There is an interesting thing about the certainty of the past. It is shaped only by those who come out on the other side of it. A small kernel of truth might sit at the core of the most oft spoken legends but none alive could say if events actually happened as the present knew. Even with many witnesses the details could be interpreted differently by those involved. This did not stop long standing belief and traditions to rise and become hard to break. There were those who held close to what had always been no matter that the proof of change stood before them and greeted them warmly.

Dragons once held as devils, as monsters, now were family. They had been lauded as destroyers, but they now aided to bring in supplies used to repair and rebuild. They had been seen as thieves but now they gladly helped the hunters and the fishermen and fisherwomen bring in food. They were animals but Gyda's return proved even that wrong. Still all of this did not change everything the past Vikings had with dragons had given rise to. For years one dragon held so much power to frighten that even now many could not see it as anything more than a monster.

Another interesting thing about the past, it has an uncanny ability to show up again. Ten years had passed since Aurvandil's Fire roared across the skies. Every Berkian looked for its returned. The Fire had once been seen as a celebration to the gods. An ending of one season and the beginning of a new. It now was viewed as a nightmare. With the Fire came the monster.

Astrid's axe tumbled handle over blade to strike its target and bite deep into the tree. She glared at it, sweat damping her hair even with a chilled wind blowing through the forest. Her breathe caused clouds of vapor to obscure her vision.

"I'm sure whatever that tree did to you it's sorry."

Astrid spun, falling into what Gyda called a fighting stance. Since her spar with Snotlout, Hiccup had requested Gyda teach her karate. Though reluctant, Gyda had agreed but she had some conditions. It would be just the teens, the lessons would be outside of the village, and it would not be widely advertised. Gyda had said that karate was not supposed to be known this far from its place of originality right now and everyone agreed.

"Always knew you were the faster learner," Gyda said, snickering as she leaned against another tree.

Astrid snorted, straightening. "What are you doing out here?" she asked, watching Shadowfire curl up in sunlight that fell through an opening in the trees.

"Partially getting out of the house," Gyda answered. "Someone has annoyed his sister-in-law just a bit today."

[I was in a happy mood. I had to sing. The hatchlings liked my song.]

Astrid saw Gyda run a hand over face.

"Son, you had them so keyed up it's a wonder we all got them to sit still for longer than a heartbeat much less take a nap."

[I can't sing anymore?]

Astrid watched Gyda heave off the tree and walk over to her son. She gently grabbed the small horns that jutted back from either side of his head near to his jaw. She then laid her forehead against the ridge over his eyes.

"No one is saying that and you know it. You just have to remember that the hatchlings are only two months old. They need sleep and their parents need a moment to relax and spend together without constantly watching them."

Shadowfire sighed, closing his eyes. [I know, mom. I just want to teach them like Uncle Ombra taught Frost and I.]

"You will, son. You have a lifetime to teach them all Ombra taught you and Frost. Besides, remember we are helping Sunset, Sunrise, and Pepper and Piper learn the Common Tongue. And you agreed to teach Firestorm how to sing like you do."

Shadowfire took a deep breath. [Boulder's little brother, Rockmoss, asked me to teach him too.]

"See?" Gyda asked.

Shadowfire smiled. [Thanks, mom.]

Gyda stepped away and turned. "So why are you out here?" she asked, staring at Astrid.

Astrid's eyes narrowed. "You probably already know," she said crossing her arms over her chest.

Gyda tilted her head. "Aurvandil's Fire?"

Astrid did not dignify that with an answered. The Fire's return had been all anyone talked about when they were not whispering platitudes or insults about her uncle's reaction to the monster it brought. She watched the mage sigh.

"Astrid, to the people that matter, your family's honor is not tainted," Gyda said.

Astrid snorted. "Tell that to Fintan," she growled.

Her cousin still struggled to find people willing to hire him when their hut needed repair even if the son was not supposed to be blamed for the actions of his father. A wonderous idea always spoken about, but Astrid knew it was little practiced in truth. Hiccup was a prime example. His father neglected to teach him much of what he would need to know and for years the tribe blamed Hiccup and not Stoick. Her uncle Finn had been the one to hesitate in battle but Fintan received the looks even though he never once hesitated in any raid and was the first aboard Stoick's ship for each search of the Nest.

Astrid heard Gyda grunt and saw the mage pinch her nose.

"Berkians," Gyda muttered.

Astrid blinked when Gyda shed her robe and fell into a fighting stance.

"Hitting trees will not remove the stress you feel," Gyda said. "Let's spar before your betrothed and his brothers scour the forest for you."

[Too late.]

Both ladies looked up, finding Hiccup and Toothless hovering above their heads.

[It's just one brother this time,though,] Toothless said, grining. [Sharpshot's out with Sneaky, Iggy, and Buttercup.]

Toothless glided to land a few feet away. He flicked his wings, curling them against his sides before trotting back to Astrid and Gyda. Hiccup dismounted. Astrid heard a soft snicker from behind as well as rustling. She did not turn. Her gaze rested upon her betrothed and the concern she could see shining in his eyes. Concern that caused her eyes to narrow.

Okay, so I will be a little evil ;) :P