Part 2

Astrid wondered if their decision to not tell Thora about what had almost happened to a fisherman's daughter the last time Hemming was here, was a good one. Their daughter had been melancholy the last few weeks. She didn't let it show on the outside but Astrid knew her daughter well. Heather and Astrid had been giving Thora, Ingrid and Sigrid more defensive training. Even getting Snotlout to pose as a bad guy.

Her other worry was her son. He was distant and nothing she did seemed to help. Hiccup had even tried to include him in more things but it didn't seem to work. He was even staying with Gobber and Eret several nights a week. But she now had to worry about that while the Spear Island group was here. Spear Island was a male driven island, the women weren't aloud to fight. So Astrid had to take a quieter role when they were here. Though she always let Hiccup know exactly how she felt about things when they were alone. That morning the warning had come that the Spear Island fleet was a few hours away. Hiccup had gone to make sure lunch would be ready in the great hall and then to the Fisher House to move make sure that the wenches that raised and lowered their fishing boats would be free to bring up the Spear island ships. She went to work making sure the kids were presentable and then getting ready herself. She chose

a forest green dress with leggings underneath, her Chieftess white bear cloak with the Berk crest pins and her hair neatly braided into a bun. Thora was in a light blue dress, her hair in one braid down her back, her bangs slightly covering her kransen and a brown fur pult across one shoulder like Valka wore. Ryder was in a blue tunic with a brown fur vest and black pants and boots. Astrid ushered them out the door and to the Fisher's House to meet with the Chief of Spear island. They made it just in time. Astrid stood to Hiccup's left, slightly behind him. Thora and Ryder to his right also slightly behind.

Thora

The past few weeks had been hard. She had grown close to Hemming threw their letters and it felt wrong not to communicate with him. It had been obvious that her mother was worried about their relationship because she had been taking more time from her normal duties. Though not all for her. Ryder seemed to be going through a rough stage. Thora had tried to talk to him but he had slammed the door in her face. She couldn't understand him.

The boat containing the Spear island royal family came into view. Chief Ivar the Unburnt was a tall, broad shouldered man, who rumor had it, had a tendency to find himself in places that were on fire. There were few visible marks on the man but none were burns. His blonde hair and blue eyes had been passed on to his son Hemming. Just as tall as his father, but much better looking in her opinion. She watched her father greet them and shake hands with Ivar. "You remember my wife Astrid and my children Thora and Ryder."

"Yes. Your son seems to have gained some height over the last year." Ivar replied ignoring her and her mother, "You remember my oldest son Hemming." He motioned for Hemming to come closer.

"Of course. Welcome to Berk Hemming."

"Chief Hiccup." Hemming nodded his head, before looking around and locking eyes with her. She had to keep her composure and keep her knees from buckling under his stare.

"You all must be hungry. Let us go to the Great Hall for some lunch."

"Very well."

Before Hemming could get to her, her mother was beside her. Which meant her mother had no intention of letting her speak to Hemming yet. She caught his eye and shrugged before falling in step with her mother to walk to the great hall.

Hemming

Who did these Berkians think they were? They had just showed up the year he was born. Stealing the right of passage all Chief's of Spear island had taken since the founding of the island before he could even walk. It was because of them that traditions had been lost. They had stolen all the dragons and had them hidden somewhere. He would do everything in his power to get that back, even flirt with their naive little heiress. A position a women shouldn't even have. He knew he would have to play this well the minute her mother swooped in to block him from Thora. He wasn't fooled like his father to believe Berk's Chieftess was a quiet and subservient wife.

He spotted Ryder in the crowd and went to walk with him. "It's Ryder right? Hiccup's son?"

"Yes. Your Spear Island's heir."

"My names Hemming. Is there anything to do around here? I really don't feel like listening to them drone on and on about peace."

Ryder gave him a look, "Why do you want to hang out with me?"

"Your the Chief's son right?"

"Yeah but I'm not the heir. Everyone usually wants to get to my sister to try and use her against my dad. You did last year"

"Well I don't want to cause offense but your sister is dull. My father wanted me to get to know the heir. I thought it was you until I asked. I think you would be better to know."

"Well I guess it would be my duty to show you around." Hemming smiled as the boy turned around to lead him around. They talked and he stroked the young boys ego. Ryder showed him around the island, including several caves. On the way back his plan started coming together. Ryder had let his feelings of insecurity show and Hemming knew just how to play that. He had both little Haddocks right where he wanted them.

Astrid

Half way through the meal she was already wanting to punch Ivar. He always had some crack about women to through in for everything. Deciding to tune out for a minute, she scanned the crowd but couldn't find Ryder anywhere. His friends shrugged their shoulders when she caught their eye. Doing another sweep she noticed that Hemming was also missing. She leaned over to Gobber and whispered, " Hemming isn't here. Alert the guard quietly."

"Something wrong?" Ivar questioned looking annoyed that he had to acknowledge her presence.

"Not at all. I was just complimenting Gobber on the wonderful metal work on this tableware."

"Does your wife often speak to other men?"

"Only when I'm around," Hiccup answered placing a hand over hers and squeezing. While it was actually a way of keeping them both calm, Astrid pretended to flinch. This seemed to appease Ivar. Leaving Astrid to worry about what was happening outside the hall.