Hiccup was sitting alone in the room they cleared out for her on the ship, she made it clear she wasn't in the mood for company as she had for several days now. Toothless and Vessa were the exceptions. They only kept her company though Vessa was attending to her, making sure she was comfortable and warm. Hiccup seemed anxious for more than one reason. She told Vessa the baby had been exceptionally restless and it only made Vessa worry more. It could be that the baby would be born soon. Hopefully they would arrive at Berk before that happened. Sharpshot was curled up in a pile of sacks, happily snoring away. Vessa eventually curled up in a pile of furs and joined the little dragon in sleep. She was about to drift off herself when the door creaked open, revealing Astrid in her doorway.

"Hey there, care to come in." Astrid rolled her eyes and entered. Hiccup sat up a little to properly address her.

"Hey." Astrid's voice was very small, rather uncharacteristic of her.

"That thing back at the house…" She started. Hiccup could already sense an argument coming.

"What about it?" Perhaps her tone was a touch defensive, but with the recent behavior of her former peers she felt more than a little justified in doing so. It didn't matter which thing she was referring to, but she was sure it was being blown out of proportion.

"Does he do that sort of thing a lot?" She guessed now that she was referring to the grabbing Dagur did earlier.

"No." Hiccup replied curtly.

"Why don't I believe you?" Hiccup felt that hormonal anger flush through her again. Her little outburst was from Dagur's offspring in her, or so he liked to claim. Whatever the cause, Hiccup was trying very hard not to let it loose on Astrid.

"Because for whatever reason you have it in your head that Dagur is some kind of abusive husband. Frankly he's beat up on me less than the lot of you." That stung and she saw the hurt spike in Astrid's eyes. Hiccup took a deep breath and reined it in. It was uncalled for but greatly satisfying.

"Hiccup, it's just when he hit Vessa, it was different. I see the twins and Snoutlout beat each other up all the time and I do it too. Why was it different?" Confusion, not only that, but acknowledgement of that. That was rare.

"If you haven't figured it out yet, Vessa was a prostitute, she's no warrior, she was bred for beauty not strength. Dagur hit someone even more defenseless than me." It was flippant, she knew Vessa hardly cared about people knowing her background. Astrid had been taken aback by the fact, but pushed past it.

"You're pretty helpless right now." Hiccup shrugged with a small smirk.

"Not so helpless that I can't get rid of someone who's a problem." Astrid blinked, startled by her response.

"Yeah, you killed that guy." Astrid replied. Hiccup looked down with a small snort.

"Not the first time."

"You killed people?" She questioned, surprised.

"A few." Astrid couldn't help herself.

"When?" Hiccup clenched the sheets in her hands.

"The first assassin offed himself, the second I burned with dragon fire, a man who restrained me during the retrieval of Mally and finally, the one how got in my room."

"Three…" Astrid had never killed a person, only dragons.

"I don't like doing it, it's a lot harder than it looks, to you know, deal with."

"You never struck me as one who could kill."

"They tried to kill me because they're afraid of me and my baby."

"You?"

"I'm Stoick's only child, and if this baby is a boy he'll have a claim to both the Hooligan and Berserker tribes. There a lot of people who don't like that."

"If it's a girl?"

"If it's a girl she can marry into a tribe ad further extend the network. Besides, if she's healthy I can have more kids." Hiccup stopped rubbing her belly.

"I think a lot of people didn't expect for me to live this long. They expected Dagur to off me by now." Astrid settled at her bedside.

"We didn't think so either, when you showed up a year later with a baby inside you we were all surprised."

"I'm sure." Hiccup laughed lightly.

"It was also a bit of a reality check for Ruffnut and me." Hiccup cocked her head.

"Huh?"

"I mean, we'll have marriage offers soon" Hiccup laughed again, more bitter than humored.

"Your probably already have one picked out for you and you don't even know it yet. You think my dad ran that by me. 'Oh honey, guess what, I have a marriage offer from Oswald for Dagur! Do you wanna marry 'im?' Yeah that's not what happened. It was more of a 'Hiccup you're getting marred in a fortnight, pack your things.'" Astrid looked down.

"I'm sorry it went like that for you." Astrid said awkwardly.

"Why, you weren't whispering the benefits into my father's ear, to my knowledge, that was my Oswald with my aunt and uncle."

"They were in on it." That was news to her. Stoick's younger half-sister was known for her power hungry ways, it shouldn't be surprise that she made an attempt to completely usurp what should have been her niece's by blood rite. The woman was a bastard, and she was always bitter for it. Snotlout as her only chance, and that power would have still been Stoick's though his daughter. But if Hiccup was married elsewhere.

"A sickly girl may bear sickly children, and my mother was only a step from sickly herself. They didn't want that passed on to their son's children. Having me married elsewhere was convenient for Snotlout's ascension and future heirs. Oswald was fascinated by me, he thought I could tame Dagur, and it seems he was right for the most part." With that little secret held between them, Astrid had the courage to confirm the rumor that had been circulating for months.

"Did, did Dagur really kill his father?" Hiccup hardly paused before answering. Astrid suddenly got the impression she had to answer this question a lot.

"Yes."

"Then why are you still with him?" It as childish, Hiccup recognized the tone. When she gazed up at Astrid there was an age there. Astrid was older than Hiccup but suddenly felt much like a child nest to her. She had never known a man, she had never carried a child, or had she killed a man.

"I'm his wife Astrid, I have to stand by him for better or worse. He says it was because Oswald said he was going to end the marriage, but he wouldn't. He might have threatened it, but he never would have gone through it. Anger filled him, a rage or a panic. He was scared. I'm his wife, he is mine and I'm his. I am going to have his child and hopefully many more. I'm stuck with him, by law and by love, as cheesy as that is." Astrid shook her head in disbelief.

"How can you love someone like that?" Hiccup shrugged again.

"I don't really know. I could say I had to, in order to survive this, but that's not it. There are little things, he's strong but can be very gentle. He cares about m more than anyone ever really has. Dagur treasures me, Astrid, and that was what really earned my love. It can be hard, but we've managed to get through everything so far."

"Like the fit you had."

"He doesn't hurt me, not often at least. Usually it's when he's mad or excited, his doesn't control his strength. But he's never struck me, ever. You might not be as lucky."

"If any man hits me, I'll hit back."

"It might not be that simple." Hiccup informed her darkly.

"I'll divorce him."

"What if you can't. I know you live a straight forward life but whoever you marry might not be that way. Dagur's straight forward and I'm not, it's how I guide him into doing thing making favorable decisions. Life is hard Astrid, it's harder without compromise." Astrid considered this.

"What's gonna happen, after, you know, the kid's born." Hiccup made eye constant and offered a half-hearted smile.

"I'll probably have to have a guard with them at all times until they can better protect himself or herself. Maybe assign Toothless to them or if I have a hiccup, maybe they'll leave us alone. But the healer doubts it, says it'll be a big baby, like Dagur or my dad."

"Do you think you're gonna die." Hiccup looked at her quizzically but Astrid started back pedaling.

"Uh, sorry, I uh, well….."

"It's fine." She shrugged. A pregnant pause filled the room.

"I've never known you to be so timid, what's with you." Astrid looked at her feet and Hiccup shifted realizing that she wasn't going to get an answer from the girl, not tonight. Astrid shifted between her feet before Hiccup let out a dramatized yawn.

"Don't meant to be rude Astrid but it's been a long day."

"Oh yeah…

"And I'm pretty tired

"Of course, of course,

"So, I'll see you in the morning."

"Yeah, see ya then." Hiccup watched Astrid closed the door with a heavy sigh she nested under the covers and went to sleep.

X

It was only hours later when she woke to the sound of alarm bells. She immediately reached for her hidden dagger, holding it tight. Toothless, Vessa and Sharpshot were all awake and alert. Sharpshot tried to hide in her lap, shuddering and whimpering. Hiccup immediately went for her paper and scrawling down a message, just in case. Hiccup listened, trying to hear what was going on. Vessa looked at her briefly.

"I'll check it out."

"Be careful."

"I know."

X

Dagur curled in the bed alone, feeling angry and bitter. The air still reeked of his Silver-tongue's blood and possibly their offspring. He didn't like being alone. Without Silver-tongue to ground him his mind would float and the dark things would creep into his consciousness and into his vision. His eyes clouded over and his perception grew foggy. He was angry, enraged even. Where was Silver-tongue, where was his Hiccup. Where was the crooked toothed, freckled, scrawny wife of his; swollen with child. He needed her, he needed her, he needed her, he needed her….

WHERE WAS SHE?

Why did she go, she shouldn't, she couldn't go, she needed to be here, she needed to stay with him where he would keep her safe. He'd keep her safe, the enemies would never touch her if she stayed. He'd crown her with their teeth and bones, painting her lips in their blood, adorn her with their flesh and organs. He's make a queen of her, a queen of gruesome horrors, queen Vikings and warriors. She'd be the queen of the world if she asked, but she wouldn't. Hiccup was too pure and clean to adorn with the terrors that lurked in his mind m the dark desires that tainted her with each touch of his fingers, staining her fair freckled skin with the blood of her enemies friends alike. How wonderful iy would be if everyone died, if the world was only the two of them, making love on the blood and bones of everyone he'd ever killed. He loved her, he loved her, that was the right word right? Love. Hiccup used to describe how she felt about her father, her mentor, he dragon, him and their little ball of flesh that would become their child. What did that mean?

Love?

Just a word, but he told Hiccup he loved her, and if Dagur loved anyone, it would be her. He'd burn world to ash, he'd kill anyone if she only asked, he'd conquer pillage and rape the world itself until only a husk remained. He was a Berserker and murder in his blood. His father denied it, his grandfather too and his sister. They pretended to be outsiders, in control of themselves and their fighting spirit. Madness was in their blood, as much apart of him as the red of his hair and the strength in his limbs. There was no shame to be had; there was pride, proof of his ancestors that carved a living from this hostile land. But Hiccup didn't agree. She didn't like that side, she didn't fear it per say but she recognized the threat it posed to her. Dagur did hurt her, one in a while. When he was mad, or cared he'd hurt her, as the madness enveloped him like a shroud. But her tiny finger and soothing voice would chase away the shadow like a roaring flame on the longest nights.

That's right she needed to be here, where she could free him from the ever creeping darkness that threatened his sanity.

WHERE WAS HICCUP?!

X

She should have expected this but really what could you do. There men aboard the ship and she was barely on her feet. She only tried to find strategic spot in the room, with proper cover and her dragons standing guard. Sharpshot was all but vibrating on her shoulder and in anticipation. Toothless's eyes were narrowed spitting spurts of flame. She kept her hands firm on her knife, fingers tense. She curled herself into the corner behind the door, kneeling in a way that she could, hopefully, get up quickly. Toothless curled around her, ready and waiting, ready to pick up Hiccup if the need arose. Hiccup listened he blood froze.

She heard Alvin's voice.

Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit!

She took the scroll of paper from her pocket and started scribbling as she had prepared to the minute she boarded the ship. This had always been a possibility, and she was prepared. On the paper were only a few words.

Captured

Outcasts

She handed the paper to Sharpshot, tucking it into his harness and bidding him to leave. He small dragon wriggled out through a porthole window moments before the door burst open and Outcast soldier flooded in. Hiccup stood her ground as they took a good look at him and the dragon, before murmuring t one another. They approached but Toothless snarled. They back up and Hiccup raises a hand to calm Toothless. Using Toothless she carefully stood up still holding the knife. She stiffened her jaw and raised her chin in a show of pride.

"Take me to Alvin." She told them. They made a grab for her, but Hiccup slapped their hands away with a bravery she really didn't feel.

"I can walk myself." She told them stubbornly. The men eyed each other but as she was not actively trying to escape, they obliged. Hiccup lowered large knife but kept holding herself proudly. She strode past with Toothless at her heels snarling at the men. Hiccup kept the lowered knife tightly in hand as she struggled internally with each step. Her whole body ached and it kind of felt like her stomach was craping, she just praying for it to be nerves. Her heart thumped harshly as she walked up the steps to the deck, feeling very naked in only her shift with her hair braided down her back.

Alvin was waiting for her.

Hiccup approached him holding her head stiffly, Toothless curled around her growling quietly.

"Can I help you?" She asked, with a boldness she certainly did not feel. She stiffened as Alvin put his hand against her face, grabbing her chin roughly.

"Look at ye, bout ready ta pop." He chuckled, pulling his hand away sternly, pulling on her jaw a bit too much.

"Well I am pregnant, it shouldn't come as that much a surprise." She replied, tossing her head a bit, breaking his grasp.

"We're gonn ago a little trip, you and me, and yer little friends."

"Why…?"

"Dun play dumb girlie, it dun suit you." Hiccup frowned, she hated when people saw though her.

"Train you some dragons?" She questioned. Alvin looked her over, ignoring her question.

"So, what do the soothsayer say 'bout the babe."

"Bit of surprise. Boy, girl, it doesn't matter to us."

"O yea?"

"Dagur a wants a girl." Hiccup insisted and she could feel him getting riled up. But riled men did stupid things, something she was ready to take advantage of.

"Really now, would 'av thought the fool would wan' a boy, everyone does."

"Not Dagur, we have plenty of time for heirs."

"Girl, do you know what I plan on if you 'ave a girl?"

"Enlighten me of your evil plan." Hiccup rolled her eyes, waving her hand about.

"Not so evil, any girl of yours could make a good wife once properly broken in." Hiccup felt chills go down her spine.

"You Haddock women, and Berserker women are a bit too fiery me taste, a proper breakin' in would take time but it make a proper wife of them. But, if it's a boy, the honor of my wife will go to ye dear girl."

"Bit of a problem with that, in case you forgot I'm already married."

"Eh, not for long, widowhood will be quite beautiful on ye." Hiccup lost her tongue for moment, only a fool wouldn't see where he'd been going but perhaps love has blinded her from realities she didn't want to face.

"Ye, will be coming with me. Men set her up in a cell away from the others, especially the beasts, every time she resists, kill one of the brats." Hiccup was in a rage now, it took every fiber of her being not to leap at him and use her nails and teeth like a dragon to take him down. But his words were serious and she knew it. Just as they were being led form the boat to the Outcast ship a voice called out.

"Wait!" Vessa.

"What is it whore?" The man holding her asked in a bored tone.

"I need to be with my lady."

"Oh really. And I believe I said she'd be alone. Perhaps I should kill ye fer yer insolence."

"Wait, you said it yourself, she'd about to pop. And correct me if I'm wrong but I'm he only one here with any kind to midwifing skills. I highly doubt any of you are qualified to deliver a baby."

"Fine, keep the whore with her, but otherwise, keep her separated." Hiccup sighed in relief.

At least she wasn't completely alone.

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Princess: (gasps for air emerging from a pile of books and paper) Air, I need air! Just kidding but it was a rather hellish semester and now I'm graduating in two weeks, yay! But finally, finally, I can get back to work on these (cracks knuckles)but regular updates might not happen for a while because I got so behind on this. But I'll do my best to put in another installment in two weeks!

See ya Then!

Reviews:

LaylanatorXVII: Aww thanks, and be patient, babeh time will be soon.

: At this point I'd say she's well into her eighth month, Stick hasn't heard word of the attempts. Hiccup's struggling to keep it under wraps until they can in down an exact culprit and stop wars of accusation from starting.

Travellerofadifferentpath: Thanks for pointing these out, for Snotlout, Hiccup just doesn't want to tell anyone in case it starts a war that hurts other people she cares about. You could argue he has no right to do so, but they have excuses worrying about Hiccup being pregnant, but you are right. Thanks for the critique I'll try to improve these points.

Weirdsqirrelgirl: Toothless still unnerves the Berkains, so he was outside for the night where he sleeps when Dagur and Hiccup want privacy.

Cherry-Blossom-Love: Thanks for the kind words. Let's call it a happy accident.