Chapter 10: I'm Back

                                    

                                          
The next few hours crawled by slowly for Hiccup. He was better, besides the nagging headache. Astrid, however, was so engrossed in Njord that the time seemed to fly. 
                          
Heather just came out of the small house, looking rested, and went to get Njord.
                          
"I think it is about time for someone to eat." She said, reaching for her son.
Astrid complied and handed him back to his mother after kissing his little fists. She then stood and brushed off her skirt.
                          
"I see Berk!" She said, blocking the sun with her hands and looking in the distance. 
                          
Sure enough, the two statues with a fire lit in their mouths were fast approaching. Behind that they could see the mountain jutting upwards towards the sky, the one which Gothi inhabited, with a little house on top. Terrible terrors were able to be seen from that distance, flying around the house. Below that, two statues, the same as the ones they were just passing in the water, framed a large, thick wooden door that lead into the mountain, making up the great hall.
                          
Hiccup could make out his house on the hill by the hall. He went to the front of the boat and untied the dragons, thanking them as they swam off. 
                          
Astrid could make out her house as well, a few house down the hill from where Hiccups was. It was pretty close to the forge, allowing the blonde viking to see Hiccup every time she left the house that she shared with her uncle, Finn. She razed the landscape with her eyes, looking for one viking she needed to speak with. Sure enough, she found Valka walking over to Bucket and Mulch's farm with a list in hand. 
                          
She's probably having to explain the differences between the animals to Bucket again, Astrid thought.
                          
The bell rang as they came to dock the boat on the lower side of the island. The gang were the first to arrive and greet the visitors. All of the guys came running down, hoping that another woman came to Berk, but were disappointed when they saw the chief and his girlfriend.
                          
"Awe, it's just Hiccup and Astrid." Snotlout complained.
                          
"It's nice to see you too cuz." Hiccup said as he clapped his shoulder. "But we do have some visitors."
                          
"Or new inhabitants." Astrid corrected as she went to the same house and knocked on the door.
                          
"We're here." She called.
                          
The door opened immediately, showing Heathers parents and behind them, Heather holding her son. They emerged from the room.
                          
"Guys, you remember Heather? This is her parents, and her son, Njord." Astrid said.
                          
"Heather " they guys chimed together, except for Eret, who said. "Who is Heather?"
                          
"Oh my gods! A baby!" Ruffnut squealed and ran to Heather.
                          
She hovered over Heather's shoulder, in awe over the youngling. She smiled then looked to Eret, "we should make one of these."
                          
Everyone burst out laughing, except for Eret, who called Skullcrusher and flew off, red faced. Heather, her family and Astrid clambered off the boat and onto the wooden dock. 
                          
Snotlout immediately ran over and put his arm around Heather. "So if this is your baby, then where is the father?"
                          
"Gone." Heather said, clearly annoyed.
                          
"Well then, i guess there is room for Snot..." He was cut off.
                          
"He was killed two weeks ago." Heather said.
                          
"There is room on Snotlouts shoulder," he squeezed her a little. "To cry on."
                          
Hiccup shook his head. "Smooth, like the grindstone."