I apologize for taking so long with this chapter. Aside from my trip to the USA, I suddenly found myself needing to look for a new job. I'll spare you the details, but how that happened wasn't exactly nice. Got a better paid job now. Next to that I attempted the nanowrimo, finding out I needed more information about the world I was writing about, stopped that, and tried finishing this chapter. I had a lot of trouble with it as I tried to stay true to how the characters are. So I hope I did it believable enough. Have fun reading and please let me know.

ps. I wish ffn wouldn't get rid of the indenting...

ps2. I didn't completely check the last part on spelling/grammar since I wanted to publish this already. Please let me know if you see any mistakes.

Chapter 6: Choices

With a loud bang the door to the chiefs house closed. The sound echoed throughout the village, making Vikings jump. It wasn't often their chief was in a pissed off mood, well.. not this bad, so everyone had been staying on a low profile ever since his return.

Everyone, but one person. His wife had been bickering with him since the moment she set foot on land, or as others had said, even before that. Rumors were spreading quickly to anyone willing to listen to them, which basically meant every single Viking living there. They grew bigger with each telling, but there was a basic that came back in every story. Hiccup was alive and had joined the dragons, he ran because his father wanted to banish him. Astrid's involvement was often different, but the basic part was that she had joined Hiccup. And because they both joined the dragons they were thrown in prison, despite Valka's protest.

Stoick was a man of traditions. Those who were mad enough to side with dragons are normally straightly set on a boat and banished or worse, killed on the spot. He already broke traditions by simply throwing them in jail. But what was he to do? One of them was his long lost son, who apparently had overheard him talking to Gobber that faithful night. How he wished he could take those words back. Now the boy was speaking the tongue of the dragons and had no memories of who he really was. Worst of all, helped the dragons with the raids.

The other was one of his best young warriors, even better than some of the older men. He had always seen Astrid as faithful and a true Viking. She too had sided with the dragons.

Then there was this issue with his wife, who apparently was alive. Of course he was happy about that, overjoyed even, but that joy was overshadowed by anger, disappointment and confusion.

All the chief wanted to do, was hug his family members, but traditions prevented him from doing so. It put him in battle with himself, resulting in him being angry. He had been shouting and ordering people around until he had closed that door loudly. It was certain everyone would think that all he was feeling was anger, but those who looked further than surface, saw his confusion. Yet… no-one, not even Gobber approached him, instead they let him sit there in his house alone once again, pondering over what he should do and what he wanted to do. He sat near the fire like the broken man he had been for the last four years.

Astrid stared at the wall of her prison cell. She was, purely out of boredom, counting the stones, while trying to ignore her stomach which was demanding food. It had been hours ago since she got some bread from her mother. At least half a day, if not more. She couldn't really tell. Maybe it was less and just seemed a long time ago.

A frown covered her face when she came to the conclusion that the last line of stones she was counting she already had counted. Frustrated over this, but more about the fact she was doing something like this in first place, she slid down the wall she was leaning against. Looking around she found Hiccup asleep on the floor in his own cell, or so she thought when she saw his eyes closed.

At what seemed forever someone came in and Astrid jumped up from her slumber she had fallen in and hoped they were there to bring them food. But when four Vikings showed up with no trace of a piece of food, her hope washed away. The door to her cell was sung open and without any remorse two of them fiercely pushed her arms on her back, giving her the feeling they would break them. A rope was tight around her wrist, giving a burning sensation reopening the barely healed burns of a few days ago. But she was a Hofferson, so she gritted her teeth and let all come over her. She watched how two of the men hoisted a half asleep Hiccup to his feet and bind his wrists together as well. He grunted a little when they pulled the ropes tighter and tighter, not exactly something you want to wake up to. Then he was pushed out of his cell and noticed her. Astrid let her be guided by the two men who were holding her arms and pushed her forward as she looked away from the confused look on Hiccup's face.

For a good five minutes Astrid was afraid they were going to the harbor where they would be placed on a boat and sent to the ends of the earth. She let out a silent sigh of relieve when it was the direction of the great hall they were walking in. Along the way she saw Vikings stop with whatever they were doing and looking at them. Astrid ignored the dirty looks they were giving her. She saw Ruffnut amongst the crowd, looking somewhat worried but mostly thrilled. For some weird reason it put a smile on Astrid's face as she was then pushed up the stairs to the great hall. Walking up that stairs wasn't easy whilst being pushed forward she noticed. On multiple occasions she almost fell. In fact, at some point Hiccup fell and when Astrid looked over her shoulder to see if he was alright, he was being pulled to his feet. Her attention was soon drawn to the people behind Hiccup and his guards. The entire village was following. Great, she thought annoyed and entered the great hall.

They stopped far in the back and Hiccup was placed next to her. The soft whispering that increased told her more and more people were entering. She dared to look around a bit, finding Vikings with their weapons ready, in case they decided to bolt. Her eyes fell upon her mother who looked worried and her father who looked highly annoying and about to attack someone. Quickly Astrid looked in front of her again and hoped that if she were to get through this trial alive, her father wouldn't give her one of those lectures where he would simply swing around his axe at her.

Not much later she heard the doors of the great hall close, telling her everyone, or pretty much everyone, was inside and things were about to start. From the shadows a big figure stepped forward, not saying a word. Astrid didn't need to see him to know it was the chief. The sound of his feet hitting the ground gave that away. He stepped into the light and stopped a couple of feet away from her and Hiccup, looking at her with an expression Astrid recognize but couldn't place. It was when he turned to look at Hiccup she realized that this look was the very same one he had given Hiccup since forever. It was filled with disappointment, anger and even a hint of sadness. For a moment Astrid got angry at him for giving her such a look. She had done nothing wrong… okay perhaps flying a dragon wasn't much to his liking. Then she realized that the chief did care, but he was the chief and therefor he had to stay neutral, do what's best for everyone. It also meant she had a chance. If only she was good at negotiating, her previous try turned out in almost getting killed by the person standing right next to her.

The crowd had quiet down as now Gobber stepped forward. Unlike Stoick he didn't look disappointed or angry, instead there was only sadness found in his eyes. Astrid sort of understood why. Hiccup had been Gobber's apprentice for years, he was the one who got the note from Hiccup and now, when he was finally back, it seemed like the boy was about to be banished.

"Astrid Hofferson, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock…" Gobber said as if there was a heavy weight upon his shoulders, it was quite clear he didn't like the words he was about to say, "you are both charged for siding with dragons."

Gobber stepped back and to Astrid's surprise she caught a glimpse of him giving Stoick an angry look. "Anything you want to add to that, before I decided what to do with you two?" Stoick asked with a low angry voice.

Astrid hadn't even opened her mouth to say something, when her mother burst from the crowd. Knocking a couple of Vikings over on her way and stepping in the middle of the attention.

"She brought your son and wife back!" she shouted loudly as she pointed at Valka standing further away not looking pleased either, "don't ya dare doing anything to her, Stoick!"

Astrid had seen her mother angry a lot of times, but not like this. She had never seen her mother disagree or shout at the chief, especially not with a look that told Astrid her mother was ready to chop the chief's head off.

Soft whispering went around the hall. Some agreeing with her mother, some disagreeing. Stoick silenced them quickly.

"That girl," he started with a booming voice above everyone else, making them shut up as he pointed at Astrid, "sided with dragons. She flew one and she could order one! She's a traitor! And the same goes for him!"

All Astrid could trace in Stoick's voice was hatred towards dragons and perhaps some pain for the fact that Hiccup sided with them. The hatred however seem to take precedence.

"I didn't side with dragons!" Astrid shouted to make sure she was heard above the racket that had broken loose. People quite down and focused on her as she repeated her words in a more softer matter.

"I did not side with dragons. Those dragons sided with us."

Stoick looked a little taken aback, but only for a short moment.

"You really think I would believe such nonsense!" he bellowed.

"If we really sided with dragons then don't you think we would have attacked you!" Astrid shouted back frustrated, "didn't you listen at all back on the ship! Hiccup was being controlled by a dragon queen. Dragons are being controlled by that queen, you really think they like that!"

She heard people talk, agreeing or disagreeing, speculating about her words.

"The dragons, as well as Hiccup, were forced to raid us and many others to feed the queen and in return they have a home. Everywhere else they are in danger, because Vikings are there or come there quite often. They have no choice."

As Astrid heard herself blurt those words she realized how much it sounded like she was taking the side of the dragons. Then it dawned on her that she had realized the actual situation they were in. A never ending circle of death that could only be broken if they were to change their ways. Knowing Vikings, she knew that was impossible. They were stubborn and hated it when traditions changed, they were traditions after all. Killing dragons had been part of their lives for more than three hundred years, it had been part of her life. Yet here she was, siding with the creatures she once killed without remorse. Feeling sympathy for them. All because she saw Hiccup being friendly, with a lack of a better explanation, with a very feared dragon.

She looked to her side where the boy who changed her thoughts stood with a rather confused look. He had lost his memories, he couldn't help her in this battle. How she wished he would remember who he was, he would know what to say. She was sure he knew more about dragons and this whole situation than she did. If the real Hiccup was anything like the dragon Hiccup she had met days ago, then he would make himself heard.

"Quiet!" Stoick shouted, making her look at the man again.

He then pointed at her, "You are putting your people in danger, both of you. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't banish you both!"

"And here I thought you missed your son. I can see why he ran off now," she spat at him.

How dare he. For everything she had done, she could have been dead, and her thanks for all of that? Okay, she hadn't know it was his wife, but she knew about his son. Then again, he was planning on banishing him, which was something she hadn't known and back then it really looked like he was heartbroken when he lost his son.

"How dare you," Stoick growled low as he walked towards her with a threatening look.

Astrid didn't back down, making the crowd gasp and hold their breath for what was about to happen. No-one would stop the chief if he planned on doing something brutal. He was, after all, the chief. Astrid stood little chance, is what many thought. Yet she stood there, as proudly as ever, giving her fair share of opinion like she would when it was needed.

"I may not have been good friends with him, but I do know he was always on his own and you and probably everyone else in the village would blame him for everything that went wrong," she said back in soft tone as she glared at the man.

She knew she was just as guilty as everyone else on this island for Hiccup's disappearance, but she realized her mistake and promised herself to stand by his side this time, she promised shortly after his disappearance, because she knew she had been terrible to him.

Stoick's face was turning red with anger and just when he was about to open his mouth, someone hit him on the head from behind. Another gasp ran through the great hall and Stoick looked like he was going to kill this person. Who dared to stop him?

The man turned around and found none other than Gothi, the only person who was able to stop him without getting killed in doing so.

Astrid watched how the woman pushed the man, who was three times as big as her, away with ease using her stick and walked to Hiccup. Hiccup, still completely at a loss about what was going on in the first place, gave Astrid a questioning face. He also seemed somewhat frightened and she couldn't blame him for that. Astrid shrugged her shoulders as she had no idea what the elder was up to. Gothi studied him for a moment and then walked to a pile of sand somewhat further away. Gobber was actually standing right next to it and he watched her scribble things.

"She wants to know what the first thing is you remember, Hiccup," he said translating the images in the sand, trying not to mess this up. He didn't want to lose his apprentice once more so he would do whatever it took to stop Stoick from making another big mistake.

Somewhat uncertain Hiccup opened his mouth, "waking up on a boat… being tied up?"

"Before that," Gobber said not needing Gothi to tell him that.

He was curious about this too. For a moment the boy looked thoughtful as he tried to remember and then turned to look at his mother. The woman, still standing in the shadows away from the crowd, looked up surprise when he was looking her way.

"She told me I had amnesia."

"Anything else?" Gobber asked patiently.

"The black dragon…Toothless? He told me my name was Hiccup and that I was human and then I asked her what happened, because neither of us could remember," he gestured at his mother again, although he didn't seem to have the slightest clue it was his mother, "she told me we ended up in a fight against another dragon."

"Anything else?" Gobber asked again, hoping for more, but Hiccup shook his head adding the words of him not remembering anything else. It seemed to bother him.

Valka watched the scene. It was still weird for her to be among people, especially this many. Earlier that day she had been bickering with her husband. Accusing him, calling him all sort of things and blaming him for this. Yet here she was, keeping her mouth shut for the mere reason she couldn't deal with this. She didn't know how to. What was there left to do so she could stop her husband from making an awful mistake? She knew exactly what he was like, especially when it came to dragons. It didn't matter if it was his son, betrayal was betrayal.

She saw Stoick in a heated discussion with both Gobber and Gothi and feared the worst for her son and perhaps also for Astrid. Her eyes landed on Hiccup who looked uncertain and somewhat scared, expressions she hadn't seen on his face before. Astrid looked mostly angry and would glare at Stoick as she was waiting for the verdict.

People were losing interest and started to scatter a bit, some checking if supper was done yet. She heard talks and caught words like 'I don't care it's just Hiccup' or 'he better kill that boy', only annoying her. About Astrid people seemed indifferent. For some reason they seemed convinced Astrid had indeed manage to make a dragon listen to her commands. The girl herself seemed to have heard too, for Valka saw Astrid's frown and loose her focus on glaring at Stoick's back.

"He's your son!" it suddenly sounded.

It were Gobber's words and they caught Valka's attention. She was close enough to hear the discussion between him and her husband, unlike the other Vikings who just kept on chatting with each other.

"He sided with dragons! He's not my son!" she heard Stoick hiss back at him.

Gobber glared at him, "Are you going to make the same mistake twice?"

These words echoed through Valka's mind. Reminding her of the words Hiccup had said when he still could remember who he was. That brief moment in which he told her he ran away because his father was going to banish him anyway. The harsh words of truth. She did cower, she still did. She was standing here, thinking there was nothing left she could do to chance Stoick's mind. Silently accepting whatever decisions he was going to make. She wondered whatever happened to that woman who could hit Stoick on the head and tell him what to do so he wouldn't make stupid mistakes. It was then she decided not to make that mistake once more and she found her will to keep on fighting once more.

"Stoick," she said firmly, making her husband look around surprised.

With more confidence then she had felt in years she walked to small group of Vikings. She knew quite well her son hated her and most likely his father, but this was something she could do. Perhaps as a last thing in the hope that someday, when he would remember who he was, would be able to forgive her.

Three pair of eyes stared at her and she feel the eyes of Astrid now locked on her.

"I know you wish to banish him. You hate dragons and I don't particularly like them either, but I don't think there is a reason for banishing him. Let me finish," she said sternly as Stoick opened his mouth to interrupt her, "he ran away. He doesn't want to be here. As soon as he remembers who he is, he most likely leaves on his own. Instead of giving him a reason to hate you more, let him decide to leave on his own."

Stoick looked thoughtful and eventually sighed, a sign for both Valka and Gobber that he was convinced.

"What about the dragons?" he asked calmer than he had been a few minutes ago.

"They are harmless actually, unless Hiccup tells Toothless to attack… I don't know about Astrid and her dragon though, but the deadly nadder seems harmless too."

"Astrid wouldn't attack her own people unless you give her a reason to," Gobber added to that and Stoick nodded in agreement as he let out another sigh.

"I can't simply not do anything. The people won't accept that."

"Then think of something that they will accept. You are the chief, not them." Valka urged.

Astrid watched the group of adults. After Gobber's loud comment and Stoick's reply she hadn't been able to hear another thing. Behind her people seemed to have lost interest completely, well beside her parents and family members that is. But the moment Stoick turned around and stepped forward again, all eyes were turned to him once more.

Astrid held her breath, afraid of the word 'exile' that might be leaving his mouth.

"Astrid, you are to make Hiccup remember. If either of you two or your dragons are in any way a threat to anyone, the dragons will be killed and you are both exiled. Am I clear?"

Astrid swallowed somewhat relieved and nodded. Hiccup did the same. There was some complaining among the Vikings, as Stoick now turned his attention to the crowd.

"Whoever provokes an attack of either of them or the dragons, will be punished. I don't want any madness going one here!" Stoick roared making sure everyone heard him.

Fishlegs made sure the boat didn't hit the harbor too hard and jumped onto the dock, throwing the ropes around the pole making sure it was tightly knot. Tuffnut then dropped the plank so they could easily carry the baskets of fish off the boat.

"Where is everyone?" he pointed out.

This caught the attention of Fishlegs, now noticing the absence of anyone in the harbor at all. Immediately he was on alert and grabbed a hold on his sword as he made his way up. Something had to have happened here, why else was no-one there. However, by the time he was at the top, Vikings were coming his way, rapidly talking about something. Fishlegs looked into the distance and saw more people coming out of the great hall. Relieved he let his sword for what his was and asked two of the men coming his way to help with unloading the boat. All fish baskets were on shore in ten minutes, since it were no more than ten baskets.

Snoutlout jumped onto the dock and marched his way up.

"It's a good thing I went along, otherwise you guys wouldn't have caught this much," he bragged to Fishlegs and Tuffnut, both dragging a basket with them, while Snoutlout was carrying none. Fishlegs rolled his eyes annoyed.

The baskets of fish were dropped off at the shed where they kept all their fish. Fishlegs hoped they wouldn't be stolen by the dragons again as he made his way to the great hall to get himself a meal.

While there was much complaining, people seemed to accept the decision of Stoick and went their ways. Families went home for dinner, others stayed to eat the food that was offered in the great hall. Astrid rubbed her wrists, hurting from the ropes. She really had to put some ointment on them. Gobber smiled thankfully at her when he walked away and cut the ropes around Hiccup's wrists. As she watched that, Hiccup was rubbing his wrists too, she saw her mother coming her way and tackled her in a hug.

"You foolish child," her mother half cried half smiled as she held Astrid tight.

"Mum, you're suffocating me," Astrid managed to utter.

Her mother let go off the hug but held on to her hands, giving her a stern look. Astrid winched a little as she was partly holding her wrists.

"Once you're home you have a lot of explaining to do, young lady," her mother said firmly.

Astrid nodded feeling somewhat uncomfortable and got another hug from her mother, before she announced to get her some food. She watched her mother leave and join the line at the bar before turning to look to Hiccup who got a slap on the back from Gobber, making him almost fall forward. It was a sight Astrid hadn't seen in a long time. Gobber was laughing as Hiccup was looking uncomfortable at him, not sure about what to do. It felt somewhat nostalgic, but she knew that once Hiccup would remember, he would not stand around unsure of himself like that anymore… at least she thought. In fact, she was certain he would jump on Toothless and leave this place as soon as he got the chance. With that thought she walked to the two, wondering if maybe she could convince him into teaching her at least some things about dragons. Both men looked up, the youngest somewhat thankful, probably because she was the only one he somewhat knew.

"Thanks lass… perhaps it's a good thing ya didn't listen to me," Gobber grinned and walked away, giving her a firm slap on her should as he passed her.

"So…" Hiccup started awkwardly as he had always sound as he tried to start a conversation, "You are going to help me remember what exactly?"

"Who you are, I guess."

"And your name is… Astrid?"

Astrid nodded and looked around when she heard her mother say her name too. A plate of food was pushed in her hands. To her surprise her mother had also brought some food for Hiccup.

"Eat. Once you're done come home, okay. You too, sweetie," her mother said as she looked at Hiccup.

"Shouldn't he stay with –" Astrid started but was cut off by her mother.

"Absolutely not."

Astrid rolled her eyes, remembering her mother words of years ago. Combined with what happened today she had to agree. It wasn't a wise choice to let him stay with his parents. If he were to remember he would just… well actually she didn't know what would happen. If he was anything like the Hiccup she had met when he thought he was a dragon… A shuddering ran down her spine.

"Okay, but I'm first going to get Stormfly and Toothless too."

Her mother gave her a questioning look.

"The dragons… the nightfury is called Toothless and the deadly nadder I was flying on is called Stormfly," she mumbled seeing her mother's eyes grow wider.

"And where do you plan to bring them? They are dragons."

"They're harmless, mom, I promise. They can stay in the shed, it's empty anyway."

"And why do you think that is. The few sheep we had left have been taken by dragons."

"Mom, please," Astrid begged.

"I can ask them to behave," Hiccup suggested, having both women to look at him, making him feel uncomfortable once more.

Astrid looked back at her mother with begging eyes, she used a lot on her father. Though they usually didn't work on her mother, it seemed to work this time for she sighed and nodded.

"But be careful, now go eat, before it's cold."

With that her mother left and Astrid took Hiccup with her to a table in the far back.

Hiccup ate his food in silence. He looked up when a blond haired girl walked up to Astrid with a grin. Astrid rolled her eyes, but grinned back. The girl sat down next to Astrid with a plate of food of her own. When she looked his way he quickly started looking at his food.

"You are as awkward as ever," the girl said, making him look up surprised.

He saw Astrid grin at the comment, while he was at a loss of words. Was he supposed to know this person? He had no time to come up with something to say, for some new people joined them.

"Hey guys," it sounded behind him and he looked around finding a hefty person with a very gently face, "oh, hello. I don't think I have ever seen you around? Are you a traveler? Or perhaps lost at sea?"

Hiccup shook his head trying to ignore the two girls who attempted to cover up their snickering. The hefty boy also raised an eyebrow at this as he sat down next to Hiccup, placing his bowl of food on the table.

"How was the fishing trip?" the girl Hiccup didn't know the name of asked.

The hefty boy let out an annoyed grunt, "I think we would have caught way more if Snotlout hadn't come along."

"That I can believe," Astrid said sounding annoyed as she rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, what happened here? There was no-one at the harbor when we arrived."

Astrid shared looks with Hiccup and the girl next to her.

"You had to be there," Astrid eventually said mysteriously.

Hiccup saw the guy next to him shrug his shoulder and eat his meal as he and the other boy on the other side of the table were talking about their fishing tip. It was when Astrid realized Hiccup was done eating, she stood up and announced they had some business to do. The girl, who Hiccup found out was called Ruffnut, said she wanted to tag along and when Astrid didn't object the two boys, called Fishlegs and Tuffnut, joined in as well.

Hiccup followed, or rather was dragged along by Astrid who marched with her head held high to the exit of the great hall. He was more than happy to make a quick exit as he really didn't like the stares he was getting. The others, accept for perhaps Astrid, didn't see any of that or maybe ignored it. He wondered where they were going, but apparently the place was far outside the town. They crossed a long bridge far above the see. He peered down thinking he better watch his footing so not to fall, if he were to fall off, he most definitely would die. When he looked in front of him again a building came into view.

"Why are we going to the kill ring?" he picked up Fishlegs saying.

"Kill ring?" he repeated in slight panic.

He wasn't going to be killed right?

"Ya, we kill dragons there. Also when you're old enough you get trained on how to kill them," Tuffnut grinned.

Hiccup gulped and looked over to Astrid with begging eyes. He wanted her to tell him it wasn't true, but she casted her eyes down and gave a slight nod. Though she didn't seem happy about it either. In silence he begged Toothless hadn't been killed yet. That dragon was the only one who seemed to know everything about him. Also for some reason this fear of Toothless being dead was tugging at his heart, telling him he deeply cared for this dragon, even if he didn't remember anything about the black creature.

They reached the building and walked down a platform that allowed you to look inside. Hiccup looked down and his heart jumped out of relieve when he saw his black scaled companion looking just utterly bored.

"Toothless," he called out in pure joy and without thinking he jumped through one of the holes in the net of chains.

"Are you insane!" Fishlegs shouted behind him, seeing the two dragons inside, "… why are those dragons loose in the first place?"

Hiccup ignored the boy and rushed over to Toothless who had jumped up the moment he heard his name. He leaped right over to his auburn haired human friend, making Hiccup fall on his back.

It must have been quite a sight to see to Fislegs and Tuffnut. Thinking the boy in the ring was about to be attacked, but instead got a lick on his face and then started laughing and suddenly talking in the language of dragons itself. Astrid found it quite amusing. Even though Hiccup didn't remember a thing this seemed like a reunion of two best friends. Both probably glad the other was alive.

Hiccup pushed Toothless on his snout to make him stop sniffing him.

"Stop it," he still laughed, "I'm fine."

"Stop making me worry so much about you," Toothless scolded as he did stop sniffing his friend who gave him an uncertain smile.

The sound of someone else landing in the arena made both look up. Toothless immediately protectively stepped over Hiccup and snarled at the girl to leave. Hiccup crawled from under the dragon wing.

"It's alright. She's not going to harm me. She actually helped me… although I still don't really understand the situation I am in."

"That's because you don't remember! Who is she?" Toothless said, this time stepping between Hiccup and the girl.

"She's called Astrid."

Toothless earflaps perked up, before going very low and giving the girl a growl of mutters even Hiccup didn't hear, but he was certain Toothless just called her all sort of terrible things. He wondered why.

"We are leaving this instant," the dragon then announced and pushed his snout against Hiccup as sign he should get on.

"What? Why?" Hiccup didn't understand at all. In fact he was even more confused than he already was.

"Because this is Berk! You ran away from this place years ago! These people hurt you and I am not going to let that happen again! Especially now that you don't remember a thing!" Toothless roared at him, "Now get on my back! We are leaving!"

Hiccup didn't move at all, he was too overwhelmed to do so. The words 'ran away' still ringing in his ears. He looked over to Astrid who was petting the snout of the deadly nadder. She noticed him looking and waited for him to ask his question while on the platform above the two boys were still freaking out over the fact that these dragons weren't attacking.

"I ran away?" Hiccup almost whispered.

Astrid nodded and walked closer to him, ignoring the warning growls from Toothless that she shouldn't come so close.

"And you had all reason to," she gave him a soft smile before looking down to Toothless, "He doesn't want you to be here does he?"

Hiccup shook his head, making Astrid smile for some reason.

"It's good to know you found a friend who really cares for you."

Toothless gave her a confused look and lowered his guard a little, telling Hiccup to ask her what she wanted from them. Hiccup translated the question.

"For you to remember who you are," she said as she stood up, "though I was told to make you remember, I would have done so even without being ordered to. Once you do, please ask you scaled friend here to blast your father's house down before you two leave."

Toothless sat down confused, watching the blonde girl as he repeated her words in his mind. This was the same Astrid he had been told about so many times. The one who Hiccup had a crush on, whatever that may mean, but he was almost sure Hiccup wanted to mate with her but got turned down. She was also the one who was part of the reason Hiccup had left this island. Toothless had seen Hiccup completely broken and confused when it came to this girl. How she had been terrible to him, yet he still loved her as he would say so himself. How she had said nothing and put all the blame on the poor boy when there was this dragon training session.

She seemed sincere with her offer to help Hiccup remember who he is, but Toothless wondered how much of a help she would be in the first place. She didn't know the boy like he did. Nonetheless, apparently she was fine with them leaving after Hiccup remembered and he could definitely use some help, so Toothless decided to give this girl the benefit of the doubt. Especially since he had heard the story of Stormfly who had told him that they were freed from the queen because of this girl. For now he was going to keep an eye on her.

Astrid watched Toothless, who eventually gave an node of approval. She let out a sigh he was agreeing with the plan and then smiled.

"Please put up with me for a while then."

"Uh… ya… you too, I guess, with us I mean" Hiccup mumbled awkwardly.

Toothless gave out a snort and plopped down, watching the two.

"Let's just hope you don't get controlled by that queen again, I really don't want to deal with that again," Astrid replied.

"Ya, then she's gonna complete freak out again."

Both Astrid and Hiccup looked around as Ruffnut walked inside the kill ring. She had opened the gate. Toothless jumped up and stepped in front of Hiccup again, giving the new girl a glare. Ruffnut ignored the black scaled one and walked straight to Stormfly.

"Hey girl, remember me?"

Stormfly let out a content purr as she got petted on her snout by Ruffnut, but suddenly jumped into an alerting state, having her tail ready to fire as the two boys carelessly walked into the kill ring as well. Fishlegs and Tuffnut jumped back as a warning shot from both Toothless and Stormfly were coming their way.

"Hey! Why can you guys approach them without getting attacked!" Tuffnut shouted annoyed.

"Because we're not carrying weapons, moron," Ruffnut pointed out.

Fishlegs immediately dropped all his weapons down to pocket knife he would use to clean fish. When he then carefully walked towards the dragons, who were still skeptical, but didn't attack.

"Amazing," Fishlegs whispered and studied the to him unknown dragon from a distance as it was not willing to let him closer, "so this is what a nightfury looks like."

Astrid stepped next to him.

"Fastest dragon in the world. I'm surprised Stormfly managed to catch up with him… and that you managed to shoot it out of the air, Hiccup," she said as she looked over to the boy without memories.

Hiccup looked up with a questioning look, but before he could even open his mouth to ask about what she was talking, Fishlegs did.

"Hiccup? Wait, you're Hiccup?" the hefty boy asked with widened eyes.

Hiccup could only nod, starting to get a little annoyed about his amnesia. Everyone seemed to know who he was, but had no clue who everyone was. The boy now gasped at him and fired a whole lot of questions, until Ruffnut placed a hand on his mouth. Hiccup watched how Fishlegs immediately stopped talking and blushed a little.

"He has amnesia, he didn't even remember his own name," Ruffnut explained to the boy she had silenced and then let him go.

Hiccup wondered how this girl knew about his amnesia, then again it was probably said during that weird gathering in that big room of which barely understood what had been going on. He hadn't paid much attention to anything either as he had been too preoccupied with the uncomfortable feeling of being watched by everyone.

"We should go," Ruffnut suddenly announced and looked to Hiccup and Astrid, "good luck you two."

She walked away, dragging her brother along, who had been playing a stare down with Stormfly, attempting to get closer while still carrying weapons. Fishlegs looked at Hiccup as if he still had hundreds of questions, but eventually followed Ruffnut.

Hiccup almost jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder and found Astrid, who tried hard not to laugh at his reaction.

"We should go too, it's getting late," she said.

"R-right," he managed to utter and followed her together with Stormfly and Toothless.

Right outside the kill ring, Astrid came to a stop and looked at an axe on the ground. Her axe. The exact spot where she had left it when she went into this kill ring in the hopes to train a dragon.

"Why is she looking at that weapon? Is she going to kill us after all?" Stormfly asked Hiccup with some fear in her voice.

Hiccup gulped, but dared to step next to Astrid, while the two dragons kept a safe distance between them and Astrid.

"A-Astrid? What's with the axe?"

Astrid looked up from the weapon over to him, "it's mine. I was thinking of bringing it with me, but…"

Her eyes wandered over to the two dragons suddenly hesitant to come any closer to her. Which was exactly as she feared. She sighed.

"I can't blame them for being afraid of weapons," she mumbled, "I'll pick it up later and put away somewhere safe."

She already started walking again, but was stopped by Hiccup words.

"So you're not going to use it on them?"

"Of course not," she said as she turned around, seeing Hiccup pick it up.

It surprised her that he had no trouble with holding it, he used to be so bad at holding pretty much any kind of weapon. Then again she had seen him carrying a sword, which had been covered in blood. It made her wonder how much Hiccup had changed.

He walked towards her and handed her the axe.

"As long as you don't use it against dragons, I guess it's fine. You two stop acting like chickens. Have a little more trust," he said passed her.

Astrid stared at the axe and then at the two dragons. Toothless gave her a wary look and passed her as well. Stormfly carefully came close and sniffed the axe. With a smile Astrid petted her snout.

"Don't worry, never will I use a weapon on you," she whispered.

With those words, the words of Gothi came back to her once more. She and Hiccup were responsible for the future of Berk. Berk would either be destroyed, or the people would finally realize that dragons weren't that bad. Astrid could only hope for the latter.

"Are you coming? I don't know which way to go," Hiccup called out.

Astrid grinned and placed her axe on her back where she always kept it, before running out the kill ring, Stormfly following her.