Captain Hiccup Of Asgard

by geofracul

This story happens when hiccup is sent to show the big burglars that dragons are good and positive however the gods have better ideas. (this is not my story however I continued it with is promition)

23. no dragons in Valhalla

Chapter 23: No Dragons in Valhalla

Valhalla Gate, Day 13 since Hiccup's Departure

"Who ssssstandssssss before the ssssacred Gate of Valhalla?"

The voice was quiet and raspy, and the speaker was even more so. His face looked like melted wax, which pooled in crinkled dry skin around his cheekbones and chin. His appearance was entirely disgusting, but his eyes were shiny, pure gold, and burned like a pair of suns. The same eyes bored into Hiccup and Thor, who stood rigidly in front of the Valhalla gate.

"We have come on request to see Freyja," Thor stated. Even the giant God seemed cowed by the creature who addressed them. "We ask that the gate be opened for the living Thor Odinsson, and Hiccup Haddock."

"And why mussssst you sssssee me firssst?"

"Because this act has never been done before," Thor stated. "Letting a mortal man into Valhalla is unprecedented. Since you are the Warden of the Gate, we were ordered to see you first before permitting this mortal, our Riddari Hiccup, to enter the sacred Kingdom which you guard so well."

The shriveled man-like being turned to stare at Hiccup. As his bright eyes met Hiccup's shining green, the person's eyes glowed with an even more intense fire than before. Hiccup, while feeling eerily uncomfortable, met the wizened creature's gaze.

For a full ten seconds the creature stared at Hiccup, then blinked slowly, as if he understood something.

"No mortal hassss entered Valhalla," he stated with his raspy hiss. "And no mortal ever will. Go insssside."

Thor hesitated. "Hiccup here is a mortal," he said slowly. "And you just said no mortals are allowed. So how can we lawfully go inside?"

"No thissss one isss not a mortal," the creature hissed. "No mortalssss go in, but thisssss 'Hiccup' isssss not that. You both may go freely."

The creature faded away, his ugly, wizened face disintegrating into dust.

Thor blinked. "That is incredibly odd," he muttered, turning to Hiccup. "The Warden says you are no mortal."

Hiccup was also staring in surprise. "That doesn't make sense," he said slowly. "Last time I checked, I'm a human through and through."

Thor chuckled. He clapped Hiccup on the shoulder. "Well, my boy, welcome to Godship!" He laughed. "That thing has been guarding the Valhalla gate for too long. His mind must be befuddled. I will tell my father of his negligence. But we were granted access, and that is all that matters for now. Let us go see Freyja."

Hiccup took a deep breath. "I'm ready."

"Remember," Thor said cautiously, turning and placing a strong hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "You will not lose your temper. You will not make demands. You will under NO circumstanceswhatevermention Toothless or the Hydra. Is that clear?"

Hiccup nodded. "Crystal."

"Then into Valhalla we go."

Thor raised his powerful arm and pushed open the Valhalla Gate.

Immediately Hiccup's ears picked up the melodies of sweet, awe-inspiring music, which drifted throughout the chambers with the lazy serenity of droplets caught in a soft breeze. A smell so beautiful that nothing could compare reached Hiccup's nose. All this they could hear, and yet they were only standing in a small round courtyard, surrounded by golden-clad guards with purple gems on their breasts and living white wings on their helms.

But the music and singing was the most fascinating part of the scene. It was alluring, tugging on Hiccup's soul. He felt like he could lie down on the jeweled golden floor and remain forever, in peace.

"Come this way." Thor interrupted his thoughts with his voice, which was quiet and solemn. "We will go directly to Freyja before we get enchanted by this confounded melody."

"Is it always like this?" Hiccup asked, hurrying along with Thor. "That music is hypnotizing me, and the smell is simply astounding."

Thor looked at Hiccup quietly. "Maybe the Warden was not wrong about you being a God," he said. "Mortals are not supposed to be able to withstand that music and singing, but you can. It takes enormous focus to resist the temptations of the Otherworld, which is what that music and scent is. However, your training has already taught you great self-control, so perhaps that is why you can resist the power Valhalla exudes."

Hiccup shrugged. "It must be that. My damned training with The Wolf certainly forced me to be able to control my emotions and blot out things. Maybe I do it instinctively now."

"So," Thor went on in a less serious tone, "What do you think of Valhalla?"

"It's awe-inspiring." Hiccup spoke with unqualified awe. "It's – it's beautiful."

"Well, think one last time about beauty," Thor told him, "and remember that the Goddess you are about to see was at one time the most beautiful of all beings."

"Why do you tell me to remember that?" Hiccup asked, confused. He peered up through the misty haze at Thor.

"Because you will find it difficult to believe," Thor told him. "Enter and see."

Together Hiccup and Thor stepped through one final doorway and found themselves in a large circular room. There were no guards, and the only being in the chamber besides Hiccup and Thor was a woman, high above them, on a white, opaque throne. For this indeed was no woman. It was Freyja, Goddess of the Dead and of the Valhalla Realm.

Hiccup was indeed shocked to believe that this Goddess had at one time been beautiful. In fact, he was hard pressed to admit that she was a woman at all. For without a doubt she was one for the ugliest beings Hiccup had ever seen.

Freyja was enormous. She stood at least twelve feet tall and almost twice as broad as Thor himself. Her hair, which was kept in a large ponytail behind her back, was coal black and braided. Rusty iron rings encircled the braid. Her face was a whitish grey pallor, her eyes were sunken, and her entire sockets were painted black with kohl. Her face was also dirty, and she wore a grimy, ugly, brown and grey dress with rusty iron buttons and bracelets. It was without a doubt the most unappealing thing Hiccup had ever seen.

The sheer ugliness was such a contrast to the stunning crown that Freyja wore, however. The crown was the sole item that was beautiful about the Goddess. It was golden and bedecked in jewels and diamonds of all kinds and shapes, most of which Hiccup and never even heard of. However, that was the only thing likeable. Even the golden sword she wore at her waist was dulled. It also looked extremely old, overused, and unimpressive.

Hiccup and Thor came up to the base of the stairs that led up to the throne and stopped. Thor knelt and so did Hiccup.

"Do what I do," Thor muttered at Hiccup, and pulled Mjolnir, his magic hammer, from his belt. Hiccup, watching Thor intently, drew Hicca. Together, on their knees, they raised their weapons into the air.

"Hail Freyja, Goddess of Valhalla, Lord and Keeper of the Brave Deceased," Thor announced. Hiccup mouthed the words with him.

"Rise," Freyja boomed. Her voice was so powerful that the air literally shook around Hiccup and Thor. Hiccup's hair billowed in the breeze that was the sheer force of her words.

It was a tone that utterly commanded obedience. Hiccup and Thor obeyed. They rose to their feet and retuned their weapons to their spots. Hicca clinked softly against Hiccup's back as he sheathed it, and Hiccup mentally noted that he was glad the sword was there. Something was very menacing about Freyja, like a bent bow ready to release at any second.

Thor was speaking.

"You requested to see the human that we have taken from Midgard," he stated. "As we understand, a ship has been burned for him and you must be aware of his actual existence. Well, here he is. Riddari Hiccup Haddock of Midgard."

Freyja transferred her dark, withering gaze to Hiccup.

"Riddari?" She sneered. The voice had not lost its power. Hiccup was blasted with the raw dominance of her speech. "Riddari. So it is true. You are adragon rider."

The voice was so contemptuous and bitter that Hiccup was stunned. He felt nothing but hatred radiating from Freyja. The Goddess was going on.

"I wish you had in fact died, Riddari Hiccup. Then I would have the pleasure of denying you rights to eternal life in my domain. What a useless worm you are."

Hiccup bristled at the use of the word Useless. He fought back the urge to draw Hicca and attack Freyja on the spot.

"Based on what I have already seen of you," he said harshly, "I would think I might rather be in Helheim."

"Riddari!" Thor barked, laying a hand on his magic hammer Mjolnir. Freyja purpled with rage.

"Insolence!" she spat at Hiccup, ignoring Thor. "By my sword, I have not been spoken to like that, EVER! Who are you to insult a Goddess in such an abrasive and belligerent manner?"

"I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, son of Stoick the Vast, Warden of the Berkian Seas, Captain of Asgard in training, and aprouddragon rider." Hiccup bared his teeth. "And I would give my soul to the demons of Helheim themselves rather than permit myself to be ruled by your unfounded dragon hatred."

Thor winced.

Freyja got to her feet slowly, the golden floor creaking under her enormous weight. "By the Gods," she whispered, her black lips barely moving. "You come in here with the arrogance of Loki himself! How dare you! You affront me in my own domain?"

Hiccup's hand was creeping towards the hilt of Hicca on his back. "I do."

"You have NO right to do so! Nor have you a right to debate with ME! The dragons are all evil! They were born to the world to cause death and destruction, they are Evil Incarnate! And yet you come in here and are proud to be a dragon-lover!?"

"I am. And you should be a 'dragon-lover' too." Hiccup took a deep breath. "After all, a mother should love her offspring. You are the mother of two such dragons."

"RIDDARI!" Thor roared.

Freyja glared, but her brows raised. "I gave birth to a demon!" She screamed. "A horrible, disgusting beast that was killed at once! It is dead! I have no children!"

"You have two children." Hiccup was icy cold. "That demon you gave birth to was killed by your brother, Freyr, that is true, but the blood from that creature transformed into two dragon eggs, which hatched. You now have two sons. Dragon sons. You are the mother of MY dragon, the Night Fury Toothless. You are also the mother of the Hydra, who lives in the realm of Helheim."

"No, Hiccup," Thor whispered. "You FOOL."

Freyja was gawking. For a full ten seconds she stared, trying to comprehend what Hiccup had just told her. Then she whirled upon Thor.

"Is this TRUE?!" She screamed at him.

"Weeell," Thor fiddled with his hammer. "Technically -"

"IT IS!" Freyja leapt from her seat. "YOU KNEW OF THIS, YOU ASGARDIAN GOD SLIME! WHY DID ODIN AND YOUR PATHETIC COUNCIL CONCEAL THIS FROM ME!?"

"We thought it necessary to maintain the illusion…"

"SILENCE!" Freyja was enraged. "YOU AND YOUR FATHER DARED HIDE THIS FROM ME! I WILL SPEAK WITH YOUR COUNCIL AND WITH ODIN! HE WILL REGRET THIS!"

"Freyja!" Hiccup barked. "Do not waste your words with useless ranting. Are you that primitive? Let us talk reasonably."

Freyja ceased her tirade to whirl upon the small rider.

"While I know you dislike me," Hiccup said, "You do owe me that knowledge, that you are a mother. I was not supposed to tell you that, but I did so because, since you were their mother, I felt you deserved to know. It was valuable information, no one can deny that. So I would like to ask a boon in return."

Freyja was staring, her lips still trembling with fury. Hiccup went on.

"As you know, the people of my village, my tribe, think I am dead. I can't have that. They need to know I'm alive, or war will rage among the tribes and Astrid will be brokenhearted. In return for the information I gave you, I ask that you send a message back to my village so that they can be aware that I still live."

As Hiccup began to talk Freyja's scowl had gotten deeper, and when he was finished she was purple with rage.

"You think that I was grateful for that?" She whispered. Her tone was deadly quiet. "If so, then you are mistaken. I HATED that. I HATE dragons. I HATE you. You are the scum of the worlds. You side with dragons, you scorn the Gods, and, after ALL THAT, you have the AUDACITY to ask me for a BOON? My answer is NOOOO!"

She screamed so loud that Thor grunted and covered his ears. Hiccup, however, stubbornly gritted his teeth and met Freyja's gaze with a cool and calm attitude. However, his eyes blazed with rage.

Freyja ceased her scream. Hiccup spoke, and in that moment his voice carried all the power and authority of the Gods themselves.

"You are nothing but a disgrace, Freyja," he spat. "By the Gods. Valhalla exists so that the courageous, the just, and the loyal shall be rewarded in everlasting celebration. The dragons are everything that we can ask for. They are faithful to the point of death, and make humans and even Gods look petty and weak. Dragons are the greatest creatures to ever exist, and they deserve the honor of Valhalla more than any other, and certainly more than scum like YOU!"

Freyja roared with rage. She leapt down from her golden throne and wrenched her massive broadsword off her waist. Thor shouted in warning.

Hiccup was a step ahead. As Freyja hurled herself at him from above, he whipped his hand up to the pommel of Hicca and drew the sword free with a ring. Freyja's great leap from the throne to the floor was just ending, and she had her sword raised to cleave him in two.

Hiccup sidestepped, and the giant blade of Freyja's legendary Sword of Death struck the jeweled floor with an enormous crash.

Hiccup wasted no time in retaliating, although the floor was shaking with the power of Freyja's blow. Spinning around, he drove the point of Hicca towards the huge Goddess' abdomen. In stunned shock that Hiccup had even tried to fight back, she raised the Sword of Death and barely deflected the attack. Hiccup reacted by coolly reversing his cut and taking a backhanded swipe at Freyja's face.

This time he got luckier. Freyja leaned back in an attempt to dodge, but Hiccup's assault was just too quick. The sword smashed against her decorated crown, the only beautiful thing that Freyja wore. The crown cracked in two, and scattered emeralds and jewels fell to the floor. Freyja, clutching her forehead, reeled from the blow.

In a flash Hiccup was on her, his pent up rage and frustration blazing as he vigorously pressed his attack. Using Alaedlar's advice, he did not aim first for the head or chest. Instead, since Freyja was off balance, her grip on her sword would be weak.

Hiccup struck.

As Freyja swung her sword arm trying to regain her footing, Hicca slashed across the under part of her forearm. Blood, a Goddesses' blood, splashed, and Freyja cried out in pain even as the Sword of Death fell to the floor.

It never hit the floor. Hiccup dropped to one knee and caught the enormous blade. It was astonishingly light for its size, and Hiccup wielded it in his left hand as if it was a feather. With the Sword of Death itself, he slashed Freyja across the legs.

The Goddess screamed and fell to her knees in front of Hiccup. Hiccup, his green eyes blazing, his long brown hair billowing behind his head, and his face hardened with rage, raised the Sword of Death. Freyja was on her knees before him, and he swung her own sword to decapitate her.

Thor, who had been standing by, watching in shock, finally found his voice – and his hammer. With a shout of terror, he seized Mjolnir from his belt.

"Kveykva!" He roared, and pointed the hammer at the Sword of Death, even as it descended toward Freyja's neck.

A blast of raw energy soared from the hammer and enveloped the Sword of Death, inches before it struck Freyja's head from her shoulders. The swing stopped. With another roared command from Thor the lightning transferred from the blade to Hiccup's arm and then to his body. Hiccup screamed in pain, and was locked in a massive outflow of power.

"BiFrost!" Thor yelled, and with a flash of dark light, winds whirled around both Hiccup and Thor, and they vanished into thin air.

Berk, Day 13 since Hiccup's Departure

Stoick the Vast hammered his axe on the table.

"Silence!" He roared.

The entire Hall of people went immediately still at Stoick's bull-like roar. Astrid, from her seat next to Ruffnut, looked up at the long table of chiefs, over which Stoick was presiding. All the other royalty were seated with him as well.

"We have some important information to discuss this afternoon," Stoick boomed. "We are to leave to attack the Bog this evening, and before we do, some things must be made crystal clear."

He rose to his feet.

"What just happened in this village was absolutely outrageous. No Viking should EVER be attacking one of his own or one of his allies, especially to the point of death, as this almost was. It was disgraceful. From now on anyone who fights one of his own will be immediately executed. Is that clear!"

It was not a question. And it was clear.

"Good." Stoick rumbled, and spoke again. "Onto more important matters. Our leadership. The chieftains have all decided we need a general to supervise all the army. Ordinarily I would appoint the famed Chief Elcroy," here Stoick nodded to the thin chief, "But we cannot have a chieftain fill this role since he is responsible for his entire village and cannot afford to care for the whole army as well. We needed a commoner, one who has no such prior responsibilities. So we have appointed Fishlegs Ingerman as our Battle General for the war."

There was a stirring and whispering. Stoick pointed at Fishlegs in the crowd.

"Come up here, Ingerman."

Fishlegs looked confused, but he did not look nervous. He showed no awkwardness at all as he went up to the front of the hall, in front of all the leaders.

"Ingerman." Stoick was solemn. "We have all placed our trust in YOU as a leader. We must be able to rely on you to win. Can you do that?"

A curled grin came over Fishleg's face. He glanced around at the hall.

"With what I have," Fishlegs smiled, "I can do anything. Give me two hours with our enemies, with these men and their dragons, and I will burn Bog Burglar Island to the ground."

Astrid raised her eyebrows. Fishlegs was fierce. And he was confident.

Stoick smiled. "Good. Then we should emerge victorious if their allies have not yet arrived."

"We will." Fishlegs chuckled.

"Good." Stoick smiled. "I think you will be a great General, Fishlegs."

"I hope so." Fishlegs nodded. "However, if I am to make this army perform at its highest potential, I need to be assured I have the loyalty of the Chiefs. I need to be sure that any orders I give will be obeyed and carried out without question, regardless of what they may be. I may be asking you to send some of your men to die, and I need NO resistance in that aspect. Can I be assured of that?"

Stoick looked at the other chiefs. "I give you my loyalty, for one." Stoick raised his hand.

Thuggory the Meathead raised his strong arm. "I will."

Mogadon and Megadeath did the same. "The Meatheads will obey any reasonable order without question, and fight with power." Mogadon asserted.

Chief Elcroy from Bashem Island raised his hand, and his wife and daughter did the same. "We also will follow you," Elcroy said in his calm quiet manner. "I have seen the notebook you used when you attacked the Bog two days ago, and I was most impressed. That plan was intelligent, ruthless, and masterful. I would be more than willing trust you with my tribe in a battle situation."

Fishlegs bowed. "If I have your approval, Chief Elcroy, then I cannot fail."

He turned and went to sit down again.

Then Thuggory the Meathead rose to his feet.

"I have something to say," he told the hall. "Back when Hiccup was on my island, he and I were like brothers. Together we made a deal. If we were ever to fight side by side in a war, I would be his wingman. We would fly together, die together, and we would have each other's backs through thin and thick." Thuggory paused. "But he's not here. My point is, I made an agreement with Hiccup. So I want to choose one from one of you Berkians in honor of that pact."

Everyone sat at attention, and Thuggory spoke again. "I know no one can match Hiccup," he stated. "But I want a wingman who is not necessarily the best fighter. I want one who is loyal and steadfast, bold and fierce. I have one in mind."

The whole Hall was silent, and Astrid was very interested. She might be the one.

"I choose Tuffnut Thorston." Thuggory said.

The crowds gasped, and all eyes turned to the bruised and bandaged Tuffnut, who was still slumped at a table.

"Tuffnut." Thuggory grinned. "I saw you today. I saw you get your ass handed to you, but you didn't give a shit. You didn't care who won. You just knew you were right and stood by your choice to the end. You almost died. When I saw that I knew that you were a great Viking. So I want you to ride with me. Ride by my side for this war."

Tuffnut was staring.

"Thug, I'm not a fighter," he stammered.

"You are a fighter." Thuggory grinned. "Perhaps you are not the best one with skill in fists or blades, but you have skills of a different kind. You are the best fighter I've seen so far."

"I – I ride a Zippleback with my sister," Tuffnut said. "I would have to ride with her, too."

"Very well." Thuggory sat down again. "You both shall ride with me."

"YEAH!" Ruffnut shouted, from her seat next to Astrid. "WOOHOO! I get to ride with Hottie!"

The whole Hall burst out laughing, and Thuggory buried his face in his hands.

"Well, let's put THAT nonsense behind us," Stoick chuckled, rising to his feet. "We ride for the Bog in three hours. We stop at the island just outside it and rest the dragons. Then we strike, in the morning on the second day. By then Fishlegs will have devised a battle strategy and we will attack. Is that clear?"

No one said anything.

"Then this Council is dismissed." Stoick hammered his axe on the table.

There was an enormous shuffling as everyone got to their feet. Astrid, however, remained sitting, with her hands clenched over her cup of ale.

The whole crowd of Vikings left, leaving her sitting there with her lips pressed tight. These had been bitter pills to swallow. First, Fishlegs had been promoted and she was ignored. Then Thuggory had picked, of all people, TUFFNUT as his wingman, a high honor. She was still just a soldier – a useless, normal, soldier.

Footsteps sounded in front of her, and Astrid looked up wearily. It was Thuggory, and padding beside him was a giant grey wolf. Astrid stared and started to get up, gaping at the beast.

"Oh, no!" Thuggory said, reaching down and taking her arm. "Don't you be standing right now. I only just learned after the funeral that you were injured. Arrow wounds are petty but they can be painful. Don't even think about standing up for me."

Astrid sank back down. "It's nothing," she said, her voice tired. "It's actually almost fully healed already. Gothi looked at it today."

Thuggory nodded, and sat next to Astrid with a groan.

"What is that wolf doing here!?" Astrid asked, staring in awe at the beast, which laid down beside Thuggory's chair.

Thuggory looked surprised and then laughed. "Oh, you never met her! This is my boy Killer. He's my battle companion and my friend. He rides with me to war, and can fight like a demon."

"I remember now," Astrid said quietly. "Hiccup told me you had a pet wolf."

Thuggory nodded, and then stretched. "Oooooh I'm stiff," he groaned. "Too much flying for me. But I guess I shouldn't be complaining to you. You've flown to the Bog twice in like, a week."

Astrid nodded glumly. "And I only plan on going one last time."

"Damn right." Thuggory turned angry. "Killing Hiccup in cold blood. Camicazi will pay for this. I think I'll cut her fingers off before I kill her."

Astrid gripped Thuggory's arm. "You leave Camicazi be," she commanded stonily. "I don't care if she shoots Furious out from under you, you don'ttouchher. She's MINE."

Thuggory grinned. "A true shieldmaiden you are."

Astrid lifted a corner of her mouth in amusement. "More like one pissed off girlfriend."

"That too." Thuggory reached out and picked up Astrid's ale, downing a gulp of it. He made a face. "This is dogshit."

He said it with such disgust that Astrid laughed. Thuggory looked up immediately, and took in the sight. His eyes lit up with happiness.

"That's the first time I've seen you smile, Astrid."

The smile faded. "There hasn't been much to smile about recently, Thug."

"I know." Thuggory sighed. "So. I've been listening to Elcroy and Fishlegs talk all day about strategy. Holy Thor, they're smart. I can't keep up with them. The only thing I know is that I'm going to do exactly what they tell me to. With due consideration, of course."

Astrid nodded. "I think we did well to pick Fishlegs as our Battle General. He planned out raid on the Bog flawlessly. We had like a 4/0 kill ratio, whatever that means."

Thuggory chuckled. "It was flawless?"

"It was." Astrid took up the cup that Thuggory had just drank from and finished the ale, downing the 'dogshit' in one final gulp. "You seem slightly skeptical, Thug. Why? Have you seen Fishlegs make a mistake yet?"

"Weeell, he might be making one now," Thuggory said slowly. "You know, I fully understand that we need to attack the Bog immediately, but I'm not in one hundred percent approval. We're all – just - tired. All of us, except the Berkians, have been doing nothing but flying for the past three days, getting here."

Astrid nodded, taking a quick glance up into Thuggory's pleasant brown eyes.

"Speaking of tired," Thuggory continued, turning square to face Astrid. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Look, Astrid, I know about you. Everyone does. You're a fierce warrior, a real Viking. And Hiccup adored you."

Astrid looked up at Thuggory, interested.

"Yeah, he talked about you." Thuggory rubbed his chin. "He used words like 'perfect' and 'beautiful.' He was madly in love with you. And you were in love with him, I saw that today. But, Astrid, I need to tell you. No matter what you feel, no matter what you want to do to Camicazi, I need to know, as a leader, how you are. I need an honest answer. Are you tired? Are you ready to fight?"

Astrid nodded slowly, keeping her head down.

"Hey." Thuggory placed a soft hand on Astrid's chin and tilted her face up to look at him. "Are you ready?"

Astrid almost cried at how soft and caring Thuggory was. As it was, tears welled up in her eyes.

"No, really, I'm fine," she said with a smile. "My side is good, and I'll be ready to fight when the time comes. Don't worry about me, Thug."

"I'm worrying." Thuggory brushed a hair out of Astrid's face. "You know what, I shouldn't even be talking to you right now. Why don't you get some sleep, Astrid? We fly in three hours and you need to be fresh."

"I really should." Astrid managed a wry grin. "If I don't just fall asleep right here."

"Let me help you." Thuggory wrapped his strong arm around Astrid and helped her to her feet.

"I – don't need help," Astrid muttered, but Thuggory laughed and scooped her up in his arms like she was a child.

"Hey!" Astrid was offended. "Put me down!"

"A stubborn one, aren't you?" Thuggory asked, amused. "Come on, you need some sleep and you're a wreck. No arguing, I'm carrying you. Let's go."

With Astrid in his arms Thuggory walked out of the hall, Fireworm following behind them. Astrid fell asleep before he even reached her house.

North Asgard, Day 13 since Hiccup's Departure

Hiccup and Thor crashed to the marble floors of a hall with an enormous crash. Hiccup yelled as his head whiplashed and struck the floor, hard. Two loud clangs and a solid thump followed, as two swords and the hammer Mjolnir crashed to the ground beside them. Grunting, Hiccup laid still.

For about twenty seconds there was no movement or sound. Then, a few paces away, Thor groaned, and there was a shuffling noise as the God slowly got to his feet. Hiccup, his limbs still afire with the shock and power of Thor's red-hot lightning, used a nearby wall to help him rise, stumbling to get upright.

Blinking, his eyes still half-blinded by the flash of white light, Hiccup stared at Thor. The big God was leaning on the wall on the opposite side of an empty hallway, and he stared back. The two, God and man, looked at each other and said nothing. Then Hiccup spoke.

"I had her, damn you. Freyja was mine. I would have killed her. Why did you throw me out of there?"

Thor managed a pained chuckle. "Why? I would let you KILL a Goddess, are you mad!?"

"Why not?" Hiccup shrugged. "She's a bitch."

To Hiccup's surprise, Thor started to roar with laughter. His shoulders began to shake and he fell to his knees. It was as if he was letting out of all of his pent up tension and nervousness in one giant burst of merriment. Finally he stopped, wiped his eyes, and got back up.

"Oh dear," he chuckled. "A bitch! I always had a low opinion of Freyja, but never dared say so, and then you come in here, defeat her in combat, and call her a bitch! Oh, this is just too good!"

Thor laughed again, and then, as he bent down, he stopped and stared.

"By God," he whispered. He knelt down and picked up the shiny Sword of Death, which Hiccup had wrenched from Freyja and dropped in the transfer by BiFrost. "You stole the Sword of Death."

Hiccup finally managed a grin. "How's that for badass, huh?"

Thor rose to his feet, holding the giant blade in his right hand. "I never thought I would ever touch this weapon," he said with awe. "I don't believe it."

"What's so cool about that sword?" Hiccup asked, brushing sparkling dust off his armor. "Gee, I'm only happy I took it just as another 'fuck you' to Freyja."

Thor peered over the edge of the blade at Hiccup. "You do not know the tale behind this sword?"

"I do not," Hiccup answered. He walked over to Hicca, which was lying on the ground by a wall, and kicked it up to his hand. "I only really care aboutthissword. Sweet Hicca! You have drawn the blood of a Goddess." Hiccup affectionately wiped the sword clean on his sleeve.

Thor chuckled. "You will think twice after you hear this. The Sword of Death is one of the most powerful weapons ever forged. It – listen to this, Riddari - has the ability tobring one back from the dead."

Hiccup stopped in the middle of sheathing Hicca. "What?"

"This sword," Thor held it out reverently, "Can bring a dead being, God, man, dragon, anything, back to life." Thor flipped the sword around and held out the handle to Hiccup. "And as I said – you stole it."

Hiccup let Hicca slide into her sheath with a soft clink. Then he stepped forward to take the Sword of Death from Thor's hand.

"I have the power of reincarnation in my palm," Hiccup whispered in awe. "I can bring someone back from the dead. No way."

Thor nodded. "As long as no one takes it from you. And believe me," Thor laughed, "Freyja will want it back! She cannot leave Valhalla herself, but she will send word to Odin and he WILL take that sword from you, mark my words. You will never be allowed to keep that."

"Your father will take nothing from me," Hiccup said firmly. "No. This sword is mine and I DO intend to keep it."

"Then you'll have to hide it," Thor told him. "In a place so secret it cannot be found, for once it is established that you hid it, which it will, the entire city of Asgard will be turned upside down to find it. That sword is absolutely priceless. After all, how can one put a value on life?"

Hiccup's gaze fell. "Well, that's the thing. I have no idea where to hide it, Thor. There is no one I can trust around here. Even sweet Aiah is too loyal to Odin, she will not help me conceal it from him. Where can I put it, Thor?"

"You are trusting me." Thor raised an eyebrow.

Hiccup stepped forward and looked deep into Thor's eyes. They were golden, and shined with a deep, solemn mixture of happiness, experience, and above all, good. Hiccup saw in an instant, through the never-lying eyes, that Thor was a great God.

"I do trust you," Hiccup told him. He held the Sword of Death out once again. "Thor, take this. You know the best place to hide it. Keep it for me. Keep it safe. I feel that I was allowed to steal it for a reason. One day when I have passed my training, I will come back for it, and I'll repay you somehow. But will you hide it for me, and tell no one of it?"

Thor smiled. "If my father asks me directly if I know what happened to this sword I will have to tell him the truth," he said to Hiccup. "But he never will. As a God and his very own son, I am above suspicion." A cheeky smile came over Thor's muscular face.

Hiccup grinned. "If you will. Take it, Thor."

Thor took the Sword of Death once more. "It shall never be touched until you come and ask for it, Hiccup," he said solemnly, and bowed. Even bowing, however, made his head still three inches taller than Hiccup's.

Hiccup bowed back. Then Thor cried out in a terrible voice, and raised Mjolnir into the air. He struck the Sword of Death with a stroke of lightning, and called out in a loud voice.

"Hrjota! Leyna! Hlifa! Fara, eoa hljota koma naer ek kveoja!"

A flash of lightning came again, and this time the Sword of Death was gone.

"It has been hidden," Thor said quietly. "I have sent it to a spot that is unreachable by any mortal. Only I know where it is."

"Good." The corner of Hiccup's mouth went up. "I wonder just how much trouble I'm going to be in for causing this mess."

Thor laughed, and threw his arm around Hiccup's shoulders. Hiccup was getting tired of Thor doing it, since the weight of his muscle was outrageous.

"Getting into trouble is one of your greatest talents, my dear Hiccup," Thor chuckled. "But the thing is, you always manage to get out of it again. So be content, and forget about this. Come, I will show you something majestic."

"Majestic?" Hiccup was interested. "After seeing Valhalla, I'm not sure I can look upon much else with the same awe. Speaking of which, where are we?"

"We are in the Northern watchtower," Thor told him. "I transferred us here by BiFrost because it was the closest place. It has a great, wonderful view of my city. You have not been out, have you?"

"No," Hiccup told him. "I have seen little except a few halls and the horrible Ragnarok."

"Then come here!" Thor and Hiccup approached a window, and Thor gestured out. "Behold! The great golden city of Asgard!"

Hiccup was wrong. There was one thing more majestic than the jewels and music of Valhalla, and he was looking at it. A giant city, the size and shape of the highest mountain, loomed in front of him. It was the biggest, brightest, and most awe-inspiring thin Hiccup had ever seen. And it was ALL GOLD.

"Holy Thor," Hiccup breathed. "I had no idea this is what Asgard looked like."

"Well, what did you expect?" Thor smiled. "A wooden hall with a thatched roof? No. You are used to the poverty and bleakness of Earth, my dear friend. This is Asgard, and this is the capital. No finer city exists, except perhaps the capital of Alfheim."

"You are the heir to all this." Hiccup was stunned.

Thor shrugged. "Believe it or not, I care nothing of the pride and glory of – owning – this city. No. Merely possessing in nothing to be proud of. The only thing that matters to me is honor – doing all things justly and right. It matters not if you are born in a stable or in a palace, or own everything or own nothing. True quality lies in what you DO."

Thor gripped Hiccup's shoulder. "Which is why you will win this coming war, and Hel will not."

Hiccup looked steadily up at Thor. "I am not a hero, Thor."

"You are a hero."

"I am not able to defeat a Goddess!"

"What did I just see in there?"

Hiccup frowned. "She was angry and careless. Hel Will not be. There will be many days before I can defeat Hel."

Thor grinned. "It will come sooner than you expect."

"Well, that is a later time." Hiccup squared his shoulders. "First I have one final test to pass before I meet Toothless again. Oh, but how impatient I am! If I fail this test I will never forgive myself. Do you know what the test is?"

Thor shook his blonde head. "I do know, Hiccup, but I cannot give you a hint as to what you will undergo. I will say, however, that none of the other Riders ever failed this test. If you fail this test, you are not worthy to sit on the back of a dragon."

"Well, that's comforting," Hiccup chuckled.

"I try to be." Thor laughed. Then he grabbed Hiccup, lifted him up, raised Mjolnir, and barked a few magic phrases. Blue and gold light flashed, and the pair were transferred by BiFrost to the familiar golden halls of Asgard.

"Well, here is where I take my leave, Hiccup," Thor told Hiccup, putting him down. "And I wish you the best."

"Thank you, Thor," Hiccup extended a hand to the God. "It's been an honor."

"Nonsense," Thor laughed, shaking Hiccup's hand. "I am the one who should be honored. Defeating Freyja in a duel! I am impressed. Anyway, I hope to see you again soon. Hey!"

"What?" Hiccup asked, as Thor passed a hand over his face.

"I almost forgot!" Thor was chuckling. "You need to come to my birthday celebration tomorrow!"

Hiccup stared. "Uh, my final test is tomorrow," he said. "And besides, Asgeirr will never let me attend a party. He's an ass."

"Bosh!" Thor waved his hand. "The test is in the morning, and the party is set for the evening. You'll have plenty of time to recover before the gaieties begin."

"Time to recover?" Hiccup stepped forward at Thor. "Recover from what? What is this test, Thor? I've been so confused about it. I know it involves Dragon Iron, and now you say I will have to recover afterward? What is this?"

Thor shook his head. "No. I cannot say. I should not have mentioned anything about it. But you have to recover after pretty much any test, regardless of what it is."

Hiccup sighed. "Gee. Well, Asgeirr still won't let me go to the party, you know that."

Thor grinned. "I will speak to Asgeirr. He will let you attend."

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"It's nice being a God sometimes." Thor gave Hiccup an easygoing smile. "And now I really must leave. If anyone asks me about the Sword of Death, I'll say I last saw it with you back in the tower, which is completely true."

"Well, thank you very much." Hiccup grinned. "And say, where can I find Aiah?"

Thor raised an eyebrow. "Aiah?"

"Your father's little purple eyed girl."

"Oh! Right, you named her Aiah. Much better than any other title she has been given. But yes, her private quarters are on the Second Level, right below the Gods. You've never been there, but you can find it easily enough. Just go up to the top of Asgard until you are not allowed to higher. When that happens you will be on her level, and you can find her quarters from there."

Hiccup laughed. "Right. Well, I will try to find her. She's the one of the few people on Asgard that I actually like."

"Well, have fun," Thor laughed, "And if you aren't at my birthday party tomorrow I will be very disappointed in you. It never goes well to disappoint a God."

"Well, hopefully you won't be," Hiccup chuckled. "See you, Thor."

"Godspeed, Riddari Hiccup." Thor bowed once again, and turned to go, his broad back turning into a side hall. Then he was gone.

Hiccup spent the next half hour walking up stairs and down hallways, going to the peak of the Golden City. Occasionally he would stop to look off a balcony at the glorious expanse of mountains and the great Lake of Asgard below. He had never had the opportunity to see such things before, and he blamed Asgeirr for his own seemingly deliberate lack of freedom. But he never lingered long, even when the views were breathtaking beyond what he had seen on the back of Toothless. He would soon be missed, and he wanted to spend at least some time with Aiah, the girl whom he had grown to care so much for.

At last he walked up a set of stairs and a golden-clad guard immediately blocked his path, pointing a spear at his chest. Hiccup stopped and then grinned.

"So this is the God's level?"

The guard said nothing, merely motioned Hiccup away with his spear.

"Hey, you might be a little more polite next time," Hiccup grinned, backing up a step. "Maybe a simple, 'you're not allowed up here' would suffice. But oh well. Guards are dumb around here. You can't put sense in a fool's brain."

Hiccup walked back down the stairs and back to the Level he had just left. There was a long hallway, and people were walking to and fro, each one taking a careful glance at him before proceeding. Hiccup stopped one of them.

"I'm looking for Odin's little seer," he told the man. "Do you know where I can find her?"

The Asgardian man looked afraid, and shrunk back from Hiccup. "Are you the new Rider?" He asked, with a trembling voice.

"I am."

"Then I cannot tell you where the girl is," the man stammered. "I mean, you - you tried to kill her this week. You stormed through the halls and strangled her, I – I could not let you know where she is so you could do it again."

Hiccup laughed. "Oh, yes, I forgot. Thank you for refreshing my memory." Hiccup took a threatening step towards the man, who cringed. "That is in the past. I was out of my mind. But I do like to strangle people when they piss me off. And you're starting to." Hiccup placed a hand on the man's shoulder, close to the neck. The man gulped, his eyes panicking. The crowds in the hall all stopped to watch the two.

"All I want to know is where she lives," Hiccup said quietly. "Thor told me to come and find her, and I am doing so. Where is she?"

The man stared. "Thor told you?"

"Yes. That big guy with blonde hair and a hammer? Right, his name is Thor. And he will be most unhappy to hear that because of an idiot like you my meeting with her was delayed. Where is she?"

The man pointed. "Third door on the right, after the statue. She is in one of those rooms."

"Thanks." Hiccup clapped the man on the shoulder, watched him wince with pain at the blow, sidestepped around him, and walked down the hall again with an amused grin on his face. He found the third door on the right past the statue, and rapped on it sharply.

After a few seconds the door was opened by a young girl, but not Aiah. This girl was a normal brown haired lass around the age of thirteen. However, she was not normal, Hiccup realized. All her veins, such as the ones on her thin, supple forearms, were an eerie green, not skin colored with a tint of blue. She was not a natural being.

At the sight of Hiccup's armor and sword she raised an eyebrow, but showed no fear. Instead she turned her nose up at Hiccup with disdain.

"A soldier." Her voice was lined with contempt.

Hiccup frowned, not liking the girl's effrontery. "A soldier? Yes, I am a soldier. I am a Rider, and I am proud of it. Be thankful we defend people as snooty as you are. Regardless, I was told I could find Odin's little seer here. I want to see her."

The girl shook her head, but she had a satisfied, smug look on her face. "She will not see anyone. She is much too busy to see one as lowly as you are."

"She'll see me." Hiccup was confident, and the little girl's insolence irritated him. "Go in and tell her that her Kappi wants to see her. She'll let me in."

The girl raised an eyebrow. "Kappi?" She lost her arrogant, snobbish attitude and looked at Hiccup carefully before answering with a more respectful tone. "Very well – although I cannot see why she would ever give you such a title. I shall ask her. Wait here, and whatever you do, do NOT open any of these doors."

"Or what?" Hiccup asked, his grin coming back. "Giant barrels of snakes will roll out and eat me?"

The girl was not amused. "No," she replied haughtily. "Even worse. All of these rooms are used for magic experiments and manipulation. If you go in, you may get caught in the vortexes of power and be accidentally transformed into a toad. As funny as that would be, I don't think you'll appreciate that. So wait here."

"Turning into a toad seems a bit overused, don't you think?" Hiccup grinned, but the girl had already turned her back and entered one of the doors that he was forbidden to enter.

She came out almost immediately, her face hard and stern. She had lost her respectful tone from before.

"Odin's Seer says that she cannot see you. She will see no one. You must go. It was a pity you did not go into one of the doors, too. I would have liked to see you a toad,soldier."

"What?!" Hiccup stepped forward. "Did you tell her that? That I'm her Kappi?"

"Yes. She said you must go." The girl was smugly pleased.

"I don't believe it."

The girl shrugged. "If you insist I shall go ask her again, but you're trying her patience – and mine."

She turned, went back into the door, and stayed a little longer this time before emerging.

"She still says no, soldier. She will not see you and wishes you would go away at once. So do I. In fact, she told me to kick you out."

Hiccup stood stiffly, feeling rejected and too upset to resent the girl's impudent behavior.

"Well, OK," he said sadly. "Tell her that I am saddened."

The girl inclined her head. "When she is finished with her tasks I shall do so. Now get out, soldier."

She shut the door in Hiccup's face.

Miffed, Hiccup turned to the hall, a scowl on his freckled face. He strode back down the hall with an angry countenance. People, seeing his mood written clearly in his face and the Asgardian Crest on his breastplate, moved away with looks of fear in their eyes. Hiccup was sad by their terror at first, but then he began to realize that he did not care so much. In fact, he – was he enjoying it?

As he realized with shock that indeed he did love their fear, he stepped around a corner and found himself face to face with Asgeirr.

Hiccup started. Asgeirr stepped forward, grabbed Hiccup's collar in both hands, and seized him.

"YOU!" Asgeirr roared. "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU!"

Hiccup shoved Asgeirr. "Get off of me!"

Asgeirr did not release his hold. "NO! YOU FOOL! YOU STOLE FREYJA'S SWORD FROM HER?!"

Hiccup pulled his knee up between Asgeirr and himself and kicked Asgeirr in the chest, hurling the Warlock backward. As Asgeirr stumbled, Hiccup drew Hicca with a savage ring and pointed it at Asgeirr.

"I'm sick of this," Hiccup whispered, his voice ugly as death. "You treat me like garbage, you come and yell at me like a dog. No. I won't stand for this. What is your complaint, master?" Hiccup put a twisted sarcasm on the last word.

Asgeirr straightened up, his broad face white with fury. His lip curled in a sneer, and Hiccup saw – was it fangs? – In his mouth. Then they faded, and Asgeirr spoke, his voice cold with rage.

"You stole Freyja's sword, the Sword of Death. You took it by force."

"Bah!" Hiccup sneered, sheathing Hicca. "Force? She began the attack. I merely met force with force, and guess what? I WON. Now the Sword of Death is mine."

"WHERE IS IT!?" Asgeirr screamed.

"No. Don't begin this with me, Asgeirr. You've seen me train, you've seen my attitude. I may be different than most Vikings, but I sure as hell have their stubbornness issues. The sword is hidden, it's hidden well, and you'll never find it. You'll also never get me to tell you. You know this."

Asgeirr stood silently for a minute.

"I do know that," he said. "But the Asgardian Council does not and they are absolutely incensed with you for what you did. They demand to see you immediately."

Hiccup's eyes widened. "The Asgardian Council? The five Gods, with the addition of Odin, that determine the fate of EVERYTHING?"

"Yes." Asgeirr's lip curled. "We'll see if you can deal with them."