000

By Jormungandr, she was definitely a lot stronger than she looked. The fabric digging into his neck was sure to leave a mark. However, her strength wasn't the only thing that took him by surprise. It was then he realized how close they actually were, allowing him to commit even more details of her face. Her piercing blue eyes, apart from the fact were glaring daggers at him, were mesmerizing. He just noticed her pinkish, round cheeks, clearly exhaustion from chasing him through the forest. Even her little, button nose was cute. He glanced down to her pink lips; set in a thin line, with her tongue briefly darting out to moist them in the cold, morning air. The sun rising behind her didn't help matters either. The early morning rays of the sun, coupled with her blonde locks gave her an aura akin to as if the Vikings' goddess Freyja was upon him. Yeah, clearly his sudden thirst was due to his exhaustion and the cold air, not the Valkyrie straddling him currently.

Those thoughts aside, the fact that he wasn't dead or knocked out did give promise to his initial assumptions. Maybe she was different from the rest, and if so, he was going to do everything within his powers of reason to show her the truth about him and his misunderstood lineage. Sensing her growing impatience at the surrounding silence, he held his hands up in surrender.

"Please hear me out." He muttered, staring into those blue, dangerous eyes of the fiery blonde.

"No." She pushed him against the ground and pinned his arms above his head with both of hers. Hiccup gazed up curiously at her. Did she already forget that she could not win a battle of strength with him. Her new position gave him the leverage and support he'd need to flip them both. His answer was confirmed when she continued, "You do know there's still a bounty on your head, right?"

"Yes." He shifted his gaze back towards where their hips met. She really wouldn't notice.

"And you've come to an island full of dragon killers." He didn't answer, but only met her eyes from underneath his bangs and smiled.

His sudden change in demeanor alarmed Astrid. She returned her gaze to both their hands and realized the her mistake. But it was too late. She didn't even have time to yell out before her back was on the ground and he had her pinned in the exact same position. "Looks like someone forgot about a Jormung's superior strength."

"Which played no factor in our first encounter." She rolled her eyes. She wriggled underneath him; testing his grip and the security of his hips and legs. Nothing. His hands held hers nearly to completely still, and weight kept her lower half rooted to the ground. No amount of hand-to-hand training would get her out of this. Unless she herself had his traits. Unless...

"Now let's try this one more-" He didn't get to finish his sentence as he felt a sharp, blinding pain on his forehead, and falling to the cold, hard ground, clutching his head and groaning in agony. The last time he felt like this was when an adolescent Rumblehorn headbutted him back during his dragon training days in Jormung. Although, that seemed tame in comparison to the shooting lightning running freely in his head currently. That's when he remembered Astrid below him...wait, did she just? Planting an elbow to the ground, he used his left eye, currently on the side experiencing less pain, to see where she was. He also found her on the ground, arms wrapped around her head as well.

"Did you just headbutt me?!"

Astrid groaned in response, struggling to reach her feet. Hiccup would have laughed at the sight of her stumbling, if it didn't mean his head would be on the receiving end of another that shooting pain. He slowly got to one knee, and with a few deep breaths and shakes of his head, he was back to his full height, soon followed by Astrid.

"You really don't know how a fight works do you?" She asked, feeling the rest of the pain fade away. She had to make sure to stop by the Gothi and get a few herbs that heals head pains. Just in case.

"I didn't come here to fight. I came here to talk. Now, can we try this again? Please?" He was met with a skeptical glare. He held his hands up in surrender. "I don't have any weapons on me. Please, just hear what I have to say."

"I don't want to listen to anything you have to say." She said, before turning around and walking off. She had her ax to retrieve and errands to run. If that Jormung knew what was good for him, he'd take the rare mercy and courtesy that she rarely hands out to anyone, and just leave Berk. Who did he think he was just showing up on Berk after all that had just happened a little less than a week ago. Just wants to talk he says. She might have been inclined to believe that a while ago; but after that massacre, she wanted nothing to do with the Jormung anymore.

Apparently he didn't feel the same way; she heard his footsteps slowly catching up to her. She let out a frustrated sigh, "Don't you have a bunch of dragons to save someplace else?" She didn't bother to look behind her.

"Well since this is an island full of dragon killers, maybe I should stick around and help any poor dragon that comes across all of you." He retorted. He didn't mind being difficult either.

She finally found her ax embedded in a tree trunk from where she just missed him. 'Maybe I should have just gone for the head. Would have saved myself and Berk a headache.' She thought. "Be my guest, but unlike on Eret's ship-" She pulled her ax out effortlessly, a couple of large splinters and bark breaking off in the process, "-I won't set you free, vouch for you, or protect you if you're caught." She placed her ax in its holsters on her back, already feeling more at ease knowing her trusted weapon was within arms reach.

"I know you won't let me die even in those circumstances."

"And how would you know that?"

"I'm still standing aren't I?"

"Keep that sarcastic attitude up and you won't be for long." She turned his back to him once again, attempting to end the conversation, but he was soon in front of her. "You are really testing my goodwill here."

"Aren't we ever going to talk about what happened?" He asked, ignoring her statement. He wasn't going to take her seriously yet. She showed him no signs that he should.

She threw her arms up in exasperation. "About what?! About what happened when we were on Eret's ship? The truth about your people? Your home? Your legacy? Are you going to try and preach the untapped Jormung's wisdom about dragons?"

"All of the above?" Hiccup shrugged, folding his arms across his chest and leaning back on his right leg.

"God's you're unbelievable." She made to walk past him, but he blocked her way. She gazed up at him from underneath her bangs, a chill running down her spine at the sight of his eyes; all dragon-like and no trace of human in them. However, she couldn't help but admire the beauty of the emerald green surrounding them. If his people weren't so adamant about saving dragons, she might have thought differently about him. "Out of my way."

"Not until you hear what I have to say."

"You expect to me to hear you out after witnessing what your friend did? All the Vikings he killed? All the leftover limbs and pieces of ship floating around us? Because if that's what the Jormung are really like, I want nothing to do with you." She shoved his shoulder with her own walking past him, hopefully relaying that she was done with him.

"I'm not like him! Even Ripper wasn't like that!"

Astrid let out a hollow chuckle, "Ripper, huh? Fitting name."

"For Jormungandr's sake!" Hiccup yelled, clutching and rubbing his temple. "Are all Vikings like you this stubborn and boar-headed? No wonder why other cultures try to deal with Vikings as little as possible."

"You're one to talk. Your people were so done with the rest of the world that they isolated themselves and never gave a shit about the rest of the Archipelago during times of food shortages, long winters. Oh and let's not forget dragon attacks!"

"Well what did you expect when they were being hunted by your kind!?" He matched her yelling.

"They wouldn't have been if they helped the rest of the Archipelago!"

"Helped them in needlessly murdering intelligent, compassionate and loyal creatures?"

"Compassionate? Loyal? That's what they are to you?" She was in disbelief. There was no way there was any truth to what he said. Not after what Berk had gone through for three hundred years, going on seven generations. Not after what her own family had been through at the talons of those beasts.

"Oh we're getting nowhere with this." He muttered. "Look, I'm here to help you. To help Berk."

"We don't need your help!" She huffed. "You know, maybe it was a good thing the Jormung never came down from their high horse to help us murderers. Otherwise we wouldn't be the tough, stubborn, hardy people we are today." She moved past him again. "Besides, the only reason you're here is because you have nowhere else to go. After your friend's message, Dagur will be out for both your heads' and he won't care which one he finds first." Hiccup looked down in realization. He didn't think of that. "And don't think for a second that you know the kind of person I am." She halted in her tracks to glance back at him. "You have no idea what me, or my family, or Berk has been through at the hands of those compassionate creatures." She spoke the last two words with pure hatred. "So how about you do us all a favour and go someplace far, far away. You can live out your life protecting those beasts and we will live ours as we have for the last three hundred years."

The look she gave him sent chills down his spine. "I never want to see you again on Berk." She continued on her path towards the village, not once glancing to see if he was following her. Considering she didn't hear any footsteps, he most likely got the message. Either way, she didn't want to wait and find out.

Hiccup watched her till she was out of sight, letting out a deep breath. "How long have you been watching?"

"Right before her little monologue about Berk." Toothless walked out of some bushes. "Were you worried I wasn't going to be here in time?"

"No, I was worried that you'd hurt her if she did attack me."

"You sure you're not developing any feelings for this girl? Because I can see she clearly doesn't have any for you."

"Appreciate the update captain obvious." Hiccup said, still staring in the direction that she left. "Either way, we're not leaving." He said, before turning around and walking back to their camp.

"Didn't expect you would." Toothless remarked, trailing behind him. "But what are we going to do here anyway, Hiccup? We don't know how bad the dragon attacks are. We don't know how often they happen. Heck, do you even think we can do something about it?"

"Until another dragon raid occurs, we'll remain hidden. When it does, we'll head on out there and analyze the situation, do what we can to minimize casualties on both sides and learn more about this war."

"You do know they'll recognize a Night Fury right? And considering she already knows who rides one, you don't think she'll come looking for us with a few other villagers?"

"That's what exit plans are for, right?" He smiled as they reached their camp. "Besides, can they really catch a Night Fury?"

Later That Day...

Taking the long way out of the forest and back to the village did nothing to quell the boiling emotions running wild within her. The nerve he had to just offer help when his kind had done nothing for generations was just laughable. And why did he follow her anyway? Sure she was willing to talk to him back on the ship, but that was before she saw her life flash before her eyes. It didn't matter anyway. She prayed to the all the gods in Asgard that he did take the message and leave. Although, based on his stubbornness, curiosity and downright craziness, that would be highly unlikely. Suppressing her encounter to the far corners of her mind, she put on a smile as she entered the village and went about her daily routines.

She headed straight home first, glad to see her siblings unloading the food they bought from the village market. Even little Brenna was doing her part. She took over for them, seeing as how Asta and Bjorn stuck to the list she had given them and not buy anything they wanted. She placed most of the meats in salt bins outside the house. That was the only way to keep the meats for a bit longer periods without spoiling. Once the food was sorted, she gathered up Brenna in her arms, Asta and Bjorn close behind her, and made their way out of the house.

It was well into mid-morning now and the village was completely alive. A few traders had set up shops next to the village stalls; their trinkets, furs, expensive cloth, weapons and food from far off lands to the south on full display. "Ooh Astrid! Look at this sword!" Asta yelled, dashing from her sister's side to get a closer look at said weapon. Astrid smiled, grabbing Bjorn's hand, and walked over. She had to admit, it was in impressive sword. The blade itself was about half an arm longer that her entire arm; a double-edge blade, narrow centre compared to the tip, perfectly polished and well kept. She didn't recognize the material though. Given her time around weapons, and the forge, she'd recognize if it was made of iron, steel, or a combination of both. This sword bore no resemblance to either of those materials.

However, when her eyes reached the hilt she had an idea of why she didn't recognize the material. The hilt was in the shape of a dragon's head. There was only one tribe that ever crafted weapons with dragons etched into them.

"Excuse me." She called the trader who promptly made his way over to her. "What can you tell me about this sword?"

"Yeah, I've never seen a sword like this before." Asta exclaimed, running her fingers along the blade.

The trader smirked. "Ah yes! Not many have, in fact. This very blade belonged to the once great Jormung tribe."

'Ah, expected as much.' She thought. "The man I bought it from called it Stormchaser. Don't know if that's what its creator called it, but either way, a fitting name nonetheless."

"What will it take to take it off your hands?" She wasn't going to buy it; just an idea of what a blade so rare would fetch for these days. The grimace the trader gave her told all she needed to know.

"The going price for something as rare this blade is about, your family's weight in gold." All of their eyes, excluding Brenna's, nearly popped out of their heads.

"Our weight in gold? Just for that blade?" She knew it was going to ridiculous, but not that ridiculous.

"I'm afraid so. You don't see many Jormung blades being sold everywhere, miss. And after the tribe's mysterious downfall, their home is inaccessible for any of us."

"I see. But, thank you for your time. Come on guys." She bid him farewell and pulled her siblings along for the rest of the day ahead.

"I can't believe it's worth our weight in gold! That's just crazy!" Asta couldn't help but turn around to get one last look at it. Deep down she was hoping it was somewhat affordable for her family. Despite having an ax just like her sister, swords always drew her interest. And with Stormchaser at her side - until she came of age of course - she would be unstoppable.

"Tell me about it. Even if we did have that kind of wealth, papa wouldn't spend that much on a weapon whose home would be the mantle above the fireplace." Her family was more practical than that. Besides, judging by the design, she didn't think that sword could survive a strike from her ax. Fortunately, there weren't any other distractions for her siblings to be sidetracked by. They reached the Great Hall where Astrid was to drop off Brenna for her reading and writing lessons. "Hey Fishlegs!" She greeted.

Fishlegs was in charge of the young ones' learning on Berk. His love for knowledge and children made him the perfect candidate, and he accepted the task with joy. He preferred children gathered around him, eyes in between books rather than facing down a fire-breathing beast. Which these kids would end up pursuing anyway, so he enjoyed them while they lasted. "Good morning Astrid! Lovely day we're having today, isn't it?"

"You're in a more ecstatic mood, today? Snoggletog come early for you?" She put Brenna down and held her hand as she talked with Fishlegs. "No, no! I'm just excited about today's lesson. We've finally got to herbs and medicines!"

"Isn't that a bit too advanced for these kids?" She glanced down to Brenna.

"The extreme basics only. I don't move onto the real stuff until they're Asta's age."

"That reminds me-" She looked over to said girl, "-You've been going to his lessons, haven't you?"

"Of course she has!" Fishlegs quickly intervened. "She's my best student. I wish others like her would take more of an interest in healing."

"Yeah, I mean, when you're cut up with broken bones on the battle field, it pays to know the small stuff like this." Asta said, earning a chuckle from both adults.

"That's great to hear, Fishlegs. I'll be back to pick her up after my class."

"Will you be able to make it to the bonfire tonight? I really don't like being the only one with the Twins and Snotlout."

"I'll be there, don't you worry. Now-" She knelt to Brenna's height and kissed her cheek, "-Pay attention to him, okay little one?"

"I always do!" She said, as she held Fishlegs' hand. The remaining Hofferson children bid them goodbye, Astrid casting one last glance at her sister before she disappeared behind the Hall doors. It wouldn't be long till Brenna would be gifted her first ax. 'They grow up so fast.' The Hofferson children made for the Arena next. Bjorn and Asta were lucky they were the first class of the day. Each class ran about two hours with their sister teaching all of them. And today she had three classes. One more than usual because one of the other instructors had broken both his arms during the previous dragon raid. She'd fill in for now, but Stoick was actively looking for a temporary substitute to look after that class for the next month or so.

When it came to selecting a combat instructor for the new generation of Berkians, the Chief, as well as unanimous votes from the Council, picked Astrid. She was by far the most capable, competent, fair and best trained Viking among her peers. She was tough, but she was fair, and she wouldn't tolerate any sort of disobedience and negligence from her students.

"So what's the lesson today sis?" Bjorn asked.

"Sword and shields today. I noticed most of you took to the swords easily. Shields, however, are a different story."

"But Snotlout said-"

"Don't even repeat what he said. Take whatever he says with a grain of salt."

"Huh?"

"It means don't take anything he says seriously. Gods, I can't believe he's going to be our next chief." Maybe she should take Stoick up on his Berk General offer. The gods of all the realms know this village will need someone like her in a position of command when Snotlout becomes Chief. The voice of reason to his narcissistic attitude and impulsive tendencies.

"Yeah Bjorn. Didn't you hear Snotlout nearly caused a war when he went with Chief Stoick to the Bog Burglars? Apparently he really insulted the heir of their tribe and things got nasty." Asta was always interested in the news and gossip going around the village. Then again, news like that would travel across the entire Archipelago. Stoick definitely had some damage control to take care of.

"Either way, that little life lesson is for the both of you. Don't take whatever he says seriously." They finally arrived at the Arena where Berk's young generation was waiting. Most them ranged from seven to fourteen years. It wouldn't be long until the eldest of them began dragon training with Gobber.

"Good morning Astrid!" They all yelled.

"Good morning class." She replied as Asta and Bjorn joined the group. "Today we will be working on our close range combat with the sword and shield. Now go ahead and grab the wooden swords and shields..."

000

"There is nothing stalker-ish about you watching your girlfriend train the next generation of dragon killers from afar. Yep, nothing stalker-ish about it." Toothless said, watching his rider stand at the edge of a cliff that overlooked the villages' kill ring. Hiccup paid him no attention. Yes, the kill ring was in view, but so was the rest of the village. This was his him to survey the village he'd be living next to. Monitoring the path that some Vikings took when they left the village in the general direction of his camp. For the moment, none seemed to venture close to the cove, which was a good thing. It confirmed his initial examination when he found no traces of foot traffic in the area. Apart from finding paths that led away from the village, he made a mental map of the village. Guard towers mainly along the cliff facing towards the ocean, a few, what appeared to be storehouses up along the hills on the west side of the village, a lone house at the top of a hill overlooking the village; clearly someone important must live there. Two rather large doors built into the side of a mountain overlooking the village. 'Must be their common meeting place.' He thought.

However, what really caught his attention was the forge in the centre of the village. He'd truly miss the forge he had constructed back on Changewing Isle. All he had to do was forage for materials. But now, he'd most likely have to resort to stealing them, which didn't sit well with his conscious, but hey, tough times right?

"Weren't we going to stock up on food?"

"Give it a couple of hours, bud. Most of their ships are still at the docks. There'll be no risk of someone spotting us if we go later." Toothless just grumbled, laying his head on his front legs. As much as he loved his naps, they still hadn't gone for their daily morning flight. He could have flown by himself, but it wouldn't be the same without his best friend.

"Alright, keep watching your girlfriend. I'm going to take a nap."

"Finally, some peace and quiet." Hiccup muttered, not missing the growl Toothless gave him. Yes, he was mostly watching Astrid. Only because she was in the middle of demonstrating her axe skills. There were a few moves he could practice on his own time with his sword. That's when she raised her head, seemingly laughing at something one of the children said and stopped, gazing in his direction, eyes squinting. Even from a far distance, he noticed the angry frown she sported. He knew she knew that no one else could be up here other than him. Taking that as his cue to leave before others copied her actions, he retreated from the cliff's edge, nudging Toothless awake.

"Come on sleepy head, perfect time to go fishing." He swung his leg over Toothless' back.

"Finally." Toothless spread his wings and took off in the other direction away from the village.