The night passed with Hiccup and Igraine quietly talking over dinner and then retiring to bed, but Hiccup couldn't sleep. His brain was focused on this new found information of Igraine; sorcery was no laughing matter. She seemed like an able person to handle it though, he countered, suddenly wanting to give her the benefit of the doubt. There was something about her that Hiccup couldn't shake, maybe it was that he saw a bit of himself in her? Or was it just the way that she seemed so inviting and inquisitive?

Hiccup thought it was both but either way, he couldn't get that serene look she had on her face during the dragon ride out of his head, even as he lay tossing and turning in bed. Toothless occasionally touched him with his tail, wondering if he was okay. "I'm fine, Toothless, just can't sleep." With a sigh, Hiccup reattached his prosthetic leg before walking down to the main hall, thinking of sitting by the fire. He was surprised to see a small form in front of the already glowing embers as he approached.

Igraine turned upon his approach and Hiccup realized she was dressed in a long black gown. Her eyebrows rose in surprise but a smile played on her pink lips. "Hiccup, what are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep." He replied before joining her on the ground in front of the fire. "What about you, Igraine?"

"I'm paying my respects to Skadi. She's my patron." She noticed the confused look on Hiccup's cute face and giggled. "In sorcery, you choose a patron god or goddess. Skadi is mine since she saved my like."

"How did she save your life?" Hiccup asked.

"I was a still-born." There was a small pause before the pristine Igraine smiled softly, her skin nearly glowing in the light of the fire. Not that Hiccup noticed that, of course! "My mother told her midwife to take me outside during a fierce blizzard. I laid in the snow until the sun rose and when the midwife was told to fetch me, I was giggling and trying to catch snowflakes."

"So Skadi gave you life..." Hiccup let that sink in before he smiled at her, "I'm glad she did."

Igraine blushed before tucking her short hair behind her ear. "Thank you...Um, I should go to bed. See you in the morning, Hiccup." She began to get up but hesitated, looking at Hiccup and chewing on her lip nervously. After a moment, she hurriedly leaned towards him and kissed him gently on the cheek before heading back upstairs just as quickly. "Thank you for everything, Hiccup." Igraine said softly as she climbed the last stairs.

Hiccup's hand slowly touched the cheek she kissed as his neck grew hot. His stomach was doing flips while he stood up, wondering if this was a sign she felt the same way he did. Just how did he feel though? It should have been obvious to him based on the giant grin on his face but the realization that he liked Igraine never hit him and he returned to bed in a dreamy sort of state. Toothless cocked his head in question to which Hiccup merely patted his head, saying "She likes me..." He fell back on his bed and soon drifted off into sleep where dreams of dragons and a certain pale girl awaited him.

In the morning, Hiccup was awoken again by his father's yelling that breakfast was ready. This time, he didn't encounter Frea of Igraine on the stairs and instead found them sitting at the table already. He took the seat next to Igraine, who was dressed in a red tunic, white skirt with fur trim, and white tights with her normal black boots, and they shared a smile before digging in to their fishy breakfast. The conversation of the table was more interesting than yesterday's when Hiccup finally registered what the three adults were chatting on about.

"So, I 'ear your little girl is turning 15 next week." Stoick grinned at Gunthrum before munching on a leg of mutton.

"That she is! She's excited to come to age, aren't ya, Igraine?" Gunthrum patted his daughter on the back and she giggled a bit nervously.

"Doesn't that mean her betrothal is due to happen?" His dad's question shocked him. Betrothal?

"Yes, we are still planning the ceremony." Frea answered calmly.

"Has she picked out the competition yet?" Stoick looked to the girl in question for a response.

Igraine glanced at the confused Hiccup in embarrassment before replying in a hushed voice, "No, I haven't..."

"She has some ideas though. Go on, tell him." Her mother encouraged.

"Well...I-I was thinking of having a sort of scavenger hunt that determines if they have qualities I want..."

"That's a smart idea." Hiccup's gruff father nodded in appreciation. "How is dragon training going?"

Igraine looked at Hiccup in a pleading sort of way and he quickly answered, "Great, she's a natural. I'm thinking of letting her pick out her own dragon today."

"Really?" Igraine asked excitedly, all awkwardness and embarrassment fading with the prospect of dragons.

"Well, don't let us keep you, go." Frea smiled though the worry in her eyes was obvious.

Igraine grinned ear to ear and grabbed Hiccup's hand, nearly dragging him out the door with an amused Toothless following behind. She was nearly jumping up and down all the way to the arena but stopped short when she noticed that it wasn't empty like before. Hiccup nearly ran into her but stopped just in time, stepping around her to see why the excitement was gone. In the middle of the arena was his friends and an annoyed looking Astrid. "Uh, hey, guys." Hiccup smiled sheepishly at them who in turn stared at the cornered Igraine.

"What's she doing here?" Astrid asked, crossing her arms.

"Well, I-I'm giving her dragon lessons." He motioned Igraine forward. "Igraine, these are my friends. That's Tuffnut and Ruffnut, Fishlegs, Snotlout, aaand Astrid."

Igraine nodded, "Nice to meet you..."

"Pleasure is all mine." Snotlout waggled his eyebrows, causing Igraine to blush and Hiccup to roll his eyes in annoyance.

"Easy, Snotlout, this one looks wimpy." Astrid said under her breath while she eyed the scared looking Igraine.

Hiccup gave Astrid a warning looking as Igraine's face fell in hurt. The others laughed, easily falling back into the bully routine. Fishlegs didn't join in and looked uncomfortable, causing Hiccup to give him a grateful look. "Hey, guys, she's a guest so be nice. Is there something you need?"

"Nope, just wondering when we can get our friend back." Astrid said, feigning nonchalance.

"I haven't gone anywhere."

"Really? Then where were you yesterday when we were supposed to hang?" Her eyes narrowed.

Hiccup was momentarily dumbfounded as he tried to recall any plans they had made. "I was teaching Igraine, here. You guys could've joined us."

"We didn't want to interrupt." Astrid nearly hissed. Behind her, Snotlout looked smug, the twins glanced uneasily at each other, and Fishlegs was looking apologetic.

"Astrid what's your problem?" Hiccup pressed, bristling in response to Astrid's temper.

She responded and soon enough, the pair was squaring off, dangerously close and glaring. "You're ditching us for this-this loser!"

"If you don't recall, I was a loser too." Hiccup's voice was quiet but hard as steel.

Astrid's fumed, "But you're not, she's-"

"What? Weak, clumsy, different? So was I, Astrid. You all bullied me because I didn't fit in, and now you're bullying her too? Why, because your jealous?" Hiccup instantly regretted his words as Astrid's fist went into the air. He squeezed his eyes shut but she never hit him and Hiccup slowly opened his eyes, suddenly realizing why Astrid didn't punch him and why there was a thick tension now hanging in the air.