Chapter 21

The church was a small one and Princess Maragette looked displeased at the plainness of it. There weren't any elaborate murals or intricate columns etched with gold. The large circular window near the altar held a simple mosaic that let through the moonlight, illuminating the pathway between the wooden benches to a degree. The low burning candles were the only source of lighting for the rest of the church.

"A church for the peasantry," She muttered and it appeared she didn't want to get married in such a plain setting but to move forward with her plan she would grit her teeth.

"Don't worry Hiccup darling," She said to the emotionless Hiccup standing beside her. "Once we get back to the Southern Isles we can hold our dream wedding," She then sniggered a bit. "Well, my dream wedding, you'll be… indisposed."

"Yes," Hiccup said blankly as he stood stock-still.

"I got to give that annoying alchemist an ovation though, who would have thought that a love potion could be turned into an airborne agent." She giggled more to herself. "A little motivation goes a very long way,"

"Good evening. How can I help you?" A nun holding a lantern said as she entered through a side door that most likely led to personal quarters and other areas of the church.

"Yes, we would like to marry," Margarette told the woman. "Please inform the pastor. It needs to be done quickly."

"This is….. highly irregular," The nun could be seen frowning as she looked at the couple. She raised the lantern and her eyes widened when she recognized Hiccup in the limited lighting. "Your Highness?" The young nun uttered perplexed but Margarette's glare had her scurrying out of the room fast. It didn't take long for the Pastor to appear, likely woken up by the frantic nun who was now following behind the man. The pastor looked frazzled as he regarded both Margarette and Hiccup who were standing near the altar already.

"We would like to marry," The princess repeated whilst looking like she might lose her patience.

The pastor meanwhile had smoothed out his robe and was regarding the two. "Prince Hiccup?" He greeted with some curiosity as he eyed the woman who had her arm intertwined with Hiccup's.

"Yes," Hiccup answered in a monotone voice.

"Is she your intended?" The man asked. Hiccup merely nodded and he turned to Princess Margarette. "Miss, would you please show proof of your bond."

"Excuse me, what?!" Maragrette exclaimed as he brows furrowed. "What proof?!"

The pastor blinked and then elaborated, thinking that the young lady may not be aware. "When the King made the announcement of your engagement to the Prince he stated that at the altar the bride had to show her engagement ring as proof of the bond."

Margarette looked like she swallowed a lemon. She certainly hadn't expected that. King Stoick had been sly as the engagement ring Lady Astrid wore was a unique piece and could not be duplicated. He and Hiccup must have discussed it beforehand she pondered as her eyes narrowed at the emotionless man next to her. The engagement ring was one of a kind and prying it off that woman's finger would take more manpower than she had. "I seem to have left it at the palace," Margarette said in a sweet tone. "Would you be willing to make an exception? This is a rather urgent matter."

"I'm sorry Milady. Without proof I cannot wed you. All churches have received the same decree." The pastor told her and the princess had to grit her teeth once more. Her left hand twitched as it fell on the dagger that was hidden in the folds of her dress. She briefly contemplated using force when a hole was blasted through the roof of the church.

"AAAH!" Margarette shouted as she and the pastor backed away as debris fell down along with part of a wooden beam which fell on one of the benches and broke it with a sickening crunch. Hiccup stayed motionless where he was and Margarette could see a black blur jumping down. When the dust had settled somewhat the princess came face to face with a furious Nightfury. Toothless' pupils were slits, his teeth were bared, his wings were spread out and his claws cracked the already broken wood as he stalked forward snarling. The black dragon came to stand beside his motionless rider, coiling his tail protectively around Hiccup's middle while never letting the princess out of his sight. The pastor and nun both ran away screaming for help as Margarette scrambled backwards while fumbling with her dagger.

"Stay back you beast!" Margarette shouted as she held her dagger with both hands and pointed it at the Nightfury. Toothless' only response was to open his maw and charge a plasma blast which the dragon then released.

The princess yelped and then leapt sideways to avoid the blast. Her side collided with one of the benches and she fell backwards between the rows. The damage that the plasma blast cost could be clearly seen in the scorch marks on the floor and the hole in the aisle that was still smoking. Margarette scrambled between the benches on her hands and knees as Toothless stayed with Hiccup. The dragon was in full protective mode and the princess relied on that. Because if she stayed low then the Nightfury couldn't see her and shoot at her, at least that was what she thought. Toothless however didn't have any scruples about firing at the wooden benches themselves and Margarette shouted in surprise as plasma blasts surged past her, one too close for comfort. She closed her eyes as she could feel splinters and large chunks of debris pelting her.

Soon most benches on the right side of the church were in complete shambles and the princess was buried under that debris. Her dress was filthy and torn, her hair was a mess, her nails were broken and she had cuts and bruises from the onslaught. The Nightfury hadn't moved an inch from its rider but still managed to get the best of her. She groaned and dragged herself out of the wreckage. The door of the church was so close and Margarette grit her teeth. If she could just get out of the church the dragon likely wouldn't follow as his rider was more important. All her plans were in shambles now and she knew her eldest brother Larse wouldn't be forgiving.

Clutching the dagger she made a last ditch effort to get to the doors. Toothless' plasma blast zoomed past her and she shouted in elation as her hand closed over the handle. That elation would soon turn to pain as Astrid, who had arrived, was just on the other side of the door, kicked it in, causing the door to hit the princess right in the face. Margarette fell backwards onto the cold stone as she clutched her bloody nose. Margarette's other hand still had a firm grip on her dagger as she glared up at Astrid. Blood dripped down onto her once pristine dress as she lunged towards Astrid, dagger poised to pierce her heart but Astrid was faster and snagged the princess' hand while her other hand dug into her loosened tresses.

Margarette yelped as Astrid yanked her forward by the hair and deposited her onto the cold cobblestone street. She looked up to see both Queen Valka and King Stoick there as well along with their respective dragons. The King's cape covered her father's corps and Astrid wasted no time in planting a solid heel onto her back to keep her from moving too much.

Toothless was calming down now as he saw familiar faces and Astrid bent down to hiss "How dare you take my fiance!"

The princess who was bloodied, bruised and desperate found a burst of adrenaline and actually managed to throw Astrid off before slapping her.

Astrid growled as she held her reddening cheek as her eyes narrowed onto Margarette. The princess was no fool though as she saw King Stoick and his wife advancing on her. She did the only thing she could think of and that was to throw down her now stained glove. "I challenge you to a duel!" Margarette exclaimed causing the King and Queen to halt in their approach and Astrid to raise her brows in shock. A duel, whether it be between Nobles or commoners, was not to be taken lightly and now that Margarette had challenged Astrid neither the king nor queen could apprehend her. A duel was used to settle a dispute and rarely ended in a death but it wasn't uncommon. Astrid gritted her teeth and took out her own dagger. She would fight for her man and she would teach this little wench a lesson while doing so.

"I accept!" Astrid announced. She really didn't have a choice though as declining a duel would brand her as a coward in society's eyes.

The two women moved to the square that the church faced while Valka went to check on her son. Stoick stayed behind as a witness to the duel as there always had to be one. There was a large fountain in the middle of the square with statues of cherubs and the two women circled near it.

Margarette hissed as her sides hurt but her eyes narrowed at Astrid. She was going to show this wench just who they were dealing with. She grit her teeth and lunged first. Astrid managed to dodge but Margarette's swipes continued. The two women were dodging and swiping with daggers at each other and neither noticed when they neared the fountain's edge. There was a big splash as both women stumbled into the fountain. The duel had devolved into a hands on catfight as the women were literally at each other's throats. The daggers were forgotten at the bottom of the fountain and their waterlogged dresses weighed them down.

The princess choked as Astrid's hands wrapped around her throat and she gurgled as she was pushed under the water. Astrid was quite serious now and the princess' nails clawed at her arms. When Margarette did come out of the water to catch her breath she shouted: "I concede!"

Astrid let her go, causing the princess to fall backwards into the fountain once more. The duel had ended, Astrid had won but what no one could have expected Margarette to grab one of the daggers in the water and trusting it into Astrid's side.

Astrid gasped at the pain and clutched the wound where the dagger stuck out. Blood mixed with the water and soon part of the fountain was crimson red. The princess had done a disgraceful thing, attacking after an official duel, and Astrid punched her in the face once more before she too succumbed to the rapid blood loss and fell face forward into the fountain while clutching her side. The last thing she saw was Stoick frantically yelling and making his way towards her.