What We Said

Astrid

Sunlight leaked through the crack at the bottom of my door, slicing the pitch black room in half with a golden knife. Slowly, I blinked awake, fighting the sunlight and the noise of a bustling Berk outside as I rolled over in bed. These days, it seemed like no matter what I did, the days got longer and the nights got shorter. It had been three years since the war against Drago Bloodfist. Three years since Stoick the Vast had passed on. Three years since I've seen Hiccup. 

Three Years Earlier

I placed my hand on Hiccup's arm, pulling him back to me as we stood on the docks. 

"Hiccup... Please. D-Don't leave me." I stuttered, which caught me off guard. I never stuttered, never cried, and never let my guard down. But, as I felt a warm tear turn cold from the wind, I realized that I didn't care. I mean, it was Hiccup, my best friend, my only real friend, and he was almost gone.

Hiccup smiled and pulled me close. "Astrid, it'll only be three years. I have to go. I have to be the son my father wanted. I have to be a chief."

Now

A knock sounded at my door, breaking the silence I had finally found. "Astrid?" It was a woman's voice. "Not now Valka." I groaned, my voice thick and raspy from sleep. "Sweetheart..." She said softly, the door breaking open, light flooding the room. I groaned, hopefully loud enough for her to get the message as I shoved my head into my pillow. "Sweetheart, you have to get up today. You have too." This pushed me over the edge and I sighed, sitting up to face her. Over the past three years, I had rarely looked Valka in the eye. Her emerald green eyes resembled Hiccups to the point where it was almost unbearable. 

"Valka. I can't do this today. I can't do another day without him. It's been three years." I said, holding her gaze. And then, her face broke into a bright smile, almost as bright as the sun. My brow furrowed. "What? Why are you smiling?"

"Don't you understand Astrid? It's been three years exactly." She said, a small giggle escaping her lips. I shook my head slowly, my eyes searching her face for an answer to the question she posed. And then, it hit me. My breath fell. My heart stopped. The room spun as I gripped the sheets to keep myself upright.

"He's back." I whispered.