I would like to thank those of you who continue to support me in my efforts of effectively transforming my thoughts and the images in my head into words on paper; or on the internet in this case. Every review is very much appreciated. It then disheartens me to relay some bad news. As a junior in high school, I am currently under immense (school-affiliated) stress. Those of you who are likewise juniors, seniors or have already graduated understand this academic crunch. Thus I regret to inform you that I will not be able to update as frequently as I have in the past couple of weeks. My new goal is to update as often as I can without endangering my schoolwork. Depending on this week unfolds (the next day I update) will be my new writing schedule which will probably be every 5-6 days. This will be in effect until at least May 15. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience. Now, on to a cheery note: chapter 5.

Chapter 5

It was the next morning. Astrid had gone to bed with a terrible headache. Even though she didn't want to think about last night, she couldn't avoid what happened; it was a nightmare. She walked through the village towards his house. Her nerves began to rise in tension from the concern of what would happen today considering yesterday. She was apprehensive. However, she was Astrid. So she put on her Viking face and walked up to the steps leading to his house. As she approached the door, Stoick came out.

"He's sitting at the table eating." They were silent. A conversation that spoke volumes seemed to pass between them but neither said a word. A weird sense of understanding swirled around them. Finally Stoick spoke. "I, uh, I have to be going." He moved around the blonde teen and walked to the village. Astrid opened the door and entered the house. Sure enough he was at the table with Toothless by his side.

"Morning," she greeted with a cheerful voice. She wouldn't play 'guess who' again; he probably heard the door and knew someone was here anyway. He didn't respond; he just sat there silent until a moment later Toothless nudged him.

oOo

Someone walked in. "Morning." Astrid! She seems so happy. Is she avoiding what happened yesterday or is she waiting for me to say something. But what if she is avoiding and then I say something? Or what if she is waiting for something and I say nothing? Oh, this is all so messed up! Suddenly, Hiccup felt Toothless nudge him. Oh no! I must have been quiet. Great! He quickly stood up causing the chair to scoot back and him to wobble. "Hey." He said with his lopsided smile.

Astrid chuckled and walked to his side. "You sure you're awake? You seem kind of sleepy."

"Yeah, I'm fine. If anything I would want this to be a dream so I can wake up." Astrid's breath caught in her throat- Hiccup likewise thought of this as a nightmare.

"Yeah, me too." Astrid mumbled under her breath. She grabbed the plates from the table and headed over to the wash bucket. She contemplated whether she wanted him to hear the comment or not; she wouldn't know it but he did. Hiccup headed towards the door, Astrid neglected to notice the dragon at his side. "Woah, woah, woah; where do you think you're going?"

Hiccup smirked at the triggered memory. Both he and his dragon stopped in the open doorway. "To dragon training." Toothless barked in agreement nodding to Astrid in approval. She glared at the two.

oOo

Astrid wasn't quite sure what just happened. She had adamantly told Hiccup 'no' but found herself walking beside him and Toothless through the village. However, they both stopped when they began to overhear a conversation.

Snotlout, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and of course Fishlegs were walking through the village.

"He's blind; he won't know what's coming." Snotlout waved his hand downward as he was trying to wave off the doubt of his fellow peers. Immediately anger rose in Astrid; he caused Hiccup's blindness now he was going to do something else to him.

"Yeah, but its Hiccup." Fishlegs voice peeked.

"Exactly, all the more reason why-"

"-why you shouldn't." Snotlout's eyes widened and turned to face the person who interrupted him. Astrid stared at the four teens; behind her was Hiccup next to a growling Toothless. Everyone was quiet. "Don't you think you've done enough for him already? Or should I say to him? A few weeks ago your stubbornness caused him to be stuck on Outcast Island, allowed him to be captured by them while you were there. Did you ever help him try to get the both of you off that island? Plus also whatever else you got yourself into that I have no inkling about in which he probably came to your rescue. How he was able to put up with you, I don't know. You also disobeyed his orders in taking care of Johan. You're always ready to abandon him! Should I begin to mention what you did in our childhood including all the mockery that you still continue to this day? Honestly, the only time I can recall in which you hindered to him was when we helped fight the Red Death. And why? Because it was cool. Yet after all you've done, he still saves you and has not even cursed you for all the trouble you caused him. And now your foolishness caused him to be blind, perhaps permanently, and all you can think about is what worse to do to him?!"

Suddenly they heard a sigh and Hiccup began to walk away. "Now where do you think you're going?" Annoyance was clear in Astrid's voice.

"Does it matter?" Something subconsciously stopped Hiccup from continuing his argument.

"You can't see where you're going."

"Astrid, I may not be able to see where I'm going but I have been through the village many times before when I did have my sight; I have it memorized." At that moment, Hiccup tripped on a rock falling flat on his face.

Snotlout leaned into the twins, "Everything except the rock." Instantly they began to chuckle. Astrid turned sharply on her heels and glared harshly at the teens. The laughter stopped; she still stared at them with intensity until she was sure they would not do anything worse. She then turned to help Hiccup with his struggle of getting on his feet; he swatted her away with an angry moan. Somehow he must've known Toothless was at his side because he climbed on top of the dragon, tapped the top of the dry scaly head and Toothless took off at a run. "Hiccup!" The boy and dragon absconded out of sight. Angry, she turned back around to the four teens. Though Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Fishlegs were returning their attention to her, Snotlout was rubbing his finger in his ear and staring off into space. He started to whistle as he pulled his finger out and rubbed it against his other fingers now intently watching their movement. Astrid was going to have a nice conversation if she could contain the surfacing conniption.

In case you're wondering, the events Astrid mentioned in her rant were in episodes Defiant One and Breakneck Bog (besides Snotlout's usual ridicule in other episodes). I've reluctantly decided to time this before the season finale. Thanks for reading chapter 5.