Chapter 20:

"TONIGHT?" Fishlegs squeaked in shock. "But...there's a giant dragon sleeping behind us, the place is full of enemy soldiers and we have no clue where anything or who anyone is!"

"Okay-so I admit this is a little bit of a standing start but what I need is..." Hiccup began and paused, his eyes sweeping up over the citadel and noting the men patrolling. "A disguise. Preferably five disguises-one extra size..."

"Son..." Stoick growled as his son shot him a wink.

"Sorry, Dad-couldn't resist it," he admitted. "Their uniforms mean you can't see who is inside. Dad-you taught me that if you look as if you know what you're doing, people will tend to believe you do." The Commander nodded slowly. "Twins, Fish-find the Princess's horse and get her ready to take to the gate. Then I need a diversion-preferably something big..."

"Armoury?" Tuff suggested.

"Same diversion twice? Really? You losing your touch, mutton-head?" Ruff taunted him. He instantly drew himself up.

"I call Thorston challenge!" he said sternly. "Whoever makes the biggest diversion without getting killed wins!"

"You're on!" his sister agreed and both spat in their palms, then shook hands.

"What just happened?" Fishlegs asked worriedly-because he was supposed to be accompanying the crazy pair. But Hiccup smiled.

"Don't worry-it's a wager they do every now and then," he reassured his friend. "But it does mean they'll be extremely focussed-so make use of it while you can!" He glanced up at the Commander. "Dad-you're with me. We're going into the citadel to see if we can get to Astrid." Stoick nodded, seeing the determination in his son's eyes.

"Your show, son," he said evenly, determined that no matter what, his son would succeed. No matter what it cost Stoick personally... Hiccup turned to the dragons, emerald eyes warm with gratitude as Toothless gave a little warble.

"I know I shouldn't ask for more, bud but could you wait a little?" he asked softly. "Only until dawn. If we're not out by then, we're probably screwed anyway..." The dragon nuzzled against his middle and the young man hugged him. "Thanks, bud," he whispered. "But if there's any trouble, you go. You have something to live for. Everything I have and everything I hope for is there in that citadel,...and if I let her be lost, then I am lost as well."

"Don't you worry, H," Tuff said seriously. "You have Thorstons on your side. Nothing can go wrong..."

"And he had to say that!" his sister sighed. "Come on mutton-head. Let's show these guys what happens when you fight the Berk Knights."

oOo

The guard was completely shocked when a thin young man with dark auburn hair and bright green eyes walked up to him. Citizens of Nordlund tended to be cowed and obedient, skipping out of the way of the soldiers and guards because they knew Drago valued his fighting men above all the others in his lands. This young man was in a stained and patched tunic and his scruffy cloak flapped in the cold damp breeze as he emerged from the torchlit gloom.

"Excuse me," he said in a clear, slightly nasal voice. "I'm a spy from Berk and I was wondering if you wanted to arrest me." The guards stared at him then at each other in shock before one lunged forward, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck and lifting him from the floor.

"You're in the wrong place, wretch!" he growled as a huge shape reared from the darkness behind him, punching him out in one fell blow. As he dropped the young man, he snatched the guard's pike and spun round, using it as a quarter-staff to slam the other guard back and then crack it down over the man's head, stunning him into unconsciousness.

"Good work, son," Stoick said, rubbing his knuckles. Punching an armoured man out was a little tough on the hand-though the dent in the armour showed who was the stronger. "You don't mind if I take the larger guard's outfit?" Hiccup grinned.

"Be my guest," he said, dragging the smaller man back into the guard post and swiftly stripping his uniform off. And a few moments later, with the guards tied up tightly and gagged, two 'guards' stepped confidently out into the yard and headed for the citadel. Hiccup squinted through the grille in the front of the helmet and sighed.

"I can hardly see a thing," he admitted in a low voice, matching his stride to his father's. "Top floor?" Stoick nodded, staring stolidly forward.

"Left," he murmured and they wheeled round and found the back stair, striding up urgently. It was only when they reached the top floor that Hiccup paused, peering round the corner and seeing guards stationed at every intersection in the corridor.

"This could be a problem," he murmured, then paused. He fished under his cloak and Sneaky popped her head out. "Okay, girl-find Astrid, will you?" he asked and perched the dragon on his arm. The little Terrible Terror licked her eyeball thoughtfully as the two men walked slowly down the corridor, the dragon chittering animatedly as they approached the first set of guards.

"HALT!"

Hiccup looked up, smiling behind the helmet. "Count's orders. This is a present for the Lady Astrid," he said as gruffly as he could. "We were ordered to deliver her in person." The guard barring the way leaned forward.

"It's...a dragon..." he said suspiciously.

"Thought so myself," Hiccup commented calmly. "I only follow orders..."

"The Master and Lord Eret have left express instruction that the Lady isn't to leave her room or have visitors until dawn," the guard said. Stiffening, Hiccup inclined his head but Stoick nodded curtly.

"Understood," he growled. "We'll return at dawn. Our orders were to give her the dragon before her upcoming elevation." He nodded and turned away, steering Hiccup back to the stairwell. They made it down one level before Hiccup ripped his helmet off.

"What are you doing, Dad?" he hissed, glaring at his father, but Stoick was calm.

"Don't attract attention," he murmured easily, scratching his neck absently. "There are too many to fight your way through. We need to find another way round. Or get some rest and catch her just before dawn..."

"The longer we are in here, the more likely it is our guards will be discovered," Hiccup reminded him and his father nodded.

"So we go back and dispose of them better, then stand guard until it is time or we are relived," he said. There was a pause and Hiccup stared at him.

"Seriously? That is your plan?" he asked incredulously.

"Watch and listen," his father counselled. "Now let's see what we can do with the guards..." Hiccup winced.

"Until the twins create their diversion-and then all Helheim will break loose..." Hiccup sighed and pulled his helmet back on.

"Have away, son," Stoick grinned. "Guard duty is part of any soldier's lot...even a knight!"

oOo

Tuff was recklessly ambling through the barracks, nodding cheerfully at other guards and poking his head round every door he could until he found the kitchens for the soldiers. His sister was already investigating the armoury and the stables but the male twin took the challenge to heart and he was determined to make sure that his diversion was the most spectacular. He was not going to lose the Thorston challenge again! So he slipped into the kitchen and poked around, finding the cauldron of porridge and gruel that was prepared for the soldiers' breakfast. Frowning at the unappetising smell, he tried a small mouthful of the slop and then spat it swiftly out, spending the next couple of minutes scrubbing his tongue frantically to get rid of the taste.

"Loki, that's bad," he commented and then paused, peering at the sleeping cook, collapsed drunkenly over the table. "But I bet I can make it worse..." Grinning, he made his way to the stores and flung the cupboard open finding a very disparate range of spices, spoiled vegetables and meats and chemicals used to clean the pots and pans. Checking the cook was still asleep, he dumped a random selection into the breakfast for the troops, stirring carefully and ensuring anyone who took their meal would be ill and extremely incapacitated. Sniggering, he poked through the cellars, locating more alcohol and a thought struck him. Carefully, he spiked all the usual morning ale and beer with powerful spirits so anyone who survived the food would be dead drunk.

"How's that for a diversion, Butt-Elf?" he smirked and headed for the armoury to set it on fire.

oOo

Ruffnut had accompanied Fishlegs to the stables-via the armoury where she had stolen some gunpowder, three swords and a double-headed pike. The husky squire had been very convincing in demanding the stolen Princess's horse-though the fact that it was extremely early in the morning meant that the grooms were just happy to comply with anything as long as they were allowed to rest. Fishlegs had taken the horse to the gate-ostensibly under Count Drago's orders-while Ruff had decided the amuse herself by quietly untying every horse and unlatching every stall so that when she created a small but noisy explosion using the gunpowder, there would be a stampede.

There was a second stable and once she had finished releasing every beast in the first, she opened the double doors to the adjoining space and looked in, her eyes widening as she stared at the beasts within. There were no horses at all...

...just cages and cages of dragons.

"Loki," she muttered. "Hiccup needs to know."

oOo

Hiccup was cold, bored and frustrated-because he knew he should have rescued Astrid already. But there was no way to approach her door without finding a way through a whole squadron of guards, all looking suspiciously at the persistent guards who wanted to defy the Count's orders.

Blend in. Don't attract attention. Great advice, Dad...except how am I ever supposed to get Astrid out?

The wind was cold and though the armour afforded some protection, Hiccup found himself shivering. Stoick was a large, solid presence to his left and the young man wondered what exactly had befallen his father in the three years he had been missing-but he was just thankful his Dad was back. And though they were both technically dishonoured and probably traitors, he felt far more optimistic now his only parent was back at his side. He shivered again. The rain had stopped but the cold wind was driving the clouds through and the immense shape on the rise was visible against a sky that was faintly paler at the horizon, reminding him that the night was coming to a close...

"Hey!" A guards sped up to the two spies and Hiccup peered at the urgent shape. "It's me-Ruff!" a gruff female voice hissed and Hiccup peered at the urgent shape.

"What is it, Ruff?" he asked as she grabbed his arm.

"You need to come see this!" she told him urgently.

"I swear to Thor, if this is some asinine prank," Hiccup muttered but the female squire drew herself up in a gesture that eloquently told of how unimpressed she was at his implication.

"We promised to be your friends," she said coldly and Hiccup felt his shoulders sag, but in truth, his betrayal by Thuggory had scarred him worse than he realised. A large part of him really wanted to believe that she, her twin and Fishlegs were his friends again but a small treacherous part was reminding him that all of them had dumped him like a broken dagger as soon as he was exiled and had only befriended him a long way from Berk. And all of them were under threat of expulsion...which could be stayed if they returned with the traitor, Hiccup Haddock...

"Sorry," he said heavily. "Okay-show me..." His head snapped round and he stared at his father. "Dad-cover for me!" Stoick blinked-he had been dozing, which he had long ago learned to do on his feet as a young squire standing long guard shifts-and nodded.

"Where are you going, son?" he asked. Hiccup grinned.

"No idea," he said honestly. "But Ruff wants to show me something so..."

"Take care, son," he said and stood up straighter as Hiccup raced off after the female twin. She led him unerringly into the stables, past the horses-and into the second, larger stable. And then gestured wildly at the scaly prisoners within.

"Yeah...not sure what to do about these, Hicc," she admitted. He wrenched his helmet off, resting it on the floor and unbuckling his sword without a second of hesitation.

"Take your helmet off and your sword," he ordered Ruff. There was a pregnant pause as she stared at him.

"What? Why?"

"NOW!" he growled, slowly inching towards the nearest cage. It contained a small purple Nadder that was cowering back in its cage, whimpering. He paused, his hand hovering between the bars. "I am so sorry," he whispered, reading her fear. "No one deserves this..." His emerald eyes trailed along the line of other cages, seeing Grackles, Zipplebacks, Monstrous Nightmares, a shiny spiky dragon and at the end...he caught sight of a dark shape. Stiffening, he gently padded down the line of cages, his heart breaking at the sight of the imprisoned and cowed dragons...until he reached the final cage. And then his heart lurched.

Inside was another Night Fury.

Hiccup found his breath coming in tiny shudders, scarcely daring to make a move in case he spooked the dark grey shape within. The dragon was smaller than Toothless, the eyes a brilliant bright blue as it looked fearfully at him. There were subtle darker patterns on its snout and its thin flanks heaved in fear. Fearlessly, he offered his hand through the bars, hoping there was enough residual scent from Toothless to calm the frightened reptile. He could hear the tiny noises of sniffing and he lowered his head and turned away, praying hard...and then the dragon pressed its nose hard into his hand, rubbing gently against his skin. He turned slightly and gentled its skin with his other hand.

"Hey there, little bud," he murmured. "Sorry to meet you like this. But I can help you. You can smell Toothless on me-and he is my friend. And I know he would love to have another of his kind to keep him company and help him raise his young when they hatch. And I think...I think you need that as well."

The dragon crooned and he felt the vibrations against his hand before he pulled his hands back and unfastened the lock, pulling the door open. "Come with me," he invited the Night Fury, keeping his eyes locked on its wary blue gaze. He backed away slowly, keeping his hand extended. Sniffing and following the reassuring scent of the unseen other Night Fury, she slowly, timidly emerged from the confinement to find herself in the open space between cages. Ruff stared at him.

"Awesome," she murmured. "So what..."

"Talk to them. reassure them. And let them all go free," he said quietly. "They deserve freedom...and it will stop Drago if his famed 'Dragon Warriors'...no longer exist..." He rubbed the small Night Fury once more, before he turned to the next cage and released the next captive dragon. It nuzzled against him, giving a relieved croon. Staring at him for another long moment, Ruff began to open cages as well, stroking the traumatised dragons as they were freed. And once they were all released, she led Hiccup to the main double doors that opened onto the empty yard-into the night. Gesturing, the young man smiled.

"You're free," he reassured then. "Go! Escape while you can!" There was a pause and the dragons hovered warily inside the stable, sniffing the cold night air warily until a blue Monstrous Nightmare scampered out into the dark, peering around...and then vanishing into the sky. There was a pause and then the dragons stampeded out, not one making a sound except the flapping of wings as they single-mindedly headed home for the Dragon Forest.

All except one. The little Night Fury remained at Hiccup's side, its tail ripped on one side. It gave a sad croon as he turned to it.

"Oh bud-you can't make it?" he guessed and the dragon lowered its head in defeat. Then he grinned. "Come with me," he said and nodded to Ruff. They closed the door and hastily locked the cages, before grabbing their helmets and weapons and sneaking back out onto the main yard, with the little Night Fury bounding along. It was about two thirds the size of Toothless and much more timid, running close to Hiccup and nuzzling against him whenever they slowed. Ruff waved and headed for the main storeroom, determined not to lose the Thorston challenge while Hiccup and the dragon finally arrived back at the solid shape of Stoick.

"If I asked what was going on, how long would the answer take?" he asked in a resigned voice.

"Oh, far too long to spare," Hiccup replied sarcastically. "Sorry, Dad. But she...I think it's a she...can't fly. But I guess Toothless can carry her." He glanced up against the sky, now definitely lighter at the horizon, the night fading to a dull blue rather than enclosing black, the huge shape looming over them prodding his brain into action at last. "And I'm still thinking like a squire," he muttered. "That's the answer." His head snapped round and he stared at his father. "Dad-cover for me!"

"Where are you going now, son?" he asked and Hiccup pointed to the motionless giant.

"That's how we'll get Astrid out," he said and sprinted off, across the silent yard with the small Night Fury at his back, diving through the gap at the back of the store sheds and up the muddy, rocky and steep slope to the rise that overlooked the entire yard and citadel. Bemused, his father watched as he vanished in the crepuscular gloom...but Hiccup knew what he was doing, just praying to Odin that the dragons had stayed. And thanking him profusely when he saw the shapes sitting quietly by the massive paws of the motionless Bewilderbeast. Hiccup leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. Toothless gave a quizzical warble.

"Yeah-I really need to work on my fitness," he agreed, straightening up. "Toothless...this is...a surprise..." He stood back as the dragon sniffed at the smaller Night Fury, giving a shocked and gentle warble as the smaller reptile crooned softly back. Hiccup felt his throat tighten as the two dragons nuzzled and the smaller dragon pressed against Toothless, accepting his protection. He licked it-her-gently before looking up at Hiccup and offering a weird, gummy smile. Hiccup nodded.

"You look out for her, bud," he said in a thick voice. "I know you can do this." And then he glanced at the other dragons, who were hanging back from the two Night Furies.

"Bud-do you think that Meatlug would be able to get in close to a window?" He pointed to the citadel. "Astrid's window?" Toothless paused then ambled to the brown Gronckle and nudged her, crooning a query which the other dragon gave a soft reply to. The Night Fury lifted his head and indicated to the Gronckle and then Hiccup carefully offered the timid dragon his hand. There was a moment's pause before the dragon pushed her nose into his palm before the young man crouched before her. "Can you fly me up, Meatlug?" The dragon gave a small rumble and lowered her head, inviting the young man on. Immediately, he threw his leg over the dragon's back and leaned forward, petting the dragon gently.

"Let's go, girl..." he murmured as the dragon hovered up and the buzzed over the storehouses, heading straight and true for the citadel. Almost immediately, he found that Meatlug flew very differently to Toothless, tending to bounce up and down, tending to rotate and buzz from side to side. It felt far more unstable and he was forced to grip really tightly with his legs and use all his skills as a horseman. But the dragon was very responsive, heading obediently where he had directly as they rose higher and higher above the cobbles of the yard and Hiccup forced himself not to look down, knowing he would panic if he realised how far he could fall. It wasn't a sensation he had felt for a second on Toothless but on Meatlug, he felt much more vulnerable and precarious.

Eyes locked on the blank window that was reflecting the pale yellow-blue predawn sky, they rose up until he was facing directly into the glass.

"Correct window?" he murmured to Sneaky, who was flapping faithfully alongside. The little blue Terrible Terror chirruped and zoomed forward, whisking through a small gap in the corner of the window and vanishing into the room. Gritting his teeth, Hiccup sighed. "I guess that means 'yes'," he muttered, unsteadily rising to stand up on the Gronckle's shoulders. With a silent prayer, he tapped on the thick glass.

oOo

Astrid hadn't slept, tossing and turning in the room and staring into the darkness. The embers of the fire cast a low orange light on the largely empty space, delineating her gilded prison and after lying for hours, she had gotten up and paced back and forth. If this was her last night as a free woman, she would not wait for her fate lying down. She had inspected every inch of the room, pried at the windows, the door and even the fire grille-which had cost her a burnt hand-but there was no way out.

So she had finally done what any warrior did the knight before their final battle: she prayed.

"Odin, Thor, Freya-hear me now," she murmured. "I have not been your most obedient daughter. I have resented my life, my good fortune because I selfishly wished for the freedom of being the girl, the 'spare' child. I sought adventure and battle and prepared like a man for these, envying the squires. But even when I pretended, it was false. If there was any blame, the squires-mainly Hiccup-took it and spared me any censure. And when I became the Heir, I was indulged but I didn't use my power for anything but my own wishes. And when the squires were sent on my Hunt, why should they care? I had not made any effort to be their Princess.

Only Hiccup, who had been expelled wrongfully, acted like a squire and made to rescue me from Outcast. He suffered to free me, again taking the blame for my actions. He stopped me being stupid and handing myself over to traitors and did everything a knight-protector should. He even saved me in Reaper and was hurt for his bravery. And when-and when he kissed me...it felt so right. But I was never the friend I should have been. I clung to my pride, always picking on his mean status when it shouldn't matter. It didn't matter because he proved he was someone amazing. Yet in Bazerk, I hurt him so badly by spurning him because I felt I was lost and reacted wrongly to Dagur's words. I should have known he was loyal and defended him to that treacherous swine. But I didn't. I was a fool and a coward. And I feared that he went to his death not knowing how much I cared.

He was the scruffy, skinny boy with the bright green eyes who protected me, who joked with me, who was a friend to a Princess who just wanted to be one of the boys. He was the squire who rode after me when all my real squires failed me-and he rescued me, over and over. And he was my protector in my adventure-the adventure I sought but which I could not survive without him. Without him, I am lost. And if I cannot kill Drago, I will not let him use me to take over Berk as my supposed husband. I will end my life...and I will never see Hiccup again. So please tell him, in Valhalla where he will go but I will not...that I'm sorry...

...and that I think I love him. That's all. Just...give me strength not to shame House Hofferson."

Then she stood and began to dress, proudly pulling on her clothes. She guessed Drago would provide a wedding gown which she would refuse to wear: if she had to endure this, she would do it wearing a dress given her by Heather, who was probably her last friend. So she made sure the dress was laced tight, the knives concealed in her bodice and boot as she brushed out and then braided her hair. Guiltily, her eyes flicked to the gap between the heavy fabric of the curtains, seeing the sky a pale blue with impending dawn.

And then she almost jumped in the air at the sound of a firm rapping on the glass. Frowning, she approached the curtains as Sneaky appeared and chittered excitedly.

"Sneaky? What in Midgard...?" she asked as the dragon orbited her. The rapping sounded again and she ripped the curtains apart...

...to see Hiccup grinning at her, apparently standing in midair. Her azure eyes widened and jaw dropped.

"Morning, Highness," he said cheerfully. "I was wondering if you wanted a lift out of here?"

She blinked, her head spinning in utter shock.

"H-Hiccup? How-how aren't you dead?" she exclaimed stupidly, completely shocked, even though she had received a note from him and knew he was alive. Her defeat and acceptance of her fate coupled with no sleep and her heartfelt prayer to the Gods had completely fused her brain. She had been so desperate to actually see him again that being actually faced with him threw her completely. His smile wavered slightly.

"Um...long story, though it is one close to my heart but I guess I should save it for later..." he said defensively. He gestured over his shoulder. "I could go away and leave you if you want..."

"NO! No...I'm sorry...I mean...well, yes, I'm sorry but also...I'm really REALLY glad to see you..." she gabbled and rested her palms flat on the glass. "Are you okay?" He nodded, his heart warmed by the concern in her voice.

"Um...have you got a cloak or something? It's a bit cold out here," he called and she nodded, a smile lifting her lips.

"Cloak. Cloak. Yes...I've got a cloak..." she managed, still smiling as she turned away, casting around and grabbing the cloak and scarf, then almost running back to the window. She waved the garments. "Cloak!" she announced proudly as Hiccup stared at her.

She's acting weird. Well, okay it's probably treason to think that but she is. More than usual. Maybe she's been drugged? Oh well-I can check when we get out of here. But at least she's pleased to see me...

"Stand back!" he called as he rose and the brown form of the Gronckle appeared. Hiccup leaned forward. "Can you sort out the window, girl?" he asked, crouching forward to scratch her affectionately on the head. The Gronckle wagged her body eagerly and exhaled a huge dollop of orange-red steaming goo that Hiccup realised was in fact lava at the same time it melted through the glass, the wall and the floor behind it. He patted the dragon. "Thanks. Princess-maybe you want to come before someone notices a dragon has melted a hole in the wall?"

'On my way!" she said determinedly, advancing and scrambling to the hole. She grasped the still-warm edge of the glass and stretched out to his proffered hand, leaning closer and closer until he clasped her hand firmly.

"Got you!" he said in relief as a smile lit her face and lifted her lips at the touch of his hand...

...as Astrid felt a firm tug on her cloak, dragging her backwards...

...and a knife suddenly appeared in his shoulder...