It was a beautiful day in Berk. The village was peaceful and the lessons in the Academy went extremely well. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third was flying in the sky with his ever faithful dragon, Toothless the Night Fury. Of course he wasn't the only human flying. Behind him, was Astrid on her beautiful blue Deadly Nadder, Stormfly. Hiccup smiled. It couldn't be a better day.

After a mind clearing and relaxing flight, Hiccup and Astrid landed in a beautiful meadow and laid down in the soft grass. Toothless and Stormfly also laid down in the sun picking up its warming rays. Hiccup looked over to Astrid. They weren't officially a couple, but they both had an understanding. Hiccup wouldn't look at anyone else and neither would Astrid. They both agreed that they weren't ready and they were going to wait till they were older even though it was against Viking tradition.

Hiccup couldn't help but wonder why she tolerated him. Even Toothless got annoyed with him at times. Then again, if he was annoying to her, Astrid would hit him. Astrid rolled her head toward him and when there was eye lock they turned away. Even though they had that understanding, they were still nervous around each other.

"So," Hiccup started. "I've noticed your flying with Stormfly. You are getting better at staying on her back when you do tricks."

"Yeah." Astrid smiled. "I found a better way to hang on to the saddle."

"Really?" He asked. Hiccup had been worried about her saddle. Astrid would fall off her saddle a lot and it was hard to design a saddle for a Deadly Nadder. "Where is better to hold? Maybe I can design a new saddle."

"Grabbing the very front of the saddle and not the corners." Astrid said. I dug my sketchbook and charcoal pencil out of my vest and started to sketch a new idea.

"So if I developed a handle on the front part and readjust the straps... There!" He exclaimed showing Astrid the new saddle design.

"That looks like it will work!" Astrid smiled. "I'll help you make it!" Hiccup jumped to his feet and called his dragon.

"Great, let's get started." He said mounting Toothless. Astrid also mounted Stormfly and they took off toward the forge.

Once in Berk, Hiccup and Astrid started to work on the new saddle. It was quicker to add to the existing saddle and they were done by evening.

"I can't wait to test it!" Astrid smiled.

"Yes but we should eat first." Hiccup said going toward the Great Hall.
"I agree." Astrid said. "I am starved."

After a warm meal, Hiccup and Astrid took off on their dragons to try out Astrid's new saddle.

"Hiccup this is perfect!" Astrid said making more daredevil stunts. "Stormfly isn't uncomfortable and it's easier to hang on!"

"This is great!" Hiccup smiled. "Think about it Astrid, if people told me how to make the saddle's more comfortable, we could ride our dragon's better and faster. That would make our defense so much stronger against attackers!"

"By Odin, Hiccup you are right!" Astrid said. "If we keep working together, we may have a force to be reckoned with!"

"I know. This is amazing!" Hiccup yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Hiccup look up!" Astrid said in awe. Hiccup looked at now the night sky and saw it.

"Arvandail's fire." Hiccup gasped. "It's so beautiful." Hiccup and Astrid watched the lights dance in the sky.

"Hiccup," Astrid called out. "Let's watch from that beach. We'll get the best view." Hiccup nodded and the two landed.

As Hiccup dismounted, he saw something shiny. He bent down and picked it up. It looked like a clear pearl. Hiccup examined it.

"Hiccup you coming?" Astrid asked as she sat down on the shore. He looked at Astrid then at the weird pearl. An idea popped into his head and he decided he was going to use it in a special necklace for Astrid.

"I'm coming Astrid!" Hiccup said putting the pearl into his vest. He then meandered toward her and sat with her. As they stared at the dancing colors in the sky, Hiccup slowly moved his hand toward her to touch her's. He took her hand in his and started to blush profusely.

Astrid first made no move, then her hand tightened it's grip on his. Hiccup couldn't help but smile. Astrid then leaned her head up against his shoulder and Hiccup felt his heart skip. This was finally happening! She had never leaned on his shoulder before!

Then suddenly, Arvandail's fire became brighter.

"Hiccup," Astrid asked. "What's going on?"

"I don't know!" Hiccup said as the lights got brighter.

"Hiccup." Astrid said. It was now so bright he couldn't keep his eyes open. He let go of Astrid.

"Astrid run!" he screamed.

"HICCUP!"