The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 68

The next 18 years were filled with Zephyr's growth in leadership, as well as the births of hers and Tannr's firstborn daughter Lydia one year after Torin, with rich brown hair and her mother's bright blue eyes; Nuffink and Saoirse's wedding, which was followed by the birth of their son Cian, as well as Eyarr and I welcoming a daughter we named Noma, a few months after Cian. However, a few days after Cian's birth, Valka passed away. She had suffered a fall a week prior, and although Ana was sure that the former chieftess would be fine, her condition suddenly dropped. And she soon succumbed to the call of the afterlife.

Nuffin was crushed, as he had been close to his grandmother. Valka's death equally affected Hiccup as well, even more so. Emotions were strung out as everyone found it difficult to celebrate the birth of a child while also mourning a death.

Noma's birth did bring a light once more, Saoirse and I were delighted that our children were only months apart.

In the time following Noma's birth, Zephyr and Tannr welcomed a second daughter whom they named Siv. A beautiful little girl who bore the same bright red hair as her mother and great-grandfather. Then came Nuffink and Saoirse's second son, Baelfire, who bore his mother's hair and bright blue eyes. And at last, came Aurnia, their third and final child, a little girl who looked just like her father. Due to the fertility issues that apparently ran in her family, Saoirse's pregnancies had taken their toll on her, and she no longer wished for more children. She was happy with the family she had.

As was Eyarr and I with our two children. Torin had a crown of curly hair that reminded me of my mother, and fairer skin, closer to his father's. Noma had deeper skin, more like mine, and bore a splash of freckles on her cheeks and nose. Her hair was straight like her father's but was a deep, rich brown, which complimented the beautiful brown eyes that she got from me. They were the light of my life, and I was so proud to have them as my children.

Torin was smart and insightful and enjoyed involving himself in conversation with adults whenever he could. He was curious and eager to learn, and could often be seen shadowing Eyarr, watching his every move. Noma took after her father's rough-and-tumble attitude, and I often found myself bathing after roughhousing in the dirt. But I adored seeing Eyarr reflected in her personality. It suited her.

Maui also paid a few visits to see how I was doing and was utterly delighted to meet Torin and Noma, very nearly bursting into tears, which was admittedly jarring, as I had never seen the Demi-God cry. He had then informed me that Aihe and Heilani welcomed a daughter of their own named Vea, but also dropped the news that gramma Sina had passed, which broke my heart, and I couldn't imagine the pain my parents, sister, and extended family must've felt.

And knowing I had a little niece filled a void in my heart that I didn't know was there.

But now, in the 18 years since Torin's birth, New Berk had truly grown and prospered, just like I had imagined it would under Zephyr and Tannr's leadership. The latter proving himself to be a capable, determined, and driven leader, a perfect complement to Zephyr.

Time had flown by us too fast, parenthood becoming a blur as Eyarr and I watched our children grow and figure themselves out. Torin had already set his eyes on a lovely young girl about his age named Íma, with long brown hair done in twin braids, and one wrapped around her head like a crown. She was soft-spoken and kind, and to me and Eyarr, it was obvious how much Íma adored our son, and we welcomed her with open arms.

The biggest twist of all though, was Noma and Cian finding themselves utterly enamored by each other. It was quite striking, as Cian was a copy of his grandfather, with all those who watched Hiccup grow up, remarked at how much Cian resembled his grandfather. The hair, the freckles, and the lively green eyes. It was adorable to see how Cian followed Noma around wherever she went, eagerly listening to whatever she had to say. She was always in the lead.

And of course, I kept my culture alive while raising them. I taught them my native language and the sacred dances. They knew Ocean very well, and I already knew it had sworn to protect them as it did with me and Aihe.

For the longest time, I had wondered if either of the two would plan on leaving New Berk to go explore the world, though I was doubtful Torin would. Íma was reluctant to leave New Berk, as she was quite happy with her place here, and I doubted Torin would want to leave her side. In contrast, Noma had always expressed interest in the Archipelago. And so, it should've come as no surprise to me when she announced plans to not just leave New Berk, but that Cian was adamant about accompanying her. She had the skills to navigate out at sea, and she was not afraid of a challenge.

The idea was a bit unnerving to Nuffink and Saoirse, and understandably so. They weren't particularly keen on their eldest leaving New Berk. But the topic gave me flashbacks to all those years before when I had planned to leave Motunui.

Noma had made her plans clear; she wanted to see the mainland for herself and see what it had to offer. But this time, Eyarr was apprehensive, and it didn't take long for me to understand why. Even though he had cut his family out of his life so long ago, he still feared them, and the idea of Noma wandering about the land they once inhabited bothered him. Torin and Noma knew little of their paternal family, but they hadn't asked much of them, which was a relief to Eyarr, but that didn't stop him from worrying.

"This is my choice," Noma had said, "you taught me the dangers and how to face them. And I won't be alone, just as you weren't alone when you faced them."

Our families came together to discuss the plans more thoroughly, and Aurnia was especially upset with the idea of her oldest brother leaving. Yet Torin was seemingly at peace with his sister's decision. I could sense his apprehension, but he understood his sister in a way that Cian's siblings didn't. They grew up with the stories of their grandmother and Maui, and how Ocean remained an integral support.

"As long as Ocean doesn't abandon you," he remarked, to which Noma didn't need him to finish. She knew.

As Noma and Cian worked on solidifying their plans, Hiccup had pulled me to the side to discuss the Eye of the Ocean, as in the years of being a mother, I hadn't had much time to work on it with him. It still remained a closely guarded secret between us, and he had made progress on it in my many absences, which he didn't mind.

Returning to his study, he revealed what he had added to it. The eye mechanism was finally functioning as he wanted it to, with a twist of the exterior cylindrical body, the metal plates pulled open, revealing the Deathsong amber lens. He then revealed that he had made three lenses, each with a set of engraved stars. He explained that he had taken my star map and calculated how each lens would display it using light.

"I melted Deathsong amber and did a little alchemy to get this right, mixing in various components. When Toothless was here for Snoggletog, he aided me in ensuring that the light of his fire worked with the lens the way I wanted it to. It took a bit of tweaking, but I think I've got it." I raised my brows in curiosity as he explained his experiments and how he was satisfied with the final result. "This coming Snoggletog, when Toothless, Blueheart, and the kids come, I'll show you that it works. This might be one of my best inventions yet."

I could see the gleam in his eye of how proud he was of himself, and it was well-earned. He had worked on it on and off for years, having been preoccupied with helping Zephyr and Tannr, Nuffink, and Saoirse with raising their respective children. And then of course, with Valka and eventually Gobber's death; which came not long after Baelfire was born. Valka's death hit Hiccup hard, but Gobber even more so. He was the last father figure Hiccup had, and even though Gobber passed from old age, it didn't hurt any less.

Even if he didn't die the warrior's death that so many of his generation sought, he lived a long, fulfilling life, and it was an honor to have known him till the end.