TWENTY EIGHT: The Wedding of Astrid Hofferon

The day of the wedding dawned and Astrid watched the sun rise through the gaps in the shutters, knowing that Stormfly had escaped-because Anja, who attended a couple of hours after Torgeir had visited, had told her. And among her materials for checking over the expectant mother was one of Stormfly's spines. Astrid had been deemed healthy though a little underweight and Anja had insisted she was allowed a warm bath and a good meal-which the warrior had eaten. And then, clean and warm and wrapped in fresh warm clothes, she had grasped the spine and began to slowly rub it down against the roughened granite of the walls. She knew in her mind what she wanted to do with the spine and she prayed she had enough time to complete her plan before the wedding.

She was fed midmorning with a kind of weak meat broth and black rye bread, just before a large warm bath was brought in with scented oils and towels and she glared at the men carrying the steaming iron pitchers of hot water. Frida walked in confidently, a cream dress folded in her arms.

"I'm not getting in that dress," Astrid told her flatly, her eyes narrowed and hands resting protectively over her child. The raven-haired woman quirked a smile and turned to the guards.

"Give us some privacy, hmm?" she suggested archly. "Look-I can succeed much better without you muttonheads here angering her. Wait outside!"

"Our orders were..." the first man started but Frida turns to glare at him.

"My orders were to get Astrid ready for the wedding and I cannot do that with you here," she told them sharply. "Guess what is more important at this stage, hmm?" The guards stared at her. "Close the door behind you on your way out!" she snapped and reluctantly, they left, the door slamming behind them. Frida sighed.

"I am not wearing a wedding dress," Astrid insisted, her tone flat and arms now folded aggressively across her chest.

"Yes, you are," Frida told her. "Because I need you in that room. Torgeir thinks he has all the cards-but there is one tradition that he hasn't counted on. Anyone can challenge the Chief for his place and he is bound by law to answer a challenge. And you are a fighter, Astrid. You have never given up...and we have let Stormfly escape to make sure she can't be held against you." Eyes widened in shock.

"You did that?" she murmured. "But...why?" The raven haired girl rested the dress down on the bed and carefully poured the first pitcher of steaming water into the bath.

"Because Torgeir is a disgrace," she said in a low voice. "He betrayed you. He betrayed me. He has betrayed the village and our laws and customs for his own desires...fed by the malignant spider, Knut. The same Knut who has decided he wants me to wed him now the Chief is going to be bound to you."

Astrid winced, feeling the child suddenly leap and the womb tighten hard around him. She breathed hard for a few seconds until the spasm eased and then looked up-to find the other woman at her side, a hand comfortingly on her arm.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice low and Astrid chewed her lip, nodding.

"They're coming more often now," she admitted. "Mostly they're just like a tension but a few are a little...sharp. I checked with Anja and apparently they are normal for the last couple of months of pregnancy. Apparently," she added with grim humour, "my womb likes to train as hard as I do!"

"Astrid-I have every belief that you can beat Torgeir, given a fair shot-and challenging him at the wedding, in front of the Council and the Village will mean he can't worm out of the fight or use his guards to subdue you!" Frida assured her. "But we have to get him to believe that you are defeated. And to do that...you have to look the part..."

There was a long moment and then the blonde girl sighed, her eyes trailing over the steaming bath.

"It would be nice," she admitted and slowly unbent, pulling her dress over her head and approaching the tub. She finger-combed her hair from the braid and shook it out before stepping into the scented water, lowering her body into the water and ducking her head back to wet her hair. Frida watched as she washed her hair and then began to soap her body before she sat back on the bed.

"You know-no matter what you wish, you are beautiful, Astrid," she sighed and the warrior stiffened for a moment before giving a resigned shrug.

"I considered finding a sharp object...even the spine...and cutting my face so Torgeir wouldn't want me any more," she admitted and Frida gasped at the idea of someone so desperate she would disfigure herself to thwart her captor.

"I am not sure even that would work," she forced herself to say as Astrid ducked back to rinse her long hair. "He hates being thwarted and is fixated on you. I guess he would proceed with the nuptials, even if you looked like Odd-Bjorn the Hideous."

"And I guess he isn't a looker," Astrid commented from the tub.

"He is rumoured to have curdled milk just by being seen by the heifer!" Frida sniggered and Astrid stared at her.

"No!"

"Yes!" Frida giggled.

"You know, my Tribe believes in giving us hideous names to scare away Gnomes and Trolls," Astrid volunteered.

"Really?"

"Well, how else would you explain neighbours and friends named Gobber, Snotlout, Spitelout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Phlegma, Dogsbreath, Mildew and Hiccup?" Astrid asked thoughtfully.

"Hiccup is just the runt of the litter," Frida commented.

"But he's not-he's lean...but tall, strong, brave, inventive, caring...and I had to leave him because they betrothed him to the Heir of another Tribe and if I stayed, he would not have wed her and the whole Tribe would have been in danger!" Astrid said tonelessly.

"Hiccup?"

"Hiccup and Astrid. There should always be a Hiccup and Astrid," she murmured. "But in the end, he was wrong. It was a lie...because there couldn't be." Wincing at the pain in her voice, Frida stared at the girl.

"Then how come you're called Astrid?" she asked the blonde and Astrid lazily washed her arms, feeling the hard muscle move under her fingers as she stretched.

"I don't need a scary name because I was born with one," she told Frida. "I'm a Hofferson. Fearless and ferocious. And no gnome or troll would dare mess with me."

"Except the troll named Torgeir," Frida reminded her as she rose from the water and grabbed the towel, swiftly drying her body and beginning to rub her hair dry. Gently, she rubbed her hand over the rounded swell of her belly, only a month short of her time and still neat and unmarked. Thumper obligingly jabbed the hand away and her pale lips lifted in a small smile as she rested her hands on the baby.

"I will do anything-risk anything to protect you, little Thumper," she murmured gently and she rubbed the swell tenderly. "So we are going to wear the dress, braid my hair and make me look as beautiful as I can...because I need to be in that room with Torgeir so I can protect you. And I won't fail you. I love you as much as I love my Dragon Boy and I will not let that munge-bucket Torgeir kill you." She gave a grim smile. "No matter what, we will be together."

"And let me help you," Frida said softly. "I promise...I will do everything in my power to protect your child as well." Smiling, her eyes for the first time in weeks lit with hope, Astrid nodded.

"Then let's get ready for my wedding-because no matter what happens today, I am not getting married!" she announced.

oOo

The Council Chamber of Granite Isle was packed with the Council, Elders and the great and good of the village, all there to witness the wedding of Chief Torgeir to the beautiful and spirited stranger, Astrid Hofferson. The Council knew the Chief's will, for they had been part of the meeting where he had declared his desires to marry the girl-but many of them had been shocked and ashamed that he had imprisoned a young woman who was a guest, treating her like property, against the laws of their Tribe. There were guards at the door of the Chamber, just in case the young woman made break for it. The heads of houses and households-and their spouses-were all in the Chamber as well, along with others of high status-including Healer Anja and Frida.

Torgeir was standing at the front, his black leather armour polished and sword sitting on his hip, a smug expression on his face. Knut the Wise was conducting the service, his triumph at the fruition of his plans undisguised. He glared at the man-and gestured.

"Where is she?" he demanded as the door swung open and Astrid walked in, alone. The light behind her lit her golden hair like a halo, the silky strands braided over her left shoulder while the cream dress flattered her slender shape, the Empire line allowing the material to flow over the swell of her pregnancy, the neckline and hem embroidered in gold. Around her neck, held on a simple cord of leather was a long tooth-shaped pendant carved from one of Stormfly's spines. Her eyes fixed on the wall ahead and not sparing the Chief a single glance, she walked forward to stand before the alter and the manipulator who was responsible for her predicament.

"Ah...Astrid Hofferson...you are here to be honoured by marriage to our beloved Chief Torgeir..." the Adviser said as she turned her unforgiving glare on him.

"No," she said clearly and loudly. Torgeir snapped round and he opened his mouth to shout at her-but Knut stepped in the way and raised a hand to intercept the Chief.

"My dear-what other reason could you have for being here?" he asked lightly. Her fists tightened.

"Maybe...I was threatened he would kill my unborn child if I did not comply," she said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "I do not consent to this match and in accordance with the Viking Councils, I reject the legitimacy of this man to rule. I challenge Torgeir for the Chiefdom of Granite Isle!"

She stared at him and her lips tilted up, her eyebrows arched. She was daring him and he stared at her smugly-then laughed.

"This is the deranged ravings of a pregnant woman," he scoffed. "A fantasy! No woman can rule Granite Isle..."

"Show me where that is written," she demanded. "Because I believe the original Viking Council laws override all local laws and there is nothing there that precludes a female Chief. In fact, the Bog Burglars would argue there should be more! You have to respond to a challenge." But Torgeir shook his head.

"I will not fight you, girl," he told her scornfully. "I will kill you in moments-because you do not possess the skills, strength or determination to overcome a warrior such as myself in battle!"

"I am Astrid Hofferson, Shield Maiden of Berk," she announced proudly. "Rider of Stormfly, Hiccup Haddock's second in command-I am a warrior in my own right. And I name you coward in front of your Council and your village if you refuse to meet me in battle!"

He stilled, his eyes flattening with rage and he dropped his hand to his sword.

"I should kill you where you stand for that insult," he growled.

"Which again confirms your cowardice in slaughtering an unarmed woman," she sneered. "You are a coward, Torgeir. You had four men capture me and you held me prisoner for weeks until you arranged this sham! You refuse to acknowledge that I have made it clear I will not marry you-and now I have made the formal challenge. So you fight me or you and every one of your people will know you for the rancid coward you are!"

There was utter silence in the room as the girl spat her challenge. Finally, Torgeir backed away and nodded to one of his guards to hand her a sword.

"Then you get your wish, woman," he said in a ferocious voice. "Give us room. I will beat her, then marry her and then...she's mine." He leaned close, his voice icy with hatred. "And the child will not see a single dawn..."

Her hand closed around the leather-bound hilt of the sword and backed away, her movements light and balanced, her eyes locked on his face and sword raised expertly. Automatically, she rolled her wrist, testing the weight and balance of the weapon she had been granted and for a brief moment, Torgeir realised that she did possess some skill-before he lunged at her, trying to overcome her in one fell moment. She anticipated the obvious attack, knowing he would use his speed and weight-but she dodged, light on her feet, agile despite her gravid state and watched him lunge past. Spinning, her sword clanged off his, batting it away and hastening him on his way. She was ready as he was still flailing and as he turned, his face was red with rage and he was breathing hard.

"That was a mistake...bitch!" he growled as he lunged again, meeting a skilled and strong defence. And while Astrid had practiced with the axe since she was four, she had also mastered every other weapon on Berk, ensuring her prowess was unsurpassed by any but the Chief himself-and with the sword, by Hiccup. Dancing back, Astrid felt a small jab under her ribs from her agitated child and that spurred her on, knowing exactly what-or who-she was fighting for. When she had made her choice to keep the pregnancy, she had accepted that she was going to be a mother to Hiccup's child and she knew part of that duty involved protecting her offspring. And she knew, beyond all doubt, that Torgeir would kill Thumper if he beat her.

She almost missed the leg sweeping out to try to take her legs but she jumped and used the momentum to bring the sword down hard on his weapon, the angle of the blow slamming him back against the altar. He staggered and glared at her, throwing himself forward and bearing them both to the ground. Her sword clattered away as her knee slammed up and his eyes crossed with the accurate impact that coincided with her slamming his hand onto the floor. The third slam had his sword flying free as well but she scarcely had time to triumph as he rolled her and pinned her, his body pressing hard against hers, crushing her swollen belly and she felt Thumper nudge her desperately.

"This should give you ideas," Torgeir sneered, his hands tightening around her wrists. "You are going to get very used to this-whore!" She writhed furiously and kicked the inside of his knee, causing him to yell. The tiny movement was all she needed and she flipped him and punched him in the face, breaking his broken nose again and causing blood to splatter over her dress. He roared as she punched him again, snapping his head sideways as she broke free. He roared and threw her sideways and though she managed to get her feet under her, she stumbled, dropping to her knee and grabbing the sword in time to parry the furious stroke at her head. Kneeling, she defended herself furiously and spun round, slashing at his waist and marking his side.

"I am going to make you scream," he promised, panting in rage as his men backed up further. Every eye was on the combat that no one believed would last longer than the Chief's first rush at the pregnant woman. Now, everyone was watching her in shock and Astrid's blue eyes flicked up, seeing the astonished expression on their faces as she challenged their Chief. A number looked downright hostile or horrified-but Anja and Frida were holding their breath and she knew they were rooting for her. It gave her heart as she parried again, dancing back as they weaved across the floor, trading blows. Then she closed her second hand on the hilt and launched into a furious attack, shouting a curse as she traded blows with Torgeir.

"You munge bucket full of rat droppings!" she sneered. "Is this all you can do? I'm a woman and pregnant and you still can't beat me!" The clangs echoed round the Chamber, each blow reverberating through Astrid's arms. In her heart, she knew he was stronger and would beat her ultimately-so she had to end it before she ran out of energy. Torgeir was sneering taunts to her, his face lit with triumph. She batted him away, the backswing catching his neck and face and he roared, backing away and pressing a hand to his bleeding cheek.

A spasm tightened through her and she hissed, clamping her teeth on her lip and avoiding doubling up as she blocked another blow to her head. Giving a roar, she made a roundhouse blow that knocked the sword from his hand and shoved him back, the flat of the blade meeting his face and stunning him. She danced forward and dug the sword into his chest-but he kicked her back and threw himself forward, pinning her against the altar. Kicking and writhing, she stared up into his cold, compassionless eyes as he leaned close.

"It's over," he sneered and she nodded.

"Yes, it is," she said, snapping her wrist down and a slim dagger that she had also carved from Stormfly's spine slid into her palm. Her arm stabbed up, swift as a flash and buried the dagger deep into his neck. His eyes widened as she ripped it free and blood gushed from the defect. He choked and stared at her in utter incomprehension...and then his hands closed on her throat, squeezing tight. Eyes snapping wide, she tried to prise his hands free but as he tried to choke her, his grip weakened as blood liberally coated his neck and chest. Astrid sliced at his wrists with the carven dagger and and slowly, his hands relaxed as his eyes closed and he sagged. Breathing hard, she shoved him off and he flopped onto his back, breathing his last as she tenderly rubbed her bruised throat, sucking in air and resting a hand on her belly. Coated in his blood, breathing hard and throat scarlet from the ferocious squeeze, Astrid forced herself to her feet, leaning forward to grab the sword and stand tall and proud.

Then she walked forward the two paces to his limp shape, hauled up his head and with one powerful blow, she severed his neck. Lifting her prize, she turned to the room and glared at them, the bloody sword clamped in her hand.

"Torgeir is dead!" she announced harshly, glaring at the Tribe and daring them to cross her. "I claim the Chiefdom!" There was a silence and the old man raised his staff, hissing in rage.

"HERESY!" Knut shrieked and Astrid spun as Frida yelled a warning.

"LOOK OUT!"

But Astrid spun under the staff and buried the sword in his chest , shoving him back against the altar as he slumped down by the body of his Chief. The Shield Maiden glared at the Tribe.

"Anyone else?" she growled and there was a flurry of shared glances before the Council and guests shook their heads. Egil, Terje and Steinar stepped forward.

"Astrid Hofferson is declared the legal winner of the challenge," Egil announced to the village. "She defeated the Chief in combat and avenged her captivity." He glanced over to the others and they nodded. Frida was bouncing with excitement and even the reserved Anja was smiling. "All hail to the new Chief!" Steiner started forward.

"Heya Chief Astrid!" he shouted and the words rang through the hall, echoed from every throat.

"HEYA CHIEF ASTRID!"