Heir and Pride

Chapter Fifty-One

Fifty-One.

"Again!"

Hiccup sighed, picked his sword up and resumed his fighting stance, his shield raised and knees bent to keep his weight neutral. His emerald gaze locked on Astrid as she paused and then attacked, swinging a ferocious attack at him. She was fighting with a sword to give him practice because she didn't need axe practice-but Hiccup was desperately inexperienced with the sword and it could cost him his life. His eyes focussed on her, seeing her shift her weight and then lunge forward, her arm swinging the arm round and sword clanging astonishingly hard against his weapon. The impact slammed him back, even though she was only his height and about his weight-because she was balanced, fast and very strong. He back-pedalled, swinging the sword up and blocking a fierce blow at his head. He stared at her stern face and blocked a swing at his side and then parried using the shield.

"Hey hey-this is getting pretty dangerous, Astrid," he protested. "Take it easy!"

"Hiccup, the Outcasts and Berserkers aren't going to take it easy on us!" Astrid snapped. "Your father isn't going to take it easy! He's after us...and his humiliation at what you did will just make him more determined to catch us!" She slammed another blow at his chest and he yelped, parrying and backing away again.

"Won't be helped if you kill me before they get their hands on me!" he told her, breathing hard. They had been at this for three weeks since they got back, three weeks of unremitting combat practice and work. Astrid had healed quickly, determined not to appear weak and she had been embarrassed to wake in his arms, which had sent a shiver of disappointment through Hiccup. He had woken with her hugging him after a nightmare more times than he could recall so for her to be embarrassed at him returning the favour made him feel really...awkward. She lowered her sword and glared.

"Hiccup-don't be so over-dramatic," she said briskly. "I wouldn't hurt you..." Then she stiffened and she realised her mistake. Her eyes widened and she turned away, head down and calling for Stormfly. Hiccup lowered his sword, breathing hard and rested his hands on his knees. His stump was aching and he felt exhausted...but he knew he had to go after her because she was his friend and he trusted Astrid. No matter how hard a taskmaster she was. He whistled and Toothless bounded up, his eyes wide and tongue hanging out like an over-eager puppy. Hiccup sheathed the sword, slung the shield over his shoulders and stroked the Night Fury happily.

"Yeah, bud...I think we oughtta go after her," he said and swung into the saddle. "And no, I didn't say anything this time...it was just, well you know..." He opened the tail. "Catch 'em Toothless. Though I don't know what I can say..." The dragon slapped him with an ear-flap and the boy winced. "Owww! Yeah, yeah-find her!" Toothless took two bouncing steps and then his huge wings flapped, accelerating up and after his friend. Stormfly was very fast but nothing was faster than the Night Fury and the fleeing Nadder soon came into view. Hiccup hunkered as low as he could over the saddle and pulled alongside as she tried to get away. She glanced over.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" she shouted.

"NO!" he called back. "Please, Astrid-land!"

"No-leave me alone!" she begged, her voice more broken but she spiralled and landed on a seastack, sitting determinedly on Stormfly and staring out to sea. Hiccup landed by her on Toothless and looked up.

"Astrid...it's okay," he said gently. She shook her head disconsolately.

"Not, it's not," she murmured. "It will never be okay. Every time I relax, I think things are normal...I say something stupid and I just drag it all back..." Hiccup sighed and ran his hands through his hair.

"No, you don't," he said quietly. "Astrid I trust you. I know you wouldn't hurt me. We've spoken about this..." And then he paused. "But the question is-do you trust me? Because I have said I forgive you, that I trust you. Gods, you saved me from Dagur and-and Dad..." He closed his eyes. "Whatever you did was through stupid jealousy and a ridiculous desire to win at all costs. But you have learned that doesn't pay...and because of it, you were unfairly condemned when those who others who should share the blame went free. But you came back and saved me when I was captured and ready to end it all. I trust you to protect me, Astrid."