Summary:
What if Hiccup did leave when Astrid found out he had trained a dragon? What if it wasn't entirely by choice?

Author's Note:
Lately, I have remembered how much I loved this movie and after hearing this idea tossed around on a few sites, I decided to try my hand at the tale. I inadvertently have this set in line with the second movie but it will not mention any of the events of that movie since this tale will greatly alter the events of the first movie.

I hope to capture the spirit of the movie and maintain characters personalities as much as possible since those are what I love. As with all writers, I greatly appreciate feedback, so reviews are welcomed.

Disclaimer:
"How To Train Your Dragon" is the property of Dreamworks Animation Studios and author Cressida Cowell. All characters and locations that may appear in the story are not my own unless listed. This is a work of fiction and is not intended to replace or change the published works.

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Part One

"I scared him?!" Astrid's wide eyes turned dark as she looked between the night fury and Hiccup, the dragon rather calm with Hiccup's arms wrapped all over him. She asked, though she feared the answer, "Who..is him?"

"Astrid, Toothless. Toothless...Astrid."

The girl shook her head in disbelief and peddled backwards until she was running. This...this was just impossible...she had to tell someone...Stoick would talk some sense into his son.

"Astrid! No...Astrid, come on! Just let me explain..."Hiccup took off after her, trying desperately to catch up. But Astrid was faster and stronger than he was, and even with his knowledge of the cove and surrounding forest, she far outpaced him.

Panting, the boy came to a stop. "This can't end well..."

A curious croon caught his attention and Hiccup turned to see Toothless picking his way through the brush.

"It's okay bud..." he turned his eyes back to Berk." I think."

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Stoick's eyes were dark slits as he listened to the young Viking. So this...this was what his son had been reduced to? Why did Odin seek to torment him even more? What blasphemy had he lain upon the Gods to be cursed such? He growled into his thick beard. He would fix this. He could always fix it.

Brushing beyond Astrid, the chief turned to his long time friend. "Gobber...gather up the strongest Vikings and the toughest steel...today we kill the Night Fury..."

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Night was a foggy darkness in the cove and the cool air made Hiccup shudder. Even with Toothless' warm scales against his back a chill had settles into his body. He was beginning to think it had little to do with the weather.

Determined that Astrid would change her mind and come back, Hiccup had chosen to wait for her. He would show her how gentle Toothless could be and they would go back to Berk and show everyone that they didn't have to keep fighting the dragons. He would fix the islands biggest problem and finally...finally his father would see him as something more than...all this.

But, hours had passed, and either Astrid got lost on her back to the cove...or...he shook his head trying not to think about the 'or'.

Suddenly, Toothless twitched one ear then another, his sharp hearing picking up some sound in the distance. Slowly the dragon raised his head and sniffed the air. His lips parted and he growled.

"What is it, bud?"

Toothless rose up and stared into the forest. His scales rustled.

"No..."

Illuminated by the mist, pinpricks of torchlight danced.

"No..."

Toothless roared. The lights paused for a moment then came faster and Hiccup knew that 'or' had happened.

Hiccup peddled back from the lights as they formed into blurry shapes and the sound of angry Viking surrounded him. There was no way he could stop them all. Toothless nudged the boy's back and shook his shoulders where the saddle sat. 'Come on' he said. 'Let's fly away.'

Hiccup begrudgingly complied, swinging himself into the saddle. Toothless snapped up his belongings before launching into the air.

The ground rushed away from them just as the Vikings poured into the cove. Toothless' massive wings pushed at the mist and the eyes of father and son met.

Stoick glared up, disbelief and anger swirling on his face. Hiccup watched him with fear and defiance. For a few minutes neither moved...then...

"Fire the catapults."

"But…your son," a voice responded.

Stoick tore his eyes from the sky. "I have no son."