The Man Inside

The Wrong Hostage

Astrid's POV

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask. Snotlout breathes a sigh of relief when he realizes it's me, well Hiccup.

"We just overheard Dagur's plan." he says. I rub my temples as they repeat what they've heard.

"Alright, go back to Berk and warn Stoick. I'm going to see if I can gather any additional information. Wait, where's Astrid?" I ask, noticing his absence.

"Dagur has her, That's why we are here." Snotlout explains.

I nod." Ok, I'll go get her. You guys get out of here."

"But-"

"Fishlegs, I'll be fine." I say.

They run back to the woods quickly. I wait until I see them in the air before I begin moving. "Toothless, stay out of sight while I get Hiccup." I instruct.

He warbles, his ears against his head. I make it to the bushes with out being seen. I notice him tied to a post a little ways away. I also spot the guards watching him. I muster enough courage, sneaking up on them, and knocking them out with my axe. I hide in another clump of bushes. Hiccup turns his head in my direction, so I come out of hiding. I jog over to him, cautiously.

"Dang it Astrid. What are you doing here?" he asks.

"So much for not getting captured, huh?" I tease, grinning. He smiles back, chuckling.

"But seriously. You can't be here. Dagur's trying to use you against me to get Toothless. You and Toothless have to leave."

"I can't just leave you here. They are attacking Berk. We need you."

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Hiccup!" Dagur laughs.

"You wont succeed with this." I hiss at him.

"Hiccup, Hiccup, Hiccup. It seems I already have. Funny, your girlfriend said the same thing. I guess you were both wrong." I share a glance with Hiccup. "Since when do you carry an axe?" he adds, confused for a second.

"I've always carried an axe." I smirk, preparing to use it.

"Astrid, don't!" Hiccup shouts, knocking me down.

"How did you...?" Dagur accuses.

"Hidden dagger in my boot." Hiccup retorts.

"Hand over the night fury Hiccup, and I'll let you go." Dagur orders, pointing a finger at me.

"It's not me you want to be talking to." I say.

Hiccup's POV

Dagur looks at me bewildered. "That's right Dagur. You've had me the whole time. And as you can see, no night fury." I gesture to Stormfly, to back me up. I eye Astrid while Dagur is staring at Stormfly. She smiles understanding where I'm going with this. She makes a high pitched screeching sound, calling Stormfly, who flicks her tail. Several spikes pin Dagur to the ground, dropping Inferno as he tries to run. I run past him, scooping up the sword. I meet Astrid by Stormfly, snapping the ropes.

"Go Stormfly! Go,go,go!" she cheers, as the dragon gets to her feet and takes off. Astrid swings her legs on to the saddle, then pulling me up behind her.

"You wont get away that easily! You can't protect everyone forever. I'm coming for you... female Hiccup!" Dagur shouts after me, pulling some spines out that have his boots and tunic pinned to the ground. Astrid flies us to the edge of the woods, where Toothless is waiting patiently.

"Hey, Bud." I say scratching his cheek when we've landed. "Yeah I'm fine. I'm glad you're safe too." I chuckle as he licks me.

"So how did you know I had a dagger in my boot?" Astrid asks.

I raise an eyebrow. "I've seen you use it before."

She rolls her eyes. "Ready to head back?" I nod, climbing on Stormfly. "What about your shield?" she adds as we take to the sky.

"What about it?"

"How are you going to get it back?"

I shrug. "I don't really use it that much any more. I have Inferno. Besides, it's only an ornate shield." I joke. We both chuckle. "So, Mr. Pride-of-Berk, what's your plan to beat Dagur?" I ask, once we've caught our breath.

"Well, now that Dagur knows we figured out his plan, he will wait a few days to rethink his tactics before he attacks." Astrid tells me. I can already see the gears in her mind turning. Or is it technically mine?