Until They Can Return in Peace - How to Train Your Dragon

Chapter 7 - Hiccup

I hear a loud thud on the roof as my eyes shoot open. It's pitch black in the room as I hear movement outside.

I reach over and feel my wife sound a sleep with her tiny snore.

I hear it again.

I find myself crawling out of the bed and putting on my under layer of clothing and a fur blanket.

The thuds become scratches as my heart skips a beat as I am startled.

I open the door to my hut and walk out to see what's on the roof.

I hear a deep throat growl that I knew all too well.

"Toothless!?" I call as the night fury leaps to the ground.

He purrs at the sight of me. But his pupils are stick skinny. The familiar look in his eyes is gone, just as a wild dragons eyes are.

He snarls as I put my hand out.

"Come on bud it's me!" I step closer but he growls.

I look away as I still hold my arm out, like I did long ago.

Why didn't he recognize me? He's on the edge where we have lived.

Just then I hear a distant high-pitch cry and a *woosh* following it.

A giant purple sonic blast of flames strikes the earth I stood upon.

I scream out in fear as I fly backwards.

"TOOTHLESS!" I scream.

I hear Astrid gasp as I partially sit up in bed.

"Hiccup?! What's wrong?!" She asks putting a hand on my chest.

It falls and rises on my collarbone along with my heavy breathing.

"Toothless isn't here Hiccup..." she says in a sad tone. I can barely see her tired blue eyes in the darkness.

"I know... that was so strange. He was... wild again. I reached my hand out like I did the first time. But what I think was the Light Fury, struck the ground in front of me, waking me up" I explain to her.

"He may be like that now. It's been months" she wipes the sweaty strands of hair from my forehead.

"I'm sorry.."

"No it's okay. It definitely was weird... but I'm okay with that... he's where he needs to be. And I know that Light Fury will protect him like she did in my dream and from Grimmel" I smile and Astrid notices.

"Just like she saved you" she kisses my temple.

"I'm thankful to her for that, everyday of my life" she adds and I pull her forehead to mine.

"Believe me, I am too" I kiss her.

We lay down again and pull her body into mine. She's wrapped around me perfectly intertwined.

I squeeze her slightly as we drift off to sleep again.

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The sun shown brightly on the snow coated edge. My window revealed the glory if it's winter gleam. I look over and realize Astrid is gone.

Assuming she probably has started breakfast, I get dressed quickly and go downstairs.

There's a loaf of bread and yak butter on the table but an empty plate and an empty cup by her usual chair.

What the Thor?