Seven humans, ten dragons, and three younglings left Berk before the first glimpse of the sun ever hit the sky. The three younglings, with the excitability of youth, buzzed around the adults, complaining of the slow pace the adults set. The complaints lasted until a sharp warble from their father caused three tongues to still. The silenced last for the rest of the morning.

Due to the fact they were flying with young dragons, who were not far into the youngling stage of life, Hiccup and Toothless decided to take many breaks as they were able. Both Toothless and Spitefire assured everyone that the journey would take three days of steady flight as they were heading beyond the boundary the humans gave the Archipelago. The breaks due to the younglings would only add an extra day to that flight. The other dragons did not mind as they understood. The humans just enjoyed the fact they were off the island.

Astrid was not sure three of them even realized the length of time they would be flying. She was not about to let them know either. Keep them in the dark and keep them from taking the complaining away from Toothless' children. Astrid could handle dragon younglings grumbling in the Old Tongue because she enjoyed the noises the dragons made when using that form of communication. She could not enjoy Snotlout or the twins voicing the same complaints over and over and might ask Gyda to gag them before the journey completely ended.

The first break had them stopping at a small island Vikings had passed over due to its size not being able to fully house an entire tribe. Vikings still used it for rest stops on sea voyages around the Archipelago, but with it being winter, Hiccup stated that he did not believe any human would be upon the island. He had been right and they set a small fire to keep the chill of winter at bay. The younglings played in the tiny beach as the adults relaxed and the humans ate some yak jerky Eydis gave them before they all left.

Astrid had noted Hiccup seemed off when they left but she had laid that to fact he had just won the holmgang, the feast in his honor had lasted well into the night, and every older Rider was up before the watch changed from the dead of night post to the break of dawn guards. When he did not answer any of Fishlegs' questions about the Submaripper they had met at the Hatchery, Astrid knew it was more than just him being tired. He would also answer any question any of their friends asked him unless he had a lot on his mind. He once told Astrid he never wanted to treat her or their friends like his father once treated him and would also make time to listen to any of them.

"Fish," Astrid said, softly, "Mind if I speak to him?"

Fishlegs frowned. "Sure. I can ask my questions later."

"Fish, come here a moment," Gyda called. "Wanted to show you something you can put in the New Book of Dragons."

Astrid sent the mage a grateful look as Fishlegs moved to follow Gyda to the small beach. She glanced over, finding Snotlout and the twins over by their dragons. Snotlout caught her eye and tipped his chin towards Hiccup, before turning and challenging the twins to see who was faster at checking over all the dragons and ensuring their tack was in good condition and that dragons were all doing well. Astrid made a mental note to thank him for that as she moved to sit down beside Hiccup.

Toothless warbled something that had him and Moondust heading off towards the beach behind Gyda and Fishlegs. Spitfire did not leave the little camp but backed away enough so that when she laid down she was not in hearing distance. Sharpshot and Sneaky, who joined them on this trip, flew to a tree above where Hiccup sat staring into the fire.

"Speak," Astrid said, softly.

She saw Hiccup blink and face her. She saw the turmoil swimming in green eyes. She reached over, pulling him against her. He buried his face into her neck. She shifted so that he did not have to sit at a strange angle. She then laid her chin upon his shoulder, curling her neck so that her lips were close enough to his ear she could whisper.

"What's wrong?"

"He didn't have to die."

Astrid frowned, not entirely sure who Hiccup was speaking about.

"Ogmundr. He didn't have to die."

"Why?" she asked.

That it tore Hiccup up made the topic serious to her, even if she was glad the fool was dead. He had tried to hit Hiccup after the duel was over. She had begun running even before Toothless pounced but the fact the dragon was closer had been the only reason he got to the coward first.

"Steinar spoke to me last night," Hiccup whispered, shifting so that his face was not tight against her skin.

Astrid was honest enough to admit she missed that feeling. She shoved that thought aside for now. Hiccup was still upset. She had vowed to be there for him even before their courtship began. She would not go back on that now just because she thrilled in his skin touching hers, be that via his hands caressing her cheek, his lips claiming hers, or his face nuzzling into her neck.

"What did Steinar say that has you so out of sorts, Hiccup?"

"Bjarte called him on a blood debt and made him lie to me."

Astrid's eyes narrowed. She felt white-hot anger rush through her, though she was not sure if it was directed at Bjarte for forcing Steinar to do that or at Steinar for following through with it. A blood debt was scared and more binding that marriage rites in some cases, but Steinar could have come to Hiccup before lying. Unless Bjarte forced his silence, then Steinar had no choice. Which meant Bjarte would be the focus of her anger then.

"What was the lie?" she asked, forcing her voice to not carry the anger she felt.

It would not help the situation and only make Hiccup more anxious over the whole matter.

"Bjarte did not fancy you. It was a ploy to get Ogmundr to act. Bjarte suspected he was trying to take over Hopeless by killing me and playing that up as if he was some great hero."

Now Astrid's anger centered upon the dead man. She prayed to all the gods that he was getting what was due him in the afterlife reserved for cowards and honorless morons. She still wanted to rearrange Bjarte's face as she verbally taught him the proper way to pay respects to those who were housing him for the winter. The physical beating would be for his treatment of Hiccup and his view that it was okay to place Hiccup in danger for any reason.

"Dad and I could have helped him expose Ogmundr without the holmgang being called for. Without Ogmundr ever speaking to your father. He did not have to die but that's not what really bothers me."

"What really bothers you?"

"I'm happy he's gone. The man died thinking I was a threat he had to take out because his chief did not believe it and I'm happy. What kind of person does that make me?"

"Why are you happy?"

"He.."

Astrid felt Hiccup's grip on her tighten. She pulled him closer.

"He said all those things about you. No one is allowed to talk about you like that."

"Hiccup, when you found out Bearspit and Mildew were dead, how did you feel?"

"Relieved. Mildew hated the dragons and given what Gyda said, I could see that he would do all he could to harm, even kill them. Bearspit tried to kill Icewing. He was trying to kill you."

"Were you happy they were gone too?"

Silence fell except for the crackle as the fire ate the logs.

"Yes."

"Being happy someone who is a very real threat is gone is not the same as being happy some random person died, Hiccup. You can hate the entire situation, and it was a complete mess that Bjarte is at fault for but being happy about this man being gone isn't wrong. He showed himself to be a coward who used tricks and wanted to kill you and now he's no longer able to harm you or anyone you love."

Hiccup lifted his head, staring at her. Astrid smiled and placed a soft kiss to his lips. She pulled back far enough so that when she whispered her next statement her lips still brushed against his.

"You're not a monster for being happy he is gone, Hiccup."