AN: I had to completely recreate this story because the first time around the text got screwed up. Thank you to the readers who let me know!

Thanks for reading!

Astrid had been flying for hours on Stormfly, narrowing her eyes to peer at the grassy tops

of every sea-stack that passed below them. Every time she flew over another vacant stack her heart sank and her shoulders tensed up. She thought she knew Hiccup well enough by now, well enough to find him when his thoughts started becoming jumbled up in his head, causing him to need an escape. It was possible that he didn't go east, maybe he changed his regular habit and went south instead. Astrid sighed deeply, hoping that expanding her chest with air would alleviate some of the burden in her shoulders. It didn't help much.

She landed on a random sea-stack and climbed down from Stormfly. "We lost him girl," she said quietly, petting the dragon with trembling hands. The sting in her nose was sharp, and her dry eyes that had been windswept during the flight began to moisten. "He left us." After the first sob came out of her, she gave in and let the rest follow. Stormfly gently nuzzled Astrid, it was all she could do.

"Anything?" Valka asked, greeting Astrid as the forlorn young woman landed on Berk. The puffy red face was answer enough, but Astrid shook her head no to be clear. No, she had not found Hiccup and she had no clue where the Chief of Berk had run away to. Both women knew exactly what he had run away from. "It's alright," Valka kept up a smile and light expression as if her recently reunited son hadn't been missing. "I'm sure he just needs some time to take in all the changes." Astrid didn't say anything. She hugged the older woman before leading Stormfly to the stables for some food and a thorough brush down. The manual task would at least keep her occupied until it was an acceptable time to crawl into bed.

After what felt like forever, Astrid still laid in bed wide awake. Her mind was racing and in certain moments she thought she knew why Hiccup had flown away suddenly. Even when there were a hundred things happening around her, she liked to think she had some control over them. But obviously everything they went through with Drago and the Alpha proved that she was nothing more than a plaything in fate's hands. Every time that series of events crossed her mind, Astrid quickly thought of her parents and she said a silent prayer to Freya. They had stayed safe and survived the fight, most everyone on Berk did thanks to Hiccup and Toothless. She wished that she could tell him how amazing he was for stepping up as their Chief and saving their home. She wanted to tell him that the future was going to be filled with more dragon racing, and feasts, and raids to save dragons from hunters.

Finally fed up with her thoughts running in circles, she slid out of bed and stood at the small table by her window. She pulled out a clean sheet of parchment and began to write:

Dear Hiccup,

I'm losing my touch. I tried, but couldn't find you this time. You've found better thinking spots, better hiding spots, I guess. I hope that you come home soon because we all miss you and Toothless.

You must be thinking about your father. I'm so sorry for the hurt you may be feeling. The pain hit all of Berk once we put the Drago business behind us, but you never let it show. It's important to be a strong Chief, but Hiccup, you also need to let yourself grieve and celebrate and just feel. That will keep you strong and it will keep you sane.

I'm still very proud of you, I think I always will be. You have given us all hope that we will move forward together. Don't forget that when things feel overwhelming, babe, we are all going to move forward together. And, at the very least, you'll always have me. There'll always be an Astrid and Hiccup.

Fly home safely,

Astrid

She wiped away a few small tears before they could streak her face. She wondered if a terrible terror could deliver to a moving target, and decided to give it a chance. The letter would be useless left sitting on her table. She quickly sent it off.

"Guess you didn't find our new Chief," Tuffnut said with some seriousness as Astrid slid onto the bench near him and his sister. Fishlegs was reading with a bowl of porridge in front of him.

Astrid shook her head. "It doesn't matter, he's gonna come back soon." She had hardened herself against the worry and hurt his absence had left in her. "We have so much to do here. Lots of rebuilding and we need to strengthen Berk's perimeter." The twins looked at each other with a slight groan. They knew this version of Astrid. They one that channeled all of her emotions into hard manual labor and effort. And they were undoubtedly going to pay the price. "And don't even think about sneaking away," Astrid warned the twins, seeing them slowly standing from the corner of her eye. "You two are going to be essential." Their groan was deep and resounding, but Astrid didn't care, she would need them, theirs was one of the largest dragons on the island.

While Astrid was polishing off her potatoes and porridge, Valka took a seat next to her. "How are you?" the woman asked softly. There was no worry in Valka's tone, she was simply greeting the young warrior. They would be spending most of the day together, making plans and presenting their ideas to the Chief's Council, who will likely fight them on all their points. Maybe after three more drafts and unanimous approval they would share the new plans to all of Berk.

"Morning Valka," she returned. "I'm good. I'm ready." She was, because who else was going to do this work? Hiccup? Everyone would have liked to think so, but Astrid shoved those thoughts aside and walked out of the Great Hall with Valka.

"We'll need to focus on rebuilding first," Valka said and Astrid made a note. Rebuilding was Berk's forte, they knew how to be efficient, but they also decided a long time ago that craftsmanship and durability were unnecessary. The frequent dragon raids of their past did not leave time or energy for builders to etch stories into doors or ship hulls. Using seemingly unyielding wood was a waste of resources knowing that it could burn down within a fortnight.

"We should get Adis and Rannow to lead the team of builders. They'll be more inclined to take the time to include artistry into the build." Astrid could remember when she was young, Adis was the only person in the village carving wood into tiny dragons and birds and ships between Berk's expeditions to find the dragon nest. She and Rannow, who apprenticed under her, would be able to tell Berk's stories in wood and stone. "But I think the most important thing we need to figure out is security." Astrid looked around them. Some might see picturesque views or unparallel freedom to explore, but she simply saw holes that left her people exposed. "We need a strong perimeter guard and overhead sentries, and ballistae, and catapults, and.." Hiccup…

"You're right." Valka broke the silence, calling Astrid back. "And I don't think I would trust anyone more to protect Berk than you." Astrid's eyes grew wider and a hundred thoughts flooded through her mind. "You should lead our defense efforts, if you're willing." Her expression made Valka suddenly hesitant. It was fair, the older woman didn't know Astrid all that well, yet.

"Of course. Yes. I'd be honored to do it," Astrid gushed. It was an official assignment, a real position, a respected role in the village's system of interwoven governance. Valka as acting chief held uncontested authority to give Astrid this opportunity. The acting chief smiled and a gleam of pride lit up her eyes at Astrid's readiness for her role. She could see why her son was captivated by this striking young shieldmaiden.

The rest of Berk bustled along around the two women as they worked through lunch, sharing ideas and creating details. They finally called it a day when it became too dark to see their writing without a torch. "Dinner?" Valka said as she stretched out the stiffness in her legs.

Astrid was gathering the pile of parchment and organizing it by topic. She shook her head at the offer of food. "I'm gonna find Stormfly for a quick fly around." Just before Valka was out of earshot Astrid called back to her, "Could you save me a plate?" It had been a long day and she'd be craving some food once she landed, even if it was stone cold.

Fishlegs had already fed Stormfly, and Astrid made a mental note to pay him back the favor. She saddled her dragon and pulled on her furs to help beat the evening wind chill. She didn't steer Stormfly anywhere specific at first. They flapped around the island before heading over the sea stacks to the west. The cold stung Astrid's nose, but she didn't care. This was the only place she could breath deep and clearing breathes, washing out the tensions of her grounded day. It took real effort not to glance to her left where sensed an unsettling empty space. She wondered if Hiccup had gotten her letter, and that brief thought opened the gates for all her worries to rush in and make her head numb. "Alright girl," Astrid called over the rushing wind. "Let's practice some maneuvers." Flying faster and harder and turning the sharp corners was the only way to escape from the knot in her stomach and render Hiccup a lost thought in the wind.