An Old Friend

Prologue:

Astrid and Hiccup have gotten along really well after the end of the

Viking-Dragon War, having developed a fondness for one another and eventually a relationship, but Astrid has been keeping secrets. The cat is let out of the bag when a young man comes to Berk claiming to be her long lost brother. Astrid can only wonder if this boy is telling truth, or if he's trying to win her over for himself. Only time will tell.

Chapter 1: Nightmares and Daydreams

Astrid tossed and turned as she slept, tears forming from fears and pains of the past. 'Nothing new' she thought, 'Just another nightmare, no big deal' But this wasn't just any bad dream. It was about her. brother, Matthias. He disappeared ten years ago on a search for the dragon's nest. She could still hear his screams on the burning Viking ship he had sailed on.

"Astrid!" he cried out, "Help me, please! I beg of you, please!" He yelled in agony as he was consumed by the fiery breath of one of those winged serpents.

"No!" Astrid screamed as she quickly sat up, panting heavily and vigorously looking around her room. She sighed quietly as Yolanda, her mother burst into the room.

"What's wrong dearie?" her soft voice uttered in her heavy Norse accent.

"I had a dream." she said nervously.

"What sort of a dream?" she spoke with curiosity, "Was it about that Haddock boy again?"

"No it was-" she caught herself and thought carefully, 'She'd never forgive dad if I told her', so she exhaled and said, "Yes it was, just another silly dream about Hiccup."

Yolanda gave a sharp look at her daughter, "Lies are unacceptable in this house young lady, I demand the truth."

"I swear mom, I just had a bad dream about Hiccup." she lied yet again with tears in her eyes.

"You want to talk about it?" she said, placing her hand on Astrid's shoulder.

Astrid's face grew pale, "No mom, I'll be fine."

"I'm your mother Astrid, I love you very much, if there's anything I can do-"

"I'm fine mom." she winced for a moment, then looked back at Yolanda, "Thanks though."

"Alright dear, you get some shut-eye." she kissed Astrid's forehead and left the room.

The night went on, only for Astrid to stay awake the entire time. She was too afraid to even dare falling asleep.

The next morning Astrid woke up and looked around, only to see Thorn; her Nadder, looming over her bed.

"Hey girl, did you sleep okay?" she asked groggily while scratching the dragon's chin. The dragon preoccupied with the pleasure of a good itching, snorted and ignored her talk. "I'll take that as a no." saying that, she scratched near the base of Thorn's neck, putting her to sleep. Astrid immediately dressed herself and went out the door in order to avoid her curious mother, and headed for the Haddock house.

She continued to think about her brother, questioning things like, 'Why did he leave?" and 'Should I tell Hiccup?' As she approached his house, she saw Fishlegs and Ruffnut sitting around outside it talking to each other. They appeared to be joking, basing that from the smiles on their faces and each of them holding hands.

Fishlegs was continuing his chatter to the Thorston girl, "Do you think she likes Hiccup? I mean- if she did, that would be awesome!"

Ruffnut smirked at first, having the thought of handsome Hiccup dating a blonde prima donna, but she smiled after finding out how nice a guy Fishlegs was. She responded carefully, "Oh she likes Hiccup alright. Heck, they'll probably tie the knot in a year or two."

Fishlegs's eyes widened, "Hiccup and Astrid," he swallowed, "Married?"

Ruffnut shushed him and softly nodded, "Yep. Normally I'd go against it, but now it doesn't bother me that much anymore." She smiled at Fishlegs and held his hand a little tighter.

Fishlegs however was still on the latter subject, "I wonder if they'd let me be best man."

Ruffnut was slightly disappointed, but for once refrained from punching him, "Well, all best men need their best women." she leaned toward him, hoping to initiate a kiss.

"There are best women at weddings?" he said sheepishly while leaning forward as well.

"Of course there are, and I'm yours, if you don't mind that is." They both started leaning closer.

"Not at all, um, do you-" he stuttered a bit.

"Do I what Fishlegs?" she smiled and looked deep into his eyes.

"Do you know why we're leaning forward? It's really starting to hurt my back."

Ruffnut's smile melted, "Oh!" she pushed him to the ground and began ranting, "I just wanted to get a kiss, why can't you do something simple like-" She was interrupted by a light kiss on the lips.

"You know, all you had to do was ask." With that, Fishlegs marched off with a proud smile on his face.

Ruffnut was still standing there, dazed almost by what had just happened, when suddenly Astrid walked up to her.

"Hey, what was that all about?" Astrid asked while looking at Ruffnut and her bold smile. She waved her hand in front of Ruffnut's face, "Hello, anyone in there?"

"Hmm? Oh hey Astrid what's up?" She answered like Astrid had just arrived.

Astrid smiled and shook her head, "First kiss, huh?"

"Yeah, he's really-" she covered her mouth, and wiped off her smile, "What do you mean first kiss? He's just another fish in the sea!"

Astrid chuckled, "Yeah, hence his name." She gave Ruffnut a slight nudge and winked at her.

"Well, I better get going, I'll leave you and lover boy to yourselves." She winked back at Astrid and snickered as she began to walk away, "Oh, but no wild parties while I'm gone." Her snickering erupted into malicious laughter, and in an instant she left.

Astrid muttered to herself, "I'll show you a wild party." She resumed to knock on the door of the house, only to be met by Hiccup's father Stoick.

"Morning Astrid, what can I do for you?" He said cheerfully while rubbing his bright red beard.

Astrid knew something was up. Stoick the Vast, fearless leader of the Hairy Hooligans was never ever this happy. "Um, that's okay, thank you. Is Hiccup here by any chance?"

"Ah, I thought you'd might ask that, he's working at Gobber's shop with that dragon of his."

"Oh." She remarked, "Well then, I can come by some other time or-"

"I'm pulling your hair, he's in the den drawing." He laughed loudly and invited Astrid in. "He was sort of hoping you would come over."

A light blush came across Astrid's cheeks, "Really, what for?"

Stoick scratched his head for a minute, "To be honest, I don't really know. But I'm sure you'll find out." Stoick grabbed a sack and donned his helmet, "Well, you two have fun. Play nice while I'm gone. I'll be back, probably." Stoick left and headed for the docks.

Astrid's face blushed a deep red at the thought of being alone with Hiccup. She walked into the den to see Hiccup drawing pictures of different things and showing them to Toothless who was standing outside the window staring curiously.

Hiccup looked to see his dream girl walking into the room, "Hey Astrid." he said, giving her that lop-sided smile she liked.

Astrid brushed her blonde locks aside with her hand and smiled back, "Hiccup? Um, can I tell you something?"

Hiccup thought worriedly, 'Was it something I did?' He responded nervously, "Sure, I have something to ask you too."

They both started talking at the same time. Astrid began with, "I been having bad dreams about my brother and I can't get any sleep." and Hiccup followed, "I was wondering if sometime you would like to go out with me?" "What?" They both exchanged awkward glances trying to comprehend each other.

Astrid attempted to regain her composure, "Um, you go first."

Hiccup kindly returned her gesture, "No, you go first."

She tried to smile but the pain of her nightmares forbid it, "I've been having bad dreams about my brother, the one who I lost at sea ten years ago."

"Oh- um, yeah I remember. What's his name? Martin-er no, um Matthew, Marcus, Marty?"

She shouted frustratedly at Hiccup, "Matthias, his name is Matthias!" She started to cry a little.

"I'm really sorry about your brother Astrid, I wish there was more I could do." He sighed and turned away from her.

"It's not your fault, but do you think he might have made it? Maybe he didn't die at sea. Maybe he was rescued. Maybe he faked his death, or something." She said trying to kill the pain.

"It's unlikely, but it's possible. I can only hope for the best in this case." Hiccup placed his warm hand on her shoulder.

She sighed for a minute, then punched Hiccup in the arm, "That's for forgetting my brother's name."

Hiccup reacted without enthusiasm, "Ow, why do you always do that to-" His voice was drowned out by a passionate kiss, "Okay, what was that for?"

"That's for everything else." She smiled and started in for another long kiss, only to be averted by Hiccup's father who came into the house.

"What are you two still doing in here, we've got visitors! They'll need help with their supplies, so get a move-on!"

The two teenagers ran down to the docks as fast as they could to carry out their orders. They saw a massive sea vessel with people walking on and off of it. Gobber was there waiting for them, "Ah, nice of you to join the party! I thought I was gonna have to do all this me-self."

"Nah, on a day like this Gobber? We wouldn't dream of leaving you to all that work." Hiccup uttered with sarcasm.

"Alright, enough of the smart talk. Hiccup, I need you to haul the loads of fish in. That means no free treats for your dragon."

Hiccup winced, "Okay, deal."

Gobber smiled seeing that he got his way, "That's the spirit lad! Astrid, I need you to go on board and search through the passengers. One of them I heard was looking for you."

'What, who would be looking for me?' she thought. As she walked onto the ship, she drifted off into another reverie. She saw a man coming towards her, a man that resembled her brother. She ran up to embrace him, wrapping her arms around him. But when she looked him in the eye, he immediately transformed into a monstrous beast and let out a horrifying shriek. Astrid began screaming as the demon exposed his razor-sharp teeth.

"Astrid! Astrid!" A voice yelled as she was shaken out of her dream state, "Astrid, it's okay."

She looked at the man who was holding her, he placed his hand on her cheek.

She eased herself down and asked, "Who are you?"

"It's me Astrid." He smiled and patted her shoulder, "You don't remember?"

"No, I have no idea." She began to dread what he might say next.

"I'm your brother, Astrid. Your brother Matthias." Astrid grew pale and began swaying to and fro across the dock. "Astrid, are you alright?" She fainted from all the excitement, and nearly fell into the water if not for Toothless, who caught her shirt with his teeth and pulled her back onto the dock. The last thing she saw before completely blacking out was Hiccup, Toothless, and the stranger leaning over her.