It has been almost two years since Hiccup's death, Berk hadn't felt the same since. It was quieter, almost boring without Hiccup causing some sort of accident or making a spectacle out of one of his inventions. The dragons didn't raid as much and when they did their numbers were continually dwindling which was strange seeing as the vikings weren't killing more than they usually do, even though everyone liked to act like they were killing more dragons. It would have been almost peaceful if it wasn't for one giant thorn in Berk side.
It use to be Hiccup causing problems, but now that he's gone Snotlout took the title of village nuisance, along with the title Heir. Stoic had publicly made Snotlout Heir to the Hooligan tribe ten months ago, a year after Hiccup's death, and started training him for the position of Chief. It was terrible. Snotlout was both too arrogant and too stupid to be Chief. He was constantly spouting off nonsense whenever Stoic was trying to teach him about diplomacy. Most of his ideas were just 'hit it' or 'start a fight'. He somehow insulted both Oswald the Agreeable and Dagur when they visited Berk leading to Dagur burning down buildings and attacking random villagers. Stoic was barley able to stop Oswald from declaring war and get him to control his son. Meanwhile Snoutlout didn't think he did anything wrong. Stoic had to force an apology out of the boy.
Snotlout seemed to cause just as much damage as Hiccup, but at least Hiccup's heart was in the right place when he screwed up; and Hiccup would apologize afterwards. Snotlout couldn't admit to doing anything wrong! He once broke the last chunk of Gothi's stairs meaning Gothi was stuck in her house and no one could get up to see her till the stairs were fixed! This happened right as a sickness was going around. Luckily Gobber knew enough about the sickness to make something to hold it off till Gothi could make the real medicine. Snoutlout never gave a real answer as to why he broke the stairs, but Tuffnut said it was because he thought Gothi was criticizing him behind his back.
Still Stoic would try and teach his nephew the ways of being a Chief and how to look out for the tribe. Each month that went by Stoic looked sadder and sadder. It was pretty well known that he had often compare Hiccup to his cousin, claiming he wished Hiccup would act more like Snotlout. The whole of Berk realized how lucky they had been that Hiccup was nothing like his cousin. Hiccup may have been clumsy, overly excitable, lacking in physical strength, and generally not Viking like; but he had been smart, dedicated, and truly just wanted what was best for the tribe. The more Stoic had to deal with Snotlout the more Stoic realize what a mistake he made wishing his son was anything like the Jorgenson boy.
Ten months of this and even Spitlout admitted he would rather leave Berk than have his son become Chief. Worst of all, for Astrid at least, Snotlout started saying once he was Chief he would force Astrid to marry him. Astrid would rather be an outcast than marry him, and had no problem telling him that with her fists. It didn't take long for Astrid to realise he was serious about forcing her to marry him. Whats worse is that most of the tribe agreed with his idea, solely for the fact that she seemed to be the only one who had even a little bit of control over Snotlout and if she was married to him then Astrid could take charge of the tribe.
It was around this time that Astrid came home from training to find Stoic in her family's hall with her parent.
"Astrid, I have a proposition for you." Stoic said, standing up. He towered over her, head almost reaching the ceiling.
Astrid froze for a moment, afraid of what he was about to ask. Stoic gestured for her to sit, she moved stiffly to sit between her parents.
"You aren't being forced into anything." Her mother quickly stated, putting a comforting hand on her should. "We are only here to hear Stoic out, you can say no."
It was nice to know her parents weren't going to sell her off. But Astrid already knew, whatever the Chief asked of her would be the best for the tribe and she would do whatever he asked of her. She owed him that much. She looked to Stoic, ready to hear her fate.
"I have decided to strip Snotlout of his title as Heir." Astrid deflated in relief. She had feared Stoic would ask her to marry Snotlout. Thankfully that was not the case.
"I'm sorry." She started carefully, "But what does that have to do with me?" She tried to say it as politely as she could. She was not related to the Haddocks in any way, and could do nothing to help this situation other than marrying Snotlout. Even that wouldn't be of much help.
"We are in an unprecedented situation." Stoic started. "With Hiccup…" Stoic shook his head, he couldn't say it.
"With no Heir to the Hooligan tribe, I have to get creative." He started pacing in front of her. "It needs to be legitimate or someone greedy for power could stage an uprising. It has to be someone strong enough to gain respect from the other tribes. We need someone smart, skilled, and decisive."
Stoic stopped in front of her, studied her for a bit and told her his plan.
"I would like for you to be betrothed to Hiccup." Astrid was confused by that proposal.
"Is that even possible?" She asked. How can she be engaged to someone that's dead?
"We'll forge some documents and gifts. Claim you two were arranged to be married as infants." Stoic clarified. "Now that Snotlout's out of the running you'd be the next in line to be Chief."
"Is that really how that works?" Her father asked.
"It could." Stoic started. "A blood relative is preferred but a fiance could make a grab for the Chiefdom. Especially if the only other option is unfit to rule." Stoic went back to pacing.
"But won't people be suspicious." Astrid asked. "If we had been arranged to be married wouldn't people have heard about it."
"We could say we planned to announce the arrangement once the two of you were of age?" Her mother supplied. "Me and Valka had been good friends, and we did joke about forcing our kids to marry eachother. That would explain why you were chosen."
"I've already received many complaints about Snotlout. I don't think anyone would chose him over you. Even if people were suspicious I doubt they would look into it. You're the best shot we have at saving the Hooligan tribe from destruction." Stoic sat in the chair in front of her. She feared the chair would break under his immense weight.
"You were top of dragon training. Are extremely skilled for your age. You're smart and I could see you leading Berk into a prosperous future. Truth be told, I was already thinking about setting up a marriage between you and…"Even after a year Stoic still had a hard time mention Hiccup and what he had planned for him.
Astrid thought about his offer. It was a really good deal. She'd be chief, which is already an amazing honor, but she would also be taking the title and power away from Snotlout. She didn't want him ruining the Hooligan tribe's honor. She never though about being married before, always assuming she'd be a shield maiden to her death, but with Hiccup dead she wouldn't need to get married. Her brother or sister could be an heir, or even a future nephew or niece. It seemed perfect.
"I accept." Astrid said, trying to force a smile. Even though it was everything she wanted the guilt she already had from Hiccup's passing grew even more. She was once again benefiting from his death. Benefiting from not saving him. She told herself she wasn't taking it for her sake, but for the Chiefs sake. It was her fault he was in this bind and she'd do whatever she can to make up for it. Even if it ate her up inside.
Stoic nodded, giving her a small, sad smile. He talked to her parents about the smaller details. Her mother brought out a few gifts Valka had given her over the years, picking out a few that could be seen as betrothal gifts. Stoic said he would like to have Gothi and Gobber clued into the plan, but no one else should know they haven't been engaged this whole time. After a few more meetings, and ironing out all the details, they were set to remove Snotlout as heir and claim Astrid instead.