August 19, 1005 CE – Valka's House, Berk
The summer sun was softening now, dipping lazily into late afternoon. The air was warm but edged with the faintest hint of fall—just enough to whisper that change was near.
At Valka's house, nestled high on a hillside overlooking the sea, the almost three-year-old Zephyr Haddock sat on a woven rug near the hearth, hugging her Stormfly plush tightly to her chest. Her bright green eyes, usually full of mischief and chatter, were distant. She hadn't smiled much since that morning.
Valka sat beside her, weaving a small strand of flower stems into a crown. "You miss your mama, don't you?"
Zephyr nodded silently, her lower lip trembling.
Valka's hands slowed. She knew her granddaughter was sensitive—not in a fragile way, but in a deep-feeling, old-soul kind of way. It hadn't been an easy week. Just days ago, their family cat, Mist, had passed away peacefully in her sleep after nearly twelve years. Zephyr didn't quite have the words for grief yet, but she felt it. Her mother's absence—at the inn, in labor again—only added to the weight pressing on her tiny shoulders.
"She's okay," Valka said softly, brushing Zephyr's hair back. "And you'll get to see her very soon."
Zephyr didn't respond. She stared at the fire, clutching her plush tighter.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Hiccup stepped inside.
His cheeks were wind-flushed from riding, and his eyes were tired—but he smiled the moment he saw his daughter. "Hey, Zeph."
She looked up, hopeful. "Mama?"
Hiccup crossed the room and crouched beside her. "Mama's doing great. And guess what?" He reached down and gently lifted her into his arms. "You're a big sister now."
Zephyr blinked. "Really?"
He nodded. "It's a baby boy. He's healthy, and Mama's okay. She wants to see you."
Her face lit up like the first sun after a storm.
Valka helped wrap her in a shawl, and the two of them—father and daughter—walked down the familiar path back toward the village, Zephyr in Hiccup's arms. She leaned her head against his shoulder, whispering, "I want to see the baby."
When they arrived at Gothi's inn, the air smelled faintly of herbs and sea-salt candles. Inside, the warmth of the hearth was comforting. Astrid sat propped up against pillows, her face tired but radiant. She opened her arms the second Zephyr stepped through the door.
"Hey, Zeph," she said softly.
Zephyr clambered up beside her, eyes immediately drifting to the tiny bundle in Astrid's arms. The baby squirmed lightly under his blanket, letting out a soft coo.
"This," Astrid said with a smile, "is your little brother."
Hiccup stepped beside them and bent down. "His name is Nuffink Finn Haddock. You can call him Nuff."
Zephyr leaned in slowly, curiosity overtaking her sadness. Nuffink yawned, his tiny mouth stretching wide. His soft brown hair had just the faintest shimmer of blonde, and when he blinked, bright blue eyes peeked out.
"He has your eyes, Mama," Zephyr whispered.
Astrid nodded. "And your papa's nose."
Zephyr's fingers brushed gently across her brother's wrapped hand.
"I'm his big sister?" she asked.
Hiccup kissed the top of her head. "The very best one."
Nuffink's Early Days
Late Evening – A Week After Nuffink's Birth – Haddock Household
The house was quiet, save for the soft crackling of the hearth. Hiccup had just finished cleaning up after dinner while Astrid rested. Zephyr sat beside Nuffink's cradle, legs swinging off the bench, humming tunelessly.
Nuffink's eyes were wide open, tracking his sister's every move.
Zephyr leaned in close. "You're funny looking," she whispered. "But Mama says you'll get cute soon."
Nuffink blinked.
She reached in and carefully placed her Stormfly plush next to him. "You can borrow her. But only for tonight."
Two weeks after birth
Gobber showed up unannounced, carrying a stuffed yak with one leg slightly longer than the other.
"I made this for the wee one," he said proudly. "Don't worry, it's only mostly flammable."
Astrid chuckled as Hiccup inspected it with cautious respect.
Nuffink, nestled in Astrid's arms, stared at Gobber's beard like it was the eighth wonder of the world.
"I think he likes you," Astrid teased.
"Or he's about to sneeze," Gobber replied.
He sneezed. Gobber still took it as a win.
Three months later
Astrid was pacing back and forth, gently bouncing a fussy Nuffink who refused to sleep. Hiccup entered the room with his arms raised in mock surrender.
"Time for the Haddock shuffle?"
"Please."
Together, they began to sway—an old Viking tune hummed low as they rocked side to side in sync. Within moments, Nuffink's eyes fluttered… then closed.
"Still works," Astrid whispered.
"Like magic," Hiccup grinned.
First visit to Grandma Valka's after the first frost
Valka sat near the fire with Nuffink resting against her chest in a sling. Zephyr was off collecting smooth pebbles near the shore with a basket. The wind howled gently outside.
"He's a quiet thinker," Valka murmured to her grandson, smiling as he stared at the flickering flames. "Just like your father was."
Nuffink cooed softly.
"And your sister? Fire in her bones, that one. You'll need to be fast to keep up."
Mid-winter, Astrid away for a few hours
Hiccup was halfway into telling Zephyr a story about Stoick's first dragon hunt when Nuffink let out a sharp wail.
"I've got him!" Hiccup promised.
He scooped up the baby and began narrating the story with added dragon sound effects, bouncing gently with each roar.
Nuffink stared wide-eyed—then giggled.
Hiccup blinked. "Was that your first laugh?"
Zephyr gasped. "Do it again!"
Hiccup roared dramatically. Nuffink laughed harder.
"Your audience loves you," Astrid said, stepping back in through the door just in time.