Hey y'all! Sorry for the brief break in updates. Sadly they are to continue as I'm going back to school on the 16th and will be busy. I'll do my best to keep up but they may just come whenever I can post. Enjoy the double chapters for this and my other fics!
With the sun rising, the riders made their way to Berk with a flock of newly rescued dragons. Hiccup was proudly showing off his island to the new dragons atop Toothless, and as he rambled on, Blueheart had to roll her eyes.
After Nightfire was born, Zyrah opted that she, Konall, and Rurik live on Berk. It would make things easier, and it was an added bonus that it gave the three of them independence, especially Zyrah, and Rurik, being the youngest of their family. And, of course, Konall was just happy to be there.
Not to mention, in the following months, more dragon trappers began showing up in the archipelago in vast numbers. And so, Hiccup deduced it was time to really do something about it. He made everyone armor made of the shed scales of their dragons to make them fireproof.
And while Konall and Rurik were thrilled to have armor of their own, they oddly preferred being on Berk and helping out.
"Plus, someone needs to watch the hatchling," Konall observed. He had offered Fishlegs to watch over Fishmeat, but for some odd reason, Fishlegs refused, even though Fishmeat and Nightfire would be babysat by someone responsible.
Hiccup does love his speeches… Blueheart sighed.
You know him. Toothless reminded, head to the house and get Nightfire. I'll meet you there after I help this new troupe get settled in.
Sounds good! Zyrah then playfully saluted Hiccup as she and Blueheart headed for the Haddock house, with Ana right behind her, who was going to get back to work with Gothi.
Back in the main square, the rescued Crimson Goregutter happily took a seat on a rotating pole stacked with perches for various dragons. As it roared, announcing its entrance, Berkians flooded to greet their newest inhabitants.
Zyrah loved and respected Hiccup extensively, but she was personally not super into the show of welcoming new dragons.
Upon making it to the Haddock house to grab some stuff, a black blur burst through the front door. Zyrah didn't have time to react before she was pinned aggressively to the hard ground. And then she was met with a face full of Night Fury saliva.
"Ugh! Nightfire! That's nasty!" Blueheart came to her rider's rescue by gently grabbing her daughter by the tail in between her gums.
Easy there. They just got back. Zyrah's gotta get some rest… and so do I.
Awwwww, can't I play with her?
How about you play with Uncle Lightbolt? Hm? He and Konall should be up by now.
Oh yeah! Okay! Is Papa in the great hall?
He should be now.
Nightfire was only a few months old now, but she had grown considerably, nearly as long as half Zyrah's height. Since the aforementioned and her partner and brother chose to stay on Berk, the Night Fury hatchling had become particularly attached to her mother's rider.
So close, in fact, that Nightfire had developed a habit of riding on Zyrah's back with her tail curled around her midsection. Hiccup had described seeing the same behavior with the Wingmaidens and their baby Razorwhips. Though, Zyrah didn't trust the idea of relying on a hatchling dragon to fly her around.
After picking up Nightfire, Zyrah and Blueheart then made their way to the house where Zyrah, Konall, and Rurik were living with their respective dragons.
As they walked, the three girls watched as the new Crimson Goregutter accidentally knocked into a tower, causing a domino effect on surrounding buildings and sending them all tumbling into the sea below.
With a click of her tongue, Zyrah sighed in exasperation as she walked up the steps to her new home, entering with Blueheart right behind.
"Konall! Rurik! We're back!"
"In the back!" Rurik replied, "Your boyfriend is getting some firewood. How'd the raid go?" He inquired, making his way into the main room, grabbing his sister's sword, and putting them away. Blueheart settled down next to the hearth and started a fire. Behind her, Rurik's Nadder, Killgrave, also was lounging about.
Uncle Killgrave! Nightfire squealed. The red and purple Nadder peeled an eye open to see his 'niece' attempting to get his attention.
Hey there, kiddo.
Where's Uncle Lightbolt?
Elsewhere. He'll be back.
Nightfire, let your uncle sleep.
Nah, it's all good. I'm awake anyway. The Nadder yawned and ruffled his wings, so how'd the raid go?
"It was sloppy. Snotlout ruined the stealth aspect, and we were almost overtaken. It needs work. But… we made it back with all the dragons we found, so I guess it wasn't a total loss."
"Well, that's something." As Zyrah attempted to settle down next to Blueheart, Konall and Lightbolt walked in from the back.
"Oh nice, Blueheart started the fire?" Konall announced as he made his way over with some kindling in arm.
"Yep." Right off the bat, Konall observed Zyrah's irritation and exhaustion.
"Raid didn't go as planned?" The raven-haired teen shook her head as she removed her dragon armor, venting to the boys about what went wrong.
Working with a team had never been an issue for Zyrah, having grown up with Konall and Rurik always by her side and offering a helping hand. However, she had found it challenging working with Hiccup's team. She knew and understood it wasn't Hiccup's fault, he did his best to wrangle the idiots, but their communication was far from decent.
Especially given the fact that Snotlout was far too arrogant and brash for his own good, and Gods knows how Ruff and Tuff managed to get as far as they did. They shared one brain cell, and no one knew who used it more.
That being said…
There had been a couple of successful raids where everything went smoothly. But they were rare.
Later on in the day, after getting some rest and getting some energy back, Zyrah made her way to the Great Hall, followed by Konall, Rurik, Blueheart, Lightbolt, and Nightfire.
She took a seat at the table where the gang was already eating. Astrid saw her first, gesturing for her to take a seat near her and Ana.
"You got some rest?"
"Yeah. I'm just worn out." Zyrah admitted, grabbing a bowl of soup and taking a seat. "I don't know why, but last night's raid is really bothering me."
"I get it. It didn't go well. But don't worry; I'm going to talk with Hiccup and make sure we have a better plan." Astrid assured.
Hiccup then made it over to the table with Gobber right behind him, the two talking about something related to the dragons. Again.
Over the past few months, Zyrah had overheard Gobber expressing concern to Hiccup about all the dragons they kept rescuing. And given what she'd witnessed in the square, it was evident that Berk was becoming far too crowded.
Still silent, Zyrah just listened and observed the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Tuffnut was attempting to get his plate back from Barf's mouth. But after managing to get it back, he accidentally flung the food in Snotlout's direction, making Snotlout think Tuffnut wanted a food fight.
"Ha-ha! Food fight!"
"Ugh…" Zyrah and Ana sighed.
The two just sat and watched, and Snotlout and Tuffnot kept throwing food at each other, eventually getting Ruffnut involved.
"Mmm, gorg-e-ousss. Watch the hair!" The female Thorston snapped.
Down the table, Fishlegs was literally spoonfeeding Fishmeat.
"Good Fishmeat."
Suddenly, food hits Gobber in the face.
"Ugh! Thor, help us. Time to stop worrying about problems out there…"
"Gobber…"
"...and start sorting out the ones right here!"
Gobber then grabbed Hiccup in a headlock on his right and Astrid in his left arm.
"Okay, okay. I-I'll think about it." Hiccup attempted.
"Hang up those saddles and get married."
As soon as the words leave his mouth, the food fight abruptly stops, the gang staring at Gobber, and a few jaws dropped.
"The "m" word."
"Gross. Unless it's me." Ruffnut grinned, then threw food… again.
"Start ruling like a proper royal couple." The blacksmith turned to Astrid, "Marry him, please. You're the only one with any sense around here. With you wearing the pants, there's still hope."
Ana, Zyrah, and Konall had stopped eating and stared at the spectacle Gobber was making.
"Wow! Gobber... Not awkward at all." With a huff, she left the table hurriedly.
"Astrid, don't be like that."
"Whoa. That is a definitive no. Look, if you need a beard to cry on-" Tuffnut observed, inserting himself into a very awkward situation. He grabbed Hiccup's face, shoving it into his "beard". Zyrah just grimaced at the scene.
"Thor, help us with Tuff trying to give advice."
"Don't pay him mind. Though… Gobber does bring up a point." Ana mused, earning a look from Zyrah.
"What?"
"You. You and Konall." Zyrah immediately made a "cut it out" motion with her hand against her neck. With a shrug, Ana stopped. But she knew; she'd talk to Zyrah about it later.
"-just lean on my shoulder and you can cry into my full, thick beard."
"Oh, thank you, Tuffnut. Thank you. So much…"
Eret then made his entrance and stopped upon witnessing the rather embarrassing sight ahead of him. Instead of saying anything, he just cleared his throat. And poor Hiccup freed himself from Tuffnut and turned to his friend in relief.
"Eret, son of Eret!"
"What's the report?"
"Two more trapper barges spotted in the strait."
"So we go after them."
The young chief turned around only to get Gobber staring at him, an unsurprised but frustrated glare on his face.
"What?"
"One day, yer gonna pick a fight ye can't win."