Author's Note: Edmund was inspired by Justin Berfield's portrayal of Gill from Kim Possible. I loved that gravelly voice so well that I rebuilt a character around it. I made him a deuteragonist that strengthens Renee and Helga's relationship. And made him a pivotal moment in order for their relationship to form.
Renee was sure she was late that morning. The sun had risen past the horizon. And the house was empty. No hair of human, nor scale of dragon to be found when she awoke. She slowed to a stop as she neared the plaza. Something wasn't right. Normally vikings would be busy bustling through. Making traversing it difficult for her.
As she neared the docks, she spotted them. The entire village had turned out at the docks. Making for a troubling sight. She stood behind two massive vikings. Trying to see through the crowd.
"Must be bad if Alvin arrives unannounced." One of the vikings whisper.
Renee looks up at them. Growing frustrated. Seeing an opening, she squeezes between them. She pushes her way through the crowd apologetically.
She finally escapes the of the sea of legs and emerges at the cliff ledge. She looked down. A new ship had anchored at the docks. She looked to the sail. A spiked viking helmet adorned the sailcloth. She then looked down to the edge of the docks. Hiccup was up front and center. Conversing with a rather hulking viking that towered over him.
A youth stood at the man's side. He was just as daunting as the man that towered over him. He was built like an ox. Judging by the grin he carried, he used his social status as a defense for impulsive behavior. His eyes were as dark as his greasy slick back hair. Renee shuddered gazing upon this youth. Knowing by first glance he meant trouble.
"Must be pretty bad. Alvin usually sends air mail to announce his arrival." Hearing Helga behind her, Renee near leaped out of her skin.
"Who…?" Renee looked back to Helga. She watches nervously as Helga approached to stand at her side. Helga looks down at the sight before them.
"He's chief of the outcasts. Formerly Alvin the Treacherous. My uncle tells of how he cost lives over a poor decision when he was younger. I would watch myself around him while he's on Berk, were I you. He could easily snap you in two if you cross him." Helga warned.
Renee gulped. She looked back down at the large man. Helga appears to speak the truth. The man was every bit as large as her uncle. And just as terrifying looking. Renee startled to see the teen looking her direction.
Helga uttered a disgusted grunt of disapproval. Seeing the outcast youth looking their way.
"I take it you have a history with him?" Renee noted Helga's disapproval. She looked up, seeing her look of disgust.
Before Renee could react, Helga grabbed her by and exposed lock of hair and yanked her back through the crowd. Renee had yelped in fear. Not sure what she did to set her off this time. She held onto her helmet as Helga towed her past the crowds. And back through the plaza.
"Oh Gods…" Renee whimpered, seeing where Helga was headed. Helga dragged her into a familiar alley. The same alley she was beaten up in two days ago. Renee struggled in Helga's grasp, trying to get free. But Helga kept a tight grip on her scalp.
Helga shushed her with a hiss and yanked her down behind a cluster of barrels. Helga crouched down beside her, keeping watch on the path just outside the alley. Renee looked up. A shaky whimper escaped her lips, only for a hand to clamp down around her mouth.
Helga remained vigilant, her attention focussed on the path. As she feared, their guests passed their hideout on their journey to the Meade Hall. She ducked down, her chest pressing against Renee's back. Renee froze. Helga was so close to her that she could smell her earthy scent.
Helga peered over the top of the barrels before finally letting Renee go. Her aggressive energy gone. It was very alien to see Helga afraid.
"His name is Edmund. Every time he's here, he won't leave me alone. I tell him no. He thinks I say yes," Helga explained. Pacing back and forth before Renee. "Last time he was here he even tried to propose to me! To which I shoved him off a cliff as my answer. Still that wasn't enough!"
Renee gulped. Listening to Helga rant.
"And now that Edmund's here, I won't hear the end of it until they leave." Helga growled in frustration.
"My ears are burning." A gravelly voice sang. The sudden surprise startled Renee. She sprang away from the unfamiliar voice, bumping into Helga. Helga was focussed on the new arrival to care.
"Ahh Helga. Still as beautiful as the last time we met." Edmund smiled sweetly. Staring at her love lorn as he approached.
"Out of the way, squirt. Helga and I have some catching up to do." Edmund pushed Renee out of his way. He laughed as Renee fell over backwards as a result. Helga watched Renee fall. The gears in her head began to turn as she formed an idea.
"How dare you treat MY girlfriend like that." Helga declared.
"Your, WHAT!" Renee yelped. Alarmed by Helga's declaration. Helga grabbed Renee by the back of her tunic and yanked her back to her feet. Where she placed a possessive hand on Renee's shoulder. Holding her in place. Renee looked on with wide eyes.
"You? Choosing a cross dressing hiccup over me? Someone who can actually take care of you?" Edmund looked between Renee and Helga. Giving Helga a skeptical stare. It was hard for him to believe her. Helga remained firm about her decision.
"We are in love. If you can't stand it that's your problem." Helga proclaimed. Renee was stunned. Not sure what to do. She could feel Helga rubbing her shoulder affectionately. She looked up at Edmund. He still didn't look as though he were buying the lie.
"If you two are in love. Prove it." He demanded, crossing his arms over his chest. Furrowing his brows.
Proof? Renee wasn't sure what he meant by proof. Then it happened. She was twisted around to face Helga. She felt Helga's arm wrap around her back as she was dipped back lightly. Then Renee froze in panic. Helga's warm chapped lips met hers. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears as she stared at Helga in shock.
She kept her arms out and away from her. Not wanting to upset Helga in any way. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Edmund. He looked as though he was not believing their kiss. Renee forced her eyes closed. Timidly she placed her hands on Helga's shoulders.
Slowly Helga pulled away. She tugged on Renee's upper lip with her teeth. Gnawing it gently before letting go. She placed a firm grip on Renee's shoulder as the two faced Edmund. Renee wasn't sure how to react or feel. Sure she found herself crushing on Helga before. But she remained stunned by the sudden event.
"Looks like I've a rival." Edmund growled. Cracking his knuckles.
"If you don't mind, we would like to be alone." Helga growled, pulling Renee closer. As though she were being protective.
"Fine. But your little toy isn't going to be with you all the time. And when that time comes," Edmund towered over Renee, who trembled in his shadow. "You're going to regret stealing my woman." He drew his finger across his throat.
Renee ducked behind Helga. Watching fearfully as Edmund turned and left. Throwing barrels over in anger along the way.
"I thought you said not to get them, oof, mad!" Renee whimpered. Having landed hard on her stomach as Helga shoved her away.
"I said not to cross his father, Alvin. Edmund is a mutton head. Nobody cares if he's upset." Helga brushed herself off.
"Well I CARE. Didn't you just hear him? He threatened to kill me!" Renee shouted in panic. She turned to face Helga. Only to scoot away when Helga approached her.
"You're forgetting your social status. You're practically a princess the way Chief Hiccup devotes his time to you. That makes you untouchable." Helga stood over Renee.
"It was bad enough that Astrid wants to spill my guts! Now I got enemies lining up!" Renee whined. She tried to get up, only to be pushed back down by Helga. A foot rests on her chest, holding her down.
"Why was Astrid upset? I haven't seen her that mad to want to kill someone on sight." Helga asked.
"I was caught. By dragon hunters." Renee explained sheepishly.
"Dragon hunters? You sure? We haven't seen their likes in our waters since Drago." Helga looked at her dubiously.
"They were from my tribe." Renee struggles to get up. She has no effect. Helga holds her down with a firm footing.
"So. You found them? Why didn't you stay?" Helga cocked a brow.
"It's not that easy…" Renee sniffled. Giving up. She looks away. Growing silent. She reflects on Jet's claim of her uncle killing and wounding hundreds of innocent people. The fact that she could have been a statistic hit her hard.
"What's not easy? You found your tribe! Were I you, I would have stayed." Helga pulled her boot away from Renee's chest.
"My uncle's a monster, okay! I'm terrified to death of him! I would rather be a social outcast here than be back under his shadow!" Growing irate. Renee sat up.
"You think you've got uncle problems? Try having Spitelout as your uncle." Helga hissed.
Renee froze. She'd forgotten that Helga was in Spitelout's care. It all became clear now. Why Helga's constantly aggressive towards her. Towards help. The man probably expected a great deal from her and likely put pressure on her to see to it she succeeded. A burden like that could be stressful on anyone.
"I'm, Sorry." Renee uttered softly. Rising to her feet.
"Chief Hiccup was right though." Helga skirted Renee and began to make her way towards the entrance of the alley. Renee watched as she weaved between the overturned barrels.
"We're not so different." Helga glanced back at Renee with a gentle demeanor. Surprising Renee. She then disappeared through the two buildings and into the plaza. Leaving Renee alone.
Renee ran her tongue along her lips as the memory played over in her mind. She just had her first kiss. And with a viking no less. She rounded the fallen barrels, careful of her footing as she made her way to the entrance of the alley. Leaning against the side of a building she looked out. Watching as Helga disappeared through a crowd with a longing gaze. She smiled. Helga was pleasant to be around, when she's not threatening her life.
Edmund's threat haunted Renee. She was terrified to the point of staying hidden the rest of that morning. It seemed the only place she felt safe was at the arena. Renee's hands trembled. Her chest hurt, making it hard to breathe. She recognized the pain. She was on the verge of having a panic attack the longer she thought about it. Even in the arena she wasn't safe from her panic attacks. She huddled on the floor. Panic-stricken.
Being beaten up by bullies was one thing. Worst you got was a black eye. Maybe a bruised rib or two. If you were lucky. But bullies that want to spill your insides on the floor. That took its toll on Renee.
"Maybe I should have stayed with Jet…" She whimpered, wrapping her arms around her chest. She had never wanted to go home so bad before.
"Found you!" A familiar gravelly voice caught her attention. She yelped in panic and looked towards the entrance of the arena. Edmund was quickly advancing. A sickening smile on his face as he sniggered to himself.
She began to panic. She was trapped. Edmund stood between her and the way out. She looked up. Then towards Thunderhead who stood nearby. She clambered to her feet and made a break for her dragon.
"Go! Go!" Renee urged Thunderhead as she pulled herself into her saddle. Thunderhead took flight without hesitation.
Edmund missed his chance to grab her by her tunic. She slipped out of his grasp as she took to the sky. He growled and threw his helmet to the floor. Watching her disappear toward the village.
"That was close…" Renee sighed with relief as she looked back. Watching as Edmund threw a tantrum in the wake of her escape. She wasn't too sure where she could hide anymore. She didn't think hanging out with the others would solve her problem either.
"There you are! I've been looking for you all morning!" Eret cut her off. Renee looked up.
"I was uh… Distracted." Renee admitted. Glancing back to the arena. Watching as Edmund was leaving.
"Hiccup demands your audience in the Great Hall." Eret spoke before diving towards the only peak that towered over Berk. Renee looked towards him, puzzled before following after him.
"You are to remain quiet and only speak when spoken to. Is that understood?" Eret demanded. Opening the massive doors to the hall he stood aside, allowing Renee passage. Renee gulped and nodded. He ushered her in.
As they marched the long path, Renee looked around. The Meade Hall was empty. Save for a gathering at the back. The atmosphere was thick. Almost unnerving. She swallowed as they approached the table. Before her a collection of vikings had gathered. Spitelout, Gobber, Sven, Bucket, and Mulch sat at the table. Chatting among themselves, near arguing. Their tones worried. Hiccup stood at the head of the table with Alvin. Even up close the man was intimidating.
"You said you had intel on this crest. But instead you bring in this scrawny youth?" Alvin growled. Quick to losing his patience.
Renee looked to the table before her. Spread out on the table was a large white cloth. Along the tattered edges, rust colored spatter was visible. In the center of the flag, something she had hoped she would never see on Berk. Her uncle's crest taunted her as it lay before her, splattered by what she could only assume was blood. She gulped. She felt like she was on trial for having association with her uncle.
"Renee has knowledge on who's behind this crest." Hiccup explained. Gesturing towards her.
"Can she be trusted?" Alvin asked. Eyeing Renee suspiciously. Renee tried to remain calm. She could feel her lower lip quivering in fear. She looked behind her, expecting Eret to stand at her side. Only to balk to see he had left.
"I trust her. Not much she can do to get in trouble around here." Gobber gave her a supportive wink.
"Trouble? She's anything but! Have you forgotten that destructive joyride of hers?" Spitelout argued. Crossing his arms over his chest in disapproval. The others agreeing with Spitelout.
"That could happen to anyone when you're training a spirited dragon." Gobber defended.
"Judging by that shiner of hers, I'd say trouble already found her." Bucket laughed. Others around the table laughed along with him.
Renee lowered her head in embarrassment. They still hadn't forgotten, nor forgiven her for that joyride. Like Gobber said, that was purely by accident of nature.
"We encountered her tribe yesterday," Hiccup cleared his throat, calming the excitement down. "Seems they're… building an army of dragon riders." He explained.
"That still doesn't explain why this eye sore was flying over my settlement like a trophy!" Alvin snarled. He slams his fist into the table. Renee snapped back to attention at his outburst.
"If we're looking at an army. It's possible that they're pillaging settlements for supplies." Mulch offered.
"Then why kill everyone on the island? What do they have to gain from murder? I lost a lot of good warriors to the likes of them!" Alvin demanded. Pointing an accusing finger towards Renee. Startling her.
"I-if I may?" Renee squeaked. She cleared her throat. "It's likely that my uncle is using settlements as practice before the real target. We learned yesterday that he's planning on invading my village." Renee spoke. All eyes were on her.
"And what's so special about your village?" Alvin looked towards her, a brow cocked. His arms crossed over his powerful chest.
"I-it's a power struggle, sir. A symbol of defiance. Of strength. Not only do powerful heads make their home there. It's also teeming with resources. Whoever controls my village, will control the free world." She explained. Taking a deep breath. She could feel the panic attack threatening to come to a head. She couldn't afford it now. She tried to remain calm.
"I've never heard of such a place before. Where did you say you are from?" Alvin asked, stroking his wiry black beard.
"New York, sir." Renee replied.
"How many men are we looking at in this army of his?" Sven asked.
"At last count, over a hundred." Renee replied. Watching as her reply suddenly ignited the group into a frenzy of chatter.
"We've taken out men with less armies than that. We can certainly handle this madman." Spitelout boasted. Earning several agreeing replies around him.
"We will take care of this situation. In the mean time, spread word out to other tribes not to form new settlements as safety precaution. Until further notice." Hiccup spoke up. Dismissing Renee with a hand gesture.
Dipping her head respectfully, she backed off from the scene before her. Relieved to be out of there. She took one final glance behind her before disappearing through the great doors. She rested against the door as she closed it. Still reeling over what she had experienced behind them. What she had learned. Her uncle was on a murderous rampage. She felt guilty. That she was to blame for his homicidal tendencies.
She didn't have the heart to tell them that Jet took her journal. That she kept documented information on dragon training. As well as her experiences and knowledge learned here on Berk in the book Hiccup gave her. It was bad enough that she was a social outcast. She didn't think that she would recover from that kind of a screw up. She couldn't do anything right. She only hoped she could recover her loss by retrieving her book if she ever encountered Jet again. Again she felt ill. She rested her forehead against the door, breathing in deeply. Trying to steady herself.
"Finally!" Edmund's gravelly voice rang out like nails on a chalkboard as he grabbed her by her shirt collar. He yanked her away from the door to face him. She looked up at him. Whimpering, seeing his fist cocked.
"I'm going to send you back to wherever it is you came from." Edmund grinned.
Before he could launch his fist, a hand grabbed it. Holding it back.
"I don't think Hiccup would appreciate it." Eret spoke. He got between the two, freeing Renee from his grip. She ducked behind Eret, looking fearfully towards Edmund.
"For the love of THOR! Let me punch her. One time!" Edmund begged. Growing frustrated of her constant escape of his wrath. He scowled over at her, seeing her peering from behind Eret.
"Sorry Edmund. You're going to have to take your frustration out in another form. She's also a visitor." Eret warned.
"Fine. You. Me. Holmgang. Tomorrow at first light in the arena. Unless you're a coward?" Edmund smirked sickeningly towards Renee. Eret's serious expression slackened to that of worry hearing the challenge.
"I am a coward!" Renee shouted at him. Not afraid to admit it. She then saw the familiar figure of Helga heading down the slope. And how this teenager hounded her against her will. Her brows furrowed as her anger rose.
"But I won't run away. If I win this. Holmgang. You're to leave Helga alone. She's made it clear she's not interested in you." Renee demanded. Standing up for herself as she came out from behind Eret. Her knees trembled.
"Fine, fine. If I win. And I will. I get Helga to myself. And you as my slave." Edmund smirked. Watching Renee's brave demeanor melt away into that of fear.
Renee whimpered. She thought she was finally standing up for herself. For someone else. But the stakes raised higher out of her reach.
"See you tomorrow on the battlefield. Future slave." Edmund snickered before leaving. Pleased with himself.
"I think I'm going to be sick…" Renee whined. Feeling the blood draining from her face. She stumbled back, only for Eret to grab her before she collapsed. He pulled her back onto her feet. Renee watched as Edmund jogged to catch up with Helga in the plaza. Only to have his head dunked in a nearby dragon wash stall as a result before Helga walked off.
"What's a…Holmgang?" Renee looked up at Eret. Not entirely sure what she agreed to. She wasn't exactly sure how to pronounce it either.
"A Holmgang is a duel issued to reclaim one's honor. The Hooligans here have bred it out of their societal laws. But it's still widely practiced elsewhere. I've seen many a Holmgang when I was still under Drago's command. They don't end pretty." Eret warned with a grim tone. Worrying Renee all the more.
"So, this is about Helga?" He then asked, flicking his brows.
"Not like that!" Renee yipped defensively. Seeing his smarmy grin. She looked away. Sighing. She wasn't sure why she agreed to it. She felt pity for Helga. This was the first time Helga had opened up to her about her problems. Without resorting to punching the daylights out of her. She felt like they were finally connecting as friends.
"Well, I'm sure Hiccup will be pleased to know his training is working out between you two. Despite the uh… circumstances." Eret remarked.
Renee stood nervously in the arena the following morning. The entire gang had gathered, minus one Hiccup. She felt as though she'd insulted him when word of the challenge reached him last night. He'd not returned since then after he'd excused himself. Leaving her feeling guilty. She hadn't slept at all that night. Nightmares of the looming fight haunted her dreams. Making peaceful slumber difficult to achieve. She'd also refused first meal. For fear she might purge her stomach contents on the arena floor from the stress.
Her bruised eye was in the first stages of healing. According to Tuff, she should be wearing war paint. She felt his fingers dance across her face. Drawing intricate details in red paint to mask her bruises. Making her look intimidating.
"You sure you want to go through with this?" Fishlegs asked, worried. He'd not heard of a holmgang before until now. And the way Eret explained them to him, he grew more anxious about the looming fight.
"If she doesn't, she forfeits and Edmund will win." Eret warned. Both Fishlegs and Renee whimpered at the news. She breathed in deep. Her breathing labored. She felt her chest tightening as she grew anxious with each passing minute.
The sun began to rise, bathing the arena in a fitting golden red. Renee looked up. A crowd had begun to collect in the bleachers above the arena. She gulped. Word had spread that a holmgang had been issued and had drawn attention. She was thankful she didn't have first meal. She would have purged her stomach right there.
Before the sun could rise over the horizon, a familiar sight had greeted Renee. A wave of relief washed over her to see him. Hiccup landed in the arena. He still didn't look too pleased about this as he dismounted and approached.
"I'm not too pleased to hear about this duel," Hiccup looked down at Renee. "But I can't stay mad knowing you're going through with this for one of your teammates honor."
"For the record, I didn't issue the challenge. I didn't even know what a holmgang was." Renee defended.
"I don't care who issued the challenge first. The damage has been done. But. You're going to need your own sword for this." Hiccup returned to his saddle. Renee looked on in wonder as he retrieved a package tied to his saddle before presenting it to her.
Renee took the package and looked it over. It was a scabbard of tanned wolf skin. Taking the hilt, she pulled the sword from its sheath and marveled at its craftsmanship. A zippleback body formed the hilt of the sword. The two heads twisted and stretched to for the grip and pommel. The wings stretched to form the guard as the tails stretched to become the fuller. She looked into the blade itself. She could see her reflection in its smooth glossy surface. The sun glinting off the blade gave it a luminous shine.
"It's forged from Gronkle iron, making it light to carry. And the fire of a Night Fury, for a strong and fierce blade. It should do you well in battle." Hiccup explained, placing a supporting hand on her shoulder.
"What does it say?" Renee had asked, noting the carved writing in the blade on either side as she looked it over.
"Fearless, and valor." Hiccup pointed as he spoke. A smile creeping along his lips.
"My idea!" Gobber cheerfully piped up.
Renee smiled as she looked up between the two. She understood now why Hiccup was absent that night. He was forging her blade.
Mixed cheering soon drew her attention. She looked up towards the entrance of the arena. Edmund was making his way through to the arena. He held himself high in confidence as he marched in. Renee swallowed hard. She sheathed her blade and tied the scabbard to her right hip.
"Careful out there. I hear he cheats." Snotlout warned, threading her arm through a shield. The weight of the shield pulled her down. She struggled to hold it up.
"It's time, Renee." Gobber was grim. He escorted Renee to the middle of the arena. She looked up around them. It seemed as though the entire village had turned out. She recognized Alvin, Astrid, and Spitelout among the crowd. Spitelout glared down at her. He'd learned this was over his niece. He didn't approve to know that the outsider was involved. Renee winced, feeling his scorn. She then saw her. Helga pushed her way to the front of the crowd.
"You showed up after all. I was hoping you'd forfeit." Edmund smirked. Drawing Renee's attention.
"Edmund, you issued this challenge. By laws of holmgang you're to choose the rules." Gobber stepped in.
"Fair enough. I choose standard Berk rules. Might as well let the little hiccup have something before she becomes my slave." Edmund boasted, snickering.
"What does he mean? What are Berk's rules?" Renee had asked Gobber nervously.
"It's very simple. The goal is to disarm your opponent. You get two shields to protect yourself but after that no more. You are not to shed any blood. If you shed blood you forfeit the duel and the opponent wins. The defeated will be banished from setting foot on Berk." Gobber explained.
"Lovely…" Renee whimpered. She watched as Edmund grabbed himself a shield from a nearby pile. Before withdrawing his blade. Slowly she withdrew hers.
"Let's have a clean fight. Really. We just mopped the arena floors." Gobber joked. Trying to lighten the mood.
"Duelists ready?" Gobber looked between the two as they faced each other.
Before Gobber could give the signal to start. Edmund slashed at Renee. Gobber had stumbled back to get out of the way as quick as possible. Rejoining Hiccup and the others on the side lines. Renee yelped and thrust her shield up before her. Her shield rattled under the weight of his strike.
Renee tried to gather up the courage to try and strike Edmund, but she was still under control of fear. She held her shield up. Hiding behind it as he lashed out at her with every fierce hit.
"You sure she can do this?" Hiccup glanced over towards Eret.
"I've drilled several hours of fighting instruction into her. She's more than capable of fighting. She just has to find the strength in herself." Eret explained in confidence. Hiccup looked at Eret with concern before looking back to the fight before them.
"I know, bud. I know. I'm worried too. But we can't interfere." Hiccup placed a hand on Toothless' head. Hearing his worried whimpering.
Renee slipped on loose gravel and fell over backwards. Edmund brought the blade down on her shield. She yelped to see the tip of his blade poking through her shield. He yanked the sword from the shield. One final blow and the shield shattered.
She scrambled back towards the sidelines. Panting. She had only begun and was already exhausted. She was terrified of what she was facing.
Ruff and Tuff rushed out to Renee, preventing her from retreating to the sidelines.
"You can do this!" Ruff cheered. Holding her in place by her shoulders.
"He's got years of experience and skill on his side. He's stronger too…" Renee whimpered as Tuff threaded her arm through a new shield.
"Remember what we told you. You are not afraid of him. You need to tell him that so you can feel better about yourself." Tuff lectured.
"In case you haven't noticed, I am terrified of him." Renee objected, looking back at Tuff.
"No excuses. Now get back out there and beat his ugly troll butt!" Ruff cheered. The pair pushed her back towards the center. Before they retreated to the sidelines.
Renee whimpered. Her lower lip quivered. She cried out in fear as his sword came down on her again. She lifted her shield up to block his attack.
"First thing I'm going to do when I win, is order you to eat dirt." Edmund gloated. Slashing at her shield once more.
Renee leaped back. His blade bounced off her shield. Renee held firm as he pounded into her shield over and over. She only pray it held up better than her first shield. With each pound of the shield, her ears throbbed. The metal groaned and screamed with each strike. She couldn't find the strength in her to strike back. She was frozen.
The familiar sound of her shield cracking caught her attention. She looked up, gasping in shock as it shattered in her grip. She cried as she threw her blade up to block his oncoming attack. This was it. No more shields.
"You make this too easy for me!" Edmund shouted. He lifted his shield and swung it at her. She yelped when it made contact. She was thrown aside like a rag doll.
"Take my advice. You should stay down like the dog you are." Edmund sneered as he approached her. He put his foot on her shoulder, pinning her down. Pointing his blade at her.
Renee still gripped onto her sword. Her body trembled as she rest against the cool floor. She then saw Helga's reflection in her blade. She looked up. Helga backed away from sight. Fearing she already knew the result of the fight. Renee felt something snap. She had enough.
"I've seen things," She tried to push herself up against Edmund's hold on her. "Things kids like you and me should never see."
She slashed her sword out at him. Causing him to back off of her as he avoided her blow. She pushed herself back up to her feet and held onto her blade firmly in her hand. Panting as she stood before him.
"I've seen suffering. Death," She rushed at him. She began to pound against his own shield. Her blade sang as it struck. "Experienced personal loss." She snarled.
"I've had more near death experiences that should be allowed!" She roared. With a final strike, Edmund's shield crumbled under the weight of her sword. Renee held off her attack, allowing Edmund to grab his final shield.
"I never once stayed down." Renee hissed. Edmund looked on with uncertainty.
"I'm a New Yorker. We don't stand down. We're strong people. We FIGHT BACK!" She screamed as she launched herself at him. She slashed at him.
Edmund backed off, throwing his shield up before him to block Renee's advances. It was his turn to be defensive. He thought he had this fight in the bag. He glanced up to the audience in the bleachers as he hid behind his shield. He could see his father watching on with a disappointed scowl. Another blow to his shield had drawn his attention back to the fight. A final blow and his shield shattered. Edmund gasped as he brought his blade up and blocked her attack. She pulled back.
"Now we're on an even playing field." Renee stated, standing tall as she faced Edmund. She held her blade before her. Pointing it at him.
Edmund growled as he rushed at her. He slashed at her. Renee brought her blade up. Blocking the oncoming attack. Edmund began to pound on her blade. Her blade sung with each strike.
Their blades lock. Both parties struggle against one another. Edmund growls as he leers at Renee. She began to push back against him as her lips curl up in a toothy sneer. He slips and falls back on familiar loose gravel.
"No! I'm not going to let some low life hiccup defeat me!" Edmund snarled. He reaches around. His fingers sink into the loose dirt. He grits his teeth and grabs a handful. Renee was too busy trying to disarm him, pushing her weight against him to notice.
He threw the grit in Renee's eyes. Smirking to see her cry out in frustration. She backed off, blinded by the sand. She scrubbed at her eyes furiously. He then slashed at her. Renee screamed out in pain as she fell back against a trough. Pain burned her face. She could smell the metallic odor of blood as she felt warm liquid trickle down her cheek and nose.
"That's a foul move!" Ruff jeered in anger from the sidelines.
"Get in there and stop him!" Hiccup shouted at Gobber. Doing his best to hold an irate Toothless back.
Gobber didn't hesitate. He hobbled out onto the field, stepping between the two teens.
"You know the rules Edmund. You drew blood. You forfeit the match. It's over." Gobber tried to stop him. Holding the youth back.
"Out of my way old man. I'm finishing this." He shoved Gobber back who toppled back head over heels. Leaving him stunned by the attack. The others rushed to Gobber's aid, helping him back to his feet.
Renee had tried to reach for water to scrub the grit out of her eyes. Before she could grab any, she was kicked away from the trough. She rolled to a stop. Her body was threatening to shut down. Her muscles screamed at her with every breath she took. Her eyes threatened to close. She was running on empty calories and lack of sleep. She was a product of her own misfortune. She could hear Edmund's sinister cackling as he neared. She looked up through squinted eyes.
"You're nothing but a cowardly hiccup." She knew Edmund stood before her. But in her tired state, she could swear she saw her uncle's shadowed figure, and hear his voice as he approached her.
She no longer held onto her sword as her hand lay on the grip. Her body trembled. Her instinct told her to give up. But she couldn't. If she couldn't defeat this ogre, what chances did she have facing her uncle? Gobber's advice of finding her destiny echoed in her mind. It dawned on her. This was it. She was to face her uncle. To defeat him. But before she could do that, she had to defeat this ruthless teen before her.
Slowly she gripped her blade once more. She drew on what energy she had left and rose. Edmund watched as she sat up. Smirking confidently. Thinking he had this fight won.
In a flash, Renee pivots her body. Her blade slacked in her hands. The pommel slammed into Edmund's knuckles. A painful yowl from him told her she'd made contact. Blinded, she was unable to see that Edmund had lost his blade. It loosed into the air where it landed in the bleachers. It lodged into the wood bleachers just before his own father. Who looked on in disappointment.
Gobber quickly approached as he looked on in shock. Seeing the sword fly. It was all he took to have the answer.
"Winner by a long shot, Renee Baxter!" Gobber shouted. Lifting her hand high in the air excitedly he pulled her to her feet. The audience broke out into a deafening roar.
"You've just been Baxtered." Renee looked towards the shadow figure she knew was Edmund. She blindly felt along her scabbard to sheath her blade. She felt herself hoisted onto shoulders once she sheathed her blade.
Renee clung on tightly as she was carried out to the cheering spectators. She wasn't sure if the cheering was because she put up a good fight. Or that she won their respect. She didn't seem to care at that moment. Her body wanted to find a flat surface and sleep. But she still had to find Helga.