How To Let It Go Chapter 6, a How to Train Your Dragon + Frozen Crossover fanfic

AN: Hello fellow readers and welcome back to another chapter of How To Let It Go. For those of you eager to see the universe of HTTYD meeting the Frozen I'm happy to say that, as we approach the moment where Hiccup will leave Berk there will be ''Flash-forwards'' until he arrives at Arendelle. I also noticed that many of you have pressed the following button, but not as many did the same with the favorite button. I am curious as of why, and if you want to say it through a PM or review, even an anonymous one I'd be delighted to read.

Anyway, without further ado:

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"THE ONLY ONE I WOULD EVER MARRY WOULD BE YOU"

This time Hiccup was the one to shout, as he turned to glare at Astrid's eyes. Both were livid and panting at this moment, and their cheeks were reddened, although not only because of each one's anger but also because of what Hiccup just yelled.

She was too shocked to say anything, which, in any other situation, it would have been a funny sight since Astrid was never speechless. But, to her credit, she expected to hear another 'I don't know' coming from him. Not in a million years did she expect to hear what he just told her.

Apparently neither did him as the silence lingered through the air between them, and when he finally realized what he just said Hiccup averted his gaze and turned his back on her again, feeling too embarrassed to face her after what he just blurted out. He wasn't lying, but never thought he would tell her this one day either.

She was still too shocked to speak, and he noticed it, deducing that this was an opportunity for him to speak up and explain himself. "I-I mean. You're the only woman I ever cared Astrid. I never stopped doing so. And just because I'd be leaving it doesn't mean I would stop caring for you, or for anyone as a matter of fact." He replied somewhat desolate. 'Did she really think so low of him because of a dragon?' he thought sadly.

He turned to look at her, who had yet to move a finger. She was relieved that, at least, her mouth wasn't wide open, or so she thought. "I-I had a crush on you for long as I remember. T-that's why I couldn't leave without leaving you something. To show to you that I cared… that I always did, and would still do…" he stammered, feeling sheepish that he admitted that to Astrid. And a little bit fearful that those would be his last words.

And with that he turned to grab the cloth wrapped axe, and turned again to face her. He held out the axe and she finally snapped out of her shock to see him offering her something wrapped in cloth. She grabbed it gently, which surprised him (who knew Astrid Hofferson could be gentle?) and removed the cloth from it.

If she didn't need both her hand to hold it, she would have covered her mouth with one the moment she gasped. Her eyes were as open as her mouth at the sight of the axe in front of her. The axe shined as if it was destined for a Valkyrie, and he did it for her; he forged it because he wanted her to know that he cared. It was not because he wanted to woo her or anything, but because he really cared.

Looking closer, she could see faint runes written in the blades, though since the only light in the forge came from the candles and the furnace, she wasn't able to read much of it. The axe itself looked like it was made of silver, though she knew it wasn't since silver wouldn't last on the battlefield, and it weighed differently from a silver-made axe. He knew how she used an axe, so he wouldn't be dumb enough to forge one out of weak metal, if he really intended for her to use it.

She carefully looked at the rest of the axe, only to find a fine carved wooden handle, with a leather strip smoothly running through it. She took the cloth lying on her arm and threw it at the table nearby to handle the axe. It was perfectly balanced, almost like it was a part of her. She wondered how Hiccup did this or that what he did in the first place to the metal look so bright.

"I made using an experimental forging method I created. It makes the metal lighter and stronger, and the metal ends up like it was just polished." He explained, noticing the awed yet confused expression she had on her face. He knew that she was probably comparing the shiny metal to silver, so he felt better to reassure her it wasn't the weak metal the one he used. "So… do you like it?" he asked shyly, with a hint of anxiety on his voice.

"Hiccup… I-I love it" she said at a loss for words, her eyes not prying away from the axe. He rubbed the back of his neck shyly as he reddened looking at the awed face Astrid had. It was like a child's when winning a Snoggletog present. He also smiled at the scene, seeing that she was truly happy of receiving his gift. He only felt his heart ache at how he wouldn't be able to see Gobber's expression when the man finds his own gift.

After she was finished admiring the axe she came back to reality. The smile that was on her face, caused by the unfamiliar warm she felt (after all, she barely remembered the last time someone gave her something nice) was replaced with a frown. "You're still leaving, aren't you?" she asked sadly. The axe to her, beautiful or not, meant a goodbye, a farewell, and she couldn't stop herself from feeling angst at seeing him leave.

It was funny how the day changed. First she wanted first to beat him, then to kill him, then to expose him, then to study him, to apologize to him and finally she wanted to keep him in Berk. And now, after feeling elated from receiving such beautiful gift that who knows how many hours he spent doing she was feeling dread and angst as his departure got closer to happening.

"Yes, I am" though this time he didn't speak determined, but rather lamentably, as if it wasn't really his choice. He went to his room and came back a few seconds later vested in a leather jacket and a bundle underneath his arms. "Want to come with me and meet Toothless?" he asked.

What she understood instead was: 'want to come and say goodbye?' she absently nodded, and so lost in thoughts while following him after leaving the forge that she didn't even notice going to the chief's house and Hiccup leaving a note on the table, or the fact that she was about to meet the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself.

They walked silently to the cove. She didn't know what to say, and he was busy thinking if he forgot to do or check anything. When they reached the cove's entrance he stopped, making her also stop on her tracks. Only then she came out of her trance and noticed she had been the whole walk fingering the smooth handle of the axe as a source of comfort.

"It's better if you give me the axe. He can be a bit wary around armed people he doesn't trust." he said with a hand stretched to grab the axe while the other clumsily held his bundle.

A small part inside her screamed that she was about to face the deadliest dragon known to men, that it was a trap and she shouldn't go unarmed. But she quickly let it aside as she gave him the axe. If he was leaving and had been honest at the forge, he wouldn't lead her to her death. Though that thought didn't stop her from being slightly afraid…

A small part inside her screamed that she was about to face the deadliest dragon known to men, that it was a trap and she shouldn't go unarmed. But she quickly let it aside, remembering his words of how he cared about her and how she would be the only one he'd ever marry, and gave him the axe. If he was leaving and had been honest at the forge, he wouldn't lead her to her death. Though that thought didn't stop her from being slightly afraid…

As they entered the cove Hiccup left, on a nearby boulder, his things, the axe among them. "Toothless? Come here bud, I want to introduce you to a friend." He called out as he walked toward the center of the cove. Said dragon cautiously came to him, contrary to his popular attitude where he would pin down and lick Hiccup on spot. He approached slowly Hiccup and warily looked at Astrid for a moment, making her freeze in fear.

Astrid watched frozen as the dragon stopped staring at her to go to Hiccup. The boy scratched him affectingly, earning a purr in the process. She couldn't stop but compare it to an overgrown cat. A cat fully coated with scales; that has wings and that breath fire she noted amusedly.

Hiccup, after patting him, led Toothless toward Astrid slowly, so each other could properly meet. He wanted to part ways with her on good terms, and for that, she and Toothless would need to be acquainted at least. Her instincts were screaming that she would run away, but she trusted Hiccup to don't let the dragon harm her. In the end she only gave two steps backwards, but still felt vulnerable at every single step the dragon gave toward her.

When they were a few feet apart, he introduced each other: "Astrid, this Toothless" he gestured toward the dragon, who nodded. "Toothless. This is Astrid. She is a friend." He gestured toward her and she gave a shy wave with her hand, feeling rather intimidated by the mighty of the Night Fury, even though it is way smaller than she originally expected. Up close the dragon seemed to be eradiating pride, as if he knew very well of the reputation he had among Vikings.

However the fact that Toothless nodded at her, as if saying 'nice to meet you', went past her mind.

The dragon approached her, dropping his intimidating stance in the process, and stared sniffing on her. She didn't move, but paled nonetheless. "Hiccup?" she whispered, "What is he doing?" she asked, anxiety and fear lashing out from her voice.

Hiccup didn't move from his spot, although he was observing both of them. "Relax. He's acquiring your scent, or seeing if you don't have any hidden weapons or ill intentions. Try to relax, they can sense fear for what I have understood, and he'll trust you more easily if you're not afraid." she tried doing as he said, but when the deadliest known dragon is sniffing you like a pray, it's kind of hard to relax. Now she understood why he took away her axe, and she was deeply thankful he did so. She shivered subtly by only imagining how it would be to face this dragon battle-ready.

Seeing Astrid wasn't relaxing, he approached them and scratched one of Toothless' earplates, making the dragon stop sniffing her to purr. His other hand went and gently grabbed hers to lead toward the dragon. She began to panic once she stepped outside her fear-filled trance and noticed what Hiccup was doing. She began to sweat cold seeing her hand approaching the dark scales.

"Hiccup? What are you doing?" she asked, this time her voice was more rushed. She weakly tried to resist his grasp, but to no avail.

"Relax, just trust me" he answered, offering a smile. She ended up complying, not resisting anymore his grasp on her wrist; although she was still wary of what he wanted to do.

He stopped scratching Toothless so the dragon focused on her hand. When it was inches apart from him, Hiccup let go of her hand and took a step behind. Toothless looked at it, andthen looked at Hiccup, who in turn gave a subtle nod.

Astrid couldn't remove her eyes from the dragon. She was afraid that if she'd do that it would eat her hand. She noticed the dragon look to Hiccup, but did not see what the boy did, as he was no longer in her field of view. It was like he was looking into her very soul, and thinking if she should be deemed worthy of his trust, or be mauled on spot. She didn't think Hiccup would allow the later, but the look the dragon was giving her made it harder to feel reassured by thinking Hiccup would stand between her and a Night Fury.

It wasn't until a minute later that the elusive dragon finally closed his eyes and nudged the girl's hand with his snort. Astrid gasped, feeling astonished at the amazing sensation she was feeling when her hand came in contact with the soft, warm scales. She had never touched a dragon's scales, and only thought she would ever do with the intent of killing the giant reptiles. But the feeling of those warm, smooth scales around her palm was indescribable.

Hiccup was grinning so much while looking at Astrid's awed face that his face was almost splinting in two. He did not speak, as he waited to see what would be Astrid's words about that. He knew very well how amazing that feeling was, and he patiently waited to hear what she would say.

"Hiccup…" she spoke awed, "This… this is…" she couldn't even finish it as the feeling seemed ineffable, but the boy seemed to read her mind and find just the right word.

"Amazing" it wasn't a question. It was a statement. For a brief second she wondered if he could read minds, but soon recalled that he must have done this to win Toothless' trust, and should have felt the same. She gave him a nod to show that he spoke just the right word. This time she was the one grinning like a fool.

He closed in and showed her where to scratch Toothless. She laughed freely when the dragon began purring at her scratch. She felt a little girl all over again, laughing and smiling like a fool just like when she had won her first axe. She never thought that the elusive Night Fury would be a giant kitty. Maybe the White Fury would act similarly…

Thinking about the white, trapped dragon made something hit her mind. "Hiccup… Does that mean all we know is wrong?" she asked, perturbed that her entire life could be a lie. She couldn't believe anymore that they were mindless beasts that always go for the kill even if she wanted to. The fact that a Night Fury was purring at her scratching was more than enough to convince the stubborn Viking inside her.

He pondered at the thought. "Probably yes… While they are not mindless beasts, as you can see, they still attack us, although I believe that there is for a reason behind it. So far none of the dragons I met seemed to be reasonless. Maybe stubborn, but not mindless like they make us believe" he answered, trying to make sense of the whole situation Berk and dragons were.

She carefully took in his words while she stepped aside, and watched as he packed his stuff on Toothless. She also noticed that he looked more mature using that leather jacket, which was almost as black as his dragon. 'That's probably to conceal his appearance during their flight.' She guessed. Astrid also noticed that it was full of pockets and modifications, showing his 'Hiccupness'.

Once he was finished, he looked at the saddle and sighed. He would have never thought that he would have been able to say a proper goodbye to anyone before leaving, much less to Astrid. Even though he was ready, a part of him still found hard leaving the only place he ever called home; even if the village didn't like him until now. And now it was even harder since he regained Astrid's friendship back, after spending 10 years yearning for it.

Sensing his distress, she came up to his side and placed a hand on his arm. "Do you really need to do this?" she asked with a sad tone, even though she knew the answer.

He turned and looked at those sky-blue eyes. He would need to leave soon lest the guilt bottling up inside him would stop him from doing so. With a sigh he answered: "Unfortunately yes, I must."

"I left a note for both of them. I was planning on leaving one for you as well when… well… you came to the forge. Since you know the truth I'll tell you what I wrote to dad. Gobber's note was mostly thanking him for everything and a clue so he would find my gift to him. Dad is mostly trying to justify my departure otherwise I'd just be leaving to be hunted down later by him." He explained.

"I guess I did. But we know brains is not what make you respected around here." though he spoke evenly, she noticed there was a hint of longing behind it; a longing that he would be accepted for who he was. "Besides…" he added and hesitated for a moment, "I had planned some of that… before the Training and… everything" he vaguely waved around.

"Y-you mean…" she didn't finish it, even though there was no need. Both knew that was the unspoken question as he proved by sadly nodding. She felt a pang on her heart, afflicted at the idea that he could have left earlier, without anyone's notice. And she knew, even if he would deny it, that it was partially her fault on that. Or maybe befriending Toothless only became the perfect getaway, since she doubted he knew how to single-handle a boat.

"You would make a good chief, you know?" she said, and he looked at her surprised. "I'm glad I was able to see you as yourself. Not a Dragon Master you were on the ring or the clumsy boy trying to down a dragon" she gestured toward Toothless. She had noticed the fake tailfin and recalled the night when he said he downed a Night Fury. He had been right and no one believed in him. And now he was leaving because no one ever cared to really see him.

"I saw you as Hiccup: a thinker, a strategist, a kind hearted person. Even if none of us deserve it, you still thought about us before leaving… You still cared about me, even if I don't deserve it." She praised solemnly while rubbing her arm. She didn't dare avert her gaze from his, as she wanted him to know every word she spoke she meant it. He couldn't leave thinking no one saw him for who he was with something else than disappointment.

Though he wanted to argue with her, he saw the truth behind those words. So he just listened. He doubted he would ever see Astrid outside her warrior shell as he had seen her today; that is if he would ever see her again. He also doubted someone had ever seen her like that before, and would ever see. He could only faintly recall her so vulnerable the day she lost her Uncle Finn for the Flightmare.

"Well… uh, thanks, I guess" he stammered a bit. He didn't know what to say to her after what he heard. Even though the situation was awkward, neither averted their gaze from one another's eyes.

"So…" she tried to change the subject before getting too sappy. She was way outside her character for her taste. "What did you write to your father?" she asked curiously. It would need to be something big to convince Stoick his departure was worthy.

"Well. I wrote in that letter that I would make a trip to gather some wisdom. You know, to be a worthy heir in the eyes of the village." she was about to argue but he stopped her. "I know you think I am, but they don't see like that. They see you both a capable warrior and leader. Even if they see me as a great warrior, it doesn't mean they would see me as a great leader" he countered, silencing whatever protest she was about to speak.

She gave up on arguing. She knew that very well. It was known the village's fear regarding their future. Hiccup was seen as a nuisance and incapable of leading the tribe, while Snotlout everyone knew that, even if he was a good warrior, he would be a horrible leader. She didn't know how they saw Hiccup by now, but there probably were people that still feared for the future of Berk, even with his improvement on Dragon Training.

"That and… I also wrote that I would hunt down the Night Fury to make him proud of me." Toothless looked at him confused, just like Astrid did. Sensing the prying eyes upon him, he explained. "Even if taking the trip would look good as my position of heir, fleeing before the fight would make me look a coward. And the village would demand either my blood or my exile from being a coward." He explained.

"Because of that I wrote that I would only return once I had hunted down the Night Fury to earn their respect, and that would make my runaway from the fight excusable." He patted absently Toothless, who lay down again, comfortable with the explanation. Astrid understood his reasons, though she clearly saw he wouldn't do that. This fact only fueled more her fear that he would never come back.

"Maybe one day, when I find out why they raid us and make them stop I-we can show them dragons and Vikings can coexist." He said, smiling. His eyes were distant, as if they were imagining how life would be if that was true. She also smiled, but because he included her in this plan.

"Well…" he averted his gaze, and her heart stopped for a second. She knew what this meant. "I guess this is a goodbye" he said sadly.

And this moment, she did something she never thought she would do, much less with him. She hugged him, hugged as if her life depended on it. For a couple of seconds he was too shocked to return the hug, but when he snapped out of it, he returned it.

They shared the embrace, neither knew for how long, but both wanted it to last forever. It was heartbreaking for him to leave everything and everyone he knew behind, but for him it mattered more that things would stay the same by doing so. He knew going to fight the Nightmare would expose his whole facade, and possibly Toothless, and he didn't want to risk messing everything.

For her, she knew it was completely un-Viking to show emotions or affection. But she also knew she had lost too many good moments with him, and that she probably would never see him again. It was because of this that she decided to hug him, before she could regret not doing so. She was scared that he would die out there, sad that she only realized too late who Hiccup really was and was even feeling lonely by seeing that the only person that was not related to her but cared deeply for her was leaving.

Once they parted, she looked at him, and she gave him the hardest punch she could muster at his right arm. He actually stumbled backwards from the brute force of the blow. "OWWW" he rubbed his sore arm. "Why would you do that?" he asked bewildered and a bit angry.

"That" she pointed at the arm she just hit. "Was for besting me in Dragon Training" she said smirking. She thought for a second if she should hit him again, but ended giving up on the idea.

And then she acted on impulse. She gave him a peck on the cheek. Hiccup's brain switched off, and because he had a dreamily gaze, he missed Astrid turning red as a Nightmare, looking everywhere but at his eyes.

"And that is for…" caring about her? Forging that axe? Showing her the truth? "…For everything else" she mumbled lamely while looking at her feet. She hoped that it was too dark to be visible her furious blush. Honestly she could understand why she hugged him, but the reasons behind her sudden peck on his lips were unknown to her at this moment.

"O-okay…" he said once his brain switched back on, and was also furiously blushing. He chuckled a little, happy that even after all this sappiness, she was still tough Astrid Hofferson. His chuckles died down soon, as both noticed they were looking at everywhere but each other. An awkward silence fell between them, since neither knew what to do after the sudden display of affection.

After a couple of awkward silent seconds, he faked a cough and spoke. "Well. It's time." And with that Toothless jumped up and positioned himself so that his Rider would climb.

She looked at him, and once he was in the saddle, she grabbed his arm. "Goodbye Hiccup…" she said, her voice almost cracking. This was it, his final farewell, there was nothing stopping him from going, not even her. She would have considered joining him if she had not been named heir by him.

He put a hand on the hand she had in his arm and squeezed it a little. "Remember, when the raids stop and the sky cry, you'll know I have returned" he spoke, almost of prophesying.

She laughed, despite the situation and the few tears rolling her cheek. "Really? You're so dramatic" she commented, in disbelief while shaking her head. He felt happy making her laugh, and felt warm inside despite the sadness of the situation.

"Couldn't avoid it" he replied, laughing lightly with her. But then he stopped, and slowly removed her hand. She reluctantly complied after he gave one last squeeze on her hand, before separating himself from her and hooking his foot on the tailfin's pedal.

"But, seriously. Remember that." He breathed deeply before whispering "Goodbye Astrid." And with that boy and dragon were flying away. Because of the wind burst coming from Toothless' wings when the dragon took off, she stumbled and almost fell on the ground. For a whole minute she stood still as a statue, looking at the black dot getting smaller by the minute, until she couldn't make it out of the dark night. The moon light was as good too illuminate a couple of foots from her.

...

"We did it bud... We finally left the Archipelago" Hiccup said relieved while patting Toothless. They were both tired after going through the Snow Belt, which was a place where snowstorms frequently ocurred, thus creating a natural barrier that kept dragons and Vikings away from out outer world.

'There's a village up ahead and it doesn't looks like anything we have ever seen' Windwalker spoke up, also feeling tired. Hiccup nodded and quickly snatched his maps to see if there was any information about the village before them, or kingdoms as they were known. All three of them wanted to land and rest, but Hiccup would not risk their safety by going on unknown lands.

"Alright, i think its safe to land there." he said after storing the maps.

The kingdom in question was none other than Arendelle

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AN: Soo, let me think of what you all thought about his departure. Besides, these flash-forwards would be better to put at the end of the chapter or at the beginning? As always, reviews are much appreciated, and so is constructive criticism.