Okay guys, some quick things. This story is not long but I will tell you that this is part of a trilogy I plan to conduct. A sequel is in the works as well as many one-shots that will follow the arc. Think of it like the TV series serving as the bridge between the first movie and the second movie. No worries, I'm confident that you will like the other two stories I have in the works. So, done with my ramble, I give you the next chapter of How to Run!

Please review and thank you to those who already have. Disclaimer, I own nothing.

~Soldier78~

How to Run

Ch.3: Holmgang

Next morning, Tristen had the morning off and would return to work in the afternoon. She snuck into the deep woodlands of the forest, her sword carried by her sash as she ran.

She jumped over roots and boulders to get to the clearing. Tristen stopped running when she saw an axe fly across the air and impressively lodge itself in the trunk of a tree. Tristen straightened her back after catching her breath.

"Impressive." Tristen stated, wisely as she entered the field. Astrid had yanked the weapon out and looked at the newcomer.

"You're late." Astrid remarked, her axe firm in her grip. Tristen chuckled.

"Sorry." She replied with a modest shrug. "Late night at the Forge."

"Clean-up duty?" Astrid asked, leaning on her axe.

"Aye. Yer boyfriend plays fair." Tristen answered with a tilted nod. A confident grin molded and she withdrew her blade sharply. "So we going to spar er wha'?"

With a smirk, Astrid kicked up her axe and the duo began their playful fight. In their fights, Tristen was able to forget about the past events as she refined her cunning abilities with her sparring partner who looked to do the same.

Tristen and Astrid had a budding friendship, they were both similar in so many ways. After another incident with Tristen, she looked to train with the blonde Viking. The two had their strengths and weaknesses and agreed to work together in perfect it in the best way possible, repeating sparring matches. At times, Astrid would win with brute strength and at other times, Tristen was the victor with cleverness and the keen eye.

Though it was a workout, there was never a match where Tristen went without tossing friendly insults into the spar. Astrid would retort and the two would be trying not to laugh as their weapons collided. Most matches lasted a pretty long time which meant there wasn't more than three fights per session.

Tristen laughed, haughtily as she finally kicked Astrid unto her back and had the blade pointed at her chest, a good distance away.

"Winner." Tristen taunted as she withdrew the sword. She leaned over and held out her hand, pulling her up to her feet.

"Okay, fine. I'll give you that one." Astrid responded. Tristen grinned and Astrid picked up her fallen axe and jumped to her feet. "How about two out of three?"

Hiccup looked windswept after his great flight that defined physics in every way possible. He noticed the two girls emerging from the forestry, Tristen had said something witty that made his girlfriend laugh. Hiccup loved to hear Astrid laughed, however, he wondered how Tristen sounded to when she was joyous.

"Good training today?"

"Yer girlfriend put up a good fight." Tristen teased. She looked over at her friend. "Though, I still beat her today."

Astrid punched Tristen. She grimaced from pain and rubbed the new bruise. Finally, Astrid took Hiccup's hand and started for the Great Hall for lunch. Hiccup stopped and looked over his shoulder.

"Coming to lunch, Tristen?" He asked.

"Yeah," Tristen said. She jabbed her thumb at the Elder's hut. "I got teh quickly deal with something real quick though. I'll be there in a few."

She quickly sprinted and opened the door. She snuck inside, throwing her sword onto the bed and picking up the helmet from her night stand. She muttered a hasty farewell for Gothi who was smashing up herbs.

"Careful, child!" She chided as the door slammed close. Gothi chuckled. "Fool-hardy teenagers."

Tristen found the table of Hiccup's Viking friends and Gobber seemed to grace them with their presence and was telling a fabulous tale, of when he almost lost his other leg.

"So there I was, my sword long from my hand. My opponent, ready to cleave my arm in half. He released a roar so loud that it shook the earth around." Gobber regaled. His raised his interchangeable hand in the air, emphasizing the dramatic epic. "With by some wit from myself, I used my peg for a weapon. It jabbed into his stomach, he released a bloodcurdling yowl as loud as a wolf. Blood dripping from his gut and I valiantly picked up my sword and finished him off."

"Whoa." Fishlegs voiced. "It must've been crazy to think that you could've been stabbed or something, but your leg-"

"So what are we talkin' about 'ere?" Tristen asked, setting down the tray and sitting down herself.

"Some fight Gobber had on some other island." Snotlout, Hiccup's cousin, bluntly interjected.

"A Viking duel, young Tristen." Gobber said with much more emotion. "A holmgang."

"A holmgang?" Tristen asked, arching her brow. "What's tha'?"

"It's a duel where Vikings challenge each other after some sort of feud or argument. It is either fought in a small circle or on a deserted island." Hiccup explained.

"So these duels…were they life or death?"

"It depended on the tribe, Tristen." Gobber explained. "Or the competitors. It could be fought until first blood is shed or until a life is taken."

"Are they frequent?" Tristen asked. To her, they sounded so barbaric.

"It used to be as popular as a sport." Gobber informed her. "However, times do change…."

After that, subjects were changed. Gobber had asked Hiccup of the work in the Forge.

"Oh, it's great. Tristen is a great help." Hiccup complimented. Tristen bowed her head, blushing.

"Well, Tristen, yeh like working there?" Gobber inquired. Tristen nodded her head.

"Yes, sir. I like working there. It's better than nothing." Tristen replied. "Thank yeh fer-"

"No kiss-up behavior." Gobber scorned. "Makes me feel un-Viking-ish."

Tristen smiled and gave another nod.

Topics at lunch varied from different things and Tristen found herself content with the atmosphere. The good news was that she hadn't seen Ragvar all day and she searched to make sure he wasn't in the hall. Even her friends didn't pick up on her cautious behavior. The other good news was that she didn't face any questions about her home, past or family.

She left the Great Hall with a fulfilling meal in her belly and a good mood bubbling inside of her. Hiccup and Tristen were returning to the Forge together, Astrid was going to join them before getting on with afternoon chores.

However, something attracted Tristen's attention and it wasn't good.

To be continued.

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