It was the weekend and there was not much happening since Hiccup had some sort of training to do with his father today. He wouldn't disclose the details to me and he said that he couldn't. It was a chief's honour to remain silent about these kingdom matters, so I didn't bother asking. But I had begun to hear rumours about town…rumours that involved Odin and him being punished so severely for threatening me that even death would be petrified. I dearly hoped these rumours weren't true. And I knew Hiccup. If they were true, he'd surely find a way to stop it?

I wondered into the forest on my own, in search for something. I knew what it was, but I wanted to be stealth and quiet. I didn't want to make any sudden or rash movements. So I silently made my way along the path that I had met with Toothless and Hiccup the other day. I didn't want Hiccup to know, but Odin had left scars on my neck where he had strangled me. Or tried to anyway. I had worn a scarf since then to hide it, or else a long sleeved shirt with a hood. I just didn't want it exposed.

Lost in thought, I trundled up the path until I saw a familiar outline in the distance. I stopped mid-step and whispered into forest, "Toothless?" He also had an arched back and looked as if he was ready to pounce. I beckoned him closer and slid slowly forward. Didn't Hiccup say he lured Toothless in with a fish? I really need to remember that next time.

Toothless responded to my outstretched hand and nudged it curiously. He was warming up to me. I chuckled and patted him gently. He spun around me playfully and I beckoned him forward, "Come here, boy! Come to me, Toothless." The dragon even gave me a beaming smile. I felt delighted as he stood up on his hind legs like a human and peered at me in wonderment. He made an almost purring noise as he stared deep into my eyes. I was transfixed. His eyes were so fervently green and vivid.

Then I asked him hesitantly, "Toothless, I don't know if you understand me?" The dragon cocked his head to the side in response and then he disappeared suddenly. I groaned and kicked a small rock in frustration. Why did this keep happening? As soon as I thought we were making progress…

Then I laughed when he returned and he had a stick in his mouth. I grinned and asked him excitedly, "You wanna play fetch, Toothless?" The dragon rolled on his back enthusiastically and then pounced around like a dog who was ready to catch a ball. I grinned, "Alright then. Fetch!" I threw the stick as far as I could, but apparently it wasn't far enough. Toothless flew there in a minute and was back with it, before dropping it to my feet. He rolled his eyes at me as if to taunt me, "Is that the best you can do?" I grinned at him, "Alright then. Try THIS!" I threw the stick as far as I possibly could, with all my might up into the trees. Toothless shot upwards and then came back down, looking more pleased with himself.

About twenty minutes later, we were still playing fetch when I heard a voice behind me, "Uhm…" I turned to see Hiccup standing there and trying to look mad. I knew he wasn't mad of course. He raised an eyebrow, "What do you think is going on, Miss Astrid?" I turned and smirked at him, casually pretending like I was nervous of his reaction, "Oh well you know, sometimes it's nice to try and play catch with my friends dragon, that's all." Hiccup strode towards me rather confidently and Toothless nudged my hand with his nose. He had the stick in his mouth so I pointed out, "Well obviously Toothless wants me to play with him. Not you. Isn't that right, Toothless?" Toothless nodded in agreement. Hiccup raised one disbelieving eyebrow, "Are you actually trying to turn my own dragon against me?" I took the stick out of Toothless's mouth and shrugged my shoulders, "Well…when you put it that way…"

Hiccup ran at me and tried to grab the stick from me. I laughed loudly, "You know, there are plenty of sticks lying on the ground. You don't need this one!" He chuckled jokingly, "Yes well, that's the only one I want." He made a swipe for it and I pulled it out of his reach easily, "Nope." He folded his arms irritably, "Seriously Astrid, how old are we?" I grinned widely, "You tell me." He made a grab for it again and swerved, unbalanced. I laughed delightedly and he widened his eyes in surprise, "Are you actually having fun?" I sassed him right back, "I'm the definition of fun."
He chuckled and tried to get the stick again. This time, he fell forward, losing his balance completely and landed on top of me! I felt the breath escape from my chest and my heart fluttered embarrassingly loudly…I was pretty sure he could hear it. I tried to sit up, but then after a heartbeat he got off me, albeit awkwardly considering his leg.

Hiccup stumbled a bit and then looked embarrassed about it. I held him upwards to balance him and he mumbled, "Thanks for that." He smiled awkwardly and rubbed his arms, "Thanks. So as I was saying, I see you're playing with my dragon." I beamed at him and Hiccup poked his head over my shoulder curiously. I grinned, "It turns out, Hiccup really likes catch. How did things go with your father?"
Hiccup became all embarrassed again, "Well, you know I can't talk about it." I rolled my eyes, "Hiccup, I wasn't asking for the details." He nodded bit his lip before sighing, "Yeah, but I'm gonna give them to you." I frowned in surprise, "Really? But you said you couldn't." He grumbled impatiently, "I know what I said. The thing is, he wants me to marry someone." This was not at all what I'd been expecting! I tried to hide my surprise and failed epically. I muttered in a tight voice, "Well…I guess you'll have no problems there. What girl wouldn't want a hero husband?"

He cringed visibly and I could see he was loathing the prospect of this. He grumbled irritably, "I don't want to get married, Astrid! At least, not right now if I can help it. My father wants me to go and meet a chief-tess on another island somewhere close by. Apparently she's beautiful and we have been betrothed..." here he shuddered visibly, "Since birth! He just told me about it now. I feel so…so…" My ears were ringing! He had been betrothed? Since birth?

I blinked at him, uncomprehending. How had Stoick not mentioned this to him? It was unfair on so many levels! I gaped at him, perplexed and uncertain what to say. He stared at me for a moment before commenting, "Wow, Astrid! I don't think I've ever seen you so speechless before." I bit my lip, uncertain what to say to him. He hadn't seen me so speechless before, because I usually had a smart mouth and an answer for everything. He grumbled impatiently "Wow Astrid! It must be really bad if you don't have a solution to the problem!" I glared at him and snapped, "It's not my fault you're in this mess, Hiccup! No need to take it out on me!" He sighed and flopped down on a nearby rock, "I know I'm sorry. I just feel so blindsided by my dad. It's not your fault." He looked at me apologetically. I nodded seriously, "I know. I just feel sorry for you. There's nothing I can do to fix this."

Hiccup's eyes brightened suddenly, "Maybe there is!" he said delightedly, snapping his fingers as the idea came to him. I frowned and said nervously, "What would that be Hiccup?" His ideas weren't always the greatest, even if he was now classified a hero. He beamed at me ecstatically, "How about we tell my dad that I'm engaged to you already?" I felt my jaw drop for the second time since this conversation started, "Hiccup, no!" He shook his hands fervently at me, "Wait! You haven't heard the half of it!" I grimaced, "I'm pretty sure that whatever idea is going on in your head should be stopped right." Hiccup continued relentlessly, "Basically we'll fake the engagement, as long as you agree to it." He looked at me pleadingly, with his big green eyes and I felt myself crumble. How could I say no to that face? I pierced my lips together and said tiredly, "Can I at least have time to think about it? I mean it's not something I can just agree to right now." Hiccup blushed and looked completely embarrassed, "Well, we're heading to Dragon's Edge in three days' time…so I kind of need an answer by then."

I said solemnly, "Three days?! Hiccup…how long are you going for?" He grimaced and shrugged, "I dunno, but my dad doesn't seem to be wanting to come back here much sooner than a week at the very least. He wants me to get to know this girl." Something like jealousy seem to suddenly flood like nowhere inside of me. It burned in my stomach and made my blood boil! Who was this girl and who did she think she was? Being betrothed someone she didn't know?!" I suddenly inquired interrogatively, arms folded, "What's her name?" He muttered disinterestedly, "Her name is Lena." I sighed and spat, "I guess that's all you know?" Hiccup raised an eyebrow, "Yes, it's all. Why do you sound angry?" I blinked at him in surprise. Was he really so clueless? I mean of course he was, he's Hiccup! But this jealousy was new-found to me too.

I muttered under my breath, "It doesn't matter. Anyway I need all this time to think about it." I had completely forgotten that Toothless was right there the whole time. Evidently so had Hiccup, because the dragon pushed a worried face into his owner's peripheral vision. He had been staring at the ground. Hiccup groaned grouchily, "What do I do, bud? I don't want to marry this girl! She's a stranger to me! It would be worse than marrying say…Tuff! At least I know her."

I cringed at the mere suggestion that Hiccup might even think about marrying tough. I sat down beside Hiccup and murmured, "I'll give you my decision in two days' time, alright? Can you wait that long" Hiccup smiled grimly, "I'll try to convince my dad that I have things to do here. "I smiled and took one of his hands in mine, "That would be best, I think." I squeezed his hand tightly and hoped to the high heavens that he could somehow convince his father to stay here just a little bit longer!

A/N: Hey all! Thanks for all the follows and positive reviews! Here's another chapter for you. Please let me know what you think.