How To Train Your Dragon 3 - A Tale of Two Tails -

Chapter Two: The Great Hall

The Great Hall was strung with even more lanterns but Toothless noted that it didn't look quite as festive as Snoggletog. He followed behind Hiccup, Astrid and Valka, and moved quickly for the rest of the vikings to quickly stampede in. He took all the decorations in, and was delighted at the sight of seven baskets filled with fish, two of which had his name on them. Banners of the Berk crest hung from the pillars, and he tilted his head at the strange shadow which hung a few feet above it. To his mild surprise, it began to move and revealed a pair of yellow eyes.

"Cloudjumper!"

"Alpha Toothless," he purred all too formally and climbed down.

The Stormcutter nuzzled his young leader.

"How's everything been, Cloudy?"

The two dragons disappeared into the crowd in what sounded like dragon talk to Hiccup.

He felt the fin on his back pop up and turned to greet the beautiful face of his girlfriend who had her finger pressed firmly on the button. He could tell that she was biting her lips in an effort the keep herself from bursting out in laughter.

"Hey, hey, the cal--"

"Yeah, yeah. It's sensitive and the calibration spring'll wear out," she said in an abnormally high-pitched tone, which was supposed to mimic him.

"I do not sound like that and-- No! Astrid, I do not move my hands like that."

He tried to furrow his brows in an effort to look cross at her, but couldn't help but burst crack a small laugh at how happy she looked. The lights were reflected in those beautiful blue eyes of hers which no one on Berk shared. They were light and soft, but somehow he could still see the brave and valiant combatant in them. Her cheeks were as soft as he remembered and she still had the punch she often knocked into his shoulder.

He loved everything about her.

"So how was the trip?" she asked quite innocently, but Hiccup knew she had another intention.

"Well! Well, uh, heh," he chuckled nervously and looked away shyly.

"Say it."

"Okay, fine! It was a nice week away from Berk."

"And?"

"And you were right that it was probably best for me to take a break."

She looked at him with a smirk.

"Oh, all right!" he raised his hands in defeat, "I was working myself too hard and my beautiful betrothed was right. I won't spend nights in the forge again and I'll start eating my meals regularly."

"That's the Hiccup I know and love."

She slid an arm over his shoulder and rested the other on his chest. He looked visibly happier and more carefree. The bags under his eyes were now gone and his skin looked healthier.

"It took a lot of persuasion to get you off the island," an older women joined the conversation, "I'm glad we didn't have to persuade you to come back."

"M-mom!"

She engulfed her son in a hug which he gladly returned.

"Oh, I missed you! I hope you're feeling well. Eaten anythin' yet?" she said and guided the couple to the table which was flooded with food.

"I promise I didn't make any of it," Val joked.

"BUT I DID!" a deeper voice screamed from behind them.

"GAH! Sn-Snotlout!" Hiccup yelped.

"Hey, chief!" he smiled innocently, "Try my mini Jorgenson soufflés. "