X

X

X

Hiccup and Vessa spent their captivity together in silence. Hiccup wordlessly helped Vessa fix her hair torn from its bindings. Something small and familiar made her feel safer. The baby was moving fiercely in response to Hiccup's tense body. But it was a comfort to feel the little one moving. She just prayed they would both survive the next few days. Her body was cramping but she hoped it was just stress. This couldn't happen now. They just had to hold out until Dagur got to them. Please let it not be too late for them. Hiccup ached for Toothless, he was scared for her and him.

She had been reluctant to let Alvin and his men restrain him but this was the way that saved the most lies. Snotlout, Gobber and Astrid came from prominent families close to the chief himself. The ones really in danger were the twins and Fishlegs. Both were from less prominent families. The twins were descendant of outsiders handed over as a part of a peace treaty and few would put their necks out for them. Fishlegs was in a similar situation. All three were descendants of Berserkers but haven't lived among the Hooligans for enough generations for people to die for their families, even if young people, especially young women were valuable for the future of the tribe.

X

Everyone was avoiding their chief. His mood had been most foul since Hiccup had disappeared. He may have seemed to know what was happening. He spent much of his time alone in his home stewing in his displeasure. They all prayed to Frigga that their lady would return to them soon. Surely the strange girl and her child would calm his rages like before. It felt as if all the rage and madness since their marriage was coming out all at once without her there to calm them. It was remarkable to watch his madness calm with a touch.

Dagur sat in a destroyed room huddled under one of their blankets, taking in the remnants of her smell. Hiccup always smelled like fire, or soot but there blankets smelled faintly of her blood which only inflamed his passionate nature. He wanted her, he wanted everything from her. He wanted her soothing touches and gentle kisses. He wanted her nagging voice scolding him for his violent ways. He wanted her in his bed, gasping, moaning and smiling as he took her. She smelled of fire, wool and had a laugh that warmed his black little heart. She needed to be with him, her and the child. It was that moment he herd chirping of a Terrible Terror. He managed to focus his gaze to see Sharpshot sitting in front of him.

He eyed the shrieking little beast quietly, watching as it paced in front of him, trying to get his attention. But he felt as though there was no strength in his limbs to move. The dragon even had the nerve to be exasperated with him an nudged himself under his hand, he felt the harness and more notably the letter tub it had. He suddenly felt a shock run through his body. He jolted from his stupor, ripping the rub open and finding the letter. His eyes scanned over the runes twice before the rage returned in full force.

How dare they….

He would tear them to shreds, he would burn them, make them eat their on flesh, by the gods they would suffer for this crime.

X

Hiccup was wincing every so often, as her stomach cramped. There wasn't a question now. The baby had decided to make an appearance at the gods damned worst possible time. After a particularly sharp one, she clutched her belly and groaned as quietly as she could manage. Vessa immediately started checking her over.

"Hiccup…" Vessa whispered, rubbing her hand on the taught skin, feeling where the baby was.

"Yeah, it's time." Hiccup chuckled madly through her clenched teeth.

"Damn it." Vessa hissed, helping her into a more comfortable seating position.

"Tell me about it."

"How close?"

"Not very, they're far apart, we have time."

"Water?" Vessa asked, touching her leg for permission to check.

"No, not yet." Hiccup replied drawing her legs close to herself.

"Small mercies, I guess it won't be born on the boat." Vessa attempted to lighten the mood with a humorous tone, and it worked a bit, a smile worked its way over her mistress's lips.

"Yeah, but how long you think I have, realistically?" Vessa shrugged, looking down in thought, raising her brows.

"Hard to say, it's always different. It could be born in an hour, or in two days."

"Any longer than that?"

"I don't think so. I don't know about your mother giving birth to you, so I can't judge and since the baby is big, I would guess a long labor."

"It should only be half a day until we get to Outcast Island, if I judge correctly."

"Seems like a bad idea to pass close to their island on the way to Berk now, huh?"

"No one's ever accused them of being smart." She paused.

"Do you think they're alright, Astrid the others."

"I couldn't tell you, I've seen only the worst of people, until you. They might have honor enough not to make ergi of them but there are traitors and Alvin is not above taking what he wants."

"Alvin won't hurt them, he's fixated on me, but his men..."

"Would rather cut their own throats than disobey. Shouldn't matter, most those brats have been nothing but cruel to you and they show up uninvited, rude."

"They're kin. They've never done something I can't forgive." Vessa pursed her lips raising her eyebrows again, glancing at her from the corner of her eyes.

"Even Snotlout?" She asked, tilting her head a bit.

"He's kin, my cousin." Hiccup said, albeit weakly.

"He tried to …."

"I know. Snotlout is a spoiled brat, but he's always been like that. I should have known he would take an interest once I belonged to someone else. Even when we were betrothed all he did was bully me. In truth I should be thanking my aunt for convincing Dad to marry me off elsewhere. Even if I did want him punished, it'd cause a war. Dagur never takes insults like that lightly, and everyone would have suffered for it." She paused, thinking of the consequences of ratting out her cousin, there would have been a lot of death. But even then, she couldn't exactly fault Dagur for it.

"If it hadn't been for Dagur I might still be that scared little girl hiding behind words." She mumbled more to herself than Vessa.

"You still hide behind your words."

"I do don't I?"

"Ya, yeh do girl." They jolted as they stared up as Alvin. Vessa tried to hide Hiccup behind her but a mainly useless gesture.

"A girl who lives off words, pathetic." He scoffed. Hiccup felt that fire bubble in her gut again. Vessa was giving her a pleading look, begging her not to do something stupid.

"Yet someone whose bested you time and again." She responded, Vessa rolled her eyes and looked very much like she wanted to slap her forehead in exasperation.

"You're a cripple." It was a weak insult at best and Hiccup scented the weakness in his proclamation.

"Says the man bested by a cripple" He lurched forward and Vessa spread her arms to protect her.

"Yer lucky I need the bastard in you right now, but I promise girl I'll take great pleasure in ripping apart your soul." Hiccup snarled at him from behind Vessa.

"Just like a she-dragon, aren't ya little bitch? I do like a little spirit now and then; the fight is half the fun."

"I will see you dead before you lay a finger on me." Hiccup snarled darkly, the heat and viciousness o her tone managed to throw him off for a moment. He wanted to laugh at her, but he felt frozen b her heated glare. Dagur's babe had filled her with ferocity she didn't have before, and that might be a problem in the future. Alvin would have be watchful of her now.

"We'll see little she-dragon." Hiccup spat at him, not able to make it past the bars. She was already in way too much goddam pain to deal with this man's crap.

X

Brenna sat in her room sipping her mead. It was the only thing that calmed her nerves these days. There had been little news of her sister in law. Last she heard, Hiccup was still safe. But eventually her little brother would slip up. Dagur was a fool at the best of times but his battle tactics were unrivaled in the tribes. She had heard of two that actually made it to her good-sister, one killed himself and the second roasted by her dragons. She got lucky both times, dealing with someone stupid enough to attack her broad daylight, but smart enough to get past Dagur's defenses. Her rage burned as red as her hair.

These days she was locked in her room with guards at the door, told that she was going through an episode of madness. Norbert may have been mad himself but he was not without his wits. He was keeping her locked up like a mad dog and attempting to impregnate her by taking her contraceptive herbs from her. He seemed to hope her child would replace the one that Dagur would lose. Brenna knew better.

If anything happened to Hiccup and the babe, Dagur would burn the world around him to ash.

Norbert could imprison her, but he would never have the Berserker tribe, never. Brenna would sooner die than see it come to light. Even if she birthed a child, even if Hiccup died and took her babe with her. Dagur's madness would be inconsolable. Hiccup was the only thing standing between the Berserker armada and whoever Dagur felt like turning his attention on. Dagur would take down the Outcasts and Lavalouts first with the Hooligans at his side and then he'd turn his attention on those closest o him. The Berserker madness was strong in him. No one would be safe with an armada like the Berserkers. Her father's men would be loyal to her brother until the grave. They would fight and kill until everyone was dead.

And even with that die situation unfolding just beyond her door, all she could was sit and hope for the best.

X

Dagur stood in the arena, he and Maelstrom circled each other. Mally may let him touch her from time to time but they were eons from flying together. But Dagur didn't have eons. It would take four days to get to the Outcasts, three if the wind was with them. He wasn't sure what exactly Alvin planned to do to Hiccup and knowing Hiccup with her lippy ways could enrage Alvin to kill her, even if she was smart he couldn't take the risk. Vessa was with her but Vessa wasn't an experienced healer that Hiccup would need. He couldn't' afford to let her stay there by herself. He had to get to her. He considered using Cassia, but he was Vessa's and besides, he needed to do more than come in sword and dagger flying. He needed to make a presentation of himself to strike fear into the hearts of the traitor and make sure no one made a similar attempt ever again.

"Maelstrom." He stated fiercely. Maelstrom balked and shook her head at his tone.

"Hiccup says that trust is built up slowly with some people and some dragons." Maelstrom perked at the mention of Hiccup's name.

"But we're out of time for that. I know you don't trust me, and I really don't trust you much either. But Hiccup needs me, and you." He kept eye contact but tried not to be intimidating, a monumental task.

"We have to fly ad I need you to trust me just this once, for Hiccup." He slowly put his hand to her muzzle. He wore he saw the beast bow her head in acknowledgement. Warily, he hesitantly mounted her back and with no repercussion he nudged her sides.

"Let's fly."

X

The pain was getting worse, slowly but steadily. Vessa helped her get through each one with breathing. She really wished she was with Toothless, but he was bound beneath her the deck, beneath where she was. In moment of silence she could hear him acting up. Se hissed through her clenched teeth as another wave came over her. Vessa whispered encouragingly, holding her hand through it. She didn't know how much longer this is could stay a secret; she had a feeling she'd be screaming before long.

X

Toothless couldn't understand his human sometimes. He was no stranger to playing tricks but this one, if it was one, was a bit beyond him. He paced in his cage, hissing and spitting at any men fool enough to come close. He knew that the hatchling was coming soon; he could smell her distress rom here. He growled and sniffled, feeling more helpless than when he first lost his tail fin. The Outcasts refused to come anywhere near his cage which gave him some primal pleasure.

X

Hiccup had begun sweating a bit when a solid think of a ship meeting the deck echoed through the wood. She was feeling increasingly tired but Vessa insisted they had time still. When the men came Vessa had to help her to her feet, as Hiccup began rapidly losing strength. The men eyed each other at the motion but took her to Alvin, now waiting for her in the dragon arena.

"You brought me here to train dragons, now?" Her tone was beyond incredulous.

"What did ye think you were here fer girl?"

"Alvin if you haven't gods' damned notice, I am very pregnant, I am in no condition to be training dragons. I mean, what are you thinking."

"Ye won't be up the duff forever, will ye?"

"And you think Dagur won't worry about his very pregnant almost due wife?"

"Oh, little girl, I'm counting on it." Then Hiccup's blood ran cold. A first she thought it the realization of his plan which should have been obvious really. Of course Dagur would come for her, but still. She knew Alvin intended to kill him, luring him in with the threat over his very pregnant wife. It wasn't just that sending shivers down her spin, but also the very wet crotch of her leggings. She looked down in horror, Vessa shared a similar reaction when she followed her gaze. One of the men snickered.

"Little bitch pissed herself." Hiccup dragged her gaze up to Alvin, doing her best to school her features.

"My water just broke. I'm having the baby." The silence hat fell over the arena was enough to make her want to laugh in spite of herself. But she was too tired and her legs gave out as she fell on her rump, too beaten down to stand.

"Mistress!" Vessa shrieked, also formal in front of strangers, even in dire moments. Vessa was immediately at her side, checking her skin and feel her belly to feel where the babe was. Whatever it was that earned the Roman's loyalty she was thanking the gods for it now. When this was over and if they were all still alive, she'd be receiving the girl a fat reward.

"Well, what are you fools waiting for; get her to the shaman's hut.

"You stupid, Roman? We ain't got no fancy shamans' here."

"You must have a healer, something!"

"Bah, a few men know their herbs and patching wounds, but they ain't no midwives. I guess you'll be delivering. Put them in the empty pen."

"Are you out of your gods damned mind!"

"What are ye waiting fer, they won't bite."

"You're crazier than he damn husband!" One man scoped Hiccup up and carried her into the lower pits. That didn't even have to force Vessa to follow. She was at his heels complaining and swearing in Latin. Hiccup was roughly dropped inside and Vessa dashed after her. A guard stood watch as Hiccup began to pant in exertion.

"It's gonna be okay, just keep breathing."

"I wanted Dagur to be here."

"He will be, you know that idiot."

"But not like this."

"I know, hun, I know."

X

Princess: Sorry again, but the stress echoes on and on because it sometimes feels like it will never end, my father was having serious health problems and although he's getting belter, it's been a terrible number of months.

Reviews:

REBD: Patience

All-About-That-Ace: Nope

Flying Werecats: It's weird that I write my best Dagur lines when drunk, haha

Laylanator: Yeah it's been a really hard year for me but I have been trying my best.

Travellerofadifferentpath: There will be justice

Weirdsquirrelgirl: We'll see haha

: I try, haha

Sasuhina4eve: Awww thank you

Dragonkynnatkiasu: Thanks for the support