How To Train Your Dragon: Broken

Snorre the Unruly

Astrid had difficulty sleeping for the pass week. All she could think about was the arranged marriage. Who was the guy? Would she like him?...Is he like Snotlout? As she stared up at her ceiling a thought slipped in. What would Hiccup think about all this? "Does he even know?" Astrid asked herself, "I'll ask him tomorrow." She turned around and forced herself to go to sleep.

O

The next day Astrid woke up a little later than she normally did. She laid in her bed; not wanting to face today. But she had to; so she threw back the covers and pulled herself out of bed. After dressing herself she opened the door to her room and slugged down the stairs. "Why do I feel like today is going to be a bad day?" she asked herself, "Huh? Mom? Dad?" The house was empty; yet outside Astrid heard commotion. She opened the front door and, while shielding her eyes from the morning sun as she stepped out, turned towards the noise. She saw Fishlegs walking over to her, "What's going on Fishlegs?"

"The person that you are arranged to is here," he explained.

"He's what!?" Already? But Astrid was told about this only yesterday. Something's not right, Astrid didn't like what was placed out in front of her, How did they get here so fast? Astrid walked over to where she could spy on the docks. It was just a single ship. Just one. Astrid studied what details of the visitors she could study. Their attire seemed familiar but she couldn't quit place it.

"Is something wrong Astrid?" Fishlegs asked.

Astrid turned towards her friend, "Doesn't it seem odd that they came with only one ship?"

Fishlegs looked over at the lonely ship, "Well now that you mention it..."

Astrid turned and ran towards the pen where Stormy slept. "Stormy let's go," she woke her dragon. Stormy blinked his eyes awake, yawned, groaned in annoyance, then laid his head back down. "Come on Stormy I need to-"

"Astrid!" Edna called for her daughter.

Astrid turned to see her parents heading right for her; with a man trailing behind them. That must be him...

"Astrid this is Snorre," Edna introduced, "This is my daughter."

"What a beautiful warrior you are Astrid," Snorre smiled.

He is just like Snotlout...Astrid did her best to not vomit then and there. "Uh hi," Astrid have a half smile, "I uh was just about to take Stormy here out for a morning flight. Maybe we can chat another time."

"Astrid."

"Dad it's just a flight," Astrid lied.

"Go ahead and take your flight," Snorre smiled again, "I'm sure it's a routine thing. Best not to break them."

Forcing Stormy awake Astrid took to the air and flew straight up into the clouds; where her parents couldn't see her. As if by instinct Stormy did a flip and flew in the direction of Hiccup.

O

Storm flew on his tired wings to the nearby island. It had many inhabits; many of the scaly and fiery variety; but; one not so much...well...kinda. "Hiccup?" Astrid called out when they landed in the same spot they always landed in, "Huh? He should be here." She scanned the nearby trees; not a soul in sight. It was quiet...to quiet. "Hiccup?" From the silence a low growl slither into her right ear. Astrid yelped and fell forward on her face. She turned to face whatever was there, "Hiccup!"

Hiccup Haddock laughed a his little prank as he hung upside-down from a tree; both legs ad one hand firmly grasping the bark. "Got you good that time!" he chuckled.

"Do you always have to scare me?" Astrid strongly remembered the pranks Hiccup has pulled on her over the years.

"It's fun," Hiccup admitted. With careful maneuvers he climbed down from the tree.

"Why in Thors name were you in that tree?" Astrid asked.

"Getting this," Hiccup presented the apple that he had freshly picked.

"Couldn't you of just gotten a fish?"

"It's not for me," Hiccup walked over to a tree and bent down.

Astrid peered over his shoulder and saw a teal colored Terrible Terror. When the little dragon saw the fruit it snatched it quickly and ran off.

"That Terror injured her wing when she was young so now she can't fly," Hiccup explained as he stood up, "She loves apples. So what are you doing here so earl-"

"Hiccy!' Stormy came out of nowhere and headbutted Hiccup, nearly knocking him over. The Nadder licked Hiccups face repeatedly.

"Hey there Stormy!" Hiccup chuckled, "More energetic than last time huh?"

'Yep!'

Hiccup scratched under Stormys chin to calm him down. Then he hugged the dragons snout.

'Guess what?'

"What?" Hiccup asked.

'Astrid is getting married!"

"What!?" Hiccup pulled away from Stormy as if he was burning hot coal, "What is he talking about?"

Astrid crossed her arms, "It's an arranged marriage." She showed her full dislike of the whole thing.

"How long?"

"Since yesterday," Astrid didn't think much of it at the moment but she heard the hurt in Hiccups voice. It sounded as if his heart had broke.

"Is it...Snotlout?"

"No," Astrid shook her head, "But he sure acts like him."

Hiccup wasn't sure of what to say next. They just stood there in silence.

"I..probably should get back," Astrid said, even though she didn't want to.

"Ah sure...Why don't I fly you back and-" A loud scream broke the awkward moment and sent chills down their spines. "Toothless!?"

Stormy sniffed the air, wings ready for action. A scent swam passed his nose and didn't like it. We're surrounded! He spotted a shadow darting in between the trees. He readied the spines on his tail and roared out at it. Then from the shadows something small flew through the air and pierced the dragons flesh. After a few seconds Stormy dropped like a rock.

"Stormy!" Astrid rushed to her dragon. But as soon as she got to him she felt a sting in her shoulder. When she looked she saw a dart. Suddenly Astrid felt light-headed and her vision grew blurry. She fell next to her dragon.

"Astrid!" But before Hiccup could do anything a dart hit him almost square in the chest. And before long he was knocked out.