Gobber had got used to having the kids around the forge, because they had swiftly adopted him when they had any spare time from their chores. The forge was warm and safe from the older drudges and the more cruel masters who made their lives miserable and Gobber found himself collecting extra scraps from his meals to feed to the hungry children. In return, he had a willing audience for his wild tales...though he had needed to moderate his saltier language in the presence of young ears. And he had found they also helped out around the place as Hiccup had done. Ella and Synnoeve tidied and swept up and even Nils helped sort through the scraps and stoke the forge. Gustav and Synnoeve both pestered the blacksmith to learn how to help and the blacksmith found himself starting with a few very basic lessons-as he had for his friend's son, almost ten years earlier.

"Wow-Hiccup is gonna be surprised when he comes back!" Ella commented, sitting on the bench, her legs swinging idly as Synnoeve wrestled a sword into the bucket of cold water and gave a broad grin as the scalding hot metal hissed and steamed, her face smudged with dirt.

"Yeah-and I've undented my first sword!" the younger girl said proudly. "D'you think he'll be proud of me?" Gobber stared at the sword-which was probably more mangled than it had been before and sighed.

"Aye, lass-yer doin' a real fine job fer a beginner," he said dubiously. "Yer'll be a smith in nae time..."

"Even quicker than Hiccup was?" she asked hopefully but Gobber gave a small shrug.

"Would be hard, lass, because he was exceptional," the blacksmith admitted. "I mean, the lad just had the touch, knew exactly where to hit and when...and he was much stronger than he looked because of all the training his father had already given him..." Synnoeve's face fell.

"But I am ready to repair a sword?" she checked and Gobber gave a broad grin.

"O' course," he lied brashly. "Just mebbe not a knight or a senior squire or anyone Royal or Noble..." Or who actually likes their sword, he added silently. The girl scowled, ficking her half-unwound braid over a shoulder.

"I know that tone," she said grumpily. "Hiccup uses it when he's being kind to me but I've messed up. Usually when he has to go back and do my work again for me..." Her face fell. "And sometimes take the blame as well." She stared at Ella and the older girl took her hand.

"He'll be fine," she assured her.

"Will he?" Nils asked. The youngest child was small and quiet and utterly devoted to Hiccup, who had been the parent/older brother he had never had. "The knights and kitchen staff all say the King is gonna kill him..." Gustav shared a warning look with the girls, then crouched down by where he was sitting, drawing using charcoal on the floor.

"Of course," he assured Nils. "He saved you from being run down, even risking his life. He will do everything he can to get back home!"

"But we know Thuggory lied," Ella said. "I spoke to Flora and she admitted she was dallying with him when he should have been on the hunt. And she knows he's seeing Britt and Ragnahilde and Tora and Dagmara and she's very annoyed about it..."

"But not enough to step up and tell the truth," Gustav sighed.

"Eret has gone," Nils said suddenly. "He was the one who wanted to go hunting that day. He insisted. Even when the seers predicted it was an inauspicious day..." And he grinned at managing the complex word. Synnoeve sat at his side and wrapped an arm around him.

"Yeah, he was really set on going hunting that day..." And then she looked up into Gobber's thoughtful eyes. "You think he was involved?" The blacksmith lowered his bulk onto the reinforced stool.

"I think he orchestrated the whole thing, kids," he mused, scratching his huge chin with his hook. "And yer say he's left?" They children all nodded: they helped in the kitchens, the stores and the stables and heart most gossip. "He must know something we don't...or is trying to intercept the Princess before she gets home." Gustav sat on the floor on the other side of Nils and sighed.

"You think she will come back?" he asked and Gobber have his broad grin.

"If Hiccup is with her, she'll come safely home," he said.

oOo

It was cold and he was damp when he awoke from the dew and a light morning drizzle. Blinking, he sat up and cast around, seeing the horses relatively sheltered under the thick firs and Astrid snuggled up under a makeshift lean-to that he had fashioned from a couple of branches. He sighed, swiping the water off his face and achingly got to his feet. His head was still spinning with everything that had happened over the last few days and his fingers ghosted over the lump on his temple, eyes unfocussing as he recalled the instinctive action, trying to protect the Princess-and the fact it had almost cost him his life.

He looked across at the sleeping shape, her sun-bright blonde hair draped in its braid across her face, a small smile lifting her lips as she slept peacefully. It was probably because there was only the two of them but she had picked him up when he had been struck by Ryker and cared for him as he would never have expected a Hofferson to. Her father, the King, was a cold man who had discarded Hiccup and condemned his father as a traitor when the young man was sure he had spent his last breath in King Harild's service. But Astrid had been kind, she had readied the horses when they had needed to leave, she had wanted to stay with him rather than go home with her squires...though he couldn't fault her for that choice, since Snotlout, Dogsbreath and especially Thuggory seemed to be the opposite of loyal servants. His fists tightened when he recalled how they had been holding her-like a prisoner-and what they had threatened.

And she had kissed him back.

Closing his eyes, he wheeled away and cast around the little clearing, scouting for kindling and water. Their waterskins were full but Hiccup knew he would need to water the horses, so he quartered their surroundings and located a small rill and a more open, grassy area adjacent to their little nest. With a smile, he fussed the horses, then took them to the little stream and the grass, letting them feed while he refreshed his waterskin and peered around, looking for something to eat.

A roar sounded overhead and he spun, his hand dropping instinctively to the knife on his hip, before a black shape swooped down and landed lightly, big green eyes wide and friendly as the Night Fury, Toothless, folded his wings and warbled. Sighing with relief, the young imposter moved his hand away from the weapon and walked forward, offering his hand to the dragon. Instantly, Toothless pressed his nose into the proffered palm and then sat back, a mildly smug look on his face.

"How're you, bud? Better now you're home?" The dragon nodded, still looking smug as Hiccup frowned, inclining his head. "And what have you got in your mouth?" The dragon sat up straighter and spat out two whole large fish, both in perfect condition. Emerald eyes trailed over the still-thin and battered shape of the dragon and he unhesitatingly lunged forward and hugged the thick neck. It was an astonishingly generous action from a creature that had been hours from being slaughtered and dismembered. Closing his eyes, the young man hung on for all he was worth for a long moment, pouring all his uncertainty, gratitude and wonder into the embrace.

"Thanks, bud," he murmured gruffly. "You are far and away the best friend I have...and I've only known you for a day. How-how sad am I when that's the case?" The dragon wrapped its wings around the lean shape and for a brief moment, it felt like the safety he had only experienced in his father's arms. Finally, he pulled back and stared at the dragon. "Wanna come with me and see if the Princess is up?" The dragon pricked his ears and Hiccup smiled. "C'mon, then..."

Astrid had, in fact, woken and was waiting, her sword readied as the young man and the dragon emerged through the stand of trees, the fish in his arms. Her blue eyes widened for a second at the sight of the reptile-but then she smiled at her protector and he grinned back, offering a respectful dip of the head.

"How did you sleep, Milady?" he asked cheerfully as he approached, popping the fish on a rock and deftly making a fire before looking up at the dragon. "Bud, if you could help...?" he asked and the dragon obligingly fired a small purple blast into the wood, igniting the fire instantly.

"Hmm...remarkably well, considering we're being chased by the Outcasts, the Hunters and our own squires," she said playfully. Hiccup's shoulders slumped.

"Yeah...not only am I being blamed for kidnapping you but they seem to want to kill me as well," he said tonelessly. There was a sharp intake of breath and he looked up, reading the sudden distress in her face before she raised her 'Princess Astrid' mask. "Milady?" She looked guilty.

"Actually, they seem to be under orders to bring you back alive," she admitted and looked terribly guilty. "But they don't want you able in any way to tell your side of the story." making a wary breath, Hiccup stared into her eyes.

"Tell me," he said quietly. So she did, emotionlessly describing the treacherous squires had promised to do with the young man who had been their friend and leader until fate dealt him the crushing double blow of his father's death and his own undeserved disgrace. Hiccup scratched his neck and the searched her face. "And they threatened you, Highness?"

"With your fate," she admitted. "I was willing to go with them, if they let you go." He opened his mouth to protest but she rested a finger softly on his lips. "I knew you would still be exiled but you would be alive, not..." He gently caught her hand and kissed it.

"Highness, my dream is already dead," he told her slowly. "When Thuggory proved his treachery, I knew that I would never make a knight. You should do what is best for you, because I am your servant. You should always put your safety before any other's."

"But you are my servant-far moreso than they are!" she protested. "And a just Lord protects his servants as they risk all for him!" That had his lips lifting in a small smile.

"Hmm...that sounds like something my Dad would say," he admitted, ignoring the gnawing pain the reminder of his missing father stirred. She nodded.

"It was something he said to me, in one of my lessons with the sword," she admitted. "My father scoffed and reminded me that the King is all and every subject should be willing to spend his life without hesitation on his will. But I think I saw your father look...disappointed at the King's words."

"He would be," Hiccup admitted. "He really lived the Chivalric code every minute of every day-and though he spent most of his time teaching me every word and line and even punctuation point, making sure I knew all my duties, he did make sure I was aware I had some rights as well, duties that my Liege should offer towards me."

"And my father failed, didn't he?" Astrid said, watching him turn away and deftly prepare the fish, tossing guts, gills and fins aside. Toothless instantly ate them and the young man gave a small smile.

"Wow-I know you were starved by Lord Viggo, bud, but that is just...bleurgh!" he grinned as he speared the fish on sticks and placed them over the flames to cook. The dragon gave a laughing little noise and nudged him gently, seeing his head dip.

"The King does what he feels is best for him and for the Kingdom," he replied eventually. She nodded, aimlessly picking up a twig and shredding the bark off it, strip by trip.

"He'll expect me to marry Eret when I get back," she admitted dully. "The man is an ass and a traitor and talks about himself the whole time but my father wants a strong and manly son-in-law to take over as King when he dies...and Eret fits the bill..."

"And we both know he set up the whole kidnapping," Hiccup shrugged, turning the fish over. "Pretty sure he knew the squires would be useless...and he is one of Drago's men." Astrid stared at him. "I heard him talking in the stable to his groom. They were speaking Svellmal."

"Ice language?" Then she frowned. "How do you know Svellmal?"

"My Dad taught me," Hiccup admitted. "Count Drago and his ancestors have been our enemy for over a hundred years and they have always eyed Berk's riches. As part of his duties as a courier and emissary for your father, my father learned the language because sometimes, overhearing a whispered conversation may save your life. So he taught me in preparation for..." And he stopped and sighed. "Yeah," he mumbled. "Like that's going to happen."

"Hiccup," she said suddenly, her tone firm and commanding, "I will make sure you are treated properly. And that you get your chance..." He managed a smile but his eyes-those beautiful green eyes-were still shadowed.

"I appreciate the thought, Milady, but if your father decrees I die for my supposed actions, there will be nothing that you can do!" he reminded her, as he leaned forward and handed her one of the fish on it's stick. "Breakfast, Highness. Fish on a stick. Sort of squire food, actually...Um...I can go an makes some plates if you want but your fish may go cold...and possibly off...by the time I finish..." She laughed at that and swatted his shoulder.

"Eat your fish, squire!" she ordered and he leaned forward, tugging his forelock.

"As ye says, Milady!" said in a country accent and she almost choked on her fish. Hiccup turned to Toothless and looked at the dragon. "You want any, bud?" he asked but the dragon shook his head, his expression saying I've eaten. "Cooking that bad, hmm?" Hiccup added and bit into the warm fish, savouring the taste. "Thanks, bud. This is fresh. You caught your own earlier?" Toothless settled down at his back as they finished their breakfast. But as they slowed and the food was almost gone, Hiccup gave another sigh.

"You do know that your father is pretty canny-just ruthless," he said thoughtfully. "I am certain he will have pieced together what has happened-and I doubt he will be offering your hand to the man who led you to Alvin..."

'There aren't that many eligible bachelors within a thousand miles," she admitted.

"Unless he decided to promote from within Berk," the imposter murmured. "And that would bring...Thuggory...into play."

"WHAT?" Astrid yelled, glaring at him. He raise this hands hastily.

"Don't shoot me-I'm just thinking aloud!" he said rapidly.

"Stop thinking in that direction!" she snapped. "I am not marrying him!"

"Thinking nothing!" Hiccup protested and then sighed. "Though I should point out my credentials as a guide and protector are probably waning. You do realise that we are still heading the wrong way?"

"What do you mean?" she asked as there was the rustle of wings and a bird moved in the tree above them.

"Well-we can't go south because Lord Viggo and his Hunters are after us," he pointed out. "And south of them are the mountains and the Outcasts. The Dragon Forest will take us between the peaks of Jotun to the north-west...and Berserker territory. If we can skirt the very easter limits of Dagur's lands, we can get back to northern Berk..."

"But we're also going closer and closer to Drago," Astrid realised. Then she stared at him. "We have no options, do we?" He sighed.

"One. We get you to the squires and I go north alone," he admitted.

"No," she said flatly.

"But you need to get home safely and..."

"And I cannot trust those self-serving swine to do that!" she told him hotly. "Hiccup-I am with you because I trust you. I don't trust them." She stared at him: tall, lean, a little awkward but capable of amazing daring and selfless bravery on her behalf. And the memory of the kiss, of the brief flash of desire in his emerald eyes, rapidly replaced by absolute mortification and self-consciousness told her everything she needed to know. "Face it, squire-boy: you're stuck with me!"

"Squire-boy? Oh Thor, just when I thought it couldn't get any worse..." She punched his shoulder and grinned.

"You're taking me home, Hiccup-as my knight-protector," she told him. "And when you do what all the other knights and squires cannot, no one can argue with your worthiness."

oOo

"So where on Midgard are they?" Snotlout grumbled as they rode along the main road west out of Reaper. "We should catch sight of them..." Thuggory rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"If they weren't two to our dozen, or had a lead of over an hour or were running for their lives from us, maybe," he growled. "And we have slow and slower at the back..." He glanced over his shoulder and cast an accusing look at Fishlegs on Meatlug, his heavy charger. 

"Yeah, he's rather steady," he admitted, "though he is useful."

"For what?" Thuggory snapped. "Snotlout-the Princess has escaped us. She made her choice-the skinny traitor. So we have to track them down, stop him talking and force her to co-operate or we're all dead...and the last thing we need is dead weight holding us back!"

"So we send them on an errand?" Snotlout suggested slyly. "I mean which was is Hiccup going? He needs to et back to Berk with Astrid so he'll take the main route west. The only other road heads into the Forest-filled with wild beasts and dragons, if legends are correct."

"Though he did seem to have a dragon helping him," Thuggory pointed out in a pointed tone. Snotlout waved his hand dismissively.

"And he's really going to take the precious Princess into a dragon-infested forest heading straight for Bazerk, the capitol of Berserker lands!" he scoffed. "We'll ride to the main road south and what to intercept." And he paused. "And we can send the twins and Fishface north up the Berserker border to watch for them...if they ever reach there...while we ride ahead." Thuggory nodded coolly.

"Finally-we get rid of the losers and only keep those who can be of use," he growled. "Call them up, Dog-Snotlout can break the good news that they have a special mission!"

"Yeah...to stop dragging us back and let us get  with capturing Hiccup so we can make sure Astrid says what we want...and we end up with the honours we deserve." Snotlout's smile was cruel. "Hey-Fishface, Guess what? We've got a job for you..."

oOo

Toothless led the riders deeper into the Forest and though he trusted the dragon, Hiccup kept himself on high alert. They heard roars intermittently between the trees and the 'birds' were in fact small dragons that Hiccup recognised as Terrible Terrors. He and Astrid watched a green one shoot another down with deadly accuracy, leading Hiccup to name him 'Sharpshoot' while a blue one which was following them very stealthily was jokingly referred to as 'Sneaky' by Astrid. Sometimes, the Night Fury landed and led the two riders through the dense trees, growling and roaring to warn away whatever unseen dangers he sensed and Hiccup watched him, glimpsing brightly coloured shapes between the thick stands of trees. But as he watched, they shied away from their escort.

Finally, as the sun was sinking and the ground was becoming rockier and higher, they arrived at a ridge with a rock face and a cave and as Hiccup watched, Toothless landed outside the cave, giving a small croon and looking over his shoulder to the human, as if inviting them in. Then he headed into the gloomy space and the riders achingly dismounted, securing the horses and gathering wood for torches before following the dragon in. 

Torches raised above their heads, Hiccup led Astrid behind him, knowing it would be useless to ask her to stay behind-though every sense was on edge. He could hear Toothless up ahead and he flinched as he heard the high pitched whine of the dragon's plasma blast an instant before the purple blast struck a wall up ahead...and suddenly the dragon was visible in the glow of the superheated rock. Hiccup lowered his torch and looked at the dragon, standing with his head partially bowed and ears flattened...and then beyond his unhappy looking outline, Hiccup's keen eyes picked out another shape.

It was another Night Fury, a dark grey and a little smaller than Toothless but with the same smooth outline and oversized bat wings...but as Hiccup looked closer, he realised the dragon was mummified, the eyes sunken and closed, the skin wrinkled and tight over the skeletal shape. Toothless moved towards her and gave her a sad nudge, crooning sorrowfully. Quietly, Hiccup moved forward and crouched down, peering at the dead dragon. There was an arrow protruding from her shoulder and Hiccup pulled it out, eyes narrowing as he recognised the device.

"Hunters," he growled and snapped the arrow, then looked up at the dragon. "Oh Thor...this was your mate, wasn't it, bud?" The Night Fury gave a miserable warble. "Oh...I-I wish I could help..." he sighed. Then Astrid patted him on the shoulder and pointed behind Toothless. Curiously, Hiccup rose to his feet to see a small pile of black eggs the size of a man's head, hard against the wall.

"Eggs," he realised and looked at the Night Fury. "Bud-he would have killed you and left them alone, wouldn't he?" The Night Fury nodded. "And one day you will have a family again?" If the eggs hatch. I mean, the female has been dead for some time and they've not hatched yet. Though I have no idea how long it takes dragon eggs to hatch. 

Toothless gave a little croon, looking apologetic. The young man knelt down by the dragon and embraced him, realising what the dragon was trying to say. He needed to stay with what was left of his kind-and his last remaining hope for the future. But Hiccup smiled, his hand gentling the scarred, smooth face, staring deep into the large green eyes with wide, understanding pupils. "You've done more than enough for us. Stay with your family and-and steer clear of those Hunters." He rose. "Just-can we spend the night in the cave mouth, bud? May be a lot safer than the forest at night?" 

Toothless lunged forward and licked him thoroughly and as he laughed-because the tongue tickled-he saw Astrid smiling and then walking to gently touch the dead Night Fury, her head bowed. 

"I am sorry, Toothless," she murmured. "You didn't deserve to lose your family. Or be captured by Viggo Grimborn and killed." Toothless gave a small croon. "When I am ruler, dragon, I will ban dragon hunting and make it illegal in all our allies' lands as well." Hiccup rose and nodded to her.

"That would be worth seeing," he admitted then frowned. "I think we'll break through the forest edge tomorrow morning and then we'll just need to head along the forest edge south towards the border with Berk and we should be safe." She smiled and punched him in the shoulder.

"We'll still be being chased by about everyone," she reminded him. He grinned.

"As long as they don't actually catch us, then I can cope with that!" he smirked back and she felt herself blush at the playful words. "Now, I think we have some dried fish, yak jerky and apples, courtesy of the Reaper storehouse. What would Milady prefer for her repast?" 

"Anything-as long as it's with you, my faithful protector," she said.

oOo

In Bazerk, the Lord of the Berserkers glanced up at his guest, raising his goblet and grinning.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, my friend?" he asked mildly, his pallid green eyes sweeping warily over the buff shape that had just entered his Hall. Guards stood by each door ready to slay any who crossed the Berserker Lord-but the tall, jet-haired man was an old ally and Dagur DeRange, Lord of Berserk, was not a man who turned away allies-at least, not until they annoyed him. Eret bowed and gave his brilliant smile.

"I need your help," he said without preamble. "I was dispatched from Count Drago to woo the Princess Astrid and kidnap her if she did not seem receptive. Unfortunately, that fat idiot Alvin failed and she escaped. They headed towards Reaper and if they get away, they will head here. Drago wants her-because he wants Berk. And you will help me get her." Dagur sloshed mead into his guest's goblet, motioning his servants to bring a plate of boar and gravy for his friend.

"When have I ever failed you, my friend?" he asked archly. "We will ride out at dawn. And by noon, we will have your Princess!"