Happier

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

~ 1 year later ~

Hiccup walked through the village on his way to the Great Hall. He walked quickly, head down, not making eye contact with anyone. He didn't need to see their faces to know the looks he was getting. He knew what they thought of him. He was a chief who didn't have a wife or at least a girlfriend. He knew they perceived it as carelessness. No wife, no heir.

But this had been his life for the past year. Judgmental looks from his people and walking quickly to avoid their eyes and whispers. You'd think by now he would've gotten used to the occasion when he heard their whispers, but a knife drove through his heart every time.

Hiccup arrived at the Great Hall. It was time for the council's weekly meeting. He pushed open the doors and saw his council seated at a circular table, awaiting his arrival.

"Glad to see everyone could make it," Hiccup said plainly, taking his seat. To the right of the chief sat his General, Astrid. To the left sat his second in command and right-hand man, Eret. Next to Astrid sat the blacksmith, Gobber. To the left of Eret sat the Log Master, Fishlegs. Valka was seated beside Gobber and Snotlout next to Fishlegs.

"Well, this is a very important meeting," Valka said.

"I hate peace treaty meetings," Snotlout said, inspecting something he dug out from under his fingernail.

"Well, this one is especially important. We haven't renewed our peace treaty with the Bashem tribe in years," Astrid said, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table.

"They are one of the smallest tribes in the archipelago, I don't think they'd be that hard to defend against," Snotlout said, his attention still on his new finding.

"They are small in size, but big in resources. Many larger tribes have allied with them simply because they are overflowing with resources," Fishlegs said.

"Including the Northlander tribe. They are the biggest protector of the Bashem's and the Northlander's aren't to be toyed with," Gobber added.

"Oh," Snotlout said, finally turning his attention to the meeting.

"Ya. A peace treaty with them is kind of important," Astrid said.

"Shut up Astrid," Snotlout mumbled, folding his arms.

"Alright, let's make this quick. I have so more pressing matters to discuss with Sven and Mulch. We are going to be their guests. I have arranged for all of us to go, but not everyone gets to go on the tour and to the meeting. Astrid and Eret will be with me for the meeting and the tour. Everyone else will stay in our designated part of the village until dinner. We are all invited for dinner," Hiccup stood up. "We will be on their island for a few days. It's colder up there so pack warm clothes. Spitelout with be acting chief until mine or Eret's return. We leave in three days. Meeting adjourned." he finished and sat down

"Are you implying that you might not return with us?" Astrid asked.

Hiccup looked at her. Before he could say something, Snotlout cut in.

"Alright, the meeting is over. I'm hungry," Snotlout stood up and walked to the doors.

Everyone rose and followed, trickling off to their desired destination. Hiccup and Astrid were the last to leave.

"So, are you gonna answer the question?" Astrid asked.

"No," Hiccup said coldly. He walked quickly down the stairs in hopes to get away from Astrid.

"Why not?" she asked.

"Because it's none of your concern," Hiccup responded, picking up his pace.

"It is my concern. I'm the general and you're my friend Hiccup," Astrid stepped in front of Hiccup.

"I am your CHIEF Astrid!," Hiccup's voice rose. "I don't have to answer to you."

"Don't play that card with me," Astrid said quietly.

"This conversation is over," Hiccup stepped around her and walked away.

Astrid watched him scurry away to meet with Mulch or Sven, "What happened to the Hiccup I love?"

She slowly wandered through the streets for a while before heading back to her hut. Before she was even on the porch, she could smell dinner being made. When she opened the door, she was greeted with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"How was work?" the man asked.

"Like every other day," Astrid said plainly.

"No, something's wrong. You've got a dark cloud over your head again babe," the man pried.

"You wouldn't want to hear about it," Astrid said. She really didn't feel like talking about her conversation with Hiccup.

"C'mon, try me," he continued.

"Really Kylan, I don't want to talk about it," Astrid said. She walked around him to sit at the table.

"What did you make?" she asked, taking in the smell.

"Ast, tell me what's bothering you. Don't hide things from me."

~ Flashback ~

"Ast, you gotta tell me what's bothering you. You don't have to be afraid to hide things from me," Hiccup's soft voice rang through her ears.

~ End of Flashback ~

"Oh Kylan," tears streamed down her face. "I don't know him anymore."

Kylan embraced the crying woman, "Know who?"

"Hiccup," she murmured.

"Babe I thought you said you were over him," Kylan said, a hint of jealousy rung in his words.

"I am. But I still work with him. I have to see him almost every day. He's changed," Astrid said through her tears. "I don't know him anymore."

Hiccup slowly walked through the village on his way to his hut. There would be few people out if any at all so he walked without worrying about what his people might think of him tonight. He could walk with no worries at all.

Many people had candles lit in their huts while they ate. He looked through some of the windows. Husbands and wives sat around a table with their children.

"That's what a family looks like," he quietly said to himself.

He picked up his pace as he wandered through his village. Glowing windows from huts caught his eye as he walked by. He turned to look at every scene. These Vikings were so happy. So why was it so hard for him to be. He kept walking, looking at his people quickly before moving to the next glowing window. Then he stopped. He peered into the window of a hut. This wasn't just any hut, this one belonged to Astrid and whoever her new boyfriend was.

Hiccup stood there, watching them. Astrid looked like she was doing the dishes and her boyfriend stood behind her, arms wrapped around her waist. She looked so happy. She had such a bright smile on her face and yet it looked forced in some way. Hiccup shook his head at the thought and continued his walk.

"Why did I scream at her today?" he scolded himself as he walked through his front door. "You're such an idiot."

Hiccup walked out onto his porch to overlook the village. "I miss you, Astrid."