Disclaimer: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon or any of it's characters.

Astrid walked into the arena that morning with a smile on her face, "Morning, guys."

Ruff and Tuff looked up from their spots in the corner doing...whatever it was that they were doing with Barf and Belch. Tuff was holding Chicken on his head, "And a good morning too you, A!" he leaned over to his sister, "Is it just me or is Astrid a little more...happier than normal?"

"She hasn't even thrown an axe at Snotlout yet."

Astrid laughed, "I don't need to inflict bodily harm on people in order to be happy."

"They do have a good point," Snotlout looked up from where he was collecting Monstrous Nightmare gel, "You haven't threatened me yet."

Tuff paced over the arena floor, "Case and point! There are a few things that could make our lovely shield maiden general react as such."

"It doesn't always have to be that complex, Tuffnut," Fishlegs tossed another boxite towards Meatlug, "Maybe Astrid is just having a good day."

Snotlout frowned, "You know that's not true. She usually marches in here all business, tells me to do what she says unless I want to be strung in the village square, and then stomps off with a grin on her face."

"Good point."

"I'm just happy, it's not that big of a deal!" Astrid reached over to Stormfly to adjust the new harness.

Ruffnut reached out and grabbed her arm, holding the wrist with the silver chain in front of her face, "Something is new."

"I've got it!" Tuff clapped his hands, "You've finally discovered a secret language with Stormfly and together you're going off on adventure to raid a dead-pirate's treasure. Possibly to buy your own ship and become a pirate dragon lady. Or maybe a-"

"That's ridiculous, how do you come up with that stuff?" Astrid waved her hands at the twins, "Hiccup gave this to bracelet to me, that's all."

"Astrid."

Fishlegs took the blond woman's hand and looked at the silver chain on her wrist, "I saw Hiccup working on this in the forge. He's spent weeks on it - figuring out some new way to heat the metal and combine it with Gronckle iron. It's light, flexible, and pretty much unbreakable."

Astrid smiled, "I really like it."

"Is there something you want to tell us?"

There were times when Astrid forgot that Fishlegs and Hiccup were best friends. Fishlegs was one of the advisors to the chief, and was one of the most intelligent and observant people on the island.

There wasn't much that she could hide from him.

"W-Well," she scratched the back of her head, her face heating up, "Everyone knows Hiccup and I have been betrothed for a while, and...well, he finally asked me if we should get married and I said okay."

"Astrid, that's fantastic!" Fishlegs grinned.

"Hicstrid, huh?" Snotlout snorted, "Finally making it legit?"

"We haven't really told anyone yet, we kind of wanted to just enjoy it a few days before telling everyone so keep it to yourselves for now," she pointed at the twins with a glare, "That means you guys."

"Lips are sealed, A!" Tuff replied and both twins saluted, "Your secret safe with us."

"This is so exciting!" Fishlegs chuckled, "Berk hasn't had a wedding like this in years. People would probably want to come from all over!"

"I know, that's really the only thing I'm worried about."

"What do you mean?"

Astrid sighed, "I'm a warrior, guys. Normally, they would pick a daughter from some chief or rich merchant to marry Hiccup. I'm just...me. I'm better with fighting in battle. I don't want to do anything stupid and make things difficult for him."

"You'll be fine, Astrid. All you have to do is be yourself and everyone will see what we see. Someone who deserves to be Berk's chieftess more than anyone else."

There were smiles on everyone's face, and Astrid felt her heart grow lighter.

"Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it."

Snotlout clapped his hands, "This means we get out of morning drills, right? Celebrating and all that?"

Astrid laughed out loud, "I didn't say that."

There were annoyed grumbles and happy chattering mixed with the occasional chicken squak.

Some things never changed.

The young man sat at his massive wooden desk, using a small pestle and mortar to grind the Monstrous Nightmare and Singetail scales together. If he got the formula just right, they would be able to create a new type of firepowder that would be able to penetrate metal.

Wood was easy. Wood burned and you could smash it with large rocks. He wasn't interested in that nonsense - people could just build stronger walls and strongholds. No...he was interested in demolishing them. He wanted to be able to take down any structure, any means of defense.

Grinding the scales together into a fine power, and then combining them with a pinch of sulfur and charcoal. The previous recipes didn't have enough strength to do what he needed, but this new batch would be more than enough to take care of the job.

Once he was satisfied that the mixture was appropriate, he reached to the side to retrieve his newest contraption.

The handle was made from a light stone and wrapped in metal. The barrel could hold three ball barrings, which he had produced himself in the smithy. He needed a type of ammunition that was small and wouldn't break down in the process.

He loaded the chamber of the barrel, and snapped it shut.

Taking a small piece of parchment, he poured the fine powder onto the sheet, and folded it to pour into the chamber.

It was an ingenious invention. He had outdone himself this time.

Once the chamber was loaded, he clipped the final lock over the barrel, and then held the object in front of his face to look through the sight.

There was a long muzzle to guide the ammunition and make it fire straight.

No one else had seen such a device, and he made sure that whoever survived the experience was executed. He wouldn't tolerate anything other than vague rumors about the technology they were developing. He didn't want annoyances to step in the way of his plan.

Pulling the goggles off his face, he stood up from the desk and walked across his large office. It was a room at the top of the building, with a vast room covered in bay windows. Making he way to the door to the outside, he pulled the trigger back on the firearm and aimed it at the practice target at the end of the outdoor walkway.

He didn't want his office smelling of firepowder afterall.

Pulling the trigger back, he fired once at the target, gritting his teeth slightly at the kickback.

He still had to fix that.

Different type of dragon scales produced different results. He watched as the target was completely obliterated. Shredded pieces of wood and fabric exploded over the balcony. Some were more effective than others - this latest batch was definitely the most effective.

He would need more dragons.

"Sir," the guard approached the door, "Pardon my disturbance, but I have a message."

The young man was lithe and thin, the air mussed his short hair slightly as he dragged his fingers through the blond locks.

Green eyes stared at the guard in annoyance, "I thought I told everyone I didn't want to be disturbed."

"I-I'm sorry, my lord! B-But-"

He snatched the message from the guard and scanned it. With a snort, he stomped back into the office, "Find Abigail and tell her to report to my office. It appears that Berk's chief will be attending the Summit."

"Berk, sir?"

The man yelped as he turned and pointed the firearm straight at him.

"Did I leave the conversation open for clarification? Do what I say without questions or maybe you will be next subject to test my latest invention."

"Y-Yes, Lord Taryn! I'm sorry, sir!"

He shuffled out the door quickly and Taryn chuckled to himself as it slammed shut. It was so difficult to find good help these days.

Taryn set the firearm onto the desk and stared at the drawings and maps in front of him.

All the planning and ideas he had come up with in the last two decades - he was finally getting to a point where he could start putting them in motion. He didn't have to keep playing someone he wasn't and finally start taking what belonged to him.

All the territories. All the land, the dragons...everything that belonged to him.

He thought about Berk's chief Hiccup Haddock. The man was young but had made a name for himself as the Dragon Master, defeating Dragon Hunters alike and protecting his own. There was much talk about the new chief and what was in store for him. The other tribes were speaking well of him, and Taryn didn't like the fact that the man probably had more influence in the area than he himself realized.

Berk's chief would definitely be an annoyance.

"You summoned me, sir?"

Abigail was the head of his guard and one of his most trusted advisors. They had known eachother their entire lives - she was one of the few people that new him in the past. His past life before he knew the truth and realized what his true calling was.

"It looks like we'll be going to the Summit after all, Abigail. Hiccup Haddock will be there."

"The risk of the other chieftains learning of our status-"

"Is minimal," Taryn smiled, "After all, we're just a poor country on the outskirts of the north, hm? Too far for anyone to notice."

"This is a good point, sir."

"I think I'll take my new invention with. You never know when you'll run into danger."

Abigail nodded in agreement, "Of course, my lord. I will take care of the arrangements. No details will be missed."

"You never miss details, Abigail, I can always count on you to be well organized."

"Yes, sir."

He tucked the firearm into it's case. If he was honest, Taryn was interested to meet the man that was the focus of everyone's attention. Maybe he was looking forward to this Summit more than he wanted to admit.

They were preparing for the annual Clan Summit.

It was supposed to be a routine trip. Gobber and Fishlegs would attend as advisors - they frequently accompanied Hiccup on his journeys to the other clans - but Astrid would be lying if she had good feelings about it. They had plenty of dragons going with, including Toothless, but Astrid wouldn't be satisfied unless she accompanied Hiccup herself. She trusted anyone on Berk with her life, but with Hiccup's life she would only feel okay if she went personally.

If she showed up, it would create too much of a scene in front of the other chiefs. She was infamous for being their most capable warrior on the island and general for their Berk forces. Having her beside him as a bodyguard would be a blatant sign of distrust that it would ruin everything that they had worked for.

"That takes care of all the regular business," Hiccup crossed another item off his list, "Any new business?"

Spitelout slammed a fist on the table, "These rumors are starting to get out of hand. How do we know this isn't one of the other clans trying to keep us on Berk and out of the Summit?"

Astrid stood guard as normal by the Great Hall door. It was customary that no one would enter during the sessions, she would pass messages if needed. It sounded like mediocre work, but only the most trusted people could take care of messages to the chief during a meeting.

"I'm not sure these are entirely rumors. Sometimes these things are based somewhat in fact," Hiccup leaned back in the chair, "What are they saying exactly?"

"There's rumors of a flying city. Some type of fortress," Gobber frowned, "A fortress with impenetrable holdings and terrible weapons."

"What kind of weapons?"

"Ones that are able to destroy a single village in one blast."

Hiccup seemed lost in thought as the other elders murmured amongst themselves, "Does any of these sound familiar to you, mom? Have you heard of anything like this on your travels?"

"I haven't seen it with my own eyes, but there were whispers about someone building a city in the clouds. It was never proven as fact."

"If this is some type of plan to try and dissuade me from going to the Summit, its not going to work, but I think I'll do a little extra investigation while I'm there. Fishlegs, did you say that Dagur was going to be at the Summit?"

"Daguar will be attending as the chief of Berzerker island."

"If anyone would know anything about it shadows and plotting, it would be Dagur."

"I have a bad feeling about this, Hiccup," Gobber told him, "There's something about this whole thing that doesn't smell right. I think you should take extra reinforcements."

"You know that's out of the question. Any extra show of force will make the other chiefs think that I don't trust them. This will be my first time attending the Summit as Berk's chief. I can't afford to mess this up."

Astrid agreed with Gobber - she had a funny feeling about it too. There was something else going on that they hadn't figured out yet. She just couldn't imagine what it was.

"There is one option that we have," Hiccup replied.

He glanced over at Astrid from the table and she realized what it was he was going to suggest. Part of her had wished that they would have time together for a little longer without other people getting involved. But she would do anything to make sure that Hiccup was safe.

"What option do you refer too, Hiccup?" Valka looked interested.

He stood up in front of all the village leaders and his family, "All chiefs are allowed to bring two advisors and their wife."

There was murmurs in the room, and suddenly everyone looked at Astrid. She felt her face heat up from where she stood guard at the front door.

"What are you saying?"

"I have formally asked Astrid to marry me and she has agreed," he sighed, a small smile on his face, "We had hoped to plan something a little more fun to tell everyone but...yeah."

There was silence and for a moment, Astrid thought that it was all going to end badly. Looking up at Hiccup, he only smiled at her with that lopsided smile that she knew so well.

She almost yelped as everyone erupted in cheers and laughter.

Astrid found herself pulled forward by Valka while Gobber slapped Hiccup loudly on the back. The younger man flinched and rubbed his arm.

"It's about time, boyo!" Spitelout laughed.

"Took you long enough," Gobber chuckled, "We all thought we'd be dead in our graves before you pulled your head of a yak's behind and came to your senses."

Valka placed Astrid's hand in Hiccups, "Don't stand in the back of the room, my dear. You deserve to be up front."

"B-But-"

Astrid felt Hiccup guide her towards the chair, sitting her in his seat at the head of the table.

"If there was anyone that we would welcome to marry Berk's chief," Fishlegs grinned at her, "You know that we all respect you and your accomplishments, Astrid. There's no one else that we'd rather have."

She felt her eyes burn slightly and she clenched Hiccup's hand.

"The wedding would have to be before the Summit. Are you guys ready for that?" Fishlegs told them, "It would be a perfect plan, I agree. No one is a more capable warrior than Astrid. As a bodyguard it would cause issues but...if she goes as your wife no one would question it."

Hiccup pulled the chair out slightly and knelt before her at the table. He never cared what people thought, and she respected him for that.

"This is completely your choice, Astrid," Hiccup pressed her hand to his face, "If you want to wait, we can do that. If you're okay with getting married before the Summit, we can do that too."

There was a silence in the room. Astrid looked around at the faces, and then back at Hiccup.

She grinned and knew her answer.

"Whether its now or later, Hiccup Haddock, I would marry you. It wouldn't change the fact that I love you with everything I am. I say let's do it. Plus," Astrid chuckled, "No one can keep an eye on you like I can. If I go with, you'll definitely stay out of trouble."

There was a cheer around the table and Astrid grinned and laughed as Hiccup pressed her hands to his lips.

"Alright!" he stood, laughing along with him, "I know that everyone wants to celebrate, but we have a lot to do. Fishlegs, I'm going to need to meet with you later to hash out some other things. Mom...can you help Astrid and her mother with whatever preparations they need?"

"I would love too," Valka chuckled.

"What do you say, Astrid?" Hiccup said, "You ready to go on another adventure with me? It's been a while."

"I'll go anywhere, Hiccup, as long as it's with you."