Symphony of Shadows

59. Farewell

A/N: Love all the theories you guys have for the ending! Next chapter is out Sunday at 8pm American Eastern Standard Time:)

Hiccup and Astrid tugged on both of their helmets with one last smile. He followed closely behind her as they left the arena, her personal Hel. Shivers ran down her spine as their feet finally left the smooth stone and met dirt. The warmth of her armor was almost foreign from being exposed to the cold for so long without reprieve. It was eerily quiet, and they snuck in past all the huts of sleeping Vikings.

Her feet stopped at the entrance of one of the houses, though. Ruffnut's hut. Astrid had to say goodbye before she left. Who knows when she'd get to come back, if ever?

"Go tell Toothless to take a lap. I don't plan on taking long but just to be safe. A giant Night Fury isn't exactly covert."

Hiccup nodded and gave his dragon a hand signal in a circle.

"Take your time."

Toothless hesitantly took to the air, his black scales instantly blending into the night sky. She nodded her thanks to Hiccup before she opened the door. The layout of the house was smaller than her own, and she tiptoed to the bedroom where she'd slept over more times than she could count. Ruff's snoring echoed through the open door. Astrid was relieved to find her alone and lifted her mask.

"Ruffnut?"

She whispered and gently shook her friend awake. Ruff sat up and rubbed her tired eyes with the back of her hands. Drool hung from her lips, and her hair stuck up at odd angles. She was going to ferociously miss her little oddball friend. Pinpricks stung her eyes as she held in tears—she'd shown more emotion in the past weeks than in her entire life. But the tears were warranted, she wasn't just leaving her friend. Ruff was her sister.

"Wha—What's going on?"

Ruffnut sounded confused as she took in the dragon armor Astrid wore. At least she wasn't scared.

"I have to go, but I couldn't leave without seeing you."

Astrid's voice dipped, but she didn't want to reveal her true sadness. She'd always been the strong one, and she didn't want Ruffnut to feel as hopeless as she did. Her friend's brows furrowed at what Astrid's departure meant.

"But—but you said you'd try. You're just running away, Astrid!"

Her lower lip trembled as she tried to protest. Ruff was wrong—she wasn't running away. She didn't get that there were bigger powers at play. Astrid held her friend's hands and squeezed gently.

"I'll be back, then you'll understand. I promise. This isn't a goodbye."

A tear slipped down Ruffnut's cheek and soon more followed. She enveloped Astrid in a bone-crushing hug, and Ruff whispered in her ear.

"Find it in your heart to forgive them. Please, they don't know any better."

Astrid pulled back and gave her a sad frown.

"Ignorance isn't an excuse, Ruff. I've already forgiven Stoick, but it'll take a long time before I can forget."

Ruff nodded and wiped away a stray tear before sniffling.

"I know. I know. Just remember there's still people here that love you, okay?"

The words were a warm reminder that Astrid still had a place in the tribe. She wasn't leaving. No, she was fulfilling her duty as Berk's Vordr. She swore to protect her tribe from their biggest threats, and she would not let that oath be in vain. Her promise hadn't been to Stoick or Ingrid. It'd been to her ancestors that had upheld honor and justice.