"Need help getting up?" Dagur asked with a grin. Iris scowled at him.
"No," she grumbled. "I'm not that big yet."
With a grunt Iris got up off the bedroom floor and stretched. Much to her and Dagur's surprise, Vivian had announced Iris was further along than she had known. During the event with Krogan she had been almost four months pregnant. Apparently she hadn't been keeping that good of track of her monthlies.
Currently she was five months along and already showing. That meant everyone on the island know about her condition and were over the moon. It had been decided the tribe would celebrate during the harvest festival. Which was this evening.
Dagur was over the moon excited. Just last night he felt the baby kick, which she had been feeling for the past few weeks. That caused him to spend half the night obsessing over her belly trying to get their child to kick him again. For some reason Dagur wanted them to kick him in the face. Something about being a fearsome warrior already. Iris had been tired and not paying attention to his rambling.
To keep her healthy Vivian had showed Iris some stretches she could do to keep from feeling tense. Every morning Iris did them which involved Dagur hovering and worrying until she was done. She tried to convince him to do the stretches with her but he always refused. Instead he'd tease her about picking her up off the floor after hearing stories from Vivian about how at some point she'd need help getting up thanks to her baby belly.
"Everyone is excited to celebrate," he commented as they headed downstairs. "Not that I blame them. That's their future chief in there."
"Chieftess," Iris added.
"Naw, chief regardless," he said with a grin. "If we have a daughter she'll still be chief. I'll kill any man that tries to get near her. Well, man or woman. Regardless they are dead."
"And if its a boy?"
"You'll have to kill everyone that tries to get near him."
"You are crazy," she laughed.
"Oh yes I am."
"Still love you."
"That's good! I'd be screwed if you didn't. I think everyone would rebel and side with you and kick me out of the tribe."
"I won't let them."
They had a quick and small breakfast, Vivian's orders for Iris, before heading out of the house. Enigma and Jager waited eagerly for them. Both dragons had to touch her belly before they could do anything so Iris made them wait for them outside. After almost setting the house on fire by knocking out a flaming piece of wood out of the fireplace out of excitement they weren't allowed to greet the baby inside anymore.
Behind them were the two untamed Fury Howler females. The male had bonded with her dad quickly but the other two had yet to find a human to fit their standards. Iris had a suspicion that the blue female wanted to bond with Vivian but for some reason didn't. Maybe she thought Enigma claimed her. Granted one would have thought the dragon would have realized that wasn't the case with how obsessed over Iris Enigma was.
"That's enough," Iris scolded when both Enigma and Jager rubbed their noses on her belly. She could feel the baby moving in what could only be described as excitement. "You are getting them too excited. Stop."
"They just want to say good morning," Dagur teased. "Right Jager?" The purple dragon gurgled. "See?"
"Anymore and I will pee my pants," she grumbled. "They have figured out how to kick my bladder."
"Ouch," Vivian drawled. "I don't envy you. You were the very same when I was pregnant with you."
The blue dragon perked up at the sight of Vivian. Dagur had instructed a house be built closer to his for his in-laws. Vivian had included a room that could be entered from outside for her office, healer quarters. There she kept all of her medical things. So they were always close by when not busy.
"Oh hello girl," Vivian said in surprise as the blue dragon approached her. "Aren't you the sweetest. Oh knock it off Enigma. You have Iris. Shoo. You chase all the dragons away from me."
"So you aren't dragonless by your choice," Iris teased.
"Nope. Yours keeps chasing them away. I really like this blue girl."
"Try bonding with her," Dagur suggested. Vivian just gave him a blank stare. "Here. Let me show you."
With a quick explanation and example, which Jager eagerly helped with, Dagur helped Vivian bond with her own dragon. It was quiet and simple as the blue Fury Howler already had her sights on Vivian. Only Enigma was against it but simply pouted by Iris.
"I'll have to decide a name for you," Vivian said as she scratched the dragon's chin. "How about Salvia?" The dragon purred. "Salvia it is."
"Congrats Mom," Iris said. "Now you get to have flying lessons like Dad!"
"I'm doing fine with those thank you very much," Jon grumbled as he walked up with his dragon, Blitz, following after.
"Now I get to join you," Vivian said eagerly. "I got my own dragon now! Salvia."
"Congrats honey."
"We better get going," Iris said. "Things to do, festival to organize, Vikings to keep from over stocking for celebrating. Mom I'd get a hang over remedy lined up. We're going to need it."
"I'll get something lined up for you to drink," Vivian said firmly. "None of that you've been drinking while you've been here. Not on my watch."
"Yes Mom. Bye Mom."
"So I have some maybe bad news," Dagur said cautiously as they walked away from her parents.
"Uh oh," Iris mumbled.
"Hiccup sent word yesterday evening that he wants to have a meeting about the threat this Trader Johan is causing," he explained. "He wants me there since Krogan is one of his men."
"When?"
"I'll leave the day after the festival."
"We'll leave the day after the festival."
"Oh no, no. You are in no condition to fly. I don't want-"
"I absolutely refuse to be anywhere without you. I am perfectly fine to fly. Don't you dare argue with me Dagur. I am pregnant and moody. You won't win."
"You're safer," he stopped midsentence as Iris glared at him. "Okay you have a point. Fine. But you're riding with me."
"Enigma is still coming with."
"Yes honey."
The rest of the day they were swamped by their tribesmen. Everyone wanted to know what to do, where to put what, how to do such and such, and overall just overly excited getting ready. By the time the Great Hall was decorated and furnished with food Iris felt exhausted. The work didn't dampen anyone's mood or excitement.
"You look tired already Chieftess," Ellie commented as Iris sat in her seat.
"I am," she groaned. "Everyone needed help and everyone had a question. I think they just wanted to talk to me."
"Who can blame them," Ellie chuckled. "You are a hero in their eyes." Iris stared at her in confusion. "Iris, you were kidnapped, tortured, poisoned, almost drowned, and rescue all while carrying the future of our tribe. Both of you are alive and well. There is no chieftess in our history who has faced such an ordeal nor any future chief or chieftess who has gone through that while in the womb. It is no wonder the tribe holds you in awe."
"Its not like I wanted all that," Iris said emotionlessly.
"That's not what I meant," Ellie said quickly. "Please, none of us wish that. All of us wish you hadn't gone through any of it. However you did and many are in awe of you. I didn't-"
"I know what you meant Ellie, I'm sorry. I'm just, a little sensitive. The whole ordeal was terrifying. Until I felt the baby move I was still terrified."
"I'm sorry," Ellie said softly. Iris gave her a soft smile that the widow returned. "How have you been feeling?"
"Good," she answered. "They kicked Dagur yesterday. He spent half the night trying to get them to kick him in the face but they wouldn't do it."
"That is why he is in such high spirits."
Iris just snickered. He had been walking on clouds all day after accepting the fact she was going to the Defender of the Wing island with him tomorrow. It wasn't any surprise everyone noticed. They probably fed off of his excited energy.
"How are my two favorite people?" Dagur asked as he walked up. Ellie had excused herself to go sit with her adopted children.
"Waiting on you," she teased.
"I had to talk to some clan heads. They wanted to ask about you and the baby."
"Oh gods I hope you didn't tell them anything weird."
"No I only told them I felt the baby kick last night. They are all excited!"
Iris shook her head as he leaned down to place a firm kiss on her lips. This caused the watching Vikings to whoop and cheer. She covered her face with her hands while laughing as Dagur simply raised his arms up in the air at the cheers. Finally everyone calmed down so Dagur could address them.
He spoke of how full the storehouses were, thanked everyone who helped in the fields, on the ships, in the woods, and everywhere in between. He thanked the gods for blessing them with a bountiful harvest and for a good growing season. With a large grin he thanked the gods for blessing him and Iris with a much anticipated child. That caused a cheer from the tribe and caused the celebrating to start.
"From Lady Vivian Chieftess," a young girl said quietly as she offered her a large steaming mug.
"Thank you," Iris said as she took it.
"I still don't think mulled wine would hurt you," Dagur grumbled as she took a drink of the tea.
"Do you really want to risk it after everything that happened?" He sighed and shook his head. "Then quiet whining and hand me a piece of that bread. It smells amazing."
Laughing Dagur filled her plate with all her requests. While she ate he toasted the tribe, drawing cheers from them all. Another Viking offered a toast which started a chain of toasts.
"May our chieftess give us a great leader," one Viking toasted. "With flaming red hair and hazel eyes!"
"Black hair with green eyes," one Viking shouted.
"Blonde with green eyes," countered another.
"Keep me out of it," Vivian shouted which caused everyone to laugh.
"Red hair and ice blue eyes," another shouted with a laugh.
"To a healthy child regardless of how they look," Iris countered as she lifted her mug. Everyone cheered to that and drank. "They'd fight all night over how our child will look."
"I think black hair with hazel eyes," Dagur teased.
"I like black hair and green eyes," she teased back. "I could stare at your eyes forever."
"Oh really?"
"Mhm."
"You are both weird," Heather said from behind them.
"Heather!" Dagur's face lit up at the sight of his sister. "You came!"
"Of course," the girl said with a slight smile. "After doing some thinking, I think its time I actually stay here where I belong. With my family."
She gave Iris a tentative smile which she responded with a smile of her own. Iris got up out of her seat and pulled her sister in law in for a hug. This startled Heather but she didn't fight. Instead she awkwardly hugged back. She knew Heather wasn't one for physical contact but she wanted her to know that she was accepted no matter what.
The interaction caused the Berserkers to cheer and begin toasting again. Once Iris let go of Heather Dagur took her place to give his sister a big hug of his own. Heather grunted, her arms trapped at her sides as he lifted her up. Iris couldn't help but laugh at the sight.
"You're going to pop her," Iris commented.
"I won't," he protested but put Heather down. "Come sit! Eat! We have more to celebrate!"
Everyone continued cheerfully celebrating everything. From the bountiful harvest to Iris being pregnant to now Heather deciding to stay home more permanently. Tribesmen started playing music which caused others to start dancing. Iris declined Dagur's request to dance and encouraged him to go drag his sister out to dance. As much as she did want to go dance, she was feeling tired.
"Ellie," Iris said as her friend walked by. "Can I steal you away for a moment? I want to go home but I know Dagur will be upset if I go myself without someone accompanying me."
"Of course Chieftess," Ellie said. "Do you need any help?"
"Nope. I'm good."
Bading everyone good night Iris and Ellie headed to the Great Hall doors. Dagur stopped her out of concern but she just explained that she was tired. She encouraged him to go back and have fun. Ellie would get her home safe and in one piece. Grudgingly he agreed, placing a firm kiss on her forehead before heading back to dance some more.
"Here Chieftess, the night air is cold." Ellie put a fur shawl over her shoulders.
"I'm fine," Iris argued.
"I insist."
With a groan Iris grudgingly accepted the shawl. She didn't want to admit it was a little chilly and the shawl did help. That would only fuel the overly worrying behavior from everyone.
They talked idly as they walked to Iris' home. Ellie talked about her two adopted children who settled in nicely. Both were doing well and were eager to start going to Iris' classes once they resumed. Iris was rather eager to start them again. It was better than sitting around doing nothing.
"Sleep well Chieftess," Ellie said.
"Thank you Ellie," Iris responded. She closed the door and heaved a heavy sigh.
Slowly she walked up the stairs, rolling her head to release the tension in her neck. Opening the bedroom door she heard soft peeping and mewling. It was coming from Shadow's nest.
"Oh my," Iris breathed as she peeked at the proud Night Terror's nest. "How adorable."
In the nest were two newly hatched little dragons. They were a perfect blend of Terrible Terror and Night Terror. Both were pitch black with their mother's stocky body but their father's longer legs and bigger wings. The undersides of their wings were a deep red much like Screechie's wings. Iris couldn't see their eye color but they didn't have the bugging eyes like Screechie thankfully. Iris loved the Terrible Terror but sometimes it freaked her out seeing him slap his eyes with his tongue.
One had a larger nose horn while the other had a much shorter one. Both even had little horn nubs on the back of their heads. Iris couldn't help but coo over them as they wiggled around.
"You two are going to be trouble," Iris chuckled.
Shadow chirped excitedly as Iris reached out and scratched her chin. The Night Terror was proud of herself, rightfully so, and deserved plenty of praise. She had been spending so much time guarding her nest. Now she could enjoy the fruits of her labors.
After giving Shadow a few more scratches and coos of praise Iris stepped away to change out of her clothes. The hatchlings had quieted down once they snuggled up to Shadow's side. They were going to have to be moved to a different room though. Iris could already predict them starting to scream and squawk for food in the early mornings. Tomorrow she could deal with that. Before they left.
