A/N: Furrylover, I have a bit of a different plan for this story. Hiccup and Astrid getting together after getting to know each other is something I kinda explored in my other story, and for this one I wanted to do something different. I still appreciate the suggestion though! and hope you enjoy the story anyways :)

Chapter 6: Doubts are dispelled.

Standing at the front door of the Hofferson house, Hiccup hesitated.

Was he really ready to do this? Weeks of planning and hard work, all for nothing?

Knock, knock.

After a few moments, the door swung open and he was greeted by Ingrid Hofferson's friendly face.

"Hiccup, come in come in!" She beamed and Hiccup found himself being ushered in and took a seat. Astrid's mother brought him a cup of tea, which he took at her insistence.

Being welcomed like this was a bit unnerving to Hiccup, since he was so used to lukewarm treatment from the villagers. But Astrid's mom did seem to have a soft spot for him, ever since he was little.

He glanced around the main room, relieved that Astrid wasn't in sight. Ingrid Hofferson noted his wandering gaze, and spoke up with a sheepish smile, "She's shut herself in her room and won't come out. If ye want I can go and-"

"No! no that's fine. I actually.. wanted to talk to you"

"Me? Aye, go on" she said, sitting down across from him.

"Well... umm" Hiccup knew what he wanted to say but wasn't sure how to say it. He was equal parts relieved and surprised when Ingrid absolved him of the dilemma.

"You're having second thoughts, aren't ya?" She said in that motherly knowing voice.

"H-how did you-"

"I can see it on your face" she said with a smile. "I can see the conflict"

Hiccup took a deep breath. "Listen Mrs. Hofferson, I have thought long and hard about this, and decided- I can't... I am not gonna marry her"

Unsure if she'd be happy at this or not, he braced himself for whatever was coming, but her expression didn't change and she simply asked, "And why is that?"

"Astrid is... I don't know the words that can do her justice. She is strong, brave, selfless, intelligent, I have admired her all my life. She is so many things, and she deserves all the happiness in life and more. She needs to be cherished and loved by someone actually worthy of her, something I'm not. Something I'll never be."

Hiccup looked down, slightly ashamed to say the next part. "I cheated in the arena."

There it was. No going back now. Taking a deep breath, he continued.

"It was all a trick. I took advantage of a momentary distraction. That's all it was. I could never beat Astrid in a thousand lifetimes fair and square. I'm the worst warrior in the village, so of course I don't deserve her. And the with monstrous nightmare, I... umm..."

"Hush. I don't need to know how you did it."

Hiccup was surprised. "Okay, but what I'm trying to say is... she'll never be happy with me. She most definitely will never love someone like me, and I can't- I won't do this to her. I won't marry her"

Hiccup swallowed nervously and looked up, and was confused to see a wide smile on Ingrid's face. Then he realized.

Of course, she'd be thrilled her daughter won't be marrying someone like him. But the next words out of her mouth squashed that theory.

"I knew it. I told Astrid's father too, but he didn't listen. But I knew"

Hiccup faltered. "Knew what?"

"That you are the perfect lad for our little girl"

"What?" Hiccup wondered if his hearing had gone out of whack. "I just told you all the reasons why I'll be the worst choice for her"

"That's precisely it, isn't it? You care about what's best for her so much, that you're willing to give her up"

Hiccup tilted his head, unsure where this was going.

"You think any of the other boys would even spare a second's thought about Astrid or her feelings if they were in your place? No. They'd probably be out celebrating without a care in the world while you are here, looking all sad and troubled and willing to do whatever it took to make her feel better."

"But- but I'm not strong. I'm not a warrior"

"Ye think strength only comes from the outside? No." She pointed a finger squarely towards his chest. "It's the strength inside that truly matters. I've seen how ye've been treated by the others over the years. How you've never let it get to you, how you always got up, how you never let it break your spirit.

"We wanted Astrid to marry, because her father and I care deeply about her. She is a headstrong and stubborn girl, but underneath her strong outer shell, her heart is still fragile. After what happened with her uncle, 'fearless' Finn Hofferson, she has been stuck on the idea that she is the one who can get the honor of the Hofferson's back, and the only way to do it is by fighting."

Hiccup understood now more than ever that fighting never led to anything good. The one time he'd chosen kindness, he'd earned a friend in the form of toothless.

"She has friends yes, she has us, but I know she is still lonely. We wanted her to have someone her own age she could confide in, someone who understood her, supported her, made her realize the power of kindness and love. Made her see the beauty in life"

Hiccup felt woefully inadequate to do any of those things. "Y-you think I can do that?"

"I don't think that, no." She said, clearly suppressing a smile. "I know you can. And you will."

"But even if she might not have hated me before, she certainly does now" Hiccup said quietly, glancing up towards the staircase.

Ingrid waved a hand dismissively. "Of course you must know very well about her stubbornness and temper. She will be bitter, and she will be angry, yes. She won't be nice to you, at least for a while"

Seeing Hiccup's face fall, she continued quickly-

"But, I can promise you that if you give her some time, until her anger dissipates, she will see you for what you are. A kind-hearted boy who cares deeply about her. I know she will come around, as long as you are patient with her."

Hiccup looked down at the table, nodding and considering if he could do what she was asking. He'd wait years if it meant he'd get to be with Astrid. A smile involuntarily came to his face when he imagined a hypothetical future where Astrid was his wife, and actually returned his feelings.

He reddened when we looked up to see her mother hadn't missed his expression.

"You love her, don't ya?"

His eyes widened at the bluntness of the question, and he found himself hoping his cheeks didn't look as warm as they felt.

Did he love her? He wasn't even sure was love truly was.

Was it when you care about someone so deeply that you'd do anything to make them happy? Was it when he felt an unexplainable urge to hold her in his arms and protect her from the world? Was it when he felt his mood lift up into the clouds whenever she was around? The physical pain he felt when he'd realized he'd hurt her?

If those things constituted as love, then yes, he did. With his whole heart and every fiber of his being. He did.

"I do" he said finally, looking up with a flushed but firm expression. "I really do"

Ingrid just nodded with a motherly smile. "I know"

Hiccup's curiosity got the better of him. "How did you know?"

"I can see it in your eyes."

"You can?"

"You have yer mum's eyes." She said, looking at him forlornly. "Valka was the kindest soul I knew. Something she clearly passed on to her son."

Hiccup couldn't remember the last time someone had complimented him. His father seemed perpetually disappointed in him, at least until he had won Astrid's hand.

But here was Astrid's mother, speaking like she thought he was the most worthy boy in the whole world. It made his insides feel all warm and fuzzy.

"I trust that you've made up your mind now?

Hiccup paused for a second before nodded firmly. "I have."

"Good"

"So... now what will happen?"

Ingrid chuckled at his question.

"Now, you run along to yer home and help your father prepare the contract, which you can bring over tomorrow. Meanwhile, I'll try ta coax Astrid out of her room before dinner time."

Hiccup got up and walked to the door, but before leaving, he turned and said, "Thank you Mrs. Hofferson. For everything"

She ruffled his hair, and replied, "Yer most welcome"

Hiccup found his father that evening, and asked about the contract. After the talk with Astrid's mom, it felt like a load had lifted off his shoulders. He felt much better now, even if Astrid was most probably still mad at him.

"Oh, I've already prepared it this mornin"

"Oh, that's good, does this mean we can... umm... go tomorrow then?" Hiccup did his best to hide his eagerness, but his father noticed anyway and gave a hearty chuckle.

"Don't worry son, yer lass isn't going anywhere. But yes, we'll head there in the morning"

Hiccup's face reddened at his father's words, but he managed to compose himself.

He was having trouble falling asleep that night, butterflies filling his stomach at even the slightest thought of tomorrow. He was about to get officially engaged, and to Astrid no less.

Most of all, he wanted to talk to her and clear the air between them after what had happened yesterday in the forest. Maybe if he explained himself with sincerity, she'd listen?

Hiccup looked comically small, sitting beside the huge form of his father at the table of the Hofferson house.

Astrid and her father were sitting right across from them, although Astrid might as well been miles away, for she was very pointedly looking anywhere except in Hiccup's direction.

Hiccup's attempts to catch her attention had been vehemently ignored so far, and as he glanced across at her, sitting with her arms crossed and glaring at the table, he could almost feel the anger radiating off her in waves. So much for hoping she'd have forgiven him overnight. If anything, she looked even more cross with him today.

Their fathers were negotiating the terms of the wedding contract, what the bride price will be, dowry, stuff like that. At least Astrid's father was looking semi-pleased, maybe he wasn't too opposed to the wedding after all. Perhaps Ingrid did have a talk with him, Hiccup thought.

Hiccup tried to pay attention to the words being said but he couldn't get his eyes off the girl in front of him, a frown on her face but still looking as beautiful as ever.

Then, before he knew it, the contract was signed, hands were shaken, and everyone stood up.

Hiccup turned after his dad to leave, then decided to take one last shot at it, and turned around to see Astrid staring straight at him. "Astrid, I-"

"Save it Hiccup" she said bitterly, and ran upstairs before Hiccup could say anything more.

During the walk home, all Hiccup could think about was that how was he gonna appease Astrid if she won't even talk to him?

"I don't know what I'm gonna do dad. She still hates me. How do I even talk to her?"

"Ah, she'll come around. When I was yer age, me and yer mum used to write each other letters all the time before our wedding. Even though we lived on the same island!" he laughed.

Hiccup's eyes widened. That's it! I'll write her a letter and then she'll have to read it!

Or maybe she'll burn it? No, Hiccup! she won't. Let's not think like that.

Back in his room, he sat down at his table and gathered his thoughts. After whispering a small prayer to the gods, he began to write.

Astrid glared into her soup so hard it was a wonder it didn't burst into flames. She felt so much rage bottled up inside her, all of it aimed at one specific person.

The dining hall was abuzz with the lunch hour rush, when Astrid felt someone slip in next to her.

"Wow, you're looking cheery" commented Ruffnut.

"What do you want?" Astrid grumbled.

"I still can't believe this happened. Don't tell me you're seriously gonna marry Hi-" Astrid turned an evil eye on her friend, and she hastily changed her words, "...you-know-who"

Astrid smacked her head against the table and kept it there. "What choice do I have? The contract is signed. Backing out now will start a feud and disgrace my family for generations. Not to mention my parents won't let me, and my mom is totally enamoured by that idiot Hiccup for some reason"

"This situation absolutely sucks. Like sucks as much as the time Tuff pushed me into a pile of yak dung"

Astrid snorted. "If you've come to make me feel better, then I'm sorry to say, but you're failing miserably."

Ruffnut sat up straighter. "Well... I came here for something else. Not sure if it'll help your mood or you'll go all berserk on me, but considering the circumstances, I'll risk it"

She fished out a neatly folded piece of parchment and handed it to Astrid, who took it and eyed it suspiciously. "What's this?"

"Well, It's a letter... obviously. I haven't read it"

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "From who?"

"Umm, why don't you just go home and read it first and I'll just..." she scrambled to get out of her seat just as Astrid gasped in realization.

"You little..." Astrid started, but Ruffnut had already sneaked off into the crowd.

I'll deal with her later, she thought and turned her attention back to the letter in her hands, seeing it in a whole new light. Was it even possible to be this angry at a mere piece of paper?

She saw a candle nearby and was tempted to get rid of it right then and there, at least burning it will give her a bit of satisfaction. But as much as she hated it, her curiosity won out in the end. Stuffing it in her bag, she put away her bowl and headed for home.

Shutting herself in her room to avoid being interrupted, she let out a deep sigh to calm herself down before hesitantly opening the letter, and began to read.

Astrid's mom giving Hiccup advice is my favorite kind of vibe :') This is a chapter I had in mind when I started this story, and I'm quite happy with how this turned out.

Thanks a bunch for the lovely reviews as always :)