AN: I'm so sorry that I couldn't update more often. The last 7 months I have been working and my hours didn't allow me to write much. But that doesn't mean I haven't been working on my stories. I have continued the stories and have several new ones. The problem is: they are still in my head and not on digital paper. I will try to write and work on my stories more often. I promise.

I want to thank all those who have reviewed (and nagged about updating. Really, I appreciate that) my stories and have been loyal to the story.

But I'm back and here, for your enjoyment, A PREVIEW OF CHAPTER 11!

UPDATE 20 februari 2014: Yeah, so I'm not as busy with this as I should (or should I say could.) Work has been keeping me pretty busy, but the last few weeks have been very, very quiet so I had some time working on the chapter. To be honest: I HATE it that I don't write as much and I have become kinda rusty. But slow and steady wins the race. Just keep on suporting the story. and please: REVIEW THIS CHAPTER.

For those who are reading "How to train your dragon: A story of Hiccup and Astrid", that story has been put on hold for the time being and 'im not gonna work on that for a while. Don't hate me for it, it's my story and I'll do what I want with it.

Amusement. Surprise. Pride. These were the things that Hiccup felt during the last week of training, which has been almost non-stop. The basics of producing, blocking and expelling magic, the method of Dragon Riding, weapon practice. These and more were the things that he and the veteran Riders had taught the Initiates.

The week was filled with training and Hiccup was pleased to see that his friends were quick learners. Being Vikings, they hadn't much trouble with weapon training, although it took some adjustments learning the more elegant and diverse way of handling a weapon, instead of the more viking-like 'swing 'till you hit' kind.

Magic ...was another thing. Hiccup had soon noticed that most of his friends had trouble mastering even the smallest of spells. Snotlout had the most trouble, even though he tried, couldn't get further than creating the protecting layer of shields, that would help deflecting arrows and blows from axes, swords and whatnot. The twins, who in their youth always had a knack for getting into trouble with everything (once with an empty room, which had disastrous results), managed to get a certain level of mastering magic, even though they mostly liked to use it to create trouble during lessons, 'for old times sake', like they called it.

Hiccup didn't find it surprising that Astrid and Fishlegs kept getting better and better in the field of magic. Fishlegs was eager to read the scrolls and books that Hiccup and the other Riders had brought with them. The only problem was that he had the tendency to take the instructions and situation of the scrolls literally and didn't leave much room to improvise and creativity, which was a thing that Hiccup urged the others to practice. Fishlegs simply lacked the skill to think outside the box. A single spell could be used in more than a dozen ways in a dozen of different situations and problems. One same, single effect could be achieved with a hundred different methods.

But Astrid …Astrid had really surprised him. Her natural competitiveness guided her to learn and master the techniques Hiccup and the others showed them, very quickly. She was, by far, one of the most promising of them all. She had power, intelligence and enough smarts to use her newfound skills in surprising ways. This made him feel both proud ...and weary. Dracus also had shown potential, power and smarts. But his need to prove himself had caused his downfall and had nearly destroyed himself, Hiccup and the others. And now he was coming here, with plans and motives unknown.

A nagging voice brought him out of his thoughts. "Are we there yet, where is there and what are going to do if we et there?"

Hiccup turned around from his spot on the bow, where he was watching the horizon as he let his thoughts run free.

"That, Snotlout, is for me to know and for you to find out." He said.

"C'mon, Hiccup, Tell the lad." Terrax yelled from Stormy's back as he and some of the others were pulling the ship by dragon. "It would be torture to keep them waiting longer.

"Watch out who you calling lad, Lad" Snotlout yelled back.

Astrid walked over to them, arms crossed. "It would be nice if you'd tell what your plan is." she said. "More training?"

"In a way, yes." Hiccup said. "and no."

"I hate it when he does that." Tuffnut exclaimed, hanging upside down from one of the masts.

"Get down from there." Groaned Ruffnut. "You'll hit your head ...again."

"Fine." he sighed. He swung forward and with trained precision, landed on his feet.

"Impressive." Shaïra said, sitting on a create not too far from their position.

"You think?" Tuffnut asked, suddenly seeming flustered. "It took years of practice and a lot of headaches to get it right. I can even sleep …."

"Not that impressive." Shaïra said dryly and walked away.

Tuffnut, mouth hanging open from the unfinished sentence, looked like a hit puppy as he watched her walk away.

Ruffnut bashed her brother on the shoulder. "You'll get there."

"If everyone is finished goofing off." Hiccup exclaimed. "...would you please turn your attention towards our destination?" He pointed at the horizon, where an island was looming up in the distance. But not any plain old island.

"Dragon Island." Astrid exclaimed.

End Preview! Review what you like of it so far! Please be patient with me. I have a job and not as much time as I used to have.