Astrid stopped at the fork in the path that went around the falls. "I'll go the back way. We never showed the kids the back way so Hemming shouldn't know."

"Ok be careful."

Hiccup watched as Astrid took off to the back of the cave. He started toward the front and slowed as he got close so he wasn't heard. He could hear voices from the cave. " I am Thora Asta Haddock and he is Ryder Finn Haddock. We will not cower to a little boy like you." His heart soared hearing his daughter's voice. She was ok. But he didn't hear his son. He knew he was there but it made him worry. He moved closer to the opening, using his shiny gronkle iron shield to be able to see into the cave. Thora was standing by the wall on the right side of the fire pit while Hemming and Ryder were on the left. His heart sank again as he saw his son with a knife to his throat. He angled the shield to see the back of the cave to see if Astrid had made it. He didn't see her. His brain kicked into gear as he formulated a plan to get his children out of there as safely as possible. He looked into the cave and saw that Hemmings attention was on Thora. Keeping calm was hard for him as Hemming made suggestions about his daughter. But then he noticed his son's eyes on him. He signaled for him to stay quiet as well as his plan.

Thora was about to rush Hemming when she saw a slight brightness at the opening of the cave. She didn't turn to look at it. If it was help then Hemming couldn't know. So she went on the attack, "You don't have the guts to touch me. Admit it. Your scared of us."

"Why would I be scared of pathetic people like you?"

"I could take you out with one hand behind my back." This did the trick. Hemmings arm loosened from around her brother's neck. That's when Ryder shoved Hemming's arm away from him, ducking and rolling for the cave entrance. Hemming didn't have a chance to move before he was wrapped up with a bola. He glared at the entrance as her father walked in his right arm around Ryder, holding him tight and his sword in his left.

"How dare you come to my home and threaten my children." Thora ran to her father and was enveloped in a hug. "Are you ok?" he whispered.

"My head hurts a little but I'm ok Dad."

"You sentimental fools. Where is your fearless wife chief? I'm not as gullible as my father. I know your wife isn't the meek and obedient kind. Your too soft to knock her into place."

"I'm right here." Astrid dumped to very large men on the floor of the cave and enveloped her children in her arms. "Are you both ok?"

"Yes mom." they answered.

"What happened?" Hiccup asked watching his wife with their children.

"These two were guarding the back. They were very smug thinking a women couldn't take them out."

"They won't be allowed to go home now. They lost to an inferior." Sneered Hemming. Thora had had it. She walked over to Hemming and punched him in the jaw with all her strength. Still being wrapped in the bola from her father's shield, he fell to the ground dazed.

"How's that for inferior?" Thora looked at her father expecting him to scold her, only to find him smiling. He must have noticed her confusion.

"You earned that." She watched him share a look with her mother.

"Alright let's get these guys into the jail. Then we will all go home."

Her mother grabbed the men from the floor and her father grabbed Hemming. Before leaving her father handed Ryder his sword, "I need you to take this and guard the back. Don't touch this button, it releases mini daggers." Ryder looked at him in disbelief. "I trust you."

Ryder looked dazed but proud as they started to walk back to the village. Thora took the lead having taken a branch from the fire. When they broke through the forest they were greeted by family. Nana Valka and Granny Brenna were fussing over Thora's head wound. GrandGob grabbed Ryder and pulled him in for a hug.

"Everything settled Gobber?" Hiccup asked.

"Everything is settled."

" Good. Tuff, Snotlout take these guys to the prison. Organize a watch with only family and riders. I want no chance of them escaping before the morning. Mom, Gobber can you take care of everything for awhile? I'm taking my children home."

"Of course take all the time you need." Valka said.

Astrid had her arms around her children as soon as the two men had been taken away. She guided them home and sat them down in front of the fire. "Are you hungry?" Ryder and Thora nodded and thanked her as she gave them some food. Hiccup came in and locked eyes with her. She could see the strain of all the emotions.

"Alright. First things first. You both know that keeping secrets from us is never ok. I thought we had taught you both better than that." Astrid started to talk but Hiccup held up a hand. " I expect that you have learned from this and we won't have this problem again."

"Yes Dad." they replied.

Hiccup lowered to his knees so he was level of the children,"Come here you two." He pulled them into a hug. "I promise that once this is over I'll spend some more time with you both. I love you both more than anything."
"Love you too dad." said Ryder.

"I love you too dad." said Thora.