Disclaimer: I own nothing.

I Wanted Him More

The thwacking of axes against wood echoed through the empty arena as the two Viking maidens stood opposite their targets.

In the corner, Ruffnut laid over a pile of straw bales with her limbs strewn about and eyes shut, but her occasional shuffling and snickering revealed her true unsleeping state.

Behind the girls, Stormfly and Windsheer frolicked, while the twin's zippleback rested beside Ruffnut.

With taunt muscles Astrid Hofferson swung the next ax with the force or a nader spike, but her rage broke her concentration, causing the weapon to veer from target.

"Son of a skunk rat!" She punched at an imaginary opponent.

"You're not blowing off steam, just getting more worked up." Heather warned.

"You heard what they said. My sister is as horrid as her horrid, slave owing, sex-crazed, maniac husband."

"Look, I'm not one to give lectures on sibling love and devotion, but Ingrid is your only sister. I know what it's like to not get along with a sibling. Maybe talk to her more. Maybe she feels she has to support him. You'd feel better if you worked it out."

"We're not you and Dagur. You guys have things you both want and work towards. There was a time when Ingrid and I wanted the same thing, but only one of us could have it. And I got it, and she's held a grudge ever since."

Heather lifted an eye brow.

Astrid explained, "Years ago, back when we fought dragons instead or riding them, Ingrid liked Hiccup, too."

"Whoa."

"Do not tell him." Astrid warned, then yelled at the other blond. "Goes double for you, Ruffnut!"

"Not stupid. Already knew."

Astrid rubbed her shoulder, it felt sore from the force of her throws, "Anyhow, Ingrid only wanted him for superficial reasons. Because, my sister is as deep as a puddle. Hiccup was the son of the chief, he was goofy but cute, clever, creative, brave, and kind."

"Did she like him first?"

"I don't know. I don't remember not liking him. Or at least liking him as much as you can like someone when you're a kid. Like everyone else, I got annoyed with him for not taking the dragon wars seriously, for being clumsy, and for not going along with the rest of us. But I shouldn't have been - because he knew there was a better way. He's always known a better way."

"So how did you get him and not Ingrid? I mean you're great and all, but-"

"I discovered Hiccup was hiding Toothless and before I could tattle, he took me for a ride, convinced me dragons were good, and that's how I realized he was as deep as the ocean and I'd cut off every one of my limbs before I let him be with my vain, selfish sister. He's more than Ingrid could understand."

"Are you sure? Did she ever have the chance to understand?" Heather asked quietly.

"Maybe not." Astrid sighed, "Stoic didn't care much about his son's happiness, before he killed the red death, everyone, maybe even Hiccup, knew when he married it would probably be for political gain or alliance. That is, before he almost died. After almost losing his son to a hero's death, Stoic completely changed - there was nothing he wouldn't do for his son and no want he'd deny him."

Astrid took a deep breath, "So one day, I impulsively kissed Hiccup in front of the whole village, including his father. I knew it was stupid, because Berk is strict on their relations before marriage beliefs, especially with some like Hiccup who could ruin the tribe if he produced a child out of wedlock."

Astrid plopped down on the ground and sighed, "But, I couldn't help myself. I was fifteen. I though love him, I knew he had a crush on me, and I wanted everyone, especially his father to see it, so I'd never have to worry about losing him again, especially not to another girl."

Ruffnut laughed, opening her eyes, "Oh, I remember that. Man, did you bring shame on yourself for that. For a whole week whenever my mom pointed out something I did wrong, I cited that incident – Yeah sure Tuff and I blew up half the house, but at least I didn't shame the family by making out with the chief's son in the middle of the village."

"It was a risk," Astrid's voice remained steady. "But I knew if Stoic saw how crazy we were for each other, or could be, he let us be together. And my reputation was ruined for a while, but Hiccup never showed interest for anyone else, so Stoic never tried to marry him out. I'd do it again. Because he's not just mine, he's my other half."

"Did you ever tell your sister that's how you felt about him?"

"I would have, but that day, I came home, still high from the kiss, I found Ingrid sitting my room on my bed. She stood up and pushed me then told me I'd never marry. Especially not Hiccup. Because loose, aggressive girls like me never became chief's wives—they became village whores."

"Whoa." Heather whispered.

Ruffnut stayed quiet, but looked at Astrid with more sympathy than she'd ever shown.

"And it ended like that?" Heather asked.

"No. I rushed her and almost tore half her hair out. We had an epic sibling battle. Both parents pulled us apart. I should have talked to her when we calmed down, but we never calmed down. And Hiccup and I grew closer, she and I became more distant. Eventually Hiccup convinced me to move to the Edge, and while I was gone, she got engaged to Gunnar. Then all I heard was how rich and successful he was, how he came to Berk and showered her with jewels and flowers and romance."

"Why didn't you try to make up once she moved on?"

Astrid sighed, "Maybe then, I was jealous of her. Sure, I had Hiccup, but he put off proposing for so long. And while I never second guessed us, I sometimes worried Hiccup did and I started to think maybe she was right, maybe he didn't want me and I'd end up the way my sister said."

"Hold on. Go back," Ruffnut sat up. "Gunnar romantically spoiled her? We're talking about the guy who she looks afraid of, who has the slave girl entourage?"

Astrid shrugged, "She supports him and seems to think his slave thing is OK, so maybe all the gifts and servants to care for her, made her smitten. Maybe he's sweet when their alone."

Heather and Ruffnut exchanged looks. "I don't know," Heather wondered. "She's still a Hofferson. I find it so odd she seemed so meek and willing to go along with her husband's values."

Heather put her hand on Astrid's shoulder, "Sometimes we look at our siblings and it's easy to feel jealous because they are so much like us and sometimes have things we think we could have had if fate just twisted the right way. When Dagur and I re-united I still felt resentment because he knew our parents better. He got a piece of my life I won't ever have. When he talked about them I had to live vicariously through him, but I resents him for having those things. However, I realized it wasn't his fault and once I let go of those feelings we became happy."

Astrid got up and brushed herself off. Ruffnut also got up then went over putting her hand on her shoulder. "Look, Astrid, have you ever thought might affect your relationship with other women?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about, any girl who you see as competition you can't seem to get along with. Take Heather, once you knew she was into Fishlegs, not Hiccup you guys became friends. And I know you, you want to be friends with other girls, including your sister. I have siblings. Sure they're a pain, but you have shared memories and shared family – why wouldn't you want that closeness."

"I get along with other girls." Astrid protested, flinching away from Ruff's hand.

"OK, why didn't you and I hang out more, before Hiccup made your relationship official?"

"That bothered you? We were together in a group all the time."

"A group with guys, where we never talked. For years, Astrid, anytime I stood next to Hiccup, you'd jump between us, if you saw us talking alone you'd butt into the conversation. I keep Tuffnut with me when I talk to Hiccup because I feared your retaliation."

"That's-"

Heather stepped closer, "Astrid, she has a point. There's other girls in Berk and you're not friends with any of them."

Astrid walked away from the other girls to retrieve the ax that missed its target, "I don't need to be friendly with all the women of Berk. That's not my job, my job is to help Hiccup be chief."

She yanked the ax from the wall, "As for my sister, I stopped caring. After the wedding, she'll be gone and I'll only have to hear about her glorious existence from my mother."

000

Home Sweet Home

Hiccup felt the difference between the frigid air outside and the warm air of his house when he and Toothless stepped into their wooden home.

Inside the floor had been swept, every surface cleaned, and all his books organized on shelves. Hiccup was not sloppy or neat, just in-between enough that his environment looked acceptable. However, now it looked immaculate.

Brie stood from the table as he entered, keeping a cautious eye on Toothless as he plodded to his spot next to the fire.

Hiccup felt more uncomfortable not talking, so he made small talk, "Did you go out today? Maybe to the Hall for lunch?"

She sat in another chair, the one farthest from Toothless, "I went. I saw Ms. Hofferson and was going to see if she needed help, but she looked angry, so I stayed away."

Hiccup laughed, "Ms. Hofferson. You mean, my Financé, Astrid?"

Brie nodded.

"Yeah, probably better you stayed away. But, you should come to the Hall for dinner." He started upstairs.

"I put clean clothes out for you," she called up.

It was odd to have someone do those things for him, nice though. When Hiccup was a boy, Stoic often left before he woke and came home after he fell asleep. He'd spent most of his life taking care of himself. Maybe he'd figure out a way to get out of debt after the wedding and he could pay Brie enough to get started, till she was old enough to get married. And she could help Astrid, who was not neat, or good at household chores, or cooking, and like children OK, but didn't always have motherly tendencies. And, maybe, Hiccup told himself, he should stop thinking about all that.

He changed and returned down stairs where hot tea waited for him on the table.

"You looked cold." She smiled.

He took a sip, spitting some back as he burnt his tongue.

"I'm sorry, is it too hot? I can get you cold water."

"No, its fine, I never get hot food or drinks. I arrive it to the hall at the end of meals because I'm so busy."

"Of course, you are. I can tell you're important. And people need you."

He sighed, "Yeah, they'd probably do OK without me…or at least better with my dad."

"I'm sure no one thinks that."

"Hard to tell. Some days I feel like I'm barely holding the place together. And, I know not everyone wants to follow me, I worry about mutiny. My dad, was strong and supportive, I'm more of the guy who comes up with the plans to make like easier, like, let's work with dragons, not fight dragons, and that works. But if someone needs me to negotiate with enemies or solve a conflict, I can't always…"

He sighed and stood next to the fire.

"You're probably better than you think." The whole time he talked she sat forward in her seat, absorbing all he said. He tried hard not to look back at her for too long, but her eyes, they were so blue, so inviting, and just like Astrid's.

"How did you get here?" He asked.

"You saw me arrive - on a boat."

"No- I mean, how did you get into this mess where you ended up a slave and have to stick it out with Astrid and I, until Gunnar and the rest of the guest leave and I can set you free?"

"Oh," she looked sad.

"If it's a painful story, you don't have to tell me, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"

"Gunnar and his people," She looked down at her delicate hands as she spoke, "they came to my village. And my people, we were few numbers. And small in size, not huge and bulky like Vikings."

"If it makes you feel better, I wasn't a big Viking for about 90 percent of my life."

"Well these Vikings were bigger than anyone we'd ever seen before. They came wearing Iron, something my people only used for farm equipment. Our whole town was at church that day. It was my wedding. And Gunnar's people came in and slaughtered everyone, except a few of the girls, who I've not seen since."

"I'm sorry." Hiccup said.

She looked down at the floor, "My husband to be, I barely knew him - arranged marriage. But, I could have loved him…built a simple life. And he didn't deserve to be gutted on the altar of God by Gunnar."

"Was he young too?"

"I was 17 at the time. I'll be 19 soon - maybe, I don't know, not anymore…" She got out of her chair and went to the fire, still wary of the dragon in the room.

19? She had a more petite frame than Astrid, he though her a child when he first saw her, but really, they were close in age, even though she looked so young. She was still young. And he was young. The world was cruel even to the young, handing out punishments they couldn't have earned yet. What was her crime? How could a girl about to be married deserve to lose everyone and everything? He could understand his own punishment - losing his father, maybe the gods showing him he was foolish, his pride poisoning what he did not value. But, this girl did nothing. How could she? Such was the cruelty of men like Gunnar or Drago, storms that broke all in their paths.

Hiccup watched the fire, "Gunnar, he's not right in the head, as children he taunted me in ways crueler than the other children. He threatened to hurt me in horrible ways, telling me things he did to animals. He took my food at meals so that I didn't eat for his entire visits – that's probably why I was so small for so long. I remember he got in trouble for setting a sheep on fire. The poor thing was fine, but when my dad asked him why he did it he said, 'to see what would happen.' His own father just laughed, but no one else did. He wasn't here much, but when he was, no one forgot it."

"I've seen him, there is no reason for or end to his cruelty." Tears painted her perfect face.

Hiccup came closer to her and took her hands. "He won't hurt you anymore."

She smiled, starting to lean toward him making the air around him fill warm. He felt a lighting in his head and everything but that moment fell away. Her scent, smoke and lavender, tickled his nose. The logical part of his brain tried to scream at him, futilely pushing at instinct.

A knock at the door snapped him into reality and made him jump back. He shook his head, wondering what had possessed him to falter. But nothing happened. He did not falter – but, why did he feel wrong?

He went to the door, opening it to reveal Astrid standing there in her blue dress, golden hair cascading over her shoulders. Without thinking he pulled her close and gave her a long slow kiss. This. This was what he wanted. All the stress from the day, the wedding, the guests, money, Berk - it was wearing on him.

"Meeting time?" He asked.

He saw Valka and Gobber standing behind her. Smart. They made sure she had escorts.

She replied, "Yes. And no kiss will convince me to…" Hiccup looked back at Brie standing by the fire, unable to make eye contact "…stay…Is something wrong?"

Hiccup sighed, "I feel all out of sorts today. Tired. I've got a lot on my mind."

000

The Slave's Dilemma

Brie watched them go, a sense of guilt and anxiety crawling in her stomach like mice. She got closer to him this time - closer to her assigned goal.

She followed Gunnar's instructions. Before being taken by Gunnar, she had little to no experience with men. He said that would make it easier for her to learn what he had to teach, because seducing the Chief of Berk would be different from other men – probably harder, but not impossible.

"All men have weaknesses," he told her as his fingers tightly wrapped around the sides of her face. "Their great strength could be the greatest flaw."

Gunnar went on to explain, Hiccup Haddock had to play the hero. His experiences with dragons and parental mentors formed ideals that grounded him to his people and noble actions, but made him arrogant in his morals. So arrogant, he projected them onto the world around him. He never thought a dragon would kill, or other men didn't hunger for peace. And, he would never think an unfortunate slave girl would want to break up the relationships that a cornerstoned his leadership.

The boy who tamed dragons to win the girl - that layer of the legend, was where Gunnar chose to hit. Sure, riding dragons, was thrilling to hear about, but hearing of a love that could console the man who tamed the beast – that made him a man. A man with flaws. The stories told of a shield maiden who rode her own dragon behind him, but Ingrid gave him the truth – Hiccup consulted with Astrid for every decision and partnered with her in every aspect of his life. Berk needed him, he needed her, destroy them and the whole stack falls - sending Berk, the strongest Viking tribe, into chaos, then paving the way for Gunnar to build a Viking empire on the backs of slaves and the defeated.

Brie sat in the chair next to the fire wrapping her arms around herself, trying to forget how Gunnar handled her with his gruff hands, how his mouth tasted of decaying teeth and heavy drink. He stopped himself from violating her in a way she would be "less valuable". But forced her to learn how to fulfill the needs of a man like Chief Haddock. Lighter touches, innocent looks, kind words, and finished with a sad life story to appeal to his sense of protectiveness. Then, finally, fulfill any wants Astrid left empty.

When he finished teaching her, Gunnar told her to be grateful. Good men would pour their lives out to save a girl like her. After Hiccup, her skills would make her a high valued girl, someone who didn't just live on the streets or work in a tavern to fill a need, she would be someone men would love for more than just a night. If she did as he instructed, he'd letter he be that. And he'd give her back the one thing she had left in the world. The only thing she could care about.

It tore Brie up that Gunner forced her onto a path to slowly destroy a good man. Average men, he struck down and killed quickly, but when he saw something good-something not rotten like himself, he had to dissect it, slowly see how it worked. Maybe to understand why he wasn't like that, maybe to see what good part was missing in him, maybe to feel better that it wasn't there. Or maybe to learn how to better demolish what he'd never be.

000

Thanks to all those who favored, followed, and left a review!

Good news– this story now has a more complete outline and many of the later scenes are mostly written – this means, as long as nothing big and bad happens to me, this story will not be abandon and will be completed - someday (not necessary any day soon). The bad news is, some of the chapters that are coming up next are only outlined. Don't fret, I still plan on updating every Friday.

I do have another story that compliments this one and I will be posting it soon, it is a sort of prequel, but both stories stand on their own. And it hasn't taken time away from this story, it's actually helped me to work out some other ideas and give me a break.

Till next time, I hope someone out there is enjoying this story! Thanks for reading:)