The Blacksmith's Apprentice

Six: Hunted

Six: Hunted

The visitors were up early, eager to get out into the forests of Berk and go hunting dragons while the older teens were preparing to accompany the hunt. Hiccup was panicking because he had failed Dragon Training and now he would be expected to demonstrate the skills he patently did not possess. So he had slept poorly in his old bed, lying on the hard wooden base, staring at the ceiling he had inspected so many times as a child and sighing. It was no longer his room, his home, but the memories ached because there had been so much disappointment and sorrow there...and prior to that, for a few brief years, his father had loved him and he had been sort of happy.

He had gotten up before the dawn and headed down to the well to draw the water for the house, then head back to the forge to find Astrid already up and zinging with tension. She had slept in his space in the workshop until her house was finished but expected to spend her first night there that night. She stared at his shape as he slumped onto Gobber's stool and dug his hands worriedly into his hair.

"And I'm dead," he told her frantically. "I've been running over it all night in my head and if the dragons don't kill me, Snotlout probably will." She sighed: she had warned him that Snotlout was plotting and though they both knew that the Heir was painfully stupid, he was very capable of cunning and ruthlessness.

"I'll watch him," she promised, "as long as you watch out for those dragons!" He gave a small sigh and nodded, his head bowed.

"I'm sure they'll be watching out for me," he groaned "They need toothpicks, after all..." She slapped his shoulder and he winced.

"Stop putting yourself down," she ordered him irritably. "Honestly, Hiccup-in one day, you've gotten three houses rebuilt-including mine, which I honestly thought would never happen-and you've really given as good as you've got from Thuggory. So you're doing fine!"

"And that so fills me with confidence," he sighed, running his hands through his hair again. "Thuggory has got his eye on you, by the way." She started and stared at him, her eyes narrowing.

"What?" she asked in an icy voice. His shoulders slumped at her annoyance.

"Um, sorry," he apologised. "But he's spotted the most beautiful woman on Berk and he fancies himself as a ladies' man...and he'll expect you to swoon and fall at his feet..." The furious look on her face would melt metal and he shrugged. "Not that you ever would," he added hastily. I hope, he added silently.

"Arrogant boar," Astrid spat irritably. "He's just like Snotlout except taller...and smarter... All the Heirs are the same..." Hiccup sighed and she realised what she had said. "Except you," she amended, feeling guilty. His green gaze flicked up.

"Be careful," he warned her. "He may seem to be pleasant but he can be ruthless when he's got his eye on something." She shrugged.

"I don't have any money or connections,' she reminded him softly, sitting by him and shrugging. "Can't see the Heir of Meathead wanting to marry a girl from Berk with no family or dowry..."

"But you are our Shield Maiden," Hiccup pointed out, relishing her closeness. "And our best warrior. I wouldn't put it past them to want you just to deprive us of you."

"And I will refuse," she told him firmly. "I am not leaving Berk-especially not of that ass!" He very cautiously took her hand and stared into her azure eyes.

"Just...be careful around him," he advised in a low voice. "I would hate for you be to be targeted as a prize in a game to humiliate Berk..." Her hand curled around his.

"I'll take care if you do," she told him earnestly. "And keep an eye on Snotlout!"

"Boy, this is going to be fun," he grumbled. "The first time I've been on a hunt-and I'm the prey."