Toothless growled, the low sound vibrating through the cage and the lock Hiccup still held in his hands. The young would-be squire's emerald eyes stared up into the cold face of the ruler of Hunter lands along the length of his sword and swallowed.

"How did you know?" he asked quietly. Lord Viggo gave a small smirk as he gently rested the point against the younger man's heaving chest.

"My men chased you in here," he said simply. "There was no probability that you wouldn't notice the beast." He paused and his smile grew crueller. "A discarded squire, an imposter and probably a traitor...and condemned beast, fit only for spare parts."

"You're wrong," Hiccup said flatly, his eyes glittering. Viggo's smirk widened.

"You're in no position to disagree with me," he sneered. 

"So what have I got to lose?" Hiccup retorted calmly. "This is a unique and amazing creature and rather than cherishing him and allowing him to be what he was destined to be, you destroy him for a whim!"

"No-for profit!" Viggo spat, jabbing the point into his chest. Stiffening, Hiccup's hand moved away from the lock, trying not to flinch.

"You know he is the last," he said quietly. "How can you be sure?" Viggo paused-and then laughed at him.

"You're feeling sorry for this broken down bag of spare parts!" he scoffed. 

"Nothing should be be caged and treated so poorly," the young squire told him spiritedly. The sword raised and slapped sideways, the flat slamming against his cheek and knocking him against the cage. The growl grew noticeably louder at the thud of the blow and the subsequent impact against the bars before Hiccup grimaced, achingly pushing himself up to a listing sitting position, the point of the sword once again prickling against his chest. 

"You've done well," Viggo told him smoothly. "You followed your Princess and got her away from Alvin-not the most challenging task, given his innate stupidity..."

"You try it on your own," Hiccup mumbled, grimacing as he gently touched his head. The clang where he had impacted against the bar was still reverberating through his head and a headache was throbbing behind his eyes once more. Guilt at failing Astrid was tightening his chest painfully. 

"Your name is Haddock, is it not?" Viggo mused smoothly, his eyes sweeping over the slumped shape, the bright emerald eyes and tousled auburn hair, the pale skin with occasional freckles and dark bruises. "I can see why my brother thinks you pretty, by the way. You are the dead Commander's son, aren't you?" Hiccup lifted his chin and nodded. "And you have been misused by your own people." he paused, though there was no answer. "Hmm...you are determined and there is talent there. You have protected the Princess well, boy." He pulled the sword back a few inches, though Hiccup didn't dare let the tension in his shape lessen even slightly. 

"Kinda missing the point of this-not that I'm not happy to be deferring the 'killing me' bit of this conversation," Hiccup said dryly, watching the man.

"You have spirit, boy-and you're right: nothing should be caged and treated so poorly. You were talking about yourself as well. I think you are worth more than your own people guess. But I can see clearer." He lowered the sword. "Swear yourself to my service, boy, and I will value your service as it should be."

Hiccup blinked in shock, staring up into the calculating face. Viggo was a master manipulator, a man who used and discarded men and beasts as he saw fit. He had heard the tale-and put it together with what intelligence he had garnered to uncover Hiccup's weakness. Quickly, he reran the man's words in his mind-and realised he had promised nothing-he would value his service 'as it should be'-and what was that? As a squire with a full skill-set who had been wronged by his liege or as a drudge with pretensions of knighthood who could be used and discarded on a whim?

And did he want to work for a man who would torture and destroy a magnificent and unique beast just for cold hard profit?

But he was desperate, hunted by the squires, condemned by the King and unvalued by pretty much anyone. 

Except...he had met Fishlegs and unwillingly, he was really hoping the husky squire would prove his trustworthiness, because his heart ached whenever he considered that everyone he had worked, slept and fought with had dismissed him without a second thought. 

And Astrid had kissed him back. It may have been shock or lack of oxygen or temporary insanity but she had responded. And she hadn't killed him for his nerve in kissing her. 

So he smiled up at Viggo. "You make a quality offer, Lord Grimborn," he said with a tinge of sass, "but you are wholly untrustworthy, treacherous and sadistic. So I have to turn you down." Viggo's face darkened and his sword raised over the young man who threw up his arms to protect himself...

And then the cage slammed open as Toothless erupted out, a blast of purple fire tossing Viggo back into a huge pile of tubers and sacks of apples. There was a small avalanche of strings of onions that crashed onto the man as Hiccup scrambled to his feet, facing the dragon. Toothless was tense, his back arched and black, bat-like wings half-unfurled over his smooth back. His long tail swished side to side in agitation and his ear-flaps were flattened back as he growled at the pile of stores, daring Viggo to emerge. 

"Thanks, bud," Hiccup sighed in relief, grabbing his bag and offering the dragon his hand. There was a pause before the dragon's pupils-which had shrunk to vertical slits in his big green eyes-widened to look more like the creature he had befriended and the warm nose pressed into his hand. "Now what you say we get out of here and go and find Astrid?" Toothless gave a little croon as the young man swiftly turned to the double doors and listened, then unbolted them. Pausing and checking the coast was clear, they scooted out into the darkness.

oOo

Tensed, her sword in her hand, Astrid pressed against the wooden partition between the stalls, hearing the squires approach. Stormfly nickered anxiously as the steps approached and the young woman pulled her hood up and rose to her feet, lifting her chin as the squires entered he stall. Thuggory scowled.

"That's my horse!" he snapped, pointing at the jet shape of Fury. Astrid inspected him, reading the arrogance and sense of entitlement.

"Really? Prove it," she challenged him clearly as Snotlout and Dogsbreath walked into the stall. "I found him." The squire peered at her and leered.

"Ah-the famous 'Knight Sif' I believe," he said smugly. "I think you'll find that is my saddle, my pack and my tack...woman..." His tone as sneering.

"And I think you'll find possession is nine-tenths of the law," she retorted. "Be on your way...little boys." Thuggory approached.

"Have we met before?" he asked suspiciously. Azure eyes narrowed.

"I doubt it," she replied in a clipped tone. Suddenly he swooped forward, knocking her hood back and staring into her face.

"Princess Astrid!" Snotlout gasped. "Oh, thank Thor...now we can go home!" Thuggory stared at her, his dark eyes inspecting her with chilling calmness.

"Why are you here, Princess?" he asked directly. "You must have known we were here. You should have come to us, your loyal servants, and we could have taken you home safely!" She backed up half a pace and didn't relinquish the grasp on her sword.

"Are you my loyal servants?" she asked pointedly. "I rather thought you were a bunch of drunken, lazy, treacherous, lying swine who failed utterly in your duty."

"Is that what Useless told you?" Snotlout scoffed. Astrid glared at him, pointing her sword at him angrily.

"I am your Princess and you will address me as such!" she snapped as Thuggory took half a pace forward.

"Highness, are you well?" he asked solicitously. "We hear a disturbing rumour that you were being manipulated by a treacherous ex-squire. And is worries me profoundly that you are hiding here rather than being protected by the men sworn to your protection! Has he threatened you, Highness? Does he have a hold over you?" For a long moment, Astrid inspected the squire, seeing his face crease into an expression that seemed extremely caring...but she could read the self-interest in his eyes and the honeyed tone that was layered over his complete insincerity. 

"Squire Tete de Carne, I believe I am hearing manipulation now," she told him tartly. "The same callous bending of the truth that had the Lord Grimborn believing that I had been duped by a manipulative imposter."

"Where is he?" Dogsbreath asked, coming closer and closing the room around the Princess. "He could cause us a lot of trouble."

"You know, he has performed far better as a squire than any of you," she told them shortly. "And you can be sure that when I arrive home, none of you will remain in my father's service another hour..." Her eyes widened in shock as Thuggory gasped her wrist, the grip tightening ferociously as his other hand closed around her throat.

"I really don't think we can allow that," Thuggory breathed, his eyes glittering with self-interested malice. 

"Thug, old fellow...don't you think we should maybe ease off on the threatening the Princess move?" Snotlout asked in a worried voice. 

"Shut up, Snotman!" Thuggory growled, his eyes never leaving the Princess's shocked face. "I am not losing my honour, my position and my life for your stupidity!"

"Ahem-which mutton-head couldn't resist pretending to be hung over so he could spend the day playing hide-the-sausage with Flora, the Princess's maid? Oh-it was you!" Snotlout sneered back.  "So you're to blame as well!"

"Why are you hiding here, Princess?" Thuggory pressed, leaned to within a couple of inches of Astrid's face. "If Hiccup was threatening you, he wouldn't leave you alone. So you want to be here, don't you?" Astrid pressed her lips together, her eyes glittering with anger. "Now I know it can't be because you are in love with that scrawny menial-so I can only assume it is because you feel sorry for him..."

"He's worth ten of you..." she hissed.

"And he will be executed when he returns because he is responsible for your disappearance..." Snotlout smirked and was rewarded by a hiss of anger from the noblewoman. 

"So maybe we can make a deal with you, Princess," Thuggory breathed, staring directly into her eyes. "You come with us now, like a good little Princess, and we will make sure your little boyfriend isn't hounded and hunted down like traitor he is. We will promise not to hunt him down and break him, piece by piece, if you come and say it was your fault for riding off with Eret before we had a chance to follow. If you say you told us to stay behind."

She struggled and fought then, trying to wrestle her hand free of his grasp and drive the sword into his treacherous heart. Immediately, Dogsbreath moved behind her and held her shoulder tightly.

"You want me to lie for you, your treacherous son of a boar's backside?' she spat. Thuggory smirked threateningly.

"I'm not sure I appreciate that description of my esteemed father but yes, that's about the size of it," he told her silkily. "Unless you want us to scour the castle for little Hiccup and make sure he's in no state to contradict what we said."

"The King told us to bring him back alive," Snotlout told her cruelly, "but we can make sure he's technically alive...but unable to communicate..."

"Cut out his tongue," Dogsbreath growled into her ear.

"Hack off his hands," Snotlout added.

"And put out those beautiful green eyes," Thuggory sneered, seeing the dismay and horror in her eyes. His smirk widened. "And you've got a soft spot for him, haven't you? You've fallen for his cute puppy act? Ha! I know Hiccup from our time as squires and I can tell you that he's as ruthless, as selfish and cruel as the rest of us!"

Her blue eyes widened and she realised that not all enemies came from behind her borders. Squire Tete de Carne-one day to be Lord Tete de Carne-was a very dangerous man and no matter what happened, she vowed silently to ensure all his dreams and aims were thwarted. But now... She paused and the memory of the kiss blazed across her memory. He had been decisive, tender, protective...and terribly self-conscious afterwards. Yes, she had a soft spot for him...because he still seemed to be the boy who had played with her to the age of ten, who had protected her from any blame and who had rescued her from the Outcasts and her own treacherous knights.

And then she bit her lip and shook her head.

"No," she said quietly. "He isn't. But you all are. You promise that he will be unharmed and I will accompany you back." 

"And you will accept the blame for running off?" Thuggory pressed her. She breathed hard, glaring at him with thinly-veiled hatred. "Think carefully, Princess-or do you think your little friend will prosper with no eyes, tongue or hands? Or will he end up fed to the bears in the fighting ring?" She swallowed.

"Eret will take the blame," she said angrily. Thuggory released her neck and nodded to Dogsbreath.

"Good enough," he growled. "Bring her and call the others. We're going home!" Snotlout nodded and they marched the Princess out of the door of the stables and into the yard-as Hiccup emerged. The young imposter froze as he saw the other squires with the Princess being escorted more like a prisoner than the Heir to Berk and their ruler-to-be. 

"Princess?" he mouthed and she snapped her head round to face him.

"RUN!" she yelled as Dogsbreath slapped a hand over her mouth...just as the black shape of Toothless bounded out of the storeroom. Thuggory, Snotlout and Dogsbreath all stared, jaws agape as the dragon arched his back and growled at them. Astrid bit the hand over her mouth as Hiccup drew his sword and charged Thuggory, causing him to scoot sideways to avoid the slash straight at his head. The dragon bounded forward, taking his cue from the young warrior and slapped Dogsbreath aside with his tail. Snotlout yelled and ran away as Thuggory faced his former friend along the length of Hiccup's sword.

"Hello, Thug," Hiccup said in a low voice. "I'm guessing Princess Astrid wasn't keen to go with you? You do realise manhandling the Heir to Berk is a hanging offence?" The treacherous squire fashioned a broad smile.

"Hicc! Damn it's good to see you safe and sound! I'm so glad you've kept the Princess safe and..."

"You know, I might have believed you if you hadn't already told Lord Viggo I seduced and lured a gullible Princess from her home and family!" Hiccup snapped. "And of course, if you weren't walking her Highness along like a prisoner." He looked up, his voice gentler. "Are you okay?" She nodded.

"Just let me get my hands on these stinking rat-infested munge buckets!" she growled and Hiccup nodded.

"And I would love to observe that, Milady," he said, "but I think our welcome in Reaper has run out. How about we leave before things get even more exciting?" He paused. "Unless you want to stay with your loyal and obedient squires and travel in their diligent company back to Berk?"

"Thor, no," she growled and smiled at him, kicking Thuggory in the hip. He yelped. "I would ask why you appear to have a dragon standing beside you but I can see that could wait as well. Though it may help if you shut him up as well?" She gestured at the cowering Thuggory. Hiccup shot a playful glance at the Night Fury.

"How about it, bud? You fancy silencing him?" he asked.

"Hicc-I am your friend!" Thuggory protested, eyes wide and crab-crawling backwards as the dragon reared over him-and then batted him senseless with one swipe of his tail. Without hesitating, the young imposter turned back to the stables, the Princess a pace after him and the dragon bringing up the rear.

"Um...seriously, if you want to go home, Fishlegs and the twins are actually decent and reliable," Hiccup said as he reached the horses and did a double-take as he saw them saddled and ready to ride. He swiftly stowed the provisions he had stolen. Giving a relieved grin, Astrid swung into the saddle.

"I already have my chosen escort," she told him smugly and his eyes filled with relief and the faintest hint of pride. He dipped his head with a self-conscious smile.

"Thank you, Milady," he said in a quiet voice. "Now I just need to thank the person who just saved my life." He dropped his sword and turned to the black dragon, a smile on his face. "Thanks, buddy. Now you need to get out of here-and fast. That Viggo wants to kill you and if you are the last of your kind, then it would be a crime for you to end like that." He offered his hand and the dragon unhesitatingly pressed his nose into the outstretched palm. "I will always be your friend, Toothless. Thank you." He pulled his hand back. "Now go! Be free!"

The dragon gave a final warble, as if to say his farewells, and then he turned, bounding out into the yard and leaping into the air, wings rapidly carrying him high into the clouds. Then he collected his sword and leapt into the saddle, nodding to the Princess. She gestured.

"I think you're in charge, my squire," she said with a  grin, watching him blush slightly.

"Then let's go!" he said as they trotted out into the yard-just as the Hunters began to pour out of the buildings. Viggo was staggering out of the storeroom, covered in squashed vegetables.

"STOP THEM! He stole my dragon!" he roared.

"Oh Thor," Hiccup gulped and kicked Fury to a gallop, heading for the gatehouse. Astrid frowned and cantered after him, alert to any threats-as arrows began to fly...

...and then the armoury exploded, the walls collapsing and weapons and masonry erupting all over the yard. Viggo was hit on the chest by a flying bludgeon and went down while Ryker fended off a pinwheeling mace. Half a dozen of their men were taken out permanently by flying lances and pikes while the fugitives reached the gatehouse.

"STOP THEM! LOWER THE GATES!" Ryker ordered, casting a glance at his felled brother, seeing Viggo already struggling to his feet. Stormfly accelerated to pull alongside Fury and they raced through the gatehouse, ducking as the portcullis crashed down just behind them, preventing the Hunters from following them. "RAISE THE PORTCULLIS!" Ryker bellowed. "GET THEM BACK-AT ANY COST..."

There was a high-pitched whine and a sudden purple explosion as the gatehouse vanished into a pile of rubble, blocking the way out of the heavily defended and enormously fortified stronghold. The black bat-winged shape of Toothless zoomed over the castle, further blasts of purple fire strafing the defences and demolishing bolas and ballistas. Finally, the dragon slowed and settled to flying slowly above the two galloping horses, ensuring they made a safe escape.

From the battlements of the fortress, Viggo and Ryker watched the two horse-riders and the black dragon recede rapidly down the main road and vanished from sight amid the misty drizzle.  Battered and stained, the Lord of the Hunters turned to his brother.

"Clear that mess," Viggo ordered Ryker, gesturing to the huge pile of rubble that had been his gatehouse. "Find out how the armoury exploded and throw out those Berk idiots. And then send everyone you can to bring back the Princess-and especially the boy. I want his head! No one makes a fool of Viggo Grimborn!"

oOo

From the stables, where they had run to meet Fishlegs after their diversion, the twins were grinning from ear to ear.

"One diversion duly delivered," Tuff smirked and fist-bumped his sister. "That felt so good. We haven't destroyed anything for so long...I'd almost forgotten how good it felt!"

"Did they get away?" Ruff asked seriously, though she was grinning as well. Fishlegs found their enthusiasm infectious and smiled back, then nodded.

"Yeah-the diversion was perfectly timed!" he complimented them and accepted the fist-bump that Tuff offered. "Especially as Thug and Snot had found the Princess-and they were marching her along like a prisoner..." Ruff's eyes widened and she stared at him.

"Those yak-dung eating half trolls!" she growled. "How dare they?"

"Oh, she fought-and Hiccup did as well...oh, they also had a dragon..." Fishlegs continued excitedly and both the twins stared at him, an offended look on both their faces.

"C'mon, man," Tuff protested, very much on his dignity. "I know we mess around and all, but we're not complete mutton-heads!"

"I mean-dragons? How stupid do we look?" Ruff asked the husky squire and his eyes widened but he shook his head urgently.

"You don't look stupid-you look fabulous!" he gabbled and then blushed beet red. "Oh dear...but there was a dragon. A black one..." His brow furrowed. "Oh Thor...that's what he was saying...he found it earlier and rescued it. Clever boy, Hiccup! A knight uses all means at his disposal to protect his charge. Thor, you're amazing! Only you would use a dragon to get free!" Tuff folded his arms irritably.

"What-there really was a dragon and you didn't tell us?" he grumped. "I mean, that would be awesome!"

"And it was a Night Fury," Fishlegs realised, his eyes round with shock. "It helped Hiccup-and then came back and demolished the gatehouse to stop pursuit." There was a pause and the twins began to chuckle.

"I wanna be on Hiccup's team," Ruff commented. "Loki-he has the Princess and a dragon on his side! All we've got are Snot, Dog and Thug-all of whom would drop us in the pigswill if it makes them look better!"

"Too true, sister," Tuff conceded. "Okay, Fish-when we leave, we're tracking them...and doing what we can to thwart the others?" Slowly, the husky squire nodded.

"I think its very clear that they aren't the loyal servants of the Crown they pretend to be," he mused and his face hardened: if nothing else. Fishlegs Ingerman was loyal to the core. "So we protect the Princess from their self-interest and treachery...and secretly help the man who seems to be taking excellent care of her."

oOo

They slowed down about five miles from Reaper, where the road forked. Toothless landed and gave a gummy grin to the two riders. Hiccup had explained how he had found the dragon and Astrid had been astonished at his courage and appalled at Viggo's callous attitude to the magnificent creature. 

"He's amazing," she admitted. "And so are you. I know I was...unjustifiably cruel to you before and I apologise, Hiccup." She took a breath. "You never deserved what happened. My father was wrong. And on his behalf, I apologise." His eyes widened and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Um...it's okay because I'm not really anyone important and as Princess you really have far more  things to be worrying about than some drudge who clings onto a lost dream," he sighed. Coming face to face with Thuggory had starkly proven that the promises he had been made were all false and his last hope of becoming a knight were dashed. But she wheeled Stormfly round and walked her to his side, resting a hand on his.

"No, you are pretty much the most important thing  I have to worry about because you're the man who has gotten me from my captors and who has looked out for me ever since," she told him gently. He sighed and stared at the ground.

"You know, we can't go back to Reaper and the Outcast lands are south...so our only route is north into Dragon Forest?" he asked her and she nodded.

"The thought had occurred to me," she smirked. "But look-you're friends with a dragon so what can go wrong?" 

"Everything, Milady," he admitted. "I mean, we will be close to Berserk lands and not that far from the borders with the lands of Count Drago..." Astrid's grip tightened on his hand.

"I believe in you, Hiccup-and one thing I promise, as Heir to Berk and the only scion of House Hofferson: when I get back to Berk, you will be given your chance and you will become a knight!" 

But of she expected smiles and gratitude, she was disappointed as he shrugged. 

"Thanks, Highness," he said heavily, "but I'll believe that when it happens. I've been promised that before, remember? And all that happened was that the King put a price on my head for kidnapping his daughter." She punched him in the shoulder and he winced.

"And as said daughter, I will see it happens," she scolded him, then softened her words with a smile. "And when you take those tests and become the knight you deserve to be, I will expect thanks then. In the meantime-lead on Squire Hiccup!" Emerald eyes flicked up and he managed a small smile in response to her determination. Just hearing the words, the way she said then, warmed something in his chest.

"North it is," he said and turned to the dragon. "Wanna lead the way, bud?" The Night Fury crooned and launched into the grey, drizzling sky and flapped steadily north towards the not too distant and very foreboding Dragon Forest...