“Yes.” Blizzard replied simply.
Given the look his daughter offered in response to his earlier comment Hiccup thought an explanation might be in order. “When I was younger I wasn’t exactly the picture of ‘vikingness’. On the contrary-” He started to say when a new visitor in the house made themselves known.
“He was Hiccup the Useless.” Astrid announced herself shamelessly as she shook the snow from her boots. “He was the scrawniest, most worthless Viking in the whole village. Every time he tried to help someone’s house blew up. He was a disgrace to this entire village.” She said with the faintest ghosting of her old attitude, swinging her axe to rest it against one shoulder. “If the dragons weren’t bad enough!”
“Astrid…” Hiccup mumbled, not wanting it in that much detail.
“But-” She added suddenly “he was the first Viking to ever ride a dragon, to take down a dragon queen, to stop the raids and save our village from this misunderstanding. Dragons were never the evil beasts.”
“That’s not true Astrid. My mother was the first Viking to ride a dragon.” He paused “speaking of which, has she returned with Cloudjumper yet?”
Astrid shook her head “not yet. Hiccup,” she said a little sterner a little quieter but then seemed to reconsider given the current company. Hiccup had gotten up though to step out with her, noting the air of seriousness and they stood out front in the freezing cold to discuss the matters caused by it. “The Scarlin’s youngest has fallen ill. That’s the fifth so far and it seems to be spreading quicker now.”
“I’ll consult the healer, we’ll get this sorted out…”