Well…we've made it. The final chapter of Skies! I do have good news, though. There will be some "extras" for this story. I will posting them in a separate story named "Outtakes and Extras". At this time, I have, I believe, three extras and one outtake (which is only an outtake because I thought it was an interesting scene and then I forgot to write it). So, if you haven't gotten your fill of Skies after this chapter, be on the lookout for "Outtakes and Extras"!

Review Replies:

Iaya R. White: Here's more…but this is the end of the main story. I'm glad that you love the story.

Flame The Dragon Rider: I know that I don't have to reply, but I like to reply to reviews. Shows my riders that I listen, you know? Hopefully you're feeling better by now. Being sick is no fun at all…especially with the Thanksgiving holiday. The Fault in our Stars is very sad. I read it last summer when I saw the movie. I usually don't cy for movies either, but I teared up at both of those scenes (Augustus's eulogy and Stoick's death). Your review didn't bore me. I like when readers make connections to my stories. It means that my stories are more meaningful to them.

Noctus Fury (anonymous): Yeah…I know. I just did it cause I wanted a reason to add that flying scene a few chapters later. The idea came to me and I wanted to use it. We shall see Astrid's reaction in this chapter.

Chapter 10: Europe Skies

Hiccup could've laughed at the shocked expression on Astrid's face. However, that would ruin everything, so Hiccup instead mimicked her expression. Over the years, Hiccup had grown quite accustomed to hiding his emotions so it was easy to pretend that the sudden playing of music was something unexpected to him as well.

In preparation for this moment, Hiccup had tried to write out lyrics to sing to Astrid, but he had ended up crumpling each draft. By the time Hiccup gave up, the floor of his bedroom had been covered in the crumpled balls which Toothless ended up batting around out of sheer boredom. Finally, Hiccup had decided to just be spontaneous. If this moment came across as too rehearsed, it would be just as much an epic fail.

Hiccup could hear the moment in the music. He would have to start singing soon. Please don't let this turn out too badly! he prayed to the Gods (though he did not know how much good that would do). Okay…here goes nothing. Don't think, Hiccup. Just sing. Sing anything. Anything that comes to mind. You'll do fine.

Now I'm home, but I cannot stay
I dream of you every day
Got to know every inch of you
Will you make my dream come true?
There's no place like home they say
You're my home, so hear me pray.

As he sang, Hiccup tried to dance, but he just knew that he was failing. It didn't even feel like dancing. It felt more like he was just jumping around in time to the music. Still, he couldn't think about that right now. Singing the last sentence, Hiccup brought his hands together-to the beat—as if he was worshipping Odin. Perhaps he was. Gods know that he needed it.

I don't know you, but I need more time
Promise me you'll be mine
Birds are flying over Europe skies,
Tell me please why can't I?

Finally, a musical break! Hiccup could've sighed with relief, but he didn't because he knew that would just ruin the moment. Because the song was so fast, the brief moment did not last. Taking a deep breath, Hiccup was ready to sing once again, but he was stopped quite abrupt as Astrid, with a small shrug, stepped closer to him.

Times have changed, but so have I
I view my life through your eyes
On the go in my tourist's shoes
But I'll stay truthful to you
Cause there's no place like home they say
You're my home, so I guess I'll stay.

Hiccup breathed out a gasp. What was going on? Astrid Hofferson…the Astrid Hofferson…is singing and dancing in front of me. Is this real? From around the hall, Hiccup could hear voices picking up, singing as if in one of the women's choir performances given for Snoggletog ever so often. It sounded angelic and Hiccup was impressed. Was this planned? No, they could not possibly of known. How was it so perfect, though?

I don't know you, but I need more time
Promise me you'll be mine
Birds are flying over Europe skies
Tell me please why can't I?

Wait! Those words! I just sang those words. How did she remember them enough to repeat them? Clearly there were still many things Hiccup needed to learn about Astrid and he hoped that she would allow him the rest of this lifetime to fulfill this need.

The string players played louder and Hiccup knew just want to do next. Stepping closer to Astrid, he whispered directly into her ear, "Remember that dance I taught you?" At Astrid's nod, he smirked and whispered three simple words that sparked something incredible. "Dance with me."

Automatically, they danced. Hiccup chanced a very brief glance over at Valka and noticed his mother's proud smile. The music softened as they finished the dance. Hiccup and Astrid nodded to each other and raised their voices together as one, blending in perfect harmony.

I don't know you, but I need more time
Promise me you'll be mine
Birds are flying over Europe skies
Tell me please why can't I?

The music ended as applause and cheers erupted throughout the packed Great Hall. Hiccup couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. At least he did not mess it up too badly. Now all he needed was…

"That was so corny!" Astrid laughed at Hiccup, pulling him from his thoughts. "I guess that your becoming Chief hasn't made you any less of a dork," she teased, earning herself some agreed laughter from some of the Vikings who had heard her words.

"Well, then just let me be dorky for two more minutes, Astrid, because I have something that I want to say."

Astrid said nothing and Hiccup took that as permission to continue. Gently clasping her hands, Hiccup began, "Growing up, I was alone…always alone. You were my first human friend," he told her, sneaking a glance at Toothless, his first friend. "When no one else believed in me, you did and you stood by me. You'll never know how much that meant to me. Still you stand by me and act as my closest confidant. Astrid, you are my second-in-command and my best friend." Dropping down on one knee, he held out the ring he, himself, had created. "Now I ask if you would do me the honor of becoming my Cheiftaness. Astrid Hofferson, will you marry me?"

Hiccup could not have ever recalled seeing Astrid cry, but small and silent tears rolled down her cheeks at Hiccup's words. He could see the overjoyed smile breaking through her tears of joy as he asked her the most important question in both of their lives. Her voice was soft and shook a little, but Hiccup clearly heard her answer. "Yes!"

Honestly, I thought this chapter would be much longer. It sounded longer in my heard and then it only came out to about 960 words. P.S. I know that the song doesn't really fit, but...hey, it's just fiction and the idea (at the time last summer) seemed good enough to write, so I did!

It's been a fun ride, but this is the end of our story. Be on the lookout for some extras and outtakes though (which will be posted in a story of the same name—Outtakes and Extras). This story will features extras and outtakes from all of my HTTYD stories so you can pick and choose which chapter updates you would like to read.

Thank you all for reading and supporting Europe Skies (Something Different)! I hope you all enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Posted: December 14, 2014