Last full chapter! It's been a long ride, full of emotion, but I must say, I have enjoyed it! Sorry for the lateness of this chapter, I slept in this morning because I was a bit unwell.

Hiccupisnotuseless: Yeah, she sure has changed. If your family was brutally slaughtered, I think you'd be angry too, but I don't think she'll try making that excuse. Also, they have no romance anymore, I assure you. They simply made up and are sort-of friends. I'm not surprised you don't like the pairing, neither do I! I will try to make time to read and review your stories!

Guest: Good guess! In fact, in one of my plans, that was exactly it, but not in the one I went for, I'm afraid!

Guest: Oh yes. I really like this name.

Guest: I'm not planning one, no, but I do have a few little snippets bouncing around in my weird head up here. I can't promise anything, not do I want to, but it might be nice.

"She stays until her judgement and that is final." Stoick turned away from his son, holding his hands out to the warmth of the fire. The flickering flames cast shimmering shadows across his face and the face of his son, who was stood scowling beside him. His red hair glowed like the flame in his eyes.

"But dad, she's a good person! She's changed, I know she has! If you would just come and speak to her yourself-" He tried to argue, but there was no chance he could change his father's mind.

"It's not about what I see. It's about the people she almost killed. She might be able to change our minds, but she can't change theirs."

"She didn't mean to kill anyone! She just meant to scare us and cause chaos! That's not unforgivable!" He tried to argue, but his argument was sounding weaker by the second.

"Tonight, the people of this village will vote on whether she stays, goes or dies." Stoick turned away, straightening up imposingly and taking a deep breath. Hiccup bit his lip, fearful for what his father might say. "It's not up to me now, Hiccup, it's up to them. That is my final word."

Hiccup left the house feeling thoroughly deflated. The bright, sunny sky, soft, floating clouds and swaying green grass did nothing to improve his temper. The shining houses, newly rebuilt before him, stood as a lasting testament to the havoc Bryn had caused. There was no way the townsfolk would accept her as one of their own. There was only a very slim chance they would even let her go. Certainly, those affected by her rampage would want to see her killed, even though they watched her best friend be murdered before her.

As he headed towards the prison cells, he bowed his head to the beautiful scenery, the dramatic sea-tacks on the horizon, the thick forests behind him, the glittering sea stretched out to the horizon. The dragons tittering and snorting on the rooftops did not aid his troubled thoughts and neither did the sight of Tuffnut leaning against a wall, an arm wrapped around himself, holding on tightly to his wound. Without thinking, he broke into a run, dashing to his friend's aid.

"Tuff, what are you doing out of the infirmary?" He cried as he slipped his own arm around the young lad's waist. "You're just as bad as your sister!"

"I couldn't stay... too boring..." He groaned, his knees trembling, threatening to give out from under him. No sooner did Hiccup try to reply than the other twin came around the corner, face etched with worry.

"There you are!" She shouted as she caught sight of them both, "Everyone's really worried about you!"

Between them, Hiccup and Ruffnut half-walked, half-dragged Tuffnut back to the makeshift hospital. It was certainly a long trek across the town with a dead weight hanging off their shoulders, but Hiccup felt like this was some sort of gift from the gods. It managed to clear his mind and made him realise that, if he was to help Bryn, he would need his friends' help.

"Ruffnut, who's at the Infirmary?" He asked calmly, cocking an eyebrow. Her brow creased in thought.

"Uh... Everyone except us, I think." She said uncertainly.

"Then who's guarding Bryn?"

"Ah... I think that's supposed to be you. In fact, I think I was supposed to tell you that. Oops"

"Great," He muttered to himself grumpily, "That really helps. Oh, she won't do anything, I'm sure she'll be fine. I need to talk to you all."

"About what?" Ruffnut eyed him curiously, but the chief's son smiled quietly and said nothing.

"You want us all to vote? Against the whole village? Hiccup, you know that's not gonna achieve anything! Half of them want her dead as it is!" Astrid waved her arms dramatically to underline her point. Meanwhile, the object of her temper leant back against the wall, seemingly unconcerned, even going so far as to give a little sigh.

"Yes, but half don't, and if we side with that half, we should be able to push a majority! Not all the people in this town are that bloodthirsty. I'm sure more than a few would send her off the island like with Alvin. They didn't put him to death, did they?" He raised his eyebrows as the group looked at one another and considered his argument.

"You've got a point..." Fishlegs tapped his fingers against Tuffnut's bed frame, on which he was leaning. He frowned slightly in thought. "But Alvin didn't kill people. Did he?"

All eyes fell on Hiccup. "My dad doesn't talk about it, so I really don't know. Whatever he did, my dad was really mad about it, but he didn't kill Alvin, so I don't think he'd kill Bryn. So it'll be fine... right?" All of a sudden, Hiccup didn't look too sure, but Astrid smiled and gave an encouraging nod.

The next few hours were spent doing all sorts of things. Hiccup took up his post with Bryn and filled her in on their earlier conversation and the rest of what would happen to her, Astrid fed all of the dragons with Snotlout's help, the twins took it in turns to patch each other up, and Fishlegs disappeared. In fact, they didn't see him until he arrived, along with the rest of the crowd, to hear the final word on what was to happen with their prisoner. Stoick had collated all of the votes, alone in the dark Great Hall, ticking each one off on three yellowed pieces of parchment.

"Settle down, settle down!" The chief boomed above the clamouring of the amassed crowd. Behind him, hidden in his shadow, Bryn was chained like an animal. She hung her head, unable to do anything for herself. She hated the feeling of having no control. Bryn was a showman, a natural actress. She liked to show off, to have command of her audience, but those gathered before her cared less for her antics than for her life. Closing her eyes, she prayed to the gods not to punish her any further.

"The voting is finished. I have collated all of your votes and have found that only two people voted for Brynhild, formerly known as Kat, to stay among us. The other options, as you all know, was banishment from the island or to be put to death in an undetermined manner." Stoick held the sheets out in front of him, scowling and muttering to himself. "It seems we have a tie. There is ninety-five votes for each option."

Even Bryn lifted her head to this outcome. Stoick the Vast seemed utterly at a loss. He hadn't expected there to be so many votes for death, nor did he expect there to be this close a tie. Shaking his head, he dropped the sheets to the ground.

"Wait, chief! I haven't voted yet." A hand shot up from the centre of the crowd. The mass of bodies parted to let Fishlegs through to the front. Stoick smiled, despite himself, knowing an answer had been delivered. Bryn looked down again. If there was to be a vote on her fate, she at least wanted it to be fair, and staring the boy down as he cast his choice would be the worst thing she could think of doing.

"Speak up, lad. What do you want to happen to this runaway?" Stoick's eyes sparkled in anticipation. The hush pressed in around them, the Vikings visibly leaning forward to hear what the boy had to say.

Fishlegs drew himself up to his full, imposing height, declaring in a strong, clear voice: "Banish her."

Bryn is a slippery little so-and-so, am I right? Well, she is safe for now, but she won't have the protection of the Hooligans. In fact, she may want to steer well clear of them, seeing as so many want her dead. Reviews are very welcome, just a tiny bit left now and then I shall be posting a special little taster of my upcoming story!