The Only Good Fight
Chapter Two
Garm actually whimpers when Toothless and I arrive at Helheim's gate. He jumps and tries to reach us with his paw, but he fails as we soar over him and past the gate. "I kind of liked him better when he was mad," I say.
Toothless smacks my face with his ear.
Once we're inside, it doesn't take long to find Baldur and Nanna. Toothless seems to have a sense for finding them, because he manages to get to them walking through the forest of dead trees instead of their hut.
"Hail thee god and goddess!" I call out.
They turn to look at me. Baldur doesn't focus on me, but Nanna turns him by the arm so they're both facing me. I slide off Toothless and bow.
"You," Nanna says. "Do you need our help again?"
"Uh," I say as I straighten up, "Kind of the opposite."
"What is your meaning?" Nanna asks, furrowing her brow.
"Okay, there's no easy way to say this," I tell her, holding my hands out as if to ease the pressure of what I'm about to say, "Forseti is missing."
Nanna's whole body jerks. "What?"
Baldur blinks. "Forseti. Forseti is good."
"What's happened out there?" Nanna demands, stepping toward me.
"I-I don't know," I say quickly, "I wish I could tell you. This is all I know from Tyr."
Nanna takes a deep breath and exhales through her nose. Then she does it again. Her hands are in fists at her sides. "He wouldn't just leave his hall without telling someone," she says. "They should know where to find him. What about Heimdall?"
"I guess... I don't know what's happening," I shake my head, I have no comfort to offer, "But they wanted to know if you knew of any places he could be. Places they might have overlooked?"
Nanna looks to Baldur. She grips both his arms and presses her forehead to his. She closes her eyes and takes in a ragged breath.
Baldur reaches up and presses his palm to her cheek.
"We must help them find him," Nanna says, opening her eyes.
"I wish I could bring you out with me," I offer. "I can't imagine what you're feeling right now."
"You can't," Nanna says. Then she looks into Baldur's eyes. "Forseti," she says to Baldur through her teeth, "Forseti. Find Forseti." She presses both her hands to his cheeks. "Darling."
"Forseti," Baldur says meekly. "Heligoland."
"They would have searched there," Nanna says. "What about the necklace? He always liked to look at Freya's necklace."
"Islands east," Baldur offers.
"Heimdall would know if he went East, wouldn't he?" Nanna reasons. "Perhaps he visited Jormungand's head?" She shakes her head. "I don't know. Anywhere we would search, the others would have searched for him. That is how we raised him. There is nowhere he would have gone that is unknown."
"Then..." I say.
"Something has happened," Nanna says softly, "Even here I can feel it." She presses her hand to her gut.
"But who would do anything to him?" I ask. "What reason would anybody have-"
"What reason would anyone have to kill Baldur?" Nanna replies icily.
"You don't think Loki had anything to do with this...?" I ask.
"He is paying his price," Nanna says, pulling away from Baldur. "But that doesn't mean his influence is gone from the worlds."
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think Loki's treachery would end if he were incapacitated? He is a trickster. He is always playing tricks. Baldur found out he set up traps in all the worlds just to prove a point-that no matter what happened, his legacy would always survive. This is why Loki instigated Baldur's death-so no one would know."
"But you know."
"It took me ages to get it out of him," Nanna says, gesturing to Baldur. "And aside from Hodur, who could I tell?"
"Me," I say. "I'll tell the other gods. They'll make this right."
Nanna shakes her head. "They wouldn't know where to start."
"Tell me everything you know," I urge her, "I'll make sure the gods hear it."
"It won't make any sense," Nanna says, "I haven't been able to make sense of what I think he's told me."
"Anything will help," I say, "I'm sure the gods will figure something out. I'll help too, if I can."
Nanna glances at Baldur.
"It can't hurt to try," I say.
"A hungry mountain," Nanna says finally. "A silver egg. Scratched gold and all the colors of the Rainbow Bridge."
I nod. "That's all?"
"That's all," Nanna says, "I think. I'm not even sure. It could all be babbles. Maybe his other babbling is what really matters..."
"Babbling," Baldur murmurs.
"I'll make sure Tyr hears this," I assure her. "I promise."
"Find my son," Nanna says.
"We'll do our best," I reply.
"I'll see if I can coax anything more out of him," Nanna says, looking at Baldur. "Return soon. Tell me how the search goes."
I nod. "I'll do what I can. I'm sure the gods will, too. Don't worry too much."
"Have I anything else to do here?" Nanna says sadly.
"Goodbye," I say, "Thank you for your help."
"Thank you, small one," Nanna replies.
I climb back onto Toothless. "All right, buddy," I say as I pat his head, "Why don't we visit your mom?"
Toothless takes off before I can finish the sentence.
#
Hel sneers.
I can't hold back a shiver that runs through my body. I hold my hands behind me, hoping to catch some warmth from the fire there, but it doesn't give heat and it doesn't help.
"The gods couldn't negotiate his release," Hel says as she pets Toothless's ear, "What makes you think you can?"
"Not his release," I say, "Just... a temporary leave. His son is missing, and the only key to finding him may be stuck somewhere in Baldur's mind. He needs to talk to the other gods."
"Aren't you serving as their messenger?" she asks.
"I am, but it would probably help more if Baldur could talk to them directly."
"My answer, of course, is no."
I nod. "Well, it was worth a try."
"Are you going to bring these sorts of requests every time you come here?"
"I... don't know," I shrug and shake my head, "I guess it depends on what the gods ask of me."
"I'm a goddess," she informs me, pressing her hand to her chest, "and I'm asking you to keep this impulse under control."
"I'll make a mental note," I reply. "Can't offer a guarantee."
"You are too kind to everyone," she warns, "One day you will be asked to sacrifice this kindness and the consequences of your actions will leave their mark."
"I'm just doing what I think is right. It's all I can do."
"You always have a choice," she says.
"Is that like the theme today?" I ask. "Did everyone have a plan to say it?"
Hel's mouth sets in a straight line.
"Goddess of death: not easily amused," I say, swinging my arms forward and clasping my hands in front of me. "Got it."
Hel leans down and kisses Toothless's head.
"So, uh, just wondering..."
Hel looks up. "What?"
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about your father's traps, would you? Lying around the worlds? Possibly making gods go missing?"
She shut her eyes for a moment, then blinks and looks at me. "What?"
"Didn't think so. Guess we'll be going."
Hel wipes her fingers over her left eye and presses her lips together. "Wait."
"Yes?"
"My father may have done this?"
"It's... a possibility," I say carefully. The last thing I need is an angry Goddess of Death five steps away from me.
"Tell me what they told you."
"Nanna said that Loki set traps in all the worlds to keep his legacy alive."
"And?"
"Well, the rest of it doesn't make sense."
She scowls. "Tell me."
"All right: a hungry mountain, a silver egg, scratched gold, and all the colors of the Rainbow Bridge."
Hel's eyes widen. She looks down at Toothless, then up at me. "No..."
"What is it?" I ask her.
She shakes her head.
"Something's wrong," I say, stepping forward. "I swore an oath to help even you, you have to tell me."
"Are there eggs?" she asks softly, gazing down at Toothless. Toothless looks up at her and tilts his head, his ears perked up.
I start to say no, but then I remember. "Yes," I reply. "We have a Gronckle with eggs... Do you think those eggs have something to do with this?"
Hel shakes her head again. "Not Gronckle eggs. Him."
"Toothless?"
"He came from a silver egg."
"Could this be part of his destiny, then?"
Hel rubs her palm over her mouth. "It's possible," she admits, glancing around. At what, I don't know. Then she focuses on Toothless and scratches his neck. Toothless shuts his eyes and purrs.
"We should get back now," I say, "I have to talk to Tyr. And I can't miss dinner."
"I have a gift for you," Hel says.
"For me?"
"Not you," Hel snaps. She smiles down at Toothless. "It is at the gate. You will know it when you see it. It will help you leave."
Toothless nuzzles her stomach and Hel lets out a short laugh in response.
I look away. I just heard the Goddess of Death laugh. What do you do after you hear that odd, tinkling sound come out of Death's mouth?
"So," I say. "Where does Hodur hang out? Haven't really seen him around."
"He is in the Hall," Hel answers, "He cannot bear..." She stops.
"Cannot bear...?" I prompt her as I look up.
"Here."
I jump when Hel is suddenly beside me. She touches my back. "You should meet him," she explains as she leads me to a door. She opens it and pushes me outside. The door creaks closed and she looks up at me. "Good thing he's blind," she says with a nod. Then she starts to walk through the field in front of us.
With each of Hel's steps the scene around us changes. In one step, we're at a beach, in another, we're in a cave, in yet another, we're in a forest of dead trees. After a ten-step trek, we're on the steps of a Hall. It almost looks like home.
"In," she says, gesturing to the door.
I tug the door open. Toothless slips in before I take a step. He sniffs the floor and looks up at me. I glance around, then look back at Hel. "No one's-"
She points with her index finger at a lump in the corner. After I stare at it a moment, she huffs and starts walking toward it. "Hodur," she says quietly.
The lump grunts. "I hear a hag," it replies in a ragged voice.
Hel keeps walking, seemingly unfazed by the insult. "This is Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third," she says.
I start walking after Hel. "Uh, hail thee god!" I say.
"He's small and short," Hel says, "And he's our new hero."
The lump lifts its head. Hodur turns his face to us. His skin is saggy and streaked with dirt. I can't quite tell what color his hair is, but it's dark. He has an unruly beard that covers his neck. He keeps his eyes closed.
Hel stops walking. I keep going until I reach her.
"Hero?" Hodur spits out.
I flinch. I try to remember that I would be cranky too if Loki used me to end Baldur's life. "I swore an oath to devote my life to the gods," I say. "So if you ever need anything..."
"The only thing I could ever need, the hag will not give," Hodur announces.
I look to Hel. She looks bored. "We're done now," she informs me. Then she starts walking back to the large doors.
"Nice to meet you?" I say as I hurry after her. Toothless walks beside me, glancing back at Hodur.
"By the way," Hel says, pausing near the doorway without looking back, "Forseti is missing. My father may have done it. Hero is helping the gods find him."
Something crashes across the Hall. When I look back, Hodur is standing, shaking, his hands clenched at his side. A table is overturned, across the room from where he is.
"Hero," he says in a cold voice.
"... Yes?" I cringe as I say it.
"Prove your worth," Hodur says. "Or I will wrench it out of you."
"... Sure," I reply, breathless. I don't know why, but I feel dazed.
"What are you waiting for?" Hodur calls, "Go!"
I turn back to the doors. Hel has a smirk on her face.
I take in deep breaths as we step out of the Hall. "I thought he was blind!" I say.
"He knows the Hall like he would know his mother's face. He never leaves it. He hardly even stands. You inspired him."
"I think I just inspired him to beat me to a pulp. Which he could probably do."
"It's hard for gods to accept some heroes," Hel says as we make our ten-step journey.
"By some heroes, you mean me, right?" I say. We stop at her front door as she opens it. Toothless and I follow her in.
"What are you doing?" she asks, turning to me.
"Oh. We're done?"
"Go," she says, urging me forward, her hand on my shoulder. "The gods are waiting."
"No blinding light coming through the doorway?" I ask. "We just walk out?"
"I like to change things up," Hel answers, "I don't have many visitors like you."
"You mean visitors who can leave?"
Hel doesn't respond.
"Bye, then," I say as I follow Toothless out the door.
After the door creaks closed behind us, I look at Toothless. "I'm going to make her like me," I assure him. "I just have to figure out how."
Toothless follows something just behind me with his eyes. I look. It's a white puff.
"I guess we can spare a few minutes," I say. "Go on, buddy. Go cra-go for it."
Toothless grins and leaps at the white puffs around us.
#
When I open my eyes, I'm in my bed in the house. I sit up against the heavy weight on top of me. Dad's pelt is spread out over my blanket.
"Toothless?" I call out.
He pokes his head up from beyond the foot of the bed.
"Hey buddy," I say as I shiver. I swing my foot off the bed and stand. Toothless darts to my side and I pat his head. "Good thing your mom put that tree by the gate," I say as I head to the doorway. "That was nice of her," I go on as I open the door, "even if she wasn't doing it for m-Whoa!" I jump as I turn to look outside.
"Hi," Tyr says, leaning his arm against the doorframe. "News?"
"A little more notice next time?" I say as I hold my chest.
"News," Tyr says, an order now.
I tell him what I told Hel. Tyr nods as he takes in my words, and he remains silent for a few minutes after I finish talking.
"I know it isn't much to go on," I add as I pet Toothless, "But Nanna is trying to get more. I tried to get Hel to release Baldur, but-"
Tyr lets out a cold laugh. "You thought you could talk Hel into releasing Baldur?"
"It was worth a try," I say.
"You're definitely a hero," Tyr says, shaking his head.
"I just thought-Dad!"
"Hiccup," Dad grunts out as he stops at the doorway.
"Uh," I say, looking between him and Tyr.
"Are you going to let me in?" Dad asks, gesturing into the house. His hand goes right through Tyr's chest.
"Sure! Right. Sorry. Come on in." I step aside and Toothless moves with me. Dad walks right through Tyr.
Tyr is crossing his arms as he reappears.
Dad looks at me, then at the doorway. "What are you looking at?" he asks.
Tyr shakes his head and mouths "no."
I press my fist to my mouth. "I, uh, I just woke up," I offer, opening my hand to him, "I was wondering what time it is."
"Just in time for dinner," Dad murmurs. He pokes at the fire and turns to me. "How was Helheim?"
"It was... it was good. I mean. It's not, like, spectacular or anything, but-"
"I get your meaning."
"Yeah, it was productive," I say. "I met Hodur."
Dad's eyes widen and he nods. "How is he?"
"He's... not a happy person," I say. "But that's understandable."
Dad nods again.
"It was him," Tyr says, admiring my Dad from the doorway.
I blink. "What?"
"What?" Dad asks.
"Oh, uh, nothing, Dad," I say.
"The birth was difficult," Tyr says as he steps into the house, walking toward Dad. "They weren't sure if your mother would make it. So your father swore to the gods that he would give anything to save her."
I lean forward. "And?"
Dad stares at me with his mouth open. "Hiccup...?"
Tyr stops beside Dad. "We heard him," Tyr says, "We visited you in the night. And you were touched by the gods. Because we wanted to see what would happen if we didn't break your father's heart. If you would do it for us."
A chill runs down my back. "Why are you telling me this?" I say quietly.
Dad walks through Tyr to the door. He shuts it. His eyebrows are drawn together as he carefully walks toward me. "Son, what's wrong?" He puts his hand on my shoulder.
I take a deep breath and focus on my father. "I'm talking to-"
"Don't you dare!" Tyr cries. I can't see him because Dad's blocking my view. But the fire flares up, high, and Toothless starts to growl.
Dad turns to look at Toothless. "What is wrong with your dragon?"
I step past my dad to look. Toothless is growling at Tyr. He has put himself between the god and us.
"Get out," I tell Tyr.
The corner of Tyr's mouth hitches up. "Are you throwing me out of your house?"
"Yes," I tell him. "Tell the gods what I told you, since I went to so much trouble to get it. And find Forseti. Come back to me when you run out of options."
"This newfound courage of yours-" Tyr starts.
"Glad you gave it to me?" I point to the door. "See ya."
Tyr huffs. Then he disappears.
I look to Toothless and nod. He nods in response.
"... Should I even ask what that was about?" Dad asks.
"Oh, I was just talking to-Ah!" Something hits my eye. Hard. I tumble to the floor.
"Hiccup!" Dad drops to his knees beside me. "Are you all right?"
"... Ow," I let out, holding my right eye.
"What is going on?" Dad demands. He pries my hand off of my face and his eyes widen as he examines me. "It's bruised. Badly."
"What can I say?" I reply, "I'm touched by the gods."
"A god was here?" Dad says in awe.
"It stops being cool after a while," I assure him. "I promise."
"Toothless," Dad says, pointing to my face, "Heal him."
Toothless pads toward us and tilts his head sideways as he examines my eye. Then he tentatively sticks his tongue out. He slips his gaze to Dad.
"Go ahead," Dad urges him.
Toothless licks my face.
"Ugh," I let out as I feel the slobber. The burning starts, then it tickles. "Wait. Dad, did you just call him Toothless?"
Toothless stops licking and pulls back, admiring his work.
"Good dragon," Dad says. He puts his hand on Toothless's head.
It takes me a moment to realize my mouth is hanging open. "Dad..."
"What is it?" He and Toothless both look at me with concern. "What can I do?"
I smile. "Nothing."
"Does it feel better?" Dad asks.
"Nothing's wrong at all, Dad," I say. "Let's have dinner."
#
Author's Notes
I've messed with the mythology a bit again... But if you're reading this, you're probably used to it...
I know I usually do weekly updates, but I looked at the dates and I'd rather not have the last couple of posts coincide with the start of grad school. So I'm experimenting with posting twice a week to get the fic out faster. I guess that's good news for people who wanted more! =)
Thanks to everyone who has read the fic so far, I really appreciate it. Thanks also to those who left reviews, they're really encouraging! :D
Many thanks to Backroads for beta reading!
Disclaimer
This world and these characters are pretty much not mine. I just like to play with them.