Chapter 1: Past Shadows

-o0o-

Astrid stared at the sword collection hanging on the wall.

The Meatheads were known to be proud warriors of the Archipelago and their large display of weapons made that fact pretty evident. Astrid had not initially wished to accompany Hiccup and his wife but was roped into it. The three of them travelled south on dragon-back. Sigrun, still not having attained a dragon of her own, sat behind Hiccup on Toothless during the whole trip. Forcing Astrid to endure more than what she had bargained for.

Astrid squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, not wanting to revisit those agonizing memories of being abandoned. The feeling of being cast aside hurt more than she would ever let on.

How Hiccup could still pretend nothing had changed between them astonished her at first, but she soon started playing along, if only as a way to cope. She had never really been able to deny him anything anyway. She didn't think she was even capable of it.

When Hiccup had snuck into her room the day before his wedding, looking so lost and hopeless she had let him take her innocence. She gave herself to him despite knowing he could never be hers again.

Deciding to feel the weight of the gold coated sword in her hand, Astrid carefully took a grip of the blade's handle and lifted it off the wall.

"Just couldn't resist, could you?"

Astrid quickly turned around and pointed the sword towards the source of the interruption. Thuggory, the son of the Meathead Chief and Sigrun's cousin, stepped into the room wearing a sly grin on his face. He quickly drew out his own sword and slid it against Astrid's as if to challenge her.

They soon started to spar, just like they had done so during their last encounter.

While Thuggory might be a very experienced fighter, Astrid was a natural. She had been training with every kind of weapon there is since the day she could walk. Her strikes and footwork were smooth, and she managed to hold the upper-hand despite Thuggory's strength and size.

When exhaustion began to befall them both and they lowered their defensive stance, Thuggory suddenly took the opportunity to knock Astrid's blade out of hand and then gripped her by the waist, pulling her flush against his chest.

"Skilled and feisty," he smirked down at her. "Just the way I like my women."

Astrid rolled her eyes and squirmed out of his arms to pick up her sword from the ground. She could sense his stare still lingering on her but chose to ignore it.

Men like Thuggory were skirt-chasers and she wasn't going to give herself away to someone like that.

Thuggory folded his arms across his chest, looking even cockier than usual. "Most would kill for a night with me."

Astrid snorted, still not the least bit charmed by his offer. "I'm so sure you like to believe that." She attempted to walk past him but he blocked the doorway with his arm, preventing her from leaving.

"I actually wouldn't mind tying the knot if it meant I could have you writhing underneath me every night. Or above me. Whichever the lady prefers, I never judge."

She eyed him warily, too used by now to the lewd comments of this nature.

"Get out of my way, Thuggory."

He held her gaze for one challenging moment before at last removing his arm to let her pass.

-o0o-

The annual gathering with Chief Mogadon was the main reason Hiccup had dragged Astrid along. She was still more or less his righthand woman and advisor, much to the Meatheads obvious dismay. They had hoped Mogadon's niece would have occupied this position by now but Sigrun held little to no interest in any matters involving politics and dragons. She had already played her part in agreeing to a political marriage with the Hooligan Chief. It had been one of her uncle's conditions in exchange for peace. Mogadon agreed to refrain from going to war with Berk as long as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock gave in to all of his terms.

Throughout the entire meeting, Astrid heard gossips and whispers about herself. Mogadon's shameless leering also didn't go unbeknownst to her. The apple apparently didn't fall far from the tree where the Meathead men were concerned. They all sought the same thing from her.

A fest was to follow the next evening and everyone was to dress up in their fanciest gear. Astrid knew such a scene was not her forte, it had never been, and she was planning to leave for Berk tonight.

She was in the midst of packing up when someone knocked on the door of the guest room she was staying in.

"Come in," she consented, already suspecting who it may be. As predicted, Hiccup entered room and then locked the door behind him.

She knew he was already aware she was beyond being persuaded to stay. It still didn't stop him from trying.

"Leaving so soon?"

He looked unhappy, eyes cast downwards in a frown, and for a moment she almost regretted her rash decision. But just as quickly, she was reminded of the the wedding band he was wearing and the doubts all but dissipated away.

"You know how I am," she shrugged, turning her back to him so couldn't read her solemn expression.

"If you stayed a little longer we could all leave together."

"Yeah, I'm sure Sigrun would love that," she muttered with a sarcastic bite.

"Sigrun doesn't mind." His tone uncertain and unconvincing.

"Of course she minds, Hiccup," Astrid shook her head, sighing. "She is your wife."

There was a silent pause before he walked closer until his warm breath was brushing against the nape of her neck.

"Please don't go, Ast," he whispered, making her shiver and give rise to forbidden desires.

She shut her eyes close to calm her heart rate. She was determined to stand by her decision even if it pained her to do so.

"I have to," she mumbled at last, kissing him on his cheek before reluctantly pulling away from his touch.

-o0o-

Astrid didn't head straight back to Berk but instead flew farther north to explore the mountains. In case they would ever need a new hideout base, these cliffside peaks would work efficiently.

It wasn't until the cold began stinging against her skin and the daylight grew dim she decided to set course for Berk.

-o0o-

"Done wi' those swords yet lad?"

"I suppose." Eret held up the finished result for Gobber to inspect.

Each sword was finely crafted but there was one that especially stood out.

"Th' blade on this one is a bit tay light."

"Gronkle iron, sir. Astrid specifically requested it the last time," he explained with feign nonchalance.

Gobber knitted his eyebrows. "Is 'at so?" he remarked.

In truth Astrid had only mentioned it in passing, but Eret had hoped to surprise her. He wanted to make her smile.

Once they closed up the blacksmith shop for the day, Eret followed Gobber outside.

They stared towards the horizon, watching the sun setting.

"It's always a wondrous sight to behold. I don't think I will ever tire of it."

"Aye."

Gobber paused. "...It sure makes ye smile."

Eret nodded, wearing a small grin as he retreated to his hut for the night.

Gobber watched him walk away with a solemn expression.

"But do not let 'er fool ye boy..." he muttered to himself.

"A sunset will ne'er smile back at ye."

I managed to delete a chapter from this story so unsure if I will continue it or not.