Yall didn't think I would be back, did you? It was a long time coming but I knew I'd return to my first love. I'm looking forward to the fandom reviving when the live-action movie drops (even though I'm very much against it)

This one-shot is angst and deals with miscarriage. Influenced by the show Vikings. Nuffink is inspired by Harald Sigurdsson.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

It's been a long time since they left New Berk. It was Dagur who broached the subject first, he needed Hiccup's help to settle a dispute he had with an encroaching chief. Hiccup could never deny helping his allies and Dagur who has been a brother to him since his late teenage years.

Astrid of course wanted to go, it would've been more than five years since they sought a battle. Even at the age of 44, the shield maiden in her was forever restless. Hiccup and her fought over it. She was only six moon cycles and it was expected that they would only be gone at least another two.

After all this baby was a surprise. Not to say they haven't been trying but were unsuccessful in the past. Their other two children were already grown respectively 20 and 22. They've already begun making their mark on the world. Zephyr shared her father's love of exploring. She was a free spirit of the waters, exploring new lands and securing new trade routes along the way for New Berk to enjoy the goods she had discovered. Hiccup was happy to grant her the freedom to escape as he often wished he could when he was her age...as long as she stays in New Berk for the winter and travels in the summer.

She wasn't hurt nor surprised when Hiccup decided to take Nuffink under his arm to be the next chief of New Berk. For all of his wild child antics when they were little kids, he developed both of his parents' analytical minds and has shown ambition in strengthening New Berk as much as possible. He learned to tame his wild side by training with his sword in any spare moment just like his mother, he also had a hunger for battle.

"You know I am always on your side but I agree with Father. I don't think you should come." Nuffink told Astrid the night before they were to set sail.

She cuffed him on the side of the head. "You were in my belly when we fought rogue dragon hunters. How do you think you got so good at fighting now?"

Nuffink laughed, "I suppose the Gods knew I would be a warrior hmm?"

"Oh, you know it."

"Still three moon cycles and six are very different." His voice became serious again.

"And I will say the same thing I told your Father, if the Fates want me to have this child then I will."

Nuffink trekked down the village's winding paths to their alcove that served as their ship docks. It was cleverly hidden amongst the rocks and waterfalls. He spotted his father ordering around last-minute provisions for each ship to carry.

Others around him, prepared for the journey ahead by doing their rituals.

"Fin!" His father smiled at him.

They greeted each other with a slap on the back. "Is my mother here?"

Hiccup stuck out his chin to gesture to the main flagship. "Already making herself comfortable on board."

"Still couldn't convince her?"

He sighed, "No, if there's one thing I learned during my time it's letting her figure out her own limits."

Nuffink nodded. "I just don't want anything to happen."

"I know." Hiccup cupped his son's jaw, the feeling of his 5 o'clock shadow underneath his fingertips accentuating how much his son turned into a man before his eyes. "Go join her. I'm sure she will want to do something about that dragon's nest of hair you got." He ruffled his blonde curls for good effect.

Nuffink batted his hand away, strands fell out of his half-ponytail. He didn't take the time to section his hair properly, leaving the rest to cover almost the nape of his neck. As a child, Astrid was the one braiding both him and his sister's hair. Though Astrid would sometimes lament how difficult it was his braid his hair since it was so curly. Nuffink would laugh and say that he was there to always challenge her.

Stepping across the gangplank, he recognized her immediately at the ship's bow. She had multiple furs wrapped around her as she took her whetstone to the blade of her axe.

She clicked her tongue at him. "Get over here so I can fix your hair. You would shame this family if you can't fight because it's in your eyes."

That was over a moon cycle ago. They set up their base camp underneath an outcrop. It came to Dagur and Hiccup's attention that their enemy was more well-prepared and brought allies.

There hasn't been a full-out battle yet, everyone seemed to be at a standstill waiting for the other to make the first move.

They waited patiently at their camp. Dagur had sent out some scouts some time ago to report the enemy's movement. Hiccup sat with Nuffink around one of the fires. Nuffink was eating his midday meal.

"Hiccup!" Someone called his name urgently.

The warrior rushed to the both of them. "It's Astrid."

His grave tone had Hiccup and Nuffink up and running to the tent where they last saw her. Midwives were huddled around and in the tent. Some of them were covered in blood.

Hiccup's face paled at the amount. He knew something wasn't right and Nuffink's scrunched eyebrows told of his confusion.

He pulled back the curtain to see Astrid leaning against one of the poles that stabilized the tent. She was only in a dressing gown, her braided hair matted to her head from sweat. Blood stained her legs and speckled the furs she sat under. A bowl was beside her covered in a cloth that was originally white. She stared straight ahead, her puffy eyes empty.

Hiccup waved away the women who were still in the tent. Nuffink crumbled on the other side of his mother. He ran a hand soothingly down her back. Hiccup took his place on the other side, trying to control his own emotions. He bit his quivering lip to stop a sob from escaping his chest.

Only when Nuffink kissed the top of her head did she break out of her trance.

She sucked in a shaky breath, "The Seer told me a while ago that I couldn't bare any more children." A tear ran down her cheek as she looked at her only son. "I thought I could cheat the Fates."

Hiccup reached over to cradle her to him. His arms wound tightly around her shoulders and set his chin on top of her head. Astrid tightened her grip on his forearms, burying her face into his chest. Silent tears wet his cheeks at hearing her sobs. Nuffink watched on in sorrow.

After a couple of minutes, Astrid weakly pushed Hiccup away. "Go. I'm—I'm not...I don't want you here. Leave."

Hiccup shared a look with Nuffink who nodded slightly. Almost in synch, they slid back on the floor so they were no longer right beside her. Nuffink drew his knees up to rest his arms on. Behind her, they offered their unwavering support whenever she wanted it.

But for now, they kept watch, holding a silent vigil in hopes of warding off their enemies and the cruel Fates.