DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters from the HTTYD series or any of the ideas to the plots. My ideas are inspired by a collective of stories that I have come across. But I am always open for any ideas that could help with the story. I might also mess up with some details but I will try my best for the story. Without a further ado I will let you get on with the reading, enjoy!

Some Reading Tips:

Bold: Notes or comments for the story

Italics: Flashbacks, dreams, or reading

Normal: Normal story nothing special

Normally Astrid when woke up she was ready to get up and start her day pretty quickly. But today, as she felt the warmth of the covers over her and Hiccup's arm over her side, she was fine with staying in bed a bit longer. They had been on their vacation for a week now and Astrid was enjoying it. Most of the time they were outside either in the lake or just walking around the area on the semi-carved out trail. One night Hiccup even set up a bonfire outside and they were able to sit outside and watch the stars. Now she flipped over to see that Hiccup was still sleeping. She smiled as she saw how peaceful he looked and how much younger he seemed. All the stress and work he puts up with really seems to add a few years to him already.

She watched him for a few more minutes before he finally woke up and slowly opened his eyes.

"Good morning milady," he said in a sleepy voice as he rubbed his eyes with his free hand.

"Morning," she greeted back as she kissed him lightly with a smile on her face. He smiled too as he shifted so that he was laying flat on his back and Astrid could lay her head on his chest. "Well what's the plan for today," she asked him after a few seconds of silence.

"Well I don't mind this to be our plans for today," Hiccup proposed, causing both him and Astrid to laugh a bit. Suddenly Hiccup's stomach growled which caused them to laugh even harder.

"Well it seems that your stomach has a plan of its own," she told him to which he just shrugged. "Come on let's get up and make some breakfast," she told him but as she tried to get up she felt herself being brought down back to the bed.

"Few more minutes," she heard him mumble as he wrapped his arm around her so that she was closer to him.

"That's not going to work today mister," she told him, causing him to groan like a child.

"Why not," he whined, making him seem more like a child by the minute.

"Because your definition of a few more minutes is a lot more like a few hours," she told him.

"And what's so bad with that," he asked with a smirk and Astrid just shook her head as she finally got out of bed. A few minutes later Hiccup got up to help her in the kitchen, although he wasn't that much help overall as he just kept holding on to her the whole time. Despite Hiccup still acting like a child at times they managed to make a decent breakfast and enjoyed their meal.

"So what are we going to do for today," Astrid asked again, "And no we can't go with your original idea."

"Well if we are going to stay here for another few days we need to go into town for some things," he told her.

"Alright," Astrid said with a nod, "How far is the closest town."

"Maybe a thirty minutes walk," Hiccup said after thinking for a few seconds, "Not the best place to be in but we won't be there for long."

"Sounds like you've had some history there," Astrid commented and he shrugged his shoulders as he seemed to recall a memory.

"I might have caused a few fights at one of the pubs there," he admitted.

"Well hopefully you don't cause any fights while we are there," Astrid said with a joking smile.

"I'll try to be on my best behavior," he promised and then the two made their way into town. After about twenty minutes they spotted a rough paved path and followed into a small village. Astrid saw a few shops in the center square along with what seemed like an overcrowded pub. Hiccup quickly walked over towards one of the shops and Astrid followed him in as they scanned the shelves for anything they would need. Once they were done they brought everything up to the shopkeeper who was watching them closely.

"You two don't seem from around here," he told them, more so in a statement rather than a question.

"We got a spot far in land," Hiccup told him in a way that suggested he wanted to end the conversation.

"You get any trouble there," the shopkeeper asked him as he placed their bag on the table.

"Should we," Hiccup asked him with a raised eyebrow and the man just shrugged.

"Well you never know with that Dragon Master going around," the shopkeeper said, "He's the talk of the town nowadays." Hiccup started to grab the bag but paused after hearing that comment from the man. Astrid looked over at him and saw that he was trying to keep his expression neutral.

"What are the people talking about," Hiccup asked but the shopkeeper didn't say anything right away. Instead he looked around the shop before shoving a tin can forward with the word 'Tip' poorly written on it. Hiccup eyed the man for a few seconds before he sighed and pulled out a coin from his pocket and placed it in the can. The shopkeeper smiled as he pulled the can back and placed it under the table.

"Well word is that some of the men around here have an idea of where he lives," the man said in a whispered voice. "And they plan to go to his island tonight and want to take him out."

"Where are these men," Hiccup asked as he tried to keep his voice level and calm.

"Over in the pub," the shopkeeper said with a nod of his head, "That's why it's so busy now." Without saying anything Hiccup left the shop and then Astrid guessed he was making his way over to the pub.

"Thank you for your help," Astrid said to the man as she grabbed their bag and moved towards the door.

"Anytime lass," the shopkeeper said as he waved goodbye, "Anytime." Astrid gave him a short nod before stepping out of the shop and walking over to the pub. She had to push past a few people as she tried to sneak in unnoticed. She managed to find an open spot in the corner of the pub and saw everyone focused on the center of the room. Several men were crowded around one table and had several empty glasses stacked on the table. Astrid looked around the room and spotted Hiccup standing in the shadow on the wall opposite of Astrid. He was trying to conceal his emotions but Astrid could tell that he was angered.

"Say Jack where you gonna hang that Night Fury's head," one man called out from the large crowd. One of the larger men at the table stirred and laughed loudly as he looked around the room.

"I'd say right above the fireplace," the man Astrid guessed to be Jack said. "Although that beast will be lucky to not have it's head smashed in." The whole pub roared in laughter and a few raised their glasses up in a half salute.

"You sure you'll get that close to that Night Fury," she heard Hiccup asked and the whole room fell silent. Everyone looked around for the person who spoke and few stepped out of the way so Hiccup could be seen.

"I know how to handle myself around a dragon," Jack said slowly as he finally spotted Hiccup. "You seem like a new face around here friend, where do you come from?"

"Why do you want to know," Hiccup asked in a flat tone and Astrid could feel the atmosphere growing tenser by the second.

"New faces don't come around normally," Jack told him as he turned to fully face him, "Don't trust them either."

"I got a place deep in the woods, I like to keep to myself," Hiccup told him.

"And yet here you are in this pub," Jack pointed out as he lowered his hand to his belt where his sword rested.

"Well I heard the news of a man planning to go off and kill the Dragon Master," Hiccup said as he pushed himself off of the wall, "Had to see him for myself." Hiccup then reached into his pocket as he walked over to the bar and slapped the coins on the wood. "Two drinks please," he said to the man behind the bar. The man nodded and quickly fixed two large glasses of mead and gave them to Hiccup. Hiccup then took them over to the table where Jack sat and placed one of them on the table in front of the large man.

"What's this," Jack said as he motioned to the drink in front of him, his eyes staying on Hiccup the whole time.

"An offering for good luck," Hiccup said slowly, "To the man that will kill that devil and his beast," he said a bit louder as he raised his drink. The rest of the pub did the same and cheered as they looked at Jack. The large man hesitated for a moment but slowly he took the glass and then rose it into the air. With a nod Hiccup began to drain his glass and everyone else did the same. Astrid watched as both Hiccup and Jack did not take their eyes off of each other the whole time and then both placed their glasses on the table. Hiccup then turned to walk out of the pub and Astrid saw him look at her and signaled towards the exit.

"I didn't catch your name friend," Jack called out and Hiccup stopped and looked over his shoulder.

"That's because I didn't drop it," Hiccup told him and the pub went silent again. Astrid heard Jack chuckle and he shook his head, easing some of the tension in the air.

"Well I'm sure we will see each other again," Jack told him with a nod. Astrid managed to sneak by and was right behind Hiccup as they walked out of the pub.

"A lot sooner than you think," she heard Hiccup mumble as they walked down the steps of the building. Astrid shook her head knowing what was going to come, and she knew that it wasn't going to be good.

The flight back was fast and quiet as Hiccup constantly thought back to what happened in the pub, and what waits for him. Astrid didn't say much as they left the island but Hiccup could tell that she was worried. They finally made it back home and Hiccup quickly went inside to get several things.

"Hiccup, what are you planning on doing," Astrid asked as she tried to follow him through the hallways.

"I'm setting up some traps to welcome them to the island," Hiccup told her as he walked into the forge and over to a large chest. He unlocked the heavy metal lock and pushed opened the lid to reveal it full of supplies. He grabbed a nearby bag and brought it over to chest to fill it with the supplies.

"How are you so calm right now," Astrid asked as she walked over so that he could see her.

"This isn't the first time people have come to this place," Hiccup told her as he looked at her with a serious expression.

"What happened to them," Astrid asked slowly and Hiccup could tell she was basically asking if he killed them.

"Most of them go back to wherever they came from," Hiccup told her and then he sighed, "The few that don't go back find a different fate."

"Doesn't that just attract more people to come here," Astrid asked with raised eyebrows.

"The ones that go back are scared out of their minds and tell the stories of what happened here and scare everyone else away from coming here," Hiccup told her. "And the ones who die also scare the other people to not come here unless they want to meet the same fate." He finished packing up his bag and then stood up to walk out of the forge. He stopped for a second and then turned back to Astrid who was still watching him. "I'm not asking you to be involved in what's going to come but I could use your help right now." She nodded and then grabbed a bag to fill up. Hiccup then had Toothless fly him down to the shore and waited for Astrid to join him.

"Why are you setting up here," Astrid asked him as she got out of Stormfly's saddle, "Isn't there a more direct path over there?"

"There is," Hiccup said with a nod as he looked in the direction Astrid pointed towards, "But they won't be taking the direct path."

"What makes you so sure of that," Astrid asked as she followed Hiccup towards the treeline.

"Although they may be idiots, they have some common sense when it comes to raiding a place," Hiccup admitted. "So we will set up some traps on opposite sides of the island and go from there." Astrid didn't say anything back as she just nodded and helped Hiccup lay out the traps. They weren't complicated but they would get the job done and take care of at least some of the forces that were coming tonight. Once they finished the first section Hiccup looked back and nodded, satisfied with their work. Trip wires were scattered across the path, already hard to see and would be even harder to see come nightfall. The two flew back up and restocked their bags so they could set up the traps on the other side of the island.

"Couldn't you just have the dragons ambush them," Astrid asked him once they finished up the second set of traps.

"I could," Hiccup agreed as he sat down on a tree stump, "But if I do that then there will be bloodshed on both sides, and I want to try to keep that to a minimum. Besides, it's no fun if I can't get in on the action." He said that last sentence with a smile to show that he was joking but Astrid had a worried expression on her face as she seemed lost in thought. Hiccup sighed as he slowly stood and walked over to her as she had her back to him. He slowly wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her into an embrace to try and ease her stress.

"I know what you are going to say and I know you can handle this," Astrid told him in a quiet voice. "I just don't like this and what could happen tonight."

"I know," Hiccup said in a soft voice as he rested his chin on her shoulder. "Come on," he said as he kissed her cheek, "We'll come back before sunset." Astrid nodded and the two made their way back up the mountain. The rest of the morning and afternoon was uneventful as they both waited for sunset to come. Finally the sun reached the horizon and Hiccup and Astrid changed into their riding gear before heading back down. They walked further into the trees and Hiccup realized they were at the spot where Astrid first stayed on the island. "The two paths will both come together here," he told her as he stopped just inside the clearing. "I need you to do me a favor," he asked as he turned back to face her.

"Why do I have a feeling I won't like this favor," Astrid asked slowly and Hiccup sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Because you won't," Hiccup admitted, "But I want you to hide and be out of the action."

"Are you crazy," Astrid asked him in a loud tone, "What if this whole thing turns ugly."

"That's exactly why I want you out of all of this," Hiccup told her, "I don't want you to get hurt from any of this."

"I'm a strong girl," she told him, "I can take care of myself in a fight."

"Astrid please can you just listen to me for right now," Hiccup begged, "Please just listen to me." He looked up at her and saw a serious expression on her face but it softened when she looked at him.

"Alright," she finally said as she shook her head, "But if you walk away from this with any injuries just remember this."

"I will," he said with a smile as he walked over to her and then kissed her. After a few minutes Astrid went over to a safe spot where could see what was going on and stay hidden. Hiccup took the familiar spot where he rested his back against a tree and sat on the ground as he waited for night to come. Thirty minutes had passed and now the area was completely pitch black as Hiccup tried to pay attention to the sounds around him. Another thirty minutes had passed when he heard faint voices towards the direction of the shore. His guess that Jack and his crew were here after he heard loud cries as the traps were triggered. Loud cracks and thuds occasionally filled the area along with several more cries and yells. Eventually he heard the sound of footsteps coming closer to him and finally people broke through the tree line.

As the footsteps grew louder in number Hiccup flicked his wrist and shot a dart towards the campfire in the center of the area. The dart hit another piece of metal in the campfire and created a spark which quickly caught the rest of the wood on fire. The fire quickly grew and filled the area with light, allowing Hiccup to see everyone around him. There were about twenty people in total, all of them armed and on edge.

"Well, well, well," a familiar voice said and Hiccup recognized it to be Jack as he stood at the front of the pack. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time, Dragon Master," he said with a cold voice.

"Well then won't it be a disappointment when you walk away with nothing," Hiccup said as he remained seated on the ground. He heard Jack growl and then watched as he pulled his arm back and sent an axe flying towards him. The weapon embedded itself into the tree, just a few feet above him. "Nice throw," Hiccup said in the same cool tone as he knew that Jack just tried to do that to scare Hiccup.

"I'll enjoy hearing you scream instead of that smugness," Jack said in an angered tone as he drew his sword from his belt. Several other men did the same and the few who had crossbows loaded bolts. Hiccup stood and pulled the axe out of the tree as he walked a bit closer to the campfire. Right before he was about to draw his sword out he heard a series of swearing and loud noises coming from the tree line. Everyone turned to look in that direction and Hiccup's heart dropped as he saw Astrid being dragged out into the open.

"Look what I found sneaking around," the man dragging Astrid said and Hiccup felt as if he had been hit in the stomach and was struggling to breathe.

"A friend of yours, Dragon Master," Jack asked after turning back around with a devilish smile on his face.

"Let her go," Hiccup said as he tried to remain calm, "She has no business in this matter."

"I'll take that as a yes," Jack said as he walked over to the man who was holding Astrid. She tried to break free from his grip but stilled when Jack held his sword up to her neck. "Now do you want to do this the hard way or the easy way Dragon Master?"

"Let her go," Hiccup said through gritted teeth, "Or are you too much of a coward to fight me?"

"The man who hides away on his own island, who rides a dragon instead of fighting on his own calls me a coward," Jack said as he shook his head. "I guess you want this the hard way then," he said as he brought his arm back. Without thinking Hiccup quickly raised his arm and shot a dart at Jack. It just grazed his arm but the sudden pain made his step backwards and gave Astrid an opening. She stomped on the man's foot, causing him to yell in pain and let go of her. She quickly ran away from Jack and his crew and tried to get back to Hiccup so they at least had a chance in this fight. As she started to turn around Hiccup looked up to see one of the men with a crossbow aim down his sights.

Hiccup didn't hesitate as he pulled back his arm and threw it at the man. Time seemed to slow as Hiccup watched the weapon fly through the air towards the man. The blade embedded itself into the man's chest and he began to fall but he managed to fire off the shot. Hiccup drew his sword and extended the blade, expecting to have to deflect the arrow. However, the shot didn't come close to him as it soared through the air. Unfortunately it did find itself a target, right into Astrid's chest.

Ayo, it's me, hopefully people enjoyed the longer chapter and the drama that was brought with it. Now before anyone goes to the reviews and calls me an asshole for leaving that cliffhanger up, trust me I know I am one. I had this idea drafted up since like chapter nine and I finally decided to crack it out. Now I could've done a bit of a lighter cliffhanger but where is the fun in that when you are doing the writing instead of the reading.

sOmEdUdE: First of all thank you for saying that this deserves more views and all of that, always nice to have that confidence booster. In terms of the fighting concept I've kinda thought to just have it where Hiccup likes to screw around with the people he's fighting. Case in point when he was fighting Snotlout. However, I would think to have him as a good fighter and will hopefully show it in the next chapter.

RERESNIPER: When the eventual return to Berk does happen I do plan to have it so Hiccup does not have many friends on the island. Just a few at the beginning and then it will eventually turn into more.

I will try to be quick on the next chapter so it doesn't sit on the cliffhanger for a while. I felt like the story needed a kick to it, especially with what I want to do in the next few chapters and I thought this would be a pretty good kick to get it going. I will confirm that Astrid is not dead, just wounded so we are good on that aspect. Although a side alternative where she ends up dying and Hiccup goes into a spiraling rage and madness does seem interesting, but that won't happen here. As always if you have any thoughts, questions, and/or reviews please leave them as they are always helpful and peace out!