"Why didn't I see Jager?" Iris asked.
"Because I landed on the other side of the island and made him walk back," Dagur drawled. She rested her chin on his chest while he played with her hair. "I saw what happened. How could you let a tree of all things hit you? I thought I lost you when you didn't wake up."
"I was only out for a few minutes," she grumbled. "And I didn't even know it was coming down in my direction. It was cut to fall the other way."
"Those few minutes shaved years off my life. I know me suddenly appearing scared years off those workers' lives. Now they'll all think any time you get hurt I'll appear."
"Only for you to disappear before I regain consciousness. Did I mention that is so rude?"
"I didn't want to ruin the surprise. Once I knew you were okay and waking up I hid. Swore all of them to secrecy too. I liked those stories you were telling the kids too. I really liked the Snow White one."
"You'll be happy to know I made most of those up. Hey." She swatted at him as he pinched her butt. "Now I have to change the rest of the stories I grew up with. I like my versions if I'm honest."
"I like them too."
For a few minutes they were both silent. Iris laid her ear on his chest and closed her eyes as she listened to his heartbeat. It was almost as soothing as his hand sliding up and down her back. His other hand still played with her hair, running his fingers through it. All the tension she hadn't realized she'd been carrying drained away in his presence.
"Let's not have you leave for awhile," she mumbled.
"I can agree with that," he sighed.
"How long do you think it will be before people start looking for us?" Her finger traced the scars on his chest which caused him to giggle slightly.
"Oh I can bet that within the hour people will be looking for you," he drawled. "Me? Well, only a few people know I'm here and hopefully Rohan will keep most of the ones who don't know away. I did threaten to remove fingers of anyone who came barging in to bother us."
"You are terrible."
"Of course I am."
With a chuckle Iris snuggled closer to him. He had stopped moving his hand on her back but still played with her hair with his other hand. For some reason he was fascinated by it. Granted she rarely wore it loose but he'd seen it loose on other occasions.
"How is it so soft?" he mumbled, startling her. She had dozed off somehow.
"What, my hair?" He grunted. "I wash it unlike you who acts like water is acid."
"We would have been given fins if we were supposed to be in the water."
"And that's why I smell nicer than you and have softer hair. Do you think you'll ever grow your hair out?"
"It used to be long when I was younger. Had it all cut off when I went to prison though. For some reason they came up with thought I'd use it as a weapon. Well, I'd probably would have tried."
"Somehow I can't see you with long hair. I like it like this." She ran her fingers through his short hair. "It makes your features stand out."
He just snorted. They just idly talked, having random conversations about anything and everything. It wasn't even things related to the tribe or the fight against the Dragon Hunters. Just normal small talk as they basked in each other's presence.
They eventually fell asleep, still wrapped around each other. It was the first time since Dagur had left that Iris slept in their bed. Before it had been too empty, lonely and cold, but now it was the most comfortable spot in the world. Amazing how one person could change the entire atmosphere of a small room just being there.
"Three cheers for Chief Dagur!"
"Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!"
Three cheers for Chieftess Iris!"
"HURRAH! HURRAH! HURRAH! HURRAH!"
"Why'd you get four and I only got three?" Dagur teased. Iris rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him.
"They like me better."
The Great Hall was filled to the brim with Berserkers celebrating the victory against the Dragon Hunters. Even Heather was there sitting at the head table with them. She looked a little uncomfortable but overall seemed to be having fun.
The warriors who returned greeted their loved ones with the same enthusiasm as they had in battle, loud and fierce. The three fallen had been brought home. It caused a solemn mood that lasted as they were laid to rest on their homeland. However soon after the wild enthusiasm of victory took over the tribe.
Like every celebration there was plenty of food to go around along with drinks. The mead Iris had been working on was cracked open early, too early, and caused more than a few Vikings to fall over drunk. Everyone just laughed at them, dragons included.
Enigma and Jager had their places behind Iris and Dagur while the Windstrikers and Gronkles relaxed in the space they could find in the Great Hall. Their Riders tended to their every need before they threw themselves into the celebration. Even Windshear, who didn't usually like noise, partook in celebrating while staying by Heather.
The lone Windstriker who lost her Rider stayed close to Enigma. Enigma didn't seem to mind though. Instead she purred comfortingly to the mourning dragon and stayed attentive. Dagur had explained to Iris that the Windstriker was one of the much younger ones in the flock. That seemed to have triggered Enigma's mothering instincts.
Music filled the Great Hall. It caused some of the more sober Berserkers to get up and dance. The Icer tribe members that had joined them were drug out onto the open space that was the dance floor to dance. Iris couldn't help but laugh at their surprised faces seeing the Berserkers truly let loose like they did when outsiders weren't around. This also meant they fully accepted the fromer Icers as their own.
Arlx and his men were dragged out onto the dance floor as well. It seemed the month spent with Dagur and the other Berserkers helped change the men's' views on life here. They all were more willing to talk to women. Arlx even asked Ellie for a dance which the widow accepted politely. If they had been anymore polite towards each other they would have turned to stone. It was painfully stiff and hurt to watch.
The children Dagur's crew brought home were immediately greeted with open arms. The other children renewed the paused friendship they all had shared. It added to the lovable chaos happening in the Hall.
"I could get used to this," Dagur drawled. "Our people celebrating, my wife and my sister on either side, victory under our belts."
"We still have our father's journal to finish deciphering," Heather commented.
"Later," Iris said firmly. "Right now I want both of you to spend some time at home. As in, not running around like crazy people."
"I'll still have to help the Dragon Riders," Heather argued.
"That's fine. Anything else, no. I'll tie both of you up."
"That sounds like fun," Dagur laughed. Iris swatted at him while Heather groaned in embarrassment, her face bright red.
A black Terrible Terror shot into the Great Hall. It made a beeline right for Dagur, squawking as it did. Screechie shot from his spot by Iris and intercepted the other Terror with a screech. They grappled for a few moments before finally landing on the table with a thud. Screechie proudly sat on the other Terror.
"You are mean," Iris scolded the green Terror. She pushed him off, much to his disdain, and picked up the pouting black Terror. "What do you got hm? Dagur, it's for you."
"Throw it away," he exclaimed as he recoiled from the small scroll. "What if it's another call for help? I just got home! No! Don't!"
"Wimp," Heather laughed as Iris opened the scroll.
"Its Stoick," she said. "He's sending someone named Gustav and his dragon to get some guidance. He's causing a lot of trouble on Berk and Stoick just wants a break. Poor man."
"Well this will be fun," Dagur crowed. "Berserkers! We have a guest coming to stay awhile! Let's teach him the Berserker way of doing things!"
Their people cheered at his words. Iris already knew half wouldn't remember anything he said tomorrow while the other half wouldn't have a thing to do with the newcomer. From the way Stoick had written, it seemed this lad was a lot of trouble trying to help that wasn't needed. After going to war the last thing Berk needed was an unhelpful helper.
