Hiccup was calling for help as he was hauled over a shoulder and taken down to the lake. Dagur chuckled along with the rest of the heirs, not once stopping to realize that the scrawny boy wasn't enjoying their games.
"Dunk him!" Dogsbreath the Duhbrain shouted. "We need to roughen him up."
Snotlout laughed nervously, watching from the sidelines as the older kids tormented his cousin.
Dagur decided to take the helm after Hiccup was pushed into deep water. The auburn boy struggled to breathe and Dagur did not help matters as he pushed him downwards, over and over again until he was about to pass out.
Everyone around crackled and cheered.
"Um, guys.. hasn't he had enough now?" Snotlout asked timidly. Dogsbreath grabbed him by the neck. "Why? Do you want to go next?" Snotlout shook his head furiously and shrunk back.
"Stop!"
Dagur looked up, wiping his chin. His stare caught the sight of a furious little girl in pigtails. Her blue eyes seething with anger.
"Leave him alone!" she shouted and threw several rocks in his direction. Dagur ducked, shielding himself. "Or else I'm telling his father what you do to his son!"
"Do not threaten us little girl," Dogsbreath hissed. Thuggory stopped him from leaping after her.
Astrid did not let herself be intimidated. She stood her ground. "Leave Hiccup alone," she repeated. "Or I'll punch the daylights out of every one you thugs!"
Dagur let go of the boy and emerged out of the water, running a hand through his slick hair.
"Hey Hiccup, looks like your little girlfriend has to come to your rescue again," Clueless interjected. "How pathetic!"
Astrid curled her fists. "I'm not his girlfriend!" she shouted. "He is our heir, and you have no right to come to our island and attack him!"
Dagur smirked. "How about you go and mind your own business little girl? As you can see, Hiccup here is more than fine." The boy in question was still coughing out water and struggling to stand upright.
"I'm not leaving without Hiccup," Astrid stated, unfazed. "You are the ones who should be doing the leaving."
"Okay, that's it," Dogsbreath cracked his head. "Someone needs to teach this girl a lesson."
Snotlout shifted nervously. "Astrid please just go-"
"No," she said, holding her chin up high and raising her axe to strike. Dagur pulled out his own axe.
Hiccup having finally regained his mobility and rushed forth. "Astrid.. no."
Dagur swung his blade and was surprised to see the young girl being able to hold her own against him.
Astrid smiled. "I train everyday," she stated proudly and jumped back at his second attempt to dismantle her. Dagur could feel the stares of everyone on him and knew losing to a little girl would be very humiliating and undignified.
He had his height and seize to advantage but she was much faster and nimble in her movement. Dagur decided therefore to go full Berserker on her by kicking dirt into her face, blocking her eyesight, and then knocking the knob of his weapon straight into her stomach, making her collapse on the ground in pain.
Hiccup made it to Astrid side's as she clutched around her middle, eyes squinting to hold back tears. "Astrid!" he said frantically, his hair still dripping from the assault he had endured. "That was a really dirty move, Dagur. Even for you."
Dagur didn't show the slightest bit of remorse.
Remorse was for the weak.
"She asked for it."
-c-
Dagur peered at Astrid as she slept across from him, pouting in her sleep and most likely dreaming of a certain one-legged Viking.
It didn't escape his notice how well she had grown up. From the angry little girl that had annoyed him to a beautiful, fearless shieldmaiden that strangely fascinated him. Especially now with her guard dropped, he could see beyond the mask of anger she wore. He could see the change she went through and the hope she carried.
Most of all, he could see how much Hiccup occupied her every thought.