A Dragon Rider's Heart
Chapter 13
A/N: It's been soooooo long, my loves. I am terribly sorry. I've had some issues, both technical and otherwise, but now I am back and ready to finish our journey. Updates might be a tad slower than they were before, but, I promise, we have a long way to go! Read on, loves. And enjoy!
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Astrid sighed in the silence of her hut and removed her arm from over her eyes. Trying to nap was useless. She couldn't stop her mind long enough to relax. She sat up with a groan, burying her face in her hands and cursing herself. Where she really wanted to be was out on patrol with Heather, but they'd agreed on going separately like Hiccup had wanted so as not to arouse suspicion about why exactly they'd been spending every moment together. She'd be glad when this façade was over and she could finally gather the courage to tell everyone about her and Heather.
She stood and began to pace the same familiar track she'd abandoned only five minutes ago, needing to move, do anything to try and keep her imagination from running wild. Heather was out there, alone, and there were to many unknowns for Astrid to be comfortable with it. What if she were attacked while Astrid sat here on her thumbs, simply waiting for her to return. Heather had done some training with them, but wasn't as familiar with their emergency procedures as Astrid thought she could be. What if she wasn't able to signal for help in time?
The blonde rider felt her heart wrench painfully in her chest at the thought of anything happening to her ebony haired love, before she cursed herself again. "Dammit, Astrid!" She spun and kicked one of the support beams hard enough to make her leg go slightly numb. "Stop worrying! She can take care of herself! She's fine!"
"Don't start talking to yourself now, Astrid. I need at least one of my riders to be sane." Hiccup's amused voice called from the upstairs balcony window.
She spun around. "What if I'd been undressed?"
He rolled his eyes and rested his elbows on the narrow windowsill. "It's you, Astrid. I was 98% certain you'd still be in full gear with an axe in arm's reach and ready to move the second you needed to."
Astrid blushed at her own predictability and crossed her arms. "You're only half right. My axe is next to the bed."
He chuckled. "Can I come in?"
"Sure."
He didn't bother walking to the door, instead climbing awkwardly through the window. Astrid giggled as his prosthetic foot got caught on the windowsill for a moment, nearly causing him to lose his balance and fall. When he had righted himself with a sheepish grin, she gestured at the chair near the bed and sat down on the thin mattress as he took the offered seat.
"So, what's up?" She prompted when he didn't say anything for a few moments.
He shot her a look. "Can't I just want to talk?"
Astrid quirked an eyebrow. "It's you, Hiccup. There's always something going on in that brain of yours."
He half smiled at that. "And usually nothing useful."
"Yeah, that about sums you up." They both laughed. "So?" She prompted.
He sighed and looked at the floor. "I don't like that there's so much we don't know. There are too many unknowns right now. I feel… unsettled."
Astrid sent him a wan smile that he didn't see. "Tell me about it. I'm going crazy trying to think of anything that might bring some light on these ship attacks."
He shook his head. "It's not just the ship attacks. It's everything!" He gestured broadly, his voice rising in frustration as he stood up to pace, feet falling automatically in the same track Astrid's had been on before. "I feel like we're all in the middle of some big game that we don't even know who's playing. What if this is all Riker? He's always been one step ahead of me, always know just how much to give me to make me play right into his hands." He paused his face darkening for a moment, before he shook his head and moved on. "I just can't figure out if there's a connection to all this. And now there's Kari! You know she fully expects to go with us when we start investigating, right?" He stopped to look at her, his face fearful.
Astrid was confused and let it show. "What's wrong with that? Weren't we going to make her an honorary rider?"
He sighed. "Yes, but that's in the future. I didn't mean now. She hasn't even found her dragon yet. She's had no training! She's completely unprepared for the things we may have to face."
"Whoa, whoa, Hiccup. Kari isn't helpless. You've said it yourself. She's incredibly talented. And remember, she spent years studying dragons. Alone." She put emphasis on the word. "You, of all people, know how dangerous it is to deal with wild dragons, and just how quickly things can turn against you out there. She had only herself to rely on, her own wits and skill to save herself if anything went wrong. And she's still here. She's perfectly capable."
He sighed and flopped back down on the chair, burying his face in his hands. "You're right. I know you're right. I just can't help it. I worry about her." He looked up at her with a helpless expression on his face.
Astrid smiled warmly at him. "We all worry about the ones we love, Hiccup." She said softly, leaning forward to put a hand on his shoulder.
He smiled back at her. "Just like you worry about Heather even though you know she can take care of herself too." He stated softly.
Astrid jerked back in shock, blood rushing to her face. "What?"
Hiccup sent her a knowing look. "I know, Astrid. I've known for a little while know. I think it's great!" He added with a smile.
"Were we that obvious?" She asked worriedly.
He shook his head. "Only to me. I know you, Astrid. I knew what to look for. The others won't have noticed a thing."
She sighed in relief. "Thank the gods. We weren't ready to tell everyone yet. Though you were going to be the first to know."
His smile grew bigger. "I appreciate that." Then he snorted. "Look at us! The two biggest worriers I know, in love with two brilliant and capable women."
Astrid chuckled. "May the gods have mercy on our souls."
They laughed together and then sat for a moment in companionable silence, before Hiccup sighed. "Well, I'd better get back. Kari wanted to join me on patrol."
"Go get 'er, toothpick." Astrid teased, leaning forward to ruffle his hair.
He halfheartedly slapped at her hand and stood. "Don't let Heather tire you out too much. We've got a big day planned." He joked, before darting towards the stairs.
Astrid's jaw dropped in shock. "Why you- you little perv!" She sputtered indignantly, tossing a pillow in his direction.
He ducked his head, narrowly avoiding the fluffy projectile as he laughed uproariously. "I meant sparring! You're the one with a dirty mind!" She felt herself blush crimson and raised her fist to shake it at him, unable to form the words to reply. Hiccup started down the stairs, still chuckling, before stopping and spinning back around. "Oh! I almost forgot." He started back towards her.
"I will hit you, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock!" Astrid threatened, half rising from the bed.
Hiccup held up on hand in a placating gesture and untied a small pouch from his belt. "Here, she-devil. I thought you'd want this."
She settled back down and took the pouch, still glaring at him and opened it. She tilted the contents out onto her palm ad gasped in wonder. It was the gemstone. It was now a perfectly symmetrical heart shape, and had lost none of its luster or coloring. She held it up to the light, tilting it this way and that, watching the new way the colors shifted in the facets. He'd even polished it, and added grooves for her to attach it to a necklace.
"Gods, Hiccup!" She breathed in wonder. "It's perfect!" She looked up at him with an awestruck look on her face. "I thought you said it would take a while."
He shrugged. "I couldn't sleep. Besides. I thought you'd want to give it to her before. Just in case we have to move in a hurry later."
She carefully laid the gem on the bed, before jumping up to hug him, tightly. She laid her head on his shoulder as he hugged her back, resting his chin on her head. "Thank you, Hiccup. So much."
He pulled back and kissed her forehead softly. "Anything for you, Astrid." She smiled up at him, blinking away tears as he started again for the stairs.
She drifted back to the bed and picked up the gemstone, still awed by how perfect it was. All it needed was a final touch. She laid it back down and began to search through her things, trying to find the right type of cord to attach. Finally, after many minutes of searching and tossing things haphazardly around, she found one. It was black and made of a stout, but soft material that would hopefully stand up to their active lifestyle. She hurried back to the bed and wound to around the grooves, pulling it tight and tugging it to make sure it was secure. Just as she was satisfied, she heard Windshear back winging to land on the balcony. Quickly, Astrid scooped up the pouch and dropped the necklace inside, before shoving it under the remaining pillow on the bed. She heard the door open quietly.
"Astrid?" Heather called softly. "Are you still awake?"
"I am." Astrid called back, walking over to the top if the stairs.
Heather made her way up, giving her a tired smile. Astrid pulled her into a hug and they stood there, just holding each other for a moment. "I missed you." The ebony haired rider whispered, turning her head to place a soft kiss on the blonde's cheek.
"I missed you too." Astrid whispered back, turning to capture Heather's soft lips with her own.
The kiss was soft and tender and Astrid lost track of time as she simply enjoyed the feel of Heather in her arms, the scent of her in her nose and the taste of her lips and mouth as it slowly deepened. When they finally pulled apart, both were panting slightly and flushed. Heather smiled happily and quickly kissed Astrid's nose, before noticing the mess that the room was in.
"I see someone was busy while I was gone." She teased.
Astrid blushed. "I was looking for something."
Heather chuckled. "Did you find it?"
"I did. Would you like to see?" She asked in a childlike voice.
"Of course I would."
Astrid took her hand and pulled her towards the bed. "Ok. Sit down and close your eyes."
Heather smirked. "Sounds kinky."
Astrid rolled her eyes and gave her a gentle push. "Hush. Sit." Heather did so, making a show of keeping her eyes closed. Astrid darted around the bed and took the pouch from under her pillow, before coming back around and sitting beside her. "Hold out your hand." Heather did so and Astrid removed the necklace from the pouch and laid it in her palm. "Okay."
Heather opened her eyes and gasped at the gem in her hand. "Oh my gods." She whispered. Slowly, almost reverently, she stroked it with her other hand.
"Do you like it?" Astrid asked nervously.
Heather looked up at her, still awed. "Like it? I love it!" She grasped it tightly in her fist and threw her arms around Astrid, hugging her tightly for a moment, before pulling away to stare at her gift again. "When? How?" She asked.
"I promised you a present, remember? I just had to wait for it to be finished. Hiccup cut it for me."
Heather smiled brightly. "Remind me to thank him." She stroked the cord lightly. "Can I wear it now?" She asked.
Astrid chuckled. "Of course. Wear it as often as you like." She took if from her and leaned around to tie it around her neck. When it was in place, she leaned around and touch it, where it rested just above the swell of her breasts. "My heart is yours, Heather. Always and forever."
Heather made a sound halfway between a sob and a laugh as she threw her arms around Astrid's neck, kissing her soundly. Astrid pulled her closer, returning the kiss with a passion. Slowly, they fell sideways on the bed in a tangle of limbs. When they finally pulled apart, the sky was changing colors. On a whim, Astrid sat up and pulled Heather from the bed. She led her out onto the balcony and then stepped behind her. She wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her body back against her front, resting her chin on Heather's shoulder. The ebony rider sighed happily, leaning back against her and covering the blonde's arms with her own, threading their fingers together. They stayed that way, watching as the sun peeked over the horizon. Soon, they could hear the now familiar sounds of people waking and beginning their day and they turned to walk back inside as the Edge came to life around them.
Whatever the day brought, they would face it together. As one. Astrid smiled happily at Heather, who returned the smile and they kissed once more, before heading off to meet the other riders and, hopefully, to solve a mystery.
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I just want to take a quick moment to thank you all again so much for your continued support. You guys are amazing! Keep being you. :D