Wow, this has now crossed the 200 faves mark! Thank you so much! I can't believe the support I have received from all of you! Hope everyone had a great Xmas!
Last chapter was a bit of a rough one for you guys. It was always going to happen. These chapters have been written for months now and I have been so anxious/excited to post them. I am glad that I seem to have gotten the desired effect with the last one. I was honestly a little worried about everyone's reaction towards the graphic and painful nature of it. As tough (and yet uncomfortably easy) as it was to write the Stormheart/Heather scene, I'm glad that all of you feel the same way about it that I do. As any reasonable human should, really... Now, I wonder how my Dirty Dark Swan is going to 'deal' with this...
The title of this chapter was originally going to be for the last chapter. It honestly could have been a True Colours: Part 1 and 2, in all fairness. I decided to switch the names around because I don't love using the same title twice. Still, the episode with Stormheart and its aftermath are definitely putting someone's true colours on display. The question is, who's am I referring to?.. likely, it'll be more than just one person that is going to be revealed for who they really are between these two chapters...
Just an added note for anyone that cares, this chapter was greatly inspired by one of my favourite songs: Dare You To Scream by Cauterize. If you give it a listen, you'll have a little better idea as to why the following events have a sort of twisted sexual vibe to them. Anyways, enjoy!
Andria Rainbolt: Thanks for the reassurance. I hate him too. Sadly, it doesn't take as much creativity as it should to create a chauvanistic, rapist thug :'( Me Too Movement anyone... *sniffles sadly while holding a tub of triple chocolate chunk ice cream and a spoon*
XxLastSoldierxx: I feel like this was the desire of most this go round. I guess you'll just have to read and see.
Guest: Firstly, you're welcome. Lol. Secondly, I just couldn't do that to Astrid, but it was still going to be a familiar character. Thirdly, I fully agree with you. These two chapters have been written for months, so you'll just have to read and see how it ends up. Hopefully you are not overly disappointed... ;P The long review was great, by the way :D
OechsnerC: Torture and beheading does seem a fitting end for our rapist, doesn't it.
Wodenfang: Oh, it's gonna be something... *insert evil laugh*. As for Toothless, it's a little bit of both. The other dragons are uncomfortable around him partially because he is so huge, but also simply because he is a night fury. I have noticed that in all the movies and canon series, Stormfly is one of the only dragons that isn't somewhat intimidated by Toothless. Even the skrill mostly tries to fly away from him instead of simply attacking. Almost as if they can sense that he was born to be an alpha, and is more powerful than he seems... kinda like Hiccup... hmm... *trails off suggestively while wiggling eyebrows*
CB73: Yep. The journey from joy to rage is sometimes a remarkably quick one. I guess now everyone will have to wait with bated breath to see what comes of this. The SOB should probably keep running...
Guest: J: Upvote noted, lol. Unfortunately it won't be a Star Trek reference, as this chapter has been written and biding its time for quite a while. I do absolutely love the idea though, and now I may just incorporate it into a future chapter in the next two book! So, thanks! :) Still, it's not going to be all sunshine and rainbows for Stormheart, that I can promise... By the way, thank you very much. It makes me unreasonably happy to know that you are waiting impatiently for my updates. Also, I laughed so freakin hard at your comment about random first stories. That is usually exactly the same response I have every time I see one pop up. "Oh boy... This is gonna suck..." lol, and I am very glad that I was able to prove you wrong this time. Still lmao tho! Happy Holidays to you too :D
fan of fiction reader: I am crazy impressed that you managed to pound through all 30 chapters in one day. Congrats and gold stars to you, my friend! Seriously! And thank you. I'm glad you like it :)
Rainnnn: Indeed it did. I'm glad that you liked the title. When I decided that I needed to change it, I spent forever trying to come up with a new one that would give some clue as to the nature of the chapter, while still not giving too much away. As for this chapter, you're absolutely right. This won't be anything like his duel with Snotlout. That time he was merely accepting a silly challenge from an idiot with an ego complex. This go round he is dealing with a rapist that has been after his 'mate' for almost 2 months. I doubt that he ever intended to 'fight' Stormheart, but then again, he is also the son of a chief and was raised to be diplomatic about these things... guess you'll have to read on and find out... and yep, Astrid seems pretty angry too. Heather is her good friend, after all... or maybe chief Bertha, Eret, or Minden will deal with him instead... so many people have a reason to hate this guy.
_
As Hiccup said Stormheart's name, Astrid's face went white in shock and horror. Then a red flush of rage began to rise up her face. He saw some of the anger he was battling flash behind her eyes at this, and he knew that she understood perfectly. She helped Heather up onto Stormfly. Visibly biting back a gasp as she took in Heather's torn clothes and bruised ribs. The blood coating the inside of her leggings. With another strained and furious glance in his direction, Astrid climbed on behind Heather. Gripping her arms tightly around either side of her friend, in case she passed out.
"I'll meet you in the square," she growled before taking off. Once they were out of sight, Hiccup quickly tore off a large branch from a tree. Using some bandages from his saddlebag he bound it to the broken wing to form a makeshift splint. Then he climbed on Toothless and the pair carefully picked up Windshear and carried her back to the village.
Laying the injured nadder gently on the ground in the square, Toothless then landed softly beside her. Stormfly touching down next to them as Astrid jumped to the ground, looking angrier than he'd ever seen her. "Heather is at Gothi's. What do we do now? He can't get away with this!" she hissed viciously.
"I agree, and he will not get away with it. Not this time." Astrid whipped her eyes up to his in shock and he nodded to confirm. Her hands balled into tight fists as she seemed to tremble in her rage. Hiccup looked around, conscious of the villagers that had begun to gather at the sight of the injured dragon. "Do not worry Astrid. He will be punished this time, I personally guarantee it. Do you think Stormfly would mind tracking our little friend down?" Astrid grinned savagely and hopped back onto her dragon as Stormfly squawked loudly in anticipation.
It didn't take long and he was struck again by how well those two worked together. They were an absolutely perfect team of gloriously beautiful hunters. Stormfly was so enraged by the attack on her dragon sister, and so ready to finally end this brute, that she had tracked the son of a bitch faster than Hiccup could even believe. He was down at the docks watching the ships being loaded with the last of the supplies. Likely hoping to build an alibi if Heather decided to report him. Though he obviously assumed she wouldn't, and probably expected everyone to be too preoccupied to hold a full inquiry anyways.
Before Hiccup could say or do anything, Astrid and Stormfly swooped down and grabbed the horrid man by the shoulders. He flailed and screamed, causing people below to stare in confusion. The blonde warrior and her dragon looking just like a Valkyrie about to deliver divine justice. Ignoring the man's remonstrations, Astrid brought him straight to the square and dropped him unceremoniously on the ground. As Toothless landed Astrid was already jumping down and heading towards Stormheart with murder in her eyes.
She began shouting at him and he shouted back insolently as he clambered to his feet. Hiccup ran over and grabbed her just as she was unholstering her axe. Pulling her away before it could escalate any farther. Not that he would care if she killed the man, but the whole gathered village did not need to know what exactly had happened to Heather. He would explain it to the chiefs and council later. Besides, he had promised Minden than she could deal with this bastard when the time came.
Witnessing Hiccup's retreat with Astrid, Stormheart laughed loudly. "Ya, that's right. Your boyfriend knows what's up, girl. You can't touch me."
Hiccup turned around, still holding Astrid back. "I am afraid that you are mistaken. You will not be able to get out of it this time, even with your daddy on the council. You are on Berk now and the Bogs do not take well to attacks against their people. Shooting down a dragon rider; that has to be a new one for you. Usually you only target the ones that are too afraid to fight back." The gathered villagers began muttering as he gave the hideous brute a speculative look. "I knew exactly what you were when I denied you from dragon training. I held my tongue and spared your life for the sake of peace. I should have just killed you then and been done with it."
Stormheart snorted at this, "Big talk from such a cowardly man. You wouldn't have done it then and you won't do it now. You and your friend are the noble kind. Using words instead of weapons. You didn't even hurt that idiot, Snotlout, when he gave you every chance. I don't know what that lying orphan told you, but she can't prove it was me. Besides, like you said, my father is on the council." He grinned repulsively as Hiccup felt his rage building again and desperately struggled to fight it back down. The edges of his vision turning a hideous red as an intense heat coursed through his veins. He would not do this rashly...
Taking his continued silence as a sign of surrender, Stormheart leered at the two of them. Speaking quieter this time so that only those nearest the front could hear. "Just like I thought; a coward. I knew you would never have it in you to fight for what's yours. That's why I was really hoping to take your woman instead. Just to rub it in your arrogant, pretty-boy face. I've been trying to corner her for weeks, but she's a wily one."
Stormfly let out an angry squawk as Hiccup felt Astrid shudder beside him at those words. Her eyes going wide in shocked horror as she glanced towards him to see his reaction, but he kept his face carefully neutral. Already expecting the man to keep taunting him and hoping that Astrid wouldn't recognize the truth behind the deplorable words. Toothless bared his teeth with a hiss, but stayed where he was. Holding out a wing to keep Stormfly back.
Seeing this and smirking, showing his missing front teeth, Stormheart let his gaze settle on Astrid with a revolting look of lust in his muddy eyes. "You know, you really shouldn't leave her alone so often. She's such a delicious little morsel. Someone may just snatch her up if you're not careful; and judging by the marks she left on you, that one likes it rough. The little slut probably wouldn't even have tried to get away. I bet she would've screamed my name to the gods as she came for me." Hiccup heard a few sharp intakes of breath from the front row of spectators at these words, but he ignored them.
Stormheart wanted Hiccup to start yelling at him. To scream and rage about the filthy insults and disgusting threats. Trying to get under his skin and hoping for a fight. Convinced that he would win and prove to everyone just how cowardly and weak the chief's son was. Likely he was hoping that any claim Hiccup made about him afterwards would simply be seen as revenge slander. Unfortunately for him, this was not going to happen. Hiccup had never had any intention of fighting with this pig, or taking him to the council. He had only been waiting for the opportune moment to dispose of him.
Allowing a crooked smile to curl his lips, exposing a glint of pearly white fangs, Hiccup felt a familiar black wave of deadly calm settle through him. "Do keep talking," he purred wickedly. "It is going to make this so much more enjoyable for me. You have no idea how much of a sick fuck I am. Maybe I will be the one getting off while you scream my name to the gods..." He could feel the uneasy tension that spread through the crowd at his response. The discomfort spawned by his words, and he relished it.
With a soft chuckle, he added, "you know, if you had wanted to live, you would have just kept on running when you left the glade. Not that it would have saved you..." he trailed of with a grin. A gleeful spark of vicious dark humour colouring his voice. Sensing Astrid's horrified surprise at his words and tone, he did not turn to face her. He had really hoped that she would never have to see this side of him, but now it was already much too late for that...
"Ooh, I'm sooo scared," the brute scoffed loudly as he tried to conceal the slight quiver of unease in his voice. Hiccup's words and calm demeanour had thrown him, but he was forcing himself to maintain his previous cock-sure bravado. "You honourable types are so predictable," he sneered. Plastering on a disgusting smile, Stormheart raised his voice again, so the rest of the crowd could hear him over the low growl now coming from Stormfly. "Go ahead. Take me to the council like a good boy. Make your daddy proud of you."
Not bothering to control his speed, Hiccup dashed forward with a brief snarl. He had Stormheart shoved up against the statue in the square before anyone even realized he had moved from Astrid's side. The mechanism in his bracer depositing a long punching blade into his left hand. Bringing it up, Hiccup drove it deep into the man's stomach. Twisting the blade around viciously to cause more damage and pain, he lowered his gaze to meet Stormheart's as his mouth twisted up into a wide and feral grin. Allowing a dark laugh to escape his lips as the pathetic whelp clutched futilely at his hand, eyes flying wide with shock.
"You think I am honourable? Not even close," he mocked as he quirked a fiendish brow. "I am the Demon of Shadows. The monster that men hide from in the dark; and I have a ravenous craving for filthy souls like yours..." He relished the fear flashing through Stormheart's mind as, with a quick flick of his wrist, he called another punching blade into his right hand. Before anyone could move, or even think to stop him, Hiccup drove it up under the bottom of the man's jaw and through the back of his throat. Watching with cold satisfaction as the sick bastard groped desperately at the hand by his neck.
He lifted Stormheart off of the ground slightly. Enough to leave his legs flailing uselessly as he gasped and gagged around the blade, blood running down his windpipe. Eventually overflowing his throat and bubbling out of his mouth, drowning him slowly. It had a sort of sick beauty to it, really. The flood of rich ruby pouring down like a waterfall, coating his chin and chest. Leaning his face in close to Stormheart's in a perversion of tenderness, Hiccup whispered against his ear. "This would hurt less if you'd just stop fighting, you little bitch. Fuck, you might even enjoy it. I know I will."
True terror contorted the man's face as he recognized his own words to Heather in the glade; repeated now with a twist of sick humour. He tried to call for help, but only pathetic choking and another rush of blood came out. The blade through his gullet had effectively silenced his desperate cries. "I hope you take as much pleasure from your own pain as you do from causing it, because this is about to get much worse," Hiccup teased mercilessly before murmuring softly, "mahmet;" almost as if to a lover.
He stared straight into his victim's eyes as confusion briefly replaced the shock in them. The unfortunate mortal may not know of magic, but he could still feel the pull of it. He knew something terrible was happening; just not what. True agony beginning to engulf him as his soul was slowly ripped away from his body. Grinning darkly as Stormheart wrestled against the unrelenting and excruciating force, Hiccup asked him, "do you like it rough, Stormheart? I know I do. That satisfaction gained through the struggle... The more they fight, the better it is really."
The man's eyes bugged out of his face in pain and terror at these casually suggestive words. The unguarded thoughts of his prey and the crowd were swirling in Hiccup's mind. Stormheart had pushed the wrong person. Taken the wrong risk and was paying the ultimate price. The dry humour in Hiccup's voice displaying a tendency for brutality that was as uncomfortable as it was unexpected.
How did I not see it? How can he hide it so well?.. Stormheart wondered in confused horror.
Smirking at these thoughts, Hiccup spoke in the same unnaturally calm tone as scarlet ribbons ran down over his hands, soaking into the ring and coating his bracers. "Did you really not know? The scariest monsters are always the ones that seem the most human... From the moment you set your sights on Astrid, your fate was sealed. Did you seriously think that I would ever let you get close enough to touch her? I merely left her alone to try and lure you in." Stormheart's frantic gaze flashed over to where Astrid was still standing, frozen, and Hiccup laughed again. The man's eye snapping back to him in surprise as Hiccup answered his thoughts with ease.
"Yes, I used my own woman as bait. Bit savage, really. Your first mistake was wanting her, of all people. Your second was thinking that I was ever intending to let you leave this island alive. All I needed was an excuse to appease the council. Now you can finally die, screaming my name for this whole village to hear." He chuckled as he met the man's terrified and pleading eyes. "Or at least... you will be trying to..."
With another cruel grin, he purred, "...scream for me, Stormheart." Clawing frantically at Hiccup's hands and kicking his feet, Stormheart did try. Squealing like a stuck pig around the knife through his thoat, as the life continued to flow from him to the ring. The small emerald eyes of the serpent glowing brightly as it absorbed another tainted soul. Hiccup cackling viciously at the pathetic sounds of frantic fear. Like a beast at slaughter...
"Not nearly as much fun when you are the victim, is it," Ilweran commented dryly, adding his own chuckle to the melody of horror currently filling the square. Coming up to stand behind Hiccup and casually crossing his arms. Looking on with interest at the squealing and gargling man, as if he was simply watching a game of Maces and Talons. "Minden is on her way. Boy is she going to be sad that she missed this," he joked easily. Staring into the man's horrified eyes as Hiccup quickly handed over the vision of the rape.
Ilweran was silent for a moment as he witnessed the horrible event for himself. Then his face twisted into a wicked snarl. "You can do better than that," he taunted with a vicious laugh. Clearly enraged by the memory that he had just watched and choosing to turn it on Stormheart as well. "Come on and scream like you mean it. Maybe if you're loud enough, someone will come and save you."
Stormheart thrashed harder against the blades and magic as he recognized more of his own words. How did these savages know so much? Had they somehow been there in the glade?.. The stench of fear radiating from him was sickly sweet on the air. Burning Hiccup's nose as the filthy creature looked back at the Riders in horror, before his eyes flashed behind them. Wildly searching the crowd for someone to come to his rescue, but no one moved. No one spoke. Too shocked to do anything more than stare in stunned silence.
The gargling and spluttering sounds of the excruciatingly slow death gradually faded. Stormheart's body finally going completely slack in Hiccup's grasp. Held up by the blades sunken into his flesh. He had done a good job of concealing the magic, he thought. All those watching would simply believe the man was dead, and the ring would be sated for a good long while. Some animals deserve eternal punishment... Once the spell had finished its work, Hiccup pulled his knives free with a swift tug. Letting the now empty husk drop limply to the ground.
Turning to face his silent audience, he replaced his still gleaming blades carefully back into his blood drenched wrist sheaths before bumping fists with Ilweran. Their quiet chuckles filling the hushed square. As the two men began to walk away from the crumpled body, he heard Ruff say to Snotlout, "and to think that could have been you."
Allowing another dark smile to form at this, he and Ilweran faced the group of gathered riders that had just witnessed the abrupt and violent murder of a fellow villager. "This is your real lesson for today," Hiccup smirked at them. Wiggling his scarlet gloved fingers playfully and causing a series of cringes to follow in the wake of this action. "Never confuse mercy with honour."
Ilweran's lips curled up into a wicked grin as he looked at them all as well. "You may do well to remember that kiddies, before you decide to take your own pleasure at the expense of another. Just because someone chooses to spare your life, does not necessarily mean that they are adverse to taking it."
"Especially when that someone is this delicious dark prince," Minden cackled wickedly. Gesturing towards Hiccup as she pushed her way through the crowd. Stopping in front of them, she put her hands on her hips. Pouting her perfect lips slightly as she chided, "you were supposed to wait for me, Mr. Sexy Warrior. That one was mine!"
"Sorry princess," Hiccup chuckled. "I really do love watching you work, but I just could not help myself. Still, I am quite certain that I was able to meet your unusually high standards." He grinned wickedly at her. Holding up his gore coated hands again for her inspection, and she laughed heartily before giving him a playful shove.
"You always do, my beautifully dangerous hunk of man" she purred. Looking up into his face suggestively with a roguish wink before all three of them barked out a laugh. Then she pushed herself between them. Poking Ilweran in the ribs and punching Hiccup lightly on the shoulder, before throwing her arms casually around their waists. Completely unconcerned about the blood on him, as usual.
"Still, you couldn't have just held him until I got here? I can't believe you two took all the fun! You promised! I was soooo looking forward to playing with him before I killed him. After all, according to you I'm the real sadist," she teased. Winking cheekily at Hiccup again, as he placed his arm around her waist in return. Rolling his eyes for good measure as he purposely left a large, bloody handprint on her side.
She glanced down at it for a second before meeting his gaze again. "Nice touch," she joked, making Hiccup chuckle again. Reliving all the playful banter of their adventure in Rome.
Ilweran smirked at the display as he draped his arm over her shoulders. "To be fair, Hiccup took all the fun. I just stood by and enjoyed the show. I did tell him that you were on your way, but it was a little too late to stop and wait for you..."
She pretended to scowl at Hiccup before giving a dramatic sigh. "Oh well... I guess that just means you owe me one extra next time, my delicious dark prince."
"Sure thing beautiful," he joked with another easy grin. "I will even hang the next one up for you to play with. Would you prefer rope or entrails?"
"Entrails for sure, just like the ones I left in Rome. Those were fun," she replied casually without missing a beat, making Ilweran snort. With one last dark laugh, the trio bumped fists as they dropped their arms from around each other. The gathered spectators had been watching the exchange with expressions ranging from mild humour (Ruff and Tuff, of course) to excessive horror (nearly everyone else). After one more look at the pale and nervous faces of the crowd, Hiccup strolled the rest of the way to Toothless. Just before hopping into the saddle, he finally allowed his gaze to fall on Astrid. She was looking at him as if she didn't even know him.
Well, she doesn't, he thought wryly before Toothless took to the sky.
*
Astrid had been lost in a disorienting haze of confusion since the first wickedly taunting words to escape Hiccup's throat. That sensually dangerous purr he had used as he had bared his fangs in a devilish grin. The sight and sound calling to her groin with a flash of pleasurable heat, at the same moment that it had spawned a cold fear in her heart. What the actual fuck, she had found herself wondering uneasily. Hiccup had not been angry at Stormheart, as she would have expected. No, instead he had been laughing. Throwing disgustingly suggestive taunts right back at the filthy man. Right before murdering him, that is...
She was almost too stunned to even wonder where he had gone to now that it was over. As it turned out though, Hiccup and Toothless had flown to Gothi's hut to retrieve the supplies they would need for Windshear. Both Gothi and Heather accompanying him back down to the village square. Astrid watched as Hiccup helped the elder down from his dragon's back and set her gently on her feet. Noticing distractedly that he had removed the man's blood from his hands and bracers at some point. Ilweran and Minden casually coming back over to join him as they carried on their sinister banter from before.
She almost didn't want to look at him, but she also couldn't seem to look away. Caught in a dangerous balancing act, torn between desire and disgust. That last moment before he had leapt into the saddle was still haunting her. She didn't want to see that same vicious animal shining through the surface calm. The gruesome darkness shadowing his normally beautiful green eyes had chilled her to the bone. He truly looked like the Shadow Demon that he had claimed to be. A vicious monster that was more than happy to taunt a dying man. For the first time since his arrival, he had behaved exactly like the draugr that the village had feared he was.
The stunned crowd was still standing around Stormheart's body; unsure what they should do. Gothi spared the bloody heap by the statue one disgusted look before making her ambling way over to the injured dragon. She began to gently inspect the injured leg and crudely splinted wing while Heather approached Hiccup, Ilweran, and Minden.
"What happened?" she asked, looking around at the stunned and silent crowd. Then her eyes fell on the body at the base of the statue. "Is that..."
"We caught him and he has been punished. He won't be able to hurt anyone again, Heather." Astrid had found herself walking forward to answer the girl. Somehow seeing Heather dressed in a loose robe to conceal her torn clothes had suddenly brought everything sharply back into focus for her. Reminding her why they were here in the first place. Maybe Stormheart didn't exactly deserve to die the way he had, but she couldn't say that she felt bad for him. The man was a monster.
Eret pushed through the crowd then and embraced Heather. "Gods, I was so worried about you! I'm so sorry that I didn't come to find you sooner." Heather simply hugged him back as she allowed the tears to flow freely again. Eret looked towards Stormheart's body and then back to Hiccup. "Hmm, it's a shame really. I was going to thoroughly enjoy watching Minden punish that one. I hope you at least made it painful."
Astrid shuddered, as the image of the gagging and terrified man, choking on his own blood while Hiccup laughed at him, surfaced in her mind. "He did," was all she said. Hiccup spared her a glance, the same disturbing shadow of darkness still burning behind his eyes, before walking over to help Gothi set Windshear's wing properly and bind it. The onlookers were just standing around watching the events unfold; shocked into silence. Just as Gothi finished wrapping the splint, Stoick arrived by the small group in the centre. Clearly someone had finally decided to alert the council to what was happening.
After glancing at the body just as everyone else had, he looked at the two by the nadder. "Hiccup, Gothi. I need you both to accompany me to the hall. The council is waiting for us. They have some questions for you." Astrid could hear the doubt and confusion in Stoick's voice as he addressed this last statement towards his son. The hesitation as he took note of the dark creature lurking just beneath the surface of the handsome face. It was the same feelings she herself was experiencing.
Hiccup met his father's eyes dispassionately. "As you wish..." he drawled, completely non-plussed. Slowly starting to saunter in the direction of the mead hall without even waiting for the chief, as if he had expected nothing less. As Astrid had studied Hiccup's cool and collected features, or watching the powerfully lean frame strolling nonchalantly away from everyone now, she couldn't help but wonder who this man was.
She had thought she knew him. Thought that she had figured him out. Was sure that he was still her Hiccup, despite all the changes and secretive past, but the easy way that they had joked about murder had to mean that this couldn't be the first time for the three of them. Not by a long shot. Clearly, Minden and Ilweran knew the real Hiccup much better than she did.
They had all looked so comfortable and right together. Tall, slender, and flawless. Playfully laughing about murder like it was all some sort of game. Minden wearing Hiccup's bloody handprint like some sort of sick badge of honour. Their arms around each other and identically wicked grins on their unnaturally exquisite faces. Like a perfectly matching trio of glorious and vicious gods. Or, more accurately, an immaculate set of beautiful and sadistic demons.
How could she ever compete with that? Would she ever truly be one of them? Did she even want to be? To become Hiccup's equal, did that mean she would have to give up her humanity? Become just as cold, hard, and cruel? As this stark realization struck her, she noticed Stoick motioning to her, Eret, and Heather as well before turning to follow Hiccup.
They fell into step behind him as they made their way across the square. Astrid walking numbly beside the others, lost in her own dark thoughts. Everyone else seemed to be in a daze as well. Barely noticing as Ilweran silently joined them. Moving to walk beside Hiccup at the front of the group as they started speaking quietly to each other in elvish. The two gigantic men calmly leading the way, like casually graceful sentinels. The only ones aside from Minden and Eret that seemed completely unaffected by any of this; and still no one had made a move to collect Stormheart's corpse.
Once they reached the great hall, Hiccup motioned for them to wait while he addressed the council. Standing alone with his back straight and head held high, he met the gazes of every person in the room. He began to tell them of how they had found Heather and Windshear. When he got to the part about the attack on Heather, Bertha turned crimson with rage. He then told of the confrontation with Stormheart in the village square. Though Astrid noticed that he did leave out the taunting words about her that had pushed Hiccup to kill him. Instead, he took all of the onus upon himself. As if he had simply decided, on the spot, that Stormheart needed to be publicly tortured to death for his crimes.
He finished by saying, "I would request that you please refrain from confronting Heather about this at the present moment. I am sure that this day has been distressing enough for her. Gothi has already seen and spoken with her. I feel that it is now to Bertha, as her chief, to question her; instead of this panel of men." Astrid looked over and saw the relief on Heather's face at his words. Beside her, Gothi was smiling respectfully at Hiccup. It was clear that she approved of his request as well.
One by one they all stood before the council of chiefs. When it was Gothi's turn, Gobber stepped forward to translate for her as she scribbled. As Astrid listened to Gobber read out Gothi's description of the horrifying event, she felt her shock over Stormheart's death ebbing slightly. Reaching out her hand, she grasped Heather's firmly, as a slow tear trickled its way down over her cheek. Hoping to offer what small measure of comfort that she could to the poor girl that she considered a friend. Heather squeezed her hand back and gave her a grateful smile. Her eyes red and swollen, but her face as set and determined as any warrior's would be.
After everyone (except for Heather) had given their statements, they were free to leave while the council deliberated. Before exiting the hall, Hiccup returned to face the chiefs and council again. "You should all know that, though I respect your authority over these people, you do not hold dominion over me. Cast your votes if you must, but it is a pointless gesture. I have no intention of spending time in the village cells, nor of facing a trial. As a Rider of the Order, I carry the authority to punish criminals wherever I may find them and however I see fit. It was no more than he deserved." Here Bertha made a grunt of agreement. Hiccup bowed his head to her before turning to leave the hall with everyone else.
Once outside, he nodded to Eret and Heather. Then he and Ilweran clasped forearms in an unfamiliar gesture before he climbed onto Toothless. The dragon always seeming to be right where his Rider needed him. Toothless shot her a mildly apologetic look before they took off without another word. Astrid watched them for a moment before chancing a quick glimpse at the square. Someone had thankfully removed the body while they had been giving their statements in the hall.
Ilweran turned to her, his expression unreadable as he spoke softly in elvish. "Do not judge him too harshly. We have all been expecting this moment to come for months, unfortunately. He really was protecting you, even if it is hard to see it that way right now. Death and darkness are no strangers to us Astrid, as you can tell, but he cares deeply for you and he feels more than he shows." Then he spun on his heel and left. As everyone else wandered away, Gothi motioned to Astrid.
When she leaned down, the old woman took her hand and gently squeezed it. "Ilweran is right. If you love him child, then go after him." she rasped in her croaky old voice. She then released her hand and shuffled away, leaning heavily on her staff. Astrid spared barely a moment for surprise at the fact that Gothi could speak elvish. Then, making up her mind, she whistled for Stormfly.
As they took off, Stormfly cooed softly at her, sensing the turmoil of her emotions through their bond. "What is wrong, little hatchling? You seem to be extremely confused and unsettled by your mate's actions," she asked worriedly. Astrid huffed out a sigh as she thought over the events of the day.
"I just don't know what to think," she finally answered. "This morning started out so well. There was the raid, which we crushed by the way! Then we were laughing and joking together in the cove as if there wasn't a care in the world. Now Heather has been raped and Hiccup is potentially on trial for murder. Oh, and it turns out that my lover is a demon of the darkest kind. A fucking monster who laughs at death! A fact which he seems to have forgotten to inform me of," she finished angrily.
Realizing that her battle sister was not ready to confront her mate yet, Stormfly chose to ignore the easy-to-follow scent trail of the night fury. Instead she swooped low over the waves. Letting the salty spray shower them with a fine mist as Astrid worked through her chaotic feelings. "Why do you think he is a monster, hatchling? Has he ever done anything to hurt you or others that you know?"
"Umm, are we forgetting that he just tortured a man to death in front of half the archipelago not two hours ago," Astrid practically screamed at her dragon. Feeling instantly sorry for her outburst. It wasn't Stormfly's fault, and she was just trying to help. She started to apologize, but Stormfly cut her off.
"Yes, he did, little one. I think that, instead of seeing him as a monster, you should perhaps think about WHY he did it. He is not so different from me, really. I was about to tear that filthy man's throat out before feeding him to the eels. Hiccup simply beat me to it." She turned her head slightly to focus one of her wise yellow eyes on Astrid.
"He is your mate. He would do anything to protect you from those that seek to harm you, as would I. If I had not known that he cared for you so, I would have never been able to go out hunting while that evil monster was still walking around with his sights set on you. What if I was too far away to help you when he decided to make his move? To know that it was happening, your pain becoming my own, and to not be able to save you; that is my very worst fear. After all, if something happens to you, I will feel every moment of it. We are one. If you die, I die."
Astrid shivered at those words. She had always known that the bond between dragon and rider was the closest of all. Hiccup had explained that Stormfly's life was now inescapably tied to her own. A rider would live on if their dragon was killed, but if the rider was killed... Stormfly had confirmed it without a single shred of resentment, despite the fact that it didn't really seem fair to the dragons in Astrid's mind. Still, she had not realized that this same magic meant that Stormfly would feel all of her other pain as well.
Aside from that, she had also been hoping that Stormheart was merely aiming to goad Hiccup into some sort of rash action when he claimed to have been trying to corner her. Now it was really looking like that wasn't the case. Thinking back, she remembered all of the times that he had made to follow her. Seeking her out whether she was with or without her friends. She had felt distinctly uneasy as he got nearer to them. Still, he had always turned away before he got even remotely close enough to actually try anything.
Suddenly Astrid realized that it was because of her axe. Only very recently had she started leaving it behind, as she had been spending almost every moment with Stormfly and either Hiccup or Ilweran. Hiccup had explained that the axe carried protective shield runes woven in amongst the Celtic knots. Runes powered by his own emerald magic that would keep her safe from most anything that may threaten her. He had also asked her to start carrying it again on the very day that Stormheart arrived on the island.
He must have known then that she was in danger. It was very likely, given what she knew now about his abilities, that he had actually seen the fantasies playing through Stormheart's mind. The disgusting images as the man had undressed her with his repulsive eyes at the academy. Apparently visualizing the moment that he would force himself upon her. Yet, Hiccup hadn't killed him then, though he must have been absolutely furious...
"He did not want to cause a war between the tribes. Not when we need the assistance of every single one to bring down the evil queen. Stormheart's father would have demanded substantial reparations for his death, which would have left the other chiefs in a very difficult position, since both Ilweran and Hiccup were assumed to be outsiders at the time. That does not mean that your mate ever intended to let the man go free. He and his friends have been watching you at every moment since that first day. Never letting you get out of their sight. Ever ready for the moment the beast would make the wrong move and give them an excuse to end him without starting a feud."
"I guess that makes sense, I just wish that someone had told me before now. Maybe I would have been more prepared for it. How do you know all of this anyways," Astrid couldn't help but ask. As far as she knew, Hiccup and Stormfly did not exactly spend hours together, deep in conversation. Stormfly just gave a gentle shake of her crown and squawked loudly.
"Toothless and Tintallë explained everything to me. The first time I saw that hideous beast trying to follow you I was going to kill him right then and there. The other two stopped me. Claiming that we needed to avoid having a dragon, bonded or otherwise, kill a human while we were still trying to train the riders. Toothless said that it would spoil any chances of acceptance on the humans' side, and I grudgingly admitted that he was right. Although I still did not agree to leave the monster alive until after I felt the magic of your axe chase him away..."
Astrid felt a distinct wave of sympathy through the bond as the memory of Heather surfaced in Stormfly's mind. Her torn clothes, battered body, and haunted eyes. "I am so sorry for your friend, hatchling. I did not tell you about the monster because we all knew that he was intent on you. He has been so infatuated with you, that we never imagined he would go for someone else. Hiccup wanted him to come after you, as your mate never truly left you alone. He was always waiting, out of sight, for the beast to get too close just one time. We all were. I didn't like the idea of using you as bait, but I trusted your mate to keep you safe. I should have known better than to keep it from you though, and I apologize. I didn't want to frighten you..."
"It's okay sister. I understand why you did it, even if I don't like it," Astrid told her with a sigh. Unable to stay mad at her battle sister. "I would not have wanted to tell someone I loved that they had a target on their back, either. Who would really want to live with the knowledge that at any moment someone would probably decide to rape them, and they would have to let them get close enough to try if they wanted to ensure justice while preventing a blood feud?" She shuddered once more at the horrifying thought before leaning down and wrapping her arms around her dragon. "I wish he HAD just come after me..." she choked out, biting back a sob at the image of Heather. How did she feel about Hiccup's behaviour? Would she be grateful, or just more afraid?
"Do not cry, little hatchling. Your friend is a warrior. She will make it through this, and she has friends to help her. You must deal with your own troubles before you worry about others, or it will tear you apart inside." The nadder gave a pointed huff in her direction.
"You're right, of course. Thank you Stormfly. What would I ever do without you? I do feel slightly calmer now, though I still don't really know what to think about what happened or how to even talk to him about it. I guess all we can do is track the knuckleheads down and ask Hiccup for his side of the story..."
Squawking in agreement, Stormfly turned them back towards Berk. It took them a while to find a viable scent trail again, but they eventually tracked Hiccup to a sea stack just off the coast. Sitting on the edge with his long legs dangling carelessly over the side. He didn't even look over as she came to sit beside him. Stormfly giving her a reassuring nod of her head before taking off again. Likely off to hunt with Toothless, leaving her and Hiccup alone to hash this out.
Now that she was here, she wasn't really sure what she wanted to say to him. She just kept picturing the feral grin on Hiccup's face as he had watched a man die in his hands. Not so different from the one that usually set her blood to boil. Almost as if he found pleasure in the man's suffering. She had never thought to see him like that. Ruff had been right that first night after all. Hiccup WAS dangerous, no matter what Stormfly had tried to say in his defence. Whether it was done to protect her or not, it had still been horrific to watch.
"You are wondering how it feels. How I can seem so calm and unaffected?" Hiccup's voice was quiet, but steady, as he spoke to her over the lapping ocean below. She jumped slightly at his words, but then shot him a quick look. "I can see it in your thoughts, but I do not really need to. Everyone has the same questions when they see someone killed for the first time. The answer is simple. After you kill enough people, it stops bothering you. They all start to blend together."
He finally turned to look at her. Astrid was shocked by the deep self-loathing that she could see shadowing his handsome face. At least the dark hunger of the draugr had faded... "I have never really enjoyed death Astrid. At least, not in the way you think. Still, I have caused much of it. I always used to convince myself that I was only doing it for the good of the many. Slaying the monsters before they could hurt others. Only problem is, after a while, you find yourself becoming one of the monsters you pledged to fight."
Astrid wasn't entirely certain what to say to this. True, he had shown great kindness towards her and others. He had personally provided for their starving village. Been gentle and patient with the recruits and the people. Had spared Heather the humiliation of having to tell her story to a bunch of strange old men. She had witnessed him risking his own life to save their whole village on Dragon Island. He had also spared Snotlout's life and limbs in the duel, choosing to crush only his arrogance.
Something that Stormheart had apparently not failed to notice either, causing all of them to severely underestimate just what Hiccup was capable of. A lapse in judgement that Stormheart had paid for with his life. Now they had all witnessed him violently murder said man in cold blood without a moments hesitation or regret. So unaffected by it that he was able to joke about it afterwards, as if it was a Thawfest event instead of a human life. The startling contrast between his gentle caresses in the cove that afternoon, and his brutal torture of Stormheart mere moments later was enough to give her whiplash.
Like most of them, she had just assumed that he had refused to injure Snotlout because the old Hiccup would never have hurt anyone. He had claimed that he and Ilweran were both assassins and bounty hunters, but she hadn't really given much stock to it. Hiccup as a killer was an idea that she just couldn't fathom. Though he may have become a skilled warrior, he was still the same sweet boy that had left Berk. Now she realized that Snotlout had been incredibly lucky to walk out of that ring with only a broken nose and battered pride.
Hiccup was not the same boy that had left ten years ago. Something had changed him, despite the front he put up. Inside of him was a ruthless and hardened man. No matter what else he appeared to be, or that she might want him to be. Whatever violent history he concealed had left its undeniable stain on him. Just as her father had promised it would. Hiccup had told her the truth when he had claimed that they were very different people now. At least, he certainly was. She had seen his true colours now, and she wasn't sure if she liked them all that much.
His cryptic comment from months ago suddenly broke through to the forefront of her mind. Was this what he meant when he had called himself an ugly moth in a butterfly disguise? Is it because the surface beauty is just distracting us from seeing the real monster within? The savage beast lurking in the shadows and skeletons of his mysterious past. He's still a complete stranger to me, she realized sadly. Perhaps he really isn't good for me after all...
Mentally chiding herself for her wayward thoughts, she remembered Stormfly's words to her. Was he really a demon, or just a life-hardened soldier willing to do something monstrous to defend the woman he loves? She stared back into his haunted eyes as she carefully formed her reply.
"Stormheart deserved to die for raping those women Hiccup, especially what he did to Heather. I don't deny it for a minute. It was just shocking, is all. I've never taken a human life before and I never imagined that it could be so easy for someone to do (for you to do, she thought morosely). That doesn't mean that I think you're a monster." Hiccup allowed a mocking half smirk to ghost over his face at her words.
"You do not really know what I am, Astrid."
_
Berk/Astrid, meet the real Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. Also known as Hiccup 2.0, or my Dirty Dark Swan. I feel like a Christmas Fairy, giving all of you exactly what you wanted from this one. Although, did you ever REALLY question whether or not Hiccup was going to publicly and brutaly murder a rapist that threatened Astrid. Stormheart was always going to die horrifically, and it was always going to be Hiccup that killed him. Sorry Berk, he's not your little Hiccup anymore... And of course Ruff and Tuff would find the whole destructively chaotic and emotionally damaging scene amusing. After all, Ruff's favourite things are both sexy AND dangerous... ;P
Astrid's conflicting emotions in this chapter are completely reasonable, given the circumstances. It is one thing to be angry enough to want to kill someone for committing a disgusting crime. It is another thing entirely to laugh and taunt as you slowly let someone bleed out all over your hands in the centre of a crowded village. Watching someone you love commit a heinous act that you never imagined they would be capable of would be incredibly uncomfortable for anyone, even if they were doing it for the 'right' reasons.
All of you were right. Berk was far too comfortable around Hiccup. It was about time they all realized that he is absolutely NOT the same boy that left. They didn't really bother to get to know him then, and they most certainly don't know him now. He is NOT calm and diplomatic. He is the Viper in the Nest, and these are his True Colours...
DeathBerryHime: I apologize for throwing even more angst at you this far in...lol