"It's supposed to be a gift for you and Hiccup," he sighed. "But I'm betting you are not the one for surprises?"
"Not entirely true. The biggest events in my life happened to be surprises," she said so with a cheeky smirk, twirling the axe in her hand.
Eret chuckled, stepping closer. "Yet you are so guarded because..?"
"Not all surprises are good surprises and I'm not willing to risk the people I love for anything."
"The people you love," Eret echoed with a grin. "You really love him, don't you?" It wasn't a question but rather a statement.
"How long?"
Astrid blushed.
"Longer than I would ever admit out loud," she confessed. "I- err.. I.. kinda used to have a crush on him when we were toddlers."
Eret quirked an eyebrow and then crackled.
"I sort of find that hard to believe! I mean I would figure it would be the other way around."
Astrid smiled. "Oh things definitely switched around." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "It took both of us a while to get where we are now."
"Hmm." Eret nodded. "And now you are as thick as thieves?"
Astrid shrugged.
"All I know is that I can't imagine a world without Hiccup in it," she whispered out loud. "He is very important to me."
"The feeling is mutual, Milady."
Astrid's eyes bugged and she turned around to face her Chief.