26Next Stop: Berk

Getting Stormfly back from Little Freya was no easy task, but eventually Astrid was soaring around the island high above the tallest peak. Three massive Timberjacks glided overhead as she looked over the forest below and down to the small cove on the far side of the island. Soon she could see the scar in the landscape where Toothless had crashed to earth. The Night Fury had been brought down by Hiccup using a similar weapon to the one that had almost felled Stormfly only yesterday. Flying around the far point of the island, she moved up the north coast and back toward the village to undertake Berks first aerial survey.

The Vikings, who had arrived early in the day, were already hard at work making the changes that the village needed for the inclusion of dragons in everyday life. The arena was the site with the most activity as weapons were removed to the Armoury, cells were turned into pens and the cage that covered the arena was lifted higher to allow the dragons free movement within.

As Astrid flew out over the ocean she looked back toward the docks at Raven Point and made her way around to the southern side of Berk where she noticed the perfect spot below the rock spire that towered over the town. Guiding Stormfly in close, Astrid had the dragon fire a blast into the rock to leave behind a black mark that would be very hard to miss.

"Good girl" she patted the dragon.

Although Astrid knew she should go straight back to Berk and find some other task that needed to be done, it was too nice a day for flying and ever since Sigrid had mentioned the Sharktooth was now a Gronckle powered longship, she had wanted to see it for herself and now was the perfect time.

"And besides" she told Stormfly "with all the trouble we went through travelling between the islands, it's only right that we should check on them... to make sure they're alright; right?"

"Rraak" Stormfly replied.

"I'm glad you agree."

And so it was that just over half an hour later, Astrid and Stormfly landed on the stern of the Sharktooth with a loud thump.

"Good day to you M'dear" greeted Olaf "do you bring news from our Chief?"

"No; just taking a break from all the work being done at the village."

He laughed as he slapped her on the back so firmly, she almost toppled over.

"Well if anyone deserves a break, it's you for sure after that little trip you took the night of the storm."

"Oh you heard about that?" she said nervously.

"Oh yes, I was at the council meeting when you came out of the cave looking like you had just rolled down a mountain" he laughed again even harder.

Unlike Snotlout, Astrid preferred that everybody not discuss her exploits, but the rising anger and frustration she felt would soon be quashed as the pair made their way to the mast where she laid eyes on one of the cutest sights she had ever seen; two huge Gronckles fast asleep and snoring loudly. The one on the left kicked his leg as he dreamt about whatever it is that Gronckles dream about and Astrid had to move passed with care as the muscular creature could easily break her leg if it caught her the wrong way. Three strong ropes stretched and creaked ahead of the bow, each with a Gronckle at the far end pulling the ship along as the sail assisted from behind.

"Hey Astrid" Fishlegs called from the centre dragon "I'll be finished my shift in another ten minutes."

"His shift? She asked Olaf.

"The Gronckles need to have at least one rider out front or they tend to get a little distracted and will move off in a different direction but with a leader like Fishlegs out there, they keep straight and true. We bring 'em in every hour to swap with the others so they don't get too tired."

"So what happens when his shift over?"

"Well Lass, I've had to put my fear aside and take my turn to ride and so have some of the other Vikings. These Gronckles are much easier to fly on than a Nightmare; they hover slowly and not too high off the water so the rest of us are slowly getting use to it."

"The perfect dragon for beginners then?"

"It's not so much that, it's more because young Fishlegs is a much better teacher than Snotlout who just does as he pleases and expects you to follow along."

"You're not telling me anything new sir" Astrid shook her head.

"Ha... indeed; I guess you have to deal with his strange ways a lot more than we do, with you two being betrothed and all."

"Excuse me" Astrid enquired "could you run that by me again please?"

"Oh he told us all about it while we were all huddled around his burning dragon during the storm."

"And what... exactly... did he tell you all about?"

"Well... how he was your one true love and how you had given him your heart after he had saved you from being eaten by the giant dragon."

"I'll let you in on a little secret."

"What's that Lass?"

"Not only is he a terrible teacher, but THAT MISERABLE LITTLE TROLL IS TOTALLY DELUDED!"

Olaf rubbed a finger in his right ear.

"Yes... well... I can't say that comes as a complete surprise. I hope you can understand that I didn't want to tell you that you could do better if what he said was true, but since it isn't..."

"Yes...?" she enquired.

"You can do better Lass."

Astrid gave a coy smile "I think I already have."

"I hope I'm not the miserable little troll you were yelling about" Fishlegs declared as he dropped onto the deck "and if I am, then I apologise profoundly for whatever it is I may have done."

"It's okay Fishlegs it's..."

"Don't tell me; Snotlout."

"Who else?" Astrid resigned herself.

"Has he been calling you the future Mrs. Snotlout again?"

"AGAIN?"

"Come on Astrid, forget about him and tell me; has Hiccup come around yet?"

He looked so eager for good news about his friend that Astrid wished she had better news to give him.

"Gobbers making him a new leg and Gothi's taking good care of him but..."

"Well... maybe there will be some better news when we get back to Berk tonight. Olaf says we should arrive a couple of hours after sunset so make sure those harbour torches are burning brightly for us."

"You can count on it; so what would you all like at the feast tonight, fish?"

"NO!" shouted the entire crew who had been wanting a change of diet ever since the day they had first sailed from Raven Point.

"Okay then" she climbed onto Stormflys back "Eel pie for all."

A loud chorus of boos and jeers arose all over the ship as Astrid took to the air but everyone happily waved as she circled the ship and headed back to Berk.

"Well that little visit has certainly lifted everyones spirits" Olaf noted.

"She does have a Viking sense of humour alright" Fishlegs agreed.

"And she hinted at a little romance; would that be with the son of our noble Chief I wonder?"

"I not one to gossip Sir..."

"Yes you are, you liar."

"...but I did notice how comfortable they looked riding Stormfly together during our trip to Dragon Island a few days ago."

Olaf's countenance deepened as he noticed something in the sky behind them.

"Take a look up there Lad."

Fishlegs looked up with delight "More dragon riders headed home."

"A smaller group than this morning's but still very impressive; it may be the last of 'em."

"Look!" Fishlegs pointed as a single dragon left the Weyr and dove down to the ship.

As it neared, they could see it was a large Zippleback being ridden by their Chief and one of his warriors; the dragon spread its wings wide to slow its pace as one figure dropped from its back and landed with a loud thump on the stern.

"Permission to come aboard Skipper?" Sigrid declared.

"Granted" Olaf responded as he delightedly shook her hand.

"You're our second visitor in only a few minutes. Look; that little dot up there is Astrid and Stormfly and you just missed them but... where's Buttercup?"

Fishlegs drew nearer as he had been wondering that as well; Sigrid kept her composure as she looked at her feet and shook her head.

"He err... is no longer with us; Odd did tell me that a big dragon is an old dragon and his heart just gave out I'm sorry to say."

"Oh my dear... I am so sorry to hear that and he was such a mighty dragon too."

"Thank you my friend."

"We will raise a stein to him together when we next feast in the Great Hall."

"Indeed" Sigrid brightened up a little "but now some better news; the group that just flew over consisted of the last of the Vikings to leave Dragon Island, so when we make landfall tonight, it will mean that everyone is home safe and sound."

"And we have you and the other Dragon Riders to thank young Fishlegs" Olaf slapped him on the back "now I had better get those two lazy Gronckles up or we won't get back till midnight."

"Its okay sir" Fishlegs interrupted "my dragon is ready to go again so I'll take another shift while you two catch up some more."

"Thank you Lad" Olaf scratched the dragon on the back of its head "You're a good little meat lump workin' so hard for us."

With replacement dragons on each wing, Fishlegs took to the air once more and the longship quickly picked up speed.