Chapter 11

...

As soon as Astrid saw Stoick and the rest of the riders land, she rushed over to them. "Any healers?" she asked.

Sighing, Stoick shook his head. "No, lass. The only islands we found appeared to be enemy islands. How's Hiccup?"

"He's holding up. I just changed his bandages, and I think he's resting now." The blonde paused. "At least, I told him he should rest, but you know how stubborn he can be."

"I'll go check on him," Stoick offered as he dismounted Skullcrusher.

"My butt hurts," Ruffnut complained, climbing onto the ground. "I can't believe Stoick made us fly for three and a half hours straight."

"I can hear you," Stoick called over his shoulder.

Astrid rolled her eyes and rested her palms atop her hips. "Ruff, Tuff, why don't you go rest your dragon? I'm not exactly sure when we'll be leaving this island, but I imagine it'll be soon. Fishlegs, take Meatlug to rest, too. She looks exhausted."

"You don't have to tell me twice," said Fishlegs, who was still sitting on his Gronckle's back.

"Belch doesn't need rest," Tuffnut insisted. "Barf and Meatlug might, but Belch -"

Crossing her arms over her chest, Astrid tossed a glare in Tuffnut's direction. "He needs rest," she insisted before hurrying to Stoick and Hiccup.

"Um...mind if I uh...come in?" she asked, hovering in the cave entrance.

"Not at all, lass," replied Stoick. "Have a seat. We were just talking strategy."

"Strategy for what?" Astrid asked, settling onto the ground and crossing her legs.

"Getting off this island and going home without getting caught by Drago. I was telling Hiccup that since he knows we're flying dragons now, he's bound to attempt an attack on Berk. And we need to get there before he does so we can have a chance to fortify the island. But it's also risky to leave in such a large group, especially when he's onto us."

"Why don't you and Mom leave now?" suggested Hiccup. "The rest of us could follow later."

"And leave you behind while you're wounded? I wouldn't hear of it, son. We're a team."

"But if you have to go -"

"Hiccup! That's enough. Your mother and I are not leaving you here and that's my final decision. Now, when do you think you'll be able to get back in the air?"

"In a day or two." The auburn-haired Viking shrugged. "But it's not me I'm concerned about. It's Toothless. I mean, I can live with pain. After all, I lost a leg. But Toothless' tail..."

"I'll go," offered Astrid.

"What?" Stoick fixed his gaze on her.

"I'll go," Astrid repeated. "Back to Berk."

"You can't go back by yourself," Hiccup insisted. "It's too dangerous."

"I won't go by myself. I'll take your mom, Fishlegs, and Dagur with me."

"And leave Hiccup and I with Snotlout and the twins?" Grunting, Stoick raised a thick eyebrow.

"Did somebody say my name?" Snotlout swung into the cave, Hookfang following close behind.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, you did hear your name," said Astrid, turning in the direction of the newcomer. "We need you to stay with Stoick, Hiccup, and the twins while the rest of us head back to Berk. We'll start fortifying the island, then fly back here with a couple reinforcements. You know, just in case."

"Why don't you just send an airmail to the Edge asking the A-team to do all this for you?"

"Because we don't have any Terrors with us. And besides, if Drago would see a Terror with a note, he'd make sure the message never reached Berk."

"Uh...okay, but what am I supposed to do while I'm here?"

"Lead defenses at Stoick's orders," Astrid replied. "And keep the twins in line."

Snotlout's eyes widened. "You trust me to lead defenses?"

"Not particularly, but you're our last option."

"Last option? Last option?" Frowning, Snotlout placed his hands on his hips. "Okay, I'll take being the last option. I mean, at least I was actually on the list, unlike some other riders." He muttered the twins' names under his breath.

"Astrid, are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Stoick.

"No." The blonde shook her head. "But it's the only one I've got."

...

"Are you sure you'll be okay, Astrid?" Hiccup questioned. After a good night's sleep, he was feeling better, although he still wasn't well enough to fly.

Astrid shot a smile over her shoulder as she slipped a flask into Stormfly's saddle bag. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. Just focus on taking care of yourself."

"Don't worry, brother," Dagur cut in. He laid a hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "I'll make sure she stays safe. After all, she's gonna be my sister soon. I mean, so long as you two don't break up."

"What? We're not even -" Astrid began.

"Don't be ridiculous, blondie," Dagur interrupted. "I see it in your eyes. You like my brother."

Astrid groaned. "Speaking of brothers and sisters, Dagur, where's yours?"

"My what?"

"Your sister."

"If you're talking about Heather the Unhinged, she's not my sister anymore. Didn't you hear what that girl did to me?" Dagur clenched his hands into tight fists. "She left the Berserkers to work for Drago. She's the reason he captured Shattermaster. She also led an attack on Berserker Island. Oh, and did I mention that she wants to overthrow me?" He shook his head.

"Heather did all that? I can't believe it," gasped Fishlegs. "She was always so sweet, so trustworthy, so loyal."

"Yeah, well it turned out to be an act." Dagur frowned.

"Are we almost ready?" asked Valka.

"Yes, ma'am," Fishlegs replied, climbing onto his dragon's back. "Meatlug and I are ready to go!"

"Ready!" Dagur announced, mounting Shattermaster.

"Just a second!" called Astrid. After attaching the saddle bag to Stormfly's saddle, she approached Hiccup and quickly pecked his cheek. "Try not to worry too much, okay?"

"You know I'll worry whether I'm trying to or not, Astrid." The auburn-haired Viking rubbed the back of his neck. "It's just...it's what I do."

For a few brief seconds, their eyes locked together, green against blue.

"Well, I'd better go." Astrid climbed into Stormfly's saddle. "See you when I see you."

Hiccup watched the four dragon riders rise into the air, and smiled to himself as Astrid took the lead. She was a natural leader - something he admired about her. He could just imagine what it would be like chiefing alongside her. He'd toss around ideas, and she'd talk him out of the mutton-headed ones. She'd lead attacks while he sat back and tried to conduct peaceful negotiations. She'd keep the Berkians in order during winter food rations.

She should be Chief, he told himself.

"What's wrong, son?" Stoick's voice cut into his thoughts.

Hiccup turned to face his father. "Oh, nothing. Just...just thinking."

"About Astrid?"

"Well...uh...yeah," the auburn-haired Viking admitted.

"I've been thinking a lot, too," said Stoick. "But about your mother." He shook his head. "I'd like us to be a family again. Me, you, and Val. But I know the chances of that happening aren't very high. If only..." He sighed. "If only I would've listened to her more. But I didn't, and I ended up losing her. And because I lost her, you had to grow up without a mother."

"Yeah, but at least we know she's alive now. Right?"

"Right. But I was also hoping that we could start over again. Would you want that?"

"You mean, have you and Mom both on Berk? Yes!" exclaimed Hiccup, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"Good." Stoick smiled and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Now, all we have left to do is ask her."