Five: Mistaken

"So I am proud and delighted to announce the engagement of my daughter, Astrid, to her childhood sweetheart, Hiccup Haddock!"

There was a deafening silence to the announcement-before there was an outbreak of cheering and whooping. Snotlout looked personally affronted, the twins head-butted and Fishlegs was applauding wildly. Astrid found herself swept up in a huge hug by her father-and then her mother. Relative after relative swung her around in hugs and embraces until she was feeling completely dizzy-but as she was passed from person to person, she snatched a glance at Hiccup, who was standing stock still, surrounded by his excited friends and his beaming father. But what her eyes also noticed was the furious shape of Arabella, her eyes narrowed and face like thunder, glaring at the auburn-haired man. Hiccup looked pale and shocked, his eyes dark with…fear?

"Why didn't you tell me?" Ruff asked urgently. "I love weddings…"

Astrid snapped back to the present and stared at the female twin.

"Hmmm?"

"I call Maid of Honour!" Ruff hissed urgently. "Pleeeeeeease?"

Frowning, Astrid shook her head.

"I haven't made any decisions," she said firmly. "I need to talk with Hiccup…" And she pulled away, grabbing her purse and heading towards the auburn haired young man who was almost backing away as Arabella was haranguing him.

"You know, I knew you were a worthless, useless, spineless article but how dare you think you can humiliate me like this?" she yelled as he flinched. "Engaged? What the Helheim were you thinking?"

"I-I…" he stammered as he stared in shock at the raging blonde.

"Of course-you don't actually think, do you?" Arabella snarled. "I told you not to speak to that women and instead, you lie to me and go out with her…and now this? What did you do? Just stare into her big blue eyes and go "I wuv you-please marry mebecause I'm so utterly goddamned pathetic…?"

"I-I didn't…" His voice was hurt, trying to defend himself but Arabella was on a roll.

"And childhood sweethearts? Where did that come from? You told me you never had a girlfriend before! What else haven't you told me?" she demanded, her finger jabbing brutally into his chest. Hiccup was shaking his head and cringing at the painful impacts.

"I-I h-haven't ever h-had a g-girlfriend…" he managed as Astrid felt her blood boil at his tone. "I-I…"

You wanted to tell me for a while-but I left, she reminded herself.

"And you were a virgin when we first got together…not that you're anything but a disappointment now," Arabella sneered and Hiccup's head dropped, his cheeks scarlet with humiliation.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry…" His voice was barely a whisper, his cheeks flaming with shame. Hearing more than enough, Astrid strode forward.

"Hiccup-I need to speak to you," she added aloud, her eyes fixated on the tall young man. His eyes snapped to her and there was fear, shock and acute embarrassment there.

"I'm not finished!" Arabella snapped but Astrid leaned froward, grabbed his hand and tugged him away from her.

"I think you are for the moment," she said and pulled him away. Enraged, Bella grabbed at Astrid's hand and the Soccer Captain ripped her hand away. "And keep your hands off me!"

"Keep your hands off my boyfriend!" Bella screeched and lunged at Astrid, her swinging fist glancing Astrid's cheek. Without even thinking, Astrid blocked her next swing and shoved the other woman back, dumping her in an untidy heap on the floor.

"I think you mean my fiancé!" Astrid sneered. Hiccup stared at her in shock as Bella scrambled to her feet and bunched her fists-but she was too cunning to confront Berk's favourite daughter physically, turning her hateful glare on the trembling auburn-haired shape.

"Don't think you're coming back home tonight!" Arabella threatened and shoved herself through the throng, storming away. The other guests parted to let her go, sipping drinking and chewing canapés with every sign of enjoyment-because all Berkians loved a good show. Astrid felt a tug as Hiccup turned to watch her go and he opened his mouth to call her…but then closed it again. He turned back to Astrid.

"What-what happened?" he asked as she hauled him to the side of the Hall, partly shielded from the excited guests. "I-I never said anything-I swear!"

"Me neither," Astrid told him firmly. There was a pause.

"I know," he said. "I caught your face when your Dad made that announcement. You were shocked."

"Unfortunately, that funny mishap at the restaurant seems to have come over and bit us on the butts," Astrid said and he nodded.

"Not so funny now," he murmured and then shrugged. "So what do we do? Go out there and tell everyone it's a mistake? I mean, we can't lie about this…" Astrid glanced out there and shook her head.

"Look-it's Mom's birthday and I really don't want it to be dominated by this misunderstanding," she said carefully. Her parents were chatting with family members and her mother looked so excited. "I really don't want any more attention on me when it should all be on her. Let's just play along and tell everyone tomorrow that it was a misunderstanding. They'll be disappointed but at least we can allow Mom to carry on being the star of her own party." There was a pause and then he nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"I guess," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, his eyes trailing towards the door. "I mean, the damage has already been done…" Her hand rested on his and she looked into his face, a tiny voice already nagging that what had happened seemed to have injured Hiccup far more.

"Why didn't you tell me that you had a girlfriend?" she asked him directly. "I mean…you've been with her for three years…" His emerald eyes flicked up and he blushed.

"I was trying to pretend we were still friends," he said and she frowned.

"You said there wasn't anyone special…" she reminded him.

"That I did," he confessed. He pulled his hand back. "Look-I'm not feeling like partying. Could you thank your Mom for inviting me? I need to go and talk to Bella."

Don't think you're coming home tonight!

"Will you be okay?" Astrid asked him. "I mean, she looked mad and told you not to come back…" He gave a small smile.

"I'll crash at Dad's," he assured her. "I'm pretty sure that Bella will have cooled down by tomorrow…maybe the next day…" She shook her head.

"What happened to that sassy guy I was out with last night?" she asked him and he shrugged.

"He's in hiding until his girlfriend promises not to beat him up," he said sarcastically. "He sent me along to keep watch." There was a long second where she wondered if he was joking but there was something in his manner that suggested he may not be jesting at all…

"Hiccup, I don't…" she began and then her phone rang. This time, she grabbed it and thumbed it on. "YES!" she snapped.

"Look, bestie-I really think you need to listen to me NOW!" Heather snapped. "Open ArchiNews feed now! And don't argue!" Frowning, she thumbed the icon on her phone and the screen filled with a picture of her and Hiccup in the restaurant, at the moment he slid the ring onto her finger. She stared and then turned to Hiccup.

"Um…what?" he asked and then his eyes widened. He face-palmed, the slap loud in the little corner they were huddled in. "Thor…"

"Heather-when did this come out?" she demanded, looking angrily over to Hiccup.

"This morning-it was all over the news feeds! That's why I was trying to get hold of you-to try to manage the situation…and check," Heather growled. "You haven't got engaged, have you?"

"No, of course not!" Astrid said firmly, her eyes trailing over Hiccup, whose shoulders slumped at the immediate and vehement denial. "Is it on the main news?"

"All over," Heather confirmed. "I think they contacted your father for confirmation as well…"

"…which is how Dad knew," Astrid realised, chewing her lip.

"Most likely," Heather said briskly. "When they contacted me, I gave a solid NO COMMENT as did your team and national managers-but I think they'll want an explanation when you get back."

"It was a mistake," she said. "Look-I think someone saw us in a restaurant, snapped a picture and scarpered. In fact, I think they may even have paid for our meal…because we had provided them with a unique opportunity…damn it…"

"Well, the image is pretty convincing-and there are others…a quick kiss on the cheek, sharing a desert, you both laughing…and the ring moment…" Heather informed her briskly.

"Which was me dropping my ring in the pud and Hiccup retrieving it, cleaning it and putting it back on…" Astrid explained hurriedly.

"Which looks really, really convincing…" Heather repeated. "We need to issue an denial as soon as possible…" Astrid glanced at Hiccup-and then paused.

"Not tonight," she said. "Look-I'm in the middle of my Mom's party and the last thing I want is any more publicity detracting from her day. We can manage this in the morning…"

"You know-they'll say this was a publicity stunt," Heather growled. "It could backfire…" Astrid rolled her eyes.

"We can be honest about the whole thing…maybe hold a joint press conference," Astrid said thoughtfully. "You have a think about it while I enjoy the rest of the party…"

"Okay, boss-but beware of the Paps. They'll be camped on the doorstep to try to get a picture of the happy couple," Heather warned her. "You're practically Archipelago Royalty-and you're back at home. I mean-Hiccup? Childhood sweetheart?"

"I know-mad, right?" Astrid said, her eyes flicking back to Hiccup's embarrassed shape. "Look-gotta go. Have a think about the wording of the statement we can make while I enjoy the rest of my party!" Then she turned back to Hiccup. "Look, if you need anywhere to stay…" He gave a low chuckle.

"Because that would really help out denials that there was nothing between us," he commented sarcastically. She smiled.

"The offer stands," she admitted. "Because your girlfriend sounded mad." He shrugged.

"Not been the first time, guess it won't be the last," he admitted. She stared at him, hearing the dull acceptance in his tone and sighed.

"Hiccup-are you happy with her?" she asked directly. He shrugged and wouldn't meet her eye.

"We're okay," he shrugged. "I…"

"There they are!" Her mother's voice sounded and the pair found themselves ushered out into the main part of the hall, surrounded by happy relatives. Hiccup found himself hugged powerfully by his father and then Gobber.

"Good job, Hiccup!" the two limbed man said loudly. "I knew yer could win the lass around if yer finally got yer act together!" And then-most shockingly-Hiccup found himself hugged by Ivar and then Ingrid.

"We couldn't have wished for a better son-in-law," they said. "You're a decent hardworking lad-not like that lousy two-timing using creep…"

Cringing inwardly, Hiccup blushed. "Um…thanks," he managed and then a strong hand found his. Astrid smiled and gently but firmly pulled him free of the over-eager family.

"Mine," she said confidently and hauled him to the buffet, mechanically loading her plate with salmon, salad and a huge helping of pasta while Hiccup absently loaded chicken legs, yak slices and bread onto his. Glancing over, she scooped salad onto his plate and he gaped.

"Argh! Sudden invasion of green stuff!" he protested. She turned to smile at him.

"You, Sir Skinny, will die of malnutrition if you just eat meat…" she told him smugly.

"Dogs and cats don't," he pointed out.

"And you're neither," she retorted. "You're a human being and you need vitamins and micronutrients that you can only get from greens, fruit and vegetables…" He quirked an eyebrow.

"I mean, it's green," he moaned. "Why would you want to touch something green…" She smiled and took a bite of her salmon.

"Because it's good for you…" she reminded him and he stared at her, seeing her smile and he deliberately took a huge bite of his chicken leg.

"Mmm mmm," he said pointedly. "Meat, glorious meat…"

"Yup-you're a Viking alright!" she quipped.

"Not a Neo-Viking?" he retorted, smiling and she eyed him up and down.

"Nope-you don't seem to be purple," she teased him. "Or wearing a stuffed shark…" He chuckled.

"Nope-prefer red," he smirked, eyeing her dress. She glanced down and then shimmied her hips, causing the skirt to flare a little.

"This red?" she teased him.

"Exactly that red," he said, his tone more confident. "Oh wow-you are looking stunning in that-I mean it."

"It's my 'Team Astrid' line of clothes," she admitted. "Like the one last night…"

"Which was also amazing," he admitted, chewing his chicken leg.

"Thanks-that was my favourite design," she admitted. "Which I chose for my not-date with you…"

"Not-date?" he asked, eyes widening. She smiled and took another mouthful of pasta.

"You were my best friend," she reminded him. "I didn't think about you like that…"

"And now we're 'engaged'," he said dryly. "Wow-I'm a faster worker than I thought…"

"And the sassy guy is back!" she chuckled. He chuckled as well.

"He's arrived," he grinned, spearing a slice of yak roast. "So I guess he should spend the evening with his 'one night only fiancee'?"

"Nowhere else he should be," he reminded her with a grin.

After they ate, the music started and after Ingrid and Ivar had shared a dance, Astrid and Hiccup were persuaded to take a self-conscious turn round the dance floor to "I've Had The Time of My Life', though Astrid was balanced and poised and tried some rather more daring moves. But Hiccup was careful and embarrassed, gliding skilfully over the floor as they spun round the space. There were cheers and whoops and more than a few cameras clicking. Hiccup felt his stomach roiling, knowing Arabella would be furious while Astrid just smiled benignly, determined not to disrupt her Mom's party any more.

The friends also joined in the dancing and Astrid fielded all questions calmly while Hiccup was teased ruthlessly by the twins and Snotlout for working fast and two-timing Arabella and Snotlout hit on Astrid again-until she jammed the heel of her party shoes into his foot. He yelped and hopped away as Astrid twirled away from the stocky man.

"Remind me not to get you mad at me," Hiccup commented with a smile and she grinned up at him.

The rest of the evening passed off uneventfully and Astrid was delighted to see her Mom so happy. Hiccup was given a serious man-to-man chat by Stoick and Gobber which left him feeling both confused and ashamed that they had such pleasure in his supposed engagement…and that no one seemed at all unhappy that he had apparently dumped Bella. He knew his friends and family weren't over-fond of her prickly and controlling behaviour but the fact that none of his female friends felt bad for a girl who had apparently been dumped made him realise how badly they viewed her.

At the time to leave, Ruff came scurrying through the people in the Hall back to the couple with Fishlegs in tow.

"There's a dozen photographers outside, waiting for a picture of the celebrity who just got engaged to an anonymous fishbone from Berk," Ruff panted.

"It's a scrum," Fishlegs added. "Look-if you give me two minutes, I'll get my car and then I'll collect you from the front. Once you're through, they'll go and leave everyone alone, right?" His eyes swung to Astrid and she nodded.

"I'll get my purse," she said and then turned to Hiccup. "Are you okay?" He nodded and ran his hand nervously through his hair.

"Really not used to this," he admitted. "Anything I need to do?"

"Be yourself," she advised him.

"Oh Thor, like that's gonna help…" he murmured. She took his hand, squeezing gently.

"Hiccup-you're a great guy so stop doing yourself down," she told him seriously. "Now stick close to me, smile and head straight for the car…" Then she turned and said goodbye to her parents but as Hiccup thanked them for inviting him, they both hugged him eagerly. Stoick clapped him on the back and beamed proudly and the friends waved them goodbye as they paused, took a deep breath-and then stepped out of the front doors of the Great Hall and walked down the stairs.

A sea of flashes met them and Astrid paused at the top of the stairs, smiling brightly and posing with a hand on one hip, head up and her other hand clasped tightly with Hiccup's. Unsure of what to do, he managed a slight smile, his head slightly dipped in self-consciousness. After a few seconds, Astrid nodded.

"Now they have their shots so it's time to go," she murmured and led him down the steps to Fishlegs's waiting SUV. Without hesitating, they got into the back and Fishlegs sped away, with Ruff waving happily at the photographers from the passenger seat. Behind them, the paparazzi were already checking their images as the rest of the guests began to emerge without molestation as the photographers began to disperse.

But in the back of the SUV, Hiccup glanced over at Astrid and knew what was waiting for him when he got back home with Bella…and he really, really wished he could stay with her. But he knew as well, in the morning, she would be gone.

Astrid looked up and smiled at him.

"You did really well," she murmured. "Your first experience with the Paps?" He nodded.

"Hopefully my only one," he admitted.

"Don't worry," she reassured him. "When I get back from International Duty, we'll organise a press conference and explain what happened." Her hand squeezed his. "It will all be okay."