Forever

Ch. 2: Visitors

Hiccup dosed off as Astrid continued fixing the two braids in his chestnut hair. He started snoring softly, and Astrid chuckled, pushing his head off her lap.

She watched him dream for a while, no thrashing, so crying. She was willing to gamble that it was probably the first time he'd slept peacefully since Stoik's death. Looking around, her suspicions of restless nights were confirmed. The room was a wreck, his clothes tossed around, books scattered, and the biggest tip off; the dagger lodged hilt deep into the wood wall above Toothless's stone slab.

The blonde Viking sighed and stood up, leaving him in peace. Valka sat downstairs next to the fire, drinking tea. The wood squeaked on her way down the stairs, and the widow looked up, smiling lightly. "He asleep?"

Astrid nodded. "Snoring like a true Viking."

Valka chuckled slightly before turning to Astrid as she sat down beside her and took a deep breath. "He's exhausted. He's always working, never comes home, and when he does, it's to get food before leaving again. Poor boy doesn't know when to stop."

Astrid stared into the fire thoughtfully. "I wish he could see that he's not Stoik, he never will be. He can't try and solve every problem the way Stoik did, it's not possible."

Valka's arm rested on her shoulder, rubbing it encouragingly. "He's a Haddock, that's the problem. We're a very stubborn family that's for sure!" She chuckled. "You'll fit in very nicely when you and Hiccup wed."

Astrid smiled at the thought; her and Hiccup finally getting married. It'd be a big celebration, that's for sure. Of course if Stoik were here he'd end it early and send her and Hiccup off, telling the village to prepare for his grandchild very soon. The thought made the young woman giggle a bit, remembering herself and Hiccup coming up with the very likely senario.

The sound of terrible terrors squawking woke her up from her memory, and she jumped, causing Valka to look at her questioningly. "What's wrong?"

She smiled. "Nothing," She said. "Just lost in thought I guess."

Terrible Terrors, tiny but mighty dragons. Dragons. Ugh, the academy. Astrid got up, grabbing her axe that had been sitting next to the door. "Thanks Valka, I better head off to the academy." She swung her axe up and over her shoulder, and walked to the academy; which seemed oddly quiet.

Walking through the gate, Astrid found the gang sitting together, across from a group of children who were waiting for their lesson. No one moved, no one spoke, they all just sat there and stares at each other blankly.

Astrid cleared her throat. "Uh hmm."

Everyone looked up, and Ruff stood to greet her. "Astrid! There you are!" She exclaimed. She grabbed Astrid's arm and pushed her in the direction of the kids. "Do your teaching thing."

The kids looked up questioningly, and Astrid smiled, before turning around to face the gang. "Why didn't you guys just start the lesson?"

"Um duh!" Replied Tuff. "No head teacher, no lesson! It's in our policy."

"What policy?" the head teacher asked, feeling all but frustrated. Fishlegs nervously darted his eyes around.

Tuff's smug face slid off, before returning quickly. "The one I just thought of!" He replied confidently.

Astrid sighed and shrugged, walking over to the cages and opening them, allowing the young riders to ready their dragons.

The lesson went smoothly, aside from a few "flaws" brought up by Fishlegs, some small fires due to Ruff and Tuff, as well as a student's broken arm from trying to imitate Snotlout's stupidity.