Disclaimer: Any characters mentioned are all under copyright. This work is purely fan-made.

Title: From Asgard to Midgard

Author: Scarabeye 3000

Chapter 7: 'There's the Rub!'

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Berk

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"So, they always kicked your butt?"

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Hiccup frowned and face-faulted, "... not exactly, but the Asgardians can be pretty harsh when they're instructing, they can be quite brutal in the heat of the battle. Oh yeah, I-uh, I got this-" he lifted his tunic a bit showing a jagged scar running from his sides down to the 'V' of his toned hips. This earned a blush and a wetting of lips from both Astrid and Ruffnut, seeing his tight abs and toned sides, "-from Fandral, his sword thrust is faster than a blink of an eye. It missed my vital organs, and it earned him a few days doing chores for Lady Frigga."

"So-" the blonde, blue eyed Valkyrie in front of Hiccup cleared her suddenly dry throat and her foggy mind, Frigga's leathery Y-fronts! It's just his sides with a scar running down to the middle of- 'Stop this madness Hofferson!' , "So, you fight in the morning or rather train, then you get healed in the evening? That is pretty... amazing."

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"I got to hand it to you Astrid, to think fighting and eating as the only joys in life," Hiccup smiled with a huff as his old friends looked at him admiringly, "Most stories about fighting and feasting is true- it really just gets to you."

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"... and then what?"

"Well, I finally finished my training with the Warriors Three, with my training focusing on speed and skill rather than strength-"

Snotlout puffed up his chest and looked at him mockingly, "I bet you can't take me down cousin! You may have done some training... but now even Astrid is having trouble sparring with me."

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Skeptical looks showered him and the Jorgenson merely swiped it away like duck shaking off water. Astrid smiled evilly and gestured towards Hiccup, "Well Snotlout, since you think your so good... why don't you and Hiccup try a little sparring match?"

"Me and him!? Come on babe," both cousins laughed, Snotlout in indignancy, Hiccup in disbelief, "I can even do this bare-handed!"

"Did you hear him?" Astrid mockingly pointed at the larger Viking near her with her thumb.

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The green eyed young man shifted uncomfortably, "That's not a really good idea- my attacks are impulsive and we might get hurt-"

"WE!? Did you say we, oh ho! We may have reconciled, and we're ok and cool dear cousin, but an affront to my honor thinking that we're on the same level leaves a bad taste in my mouth," the larger Viking beats his chest and shouts to the few lingering Vikings, "My cousin has insulted me! And now, I demand he honors a duel between us."

"What!? NO!"

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Hiccup looked scandalized, the few villagers began approaching them now and he even saw his father walking to the stands which supposed to be an inspection since he was walking with Gobber and Fjall. Seeing the mounting tension the Chief of Berk approached and inquired, "Are there any problems? Hiccup? Snotlout?"

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"Chief," the idiotic cousin who is too full of himself loudly declared, "I have been wronged, He has insulted me as being less of a man. I demand an honorable duel right now!"

Gobber was stunned, "You can't possibly be serious!? A fair fight with-"

"- I know, I know it's almost too cruel to fight me one on one," Snotlout interjected at the incredulous looks everyone was giving him, although he seemed immune to them, "Who can even last long against this 'fine specimen' of a Viking?"

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"uh-huh... " disbelief etched into everyone's face as Astrid also said, "Do you even know who took down Drago?"

"I'm pretty sure its someone awesome because I was kinda attending to my dad, but why are we even talking about some random guy?"

"Right, it's official... You are insane to even think that you can take down Drago's-"

"Hold it," the Chief held out his hand, he looked at his son and his cousin and made a decision, "Very well nephew, you shall have your duel. In the following days, at the coming of our ally Big-breasted Bertha and his clan-"

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"Wait, Camicazi and her mother is coming here at Berk?"

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Stoick nodded his head, "During the battle with Drago, we sent messengers to all our allies and nearby Chiefs. She was the one that answered the call first, but learning of the miracle that happened here and the return of my son, they were one of the few who were quite relieved. They were also quite elated to send word by 'Dragon Mail' that they were coming including their Heir for a social visit.

"Dragon mail?" Hiccup asked as stroked a passing dragon in the neck.

"I forgot to mention that ever since you were taken we managed to include not just dragons in warfare, but in communication as well. Using terrible terrors was a good choice, they are able to carry immense loads of parchment, easier to train, and quite good at tracking." The Chief proudly said as a terrible terror landed on his broad shoulder that was carrying a roll of parchment, "Perfect timing too... An outlying rider sends words that the flagship of Bertha approaches the western seas. Only two shipswere seen, one for Bertha and one for her daughter. Perfect timing indeed!"

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Hiccup's heart swelled at another innovation that Berkians have taken an initiative to, it seems all the pain in his past were worth it. The disappointments, the heartache, the pain of his past he felt as if everything was slowly ebbing away. Though the looming bout with Snotlout dampens his heart, still the changed village buoyed his thoughts that the numerous projects he was gearing to do only means that they would certainly be more open now.

"Well, since your here I would like to address one more thing about our previous problems with Drago," Stoick gestured for them to follow as they walked towards the nearby beach. A monstrous dragon sat just off shore as it raised its broken tusk, the tamed Bewilderbeast that Drago commanded still mourned the loss of its master. Toothless went with them as Hiccup felt a tug on his heart.

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"Oh man..."

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Astrid stood near him as she look at the great beast with pity, "It looks so... Sad."

Looking at the Night Fury beside him, Hiccup nodded and quickly mounted his friend, with a few wing beats they lifted off the ground and headed straight for the Bewilderbeast as everyone looked on. Approaching the leviathan dragon, the rider patted his mount reassuringly as they hovered nearby. The great dragon looked at them and moaned loudly, it was a pitiful sound to hear, who could have thought that such a majestic creature could cry.

Now, Hiccup carefully approached with his arms wide open and slowly but surely landed softly at the dragon's snout, taking great care not to make sudden movements and touched both hands at it's somewhat nose. He took deep calming breaths as he felt the beast mimicking his pace of breathing, opening his eyes the dragon's yellow white eyes held his as he spoke softly.

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"You are a King who has only known the yoke of servitude, you were made to pull the great ships of a warlord too deranged to even shower you with proper friendship and affection," the dragon rumbled, as if contemplating his words, "Now, I have broken the bonds of servitude and gave you the freedom and status you deserve... Go now, and live free, it is time you heal your own wounds and calm your mind. Your life is yours and yours alone, let not your majesty falter to slavery, and your freedom in days of shackled fate."

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As he finished his litany, Toothless took hold of him as Hiccup stood up, spreads out his arms and the Night Fury flew him away. Landing around his peers he looked back at the Bewilderbeast and saw it gave him one last fleeting look and submerged itself moving towards the open sea. He turned to his friends and saw they were looking at him with renewed awe and admiration, "Wha- what are you looking at!?"

Fishlegs wiped a tear from his eye and smiled, "That was soo awesome."

"You just talked to a giant dragon-"

"-that was the enemies dragon!"

"What's going to happen to it now?"

Hiccup shrugged his shoulders, "Who knows? It's all up to him now... I hope he finds whatever he is looking for."

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From afar, a large Viking can be seen huffing and puffing as he ran towards their party.

Fjall, the father of Fishlegs rushed up to them as Stoick was still smiling at the things his son is slowly showing them. Sure, he's thin and less muscular than a normal Viking, but he can see that his son was different, in his fighting style, the way he carries himself, and the way he somehow leads his peers.

"Something wrong Fjall?"

"Ships, my Chief and there's two of them, they fly the Bog-Burglars banner. Orders?"

Stoick nodded, "Send two riders to welcome them, be careful on the approach to the docks, many destroyed ships are still stuck and their broken timbers pose a hazard to all ship traffic."

"Understood sir!"

Fjall nodded in understanding and raced towards the docks, he then turned to the riders and Gobber, "You twins, get down to the Great Hall and make sure the preparation for the feast is underway-" with a pause he turned to Astrid, "- on second thought, why don't you go with them Astrid?"

The look he gave the twins made Astrid understand of the worry his Chief has if the twins somehow get involved, she nodded firmly and gestured to Hiccup, "See you later Hiccup."

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As they walked away the Chief turned to Snotlout, "See if your father can stand up now, I'm sure he's anxious to show his battle scar, if he can I want him at the feast tonight," his nephew also nods and raced back in the direction of their house.

"Gobber and Hiccup, now the Bog-Burglars are here supposedly to assist us in the defense of Berk, but since victory was ours, their intentions now are probably two-fold, one they wish to see how much we have lost and if Berk is still well-fortified, two, a reaffirmation of our alliance."

Both addressee nodded their heads, "I want you both to carry out the suggestion Hiccup made, they won't be here until the twilight tide sets in so you have much time to do so."

"Hmm, that's quite an order, forging and gilding could take a few hours, plus artificer work in a weapon usually takes days."

"Let's just use a shortsword then," Hiccup interjected as his father nodded, "I'm sure Camicazi would love that, given her penchants for swords."

Gobber rubbed his mustache and nodded, "That's a great idea, but giving your betrothal a short sword seemed cutting it close, I mean, I thought Camicazi preferred long swords-"

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Stoick slapped his forehead as the blacksmith stopped talking and looked immensely guilty at what he said, "- I wasn't supposed to say that."

Hiccup froze at his friend's words, "W- w- what was tha- now hold it, what betrothed?" He looked at his father and he looked scandalized, his father was blushing to his ears, his nose was aglow and his cheeks were tinted red, "You have got to be kidding me- what- what did you say to them dad?"

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Stoick looked like he was caught doing something embarrassing, "Well son, I sort of written that you were back from training far away, helped the war with Drago and is currently eligible."

"You said I was eligible!" Hiccup blurted in disbelief, "Oh man, why would you do that."

"But you are not with someone right now," Stoick insisted.

Hiccup sighed still blushing madly and began to head for the forge, "I was going to ask someone else... I'm just waiting for the right time."

"By someone else you mean Astrid right?"

Both Gobber and Stoick sighed in relief, sidling next to him as he nodded, "Well, Astrid is a fine young woman-"

"Aye..."

"-plus, I think she's a virgin."

"OH! By the GODS! COME ON DAD!" Hiccup exclaimed his face blushing madly, he was horrified at the direction of their conversation and burning to even know that Astrid remains untouched, "I really don't want to hear that from you... Odin's pointy Spear!"

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"Regardless, it is done, if you don't want to pursue such feelings with Camicazi then it's alright, but the duel with your cousin will still happen"

"-but Dad..."

"It will push through, it will affirm your status as Heir to chiefdom of Berk, and if honor must be satisfied then it shall be satisfied."

Stoick walked away, but not before saying, "Work the forges and make your name in the forge upon which you take pride into, as much as I take pride in you son."

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Hiccup sighed heavily as he looked on at his father's receding form, he may have resolved some of the issues that they might have had, but change can never happen overnight. Gobber sympathetically puts an arm on his shoulder and smiled, "So, ready to work the bellows?"

The young man smiled as they made their way to the forge.

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"I heard that Camicazi is a virgin too."

"GOBBER!"

"Hehe..."

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a few hours later

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Forge bellows swell as the young man poured air and water into the gilding, it wasn't that hard to meld metal like clay, although it requires very delicate hammering to work the jewelry and the gold around the weapons. Donning only a blacksmith's apron and his pants, he pounded the glowing dagger and gold trying to fuse them together in a seamless sense of a weapon. Sweat trickled from his lean and sculpted body as he held the hammer on his left hand and the glowing metal on his right. Numerous scars accentuate his arms and body that was previously hidden by his armor, while young girls peeking and giggling at every crevice and openings at the forge as every hit and bang of Hiccup on the anvil shook his muscles, sweat sprayed from his arms as he continues his work, undeterred, unflinching and focused at the task at hand.

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Astrid carried a yoke with two pails balanced on each end, as she came to the forge. Hearing loud giggling she turned a bend and saw almost 15 girls younger than her, biting their lips, blushing, giggling, burying their faces at their hands, and just being a gang of silly girls fawning over a certain brown haired boy hammering away gifts for their guests. And leading them was none other than,

"RUFFNUT!"

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The eldest of the giggling group of girls flinched and her cohorts scattered at the Hofferson's scalding gaze, they were both of the senior riders and both of them were unmarried.

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"What do you think your ALL doing here?" Astrid stomped forward and bopped Ruffnut on the top of her head, "You were supposed to help Tuffnut and ME to do the preparations and here I see you ogling Hiccup!"

The better half of the Thorston twins grinned and waved her hand in front of her friend in a flippant manner, "What can I say Astrid? The view is a real eye candy- why don't you take a peek?"

Rolling her eyes she strode forward and passed the yoke to a grumbling Ruffnut, she smacked her behind for equal measure as the Thorston grudgingly took the pail and headed for the Mead Hall. Shaking her head in disbelief she was about to follow her when she stopped on her tracks as she heard the distinct bang of smithing hammer to an anvil. Debating on her actions, she just found herself involuntarily walking to the backdoor of the forge and taking a guilty peek inside.

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She immediately blushed as the hard glow of the burning forge clearly illuminated Hiccup as he worked the hammers and pulled at the bellows. The bellow fed it the air for its life, as the fire gave the blade its shape. Submerging the blade in both Fire and water in equal measure, he gave the blade form, life, and beauty. Feeling her throat go dry and her breath catch on her chest, she felt anxious as she saw him pounding the malleable metal to his desired form. His sweat clung to him in a masculine sheen as the smell of metal cooling, sulfur, burning coal and firewood, mixed with his scent of parchment reached her trained olfactory senses. 'Oh my Frigga... He's intoxicating.'

Her feverish observation intensified as he puts down his hammer and raised the finished dagger in the light.

"My goodness, your like a God of the Forge-

"-don't jest Baldr or Brokkr... Please Gobber, I have never have I seen works of theirs that evoke such beauty so don't jest them again."

Gobber's eyes widened at his apprentice's reprimand, "Right, right you are lad. Well, I'll do the finishing polish and sharpening of the blade why don't you rest and wash."

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With a grateful sigh and stretch he made his way towards the well of water near the forge and splashed the cold liquid to cool his over heated body. Astrid was still observing him when he turned to her, his hair dripping with mixed water and sweat., his shoulders steaming noticeable vapors from his rapidly cooling body. He smiled at her and waved, "Hi Astrid, what- what are you doing here?"

"I- uh I was- I was just making sure that all preparations were going smoothly-" she stammered as she fiddled her fingers behind her back as he slowly sauntered over him and loosened his braids in front of her, "Your Dad did put me in charge of the preparations-" she took a step back and a deep calming breath, "-and... and you need to do to if you don't want to miss the celebration."

Hiccup nodded in understanding, did a small bow with a flourish and left her standing near the backdoor of the forge.

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She watched him walked away and her heart finally stabilized back to normal.

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Astrid felt the relief rush to her and held onto the side of the forge for support, she was about to faint when a voice broke her out of her reverie.

"Yeah, he has the same effect on me," she turned horrified and found Ruffnut Thorston, still carrying the yoke with a smug and satisfied look on her face, "- and it's gratifying to see he has the same effect to our great Shieldmaiden Astrid Hofferson, the only question now is- how about down South?"

Her screech could be heard as she easily used the yoke to throttle Ruffnut to unconsciousness.

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Down at the docks, a young woman stood on the bow of her ship and looked on at the looming town, her long blonde hair extended past her lower back as it whipped behind her with the wind. A brown wooly vest covered her dark green dress and great leather boots covered her white coltish legs, she has a long roman sword attached to a belt on her pronounced hips, and her shapely figure is partially hidden by a cloak of a furry animal around her and the Bog burglar crest emblazoned behind it. Her blazing brown eyes belied a ferocity in her as her beautiful face, easily rivaling Astrid held a confident smug smile. She observed as the first of the riders of Berk came flying towards her and landed on the bow of her ship, the rider respectfully bowed and said, "Are you the Commander of this ship?"

"Aye, my name is Camicazi," she fingered her sword and jutted out her jaw, "Who might you be?"

"I was sent by the Chief of Berk to navigate your ship through the shipwrecks that are littering the whole bay, we aren't able to clean every ship that sunk so we must help you to navigate it."

The Bog-Burglar Princess nods her head and looks behind the rider, "Kalina, give him the helm." The dragon rider from Berk took hold of the helm as his dragon, a yellow green Hobblegrunt took its position towards the bow.

"All right Arrow! You know what to do!" The dragon roared as it puts its eyes near the water, helping with the navigation taking care not to hit any lumber or shipwreck jutting just below the water. The second ship, also helmed by a Berkians rider eased behind the first one as it followed carefully behind.

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Camicazi looked on as the rider carefully and skillfully followed the movements of his dragon as if they were leading him to Hellheim's gate. As if on complete sync, the rider would turn the ship whenever the dragon would turn its head. She sidled up to the dragon rider just behind him taking care not to block the view of the new helmsman.

"So, I heard that Hiccup is back."

"Aye milady," the rider nodded and continued driving, "Truly, it was a miracle he arrived at just the right moment."

"The stories that reach us are quite vague, would you care to fill me in?"

The rider scratched his head and continued, "What would you like to know milady?"

"Is it true he was the one who killed Drago?"

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The rider smiled and nodded, "Aye milady, from atop his Night Fury, he jumped from his mount and buried his swords at the great enemy. It was so awe-inspiring to see such deed performed right in front of you. He showed his skills in the Battle of Berk even before he has confronted the great enemy. and he fights with the ferocity of wolves and the dexterity of a snake, skills bestowed by the Gods, none dare call him 'Useless' now."

The two ships finally reached their mooring area as the Vikings of Berk lined the docks, a mixture of men, women and children as the Bog-Burglars lined up their ships. Tying their ships to the dock posts the rider with the dragon named Arrow mounted and was gone with a few wing beats.

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Bertha and Camicazi led the way of their tribe as they walked towards the Great Hall of Berk, the can see that the whole town is still progressing, houses some still in the process of repair, the fortifications made stronger and dragons mixing with everyone else including their military.

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Inside the Mead Hall, Stoick sat behind the great table as the massive double doors opened and the Bog-Burglars came inside.

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"Hail! Bertha, Chieftess of the Bog-Burglars, I greet you welcome to Berk!"

A woman that is possibly as large as Stoick came forward spreads her arms wide in greeting and smiled a large smile. Wearing a common breasted leather armor that most Viking women use, a large pauldron on her right shoulder emblazoned with the Bog-Burglars crest, a long mane of blonde hair behind her and a more mischievous smile than her daughter can conjure and brown blazing eyes, she moved her great girth and opened her arms wide, "Welcome we are indeed! Tis' good to know that Berk endures still..."

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They made their way to their seats with Bertha sitting beside Stoick, Camicazi sat beside her mother as the rest of the Vikings settled down on their seats. The Bog-Burglars are not the biggest tribes, but they boast one of the specialties that are sought after in the Barbaric Archipelago and beyond. They are all expert thieves, spies, and excellent escape artists and that they moonlight sometimes as assassins, also they are well-known as a tribe of fierce female fighters and any Viking of any male they capture are immediately integrated to the tribe as husbands.

Stoick, as soon as the other Chief settled down raised his tankard and said, "To our friendship!"

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Exchanging toast with each other, music began playing from somewhere as the feast began in earnest. They were all served stew made from goat and wild boar, herbs, spices (probably from Drago's fleet), roasted chickens, sheep and every livestock one could possibly imagine. Breads freshly baked lined the tables as everyone began to eat in earnest.

"I heard your son is back Stoick?"

"Indeed, my heart is lifted and my spirit is in a good mood that the Gods preserved him."

"What about your plans now about your son? I know you wrote about him being with no one as of late-"

"Aha!" The Chief of Berk clapped his hands together and cleared his throat, "He does not wish to discuss it, and if he doesn't want to then I can't force him-"

"-that will not be good regarding the alliance." Bertha's voice noticeably went lower as if both disappointed and threatening.

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"-which is why he made something for you." Stoick clapped louder as the large double doors opened, and in comes Hiccup and Gobber carrying gifts in covered silk. The Chieftess and her daughter both gasped as the fine silk coverings were removed and their gifts were laid before them.

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"For Bertha, an artificer spearhead, and for Camicazi, a gilded short sword."

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Mother and daughter gasped at the gifts given to them, even their family heirlooms were not as beautiful as these were and Berk just gives them freely.

"I must say, your friend Gobber outdid himself with these treasures-"

The blacksmith smiled and jovially said, "I generally make good work, and it's nice to hear you say that Bertha my dear, but no... Hiccup made them all."

All eyes snapped to him immediately and his ears burned in embarrassment. Camicazi sat on the edge of her seat as she showered the young man with adoring eyes, "You all made this Hiccup."

He nodded as he took his seat and picked up a tankard of ale.

"Well, tell us what you did lad!" The Chieftess of the Bog-Burglars eyes brightened.

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"I- uh, I learned some smithing techniques that fuses iron to the less hardened gold and silver..." He gestured with his signature arm shake and blushed some more as Camicazi's gaze never left his, "... of course, without compromising the utilitarian use of the weapon. You can actually mount your mother's spearhead on a shaft and it won't bend, I actually guarantee it."

"I have to remember not to throw or hurl my spear with this kind of head," Bertha slid the artifact near her and caressed it, "... such intricate details."

The spear head, is shaped like a dragon's head with red jewel eyes, gold dust sprinkled around the whole spear head, complete with the details of the scales, teeth and horns running the whole length of the blunt side, the sharp side is engraved with numerous runes of supplication to Freyja, Goddess of War and the Valkyries, a fitting gift to a Chieftess.

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"Your wife would be truly blessed by the Gods indeed if you were to be married," Bertha slyly said as she covered her gift with the silken cover, "But tell me Hiccup, do you not find my daughter attractive anymore?"

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Those near their table almost stopped eating as the political maneuvering continued unabated, Bjornn Hofferson ate silently as Fjall, Lugnut, and Spitelout looked at each other and their Chief as Stoick met their gaze in a meaningful gesture. All could see that both Chiefs are acting amicably, yet their lieutenants are all alert, ready to pounce if need be.

"On the contrary Chieftess, I find her very attractive-".

A powerful murderous aura bloomed from the next table and Hiccup can help but flinch in terror.

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Astrid's tankard handle broke in two as her grip tightened on the defenseless utensil. Her face remained neutral, and her actions seemed calm, but her utensils... are all silently suffering. Bjornn, her father looked at her from the head table and gave her a reassuring nod. Ruffnut sidled next to her with a toothy grin on her face.

"Jealous much?"

The braided Valkyrie bristled, "Are you a glutton for punishment?"

Tuffnut slid in front of them as he bit off meat from a turkey leg, "Are you guys talking about Hiccup?"

"There's just so many questions about him, it's like he's a well of water so deep..." Ruffnut sighed dreamily, "I just don't know."

"-my dad said they're currently talking about the alliances with the Burglars," Fishlegs took a heaping plate and offered it to Ruffnut, "Some roasted goat my princess?"

Ruff growled in response, "Alliance for what? Dad said were really stable with the military, and Fjall even said that in response to our offensive capability we're currently unmatched. Hiccup is a great equalizer. Plus, we did defeat Drago and the coffers of Berk can't be fuller than most other times, he also said we should expect a raid in two or three days after the Burglars left."

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"That's also what my dad said," Astrid said almost in a whisper, "He also said that with Hiccup coming back and his legend growing still from the battle that happened, well, many would apply for his-" she stopped and blushed, "- his hand in marriage."

"That's why Camicazi is even here, that's what she wants to happen!" Ruffnut slapped her forehead and exclaimed, "- she's got the same idea as I am! Perfect! How about you Astrid? Wanna join in? You can have first dibs-"

"Don't make me choke you again," she sighed as she looked at Camicazi obviously listening to Hiccup as Bertha and Stoick spoke about the alliance. But even though she replies with a snarl and force, she couldn't doubt the feeling of her gut feeling cold as Camicazi blushed and playfully hits his arm.

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The night wore on as the music and merrymaking continued till midnight, after the feast the Bog-Burglar were led to a large house that would temporarily accommodate the visiting clan. "This halls would keep you safe, I have entrusted our mounts themselves- Skull crusher, Grump, Toothless!"

A large red horned Rumblehorn, a sleek black Night Fury, and a sleeping albeit floating Hotburple came forward.

"I asked Gobber and my son to lend their help, so you can rest assured none may dare disturbed you as long as all three of them-" Grump smashed through a wall, with the amazons jumping out of the way, amidst giggling and yelping of young women from their tribe, "-err, you can still rely on Toothless and Skullcrusher anyway."

"That bloody dragon will be the end of me-" Gobber sighed as he tried nudging his dragon awake, "-come on you, wake up!"

Bertha laughed easily at the comic relief the acid green dragon gave as her brood collectively marched inside, including Camicazi. "Thank you for your hospitality... We shall rest easy of course, and shall see you in the morning."

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With the Bog-Burglars secured into their own halls, Stoick and Gobber marched back into the Mead Hall where a heated argument between Bjornn and Spitelout were underway.

"We do not know their main reason for haggling an alliance-"

"-simple, any Viking with the common sense to know that Berk is at its peak of advancement. We can't even be called a village now, we're a fortified town as it is. One, why you ask is a tribe of Vikings, albeit with special talents, would come to our shore and began a treaty with us."

Fjall, father of Fishlegs, a mountainous size of a man interjected, "An alliance with Berk effectively puts them under the umbrella of our protection. With the right preparation, after a territory is raided we can attack them even before they can prepare for their victory feast. Just think of the possibilities with protectorates around Berk."

"I see your point Fjall, but we cannot simply appease our allies with trinkets that Hiccup makes, there is a limit material things can do to an alliance," Spitelout insisted.

"Right you are, but there is only two way to secure that-"

"Marriage," Stoick banged his open palm on the table, "I know what you ask of my son, I'm sure you also know that cannot be done."

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"He is the son of the Chief," Spitelout also banged his open palm at the table, "He must give what is asked of by the tribe-"

"Shut your trap Spitelout! You put words in the mouths of our Chief to exalt yourself- yet you are still blind of your own shortcomings."

The black haired Viking flustered at Bjornn, "If I was Chief-"

"-but you are NOT! So, we follow what Stoick says... Do you even know what to do with the immense treasure we have amassed with the cache from Drago? Or the advancements that we shall undertake under the plans of Hiccup? Of course not, that boy was sent by the Gods back here for a reason and it is in our power to help him fulfill it."

Lugnut stood up and nods, "Agreed, he is superior to his peers and could give, I believe even your daughter Bjornn an instruction in the handling of a blade. I shall not agree to any plan of Hiccup being married off without a fight-"

"-aye! The lad just got bloody back to us," Gobber finally cuts in into the conversation, "I'm not too keen to let him go to another tribe as it is!"

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"What about the Bog-Burglars?" Fjall shook his head, "We can't shoo them away, and they obviously came for Hiccup."

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"Tomorrow will be the duel between Snotlout and Hiccup am I right?"

All heads nodded, as Bjornn continued, "Maybe we can entice them to fight for his hand... Or let him fight on as a prize."

"He can fight for his hand!"

"That's stupid!

"Astrid can fight for him then-"

"-that's..." Bjornn stopped and frowned, "... That's actually a good idea."

Lugnut slammed his tankard on the table, "Ruffnut can join too!"

"Will they win?"

"What if Hiccup fights instead?" Fjall asked.

"Will he win?" Spitelout insisted.

"-he won against Drago-"

"-he was mounted with his Dragon."

"-but he was already fighting with the Golden Army."

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Stoick rubbed his chin and looked at Bjornn, "I task you with the practice sparring tomorrow of Hiccup- bring your daughter."

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"Why would I bring Astrid?"

The Chief smiled at his lieutenant, "My son fancies your daughter... Maybe you can make it harder by giving him a distraction."

Bjornn smiled at his chief, "Of course my liege."

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Svartalfheim

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"Ég hef talað við Svikarann" , ('I have spoken with the Betrayer,') a dark elf, with snowy white hair, black eyes and sallow skin walked out of the shadows and into a throne chamber, "Hann hefur skuldbundið sig, en hinir myndu ekki senda okkur skilaboð án okkar samkomulagi" , ("he has commited yet the others would not send us message without our agreement.")

From atop a high pedestal, adorned with rotten bones, and overgrown roots, a white pallid face looked on from the gloom. His head adorned a laurel of sickly white crown of thorns, adorned with bits of silver and moon glitter, his voice a deep vibrato that chills the hardest spine, "Hvað segja ættmenn okkar?" , ("What does our kin say?")

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"Kursarnir elta þig til gleymskunnar dá, ættbálkarnir fyrir norðan hafa safnast öldum saman og eru með þér, ættbálkarnir frá austri og suðri senda sína hollustu," , ("The Kursed follows you to oblivion, the northern tribes have amassed for centuries and they are with you, the east and south tribes also sends their allegiance.")

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The Dark Elf king stood up, roots breaking off from him as he shook off the earthly bindings he was given, "Hvað með ættbálka álfa frá vestri?" , ("What of the Western Elven tribes?")

"Stríð þeirra við Alflheima fer illa, þeir tapa fleirum en þeir drepa, samt stendur Yfirherra þeirra fastur á trú sigri þeirra." , ("Their war with Alflheim goes foul, they lose more than they kill yet their Autarch remains firm in their belief of victory.")

Their leader grinned and laughed evilly, "Leyfum þeim að vera,það er þeirra aldra stríð sem leyfir okkur að vera ófundnir... Okkar Ríki, sem á óskilið örlog sín af ösku og eldi, skal rísa einu sinni enn og brjóta Ásgarð í tvennt." , ("Let them be, it is their centuries war that we managed to remain undetected... Our realm, undeserving of its fate of ash and fire shall rise once more and break Asgard in two.")

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"Farðu, Náðu fornleifa gripunum sem þarfnast svo við getum kallað fram eyðileggendurna." , ("Go, obtain the artifacts needed so that we may summon the Destroyers.")

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The smaller elf bowed and slunked back to the shadows, "Eins og þú skipar Herra Malekith." , ("As you command Lord Malekith.")

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Malekith, the twisted Dark Lord of the Kursed Elves stepped out into his veranda overlooking his palace. Dark clouds cover the realm, as a negative sun gives off its remaining light, ashen ruins and broken monoliths and towers littered the landscape as a Great Tree, similar to Yggdrassil stood in the middle. Yet this tree is dead, leafless and barren, whereas Asgards Yggdrassil flourishes sustained by the light of the 9 realms, their own tree lie dead, unattended and lifeless. With a bitter look the lord of Svartalfheim looked on as crypt upon crypt opening rose up into the ashen ground as fire rained from the skies once more.

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Fury, unmasked by his cold visage graced the Lord of the Black lands and he bit his lower lip drawing blood.

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"Æsirnir munu allir deyja!" , ("The Aesirs will all die!")

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To be continued.

Author's note:

I must give thanks to my reviewers and readers, they're the reason I can keep going.

But admittedly I'm getting lazy, I don't know, maybe I'm not doing a good job or the story is not really interesting. My point is, I have need of a little reader input, I'm not even sure if this story is good or not, with all the free time I've had with my vacation it's given me time to think. It's like a double edge sword.

This chapter is extremely long. Why? Simple, I had so much time when I went to Singapore, I finished two and a half chapters both more than 5 k long and a draft of a possible ending, I'm just proofreading the whole chapters and posted this new one. Hope, my readers can give me ideas with what you think or would like to see because my mind already has an ending and I want you guys to HELP me with what seemed to be one of my longest projects yet.

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Reviews people, I can't move on without you guys.

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Replies:

For Mark (Guest review chapter 5): Well, you said it yourself... if they said the L word right there then we better pack our bags cause that's it I guess.
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For Flame (Guest review chapter 6): He definitely has a plan for the Nidhogg Tamer, but we shall see.

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For The Dane (Guest review chapter 6): I was trying to do a separator for every parenthesis that I'm doing. Since, they all bunch up and all you see is a bunch of sentences all jumbled up. I apologize since it might be annoying for some other readers (aside from you of course) but I really can't help it. I tried to remove it before, and it still looks so bad.

Cheers everyone,

Scarabeye3000