Hiccup's POV

Mom and I were the first to arrive at the Meade Hall that evening. We had decided to let the dragons stay at home, seeing as the Hall was going to be crowded enough without them.

We helped set out the food and drinks Gobber had prepared for the evening and waited patiently as the people of Berk slowly trickled in.

"You can do this, Hiccup" My mother encouraged me as she gave me a pat on the back.

"Thanks mom, I could really use some confidence right about now" I replied nervously.

The last people to arrive were my closest friends. Astrid led the group towards their usual table as she casually chatted with Eret.

It was upon seeing my friends that I realized how hard this was really going to be for me. How was I going to keep my cool if my friends weren't there to relive my stress with their dumb jokes? How was I going to live without seeing Astrid every day?

"Mom, I don't think I'll be able to do this at all" I whispered to her.

She furrowed her brows at me before placing her hands on my shoulders. "Of course you can, son! Just think about how much the village will benefit from you learning how to become a great chief. It's like your father always used to say: 'The needs of the many outweighs the needs of the few'"

I nodded. "Thanks again, mom, I don't know what I would do without you"

I took a deep breath before standing up from my seat.

The loud chatter that had previously filled the Hall was cut off almost immediately as all eyes were set on me. "Citizens of Berk, I hope you're all enjoying yourselves this fine evening?"

The crowd mumbled in response, meaning that they were having a pretty decent time.

"That's wonderful to hear. But the reason I have gathered you all here today is because I have an announcement to make"

The room went silent again as I noticed a few heads turn toward Astrid.

I glanced over at my mother and was met with an encouraging nod.

"As you all know, I became the Chief very suddenly, and therefore I had no time to go through the official Chief training" I began, the crowd so silent you could hear a feather drop.

"Yesterday, I received a letter from Chief Harald of the Odinson tribe, informing me that I had been accepted into Chief training. This was by the request of my father, who informed me of his meeting with the Chief of the Odinson tribe not long before his death. In my absence, my mother will take over all my duties as Chief. I will be departing in four days. Thank you all for listening"

Loud chatter erupted through the room once again as I sat back down in my chair.

I placed my head in my hands, thankful that the moment I had been dreading was finally over, until I was hit with a new thought. "Toothless!"

My mother furrowed her brows at me. "What about him?"

"Mom, can you please take care of Toothless while I'm away? Dad told me the people of the Odinson tribe aren't big fans of dragons" I asked my mother almost pleadingly.

She placed her hand on my back as a warm smile spread across her face. "Of course I'll take care of him, anything for you, son"

Astrid's POV

I stared blankly up at Hiccup where he stood at the Chief's table.

He didn't just say that.

He was leaving in four days and had not even thought to mention it to me before he announced it to the entire village?

I felt a mixture of anger and sadness boil up inside me. How could he just do that?

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to calm myself down.

"Astrid?" Ruffnut asked so softly I barely recognized her voice.

"What" I spat, probably sounding angrier than I was.

Ruffnut placed a hand on my shoulder. "We're all going to miss him"

I stared into the cup before me. "I... I know, I'm sorry if I sounded a little harsh"

"Eh, I've heard worse" She shrugged, causing a smile to tug at the corners of my lips.

I glanced over at Hiccup where he sat in his chair, talking to his mother and I felt my smile falter almost immediately.

I downed the rest of my drink before heading outside. I was done with the Meade Hall and Hiccup for today and only wanted to go home.

I whistled for Stormfly, and not long after she landed right before me.

I climbed on top of her and rewarded her with a nice pat on the side of her neck. "Good girl"

Suddenly, the doors opened, and out stepped Hiccup.

"Astrid, wait, we need to talk" Hiccup stated as he approached me.

I quickly hid all my emotions, turning towards him with a stone cold expression. "I believe you've said everything that needs to be said"

"Astrid, I'm sorry for not telling you earlier, I know I should've -"

"Yeah you should've! Do you even know how that makes me feel? It makes me feel like you don't think you can trust me, and if that's truly it... then I don't think it will work out between the two of us"

"Astrid..."

"Let's go, Stormfly" I said calmly as we shot up into the sky, my heart aching as I thought about Hiccup, who was just trying to do what was best for his island.

If my head could only see what my heart was trying to tell it, perhaps I wouldn't be in the situation I was in, running away from my home and my boyfriend because of a minor dispute.