Seven: Single Combat

The entire village was buzzing with the prospect of a fight between their supposed-but-not-really Heir, Hiccup, and the Meathead Heir Thuggory. Snotlout and the twins were already taking wagers while Fishlegs was trying to find out everything he could about the Meathead Heir's fighting style, ostensibly to help Snotlout organise the betting but also to inform Astrid, who had threatened to axe his legs off if he don't comply. Hiccup was in a flat panic, sitting in 'his' bedroom and staring at the floor, expecting to be killed. Stoick had blanked him so he guessed he was in serious trouble and he didn't look up when footsteps ascended the stairs, though he glanced up with relief through his bangs when he saw Astrid walk in.

"The twins are offering three to one that you'll be killed in the first two minutes," she told him cheerfully. He looked up glumly.

"Those are good odds," he murmured. "Maybe I should put a bet on myself." She walked forward and sat on the bed next to him, seeing him look dejected.

"Nah-if I had any money, I'd put it on you to win," she told him cheerfully and he groaned.

"Thor, that would be another guilt to carry with me to Valhalla," he groaned then looked up with a small smile. "Hmm...at least I would get into Valhalla, dying in combat rather than ending up somewhere else because I was accidentally pushed off a cliff for being useless..." She nudged agains him.

"Hiccup, they think you're still that clumsy, self-conscious, scrawny fifteen year old boy," she told him gently. "Snotlout and the village dismissed you years ago. But you haven't given up, Hiccup. You have worked hard, doing your duty to the village and you have been practising with the sword, haven't you?" He nodded.

"Um, mostly on my own," he admitted. She elbowed him.

"Cut that out," she scolded him. "I've fought with you, Hiccup and you're good. You've got a good eye and you have quick reflexes..."

"Need them to duck whenever someone decides Useless deserves a cuff around the head," he murmured and he hunched forward a little more. She took his hand.

"Hiccup...you're risking your life to stop me being forced to go to Meathead," she murmured. "And I have no idea what will happen when you win..."

"If..." he mumbled.

"When," she said sternly. "I mean-will we be engaged? Or promised?" A horrible thought struck her. "Or will I be promised to the Heir, meaning Snotlout, once those idiots leave?" He sighed and glanced up at her, his hands clasped together.

"Maybe you could consider....saying that you choose...whoever you chose by name, not status," he murmured. "So that if there is any argument, you will have named the person you want to be with, not just 'the Heir' because hey-we know how confusing that is..." He paused. "Of course, if it all goes to plan, you won't have to marry anyone...you can continue to be the Shield Maiden you always wanted to be, Astrid." He offered a small smile, though his heart was aching at the thought. Marrying Astrid would be his dearest wish but though he loved her, he knew she didn't feel the same. That she was sitting by him now was a miracle and he savoured her smile.

"Come on," she said and patted his knee. He glanced up, perplexed.

"Um...where?" he asked. She smiled and grabbed his hand.

"I think we need to see Gobber," she told him. His emerald eyes widened comically as he stared at her.

"Okay-I guess I should apologise to him for getting killed and leaving him with a big backlog of repairs..." he shrugged but she scowled at him and rolled her eyes.

"No, mutton-head!" she scolded him. "Gobber is a canny old warrior and he can give you some guidance on dirty tricks and ploys to gain an advantage..." Grimacing, Hiccup nervously ran his hand through his hair.

"Um...not sure I'm really that kind of guy," he reminded her and she face-palmed in exasperation.

"Apart from the obvious fact that you are a Viking and Vikings are violent, ruthless and amoral and will do anything to win..." she began but he opened his mouth. "And yes, I know you completely fail all of those criteria, Hiccup-which is why I really like you, honestly-but you are going to fight someone who fulfils all those criteria and is certain to try underhand tricks and cheating!"

"And we're not even talking about Snotlout," he murmured. She stopped and jerked the young man round to face her.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock!" she said in a dangerous voice, "you are worth a hundred Snotlouts!"

"I like that rate of exchange," he murmured and she scowled.

"You were the only person who did anything," she told him intensely. "The rest of them would have just watched and let Thuggory take me!" Hiccup sighed.

"Um...he still might if I lose," he pointed out.

"Not gonna happen," she told him firmly. "Because I believe in you, Hiccup. I know you can do this-and that will prove to all those people that you are far better than they believed!"

"Um...not good with pressure..." he mumbled. She pressed a hand to his cheek.

"Hiccup-I believe in you and I am relying on you! I know you can do this," she told him, feeling his skin heat up with his blush, his bashful expression making her heart flutter. Then he nodded.

"Okay," he said, "but be prepared for a very long talk. Gobber can't keep to the point...at all!" She bit her lip: she knew Gobber sometimes abused Hiccup but he was prepared to follow her suggestion because he was desperate.

Gobber was half-soaked but when faced with a very serious and stern Astrid, he was surprisingly able to focus and impart his decades of experience. And Hiccup was appalled at the number of plots and tricks he would never even have considered. At heart, he was a decent, honest, hard-working guy and the idea people would stoop to such underhand means to win was shocking-but not so much when he forced himself to think about his cousin.

"Keep her guard up, laddie," Gobber had instructed him, tapping the side of his nose. "Let him make the first move and then see what he does..."

"Um...and if he cheats?" Hiccup mumbled, his tone concerned. Gobber grinned.

"Yer lass will axe him intae small pieces," he announced and took another swig of his mead.

"Oh joy-that makes it so much better," Hiccup sighed. "At least I'll be avenged!"

oOo

Lying in his childhood bed, staring at the ceiling, he had felt the long hours of the night slowly pass. Astrid has advised him to get some sleep, practically reminding him that he would need a rested, clear head for the battle-but he was far too wound up and anxious to sleep. In the end, he sneaked down the stairs, as he had so many times as boy, past his sleeping father and out to the top of the steps down to the village.

Berk lay below him, the houses clustered together in little huddles against the frosty night. A few curls of smoke wafted from the buildings and the torches still burned outside the Great Hall and in the Plaza. Overhead, the cloudless night was lit by a thousand stars, watching over the Vikings. As Hiccup watched, just for a second, a shape zoomed invisibly across the panoply, only hinted at the the blur of vanishing stars. He shrugged: there was no sign of a raid so he dismissed the observation.

Down the hill, the starlight gleamed off the domed chain roof of the Arena, where he would fight in a few short hours. He shivered: he guessed this was what it felt like to be facing a battle, a war but in those circumstances, a man usually had his comrades and friends by his side. Hiccup was alone, with only the girl he loved-but who didn't love him back-and possibly his drunken and mildly abusive boss on his side. Even his father, who admittedly had already disowned him, hadn't said a word of encouragement or advice. He sighed and glanced at Astrid's new house. If he died in the morning, at least he had achieved something.

"Can't sleep?"

Hiccup almost jumped out if his skin: he had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't heard Stoick approach- though the big Chief could move surprisingly silently for one so large. He nodded.

"Um...never faced definitely dying before so...yeah, not really sleepy," he admitted. The Chief moved to his side and stared down the hill.

"It makes me feel good to see them," he said thoughtfully, gesturing to the houses. "To see them all safe. It's a good feeling." Hiccup nodded absently, not commenting that he wasn't safe and hadn't been for a while though that had never seemed to bother his father. Stoick's gaze drifted to the tall, lean shape at his side and he hesitantly rested a hand on the bony shoulder. Hiccup stiffened, his emerald eyes widening in shock. "I am proud of you," he added softly.

Hiccup stared.

"You-you are?" he managed to stammer out. Stoick nodded.

"What you did was very brave, very decisive and very smart," he said simply. "I only acted as I did to protect the tribe. You acted to protect your friend. It was the action of a Chief." Hiccup sighed.

"And now I have to fight him," he sighed. Stoick turned to face him and stared into the downcast face.

"When you fight, you represent all of us," he told Hiccup. "You represent me. And our ancestors. So be cautious. Watch him. Let him make the first move. Counter-attack when you have his measure. And don't get killed!" Hiccup raised an eyebrow.

"Wow. Great advice, Dad," he said sarcastically to a small smile from his Chief. "What about my being the worst Viking in the three hundred year history of Berk?" Stoick sighed.

"I may have been wrong," he admired. "You seem to have been a late developer..." Hiccup rolled his eyes.

"You think?" he asked sharply. "I have grown-but I learned all about Chiefing when I was younger. I listened to everything you said. And I remembered." He paused and his shoulders slumped. "But if by some miracle, I do win, what will happen to Astrid? I only invoked the Heir's Privilege to keep Thuggory off her-but I don't want Snotlout thinking he can use it to enforce an engagement on her. If I win, she is legally promised to me, Hiccup-not 'the Heir'. And whether I chose to ever act on that or allow her to remain a Shield Maiden forever will be my choice and no one else's?" His green gaze was determined and Stoick again cursed that he had been blind to the young man's finer qualities when he was younger and smaller. The Chief nodded.

"You have my word as Chief of Berk," he promised and then he paused. "But you can only be promised to one woman, Hiccup. If you protect Astrid like that, you can never marry." His son gave a grim smile.

"No one wants to marry me anyway," he said bitterly. "And never will. I am Hiccup the Useless after all-disgraced, disowned and despised by everyone." Stoick stared at him in shock, feeling an unfamiliar curl of guilt at the consequences of his actions for his only son. So much so he almost missed his next words. "And I wouldn't want to marry anyone but Astrid anyway."

Stoick's heart shuddered in sympathy at the quiet, defeated tone. He had peripherally recognised that Hiccup had a crush on Astrid for years but for his son to still pine for her made him feel sad. He patted his son on the shoulder.

"You look so much like your mother," he sighed. "You have her eyes and hair. I miss her." Hiccup sighed.

"I never knew her," he admitted. "I'm sorry I let you down. I always tried-but I'm just not good enough." The grip on his shoulder tightened.

"I think today, no one is better," he assured his son. "No matter what happens, I am proud of you."

oOo

The stands around the Arena were bursting with excited Vikings as pretty much the entire Hooligan tribe and all the visiting Meatheads crowded to see the fight. Thuggory was already in the bowl, milking the crowds and practising with his sword. His heavy black leather armour was impressive and made fighting him more awkward-especially since Hiccup had no armour and just his new red tunic to protect his body. At least it won't show the blood, he thought despondently. He arrived at the entrance to the arena and his eyes widened at the sight of the entire village watching, cheering and snacking on mutton and yak sandwiches. He leaned back against the wall of the passage.

"I can't do this," he groaned.

"Of course you can," Astrid told him firmly. "I believe in you, Hiccup. I know how good you are!"

"At messing up!" he pointed out. "Thor, what was I thinking? He'll slaughter me!"

"Only if yer let him, lad," Gobber said, lumbering up. He had something folded under his arm and he self-consciously handed it over. "I made this fer ye, laddie," he added. "I hoped it might help..." Frowning, Hiccup investigated to find a pair of brown leather vambraces and a plain leather sleeveless tunic that fastened with buckles across the front of the garment. He looked up in shock. "I wanted tae make sure yer had some protection," the blacksmith added with a grin. Hiccup stared at the gifts for a moment more before hugging his mentor.

"Thanks, Gobber," he said in a shocked voice.

"Yer still me unofficial nephew," Gobber reminded him, "and though I'm a drunken and curmudgeonly old bastard, I do care fer ye! Try not tae get killed!" he added in a loud whisper as Hiccup pulled the leather vest on: it was excellent quality, as he would expect from his mentor and fitted really well. He stood up straighter as he fastened the vambraces and stared determinedly into the Arena. He nodded.

"Watch out for that Viking," Astrid said softly and he smiled.

"Anything for you, Milady," he said and stepped into the Arena.

There were roars and, astonishingly, cheers as his lean shape walked evenly into the centre of the bowl. His eyes drifted up to the Chief's great stone seat where his father was seated. Spitelout and Snotlout, Gothi, Mogadon and the Meathead delegation were all clustered by the Chief. The Meathead Chief was baiting Stoick and Hiccup could see his father's face turning puce at the sneering words as Mogadon baited him over the deficiencies of Hiccup compared to the impressive Thuggory. Tearing his eyes back to Thuggory, the Meathead Heir gave a smear.

"Your father looks mad," he commented. Hiccup gave a nonchalant shrug.

"He's looked mad ever since I was born but I'm sure there's no connection," he quipped back then stared into the handsome face opposite him. "Why are you doing this, Thuggory? You don't really want Astrid-and she certainly doesn't want you. This fight could break the alliance. So why risk it?" The opponent gave a calculating smile.

"She's precious to Berk," he said. "She's impressive and gains your island respect. So we want her. My father wants to strip everything from you that he can-because he can. Berk is weak, impoverished and wrecked. Only Chief Stoick maintains any respect for your Tribe. And you-you're nothing. Skinny, weak, unimpressive-and soon to be no more. Once you're gone, what is left? Snotlout? That guy has no clue and couldn't run a shop, let alone an island! So Berk will be ripe for conquest when the Chief dies."

Breathing hard, Hiccup stared at him in horror. "So you kill me and wait for the chief to die, carrying off our Shield Maiden and dishonouring the remains of our Tribe?" he clarified. Thuggory drew his sword.

"Glad you at least managed to understand that," he sneered. "And you were supposed to be smart. Though your cousin is such a mutton-head he's even been giving me tips how to beat you. I think he imagines he's suited to take your place..."

You have no idea, Hiccup thought grimly, backing up a pace and drawing his sword as well, the blade clamped tight in his left hand, his eyes narrowed and weight slightly forward. Suddenly, Thuggory lunged at him and he back-pedalled, his sword swinging up to parry the attack away. His feet skipped back and he stumbled away as the Meathead slammed his sword against his over and over. Ducking and spinning away, Hiccup almost missed the foot swinging up to slam into his side, tossing him off balance. He scrabbled away, hearing the other man laugh scornfully.

He's been primed by Snotlout-with information three years out of date, he realised, parrying and scrambling back. But I beat Astrid Hofferson-and she made me a better swordsman in an hour. She believes in me. And this is for her. So he backed up, parrying and watching the other Heir, digging sideways as he snatched out a dagger and slicing at his side, grateful for the leather tunic Gobber had made him. But then he danced back, dancing sideways and watching Thuggory turn his foot on the uneven cobble that Hiccup knew from his days Dragon Training. And as the other Heir stumbled, Hiccup lurched forward, his swift swordplay slamming the Meathead repeatedly, slapping him back and swatting the sword from his stinging hand.

But Thuggory was proud and he refused to lose, slashing at Hiccup's chest and as the younger man slapped the knife away, Thuggory wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him furiously and trapping his arms. Barely able to breath and rapidly losing the feeling in his arms, Hiccup felt the sword slide from his hand and he felt himself lifted from the ground. Kicking furiously, he managed to connect with Thuggory's knee and the other man bellowed and released him, sending him sprawling on his hands and knees. But before he could move, a boot crashed int his middle, tossing him a yard through the air and slamming him onto his back. He groaned and rolled, another kick thudding into his side. He scrambled away-to find a fist cracking across his face. He staggered back, lifting his arms to protect him as Thuggory thudded a brace of punches into his body. he groaned and stumbled back, breathing hard.

"Oh no," Astrid murmured. "Why did it have to go down to hand to hand combat? Hiccup really isn't any good at this..." Gobber stared at her.

"Yer think, lass?" he said, his own face looking concerned. "He lacks confidence..."



"And training and technique and frankly any sort of a fighting stance..." Astrid added, leaning forward in the tunnel and staring as Thuggory punched Hiccup to the ground once more. "That bastard is enjoying this. He wants to humiliate him!"

"Contrary to popular belief, lass. he isn't a weakling," Gobber reminded her. "He can lift an axe or mace in one hand, he can hammer a thick piece of iron with ease, he lifts and carries heavy bags of weapons every day. Over the years, he has gained strength and stamina...he just doesn't believe it himself..."

"And without that belief, he's getting murdered!" Astrid groaned.

"Look, one thing that lad can do is take a beating," Gobber pointed out with cheerful obliviousness. "He's had enough practice, for Thor's sake!" Staring at the lean shape that staggered and was punched to the ground once more, Astrid shuddered. She had seen it-they all had. The intermittent but ruthless persecution of Hiccup throughout his teen years, from being the runt son and Heir of Berk through to his current outcast and diminished state. But every time, he got up and carried on, determined not to let his tormentors beat him. He was very brave and stronger than anyone Astrid knew-not in terms of brute strength but in courage and will.

And then she looked up, azure eyes widening. The crowd were baying for blood, keen to see one of the combatants beaten, hopefully badly. They wouldn't even mind a death-and none of them realised or cared that the young man they were shouting down was their own representative, the young man fighting for the honour of Berk. And yet all the citizens of Berk were screaming for his blood. All-except Astrid, Gobber-and his father. Stoick was staring around his Tribe, shocked and astonished that they were all supporting their enemy against one of their own...egged on most vociferously by Snotlout and Spitelout. Fists tightening in rage, Stoick rose to his feet.

"Come on, son!" he roared. "You can beat this smug Meatheaded bastard!"

The crowd quietened, many of them realising briefly that they were actually cheering for an enemy of Berk. Half of them didn't care because there was blood on offer-and they were Vikings, after all-but some managed a few ragged cheers in support of Hiccup. Astrid leaned forward.

"Get up, Hiccup!" she shouted. "I believe you can do it! I've seen it!"

"Aye, come on, laddie! Do it fer old Gobber!" the blacksmith added. Astrid rolled her eyes.

"Like that's really gonna encourage him," she groaned. "HICCUP! GET UP! You CAN'T let him win!"

Thuggory's head snapped round to glare at her and he gave a smug smile, pressing a couple of fingers to his lips, kissing them and tossing them towards him in an unbearably cocky move. Simultaneously, an auburn head blearily lifted and emerald eyes blinked muzzily. His head was spinning but he had a tiny window Astrid and bought for him, he scrambled up and launched himself at the Meathead, slamming him to the ground. Thuggory slammed his head against the ground as Hiccup rolled, throwing the man across his body and slamming him against the ground once more. Thuggory flailed out and shoved Hiccup back and the younger man landed in a crouch, watching as Thuggory staggered to his feet, stumbling slightly.

"I. BELIEVE. IN. YOU!" Astrid screamed and in that moment, his emerald eyes narrowed, his brows dipped and he rocked his weight forward slightly. "You know you can do this!" Hiccup tightened his fist, knowing he probably had one shot as the other man tried to gather himself. And in that moment, he struck, putting his entire body, his entire weight into one punch with his dominant hand. Years of working in the forge, of being bullied by Snotlout and the twins, of being abused by drunken Gobber and sneered at by various villagers were all poured into one devastating blow, cracking directly on the point of Thuggery's square-jawed chin.

Eyes rolling back, Thuggory staggered back three paces and went down like a felled tree. There was a collective gasp that ran round the Arena and the twins whooped.

"WHOA! THOR'S MIGHTY HAMMER!" Tuff yelled as Hiccup staggered sideways, still stunned by the fight. But his hand snagged the sword and before Thuggory stood a chance of recovering, Hiccup stumbled forward and dug the point deep into his throat, twisting to get his attention.

"Meets Thuggery's paper jaw," Ruff added, grinning.

"Yield," he demanded breathlessly.

"Never," Thuggory breathed. Hiccup twisted again and a trickle of blood began from the point. Dark eyes widened as the Meathead stared up into the battered face.

"Surrender. You've lost. Berk is not weak," Hiccup insisted, his voice very steady. "I can kill you, if I wish. Exactly the fate you planned for me. YIELD!" Thuggory opened his eyes to read the determination in the green eyes boring into his stunned gaze.

"I surrender!" he shouted.

"You renounce any and all claims on Astrid Hofferson for ever!" Hiccup persisted.

"I renounced all claims on Astrid for ever," Thuggory said more desperately as the sword dug a little deeper.

"You acknowledge the courage and honour of Berk!" Hiccup announced.

"I do!"

"You confirm the Treaty and Alliance with Berk!" Hiccup proclaimed.

"I confirm it!" Thuggory repeated wildly.

"Berk wins," Hiccup asserted.

"Berk wins," Thuggory whined. "I lost." Finally, Hiccup stumbled back, the sword still in his hand. He lifted his head up to look into his father's eyes, seeing pride and relief and saluted him with the sword, before turning and stumbling painfully towards the gate of the Arena. His head was pounding from the blows, his body singing a hundred protests and he was weary beyond words...but there was an unfamiliar light feeling of triumph in his chest and Astrid's smile at him as he stumbled closer had him smiling back like an idiot.

But Thuggory was a poor loser and as soon as he was released, he scrambled up, grabbing at his sword and running at the stumbling shape of the victor, the sword raised to crash into he unprotected back...

"LOOK OUT, SON!" Stoick roared, having Hiccup turning and seeing the danger approaching...

...but before he could respond, an axe went tumbling forward with ferocious accuracy, slamming the cowardly sword aside and shattering the blade, before landing with a perfect clang on the Arena floor. Astrid leaned forward as Hiccup finished his turn, his sword jabbing right into Thuggery's chest over his heart.

"Give me one good reason why I should spare your life," Hiccup breathed, fear and anger surging through him. Thuggory stared at him in utter shock: Snotlout had assured him that no one would stand up for Hiccup, that his father despised him and even Astrid thought he was a loser. That Hiccup was a failure, a coward and useless with any weapon.

"Because I yield utterly," he gabbled. "I surrender to you. Meathead surrenders to Berk! Spare me!" Hiccup glared into his eyes, breathing hard for a long moment.

"Chief Mogadon? Anything you want to add?" he shouted, never taking his eyes from Thuggory's. Stoick's eyes widened in shock at the bold move and he found himself smiling. The Meathead glared at Berk's Chief and almost shook with rage.

"I confirm everything my son promises," he ground out through his teeth. "We will honour the Treaty, renounce all claims on the girl in perpetuity, proclaim the honour of Berk and that Berk is strong-as is her Chief...and his Heir!" Hiccup took a slow, shuddering breath and then jerked his head.

"Go," he growled through his teeth, feeling his head spinning more. Nodding, Thuggory backed away and almost ran for the gate tot he Arena, not even stopping for the remains of his sword. Astrid passed him with a contemptuous sneer and retrieved her axe, then turned to Hiccup.

"I knew you could do it," she told him smugly, a little smile lifting her lips.

"Glad you had confidence in me," he mumbled, sheathing his sword. "Um...more than I had..." She stared into his bruised face and sighed.

"You were amazing," she told him. "Gods, that was how a Viking fights..."

"I was just wearing him down by letting him beat me to a pulp," he murmured, blinking.

"Hiccup...?" she asked worriedly, seeing him pale and his eyelids flutter. His vision greyed .

"S'okay," he mumbled. "I won..."

And then he crashed onto his face.