The fighting had settled by the time they emerged. The guards on the door had surrendered readily to the King and his men and had resumed their duties without much protest. The Grimborns, Vorg and Savage had been taken to the cells and any surviving Outcasts and Berserkers had also been locked up. The dead had been removed as well and the King, flanked by his loyal comrades, his son and the outlaws, had returned to the platform in the yard. Spitelout and Snotlout were in chains and the King was grateful and relieved to see the familiar lopsided shape of Gobber waiting on the platform, throwing a very cheeky salute.

"The castle is secure, sire," he announced loudly for the benefit of the crowd, winking at his lifelong friend. "All those who failed to swear loyalty to you have been locked up or executed. All commanders have been imprisoned as a matter of course until we can determine their loyalties!"

"Good work, old friend," Stoick said and sat pointedly on the throne. He lifted the crown-then placed it back on his own head. His cold gaze swept over the crowd. "I'm back," he announced.

Cheers erupted from every throat-even those who had been cheering for the new King because most of them hadn't truly understood the situation. All had just accepted what they had been told by their leaders-and now, faced with their rightful King, the people of Berk-who were notoriously stubborn and traditional-stuck to their rightful King without hesitation. Stoick grinned and waved for them to be quiet.

"I know the Kingdom has faced hardships in my absence, manufactured by those who saw an opportunity to advance themselves at the expense of others-mainly you, my people," he announced. "But I have learned my lesson. My place is here, protecting Berk from the enemies within well as without. But we have lost many loyal subjects, my Council included as well as so many of you who have been murdered, starved or taken and sold into slavery. And I swear that I will do all in my power to make reparations for those wrongs. The destroyed villages will be rebuilt, homes and livestock restored and those stolen from you will be tracked down and returned-no matter how long it takes!"

He had to stop then because the cheers would have drowned out the entire castle exploding. The people went wild, abruptly reminded why they loved their King: stern but fair and just. He wasn't the easiest to slip low level scams or cheating past but he cared for all his people and they knew they could rely on him to protect him.

"The celebrations and free food will still continue today!" Stoick roared over the cacophony and the cheers got even louder. Free ale and mead were always welcome and the smells of roasting yaks and boars were seeping through the castle enticingly. He had to wait until they quietened down again before he could speak. He stood. "My brother has committed treason," he announced, a finger stabbing at Spitelout. "I have loved and supported him for years and he has repaid me in treachery. So he will of this hour, lose all titles, privileges, lands and possessions henceforth. He will be dishonoured and exiled from Berk. He is no longer a member of the Royal Family and has no claim on the Throne until the end of time. He is no one."

He waved his hand and Spitelout was taken away. The man wrestled against his guards as he was manhandled off the stage. "NO!" he shouted. "You can't do this! You can't make me live like a...peasant! Why don't you just kill me?" Stoick swept his eyes over his brother and his face was cold.

"Because that would be too kind," he said grimly. "You did far worse to my son. You tried to kill him, you had him at the block, you recaptured him and had him tortured and maimed. Why should I let you get away without any real punishment for your crimes? And every day you toil in grime and cold and hunger, you can remember what you had and what you threw away through greed and cruelty."

Then he turned his gaze to Snotlout. The young Lord gulped and he tried to look remorseful. "Uncle...sire..." he whined, "I didn't have anything to do with this. I swear!"

"And I believe you!" Stoick said in a growl, "because you are far too stupid to have planned anything as complex as usurping an entire Kingdom!" He paused. "But you will share in your father's fate because you did not oppose him. You fought against me just now, Snotlout. So you are still guilty of treason: you're just too stupid to have planned the whole thing! So you can be the good son one last time and share in your father's fate: your lands and honours are irrevocably removed and your are exiled forthwith!" He gestured and the younger Jorgensen was removed as well. Then he waved to Lars and a group of chained men were also brought up: the disloyal Lords. Mildew the Unpleasant, Sven the Silent, Reidar Pockface, Magne the Fat and Knut the Mad. All were looking angry, outraged and determined to deny any part in the whole business. "You, on the other hand, my Lords, are all very guilty of treachery!"

"Look 'ere, Stoick...yer can't prove nothin' against us!" Mildew sneered. "And anything yer little wretch of a son claims is a lie..." His voice choked to a halt as a huge hand closed around his throat. Mildew went puce and Gobber had to cough very loudly to remind the King not to strangle the irritating Lord in front of the crowd...not that anyone would have minded. Mildew's popularity was somewhat lower than a plague-ridden beggar.

"Don't mention my son," he groaned out through his teeth, flicking his gaze for a moment to the bowed and battered shape of the outlaw. "He, of all, of you recalled his duty to his land and his people! While you all signed agreements with Drago the Dark to hand your lands to him when Spitelout ceded the north to him!" There were gasps in the crowd. "Yes-my brother sold half the Kingdom to the Prince of Blood in exchange for his support. And these men sold the rest!" There were boos and shouts of 'traitor!' Stoick scowled at the men.

"Yer can't get rid o' us!" Mildew sneered. "Yer need nobles!" Stoick nodded.

"So I do," he announced. "But I don't need you in particular!" They gaped. "So I will take back your lands and honours and search through your blood relatives for those who are loyal to the crown. To take on your duties and carry them out for the best interests of Berk. None of you are fit to serve Berk any more. You have a choice between prison and exile."

"And what about yer blood relatives?" Mildew sneered. "Yer brother is a traitor, yer nephew a mutton-head and yer son dishonoured beyond all redemption!" Stoick stared at him in hatred. "So where is yer Heir gonna be? The fat-headed son of a traitor? Or some distant kin? Yer son cannot be redeemed-he was shamed and rejected by Berk. And the law is clear: he is irrevocably tainted!"

"You lie!" Stoick growled as Gobber and Lord Hofferson exchanged glances. It was an old law but one that still held-and the stiff-necked people of Berk clung to old traditions like limpets.

"What about yer all?" Mildew shouted. "Do yer want this one-legged runt, this coward and traitor as yer Heir?" And he jerked his head towards Hiccup. The emerald eyes flicked up to face him as there was a gasp...and then the words started again.

"Coward!"

"Outlaw."

"Traitor!"

"Shame!"

Stoick felt his blood boil as he swung his head back to see his son shiver and close his eyes. And then he turned and leapt from the stage, his legs carrying him as far from the excoriating words as he could. His head was down and Toothless was at his heels as he ran. The King saw Astrid turn-and her father grab her arm sharply.

"You have to stay," he hissed, restraining her with some difficulty.

"No! He needs me!" she protested. "Gods, he needs me!"

"My daughter, you have to stay," he reminded her determinedly. "Because I need you here and so does the King. We cannot help Hiccup if we don't finish this now!"

"But it's so wrong!" she whispered, her eyes shining. "He's given everything for them...and they still treat him like rubbish!" Hofferson nodded, his own eyes conveying his anger at the situation.

"That it is, my daughter...but if I know my friend, he will have a plan. And he will save his son."

But Snotlout's words came treacherously back to her as she turned her shining eyes back to the crowd and the vast shape of the King as he took back control of his Kingdom.

oOo

Hiccup had got as far as the stables and had dived into Fury's old stall before he felt tears streak his cheeks and his throat close with misery. He really should be too old to weep, too tough to allow the rejection of his entire people break his heart but he had always been a disappointment and now, as he curled up in the furthest corner of the stall, his knees clutched to his chest and his face buried in his knees, he just let himself sob at the complete rejection and worthlessness he felt. He really couldn't have done or given any more. He felt Toothless press against him, felt the wet tongue and worried whine of his best friend and tried to calm his breathing.

"It's okay, bud," he said haltingly, unwinding a hand to rub the wolf. "I'm just being pathetic. Hiccup the Useless, the worst son in the history of Berk's Royal Family. And the first one who's ever been disowned by the entire kingdom!" He palmed the tears off his cheeks and tried a very wan smile. "Guess it's just you and me now, bud. The others will all be pardoned and able to resume their lives...but I can't go back to being what I was. My lands have been given away, my honour shattered and my place...well, I can never be who I was." He swallowed. "No-no one will employ me...and what can I do? My only talents are for being a screw-up son and an outlaw...and not much call for either of those now. I-I guess it means I'll have to leave...though that will mean leaving Dad...and Astrid...oh, gods, I'll have to leave Astrid..." He closed his eyes again and took a deep, sighing breath.

"Hicc?" He stiffened. He knew the voice and it wasn't one he wanted to deal with right now. But the steps came closer and the owner dropped to his knees before the huddled outlaw. Hiccup sighed and forced himself to open his eyes.

"Hi, Gustav," he said wearily. He knew the boy meant well but Gustav could never properly understand.

"Wassup?" the younger boy asked. Hiccup stared at the ground and wrapped his arm around Toothless. He gave a shuddering sigh.

"Just a...complication," he said quietly. "Because of what happened here-when everyone publicly shamed and dishonoured me, I can't go back to being the King's son. They won't accept me. Not any more." Gustav frowned.

"But you are his son, aren't you?" he asked, puzzled. Hiccup nodded.

"In blood...but in law...no... not any more. What Spitelout and Alvin did removed every claim and right I possessed," he sighed. The younger boy frowned.

"That's stupid," he said. "You helped them all so much. Why don't they accept how much you've done for them?" Hiccup shrugged.

"It's the law," he said despondently. "And if I have no honour, I can't marry..." Gustav frowned.

"I told you that you should marry my sister," he said. "She won't mind! Look, you can stay with us here..." Hiccup closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Gustav-as fond as I am of you and Heather, I am only in love with Astrid," he told the boy quietly. "And staying here would be unbearable. Because I would see what I have lost every day. I would have to see Astrid and whoever she chooses to marry. And that would kill me, Gustav." He slowly levered himself to his feet. "I need to be alone. Please- give me some space. Just...this once..." And he slowly limped from the stables, leaving the boy watching him and Toothless depart.

oOo

"So the entire staff took part?" Stoick asked pointedly. Astrid nodded. "And did everyone throw things at him?"

"We didn't, sire," Ruff piped up. "And neither did Gustav or Heather. Not really."

"No I, sire," Astrid added, staring at the floor. "But I couldn't stop it either." The King sighed.

"I forgive you," he said heavily, "because I know that you were a prisoner. But what they did to my son...the rejection that he experienced and the people still cling to...it is a problem. He has been ceremonially dishonoured and disgraced and the old laws from the founding of our land state that no man without honour can be the King." Astrid blinked. She turned to her father.

"Dad?" she asked faintly. Her father squeezed her hand.

"The King is right, my daughter," he said. "We can be pardoned and so can the outlaws...but the dishonoured son of the King cannot be forgiven. He can only be allowed to leave with his dishonour."

"And can't he gain his honour back?" she asked him. He shook his head.

"Maybe in a generation or two..." Lord Hofferson said. "But though he did no crime, his utter dishonour removes Hiccup Haddock from every prospect he once had." She closed her eyes.

"But I love him," she whispered. He sighed and rested his hand heavily on her shoulder.

"You actually forget one thing, daughter," he said quietly. "With Hiccup and Snotlout out of the picture...you are the Heir to Berk..." She gaped.

"WHAT?" she exploded. "NO! I-I couldn't! That would be too cruel...stealing Hiccup's birthright when all he has ever done is work his ass off to try to make his father proud of him! And even when he was declared traitor and taken to the block, he escaped and stayed-when any right-thinking man would have run-and did whatever he could to oppose Spitelout..."

"As an outlaw, Stoick," Gobber reminded him with a wry smile. "And while Prince Hiccup may be lost, mebbe the Outlaw Night Fury can be rehabilitated?" Stoick frowned and he stared at the two-limbed warrior calculatingly.

"He's still the same person," Stoick reminded him.

"The funny thing about honour, as I see it," Gobber mused, "is that it is a pretty invisible and ephemeral thing. It attaches to a specific name...not always to a specific person. And it's totally illogical...so while the ancient rules are rigid, they can be circumvented. If yer want tae do it..." Stoick stared at his old friend.

"You have a plan?" he asked. Gobber grinned broadly.

"I'll need your help, my friend-as well as support from Lord Hofferson..."

"The lad saved my life," the Lord declared clearly. "He rode in on his own, warned us in time and fought like a demon to allow my staff to escape. He saved my life at the cost of his leg and covered my escape, knowing he would be captured and tortured. I will do everything in my power to help him regain what he has lost!"

"Even letting me marry him?" Astrid asked him softly. Her father stared at her carefully, his face concerned.

"Daughter-your new status as Heir to the Throne means you can have the choice of the eligible Heirs from the other Kingdoms," Lord Hofferson murmured. "You could marry any of a host of suitable bachelors..." Astrid's eyes widened and she stared from man to man before her face locked into her familiar stubborn scowl.

"I need a husband who had extensive training in law and politics and all the tricks and skills a King would need," she commented and her eyes crinkled in amusement. "But I need one who has the interests of Berk at his heart rather than his own Kingdom. I need a man who loves and adores me. And I need a man I can trust and love and spend my life with. Especially if he manages to be an auburn-haired, green-eyed, one-legged fishbone..."

Gobber winked to the twins and they raced off to find the outlaw in question to reassure him that his father and friends were working every angle they could think of to get him what he deserved. "The lad will probably refuse," he reminded them. "He's more stubborn that ye, Stoick! How he endured under the tortures they put him through amazes me..."

"He's not the same," Astrid murmured. "He goes quiet and his eyes look as if he is experiencing it all again. He's brave but he's not over it yet..." She sighed. "He doesn't deserve all of this." Stoick sighed.

"They have taken so much from him: his home, his name, his honour, his leg..." he said in a low voice. "I will not let him lose the girl he loves and his future as well."

"And I am not losing him!" Astrid stared proudly, her arms folded across her chest.

The twins burst in, both panting and looking harassed.

"He's gone!"

oOo

Dagur's search party had finally dug the entrance to the Cove out and with a few slips and a skinned hand, Hiccup got clumsily down into the little space, the only place he had truly felt safe. Toothless whined at his side, very worried. Hiccup had been silent, walking painfully through the forest until he had returned to his home. His leg was agonising and he knew he should be resting but there was nowhere else he could go. He found his spot on the boulder and drew his legs up, looking across the little lake and wrapping his arms around his legs once more. His throat was thick and he felt utterly empty. His friends would be being pardoned and he...well, he had literally no one he could rely on...

Toothless leapt to his side and gave a little bark. The wolf nuzzled his head against the young outlaw and Hiccup wrapped his arms around the wolf. "At least I have you, bud," he murmured and sighed.

"You have me as well," Astrid said from the entrance. She had galloped at full speed from the castle to the Cove, knowing it would be the place he would choose to go. He looked at her, his green eyes startled.

"How-how did you find me?" he asked her, breathing hard.

"Best friends?" she reminded him, walking confidently forward. "How much time did we spend here when we were children?" He ghosted a smile.

"In a former life," he murmured. "I think Prince Hiccup may be dead..." She scooched up to sit by him, sandwiching him between her body and the wolf.

"He was my best friend," she said gently, her hand closing softly on his. "And he was a kind, patient, brave, decent man who never let anyone down and who never believed his father loved him as much as he did. But then I fell in love with that damned outlaw, Night Fury. That cocky, sarcastic, scoundrel who did just enough to save the kingdom until Stoick the Vast returned. And, of course, for that he is due a pardon-just like everyone else wronged by Spitelout. If only we knew who he was...but he always wears that mask..." Hiccup swallowed.

"I know what you're trying to do," he said hollowly, "and it's kinda sweet, Astrid, but it won't work because I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third...and he's been utterly dishonoured..."

"Apart from the obvious...why any family would name someone Hiccup Horrendous Haddock once, let alone three times?...you are free to become someone else," she told him. "You have more than one name...and I really want the Night Fury to come to Berkingham with me. Your father really wants you to come too..."

"You are really persistent, aren't you, Milady?" he asked her dryly. She nodded.

"I have to be because the man I love is stubborn as Hel," she shot back.

"It's served me well so far," he reminded her as she laced her fingers with his, still feeling the breaks.

"I need you with me," she said softly. "I can't face this without you..."

"I'm not sure I can do it," he whispered, leaning his head against hers. "I-I can't face that hatred again..." She turned her head and pressed her lips gently against his.

"Even for me, mister outlaw?" she asked him gently. He sighed, nuzzling into her neck again and closing his eyes.

"You really enjoy seeing me suffer," he breathed. "But for you, Milady...I'll do it..." She snuggled against him.

"You know I love you, don't you?" she asked him and he nodded.

"I've loved you since I was...what, five?" he replied softly. "Of course, I was never worthy and even when our mothers plotted our match, I knew you wouldn't look at a scrawny runt like me. You deserved someone so much better..."

"Until I realised, as you worked and trained and became the impressive man you are now, that there wasn't anyone any better than you, Hiccup," she reminded him. "And when you robbed me-and left me my jewels...I knew it was the same cute, dorky green-eyed boy I played with when I was little..." He sighed.

"Cute?" he repeated. "There goes my fearsome reputation." She kissed him again.

"Get your mask, mister outlaw," she told him commandingly, her eyes glittering with impatience. He reluctantly unwound from her grasp and achingly limped to the space by the little cave and the collapsed lean-to that had been his sleeping place, fishing out the mask that he had forgotten when they escaped. "Now, escort me home, mister outlaw! There are some bad men around here." He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled into her neck.

"Yeah-and I'm one of them," he murmured as she gasped as his lips gently kissed her neck.

"You, sir, are a very bad man!" she smile and spun round to face him, her lips locking with his again. "And that's the man I want!"