Somehow this always happens to me... I swear I will not write in a new fandom without completing an unfinished story and then... Well, here I am posting my first HtTYD fic. I love historical detail, so I hope to add a bit more accurate Viking-ness where I can, while still retaining the quirk and charm of the story and characters. I also find it rather disturbing that the strong extraordinary women in the Films: Astrid and Valka have no domestic skills whatsoever. How does not knowing how to cook make anyone stronger? Suppose Astrid needed to feed herself, or mend her clothes and nobody was around to help. These are basic skills that every warrior must have male or female.

However, I also wanted to explore Astrid's personal story. We don't get a whole lot from the Films or the TV shows on Astrid's family or her young childhood. I thought that is a good place for me to start. Don't be alarmed, our impulsive, perfectionist who can take down any man or woman who gets in her way isn't going anywhere. A woman has many facets and abilities, that's where their power lies.


Astrid Hofferson embodied the Viking ideals of warriors and female beauty. Her hair shone like spun gold in the sunshine, and turned to silver in the moonlight. Her skills at combat matched and exceeded anyone in Berk of her age-group. Despite these gifts, as well as her intelligence, practicality, and pragmatism that made her a nearly flawless Shield Maiden; her dearest friends sensed a haze of melancholy had settled over her since Snoggletog. Each of the four other original dragon riders had a theory about the reason for their comrade's dull spirits, and an aggressive debate broke out in the group after she'd left the academy on her Deadly Nadder named Stormfly, without so much as a farewell, one snowy afternoon.

"Well, obviously she's lovesick for me and pining, because she doesn't think a godlike warrior like myself knows she exists," boasted Snotlout, in his usual bombastic and snide manner.

Hiccup grunted, his face twisting in disgust. "You'd better be glad Stormfly isn't here because she'd do more than pin you to the walls if she heard that," he snorted.

Wanting to substitute for their dragon warrior sister, Hookfang singed his rider's pants while Toothless shot blasts at the arrogant boy's feet. "HOOKFANG! HICCUP, CALL OFF TOOTHLESS! Snotlout screamed as he ran to avoid the Night Fury's shots and find a water trough to sit in.

Hiccup hid the smirk etched on his face. Although his relationship with his cousin remained tempestuous at best, Snotlout never ceased to amuse him with his contrary personality and lack of thinking ability. "Toothless, you've made your point, bud. Leave Snotlout alone. Hookfang will handle him.

"Barf, Belch," Tuffnut barked, turning to face his two-headed dragon. "Why are you guys sitting there? Go after Snotlout!"

Ruffnut shook her fist taunted them. "Yeah. Do you really want Hookfang and Toothless to do all the work defending Astrid's honor?"

The Hideous Zippleback immediately plucked the whimpering Viking boy out of the trough and toss him back and forth between their mouths. "AHHHHHHH! Hiccup, HELP ME!" Snotlout begged.

"Ruff, Tuff, tell Barf and Belch to let him go," Hiccup commanded.

Reluctantly, the twins used their hand-signals to make their dragon release their new toy. "You know, H, you are no fun at all!" Tuffnut growled.

"Yeah!" Ruffnut snarled, glaring at her future Chief. "Someone has to keep Snotlout in his place while Astrid is in her funk. If we don't, she might lose her reputation."

Hiccup bowed his head to acknowledge her point. "While that is a very noble motive, Ruffnut, I think it's best if we actually helped her with whatever is bothering her. Since we already know she's not lovesick for Snotlout, we'll put that aside. Now, has she said anything to anyone that may give us a clue?"

"I think it's because she hasn't had a good fight in ages," Tuffnut shrugged.

Ruffnut nodded in agreement. "We haven't rescued any dragons, fought Dagger or Alvin, or chased away any wild dragons since the first snow. We can't even fly far because of winter. It's enough to drive anyone into the blues."

Hiccup sat on one of the stone benches outside Toothless' stall. His loyal friend immediately put himself under "his feet" to keep him warm. Even his prostatic leg benefitted from the sweet Night Fury's devotion. "That's probably a part of the problem," Hiccup agreed. "We all know Astrid is completely devoted to defending and protecting Berk and our Dragons, but something doesn't add up. Usually, when Astrid feels cooped up and antsy for action she trains harder. I haven't seen her destroying all our targets, and she hasn't brought her weapons or armor to the forge to the sharpened or repaired."

"I don't think she's got cabin fever like last time we were grounded," Fishlegs softly objected. "She may still feel guilty about putting Meatlug's eggs in people's houses because they exploded. Also, her Yacknog didn't work out, and she probably feels bad about that too."

"Yeah," Tuffnut agreed. "That stuff was nastier than Mildew's butt!" he shivered.

A look of confusion and concern filled Hiccup's face. "I talked to her about that, she laughed it off. I don't know, I mean, with the damage we've all done accidently, or not—" he added, glancing at the twins. "She couldn't be so disheartened by an innocent mistake. Astrid is too strong for that."

Fishlegs shook his head and sighed. "You know her best, Hiccup. I just have a feeling that it might not be what we normally would expect of her."

Hiccup sighed. The snow started falling harder, and great black clouds began blowing in with a fierce wind. "Alright, everyone, we should all head home now. It looks like we're in for another serious blizzard. I have to see if I can help my dad. If we and our dragons are needed, I'll send the signal. Please, don't do anything crazy. Just go straight home," he ordered, as he took off on Toothless.

The dragon riders each began trudging through the snow to mount their dragons when Snotlout shouted. "I still think the best way for Astrid to get out of her blahs is sharing some fierce body heat with me!"

Before any of the humans could say a single word about his unpardonable crudeness, Meatlug sat at his feet and covered them with her dragon dung. "FISHLEGS! WHEN THIS STORM IS OVER I WILL KILL YOU AND HAVE HOOKFANG ROAST YOUR ROCK EATER FOR MY DINNER!"

The soft-spoken giant mounted Meatlug and sighed. "You just don't get it, Snotlout. All of our dragons consider us their family, but they accept Toothless and Hiccup as the leaders. They know Astrid and Hiccup are closest, and they won't take kindly to you interfering. You mess up the dynamics of what they view as their clan."

Tuffnut, and Ruffnut nodded in agreement. "He's right! You wouldn't like it if some jerk started saying things like that about your mom or older sister, so SHUT UP!" Ruffnut shouted.

"You know, sooner or later, Hiccup and Toothless might have to challenge you if you keep it up, Snotlout. The only reason he doesn't say anything now is because seeing Astrid take you down makes him laugh. One day he'll be Chief. He won't have a choice if you don't knock it off," Tuffnut warned.

Blood rose to Snotlout's face turning it as red as Hookfang's skin. "HA!" he scoffed. "Hiccup doesn't stand a chance with me, even with Toothless! Remember, I still won this year's games!"

Nobody bothered to reply they all just took off for their homes…