A/N: Okay, I'm officially hopeless... Or, well, to say the truth, this is only half of chapter 13... But it turned into kind of a mammoth of a chapter so I decided to split it after all. You get the first part today and the second on Friday. ;)

To LexieFanatic: Of course, she'll blame herself... But at least she's not alone there...

To Guest: Yes... awfully close... ... ...

To Razor95: Let's go get 'em! ;)

To HephaestusBuilds: I hope you'll like this chapter ;)

To Katveena: Just for you, can't torment you any further now, can I? ;)

To Guest and TheGoldenDragoness: Your two reviews made me grin quite a bit, very happy to hear you like this story. And I promise to keep updating frequently!

To Guest: ... yes?

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Chapter 13, Part 1: Revenge

Hiccup couldn't say how he'd made it up the stone stairs. After Tuffnut's gasped out comment, his head had become utterly blank and he hadn't stopped running ever since. A part of his mind must have noticed Tuff's remark about them being in the Great Hall but he didn't remember it. Forgotten were his pounding head and heavy limbs, his surprise over the story Gobber had just told him and the worries over finding any pieces of evidence after all this time. He'd even forgotten his rage and his hatred for the Redthorns for a while.

All he could think of was Astrid. Was she injured or hurt? What had happened? How had Geir gotten hold of her? Dammit, if only he would have returned to her directly! They could have gone together to see Gobber, why hadn't he thought of that option? It was all his fault! Gods, if something had happened to her! Or to their child… This thought sent an icy chill down his spine and he sped up even further. If Geir had harmed either of them then he was a dead man, Hiccup would-

He stopped dead as he reached the platform at the top of the stairs. If Geir has harmed them, I will kill him! Never before had Hiccup though words like these and in a way, it frightened him to think them now. But it also soothed him. It was a plan he could follow should –

No! Astrid and their baby had to be alright. They just had to! There was no other option, no plan B, no what if. He couldn't go on if it were otherwise.

In some kind of trance, he entered the Great Hall, barely noticing how Toothless and Stormfly followed him through the gate. As always, his eyes needed a moment to adjust to the dim light but Stormfly's squeal and the direction she disappeared into told him all he needed to know. Told him where Astrid would be. While he hurried after the Nadder, he was finally able to see more of the room. Somewhere ahead of him, at the far back of the Hall, he saw a small group of people gathered around a bench. He casually noticed Ruff, Lia, and Legs and, as the latter made a step to the side, Astrid sitting between them. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders and held a mug in her hands from which she took a careful sip now. The sight of her sitting upright, conscious and not obviously injured soothed him somewhat and he was able to take in more of his surroundings again.

His eyes wandered through the room, searching and observing. To his right, at their usual table, he could hear Magnus' angry voice along with some more riot. Hiccup saw the blonde Chief throwing his arms around in agitation, his guards close behind him while Geir was held firmly by Eret, the ex-trapper's short sword at his throat to keep him in check. A wall of Berkians led by Dagur as it seemed stood between them, keeping Magnus from reaching his son.

For a moment, a very short moment, Hiccup considered changing direction. He should go and deal with the captive before the situation escalated. Eret and Dagur seemed to have everything under control for now but one never knew. It would be the right thing to do…

Without losing even one step, Hiccup ran on and kneeled down in front of Astrid a moment late. Without a word, he drew her into a tight embrace, not caring that this made her mug fall down and shatter. She was alright, not injured, not dead! It took her a moment to react, a moment for Hiccup to almost panic. But then her arms were around him in an instant, clinging to him. Her fingers were desperately digging into his shoulders as she first began to tremble and then to sob.

"Hiccup, I… I'm sorry!" She whined, an uncontrollable stream of word flowing out of her. "I'm so sorry! I should have listened to you, should have kept my promise. I'm sorry, Hiccup! If something would have happened it would be all my fault! I-"

"Shh-shh!" Hiccup tried to soothe her. He nearly crushed her in his arms with how tightly he was holding her, was she pulling herself toward him. She'd slid off the bench, all but sitting in his lap now while he was slowly rocking them both back and forth. "Whatever happened, it's not your fault!" he clarified. "I should have returned to you as soon as possible, just like I had promised. I am sorry, okay? So sorry!"

Astrid gasped out a weak laugh and pressed herself closer to him as if she was trying to hide from the rest of the world. He let her do so for a couple of minutes, soothingly rubbing her back until she began to relax.

"Are you alright?" He asked quietly after a while. Aside from the shock, she seemed alright but he had to make sure. He needed to know that she was alright, for himself and also for when he would have to deal with what had happened.

"Yes, I'm okay," she answered in a low voice and halfheartedly wiped a few tears away when Hiccup helped her up and onto the bench again. "He… I'm not hurt or anything… I think…" Absentmindedly, she raised one hand to her mouth while she wrapped the other arm around her chest. Hiccup reached up to brush her bangs out of her face and to covertly remove some more tears but paused when he noticed something strange. Carefully, he reached for her hand instead, drew it away from her mouth and then saw it clearly. A faint shadow over her chin and nose, not quite a bruise but almost.

"What happened?" Hiccup asked, gulping. He had a fairly good idea how that mark had gotten onto her face but that was not what he was asking anyway. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to know what had happened but he needed to. He needed to know so he could decide what to do next. But Astrid just shrugged helplessly and shook her head.

"I don't know," she said in a small voice. "I… I barely remember anything. I came to look for you and… and then I had a contraction and he was suddenly behind me, held me. I tried to fight him, I really did! But…" She shrugged again rubbing her chest as if she was cold. Without thinking twice, he unclasped his fur coat and draped it over her shoulders. Astrid gave him a small smile and grabbed the heavy coat to draw it closer around her. It seemed like she wanted to vanish inside it, pressing her face into the thick material and inhaling deeply. It was a feeling he knew all too well and only wished he could do more for her. But as much as he wanted to let her distract herself he needed to know…

"Astrid?" He asked hesitantly. "Did he…" he wasn't able to finish the question and left it hanging in the air. His hands closed around hers, squeezing it reassuringly.

Astrid shuddered for a moment but then shook her head. "No," she whispered. "He didn't. He just… tried to imitate what we did last night, I guess…" She trailed off, shuddering once more and Hiccup felt hot rage boil up deep inside him again.

Swallowing hard, he leaned his forehead against hers, to calm her and himself alike. It took a few moments but then she relaxed further, exhaled softly and let her arms drop onto her bump.

Hiccup didn't calm down though. Because when she dropped her arms he saw it. He saw the torn front of her dress and the obviously hand-shaped bruise on her breast. A new wave of rage surged through him, hotter and stronger, and he fought hard to keep himself in check. For now…

"He'll regret this!" He growled. "I promise, I'll make him pay!"

Astrid gazed up at him, a torn look in her eyes. "Don't let him get to you!" she pleaded. "Don't give in, that's what he wants. Don't give him that satisfaction, please!"

He looked down into her deep blue eyes and gulped. It wasn't like her to say this. If one of them was up to immediate revenge and lashing out then it was Astrid and not him. But there was something in her eyes, a sincerity that made him pause. He wanted Geir to suffer for what he'd done to her but she was right and deep down he'd already known that before. Just striking at him in any way wouldn't be enough. Hiccup forced a weak smile on his face and lightly squeezed her hand. "I don't intend to!"

Before either of them could say anything more, hurried steps echoed through the hall and a moment later, Helka Hofferson appeared next to them. Without a word, Hiccup made way and let the woman examine her niece. He watched her checking Astrid's pulse and her eyes and asking simple questions all the while working through what he knew and what he could do now. A minute later, Helka laid her hands on Astrid's bump, pressing and probing lightly, murmuring to herself before she nodded. Hiccup just waited for her to confirm that as for now the baby was alright as well before he squeezed Astrid's shoulder and went to deal with the problem at hand.

Toothless was at his side as he approached the group of men at the other end of the Hall. He felt eerily calm despite the rage burning in his guts. Because he knew what he had to do, which of his options was the wisest even though he didn't like it. But it was a solid plan he could follow and it gave his mind space to work

He noticed everything! Every single detail stood out to him. He noticed how Magnus flinched and his guards behind him backed away in an instant when they saw Toothless closing in. At the same time, his own men relaxed when they saw him, turning the whole situation somewhat to his favor. Only Geir kept swearing and cursing as he couldn't see the dragon behind him, kept throwing insults but didn't dare to actually fight against the blade at his throat.

"Let go of me, moron!" he hissed. "Put your weapon down or you will regret it! I'm heir to my tribe, attacking me is a major crime. I'll have you hanged!"

"Let him go, in Magni's name!" came now Magnus' plea as well, his eyes switching between his son and the approaching Hiccup. "He was just flirting with the lass, nothing wrong with that" Hiccup's anger flared up anew at these words but he didn't let it show. He needed to stay calm, to go about this logically. Behind Magnus, his guards exchanged worried glances. Interesting! So they knew their Chief was lying and weren't comfortable with it. Good! Maybe he could use that. As he finally stepped between the men, Hiccup noticed something else. Laif was the only one still sitting at their table. He watched the whole scene interested but seemingly unperturbed. This, too, he filed away for later use.

"Drop the charade, Magnus!" Hiccup said in a low voice like gleaming steel. "We all know it was more than flirting, my wife's bruises are evidence enough."

"Oh, is that so?" Geir sneered. "May I see them? Just to make sure you're not making anything up!"

Hiccup's hands twitched but Eret was faster, increasing the pressure of his blade and making Geir gasped in what must have been fear. It was a satisfying sound but Hiccup made a quick gesture nonetheless, signaling Eret to drop his weapon.

"You are right, Geir, attacking a Chief or his relatives is a major crime" Hiccup went on. "And you attempted to rape my wife and harm my unborn heir. You will have to answer for this either in a trial here on Berk or to the Chief' tribunal. It is your right to choose between these options but I highly recommend choosing the latter. You're going to be stripped off your birthright and title, you will become an Outcast but you'll live" For a while, he added mentally. Alvin still owed him a favor… This was the prudent way, the right way but not what Hiccup wanted. It would put an end to Geir's current brutal lifestyle and maybe to his life as well. And it would be a signal to others as well. But it felt too simple. He was familiar enough with the laws to know that this was almost an ironclad case. It would be his and Dagur's word as Chiefs against Magnus', supported by several men. Maybe the Redthorn guards would also testify in his favor or even Laif, one never knew. It was the right way but, by Thor, Hiccup hoped for a different outcome.

"You can't do that!" came Magnus nearly panicky voice even though Hiccup's sharpened mind detected a false note in it. "He's my heir, my son. It was just fun, just fooling around a bit, you can't-"

"I recommend you to be quiet, Magnus!" Hiccup went on, still eerily calm outside but quickly running out of patience. "I have no proof for what you did in Crescent Harbor yet but I will find them. And you will have to answer for your crimes as well. Maybe you will even be convicted on the same day. That would save some efforts, don't you think?" He added lightly. It was weird how calm he was on the outside. On the inside, he was boiling with rage and just wanted to… to hurt them! He wanted them to suffer like their victims had suffered, wanted to inflict pain on them, hurt them and watch-

Slightly dazed, Hiccup shook his head. He was not like that! He was not like them!

"Good luck with that!" Magnus spat and tore Hiccup out of his thought. He looked up again and into Magnus' scornful grin, in his guard's wary faces, and in Laif's bewildered expression. "You won't find any proof, but go ahead, waste your time if you want"

"Is that the confession that you got rid of every piece of evidence? Killed every witness?"

Magnus laughed. "Nice try, boy. Nice try. I'm just saying that after all this time, every proof surely would be gone and as for witnesses…" He paused, a derisive grin on his face. "These Southerners were a weak lot. Ruled by a man who sought advice from his wife in every matter, a disgrace to our sex. They deserved to be wiped off Midgard's face!" He paused, pointedly looking at Hiccup. "I'm grateful to whoever did it!"

The threat in these words was unmistakable but Hiccup forced himself not to react. Magnus had said it once himself, nobody would dare to attack Berk when it was protected by dragons. It was just empty boasting, just words.

"Escort our guests to their hut!" He ordered in direction of his men. "Make sure they are safely guarded until their ship is ready. Magnus, Geir, we'll see each other in front of the Chiefs' Tribunal, even if I have to come and get you myself." As Hiccup was about to turn away, his eyes fell on Laif, who still sat at the table, unmoving and disbelievingly staring at Hiccup, just as one man took him by the arm to lead him outside. A weird boy, Hiccup thought. He should –

Clink!

"Tell Astrid thanks for me!" Geir remarked now that Eret and his sword were safely gone, fighting against his captor's hold to stay close enough to Hiccup to be heard. "I loved her responsiveness during our passionate exchange! And tell her I'm sorry for gaging her, I so would have liked to hear her scream for me. And she's so soft," He made a distinct gesture with his hand, squeezing an invisible breast. "Aaahhh, I might come just from the memory." Geir shuddered in sickening anticipation. "In fact, if Eret had interrupted us only ten seconds later, I would have come between her legs. Such a shame, I bet she would have liked that!"

Hiccup closed his eyes, hands in fists, his whole body shaking. He recalled Astrid's word as an anchor to stay sane. He wouldn't let Geir get to him… He would not give in, that was what he wanted. He would not give him that satisfaction.

"Get them out of here!" He hissed, turning his back on his guests as they were led outside.

Clink!

He would not snap, not now when it was finally over!

Clink!

Geir had done his best to lure him out, even occasionally scoffed at how he was too weak to do any harm anyway.

Clink!

Ha, he would have been in for a surprise! Snotlout's missing teeth were proof of that!

Clink!

And what was that sound?

Clink – Thud – Clink – Thud – Clink

Hiccup closed his eyes and concentrated. He was quite familiar with these sounds, the uneven sounds of his own steps, metal and leather on the stone floor.

But he wasn't moving right now!

"Stop!" He called out sharply, loud enough for everyone within the Great Hall to hear. This wasn't… he had to be wrong!

He stomped toward Geir, burning hatred in his eyes. "Hold him!" he ordered and the two men at Geir's side did as told. Hiccup leaned down and yanked Geir's foot up, with enough force that the Redthorn heir would have toppled over if not for his captors' grip. There Hiccup could see it, gleaming and shining innocently.

A small metal coin attached to the sole of Geir's shoe.

"She wasn't even suspecting anything when she heard this," Geir chuckled menacingly. "What a nice surprise for her, don't you think? Getting a real man instead of a scrawny fishbone?"

Hiccup vision turned bright red. He'd never seen his missing leg as a problem, had never felt like being less because of it. For the most part that had been because of Astrid. Because she had never treated him as anything less just because he'd lost his leg. She'd always just admired him for his bravery on that day. And now Geir had used the fact that he had a metal leg to get to her?

It took less than a second. His hand was already balled into a fist, his whole body tight and burning with rage. He only needed to draw his arm back a little and –

The impact of his fist meeting Geir's face was followed by a surprised grunt and then, half a second later, by a pained howl and some curses. Hiccup didn't understand what Geir was saying, his head buzzing with adrenaline and his own labored breathing but it surely wasn't flattering. Then Geir coughed and spat at the ground, dark blood with two bright spots where his teeth had landed.

For a few moments, it was utterly silent in the Great Hall.

Then Geir looked up at him, his carefully arranged sneer replaced by an ugly mask of pure hatred. "You!" he growled, the nasty gaps in his mouth plainly visible. "You'll regret this! Mark my words, Haddock! You will regret this!"

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Woooohoooow! Who wanted angrycup? Ah, I guess everyone. Here you go, isn't he fantastic? O:-)