Hello guys!

I haven't mentioned it before but I think now it's more clear than ever that this story is gonna contain spoilers from HTTYD2.

To clear something up, the fight beetween Hiccup and Astrid wasn't exactly a break-up, also because, tecnically, they're not together anymore.

Thank you for your reviews! Let's see how many you leave til next chapter!

Love,

Clary Chase

One week passed.

Astrid and Hiccup didn't talk to each other, which made the Vikings slightly nervous.

"I just don't get why she's been so hard" Hiccup complained throwing a rock in the lake.

Merida turned and cut him with a killer stare that reminded him so much of Astrid's one that he swallowed hard "What?"

"Are you kidding me?" she said.

He bit the inside of his cheek awkwardly "Uhm..." her frown deepened and he sighed leaning his back on a fallen tree "Okay. Illuminate me. What am I missing?"

Merida rolled her eyes and sent an arrow flying at the opposite bank of the lake "I thought you would be less dense with Astrid's feelings" she observed.

Hiccup blushed " i do get her feelings. I just don't understand why she's so hard all of a sudden!"

"Oh, come on, Hiccup!" the princess exclaimed waving an arrow in front of his face "It's a lot to take in. She's been attacked by a dragon and then you jump in telling her to be understanding with my mother, the woman who, as she said, ruined her life even if unintentionally!"

"But we could be together in secret! We'll be discovered if she keeps acting this way!"

"Use your brain, Hiccup!" Merida yelled "She's feeling used! I know that's not what you think of her at all but she must feel like some sort of mistress"

Hiccup found nothing to snap back.

He frowned. Merida's cheeks were red from yelling at him and her hair looked frizzier than usual due to the humidity of the lake.

"Are you... taking Astrid's side, Merida?"

The girl raised a red brow and nocked another arrow in the bow "I'm a woman just like her, it's not hard for me to to sympathize with her. She must think I'm a horrible person for stealing you away from her. In a different world she and i would be great friends. And sparring partners. I've always dreamed a female friend but her they're all frail and fussy ladies"

Hiccup smiled lightly to himself picturing a world where the two fiery young women could spar together as friends, he and Astrid together.

Such a beautiful picture yet so distant and unrealizable.

Toothless walked beside him and Hiccup automatically lifted a hand to stroke his back.

The dragon instantly stiffened and he snatched his hand back "Sorry, bud" he said, feeling the familiar lump in his throat.

Since the fight he had been spending more and more time with Astrid.

He surely understood Hiccup had been neglecting him without it, but that had been the last strain.

Merida watched at him with a puzzled look "So you're just gonna accept it? You won't even try to gain his trust back?"

Hiccup shrugged.

In just one night he had managed to push away two of the ones he loved the most.

"Maybe it's a sign from the gods" he said trying to hide his deep pain "Maybe he'll grow tired with me and come back to Berk with the others after our wedding. He'll surely have someone to take care of him there. I don't know how much time I'll have for him once I'll be... king"

He almost spat out the last word, which still felt foreign and gross on his tongue.

Merida was watching him with an analizing glare but she said nothing.

She resumed shotting arrows and the argument died there.

Astrid was walking up and down the stables frantically, debating on whether to take Toothless along with her at the sanctuary or not.

The Night Fury was watching her with big eyes, following her every step with a curious gaze.

"What am I gonna do with you?" she asked aloud shaking her head.

He gave her his crooked smile and stretched his tail-fin as if to invite her to ride him once again.

She bit her lip "I don't know, buddy..."

Valka would have asked where the rare dragon came from.

Well, she could always say the truth.

After all it wasn't a big deal as long as she didn't name Berk, it was just that Hiccup was too busy to take him flying.

She shrugged and jumped on the saddle before she could change her mind another time "Okay, let's do it. Come on, Stormfly! Time to pay Valka another visit!"

"So you're telling me everyone in your land has a dragon"

Astrid nodded scratching an hatchilng's ears absentmindedly.

Toothless purred like a cat under Valka's slender fingers.

"And your chief's son made everyone change their mind" her dark eyebrows were knitted together.

"Pretty much. It wasn't easy. He was an outcast and his father has well tried to kill Toothless at first but now... if you don't have a dragon you're kinda a minority"

"Sounds like a dream"

Astrid fidgeted "W-what? No, believe me, it's true"

"I tried on my own to make everyone change their mind on my land, starting with my husband" Valka's tone was bitter and distant as if she was caught deep in her memories "Vikings just aren't capable of change"

Astrid was afraid to say the wrong thing so she just looked down, a bit embarassed.

Toothless crouched back to her and placed his head in her lap.

She smiled caressing him softly.

Valka looked over at them with a small smile "He seems really fond of you"

Astrid shrugged "Yeah, well, after being with someone for five years, his dragon tends to be really close to you as well" she said trying to sound casual.

It took the woman a few seconds to register her words, then her green eyes widened "You two... you and the chief's son were-"

She faked a smile "We were actually supposed to get married in about a week but... your land's safety comes before one's love life so here I am, trying to get away from seeing the man I love with the princess"

Valka was watching her with a sad look "Your chief must not be such a noble man"

Astrid started to nervously tear some grass from the ground "It's not that. I don't fault him for this, even it brke me. It broke us. He just did what was best for his country. He's a great Viking"

There was a moment of silence.

When Valka finally spoke up her voice was deeper than usual, the one of someone who had seen so many things.

"Being a great Viking doesn't always mean you're a great man as well"

Astrid swallowed.

She didn't feel like getting into an argument with her.

And she surely didn't feel like starting to hate Stoick despite what he had done.

"Well..." she sighed "Anyway I came here in the first place because I found something"

"Really?" Valka's eyes brightened with curiosity.

"Yeah, it might be something really big"

The woman leaned on her palms and nodded "I'm listening"

There you go! Nothing much happens here but I wanted to show Valka meeting Toothless and the bond beetween Hiccup and Merida growing.

Review review and I'll post chapter 11 as soon as I can!

xoxo