𖣯 ✹ 🌷(úlfheðnar) ꏍ ！┈─❟
╰───►chapter thirty-one; yrsa
❝ for the dancing and the dreaming! ❞

     THERE WAS something warming to see Hiccup and his parents finally together again after all these years. Something that made Yrsa smile where she sat, watching them all make dinner together like nothing had even happened. But if one knew Hiccup as she did, they'd see how nervous he was; in the way he bounced around, chuckled and spoke so fast they could barely hear a word he said. But he was also excited; his smile was so bright it'd warm up a cold, winter freeze. 

      Yrsa was in a good mood herself. All her worries were diminished, and she no longer felt guilty over them, either. She wrapped her arms around her legs and set her chin on her knees, watching Hiccup and his parents with a smile, thinking ... perhaps one day she'd have a family of her own, too. She didn't look and see how she wished her father was still alive; she missed him, but she's grown. She's grown enough to realise that wishing someone was still alive was okay, but letting it overtake her life, and her future, wasn't what he would have wanted. No, she saw her and Hiccup, and her mother━their family; the one she has now, and the one she'd might have in the future.

     Because Hiccup told her. He wanted to get married. He wanted to have kids. He wanted to live a life with her. On Berk, their home. He was in for the long haul with her. And she him. 

     Helrose purred, resting at her side with her flank warm and pressed against Yrsa's back. Skullcrusher was snoring off in the corner; each draw of breath rattling the ice above him. Toothless matched Hiccup's excitement, dashing around, trying to snatch up fish when he wasn't meant to and annoying Cloudjumper, who just watched him with hooded, annoyed eyes. Grump was asleep as well (wasn't he always) with Gobber laughing beside him. 

      Yrsa loved this. She loved this so much. It was peaceful, and it was happy━it was a family, and it was also hers, too. Yrsa had a huge family for a girl who's only ever lived in such a small home. 

     "Mum, you'd never even recognise it!" Hiccup was saying, holding a open-weaved basket at his hip. He walked backwards to the fish basket with a bright smile upon his face. "Where we used to make weapons, we now build saddles, wing slings ..." he opened the lid and filled his tray with enough fish. Toothless's eyes widened and he hurried over, skillfully trying to slip his head in to steal his own salmon until Hiccup shut the lid on his snout and he had to pull away. Yrsa chuckled at him, shaking her head. "We━we even fix dragon teeth! You━you wouldn't believe how much everything's changed!"

     "Aye," agreed Stoick, helping Valka with cutting the fish and deboning them to be put on a long stick for cooking over the centre pit fire, "your son and Yrsa have changed Berk for the better."

     Yrsa guffawed when she was mentioned, shaking her head and chuckling. Stoick laughed at her reaction. "No, I haven't━it's all Hiccup, honestly. He's━he's━" she gestured to her betrothed who was smiling at her, "━it was all him."

     "I can't take all the credit," Hiccup cradled her head and pressed a sweet kiss amongst her hair in passing. She blushed and swatted him away. "I mean, Yrsa was the one who found Toothless with me, and the Dragon's Nest. And I couldn't have led the Riders or created Dragon's Edge without her."

     He scratched Helrose who lifted her head for attention. Yrsa smiled, and Hiccup knew she was grateful for his words even if she didn't say it, or accepted the compliment outright. He met her smile. 

      "Aye," Stoick turned to Valka, holding Hiccup's basket of fish to debone, "I think we did well with this one, Val━" he set his hands on her shoulders and she jumped. Yrsa's brows shot up, startled. Some of the fish fell to the stone and Toothless rushed to try and grab them, but Cloudjumper gobbled them up right before he could. He left the Night Fury sniffing the stone they had been, whining.

     "I got it," the chief took the wood of staked fish, and Valka chuckled weakly. Yrsa's shoulders fell slightly. They were all happy to see each other again; estatic and laughing and sharing stories around the fire. But Valka had spent twenty years by herself with the dragons. All of this company, and all of it so suddenly━her past was hitting her harder than a sonic blast, and she was hiding it, trying to go along with it all, but she was staggering and falling behind. 

     Yrsa instantly stood up and made her way over to help. When Valka picked up the jar for water, Yrsa smiled gently and took it off her with a, "Can I help?"

      Valka smiled, grateful. She cupped Yrsa's cheek and gave it a small, motherly pat. "It's okay, Yrsa," she murmured. "I've got the water."

      Yrsa nodded. She took the wood instead and gathered the fish onto it. She smiled at Stoick and Hiccup in passing before taking the set over to Gobber. She caught sight of Cloudjumper retching, his head back before he discarded the fish he had eaten from the ground before in front of Toothless. Yrsa had to look away when the Night Fury slurped them all back up into his mouth, happy. She loved dragons, but boy, can they be disgusting some times. 

     As she did, Valka hugged the clay jar and muttered, "I'm━uh━a little out of practice..."

     Stoick chuckled, "Well, you know," his eyes glittered, youthful. In this moment, the chief and his wife seemed Hiccup and Yrsa's age━bright and young, with their whole future set out in front of them. Full of mischeif, and adventure, "I didn't marry you for yeh cooking."

     "I hope not!" said Gobber as Yrsa passed him the food. He took it and waggled a finger up at her, laughing. Then, he whispered, "Her meatballs could kill more beasts than a battle axe!" he patted his stomach, "I've still got a few knocking around in here."

     Yrsa stifled her giggles and moved on, shaking her head. 

    Gobber took a bite of his fish. And proving what he just said, made a face and passed the rest off to Grump through the side of his snoring mouth. Somehow, the dragon ate them even in his sleep. Yrsa passed the fish basket again, and when she saw that no one was looking, stole two arctic char from inside and gave one each to Toothless and Helrose. Her dragon opened her jaw right up, and Yrsa rolled her eyes, but set it on her tongue anyway. The Dervish swallowed the char whole before nuzzling her snout into her rider's chest for a hug. 

     Hiccup was still talking, "And once you move back in with all your dragons," he pranced around the set up Valka had within the cave. Yrsa knew his heart was pounding━he didn't even realise that what he was saying might be daunting, or too forward. He was just so excited and nervous, he had a wonderful idea in his head, and wanted it to come true more than anything, "oh, Drago won't even stand a chance! Everything will be okay!"

     He faltered though when his mother turned away, still hugging the clay jar. Hiccup frowned, watching her walk solemly up to the small trill of water that dripped from a patch of melting ice. She held out the jar, watching it fill up with a distant look in her eyes.

     Stoick pursed his lips. He gave his son a squeeze on the shoulder, reassuring him. "Slow down, son," he murmured. "It's a lot to take in."

    "Oh," Hiccup's nerves resurfaced. He fiddled with his fingers, "gotcha..."

     He glanced back at Yrsa and she smiled. She held out her fingers towards him and he walked up to her, taking her hand and sitting down beside her in the warmth of the fire and Helrose's scales. She felt him take a deep breath and she squeezed his hand. 

    "It's going to be okay," Yrsa whispered to him. "Just let her have a moment."

     Hiccup nodded and Yrsa looped her arms with his, still holding his hand as she settled her head against his shoulder. She sighed, calm and content. She was going to close her eyes briefly, just to take this peace in while it lasted when she heard something break through the silence of trickling water and crackling fire. Over the warbles of their dragons and the grunts of Gobber as he shifted in his seat. A sweet, melodic tune━a whistle.

    Yrsa looked up, her arms falling loosely against Hiccup's side as they both turned to stare at his father. The chief glanced briefly at Valka, awaiting her reaction as he continued his light and airy song. 

     "Oh," whispered Gobber, pulling his legs up to cross over each other with a smile, "I love this one."

     Toothless came to join them, settling down beside Hiccup and beside Helrose's tail. They were all quiet, listening to the sweet tune that they never imagined to come from Stoick's lips. Up and down ... hearing it, Yrsa felt like she was walking through a grassy plain with the wind brushing her hair and the grass tickling her legs. She imagined someone waiting for her across the land, a figure in the evening sun━calling to her with this song, and it carried far in the wind; around her and into her lungs until she was breathing it in. 

      Valka recognised the tune immediately. Her arms dropped, her head rose. Her breath hitched as Stoick approached, hesitant, but he didn't stop the song. He came to stand behind her, looking over her shoulder to take away the jar and set it aside, watching his wife carefully who hadn't made a sound or moved━she was frozen in memories; a solemn silence where she didn't know what to do. 

     Stoick stopped his tune. In a whisper, he croaked, "Remember our song, Val?" 

     She didn't answer. She hunched up, frail and brittle all of the sudden, like hearing the song might just break her━shatter her into a million pieces. 

      The chief pursed his lips, but he didn't not step away. He took a long and soft deep breath, before he began━throaty and gentle; barely louder than a rasp, and yet in tune; every syllable, every note and every word mesmerised to heart. This song wasn't just muscle memory, it felt as though it was embedded. Just for them:

     "I'll swim and sail on savage seas
     with ne'er a fear of drowning..."

     Hiccup sat up straighter. His eyes widened. He gripped Yrsa's hand tight. They didn't make a single sound, couldn't find the courage to breathe; just listened. They were both in that field, gazing at the other figure far away in the grass, completely enamoured.

     "And gladly ride the waves of life...
     If you will marry me..."

     Stoick watched Valka intently, and yet so very small. The chief who stood seven feet in height, was albeit a young boy, waiting for the once love of his life to return his gesture ... for everything to be all right again: to finally have her back.

      "No scorching sun━" he trailed a hand down her cheek. Valka leant towards it and he tilted her chin to him, "━Nor freezing cold. Will stop━"

     "Will stop me on my journey━!" The out-of-tune yell broke the melody. Yrsa jumped. Gobber halted, sheepish at the glares Stoick, Yrsa and Hiccup all sent him. He sat back down, clearing his throat. "Sorry." Grump huffed before settling back down to sleep. 

     The chief sighed, annoyed. But, he turned back to Valka, closing his eyes for a moment before he continued. "If you will promise me your heart ..." he took her hand in his. He held it to his heart. He waited on the edge of the cliff, feet half-on and half-off. She didn't meet his gaze. Yrsa held her fingers to her lips, anxious. "And love...?"

      He broke off. He had fallen. Stoick sighed and hung his head. The tune was unfinishing, hanging in the air, and he was falling from it, and he wasn't to be caught.

      Hiccup dropped his gaze. But Yrsa was still waiting. She still had hope. 

      For there was someone waiting. There was someone to catch Stoick. Small in comparison; lean and gentle, but so very wild and stubborn, Valka took a quick breath, and her voice was like a bird's━tranquil, light. It had wings, it could fly. It could soar to the sun with beauty and grace, "━And love me for enternity..."

     She finally turned to her husband who had shot up like a cork. And Stoick smiled. He flew up with her with his own wings; the ones she had given him yet again. 

     Valka smiled as well, and a youthful spark lit in her eyes. She let go of his hand and swept around him:

     "My dearest one, my darling dear

     Your mighty words astound me.

     But I've no need of mighty deeds
     When I feel your arms around me!"

      And together, they began to dance. They sang, and they spun, bouncing on their feet to the once melody that had been theirs, and theirs only. Valka laughed, and the sound rippled through the air like waves━bright and happy and young. 

      "But I will bring you rings of gold

     And even sing you poety━"

      "Oh! Would you━?"

     "━And I would keep you from all harm!
     If you would stay beside me."

      Yrsa's gaze wandered from them and to Hiccup beside her. She was running to the figure in that field, with laughter tearing through her throat to hug him and to dance. And that figure was him. And he was smiling like he was now, living a dream he never thought reality. 

      "I have no use for rings or gold,

     I care not for your poetry!

      I only want your hand to hold━"

     "Ha! I only want you near me━!"

     Yrsa gasped when suddenly, she and Hiccup were hoisted off their feet. Separated, Gobber held them tight to him either side and with a throaty laugh, he joined in with the song, spinning them around until they were dizzy. Yrsa cackled with delight, finding Hiccup's eyes amongst the blur and she knew, that in that field, he had seen her, too. 

     "To love and kiss, to sweetly hold
     For the Dancing and the Dreaming.
     Through all my sorrows and your lights,
     I'll keep your laugh inside me!

     I'll swim and sail on savage seas
     With ne'er a fear of drowning!

     And glady ride the waves of life
     If you will marry me!"

     The song finished and they were out of breath. Gobber set Yrsa and Hiccup down as he kept the final note, on and on in a horrendous tune that only made them laugh. Toothless whined, hiding his hears and eyes beside Gobber's voice.

      Yrsa chuckled, stepping in close to Hiccup to wrap her arms around him and gaze at his parents, who were once again young and very much in love. They hugged. Hiccup smacked Gobber lightly to stop, and everything was fine. Everything was great.

      Stoick sighed his last laugh, pulling away to smile down at Valka and say, "I thought I'd have to die before we'd have that dance again."

     She chuckled, blushing, "No need for drastic measures."

    "Oh, for you, my dear ..." Stoick knelt before his wife and Yrsa's heart fluttered. Her breath hitched and she held onto Hiccup tighter, squeezing to say, oh, my gods! "Anything." Stoick held Valka's hands, gentle. "Will you come home, Val?" he asked her. "Will ... will you be my wife once again?"

     Before Valka could answer, Toothless and Helrose had crept up. They nudged Hiccup's mother slightly and she stumbled towards Stoick, laughing. He stood up, watching her smile down at the dragons who peered up at her with pleading eyes. Yrsa chuckled. She went to step back away and let Hiccup go forwards, but he pulled her along with him. 

      Yrsa was apart of the family. She has been for a while, and will continue to be. But to be brought into this moment, like she belonged really felt to her like the deal was signed. This was stronger than marriage, stronger than the ceremonies. Yrsa was welcome; she was accepted without a second thought. It felt right for her to stand here now, reaching a hand up to Helrose's chin as she ducked in next to her. To hear Stoick say as he gave her shoulder a pat:

     "We can be a family!" He shook Valka's hand lightly, grinning. "What do you say?"

     "Well ..." Valka was smiling. She shrugged but her answer was there, clear as day. She glanced down at Toothless, to Hiccup, to Yrsa and Helrose and then finally landing on Stoick and she couldn't help but let out a gleeful, "Yes!"

      "Great!"

     Gobber jumped in He squeezed Yrsa and Hiccup together as he joined the hug. He was part of this family, too. "I'll do the cooking."

     And they all laughed. 

     Everything was perfect. Back together with the final, missing puzzle exactly where it was supposed to be. 

     "Thank Odin you didn't listen to me, son," chuckled Stoick. He wrapped an arm around Valka's back and held her close. "We never would've found each other!"

     And soon, those only left in the centre were Hiccup, Yrsa and their dragons. Yrsa faced Hiccup and settled her hands on his chest to tell him, "Hiccup, I'm so happy for you."

     The beam on his lips softened. Hiccup took her hands and gave them a squeeze. He brought them to his lips and Yrsa smiled, too. "Now," he murmured, "let's go home, Milady."

      Home. 

     Yrsa held something different to that word now. Something very pernament, and loving, but also very, very exciting. Home. She loved home. And she loved Hiccup. And she was glad that no matter what they went through, after everything, they still managed to be here; where Yrsa could have her home, and Hiccup together.

      Toothless perked up.

     Yrsa frowned. Hiccup's grip on her hands laxxed. They watched their dragons stiffen. Helrose reared back her neck towards the stretch of ice leading outside to emit a low, dangerous growl.

     "Helrose?" breathed Yrsa, suddenly feeling something rise within her. The light was gone, and in its place came a heavy worry. "Toothless? What is it?"

      They turned to see. There were flurries of squawks and roars, and from the centre of the Sanctuary, entire flocks of dragons launched into the air. They shot straight past, bellowing towards the cracks and caves. They sounded unnerved; threatened even.

     "What's happening?" demanded Hiccup━

     Suddenly, the entire room shuddered. Yrsa yelped, covering her face in her arms as ice shattered and fell at their feet. The sound rocketed from outside; trembling the mountain like they had been hit by something. 

     It happened again. Helrose shrieked. Skullcrusher flared his wings. The room was shaking. Valka's clay jar of water shattered from the stone. And again, and again━

     Yrsa stumbled, trying to find something to grasp on. Her axe was on the table. She stretched towards it, feeling very sick. There were yells amongst the roars of dragons. Human yells. And many of them; hundreds, even. Shouts and orders and boom! The earth and ice trembled around them yet again.

     Hands grasped Yrsa's waist, steadying her as she almost fell. She grabbed her axe and nodded to Hiccup. He then pulled her along. They ran out into the caverns and caves, following Valka in twists and turns as the mountain seemed to be breaking and falling around them. Hiccup slid a little as they came to a cavern made completely of ice. Yrsa kept him standing. 

     This time, Yrsa cried out when the ice and stone around her shook so much, she felt it in her bones. She was crumbling along with it; crushing and grinding, the ice in front of them broke away; a large pointed shard, cracked at its surface and fell to the island below. When it hit the snow, everything shook again.

      Yrsa could see what caused it. 

    Her stomach dropped.

     Outside, at the shores and on the waters, stretched an army. An entire fleet; catapults, traps, shattering crossbows and dragons covered in iron armour. Ranks upon ranks of soldiers pushed up the snowey slope━hundreds and hundreds.

     Hiccup clung onto Yrsa's arm tight, his face pale. "Oh, no..." he let out.

     He didn't need to ask who it was. None of them did. The dragons, the traps, the insignia on the sails that struck Yrsa for the first time with familiarity. She had seen that insignia before; they all had, and they never even thought to make a connection━how could they? They thought this was over, that they had peace. But their past had come to bite them back with posion, and flame, and ice-shattering catapults. 

      They had been fighting this war long before today, and Yrsa's knees felt weak to even think it. 

      But, now, it had come together. The past, the present, the future━all of it.

     For Drago had finally arrived. 

𖣯 ✹ 🌷(úlfheðnar) ꏍ ！┈─❟

     a/n: hey guys! time to cry all over again!!!

     (also, i'm rly sorry about the long wait, i just needed to have a break between this and valhalla just so i can reset my head for new descritions, analagies, you know, writer stuff).

     hope you guys enjoyed the chapter!!!! time for sadness, i guess *sobs all over again*. 

    (ps: not edited).

     also my internet is so slow atm cos of the storms we've been having all week. like srsly. i love the water, we need it, and storms can be so aesthetic, but zeus, y'all been interfering with my internet connection far too long by now. i'm over it. 

    btw, rtte accidentally created plotholes for httyd 2 so we're just gonna ignore that and let the ending be a dramatic it was him this whole time moment.