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

Chapter 17 - Hiccup

Hey guys!
Thank you for close to 2,000 reads! I can't believe it!
This chapter is an informational/filler chapter. I'm just warning you all that I will begin to move faster in time. There's a lot of ground to cover!

Thank you all again for the kind words!

Enjoy <3

- k.r.

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Astrid's eyes are blazing with vindictive energy. I really didn't want to hide this from her, but I don't really know what to do myself.

"Is there any other information?", she asks as I hold out my arms to hold my daughter.

I hold her close to my chest, "Some of our sea-scouts overheard the Fractious men complaining of a purple blast that hit their comrade's ship".

"A plasma blast... Toothless?", she asks.

"Possibly. Which means these guys have gotten close to the Hidden World. This only prolongs the time the dragons have to hide away", I say and my heart aches a little.

"Hiccup, they won't get to the dragons, especially with Toothless as the alpha"

"It's not the dragons I'm worried about. It's how vicious they will become towards humans if this continues. Reverting back to how we used to be. Enemies...", I say gazing out on the ocean in the distance.

There are so many vague actions of violence happening in the archipelago. It doesn't make sense... but I know my job is to protect my tribe and my family. I just need to find out why there's threats to humans and dragons when dragons aren't the problem anymore.

Astrid is eagerly on her toes pacing back and forth. I know she's missed being apart of the action and council of New Berk.

"Hey, why don't you meet with Eret and the gang and talk militant strategies and what we could do to enhance defense?", I offer my wife. Her warrior spirit leaps within her and her blue eyes light with fire.

"I'm on it. What about Zephyr? I can go find Heather"

"Don't worry, I got her", I say and she smiles warmly. She takes the satchel off her shoulder and hands it too me.

"I love you. I'll be back in a little while", she kisses me. I leaned in for more as she pulls away to walk off.

"Easy Chief", she continues down and I watch her hips sway with her long beautiful hair.

"Your mother is something else, little one. You and I are quite lucky", I ever so gently kiss her tiny nose.

I carry her up the stairs and back into the Great Hall.

My mother is sitting at one of the tables with a book and paper that she has scribbled on.

"Oh, taking shifts I see", she sands up to see her granddaughter with the biggest smile.

"Astrid deserved to do some chiefing herself after being cooped up in the house for several days. Besides, I don't see Zephyr much due to me trying to protect her and the island from a possible attack"

"She looks so much like your father", she states and my heart skips.

"I know.. I wish he could have met her...", I say and I look down at my baby girl.

Mom grins with a slight dose of grief.

"So you're working so hard to protect your child that you barely see her?", she asks and I'm a little humiliated. 

"Mom, I just want her to grow up in a safe place. I'm terrified of something happening to her...", I start but she cuts me off.

"Hiccup, you mustn't let fear control how you lead. You aren't that kind of leader, son. As long as I've known you, all you know how to do is lead from a position of unknowing.
I spent most of YOUR life far from you, because I wanted to "protect" you. I regret it of course, but I can't change what has happened. But you have the choice now to have faith in yourself, as well as enjoying a family", she says with a hand on my cheek.

"Think about it", she gathers her things and heads out the doors.

I am alone now with Zephyr and all the wonderful things that lined these walls.

I set the satchel down and sit in my Chief's throne.

Zephyr is wide awake now and I pull some of the fur blanket from her face.

The faint rosiness in her rounded cheeks lit her gorgeous eyes as they send arrows to my heart for each moment they look upon me.

"I'm sorry I haven't been a very present dad for the first few days of your life, besides the night time when you're restless and your mommy needs rest. I know you won't remember me telling you any of this, but I love you my little Zephyr. My sweet reminder of how great this season of change has been. I promise I'll be there for you always", I say and she looks at me and a quick snicker of a grin appeared on her lips.

I lay her head on my chest as I rise and walk around. She's so tiny even in my skinny arms. I never knew something so small could give me such love and a sense of purpose.

I kiss her soft head and laid mine there gently, rocking and humming.

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I finish signing some trading agreements as Zephyr napped after a bottle.

I stand and stretch my arms and shoulders.

"Shall we go see mom?", I whisper to my sleeping angel.

I exit the Great Hall and make my way towards the island over-look.

My wife has her axe and is leaning on it in her war-stance facing the ocean. Her chin was up and her gaze was concentrated. I love her so serious and concentrated.

"Anything to report M'lady?", I ask.

"There's a ship out there, but nothing threatening yet. We're vigilant, but not concerned", she replies. Zephyr makes a sweet noise and I hold on to her tightly.

"What do you think Chief?", Eret asks.

"Well if any of these rebellious tribes have the guts to get close to the edge of the world, they won't stop at anything to get to us", say with much weight.

"YES! The wages of war will soon be upon us. For it is through great tests of Thor we are prepared for this moment", Tuffnut comes up with fists in the air.

"Uh Tuff, What are you talking about?", I ask confused.

"Uh. Are we not preparing ourselves with dramatic war monologues for the battles to come?!", he asks and I sigh loudly.

I pull out my spy glass after handing Zephyr to Astrid. She kisses her forehead and begins rocking the now fussy girl.

The dragons can't return until peace is possible. I just hope we can make it possible sooner than later...

"I hope Dagur's okay, we must do something", Astrid says.

"What? What's wrong with Dagur? Where is he?", I hear Heather's voice behind me.

Oh no...