Her pale, trembling hand moved upward, cutting through the air, as if being the boat, cutting through the stormy ocean, until reaching the target, gradually landing on the turquoise scales of the dragonish snout.
The darkness swept over the entire place, flanked by the rock, frigid walls, like inside a cage which the spot precisely was, the only source of light being the glistening moon, leaking from beyond the gaps of the repealed entrance. If one had glimpsed around, they'd have probably detected the stains of blood by the loose chains, occasionally maybe the dust and muck on the footing, however, their attention would've quickly shifted to the dragon at the center, certainly.
At that point, the Nadder, being the one that Hiccup treated once, was nothing but calm whilst standing ahead of the two women, her limbs freed from the tethering, her posture leaned, truthful towards the visitors. In the meanwhile, the mentioned women just stayed still, one of them - Hiccup, precisely - standing rather at the rear, glancing her eyes from the female and back to the other, whereas that other - Astrid - maintained her eyes at where her hand was.
Hence, she'd stared at the scaled, blueish skin, matching the tint of her orbs, her palm relaxing underneath the sense of the even breath, which tickled her nerves and untangled the invisible strings that squeezed her soul. Ultimately, having the mental strength to, Astird gazed at Hiccup, her face swathed by overwhelming emotions, whereas the other just grinned at her, herself satisfying the dragonness by scratching her neck as she asked.
"So, how does it feel like?"
"Honestly," Astrid started, a weak smile sneaking onto her face, "pretty fuckin' amazin'."
"Yeah, I know the feelin'," Hiccup replied, then, after a shorter while, handed Astrid the salmon, which she'd collected from the bucket by her thigh. "Now, feed 'er some more. She must be hungry, still."
Afterward, Astrid accepted the fish, yet peeked at Hiccup, and asked, "How'd ya know?" knotting her brows in puzzlement.
Not right away had Hiccup answered, but stared at the Nadder, for a while more, beaming compassionately, before stating, "Just a hunch," and then, backed away, leaving the two on their own.
Subsequently, using her stance, Astrid shifted her entire attention to the female, who purred, when being fed, and also, when the woman caressed the scales up her head whilst she'd snuggled to her palm, pleased. Accordingly, Astrid just couldn't withstand the amount of adoration she'd been receiving - she'd grinned, the brightest her lips allowed her to, all the more, as the dragonness coiled on the soil around her, trustfully.
Undergoing the Nadder's perceptible plea, Astrid seated herself in the created circle, her arm, as if naturally, leaning itself at the female's spikes atop her head, whereas the dragonness permitted on that, closed her eyes when resting, comfortably. At last then, the woman gazed forward, her back glued to the creature's stomach, and so, her eyes landed on Hiccup, who counted the fish inside her bucket while sitting by the wall across from her.
"Now then, the reason, why they're really spoilin' our lives, isn't because they're homicidal beasts," Astrid started, obtaining Hiccup's focus as she stared at her, centered, "but because they're forced to that, by that queen of the sort?"
"In essence, yes," Hiccup verified, inhaling deeply. "The only way, so that 'd end, would be if we've killed the tyrant herself."
"Ye've got any idea, how to do that?" Astrid asked, the slight hope crossing her face, shortly. "Ye've got some plan?"
"Astrid, if I've known a way that could've ended this war, I'd to it," Hiccup admitted, then glanced back to her bucket, smirking. "But, if ye've got an idea, tell."
Consequently, Astrid only snorted, confirming the absurdity of such a thought, yet narrowed her eyes as Hiccup didn't react much, her eyes locked on the water's barrier, her expression traversed by the sort of bitterness, offense. That's when she'd actually remembered, how she'd found herself here, what had happened beforehand, and guilt swallowed her body, feeling as the blood stained her hands, and finally, she spoke, faintly.
"Hiccup, I'd like to apologize to ya. I-I should've done it already, I know, I-," Astrid paused, troubled as Hiccup wouldn't even gaze at her, yet continued, "I've got no justification for myself, for what I've attempted to do. I just-, I am terribly, terribly sorry. Forgive me, please."
Thereafter, again, Hiccup hadn't done much, other than simply nod, and straighten her back whilst she'd leaned the back of her head on the wall, the previous anger being replaced by indifference, which didn't suit her, much. Thus, Astrid wouldn't give up on the theme, and, aware of what to do, she sighed, slightly shrank in herself, before starting, her voice lowered, bestowing her medium-pitched voice with solemnity.
"Ye've known the story of my uncle, Finn Hofferson?"
"Well, yeah. Like everybody," Hiccup responded, gazed at her, intrigued. "What does that have to do with-,"
"He's been my hero, through my entire life - the fearless Finn Hofferson. He'd taught me the most I know, I marveled at him, wanted to be just like him," Astrid recalled, the mere smile on her face, before it faded, as she resumed, "His last battle happened when I was five, and everybody kept tellin' me, that he'd died because of the scare paralyze. To this day, I ain't believe that, and I'll never."
"Astrid-,"
"That's not even the worst," Astrid interrupted, her eyes swelled with tears, drilled into the soil, whereas Hiccup gaped at her, sympathetically. "The worst is, the house Hofferson abhorred him, as he'd buried us in the dishonor. Since then, I've worked, planned my whole life to recover that honor, not for my family name, but for him, only."
"Astrid I-, I ain't know what to say," Hiccup stated, frowning her eyebrows, circling the ring on her finger. "I'm sorry for yer loss, and for each time, that I've stolen that opportunity from ya. I've never done that, intentionally."
"I believe ya," Astrid confessed, then creased her forehead, baffled. "Why Stoic forces the tomorrow's fight onto ya?"
"He wants me to prove myself," Hiccup explained, sinking in herself. "If I won't succeed, what's rather obvious by now, he'll get me married."
"Married?" Astrid repeated, her brows cocked, her eyes widened, in shock. "Married to whom?"
"Dagur, Thruggory, I ain't know," Hiccup answered, her elbows, leaning at her crossed legs, sustaining her palms against her cheeks as she exhaled, defeated. "Neither is promisin' outcome, to be fuckin' honest."
Later on, for this reason, Astrid shook her head, not very trusting her ears, then stood up, quietly so as not to wake the dreaming Nadder, and seated herself by Hiccup, who maintained her eyes ahead, yet didn't ignore her presence whilst inclining toward it.
"Everythin' just fuckin' sucks, ain't it?" Astrid pointed out, trying to loosen the tight atmosphere, which had its success, and Hiccup snorted, smiling merely. "There's nothin' to be done?"
"Rather not," Hiccup replied, leaned her chin at her arms whereas Astrid crossed hers. "Even if I wanted, I'd never kill a dragon, and my father won't change his mind, definitely."
"Shit," Astrid cursed, her teeth gnashed for a period of time, when suddenly, the realization dawned on her face. "Or maybe, there ain't really need to kill."
"What ye're thinkin' of, exactly?" Hiccup asked, glancing at the other, stumped.
"What if ya'd not kill it, but show everybody what ye've shown me, that dragons aren't as cruel as we paint 'em?" Astrid suggested, and Hiccup pressed her lips together, doubtful. "Maybe that's an occasion for ya, to reconcile the two enemies."
"I-I ain't know," Hiccup stuttered, her leg shaking, anxiously. "The last time, that I've tried to prove somethin' at the trainin'-,"
"But 'll not be trainin', will it?" Astrid questioned, yet it didn't persuade the woman, thus, she straightened and began, confidently, "Look, Hiccup, I know ya ain't fond of the village, and ye've got probably the reasons for it, but believe me when I say, we're all exhausted, of the war, of the constant deaths, and battles. Give us the hope, the cause to fight for, and we will," she described, and Hiccup stared at her, stunned. "Besides, 's not like ye've got another choice, do ya?"
Afterward, Hiccup chuckled, looking heavenward, and after seconds, having decided, she said, "Maybe, not everythin' fuckin' sucks," and Astrid sniggered, lifted her forearm for Hiccup to bump hers into, what she did, without question - the smell of fish and rolling dust being witness to their formed friendship.
Standing at the center of the arena, Hiccup stared upward, into the shimmering stars, shrouding the entire sky, illuminating it, whereas the gentle wind blew through her hair, dispelling them in various directions. In the meantime, her ears listened to the clatter of the planks - Astrid's steps against the wooden path, leading to the village - hence, she'd not allowed any other noise to herself, neither owl's hooting, nor leaves' rustle, just this.
Ultimately, the smile sneaked onto her face as the sound faded away, leaving behind only the appeased boards, at which she'd peeked shortly, before returning her gaze to the sky, and then, throwing an ask into it, "Ye're here, right?" not shocked when the darkness answered.
"You're asking that as if not knowing me, already."
Afterward, she'd beamed, adoring the sound of the voice, then eventually, turned around to it, bestowing her eyes with the sight of Toothless, leaning against the stone wall, flawlessly merging into the shadows, whilst she'd been inside the light, herself.
Having gazed at that smirk of his, her heart wheeled around, hence, she'd been quick to take her eyes off it, approached him whilst gazing into his eyes, and asked, "Ye've heard everythin'?" her cheeks obscured by unnoticeable in the night, scarlet flush.
"Yes, I did," Toothless answered, his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes constantly fixed on hers. "You've not told her about us, about the curse."
"Well, I planned to," she recalled, scraping the rim of her ring with the pointer's fingernail, "but then I thought, 'd be better to tell one truth at a time."
"One truth at a time - that's quite a motto," he noted, grinned as she'd rolled her eyes, and then, caught a peek of her hands, chuckled due to it. "So, you've noticed it, finally - the ring."
"Yeah, I did," she responded, both staring at it, currently. "'s very pretty, can be seen that ye've done yer best."
"Such a compliment, from the blacksmith Hiccup, herself? I'm over the moon," he stated, adoring the lovable giggle which he'd provoked, proudly. "As much as I'm glad that it's pretty, I'm also delighted it serves its functionality."
"Functionality?" she inquired, rather confused, but once he'd pointed with his eyes to her hands, precisely to her fingers, grazing the solid textile, she understood. "Ah, that would be correct. I can't recall the time, I withstood so lon' without harmin' 'em."
"Now, it'll be your ordinariness," Toothless declared, approaching her, and, when having the reach to, skimmed the ring, himself. "The ordinariness, without the need of me, in it."
"Oh, Toothless," Hiccup started, smiled lightly, and grasped his hand, waylaying the man, instantly. "Such an ordinariness ain't exist, I'm afraid."
Subsequently, not one word was said, them both sustaining their eyes on each other, yet when noticing the rather sheer distance that divided them, Hiccup couldn't help otherwise, but summon certain thoughts. Thus, she'd been rather quick to locate her gaze on the man's departed lips, which became similar to her own, found herself even drawing nearer toward them, until sensing his breath at her cheeks, finally.
When so, she'd gazed at him, encountered his eyes being just as dazed as hers, and then, reached for him, her fingers musking the skin of the man's jaw, alas finally, flinched as he'd suddenly turned his head away, inhaling sharply.
"You should've been gone home, by now," he stated, his eyes at the empty point, his face unreadable, and his hand releasing hers. "It's getting late, and you'd like to get some sleep before tomorrow, probably."
At once, she'd drawn away from him, gaping at him, the surprise traversing her face, feeling as if he'd rejected her, pushed away, which could've been an actual truth, which was the truth, very much likely.
Ultimately, not knowing what else she could've done, she agreed, "Right, I'd like to. I'll just feed the dragons and-," then added, pointing to the bucket in the arena's corner, before being interrupted.
"I'll handle it, you just go," he replied, and Hiccup watched how he'd approached the bucket, picked it up, yet glanced at her and smiled, before doing anything else. "Sleep well, sunshine."
Thereafter, she'd just sighed before returning the grin weakly, responding, "Goodnight," and walking away, into the bright entrance, leaving him alone by the dark cages, the ghosts haunting her, however.
The glare of the sun reflected on the ground, obscured by the shadows of the vertical bars, yet heating the luminous stone, transforming its shade into a grayish white, as if replaced by the pure limestone of the sort. Regardless of the mentioned temperature, the gravel walls, as well as the low ceiling, remained lukewarm, thus, it didn't cause any issues for Hiccup to lean her back against one of them, whereas her eyes drilled into the illuminated point.
At some point, she'd fidgeted a little, discomforted by her clothes: the iron shoulder pad, hiding half of her left arm, the leather baldric around her waist, which carried the silver, long sword, and the olive tunic underneath all that. The most unnerving, however, would be the noise, coming from between the bars - the striking chains, the loud exclaims, the laughs - soon, she'd begun putting on and off her ring, again and again, not even willfully.
Lost inside her own head then, she'd outright jumped when being approached, eased as she'd recognized Astrid in her guest, who grinned widely, standing at the entrance, certainly satisfied with scaring the second woman. Inhaling openly, the blonde walked in afterward, stopped just ahead of Hiccup, just so as to lean her back on the wall across from her, then, having her legs crossed, gazed at her whilst the other did the same, drowsily.
"So, how does it feel like," Astrid asked, the smile evident on her face, continually, "bein' just minutes from the most significant combat of yer life?"
"Honestly," Hiccup started, exhaling while tensing her shoulders, firmly, "stressful, as if I were goin' to my execution."
"Well, not to be rude, but that might be the kind of truth," Astrid mocked, and Hiccup couldn't help the snicker, which fled her mouth, thereafter. "What? I'm holdin' to hope."
"Ha, ha," Hiccup grumbled, narrowed her eyes at Astrid's growing smirk, before taking a glance at the crowd outside, gnashing her teeth at it. "Ya truly believe, I could convince 'em?"
"I believe that everythin' will be okay," Astrid claimed, her face taken over by seriousness, yet for short as she added, "If not, I'll just be takin' yer spotlight, which actually belongs to me."
"Good that ye're optimist, really," Hiccup ironized, although having her corners of mouth lifted, her posture relaxed, even. "Astrid, can I ask ya somethin'?"
"Ask away," Astrid agreed, cocking her head, curiously.
"'s about the dragon, the Night Fury ye've met, yesterday," Hiccup mentioned, maintaining her eyes on the ground, not really eager to look the woman straight in the eye. "Truth is, we've created rather a bond, ya know? I'm afraid that, if I fail, if anything happens I-, I ain't want him to be alone."
"Bold of you to assume, that anybody would last with her, especially the poor dragon."
Immediately, after these words were said, the women gazed at their source, and so, glimpsed Toothless, just by the entrance's frame, his forearm leaned onto it, his eyes locked on Hiccup, whom he'd grinned lightly at. Hence, the woman returned the stare, forcing a weak smile onto her face even, and perhaps, they'd wanted to stay like that longer, yet ultimately, an eyewitness of the entire situation made herself known, quite loudly even.
"For the fuck's freakin' sake," Astrid swore, her brows knitted in a rather combination of fury and shock. "What he's doin' here, that prick?!"
"Hi, Aprid," Toothless greeted, shifting his gaze to her, altering his smile into a smirk, suddenly. "Long time no see."
"'s Astrid and ya know it!" she yelped and hardened her jaw, while he'd only rolled his eyes, the amusement overtaking his expression. "Hoped that lon' would be longer."
"The feeling is mutual, ain't worry," Toothless sniggered, savored Astrid's irritation, before returning his eyes to Hiccup, henceforth staring at her, only. "Could you leave us alone, for now?"
"What else?" Astrid snorted, crossing her arms over her chest, stubbornly. "I won't be takin' any orders from ya, bastard."
"Astrid, please," Hiccup cut into the conversation, then glanced at Astrid whilst the woman did the same, annoyed. "We'll see each other after the fight, okay?"
Initially, Astrid didn't move an inch, stared at Hiccup as if hoping she'd change her mind, yet when she'd not, she sighed, "Fine, fine. There ain't need to beg. Good luck, girl," and added, as she'd bumped her forearm with Hiccup's in a familiar manner, then muttered when bypassing Toothless by the entrance, "Asshole."
"Bitch," he responded, and, as he'd made sure she'd been gone, not hearing her steps behind himself anymore, diverted his full attention toward Hiccup. "Hey."
"Hi," she replied, her eyes watching as he took a stance beside her by the wall, her ongoing grin weak. "What ye're doin' here?"
"You're actually asking? As if I'd miss it for anything," he answered, wearing his hands at the back of his neck, and frowned, noticing how the anxiety crossed her face. "You're okay?"
"Well, normally, I'd say that I'm fine, but now-," she paused, then shut her eyes, plastering her braid to the stone, hard, "now, I'm just terrified."
"Oh, sweetheart," he whispered, his hand snuggling underneath the back of her head, capturing her neck, gently. "It's going to be alright."
"I know, I just-," she hesitated, and then, out of the blue, came up to Toothless's front, embranced her arms around his waist, firmly. "I can't help that feelin'."
At very first, when being hugged, Toothless behaved as formerly before, extending his arms, staring at the mashed cheek by his heart, the face filled with fright, and at last, when the concern crammed his body, returned the gesture. Having his hand at the bottom of her back, which stroked her tunic, the other at her head, belonging to the arm that circled her shoulders, he simply sighed and leaned his chin at her hair, obtaining rather a clear view of the arena itself, afterward.
If he were to be honest, he'd say that the sight stressed even him, despite not having to enter there being overwhelmed by the mass, the blinding light - he couldn't even image what Hiccup must've felt, and he did not want her to.
"I could take you away," he muttered suddenly, his voice deep, his expression serious, hardened. "I could take you far away from here."
"What?" she asked and gazed at his face, not ever letting go of him. "Where?"
"Wherever you'd want to," he answered, returning the stare, cupping her cheek, his thumb grazing her skin. "I could take you home, I could take you to the cove, I could take you beyond the horizon, beyond the end of the world, just-, just say a word, and I'll do it."
Thereafter, she'd just gaped at him, actually considering the suggestion, actually wanting to leave, especially if it'd be with that man, that darling man, who just told her, that he'd bring her to the end of the world, in order to keep her safe. Ultimately, getting into a muddle, she'd lowered her eyes, fixed them on the one point, in between his neck and shoulder, yet snuggled into the warmth of his palm by her head, before exhaling, then speaking, quietly.
"That, surely, sounds delightful," she began, however, inched away, smiling at him, weakly, "but I couldn't, not when knowing the things I know. I couldn't leave 'em alone to that war."
"Heh, I could've predicted it. That's just how you are," he chuckled, then tilted his head, just so as to say, worriedly, "Know, that I'll be watching you, and even if something were to happen, I'll step up. I promise."
"I know. That's just how ya are," she repeated his words, hence, he'd beamed and laughed quietly, provoking the bright grin onto her face - it was eventually, that it'd slipped, the anxiety flooding her expression as she murmured, "Toothless-," only to be interrupted, at once.
Suddenly, the loud roar of the horn sounded in the air, triggering the salva of the cheering, and while Hiccup knew the purpose behind it, she didn't move an inch afterward, rather only froze, yet not from fear but anger. Soon, he'd been the one to view it, the wrath that clouded her expression, the tensed muscles, as if she'd blamed herself, strangely - for that reason, the man troubled, was quick to try to loosen the atmosphere.
"I think that's your cue," he spotted, faking a smile as she stared at him, the nervousness readable from her face. "Come on, ain't worry. We'll talk-,"
Toothless never finished that sentence, because abruptly then, without much of a warning, Hiccup grabbed the two sides of his collar, pulled them to herself, and, tilting her head, kissed him, not ever doubting her act. Subsequently, the man wouldn't do much, stared at her closed lids, yet shortly after, returned the kiss, his hands snatching the fabric at the back of her tunic, maintaining her by himself as near as it was possible.
Just off them, the bars, which led to the arena's opening, would lift themselves, however, they'd not bother, definitely too occupied to notice, longing for each other as they'd done it for the whole, yesterday's day. At last, they must've broken apart, laking the air, and Hiccup held the man dearly, as if afraid that the moment she'd let go, he'd disappeared - immediately had the man then calmed her, beaming honestly.
"I know, sunshine. I know, everything," he confessed, tucking the strand of her hair behind her ear, then kissed her forehead, quickly. "Now go, make me proud as always."
Consequently, she'd nodded, releasing him, although pressed her forehead into his, before turning around, toward the now-opened gate, the sharp sun's rays blinding her eyes as she took the step inside.