"I Do.... NOT!!"

Chapter 33: Selah's Promise

                  ---- Hiccup's POV-----

"So... there's an immortal dragon protector all the dragons once followed? And abunch of stuff like war and selfishness caused her to withdraw?" Heather asked, her brow furrowed in thought. "Pretty much. She wants us to free the dragons and teach them how to live in peace again." Astrid replied. She had just finished translating for us while Vatos told us about Selah. "Well. We have one island that's learning how to do that. The entire archipelago is going to take a while. I don't even know how we will approach the grim reaper islands..." I mused, pacing back and forth. Dagur and Vatos were in the corner, oblivious to the conversation. They seemed to get along well, it helped that Vatos was eating one fish after another from Dagur's hand. "Any ideas on taking down a heavily fortified prison?" I asked Daggur. He looked up and shrugged. "I mean all I can think of is going in as invisible... I'm pretty sure none of us can do that. The only way this will work is if we declare war on them... after building a big enough army." Dagur said.

      "I got it!! We train chickens to plant explosives everywhere in the island... then when everything is in chaos, we go in and rescue everyone!" Tuff suddenly yelled, holding up his pet chicken. I stared at him for a few moments, wondering when he would see why that couldn't work. "Dragons and grim reapers eat chicken? Especially deadly nadders. Really how long would a single chicken last in there?" Astrid asked while rubbing Stormfly's jaw. "She's right. Also, are we agreed on taking a trip back to Berk Astrid?" I asked, remembering her sightless struggle. We had decided to try Gothi as a last resort if her sight didn't return today. "Yeah... I guess." She sighed. "Ok. Heather, you're in charge. Don't let anyone blow stuff up or get caught by dragon trappers. Just keep everyone here to brainstorm the rest of the day on how to rescue enslaved dragons." I instructed. She nodded and I left the clubhouse, to pack for our flight.

           -----Astrids POV-----
I sent Stormfly out after Hiccup and listened as the twins bickered over their explosive idea. As I listened a sudden thought struck me. "Actually. You guys may be on to something. What if we put poison inside of fish? Do we know of something that would take down a reaper from the inside?" I said. The room grew silent for a moment. "That could work!" Fishlegs said. I heard him run out, and laughed silently. "Sounds like Stormfly is ready to go." Heather said, looping her arm through mine. She hugged me as I got ready to leave, clearly concerned. "Don't worry, Gothi will get this figured out." She assured me. "Thanks. If I must be blind my entire life I'm glad everything else still works." I joked, trying not to get my hopes up.

      I gripped Hiccup's waist tightly as we took off, the wind blowing through my hair. We flew in comfortable silence for a few hours, the weather seemed beautiful today. It wasn't to cold and only slightly windy. "So. Snoggletog's coming up... I don't want to leave the base undefended. Think we can risk one day back at Berk? I'm sure it will be fun this year, since we have the dragons." Hiccup asked me. "Hmm. I think we can do that. I mean we are trying to keep the base location a secret. So long as the twins don't blab about it we should be ok." I said, ruffling his soft hair. "Also... when are we gonna tell our families we are official?" I asked, smiling to myself. "I think we should tell em' this evening." Hiccup said.

      Stormfly chimed in then, reminding us of the dragon's celebrations during Snoggletog. She told us most of the dragons would leave soon to lay their eggs. "You mean everyone will come back with babies?!" I gasped. Oh yes. This year we have the freedom to care for our babies in a safe place... most females have been carrying for 9 months. I think I'll be having a small batch this year. I only wish Spiketail was here to see them she said sadly. Hiccup patted her side gently. "I'm sorry he won't be there," he said sadly. I could hear tears in his voice... I didn't blame him. Everyone was still torn up about losing their loved ones.