Needing a rest.

It was the dead of night. Darkness had enveloped Dragon’s Edge, and only the moonlight illuminated the riders' base. It seemed like everyone was already asleep, gathering strength after a hard day, but not Astrid. She was returning from a night patrol.It was the dead of night. Darkness had enveloped Dragon’s Edge, and only the moonlight illuminated the riders' base. It seemed like everyone was already asleep, gathering strength after a hard day, but not Astrid. She was returning from a night patrol. Stormfly is already in her stall, and all that’s left for her mistress to do is reach her hut and finally go to bed. Entering the room, the girl removed her shoulder pads, lay down on the bed, and immediately fell asleep. Morning, in the blonde’s opinion It came too quickly. About four hours of sleep had passed, leaving the rider with little rest, and her habit of getting up early hadn’t changed. Having gotten ready, the girl left the hut and went to have breakfast, afterwards, there was a flight on Stormfly and training. Closer to midday, the more or less cheerful blonde returned to the base, where she was met by Hiccup and Fishlegs. - Astrid, hi! Is everything okay? - Yes, what’s wrong? — the heroine asked, stifling a yawn. - You look tired — Fishlegs noted. - Everything’s fine. What do you have here? - We’re taking stock of our supplies so we can… - We’re flying to the island of the skinners; it’s one of the closest to the Edge, so we’ll be back by evening. - Just you? - Yes. Forgive Astrid, but it’s best for you to stay here. You keep an eye on the island and the others, and we’ll go. — The brown-haired man replied, placing his hand on his friend’s shoulder. In reality, he only wanted to give the blonde a rest. No matter how she pretended, her tired face and slight sluggishness spoke volumes. Haddock was undoubtedly worried about his beloved, he would have liked to stay at the base to be close, but the resources would not gather themselves. Ultimately, the girl remained on the Edge, but she didn’t rest. The heroine immersed herself in work; she and Snotlout reinforced the stables, then Hofferson flew patrols and, of course, checked on the twins from time to time. In short, Hiccup’s hopes were in vain; Astrid has such a personality, she can’t sit still. By evening, the weather began to deteriorate, a storm began, Ingerman and Haddock were still missing, the blonde was very nervous, and she paced back and forth, trying to think of something. Fatigue, like waves, was rolling in ever stronger, but the blue-eyed girl couldn’t afford to rest. - We have to go after them. - What? Astrid, are you out of your mind? Look at what’s going on outside. We can’t fly in this weather, and the guys will wait it out and come back. They’ll be fine, calm down,” Jorgenson said, trying to reason with his squadmate. - What if it’s already happened? What if they’re already lying wounded somewhere, and we’re sitting idly by. - Wounded? Wow, I want to see that, — Tuffnut replied, as usual. For that, Ruffnut, standing next to him, punched him in the shoulder. - Ouch! Hey, like you don’t want to? - I don’t want to. - Well, to hell with you! — Thorston replied, turning away, folding his arms across his chest. Some time passed, and the warrior couldn’t bear it any longer and was about to rush towards Stormfly, but Jorgenson grabbed his friend by the elbow. - I’ll fly after them! - Stop, don’t. What if something happens to you too? You can barely stand on your own two feet. - Leave me alone, Snotlout! You won’t convince me! — The blonde screamed, breaking free from the boy’s grip and running after her dragon. The remaining three watched her go, confused.

***

About an hour or more passed. Hiccup and Fishlegs landed at the entrance to the main hall. - Hello everyone, — The brown-haired man greeted. All three jumped up, worried glances darting from one boy to the other. - Everything okay? - Oh, Astrid’s not with you? — Jorgenson asked, confused. - No. I told her to stay here. The brunette and the blondes lowered their heads, and Haddock felt uneasy. - What happened? Where’s Astrid? - She was very worried and flew off to get you about an hour ago. - What?! — The green-eyed man exclaimed, his heart skipping a beat. His beloved Thor knew where she was, and in such a bad situation. - We tried to stop her, but her stubbornness knows no bounds. - So…we need to go looking for her. - Oh, another one! You’re both crazy! Why are you always looking for trouble? - Snotlout, I understand everything, but we all know each other’s personalities. We’re all stubborn and somewhat willful, we do what we think is right, most of us have that. Astrid is just as stubborn, just like us, but now we need to find her and return her to camp, otherwise, given her condition, she could be seriously injured. If anyone is against it, they don’t have to fly, but I’ll go get her right now! — The brown-haired man answered firmly and, straddling Toothless, flew out of the room. The others followed him, Jorgenson too, sighing heavily. Meanwhile, Astrid flew through heavy storm clouds. The downpour and cold mercilessly enveloped her body. She was heading towards the skinners' island, figuring the boys were most likely stuck there. She was terribly worried about them, especially Haddock, who was her beloved after all, but The elements were raging violently, it was impossible to see anything in the darkness. Only lightning could barely illuminate the way or the fiery volleys of her dragon. Meanwhile, Hiccup and the others were looking for the girl using the separation method. The boy was very worried about his girlfriend. From time to time he commanded his dragon to “scan” the space around, but no one was visible or heard. The wind, rain, thunder and lightning did not stop, Hofferson, with the last of her strength, turned her head from side to side, squinted, trying to see something, listened. At some point she got carried away, and at that moment lightning struck Stormfly, the dragoness screeched and at the last moment, giving an alarm signal, rushed down, and her rider followed her. The same forces left her almost instantly, the last thing the blonde saw was a black spot rapidly approaching her, and then she plunged into darkness.

***

Slowly opening her eyes, the girl rose slightly on her elbows, looking around the room. She was in her hut, Stormfly was not there, but someone’s quiet snoring made the warrior turn her attention to the sleeping. Hiccup sat in a chair, head bowed, his back pressed slightly against the wall, dozing. Hofferson, meanwhile, was looking at him closely, noting that he was fine. The girl sat up a little more, the bed creaking softly, but it was enough to wake the brown-haired man. He immediately turned his attention to his beloved. - Astrid! How are you? — The rider asked, sitting down next to the girl on the bed. I’m fine, and you? - I’m fine, don’t worry. - And how are the guys? Stormfly? - Everything’s fine, don’t worry. Your dragon is in good hands, and the boys are safe and sound, too. - Excellent… - Astrid, why didn’t you listen to me? As I understand it, when Fishlegs and I flew away, you chose work over rest, even though I insistently told you to rest. - Well, I couldn’t leave the Edge unattended, especially the twins. I thought that was exactly why you left me here. - Oh…Astrid, I understand and know your character perfectly well, but you made us all worry, thank Thor, Toothless and I managed to catch you and Stormfly. - By the way, I was worried too. You saw what the weather was like yesterday. I thought something had happened to you. - Not yesterday, a couple of days ago. - What? - You slept for two days. Apparently, only storms can make you rest, — Haddock said, trying to laugh it off. - Two days? Okay, I need to get up and get to work, — The blue-eyed girl replied and was about to stand up, but the brown-haired man’s strong hands pulled her back. - No. Astrid, I won’t allow it. You need to rest, you’ve only just come to your senses. - But… - No objections, I’ll stay with you so you don’t run off somewhere. - Hiccup! - Quiet, calm down. I’m here, everything’s under control, — The young man said confidently and sat back down in his chair. The blonde looked helplessly at her interlocutor. She wanted to sleep a little, but also get up and get to work, but the brown-haired man’s stubbornness and the look in his expressive green eyes prevented her from doing so. - Hiccup… - Huh?” - Maybe…come next to me? Heddock didn’t object. He lay down next to his beloved, hugging her. The blonde buried her face in the boy’s chest, inhaling his familiar scent. Warmth and tenderness enveloped the couple, and soon both fell into a deep sleep. Meanwhile, outside, the sun was slowly beginning to set.