THREE: Be Careful What You Wish For
In fact, when Hiccup and Fishlegs arrived downstairs, Stoick and Gobber were keeping everyone in line. Dagur and Mala were overseeing the vegetables, Snotlout had finished peeling and was stirring the gravy while chatting to Tuffnut about his girlfriend. Throk and Ruffnut were running around after their children, who were very bored and restless. Astrid and Heather were peeling hardboiled eggs and whisking up the mayonnaise for egg mayonnaise while plates of smoked salmon decorated with dill were being pulled from the fridge. Zephyr and Fink were buttering brown bread very enthusiastically and little Dagny was helping as well. Eventually Hiccup gently thanked them and got them to help him carry the starters to the Dining Room, which was now warm and light. The eggs mayonnaise and salmon were placed in the middle, along with the bread, butter, cranberry sauce, condiments and jugs of water. Hiccup checked the turkey and smiled as he brought it out of the oven then wrapped it in aluminium foil to rest. The rest of the vegetables were checked and the roast potatoes, parsnips, sausage meat and pigs in blankets were stored in the warming oven. Then Hiccup stood by Astrid at the door and smiled.
"Christmas lunch is ready," they announced.
The meal was wonderful, with everyone enjoying the starters and especially the magnificent turkey feast. Hiccup sat at one end of the table and Stoick the other. The others were ranged between them, though Hiccup carefully sat Snotlout between his father and Gobber, knowing they would take care of the injured man. The children were seated between the adults, chattering and joking. The crackers were pulled and everyone was wearing a paper hat. Silly jokes were exchanged and the selection of little gifts were passed around, inevitably all ending up with the kids. Everyone ate and drank until they couldn't manage any more.
After Astrid, Heather, Tuffnut and Mala had cleared the table, Stoick broke out a bottle of aged vintage mead and small glasses were handed round. The former mayor rose to his feet as everyone sat back, allowing their meals to settle before the pudding.
"Friends!" he announced. "Son, Astrid, Zephyr, Nuffink, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Heather, Dagur and Mala, little Dagny, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Throk, Letty and Theo-put that knife down NOW!-and my dearest and oldest friend, Gobber…" He cleared his throat. "I am usurping my son because this is the first Family Christmas that he has hosted and by rights, he should be the one to make the speech. But I hope he forgives me because someone needs to thank him for all his efforts in hosting this event with his wonderful family." He gestured. "As you can see, they have gone to every effort to make us feel welcome…even though, perhaps, none of us really deserve it."
There was silence.
"We were all invited and I know that Hiccup and Astrid really wanted to host a large family Christmas-but we all let them down. Some of us more badly than others…but as Christmas Day dawned, not a single person who had been invited for Christmas was here. But the little family spent the time with those they loved and who did not let them down. Yet as the morning went on, people began to arrive, each with their own tale of woe-plans gone awry, hopes shattered, disappointment most keenly felt. And every time, Hiccup and Astrid took them in-though some of us were better at humility and apologies than others. In fact, some of you have yet to apologise!" His eyes swept over the twins and Throk and the stern man winced. "But despite everything, I can honestly say that here, with my family, I have had the best Christmas since I lost my Val." He raised his glass. "To Hiccup and Astrid-the best and most generous hosts in all Berk!"
"To Hiccup and Astrid!" Everyone raised their glasses. Fink solemnly raised his glass of water and grinned.
"To pudding," he added.
Once the two magnificent flaming Christmas puddings had been brought in, eaten with brandy butter and brandy cream and not a scrap of food was left, everyone broke out and applauded Hiccup and Astrid, who determinedly applauded their guests in return. Zephyr shoved Letty over and handed Dagny's doll back to her, daring the other girl to make something of it. Fink tripped up Theo when he went to pull his sister's braid and the older boy found himself on the floor with the blond Haddock boy running off, laughing. The parents all ranged themselves by the fire in the living room, admiring the tree and handing out the presents that Hiccup and Astrid had thought they wouldn't get to deliver. Every gift was thoughtful and gratefully received and everyone relaxed with mulled wine, tea and hot chocolate.
Dozing slightly against Astrid's legs as she sat in an armchair, Hiccup frowned and lifted his head.
"It's very quiet," he murmured. "Where are the kids?"
There was a pause and Hiccup rolled his eyes-before he rose and headed up the stairs. He could hear childish voices and the tone suggested arguments. So he paused and then sneaked up to the door of his son's room.
"Get off!"
"Why? Only babies play with dolls…"
"You say that to my sister. She's twice as smart as you two put together!"
"But not as strong…and she wasn't able to stop us either…"
"Give that back!"
"No!"
"Soldiers should be ready to lay down their lives for their commanders…"
Hiccup walked straight in, his eyes flashing with anger at the words and seeing-as expected-Letty and Theo holding his son helpless while his beloved 'Thorstein the Soldier' burnt in the otherwise empty little cast iron fireplace. The older twins were laughing and taunting Hiccup's son as he struggled.
"Let him go-NOW!" Hiccup demanded through gritted teeth and the twins looked up-and then darted back from the younger boy. Looking around, he saw the usual flask of water on his chest of drawers and poured it over the burning toy-but there was no saving the 'Thorstein'. "Now what's the explanation for this?"
Letty and Theo shared a look.
"We were bored and you made us wait for our presents," Theo said without any contrition.
"So you think it's acceptable to destroy someone else's present?" Hiccup said in a low, angry voice. They shrugged.
"It's only a toy," Letty said.
"So why were you so upset about waiting for your presents? They're only toys," Hiccup snapped. They stiffened. "And what did you mean about Zephyr?"
There was a pause. So Hiccup pointed to the door.
"Zephyr's room. Now!" he snarled.
"Don't want to," Theo said sulkily.
"Right," Hiccup said shortly. "You come with me and Fink and we uncover what you did to my daughter or you and your parents and your uncle are out in the snow in five minutes time-and I truly do not care if you freeze or starve or get lost in the blizzard. Understand?"
They stared at him, eyes round in shock. No one ever spoke to them like this: their father deferred to their mother and Ruffnut tended to laugh at their pranks and tell them not to be so stupid as to get caught. In fact, she and her twin brother acted much more like friends and enablers than responsible adults around the younger twins. Heads down, they walked through to Zephyr's room, where Hiccup knocked and only entered when he heard the low voice of his daughter invite them in.
Zephyr was sitting on the rug by her bed, staring at a book without reading, her eyes red-rimmed and her face blotchy with unhappiness. Immediately, her father went to crouch by her and wrapped her in a hug-rapidly joined by her brother.
"What happened, Princess?" Hiccup murmured. Zephyr sniffed and gave an audible swallow.
"They threw my camera out of the window," she said. "When I wouldn't give it to them-because they mess up or break everything that they've ever touched of ours."
"Sneak!" Letty hissed.
"Liar!" Theo added but they stilled as Hiccup glared at them.
"This window?" he checked.
"The one in the bathroom," Zephyr said thickly. Hiccup rose, holding her hand and they walked along to the bathroom, then he peered through the window. He could see the point where the camera had landed in the snow-but the blizzard had meant the camera had a soft landing.
"It's water resistant and I think I can rescue it," he said. "But I think we may need to recruit a new Thorstein, Fink." Zeph looked up and grasped her brother's hand.
"Sorry," she whispered. Fink shrugged. Then Hiccup gestured and the four children followed him downstairs. He marched them into the living room and waited until everyone was looking.
"We didn't do anything!" Theo said hastily.
"Except made Loki proud," Letty added.
"No," Hiccup said grimly. "The moment the shops open, you are buying a 'Thorstein the Soldier'-I will give you the specifications. And the reason is that your cruel and bullying children grabbed Fink's and burnt it." Ruffnut rolled her eyes.
"Oh come on-it's just some high spirits…" she began.
"It's bullying and wanton destruction," Hiccup interrupted shortly. "They also grabbed Zeph's camera and threw it out of the window. In the bathroom. So they had to steal it, go to another room, wrestle open the window and throw it out. That's premeditated." Throk frowned and looked at his children.
"I am disappointed," he said.
"You gotta chill," Tuff put in lazily. "They're creative and need to be allowed to express their uniqueness…"
"Then they can do that at your house and break your things," Hiccup snapped. "The rest of the time, they are to remain at your side." Then he marched out before returning to the door. "Any more of this and you are all going to have to leave. I'm not having my kids bullied and their possessions destroyed because your children are nasty badly-behaved brats."
He was shaking with anger as he pulled his boots, mittens and coat on and let himself out of the back door. The blizzard was still swirling and he pulled the hood up, sticking to the side of the house for shelter as he reached the snowdrift and the dent left by the impact of the camera. Fortunately, it seemed to be intact as he struggled his way back to the back door, realising he was getting very cold and it had been a really stupid thing to do. But when he reached the door, it was bolted.
For a second, he rested his head against the door in exhaustion, before he hammered on it with his fists. But there was no sign anyone had heard because he knew everyone would be in the living room. So he inched along the wall of the house until he reached the living room windows and began to hammer on them. There was a pause and then the curtain was pulled back-to see Astrid frowning at him. He gestured to the door and scowled before he turned back. When he finally reached the kitchen, the door was open and Astrid hauled him in, before slamming the door closed.
"What happened?" she asked, Hiccup stared at her, shuffling to the range and resting his hands on the warm metal.
"Some joker bolted the door," he managed through chattering teeth. She stared.
"WHAT?"
"The door was bolted," he said slowly. "And I couldn't have done it." She frowned and then glanced back at the kitchen door.
"Tuff came out to get a drink of water," she said. "No one else left the living room." She rolled her eyes. "He wouldn't…" Then she growled. "You could have frozen!" He nodded and then fumbled in his pocket.
"Got the camera, though," he managed as she took it and carefully dried it using a tea towel. Luckily it switched on, though the lens was fogged up.
"It just needs to dry off and warm up," she said with a sigh. "Why, Hiccup? Why do they do it?" He hung his parka on the back of a chair and slumped down as she put the kettle on.
"I don't know-but both the kids are upset," he revealed. Astrid sighed.
"They headed back upstairs with Dagny," she revealed. "Letty and Theo are sitting with the Thorstons and whining." She poured him an instant chocolate. "Not a patch on yours, Babe. But what can we do with them?"
"Send them home if they upset our kids any more," Hiccup sighed and then sipped the scalding drink. "Am I a tyrant, Astrid? Because I felt like one when I was telling those kids off for destroying our kids' favourite Christmas presents."
"Babe-you were kinder than I would have been," she said, sliding down to sit opposite him. "I would have thrown them and their wretched parents out of the door already." He gave a small huff, his hands tingling as the feeling returned.
"There's the Valkyrie I married," he smiled. "It's still snowing. We could end up cut off."
"And stuck with them? Not even Loki would be so cruel as to do that to us," Astrid commented.
"I wouldn't tempt fate," he told her.
They returned to the living room where everyone was dozing or reading. Exhausted by the cold, Hiccup snuggled up against Astrid, the muted sounds of carols coming from the radio. And after his busy day, his eyes closed and he dropped asleep.
With a snap, the power went out. It had long gotten dark and the snow was still whirling around as everyone looked up, shaking awake those who were dozing. Hiccup looked up, blinking owlishly.
"Oops?" Dagur suggested. Hiccup sighed.
"I hate being right," he commented. "Astrid-would you mind getting some candles so we can see where we're going? I'll go start the generator." Everyone started at him. "Yes-I am prepared for most things," he said, fishing the flashlight out from its position behind the log basket. "Be back in a few minutes." Astrid and Heather shared a look and got up, heading for the cupboard-and then staring in shock at the empty shelves. Astrid looked fit to kill.
"Where are all my candles?" she snapped. Heather frowned.
"All?"
"We had hundreds," she explained through gritted teeth. "Though my brilliant husband…" She paused and opened the box marked 'carpet cleaner'-to find ten candles rammed in carefully. She fished a couple out, lit them and headed upstairs, her eyes flashing with anger. She arrived on the landing…and almost tripped over fragments of white wax. Suspicious, she lifted the candle-to see the shattered remains of countless candles stamped into the upstairs landing carpet. Furious, she stormed along the hall to find Letty and Theo throwing candles at one another in the gloom by the light of the little oil lantern that Astrid had lit at dusk in the window at the end. Swooping forward, she grabbed Theo by the ear and hissed in his ear:
"What the Helheim do you think you're doing?"
He writhed.
"We were bored," he moaned. Heather grabbed Letty's braid and held her close, making her drop the candle she was about to lob.
"So that gives you the right to steal and destroy other people's property?" she snarled.
"They're only candles!" Letty protested.
"Which we need because there's a power cut," Heather sneered. "Except you've destroyed most of them. And why did you stamp them into the carpet?"
"We were bored," Letty pouted.
"If you're bored, you go and speak to your parents," Astrid snapped.
"They told us to amuse ourselves," Theo sulked. "Everyone else was asleep so they thought no one would mind."
"You are already supposed to be with your parents and other adults at all times," she hissed. "Because you've already behaved badly and bullied our kids. And even if we wanted to, now we don't have enough candles to let you go anywhere else." She looked up. "Zeph? Fink? Dagny? Are you okay?" There was a pause as the three poked their heads round the door to Fink's room.
"Fink built us a castle for Dagny's doll," Zephyr said reassuringly.
"You okay in the dark?" Heather asked them. Zephyr laughed.
"We have battery-operated fairy lights in our rooms," she admitted. "Can we finish the castle and then we'll come down, Mom?"
"Dagny, honey-are you okay?" Heather checked, not releasing Letty.
"Zeph is looking after me," the little girl reassured her. "She's real nice, Auntie Heather. I wish she could be my sister." Zephyr blushed as Fink chuckled.
"You can have her," he said.
"Oy!" his sister protested.
"You buried me!"
"I told Mom where to find you," Zephyr protested as the adults grabbed a handful of intact candles and hauled the twins downstairs. They met Hiccup returning from the garage.
"Generator's working perfectly, so the fridge and freezer will be okay," he reported. "What's wrong?"
"These two hooligans destroyed most of our candles because they were bored," Astrid snarled.
"THROK! RUFFNUT!" Hiccup yelled furiously.
"The upstairs carpet has wax ground into it and there's pieces all the way along. They'll get trodden into everything," Astrid complained.
"And no vacuum to get them up," Hiccup said as the twins' parents arrived. Throk folded his arms.
"What have you done now?" he asked.
"Nothing," Theo lied.
"Destroyed most of our candles because they're bored," Astrid told him sharply. "Smashed them, ground them into the carpets, spread bits everywhere…"
"When they were supposed to be staying with you anyway," Hiccup snarked.
"Look-it's Christmas," Ruffnut said with a roll of the eyes. "Can't you cut them some slack?"
"I'll cut them some slack when I'm watching them destroy your possessions and vandalise your house," Astrid told her furiously. "But as we've got a power outage-probably because the snow has brought down the lines-we need those candles."
"You've got a generator!" Ruffnut protested.
"Which will power the fridge, freezer and central heating," Hiccup corrected her shortly. "However, your children and you will be using good old fashioned electricity-free dustpans and brushes to get up every scrap of wax from the carpets."
"WHAT?" Ruffnut screeched.
"Yup-your kids cause chaos, you don't bother to supervise them or teach them any manners or proper behaviour and you do not do what I just asked you to in directly supervising them at all times so you can help them clean up the mess," Hiccup said sternly.
"No-it's Christmas Day! You can't…" Ruffnut protested but Throk rested a hand on her shoulder.
"There is uncomfortable truth and justice in his words," he said sternly. "I have been weak because I supported you in indulging the twins. You wanted to give them the freedom you wished that you and your brother had as children, with no restrictions. But our indulgence has created two children who are badly behaved and disliked by little Dagny and by Zephyr and Nuffink. I have heard them both described by all three others as bullies and mean, which is a sad indictment of their characters and of our skills as parents."
Ruffnut stared at him and then she sighed.
"Right, you two monsters-up we go. We have work to do,' she announced.
"You can't make us do it!" Letty protested. "We'll…" But she got no further as her father hoisted her up in the air under one arm and grabbed her brother with the other.
"You were saying?" Ruffnut asked her smugly. "This is never happening again because I hate cleaning up and now that your Dad is on the job, he'll make us carry on until every speck of wax is gone. This is going to take ages."
"But it's boring," Theo protested.
"Sorry, sport-life is full of boring stuff-and if you don't do so many muttonheaded things, you would've more time to do fun stuff," Ruff grumbled. "Took Tuff and me until we were twenty to work that out. You are going to learn that earlier. But you have one other thing to say to Hiccup and Astrid first." The younger twins looked outraged.
"No way!" Theo protested. "She pulled my ear!"
"And Heather pulled my braid!" Letty added.
"Astrid could have cut your ear off and if you two little numbskulls don't apologise, we'll probably get sent home in this blizzard," Ruff told them shortly. "And we have no generator, no food and no heat. Hiccup and Astrid's house is cosy with loads of food and a few candles."
"Especially if you want a freesia and lilac 100 hour scented candle," Astrid muttered. "Thanks Mom." Throk looked up.
"I am sorry,' he said in his deep voice. "Your hospitality has been extraordinary and our children-and we-have behaved dishonourably. We will endeavour to do better."
"Hmm," Hiccup said, eyeing him thoughtfully. "Just make sure your kids don't destroy anything else please. Now can I check-for sleeping arrangements. Do you want the attic or the Cheese room?"
"The what?" Ruff asked.
"The Cheeseroom. As in cheese," Hiccup repeated.
"We'll take the attic," Ruff said urgently. "And the kids?"
"Oh, you're all sharing," Hiccup said with a smile. "You two, Tuff and the kids. I'm sure you can manage to put up the camp beds by candlelight…well, the light of one candle, since we're suddenly very short of them…"
"Point taken," Ruff conceded. "Okay, you monsters-cleaning time…"
As the quartet set off upstairs, Hiccup walked to find Dagur and Mala. Seated by the fire in the living room, they were warm and relaxed but both looked up as he entered.
"We heard," Dagur sighed. "We're in the cheesy room, aren't we?" Astrid looked over at Heather and sniggered.
"It may not be quite as bad as I made it sound," Hiccup confessed with a smile as the couple rose and followed him through the kitchen and along the door that led to the renovated outhouses. Hiccup had integrated them into the farmhouse and repurposed rooms which in a working farm would have been for making cheese and storing produce. The passage was cool but not cold as they passed a small door. "The shower room and toilet," Hiccup explained and they walked to another farmhouse door. "And here is the room…"
He opened the door to show a room with a double bed laden with blankets, a small single tucked against the wall which included the door….and the little fireplace already contained a dancing fire. The small window was already covered by warm, thick curtains and thick rugs covered the wooden floor. The room was cosy and not at all cold. Dagur stared.
"This is perfect," he murmured.
"Not cheesy at all," Hiccup explained. "Contrary to popular belief, I don't have a dozen bedrooms though I have maximised space and there are six bedrooms on the first floor. Snotlout is sleeping round the corner in the den so he will share the toilet-he needs to be on the ground floor with his leg. And the two sets of twins and Throk are safely in the attic." Mala smiled, then walked forward and kissed Hiccup on the cheek.
"Thank you," she said. "We will be far warmer and happier here than at home. I know Dagny loves being here with Zephyr and Fink-they seem very adept at stopping Letty and Theo picking on her." Hiccup smiled.
"I have an idea that may make them think pranks are not so much fun," he suggested with a smirk. Dagur grinned.
"Should I ask?" he said but Hiccup winked.
"You'll see in the morning," he admitted.
The evening wore on pleasantly. The older folk dozed, Heather and Astrid sat in the kitchen and had a long and frank talk and the others eventually rejoined everyone after completing their cleaning duties for a fierce game of scrabble and equally ferocious Cluedo tournament. The Thorston twins and Dagur played Twister and Hiccup hosted the Christmas Quiz, which Fishlegs won, with Gobber surprisingly in a close second. Also surprisingly, Zephyr came third and both Hiccup and Astrid were incredibly proud of their daughter. A traditional supper of turkey sandwiches, pork pie, salad, coleslaw, leftover salmon and cheese was served in the Living room by firelight and candlelight with mince pies for afters and everyone had as much (or as little) as they felt they wanted. And finally, after an eventful Christmas Day, everyone retired to bed. Hiccup checked Snotlout was okay and didn't need any help and his cousin was honestly grateful for the attention. Snotlout had been quiet at times, clearly thinking and Hiccup had respected his privacy, but as he turned to the door to allow his cousin some rest, Snotlout had stopped him.
"I really am sorry, Hicc," he said quietly. "You know my own father didn't even bother to ask me about the injury-and never said anything to Fartlout about it. He always said I was his firstborn, that he was proud of me and he would do anything for me…but he doesn't say any of that any more. I hear him saying that to Fartlout, though." He sighed. "I guess sometimes, it takes something drastic to see what is important. And I can see I no longer seem to be important to Dad."
Hiccup felt his heart lurch and he sighed.
"I am sorry, Snot," he murmured. "I am always here for you-even if you are an ass sometimes." Snotlout gave a tentative grin.
"That's true," he admitted. "But I am trying." Hiccup took a deep breath.
"Maybe in the New Year, you could see if Mindy wants to come up here with you for Dinner?" he suggested. "I know Astrid would love to meet her-I mean, your newfound peeling skills are awesome-and I'm sure she'd be interested to meet the scrawny cousin who you were going to spend Christmas with…"
"Thanks," Snotlout said, the gratitude in his voice genuine. "That means a lot to me."
Hiccup walked the house carefully, checking everything was in place. He peered into every room to check that all candles were extinguished and any that were left burning-and they had a couple-were safety enclosed in lamps. The fires were banked and should last to the morning and the radiators were putting out heat. Finally satisfied, he headed upstairs, smiling at the thunderous snoring emanating from his father's room. In between the loud sawing sound came the equally loud snuffling sounds from Gobber's room. With those two staying, it was never going to be a silent night.
Finally, he slid into bed beside Astrid. Curled up under a pile of blankets, her arm automatically found him and pulled him close as he snuggled into the warmth.
"I missed you," she murmured. He nuzzled her neck.
"Just checking," he admitted. Her lips stretched into a smile.
"Rest," she murmured. "My personal hot water bottle." He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around her.
"My fidgety Valkyrie," he slurred, sleep taking him.
oOo
His eyes snapped open and he saw blue-white light seeping into the room under the curtain. The room was cool but not unpleasantly so and for a moment, he allowed himself to relax. Then, slowly, he began to untangle himself from Astrid, who was wrapped around him like an octopus. As he moved, she tightened her grip.
"No," she whined. "Wanna stay here…" He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.
"And you can, Milady," he reassured her. "But it's light so the kids will be awake. And possibly some guests, so I need to make sure everything is still intact…"
"I can't smell smoke," Astrid mumbled. "So everything is good." Hiccup chuckled.
"If that's the definition of good-the house is not currently a blazing inferno-then I'm worried," he teased her and slid out of bed. He carefully tucked her in. "Rest, Astrid. I'll check the rest of them are okay." So slipping into his slippers and dressing gown, he headed quietly downstairs and towards the kitchen, finding-as expected-his father and Gobber sitting with huge mugs of tea and toast, both reading a hardback book each from the full length bookcases of old Viking lore and legends in the living room. Stoick looked up over his glasses.
"I was hoping you would have a lie in," he said calmly. "You looked exhausted yesterday." Hiccup checked the pot and poured himself a mug of only mildly-stewed tea as well. Gobber grinned and put some more toast on.
"You know me," Hiccup shrugged. "Never very good at relaxing…"
"Aye, well your friends do seem rather stressful…especially the Thorstons," Gobber noted. "They were shuffling and banging around a lot above mah room in the night. Hiccup cheered up.
"Were they? Oh good," he said and took a happier sip of his tea. His father looked at him carefully as Gobber placed toast in front of him and saw him spread it with good Berkian honey.
"Son?" Stoick probed. "Was this a plan? Lots of moving parts? Pretty complex?" Hiccup chuckled.
"No-more like knowledge of my family," Hiccup said as the door flung open and an exhausted-looking Throk walked in, followed by a dishevelled Ruffnut, a mildly disorientated Tuffnut and two grumpy looking children. Tuffnut blinked and advanced rapidly on Hiccup.
"You!" he said irritably. "You-you tricked us and made us want the awesome attic."
"And was it awesome?" Hiccup asked. Tuff glared.
"Actually it was totally awesome with the nooks and crannies and lovely views and even its own bathroom," he conceded. "But it's haunted!" Ruff nodded and the children both added their complaints.
"Weird noises."
"Scratching."
"Hissing."
"Bumping."
"Noises from the depths of Helheim…"
"And we couldn't even switch the light on to check!"
Stoick shared a look with his son while Gobber started laughing.
"What?" Throk asked, his deep voice stern.
"Or possibly one small cat looking for mice and a nice warm place to snooze," Hiccup suggested as Toothless strolled into the kitchen, gave a leisurely stretch and then yawned. Throk stared at the small cat as he sat down and began to carefully clean a paw.
"That cat?" he asked. Hiccup nodded. "That very small, very fluffy cat?"
"Yup." Hiccup confirmed as Toothless turned his baleful green glare on the man. Then he opened his mouth and gave the exact same yowling cry that had terrified the family half the night. "I don't think he likes you." Ruff shared a look with Tuff-and then burst out laughing.
"Well, that showed us," the female twin admitted. "Terrorised by a tiny fluffy cat."
"I fear it is all we deserved," Throk noted. "We have behaved with disrespect. Our children have caused chaos. The Norns found a way to repay our transgressions…" Hiccup was desperately trying not to laugh.
"We can never tell anyone," Tuff groaned. "We've always picked up on people's mistakes so if we finally admit to one…we'll never hear the end of it…"
"Tell anyone what?" Snotlout asked, peering round the corner from the Den.
"Nothing!" Tuffnut said quickly. "Good morning, my man! Can I get you a coffee? Toast? A small three course meal…?" By now, Stoick was laughing as well, a loud booming laugh that had Hiccup grinning and Gobber was looking for the frying pan to start some bacon. The arrival of Zephyr and Fink had people shuffling around to ensure that they as well as the twins, Letty and Theo, Throk and Snotlout could all just about fit around the kitchen table to enjoy bacon and eggs with toast. When the others finally arrived, those who had finished went into the Living Room, where Hiccup had revived the fire to ensure a lovely cosy feel. Finally, when everyone was awake, cleaned up and dressed, Dagur looked over the other guests and grinned.
"I think it's time for playing in the snow," he said, checking with Dagny.
"Only if Zephyr and Fink are coming," she said in a small voice. But Hiccup could see his kids were already in the hall cupboard, pulling their boots and coats on.
"We're coming!" Fink called. "Race you!"
"Hats and mittens as well!" Astrid called as Dagny tugged her mother's sleeve and was helped on with her coat, her face shining with excitement. Letty and Theo were first out, though Throk had to call them back to put their hats and scarves on-Hiccup noted that Ruff and Tuff had also forgotten their own warm clothes when they ran out to start pelting each other with snowballs like six year olds. There was a pause and Hiccup crouched by his daughter, presenting her with her digital camera, now dried out and thawed. Zeph smiled and flung her arms around his neck and gave him a huge hug.
"Thanks, Dad," she whispered as he hugged her back.
"Anything for my Princess," he said softly and released her. It took a few more minutes before everyone was wrapped up warm enough for the parents' satisfaction and they then shepherded their children out into the back garden and decided to start a snowman-building competition. Stoick, Gobber and Snotlout were staying inside, though watching through the Living Room window with meads and ales to keep them warm as Throk and his family immediately started to build a huge creation. Dagur and Mala began helping Dagny and Hiccup and Astrid crouched by their children.
"You want to build a snowman?" Hiccup asked his son. There was a pause and Fink nodded.
"Can I build a snow soldier?" the boy asked thoughtfully. Hiccup nodded.
"Maybe Uncle Fishlegs can help as well?" he suggested. "He's really awesome in the snow-and Auntie Heather can help Mom help Zeph?" Fink gave a more enthusiastic nod.
"You won't let Theo near my snowman, will you?" he asked and Hiccup felt his heart crack with sadness that his son-his sassy, brave son-had to ask this about another of their guests who had behaved badly. He shook his head.
"I won't let him anywhere near," he said firmly as they chose their spot and began to build. Heather, Astrid and Zephyr managed a fine fat snowman while Dagur and Mala helped Dagny build a four tier snowman. Fishlegs and Hiccup indeed helped Fink create a snow soldier while Letty and Theo made identical square snowmen with fangs and sticks for hair and eyes. Hiccup pointedly built a small snow cat that bore an uncanny resemblance to Toothless, who was curled up in the window, dozing. Eventually, after a sweaty and active hour or so, Snotlout emerged from the house, bundled up, to judge the snowmen. Winking at Fink, the man eyed the snow soldier and nodded.
"A fine figure of a snowman," he said conspiratorially and winked. "Reminds you of anyone?" Fink grinned. "Well done," Snotlout added and then moved along to compliment the others on their efforts. And idly tousling his son's hair, Hiccup was struck by how much his cousin had seemed to have grown up in the last year. The old Snotlout would have boasted that he could do better and would have put down the other efforts in order to make himself feel good: maybe his new girlfriend was a positive influence. Stoick emerged with a plate of freshly baked cookies and the builders eagerly downed them, warm from the oven, as Gobber emerged with a tray of mugs of hot chocolate.
"Not a patch on yours, Dad," Zephyr said loyally as Hiccup sipped his own treat.
"She's right," Astrid added, wearing a small cream moustache. "Yours are so much better."
"Really?" Heather asked, with an identical moustache. "Better than this? Wow! I need to try a Hiccup hot chocolate!" Blushing, he dipped his head.
"My Dad is far better," he said modestly.
"Actually son-no I'm not," Stoick announced, coming to break the last cookie in half and hand it to the children. "Those are my chocolates that your family are drinking…and it seems that you have surpassed me. As you should." He grinned. "I'm proud of you, son."
"SNOWBALL FIGHT!" Tuffnut yelled and pelted them with snow. Before they could respond, a huge snowball struck Astrid, splashing her chocolate all over her and smacking her full in the face.
There was silence as Astrid carefully handed her mug to her husband.
"TUFFNUT LAVERNE THORSTON! That was a dangerous thing to do!" she yelled. "I got splashed in the face with hot liquid-and you could have harmed my children. You are DEAD!" And then she charged the male twin. Shocked, Tuff hesitated for a second before running-but Astrid was quick and she launched herself, tackling Tuff to the snow and demolishing Theo's snowman. Unable to get free, Tuff struggled as Astrid rammed icy snow down his neck.
"Get off my brother!" Ruff shouted and threw herself at them-but Astrid threw herself back at the last moment and watched Ruff crash into her brother, burying them both in the snow. Then she proceeded to ram icy cold snow down both their necks, pinning them ably until they whined for mercy. By now, everyone else was helpless with laughter and Zeph and Fink were cheering their Mom on. Letty and Theo looked furious but couldn't do anything with all the adults , who had been taking pictures of all the snowmen and the teams, was snapping away with a huge grin on her face.
"Enough!" Hiccup announced, seeing Astrid readying another handful of snow to ram onto Tuff's face.
"Aww Babe-I was just getting into my stride…" Astrid protested, pushing the snow into Tuff's face. The male twin whined.
"Help," he whimpered.
"We have to be better than this-and set an example," Hiccup pointed out.
"I am setting an example," Astrid told him firmly. "Tuffnut spilled hot chocolate on me-scalding me, risking my children and depriving me of hot chocolate!-and let's not forget he maliciously locked you out last night when you went to get Zeph's camera. You could have frozen. He's thoughtless and selfish and rather spiteful and he deserves to learn that bad actions have consequences."
"But almost freezing Tuff is perhaps not the answer…" he suggested and offered her his hand. She frowned and then grasped it, allowing herself to be pulled to her feet.
"You're right," she said and sighed. "Children-what I did was not right. It is not acceptable to respond to a bad action with another one. If something goes wrong or someone hurts you, call an adult and they will deal with it. And no, Letty and Theo-that's not 'sneaking'. Only cowards and bad people think 'sneaking' is a bad thing because their wrong actions are being called out. If you do something wrong, you have to be prepared to accept the consequences-and sometimes they are severe. As your Uncle Tuff and Mom just found out. Because annoying me is a very very bad move. And though I shouldn't have shoved snow down their necks, they would have definitely faced consequences for their actions."
"Eh…I hate ter interrupt but I got some news," Gobber said, emerging from the kitchen where he had gone to fetch another chocolate for Astrid and a tea towel to wipe away the spill. "They're forecasting another storm this afternoon and saying the roads will be blocked-especially this side of town." The big man rubbed his prognathic chin. "Still, Hiccup and Astrid are generous hosts and they've plenty of food. Yeh all have beds and I'm sure you'll all pitch in chopping more wood and making sure we all remain comfortable…"
There was a pause and then the twins burst into life. Both scrambled up and shook the snow off them as best they could.
"That's bad news," Thork commented, looking at his wife. She and her twin were unusually focussed as they glared at him. "I believe it would be advantageous if we took this opportunity to head home before the storm hit. Do not think us ungrateful but sometimes, it is better to be in one's own environment and I feel we all need a conversation about behaviour in this family."
"Ah. You are, of course, welcome to stay," Hiccup said quietly though he had his fingers crossed behind his back. Ruff looked at him.
"Liar,' she said without rancour. "I think we need to go home-or your cat will make our lives a misery again! And in the New Year, we can go out and have a chat about all this." Nodding slowly, Hiccup sighed.
"That would probably be for the best," he conceded as they all stampeded inside. Dagur fell in step alongside him as the others headed to the door in a more sedate manner.
"We'll go as well," the carrot-haired man volunteered.
"You don't need to," Hiccup told him honestly. "I think Zeph and Fink like having Dagny here and she seems to like them." Dagur nodded, slowing down so they fell back behind the others.
"She does," he conceded. "I am sorry, Hiccup. I really didn't think-but I can see how much our actions hurt you. It's easy to take decent, kind, helpful people for granted and concentrate on those who are difficult and require so much more effort to keep under control."
"Throk's family," Hiccup guessed.
"Mala sees him as a sort of brother-they have been close for a long time-but I know she finds the antics of his wife, brother-in-law and children wearisome," Dagur continued honestly. "I know she has to work much harder to keep them under control and maintain her friendship-and we know we have no such issues with my sister and with you. I should have spoken to you the moment Mala told me."
"Yes," Hiccup said wearily. "But you can't undo that now. We all have regrets and I have known you for a long time. So we'll move past this-but don't expect Astrid to be happy with you for the next year or so." Dagur winced.
"Really?" he checked.
"Yup. No one can hold a grudge like my wife," Hiccup confirmed. "She hates anyone upsetting me because she knows I tend to put up with things."
"Story of your childhood, I recall," Dagur murmured. They were huddled outside the kitchen door, leaning against the wall and shielding from the wind-but it was clear that Dagur wanted to have a private conversation.
"Until my friends started behaving like friends," Hiccup admitted. "You among them." Dipping his head, Dagur blushed.
"I had been one of the worst until you helped me-you didn't need to but you did because you're a decent person," he sighed. "And that makes what we did so much worse." Hiccup reached across and patted his muscular shoulder.
"If I bore grudges, I'd be a sad and bitter man with no friends, family or happiness," Hiccup said honestly. "My life has had its challenges-as have all of ours. But I have people I love, people I care for and a home, warmth and work. I am grateful and I want to keep our friendship." Dagur sighed.
"Mala is pregnant," he revealed in a rush. "That's why she wanted to go to Caldera Cay. Because for the next few years with a new baby, the trip is too long. And we should have explained. I know she'll want to talk to Astrid and ask her help and advice because she knows what it's like to have two."
"So does Ruff," Hiccup pointed out. Dagur chuckled.
"Would you ask Ruffnut for any advice about child-rearing?" he asked.
"I think not," Hiccup conceded with a smile. "How far?"
"Three months," Dagur said proudly. "All is well so far. Would you let Astrid know? I know Mala has been trying to speak to her but it's not been that easy with everyone here…" Hiccup grasped his shoulders and looked into the buffer man's eyes.
"Stay. Please," he said quietly. "Dagny would love to. It will give Mala a chance to speak to Astrid-and we can have a longer chat. And things should be quieter with both sets of twins gone." There was a pause.
"Are you sure?" Dagur murmured. Hiccup opened the door.
"I think Astrid would kill me if I said anything different," he admitted and walked in. Dagur followed to find Heather and Fishlegs waiting.
"We should go," the husky man said without preamble. Astrid folded her arms and glared.
"Hiccup-please talk some sense into them!" she demanded.
"But…" Heather began.
"No," Hiccup said shortly. "You are very welcome to stay-but I won't keep anyone against their will. You two are our best friends and I would really value the chance to spend some time with you as adults…and now the children are going, we may have that chance. I just explained that to Dagur when he made the same offer."
"But Dagny…"
"I was referring to the two sets of twins," Hiccup said wearily. "Look, guys. I won't make you stay if you don't want to-but Gobber was right. We have loads of food, plenty of wood and fuel, warmth, booze and space." He smiled. "Up to you."
Dagur and Fishlegs shared a look and then they nodded.
"We'll help them dig their car out…and then we can settle down for lunch?" Fishlegs suggested. Hiccup nodded.
"I'll get the yak roast in and I'll ask Dad to make his awesome gravy," he offered.
"And Gobber to make his Bork's Heritage Punch," Astrid added, linking her arm with Heather's. Hiccup groaned.
"So we spend the rest of the day unconscious," he commented. Astrid winked.
"Only you lightweights," she challenged him. He grinned.
"Oh, it is on…" he said.
It took almost an hour to dig out Throk's SUV-Ruff and Tuff were little use and the younger twins had a snowball war during their efforts. In the end, Throk, Fishlegs, Dagur, Hiccup, Astrid and Heather all made sure that the drive was clear enough for the SUV to manoeuvre to the snow-ploughed road and everyone waved them off. And then they went back inside, overwhelmed by a sense of relief.
Almost immediately, the power snapped back on.
"It seems the Gods have smiled on you, son," Stoick teased his son as they headed for the kitchen. Hiccup nodded.
"I'll just switch off the generator and then the roast should be ready," he said. "I'll be back in a minute…"
Seated round the warm and beautifully-decorated dining room table, laughing and joking, congratulating Mala and Dagur on their happy news and sharing warmth and friendship, everyone seemed happy. Hiccup sat back, smiling. Pretty much everyone he cared for was here and all the irritations of the last couple of days had faded away. Every face was smiling and the three children were laughing-with no threats of bullying or destruction. Finally, everything was as he had hoped it would be. Finally at peace, he raised his glass to his friends.
"To friendship," he said. Stoick and Snotlout raised their glasses, shared a look and the younger man conceded to the former Mayor. Stoick gave a big grin.
"To Hiccup, Astrid, Zephyr and Nuffink," he said. "Happy Holidays to you. And to us all!"
The End.