Chapter 37: Together Forever or Maybe Not

Soon after the battle between Hiccup and Orien, Brynhild ran over to Hiccup and smiled. "Hey Hiccup, where have you been for the last year?" Brynhild asked.

"Let everyone know that I'll explain everything tonight at the Meade hall." Brynhild nodded and then ran off to let everyone know. "So Astrid, what do you say? Let's go for a little alone time?" Astrid chuckled and nodded. Hiccup put his arm around Astrid as they walked into the forest. "I feel like we've both changed over the year." Hiccup said as they walked.

Astrid hadn't really noticed but she had to agree. "I guess we have but is it really a bad thing?" Astrid asked as she thought back through the year. They had both changed but she had to admit, it was for the best and maybe they could both change some things around here.

"I suppose not but it is weird being back here. I almost feel out of place." That's when Hiccup realized something. "Look at our clothes Astrid; we're still wearing jeans and shirts. Since when did a Viking ever wear shirts and jeans?" Hiccup asked as the two chuckled.

"Since when did a Viking know what those types of clothes are?" Astrid asked.

"I guess you're right." Hiccup said as the two began laughing. "I've got to admit though; I'm going to miss the guardians." When Hiccup said this a familiar voice was heard behind them.

"The guardians you say. That explains a lot." The Elder said. Both Hiccup and Astrid turned around in surprise. "You two seem to forget a few things other then just the choice in clothes. What about your bloody nose Hiccup?" The Elder said with a smile as she handed a damp cloth to Astrid.

Astrid began to fix up Hiccups nose the best she could. "Elder, how do you know the guardians?" Astrid asked cleaning up Hiccup.

"A long time ago the fire guardian came here but only I talked to her. She was on a mission to search out all possible dimensions. We talked and she taught me a few things about her, her friends and the dragons. When I saw what you did with the beasts Hiccup, I knew you were the one to turn the village around. If I wanted a warrior, I would have chosen you Astrid but if I wanted the one to help the village, it had to be Hiccup. I could see that Hiccup wasn't the best warrior but he was the best tamer. If anyone was to teach us that dragons aren't the evil ones it was Hiccup. The guardian taught me that dragons are only evil if controlled by something of greater power and of course controlled by evil. There is so much to them that she was able to teach me. I had better go rest though; I want to know all that you have to say tonight." With that the Elder left the two to talk.

"Can you believe it; Taranee was here a long time ago. I wish I would have had known about the whole dragon thing though. I may not of gotten so angry with you." Astrid said putting the cloth in her pocket.

"That would have made it much easier. No matter, that is all in the past." Hiccup said holding onto Astrid as it began to rain down. They couldn't care less though, they were just happy to have each other. They walked up to the edge of the hill so as to look at the horizon when Astrid slipped. Hiccup caught her and pulled her back up. "Maybe this isn't the best place to be." Astrid shrugged and laid her head on Hiccup's shoulder. The two walked toward the forest where Hiccup first helped Toothless to fly and where Astrid found her new dragon Blueberry.

"This is the first time in a long time that we've been able to just relax." Soon Blueberry and Toothless were there next to them. Neither Astrid or Hiccup really noticed though, they were to focused on each other. Astrid had her head on Hiccups shoulder and Hiccup had his arm around Astrid's waist as they sat on the edge looking out at the water thinking of all the fun they had in the lake. "This couldn't be a better day for us. We get to be together and nothing in this world can keep us apart ever again."

"No matter what happens; we'll be together forever." The sun had started going down and Hiccup stood up and then helped up Astrid. "I guess we had better get going." Astrid nodded and the two were off. They still hadn't noticed either dragon there. Toothless and Blueberry are just happy to have the two back.

Soon the four walked into the Meade Hall and everyone cheered for Hiccup. Astrid and Hiccup went over and sat down and began their story. They had taken a good two hours to explain everything. For the other Vikings it was full of shock and well many things all rolled up into one. No one was exactly sure what to say about it. Regardless, everyone is just happy to have the two back. Hiccup and Astrid stood up and stretched and then waved goodbye and walked out. Brynhild ran over to the two and stopped them. "You mind if I talk to Astrid for a while?" Brynhild asked.

"I don't mind, you Hiccup." Hiccup simply waved them off. Brynhild led Astrid up to the slippery hill now that it had temporarily stopped raining.

"So Astrid, I guess I'll be leaving tomorrow, I have no reason to stay her now." Brynhild and Astrid talked and laughed about some things for about fifteen minutes and then started to leave when Astrid slipped over the edge. Brynhild grabbed onto Astrid and then yelled for help four times and then turned to Astrid.

Down in the village Hiccup and some others saw Brynhild lying on the grass and Astrid was hanging over the edge. The group ran as fast as they could but were too late to help. Astrid fell from the side of the cliff. Astrid hit her head a few times on the way down and then hit the water hard. "ASTRID!" Hiccup screamed from the top of his lungs. Brynhild just laid there face and arms over the edge and lying in deep mud.

A/N: This was a happy to sad chapter I know. Thanks for the reviews and please continue to read and review. I appreciate all the reviews.