Her Honor
Until it was late at night Astrid had been pacing around in a small cabin on her father's ship. Cursing. Shouting. Gazing madly at Hakon, whenever he entered her quarters. Seeking comfort in Ljóda, who was all too quiet now, unsure of how to help her only daughter.
It made Astrid nearly go crazy – this waiting, being unable to do anything!
Nobody understood her! Nobody would and she had to live with it!
But how could they – everybody wanted to persuade their own egoistic needs, not caring about the other. About their feelings. About their believes and ideals.
About her.
No – she was the one, that needed to go through with it. There never seemed to be a way out – now that she knew that the pact was unbreakable and her father was just too stubborn to change anything about it – stating that it would be the best for her, the Hunter tribe and also for Berk.
And her mother – well her mother still wanted her to believe in a better ending. But no! She didn't seem to do anything for it. Just this endless talking!
For the first time in her life Astrid felt lonely. Since that little incident with that damned Deadly Nadder she was not allowed to leave her quarters and her father had taken her axe. He even insisted her to stay there, until there would be further conversations about the wedding! And it was her damned future-husband that insisted, that her people should leave their weapons on the ship. Now they were defensless against those monsters out there!
Hakon did not speak much with her about it. His looks of sadness and shame were enough for Astrid. Enough for her to boil in fury. Enough for her to even throw around some furniture, or to rip a tapestry from her wall. Why couldn't he just understand her?! Why in Hel wanted he to go through with this wedding, when nobody else – not even the groom's mother or the groom himself seemed to want it! Her father was the only one left in believe for an happy ending, that she didn't even ask for in the first place!
Ljóda on the other hand visited her whenever she could, but never said much. Only the same old things, that she had told her many times before. Astrid already couldn't listen to it anymore. So she only nodded her head, staying silent. Yes, she still listened to the last hope that had remained in her mother – but she had nearly lost all the hope herself.
But, at least, in her mother's eyes, she had done the right thing – protecting herself, even if it would have meant, that Astrid had to kill that Nadder! She had been attacked by this dragon after all! And Ljóda also stated, that the Hooligans and Berk should see, how the young woman feels about this marriage and the dragons and that Astrid was not afraid to provoke a war, if needed.
"It might help for them to lower Hiccup's reputation in their eyes. If his future wife disgraces him, then those morons are against the wedding! And maybe consider a change of their chiefdom altogether! Why having a Hiccup, if there are far better choices?!"
Yes, Astrid would love to do that! But now, with guards constantly standing in front of her door or following her every step, she would never be able to do so. They would report it to Hakon immediately – maybe even Hiccup himself! And – as her mother said – Hakon already was a pain in the ass enough. So, for now there was no chance for her to lower the young chief´s reputation even more...
And now it was already the next day – and Astrid hadn't slept well, again - that she was sitting on her bed, wondering how it would turn out for her in the end. She sighed heavily at that, wrapping her arms around her legs which she had pulled to her chest, while laying her head on the knees. There was nothing left that she wanted to destroy and nothing else to do. She did not want to read, since her thoughts would only distract her. Eating was also no option, since she wasn't hungry at all. And going outside for a stroll or to train was not working with the guards outside and Hakon getting her back into her quarters – also she didn't want to cross paths with another dragon or Hiccup, especially now that she is unarmed.
Therefore the only option that was left now for her to do, was to ponder:
But...how would turn out her life, in only a few days? Nine days, to be exactly. Well..., she would marry Hiccup. She would be called Haddock from this day on. Chieftess Astrid Haddock. It really sounded strange to her. It sounded so wrong, on so many levels...
And...what else... She would need to say good-bye to her parents. Probably she would never see them again. Only write every now and then a letter. She had to follow her duties – helping these people. Cooking for her husband. Clean the house. Feet the Night Fury. Massage his feet – well...only one. Undress if he needs to...fulfill his desires. Yes, he would probably want that from her, even though he was against that marriage, as was she. But that's what men do – use women as they please. Mother has told her that many times before... And it would probably be part of a revenge, now that she had turned against one of his priced monsters!
But – she would chop of his hands, whenever he would dare to touch her – that she knew for sure.
And yet...Would there ever be a day that this would fulfill her? Being his littles mistress and a slave to the ways of Berk. No – probably not! She was trained differently! She was trained to fight!
In desperation she fell backwards on her bed, sighing deeply, before she covered her eyes with her hands.
"Please..., Odin, Thor and all the Gods out there – make it stop!"
That was the strange moment, when a knock rang through her silent room, startling her, just as if the gods had heard her pleadings.
"Yes?" She merely said, leaning on her elbows to see her mother enter her quarter's. She felt somewhat disappointed, to see this familiar face, again. And the older woman was only here to have another talk about possible ways to prevent that wedding, though they would probably not work!
Ljóda on the other hand seemed to be far too excited, for just having another little chat.
"Come now!" Her mother exclaimed, smiling for the first, since she had heard about the alliance. "You need to get up and hurry! And we need to get your axe."
"But-" Astrid started, wanting to remember her mother about her father's words and the guards by the door.
Ljóda shook her head, pressing a finger on her daughter's lips, silencing her.
"I talked a little with a few older people of the Hooligan tribe. Trying to play nice... and I have some information that might be of interest! On this archipelago is a way to end this pact – if your father wants it that way or not."
Astrid sat up immediately upon hearing that.
„Tell me!"
Ljóda nodded eagerly, getting her daughter's arm wraps and boots, which she had laid of for Astrid to pull on.
„Have you ever heard about the 'Dance of the Maiden?'".
No – Astrid had never heard about it, but her mother soon explained every detail about this long-lost tradition, to her and what she needed to do for it, while they were already leaving the quarters. It would help her daughter to leave Berk an to retrieve her daughter's freedom. Astrid was just too happy to hear about it.
Finally – it was the solution that they had sought for, for so long!
A few guards tried to stop them, but Ljóda convinced them to otherwise – being the chieftess after all. Therefore they could leave the ship without any other disturbances, walking straight past every dragon and human they encountered. Straight to the Haddock house, in hope to find Hiccup there.
"Ljóda! Astrid!", they could suddenly hear their chief's voice. A guard had probably told Hakon about his daughter's escape and now he is following the two women, calling them. „What are you two trying to do now?!"
But no one of them answered and instead kept on walking straight on.
With his fists clenched the chief of the Hunter tribe followed. What else should he do – he knew that he has done a few things wrong in the past – but couldn't they understand, that he only wanted the best for them?! For their tribe. And for Astrid!
After all, he had seen a change in her. A change that terrified him – as a chief and a father. Yes – Astrid had always been very determined. Strong willed. Ready to fight for all the wrongs. Ready to fight for her people. Yes – Astrid was a good fighter – but never ruthless. Never filled with angst and fury. She would never attack without considering first. And never killed just for fun. That was something that he despised and had never done in the past! And it was something, that he nearly come to witness, when his daughter stood in front of that Deadly Nadder, her axe and head held high with pride. It only strengthened his believe in this wedding, for her to change in a better way!
But...why was she all the sudden behaving that way? Was it really some aggression that she withheld all these years, now revolting against this wedding? Or was it...something else?
With a sad expression he looked at Ljóda, wondering how much she was trying to convince her daughter to fight back? But... was Ljóda really trying to...brainwash his daughter...? No – No! That couldn't be. And how could he think something about his wife like this?! He should be ashamed of himself!
Therefore he only followed his two favorite women without any more complains, until Ljóda entered chief Hiccup's house without knocking.
Inside was the young chief – visibly surprised by intruders, while standing in the middle of the entrance hall. Gobber and his friends were there, too, looking at the Hofferson family with opened mouths as they entered. And Toothless grumbled at them.
"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III!" Astrid announced, holding her head high in pride. „I challenge you to a 'Dance of the Maiden!'"
"Oh Odin, no!" Gobber said immediately, both annoyed and afraid of what to come. „You can't be serious!"
"Yes – I am!" She hissed, stepping up to the young chief until she stood directly in front of him, clenching her fists and looked up into his deep, green eyes.
"I challenge you to fight me for my honor!"
"What?!", as the shared reaction of Hakon and Hiccup's friends.
"Don't be ridiculous! I will not fight you!"
"But that's what my daughter wants from you! A Dance of the Maiden is a legal way to end this wedding. Once the Bride-to-be has challenged you, you can only accept it or refuse!", Ljóda exclaimed, while Hakon looked at her in shock. "It is to demonstrate the young woman's strength in a battle against her future husband. To display, that she can take care of her own and to demonstrate that she would be able to protect her people in battle! If Astrid defeats you, you are free, as is she."
"With their bare hands?" Ruffnut wondered loudly, sharing a confused glanze with her brother.
"Each party is allowed to have one shield and one weapon of choice."
"To fight until one of them is dead?!" Fishlegs questioned, slightly shaking at the thought to loose his friend in such a sad and (considering of what he knew about Astrid) cruel way.
"Until one of them surrenders. If Astrid surrenders first, both must bond in marriage. If Hiccup does, then Astrid is free to leave Berk and to choose herself a new husband, when the time comes!"
Astrid thought that it would take some time for Hiccup to consider his answer. That he was too afraid of her and her prowess! But he surprised her, when he immediately nodded his head.
"I accept!"
"Oh, Hiccup – wait, wait wait! Lad – consider ya answer for another minute and-"
"No, Gobber. The boy said, that he accepts the fight!" Ljóda said immediately. „It's tradition around here and we don't want to break that. And now that he accepted it, he won't get out of it!"
"W-well that is right.", Gobber stated, while Snotlout behind them whispered, that he would then get the chance to marry to young woman, but was ignored by everybody else in the room. „Unless both heads of the families are against this. Then the fight is to be ended before it even has started!"
„Heads of the family?! Then I reject, as the head of the Hofferson clan!" Hakon immediately stepped in. "So there will be no fight!"
There was silence for a moment – not even Hiccup's friends dared to speak up in this very moment.
Yet, Astrid did not care to look away from Hiccup, wanting to demonstrate her will power and strength. Showing this guy that she won't back down in a fight against him.
And Hiccup held her gaze all the time.
"Hakon...", mumbled Gobber all the sudden. "Sadly...that is not enough. Both heads are needed to decline the Maiden's Dance. And since Stoick is considered as the head of House Haddock, but due to his death, he can't give a vote of his own. We only have yours against it... I am sorry Hakon. But those two are left to fight until one surrenders...or...dies..."
The old smith sighed remorsefully.
"I will prepare the arena for it. Astrid. Hiccup... Choose your weapon and we will meet tomorrow at dawn. For the Dance of the Maiden..."
A/N: Ahhh... Yep, there is the fight many of you were already asking for. And for the 'Dance of the Maiden' – I tried to search for some ancient Viking tradition like that (or something similar) but couldn't find one. So...it needed to be made up for the course of the story.
Yet, I hope, that you all enjoyed this chapter! And thank you all very, very much for the amazing reviews and favorites and follows (yeah, like in every chapter, but I can't handle myself to not thank you amazing people!) So, for the comments:
MysteryGirl111: Nah, Ljóda would probably break out... but it would surely help, if she would stay out of this for some time! Also, thanks for commenting :D
Grima: Yep, he did forbid weapons for them. But if Ljóda changes...we will see...
Guest: I promise that Hiccup was absolutely pissed about this!
Guest: Maybe we should lock them somewhere with Mildew together?
Mariah: Mhm...just casual Viking-stuff, I guess. Well, if you can't have what you want, then fight for it (until your future-groom dies, I guess)? And for Astrid – only some destroying of the furniture for now...
thatjustprime: Uh...might be and thank you for pointing that one out! And – yes – Stoick's death still weights heavy on Hiccup's shoulders and the outcome might have changed, if Hiccup wasn't too proud of his...well... mind-changing-abbilities, I guess.
CajunBear73: Yeah, poor Stormfly only wanted to check out her rider potential, which was Astrid not prepared for (I still have some bad conscience about the end of the last chapter...)
For now Ljóda is not dangerous, since she might have found a way out...which includes getting Valka's son and chief of Berk killed by her wonderful daughter... But I promise – the dragons are safe...for now...
Justin Hsu: Oh thanks and I hope you will stay interested :D
hateme101: But I promise, that she didn't hurt our poor Stormfly :D
Guest: Yep, Astrid is so pissed about loosing her axe! But with fighting Hiccup, she still has another chance to go against Hiccup...or...through Hiccup, if she aims in the right way ;)
Corrupted Winter Command: Looks like that you might get your 4D ecperiance there :D
Superfangirl16: Oh thank you very much! And they might fall for each other... wink they will* And having Drago here would be amazing, but I have him not planned here (but i hope to see him in HTTYD3).
Guest 12: I am also feeling (somehow) sorry for Astrid, since I like her as a character and it sometimes hurt to write her like that (but its also so much fun) But I guess, that to be in a situation like that it's not easy, especially, since both were raised totally differently, and accepting change so fast is hard! Thank you for your comment very much!
Guest: Hiccup is stil as clueless as is Astrid. And I guess both won't listen to each other (unless they can challenge the other to fight).
Crimson Dragon VIRUS: Yeah...poor Stormfly, only in search for a friend and a potential rider...
Yes, Hiccup is really kind-hearted here, but I guess that it wasn't is smartest decision to accept the fight (which will be the perfect compensation in Astrid's eyes) ;)
Thank you and I hope that you will enjoy the new chapter (though I can't upload more often for now...)
aaquater: It would be interesting to have some Drago connections and with you being another reviewer about this, I might consider some... Maybe, if it fits to my overall plan of this fic (But it might fit)...
And for the twins not spying on Astrid and her people – it might have been not the smartest idea of Hiccup for Ruff and Tuff to follow them (for now they forgot about it, as it will be shown in the next chapter)
No heir – no marriage. That's what Astrid is going for now. So...no accepting...for now...
Cloudoffeathers: I guess, that this in this fic is the Astrid, that might have come out if she hadn't witnessed the change with dragons. And I hope you will come back for more ;D
Rex: Thank you :D Hope you enjoyed!
Curinturie: Yep...let's hope, that she will open up (and that she will get away from Ljóda, which would absolutely be against that)...
S. H.:
First of all – Hiccup kidnapping Astrid now would be a suicide mission, but maybe later...
Don't worry, I am not feeling dissed :D But I agree with you (Still it's so much fun to make them suffer – in an artistic way ;D)