In Lieu Of A Tail

35. What Does 'Busy' Mean?

Hiccup and Toothless landed on the outskirts of the village and walked to the forge. Hiccup began working furiously on the basket of repairs.

"What's got you all worked up?" Came a bemused voice. Hiccup turned to see Astrid's smug face.

"Just, stuff." He sighed. "Just a lot of stuff."

"Are you okay?" Astrid questioned worriedly.

"Yeah," he muttered, before shaking his head and speaking louder, "yeah, I'm fine, don't worry. Anyway, what brings you here?"

"I was around, I was just wondering what you were doing when I saw you."

"Just trying to lend Gobber a hand."

Astrid raised an eyebrow and hid her smile. Hiccup got it a moment later.

"Oh Gods, no pun intended." He ran a hand down his face. Astrid laughed at his flushed face.

"Well, I have to go, I'm teaching a weapons class in a few minutes." Astrid announced. "See you around, Dragon Boy!" Her eyes widened when she realised what she just said.

"Dragon Boy?" He chuckled. "What's that?"

"I-um, it just slipped out!" She protested, cheeks flaming. "It suits you though." She muttered.

"I kinda like it." He admitted shyly.

"Well, in that case, later Dragon Boy!" She called, waving as she departed.

Valka couldn't fly off anywhere yet, or so she was informed - read, ordered - by Gothi through the girls who had introduced themselves as Camicazi and Heather. The one who had been announced as Aurora hadn't said a word since the few she uttered in the midst of Valka's panic. After much pleading on her part, and a baby seal-like stare from Aurora, Gothi agreed to allow her to wander around the cove - chaperoned, of course.

Gothi had to leave soon after this - having already neglected her duties for almost half the day - accepting a ride from Heather on Windshear with Cami following with Tracer. Misty had fallen asleep and left in the capable hands of Aurora - who promised not to find the twins with their Zippleback until Misty woke up or Heather and Cami returned, whichever came first. The riders escorting Gothi were going to keep an eye out for Hiccup and Toothless and see if they were ready to return yet, but if nothing else find out where they were.

Unfortunately, this caused a rather awkward situation, wherein Valka couldn't understand anything that was said - and everybody else could - and the only other Norse-speaking individual could barely string two words together cohesively and without her anxiety over it acting up. Suffice it to say, that after almost fifteen minutes of silence, Valka was the first to speak - albeit quietly enough that Misty continued her slumber without interruption.

"How long have you known Hiccup?"

"Um, three years." Aurora replied.

Valka stared blankly at her. She stared back awkwardly, before registering that she had spoken in dragonese and cursing - again in dragonese. She held up three fingers.

"Three?" Valka questioned. "Months, years?"

Aurora answered with a nod, curling up one of her fingers to show it was the second option.

"You know him well, then?"

Another nod in reply.

"Has he been okay?" Valka blurted. "I mean, does he seem happy?"

Aurora considered this for a moment, before nodding slowly.

Valka released a wet sob. "I'm glad he's happy, I am, I just wish he hadn't had to run away to be happy."