Authore's note- Sorry this one took me so long. I've been busy with school and will try to have the next one up in about a week.

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Hiccup watched out over the vast ocean. The view was always the same; either it was clear and a tad foggy or frozen over in a blizzard, which it was for a third of the year. That's Berk for ya', but it was home.

He walked down the road through the village. This morning he was to hold a council meeting to discuss the recently low stock of fish and then he was to meet with a diplomat. Oh, diplomats. The chief had a great respect for them, for he was one himself, but he was tired of seeing them. He almost wished war would be declared so he could stop seeing them. Almost. Of course he had been threatened by several islands in the past, but once they saw the dragon army invaders seemed to grow week in the knees. Besides, whenever word came that an armada was being assembled, the Dragon Master would pay a visit to whoever was in charge. A friendly visit, mind you, and when he was greeted by the more Viking types he wouldn't put up a fuss. Yet making peace with powerful men before they became powerful enough to think of attacking Berk seemed the best strategy.

He took a right turn down one of the streets; he would not head to the great hall until he had seen Astrid. He hoped she would be feeling better. If she wasn't, he may have to put back the wedding several days. She would kill him for it, but he didn't want them to say their vows while she struggled to stay composed, or standing.

He knocked on the Hofferson home. "Ah, Chief," said Mr. Hofferson. "Good to see you. Astrid's still in her room, and I don't know if she's awake yet, but you may go up and see her if you wish."

"Thank you," he said as he walked up the stairs. When he reached the door, he knocked.

"Come in," came the voice of Astrid. He could tell from her tone of voice that she had just woken up, but couldn't tell if she was hiding discomfort or not. She was good at it, when she did. When he entered, he saw that she was in her sleepwear as he could see it on her arms and leg. The rest of her was under a blanket, all sprawled out on the bed. He realized in that moment that he had never before seen her in her sleepwear, as it wasn't exactly smiled upon, but in this case it was acceptable since she was covered and ill. Due to her position, he wondered how great her night had been. He had seen Astrid sleep before, and she was not one to toss and turn. Yet when he looked at her sleepy face, her smile put him at ease. "Hi Hiccup." She readjusted herself as she spoke so that her leg wasn't sticking out and she was leaned against the headboard. She lat out a loud yawn as she did so, struggling to keep her eyes open with what little light had begun to fill the room.

Hiccup was not used to seeing Astrid so tired even upon waking up, so this caused him some concern he tried to push aside. "How are you feeling today, Mi'lady?"

"Better. Last night after you visited I began to improve." She slowly dropped the grin, yet her face was still peaceful for the most part, except for a slight tightness that appeared when she was deep in thought. Then again, she was sick the day before, and Astrid hardly ever was sick. "You're here early," she spoke as she glanced toward the window at the smallest stream of light that indicated the sun was soon to rise.

"I have several council meetings today, and I wanted to check on you first."

"I feel fine. Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"No…"

"Why don't you head downstairs? My Mother will fix you something, and I can change and meet you down there."

"Sorry Astrid, but you know Gothi's orders. Bed rest for you, plus I don't have time."

He just caught her angry glare, though he could tell she carried little malice behind it. "But Hiccup…"

"I know you can walk around. I mean, ye are Astrid after all. Yet, I don't want my wife fainting on our wedding day."

"Gothi said I could get up when I can stand it."

He let out an audible sigh. "Only if you aren't dizzy when you do so," he conceded.

Astrid smiled. She tended to do so a lot more often nowadays since there was peace. Hiccup could tell that she was bored and a bit annoyed by having no one to fight as she was a warrior and it's kind of her life calling to fight as one, but peace did lead to more relaxing flights and calm meals, when she could let her guard down a little. She still analyzed every situation like they were under attack, but the peace had allowed her to realize just how uptight she had been. "Fine, but only if you join us for lunch."

"Will do." The light began to stream more heavily into the room, or at least it had begun to as they spoke. "I'm sorry, but I have to head to the hall. They are expecting me. See you later Astrid," he said.

"Just go be chief," she called you before he could reach the door, causing him to turn around.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Always supporting me."

"It's nothing you haven't done for me."

"I know, but… Promise me you'll never leave me to do this on my own?"

She laughed. "I promise Hiccup. And I'll get to say it again in four days."

Lavinia sighed as she released her hold on the door once more. She had learned hours ago that it wouldn't budge, but she kept feeling the urge to escape, as if somehow that would be accomplished by continually yanking on the metal bars of the brig hoping to loosen them. And, she had no idea what she would do if she had gotten out. I mean, what was she thinking? She was in the middle of an ocean, a strange one at that.

She sank to her knees onto the dirty wooden floor that smelled like a mixture of puke and human excrement, only just overrun by the smell of the saltwater that was inevitably dumped onto the floor to clean it. Even if she managed to escape from this cell, she would risk abuse at the hands of the wicked pirates who would come at times to torment her. The bars, if anything, did more for her safety than anything else.

A few tears fell from her eyes, but not very many. She had shed more than her fair share of tears in the past week, and was all dried up now. When she wiped them from her face with her frayed sleeve, she happened to notice that someone was watching her. It was the young man with the dark hair that fell over his face, partly covering up his grin. She had not seen him in several days, not since she had met the Captain. Already she had decided she hated him most of all. She wanted to ask, 'what do you want?' or even to give him a cold stare to make him feel guilty for being on the wrong side, but she instead found herself turning away from him. He continued to stare at her, as silently as he had snuck close, probably just investigating the loud shake she had given the bars. "Are you hungry?" he asked her. Laughter from the deck above was heard, then died down again, as she realized the scoundrels usually ate around this time.

She simply gave him a blank glance. "I'm Caleb, by the way," he said.

What was this boy doing talking to her as though she were to be flirted with? "I don't care."

"I'm sure you don't, but do you want something to eat?" She reluctantly nodded. He left and returned a few minutes later with a fresh cup of water and a plate with a large piece of meat, a chunk of bread, and an apple on it.

"Thank you," she made herself say. She wanted to ask why he was being nice, but she didn't, not really wanting to understand his motives. He stayed nearby while she ate, but did not keep his eyes on her to her relief. The he carried the plate with him as he left, without another word. She had to admit that she was attracted to him, not only because of his looks but because he had been kind. Yet, she chided herself for it a moment later. As she heard the men above deck shouting for land, probably loading up on more supplies, she said a prayer, asking God to please help her father to get there soon, before anything else happened.

The chief finally had finished his meetings around midday. As he walked out of the great hall, he saw a triple strike land nearby. It was always a rarity to see one of them, and only a few were permanent residents on the island. He decided to check it out. As he grew close, he saw that it was Sleuther, one of Dagur and Mala's dragons. Mala was riding him, who he hadn't seen in several years. Dagur approached and helped his wife off the dragon's back, which confused Hiccup until he saw how large her belly was. "Ah, dragon master," she said as she exchanged a careful hug with her old friend. "How is it being Chief?"

"You should know better than I do."

Dagur put his arm on his wife's shoulder. "I'm sure you've noticed the newest member of the family," said Dagur quickly, noticing his brother's awkward silence as it was rude to ask. After that, the apprehension faded.

"Congratulations! I mean, wow, why didn't you say anything?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," said the proud father-to-be.

"How far long are you?" said Astrid. Wait, Astrid, wasn't she supposed to be resting? Yet here she was coming out from behind Hiccup.

"Seven months. I didn't want to miss the wedding."

"Astrid, are… are you feeling better?" Hiccup asked her quietly.

Astrid turned red, apparently embarrassed that he brought it up in front of guests. "Yeah, I'm fine." Hiccup wanted to press further, but knew it to be unwise.

Just then Snotlout dove in from the air, almost crashing into Sleuther in the process. As the dragons became reacquainted, Snot ran to Hiccup to see a very pregnant Mala standing next to him, Astrid, and Dagur. "Hiccup… uh, er, hi Mala… Hiccup you won't believe what… oh, uh Mala," he looked to her belly, her hand placed softly over it. "Congratulations. Hiccup, I…"

"Spit it out," said Astrid, as Heather and Fishlegs turned the corner.

"Several ships are approaching. Foreign ones."

"The pirates?" Heather asked, running over as Windshear, sensing her tension, ran over to her rider.

"I couldn't tell, they started shooting at me… barely got here before they did," he panted.

"They are already here?!" yelled Hiccup. Before he got an answer, cannon shots were heard. Toothless flew to Hiccup as he leaped on. The other riders did the same with their dragons, except Mala. Then the battle began.