Captain Fury: Pirate of Berk

26: Unexpected Quarters

Advisory: Some swearing.

Berk didn't have enough cells. That was the only conclusion it was possible to draw from the fact that Hiccup, Astrid, Snotlout, Elias and the entire crew were squashed into two cells because the third had been transformed into a plush hotel room for the treacherous Lord Hofferson. Hiccup glanced around: unfortunately, it hadn't actually been the entire crew because the crew had fought the invasion ferociously and the twins, Sven Two and Bjarne were gone. Roar and Mulch were both wounded and Jorgen was unconscious from a blow to the head. But Arild wasn't in the cells: he was in Magne's house, at the man's mercy and a hostage against any escape attempts.

At least Astrid had sat at his side, though devastated, her shoulders slumped in defeat and hands clasped around her legs. Mind utterly chaotic, Hiccup had gone completely quiet after being captured, head down and entire posture beaten. Elias had hunkered down by the pirate and gently tapped his arm.

"My fault," the pirate murmured softly. "My fault. I should have guessed he would be watching. I should have known..." Almost unconsciously, Astrid gently rested a hand on his arm and pressed quietly against him and he mustered the energy to twist his head slightly and offer her a small nod. Elias narrowed his eyes. To him, the Captain's 'definitely not wife' was certainly acting like one and it was clear the pirate had more feelings for her than he admitted-maybe even to himself.

"Not fault," he had told the pirate firmly. "Him..." he gestured to Jorgen. "Him watchman. Say nothing, nothing when come. Blow to head by mad man." Hiccup frowned, looking up at the former galley slave.

"Mad man?"

"Boom!" Elias grinned and Hiccup glanced across at Fishlegs.

"Tuff hit him?" he asked. Elias nodded.

"Went over side. Poof! Gone!" he said. The pirate half-turned and winced. Then he felt Astrid grip his wrist as the door opened and footsteps closed. Gritting his teeth, Hiccup rose to his feet, facing Eret as the General began to laugh. Astrid scrambled to her feet by him, her fists balling. Hiccup carefully lifted a hand and caught her wrist.

"Hello, you faithless slut!" he sneered.

"And I hardly know you," Hiccup interjected lightly before Astrid could open her mouth, his grip restraining her with difficulty. "I have a prior claim, you lying coward!" Immediately, Eret grabbed the bars and leered through.

"That bitch is MINE!" he snapped, pointing at Astrid. "My wife. And hence...my possession. And she owes me her duty as a wife!"

"You can go fuck yourself!" Astrid shouted.

"You will do your duty, daughter!" Lord Hofferson commanded from the next cell. She turned to him, her face locked in rage and eyes flashing furiously.

"YOU!" she snarled. "You were prepared to send me to a-a whorehouse if I admitted my feelings for Hiccup five years ago. But you still turned me into a prisoner and sold me to this coward to whore for you anyway! And guess what? I won't do it! You like him? YOU sleep with him!"

"You will obey your father and your legal husband!" Lord Hofferson shouted, advancing to the bars between their cells, Astrid pulled away from Hiccup and glared at her father, blue eyes meeting blue eyes in a furious contest of wills.

"NO!" she snapped. "You made me deny my best friend and my heart. But I never stopped loving Hiccup and when I had a choice, this time I made the right one. I chose Hiccup over Eret. So I'll stay here."

"Take her," Hofferson commanded the General. "And do what you will. As of now, she is disowned and you inherit everything that should be hers!" Oozing triumph, Eret gave a small bow and smiled.