WARNING! THIS CHAPTER WILL CONTAIN SOME DARK REFERENCES!

Chapter 9: Meeting the Neighbours

After Nico's trip they had to move at a slower pace, as to not damage his leg further. Nico leaned heavily on the branch he'd found.

"How much further?" He panted.

"Not far we're almost there." Astrid told him.

Nico groaned. "My foot's killing me." He moaned.

"Stop whining." She joked as she gave him a light punch on the shoulder.

"Ow!" Nico exaggerated as he grabbed his arm and pretended to be in pain.

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Come on!" She growled as she grabbed his hand and carefully dragged him the rest of the way to the village.

As they exited the forest Astrid let go of Nico's hand.

"I should've brought my axe." She muttered.

"You left it in the arena so it would've been too much trouble." Nico pointed out.

"Fair point." Astrid admitted as she started walking towards the small village.

"Hey wait up!" Nico called after her as he limped towards the buildings.

Soon they arrived at the first building of five. They were somewhat similar to the ones in the main village but smaller and less decorative.

"Woah pretty neat place." Nico whistled.

"Yeah." Astrid agreed as she spun in a circle to look at all the buildings.

"Okay so we need to find the leader's house." Nico told her as he looked at each of the buildings. "Now which one is his?"

"That one." Astrid told him as she pointed out a building slightly bigger than the rest.

"Okay here goes nothing." Nico sighed as he started limping towards the house his prosthetic making a slight squeaking sound.

Astrid walked next to him her eyes darting back and worth looking for possible danger. She edged closer to Nico as they neared the house.

"Careful." Astrid warned as Nico raised his hand to knock on the door.

"Don't worry." He told her as he gave her a nervous smile. "I'm sure they're reasonable people."

Astrid rolled her eyes and sighed as Nico knocked on the wooden door three times.
Almost immediately the door swung open and there was a blade at Nico's throat.

"Woah!" Was all he could manage as he dropped the chest on his good foot. "Ow! Dammit!" He yelled as he ignored the sword and hopped backwards, he realised too late that he only had one leg and as soon as he took the step backwards he slipped on a stone and fell backwards.

"Nico!" Astrid cried as she ran forward to help him only to be grabbed by her arms and dragged away from him.

"Get off me!" She yelled as she fought against whoever was restraining her.

"She's a feisty one." A voice said behind her.

"And a pretty one too." Another added.

Nico groaned as he sat up clutching his head.

"God what is with you Vikings and violence?" He asked aloud.

He looked at his prosthetic and saw that it had been slightly bent when he'd fallen over.

"Can't use this anymore." He grumbled as he made to detach it.

"Hold it right there." A feminine voice ordered.

Nico froze and slowly raised his hands. "I'm just trying to take this off before it damages my leg further." He reasoned trying to see who had talked to him.

"Don't talk back to me!" The voice told him calmly as someone booted him in the back.

"Ow!" Nico yelled as something made a loud cracking noise.

"Nico are you okay?" Astrid asked. It was too dark for them to see each other or their attackers.

"Yeah…real fine…" He replied sarcastically.

"What brings you to our neck of the woods?" The feminine voice asked.

"Well I would tell you but first I need the chest back." Nico replied.

The voice laughed. "You're hardly in a position to make demands right now." She told him.

"I'm guessing you're the leader of this crew?" Nico asked not faced by the danger him and Astrid were in.

"You're a clever boy, that is right." The voice replied as a torch was lit.

Nico covered his eyes from the sudden brightness and slowly let them adjust.

When he looked again he saw their attackers.

There were two, tough looking, boys standing off to the side, one of which was holding the torch, a boy and a girl were restraining Astrid, he turned and saw the girl who had booted him earlier and standing next to her was the leader. She walked over to Nico and kneeled in front of him. Nico was surprised to see she had emerald-green eyes…the same as Hiccup's but more bright. She had black hair tied back into a ponytail and the hair that was should hang in front of her face was clipped to the side of her head to keep it out her eyes.

Astrid noticed the green eyes and let loose a small gasp.

The girl gave Nico an evil smirk. "Like what you see?" She teased.

Nico just stared at her eyes. "Your eyes…they're…"

"Like Hiccup's…" Astrid finished.

The girl's smirk disappeared and she frowned, she stood up and turned to Astrid.

"Care to repeat that?" She asked menacingly as took a small dagger from her belt and twirled it round.

This didn't faze Astrid.

"Your eyes look like Hiccup's." She replied defiantly.

The girl eye's narrowed and she walked over to Astrid.

"I think you need to have your eyes check sweetie because they don't." She told her holding the blade up to Astrid so she could see how sharp it was.

"She's right." Nico spoke up. "No one knows Hiccup like Astrid." He added cheekily.

Astrid shot him a death glare. The girl burst out laughing.

"You're dating the screw up?!" She laughed as she sheathed her dagger.

Astrid narrowed her eyes. "I wouldn't laugh if I were you." Astrid warned.

"Why is that?" The girl asked as the smirk returned.

"Don't you know who your mummy is?" Astrid teased.

This infuriated the girl and faster than she could blink the dagger was at Astrid's throat.

Nico saw the uneasy glance the two holding Astrid gave each other.

"My mother is dead!" The girl said calmly which scared Nico even more. "And so will you if you don't shut your mouth."

Astrid's face turned to confusion. "I'm guessing you don't know why your dad was exiled then."

"My father was wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit." The girl hissed as her grip on the dagger tightened.

"If that was true you wouldn't be threatening me now." Astrid dropped the bombshell that sent everyone into silence.

"What?" The girl asked her voice more shaky.

"Do you know who your mother is?" Astrid asked again.

The girl hesitated. "No…" She admitted.

"That explains why you think Alvin was innocent." Astrid said.

The girl lowered the knife from Astrid's neck.

"What are you trying to say?" The girl asked, the desperation in her voice more obvious.

Astrid sighed. "You...weren't exactly supposed to be born…" Astrid said quietly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" The girl asked her anger returning.

Astrid looked at Nico desperately hoping he'd put two and two together.

He nodded and spoke up.

"Your father raped someone…"

She spun around. "Are you saying I'm an…accident?" She was really angry now.

"Yes…I'm sorry it's not something you'd like to hear…" He told her as he looked at the ground.

"Who was it?" The girl asked.

"What?"

"Who was it he raped? Who's my mother?" The girl asked as she walked over and grabbed Nico by his shirt Nico saw the desperation in her eyes and decided to tell her.

"Valhallarama…" He told her. Nico heard gasps from the others. He looked up at the girl again and saw her eyes had widened in shock.

"Stoick's wife?…I'm Hiccup's…sister?" She asked quietly.

"Yes…"

The girl let go of Nico's shirt and sat back on the grass as the realisation hit her. There was a long awkward silence as no one dared to speak. Finally the girl looked up at Nico and held out her hand.

"Lyna." She said quietly.

Nico hesitated slightly then gently reached out and shook her hand.

"Nico." He replied cracking a smile.

"Let her go." Lyna ordered the two holding Astrid. They did so without question but Nico could tell that they were doubting Lyna's sudden change of heart.

Astrid rubbed her left arm where the boy had grabbed her as she cautiously walked over to Nico. She kneeled next to him.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah…" He leaned forward and started to undo the straps that kept his prosthetic in place. He sighed in relief as he took it off.

"I'm sorry about the rude welcome…we're not used to having guests…" Lyna apologised.

"It's fine." Nico told her. "I'm used to not having the warmest of welcomes." He smiled again.

Lyna gave him a nervous smile back.

"Why are you here?" She asked.

Nico felt Astrid tense next to him, Nico reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"Hiccup's been…arrested." He told Lyna.

Lyna's eyes widened at the mention of her newly found brother in danger.

"Why?"

"It's…a long story." Nico told her.

She gestured to her house. "Let's not waste time then." She got up and helped Astrid get Nico to his feet.

She put his arm around her shoulder. Nico blushed slightly but thankfully she didn't notice. Astrid did however and her mouth curled upwards in an evil grin.

"So Nico likes the bad girls?" She thought cheekily as she followed the pair into the house.

It wasn't too dissimilar to Hiccup's house except there were a couple more rooms on the bottom floor. Lyna set Nico down on a chair and propped his leg up on a stool.

"You okay?" She asked.

"Yeah I'm good." Nico voice cracked slightly at good causing Lyna to smile at him.

"She seems like a nice girl and she's good-looking too so…wait what! I did not just think that!" Nico's eyes widened and he turned slightly red as he realised what he'd said.

Lyna raised an eyebrow before shrugging and walking back towards Astrid.

"So…sorry about before…" She started.

Astrid folded her arms in front of her chest.

"Really?" She asked.

"What?" Lyna asked. "I'm trying to apologise."

"You know people don't exactly forgive that fast after being threatened with a dagger." Astrid told her.

"I know but…it's just my aggressiveness…it's the only trait I got from my dad." She said.

"That's no excuse." Astrid replied still not happy.

"Well what do you want then?" She asked.

Astrid whispered something in her ear. Astrid leaned back and looked at Nico, he'd conked out in the seat. She looked back at Lyna who'd gone quite red.

Astrid raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Lyna asked flustered.

"For a leader of a village you get embarrassed way too easily." Astrid told her.

"Well that's not something a leader is used to hearing."

"A leader should be ready for anything." Astrid lectured.

"Hey I caught both of you off guard." She pointed out.

Astrid shrugged. "I suppose." She admitted. "So what do you think of him?" She asked as she nodded at the passed out Nico.

Lyna looked between Astrid and Nico.

"He's…alright…" She told her.

Astrid brushed her hair out of her eye. "Is that it?" She asked clearly not accepting that as the answer.

"Well I suppose he's alright looking." She admitted.

"Have you got a boyfriend?" Astrid asked.

"No…" Lyna replied.

"Well he's single." Astrid told her with a smile.

Lyna looked back at Nico. "Isn't this a bit too soon I mean I did just meet him and well the first impression wasn't too great."

"Look if I know anything about Nico it's that he forgives too easily." She told her.

"Same as Hiccup." She thought.

Lyna sighed. "Why are you so persistent with this?" She asked.

"Well Nico was the one who got me and Hiccup together and I think it's only fair that I do the same in return." Astrid told her.

"What makes you think he likes me?" Lyna asked.

Astrid groaned. "Did you not see how he blushed when you put his arm around your shoulder?"

Lyna looked bewildered. "He did?"

"Yep." Astrid smiled. "And five minutes ago when you sat him on the chair, I bet you he was thinking about you."

"You're quite observant." Lyna complimented her.

"Most of the time." Astrid smiled Lyna wasn't too bad when you got to know her.

"I'll think about it." Lyna told her as she turned to the door.

"Now let me introduce you to the gang." She told her as she opened the door and held it open for Astrid.

Astrid looked at the five teens talking among themselves. They looked up as they heard the two approaching.

"Gang!" Lyna announced as they reached the group. "This is Astrid she's now a friend so I want you all to introduce yourselves." She told them.

There was silence as the teens decided who would go first, finally the boy that had restrained her stepped forward.

"Since no one else wants to talk lemme introduce them." He announced. "I'm Marcus." He said pointing at himself, next he turned to the girl who'd also restrained Astrid. "That's my girl Diana." She gave Astrid a cheeky smile as she examined her axe head. "But we call her bumble."

"Bumble?" Astrid asked.

"Well yeah she's cute and harmless like a bumblebee when happy but when she gets pissed she gives a mean sting." He explained.

"Oh…" Astrid could see the logic in that.

"Next we have." He pointed at the girl who'd kicked Nico. "Agnes, extremely violent and unpredictable so best stay out of her way." He warned.

Agnes grunted in agreement as she leaned against one of the building sharpening a knife.

Marcus shuddered and turned to the boy who'd lit the torch. "That my friend is Hunter, pretty cool when you get to know him…well if you're nice to him of not…you won't be living much longer." Hunter laughed at that and gave Astrid a seductive smile.

Astrid resisted the urge to throw up as Marcus pointed to the other boy who was sitting on a rock carving something on a bow.

"That's Raptoric or Toric for short, he's a quiet guy but probably the most deadly of us all." He leaned closer to Astrid and whispered in her ear. "So just leave him be." He warned. "So that concludes the gang any questions?" He asked.

"Nope." Astrid told him.

"Alright seeya." He concluded as he grabbed Diana's hand and led her into the house they were standing in front of.

The rest of them started to go back to their homes until it was just Astrid and Lyna.

"Well guess it's time for bed." Lyna yawned as she bumped Astrid's shoulder. "We girls need our sleep."

"Yeah no kidding." Astrid agreed as they made their way back to the house. On the way Astrid saw the chest lying abandoned on the ground. She ran over and picked it up.

"Here." She told Lyna as she handed it to her. "Gothi said we were to give you this."

Lyna looked at the name carved into it and frowned.

"I don't want anything of his." She said.

"Just open it please I want to know what's inside." Astrid pleaded.

Lyna sighed and opened the latch on the chest and opened it. She gasped as she saw the object inside…

CLIFF-HANGER! WELL NOT REALLY…BUT ANYWAY BET YOU ALL THOUGHT ALVIN'S CHILD WAS GONNA BE A BOY! Well she was gonna be originally back when I first wrote chapter 5 but I changed my mind. So there'll be more questions this week because frankly I like doing it and getting you guys replies on what you think will happen. Now I did like writing this chapter because its new people instead of the old crew so I made sure I used names from everyone who posted them and I'm sorry if anyone found the rape part offensive just know my intention wasn't to upset anyone. So far DreamWorks haven't announced why Alvin became an Outcast so I made this why and although it's dark it does explain why Stoick didn't outcast the children I mean technically Lyna is his half-daughter or something so I didn't want to make him that harsh.

And I got many suggestions about how Toothless will appear in the story and it will be next chapter *bows to applause from readers* yes you're welcome I will say one of you got it right about how he's appearing but I'm not saying who.

For the question on why they recognise Nico I will say that pwnboy it's not because of that…I must say your suggestion has really hurt my brain and I still don't understand it. I think it will be revealed in about two or three more chapter maybe…dunno yet.

And yes to all you who guessed Alvin you were right here have a cookie!

ANYWAYS I was working on Saturday just a normal day then I went into the store to make space for a new order well that's what my boss said so I made a space and it was Dragons: Defenders of Berk toys! I was so excited and I can't wait for the next series it's so close.

Ami: Sorry I didn't know it was you and you are welcome.

StorSpeaker: Okay whew *Wipes sweat off brow* and although I didn't use all your names they're still pretty good.

pwnboy: Again sore brain please don't write things that complicated again there's only so much my poor brain can handle.

MaxusDragon: Hm interesting idea but you'll have to wait to find out Mwhaha!

Rinter215: Don't worry it's gonna be in next chapter yeah I feel really sorry for Hiccup which is why I'm trying to make this a lot less painful for him…well apart from the arresting thing. Hmm with Stormfly and what would they be doing?

georgelucasisawesome: Couldn't have a longer name could you? Jokes well that's an interesting idea so how would he come into the story?

Thanks again guys and gals for da support love you all! (Not in that way!) and I will see you next chapter which will be either Friday or Sunday or later due to work.

Questions!

What do you think of Lyna and Nico yes or no? Give me your opinions!

How do you think they'll break Hiccup out of prison?

How do you think Stoick will react to what's happened to his son?

What are your thoughts on Lyna as a whole?

What was in the chest?

This isn't to do with the story but does anyone know any good horror films I've become quite obsessed with them lately?

Adios!