Next chapter, just for you! Sorry for the long wait, don't have internet so I can only post at McDonalds.

Flying

Astrid was scared yet excited, she was finally going home after so long, but worried there wouldn't be a home to go back to. Flying was so much faster, it would only take a day or so to reach Berk. What would people think when they see her with Hiccup, riding on the back of dragons? A traitor, she'd be branded a traitor. Suddenly Astrid felt sick to her stomach, not only would she be a traitor, but her family would be ridiculed. If she turned back now, anyone left on Berk would surely die. A traitor or a deserter, which was worse?
"If you keep such a sour expression your face will get stuck like that." Astrid jumped at the voice that disturbed her thoughts. She was glad to have the distraction, her worries were getting the best of her. "Everything will be fine Astrid, I'll help Berk and be gone before you know it." The words he meant to comfort her only caused Astrid more pain. She didn't want him to leave, not after finally seeing him again after all these years.

Astrid studied him for the first time, taking in his long hair and strong form. Hiccup wasn't scrawny anymore, nor was he clumsy. Surely no one would recognize him at first, especially if he had his helmet on. She often noticed him talking with the dragons, though she was unsure if he actually understood them or he'd gone insane. She felt guilty for not standing up for him in the past, and not being a friend to him. Maybe if she'd at least talked to him more in Berk Hiccup would have stayed.

Berk. They were so close, she'd complete her mission once they landed. Astrid wanted to see her family again, if they were alive. What if they were dead? Her mother, her father, even her little brothers could be dead. "We need to get there soon, before the next attack. Hiccup we have to fly faster."

Hiccup was surprised at her outburst and watched Stormfly and Astrid zoom past. "Let's go bud, looks like we'll be getting there sooner then I'd like." Toothless chuckled and easily caught up to the females, he was happy to fly fast and really stretch his wings. "We'll need to make a stop before Berk so the dragons can eat." Astrid looked ready to argue but knew Hiccup was only looking out for the dragons. She nodded and kept her eyes on the horizon, hoping to note see smoke billowing from her home.

Small Island near Berk

The dragons were off getting food while Astrid and Hiccup were waiting by the tree line. Astrid was pacing and had her arms crossed over her chest, Hiccup recognized this display even after all these years: the Viking girl was anxious. He sighed and stood up, "Astrid, lets spar."

She whirled around at the sound of her name and gave him a puzzled look. Hiccup had never wanted to spar with her before. "I won't go easy on you just because you're helping me." Her words were tough but she held a smile. Astrid took up a fighting position with both arms up close to her chest and most of her weight balanced on her back foot. Hiccup brought his left arm up and held it across his body while slightly spreading his legs and staring Astrid down.

Astrid made the first move and kicked towards Hiccups head, he easily dodged and sent his own kick towards her stomach. She dodged with a back flip and circled to the left, Hiccup followed with a punch to her chin. Astrid grabbed his arm and flipped him over her shoulder. He landed on the ground with a thud but that didn't stop him. Hiccup twisted his arm and pulled Astrid down before she let go of him. He rolled and pinned her down by grabbing her arm and twisting it behind her back then proceeded to sit on her. Astrid wiggled and used her other arm to push herself of the ground, causing Hiccup to jump. She twisted out of his grip and kicked him in the shin, but sadly it was his metal leg and only caused pain to herself.

The two got back on their feet, neither had noticed the dragons who were sitting watching in silence. Astrid lunged at Hiccup who dodged and landed a swift kick to her leg, she stumbled but held her ground. Astrid began punching at him, hoping to make contact with his face. Her barrage was a failure as Hiccup blocked and dodged each hit. In turn he kneed her in the stomach and the duo fell to the ground. He grabbed her arms and pinned them over her head with one hand while keeping the other pressed into Astrid's throat. "Give up?" Hiccup teased.

She struggled but couldn't fight him off, with a defeated sigh she answered him. "I give." He released her arms and neck and smiled down at her. "Humph, next time you won't be so lucky." She rolled her eyes but couldn't keep a smile off her own face. She'd enjoyed sparing with him and even though she'd lost Astrid felt like a winner. As she looked up at the Hiccup, she couldn't help but notice how handsome he was, and how muscular his arms were. Astrid wondered how it would feel to be wrapped in those strong arms.

Hiccup realized he was still hovering over Astrid and moved off her. When she didn't get up right away her held his hand down towards her. Astrid shook her head and grabbed his outstretched hand, allowing Hiccup to pull her to her feet. Astrid felt her face go red and looked away from Hiccup, she noticed the dragons looking at them. Hiccup followed her eyes and saw his best friend smirking at him. "Let's get going, Berk is close we'll be there in an hour or so. It'll be dark by then, the dragons should stay out of sight so as to not scare anyone."

Astrid nodded and silently got on Stormfly, keeping her eyes on the dragon's blue scales. "Why didn't the humans mate just now?" The proud dragon asked Toothless. Hiccup nearly fell off the black dragon when he heard that.

Toothless ignored his rider "Humans have strange mating habits, and they must be bonded before they will mate." Hiccup turned a deep crimson shade and tried to ignore the dragon's conversation. "My human has been pining for yours for years, but is too frightened to begin courtship with her." Toothless teased his rider.

"I'm not afraid you lousy reptile, it just isn't possible." Hiccup huffed. The dragons laughed at his frustration.

"What are you not afraid of?" Astrid felt confused and left out of whatever was being said between the dragons.

Hiccup gulped, trying to think of a good lie, "Toothless said I was afraid of… you beating me in a dragon race." He knew the dragon was rolling his eyes, but it was the first thing that popped into his mind. "You haven't even been flying a week, it's impossible for a novice like you to beat me." He meant the words as a cover, but Astrid took them as a bet.

"You're on 'Dragon Man' I'll race you to the cliffs of Berk! Ready, set, GO! Go Stormfly!" The two flew off fast on their Dragons, Astrid with the lead until the island came into view. "Oh no." Stormfly felt the shift in her rider's mood and slowed down. Toothless zipped by but quickly circled back. Hiccup looked on, the entire village was ablaze. "I have to save them. Stormfly get to land I have to go save them. The dragon hesitated but landed on the cliff edge and watched her rider dash of towards the fire in the distance.

Hiccup was close behind her "Stay here you two." He yelled back at the dragons while putting on his helmet and disappearing into the forest.

Cliffs edge

Toothless paced the cliff while Stormfly pawed at the ground, both were impatient after waiting several hours. "We should go after them, your rider should have called us by now." Stormfly wanted to go after them and she hated not knowing.

"If we recklessly go after them they'll be in far more danger then they are now." Toothless understood what the other dragon was feeling, but there was no choice. Hiccup was smart and he had his mate by his side so Toothless could only wait for the call.

And there is where I'll leave it.