Astrid walked outside to meet a mob of angry villagers lead by Snotlout and the Twins.

"We want answers Astrid!" Snotlout yelled getting a cry of agreement from the crowd.

"Yeah and why isn't he in jail?" Tuffnut yelled getting another cheer.

"First, he is NOT a dragon killer, just looks like one. And he isn't going to jail because toothless trusts him," Astrid said loud and with authority, "Now everyone, go back to what you were doing and do not bother our guest, Maximus, for petty reasons and questions about his life. He has every right to challenge anyone of you to a fight if he needs to."

Astrid stood in front of the door and watched everyone go back to their work. She heard a hammer inside the forage and saw the windows open, and Ruffnut was staring inside biting her lip. Astrid walked over to see what Ruff was doing then gasped at what she saw inside. Hiccup and Maximus working with gronkle iron inside. Due to the excessive amount of heat needed to work gronkle iron both men had their shirts off. Hiccup had a lean frame but was all muscle. He had a six pack and a well defined chest and biceps. When he turned around Astrid could see the well toned muscles in his back moving while he worked. Maximus, on the other hand was a totally different creature of beauty. The densely packed muscle on his chest rippled with every hit of the hammer his abs were as solid as dragon scales and bulged with every twist or turn. The scars on his chest only made him look hotter. Oh my Thor! Astrid thought when she saw the dragon tattoo on his back. It looked like a Night Fury crossed with a Skrill. It covered his whole back with the tips of each wing on his shoulder blades. In the middle there was a small phrase in a different language. Astrid was blushing and left so she was not seen looking at Maximus.

Astrid went to the forest to train to get her mind off of the shirtless body of that boy. She took her axe and sent it into a tree, it sank in but was pulled out easily. Astrid did this a few more times but each time she could just pull it out, it wasn't sinking in very was on her 7th throw and she had sweat on her brow when she heard something in the bushes. She got ready to fight, but then saw Maximus walk out with two short swords in hand.

"Oh, hey Max!" Astrid said trying to sound casual,"Why are you out here?"

"Oh, hello Astrid," he said,"I just got done with my kukris with Hiccup and came out here to practice and the see about leaving." I don't want to leave but in this form I have to. I'll come back for her as NightStalker Maximus thought.

"Oh, you're leaving? Well at least spar with me first," Astrid said trying to sound tough but was actually sad about him leaving.

"Ok, one on one, lets see who the better fighter is. The Viking Shield Maiden or The Rogue Traveler?" Maximus joked as he twirled the kukris and circled Astrid like a wild dragon on the hunt.

Astrid charged out and swung at Maximus, who dodged the attack with ease and countered with a back slash. He caught the head of the axe in the bend of the kukri, with the other sword he pined Astrid to a tree.

"Looks like I won," Maximus joked while he reliced Astrid from the edge of his sword.

"Yeah, you won," Astrid said in amazement at how good he was at fighting, "Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"I've been to a lot of places and learned most of my moves from the many warriors that challenged me because of how I look," he said in a sad tone, "I look like the best dragon killer that there could be but I love dragons and hate the people that kill them. I have beaten everyone who has challenged me, and mastered my technique. I also learned to fight by watching dragons. Maybe if you find a new dragon and watch it you could improve your fighting technique too."

"Ok thanks for the tip," Astrid said not realising the wonder in her voice.

"I have to go now," Maximus said, "if we meet again I hope to see you on top a dragon!" With that he ran off into the forest, leaving Astrid to wonder who he really is.

A.N. Hey guys! Here is my next chapter. Is it too short? I need some help to know if it is or not. Also I might start to update every Friday night. If not this week then next week. Let me know what you guys think!

Antichris