent some of his frustration.
"Stubborn minded…" He growled under his breath, trailing off into a grumble as he checked to see if Eira was still okay before hobbling back over to his seat upon the log. He looked up to the sky with a frown. "You are one of the smartest people I know, Hiccup, but you are also one of the most foolish." He muttered.
Six years ago…
The fifteen-year-old Astrid relaxed against the tree contently. She had her eyes closed as she listened to the peaceful sounds happening around her. She was at one of her most recent favorite places on Berk, the top of Gothi's hill, near the elder's hut. It provided a spectacular view over the village and the world beyond that opened up to the vast ocean which connected all lands in existence, or so she has been told. She wondered if you could reach another realm like Asgard if you sailed far enough, or maybe you would sail off the edge of the world before that happened. Who knows?
The teen breathed in the sudden breeze that rippled through her hair and her warm clothes. She opened her eyes to gaze out at the sun that was setting on the horizon out away from the snow covered Berk.
Astrid smiled as she pushed herself up from against the tree to wipe away some of the powdery snow that had clung to her skirt. She wore a thick furred hood and had her arm coverings on to protect her arms from the cold. It wasn't cold enough to completely deck out in thick warm furs as she no doubt will during the biting chill of the colder months.
She began her walk down the hill towards the Great Hall. She couldn't believe it had been over half a year since Hiccup's death. She still thought about him. How could she not? She had been the last one to see him. She had been the last one to talk to him, and she had said such mean things to him…
She ignored the odd looks sent her way. She had been getting a lot of those since they had found her in the woods, muttering about Hiccup being dead. She barely remembered those several days she had spent alone in the woods. She only remembered the shame and guilt she had felt. She remembered the dread about returning to the village, fearing the reaction.
Astrid could honestly say that she was changing, that she had changed. She didn't hang out with the teens her age much anymore. Instead, she had begun to play with the little children. She didn't know why. She just did. She felt a budding connection with the young children. Perhaps it was the young creativity that reminded her of Hiccup. Perhaps it was the innocence that was still present at that age. They still had their whole lives ahead of them. Such promise…
She pushed open the doors to the Great Hall and entered the warm interior. She allowed the close with a click behind her as she walked through the hive of activity as villagers milled around from table to table as they enjoyed their evening meal. She miled when she saw her mother sitting in a chair and gently rocking the newest member to the Hofferson clan in her arms, her three-month-old baby brother. Rolf Magnus Hofferson. It had been a happy day that had marked the beginning of the turn from her depression. She had since devoted her life to helping others. She still trained. She still kept her axe sharp, but she didn't put much emphasis on combat nowadays.
"Hey, mom."
Ingrid Hofferson looked up from rocking her child to smile at her daughter.
"Astrid! Where have you been all day?"
The girl shrugged as she strolled up to tickle her little brother's tummy.
She made a goofy face down at the giggling baby before responding.
"Just helped Mulch and Bucket to pack the fish away in the storage and then looked after some of Haverson's kids and helped Gothi with some stuff. How has Rolf been doing?" She asked as she wiggled the babe's arm.
Her mother smiled warmly as she looked down at her blue-eyed babe.
"Just fine. He's a very active babe. Healthy and strong as can be."
Astrid grinned as her brother's small hand latched onto her finger with surprising grip for a baby. She had to shake it loose.
"You got that right."
She looked up into the fond gaze of her mother and raised an eyebrow at the grin on her mother's face.
"What?" She asked.
Ingrid shook her head with a sigh.
"Oh, nothing. I just can't help but think you'll be a good mother one day." She waved her hand in dismissal at her daughter's widening eyes. "Don't mind it. It's a parent thing." She explained as she went back to rocking Rolf from side to side, watching the babe's eyes slowly begin to close.
Astrid hummed in understanding though a blush formed on the back of her neck at the thought. She took a sharp inhale of breath before stepping away.
"Okay. I'm going to go get something to eat. Want anything?"
Her mother shook her head with a smile.
"No. Thank you anyways, dear."
The blonde teen nodded her head in response before turning towards the food table to collect her plate.
As she was getting her plate filled, she heard someone call her name.
"Hey, Astrid!"
She turned with a frown to see Snotlout waving her over to where he and the twins were seated. She merely forced a smile and waved back before purposefully walking the other way.
"Oh come one, babe!" Snotlout complained. "You know you want hang with the Snotman." He said in that annoying arrogant voice that so easily got underneath her skin.
She stiffened as her face twisted into a scowl when the familiar heat rose in her gut… and it wasn't the nice and fluttery kind of heat…
She turned around to glare at Snotlout.
"Snotlout, I've told you once, and I'll tell you again. Don't call me 'babe'!" She yelled, bringing the attention of many of the other occupants inside the hall. "I'm not your babe and I never will!"
Snotlout didn't seem to fully understand how much she meant what she said because he only laughed and waved a hand in dismissal.
"You're just saying that. You and I. We were destined to be together." He claimed with a smirk, leaning back against his table confidently.
Astrid felt her hands grip the sides of her plate harder as she gritted her teeth.
"Oh yeah?" She questioned with a growl.
Snotlout nodded.
"Yep. Think about it. I'm going to be the chief. You could be my chieftess. We'll be great together!" He commented with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
That did it.
Astrid slammed her plate upon her table before storming over to the arrogant ego-driven black-haired teen and nailing her fist into his nose, making him fall over with a cry of pain. "I! AM! NOT! GOING TO BE! YOUR WIFE! OR GIRLFRIEND! OR ANYTHING! Get that through your thick skull!" She roared before stomping away back to her table, ignoring the murmurs echoing around the Hall.
Her mother gave her a sympathetic frown as she sat down, having not been fazed by the sudden act of violence. Such a thing was a fact of life for a Viking, but for Astrid Hofferson, it seemed doubly so, especially when Snotlout was concerned.
Astrid scooped up her food and shoveled it into her mouth furiously. She tried to ignore the satisfied and relieved whispers, those quiet words spoken that suggested people were relieved that she wasn't getting weak. That Hiccup hadn't completely rubbed off on her. That she was still a strong and notable Viking.
She hated it.
Ever since Hiccup had died, violent acts had started to make her sick to her stomach. All she could think about when she punched or fought someone was the look on Hiccup's face when she had punched him in the jaw that fateful evening. That look of betrayal. That look of fear. She hated it.
She hated their praises for her violence. She hated the satisfaction she felt when she broke a someone's nose when they angered her. Why was she so violent? Was she a monster? Was she no better than the devils that raided and burned her village?
She sighed as she laid her head against the table and wondered once again what life would be like if Hiccup had survived.
What would his inventive mind have brought to the village?
What changes would he have made?
Present
Astrid heaved dryly as she groaned outside Marge's house. She had her hand planted against the wall and a splattering of puke at her feet… the stew that her stomach had readily rejected as food. She gagged just thinking about the taste.
Odin! That wasn't food! That was poison!
The blonde groaned again as she held her stomach, feeling green in the face. She scowled.
And she thought her cooking was bad…
"Astrid?"
Astrid yelped and quickly turned around with a forced smile as she hastily composed herself.
"I'm fine, Marge!" She swiftly reassured before noticing that it wasn't Marge standing behind her but the familiar auburn-haired, green-eyed man she came here with.
Hiccup gave her a knowing grin, Toothless padding up behind him. He rubbed the back of his neck as he greeted her.
"Hi, Milady."
Astrid breathed a sigh of relief, slumping back against the wall with a groan, replacing her hand on her stomach.
"Oh, Hiccup. Thank the gods!" She breathed before grimacing as another bout of nausea swept over her and she whirled around to throw up another helping of Marge's lethal stew.
Hiccup made a face with a laugh as he stepped forward to rub her back as she was bent over.
"I was just flying around when I saw you. Let me guess. You ate some of Marge's stew." He guessed with a smirk.
Astrid moaned as she nodded her head.
"Ohhh… I think that was worse than my Yaknog I made for Snoggletog one year." She complained.
Hiccup raised an eyebrow in question, a confused look on his face.
"Yaknog?"
The blonde nodded meekly as she straightened up with a grimace and waving a hand in dismissal.
"Just… Just some stupid drink I made." She grinned a bit, locking her eyes to his. "Your dad banned me or anyone from making it ever again." She told him with an embarrassed blush.
Hiccup smiled at the thought, amusement in his eyes.
"Seriously? That bad?"
Astrid laughed a bit, leaning against the wall with a grimace.
"That bad. Trust me. Never again." She stated.
The young man shook his head with a chuckle as he looped an arm through hers and helped her stand up.
"I'll take your word for it. Let's get you back inside."
She groaned a bit but allowed him to guide her in the right direction, looking up at him with a hopeful look.
"Could I stay at your place? I feel like if I stay here, I'm going to die from food poisoning."
Hiccup's grin faltered a bit as his face held a defensive but also a guilty look but only for a split second as he covered it with an apologetic smile.
"Sorry. You'll have to put up with Marge… just come eat in the hall for breakfast before she gets you to try her 'Morning Bread.'"
Astrid frowned, having caught the odd look before he covered it, but raised her eyebrow.
"'Morning bread'?" She asked warily. Oh gods, was it like the stew? Oh, she hoped not…
Hiccup grinned and whispered in her ear like it was a secret.
"It's some sort of cake recipe she messed up but now she claims she's made a new type of breakfast meal."
Astrid nodded before giving him a slightly hopeful look.
"Is it at least more edible than her stew?"
Hiccup scoffed and gave her a mischievous look.
"Well, let me put it this way. I think rocks are softer." He commented cheekily.
Astrid snorted out with laughter.
She smiled at him, her eyes glimmering. She felt that fluttery feeling in her chest as she let him guide her back into the healer's home.
She already felt better. The only medicine she needed was Hiccup.
She looked at him curiously.
"So, did you find, Eira?" She asked cautiously, knowing how he reacted the last time this subject was brought up.
Hiccup's face flickered with a frown before it laxed with a sigh. He nodded.
"Yeah, I found her." He suddenly stopped her, his grip on her arm tightening slightly as he closed his eyes biting his lip. "Astrid… I… I need to tell you something."
Astrid's eyebrow raised as she gave him her full attention.
"Yeah? What is it?"
Hiccup let go of her as she leaned up against the side of the house next to the front door in the cool night air. He took a breath as he rubbed the back of his neck, a frown on his face.
"I, uh…" He began only to trail off into another awkward silence.
Astrid raised her other eyebrow with a small grin.
"Yes?" She asked leadingly.
The auburn-haired man looked up at her with an uncertain expression. He grinned a bit before it faltered as he sighed heavily with a defeated look.
"Astrid, I have—" He got no further as the front door of Marge's house burst open.
"Astrid! Where'd you go, lass?! Ya shouldn't be wanderin' around the…" Marge trailed off upon spotting the two young adults standing before her.
Astrid greeted the woman with a smile.
"Don't worry, ma'am. I'm not wandering off anywhere. Just talking with Hiccup."
The older woman wiped her hands on a towel she held with a smile, eyes glancing between the two of them.
"Oh, that's fine, but I really need to be dressing those injuries of yours soon. So, make it quick." She stated.
Astrid nodded in understanding before nodding her head to Hiccup.
"I'll be in soon. Hiccup was just going to tell me something." She turned to the wide-eyed man with a questioning look. "So, what was it you were going to tell me?"
Hiccup had his jaw open as if he was about to say something but quickly closed it and shook his head with an awkward grin as he began walking backwards towards Toothless, who was sitting behind him and examining the scene with attentive green eyes.
"Uh, it's fine. It can wait. You just, err… I'll just…" He pointed behind him with his thumbs before clapping his hands together with a light laugh. "Ha, uh. Yeah, I'll just go. Goodnight, Astrid. I'll see you in the morning." He told her with a smile before turning around and walking quickly away out of sight.
Toothless watched his rider go with a cock of his head before glancing at the confused Astrid with a croon and bounding after Hiccup.
Astrid blinked with a frown.
"That was weird."
Marge chuckled lightly from the doorway, getting her attention.
The grey-haired healer gestured after them.
"Aye, he was always on the awkward side, that one. Haven't seen him like that for a while though. Wonder why this time…" She commented before turning to Astrid with a smile, hands on her hips. "Now! Let's get in and take a look at those warrior wounds of yours, eh? See what I can do."
Astrid nodded in a absently, her mind ablaze with questions she didn't have answers to.
That was strange. I know Hiccup tends to be awkward sometimes. He was like that back then too, but this was the first time since our reunion that he has been like this. What was it he was going to tell me?
Who is Eira?
Yes yes, I know. Again with the 'Eira'. Still no straight answer. I've read a couple of theories in the reviews about who she is and will be curious about what you think now.
I've also read a few people wondering what other place besides Outcast Isle Hiccup and Toothless went all Rambo on. Let me hear your theories as well as your speculation about what has happened in Hiccup's life up til this point, because that is still a mystery. There is still somethings you don't know about Hiccup. He obviously is scarred both physically and... perhaps a bit mentally as well, but from what? Leave your thoughts in a review!
So, I've been busy. I got a job recently, so that has occupied a lot of my time. I also have started school again, so there is that too. Perhaps now you may understand why it takes me so long to get new content out for this story as well as my other stories. I try my best, but sometimes life gets crazy and it may take months, as you well know, to get an update out.
Regardless, I hoped you enjoyed, and if you see a story update tomorrow or the day after for this story, it won't mean another chapter. I'm currently fixing some mistakes that I made in the last chapter and will be updating chapter 2 with a revised version, so yeah.
Also, if you find any errors in this chapter that need fixing-grammatical errors, time details that don't seem quite right, etc.- let me know in a review or a PM. Be sure to tell me exactly where.
Anyways, that was it. Chapter 3! Onward into chapter 4!
Until next time...
StoryCrusader signing out.