Chapter 11

"Gods, what a day." Camicazi mumbled as she sat on the edge of the wooden deck in front of the healers hut, legs swinging helplessly in the air. She had been sitting there for a while, waiting for Hiccup as he tended to the new set of residents of the Edge. Getting them one hundred percent settled before using the 'big lock' Eret had requested and locking the pair in for the night. Keeping him both safe from Ruffnut and unable to run away with the Grimborn Princess, again.

Camicazi scoffed at the the thought of the weak girl and let her thoughts drift to all the events of the day; finding out who Astrid really was, learning that Hiccup wanted her to stay with them despite knowing, Eret's bungled kidnapping and finally the far too intimate exchange Hiccup and Astrid had in the healers hut for all to see. It had taken everything in her not to lunge for the spoiled brat and strangle her right where she laid. The only thing stopping her, other than the massive wall of muscle that is her protector, was the fact that doing so would upset Hiccup. And despite his thoughtless nature lately, she refused to hurt him.

A sudden creaking noise from behind her drew Camicazi out of her thoughts and towards the sound. Camicazi slightly swiveled her head and found the healers hut door still firmly shut, meaning the noise was more than likely just Hiccup still getting the pair settled. With a huff she spun her gaze back out over the open water, her unruly blonde hair moving haphazardly around her as she did.

On top of her frustration over how Hiccup had been acting toward the princess, Camicazi couldn't help but be almost as equally as irked with how Hiccup was catering to Eret.

The man clearly had ill intentions toward Hiccup and the rest of them and yet Hiccup chose to not lock him up, instead choosing to let him roam free. To do Thor knows what. She could almost pin point the exact moment Hiccup had dropped almost all of his icy attitude toward the man and opened his forgiving heart up to the undeserving oaf.

It had been after the Terror was pulled off of Eret and he had gotten his bearings back, finally able to see the aftermath of what he had done to Astrid. She would never forget how utterly devastated the large man had become as he looked at Hiccup cradling Astrid's unconscious form. It was in that moment that Camicazi watched the iciness thaw a bit from Hiccup's eyes and he allowed the man to come into the healers hut to get bandaged and wait for Astrid to wake up. When in reality he deserved much worse and for Hiccup's own good Camicazi vowed to keep a particularly close eye on the man at all times.

No way I'll let Hiccup's trusting nature get him hurt. She thought determinedly as a variety of wicked ways to punish the man flooded her mind, if he so much as stepped even a toe out of line.

Finally Camicazi heard the huts door open and shut followed by a firm metal click. Swiveling her head again, she found Hiccup tugging on the comically large lock to make sure it was firmly in place.

"Fiiinally. What took you so long in there?" Hiccup looked up and opened his mouth, prepared to answer her when she immediately began speaking again, cutting him off. "Wait, let me guess…making sure the princess has everything she needs. Since she's not used to such primitive living conditions." She said her voice dripping in sarcasm.

Hiccup immediately snapped his mouth closed and dropped his eyebrows into a glare, before stomping over towards her and stopping right beside her. "Alright, thats it. What in Thor's name is going on Cami? You have been nothing but unsupportive today when it comes to Astrid and-and don't get me started on how you have been acting for the last few days! I'm used to your penchant for stealing, your wild nature and defiance to tradition and even sometimes your homicidal tendencies…but what I'm not used to, Cami, is this cold attitude you're directing towards me." Hiccup stopped his rapid hand movements and stared down at her as he spoke.

"So I'll ask again, what on Midgard is going on Cami?" His voice match his eyes now, pleading and exhausted. The last few days obviously wearing heavily on her leader, friend and man she secretly loved.

This is your chance Cami, tell him you love him! That you have loved him for years. Tell him that you hate to see him fawning over another girl when he so obviously is yours! Her subconscious urged as Camicazi hesitated, eyes flicking around his face trying to form the words in her usually unrestrained mouth. Finally, in a voice much to small for her large personality she answered him. Much to her subconscious dismay.

"…I-I don't know." Hiccup let out a loud sigh, deflating a bit in disappointment before plopping down beside her on the decking. Letting his mismatched legs dangle into the darkness right beside her.

Despite falling incredibly short on telling him how she really felt, Cami did continue speaking. Her meekness fading away as she masked her real emotions with a defensive response."It's just, you've been so…so distant lately. Lying to us, to me Hiccup! And for what? A Grimborn?"

Hiccup listened, letting out yet another sigh and gave her a slight nod of his head, he had come into the conversation ready to set Camicazi straight about how she spoke of Astrid. Counter everyone of her arguments against the now sleeping blonde in the hut behind them, when just like that she had turned the tables on him. Pointing out his obvious flaws over the last few days.

"Y-you're right. And I'm sorry that I lied about the whole Northern Markets trip but to be fair I only found out who she was when the rest of you did." Hiccup brought his gaze up to Camicazi, who was stunned silent, deep blue eyes widened in surprise. Hiccup continued, "it's just that everything happened so fast and I don't know Cami, I just wanted to figure out what was happening – what I was feeling – before I involved the whole group and all of your inevitable opinions. Or did you forget how Snotlout reacted at the docks?"

Camicazi felt the band tighten around her chest as Hiccup explained, which unfortunately didn't make her feel better or more at ease with the situation at all. If anything it made the feeling of anxiety over Astrid being here that much worse.

"And," Camicazi choked back the lump in her throat, forcing her voice steady, "and how exactly do you feel?" She asked, the words leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, ignoring the question about Snotlout completely. She was sure if it had been light Hiccup would have seen the way her face twisted just saying them. Of course, he didn't, his gaze not leaving the darkening horizon.

"Like I'm doing a free fall off of Toothless." A small smile pulled at Hiccup's lips and his eye softened, which only helped to break Camicazi's heart even more.

Hiccup continued. "Which is why I need you to back me up Cami. I-I honestly don't know how all of this will turn out. I believe Astrid when she says she different from her brothers." Hiccup pulled at his face with his nimble hands, worn callouses catching on the small amount of scruff on his chin.

"Hel, the last time I checked I was the Son of one of the greatest dragon slayers in all the Archipelago and look how I turned out. Not a dragon killing bone in my body. So I know that your namesake doesn't determine who you are…but – " he hesitated. A pained look pulling at his features.

"– She's still a Grimborn." Camicazi cut in.

She knew there was no place in this conversation anymore for clandestine confessions of love, so to salvage what was left she would try to speak to the reasonable side of Hiccup. The side that constantly warred against the innovative dreamer that he was most of the time. If she could only get him to realize Astrid was not worth the risk to the riders, their dragons or the Edge she knew she would win. Astrid would have a one way ticket back to the monsters who she called brothers and Cami, Cami would be there to repair Hiccup's broken heart and hopefully, finally, take her rightful place in it.

Hiccup nodded slightly as Camicazi's words set in. Astrid was most certainly a Grimborn and while he rationally knew he should have sent her away the moment he found out, only after he put her and Eret in shackles, of course.

He just couldn't.

Because another, stronger part of him, the same part that urged him to spare a wounded Night Fury all those years ago, now begged him to give her a chance. A real chance. Letting her become the woman he had caught only brief glimpses of during their short time together. A determined, fierce and brave woman. Anything but the docile debutant that she was raised and expected to be and most certainly not, a dragon killing Grimborn. Just the thought of such an outcome left him feeling lighter than he had in days. Making his decision perfectly clear.

"You're right Cami, she is. She's a Grimborn, the sister of my biggest enemy…and you what?...It's going to be okay." A look of determined resolve crossed his face for the first time since they started this conversation. "Like I said, I don't know what's going to happen but I know in my heart that this is the right decision. But I need you on my side Cami. Just like all those other times you stood beside me, backing me when we defended Berk or built the Edge." Hiccup gestured all around him but kept his eyes trained on Camicazi.

"None of this would have been possible without your support. With out my best friend. So please – please trust me, I need my best friend more than ever."

Hiccup voice grew quiet as he finished and placed his hand on Camicazi's shoulder in what could be taken as a friendly, comforting gesture but for Camicazi the calloused skin seemed to burn her upon contact. Setting fire to her skin and insides, further torturing her along with his words.

Best friend. Best friend. Best friend. The phrase searing itself onto her soul, further crushing what little hope she had for the painful unrequited love she felt.

No longer able to take another second of his touch for fear of her screaming at the top of her lungs. Camicazi casually shrugged Hiccup's hand off and jumped to her feet in one fluid movement. She hoped the movement wouldn't be questioned because at the moment she would have no intelligible answer to give him.

Hiccup cast Camicazi a quick look as she sprung up quickly but didn't think further on the move and stood up as well, albeit much slower. The pair stood in an awkward silence as Hiccup waited for some kind of inclination that Camicazi, was in his corner on this whole thing. That he could rely on her, if and when he needed her.

Camicazi was silent for a completely different reason than Hiccup. She knew Hiccup was waiting for an answer but at the moment she could barely breath correctly due to the tightness in her chest let alone give him a coherent answer. So as to finally get his pleading, soulful green eyes that usually left her weak in the knees off of her she gave him a tense nod. Bitting the inside of her cheeks as she did. The coppery taste of her blood gently caressed her tongue, unfortunately increasing the unsettled swirling in her stomach.

A large smile spread across Hiccup's face and relief flooded him as he saw Camicazi give a tentative nod. He wasn't naïve to think all their problems were gone concerning Astrid and Eret but this was a start. A significant one and for that he was grateful.

"Thank you Cami," he grabbed her shoulder again as he always did. Only this time he noticed a barely there flinch as he did.

Strange. He thought but decided not to press the subject. He was exhausted physically and mentally and was positive he couldn't take on anymore in depth conversations at the moment.

"Well, I'm off to bed, you should be too. It's been a long day. Night Cami." She nodded at his sincere words and gave him a quiet goodnight before watching Hiccup turn and leave towards his hut.

Her eyes followed him until the darkness finally swallowed him up leaving her once again alone on the deck. Even the lights of the healers hut, that had been brightly illuminated before now shown dark. Emphasizing how truly alone she was.

And in that moment she wondered if it was possible to love someone and hate them at the same time.

.o.o.o.o.o.

Astrid smiled fondly as she watched Hiccup wildly motion to everything around around them, as he walked beside her. He was leading her Eret and Sneaky, who was happily hopping around her and Eret's feet, on the official tour of the Edge. Giving them any and all information that might come in handy for their undetermined amount of time here.

Also along for the tour were the other riders. All of the riders except for Camicazi added their own personal thoughts and anecdotes about their time on the Edge. Most of the stories, especially Hiccup's, filled Astrid with a sense of wonder that she had never felt before. Leaving her wanting and eager to have a few of her own stories to tell, sooner rather than later.

Hiccup had just got done showing them the club house, where he explained the meal times and alternating cooking schedules, which to avoid and which to show up early to, when they started to head toward the large semi domed training area. Hiccup quickly jumped into another, very involved, story about certain training scenarios that they did here. And while Astrid was thoroughly enjoying his animated hand gestures and impossibly excited attitude, she couldn't help but let her gaze drift back to the perpetually angry blonde walking a few steps back on Hiccup's opposite side.

While the rest of the hodgepodge group had talk avidly during the tour, Camicazi hadn't uttered more than a few words the entire day, despite Hiccup looking over at her several times, referencing parts of the Edge that she designed and sharing a story or two involving her. The only response he would receive was a small nod and maybe a single word of acknowledgement. But that was it. Just as quickly as the word came out she would revert back to the bow string tenseness that she had been exuding all day.

Which is exactly what confused Astrid the most.

Everything about the girl screamed, free. From her unrestrained rich blonde hair that blew haphazardly through the air. To her billowy tunic and vest combination that covered her shapely curves and the dozen or so bangles and bracelets that adorned her wrists instead of the traditional and practical leather vambraces everyone else wore. She was the embodiment of a wild spirit. Something Astrid could only dream of being.

So why is it that she looks so carefree and rebellious but is acting so tightly wound and frigid? She wondered for a moment until the very girl that was plaguing her thoughts caught her eye. Sending her a look so icy it sent a chill down Astrid's spine and squashed any and all hope that the animosity between her and the other blonde would be gone come morning.

Before Astrid had anymore time to think on the matter the ragtag group of Vikings had reached the training area, where they found a single Gronckle happily munching on a pile of rocks. Without a bit of hesitation Hiccup left Astrid's side for the first time that morning and walked right up to the content Gronckle, scratching it behind the ear in a comfortable and affectionate way.

"Astrid, Eret, I would like to formally introduce you to Meatlug, Fishlegs dragon." Hiccup patted the lumpy scales and grinned in a knowing way. "Gronckles are known for their friendly nature and nobody is more friendly than our very own Meatlug." Fishlegs beamed brightly at the praise as Hiccup continued. "So I thought she would be the perfect dragon for the two of you to get comfortable with first, before we move on to some of our...moodier dragons." Hiccup's gaze automatically drifted to the line of dragons that were watching from outside the ring, more specifically the Monstrous Nightmare that had a penchant of setting his own rider on fire.

Astrid stared apprehensively at the boulder shaped dragon, as it paid very little attention to the crowd surrounding it. Despite her upbringing and having lived amongst dragons her entire life she had never been this close to a loose dragon of such a size. Just thinking about it how easily the dragon could kill her was as terrifying as it was awe inspiring. And while she had many reservations, she trusted Hiccup; more than she thought was possible or even understood at the moment.

So if he said this rock feasting dragon was friendly, than she was going to believe it.

Eret on the other hand, looked less impressed by the docile dragon. He had seen enough 'friendly' Gronckles in his time melt a man's skin right off the bone with their lava to think this was a good idea. That the walking fishbone would be able to stop a dragon attack when not if it occurred.

But before he could voice his objections Astrid chose to chime in, her voice eager and determined.

"So how do we do this?" She said matter of factly, Eret instantly balking at the question and turning to look at the smaller woman beside him.

"You have got to be kidding me Astrid! There is no way I am letting you close to that rock eating heap!" He gestured towards Meatlug and Hiccup, who now had an unamused look on his face.

"Hey! Don't talk about my Meatlug like that!" Fishlegs spoke up from behind them, his posture looking confident and assertive for the first time since Eret had met him.

"Eret…" Astrid's hushed curt voice cut through the glaring contest that Eret was now having with Hiccup. Making him take notice of her and the look of warning swimming in her crystal blue eyes. He immediately deflated and sealed his lips. The night before, after everyone had left Astrid had reiterated her desire to learn everything and anything Hiccup and his friends had to offer. Of course that meant Eret needed to play nice for his hosts. And while he mainly agreed to toning down his blatant disapproval to placate Astrid, he didn't realize this was what he was actually agreeing too.

Eret was almost momentarily proud of Astrid's newly found bold assertiveness if of course, it hadn't been so directly used on him.

Hiccup watched the small exchange and could barely contain the small grin that pulled at his lips as he watched Eret clam up, literally. His large tattooed chin snapping shut with just a single word and a glance from Astrid. Hiccup could tell now he was going to throughly enjoy having a front row seat to Astrid's growth.

Clearing his throat Hiccup drew everyone's attention back to him and off of the pair. "As I was saying, Meatlug is a big softy, so there's nothing to be afraid of. I promise." Astrid nodded eagerly while Eret grumbled but no longer protested, verbally at least.

"Okay then, so first and foremost when dealing with any dragon the first thing you have to do is establish trust. They need to trust you and you need to trust them." Hiccup gestured between Meatlug, Astrid and Eret. "Usually this would be when I would ask you to drop any weapons you might have but since you both are unarmed we'll skip that – "

"Wait," Eret interrupted, again, no longer able to keep quiet, "what does being unarmed have to do with anything? All that will do is make it easier for Meathug or whatever its name is to strike us down!"

Hiccup tightly pinched the bridge of his nose. He had hoped Eret would be quiet from here on out but clearly that wasn't going to be the case. "Meatlug. Her name is Meatlug. And that would be true if dragons were mindless killers."

"And they're not?" Eret countered, his voice laced with heavy skepticism.

Hiccup narrowed his eyes as he let go of his nose, "no, no they're not. Dragons don't just attack for no reason. They only attack if they feel threatened, or if you cross into their territory, or try to hurt their hatchlings, that sort of thing. Unlike Vikings, dragons don't kill for the glory or fun of it. They tend to have a better moral compass than most men I meet. Present company included." Hiccup said, finishing strongly, his voice as clear as the point he was trying to drive home into Eret's thick skull.

Eret still looked on skeptical but chose to let the obvious slight go and stay quiet, for now. Instead he decided to digest the rest of what Hiccup had said.

While Eret could easily list off a dozen or so occasions where he had personally seen a dragon maim or kill one of his friends or crew mates, he wouldn't. Because every single one of them involved the dragon being hunted in some manner. Dozens of men with various weapons drawn as they sought out and hunted down the dragons, not the other way around.

Now that he thought about it no dragon attack that he had been apart of had ever been initiated by the dragon. Always them in some way or another. Eret had to mentally suppress the strange feeling of doubt that seemed to swell up in him because of Hiccup's words. Choosing instead to stick by his what he knew and had seen his whole life.

That dragons kill – mercilessly.

And no skinny fishbone would prove that different.

Hiccup watched as the doubts raised by his speech played on Eret's face. A small feeling of victory fluttered inside of him. He knew by the way Eret's features hardened only moments later that he hadn't fully won the war of Eret's prejudice towards dragons. But he had chipped away at the man's defenses and that was a win in its self.

"So anyways, trust." Hiccup began, feeling even stronger than before. "If you want to bond with a dragon you have to trust them and in turn have them trust you. And once you have a dragons trust-well…there's nothing they won't do for you." He finished with a smile, directed wholly at Astrid. Hoping his words would chip away at her internal walls as well.

And they did.

Feeling emboldened by Hiccup's words Astrid made the brazen decision to slowly walk towards him and Meatlug. Surprising not only herself but everyone else present. Astrid stopped a few steps from Hiccup and Meatlug, who had finally stopped eating and taken notice of the stranger, narrowing her acidic yellow eyes in Astrid's direction. Curiosity and hesitation swirling in their serpentine depths.

After a few tense seconds of staring Hiccup closed the short distance between he and Astrid, a calming smile on his face as he took her free un-injured hand into his own. For a moment Astrid didn't know what to make of the intimate gesture. Hiccup had never made such a bold move before, especially in front of everyone. Dragons included.

The comforting smile never left Hiccup's face as he gently lifted Astrid's hand out in front of her, palm flat into the air. "You have to show her that you won't hurt her and in return that you trust her not to hurt you. This will do that." He whispered quietly next to her ear. His body now curved around her own, holding her arm out steady and moving her slowly forward.

Astrid's body gave a slight tremble, which was not entirely due to the fact that she was dangling her hand helplessly in front of a dragon. But more so because of the man scandalously pressed against her. Astrid prayed Hiccup didn't notice as she tried to stay focused on the task literally in front of her. In an attempt to cease any further embarrassing movements Astrid began to mentally recite proper etiquette for hosting a feast. Hoping it would distract her from the Hiccup and the large dragon getting dangerously close to her.

Never let your guests mead cup run dry. Always include or be aware of your guests traditions, so as not to offend. Always…always…

Astrid gulped audibly loosing her train of thought as Hiccup's hand tightened around her wrist, no doubt he had definitely felt her shake then.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." He whispered again, his breath puffing on her slightly reddened cheek. Accelerating her heart rate further. "Trust me. I won't let anything happen to you." His voice was so soothing and assured, as he assumed Astrid's tremble was due to the fire breathing dragon in front of them.

Sending a quick thank you to the Gods for not being found out, Astrid nodded. Happily playing along with what Hiccup thought was causing her such internal strife.

With Hiccup's help Astrid closed the distance between her and Meatlug, stopping within a fingertips reach of the dragon. Seconds ticked by feeling more like minutes with her hand extended in the air as nothing happened.

Then just as she was about to question Hiccup as to why they stopped short it happened. A surprisingly gentle bumpy snout pressed directly into her palm. Meatlug rubbed the delicate skin of her palm with her nose, giving it an occasional puff of hot breath as she got aquatinted with Astrid. Her eyes wide and dilated as they pierced Astrid, who in turn couldn't dare look away for even a second.

And just as Astrid was beginning to become familiar with Meatlug's reptilian touch, it was over. The dragon pulled away. Seemingly happy again and no longer concerned by Astrid's presence, she choose instead to go back to munching on her rock pile. Leaving Astrid and Hiccup standing alone, their hands still joined, bodies close and minds reeling.

After a few shaky breaths Astrid slowly pulled her now obviously trembling hand back towards her chest. In the process severing part of her connection with Hiccup. Just a few moments ago she would have take extreme notice of the loss of their joined hands. But now was not a few moments ago. Now, well now everything was different. The foundation that Astrid had built her entire life on had just crumbled beneath her feet. Leaving her to helplessly tumble, as she tried to find purchase in anything that could keep her from drowning. Anything that could help her make sense of what her perception of reality had just become.

And that's when she felt his hand again.

Demurely resting on her shoulder, pulling her back to the present.

And it was then, as she locked her eyes with Hiccup's telling gaze that she knew, definitively now, that everything she had ever been told about dragons was a lie. All of it an out right horrible, deadly lie.

.o.o.o.o.o.

Anyone need their daily dose of angst?

-Lizby