Astrid gave a couple confused blinks.

Did I hear that right? What…

All the sudden Hiccup and Heather started screaming and laughing. She could even see Eret clapping and Cami jumping with excitement.

"Mala had the baby?!" Hiccup cried out in surprise.

"Isn't it a little early?" Eret asked, only to be ignored.

"Is she okay? How's the baby doing?" She could see tears forming in Heather's eyes.

"Though the pregnancy had been difficult on my beloved Mala, the birth itself was quick. Mala did lose some blood but she bounced back quickly!" Dagur said proudly.

Heather motioned with her hands to continue, but when Dagur didn't she spoke up. "Well? You gonna tell us? Is it a boy or a girl?"

"Yeah! I got money riding on you having a girl." Cami added.

"Then you have even more reason to rejoice! For I have a daughter!" Dagur looked like he would start crying from happiness.

As the four went through another round of congratulations Astrid turned to look at Stoic who had the same confused expression she had. She saw him look at her from the corner of his eye, slightly shake himself and proceeded forwards in his chiefly attitude.

"Well," Stoic started. "Congratulations on your…growing..family?"

"Thank you Stoic." The crazed Berserker hugged Stoic unaware of the uncomfortable look on Stoic's face. "If only my father could have seen her."

"The father that you killed?" Stoic said, barley suppressing his anger.

"Ohh, did you never tell them?" Hiccup asked in surprise.

"I have been busy. Thought the tale would spread far and wide by now?"

"Well that explains why everyone was on edge. Well, more than they usually are." Hiccup nodded his head as he talked.

"Yeah, I lied to you." Dagur began, bowing his head in sadness. "My father just disappeared one day. He had been acting strange right before he disappeared, then he was gone."

"And where did he go?" Stoic asked, unconvinced.

"At the time, I had no idea. But I didn't want to appear weak or confused so I spread the rumor that I killed him for the chiefdom. I thought it would make things easier. I spent several months traveling the archipelago looking for him, under the guise of touring to announce my succession."

As crazy as it sounded it made sense. If the Berserker's chief disappeared it could throw them into chaos and cause openings for attacks. But a crazed son killing his dad for power? Not that uncommon. And Dagur had the reputation to pull it off.

"Did ya ever find him?" Gobber asked.

"Eventually, but it was too late. He had been dead for a while when we found him on that island."

"I see." Stoic's tone was walking the line between sympathetic and suspicious.

"But I'm not here for sad stories. This is a time to celebrate!" As he said this Berserkers started appearing with barrels of ale.

"I am here to party with my siblings!" Dagur grabbed Hiccup and Heather in each arm. They both gave Dagur a forced smile, before turning away. Hiccup let out a sigh and Heather rolled her eyes.

"Ahh…siblings?" Ruffnut asked.

"Does that not mean what I thought it meant?" Tuffnut added.

"Dagur likes to call those closest to him sibling. Couldn't tell you why." Cami shrugged as Dagur lead them back through Berk.

"I have brought a round of our finest mead to celebrate. Though I see you are already celebrating. What's the reason?"

"Not much-" Hiccup started before Stoic cut in.

"We are celebrating Hiccups return, as we had thought he was dead."

"Oh yeah," Dagur nodded. "I forgot about that."

"Is there a reason you never told us he was still alive?"

"At the time I was planning on killing him anyways, so I didn't bother." Dagur laughed.

Astrid looked at Hiccup, concerned with him being in Dagur's grasp but Hiccup just shrugged at her.

As they continued through the village, Dagur's men following behind carrying mead and food, Stoic continued to ask Dagur questions but Dagur brushed off his question with useless answers.

"Who is this Mala?"

"She's my wife!"

"Where did you two meet?"

"In battle!"

He was getting nowhere. And Hiccup wasn't explaining anything either! Astrid though it was unlike him to keep quiet when someone is asking questions. Hel, he wasn't even suppling his own commentary! The two 'siblings' had managed to free themselves from Dagur's arms, both moving to one side closer to Eret and Cami. Hiccup seemed to be lost in thought, occasionally leaning over to whisper with them. There was a lot of shrugging and head shaking between the four of them.

Whatever they're talking about it doesn't look promising.

Astrid was trying to give Hiccup some space, really she was, but she's not used to letting people plot right in front of her! Before she realized what she was doing, Astrid had silently moved to be right behind them. The four, unaware of her presence, continued to talk.

I shouldn't be listening in, Astrid told herself. I want Hiccup to tell me himself, I want him to trust me!

Her training proved too effective as she immediately listened in to their conversation.

"What if we have the two north of Freezing to Death move more to the West? Maybe add a third watchmen since they'll have more to cover?" Eret quietly offered.

"We're stretched thin as it is. We've been able to hold Drago off but I don't know how much longer that's going to last. We need to get more people on our side but there's only so many people willing to work with dragons." Hiccup mumbled back, deep in thought.

"We do need more people, skilled fighters, people that know what they're doing." Heather added.

"I know what I'm doing!" Hiccup protested. Heather then gave him a look that Astrid couldn't quite see.

"I'm working on it." Hiccup waved her off in defeat. "It's just…hard to talk to them about this."

"Yeah, your dad is a scary dude." Eret nodded.

Hiccup scoffed. "And that's him in a good mood."

"Are you sure you don't want to call for back up?" Heather smirked. "You know, get someone more experienced? Older? Someone who has more authority? Someone who rides a four winged dragon, maybe?"

"Oh, No! No no no. No, and did I mention no?" The three chuckled at Hiccups rejection. "I don't know how that meeting will play out but I do know I will be as far away as I can get!"

"Introducing Stoic to the feral dragon lady?" Cami chimed in. "That could go very bad or very well! I don't know which would be worse for Hiccup." The three laughed again as Hiccup rubbed his face, mumbling something about not thinking about it.

At this point Ruffnut decided Eret was spending too much time without her so the Thorston girl dropped in on the group, literally falling out of a tree, landing right in front of Eret. Astrid used the distraction to fall back into the crowd as Eret stepped over Ruffnut. Cami laughed, till Tuffnut fell out of the same tree and right on her.

So, they aren't as prepared as they'd like to be? Astrid thought. Explains why the rumors of dragon rides have been spreading faster lately. They're showing up more often in order to recruit people. Hiccup seems to be pretty high up in the rankings, controlling patrols and watchmen, and having a hand in recruiting people. His best bet would be to get Berk on their side, and once we join his side we could easily convince other tribes to follow. But…

Astrid looked towards Stoic, who was still trying to get info out of Dagur. Stoic already knows that Hiccup is working along side the Dragon Riders, though not to the extent he actually is, and he wasn't happy about that. The concern is Stoic, and the other Vikings, turning on the Dragon Riders mid battle. A war with two sides would turn into one with three sides! Not good, especially if the Dragon Riders don't have as many numbers.

Astrid was staring to understand why Hiccup wasn't telling them about his life. There is a lot of delicate information that could cause an uproar, get him hurt, or…worse. Astrid shook her head, not wanting to think how she would've reacted if she learned all of this when they meet. Still, all the pieces were coming together. Everything was making sense, except…

Feral dragon lady? Four winged dragon?

Astrid mulled over this new piece of information. The rumors mainly focused on the Dragon Rider's leader and his Nightfury, she's never even heard of a dragon with four wings! A dragon like that would cause Vikings to talk so they must not shows up around here. How could they help? And why would they think that meeting would ever go 'well'?

Two different groups? Maybe something to do with the Defenders?

Too busy thinking, Astrid didn't realize she was staring into Hiccup's back. An intense stare as if she was studying him, trying to read his mind. She was so focused she didn't see Heather glance back, didn't see her follow her stare to Hiccup, or see her mischievous smile. And definitely didn't see Heather slow her walk, falling behind the rest. At least not until they made it back to the village where she realized Hiccup had moved a head while Heather was just about in front of her.

So, she's seeking me out. Astrid couldn't help but be grateful for the girl's confidence. Is she gonna try and get information out of me? Or is she gonna threaten me like Cami?

Astrid decided to speed up, just a bit, too get to Heather's side quicker.

"So you're the famous Astrid?" Heather asked as they evened their walking to stay side by side.

"Yeah, I'm Astrid. I don't know about famous?"

"Oh, Hiccup talked about you all the time." The brunette coolly replied, "I'm Heather."

Astrid smiled politely. "So, Heather, how did you meet Hiccup?"

Heather let out a small laugh before answering. "Well, like most of Hiccup's friends, we meet when I was trying to capture him."

"Capture him?"

"The Outcast's had taken my parent's hostage and made me their errand girl. One of my errands involved capturing Hiccup, but he's too nice so when he found out he helped me free my parents."

Astrid sighed. "Yeah, that sounds like something Hiccup would do."

"We've been friends ever since. Or, as Dagur likes to call use, siblings." Heather shrugged as she rolled her eyes.

"How did you end up so close to Dagur? He doesn't seem like someone who trusts so easily." Astrid questioned.

"That is a very long story, and a bit embarrassing so I'd rather not." Heather waved off her question.

"Embarrassing? Or you can't explain without letting something slip?" Astrid teased, hoping to fluster the girl.

"Honestly? Both." Heather laughed. "Not that it matters, seems like you already figured enough out on your own."

Astrid hummed in agreement. "Nothing for sure, but I have my suspicions."

"Want to run them pass me?" Heather offered with a grin.

"Would you actually admit it if I'm right?" Astrid replied with amused skepticism.

"I won't confirm or deny anything."

"So, you just want to know how much I know without giving me anything in return?"

Heather hummed in thought. "You're right, that's a pretty bad deal. Is there anything else you want in return?"

"Nope, I just want answers." Astrid said sweetly.

Heather groaned. "Gods, you're stubborn."

The two smiled at each other, both enjoying their back and forth.

"Good to see you two getting along. I think?" Hiccup said as they approached him, already at the stairs to the Great Hall.

"Hey Hiccup! We definitely weren't talking about you." Heather snickered while Astrid muffled a laugh. Hiccups concerned face only made them giggle more.

Hiccup sighed. "Why? Do-do I want to know?"

"We weren't talking about." Heather repeated.

"Not everything's about you, Hiccup." Astrid added. The two girls gave each other knowing looks that only scared Hiccup even more.

"Eret was right. Should've kept you two apart."

"Eret said what?" Heather asked, a scarily calm look on her face.

"He said," Hiccup clarified, arms up to protect himself. "He hoped you would spend time with him on your trip."

"Oh, so he can make a new friend but I can't?" Heather pointed to the top of the stairs where a very annoyed Eret was trying to keep Ruffnut's face away from his.

Astrid cut in. "To be fair, that's happening against his will."

At this point Eret had enough and pushed Ruffnut down the stairs, running into the Great Hall for safety.

"Okay, what is her deal?" Heather looked amused as Ruff fell down the steps.

"That's Ruffnut." Astrid started.

"Easily confused with her twin Tuffnut." Hiccup interrupted, pointing towards Tuffnut, laughing with Cami at his sister's down fall.

"She's called dibs on Eret." Astrid rolled her eyes to drive home the point that she doesn't care.

"Ohhhh, she called dibs." Heather raise her eyebrow. "And who is the sad boy looking on?"

Astrid looked where Heather was pointing and saw Fishlegs, heart obviously broken. She heard Hiccup mutter a 'poor Fishlegs' before turning to Heather.

"Fishlegs had…something…going with Ruff. Then Eret showed up and…"

"She dumped him like fresh yak dung." Heather finished, shaking her head. "He looks sweet." She looked to Astrid and Hiccup who nodded in turn. "I'll go comfort him then!"

Heather sauntered off towards Fishlegs, who looked baffled at her starting a conversation with him. Astrid was a little concerned, Fishlegs was her friend and she didn't want his heart played with. Again. She saw Heather glance and smirk towards Ruff quickly before following Fishlegs up the stairs. One look at Ruffnut and she realized Heather's plan. Ruff, once again shoved off of Eret's arm, had finally remembered Fishlegs now that a very pretty girl is showing interest in him. She had that confused look on her face and was standing still for once. It didn't last too long before she ran up the stairs, after Eret again. Maybe it's just her but Ruffnut seemed more desperate to get his attention.

"Don't worry." Hiccup reassured her as they made their way up the stairs. "Heather may be terrifying at times but she's a good person."

Astrid only nodded back.

It may be the four mugs of mead but she really liked Heather. She could actually talk to her and didn't have to dumb herself down like she has to do with Ruffnut. Their banter was fun, smart, and they could easily understand what the other was thinking. She was still going to be on guard and try to get information out of her, at least she'll have some fun doing it.

The two entered the Great Hall as Dagur re-announced his marriage and the birth of his child. Though everyone is still wary of Dagur many were happy to be able to see old friends from the Berserker tribe, so they welcomed him anyways. The teens went back to their table as the party continued with more booze. Snotlout, seeing Dagur, fell to the floor to hide. He claimed the floor was more comfortable. Luckily for him, Dagur was preoccupied with Stoic, who was trying to get information out of him to no avail.

Astrid listened to Heather and Eret's stories of their time with Hiccup and despite have another mug or two of mead she knew they were holding back. The slight pauses when they needed to change a part of the story, the constant mention that someone else was there but they 'couldn't remember who', and the inability to remember exactly how they got out of a sticky situation, like being stuck on an island without a boat. They were making it incredibly obvious that they are the dragon riders who came to talk to Hiccup this morning. She hated to admit it but Eret and Heather did seem like good people.

Heather spent the majority of the party by Fishlegs side, talking and dancing. The two seemed to get along great, which annoyed Eret and greatly pissed off Ruffnut. Especially sine Eret refused to dance with her, leaving her to sit and watch her somewhat boyfriend dance with someone else.

"Astrid." Her view of the dance floor was blocked by a giant wall.

"Oh, hi Stoic." Astrid said, trying not to slur her words.

"Do you know where Hiccup went?" He sounded more confused than concerned, which is a step up from the worry that was plastered on his face when they went out this morning. Yesterday morning?

"What time is it?" Astrid asked to herself.

"Dagur wants to say something and is looking for Hiccup, but I can't see him." Stoic continued while looking over the room.

That woke Astrid up a bit. She looked around. At some point she had moved tables to talk to her parents. She looked back at the table they had been at only to see it had been taken over by other people.

"He was right here?" Astrid mumbled, trying to sound sure.

Stoic didn't noticed as he was called over by Spitlout. He walked away without another word but he was still looking around for his son.

Astrid put down her drink, unsure what number it was. The room spun when she stood up letting her know she was way past her normal limit. She mentioned going out for air as she left the table, not caring if her parents heard her or not, focused on walking as normally as possible. She was closer to the kitchen so she snuck through to get to the back door.

"Wow."

The cold air was like a slap in the face as she opened the door. A shiver ran through her body, it was colder than she thought. Astrid still sat down on the steps, staring out at her surroundings.

"Wouldn't be surprised if Hiccup made another escape." She murmured as she rubbed her arms. She was just think that she should have brought a coat when-

"Don't like the cold?" Heather's loud voice rang out. The girl offered her a coat that Astrid recognized as Fishlegs.

Astrid took it, wrapping herself up. "Not a fan of being cold."

"I like the cold. The chills going through you, feels like freedom." A smile spread over Heathers red face as she flopped down next to her, a full mug of mead in her hand.

"Were you able to cheer Fishlegs up?" She asked.

"Of course! He just needed some attention and a pep talk. Now Ruffnut can't keep her eyes off him." She laughed loudly. "It also helps that Eret ran off with Hiccup at some point. Some times I think he is more in love with Hiccup than he is with me."

"So you and Eret are a thing?"

Heather hummed. "Yes and no. We do want to be together but…it's not the right time. Last time I tried to settle down into a normal life my..." Heather bit her lip for a moment, eyes darting to the side. "You need to stop being so easy to talk too."

Astrid carelessly shrugged her shoulders. "You're the first person to ever say that about me but I'll try."

"Changing the subject, I'm pretty drunk." Heather stated bluntly before taking another sip of mead.

"You don't say." Astrid said without thinking.

Heather snorted into her drink, laughing and coughing drunkenly. Heather gave Astrid's shoulder a playful push, causing Astrid to swaying back and forth several times before she finally stopped.

"Please don't do that again." Astrid asked while trying to stop her eyes from spinning.

Heather ignored her. "I'm drunk, you're drunk. I figure this is a good time to continue our conversation."

"What conversation?" Astrid was still focused on her spinning vision.

"The one from before! You were gonna tell me all your theories."

"No I wasn't."

"Look, you let some of your ideas slip and I'll let some of my answers slip."

Something was itching at the back of her brain. It could be a trap but Astrid wasn't sure why or how it could be. Heather's nice, and Hiccup trusts her. And she trusts Hiccup.

"Are you just out here to distract me so I don't go looking for Hiccup?" Astrid asked a simple question first.

"See! That's why I like you! You get right to the point!" Heather smiled. "That is part of it, yes. I also wanna know what you figured out."

"Well," Astrid said thoughtfully. "I would like to know where your dragons are right now."

She turned to see Heathers eye's snap wide open.

"You and Eret are the dragon riders who meet Hiccup this morning at the cove. Right?"

Astrid waited but Heather didn't answer so she continued. "I'm sure you didn't leave the dragons close to the village but it would make me feel better if I knew where they were."

Eret and Heather do seem like good people, but a dragon is a dragon. She's not crazy enough to trust those beast not to run wild the first chance they get.

Heather sighed and took a huge gulp of mead before answering.

"We left them on the other side of the island. Where no one would run into them."

"That's good." Astrid nodded to herself, content with that answer.

Heather eyed with a suspicion. "And Hiccup didn't tell you that? You figured that out on your own?"

"It was pretty obvious."

"I feel like we're always a little bit obvious, it's just that other people aren't observant." Heather added.

"What kind of dragon is it?"

"She's a Razorwhip I named Windshear! She's the best girl! I would love to go flying with her right now."

Heather was too busy longing to see Astrid's face twist into a mix of confusion and horror. She looked up to the sky and tried to imagine being up there. Just thinking about it make her feel sick. Or maybe that was the mead?

"I can't even imagine Hiccup near a dragon."

"It is something to see."

Astrid thought she meant Hiccup would be scared around the dragons, and she wouldn't blame him. Being forced to be near a dragon you're not allowed to fight sounds terrifying.

"And you don't worry about you dragon hurting you?" Astrid asked, genuinely concerned for Heather.

"NO! Windshear would never hurt me!" Heather was appalled at the thought. "She's not just a dragon that I ride. We have a bond. I trust her and she trusts me!"

"Sure…"

This girl is nuts.

Without warning an intense roar shocked the girls, both jumping up on high alert. Heather was scanning the sky and forest but that wasn't the roar of any animal or beast. Astrid grabbed Heathers arm bringing them back inside the hall. The door opened to an explosion of voices, loud and aggressive. The kitchen was empty as everyone was in the main hall, people were running and fighting. Beserkers against Hooligans. The two girls weaved their way through to the very center where Dagur and Stoic were fighting.

Jumping into action at the same time, Heather went to stop Dagur while Astrid went to stop Stoic. It took a while, Astrid receiving a couple blows from both Dagur and Stoic while trying to keep the two chiefs apart. With the help of a few other Hooligans Stoic finally stopped though his anger was still present.

"Traitors!" Stoic spat at Dagur. Astrid finally saw Heather, looking just as ruffed up, in front of Dagur trying to calm him.

"You started the fight!" Dagur retorted, trying to move forward as if to start another fight.

"Dagur!" Heather yelled, pushing Dagur back. "What did you tell him?"

"He's a traitor who's thrown his whole lot into danger with those dragon freaks."

"Don't you dare talk about my wife like that!" Dagur shouted with another jump forward. This time a few Berserkers had to help hold him back. The remaining Berserkers seemed to be just as angered by the statement.

"His wife?" Astrid looked to Heather for clarification. She went to speak but Dagur was louder.

"My wife, Queen Mala of the Defenders of the wing, is a strong, courageous, and beautiful woman that anyone with any ounce of brains would want on their side! You're just another old man too stuck in his ways to see-"

"To see that you've aligned yourself, and your people, with dragon lovers!"

A round of angry agreement went through the Hooligan side of the room.

"These people have lived with dragons for generations and have never been hurt by them! Proving they are not some crazed beasts to be slaughtered!"

"And do you have one? One of those beasts at your side?" Stoic jeered.

"I have two." Dagur taunted back.

The two went to fight again. Astrid and Heather still in between, struggling to keep them apart. Both sides ready to fight for their chiefs.

"Stoic." Gobber said, pulling the chief back. "I think it's best to send them on their way. Before war breaks out."

"Fine." Stoic admitted. "You Berserkers, if that's even what you still are, need to leave Berk. Immediately!"

Dagur went to say something but Heather yanked his ear, hard, before whispering furiously in it. After a moment Dagur straightened up and agreed. The Hooligans cleared a path for the Berserkers to walk through. Heather made eye contact with her before she started following Dagur. Astrid kept her eyes on her, knowing Heather wouldn't leave like that. Once Heather was in the crowd she started walking backwards through the crowd. Astrid followed along, remembering this move for later, as the two meet by the kitchen door.

Before they made their escape they heard Stoic from the front door.

"Your father would be ashamed of you."

They waited to see if another fight would break out. Instead, Dagur remained calm.

"I've finally become the man my father always wanted me to be. He would have listened to me, he would have understood. He was a good man. I feel sorry for Hiccup to be stuck with you."

The Berserkers left the hall without another word from them or from the Hooligans. Astrid and Heather made their way back outside.

"Dagur is married to the Chief of the Defenders of the wing? The other dragon group?" Astrid asked once they were back outside.

"Queen, not chief." Heather replied. "And yeah. Dagur had been talking about combine the Berserkers into the Defenders, he must have told Stoic that."

"Why would he tell Stoic that?" Astrid asked.

"Maybe he was trying to help? Or he just got so drunk he forgot who he was talking to? Who knows?" Heather shrugged.

"You don't seem very concerned." Astrid pointed out.

"It was bond to come out at some point. We know how you Hooligans feel about dragons, but it's getting to the point where we can't hide what's happening anymore." Heather replied before making her towards to the forest.

"What do you mean?" Astrid followed.

"We've gone to almost every tribe in the archipelago, most know about working with dragons, and half of those tribes do! The Meatheads, the Bog Burglars, they all have dragons and work with us! We've been avoiding Berk because of Hiccup."

"Because of Stoic." Astrid clarified.

"You saw what just happened. The other Hooligans were just as furious as Stoic! Hiccup might have been right to avoid Berk, and I hate having to admit he's right."

The two reached the beginning of the forest. They stopped for a moment, both thinking.

"You'll go tell Hiccup what happened?" Astrid finally asked.

"Yeah. I'll go talk to Hiccup and Eret, then I'll head out. Check in with the rest of the riders, maybe visit Mala when I have the time. I am excited to meet my niece!"

"You sound like Dagur. You two aren't actually siblings, right?"

Heather gave Astrid a smirk before walking into the forest, waving goodbye as she disappeared into the dark.

"We'll that didn't clear anything up." Astrid said to herself.

She rubbed her face both in exhaustion and frustration. The fighting had sobered her up quickly but now she just felt sick. With no point staying she started her walk home.

There's so much going on that we don't know about. Astrid thought. Could Stoic be wrong?

It was hard to imagine, Astrid had grown up with dragon attacking nightly. The image of a Monstrous Nightmare burning down her house when she was four is hard to erase, knowing she would have been dead if not for her brother getting her out in time, all the people they had lost to dragons. Now they are being told they aren't these evil creatures, being made to feel bad about protecting themselves? She understands Stoic anger at the notion that there was another way. There wasn't. Not for them.

But there are groups of people who live and work with dragons. Dagur said for generations. Was there something we were missing?

Stopping in her track, Astrid could her someone coming up behind her. She turned and gut punched them instantly.

"Ow! My spleen."

Snotlout, great.

"Hey babe!" Snotlout wheezed out. "Just keeping you on your toes."

"By the Gods, what do you want?" She said angrily. Her stomach was turning sour and all she wanted was to go home and lie down where it was nice and quiet.

"Look," Snotlout said sounding serious for once. "I happened to be outside when I saw Hiccup and Eret sneak off. I followed them and-"

"You followed? Of course you did." Astrid let out a long sigh. "I just want this night to be over."

"Listen, you have to know what I saw."

"Not now, Snotlout." Astrid turned to walk away.

"But it's Hiccup! I followed them to the cove and there's-"

"There's a dragon. Eret's a Dragon Rider. I Know! I already know!"

"You know?"

"Yes! Now please, just go home. And don't tell anyone." Astrid threw in the last part. She doesn't need Snotlout telling his parents, who will tell Stoic, who'll get mad. Again.