into the unknown- a hiccstrid story

Chapter one- the meeting with the devil

just a warning before reading- this story does contain mentions of suicide and trauma. If you have issues with that, then I suggest you don't read this story. Well wishes from the author and remember- there is always someone who loves you and who would be devastated to lose you. Don't do that to anyone. treasure your life and, if something goes wrong, solve it with effort and friends.

                               -------------------------Astrid pov-------------------------

             It has been over three years since the boy that I loved had disappeared, taken by dragons in the night. Snatched by a night fury while he was trying to use one of his inventions that never worked like they were supposed to, if at all. I got through it like a warrior was supposed to. I wept in secret and put on a stone face in front of others; only one person noticed my suffering: the blacksmith, Gobber. He was the closest to Hiccup, that was the boy's name,  more like a father to him than his biological one. After Hiccup was taken, we came together and tried to fill the gap in each other's hearts, and around a year after Hiccup was taken, when my parents were killed in an accident while on a fishing trip, he became truly like a father to me as well. But the gods truly hate me, a year and a half later Gobber was snatched just like Hiccup during a night raid. He fought with his friend Stoic, the village chief, and was fighting alone when he was knocked out and carried off by a hotbutple. The topic of his fight with the chief was the new threat also known as the dragon master. He seems to be some sort of demon hybrid between a human and a dragon. He first appeared during a raid about a week after my parents died. He never stole food, never killed a Viking, but he did more damage to the defenses than every dragon combined. I blamed him for Gobber's death and always at his side was a night fury. the very one who carried off the boy I loved. Together they were proof that I had failed, I don't even know why I bothered anymore. Maybe I should just end it all.

        "Yesterday was one of the worst raids yet," Stoic exclaimed at the head of the long table used for clan meetings, "We lost half of our defenses to that wretched dragon master! If these raids continue we won't be able to defend ourselves, and don't even think about our food stores! Is there nothing we can do?!?" grumbles around the table started as smaller parties debated amongst themselves before giving any ideas to the chief, lest they be thought of as fool hearty.

"How about we make a deal with him?" the proposal came from one of the men not far from the chief, but I couldn't see who.

"And what would you propose that we offer him to stop the raids? If he wants something he can just raid us and take it."

"the one thing he can't get from merely raiding a village- a wife." outroars erupted around the great hall; they couldn't believe that he was suggesting they give up one of their own to a demon.

"SILENCE!!" the cry came from stoic at the head of the table "And who do you suppose would be willing to become a demon's wife, dear brother" 

I finally realized who made the proposal; only Spitelout would be so bold 

"The one who has already lost everything." murmurs erupted around the table debating who he was talking about, but I already knew. I dreade- wait, why did it matter? I might as well do something for the village before dying, and he was right- I had already lost everything. there was no reason to continue living as I was

"And who might that be?" Stoic asked "I will not sell off a member of my tribe, unless they fully agree to it. The only reason I am even considering it is because of how bad everything has already gotten."

"That Woman would be Astrid Hofferson"

"WHY WOULD YO---" Stoic started, but was interrupted by my yell- "I AGREE" The room fell to a shocked silence several people began to say something before stopping and resuming the silence.