Hiccup's eyes had never been wider, or moved so fast in his life. His green orbs searched the entire beach looking around for her. That was Cami's voice, there was no mistaking it. He'd know it anywhere, Hiccup panted heavily. He didn't understand this at all. "Ca–Cami?!" Hiccup said out loud. "Wh–where...are you?" Hiccup asked quickly.
"With you, as I promised I'd always be...I'm being granted this one request to speak to you, Hiccup...so I need you to calm down and listen to me carefully..." Camicazi said softly to him. "Close your eyes..." Cami instructed. Hiccup didn't understand it but he took a deep breath and closed his eyes, he saw her appear before him, he wanted to cry.
"Cami...is it...really you? Am I dreaming..." Hiccup asked as he walked towards her.
"Hiccup...I don't have a lot of time to do this...please...let me talk. This is my soul talking to you, and only granted by Odin...I asked for this one chance to talk to you..." Cami replied lightly.
"O–okay...what...did you want to talk to me about..." Hiccup said staring at her, still very much in shock about all this.
"I know what happened today. I've been watching everything since I died and I knew this could happen and I'm glad that it finally has." Cami said gently.
"Wh–what happened?" Hiccup asked.
"Hiccup, you've fallen for that girl. The one you protected from Dagur...You asked for my forgiveness but there is nothing to forgive my love. I've told you before, the heart wants what it wants. You can't stop this and you shouldn't either. You knew you loved her from the moment you kissed her, she was the one you liked before meeting me. I want you to be with her." Cami said firmly. Hiccup gasped at what she said.
"Cami...no...no I promised you I'd never let go..." Hiccup began but Cami put her hand to his lips, he let his tears fall as he put his hand on hers. She was so warm to him.
"Hiccup, I wanted you to never let go of yourself. I wanted you to keep being you, who you are and not stop just because I'm gone. I want you to let go of me, and move on. You can't stay hung on me forever, Hiccup and you know that. Our vows are binding until death do us part...death has parted us. You saw what happened tonight, our children pushed you and Astrid together for a dance, one where you looked at her like you used to look at me. And when Dagur attacked, you protected her without a moments hesitation. You even told him that Astrid was to marry you to protect her, you didn't care about the repercussions of your words, you just did it because you knew deep down you loved her and would never let Dagur have her. Everyone saw you tonight Hiccup, that's why they stopped dancing and watched you. You have haven't danced since you and me. Its in your eyes...you love her. I want you to be with her, our kids want it too because they see how happy she makes you. Runa told you that too, that Astrid makes you smile again." Cami said as she stroked Hiccup's cheek.
"But Cami...I still love you, I want to be with you again." Hiccup said in a cracked tone.
"But we cannot be again, I'm here because you asked me what you should do and I'm telling you...my time is short. Hiccup...I will always love you and be with you and our children forever more. I always walk beside you and guide you. You can love me, Hiccup. I'm not telling you to stop. I'm telling you to be happy, and Astrid makes you happy. Do that for me Hiccup. Be with her...and be happy. Please?" Cami asked gently.
"How...how can I love her and you..." Hiccup cried. Cami leaned in close as she hugged him tightly.
"Astrid knows you will always love me, Hiccup and she understands that. She doesn't expect you to stop just for her sake. But you can love again, your heart is already telling you what it wants. Listen to it. My time is up...I must go now." Cami sighed as she went to step back from Hiccup, a light forming behind her.
"Ca–Cami! Cami no! Don't leave me again, please!" Hiccup begged her.
"I will always be with you, forever. Be happy, Hiccup. Be happy with Astrid..." Cami's voice became distant as she blew him a kiss and disappeared in to the light.
Hiccup's eyes snapped open as he looked around, it was just him and Toothless on the beach again. Tears were still rolling down his cheeks, Cami wanted him to move on and be Astrid? She came to him just to tell him that. Hiccup went to grab the necklace with her rings and found them gone, his eyes fell to his finger and found his band gone too. She had taken them, when she hugged him and let go of his hand before disappearing in to the light.
Hiccup saw the rings resting against the stone in a glass jar. A tag attached to it, Hiccup leaned forward to read it. His eyes widened, it was from Cami. "Hiccup, our love will never truly die. It will always live on in our rings and our children. I will forever be with you and them. I want your happiness, Hiccup. She makes you happy, and you make her happy. Its time to move on, you avenged me and your mission is complete. Now its time to let go and move on in life. Be with her...and be happy. I love you always." Hiccup read out. He sat back as he looked up at the sky thinking now.
(Sunrise)
As the sky began to turn from night to early morning, Hiccup hadn't moved or slept since his encounter with Cami who told him to move on with Astrid. That was great he had her blessing and all about it but what if Astrid didn't feel the same? But Cami had said that Hiccup made Astrid happy, and recognized Hiccup would always love Cami, did that mean Cami knew Astrid loved him? Hiccup's eyes widened, did that mean...Is that what Astrid was trying to tell him before Dagur attacked? That she loved him? Hiccup knew there was only one way to find out. He had to ask her.
Hiccup got to his feet and then Toothless to his. "Alright Cami...If this is what you want of me...I won't deny you. I love you, always will but I guess...I love Astrid too." Hiccup sighed as he walked away from the stone and back towards the hall where everyone would be gathering for breakfast. Hiccup sat at his table quietly thinking about everything, just waiting until Astrid came in. He had to know.
(2 Hours Later)
Everyone had arrived, seeing Hiccup they didn't say anything to him. He had greeted his kids, mother, father, and Stoick but otherwise stayed silent. Valka was first to noticed Hiccup wasn't wearing his wedding band or that the necklace with Cami's rings wasn't around his neck anymore. "You two notice he isn't wearing his ring?" Alvin asked.
"I did...I wonder why? Something to do with yesterday?" Stoick asked calmly. Valka shrugged as she noticed Hiccup's head lifted when Astrid walked in beside Fishlegs.
"I think it has a lot to do with yesterday..." Valka stated quietly. Hiccup got up now and walked towards Astrid, meeting her in the center of the room. Everyone was quiet seeing how serious their chief looked now.
"Hiccup...Are you okay?" Astrid asked him. Hiccup noticed her eyes were a little red, had she been crying? Is that how Cami knew? Hiccup took a breath and looked her in the eyes.
"Astrid. Before Dagur attacked yesterday, you told me you had something to tell me...What was it?" Hiccup asked, Astrid immediately blushed looking down but Hiccup lifted her chin and made her look at him. "Please tell me..." Hiccup said softer.
"I–I was trying to tell you that I...I'm in lo–..." Astrid sighed, why couldn't she say it! Hiccup continued to look at her waiting for her reply. Astrid's eyes widened as he cupped her cheek and leaned in close. "I'm in love with you, Hiccup..." Astrid whispered out gently.
"I'm glad. Because I'm in love with you too, Astrid." Hiccup said before closing the gap between them and placing his lips against hers in a passionate, deep kiss. Astrid melted in to it, returning the kiss fully. As it happened a strong wind blew the doors of the hall open and a single sunbeam fell on them. The room erupted in to applause, whistling and cheering for them. Hiccup broke the kiss and looked towards door arching a brow. "Very funny, Cami!" Hiccup called out laughing, a stick blew in and knocked him on his ass. "Oh haha...Smartass." He grunted as Astrid giggled and offered her hand to help him up.
The wind died down now to a soft breeze and circled around him and Astrid. "Thank you, Camicazi...I promise I'll take care of him and the children..." Astrid whispered out with a soft smile.
"I know you will, Astrid. Thank you for loving him...Be happy..." They had both heard it that time and smiled wider holding one another in each other's arms lightly. The doors closed as the breeze left the room now. Runa, Viggo, and Thora ran up to them happily.
"See daddy! I told you Astrid made you happy!" Runa giggled out as Hiccup knelt down and hugged them tightly.
"So is Astrid your girlfriend now?" Viggo asked him.
"Well...not yet...There is still...a lot to talk about first." Hiccup smiled as he looked up at Astrid now and got back on his two feet, well foot and metal leg while holding her hands in his. He already knew they were going to take things slow, very slow. He did love Astrid but it'd be a while before he was ready for marriage again, he didn't want to rush things. They both knew that they would need to talk, for now though they just wanted to get through breakfast.
"Oh son, I'm so happy for you!" Valka exclaimed as she came running over to hug him tightly.
"Gah, easy mom...I'm still a twig over here..." Hiccup chuckled out.
"You're such a liar, might be skinny but you whipped Dagur's ass yesterday. He didn't even get one hit in." Astrid laughed.
"Dagur doesn't get what 6 years will do so someone. I don't think he'll be back anytime." Hiccup grinned a little.
"I hope not...you said you'd kill him if he did." Fishlegs interjected now.
"And I will if it means protecting my tribe." Hiccup replied.
"Hiccup...You're not a killer, you aren't like him." Astrid frowned a bit putting her hand on his arm.
"Astrid, a lot of times as chief I make decisions I don't want to, and do things I'm not happy about...But I do them because they keep my tribe running and safe...If it came down to killing Dagur and keeping this place safe...the choice is made hands down." Hiccup sighed softly.
"And no one here would blame you son." Alvin added.
"Well hopefully he'll be smart and stay away...No one calls my daddy a fishbone..." Runa huffed.
"And you little missy shouldn't of said anything. You know daddy can handle himself in fights..." Hiccup stated to Runa calmly.
"I know...I'm sorry daddy...But you and Astrid were so close to kissing after your dance and that stupid, rat eating, half troll, mutton-head ruined it!" Runa sighed.
"Runa Holgerson! What have I told you about using such words!" Hiccup grumbled out.
"Oops..." Runa shrunk away covering her mouth.
"Just like your mother, she could never watch her mouth either. You're too young to use such terms..." Hiccup sighed out, the joys of being a parent once again. "Don't do it again..." Hiccup told her.
"Yes daddy." Runa replied with a salute.
"I'm glad it all worked out...I can't even imagine being married to that deranged nut job..." Astrid shivered at the thought.
"Well you're safe now. No harm done." Hiccup smiled at her. "And Runa...What do you mean me and Astrid were close to kissing after our dance? Were you expecting us too?" Hiccup asked now.
Runa, Thora, and Viggo nodded to him as he and Astrid blushed bow. "You were so close!" Thora giggled. Hiccup face-palmed now looking at Alvin.
"Don't worry, I'll watch them today since yer mom is sailing back to Berk with Stoick." Alvin chuckled.
"Appreciated. Alright...Been a crazy morning already. Lets eat, Astrid?...Would you care to join me at the head table?" Hiccup asked gently, she blushed again nodding. Hiccup smiled and led her there as people began to eat and talk among themselves, many surprised that Hiccup had fallen in love again. Others wondering if he'd marry her eventually and have more kids, Hiccup knew that's what they wanted to know but right now it wasn't something he was considering. Yes he loved Astrid, but he loved Cami too and he just didn't want to rush it all.
(An Hour Later)
They were standing on the docks as Valka and Stoick boarded the ship to go back to Berk. Hiccup hugged them both, then Valka hugged the grandchildren. "Safe sailing guys. Keep in touch and you're welcome back anytime to see the kids and me." Hiccup waved as the ship began pulling away from the docks now.
"And you're always welcome on Berk too so don't be shy." Stoick called back. After 10 minutes the ship was out of sight and Hiccup's 3 kids went with Alvin to watch over the village since Hiccup was taking a day with Astrid, clearly seeing that both of them needed to talk after everything this morning and the night before.
"So...what now?" Astrid asked gently.
"You up for a fly?" Hiccup replied. Astrid nodded as she gave a whistle and Stormfly landed beside her, Astrid climbed on her back as Hiccup got on Toothless's. They both took off towards the island from the night Astrid talked Hiccup in to forgiving Stoick. There were a lot of unanswered questions, confusion, and things to be talked about and they knew neither of them would get to talk much on the island so after he made sure his kids were secure he decided it'd be best if they just went flying to talk in private about everything.
Astrid mainly wanted to know how Hiccup went from where he was to loving her suddenly, what had changed overnight? Hiccup wanted to know how long Astrid had feelings for him. They both wanted to know where it would go and other such things. It was a lot to talk about and thankfully they now had all day to talk about it.
(3 Hours Later)
The island was in sight and they both landed down on the beach area, they hadn't said much during the flight being it was still a little awkward. Astrid had noticed Hiccup wasn't wearing his ring anymore, or the necklace. She wanted to know why but didn't know if bringing it up was a good idea just yet. Both dismounting they sat down on the beach a few inches apart from one another.
"So uh...Where do we...start?" Astrid asked.
"Well I figured...we could take turns asking a questions. You ask, I answer and then I ask and you answer...and goes without saying we put everything out in the open. All questions are fair game, no limits?" Hiccup suggested.
"Okay...I can do that...you're the chief. You go first..." Astrid blushed a bit.
"And my rules as chief are that women go first. Being that its respectful so you go first..." Hiccup smiled at her. Astrid nodded, of course that she had the chance to ask so many questions she didn't know what to ask first. It was like her mind had drawn a blank. But this had to be done, Hiccup said all questions were fair game so this meant she could ask about anything. And that was her main question, which question did she start with. It was going to be a long day.