The Blacksmith's Apprentice

Twenty-Seven: A Different Solution

"Afternoon, Milady! How's your day been?" he asked brightly, his eyes sparkling and hoping that he was wrong. She looked up.

"Just perfect," she said sarcastically. "Three of the younger class didn't come...presumably because their parents were worried I would ruin their little Vikings and Valkyries by my mere unclean presence. The rest all looked at me like I was about to explode or shatter or burst into tears..."

"Like that would happen," Hiccup added gently, his hand reaching for hers. She moved it away.

"They were all respectful and argumentative-the same as usual-though Else did make a snide comment about 'Snotlout's concubine'," she admitted tightly.

"And...?" Hiccup asked, moving nearer. She was holding onto the Nadder, her back half-turned to him and she made no move to face him.

"She had to drop and give me fifty," Astrid reported in her usual brisk tone and Hiccup smiled.

"That's my..."

"Stop! Just...stop..." she said and slowly turned to face him. He stiffened. "I heard them talking. All of them. The women, the men, the old...even Mildew..." She stared candidly into his suddenly apprehensive face. "They all believe that you will be made the Heir by the Council...just as they all believe that I am shamed."

"They're wrong on both counts-you know that!" Hiccup told her quietly. "I don't want..."

"But you'll be talked into it for the sake of the Tribe," she guessed calmly. "And I cannot shackle you with a woman who is shamed and despised as your Promised. You will need to marry someone with rank, power, position for the Tribe. So I release you-and end it. We are not Promised, Hiccup. It's over."

He stared at her, his mouth dry and chest suddenly tight with pain.

"No-you can't!" he blurted out, reaching for her-but she recoiled, staring coolly back at him.

"Remember what I said when we discussed this, Hiccup?" she asked him pointedly, her hand resting on Stormfly for reassurance. "We had a deal. I agreed to be promised to you-despite your concerns-but I said if I wanted to break it off, I would ask to do so."

"You also said I couldn't get rid of you that easily," he said in a pained voice. "But Snotlout has won. He's taken you from me. He's got everything he damned well wanted!" She looked at him for a second, then threw herself onto Stormfly's back.

"Please-just respect my decision," she said quietly. "I can be the Shield Maiden I was always meant to be. And one day, they will stop looking at me like trash and judge me by my deeds, not by his lies. And you will thank me for freeing you from my shame."

"You think I haven't had all that a thousand times over?' he asked her hoarsely. "I'm Hiccup the Useless. And I couldn't even hold onto the woman I love. I've lost my birthright, my family, my father...and now you."

"You'll thank me one day," she repeated, though her voice was wavering. "Please...don't make this harder than it is. I...I still want to be your friend..."

"Astrid..." he said as she leaned forward.

"Up, girl..." she urged the Nadder and as they launched, Hiccup stared.

"NO!" he yelled. "No-Astrid! Don't leave me!" And he turned to the watching black dragon. "Bud-we have to stop them..."

Toothless read the scene and felt suddenly confused. The two humans were still very much in love-their pheromones proved that-but the female seemed very unhappy and was leaving his Viking. The Nadder seemed confused as well and his human friend was desperate. So he did the only thing he could: he threw back his head and roared powerfully, the sound echoing round Raven Point. There was a squawk overhead and the Nadder wheeled down, landing obediently in front of the Night Fury. There were rumbles and small roars as Meatlug, Fanghook, Jadespine and Stoneskin all landed as well, eyes locked expectantly on the Night Fury.