Hey brain, it's me. I know we're unemployed right now and have a lot of free time. But I have other stories I want to write…no? We're going to work on this? And make it longer than anticipated? Fine fine.

If your interested in me writing or drawing something for you specifically, please check out my tumblr by the same name.

—

After the initial raid deterred by the eels, the dragons took a long time to return. They did, however, return sometime after the first snowfall. The eels were waiting, and they were off again. With the patterns of past years, the raids weren't likely to continue during the frigid winter months, so everyone was able to relax and prepare for Snoggletog instead.

However, not everyone was able to look forward to the holiday.

Astrid sat in the forge as Hiccup worked on several Snoggletog presents that were piling up. "And so, I know I have the skill, but there's just this unease about the whole situation."

"Possibly because of me?"

"I mean…" She frowned. "Whether or not you would have told me that dragons are capable of real feelings, that fact still remains that I've never killed a dragon before. Of course I've always wanted to, but more so to prove myself as a capable fighter and a true Viking! You circumvented it way ahead of time. You didn't take the training, you haven't been practicing rigorously for the last three months. If I fail to kill that Nightmare in front of the village, then...my life is over."

"Astrid, you're over thinking things. I've given you plenty of tips to subdue the Monstrous Nightmare."

"This isn't the honor to 'subdue' the Nightmare, it's the honor to kill it!"

Hiccup was quiet as he went to the grinder for a blade. Once he was done, he answered. "Well, I don't know what to say. You know how I feel about killing dragons."

"Yeah, I know. And I don't know if I like the idea anymore now either. But I'm cornered!"

"Do you want me to talk to my dad about it?"

"Your dad may be able to pardon the fight, but the gossip that would come out of it would be unbearable! This fight is all that people have been taking about since Samhain! Ever since you gave me pointers, people are expecting me to walk into the ring and kill the Nightmare by just looking at it."

Hiccup started wrapping a leather strip around the handle of the sword. "Oh come on. No one is expecting that."

"Oh yeah? I asked my dad if I could carry his axe into the ring with me, and he said I didn't even need a weapon."

"Oh."

She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Plus, everyone in the village is going to be there! I'm already getting performance anxiety!"

"Well, you're not helping yourself by psyching yourself out."

"I know! I know..." she sighed and wiped a hand down her face. "When did it become so easy to talk to you?"

"Pardon?"

"I always thought you were a sarcastic little turd—"

"Oh, I am a sarcastic little turd, but this is serious stuff." He grinned. "Astrid, I like talking to you, and listening to you. I'm glad that you decided it was a good idea to give me the time of day."

She hummed. "Sorry I didn't reach out sooner. I could have avoided this whole situation."

He shrugged, "yeah, but then someone else would have been in it instead. Like Snotlout."

She laughed. "Yeah, out of all the others, I bet he'd do it." She leaned back on the counter she was sitting on. "So what do I do?"

"Well, I could interrupt the fight," he supposed. "I could run into the ring and tell everyone that we don't need to fight dragons. Then I could train it right there."

Astrid barked out a laugh. "Train a dragon!? Hiccup, you have to be crazy. I know you have all these little tricks, but to actually train a dragon? One the size of a Nightmare? Please!"

He smiled softly. One day he'd tell her about Toothless. But for right now, the Nightfury was a secret between him and his father.

She caught her breath and looked at him. "Thanks Hiccup. I'm still uneasy, but I feel better. So, thanks."

"Anytime," he said softly.

Astrid left with a little wave, and Hiccup sighed. It was getting easier for him to talk to her too, for other reasons.

"Aw, seems like you two are getting along pretty well." Said Gobber, peaking up from behind the other wall.

"Gobber?! Wh-wh-how long have you been there?!"

"Oh, about an hour." He stated, cracking his back. "Painful, but worth it."

"You eavesdropped on our entire conversation!"

"Aye, it's how I manage my own mediocre love life."

Hiccup frowned and crossed his arms. "So, oh great dragon killer, what do you think?"

Gobber got to work on an order himself, seemingly thinking. "I think she'll have to bite the bullet and kill the Nightmare."

He was afraid he'd say that.

"So you've realized that dragons aren't killing machines. So what? You aren't the first. What if it was a flock of bears that came in and stole our livestock? Or ravenous beavers?"

"What's your point?"

"My point is that we all know that dragons are just animals with instincts. But our whole culture revolves around them and killing them. So you learned a few tricks. You're making life easier for us. These are all great and wonderful things. But for most people, killing the Nightmare is proof that Astrid is a real shield maiden, a warrior…a viking." Gobber pinned him hard with his eyes. "And one day, you'll have to do it too."

—

After work, Hiccup bought his basket of fish and hauled it down to the cove.

One day, he entered the cove only to see a little hut built into some tree roots. It was big enough to house Toothless, plus it had a fire pit and a bed with furs, just in case. It also had a place to store tools for working on Toothless' tail.

Stoick never mentioned it, but he had mentioned that he was dealing with stress by taking long walks in the woods. It was a sweet gesture, and Hiccup wondered if his father was beginning to warm up to Toothless himself.

Today, when he arrived, he noticed that Toothless was in the hut, protected from the snow, and that there was a fire in the pit.

"Dad?" Hiccup called.

"In here." Stoick beckoned, two chairs sitting opposite the fire.

Hiccup was quick to deposit the fish and take a seat.

"I can see an upcoming conflict." Stoick stated wisely. He whittled away at some trinket in his hands and Hiccup was brought back to the night when this all started.

"Yeah?"

"I know you won't want to see Astrid's fight, but I think you should."

Hiccup winced. He hadn't brought it up, but it was pretty obvious he didn't really want to see it.

Toothless perked up at the sound of his distress and nuzzled under his arm for support.

"Do I really have to?" Asked Hiccup.

"Yes, Hiccup."

Hiccup frowned a little harder. "Gobber said that one day, I'm going to have to kill a dragon. Because it's part of tradition."

"And he would be correct. Some vikings, average vikings, go their whole lives never raising a blade. Whether it's because they took up a trade, or they became a parent, or simply because they couldn't stomach it." He glanced up from his whittling. "But you are no average viking."

"But dad, we had a deal! I'm finding a solution to stop the dragon raids!"

"Aye!" Stoick amended with a shout. "And you've done well. I will hold up the bargain, you won't need to fight in raids, you won't need to go through the training…but one day, before you are named chief, you will have to kill a dragon. It's our heritage." Then he glanced over at Toothless.

Hiccup paled considerably. "No…no no dad please! Not Toothless! He's my best friend! I can't! I won't!"

Stoick smiled in a disarming way. "I didn't mean Toothless. I'm sorry for giving the wrong idea."

The ground returned under Hiccup's feet as he sighed in relief. "Okay…I understand."

"But, that may still not be for many years. Either way, I think this is an important event for you to witness. You have a responsibility to your people, and you can't put it to the wayside for your own scruples. We Haddocks don't have that luxury."

His voice was small when he answered, "I understand."

"That's a good lad. Now, I think I'm ready to give flying a try, if he's willing?"

—

The whole village was gathered, just as she feared. So many faces full of anticipation and unrealistic expectations. She wanted to do anything but go in.

"Take a deep breath," Hiccup said from her side. She didn't ask him to be here. In fact, she figured he'd be the only one not watching. She hated to admit it, but having him here, keeping her calm and focused, she appreciated it. "You going to be able to do this?"

"No turning back," she whispered, her voice dead in her throat. "Are you going to be able to watch?"

"Just…make it quick."

She gave a sort of half smile and proceeded into the ring. The gate to the entrance rolled closed and Astrid was alone. Her knuckles turned white under the tight grip on her axe. Her heart pounded in her ears as she stated just loud enough, "I'm ready."

The Nightmare burst from it's cage, filling the ring with fire and rage. It roared and snarled and stomped and climbed, everything it could to do damage and cause fear.

And it worked, because the crowd was in a buzz with shouts.

But Astrid remained focused, remembering all the little tidbits Hiccup had taught her, and all the training she had gone through with Gobber. In theory, this would be easy, but as the Monstrous Nightmare crept closer to her, the heavier the axe felt in her hand.

It hissed, and the fire on it's body receded.

She narrowed her eyes and fell into a crouch. In a breath, she lunged, and swung her axe with a shout.

The dragon recoiled fast enough to avoid the blow, and the crowd shouted in outrage.

"Come on lass! You're better than that!"

"Hurry up and kill it!"

Gods, all their shouting was making this unbelievably hard. She swung again and again, each time trying to land a hit, but to know avail. In the meantime, she had to dodge the snapping jaws and swinging horns of the dragon as it charged with it's head.

Frustrated, she screamed and ran full sprint at the beast, axe raised like a real viking. For a moment, she wondered it this would be it. The final blow.

But it was not to be.

The Nightmare caught the axe in it's teeth and ripped the blade from her grip, sending it flying out of the arena.

Well, shit.

She hadn't brought any other weapons in with her. Not even a knife. But the dragon wasn't getting any calmer, and neither was the crowd.

"What are you doing!?"

"Kill the damn thing!"

"Use your head!"

Hiccup's voice cut through them all. "Astrid! Give him a scratch!"

Thank gods he was there. It was hard enough to remember her own name with her pulse beating so loud in her ear.

"Alright, Mr. Dragon…" She said softly, falling into a crouch.

The Nightmare mimicked her, snarling. He wouldn't let her get anywhere near him, or his chin.

"So we're going to do this the hard way, huh?"

Again, she ran. Leaping, she latched onto the Nightmare's horn and reached her hand out for it's lower jaw. Just a little scratch…

Searing pain took her arm instead. It had happened so fast. The Nightmare snapped it's jaws right around her arm, impaling her with his teeth. She screamed in pain and wrestled to get her arm free, punching, kicking, anything to get it to let her go.

And let it go, it did. As she wrapped her legs around it's neck for better leverage, it ignited once again, setting her clothes on fire. In an act to safe the rest of her body, Astrid took hold of a horn with her free hand and dropped from the neck. In response, the dragon wound up and snapped it's head out like a whip, sending her flying and careening into a wall.

—

When Astrid awoke, the room was dark, save for a few candles. She was very weak, and everything hurt, but she managed to look around. Judging by the assortment of herbs and medical supplies, she gathered that she was at Gothi's.

It made sense, given the last memories she had of the ring.

"Astrid?" Hiccup's voice spoke somewhere nearby.

"Hiccup?" She returned.

She heard him sigh, "thank the gods you're okay. That was…brutal."

"Why are you here?" She didn't mean to sound harsh, but it was a logical question.

"I was worried…I watched from the gate, so I was the first one in when it opened. You…you hit your head really hard. And your right arm might not…it might not ever heal all the way."

She tried to make a fist, but all she could do was move a finger.

"I'll go let your mom know you're awake."

Astrid didn't respond. She couldn't. Besides being in immense pain, the tumulus thoughts that came with a broken arm ran through her head. Would she ever fight again?

"Oh honey! There's my sunshine girl!" Phlegma Hofferson ran to her daughter and kissed her head. "Oh I'm so glad you woke up."

"How long was I asleep?"

"A few days." Her father answered from the door. Unlike her mother, he didn't sound overjoyed at her consciousness.

She had a feeling she knew why. "I…I didn't win the fight, did I?"

"No lass, you failed."

She sighed heavily as her mother daintily parted her hair. "Well, this isn't the end of the world. Once you heal in 6 months, you can take the training course again, and kill a different dragon."

Axel Hofferson groaned. "Phlegma, we've been over this. She's not going to fight."

"Oh, Astrid is capable of a full recovery. She's so determined to fight, it'll be fine."

"It's not fine!" Axel shouted. "Our clan is dishonored because of that fight! My only child! She's…" He grimaced and stormed out of the room.

"Mom…?"

"Don't pay too much attention to him honey, he's just…angry."

"At me?"

"No, no…well…a little."

Astrid moaned. "I thought I could do it. It would be so easy…"

"Fighting a dragon is not easy. I never had to do it myself, since I married. But you…you are the last Hofferson. Our family already has a bad reputation with Finn…now, because of this fight…"

"We are the scum of the earth."

"Well, not quite that bad."

Astrid was quiet, before she glanced over to Hiccup. He was sitting quietly in the corner with his sketchbook, pretending not to listen. She couldn't fathom why he was here still. She looked back to her mom, "is there anything else I can do to regain our honor?"

"There is…but you won't like it."

"What?"

"You can marry someone else with a good family name."

"You're right, I don't like that."

Phlegma smiled gently and patted her on the leg. "Well, not to worry about that yet. You're still a few years from marrying age. Why don't you just rest for now?"

She scoffed. "What else am I supposed to do?"

Phlegma nodded. "Oh Hiccup?"

He looked up from his sketchbook.

"Would you mind staying with her for a bit longer?"

"No, not at all."

"Thank you, dear. I'll be back in an hour or so."

Hiccup stood and dropped into the chair Phlegma had been occupying. "Dare I ask now you're feeling?"

"Like a hot pile of dragon poop." She managed to smile.

"Then I might as well deliver the final blow."

"Might as well."

"Your shirt totally went up in flames from the Nightmare gel…and everyone saw your boobs."

She managed to laugh. "Are you serious?"

"Sorry, but I am. By the way…nice."

She wanted to punch him, but she only swatted at him haphazardly with her good arm. "Jerk."

He gave her a lopsided grin, before it melted away to a frown. "Look…I shouldn't have suggested you scratch his chin. I should have known better, but it's all I could think of on the fly. You had no weapons and—"

"Hiccup, this is not your fault."

"But—"

"I just wasn't ready. I guess…I didn't hate the dragon enough."

"Well, if you ask me, you're the most brave, most badass vikings I've ever met. You faced a Nightmare without a weapon and wrestled it while it gnawed on your arm. I think that's pretty awesome."

She hummed. "Thanks. Means a lot coming from the village idiot."

"Hey!"

She laughed. "I joke." She reached out with her good hand and held his loosely. "Thanks Hiccup."