Spoilers for httyd 3

Hiccup stood watching the dragons leave, remembering what Mala had told him two and a half years ago. It was a matter of perspective on how they'd deal with the loss. He felt her arm around his waist and her head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." he said.

"For what? Protecting our people and the dragons?"

"For not talking to you first. For losing sight of how strong we are as a team."

"I'm sorry you've lost your best friend."

"You are my best friend too." He sighed, "I'll miss him but he has his responsibilities as Alpha and he has his mate. He has to protect them and I can't stand in the way of that. Besides he has her to help him. Like I have you. Kinda funny how similar those relationships are." Before she could ask what he meant, he turned to the crowd. Everyone had tears on their faces. " I know that the last few days have been confusing. We all have come to expect our dragons to be apart of our lives forever. To have their companionship, the extra security in defending ourselves and even teaching our children to ride. As we have learned the world just isn't ready for the peace we had. The dragons had to leave to stay safe and in turn we will keep the knowledge of where they are safe. When the time is right they will come back and our descendants will be there. A good friend told me once that it is a matter of perspective, how we choose to view things. I'm not saying we won't miss them, but I will choose to be happy they are safe." He took a breath, "We are Berkians. We are strong and resilient. Together as a tribe we will build a new village and prosper. TOGETHER!" Everyone cheered.

"Alright you lot, let's get to work." Gobber said. The crowd dispersed, each going to work on some building. Valka came over to them.

"That was a very brave and smart thing to do. I'm proud of you." She hugged both Astrid and Hiccup. "You should have seen Astrid at the battle Hiccup. She was a fantastic leader."

"I saw all the damaged ships when the Light Fury saved me." He looked in Astrid's eyes, "I'm always proud of her. She's an amazing warrior."

"You both did well leading our people today. You make a great team, better than Stoik and I."

"Mom…"

"No. We loved each other and we were good together. But you both have similar views, even if you come about it differently. You compliment each other, which is why this tribe will thrive with both of you." She gave them a pointed look, before turning and heading back to the village.

"Subtle." Astrid muttered, "Uh Hiccup, what did you mean about our relationship being like Toothless and the Light Fury?"

Hiccup sat on the ground, He could only stand on one leg for so long."Well...when Toothless was trying to impress her, she hit him in the face." Astrid sat down next to him and hit his arm.

"I have never hit you in the face."

"No but you have hit me when I'm being ridiculous."

"True."

"He wouldn't have found his place as King of the dragons without her. She taught him about himself. I don't think he would have figured out how to channel lighting into camouflaging himself without her. Like you have shown me my own strengths. You brought in the gang when we went up against the Red Death. You made the riders. Then you stood by me through everything that happened after. I know that the Light Fury will do the same for Toothless." He looked out over the ocean, "And if you want to get litteral there is the whole green and blue eyes things." He laughed.

"You really thought about it." it was almost a whisper.

"Yeah. When I was falling, I kept thinking about you." He looked at her, "I realized that there are things I haven't told you or said enough."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I fell into myself a little. Especially recently with Grimmel. You have always been a great support and I haven't said it enough. And well…." he rubbed the back of his neck, "Last time we talked about… marriage. I just went with what you said because I don't want you feeling pressured into it and I was afraid you would put it off completely." He sighed and grabbed her hand. "I love you Astrid. I want you with me, by my side, always."

"I love you too. I'm sorry if I made you think I didn't want to marry you." she sighed. "I just didn't feel like I was…. Ready for the change. When you appointed me General, it seemed natural. That's what I'm good at and I'm still by your side. But Chieftess. I don't know. I guess it just doesn't sound like me."

Hiccup laughed a little before throwing his hands up, as she glared, "I'm not laughing at you. Just that you sound like me a year ago."

Astrid laughed, "Yeah I guess you're right."

"You will do great. If you want you can join me more around the village or talk to my mom. You actually would stick around to learn, unlike me. But like I said I want it to be your choice. I just wanted you to know that when you are ready, I am too." He kissed her forehead.

"Thank you. Now let's go get you a leg." She pulled him up and put his arm around her shoulders. As they walked through the basic house outlines and tents, she looked at everyone. There was a sadness that hung over the village, but as they walked she could also see the hope. Occasionally someone would stop to ask a question or Hiccup would stop to talk to someone. He had stopped to talk to a little girl crying into a gronkle toy. He was so sweet and got the girl laughing by using the toy to 'tickle' her. Before they continued on to his tent he told the little girl it was ok to miss her dragon friend, but to remember to be happy like her friend would want. It made her heart warm and for the first time she thought about what a great father Hiccup would be for their own children.

After Hiccup had a new leg Gobber stole him away to meet with the fishermen. Without dragons to take the boats town to the bottom they would need to work out a new way. Astrid had chosen to go find Valka. She found her talking with Spitelout. " Hello, mind if I borrow your sister Spitelout?"

"If you must."

Valka laughed as they walked away," He's still mad I bested him at arm wrestling."

"I wish I had seen that." Astrid laughed. "I wonder if he gets the same look Snotlout does when I kick is butt."

"So what does my warrior daughter need of me?"

Astrid paused, "Stoik used to say that. He was a great person to talk to because he understood that part if me. I mean Hiccup does but only really to a point. It isn't in his nature to fight unless he has to."

"Something he got from me."

"Yeah. I was thinking about what you said before. On the cliff. About how Hiccup and I are better than you were with Stoik. I don't understand that because Hiccup is like you and I am like Stoik."

"Hiccup may have a lot of my qualities but whether he realizes it or not. He learned a lot from is father. He has his father's strength and his heart for the people. When it comes down to it he will fight like his father for what he loves. You are more of a warrior spirit but you have the love for the people. You cared about the dragons and would do what was needed to protect them. You both have things in common that grounds you besides for your feelings for each other. But you fill in each others weaknesses. Hiccup can lack confidence but he finds it in you. Sometimes you react before thinking but Hiccup keeps you calm. Do you see?"

"Yes. But that doesn't explain what you said about Stoik and you."

"Stoik and I loved each other and had things in common. We just didn't fully connect because of the dragons."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Where you nervous about being Chieftess? Was it what you expected when you got married?"

"Yes I was very nervous but my mother-in-law took me aside. She told me that the job was simple. Keep a good home, support your husband in public, give him heirs and then protect those heirs. So that's what I did."

"Cooking, cleaning and sewing really aren't my thing. I've always supported him."

" She meant in meetings and when other chiefs are around. Knowing when to keep quiet. Not disagreeing with him in public but talking behind closed doors."

"Might take some practice." both women laughed.

"Try when Snotlout makes his comments to keep quiet. The stuff around the home will come. You know as well as I that Hiccup doesn't expect much."

"He's actually a better cook."

"I wouldn't be surprised if most of the time he just goes back into his routine. He would make things for his father and since I have been back he has made dinner for me."

"Astrid!"

"That's my mom. Thank you Valka."

"Anytime dear." Valka smiled as she watched Astrid run off to her family's tent.

When Astrid arrived at the tent she saw her mother stirring a stew. "Good evening mom."

"Ah there you are. How are you?"

"I'm ok. Just been keeping busy. Do you need help with anything?"

"No dear I'm fine. Will you take some stew to Hiccup? I'm sure him hasn't eaten and I don't want my Chief under fed. He's already so skinny."

"Of course." Taking the bowl offered Astrid turned to find Hiccup.

"Astrid here take one for you too. I'm sure you both have lots to discuss."

"Thanks mom."

Astrid found him exactly where she thought he'd be. He was at the makeshift blacksmith's stall looking over some ideas. He had his head in his hand and was mumbling something.

"Care to share or just talk to yourself?" Predictably he jumped.

"Wha...oh hey. Sorry there was a lot of questions and things to figure out today."

"Well here my mom made you some dinner, so eat while you explain. Maybe I can help."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. If I can't help then I can get Fishlegs or Gobber. But seeing as I'm here." He looked like he was about to launch into his tornado of thoughts so she added, "Bite first though and everytime I talk."

He gave her a look before obeying. They sat together for the next hour going over ideas for a two part winch system for the fishermen, places for look out towers and putting together some exploration groups to find what this island had to offer in natural resources. By the time they were through all of that and Hiccup running some other problems with her. They were tired and full. Hiccup walked her home, holding her hand. He thanked her mother and asked with her parents needed anything before kissing her cheek. He was about to round a corner when Astrid ran up to him and pulled him into the shadows. She kissed him with everything she had. "I love you. Come get me when you start in the morning. We can start working together to help our people." She kissed him again, "Goodnight." She left him looking like she'd hit him over the head and started back to her tent. She was still a little nervous but Valka had made her realize that this was just the next step. She had already taken on many of the responsibilities of being a Chieftess. The best part of the job was that Hiccup would be her husband. His speech from three years ago came into her mind, "There will always be a Hiccup and Astrid."