Astrid stood, too prideful to take back what she had said BUT she knew she had upset Hiccup and that was why she didn‘t turn and walk away. Her intention had never been to accuse him of bad judgment- he had seen in dragons what no one else ever had. Suddenly she changed her mind, charging into the meeting hall with a call of: “Hiccup!” But she fell short of the name ever reaching his ears over the din as she saw he was already with his father. She faltered back a step and locked her jaw, making a calculated retreat so she could talk to him later in the presence of fewer people.
Hiccup hadn’t even noticed she followed. He was faced with that nervous instant of wondering if Aurora would be accepted. “Dad…,” He started “I found her washed up on shore. She was attacked out at sea… I couldn‘t just leave her there…”
“You know the penalty of outsiders upon our lands.”
“Yeah…” Hiccup rubbed his hand through his hair stressed by his response. “But times have changed.” He reminded him. “And winter is practically upon us I know you’re probably thinking, let’s just send her off on a boat… she’ll never make it in this weather. Least we can do is extend some hospitality. Who knows, we might even gain an ally.”
Stoick didn’t look overly impressed, if she was an example of her people than they wouldn’t be a helpful bunch in raids or battle. “How can you be so assured she is not one of those riders from several nights back?” While he asked he knew the answer, she was too frail to be one of them. “Son. The safety of Berk comes first but if you feel this girl in no danger to us or our dragons than she is welcome to stay. As long as she has an escort.”
“Toothless and me will keep an eye on her.” Hiccup offered Aurora a smile.
“We will talk about this more later.” Stoick assured before walking away.