WHO I REALLY AM

(A How To Train Your Dragon Fanfiction)

By: Astrid Camicazi N. Hofferson

Summary: Astrid Hofferson, shieldmaiden of Berk and second-in-command of the dragon riders, swears to tell everything to her betrothed, Hiccup Haddock, even secrets. She tells him everything, except for one. Will Hiccup still accept her after finding out the truth? (This story is set in the "Race to the Edge" timeline)

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON.

A/N: English isn't my first language so please bear with me. Constructive criticisms are pretty much appreciated.

- HTTYD-

VII

HER SECRET

"HICCUP, YOU REMEMBER a month ago when you asked about what I was doing on Bog-Burglar Island?" Astrid asked him. "Yeah. I did. You told me that you were exploring the wonders of that place." Hiccup nodded.

"Absolutely. But the truth is, I am visiting my mother," she stated.

"Your mother? But your mother is back on Berk, he said, a little bit confused.

"Yes, you do have a point. Anyway, the one that I am talking about is my real mother," she told him.

"Are you saying to me that you are adopted by the Hoffersons? But you are pretty much alike!" Hiccup exclaimed.

"Yeah. They're my relatives anyway," Astrid stated simply.

"Tell me how it happened," Hiccup requested.

"But you make sure that you listen, for what you are asking is going to be a long story," she said, poking a finger on Hiccup's chest.

"I will, Milady," Hiccup promised.

Flashback from 15 years ago...

"Long time ago, I was living as a child on the Bog-Burglar Island, also known as Splash because of the big waves that splashed the shore, with my real mother, Big-Boobied Bertha, chief of the Bog-Burglars," she started.

"So, you were an heir?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Splash is a good place to live. It is peaceful, as well as beautiful, until we were attacked by Berserkers, outcasts, and wild dragons. You see? Bog-Burglars make many enemies and a few allies, including attacks and raids by both dragons and humans, which eventually became war. Many of our tribe members were struggling because of the frequent raids. Many died from the battle, if not due to hunger. I wanted to help defend my tribe and my island from invasion. Even as a five-year-old kid, I knew what to do. I begged my mother to agree, but she did not.

'Mommy! I wanted to fight and show the dwagons and the other ugly people that Bog-Buwglaws awen't weak!'

'No, Camicazi. I think you should stay at Berk with your Hooligan relatives because it is much safer there.'

'But-'

'No buts. It's for the best.'

I couldn't oppose my mother's decision, for it was a fact that I possess hooligan blood in me. My late mother married my real father, who is a Hofferson and died in one of the dragon raids. It was a week after that my mother and I sailed to Berkshire. We arrived a few hours later. We are lucky because there were no raids on Berk at that time. She brought me immediately to my uncle and aunt's house and introduced me to them. Then she went to the Great Hall to talk to your father and summon his help to fight dragons. He agreed, and they left as soon as possible. She bid goodbye to me and promised that she would come back. My mother, your father, my tribe, and a couple of Hooligans went to Splash and fought dragons. I wish I was there to help. But there I was, helplessly staring at the window, hoping for their safe return one day. I ran into the docks to see if my mother was there. But she isn't. Instead, Stoick approached us, or me, to break the bad news.

'We are very sorry, Camicazi. Your mother and your tribe are gone. I'm sorry. We did all we could to save them, but we couldn't. I know it is pretty hard for you to lose someone close to your heart. I know that too. But you need to be strong, and I know you need a place to stay. You can stay here.'

Hearing his words made me feel like my world was falling apart. I am now an orphan. A nobody. I was very sad at that time. I was not just sad, but full of rage too. I wanted revenge. But I knew that it wasn't the right time. I wanted to bring back the past and save them, but I couldn't. My relatives, my aunt Helga and uncle Olaf, felt sorry for me. They accepted me into their family as their own daughter and assured me that I could take revenge on them someday.

'Don't you worry, Camicazi, child. Your mother and tribe might be gone. But we are still here for you, and we will take care of you like our own child. Is that okay? '

I nodded.

'Good. From now on, you will be called by your Hooligan name, Astrid, and not by your Bog-Burglar name, Camicazi. Astrid Hofferson of the Fearless House Hofferson. Don't you cry. We will make sure that you'll be the best warriors of your generation, and you'll avenge them soon.'"

"I remembered it like yesterday. It is still painful for me. Anyway, I trained as soon and as hard as possible, so I'll get to be the best warrior of my generation and take my revenge on dragons sooner. That is why I am so competitive and eager to place first in dragon training.I was furious when you did and I wanted to know your secret. But when you showed me the truth, it changed my thought, forever. That's my story. I am afraid to tell you the truth. For maybe you won't accept me anymore."

"What makes you think that I won't accept you? I do accept you, no matter who you are. For, I love you, Astrid, Camicazi, or whatever your name is. Remember that, Hiccup told Astrid with a soft, caring voice. That's when Astrid started crying.

"Astrid, are you crying?" he asked in concern.

"No, Hooligans and Bog-Burglars don't cry!" she explained, wiping her tears. "Thanks for accepting my past, and I love you too," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

"You're welcome," he smiled at her and kissed her too, but in the forehead. Then, they hugged each other.

oOo

Unbeknownst to them, the other riders were actually eavesdropping on their conversation and hearing everything.

"So, Astrid is a Bog-Burglar?" Fishlegs asked in shock.

"Yeah, Fishface. You heard it from her," Snotlout retorted,earning him a glare from Fishlegs.

"True. But why didn't she tell us?" Tuffnut stated questioningly.

"Maybe we should have eavesdropped some more so we could find answers to our questions," Ruffnut stated simply.

They leant themselves. With Ruffnut on the front, near the door. Tuffnut on her back. Snotlout at the back of Tuffnut, and lastly,Fishlegs. They gently leaned and inched a bit forward to hear more of the conversation, but Fishlegs leaned more than he should and lost his balance, ending up on top of his fellow riders and making a loud noise on the floor in front of Hiccup's hut.

"WHOA!"

THUD!

.oOo

THUD!

A loud noise was heard outside Hiccup's hit that made them break their hug apart.

"What was that?!" Astrid asked.

"I don't know. Let's see to find out?" Hiccup answered.

They rushed and opened the door to see the other four stacked on top of each other.

"Ruffnut,Tuffnut, Snotlout, and Fishlegs? What are you guys doing?!"

They looked at them and smiled innocently.

-HTTYD-

Originally Published: May 4, 2019

Updated: February 20, 2024