Chapter Text
"Comin' in hot and blow'n out snot!" Ruffnut heard her brother yell out as they fell out if the sky. It was a que to brace for impact which she surely made sure he was ready for.
As soon as they landed in the cell, Ruffnut knew this was a whole new and different scenario than they were used to dealing with. Astrid was on high defense - aggressive and angry while facing the the new beefy guy head on.
Fishlegs stood to their left, standing straight but quivering with uneasiness. Tuffnut was quiet, waiting to see how the scene would play out and if need be, step in to defend them. Ruffnut was on board with that as well but she stayed quiet too and mirrored him. Bewilderment was immediately passed across all of the riders' expressions when a familiar face popped into view.
"No way." Her brother voiced out, puzzled.
"Run!" Astrid exclaimed.
But Heather didn't run. In fact, she didn't appear to be distressed or hindered, no, Heather was completely at ease. A funny feeling twisted in the twin sister's gut.
Suddenly, Dagger appeared and it all fell into place. There was an edgy smirk etched across her face as her gorgeous green eyes morphed into slits, like a snake eyeing unsuspected prey. With a solemn expression, Ruff glanced at Tuff. Her brother was also torn up about it, but instead of sadness, Ruff felt a sliver of anger swell up in inside her. How dare she team up with Dragon Hunters.
"Family is family." Heather exclaimed arrogantly.
Ruff took a quick glance towards Fishlegs and her brother had nothing on him. Fishlegs had always had his eye on Heather even if he wasn't loud and obnoxious about it like Snotlout. Ruff was always confused how no one was able to see it. Fishlegs looked absolutely crushed.
"Enjoy your stay, you're gonna be here for a while." Heather grinned dastardly against the locked door before stalking off down the corridor.
The little flame of anger ignited in Ruffnut's stomach once more.
How could she do this to them and team up with men who kill dragons for sport. They had taken Heather in as one of their own, protected her, taught her and fed her - now she had betrayed them all. It was like a painful smack to the face.
Hours had passed since they had last saw Hiccup and Snotlout. Although everyone has been separated before, the situation hadn't been quite as dire as this. There was no doubt in Ruff's mind that Hiccup and Snot were scavenging up a plan to get them out of here. They just had to play the waiting game. Ruff kept quite as Fishlegs whined about Heather, the traitor, that betrayed them. Astrid was seething in front of the gate - Ruff could practically see the anger radiating off of her. She was really pretty when she was angry.
Tension was high in there air. Everyone was either upset or angry. Ruffnut couldn't tell exactly what she was feeling.
She ended up cracking a bitter joke about loyalty and became satisfied when she got a grunt out of Tuffnut.
Suddenly, the traitor was back and requesting for Astrid. The little flame inside Ruff flickered as their former friend was a bit too rough with Astrid. Tuffnut took a step forward and Ruff immediately reached out for his wrist while the escort growled at them. Tuffnut gave her a puzzled look but made no more movement to interfere. Astrid could take care of herself. She was Astrid after all.
"Oh Thor, oh Thor, OH Thor." Fishlegs breathed out anxiously. "They took her. Oh Thor. They'll probably take all of us. One by one and torture us until we give them information. "
"This actually might go badly." Her brother replied as he glanced in her direction. Ruffnut shrugged in response. Astrid was absolutely not going to give them anything so she totally agreed with him.
This was serious and Tuff realized it as well.
"We can't do anything without Astrid. Let's just wait for her to come back. Maybe she'll have more information about where they are keeping our dragons." Fishlegs replied with uneasiness.
"Alright, sounds good, If she comes back at all."
"Tuff!" Ruffnut and Fishlegs hissed at him in unison.
"She'll come back because she's Astrid. They won't want her anyway, She's way too tough for them and she won't say a word." Ruffnut shifted her gaze towards both boys. Astrid was too good of a viking warrior to let anyone hurt her, no way.
Tuff mumbled something to Fishlegs that she couldn't quite make out. She hated when he did that because she already felt alienated on a daily basis, it was just as bad when her twin made her feel that annoying feeling. It wasn't that bad when Tuffnut teamed up with Fishlegs because the nerd was too soft to be downright harsh while teaming up with Snotlout was a whole other level and could be brutal at times.
Boys were so stupid.
Sighing in annoyance, she slid down the wooden wall to give them their space while she occupied her own.
Waiting games were brutal too.
---
A few hours passed and the three riders had dozed off while waiting for something to happen. They were all rudely awoken when the gate opened and a large beefy guy was shoving Astrid in.
Ruffnut stayed quiet but immediately checked the girl over. She looked fine, tired, but not even a pretty hair was out of place. She slumped back against the wall. Tuffnut scooted back over to his rightful place at her side.
"Astrid, are you okay?" Fishlegs asked in immediate concern.
"Just tired. They questioned me all night. Wouldn't let me sleep." The warrior responded in annoyance. Why was she talking so loud ? The cell was pretty tight so there was no need other talk so loud.
"They?"
"Dagur and Heather mostly. That Ryker guy doesn't say much. He just... stares." Astrid scoffed.
"Yeah, but you hung tough. You didn't crack. You never talked. Way to go Astrid." Ruffnut would pipe in to get her point across to the boys. Astrid was no snitch.
"Actually, I did talk." Astrid confessed and threw Ruffnut's point down the outhouse. She sat up quickly in disappointment. She sighed heavily. "Oh. Way to go Astrid."
"I told Ryker what he wanted to know. The location of the Dragon Eye." Astrid didn't defend herself and continued.
"They're after the Dragon Eye?"
"It's very important to the dragon hunters. They've been looking for it for a long time. "
Already disappointed, Ruffnut narrowed her eyes in the warrior's direction. "And where did you tell them it was, loose lips?"
"Back at Dragon's Edge where it's being guarded by all the other riders we left behind."
Oh. There actually may still be hope afterall and Astrid truly was no snitch.
The truth flew completely over her brother's head as he spoke out. "What? No one's --"
"Supposed to know about it. I know." Astrid spat back at her brother aggressively. Tuffnut shut his trap immediately and Ruffnut wished she possessed that talent. Astrid was simply too good to exist.
The foolery was caught on by Fishlegs as well. "Yeah, Dragon's Eye is like a fortress. Lots of Dragon Riders."
"Under the command of Captain Gustav."
"Wait. Captain Gustav? He outrank me?" This was not Tuffnut's hour. Ruffnut shot a glare in his direction which went ignored per usual.
Astrid seemed to take pity on him when she focused on him and spoke quietly. "It was the only thing I could think of to keep them from sailing in and taking over Dragon's Edge."
"Ha! And they bought it?" Way to go Astrid! The sheer fact that Ruff was right and the boys had been wrong sent her into excitement. Astrid performed the perfect deception.
"For now." Astrid confirmed and glanced in her direction. "Eventually, Ryker will send someone there to check it out."
"You bought us time." Replied Fishlegs, looking equally as ecstatic as Ruffnut was feeling.
"Exactly. We need to get out of here before they find out I was bluffing. Any ideas?"
"Way ahead of you. I have the perfect plan!" Tuffnut spoke out while wearing a devious expression.
No. No,Tuff slow down.
Ruff grimaced as her brother showed off the dusty mug he had found in the corner earlier.
"We can tunnel out!" He exclaimed.
Ruff loved her brother. He was the most important person out of their little family the riders had formed. He was her twin - her lifelong partner in crime. He was a trickster at heart and soul and he loved to perform like herself. He didn't do well under pressure - cracking jokes was the ultimate tension breaker. The riders were held up by angry dragons? Crack a joke. Stoick was scolding them for a prank gone? Crack a joke. Hiccup was scolding them for being too reckless? Crack a joke. It was the true talent and curse of a trickster.
However, sometimes he got too far ahead of himself. Now was not the time to crack jokes but he felt the need to release tension anyway by voicing a plan like this. Tuffnut knew exactly what he was doing.
Astrid and Fishlegs took the bait and responded in attempt talk him back down to reality.
"Through the boat?"
"Into the middle of sea?"
"Exactly! They'll never see it coming! Even I won't! Especially since I don't know how to swim. Okay, mental note, learn out to swim." Tuffnut smirked in amusement.
----
Eventually, Team TuffLegs dwindled because they began bickering as soon as they settled why the plan of digging out wouldn't work. Tuffnut was determined to get under the nerd's skin because put of all of them, Fishlegs was the most rattled. Fishlegs tried his hardest to convince Tuffnut that his plan was impossible and Tuffnut kept all possible ways to convince him that it would simply out of spite.
It was funny to watch them go out at as it was very different than how it panned out with Snotlout. Tuffnut's defense mechanism often got them in a alot of trouble but none one close to them had told them to get lost yet. Hiccup hadn't fired them and the riders kept them around. It was a very weird concept to think about.
"Got it!" Fishlegs exclaimed as he had finally wrestled the mug out of Tuff's grasp and tossed it out of the cell.
Again, Tuffnut was sprouting out unorthodox ideas which made Fishlegs more annoyed with the male twin.
Ruff cracked a grin knowing she could get on this as well. "I have an idea, we-"
Fishlegs glared in her direction.
"How about psychological warfare! We learn the guards names. Get them to like us. And eventually they'll lower their guard and -"
"Booooring." Her brother drawled out uninterested.
Ruffnut mirrored his previous smirk. "What if-"
"Acid!"
Ruff felt whole again when her brother fell back into sync with her. Annoying the hell out of people is what they did best after all. "Okay fine. Shutting down the Ruffnut idea farm. No milk served here." She would say as she turned back into her corner again to watch the show unfold as it was obvious her brother still wasn't done.
"But the Tuffnut idea farm has a mighty fine harvest. We use acid to cut through the bars!"
"And where do we get the acid?" Astrid sighed. Astrid was usually the first one to halt their performance. It was certainly past time for it to dwindle.
"Haven't figured that out yet."
"Thar plan won't work anymore than your Ruffnut marries the guard, divorces him and gets the key in the settlement plan." Astrid huffed, glaring at Tuff for even suggesting that.
Ruff had honestly almost considered a plan like, however, she would have to sacrifice too much in which she was willing to sacrifice. However, it did get her thinking into planning something on her own. Patience was key and despite one might believe, Ruff had the patience fit for a queen. Her brother was living proof of that. When things got rough, Ruffnut was the woman for the job. It was just the matter of going through with her plan and when to get it done.
Suddenly, Heather was there and demanding that all of them were going to see Ryker. Ruffnut glared at the Raven haired girl. In truth, Ruffnut had better expectations for the former rider. It was a shame she had turned out this way.
Ryker was even uglier up close than far away on their Dragon. He was big and mean looking and the Dragon scaled armor didn't go unnoticed.
Astrid stood in front of them with both twins flanking her side. Fishlegs towering over all three from behind. The riders stayed close to each other as they stood tall against the threat that threatened them and the dragons.
With a harsh shove, they were forced to follow him throughout the ship.
Meatlug was the first viewing and Fishlegs came unglued. She was being forced fed to make metal for them. Meatlug was definitely the sweetest of the dragons so seeing her being manhandled like this caused a lump in Ruff's throat and made her wonder what they were doing with Barf and Belch.
Stormfly was next and it was just as bad. Stormfly was next to Hookfang in aggression and using her for her spine made Ruffnut feel the feeling of anger. Still, there was still no decent opening for her to make her move.
Suddenly, one of the spines whizzed past them and narrowly missed her brother. Ruffnut's head snapped in his direction to check on him but had no time to actually do so. He popped back up like hadn't almost lost his head. These hunters were not at all gentle with them and with another harsh shove, they were herded forward.
"Poor Barf and Belch. What torture are they enduring??"
There was no torture. No, no, their Dragon was propped up and getting fed and pampered like he was king.
"He likes the fish." A guard replied as he stood against the gate closest to her.
Perhaps now it was time to make her move.
The female twin leaned up against the gate with a smirk across her expression. She was close enough to the guard to where the thin metal foundation was rhe only thing keeping them apart. "Hey, rub me down with some of that grease. I'm feeling dry."
The guard glanced in her direction but nothing was able to come from it because arms were suddenly peeling her body from the gate as Astrid pulled her away.
Typical.
Ruff realized that she didn't take Astrid into consideration when forming her plan. Astrid's over-protectiveness got worse as they grew up. Ruffnut was a loose cannon when it came to boys but Astrid, for some reason, felt the need to reel her back in and chop off any hand of a boy who aimed to treat a woman badly. Perhaps this wasn't the way to go with inacting her plan. Grumbling in frustration, Ruff went back to planning quietly and ignored the glance of disappointment she got from the viking warrior.
The sudden realization that they were fattening their Dragon up for clothes made the angry pit in Ruff's stomach grow. There was no way she was letting that happen. They had to get out of there.
When Dagur stepped a little too close to her brother, Ruffnut had almost thrown all planning away and dealt with it like a viking should. However, Tuff was able to step back and his closeness relieved some of the pressure and kept her still.
"This faces all you're dragons. However they can get better treatment. "
If only she was able to get close to someone, a guard, Dagur, or even Ryker.
"Don't just leave me hanging! How?" She bit out angrily. Did they want anything other than violence ? They should know by now that none of them were snitches. Snitches got stitches.
"Start giving me answers! Tell me what you know about the Dragon Eye!" Ryker raged and they had to dodge a mug thrown at them. Anger swelled deep in her chest. So getting close to Ryker wasn't off the table but something she didn't perfer. When he grabbed a hold of Fishlegs, Ruff wanted to get close to Ryker but not to sway him, instead, to kill him.
But only when Legs was let go and safely behind them, was she finally ready to make her move. It had to be just right. A guard shifted beside them, closest to her and she realized that this one would do just as fine.
It was her time to perform.
" Please! Please, don't hurt our Dragon. I'll do anything!" The female twin had launched herself onto the beefy guard, clapping her arms around him tightly as she begged for her Dragon's safety.
"Tell me what I want to know."
She heard Ryker bellowed from behind the guard she held hostage. He smelled like yak jerky, body odor and old leather. She worked quickly and undetected, sliding fingers into crevices and pockets until she found her prize and more.
"Come on, please!" She begged in desperation.
"Ruff! Stop! Thorstons don't beg. Except maybe for food...or money... or houseing..." Ruff could hear her brother rambling but she focused on the task at hand. Ruffnut didn't consider herself a thief but this was all in good cause. Pick pocketing was easy. Back when the twins were kids and had little to no supervision, they had made it a game to do it to some unsuspecting Berkians . However, it was all in good fun back then. But these Dragon Hunters were the enemy and in no way was she giving anything back.
"You want to save your dragon? Then give me some information!" Ryker bellowed and took two more strides closer to her.
Ruffnut had what she needed and didn't need to give him any reason to touch her. She glared at him and pulled herself up, standing up to the ugly man.
"No! Never!" She snarled and returned back to her brother's side. Astrid gave her a funny look and Fishlegs was concerned.
"Sorry. Lost my head there for a second." Ruffnut huffed out as she couldn't give away her perfect performance. She glanced towards Tuff who also had a funny look on his face.
"Interesting. Something you and your dragon may soon have in common." Ryker growled threateningly.
The funny look was erased from Tuff's expression and he took a step to defend her but Ruff immediately reached for him to latch a firm hold of his arm to pull him back. It was inconspicuous and so low key that no one would be able to notice except Tuffnut who fell back into his place at her side with his eyes boring into hers.
It's okay.
She wasn't sure if their twintuition was working right now or not, but she would explain later. She didn't need Tuff getting into trouble for her.
"Get them out of my sight!"
With another rough handling, the riders were directed back to their cell.
---
Ryker was even uglier up close than far away on their Dragon. He was big and mean looking and the Dragon scaled armor didn't go unnoticed.
Astrid stood in front of them with both twins flanking her side. Fishlegs towering over all three from behind. The riders stayed close to each other as they stood tall against the threat that threatened them and the dragons.
With a harsh shove, they were forced to follow him throughout the ship.
Meatlug was the first viewing and Fishlegs came unglued. She was being forced fed to make metal for them. Meatlug was definitely the sweetest of the dragons so seeing her being manhandled like this caused a lump in Ruff's throat and made her wonder what they were doing with Barf and Belch.
Stormfly was next and it was just as bad. Stormfly was next to Hookfang in aggression and using her for her spine made Ruffnut feel the feeling of anger.
Still, there was still no opening for her to make her move.
Suddenly, one of the spines whizzed past them and narrowly missed her brother. Ruffnut's head snapped in his direction to check on him but had no time to actually do so. He popped back up like hadn't almost lost his head.
These hunters were not at all gentle with them and with another harsh shove, they were herded forward.
"Poor Barf and Belch. What torture are they enduring??"
There was no torture. No, no, their Dragon was propped up and getting fed and pampered like he was king.
"He likes the fish." A guard replied as he stood against the gate closest to her. Perhaps now it was time to make her move.
The female twin leaned up against the gate with a smirk across her expression. She was close enough to the guard to where the thin metal foundation was rhe only thing keeping them apart. "Hey, rub me down with some of that grease. I'm feeling dry."
The guard glanced in her direction but nothing was able to come from it because arms were suddenly peeling her body from the gate as Astrid pulled her away.
Typical.
Ruff realized that she didn't take Astrid into consideration when forming her plan. Astrid's overprotectiveness got worse as they grew up. Ruffnut was a loose cannon when it came to boys but Astrid, for some reason, felt the need to reel her back in and chop off any hand of a boy who aimed to treat a woman badly. Perhaps this wasnt the way to go with inacting her plan. Grumbling in frustration, Ruff went back to planning quietly and ignored the glance of disappointment she got from the viking warrior.
The sudden realization that they were fattening their Dragon up for clothes made the angry pit in Ruff's stomach grow. There was no way she was letting that happen. They had to get out of there.
When Dagur stepped a little too close to her brother, Ruffnut had almost thrown all planning away and dealt with it like a viking should. However, Tuff was able to step back and his closeness relieved some of the pressure and kept her still.
"This faces all you're dragons. However they can get better treatment. "
If only she was able to get close to someone, a guard, dagur, or even Ryker.
"Don't just leave me hanging! How?" She bit out angrily. Did they want anything other than violence ? They should know by now that none of them were snitches. Snitches got stitches.
"Start giving me answers! Tell me what you know about the Dragon Eye!" Ryker raged and they had to dodge a mug thrown at them. Anger swelled deep in her chest. So getting close to Ryker wasn't off the table but something she didn't perfer. When he grabbed a hold of Fishlegs, Ruff wanted to get close to Ryker but not to sway him, instead, to kill him.
But only when Legs was let go and safely behind them, did she get ready to make her move. It had to be just right. A guard shifted beside them, closest to her and she realized that this one would do just as fine.
It was her time to perform.
" Please! Please, don't hurt our Dragon. I'll do anything!" The female twin had launched herself onto the beefy guard, clapping her arms around him tightly as she begged for her Dragon's safety.
"Tell me what I want to know."
She heard Ryker bellowed from behind the guard she held hostage. He smelled like yak jerky, body odor and old leather. She worked quickly and undetected, sliding fingers into crevices and pockets until she found her prize and more.
"Come on, please!" She begged in desperation.
"Ruff! Stop! Thorstons don't beg. Except maybe for food...or money... or houseing..." Ruff could hear her brother rambling but she focused on the task at hand. Ruffnut didn't consider herself a thief but this was all in good cause. Pick pocketing was easy. Back when the twins were kids and had little to no supervision, they had made it a game to do it to some unsuspecting Berkians . However, it was all in good fun back then. But these Dragon Hunters were the enemy and in no way was she giving anything back.
"You want to save your dragon? Then give me some information!" Ryker bellowed and took two more strides closer to her.
Ruffnut had what she needed and didn't need to give him any reason to touch her. She glared at him and pulled herself up, standing up to the ugly man.
"No! Never!" She snarled and returned back to her brother's side. Astrid gave her a funny look and Fishlegs was concerned.
"Sorry. Lost my head there for a second." Ruffnut huffed out as she couldn't give away her perfect performance. She glanced towards Tuff who also had a funny look on his face.
"Interesting. Something you and your dragon may soon have in common." Ryker growled threateningly.
The funny look was erased from Tuff's expression and he took a step to defend her but Ruff immediately latched ahold of his arm and pulled him back. It was inconspicuous and so low key that no one would be able to notice except Tuffnut who fell back into his place at her side.
It's okay.
She wasn't sure if their twintuition was working right now or not, but she would explain later. She didn't need Tuff getting into trouble for her.
"Get them out of my sight!"
With another rough handling, the riders were directed back to their cell.
---
Once they were back in the cell, Ruffnut took her place by the wall again. Her adrenaline was wearing off and she could finally feel how fast her heart was beating. Tuffnut had followed her at her heels, watching her but she gave him a thumbs up giving him a que that she was okay and just needed a minute. She slid against the wall to sit down to catch her breath.
Okay Ruff. You did it. The plan worked and now to shove it in their faces.
Tension in the room was high and it didn't take long for Tuff to turn his attention towards Legs and Astrid again. He began to fall back into his tension breaking pattern and Fishlegs was quick to take the bait again. The nerd was supposed to be smart one.
"Guys I have-"
Ignore Ruffnut was a theme of this stupid cell.
"Okay, listen up." Astrid whirled around to face the two bickering boys. Her voice was firm and serious so she meant business.
"I've memorized the guards schedules and I have a plan. But we need a way to get this door open first."
Now was the moment they've all been waiting for...
"You mean like this key I stole from the guard?" Ruffnut held up her prize with a flick of her wrist to show it off. A smirk played across her lips at the sight of her friends' and brother's faces. They had all been caught off guard and was completely dumbstruck.
Ruffnut laughed at their reaction as it wad truely a sight to behold. She would absolutely never let them live this down.
Ignore Ruffnut was no longer the theme of this cell.
"Wait.... But how did you..." Astrid was able to overcome her stupor for a moment but was still utterly confused.
Ruffnut popped up, standing tall to explain how and when she had performed the perfect performance. Tuffnut wasn't the only complaint character in their group. Ruffnut had her own place in that group as well - silent, but deadly. She may not be as exuberant and funny as her brother, but she could get things done just as good.
"And that, my dear colleagues, is how I was able to outsmart all of you and the greasy guard I snatched it from. You guys should try listening yo me every now and again. Ruffnut idea farm back in business. " She finished and grinned proudly. If only Hiccup and Snotlout had been there to see this, then, this scenario would be complete.
"Sis-"
"Ruff, I- you..."
"Okay, let's get this thing going, yeah?" Ruffnut ignored her brother and Fishleg's any attempt for reconcile and turned to Astrid with the key.
"Alright. As soon as I take out the guards, we split up and get our dragons. Then we blast our way out of here. Go straight up, out of range to avoid the arrows. " And with that, Astrid took charge again.
Ruffnut returned to her brother's side while feeling better about this situation. She had been refueled and was ready to save their dragons and take on the dragon hunters.