When Astrid walked through the arena gates, she knew her childhood was over.

Astrid had never been a very playful or imaginative child. She had always thought playing was a waste of time. She really could never see what was so enjoyable about it. Her parents worried for her in the beginning. They worried that she was abnormal. What kind of child doesn't like playing? But they understood and respected her choice. Astrid was around three when she got her first axe. It was her uncle Finn who had given her first axe. It was small, light, wooden and just a little rough. Three year-old Astrid loved it with all her heart. She worshipped it. She wouldn't let anyone touch it. Her mother, like any other sensible mother, was worried that she might harm herself with it. But Astrid proved she was determined to learn to use it.

To Astrid training was so different from playing. It was something useful, something that could help protect her village, something she could make her parents proud with. To Astrid that was worth so much.

Astrid believed that with hard work comes a reward. Astrid had worked harder for this then all the village children combined. She strived to be the best. She wasn't about to let anyone get in her way. So when Hiccup tumbled into her that day, she turned to him with every bit of fury she could muster. And she could muster quite a lot.

"Is this some kind of a joke to you? Our parents' war is about to become ours. Figure out which side you're on!"

Hiccup's eyes narrowed and his face hardened. Looking into Hiccup's eyes, Astrid didn't see the boy she had known for so many years. The boy who listened carefully when someone scolded him, who mumbled sorry when they were done, who had always tried his best. It shook her. She shoved that feeling from her head. "Hoffersons don't get scared" she told herself. But she just couldn't erase that feeling from her head.

Hiccup started pounding the hot metal. Something about the loud rhythmic pounding of the hammer always helped him think. Hiccup always came to the forge when there was something on his mind. Lately the question on his mind was- Should he leave Berk? Every time he thought about it the more appealing it felt. He wasn't sure how long he could last here, with the taunts and teasing. He wanted, no needed an escape from this place. The thought of leaving made his heart soar. So why hasn't he left yet? He isn't exactly sure. If he left he can leave all hard feeling here and be able to live with the one person who loved him with no expectations, cared for him, protected him fiercely, and supported him no matter what. That was much more than he could possibly ever say for Stoick. Hiccup anger reached it's limits thinking of all the times Stoick failed to do his one most important duty of all, fathering his child. To him his childhood before Toothless was a pile of yak dung. His fury fueled his need to leave. He had made his decision. He was leaving. Now he just needed to plan his escape.

"Hey bud!" Toothless saw his human friend approaching, greeting him with a cheerful lit in his voice. There was something different about this visit. For one he wasn't carrying his sword, so he wasn't visiting Toothless for their daily training session. He seemed happier, more at peace.

Toothless immediately jumped on him and greeted him with a bunch of sloppy licks. "Get off you stupid reptile, he laughed. I have something to tell you". Toothless jumped off and let his human collect himself. Hiccup's smile faded a bit and was replaced by a more serious expression.

"We're leaving Berk" .

The only emotion Toothless felt was joy. Joy that they were finally leaving the place that made his friend feel so unhappy and uncared for. The place that hurt his best friend. The place that made his friend smell like hurt, anger and sadness. Toothless had seen the bruises that Hiccup had sported after a hard day, despite his best efforts to hide them. Toothless had always wondered why Hiccup would return to the place that hurt him so much ever day. And now they could be together again. Just him and his best friend.

Toothless looked at Hiccup expectantly, thinking that they were leaving now.

"No, you stupid dragon we're not leaving now" Hiccup said exasperatedly, his smile coming back to life a bit at the dragon's anticipatory expression. " I need time to prepare".

Toothless just licked him on the cheek once more. Now Hiccup's face split into a real smile. " Oh, I'll get you back for that one. Just you wait".

Author's note:

First of all, I am so sorry that you guys didn't get a chapter for so long. You guys deserve a lot better. I was busy with my annual exams and I really didn't have any time to write. Plus I had a major case of writer's block and couldn't have squeezed out a sentence if I tried. Besides all of that, I accept it, I'm the most lazy and forgetful person on the planet. So I really apologize for all the time it took and hope you guys will still enjoy. I promise that I'm not planning on bailing on this fanfiction. I'll have more regular updates now that I'm more free.

Second, I want to thank you all for the amazing reviews you've given me. It was really because your reviews you guys got a chapter. I woke up today morning and was looking at your reviews and decided that I'm not going to make you guys wait any longer. I still have a bit of writer's block so today we have a short chapter.

Next I'll be replying to your awesome reviews!

Cajunbear73: Well you got your answer. Though I'm not sure if it's possible for Hiccup to thrive on Berk on the state which he's in.

Guest: Your review made my day!

Anyone675: Thank you so much for helping me out last chapter! I can't always find all the mistakes, so thank you!

M3r-N1k-ces: Hmm... I wasn't planning on Snoutlout and Hiccup to bash too much right now, but they do, I can't wait for Snoutlout to get what he deserves. I love your profile picture by the way!

CHShiccstrid: You gave me the sweetest review ever! If I'm honest I've never gotten a review as nice as yours. I'll do my best to not skip over important parts, it's just easier, and as I've already established I'm lazy. Thank you for your sweet review.

Thank you all for reviewing. Thank you for taking the time to make me smile You all are the sweetest! I hope you guys don't disappoint me too much this chapter. Give me your opinions. Whether they are good or bad, I want them. I understand as a author it's important to appreciate both. So go ahead and do it and dont hold back! Send me your thoughts!

I feel like my sentences are too long...

The second chapter will out soon. Till then stay positive and safe!