Heart of a Berserker: Trust (School of Dragons)

Chapter 25

A/N: This is the last chapter for part one. Enjoy!

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"No more lives torn apart
That wars would never start
And time would heal all hearts
And everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end, no
This is my grown up Christmas list"

- "Grown Up Christmas List" by Amy Grant

Chapter 25

I finally built a small hut for myself on Berk. It only made sense since I spent much of the following month helping Hiccup rebuild the island after Drago nearly destroyed it. Now I could move around anywhere, just like my friends. With all our hard work, it finally started to feel like home.

One day, I wandered around Berk with Bolt, simply watching the snow fall. We stopped when we ran into Fishlegs. Something seemed a bit off about him. "Hey, Fishelgs," I said. "Is everything alright?"

"Hi, Brennda," Fishlegs said. "I'm fine, it's just... Is it just me or has everything felt a little... drab, lately?" 

I shrugged. "Since Drago, you mean? I suppose we haven't had anything positive happen since then."

Fishlegs nodded. "Exactly. I think a splash of fun and unity could do us a whole lot of good. Can you ask Hiccup if he has anything planned for the upcoming holidays?"

"I suppose I can do that."

"Thanks, Brennda!"

I nearly forgot Snoggletog was almost upon us. I used to celebrate every year with my parents, but since joining the School of Dragons, it never really felt right to join in the Berkian celebrations. Would this year really be any different?

I found Hiccup near his hut with Toothless. While the dragonss greeted each other, I relayed Fishlegs' question to our new chief.

"I'm glad you brought it up," Hiccup said. "With everything that has happened to Berk recently, it's been hard to really get the time to get in a celebrating mood. There are always a hundred new problems popping up at any time that need the chieftain's attention. That won't stop us from having a good time this Snoggletog. My father definitely drilled into me the importance of delegating, and I know you can get this done! Can you talk to Gobber and ask him about the state of our Snoggletog celebrations?"

"I'm on it!" And so, I was off to find our resident blacksmith at his smithy, of course.

"Ha! We're miles ahead of Hiccup," Gobber said. "Did you really think Astrid would have slacked off? I swear that girl lives for Snoggletog. She started talking to me about it months ago. In fact, I had to help her set up her stall all morning!" He frowned. "Why are you wincing?"

"Um, well..."

"Ah, I see you've had Astrid's infamous yaknog before; is the ... 'unique' ... taste coming back to your mouth?"

I gave him a sheepish smile.

"You don't have to worry, lassie. Why don't you hear the plan directly from the Nadder's mouth? She's somewhere around here on Berk!"

Well, if this was not about yaknog, I could give it a go. I did not have to search long before I found Astrid and Stormfly. My friend brightened when she saw me.

"There you are, Brennda!" she exclaimed. "I've been looking all over for you. I have something really special lined up for all of our dragon trainers. I'm so happy to be celebrating Snoggletog together with everyone. Let me show you!"

She had my curiosity piqued, so I followed her to the other side of Berk. She stopped on front of a new, dome-shaped building.

Astrid turned to me and grinned. "Ta-da! Gobber and I set up a new training area."