Secrets of The Dragon Riders (HTTYD Fan-Fic)

Chapter 24 - Rotten to the Core

"Where's Mama?" Eira's voice made my heart ache as I heard it.

My beautiful baby girl; she was picked up by her father and I watched as Hiccup broke down, comforting Eira as tears streamed from his face.

"But...I'm alive!" I cried out. "I'm here! I'm alive!" I reached out for my husband and daughter, but then saw the red on my hands.

Blood.

My blood.

I looked down at my white dress and saw I was covered in blood.

It was all over my abdomen my legs and it centred at the join of my legs.

My eyes flew to the flaming ship and it was scorching.

And there was my body, my hands clasped over my abdomen as I wore the Queen's regalia.

And under the crook of arm, peaceful and still, was a baby – my baby.

It then hit me.

It had happened.

I had died giving birth.

***

I sat up, panting heavy as Hiccup jumped up next to me.

"Hey..." He grabbed my face and tried to calm me down as my breathing was shaky and erratic. "It was just a dream...just a dream..." He assured me, before I broke down and he pulled me into his chest.

No...it was a nightmare.

A nightmare that was going to come true.

***

I struggled to sleep after waking up again that I got up before the crack of down.

I bathed and took Stormfly for a quick spin as I tried to take the thoughts out of my head.

But it was hopeless.

I had to find a way to change this fate of mine before it did happen.

Hiccup wanted another child and I wanted to give that to him – but I can't do it when I'm knocking on death's door.

I had to find a way to save myself.

By the time I returned to Berk, the villagers were awake and I entered the Great Hall to see Hiccup and Eira were eating breakfast together.

Okay...rephrasing that.

Hiccup was eating.

Eira was making a mess.

I walked over to them, a smile on my face as I greeted my daughter and my husband, sitting next to him.

"You okay?" He asked and I nodded, as I cleaned Eira's face and began to feed her.

"I'm okay."

"And last night?" He questioned and I shrugged my shoulders. "Astrid...it's the third night in a row. Are you sure you're okay?"

I smiled, looking at him. "I'm okay...." I assured him. "It's just...bad thoughts. Everything is going well...we're all happy and I can't help but feel it's Annelise playing tricks on us."

He squeezed my hand and I smiled. "This is real..." He whispered into my ear and I thanked him, before kissing him passionately.

The riders joined us eventually, minus Eret and Heather, as we all enjoyed breakfast.

A pile of broken wood was tossed on the table before us and we jumped, looking up at Eret.

"What is this?" Hiccup asked.