When I Come Back

Why give it to me?

Astrid

"Was it really worth it?" I ask.

   He looks up as if I just said something I wasn't supposed to.

"Was it worth it?" he echos.

"Yeah. Do you regret it?" I ask.

"Erm. I feel like I missed out on a lot here over the years, but the Academy helped me in more ways than I could've ever gotten here. Plus, I made some amazing friends. So I guess the answer to your question is that it really was worth, and if I had the chance to go back to that day, I'd choose to go to the Academy every time." He answers.

"So! What was life on Berk like while I was gone?" Hiccup asks, changing the subject. 

   I shrug my shoulders, "Not much different than when you left."

"Oh come on, Astrid! You know that's not true! The amount of dragons here has noticeably increased and the Gang has never been closer. You guys have clearly kept up on your training." he exclaims.

   The last comment of his made a smile creep onto my lips. "With me in charge, was it even a question?"

   He chuckles, "No. It really wasn't. I guess I should have said something about you doing really well in keeping the team together and organized. I also wanted to thank you for keeping up on my chores while I was gone."

   At first a soft smile tugs at the corner of my lips and then I remember the pouch of coins he asked me to keep while he was gone. "OH!" I exclaim. 

   Hiccup furrows his brows in confusion as I get up and walk to a sleeping Stormfly. I dig through my saddlebag chanting, "Where is it?Where is it?Where is it?"

   Finally, my hand finds a small brown pouch holding just a handful of coins, but every single one being gold.

   I turn back to Hiccup, who is leaning against the table, legs comfortably crossed, and arms crossed across his chest. 

"These are yours." I say, handing him the precious pouch. 

   Confusion still etched across his face, he opens the little brown pouch and his confusion turned to surprise. 

"Did you use any of them?" he asks. 

"Of course not! Why would I?" 

"Well, I did give them to you."

"But, they were yours!"

"No, Astrid, I gave them to you. They're yours."

   All I could do was stare at him. Most vikings would kill for a pouch of gold coins. It was worth an entire month's worth of food. And Hiccup Haddock had handed me it. 

   My family was anything but rich. We were raised and trained as warriors. We fought for our people, defended our island, and made our family proud. The Fearless Hoffersons were well known, but we were not wealthy in the slightest. We were warriors, thrown into battle, often fortune was lost with those who fell. The closest thing a Hofferson has ever gotten to wealth was my father, he was Stoick's proud general for three years, before Spitelout finally stepped up and took the role. 

   No matter how good of a general my father was, Spitelout had a direct bloodline to the throne of Berk, he was practically entitled to it.

    Due to this, my family was now considered as poor. The money we had went to paying for our home, food,water rights, and a jar we kept for emergencies. There was no room for fixing our weapons, buying new clothes, or saddles for our dragons.

   My mother is a soldier, making 2 silver coins a month. My father is the second in command to Spitelout, making 3-4 silver coins a month. As for myself, I charge 1 bronze coin per child that trains with me, but when there are times when the family can't pay, I'm understanding and train them anyway. 

   When I started out, I had 14 kids, Gustav's little sister Vatsug, Snotlout's youngest brother Vengelout, the twins' cousins Buffnut and Gruffnut, Mildrew's ex wife's six kids Werd, Kerd, Berd, Derd, Herd, and Zerd, Zara, Leyma, Winnie, and Nivek. Then, word spread of the success of the Little Warrior Training. Leaders were sending their heirs to come learn how to fight, dicipline, and becoming a respectable leader. 

   So now I have 20 kids, Vastug, Vengelout, Buffnut, Gruffnut, Werd, Kerd, Berd, Derd, Herd, Zerd, Zara, Leyma, Winnie, Nivek, Zenyatta (Zee), Glacierous (Blue), Kylestone (Kyle), Beatrice (Tris), Roxy, and Alisonga. Therefore, I am now making 20 bronze coins, which is the equivalent of ten silver coins. 

   Gold coins were worth so much more. 5 gold coins = 15 silver coins = 30 bronze coins. Just in Hiccup's little pouch, there was about 10-15 gold coins. 

   His soft chuckle brought me back to the moment. 

   I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts, "W-what?"

   Another soft chuckle escapes, "They're yours, Astrid."   

"Hiccup, no. I can't." I say, almost turning away from him. 

"You can and you will." he said, placing the pouch into my hand.

   I shove it back into his hands. "No! I can't!"

"Astrid. Take it." his voice turned stern, filled with authority. It made me feel like a child in trouble, that there was no option other than to obey. 

   I slumped a bit in defeat, "I guess it would be rude to deny a gift."

   All seriousness left his face, now replaced with a beaming smile. "Yes, it would be."

"Can I just ask why though?" 

"Why would it be rude?" he ask, cocking an eyebrow. 

   I laugh, "No! Why give it to me?"