Until They Can Return in Peace - How to Train Your Dragon

Chapter 38 - Astrid

"It's a wonder how Heather survived down here for so long. I'm so cold", I chuckle partially through my chattering teeth.

Finally, we hear footsteps.

"Hello?! Someone help us!", Hiccup shouts.

"Brother?! What the Thor is going on? Where's Heather?!", he's terrified to see us locked up in her cell.

They must have not attacked, just snuck away.

"She's... gone... Magnus was the guard the whole time. She tricked us...", I say shivering.

Dagur opens the door and takes Hiccup's arm around his neck to help him walk.

"Let's get you guys cleaned up. Hiccup you can make a temporary leg in our blacksmith stall. Astrid we'll get you something warm to eat", Dagur says leading us out of the cavern that the worst imaginable fear has come to reality in.

Heather the Hateful and Magnus the Morbid are reunited...

_______________

It's just the four of us in their Tribe Hall. Mala, Dagur, Hiccup and I.

I have a warm bowl of stew in front of me and I am feeling much better.

We explain everything to them. The diary, the map we found on her island and now she has my map with everything on it. How she tricked us all this time and knew we'd finally show up here.

Dagur is beyond infuriated hearing all of this.

"I knew this was a bad idea", he says throwing himself down into his Chieftain chair.

"You were the one that invited us here Dagur!", Hiccup snaps back as he's trying to shape his peg leg to the size of his actual leg.

"That doesn't mean I didn't think it was wrong!", he screams back.

"HEY! That's besides the point here! I didn't agree with Hiccup either but I am still here aren't I?! He gave Heather one last chance. Dagur you said yourself that you went down yourself several times and tried to talk to her too. Now this is proof that she is absolutely beyond help and has become something we call an ENEMY", I emphasize the last word.

"There's no going back to old Heather now. She's gone. This is who she's chosen to be. As leaders, we can not stand for her schemes and threats against the good people of the Archipelago", Mala backs me up.

Dagur and Hiccup feel a little guilty for how they acted. But it's understandable considering the emotion behind this catastrophe.

"I have my mess to clean up. And I would love your guys' help in doing so", Hiccup stands on his poorly made leg that will only last him to get home.

"Brother. We're always ready to mop up a Berkian mess. Because you helped me clean up my Deranged messes years ago", Dagur pats him on the back.

"Thank you. We must prepare our tribes for battle. If any of them are to attack, we will send urgent messages to each other for backup", Hiccup stands proudly.

He catches my gaze and I grin. He's so freaking adorable when he's heroic. Even with that beard he's got now.

_______________

We finally set sail for home.

"The kids will be glad we're home a day or two early...", I say putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I know. But they won't like the news we return with...", his shoulders slouch again.

"We will protect them. With all costs. They will be fine. They're our children after all", I elbow his side.

"Ah! Haha. I guess you're right", he says.

"Always", I snicker.

"Come here you!", he pulls me into his arms and tries to take me down. Which of course ends with him getting flipped over my shoulder and his back hits the deck.

He has to regain his composure from the pain that I instilled into his back.

"Still got it", I proudly smirk.

"That you do", he says as I help him up.

—

After a few hours, we finally see home in the distance.

I must say I am severely relieved that nothing looks like anything happened in the last 24 hours.

As we near the shores of our homeland the Berkian horn is heard with a great echo.

I can see people running out of their houses.

We finally tie off the ship and leap from the boat.

Hiccup and I basically sprint up the pathway to the village square.

There.

I see Zephyr and Nuffink exploding with excitement as we stop to kneel and they run into our arms.

It must have been the emotion of what's to come that made me nearly squeeze the life out of my babies.

I can feel that Hiccup is feeling the same as I am in this moment.

We hold on just a little longer.

No matter what. No matter the cost or price, I will stop at nothing to make sure my two precious gifts are protected.

I finally look up at my village around me. Everyone is very confused and almost worried that we're home so soon and so dramatic with the kids.

Hiccup and I exchange fearful glances.

He stands to his feet,

"New Berk... I bring... news from Berserker Island... please gather at the Great Hall"