The Hero's Return

Chapter 7 - The Fight For Honor

Seeing Astrid had broken down in front of him, Hiccup had no other choice but to hold Astrid tightly in his arms. Pulling her closer as she poured all of her emotion for everyone to see, the emotions that she had been storing and hiding for seven long and grueling years.

Leaning against Hiccup's embrace, Astrid felt the warmth and the loved the seemingly mysterious Dragon Master had for her. With every second passed, Astrid's heart slowed down while Hiccup's picked up. Her breath constantly clashed against his skin, driving him almost crazy. However, knowing that she needed this, Hiccup did not move to utter a single word. He just stood there hugging the girl that had been on his mind ever since he could remember, the same girl that woke him up and told him his name and the same girl that showed up in every memory that he had about the island of Berk.

By the time that Astrid tears had stopped flowing and she was able to regain mental, she immediately noticed the situation that the two of them were in. "Oh... Sorry about that, it just that..."

"Let just forget about it and continue our tour." Hiccup suggested with a happy tone.

"That would be great." Astrid answered before the two of them continued to march around the village. Everywhere that they went, Hiccup was looked at with mesmerizing and adoring eyes. Even cheering and shouting could be heard. However, not all were happy with his appearance, and the one that seemed to hate it the most was Snoutlout who looked over with disdain in his eyes.

When the sun was at it highest, Hiccup and Astrid arrived at their last destination.

"So what is this place?" Hiccup asked while looking at the rusted metal dome, the ever so heavy door and the countless burnt marked surround the place.

Upon this question, Astrid was so ashamed to even utter a single word, however, once her gaze met Hiccup innocently emerald eyes, she could not help but sigh deeply. "This used to be where we learned to kill dragons."

Hiccup eyes widen, he had always thought that the stories that his mother told about Berk were just, that, stories. However, upon seeing the arena that they were in, it had become clear to him that it was not something that his mother made up. Hiccup walked around the arena, looking at the burnt marked and even seeing the blood of some unfortunate dragon that had died here.

"We-We hadn't used this place for that anymore. We had been training and riding dragon for so long now, even the thought of killing one would seem so bad to us. In fact, we only use this place to hold due or fight between vikings just so that they can settle their differences." Astrid continued hurriedly.

"It's fine, Astrid. It really is. I just shocked that the stories that my mother told me were true to a certain extent and I understand why she had been so reluctant to return here." Hiccup just answered without thinking.

"That's is a relief the... Wait, did you say to return here?" Astrid asked with astonishment in her voice. 

Instantly, Hiccup had realized his mistake. Being around Astrid, he had felt the warmth of home, the warmth of his memories. Because of this reason, he had let his guard down around her and uttered something that he should not have.

"I have said too much." Hiccup immediately headed toward the entrance.

Unfortunately, he was caught by Astrid as she pinned him to the nearby wall. Holding him by his wrist and using her trusty axe, she slammed it against the wall. "Tell me, did you just say to return here."

There he was, being pressed toward the wall with Astrid in front of him. Her eyes fixated at his, staring at him hoping for an answer, her aroma invade his mind and the closeness almost turned him into a nervous wreck.