Betrayal

To be honest, Astrid wasn't surprised at Elliot's request. Of course a small part of her was shocked, but mostly, she was dreading having to answer. Elliot had been so kind in the past. Saying "no" would ruin their friendship. Just use the old honey and the hatchet, she told herself. She looked at Elliot, who was looking back at her with a burning hunger in his eyes. The look made her nervous.

"So, what do you say?"Elliot looked at her, waiting.

"Look Elliot, I really like you as a friend. But that's all. I'm sorry if I led to to believe we have a future together. I don't care that Hiccup is gone right now. My heart will always be with him." Astrid looked at Elliot, waiting for his response.

"Huh," he said, his eyes darkening. He clencedh his fists, and his pupils dilated in anger. "So I'm guessing there's nothing I can say that will change your mind." Astrid shook her head, feeling sorry for him.

"I'm sorry Elliot. But I'm in love with Hiccup. We'll never be more than friends." Elliot shook his head, blinking several times. Then he exploded.

"What in the name of Thor Astrid?! You and I were friends for years, then that talking fishbone appears and suddenly all we have is gone? Hiccup is weak. He allowed himself to be captured. No decent viking would do that." Astrid felt her own anger rising, her defensive nature making her protective of Hiccups' reputation.

"Hiccup sacrificed himself for me. He gave himself up to protect me. And you dare call him cowardly and unhonorable. Hiccup made peace between the vikings and the dragons! He created peace on Berk. And yes he was an outcast, but that's what it took. Someone different to realize we could work with the dragons." Astrid stopped, her blood boiling. Elliot glared back at her, with just as much fury.

"You said it yourself. Hiccup is an outcast. He's not like you and me,"

"And that's why I love him," Astrid interrupted. "Because he pushes the stereotypes. He isn't an outcast. He's a leader. If you can't accept that, then we don't even have a shot at being friends." She glared at him, breathing heavily. Elliot's jaw muscles tightened, swallowing hard.

"Really Astrid? Within viking society, we're a perfect match. And you're going to give it all up for someone who's currently in the hands of the enemy?" Astrid was absolutely sure of her next words.

"I will always choose Hiccup. For better or worse, I'll stick by his side." She stood tall, not at all ashamed of her decision. Elliot began to move closer, approaching her with a predatory walk. She backed up, preparing to fight. Elliot continued his slow approach, a wild look entering his eyes. Astrid braced herself, clenching her fists. Elliot suddenly backed off, stepping away. He snapped his fingers, and the room exploded into action. At least 10 burly men ran through the door, grabbing at Astrid. She quickly reached for her trusty axe, swinging with perfectly timed strokes. She took down the first two with identical sweeps of the blade. Spinning around, she performed another backhand stroke, knocking a third in the head. She tried to keep swinging, but the men kept coming. She swung wildly, trying to make them back off. They grabbed her arm, almost wrenching it out of the socket. She couldn't help but bry out in pain. Elliot immediately intervened.

"Hey, be gentle. That's my future wife." Astrid forgot the pain, as shock pulled through her.

"What?" She was so shocked, she completely stopped struggling. Elliot looked at her, smiling.

"Why do you look so surprised? Because you declared your undying love for Hiccup? Oh Astrid, I don't care about Hiccup. He's dead in Vigo's hands. You know what that man's doing to your boyfriend? Probably torturing him." He leaned forward, his breath hot on Astrid's face. "Maybe killing him." Astrid almost crumpled hearing those words. Sure, the thought had crossed her mind before that Hiccup could be killed, but hearing someone else say it… Her legs buckled underneath her, only the vikings' rough grip holding her up. Elliot instantly saw her falter.

"What, don't tell me you didn't think about Hiccup's future. Oh Astrid. I can see the pain in your eyes. And, I'm truly not trying to be cruel right now. But to be honest, Hiccup is most likely dead." Astrid shook her head, trying to block out the sound of his voice. Hiccup wasn't dead. She said that to herself over and over. A small part of her was logical. A small part of her agreed with Elliot. But she blocked that part out, refusing to listen to reason. Because if Hiccup was dead… In a way, she belonged to him. She depended on him in a unique way, and he really did hold her heart.

"You're wrong Elliot. You don't know Vigo." Astrid glared at him, not even caring about the fact that she was caught in a death grip, squashed between two smelly vikings. "Vigo won't just kill Hiccup. Hiccup's too important. And if there's even a chance that Hiccup's alive, I'll find him."

"Astrid, I know more than you think. I may not have been a dragon rider for long-"

"You are not a dragon rider," Astrid practically snarled. Elliot pretended to back away scared.

"Oh so fierce Astrid. I'm glad. I look for that in girls." Astrid almost threw up. "But you are right about me not being a dragon rider. You see, I'm a dragon hunter."

Hi again guys. I've read the comments, and see you don't like Elliot. That's okay. So I will be writing him out of the story soon. Just hang tight.