Happy holidays (especially Snoggletog ;)) everyone! Special for the holidays, I've got this big update for you. Not complete yet, only maybe the first 4-6 (?) chapters. Hope you enjoy, and I'll try to update sooner. Reviews and suggestions are definitely appreciated, so please feel free! (NOTE: I even appreciate reviews telling me that you hated everything about the story, but if that is the case PLEASE tell me how you think I can improve.)
Without further ado, please enjoy these (relatively small-I'm working on it XD) chapters!
The raid on Berk had started early in the morning, when no Viking in their right mind would have been awake to see the approaching attackers. But Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third wasn't in his right mind- the young chief had allowed his big goofball of a dragon to wake him up at sunrise for a patrol. The Viking, only having been chief for a few months, was very unaccustomed to leading defenses; when he had seen the men charging up the hill, it took him ages to realize he should wake the others up. Boy, how he wished he hadn't made that mistake. Hiccup raced straight to the large horn that was used to get the whole villages attention, once he had wised up. Within moments his girlfriend Astrid and the other dragon riders were flying by his side, and the other villagers were racing around in their armor.
The battle was relatively short; the masses of the opponents were sent retreating without much more than a few scratches to the stubborn Berkians. However Hiccup, being the anxious dork his Astrid always reminded him he was, couldn't shake the feeling the assault was something more. He sat atop the alpha dragon and contemplated what the enemy clan could be plotting. That was when he heard it.
"Hiccup!" The chief heard his girlfriend scream amidst the settling crowds. Toothless reacted before he did, dodging towards the sound of the carrying notes. Inferno was clasped in the hand of the Viking, so tightly that the whites of his knuckles could be seen. Hiccup worried as his dragon approached the forested area the kidnapper seemed to be hidden in. Never being much of a fighter in hand-to-hand combat, the chief feared for his chances against anything that was powerful enough to capture his warrior girlfriend. Hiccup cursed under his breath as he realized his Night Fury was slowing; there was not enough space for them to continue. That meant he'd have to continue on foot.
Uneven steps rushed on as Hiccup approached a clearing in the midst of the trees. Astrid was there, more fear in her eyes than he had ever hoped to see; it was evident that her leg had been broken. She sat on the useless limb, rage contorting her otherwise scared features.
"Really, you took out her legs? Kind of a cheap shot, isn't it?" Hiccup couldn't contain his sarcasm, though this time it was mixed with a fair amount of anger. Astrid sat in silence watching the scene; she evidently wanted to help, but the pain of her leg meant to keep herself from tears would be all she could do. The attacker grinned sadistically underneath a hood, and drew a dagger from a pouch on his side. Hiccup proceeded to ignite Inferno; he preferred using it to distract wild dragons, but if he had to scare the man away from the person he loved most, he wouldn't hesitate.
The young chief approached the cloaked man cautiously. His eyes continuously darted to Astrid. If he were to die today, he'd be okay as long as he knew she was safe. But it looked like that wouldn't be the case.
Seeing Hiccup's obvious concern for the random choice of capture, the dagger was redirected towards her. In one quick grasp, the man had her wrist in his hand.
"You wouldn't," Hiccup's voice lost all personality. He was no longer the merciful Hiccup that Berk knew and loved. Rather, he was the rarely-seen "chief of Berk," who would protect his own at all costs. A flick of the wrist, and a gash on Astrid's arm became apparent. Chief Hiccup had had enough. He brought his sword up under the small dagger, attempting to force it from the hand of his apponent. Astrid, try as she might, winced horribly at his form and technique; it was the thought that counted, and if they both made it out of there alive she'd be alright.
The attacker remained unstunned, allowing the small blade to be dropped. He was simply able to grab the flaming blade from the inexperienced combatant. Another flush and Astrid was put into the range of the fiery sword. Though she hated to admit it, the girl couldn't help but admire the style and class in the way he handled his weaponry. Hiccup was unamused, however. With reflexes faster than even his dragon companion, the chief reached down to grab one of the cartridges containing the highly flammable Nightmare saliva. He threw the pack towards the flame glowing in front of Astrid's face and jumped quickly on top of the girl to protect her from the ensuing blast. The last thought Hiccup had was at the terrible act he'd just done. He had a terrible feeling in his gut about how close that man had been to the explosion...these thoughts were soon replaced by pain. And then, only darkness.