Author's Note: when I started writing the Romantic Flight part, I was not thinking of John Powell's Romantic Flight to the movie, but rather to Michael Bolton's I Can Go The Distance. Yeah, I know, it sounds weird, but the song's pretty cool.

How to Train Your Dragon: the Novelization

Chapter 10: Who Kills Dragons, and Who Befriends Them; A Romantic Flight and Deadly Discoveries pt.2

Later On

Toothless Canyon

"Leaving?" a much distressed and equally confused Draco asked Hiccup, who was sitting down on one of the rocks, with Toothless eating some fish that he had brought over.

After the celebration of him being hauled out of the ring, Hiccup had easily gotten back to the canyon. Although he wanted to bring Syn and Fishlegs around, he just didn't have the heart to do so at this time. He had to talk to Draco directly as he needed a bit of alone time with the dragons. Unfer was right about one thing, as was Astrid, he had to make a choice, and he had to decide who's side he was on. Now… now he knew what choice to pick, and knew that he didn't belong on either side.

"Pretty much, yeah," Hiccup sighed heavily, regretting this choice now.

Draco, a bit understanding of the boy's plight, asked as he was a bit distraught on the choice anyway, "Well… where will you go? Eventually your own clan and your father'll be lookin' for you."

"I'm… not really sure," Hiccup answered as he stood up, pacing as he pondered aloud, "I'll probably go somewhere far away. A place that no one lives; I guess a place Toothless and I can live in peace where no one'll try and kill him."

Draco sighed heavily, as he truthfully explained, "Hiccup. Even though I applaud your resolve in not wishing to kill dragons at all, this isn't the right choice to make."

"Well, it's not a choice for me at all!" Hiccup shouted back, his voice filled with frustration and anger now more than ever. After seeing the look on Toothless's face, being shown in fear of Hiccup's outburst, his anger subsided. He sighed deeply, and rather saddened, until he finally turned away and calmly answered, "There are… too many complications to it. If they find out about the training I took…" and looked to the two dragons as he continued, "… they'll find out about you… and then…" He shook his head as he started to walk out of the canyon, preparing for the trip ahead of him.

As he walked away, Toothless looked to the young Viking in depression. He then looked to the elder dragon, in hopes for an answer to help his troubled friend. Draco took notice of the young dragon's silent cry for answers, and simply sighed heavily. He then reached down, and patted the young dragon on his head, until he answered, "He has to find his own answers, Toothless… even if he strays a bit from his destiny." He then looked to the boy's disappeared form, as he finished, "Only in remembering in the Code, can he find the answers."

An Hour Later

Hiccup had arrived back into the canyon, carrying with him a bag full of some things he and Toothless would need on their long trip. He had on his glove gauntlet, as well as his rider harness and shoulder guards. He made it true on his word that he was going to hightail it out of Berk before this Saturday. Though it was gonna be disappointing, for on Friday, there was going to be a big blowout party, full of food and dancing. If things had been a bit differently, he would have asked Astrid out to go there. But knowing full well she would turn him down, as well as her hatred for him, it was a no go. Now, as he walked on in, he had to get out of his village, and he and Toothless were going to get out of here.

"We're leaving," Hiccup shouted out, looking around for Toothless, and saw no signs of Draco. "C'mon, Toothless. Looks like you and I are gonna go on a vacation. Forever." seeing not a sight of Toothless, nor even Draco, he sighed heavily as he knelt down to one of the rocks. He set the bag down as he opened it for a moment, looking around making sure he had everything. And that's when he heard it…

Scraaaaaatch…

The sound of a rock being scraped against a steel blade to make it sharper, startled the young Viking boy. He immediately sprung up, only to look at the end of a half-moon double bladed axe. He nearly fell back, even moreso, as he saw who it was, sitting on the rock, sharpening the blade.

Astrid Hofferson. And boy, did she look a bit calm for an enraged girl.

"WHADDAFU… Uh, Astrid…" he managed to say, as he tried to straighten himself out, and stop the stuttering as best he could, "Ah-wah-what are you… ah… doing here? And with… an axe, no doubt?"

The girl lifted her axe and seeming satisfied, set the stone down then turned to face Hiccup. "I wanna to know what's going on." she said jumping down from the boulder, "No one just gets as good as you do. Especially you." She advanced on Hiccup who stepped back nervously, mostly looking at her axe. "Start talking." Astrid said sharply, "Are you training with someone?" Hiccup babbled out as he kept stepping back as Astrid kept advancing on him.

"T-training? N-No I…I uh…" Hiccup tried to say.

"Well, whatever it is, it better not involve this." Astrid muttered seizing him by the vest and looking at it distastefully.

"I…I…I know…" Hiccup stammered, "I know this looks really bad, but you see this is…uh…" The girl grabbed Hiccup by the back of his flight harness and shoulder guards, and yanked him down. Hiccup fell to the ground with a startled yelp.

This was done by a small growl that Astrid had heard, and looked in the direction of the trees. Curious, and without fear, she started to walk towards the sound. Hiccup saw this, and knew dead on, he couldn't let her find out about it.

He immediately got up, rushing forward to stop her before anything else happens. he grabbed her shoulders and tried to shield her view. "You're right! You're right… I'm through with the lies… I've been, uh… Making outfits! So, yeah, you got me, it's time everyone knew; drag me back, go ahead, here we go…"

Executing a flawless death grip on his wrist, Astrid twisted his arm away from her shoulder. The two heard a crack as Hiccup felt his shoulder was nearly dislocated, and he collapse to the ground, clutching his left shoulder in pain. "OW! Why would you DO that?"

"That's for the lies…" She countered curtly, slamming her boot into his chest, and knocking the air out of him. She then adjusted her grip on the axe, let go and the butt of the weapon struck Hiccup right in the gut and bounced back into her hand, as she whispered with satisfaction in her voice, "… and that's… for everything else."

Then, suddenly, a low growl resonated around them, catching Astrid's attention to the other side of the lake. For a moment, all she saw was a darkened shape, but then it slowly made its way into the light, taking form. There, in a crouched pouncing position, and snarling angrily at her… was a Night Fury. Although she had never seen one before, there were rumors it was called that because it could blend into the night. And this creature's dark body could definitely blend into it.

Aw man that hurt…" He moaned turning around. Astrid gasped then tackled Hiccup to the ground.

"GET DOWN!" she shouted. Hiccup yelped again as her arm hit the exact same place the butt of her axe had earlier.

Toothless snarled, thinking she was going to hurt Hiccup, he charged right at her to protect him. Astrid leapt up to her feet holding her axe in a ready stance while Hiccup was still in the dirt slightly dazed.

"Run, Hiccup!" Astrid shouted to him, "RUN!" Toothless pounced, and she was about to swing her axe…

"NO!"

But Hiccup was faster, and much stronger than before. He sprang up from the ground rushed towards Astrid, grabbed the handle of her axe knocking her to the ground. They both landed on the grass, Hiccup threw the axe as far away as he could, then quickly turned standing between Toothless and Astrid. The dragon stopped, rearing up on his haunches, flapping his wings to keep his balance.

"No! No! It's okay. It's okay. She's a friend." Hiccup said holding his hands up, doing his best to stop the fighting between them both.

Toothless, giving him a look that read out 'but she tried to beat you up', and landed on all fours, though he was still growling suspiciously at Astrid.

Hiccup turned to face Astrid. Toothless stepped forward, getting his head between Hiccup's arm and torso. He put his other hand on his dragon's snout, trying to prevent Toothless from lunging at Astrid.

"It's alright." Hiccup said, "You just scared him."

"I scared him!" Astrid yelped as if Hiccup had gone completely insane, as she got back to her feet. But then froze, "Who… is him?"

Hiccup sighed, knowing full well that he had to explain this to someone else rather than Fishlegs or Syn. Sighing, he turned and introduced her to his first friend, "Astrid… this is Toothless." He then gestured to Toothless, "Toothless… this is Astrid." The Night Fury growled at her again this time bearing his fangs.

Astrid shook her head not believing what she was seeing. The turned and ran away into the forest. Only to slam face first into something, and fall back on her butt. She growled, rubbing her sore face as she glared and shouted, "Hey! Watch where you're…" But she stopped as soon as her eyes focused on what she slammed into.

The color Astrid's face nearly went bye-bye as she looked… at the biggest dragon claw she had ever seen. It then followed up to a massive dragon body, towering over her small form. From the looks of it, it was a thought-long extinct Golden Fleece Dragon. And it appeared to be… smiling at her.

Draco, surprised by the new guest, curtly smiled, and spoke to her, "Oh, hello, there. You must be a new friend. I… am Draco."

Astrid gave the dragon a look of horror on her face at him, and then turned to face Hiccup with the Night Fury. It was then that Hiccup could have sworn there was a hint of feeling betrayed in those eyes. Turning away, she dashed off in the direction of Berk; the two dragons and Viking boy merely looking at her retreating form.

"Dat dah dah! We're dead!" Hiccup said his shoulders drooping. Toothless rolled his shoulders briefly, before turning away nonchalantly,

"Whoa, whoa ,whoa!" Hiccup said noticing his dragon's retreating back, "Where do you think you're going?"

As the two younglings were trying to figure things out, Draco looked at Astrid's retreating form…

Not Far from the Canyon

Astrid was running like crazy, just to get away from the canyon. She could believe this was happening. How was it even possible. Hiccup… in league with dragons! A Night Fury, and a long-extinct Golden Fleece… that could talk, no doubt. The fact that he had kept this a secret from his village was so… so…

Surreal.

A mixture of fear and desperation gripped at her, and all she could do was run for her life. She couldn't even believe whatever he did with those dragons was possible. Whatever he's doing, it's not right, and she had to stop him...

Just when she jumped off of one of the logs in her path, a large shadow fell upon her. But before she could figure out what was going on, she was scooped up by a large clawed hand, encaged in it. Draco had followed after her in the air, and was now carrying her back to the canyon.

At the sight of the ground falling away at her feet, all Astrid could do was to only scream in a mix of shock and fear. The wind howled past her ears, and combined with the heavy beating of scaly wings, her voice was drowned out.

"Ooooh Gods! Oh, shi…! Great Odin's Ghost! I'm only sixteen! I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND A BOYFRIEND! Please, oh, Gods no! NOOOOO-AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA…" she blurted out expletives and incoherent phrases as her legs dangled over nearly forty meters of thin air, flailing about, hopelessly looking for something solid to rest on.

She shut her eyes tightly, not daring to look down. She screamed so hard, that Draco swore, she would have torn her lungs apart. Her arms grappled at his large fingers; never mind that she was holding on to cold scales, she sure didn't want to die yet. Draco had reached the canyon, and immediately dropped her onto the largest tree ever, as she grabbed onto one of the branches. Then, using his weight as he landed, he bent down the tree a bit, allowing her to dangle what seemed to be about seventy feet.

Then suddenly, she heard a fast whoosh come from the right of her. She turned to look, and noticed the Night Fury perched atop, with the bastard riding comfortably on it. She shot Hiccup a threatening look, unsuccessfully trying to hide her fear, as she anxiously looked down. She tighten her grip, but she was too close to losing it, both physically and mentally.

But she sighed, as she looked to the dragon that held the tree, and whispered a plea, "Please, don't eat me."

"Ugh!" Draco sighed, as he complained, "Now, what makes you think dragons eat humans? Seriously, lass. Dragons don't eat humans! Who knows where they've been."

"Oh, now we're being squeamish?" Hiccup asked, "You ate Elgamore the Merciless, you hypocrite."

"I merely chewed that man in self-defense," Draco defended. "But I never swallowed."

"HICCUP!" Astrid finally shouted, getting both their attention. "GET ME DOWN FROM HERE!"

"You have to give me a chance to explain." Hiccup pleaded.

Astrid swung hand over hand towards the tree trunk, "I, am not listening to anything you have to say!"

"Then I won't speak." Hiccup said, "Just let me show you." He waited, but she turned away, huffing at him, and not wanting to talk to him.

Then it was Draco's turn as he got into Astrid's center of vision as he explained, "Now, look, young lady! The lad's offering to help you down, as well as explain his reasons for doing so. And I'm willing to tolerate your attitude, but if you want to, I'll set you down." He pointed to the axe on the ground as he stated, "Your axe is over there, and if you want, I'll fight you and we'll allow the 300 year fracas reach its final stupidity." but then his anger disappeared, as his calm demeanor returned, with a smile, "Or… you can let the boy show you the Alternative."

"Please, Astrid," Hiccup pleaded gently, catching the girl's attention.

When Astrid turned to look at him, she saw that he seemed genuinely concerned with that look of worry on his face, and sensing as she had no other choice, she reluctantly took the offer.

Astrid pulled herself up with a grunt on top of the branch as Hiccup held out his hand for her. Astrid reached for the dragon's side; Toothless growled at her warning her. If she tried anything, he would roll over and drop her. She just glared back at him, slightly annoyed and holding onto one of the saddle straps pulled herself upright. She looked down at Hiccup's hand and swatted it away. She hoisted herself onto his back behind Hiccup.

"Alright." She said once she righted herself in the saddle, "Now, get me down!"

"Toothless…" Hiccup said leaning forwards patting my on the neck, "Down. And be gentle, okay? It's her first time."

Toothless spread his wings out and the trio slowly rose up as the treetop unbent.

"See?" Hiccup said twisting around in the saddle, looking Astrid to reassure her, "Nothing to be afraid of."

He spoke too soon, as Toothless had on his face a mischievous grin.

Draco took notice of this as he stated, nervously to the boy, "Uh, Hiccup?"

"What's up, Draco?"

"Well, uh…"

But then suddenly, Toothless thrusted his wings down, and shot up towards the sky, at full speed.

Toothless thrusted his wings down and shot up towards the sky at full speed! Hiccup yelled in alarm and held onto the saddle while Astrid started screaming her head off and started to fall off.

Draco saw their forms disappear into the sky, until he spoke out, "That."

Up in the Sky

Hiccup did not expect this, neither did the frighten and screaming Astrid. All of a sudden, they were shot into the air at breakneck speed. Wings flapping furiously, Toothless drove them further and further towards the sky. The wind roars past their ears, as Astrid nearly fell off the saddle, but quickly she wrapped her legs around Hiccup's waist as she used this to right herself back up. Yanking on the harness, Hiccup attempted to command him to stop. But it was no use, and he couldn't switch gears now, as doing so would only cause all of them to fall out of the sky.

"TOOTHLESS!" Hiccup shouted, "What is wrong with you! Bad Dragon!" he scolded. Toothless leveled out just before Astrid actually could fall off, and she started squirming around on the saddle trying to get a handhold on Hiccup. Hiccup started laughing totally embarrassed.

"He…He's he's not usually like this!" Hiccup said, trying to reassure the now freaked out Astrid, who gripped at him, making sure she wouldn't fall off.

Suddenly, Toothless rolled to the right.

"Oh no…" Hiccup groaned knowing what was coming next. They fell back first and Astrid started screaming again as they plunged into the ocean and burst out!

"Toothless what are you doing!" Hiccup shouted as they bounced across the ocean's surface, "We need her to like us!" Toothless then climbed higher and higher into the clouds and started spinning.

"And now…he's spinning…" Hiccup said while Astrid kept screaming, "Thank you for nothing you useless reptile!"

Toothless went into a wild dive tucking his wings close to his body to increase speed.

"Okay! Okay I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Astrid yelped, on the verge of tears, cutting loose from her usually serious, hardy and proud nature. She slung her arms around Hiccup's chest, burying her face in an attempt to hide her sights from this horrifying experience. "Just… please, get me off this thing!"

Almost sensing her fear, Toothless looked back to see Astrid, clinging to Hiccup in fear. Knowing full well she had enough, Toothless regained control over himself, extending his wings and leveling themselves out just mere meters above the ground. Calmly, he slowly carried the two up in a steady, gradual flight towards the setting sun. Cruising along a warm current of wind, the experience was worlds apart from the thrill ride a couple of minutes ago.

Hiccup exhaled, letting out a sigh of relief. Astrid still hadn't let go, but deep down, he was hoping she wouldn't. To be honest, he wished this moment will never end. Her arms wrap perfectly around his chest, hands grabbing tightly to his harness. His shoulder seemed to be a nice fit for her head, which now was currently pressed against his neck. In truth, this may have been the best moment of his life.

"Hey, Astrid," Hiccup gently spoke out, "You can open your eyes now."

The squall that blasted her cheeks turns onto a gentle, calm breeze all of a sudden. She still held on tightly to Hiccup, frightened that if she let go, she would fall off the dragon to a messy death.

After a few seconds, she slowly open her eyes, releasing her death grip on Hiccup. Squinting as the light from the orange sun casts across my face, she gasped, taken aback by the magnificent sight. The sky was painted in warm hues of red, yellow and purple. As if sponges used to soak up excess dye that Mother Nature used for her masterpiece on the sky, the sporadic clouds have transformed from white cotton balls to multi-colored puffs streaked with pink and orange floating amongst a finished canvas.

She was definitely dead, and in heaven. Never before have she, nor anyone else from Berk, seen such beauty. This was a whole new world for her altogether.

The dragon slowly made his ascent. However, this time it is graceful, and exhilarating in a good way. She subconsciously placed her hands back onto Hiccup's shoulders, still enthralled by the brilliance before them both. She removed her legs from around Hiccup's waist, blushing at the realization that they had been in that awkward position all this time. She felt him relax under her touch, becoming more confident, less tense.

The cool wind caresses her skin, magically releasing all tension that had built up. Letting her eyes wander, she took in this new fantastic point of view. She lost herself completely to the serenity of the moment; there was no one to tell me no, or where to go, or say that she was only dreaming.

They reached the cloud line, and the dragon flies parallel to it, causing the thin layer of suspended moisture to just brush over their heads. In their wake, the clouds form intricate geometric shapes. As a little girl, fascinated with classic princess tales, she always imagined this feeling; but ever since she started training to become a warrior, those fleeting desires were tucked aside to make way for the bloody reality of the battlefield against raiders or Dragons. This evening, it seems that the little girl in her has reawaked, and she couldn't help but reach out with one hand.

For the first time in a long while, a wide, genuine smile formed across not only Hiccup's, but Astrid's face as her hand drew shapes in the fluffy clouds. Never have either of them felt so at peace before. Giggling as the moisture runs down her bare arm, she extended the other one, to let it enjoy the same tingling sensation. Both hands above my head, she closed her eyes to fully savor this feeling. Hiccup took notice of this, and let a small smile come across his face, in seeing Astrid like never before.

The dragon took the two teens higher, bursting through the layer of clouds. The dying rays of sunlight reflect and refract through the clouds, projecting a stunning visual show of lights and colors on the screen that was the twilight sky. Both Hiccup and Astrid's heads were permanently locked in position, eyes glued to the dancing rainbows.

That Night

Night had fallen and the stars were out and the moon shining brightly making the clouds below them appears as newly fallen snow. The lightshow slowly faded away with the setting of the sun, to reveal the stars dotting the dark night. It was an indescribable feeling; soaring, tumbling and freewheeling through this endless diamond sky. This really was a whole new world for both Hiccup and Astrid. She didn't dare close her eyes, and neither did he; there was a hundred thousand things to see. Holding their breath, the two could only expect it to get better.

And it did.

Fading away like the curtains before a Broadway musical, the clouds reveal yet another pleasant surprise. Sitting on the horizon, sparkling like a crystal model, was Berk. Lit by room lights and torches from guard posts, the island village formed a conglomeration of fiery diamonds in an intricate arrangement, gems among the darkness of the darkened ocean.

Astrid silently gasp softly, and let her arms wrap around Hiccup once more, while a warm, fuzzy feeling consumes her as well as him. Hiccup, a little surprised by this, turned his eyes to her, though not making eye contact, and turned back in front to steer. And then to make this a more unexpected, she rested her head on his shoulder, smiling as they both took in the spectacular, breathtaking scene in front of them. They flew past the guardian god statues of Berk and Toothless banked left and climbed higher into the air soaring over the ocean.

Astrid looked up for a moment, and saw Hiccup as she never saw him before. She never noticed this previously, but Hiccup had grown up. While he hadn't lost the features of his childhood, and may have grown muscle, his face had become more… defined. Maybe it was the glow of the stars, but he actually looked handsome for once. Not strikingly handsome; just good-looking, with an assuring face that said 'I'll be there for you, no matter what.'

At that realization, Astrid's face reddened at that thought. Sighing against the warmth of his body, she hugged him closer to me. He had come a long way since their childhood days. Smiling in contentment, she closed her eyes and relished the moment.

Maybe there was more to him than meets the eye. Like a shooting star, the two had come so far. But for Astrid… now. She couldn't go back to where she used to be…

"Alright," she sighed, breaking the long silence between them, during their romantic flight. "I've got to admit. This is pretty cool. It's… amazing."

Looking at the dragon… No. looking at Toothless… she gave him a warm smile, "He's amazing…." And lightly petted him behind the neck, earning a small smile from the Night Fury.

"He sure is," Hiccup stated as he sighed, smiling to his friend, who smiled back at him.

Next Chapter: Who Kills Dragons, and Who Befriends Them; A Romantic Flight and Deadly Discoveries pt.3