“Hiccup your spending too much time with this dragon, we haven’t seen heads or tails of you in days.” Astrid started with a level of patience. “I’ve been trying to talk to you. Winter is here and many of the dragons are starting to fly south. The villagers are worried.”
“They do this every year Astrid.” For tough Vikings they really fretted over their misplaced dragons, even if this became a normal happening. “Besides… it’s always winter.” He finished with a drag of sarcasm.
“You know what I mean. The elder is predicting it to be one of the worse.” Her tone was still hushed, hiding bad news from any passerbys.
“And we’re ready for it. Like every year.” Hiccup pressed before quirking the corner of his lips with disbelief. “What’s this about Astrid?”
“I’m saying you need to send that dragon home before the weather gets too bad for travel.” Astrid said, sharper now.
“I can’t send her anywhere, she’s injured besides Astrid… if she wants to stay she has as much a right as any other dragon here.”
“She’s an enemy dragon!”
Hiccup wondered if she knew how ridiculous she sounded. “They were all ’enemy dragons’ remember? They raided the village but now you’d miss Stormfly if anything happened to her.” He said with a gesture to the nearby nadder who lifted its head at the mention. “She’s not going Astrid, not until she’s ready, IF she decides to leave.” He said sternly at her rising outrage.
She opened her mouth to speak but turned and stomped away with a huff instead. He thought she meant well, she was just a little rough around the edges- a Viking all the way through.