Thirty-Seven: Bonds

                                    

                                          
Thirty-Seven: Bonds
                          
Astrid stared at the little band of refugees in the Cove and realised that by default, she was the acting-leader. The Ingermans both looked to her and the villagers were woman and children, non-combatants. They had six dragons, three qualified riders and almost no food. So she sent the brothers out to fetch fish, set two guards at the lip of the cove and sent the twins to collect wood for a fire. And then she sat down with the other parents and went over the timeline again.
                          
"So Spitelout basically invited Alvin into the village to take over-because that misbegotten bastard son of a half-troll Snotlout was with him?" she growled. All the mothers slapped hands over their children's ears
                          
"Yes, that's exactly what happened," Marta Ingerman admitted, biting her lip against a smile. "Those who didn't come with us surrendered...or tried to fight and were subdued. The twins led us here because they knew we shouldn't be hostages. Honestly, I never knew this place existed."
                          
"Hiccup found it," Astrid admitted. "I had to leave him with Gothi...because there was no other option. He was unconscious, he had a fever...and they had to take his left lower leg." The older woman slapped her hand to her mouth.
                          
"That poor boy," she sighed. "He really does have the worst luck, doesn't he? And to think, only a couple of weeks ago, he was so happy that he was marrying you." She shuddered and her shoulders hunched.
                          
"It was the most unexpected and...happy day of my life," Astrid admitted softly. "I never planned to marry, never planned anything but making my parents proud that I was a warrior that others would respect and fear. But my parents are dead and what Snotlout tried to do-and what his family said-took any remaining respect I had. And then Hiccup, who has been my friend for years and has probably loved me without any hope for longer, saves me. He protects me and cares for me and asks nothing in return...but I-I love him anyway...and when he asked me to marry him, I knew this was what the Gods had planned. I am still a warrior...but I am at his side as well. And honestly, there is nowhere else I would want to be." Marta stared into her face and realised the young woman desperately missed having her mother to talk to...and she had never been blessed with a daughter, only her two loyal and loving sons.
                          
"I am glad for you," she commented softly. "It's rare but a blessing when you love the person you marry." Astrid chewed her lip and nodded. "And little ones? Did you think about those?" The Shield Maiden's head snapped up and she blushed.
                          
"I...um...a little..." she admitted. "I mean we...we're...and we've..." She ran her fingers through her hair. "It's a possibility," she conceded. "And to be honest, I'm not averse. I am certain Hiccup would be a great father because he is so caring and thoughtful and...inventive. He would never want his child to be treated the way he was." Marta smiled. "And it doesn't matter how many legs he has because I know he will find a way around it," Astrid added passionately. "I know people will be murmuring as soon as they find out because they never waste any time in thinking the worst of him but he's brave and determined and...and mine. And Thor and Odin, I will fight for him until the end of the world!" Marta smiled.
                          
"Then you have nothing to worry about because he will do the same for you," she admitted as the fishing and wood-collecting parties returned. "Now let us housewives help you feed this little group and then we can make some proper shelters."
                          
"And then we can head back to the village and rescue the riders," Astrid said, standing and brushing down her skirt. "I..."
                          
"ASTRID!" Brit came racing down the cove, her grubby face excited and the blonde sighed.
                          
"Yes, Brit?" she asked in a resigned voice.
                          
"We found something even better than wood!" the younger girl reported, gesturing behind them. For clambering through the entrance to the cove, very grubby but carrying plenty of wood, were the Thorston twins. Astrid gaped as they leapt down and looked around in unabashed admiration.