Astrid's P.O.V.

I was speechless. Hiccup was back! I felt my knees turn to rubber and fought to stay upright. Hiccup had changed over the course of the year. His hair was a little longer, his muscles were more prominent and defined, but he was still not large. His clothing was mostly black with spots of red on his shoulders and belt. I saw he had two swords across his back along with a bow and arrow on Toothless.

I turned and saw Stoick was also at a loss for words.

Hiccup stepped forward "Hello everyone, I know I have been gone for a while. And I didn't leave under the best conditions, but we mean you no harm. We are the Riders, we train and ride dragons. Allow me to introduce everyone. This is Ari and her Skrill Sparks, Kol and his Scauldron, Steam, Helga and her Timberjack, Cutter, Hieth and his Thunder Drum, Stormer and finally Klint and his Typhoomerang, Blaze. We came to Berk because of an urgent threat. I hope that we can help each other out in this situation."

"Lets, here what he has to say Stoick, at least talk with him." Gobber said. "He is still apart of this tribe, we never declared him a traitor or formally banished him. Its in our laws that he can talk to us."

Stoick sighed "We can talk in the Great Hall, but the dragons must stay outside." He said.

"Sure thing, just let us grab some of our map and intelligence reports." Hiccup said. He strod back to the riders and I slowl walked over, almost in a trance. Klint saw me appraching and started to pull out his sword "What are you doing?" He said. I then ran up to Hiccup and judo flipped him over. "How dare you wait a YEAR! A YEAR HICCUP! YOu could have just sent a letter that you were alive! By Odin, I am so mad at you right now!" I helped him up and he was laughing

"That as for leaving me in the dark for a year." I pulled him close and kissed him just more passionately then when he left. "And that is for coming back, I missed you Hiccup"

"I missed you too Astrid, guys don't worry, Astrid is a friend. Did you keep your promise?" He asked.

"Yes, I convince Fishlegs, the twins, and Snoutlout. We all have bonded with our dragons, I have Stromfly, a Deadly Natter, FIshlegs rides Meatlug, a Gronkle, the twins ride Barf and Belch, a Zippleback, and Snoutlout rides Hookfang, a Monstrous Nightmare." smiling as everyone looked impressed.

"I can understand Fishlegs wanting to know more about dragons and the twins wanting to cause destruction, but how in Thor's name did you get Snoutlout on your side!" Hiccup said.

"I am not proud of it, it took weeks of work and finally kidnapping him and taking him on a dragon ride." I looked down, I hated I had to fake feeling for that jerk.

"Just like you and me?" Hiccup said "Yes, but Hiccup, but I"

Hiccup interrupted me with another kiss. "I know, I am proud of you, you did all of this and i will reall help."

"What was that all about anyway?" I asked.

"We will explain when we get inside." Hiccup said.

"I still want to know what you have been up to for a year, don't think you are getting off that easy." I smiled, glad that Hiccup was back.

"Wouldn't think of it. Come on lets go in, its a long story." I grabbed Hiccup's hand and we walked into the Great Hall, everyone went quiet.

"So, where have you been Hiccup?" Gobber asked breaking the ice.

"Well, after Berk, I went to a deserted island with Toothless. I spent about a week there, I was scared and alone with only my best friend to help me. I then went off to convince others. I traveled to a couple islands and convinced them dragons weren't dangerous. One time all it took was saving the chief's son from a Nightmare, that convinced everyone to listen and now he and the Nightmare bonded and are best friends."

Stoick interrupted Hiccup "Bonded? What are you talking about?"

"Well, you can ride just about any dragon that trusts you, but when you bond, it is something else. The dragon has officially claimed you, you and the dragon are now intertwined. You become the dragon's rider, and they become your dragon. It is very powerful, and only a dragon can initiate it." Hiccup said.

"Now, where was I? Oh yes! Helping other tribes. Well about 3 months into it I had convinced about 5 tribes, on the 6th, I meet Ari, her town was terrorized by this Skrill, when I trained him, Ari and him bonded almost instantly. She was so thankful she offered to join me on my quest. We continued to work around with other tribes and our numbers grew, it was first Ari, then Heith and Helga, next Kol, and finally Klint. Around 6 months ago we were all together and started training. We found a remote island and trained with and without our dragons for the upcoming battle. You see, I was on a night ride with Toothless when a stange force was pulling him in a certian direction, after a while I found Dragon Island, there were millions of dragons! They were everywhere! I saw them dropping food in a pit and then I saw the Queen. You see the dragons bring her food or else she will eat them. She was as large as the entire island of Berk! Once I saw the reason for the dragon raids we worked herd to try and stop her. About a couple months ago we did. It took a lot of luck and strategy but we defeated her."

"Thats when the raids stopped." I whispered. I knew Hiccup had something to do with it!

I looked around and everyone was speechless. "So can we stay on Berk now?" Hieth asked "I am tired and have some serious saddle butt!" Helga promptly punched him in the shoulder "Hieth! Don't be so rude!"

"No, you can stay on Berk, I am glad you are alive Hiccup. I still don't trust these dragons of yours." Stoick said.

"Thanks, we can stay in the old watchtower, we don;t take up a lot of space." Hiccup said and the riders all exited the Hall. I followed and motioned Hiccup to a secluded corner. "So, whats the deal?" i asked "What deal?" Hiccup asked confused "Do you mean is there anything going on with me and Ari? Well, thats a no, she and Flint like each other but won't admit it. Helga and Hieth were already dating when they joined us."

"No, Hiccup, why did you wait a year? And what was the urgent thing you wanted to tell everyone?"

"Look, something is coming to Berk, we found out about it about a month ago. I will tell everyone tomorrow, our story is a lot to process. Hey, do you want to go for a ride?" Hiccup smirked.

"Sure, I want to introduce you to Stormfly!" I said

"Well, I was thinking more of an alone flight." Hiccup didn't look down, which was weird. He was definitely more confident now, the old Hiccup would be beat red right now.

"Sure, you can meet her tomorrow, let go for that ride. I held Hiccups hand as we walked over to Toothless and took off.