Wow! Over the hump and on to chapter six! Thanks for your support everyone!

Now, poor nameless Terror from the kill ring, the last and smallest, but certainly not the least, give these ladies and gentlemen the disclaimer.

The Terror trills happily and seems to have the best intentions, but he spots a gleam of light dancing on the floor. He instantly scampers off chasing the fleeing light with enraged and adorable squeaks and growls. I can hear laughing in the back round and I can't help but sigh and shake my head. It's the twins of course...

Ahem. I do not own How to Train Your Dragon.

oOoOo

Things went smoothly for the next week. Neither, Snotlout, nor Spitelout had a moments rest in which to cause trouble. They were very much absorbed in their duties. Snotlout was out flying patrols nearly from dawn till dusk and Spitelout was commonly seen alongside Stoick supervising and generally being useful. If they suspected anything else was a foot, they either didn't notice or simply didn't say.

Astrid kept good on her promise and became Hiccup's third shadow, Toothless having already claimed second. Between the two of them, they managed to keep him out of harms way. Her constant presence around Hiccup however, would cause another problem...

Hiccup was on his way towards the ring when his metal foot got caught on a stone and he tripped. He would have hit the ground hard, but Astrid was just quick enough to catch him and set him back on his feet.

"Woa," she said.

Hiccup's face colored. "I know, I've gotten even clumsier since-."

"That's not what I was thinking about," Astrid said cutting him off. "I think you've actually put on some weight. It actually took some effort to keep you up."

Hiccip glanced down at himself curiously. "Really?" he said. "I don't really look that much bigger."

Astrid rolled her eyes and continued walking towards the dragon ring. "Haven't you already proved that size doesn't matter? The rest of us understand it, so why don't you?"

Hiccup gave her a grateful and slightly wry smile. "Old dreams can be a little difficult to give up."

Astrid paused to think about that and she could see how that was true. Blessings in disguise were often the hardest things to accept. "Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked quietly.

Hiccup looked at her and smiled. Astrid could have sworn her heart stopped for a bit. That smile. It was rare. His emerald eyes would light up with a calm joy, and his smile was a soft, presence on his face that spoke of a deep contentment.

"Don't worry Astrid," he said. "I've lost count of the ways that you've already helped. But the most important thing, is that you remind me that what I have now is much, muuuuch better than what I had back then."

It was so nice to hear him say that; to hear that her efforts were making his life better. Astrid could not keep from smiling herself. "Right," she said. "You've got me, now."

Hiccup's smile turned sharper and a mischievous gleam touched his green eyes off with a golden spark. "Are you sure that's not the other way around?" he asked. "I mean, I'm pretty sure you have me."

Astrid grinned and punched him lightly on the shoulder, not even enough force to hurt him. "And you better not forget it."

"Oh, trust me, I wont," Hiccup said returning her grin, albeit a little lopsided.

That's when they entered the dragon academy. Things seemed pretty normal, the twins were alternately punching each other, shouting something about stars as Barf and Belch looked on, and Fishlegs was reading a selection from the dragon book to a very disinterested Meatlug. Then they noticed Snotlout leaning against a sleeping Hookfang with a very discontented look on his face.

Astrid watched him somewhat warily as she began rubbing her dragon down for the day. Hiccup was a small ways away, doing the same for Toothless. She was just beginning to relax when Snotlout seemed to make up his mind and he pushed himself up off his dragon to swagger across the ring towards her. She sighed. At least he hadn't made a beeline towards Hiccup.

"Hey, babe," he said. "I was just wondering what was up between you and 'Useless.'"

Astrid sighed again and kneeled down to rub at the stubborn spot beneath Stormfly's wing. The Nadder obligingly lifted the wing to give her access.

"When are you going to get it through your thick skull that he's not useless?" she asked and noted that Hiccup was listening in. She could tell by the way his hands slowed in their work.

"Why are you defending him all of a sudden?" Snotlout asked. "You don't know him!"

That's when the whole ring decided to listen in, including the dragons.

Astrid stood up and met Snotlout's eyes. "Actually," she said proudly. "I do know him."

"Alright, what's his favorite color?" Snotlout asked crossing his arms.

"Red," Astrid shot back without hesitation.

Snotlout hesitated at that, and a look of uncertainty crossed his face. "The-en... Uhhh. Oh! Where does Hiccup go when he disappears?"

Astrid smiled. Over the last few months, Astrid had made a point of learning every single one of Hiccup's little hidey holes. Sheesh, the least he could do was give her a bit of a challenge.

"His favorite spot in town is the back room in the forge," she said. "And the spot where he and Toothless learned how to fly is... a secret."

Snotlout's uncertainty grew and he took a step back. "Well," he blustered. "I guess that means we can't really be together. If you're willing to put up with Hiccup, then who wouldn't you sleep with."

Astrid's temper flared and she felt the blood rise in her cheeks. No one calls Astrid Hofferson a loose woman with impunity. But she saw something that made her hesitate.

Hiccup stood up from Toothless, his fists clenched tight. He turned and walked toward's Snotlout with deadly purpose in his stride. With one hand he tapped Snotlout on the shoulder and drew back the other.

"Hey, Snotlout," he said quietly.

Snotlout turned in slight surprise only to get Hiccup's small fist in his face.

Everyone there gasped in shock, including Astrid. No one had ever seen Hiccup get mad enough to throw the first punch. Snotlout reeled back and stared at his cousin in dumb shock.

"I can put up with a lot of things," Hiccup said, his voice ringing loud and clear. "But don't you dare insult Astrid or try to slander her honor, because I will be the first to defend it. I may be small and weak, but I will do whatever it takes to prove you wrong!"

Snotlout continued to stare dumbly at Hiccup for a bit. The blood dripping down his chin from his nose seemed to shake him out of it, though and he dragged his arm across his face.

Oh, Hiccup, you're in for it now. I'm gonna have to step in and knock some heads together.

Everyone watched with baited breath as Snotlout approached Hiccup, who stood his ground firmly, a look of steely resolution on his face. Then to the surprise of all, Snotlout laughed.

"Its about time, cousin," he said. Then he held out his hand and Hiccup quietly accepted it.

"I was wondering when you'd finally say 'no,'" Snotlout said. "You bloodied my nose! That was a really good hit! I don't care what anyone says, you are going to be a great chief someday!"

The day went on without further incident. Except that Snotlout and Hiccup seemed to have this new and slightly frightening understanding, and Snotlout never so much as glanced Astrid's way ever again.

oOoOo

Life changed a lot for Hiccup in the months after he lost his leg. Some of it was painful and rough, and some of it was unbelievably good. Through it all, Astrid stuck by his side, carrying him when he fell and smiling with him when he smiled. She got to watch as Hiccup slowly stopped pretending that everything was fine as it became true. Best of all, she came to know this wonderful person named Hiccup. It was obvious that Hiccup loved dragons and that dragons loved Hiccup, but Astrid also knew the more subtle things. Hiccup was a very passionate kind person with a strong sense of justice, and it was this Hiccup who won her heart. She could only hope that he would one day fully entrust his to her. Luckily, it was looking more and more likely every day.