Flying in skein proves trickier than it looks: two geese don't have the different wingspans and stall speeds of a Nightmare and a Gronkle. So Toothless and Stormfly take point more often than Hookfang or Meatlug and nobody lets Barf and Belch lead after the forking pass incident.
And Astrid always forms up on Hiccup's right.
He needs a reliable wingmate to cover his blind spot; it's bigger than most people's because his attention is caught by things they ignore. So she keeps one eye out for trouble and one on his back.
("Great excuse!" applauds Ruffnut. Astrid clouts her.)
Author's Note: "The faithful Hildr of the falcon-field" is from one of the lausavísur attributed to Harald Hardrada, the Norwegian king who famously invaded England in 1066 to be defeated at Stamford Bridge. "Hildr" is the name of a Valkyrie; "falcon-field" is itself a kenning for arm. In his poem, Harald reports that the woman thus described advised him, "We do not creep into the hollow of the shield in battle because of the crash of weapons" — a sentiment with which Astrid would surely agree.
