Astrid stood rooted to the dusty, stone floor of the training arena, stunned by the events that were happening right before her eyes.

The Monstrous Nightmare. Toothless coming to Hiccup's rescue. Stoick furious beyond imagine.

Hiccup was now on Toothless' back on the saddle he'd built, staring down his father with astonishing courage that even the most tenacious of Vikings would falter in. He stood firm in what he believed in, and that was enough strength for him to not be moved as he protected his friend.

"If you kill Toothless, you'll have to kill me too."

A hand flew to cover her mouth as Astrid gasped at his words. She shook her head, silently willing the Chief to not take the sentiment to action. She wouldn't be able to hold her tongue if anything happened to Hiccup. She wouldn't be able to bear witnessing him die.

Astrid stayed hidden in the shadows of the tunnel leading into the arena. Words were exchanged by father and son, but their voices were too low to hear what they were saying.

Hiccup never wavered as he stared his father down as if he knew no fear. Stoick pointed sharply to the tunnel exit. The crowd talked amongst themselves at the turn of events as several of Berk's finest warriors stood by to take down the Night Fury.

Somehow Hiccup kept Toothless calm throughout the exchange. He leaned down to talk to Toothless before the dragon took off toward the exit.

"Hiccup!" Astrid shouted, and Toothless landed long enough for her to jump on behind Hiccup. They cleared the arena and were gone.

Astrid remained silent as her Chief practically dragged her along. Dread flooded her as Stoick approached the one structure she'd never entered before on Berk: the stockade. He was hauling her off to prison; no chance of escape; no chance of stealing away to get to Hiccup.

Stoick swung the thick wooden door open as if it were made of parchment. His torch lit the way down a cheerless hallway. He stopped at a door to the right, drawing out a ring of keys from his belt and unlocking the door.

Astrid knew this was it. He was locking her away.

As they entered the room, a single chair sat within the middle of the space. He none-so-gently plopped her down upon the chair and shut the door. He lit the lamp that hung on a hook from the ceiling, snuffed out the torch, then set his hard gaze upon her.

Astrid had never feared her Chief. She respected him as a Great Warrior and Leader before he sent Hiccup into exile. She understood the man's decision to send his son away, but her regard for him had shifted. Wariness had set in, but not fear; not until now.

In the flickering lamplight, Stoick the Vast appeared as a menacing, horned giant, his massive fists like war hammers ready to pound the life from their victims. Astrid gripped the seat of the chair, speculating for the first time if her Chief would strike her.

"Now, Hofferson. Did Hiccup put you up to releasing those dragons?"

She kept her voice strong, even through the fear, as she answered him. "No, sir. I made that decision myself."

"You just out of the blue decide to commit treason? To side with the dragons and toss aside your people? With no influence from my-" Stoick caught himself, but Astrid knew what he was about to say. After all this time, Stoick still thought of Hiccup as his son and that struck her. "The traitor," he corrected. He bent down towards her, the shadows cast from the lamplight causing an eerie affect on his face. His words hissed out like a snake spitting venom. "Has Hiccup set foot on Berk after he was exiled?"

She wanted to lie, but she didn't trust her voice with the answer. Extreme emotions filled the small room from both occupants and suffocated her as if she were drowning in them. She would not betray Hiccup, and that gave her the strength to straighten in the chair and stare her Chief down in defiance.

Stoick watched for a long beat, eyes narrowed. Then he stood to full height again, nodding his head slowly. "Oh, I see."

Stoick's gaze stole away and Astrid could breath again. She observed the Chief, noticing a shift in his posture, in the harsh mood that had been present in the room. Stoick crossed his arms and bowed his head, the fight seeming to diffuse visibly in him. He looked almost defeated.

He kept his eyes to the wall beside her. "He is well?" the question was stiff but truly genuine.

Astrid didn't know whether to answer. Was this a trick to get her to reveal Hiccup's comings and goings? But no, Stoick was a straightforward man, not a trickster or manipulator. Astrid had to trust her gut that this would not be the biggest mistake of her life.

"He is," she replied in barely a whisper.

Stoick's back rose and fell in a deep sigh. "Does he come often?"

"Every chance he can get to come see me." If he only knew their plan, save the Chief the time in bestowing his judgement upon her. She let it slip. "I'm going into exile with him. We'll leave, and you never have to deal with us again, sir."

"Oh, you're not leaving, Hofferson." Stoick turned to face her, the hardness returning in his voice. He stepped forward, towering like a giant intimidating a village. "I will not deal with another traitor the way I did Hiccup. You're staying right here."

Astrid's chest heaved in impending sobs as the door slammed shut behind Stoick, the sound echoing her doom.

What would Hiccup think if she didn't show up? Would he take the risk to search for her in the village? Stoick wouldn't allow his son to freely leave a second time. Astrid froze as an icy chill gripped her on the spot, another terrible thought crossing her panicked mind.

What if she was bait for Stoick to capture his lost son?