Chapter 2: Learning to Fly

A/N: Hello again fellow readers and writers! Well, if 17 followers is any indication, you're asking for it! Here's the next chapter. I honestly didn't realize how long the first chapter was until I uploaded it. So this chapter is shorter than the first but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless!

Moments after they left Berk…

Astrid watched them go until she couldn't see them anymore in the moonlit night sky before turning to her new partner with a smile.

"Well, you're going to need a name, huh? I can't just keep calling you Nadder."

The Nadder in question perked up at her statement and let out a squawk of sorts in response.

"Sorry girl, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow. I have to get back home before people start to worry. But don't worry, I'll be back."

The Nadder gave a sad croon but let her human walk back to the entryway of the Cove.

As Astrid made her way through the forest, with only the moon to light her way, she eventually heard voices calling out.

"Oh great," she muttered. The Villagers were looking for both her and Hiccup, so she grabbed her axe, that hung behind her and threw it at a tree. Her family knew she often went to train in the forest, so she might as well make it look like she hadn't been on a... life changing experience. She threw it a few more times until she heard them getting closer.

"Ah found Astrid!" Gobber's voice was unmistakable when he called out, as she turned to see said Blacksmith approaching her with a torch in hand. "Where 'ave ya been lass?"

"I've been here training," she said in a tone that made it seem like it should've been obvious before looking up to the sky. "I guess I was so focused, I didn't realize what time it was."

"Astrid," the Chief's voice called as he came up to the pair but once Astrid turned to him, she quickly hid her surprise when she noticed his eyes were slightly puffy and his face filled with worry. "Have you seen Hiccup?"

Astrid nearly said yes but was able to stop herself and shook her head, mentally scolding herself for nearly giving it away. "No sir. I haven't seen him since earlier today at the Arena."

The Chief's broad shoulders sagged at her answer but he immediately went back to his usual Stoic expression. "Head back home Astrid, yer parents are worried."

"Yes sir," was all Astrid said as she began to head back home. But she did catch part of Stoick and Gobber's conversation.

"Do you really think he's…"

"Don't ya even start Stoick! Let's just continue searchin' before we make any assumptions."

Astrid couldn't help but grimace. Hiccup may or may not have left some sort of letters to them before he left. Which made keeping Hiccup leaving a secret, so much harder. Everyone in the village knows how Stoick's wife was carried off by a dragon, now he lost his son due to his own blindness and stubbornness.

She only hoped that they wouldn't find the Cove. That's her only safe haven to be with her dragon.

Once she got home, her younger brother, Tyrell, welcomed her with a hug and worry on his face. He knew that his sister was the best of her generation but he was still her brother and was allowed to worry.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked.

Astrid smiled at her brothers worry and her eyes softened. "Fearless Astrid Hofferson is sure. Now come on, it's time for bed." She picked him up and went up the sturdy stairs. Her parents had no doubt took part in searching and left her Uncle Finn to look after Tyrell, so they'd be home soon enough. She tucked her brother in and gently pet his head to help him sleep.

(A/N: Another thing that a lot of people do is assume that Astrid's Uncle Finn was killed. Now this may be me being an optimist, but I think Finn merely shut himself away for a time after being humiliated from "freezing".)

Once Tyrell was asleep, Astrid went back down stairs and was greeted by her parents, who must've come back home after hearing she was found.

"Astrid!" Her mother, Asta, exclaimed as she hugged her daughter tightly. Asta was one of the who Astrid took after the most in terms of facial features.

"You had us worried sick lass," her father, Havard, chastised. "When Tyrell came running in the house saying you weren't in your usual training area or anywhere else, ya nearly gave us a heart attack."

Astrid was released from her mother's suffocating hug, allowing her to turn to her father. "Sorry Dad, I just went exploring. No big deal."

"You be sure ta tell us where yer goin' next time, aight?" Her Uncle Finn asked, gaining a nod from his niece.

"Alright, that's enough of that," Havard states with a smile. "Head to bed, the Chief wants all hands on deck tomorrow to keep searchin' for Hiccup."

Astrid hid her wince as she headed back upstairs. She sighed as she sat down on her bed, the silence of her room was almost deafening. She took off her spiked skirt, metal shoulder pads, boots, and her kransen, then laid her head on her pillow, her mind still running, keeping her awake.

"Will Hiccup be okay? Will he keep his promise?" She shook her head lightly. She couldn't worry about that now, Hiccup will come back and he will keep his promise. All she needs to do is follow his breadcrumbs, and learn about dragons and hopefully convince the tribe that dragons aren't what they thought they were. With that, her mind was put at ease and she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Astrid woke up early to get dressed, grabbed Hiccups journal and left a note saying she'd be out at Raven's Point training. Quickly grabbing her axe, and running out the door and into the crisp early morning air. Very few Berkians were awake at this hour, Mulch and Bucket were already down at the docks, Gothi looked to be visiting the Thorstons home, and Scablout was ready to finish his morning guard shift. Astrid finally reached the forest and retraced her steps back through the forest to reach the Cove, but this time around, taking her time to memorize the path.

Once she found her surroundings familiar, she followed the worn path. As she entered the Cove through the opening in the wall, she was greeted with a happy squawk.

"Hey there girl," she greeted her dragon, scratching the bipedal dragon behind her crown. She retracted her hand and brought out Hiccups journal, flipping to the first page that had a title. 'How to Train a Dragon'. Astrid just smiled as she read the steps in order. "Okay, gain a dragon's trust first, show them you mean no harm. Alright, already did that…" she continued to read and followed the steps written down. It was easy at first, but then came the next leap of faith, flying.

Astrid looked hesitantly up to her partner with yellow-amber eyes looking back. She took a deep breath and released slowly. "If Hiccup can do it, so can I," she thought determinedly. "But I'll need something to hang on with."

After searching the Cove, she found remnants of some rope leftover from Hiccup. She took hold of it and tied it around her dragon the best she could. Strangely enough, the dragon knelt closer to the ground allowing her easier access to climb on. Taking a deep breath, she climbed atop her dragon and got in a comfortable position. "Okay, almost like riding a yak," she said out loud. Getting the idea of what to do next, she gave a firm nudge to her dragons side, getting her to flap her wings and fly up into the air. Astrid gripped onto the crown of horns as if they were the reigns and pulled to either side to guide her dragon where she wanted to go. They flew the obstacle like branches of the forest, Astrid quickly learned that she may not always know best, that flying together is a two-way connection.

She was having a blast! But unfortunately, it seemed that Thor was going to put them to the final test, as storm clouds began to brew.

The rain started out light but quickly shifted to pelting as the new bonded pair flew.

"We need to find some place to wait out the storm," Astrid called out over the rumbling clouds and pelting rain.

Her dragon squawked and tilted to the left, making a U-turn back to Berk. The gusts of wind threatened to throw them off course but the two of them stayed strong.

They eventually found shelter at the (). Soaked to the bone, Astrid shivered as she sat down on the stone ground, her dragon followed suit and laid down behind her. Her tail curled in front of Astrid's feet and her left wing covered the shivering girl to protect her from the wind chill.

"Thanks girl," Astrid said appreciatively as she leaned against the warm reptile. Staring out into the rain and dark clouds gave her an idea. "I think I'll call you Stormfly."

The newly named Stormfly purred happily as she lightly nudged her head against her rider, gaining a pleasant scratch in return.

Meanwhile…

Stoick looked to the sky after hearing a resounding rumbling, as the clouds above began to converge together creating a mass of dark clouds.

"Thor seems to be mighty angry," Gobber said as he walked up to his friend. "What do you suppose he's angry about?"

Stoick only thought about it for a moment before shaking his head and heaved up the last tree trunk that needed cutting for the Great Hall's fire pit; it was always good to be prepared.

"That's not our concern right now Gobber," he reminded as he then made his way toward the hall. "Our only concern now is preparing before the ice comes in."

They took the load to the Hall and placed it with the others. Once that was done, he continued with his Chiefing duties, though part of his mind was elsewhere. The search for his son continued, but the only lead they had was that there was a boat missing from the docks and they had yet to find it so there was hope.

Stoick had headed home after eating something from the Great Hall. Normally Hiccup would make dinner but… he wasn't here.

The storm outside rumbled and crashed but it didn't bother him whatsoever as he sat in his chair with Hiccups letter in hand, gazing into the flames, remnant memories resurfacing.

It was a cold night as Stoick sat in front of the fire place. It was the anniversary of his wife's death at the claws of the dragons. He wiped away his tears but was brought out of his mourning when he heard the stairs creak, causing him to turn and see his 7 year old son on said stairs, holding the dragon that Valka had made for him.

"Son," Stoick started before wiping more tears away. "You should be asleep."

Hiccup shuffled a bit but spoke in a meek tone. "I was thirsty."

Stoick sighed quietly before gesturing for his son to come down. "Come 'ere, son."

Hiccup scurried down the rest of the stairs then up to his dad, who lifted him up onto his lap and allowed him to use the tongs on the fire.

"Dad? Are you gonna get us a new mom?" He asked curiously.

Stoick hugged his son and kissed his head lightly. "I don't want another. Your mom was the only woman for me. She was the love of my life. But with love comes loss, son. It's part of the deal. Sometimes it hurts, but in the end, it's all worth it. There's no greater gift than love."

Hiccup nodded slightly as he leaned against his dad. They stayed like that until Hiccup eventually fell back asleep. Stoick allowed him to stay that way until he almost nodded off as well, by then, he went upstairs to put Hiccup to bed, kissed him good night and headed to bed as well.

He sighed as he clenched the letter in his hands. There were so many times that he should've taken his own advice… but didn't. Now his son is gone, all because of his own stubbornness.

"Hiccup…"

Back with the fiery shield maiden at (), Astrid looked out to the open sea as she leaned against Stormfly. She had learned so much in the last 24 hours; Hiccup had only been using his resources to survive dragon training, Hiccup hiding a Night Fury, Dragons were raiding to not be eaten themselves, and… dragons not being what Vikings thought they were.

She absentmindedly scratched behind Stormfly's crown of horns earning croon of delight. Things are gonna be a lot more interesting and even more difficult in the coming future.

A/N: So, a fun little fact, is that this story had been in the making for almost two years, and this chapter wasn't originally part of the story but I wanted to show a bit of Astrid and Stoicks pov. The same could be said for a couple of the later chapters. Some bits are more developed than others due to me typing it earlier on than others. So tell me what you think, but no flames. This story may involve dragons but I can still get burned.

Anyway, hope you guys liked it, hope to see ya next chapter!