Chapter 7: Stoick Knows

Stoick had left the building five minutes after Snorre and his father had left. He couldn't put his finger on the Viking, something about him made him worry and not just that Snorre is as big, muscular wise, as he is. He is only Hiccups age though and his father is just as big as well. It didn't help that they are both about a half a foot taller then he is. However right now isn't the time to worry about such things, he needed to go see Gobber. He slowly made his way to Gobbers' blacksmith shop thinking about Hiccup all the way. Once he arrived, he found Gobber working hard on the tiny band and Stoick couldn't help but smile at the thought of his son finally getting married. Everyone could see it coming; there was no doubt about it. "Gobber, how is it going with the wee trinket?" Stoick asked.

"It's going fine Stoick." Gobber said slowly coming to a stop and putting the tool and band down. After what he heard, he wasn't sure whether to continue or not after all it was just a rumor but it still worried him. "Stoick, I heard a rumor that Astrid has been given away already and to a southern Viking." Gobber said sadly and looked toward the band.

This was a shock to hear to say the least. Stoick knew what he had to do. "Gobber, I will be back." Stoick said leaving the shop.

"Just don't tell Hiccup or Astrid. It's better for the two of them to focus on getting better then for anger to grow and have neither of them get any better." Gobber said to Stoick as he retreated out of the shop. 'Odin be with them.' Gobber thought as he picked up the small band.

Stoick couldn't believe it, how could one of his best friends do this when he knows very well that the two love each other dearly. In fact, they do love each other more then most Vikings. Most marriages are where the parents choose for the child. True, Hiccup probably wouldn't even have gotten close to Astrid if not for him putting Hiccup in dragon training. Though if Odin really wanted this, he would have found some way to make it happen. It had now begun to rain again and even some thunder could be heard. Stoick ignored it the best he could as he focused on his objective right now. Stoick walked up to the door and knocked somewhat loudly but not angrily. Soon his good friend came to the door with a big smile on his face. "Stoick, it's good to see you my friend, please come in." Stoick nodded with a smile as best he could hoping that the rumor is just rumor. "I'm sorry to hear about Hiccup but at least Astrid is getting some practice for marriage."

Stoick rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. "I am too Orien, but I have come here for the sake of Hiccup and Astrid. Is it true Orien, that you have given Astrid away to a southern Viking?" Stoick asked calmly, leaning up against the home.

"Yes, I know it's odd but I feel that Snorre can take care of her well. He is strong and he is very brave. He will defend women to no end. Again sorry about Hiccup but his intentions were good. He is a bit rough but so is Astrid, I think they are perfect together." Orien said with a smile.

Stoick sighed sadly not sure if Orien has been able to see how close Astrid and Hiccup are. "Orien, have you not seen how close Astrid and Hiccup have gotten, they are practically inseparable." Stoick asked hoping to hear that Orien would say that he made a mistake.

"I know how close they have gotten Stoick but I want Astrid with someone that can protect her and sorry to say, Hiccup can't do that. I don't trust dragons and once they turn on us for whatever the reason, Hiccup won't be able to defend Astrid." Orien said sitting down.

Stoick took in a deep breath and then sighed again. He just knew Hiccup and Astrid would be angry about this but when they hear; Hiccup will do anything to stop Astrid from going. He just hopped that Astrid would do the same; after all, she obeys her father to no end. "I guess I won't be able to change your mind but I do hope that things will go well." Stoick decided it better to give up now then to waste his breath. When it comes to the village, Orien won't interfere too much and so to honor his friend, he wouldn't interfere with his daughter. "Just remember though Orien, what Astrid and Hiccup do is not in my control. You know Hiccup, he doesn't listen too well when it comes to something he wants and he wants to be with Astrid." Stoick then left the home.

Astrid looked out the window of Hiccups room and found it raining and so she quickly closed the door. The last thing she needs is to get even sicker then she is now. She sat down by the window with her new dragon sitting next to her. She rubbed Blueberry's head for a bit when Hiccup started to wake up. Astrid looked over to Blueberry and smiled as she stood up. Astrid headed toward Hiccup without a word and then sat on his bed. "Hey." Astrid said with a big smile on her face, her voice a bit scratchy still.

"You sound better but you still aren't better, so no talking got it." Astrid smiled and shook her head and then nodded and gave him a quick kiss to his forehead. "My leg still hurts and I'm starving, could you?" Hiccup asked with a crooked smile and Astrid happily nodded and left to get some food for Hiccup. Soon Astrid came back with a bowl of fruits and a loaf of bread. Astrid held out the bowl of fruit and Hiccup took an apple and then pointed to the bread as he took a bite out of the apple. "Thanks Astrid, whatever you need when I'm better, you name it." Astrid mouthed a thank you and you are welcome. "So Astrid, how is the Night Fury and have you given her a name yet?" Hiccup asked handing a piece of paper to Astrid to write on. She wrote down what she wanted to say and then handed the paper back to Hiccup. "Blueberry huh, that's fits her nicely." Astrid then sat down next to Hiccup and put her arm around him and listened as Hiccup talked to her.

Soon Stoick peeked in without letting Astrid or Hiccup know and smiled and frowned at the same time. 'Odin help them.' Stoick said and then quietly shut the door and walked away. He wanted to be mad at Orien but he just couldn't, he never could. What he did wasn't wrong necessarily. Orien only did what other Vikings have done, gave away their daughters.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews I hope you enjoyed the chapter.