Phew! Long chapter ahead! Hope you enjoy!
Three Hours Later, Infirmary… Lord Elrond came once again to see those whom were now his guests. As he passed through the elegant doors that kept the cold and wind at bay from those to whom hurt had been done, he noticed that, unlike his last visit, more persons were now in attendance.
Firstly, and with no small amusement, the Lord of Imladris noticed his fair-natured compatriot, Erestor, whom seemed to already have filled two reams of parchment with these young person's tales. Truthfully, Elrond had not seen his scrivener so animated in recent years, not since the Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, had come home from his perilous journey in Wilderland.
As Elrond closed distance with his guests, of which most were now presently in attendance, he began to hear of their story. Though in far more detail than young Lord Eldacar had provided. It was understandable. For the Ranger-Lord had been most sorely pressed for time and much, if not the great majority, of these tales were not his own.
…then we found out that the Monstrous Nightmare saliva burned so hot it could crack the Deathsong's amber!" added the one they called Fishlegs. Truly these people had a peculiar tale to tell, mused the Elf-Lord, and he greatly desired to hear of their story, or at the very least examine Erestor's manuscript.
"Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo," greeted Elrond in Quenya, gaining the attention of our company, then repeating in Westron, "a star shines upon the hour of our meeting."
The party of Dragon Riders, Dunedain, and Elves all bowed their heads. Though the sleeping Dragon instead produced a rather raucous snore, causing a chuckle of much mirth to make its way from our friend's mouths, no matter how they tried to suppress it; for even Lord Eldacar and Lady Haleth could scarcely contain their amusement.
"Young Master" began Elrond, looking at Hiccup, "I do sincerely hope that you have found our healing to have been beneficial?"
Hiccup nodded gratefully, "Yeah!" he replied, "I can barely feel it! Gods! So much better than when I lost my leg!"
Elrond nodded sagely, for it saddened him that this young man had to bear such a burden as the hurt of a lost limb. But it spoke volumes upon his character that it seemed naught to bother him, a truly impressive feat, the Elf-Lord reflected.
"Lady Heather" Elrond next addressed, "I do hope that your brother's health is improving as well?"
Heather nodded, if possible, even more readily than Hiccup, "By the gods, yes! I can never thank you enough!", tears of joy and relief beading in the corners of her eyes.
Wordlessly, the healer Idril had glided over, to once again check her patient's wounds. For she was now in charge of Dagur's recuperation as well. His most trying hours now well past.
As soon as she had finished gently changing Hiccup's bandages, she moved over to the unconscious Berserker. She tutted slightly as she changed the dressing upon the young chief's throat.
"For how one so young could suffer such a trauma" the healer sighed, "Must have been some truly dreadful accident."
Heather looked down, her expression becoming drawn with both sadness and guilt. Lord Elrond was already well aware this wound was no accident, but it was not his place to tell if the spreading of such knowledge was unwanted.
"It wasn't an accident" Heather replied with a barely-audible sigh, her despondency catching the attention of Erestor, Idril, Gondril, and Haleth. For whom this tale had remained untold.
The lady Irdil spoke first, "For what do you mean, my dear?"
Heather breathed a despondent sigh, and a shadow fell upon the faces of our company. "Dagur was captured by Dragon Hunters" Heather continued, "They did this to him… as torture."
Aghast. The only word that could suffice to sum up the faces of those whom did not know of this foul affair. The hands of Idril and Gondril leapt to their mouths, Haleth's eyes could scarcely have grown wider, and the quill of Erestor promptly stopped scratching across the parchment.
"My lady…" Idril started.
"By the Valar…" Haleth whispered, "I would never have believed that any of the race of Men could act so cruelly! So… so…"
"Orc-like" finished Eldacar, "I thought likewise upon learning of this barbarism."
This pall that had now found its way over the conversation of our companions lasted scarcely longer than a birdsong, however, for it wasn't but another moment before Heather added with a sad smile, though with signs of a hope returning, "But now they can't ever do that again, to anyone, and Dagur will be fine in the end. So, really, we still won." Truthfully, Lord Elrond was impressed with the firm vigor and conviction woven within this young woman's words.
This passion accompanying her statement brought a return of hope to the faces of those for whom this was most demoralizing news.
It was precisely then that the final three of those who entered Imladris alongside, or part of, our company entered the Infirmary; Lady Gondril, Amroth, and Farin. Several of those seated shuffled slightly to make room for the new arrivals, and with the company once again complete, the tale telling began again in earnest.
Lord Elrond listened attentively and respectfully through the story, as did Erestor, Gondril, Haleth, and Idril. Though, in truth, many of those whom were in the House of Healing paid much attention to our brave heroes tale, such was the hearing of the Elves that no detail escaped their notice.
This affair took many hours, and it was well into the night when lady Idril finally insisted that all of them must rest. Especially master Hiccup, as Dagur was still in the iron-shod grasp of unconsciousness.
So it was that, rather reluctantly on the part of all involved, that our company bid their compatriots goodnight and were led, or found their own way, to those rooms allocated for the residents and guests of Imladris.
Three Days Later… Young lord." Idril chided, "I must insist that you return to bed."
Hiccup sighed as the matronly healer gently guided his feet away from the outer doors, from which he had tried to furtively leave at least six-or-eight times by this point.
"I see that you are restless here, but I must be adamant that you continue to rest." spoke the healer once more, her tone soft yet still brooking no argument.
Much as Hiccup wished to press his case, he simply could not bring himself to argue with Idril, as she had been nothing save courteous and kind during his recovery, even going so far as to have a small, yet exceedingly well crafted, chessboard upon a stone plinth brought to rest between his and Dagur's cots, one that had been much used by occupants and visitors to the House of Healing since their arrival. In truth, that was an all-too-kind boon to the bedridden pair, for though Imladris was the greatest repository of lore in the North, indeed, likely in all of Middle-Earth; the fact that neither he, nor his Berserker friend, could read any of the scripts contained within the myriad of tomes that Lord Elrond possessed, and that neither was willing to pester any of the most generous folk of the vale to assist them in this matter, not even Amroth or Eldacar, made such a stay in the House of Healing a truly dull prospect indeed.
Two Days Later… Hiccup was ecstatic beyond words, for after a lengthy discussion between Idril, Lord Elrond, Eldacar, and himself, Hiccup was finally allowed to exit the infirmary. The sole condition of his release being that he avoid strenuous tasks and be accompanied by Lord Eldacar.
At first Hiccup had asserted that he didn't wish to squander Eldacar's time, but through many assertations, Eldacar was able to convince our young Dragon Rider that the task would be no burden, nay, it would be a pleasure.
So it was that Hiccup bade his farewell to his Berserker companion, for whom's release was somewhat delayed due to the severity of his wound and followed Eldacar out into the brilliantly lit courtyard of Imladris.
The sight was truly enough to take one's breath away, as Hiccup had been unconscious when he had entered Imladris, and Hiccup spent several moments in awed silence as he gazed upon the Last Homely House and the vale in which it rested.
Hiccup mind was brought back to earth by a slight chuckle from Eldacar.
Hiccup looked at the ranger quizzically, for what was so humorous?
Eldacar shook his head at Hiccup's expression, then said, "Forgive me, but your awed expression was truly a most amusing sight."
Hiccup smiled at his guide.
Eldacar placed his left hand upon Hiccup's shoulder, whilst gesturing with his right, "So where do you wish to roam, my friend?"
Hiccup looked to be in both thought and puzzlement for a moment before asking a question that, truth be told, Eldacar had already guessed, "Does Rivendell have a forge?"
A few minutes later, as Hiccup and Eldacar approached a small structure close to the forest that clung to the side of the vale which bordered the Misty Mountains, both Hiccup and Eldacar could begin to hear the familiar rough-clanging of a hammer beating metal. Though Hiccup, seeing as he had worked in a forge for the majority of his life, could swear that the rhythm of this forge sounded like an old song, one that stirred ancestral thoughts in his blood, and gave a momentary glimpse of glories now long past.
Hiccup shook his head to clear the strange feeling, he then turned to ask Eldacar about the odd sensation, but the Ranger merely chuckled lightly before Hiccup could speak. "The power of the Elder days does not die so quickly in Imladris" he said, and Hiccup got the distinct feeling that that's the least cryptic reply he would get on the matter.
Hiccup shook his head one more time as he and his Ranger companion rounded the side of the smithy and suddenly found themselves able to look into the structure as the wall that they now faced was actually more of a great-door than a wall.
Hiccup was taken-aback, for he had always seen a forge as a place, that could indeed turn out objects of great beauty, but that itself was not intrinsically pleasing to the eye.
For now he found himself to be vastly in error with such a thought.
In the small building was what one would say was a forge, as it contained all objects that Hiccup would be accustomed to seeing in such a place, but that is truly where the similarities ended. For each inch of the building was adored with hand-carved inlays, beautiful curves, and lovely, elegant contours. Even the forge equipment, from tongs to the great anvil, looked to be so wonderous that Hiccup wouldn't dare use them for such a mundane task as smithing, as it would seem to be an insult to use such beauteous tools for such routine work.
It took Hiccup several seconds to fully appreciate the surroundings that he now found himself in, and only when he had fully gathered his wits became aware that all the noise of the smithy had stopped.
He found himself starting when he realized that the resident of the forge had turned his head and was regarding Hiccup and his companion, who was already known to the craftsman, thoughtfully.
Hiccup, suddenly feeling rather foolish, tried to stutter out a greeting, "Um…uh, hello?", though, truthfully, he found himself feeling even more the fool with such a stuttered utterance.
T'was not a second before the smith, though half-covered in terrible-burn scars, and thus looking rather joyless, let loose a small laugh, "Mae govannen" he replied, using that quickly-becoming-familiar phrase that these people seemed to prefer.
He then gestured to the pair so as to come inside.
As he was a fellow smith, though would barely call himself so, as though even as he had not yet seen this simth's works Hiccup could already tell that this Elf's skill was vastly superior to his own. Nonetheless, as a fellow craftsman, Hiccup felt both as though he was visiting the home of a friend long-lost, and yet a sacred place, all at the same time.
"Good morning Damron" began Eldacar, "I trust that the news of the Dragon-riders has reached your ears?"
The smith nodded, then replied, "Indeed it has," he once more regarded Hiccup, then asked, "Is this young one their wounded leader?"
This time it was Eldacar's turn to nod, before replying, "Yes, he is a smith in his village and had asked to see what the smithy of Imladris was."
The Elf-smith, Damron, nodded sagely, then he looked back at Hiccup with ageless eyes. There was a momentary silence before his voice rose again, "I had been eager to meet you in truth."
Hiccup looked flattered beyond words, while Eldacar looked momentarily confused, until Damron withdrew a small object from a high shelf and presented it before the two.
"Lady Haleth, upon the direction of Lord Elrond, had trusted this to me for safe-keeping. In truth, upon learning from Lady Haleth that she had witnessed it become some sort of blade made of fire I was intrigued, for I had not heard of any such creations of Elf, Man, or Dwarf that could do such, and that it seemed to lack any enchantment at all.
In all honesty, I have been sorely tempted these past few days to investigate its properties, but felt that such would be unseemly and a violation of trust, having not the permission of its creator."
Once again, Hiccup felt flattered, that this Elf who had such skill was intrigued by something he had created, was a complement almost beyond expression for him.
Hiccup numbly reached out and gently retrieved the Inferno from the smith's hands.
It was then that Eldacar spoke, saying, "I am too curious," he said, "after having witnessed you in battle, but with a weapon which looks much different than I remember then."
Hiccup was finally easing up and his nerves were settling, so he then said, "Um, I can show you what it does, but I think we should go where I won't accidentally set anything on fire."
The Elf and Ranger both laughed lightly, then acquiesced to the Dragon rider's wishes and strode several-hundred feet from the smithy to a large patch of open ground.
Hiccup took several steps, so as not to wound the pair if soothing went wrong, looked over Inferno quickly for any signs of major damage, turned back towards the expectant duo, then, with a deep breath raised the blade as he pressed the activation button.
To his immense relief, the fiery blade shot out of the hilt and caught alight, just as was its function.
"By the Valar…" marveled Damron, Eldacar nodding is agreement with great interest upon his face.
The pair cautiously approached as Damron began his first question, "How does such a blade burn without fuel, yet also without enchantment?"
"Um," began Hiccup, "well, one of our Dragons, it's called the Monstrous Nightmare, drools out a kind of, well… gel that I keep in a reservoir in the hilt, there's also a little spring-loaded flint-and-steel that makes a spark when the blade comes out, the gel is really flammable, burns hot, and burns long."
Truthfully, the pair look mightily impressed as Hiccup explains the function and workings of the device, for Damron then asks, "Young master, how old are you again?"
Hiccup swallows nervously, "Eighteen" he replies.
The smith then turns to Eldacar, "If I had not witnessed it with my own two eyes I would have doubted such a story, for once I knew master Dwarven smiths ten-times his age whom could not have created such a device!"
Eldacar nodded in emphatic agreement.
Flush with pride, though not blinded by it, Hiccup then said, "Um, I made it do something else as well…"
The pair's attention refocused on Hiccup, their expressions telling him to go on, "We have another Dragon, the Hideous Zippleback, it breathes out a gas that is explosive." Hiccup retrieved a 'demonstration-cartridge' containing only an-eighth of the gas of a standard cartridge, "I keep the gas in these." he pointed out how the small-oblong-container fit inside the hilt, "then all I have to do is…" Hiccup pressed a second catch near the pommel of the device, allowing a thin-hissing stream of gas to trail behind the weapon as he swung it, then instantly igniting the stream and causing a large puff of fire.
If the Ranger and Elf had been impressed before, it surely paled before what they felt now, the looks upon their faces could only be described as astounded.
Hiccup then spent the rest of his day in the Smithy of Imladris, detailing the construction of Inferno on reams of parchment at the side of Damron and Eldacar. It took time, as Hiccup had to stress the tempering of the internal springs and the tight-fitting of the leather gaskets that contained both the gas and gel.
But, as all three would later relate, this tedium was worth the effort, as by the end of the day Damron had a pair of finished plans for Inferno, one plan for his own personal archives and one to be placed in the great library of Imladris.
Hiccup too found this rewarding, for not only was he able to share his knowledge, but he made a new friend and got a personal invitation to visit the forge whenever he liked.
