Chapter 10

News of Hiccup and Astrid's engagement spread like wildfire and the elder set their wedding date for a few months later. As the weeks flew by, there were no problems on Berk for once.

About a week before their wedding, Hiccup and Astrid were awoken early in the morning by the siren from the watchtower. "What is that?" Astrid asked and pulled her pillow over her head.

"It's from the watchtower," Hiccup said and jumped out bed and pulled his tunic over his head. "Astrid come on, get up!" Astrid dragged herself up and out of the house close behind Hiccup.

"What's happening?" Hiccup asked Gobber as they reached the watchtower with the rest of the village.

"We've received notice from a neighboring village," Gobber said and handed Hiccup the notice, "Its from Dalla. She's declaring war."

"What?" Hiccup asked and stared down at the note which read

Hiccup,

Since you did not accept my offer I have no choice but declare war for I must increase the strength of my tribe. The winning tribe will absorb the losing tribe.

Dalla

"Oh no," Hiccup said and smacked his forehead, "This is all my fault."

"What offer did you not accept?" Astrid said but Hiccup ignored her.

"uhhh, Attention everyone," Hiccup yelled. The villagers immediately quieted down and faced Hiccup, "Please return to your huts. Meet at the main hut tomorrow morning for an update." There was a lot of chaotic screaming and chattering, but everyone trudged back up the hill towards their huts.

"What offer did you decline?" Astrid asked again. She and Gobber were the only ones left with Hiccup at the watchtower. Hiccup sighed and turned to face her.

"She asked me to marry her," he said. Gobber laughed slightly as Hiccup braced himself for Astrid's reaction.

"What?" she shouted, "Are you kidding? She's declaring war because you wouldn't marry her?"

"Apparently," Hiccup said, "This is so messed up," he said as he sank down onto the ground, "and as usual, it's all my fault."

"Don't say that Hiccup," Gobber said, "Not EVERYTHING is your fault. Most stuff is but you know, not everything."

"Thanks," Hiccup said sarcastically.

"Don't worry Hiccup," Astrid said and sat down next to him, "You've already lead a war to a much bigger threat than another Viking tribe."

"What would happen if they were to absorb us?" Gobber asked.

"Dalla would be our chief then I assume," Hiccup said.

"Don't worry," Astrid said, "We can have the dragons help us again."

"I bet Dalla already rounded them up," Hiccup said and stood up exasperated, "I should have never shared how to control dragons with her."

"I bet they're searching for the dragons but I bet they haven't found them yet," Astrid said. "We can find them easily because we have our pet dragons here to go get them and bring them back. They don't have any of those. So, just send all the dragons out now. We'll still be ahead of them."

"Okay," he said, "Lets do it! Gobber, round up all the dragons. I'll meet you and them in the arena."

"Will do chief," he said before running off.

"Don't worry Hiccup," Astrid said, "The dragons will help us and get rid of Dalla and her tribe. And probably be done in time for our wedding." Hiccup smiled slightly as she kissed his cheek.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about her proposal," Hiccup said, "I just didn't think it was that important."

"That's okay," Astrid said, "Come on, let's go!" She pulled Hiccup off toward the arena where Gobber was gathering the pet dragons.

When they reached the arena they were immediately greeted by Toothless. "Hey buddy," Hiccup said happily as he scratched under his ears. "I need you to find all those other dragons again, okay? Can you do that and take the others with you?" Toothless cracked his ridiculous smile and nodded happily. Toothless bounded off toward the other dragons, made a few weird gestures and noises toward the other dragons and then ran off into the forest followed by the rest.

"Now all we can do is wait," Hiccup said and started to sit down.

"Come on," Astrid said grabbing his arm, "If there's nothing to do but wait, we can go back to sleep. We'll hear anyone coming." Hiccup didn't argue as Astrid dragged him back up to their hut and into bed.

Hiccup woke up late the next morning as the sun streamed in through the windows. He sat up and saw Astrid sitting by the window looking out towards the town. "Hey," he said and she turned and smiled at him. "Anything yet?" Astrid got up and climbed back into bed next to Hiccup.

"Nothing yet," she said, "No dragons or tribe villagers."

"Great," Hiccup said sarcastically.

"Don't worry," Astrid said and put her head down on his chest, "I assume they'll be here today or tomorrow."

"I don't want to push back our wedding," Hiccup said and Astrid laughed.

"It will not be the end of the world if we have to," she said, "I just hope Dalla doesn't become our chief…which I don't think will happen if we get the dragons…"

"I don't even want to think about my first war as chief," Hiccup said.

"Its not your first," Astrid said, "You were technically chief for the war against the British."

"I guess," Hiccup said, "I just really don't want to push back our wedding. I want to start our lives together. I mean, my parents were already pregnant with me at this age, so its nerve racking to think that we're not there yet. People expect so much from me as chief after my father. I don't want to disappoint them."

'What?" Astrid asked, "Not where yet?"

"Having kids," Hiccup said. Astrid sat straight up and stared at him.

"We're only 18," Astrid said trying to stay calm, "Don't you think that's kind of young?"

"Most Vikings get married and have kids at this age or even younger than us," Hiccup said.

"Okay," she said and climbed out of bed and started getting dressed, "You're right. I'm just going to go for a walk…"

"You okay?" Hiccup asked nervously as Astrid made her way towards the door.

"Yeah I'm fine," she said, "I just want a little fresh air and I'm going to go see Ruffnut. I'll be back soon." She practically ran out the door ad down the stairs toward Ruffnut's hut. Hiccup sat in bed, confused about what had happened. But he tried to push it from his mind and went to wait for Toothless's return.

"Ruffnut," Astrid yelled as she knocked loudly on their front door, "I need to talk to you, answer the door!"

"Would you calm down?" Ruffnut said as she yanked the door open. "What are you doing here? Aren't we on the brink of war any minute?"

"Yes," Astrid said as she forced herself into the house. "I need to talk to you for a minute."

"Okay," Ruffnut said confused, "What's going on?"

"Hiccup just started talking about kids," Astrid said, "About us having kids! Together! Soon!"

"Um so?" Ruffnut said.

"Do you think I'm very motherly?" Astrid said, " Because I don't think I am a motherly type. I can't have kids!"

"Then don't you think you chose the wrong guy to marry?" Ruffnut asked.

"What do you mean?" Astrid asked.

"You're going to be the chief's wife," Ruffnut said, "He has to have at least one son to inherit the title of chief and as the chief's wife, you're kind of expected to give him that."

"Oh no," Astrid said, "You're right! I'm stuck having kids!"

"It won't be so bad," Ruffnut said, "If you love Hiccup it won't be so bad." Before Astrid could respond, a siren sounded from the watchtower. She and Ruffnut ran to the window to see Viking ships approaching. Dalla and her tribe had arrived before the dragons had returned.