AN: New chapter for you all. My beta and I would like you all to enjoy this. SO ENJOY IT! There has been reshuffling and this chapter is now a normal length. Chapter 10 is undergoing some final revisions and chapter 11 is well underway.

To the guest reviewer who I felt was being sarcastic in their review: The reason the Scots' accents are not written is because they are difficult to write. It may help if you use your imagination and read it in their voices.

Not much else to say. Please direct all questions to my inbox. Review and tell your internet friends.

And here we go.

I own nothing.

OF BOWS AND DRAGONS

Chapter 9: The Judgement of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III

-_-Castle DunBroch-_-

Hiccup was dressed in his full Viking regalia. His well-worn armor was shining and he was prepared to accept the judgement handed down from this leader of country. Toothless hadn't been saddled, however, much to the dragon's dismay. Hiccup couldn't risk it looking like he was trying to escape. Not that he didn't want too.

The knock on the door came just as the young chief had tightened the last strap on his gauntlets. It was time to go. Grabbing his helmet, Hiccup followed the set of guards down the familiar stone corridor to his fate. Oddly enough he was left unrestrained. This boosted the combined morale of both dragon and rider.

There were a few more Scots assembled in the Grand Hall then Hiccup had seen previously. The most notable were a short, bald man with a purple nose and a much taller man with thick red hair. Those two were standing on opposite ends of the royal family. The shorter man was standing next to Merida who was trying to sit as far away from him as possible. Hiccup and Toothless walked to the center of the room where they had stood several times before.

The court stared at him in his full armor for different reasons. Some out of awe, others fear. A couple of them thought he looked rather dashing in that armor.

Fergus straightened up and cleared his throat, "Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, in case you hadn't noticed, you are accused of being a danger to the kingdom and a spy from our enemies. The punishment for which is death." Fergus stood up from his seat and began to approach Hiccup. "You are the son of one of the most feared and respected Vikings in all the world. You are a Viking Chief and therefore an inherent enemy of this kingdom."

Hiccup made an attempt at defending himself from the words of the mountain of a man an arm's length away from him but was silenced by a gesture from the king.

"Yet it cannot be ignored what you have done for me personally, as you saved my daughter twice and placed yourself in mortal danger because of it. You seem to have the goal in mind of peace and safety for your village as well. For these reasons I am naming you a friend to the kingdom."

The room was full of different reactions. The guards seem to radiate quiet dissatisfaction. Elinor and the triplets were content that the nice young man wasn't going to be put to death. Durall simply smiled happily. Merida was relieved, and released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Despite her initial anger toward Hiccup, she had come to understand why he'd lied. She still liked the idea of calling him friend.

Nathair, the short councilor, had the opposite reaction of the princess. His face became flush with anger ad his fists clenched. He had wanted the brat dead. He was scum. He would ruin everything Nathair had planned.

Hiccup and Toothless let out small sighs of relief at having been told that they were safe. "Thank you, King Fergus. If your men will return my belongings, we'll leave your kingdom before the day is done."

Fergus raised a brow, "Your things are on their way to your chamber now. However, instead of leaving, you should come and speak with me about amnesty for your village."

Hiccup was shocked and it showed on his face. "You'd give us…. asylum?"

"Aye, lad. Now come- we have much to discuss." With a swish of his cape he led Hiccup and Toothless into the side meeting chamber. The table in the corner had been laid out with a metal pitcher, two cups, parchment, and some writing utensils.

"Hiccup, I have some terms for your peoples shelter here. But before that: what can your people offer to the not only the kingdom, but this City?"

Hiccup sighed and took the seat closest to him. "Warriors for your fights, steel for your armies, and hardy winter crops. Not to mention the dragons we will be bringing with. We can direct a trade route to your kingdom with goods from the far south and east. What are your conditions?"

Fergus smiled and took the seat opposite of Hiccup, "I want your warriors to fight beside us defend us. Be brothers in arms."

"We're not what most people would think- Vikings value a number of virtues. We never fight without a cause. We have a sort of code from the Havamal, among our village especially, 'Where you recognize evil, speak out against it and give no truces to your enemies.' Can I have your assurances that the causes for war will be just?"

"You're imposing restrictions on my conditions?" asked Fergus calmly.

"I'm asking for a safe place to move my village. I'm not laying down at your feet."

Fergus let out a hearty laugh, "That's what I want to hear!" At the lost and confused look on Hiccups face, the king calmed a bit, "I want allies who will think for themselves. Not do what I want to increase their own gains."

Hiccup let out the shaky breath he had been holding. "I'm… I'm really glad that- that is the case."

Fergus smiled at the lad; warrior and Viking yet he was still barely a child.

The two of them spent the next few hours coming to terms with an amnesty agreement. Hiccup suggested bringing the Viking trade ships to the shores of DunBroch to increase the total trade. Fergus firmly disagreed fearing those traders attacking on their own accord. The young chief assured the king that the Trade Tribe was a neutral party. They only ever fought when they were attacked first and hadn't participated in the Viking Confederacy.

The Berk Tribe was given large swaths of the forest about a day' walk beyond the Castle and town wall. On this land they could live as they wish. They would be free to govern themselves under their own laws to an extent. In return they would aid DunBroch in times of need, they would assist trade, and they would open dragon training to the locals of the kingdom.

They had written these in both of their respective written languages. Before Hiccup could move to conclude the agreement, however, Fergus had another term. "In a few months' time there is going to be a gathering of sorts of the four clans in the Kingdom. They are trying, again, to force Merida to marry the winner of the games."

Hiccup's brow furrowed, "Merida said that it was resolved three years ago."

The older man nodded solemnly, "Aye, it was. They've grown restless in the recent months with the trouble brewing northward."

"Fair enough. What does that have to do with this though?"

"I want a participant from your village to compete," he leaned forward and grasped his cup of water and prepared to take a drink, "Specifically, I want you."

The Viking spat the water he had in his mouth all over his dragon who had been napping in the corner. The dragon looked quite indignant to being awoken in this manner, but snickered at Hiccup's wide eyed face. He couldn't quite convey his sounds into meaningful words.

"Lad, it's alright. It's obvious that you fancy her." Fergus smirked at the stuttering boy.

"I just, I, uh enjoy her company."

"Unless I missed something and you go a different way. That's fine too but…" added the king, poking fun at him causing Toothless and him to have a laugh at Hiccup's expense.

Hiccup took a deep breath to clear himself but not the creeping rose coloring through his pale skin. "While I'm not against the idea of getting to know Merida better, courting a woman in Viking society is a partnership. I'm not gonna compete without her consent."

Fergus simply shrugged, "Then we phrase it as such. That your village will only participate with the princess's consent."

The Viking nodded and they made it so. The agreements were signed by both parties. "I will also need to have the village Elder overlook the treaty."

The older man nodded, "Of course! You have to keep your customs." Hiccup looked up and caught Fergus' eye. "What is it, lad?"

"Why did you trust me? I could have been lying."

"You're a good man. Any fool could see that." Fergus paused and stared deep in to Hiccup's eye, seemingly to his soul, "I thought I might take a chance on you. Don't let us down."

Hiccup nodded slowly.

The pair of them rolled their respective parchments and made to leave to small meeting chamber. "Now lad, business is concluded. Let's eat and have a little drink."

"Sounds like what I need at the moment. I'll secure this in my room and be back down."

Fergus laughed and exited behind the boy. "Good man! Hurry back!"

AN: That is a wrap. Good news for the men and women of Berk. Up next is Chapter 11: The Best Laid Plans…

Review and let me know what you think of the story so far.

War and Peace,

-RedHoodandtheOutlaws