Comforting A Valkyrie

Chapter 6: Just A Hunch

Later in the day, around four in the afternoon, Astrid arrived at Hiccup's bar.

"Hey Hiccup," she greeted him with a smile.

"Hi," Hiccup replied.

"Alright, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," Hiccup denied.

"You're a bad liar Hiccup. Come on, out with it."

Hiccup sighed. "It's about Toothless."

"What about Toothless?"

"It's not just about Toothless. I met his old boss earlier."

"Okay?"

"Apparently Toothless was a slave. His old boss wants me to hand him over. I don't want to do that, but I don't think I want to know what will happen if I refuse."

"Wow, and here I thought my day was eventful. I had to teach Snotlout what to do on a date. I would have beat him up if Toothless didn't stop me. You definitely win in the 'who had the worse day competition' Hiccup. Congratulations."

"I wasn't aware there was a competition like that."

"There is now. Well done."

"You're trying to distract me from the conversation, aren't you?"

"Yup. It's what I'm good at. I should put it on my résumé."

"Yeah. So, that's what I'm dealing with."

"Did he give you a phone number or something so you can contact him?"

"Um," Hiccup slid the card with Viggo's number on it, into his pocket. "No,"

"I saw that Hiccup. Give it to me."

"No,"

"Hiccup, don't let me get over that counter. You won't win if that happens."

"You wouldn't hurt a walking fishbone, would you?"

Astrid's eyes suddenly received a mischievous spark. "You sure about that?"

Astrid placed both hands on the counter and lifted her leg up, as if to climb over the bar.

"Alright, Alright! I'll give you his number, just don't climb over the bar Mrs black belt."

"Works every time." Astrid grinned.

"What do you mean? This is the first time you've done it."

"My statement still stands. It's worked every time I've tried it."

"…Right. Anyway, here you go." Hiccup placed the card on the counter."

Astrid took her phone and entered the phone number before starting a call, placing it on speaker.

"Who is calling?" Viggo asked

"Hello, this is Astrid Hofferson. I'm calling on behalf of my friend, Toothless."

"Ah, my old employee."

"I believe the term you mentioned to my boyfriend was 'slave'"

"Boyfriend? My, this is an interesting conversation that is going on right now. May I enquire as to the purpose of our chat at the present time?"

"It's quite simple. My boyfriend and I will not be handing Toothless over to you."

"A pity, but I can assure you that you will find such a notion much more difficult to perform than you think"

"Perhaps, but you don't scare me."

"Well, I wish you good luck. You will be needing it." Viggo hung up.

"Was that wise?"

"I think so. Don't you?"

"No, because we still don't have a plan."

"I do. I teach Toothless to protect himself, instead of going on a date with Stormfly.

"Then what? Astrid, you haven't seen them. The person you spoke to has a brother called Ryker. He's huge! I can see you beating him in a fight, but Toothless won't be able to do that. Not for a while at least. He could find Toothless before that. He could even just go to my bar. They already know he works there."

"What's got you so worried? You're usually not this doubtful."

"I don't want him to get hurt. Him or you. Wait a minute…"

"What is it?" She asked when Hiccup trailed off and adopted a thoughtful expression.

"I've remembered something he said earlier. He said that he had it on good authority that Toothless worked at my bar. I'm wondering how he knew it."

A moment later, Hiccup face broke into a gleeful grin. "I've got a hunch to enquire about. Do you want to teach Toothless self defense right now?"

"I guess, but what's got you so excited?"

"That would take some explaining and involve some stuff that I'd rather not go into right now. I'll tell you later though. Do you want your favourite drink before you go?"

"Yes please."

"As you wish, Milady." Hiccup poured her a drink, which he finished in one go, before pecking him on the cheek.

"See you later then Hiccup?"

"Definitely Milady." Hiccup smiled and Astrid returned it before she left.

When she was gone, Hiccup reached for his phone.

'I hope I still have her number' Hiccup thought to himself. He found it a moment later, to his internal glee before starting the call.

"Hello?"

"You have a lot of explaining to do, Heather"

"Hiccup?"

"Tell me, does the name Viggo grimborn mean anything to you?"

"How do you know that name?!"

'Guess my hunch was right' Hiccup thought. "Oh, I just heard it from a little bird. Better start talking, Heather."