Hiccup lifted his head, though he kept his arms around Astrid. She lifted her head, but she did not let him go either. She still did not know how she managed to channel that power. She only remembered wanting Hiccup's pain to ease. It hurt her to see him in so much pain. He did not deserve to feel pain and she wanted it to stop. That had been the only thing on her mind as she set about massaging his leg. She wanted to help. She wanted her touch to ease his suffering. This repeated in her mind over and over until the world shrunk to just her and him.
His horror filled cry of Gyda's name, snapped Astrid from the momentary lull she had fallen into. Her eyes widen as the green color Gyda said was associated with healing coated her hands. Her breath froze in her chest as warmth flowed down her arms and pooled into those same hands.
Then the buzzing in her head started. Being yanked up and away from Hiccup did not stem the noise. His snarl did bring a moment of clarity. The look on Hiccup's face was one Astrid would never forget. He stared over Astrid's shoulder at the one who held her and his glare promised a painful death. Then Gyda's voice echoed and Astrid felt calm wash over her. Gyda was there. She had saved Hiccup. She had kept him alive when his magic rose. She would make sure Astrid survived as well. Astrid was sure of that and she saw when Hiccup realized it as well.
All through listening and following Gyda's instructions, Astrid knew everything would work out. She knew she would survive. Hiccup's arms around her, the dragons and humans standing with her, they all told her that. They all spoke a language no ear needed to hear. The magic that rose from her soul would not take her from her family, her flock. It would not separate her from man holding her close. Hiccup was still fifteen but no less a man. He was her alpha and her future husband. The magic was not strong enough to break that bond.
Onyxwing's explanation made her want to rise, to traverse the stone floor, and smack the dragon as her mother smacked Stoick that day in Gyda's gave. Gyda's order to rest and remain and Hiccup's arms as iron around her prevented her from doing that.
Hearing Onyx's words now, Astrid knew she had to move. She knew she had to do something. He had put many people's lives in danger, Hiccup's included, but she could see he had done as he thought was right. He had done as agreed upon by he and those around him. That he son chose to die tugged at Astrid in a way she never thought a story would.
She stood even as Hiccup's hands and arms tighten but ultimately released her. An elder relative on her mother's side of the family would cry that he was being possessive. That he would act to prevent her from doing anything at all. They were sure of this. They had seen it too many times by other men. Astrid knew better. Hiccup held her out of a lingering fear over her almost dying. His letting go meant he trusted she knew when she was ready to move, ready to act, ready to defend, ready to assure an old dragon who had seen too much and upon whose wings rested much more.
Gyda tipped her head and moved away at Astrid's gesture. Astrid grinned slightly. Gyda was the oldest of their group and if Skulder had not been invited by Toothless' father to sleep in the royal chambers, she would have been the oldest of the humans in the cavern. She was their sensei. She was Ruff and Tuff's trainer for something she called alchemy. She was Hiccup's master in mage training, and probably would be Astrid's now as well. Yet with all of that, she still accepted the rank Astrid held as Hiccup's promised. It amused Astrid and at the same time humbled her. Gyda continued to show her loyalty at every turn. The ill thoughts Astrid held of the woman back in her cave when all of this started were far too petty in the light of all that had happened since that day.
Astrid got Onyx's attention. She glanced over her shoulder at Hiccup and smiled. She kept her gaze upon her promise and lifted her hand, palm facing the dragon. She heard the murmurs from human and dragon alike. She ignored them. Her focus rested upon the widening of green eyes she loved staring into. Upon the slight dropping of a jaw her lips had caressed on many occasions and would continue to caress for the rest of their lives. Upon the feel of warm scales pressing into her hand. With a wink to Hiccup, Astrid turned to Onyx and began scratching the dragon's nose.
"Then we should not let his death be in vain. Where's the first test?"
They slipped through the wide gap the twins demonstration cracked open. Hiccup walked with Toothless to his right and Astrid to his left. Stormfly paced Astrid on her right. Hiccup glanced down at the hand entwined in his own. That same hand had in one moment erased every question and doubt he held over Onyx, Sunburn, and Silent after their small explanation. Astrid, being willing to forgive, went a long way to ease the anger Hiccup felt coursing through him.
His own death due to the magical barrier would have only caused him a small amount of grief and that would be because his death would hurt those left behind and taken Toothless far sooner than Hiccup was willing to let happen. That the same barrier could have caused Astrid to die… Hiccup wanted to find Onyx's rider and demand satisfaction with a duel that would not result in a holmgang.
Astrid's forgiveness and acceptance of what Onyx had told them, drained Hiccup's anger. His queen had made her decision. He had sworn to back her in all things and he had kept that vow by allowing his anger to fade. Once it was gone, once the desire to lash out at those who almost took Astrid from him had calmed, Hiccup saw not a dragon that chose the wind he flew on a whim. Hiccup saw a dragon who had lost much. He saw a dragon who had sacrificed much. He saw a dragon who bore a burden none should really have to bear. Sadly, a burden some seemed destined to bear.
His father and the Changewing king both warned him that as a leader of men, as a leader of dragons, he would have to make choices and decision that would haunt him for the rest of his life. They said those choices, those decisions, would be hard but would ultimately keep those he was called to lead and to protect safe.
So, Hiccup had joined his queen at Onyxwing's side. He had given the dragon the same choice she had. When Onxywing's nose pressed into his palm, Hiccup had leaned closer and gave the dragon forgiveness.
Now they were within steps of the first test. Hiccup felt the hairs on the back of his neck begin to rise. He at first thought that was due to the excitement of everything until he heard the low buzz and recognized it.
He stopped, holding his right hand up. Everyone with him stopped as well. Gyda scooted around Stormfly, coming into Hiccup's line of sight. She stared down the corridor for a heartbeat then turned and tipped her head at him. Her gaze then fell upon Astrid. Hiccup would have smiled had the situation not had him so anxious. He knew the look on Gyda's face. Astrid would get one of her first proper magic lessons right now. Hiccup gave her hand a gentle squeeze, reminding her that he was there. Reminding her that he had her back and would always have it.
Astrid smiled and with a toss of the hair that fell over her left eye, faced the mage, back straight and ready for anything. Hiccup could not be more proud of her than at that moment.
Literally Nobody: You're welcome. Yes, Onyx had a son. No, Sunburn was more of an aunt to his kids. Aye, he did sacrifice himself. Yes, it is a memory whose jagged edges still rip and tear. The Bewilderbeast has a reason for what he does. His reasonings being acceptable or not is something I'll leave to all of you when we get to that part. Hiccup has to finish a few tests designed to show his character. The power he holds and can wield demands to know who he is and how he will respond. He has already gone through a few of those tests. There are just a couple he needs to do now. Huh, you're right about that cause Gyda has brown hair and brown eyes. Interesting. Have a good day/night and Happy Easter to you too.
Kirika: Hehe, you have the right idea. Comfy chair, popcorn, smart. And if you liked that moment, you probably love this new chapter.