"And before the witch could react, Snow White drew her sword and stabbed the apple out of her hand," Iris said. She stabbed at the air before her as the children that sat around her stared in awe. "The juice from the apple coated her sword and she stabbed the witch's shoulder as well. Before anyone could react the witch gave a loud shriek! She collapsed to the ground, the sword wound smoking like a Murderous Nightmare. The apple had been poisonous! The juice from the apple killed the evil witch!"

The children stared at her wide eyed, absorbing every word she spoke. Iris had gotten hit in the head by a falling tree branch. It wasn't enough to cause any damage but it had enough impact to knock her out momentarily. After that, she wasn't allowed to help harvest lumber or do anything strenuous. So Elder Rohan asked her to watch the children as their parents worked.

"With a yell Snow White stood over the evil witch in triumph! The illusion that had been on the witch faded to expose that it had in fact been the Evil Queen like Snow White claimed. The smug prince groveled at Snow White's feet, begging for her forgiveness for not believing her."

"Don't do it Snow White," one little boy yelled as he jumped to his feet. "He's evil!"

"She heeded your words young Trevor," Iris said with a grin. "Instead she banished the smug prince from her newly claimed kingdom. She became queen over her father's former lands and ruled righteously with the huntsman by her side, her ever loyal friend and protector."

"Who did she marry?" one girl asked.

"No one. As far as we know. No one knows if Queen Snow ever married a man or if a man ever existed that could compare to her. The only man that could was the huntsman but he already give her his life as a sign of his ever unwavering loyalty."

"She must have married the huntsman," another girl said eagerly. "He is the only man who was worthy and he already pledged himself to her!"

"I bet she married a dragon," a boy yelled. That got boos from the other children.

"Do we want another story?" Iris asked. The children yelled yes in unison. "What kind of story do we want?"

"One about Vikings," Trevor yelled. That caused a commotion among the children.

"Hm I don't know," Iris said slowly. "I don't know many Viking stories." The children pouted. "I know one though about a big scary man and his loyal donkey friend who went on an adventure to save a princess for a king." That got their eager attention.

Iris spun the story of Shrek to a more aggressive story that would suit their usual tales. Already she had changed the story of Snow White, the Little Mermaid who ended up being a warrior mermaid with a Scauldron sidekick, and Cinderella who was a pirate princess that left her evil step mother to ruin her business while avoiding a crazy pirate who loved her feet. It was actually a lot of fun. It made her use her mind and quick thinking to change the stories.

"Together they cut down the king, left the kingdom to the people, and retreated to the wilderness to enjoy a happy peaceful life together. Donkey was crowned king with his Night Fury bride and a time of peace fell over the kingdom."

"A donkey can't marry a Night Fury," one girl laughed.

"In this story they can," Iris teased.

"What's a donkey?" one boy asked. Iris laughed and explained. "Oh! Leah is right! A donkey can't marry a Night Fury!"

"Tell that to them and their six Night Fury Donkey babies," she drawled. "Alright that's enough for today. Oh don't you all whine. There's tasks to be done. I bet none of you have done your chores for the day." A lot of guilty faces stopped whining at her words. "I thought so. Shoo. Tomorrow I will tell you more stories."

Eagerly the children scattered. Iris shook her head with a smile. They were good kids, eager to learn and listen to stories. She had been playing with the idea of starting a school to educate them but their parents were doing a good job. All of them could read and write as well as basic math. There wasn't much a school could do that their parents already did.

"Is it tomorrow yet?" Iris asked with a groan.

"No," Rohan answered. She groaned but he just tsked at her. "Now now Chieftess, even you and I are bound to the time of the sun. No matter how hard we try we can't make time go faster."

"They're returning tomorrow," Iris whined. "It's been almost a month! I'm ready for my husband to be home!"

"Everyone is eager for them to return," he soothed. "A celebration is in order for their victory over the Dragon Hunters!"

"I know and I'm not allowed to help," she grumbled. The elder sat next to her with a laugh. "Don't laugh! I should be helping prepare but instead I get to watch the kids and do nothing."

"Chieftess you have done plenty," Rohan soothed. "Our storehouses are brimming even without this year's harvest. Everyone's spirits have been kept up thanks to you and your ideas. You have even started projects that I didn't think would start until next year! The port on the southwest side of the island already has the groundwork completed. Everyone agrees, you have done plenty."

"Everyone says that, you say that, Ellie says that, Ingrid says that, but there is still more I should have gotten done! The hives should be better stabilized by now but we still have to watch out for swarms, the chicken eggs should be hatching by now, and I know I could have tweaked the mead recipe."

"Chieftess, you would work yourself to death if we let you."

"At least I stopped crying every two seconds. That was getting embarrassing."

With her drastic mood swings, Iris had worried that she was pregnant already. However her body let her know that wasn't the case. Ingrid had told her it was from the stress of being a newlywed without a husband around. It sounded illogical but it helped Iris not feel too crazy at least. Keeping herself busy was the best remedy in the end.

Ellie had agreed to her pleading and taught her how to use a sword. Every morning she met the widow to practice. Right now she only had a wooden sword, Ellie didn't trust her with anything else without Dagur present, and mostly practiced her stance and how to swing. In the evenings after everything was done Iris would practice by herself in hopes she would get better faster.

After his first letter Iris didn't receive another until a week ago letting her know they were heading home. It had been a hard fight with a few casualties but overall victorious. He promised to tell her everything when he got home but Iris already know most of it thats to the report that was sent to her from Stoick's people.

One of the Windstrikers had been hit and crippled, their Rider killed. It handled the loss of its Rider poorly which caused Dagur to have to imprison it below deck in one of the dragon cells. Two other crewmates were killed but their fellow Berserkers got revenge. They took down a good chunk of the Dragon Hunter fleet, eliminating both turncoat families.

After the battle, Dagur had ordered his ships to return to the Dragon Hunters base where the two families civilians were. He had informed them their people were dead and they could chose to come with him or stay. None of the women came with but the orphaned children did. Thirteen children from the ages of four to eleven came home with them.

Iris had discussed this with the Elders and family heads. The children needed a place to live, that much was obvious. Who would take them was the problem. Surprisingly enough it was the widows who offered to take in the children. Ellie was one of them.

"They shouldn't bear their parent's sins," the widow explained. "We all agree with this. None of them caused the deaths of our husbands. The ones who should be blamed have already paid the price."

That problem was easily solved and quickly settled. Iris made sure to let the six widows know to let her know if they needed anything. No matter what she would do her best to solve it and get it to them. They simply chuckled at her words.

"You should go get some rest," Rohan said. He stood up and patted her shoulder. "Even Enigma looks tired. Go rest. We will take care of everything."

"If anyone sees any ships," Iris started.

"We will send word," he finished. "Now shoo. Get some well earned rest. Things will be hectic once the fleet returns."

With a sigh Iris listened to the old man and headed to her house. Enigma followed after her, pushing her head under Iris' hand. She gave the dragon a good scratch before nudging the door open. Someone was inside.

"Who is-" The figure turned and grinned at her. "Dagur!"

She launched herself at the laughing redhead. Frantically she kissed him, running her hands over his face to make sure he was real. His skin was warm and his arms around her were solid. If this was a figment of her imagination it was far too convincing.

"Is it really you?" she asked breathlessly. She still ran her hands over his face, feeling his scar against her palm.

"In the flesh," he said huskily.

"But you said-" He cut her off with a heated kiss.

"I wanted to surprise you so I flew in on Jager," he answered. "Odin's beard I missed you. I've never missed someone so much before."

"I missed you too," she said. Oh great here came the waterworks. "Shit. Sorry."

"Go ahead and cry. I know you missed me."

His gentle words broke any resistance she had. With a sob she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his shoulder. Dagur was back. Her crazy deranged husband was finally back. In one piece.

Still crying she pulled him closer. She kissed his cheek a few times before he turned his head to kiss her. Her tears still fell but she didn't care. He was home.

Easily he picked her up and carried her upstairs. She kissed his other cheek and his nose while sniffling. He tried to place her on the bed but she refused to let go.

"No," Iris sniffled. "If I let you go you are going to leave again. Absolutely not."

"I'm not going anywhere," he murmured. "But I want to feel you in my arms without all this armor. I want you."

"Oh." She fully realized what he meant. "OH!"

With a chuckle he set her down on the bed again. He wasted no time taking his armor off, exposing a well muscled body for her to stare at. She blushed, feeling shy, but yelped in surprise as he literally pounced on her with a dangerous grin on his face.