Author's Note: I have begun uploading the story to Archive of Our Own (found here: /works/28624302), and because Falcatae was taken there, I have changed my name here once again to match the user names. Underguard will be my permanent name, sorry if this confuses anyone.


That morning I woke up feeling decently better, having a collection of my friends, as weird a bunch as we all can be, with me really did help. Heather staying and being close was also something that really helped me, just knowing they were all there, even if I didn't think I needed it at the time. Not unlike when they all slept outside with me after my house was burnt down back when Dagur was still our enemy. Thor knows how the times have changed since then, and I'll never forget the support Hiccup showed, it was an unspoken thing between the other riders, and I'm sure Hiccup shot them a glance or two, but it still meant more than I could explain. When he stayed during my training of the auxiliary team, I was so caught up in it all, I didn't think about me, but he did.

After the wake up, I saddled Stormfly and we went on a morning flight around island and surrounding sea stacks. It was refreshing, feeling the cold air rush past my face and really helped wake me up and clear my head. The sun was barely rising, and I was able to see it crest the horizon on the back of Stormfly. Sometimes, when the skies were clear and we were high up, the horizon almost seemed to curve beyond the dots the pepper the sea around us to the greater blue beyond. It was a challenge to ever go that high, it got harder to breathe, and it always made me wonder what other mysteries Thor's world held. We've gone so far as Riders, explored so much of the Archipelago and beyond that there had to be more. I was suddenly reminded of when Hiccup wouldn't give up and we were all pushed to go to the Great Beyond. Pushed is the wrong word really, his enthusiasm, his drive is intoxicating and can get the better of most around him, and he was right.

Since Eret had joined us, he's told us stories about visiting what he called the mainland; he described it as a desolate place larger than any island in the sea, filled with warring factions and turmoil. It wasn't a place I really wanted to visit, even if the very thought of such a large plot of land was intriguing. I couldn't imagine going to such a place where life was in constant peril or where the sea wasn't around me. One thing that would become a reality is that exploring the greater reaches of the world would come to an end as Hiccup and I came closer and closer to settling. As his parents, or my own would say, we have enough to worry about within our own waters. After my flight, as the sun crested, I headed to the stables where Valka usually roamed now that she could walk again. Gothi's herbal medicines were a thing of wonders and barring a slight limp, it seems Valka was healing well. I found her quickly in the pens with Cloudjumper by her side.

"Valka, I see your doing well, how is the leg?" I ask, walking up to her as she smiles.

"Oh, hello, Astrid. Still tender but recovering rather nicely. How are you on this morning?" Valka asks

"I'm doing good, just another day. Speaking to that, I've got an idea for you, if you're feeling up for it." I begin as she cocks her head and shrugs.

"Shoot, my dear." She says and I nod.

"Well, we're doing another dragon race today in teams. Fishlegs and Heather, the Twins and Snotlout. I plan to race today as well, and I'd like you to be my partner if you're willing." I suggest and she smiles.

"Oh, I'd love to race with my future daughter-in-law. It's been a while since Cloudjumper was able to spread his wings like that. Two sharp-class dragons... they won't stand a chance." She answers with an unfaltering grin.

"Great! After breakfast I will start rounding everyone up then." I say as she nods.

"Alright, I will see you there, then." She answers and I smile, taking off on Stormfly.

And to that end, breakfast was next and after that it was a matter of getting everyone rallied for the next race. The beauty of the past few years is that the people have really come together as a whole. There have been naysayers here and there, a couple who didn't like Hiccup for varying reasons who were rooted out and either left or changed. All in all, the people of Berk believed Hiccup had their best interests at heart so when he needed something done, they did it. It showed when he wasn't there as well, because everyone seemed to chip in now. With us at peace with our major two neighbors for years, the dragons and our own waters, if the trappers were dealt with, we may know true times of peace. Times when our flying war machines, as Snotlout would say, could instead be flying freely without a cause for war. It was something to look forward too, and ultimately it was the greed of humans that always seemed to get in the way.

After the flight, breakfast and morning work, it was a short order to get people to the stands for some racing. The people of Berk had grown quite fond of Dragon Races over the years, even before our time at the Edge and the Great Beyond. It was an excellent replacement for the Regatta, gave the village something exciting to watch and vent on. I tracked down Gobber on his way there with Mulch and Bucket and flagged them down, landing next to the trio and pulling them to the side.

"Gobber, I'll be racing today so I need you to officiate it. Bucket, Mulch, if you'd be our announcers like normal?" I say, glancing between them as the pair shrug and Gobber narrows his eyes.

"And what is this race exactly, ye haven't given out any details yet." Gobber asks and I smile a snarky smile.

"I guess you'll need to know to officiate and announce. It'll be a team race, this time. The Twins and Snotlout vs Heather and Fishlegs vs myself and Valka." I say simply as they all blink a couple times.

"Wait, I thought Heather left with the other Berserkers?" Mulch asks

"And I though Valka was recovering?" Gobber adds

"Oh! Everyone's being negative again, was it my fault?" Bucket says randomly as I shake my head and almost laugh.

"No, and yes to both those. Heather decided to stay until Hiccup returns, and Valka is recovering but she is good for the race." I explain as Gobber narrows his eyes further. "I didn't pressure her or anything, I swear. Plus, I needed to get back into the saddle anyways." I add and Gobber nods.

"O'very well, as ye say, Chiefess." He states and moves away with the others as I stand there, momentarily frozen again. That word, it was something hard to get used too, the implications of it. Was I really a Chiefess, Berk's Chiefess? Why were we waiting to be married again, why did the trapper threat matter? It didn't, did it? Was it just an excuse, a reason to justify waiting? No, it couldn't have been, we both wanted to be married by this point. I couldn't even imagine my life, my world without him in it. So, what was I afraid of? Random bouts of awkwardness? Was I ready for it, were we? The thoughts and questions flew through my mind like a tornado and only served to confuse me. Shaking my head, I glance up and smile, hoping on Stormfly and taking off. There'd be time to deal with those thoughts after I had Hiccup back.

I found the other riders already at the stables, to include Valka who was patting Cloudjumper on the side as Snotlout gave me a dirty look.

"So not fair, Astrid. You asked her to be your partner?!" He exclaims and I smile.

"Why yes, yes I did. Is that a problem?" I ask and he releases a defeated sigh. He knew how this race would go. I did too. Heather and Fishlegs both took Valka's arrival in stride, the twins did as well.

Soon thereafter, the races began. The goal was again capturing sheep and as expected, Valka and I lead to a dominating beginning with the few laps being nearly complete wipeouts. We won the first race outright. I had no idea that Hiccup's mother had a competitive side, but it was like I was seeing a new side of her and it made me glad she was my soon to be mother in law more and more. Her and Cloudjumper moved with the practiced precision of battling trappers and Drago for years and it showed. The large Stormcutter was a force to be reckoned with and almost dwarfed Hookfang, though still had the speed of Stormfly. It was a marvelous combination and by third race in the afternoon, we went easier on them to give one of them a chance to win and now it was a matter of who got the Black Sheep.

The last lap soon came, and we raced around the island, Snotlout had nabbed the black sheep, unwilling to give up and wanting to at least beat Fishlegs and Heather who were beating them. It was a dodgy race for a while, with Snotlout and Heather arguing for the black sheep in the air. I saw my opportunity and Stormfly launched me over their dragons so I could nab the sheep myself and then land on her back. It was such a rush to feel that again and as I rounded the corner, I scored the black sheep in our holster, landing to the sound of applause and… blasts? Blinking, I turn and look where Hiccup and my seats usually are and standing there, I see Hiccup next to Toothless. The Nightfury had just unleased several blasts of victory as Hiccup was looking at me, smiling and clapping. I don't remember running to him or saying anything, but I soon lost myself as I felt his arms wrap around me.


I was pleasantly surprised to see Dagur and Mala both at the Defenders of the Wing Island, and they were quick to greet Eret and I as we landed. The villages had really come together, and I could already see the changes as Berserkers seemed to be calling this island home now. Even Throk had seemed to take a Berserker for his wife, which was a good thing we talked to him during our time at the Edge. Berserkers would've taken even less kindly to his way of thought for courting than Astrid did, boy was that a weird day.

"Brother! What a surprise!? What brings you this far out?" Dagur says, taking me in a huge hug. "And you, Eret. Traveling on a nostalgia trip with Hiccup?" He adds

"Actually, I've been visiting various islands and inviting the tribes to the Summit we had talked briefly about. This is my last stop before I return home." I explain

"Though, Hiccup did show me to the Edge, though we only saw it briefly at night. We've been out at sea for a little over a week and I think" Eret adds as I nod along. Dagur's face drops.

"A week out? Where's Astrid?" Mala asks for Dagur as he looks almost softly towards me.

"Uh, yeah. I, she's back at Berk, making sure it's safe." I admit and Dagur clicks his tongue.

"I'm surprised she was okay with that to be honest." He admits and I shake my head.

"Ah, well, she wasn't. I wasn't either, really. I remember how you felt when we dropped the metal off at the Armorwing Dragon and I feel a lot like that." I explain and Dagur places his hand on my shoulder.

"I understand all too well, brother. I never thought I'd find love before meeting Mala, and even then, thought I hated her initially. Now, its painful to be apart for long, that's why we travel together on Sleuther." Dagur says, trying to console me as I nod. Sleuther had really taken to Dagur and that was good, Dagur was good to that dragon and since Shattermaster's injury, he's lived a life of relative luxury on Berserker Island.

"Well, if this is your last stop before you return home, Hiccup, let's get you on your way quickly then." Mala says with a smile before adding. "As you know, the Defenders would be honored to join your summit. Dagur has told me some about it, and I understand I am to bring my second. As Dagur and Heather will represent the Berserkers, Throk and myself will represent the Defenders."

"Who else is coming, brother?" Dagur then asks as I glance to Eret and shrug.

"Oh, uh.. Well, the Wingmaidens, the Outcasts. I've also invited the Hymir tribe and the Tribe of the Shivering Shores. I've also invited the Hysterics and the Mongrel Tribe. So, with the Berserkers and Defenders and then Berk, that's nine that'll be represented as the strongest powers in the Archipelago and beyond." I explain and I can see both Mala and Dagur visible contort at the mention of the Mongrel Tribe

"The Mongrels, eh? I'm surprised they agreed, considering their history with you." Mala states, fully aware of our run ins while at the Edge thanks to Johann's misinformation schemes.

"Uh, yeah, so was I." I admit, glancing between the two. The Mongrels were certainly no one's friend, they had rubbed many tribes the wrong way in recent years though they were still a force to be respected. Much like the Berserkers and Defenders in that regard, they had some spec of honor to them and lived for battle.

"They were a tad hostile, and we weren't welcomed to stay overnight but they recognized the threat the trappers pose. With them gone, the dragons and people of the Archipelago may actually know true peace." Eret adds as Mala narrows her eyes at him.

"Strong words coming from a former trapper. Wise ones though, I hope you are right." She says before turning to me. "While I question inviting the Mongrel Tribe, I won't question you. Are you prepared? Summits like this are usually led by the Chief of Chiefs, and as the organizer, rider of the alpha and friend to both people and dragons, that Chief should be you." Mala adds as I nod, internally sighing as yet another of my allies says the same thing.

"Of course, he's ready, he's Hiccup! All the times I tried to best him and failed, I'd accept no one else as the Head Chief, except maybe you, my beloved." Dagur says, nuzzling to Mala who nuzzles back as they share a kiss and my heart drops slightly as I close my eyes. I wanted to hold Astrid in my arms more than anything right now and these two love birds weren't helping anything.

"I am prepared for that… as much as I would rather it be anyone else, it seems that many want it to be me. If I have your support during the summit, I will accept it." I resign through a sigh.

"You have my support, brother." Dagur responds a moment later, pulling away from Mala.

"You have mine as well." Mala adds

"I thank you both. It's set to take place after the Solstice, I'll send a terror mail with more information, this was serving as a formal invitation." I finish and they nod.

"Consider it accepted, now go home. I'm sure Astrid misses you." Mala says softly

"And I can tell you miss her, get going." Dagur adds in a brotherly tone as I nod, smiling.

"Thank you both. Come on, Eret, let's head back home." I say, turning to Eret who nods.

"Right behind ya, Chief." Eret says and with that, we hop on our dragons and take back off.

Leaning into Toothless, I pat him on the side as I feel the wing beat against my body. "Let's get home quick, bud. I'm sure you want to see Astrid almost as badly as I do, right?" I ask as I hear him coo in response and suddenly our pace increases as I hear Eret pat Skullcrusher behind me.

"Come on, boy! Let's keep up!" He calls to his dragon as I smile, looking forward at the horizon.

The flight back seemed to take longer than normal even though I knew we were going faster than normal. Toothless was hurriedly flying to the point that Skullcrusher was having trouble keeping up but still managing to fly on my wing. My only thought now was returning home and to her, seeing Berk and her again. I could almost see her faced etched in the clouds above, like everything around me just served to remind me of her and it made me want to go faster.

We must've raced across the sea in record time before sometime after midday, I saw the island of Berk on the horizon and both Toothless and I felt invigorated as he sped up again, this time pulling ahead of Skullcrusher. As we got closer, I saw silhouettes of dragons circling the island and my heart dropped as my first thought was that they were under attack. As we closed, I noticed a much different event happening as it was Dragon Races, and my mother was racing! Eret and I hovered well above them, out of the eyeshot of those in the stands or the racers who had no reason to look this high, I just watched Astrid and my mother dominate the others in what seemed like a team race. Right as the last lap started, I darted down with Toothless and stood on the stands near Gobber, holding my finger to my lips and nodding to him as he smiled and nodded. I could hear Bucket and Mulch announcing as I watched Astrid preform one of her aerial leaps to take the black sheep from Snotlout and Heather before landing on Stormfly. She was incredible, and I could watch her for hours with a smile on my face.

The stands erupted into applause as she scored and landed, patting Toothless on the side, I nodded up and he fired a series of three blasts into the sky. I saw Astrid stiffen as she turned from the stands she was looking at and looked at me, my smile widening as I clap. Her face a mixture of controlled tears and an uncontrolled smile. "Hiccup?" I heard her croak as she seems to stifle a sigh and rushes towards me.

No sooner had I opened my arms did she literally leap into them, her arms wrapping around my neck as her legs wrap around my waist while she buries her face in my neck. My own arms around her lower back as I nestle into her shoulder and we both completely forgot where we were, or we just didn't care at that point. She was warm, her scent, her warmth, her breath, I hadn't realized up until now how much I truly missed it, even for only a week.

She pulls her head back and our lips meet as we stay standing there for a moment, and I lose myself as I feel her lips once again pressed to mine. Her forehead finds mine as our lips part and she slinks down to stand on her own legs again, her arms still wrapped around my neck.

"I missed you too." I whisper as she smiles, nodding.

"I'm glad you are back." She answers and leans in for another light kiss as I feel the thump of a large dragon landing next to us.

"Welcome back, son, how was your trip?" I hear my mother ask as Astrid and I pull apart. I can see Gobber walking up to us as I nod and smile.

"Mom, I'm glad you are looking better. It went well, all in all, there will be nine tribes at the summit. There, we can discuss how to properly deal with the trappers." I say as my mother nods.

"Excellent news, well, I'm sure it's been a while since you've slept in a real bed. Astrid, honey, why don't you take him home. Any other news can wait until tomorrow." My mother says and I glance at Astrid who smiles.

"That's what I was thinking, too." Astrid admits, gazing into my eyes and I smile, nodding.

"Home it is." I say softly and together, we hop on our dragons and make our way out of the stands as Gobber, Bucket and Mulch continue announcing random things to keep everyone distracted. Astrid and I had other plans in mind.