I don't know when we actually returned to the village that night, it must've been well into the morning and never before have I felt a pull as I walked Astrid back to her hut. Our last embrace that night was longer than usual, closer than normal and just, felt different. I had to be strong for the tribe, but she would be strong for me. I didn't know I needed that, but I did.

I didn't get more than a couple hours of sleep before the sun begun to crest the horizon. Patting Toothless, I quietly ate my morning food and dressed before heading out. Every day as a Chief is a day of work and communication, and it never stops. It does seem that most within the tribe had begun to settle into the reality that I, the hiccup of the tribe, was their Chief.

It was no different than my time at the Dragon Academy, just one problem at a time. Respond and solve them as they appear and try to fix some before they start. It doesn't always work, and there have been a share of challenges. Shockingly, I'd come to rely on someone as another of my right hand men, Eret. He has really taken to Berk and, yes, he was considered an outsider for a while, has really stepped up. It's helpful, to say the least.

It has been an odd day, by late morning, I must've rounded the village twice on foot and double that in the air. I've met with most of the tribe in some way or another, and the one person I hadn't seen yet, has been Astrid. Not like I had time to wonder about where she could be, and not that I am worried.

Today I've felt better, it was as though I needed last night. I needed to just be able to release, to say the things I cannot say in front of the village. To shed the tear I can't shed. Today was the day the people finished the statue of my father. It was amazing; they did it without being asked. It took a whole month to carve into the side of the mountain with a near exact likeness.

He may be gone, but he'll always be watching over us. Always. I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see my mother.

"Your father is looking down on us Hiccup, and I can tell you, he is everybit as proud of you as I am. You're the Chief Berk needs right now."

"Thanks, mom. I miss him."

"And that's okay too."

I smiled, mothers always seem to know what to say and when to say it. Staring up at the statue I couldn't help but feel proud of that man.

"So, how are you and Astrid doing" I heard and it echoed in my head like a bell. It seems mothers always know what not to say, and when to say it, too.

"I, uh, what do you mean?" I stammered

"Oh, come on, Hiccup. It's no great secret. You are stronger together." She replied, confidently. "And Berk could use a Chieftess like her." She added, causing my heart to wretch.

"Mom! I, we- we're no where near ready for that." I blurted out.

"Ready for what?" Cooed the familiar voice of Astrid as she approached from behind with Stormfly in tow.

"You could've warned me" I nearly hissed at my mother who only chuckled.

"Well, I'll be off then. The town will be busy during the lunch hour, you can find me in the Hall if you need something" My mother said with a grin as Cloudjumper climbed down from a nearby perch and lifted her away. Leaving me alone with Astrid, awkwardly, in the middle of an empty center.

"Ready for what?" Astrid's voice echoed as she leaned in.

"I, uh, we. Uh, can we, not talk about that? That'd be awesome. Where have you been?" I stammered, finally forming a viable question in my mind to hopefully derail the subject.

"I've had a project I've been working on." She answers smugly

"Okay? Are you, uh, gonna share what it is?"

"Maybe. Ready for what?" She repeats and I groan. I glance at Toothless and he just coos before walking over to Stormfly and the coercing the Nadder to walk away with him.

"Thanks, bud." I sigh and nod. "Come on, let's go for a walk." I suggest and she doesn't argue.

The walk to the Dragon Academy is long when you've been used to riding dragons, long and silent as I try to form the words.

"Hiccup, what's bothering you?"

"Just, my mom. Being a mom. Ya know, how they can make things really awkward really fast for no apparent reason other than their own personal humor." I vent, sighing as she chuckles.

"Uh huh. So, spill?"

"She, uh, asked when we were going to, ya know?" I start, sort've muttering the last part.

"Going to what?" She said, and now I could actually feel her apprehension. I gulped.

"Get. Married." I finish slowly, prompting her to stop. I glance back at her and she's got beat red cheeks.

"We're no where near ready for that!" She explains, waving her hands.

"I know! That's what I said. That's, uh, actually when you showed up." I sheepishly add. "So, shelve that conversation for another time? Right?" I suggest, almost beg. Though she hasn't moved yet. There is something in her posture that's off. She's gripping her left arm and looking to the ground.

"Astrid?" Approaching gently, I can see her biting her lip and looking away.

"Hiccup, I…" She mutters. My heart is wrenching, is she breaking up with me? No. Never. She said it last night. Forever.

"Hiccup… I do want to marry you, I just want you to know that. Even if it's not official yet, just know that, as far as I'm really concerned, we may as well be." She mutters and I can only smile. I don't deserve this warrior women of a viking. This impossibly tough and nigh invincible woman, acting like it's me who she doesn't deserve. That's not even fair. Shaking my head I approach and embrace her.

The cold air on the walkway causing us to move closer. "I know." I whisper into her ear and can feel her scrunch even closer.

"This is going to sound crazy, even for us…" She says softly into my neck. "I was really lonely last night, and all I wanted was to feel your arms around me." She finishes and my heart nearly cracks.

That line. That blasted line, she almost sung it, like my parents did. I squeezed her tighter and fought a tear. It isn't our song, but I'd sing it to her. "Me too. Astrid, would you; uh. I mean, I would really like it if-"

I paused as she shifted and looked at me. "I'd sleep better, too." Is all she says, and pecks me on the lips once before breaking the embrace. Smiling, we start continuing our walk.

"So, you said you were working on a project?" I ask

"I'll show you tonight." She says with her knowing smug. Not knowing was going to haunt me for the rest of the day.

Suddenly there was a loud horn from the Center of the Village. With all the new dragons in town, roughhousing and damages were common and we made a new horn-call just for that. I sighed with a smile as I gaze into her eyes.

"Responsibility never rests, Chief." She says and nods. I pull her in and kiss her once more before we make our way back to town.

Last night was impossible. I couldn't sleep til nearly dawn and even then it was impossible as the entire village woke up. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could do was think of Hiccup and feeling his embrace. He wasn't the same little kid he was five years ago. He was a young man, a former blacksmith, a dragon rider, and a Chief. And for some reason, I couldn't be happier than when I am in his arms.

I'm a viking woman, a warrior. A man, not even Hiccup, should hold this power over me. Yet, he does. He has. A gentle soul that can bite as well as it barks. I just want him with him. He's the only one I'd soar all day and night to find, the only one whose arms I want around me.

My mind was racing so much, I've no idea when sleep finally overtook me, but it was well into mid-morning before I woke up. And if I knew Hiccup, he hadn't sleep hardly at all before getting up and starting his next day as Chief. This was the day they finished Stoick's statue. It was a celebration in honor of the late Chief, I just hope Hiccup is going to be okay.

Finally rolling out of bed, I dress and rush to find Gobber. I've got an idea, but I need the help of a blacksmith. Luckily, he lived at that blasted shop, and the familiar ring of iron was heard as I closed in, Stormfly close in tow. As I enter, Stormfly rounds the shop and nestles in the back, waiting for me.

"Gobber!"

"Well, Hello, young lassy. What can I do for ya today?" He says, spinning around and detaching the hammer attachment and applying the hook.

"I need your help, I've got an idea. A gift I want to give Hiccup, but I need the help of a Blacksmith."

"Well! You've come to the right place! He should be tied up with his duties all day I doubt he'll make it by the shop. Let's hear this idea." Gobber said with a grin and I nodded.

As I explained, I drew it out on paper with him nodding along. "I gotta say, lassy. He's not much for this type of gift, but I think… I think he may just like this one. I've even got some Gronkleiron I can use for it, best metal on Berk." He answers, scratching his chin at first before clasping the hook to the table.

"Thank you! If you see him, don't tell him anything about it!"

"You've got it lassy, now get out of here." He says, looking straight at me with a suddenly serious face.

"No, I want to help." I respond and he hurriedly shakes his head.

"No, Get Out Of Here." He emphases and looks beyond me. As I turn, I see Hiccup and Toothless approaching the shop. I nod to him and dart behind the shop, then I hear him.

"Hey, Gobber. Anything going on today?"

"Not much today, Chief! Just getting ready for the celebration tonight. Stoick the Vast Day will be a day of celebration in honor of our late Chief!" Gobber says, overly enthused enough that even I buy it.

"Uh, yeah. We really need to come up with a better name for this. But yes. Thank you Gobber. I'll see you tonight at the Great Hall, then?" Hiccup notions and Gobber nods, sending the young Chief on his way.

I nearly round the corner til I hear him again.

"Oh, hey Gobber. Have you seen Astrid?" He asks, my heart skips a beat. Please don't pay attention to your surroundings for once in your life, Hiccup. The notes on the table are clearly my work… and there is a nestled Nadder just round the corner.

"Uh, Astrid? No. Why? Why would she be here?" Gobber asks and I groan internally. Shut up. Please.

"Oh, no reason. I just haven't seen her yet and" He trails off and I hear Gobber's peg leg move

"And?"

"And I want too. So, that's all. Nothing important really. Thanks, she's probably at the Academy or taking Stormfly for a morning flight." He says, sounding almost defeated. It took ever ounce of willpower I had to not rush out and hug him.

"Don't you worry yer little britches, Chief. If I know that lassy, and I think I do. She wants to see you too! Just wait, I'm sure she'll find ya!" He says with a cheery voice that seems to pick him up. I'll be honest, kinda picked me up too.

"Okay, thanks Gobber. See you tonight. Let's go, bud." And with that, he was off. I rounded the corner and glanced at Gobber who had a wide-eyed expression on his face.

"Gobber?"

"Innards of Thor; that boy is down-right smitten for ye, lass. It was written all on his face." He says, his blank expression changing to a grin as he grapples me into a hug.

"Ugh, Gobber! Quit it." I snap and he let's go with a shrug. "And, thanks. For not blowing that."

"You bet, lassy. Now get out of here before he comes back. I'll get this project o' yers sorted. Think nothing of it. Way I figure it, you've earned this, and so has he." Gobber said matter-of-factly and shooed me away.

Hopping on Stormfly, we dove down the cliff face and rounded the island. Now I needed to clear my head and a flight sounds perfect, thanks for that idea, Hiccup. I would not even be upset if we ran into each other up here.

But hours pass and the flight, while relaxing, was lonely. Our dragons keep us company sure and are our best friends. But no one is more important to me than Hiccup.

Rounding back, soaring over the clear waters around Berk, it must be close to mid-day as the sun crests the high point in the sky. Low and behold, there, in the center is Hiccup and Valka. It's been several hours, and I want to see him.

Landing back near them, I hear that phrase.

"We're nowhere near ready for that!"

"Ready for what?" I chirp, purposefully intending to startle him as his mom chuckles and takes off. We walk a ways and, I gotta admit, I wasn't ready for that either. It was an awkward conversation to be sure, but every word I said was the truth. As far as I am really concerned, we are married in my mind and there is no one else in this world for me.

The horn sounds and we make our way back, parting ways at the Center for one final brief embrace, I make my way back to Gobber's. The smith looks to be locking up his place.

"Gobber, what's going on?"

"Oh, the Chief came back again after ye left and said to pack up, he wanted my help in the Hall Preparations tonight."

"Damn it!"

"Watch yer tongue, lassy. I finished yer project. Some of my finest work if I do say so myself. Gronkleiron can do some amazing things when you really try. Ye might want to be careful with them. Honestly, I think Hiccup is really gonna like this." Gobber explains, and hands me a small box. I knew what was inside, and I could not wait to show Hiccup. Tonight.

First, the celebration.