Spirit of a Warrior - HTTYD

Nine

"Happy Birthday, Astrid", I hear a whisper as I am awakened from my deep slumber.

My mother and father are standing by my bed with a plate of delicious smelling food.

I stretched as I thanked them for the wishes and the yummy breakfast.

Dad was smiling at me, but he hasn't really said a word since that day in front the Great Hall. His overall demeanor has been kinder but he doesn't speak much anymore.

"Okay dear, you get dressed and eat up. Stormfly is already waiting on you", mom says before she shuts the door to my bedroom.

I quickly pull on my clothes, light armor and braid my hair.

I begin to think about the crazy Snoggletog we had yesterday from the disappearance of the dragons a couple days before, Hiccup going missing all day yesterday and then coming back with all the dragons, and even the kiss I gave him in front of the village once again to thank him.

I even remember my mistake of...

"THE EGGS EXPLODE!", I hear children running around outside screaming the horrible thing I realized yesterday about gronkle eggs.

I was just trying to keep up the holiday cheer...

I shrug it off as I go over to my night stand to grab my food.

I eat my favorite breakfast dish of eggs and bread with yak-butter and run down the stairs.

16 years old today.

I've never been one to celebrate my birthday, but this past year has given me an exhilaration I've never felt before and I can't help but be excited for what comes next.

"Have a good day, dear. We'll see you tonight for dinner", mom smiles as I pull up my fur hood.

Dad comes over and hands me my axe, which has been freshly sharpened.

"Oh! Thank you father", I smile at him. He nods, but yet still at a loss of words.

I slightly go to hug him, but the stern way he stood communicated that he didn't want such vulnerability.

I shake it off, nothing will ruin this day.

Before I could head out the door my mom catches my arm, "Astrid, be sure to invite Hiccup over along with your friends tonight"

She gives me a cheesy wink and I roll my eyes with blushing cheeks.

"Stormfly!", I call my girl who was across the way.

The blistering cold powdering my cheeks didn't bother me one bit.

She rubs her snout against me as I hug her.

"Happy Birthday Astrid!", Stoick says walking the path of his morning rounds.

"Thank you Chief! Have you seen Hiccup?", I ask.

"Come to think of it, no. But I'll give word if I do", he nods as he continues on his route.

He's probably on a morning ride with Toothless.

I hop on Stormfly and we head towards the training grounds.

Upon our arrival to the arena, we see the twins already in a quarrel about Thor knows what.

Barf and Belch give me annoyed growls after I hop off my dragon.

"What is it this time?", I stand with my hands on my hips.

"Oh hey Astrid!", Ruffnut stops to greet me.

Then she continues to pull her brother's hair.

"Happy birthday by the way", Tuffnut says practically dangling from his sister's grip on those disgusting blonde dreads.