Astrid's POV
The sun was beginning to set as she finally got a glimpse of the mountain.
"Careful, Stormfly," she whispered. "We don't want to be seen." Quietly, Stormfly flew in and landed on the side of the mountain, just a few feet from the yearning open mouth of the cave. The petted Stormly on her head: "Good girl," Astrid cooed. "Stay here."
Tiptoeing towards the cave, Astrid's heart started beating out of her chest. No, not a happy and nervous beat, the one that was always there whenever Hiccup hugged or kissed her. No. This was the beat that was there the day when Toothless (and Hiccup, but Toothless mostly) had there one-on-one with Drago. There seemed to be a eerie light coming from the darkness of the cave. Stormfly peeked over Astrid's shoulder.
"No Stormfly," she whispered. "I'm sorry, but I have to go alone." A twinge of guilt tugged at her heart. First, she had to turn Hiccup, the love of her life, away from her quest, and now her dragon too? It was for the best, yes, but she still couldn't feel so guilty. "I'm sorry," she whispered as she kissed her dragon on the nose. "I,ll-"
It was then when a husky voice spoke from inside the cave: "We are here to discuss the ever so dangerous terror of Berk." Astrid leaned closer to the mouth of the cave, listening. "I want two of you to go to Berk, and slay the scum who rides the Night Fury. I want his head!" He roared. "And yes, bring me the head of that dragon too." Astrid's heart stopped. "Hiccup…" she whispered.
Immediately she turned away, ready to mount Stormfly and fly back in order to warn the village. Instead of her dragon, she slammed into heavy armor- dragon skin armor- and looked up at a masked face with a thick black beard.
"Hello beautiful," the voice cooed. "Let me show you around." Before she had time to grab her axe, much less run, Astrid felt a sharp pain in her back and surrendered to a world of darkness.