Homecoming (A "How To Train Your Dragon" Story)

Chapter 21:

A/N

Hey guys, to all my readers thank you for all your support!  I've been very very surprised by the amount of people who have read this book.  I didn't think it would be this popular AT ALL.  Right now it has around 3.2k reads and that is A LOT.  Although I might be losing motivation for this story, your comments have really inspired me to keep going.  I'm not making any promises but I will try my best!  I haven't had the time to thank everyone for all the follows, votes, and adding-to-reading-lists, but to all those people: thank you, I hope you enjoy reading my story! :)

Haddock Home

ASTRID: Honey!  Come down for dinner!

Astrid sets the table.  Nuffink barrels down the stairs. 

NUFFINK: (groans) Lamb stew!!!  Again???

ASTRID: (teases) Yes, lamb stew, your favourite!

Nuffink gives an exaggerated groan and slumps into his seat.

ASTRID: (yells towards the stairs) Hiccup!  Zephyr!  Come down and eat!

NUFFINK: Mom, do we have to eat this tonight?

ASTRID: Yes bud.  (yells)  DINNER IS READY!

NUFFINK: But mom....

ASTRID: No buts Nuffink.  Can you go upstairs and see what your father and your sister are doing?  I swear it's like they're not even here.  

Nuffink trudges begrudgingly up the stairs.  He walks down the hallway.

NUFFINK: Dad?  Zeph?  Dinner is ready.

He pushes open Zephyr's bedroom door.  Her room is empty.  Nuffink walks down to his parents bedroom, it's also empty.  He goes back downstairs.

NUFFINK: They're not upstairs.

Astrid stops seeing the table.

ASTRID: I thought I heard someone come inside.  Maybe they're in the workshop-

Someone knocks on the door.

ASTRID: Nuffink can you-

Nuffink is already at the door.  He throw is open.  

NUFFINK: Hi Uncle Gobber!

GOBBER: Hey there laddie!

Gobber sniffs inside.  

GOBBER: Is that lamb stew I smell?

NUFFINK: Bleh.

Astrid comes to the door.

ASTRID: Hey Gobber, what's up?

GOBBER: Is Hiccup here?  

ASTRID: No he's he not, I was thinking that maybe he'd be at the shop-

GOBBER: I haven't seen him all day.  He was supposed to come by the shop to pick this up, but he never came.

Gobber holds out a shiny dagger, with a dragon engraved on the handle.  The initials ZH are carved at the end. 

GOBBER: I believe it was for Zephyr.  

Astrid takes the dagger, worry written all over her face.  

ASTRID: I haven't seen Hiccup or Zephyr since this morning.  If they're not in the shop....

A long silence passes between them.

NUFFINK: Mom?  Will Dad and Zephyr be okay?

Astrid snaps out of her daze and puts on a forced smile.  She ruffles Nuffink's hair.  

ASTRID: Yes, buddy.  Why don't you go over to the neighbours and see if Dad or your sister are there?  Maybe to the village as well?  

NUFFINK: Ok mom!

He hurries out the door and down the road.

GOBBER: Nothing to worry about Mrs. Haddock, I'm sure Hiccup just got caught up with work in the Great Hall.  Why he's probably pouring over all his books and things right now!  Lost track of time I bet!

Astrid nods, a bit absentmindedly.

ASTRID: It's more Zephyr I'm worried about.  She likes exploring in the woods, maybe she got lost, or hurt, or....

Gobber places a comforting hand on Astrid's shoulder.

GOBBER: Aye, don't worry too much.  Why don't you head over to the Great Hall and pull Hiccup away from his beloved chiefly duties?  I swear, the lad is gonna work himself to death!  

ASTRID: Right, I'll do that.

Astrid grabs her cloak and puts it on. 

GOBBER: If it makes you feel any better I'll round up some men to go out into the forest and look for lil' Zephyr.  

Astrid breathes a sigh or relief.

ASTRID: Yes, thank you Gobber. How can we ever repay you?

GOBBER:  Some of that dElicious lamb stew might do it for me!