It's Christmas morning here in Australia so time to post the final chapter. Thanks everyone for sticking with this story and please let me know if you liked it :D

Chapter 19

Epilogue

In the end, Astrid had one of the happiest Snoggletog days of her entire life. It seemed like everyone in the village was in a good mood and enjoying all the seasonal traditions, both old and new. Her right arm hurt a little after Gobber had caught her standing under the Missing Toe, but it was all part of the fun. Even Stoick was not hung over but was instead full of joy after Olvor had insisted he go easy on the Elydonian Brandy Yak Nog at the Snoggletog Eve Feast.

That evening finally heralded the Snoggletog Feast itself, bringing yet another week of celebration to its inevitable close and unlike the night before, Hiccup and Astrid took their rightful places at the Chiefs table. The party was still in full swing when word was given that the dragons had returned at last. So the entire population of Berk filed outside to greet their returning pets and fawn over the overload of cuteness brought on by a fresh batch of baby dragons.

As if the crowd weren't happy enough, they were overjoyed when the sight of Snotlout and Dagur arriving in their underwear came into view. As their dragons touched down in the middle of the crowd, the two shivering young men leapt to the ground and hurried inside to warm themselves by the fire.

"What was all that about?"Astrid asked as Heather approached carrying a large sack.

"Well you see Astrid, Snotlout and my brother both needed to be taught a lesson in respect" the young lady smiled in a very satisfied manor.

"I can believe that" Astrid nodded.

Turning to Fishlegs, Heather handed over the sack.

"I think the time has come to give them their clothes back; would you mind?"

"For you, anything" Fishlegs smiled.

As he trotted off inside, Astrid noticed a very familiar gaze in Heathers eyes.

"He's a good man" Heather noted "and a good friend."

"Maybe even more" Astrid agreed.

The feast continued long into the night as Viking children ignored their Snoggletog gifts in favour of playing with a bunch of boisterous baby dragons, but eventually the celebration wound to a close and Astrid found herself putting Stormfly to bed in the stables with her new offspring gather under her wing.

"What a good girl you are" Astrid praised the dragon as she rubbed its cheek in just the right way.

'

'

Back at the Great Hall, Heather sat thinking by the fire with a half empty drink in her hand. This latest adventure with the Dragon Riders had changed her in a way she had not expected, and was about to set her on a new path. The young Berserker look around the room at all the Vikings still able to stand, until she came across the one she was looking for and managed to catch his eye.

"I hope you're enjoying yourself tonight" Fishlegs said as he approached.

"You know what they say; the best feast is a Berk feast" Heather smiled.

"I've never heard that said" Fishlegs looked a little confused.

"Well it should be, because it's true. Please... sit with me a moment."

Ever willing to oblige, Fishlegs did so and waited. It seemed to him Heather had something important to say and he was right.

"On the way back from Dragon Island, I had a lot of time to think."

"Think about what?" Fishlegs asked sincerely.

"About my brother, about my people, our alliance with the Dragon Riders of Berk, and how all these things fit together. I can clearly see how Dagur is doing his best to become the leader the Berserkers need, but it's obvious to me he still has a long way to go; my brother can sometimes be a little immature and impulsive."

"He has changed for the better though" Fishlegs said encouragingly.

"Yes, but he still needs help... my help. And I think it would be best if I did not let myself be... um... distracted by any outside interests I may have. Do you understand what I'm saying Fishlegs?"

"I believe I do Heather, and I must say I admire you for it."

"Thank you Fishlegs."

Heather turned away and looked around the room again at all the happy and celebratory Vikings in the room.

"I was talking to Ruffnut earlier and um... well... she has become a fine young woman and... I suppose that's all there is to say. I'm starting to feel tired so I think I'll..."

Heather got up to leave but before she could take a single step, Fishlegs grabbed her gently be the wrist.

"Yes... it is getting late" Fishlegs agreed "so sleep well; and know that the Berserkers have many friends here. Know also that you... will always have a friend here. In the decades to come, you and your family will always receive any help they need from me and my family."

"T-thank you Fishlegs" Heather barely managed to say before hurrying out of the hall.

On her way, she accidentally bumped shoulders with Snotlout and almost knocked the drink out of his hand.

"What's up with Heather?" he asked Fishlegs.

"Oh Heather and I were just having a serious talk about the future."

"Hmm... really?" Snotlout smirked "Could it be you and she are planning a future together?"

Snotlout was normally not the kind of person to pick up on other people's feelings, but this time when Fishlegs answered, empathy suddenly hit him like a charging Yak.

"I'm afraid not; it appears our futures lie in two different directions."

"Oh..." Snotlout actually put his hand on his friends shoulder "...that's a shame."

Fishlegs stood up and gave a nod of thanks.

"Yes it is; happy Snoggletog Snotlout."

"Happy Snoggletog Fishlegs" he replied as they both tapped their mugs together and drank.

'

'

If you ever had the chance to meet Hiccup and ask him to describe Astrid, you would not hear about a strong, honest young lady of great beauty, even though she was all these things. No you would hear Hiccup tell of someone who was part Valkyrie, part Angel, and part Goddess; because that's the way love works.

And so it came to pass later that night, Astrid finally lay sleeping in her bed, peacefully dreaming for the first time in many days. She dreamed of a sunny day in a green meadow where she walked hand in hand with Hiccup. In her dream he was a little taller, and a little broader in the chest and shoulders. This was not because she wanted him to be this way, but because this was how she actually saw him; that's just the way love works.

As they walked together, Astrid suddenly found she was flying up towards the bright fluffy clouds overhead. She was not riding Stormfly or any other dragon, she just flew. As she dipped, climbed and spun around the clouds, Astrid slowly became aware of a presence accompanying her.

"Good evening Lady Astrid; it's so good to see you are yourself again."

"Thank you" she replied "and I feel much better too. Your help was... well let's say things could have gone much worse."

"You didn't tell Master Hiccup, did you?"

"No...I just couldn't work out how to tell him I was about to transform onto a legendary monster and not look like an idiot."

"I told you, he would believe you."

"Yes... and I see now you were right" Astrid admitted "but at least he knows now, and we'll both be ready for next year."

"The following years will not be as bad; you already managed to gain some semblance of control and now you have experienced the full transformation for the first time, you will be ready for it in the future."

"Are you sure?" Astrid asked doubtfully.

"Yes I am; I hope I have not let you down at all."

"No... I appreciate your help."

"Even if you didn't listen to me" the presence laughed.

"Yeah... sorry about that" Astrid blushed.

"So then, I must bid you adieu; it has been a pleasure Lady Astrid."

"But wait, who are you?"

"Just a friend."

"You call me Lady Astrid; are you from Elydonia?"

"Close m'lady, my family originally came from New Loran; now I really must go."

"Oh come on... I don't even know your name."

"I don't have a name; but if it helps, you may call me by the name of my grandfather. He was the first of our clan to journey here, and the first to aid the Dragon Riders."

This revelation really shocked Astrid. She wanted to ask so much, but was sure she could not stop the presence from leaving.

"What was your grandfather's name?"

"Dylan."

Astrid tossed about in her sleep. In her dream she was alone with her thoughts once again and she already missed her dream mentor. Finally she settled down once more as the tiny spider on her bed post climbed across a thread of web and up the wall to his home in the rafters.

'Goodnight Lady Astrid' he thought to himself 'I am so happy to have known you; and just like Lord Hiccup, I too am proud of you... very proud indeed.'

'

'

HTTYD HOMECOMING SPOILER ALLERT !

The Race to the Edge show always gave me the impression of Heather and Fishlegs being a thing, but Homecoming certainly put that to rest. I am sorry if the 'break up' section was too much of a downer, but I thought it would give the Fishlegs/Heather ship some closure.

A very merry Christmas to you all and a special thanks to my reviewers Vin, Draco38, Permanent Guest and Guest straya.

Sorry if you don't know about Dylan the spider, he was one of my odd characters from a previous story.

Hopefully I'll be back next year with Snoggletog 2020, bye bye :D

WHAT A RIP OFF! Beady Man came last night but instead of leaving me a cache of weapons, all I got was a plastic ball with a bell inside, a new scratching post and a big bag of Kitty Num-Nums. How can I ever hope to follow in Moons paw prints and dominate humanity? Oh well, the Num-Nums are very tasty and I must admit, the twinkling bell is wonderfully distracting.

Maybe 2020 will be the year of the Boo Cat (maniacal laugh)