Since I'm going on vacation for a week, I decided that another chapter was in order. Enjoy this while I enjoy Massachusetts. ;)

Three hours had passed after Toothless had fired his way into the ring, saved Hiccup, and gotten captured in the process. Astrid had overheard Stoik disowning his son enough that she now knew Hiccup had nowhere to run. Stoik ordered that the ships be readied, the men themselves prepared, and Toothless to be bound and loaded aboard his leading ship to lead them to the nest.

Astrid walked up behind Hiccup, who was standing on a lone wooden deck built on a stone outcropping that overlooked the port.

Come on, Astrid, work some magic...the only way he's going to do anything is with a few nudges in the right direction.

"It's a mess," She began. He kept his eyes on the blue waves beneath them. "You must feel horrible. You've lost everything: your father, your tribe, your best friend..."

"Thank you for summing that up," He said dryly. He let out one of his most pathetic sighs. "If only I'd've killed that dragon when I found him in the woods! It would have been better...for everyone..."

"You're right. Anyone else would've done it." Obviously, this was going to need a lot of nudging.

"So why didn't you?" Her question hung in the air for a moment. Hiccup looked as though he wasn't going to answer.

"Why didn't you?" She asked again.

"I don't know," He said quietly. "I just...couldn't."

"That's not an answer."

"Why do you have such an interest in this all of a sudden?" He was getting irritated.

"Because I want to remember what you say right now."

"Oh, for the love of – I was a coward. I was weak! I wouldn't kill a dragon!"

She scrutinized his face, then suddenly realized something.

"You said wouldn't that time."

"Oh, whatever!" He threw his hands in the air in a fury. "I wouldn't! I was the first Viking in three-hundred years who wouldn't kill a dragon!" She stared at the floor as he turned away to hide his flushed face.

Astrid paused for a moment. Getting him angry wouldn't get anywhere, but the truth might...

"First to ride one, though."

She saw his composure slip. He had gotten her hint. "So...?" She prodded.

He sighed and turned to her. "I wouldn't kill him because he looked as frightened as I was..." He looked into her face and got the encouragement he needed. "I looked at him, and I saw myself."

She nodded and looked out to sea. "I bet he's really frightened now," She continued. "So...what are you gonna do about it?"

"Eh..." He shrugged. "Probably something stupid."

"Good, but, you've already done that."

His face suddenly lit up. "Then...something crazy!" He jogged off down the ramp that led to the village.

She smiled fiercely. "That's more like it!" And with that, they took off towards Berk.

Astrid led the rest of the class quietly into the arena. Hiccup was already there, staring at the door to one of the dragon pens in deep concentration.

"If you're planning on getting eaten," Fishlegs broke the silence. "I'd suggest the Gronckle"

Hiccup turned and grinned at the group. Astrid smiled proudly at her work in getting the teens together.

Tuffnut broke through the ranks first. "You were wise to seek help from the world's most deadly weapon!" He said mysteriously.

"Uh..." Hiccup tried to look past him at the group of people ready to ambush him.

"It's me," Tuffnut added before getting shoved out of the way by Snotlout.

"I love this plan!" He said loudly.

"But I never - "

"You're crazy!" Ruffnut spat, pushing Snotlout away. Then, leaning in very flirtatiously, "I like that."

Astrid narrowed her eyes and yanked her away by the helmet, much harder than necessary. Hiccup sighed in relief and gave her a shy smile.

"So," She brushed the hair out of her eyes and smiled. "What is the plan?"

So long, guys! I'll be able to post more if I can get internet, but if not you guys can survive without me. :D I'll be back around the 13th, maybe...