Hiccup woke up. He was staring at the ceiling. He turned his head to the right and noticed that his desk was there and a few of his papers were spread across the table as usual. The moonlight from outside barely peeking through the window. He let out a small chuckle.
"It was all just a dream." He said, sighing. For the first time in a while he felt relaxed by this thought. That he could finally slow down and think. But much to his dismay, the other side of his bed started moving. Startled, he quickly looked to his left when a groggy blond head popped up and looked at him.
"What did you say babe?" Astrid said with her eyes still closed. He could never catch a break. Once he thought that he finally got a grasp of what was going on the gods decided to throw a wrench in the works. He stared at her in disbelief. He should have assumed this by now, but being the ever oblivious Hiccup, a half awake one at that, it didn't fully register what exactly was happening.
"You're in my bed." He whispered, not entirely sure of who he wasn't trying to wake up. Maybe himself, because if this is a dream. Hiccup isn't certain he wants to leave.
"No, I'm in our bed." She said, her beautiful blue eyes finally peering out from her closed gaze.
"And you're n-n-naked." He stuttered.
Astrid snorted, "Yea, I am. We're married, that's what happens-" She interrupted herself, seeming to remember that Hiccup had few memories of their relationship. A wicked grin appeared on her face. "Thanks for noticing Hiccup, do you want to see?" She shuffled closer to him and cuddled up next to him, pressing her chest into his left arm. Hiccup's eyes nearly bulged out of his head, his face lit on fire and he began sputtering utter nonsense, before passing out a second time that night.
He awoke again. His usual time at the very early hours of the morning. He along with Gobber tended to be the first Vikings up in the morning to get the forge lit for the day. He sat up and stretched his very achy body before looking to his side and seeing his sleeping wife. A smile graced his face before he got out of the bed, dressed himself and went downstairs. He immediately took stock of the equipment and decided that he was going to make breakfast.
He went outside and opened the double doors below the house down into the cellar where the basic weekly provisions were kept. He went below and found some fish and mutton scattered about. He remembered walking past a bakery yesterday and went out into the village and purchased two loaves of bread from the baker. It seemed that there was another Viking who was up as early as he was. The bread was offered for free to the young chief, but Hiccup still paid him a silver coin anyways. And judging from the reaction of the baker, it was much higher than the going price for two loaves.
With mutton and bread, Hiccup started the coals in the edge of the house and placed the pot on the metal rack that flanked the sides of the coal fire pit. This allowed the pot to sit just above the coals to heat up. After finding some random seasonings on the shelves he covered the mutton and placed it in the scalding pot before cutting up the bread into portions.
As he was cutting the bread, a door opened and out stepped Zephyr. Who was apparently Hiccup's daughter which still surprises him. She was rubbing the tiredness from her eyes and sat down at the table in the center of the room. She hadn't looked at him the entire time before she began playing with her hands.
"Morning Mom." She said. Causing Hiccup to let out a chuckle. Her head then shot up and she gawked at him. "Dad! What are you doing?"
He shrugged, "Making breakfast, what else would I be doing?"
Zephyr rubbed her eyes, then blinked a few times. Testing to see if her eyes are deceiving her. "You never make food, you are usually out running around the village barking orders at people." He started chuckling again.
"That sounds exactly like what my father would do when I was your age." He reached a metal tong into the pot and flipped the mutton over to cook the other side. He then took a little animal fat and threw it into the pot as well. He shrugged, "I honestly just felt like it, Zephyr."
Her eyes just narrowed in suspicion and she continued to eye her father to make sure he was not up to any funny business. After a few silent moments between the two, Astrid started coming down from their room upstairs. Once she reached the bottom floor, she stretched her arms and made her away around the table.
She then walked up to Hiccup and gave him a quick good morning kiss then sat at the table across from Zephyr. Hiccup on the other hand was now frozen in place. He was still caught off guard by Astrid's affection, but he could get used to it. He was wretched out of his reverie by the sound of the meat and the fear that he might overcook it. He scraped the meat out of the pot and put them on metal plates.
The craftsmanship of the plates seemed very similar to his own and it seems that nearly all of the tools and utensils in the house are his work. He was glad that his handiwork was starting to get appreciated. He separated the meats then after giving them a few moments to rest, he cut them up and separated it into four equal portions.
He walked over to the table and placed the bowl of sliced bread in the center then a place of freshly cooked mutton in front of his wife and daughter. He sat down with a plate for himself as Astrid signalled something to Zephyr causing her to scurry off to her room. A second later she returned with a very tired and very annoyed Nuffink.
Astrid leaned over to Hiccup, "Thank you for making breakfast babe." Hiccup returned it with a smile with a mouthful of bread, causing his wife to shake her head and laugh.
"You didn't have to literally drag me out of bed Zeph." Nuffink complained as he climbed into a chair.
"That's what you get for staying up all night doing, whatever it is that you do." She retorted, crossing her arms.
"It's called tinkering."
"Whatever." Zephyr cautiously picked up a piece of the mutton. She inspected it to make sure it wasn't going to attack her and gingerly put a piece in her mouth. Her eyes widened. "Wow. This is great!" Nuffink raised his eyebrows at her.
"It always is, why wouldn't it be today?" He questioned.
"Dad made it." She said after she swallowed and grabbed for a piece of bread.
"I'm glad you had faith in me Zephyr." Hiccup said sarcastically.
"Well, I'm sorry you never cook. How was I supposed to know it would taste good?"
"Who do you think taught me to cook?" Astrid asked, looking at her daughter.
Zephyr shrugged, "I'm not sure, Grandma?"
"Gods no!" Astrid exclaimed, "The Hofferson household does not teach the children how to cook. Or any basic household things for that matter. It's how to be a proper warrior and fight for the betterment of Berk. Like you, I was a shieldmaiden and eventually I became the general of Berk."
"So Dad-"
"I made food for my father every morning. He was the chief and had better things to deal with. If I didn't cook I noticed that he didn't eat. That made him hangry and Berk was grateful that I kept him fed in the mornings to keep him from being so . . . Stoick"
Nuffink snorted, "That sounds a lot like you when you don't eat breakfast."
Hiccup scoffed, "It does not!"
The rest of the table agreed in unison, "It definitely does."
Hiccup looked at his wife, she gave him a pitying look and shrugged, "Sorry honey, it's true."
Hiccup grumbled and continued to finish his food. Zephyr was watching her father the entire time over breakfast. She eventually turned to her mother. "What's wrong with Dad?"
Astrid tilted her head, "I'm sorry?"
"He's acting weird." She looked at Hiccup before amending her last statement, "Well, weirder."
Hiccup chuckled and elbowed his wife, "Definitely your daughter." Earning an eye roll from the blonde.
Astrid looked at her daughter, "He lost his memory."
Zephyr sat up straight, "That makes so much sense now!" She squinted at her father. "So he doesn't remember that he's my dad?"
Hiccup shook his head, "No sorry Zephyr."
"So he won't discipline me like my dad?" She asked no one in particular.
"No, but I still will." Astrid said not liking where this is going.
Zephyr gave herself a firm nod and glanced at her mom, "I'm gonna tell him."
Astrid's eyes went wide, "Zeph, now is not-"
"I have a boyfriend." She said grinning.
Hiccup looked at her. His mouth slowly fell open. This was his daughter and he had no idea what to say. Nuffink got up and slowly stepped away from the table while keeping a close eye on Hiccup. He didn't know why. But he felt something bubbling up in his chest. It was quite an unfamiliar feeling. He felt like it was an old friend that he knew from years past that he never saw much anymore. He slowly began to realize what this feeling was. He had seen it nearly every day of his 15 year old life. It was anger.
Hiccup slammed his hands down on the table and stood up, throwing his chair backwards. It was like the clouds parted and a ray of understanding shone through.
"You have what!" He yelled and she shrunk in her chair, "Who is it? Is it the Berserker boy? Talon?" Zephyr nodded her head.
"I thought he didn't have his memory." She accused her mother.
Astrid shrugged, "I thought so too." She gently put her hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Honey-" He threw her hand off and glared at his wife.
"Don't Honey me." He snarled. "You knew all along and hid it from me. Lied to me. We are a family. We do not keep secrets from each other. Ever." He looked over to his daughter. "I kept a secret from my father once. Nearly killed Astrid, all of Berk, Toothless and myself!"
Zephyr stood up in anger as well, "This is hardly the same!"
Hiccup slammed his hand down again, knocking a plate off of the table, "You are right! It's even worse!" He straightened his back and placed a hand on the bridge of his nose in annoyance. "I'm your father. I'm supposed to pay his family for your marriage and have to explain the laws of our tribe. They are going to have a power trip. You are Zephyr Haddock. Heir to the chiefdom of Berk! Whoever you marry will just be there to give you children and will hold no power on Berk because you are a woman and the first ever Chieftess. I have to be included in all of this to make sure that Haddocks stay as the ruling party! Unless you want me to choose a husband for you!"
"Dad, calm down. I'm not even sure we are going to get married." She said, trying to defuse the situation. It had the opposite effect.
"Look at me Zeph," She looked him in the eyes. "Do you love this boy, do you see yourself marrying him and living the rest of your life together. Kids, sickness, death and everything else that comes along with it."
Zephyr stalled and sat back down in her chair, "I-I don't know."
Hiccup grabbed his fur cape and threw it over his back, "Then I do not support your relationship. My father asked me the exact same question when I told him that I was dating Astrid. I looked him dead in the eyes and said yes. With every fibre in my being I meant that. Until you can give the same answer that I did. I will not support you being in a serious relationship. Tread the waters first, take years if you have to. You can only get married once." He looked over at his wife. "Come." He signaled to her to follow him out of the house.
"What," Astrid eyed him, "Where are we going?"
Hiccup opened the door, "To hold the trial of Berk's prisoner."
-o0o-
Hiccup and Astrid were sitting in the great hall in their respective seats. Astrid turned and looked at Hiccup.
"Are you alright Hiccup?" She asked while tentatively putting her hand on his shoulder.
"No, I don't know why I exploded on her like that. I'm also not looking forward to this trial either." Hiccup slumped his head into his hands groaning.
"You are a lot like your father, you know?" He looked up at her.
"How so?"
"Running around mad, spouting Berk this Berk that. Driving yourself to your own death in your work." Hiccup couldn't help but chuckle at that. "I think it's getting to you."
"You may be right, but I have one thing that he didn't have the luxury of." She raised an eyebrow at him. He looked over to her and gave her a peck on the lips before whispering, "you."
Just then the large double door opened. A man was being dragged in by two large vikings. He was thrown on the ground in front of the chief and chieftess. Hiccup stood and glared down on the man. His expression hardened. A few more vikings piled in and took their seats on the outer region of the hall. Trials on Berk were simple. The people of Berk expressed their decision and the Berk council had final authority of the judgment. They almost always agreed with the people.
Once the whole council and the rest of Berk piled in, Hiccup began his voice booming throughout the hall.
"Vikings of Berk. We are gathered here to hold a trial of this creature." He gestured at the man on his knees before the chief eliciting a few boos from the crowd. "He has committed a heinous crime, not only against Berk and its people, but the entire archipelago!" The crowd erupted into angry murmurs. "I bear witness to his acts and know that he is the chief perpetrator and the leader of a crew that raided villages and kidnapped women to sell into slavery." Now the vikings were standing and shouting very choice words at the man.
"Please refrain from getting too rowdy. We are not barbarians, we still hold a trial to decide his fate." Even from the words of the chief the vikings, being vikings, were still making a ruckus. "I am not the only witness, but my own daughter is a victim of this animal." At this the entire hall grew silent. Gobber stepped towards the man and peered down into his eyes. "What say ye in yer defense?"
The man wearily looked up into the fiery chief's eyes before barely squeaking out, "Guilty. Just don't let that demon near me again." Gobber raised a brow and glanced at the chief before looking back at the man.
"Demon? You mean the dragon?" The man shook his head before trying to crawl further away only to be stopped by Gobber's meaty hand.
The man lifted a shaky hand and pointed it towards Hiccup, "Just don't let him near me." Hiccup continued to glare at the man. His expression flat and dangerous.
Hiccup spoke, "With that confession I doubt we need to decide if guilty or not. What does Berk decide his fate shall be?"
A few of the crowd shouted, "The pits!"
"Sail to the end of the world!"
"Life in a cell!"
Some of the councilmen were nodding their heads in agreement. The crowd was constantly coming up with new ideas of punishment. The twins were also coming up with catastrophic ones as well. The older councilwoman that Hiccup has yet to find the name of spoke directly to him.
"And what does our chief say?" She asked.
Hiccup's eyes have yet to leave the man. He knew what he wanted to say. "We will blood eagle him." The crowd once again grew silent, this time staring at their chief.
Astrid stood, "We will not!" For the first time during the whole trial Hiccup broke eye contact and looked at his wife. "That is not you Hiccup. You are not brutal. No matter how much you hurt." Hiccup looked down contemplating her words. Why am I being so brutal lately? Astrid placed a hand on his shoulder and got closer to him. "Listen Hiccup. I think this memory thing has been a good thing. I feel like I got to spend time with the old you again. Not some weird hybrid of your father. After the Berserkers visit today, we are going on a trip. You me and the kids, you need a break to be the real Hiccup again." Her smile faded then she looked at the criminal. "But he is not getting off the hook. It will be simple, we will execute him but on one condition." Hiccup looked at her and she gave him a terrifying smirk. "I get to swing the axe."
Hiccup smiled, "I agree Milady." He turned to the hall and straightened his back. "It has been decided. The criminal will be executed immediately. Beheaded by axe. Take him outside." At his command, Gobber and Spitelout grabbed the man by both arms and dragged him out the doors. The entire hall followed. The man was placed on a rock, with his head perched over the side.
Hiccup bent down and looked at the man as Astrid prepared her axe. "You think I'm a demon." He chuckled, "you were lucky I found you and not my wife. Say hello to Hel for me." Hiccup took a few steps back and watched as his wife stood over the man. She took in a few deep breaths before raising her axe and letting out a battle cry, allowing the axe to fall.
-o0o-
Hiccup was walking around the village preparing for the visit of the other tribe. He was still a little shaken after the events of the morning. His wife was right. He needed a break. Hiccup took a seat and reached for his water skin. He emptied the contents into his mouth. He took in a deep breath and sighed. Just as he thought he had a break he heard an all too familiar yet terrifying voice, "Brother!" Hiccup shot up and looked around. He saw Dagur the Deranged and another woman walking over. Hiccup couldn't help but feel that he looked exactly the same yet older. It was almost scary in a way.
Hiccup was pulled into a hug, "Hey, Dagur it's great to see you again." Earning a slap on the back from his 'brother'. Normally this treatment from Dagur would leave a bruise or even a broken bone but Hiccup's body seemed to only have gotten sturdier over the years.
Dagur placed his hand behind the woman next to him and motioned her forward, "And of course you remember Mala." Hiccup shook her hand in greeting.
"How could I not?" Hiccup lied not having a clue who this woman was.
She slightly bowed to him, "Chief Hiccup, how is your mother these days?"
Hiccup recoiled, what an odd question. Did she not know? Before he could get too deep in thought, the older councilwoman landed on a stormcutter and ran over to the three.
"Mala my good friend; how are you these days?" The woman asked.
"Valka it's so good to see you! I was just asking Hiccup about you."
Hiccup had it. He couldn't do it anymore. Sure he was older. Yes he had kids. He was married to the most beautiful and amazing woman he had ever met. He rarely rode Toothless and could apparently fight well with a sword. His dad had died and he was left the entire chiefdom of Berk which he saved from destruction four times. He even moved to another island which was spectacular to say the least. But how, seriously how, did his mother come back to life? That wasn't possible. It made no sense.
Hiccup was hyperventilating at this point. His brain has been working nonstop since he woke up yesterday. This was too much for his 15 year old brain. 38 year old brain, whatever! He looked up at the stormcutter. It stared back at him. It was familiar and unknown at the same time. The dragon cooed and seemed to notice the turmoil within him. It reached out and gently grazed the bottom of his chin. It felt like he had just been punched in the temple when a memory resurfaced. "A mother never forgets." Was what he heard.
Hiccup laughed. A full body laugh. It was comedic, of course he mother wasn't killed by dragons. He didn't get his gentler nature from his father. But apparently he got his brutal side from him. Astrid called her Mom even. Hiccup really was oblivious. He needed that break. Dagur didn't know why or really care why Hiccup was laughing but he joined in. The two of them were cackling like madmen next to the two women. One was actually a madman, but that didn't matter. Hiccup slapped Dagur's back.
"It was good seeing you brother," Dagur's eyes widened in glee at the sound of that, "But I have some chiefing to attend to." Dagur nodded and waved Hiccup off.
Hiccup walked a few paces away before he overheard a conversation. Normally Hiccup would move on, but this voice made his blood boil. It was Dagur's kids. He looked around before moving closer and trying to stay hidden to overhear what was being said.
"So you got yourself a girl?" The older one, Speer asked. What is up with Dagur and his names?
"Yea, some redhead." Talon said.
Speer let out a sly whistle, "Not many of those around here. How'd you get so lucky?"
Talon snorted, "She seemed kinda desperate to me." Hiccup clenched his fists. You can't kill him. You can't kill him. He kept whispering to himself.
Speer whispered, albeit terribly like his father, "So have you done the deed yet?"
Talon let out a small chuckle, "Not yet, but soon then onto the next conquest right?" Now Hiccup was ready to kill him, unfortunately that would cause more problems than help. He hasn't done anything illegal. Yet. Hiccup left before getting seen. Dagur's daughter seems so nice. Hiccup isn't entirely sure what happened to the boys that made them so. Unique. But he was sure going to kill Talon. Or both.
Hiccup found his wife and motioned towards his mouth for her to be silent. Without hesitation she agreed and followed Hiccup. It brought a smile to his face. Here she was, the dangerous and beautiful Astrid Hoffer- Haddock he corrected. Following him without question and dropping whatever she was doing. He could feel it, they've been through a lot together and she would follow him through Hel and back. And so would he.
With what felt like the tracking ability of a deadly nadder, the two managed to trail a certain boy with the name of a bird's appendage. Slowly, they followed him into the forest, which was aptly named Night Fury's point. They both knew where this trail was headed, Zephyr's training ground. As they approached they heard voices.
"Come on Zephy, sweetie." Talon said.
"I said no Talon!" Zephyr complained.
"No one will know. It's just you, me and the trees here."
"The trees here have a vendetta against me. I'm sure they would gossip." If Astrid wasn't angry at the conversation she might have smiled at that.
"You are just being paranoid. Times are changing, who is gonna care?"
"Me, my family. The whole entirety of Berk." She stated matter of factly.
Astrid made to move forward and attack this Talon boy, but Hiccup stopped her. Mouthing, She can take care of it.
"Zeph, don't be a coward."
She lost it, "I'm not a coward! I am never a coward! Haddock's aren't cowards! I am being reasonable and not throwing my life away! Do you even love me?"
Talon laughed, "So naïve. This isn't about love, it's just a physical connection."
"My dad was right." Before she could continue speaking that was a yelp and a slam.
Talon's voice got a bit deeper and more sinister, "Fine. If you don't want to share, I'm just going to have to take."
Both Hiccup and Astrid's eyes widened. They glanced at each other before charing out into the clearing. They both stopped short and they saw Zephyr kick Talon and throw him across the clearing. She stood up and drew her axe before slamming it across his face knocking him on his back. "That's for being a scumbag." She walked on top of him and dropped the pommel of her axe on his chest causing it to bounce back up into her nimble fingers. "And that's for everything else."
Talon slowly crawled his way back and leaned against the nearest tree. Zephyr looked over and saw her parents making her eyes soften, "Mom, Dad what's going on?"
Astrid walked over and gave her a 'That's my girl' hug. Hiccup however slowly approached the injured boy. He looked up at the chief and started babbling. Hiccup drew Inferno and the blade popped out, igniting into a fiery, well inferno. Hiccup raised his sword.
"Dad! Hiccup!" Astrid and Zephyr both yelled. Hiccup swung his sword low and it embedded into the tree mere millimeters above the cowering boy's head. He gazed into the boy's eyes. He quickly withdrew the sword and sheathed it before grabbing him by the scruff of his neck.
"You're the second one today. Lucky me." Hiccup growled. He dragged the boy out into the village and towards the center of New Berk. There was a giant chasm that fell hundreds of feet to sharp rocks and a wavy lake below. A crowd was gathering again. Hiccup noticed a black blur moving on the treeline. Hiccup forced the boy to stand. Dagur and Mala ran over to see what the commotion was.
"Brother what is going on?" Dagur asked.
Hiccup looked at Talon, "Go on explain. Lie and face the consequences."
Talon timidly looked at his father, then at the angry crowd that gathered, "I-I-I made a mistake."
"Clearly, now tell us what it was." Hiccup said.
"I tried to take Zephyr's honor." Talon said, much to the shock of both his parents and the crowd.
"With her consent?" Hiccup asked and Talon shook his head.
"Talon! How could-" Dagur was interrupted by Hiccup's hand.
"My island Dagur. My punishment."
"Wh-what are you going to do to me?" He stuttered.
"Kill you, for trying to ruin my daughter's life." Hiccup said casually.
"That's a breach of the treaty!" Mala yelled.
"No! Him trying to rape my daughter is a breach of our treaty. This is Berkian law and he is subject to it!" Hiccup yelled back.
"I won't forgive you Hiccup." Dagur said.
"Please," Talon pleaded, "This is madness!"
Hiccup flicked his head over to the boy, "Madness? This. Is. BERK!" Hiccup tilted backwards onto his right leg and brought his prosthetic up. He used his fake leg to slam into the chest of the boy and throw him over the cliffside and down into the pit below.
(AN: Sorry I had to. It was just so poetic.)
"Talon!" His parents yelled as they ran over to the edge to try and find their son.
Zephyr was likewise also freaking out as her father had just murdered that boy. The son of one of their allies no less. All of Berk were giving scared glances to their chief. He had been acting strange lately and this was just the tip of the iceberg. The only person who wasn't losing their mind was Astrid. In fact she was smiling.
"What are you smiling at Mom? This is serious!" Zephyr complained.
Astrid looked at her daughter, "Do you not trust your father? Do you think that lowly of him?" Zephyr stopped. She did trust her father, but this was insane, even for his standards. Heck, even for the twins' standards.
Dagur stood up straight, "What are you smiling at Hiccup? I'm going to kill you!"
Hiccup chuckled, "I think that gave him a good scare." He looked over to his right, "What do you think bud?" Just as he said that a night fury landed and a very terrified boy plopped onto the ground with a suspicious wet spot on his pants. Toothless warbled and nudged Hiccup clearly in agreement.
Astrid walked over and got Hiccup's attention. "I think it's time for that vacation now that Toothless is here." Hiccup nodded in agreement.
He looked over to his mother, "Can you and Gobber hold the fort down for a few days?"
"I've done it for more than a few days when your father went on one of his killing sprees." She said while stroking Cloudjumper.
Hiccup nodded and hopped onto Toothless. "Everything packed?" Astrid motioned towards her saddle bags on Stormfly.
And with that, the three of them were off. Zephyr took a quick detour to pick up her brother and Ruffrunner. The family flew to a nearby excluded island. Not even dragons were present here as they decided to nearly cohabitate with Berk and a few other select islands that chose to protect the secrecy of dragons.
Eventually they landed and immediately set up a small camp for the night. The sun was just setting. With the help of the dragons it was much easier to set up camp and get started. Eventually night fell and the four and their sleeping dragons were gathered around the campfire. Hiccup was snuggling with Astrid and they were watching their kids drawing with sticks in the sand.
Hiccup felt that for the first time in the past 48 hours he could finally rest. He felt peaceful and relaxed. The stress of jumping into the future really hurt his head. But he finally had a moment to breathe and be Hiccup. Not the chief that everyone needed but just be himself. With his loving wife and family. He looked over to his daughter, then to his son. Saw the perfect mesh of himself and Astrid in both of them. He looked down at his wife who was blissfully watching her kids.
In the three of them, he could see all of their personality and past. He saw himself through his kids. And for the first time in the past few days. He remembered who he was. Not just who he thought he needed to be. He lost himself in his work, but in reality he was never lost. He was right in front of himself the whole time. He chuckled, causing Astrid to stir and look up at him. He looked at his right hand and slowly opened and closed it.
"You broke my hand!" He exclaimed.
"It wasn't my fault! I was in labor." Astrid defended.
"I was trying to comfort you!" He retorted.
"Well I was very comforted, thank you!" She said. They both began laughing. "So I take it, you remembered something?"
Hiccup nodded, pulling her into his chest. "Yea, everything."
Astrid stood up and gave him a passionate kiss on the lips. "I'm glad you're back. What happened?"
He looked over to his kids, "I looked in a mirror. And saw us." He gave her another kiss.
Zephyr gagged, "Ugh. Mom. Dad. We are on vacation, you can do that nastiness at home." They all laughed. "Also Dad?"
"Yea Zeph?" He said.
"Thanks for saving me. Again."
Hiccup cocked his head, "What do you mean? I didn't do anything this time, that was all you. Besides, let's not make a habit of me saving you."
Zephyr snorted, "Well duh, I kicked his butt." She pulled her legs into her chest. "I meant more than what you said earlier. That helped save me today. Reminded me of who I was. Plus I never really thanked you for saving me from the crew and the nadder. So overall thank you."
"Nadder?" Nuffink asked.
Hiccup waved his hand and stood up. "Yea, Zephyr spooked a nadder. I pushed her out of the way and got hit. That's how I lost my memory in the first place." Hiccup walked over and sat next to his daughter. "I get it now, Gobber." Hiccup murmured.
"What?" Zephyr asked.
"Nothing." He shook his head. "You know what I say right?"
She rolled her eyes. "A chief protects his own."
Hiccup chuckled, "Yes I do say that. But this is more important than even that." She looked up at her dad with a quizzical brow.
"I don't know." She admitted after a minute.
He grabbed his daughter and pulled her into a hug. He then motioned for his wife and son to join which they also did. The entire Haddock family was sitting around the campfire embracing each other. It was a rare moment they had together. They were always strongest together.
"More importantly." Hiccup said looking into their eyes,
"A father protects his own."
The end. Thank you all for your support and reading all the way through. Please leave a review to tell me how my writing is or how I can improve. I wish to write more so any constructive criticism or comments really helps.
I know this was a short one, but it was just a quick idea that I had. I have a few more ideas and hope to get to write those. Thanks again for reading I appreciate it.
-JMF
