A/N: We're nearly at 400 followers! thanks a bunch to everyone who followed, favorited, reviewed, and of course read the story! Sorry about the overdue update, but I sincerely hope you like it! :)

Chapter 22: Escape

Hiccup stared at the drab stone ceiling with his head resting against the wall. The small barred window let in just enough light to keep the atmosphere inside the cell perpetually somber.

His restless brain had grown tired of counting bricks fairly quickly, and now he was just passing time by thinking and rethinking about the path forward from here.

Jailed by my own father, Hiccup through with half a smile. Things came to this stage faster than I had hoped for.

The day had started normally enough, with the only special event being that he was officially announced as the winner of his class of dragon training, and was gonna get the 'immense honor' of slaying his first dragon in front of the entire village at the upcoming spring festival.

The other teens had dragged him off to the great hall to celebrate, and Astrid had laughed off his pleas for help, saying "You've been way too stressed lately. Try to have some fun for a change!"

Even though he had the problem of dealing with the upcoming dragon slaying situation in the back of his mind, he'd still actually had fun with his wife and friends, and he did forget about worrying, if only for a little while.

But of course, Hiccup was still Hiccup, and his luck was bound to run out one day or the other. And as it turned out, that day was today.

No sooner than he'd placed one foot out of the hall, that he'd been greeted by his father, along with some serious looking guards. His father held his flight suit in his hands, and wore an expression on his face that was somewhere between furious anger and shocked disappointment.

His father had never been good at listening, and today that was especially true, and all his frantic explanations fell on deaf ears.

"All that in the arena- a trick?!" Stoick had growled as he dragged Hiccup by the hand to the seldom used jail cells.

"D-Dad I can explain, they're not what we think, it's-"

"I should've seen the signs" he muttered, almost to himself. "I should've known"

Turning the lock with a ker-thunk, the chief turned to the guard, "Let no one in, and station someone at the door at all times"

"DAD!" Hiccup tried again, holding the bars in his hands. "This is bigger than all of us- the raids... you don't understand-"

"You've thrown your lot in with them" He interrupted sharply. "You're not a Viking... you're not my son"

That had been the last words he'd said before leaving, and those words had been echoing around in Hiccup's head ever since.

It was really hard to keep smiling while fighting for something you know is right, when the whole world seemed to want to punish you for it, believing it was wrong.

Wincing at the memory of that look on his father's face, Hiccup brought his knees to his chest and hid his face in his crossed hands. He didn't really feel like looking at anything at the moment.

His monotony was finally interrupted by some distant sounds of what sounded like arguing, and one of the voices was unmistakably feminine-

Hiccup was at the bars in an instant, craning his neck to try and see down the passageway leading to the main entrance. From here, he could barely make out the words being spoken.

"-don't care what your orders are! he is my husband, and I am going in there whether you allow me to or-"

Hiccup smiled despite of his dismal mood. Hearing his wife's voice could do that to him, especially after hours of not seeing her. Not to mention the way she was threatening the guard, and given Astrid's reputation on Berk, not many people would dare refuse her for anything. Not if they valued their life.

A few seconds later, he heard a clunk, and the pattering of light feet running on stone as Astrid appeared into view and skidded to a stop at his cell, kneeling in front of him and trying to put her arms around him the best she could with two iron bars between them.

"Hiccup!" she cried, "I'm so sorry I- they just let me in- I've been trying for hours-"she said between relieved sobs.

"Astrid- shh it's okay I'm alright" he assured her, his own voice shaky with emotion.

Astrid pulled back and cupped his face, her gaze roaming everywhere to confirm he was unhurt.

"What are we gonna do Hiccup?" she asked nervously. "What are they gonna do to you?"

"Relax sweetheart" he said, kissing the back of her hand, making her smile weakly. "Nothing's gonna happen to me" he continued in a quieter voice- "We accounted for this possibility, remember? I would have liked a bit more time but it is what it is-"

Astrid frowned in worry, and he suddenly remembered something. "They don't suspect you do they? Even a little bit?"

Astrid blinked in surprise before shaking her head. "Even though I'm your wife, people still think I'm as much of a dragon hating shieldmaiden as ever. I... I denied everything they asked regarding my involvement... I hated lying about it... but I did it"

"Oh Astrid, I'm so glad you did. I promise it'll all be worth it"

"What about toothless? men are out searching for him as we speak"

Hiccup shook his head. "I told them about raven's point alright, because I know toothless is wily enough to run some old Vikings in circles as much as he wants to. I'm sure they won't even see him. But when you call for him, I know he'll come"

"That's... that's a relief. But now what?... What will I do Hiccup? Your father is insisting the festival will go on, and now I'm the one who topped the class- who will have to... you know- 'kill' the monstrous nightmare"

Hiccup's mouth twisted in thought. "Hmm... That's in two days, correct?"

Astrid nodded.

"It's a bit early but I can make it work. Here's what we're going to do"

Hiccup explained his plan to Astrid in a hushed voice and Astrid's frown deepened, until she finally pulled her hand free from his grasp and moved away from the bars.

"I'm not just gonna- you can't leave me like that!"

"Listen Astrid-" Hiccup tried to explain. "It's just gonna be for a short while until I can find the nest. If I wait for the council to pass a judgement then who knows what they'll do to me"

"But what about me!?"

Hiccup was dreading this part of his plan the most. Staying away from her like this would be torture, but he couldn't drag her anymore into this than he already had. He would fail in his duty as a husband if he let that happen.

"Astrid, you're in the perfect position. They don't suspect your involvement, so after I escape while you are present in front of the whole village trying to slay a dragon, no one will be able to say you helped me. This way, if I... if I fail to find the nest... to clear my name, at least you won't... you won't be going down with me..."

"Hiccup... but I can help you... I can-"

"Astrid, my darling" he breathed, caressing her cheek with his fingers. "You've already done so much for me... I can't ask you to become an enemy of Berk for my sake... the journey after escaping isn't set in stone, it'll be uncertain and dangerous, and I can't put you in danger like that..."

Astrid didn't know if she really knew what was the right thing to do anymore. She just knew that she wanted to be with Hiccup, and it made her angry and frustrated that things had to be this way.

The guard's approaching footsteps to get her made them both stand up in a hurry.

"I'll come back tomorrow" Astrid promised.

"Of course Astrid. Please- just don't worry about me... I'm fine"

Even though Astrid didn't quite believe him, she still nodded, not wanting him to see the discomfort on her face on parting like this. Truth be told, she'd much rather be in that dreary jail cell with him than an empty house by herself.

Nevertheless, she did put on a brave face and did leave him, and walked out into daylight, feeling equal parts confused and determined inside.

As Astrid left her house the next morning after a restless night of tossing and turning, she felt extra eyes on her as she made her way down the hilly path. She turned a blind eye to the hushed comments and looks though, not even finding the willpower in herself to care.

She had more important things to worry about, and the villagers could think of her whatever they wanted. The whole business of Hiccup's 'arrest' yesterday had been done without much fanfare, but rumors had spread like wildfire nevertheless.

She had gone through the motions of lying through her teeth about her lack of involvement with Hiccup to anyone who asked exactly like he'd instructed, but that didn't mean it sat right with her.

Astrid had been a no nonsense person her whole life, and it was safe to say that lying wasn't her forte. Ruffnut's reaction had clearly indicated disbelief. So did her mother's. And that was why, against Hiccup's explicit instructions, she was headed to her parents house, determined to get some advice.

Her mother had been there for her all her life, she'd even seen the goodness in Hiccup weeks before she did, and without her mother's insistence, she might just have passed up on the best thing she'd ever done in her life, marrying him.

If she could trust anyone on this island besides Hiccup, it was her. Knocking once before letting herself in, a bout of nostalgia kicked in like it always did whenever she walked through this door these days. Not even a year ago, this house was her home.

It still felt familiar in all the ways yet completely different. It almost felt like she was a stranger in her own house.

"Astrid, my dear!" Her mother rushed from the kitchen on seeing her and wrapped her in a tight hug. Astrid just let her, weakly saying, "mom"

"It'll be alright" she whispered, rubbing her back. "It'll be just fine"

Astrid prayed to Odin that she was right. "Mom, I want to talk"

Ingrid Hofferson released her daughter and nodded, quickly glancing to confirm the door was closed and windows barred. She had a feeling this conversation was one that wouldn't benefit from any extra ears listening in.

"Mom I... Hiccup said..." Astrid hesitated, unable to decide what parts exactly she should share and what she should keep to herself.

Her mother put a reassuring hand over hers. "Dontcha worry, I don't plan on telling a single soul if you don't want me to, and that includes your father. He means well of course but he isn't as adept at dealing with these sorta... complicated situations"

Astrid exhaled a relieved breath and nodded. "Hiccup... he's the 'dragon king' "

Ingrid's expression didn't falter. "And?"

Astrid blinked in surprise. She didn't know if the rumors and spread this far this quickly, or her mother was way more perceptive than she'd assumed.

"But it's not like what it seems, he's just... we were just trying to help... both the people and the dragons, who aren't what we've thought all our lives, they're not..." Astrid sighed heavily. "There is so much I want to explain, but..."

"There's no time for that. I know dear. I know you and Hiccup would never do anything wrong, and whatever you did, I know it must have been the right thing"

Astrid's eyes nearly welled up then, gaping at the unflinching trust her mother had in her, in both of them.

"But I know you're here because you have a more pressing concern" Ingrid continued, "and that is?"

"He... he's planning to escape... tomorrow"

This did get a reaction from her mother, the slightest widening of eyes and a subtle lift of an eyebrow.

"Escape... to where?"

Astrid's brow creased in annoyance. "I've asked many times, but he still wouldn't tell me. He says that knowing that could put me in danger... this way I won't have to lie if I'm interrogated for information..." She paused to rub her forehead in thought. "The only thing I've surmised is that... it's somewhere far away, and the journey there is risky. He says he won't be able to come back to Berk until he finds the... the nest, and proves himself innocent"

"I see. Seems like a good enough plan considering the circumstances?"

"No it's not!" Astrid cried. "He's... he's not gonna take me with him... I don't want him to go... away from me" she finished quietly.

"Why won't he?"

"He says that... that it's too dangerous, that doing this would incriminate me too as an ally to him, and I'd never be accepted back on Berk if his plan to prove his innocence fails... that I'd be an 'enemy' of Berk... like he is right now. He thinks that he'd fail as a husband if he put me in any more danger than he already has"

"I don't know whether Hiccup is right or wrong, but it's understandable where he's coming from. That boy loves you too much to risk putting you in even the slightest bit of danger"

"B-But I love him too!" Astrid protested loudly, and promptly blushed in embarrassment. "I love him too" she continued quieter, but with no less conviction. "And I can't... I won't be able to bear being away from him like this for who knows how long... but I don't know how I can refuse him due to my selfish desire either... I don't know what to do" she finished, slumping in her chair.

"Asta dear" her mother said, using her childhood nickname that made her smile through her teary eyes. "What do you want?"

Astrid looked up. "I want to go with him. I want to go with him no matter where he goes, no matter how dangerous it is, even if we have to spend the rest of our lives on the run, I-I don't want him to leave me"

Ingrid put a comforting hand on her daughter's shoulder and replied, "Then go with him"

Astrid blinked in surprise. "But he said..."

"I know what he said, but did you tell him what you wanted? How much this means to you? Hiccup cares for your safety deeply, and he's an all the more wonderful husband to you for it. But you've got to let him know how much you want to be with him, be there for him, even if that means not taking the easy way out. I know the daughter I raised won't back down from a fight that easily" she said with a wry smile. "Go to him, and talk. I know he'll listen, and I know you'll protect each other no matter where the road takes you"

Astrid felt her resolve strengthen on hearing her mother's words, and she straightened, giving her a grateful smile. "I'll miss you mom" she said, voice still shaky from earlier. "You and dad both."

"Oh my little girl, I'll miss you more" Ingrid replied, wrapping her daughter in another hug and kissing her forehead. "Take care of Hiccup. He has no one else right now, no one other than you"

"I will", Astrid nodded, and turned to leave before stopping. "Mom... I'm... I'm sorry for doubting what you said about Hiccup before my marriage... that he'd be right for me... I'm sorry for all the things I said in my anger and frustration"

Ingrid shook her head. "I don't need any apologies lassie, I understand how you must've felt back then. I always knew you'd warm up to him though, and I'm glad I was right" she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Astrid smiled back at her, a genuine smile. "I'm glad you were right too"

Despite being smaller than both the boys in front of her, Astrid's face burned with such intensity that even Thuggory and Gert found it intimidating.

"Let. Me. Through" she said quietly, and it was somehow even more scary than if she'd shouted it out loud.

Thuggory's hand subconsciously went up to his neck, where the scar from Astrid's axe had long healed but the painful memory still remained fresh as ever. "W-We're under strict orders, n-no one is getting through"

Astrid groaned in frustration. She didn't want to beat them up and risk getting herself jailed as well, but she needed to see Hiccup right now, before it all went down tomorrow.

"Let me in! I need to see my husband, ten minutes, and then I'll be out of your hair"

They both looked at each other, clearly wondering if the wrath of the Chief will be scarier than the fierce girl in front of them or not.

She turned to Thuggory. "Haven't you realized it yet? He was the one who saved your life, you idiot!"

He looked down guiltily. Seeing an opening, Astrid decided to sweeten the deal to push them over the edge. "I'll give you ten silver pieces each, one piece for each minute you let me stay"

It was almost alarming how quickly she was let in after that, and she even managed to convince them to let her inside a surprised looking Hiccup's cell, shutting it closed behind her with a clang.

"Ten minutes" Gert echoed as they retreated down the corridor. "Then we're coming back"

Hiccup turned to her with an confused look. "Astrid, what are you doing h-oof" he gasped as his wife tackled him to the ground and nearly squeezed the life out of him.

"I missed you, you idiot" she wheezed, coming up for air after a searing kiss that turned Hiccup's brain to jelly.

"I missed you too" Hiccup grinned, momentarily forgetting everything, all his troubles. Only the girl in his arms is what mattered to him right now, in this moment.

Content with the pleasant silence, they just smiled at each other until Astrid realized she was wasting valuable time.

"Hiccup, I'm coming with you" she said, and watched closely to gauge his reaction.

He just smiled weakly and palmed her cheek. "I wish I could take you, but-"

"No Hiccup, I know you can take me. I know you want to protect me, but I want to protect you too. But how can I do that if you're who knows how many miles away? I don't care if Berk thinks of me as an enemy. I don't care if it's dangerous. A life on Berk without you won't be... won't be a life at all. I'm your wife, and I'm coming with you wherever you go" she finished, her jaw set in determination.

Hiccup stared at her in awe for a long moment before quietly chuckling to himself. "I should've known I won't get my way that easy. I've never had, ever since I married you"

"That's accurate" Astrid smirked, feeling a load lift off her shoulders when Hiccup finally conceded, surmising correctly that there was no talking her out of this one.

"The plan will need some tweaking, but we can make it work. It will depend on you though, and there won't be any room for mistakes. Are you... are you sure you're up for it?"

Astrid's gaze didn't falter. "I'm certain."

Hiccup nodded. "Alright, here's what you have to do"

Astrid stared through the large metal gate, her axe and shield gripped in her hands. The impatient cheering and hollering of the crowd made the whole arena vibrate almost as if it were alive.

She didn't really pay attention to the noise though, her sole focus was on keeping her heart rate down, as she was about to try something she'd never done before, and she won't even have Hiccup next to her this time.

"Pssst"

Ruffnut had managed to sneak into the waiting area, and Astrid felt equal parts relived to have a chance to see her one more time, and guilty for having lied to her about so many things all this time.

"Ruff, you shouldn't be here-"

"Yeah yeah I know. Now listen closely, I don't know what you're planning to do here, but if you need any help... I'm here for you"

Astrid gaped at her friend. An offer of help was the last thing she'd expected.

"Ruffnut... that's so sweet of you... but no, this fight is mine to win or lose. If you really want to do something for me... just... please don't hate me. I never wanted to lie to you, but it was necessary..."

Ruffnut shook her head. "I could never hate you" she said simply.

The gate started lifting and Gobber's voice echoed, "Here is the winner of this year's class of training, Astrid Haddock, ready to slay the monstrous nightmare and become a true Berkian warrior!"

Astrid hurriedly turned to Ruff and said, "This isn't goodbye, I promise. Take care of yourself"

Ruffnut's eyes widened. "What do you-"

But Astrid didn't wait to answer, she was already jogging into the arena, seeing and feeling the packed crowd which was itching to see the show. Thanks to Hiccup, it had been months of raids in which no dragon had been captured or killed, and hence nearly the entire village was present today to watch the action.

The entire village.

Even the current guards to Hiccup's cell had sneaked in, assuming that two layers of thick iron doors ought to be more than enough to keep the scrawny boy in. Even though they'd heard rumors of Hiccup being some 'dragon king', it was hard to tell tall tales from reality, and frankly they didn't think even half as much of him. It was their overconfidence that would prove to be their downfall in the end.

The bell to signal the start of the duel rang loud and clear, and Astrid subtly tilted her head, waiting to hear it over the din of the crowd.

Thump.

There it was. Distant enough that she only heard it because she knew it was coming, and the faint sound went ignored by the crowd, whose sole attention was on the flaming red dragon stalking out of its cage.

For a Night fury, blasting through an old brick wall of a prison cell wasn't all that difficult, as it turned out.

As Astrid forced her legs to remain planted while the snarling dragon approached, she was hit with the strangest feeling of déjà vu.

This is what Hiccup would have seen last year, as he stood where I'm standing now, she thought.

She felt a newfound appreciation for her husband on having done this all on his own, to have risked his life for the mere chance to win her hand. He had really thought she was worth it.

And now she was here, attempting to tame the monstrous nightmare in front of an even larger crowd, all in a bid to help both Hiccup, and the dragons that had been their secret allies all this time.

She glanced at the Chief out the corner of her eye, who was staring intently in her direction. "It's okay" she said quietly, looking the dragon straight in its eyes.

She deftly strapped the axe to her back and dropped the shield, ignoring the confused murmurs that went around. This was the last thing they'd expected the fearsome Astrid Haddock to do.

The people in the audience who'd been present last year to witness Hiccup do the same thing caught on to what was happening faster than the rest.

Seeing her non threatening body language and expression, the dragon's flames died away but it still looked wary of her as it approached closer.

"We're gonna get out of here" she whispered when her palm made contact with the painfully warm skin of the dragon's snout.

The arena had gone silent by now, and most were waiting with baited breath as to see what strange new was going to happen next.

Astrid closed her eyes and waited. Come on Hiccup, it's now or never.

"Stop the fight"

Stoick the Vast's voice rang out, in an assertive tone that didn't warrant any refusals.

Astrid opened her eyes and looked at the Chief, her eyes widening as he lifted his hammer in rage, bellowing, "I said, STOP THE FI-"

BOOOOOOOOM

A blinding explosion blew a hole in the chained ceiling and threw smoke everywhere, the shockwave knocking stunned audience members back into their seats.

Astrid had been bracing for impact but it still hit her like a brick, as she'd been directly below the epicenter of the blast.

When the smoke cleared enough for her to see the alarmed face of the nightmare, she quickly gestured upwards towards the large gap in the chains that had just been created. "Go!"

Amazingly, the large red dragon needed no further encouragement, and it flew up and out the hole in the blink of an eye.

Astrid could hear the startled noises of the crowd, coughing and wheezing from the smoke. Astrid knew she had only seconds before the smoke cleared and everyone regained their wits.

Running blindly towards where she knew the other cages were, she snapped open their locks one by one, quickly letting the rest of the arena dragons loose.

Stormfly was the last to be freed, and she couldn't help but give her dragon a quick but affectionate hug. "Go Stormfly! be... be free"

Stormfly squawked at her a couple of times in reply before reluctantly following the Zippleback and the Gronkle out and into the sky.

The smoke was really thinning out now, and her first glimpse at the crowd saw them staring upwards as a high pitched woosh preceded the landing of the Night fury right in the center of the ring, in broad daylight for all to see. And sitting atop the saddle was her husband, wearing his jet black flight suit but without the mask this time, openly letting everyone see his face.

"HICCUP!" boomed the Chief.

No one else leaped down to capture them for a few seconds, all of them presumably stunned to be getting their first real look at the almost mythical dragon.

Those precious few seconds were all Astrid needed though, to run up and climb in behind her husband, confirming her allegiance to anyone who still doubted it, once and for all.

The warriors finally did leap down with Stoick himself leading the charge, his war hammer raised.

"I'm sorry dad" Hiccup's first words spoken were laced with a strange sadness, and it almost made his father stumble in his stride. Almost.

Hiccup turned to glance back at his wife who gave him a curt nod. It's time.

"I promise I'll come back dad... I'll explain everything. One day, you'll... you'll understand"

Hiccup didn't wait to hear the reply, and Astrid held him tightly as Toothless shot off the earth faster than an arrow, through the ceiling and into the bright mid morning sunlight.

All the noise and chaos abruptly died away as they climbed higher and higher, and Astrid watched the arena, her home, her village, grow smaller and smaller until the whole island was just a green and brown pebble in the endless blue sea.

Hiccup didn't speak for the initial few minutes, and she knew how hard this must've been for him. Having his father look at him like that, to charge at him with weapons raised.

She squeezed him gently with her arms and buried her face against his back, hoping to comfort him in any small way she could. She felt his hand on hers and he turned to give her a small smile and a gentle kiss on the cheek. "You did great Astrid. Thank you"

Astrid blushed at the genuine praise, feeling her heart finally relax somewhat into a steady rhythm.

It is done, she thought with satisfaction, just as the island of Berk behind her slowly drifted below the horizon.

As afternoon turned into evening, Toothless soldiered on northwards, flying over cooler waters. After the long and stressful day, Astrid had been yawning and Hiccup had suggested she get some shut-eye as it was still a few hours before they'd stop to rest for the night.

And right now, He was sitting behind her with his arms around her waist as she leaned back, resting her head against his shoulder. Despite the rushing wind, she'd actually managed to fall asleep like this, and Hiccup figured she'd been more tired than she'd let on.

Even though he was still slightly doubtful whether he should have put her at risk like this by bringing her along, he couldn't help but feel thankful he wasn't making this journey all alone.

He was going somewhere he'd vowed never to return, even though he'd said that in anger, he had meant it. He convinced himself by saying he was doing this solely because it was necessary, to ensure the safety of his wife and his dragon, but a tiny part of him perhaps did want to do it for himself too, to at least try to make amends.

After the sun had slipped below the horizon, Hiccup was treated to a dazzling display of the northern lights right before his eyes, the green and purple hues making him flash back to that first flight he'd done with Astrid, which had helped her see the beauty of the dragon world for the first time.

They would be stopping soon anyway, so Hiccup gently nudged her awake with his cheek. "Look Milady" he said, gesturing to the Aurora.

Astrid drowsily opened her eyes before gasping at the iridescent nightscape before her eyes, "It's just like..."

"Yes, it is" Hiccup confirmed, gently kissing her hair. "And this time, I'm gonna say what I had just thought back then. I love you Astrid"

He felt his wife smile widely against his cheek. "I love you too, you dork"

He spotted a small island down below in the darkness, and figured it was as good a place as any. Toothless glided to a landing in a grassy clearing, and Hiccup hopped off before helping Astrid down.

It was clear that they were probably the first humans to ever step on this remote island, making Hiccup joke that they should name it "The Isle of Hiccup"

Astrid shook her head, feeling amused. "The isle of Astrid has a much nicer ring to it"

Hiccup shrugged in reply, still grinning. "Agree to disagree"

Working together like they did so effortlessly, they unloaded the large pack from toothless's back that Hiccup had told Astrid to pack, back when they'd talked in the prison cell.

Inside, she'd thrown together a pile of spare clothes and other essential supplies, plus a cloth tent, food, and water.

They pitched the tent and Hiccup got to work to light a small fire outside to warm up. A light dinner later, they turned in for the night, cuddling together inside a single bedroll, both for warmth and for the comforting feeling of holding each other.

Toothless had already made himself comfortable, preferring to sleep upside down hanging from a tall tree.

The next morning, Astrid snapped awake at the unexpected sound of a very familiar Nadder. Scrambling out of a still sleeping Hiccup's grasp, she raced outside still in her nightgown, and she couldn't believe that Stormfly was right in front of her, looking curiously at their tent.

"Stormfly!" she squealed, hugging her pointy head.

"Oh wow" she heard behind her, as a sleepy looking Hiccup emerged from the tent, rubbing his eyes. "I definitely underestimated the tracking capabilities of a Nadder"

"Can we take her too, please?" Astrid asked excitedly, putting on her best doe eyes.

To her immense delight, Hiccup smiled. "I don't see why not"

Since Stormfly didn't have a saddle, Astrid sat with Hiccup for the time being, but they had fastened some of their luggage onto the Nadder's back with some rope to make things easier for toothless.

The flew throughout the morning, going ever northward as the the ice floating in the sea grew ever more frequent.

Stormfly flew high overhead as Toothless skimmed the sea, and Hiccup craned his neck all around. "It should be somewhere around here" he muttered.

Astrid furrowed her brow. "You don't know where we're going?"

Hiccup kept his eyes on the horizon, squinting at the many icebergs scattered all around. "I know that we're close"

She'd tried to get him to tell her last night as well, but he'd only replied with, "Please just wait one more night Astrid, you'll find out yourself. It's... it's not my secret to give"

She had agreed to let the matter rest, because of her unflinching trust in his judgement. It didn't really matter where they were going anyway, as she already knew she'd follow Hiccup off the edge of the world if she had to.

Stormfly squawked overhead and abruptly turned to the left, and Hiccup encouraged toothless to follow. Astrid's tracker class dragon could sense their destination way before toothless could.

After a short while, a massive mountain of bluish white ice came into view, and Hiccup found himself speechless for the first time in his life. Astrid's jaw was dropped as well as she peered over Hiccup's shoulder.

It looked like no glacier she'd ever seen, and the gigantic network of ice spires and spikes jutted out towards one side, like a gigantic tidal wave had inexplicably frozen in time. Toothless shot a triumphant plasma blast towards the sky, presumably happy their long journey was finally coming to an end.

As they glided closer, the mountain looming impossibly large in front of them, a single humanoid figure emerged from a crevasse in the ice. Astrid blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't hallucinating from the cold.

The figure looked slim and tall, a large hooked staff in one hand and the strangest looking mask on its head, dragon-like spikes jutting out from it with two black slits for eyes.

Even stranger was the fact that Hiccup didn't seem surprised, almost like he'd been expecting someone out here, in the middle of nowhere.

"We're here" He muttered quietly, almost as if he was bracing himself for something uncomfortable. Astrid couldn't even get herself to open her mouth to reply as they approached for a landing, and she saw the figure eyeing them closely before removing the mask, revealing an unfamiliar brown haired woman who smiled warmly towards Hiccup as he stepped off, her eyes glistening with tears.

Hiccup turned and encouraged a hesitant Astrid to disembark as well, and stood protectively in front of her as he turned to face the woman that felt so strangely at home outside this icy fortress, completely unperturbed by the Night fury who was eyeing her warily.

The tense silence was interrupted by a icy gust that blew Astrid's hair to one side, and a lifetime could have passed in that moment before Hiccup took a deep breath and greeted the woman with a single word, a word that sent the world spinning underneath Astrid's feet yet again, and she knew that nothing was ever, ever gonna be the same.

"Mother"

Phew, that was one long and eventful chapter hehe. My first one to cross 6k words :p

A lot of you had been quite curious as to what would happen after last chapter's cliffhanger, I hope this lived up to your expectations, and you don't mind where this story is going :)

Eagle eyed readers might have noticed a hint to this back in chapter 16 towards the end when Astrid and Hiccup are walking back home from the infirmary, and Hiccup frowns slightly at the mention of his mother, to Astrid's confusion.

I know there will be many questions about this, and rest assured, more will be explained in the subsequent chapters.

There might be several inconsistencies regarding timeline and distances compared to the movies in this story, but that is because it's an AU, and I've made some changes to better facilitate this story I want to tell. Like Hiccup's prosthetic leg, for example. Just letting that know so people don't get confused by the differences from the films.

A few of my favorite callbacks from this chapter were: 1) Astrid taming the monstrous nightmare, as Hiccup had done to win her hand. 2) A repeat of the romantic flight under the stars 3) Astrid asking her mom for advice as Hiccup had done in chapter 6.

As always, I'm really excited to hear your thoughts! Please review! :)

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!- Gravitybeam