The Gift Of Power | Wattys 2020 (Dance of Power Trilogy: Book 1)

I Will Never Let You Go Again

*Lemon Alert*

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While it had been hilarious to watch Snotlout run around with his pants on fire, Astrid was still overly glad when the lesson finally ended. It had also been wonderful to let loose and be herself with the boys for a change. Laughing and joking with Hiccup and the others as if they were alone in the cove, instead of surrounded by nosy riders-in-training. Of course, there had been a few times she grew worried that they had pushed Snotlout too far. That he was nearly mad enough to go to her parents to complain about her behaviour. He hadn't yet, but it was still a definite possibility. That was a problem for tomorrow though.

Right now she was out on her first flight with her new dragon, and it would take a whole lot more than a lecture from her disappointed parents to kill her good mood right now. If anyone had seen Hiccup and her touching or kissing, she would deal with it later. Admittedly Heather, Ruff, and Fishlegs were still giving her odd looks as they helped the other recruits pen the new dragons up at the academy, but she opted to mostly ignore them. Forgetting about it shortly after they had left, since Hiccup and Ilweran suggested they use the remaining daylight to teach Astrid the basics. Minden tagging along to watch, and help out where she was needed. Also to give Astrid support, girl to girl, as she put it.

Astrid was pleasantly surprised to discover that it didn't really require much assistance from either the boys or Minden. The nadder was patient with her and riding was instinctual. She soon realized that as long as she didn't try to overthink it, flying with her new dragon was as natural as walking. The two of them working together to understand the others desires. Almost seeming to read each other's thoughts. It was wonderful and gloriously free.

They were taking the standard route that Hiccup and Ilweran had been patrolling every night. Not really expecting a raid, but still staying alert just in case. The queen had to be sending her minions somewhere by now. She would need food in order to regain her strength, but thankfully they hadn't come to Berk yet. This was probably a good thing too, as up until today they'd only had two dragon riders to defend the entire village. Now they had twenty-one more including Minden, though the others would need some serious training before they would be much help in a fight.

Night was beginning to fall and they were quite a ways out from Berk, so Hiccup signalled that they should start heading back. Just as they made to circle around, Minden spotted a small group of dragons a decent distance away. Judging by their direction though, they were also flying towards the village. It appeared the small pack had not spotted them yet, as they seemed intent on their target. After getting the attention of the other three, Minden pointed to the dragons and said, "those ones weren't with me. Were you guys expecting any other visitors?"

"Yes we were, but only unwelcome ones," Ilweran replied dryly as Hiccup chuckled. Both of them turning to look at Astrid and her nadder.

"I guess you two are about to get your first taste of arial battle," Hiccup remarked as he met Astrid's gaze. "I would like to ask you to stay out of harm's way and let us take care of it, but I know better than to tell you what to do. I doubt that you would listen to me anyways, even if I did." Astrid gaped at him with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. She had been half-expecting him to try and shoo her back to the village. Reading her expression, Hiccup raised his shoulders in a shrug. "You deserve the chance to test your limits," he offered with a grin before glancing back at the other two.

Ilweran was all business for once as he addressed the group. "These are the first raiders we have seen so far, and they likely will not be expecting to fight other dragons," he stated. His words seeming mostly directed towards Astrid and Minden. Not that this offended Astrid in the slightest. After what she'd seen at the nest, it was pretty clear that Hiccup didn't really need a pep-talk on dragon fighting...