I've started another story which is about dragons so I think most of you would like it, anyway go and check it out. If you copy and paste the link below it should take you to the story (someone tell me if it doesn't work and I'll try something else).

s/13253056/1/The-bond-of-Betrayal

Chapter 7: escape

When Harkor said that he wouldn't give up without a fight, he really meant it. Two dozen or so ships were making their way towards Berk. Each ship would probably hold twenty men meaning that they would outnumber Berk's warriors by three to one.

"Oh no, this is not what we need right now, we need to start rebuilding not fighting."

The despair in Hiccup's voice made Astrid want to do whatever was possible to make his wish come true, but she couldn't just make it happen easily.

"Bergo, go and warn everyone in town to get ready, we may have to fight if Harkor won't listen to reason."

Astrid saw Bergo wet his lips before running off down to the town.

"Astrid-"

"I'll be right beside you the whole way."

"No, Astrid you should go with Heather to somewhere safe."

"What?"

"Please, it would mean that I can fight worry free knowing your safe."

Astrid wanted to help in the coming fight, but if it would make him fight worse and even kill him, then she would go reluctantly.

"Fine, I'll go but promise me that you won't get killed."

"I promise."

Hiccup went off to get ready, while Astrid went to find Heather. She could be almost anywhere but the main places would be either the house that was going to get made for her, or at Hiccup's house. Since the building site was the closest, Astrid went there first.

The building site had numerous people, possibly the builders, packing up their gear and going home. Most were talking about the fleet that was coming. Some of them called out greetings to her as she searched for Heather, the fleet was drawing closer and closer and they would need to get ready as well.

Astrid finally found her sitting on a hill overlooking the ocean. To the left Astrid saw the fleet and to the right was mountains.

"Heather, we have to go, it's not safe here."

"I know."

Both girls headed down to town, all the women were leaving while carrying belongings and leading children. Astrid rushed past them to Hiccup, Heather trailed behind slower.

"Astrid, I thought you were going?"

"I am but first, how are we to know when it's safe to come back?"

"Watch from the mountains, you should be able to tell."

Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes, this might be the last time she would see Hiccup. In the past, they had had lots of conflicts but this time something would be missing that had helped them the other times.

That was the dragons.

A horn sounded and Hiccup gestured for her to go, with watering eyes, Astrid followed the other women and children.

Neither she nor Heather had any belongings apart from their weapons so they helped the women who were struggling, easing their burdens and still making good time up the mountain pass. Only hunters came out this far from the village and the occasional wild animal might still be seen but they shouldn't attack a group this large, hopefully.

People started turning around and pointing down the track to the village.

Astrid turned and saw the first boats reach the harbour, men waving swords and axes jumped off but didn't attack, not yet. Hiccup boldly strode down the beach to where the Harkor was getting off the boat. Beside him, Fishlegs was a step behind him with a white flag of parley. A brief conversation was passed between Hiccup and the upstart Harkor and Hiccup slowly made his way back to his side of the army.

"I guess it's going to be war," Heather whispered next to her.

"Yes," Astrid whispered back, then raising her voice she told everyone else, "ok, let's keep going."

The brief hope that they had all harboured had vanished and been replaced with grim acceptance of the inevitable.

This took longer for me to write than I thought partly due to the other story that I've been wanting to write for a long time now (link above) but thanks for reading this story and I hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions then ask m pe via PM's or a review.