AN: Welcome to another chapter of HTLIG. For all my readers who have been following me so far, I thank you all for your continuous support and attention, as we enter another year. When I first began this story I knew it would be big, in terms of plot and word count. Initially, I had thought I'd've finished it in three years. But, life happened, and in August this story will be completing 5 years since I posted its first chapter, and I can tell it's nowhere near to being complete. So, I hope you'll keep enjoying it, as much as I have enjoyed writing it so far.

Review responses:

Green223: I'm totally doing more chapters on Berk. The focus is still Hiccup and Elsa, but we'll also see how Berk is faring, especially how Astrid and Heather are.

aaquater: Thanks. I envision Astrid as someone fiercely loyal, but also much less idealistic than Hiccup. So even though she knows the truth about the dragons, she wouldn't gamble everything to try to change the mind of the people of Berk like Hiccup did. What I thought that she'd do is to find a middle ground between keeping her status so she still has influence on Berk, but also try to change the way things are.

NPwall: Thanks. I hope you'll like this one too.

Angryhenry: Exactly.

ConquererOfDragons: Thanks. I'm surprised that this pairing has been well received. I can't say I have seen anyone does it. Also, for your question, here's what my friend said in his review: "For those of you readers who are asking why warorpeace called Heather a brunette when she has black hair, is because black-haired people are among the brunettes group as well. Not just brown-haired."

V01dsw0rd: Thanks for the tip. I'll correct it. And they will... but not the way you think it will happen.

Andrew: Well, I'm in my last year at university, so things will probably be even more hectic than last year. I'm hoping that I'll have enough time and energy to keep writing this year. She has been on the island about the same time that Hiccup has been on Arendelle. So give or take three months. I wouldn't say Elsa is infatuated with Hiccup, or vice-versa. She still is frightened of opening up, so even though she might think about it, she won't give this thought much attention.

thearizona: I probably did, sometime ago. Maybe as inspiration to write our story.

Guest: here's the update

Noctus Fury: Well, Heather had some attraction to Fishlegs in RTTE, where she had spent enough time with him. Remember that some of Fishlegs' confidence comes from the fact that he knows a lot about dragons, being only below Hiccup, so he is an important piece in the transition to a Viking-dragon society. Here, even though he helps Astrid, he doesn't have the same status, nor does he have a lot of opportunities to show his courage and intelligence as he had on the series. So I don't think that Heather would have been as attracted to him as she was on RTTE. I read on the Viking Lady (though there is probably the factor of what I understood from what I read) that it was not uncommon for couples of higher casts to have a lover of a lower cast, or maybe even of the same sex. You do have to remember that Astrid is already betrothed to Hiccup, so, in a way, she is already married. Heather, meanwhile, is an incognita. Stoick hasn't adopted her, nor is she betrothed to anyone, so her future is uncertain, especially since she is an outsider. She might pick the path of a shieldmaiden, partly influenced by Astrid, as she too was going to be a shieldmaiden before Hiccup changed her life. As for Hiccup and Elsa, I ask you what you asked me: can't a guy and a gal be just friends? :P

MarauderPrime12: Indeed.

Mark Andrew: Well, where I am is actually summer break. I'd say it was okay, though it began way later than I thought it would. So, here's the next chapter.

Without further ado:

It took Astrid a moment to fully realise what Heather meant. "What?" she asked in disbelief, making the brunette cringe. She has feelings for me?! But how? "Just…how?" Astrid asked, clearly at a loss for words.

Heather took in a deep breath and focused on the pond before them. She couldn't look Astrid in the face right then. "I felt the same way when I first realised this. I never liked someone that way before I came to Berk, nor was I in a relationship. At first, I thought that I considered you just as a very dear friend. But then I realised that sometimes I'd be thinking of you, or sometimes I'd look at you and feel like I was breathless for a second. It took me a while to realise what this meant."

"And…" She let out a sigh. "You trusted me now, so I thought that maybe, I could trust you with this, and, maybe… maybe hope?" She looked at Astrid's eyes for a moment before averting her gaze. "I'm sorry. Let's just go back to the village and forget all that I said. It doesn't-"

"It does matter," Astrid said while grabbing Heather's arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you think otherwise. It's just… it's so much. I mean, I don't think I'm even into women. I think. I mean, I never thought about this before." Astrid averted her gaze from Heather. "I feel confused. I don't really know much about this."

"Have you ever felt attracted to him?"

She looked back at Heather, right in her eyes. "No. At least I don't think so. Then again, I didn't spend a long time with him, after we settled down our differences, to know that. And besides, I'm engaged to him. Wouldn't I be cheating on him?"

"I don't really know." Heather tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I mean, I never heard of a marriage where your soon-to-be husband didn't know that he was engaged."

Astrid let out a sigh and risked a glance at Heather. Their eyes met, and quickly both looked away, their cheeks reddening up. "I guess."

Tentatively, almost as if she was afraid, Heather dared to grasp Astrid's hand. Her azure eyes instantly looked at Heather, who seemed to grow smaller and smaller under her stare. "We can always try and see what happens. Or we can just forget this whole conversation happened. I'm okay with whatever you choose."

Astrid knew that Heather wasn't being completely honest. Even if you'll go with whatever I decide I know that if I let the matter die, you'll feel hurt. She looked down at their hands clasped together. Should I try it? I like her, but as a friend, I think. I never thought that she could be anything else, but now...

You also like Hiccup as a friend. You only proposed that contract so you could secure yourself a position to slowly build up Berk to the idea that dragons aren't mindless beasts, a voice reminded her.

She hesitated. This is all so new to me. Damnit I wish I could solve this with my axe. She slowly leaned, and so did Heather, until they were touching their foreheads. "If I feel things aren't working, you'll agree to stop it immediately?"

"Of course," Heather whispered softly, looking Astrid deep in the eyes. "All I want is to make you happy."

Astrid glanced down at Heather's lips, and then the brunette gently traced her index finger across Astrid's jaw. It made her shiver, and before she could even think about what she was doing, she leaned in. Heather let out a faint gasp as she realised that Astrid was kissing her, but then quickly returned the kiss. She let go of the blonde's hand to wrap her arms around her neck.

Astrid didn't know what to expect when she leaned in, as she never kissed someone. I don't think that kissing him on the cheek counts. But she was completely surprised when Heather's gasp made her shudder. Her friend's lips felt so soft against her own, and, as Heather wrapped her arms around her neck, Astrid actually wished that they were closer. Wow, where did that come from?!

The kiss only lasted a few seconds. Slowly, Astrid broke off the contact and looked at Heather in the eyes. She seemed torn between feeling anxious and pleased. "I . . . it felt good." She licked her lips, the feeling of Heather's touching them still lingering. "I didn't feel a burning passion, or anything of the sort, although I don't know if I was supposed to feel that or not."

This time it was Heather to leaned in until their foreheads touched. "It's okay. We can forget all this happened if you want."

Astrid looked at her friend, then at her own hands. She didn't feel a burning desire to make out with Heather, but there was something stirring inside her. Kissing Heather had felt good, and a part of her actually wanted to do it again. "I don't think we have to," she whispered.

The way Heather looked at her made her blush. Is that how Hiccup looked at me? Astrid felt self-conscious. It feels… odd. But in a good way. "I think we should be going."

For a second a look of disappointment crossed Heather's eyes. She broke off the contact and stood up. "I agree. It's getting late. Stoick might wonder where we are."

Astrid picked the lantern and lit it up, then she stood up. "You're right." She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Let's go."

Their travel to Stoick's house, which was where they were living currently, Astrid for being the promised one to Hiccup, and Heather because Astrid took her under her wing, was filled with silence.

I wonder how that kiss will change things between us.

007

The next day, Astrid was awoken by Stoick. "Get up lass. Today we pay homage to the matriarch of the house. So go spend some time with your mother. I'm sure she'll love it."

The blonde groggily rode up. After a few seconds, Stoick's words hit her, making her widen her eyes. I totally forgot about it! Thankfully Stoick reminded me. Now, I should go get something for her. Maybe Gobber will know what to do.

Resolutely she quickly had breakfast, and then she left the house to find Gobber.

007

"Ah lass, I'm surprised yeh didn't come to me before," Gobber said as soon as she voiced out her thoughts. "Yeh forgot about, didn't yeh?" he asked as he places his hand and hook on his hips.

Astrid glanced away as her cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "I guess I did. Sorry if I'm coming on such short notice."

Gobber dismissively waved his hand. "Ah, don't yeh worry. Yeh've been doing so much for this village that yeh didn't even stop to have some time for yehrself. I'm happy to help yeh." He sat down on a stool and motioned for her to sit on the other one in front of him. "So tell me, lass, yeh have any ideas?"

Astrid sighed as she sat down. "To be honest I didn't think of anything. I was hoping we could come up with something," she said as she fidgeted with her fingers.

The blacksmith tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I'm sure we can come up with something. Let's start with what type of gift it'll be." Astrid nodded. "Will it be a weapon? An ornament?"

Astrid's eyes lit up. "Maybe it can be both," she exclaimed. Gobber looked her in the eyes and noticed how alive she seemed. A grin spread out from his moustache.

"I like where this is going."

007

After discussing the details with Gobber, Astrid left, knowing that she couldn't help much, to meet her mother. As soon as she knocked on the door of her household Asthera opened it. "Astrid my darling!" she said while engulfing the blond in a hug. "I was beginning to think that you wouldn't visit your old mother."

Astrid smiled widely as she returned the embrace. With her worries about training and the dragon attacks and learning how to be a chieftess, she had barely seen her mother for the past fortnight. "I'd never do that mother," she said with a muffled voice.

Asthera broke the hug and ushered Astrid inside. "Please, do come in. I was thinking of eating at the Great Hall, but now that you're here, you can help me cook our lunch, eh?"

Astrid, not having much of a choice, entered inside her old house. "Errr, I'm not so sure about that," she said while scratching the back of her neck.

Asthera stopped on her track and looked at Astrid as she put her hands on her hips. "Oh, don't start with it. Stoick must have taught you a thing or two about cooking. And even if he didn't, then all the more reason for you to join me. You'll be a wife soon enough, so you better know how to cook."

Astrid hesitantly gave in, though not before her doubts, which Heather had voiced out, resurfaced again. He isn't aware of the contract. What if he finds someone else while he is away? How long can his love for me last before the distance withers it?

Despite her inner turmoil, Astrid was more than happy to help her mother cook, even if it was her mother that did most of the actual cooking. Nevertheless, Astrid was happy to finally have some mother-daughter bonding time.

007

"This smells delicious," Astrid said as she helped her mother put the food on the table.

Asthera smiled at her daughter. "It sure does." The meal consisted of a stew made with freshly picked vegetables. Half of the meat used was in it, and the other half Asthera cooked over the fire, while adding some exotic spices she arranged from Johann.

"Before we start, we should thank the Gods," Asthera said as she and Astrid sat down. She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together. "Odin, I thank thee for blessing this meal, which shall give us the strength to fight many more battles in your name, and the name of your siblings and offspring, so we can one day ascend to Valhalla." She then opened her eyes. "Now let's start eating because I sure am feeling my mouth water."

Astrid couldn't agree more.

As the ate, Asthera looked at her daughter. "How are things between you and the chief? I've seen how you and he have gotten closer," she said between bites.

Astrid sipped her mead, before replying her mother. "It's good. He is tough most of the time, but sometimes he can be quite gentle. More often than not he and I discuss my future role on Berk. Sometimes he is harsh, but I know he means well." She looked away and scratched the back of her neck. "And, well, sometimes he tells me how proud of me he is, and how he could have not asked for a better future daughter-in-law."

Asthera's face lit up in pride. "Oh my, I'm so proud of you! It's not easy to earn his respect as a warrior, and even less to impress him! Oh if only your father and your soon-to-be-husband could see you now! I'm sure they would've been so proud of you now."

Mentioning Hiccup made her face fall a little. Still, it was hard to be sad when her mother was so happy. "Yes, I'm sure they would."

Asthera picked up that her mood fell a little. She placed s gentle hand on top of Astrid's, which made her stop eating to look at her mother in the eyes. "I'm sure he'll return soon lass. He probably misses you as much as you miss him."

How can you be so sure? I barely know him, and you know him less than me. How can either of us be sure of anything related to him? Astrid let out a forced smile. "Thank you, Mama," she replied in kind, before returning eating.

Asthera let go of her daughter's hand and did not miss how her smile seemed forced. She knew her words could only do so much, and since her daughter was not moping around, she decided it would be for the best if she dropped the matter.

An idea lit up Asthera's face. "What do you think of a little sparring session with your good old mother? I've seen you fighting during the raids, but I'm curious to see you on a duel."

Astrid narrowed her eyes, as a smirk appeared on her lips. "I'd love to."

007

Later, after they finished their meal and rested, Asthera and Astrid went to the Training dome spar. "We're putting up some armour. We're not doing that nonsense of sparring with wooden weapons or without protection. The raids are getting tougher, so we can't afford to break a bone or injure ourselves seriously."

Astrid only nodded as she heard her mother talk. I never trained with leather armour before. I wonder how that'll impact my fighting style. She glanced at her mother. She is used to chainmail and bracelets. That leather stuff won't slow her down so much.

Once they reached the Arena, they helped each other putting their armour. Astrid then picked up her favourite axe, while her mother picked up a one and half handed sword. "I still don't understand why you like that double-headed axe so much. It's too heavy, and therefore impractical."

"It's not heavy to me anymore," Astrid replied while readying herself into a battle stance.

Asthera shrugged and readied herself as well. "Suit yourself." As soon as she was done speaking, Asthera charged at Astrid. The young blond barely had time to evade her mother's diagonal cut. Before she even was on her feet Asthera came at her again, this time with a horizontal cut. Astrid didn't have enough time to evade, so she blocked the attach with her axe's handle. "Good thing your axe has steel within the handle, or it would have been useless by now."

Astrid shoved the sword aside and swooped her axe at her mother. While Asthera was older and less agile, her weapon was lighter, and so she easily parried her daughter's strike. Astrid used the momentum of her failed attack to swiped her axe in a horizontal strike.

Her mother, knowing that she couldn't parry or block such attack, took a step back, and evaded the attack. They were already panting, and each blonde looked at each other dead in the eye. Asthera pointed her sword at Astrid. "Come get me."

Astrid feinted a left attack, then attacked vertically. Her mother rolled away and then slashed diagonally. Astrid expectedly sent her sword away from her, and then struck her mother with the end of her axe's handle.

Asthera stumbled backwards as she held her bruised jaw. "Nice technique. I'm happy to see that you adapted to your armour slowing you down," she complimented. Astrid only gave a subtle hint in acknowledgement as she readied herself again.

Asthera then came with a succession of opposite strikes, up and down, left and right. Astrid evaded most of them and managed to parry them effectively. Suddenly, Asthera stopped wielding her sword with two hands, and, as she slashes diagonally from left to right, and Astrid parried it, she grabbed her daughter's axe, and then elbowed her in the chest.

Astrid stumbled back, heaving, and weapon-less. Asthera threw her axe sideways and pointed her sword at her daughter. "Yield?"

The young Hofferson looked at her axe, too far for her to reach it before her mother could strike her. So, with a grunt, she yielded. Asthera lowered her sword and went to pick her daughter's axe for her.

As she gave Astrid her axe back, she held it as her daughter grabbed it. "You're a good warrior, my daughter. I'm proud of how far you have reached. Don't take this defeat as a failure, but instead as an opportunity to learn. We fight so many times dragons that we forget that Vikings can be just as deceiving, if not more." She then let go of the axe.

Astrid looked down at her axe, inspecting its handle. Despite the blunt strike it took, it didn't seem like it had any structural damage. "Yes, mother."

She felt gentle finger hold her chin up. "I'm serious. I'm very proud of you. I'm sure your uncle Finn would have been too." She then gave Astrid a hug, who wholeheartedly returned it. She missed Astrid shedding a single tear at the mention of her uncle.

As she let go of her daughter, they helped each other take off the training armour. "Go talk to Stoick, see if he wants you to do anything." Before Astrid could protest, she added, "No excuses. As much as today we should honour the matriarch, you still have your duties to Berk. Come back to our house for dinner. Oh, and if you want, bring that friend of yours as well."

Heather? Huh, I haven't seen her all day. I wonder where she is. She doesn't have a family to be with today. As Astrid realised what that meant she quickly took off, barely letting out a 'see you later' before she did so.

As she reached Stoick's house, she found him sitting on the table, holding a mug on one hand, and a block of ice against his head with the other hand. "Tough day?" she asked as she went to the kitchen to get a cup of honeyed mead.

"Aye," he said as she sat down. "The folk love to get their matriarchs gifts, so you can imagine how the market square was buzzing today. And where there are lots of Vikings, there are lots of arguments." He gulped down the mead on his mug.

Astrid kindly took it and refilled it for him. "Thanks, lass. How was your day with your mother?"

A smile grew on her lips. "It was good. We had lunch together, and then we did some sparring."

"I guess she beat you, eh?" Astrid's face was all the answer he needed. "Don't feel that way lass. Your mother has decades of experience at her side, while you only recently left Dragon Training. If you gave her some trouble, then you should feel more than proud of yourself."

Astrid's eyes snapped up to look at him. "You think so?"

Stoick gulped down the mead on his mug and then place his hand on Astrid's shoulder. "I'm sure of it."

Astrid smiled and felt warm. It was rare of Stoick to praise her, but when he did so, she felt like he was the father she didn't have for a long time. I just wish you'd have been as supportive of Hiccup. Maybe then he would be here, instead of somewhere with a Night Fury, and a psychopath. "Have you seen Heather today?"

Stoick let go of her shoulder to scratch his beard. "Only in the morning lass. She said she was going off to a walk, and I spent most of the day at the market. Can't say I saw her there, but then again, there were lots of Vikings there. Why?"

"Just wondering," she said dismissively. "My mother invited her to dinner." She looked at him with wide eyes. "Of course, you're invited as well," she hastily added.

Stoick laughed amusedly. "Oh lass, I'm sure that I am." He then took a deep breath. "Go find your friend. I'm sure she'll be delighted to taste your mother's cooking again."

Astrid barely heard him as she left the house. Where she could be? He said she wasn't at the market, so I'll look there later. She decided to go to Gobber. Maybe he'll have seen her?

As she arrived, she found him, much to her dismay, alone hammering a sword. "Gobber, have you seen Heather?"

The blacksmith stopped hammering to look at her. "Can't say I have lass. Oh, but if yeh find her, let her know that I fixed her dagger!" he jovially said.

"Will do," she said as she left the Forge. I'm getting worried. Where can she be? She has no one to be with today...

As her words sank in Astrid skidded to a stop. "She doesn't have anyone," she whispered, feeling the dread build up inside her. When Heather had arrived at Berk she already didn't have a mother, and her father died a few weeks later because of an infected wound.

She decided to go search the Cove. Heather had liked the serenity of it. Maybe she wanted somewhere reclusive to be, she thought hopefully.

Updated on January 14th, 2019