Twenty-Four: The wrong enemies

Hiccup stared up, emerald eyes wide and limbs held helpless by strong arms. His first almost-relieved thought-thank Thor, it's not Snotlout!-was rapidly replaced by the horrible realisation that his captors were, in fact, Outcasts. The men who were exiled from Berk and other Viking islands for the most heinous of crimes had occupied an especially inhospitable volcanic island not that far from Berk and their leader, Alvin 'the Treacherous' was an old foe of Stoick. As the Chief's son, he had endured lengthy diatribes against Outcasts in general and Alvin in particular and he knew there was a history between his father and the Outcast that meant the men loathed each other. And the one thing that repeated itself across his brain was Don't tell them you're Stoick's son!

Alvin the Treacherous leered at him, squinting at the skinny young man writhing in his men's grasps.

"Do I know yer?" he leered.

Yup. You met me when I was ten and even skinnier, smaller and more useless than I am now. Admittedly my hair was lighter and really straight then and I was a mess of freckles and frankly I probably only reached your waist so...I really hope the old Haddock family resemblance doesn't kick in...though I'm not huge and I don't have flaming red hair or a beard or my Dad's voice that you can hear almost from the next island...

"N-no?" Hiccup managed. "Are-are you Outcasts?" Alvin leaned closer and grinned mellowly.

"'Ow did yer guess?" he growled. "Is it the nose?"

"Um...why-why are you here?' the young man asked warily. It wasn't hard to play it anxious and his slight stammer did help the impression, especially as it was obvious that Alvin didn't recognise him.

"Shopping," Alvin laughed, gesturing to his men, who already had a half-dozen dead boars hanging from spits and a dead Gronckle as well. Unable to stop himself, Hiccup winced, seeing the gentle creature dead and feeling a shiver of dismay at the sight.

"Um...shopping?" Hiccup asked. "Doesn't that involve paying?" The fist that met his middle crushed the air from him and the impact on his recent wounds had hid vision greying and breath juddering in his throat. He sagged, his consciousness fading until the man holding him jerked him violently and the movement dragged him back to the imperfect present.

"Yer may 'ave a point," Alvin conceded, tapping his bearded chin thoughtfully. "Shopping does imply some form of remuneration. But..." His voice hardened. "Berk owes us far more than these few cuts of meat...and maybe a few slaves..." Hiccup's eyes widened in shock and he struggled against the grips on his arms. He shook his head vehemently.

"Oh no no no no no..." he muttered. "Please...I have something to live for now..." Alvin leaned close.

"So what can yer do, boy?" he sneered.

"I-I'm just an apprentice blacksmith..." he gabbled. "I'm less than nobody but I have a girl...please..." Please don't do this. Gods, what will Astrid do if I am taken to Outcast? What will Toothless?

"Perfick," Alvin gloated. "Is she 'ere? I'm sure she could keep somebody company on the trip back ter yer new home!" Taking a shuddering breath, Hiccup lifted his chin, staring defiantly into the cold dark eyes of the Outcast. Dusk was falling through the forest and he hoped the shadows would conceal Astrid and the others.

"She's away," he told his captor. "You missed her." A huge hand closed around his neck and he gulped as Alvin leaned close.

"Then I'm gonna 'ave ter make do with yer, boy!" he sneered. "Take 'im ter the ship!"

oOo

"If anyone stands in my way, I'm going to axe them into a dozen pieces!" Astrid snarled, facing the others. Fishlegs and Yaklegs shared a look before the older brother stood forward.

"Er...no one is going to stand in your way," Fishlegs soothed her, his eyes fixed on her gleaming axe blade. "But can you just think first? I mean, if it is Snotlout, racing in will only get Hiccup hurt worse..."

"If you had let me attack them, he wouldn't get hurt at all!" she hissed.

"Hey-Hiccup got Toothless to take you back here!" Gustav protested to the furious Shield Maiden. She snapped round to turn on the Night Fury and the black dragon cringed back, making a small whimpering noise, his ear-flaps flattened back.

"Astrid! Hiccup just wanted you to be safe," Tiril cut in, backing up as the furious blonde rounded on her. She took a quick breath because angry Astrid was pretty fearsome and none of them wanted to stand in her way. "Look-maybe we can sneak back up and see what's going on." She chewed her lip. "I didn't hear any screams...and Snot loves hearing people scream..."

"Yeah-it really makes him feel big when he has people begging," Gustav admitted and then looked embarrassed. "He told me," he added defensively. Ignoring him, Astrid turned to Stormfly and gently stroked her nose.

"Stay here with Toothless, girl," she said softly. "I need to find Hiccup..." The Deadly Nadder chirped and bounded over towards Jadespine and begin what looked like a conversation as her rider sprinted to the entrance to the cove, her axe clamped in her hand. Without hesitation, the others ran after her, with even Fishlegs managing to get through the narrow entrance without delay. Astrid was direct, sprinting back to where they had last seen Hiccup, her eyes easily picking out the tracks through the gloomy forest-and then she paused, dropping to a crouch, her azure eyes fixated on the large armoured figures trampling through the undergrowth.

"Those aren't Snot's gang," Gustav whispered loudly before Astrid slapped her hand hard over his mouth and dragged him back. Helmeted heads snapped round and the Outcasts peered disinterestedly in the direction of the sound and then turned back to their work.

"Outcasts," Fishlegs breathed, peering worriedly. There hadn't been many Outcast raids for a couple of years but that they had invaded now was a really bad sign. And this didn't look so much like an invasion-more like a scouting party...

"'Ow many of them boars 'ave yer got?" a loud voice asked and a huge man lumbered into view.

"Two dozen, plus three wild yaks and eight sheep," a man replied gruffly. "But only the one slave..."

Gustav flinched as the hand across his mouth tightened furiously.

"One is hardly worth it," Alvin announced thoughtfully. "And probably more trouble than he's worth. Sarcastic little bastard as well. Unless we find some more, I'll use 'im ter leave Stoick a message. Take 'im down to the beach and I'll gut him myself before we leave if he's all we can find. We'll leave 'im above the tide line to make sure the Hooligans find 'im...as a warning we can come and go as we please."

The teens all shared worried glances before staring at the blonde. Astrid's face was unreadable though her eyes betrayed her concern, but she remained silent, observing the intruders. Astrid motioned them to remain silent as they headed down towards the beach after the Outcasts, keeping their distance and observing the single boat of Outcasts pulled up on the grey sand in a rocky cove. Astroid ducked down and scanned the dusk-swathed beach, seeing the stolen animals and the dead Gronckle before she relaxed slightly at the familiar tall skinny shape tied up by a rock on the beach. Hiccup's hands were roped behind his back, his auburn hair dishevelled and head bowed. An Outcast kicked at him as he sat there and there was an audible yelp, making Astrid stiffen in anger. As she watched, he lifted his head and glared defiantly at his captors, his skin warmed slightly by the torches and the driftwood fire burning by the boat.

"I'm sure you won't have room for me on your boat with all that cargo," Hiccup suggested reasonably. "If you just let me go, I promise not to tell anyone..." A passing Outcast kicked him again. "Hey!" he protested, wincing but Alvin lumbered over to loom over him, dark eyes narrowing with naked menace.

"Yer a slave and when we get yer back ter Outcast Island, I'm gonna take pleasure in shuttin' up that sassy mouth o'yers!" he yelled. "We're gonna get some more bodies and then yer smug Berkians can learn who is the boss!"

"Stoick the Vast. Every day of the week," Hiccup replied smartly and earned himself another kick. Alvin went puce and grabbed the front of this tunic, hauling him up and off the ground.

"You are going to regret that," he menaced and he threw Hiccup back against the rock. He hit with a groan and sagged, bowing forward to protect his aching body. "Savage! Where's our man in Berk?" There was a pause and the Outcast came forward, his manner subdued though there was still cruelty in his eyes.

"The old fool is late," he growled.

"'Ere-who yer calling an old fool?" Hiccup stiffened as the horribly familiar voice echoed across the damp sands and the thin, unpleasant shape with the straggly beard, staff and mean eyes approached.

"Mildew," he breathed. "I mean, it makes sense but..."

"What's that doing 'ere?" Mildew snarked, seeing the slumped shape. Emerald eyes snapped up and the old man grinned. "Oh, this is perfect!" he scoffed. Alvin scowled.

"Yer late!" he sneered but Mildew was approaching the prisoner like a man coming forward to squash an unpleasant bug.

"You know who this is?" he gloated as Hiccup felt his breathing accelerate.

"Just the Blacksmith's Apprentice!" Alvin sneered. Mildew leered back.

"No," he said grimly. "This troublemaking runt is the son of Stoick the Vast."

Yup. And that happened. Thanks a bunch, Mildew.

""E said 'e were nobody," Alvin snapped, glaring at the slumped shape, before reaching forward and grabbing a painful handful of the shaggy auburn hair. Hiccup felt his face forced up to meet the furious glare of the Outcast leader.

"Um...surprise?" he managed with a small smile. "I really don't want to put you to any trouble..." The grip on his hair intensified and he hissed in pain.

"Oh, this is going to be good," Alvin spat. "This means yer really going ter give me some fun when yer get back ter Outcast Island." He leaned close. "Yer know, I was going ter gut yer here on the beach and leave yer remains as a warning but this will be so much more fun..."

"Well...much as I agree with the 'not gutting me' plan, Al, I still think it would be more fun to let me go and stay here on Berk..." Hiccup managed painfully, earning himself a slap across the face. As Alvin was about four times his weight and width, the blow had his vision greying and blood smeared across his mouth as the Outcast leader threw him back against the rock.

"Yer gonna learn ter respect me," he hissed. Hiccup groaned.

"Respect...the beard..." he managed. "Really...great work...could almost lose a yak in there...the 'sideswiped by a hurricane' look is really working for you..."

The watching Astrid winced as he was slapped again, sinking back and glancing at her companions: every eye was on her, recognising her prowess as a warrior and her ability to formulate a plan. Then she nodded.

"Fish, Gustav-go round the left edge of the bay and distract them. Keep out of sight and do not engage directly but make them come looking for you!" she commanded. There was a pause as Fishlegs visibly paled but Gustav was grinning in excitement. "Yaklegs, Tiril-take the right edge-up on that rise. As soon as Fish and Gustav distract them, start lobbing rocks at the Outcasts. Keep them off balance but if they start coming towards you, withdraw!"

"What will you be doing?" Fishlegs asked, seeing the grim determination in her face.

"I'm getting backup...and then I'm taking them down!" she growled. "No one treats my boyfriend like that!" There was a pause and all of the others stared at her. There was a whole world of menace in those words that none of them wanted to tempt. They nodded and slid off to their stations as Astrid crawled back and raced back up the slope towards the Cove, knowing that she needed her dragon. The dusk forest was eerie as never before, knowing that there were Outcasts prowling and that getting captured was not an option. And then there were still Snot and Dogsbreath and the others wandering around, trying to harm Hiccup. She growled in her throat and accelerated on...

...and came face to face with Lars and Sven the Dim. Both of them looked shocked and then delighted to see her, their cruel faces folding into triumphant expressions as they lunged for her...

...but Astrid was fed up of being a victim, furious at herself for getting captured by a dragon and treated as a pawn by Snotlout in his vendetta against his predecessor as Heir to Berk. For Thor's sake, she was a Hofferson! Niece of 'Fearless' Finn and Grand-daughter of 'Fearless' Freja! So as they tried to grab her, she ripped the axe from its usual position slung over her back and spun, using the flat of the blade to clang hard into Sven's face. He look at her in shock, blood dripping from his broken nose and then he went down like a felled tree, landing untidily in a patch of thistles. Lars roared and dragged out his own axe but Astrid was quick and agile, ducking, leaping and diving as she rained blow after blow on the huge but stupid young man before finally disarming him and slamming his head back against a tree, knocking him out as well. Panting with the exertion and kicking him for good measure, she turned and sprinted up the slope, cursing them roundly under breath and hoping the delay they caused hadn't lost her the chance to rescue her friend.

"STORMFLY!" she yelled, changing direction as she headed back to the cove. "TOOTHLESS!" She stumbled and her knees met the muddy ground, tripping over a bramble that was barely visible in the enclosing gloom. "STORMFLY! Please, girl-I need you!"

And then they were there, the Nadder and the Night Fury suddenly emerging from the gloom, summoned by the urgency on her calls. Astrid sighed, randomly realising that a Viking had never been so relieved to see two dragons before. She proffered them her hands and they pressed their muzzles into her shaking palms.

"Hiccup's in trouble," she said breathlessly. "He's on the beach. The Outcasts have him..."

Toothless gave a desperate roar, already understanding the word 'Hiccup' and her tone of voice. Less sure of what was happening but responsive to her human, Stormfly lowered her head, bending forward to offer Astrid a ride and she grinned, leaping onto the Nadder with relief. She made sure her axe was secure and then she held on as Stormfly launched, arrowing up into the darkening sky, the western horizon warmed by the last pink dregs of the day. The leathery flap behind her told her that Toothless was following, his green eyes almost glowing in the gloom.

"Toothless," she called, unsure if the dragon would even listen to her, "will you let me lead? I promise, I won't let anything happen to Hiccup-but I do think we need to make sure we get him away safely. Okay?"

There was a reluctant warble from behind her and she grinned as they swooped down, circling high and unseen above the beach. There was a pause and then she groaned, staring at the five bound shapes by the rock. Yaklegs and Gustav were arguing over whose fault it had been that they had been captured while Tiril was yelling insults at the Outcasts, who were laughing at the younger teens. Alvin was pacing back and forth, a leg of mutton roasting over the fire behind him as the invaders finished loading the ship.

"'Iccup-yer should tell yer friends ter be quiet or I may 'ave ter make them..." the Outcast leader growled.

"Hey, I can hardly stop them wanting to act like Hooligans," the auburn-haired Viking told him calmly. "I mean, this is our island..." Alvin grabbed his tunic and hauled him up again, so angry he was almost spitting in Hiccup's face.

"Not for long," he promised. "I am coming back and reclaiming this place and I wanna see your father's face when he sees me with you in chains at my heel..."

"You know Stoick won't just give up, even if you do have prisoners," Hiccup told him warily, expecting the impact as he was thrown to the ground once more.

"Get off him!" Gustav shouted.

"Yeah-he can't help you're never going to win..." Yaklegs added as the Outcast turned on him.

"But I am," he sneered as Mildew grinned nastily at them.

"I'll just tell yer parents you decided to run away and betray Berk," Mildew sneered. "That will mean yer will never be welcome back. And when Alvin takes over Berk-and he will take over Berk-your families will suffer for your actions." There was a pause as four sets of eyes widened in shock.

"Let them go," Hiccup said quietly. "Take me as your prisoner. I am more than enough to bargain with the Chief." I hope. But probably not. I'm sorry, Astrid.

"I think I'll need all the slaves I can get ter get ready fer the attack!" Alvin sneered, kicking out at the young Viking once more. He winced, falling silent as Mildew nodded.

"I better get back," he said reluctantly, enjoying the sight of the youngsters imprisoned. "And make sure yer hard on him." He gestured to the listing Hiccup, who was resting back against the rock, biting his lip against a groan. "Shame. I would've enjoyed seeing yer break him..."

"Just do yer part!" Alvin warned him and with a snort, Mildew trudged back up the beach, up the little path and into the forest. Staring after him for only a moment, the Outcast turned to the fire and grabbed a burning piece of kindling, then gestured to one of his men. "'Old 'im fer me," he ordered as the Outcast grabbed Hiccup and stood behind him, holding him helpless. "Okay...let's see 'ow brave yer are, boy. If yer can get through this without screamin', I'll let yer friends go..."

"What is it about people and hot objects?" Hiccup groaned, writhing and struggling against the unbreakable grip. "I made you a very reasonable offer..."

"And I'm makin' another one," Alvin growled, grabbing his face in one meaty hand and lifting the red-hot end of the piece of wood. "Which eye don't yer need?"

The Outcast holding Hiccup jerked and collapsed backwards, ripping the young man away from impending torture and landing dead on the damp sand with a very familiar axe sticking out of his back. Hiccup stared up in relief and shock, then rolled over, swiping the very frayed ropes around his wrists-that he had been stealthily rubbing desperately against the rock-against the keen blade and slicing them free. As he looked up, two purple blasts landed between himself and Alvin, tossing the huge man back into the shallows with a splash. The Outcasts turned as a blast of incredibly brilliant fire raked across the beach and a volley of spines stitched the hull of the Outcast ship and impaled three Outcasts.

"DRAGON ATTACK!" Hiccup yelled, grabbing Astrid's axe and turning-to see Alvin snatch his own weapon and run at him. Stumbling backwards, he swiftly sliced Fishlegs's ropes. "Free the others," he said, standing valiantly between the teens and the charging Outcast. He had been shown how to use the axe when he was younger-all of them had-but though he could handle one easily as a smith, he was still pretty useless in actually using one as a weapon...but he had a nasty suspicion Alvin was an expert. Then he stumbled back a pace and managed to parry the first two hefty blows that Alvin landed on the axe though the third was so hard it knocked him off his feet.

"Hiccup?" Fishlegs's voice almost broke his concentration as he slammed the axe up and managed to block the blow aimed at his heart, though Alvin was using his weight to force the blade down, closer and closer to his chest.

"Go!" he hissed. "Please..."

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" a familiar voice snarled and he felt the edge of the blade reach his tunic.

"Wait yer turn, girl..." Alvin sneered, pressing down and grinning as he saw the young man shrink back, though the blade still rested against his chest. Another couple of inches and it would be all over...

"Toothless! NOW!" And Hiccup immediately closed his eyes as a small but powerful purple plasma blast threw the Outcast back and the pressure on the axe vanished. Two ferocious shapes advanced, spines and blasts chasing the Outcasts back. Hiccup peered up to see Savage drag the semi-conscious and lightly smoking Alvin into the ship and push away but he was too exhausted to even consider trying to do any more, dropping his head back as the Outcast ship vanished into the darkness. Then an upside down blonde goddess leaned over him.

"Is that my axe?" Astrid asked and he gave a small rueful smile, offering the handle up to her.

"Just keeping it warm," he mumbled as she slung it over her back and offered him her hand. Gratefully, he took it and allowed himself to be pulled up-and into a fierce hug. Instantly, he wrapped his arms around her as well, allowing all the tension and fear to melt away in relief.

"I was so worried, babe," she said softly, feeling him shivering.

"Um...probably not as worried as I was," he admitted, burying his face in her hair. "But I knew my ferocious girlfriend was still free and I knew you could take them."

"With the dragons," she admitted, staring up into his face. There were fresh bruises and her mind rolled back to how gingerly he had been moving earlier. "You okay, babe?" He nodded.

"Almost," he managed ambiguously. Her arms tightened around him as she turned her head to glare at the others. "And what were you all thinking? I told you to stay out of sight, withdraw if approached and not engage with them! What part of that was not clear?"

"Um...the part where Fish fell down the slope and landed on that mean-faced one...Savage, was it?" Gustav offered.

"Or where Tiril yelled 'All Outcasts are wimps!' before knocking me into the ivy bush?" Yaklegs asked belligerently.

"Hey-they had just kicked Hiccup again and I wanted to distract them! That was the plan, wasn't it?" Tiril replied.

"Mutton-heads," Astrid growled as Hiccup lifted her chin with a gentle finger and kissed her.

"Thank you," he murmured as a warble sounded, followed by an impact that knocked them both to the damp ground. "And thank you, buddy. And you, Stormfly. I think we were doomed otherwise." Fishlegs nodded, his face thoughtful.

"Mildew is in league with the Outcasts," he said solemnly. "We have to tell Stoick..." Rubbing Toothless affectionately, Hiccup looked up and shook his head.

"And say what?" he sighed. "There's no proof, guys. Mildew is an elder and like him or not..."

"NOT!" everyone said together.

"...yeah, agree with you, by the way," he grinned ruefully. "Like him or not, he is very adept at manipulating the village. No one would believe us. I mean, I have zero credibility, Astrid has had words with Mildew multiple times so he'll claim it's fabricated, Tiril...well, you're a pranking Loki-worshipping Thorston..."

"Gunnarson, but I get the meaning," she sniped.

"...Fish and Yak are...well, not very good Vikings and Gustav is...Gustav," Hiccup sighed.

"Hey! What's wrong with being Gustav?" the boy in question protested.

"Where do you want me to start?" Yaklegs shot back.

"ENOUGH!" Astrid growled. "So what do we do?" Hiccup sighed: they were all looking at him as if he was their leader. And probably he was. He'd introduced them all to dragons and going out and bonding with dragons this particular evening had gotten them into this mess. But they may just be the answer...

"The dragons!" he murmured. "Astrid-you got them to fight for us. They took out the Outcasts and drove them away. And while we can't say anything to the Chief...we know about Mildew's treachery. And we can keep an watch on him." Gustav and Yaklegs shared a look and nodded eagerly. "And in the meantime, we need to start training. You have bonded with your dragons-but that is only the start of it. You need to learn how to fly them...and then we need to work out how to use them to defend our island."

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A/N: Bonus updates on Sunday and Tuesday!