Dark Despair (Book 2: Together Forever)

The Rescues

1 day earlier

Astrid's POV

I was less mad now. Now that I'd had two days to cool down, I understood why he had to do this. Even if it left me extremely mad. And maybe a little worried. Okay, a lot worried.

I heard a scoff of boots against the rock. I whipped around with the speed Delta had been teaching me for the past five years and quickly brought my knife against the neck of... Heather.

"Sorry!" I quickly released her from my hold.

"Well! It seems someone has been practicing their fighting technique. I didn't even see that coming." I blushed.

Badly wanting to break the awkward silence we had fallen into, I said, "So... What are you doing up here?"

"Oh! I was wanting to see if you were okay and also I was hoping I'd be able to see Hiccup coming back."

"Ahhh... That's why I'm here, too. I was hoping he'd come back. I know wishful thinking, but I can't put it out of my mind."

"Me neither. I want him to be safe. I want both of them to be safe."

"You really think Toothless is still alive?"

"I have to. Because if Toothless is dead... Then I'll lose all of my hope. And I believe Hiccup. He would definitely try to fool himself, but he would never act so confident about it unless he was certain Toothless was still fighting."

I looked at Heather. She was becoming a really good friend. Almost the sister I'd never had. "Is it weird that I'm starting to see you as my sister." She laughed whole-heartedly.

"No, not at all. I'm feeling the same way. Hey, let's make you some armour."

"Make me some-"

"C'mon it'll be fun. I helped Hiccup with his and I have my own."

"What armour?"

"The one you see him wearing a lot. It's made of dragon scales. It's fire-proof."

"Really!?"

"Yeah, let's go!"

5 hours later

"Well, I'm exhausted," Heather exclaims.

"Me too. I could sleep for a week!"

"Agreed."

"Let's not actually do that though."

"Oh, Thor, no!"

"Let's finish it tomorrow."

"Best... Idea... Ever!" Heather said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster.

3 hours later

We must've fallen asleep because when we decided to go back to the top of the waterfall the sun was almost half-way down to the horizon.

After some more time had passed I saw some dragons flying just South of us. They were headed West. "Hey, Heather."

"Yeah?"

"Do you see that?" I said and pointed towards the flock.

"Woah! What are they all doing?"

"I don't know."

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Call Windshear and Stormfly to go take us to find out what they're doing?"