The morning started off very standard for Berk. The sheep were grazing, the chickens were laying, and the villagers were working. The occasional dragon was causing a ruckus and Hiccup, as usual, was on his morning rounds cleaning up the mess. It could be tiring at times. Of course, there was a fun side to it. And that fun side was trailing behind him on her Deadly Natter, stifling a snigger behind her hand as a stray Monstrous Nightmare sneezed and set fire to a random roof within the village. Hiccup had extinguished it and successfully (although not without effort) calmed down the residents. He'd turned to Astrid after the commotion had died down to see her trying to hide the grin on her face. He gave her a lopsided smile and shook his head. Astrid straightened and gave an innocent smile.

"What?" His eyebrow shot up humorously.

"Unbelievable"

"What is?"

"That you find my pain funny"

"Actually" Astrid corrected, holding up a hand, her index finger pointing up towards the heavens as she made her point "I I find their pain funny. Yours is hilarious"

"Ha ha" Hiccup said, taking a step towards her "Veeeerry funny" he grabbed her suddenly by the waist and pulled her close enough that they bumped noses "Come here you".

He didn't even get a moment to sneak a kiss before Valka's voice cut through, making the pair jump.

"Hiccup" Astrid made to pull away, yet Hiccup held tight, keeping her close, grinning over her shoulder at his mother. His smile wavered however, when he saw her face and concern overtook him.

"Hey – mum. W-what's wrong?" Astrid turned, able to shake his arms off her in his distracted state. Valka looked uncomfortable as she approached, playing with her hair as she neared the two.

"The council have called a meeting Hiccup" she explained, not entirely meeting his gaze "They're requesting your presence". Hiccup frowned.

"Meeting? I was never told about a meeting-"

"It was rather sudden, I'm afraid, son" Valka explained in a rush "But I really must insist that you go. Now". Astrid tensed, sensing something ws wrong. Hiccup did also, and step around Astrid, his arms held out at his sides as his frown deepened.

"Well, what's the meeting abo-"

"Just come, Hiccup" Valka snapped, surprising all three of them. Her eyes widened and she took a deep breath, offering an apologetic smile and an outstretched hand "Please, son. I think it'll be quite important"

Hiccup gave a confused laugh, and looked as Astrid with what seemed to be an annoyed shrug.

"Shall we then?"

"Uh, no Hiccup" Valka interrupted, stepping forward and grabbing his shoulder, "I'm afraid that this is a closed meeting". Hiccup narrowed his eyes at his mother, totally at a loss as to what was going on. After a moment and an insistent look from his mother, he gave a disbelieving laugh and looked as Astrid in apology.

"Shall I stop by later?"

"That'd be good" Astrid replied, her gaze swinging between her boyfriend and his mother in concerned confusion. She offered him a weak smile. "I'll see you then" She barely given him a peck on the cheek before his mother grabbed his had and trotted him off. Astrid gave them one last confused look before her attention was caught by a villager's yell

"ANOTHER fire! Darned Monstrous Nightmares!".