Really, really hating this new update of FFNet. It makes it absolutely impossible to upload chapters properly. Grrr!

Yubel578: Yep, I'm sure most people have figured out who the figure is.

CB73: The stinky skunk is probably about to make more trouble for himself than for anyone else...lol

Wodenfang: As Hiccup said, he's not really ready to ruin their happy moment by throwing the terrible reality of infertility at Astrid. I think anyone would leave that for a later time, rather than right after sex...

Lisa Chew: Thank you so much! :D

DeathBerryHime: You certainly did call it. More than one someone has noticed. Hiccup really did lose control in this one (50 shades of Darkcup anyone? Lol), but Astrid didn't seem to mind :P Still, he really only gave her a taste of the dark side. I feel like she'll be back for more... As for the marks he left on her neck, even the smartest men have a touch of sexual hubris. It may be that he wants a certain someone to see the mark of ownership that he put on her. In his desire to snub Snotlout, he's overlooking the possibility that everyone else will notice it too...

Andria Rainbolt: Indeed it does ;)

OechsnerC: Thanks! It's always nice to see that new readers are discovering and enjoying my story :)

atomicsub927: heehee ;) Thanks!

Guest: Soon. Very, very,very, soon...

Rainnnn: Oh, pretty stupid, I'd say...lol

_

The following morning dawned with a clear blue sky and very little wind. Perfect flying conditions. Astrid leapt out of bed and was hurrying into her clothes when she suddenly paused, remembering something. Moving to the highly polished bronze disk above her desk, she turned to look at her back. Covering the part that she could see was a beautiful and intricate black design of a deadly nadder in an unmistakable battle pose.

Its crested head was held high. The regal spikes flowing up the back of her neck and under the base of her hair as the splayed wings fell in line with her own shoulder blades. Its whip-like tail curled around it; the spines standing slightly erect as if about to be launched at the viewer. It was every bit as elegant as Hiccup and Ilweran's marks. Though Astrid also noticed that it still burned somewhat. Idly wondering how long that would last, she pulled her bindings and tunic on and headed out of her room.

Her butt cheek still smarted a bit as she trudged down the stairs, and a wide grin grew on her face as she remembered again the wonderful ravaging of last night. A shudder going through her at the memory of Hiccup's unexpectedly delicious dominance. The pleasant fantasies causing Astrid to greet her parents a little too cheerfully as she paused to grab a bowl of cold stew from the kitchen. Her mother eyed her suspiciously, but she simply wolfed down her breakfast. Trying to ignore the probing gaze she was receiving.

Before she was actually able to escape the kitchen however, her mother started on her. Almost seeming to glare at her collar instead of her face. "Astrid, we need to talk about your behaviour, as of late," Brenna stated in an unusually stern tone. "You are betrothed to a future chief and are therefore required to uphold and protect your proper status in this village. Instead of being careful, you've been running off at every available moment. Acquiring something of an unpleasant reputation in the process..."

Having heard enough, Astrid cut across her mother's rant with a loud sigh. "I know what people are saying Mom, and I don't really care. You know that I've never been concerned with my status in this village, and I have absolutely no intention of marrying Snotlout. Ever. My reputation, earned or not, won't be the thing that stops him from becoming chief some day."

Seeing that both her parents were about to start arguing now, she quickly added, "I'll talk to you about it later, I promise. Right now I'm late for training and you guys need to stop worrying so much. I'll be fine. I love you both!" Then she quickly hugged her mother and waved to her father, before rushing out of the house. Grabbing her axe from beside the door on her way past.

Arriving at the arena, she saw Hiccup and Ilweran standing by Toothless and Tintallë. Stormfly preening alongside them. As she ran over to greet her dragon, Astrid couldn't help noticing that an awful lot of people were staring at her. Even more than usual. Stopping to scratch Stormfly affectionately, she leaned slightly towards the two men. "What's wrong with everyone," she whispered.

Although the question had been directed towards Hiccup, it was Ilweran that answered her. His tone positively dripping with mock sympathy. "Nothing good, I am afraid," he offered with a dramatic sigh. "Apparently our little friend Snotlout snuck out to the forest last night, where he claims to have heard the distinct sounds of vigorous lovemaking. Fortunately he could not find the entrance to the cove in the darkness. When he spotted his betrothed returning from the forest afterwards though, clearly unaccompanied, he was unfortunately still able to form his own conclusions. Being too afraid to confront you directly, he intends to challenge Scáth to a duel for stealing your maidenhead instead."

Looking quickly to Hiccup now, Astrid saw him shrug in agreement. "I have to say, the vigorous lovemaking part has got to be what finally pushed him too far. How does your ass feel this morning, by the way," he added as both men gave a soft chuckle. She just stared at them, and Hiccup cleared his throat gruffly as he raised one hand to rub at the back of his neck. "I willingly admit that it is not really the way that I wanted to do this. I was hoping for a quiet meeting with your parents to avoid public knowledge of the whole affair."

"Unfortunately, if he challenges me in front of the academy or village, I will not be able to refuse. Not that I care about my reputation, but I will not have your's sullied by my actions. It would look terrible for both of us, even if we could manage to convince the people that he is mistaken." Here he paused briefly and lowered his hand, before shrugging again. "That possibility seems unlikely, since I may have left a sizeable love bite on you that is showing above your tunic."

"What?!" Astrid gasped and instinctively glanced down for a second, as if hoping to find he was kidding. That's probably what her mother had been scowling at this morning though. Leading to the whole talk about reputations and responsibility. Sighing, she looked back up at the two men standing before her. "So what can we do? You know Snotlout. He's going to make sure everyone is watching when he challenges you."

"Then we will let him state his challenge," Ilweran cut in with a wicked grin. "That little shit has been getting on my nerves. There is no way I would let Scáth back out now that he finally has the opportunity to beat the snot out of him." Then he glanced over at Hiccup as his smirk widened. "Maybe we can challenge him to a double duel and he can partner up with Stormheart. Then we could be rid of them both."

Hiccup laughed his agreement to that as the two men bumped fists. Astrid staring at them in complete shock for a moment, before blurting out, "no... Scáth!" Mindful of the people listening, she only barely remembered to check her words. "You are absolutely NOT allowed to kill Snotlout! Oh my gods, everything would be chaos!"

Her hands actually came up to cover her mouth now as she suddenly pictured it. "And your father… What would he think. I don't like Snot either, but that doesn't mean I want him dead." Her eyes sought Hiccup's again as she fought back the long-since-outgrown urge to bite her nails. "You promise me Scáth! Promise you won't kill him, or I'm going to Gothi!"

"Relax mi'lady. I promise that I will not kill Snotlout. We have put too many hours of training into him to kill him now. Although, would we really be that worse off with one less rider..." She could hear the grin in his voice as he trailed off.

Ilweran laughed and said, "not if that missing rider is Snotlout. Might be better off, actually." Both men laughed again as Hiccup reached over to high-five his friend.

Fixing them with her sternest glare, she repeated much more quietly, "promise me Hiccup. I know he's an idiot, but that's not really enough to justify death. You know that he doesn't stand a chance against you anyways."

Both men sobered at once as they caught the distinct motherly tone of danger in her voice. Hiccup sighing as he met her gaze again. "The fact that he thinks he can touch you displeases me greatly, and that is frankly enough to justify his death in my mind. Snotlout is still alive today only because I did not want to face your wrath after I ended him." Then he chuckled and shrugged at her. "Though perhaps it would have been less painful if I had simply killed him months ago and suffered your anger." At her look of surprise, he added, "it appears that he plans to set terms for the duel that will 'reveal' my identity to the tribe somewhat sooner than I had hoped."

She heard Ilweran snort loudly now as Hiccup put a strange emphasis on reveal. "That is one way to put it..." he said, trailing off with another laugh. Making Astrid gape at him in confusion at what could possibly be funny about this. "Let us just say that he has an interesting idea to win your heart my dear," Ilweran offered cheekily. "Using Scáth as a scapegoat, just so that he can display his stunning Viking physique for you. Likely in the hopes of swaying your loins." Here they both started snorting again.

"He plans to request that the duel be carried out in only trousers," Hiccup finally clarified. Clearly taking pity on her. "That way I will be unable to cheat with my many concealed blades. I am a draugr after all. We ravage pretty maidens and we do not fight fair." Here he winked at her from under his hood.

Astrid just continued to stare at them as she tried to wrap her head around it. "Wait… Are you seriously telling me that you're going to get almost naked and fight with Snotlout in front of most of the Allied Archipelago, just to defend my honour?" It was completely ridiculous. Very Snotlout.

"Yep," Hiccup chuckled. "That about sums it up. I have a few ideas to deal with the whole honour issue, but the terrible terror is still going to be out of the bag. Almost quite literally too."

That finally had Astrid chuckling too. "Oh my gosh! How do you two know all of this anyways," she asked between giggles. "Has Snotlout been here already?" Her gaze scanning the academy once to confirm that she hadn't missed him on her way in, while studiously ignoring all of the eyes still boring into her.

"Not yet," replied Hiccup. "A Rider can tap into the thoughts of those around them, and the prospective duel is the only thing everyone here is thinking about. Mostly because they all want to see if I am even really a man under this cloak, or just a horrifying monster. Well, that and they are all dying to know whether or not Snotlout is right about us being lovers. They have had their suspicions for a while now, after all."

Astrid felt her brows arch in surprise, but before she could comment, Snotlout suddenly strode into the academy. Oh boy, here we go, she thought. Turning with everyone else to stare at the young man now standing alone in the centre of the arena. Fisted hands propped on his hips and chest puffed out confidently. Glaring down the massive Riders threateningly, as if he were their equal.

Astrid had to give him credit, if only grudgingly. Both of the Riders were at least a foot and a half taller than him, and would still look more intimidating than Snotlout in their sleep. Snot was either completely oblivious to the differences, or was so utterly arrogant that he thought it didn't matter. Simply pointing his finger dramatically and crying out in a carrying voice that was sure to alert the whole village. "Scáth Rothaí, draugr from Helheim, I'm calling you out for defiling my future wife. I challenge you to a single combat duel for the maiden's honour with terms of my choosing. Do you accept?"

Ilweran snorted again beside Hiccup as Astrid groaned and put a hand over her face. Kind of wishing that she could just drop through the stone floor and disappear. Crossing his arms in a way that made his biceps bulge as he turned to face Snotlout, Hiccup's answering tone was so calm he almost sounded bored. "Name your time and place."

*

After Snotlout's great announcement, Hiccup and Ilweran decided it was probably best to just call off training for the day. Everyone was far too distracted now anyways. While the others all filed out, whispering and muttering to each other, Astrid opted to remain in the ring with the two men instead. She didn't want to face her parents after they heard the news. It wasn't as if it really mattered anymore, anyways. Not now that Snotlout had as good as told the entire village about her infidelity. Gods, he was such an idiot!

Forgoing caution for much the same reason, Hiccup even had his mask off in the village for a change. He and Ilweran greeting Minden much too cheerfully (in Astrid's opinion), as the blonde beauty strolled into the arena a short time later. "I can't believe you're actually going to do this," Minden drawled in return. Shaking her head affectionately at Hiccup when he just shrugged. Then she glanced over at Astrid with a devious smirk instead. "You know, I feel like all of us women should really be thanking you right now Astrid."

"I know quite a few maidens that would give their left foot to watch Scáth fight in the buff to defend their honour," Minden clarified at Astrid's arched brow. "I have personally been trying to get him naked for years, but he adamantly refused. Now he's planning to strip in front of an entire village for you, you lucky bitch. I really wish we didn't have to let him put his clothes back on once the fight's over," she added with a dramatic sigh. Reaching out to poke Hiccup in the chest now. "Don't beat Snot too quick please, alright handsome? Us women would like a good long while to appreciate the goods."

Then her lips twisted back into a smirk as her finger started trailing slowly down towards the clasp on his belt. The gesture barely registering in Astrid's already stressed out brain. Besides, Hiccup had warned her about Minden's tendency to flirt. Adamantly insisting that, despite it, he and Minden were not, and had never been, intimate. "What's this I hear about naked duelling," came Eret's voice then. Breaking into Astrid's thoughts as the Celt emerged through the gateway.

"Please don't tell me that you signed the three of us up to put on a strip show for the ladies," Eret griped loudly. "I don't care if Ruffnut talked you into it, I'm not doing it." Then he suddenly paused as he spotted Minden openly groping Hiccup. "Hey! Since when are you allowed to have two of the most beautiful women in Midgard?"

Before Eret had even finished his protest, Hiccup had already grabbed Minden's hand. Holding it away from his chest as he stated blandly, "this one is not mine. She is simply a demon child that cannot be trusted around men-folk. I blame Ilweran for her behaviour."

"Hey now! You know that I have no control over her either," came Ilweran's disgruntled retort.

Hiccup chuckled at his friend before glancing at Eret again. "As for the duel, unfortunately for the ladies, it will only be Snotlout and I getting naked. Although you two are welcome to strip in solidarity, if you want." Then Hiccup was smirking at the willowy blonde, and he was suddenly holding her other hand firmly by the wrist as well. Somehow he had managed to catch it as she was making an invisibly quick lunge for his belt. Minden was so fast that Astrid hadn't even seen her hand move, but Hiccup had.

"Nice try princess, but you know what they say. Fool me twice and all that," Hiccup drawled cheekily. "I would be careful, if I were you. Astrid already looks ready to kill you just for touching me. Try to take my clothes off again and I will set her on you; and I doubt I will be able to stop her before she maims you." The whole group laughed out loud, even the dragons, as Astrid looked down in shock to realize she was already holding her axe. She must have unconsciously grabbed it without even noticing she was doing it.

Giving herself a mental shake, Astrid grinned at Minden and raised the axe threateningly. Minden grinning back as she held her hands up in mock surrender. "I was just going to help you get ready for tomorrow, but if you'd rather take your own clothes off for the duel, that's fine," Minden joked. "Unless Astrid was planning to help you…"

"If I help him, he'll be wearing nothing at all," Astrid tossed back as she re-holstered the axe. The two women laughing evilly as Astrid reached out to return Minden's high-five. The other girl's bubbly persona and wicked humour was simply too contagious to ignore. The playful banter finally helping to take the edge off of Astrid's nerves. Allowing her to really laugh with everyone else now, as Hiccup clutched at his belt and pretended to fend them all off.

If someone had told Astrid yesterday afternoon that she would soon be thankful for Minden's presence, she would likely have punched them. Minden was willowy and exotic with silvery blonde hair, tanned skin, and her father's strange amber eyes. Completely gorgeous, super flirtatious, and totally irresistible. Add to that the way she was able to throw herself at Hiccup as if they were lovers, and it had all served to make Astrid furious with jealousy. After learning that Minden was Ilweran's daughter though, rather than Hiccup's other lover, Astrid had actually allowed herself to talk to the girl. Discovering, to her surprise, that she actually really liked her.

"Just don't hurt Snot too badly, alright stud," Minden started again. "After watching him with that nightmare yesterday, I think the idiot's starting to grow on me. Just put him back in his place so that we can all put our focus back on not dying on Dragon Island." She sighed loudly and rolled her eyes. "Speaking of putting Snotty in his place though, I can't wait to see his face when you strip down tomorrow," she added with a devious wink at Hiccup. "I really hope you didn't completely heal any marks she left on you last night." Then, cackling at the rising blush now spreading across Astrid's face, Minden turned and sauntered back out of the ring.

*

"I can't believe you! Do you seriously think that calling her out in front of the entire archipelago is going to make Astrid want you? You're actually insane, you know that!"

Ruffnut's shout could likely be heard all across Berk. The female twin had been in a towering rage ever since Snot announced his attentions last night, and it wasn't getting any better after his display this morning. Most of the gang had come back to Fish and Ruff's house after being excused from training, and Ruffnut had taken this as an opportunity to try and shame Snotlout out of this ridiculous idea. Her plan to achieve this?.. Yell at him until after nightfall it seemed.

While Fishlegs had no doubts that Snotlout had indeed witnessed Astrid coming out of the woods unaccompanied last night, it didn't change the fact that this whole thing really was insane. He and Ruff had been harbouring suspicions for the last couple months too, but they had kept it to themselves. They weren't running around and challenging people to duels over it. Even if Fish was now absolutely sure that Astrid had, in fact, taken up a physical relationship with Scáth.

After watching those surprisingly open interactions, he could no longer find any way to deny it. All three of them having the gall to hug her in plain view of the villagers yesterday, as if it was no big deal. More than that though, had been the tender way Scáth had brushed his hand over Astrid's cheek in the square. Fish watching in shock as the rider reached out, more boldly than any stranger should, to sweep a loose lock of golden hair off her blushing face. The comfortable intimacy of that moment making Fish feel suddenly awkward; like he had just walked in on them in the bedroom. No man should touch another's woman like that, but that didn't make Snotlout's reaction acceptable either.

Instead of listening to reason, Snotlout had spent the entire day trying to justify his actions whilst partaking in copious amounts of mead. "I don't know why you're so upset," he growled back at Ruff now. "I'm trying to protect Astrid's reputation here. At least if everyone thinks that Scáth forced her to do it, she won't be shamed as a whore," he pointed out with an eye roll. As if this should be entirely obvious. "She's just lucky that I'm willing to overlook this little hiccup and take her as my wife anyways, despite her loose morals. Well, as long as she promises to behave like a good little wife from now on, that is."

At those words, Ruff nearly launched herself at Snotlout. Spotting the danger in advance, Fish had already grabbed her fists though. Holding his wife gently, but firmly, in her seat as he peered over at Snot. "Good luck with that," he muttered under is breath. Then he raised his voice as he politely inquired, "shouldn't you be practicing or something?"

"Pfft, I don't need to practice," Snotlout guffawed, and Fish sighed quietly in exasperation. "I don't even know what she sees in him," Snot continued to rant. "She's spent years treating me and every other man like lepers. Then along come these foreigners with their 'aura of mystery' as my mom calls it, and she's suddenly throwing herself at them." Here he paused to spit towards the fire as a snarl grew on his face.

"That one in the black is the worst," he growled in disgust. "Covering up his handsome face so we'll let him get close to the womenfolk, and then tricking them into bed with his charms. Using their inherent feminine weakness to get what he wants. I bet he's fucked half the village wives already. You should probably be checking under your bed for him too Fish, the way Ruff acts around them..."

"Maybe," Fish offered blandly. Choosing to mostly ignore Snot's ravings and reason with him one last time instead. "What happens if you lose though Snot," he asked gently. "You don't even know who he is and you've never seen him fight. For Thor's sake, he probably isn't even human!"

Getting to his feet, Snot swigged back the last of his mead and stretched his back. "Oh he's human Fishface," he countered rudely. "How many times do I have to tell you? The bastard leered at me while fondling my woman!"

"So you saw his face," Fish acknowledged dryly. "That doesn't mean anything. Just because he looks human doesn't mean you'll be able to beat him."

"Of course I'm going to beat him," Snotlout chortled as he set his empty tankard down. "With all the training we've gotten from those two, I'm pretty much the best warrior ever now. It's gonna be no contest. I can't wait to break his pretty boy face with my hammer," he added. Rubbing his hands together with a dark smile. "That string bean is gonna be sorry he chose to mess with a real Viking like me." Here he paused to flex his biceps proudly, and Ruff made a gagging sound in response.

"All good points Snotty, except that he's not a string bean," Tuffnut suddenly chimed in. "He's a gigantic monster with blades galore who's gonna cut you to pieces before you can get close enough to touch him."

"Yeah idiot," Ruff agreed. "Why don't you just call out Stoick too while you're at it?"

"Aww yeah," Tuff grinned dreamily. "Then, after they're done murdering you, Scáth can crush whatever's left of you into a tiny loaf of dumbass and feed it to his dragon. Which is kinda what I'm rooting for really. A good maiming to get the day going." He and his sister both cackled evilly at the thought.

"Stop worrying about me guys," Snot soothed. Somehow missing the twins' joy at his imminent demise. "I'm gonna put that asshole back in his place, just you wait! Him and his stupid dragon, and his stupid armour, and his stupid good looks. Stealing MY woman before I even get to touch her, when he's clearly already got one of his own!" His mouth lifted in a smirk then as he added, "besides, extra blades won't help him much. I've already got a plan all worked out."

"You're an idiot," Ruffnut repeated with an eye roll now. "I don't suppose you're going to tell us what this brilliant plan is, are you," she asked. Already knowing the answer.

Snotlout walked to the door and pulled it open. "No way," he shot back. "You're just going to tell me it's stupid."

Just before he made it outside, Ruff yelled after him. "It probably IS stupid!"

Snot stuck his tongue out and shut the door. "He's so gonna die tomorrow," Tuffnut spouted gleefully.

"Oh, very probably, and I'm not even going to be sad about it. Feminine weakness... I'll show him who's weak," Ruff growled in disgust. Then she looked back at her brother with a shrug. "I doubt Astrid will let him live for long anyways, even if Scáth doesn't happen to kill him," she said darkly.

"What? Why?" Was Tuff's reply.

"Because she's Astrid," Fish supplied now. "Whether Snot is right about the lovers bit or not, Astrid will not take well to the riders getting banished. She's still in love with Hiccup Haddock and I think Scáth knows where to find him. I'm sure he's the one that helped Hiccup make that axe." Sighing softly, Fishlegs allowed his gaze to settle on the fire flickering in the grate. Wondering briefly just how this had all gotten so out of hand.

"Guys, maybe Scáth IS Hiccup..." Tuff offered slowly. That had all three of them looking at each other for a long moment, before they all burst out laughing.

*

Astrid's family had tried to corner her when she finally made it home, but after pinning her eldest brother to the wall with a well-placed dagger, they had eventually let her escape to her room without comment. The next afternoon however, the people weren't even bothering to keep their voices down as they gossiped excitedly about the scandal. It really felt as if every Viking currently on Berk had shown up to watch the duel. In fact, Astrid's family was currently sitting across the arena with the Ingerman and Thorston clans. A scowl permanently etched into Troel's face and Brenna looking like she had barely slept at all last night. Astrid's blonde brothers gladly threatening anyone within arms reach.

Snotlout showed up first of course. Strutting confidently into the centre of the arena where Stoick, Gobber, and Gothi were waiting. An atgeir* in one hand, as he pumped the other fist in the air triumphantly. The young men in the crowd yelling and high-fiving like goons. Then the giant black dragon landed outside of the arena and the whole place settled into an awkward hush. The entire crowd seeming to hold their breath as Scáth slowly approached the group in the middle.

Up in the stands with her friends, Astrid was a mess of nerves. Eret and Ilweran's reassuring smiles doing nothing to ease the uncomfortable churning in her gut. She could feel the eyes staring at her, and she didn't need to be able to read their thoughts yet to know what the people were thinking. Although a part of her also knew that many of the eyes were actually on Ilweran, who was sitting right beside her in all his blonde haired, golden eyed, and well muscled glory. The white rider had shown up this morning without his cloak, and the ladies had very nearly died. The resulting whispers of 'justified infidelity' just making Astrid want to hit something; or someone.

By the time the dark rider reached the chief, the arena was silent enough you could hear a terrible terror yawning at the docks. Looking once around at the expectant crowd, Stoick then addressed the two men. "Snotlout Jorgenson, you have accused this... Man, of stealing the honour of your betrothed by use of force. Is this correct?" Astrid couldn't help noticing the chief had faltered briefly. As if even Stoick wasn't entirely certain that the rider was a human.

"Yes sir," Snotlout replied quickly. That was when the chief's words finally registered in her mind.

"WHAT?!" Astrid couldn't seem to contain her enraged shout at the very idea. What was Snot trying to do? Defend her honour by making her out to be a rape victim? What an idiot!

Stoick simply shot her a quelling look and continued. "What say you to this claim, Scáth Rothaí?"

"Not guilty, sir. I have not stolen the honour of this man's betrothed by force or otherwise." This statement left Astrid confused. Was Hiccup going to try and deny it after all? Ilweran just smirked at her as he nudged her with his shoulder. A devious twinkle in his amber eyes, as if telling her to wait and see.

"Are you calling me a liar," Snotlout fired up immediately. Clearly outraged that Scáth would dare try to deny it now.

"Certainly not," Scáth placated smoothly. "I am merely stating that she was never your betrothed in the first place. She was already promised to another when her parents made that contract. You challenged me to a duel for the lady's honour, not the lady herself, and I have already accepted. Now state your terms."

Everyone sucked in a collective breath as they looked from Astrid to the men and back again. This was a whole new twist on things. Astrid herself was slightly surprised for a moment. That was until she realized with relief that Hiccup was right. The pendant beneath her tunic beginning to radiate that same familiar warmth as she again recalled those perfect nights in the cove five years ago. A grin lighting her face as she glanced down at her axe where it was propped against the bench.

"Nice try demon…" Snotlout guffawed. "…But she has been promised to me for two years. My terms are that we will duel with one weapon of the combatants choosing, no shields. Also, because I do not trust you, all clothing not required for modesty must be removed to prevent any cheating with additional concealed blades. This includes footwear. If I win, you will accept the punishment for the wrongs you have committed upon my poor betrothed. That punishment would be public execution, in case you didn't know. Do you accept?"

The stadium erupted into muttering now. Astrid could only assume from the spluttering noises that this was the first her friends were hearing of Snotlout's nearly-nude battle strategy. Ilweran and Eret, on the other hand, had burst into hysterics at Snot's words. Shouting 'show us your feet, handsome!' over the sudden chaos as their loud laughter echoed across the arena. Chuckling at them both, Astrid glanced down to see Stoick's face frozen somewhere between shock and humour. The chief even opening his mouth to say something, perhaps to protest, but the dark rider cut him off. Holding a hand up in a gesture of pause, and everyone fell quiet again to listen.

"Look to the lady's axe Mr. Jorgenson," Scáth countered blandly as he crossed his arms now. Although Astrid could definitely hear him holding back a laugh, likely at Ilweran and Eret's lewd comment. "Is it not a betrothal gift to top all others? Has she not carried it for five years now? As I said, by the time you had your parents purchase her, Miss Hofferson was already promised to someone else… Me. I made her that axe and she willingly accepted it."

Perched on the row below Astrid, Ruffnut suddenly gasped out a shocked, "oh my gods!" Covering her mouth with her hands while Fishlegs made a small choking noise. They both looked quickly around at Astrid, who nodded once and pulled her pendant from beneath her tunic as proof. Fish actually squealing in delight when he recognized the miniature symbol in the centre of the flower. It was the same curled night fury that the dark rider wore, emblazoned into his armour, and Astrid let the necklace drop back to her tunic with a smile of agreement.

"Oh ya? Well what did she give you," Snotlout sneered rudely at Hiccup. Clearly remaining completely oblivious to who was beneath the cloak, even after that bombshell. Even as the quiet of before was shattered with whispers and gasps. Astrid's parents possibly looking the most stunned of all.

"Something infinitely more valuable," Hiccup replied simply. Raising his voice slightly to be heard over the din. "Now, I have a few terms of my own before I will accept yours. Firstly, if I win, you will immediately cast away any false sense of claim that you have on Miss Hofferson. Then you will allow her family to return her bride price without argument. Lastly, you will publicly apologize to her for defiling her good name."

"Done," Snotlout shouted. His face turning steadily redder in his fury, and looking as if all he wanted to do was skip formality and start pummelling the man in front of him right now.

Stoick, on the other hand, was giving the dark rider a hard, searching look. Astrid could practically see the cogs of speculation turning in the chief's head. Perhaps he had recognized his son's hand in her axe after all. When Hiccup did not return his look however, Stoick sighed as he shook his head. "Very well then," he stated. "The terms are set. Please present your chosen weapons to our elder so that she may judge them worthy."

Snotlout immediately offered up the long staff with a blade on one end. It was a weapon that he had only learned to use recently, and one Scáth himself had suggested, as it had the added advantage of increasing the shorter man's reach. Placing it on the ground, Snotlout stepped away. Smirking at the rider arrogantly. Without a word, Hiccup reached down and removed a strange short cylinder from a loop on his belt and placed it at Gothi's feet as well.

When Hiccup made to draw away though, Gothi suddenly caught him with her staff. Looping it through the front of his cloak and dragging him back down to kneel on a level with her. Then she pushed back his hood slightly and gazed at his eyes for a long moment. After what felt like ages, he finally nodded at her. Apparently answering some unspoken question. Then, to everyone's shock, the wise woman reached out to pull him into a hug.

*

Down in the ring, Stoick was thunderstruck. His mind sent reeling under the onslaught as he tried to figure out just what in Midgard was going on here. If this was the stranger that had sent Astrid the axe all those years ago, how the heck did Gothi know him? Who was this man even? At the time, Stoick had been so sure that Hiccup had made that incredible axe, but this beast was nothing like Stoick's gentle little boy…

Then Stoick slapped himself out of it as he suddenly realized he still had a job to do. Clearing his throat and raising his voice enough to address the entire crowd, he now spoke one of the strangest pronouncements he could ever remember. "Men, discard all other weapons from your person and remove all unnecessary clothing." There were a few titters from the ladies in the stands, and the Bogs even began to cheer loudly. Stoick couldn't help a small smile at that. This would be a duel to go down in the histories, at least.

As he watched both men step away from the centre of the arena again, Stoick inevitably found his gaze wandering back to the mysterious dark rider. Snotlout had carelessly dropped his war hammer on the ground right after Stoick had spoken. Ripping off his boots and tunic barely a moment later with almost comical enthusiasm. Turning to face the crowd as he began to preen and flex with obvious confidence, and drawing cheers and laughs from the stands. In contrast, Scáth seemed almost oblivious to the excitable Vikings around him. Methodically laying down his twin swords in their sheaths before beginning to draw countless elegant throwing and punching blades from almost every article of clothing he wore.

Who in Helheim is this guy?! Stoick thought wryly as he studied the growing pile of expensive looking weapons. Feeling for the first time like Snotlout's insane request might actually have been a good one. Eventually Scáth began to slip off his leather bracers and boots too, followed by his long black cloak. Now that the hood was gone the people could see an unruly mop of auburn hair, but not much more as the man kept his head down to hide his face. Next he drew off his armoured tunic in one slow motion. There was a chorus of wolf whistles as people caught sight of the well defined muscles of his torso and strong arms. Apparently the armour hadn't actually been enhancing or exaggerating anything.

The tanned skin of the man's back was decorated with a huge and beautifully intricate tattoo of a night fury, with blatantly obvious scratches marring its surface. Marks that anyone of reasonable experience would recognize as the remnants of passionate lovemaking. Oh Astrid… What have you done, Stoick groaned inwardly. There would be no saving the girl's reputation in the village after this, and Stoick couldn't help a small surge of anger at this mystery man who had taken advantage of her. Luring her in with false promises of marriage, apparently.

Just as anxious as everyone else to finally have this demon exposed, Stoick watched the rider reach up to slowly pull his mask off. Then, turning to face the crowd with his chin up and a wicked gleam in his impossibly familiar green eyes, the man looked straight at the chief. "Hello, Father..."

_

Sweet baby Thor in a thunderstorm, what is it with her and these awful cliffhangers?! :P

Historical side note: An atgeir* was the Viking version of a pole staff