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

Chapter 32 - Astrid

Five years.

Five years since the dragons departed our lives.

Four years of having our wonderful Zephyr in our lives.

Three people I've come to love more than anything in life.

Two of them are my beautiful children.

One year of having my Nuffink in my arms.

—

Hiccup walked in front of me as his arm hung behind him, fingers intertwined with mine.

We were in our dragon scale armor for the first time in a few years, and if I was totally honest with myself, it's a bit more snug than I remember. Giving birth to two babies can do a number on your body, I'm just glad I can still wear it.

The island we were scouting upon was dark and jungly as our boots would slosh after each step.

It was kind of nice for Hiccup and I to be out on a mission just us two again. Just like the countless flights Stormfly and Toothless would take us on.

We weren't totally alone, Snotlout, Fishlegs and the twins were waiting back at the boat, which was hidden in a mess of sea stacks, for a distress signal if anything were to happen.

Heather may be in prison, but we don't know what her tribe will do if we get discovered.

"You okay m'lady?", Hiccup whispers.

"Yeah. Are you?"

"Yes. Absolutely. I may just be feeling giddy that we're out together again", he says with the cutest, crooked grin.

"Me too", I laugh.

Finally, we reach the campsite that makes my memory recollect all at one time.

"This is it", I whisper.

Hiccup stands aside so I can lead the way. The small hut was built across the meadow on the edge of the trees. I recognize the Razorwhip scale accents on the windows and doorframe. It looked like one giant wooden box, definitely built by the 15 year old Heather.

However, it has been kept up with because there wasn't a sign of mold, rust or deterioration anywhere.

We quietly creep around the old shed and see if anyone is present.

Not a soul.

Hiccup holds a finger to his lips and he backs up against the door and slowly opens the creaky door.

I take a good long look around this mentally distraught looking room.

The walls and floors were covered with drawings of Razorwhips that looked like they were covered with tear drops... gods, this girl needs some help.

Then we see battle tactic plans and designs for ships, as well as drawings of us, Dagur and Mala that had our coordinates written beneath them.

But the middle of the wall above the table that had several, half melted candles in the corners held the biggest paper of all.