By the time the third anniversary comes and goes, a third of Berk's population is gone. Some of my people have perished due to dragon attacks, sickness, starvation, or the cold. My mother was one of the fallen.

She died because she was severely sick. I sometimes wonder if I would still be a dragon sympathizer if it was a dragon that killed her. While I hate that she died a slow painful death, I'm glad she didn't die in the wrath of a dragon who was just trying to protect itself. It's bittersweet.

Her death left me an orphan. It tore me apart. For an entire two months, I did nothing to help Berk or the dragons. I didn't help man or beast during the raids, I didn't help Gobber teach the new recruits in dragon training like I had been doing for a year, I didn't free the captured dragons that were being used, I didn't help around the village, I hardly ate, I hardly slept, and I didn't even lift a weapon to blow of steam. Not even the spare axe my mom had given me the following days after I gave mine to Hiccup.

When I told her I had "lost" the family heirloom axe at sea, I was lucky that she didn't care at all about it. "It's just an axe, Astrid" she had said, "I'd rather lose the axe over and over again than you." And she never did lose me. It was me who lost her.

After my two months of mourning, the third month came and with it...came more bad news.

It was the second week of the month when they came, and by they I don't mean the dragons. I mean our number one enemy tribe. The Sinister Saboteurs. Word had got out by traders that Berk had become the weakest it has ever been, so of course our human enemies would pay a visit.

I hadn't touched my spare axe, any weapon actually, in three months. However, once the Sinister Saboteurs arrived, I wore multiple weapons on my body like armour. The spare axe hung on my back, two knives were in each boot, two other knives hung from my belt on either side of my hips, and two more knives were hiding under my long sleeves, wrapped around my skin tightly to keep them in place. I had to be extra careful whenever I would walk. If not, my forearms would end up getting stabbed.

And now that I'm 18, I'm allowed to participate in the meeting between the two chiefs. I wanted to be there, but even if I didn't it wouldn't have mattered. Stoick needed me there. I'm one of his best, and few, warriors despite the fact that I haven't proven myself worthy by killing a dragon. In case a fight breaks out, my chief is going to need me.

Sylvester, the Saboteur Chief who's around the same age as Stoick, had talked a lot of shit that of course had my people and I on edge. He had claimed he knew about what was happening to Berk, which we knew he knew about. Why else would he show up when he never has before? And to make matters even more drastic, he promised not to take over Berk, if and only if, he received a bride. A young bride. Stoick refused, but after Sylvester had made more threats, more promises, some 'good' some definitely bad, he finally gave in.

"Very well," Stoick said, defeated and obviously full of guilt. "I'll gather every young unmarried girl from the ages of-"

And of course...I spoke up. "No," I said, my voice loud, clear, and full of venom when I interrupted him. Everyone's attention had turned to me, but their stares did nothing to break me from my focus. Not even the eyes of the Saboteur chief could stop me from speaking my mind.

"Astrid," Snotlout said from where he stood next to Stoick, "This is no time to-"

"To what?" I snapped as I started to move. "To start a fight? Are you afraid? Because I'm not."

I had stormed past everyone, who willingly moved out of my way, and kept my icy glare on the sinister man who dared to threaten my home and people.

"Oh we're definitely dead," I heard Tuff say to his sister as I walked past them.

She replied with a chuckle and said, "This is gonna be good."

When I stopped walking, I took no hesitation in speaking my mind. "You're not going to lay a hand on any woman in my tribe. Not woman, man, or child. Young or old. Weak or strong. You're not going to harm anyone. We don't want your promises of an alliance. It's nothing but a lie. And we especially we don't want or even need your help. We're fine on our own. The only thing we want and need is for you to get the Hel out of here."

I was standing directly in front of him, showing no fear. How could I possible be afraid when I'm so angry? So very angry. I was angry at the dragon queen who had made the raids worse. At my mom for dying. At this new asshole who's threatening my home. At Hiccup for not coming back sooner. At everyone who had given him Hel. At myself for never stopping his bullies. At his father who had also given him Hel, and who had gave up so easily just now. I am so just fucking angry. So much, in fact, that the thought of slicing Sylvester's throat right here and now brought a wicked smile to my face.

"Do I make myself clear?" I asked, and much to my annoyance, he laughs. I saw it coming though. What grown man would be afraid of an 18 year old girl?

"Stoick," Sylvester says as he turns away from me and walks closer to my chief, "there's no need to gather your young girls." He then looks back at me. "My chosen is right here."

My boiling blood suddenly went cold as my eyes widened in shock. My heart felt as though it had stopped beating, and my breath caught in my throat. However, others gasped for me. I wanted nothing more than to attack him, but knew that if I did, it would be a big mistake. The smirk on his face and the challenge in his eyes was his way of reminding me that it would be the biggest mistake of my life. The look he was giving me was his way of daring me. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tempted.

The only thing I could do was curse. "You old, disgusting son of a bitch."

Sylvester and his men laugh. "I'll let that slide since we're not married, but I hope you know that once we are, those comments are not going to be well treated."

"I'll never marry you. I'd rather die!" I took a step forward to show him that I'm not afraid, that I'm not going to back down, that I'm prepared to fight. His men, however, considered it a threat, which I took as a compliment, and stepped toward me with their axes and swords ready, making me stop as Sylvester stops them with the lift of his hand.

"Never say never," he says to me as he walked closer. I nearly stepped back to prepare myself to fight, but knew if I did that he would think me to be afraid. I'm not. I'm on alert, but I'm not afraid. I'm never afraid.

So instead I stood my ground, continued to glare, and clenched my hands, turning them into fists so I could ignore their want of wielding my axe or knives. "But," the man continued, as he circled me like the revolting predator that he is, "how about we put it to a vote?"

My brows raised in interest. A vote? Doesn't he know he'll lose? I'm not complaining though. If it's a losing vote he wants, then so be it. "What do you say, Stoick?" The rival chief asked. He stood right behind me, so close that I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. I nearly threw up at the smell.

"Please," Stoick said, begging, "if you could just...choose someone else-"

"Yeah!" Snotlout interrupted. "Astrid is mine and you can't have her! She's my betrothed!"

"Would you like to duel for her then?"

"Wait what? HEL no am I going to do that!"

"Then she's mine for the taking."

"Excuse me?!" I exploded, now wanting to kill Snot for his stupidity. "I am not nor have I ever been yours Snotlout, and I especially don't belong to you," I spat at Sylvester. "I belong to no one! I am not a prize or an object or a piece of land to be owned-"

"Well you better get used to the idea, sweetheart because my decision has been made," Sylvester interrupts in a snap, "now it's time for your people to decide your fate. So what do you say Stoick?"

I didn't like the fact that Stoick had not only begged, but he had also tried to offer some other girl to take my place. I also didn't like his next words. "Very well, but we must do so in private without you and your men." His eyes landed on mine. "Along with you Astrid."

Knots suddenly formed in my stomach and I didn't like the sad guilty look he gave me. It looked as if he was already grieving, as if he already knew what the vote was going to be, as if...as if he knew that our people were going to sacrifice me. He wouldn't think so lowly of them. I don't think so lowly of them. I know they would never do such a thing, especially to me. And yet…

Fearful doubt started to consume me.

Stoick had called Gothi over to him, and whispered to her, which caused her to nod. He then whispered something else, and this time...she shook her head. Next thing I know she's walking toward me and leading me out of the Great Hall through the back way, while our rival clan went out the front. Gobber had came with us after whispering something to Stoick, and when the three of us were alone in Gobber's forge, I finally found myself able to breathe and speak.

"This is seriously fucked up."

"Aye, lass, it is." Gobber said, looking like he could really go for a drink.

"I mean, seriously!" I exclaimed, still very much pissed off but now slightly scared. Because yeah, I lied...I am afraid. I'm pissed off because I'm afraid. I'm afraid for my people and the things he'll do to them, to me...because when my people tell him that they're not going to sacrifice me I know he's going to start a war right then and there, and if we do end up losing he's going to end up taking me just like he wanted. And if he does...I know the things he'll do to me are things that I should be afraid of. Things I already am afraid of. Rape, torture, etc etc…

I'm also pissed off because I'm afraid that my tribe will give me away. That they'll vote yes. I hate that I'm doubting my people and it's pissing me the Hel off. They would never do that. They would never give me up. And yet...the majority of these people had no problem bullying Hiccup, the heir. They were glad that he came up missing. They were glad that they thought him to be dead. Yes, he made a lot of mistakes. Hiccup was weak, clumsy, was never where he was supposed to be, didn't know how to shut up, caused more destruction than the dragons, but he had one hell of a good heart. So good, in fact, that he couldn't kill a dragon, a Night Fury, the one thing that he knew would have changed everyone's perspective of him.

Despite his status, he was still picked on. So despite my status...is it possible that they'd actually give me up? Our people are dying after all. We barely have any resources to last us for the rest of the year. Does status even mean anything? Because even Stoick, my Chief, was briefly begging. And so, before I could stop myself, I began to pace back and forth and started to ramble.

"A vote?! Really? Does Sylvester really think my tribe is going to give me up like I'm some piece of property? Their women might be treated that way, but the women here are not. He just set himself up for a loss. Not that I'm complaining. The only thing that bothers me is that Stoick had me leave. We could have quickly gotten it over with by simply asking everyone if they wanted me to be sacrificed or not, which I know everyone would decline to."

"Plus," I went on, "The whole idea is so fucking stupid. I mean, come on. Does anyone really believe that if he has a beautiful young Berkian wife, wait I mean sex slave, that he's actually going to stay in an alliance with us? That he's not going to attack as soon as he's bored and done with me? Or how about as soon as he leaves with me? Which won't happened because Stoick and our people would never vote for that, but it's just a thought. Does he really think we're that stupid? If anyone's stupid it's him. Right, Gobber?" Please tell me I'm right.

I was used to Gothi's silence, but not Gobber's. When I received no response from him, my pacing stopped and I over looked at him in confusion. "Gobber?" He still said nothing as his kept his gaze on the blazing fire that burned in the lamp he had on the cluttered table. "You...You did hear me right? Because I am in no mood to repeat myself."

Gobber finally sighs, his shoulders slouching, and tiredly says, "Aye, lass, I did, but…" He trails off, looking the most defeated, most drained, I have ever seen him. My worry increased, as did my heart beat, which was already at its peak when Sylvester had said he chose me as his bride.

"But what, Gobber?" I asked as I tried to hide to worry in my tone. I'm pretty sure I failed.

"Astrid," he begins, finally looking up at me. "This isn't the first time Berk has had to sacrifice a young girl, and...I have a really bad feeling that...that the tribe will agree to it."

I felt as though someone had punched me right in the gut and my knees felt weak too. "What?" I say, my voice in a sharp whisper, filled with disbelief as I gripped the table beside me so I wouldn't fall.

"Astrid," Gobber starts again, "our people admire you, but one third of our population is gone. It's going to become two thirds, then all. More and more dragons keep taking the livestock and even the fish every night. Why do you think the Saboteurs came during the middle of the day? The winters are also getting colder, to keep it short we're dying. The people are going to take any help they can get. Even if it means siding with the enemy. Even if it means...sacrificing one of our own."

"But...but we can fight!" I yelled, not caring if our enemies heard. "We can fight back Gobber. This is bullshit-"

"I know it is, but Astrid," he comes forward and puts his hands on my shoulders, probably so I wouldn't storm out. Or maybe it was because he saw my knees buckle and wanted to keep me standing. "We don't have many warriors left, and compared to the Saboteurs we're definitely outnumbered. I told Stoick that my vote is no, but I'm not so sure about the others."

"And what about Stoick's vote?" I asked, not even bothering to hide my panic. "Are you sure about his? His is the one that matters most, right? The only vote that matters. He's the chief for Odin's sake!"

Gobber shook his head. "That's not how it works. If his vote was the only vote that mattered, the others wouldn't even be included. It'd just be a waste of time."

My eyes began to sting and I knew why. I was about to fucking cry. My mouth also felt dry, my throat felt tight, and my stomach churned like it never has before, not even when I went flying with Hiccup and Toothless. I ignored the uncomfortable sensations, and forced myself not to form anymore tears. I knew he saw the ones that had already formed though, and as I looked away, thinking of something to say, a knock was heard outside of the forge.

"The votes are in," said whoever it was, most likely a Berkian. I doubt the Saboteurs know how to knock. They only know how to knock things out of their way.

Those four words caused my body to freeze and bile to rise up to my throat. I almost gagged at the taste. Good Odin, I just threw up in my mouth. This...this is not good. Doubting them...losing my faith in my people...it's bad enough for me since I've always trusted them. But now...after hearing what Gobber said…

"Let's go, lass," Gobber said, and began leading me out of the forge.

Every step felt like he was sending me to my death. Perhaps he is.

When we make it back inside the Great Hall, I was greeted with nothing but silence. The Saboteurs stared at me with hungry eyes, Sylvester looked as though he was starving with lust, and my own people...they looked at me with eyes filled with pity, guilt, and sadness. That alone was all the proof I needed. I knew exactly what their answer was. I couldn't believe it, my body nearly shut down completely, but I willed myself not to react until Stoick said the words out loud. And I prayed like I never had before that he would say something else.

He didn't.

"The people of Berk have voted," he said, his voice loud, but emotionless. "We agree to the terms given to us and gift you with this young sacrificial bride in exchange for your alliance."

The tears that had formed in my eyes as I had walked from the forge to the Great Hall, the tears I was fighting back, finally fell down my cheeks at his words, and when I lowered my head to hide myself, I tried my fucking hardest not to shake and release a sob. I already knew the answer as soon as I walked in, but...I didn't have any verbal proof. I still stupidly had hope. I prayed, but the Gods didn't listen. They betrayed me. So did my people. Is this my punishment for betraying them first?

I felt Sylvester approach me, and when he did I put my right arm over my left and pressed them close to my stomach, looking as though as I sort or hugging myself. Really though, it was to grab the hilt of my two hidden knives that hid under my sleeves. "Don't cry my love," Sylvester said as he peered closer to my ear. He grabbed the end of my braid, which was pulled to the front, hanging right over my left breast. "Your eyes should never be wet. Only your pus-" His fingers had purposely grazed over my nipple, and that, along with the vulgar comment he was about to make, was all that did it to make me snap.

I prepared myself for the pain and had cut him off by head banging him, which sent him stumbling backwards. When he did I swiftly released my knives from my sleeves, kicked him to the ground to where he landed on his stomach, crouched down over his back, pulled his head back by the hair, and placed a sharp blade over his throat. I had moved so fast that everything is honestly kind of a blur to me, and Sylvester's men sure as Hel didn't expect it because they didn't come to his aid until after I put my knife against his throat. They rushed toward us, but I pressed the blade harder against their leader's skin. "Take one more step and I swear to every God I know that I will slice his throat and force you all to drink his blood."

"Do as she says!" Sylvester cried out, and it brought an evil smirk to my face. Finally, he's afraid.

His men stayed where they stood, but I kept the blade right where it belonged, and said: "I'll give you two choices. Choice one is that you and your men leave with your lives and never show yourselves back on Berk again. Choice two is that I kill you right now if you don't agree to choice one. Choose wisely." Personally, I wanted him to choose choice two.

I've never killed a person before-I still haven't killed a dragon, nor will I ever-but it eases me knowing that he's a bad man that deserves death. I'd be doing a lot of people a favor by ending his life. It's what warriors do. They kill to protect.

"I hope you know that if you kill me, it'll be your death that follows, along with the death of your people." Sylvester spat, his hatred matching mine. "As soon as you slice my throat, my men won't hesitate to do the same to the people of Berk. We'd be doing you a favor though. You have the dragons and nature fast on your trail. Berk will be completely gone in the next year or two. Death will come to you all sooner or later. Why not get it over with now? All you gotta do is-"

I pressed the knife harder against his neck until a small trickle of blood oozed out. Sylvester hissed in pain, which caused his men to shift uncomfortably where they stood. I kept my eyes on each of them as I spoke, interrupting their leader. "Trust me, I know exactly what I have to do."

"But you won't do it, will you?" Sylvester taunted, his bravery coming back. "You know how weak your people have gotten, how many few warriors you have left, you know you wouldn't stand a chance. You wouldn't risk their lives, you wouldn't sacrifice them...like they did you."

I pulled his hair back harder. "Shut up." I hissed, hating how my heart had ached at his words.

"Should you even call them your people?" He went on. "They gave you up to me. Now you should do the same."

"By leaving with you?" I released a bitter, humorless laugh. "In your dreams."

"Or by killing me, which would then be the cause of their deaths. Give them up to death, my love. The choice is yours. Just one quick slice is all you gotta do. Choose wisely."

He had repeated my words and it took every ounce of power I had not to do as he says. Now that he wants me to do it, I want to do it even less. But pain...pain is something I will definitely deliver. I slowly deepened the cut on his throat, which caused him to groan, and his men to jitter even more where they stood. They still didn't move due to their master not giving the word. Such obedient dogs. Their chief is right, one quick slice and he'll be long gone. However, so will my people. He's right about that too.

They don't deserve to die. Not even the ones that voted me out. They're just trying to survive. So am I. However, they didn't even bother to fight back. Would fighting back be a bad idea? Probably, but battles are never good for either side anyway. My people didn't try to fight, to search for an alternative...they have no honor. They're being selfish, and yet...so am I. I'd be helping my tribe 'live' if I go with him, I'd be doing an honorable thing, but I know that Sylvester is lying. They'd still die at his hand whether I went willingly or not. How can they not see that? If I go with Sylvester, and if he's generous, they'd only be living for a few extra hours.

"Who all voted for me to go?" I asked, loud and clear to my people as I stared out at each familiar face in the crowd. "Which ones betrayed me?"

"We didn't betray you, Astrid," Stoick spoke, desperately, "We...we did what we had to. To survive. To save our people-"

"Am I not your people too, Stoick?!" I snapped, yelling at him like I have never done before, but of course my voice cracked with emotion, both angry and sad. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut so no tears, which were still fucking forming, could fall. "What was your vote, Stoick?" I asked after a brief moment of silence.

Stoick answered without missing a beat. "I said no, but Astrid, my vote alone doesn't matter. They all mattered. In the end, the majority decided for you to-"

"I know what they decided," I interrupted again, and shook my head, "and I am not going to let you all decide my fate."

"Astrid," Stoick pleaded, "please. Don't you understand that you'll be helping Berk? You'll be saving it. Where is your honor-"

"Where is yours?! And you really believe in this lying piece of scum?" I asked, bewildered. I then scoffed and shook my head again. "You told me once that instead of becoming your heir I would have a different purpose for Berk. Is this the purpose you saw? A sex slave?"

The guilt in his eyes became pained and as he opens his mouth to answer, I couldn't stop myself from revealing my most hidden secret. "You know what, maybe this is all my punishment. After all, it was me who has been rescuing the dragons from the arena these past three years." The crowd gasped in shock. Eyes had gone wide, jaws fell, and I went on. "That's right. It was me who betrayed you. It was me who would help them out of their traps when no one was looking during the raids and it was also me who helped Hiccup leave. Oh and there's another thing," I let go of Sylvester's hair, removed the knife at his throat, and placed one foot on the back of his neck to keep him there on the ground. I then pointed one of my knives at Stoick and said, "I know where the dragons' nest is at."

More gasps were heard followed by murmurs. The guilt in Stoick's eyes was replaced with shock. "What?!" He hissed then stood up. I willed myself not to take a step back. Not out of fear, but out of habit. "What do you mean you-"

"It means exactly how it sounds," I interrupted again. "Let's just say that Hiccup is better off. And you know what...so am I."

Anger then filled his eyes. "Astrid," he shouted my name and I didn't even jump, "you better start explaining-"

"Sorry, but I can't," I remove my foot from Sylvester's neck and stepped away, "I'm about to be shipped off." Honestly, any impulse control I had was gone. I have no idea what I plan on doing, but I do know that I'm getting the Hel out of here. I'm not staying on Berk and I sure as Hel am not going with the Saboteurs. I need to get outside and run. Maybe...maybe I don't need to run. Maybe I can fly. Wait...we don't have any dragons held captive. Shit.

"Sorry love," Sylvester said, coughing as he got on his two feet, "as much as I enjoyed your tantrum I do believe that I simply won't be able to handle it." He wipes the blood away from his neck, staring at me with lust in his eyes. "You're a very seductive woman. A woman of fire. I'll go as far and say you have the soul of a dragon. Which is where I draw the line," he snaps his fingers and all of his men draw out their weapons, "because I hate dragons."

My people drew out their weapons too and as soon as they did a loud roar was heard and next thing I knew something large came crashing through the ceiling. I was in so much shock that the air was completely knocked out of me. Or maybe it was because I had hit my head hard against the ground when I fell back. Either way, I stopped breathing, and the dust was not making it any better.

I heard people shouting and screaming, and through my blurry vision I saw the dragon towering right in front of me. Almost as if...it was protecting me. I also saw my people trying to fight the dragon, but kept pushing them back with the force of its roar. It wasn't using any fire. What's even more surprising was the masked person who rode on top of it.

Hiccup?!

No, it can't be. The dragon isn't a Night Fury. Unless...no. There's no way Toothless died. I refuse to believe it. There's no way that the rider is Hiccup. So who the Hel is it?

As the dragon kept roaring, I hear Sylvester calling out to his men from the front part of the room towards the doors. When I turn my head, I see that every single one of them was running away. Cowards. At least Sylvester is letting his men go through the door first before he does. However, the only problem I had with that was that, as his men ran out the doors, he looked directly at me. He smiled wickedly, and it made me think for a moment that the dragon and its rider were part of his plan.

And when the dragon suddenly picks me up when I was distracted, it kind of sealed the deal that they were part of his plan.

I was so distracted at Sylvester and his men running away that I hadn't noticed the breeze that was made by the dragon's wings as it flew in the air, nor did I see it make a ring of fire, separating me from my people. It was just the dragon, rider, and I in the circle of fire. I didn't have any time to think or move, my head still throbbed, everything was still blurry, and in all honesty, it happened so fast that I doubt I would have even realized it if I didn't hit my head.

It wasn't until I was in the dragon's clutches and in the air that I started to come to the realization that this was all actually happening. I panicked and did the only thing I was able to do: I pathetically hit its legs over and over again. "Let me go!" I yelled as I hit it. "Let me go you son of a bitch! I'm not going to be his sex slave! I'm not going to marry him! I'd rather die! I swear to the Gods I will kill you and Sylvester and all of his men! Let me go right now or I'll-"

"Calm down Astrid. I must say, you really are a Hofferson woman that's for sure," I hear the rider say, and I froze at the sound.

It's a woman. None of Sylvester's warriors are women. Which means she and her dragon aren't with them. I should have known. After all, he did say he hates dragons, so why would he side with them? Unless the dragon's only purpose is for war. Plus, he said he doesn't want me, so if they were with him and were spying, surely they would have heard him say he doesn't want me anymore. Unless they knew he was lying. But the fact that the rider is a woman is enough proof for me to know that she's good. Well...at least I hope she is. I may not know her, and I may be dangling from a dragon yet again, but I sure as Hel trust her a lot more than Sylvester. I'll gladly take this outcome.

"How do you know my name?" I asked, harshly. "Who the Hel are you? Are you with the Saboteurs?" I knew she wasn't, but I still had to check.

I wish I could see the woman's face, but all I saw was the dragon's belly. Silence was heard, and at first I thought she didn't hear me, but then, "I'm an old friend. That's how I know your name. Also, it was said multiple times during the meeting."

"I don't recall my last name being said."

"That's because, as I said, I'm an old friend," the woman replied. "My name is Valka by the way, and no I'm not with the Saboteurs. Anymore questions you have will be answered later. It'd be better for the both of us to be face to face and somewhere safe. Now try to rest."

"Easy for you to say. You're not dangling in the air like I am," I grumbled, definitely annoyed and pissed off at everything. Valka merely chuckles and says nothing more.

And since I didn't have anything else to do, I looked at the scenery for as long as I could before finally closing my eyes. My head still throbbed, but I ignored it, and relaxed as much as I could, waiting for sleep to find me. It took forever, but when it finally came, I happily accepted it.