A Queen's Hero

Disclaimer: I do not own How to train your dragon

KEY

'Thoughts/memories'

"foreign language/projected thoughts"

Emphasis/yelling

(A/N: More backstory.)

Review responses

Arraia: Thank you

CajunBear73: Yep. 'sharing', hmm? Eh, what can you say, Astrid works fast. She almost got 'Offed' herself. A no-holds-bar beatdown for sure, it's sure ruined… for now. She doesn't know, but she will. Astrid as someone's puppet? Interesting.

Umbra Lycan: Thank you. If you hurt his friends, expect no mercy from Hiccup.

OechsnerC: Thanks

thomaspheasant: Ok

CynderX: First, awesome name. Thank you, reviews like yours are what fuels my desire to continue writing. You're welcome.

Back to the action!

Chapter 19: Origin

Hofferson residence

Nar POV

Astrid rested on her bed in her room, Gothi had just finished treating her injuries. The elder stepped out with Brenna, Astrid's mother had helped the frail healer tend to her daughter's wounds. She lay in just her leggings and breast bindings, bandages covered most of her torso and arms. Before leaving, Gothi had given Astrid a pain-relieving herbal tea to help her sleep.

Her consciousness floated through the void, she felt numb as she faded in and out.


Astrid's dream

'Ugh, where am I?', she blinks, then notices that she is standing in Berk's square. Astrid sees the buildings around her, she brings her hands up, 'What's going on?!'. She hears sobbing around the corner of a hut, she walks towards it. Rounding the corner, she's stunned by what she sees.

A twelve-year-old Hiccup was being held by the younger twins; he grunts as a young Snotlout gives him another punch to his gut. She yells, "Stop it!", but her words seem to not reach them. Astrid looks around, Stoick and the rest of the adults watch on emotionless. 'Why isn't anyone stopping this?', She tries to move to help Hiccup, but stops when she sees a little blonde girl walk out behind Stoick.

It was her, looking on with a scowl, 'Is this a memory?'. Astrid shook her head, 'No, Stoick would never let Hiccup get beaten… would he?'. She turns back to him when she hears a pained gasp, Stoick gurgles as a black clawed arm burst through his torso. It tears back into his chest; the large chieftain falls to his knees, dead. A cloud of black mist flooded the square, dying screams came from the mist as an unseen creature cut down villager after villager.

Astrid and the younger teens stood surrounded by the mist, the younger twins drop Hiccup to run. They are each impaled by the sharp tip of a thin black multi-segmented limb, they scream as they are pulled into the mist. The young Snotlout turns to flee, but the black clawed arm bursts from the fog and latches onto his ankle. He trips forward and claws the dirt, trying to stop himself from being dragged into the mist.

Astrid, her younger self and younger Hiccup were the only ones left, she felt her hands grow cold. Bringing them up, she sees them fading. Astrid closes her eyes, then opens them to see everything towering around her. She realizes that she has become her younger self, 'What?'. Little Hiccup whimpers, drawing her attention, "H-hic-cup?".

He curls away from her, a distorted growling sounded all around them. A pair of black clawed arms hover above the cowering little Hiccup, "Fear not, young one".

He fearfully mutters, "W-who are y-you?".

The growling calms to a low rumble, "I am your will". The arms draw closer to him, "I am your strength". Thin black limbs emerge from the fog, coiling around the small bruised boy, "I am your future". The appendages keep a respectful distance from little Hiccup, "Will you accept me?".

Astrid steps toward little Hiccup and the entity, "Hiccup, don't do it!".

A pair of reddish orange glowing eyes shone from the mist, "It is your choice, young one". Little Hiccup looked up at her with a bruised face, tears swelling in his eyes. The upper half of a humanoid form emerged out of the mist, it leans down to whisper into his ear, "Well?".

He bows his head and bites his lower lip, then relaxes, "Yes".

"No!", Astrid rushes to him, the being smiles a fanged grin. Its form envelopes him entirely before she could reach him, she falls to her knees as the boy vanishes into the swirling black mass. A dark chuckling makes her blood run cold; the mass begins to take on a human form. It steps towards her; Astrid looks up to a hybridized young Hiccup snarling down at her.

She crawls backward, he roars and lunges forward. His claws and sharp ends of his back-limbs diving at her, ready to tear her to pieces. Astrid curls up and raises her arms, the claws and tips just millimeters from her skin.


Back in Astrid's room

Astrid gasped and opens her eyes, her chest heaving as she breathes heavily, I'm…I'm in my house?'. She tries to sit up, but yelps when pain erupts from her wounds. Faint footsteps sound out from behind her door, they grew louder until the door swings open.

Gothi stood at her doorway, she held a small bowl in one hand and her staff in another. Astrid stares at her as the elder walk towards the wounded shieldmaiden. She sets down the steaming bowl of porridge on her bedside table, then motions for Astrid to allow her to check her dressings. Gothi nods, then points to the bowl. Astrid reaches over and begins to eat, she down three spoonful's before trying to recall hours before, "Gothi, what happen, how'd I get hurt?".

Gothi walks back and retrieves the bowl, then sets it down. She points her staff to a broken axe leaning on the far wall, the sight of the damaged weapon returned Astrid's memory, "My axe!". She swung her legs over and tried to stand, only for a rush of pain to send her back down. Using her staff, Gothi led her back down, "Gothi, my axe, I need- ". The elder pulled out a sheet of parchment, on it was Gobber's messy handwritings.

It read, if you're reading this, Gothi says to stay in bed. Your wounds need time to heal, they might reopen if you try to move. You should be able to walk in about a day, just be careful. The elder placed the note back into her satchel, then shuffled over to the remains of Astrid's axe. With some effort, she was able to carry it over to the bedridden woman. Gothi tapped her staff and pointed at the bowl, Astrid nods with tears in her eyes. The healer left her room, Astrid held her broken axe tightly, "It's all my fault".


Earlier, Near Gobber's forge

Hiccup marched towards the forge, his rage slowly calming. Gobber had left to help Gothi and Astrid's parents with her, Heather jogged up to him, "Hey Hiccup, wait up!".

He turns around, seeing his friend alone, "Where's Mira, is she safe?".

Heather tries to ease his concern, "Don't worry, my mom and her shieldmaidens helped her to our camp". He breathes out, much more relaxed, "More importantly, are you alright?". He turns to her, raising an eyebrow, "I mean your eyes, are they- ".

"I'm fine, I know it looks bad", he sees Heather holding out a handkerchief. Hiccup takes it, then begins to wipe off the reddish tear lines.

"It doesn't look that bad, not that you aren't good-looking", Heather became flustered. "I-I mean, you are good-looking. I just uhh, m-mean… um", she desperately tried to stop.

Hiccup chuckled; he hands her back her tissue, then places his hand on her delicate shoulder, "It's ok Heather, I understand". "Thank you for caring for my friend… and me", he smiles, then softly cups her cheek. Heather melts at the warmth of his hand, her knees grew weak at his gaze. Thankfully, Gobber decided to hobble into view before Heather's knees collapsed.

"Oi, 'iccup, ya' alright ma' boy?!", he released her, giving Heather a chance to recover.

"Yes Gobber, I'm fine", Hiccup's eyes were now a dark orange. He held the door to the forge open for Heather and Gobber. "Besides, this wasn't the first time this happened", both turned to him.

"What do you mean 'first time'?", Heather inquired while sitting on a barrel, Gobber was pulling up a stool for himself.

Hiccup POV

I took a deep breath, knowing that they might freak out, "The first time my eyes bled was… when I fought the dragon queen".

"Dragon… queen?", I nod to Heather.

"Yes, she was the reason why the dragons raided the Vikings. Now before I tell you this, you must promise me to NEVER tell this to anyone!", I harden my face to show how serious I was.

Nar POV

They both agreed, Hiccup began his tale, "Alright, four years ago-".


'Hiccup and his following swarm hovered just outside the fog bank of Helheim's Gate, he stood on Donnager's harness. Dressed in a plain black tunic and pants, he wore a simple iron chest piece. Besides his colossi were two other colossi males, all three held a trio of sentinels in their grasp. Surrounding them was a large swarm of sekärs, nearly a hundred strong. Hiccup knew his small swarm of volunteers stood little chance of defeating the monstrosity that was hunkering deep within the volcano hidden within the fog.'

'He took a deep breath and turned to his followers, "My brothers and sisters, before us is our enemy. Deep within the mountain of this island, lies a gluttonous tyrant. This beast defiles the title of queen, her servants nothing more than slaves. It is our duty to slay this 'Red Death', not for our Hive's future but the future of the entire archipelago!", his followers roared in agreement. Hiccup pulled out the newly created Remnant, "GLORY TO OUR QUEEN!".'

'He pointed his blade forward, Donnager bellowed and charged into the fog. The other two colossi flew after him, followed by the swarm of sekärs. Hiccup waited for the tyrant to send out most of her slaves, he knew he needed every advantage he could get. The tension grew as his group navigated their way through the maze of sea stacks, being led by the scouts he sent earlier. After a few more nerve-wracking moments, they finally cleared the fogbank.'

'His eyes scanned the island surface; the hellish landscape only increased his tension. Hiccup circled the mountain several times, then spotted a large fissure running down the southwest side of the volcano, "There!". He directed the colossi to drop their sentinels above the fracture, they hunkered down while the colossi spewed their volatile bile into the fissure. Hiccup stood up and waited for them to get clear, then brought out his bow. He lit a flaming arrow and notched it, before pulling back the string with all his strength. "For the future of our Hive", he whispered, then let the arrow fly.'

'The explosion shattered open a tunnel, his swarm roared when a large flock of dragons fluttered out, "Remember my kin, our enemy is the Tyrant!". His followers ignored the fleeing dragons, instead concentrating on the growing rumble echoing from the tunnel. A massive roar emitted from within the mountain, drawing back the fleeing dragons to attack. "Go, free them from their suffering!", the sekärs broke off and engaged the possessed dragons. Claw to claw and Mandibles to jaws, both flyers collided with each other.'

'While the sekärs fought the dragons, Hiccup kept his sights on the gaping hole. The stone around the tunnel cracked as a hulking mass forced its way out, the sentinels perched above the collapsing shaft dug their claws in to keep from falling. Hiccup muttered, "C'mon, just a little more". As the enormous dragon queen erupted from the cavern, she roared a challenge to his brethren. She stepped out from below the tunnel entrance, Hiccup bellowed at the top of his lungs, "NOW!".'

'The perched sentinels leapt off and dropped onto the Red Death's shoulders, landing blades first. Their inertia allowed their blades to puncture through her hard hide, the tyrant roared in pain. She drew in a breath, then unleashed a torrent of flame towards the fighting sekärs and dragons. Hiccup's anger swelled as he saw both his followers and dragons fall dead from the sky, the Red Death turned to him. She charged another breath, only for a sharp pain to cause her to miss. The sentinel's hacking at her wing joints had severed one, it lay limp on her side. In rage, the tyrant smashed her body at the mountain side, killing the sentinels that had wounded her.'

'The Red Death had turned her sights at Hiccup, she charged a breath to burn him for grounding her. As she ignited her breath, one of the colossi males barreled into her jaw. The collision shut her maw; the explosive breath blasting out some of her massive teeth. The enraged monster breathed an inferno towards Hiccup and Donnager, the other colossi male flew in between them and the destructive firestorm. He took the full brunt of the inferno; his wings and hide were seared. The male crashed to the stony beach dead; Hiccup bowed his head.'

'His colossi smelled a blood scent coming from his rider, "Alpha, are you wounded?".'

'"Donnager, I want you to fly right at that monster. When I give the signal, you are to jolt your abdomen, understood?", Hiccup growled, barely able to compose himself. Donnager protested, he snapped, "I need you to do this, we need to end this beast!". His colossi trilled sadly and nodded. Donnager flew towards the Red Death as she opened her maw, Hiccup crawled onto the colossi's abdomen, "NOW!". He did as he was told and launched Hiccup as she was taking in a breath to unleash another inferno. His hair fluttered back as he barreled at the monstrosity, revealing his blood-tear stained face. He tucked his arms close to his body, becoming more streamline to gain speed. The lines appearing like warpaint as he closed in, his reddish eyes matched his uncontrolled rage.'

'He shot into her windpipe just before she unleashed her inferno. The light from the flames allowed Hiccup to see as he slid down, "This is for my family!", he pulled out the Remnant and stabbed it into her walls. He sliced open the walls of her windpipe as he slid towards her lungs, the flames burst in after him.'

'The surviving Hive kin could only watch as their guardian disappeared inside the Red Death. After a few moments, she hacked and coughed as the flames consumed her from within. Her chest swelled before exploding, sending giant chunks of bloody flesh and bone everywhere. The Red Death collapsed, gurgling as she finally died.'

'Donnager and the rest of Hiccup's assault force flew to the corpse, hoping to find their prince alive. Surviving sekärs picked up slab after slab of burnt flesh, desperate to find Hiccup. Donnager held open the corpse's cavity, he spotted a limping figure struggling to reach the opening. "Alpha!", bellowed Donnager. Hiccup managed to reach his colossi, before his legs gave out and he tumbled down towards the beach. He wheezed as he struggled to stand, his melted armor fell off as the survivors landed around him.'

'The extent of his injuries finally dawned on them, his face and body had first and second degree burns on his exposed skin. The chitin of his arm and cheek flaked off, weakened by the immense heat from the explosion. The left side of his face was burned severely, his upper left torso skin was charred and bleeding. His right arm and several ribs were cracked, along with his right leg, "Alpha, we must get you back to the healer!". Donnager lowered himself as he reached for the harness, the surviving dragons and the returning raiders landed around his group. Donnager roared along with the sekärs, Hiccup patted his protective colossi. "Alpha!", he called out to Hiccup as he limped towards the Titan-wing monstrous nightmare standing in front of the dragons.'

'"Your oppressor lies dead, do you still wish to fight?", he shakenly asked, the leader shook his head. "Then please, flee from the archipelago. The Vikings will not stop trying to exterminate your kind, take your friends and find a safer place to make your home", the leader bowed in understanding, Hiccup returned the gesture. He watched the dragons fly off into the distance, "Finally, it's over", he muttered before collapsing.'


Hiccup sighed, remembering the lives lost by both sides. Heather ran up and hugged him, hearing how badly he was injured. He reassured her that he was fine and waited for her to sit back down next to Gobber, who sat in awed silence. She spoke up, "So what happen next?".

Hiccup ran his claws through his hair, "Well, I faded in and out of consciousness. From what the others told me, Donnager carried me back to our old hive". He walked over to the smoldering coals, staring at the glowing embers, "When we returned, my mother flew into an uncontrollable rage. It took Elder Crimson and five other sentinels to restrain her from lashing out at the others. After she calmed down, mother cradled me as she brought me to the ancient pools deep within the old hive. There, she poured in her ichor fluid into the water and carefully placed me in. Apparently, Elder Crimson wanted to ensure that I could never be hurt like that again".

"'ow?", asked Gobber.

"He bit into his arm and added his blood to the pool, it seeped into my open wounds", Hiccup scooped up the burning coals with his graspers, frightening his friends. He chuckled and dropped them back into the furnace, "It took two weeks for my injuries to heal".

"Wha', two weeks ta' heal. Tha's impossible!", Gobber stood up.

"When I was a child, the near daily beatings caused my body to adapt, healing injuries quicker. A cut one day, would be a scar after three days. A broken bone normally takes six to eight weeks to heal, I would do it in two. My conversion only enhanced my healing ability, over doubling my 'normal' recovery rate", both Heather and Gobber's jaws hung open. "I'm telling you two this because I trust you, nothing I say here can ever be revealed, understood?", they both nod.

"I guess we should head back to camp Hiccup", Heather moved to the forge's door, "Mira might be waiting for us". They both bid farewell to Gobber, he waved back at them with his new hook.

Near Beartooth camp

Hiccup POV

Heather and I were walking through the forest towards our camp, she seemed a little apprehensive, "Hey, Hiccup?".

"Yeah?", we both came to a stop a little way from the clearing.

She played with her braid, "I was wondering if I could talk to you about something?". Heather walked over to an old log, she sat down and patted next to her. I sat down and waited for her to say something, "Um… do you remember when you and my father were finalizing the treaty between our islands?".

"Yes, why?".

She fidgeted a bit, "Well, when you opposed to an arrange marriage between us, were you telling the truth about your island's laws?".

"Kinda, my brethren choose who they want as their mate. No one else can make their decisions for them, the 'freedom of one's will' is sacred to our people", I dust off my cloak free of a few leaves.

"So, it wasn't because you didn't find me attractive?", Heather fixed her skirt.

"Of course not, you're very beautiful Heather. From your flawless raven hair, to your gorgeous emerald green eyes. Your smile that lights up the room and the cute face that you make when y- ", I stopped when I realized I said too much. I quickly glance at her and saw her reddening face, 'Oh gods, I did!'. I shot up, "I'm sorry Heather, I said too much didn't I?".

She stood up slowly and faced me, but kept her face bowed, "D-do you really mean all those things?".

"Yes, I've told you before, I don't say anything I don't mean to my friends", she seemed sadden.

"So Mira and I are just friends to you, nothing more?".

"Listen, Y-you both mean the world to me, I-it's just I- ", I take a breath, 'I don't know if I can do this'.

"You what, what is wrong with us?!", Heather looked upset, tears were starting to swell.

"Nothing's wrong with you, it's me!", I yelled.

Heather seemed taken back by my statement, "What?".

"I'm not dense, ok! I know you two have romantic feelings for me, I've known for a while now!", I breathe in to steady my nerves. "It's just, I'm afraid that- ", I turn away from her.

"That we'll do what Astrid did to you, you know that Mira and I will never do that!", she looked hurt.

"I know you and her won't, it's that I'm scared-", I turn around, only for Heather to wrap me in a deep embrace. "T-this is all new to me, I don't know if I can give either of you an answer right now", I feel her rub my back.

She breaks our hug and holds my hands, "Then I'll wait, I'm sure Mira will too". She wipes the tears from her stunning eyes, then punches me in my shoulder, "But don't make us wait too long or else!". I couldn't help a slight blush rise, Heather grabs my hand and leads me towards our camp, "C'mon, let's not keep Mira waiting!".

Nar POV

The orange sentinel stood guard at the forest edge, he perked up when he saw Hiccup and Heather near the camp, he chirped, "Hiccup, you are safe. I was worried that you were in trouble when Mira was carried here injured".

"I'm fine Jasper, more importantly, where is she?".

Jasper led them both to Heather and Mira's shared tent, he trilled sadly, "The Kind Ones 'chieftess' is tending to her wounds". The sentinel walked to stand beside the tent's opening, Hiccup moved the flap aside and stepped in.

Mira sat upon her cot, Arnora was dabbing her bruises with a damp cloth, "Hold still Dear, we need to make sure your wounds are clean, or they won't heal properly". Mira struggled to remain as still as she could but wince every so often, Arnora sighed, "You wouldn't want Hiccup to worry now, would you?".

Hiccup cleared his throat to make himself known, "The chieftess makes a good point".

"Hiccup!", she swings her legs over and tries to stand, but winces.

Hiccup rushes over and supports her, "Whoa, easy there Mira", he gently helps her lay back down. He looks her over, Mira's armor and undersuit were replaced with her black undershirt and leggings. Her mid-torso was wrapped with bandages, he could smell the herbal paste from under the dressings, "How badly are you hurt?".

Arnora stepped outside to return the medical kit to her tent, Mira places her hand on the bindings below her ribs, "It will be bruised for a while, but Arnora says I will be fine in a few days". Hiccup sat down on the stool beside her cot as Toothless poked his head in the doorway, nudging Heather aside.

Hiccup smiled, "Don't worry Mira, Toothless can carry you around until you get better". He motions to the fury, "You wouldn't mind, would you bud?".

Toothless trilled, "Not at all". He was drawn by the commotion outside, then return a moment later, "Brother, Heather's sire is here, and he doesn't look happy". Toothless vanishes back outside, just as Ivor walked in wearing a harden face.

"Hiccup, may I speak to you outside?", Ivor asked, he excused himself and followed the chief outside. Heather sat down on the stool to keep Mira company, both watched them step out.

"Your dad looked upset, do you think it had something to do with Hiccup?", Mira questioned while sitting back up.

"No, he's probably mad about how your 'challenger' shamefully attacked you", Heather reached down and picked up one of Mira's vambraces, she felt the black hive-steel engravings.

"Heather, is there something you're not telling me?", she stiffened at Mira's question.

"Yeah, um… while walking here, I had to ask Hiccup how he felt about well-", she gestured between them, "-Us".

"And, what did he say?".

Heather placed the vambrace back down, "He confessed that he knew we both are pursuing him, he also said that the reason he acted oblivious was that he was afraid that we'd- ".

"Hurt him like Astrid did, right?", she squeezed the hem of her fur blanket.

"How'd you know?", she was surprised by Mira's guess.

"Gobber said the same thing", she struggled to smile through the pain from her bruises. Mira turned to Heather, "So what did he say when you confronted him?".

"I admit, I was upset that he compared me and you to that harpy- ", Mira eyed her, "-but he knew better and told me that he couldn't give us an answer then".

"So, how long until he will?".

"Not long, I made sure of that", Heather said with a smirk.

Mira narrowed her eyes, "Heather, what did you do?".

She shrugged, "I just gave him a friendly slug to the shoulder as a warning".

Mira mocked appalment, "Oh my, such a violent woman!".

Heather smiled, "Hey, that's the only way a guy like Hiccup will understand", They both chuckled.

Meanwhile, Outside Mira and Heather's tent

While his two 'friends' were having their discussion, Hiccup and Ivor walked to the camp's central firepit. Ivor slumped onto a log, Hiccup sat across the fire from him, "So what did you want to talk about?".

Ivor prodded the fire, "I should've listened to your warnin's but as a chieftain, I had to give Berk the benefit of the doubt". "I see I made a mistake, now your friend was hurt by my foolishness", he stared solemnly at the flames.

"Listen Ivor, I don't blame you for what happen to Mira", Hiccup tossed a billet into the fire, "If anyone is at fault, it's mine". Hiccup shifted, "So are we going to stay a few more days like you planned?".

Ivor sighed, "No, I have my answer, we'll set sail tomorrow, when the tide is low".

Hiccup looked up, "Can you give me an hour to say goodbye to Gobber and Gothi?".

Ivor lurched up and walked over to him, he patted his shoulder, "Aye, you can say yur' farewells while we get my ship ready to sail". Hiccup thanked him, then they went to their respective tents to turn in for the day.


Morning, the next day

While Ivor and his guards prepared the ship to sail, Arnora went below with her shieldmaidens. On the clifftop above Berk's docks, Hiccup, Mira and Heather were saying goodbye to Gobber and Gothi. Heather was helping her onto Toothless while Hiccup spoke with Gobber, the blacksmith sniffed, "Will ya' send a letta' when Mira gets betta', 'iccup?".

"Don't worry, I will", Hiccup looked at the fury, "Easy Bud, she's still hurt". Toothless clawed his way up on to Donnager's harness instead of leaping. The colossi lowered to let Hiccup grab onto one of the harnesses belts, he climbed on and help the others fasten themselves to the saddle. "Try to fly smoothly, ok big guy?", Donnager nodded and gently fluttered his wings. Hiccup turned to Heather, "Keep an eye on Mira", she nods and holds her friend tighter.

They flew up and hovered off the cliff, Siv and Asa rose up beside Donnager. On their backs were their respective passengers and their stowed away cargo, they held Jasper and Amethyst below them. Hiccup and his friends gave a final wave, before descending to escort Ivor's departing ship with the sekär swarm.

Gobber looked at his son and his friends disappear into the morning fog, Gothi tapped his shoulder gently. He looked down at her scribbles, "Aye, I'll tell ya as soon as I get 'is letta'". The elder gave a small smile and shuffled next to Gobber hobbling back to the village.


Hours later

Astrid POV

I step out of my home and look around, most of the villagers were busy doing their jobs. The sky above was empty, 'Where are those flying monsters?'. I held onto my wrapped axe tighter and walked towards the forge, everyone I passed gave me a wide berth. 'Why are they afraid of me?', I shake off the thought and see smoke billowing out of the forge's chimney.

I step up to the window, pausing before knocking, 'Will Gobber help me after what I've done?'. I take a deep breath and knock, Gobber stops hammering at his anvil and looks back. He sighs, "Wha' can I do fur' ya' Astrid?".

"C-can you fix m-my axe?", he waves me in. I unwrap my axe, fighting the tears threatening to flow.

Gobber looks at the pieces, "I can try, but I don' kno' if will 'old up ta' yur' trainin'".

"What do you mean Gobber?", I held my axe's grip tighter, "You made this, didn't you?".

He shook his head, "I've made plenty 'o weapons fur' tha' village, but I didn' make this one". He took them out of my hands, inspecting the workmanship with a gloomy face, 'Why is he sad?'.

Gobber walked over to the forge, he pulled out the shaft and place both head pieces in the flames, "What do you mean 'you didn't make this one'?".

"Ya' wanna' kno' tha' reason yur' axe an' Stoick's hamma' neva' break like tha' otha's weapons?", I nod. He pulled out the yellow glowing pieces and set them down on the anvil, he reached over down into a leather pouch then sprinkled white powder between them, "Cuz 'iccup made 'em". I staggered, 'Hiccup made my axe?!', he fastens them together with wire.

He began to hammer them together, 'Hiccup, the same boy everyone called a 'Useless runt', made the two best weapons in all the village?!'. I didn't know how long I was standing there in a daze until a hiss broke me free, Gobber hands me my 'fixed' axe, "I did all I could, but ya' shouldn' use it ta' it ta' train or it might break again".

"W-why did he- ".

Gobber went back to hammering, "'e made it for ya' so tha' ya' might notice 'im, sad ta' say it didn't work". I eyed the faint line running through the head, then reached in my pocket. "Don't worry Astrid, on tha' 'ouse", he said with no emotion.

"Why?".

He replied without looking back, "Tis my job. Besides, yur' axe is one of tha' few things left of ma' little apprentice". His depressing response tore at my heart, I leave the forge and walk back to my house with one thought going through my head.

'You just keep screwing up, don't you Astrid?'.

(A/N: How Hiccup claimed Helheim's gate for his hive finally gets revealed. Since he didn't have the mighty offspring of lightning and death itself, he had to take a more "Kratos" approach to defeat the Red death. That's one win for Heather, she's still in the fight. Mira has a less potent healing factor than Hiccup, from her being a hybrid. Flux like borax or Lime can be used to forge weld two pieces of metal together. Her beloved weapon's origins finally come to light for Astrid.)