Igraine hummed quietly to herself, letting her hands go on auto-pilot as they picked pretty flowers in the cove, and couldn't help think of her encounter with Astrid. Her apology seemed sincere so Igraine felt obligated to accept it, but she was confused on where that left their rocky relationship. Though they had just spent a good hour hanging out, Igraine still felt threatened by Astrid's presence-she was Hicccup's girlfriend after all. But they had gotten along so well that she couldn't bring herself to view Astrid as the enemy anymore, in fact she was more of a friend which only confused Igraine more. Could their relationship dynamic change that easily or was Astrid up to something?
The seior stood and made her decision; stay on her toes. If Astrid wanted a fresh start, she'd give her one but it will take time to earn Igraine's trust. She had a good start, though. Astrid had asked her why she was in the cove and despite looking a bit upset, helped her concoct the idea of a nice lunch So here Igraine was, picking flowers for the centerpiece and feeling like this was missing something. Sure, it was a good idea to have a meal together but it was nothing compared to what Hiccup had done for her and Igraine was struggling to find more ways to repay him. With a sigh, she continued to make preparations such as borrowing a blanket from Chief Stoick's house and getting her mother's help in making food until the sun was high in the sky.
The blanket was laid out a few feet from the lake with two plates of mutton and cabbage and some lingonberry juice for them. Her blue flowers were still in her grasp as she sat on a nearby rock just waiting. Astrid was supposed to get Hiccup and bring him here, where were they? After a few more minutes, Igraine grew fed up and began walking back to the village, a sinking feeling in her stomach. The flowers were still in her hands as she neared Gobber's forge, not seeing any sign of Astrid or Hiccup until she was standing in the door way.
The flowers in her hands wilted the same moment she felt her heart ache. There they stood in front of his workspace, Astrid's back to her as they kissed. Betrayal and hurt flashed through Igraine, causing her to drop the dead flowers, turn, and run, tears stinging in her eyes. How could they! She had trusted him! Hiccup seemed so nice and caring, but now Igraine knew it was all just an act, like Astrid had said. He had played her as-as a rebound only to go back to his ex! And after she had opened up to him!
Igraine was so caught up in her torment that she didn't realize where she was running until her mother's arms caught her into a hug. "My dear, what are these tears being spilled for?" She didn't reply and her mother merely held her and ran her fingers through her daughter's hair, shushing her gently. When Igraine's sobbing had subsided, Frea led her daughter to the bed in her room, drawing her into her lap. "Now, tell me what is wrong."
"I...I was waiting for-for Hiccup and went looking for him t-to find, "Igraine sniffled. "him and Astrid..."
Frea nodded in understanding, her face becoming somber. "It will be alright, love. You are strong and you must go on with your head held high. Life is too short to dwell on the wrongs done to you, instead take them and grow from them. I cannot keep you protected forever, Igraine, so you must learn to live life and it comes with heartaches. "
"I don't want to live if it hurts this much, mom..." Igraine muttered.
"Skadi saved you for a reason, you are destined for greatness, don't give up over a boy." Igraine knew that was hard for her protective mother to say and it touched her.
She wiped the tears from her cheeks before meeting her mother's eyes. "Thank you mom. I think I'll be okay."
"I know you will, my little dragon." Frea kissed Igraine's forehead gently.
Igraine climbed off of her mother's bed and walked back outside despite the puffiness of her eyes to find Sparky waiting for her with concern shining in his eyes. "I'm fine, Sparky. Let's go for a ride." She climbed on to his neck, standing this time, and took hold of his front spike as he took off into the air, swiftly gaining speed. Standing was different and a little bit more difficult but it was certainly a nice way to escape thinking about what had happened since it took all of Igraine's focus to hold on and not let Sparky's spike cut her.
After about ten minutes, Igraine heard something behind her and turned to see Toothless and Stormfly gaining on her. It squashed her new found good mood to see Hiccup yelling at her to slow down but it didn't stop her from urging Sparky to go faster-not that she had a chance to beat Toothless though. Instead of giving them a chance to catch up to her, Igraine spotted a deserted island filled with woods down below and steered Sparky to land there, hoping they'd get the hint and leave her alone. They didn't.
Igraine had jumped off Sparky and was making her way towards the woods when Hiccup landed, calling out, "Igraine, wait, please!"
She turned to give him a cold stare as they both dismounted and approached, Hiccup looking heartbroken and Astrid guilty. "What do you want." Igraine all but hissed.
"To explain. It wasn't what you think, Astrid-"
"I saw what I needed to see. Now leave me alone Hiccup." Her anger was beginning to bubble over and that wasn't good. Things tended to go wiry when she was angry and though she hated them both, Igraine didn't want to hurt them.
"Igraine-" Astrid began.
"I said leave!" Electricity began to spark from her fingertips.
Hiccup glanced down at them but continued to walk closer giving her the look you'd give a frightened dragon. "Please, just listen to us for a minute, Igraine." When she didn't yell at him, Hiccup went on, "I never meant for you to get hurt and neither did Astrid."
"Look, I don't want to know that you two are back together if that's all you have to say. I don't want your apologies either so take 'em and go."
Hiccup and Astrid shared a look.
Author's Note: Short chapter, I know, but I couldn't resist the cliff hanger! Anyway, shout out to everyone who got the Rise of the Guardians reference and all the people leaving reviews! I love all of my readers and I hope you have a great day or night!~Alizarin