Into the Unknown- Book II of the Journey Series

Chapter 27

===Heather===

Mom took us to a little hut inside island. My guess is it's her hut here. She made us a mouthwatering meal, that I managed to lick the plate clean. Now I know where my talent for food comes from -she is one amazing cook. And Dagur and Skylar pretty much agree, since they were off napping their lunch under a shady tree.

Which meant Mom and I were left alone to talk. It still feels a little weird for me. I just found out that Dagur's my brother, my dad came out of hiding because Dagur's getting married out of the blue, then my mother rescues us from nearly drowning in a raging storm in the merciless ocean while on a journey to find the River of Memories.

It's a lot for a girl to take in such a short time. It's only been weeks, but it felt like months to me from the amount of events that took place sequentially before my eyes.

To be honest, I didn't really wanna talk to her right now. I didn't really wanna talk to anyone right now. I just ended up doing what I've been doing since Defenders of the Wing Island -sitting alone and staring off into the distance, swimming in my confused thoughts.

I was really missing Hiccup now. I really need his warm embrace around me and soothing words he whispers in my ear. Most of all, I need his perspective on this. Because I am so confused and could use his eyes and mind to help me make sense of what I'm feeling.

But fate wouldn't let me. It sent my mother in my direction, clearly forcing me to talk to her. It was now that I needed him more than ever.

"Something on your mind, hon?" She asked me as she sat down on the grass next to me.

The gods must hate me. They're making my confusion feel much worse. She's one of the last people I wanna talk to. But, I must be pretty desperate to talk to someone that I started making coversation with her.

"Just... my boyfriend. I miss him." I found myself telling her.

"Ahh, Hayden-err- Hiccup. Stoick's son?" She clarified and I nodded.

"Yes, my fiancé-since-birth. For the record, I fell in love with him before I knew we were betrothed."

"What do you like about him?"

"Everything. His forest green eyes that sparkle whenever he discovers something new. His adorable smile that I see whenever he's having fun. His sarcasm that nevee ceases to both amuse and annoy me at the same time. His shaggy auburn hair that I can't help but compare them to soft silk whenever I run my hands through. His warm embrace that helps me fall asleep at night. Most of all, his brilliant mind and compassionate heart that makes me fall in love with him more each day. He... reads me like an open book, and yet he would let me say what's on my mind for my benefit more than his. And just being near him.... makes my day already no matter what happened." I rambled, making me miss him even more.

"Sounds like you're in love, dear."

"I am, Mom."

"And... how do you feel about him now after finding out about your betrothal?"

What do I feel?

At first, when I found out about it, I was happy. But, feelings of fear suddenly crept at the back of my mind. Now that the betrothal is back on since both me and my father have returned, I'm suddenly having second thoughts. I mean, Hiccup and I have only been dating for weeks. And yet, with all that's happened, it feels like months. Still, it feels like we're going too fast.

I still wanna get to know him better until  all the doubts have left my mind. I wanna be with him ans I love him. I just wanna make sure that I'm ready when it comes.

"I love him, Mom. And I wanna spend the rest of my life with him. But..." I couldn't say it.

"You're not ready for marriage, aren't you?" She guessed, and I just nodded.

"We've only been dating for weeks. We're still too young. There is so many things I wanna do. Places I wanna see. Adventures I wanna embark. I wanna see it all before I settle down."

"And that is completely understandable, dear. And I should know. I went through the same thing with your father." Okay, I was not expecting that.

"What? Really?"

"Yes. Your father and I were a few years past your age when we fell in love. It was around the time when his father was grooming him to be the next chief. His parents, the council -hell, the entire village -were pushing us to get married already. Even my parents. But, I wasn't ready. I needed to be sure of what I feel for him was real, and that I'm ready for a new chapter in my life. It took about two years before we got married, and a year after your brother was born. And from then on, I never had second thoughts when it comes to my heart." She paused as she tucked my bangs behind my ear and her green eyes that were filled with a motherly gaze that I never knew I needed looked into mine.

"Remember dear, no matter what everyone may say, you must always follow your instincts when it comes to matters of love. And, to always tell your beloved what you feel. If you feel that you're not ready and you need more time, tell him. I'm sure he will understand. It may be tradition, but they can't rule what the heart feels and what the minds thinks."

"But, what if the pressure gets too much?"

"Tell Hiccup. Don't keep it to yourself. Being in a relationship is just like being part of a team. If you tell him what's troubling you, you'll both face them together making your bond stronger and the two of you closer."

Honestly, that pep talk really helped.

"Thanks mom. Hearing that made me feel a lot better. But, it doesn't change the way I feel about my..... situation."

"It's fine dear. I'm just happy I can help."

Then I gave her a hug. She was surprised at first, but she returned it after a beat. I guess this means I finally accepted having a mom.

A series of panicked roars echoed across the garden. Causing me and mom to abruptly break from our hug. The air turned colder in flash. Like- winter colder.

"What's going on?" Skylar asked as he and Dagur ran towards us, fresh from their nap.

"The air turned freezing cold all of a sudden." Dagur said as he visibly shivered as a breeze blew.

"Only one way to find out. Let's go." Mom said as we mounted our dragons and flew off to the directions of the panicked dragons.

I saw one part of the garden completely covered in frost, which confused me because it was still summer. But, the surprise winter wasn't what made my jaw drop.

It's three familiar deadly dragons protecting a man that had.... the magic of winter? And that he looked oddly familiar.