Chapter Three

A/N: I like the beginning of this chapter. It feels very light-hearted and fits pretty well in the HTTYD world (if you ask me). Anyway, thanks for reading and all the really awesome reviews! Seriously makes me the happiest writer EVER! XD

In response to:

auemha323: I'm not gonna give it away! That's spoilers! XD You'll just have to read and find out...

"Yahoooo~" Hiccup's excited cheer echos through the skies as he and Toothless spiral into the clouds. The black dragon screeches, happily as he fans open his wings and spins, droning laughter when he hears Hiccup's joyful howls. The two stop twirling long enough for Toothless to suddenly shoot straight up into the air, fold his wings against his body, and drop into a nose-dive toward the ocean. Hiccup holds on tight, leaning into the saddle, a thrilled smile on his face. As the water closes in on them, Hiccup slams down on the foot pedal. Toothless's tail fin pops open and they pull up, the very tip of his tail skimming the smooth surface of the water and spraying mist up around them. "Nice job, buddy." Hiccup says as he pats his dragon's side. "Let's land on that sea stack and wait for Astrid."

Toothless gladly obeys, his tongue dangling as he flaps his wings in the direction of the tower of stone. They land easily and Toothless shakes his head, his ears flickering.

Hiccup unbuckles himself and hops off the saddle. And to think he was almost opposed to flying this morning. He just hadn't been in the mood with all the stress of the previous night. But now, as he's standing there on the top of the world with his best friend, he's more than happy that Astrid talked him into it.

Speaking of Astrid...

She and Stormfly flip in mid-air, doing somersaults at impossible angles. All the while dipping down closer and closer to the water. At one point, they get so close that Astrid actually reaches up-yes, up-to the water and skims her fingers through it. She doesn't seem to mind that her braid falls in as well and gets her shirt soaking wet when they finally turn right-side up. There's a brilliant spark in her blue eyes that never used to exist before she met her dragon.

Hiccup can't help but grin at the sight of his friend acting so carefree, so unguarded. She laughs and giggles like a small child as Stormfly does another flip, purposefully splashing her Rider with her tail. But Astrid quickly retaliates, "accidentally" steering her in a way that makes the dragon's head go nearly underwater. She follows up with a coy "Oops."

Hiccup laughs and sits down against Toothless, his own eyes gleaming while he watches them. The Night Fury coos and leans his head against his shoulder, also spectating their friends as they finally begin to close in on the sea stack.

"Hey!" Astrid calls out, breathlessly once they get within hearing range. "Did you have a nice flight?"

"Of course." Hiccup assures her, flashing Toothless a buck-toothed smile. "You seemed like you were having fun too..." He mentions, smirking at her.

Stormfly lands, allowing her Rider to get off the saddle. The Nadderhead squawks at Toothless and he shimmies over, making room on the narrow ledge. Astrid strolls over and flops down across from Hiccup.

"Well, what can I say?" She says, feigning arrogance. "Nothing beats a Nadder."

Hiccup arcs his eyebrows, pretending to be offended. "I'm sorry. But you seem to have forgotten something."

"Yes?" She bats her eyelashes, leaning her head in her hand.

"Night Furies exist." He shrugs, as if the answer is obvious. "So I think what you meant to say was, 'nothing beats a Night Fury'." Hearing that, Toothless makes a droning sound, imitating laughter.

"Pff!" Astrid sits back against Stormfly's chest and rolls her eyes. "You wish."

"I don't need to wish for what's true...!"

Their mock argument continues like this for several minutes until they both just end up laughing. The Riders relax against their dragons, enjoying the peace and quiet as well as each other's company. Astrid watches with mild interest as Hiccup closes his eyes and folds his hands behind his head. There's the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. He is-in a word-content. And that's more than what could be said about this morning.

Astrid frowns, remembering the near-petrified look on his face when he described the events of his midnight flight. She can't completely understand what gotten him so shaken up since she wasn't there...but that look in his eyes was enough for her to know he needed some peace. Some time away from the village when he wouldn't have to worry about possible attacks and over-protective Night Furies. That's when she talked him into going on this ride. And it's worked wonders, from what she can see. She's glad he agreed.

But still...

"Hiccup," She says, softly, hating the fact that she's about to ruin this.

"Hmm?" He responds without opening his eyes.

"As much as I hate to admit it, we really should head back. We've been gone for an hour...the others are probably wondering where we are."

Hiccup doesn't answer her for a short moment. His brow furrows, slightly and he sighs, all signs the of peace within him, now gone. "You're right." He says. "Come on." He stands up and Toothless follows his lead. He climbs into the saddle and buckles himself in.

Astrid sighs, silently cursing herself for ruining the moment. Without a word, she mounts Stormfly again and follows Hiccup and Toothless as they drop off the sea stack and take to the air.

Wind whistles in Hiccup's ears as he glides through the sky. But, suddenly, it's a lot less enjoyable. He feels bad for ruining Astrid's attempt to cheer him up but the idea of returning to the village sends chills down his spine. He doesn't know what it is-maybe it's simple paranoia-but ever since last night, he feels like he's being watched. Like there are always eyes following him, no matter where he goes. Needless to say, it's unnerving to feel like that.

He guides Toothless toward Berk as slow as possible, hoping to delay the inevitable. Stormfly and Astrid are still behind him though, clearly not very eager to return either. But he gets the feeling their slowness is caused by something else...

Turning around in the saddle, Hiccup is about to ask her what's wrong but he stops before the words can even reach his lips. The question dies in his throat as fear grips his heart. Astrid sees it too, her eyes are locked right on it. An unmarked ship sails through the water, people bustling about on the deck. They are heavily armed, he notices. Racks of swords and spears line the massive boat. Its surface is practically swimming in shields and nets and bolas.

Hiccup swallows nervously. I don't know who that is...but whoever they are, they're preparing for an attack. He recognizes the way they're moving, their hurried, almost frantic, running across the deck. The tone of their shouts. It's all eager, trained. These men aren't sailors. They're soldiers.

"Hiccup..." Astrid says, suddenly close to his ear. "Do you recognize that ship?"

"No." He admits. "Do you?"

"No." Without warning, she grabs his shoulder. "We should get out of here. They look like they're mobilizing for something. We need to warn your father that there's a battleship out here."

Hiccup nods in agreeance, stealing one last glance at the ship. "Right. Let's go." He pats Toothless's neck and steps on the foot pedal. "Take us home, bud."

A/N: I wish these chapters could be longer. If I weren't so busy with school, there would be soooo much more content! GAH! *Longing* But, you know, you take what you can get and, frankly, I'm glad I have the amount of time I DO get. If I wasn't able to write, life would SUCK! XD