You know what's really sad? I was telling my brother (E-Sharp777 here on fanfiction) about the scene in my fanfiction "Wayward Strangers" when Astrid hits Hiccup with a snowball and Hiccup says, "Tell my family I love him" and then proceeds to fake-die. Well, I told my brother that, and he instantly said, "Family? What family?" And I kind of stared at him because he crushed me with feels and that scene is no longer funny for me.

*sniffs* R.I.P. Stoick...and for those who have read the books, you also know what other family member Hiccup has who dies...

Now I have to do shout-outs:

silverwolvesarecool: I seriously laughed out loud. No joke. SOMEONE HAS TO KILL DAGUR! HICCUP! HICCUP GO FOR IT! KILL THE DERANGED CHIEF! MAKE HIM PAY!

HiccupHaddockIII: HICCUP! AGGGHHHHHHH!

unpredictable cupcake: No kidding. :)

Guest: I haven't really thought about it. I really love Flara and Seaworthy, but I think I might leave it as it is. It kind of has a happy ending, and I don't know what I would do in a sequel. I'll keep it in mind, though. :D

Hiccup nodded half-heartedly as Dagur left the arena, calling his Berserkers to follow him. As soon as they were gone, I ran forward, followed closely by Toothless, towards the Kill Ring. I ran through the still-open gate, raced up to Hiccup, and threw my arms around him. I didn't know what else to do. He seemed at that point as if he needed a hug, too. His clothes were sweat soaked, but I ignored it. It didn't matter. All that mattered was that Hiccup was still alive.

After just a moment, I heard his weapon clatter to the ground, and then felt him hug me back. We stood there for what felt like forever, just holding each other in comfort, until we pulled away at the same time, my eyes meeting his.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He nodded weakly. "Yeah, I'm just going to...sit down."

"Right, okay," I said. He sank to the ground right there and then, sighing with relief. I sat down next to him, eying him worriedly. Toothless bounded over, sniffing his rider, ruffling his hair with his breath. Hiccup patted the dragon's head gently, and then leaned against the wall of the arena.

"You look exhausted," I commented, sliding my arm behind his shoulders and pulling him into a side-ways hug.

Hiccup chuckled, but it died in his throat. "I am, kinda," he admitted. "But...I think I'll live."

"How many rounds does Dagur want you to fight?" I asked.

"Three," said Hiccup.

"That's…" I started, trying to find the words to say. Hiccup glanced at me, and I looked back at him, my icy blue eyes meeting his emerald green ones. "Hiccup, you can't fight another round like that one," I said. "You'll be killed."

"Astrid," said Hiccup, leaning forward if just slightly, "I lost my leg at fifteen, was struck by lightning at sixteen, battled Dagur for the first time and won at seventeen...I'm captured by Alvin and the Outcasts all the time...I think I can manage a little swordplay."

"This is more than swordplay, Hiccup," I said, biting back the urge to snap at him for bringing up previous events. He knew I hated it when he did that. "This is a fight to the death. Dagur wants to kill you."

"As always," said Hiccup offhandedly. "It's nothing new, really."

I bit my lip. Instead of responding, I tangled my fingers in Hiccup's hair, letting them work on their own. I felt Hiccup relax at the touch, closing his eyes. Normally he hated it when I braided his hair. He never actually told me or said it to my face, but I knew he hated it. Now, though, he was letting me do it without snapping at me, or telling me to stop. It wasn't exactly good.

"Thanks," he said after I finished. "You know, for...hanging around."

"Of course," I said. "You really think I would ditch you?"

Hiccup shrugged. "Well...not really," he said, "but you never know."

I was shocked. "I won't leave until you beat Dagur," I said.

"But...what if I can't?" Hiccup asked, his voice quiet.

"I know you will," I said. "That insane Chief deserves to die."

"Mmm...okay," Hiccup said. "I'm not going to argue with you."

"Wise decision," I said. "You should probably rest until the fight."

"Wasn't going to do anything else," Hiccup commented. "Besides, resting sounds very inviting. Wake me up fifteen minutes before we fight." Before I could say anything else, he leaned over, resting his head on my shoulder and falling asleep almost instantly.

I couldn't help but feel as if it were my fault. If I had just watched where I was going. If I had just looked behind me before Dagur grabbed me. If I had only somehow managed to talk Hiccup out of the fight.

It was all my fault. That was the truth of the matter. It was because of me this was happening. It was because of me, Hiccup was either going to live or die, the answer being defined somewhere after the next hour.

And it was all...my...fault.

Hiccup slept soundly, and when it came time to wake him, I felt bad. I shook him awake, and he shot up almost instantly, recollecting his weapon and rising to his feet.

"Here we go," he moaned. "This is going to be...awful."

"You can do it, though," I encouraged. "I know you can. You just have to...kill Dagur, and…" I paused, looking at Hiccup's fatigued appearance. There was no way he would win. Just no way.

"Let me fight," I said. Hiccup shook his head, but I ignored him. "I could cut my hair and make it look like yours," I said. "We could pull it off, Hiccup. We have the time! I could...I don't know!"

"There's not another choice, Astrid," said Hiccup. "I have to do this."

"But...but you'll be killed," I said.

"Maybe," said Hiccup. "But, then again, maybe not." He glanced at me, smiling in a way that was meant to be reassuring, although in the end was anything but.

"Just...don't die," I said. "If you die, you will be in so much trouble with me, Hiccup Haddock."

"Oh, well, I'll make a note of that," said Hiccup, shrugging. As we spoke, Berserkers started taking their places again around the arena. It was much like the one we had on Berk, only bigger, and much more...dark, for lack of better word.

Toothless growled, nudging Hiccup's side.

"Hey, I'll be okay, buddy," he said, rubbing his dragon's head lightly. Toothless didn't look convinced, though, and looked at me and his rider with sad eyes. For a Night Fury, his eyes were unbelievably expressible. What he couldn't say in words, he made up for in expressions.

Hiccup was the same way. He glanced at me, trying to force a smile on his face, but I saw right through him. I always did. I could always see the emotions he tried so desperately to hide and keep from other people.

"You guys need to go," said Hiccup. "I'll see you...soon."

"Okay, sooner than later," I said. "We...we'll be rooting for you."

"I know you will," Hiccup smiled. "Now go."