What was it about this girl?

He couldn't put his finger on it. She was different to most girls he'd met in the past. It was refreshing. Most girls whom he was supposed to interact with were nice, but restricted. Not quite human, in some strange way. Certain moments where their behaviour or speech wasn't exactly authentic, it was originated from the expectation of their kingdom. Of course he loved Heather and Atali, they had been friends from a young age. However, they also had their moments where their own restrictions shone through. He didn't fault them for it, quite the contary. Instead, he understood because he knew the trait only really came through being a royal which meant he had it too, to some extent.

Astrid possessed a certain quality that most girls he met seemed to lack. There was something about Astrid that was very real. She never acted like a puppet, like he and other royals did on occasion. Astrid was her own person. It was admirable to him. She did not allow the barriers that life presented her with to limit the extent to which she really experienced life. Much like himself, she was also an explorer. The only difference was that she preferred to do her exploring before the day officially begins whereas he does his after.

He'd spent the last three nights talking to her and every a night another secret was revealed. With every night he found himself getting closer to her. She would discuss parts of her past and in turn he would do the same. Of course there were also things where she would become guarded, her family name or the life she lived. It was understandable, though he didn't like admitting it, the difference in their lifestyles did create some sort of line. One that was not to be crossed. Astrid had said to him that she wanted not to see the distinction between royals and "regulars", as she eloquently put it. Once again, a statement he disliked but still understood.

It was more than that though. It really felt as if he knew her. Her eyes, her hair, even the way she spoke. Something about her seemed... Familiar.

There was this one theory that he had. It was rather far fetched but the puzzle pieces did fit together when explained. That woman he'd danced with at the Royal Ball was remarkably similar to Astrid. Almost too similar. He knew that there were countless flaws in his theory, one being that servants were not allowed in the ball unless acting as the help, but he still wondered. What if it had been her? Why would she lie to him all this time?

Then there was the other side of things.

This closeness with Astrid made him feel guilty. Almost as if it was a betrayal. Less than a week ago he'd claimed he was in love. Yet here he was, falling in love all over again. Well, maybe. He definitely had some degree of feelings for this girl but whether or not they were love was yet to be determined. Still, he didn't want these current budding feelings cheapen his feelings at the ball. How much could that Princess mean to him if the feelings were being replicated within the week?

However, Hiccup was fairly sure about this girl. Of course there was no concrete proof but he had mentally noted many signs that supported his theory. He just needed to know a little more.

Toothless impatiently nudged his rider, signalling to the sky. Hiccup couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright bud, let's head back" he smiled "There's someone I need to see"

xxxx

"Hello?" he heard Astrid whisper

"I'm here Astrid"

He made out her petite figure and his heart began racing without his say so. The young prince had been so confident, excited even, to see her but now he was frozen. Seeing her in the moonlight, everything was serene. The way her eyes twinkle as she looked, something seemed to click. The whole setting was all too familiar.

"Hiccup?" her voice brought him back to reality.

"S-sorry... Sorry"

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine" he said, the waver in his voice betraying his more confident exterior "Fine"

Even in the darkness, he could still make out her raised eyebrow "Hiccup"

Her knowing tone was enough for him to truly open up. He didn't know why, she just brought out another side to him.

"Alright, I'm not fine. I'm just a bit... I don't the word for it"

"That's okay" she reassured gently "Maybe you don't need to know right now."

"What do you mean by that?" He asked curiously.

"Well" she paused momentarily, as if she was going over the words in her head "I just think that emotions are... Um, they're very... Complex. They're certainly not easy to understand. And before the dragons everyone lived in a very set way where exploring emotions wasn't exactly encouraged. This whole feelings thing... We comparing 3 years of experience to 15 years of ignorance. That's not enough time to fully adjust to anything"

She paused once more. He was in total awe of her. Everything she just said were his own feelings exactly. About the emotions as well as the sudden respect from his kingdom.

"I just think" she began somewhat cautiously "That there's too much pressure to label our feelings. Sometimes it's better to feel first because then it gives you more time to... Process, I suppose"

"I couldn't agree more"

The way she was speaking to him stung slightly. He recognized the tone of voice she was using. Ever since that first night he'd been noticing her a lot more. He knew the careful, hesitant, and reserved tone was one she only really used around other royals. But that's the thing, it was other royals. Prince Snotlout, Prince Fishlegs, even Princess Heather occasionally but never him. Until now.

"Are you alright Astrid?" He parroted her earlier question noticing the way she dodged his gaze "You don't seem as engaged as you usually are"

"Oh yes I'm fine just..." she bit her lip briefly "Thinking"

"Anything you'd like to talk about?"

She looked at him and he could see the desperation in her eyes. She very clearly wanted to talk to him. However, something was holding her back. The thought saddened him, but he understood it nonetheless. Astrid instead gave him a sad, almost apologetic smile

"It's okay. It's not important"

At that he stopped, grabbing her wrist and effectively bringing her to a halt as well. He stared her straight into her eyes. He definitely recognised those eyes from somewhere but he ignored that thought. In that moment, he needed her to understand him.

"Please don't say that"

"Say what?" She asked, feigning confusion.

"That your feelings aren't important. Astrid, you need to know this. Your feelings are just as valid as anyone else's. Royalty or not. So please don't assume that because I'm royalty I won't want to listen to your feelings. Because I do. Very much"

Astrid nodded, but something in her gaze suggested that she didn't fully believe his words. It hurt to think that, but he understood her reservation. He knew better than to push, if he did she might shut down altogether. And that's the last thing he wanted.

"Thank you, Prince Hiccup" she smiled gently, making his stomach tie in knots.

"Hiccup" he corrected her and her smile grew

"Thank you, Hiccup"

Vaguely, he wondered if she did that on purpose. If she only called him 'Prince Hiccup' to create a barrier between them. It made sense, she only seemed to do it when they had very meaningful conversations. Maybe the depth and intensity of the words they spoke scared her. Maybe having that space between them made things easier for her. He honestly wasn't sure.

"Why are you being so nice to me?"

"What?" Hiccup didn't fully understand why she was asking this out of the blue.

"Why are you being so nice to me? Is it just because I'm helping you?" Astrid repeated with a new found sharpness to her tone.

"Gods no! Of course not Astrid! What even made you think like that?"

A part of him knew what made her think like that. It was the same thing that made everyone else believe it was unheard of royals being nice to servants. Doubt. Still, he didn't necessarily want to admit that.

"It doesn't matter" she looked away from him "You're not answering my question"

There was so much he could say to answer her question. He could talk about how he loved talking to her. How she made him comfortable enough to be himself. How she was the only human to ever make him feel that way. How her mere presence made his heart race a mile a minute. How he just loved being around her.

But instead, he chose to some it up in one small sentence. A sentence spoken by the princess that had really stuck with him.

"We're all humans at the end of the day"

Astrid's eyes widened. Possibly in recognition, possibly in something else. He mentally noted the reaction in his head. A bit more evidence.

Suddenly her sad smile returned "I wish I could believe that"

"Well why can't you?"

He was challenging her the same way she (maybe) had challenged him at the ball when he confessed to his own limitations. There was no clear clarification about the identity of the princess but he had his ideas.

The sadness shone painfully in her eyes. She moved her hand to touch him, then hesitated, and promptly pulled it away. His heart sank a little "Just because I'd like to believe in something, doesn't mean I can"

He planned on questioning her further. Hiccup wanted to understand why she felt that way, and more than that, change her mind. If he could change an entire generation's mind, surely he could change one more.

Before he could even begin, she interrupted "We seem to be at your sleeping chambers"

Surprised, he looked around and realised she was right. How the time managed to pass them so quickly always confused him.

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course" she smiled gently "Good night Hiccup"

"Wait!" he whisper-shouted watching her retreating figure.

"Yes?" she asked confused, turning around.

Now or never.

"Would you like to join me on my flight tomorrow?"

Not for the first time that night, her eyes widened. "What if someone sees us?"

"Let them" he shrugged "But that won't be a problem. My flight always takes place after everyone's asleep"

The young Prince saw her hesitation. Her shoulders tensed slightly as she thought over the decision.

"Please Astrid?"

He needed to know more, feel more, fall more.

Her shoulders relaxed slightly "Yes I'll join you tomorrow. I'll meet you at the stables once everyone's asleep"

Hiccup couldn't contain the grin spreading across his face. Astrid slowly walked away from him again after saying goodnight.

If it really did turn out that Astrid was not the princess, then this really would be an awful betrayal but how was he to know. He wasn't sure he'd ever find that Princess if it wasn't her.

Tomorrow would be his last night. It would be his last chance to find out the truth. He was going to make the most of it. He was going to make Astrid understand.

All he wanted was to break the barriers that separated him and Astrid.

It's certainly been a long time! I'm so sorry about that! Writing from Hiccup's perspective was harder than I thought it would be! Plus this time of year is always very hectic. Should I do more of Hiccup's POV?

Astrid wasn't herself this chapter... Don't worry, all will be explained •

As always please feel free to review! All feedback is appreciated (just make sure any criticism is written constructively)

Shohini :)