A/N: This story takes place after How to Train Your Dragon 2 so if you didn't watch it don't read this.
Also, this is my first story so there may be all kinds of newbie mistakes. Sorry!
Criticism is welcome.
-"Hiccup!"
Hiccup sighed. "What?" he called out to the girl he knew was behind him.
"You know what. Get back here this second."
"But Astrid!" he whined, knowing that it would not get him anywhere. Astrid had set her mind, and once she did that, there was nothing Hiccup could do that would stop her. Still, he had to try.
"No. You are not getting out of this." Her voice was steely.
"Come on! Just one flight! One short flight with Toothless, what could it hurt?"
Astrid huffed exasperatedly. "Hiccup, that's what you said last time, remember? The time I had to attend the meeting for you because your 'short flight' lasted for, like, four hours? Honestly, I have no idea how you can stay in the saddle for so long. Do you think it's fair that I have to do those kinds of things for you?"
She was right, of course. Hiccup had to attend the meeting. If he failed show up again Thor knew what those elders might do. Still, he had half an hour left until the meeting began and the air was so clear, practically begging Hiccup to get on Toothless and get the hell out of there, to lose all his worries in the clouds. Besides, Toothless was really eager for the flight. He loved this time he could spend with Hiccup. Gods knew since Hiccup had become Chief this time he could spend with Toothless had become very limited indeed.
Astrid seemed to know exactly which way Hiccup's thoughts were going. "Hiccup…"
"Astrid, you know this is really important to me."
"Yes, I know. But you are chief now, and that means that you have to place the goods of others before your own."
"How does attending a meeting with a bunch of elders that seem to think they alone know what's best for the village and that without them the world would crumble and end classify as 'placing the goods of others before my own'?"
"You know exactly how. Those elders have a lot of influence over the village people. Besides, you may not want to admit it, but they have a lot of experience. They can help you a lot in running the village."
"You know I hate those meetings. Everyone there seems intent on pointing out my various mistakes. They are arrogant, full of themselves and have no idea whatsoever how to deal with our new dragon- based society and economy. Honestly, sometimes I think those meetings are a complete and utter waste of time."
Astrid sighed mentally. Hiccup had a point. However, she knew that he had to go. It was his responsibility as Chief. She didn't want to have to do this, but he left her no choice. Astrid took out her secret weapon.
"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third, you know I love you and wish only the best for you. I think I proved that when I married you. However, this is something I insist you must do despite the fact that you don't want to. When your father died, he left you as chief. He trusted you with all the things that come along with that, including going to meetings. Don't let him down." With those words Astrid spun around and left, knowing that she wasn't needed here anymore. Hiccup would have no choice but to go to the meeting. She hated using his dead dad to persuade him to do things like this, but sometimes Hiccup could be so stubborn, he left her no other choice.
Hiccup stood where he was for a few seconds, then sighed and turned to go. He was so engrossed in his thoughts he didn't notice Gobber until he was right next to him.
"Forced you to go to that meeting, huh?"
"Gobber! How much of that did you overhear?"
The blacksmith scratched his head. "Eh, just the end. Looks like yah got no choice now. Yah gotta go."
"Yes." Hiccup admitted.
Gobber winked at him. "That's why I never married."