DISCLAIMER - I DON'T OWN ANYTHING IN THE 'HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON' FRANCHISE
"This isn't up for discussion anymore, Hiccup," Valka said firmly, her voice unwavering and carrying the weight of finality, as if she had delivered this decree a dozen times already that very day.
Hiccup's temper flared. "Why are you so against helping me?!" he snapped, frustration evident in the way his voice cracked. "I'm not even asking you to come along—I just need you to let me take some of your dragons!" His words were sharp, a raw edge betraying the conflict burning within him.
The afternoon sun filtered through the thick, ice-laden canopy above, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow onto the frosty ground. The ice shimmered in the gentle breeze, and the distant sound of wind whipping through frozen trees added to the cold, tense silence between them. The two of them had been arguing for what felt like hours, their voices rising and falling in a cyclical rhythm, always returning to the same points, the same dead ends, never finding resolution.
Astrid had wisely excused herself some time ago, muttering something about needing air. Watching the two Haddocks argue was like watching two storms collide—intense, exhausting, and ultimately futile. It was the same endless conflict Hiccup had grown up with, but now it was his mother, not his father, standing on the other side of the divide. The pattern was hauntingly familiar.
"How many times do I have to tell you?" Valka huffed, her voice tinged with exasperation, her patience fraying. "The dragons here aren't going to be used for whatever schemes you've drawn up against Drago." She gestured toward his prosthetic leg, her expression hardening with an unmistakable flicker of concern. "Unless, of course, you want to end up in worse condition than last time."
Hiccup froze, his breath catching as her words struck a nerve deeper than she could know. His jaw tightened, a flare of anger flashing in his green eyes as he absorbed the sting of her bluntness. "You're really going there… again?" he asked quietly, his voice trembling, not just with anger but with the hurt that lingered just beneath the surface.
Valka's expression softened slightly as she realized the gravity of what she'd just said. She exhaled a shaky breath and looked away, her face momentarily drained of its sharp edge. "Look… I'm sorry, but—"
"But what?!" Hiccup cut her off, his voice suddenly louder, cracking with the weight of his frustration. "What could you possibly say to justify putting me down every time I try to do something to help our people?" His words hung heavy in the cold air, an accusation more than a question.
"They're not our people, Hiccup," Valka said, her tone dripping with frustration as she rolled her eyes, dismissing his plea. "We left, remember? We're not like them."
Hiccup recoiled. His face tightened with an emotion he could barely name, but it tasted bitter on his tongue. "So that's what this has always been about, isn't it?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, thick with disgust. "You've always acted like you were better than the Berkians because you could see past their hatred of dragons. But you're no different."
Valka's eyes narrowed instantly, her posture stiffening, her tone sharpening like the edge of a blade. "Excuse me?"
"You're just on the other side of the same coin," Hiccup pressed on, his words spilling out bitter and caustic, thick with the sting of old wounds. "It's still an 'us versus them' for you—you just chose the dragons, unlike everyone else back on Berk."
"That's one Hel of a conclusion to come to, Hiccup," Valka retorted, crossing her arms tightly over her chest, her eyes challenging him.
"And am I wrong?" Hiccup's voice grew colder, his eyebrow arching in challenge. His words were sharp, almost accusing. "You're hoarding all these dragons here, keeping them safe while letting Berk fend for themselves against Drago. We both know how it's going to end for them, and you're just sitting by, letting it happen."
Valka threw her hands up in exasperation, the movement a release of all the pent-up frustration that had been building between them. "And what would you have me do, Hiccup?" she demanded, her voice rising in frustration. "March back to Berk with the dragons, let them bond with creatures they've spent their entire lives hating, and throw them into a war? Sure, we might take out a portion of Drago's forces, but we'll lose, plain and simple. At least this way, I can continue my efforts—our efforts—and put a dent in Drago's forces over time, rather than lose everything in one doomed battle."
Hiccup's gaze was hard as he faced Valka, his voice thick with frustration. "And what do you think Drago's going to do once he's done with the Archipelago?" he shot back, his tone edged with urgency. "You think he's going to leave you alone? Without an Alpha here to protect these dragons, it's only a matter of time before he comes for you."
Valka's jaw tightened, the muscles in her face visibly straining as his words hit home. She stared at him, but her expression remained unreadable, a flicker of something—perhaps guilt or defiance—passing behind her eyes. She didn't respond immediately, but the silence between them was charged, thick with unspoken tension.
Hiccup's eyes narrowed. "And don't act like you didn't see this coming. You've always been one step ahead, haven't you? What did you expect to happen?"
Valka's eyes flashed with something dangerous, and she stepped forward, her voice low and tight with accusation. "And you made sure there's no Alpha here, didn't you?" The words were sharp, a bitter edge in her tone. "You took that from us. You took it from me."
The weight of her words settled between them like a blow. Hiccup's breath hitched for a moment, his expression faltering as the sharpness of her accusation struck him. His mouth opened and closed, unsure how to respond to the pain and anger in her voice.
Valka's silence that followed was even more telling than her words. Her gaze never left his, but it was as if her entire being was caught in a battle she didn't want to fight, but couldn't avoid. She hadn't expected to feel this sting, to confront the consequences of her own choices so directly.
Hiccup's shoulders sagged slightly, his frustration giving way to something colder, harder. He let out a slow, humorless laugh, his eyes hardening. "And there it is," he said, his voice low and brittle. "The root of the problem. You blame me for your Bewilderbeast losing to Drago's."
"Why didn't you just leave me to rot in Drago's prison cells?" he asked, his voice now low, edged with hurt. "Was it obligation? Did you save me just so you could hold it over my head later?" His words were thick with the anger and despair that had taken root in his heart over the years.
Valka's composure finally cracked. Her voice wavered, thick with raw emotion, as she turned to face him fully. "Because you're my son!" she cried, the words spilling out with more force than she intended. "You're my son, Hiccup! And I finally had you back in my life. Things were perfect—we were helping the dragons, working together, bonding. And then you got it into your head that we had to go help the Vikings personally—the same people who despised our way of thinking." Her voice trembled as she shook her head, the weight of her years of sacrifice and pain pulling her down. "I couldn't let you die there, and I still stand by that decision. But I lost almost everything I was building that night to save you. And now you're here to take away what little I have left."
Hiccup's expression softened, his anger dissipating as he took in the vulnerability of her words. His shoulders slumped, his previous fire dimming. "It doesn't have to be like that," he said quietly, his voice now stripped of its earlier sharpness. "You can help us—come with us. You don't have to stay here alone out of some misplaced fear that Berk won't accept you for leaving."
Valka's eyes flickered with indecision, a brief glimmer of longing in the depths of her gaze. But her decision was made, and it was clear in the way her shoulders set. She sighed, her breath trembling with the weight of her choice, but there was no turning back now.
"You can take as many dragons as you need," she said, her voice softening with reluctant acceptance. "But I'm not going with you."
"Mom—" Hiccup began, his voice pleading, but she raised her hand to stop him.
"I can't, Hiccup," she interrupted, her voice firm now, laced with finality. "Please don't try to change my mind. I can't face them… especially not your father."
Hiccup's gaze dropped to the icy ground, his heart heavy. He nodded slowly, the weight of his disappointment clear on his shoulders. "I am sorry," he said quietly, the words carrying more remorse than he had intended. "If I had known everything that would happen because of my impulsive, stupid decisions… I wouldn't have done it." His voice trembled, and he had no more words left to say.
Without waiting for her response, he turned and walked away, each step heavy with the burden of his unresolved emotions. The soft crunch of his boots on the frozen earth was the only sound that remained as he left his mother behind. At least he had accomplished his goal—the dragons would return to Berk. But the victory felt hollow, a small consolation in the wake of the fractured bond between them.
Hiccup found Astrid sitting beside Toothless, both of them watching with an amused air as the Night Fury growled and snapped at a group of mischievous hatchlings. The young dragons, full of energy and curiosity, had seemingly made it their mission to pester the older dragon, darting around him with playful defiance. Toothless swatted at them with his tail, only to miss by a wide margin, causing the hatchlings to chirp triumphantly, their high-pitched calls ringing through the air.
Astrid's attention shifted as Hiccup approached, and her expression immediately transformed, worry replacing the amusement that had been present moments before. She stood and met him halfway, her gaze searching his face, instinctively knowing that something was wrong.
"How did it go?" she asked, her voice sharp with urgency, her eyes flicking between him and the dragons.
Hiccup exhaled a tired sigh, his hand running through his disheveled hair as he gave a slow, reluctant nod. "We can take some dragons back," he said, his tone flat, as though it was the most neutral of statements.
Astrid's lips curved into a relieved smile at the news, her shoulders visibly relaxing. But her smile faltered almost immediately as she observed the weariness in his eyes, the tension that hadn't entirely left his shoulders. "What's wrong?" she asked, her voice softer now, more insistent.
Hiccup hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. Then, with a resigned shrug, he shook his head. "Just my mom being my mom," he muttered under his breath, the words laced with a heavy dose of frustration. "Let's go. No point in wasting more time here—it's already been over a day."
Astrid gave a small, understanding nod, sensing that he wasn't ready to open up further. She turned toward Toothless, preparing to climb onto his back for the long flight back home. However, before she could do so, their attention was abruptly drawn to a familiar, unmistakable squawk that echoed overhead, cutting through the stillness of the frozen landscape.
"Is that...?" Hiccup squinted, shading his eyes against the sun's weak light as he looked up at the rapidly approaching figure, his words trailing off in surprise.
"I think it's..." Astrid began, her voice laced with confusion and a touch of disbelief, trailing off as she followed his gaze.
The vibrant blue and yellow scales gleamed in the sunlight as the dragon swooped lower, finally landing gracefully before them. It was Astrid's Deadly Nadder, unmistakable even at a distance, and somehow—against all odds—she had tracked her rider through the treacherous snowstorm.
"You came all this way?" Astrid murmured in astonishment, her eyes wide with surprise as she approached her dragon. She reached out, gently stroking the Nadder's snout, her fingers brushing over the smooth scales. "Through this snowstorm?"
"Well," Hiccup interjected, his tone turning analytical as his mind raced through the logistics of the situation, "technically, the storm's died down. It's almost fine flying conditions now, actually—"
He stopped short as Astrid shot him a glare that could have frozen lava, the intensity of her gaze silencing him instantly. "But of course, it's still impressive!" he amended hastily, his voice rising with sudden enthusiasm, eager to avoid further irritation. "Most dragons wouldn't even think about flying in this cold."
Astrid ignored him, her focus entirely on the Nadder. She ran her hand over the dragon's snout once more, her fingers lingering on the soft, iridescent scales. "You really flew through all that just to find me?" she asked, her voice thick with amazement and gratitude.
The Nadder let out a soft chirp in response, nuzzling Astrid's shoulder affectionately, as though offering her an answer without words.
Astrid laughed softly, a sound that carried warmth and affection. "Then that's what I'll call you—Stormfly," she said, the name coming naturally, as if it had always been meant for her dragon.
The Nadder chirped again, puffing out her chest proudly as though showing off her newly given title, her vibrant scales shimmering in the light.
Hiccup and Toothless exchanged unimpressed glances, both of them taking in the moment with a sense of mild indifference. Toothless gave a low grumble of discontent, clearly not pleased with the attention that Stormfly was receiving.
Astrid, sensing the silent judgment, turned toward Hiccup with a raised eyebrow. "Is there a problem with the name?"
"Of course not!" Hiccup replied quickly, adopting an expression of innocent confusion as he looked away, hoping to divert any suspicion. Toothless, sensing his rider's unease, warbled a similarly innocent sound, his wide green eyes full of exaggerated sincerity.
Astrid crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes as she studied them both. "I wouldn't be so judgy, considering you named a Night Fury Toothless."
Hiccup stiffened slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement as he countered, "And he is toothless," gesturing to Toothless, who promptly gave a gummy smile, showcasing his lack of teeth in the most endearing way possible.
Astrid rolled her eyes at the sight, though she couldn't help but smirk. She turned back to her Nadder, her hands resting on Stormfly's neck as she gently patted the dragon. "Well, since Stormfly's here, I guess I can ride her back to Berk."
Hiccup raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched across his face as he looked from Stormfly to Astrid. "It's a long flight, and you don't have a saddle," he pointed out, his voice a mix of practicality and concern.
Astrid scoffed, already in the process of climbing onto Stormfly's back, showing no sign of hesitation. "I think I can survive one flight without a saddle," she said, her tone teasing as she adjusted herself comfortably. "Or maybe you're just worried you two won't be able to keep up?"
Hiccup sighed, already anticipating the familiar back-and-forth. He knew exactly where this was headed.
Toothless, however, huffed indignantly and nudged Hiccup to climb aboard, as if challenging him to rise to the occasion.
"You know," Hiccup said, settling onto Toothless's back with a resigned sigh, "challenging a Night Fury to a race is a terrible idea."
"So you have a fancy rare dragon—big deal," Astrid shot back, her grin widening. "Honestly, he's a little overrated."
Toothless snarled softly at the insult, his pride clearly wounded, and Hiccup couldn't help but chuckle at his dragon's reaction.
"Alright, bud," Hiccup said, patting Toothless's side affectionately. "Before you get too excited, let the sanctuary dragons know it's time to follow us back. Then you can show her what you've got."
Toothless groaned in mild annoyance, but he complied without argument, letting out a commanding roar that resonated across the sanctuary. Dragons of all shapes and sizes turned their heads at the sound, their curious eyes fixed on the pair.
Astrid leaned forward, a glint of determination in her eyes as she grinned widely at her dragon. "Alright, Stormfly, let's show them what we've got!"
Hiccup smirked in response, his eyes narrowing slightly with competitive fire. "Let's see if you can even keep up," he said, his voice dripping with playful challenge before Toothless shot into the air like an arrow, wings beating furiously as he soared into the sky, the sanctuary dragons following in quick formation.
Stormfly, not one to be outdone, took off moments later, her wings cutting through the air with impressive speed. She quickly closed the gap between herself and Toothless, the two dragons streaking across the sky like opposing forces in a race, leaving a trail of excitement and anticipation in their wake.
The race lasted for the entire journey back to Berk, with Stormfly managing to keep pace admirably. As they landed in the cove just outside the village, Astrid couldn't contain her excitement.
"See? I told you Stormfly was fast! We almost beat you!"
Hiccup, busy adjusting Toothless's saddle straps, didn't even look up as he replied, "We were cruising the whole way."
Astrid's mouth fell open in disbelief. "You're lying!"
Hiccup stood, a playful grin stretching across his face. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. Either way, we still won."
Toothless puffed out his chest triumphantly, earning an exasperated groan from Astrid.
"You two really are a pair," she muttered. "Both of you are insufferable."
"Those are hurtful words, Astrid," Hiccup said, feigning offense with a hand dramatically pressed over his heart.
"You'll live," she replied with a smirk. "Now let's get these dragons to the Vikings."
They turned to face the group of exotic dragons that had landed behind them, each one scanning their unfamiliar surroundings with wary curiosity.
"Taking these dragons to the village is a terrible idea," Hiccup noted, his voice tinged with concern. "They'll get spooked."
Astrid nodded thoughtfully. "Then we'll bring the Vikings here. They'll have to come to the dragons, not the other way around."
With a plan in place, the two of them prepared to head to the village, leaving the dragons behind to adjust to the change in scenery.
"There you are," Stoick's rumbling voice called out, carrying easily across the icy air as he spotted Hiccup and Astrid walking toward the Kill Ring. His massive frame towered over the few villagers nearby, who quickly made way for their chief.
"What's wrong?" Hiccup asked, his tone carrying an edge of weariness.
"It's been almost two days," Stoick began, crossing his arms as he surveyed them with a furrowed brow beneath his thick, fiery beard. "I was beginning to wonder where the two of you had wandered off to on that dragon of yours. Did you bring back the extra dragons?"
Hiccup nodded, brushing some snow from his armor as Toothless warbled softly beside him. "They're in the cove. I thought it'd be safer to bring the Vikings there to bond with them rather than letting the dragons wander into the village and risk chaos."
Stoick nodded slowly, the logic behind Hiccup's decision settling in. "A wise choice. I'll send word for the others to gather."
Hiccup tilted his head slightly, sensing there was more on Stoick's mind.
"I'm also glad you're here," Stoick added, a note of exasperation creeping into his voice. "That young lass from the Bog Burglars... she's been—how should I put this—causing a bit of a stir."
Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "Camicazi? What could she possibly be doing that's bothering you so much?"
Stoick stroked his beard thoughtfully, his expression one of mild irritation. "After you two left, she started making herself... insufferable. Yelling at the new riders, berating them for not being able to handle the dragons properly."
Behind them, Toothless gave a low, rumbling laugh, his green eyes glinting with amusement.
Hiccup rolled his eyes at his dragon's antics. "I'll have a talk with her," he assured Stoick.
"Good," Stoick said with a nod of approval. He turned to Astrid, his gaze softening just slightly. "Lass, perhaps you could take the Vikings without dragons to the cove and help them bond with the new arrivals?"
Astrid straightened, nodding firmly. "Of course. I'll make sure they get paired up."
"Wait, you'll need to ride Stormfly to lead them there," Hiccup interjected, his tone firm as he looked at Stoick.
Stoick snorted. "I'm not getting on the back of a dragon."
Astrid smirked, crossing her arms. "If the chief rides a dragon, everyone else will be more willing to follow suit. Besides, the other chiefs have already done it. It's only fitting."
Stoick grumbled under his breath but finally relented, muttering, "Aye, fine. But just this once."
Hiccup exchanged an amused glance with Astrid before turning to leave.
When Hiccup found Camicazi in the Kill Ring, the sight before him made him stop short. She was mid-lecture, her hands on her hips as she berated Snotlout with the fiery determination of someone who had long since lost their patience.
"You can't boss around a Nightmare, you idiot!" Camicazi snapped, her sharp voice echoing across the ring. "You need to earn its respect. Only then will it respect you back!"
"I don't need to respect a dragon!" Snotlout barked, stomping his foot in defiance. "It needs to know who's in charge!"
The Monstrous Nightmare behind him, with its blazing red and orange scales, seemed to take offense. With a low growl, it lashed out, smacking Snotlout aside with a flick of its massive snout.
Hiccup sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he approached. "Cami, what are you doing?"
"Hiccup!" Camicazi spun around, her golden hair whipping over her shoulder. She offered him a dazzling grin. "You're back!"
"That I am," Hiccup replied dryly, crossing his arms. "But what exactly are you doing here? As much as I'd love to watch Snotlout get bullied by a Nightmare, we need the riders trained, not trampled."
"They're a lost cause," Camicazi said with a careless shrug. "If you cared that much, you wouldn't have run off with that shield maiden who somehow became Berk's heir."
Hiccup blinked, taken aback by the venom in her tone. "Astrid's heir because she earned it. She's more than capable—Hel, she's doing a better job than I probably would've done. What does this have to do with her anyway?"
Camicazi scoffed, her blue eyes narrowing. "Doesn't everything you do involve Astrid in some way?"
Hiccup's jaw tightened. "Okay, that's enough." He stepped forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of the ring. "Let's talk somewhere private."
"Let go of me!" Camicazi hissed, glaring daggers at him.
Hiccup didn't relent until they were away from prying eyes. He turned her to face him, gripping her shoulders firmly. "What's going on with you? Ever since I got back, you've been acting strange, and now Stoick's telling me you're impossible to deal with."
Camicazi glared at him, shaking his hands off. "You really don't know, do you?"
"Know what?" Hiccup asked, exasperated.
"How do you think Astrid became Berk's heir?" she snapped, crossing her arms.
Hiccup frowned, confused. "I assumed Stoick adopted her into the Haddock line. Or something along those lines. It's better than Snotlout being chief."
Camicazi gave a bitter laugh. "Oh, that would've been simple. No, she became heir another way."
"Stop dancing around it and just tell me," Hiccup said, his patience wearing thin.
"You're betrothed to each other," Camicazi spat, her voice sharp and cold, like a blade striking stone.
Hiccup froze as though struck by the words themselves. He took a step back, his mind reeling.
When did this happen?
How did this happen?
Why did this happen?
Questions spiraled wildly in his head, leaving him in stunned silence. Years ago, back on Berk, the idea might have filled him with an eager, youthful joy. But things had changed—he had changed. The boy who would have rejoiced in that revelation was gone, replaced by someone who carried the weight of countless choices and consequences.
He clenched his fists, his mind racing. He wasn't staying on Berk. He'd come back to help them fend off Drago, to give them a fighting chance. But Astrid… Astrid deserved better than what he had become. He wasn't a Viking in anything but name now, and he certainly wasn't what she would want in a husband. His heart pounded in his chest, a drumbeat of uncertainty.
"I…" he stammered, words failing him entirely. "I don't—"
Camicazi sighed, cutting him off, and crossed her arms. "You really didn't know, did you?" Her voice softened, though there was an edge of exasperation.
"I—no," he admitted quietly, shaking his head. His legs felt unsteady beneath him, his thoughts still caught in a storm of disbelief.
"You know," she began, her tone wavering now, "when you left after we beat the Queen, I thought—hoped—you'd come back to the Bog. Maybe even just to see me. Catch up." She walked over to a small boulder, perching on it with a certain casual defiance that didn't quite mask the vulnerability in her eyes. "We spent so much time together back then. I thought we connected—at least a little."
Hiccup's throat tightened. He stayed silent, letting her speak, knowing this was something she needed to say.
"And then you finally come back," she continued, her voice breaking just slightly. "Somehow even more annoyingly good-looking than before, like that was even possible. And yet, you barely look at me. It's all your father this, Astrid that…" She said Astrid's name with a venom that startled him, her lip curling slightly as though it left a bad taste in her mouth.
Hiccup furrowed his brows, unsure where to even begin. "Cami… What's this about?" His voice was soft, but there was a note of confusion in it.
She whipped her head around, fixing him with a glare so sharp it could have cut through dragonhide. "I love you, you idiot!" The words burst out of her like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Hiccup blinked, stunned. "Cami, I—" He stumbled over his words, taking a step back instinctively.
"Don't feel the same, huh?" she said bitterly, her arms dropping to her sides.
"I—" He stopped himself, running a hand through his unruly windswept hair, searching for the right words. "Look, I'm sorry. I never thought of you like that… I mean, I thought about how maybe I should, but I never—" He sighed heavily, frustrated with himself. "Trust me, if I could just flip a switch, I would."
"Believe me, I wish you could too," she muttered, her voice quieter now.
Hiccup took a tentative step toward her. "It wouldn't have worked anyway, Cami," he said gently. "I'm not staying on Berk, and being in the Archipelago—it wasn't in the cards for me. I wouldn't have stayed on Bog, either."
She gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You're terrible at letting a girl down easy, you know that?"
"I'm trying," he said softly. "What I'm trying to say is… I'm sorry. I honestly didn't know. And if I had, I would've told you sooner, tried to be more clear. I just—" He hesitated, his green eyes earnest. "I wish I could feel the same way, Cami. But I can't."
She stared at him for a long moment before shaking her head again, this time more slowly. "It was a long shot anyway," she said, her voice laced with resignation.
"Don't say that," Hiccup said, stepping closer. "You're worth loving, Cami."
"Just not by you," she replied quietly, her eyes downcast.
He didn't know what to say to that, so he looked away, guilt and sadness knotting together in his chest.
After a moment of silence, Camicazi spoke again. "So," she said, her tone sharper now, "what are you going to do about her?"
"About who?" he asked, though he already knew.
"Don't play dumb with me, Haddock," she snapped, rolling her eyes. "Astrid."
Hiccup shrugged, walking a few steps away before leaning against a nearby tree. He crossed his arms, his expression darkening. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I'm doing—about her, about anything. I don't even have a plan beyond surviving Drago's invasion."
Camicazi frowned, studying him intently. "You talk like you're already planning to die."
He didn't respond at first, his gaze fixed somewhere far away. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet but resolute. "Drago isn't a merciful man. I've seen what he's capable of. If taking him down means I don't make it out… then so be it. His army falls apart without him. That's what matters."
Her eyes widened slightly, and before she could think, she strode over to him, grabbing him by the armor plate on his chest. "You better not die, Hiccup," she said fiercely. "Just because I can't have you doesn't mean I want you gone."
He blinked, startled by her intensity. "I'll… do my best," he said, his lips quirking into a faint, wry smile. "Promise."
She stared at him for a long moment, her grip loosening. Something flickered in her eyes—something she didn't say aloud. Instead, she released him and turned away.
"Where are you going?" Hiccup called after her.
"To train these Vikings properly," she replied, her voice brisk. She didn't look back.
For a moment, Hiccup watched her retreating figure, his chest tightening with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite untangle. Then he turned away, leaning his head back against the tree and staring up at the sky, his thoughts a turbulent storm.