Sleep evaded Hiccup and Astrid for most of the night. They spent the time on their bedrolls sharing their experiences and information about what they knew of the Dragon Trappers. Though Astrid had been in their ranks for months, she was kept mostly in the dark about the happenings within the operation.

An outpost base located in the southern region was the closest to where they were currently, and Hiccup decided they would check it out come morning.

As they laid on their bedrolls as their discussion died faded into companionable silence, Hiccup reach out a hand between them and Astrid grasped it with a reassuring squeeze. They were in this together and knowing that Hiccup would be by her side – along with their dragons - reinforced her courage to face the perils that were to come.

As morning broke, they packed up, ate a quick breakfast, and flew off toward the general direction of the outpost base. After half the day searching for the base, Hiccup spotted it through his spyglass.

“We’ll circle around far enough for them not to spot us,” he informed, “There’s a rock ridge that looks safe to land on.”

They’d observe the activity on the base to get an idea of the comings and goings. The events on Berk the last couple of years was a major operation within the Trappers, and someone was bound to know the whereabouts of the abductees from that isle.

Hiccup handed Astrid the spyglass after he had briefly scoped out the base. The base was similar to the one she’d visited with the party of Trappers she’d been assigned to. Cages housing dragons lined together and weaved a path on the base. Trappers from the docked ship were unloading their catch. One Trapper cracked a whip at a Deadly Nadder that was being removed from the ship.

Astrid glimpsed Hiccup’s hand balling into a fist as his leather arm guard creaked. He looked positively infuriated at the happenings on the docks. But they both knew now was not the time for a dragon rescue mission. There was no way the two of them could take on an entire base to free the captive dragons.

Astrid peered through the spyglass again, finding the work stations of the base. She gasped at what she found. “I can’t believe this! Look.” She handed Hiccup the glass, pointing him in the right direction.

“Is that who I think it is?” Hiccup asked, astounded.

There was no mistaking the hefty, blonde man with a slight hunch and short legs. Fishlegs was working in the metal yard with a Gronckle. They’d found one of their missing people.

“Change of plans,” Hiccup announced as he stood. “We can’t leave Fishlegs here. This has officially become a snatch and grab.”

Astrid jumped up, ready for the challenge. “I’ll snatch him.”

“No, Astrid,” Hiccup said firmly. “You and Stormfly aren’t experienced enough. If one of those net catapults catches you, I may not be able to save you or her.”

Her cheeks began to burn. She may not have been a dragon rider as long as him, but Astrid trusted her training and her dragon for this. “Hiccup, me and Stormfly can do this!”

Hiccup sliced a hand through the air. “I’m putting my foot down. Me and Toothless will-“

Astrid narrowed her eyes. She didn’t have time to listen to this. She dashed to Stormfly, grabbing the saddle with one hand and swinging herself onto the Nadder’s back.

“Astrid!” Hiccup yelled behind her.

“Okay, Stormfly, remember our snatch and grab training?” she asked her dragon. Stormfly cawed cheerfully, and Astrid took that as a positive response. They’d only practiced the maneuver for one day during training, but the Nadder was a quick learner at commands and happy to oblige.

Astrid ordered Stormfly towards the metal yard. Shouts echoed through the base. They’d spotted her. Astrid knew her time was limited. She urged Stormfly faster, calling out the command to unfurl her talons.

Astrid couldn’t see Fishlegs as they descended upon him, her view blocked by Stormfly’s head, but his bloodcurdling scream rang out when they were right above him. Astrid reminded Stormfly to be gentle, and seconds later, the Nadder had coiled her talons around Fishlegs’ arms and more weight had been added to her load. The screaming continued as they shot back to the sky.

“Stormfly, dodge!” Astrid commanded as a catapult net flew at them.

The telltale sound of a Night Fury’s divebomb cut through the air followed by a blast. The catapult exploded as Trappers raced for cover. Another explosion boomed through the base as Toothless blasted more of the Trappers’ defenses.

Stormfly continued to climb before Astrid ordered her to level out. Astrid breathed in relief as Hiccup and Toothless appeared by her side. She looked back at the base as it grew smaller by the second, smoke billowing from the places Toothless had targeted. Astrid smiled smugly at the thought of wrecking the base. The damage wasn’t much, but it was enough to give her satisfaction after all that she had witnessed. She looked forward to dishing out more attacks.

The frantic screams of Fishlegs brought her back to the matter at hand. The poor Viking was dangling hundreds of feet in the air from a dragon’s claws. She doubted he caught a glimpse of her or Hiccup (if he’d even recognize Hiccup nowadays) during the chaos of the rescue. He was probably frightened out of his wits after being kidnapped by a dragon and its mysterious rider. Astrid could relate to that predicament.

“I think we need to find a place to land before Fishlegs’ loses his mind!” Astrid called over to Hiccup.

Hiccup nodded in agreement. He spied a sea stack not far in the distance and pointed it out. A minute later they had arrived. Stormfly hovered several feet over the sea stack, dropping Fishlegs on the rock surface before touching down.

Fishlegs flipped around from his hands and knees to a sitting position, his meaty arm thrown over his face to shield himself. “Please don’t hurt! I’m just the metal smelter! I don’t know anything!”

Astrid and Hiccup stood in front of their fellow Berkian who was literally trembling. “Fishlegs!” Astrid said, hoping he’d recognize her voice. “It’s okay! You’re safe.”

Fishlegs froze. He timidly peeked over his arm. “Astrid?”

She smiled. “It’s me, Fishlegs.”

“Thank Thor!” Fishlegs got to his feet, grabbing Astrid up into a hug. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you!”

“I would have thought otherwise a moment ago,” Astrid remarked as he released her.

Fishlegs cheeks and nose stained red. “Yeah, that.” His gaze switched to Astrid’s companion and Fishlegs’ eyes widened as recognition dawned on his face. “Hiccup?”

Astrid would have never of thought of Fishlegs recognizing Hiccup instantly, but he’d paid more attention to the heir of Berk than what anyone assumed, including said heir. Hiccup looked taken aback.

“Yeah, it’s me, Fishlegs.”

Fishlegs flicked his gaze behind them at their two dragon companions, his expression wary but curious until his face turned to dread. “Oh no, the dragon I watch over. She’s still there! Oh no, oh no,” Fishlegs fretted with his hands on his cheeks in distress.

“You mean, this Gronckle?” Astrid gestured to a brown and yellow Gronckle landing behind him.

Fishlegs pivoted then squealed before a huge smile broke out on his face. “Meatlug!” He ran to the Gronckle, hugging her as if she were his closest friend in the world.

Neither Hiccup nor Astrid could contain their bewildered smiles as they exchanged a glance. “Looks like we’re not the only ones who befriended a dragon,” Hiccup remarked, crossing arms over his chest.

“Care to explain this, Fishlegs?” Astrid asked.

“I sort of….uh, befriended a Gronckle.” Fishlegs blushed at the admission. He released the Gronckle from the embrace, but his hand stayed to rest on her head. “I work in smelting metal and Meatlug was the Gronckle chosen to help make that metal. The more time I spent with her, the more I could see that she just wanted a friend. She looked lonely and I was lonely, so we kept each other company.”

“Fishlegs, that’s amazing,” Hiccup acclaimed, proudly. “You bonded with a dragon all on your own.”

The blushing continued, accompanied by a modest shrug from the larger boy. His eyes suddenly lite up. “Hiccup, I can’t believe it’s you! You’re okay!”

Hiccup grunted, not expecting the bone-crushing hug he was about to receive. “Good to see you too.”

“I’m so happy to see familiar faces!” Fishlegs released Hiccup. His attention was drawn back to their dragons, the gears in his head rolling visibly on his face. “Is that-“ he let out a squeal of excitement, “a Night Fury?!”

Toothless perked up at the mention of his species’ name. Hiccup smiled proudly, stepping back to pet Toothless on the head. “It sure is.”

“I heard rumors of a Night Fury attacking ships, but I never could have imagined it was you controlling it,” Fishlegs said in wonder.

“I’m not controlling him,” Hiccup corrected, “Me and Toothless are a team.” Toothless warbled in agreement. “We should put more ground between us and the Trappers.”

Hiccup gestured to the Fishlegs’ Gronckle, who’s eyes were big with excitement and tail bludgeon waging happily. “Fishlegs, how do you feel about riding a dragon?”

The great horn of Berk reverberated throughout the village, signaling the approach of ships. A young courier footed it to the Great Hall to inform the Chief of the visitors. Immediately, Stoick rallied his finest warriors at the grim news. These were not welcomed guests and every available Viking who could defend Berk was needed.

Astrid followed her Chief, his towering form an unyielding pillar leading before them. On both her sides was Fishlegs, Snotlout, and the twins, their faces grim in the light of grave situation.

“Haven’t we given you enough?” Stoick spat at the foreigner, fingers tightening menacingly around his ax handle.

The dark man known as Krogan stepped lightly off the gangplank, his wicked smirk stirring Astrid’s skin to crawl. She wished to slice his head in two, so she’d never have to see it again.

“Oh, Stoick the Vast,” Krogan crooned as if he were talking to a dear friend, “haven’t you learned by now that when you strike a deal with the Trappers, that the deal is for life.”

Krogan sauntered up to Stoick with a smug air about him. He gestured to the small band of Vikings itching for a battle. “How would your pathetic army fare against my fleet?” With a wave of his hand, Krogan signaled his fleet of men and armored dragons all the ready to spill blood and torch with fire.

Stoick’s death glare rained upon Krogan like a firestorm roaring in a glass, barely contained. His breath drew in and out in enraged bursts. “What do you want?” he gritted out.

Krogan spread his hand about with a flourish. “Volunteers from your tribe to become our newest dragon trapper recruits.”

“NO!” boomed the Chief, slicing a hand through the air in finality. “None of my people leave this island.”

The vile sound of Krogan’s laughter echoed through the crowd. “Oh, Stoick the Vast, you couldn’t keep your own son from leaving this island.”

Astrid had contained her own firestorm as she listened to the taunting words. When he mentioned Hiccup, her restraint snapped like a whip within her. With a battle cry that shook through the harbor, she rushed Krogan, ax high above her head ready to cleave him in half.

Krogan anticipated an attack. With practiced grace that the foreigner possessed, he sidled to the side, disarming Astrid and pinning her securely to his body using her own ax to press against her throat.

“Our first volunteer,” Krogan sneered in her ear, “Welcome to the Dragon Trappers, girl.”

***

“A foreigner named Krogan,” Astrid began, “came to Berk saying he could eliminate our dragon problem. He said his Dragon Trappers would stay on Berk and capture the dragons during raids and haul them off. The Chief agreeed to allow them to stay and signed a contract. But something went wrong. After two raids, the dragons stopped coming. There was no trace of them, like they had vanished into the horizon.

“Stoick thought it was over, that the dragons got the message and decided to never come back. When Krogan found out the dragons had disappeared from Berk, he returned angry. He said, Berk didn’t deliver what they had promised, but your father disagreed. The Trappers had gotten a supply of dragons and that the contract was fulfilled. But it wasn’t enough for Krogan and he vowed to take payment from Berk another way.

“Stoick responded to the threat that Berk would fight back, but he didn’t expect how Krogan would retaliate. The merchant and trade ships stopped coming. Just like the dragons, they vanished like they’d never existed. Stoick sent a ship to bring back information as to what was happened, and it returned with the news of what Krogan was doing. Your father was livid. He wanted to sail out himself to find the cause of this. The counsel advised otherwise, but you know the Chief. He went anyway.

“More ships were sent out in retaliation, but they returned with less of our people. One ship had been sunk by dragon fire. The news that these men were controlling dragons to use in war frightened all of Berk. The only time I ever saw your father distressed was when you left. But this…he was visibly shaken by.

“I never felt completely helpless because our Chief was always a strong and unmovable figure like out of legends. But in that moment when he returned, it was like he’d lost hope.

“The months passed and still no merchant ships came. It was like the whole world had been cut off from us. Krogan returned one day with a new offer, and in Berk’s weakness, the offer was accepted. But the trappers were taking anything they wanted and eventually, that included people.”

Something suddenly shifted in Astrid as if she were some place far away, in a moment relived. Hiccup’s gaze fell on Astrid’s elbow where her hand had moved to cover the Trappers’ mark.

“I didn’t volunteer to go with the Dragon Trappers. When Krogan came back one last time, he wanted to add to his regiment. Stoick refused to hand over anyone. Krogan took us by force; the newly-trained warriors he called fresh blood. Me, Fishlegs, Snotlout, and the twins were all taken against our will. On the trapper ship, they held us down and branded us, telling us we were their property now. We were separated from each other when we arrived at their base. I was assigned to a ship and hadn’t seen the others since.”

Astrid finished, a deafening silence following her story. The shame engulfing her entire being caused Hiccup’s stomach to churn violently and his heart clench to aching.

Vikings weren’t supposed to fear. They could face an onslaught of a thousand dragons and show no fear. But deep within the surface there was an unspoken concern of being overrun by an enemy. Stoick the Vast would not let up until the last warrior was captured or dead, and even then, he’d protect what was left of Berk until the bitter end.

Hiccup knew this all too well.

This had happened. An enemy was overrunning his homeland and it burned like dragon fire.

He began to pace the campsite. “Why didn’t you tell me the whole story in the first place?”

Astrid stared into the campfire licking at the air, the weight of her words hanging heavy around them. “I don’t know.” She paused, and Hiccup caught a glimpse of her hands wringing together. She drew in a ragged breath. “All I’ve lived the last two years is anger and fear. I needed to forget for a while that the rest of the world existed, and I guess being at the safe haven was my escape.”

Hiccup combed over her story in his head. Every bit of information was crushing to hear, but there was one piece that stuck out at him and it burned him up inside.  “The Trappers forced the mark on you? Branded you and the others taken from Berk?”

Astrid nodded, not meeting his gaze. She was ashamed of the mark, and he couldn’t blame her. The Dragon Trappers kidnapped and violated her, and not just Astrid but the rest of the teens his own age. Fishlegs, Snotlout, the twins….all of them.

Hiccup barely registered his actions as he grasped Astrid’s hand and pulled her up into an embrace. He froze, realizing he was holding her. But the surprise quickly faded as Astrid nestled her face into his neck, her breathing coming out in heavy spurts next to his ear. He could have stayed this way for hours, holding her close, finding comfort and giving it; shutting out the world and all the terrors it held for just a little longer.

“It was always in the back of my mind to convince you to go back with me,” Astrid told him. She drew away from him, leaving a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know how to defeat the Trappers, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes…even if I have to do it alone.”

Hiccup shook his head, his decision made. No more hiding; no more avoiding. “No, you won’t be alone.” A relieved smile crossed upon Astrid’s face at his words. “We’re rescuing the others, and then,” a shining new determination struck Hiccup, “we’re taking back Berk.”

The charcoal pencil scratched along the paper, Hiccup sketching out an idea as he headed toward the forge for work. He’d recently began his apprenticeship under Gobber, working 3 days a week until he grew older (and grew some muscles, his father hoped). His excitement bubbled over as new ideas cropped up every day and he couldn’t wait to run them by Gobber.

Two hands pushed his back and Hiccup’s face smacked into the ground. Laughter rang out behind him as he raised his head. His notebook had landed several feet away, the pages bent and possibly knocked loose from the impact.

Hiccup brushed his sleeve over his cheek, wiping off the dirt. The inside of his cheek stung. His tongue found the fresh sore where he had bit his mouth. “What do you want, Snotlout?” Hiccup eyed his cousin defiantly as he got to his feet, brushing off grass and dust.

“I noticed you’ve been taking this route to the forge.” Snotlout cracked his knuckles. The sound made Hiccup’s lip curl in disgust, and he wondered how an 9-year old could have such meaty fists already. “I’ll make it a habit to greet you every day.”

“Did you come up with terrorize people minding their own business all on your own or did your dad have to help you with this simple plan?” He knew it was a dumb idea to antagonize his cousin, but he wouldn’t be Hiccup without making a remark, even if it did cause him bodily harm.

Snotlout scrunched his face up, looking rather offended. “I didn’t need my dad’s help! I came up with this all by myself!”

Hiccup laughed humorlessly. “Keep telling yourself that.”

Snotlout snarled. He reared a fist back to maximum damage level. Before he could throw it, he doubled over taking an ax handle to the stomach.

“Picking on the small and weak don’t make you a better Viking, Snotlout!” Hiccup’s rescuer in golden pigtail braids exclaimed fiercely. “If you touch him again, this ax handle will be going places where the sun doesn’t shine, and I will NOT be happy if I have to clean it after that!”

“C’mon, Astrid-” Snotlout tried to reckon with her, but she didn’t let him get another word out. He doubled over again from another blow.

“Now get out of here, muttonhead!”

“Good thing I don’t hit girls!” Snotlout whined as he slunk off to lick his wounded pride.

“Astrid, that was amazing! But why are you helping me?”

Astrid pointed her ax at Hiccup, the weapon remarkably larger than him. He wondered how she even toted it. “I don’t like you, but I don’t like that muttonhead even more. So, if it grounds his yak that I’m helping you, then I’m all for it.”

At least she didn’t want him all to herself to beat up, Hiccup reckoned.

“You disappear into the woods a lot, don’t you?” Astrid asked curiously, watching him closely as he recovered his notebook. “What’s out there that’s so fascinating?”

“Not much. But I like the scenery. It’s quiet and peaceful. And sometimes I go on troll hunts.”

“Really? Troll hunts?”

Hiccup nodded in all seriousness.

Astrid pushed his shoulder, but not in an aggressive way. “You really are a dork. Next time you go wandering off, I’m going with you to keep you from doing something stupid like fall off a cliff or get yourself kidnapped by trolls.”

Hiccup rolled onto his back, the bed creaking under him. He opened his eyes to the rocky ceiling above. He hadn’t thought of that day in years. It was the first time Astrid had stuck up for him to his bully of a cousin. He was never sure of the real reason she chose to do it. Maybe she did hate Snotlout with a passion and wanted to get under his skin by helping Hiccup. Whatever her reason was back then, he was glad she chose to befriend him.

Those few years they hung out together on nature walks held some good memories. But yhe adventures ended as Hiccup began to work at the forge full-time and Astrid dedicated herself to training as a shieldmaiden. They’d talk in passing every now and then, but their lives had taken such wide turns that even the small talk faded into passing glances.

Hiccup wished he would have tried harder to correspond with her. Maybe they could have worked together during dragon killing sessions. Maybe it would have led him to trust Astrid to let her in on his secret hidden in the cove before he flew off to the ends of the world. He assumed that nobody, especially someone as hard bent on killing dragons, would have listened to him. He was wrong.

Hiccup groaned at the thoughts running around in his head. What’s done was done and the past could not be changed. They’d been cooped up in the mountain too long. He craved the wind rushing against him; the freedom of the open air surrounding him; a million twinkling stars close enough to gather from the inky night sky.

He needed an adventure.

He did want to see how Astrid and Stormfly would handle a long flight together. And there was a direction he’d been itching to explore down south.

Hiccup threw the fur blanket aside and grabbed his prosthetic. Toothless warbling at him questioningly. Hiccup smiled at his best friend. “Hey bud, you up for a little adventure?”

“Hiccup?” the voice behind him caught Hiccup off guard and he froze in mid-grab of an apple from pantry. “Are you planning to stay gone the day?” Valka eyed the satchel he was currently stuffing with various food items.

Hiccup continued to raid the shelves. “Probably so,” he replied, trying to sound casual, “or overnight.” The prospect of camping had sneakily wound its way into his plan.

“Where are you going?” his mother asked, her tone concerned that he hadn’t cleared this with her yet. Even though he was 18 years of age, the beginnings of a man and an experienced dragon rider, Valka’s restored motherly care for her reunited son shone through.

Hiccup’s attention focused on his task, unsure of how his mother would accept his plan. “Me and Astrid are going exploring. I want to see how well her and Stormfly do on a long flight. If we fly too far we may make an overnight excursion out of it.”

Valka’s features were unreadable, her mouth slightly open, as she processed the information. Her lips swooped up ever so discreetly. “You and Astrid get along well.”

Hiccup latched the satchel closed, still avoiding his mother’s gaze. “We have known each other our whole lives.”

“Back on Berk, were there feelings for this girl?”

Motion ceased at the unexpected question. Thoughts raced through Hiccup’s mind as he wished to be anywhere else but right there at that moment.

Did he have feelings for her? Of course, he did. He cared about his friend. He was over the moon that she was there learning to be a dragon rider alongside him. But once upon a time, there was something there. Could it still be? He hadn’t processed any emotions yet. How could he verbally speak them if he didn’t know exactly what they were!

“I’m a grown man. I am not having this conversation with my mother.” He slung the satchel over his shoulder, finally acknowledging Valka with a look. He nodded firmly. “I’m going back to my room.”

A hand caught his shoulder. “Be careful, son.”

Hiccup touched his mother’s hand, glancing over his shoulder to offer her a loving smile. “I’ll try,” he replied, because they both knew he couldn’t stay out of trouble for long.

“You and Astrid have fun.” There was a twinkle in Valka’s eye that he didn’t miss.

“And I’m leaving.”

“You ready?”

Astrid inspected the knot holding the blanket and bed roll together. “Are you sure we may stay overnight?”

Hiccup shrugged. “Better to be prepared if we do.”

Astrid scooped up the supplies under her arm, excitement beaming in her eyes and smile. “I’m ready.”

A pressure suddenly encroached Hiccup’s chest and his breath caught. The realization smacked him harder than an out of control dragon wing. Oh no. As he gazed at Astrid’s smiling face, he knew something was there.