Almost two months later and there is a new chapter of Wheel for you, my amazing readers! We're back to Astrid now. Enjoy the chapter!
Review Replies:
OechsnerC: Yep. Not good at all.
Forever Me: Glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Noctus Fury (anonymous): Well, we'll definitely be exploring Hiccup's perspective in the next chapter.
LuniaWolfe: Indeed! Plot thickening is always fun. I believe you are right. Hiccup probably will be more eager to get back to Berk now.
Thuner: I apologize for taking over a month to get back to this story. Hopefully it was worth the wait.
Commander Chandell 919: Well, maybe Berk is near or maybe the waters were just super choppy. Haha. Well, I guess that brief hiatus I took a while back (to reorganize my thoughts and plans for this story) was helpful. Here's the next chapter!
ladipretender: Hey, it's just good to hear from you again. No worries about whether it's "late" or not. Haha.
Chapter 40: The Moon
Somewhere Out There
"Our daughter, Astrid, is well old enough to be married. However, with the death of Hiccup, I, along with my wife, have noticed her reluctance to move on and find someone new. I have been in contact with Spitelout and we have discussed this matter and we have come to decide that it would just be best to arrange a marriage. Therefore, we, along with the Jorgensons, are pleased to announce the upcoming arranged marriage between Snotlout Jorgenson and Astrid Hofferson."
Wait, what?!
The wooden fork in Astrid's hand slipped and clattered onto the table. "Marriage? To Snotlout? Why didn't I get a say in any of this?" she yelled to her parents, anger evident in her voice.
"Frankly, Astrid, because we both knew that you would react this way," her father explained.
Astrid stood up angrily from the table. Her half-finished plate sat forgotten. "I will not be pushed into some arranged marriage and I don't care what any of you think. I know Hiccup is still alive out there. I don't know how I know. I just do. Someday, somehow, I will find him." She started to walk off to her bedroom. "I'm not hungry," she affirmed before leaving the room.
She did not turn back to see everyone's focus directed on her. Astrid did not care about them and she was definitely not sorry for her reaction at the dinner table. How dare they make such important decisions without telling me! Sure, at one time, all Viking marriages were arranged, but things have changed. I should be allowed to decide for myself and if I want to be a shieldmaiden, then that should be allowed too!
Once in her bedroom, Astrid shut the hardwood door so hard that she swore the sound echoed through the house. She wasn't sorry about that either. The night was still early, but right now all Astrid wanted to do was sleep. At least in her dreams, everything was okay. Hiccup was alive and beside her. Her parents were supportive of a marriage between her and Hiccup. In her dreams, they'd never do something so idiotic as to arrange a marriage between Snotlout and herself.
Before calling it a night, Astrid found a moderate-sized satchel and began to fill it with supplies. She had decided that she would set out, leave Berk, and not return again until she found Hiccup. The trip would not begin tonight, though…or even right away. I need to carefully plan this out. I need to make sure that I choose a departure time that will ensure that everyone is busy enough to not notice my absence until it's too late for them to find me.
The packing process would not be finished tonight either. This was something else that Astrid had to plan out carefully. When she did leave, she didn't know how long she would be out there so she needed to prepare as best she could. In hopes that her parents would not find the half-packed satchel, Astrid kicked it under her bed. She'd come back to it again sometime later.
Outside, the moon shone bright over Berk. Its light drew Astrid to the window and she looked out over the familiar surroundings. The light from the moon illuminated the village in its silver glow and Astrid couldn't help but to marvel at its beauty. Somehow the light transformed the familiar village of Berk into something much more ethereal and otherworldly.
Astrid's eyes were drawn to the bright full moon that was slowly rising higher into the sky. As she looked out over moonlit Berk, and the waters that surrounded the village, Astrid felt compelled to send a prayer to Odin. Though she did not often pray, Astrid found that her silent words came naturally.
Oh Odin, great Allfather, please watch over Hiccup. I know he's still alive out there. I don't know how I know, but I just do. Please, keep him safe and I pray that we find each other again soon. For everyone's sake.
Astrid opened her eyes to look out over Berk again. She did not realize that she had shut them as she'd directed her prayer to Odin. Her prayer had rejuvenated her and encouraged her to continue planning for the day she set out away from Berk and into the great wide-open. Taking a seat at the wooden desk in her room, Astrid pulled out a spare piece of parchment and sharpened a writing utensil. On the parchment, Astrid began to write out a list of potential supplies that she would need when she set out on her self-appointed mission to find Hiccup. At first she had to think hard to recall things she would need that she had not already packed away in the satchel that she'd kicked under her bed. However, as she added the first couple items to her list, it was then as if her mind finally kick-started and she could not write fast enough to jot down all the items she thought of all at once.
After a minute or so, Astrid stopped writing and looked down at the list she had come up with. It was not an overly-long list, but she did know now that she had several more items to gather and pack before she could even think about setting out away from Berk. Just like with the satchel, Astrid hid the list away so her parents would not find it and figure out her plans. Opening the top drawer of her desk, Astrid hid the list underneath a sketchpad that Hiccup had given her.
With her plan in place and beginning to take shape, Astrid decided to turn in for the night. She had no idea if Snotlout and his parents had left yet and she didn't even care. I will never marry him! I will sooner leave Berk forever before I let that happen.
Astrid removed her shoulder armor and placed it on the floor beside her bed. She lay down and got comfortable before sitting back up just enough to blow out the candle on the wooden nightstand beside her. Even with the candlelight extinguished, the moonlight still illuminated the room enough that Astrid could dimly see. From where she lay, she could see the big moon as it continued to rise higher into the sky.
Crossing her arms behind her head, Astrid stared at the moon, entranced by its silvery beauty. Hiccup, I know you're out there. Somewhere. Are you thinking of me too? Do you miss Berk? Are you trying to get home? She sighed, feeling tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. No. I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't…oh, screw it. The tears fell slowly, but Astrid made no move to wipe them away. Are you looking up at the moon too, Hiccup?
Well, Astrid begun to formulate a plan and we all know that when Astrid sets her mind to something, she gets it done! Sorry to end the chapter on such a sad note.
Next Chapter: Hiccup tells his mother about what he's seen. How will she respond?
Posted: September 5, 2016
