Chapter 52: Beginnings and Endings

"I can't believe they left us behind," Ingrid grumbled while pacing back and forth in her hut.

"They didn't leave us behind," Eira said. She sat at her desk with paper and a quill. "They are giving us time to write an important letter."

Ingrid frowned. "Well, that's not very exciting." Hiccup was hosting a summit between their allies on Defenders of the Wing Island that night. Hiccup and Snotlout set off for Wingmaiden Island to fetch their leader while Astrid set up the summit with Dagur and the others. Eira and Ingrid had been tasked with writing to Haldor to request support in the war with the flyers. "How is it coming along?" Ingrid peeked over her sister's shoulder.

"Just fine. I've already informed him about the situation. Now I need to give a timeline of when to send support."

"Hmm..." Ingrid appeared thoughtful. "That's a tough one. It takes about a week to get here, but we have no idea when we will need help. If we ask him to wait for another letter, that means two weeks would pass before they get here."

"We will need help after either us or the dragon flyers obtain five Dragon Eye lenses. I could write a second letter after we obtain four."

Ingrid nodded. "That might work out."

Eira smiled. "Excellent." She resumed writing.

Ingrid bit her lip while mulling something over in her mind. "Uh, Eira?"

"Yes?"

Ingrid hesitated. "Do you think - do you think you could tell Haldor I want to stay here with you... even when I stop teaching Snotlout?"

Eira looked back at her in surprise. "Why? Are you almost finished?"

"No, not really. There's a lot more I could teach him. I'm just thinking ahead, and... there's no guarantee you too will stay together."

Eira frowned. "Ingrid, do you know something I don't? Did Snotlout say something to you?"

Ingrid internally panicked but masked this behind a smile. "No, he didn't say anything. Why, did he say something to you?"

"Well... he said we don't kiss enough. But it's not that he wants me to. He just thinks we should."

Ingrid relaxed slightly. She had to admit, she was surprised Snotlout had actually brought the topic up to her. Maybe he was learning. "Don't you think you should?"

Eira glanced at the floor. "I guess. We've been trying to practice, but it's hard to force it."

"You shouldn't have to force it. It should come naturally. You should want to be around each other a lot and do things like kiss."

Eira looked at her quizzically. "But you said it's more important that we get along."

"That doesn't make the romantic aspect unimportant." Ingrid sighed. Why was everyone twisting her words? "Look, it's true you can succeed in a marriage with merely friendship, but that doesn't make it the ideal. You're not marrying for a political alliance or because you're running out of time. You're young and free. You have the luxury of choosing someone with whom you have a strong friendship and romantic attraction."

Eira furrowed her eyebrows in thought. "You said it can grow, right?"

"Well, yes. Sometimes it takes time. Just make sure you don't take too much time. There's no disgrace in saying you gave it your best shot."

Eira nodded slowly. "I think I understand. Alright, I'll give it some thought. And I'll tell Haldor you want to stay."

Ingrid smiled slightly. "Thanks, Eira."

The two of them worked on the letter until it was finally completed. After handing the letter off to Squirt, they started for Defenders of the Wing Island. They arrived to find themselves in the middle of an odd scene. A blindfolded Dagur was being led across a lava bridge by Mala. Ruffnut and Tuffnut appeared to be coaching them while Astrid and Fishlegs looked on in amazement.

"Uh, what's going on?" Ingrid said.

"Dagur and Mala wouldn't stop fighting, so I tried to mediate between them," Fishlegs said. "It wasn't working, and the twins took over."

Eira stared at the two leaders. "I don't get it. What is this supposed to do?"

"I have no idea," Astrid said.

"I should have been here. I could have helped."

Dagur successfully made it across the bridge. Ruffnut quickly removed his blindfold and placed it around Mala's head instead. Mala then fell backwards off a cliff and was caught by Dagur. Oddly enough, the two of them did seem to be getting along quite well. In Ingrid's opinion, they were getting along too well.

"I can't believe this is actually working," Astrid said.

"I don't like it," Ingrid said, crossing her arms.

Astrid gave her a confused look. "Have you ever even met Mala?"

"No, and I didn't mean I don't like her."

"I don't think she likes me very much," Eira said sheepishly. "We didn't get off on the best foot."

Ingrid wanted to inquire about more, but a Terrible Terror flew down and grabbed onto Fishlegs' face. "Ugh, the face," Fishlegs groaned. "It's always the face." He took the letter, and the Terrible Terror flew off. "Oh, no. The dragon flyers have attacked Wingmaiden Island."

Ingrid and Eira exchanged a look. They immediately climbed onto their dragons and took off. Ingrid noticed Mala get on Sleuther behind Dagur. The group flew as fast as possible to Wingmaiden Island.

They arrived in time to enter the battle with the dragon flyers. Ingrid did not really know what was going on, so she just kept attacking the bad guys. Eventually, they were driven back and the island secured. Everyone regrouped on the ground.

It turned out the flyers attacked because the Wingmaidens had a Dragon Eye lens. Hiccup decided this was the best place to keep all of the lenses, so the Wingmaidens hid them securely. Everyone needed rest after the battle, so the summit was called off. Relieved, the allies returned to their respective homes.

"I know what you're gonna say," Snotlout said to Hiccup as they flew through the sky. "Somehow this is all my fault."

"Actually, Snotlout, you stepped up and helped Minden," Hiccup said. "You're a valuable member of our tribe."

Snotlout brightened. "So next time you have an important job, you'll-"

"You have to fight Astrid for it."

Snotlout looked at Astrid, who smiled and cracked her knuckled. "Yeah. You know what? I'm good. I'm great. You got it, Astrid." He frowned. "All good here. All good, baby."

Ingrid took the opportunity to fly near him. "I'm sorry I missed your big moment. I bet you were really cool."

Snotlout grinned at her. "Of course I was! And you were right. I can get along with people... with girls."

Ingrid smirked. "That's great." It seemed change was in the air, but she was not quite sure she approved of all of the changes.

The thin Viking woman looked all over Runa, who sat on the bed in her clinic. Dagur, Eira, and Ingrid looked on anxiously from the sidelines. The woman cleared her throat and spoke: "In my expert opinion... you are pregnant."

Runa stared at her, wide-eyed. "R-Really?"

"Viggo?" Dagur said.

Runa gave him a look. "Of course Viggo!"

"Wait, when-" He gasped. "In the forest? You two are wild!"

Ingrid rolled her eyes. "That's hardly the point here."

"I will fix something for your symptoms," the healer said before leaving the others.

"How are you feeling about this?" Eira asked Runa tentatively.

"Honestly... this is amazing," Runa said, a smile spreading across her face.

"But you and Viggo aren't exactly together," Dagur pointed out. "Won't this make everything complicated?"

"Maybe, but I don't care. I love Viggo, and having his child is a dream come true."

Eira watched her curiously. Something about the serenity on her face intrigued her. "What about your parents? Won't they be disappointed?"

Runa's smile never faltered. "I'm sure they will be. I can't keep living for them, though. For too long I've tried to meet everyone's expectations. In the end, they just want me to be happy and think they know the right way. If I strongly believe in a different path, shouldn't I take it?"

Eira wondered about that. She had to admit she found her courageous for taking this stance. And what was done was done. She glanced at Dagur, warmed by the smile he gave Runa.

"True love does conquer all," Dagur said, wiping a stray tear from his face.

"Are you going to tell Viggo?" Ingrid asked.

"I need to," Runa replied. "He has a right to know."

"I would wait on that if I were you," the healer said, returning with a cup of tea, which she handed to Runa. "He might believe you're lying to manipulate him. It would be better to wait a few weeks until you're showing."

Runa frowned. "Viggo knows I wouldn't do that."

The healer shrugged. "The chance of miscarriage is also high for another couple weeks."

"We do need to figure out how to meet with Viggo safely," Eira cautioned. "Tensions are much higher between our sides now."

Runa let out a defeated sigh. "Fine, I'll wait. But I will tell him. I don't know if it will change anything between us, but I have to give him the option."

Eira smiled. "I wish you all the best."

A soldier entered the clinic and faced Dagur. "Chief, your guest is here."

Dagur cast him a furtive glance. "I'll be there in a minute." He seemed almost guilty as he looked around at everyone but Eira. "Do you need me for anything else?"

"Yes," Eira said slowly. "I believe it would be a good idea for Runa to stay here on Berserker Island instead of Berk. It'll be safer since Berk is the clearer target. Also, Chief Stoick might not be so sympathetic to Runa's situation. I had to stop him from killing Viggo once."

"But I don't want to impose," Runa said, glancing at Dagur.

"Not at all!" Dagur said, back to his normal enthusiastic self. "We would love to have you. I'll make sure you're safe."

Runa gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Dagur. I appreciate it."

"Your guest," the soldier said tersely.

"You three can see yourselves out, right?" Dagur said. He started for the door without waiting for a response. "Runa can move in anytime tomorrow." And then he was gone.

The three Torvaldians exchanged glances. "Am I missing something?" Eira asked in concern.

"No, he's just being Dagur," Ingrid said a little too quickly for her sister's tastes.

"I wonder who his guest is," Runa said thoughtfully.

"Probably no one important."

Eira stared at her. She did not like this. "Ingrid, if you know something..."

"I don't. I just need to talk to Heather before I leave. You two go on ahead without me."

Eira was unsure what to say to make her sister spill, so she departed with Runa. She wondered at the uneasiness she felt in her stomach. Something was up with Dagur, and Ingrid knew about. She did not see the chief again as they set off on their dragons. She hoped everything was alright.

"We need to talk."

Eira sensed something different about Snotlout the moment he said those words. Yet, oddly, she was not nervous when he led her to the beach where they often relaxed. He stood facing the water with his back to her. She bit her bottom lip and remained silent, not wanting to break his concentration.

"I can't do this," he said at last, sounding like he let his words out as a sigh.

Eira's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

Snotlout turned around, and she could see his face contorted in reluctance but determination. "I mean this." He motioned between the two of them. "Us. It's not working."

Eira suddenly felt lightheaded. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you did everything right. You're perfect! And I'm perfect too, of course. But together we're... not perfect. Don't deny you know it too. You're just too nice to do anything about it. So, I'll be the bad guy. I'll make the tough decision. I'm breaking up with you."

Eira stared at him for a minute without speaking. She was surprised to feel... relief. He was right, of course. She had tried to deny there was anything wrong, but not that he said it, it could not be ignored. Still, she felt some sort of duty to try to salvage the relationship. "Snotlout, just because things aren't working now doesn't mean they couldn't get better."

Snotlout shrugged. "Maybe, but at what point do we stop? At what point do we risk missing out on something great because we're pursuing something that's not?" He sighed and moved closer to her. "Listen, I do think we're good together... as friends. And I think that is why I tried so hard to be with you. You're the best friend I've ever had, Eira. You've always had my back and helped me grow in ways I didn't think possible. So, when Dagur suggested leaving with him, I sort of panicked. I didn't want to lose your friendship. The only way to compete with Dagur seemed to be romantically... because if I tried to get you to stay out of friendship, I would have to admit I was being selfish. I would be no better than the twins trying to keep each other from finding love."

"Snotlout..." Eira reached out her hand and touched his shoulder. "You're the best friend I've ever had too, and it's not selfish to want to hold onto that. A strong friendship can compete with a romantic interest. Honestly, if I had chosen Dagur, I do not think I would have left right away. I have a duty to you and the other dragon riders. I'm not just going to abandon you."

A small smile formed on Snotlout's face. "Thank you, Eira. I'm glad to hear that. But eventually we will have to part... and I have to let you go. I've been afraid you will go out and leave me behind, but I've realized I have just as much of a chance at finding love as you do. I could find something really awesome, and I don't want to miss out just because I can't let go of something that's safe and comfortable. You shouldn't either. We both deserve to spend some time looking for an out of this world relationship before settling."

Eira dipped her head in acknowledgement. "You're right. I've been afraid as well. But if I'm holding you back, then I'll stop. We'll continue to help each other as friends."

"Good."

Eira smiled when he hugged her. This time, it felt right. Pulling back, she looked at him curiously. "How did you figure all of this out? It sounds like you've done a lot of thinking."

Snotlout nodded. "And talking... with Ingrid. She's pretty smart, and she knows both of us quite."

"Ingrid?" Eira remembered recent conversations with her sister. If she didn't know any better, she'd say she planned all of this. "I'll have to thank her for helping us work through this." She paused. "Earlier I asked Haldor to let her stay with us regardless if she's helping you, so don't worry about her leaving."

Snotlout looked around, trying hard to appear uninterested. "Oh, that's nice."

Eira chuckled lightly. She would have to have a conversation with her sister later. "Do you want to go spread the news? I'm sure everyone will love to hear how you broke up with me."

Snotlout brightened. "Let's do it!" He ran past her, and she laughed as she followed close behind. Who knew breakups could be so liberating?

A/N: Well, there you go. ;)