Chapter 4: Trouble –In Which Astrid Finds Out About Kara

Stoick POV

Next Morning

I sat at the table quill and scroll in hand, thinking of what I wanted to put in my last letter to Ingrid. Hearing Hiccup's uneven footsteps coming down the stairs, I looked up at him "Morning son." He smiled at me "Morning Dad. I'm going to go fly around to see when her ship arrives." He said placing the letter from Kara on the table.

I nodded "Make sure you eat something in the Mead Hall and I want you in the house an hour after dark. If she comes tonight, I'll be up to meet her."

Hiccup nodded, obviously too happy to care about my rules. "Sure dad." He grinned and walked out the door, Toothless close behind. I sighed happily and picked up the quill to continue my response to Ingrid.

Dear Ingrid,

I have heard many things about you all that make you more than suitable to be my wife. As for your daughter Rayne, if she is anything like you, we will have no trouble finding her a husband when the time comes. So I do agree to your condition and wish for you to be here within a months' time, if possible. Below is a list of agreements that will be put into our marriage contract.

• You and Rayne will learn to train and ride a dragon

• You will perform your wifely duties within each day

• While you may not be my children's mother, I ask that you care for them as you would Rayne

I look forward to meeting you and making you my wife.

See you soon, Stoick

After reading over the letter I rolled up the scroll and walked outside. I greeted villagers as I passed them, working my way into the forest. Once I was far enough in I whistled low and was answered by the sharp cry of Delsin, Rayne's hawk. Delsin swooped down and perched on a branch. "Here ya go. Travel safe." I said placing the scroll into his talons. Delsin seemed to nod and he took off. I prayed to the gods that he made it safe, my future depended on it.

Hours later, the sun is going down

Hiccup POV

I stared out at the water and watched the sun start to descend. I only had about two hours before I had to go home. Behind me Toothless laid in the dirt, his tail flopping every few moments.

"I know it's not the most exciting thing we could be doing right now but I promise you're going to love meeting her." I said reaching back and scratching behind his ear.

Said ears perked up and I turned around to look up and saw Astrid "Hey Hiccup, you've been sitting here almost all day. Is everything okay?" I nodded slightly nervous as to why she would be asking after me.

"Everything's great Astrid, just great." I smile, wider than I expected but I was just so happy to have Kara home.

She smiled "Well I was just about to go for a walk, do you want to come with me?"

I hesitated, a big part of me did, really bad, but the other part wanted and needed to stay here and wait for Kara. "Sorry Astrid, I can't I'm…busy." I said lamely.

Astrid nodded "Uh huh….busy with what exactly?" I gave a nervous smile "Uh, seeing how long it takes a dragon to fall asleep from boredom….really important. Sorry."

Astrid rolled her eyes, clearly not believing me. "I'll see you tomorrow Hiccup." She said turning back toward the village. "Later Astrid." I watched her retreating form until it blurred until the houses just outside the village. Turning back toward the cliff I scanned the waters again. This was going to be a long wait.

One hour later

I rubbed my eyes and looked back out at the water. Toothless had dozed off about half an hour ago, and I was getting ready to head back home. That's when I saw it. A lantern attached to a boat, not far out from the docks.

I stood up quickly, "Hey Bud, come on. She's here. "I said shaking the sleeping dragon. He looked up at me and got to his feet. I grinned at him and got on his back. He flew us down to the docks and I got off him.

As we stood waiting for the ship to reach the docks I decided to lay a few ground rules with Toothless "Okay Toothless, there will be no, jumping on her, no licking her….unless she says it's okay." He gave me a look that said he would determine the type of treatment my sister got. I sighed "Fine." The boat got closer and I was able to see my sister's fire red hair from under the hooded cloak she wore in the dim glow of the lantern.

I smiled "Hello Kara." I said helping her from the boat. She smiled "Hello Hiccup." I pulled her into a hug "We'll catch up back at the house. Let's get your things." I said.

After getting her few things we walked up the docks toward the village.

"Oh, before I forget, I got you something from Trader Johann." I reached into Toothless's saddle and pulled out the rock Johann had given me. I'd wrapped wire and leather around it and made a necklace out of it.

I placed it around her neck and she smiled "Thank you. It's beautiful Hiccup!" Her green eyes shined with glee. "Yeah Hiccup, it is beautiful." Astrid's sharp, angry voice cut through the silence of the night. Kara and I looked to where she stood, just outside the woods. "Hiccup?" I looked down at Kara and back at Astrid.

Astrid took a step forward "Who is this?" I swallowed hard and grabbed Kara's hand "Run!" I said and we took off, as we ran the hood of her cloak fell off revealing her long vibrant hair.

I gripped Kara's hand and jumped onto Toothless' back. "HICCUP!" Astrid's outraged cry could have woken the chief…actually it probably did. Uh oh. We were in trouble now.

Boom! What do you think?

I have graduated so I have the summer. You can expect more frequent updates, I'm not giving any dates for the simple fact that RL happens. Review please!

See you in the next chapter!