A/N: I will spend my time during this A/N to give a huge THANK YOU to all you reviewers. Do know that I read every single review with love and happiness and that I jump with glee when I see one in my inbox. You make my day, show me I am to write this on no matter how demotivated I feel. I know a lot of you follow this, but I still sometimes believe I'm talking to an empty audience-room when I don't hear any response. I will list all you wonderful people who have reviewed up until now, to show you how much I appreciate your wonderfulness. I got quite a few touching words that cheered me up and had me gaping and blushing! But generally, knowing you actually spent your precious time to leave a word or two is really honourable for me. I really hope any of you silent readers that are reading this A/N feel encouraged to review too; c'mon guys, we're a community here, one fandom. Don't shy back, show me you enjoy this story and that It's worth updating! Because that's what every author needs in order to want to continue; an engaged, communicative audience! I don't always respond, I know, probably because, as said before, I feel like a dork sometimes! You overwhelm me that all I can say is THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I love you all, you are amazing, fantastic, wonderful, great people! That includes every Guest/Anonymus reviewer too, just so you know!

So here goes nothing and everything:

A HUGE THANK YOU TO TQCarl, Surfy, Danielle, loneknightd, hutcher92, PuppeteerOllie, SharKohen, unicorns, Talkin' Fishbone, Ludmila Wase, One-Crazed-Up-Dragon-Fan, jlghighlander, YmeYuCCa, MrHoneyXBadger, Toothless, Randamwriter, RealmOfDawn, MyDOG, oreoplatzchen, littlemachines, cheliytoon, shadowanime1, JohnnyC55, dreaming-about-dragons, NightsAnger, Malik The Night Angel, LorreVarguhl, Christian Fangurl, tsk91, HawkTooth, That'sJustSoJae, drcheese123, Parsat, A literalist and every guest/anonymus reviewer! YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST! *gives you all Night Fury and Deadly Nadder cookies*

P.S.: For those of you who believed Astrid was cheating on Hiccup last chapter; I actually wanted that effect. Wanted to scare you a little, then scare you again. Lol. I'm mean, I know. But c'mon, Astrid adores Hiccup; like she could ever love anyone else! Eret is a bro, if you wanna put it (so)! Haha!


Chapter 9

He was not sure if storming on the back of a dragon like a yak gone wild was his favourite passage of time. But currently, he was doing just that. Again.

Skullcrusher swerved to the right, causing him, Astrid, Valka, Fishlegs, Snotlout and the twins to mimic the action, finding themselves gliding over endless miles of vast ocean.

"As far as I'm concerned" Fishlegs threw in, allowing Meatlug to flutter a little closer to the chief, "there is no island from here for another ten mile radius at least."

Hiccup frowned, returning his gaze towards the back of the well-built leader of their voyage.

"Eret!" He called, and watched from the corner of his eyes as Cloudjumper suddenly gained in height, flying above them.

Said man peeked over his shoulder, furrowing a brow.

"Where are we going?" It was a hard feat shouting against the winds that were currently blasting into their faces. The gales, once above the sea, were always a lot more ferocious than on land.

Pressing down harshly onto the pedal, the auburn-haired man allowed for Toothless to speed across, spiralling over to glide parallel to the Rumblehorn.

"It's not quite an island, it's something else." Eret answered, not chancing a look at the chief and instead keeping his oculars focused in front of him.

Confusion spread within Hiccup's mind, but was soon replaced by Valka's call and Cloudjumper's roar, as she pointed below them. Eret smirked; yet not in a smug, knowing way, but in a rather tragic manner that told him he was not pleased with himself at all.

"Hiccup, look!" Astrid bellowed from behind him; large, cerulean eyes shocked.

He did, and his breath hitched.

There, in front of them, was a extensive expanse of solidly frozen, glistening ice, forming a drifting platform with oversized spires cresting makeshift hills.

"Is that what I think it is?"

Eret nodded, and all riders descended.


"Pretty chilly on here." Tuffnut commented after they had climbed off their dragons.

Hiccup gave them a signal, and all winged reptiles stayed back, glancing nervously around themselves. Toothless especially seemed agitated and was more than irritated with Hiccup's command to stay behind. He knew from his memories that any situation in which he was separated from his beloved rider never was a good moment.

It always ended with chaos.

They belonged together, for they were a team, after all.

He wailed, hoping the boy would change his mind, yet Hiccup continued to warily stagger along the slick, plain surface. Twice his prosthetic slipped, and twice Hiccup just about managed to catch himself before he smacked to the ground.

Realising his problematic situation, Astrid approached, grabbing his hand in her own and slowly walking beside him. He blinked upwards from their intertwined appendages to her face, and saw, despite the dark bags underneath her eyes and the evident fatigue in her stature, her smile.

'We'll do it together' her silent words echoed within his conscience and he was more than glad to have her here with him.

Which really, was no surprise. They were a team, after all, just like he and Toothless.

A quick glimpse over his shoulder and he caught the Night Fury's rather restless expression – he understood his dragon's lament, but he did not want them anywhere near in case the Bewilderbeast was around. That being sensed other dragons and they were in no shape for a fight. Alpha and all put aside.

"I'd like to build my summer hut on here." Tuffnut once more blurted out, nodding admiringly to himself.

"You'd find it sinking into the depths pretty soon; this island's only temporary." Eret now spoke up, staring at the huge, turquoise constructions sparkling within the sun – fine, shimmering droplets of water were accumulating as the frozen substance began to melt. Everything glowed a deep teal, purple and magenta.

"Really? That would suck. Or not?" Throwing a questioning glance towards his sister, he was answered with a cruel smile.

"Yeah Tuffnut, would be awesome to see you sink with your hut to the bottom of the-"

"Shush!" Valka placed a hand behind herself; she was currently at the front of the expedition, a frown ever-present on her face.

"But-"

"Shh!" Astrid intervened, placing a finger in front of her lips.

A stifling quietude overcame them. The only sounds now echoing off the ice hills were the arrhythmical drip, drip noises of melting solids and the reverberating clacking of their feet against the smooth ground.

"He is no longer here." Eret whispered, still concentrating on any ruckus that they might be missing.

Valka nodded in agreement, relaxing, as did everyone else.

"This was most definitely created by the Bewilderbeast." She confirmed, looking Hiccup in the eye knowingly, "It is not old; a maximum of three days. And that is only the estimated time since he has left."

"Any signs Drago might've been here?" Fishleg's tried hard not to stutter with fear as he shrugged his shoulders, keeping his hands close to his chest. He was being paranoid, he knew, but the whole island gave him the chills. On more than one plane.

"No, but we cannot tell for sure."

"Wonderful. We have a mad Bewilderbeast and an even madder madman out here somewhere." The Jorgenson chucked his arms into the air, defeated, "He might attack any day and we'd never know."

"It's quite a bit away from Berk." Finally, the chief spoke up, seemingly staring at nothing in particular, "We don't have closer information; we need to investigate further."

"So the traps were real – he is trying to set up a dragon army again!" Eret's shocked tone of voice caused everyone to avert their attention towards him. He stood straighter now, "He is probably going to challenge you once more." There was a deadly hint to his mutter Hiccup did not like the sound of.

"Then he shall, and we will be prepared. We'll return to Berk immediately" at this point, he had raised his voice, "and everyone shall undergo dragon training. I will gather and tame as many dragons with Toothless as I can. And we'll need a team to scout and find the Bewilderbeast's and Drago's whereabouts."

He returned his gaze towards Eret, "I would like it if you lead said team. Choose your men however you please."

Now shifting his body to his mother, he spoke up once more, "Mom, I'll need your help with the dragons. Fishlegs, you will lead the training units on Berk."

"Got it, chief!" Determined, despite his fear, the chubby boy bobbed his head.

Astrid, who was still next to him, holding his hand to support him, squeezed it.

He had completely forgotten about their close proximity and open display of affection. He knew she had taken it in case he slipped again, but suddenly a blush crept across the bridge of his nose considering they were not alone. He knew it was a little dumb to feel embarrassed; they were an official item since long now, heck, he'd even kissed her in front of everyone and did not give two tosses about their presence. Yet he also felt like a weak little boy, clutching his father's hand out of angst, scared something bad might come and snatch him away.

'Stupid, you're stupid.' he chastised himself internally, shaking his head.

He met her eyes full of determination yet still so awfully tired. For a curt moment, he believed to see something else flare up; a need he could not quite name, but which he dismissed.

"Astrid, I..." don't want you on Eret's team despite knowing you'll be more than useful there; but I fear for your safety in case you do find the Bewilderbeast and I'm no where near to help you, "think it's best if you join in the scouting team again." He nodded to strengthen his declaration.

Astrid returned the gesture, a weak smile poking her lips.

"What about us?" Snotlout questioned, pointing at himself and the two troublemakers behind him, who were busy trashing some small clumps of diminishing ice.

He sighed, "You'll either be scouting with Eret, taming with me or helping Fishlegs at the arena. You choose."

Why did he regret those words the moment he had spoken them?

"Awesome, let's go train then! We can blast the arena and other dragons up!" Ruffnut fisted the air excitedly.

'Ah...that's why...'

Shaking his head, the chief turned around, pressing his free hand to his lips and imitating the sound of a Night Fury. His companions all joined in, calling their respective dragons. Toothless, Stormfly and the others fluttered by, landing swiftly and allowing their riders to climb aboard.

"As soon as we return to Berk" Hiccup shifted within the saddle, adjusting his feet as Toothless already spread his wings, "you set off to your tasks. Immediately."


Flying back towards their home town, Hiccup felt a strong weight pulling at his heart, limbs, and generally whole body.

"I hope we don't face another war..." He muttered, feeling his eyes sting from the gusts that dried away the moisture.

His dragon swivelled lightly, grunting as to make his presence noticed.

Hiccup placed his hand warmly on Toothless' head, smiling, "We're in this together, bud. We'll face whatever comes at us, won't we?"

The onyx reptile twisted his head so that Hiccup could make out a sympathising chartreuse orb. He puffed some air, warbling deeply. It was as if he were confirming Hiccup's words, reassuring the boy of what he needed to know.

'We are together'

He felt the sudden urge to lean forward, placing his forehead against the rough, scaly skin of his companion, shutting his eyes for a brief moment.

"Hiccup?" The tender voice of his girlfriend worriedly interrupted his silent moment.

Abruptly, he glanced up, staring at her as she and Stormfly approached.

"I need to talk-"

"Chief!" Skullcrusher suddenly descended above them, Eret's serious expression from earlier not having deterred in the slightest, "I will take my leave west from 'ere. My men are not far, doin' some further investigation. They are all I need for the moment."

Hiccup's eyes flew from the man back to Astrid, who gave him a somewhat stressed look.

Eret seemed to have caught on, for he spoke up once more, "Astrid, you join us once you and Hiccup have sorted things out back on Berk."

"Okay."

Nodding tensely, the auburn-haired man dismissed the former dragon-trapper, who split silently from the group and took his way.

It was not long before they finally landed on Berk. Fishlegs took Snotlout and the twins with him to the academy, preparing for training sessions whilst Valka decided to head off with Cloudjumper to locate the various dragon breeds they would need.

His Night Fury stretched himself, yawning and displaying his pink maw.

"How about we grab some fish for you, bud? You're tired and hungry, it seems." He stroked the side of his dragon's face before he started walking towards the next food-basin.

"Hiccup!" A hand wrapped itself around his wrist, and the man halted in his steps.

It was Astrid, and she seemed more agitated than ever.

Now he remembered that she had previously wanted to talk to him about something, yet that circumstances had caused them to be interrupted, as seemed to be a habit of fate.

"Everything okay?" He inquired, despite the fact that he knew no, nothing was okay.

He wanted her by his side more than anything right now. He needed her here, with him, as he prepared all of Berk for what might be an inevitable war.

Not only morally and with all her strength and good advice, but also simply to know that she was there and she was okay. Any second she spent out there, hunting for the enemy was a second closer to death.

He already lost his father.

He could not lose her.

She, of all people, meant the most to him. He knew it sounded harsh, considering his loving mother; but they had spent so little time with each other, still. He had much to learn about Valka – they were so similar, and he adored her for her knowledge and warmth, but she was still somewhat of a stranger.

Yet Astrid had accompanied him all of his life; granted, the first half she ignored him at most, and all he could do was admire her from a distance. But she had been there, and she was real. There was nothing he did not know about her.

She was his soulmate, for a lack of better words. Simply and plainly put; a part of him he could not, and would not lose.

"I..." she struggled for the right terms, avoiding his eyes all of a sudden.

"It'll be okay." Hiccup reassured, whispering soothingly, trying to semi-convince himself too, "No matter what Drago is planning, we'll burn his boat and sink him to the ground." He smirked at her, and she smiled back.

"I feel horrible." She finally declared with a bitter-sweetness to her voice Hiccup did not know she possessed. He could see dampness forming around her eyes.

He had found her close to tears before; most of these times were related to situations where she believed him to be dead. But never had it been like this. Astrid was known for her Viking strength and unwavering, cold demeanour. She never admitted to puny feelings. It had only just recently occurred, during the years that they were officially an item, that she displayed a somewhat more tender, loving side.

But it never involved tears of sorrow. Heck, it never involved tears in general. Despite every disagreement and quarrel she had had, with him or someone else, tears were never a part of it. Astrid had too much tenacity for those.

Yet even so, he saw something crack remorsefully within her, and felt his own heart twist sickeningly upon the unusual display of emotions.

"Why would you feel horrible?" With leisure movements, he took her hands into his own, stroking across the backsides as his gaze softened considerably.

"Because it's my fault." She was biting back a sob by now, he could tell, not wanting to lose it in public.

And because he could equally tell how much of a struggle she put up trying to preserve her image as a strong, independent Viking, he tugged at her hands, pulling her behind a storage hut where no one could see them.

"What is your fault?" He was frowning again. Freyja was probably blessing him with more wrinkles by the age of twenty than any one Viking would have with fifty.

"Drago, attacking Berk, I messed up." Her voice cracked, and she scrunched up her face, shaking it vehemently as she bit her lip.

He felt utterly puzzled, his furrowed brows creasing all the more, "Y-Your fault? What're you talking about?"

Taking in a shaky breath whilst avoiding his stare again, she pulled her hands out of his grasp, "I told him about Berk. About the riders. About you. He attacked because he felt threatened. I wanted to intimidate him, make him back away. Give us time and a chance, but...he decided to go for the kill..." Astrid trailed off, losing volume as she spoke, her gaze somewhat distant.

Hiccup's facial expression softened instantly as he relaxed. He had believed her to be telling him something far worse; but this?

"It was not your fault, Astrid. He had the Bewilderbeast; one way or another, he would have won that war. All that matters is that, in the end, we beat him. Toothless was placed under his influence, and because of that, he learnt to fight it. For me. And us." He gestured to the surrounding town, indicating that every civilian and dragon mattered, "If we had been prepared or not; we wouldn't have made it, and Berk would be in no better shape despite it all." Suddenly, he felt guilty; guilty that his beloved girlfriend would feel so culpable for something she clearly should not be blamed for.

After all, Drago had attacked the sanctuary first. It had been his plan all along, as Eret had informed them afterwards. How was she to know that he had just reunited with his mother there?

Her shoulders were bouncing violently, her face lowered. It was near to frightening seeing her lose her composure so rapidly. It did not seem like Astrid at all. Delicately, he cupped her cheek, pulling her face up to look at him. An astray tear trailed down and he rubbed it away with his thumb, "It was not your fault. You did what you believed was best. I love you for that."

No longer capable of holding them back, she let the salty liquid spill as she buried her face within his chest, grasping him tightly.

"I'm sorry..." she mumbled, her whole body shaking by now.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close to him and holding her near to possessively, "It's okay. We're here."

'And that's all that matters.'

Somewhere in the distance, Toothless howled.


A/N: A bit more angsty and...erm...tense chapter? I literally wanted to present to you some actuality that would slightly turn the mood of this story. That a lot more drama and action are to follow. And just so you know, next chapter will start off with QUITE a dramatic scene. It will involve Astrid...anyone want to guess what will happen? Oh and, what do you guys think happened to Drago? Where's he gone? Is he with the Bewilderbeast or not? Where is this said being anyway? What's the plan? So many questions, all needed to be answered. I would LOVE to hear your speculations...or anything else :P

In case you are wondering why Astrid is to go on Eret's tracking team; they both have Tracker Class dragons. Hence, they are the trackers, thus, they do the tracking. LOL. You probably knew that, but I wanted to clarify just in case...

So yeah, once more I thank you for your reviews and totally hope you will continue reviewing after this chapter. Tell me how you feel! I love reading them all, so please, bombard me!

Good grief I'm tired. Why am I always so tired? Urgh...*grabs a warm yak milk and blows candle out*