I AM SO SORRY! I know last chapter I told you I would be gone for a long time but I still feel really bad about it because I had like, 3 days I could have worked up a chapter but I was too lazy, and now It's getting to my head I just got back from Florida on Saturday. Again, sorry for the wait. Happy 4th of July. Enjoy…

"Fishlegs, I need information on something." Hiccup said, walking up to him in the forge.

The burly man jumped in fright, and showed obvious signs of discomfort. "Oh Hiccup-uh wha-what d-do you need… sir?"

"Fishlegs, I know what happened with Snotlout must have scared you, but please don't be scared. I'm not going to hurt anybody else."

"H-how can I be sure?"

"You can't, but please try."

FIshlegs sighed. "Fine. What do you want to know?"

"Where are Stormcutters most often spotted?"

"I guess about eighty miles up north, more or less. Around the arctic region. Why?"

"I think I might know where Pache is." He began to run out of the building. "Gather the other riders. We leave at dusk for Ainstatia. The war is beginning."

A stunned Fishlegs was left behind, and after standing there for a few minutes he began to send terror messages to everybody else.

When reading the letters, people were hesitant to follow. But the last sentence, "The war is beginning." caught their eyes. Hadn't it already begun? But then they remembered the wars of the past, when cold blooded murders occurred. Of course the war hasn't begun yet.

Bloodshed was when wars began, and bloodshed was usually how it ended.

Also, they remembered the whole reason for it. Apachexaterrascorpioarosalight. The cute little girl who was the heir to two important tribes. The one who was so bonded with her dragon that she could talk with them, and even, somehow, share their gift.

Everybody knew that once Pache took over everything would change in a revolutionary like manner. They would flourish, and the dragons and people would bond even better than before. Even as a little girl, she had enemies because of her importance, even if no viking knew about her. She had endured so much hurt with Alvin that if left with him any longer and she might as well be better of in Valhalla.

Pache didn't deserve any of that. Only being fiv-six years old. It was a burden being born into conflicts she didn't understand.

That was another thing. Astrid and Hiccup proved that she was legally born, but that was in another village entirely. Being conceived out of wedlock was a serious offense on Berk, and many other places. Many had questioned her existence at all, but once realizing how vital she really was to the future of Berk and Freyja, they released the thought.

There were those like Mildew, however, who tried speaking against her. Almost like they did with Hiccup when he was a sickly babe. The older generation was ignored, however because traditions were changing, and children out of wedlock was no big deal compared to training dragons.

Most everybody wanted the girl rescued. Especially the dragon riders. There was the matter that they felt sorry for Hiccup, for driving him away and leaving him alone with the difficulty of raising a child. People's opinions on Astrid had changed too.

They now knew how well an actress and liar she was. She could hide things for so long, and even hide things in plain sight. But, things were hard for her as well. Astrid acted perfect to everybody in the village. Loyal, hard working, training, and almost emotionless. Pushing people away for her job seemed so easy that questioning it seemed ridiculous.

And Hiccup. Where to even begin? Snotlout was in the healer's hut with his left shin bone, right femur, three ribs, left arm, and nose all broken. So many bruises and cuts were covered up. He had lost a lot of blood, and was in obvious pain and discomfort. As chief Stoick walked throughout the village he had received many questions which were answered in quick phrases. But, the people put it together and knew that it was more of a personal thing. And, judging by the fact that Stoick wasn't showing any signs of a troubled mind, everything was well between the father and son.

By the time dusk came, the dragon riders knew that no matter what, they would follow their chief, and Alphas.

Because as much as facts, the past, bad actions, and poor decisions might scream not to, the occupational hazard of taking the crazy path will always surpass the cons.

Alvin sailed up to his destination, grinning like a madman. After so long of having to sail through half-frozen water and encountering more than a few dragons on the way, he had made it. But, as he kept sailing, what came into his sight of vision made him surprised.

An entire armada of ships was grouped together, gathered around… something. And on the outside of the ring of ships was Eret son of Eret's boat. His brows furrowing, Alvin made his way toward the ship, ready to beat the crap out of the man.

"Hiccup, what if nobody shows up?" Astrid asked her husband as they flew to the docks where they would take off for Ainstatia. "Everybody seemed a little… shaken by the fight."

He sighed. "Then we'll just have to go ourselves. I don't care if the riders won't show up. I realize my mistake."

"It was Snotlout's fault though. He provoked you."

"No, it was my fault. I pushed it unnecessarily far and am paying the price for it."

"Hiccup…"

"Besides, I just want to find our daughter. After that, I don't care if I'm resented. I still have the dragons and my family. Besides, it's not like I'm unused to it."

"Don't talk like that."

"Like what?"

"Like the world is against you."

"I can't help it."

"You can if I make you." She said, and punched his arm playfully, earning a smirk. "But seriously, it's depressing. I don't like it when you act this way." They flew in silence until they made it to their destination.

Just as predicted, the docks were devoid of riders. Hiccup was angry to say the least. But as he said, he was paying the price. "Told you."

"Hiccup…"

"Let's go. If we leave quickly we may have time to stop by the nest and get a few dragons for help."

"Hiccup!"

"What is it Astrid?" He said, slightly irritated.

"I didn't say anything?" She replied.

"If you didn't, then who-"

"Don't go yet!" They looked up to see Fishlegs and Tuffnut riding over with some of the other recruits from the academy.

Astrid looked at Hiccup with a wide smile and said, "Told you."

They landed in front of the couple. "You told us to meet you at dusk."

"It is."

"We didn't think you'd be here this soon!" Tuffnut yelled.

"Hiccup got anxious." Astrid said.

"Hey Tuff, where's Ruffnut?" Hiccup asked, noticing Barf didn't have a rider.

"She said she'd meet us here."

"Where was she last?"

"By the great hall, I think."

"Let's go check there before we head out." They took off, and after a very short flight, landed in front of the large building. Searching on the sides of the building, the roof, underneath it-somehow- it was obvious she was inside.

Looking everywhere, under tables, around the beams, and through many doors there was only one place left. The storage room. And when they opened the door everybody gagged.

Because Richard and Ruffnut had their mouths smashed together in a serious make out session.

"So, thought you'd just sneak up on my ship, eh?" Eret spoke to Alvin who was tied to a chair in the captain's quarters. "Tell me, did you really believe that would work?"

"Well, considering the genius man I am I figured what harm would there be?" He responded.

The trapper held a dagger to his throat. "How 'bout death?"

"You wouldn't dare?"

"And just why not?"

"I believe you owe it to me, leaving me out there for no reason."

"For no reason?" He began to laugh. "You idiot. Did you not see the ice fortress?"

"How could I not? It was a giant spikes of ice."

"Hollow giant spikes of ice." Eret smirked as Alvin's eyes widened in realization. Feeling like an utter idiot, his lips pursed. "Now, my Treacherous man, you are going to see my boss."

"I'm going to be sick for a week. No… a month." Tuffnut complained, shooting an angry look at his sister.

"Good, I won't have to look at your ugly face, and instead can be kissing that hottie's."

"Please you two… not right now." Hiccup said.

"Hypocrite." They said in unison.

"What do you mean, "Hypocrite?"

"It's not like we haven't complained about you and Astrid being all over each other."

"Since when?" Astrid shouted.

"Actually, it has happened a couple times." Fishlegs admitted.

"Really, you're taking their side?" Hiccup asked.

"No, I'm just stating facts."

"What facts?"

"Uh, the fact that nobody likes to watch you two smacking your lips together." Tuffnut said.

"Yeah." Ruffnut agreed.

"Hey, don't think this doesn't apply to you and Richard either."

"Could I, possibly, be included in this conversation?" Richard asked from behind Ruffnut.

"Not yet. We gotta get to Ainstatia first."

"Why?"

"Because then we can get Martin. Boy, will he be ticked. I can't wait to see the look on his butt-ugly face when I tell him his brother was all over my sister." His face became very mischievous and he said, "He'll crack."

"Why would you do that?" Richard yelled.

"Everybody needs a little fun sometimes, don't they?"

Everybody stared at him weirdly. "There it is!" One of the riders yelled out as land came in sight.

Hiccup and Astrid smiled. Hold on Pache, we're almost there!