Hiccup spent all day outside, searching for Fury. Astrid and he argued because she wanted to be the one who searched the dragon, but the Viking made her understand that probably the dragon wouldn't fly away if she saw him and not her and, finally, she agreed to stay and take care of Elsa.
The food wasn't a problem thanks to the zone's knowledge of the Arendellian. This way, Astrid made little raids to get some food for the day, and then, she spent the day with Elsa, with whom got along easily.
They talked a lot these days: about their lifestyle, family, past adventures... Elsa, much more restrained, spoke calmly from the pallet, but Astrid, much more energetic, used to act out whole scenes jumping and throwing stuff while yelling and laughing.
"Tell me," Elsa said one afternoon. "Is leadership difficult for you too?"
"Well, sometimes... It is a big responsibility and also such an honor, of course, but sometimes I miss having a bit more freedom."
"Yes..."
"But then I look at Hiccup, how he put all his efforts on it and how, even being in the same situation, shakes his head, stands erect, and says things like 'a chief's first duty is to his people'." Of course, she was representing it as she spoke, with a deep voice. "These are the things that his father used to say."
"Looks like he was a great... How was it? Chief?"
Astrid laughed.
"Yes, chief. One of the best ones our people remember. It is hard to be as good as him, but we try."
"You sure are better than you think."
The Viking smiled.
"So..." she said, sitting at her side and staring at her.
"So what?"
"Why did you ask this?"
Elsa was a bit surprised at being discovered.
"Well... all these kingdom duties and stuff were hard for me. First, because of my powers, due to my lack of control over them, and then, because of my powers again, because the more they grew, the most I longed to be free. And then was all this thing in the enchanted forest and... I don't know. I'm scared of having used all that as an excuse to escape and had put everything in Anna's shoulders, and that all this has been too much for her, or that I have been unable to notice the signals and I had missed that she neither wanted to reign." She kept on silent for a moment. "I guess what really scares me is that... is that I am the one who caused Anna to be like this."
"C'mon, don't say that. I'm sure there's an explanation for all of this. And whatever has caused it, we'll fix out one way or another."
Astrid hugged her and Elsa let herself be hugged, feeling the warmth of the Viking and tickles on the nose due to the fur of her coat. And, suddenly, she noticed it.
Elsa withdrew abruptly.
"What happens? The detectors?"
"Hm? N-No, no, don't worry... I am a bit tired, that is all. I think I need some sleep."
"Alright, I let you rest then. See you later."
Astrid touched Arendellian's head softly as a sign of farewell and left the tent, leaving Elsa with her heart throttling.
That night, Elsa woke up, startled. She sat and put attention. Again, she noticed a slight vibration inside of her.
"Hiccup! Astrid!" she said with urgency, trying to not speak too loud. "They are near."
No more was needed.
Hiccup covered the embers they were using to warm themselves with some arena and Astrid started to leave, ax in hand, ready to face anyone who dared to get too close.
"Astrid, wait," Elsa said. "How long will take you to dismount the camp?"
The Vikings look to each other.
"Five minutes?" Hiccup answered, looking to Astrid.
"Four if we do it together."
Elsa couldn't help but feel impressed.
"Ok, I think I can gain us the time."
"Don't push yourself, Elsa" Hiccup said, worried. "Maybe you didn't notice it, but these are the bodies of the best Vikings of the whole history."
The Arendellian needed a big effort to contain the laugh, looking at Hiccup's lanky body. She recognized that they fought well, though.
"Don't worry. I am just going to play a bit with them."
She closed her eyes and a snow figure materialized in front of them, looking the same as Elsa. She dressed the figure with her coak and, once it was dressed, the figure left running.
"Hopefully, we will be far enough when they discover the trick."
But the Vikings weren't listening. With incredible skills, they were untying ropes, folding cloth, and storing belongings in total and mutual synchrony. Elsa could only stay on a side, covered with a blanket, watching fascinated (and a bit jealous as well) how the camp disappeared in a blink.
"Yeah!" Astrid said when they finished, high-fiving Hiccup.
"I think we've beat Gobber's mark!"
Elsa cleared her throat.
"Let's go?"
"Oh, yeah... The immortal silent lunatics and stuff," Hiccup said, suddenly remembering their situation. "Sure, let's go! But... where do we go?"
"I think we should go North, with Northuldra. There we will be able to rest and organize. We are too vulnerable here."
"Are you fine for the trip?" Astrid asked.
"I am. I rested enough these past days. Thank you... to both of you."
"North, then. Let's move!"
Hiccup grabbed one of the two bags they've prepared, put it in his back, and started to walk.
"That is South," Elsa said with fun.
"Of course!" The Viking turned and kept walking as if nothing had happened. "North, here we go!"