000
After the excitement and adrenaline from her journey, there was nothing more comforting than walking up her home's front steps, opening the door, only to be nearly bowled over by three small heads who wrapped themselves tightly around her legs and waist.
"Big sis, you're home!" One of them yelled.
"We knew you'd be back!" A young, masculine voice said.
"It was so boring without you!" She looked down to see three pairs of glistening blue eyes and wide grins staring up at her.
"I missed you guys too!" She knelt down so she could hug all of them. This was a side of Astrid that only few got to witness. Apart from their chief, Berk had always known Astrid as a pillar of fortitude, strength, loyalty, and most importantly, her prowess in battle. She was the epitome of the Hofferson name, and prided herself on it. People were even speculating that she could be the best Hofferson in Berk's history. That was mostly said to irk Bran Hofferson, her father, who currently held that title. However, Bran could only marvel at the woman his eldest daughter had become. Even though he wouldn't admit, she had clearly surpassed him as best Hofferson. And he could only watch with undying love and pride as she hugged the rest of her siblings, wiping away a few of their joyful tears at her return.
"Hope you guys were good for mama and papa?" She asked, taking her eyes off the trio in front of her and greeting her parents with a nod.
"Yes we were!" Asta said. She was the second oldest child of the Hoffersons. Just like the rest of the children in the village, Astrid was her role model. Ever since she turned the ripe young age of five, Astrid had presented her with her own ax that their father gave her when she had turned five. She explained, as well as she could to a five year old at the time, that this was the beginning of a new chapter in her life. This was the moment her training would begin and that she'd have a lot to live up to. Instead of feeling the burden of the Hofferson lineage, as well her sister's expectations, Asta swore to Astrid that she would be the best Hofferson there ever was.
And fives later, she was keeping her word.
"Although Bjorn skipped training a couple of times." She gave her younger brother, Bjorn, the third oldest, a smirk.
"Asta! You said you weren't going to bring it up!" Bjorn complained, immediately glancing at Astrid, who had that 'Oh really?' look. But before he could say anything, she ruffled his hair, standing back up to full height (being over ten years older than your siblings did have its perks).
"Well now that I'm back, I doubt you'd want to skip training, if you know what's good for you?" She asked, as picked up her youngest sibling, Brenna, who was only four years old and walked over to the table where her dad was currently seated, and her mom was setting the table. Asta and Bjorn quickly rushed to their mother's side, eager to help her while Astrid sat down opposite her father, and placed Brenna in her lap.
"I take it the bounty was unsuccessful; otherwise I'd be having Silent Sven banging against my door and screaming for me to get my behind down to the docks."
"Tell me again why we keep calling him 'Silent' Sven even though he broke his silence three years ago?" Astrid asked, as she worked on a few braids for Brenna's hair, smiling to herself.
"You know Berk dear, incredibly stubborn to try something new." He chuckled. "But so, how was the journey?"
"It was quite the experience. After a couple of weeks we did eventually track one of them to an island and did manage to capture him-"
"You what!?" Bjorn yelled, nearly dropping the mugs he was carrying to the table. "You actually caught him!?" Placing the mugs on the table, he rushed to her side, "What was he like? Was he covered in scales? Did he breathe fire? Oh did he have wings coming out of his back!?"
"That's enough Bjorn. Your sister was about to tell us that."
"What did we say about interrupting those who are talking Bjorn?" Astrid asked her brother, who deflated when he realized his mistake.
"Sorry Astrid." He apologized, craning his head down and gazing up at her, trying to imitate his best puppy-dog eyes.
"You know that's never going to work on me right?"
"Eh, worth a shot." He said before heading back to get the trays that were full of food.
"Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted-" She glanced at Bjorn who stuck his tongue out at her, "-He looked like a regular Viking. No scales, no wings, no breathing fire. Just looked like your average typical human...Except for his eyes though."
"His eyes?"
"They were dragon eyes that could change shape."
"Interesting. Were you able to fight him?"
"Sort of." She shrugged her shoulders with a sheepish grin. "He had his dragons show up to protect him, oh that's where I saw his dragon, papa. It was a Night Fury." She watched her father's eyes widen in shock and jaw hang slightly.
"A Night Fury? But I thought those were extinct." Asta said as she sat down next to her sister.
"They are incredibly rare, dear, not extinct. But still, to have a Night Fury.." Her mother pondered.
"After his dragon appeared, Eret, the hunters and I engaged them in battle. Thanks to the sedatives the trappers had, they subdued most of the dragons, and I was able to take on the Night Fury and the Jormung."
"Wow, sis. You took on the Night Fury and Jormung all by yourself?" Asta asked.
"I did have help from Eret. His bola distracted the Night Fury long enough for me to see what the Jormung was made of...and I was disappointed."
"How so?" Her mother asked as she served each one of them.
"He didn't seem like a fighter. He didn't know the proper technique of wielding a sword. He never got into a fighting stance, and he seemed reluctant to even try and fight. It was almost as if he just wanted to get away but never had the chance."
"That is strange. I always thought the Jormung were a warrior people, who had dragons to aid them."
"Oh they are. I learned that when the second Jormung came to us." Everyone stilled at this.
"The second Jormung?" Her father asked. His voice might have been as hard as ice, but his eyes told a different picture. It was the one emotion that Astrid almost never saw in father - fear.
"So you've heard of his reputation?"
"I heard there were two. How one of the two never left survivors. Which was the main reason I didn't want you going on this journey. Not knowing which Jormung you'd encounter."
"How did he find you guys?" Bjorn asked.
"When we captured the Jormung, his Night Fury was able to escape. I could only assume that he went to the second Jormung for help. But in a sense, I'm glad he did."
"Why?"
"Because Dagur the Deranged showed up with a small fleet."
"Uh oh." Brenna sounded, earning chuckles from everyone around her.
"What did he want?" Bjorn asked.
"The Jormung. Apparently Eret couldn't keep his mouth shut during a stop at Berserker Island, so he promised that if we were successful, he'd bring the Jormung over to show him. But as we all know Dagur, he left with a small fleet to come to us and take the Jormung. And that's when the second one showed up with a dragon the likes of which we've never seen. And hopefully, never do."
"What was it?" Her parents asked.
"The Screaming Death. You could say it's from the same family as the Whispering Deaths. But it is much, much bigger. And more deadly than any dragon I've ever faced." Seeing how everyone was waiting, she continued "The dragon was at least three to four battle ships long. Catapults, arrows, nets, anything, didn't have an effect on it. It tore the Berserker fleet to literal pieces. And not one soul on those ships survived. The dragon devoured them all."
Brenna whimpered in her arms. She wasn't a fan of dark stories. Astrid kissed her cheek and rubbed her back in an effort to sooth her. "I'm certain I'm here because we released the Jormung we captured. Otherwise..." She trailed off. She didn't have to continue. Her entire family knew what could have transpired.
"Well then...Thank Odin, Thor, Freyja and all the other Gods that you're still here with us." Her mother said.
"Yeah sis. I didn't think it'd be this dangerous." Bjorn said, walking over to her and hugging her. The fact that were only a decision away from losing Astrid was tough to stomach. Sensing the somber mood she just invoked, Astrid tried to lighten the mood.
"Well if that Jormung ever does show his face on Berk, believe me when I say he'll be sorry for showing up to our home." She smiled. "And we all know what to never get in front of, do we Brenna?"
"A mad lady Hofferson." She replied, causing her father and brother to erupt in laughter, while Astrid, Asta and their mother shared knowing smiles.
Yeah, her family was pretty awesome.
000
"This is a horrible idea."
"Then why are you coming with me?"
"Because you will die if I'm not there to bail you out. Which is bound to happen considering how idiotic this idea of yours is."
It didn't take long for them to gather necessary supplies and set off on Hiccup's new adventure. Unfortunately for Toothless, the first thing they did was track the trapper's ship and followed it from a safe distance all the way to Berk.
"All this for one girl. I hope you realize we're going to an island full of dragon killers. I repeat, dragon killers. Does that not put you off one bit?"
"Yes I know Berk's full of dragon killers. Herself included. But there's something different about her. I just know it."
Toothless just grumbled in response. "You weren't there on the ship. She was the only one who talked to me. Even right before the whole Berserker thing, she wanted to know more about us. She wanted to know the truth about the Jormung Clan. She's proof that maybe not all Vikings are bad."
Toothless wouldn't to reply to sentiment. And Hiccup was thankful for it. The last time he uttered those exact same words, his people paid for the price for it. He was hoping now, being a fugitive on the run from the entire known world, that he'd attempt one last shot at saving his people's legacy. Even if it did cost him his life. However, he was confused with Toothless' smirk.
"And here I thought you were looking for potential mate." Toothless chuckled at his friend's reddening face. "She does look like she can foster a strong line of Jormung."
"Oh shut up! It's nothing like that!" Toothless burst out laughing at Hiccup's high pitched voice.
"Oh please. I know you wouldn't be against it if she felt the same way."
"You've seen her bud. She'd more rather gut me than raise any children of mine."
Luckily for them, night had fallen to mask their approach into Berk. While flying over, he spotted said blonde talking to a mountain of a man in the village. So huge in fact that Hiccup believed even Ripper and some of the past Jormung warriors of old might struggle to take down. His eyes followed her all the way to, what he presumed, was her house. After making a mental note of its position, he and Toothless flew towards the forest at the edge of the village, and began surveying the area, looking for a place to set up camp.
After an hour or two, they settled on secluded spot in the forest. A cove, surrounded by thick brush and the only way down was to carefully maneuver along the stone slopes. Which wasn't going to be a concern for Toothless, or him. After unloading the gear strapped to him, Toothless found himself a stone slab which he heated up and proceeded to nap. Hiccup didn't complain. He had flown all this after all, and flew Gods knew how long to find Ripper. He more than deserved the rest.
Hiccup got to work setting up some makeshift bedding and building the tent around that. The task didn't take long. After being on the run for the past year, he'd learn to master the art of setting up a camp to call home. Once done, he glanced over to Toothless, who was fast asleep now, and looked to the forest above and around him. He figured he might as well explore and familiarize his new home...home for the moment, to be honest.
After clambering up the slope with ease, he began to walk around. His dragon eyes allowed him to see better in the dark. Comparatively better to that of normal Vikings. He did a perimeter check around the cove, looking for any signs that signaled this was a location frequented by the villagers. He looked for trails, markings, broken branches, footprints, etc. but was pleased when he found no signs of any of them. That's when he decided to expand his search.
He was becoming more and more pleased with the location. The greenery around him bore various berries and herbs he was already familiar with. They were relatively isolated so he could start setting up traps to catch some wild animals. With his recent discovery, he picked a few berries and began crushing them and wiping the residue on trees he passed. As a means of helping him find his way back close to the cove. However, he eventually wound up in a clearing in the forest. But it wasn't empty. He saw targets placed strategically around the area, practice dummies and a makeshift workbench; most likely used for on the spot repairs, crafting or sharpening. Using his heightened senses, he carefully listened for any Viking within a hundred yards from him.
With nothing but silence, he ventured into the clearing to take a closer look at the equipment. He noticed the bow and arrows placed on the workbench, but apart from that nothing much else. It was only when he examined the targets and trees near them did he smile. They all bore ax markings. He couldn't assume that it all belonged to Astrid's ax. Maybe Berk's entire army trained here. But if that was the case, there'd be a wrack for different weapons, and more targets and dummies. And it wouldn't be quite a distance away from the village. He just needed a more conclusive evidence that only Astrid visited this area.
He searched around the treeline; any indication of a path that was used regularly. He did a couple rounds near the edges of the clearing. He was almost disappointed until he caught a familiar scent. It was faint, but it was there, and did belong to Astrid. He followed the scent and found the path. He didn't understand how he missed it the first time until he took a few paces back, and saw that it blended nearly perfectly against the dark foliage; coupled with the night.
He smiled to himself. At least he could watch her from a distance; most likely in the trees surrounding the clearing. But until then, he had some sleep to catch up on.
000
"Up and early you two." Astrid nudged her siblings. Asta reluctantly pulled the covers away from her, rubbing the tiredness from her eyes and letting out a loud yawn. Bjorn on the other hand pulled the covers over his head and mumbled something about beauty sleep. Astrid, however, was in no mood for games. She pulled back the covers, taking slight amusement in the way Bjorn covered his eyes.
"It's so bright!"
"The sun isn't over the horizon yet." She gestured to the window. When Bjorn took a peak, he saw his sister was right. It was still incredibly dark outside; a faint essence of an orange hue outlining the very edges of the frame.
"Come on sleeping beauty. Even princes need training." She said as she tossed his day clothes at him. Asta meanwhile had already gotten out of bed and headed outside to the back, where the outhouse and cleaning station was to freshen up.
"How can you wake up at such an ungodly hour and still be cheery?" Her brother grumbled as he grabbed his clothes and headed outside too.
"Easy. I enjoy training at the crack of dawn." She followed her brother out. "Now come on, we have a lot to practice today and mother wants us to grab a few things from the market on the way back."
000
Despite moving onto a completely new and inhabited island, Hiccup slept rather well that night. Waking up just in time to catch the sun peaking over the treeline. He figured it mustn't be too long past dawn, given the remaining purple and dark blue shades in the sky. He stretched out his tight muscles; some of his joints popping and feeling the tension of the past few days just fade away. He rubbed away the remaining tiredness in his eyes, hearing a few splashes coming from his left. When he turned his gaze, he noticed Toothless near the pond's edge, looking for something. "Any fish in there?" That could be the main reason he was so focused.
"Yeah, and I just can't catch the damn thing."
Hiccup chuckled. "How about we go fishing sometime this afternoon? After you've had a lay of the island."
"Sounds good. Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah. Surprisingly well, in ?"
"Oh, as well as a dragon can sleep on an island full of dragon killers."
"Calm down, Toothless. If it makes you feel any better I surveyed the area around here. And I haven't found a single trail, marking, path or scent that indicates anyone from the village frequents this area."
"That still doesn't make me feel better."
"Alright, I'll leave you to get settled in our new home. I'll head out and continue exploring." He said as he turned away.
"Alone? Are you crazy- Why am I even asking. You are crazy."
Hiccup gave Toothless a deadpan expression, before climbing out of the cove and headed to the clearing, wondering if he'd be fortunate enough to get a glimpse of her today. Their fight was still relatively fresh in his mind. From the moment they clashed blades, he knew he wouldn't win. All he'd have to rely on was his own body's superiority to hers; the Jormung blood did provide greater human strength, quicker reflexes and heightened senses compared to that of a normal Viking. He might as well borrow a few tips on how to fight by just watching her from the trees.
Yeah, there was nothing creepy about that.
He heard three different voices as he neared the clearing. He recognized Astrid's, but the other two, younger ones were new. He scaled up one of the trees close to the clearing, keeping the noise to a minimum. Hopefully nothing too suspicious for the blonde in the centre of the opening, who looked to be lecturing two children who looked a lot like her.
"You've got to improve your stance. Here, like this." She said to the young boy. She spread her feet, demonstrating to them. "You want to make sure you have enough leverage when attacking. Not too little that your attacks won't have any affect, and not too strong otherwise you'll over-exert yourself for no reason. Or worse, allowing your opponent to gain the upper hand." She gave a swing of her ax; which Hiccup assumed was the correct way to swing it.
"Once you've got that done, you'll be able to do this." With both her hands on the handle, she raised it above her head and threw it at a target that was thirty yards away, hitting it dead-centre, earning wow's from the children and himself. "But again, you'll have to work on strengthening your body to do moves like that. Which is why the exercises we do before training are extremely important; and why I want you guys to do some on your own time. You'll be amazed by the results if you keep at." She walked towards the target to retrieve her ax.
"It just takes up time, sis." The young boy said.
"That time will pay off, Bjorn. Before you know it, you'll have all the girls fawning over your skills and strength by the time you're my age." She smiled, earning a blush and slight muttering from the boy. "Now come on you two, time to spar with the dummies."
They training continued for almost another hour. The children had their own assignments to work on while Astrid kept watch and also engaged in a few routines of her own. And from where Hiccup was seated...she looked incredible. Apart from Ripper, he'd never seen anyone who that focused, that composed, and that agile when wielding a heavy weapon, such as an ax. The way she twirled the ax in her hands gave the impression that it was just as much a part of her body as her hand was. She was treating it like an extension of herself.
That was definitely something he could learn to incorporate in his fighting style with his sword.
"Alright guys, that concludes training for today." She called out and the two immediately ceased their drills. "Mind stopping by the market and getting these items?" She handed them a note and a pouch of coins. "Mom's too busy helping with the rebuilding and dad's with the council."
"What about you?" The young girl asked.
"I have a few more things to practice here, but I won't be long. I should be back before midday, now off you go." She bade them goodbye, and Hiccup watched the pair run towards the trail he found last night. He waited until he couldn't hear their footsteps before he himself began his way down.
"We're alone now." His breath hitched in his throat. He peaked around the tree and saw Astrid staring his direction; except he wasn't sure if it was at him. "I know you're here. You better show yourself because if not, this ax is gonna be embedded in your skull if you don't show yourself now." He saw her grip tighten on it. Surely she was bluffing, right?
That thought went out the door as soon as that ax flew past the tree he was clinging to. He didn't need to think twice. He jumped the rest of the way down and bolted for it. He didn't know if he was running towards the cove or in some other direction. He just needed to get away from her. He leaped over fallen tree trunks and tore through bushes, hoping he was placing as much distance between them. He looked behind him to see if she was right there; there was nothing.
That brief hope, however, shattered the moment he was bowled over from the side, rolling along the ground, finally settling with a weight on top of him. Before he could gather himself, his captor grabbed the front of his vest pulling him up.
And soon he was face-to-face with a really unamused Astrid Hofferson, straddling him and fist at the ready to knock him out.
"What in Thor's name are you doing here!?"