Author's Note: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon. If I did, I'd be writing a sequel, not a fanfiction.

The Elemental Dragon

Chapter 1: The Year After

Hiccup and Toothless soared over the Isle of Beck. It was one year ago that the war between Vikings and dragons finally ended. It was kinda hard to believe. Even harder to believe, that it was him who stopped it. He never would have thought that he would have brought peace to this island. But hey, he's not complaining. Before the war ended, everyone looked down on him. But now, he was the hero of Beck. The price was severe though. He'd lost the lower part of his left leg. He was given a metal prosthetic, which caused him pain time from time, but it didn't slow him down too much. While busy thinking of everything that happened in the past year, a blonde Viking on the back of a Deadly Nadder pulled up by his side.

"Hiccup!" Astrid shouted just to be she was heard.

"Yeah?" Hiccup asked.

"You have to land," Astrid said, "We need to talk."

"Sure." Hiccup said guiding his Night Fury to the ground. Why does she want to talk to me? Hiccup thought, she never wants to talk to me alone. Out of everything that happened in the last year, only one thing's really stayed the same, he does not understand Astrid. In fact, he understood her less then when he didn't understand her at all. A lot of time he would wonder if she actually liked him. In a romantic way that is. Sure they've kissed a few times, but they were all preceded by a punch. So he had no clue where they stood.

"Guess you're wondering why I said we needed to talk." Astrid said as both of their dragons landed.

"Well yeah," Hiccup said, "You've never wanted to talk to me alone before."

"Well, this conversation is more or less for your dad." Astrid said.

"Why would he ask you to talk to me?" Hiccup asked, "He's never had a problem telling what to do in person."

"He asked me to because you keep disappearing whenever he even tries to bring up the marriage subject." Astrid said. Hiccup, who had been heading back to Toothless, froze when she brought up the word marriage.

"W-W-Why would he ask you to talk to me about it?" Hiccup stammered, "You're a girl, your primary problem is who is going to ask you first."

"Not that it's any of your business," Astrid said crossing her arms, "But Snotlout already asked me."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll be happy with him." Hiccup said trying to stay together. But in reality, his heart felt like it was shot with an arrow, ripped out of his chest, smashed with a stone hammer, and lit on fire.

"Happy? Are you crazy?" Astrid asked, "I didn't say yes."

"But your parents," Hiccup said, "Can't they force you to say yes?"

"Please, it will take a lot for my parents to give me away to someone they don't like." Astrid said, "My parents want me to be well taken care of when I marry. They don't see Snotlout as a good provider." That statement made Hiccup's heart soar. If I can prove myself a better provider than Snotlout, then I can marry Astrid. He thought. But how do I prove I'm a better provider than that muscle bound moron.

"Well, it's good to hear that your parents are looking out for you." Hiccup said.

"Whatever, your dad just wanted me to tell you that he wants you to find an accepting bride by the end of the month." Astrid said climbing back on her dragon Sky.

"END OF THE MONTH?" Hiccup asked in shock, "That's only thirty days from now! I only have thirty days to find a girl that will marry me? I'm not even eligible to marry for a little under a year!"

"Maybe your dad feels you should find one while you're still the 'Hero of Beck'." Astrid said, "I mean with all of this," She gestured at Hiccup, "he probably feels you aren't going to get a bride without help."

"You just gestured to all of me." Hiccup said, "Are you implying something?"

"You'll have to catch me to find out!" Astrid said as Sky took off.

"Toothless!" Hiccup said hurrying back to his dragon, "We've got to fly!"

At the Village…

"Okay, I caught you," Hiccup said dismounting Toothless, "Now what did you mean by that?"

"All I was saying was that you don't look like the other Vikings." Astrid said, "But don't worry, some girls here don't like the typical Viking."

"Wait, so are you saying, no you can't be saying that. Are you? But why would you?" Hiccup said getting stuck in a loop. Astrid left with a wide grin on her face. After a few minutes of Hiccup's mindless babble, Toothless rolled his eyes and nudged his master. "Huh? Where'd Astrid go?" From the look he received from his dragon, he was sure Toothless would have slapped his own face if he was capable of it.

That night…

Hiccup sat staring into his stew while he mindlessly stirred it. Just trying to make sense of the day. Okay, Astrid said that she won't have to marry Snotlout because her parents don't see him as a good provider. He thought. Why would she bring that up? Was she trying to tell me what her parents are looking for in a potential son-in-law? And what about that 'some girls here don't like the typical Viking' thing? Was she trying to tell me the SHE liked me? But why? What would a girl like Astrid, a girl whose beauty surpassed any god in Valhalla, possibly see in a scrawny little toothpick with one leg?

"Uh, son, are you alright?" Stoick asked, "You haven't eaten anything."

"Yeah, I'm fine." Hiccup said, "Just a lot on my mind."

"So I'm guessing Astrid talked to you." Stoick asked.

"Yes she did." Hiccup said, "So why do I need to find a future wife so fast? I'm not even eligible for marriage for a year."

"I know, but listen," Stoick said, "You'll be chief of this village someday. I know it's putting a lot of pressure on you, but finding a wife early is important for anyone in your position. I did, as did my father, as did his father, and so on."

"So because I'll have more responsibilities as an adult, I need to get more responsibilities earlier?" Hiccup asked, "That doesn't really seem fair."

"It's not because of that." Stoick said, "It's because, Odin forbid, if something happens to me before you can find a wife, then you won't have a chance. The responsibilities of being chief won't allow you the time."

"I'm going to go to bed." Hiccup said making his way up the stairs.