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

Chapter 37 - Hiccup

That visit with Mala and Dagur was a couple of months ago.

Astrid wanted to wait until after the holiday to make a voyage to Berserker Island.

This year is yet again full of many milestones ahead. Zephyr will be 6, Nuffink will be 3 and along with our anniversary, the dragons will have been gone for 7 years.

It's only January so I don't want to think about any of that just yet.

I scratched my hairy cheek as I studied my map on my desk. The little carved Toothless was looking at it with me as well.

I can hear Astrid downstairs trying to calm her hysterical kids upon her departure in just a little while.

They're used to me leaving for excursions occasionally but Astrid rarely does. The last time was the mission to Heather's Island that ended horribly.

Astrid still sees that scar down my rib cage all the time with sorrowful eyes.

When she and I are lying awake in bed, she will trace her fingers over it and it nearly brings her to tears.

I'm thankful to Thor and Throk for sparing my life on that crazy night over a year and a half ago.

I twist my pencil in my hand trying to think of questions to ask Heather upon our visit to Berseker's hidden prison, but nothing goes onto the paper.

I sigh in defeat and close the journal. I roll up the map and put both in my satchel.

I head downstairs as a puffy-eyed Zephyr sees me.

"Oh come here sweetheart", I say kneeling down and she leaps into my arms.

"Why do you both have to go?", she cries.

"Zeph, mommy and I have go on this trip, for the better of our family and possibly all tribes", I say wiping her tears from her moist face.

She understands and I kiss her forehead.

"I love you, Zephyr"

"Love you daddy", she hugs me again.

I look and see Nuffink is weeping in Astrid's arms.

"Okay Nuff. You be my strong boy. I'll be back in a couple of days. Do you think you can protect New Berk while we're gone?", she asks holding his chin.

He sucks in his lips trying to straighten up and be serious. It resembles me slightly.

He nods intentionally and she kisses his cheek.

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"Ready M'lady?", I ask my beautiful bride.

"Always", she smiles at me with adventurous eyes.

My mother and Astrid's parents were standing with our children. They were waving sadly as I pulled the rope in from the dock and we began to glide away from home.

It became a distant land mark as Astrid and I set our course for Berserker Island.

She was standing at the bow of the ship with her hands on her hips.

The breeze blowing her extremely long blonde hair in the wind.

I go and stand behind her, pulling her into my arms. Her head finds my chest and leans back.

I dip my head down and kiss her cheek just beside her ear. I can feel her shutter under my touch; goosebumps would be obvious if weren't for our winter clothing.

"Been a long time since it's been just you and I on a trip", I say and she nods.

"As fearful as I am about the business side of this, I am honestly grateful for this time with you Hiccup", she looks up at me. Her pupils dilated immensely, barely showing any blue.