Chapter 2

The next morning Hiccup and Toothless were up before most the village, but Stoic was already gone. "I wonder where he went," Hiccup said after he and toothless had searched the house. "Oh well. Lets go," he said and started walking toward the door. He began limping again and Toothless slipped his head under his arm and helped him toward the door. "Lets go down to the arena," Hiccup said and climbed up onto Toothless's back. "Maybe some people will be down there," he said thinking of Astrid with a smile. Toothless kicked off the ground and sped off toward the arena.

Toothless touched down and Hiccup was immediately greeted by Tuffnut, Ruffnut, Fishlegs, and Snotlot.

"Hey," they all were shouting excitedly.

"Lets see the leg," Snotlout, "You disappeared too quickly for any of us to see it yesterday." They all ooed and awed over his new prosthetic leg.

"We were hoping you'd show up today," Fishlegs said, "We need to get the rest of the dragons out of the dungeon." Hiccup nodded and followed them over to the gates. He started to limp again and fell slightly behind.

"You okay," Snotlot asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Hiccup said, "Open the gates," he said to Ruffnut and Tuffnut.

Once they had released the remainder of the dragons, they all headed off to the dining hall of the training center.

"Has anyone seen Astrid," Hiccup asked once they got there.

"Not since yesterday when she flew off with you," Snotlot said and everyone started giving him questioning looks.

"Okay well I gotta go then," Hiccup said and he left the hall with Toothless close behind him. "Lets go to Astrid's house buddy," he said as he climbed onto Toothless who flew off. They landed right outside just as Hiccup's father came out, followed by Astrid's father. Astrid's father was one of Stoic's most trusted commanders and Stoic often consulted him on an impending battle. This made Hiccup's stomach drop. "Hey dad," he said as he climbed off Toothless, "What're you doing here?"

"Oh nothing," he said, "Just having breakfast with your future in-laws," Stoic replied happily and laughed.

"Dad," Hiccup whined, "Please sto-," he started.

"Oh don't worry," he said waving his hand, "I didn't say anything like that to Astrid." Hiccup stood there awkwardly for a moment before turning toward Astrid's father.

"Is Astrid home," he asked and her father nodded.

"Go on inside," he said, "She's probably in the kitchen by now." Hiccup nodded and quickly walked inside the house. Before he got the door closed the whole way, he heard Astrid's father begin to speak.

"Is it really going to be that bad Stoic," he heard Astrid's father ask him.

"I assume the whole British navy will be coming any day now," Stoic replied, "And that's much more than we'll ever have. They'll kill us all and destroy everything. We should evacuate as many people as possible now…" His voice started to drift off as the walked away. Hiccup stood frozen at the door.

"Hey," Astrid said suddenly, knocking Hiccup out of his daze, "What's up? You okay?" Astrid walked closer to him but he said nothing, "Hiccup? Are you okay?"

"I just heard my dad and your dad talking about an invasion from Britain coming…they're having us evacuated soon..," Hiccup said and Astrid's eyes widened.

"Evacuated," Astrid asked confused, "Why not stay and fight like we always do?"

"My dad said the whole British navy is coming," he answered, "We don't stand a chance." Astrid looked wide-eyed and confused as ever.

"Why…," she asked but trailed off before finishing her question.

"I want to go ask my father," Hiccup said and turned to leave. His leg had been hurting even more today as he limped a few steps before grabbing onto the railing outside Astrid's house.

"Are you alright," Astrid asked and approached Hiccup cautiously.

"My leg hurts," Hiccup said and tried to step again and his whole leg gave in, but Astrid caught him. She put his arm around her and helped him to Toothless. "Thanks." Astrid smiled and kissed him on the cheek. Suddenly, a siren sounded. Both of their heads shot towards the watch tower.

"All citizens are to report to the meeting hall," the watchman yelled.

"Looks like you don't have to talk to your father," Astrid said. She grabbed his arm again and helped him towards the meeting hall.

"Anyone know what's going on," Fishlegs asked as he and the others caught up with Hiccup and Astrid.

"Not really," Astrid said as she helped Hiccup into a seat. Hiccup said nothing. Astrid sat next to him and took his hand.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," she said, but Hiccup could hear the doubt in her voice. The others shortly joined them. They were seated around the fire pit at the middle of the room. Hiccup could see his father in the center of the room with Gobber on one side and Astrid's father on the other.

"Fellow Vikings," Stoic said suddenly, "We have been faced with a problem. A problem even worse than the dragons." Many people gasped at this. "I was informed a few months ago that the British have claimed our island and no longer wish us to inhabit it. I responded that we would fight for our home." People cheered at this but stopped when Stoic hung his head. "However, they responded that their entire navy would be coming to fight for the land. For those of you who don't know, the British navy is triple our size and have weapons that we do not. There is no way that we can defeat them." Stoic paused her and looked out at the villagers and found Hiccup. He kept his gaze on his son as he said, "We have to start evacuating as soon as possible." With this, there was an uproar of chaotic screaming. People were protesting this decision and some were ready to leave right then. "Calm down everyone! We will evacuate the elderly and the children first. All report to the boats!" Chaos broke out as parents rushed to find their children and their own parents.

"Astrid," Astrid's mother and father approached her, "You are leaving at once." Her father grabbed her arm and pulled her away from Hiccup before he could say a word.

"No," Astrid cried as she struggled against her father's grip, "Wait!"

"Astrid," Hiccup yelled as he struggled to get up but was suddenly pulled back by his father.

"No," he said, "Dad, wait! Astrid!"

"You are to stay here with me Hiccup," Stoic said as he pulled his son through the crowd, "We are to wait for the invasion and try to negotiate with them and possible buy Berk from them."

"Why do I have to stay," Hiccup yelled as he and his father left the hall and headed up the hill. Hiccup caught a glimpse of the ships being loaded below and thought of Astrid. "Why can't I go with Astrid," he asked.

"Because," he said and he opened the door to their house, "You are the chief's son. You will be the chief. Especially if something happens to me in all of this."

"Dad don't…," he said but Stoic shook his head.

"You must act as chief," he said, "Astrid will be fine. You will see her again." Hiccup did not believe him.

"I didn't even get to say good bye," Hiccup said and he stormed upstairs. He and his father and his army were the only ones left on the island the next morning. Most of the dragons had even disappeared. Now, all there was to do, was wait.