Chapter One
A/N: So. I've taken a few liberties with HTTYD. It's still mostly canon, besides the pairings (obviously) but I did change a few small things. Also expect some OOCness. Fair warning.
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Astrid sighed as she looked up into the stars. Her breath puffed out in front of her in a cloud of steam. She shivered and pulled her jacket tighter around her. She was feeling quite lonely, having sent Stormfly back to the warmer part of the Edge to spend the night. Her dragon would have stayed with her on her watch, but she always felt that it was best to let her stay in less harsh climates unless necessary for a mission. She liked for Stormfly to always be in peak condition and vigorously watched her health. She also liked to keep herself in top condition as well as a show of respect for her dragon and her own wellbeing.
The sky was clear and the moon was bright. Nothing stirred but herself and the waves distantly below her. She'd decided against a fire, knowing that it would be seen further out than the tower itself and it would also ruin her night vision. Well. Maybe some light exercise would keep her warm. Halfway through a set of sit-ups, she heard a strange sound in the night. Listening closely, she could hear the sound of metal scraping metal and smiled happily. Heather had come to visit!
She quickly stood and walked out into the moonlight. She waved at the nondescript shadow above her and saw the dragon rider change direction. Windshear landed in the snow just as Astrid reached the ground. Heather slipped off the Razorwhip's back and the two riders embraced warmly.
"Heather!" Astrid laughed as she pulled back. "It's been so long since we've seen you."
Heather smiled. "Too long." Then she looked around, noticing something. "Where's Stormfly?"
"I sent her back to the warmer part of the Edge. I volunteered myself for watch tonight, but I didn't want her to catch a chill. She'll be here in the morning to get me."
"Good idea. Maybe I should stay here with you tonight and Windshear could keep her company."
Astrid shook her head as they fully separated. "No. You don't have to do that. Hiccup will be happy you're here. You can sleep in my hut."
Heather rose an eyebrow. "Trying to get rid of me already?" She teased with a smirk.
Astrid chuckled. "Alright, but don't say I didn't offer when you can't feel your toes in the morning."
"I'll remember that." They both turned to her dragon. "Alright, Windshear. Go find Stormfly and keep her company tonight. I'll stay here with Astrid and you two can come get us in the morning." Windshear crooned softly and, after receiving pats from both girls, sprang into the air. Her rapid departure sent snow flying over both of them and they giggled.
Astrid couldn't stop grinning as they watched Windshear disappear in the distance. She and Heather had gotten off to a bad start and they'd hit a few rocky patches in their friendship, it was true, but even after all that she felt closer to Heather than anyone else besides maybe Hiccup and their dragons. And Heather hadn't lost that intense edge she'd developed over the years. Astrid loved the new side of her and Heather knew it.
"So. Care for a little sparring?" The ebony haired girl asked with a smirk.
Astrid smirked back and pulled her axe free. "Thought you'd never ask."
With a yell, Heather pulled her own axe free and leapt at the blonde. Astrid dodged and swung at her as she passed. Heather turned suddenly, hitting the switch to extend her double headed weapon and blocked it easily. Astrid pulled free her second axe and Heather blocked it with a well done twist of her arm. Both girls grinned wickedly. The match was on.
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Sometime later they lay in the snow, close together and panting. They'd fought themselves to a draw and were both pleased with the outcome.
"You've been practicing." Heather said after she'd caught her breath.
Astrid let her head roll to the side." So have you. "
The both smiled. "So. What have you guys been up to since last time?" Heather asked lightly, sitting up.
Astrid looked back up at the stars. "Not much actually. There hasn't been much movement and, aside from checking in on Berk and taking care of the random dragon problem and training, it's actually been kind've dull around here. What about you? Any news?"
Heather clenched her fist, "No. It's been really quiet everywhere. No sign of the hunters or my brother. And that's what worries me."
Astrid sat up and moved close enough to put a hand on Heathers clenched fist. "Hey. It's gonna work out. We'll find them, Heather. I promise."
Heather sighed and tried to relax. "I know, I know, but I still don't like just not knowing. They could be anywhere and we have no idea what they're planning. All we know for sure is that Viggo has the eye and will be back one day. And that my brother will most likely be with him."
"And we'll be ready when that day comes. All of us have been training, even the twins. Fishlegs has been working hard with Gobber to make more weapons and armor with the Gronckle iron. Gustav has pushing the A-team harder than ever. We're even thinking of making a second Auxiliary team. Hiccup barely sleeps anymore. Toothless has had to start threatening to eat the research to get him to rest." She added with a soft laugh.
Heather could help but to laugh as well. "I can so see that." Then she sighed again. "Sorry, for grumbling to you."
Astrid nudged her shoulder. "That's what friends are for."
Heather relaxed her fist and linked their fingers together, giving them a small squeeze. "Best friends."
"You know it."
They shared a smile and Heather leaned sideways to lay her head on Astrid's shoulder. Astrid wrapped her free arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. They sat there for a while, simply enjoying the quiet and watching the stars, taking in the thickening clouds that were slowly obscuring their view, without really realizing what they meant.
A sudden, brisk wind made them both shiver. Heather pulled away and Astrid stood quickly. "Ok. I think it's time to get back inside the tower." She held out a hand to help Heather up and the two of them quickly climbed up. Astrid was grateful for the insulating properties they'd added to the insides when they'd extended the tower. While it was by no means warm, it was well above freezing and very welcome to their chilled skin. She closed the wide doors and Heather helped her pull the shutters closed on all but the large sea facing window so Astrid could still keep watch as the wind grew stronger. They both watched as the clouds thickened and the sea started roiling. Lighting flashed on the horizon. Small flurries stared flying and Astrid realized that a large storm was well on its way as it began to rain.
Knowing no one would be foolish enough to sail in such a storm, she closed the shutters and turned to Heather. "I'm kind've wishing we'd kept Stormfly and Windshear here now. There's no way they can fly in this."
"Well, hopefully it'll blow over soon. In the meantime, let's make the most of it." She said happily and moved to the small fireplace and began preparing a fire.
Astrid shook her head with a grin. Heather was hard to discourage when she was in a good mood. She watched her friend for a moment before turning to the storage area. If they were going to make a fire anyway, they might as well eat. She knew she was starving and had no idea when the last time Heather had eaten so she went past hanging cloth in the back and pulled out several hunks of pre-prepared, half-cooked boar meat from the less insulated area which kept the more perishable of their goods near frozen. On her way back out, she grabbed a few potatoes and carrots and heaped them on the meat in her arms and a small pitcher of mead. Then she thought better of it and grabbed a larger one. Heather could outdrink many a Viking she knew.
When she entered the main room again, Heather was placing a large log on the now roaring fire. Looking up and seeing the large heap of food the other girl was carrying she smiled and grabbed a pot and a few knives from the small kitchen area. Astrid dumped everything on the table and they set about chopping up the meat and vegetables into a stew. Heather went to get a small handful of salt from the storage area while Astrid collected water from one of the toughs near the entrance that contained fresh water and filled the pot. They set it to boiling and Astrid gathered two mugs and poured them both a large helping of mead. Heather grinned at her and they tapped cups, before tossing back their heads and taking a few long swallows.
And then they both had to fight not to spit out what was in their mouths. Astrid tearfully swallowed and stared at her cup in shock. "Gods, that was harsh!"
Heather managed to cough and laugh at the same time. "You're telling me! This stuff could put hair on a Gronckle!" Both of them laughed at the absurd statement. "Well. Waste not, want not." She chimed and took another drink. "Hmm. Not as bad when you're expecting it."
Astrid grimaced but did the same, never one to back down from a challenge. She found Heather was right and that it was still sweet under the harsh bite of liquor. By the time the pitcher was half gone, their stew was smelling delicious and Astrid was more than a little light headed. She got two wooden bowls and spoons and blushed when her stomach growled loudly as Heather ladled them out a portion. Heather smiled and simply added more to the bowls.
"Thanks." Astrid muttered and blushed harder when Heather giggled at her grumpy tone.
The stew tasted delicious and the mead, having now grown on her taste buds was a wonderful way to wash it down. Full and content, both girls sighed as they patted their tummies. Their eyes met. Heather snorted in amusement, causing Astrid to snort from trying to contain her laugher which set them both off to laughing like children.
One of the shutters suddenly banged open and snow and rain poured inside with the strong force of the wind. Both of them rushed to close it, having almost forgotten the storm raging outside. Astrid was surprised at just how bad it had gotten. This was shaping up to be a very, very harsh storm. At least it was daytime now, though you could hardly tell.
"Will you help me raise the signal flag to let the others know we're fine? I know Hiccup will be out of his mind unless we do."
"Of course."
Astrid led her up a narrow staircase in the island facing side of the tower. She had to strain to open the trap door, but once it was up, it snapped open with such force it nearly ripped her hand off. Freezing rain and ice immediately drenched them as they struggled out into the wind. They had to cling to one another to stay upright as they made their way to a wench attached to a stout chain. Grasping the handle, they slowly turned it and a retractable metal pole began to rise. They kept going until it was fully extended at twenty feet and Astrid freed one of the release cords and pulled it. A counterweight dropped and a green flag rose quickly to the summit along one of several grooves. They quickly checked the supports around the pole and securely fastened the wench in place with and extra lock and dashed back into the safety of the tower. It took both of them straining at their utmost to close the hatch against the wind and both of them collapsed, shivering, when the latch was in place.
When Astrid caught her breath she sighed. "Definitely have to install some windbreaks up there." She muttered and pulled Heather to her feet. "But now at least no one will get hurt trying to come after us. Hopefully, they have Windshear and Stormfly contained so those two won't try to come either."
"They're probably freaking out." Heather said worriedly.
Astrid felt her heart pang at the thought of her loyal dragon driving herself mad with worry. She quickly shook off the thought. Hiccup and the others would keep them safe and calm. "We'll make it up to them after the storm." She reassured her. "C'mon. We need to get out of these clothes. All of us keep spares here. You can wear a set of mine."
Heather smiled tiredly at her. "Thanks."
They made their way downstairs and changed, leaving their hair down to dry. Neither of them could brush off the feeling of worry about their dragons and were quiet and lost in their individual thoughts. They silently cleaned up their mess, figuring moving was better than just sitting around. Shortly, Astrid heard the unmistakable sound of one of Toothless' plasma blasts over the howling wind and both of them rushed up the stairs to open the highest island facing window beneath the trapdoor. Astrid pulled out her spyglass and peered through it fearing the worst. She could just barely make out the top of the main watchtower though the rain and lashing trees. As she watched, Toothless sent up another blast and the green flag went up.
She sighed with relief that everything was ok. She turned back to see Heather's worried expression. "It's ok. Everything's fine. Hiccup was just letting us know he'd seen our signal and he put up the green flag. If anything was wrong he'd have signaled with another."
Heather sagged in relief. "Thank the Gods. I thought something had happened."
Astrid put a hand to her shoulder. "Me too, but it's ok." She pulled her into a swift hug and Heather squeezed her back for a moment before they pulled away. "C'mon. Let's get some sleep. Hopefully, the storm will pass while we rest."
Heather looked down and blushed lightly. "Can we share a bed? I kind've don't want to be alone right now." She whispered.
Astrid smiled softly. "I was going to ask you the same thing."
"Don't tell the others though." They both mock threatened at the same time.
They laughed and Astrid collected a torch and lit it on the fire before banking it, while Heather collected their night clothes from their packs. They went down a short set of stairs into the small sleeping area. There were a number of small cots there and a few larger ones for when Stoick or some of the other larger Vikings paid a visit to the tower. It was stocked with plenty of blankets and pillows, as well as bandages and other medicinal supplies in case anyone was injured. She and Hiccup had gone through a lot of trouble over the months to make sure every watchtower was similarly extended and equipped, but this was the best stocked, being the furthest from the compound.
She and Heather stripped down and pulled on their simple night shirts and crawled into one of the larger beds. Not even thinking about it, Astrid turned on her side and pulled Heather close to her. The ebony haired rider sighed happily and snuggled into her, pillowing her head on Astrid's shoulder and draping and arm over the blonde's stomach to hold her close. They'd slept like this many times. Though neither of them would admit it, they secretly craved the closeness and could only let their guard down enough to indulge in this cuddling with each other. Astrid linked their fingers together and softly stroked Heather's hair with her other hand. It wasn't long before they both drifted to sleep.
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And there's the first chapter. Let me know what you thought!