A/N: Well, you guys wanted it, so now we're here. Sorry for the late update guys. My laptop had been sent for repairs and my University exams are approaching. Hope you guys like it. Also, on earlier note, I had asked E. Willis for permission to use "svipting" in this chapter. Granted it was a long time ago, but I had asked nonetheless.
000 (12 Days Later)
It was another chilly evening for the village of Berk. The villagers were going through their final chores of the day; bringing in the fishing nets with the haul that should last them another week, collecting all the wool from the sheep, and finally closing up the shops for a night of making merry, drinking and eating - in other words, a normal night for everyone on Berk. One main reason for the villages' carefree personality was that there hasn't been a dragon raid for the last three weeks to four weeks or so. Of course there were some who kept a watchful eye on the skies at night, and the patrols didn't decrease, but the Vikings couldn't help but be in high spirits.
They were in such a high spirit today that there were about fifty of them who had turned up at the Kill Ring to watch the younger generations perform exercises with their dragons. They never knew how dragons could be so docile and act like spoiled pets. They mostly had their eyes on Astrid and her Deadly Nadder as they seemed to be perfectly in sync with each other as they flew around the arena and performed target practice. Her mother and younger brothers even turned up that day to watch her.
She credited her new-found skills and relationship with her dragon to Hiccup one hundred percent; saying that if it wasn't for him, she wouldn't be the new Astrid she is today and that she's only happy to convey what he taught to her to the rest of her companions.
Heather had been with the group since she arrived on Berk. She did meet up with Hiccup a few times and had pleasant conversations with him; how he was handling his training and this 'new' Berk that was beginning to take shape. He told her he liked it. People didn't resent him completely now; that was definitely progress. He also told her of his little encounter with Addie, how she took a liking to Toothless immediately. Hiccup told her that he saw the future of Berk in Addie; and not just her, but Astrid's brothers and all the children of Berk.
Heather was glad she could see this side of Hiccup again. It brought back many memories of their time on Sharkslane before he left. He asked about her lessons at the Ring, whether she had found a dragon yet.
She told him that the riders weren't able to find her a new dragon. She did take a liking to the Deadly Nadder, but she didn't seem completely comfortable with it. Astrid told her that they would keep working on finding the right dragon for her, and she wouldn't stop until she did. However the dragon Heather appeared to have in mind didn't live on the island, and the riders weren't permitted to fly huge distances to search for new lands or other dragons. And Astrid couldn't ask Hiccup since she wasn't allowed to see him. She did ask Ripper if he could teach a few of their classes but as the future heir of Sharkslane Village, he, and Heather as well, was required to sit in at all the meetings of the Counsel.
So apart from training with Stormfly and her friends, she busied herself at home, helping her mother with chores and helping to train her brothers in combat - much to their dismay. She had no knowledge of what Hiccup was doing. She wondered if he even would be ready in time. It's not that she doubted him. Concerned, definitely. Snotlout didn't have many talents or traits. He could be compassionate but that was like asking a dragon to never fly again for the rest of its life - it just won't happen. But she admitted that he could fight ... extremely well. It was probably the only field he excelled in. She was never beaten by him, but she acknowledged his fighting skills. That's why she was worried for Hiccup.
And considering she knew how pissed Snotlout was at their relationship, he wouldn't even think about holding back.
"Astrid?" she was brought back from her thoughts when her mother called her. "Is everything alright?" She looked down to see that she had been cleaning the fish and preparing them to be salted. "You've been staring at those fish for the last five minutes now" she said.
"I'm fine, mama. I've just had a lot on my mind" she said before resuming her task. Her mother looked at her, a disbelieving look in her eye.
"Do you know something that I should know?" she asked. She looked to her mother and noticed she was giving her the look.
"No mama, there's nothing wrong. My mind is just preoccupied at the moment" she gave an excuse.
"Are you thinking about the dinner we have with the Jorgensons tonight?" Ingrid asked. Astrid sighed in realization. She knew she was forgetting something. Tonight's dinner was where the final planning and preparations for the wedding were to be discusse between the two families.
"I have no choice but to come, right?" she asked.
"Well you are the bride, dear. You get to have a say in the preparations before the wedding" her mother tried to show her the bright side.
"Wonderful. I get to have a say in the plans for a wedding I didn't want" she retorted, an edge in her voice. Her mother sighed.
"Astrid, I know that this is the last thing you want and I understand that, but ... at least could you put on a brave face for the village? Most of them will be in the Hall tonight, eagerly waiting to hear the plans for the wedding" her mother spoke.
"Is the house nearly ready?" she asked. She was referring to the house that she and Snotlout would be living under for the rest of their lives.
"Just one more day left before it is suitable for living in" Ingrid answered. Her daughter sighed in reply as she wiped her hands with a cloth, signifying she was done cleaning the fish and retreated to the living room, taking a seat on, what could be called a sofa, and staring right into the flames of their hearth. Ingrid watched her daughter from the doorway, a sad expression adorning her face at seeing her only daughter so miserable at a time that is supposed to be filled with great joy. There was no way they could back out of the contract now; that would just bring more shame onto their family name, excluding the fact that they have already accepted the bride price from Spitelout.
"Did I ever tell you about how your father and I got married?" she broke the silence of the living room. Astrid shook her head in reply, not meeting her eyes.
"It was also an arranged marriage between our families.." she said as she sat down next to her daughter and cupped her cheek, turning her to face her while she spoke. "..Your father back then was a complete and utter snob, believe it or not" she said, and as she did, a smile grew on her face as she watched Astrid's eyes widen in shock and meet her gaze now. "He wasn't as arrogant or idiotic as Snotlout, but he was in the middle somewhere" she resumed her story. "He believed that all the girls in the village wanted him, and he was true to an extent. There was only one girl who didn't like him at all ... could you take a guess?" her mother asked.
"No way" Astrid muttered as she did not break eye contact. "You?"
Her mother nodded. "The reason for our marriage was that it would be combining two of the strongest clans ... back then, anyway. My father said we would be the most respected clan, after the Chief's clan of course. But unlike you, I hid my displeasure of the marriage. In fact, words could not describe how furious I was at my predicament. Out of all the single men, my father had to betroth me to your father. And thankfully, we shared the same feelings."
"But how did you two work it out?" Astrid asked, turning her body to face her mother now, completely engrossed in the story.
"Easy ... you" she answered as she held her daughter's hand in her own. "You were consummated on our wedding night; my parents made sure I was going through my period at the time of the wedding, to make sure the possibility of a child was high. And nine months later, you were born. When they let your father in to see you, I was so worried ... I didn't know if he wanted a son like most Viking men at the time ... But when I showed him to you, he held his finger out to you and you grasped it. I saw the look on his face, filled with utter and complete joy at seeing you. That's when he looked at me and said these exact words, 'I've always wanted a daughter' and when he kissed my lips that time, there was no lack of passion. The kiss was soft, but I can tell you it held all the passion in the world. You, my daughter, brought your father and I together ... truly" she finished.
Ingrid watched her daughter's face, knowing that a countless number of gears were turning in her head. Astrid glanced back to the fire. She was beyond surprised. She never knew her parents detested each other before, but for them to have worked it out because of her? "I'm not saying the same thing will happen with you and Snotlout ... what I'm saying is that you two will come to a compromise, eventually, and most likely on your terms."
"You're damn right about the last part, mama" she said and both Hofferson women laughed.
Astrid looked back to the fire after her little laugh, as did her mother. "Thank you, mama" she said softly. "I needed that talk. And ... I won't go through this marriage because it's my obligation. I'll go through it for you and papa" she said, turning to face her mother, who she could have sworn, had a tear in her eye. Before she knew it her mother's arms were wrapped around her, bringing her in close, nearly squeezing the life out of her. But she didn't mind it, and wrapped her arms around her mother.
"I'm so sorry for putting you into this position" Ingrid said softly. "If I was given the chance to go back, I would keep refusing any suitors' offers until the right man came along."
'The right man has come. I just hope he acts soon' Astrid thought as her and her mother were enveloped in comfortable silence in their living room. After a few more minutes, both women released each other. "Shall I help you get ready for tonight?" her mother asked, as she got up.
"Yes mama" Astrid replied as she and her mother walked upstairs to prepare for a ... rather eventful night.
000
"Remember Snotlout, you have to be on your best behaviour tonight" Spitelout said as his wife adjusted his robe behind him.
"I'm not a child, dad" his son groaned from his chair in the living room. "But since this is my wedding, I can give my input on what should and shouldn't be there, what I want and don't want ... and Astrid can give her opinion as well."
"And what if she disagrees with you? What will you do?" his mother asked.
"Anything to please the bride, right?" he asked with a sheepish grin.
"But you can also disagree with her. That's where compromise comes in" he father explained.
"But are you going to do about Hiccup?" he asked his father.
"You remember the punishment; he's not allowed to lay sight on Astrid during his whole stay here in Berk" he said while Magnhild fixed his hair a bit. Snotlout was also nicely dressed for the night, black woolen pants with a white tunic and a black robe on his shoulders. He would also be wearing a special belt that the family held dear, with his hammer secured to it.
"But as you know he was never one to listen" Snotlout countered.
"He has listened so far, and with Snorre and his gang keeping an eye on him, I'll know if he's planning something. Told you having those idiots with was good for something" Spitelout remarked. He was the one who suggested Snotlout befriend them as they would make useful bodyguards and soldiers for his son.
"I don't know dad. They didn't seem to be on task completely."
"That's because they split the work between them, so only one of them would spy on Hiccup at a time. With that strategy, they wouldn't get caught."
"Then what did you think of Ripper's arrival so soon after the trial? Doesn't that raise suspicion?"
"I was wondering when you were going to ask me that" Spitelout said as he turned around, satisfied with the way he looked. "I did find it suspicious, but with Ripper sitting in at all the meetings with Heather and having a few eyes tail him to his house, he's clearly here on business. And if I'm not mistaken, didn't you tell me that Hiccup broke his connection with Ripper for a whole year?"
"Yeah ... but I still think something's wrong" Snotlout muttered.
"Relax son. Just two more days before the official celebrations begin and three days until your wedding" he smacked his son's back in joy. It was one of the few times Snotlout saw his father bare a smile ... a true one at that.
"Now come on" he said as he extended his arm for Magnhild to take and both waited at the door for their son. Snotlout bore a smile himself as he followed his parents out to the Great Hall, where his future wife and her parents were surely waiting.
000
"Don't you think you should tell your father about this?" Toothless asked. He and Hiccup were in the forest, back in their cove. He was watching Hiccup prepare himself for the confrontation in the Great Hall. He unsheathed his new sword, something he had been working on in the forge after his lessons with Ripper in the cove. He wanted it to be a secret until the fight; something to show Snotlout that he was to be feared, that he wasn't the old Hiccup that his cousin remembered. "Better question, are you sure that sword is ready to use?"
"I'm sure of it, Toothless. It will work ... and I will win that fight" he said, sheathing his sword into its scabbard. "Besides, this would take my dad by surprise which would be playing to our advantage."
"It's not that I don't doubt you. I'm just making sure you're doing this for the right reason."
Hiccup stopped what he was doing and gave his friend an incredulous stare. "Toothless ... I'm fighting to get Astrid out of that marriage! Something that she never wanted from the beginning!" he said, turning back to his preparations.
"I know that. But it seems to me that you're letting your past anger begin to take control of you now. That's not the Hiccup I know"
"I'm not" he replied. "It's just that, this is my chance to make a statement to the rest of the village." He placed his sword at his belt and tightened a few of the straps on his arms. "I know that that seems to contradict everything I've told you over the last few years, but if I win, I'll be recognized among the whole village. Maybe they'll start listening to me about the dragon problems - and if they do, that would open a whole new world. The world I imagined where Vikings and dragons live in peace" he lectured, looking up to the, now, night sky. He had been imagining that world ever since incorporated a few dragons into the livelihoods of the villagers of Sharkslane. This was his chance to do the same for Berk.
"If I win, a new age of coexistence begins, Toothless" he said, looking back to his reptilian friend, a smile of hope on his face.
"Well then, what are you waiting for? The age of coexistence isn't going to start itself, you know?"
"But like always, I'll need you by my side for support" he mentioned as he began to make his way to the path that led up and out of the Cove.
"It wouldn't be the same without me, would it?" And the two close friends, or brothers for a better term, made their way to the Great Hall, their heads held high, their minds set on a single goal, and the look of a bright future in their eyes.
000
"I don't know, Snotlout. Are you sure you'd want them to come?" his father asked. The Jorgenson and Hofferson families were sitting at one of the main tables in the Great Hall discussing plans for the wedding that would bind their two clans together. The Chief was also present at the discussion since it did concern the wedding of the future Chief of Berk. And every Chief, or heir for that matter, had to have the biggest, most successful wedding in their village.
"I'm sure dad. I mean they did take well to me when they arrived" he replied. He was referring to a noble family of Moon Crescent Island. The tribe that resided there were incredibly wealthy and had close ties to the Chiefdom since their son was engaged to their Chief's daughter.
"What do you think Astrid?" Ingrid asked.
"Sure, they can come. But you have to make sure that his entourage don't try and screw around like they did last time" she warned. Even though Bjarke was relatively a nice guy, his friends believed they could do almost anything without receiving any consequences.
"Of course. Absolutely! Uh... What about the food for the wedding?"
"Well.." Arnbjorn couldn't finish his sentence because all ears turned their attention to commotion that seemed to be happening just outside the doors of the Great Hall.
"What the heck is going on there?" Snotlout asked as he stood up, prepared to go out there and investigate for himself. He didn't get the chance to when Snorre came flying through the door and onto the ground a few meters from the doors. That had caught everyone's attention as the music and chatter that had filled the Hall gave way to utter silence.
Astrid nearly jumped from her seat. Standard shield-maiden training had her prepare to be ready for a fight in any scenario. She stayed seated as she caught a glimpse of black and brown leather, topped with a auburn mop of hair walk through the doors after Snorre. And for the second time in five years, Astrid saw the look of determination on Hiccup's face. For a brief second her memory took her back to the night where she betrayed him, when she asked if he was serious about protecting Toothless.
"What is the meaning of this!?" Spitelout yelled as he got to his feet. She looked around and saw Snotlout was still glued to the floor where he stood up. That's when murmurs among the crowd began to echo through the Hall. How could she forget? She remembered that this must be the first time in twelve days that the rest of the villagers are seeing Hiccup in the Hall.
When she looked to her Chief's face, to see if he had any idea what was about to happen, she was met with the same face that Spitelout and Snotlout and her whole family had; one of shock and surprise. Both Ripper and Heather, who were seated with the rest of the gang, had their eyes on what was happening; and she could have sworn that Ripper had gleam in his eyes and a knowing smirk. That's when it her - could this be where-?
"Snotlout!" Hiccup's voice ran strong and loud in the Hall. He unsheathed a sword that she forgot had been in a scabbard attached to his belt, and aimed it right at Snotlout's chest. "I challenge you to a svipting" that last word erupted a horde of gasps and shouts in the Hall. "For Astrid Hofferson's hand!" he finished. That's when all eyes turned to Astrid, who was staring slack-jawed at Hiccup, as was her whole family.
"You can't be serious" Snotlout muttered. "I'd crush you in a second. You're not even worth my time to fight" he boasted. Astrid saw Spitelout nod in agreement out of the corner of her eye. It was clear as day to him that this was something Hiccup had been planning; he just didn't know what or when he would carry it out.
"If you're so sure, why not face me? Scared I'd beat you in front of the whole village?" Hiccup taunted.
"As if! Besides, the only reason you're challenging me is just to try and impress her" he pointed at Astrid. "And even though you're tempting me to humiliate you in front everyone like old times, I'm afraid I'll have to decline this time" he replied with a smirk, folding his arms over his chest. However, it began to go away when he saw Hiccup shoot him a smirk.
"Snotlout ... Don't the rest of the villagers know why you called a trial twelve days ago, regarding me and Astrid?"
"What trial?"
"What is he talking about?"
"Since when was there a trial?" and soon questions ran loud in the Hall. Everyone turned their attention to Snotlout and his father, whose facial expressions had somewhat stiffened, braced for the barrage of questions. Astrid realized that this was all part of his plan, evem though it might put her in the spotlight, but it would raise questions about Snotlout as well.
Snotlout had visibly tensed. His body language conveyed that this was one situation that he didn't want to be at the centre of attention of. "A Chief would never keep secrets from his people, especially of the one on this scale" Hiccup continued. He made contact with her eyes. She saw that he sent a small apology through them, asking for forgiveness for putting in the spotlight. But she had been put in the spotlight the moment her engagement was announced to the village. What would a secret affair do to that? It could possibly tarnish her name, she would be looked down upon by the village for, in their minds, sleeping with a branded traitor and outcast.
But at the same time, there was the boy she had secretly held feelings for; the same boy who had grown into a man. And she failed to see him mature, failed to witness the many accomplishments that he had achieved with his vision. This was her chance to stand up for him, an act that she had failed to do five years ago.
Ignoring the angry and confused shouts the villagers were throwing at Hiccup, who was scanning the room, she rose to her feet and made her way to him. Arnbjorn made an attempt to stop her, but stopped when he felt a gentle pressure on his forearm. He looked to see his wife shooting him a small smile.
"They got theselves into this mess, but they're old enough to get themselves out of it" her voice was soft compared to the yelling of the Hall, but he heard her voice. He looked to his daughter making her towards the banished heir. He might be bombarded with questions later tonight, but it would be well worth it as the price for seeing his daughter smile naturally again in public.
Hiccup caught the sight of her making his way towards him but before he could register her actions, he felt the warm feel of her pink lips on his and soon felt the pressure of her arms wrapping around his neck. And he didn't care about the gasps and shock noises the crowd made, as he became wrapped up in the kiss as well, letting his arms encircle her waist and deepen the kiss.
"I'd never thought you'd be so glad to see me" he muttered against her lips as they pulled apart.
"Well, I haven't had the chance to see, speak or kiss you for the past two weeks. It takes its toll on a girl" she replied softly.
"A-Astrid!" Snotlout yelled, completely speechless that she kissed him right in front of the whole village. At the same time, his only leverage against her had disappeared. Now that the secret was out about their affair and the trial Hiccup mentioned, there was no hope of recovery from that.
"It's time everyone knew the truth Snotlout" she replied, turning to face him while Hiccup kept and arm around her shoulder.
"Does this mean the wedding's off?"
"She was in an affair all this time?"
"What is the Chief going to do about this?" Everyone turned their eyes on said man. Stoick had his eyes placed on the three young Vikings at the centre of attention.
"Before you start, dad ... I want you to know that I have to do this. It's my chance to show you, show the whole village, that I've changed. That I'm not the same Hiccup I was when I left. And it's not like I'm breaking any laws either. I'm excising my right to challenge him. And if he's every bit a Viking as he claims to be, then I'm sure he won't mind accepting my challenge."
"The thing is Hiccup, I can't accept your challenge even if I wanted to. You're a banished traitor of Berk, so I can't accept it" Snotlout pulled the last trick he had up his sleeve.
"Unless ... The Chief allows it this one time" Stoick said, attempting to keep a smile from reaching his lips.
"I should have known!" Spitelout yelled, grabbing the attention of everyone. "You were planning for this! You were conspiring with him this whole time!" he accused.
"My father had no knowledge of my plans. I managed to keep my plans a secret from them while I've been preparing" Hiccup defended his dad.
"Besides Spitelout, are you not confident in Snotlout's fighting capabilitie?" he asked. "He is the second best fighter of the next generation. And what would be better than a victory over the banished heir?" Stoick tried to persuade. Even though he was talking to Spitelout, his comments were directed at Snotlout.
"What's it gonna be Snotlout? Are you going to accept my challenge? Or are you going to take the coward's way out and reject it?" asked Hiccup.
Both Hiccup and Astrid saw the death glare Snotlout was shooting at him. They wanted to have him backed up in a corner, where there was no way out. They would gladly accept the consequences and accusations that they'd be bombarded with before the fight, but at the same, he'd be damaging something very dear to his cousin - his ego.
"Fine. I accept your challenge. We will fight tomorrow at noon. If that's alright with you?" He tried to surprise Hiccup by having it soon.
"Tomorrow it is then" Hiccup replied. The crowd's screams echoed through the Hall. Stoick did his best to calm the crowd, as was Gobber, but during the attempts, Hiccup and Snotlout never broke their gaze. The two of them were busy sizing each other.
This would be a fight that would be sung in the tales to come - poetry for the victor ... humiliation for the loser.