Chapter 34 – Weapons and Feelings
As soon as they arrived at the forge, the sound of hammers striking metal echoed through the large, dimly lit space. Sparks flew from the anvils, briefly illuminating the faces of those working, and the smell of heated metal and smoke hung thick in the air. Thor approached, taking care not to trip over scattered tools and scraps of iron, and saw Hiccup busy repairing Toothless's tail, his small hands precise and careful. Bocão was nearby, assisting where he could, grumbling occasionally but clearly enjoying himself.
Noticing his brother's presence, Hiccup looked up, his expression shifting from concentration to surprise. "Brother? What are you doing here?" he asked, brushing a lock of sweat-dampened hair from his forehead.
Bocão also noticed Thor and added with a grin, "Well, what luck to see you here!" His tone was teasing, but there was genuine warmth in his words.
Thor sighed deeply, feeling both amused and slightly helpless. "You talk as if I never come to the forge." He ran a hand over his face, tired from his long journey and the weight of responsibility he carried.
Hiccup gave a teasing smile, clearly enjoying the moment. "Well, you spend most of your time training. And when you're not training, you're with Astrid and Shiro."
Thor raised his arms in playful defeat, though there was seriousness behind his gesture. "All right, you win. But today I really came for an important reason." His gaze hardened, and the room seemed to quiet as the weight of his words sank in.
The serious tone made Hiccup and Bocão stop joking. Thor continued, "As you already know, I'm going on a trip away from Berk. I don't know how long it will take me to return. So before I leave, I want to do something that will help you protect Berk while I'm gone."
Bocão tried to reassure him, though his tone carried a hint of pride. "Don't worry, lad. With your father here, we'll be safe."
But Hiccup knew his brother well. If Thor was worried, there was a reason. He furrowed his brow slightly, concern flickering in his eyes. "Why are you so worried?" he asked softly.
Thor looked at them firmly, his blue eyes serious and unwavering. "If it were just ordinary Vikings and dragons, I wouldn't be concerned. But now… with gods, demigods, and creatures like that Dragon Queen, we never know what might happen." His voice carried a hint of unease, betraying the weight of the threats he had sensed beyond Berk.
Hiccup fell silent, remembering the immense power of the Dragon Queen. Thor continued, his tone steady but commanding, "That's why I need you and Bocão to forge weapons for me."
Hiccup frowned, confused, his small hands still resting on the hilt of his tools. "Weapons? For what?"
Thor explained patiently, "I'll use my power to enchant them. That way, they'll carry part of my strength. With that, you'll be able to protect Berk even without me here."
Bocão laughed enthusiastically, clapping his hands together. "Then we have a lot of work ahead. How many weapons? And who are the lucky ones who will get them?"
Thor began to list them carefully, making sure to meet each of their eyes. "Astrid will have armor and a sword. My father will receive an axe. Hiccup, you'll have light armor and a sword. Then, Fishlegs, the twins, and Melequento. With them, I'll let you decide the type of weapon you prefer."
Hiccup was taking notes diligently, his mind racing with ideas and possibilities, when Shiro, cradled in Thor's arms, interrupted softly, "Ni-san… what about me?"
Thor looked down at her small, pleading face, clearly aware she was jealous of being forgotten, and laughed softly. "Of course you'll get one too."
Then he turned to Bocão, his expression softening. "Make a pair of gloves for her claws."
"Understood," Bocão replied, his voice steady but tinged with excitement.
Thor was about to conclude the instructions when he glanced discreetly at Moana, standing quietly by the doorway. After a thoughtful pause, he added, "And also… make two light daggers."
Bocão, having noticed Thor's look earlier, smiled amusedly. "All right, you'd better get out of here. Hiccup and I have a lot of work ahead."
Thor, Astrid, Shiro, and Moana left the forge and stepped into the late afternoon light. The air carried a cool breeze from the sea, mingling with the faint scent of salt and sand. Thor sat down on the beach, his gaze following Moana as she played with Shiro, who chirped and nuzzled happily against her small hands. After a while, the two seemed to have formed a quiet friendship, laughing softly with one another. Astrid approached and sat beside him, her presence comforting.
Thor pulled her into his arms, and she rested her head gently against his chest. He ran his fingers through her blonde hair, feeling the warmth and softness of each strand. "Astrid, why didn't it bother you when I asked for the daggers to be made for Moana? I saw that you noticed they were for her," he asked quietly, a hint of curiosity and concern in his voice.
Astrid closed her eyes, savoring the gentle affection, and replied with serene composure, "Because you don't look at her the same way you look at me."
Thor raised his eyebrows, intrigued. "What way?"
She smiled faintly, her lips curling with quiet amusement. "The way someone in love looks. You probably like her, but not romantically. So… I don't feel jealous of her."
Thor's smile was tired yet enchanted, his chest rising and falling slowly as a sense of peace settled over him. "How do you understand me so well?"
He continued to stroke Astrid's hair, listening to the gentle crash of the waves, the distant cries of seabirds, and feeling the sand beneath them. For a moment, the worries of journeys and battles faded, leaving only the quiet serenity of the moment and the warmth of someone who truly understood him.
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