Chapter 2

A Proper Welcome

"Excuse me!" Hiccup shouted. "Attention!" His attempts to get the crowd to listen were futile. Hiccup grunted in irritation and walked over to Gobber and whispered into his ear.

"HEY!" Gobber bellowed. All chatter ceased, all heads turned. Hiccup smirked and cleared his throat.

"Thank you. I have asked you to gather here today to re-introduce someone to our island. Some of you already know her, some of you don't." Hiccup displayed an exuberant smile. He turned slightly and gestured for Valka, who was sitting a ways away, to come up. Once she was standing beside Hiccup, everyone could see Valka. Gasps and whispers spread through the older generations.

"Fellow Berkians! Please welcome my mother, Valka Haddock, Dragon Master!" Hiccup shouted with excitement.

Applause and shouts erupted and people rushed around to get to Valka. Hiccup laughed at the sight of his mother being swarmed and adored.

Only a few people hung back near the wall. Astrid, Fishlegs, Ruffnut and Tuffnut, Snotlout, and Eret. Hiccup walked up to them. A smug smile played at the corners of Astrid's lips, she already knew who Valka was. He hadn't, un-fortunately, been able to tell the rest of the gang. Fishlegs' mouth hung open, the twins just had confused expressions, and Snotlout looked to be suppressing laughter. Eret stood looking at them with a concerned look on his face.

"So, what do you think?" Hiccup folded his arms over his stomach.

"What do we think?" Snotlout burst. "I think I finally know why you're so, so, so…"

"Watch it." Hiccup poked a finger at him. "But I know, she's smaller than all the other Viking women, just like I'm smaller than all the other men."

"You're not that small anymore." Astrid said. "You grew, like you said last night. You look a bit more manly now."

"Oh, really?" Hiccup asked amused.

"Really," Eret said, stepping over to Snotlout and putting a hand on his head. "You're much taller than this shorty. Seriously, look how short he is!"

Laughter erupted from the group as Snotlout's face grew red.

"I'm not short!" He snapped angrily.

"Yes you are. You've always been shorter, punk!" Tuffnut said. "Yeah, you've always been short!" Ruff added. Snotlout looked ready to fight, but Hiccup decided now was not the time.

"Okay, okay. That's enough, let the little man preserve some dignity." Hiccup said, earning him a jab in the stomach. "I deserved that."

"Yeah you did. I ought a…" Snotlout continued muttering things as he walked away.

Fishlegs hadn't spoken once since the beginning. His face still registered utter shock.

"Uh, Fishlegs?" Astrid waved a hand in front of Fishlegs' eyes. "You alright?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Th… that's your mom!" Fishlegs exclaimed more than asked.

"Yep, crazy isn't it?" Hiccup chuckled. "Surprised aren't you?"

"Totally! Didn't you say, Dragon Master? Wasn't she the one leading the good Alpha? She was with us during the battle wasn't she?" Fishlegs finally averted his gaze to Hiccup.

"Yes, yes, and yes! This may sound crazy, but she knows more about dragons than I do!" Hiccup smiled.

"What?" Fishlegs went back into shock. "You've got to be joking! You know so much!"

"That I do, but I've only been studying dragons for five years. She has been studying them for twenty, plenty of time to un-cover all of the mysterious dragon secrets." Hiccup explained.

"Wow, um…" Fishlegs glanced from Hiccup to Valka, who was finally getting some space to breathe. Fishlegs suddenly darted away towards Valka.

"Oh, boy! Valka is in for a whole lot of questions from Fishlegs." Astrid said.

"Well she has probably already been asked a thousand questions." Hiccup chortled.

Hiccup and Astrid looked over at the twins, who had begun to head-butt each other. Eret was beside them, trying to break it up. Hiccup offered Astrid his arm, and she linked hers with his.

They strolled outside to a ledge and watched the water.

"I have to go on a trip next week." Hiccup said.

"Why? Where?" Astrid asked, turning to face him.

"Krysse Island. My father told me that he wanted me to visit that island when I became Chief. In fact, my dad had contacted the Chief of Krysse not too long ago, saying that I would be Chief soon, so I was invited next week. I just happened to become chief a week before." Hiccup explained.

"I've heard of that island. I've also heard that the people there are extremely nice. How long will you be staying there?" Astrid asked. People began streaming out of the Hall, where Valka most likely still being bombarded with questions.

"Three days, and I'm just going to go by myself on Toothless. I would take you or other people, but my father said I would enjoy it more by myself." Hiccup shrugged.

"That's alright, I don't mind. You could use a vacation." Astrid elbowed him with a smile.

"I could, couldn't I? You could too, but I'll just have to take you there some other time." Hiccup smiled at her.

"That would be nice. Who is going to be in charge while you're gone?" Hiccup smiled at Astrid's question.

"Actually, I was wondering if you could share that job with Valka. You know everyone here and are a good leader, Valka is a good leader but she would need someone to help her since some things are new to her. Could you do it?" Hiccup bit his lower lip.

"Yes! It sounds fun!" Astrid squeezed Hiccup's arm.

"I'm glad. Now, how about we go flying?"

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Astrid couldn't feel any happier. The sun was shining brightly, lighting up the clouds with an orange luster. The cool wind blew in her face, providing the freshest of air. Below, the glistening, blue water calmly rocked back and forth. The rhythmic sound of dragon's wings beating filled the air. She was flying, the thing that every human being dreams about. Hiccup, her best friend, was riding Toothless beside her.

This was a peaceful flight. No crazy suicidal tricks, no competitions, no loud barbaric people, and no fighting. Astrid inhaled deeply and smiled at Hiccup. He smiled back with a twinkle in his eye.

"I never get tired of this." He said.

"Me neither. It… it's just so incredible." Astrid spread her arms out and rose up into the clouds.

She looked to her left and Toothless popped through the white fluff.

"It's like a whole new world above the clouds, isn't it?" Astrid asked.

"It truly is. The air up here is thinner, but it's worth it." Hiccup laid down on his back and stared into the blue abyss that hovered over them.

They flew in the same direction for a while before turning back. They dipped under the clouds and soon Berk came back into sight. After they landed they walked to Gobber's shop.

"Well there ya' are!" Gobber waved his hook to them. "Where've you two been?"

"Just flying, nothing important. Where is my mother?" Hiccup grabbed a small dagger on the table that had been left to be sharpened. He examined it then set it down.

"Oh, she failed to escape the mob of people. I've no idea where she's at, but you might just find her where there is a big cluster of people." Gobber winked with a sly smile.

"Good idea. See you later." Hiccup walked to the door. But he stopped and turned around.

"Before I go, I just wanted to let you know that I will be going on a trip next week."

"Oh, where to?" Gobber asked, not looking up from his work.

"Krysse Island. I'll be gone for three days."

"Krysse?" Gobber looked at him. "Your father went there some time after he became Chief. He came home looking happier than I've ever seen him."

"Yeah, he wanted me to visit them when I became chief. Anyways, I'm going to leave Valka and Astrid in charge."

"What? Why not me?" Gobber frowned.

"Oh, you know why mister! We tried to get you to just help the Chief and things went bad. You're not being put in charge for a very good and logical reason." Hiccup held back a laugh.

"Humph!" Gobber turned around, refusing to look at Hiccup. Astrid laughed behind him and pulled on his arm.

"Come on, let's go rescue your mother from the mob." Astrid dragged him out by his arm.

"Alright, alright. I'm coming." Astrid let go of him. Hiccup rubbed his arm. "Jeesh, why such a hard grip."

Astrid threw him a mischievous smile and continued walking. Soon they approached a small crowd at Hiccup's house. Valka sat on the steps talking to them all. When she saw them she smiled and waved at us. The people turned to look at them, but soon turned back to Valka.

"Okay, enough for today." Hiccup said, after he and Astrid managed to squeeze through everyone.

Several sighs and negative comments came from the group as they walked away.

"Well, what a welcoming! Thank you, Hiccup." Valka hugged him. He flinched at first, not being used to being hugged, but then hugged her back.

"My pleasure. I still don't think you have had a proper welcoming to the gang yet though. Well, except Fishlegs of course." Hiccup smiled.

"Oh, yes! He was so fun to talk with!" Valka laughed.

"I'll have to introduce you to the rest of them tomorrow. But right now, how about I introduce you to Astrid Hofferson." Hiccup gestured his hand to Astrid.

"It's nice to actually meet you mam." Astrid smiled.

"You too. So," Valka glanced between Astrid and Hiccup. "You two are obviously…"

"Yes, we are dating." Hiccup smiled.

"Oh, I missed too much! It makes me so frustrated! Why did I stay away?" Valka groaned.

"Valka, I'm sure you won't miss anymore from now on. There is still plenty to see." Astrid said, placing a hand on Valka's arm.

"Thank you." Valka smiled. She looked at Hiccup. "Now, you have to inform me young man of everything, and I mean everything, that happened while I was gone!"

"I will, but I'm sure Astrid can help with that as well while I'm gone next week." Hiccup said.

"Oh, that's right! Perfect bonding time for you and me, right?" Valka asked Astrid. She nodded her head and flashed a quick little smile at Hiccup.

"I'm sure it will be."

A/N

Hey everyone! Thanks for your amazing reviews! I really appreciate them! I'm really excited to make more progress on this story. ;) I hope this chapter wasn't too short for you. Also, I'm sorry about taking awhile to update. I have been juggling several other stories of late, so it's confusing which story to update next. Thank you for your patients and thank you for reading! Reviews are cherished and loved!

~Annanarra