Okay! So, hello to all my gorgeous readers, first of all. Thank you all for reading and replying, both here and on the grapevine. You guys are just awesome. Anyway, I really hope you like the first cheaper, I know a few of you followed the prologue, and I planting extend the story to at least ten-twelve chapters long. If you have any questions, comments or critiques, please do not to leave a review!

I should probably stop talking now. Enjoy.

I do not own HTTYD or any of its characters, only the OCs to come.

Thanks to hcsp1 again!

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III bit his lip in concentration as he expertly carved the finishing touches into the saddle he was making. He stood back and allowed himself to admire his work for a second. The saddle was a piece of art in itself. It was light and compact, perfect for racing, and was made if the finest leather to ensure steady wear. Hiccup smiled slightly, remembering how the last two saddles he had made this person had been destroyed in the space of several months due to he antics of a certain playful Deadly Nadder. The wrath emerging from the Hofferson household could be heard all through the village, and everyone was sure to stay out of Astrid's way for the rest of the afternoon. The next day, an extremely sheepish looking dragon and her rider had shown up at the forge. Astrid had thunderstorms in her eyes as she quietly asked for a new saddle for Stormfly for the second time in that season. So Hiccup had made sure that this one would last. He had spent weeks perfecting a new design to maximise both durability and comfort, and was positive that this saddle would at least make it to the end of the year.

Now, the viking chief ran his fingers along the intricate carvings around the rim of the saddle. Etchings of white-capped waves curled into shapes of dragons, their fiery breath rolling across the skies and finally entwining around the emblem of Berk on the pommel. The design was carefully matched to those on Astrid's infamous battle axe that the Hofferson girl was barely ever seen without.

Astrid.

Hiccup tried to remember the last time he had seen her apart from their brief smiles when they hurried past eachother in the village. Surely it couldn't have been back when she came to him for a saddle... Either way, it had been at least a few weeks. Chiefing duties had been taking up all the young viking's hours in the past nine months. Every time he though he had a spare minute to take Toothless out flying or visit any of his friends, someone would come up to him with a problem that needed fixing. But he couldn't complain, as Toothless was busy as well, as the new alpha. Serve the people, that's what Stoick used to say.

Hiccup sighed, memories of his father's horrific death flooding his mind. It could've been him. It should've been him.

Dismissing the thought with a quick shake of his head, he trudged over to where Toothless was lazing in the sun, enjoying his rare time off. He crouched down next to the dragon, giving him an affectionate scratch behind the ears. The night fury grumbled, annoyed at being woken from his sleep. Hiccup grinned.
"Oh, did I wake you, sleepyhead? So sorry."
He gave Toothless a nudge. The dragon replied with a groan, stretching out his limbs lazily.

Distracted in his own thoughts, Hiccup didn't even hear soft footfalls entering the forge. It was only several seconds later that a familiar voice called out to him.
"Well, good afternoon to you, too!"

Hiccup stood up, smiling, and turned around to face his girlfriend. Astrid stood, her hands on her hips, a sarcastic smirk on her lips.

"Miss Hofferson, you really need to stop sneaking up on me."

The girl scoffed. "Oh, please. You were in your own little world again."

"Really?"

Hiccup wrapped one arm around her waist and dropped a light kiss on her forehead.

"Mmm. What crazy invention are you dreaming up this time?"

He smiled, resting his cheek on the top o her head. "Nah. Just pondering life."

Astrid sighed in mock experation. "As always. Anyway, how's the saddle going?"

Hiccup perked up, remembering his creation. "It's nearly finished. I just have to oil it and it's ready to go."

The girl smiled. "Great! It looks amazing. I was eyeing it off when I came in." She said, glancing over her shoulder to where the saddle sat on the workbench.

She wriggled out of Hiccup's reach, ignoring his pouting face, and lifted herself onto a table, swinging her legs back and forth.

"I wouldn't get too excited yet." Hiccup said over his shoulder, turning back to his work. "You aren't getting it until your birthday."

Astrid stuck out her bottom lip. "But my birthday is ages away!"

The man rolled his eyes at her. "Nineteen days, m'lady. That's barely ages."

She looked surprised. "You remembered?"

"Remembered what?"

"My birthday."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Well..."

"Astrid, have you forgotten MY birthday?" Hiccup feigned offence.

"No, no! April 28! I just thought that with you kinda ignoring everyone lately you... Oh."

Hiccup dropped the mallet he was holding. Astrid's face went pale.

"Oh, gods, Hiccup. I didn't mean it like that, I just..."

Hiccup turned around to face her. "No, it's okay."

She sighed. "Just with your duties as chief, you know, we haven't seen you in a while. Any of us. Oh, gods, I sound like such a brat now. Oh gods..." She buried her face in her hands, her cheeks burning red. "I'm sorry." She mumbled. "I've really stuffed this up."

Hiccup bit his lip. "Astrid..."

He shuffled over to her, placing his hands on her knees. "It's not your fault." He whispered. "I should be the one apologising."

She shook her head, staring down at the floor through her hands. "No, it's not your fault either. It's not your fault that your father..." Astrid stopped herself, seeing Hiccup's eyes glaze over. "Sorry." She mumbled quietly.

He pushed any memories of his father to the back if his mind, smiling gently at her. "Stop apologising, woman. It's depressing."

She laughed quietly as Hiccup prised her fingers away from her face and brought them to his lips. "Besides, I have better ways to use my time than worrying about... That." He said, stroking the palm of her hand absentmindedly. She lifted his chin so he looked her in the eyes.

"I'm sorry I brought that up. I know you try..."

Hiccup snapped upright.

"What did I just tell you?" He growled. "How dare you disobey the chief, young lady? I said no apologising!"
Astrid raised her hands in protest. "I didn't..."

Hiccup seizes the opportunity, burying his nose in the crook of her neck and pinning her arms down by her sides. She squealed in a way that was very un-Astrid-like, and flipped onto her side to try and escape his grasp. Hiccup laughed evilly as she wrestled herself out of the way, turning and glaring at him. She punched his shoulder in the way that he had gotten used to in the last five years, and barely felt anymore.

"Why would you even do that?" She groaned at his mischievous expression.

"Well, it certainly lightened the mood, didn't it?"

She shook her head, laughing. "You are impossible."

He took a step forward, wrapping his arms around her. "You've put up with me for years, I don't think you mind."

She rested her head on his shoulder. "Not really."

Both vikings sighed, enjoying eachother's company for a minute before Hiccup broke the silence.

"Are you free tonight?"

Astrid slipped her hands around his neck, looking at him quizzically. "Why?"

Because I have a spare hour. I can take you out, if you want. Just like we used to. To make up for the past few months.

The girl bit her lip. "I'm actually looking after the Dalgaard kids tonight while Alfhild goes out, so I'm kinda busy."

Hiccup's face fell. "Oh."

Astrid gently brushed his hair out of his face. He looked at her, his gorgeous emerald eyes catching her azure blue ones, and she melted.

Cupping his cheeks in her hands, Astrid kissed him on the very top of his nose. "But I promise, some day this week, we can go flying. I'd really like that."

He smiled at her in his own goofy way. "Me too."

She tapped his cheek lightly. "Anyway, I better go now. I've got a lesson at the academy."

Hiccup laughed. "You should have my job."

"I don't think so. I'll see you around." She blew him a kiss on her way out. Hiccup waved, turning back to his work. In the corner, Toothless groaned, annoyed at being forgotten.

"Alright, alright." Hiccup shouted at him. "I'll take you flying."

He looked at the saddle and shrugged. "Work can wait."

Toothless snickered in glee as his rider mounted him for the first time in days.

Hiccup grinned.

"Let's go, buddy."