FINALLY! I have time to write. Sorry for these bouts of silence. The real world is a cruel mistress. Keep reading and reviewing!
FINALLY!
I got to go see Astrid. It had been a month before I got my grades and sent them to Astrid to approve. When I got the letter from her giving me the go ahead, I got ready to see her.
The flight to her house took forever, but it was nice. It was partially cloudy and the air was fresh. Toothless and I had learned to fly smoother since my concussion and found that the smoother flight, makes us go faster. Even though I wanted to see Astrid as soon as possible, I took my time flying. Once I made it into Berk, I went to the local market and bought about a weeks worth of groceries for Astrid and her family. I also got a bouquet of daffodils just because I love her.
When I got to the house, I noticed a dark aura. Even though I have seen the house several times, it looked completely different. I landed in the front yard at about noon. No one came to greet me like usual. I went to the door and knocked. It sounded sickly hollow inside and I could not hear a single footstep. What happened? Was Everyone out? Did they still live there? Were they okay? Was Astrid okay.
Astrid then silently opened the door. She looked worn and tired, but that didn't stop her from almost tackling me to the ground. I was glad I left the groceries on Toothless. Astrid hugged me tightly and kissed me over and over. I wrapped my arms around her... she had lost some weight.
"Welcome home, Hiccup." Astrid whispered to me.
"Thanks." I whispered back. "Why are we whispering." Astrid shrugged and led me inside.
If I thought the house was dark from the outside, on the inside it was like being suffocated. Astrid had been living in this gloom for a month?! I didn't like it. I wanted to take her out of there. I was going to take her out of there.
"So how was the trip?" she asked.
"Long, but worth it." I smiled at her. Astrid rolled her eyes with a smile.
"How has school been?" she asked me.
"Since my last letter? Let's see..." I started. "Still miserable without you." My stomach then growled.
"Oh my, you must be starved!" Astrid chuckled. "We can chew the fat later. Let me make you something to eat."
"Oh talking about that, I brought some groceries." I said heading toward the front door.
"Hiccup..." Astrid started.
"I wanted to!" I said as I took the bags off of Toothless and brought them into the house. Astrid took the food reluctantly and filled her kitchen. What can I say? I wanted her kitchen to be full. I then took Toothless to the field connected to the stables and he went to play with Stormfly.
When I got back, Astrid had a tuna fish sandwich, celery, an apple, and a cup of something frothy. "What's all this?" I asked.
"Lunch silly." She replied.
I dug into my food. I was very hungry. I then took a big mouthful of the drink... My eyes grew wide and I smiled so I didn't offend her... but that was the nastiest, drink I ever had. It tasted rotten and it had a slimy and chunky texture. When Astrid went into the living room I spat the drink out the window. I quickly rinsed my mouth out with water and returned to eating.
"Wow you really like the yaknog!" Said Astrid.
"Mhm." I nodded with a mouthful of food.
"That's great. My siblings don't like it at all." She laughed.
"Hmm..." I said, my mouth full of food.
"At least you enjoy it." She said kissing my head.
"Mmm Mmm." I replied as I got ready to swallow. "Can I have a cup of water though? The flavor is very... ah... rich and I... uh... can only do so much at a time."
"Sure thing." Astrid smiled and got me a glass of water.
"So where did you get the um... yaknog?" I asked.
"Oh, you can't buy something like that in stores." Astrid replied. "I made it."
"No kidding?" I said. "What gave you the idea to create it?"
"I am trying to create some new welcoming traditions. You know, to bury the sadness." Astrid answered.
"That's a really good idea." I said. I did think it was a good idea, but yaknog was NOT the way to go.
"Momma would always have a cup of apple cider waiting for us when we would come home from school." Astrid sighed. "I thought of creating a new drink that could replace it, but it didn't work."
"Maybe you shouldn't replace it." I said. "Maybe you should add something with it." Astrid pulled her sweater tighter around her shoulders.
"But what? I have never been as good of a cook as Momma. What she would do, cannot be compared to." Astrid sighed.
"Well apple cider is a bit tangy, why not have something sweet?" I suggested. Astrid thought for a moment.
"Momma did say I made honey butter cookies better than her." Astrid said.
"Those sound delicious." I said.
"Then that is what I will do!" Astrid said, jumping up and running into the kitchen.
"Can I help?" I asked.
"Of course. Cooking is more fun with another person!" Astrid called out.
Astrid and I made dozens of honey butter cookies by the time her siblings made it home from school. They enjoyed every single bite. The cookies were yummy and I suck another one when no one was looking. Then I realized that the house wasn't as dark and seemed a bit warmer that usual. I couldn't wait to enjoy the weekend with her and her family.
