Astrid and I spend much of the next two days enthralled in each other's arms, in between our dawn and dusk patrols. The waters around Berk had been beautifully quiet and there were more ice plates that had formed. Berk would be locked from boat traffic for at least a week after the storm before they all melted away completely. The snow ended up being closer to ten feet, burying most people in their houses.

The storm front itself lasted for a little over two full days before it finally calmed down and we were able to fly without a raging wind or pounding blizzard. We were also the only two able to take to the air in this. None of the other huts had any sky roofs or the like. As we take to the sky and the sun breaks through the cloud cover finally, we rise above Berk and survey the whiteout that has happened over the terrain. Most of the trees were layered and nearly the entire down was blanketed.

We first flew to the exterior entrance to the Dragon Pens and together, we blew off the snow that had been otherwise blocking the doors. Once we cleared it, we opened one of them and made our way inside and walked the hall.

"Okay, bud. We need to get all the dragons organized and have them melt the snow around Berk. Controlled fire, not hitting the houses. You got it bud?" I say, turning to Toothless who does a curt growl as he then howls down the pens and Astrid and I glance to each other as we hear the rumbling of dragons as they stir in their pens. Together we walk the pens and open the doors as Toothless calls out to them, each of them following down to the entrance of the pens. His back glowing the lightning blue, almost like a Skrill.

Soon, dozens of dragons are sitting, perched, standing before Toothless and Stormfly as they prepare to lead the charge. Astrid and I make our way back to the front and hop on our respective dragons before taking flight. A flock of dragons following suit as Toothless roars again and they all fall into line as we circle Berk and head towards the center of down. In a unified motion, the first wave of dragons unleash their flames and melt the snow down, clearing almost the entirety of the center. The last freeze we had like this; we maybe had a dozen dragons on Berk. This time, we had literal hundreds, and the snow was nothing more than an inconvenience for us.

He roars a couple more times and then, various scores of dragons martial off in different directions burning through the snow. A group walked the way to the Academy, while another group walks towards the Great Hall. Several others split off and goes door to door, melting enough for them to be opened while another group goes to the docks. This was the first time I was capitalizing on Toothless as the Alpha since it happened, and if it worked without anything being burnt down, I'd be genuinely impressed.

As the dragons started their melting torchwork, which didn't take much after Toothless did his roar, Astrid and I took to the air and watched as slowly houses became opened up and the path to the various areas were cleared. Hinging Toothless over to the farms, a few other dragons followed us and the Monstrous Nightmares that were around erupted and landed in the snow, melting large swaths of dragon-sized areas from the barns to the fields.

I'll be honest, I would end up being a bit spoiled after this. Having the dragons so well coordinated after a big freeze made this years freeze like nothing. Astrid and I circled as we started seeing Berkians and Dragons exiting their huts after the dragons had cut a swath past houses. Soon, we saw Snotlout, the twins and Fishlegs barrel into the air and meet up with us.

"How did you manage that?" Fishlegs asks, flying up to us as Toothless cooed and I patted him on the side.

"Toothless. He's full of surprises, even to this day. He organized the dragons and now their working in a unified fashion. It's incredible." I answer as I glance to Astrid who nods, smiling.

"It was impressive, all of the dragons, from the Nightmares and Nadders to the few random offshoot dragons like the Thunderclaw or Hobblegrunt, all of them heeded Toothless's call without question." Astrid remarks in somewhat awe.

"That's why you started going crazy in the house. You're still my dragon, buddy. Toothless can go all Alpha he wants, but you work for me." Snotlout remarks to Hookfang who snorts and lights his horns on fire, singing Snotlout's hands as he growls. "Hey! Hookfang." He grumbles as we laugh.

"I gotta say, H, having T as the new Alpha is awesome. You should use his Alphatonic dragonic abilities more often. Like, imagine. A sky full of dragons descending down upon wayward trappers as they entrap poor dragons for their nefarious reasons." Tuffnut exclaims as he pauses and glances at Ruffnut. "Uh, why are they trapping, again. Like, HT totally took out their evil dictator." Tuff asks as Ruffnut shrugs.

"Obviously they are scared of one mister Hiccup Haddock and his ability to magically win any situation." Ruffnut explains as I roll my eyes and I hear Astrid laugh.

"Oh, come on guys, I've lost plenty of times." I retort and Tuffnut just shakes his head.

"False, El Jefe, O Chief of ours. You were temporarily outsmarted by several ruthless enemies and then won in the end. Come on, don't you even pay attention to your own actions." Tuffnut retorts back as I sigh as he glances to Ruff. "I swear, sometimes I think Loki replaces Hiccup with a less smart version of himself."

"Really, Tuff?" I exclaim as I still hear Astrid snickering as she flies besides me. "Astrid, you aren't supposed to laugh at their jokes." I groan as she shrugs and smiles.

"They have a point sometimes, Hiccup." Astrid says as both Tuff and Ruff loudly gasp

"Ruff, did you hear what I just heard? Astrid. Saying we make sense?" Tuff exclaims

"It certainly did sound like that. I'm not quite sure I believe it." Ruff answers as Astrid smiles a sly grin.

"I did say 'Sometimes.'" She finishes.

"Alright, alright, can we all just head over to the Great Hall, get some real food going. I haven't eaten anything but smoked fish in days." Snotlout exclaims as we all laugh.

"Try cooking something else. Can't always rely on others to cook for you." I retort and he shrugs.

"Uh, that's one of the reason people get married." Snotlout shrugs and I feel Astrid burning a hole into his skull as I can't help but laugh internally.

"Actually, Snotlout. Hiccup is a better cook than I am." Astrid nearly snarls at him. She hated his still womanizing comments that slipped past his brain at times.

"Well, Astrid-!" Snotlout begins before Fishlegs stops him.

"You better stop while you're still flying, Snotlout. Astrid is behind you, with Stormfly." Fishlegs advises as Snotlout raises a finger, then drops it and grumbles.

"I meant you marry someone who is a better cook. You are, aren't you Astrid!? See! Not womanizing. Relax. Gods." He retorts, ignoring Fishlegs advice to make his point and I honestly agreed. We did sort of jump the gun on that one, but his track record isn't exactly great. I glance at Astrid who's eyes meet mine and the fire in her eyes soften as she smiles weakly and shrugs.

"That's not why I'm with Hiccup." She says softly, almost so quiet that it vanished with the wind or that it was only meant for me. Snotlout certainly didn't respond to her comment as we all made our way to the Great Hall. Many of the villagers were already making their way to those halls, and those inside were stretching outside. More than a few of the kids on Berk had been thrown into the ten-foot snowbank and vanished in a ploof of white.

The statue of my father was partially covered with snow as well, but his face was still visible as he looked down over the village where we landed. The sight of that statue honestly made me happy to see, a sign that he was watching over us all form Valhalla. He had earned the rest, even though I wish he could've retired with my mother alive. When we entered the halls, there were cheers from Vikings as the riders walked in. Those sorts of things always made me uncomfortable, especially now that I was chief. Just another adjustment.


Interestingly enough, the applause in the Great Hall wasn't solely for the Dragon Riders as we entered like we thought. It was for Hiccup and Toothless because without them, we'd still be buried. Sure, the dragons could've been organized over more time, but Toothless being Alpha and being so close to Hiccup made it like the snap of a finger. I honestly loved seeing the village accept and cheer for him; especially considering the rough patches we went through in the first month after Stoick.

Now, several months later, several successful raids and dragons saved later, several crises averted, they accepted him. I'd stay by his side through all the hardships, even when he had to make the hardest decisions that potentially turned some of our own people against him. It wouldn't matter, he was our Chief, he was our Leader, he is my lover. I'd sooner leave Berk to some secluded island with him than lose him. It's amazing how I have felt my priorities shift, and of course, I'd never tell him any of that. He'd absolutely hate the idea of me having to choose, of being put in that position; not that I was.

Soon thereafter, we found our way to the Chief table where Hiccup called everyone's attention in the Hall. The entire village had filtered out if for no other reason than to reconnect after a cold three days.

"Hopefully everyone had a nice, warm freeze. The Dragons, with the help of Toothless and Stormfly, are organized and clearing the way. We took a flight around Berk, and we'll be locked in with ice plates for at least a week, they cover much of the surrounding waters. The storm seems to be over, though, and we can start trying to recover our stores." Hiccup explains as he glances around the room. "Does anyone have any issues that need to be addressed first from the storm?"

"Aye, Me barn had a partial collapse of the wall. The yaks nearly froze!" Mulch calls out as Hiccup nods.

"Alright, Gustov, you and the A team, barring Bucket and Mulch, will be on repair duty. Help Mulch get his barn back up to speed." Hiccup says and Gustov salutes as Hiccup sighs with a smile."

"You got it, Chief." Gustov answers amid his salute

"You don't need to salute me." He softly exclaims, and just like with Stoick, Gustov ignores him and does it anyways which makes me smile. "Anyone else?" Hiccup asks, looking out to the sea of Vikings. As no one else speaks, Hiccup nods. "Alright, with that, let's get some good warm food going and sit and eat together again! We've got plenty of time to catch back up!" Hiccup finishes and everyone cheers as they begin rambling about, various people making their way to other parts as a few dedicated chefs who have been excellent cooks start preparing mutton and yak chops. Gobber walks up to us with his usual surly grin.

"Oi, eh, Chief. Nothin' bad. Good job clearn' the village. I, uh, we still haven't gotten anything from yer mother yet." Gobber explains softly as I glance to Hiccup and slide my hand under the table, taking his hand.

"She should've sent a message by now." Hiccup says softly. "Even with the storm, we should've heard something, anything."

"I know, Chief. Give it another day, or don't, I mean. You're the chief." Gobber says as he shambles away awkwardly and Hiccup glances to me with a soft gaze and I smile.

"Let's go after we eat. You and I, we'll cover air faster and can better stay off any threat's path. Just to make sure you mother is safe." I whisper, squeezing his hand and tugging him closer. He smiles and nods, moving closer and kissing me lightly on the lips. We had grown much more comfortable unless we were being the center of attention. Granted, we were in the Great Hall, but everyone's mind was more on food and those around them than the Chief playing lip lock with his betrothed.

"I like that idea." He whispers softly and adds with a smile. "If all checks out, maybe we give the Veilwing another visit." He adds and I smile as we pull apart slightly.

"That sounds like a great idea. Pack enough provisions for a day or two, let Gobber handle everything, Fishlegs organizes the Academy." I add and he smiles.

"And hope the twins don't cause an avalanche ontop of Berk." He playfully teases as we both glance down the table at the twins viciously eating some mutton.

"And hope that Snotlout doesn't irritate Hookfang enough that he sets the town on fire." I tease back as Hiccup laughs lightly. We glance down the table and see Snotlout eating, or trying too, as Hookfang keeps stealing his food.

"All plausible. Eh, they'll be fine. The Edge survived, after all." Hiccup answers with a smile and I nod along, leaning against his chest as I gaze out over the sea of vikings now eating and laughing loudly with each other.

"Plus, Gobber and Fishlegs, and the other hundreds of Vikings, we'll be sure that the place won't fall apart. We should tell Gobber where we are going though, and Fishlegs, probably." I suggest and he nods as we hear Fishlegs voice suddenly spark and make us jump.

"Tell Fishlegs what?" Fishlegs ask as we jump and Hiccup scowls.

"I told you not to do that." Hicucp groans and he smiles sheepishly as he nods.

"Sorry. What though?" Fishlegs asks

"Astrid and I will be hunting down my mother after this storm. We're going alone as we're the fastest and can cover more ground. I want you to take over the Rider's while we're gone. You and Gobber will maintain the village." Hiccup explains and I can see the utter delight that crosses Fishlegs face. He hadn't really been in charge of anything since the twins and Snotlout used up the whole stockpile of Nightmare Gel.

"You can count on me. You won't be disappointed." Fishlegs exclaims proudly as Hiccup extends his hand and puts it on Fishlegs shoulder.

"I have no doubt, I trust you. You'll be fine." Hiccup adds and it made me smile watching those two. They were real friends, and they each valued each other's opinion of the other. Fishlegs especially was so downtrodden when Hiccup was disappointed the last time. I'm not sure Fishlegs ever got over it completely. They moved on, totally, but hearing someone you respect is disappointed in you is a major shock to one's confidence.

"I trust you too, Fishlegs." I add with a smile and he nods, taking both our hands.

"Thank you guys, it means a lot, believe me. Leaving after the food?" He asks and we both nod.

"I'll let Gobber know before we leave. Thank you, again." Hiccup adds and he nods.

Soon after that, we go back to eating and laughing at our table. The twins and Snotlout had been exchanging barbs for the better part of half an hour, much to everyone else's amusement. Snotlout was good, but the twins were almost unequalled in their random knowledge and witty retorts; it ended up being a partial roast of Snotlout that we got to enjoy. For once, it wasn't my fault.

After the food settled, we sought out Gobber who had already made his way back to the Forge. He wasn't a social animal like others were and preferred the company of Grump and the Forge. I couldn't really blame him, those times at the Great Hall were mentally taxing on my mind, but I was with Hiccup so it was always bearable. When we found him, he was hammering away at a new saddle order and greeted us without looking our way.

"Gobber, we're heading out to find my mother and Eret. You and Fishlegs will have the run of the village, as we're ice locked right now, there shouldn't be any major issues." Hiccup says and Gobber nods.

"Ye got it, Chief. Take care." Gobber says without question, he had grown so accustomed to just accepting the Chief's word with Stoick that he never questioned a thing.

After that, we both returned to the house and packed enough rations for a couple of days in water and food. A couple changes of under garments and our flight suits. I tied my Axe and Hiccup had Inferno and his shield rightly on Toothless's side. He was quiet and I noticed it.

As we finished setting our dragons up, I walked up to him and pushed him back against Toothless who only grunted slightly but stayed still as I pressed my lips to Hiccup's. Our tongues met and we stayed that way as his hands found my hips and mine draped his shoulders. When we finally parted, I smiled and nodded.

"We'll find her, Hiccup." I say softly and he smiles.

"With you, I believe anything is possible." He answers with a smile and he kisses me once more. We then hop on our dragons and take off, following the sail path that his mother was supposed to have taken.