HICCUPS POV

This is it. I can see Berk nearing from a distance... It was night time, the stars were out and home-lit fires were seen from windows that brightened the surface of the island.

I'm bringing her home.

I couldn't wait to show (Y/N) everything! How much Berk has changed for the better since she left. But there were something I had to do before I could take her around the island...

I have to tell Astrid how I feel about (Y/N).

(Y/N) was by my side, riding Libelle's back. Her eyes glued to the destination.. Her stunning face glowed at its sight. There was worry in her expression, but she couldn't help but smile, overwhelmed to be back home. I saw silver tears shimmering in the corner of her eyes.

"Hey... It's gonna be okay." I reassured her.

She looked at me and smiled.

"Thank you, Hiccup." She said whilst putting her helmet on...

"You don't need to cover your face (Y/N). Everyone will be so happy when they find out your alive!"

"I need to wear it, Hicc. No one can see that it's me before I can have the chance to tell my family. I need them to be the first to know..."

"I understand. I'll try to steer the crowd away from you whilst you go up to see them..."

We landed in the village and were immediately greeted by our people... I held (Y/N)'s hand to help her dismount her dragon and she walked behind me through the crowd. She kept her head down low-

"Welcome back chief!"

"The chief has returned!"

"Nice to see you back Hiccup!"

"Who's the new rider?"

"Is that another Nightfury?!"

"It's a white Nightfury!"

The crowd was loud...

"Hey everyone! We discovered a new dragon on the trip!" I distracted the sea of Vikings from noticing (Y/N) too much, and gestured towards Libelle, who was ordered by (Y/N) to stay by my side... Libelle wasn't too pleased to be near me, as she didn't trust me. However, having Toothless beside her was enough comfort for her to not run after (Y/N).

"She's a Lightfury... a dragon similar to the Nightfury species!" I continued... the crowds were deeply intrigued, and in a matter of seconds, Elle was complimented and petted by strangers - she seemed to love the new found attention.

I watched as (Y/N) walked towards her old home with her helmet firlmy on her head, making her a ghost to the local.

Fishlegs ran towards Libelle and examined her...

"She's amazing Hiccup! I can't believe you found her!" He said excitingly.

"Yep! Never seen anything like her-"

"I have to write everything down!" His voice trembled with curiosity.

I felt a hand placed on my shoulder from behind me...

"Welcome back Chief! We missed you..." Astrid's voice came from behind me. I turned around and faced her.

"I missed you." She added and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. I jumped..

"Hey- Heyy Astrid!" I said awkwardly, subtly wiping her kiss off my lips with the side of my index finger. Everything was mixing in my head. I didn't know how to tell her...

"You must be so happy that you found another dragon so similar to the Nightfury!! Where did you find her?"

I stared at her speechless...

"Hiccup... is everything okay?"

"Astrid, I- uh, can we talk?"

"Of course, what's on your mind?"

"Not here.." I guided her to my house and looked back to check if Toothless and Libelle were okay... They were full of adrenaline and were spoiled by the crowd of Berk, who were giving them so much attention.

~~~

I walked into the house and started lighting a flame in the fire place to warm up the place. Astrid sat down by the table and made herself comfortable.

"Did Toothless enjoy the trip? I'm sure he was beyond excited when you found that dragon!"

"Uh- yeah he was..."

"You were gone for longer than I thought you'd be." She said warmly.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. We were gone for longer because we found something else..." I said solemnly.

"Alright.. what did you find?" Her expression grew serious. I stayed silent, thinking of different ways to tell her in my head.

"You're making me nervous Hiccup, has something happened?" She asked.

"Well- yes. Something has sort of happened..."

"What? Tell me."

"I- I don't know where to start if I'm honest."

"Is it something to do with that rider? I saw a rider on that white Nightfury, he was wearing heavy white armour and a helmet. I only saw him for a second, when he disappeared into the crowd..."

"Yeah... uh-" I stuttered

"Who is he? Any new rider is welcomed in Berk-"

"She... she is (Y/N)." I blurted. I couldn't waste another second...

Astrid looked into my eyes in disbelief. Her hands covered her mouth with pure shock.

"(Y/N)! She's alive?! How?!"

"I found her on the island where I went to get Toothless his favourite foods. She left Berk Astrid, she never died!" The fire lit up as I finished the sentence and I went to sit down next to Astrid by the table...

"(Y/N)! The one we knew as children? Our friend? But- why... why would she just leave? It doesn't make sense, she died during an attack..." She was in complete disbelief.

"I know it seems impossible but... It's true. She's been travelling for nearly six years. While we all thought that she was dead! She found her dragon here on Berk-"

"I can't believe she's alive!! Where is she? I need to see her- I have to see this with my own eyes." Astrid's emotion shifted into utter joy.

"No you can't." I interrupted.

"Why not?"

"You'll be able to see her tomorrow. For now, she's reuniting with her family... she wanted them to be the first ones to see her."

"Ahh. I understand..."

"Oh, and if you do see her tomorrow, do you mind not asking her why she left Berk? She doesn't like to talk about it very much."

"Okay... I won't" she said sincerely. "Oh wow! I- I can't believe she's been alive this whole time, Hiccup!" She beamed.

"I know. I couldn't believe it either." I smiled, gazing on the burning fire wood. I could feel Astrid's eyes looking at me.

"Why did you bring me here then?... To tell me she's alive.. and that I can't meet her until tomorrow? What are you not telling me, Hiccup? You look uneasy.." She spoke calmly. She could sense that something else was on my mind.

I kept gazing into the fire. A worried expression plastered my face. I couldn't bare looking into her eyes.

"Astrid.. I was so heartbroken when I thought she was gone..."

"I know. I was there... you hid out of sight for months... I remember you two being so close when you were younger, you would run off together day after day, we would barely see you... When she died- well when she disappeared... you were broken." she said with fret.

"Yeah... I missed her so much... When we were younger, and 'run off' together, we would talk for hours about dragons, she and I shared the same dream of living in peace with them you know... Berk was horrible at the time... (Y/N) was the only one who understood me, she made me the man I am today. When she die- when I lost her... I didn't know what to do with myself-"

"Hiccup-" She held her tongue.. and placed her hand on my shoulder to solace.

"I know you loved her. It was obvious... to all of us. The way you used to look at her said it all. She clearly loved you as well. It hurt me to see you so upset after she left... you weren't yourself."

There was a long pause. Astrid could almost read my thoughts through the silence I was giving. She could sense that I was thinking of a way to tell her-

"I know... that you two had an inseparable bond... and that when you found her, all those buried feelings came rushing back and your bond was re-written by Goddess Freyja herself." She said with a slight shake in her voice.

"Astrid I-"

"You don't need to explain yourself Hiccup. It's okay." Tears filled her blue eyes. "You still love her, your connection from when you were younger was so strong... there's so much history- a part of me always knew that I couldn't help you let her go.

You- you know I love you... that's why I won't let myself be the reason you two can't be together. I want you to be happy." She smiled with glistening tears filling her eyes.

I held her in a warm embrace. She hugged me back, tightly. In that moment, we both knew our chapter was over. She placed her head on my shoulder and I rested mine on her hair. We both watched as the pale fire danced.

"I'm so sorry." I said, fighting my urge to cry.

"Don't be Hiccup. I couldn't imagine having to be with someone who is not your true love"

"You know I love you, Astrid..."

"I know you do. But you're not with me... the one you're in love with is down there, reuniting with her family right this second."

"Thank you for understanding. You're amazing, Astrid..."

"It's the least I can do. You would've done the same for me, without thinking twice." She gave a weak smile.

We looked at the fire with each other until it burned out. The ashes of the dead flame scattered on the plank-wood floor, and light smoke misted the air. We talked, but mostly we just stayed there silent and peacefully in each others company, leaning on one and other. It was a perfect goodbye to the end our journey. We knew we would still be on good terms; her selfless reaction made me certain of that.

But now, I'm ready to start my journey with the love of my life... with (Y/N).

END OF CHAPTER