A Son of Ice and Fire

A/N: Note to self, learn to understand the length of Hiccstrid chapters. I am trying to evenly split between all characters, but for this season most are in similar places. As the events in the last few chapters all take place within 24 hours, I thought it'd be best to just continue this, so the timeline doesn't get jumbled. I haven't forgot the other characters, I must just be more enthralled in these POVs as they have gone on over twice as long as expected. Like this is my longest chapter so far at 4k words and over 7 pages, and I don't even know how. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy :)

Chapter 31: Something old, Something new

Astrid

"Come on sleepy-head, it's about time you woke up." Heather teased, as I squinted my eyes and sat up. The room shone, as sunlight beamed through the windows. With a few quick rubs of my eyes, I quickly readjusted to the light, yawning heavily.

"What time is it?" I mumbled sleepily.

"Time for you to give me answers." She said sternly, but with a playful glimmer in her eyes. "We didn't get to speak for long earlier before you dozed off, so you, young lady, are going to tell me everything." She chuckled, as she reached over to the table and picked the tray up. I quickly scooted back into a more comfortable position, as she passed it over to me and I rested it on my lap.

"You are a lifesaver." I blurted out happily, staring down at the plate of bread, cheese, various meats. Looking down though, it wasn't that which caught my attention. It was the light brown shape sitting at the far corner of the tray. "Gingerbread. You know that's my favourite!" I exclaimed. "How did you…?"

"Mum and the head baker used to be good friends. I asked mum last night if she would speak to her for me this morning. Make you something to make you feel more at home." She said softly. "I was going to give you it earlier, but you sort of left me hanging here."

"Sorry. It was a long night." I deflected, choosing to focus more on starting to eat, than to talk. A slice or two of cheese and two pieces of ham later, I went for a roll of bread, when Heather grabbed my arm. Raising my eyes from the plate, to meet her eyes, she was just smirking with a devious look.

"Astrid, come on. You know I'm not gonna stop until you tell me." She laughed, releasing my arm, and sitting in front of me with her arms over her chest. I nodded, but it didn't stop me clearing the plate, before I raised my head back up to face her. I slowly placed the tray beside me on the bed, as I sat up and pulled my knees to my chest.

"You want the truth?" I asked timidly. She nodded, and I let out a deep sigh. "The truth is that I am a big fraud. Everything I thought was a lie. I'm just a lie." I said defeatedly, lowering my head and rocking it between my knees. In a flash, she was upon me, pulling my head up to look at her.

"Oh, Astrid. Nothing you could do would ever make me think that of you. Just tell me what happened." She said comfortingly, gripping my hands in her own, as she kneeled in front of me.

"I don't want you to…" I started, but she pressed a finger to my lips.

"Listen to me." The black-haired girl said firmly, a look of defiance in her eyes. "I am here for you now, tomorrow, and every tomorrow after that. There isn't anything you can say that will change that. Do you remember that night when I was so worried for my mother that I came to you and cried into your arms?" She asked unashamedly and I nodded back. "You didn't laugh at me, look down on me, or push me away. Please don't push me away, sister." As she smiled at me, I allowed my knees to descend, giving her just the chance to pounce on me into a hug. "Please tell me what's happening?" I let out a deep breath, as we sat there, inches from each other.

"I'm scared Heather." I said bluntly, even causing her to recede back a bit. "I'm meant to be strong. Brave. Fearless. Not this…" I added scornfully, mockingly gesturing to myself.

"You are all of those things Astrid. You're the strongest person I've ever met." Heather avowed forcefully.

"No. I'm not." I countered bluntly, shaking my head.

"Yes, you are." She urged, resting both hands on my shoulders.

"NO. I'M NOT!" I exploded loudly. "I close my eyes, and all I feel is the pain. Last night I was that scared of what I saw, I literally woke up screaming and in tears." I said, trying with all my might to not start crying again.

"When was this?" She asked softly. "You should have called for me, you know I would have come running."

"I know you would. I didn't want you seeing me like that… like this." I confessed weakly.

"Do you think I'd have cared what you looked like. You needed help and I would've come."

"I'm sorry, I didn't want you worrying about me. Hiccup did try to fetch you back here, but I stopped him." I admitted. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Hiccup? I asked him to check on you for me, just after we left for the night." She said, suddenly looking down, as if she was disappointed in herself. "I knew I should have stayed with you. I didn't want to go. I shouldn't have left you alone." This time it was my turn to reach out and confort her.

"Heather. I'm fine. There's nothing more you could have done." I said with a smile, as she looked back up at me. "I just asked him to stay until I fell asleep, I don't know, I didn't want to be alone."

"That's all?" She asked. I nodded instantly, but I could see the cogs inside her mind start spinning and her lip twitched into a grin. As she just continued to stare curiously, I could feel my cheeks already lighting up bright red, so I quickly ducked my head, pulling the blanket fully over myself until everything was darkness.

"Yep Heather. That's all. Thanks for the meal. Goodnight." I quickly sputtered. I held tightly onto the fur, not feeling any resistance. For a minute, I kept there, until I slowly allowed my hold to loosen. Almost instantly, it was ripped away and threw onto the floor, leaving me sat there putting on a fake sulky face. "No fair, Heather, you know I'm injured." I pouted.

"Start talking Hofferson. Or I'll have to take the gingerbread away as well." She said heartlessly.

"You wouldn't…" I pleaded.

"Oh, I would." She joked, quickly reaching over, and grabbing the tray, before placing it on the table beside her. I curled my hand into a fist and shook it jokingly at her.

"Now you're gonna get it! When I've recovered you are so done!" I teased. She just turned back to smile at me, giving me the same unrelenting pouting eyes. "Okay. So maybe that wasn't the full truth." I admitted, as she just giddily scooted towards me. "Honestly. I had another nightmare this morning. I tried to pull the blanket over my head and just hide, but it wouldn't budge. Weird right?" I continued, as she nodded along. "But what was weirder was when I found your brother laying there next to me." At that bit, her eyes widened to the size of shields, and her mouth dropped to the floor. "No, don't you start thinking what I think you're thinking. I overheard him later, saying that he just fell asleep and he was just as surprised when he woke up."

"So, what did you do? About the nightmare?" She asked slowly, taking time to just let everything sink in. I could see the wrinkles forming on her forehead as she processed it, just that alone made me start to chuckle a bit.

"I didn't do anything. I wanted to scream, but I couldn't just wake him up to stop me from crying again. How pathetic would that be? I was laying there, freezing with cold sweat chilling me to the bone, and I didn't have the strength to get up." I responded, as she just sat there silently. "So, I did the only thing I could, I slid across to keep myself warm."

"So, let me get this straight. You're here for one night, and you're already snuggling up in bed with my brother." She giggled. "OW!" She soon stopped laughing as my fist caught her arm.

"No. It was self-preservation. I had no choice." I forced myself to say. She just nodded with pouted lips, before she cracked into a fit of laughter holding her stomach. Only then did I realise my cheeks were glowing again. I pulled both my arms up, to cover my face, but it was too late. "You are so dead, Heather. And NO. Not a word of this to anyone. Understand?" She didn't reply, just kept cackling loudly, and smartly stepped back before she got punched again. "Right, it's getting too warm in here." I announced. "Time to get some fresh air." I quickly scooted out of the bed, with the pain seemingly nulled mostly.

"Yeah, I hear the Dragon's edge welcome tour is world famous." She teased, before bending down and collecting something out of a bag. "Here are some of your spare clothes. I'll wait outside while you get changed, we don't want you looking a mess now do we?" Heather irked, smiling as she placed the folded light blue shirt and deep blue leggings on the edge of the bed. "Your boots, skirt and coat are on the table." She added, before sauntering out of the room. I quickly changed, even neatly braiding my hair in the mirror before I ran out of the door. Only a moment later I quickly snuck back in, plucking the gingerbread from the tray and taking a bite, before rushing back out. Nothing beats gingerbread.

Hiccup

Six hours. Six hours of sitting down and doing nothing but talking, arguing, and trying not to strangle Mildew. The meeting paused for half an hour at around noon for a lunch break, but even after that, it was nearly two more hours until it eventually ended. Everything from trade to taxes, from breastplates to bandits, from horses to heresy. How did dad manage to suffer these for all these years? But all in all, by the end I felt lot more happy with how things were going to proceed from now on. Thuggory, Camicazi and Mogadon did share some unsettling news, that the villages have began to suffer raids all of a sudden. So far, it's only been a few stolen livestock or horses, but it's definitely something that'll have to be kept an eye on in the future. Apart from, you know who, everyone else on the council seemed to be accepting of change, so at least now we can move forward. As the meeting drew to an end, I let out a deep sigh, staring up at the glass above, before following the others out of the room. As most turned at the junction to head into the main heart of the castle, I sped into a light jog to catch to catch up to the master-at-arms, who was heading out into the courtyard.

"Hey, Mulch, is it still alright for me to train with you?" I asked. The stocky man turned to face me with a smile.

"Sure thing, Lord Hiccup." The man chuckled. As we reached the courtyard, I rushed to the forge. I quickly donned my armour and headed back out to where he was waiting. "I know how frustrating those things can get." The man laughed. His golden-brown beard glowed in the sunlight, as he plucked two sparring swords from the rack, and chucked one to me.

"I suppose it's just one more thing to get used to." I deadpanned, reaching my hand out to catch the sword. As my right hand instinctively stretched out to grab for the handle, a jab of pain hit me as it impacted into my palm. What a twat, I thought, as I looked down at my bandaged hand. Mum said that thankfully it wasn't broken, only bruised, after yesterday's actions, but I can't believe it even went this far just because of Mildew. I truly am such an idiot sometimes.

"So, you're using your left again?" He asked, while spinning his own sword in his hand.

"It's the only way I'll ever be able to get this to work." I answered him. From behind, I saw Gobber come into view and stand at my side.

"You're not going to let this drop, are yer lad?" He challenged.

"You know me, too stubborn to quit something when I get started." I responded proudly, as he just started to laugh.

"In some ways, you and Stoick are the exact same." He laughed, as he began to walk away and head up the stairs to watch on from above. "I know yer can do it lad, yer just gotta believe in yerself." I watched him head off, but as soon as he started climbing the steps, I turned back to face Mulch.

"I nearly had you last time, so don't be going easy on me." I japed, as I switched the sword over to my left and we began circling each other.

"I let you nearly have me last time." Mulch grinned. "If you want me at the best then your wish is my command, my lord."

Astrid

Heather had led us on an unintentional tour of the castle. But it's easy to forget this is only her first full day here today as well. It must have been another ten minutes before we actually managed to get out and actually get to the fresh air I had asked for. Just looking out from the battlements, I could do nothing but marvel at how beautiful the castle looked. I've never seen anything like it. Every other castle I've been to is all brick and stone, but this, this is something completely new, almost magical. Made mostly of black rock which reflects the light so perfectly in the sun, that in the day it seems like the castle is almost brought to life. I looked across to Heather, who was just looking around in awe.

"Just think, this could have been where you had grown up. How different things would have been." I stated to her, as we carefully began to make our way down from the upper levels using the outer stairs.

"At least I'm here now." She said cheerily. "If I did grow up here, I may never have met you."

"Based on how well that's gone so far, I think my life would have been easier." I teased, earning a death glare, before she realised I was joking and punched me in the arm.

"Hey, can you stop punching me, I'm still very, very sore." I protested, with a pouty face.

"You started it!" She exclaimed. "It's not my fault I'm picking up on all your bad habits."

"Hmmm. Fair point." I grinned, while shrugging my shoulders. "But I wouldn't have a sister to punch, if you weren't married to my brother. So, technically, you're the one to blame." I chuckled victoriously. As she tried to respond, I couldn't stop laughing. Even resorting to pulling out a pouch I had borrowed earlier and taking a big swig of water to calm myself down.

"But you would still have had me as a sister, if you had married Hiccup instead." Heather finally snapped back, causing me to spit out the mouthful of liquid, before covering my mouth in shock. I could only huff under my breath as she burst into laughter again. "You are so easy Astrid." As we reached the bottom of the steps, we were still only halfway down to the ground. Instead of going straight down the second set of steps, I turned and walked forward, leaning over the guardrail. Heather joined me at staring down at the courtyard, before a large man clambered up the steps and planted himself next to us.

"Heather, there you are, Val was looking for you." The man stated breathlessly. As we looked to him in confusion, he took a few heavy breaths. "Don't look at me like that, there's a lot of steps there for someone with one leg." He panted.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" I started apologizing.

"Don't worry lass. Ol' Gobber has survived much worse than a flight or two or stairs." The man chuckled. "But seriously, Heather, your mother has asked me to find yer for her." Heather looked to me, and I nodded to her. "Just take that door there behind yer, go straight ahead and take the second left after the bend. She should still be there." He directed, as she smiled once more to me, before quickly scampering off. Now, just me and Gobber stood looking on.

"Glad to see yer okay lass." The man said bluntly. The informality startled me a bit, but for once, it was a nice change.

"Still a bit unsteady on my feet and sore, but I'm getting there." I responded happily. Only then did I notice who it was beginning to train in the courtyard. Dressed in a full black and brown suit of armour, a mix of metal and leather was Hiccup. One word. Wow. The design seemed to integrate the thin sheets of metal into the mostly leather outer shell. The armour looked custom-made and had a red dragon painted on one of the thick black shoulder pads. The black colour finished at about waist level, where it transitioned into the brown leather down to his boots. The most striking feature was two thin straps of black leather, raised slightly above the rest, arrowing in diagonally from each shoulder towards his heart, where the image of a large red dragon was embroidered. I've never seen anything like it. I was just left speechless.

"Pretty impressive, eh lass?" Gobber grinned, noticing that my mouth was wide open.

"Hmmm mmmm." I mumbled back. As Hiccup and a shorter, wider man began to fight, I couldn't help but stare. Looking like that, he must be good. Unfortunately, it only took less than ten seconds before the other man had wiped the blade out of Hiccup's hand and he had to pause to retrieve it.

"COME ON LAD, YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT." Gobber shouted down. Hiccup gripped his sword, and the two started to fight once more. Only now did it click that this was the man I had heard earlier, calling for Hiccup, before he had to leave this morning. It was evident already the man couldn't be quiet if his life depended on it, especially as even in the sleepy state I was in, I had heard every word between them earlier.

"You two seem to have a special bond." I pointed out, as I looked to see him watching on proudly.

"That kid is like an actual son to me." Gobber beamed. "He didn't have the easiest time growing up with his mum gone, and he needed someone to be there for him. Especially after he actually started training. Life was a lot different here last time you were here." I was nodding along, until his final sentence. What? When have I ever been here before?

"Here? Are you sure?" I queried.

"You don't remember, lass?" He asked, turning to face me. I just shook my head. It's weird. When Heather dragged me all through the castle, I kept getting strange flashes, like Déjà vu, I must just still be recovering. "You two were only little things. Four or five I think. Scampering around the castle like you owned it. You were so cute together." The big man said softly. Thankfully he turned back to cheer on encouragement, before he could see me flame up like a tomato. "COME ON HICCUP. THAT'S ZERO TO TWO. YOU'VE GOT AN AUDIENCE TO IMPRESS HERE." And there goes all subtlety. Luckily, I think the two men below were too focused on the fight to acknowledge Gobber, or even look up.

"What do you mean by together? I've never heard of any of this before." I responded gingerly.

"You and him were inseparable. Stoick and your father practically had to drag you two apart each night, or you wouldn't sleep. I've never seen the lad so upset when I told him you were leaving. I told him that I'd make sure his father would set up a visit, so he could see you. But…" I looked eagerly for him to continue, but he just dropped his head and sighed heavily.

"But?" I asked softly.

"But shortly after that, Stoick hit a new low. Hiccup's father always struggled after losing Val, and that eventually caught up to Hiccup. Stoick stopped going out to tourneys and balls. Stop meeting people altogether. Shut himself and the castle down. Kept Hiccup under lock and key. Gods that crushed the boy." He said emotionally. I could him fighting the tears, as he turned back to look at me. He motioned to speak, but then I saw his eyes snap onto the chain around my neck, more specifically the ring on the chain. I looked down, running my fingers along the large ring. I think it was meant to be a bracelet but I can remember asking mum to adapt it, so I could wear it around my neck.

"Is that? May I?" He asked jaggedly, motioning to the main silver link. I carefully untied it behind my neck, cupping it in my hand before slowly handing it to him. His eyes grew wide in excitement as he inspected it. "The truth is all here, lass. Just look."

"I don't see how…" I started.

"Just look. AH, they are your initials on the front side." He told me, even though I already knew all this. "And here," he said flipping it over, "HH…"

"HH for House Hofferson." I stated firmly. "I've had this since I was a kid. I think I'd…" But as I spoke, everything seemed to unravel.

"Think again." Gobber smirked. "THERE WE GO LAD, THAT'S BETTER. I THINK YOU'RE AS READY AS YOU'LL EVER BE." I looked down at the ring, as he passed it back to me with a telling smile. "That was the first thing the lad ever made, with a lot of my help. I mean he was like five. He wanted to give yer something to remember him by until next time. I don't think he thought it'd be over a decade." He said solemnly. "Hiccup has a matching one in a drawer in the forge." The man said forthrightly, as he turned to the courtyard. Gobber's yelling only seemed to momentarily distract Hiccup, as once more he was pressed under the other man's blade, before eventually yielding. He threw his sword to the ground, before storming into the forge. He actually can't be this bad, can he?