Wow. Seeing how much you guys loved the first chapter I decided to go on ahead and make the second chapter, so I hope you enjoy this one!

Also, a thanks to BrawlerGamer, HikariCruz, Isolde of The Night, and Guest for reviewing on the previous chapter.

(Optional to Read) In response to the reviews:

BrawlerGamer: I'm glad you enjoy it!

HikariCruz: I think you know the answer to that - *Wink*

Isolde of The Night: Thralls are slaves/serfs during the Viking era, so it wouldn't really matter whether Hiccup is called a slave or a thrall since they're both the same thing in this case. But for future reference I will use thrall as a term for slave as well, so thanks for the advice!

Guest: No worries. There won't be any rape in this story.

Now, without any more delay, let's continue on!

The doors bursted open with the loud stomping of boots hitting against the wooden floor, and in came half a dozen guards with two of them dragging a beaten scrawny figure.

Hiccup felt nothing but pain around his body, with the addition of a bloody nose as well as the exhaustion he had from the lack of good sleep and tiresome work. At this point he felt nothing but dread and hopelessness within him.

After being dragged, he suddenly felt himself being sat in a chair, though still he could barely move his head. Then, cold water splashed all over him, and he felt his daze beginning to fade along with his vision beginning to clear up.

"Wake up, scrawny slave. We have much to discuss." called out a voice, though it wasn't entirely clear as Hiccup was still recovering.

He opened his eyes, blinking from the bright lights emanating from the torches all around him, and instantly he knew where he was. He was in the Great Hall, sitting in a chair in the center of the large throne room.

He looked around him and saw three guards on both of his flanks pointing spears at him. There was no way he could get out of there without taking a spear in the chest. However, what caught his attention the most was a young man sitting on the throne in front of him.

"Hmph." he chuckled. "I hope you're going to enjoy staying here for the time being. I mean, after all we do have much to talk about."

Hiccup shuddered upon hearing the voice more clearly, and when his vision finally cleared up he saw the figure who sat in the throne before him.

It was a man, a young Viking who was older than Hiccup but younger than Magnus. He had short dark blonde hair, as well as facial hair that was slightly showing. His clothing consisted of black leather from his tunic to boots along with a fur-hide cloak.

"I-Ivar…" he stuttered, his tone expressing fear.

Ivar gave a smile. "What a pity it is to have a dirty thin thrall like you come to my doorstep after being accused of attacking one of my warriors... that is if there's proof of course."

The younger Viking gave a nervous look. "Chieftain, I swear I did nothing wrong! All I did was perform my daily task at the blacksmith as ordered by the Slavemaster. I never assaulted anyone-!"

"Shut your mouth, slave!" yelled the Slavemaster, backhanding Hiccup across the head. He continued circling the scrawny Viking. "Chief, you don't need to hear the lies coming from this slave. We have the proof to tell that he attacked the guard."

Ivar leaned forward in his chair. "Is that so?" he questioned. "And what is your proof, Slavemaster?"

The large Viking motioned to one of the guards who stood with his sword at ease to step forward, and when the guard stepped out in front of Ivar it was then that Hiccup instantly recognized the buffed man.

"I assume you are the one who was assaulted?" asked Ivar, shifting his position.

The Viking gave a nod. "Yes, Chieftain. I was the one who stood in line today when this runt was sharpening my sword. The fool nearly stabbed me with it!"

Hiccup gave a glare. "What are you even talking about? You're the one who smacked me across the face when I handed you your weapon!"

The guard nearly splurted in laughter. "So what if I hit a slave?" he asked. "They're nothing but property to the Völsung Clan, and you cannot accuse me for hitting you, thrall. You are in no position!"

Hiccup leaned forward in defiance. "But you're still LYING to the Chieftain!" his voice bellowed loudly.

Immediately a hand would pull him back, and once again Hiccup would be met with a smack to the head, this time harder than the last hit as he nearly fell out of his chair from the impact.

The Slavemaster gave a disgruntled look, kneeling down to Hiccup's level. "And who says you have the right to say what is or isn't truth?" asked the large Viking.

Hiccup didn't respond. He once more regretted talking back to someone of higher authority, and after that smack he didn't say another word, knowing that if he said anything stupid then he would just be beaten harder than the last time.

"Hmph." the Slavemaster smirked as he stood back up straight, spinning himself towards Ivar. "Like I said, this slave is nothing but a liar, Chief Ivar. He deserves to be punished for his actions, and deserves the beating of his life!"

Ivar chuckled, giving a quick smile at the Slavemaster. "Is that so?" he asked, and his expression turned back into a serious look. "No. I have something else planned for him…"

The Chieftain turned his gaze towards a nearby guard and he gave him a quick gesture with his hand towards a wooden stool. The Viking nodded and immediately went towards it, picking it up and placing it a couple of feet in front of Hiccup.

Ivar began to slide off his throne, slowly reaching his hand to the wooden floor before he started crawling with his arms - crawling his way towards the stool without rush. After all, he was a cripple. He then reached his hands out and climbed up, making himself comfortable as he sat.

The older Viking spat dry spit to the side before leaning towards Hiccup, and he saw the fear in the scrawny Viking's eyes.

"Why are you scared of a cripple like me, Hiccup? I mean, someone like me would be able to do so little… though after all, I can also do many things others can't."

Hiccup gulped in tension. "Like what?"

Ivar sat straight. "Well…" he began, unsheathing one of his dagger. "When it comes to interrogation, it takes the littlest amount of fear from me to get someone intimidated. You are no different."

He continued sitting there uncomfortably, staring at Ivar who calmly rubbed the flat blade of the dagger against his palm as if he was preparing something.

"Now, I am going to be very clear to you, and I want you to be honest, slave…" At first, his tone sounded very patient to Hiccup. But that was until he once again leaned forward in front of the young Viking's face and shouted loudly;

"TELL THE TRUTH!"

Hiccup was startled back, but he had nothing to say. His voice refused to let out any words, and the only thing that he gave out was a breath of hot air from his mouth and nose. He was now stuck in the cross hairs.

After waiting for some time Hiccup still didn't say a word, and Ivar's face became disgruntled at the young man. "Well then, if you're not going to tell me, then maybe a little pain will motivate you." he grinned, raising the dagger in front of his face. "Where do you want to begin?"

Hiccup's face suddenly lit up as his adrenaline began to rush. Still no words had come out of him, and his breathing had begun to intensify. It was clear that Ivar had frightened him to the point where he would've started screaming for help, but in a situation like this Hiccup was useless.

The young Chieftain arched a brow. "Oh, so you're leaving it up to me to decide?" he questioned, finally pointing the tip of the dagger towards Hiccup. "I see, then let us begin."

With his rough hand Ivar grabbed onto Hiccup's jaw, forcing it opened to expose the inside of his mouth, and it was then at that moment that Hiccup found the voice to scream as the dagger began to advance into his mouth.

Suddenly, the doors to the Great Hall busted open, and to Hiccup's surprise Ivar pulled back the dagger from his mouth as his attention was turned upon two figures who came walking in.

Hiccup turned around, and to his great relief he saw Magnus standing by the doors with a young woman who appeared to be the smithy's age. Her hair was brunette, and her skin was a lighter tone than Hiccup's. He assumed that it was another friend of Magnus.

Ivar gave a small smile to the blacksmith. "Ah, Magnus. Have you come to witness the torture of your lying assistant?"

Magnus shook his head, and with a loud voice he announced to Ivar; "I have come to prove the innocence of my assistant - Hiccup."

The young Chieftain's smile faded, and his eyes widened. "...W-What?" he asked in a confused tone. "I'm not sure I heard you properly, Magnus."

"Oh you did, Chief Ivar." the Blacksmith nodded. "Unless you would like me to repeat that again?" He cleared his throat, putting his hands up to his mouth to speak louder.

"I have COME. To PROVE. The INNOCENCE of my assistant, Hiccup!"

The Slavemaster snarled. "The only thing there is to prove is that he's guilty and deserves nothing but punishment from our Chieftain."

Magnus' friend stepped forward, laughing at the large Viking's words. "Careful now, we don't want blood on that pretty blanket of a cloak you wear." she mocked.

"How DARE YOU! I'LL SLICE YOUR TONGUE OUT FOR THAT!" the large Viking bellowed as laughter from the guards towards the Slavemaster filled the room.

Ivar immediately raised his hand up. "Silence!" he called out, and quickly the room was ceased of all voices.

He leaned forward, focusing his eyes on the older twenty five year old Viking. "What proof do you have to tell that this slave, this… thrall is innocent? Why do you even trust him?"

"Because he is my assistant." answered Magnus. "And regardless of his status as a slave, I saw the whole thing that transpired at my shop today. I speak as a witness."

The Chieftain crossed his arms. "So then what happened?"

"This guard was never assaulted by Hiccup. The only thing my assistant did was sharpen his sword before asking; 'Aren't you going to say thank you?' and in response, the guard stabbed his sword into the ground before he went up to my assistant and smacked him to the ground. Is that enough proof for you, or shall I tell you again but more detailed?"

The guard growled at Magnus, realizing he'd been exposed. "You're a liar, smithy! A liar!" he shouted, turning his head to Ivar. "Chieftain, you can't possibly trust the words of a simple blacksmith!"

"Simple?" chuckled Magnus. "You're but a guard! All you do is walk around Kattegat doing as you please whilst I forge the weapons that arm YOU and your warriors."

"I patrol around Kattegat, peasant!" the guard shot back. "I go around making sure our clan is safe from our enemies, and anyone who seeks to cause trouble like your slave-assistant!"

Ivar remained silent. He was put in deep thinking as he contemplated whether he should believe Magnus or view him as a liar. Despite him being the most ruthless Viking the Vikings have ever seen, he was still an expert when it came to thinking as he strategized cunningly and boldly - especially when it came to situations like this.

"Hiccup may be a slave to you, but to me he will always be my assistant. Something you don't have, muttonhead."

The guard lowered his brows further down. "Bah! I don't need a dirty runt to do my work for me, unlike you who needs an assistant because you are not good enough your job!"

Ivar looked up at the guard. "And who are you to judge a blacksmith who has more brains and skill than you, in crafting and fighting?" he asked with a glare. "It is clear to me that your story lacks the details of accusing this slave. Unlike you, warrior, Magnus here has evidence given to him by voice, and through witnessing - therefore, I've made my decision."

He turned to Hiccup. His face looking disgruntled with a glare still stuck to it. The young Viking bit his lip hoping that he wouldn't be accused guilty.

"Gah, I can't believe I'm doing this..." grumbled Ivar, his tone still filled with anger. But it was then when he spoke that Hiccup was filled with heavy relief as he heard the two words come out from Ivar's mouth;

"Release him."

…

Hiccup laid his head against the wall, sitting comfortably in a chair. In his hands he held a mug of water and a wet sheet of cloth to put against the few bruises that were on his face.

"I don't know how I can thank you, Magnus." he smiled at the older Viking. "Were it not for you, my mouth would've looked as ugly as the Slavemaster."

Magnus knelt down to his level and placed his hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Well, it wasn't me alone." he said. "When I saw the Slavemaster take you away I asked my friend here to help me with saving you. She is one of my most trusted… Hiccup, meet Eira. Eira, meet Hiccup."

The two of them reached out to shake hands. "It is nice to meet you." she said with a small smile, and Hiccup gave a nod. "Know that even though you're a slave - a thrall, I am not one to treat you with disrespect, even after Magnus told me what they were going to do to you. So know that you have my full respect, Hiccup."

Hiccup gave a slim grin, knowing that there was now someone else who would be as kind to him as Magnus was, and his expression showed that he really appreciated Eira's words.

"Thank you, Eira. You don't know how much that means to me." he said.

"Well, from one friend you make another. That's what friends are for after all."

"Aye." said Magnus, standing back up straight as he made his way towards a barrel of ale. He grabbed a mug and began to fill it. "All I can say is that I'm going to restrict that guard's actions if he comes by again, along with any who come by as well."

Hiccup arched a brow. "Won't Ivar disapprove of that?"

"Ivar the Boneless may be a foolish child in my eyes, but sometimes he knows how to think. He has his father's intelligence."

"Yeah, and he definitely knows how to scare someone just by looking at them with his face."

Magnus gave a hearty chuckle. "Well they call him the most ruthless Viking ever to walk for a reason. But it's quite a weird thing to say considering that he is a cripple."

Eira nodded in agreement. "Mhm. And for him being ruthless, all he likes to do for sport is fight, fight, and fight. He is a bloody war-mongerer, and so are many of the Vikings of Kattegat."

A sigh came from Hiccup as he looked off into the distance, almost as if he was thinking or day-dreaming. "Well, maybe there's a place out there where peace can reside. Somewhere where all Vikings can have respect for one another."

"If only there was. Vikings have been known to fight and kill each other for centuries." responded Magnus, sipping from his ale. His eyes were locked onto Hiccup. "And besides, even if there was, where would you suppose it would be?"

"Well…" he began. "Earlier today I went to the Blade and Daggers Tavern to fill my stomach, and there I eavesdropped on two patrons who were discussing about a spreading rumor. On how there was an Archipelago somewhere out in the ocean; a set of islands with more Viking tribes. They even said that's where you'll find Dragons."

"What, you mean those winged-creatures read in those fairy tale stories to children? About Monstrous Nightmares, Deadly Nadders, Gronckles, and Zipplebacks?"

Hiccup gave a nod and Magnus and Eira looked at each other, exchanging looks. At first, Magnus splurted, trying not to laugh as he drank, and then it quickly escalated as the two older Vikings began to laugh.

"Are… are you serious, Hiccup? There's a RUMOR about a non-existent land existing?"

"Yep."

The two began laughing harder as Hiccup sat there gazing at them, waiting for them to settle down, and eventually they did.

"Oh, I could go on laughing forever." chuckled Eira, and her glance then turned upon younger Viking. "But Hiccup, you have to understand that rumors don't tend to always be true, and most of the time they aren't. There are no more lands that are near us out at sea aside England which was attacked for years by Vikings. There is no Archipelago."

Hiccup's face turned into a frown of disappointment. Once again his realization hit him, knowing to himself that he was right when he said to himself back at the tavern 'If only it existed…' and it seemed now his hopes had died down.

Magnus however noticed his thoughts being expressed. He understood much of the pain Hiccup had gone through because he witnessed it first hand when he saw him being beaten and abused. All the young Viking wanted was his freedom.

Hiccup took a quick sip from his mug and looked outside the nearby window. He noticed that the daylight was getting darker, which meant that the sun was ready to go down over the horizon.

He stood from his chair and stretched himself out, proceeding to place the mug and sheet of cloth on the long-table. "I'd better get back to my cottage." he said. "It's getting late, and I want to get a good rest for tomorrow. Not to mention I don't want to have Slavemaster on my tail."

Magnus nodded. "If you must, then you must. We'll see you tomorrow."

"Aye." responded Hiccup. "Thanks for your help by the way, and for all the care." he said cheerfully, putting on his cloak before he opened the door and waved to them.

They waved back to him, and as Hiccup made his way out Magnus placed his fist to his cheek, putting himself in deep thought on the choosing of his words to the younger lad. This didn't go unnoticed however as Eira's gaze turned upon him.

"Are you alright?" she asked him.

Magnus gave a sigh. "Maybe I should've told him…"