Until They Can Return in Peace - How to Train Your Dragon

Chapter 10 - Astrid

*AUTHOR'S NOTE*

Thank you all so much for all the reads, votes and kind words! It means the world to me! I just love these characters and I love writing! Keep those votes up! You guys are the best!

Shout out to EmilyChristine060 and TanChiKit for being absolute cheerleaders in the beginning of this!

Also, I have entered this story for the 2019 Watty's!
Wish me luck and keep on spreading the word!

Now on to the story!

- k.r.

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Hiccup squeezed me tightly but loosened his grip as soon as he realized what he was doing.

"Oh my gods I'm sorry. Are you okay? How are you feeling? How did you find out?", he starts babbling on with a thousand questions and I can't help but laugh.

"I'm okay, I just went to Gothi after I had missed a couple of cycles and I was very stomach sick, so she examined me and her diagnoses was that... I'm pregnant!", I shrug nervously.

"This is amazing!", he kisses me again. So much joy was radiating from his touch. He pulls away and looks into my eyes, and his smile faded slightly. Squinting to see through them and understand what's going on underneath.

"Astrid?", he comes close to my face.

My eyes dart downward.

"Love, what's wrong?" He asks.

My heart is pounding. We've only been married 3 months and this is already upon us. I can feel the pulse all the way to my ears. How could I possibly be ready for something like this? We're almost 22 years old, sent the dragons away to safety, became leaders of a tribe and now a baby on the way. So much has happened this year.

"Hiccup... I... I have never been so terrified in my life", I say and his expression softens.

"Why? Astrid you are the bravest, most incredible....", he begins but I cut him off.

"I have been well trained for everything in my life. Combat, dragon riding and being chiefs of the village. There have been guidelines for it all. And I know how to do those things well. But you hand me a baby and I have no idea how to raise one or how to care for it... Hiccup I'm scared I will be... a terrible...."

"Ah! Don't say that! Hun, no one can ever be prepared fully for something like this. We do have my mother and your mother to help, but this is our journey and our adventure. We will figure it out", he puts a loving hand on my cheek.

"If I had nothing else in the world besides you, *places a hand on my belly* and this little one. I will be complete. I don't have to have anything set in stone or planned out, I just need my... family", he says proud of that term.

I throw my arms around his neck. I hold him tightly for a moment. His long hair tickling my forehead. If anything, I expected him to be more afraid than I was, but I'm so glad he's able to be my backbone through this time. He has changed my world more than he ever could know, and he continues to do so.

Our noses meet and grins find themselves upon our faces.

"Are you crying?", Hiccup looks at me horribly concerned.

"What?! No... I'm just... cold", I say and the waterworks start pouring from my eyes.

Hiccup looks dumbfounded and not knowing what to do.

I never cry. I'm Astrid.

"I'm sorry...", is all I say.

He looks at me tenderly, wiping away the excess streaks from my cheeks.

"I'm going to hate being pregnant if all it does is make me emotional",
I say rolling my eyes.

This makes us both laugh.

"This is definitely not something normal for me", I add.

He just beams at me, "I kinda like it. I get to be the tough one".

My immediate reflex is to punch his arm.

"A-ow! Dang babe, that pregnancy strength really hit you already!", he cries.

"That's a thing?!"

"Agh, it is now", he rubs his arm like a little kid.

I kiss his cheek, "I'm sorry, it's instinctive for me".

He chuckles again.

The rest of our little picnic lunch was spent in closeness and in bliss. With loads of good food I brought and the news that came with it, the afternoon was full of delight and love. We even discussed names for whether it was a boy or girl. Hiccup is convinced it's a boy, but I may disagree.

Suddenly the village horn blares throughout the island.

"What's that for? The Snoggletog tree and banquet is tomorrow isn't it?" I ask Hiccup urgently.

"Yeah, I... am not sure", he messed with his small, becoming chin whiskers.

He gathers our picnic supplies and we hurry to the village.

By the time we reach the square everyone was gathered around. The crowd splits down the middle as Hiccup leads us to the center.

When we finally reach what all the commotion was about, I immediately become exhilarated; I feel Hiccup is just as joyous.

"Dagur! What are you doing here?!", Hiccup goes over and Dagur scoops him up in a back breaking hug.

"BROTHER!! You would not believe what has happened since we've last spoken!", he shouts.

I see the queen of the Defenders of the Wing herself talking to Valka as I go over to her, "Mala!"

She turns around, but before I hug her I am stopped by a bundle of white in her arms.

"Mala... is this?", I say gawking at the tiny, frail and beautiful baby in her arms.

"Yes! This is the prince of the Defenders of the Wing and heir to the Berserker tribe, Gunnar", she proudly presents her adorable son.

"That is the reason I couldn't make it to your wedding, which I deeply apologize for"

"No! That is quite alright! I'm just surprised Dagur or Heather didn't say anything when they came?!", I say looking at Dagur playfully irritated.

"Hey! I know the pressure of a wedding and how you're not really paying attention to anything besides your beloved", he defends.

Hiccup shoots me an adoring look and I blush.

"Yes. That is true. Well, BERK! WE HAVE GUESTS FOR SNOGGLETOG!", I shout to everyone and cheers roar throughout.

I congratulate them on the newest addition.

But I can't help but stare at the little angel in Mala's arms.