We spent the rest of the morning collecting the rest of the Riders and the Auxiliary team, along with Gobber and Sven. Before too long, we had nearly two dozen vikings huddled around Hiccup and I as we stand in the Academy. I was standing by his side, an unsaid feeling of unease creeping up my spine as I glance over to him while everyone settles. He noticed my apprehension as I feel his hand slink into mine; this would be the first time since we had become intimate that we would be separated for a prolonged period of time. We were professionals, business as usual in matters of war and kin; we couldn't afford to let our own personal feelings interfere with what needed to be done and Valka was right. Hiccup was the best one to be the Envoy, even as Chief, he was the wisest and most diplomatic man I had ever met. He had defused so many situations, stopped conflict before it escalated, resolved it when it did. He never let his mark as the future Chief influence who he was at his core when we were on the Edge, and he wouldn't suddenly gain that disposition now.

But there was more, I was going to become his acting Chiefess in his wake. This would be the first time that I had ever taken that role. It would be the first time, though not the last as our future was already more than suspected. The entire village knew we would be wed, but this would be the first step in accepting what that actually meant. In addition to being his wife, I would be his second, his most trusted in times of need. In times of war, he'd be the one going to battle while I would stay behind to look after the village. It's something I'm not sure I truly realized would be the case, and this was my first taste of that eventuality. I'm not sure how I feel about it; I am a warrior and where Hiccup goes, I go. I would be denying two of the things I held to my core; and I guess this would be a dry run to how I reacted to that.

My attention is pulled from my thoughts as Hiccup's hand tightens around mine briefly and I glance up to look at him. I hadn't realized that I had been gazing down into the stone of the Academy for what must've only been seconds but felt like hours. He smiled at me and his eyes softened as I smiled and nodded, closing my eyes and pressing my free hand to his chest. He nods and releases my hand; there were no words in that brief exchange, none that need to be said. He knew, we both knew; we'd be with each other, no matter what. He takes a step forward and I watch him move as he speaks to the riders, he had grown so much more confident. He spoke with a courage, a conviction that was ever growing with each new challenge he faced; it was… impressive to watch.

"Alright, gang, here's the deal. First; we've officially made contact with the Hysterics and they will be attending the Summit of the Chiefs. They were impressed with our handling of the Trappers off their shores with the Doomfang. Second; Valka was injured and as such, she will be recovering here while I replace her. Eret and I will fly to each of the remaining island powers that be that exist within the boarders of the Archipelago. This will take us outside of our own boarders, as far as the Edge and beyond in some directions. As such, we'll be sending Terror Mails as we can, and Astrid will be the Chiefess of the Tribe while I am gone. I expect everyone to listen to her better than you listen to me." Hiccup says strongly and I feel my heart flutter when he calls me the Chiefess, it makes my stomach drop and a small smile form. I felt a mix of fear and anxiety; this was outside of my realm, not leading, but leading a tribe as a Chiefess.

"Wait, wait, wait. Why is Astrid in charge?" Snotlout asks, crossing his arms as I roll my eyes. I can't see Hiccup's face, but I can tell his eyes narrowed and he frowned as Snotlout looked away.

"Because I said so. Moving on; I expect we'll be gone for three or four weeks at most. While we're gone, there will be no trapper raids. Our priority here will be shoring our waters defenses and resources. That said, I expect everyone is antsy so when you feel secure, some Dragon Races could be beneficial for moral." Hiccup states, motioning me to come and stand beside him. "Any other questions?" Hiccup asks.

"Oh, Aye. What do we call ye, lass? Chiefess Hofferson, or Haddock?" Gobber says with a grin as I feel my face flush and I shift uncomfortably. Hiccup can read me like a book, he's gotten so much better at making me feel appreciated and respected; a far cry from the boy who didn't notice the betrothal necklace I had worn a whole day.

"She is still, and always will be a fearless Hofferson." Hiccup says confidently, glancing at me with a smile as I nod, smiling. A part of me wanted him to say Haddock, I almost yelled out Haddock but bit my tongue as I took a breath and stepped forward fully.

"Those that are here represent the bulk of Berk's trained dragon riders; most of you have seen combat, some of you have seen more than your share. It'll be our job to ensure that Hiccup and Eret have an Island to come back too. The trappers have declared war against us by attacking Valka directly, and Krogan. We can expect them to try again. I'm going to be counting on each of you to help me do that." I state. "If you have an idea, I need to know it. When I give an order, I need it followed." I finish as several of the A team snap a salute which makes me smile a bit, they were still scarred no doubt by my initial training. Even Spitelout was giving this a serious eye.

"Gobber, I need you to summon the Village to the Great Hall, Sven you'll be working directly with the Militia just in case. I want to brief everyone; before we go though, does anyone have any questions?" Hiccup asks again, his hand brushing mine ever so slightly.

"Got it, Chief." Gobber says and takes off on Grump while Sven leaves as well.

"Are you sure it's wise to go out as a pair, a couple more riders wouldn't hurt would it?" Fishlegs asks and I can admit, I completely agreed with him as I glance at Hiccup.

"No, two Vikings on powerful dragons is intimidating enough. We need to appear diplomatic." Hiccup answers.

"And if you two get ambushed by trappers?" Snotlout retorts as the twins shrug it off.

"The trappers would be ill-equipped to our magic wielding chief." Tuffnot states as I shake my head and sigh as I hear Hiccup groan in confusion.

"Okay, okay. We won't engage them, we can fly higher than they can hope to reach and any of them that we spot we'll mark on a map to track their movements. It'll doubt as recon." Hiccup answers

"And we'll be ready to leave just in case. We have his stops, and know his route. I'll have the Riders ready to go and the A team focused on shore defense." I state to everyone as I feel Hiccup look at me.

"Astrid?" Hiccup questions softly as I shake my head.

"No arguments on this one." I answer, turning to look him in the eyes with a soft but strong gaze as he sighs and nods.

"Alright, to the Great Hall. We've got to let everyone else know." Hiccup states and I nod.

Together, the riders all take off and we fly over to the Great Hall where we can see everyone is already starting to filter in. The doors are large enough that Hiccup and I were able to fly in above the moving crowd and land on the opposite side of the Chief's table. It took another half an hour for everyone to filter in completely and find their places while the riders made their way to the table. Eret joined us here with Valka, even though she shouldn't move, she wanted to be here for this part. Hiccup stands and everyone instinctively quiets down, he was beginning to command more respect from the village, not that he didn't already have their respect. He had saved their lives more times than most vikings could count.

"As you all know, we will be hosting a Summit of the Chiefs again, the first one in over a decade, since Drago had killed the original and sent several tribes to the wind. I will be leaving tomorrow to personally extend the offer to these tribes. While I am gone, I am leaving behind someone very important who will lead in my stead. You all know and respect her; Chiefess Astrid Hofferson." Hiccup says, gesturing to me and I'll admit, I don't know the reaction I was expecting but I got one I didn't expect. An applause, and I felt like I wanted to shrink into the chair. I've never felt fear of crowds before, never felt apprehension before the tribe, but this was an absolute first for me and once more… I wished he had said Haddock. I was rethinking waiting until the trappers were dealt with to wed…

"With that said, the trappers have declared war against our way of life and our island by attacking the last envoy we had sent, my mother included. She is well and recovering but we all know what that means. While I am gone, I'll need everyone's help; shore up the islands defenses and resources then have fun. Don't drop your guard, but don't live in fear." Hiccup finishes as the applause wanes and motions for me to stand next to him. I nod and stand as the eyes turn to me.

"We're strong together, we'll be even stronger after this summit and after we've bested the Trappers once and for all. We've survived many trials together and Thor has always been with us. I will need everyone to help me make sure that the Chief has a home to return too. Can I count on all of you?" I ask, looking over the crowd as there is a resounding cheer. Following that, I smile and take Hiccup's hand as I sit down with him and we eat with the town. It's a late lunch, not a full dinner, but I soon wanted Hiccup before the fire. One last night together before our trial began.


Both my mother and Astrid's parents found us in the Great Hall during the lunch and sat with us. The Hoffersons sat opposite Astrid and I with my mother using a wooden cane to make her own seat. I got up to help her sit easier before rejoining them as her parents eyed me down. I felt Astrid's hand slink into mine under the table as her father places his rather large fist on the table. He was no Stoick, but he was no slouch either and my father was impressed with him as I recall.

"So; nice speech, Chief." He says curtly and nods to me as he glances between Astrid and I.

"I can tell the difference between you two, you both move and walk differently together." Her mother comments with a warm smile. "Not unlike how I remember seeing Valka and Stoick. Or Harald and myself. It fills me with much joy." She adds.

"I've noticed it too. You picked a good one, Bean." Her father says softly as I feel her shift uncomfortably.

"Bean?" I ask and they both laugh as she groans.

"I really don't like that." Astrid mutters under her breath as I stifle a laugh.

"Oh, that doesn't matter, I'm your father! You're lucky I don't tell Hiccup hear about some of your childhood mishaps that never made it to the streets." He retorts, leaning back and smiling towards me as I laugh.

"Mother." Astrid groans, pleading for support as I tighten my grip on her hand, leaning forward.

"Whatever they are, they made you who you are today." I say softly and she smiles.

"Aye, see, a good one." Her father retorts, glancing to her mother. Leaning into the table, he looks me square in the eyes. "I expect you to return in one piece, boy. I've never seen my daughter this happy, and if something happens to you, I'll personally go knock on Valhalla's doors to bring you back. You hear me?" He states and I nod.

"Yes, sir. I know what I've got and what I'm coming home too. You needn't worry." I answer confidently as I glance to Astrid who has the most painfully uncomfortable looks on her face as she tries to feign a smile.

"Oh, hai, Hiccup, don't think ye be getting off easy. Do you know how many stories and secrets I plan to share with Astrid while you're gone? I may have been gone, but a mother knows. Isn't that right, Tove?" My mother speaks and I sigh as Astrid nudges me with a smile.

"Oh, certainly, Valka." Astrid's mother adds and we both groan while the parents laugh. Maybe when we were parents, we could torment our children the way these people are. My heart hops as I think of that, having children with Astrid. I've got plenty to come home too.

Not too long after that, Astrid and I had bid our farewells to the people in the Hall and made our way to our house. We wanted to spend this time together, since this day had started out differently than we had expected. I wanted nothing more than for her to go with me, but my mother used logic as her ally and talked us into the more logical path even if it was the path that separated us. I think she did it on purpose, not maliciously, but as a means to help both of us grow into better versions of ourselves. We both knew how strong we were together, now we'd see how strong we were apart and grow even more.

Before too long, we were back at the house and had our dragons de harnessed and we were back to our customary position. Sitting before the fire in comfortably cloths under a blanket with a pair of mead mugs to drink and the fire to watch. She sat partially in my lap as my arms found their way around her waist while she leaned back into my chest, her head resting on my shoulder as her eyes are shut. She was breathing softly; her lips were slightly pursed and her hands rested on mine as they rest over her abdomen. I could feel her hands tighten over my knuckles as she sighs amid a breath and she clears her throat to speak. I was watching her, studying her facial outline; studying it so I could see it perfectly when I shut my eyes while I was out at sea. The words she then spoke, I'll admit, caught me off guard.

"Hiccup; twice today. Twice…" She mutters, not opening her eyes as she sighs. "Twice I wished you introduced me as Chiefess Haddock." She finishes softly and I felt my heart skip as I gaze at her. I had certainly wanted too, but we had agreed. We wouldn't wed until after the threat of the Trappers had been dealt with. My silence wasn't doing me any favors as I stare in shock, she turns her head to look at me.

"I-I only didn't because we're… you know… not?" I stammer as she nods and looks down for a long period before turning her gaze back towards me.

"Do you think that's the right choice? Waiting? The whole village knows it's coming, Gobber makes it awkward every chance he gets. I just can't help but think… what if…" She begins, her voice trailing as she closes her eyes and I shake my head, pressing my forehead to hers.

"No, don't do what if's. Nothing will happen, I'll be back for you. Astrid, you know I would marry you right now, right? I would march us back to the Great Hall, and wed you in front of the village." I state softly but confidently as she smiles, reopening her eyes.

"I know; it's still not the right time… if we wed, it would change how we dealt with the trappers. I'd be obligated to stay behind.." She reasons and I shake my head.

"To Niflheim with traditions; what are traditions if they can't evolve as we do. We've broken so many of them." I state as she nods, smiling and closing her eyes.

"Mmm, that we have." She murmurs with a growing smile.

"If we want to wait, I understand. If we want to when I get back, I understand. I don't need marriage to understand my love for you, or my trust, or faith in you." I state, brushing the hair from her face as she opens her eyes and leans in for a kiss. I smile and close the gap, kissing her softly as her hand leaves mine and cups my cheek.

"You sweet talker." She whispers against my lips and then nestles in closer, her hand wrapping around my shoulder as she rests her head on my chest. "Can we just stay like this?" She asks softly and I nod, my arms tightening around her as we nestle in.

Nothing more needs to be said, not tonight. We stayed like that for hours, drifting in and out of sleep before the firelight before actual nightfall fell and we moved up to the bed. We shed our clothing on the way, and it wasn't long thereafter her legs were wrapped around my hips and we were lost in each other. I certainly wouldn't have left without spending the night with her, being with her in every way; mentally, spiritually, physically. It all mattered, body, mind and soul. Each of them connecting; I knew that no matter where I went in the Archipelago, wherever I was, wherever she was. She would be with me; her warmth, her scent, would be with me. The dagger she had gifted me would stay with me.

When we finally woke, it was near dawn again and the time had come for me to leave the woman I loved. One of the hardest moments I had ever faced, something I didn't expect. Having to leave this beautiful naked Viking and get dressed, she had gotten up moments later to get dressed as well and see me off. She wasn't going to let me leave without another kiss, a real one. I felt her arms interlock around my neck as her lips pressed into mine, her tongue piercing my lips and tasting mine as they begun their dance. When we finally parted, she smiles and pressed her forehead to mine.

"Be safe." She whispered and I smiled, pecking her on the lips and nodding.

"I will, I promise." I answer, no quippy remarks this time. No jokes. There were plenty of times for those, but this was not one of them. In this instance, we connected our hearts. She would know that I was leaving but not because of I wanted too but because I had too, for the good of the tribe and for us. I would make the alliances we needed to end the trapper threat once and for all so that her and I could live together in a time of peace. So that we could wake up in the morning without a looming war or disaster on our hands. So that we could live in harmony with the dragons and just enjoy the beautiful world that Thor gave us without being worried about human greed.

I take another look into her eyes, another long look studying her face as she gazes softly back at mine with a smile. I lean back in and kiss her again, savoring the feeling of her lips, the scent and taste.

"I love you, Astrid" I say softly against her lips as I feel them curl into a smile.

"I love you, Hiccup." She answers.

And with that, there were no other words. This would be the longest few weeks of my life without a doubt. There was no other person that I enjoyed flying with as much as Astrid, no person whose company could light even my darkest of days. This would be a true test of my ability to cope, which is something I'd have to learn anyways. And it wasn't just the distance or the time; it was the unknown. We were in a state of war, so anytime we were separated, either of us could be a bigger target. That said, we also could fight without worrying about the other, but we had grown so collected around each other it hardly mattered. That and with these new tribes we've had little interaction within the recent decades, who knows how Vikings on Dragons would be received. Sure, we were the talk of the archipelago, but that doesn't always mean a good thing. Time will tell; Eret had arrived. I bid Astrid one final goodbye kiss before mounting Toothless and taking off. I looked back to see her silhouette gazing towards me in the ever-fading distance.