There's No Such Thing As Normal (Hiccstrid)

Chapter 9

Astrid's P.O.V.

I woke up in my bed, a pair of crutches leaning against the wall next to me. I sat up and grabbed the sticks before standing and positioning them under my arms. I then made my way to the door. I carefully moved down the stairs before seeing my parents in the kitchen. Mom's eyes widen.

"Where'd you get those?" she asks. 

I shrug before Ryder walked in.

"Oh, I made 'em last night," he says casually, "They feel okay? Right size?"

I nod before sitting at the table for a rest. Dad then took one and examined it. He let out an impressed whistle.

"Gothi would never have given her anything as nice and sturdy as this," he murmured, "Probably the best we could get from her are a couple of sticks."

"You say you made them?" Mom asks.

"Yeah. I like making things. I actually made my leg. I don't mean to brag but it's a lot easier to walk on than a plain old peg," he says.

"Well you did a fine job. What are these carvings?" Dad asks, running his finger over the wood.

"Well, um... I took the liberty of putting a few Deadly Nadders on them," Ryder says.

"Why?" Mom asks.

"I see it as her spirit dragon," Ryder said.

"Spirit dragon?" Mom repeated.

"Yeah. It's like a spirit animal but it's the type of dragon that's supposed to protect you," Ryder explains.

"Protect?" Dad says in shock.

"Yes sir," Ryder says.

"Oh, well... I suppose people have a right to believe different things," Mom says uncertainly, "If you believe that dragons can protect things other than themselves, I guess it's not our place to judge."

"I couldn't have said it better, Ingrid," Dad said, "Ryder, I'd love to hear more about these spirit dragons."

"Sven, don't you think we should be heading to breakfast?" Mom asked.

"I can tell you about them tonight, I guess," Ryder said.

"Sure! We can all gather in the living room after sunset," Dad suggested and Ryder and Mom nodded in agreement. They then walk for the door, pausing as they realize I'm not following. "Are you coming, honey?" Dad asked. 

I shake my head.

"Do you need some help?" Mom asks.

I shake my head quicker before getting situated with the crutches and moving to the stairs.

"Sweetie? Want us to bring you some chicken?" Mom asks. I spin around in exasperation before pointing at the door with a crutch.

"Don't raise that crutch to us," Dad scolds jokingly.

I smirk with a roll of my eyes before trying to climb the stairs. I heard the door close and when I was about half way up the staircase, I started to loose my balance. I let out a yelp as my body started tipping backwards. Right when I was sure I was about to break my back, someone caught me in a pair of strong arms. I looked around in confusion before seeing Ryder's masked face.

"I think I'll stick around until you get used to the crutches," he says as he carries me, bridal style, to the top of the stairs. When we're there, he gently sets me down and I lean on the wall as he retrieves the crutches. He gives them to me and helps me get situated before I go down the hall. He follows me, pausing in the doorway as I go into my room. "Am I allowed in here?" he asks. I look at him over my shoulder before shrugging. I sit on my bed and pull my ax out from under my bed before taking my sharpening rock from the night table. "An ax. Powerful with the right training," Ryder said as he sat at my desk. I glanced at him without saying anything. He suddenly looked out the window. "Ah, crap," he muttered, "Hey, I'll be right back. Do me a favor and don't try to tackle the stairs until I'm back." With that he walked out the door and I heard his foot steps fade down the hall.