000

"Can you believe it, bud? Today's the day!" Toothless grumbled at the new-found energy his rider seemed to have woken up with this very early morning. Lifting a very tired eyelid, he noticed his rider pacing around their camp. He also made note that the sun hadn't even grazed the tree tops yet; only a dark orange-ish, red tint highlighting the far end of the sky in the east. "I'm finally learning how to fight!"

"Great...it's not like you were ditching your combat and weapons classes back in the village." The Night Fury let out a large yawn, turning his head to face Hiccup.

"Well that was different and you know it. I had a lot more on my plate back then."

"Sure." Toothless rolled his eyes, smirking at him. "It has nothing to do with the female Viking who's going to train you. I swear I can pick up your musk a mile away when she's around you."

"That has nothing to do with it!" Hiccup crossed his arms over his chest and looked away, doing a poor job of hiding his blush.

"Keep telling yourself that." Toothless folded his wings over his head, ending the conversation and promptly going back to sleep.

Hiccup glanced back slowly, making sure there was no risk of him seeing the now dissipating blush. What was he talking about anyway? Did he really seem different when around her? But then again, what kind of man wouldn't? She was downright beautiful to behold, if he was being honest. He believed she could go blade-to-blade with Ripper, and there's no greater praise than that. And back on the trapper ship, she was almost willing to-

"Who am I kidding?" He chuckled. "She'd want nothing to do with a freak like me." He said to himself. He glanced up at the sky, noticing it was almost sunrise, decided to make his way to their agreed location meeting.

000

Astrid trudged along to her secluded spot in the forest. A place where she could just train to her heart's content, a quiet place if she needed to think, and at one time, a refuge after long arguments with her parents and baby siblings when she was in her early teens. Even to this day, not her parents, nor her siblings, knew of this place. And the first person she was bringing into her sanctuary was a Jormung. And not just any Jormung, but one of the last two in existence. She really did wonder if Loki himself was orchestrating her life along one of the many, infinite branches of Yggdrasil.

Because it really did seem she was taking advantage of her parents' trust in her and lying to her entire family on the pretext that she was heading out to train on a variety of new moves, and certainly not training a mutual enemy of the Archipelago. But then again, would they understand? She didn't even understand herself completely for not turning the Jormung in. Instead, training him in the art of combat herself while he teaches her the 'truth' about dragons. Her parents, and Berk, would only see this as betrayal not only to the village, but their entire lineage and history. And there would be no saving face, not if, but when, the true purpose of her hikes into the forest would be discovered. And the Hofferson name would come crashing back down all over again. Permanently, this time. And she wouldn't be able to live with herself for making her parents relive their Uncle Finn situation, coupled with the scrutiny siblings will face.

In fact, why did she agree to learn about dragons from a Jormung of all people. She possessed all she needed to know about the beasts from three hundred years of proud, brave and tough history. She knew most dragons weaknesses, proving invaluable during a raid. And to be honest, what much was else was needed to know? It's not like the Jormung have ever graced themselves onto Viking culture and teach their ways. They just stayed holed up in their little valley, cut off from the rest of the world and looked down upon everyone else. The Jormung, with their superior physical attributes thanks in part due to the blood they shared with the beasts, not only did nothing to help Vikings against the dragon scourge but interfered in it as well.

But she did shake with him that she'd train him. And despite her apprehensions about the deal, a Hofferson never goes back on her word. Especially her.

As she neared her training spot, she could already hear the grunts and steps of her student. Slowing her pace to a crawl, she silently made her way an opening between the trees to watch his movements. If she was going to train him, then she might as well gauge his initial tendencies and patterns when fighting with a weapon. He was using the sword he used against her, not too long ago, but not engulfed in flames this time. And she frowned at the sight. His movements weren't fluid at all. They were lethargic, uncoordinated, and downright embarrassing. There was no point in watching further.

"I really do have my work cut out." She almost chuckled as his posture went rigid and slowly turned to face her. "It's a miracle you're still alive."

"How long were you watching?"

"Long enough to know that my baby sister can clobber you easily."

He winced. "That bad, huh?"

"'Bad' doesn't even come close to describing what you were just doing." She dropped her ax on the makeshift workbench as she walked towards him.

"I'll need a lot of work, huh?"

"And then some. Not only do I have to train you on your weapons, it turns out I'll have to train your senses too."

"What?"

"How did you not notice me as I approached this place?"

"I didn't hear you-"

"Bullshit, you didn't hear me. I may not know that other Jormung, nor would I want to, but I suspect he would have heard me from a mile away and thought of fifty different ways to incapacitate me as soon as I'm in sight." She was done with his excuses. She may not understand the Jormung's affinity to dragons, despite their blood, but as a warrior herself, she respected the Hel out of their tenacity in battle from the tales she's heard from far and wide. So Thor help her if this Jormung didn't see the potential in his abilities like she did. "So why didn't you hear me?"

She could almost see the cogs turning in his head. Opening and closing his mouth before he could get a reply out. "The sooner you tell me the truth, the faster I can train you. And no bullshitting me this time." She crossed her arms over her chest and gazed at him. Hiccup didn't like that gaze. It was the gaze a disappointed mother would shoot her children. Albeit, with annoyance tied in there as well.

"I didn't hear you because I was focused on my technique. Or, lack thereof." He said begrudgingly.

"Just like when I first met you." Was her reply.

"Yeah." He grimaced. He can add that to the ever growing 'not-my-proudest-moment' list.

"Just as I figured. I don't just have to train you how to fight. I have to train you to master your own senses too."

"We only agreed upon-"

"We agreed for me to train you to fight, I know. But you'll need to get a grip of your senses before I actually start training you or else we won't get anywhere."

"You know, a regular Viking training a Jormung has never happened."

She rolled her eyes. "That's because you refused to listen to your trainer in the past. And besides, I'm up for the challenge."

"Oh, is that so?" He raised an eyebrow at her confidence.

"Everyone I've ever trained has always come out better, stronger, faster and more mentally tough than they were before. And with the level you're at, it won't be much trouble."

"I still don't believe you."

"Okay then..." She placed some distance between herself and him, away from the equipment. "Fight me." She beckoned him to attack.

"Okay..." He put away his sword.

"Uh-uh. With your sword." He gaped at her.

"And what will you fight with?"

"These." She put her hands up in a fighting stance.

"Then I'm not going to attack. You could get hurt and I wouldn't be able to live my- WHOA!" He had been too preoccupied with worrying about her safety that he forgot he was leaving himself wide open. She charged him and made a swipe for his face but he ducked and retreated back a step. "What are you doing?!" He yelled, again, dodging another swing of her fist. But she didn't answer. She only kept running at him. Was she really forcing him to use his weapon? And for what purpose? If he made any good connection with any part of her, his blade would run clean through her. She was again within striking distance and kicked him square in the stomach, sending him sliding back a few feet, but not keeling over. He grabbed his stomach and tried to settle his head, taking in deep breaths to replace the ones that had been kicked out of him.

"Come on Jormung! Fight me!" She yelled and charged again. This time though, he righted himself up and raised his sword for a critical blow. But the moment he brought it down, she dropped down low and kicked out his feet. With his balance gone, he fell flat on his back with loud thud and a frustrated groan after. Astrid placed her boot on his chest and smirked down at him victoriously. "That was pathetic."

"Ha-ha. Point taken." He reached out a hand for her, but she simply turned around and walked away back to the workbench. Hiccup grumbled under his breath, bracing the ground with his left hand and standing up.

"Before we start on your senses, we have to work on your stance." She brought him a wooden sword. "Your movements are too mechanical...stiff...unnatural-" Hiccup grabbed the sword from her hands, mild annoyance on his face. "-And I think I know why." She finished, after she noticed him grab the sword with his left hand and place it in his right.

"And what is it?"

"You're a lefty. Switch the sword to your left hand and practice the same techniques you were doing before I arrived." She took a few steps back and watched him do just as she said. She smiled when the realization hit his own face. "Much easier, isn't it?"

"Yeah. Way easier!" He smiled as he continued his slashing at the air and even twirling the blade in his hand. "I don't know why I've never tried this in the past."

"I'm wondering that myself." Hiccup halted his movements and turned his attention to her. "If you made that sword, how did you not realize you're lefty? I mean it's not that complicated to know what side is your dominant side."

"It's just that when they gave me a sword, the guy thrust into my right hand. And seeing that everyone in my class used their right hands, I assumed I was supposed to wield weapons with my right hand." He grinned sheepishly at her unamused stare. Actually, when he said it out loud, he did sound pretty stupid.

"Wow." Was her only response.

"B-but hey! I've made progress! Right?" He gestured to the sword in his hands and attempted more strikes like a little kid who's just learned a new trick. It might have been amusing, if he weren't the same age as her.

"Sure, that's progress. Progress you should have made when you were four." His deadpan expression said it all to her insult. She shook her head. "It's no good continuing today. Spend the rest of today practicing your technique with that hand now. We'll carry on tomorrow." She turned to gather her things. Hiccup looked down at his hands in embarrassment. He knew he lacked certain fighting skills but he never realized how unprepared he was for the real situation. By Jormungandr, he was lucky he had Toothless around otherwise he wouldn't have survived for so long. However, maybe he could get her to show him a few more tricks while he was teaching her about dragons.

She had started to leave when he jumped in front of her, hands up, urging her to stay. "Wait! I haven't showed you what dragons are really like yet." He beamed, which wasn't returned by her.

"I don't have the time-"

"Come on! The least you can do is let me introduce you to my dragon. He's a lot more friendly once you get to know him." He started along the direction he came. He turned back and could see her debating with herself about it, tapping her foot.

"Can you guarantee it won't attack me?"

"Yes. He won't attack you."

"Mhm...alright then." She shrugged her shoulders as she unsheathed her ax. Which Hiccup promptly held the top blade and lowered it between them so he could look at her directly without the head-cleaving weapon in his sight, but safely in his grip.

"No weapons."

"But you just said-"

"He won't attack you as long as you don't have any weapons. This big thing-" He pulled it up, "-is a huge no." He could see she was about to argue further but he held his hand up to stop her. "The middle ground is that you can bring your weapon, but it will remain sheathed on your back for the duration of the interaction. Deal?"

"And your dragon won't attack me if I don't do anything with my ax?"

"He'll keep an eye on you...but he won't do anything to you as long as you're just there observing."

Astrid let out a puff of hair, blowing a few bangs away from her eye as she contemplated what he said. It didn't feel right to not attack a dragon when there is a one hundred percent chance of it attacking you. And she didn't have a good start with his dragon either. Not after trying to cleave his head back on Changewing Isle. She suspected it already had prior conclusions of her and would take her out on the spot for attacking its rider. But she did agree to learn about dragons from him. And if she was being honest, he was the only one who could stop the dragon from taking her out if it wanted to.

"Alright. Lead the way."