. Guest reviews as of January 17, 2015
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Rose7 (Guest) : Thank you for the review. Well, since his skill is unmatched in three bouts already, its given of course that Hiccup would win. But why wouldn't you enjoy a great action scene when there is one right?
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Priecia (Guest) : Thanks for the review! Love your name by the way, its unique... not really sure about me being great, lets start at average at least shall we?
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Rose (Guest) : Thanks for the review, I like their pairing too. They complete each other in ways that Bulma Briefs complement Vegeta. It's a beautiful thing and I think its a good job the writers and animators for both movies considered Astrid as Hiccup's canon pairing. (Also Jay Baruchel's wimpy voice, I love it.)
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Shout out to YmeYucca (formerly YuccaYart), bookhugs, obtusion and jlghighlander for their signed reviews! (Already replied!)
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Disclaimer: Any characters mentioned are all under copyright. This work is purely fan-made.
Title: From Asgard to Midgard
Author: Scarabeye 3000
Chapter 10: 'You have my heart... try not to drop it' Part 1
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Berk Dragon Arena
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"My Princess needs a husband-" Kalina looked at him, her sword aimed at his throat as she smiled dangerously at him, "-I guess your it."
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Hiccup took a step back and looked for any blind spot, sensing none so far he took out his swords and put them together at the hilt. Using an underhand grip on his left and a proper grip on his right, he warily circled the Bog-Burglar Champion as her eyes followed his every move. The Zweihander, a sword of European origins was a pretty long sword and quite heavy too, most having the length of almost 4 ft or more and weighing at least 4 to 5 kilograms. But taking a cue from this Viking veteran in front of him, raising it with her beefy arms one handed was almost next to impossible, the blade, he could see had no flaws to exploit, it was relatively new in his eyes. Kalina, not stepping forward or backward merely aimed the large longsword at him from her spot. Employing an effective defensive strategy, she was not aggressively seeking contact with the enemy, she was basically forcing Hiccup to make the first move, show his attack skills so she can prepare a more effective counter-attack.
Frankly, he could see why Kalina would not approach, the duel with Snotlout was apparently one-sided in their eyes.
And the last ability he showed, the ability to strike in the shadows was actually an assassination technique he learned from his master, to rapidly approach and eviscerate a target, all the while hidden in a fine cover of black cloud. It was just fortunate that his cousin was the recipient and he actually made changes so as not to hurt him too much. In doing the technique, he actually shamed his Master by not killing his cousin, the Shadow Strike has an 80% percent success rate and now he just added to the negative statistics. He'll need to explain that in the future, if he ever will see his Master again, regardless, he couldn't use that against here, she will undoubtedly be at the ready, but they haven't seen all his tricks haven't they?
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And so, as if expecting her ploy worked, Hiccup's circling became smaller and smaller towards Kalina. The crowd fell silent as the Heir of Berk stood almost at lunge point of the zweihander, but his steps did not stop, it was like he was weaving in and out of range of the lunge and the Champion of the Bog-Burglars knew that if she moved first, then she would then be on the defensive. No, calm down, don't underestimate him- he's an amputee, but he's different.
"Afraid to taste the tip of my sword Hiccup?" she jested, baiting him if he would bite.
Hiccup smiled dangerously at her and she shivered at his green eyes, she felt a stab of fear as his gaze did not soften, like a dragon that is about to pounce she blinked herself awake from her frozen state as the Heir did not even move from his place near the edge of the zweihander's blade, "It is you who should be afraid Kalina... I know-"
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Her eyes widened and she immediately lunged towards him, her zweihander extended and pointed end going for his throat. Kalina gave the thrust enough strength to go through wood as she felt half-torn with her indecisiveness. The sudden change in his manner, his voice, his face and his eyes made her panic, it looked as if she was looking at an enormous Night Fury, about to attack her from the darkness, and it felt horrifying to sense that he held the ability to do so. Kalina was shocked, she was a veteran of numerous campaigns, spying jobs, and even assassination jobs, and fear was never part of her until now. When she looked at him when he spoke his voice was bone-chilling, and she had the sudden overpowering urge to kill him and be done with it.
What madness drove her fearful at him that- damn it all to HEL! She moved first!
As the zweihander came lunging forward, Hiccup,in a display of blinding speed raised his left hand, swatting the pointed edge away from his face using his left sword, he spun forward using his amputated limb as a pivot and swung his right sword towards Kalina's midriff. Luckily, she knew the damage a single slash from the twin swords can do and she backed away with scurrying feet. Almost losing her footing, she panicked again somewhat as Hiccup gave no quarter and followed her inside her sphere of attack.
Damn him, he was more skilled and more observant than they thought at first. The great sword she wield had one serious flaw, it was long and its handle although long did not permit very close combat, on the contrary, his enemy's twin short swords are perfect for this range and it is this problem that she somehow tried to struggle away from.
Her hell began soon thereafter.
Hiccup, in a display of warlike tendency charged Kalina like a madman, the zweihander had its length as its strong point, and also its greatest disadvantage. The great sword could not be used to fight in close quarters, the wielder must always have a clear space before him or her and swung the sword skillfully towards the enemy, but she was panicking and he knew it. Raising the sword on a front guard stance, Kalina tried to stand firm, but she can only hold on as the Heir of Berk spun towards her, his evil green eyes stabbing cold fear into her stout heart.
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Blades clashed and clang as the two duelist aimed to outdo the other, the Champion of the Bog-Burglars to fight and somehow counter attack effectively, for Hiccup to quickly subjugate his opponent with his blinding blows. Little by little, the Viking woman felt tired, in the midst of cheering and shouting of the spectators she felt a few drops of warm liquid on her cheeks.
She was surprised to see herself bleeding from so many superficial wounds, on her arms, her hips, even her leather gloves was frayed to bits, she did not even notice the hair thin wounds he had inflicted upon her. Kalina was so focused on his green evil eyes, and flashing blades before her that the state of her own body came second to her.
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'What is it with your eyes!?' her mind screamed to wake up as despair clawed at her from the inside.
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Hiccup on the other hand managed to inflict Kalina with another wound, using his sword as an excellent poker and slashing weapon. Designed by the dwarf Brokkr and blessed by the aesthetics of Baldr, it was both beautiful and deadly, made in the forges of Asgard, he toiled day and night for these two weapons and only Brokkr and his constant heckling and goading made him finish in three days. The twin blades, aptly named Agni and Rudra were given twin spirits of different elements which the elves of Alfheim graciously gifted him with from the services that he also gave them.
He broke her one piece at a time as the Bog-Burglar shouted words of encouragement for their Champion.
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"Kalina is losing-" Bertha said softly, but failed to conceal it from Camicazi, "-the boy is a very skilled combatant."
The Bog-Burglar Heiress bit her lip as Kalina began stepping back from Hiccup's relentless assault, from afar she seemed to be holding her own, but in truth it was far worse than it looks like. She was already exhausted, the crippling fear that took hold of her from his eyes made her sluggish, demanding alot more of her strength to move her body, the small cuts that she received began to add up as numerous and as many as they come, her head swam with nausea as a persistent pounding on her head began to affects her focus. All the while seeing him still composed, unscathed, standing ramrod straight and looking at her with those cursed green evil eyes. His swords gleaming from the sun as he began to circle her again, slowly but surely, he approached her in an ever shrinking circle as all voices were hushed as Hiccup circled his prey like a wolf would approached its next meal.
"We must yield mother!" the young girl watching at the stands hissed, "I cannot allow Kalina to be slaughtered in my behalf-"
"Hush! Look at her, she might looked like she's being pushed-" the Chieftess shifted in her seat and grinds her teeth, their plan was falling apart, "-she'll counter attack, I can see it in her."
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With her breath catching up to her, Kalina saw everything in slow motion, her breathe relaxed, her senses heightened to more than humanly possible, she clearly saw Hiccup run towards her in a straight line. Preparing a counter-attack she quickly puts the blade of the zweihander behind her almost parallel to her midriff, preparing her whole body in a desperate last swing she saw him stab the red sword on the ground. Then using his good right foot used the grounded sword as a booster to launch himself in the air towards her, it was a bold move and leaves him quite open to her counter-attack, as he took the air, he cocked his hand back and threw the blue bladed sword towards her.
Her eyes widened at her chance, he used the red one as a booster while desperately throwing the second one as a projectile towards her. He's practically weaponless now.
It was probably his training that dictated to risk a hit by disarming himself and using his sword as a projectile, it didn't make any sense, but time is of the essence and as the spinning blade came towards her, she would only need to evade the incoming threat and hit Hiccup to disable him as he seem to float towards her. The thrown blade came upon her and she duck at the right time, the blade passing over her head by a hair's breathe, momentarily losing eye contact with the Heir of Berk, she looked up she saw that he just landed near her with no weapon in hand, exactly at the kill spot where her zweihander would make the most damage, preferably to disable him. With adrenalin pumping, her whole body exploded into action, faster than the blink of an eye she heaved the great sword sideways as she finally caught a glimpse of victory.
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The crowd cheered as a resounding clang resonated through the arena.
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Kalina couldn't believe her eyes, but he was out of swords, he held no other swords or weapon, there was only two sheaths in his whole body. However, the one he's holding doesn't appear to be a sword. It looked like a cross between a prong and a barbecue fork, it had three separate tiers made from a metal she had never seen before, it looked flimsy in her eyes but it held her zweihander in the top most tier like it was forged mithril. The design seemed outlandish and it doesn't appear to be even sharp, it seemed to be coated with something sticky and the liquid dropped to the ground in large clear drops.
She saw that it's construction, although seemed flimsy and unable to even held its own weight adding with her own weapon,was clearly the only one that separated him from her. It's quasi-blade pointed near her face, and an over-powering smell of oil reached her nostrils as Hiccup's eyes held her once more. With her zweihander caught in the middle of his three-segmented quasi-sword that he conjured from Thor knows where, she couldn't be more surprised as they circled each other vying for supremacy against one another. Although exhausted and drained beyond belief, Kalina held on as she came within close proximity again with the Heir of Berk.
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"Yield now," those green eyes, filled with malice and dread holds her again, "-and I might let you go unscathed."
Taking heart as the crowd exploded in cheer she grits her teeth and banished the fear from her heart, "You have no power over me-"
"-then I apologize for what I must do."
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There was a clicking, and a grinding sound that came from the hilt of the weapon, then suddenly the whole crowd gasped in wonder and shock as Hiccup's sword burst into flame. Kalina cried out in pain, her close proximity to the weapon kept her in the line of fire as the blade ignited before her eyes. Surprised and shocked all the while still losing blood from her numerous wounds, she stepped back away from him as she shook her head trying vainly to realign her senses the zweihander forgotenn in her desperate attempt to get away.
Suddenly, as she stepped back away from him, she tripped on something from behind her, but even though half-blinded she could see him a few paces away. Her world came tumbling down as she slipped on the treacherous blue blade he threw at her, why didn't she felt more aware with her surroundings? But then who can blame her, with her initial disorientation, her most animal response would be to back away and reassess the threat, but by putting the blade behind her making her lose her balance he was prolonging her state of duress until he can disable him. Still disoriented from the 'flaring up' of his sword she didn't notice as he approached and easily knocked her off her feet with a well placed shove on her chest. Another set of clicking sounds and the quasi-blade was put away, he grasped the hilt of his captured weapon and easily swung the zweihander around. He plunged it into the ground and she breathed tiredly as he squared his shoulders and declared in a loud voice.
"You have no weapon, you are injured and have been severely weakened by blood loss-" he held the stabbed weapon to the ground as Agni and Rudra also lay discarded to the ground, "-yield! There is no honor to be had if you choose death-"
Kalina weighed her options, the odds were stacked against her, she was spent while he looked fresh, she has many wounds while he was unscathed, she has no weapon while he has hers and that odd little weapon he pulled out to disorient her. This was shameful, for a warrior, and for a Champion of the Bog-Burglars, she was supposed to be the best, a fitting representative of their clan and now she stood gasping for air, defeated at the hand of this cunning young man. Shame, she could not enter Valhalla while this incredible black stain is on her honor, she looked up at the stands and saw Bertha with Camicazi looking down at her with worry and concern. She held back the tears about to burst forth as she gave a hoarse battle cry and ran towards Hiccup blindly.
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"Kalina! No!" Camicazi stood up from the pew as the spectators all shouted and screamed their approval, "Mother! Stop her!"
"Let her be lass-" Bertha's face looked somber as she saw their Champion, unarmed and rushing towards Hiccup with nothing but her courage.
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As Kalina came thundering towards him he could felt that she was finished, this was a desperate last hurrah of an enemy who didn't even acknowledge the notion of surrender. The least he could do was honor her wish of an excellent end, he also ran towards her and his eyes burned with purpose. Her mind focused on her target, she saw him also coming for her, inwardly a smile made her close her eyes as she grits her teeth. Whatever happens, she gave it her all, fought this terrifying creature of both inhuman intellect and skill, and she as a Champion of the Burglars would not be ashamed.
With the spectators thunderous roar in their ears, they were about three paces away when Hiccup did something weird again.
He puts his left prosthetic leg forward, hunched his body down, then using his prosthetic like a coil he suddenly jumped in an arching path towards her, aiming precisely on her side he lifted himself from the ground using a special spring he attached to his prosthetic and he easily sailed through the air while making a full spin towards Kalina. Too late to react or even close her eyes, the Champion of the Burglars felt his right heel smack cleanly on her right cheek as her head blacked out for a heartbeat, and her body stood rigid for a moment. Adrenaline still pumping through her body, it quickly shuts down as Hiccup, while spinning towards her, cleanly clips her on her cheek, shaking her head and short-circuiting her brain to sleep. She crumpled to the ground the same time the young man completes his spin and lands with his butt to the hard ground.
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A moment of stunned silence persisted as Hiccup stood up quickly and looked down at Kalina's sprawled form, she didn't even felt the full pain of the hit as her brain quickly spared her the feeling. He was an amputee and they see him spinning through the air, smacking his heel in a full spin to his enemy and- the crowd finally found its voice as the cheering overwhelmed the shouting Gobber.
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"HICCUP! HICCUP TAKES THE DAY AGAIN!"
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Elation and cheers showered around him, as medics came rushing forward to attend to Kalina. Brushing himself off and picking up his discarded swords, he was surprised to feel Gobber catching him in a back-breaking hug. "Oh my boy- you did it! You defeated all your duels for the day!"
He huffed and sighed, relief etched in his voice, "I'm glad- she was really hard to fight."
The cheers continued as he saw Fishlegs and the twins running towards him, they were babbling over and over about how awesome he was, his cool weapons and his godly skills in sword and unarmed combat. They were showering him with pats in the back and shoulder grabbing as the blonde Valkyrie stood in front of him and raised her chin in greeting. "That was really good fighting Hiccup."
His eyes flashed and he was suddenly upon her, Hiccup grabbed her without thinking and held her in a desperate hug.
The twins, Fishleg's even Gobber's eyes widened like dinner plates, and their brows vanished to their hair as surprise overtook all of them. What the Hel was that? Hiccup sighed tiredly and lets Astrid go, but keeps her hand in his, he smiled at her and said, "-its really good to see you again."
"Uh- I was right over there," she pointed on her place towards the stands and her blushed intensified as he nodded in understanding , his eyes watering noticeably as the blonde girl felt his skin burning to the touch, "I'm sorry Astrid- I just- I just- you know."
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"You were reliving a past battle weren't you boy?"
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Kalina's voice was small, yet it's weight carried clearly in the midst of the throng of the cheering crowd. Gobber puts a sympathetic hand on his shoulder as the rest of the Riders remained silent, except for Tuffnut-
"What do you mean 'reliving a past battle'?" the male of the Thornston quipped, "-its not like he went to war or something, I mean sure he fought Drago and all that, but wasn't that suppose to be his first? Right?"
Silence greeted them as Hiccup's hand still held Astrid's and his eyes glazed over, feeling his distress Gobber quickly grabbed both the couple and dragged them towards the inner rooms of the arena. Before leaving he turned to the twins and Fishlegs, "Tell your father's that we'll be meeting them at the Mead Hall as soon as Hiccup takes a rest- now shove off then!"
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They entered a small 60x60 square meter room that serves as the first aid station and supply room for the Arena turned Academy. Gobber shook Hiccup's body as the boy turned to look at him, "Look at me boy, look at me!" his voice sounded gruff as Astrid was surprised at the blacksmith's change in mannerism. He was usually calm, jolly and quite endearing, but his sudden swing of mood unnerved her, it was like something was wrong with Hiccup.
"I want to know what's going on!" she demanded as the blacksmith continued to shake Hiccup awake, "What's happening Gobber?"
"He's entered a so-called private Hel. Some warriors, who usually experience their first battle, their first kill, and not immediately cope up with the mindset that you have taken a life in your hand would feel such remorse and pity to one's self that it unsettles them greatly- or maybe if you survived a great battle and felt such miserable conditions then chances are the visions would stay with you."
Astrid frowned, but reciprocated the grip on her fingers, "So- so, Hiccup is suffering right now?"
"He has to tell of these stories and he must do so to get rid of the guilt and the lingering pain-"
"-lingering pain? Loss? What do you mean?" she rambled fearing for his sake, "Is there something wrong with his head?"
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Gobber sighed and looked down as Hiccup frowned and sat down on one of the chairs, "Think it like this Astrid, when you are put in a situation where you have to fight for your life to survive, then relieve it over and over again. Then that set of mind would wiggle its way into your heart and it will be your way of life- our young lad here has a really good heart- aye?"
"Aye."
"-but even a good heart can get affected, if he experiences those life threatening things on a regular basis, then he must alter his sense of mind to a state of readiness, to a state of quick action and thinking, but a warrior can only take so much without permanent damage," Gobber sighed as he saw Hiccup's eyes clear, he smiled as his pupils contracted adjusting to the light and his body felt a little bit colder, he was definitely relaxing now. "Most of our warriors and raiders do not feel the need nor succumb to that state of mind. Primarily because we can make them manage differently with enough chores to rotate the warriors in and out of battle."
"That makes sense." Their fingers were still intertwined as she felt Hiccup's temperature return to normal.
The blacksmith examined him some more and stood up, sighing in relief he picked up his things and headed for the door, "Stay with him Astrid, it is obvious he made you his anchor in his world of insanity."
He left both of them alone, but before leaving he gave her a reminder, "Remember Astrid, try to be gentle with him. He made you his anchor to a sane world, and now you handle him lass. Be careful though since if it worsens then you've got a potential Berserker in your hands."
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'Just like Gobber to leave you with the most important thing before running off to the Mead Hall' Astrid sighed as she turned from looking at the door to looking at him. She almost stood up as she saw Hiccup looking intently into her ocean blue eyes, "W- what are you doing Hic?"
"You are the real Astrid right?"
Her brow raised in question, "Yeah... yes, I am."
"I'm in Midgard right?"
"uhh... yeah."
He narrows his eyes at her and said softly, "Prove it then."
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Astrid huffed and remembered the blacksmith's words, be patient, she grits her teeth and asked "How? How can I prove it?"
"Kiss me-" he was quickly upon her as he closes in on her strawberry lips.
A vein popped on her head as she cocked her free hand and punched Hiccup square in the face, he lets go of her as rolled backwards landing hard on the ground, with an agonized groan he stood up cradling his bleeding nose and said wryly, "Yep! I'm in Midgard- the one in my dreams would usually kiss me by now."
"Well, I'm glad you're finally awake from your dream world, we can finally follow in the Mead Hall," she stood up and hid her blush with the ruse of fixing her disheveled armor, 'Whew! That was close- holy Frigga!'
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She was about to head for the door when Hiccup closed in from behind and hugged her tightly, she made no move to get away nor did she reciprocate it, she felt rigid and her heart threatened to burst forth from her chest. Their close proximity did not help as he buried his head on her blonde hair.
"Did you not hear?"
"Hear what?" she stammered.
"Why Snotlout picked a fight with me... we were cursing and shouting- did you not hear?" his arms circled her body and she did not protest nor slapped his hands away. "He did it for you, because he also liked you- did you know that?"
"He liked me ever since we were children..."
"-and so did I Astrid."
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Astrid finally tried to get away, but Hiccup held her firmly and gently. His embrace stops her, but doesn't stifle her and it brought a wave of euphoria and weakness in her knees she never thought she was capable of. His lips reached her ear and spoke softly, "I will say it again Astrid, I want you- for all the reasons men and women were created. I have fallen to fire and shadows, stood in the midst of the Gods, and beheld women which would be only called fair. But they cannot stand compared to you, you who have had my heart stolen years ago when we were children..."
'Oh! Damn it- he's pouring it on!' her mind screamed at her to run and make a defensive stance, but something else tugged at her and made her stay.
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"... you who I have given thought to prove myself in and outside of the Dragon arena, the reason why I killed a Night Fury, not that I did 'actually' that one thing of course," he added helpfully as Astrid pinched her arm, "I want- I want you to consider courtship with me Astrid."
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Damnation he just up and said it. Now what!?
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Her mind screamed in frustration, Snotlout was pretty obvious, since day one he had been harping on about their compatibility and continuing the clan name and all that nonsense. She didn't care about any of that to be frank, and she doesn't care, just like her aunt Hilda, a former Shield maiden, a warrior woman who had forsaken all female duties and aspects. Giving herself fully to the task of being a prime warrior, she didn't even consider marriage in her life, but when Hiccup showed what he can truly do in Dragon Training, and his enormous capacity to learn and innovate, she was literally for the first time thrown in turmoil. She considered liking him, she didn't even have the inkling that it was the beginning of her fall.
She blushed, their body heat mixing as his hands grabbed her arm and engulfed her in his embrace, "I- y- you're raving Hiccup, we- we should go to the Mead Ha-"
"Am I not obvious enough?"
His arms slackened and she felt relieved, and cold at the same time. She managed to wriggle free and looked at him from the safety of the door, he was frowning and he was rubbing his wounded left arm. He looked hurt, not physically, but emotionally as she took a deep breath and said, "I don't know what to believe Hiccup, I- I don't know what to do."
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"Why are you confused?" he turned from her and rummaged through a small chest located near a small table, he took out strips of cloth and began to dress his almost dry wound. It was the gashing wound he got from Snotlout's mace and he cleaned it quickly, she made no move to help since he looked like in the end of his wits. "I wish to know what your confused to do, do you still feel what you feel like 5 years before?"
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She closed her eyes and released her answer with a soft breath, "Yes, I still feel the same... but I really don't know."
"Do you want me?"
"I don't know-" Astrid shook her head and bit her lip, she sounded frustrated, her indecisiveness was killing her, but she didn't really want to decide now, I mean- oh it was confusing, damn it all to hell, "... I just don't know Hiccup, I already feel that I like you- but man why is it so confusing!? I feel something weird I just can't say yes or no."
His voice was muffled as his back was unto her, he looked behind him and said, "So, judging from your answer- you cannot say yes or no, nor can you confirm your feelings with me, but you already know my feelings for you? Have I left anything out?"
She contemplated and nods her head, "I think you pretty much get the gist of things."
"So, there is no change in our relationship? We are as you have stated before unchanged correct?"
Hiccup's voice, much to Astrid's astonishment turned professional? He seemed more formal with the questions, he seemed more polite and less casual and friendly. She shook it off as him being weird as he continued his rummaging for medicines to apply on his wound, "I guess you could say that. There's no change between us- that's safe to say at least."
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He looked hurt as he silently dressed his wounded left arm, she watched him finish, unable to have the strength to approach him after all that they have talked about. Plus, with his current state of mind, she wasn't too inclined to get into harm's way, especially now that she have seen what he can really do in a battle. Hiccup turned to her and she almost cringed, his eyes were icy hard and the warmth it held for her was replaced by- she couldn't really know, but anger, hurt, or even contempt. It was unnerving to look into this deep green eyes of his as he said stiffly, "I thank you for waiting milady, shall I accompany you now to the Mead Hall."
She didn't reply, but simply turned around and opened the door. They began walking with her standing two paces in front as he followed with his soft footfalls. What the hell happened? First he was declaring undying loyalty and unconditional love, but now, what was wrong? A coldness in the pit of her stomach almost stopped her cold on her steps as Astrid felt that he might have hurt Hiccup by shunning his advances or making a wrong answer in his questions... but what was she supposed to do? Wear a skirt and dress, dance around his palm, and prance around while curtsying to people he would introduce to the village.
Of course not!
She was Astrid Hofferson, a proud Shield Maiden of Berk, and no one can make her bow in submission.
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Mead Hall
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Stoick grinned like a fool for the whole duration of the feast, sure his son was not here yet including Astrid and he was inclined to think they were off to some rendezvous in the woods or something, but Gobber assured them that they were right behind him. So, he was more than pleased when the heavy wooden doors opened and revealed Astrid, followed by his son, Hiccup, still impeccably dressed and his twin swords already at their perch on his waist. As soon as he was in the threshold of the Main Hall, he was suddenly grabbed by the nearest Viking and raised on top of numerous shoulders as the room exploded in cheer and celebration. The ale, thanks to the blacksmith, flowed like water all around as the food's rich aromas mixed with the musty odor of the roaring flame in the midst of the party.
Hiccup was put down near his father and was quickly bombarded with questions he couldn't even hope to answer one by one, finally with a shake of his head, the Chief took out his Warhammer and banged the great table he was sitting in front of like a judge's gavel.
"All right! Settle down everyone! Let my son enjoy his victory-"
"AYE!" the whole room raised their tankard in unison as they parted and allowed the Heir of Berk to sit down.
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As he took his seat beside his father, Astrid sat near the Riders of Berk, Ruffnut quickly sidled next to her with an expectant grin.
"So?"
The Shield Maiden tried not to blush, "Wha- what do you mean So!?"
"Both of you came together-"
"-so?"
"-at the same time-" Fishlegs and Tuff turned their heads towards the girls and their brows furrowed.
"What's that supposed to mean Ruff?" her bowl of stew forgotten, Astrid puts her hands on her hips and stares down at her friend, "It's not like we did something weird ok? Would you just drop it!?"
"Rough huh?"
Astrid sighed and shook her head in disbelief, this fantasy world where Ruff lives that every man that has something cool in them is worth falling for is not very healthy. Plus, if it weren't for Lugnut's own reputation as the champion archer of Berk, then she believes Ruffnut would have been married by now to some idiot pirate or sailor that came by the shores of Berk and would be so promiscuous on her shenanigans just like her brother that it would not be a surprise that she would really be married to some idiotic pirate.
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"What's wrong Astrid?" Fishleg's asked as he took a bite from her turkey leg, "Is it about the duel?"
She humored him by nodding, but almost regretted it as she heard another earful from their stout friend, "I really couldn't blame you Astrid, with Hiccup and Snotlout fighting over you it must have been too much to take. Then the duel to have the Bog-Burglars marrying off Camicazi to Hiccup would have been such a disaster that the Alliance would jeopardize the whole thing."
Astrid kept silent as her friends talked about the conclusion of the duels, she stole a glance towards the head table and saw Hiccup deep in conversation with the Chief of the Bog-Burglars. She was standing up and her eyes were locked onto his, Camicazi, her short sword that Hiccup made was glittering in the low glow of the central fire. They were nodding their heads as Stoick with Gobber looked on to an explaining Hiccup, Bertha finally turned away and sat in her place of honor. The Heir of Berk then spoke with his father in hushed tones as she could not even catch a snippet of whatever they were talking about.
She turned and saw the Bog-Burglars also deep in hushed conversation, their defeated Champion already joining them, although still a bit glassy eyed and with a binding cloth with some herbs on her forehead.
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"-were you listening Astrid?"
"What- sorry, you were saying?"
"I said, Snotlout and Hiccup fought for you," Tuff said nonchalantly, "Man, when we came to see Snotlout in the healers, he was rambling about how he liked you so much, but you liked Hiccup more. He also said that he won fair and square-"
"-wait!" Ruff almost squealed as she interjected, pushing her brother to the side, "You mean to tell me Snotlout and Hiccup's duel is because of Astrid? Not just because of some macho idiot thing about being insulted or being heir or what not!?"
Fishlegs nodded with turkey stuffed into his mouth, "Everybody could hear them- well, those at the front could catch a word or two, the victor would get Astrid... well, we all know who won."
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Ruffnut grabbed Astrid and looked into her eyes, "Tell me you said yes... you said yes right?"
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Their faces fell at the pained expression she all showed them, "I didn't really say 'yes' and I also didn't say 'no' either. Its- its complicated."
"So, what did he say?"
"He asked if- if I would consider courtship-" her blush would put a ripe tomato to shame, why were they even discussing her love life, "-he also said if he was not obvious enough, it was very unnerving."
"You didn't said no right?" the Riders were giddy as she felt smaller and smaller with the conversation, "I didn't exactly said no..."
She sighed heavily her shoulders settling as she said, "I just said that I'm confused and I'm not ready- I may have liked him, like him like that- but its all still very confusing. I said there was no change between us-"
Tuff rubbed his temples and drank a tankard of mead, "You can say that again, I was just listening and its messing me up."
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Ignoring him completely, Ruff shook Astrid to her attention, "Then what did he say?"
Shrugging her shoulders, she gave the sign of utter confusion and shook her head in the negative, "He suddenly asked questions- questions that I think had double-meaning and the gist of it is, were still not official."
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Ruffnut growled at her and huffed, "I can't believe you just lets him go- you are aware that the Bog-Burglars are here to take him away as a husband for that woman-" she pointed at Camicazi, who was animatedly speaking with her mother, "-plus, they even pulled out their big guns to secure his capture through a duel, but it can't be done since his skill inhuman of course. And most importantly, he wouldn't let them because he was pining for you."
"You are one lucky bitch you know that?" the better half of the Thornston twins shook her head at her friend, "You know Astrid, sometimes I think your stupid to let your damn pride as a Shield Maiden get in the way of your own happiness- Gods, you might not realize it yet Astrid but were not getting younger, we can't remain Shield Maidens forever."
Those words brought a dangerous glint on her eyes, "Watch it Ruff- I take pride in the knowledge that I am a Shield Maiden, don't assume I take it light-"
"Shut up and listen," Astrid stops as Ruff showed a side of her she rarely shows the others, "He fought for you in the arena, he fought for us against Drago, he stayed with us instead of going back to the Hall of the Gods, where the most beautiful and terrible Valkyries dwell and serve him everynight. But he stayed because you were here and now your sitting here, moping around and telling me that you just disavowed Hiccup-"
"I didn't disavow him- I just didn't accept his consideration of courtship yet."
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"I would kill you for that chance," Ruffnut sighed and shook her head, "Do you know how priviledged you are to have his attentions? All the girls want him, hell, even I want him, but I respect you and I also know he won't see me that way. But you know what, after what you just did, my respect for you just went south, want to know why?"
Her silence egged the Thornston on, "Because Astrid Hofferson is too proud and too afraid to show weakness to someone- who obviously feels the same way as you do. A man that has no fear while jumping on top of dragons and- Oh! I can't believe you-"
She stood up her ears steaming and red-faced mad, as Ruff stood up she punched Tuffnut in the arm eliciting a growl from her twin, "Let's go you two, let's congratulate Hiccup on his victory."
Both young men followed her and they headed for the Chief's table. Leaving her alone, Astrid couldn't help but feel cold.
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Cold, because the words she heard rang true to her soul.
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To be continued... in 4 days for Part 2 of this Chapter.
Author's note:
Well, that was an exciting chapter.
The KICK he did was a variation of the DO MAWASHI KAITEN GERI, a devastating spinning heel kick technique in Kyokushin Karate discipline. (Search in Youtube)
I vaguely depicted the symptoms of POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SYNDROME, a condition that soldiers most often suffer after a grueling battle. Veterans mostly suffer, and my grandfather, a former WWII USAFFE Logistics Officer and his brother a Warrant Officer that lost a leg, was not spared of the so-called 'war shock'.
In more ways than one, I want to highlight that not everything is roses and daisies for our hero. He has a lot to cope up to, family, friends, as a warrior, politics (groan), love, and many more things like we, here in this alternate reality have to face.
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Cheers everyone,
Scarabeye3000
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PS: I kinda said that the chapter title has a Part 1? Well, I wasn't kidding, this is just so long that I had to split it in two parts. More than 6K each.