A/N: As we begin to move into the war with the Outcasts, I am going to give a simple warning, prepare for it to be much less tame (If that wasn't obvious from Hiccup already killing people.) There will be blood, with that enjoy!


"Should we wake them up?" Astrid's mother whispered to Stoick quietly, she had come to check on her daughter and bring her something to eat, upon arrival at Gothi's hut, she had found her daughter comfortably snuggling against the Haddock boys chest.

Stoick seemed to consider it a moment "I think they both deserve their rest." He inclined his head as the pair moved.

"Yes, rest would be great," Hiccup sighed, his chin rested on Astrid's head and his eyes blinked rapidly as he attempted to chase away lingering tiredness "I was awake all night yesterday."

"And I'm still sore." Astrid complain, neither teen had moved, both just fixed disapproving looks on their parents surprisingly both adults actually felt bad, as if they'd be caught doing something they weren't supposed to be doing.

"Well since your awake," Stoick recovered first shaking himself slightly as he clapped his hands together "I'm going to need a report."

Hiccup nodded, he slid backwards his upper body resting against the back wall, Astrid followed along silently using his chest as a ramp to sit at a recline, Hiccup's arms never left Astrid as he moved and Astrid seemed to be daring her mother to make a comment about it.

"I went out in search of the mystery dragon," Hiccup recounted calmly "We found it Toothless and I, in the chase the dragon mistook us for enemies and fired at us, she missed but severed the connecting rod for Toothless's tail that was why I couldn't return." Hiccup recapped quickly.

"Astrid found me later on the second day," He continued after a slight paused "On her way to me Stormfly was caught in a net and when the Nadder bucked Astrid was thrown from the saddle, the mystery dragon, a female Nightfury I've named Ghost, didn't catch her in time but did lessen the impact of the fall resulting in this," Hiccup gestured to Astrid "The net was fired by the Outcast tribe, Alvin the Treacherous was present, they were using the island as a closer staging area to attack Berk, I engaged them when I arrived at Astrid's crash, Alvin got away, when I went back for Toothless, the three of us fought again, their trap was poorly set up and no physical harm befell me or the dragons, but we did burn the forest down."

Stoick took the information calmly "Well, if they were using the island for its lumber that's off the table, what do you think? Will they attack anyway?"

"I'm not sure, Alvin is not known for his intelligence so there is a possibility he plans to mobilize and attack in force before we can correctly prepare." Hiccup frowned as he spoke.

"I think a defensive stance would be wise, for now anyway," He concluded "We don't need to go looking for a fight that may not come, I suggest we wait and see, if Alvin appears with Berk's military might on the backs of dragons he will stand little chance on a boat."

"I'll call the village council together and start preparations quickly," Stoick nodded gratefully to the teens "Well done you two, rest well for now, Berk will have need of you in the coming weeks."

The pair smiled and nodded, Stoick got to his feet and left quickly, not a lot of time to waste with a potential war on your hands, Astrid's mother remained silently, apparently trying to find a way to begin.

"Haddock." She barked sharply, Hiccup stiffened against Astrid's back slightly.

"Yes Mrs. Hofferson?" He asked quickly.

"What are your intentions with my daughter?" The woman asked icily, he wasn't sure if she was mad or just being serious.

"I, uh," He glanced at Astrid for a moment, the blonde peered up at him curiously, obviously wanting an answer as well, they were Vikings, one wasn't usually permitted to be so physically close outside of betrothal, he let out a breath and paused for a moment, what were his intentions with Astrid, he looked down at her and she smiled at him warmly, her azure eyes catching the light and almost glowing in the sun, he smiled back, the answer was painfully obvious as he lifted his head "I want to continue to be with her, with the intentions of marriage, although I haven't spoke to my father about this or Astrid herself, if she will have me, nothing would make me happier." He delivered flatly, tone level and unfaltering.

Astrid's mother seemed taken aback, like she was expecting something else, even Astrid herself was surprised, she had expected Hiccup to say he wasn't sure, that he and Astrid hadn't spoken about it, not boldly declare he wanted to marry her, he did leave it for her to decide, she looked at her mother and then at Hiccup, both clearly wanted her answer, her thoughts and feelings on the matter, there was a time when the excited thrum of her heart in her chest would have irritated her, before she flew a dragon, before Hiccup had entered her life, before well, everything, but the happiness she felt at the idea of being engaged to Hiccup must have shown on her face, because Hiccup looked relieved before he smiled widely.

"If you're not opposed mother," Astrid began slowly "I would…very much like it if I could marry Hiccup."

Her mother bounded to her feet with a wide grin "Oh, of course I'm not opposed, it's a formality I have to ask him you're my little girl I won't have your feelings played with, he never seemed like the type anyway, but I mean you bagged the chief's son even your father won't oppose this." Astrid's mother rambled quickly, Astrid and Hiccup relaxed slightly.

"Of course I have to go talk to your father and then Stoick, I think we will discuss it with him after the meeting and then announce it when this war business has been resolved, with blood or without and marriage needs to be a happy occasion with plenty of planning I will not have my little girls day ruined by a fiery boulder fired from an Outcast catapult." Astrid's mother practically growled, she paused realizing she was rambling and she took a deep breath, she placed a small basket at the foot of the bed.

"I'll leave you two alone to talk about this," She smiled and nodded her head "I made some food so make sure you both eat."

The pair nodded gratefully, Astrid's mother left the room quickly, when the woman was out of earshot Astrid removed Hiccups arms from herself and turned around, Hiccup lifted an eyebrow at her questioningly.

"So you want to marry me huh?" Astrid asked

"I do." Hiccup replied flatly, the conviction reflected in his eyes and Astrid shivered at the look, quickly pushing a few rather graphic thoughts from her mind, she placed her hands on either side of his neck.

"You haven't told me you love me yet, but you're willing to spend the rest of your life with me?" Astrid asked

Hiccup gave her a look, was she asking him to reconsider, if so why had she agreed, he doubted she wanted him to take it back, she fiddled with the edge of his hair idly, obviously waiting for something.

"You know now that I think about it," He began with a frown, rubbing at his chin in consideration, Astrid's mouth gaped in surprise and he grinned at her, she cocked her good arm back and slugged him in the chest, he grunted from the action "I can't say I feel anything but love for you." He finished confidently.

Astrid froze, her body stiffened over him and he peered at her, her cheeks colored darkly and she averted her gaze finding the edge of the bed incredibly interesting at the moment, Hiccup let out a silent chuckle as he lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to look into his eyes as he leaned forward slowly, giving her a moment to rebuff him before he sealed their lips together, she melted into him as he moved his thumb lightly over her cheek, he pulled back after a moment, pressing a light kiss to the top of her head.

"I love your hair, it reminds me of morning sunlight, fresh air and summer," He whispered as he moved, a light kiss over her eyes "I love your eyes, every time I look at them I feel like I'm drowning just a little more, at the same time I'm intimidated by the intense fire they sometimes reflect." He moved down and kissed her lips again, deepening it only slightly as he pulled back.

"I love you Astrid Hofferson, with everything I have." He confessed, his voice a barely audible whisper.

Astrid let out a quick teary eyed laugh and Hiccup tilted his head, the large smile held on her face as she looked up at him, she considered mimicking his action but decided against out of fear of the sheer embarrassment, he planted a lingering kiss on his lips "I love you too."

"That's it huh? I give you a big grand romantic confession and you just keep it simple," Hiccup chuckled "I'll take it back."

"Too late," Astrid bopped his nose lightly with her finger "Besides I'm starving!"

Hiccup laughed as he shifted around, opening the basket Astrid's mother had left "We have," He announced quickly "Sandwiches."

His head lifted slightly and he frown "Honestly expected some kind of large and extravagant set that was…really anticlimactic."

Astrid chuckled as he handed her one of the sandwiches and nibbled on his own, Hiccup had that far off look in his eyes, the one her got when he was thinking about something important.

"Hiccup?" Astrid asked carefully.

"Hm?" He hummed questioningly

"I know that look, what's on your mind?" She asked, snapping him out of his reverie.

"Nothing really," He shrugged and yawned, he snapped the sandwich in his hand up quickly and shifted around on the bed, crossing his arms behind his head as he laid down "I'm just tired."

"Well you nap, I'll eat," Astrid half ordered half suggested as she chewed her food calmly "Then I'll nap some more too."

Hiccup chuckled "Okay."

Astrid sat quietly while she ate, glancing at Hiccup every so often to see if he was actually asleep, light snores began escaping his peaceful face and she leaned over him slowly, brushing his bangs away from his forehead slightly and tracing his jaw line idly, neither action caused him to stir, he seemed to settle in more as she rubbed his face so she continued "I love your hair too," She admitted sheepishly, glancing at him to make sure he didn't wake up "The way it always appears to be out of control but it's still so smooth to touch."

Her hand moved through his hair and his snores continued uninterrupted "I can't even begin to describe how much I love your eyes, their fire and determination at times, their bright curiosity at others."

Another snore broke the silence of her pause, her hand didn't stop it's movements "I even love your sarcasm and your dry humor although at times it's annoying."

She peered at his face again before leaning over and placing a light kiss against his forehead "I love how I feel in your arms, warm, safe, content like everything is and will be fine."

She moved the basket from the foot of the bed and laid down herself, his arms moved over her waist carefully, as if even in sleep he was careful with her, his nose brushed against the back of her head and Astrid moved just enough to peer up at him, she placed a light kiss on his cheek.

"I love you, Hiccup Haddock, with everything I have, I really do." She snuggled back into him, allowing the her tiredness to catch up with her as she fell asleep, blissfully unaware as Hiccup's face turned into a small smirk just before he decided to actually nap.


"Toothless!"

The black nightfury lifted his head tiredly and peered at his mate carefully, at this point he had given up opposing the bond they had created, even if she seemed as determined to dislike him as ever.

"What is it milady?" Toothless inquired lazily, letting his head fall back to the ground.

"You said there were caves on this island, you said you'd help me find one to live in." Ghost reminded flatly

Toothless groaned as he got to his feet "There are many, but I thought you had decided to stay in the village, those humans from before will likely attack are you really going to just leave the humans on their own."

"A human war should be fought by humans," Ghost stated simply "Leave us dragon kind out of it."

"Ordinarily I'd agree with you, but the Vikings of Berk and the Dragons of Berk co-exist peacefully here, each needs the other, without the humans that fish you've been enjoying so much wouldn't be there." Toothless snapped, still tired from the events of the day before.

"Fine, I'll help them if an attack comes, but I won't let anyone ride me again once was more than enough." Ghost snapped as she plopped down.

"Why are you just hanging around here anyway?" Ghost asked, lifting her head enough to peer at her mate.

"I can't fly on my own, my humans mate is injured and he will stay with her to keep her safe so, I am simply resting, I will be needed if a war comes," Toothless explained before his voice dropped low and threatening "Alvin will not escape me again."

Ghost smirked "I think your human shares your sentiment, he shot down his mate."

Toothless glanced at her but said nothing "Why are you so against a rider?"

Ghost peered at him "A Nightfury's freedom is not so easily relinquished."

"Do I appear caged to you?" Toothless asked truthfully

Ghost paused, she glanced at his tail before she spoke "You need the human to have even a hope of freedom, I don't need one to fly at all."

"Is flight what makes your free? I feel as free on the ground as I do in the air here," Toothless replied calmly, speaking with experience she couldn't imagine, he had come to terms with the fact that he would never fly on his own again but he did not see himself caged "A rider isn't a cage, they are a companion, a friend almost like a mate only not as lifelong and annoying."

Ghost shot him a look and Toothless warbled in amusement "Whatever you may say I think you liked having a rider."

"I didn't," Ghost snapped "Not even a little bit."

"And I am a ten foot long Gronkle with razorwings," Toothless teased quickly " I think you liked the idea of not having to be alone all the time and that's why you came here with me in the first place, I think you aren't as opposed to being mates as you pretend to be and I think you want a rider."

"I want a cave," Ghost shot at him "I don't oppose us being mates I just don't think something done out of spite should control our actions and I do not want a rider."

Toothless chuckled "So, if I told you I did not accept your fish out of spite how would you reply, milady?"

Ghost froze, glared at him and blew a small fireball at his feet before flying off wordlessly.

Toothless placed his head on the ground comfortably, he felt like he understood what his human had felt like the first few visits to the cove, all the nervous tip-toeing.


"I'd like to thank you all for meeting me on such short notice," Stoick addressed the council calmly "I have received the report from Hiccup and Astrid, explaining their absence and Astrid's injuries."

The council quieted their whispers and listened intently.

"It seems this was the work of Alvin the Treacherous of the Outcast tribe, he was using the island Hiccup discovered as a staging area for men and ships closer to Berk, Hiccup believes that he will still attack in hopes he can catch us off guard but he also suggested defense." Stoick explained "I have taken his council into consideration and I agree, I believe bolstering our defenses for now is the best course of action, I will not interrupt Berk's peace and march for a war that may have been halted." Stoick finished flatly.

"I agree with Hiccup," Egil stood quickly "If Alvin wishes a war and attacks our soil, we will repel him with the full might of Berks Vikings and the Dragons that we have by our sides, no attack his men can mount will be impossible to force back."

"And with the same dragons we can crush him as he retreats, ensuring he will never attempt an attack of Berk's soil again." Spitelout added angrily, Stoick had thought the man would be more for an all out attack, apparently Berk's time of peace had sharpened his mind.

"We are forgetting something important." Stoick practically growled as Mildew walked to the table, the old man was considered an Elder and as such commanded the respect of one, even if he was a weasley old coot to stubborn to accept the change of Berk.

"And what would that be Mildew," Stoick replied as curtly as he was allowed "I'll not have any of your games either, spit it out true or you'll be thrown out for wasting our time."

Mildew grinned, a gap toothed evil smile the man only used when he felt he had won "We are trusting dragons to fight our battles for us, since when have Berkian's been so weak they have to rely on an enemy of our own kind to beat back an Outcast?"

Stoick muttered a curse under his breath, of course the old man would try to play to a Vikings pride, Stoick could see faces shifting on the council, many already siding with Mildew at the sheer mention of them being called weak.

Egil got to his feet again, his intelligence was always recognized, Stoick hoped it was enough "Mildew is correct, it is the old Berkian way to repel threats with iron and strength not fire and allies."

"You see?" Mildew began before Egil glared at him, the man was not one to be cut off and Mildew quickly quieted.

"But we do not live in Old Berk anymore," Egil continued and Mildew gaped "Gone are the days when a Viking would kill a dragon for honor, honor is gained from the dragon you tame, the dragon you forge a bond stronger than any iron we can forge, if the Outcasts attacked tomorrow, I would naught want any other, than my trusted dragon at my side and sword in my hand, to fight them off."

Stoick grinned, the man's words had instant effect, it spread through the council quickly, the inspiration quickly turned to cheers and cheers turned to action as men went to request better saddles and weapons, all of them prepared to defend Berk with their fellow Vikings and Dragons besides them.

Stoick approached Mildew after the crowd had dispersed "Mildew, your status as an elder is the only reason you are allowed in these meetings, but even that does not override my authority as chief, if you try to spread discord through the ranks of my men, I will not hesitate to send you to Hel swiftly, am I completely understood?"

Mildew nodded fearfully as Stoick strode passed him.


A/N: The Defense of Berk begins, someone asked how I would be handling the Mildew situation and so this chapter pretty much sums it up, Astrid and Hiccup are engaged (Although not publicly.) I would like to apologize for the sheer amount of layered cheese I put on this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it anyway it's just the way it turned out, if you liked the chapter please drop a follow and feel free to check out my other stories and I will see you guys in the next one, peace!