How to Be a Dragon Star 1

Chapter Twenty-Three - Stoick's Buried Secret

Estrella tossed and turned, unable to get comfortable. Maybe it was because she didn't have much of a bed. Maybe it was because there were a lot of things to think about and prevent her from going to sleep. Probably a combination of both.

Estrella sighed, tried to empty her mind, and squeezed her eyes shut. She waited for a full minute before giving up as the thoughts started to creep back into her mind.

How are we going to get out of here?

Am I an outcast from the vikings?

If the dragons find out that I helped the vikings, will I be able to return?

Where will I go if they shun me out?

A cold wind bristled her, a sign of a late winter starting up. Goosebumps rose on her body. Maybe if I change into dragon form, I'd be warmer...

But then I'd sleep in dragon form, and the vikings would be suspicious when they woke up in the morning and saw me like that.

Estrella opened her eyes and stared listlessly at the moon. It seemed to be laughing at her, taunting her as she battled with her mind.

Maybe I'm not tired, she thought. Maybe I need to reset. Pretend like I've never gone to bed yet. The moon was high in the sky, and it inched higher as Estrella wiled away the minutes watching it.

Finally, she sighed and took action. I'll just go on a flight. A short flight. No viking will see me, she promised herself.

Estrella got to her feet and stared around at the camp. Despite the less-than-comfortable bedding, all the vikings seemed to be asleep, exhausted with what had happened that day. Had it only been that morning that she'd woken up, tense and anxious for Hiccup's final test? When none of the vikings had known the truth? Before Hiccup's and Stoick's relationship had fallen apart and mended together again?

Estrella shook her head with wonder. She should be exhausted. But as she searched her body, there were no cues letting her know that she wanted to sleep.

Well, hopefully I'll be sleeping soon. Just a quick flight to reset myself...

Estrella was about to morph into dragon form when she heard a sound.

It made her jump and pause the transformation. Everything was silent, so this one noise put her instantly on edge. She calmed her heartbeat and listened.

There it was again. It sounded like... crying?

Estrella followed the sounds of the periodic sobs, trailing them all across the camp until she could see, through the darkness, a hunched figure, sitting by himself and staring out at the ocean.

Estrella morphed into a dragon— the transformation was silent— and flew into the air, as quiet as an owl in flight. Once she was far enough away to not be heard, she released a fireball— the kind that allowed her to turn invisible. And that she did.

On mirrored wings, Estrella soared back, landing lightly far from the figure, and silently moved closer.

He was silhouetted by the moon reflecting off the ocean. She didn't recognize him until he spoke.

"I'm sorry," Stoick said in a choked whisper. Estrella listened with bated breath. Who was he talking to?

"I'm sorry," Stoick repeated softly. He drew a quiet, shaky breath. "You were right, all along. I should have listened to you."

Hiccup? Estrella thought, confused.

"You always believed the good in them," Stoick continued, barely hearable.

Hiccup, Estrella decided. But why? Hiccup isn't here. He can't hear.

"And it's all my fault. I was too stubborn," Stoick breathed, and gave another sob. "And now my world is falling apart, and Hiccup is—" He broke off.

Not Hiccup, then, Estrella thought, wrinkling her brow. But then who?

"You always believed in me," Stoick whispered, dropping his head into his hands. "You were my everything. My source of courage. I only got out of bed each morning... because I would get to see you again."

Estrella was thoroughly confused at this point.

"And now you're gone, forever," Stoick continued in between sobs. Somehow, his voice still wasn't loud enough to carry to the other vikings. "All because of..." His sentence trailed off.

Stoick drew a shuddering breath. "Give me strength, Valka," he finished, and turned to walk back to camp. As he passed Estrella, she could see too clearly his shadowed face, his exhausted eyes. He went to lie down, apart from everyone else, and began breathing deeply.

Estrella had seen enough. She turned and went back to bed.

"Astrid?"

Astrid turned around to regard Estrella. "Good morning, sleepyhead. It's almost ten. Do you always sleep late?"

"No, I need to talk to you about something," Estrella said. Astrid's expression changed.

"In private," Estrella added, and led Astrid away.

When they were out of earshot, but not as far enough away as would be suspicious, Estrella began. "Astrid, who is Valka?"

Astrid looked at her incredulously. "Where did you hear that name?" she asked.

"Last night," Estrella said. "I couldn't sleep, so I was going to go out for a flight to rest myself, but I— I sort of... overheard Stoick."

Astrid didn't say anything, but motioned for her to continue.

"Stoick was... acting strangely," Estrella continued. "He— It's like he was talking to someone else, but no one else was there. He said how he regretted his stubbornness, and how he "hadn't listened" to... someone. And then he mentioned Valka."

"Okay," Astrid said through a breath. "First of all, you must never, ever mention Valka to Stoick. She's his wife— his deceased wife. She was taken by a dragon years ago. Hiccup was only a baby." She looked at Estrella apologetically. "You wouldn't know... There were no Night Furies in the raid."

"Makes sense," Estrella muttered. "Hiccup is only one year older than me, after all."

"Stoick loved Valka," Astrid went on. "He loved her to the moon and back, and he's never been the same since she died."

"It must be awful for him," Estrella said. "To have his wife taken so suddenly."

"It's part of the reason he despises dragons," Astrid told her. "Now that he has to lead alone, without his wife by his side."

"He has Gobber," Estrella brought up. "And Hiccup."

Astrid surveyed her. "Stoick is too proud to let them help," she finished.

A/N: The purpose of this chapter was to take a break from the storyline and let Stoick's story be told. I mean, the poor man is wifeless. Hiccup is all he has left, and Stoick has an interesting way of loving him.

This chapter was kind of a filler chapter, and it's a little short, but I wanted to get something published since I haven't done so in a while. Plus, I'm kind of liking these chapters that are all my ideas. Or maybe I just like dragging the suspense on and on...

I'm also taking suggestions for images for this chapter. I can't come up with one myself.

In the next chapter, we'll get back on track with the storyline. See you there!

-Pepper9990