I'll Protect Her. Always.

(Part 2)

For clarinetgirl301

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You sat with your back to Astrid's, the words you said to Hiccup echoing in your mind.

I hate you, you had told him.

I hate you.

I hate you.

"I- I told him- I told him I hate him. Why did I do that, Astrid? We have to go back! I have to tell him that I love him!" you cried turning around and shaking her shoulders.

She turned her torso so she faced you. "I can't, (Y/ N). You know that. I'm sorry but I can't." She faced forward again and landed in the old dragon sanctuary. "Stormfly, don't fly, girl," she patted her dragon after she hopped down and as you were getting down.

"But- but, Astrid. If I don't set things right then he could be injured in battle! He could die if my words distract him!" you desperately tried.

"(Y/ N), you know Hiccup won't get distracted on the battlefield. And besides, he will be to determined in protecting you. I bet he knows it's those words you said were a lie. You were just upset. Now come on, let's go explore this place."

You looked stared at the engagement ring on your finger and smiled before following Astrid, forming a silent plan.

**** Meanwhile On Berk **** Hiccup's P.O.V. ****

I was at the front of the army, waiting as many ships came in view on the horizon.

"Group one- Go!" I shouted, throwing my left arm forward. Toothless jolted me a bit as he zoomed towards the enemy ships. "Fire!" I ordered, once we got them. Toothless roared at the other dragons and they began dodging nets and arrows while firing. A small group landed on a few ships, taking them over and sinking them so the enemy could no longer use them.

"Hiccup!" Snotlout called, on a ship.

I landed Toothless on the ship but didn't get off of him. "What is it, Snotlout?"

"Its about the people on this ship."

"I said they can be prisoners if they surrender."

"I know but..." he trailed, looking to the open doorway as a young girl peaked her head out. "There are many children on this ship."

Children? On a battlefield? I sighed and shook my head, getting off Toothless and walking up to him. "Have Fishlegs and Meatlug pull the ship away from the battle. Make sure no one else but the children are on board."

"What if it's a woman who's pregnant?" another person asked, walking past the young girl and up to me.

I sighed again, "Let them stay but make sure they won't cause trouble for Fishlegs."

I turned around to find the little girl laughing as Toothless nudged her. She was covered in filth and had blond hair covered with mud and dirt but cheerful bright (E/C) eyes like (Y/ N). The little girl had walked right up to Toothless, not frightened by him like so many others.

I smiled softly. (Y/ N) loves children [if you don't I'm sorry but please go with it].

"Hey, little girl," I said, softly, slowing walking up to her.

Fear suddenly filled her eyes as she noticed me and she ran behind a barrel.

"Hey hey hey, I won't hurt you," I said, still keeping my voice soft as I walked towards her.

She cowered against the crate behind her, bringing her knees do her chest and hiding her face in it. She had a dirty ragged dress on and no shoes or even socks. The dress didn't even have sleeves, just a few centimeters wide straps. The dress was baggy on the thin girl. She looked like she haven't eaten in days. Poor girl.

"I won't hurt you," I repeated, kneeling down. "You like my dragon?" She lifted her head a bit so I could see her eyes. She nodded. "Yeah. My dragon, Toothless, he's very friendly. Here, Toothless," I said, turning to face him.

He slowly walked over to us and nudged the girl again. Her giggle filled the air, making me smile. It sounded like (Y/ N)'s did when we were children.

"You have a really pretty laugh," I told her.

"T- thank you," she whispered.

"Your welcome," I said, sincerely, reaching out to touch her head. She flinched, but other than that didn't move as I moved my hand down her hair and to her shoulders. "What's your name?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Worthless. Brat. Useless. That's what they call me."

I frowned, "Those aren't real names, dear."

"My- my mom. I remember- I remember she called me- called me M- Maria, I think. It was a long time ago. I was very little," she said, getting quieter and quieter. "But I believe she called be that."

"Well, Maria, you have a very lovely name."

"Thanks."

"Do you know why does Dagur have you here?" I asked.

She shrugged her shoulders again. "Wanted to be rid of us maybe? I don't know. None of us do."

"Why would he want to get rid of you?"

"We're orphans. Our parents either disowned us or died. No one wants us. We're the little hiccups of the Beserkers."

I laughed once, humorless. "My name is Hiccup."

"Oh! I'm sorry! Please don't hurt me!" she begged frantically, covering her head with her arms, hiding her face in her knees again.

"Shh, shh, I won't hurt you," I reassured, putting my hand softly on her knee. She stiffened for a moment before looking up at me fearfully, fresh tears in her eyes. I caused this, I thought, sadly, looking at her tears and frightened face. "Shh, come with me. I'll take you to safety," I coaxed. I was about to pick her up but decided it would be better if I just took her hand.

I found Fishlegs and Snotlout talking, Snotlout about to leave on Hookfang, his dragon.

"You know what to do, Fishlegs?" I asked.

"Yes, Hiccup. Awe, who's this?" he asked. Maria hid behind my legs.

"This little one is Maria."

"Her eyes. They're just like-"

"I know," I snapped.

"How are you doing?" he asked, concerned. It was no secret in the gang of what happened between (Y/ N) and I.

"Fine. She was probably just mad as me. I deserve it though. I was pretty hard on her."

"I don't blame you. You were just trying to protect her."

"Yeah, but still- I hurt her. I made her upset with me. I just hope she forgives me," I said, covering my face with my hands.

"Don't cry, dad- uh, Hiccup," Maria begged, moving so she was in front of me and grabbed the hem of my leather armor top.

"W- Maria, d- did you just call m- me dad?" I asked, bending my knees until I was at her level.

"Yes. Sorry," she apologized, looking at the ground. She was trying to hide her face with her hair but since it was dirty and clamped together it didn't work so well.

"No. It's fine, Maria," I smiled softly, pushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Now, I have to go, but I'll be back. Okay?"

Her face brightened up and she closed her eyes and nodded her head yes before running back inside.

"I'll take care of them, chief," Fishlegs said.

"Thanks, Fishlegs." I flew back to the battle as Fishlegs took the children away from it.

Toothless and I destroyed more ships than I bothered to count. And all to soon, it was nearly sundown.

"Hiccup!" Tuff shouted.

"What is it now?"

"Dagur wants to speak with you," Ruff said.

"Oh, okay. Tell the others to fall back. Have a lookout at all times and tell the others to get some rest. The battle will continue at dawn unless they attack us during the night."

"Alright. Good luck with Dagur," Tuff said, before flying off.

I had Toothless land on the front ship, which had Dagur and about thirty men on deck. I stayed Toothless, ready to attack at a moments notice.

"Dagur, let's pause the battle until dawn. Our warriors need rest," I demanded.

"On one condition."

"And what is that?" He just chuckled and gestured to Toothless, who growled in response. "Never."

"Oh, Hiccup," he chuckled. "NOW!"

Suddenly all the people on the boat attacked us. We managed to take most of them down, but they just kept getting replaced with more men.

"Toothless, let's go, bud." We flew off the boat, but was quickly shot with a net and fell in the ocean.

I heard muffled shouts and then being pulled onto a boat. I coughed a lot of water out of my lungs.

"I got you now, night fury."

"Toothless," I mumbled, watching him get tied up as darkness took over me.

****** You again *****

You waited until Astrid fell asleep before feeding Stormfly and finally, after nearly an hour, getting her to fly back to Berk. You both had an adventurous day, so you two went to bed before dusk. Luckily, it didn't take Astrid long to fall asleep and you could quickly go on with your plan.

After a while of flying, as fast as Stormfly could, you made it in time to see Hiccup and Toothless being shot down and fished out of the water by Dagur and his men.

"I got you now, night fury," Dagur grinned, laughing like the deranged person he was.

"Wait!" you cried, hopping off Stormfly. "Go back to Astrid," you told her. She let out a squawk and flew off in the direction of the Astrid.

"Well, if it isn't little (Y/N). What a beauty?" Dagur smirked, circling you.

"(Y/ N)," Hiccup groaned, surprised. He woke up. You smiled sadly at him. Fear filled his eyes, already predicting your next move.

"Let them go, Dagur. T- take me instead."

"(Y/N), no!" Hiccup pleaded. A guard stopped him from running up to you so he just reached out for you, trying to pull away from the buff guard. "Please, Dagur, don't do it!"

He smiled at Hiccup, then you. "She might be useful. Take her. Lock her up and let Hiccup and the night fury go."

"I love you, Hiccup," you smiled, sadly, before someone pushed you away from him.

"(Y/ N)! NO! DON'T LEAVE ME! (Y/ N)!" Hiccup yelled, sobbing. You closed your eyes and cried silent tears as you were taken below deck and locked up in a prison. "(Y/ N)!" you heard a faint cry. Hiccup was so desperate to get you.

You silently cried until Dagur and two of his men came in.

"Seeing Hiccup brake down like that was more satisfying than taking his little night fury. He really loves you, girl," he said, lifting you chin up so he saw your tear stained face. "What a prize. And your all mine! Hahaha," he laughed like a deranged person again- which he was.

"Please, leave Berk alone. I'll do whatever you want, just please leave Berk in peace," you begged.

"Tie her to the wall. I want her back facing me," Dagur commanded, a whip in his hand.

You fought feebly against his men as they forced you to the wall. You heard the clicks as they locked your hands in metal cuffs.

"This will hurt. A lot. The less you cry, the sooner I'll stop," Dagur chuckled, adjusting his grip on the whip.

Let's just say you had a very long, painful night.

**** Next Day ****

You woke up in a torn shirt and found a clean, nicely folded shirt just outside your cell. You reached through the bars and put it on.

"Please save me soon, Hiccup," you whispered. You leaned against the wall but the marks on your back from the whip shot a huge wave of pain all over your body. You silently cried yourself back to sleep on the ground in a pool of your own blood.

**** Hiccup again ****

I waited all night, barely getting any sleep, for the battle to start again. I stopped trying to sleep around four in the morning and quickly prepared for the battle. I impatiently waited for dawn, and by then Astrid flew in on Stormfly apologizing for letting (Y/ N). I don't blame Astrid, (Y/ N) escaped when she was sleeping so it wasn't her fault. I constantly told her that but she still kept apologizing.

"Astrid," I finally said. "Please stop apologizing. It's not your fault. If you want, you can help me get her back."

She nodded and we flew off, the rest of the army behind us. It was finally dawn.

Time for the battle to start again.

I went straight for the ship in the back.

The ship that had (Y/ N).

I have to save her.

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