Now I know that last chapter wasn't my best, and you guys were all pretty honest about agreeing with me on that. I am happy to see that you guys also understand that my priority was trying to finish the story, itself. I'm not really writing anymore, but I didn't like the thought of this story staying like this and leaving you all hanging. I do liek the idea of coming back to this story and giving it a more deserving ending, but it won't be for a while.
Anyways, this is the final chapter, and thank you to all of you have stuck with me to the end! Thank you!
It was all finally over. Every single year she'd endured at the hands of Drago was now at an end. Life had been good for her the moment she woke up to Hiccup holding her hand in his sleep. It wasn't perfect. She had a long way to go before she was allowed to go flying, or practice with her axe, or do anything remotely fun, but the people around her made it bearable.
Her parents made sure she was okay. Her mom helped her with her injuries, her father made sure that Stormfly was taken care of, and they both showered her with love and affection and understanding.
Ruffnut had come over to make sure that she wasn't too bored. She would tell her the latest things her brother had done and, more often than not, that was enough to render them both helpless to endless laughter. Her ribs protested, but it had felt like so long since she had genuinely laughed, that she literally decided to just 'grin and bear it.'
Hiccup had also been amazing. He saw her everyday. No matter what he had been doing, or how many people wanted to see him, he always made time for her, and she loved him for that.
Stoick had finally started to officially begin the transition of naming Hiccup chief of Berk. He'd proven himself capable of anything when he faced Drago and won, and he would be there if anything happened. Hiccup wasn't crazy about it, but he seemed less opposed to the idea than he had seemed before.
When she'd asked him about it he said," I guess now I understand what it means to put your people first. When it comes down to it, you will do what you have to to keep them safe. And if you can do that, then it all falls into place. The only difference is that I will also keep the dragons safe. No matter what."
She had smiled at him feeling proud of him, for seeing what was in front of him the whole time," I know you will. You'll make an amazing chief."
People had also come to visit her. People respected her for having stood up to Drago and for having sent them warnings concerning him while she was with him, too. She had officially gotten their stamp of approval as a true Berkian and she couldn't help the pride she felt at that.
The one visitor she hadn't expected to have, though, came a few weeks after her ribs were officially healed. She was tentatively flying Stormfly despite most people asking her to take it easy a little longer.
She was just about to take flight when a familiar voice called out to her," What do you think you are doing, lass?"
She turned to the voice hesitantly expecting it to be her mom or Valka and instead saw the familiar figure of Hallberta standing before her. She froze not believing her eyes. Hallberta just laughed," Are you gonna come and hug me, dear, or do I have to get you down from that dragon myself?"
Astrid laughed tearfully and launched herself into her arms," How are you even here?"
Hallberta sighed and kissed the top of her head," With Drago gone, some dragon riders came and gave us the option of staying there or leaving somewhere else. I chose to go wherever you were, lass."
She looked at the handmaiden tearfully," Of course you did. You've always looked out for me."
Hallberta nodded," That's right. Now show me where've you been living all this time."
And Astrid happily showed her around Berk. She showed her around the village and shows her the stables, and the arena, and so on. People are as friendly as usual, and unsurprisingly for Astrid, and surprisingly for Hallberta, people come up to greet Astrid.
Astrid smiles and introduces Hallberta who offers a greeting in turn.
"You've become quite a part of this place, huh?" she says quietly.
Astrid smiles softly and gives Stormfly a pat," I guess I have...is that bad?"
Hallberta shakes her head," I'm happy for you, lass, you finally have what you need."
Astrid then nears her house," Have you seen my parents yet?"
Hallberta shakes her head," No, I immediately had to see you."
Astrid beams and then waves her forward," Then let's go!"
She walks inside the house," Mom? Dad?"
"In here, dear," answers her mom's voice from the kitchen.
Astrid walks towards her and her mom turns," How was your-who's this, dear?"
Astrid smiles hesitantly," Mom, this is Hallberta...she was my handmaiden when I lived..."
Her mom looks at Hallberta in shock and then smiles warmly at her," Welcome to our home, Hallberta. My name is Asdis Hofferson."
Hallberta smiles hesitantly," It's wonderful to meet the mother of the little girl I saw grow up."
Her mom's lip trembles for a bit and tears shine in her eyes. She shakes her head," No, I'm honored to meet the woman who took care of my baby when I couldn't."
"Mom..." Astrid says reaching out to her, her heart breaking.
She just laughs tearfully," Would you like to stay for dinner, Hallberta? I'd love to hear all about the things my girl got up to all those years."
Hallberta smiled cheekily," Of, course, your girl was a real handful..."
She beamed," Oh, I believe it!"
They laughed and Astrid was left feeling like she should be insulted, but not having the heart to get in between their laughter.
She just shook her head ruefully and gasped when a pair a hands covered her eyes," Guess who?"
She just smiles even bigger and turns around," I know it's you, you dork..."
Hiccup pretends to be wounded," That hurts, milady. I thought you cared."
She just mocked his pouting face," Sorry, but I call them as I see them."
"I see how it is," was all he said before he pulled her in for a hug.
She melted into it. He hadn't kissed her again, but he had been more protective of her. He would go out of his way to hug her, grab her hand, or tease her. She liked his playful side, but wished he would at least try and make a move. She'd liked the kiss they'd shared weeks ago, but it had left her wanting more.
He seemed oblivious to her thoughts and just smiled at her," And what have you been up to, milady?"
Astrid smiled," Someone came to visit me..."
Hiccup looked at her in interest," Who?"
Astrid was about to respond when she had an idea and just smiled innocently," Oh just someone special."
He looked at her confused," I thought you said you didn't have anyone back there except Drago and he..."
She shook her head," They're really special to me. I've know them forever."
"Oh?" he asked probably more confused than ever.
She nodded," They're very sweet and caring and they love me as much as I love them."
That got his attention and he asked in what he probably thought was a nonchalant tone," Oh? And who is he?"
She smirked, Got you..." He?"
"Yes, he," he said looking away," You said they loved you and you loved them."
"What's wrong?" she asked innocently fighting back a smile.
"Nothing," he said stubbornly," But who is he? He must be really special for you to be this happy to see them."
"They are special," she said," But you seem a little off, Hiccup."
"Me?" he said," I'm...I'm-I'm fine."
"Oh really?" she said putting her hands on her hips," Then can you tell me why you're getting jealous on me all of a sudden?"
He looked up at her slowly and smiled sheepishly," That obvious?"
She just smiled at him adoringly," It's cute..."
"Cute?" he asked incredulously and the word seemed to leave a weird taste in his mouth," I am not cute! I am a tough and rouged Viking who-"
She cut him off with a kiss to the cheek," You're my cute and tough and rouged Viking...happy?"
He smiled down at her like she was the sun and then swept her right up to him with one hand," Definitely."
She looked up at him happily and he started to lean in when Hallberta decided to interrupt," Who's this, lass?"
Astrid shook her head ruefully and moved away from Hiccup regretfully with a sigh," Hallberta, this is Hiccup."
"Please to meet you, lad?" she said knowingly her eyes twinkling at her.
She ignored her and looked at Hiccup cheekily," Hiccup, this is my former handmaiden. She came to see me."
Hiccup shook his head at her with an amused smile," Wonderful to meet you, Hallberta."
"I just came to say that I would be helping your mother with dinner, lass," she said," So if you wanted to enjoy the rest of your day..."
Astrid smiled at the woman thinking that at least some things never changed," Thanks, Hallberta."
They older woman just hugged her and ushered them outside. Astrid suspected it was just to be able to share every single embarrassing childhood story of hers with her mom. When she told Hiccup as much, he quickly went back into the house and locked the door on her. She looked around to the kitchen window and saw him happily perched in a chair listening with rapt attention at Hallberta's tales.
The traitor...
It was an entire year after the attacks. Peace had returned. The neighboring tribes had for the most part recovered, and Berk was fine.
Hallberta had stayed on Berk and had taken it upon herself to take care of the girl she helped raise, this time with Astrid parents by her side. Hiccup enjoyed listening to stories about the tough little girl who went out of her way to do anything she could considering where and who she was at the time. She was every bit the stubborn, fearless, determined person she was now, only now she was more confident in who she was. And that made her even more amazing in his eyes.
Hiccup was nervous. His dad had officially decided to hand over the chiefdom to him, and today was the ceremony. He didn't know if he was ready or he would make it through everything without messing everything up.
He only knew that he would do it. He didn't seem so lost anymore, and if worse came to worse, he had people and dragons around him who would help him through it.
He heard a knock on his door and his mom smiled at him excitedly," It's time!"
He took a deep breath and looked at Toothless," You ready, bud?"
Toothless nodded determinedly and Hiccup laughed dryly," Well, at least one of us is..."
He stepped outside and they flew to the square where the entire village was waiting before his dad and Gothi.
His dad smiled at him confidently and he nodded.
He got off of Toothless hesitantly and looked around him. He saw people excited to see him and excited over what was happening. It didn't help. And then he saw her. She was looking at him confidently and reassuringly and with so much happiness for him that he found himself unconsciously relaxing and calming down. He smiled at her gratefully and she just shook her head affectionately.
Gothi snapped him back to reality and she was holding out a bowl of ashes and soot. He knelt down before her and she drew the symbol on his forehead before bowing her head and motioning him to rise. He did so a bit shakily and he took a deep breath before daring to look his dad in the eyes. He smiled proudly, and Hiccup could've sworn he saw tears in his eyes before he bellowed," The chief has come home!"
"Long live the chief! Long live the chief," could be heard throughout the square, and he took it all in.
He made eye contact with Astrid for a moment before he decided to throw caution to the wind and walked forward to her.
She looked at him confused," What's wrong, Hiccup? What are you doing?"
He didn't answer and just swept her up to him and just smiled down at her," This."
And he kissed her. It was every bit as amazing as the first time. While their first kiss was filled with sadness and pain and desperation, this one was filled with happiness, affection, and hope. The one things that was still there, however, was love. It had been there then and it was there now.
He felt her melt into the kiss and kiss him back in the way he's come to know and love. He got lost in her scent. She smelled of sunshine and fresh air and roses. She smelled of hope and freedom. Of the the very things he'd searched for for most of his life and the realization made him hold onto her tighter.
It fell so right, and it had seemed so impossible back then for her. He'd known she was scared of the consequences. He hadn't listened and had clung to the hope she'd instilled in him. Of a time when they wouldn't have to worry about Drago or a dragon army or those they loved in danger.
He'd fought for her, though, and now here they were. Happy, safe, and together.
He pulled back, out of breath, and she looked up at him with a clear blue eyes and whispered," Hiccup..."
"I love you, Milady," he murmured into her hair and, after pressed a lingering kiss to the crown of her head, he took her hand and they walked hand in hand among the crowd to the awaiting party celebrating him as the new chief of Berk.
He didn't notice the cheers grow louder or his parents sharing a knowing look between them, or anything. He just noticed her and felt her hand in his and he held tight. He held her hand tight knowing that with her by his side he would get though it all. No matter what happened.
And...the end. I hope you guys enjoyed this for what it was, and I am sorry it couldn't be more...
Please review, favorite, and follow (for when I go back to fix these chapters!) and thank again!