Next Chapter guys! I plan on wrapping up this story this week. I'm still working on the final chapters before I head off of a music camp. I made a goal for myself and that's to finish this story before leaving! Please, as always, review, I really need feedback. Once again, I do not own HTTYD if I did, I would have little Toothlesses in the movie. Thanks for keeping up with this story!

How to Choose Sides

Ch.3: Astrid's Reaction

Saro exited the house, closing the large door behind her. She wore a brown tunic, a little similar in fashion to her own blue, she had a brown belt strapped around her waist and she wore some tighter trousers, she managed to get her sword attached to her belt. As for footwear, Hiccup loaned her a pair of his father's abnormally large boots. Saro would have fun waddling in them.

"Wow," She mused to herself as she faced the village. It was breathtaking, dragons of all species were flying around, perched on roofs and walking around, aimlessly or not. People were weaving around the dragons, carrying bundles of stuff or small objects, or nothing at all. It seemed so peaceful here. It reminded her of her own home. Feeling guilt in her heart, she walked down the slightly steep hill, embedded with stones, creating a nice pathway. She joined Hiccup and his friends.

"Hey Saro," Hiccup greeted, waving to her. Next to Hiccup, was a girl, she had an intimidating glare on her face and she crossed her arms. Saro raised a brow and looked at Hiccup. Hiccup gestured to Saro. "Everyone, this is Saro. Saro, this is Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout, Fishlegs and Astrid."

Saro waved to them all, showing a lopsided grin. Her hand rested against the handle of her sword.

"So Hiccup says you were caught in the storm and you washed up on shore." Astrid recalled.

"Uh yeah," Saro said, trying not to sound so bold. "I was on my boat and it sank beneath the waves. I hung onto some sort of wood separated from my boat."

"Why were you out on a boat alone?" Fishlegs asked.

"It's a long story." Saro said, sighing in the process. She didn't really want to tell it.

"How long a story?" Astrid asked, a little too blunt. Hiccup raised a brow at her and Saro only shrugged her shoulders.

"It's boring anyway." Saro said, she shrugged. "You wouldn't find any interest in it."

"Try me." Astrid challenged.

Saro was about to open her mouth again but Hiccup laid a hand on Astrid's shoulder. He looked at Saro.

"Can you excuse us for a moment?" Hiccup asked.

"Aye," Saro said with a brisk nod, deep down thankful for his interruption. Hiccup directed Astrid away from the girl.

"Astrid, what's wrong?" Hiccup questioned as they were far away from Saro and the rest.

"Nothing." Astrid said. Hiccup glared at her, knowing that she was lying.

"Really?" Hiccup asked. "You know, you're not a very good liar."

"How do you know I'm lying?" Astrid asked, trying to change the subject.

"Astrid." Hiccup scolded.

"Fine," Astrid said, flailing her arms in the air with an exasperated tone. "I just…don't trust her."

"Why?" Hiccup asked. "She's done nothing wrong."

"Think about it Hiccup," Astrid said, accusingly. "She is on a boat alone, she gets caught in the storm and she says its nothing. One minute she says it's a long story, next she says it's a boring story. There's something about her Hiccup that I don't trust."

"I know she's a bit-"

"Weird. Strange." Astrid interrupted, crossing her arms. "I could go on and on about her."

Rolling his eyes, Hiccup glanced at Saro who was sucked into conversation with Fishlegs and Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut were already fighting about something, most likely pointless.

"Give her time." Hiccup advised looking at Astrid. "She maybe a bit…shy."

"Shy?"

"I dunno," Hiccup said, shrugging his shoulders. "Just don't do anything life-threatening just yet."

"Alright," Astrid said, sighing in defeat. "Just…promise me nothing happens."

Hiccup nodded and they joined the group.

That night, the kids were gathered around a table in the Great Hall, eating dinner. Hiccup sat next to Astrid, who sat next to Fishlegs. Across sat Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout and Saro in left to right order. Saro was in conversation with Hiccup and Astrid while Snotlout and the rest were talking about the excitement towards hunting.

"So where am I anyway?" Saro asked, lifting up her cup of mead. She tipped the cup against her lips, the drink rolling into her mouth and trickling down her throat.

"Berk." Hiccup answered. Saro shot forward, choking on the liquid and setting the cup down on the table, causing all heads at the table to turn towards her. Hiccup's eyes widened at the sudden action, Saro coughed, pounding her fist against her chest as she finally was at normal breathing again. She looked at Hiccup.

"Berk?" Saro squeaked. Astrid raised a brow at her softened voice. Hiccup nodded, unsure with the girl's sudden change in attitude.

"Uh, yeah." Hiccup said. Saro stood up.

"Excuse me, I need to go…do something…outside…I'm going." Saro said, she took off towards the door leaving a stunned Hiccup and an even more skeptical Astrid. Astrid was about to follow her but Hiccup stopped her.

"No." Hiccup told her sternly. "Not yet."

Astrid groaned in frustration and sat back down.

"Oh Gods." Saro cussed under her breath, pacing across the dimly lit village. Torches were flickering from their places nearby the doors but it was still pretty dark. "How did I end up here? Out of all places?"

'Not here!' Saro thought. 'My Gods, what am I going to do? I need to get off this island, fast! My Gods, I'm so dead!'

She was so distracted with her thoughts she didn't notice herself venturing out into the long, never ending forest. Saro paused for a second, recollecting herself after cursing to her Gods about the whole situation.

"And now I'm lost in a forest." Saro said, annoyed. Grumbling to herself, she perched herself on a boulder and sat. Her hand on her knee, her elbow against the opposite knee, her chin propped up onto it. She was slumping over, completely annoyed. "The Gods hate me."

She heard a audible hiss coming from the ground. Raising a brow, she peered down and saw a figure pop out. Within seconds, a ball of fire hurled out. Saro's eyes widened and she threw herself to the ground. She landed on her side, against her sword.

"That'll leave a bruise." She grumbled as she sat up. She saw that the ball off fire vanished and she looked down, only to see a little dragon creature walking around in a circle on the rock she was just sitting at. He laid down, curled up in a ball. She could hear him purr like a cat. She chuckled to herself. "Must be one of those dragons that live here."

She suddenly felt the urge to touch the slumbering dragon. Looking both ways, as if expecting someone to pop out and hack of her head, she leaned forward. Hesitantly, her arm stretched out, getting closer to the little creature.

The dragon's head lifted and gave her a threatening glare. He lifted himself up and was ready to strike again. He blew another blast of fire at her. Saro ducked and growled at the creature.

"Oi!" She shouted, both surprised and angered at the little demon.

The dragon gave a small dragon-equivalent chuckle before settling back down to sleep. Saro couldn't help but smile at the adoring sight.

To be continued.

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