Chapter 10: Loyal to a Fault

Two days went by and both Hiccup and Astrid have been tortured by people telling them that they couldn't do so much as hug each other because then that would have led to one thing and that would have led to another. Neither of them could do much of anything and Brynhild and Snorre made sure of that. At the moment however, the two are alone and Astrid is finally ready to speak again since she hadn't talked for the last two days despite how much she wanted to. "Astrid, come on, it's time that you say something." Hiccup said sitting up in bed with a fresh new cloth on his leg not that he needed one but while his leg is healing, he needed something to keep his prosthetic from irritating his leg.

Astrid shuffled around a bit wondering if she really wanted to say something now slightly worried that she may not be able to talk but she knew she had to talk again, for her sake and for Hiccups. Astrid couldn't very well talk to her father about being given away if she kept quiet. Astrid took in a deep breath and then opened her mouth to say something. "So how do I sound?" Astrid asked not sure what else to say at the moment.

"As good as new and it's about time." Hiccup said as Blueberry went over to Astrid and nudged her arm gently. "You're happy to huh Blueberry." Blueberry smiled and continued to rub her head against Astrid's arm.

Astrid smiled and then pet Blueberry on the head and then noticed Toothless over by Hiccup with his head on Hiccup's lap. "I can't imagine why my father would do something like this. How can he just give me away without even talking to me about it? I guess he has that right, I mean even if I said no to him, he would still give me away." Astrid sat down in the chair next to Hiccup and felt Blueberry's head on her lap. 'If only I were pregnant right now.' Astrid thought and then shot her eyes open. 'I can't believe that I just thought that. Come on girl, get a hold of yourself.' Astrid thought trying to get her head together.

"Don't worry Astrid, one way or another we'll be together however you'll have to do most the fighting. It's your father that has the problem with us being together. I will do what I can to keep us together though." When Hiccup said this, he saw Astrid turn her head away in remembrance of something that she heard last night. "Astrid, what's wrong?" Hiccup asked looking at her saddened face.

"Hiccup, I was out last night and I heard Snorre and his father talking. I also noticed that the northern Vikings arrived last night as well. I'm afraid that we won't have time to do a whole lot of anything. I leave tomorrow after the trading has been done." Astrid frowned and looked away not wanting to see Hiccups saddened face. "I need to go talk to my father soon."

Hiccup grabbed onto Astrid's face and then lifted her head up gently to face him. "Then expect to see me chasing you." Hiccup said with a completely serious look on his face.

"No Hiccup, if I can't convince my father to change his mind, then I leave and you marry Brynhild." Astrid said as tears started forming in her eyes. She hated saying that and she could tell that Hiccup wasn't happy that she had said that either.

"Astrid, I" Before Hiccup could finish his sentence the door opened. Both Blueberry and Toothless quickly separated from Hiccup and Astrid and flew up to the rafters above.

In walked Stoick who chuckled a little at the dragons retreat. "Don't worry you two." The two dragons saw who it is and then came back down and next to Astrid and Hiccup. "Astrid, go talk to you father for a bit. I need to talk to Hiccup." Astrid bowed and then ran out the building while waving goodbye. Stoick rubbed the back of his neck and took in a deep breath before talking. "Hiccup, it's time for the trading ceremony. Are you up for it?" Stoick asked as he sat down next to Hiccup.

Hiccup thought a bit about it and then frowned but then looked up at his father and nodded. "I need something though, something to sit on and be carried on. I'm not walking all that way." Hiccup said with a smile.

"Deal, I'll get a few Vikings to help out with carrying you." Stoick then stood up and started to leave when Hiccup spoke up. "Hiccup?"

"Dad, before you go, I just need to know, is there someway to keep Astrid from going? Can't you do something, anything to keep her from leaving?" Hiccup pleaded with his father but knew what answer he would get.

"Unless Orien changes his mind, there is nothing that I can do. I'm sorry Hiccup." Stoick said leaving the home.

Astrid had walked home but when she stepped up to the door she wasn't sure if she would be able to talk with her father. She had never argued with her father about anything before or even disobeyed him for that matter. She had to say something though, she just had to. Astrid took in one more deep breath and then walked into her home. "Dad, mom, are you here?"

"I'm here Astrid, you're mother is out helping with some small details around the village. What is it?" Orien asked his daughter.

"I have to know dad, why would you give me away to some Viking that we no nothing about? You know I love Hiccup." Astrid said trying her best to stay calm.

Orien could tell his daughter is angry with him and he knew she would be. "Astrid, I know you love that boy but Hiccup isn't right for you. When these beasts begin attacking us again, he won't be able to protect you. You may be strong but you have a dragon as well and if both dragons were to attack at the same time, then you would be dead in mere seconds and Hiccup would be dead sooner." Orien said calmly.

"That's what this is about." Astrid said raising her voice at her father which she had never done before but he couldn't blame her. "First off the dragons will never betray us dad. I know you don't trust them but they wouldn't betray us. Second, I would rather die with Hiccup by my side then to have to live without him. I love him daddy and I want to be with him." Astrid said tears forming in her eyes.

"I know how you feel but you'll see that I am only doing what's best for you. Hiccup just can't be there for you and despite how good of a Viking you are, you can't take on more then one dragon at a time especially since you're out of practice. I'm doing this for you Astrid." Orien said hugging his daughter. "You'll see sweetheart. Now run off and finish with that practice of yours."

Astrid frowned sadly but she couldn't help but be loyal to her father. "Yes daddy." Astrid said as she walked out of the building.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews and please continue to read and review. I hope you enjoyed the chapter.