Chapter 4

Preparations

Astrid pulled on Hiccup's shoulder and started down the hard dirt path. Hiccup threw a glance at the cliffside again. The twins and Snotlout wandered off, talking in excited whispers. Meanwhile Fishlegs had sat again, hanging his legs off the cliff and brandishing his charcoal pencil as he made notes about the… Mesians? Mesites? Cadrites? What would you call one of the foreigners from Mesa del Cadre?

Hiccup turned back to the path, but didn't pay much attention to where Astrid was leading her. She wondered what perspective this foreign lord — Kiefer — wanted from her. It had to be something to do with her status as a Dragon Master, right?

They arrived in the cobblestone circle near the back of the village and Astrid went straight to the well in the center. She drew three buckets of water and, while Hiccup struggled to carry one against her chest, carried the remaining pair to the nearby bathhouse. Hiccup was nearly out of breath when they arrived and practically dropped hers once they were inside. There had to be a better way to get water to the bathhouse!

Astrid opened the shutters on the windows, allowing the afternoon sun to flow inside. "Strange that your dad wants you to wash on a Wednesday, but — " She motioned at the three wooden, wax-sealed tubs. "At least that means we've got the place to ourselves."

Hiccup had already sat on the lip of the center tub and started untying the prosthetic attached below her knee. She sighed in relief when it came free. It didn't really hurt, but it was nice to let off the pressure. She set it against the wall as Toothless followed inside. He sniffed at it.

While Hiccup undressed, Astrid took her hair and unraveled the braid. "Did you wash this on Saturday?"

She shook her head. "I usually only wash it every month. I think I was going to wash it next Saturday."

She set her clothes aside and slid back into the empty basin. Astrid moved behind her and fluffed her hair. "Well, if your dad wants you to clean up, we'll have to get this done, too. Close your eyes."

Hiccup gripped the sides of the tub and braced herself while Astrid hefted up a bucket. The next moment a wave of frigid water crashed over her head like a hammer of ice.

She hugged her violently shaking shoulders in a futile attempt to keep warm. "Odin's ghost, that's c-cold!"

Toothless shot a burst of flame into the floor, warm air cresting over her. A thin wisp of smoke sizzled from the still glowing stone. "T-Thanks, bud," she said through still chattering teeth.

Astrid took a thin necked ceramic bottle down from a wall shelf and poured its oily contents onto Hiccup's hair and massaged it into a lather. She stopped for a moment to slap Hiccup's arm with the back of her hand.

"Stop picking at it!"

She stopped scratching her stump. It always tingled oddly when it got wet. Sometimes she could swear she felt the water running down her missing leg.

Astrid sighed as she returned to her hair.

"It's weird though, isn't it? He didn't make you get cleaned up when the Berserkers came for their visit."

"Ew." Hiccup cringed and frowned over her shoulder. "I'm going to need to scrub just to clean off that thought."

She reached for a yak tallow and a linen washcloth and got started. It took her a moment to realize Astrid had stopped kneading and was giving her a questioning look.

She rolled her eyes. "Dad knows I'd never marry Dagur the Deranged."

"Oh." Astrid laid a soapy hand on her bare shoulder. "Is that what this is about?"

"Yeah. Dad's hinted at it once or twice." She shrugged, adding, " — a day. Ever since my birthday."

"Oh that's right, I keep forgetting you're of age."

Hiccup stopped washing and glared at her friend.

"Don't give me that look. You're tiny, it's easy to forget how old you are."

She shook her head and went back to washing as Astrid continued with her hair.

"So I guess Lord Kiefer impressed your dad then."

"Oh, Dad's suggested men he hasn't even met," she said in a long suffering tone. She affected a faux-deep voice, "'How about that new chief of Sunken Bluffs? Chief Sorge says he's a great guy!' Yeah, 'cause I want to live a month away married to a guy I've never met. Great idea!"

"He's just looking out for you."

She dropped the yak tallow and spun around, pulling her hair from Astrid's fingers. She seized the sides of the tub and glared into Astrid's eyes.

"I'm a dragon rider! A Dragon Master, he called me! Yet he says I need someone to protect me! Who could possibly be better than Toothless?"

Said dragon looked up from where he laid guarding her clothes and fake leg. Astrid glanced at him and kept her voice low. "A human protector and a dragon one are very different."

Hiccup sighed and turned back around, snatching up the tallow and scrubbing her arms with it. It was just so frustrating. What did she need to do to prove herself? "I don't see anyone demanding you get married."

"Ma does hint from time to time. Besides, I can knock out any three men with a stool, let alone with an axe. So if you need human protection, I'll provide it."

She jerked in surprise and looked back at her. "Really?"

She smiled. "Why not?"

"Well, if you're offering." Hiccup grinned and went back to washing.

Astrid released Hiccup's hair and shook the soap off her hands. She snatched up a linen cloth and wiped her hands before retrieving a comb. She started with short sweeps at the bottom of her hair and moved a little closer to the scalp with each gradually lengthening stroke. She finally spoke up just as she reached half way.

"You could do worse. Kiefer doesn't seem bad. He certainly looks tough enough. And . . . that jawline. Mmm."

Hiccup's cheeks instantly felt hotter than the stone Toothless had flamed. The image of Kiefer's smiling face and brilliant eyes popped into her mind. She was honestly surprised the water droplets on her cheeks didn't become steam. Astrid chuckled and ran a cool finger down her cheek. "Aww, looks like you think so, too!"

"He could look like Fishlegs for all I care," she insisted, though she didn't sound very convincing, even to herself. Without thinking she whispered, "Though he does have nice eyes."

Astrid rinsed off the comb in the tub. "Here, let me get your back."

She handed Astrid the tallow block and washcloth and pulled her hair over her shoulder.

"Have you heard what the twins are teaching Barf and Belch?" Astrid said as she rubbed the washcloth over her shoulders.

Hiccup couldn't help but groan. "Oh no. What are they doing this time? Exploding yaks?"

"Don't give them any ideas," Astrid muttered in her ear. She went back to rubbing her back. "No, they've been teaching them how to headbutt." Before Hiccup could consider what possible tactical use that would be, Astrid added, "Well, to headbutt each other."

Her face scrunched of its own volition and she bit her tongue. Why were those two always so much trouble? She put a hand to her forehead. "I need to assign them a keeper."

"Not it." Astrid smirked and Hiccup sighed. The worst part was that even if the trouble had nothing to do with dragons, they were still her responsibility. She would have thought their father would take care of those times. But no, they're her riders first and foremost. At least Snotlout only got into trouble occasionally, but the twins! Augh!

"Okay, I think you're ready to rinse off."

Astrid set aside the yak tallow and picked up another bucket. Hiccup flicked her hair back over her shoulder and gripped the tub again. Another frozen hammer strike hit her as Astrid dumped half the bucket onto her chest. She grit her teeth against the cold even as her arms shook again.

The next moment her shoulders were wrapped with a stiff linen towel. She pulled herself out of the half filled tub and balanced herself on one foot against the side. Astrid gave her another towel and together they finished drying her off.

Once ready, she reached for her clothes.

"Nuh uh," Astrid said. "We just got you clean. You'll just make yourself dirty again wearing those."

"Well I can't go starkers."

"Of course not. Wrap a towel around yourself."

"I can't wear my leg without pants." She massaged her stump and looked over at the prosthetic. The wood was hard, and without the padding of the folded up pant leg, it was impossible to walk from the pain.

"I guess I'll carry you then."

Hiccup raised an eyebrow at her friend.

"Not over my shoulder or anything, I meant I'd help you stay up."

And so she hooked Hiccup's arm over her neck and lifted her to her foot. They took her clothes and prosthetic and she half walked up the hill to the chief's home, then upstairs to Hiccup's room. Astrid deposited her on her bed, and Toothless curled up on his slab.

"Where do you keep your clothes?"

Hiccup pointed to the base of her bed. "In my trunk."

Astrid lifted the lid and tossed her some skivvies before rummaging further through it. Hiccup pulled off the towel and slipped on the undergarments.

"Freya, do you only have trousers and tunics? Ah! Here we go."

She pulled a vibrant azure blue dress from someplace buried deep inside. Hiccup had forgotten about that thing.

Astrid spread it in the air like it were a sail and looked it over with delight. "Why haven't I ever seen you wear this?"

"I…" Hiccup shrugged. "I don't like dresses."

Astrid turned a stern eye on her and motioned at her own leather-banded skirt. "What's wrong with dresses?"

"Nothing!" She held up her hands defensively. "They look great on you. I just don't know how to wear them."

"It's not hard. Here, you're wearing this."

"But —"

"Do you want to look good or not?"

Kiefer's face flashed through her mind again, and she considered what he'd think of it. She felt something warm inside. "... Yes. But what about my leg?"

"Oh. Right. That." Astrid's face scrunched as she considered the stump. "Well, it's too cold to wear a dress without trousers anyway."

She returned to the trunk and snatched out the first pair she could lay her hands on. While Hiccup put those on, Astrid went back to the dress.

"It feels really nice. Where'd you get it?"

"It was a gift. A trader gave it to me when I went down to Hopeless with Dad. He said it was made of something called cotton."

"Must've been expensive." Astrid tore her eyes from the cloth once Hiccup had her leg tied on. "Alright, stand up."

Hiccup got to her feet and let Astrid drape the cloth over her head. It was rather nice, actually. Softer than her usual linen shirts, but not itchy like wool. The cut was tight, but a little loose on her hips. She took two short steps around her bed to get a yak-leather belt from her trunk and wrapped it around her waist. Lastly she grabbed a vest — not her usual bear fur, but the fine beaver fur she barely ever wore.

She took a few steps and twirled around to feel the motion of the cloth. She looked down at herself and frowned. It rather felt like a fishing net around her legs. She couldn't even take a full stride.

She looked up and found Astrid covering her mouth in a failed attempt to contain her amusement.

"What?" Hiccup demanded.

"It's just…" She motioned at her, smirking, seemingly unable to find her words. Finally she dropped her hands and said, "You look so cute!"

"Is cute what we want?"

"Yes, he'll like it, don't worry. Here, do you have any dried flower petals?"

Hiccup pointed to a collection of ceramic jars. "The grey one."

Astrid picked it up and popped the large cork.

"Rose petals?" She raised an eyebrow at Hiccup. "I'd say you're more of a white lily sort of girl. Eh, it's got a strong smell. It'll work."

She picked a couple petals from the jar and crunched them between her palms, releasing a burst of fragrance. She stepped in front of Hiccup, dipped her thumb into the powder, and then lightly brushed some of the pink dye onto her cheeks. "Just a bit of color."

"Like my cheeks aren't red enough when I look at him," she mumbled. Astrid laughed. She dusted the remaining powder over Hiccup's vest. She breathed in the aroma now swirling around her.

"Well, that should be good." She looked Hiccup over once more and nodded. "Yeah. You look great."

Hiccup smirked. "And here I thought I was plain looking."

"We should head down to the feast. I'll meet you there, okay?"

Hiccup nodded and followed her back down stairs. They split up when they left the house, and both Hiccup and Toothless continued on up the hill.