New chapter for you! Boy these ones were fun to write! I hope you all enjoy this adventure in badass-ery as much as I do ;) Stay healthy, stay safe, and wash yo' hands! :P
Superlego99: I am still laughing about this review. So stoked that you caught the LotR's reference. Maybe they'll find a Balrog, maybe something else, maybe both... No matter what it is, I doubt that they are just going to be able to wave their hands and magic it away. Though I swear I will not make one of them slam their sword into the ground and yell, "you shall not pass!" :P
Guest: There is a very definite possibility of that. Guess we'll just have to see how soon, and just how Astrid deals with it. She is starting to come into her own, after all. I wouldn't want to be one of Hiccup's ladies showing up uninvited...
DespicableG: Wasn't it! Even though I had that back story in my head forever, it still kinda surprised me to write it down. Though it really was mentioned very sneakily in TGoP's 'Big Brother' chapter when Ilweran says that it wasn't until years later that he realized everything he thought he knew was wrong. That it took him 'years' to go back and find out that he had a child. Meaning that he really and truly was a dirt bag before Celeste, since he fucked her, got her pregnant, and left. We all just chose to glance over that part because, like Astrid, it didn't feel like the Ilweran that we thought we knew. Guess the joke was on us... Anyways, it is good that Odin still feels bad, and even Odin wishes them good luck, so it's probably not gonna be an easy win for our two favourite elves. That is also a very good guess about the vision indeed, and I wish I could say yay or nay, but you'll find out soon enough I suppose.
As for your questions, yes, bonded dragons are as immortal as their riders. Of course they can still be killed just like the riders can, but neither of them will die of natural causes. If the bonded dragon dies, their immortal rider lives on, but with a constant aching emptiness inside of them. As if a very important part of them has been ripped away. I imagine that they would certainly retire after that. Good question, and good theory. I love knowing that readers are thinking ahead and looking deeper into the story. It is so well formed in my mind that I sometimes forget that the readers don't already know the whole universe too. Lol. Thanks for the well wishes, and stay healthy yourself :)
CB73: I feel like Astrid's perception of the world is going to be thoroughly shaken apart by the time she finds herself. Not just the Golden Boy, but the rest of them too. The people that she thinks she knows best are not always who they appear to be (including herself). Fortunately, people are more than capable of change, and it is clear that Ilweran Lerinasson has. Sometimes we all need our illusions violently shattered before we figure out that we are the root of our own pain. Thankfully for Ilweran, he is a 400-year-old prince with more than enough weapons to win her over again :P As long as they survive the sh*t show that Odin has sent them to go sort out, that is. Lol
Angryhenry: Why thank you :)
Now Account: Indeed it is! It's 298 pages long on my computer, so I would say it is a little over 300 pages in book form, which feels crazy! Hopefully Odin still feels bad enough about his actions last time that he is not going to do anything overly risky. A part of him probably senses that he is walking on egg shells with Hiccup, and apparently Ilweran too. Lol. I would say that you are absolutely right about Astrid learning about Ilweran's past. It sucks now, and it is hard to stomach, but it will make it a little easier to hear Hiccup's story. Knowing that people can change is the hardest part to accept. Everyone has made bad choices. Ilweran has just had much more time to make bad choices in... He may be a much better man now, but you summed it all up in your statement. A calm wolf really is still a wolf. They may be 'The Expendables', but they will not go down without a fight. Hence, they do not rely on Odin for all of their intel, and they make their own friends (in low places too). Being a powerful ruler is not the only way to buy loyalty...
Guest: Thatguy: I would say a little of both. She knows that he is a killer, but she has no idea of the sheer amount of blood on his hands. It would be a little hard to imagine if you have never actually witnessed war before. He is probably more afraid of her learning about his past sexual exploits though, since as he reminds us, the last time she learned about him being involved with other women, she kicked the shit out of him. Lol
KevinLazar: He really is an amazing person, and a genuinely kind man. Thank goodness too, because he is absolutely terrifying. Hiccup could have certainly tortured Stormheart a heck of a lot more, but he probably didn't for the sake of the villagers. It was already shocking for them, after all. Lol. As for the final battle, he actually did push the queen into an illusion, but it was the one that she had created. A place of blinding pain and complete sensory deprival that was slowly driving Astrid into madness and death. Sounds a lot like how Hiccup described torture through illusion, doesn't it?.. She wasn't physically touching Astrid when she was attacking her, so that place that Astrid was lost in could not have been real. It was all in her mind, or more correctly, the queen's mind ;) Good catch though :)
Agentwalkoff: No, I don't think it will be pretty. I think something big might have to happen first if Hiccup is to walk away from the reveal in one piece...
_
As the two bonded dragons soared out of the main tunnel into the cavern beyond, many of the dwarves gathered in the streets below glanced up in interest. Despite being underground, the city was undeniably beautiful. Lit with natural skylights, as well as torches and orbs of magic light, it was bright and welcoming. Bustling with life, as the people wound their busy way between the immaculately carved buildings of stone. Gardens, trees, and wildlife sprouting up unexpectedly within this underground cavern, as the skylights allowed life giving sunlight to breach the surface.
At one end of the city, in the wealthiest district, an enormous waterfall poured down from the land above. The churning cauldron at the bottom creating a beautiful pool of frothy water that then separated into three wide rivers. Each of which snaked away to cut a different path through the city. The waterfall provided both drinking and irrigation water to Moghdarom. Bright amulets given as gifts by Odin and his brothers in trade for the dwarves allegiance glowed brightly at the crest of the falls. Keeping the water purified for consumption, while the surplus of natural hot springs beneath bubbled up to supply the wash houses with a continual supply of hot water.
The population was predominantly dwarf, but there were still many other people from Asgard and Vanaheim that had come to live and work in the realm. Easily distinguishable amongst the crowds thanks to their taller statures. As elves, Hiccup and Ilweran were already taller than the rest of the races. It was just something that you got used to, but they couldn't help feeling a bit like real Jotuns when they came to Nidavellir. Standing at least three full feet taller than even the very tallest of the dwarves, their flawless golden tan skin and smoothly chiseled features were distinctly noticeable next to the ruddy complexions and rather homely appearance of the dwarves.
Frankly, the two of them stood out like cultured red roses in a field of snow drops. It was an impressive testament to their skills that they were able to be stealthy at all while they were here. Landing in the courtyard outside Greatmail Palace, they looked up at the huge double wide doors bookended by armed guards. The building itself was named for the first family to have taken to the mines; setting in motion the series of events that would eventually earn the dwarves their livelihood and wealth. The family that still ruled over the realm, though they shared their authority with the parliament now.
It was a beautiful and elegant stronghold carved from a solid piece of red stone that used to be one of many vast support pillars for the cavern. As such, the roof of the castle stretched all the way to the high ceiling above. The entirety of the marvellous craftsmanship illuminated by strategically placed flickering orbs of magic fire. As the central palace in the central city, it was meant to be a display of the dwarves mastery of stone masonry. As well as a bold display of power over the people and the harsh land.
It was irrefutably impressive, but Hiccup hated to think how many dwarves had given their lives to carve this masterpiece for a greedy king. Unable to use magic, it would have to have been chiseled out by hand. At least the new king, Garkas Greatmail, was a much kinder ruler than his predecessors. Having been the first king to establish a parliament that was elected by the people to represent them. It was not perfect, and there was still corruption, but Garkas did not deal with corrupt council members very kindly. Clearly hoping to stop greed from abusing a system meant to protect the weak, and Hiccup could only respect that.
As he and Ilweran dismounted and made their way up the wide palace steps, Toothless and Tintallë folded up their massive wings and followed them. The guards at the doors eyeing up the Riders and their dragons nervously for a moment before nodding and allowing them to enter. The doors swung wide of their own accord then, and the two men and their dragons sauntered into the vast hall beyond. Making straight for the high throne and council room, where Ve Allfather would most certainly be awaiting them. It was very likely that he already knew that they were on realm, as the gatehouse guards would have relayed word ahead.
Pushing their way through the doors of the throne room, the Riders were greeted by King Garkas and Ve Allfather waiting with some of the council members in their black robes. Glancing in their direction once, Garkas greeted them with a wave before signalling them forward. The council members sharing a few nervous glances between their king and the two half-elves. Likely wondering which one of them had the target on their back.
The King was dressed in a regal combination of white and gold garments, with a long fur cloak over top. Beads of gold wound into his bushy brown beard, and a large golden crown studded with precious jewels perched on his neatly braided brown hair. Strands of grey throughout his beard and mane hinting at his vast age, as the King was well over 5000 years. Having occupied the throne for a thousand of those years. Hiccup couldn't imagine dealing with ruling a kingdom for a thousand years. It would be enough to give any immortal grey hair. No wonder Garkas had assembled a council to oversee the rest of the nobility.
With a sigh, King Garkas offered the dwarves around him a kind smile. "Don't worry friends. If they were here for you, you would likely be dead already," he reminded them in his deep, and somewhat gravelly, voice. A few of the council members chuckled at that, but they still looked a little uneasy. With a shake of his head, Garkas turned back towards the Riders. "Welcome back to Nidavellir. My sincerest greetings to you, your majesty, and you as well Hiccup," he said with a slight tilt of his head towards Ilweran.
"Likewise, your highness," Ilweran returned with a respectful nod of his own head as Hiccup offered a bow. "I hear there is a lord that is abusing their privileges in one of your outlying provinces," he added quietly. Speaking in the rather harsh and guttural language of the dwarves, which admittedly sounded a little odd with his and Hiccup's musical elven voices.
"When is there not," Garkas replied with a grimace. "Still, this one is unusually unpleasant."
"Bluntaxe is a dog and a disgrace. He should have been eliminated long before now," one of the council dwarves intoned. A look of pure loathing on his face as some of the other dwarves gaped at him in surprise for his outburst.
"Peace Momor," the King said gently, and the angry man bowed his head once. "I have never much liked Volgar either, but we do not jump to rash and irreversible decisions simply because the mood strikes us," Garkas added firmly. "That is what our ancestors did, and look where it has gotten us. His father was a good man. Young Volgar deserved a chance to prove himself, but it would seem the apple has fallen very far from the tree."
"That it has, but the apple was pretty rotten to begin with," Ve cut in then as Hiccup and Ilweran turned their attention to him now. Odin's youngest brother looked much like him. Complete with white hair and close cropped beard. However, where Odin's visible eye was a serious and stormy blue-grey, Ve's eyes were brightest blue and twinkled with mischief. A constant shine hidden in their depths as if he was always just on the verge of laughing at a good joke. His features slightly more youthful, with a boyish charm backlighting the ruggedly handsome face. Where his brother was all business, Ve was much more simple. Still clever and professional, but less stodgy somehow. Hiccup had always thought that Thor resembled his uncle much more than he did his father.
"Unfortunately, I cannot give you much more information than my brother probably did," Ve said with a shake of his head. "A fact which I am sure you already suspected. I can, however, tell you that Bluntaxe has increased his guard over the last few months. Likely suspecting that he is now on Garkas' naughty list," he added with a chuckle as Hiccup and Ilweran laughed softly. "So you can add armed guards at the ready to your list of undesirable things about this situation. Sorry about that boys. Much of this mission must fall to your discretion, and you may request whatever additional resources you desire, though I know you elves prefer to work alone."
"Aye. My men are yours if you need them," King Garkas offered with a warm smile. His brown eyes crinkling above his beard. "Take out Volgar, but spare his family. His eldest son will be appointed the lordship once Volgar is gone. He is the one that has been informing us of all he knows about his father's dealings and he will be a fine governor."
"Certainly sir," Hiccup said. Switching to dwarvish as well with a grin of his own. "Is that all?"
"Indeed it is, young man. I trust that you two will deliver the same outstanding results as always, so we will leave you to it. Your rooms have already been prepared for you," Garkas supplied kindly. "As we have nothing more for you, I am sure that you would like to feed and water your dragons before you head to Grimlok's." He shot them a wink, and both Riders chuckled again. Hiccup and Ilweran both bowed to the king again before exiting the council room.
After depositing many of their weapons in their quarters, Toothless and Tintallë curled up on the massive enjoined balcony as Hiccup and Ilweran left to make their way to Grimlok's Pub. The two of them not even bothering to try and blend in to the crowds, as that would be a hopeless endeavour. Instead they simply strolled down the lanes and watched many of the dwarves skitter away from them. A group of rowdy, and clearly drunken, male dwarves gathered outside a tavern began to jeer at the 'sky-walkers' (a somewhat derogatory term dwarves often used for the unnaturally tall elves). Shouting insults and challenging the Riders to a duel.
Down another street, a handful of less-than-lovely female dwarves outside a brothel loudly offered the two of them a 'good time on house dime'. "Have I mentioned that I hate Nidavellir," Ilweran grumbled as he grimaced at the ladies. "All these short and drunken things running around under your feet and you have to constantly make sure you do not trip over them. It is like being surrounded by a horde of rude children with beards; and they are so... unattractively rugged." He glanced back at the dwarven women that were still wolf whistling at them and shuddered. "Honestly, the only nice thing to look at here is us..."
Hiccup burst out laughing at that. "Your royal elven snob is showing bro," he teased. "However, if it so pleases you, your highness, I give you permission to check out my beautiful backside all you want while we are on this realm. Just keep your wandering hands to yourself, or it is going to cost you. Unlike them, I do not offer a good time on house dime to anyone." Ilweran snorted and punched him before they both broke down laughing again. Finally reaching the small pub, the two Riders ducked through the doorway. Receiving a smile and a wave from Grimlok as the rest of the patrons shuffled nervously in their seats.
Taking their standard corner table at the back of the room, the two Riders sat side-by-side with their backs to the wall. The doorways to outside and the kitchen clearly visible from their position. Not that they were expecting an attack, but it was simply habit to protect one's back on a mission like this. Soon enough, Meririk and and a few of his men arrived and came to join them. Grimlok bringing over flagons of mead for everyone as Hiccup passed the man a sack of gems in return. Ensuring that the drinks kept coming for the men.
Usually, they would spend most of the night drinking with the men before pressing them for information, but Hiccup really wanted to get this mission over with as quick as possible and get back to Astrid. Unsurprisingly, Ilweran seemed a bit on edge as well. He was probably impatient to get back to Alfheim too, and Hiccup wasn't even bothering to pretend that it was only because of the prince's dislike of the dwarven realm. Astrid's magnetic pull was undeniable, after all. It was very likely that Ilweran was nearly as uncomfortable as Hiccup with the idea of leaving Astrid on her own while the two of them were on another realm that resided on a completely different level of the universe. After a few rounds of mead, Hiccup shared a knowing glance with Ilweran before placing his elbows on the table and diving right in. "So, what do you all think of Volgar Bluntaxe?"
Grimlok had just made his way over with a tray full of tankards, and he suddenly growled, "Volgar Bluntaxe," and spit on the ground. Hiccup glanced up at him in mild surprise. Grimlok usually stayed out of things and kept his thoughts to himself. It was one of the main reasons they always met contacts here. Grimlok set the flagons down as he added bluntly, "it's nice to hear that the King and his council have decided to finally eliminate the father-killing scoundrel. That man deserves to be hung up by his innards and left for the deathgrippers."
With that, Grimlok walked back to the bar. Hiccup stared after him bemusedly for a moment, before glancing back at the others. "I take it that nobody here likes Lord Bluntaxe very much," he stated with a soft chuckle. There was a quiet chorus of 'ayes' as the men began to tell tales about Volgar. How his father had been a great man, but that he was always disappointed in his useless son. Apparently the old man was going to out his own son and put his eldest grandson in charge of the province. When Volgar found out about these plans, he killed his father, took his place as Lord, and exiled his son to the outlands for conspiring against him.
"It has never been proven, but everyone knows it," Meririk grumbled. "Then he gambled away everything and put his people on the chopping block while he began to play creator with the monsters of this land instead. If it is him that you are here for, then I offer you my assistance in taking him down." The other men all nodded at this as well. "Ve Allfather is correct. He has indeed increased his guard as of late," he added quietly. "There is something else that you should know. I had some of my men spy on him recently, and they reported a heavily warded tunnel beneath the western wing of the estate. They were not able to breach it, no matter what they tried."
Hiccup and Ilweran shared a loaded glance at that. Dwarves were not skilled with the arcane. If Volgar had paid to have the tunnel warded that heavily, it meant that he was likely afraid of whatever was down there too. "That must be where he is holding the dragons," Ilweran said softly.
"He is certainly hiding something down there that he does not want anyone to find," Meririk agreed. Leaning back in his chair and stroking his beard in thought as he likely understood their concern completely.
The two friends locked eyes again for another long moment. Silently communicating in the way they often did, before looking back towards Meririk. "I think we will take you up on your offer of assistance," Hiccup said quietly, as he met the stalky dwarf's warm brown eyes. "Whatever he is hiding in those tunnels is likely going to be nasty and require both of us to take it out..."
"...And that leaves Volgar free to escape with his guard," Ilweran finished for him.
The captain and his men nodded in agreement, and Hiccup smiled at them. "If Ilweran and myself eliminate all of his escape routes and take out the dragons, you and your men will be able to cut the bastard off at the main gates."
"If you are willing, that is," Ilweran added with a smile of his own. "Unless you would prefer to take the tunnels..."
"Aye, we'll take the gate," Meririk replied with a grin. "Whatever plan does not involve me going into those tunnels below the estate is the better one," he added with a laugh. "It will be nice to finally make that scoundrel pay for his actions. He is a disgrace to Dwarven Honour."
"I am sure that it will," Ilweran intoned with a grim smile. "Unfortunately we need him alive. Odin wants to question him before he is executed."
Meririk's face fell slightly, and Hiccup chuckled as he pointed out, "we said we need him alive. We did not say that we need him in one piece. As long as he can still be interrogated, that is good enough for me. Feel free to rough him up a bit while you kill his men. After all, he does not really need his knee caps to answer questions. He might even answer more honestly without them." There was a chorus of cheers and clanked tankards as the men drank to that.
That very night, Ilweran and Hiccup donned their cloaks and headed out of the city. Toothless and Tintallë carrying them as far as they were able until the tunnels began to narrow too much. Then the dragons simply followed their Riders on foot. Refusing to leave them alone in this dangerous and disorienting world of darkness. Complete with collapsed tunnel sections and long drops into vast chasms, at the bottom of which even the Dark God would find his painful demise. Reaching the tunnels beneath Volgar's estate, they began to systematically find and close off the countless escape routes concealed within.
Using Toothless' sound waves, they would locate and clear each passage hidden in the darkness, before sealing it up. All the while, Hiccup couldn't help being reminded painfully of his years in Judea. Or more particularly, Betar. Ilweran shooting him knowing glances, but saying nothing. Unlike when Hiccup and Toothless were hunting Kokhba, they could not simply blast these tunnels shut, as the explosion might be heard by one of the patrolling guards. Giving up the whole game early.
Instead, they were forced to seal them off with magic. Collapsing them one at a time before casting strong enough illusion spells on them to fool a dwarf and make them look undamaged. Suddenly Hiccup was extremely grateful that he had taught Ilweran illusion magic, and also that the man had a definite knack for it too. Not nearly to Hiccup's level of course, but better than most could ever hope to be. Spells strong enough to fool a dwarf were next level shit, and far out of reach for many casters. No wonder Cuithanna wanted Ilweran as the Light God.
They weren't overly worried that their ruse would be uncovered either. Both men knew that the passing guards would be unlikely to branch off from the main passage into the dark caverns beyond. None freely chose to wander these tunnels if there was any way around it. Still, if they met any of those guards, they killed them anyways. Making sure to splatter the tunnel walls with gore before disposing of the bodies, so as to give the appearance of a dragon attack.
Meririk and Ve had not been lying when they said that Volgar had increased his guard. Hiccup's gleaming stilettos had already claimed at least another thirty lives in these dark passages. Ilweran's likely another twenty or so as well. So many missing men wouldn't go unnoticed for long, which is why they needed the ruse. Although the cramped spaces and need for deception was certainly causing the process be quite a bit messier than it usually would be.
After taking down three heavily armed men at the end of a tunnel, Hiccup slit their throats while their hearts were still beating. Allowing the bright red arterial blood to spurt out onto the cavern walls as they died, where it glowed like paint in the pale torchlight. Some of the splash back landing on his and Ilweran's already scarlet soaked faces and armour. Once again, he thanked the fact that they could leave Astrid behind for this one. Hiccup couldn't help picturing her horror as he and Ilweran dragged the still bleeding corpses along the floor to leave a trail before throwing the bodies off the edge into the deep chasm below. At the bottom of which, they likely would become dragon food for real.
It was a slow process. They had to be silent, stealthy, and they could only work at night to avoid discovery. After all, no sane man would creep around in the tunnels at night while the monsters were roaming, unless they were being forced to do so by a paying employer. The two Riders met some of those voracious beasts as well, but thankfully they were mostly grim gnashers. The little bastards may be clever pack hunters, but Toothless and Tintallë still made short work of the much smaller dragons.
The warded tunnel hadn't been too difficult to find during their ventures either, but they stayed away from it for now. No sense rushing in and causing a fuss before they needed to. Those monsters would still be waiting for them tomorrow. The fact that it was sealed off so completely making the Riders uncomfortable. Clearly, whatever was in there was beyond reason or control. No dwarf would seal off a workshop with magic, unless they wanted to keep everyone out, including themselves. Unless they were trying to keep something in...
Finally the night of the raid arrived. Hiccup and Ilweran, in their Order cloaks, with all of their weapons strapped on plus additional ones borrowed from the palace, headed out to meet up with Meririk. The captain and his chosen men were awaiting them at the gate out of the city. Clad in methril armour that had been tinted black, and carrying heavy battle axes and war hammers of the same colour. With a resolute nod, the Riders helped the dwarves to climb up onto their dragons before taking off into the dark world of the mines.
*
After her first lesson, Astrid had wandered around the palace. Checking out the sprawling building and getting lost a few times along the way. Golwen had promised that they would start sparring practice tomorrow after her arcane lesson, but said that Astrid should take some time to get accustomed to her surroundings first. This had turned out to be a good idea.
There was just so much to see inside the palace. So many rooms full of interesting stuff. She found the armoury pretty quickly, and it was exactly as impressive as Ilweran had promised it was. On every wall, beautifully crafted weapons hung in tidy rows. Spears, atgeirs, battle axes, and bows. Shelves upon shelves arranged beneath them brimming with knives, axes, and swords of all shapes and sizes. There were also many more styles of the three pointed daggers that Hiccup had called 'sai'.
Astrid did note that there was a definite lack of bludgeon type weapons. Clearly the elves elegance and grace even extended to murder. Honestly, she couldn't really see someone as beautiful as Golwen or the queen swinging a mace anyways, and her suspicions turned out to have been correct. At their first sparring practice together, Golwen had revealed a deceptively delicate set of black and silver sai with purple elvish script etched into them. Complete with two large purple gemstones in the hilts. Lerina joining them, and bearing a slender black and silver sword, similar in design to Hiccup and Ilweran's, with the clearest of diamonds in the hilt.
Astrid herself really had no desire for blunt force weapons either, so she wasn't surprised. Golwen and Lerina's legendary blades seemed to suit them perfectly. If Astrid was honest, Thor, Stoick, and Gobber were probably the only people she could think of that were brutish enough to pull off a hammer. Still, Astrid just couldn't help thinking that the heavy bludgeons were a bit silly. What good was a war hammer? Aside from being an overly messy way to expend too much energy while standing too close to your target. Sure Hiccup and Ilweran had made her learn to use them, but even they had said that it was only so that she would better be able to fight someone that was wielding one.
Golwen and Lerina were both excellent sparring partners. Of course, Astrid still had no chance of winning, but the ladies made it fun. Where Hiccup and Ilweran were all business when it came to practice, the women spent a good portion of the time laughing. Switching from fighting to dancing and back again in a seamless display of grace, and cracking jokes non-stop. Astrid had been fascinated by Golwen's sai and the incredibly deadly way she wielded them. The mid-length daggers flashing through the air like maypole ribbons. Nearly invisible as Golwen danced and twirled around her opponent. Astrid had promptly borrowed a set from Ilweran's weapons chest the next day. Asking the enchantress to please teach her how to use them, and Golwen had consented with a wide grin.
Astrid had also discovered an enormous library within the public section of the palace. This one was even bigger than Hiccup's or Ilweran's. With new and ancient spell books packed on the shelves. Astrid had selected a few of the ancient ones that looked interesting and taken them to Golwen at her next lesson. Asking if Golwen would mind teaching her the old language too. Now she was spending her time before bed lounging in Ilweran's room with her most recent book selection open on her lap. The glowing orb lamps beside the bed illuminating the pages enough for her to read. Stormfly curled up on the large balcony outside as the doors remained open for her.
Stormfly, her marvellous axe, and Ilweran's dagger thoroughly helped to settle her nerves. Allowing her to feel moderately comfortable on her own in this unfamiliar place. Dressed in leggings and a tunic of Hiccup's that she had swiped for use as a sleep shirt, Astrid was surrounded by reminders of her boys. The tunic still smelled strongly of Hiccup's intoxicating fragrance. The bed smelled just like Ilweran. Both serving to keep the nightmares mostly at bay while the two of them were off in Nidavellir facing unknown dangers without her.
Still, propping herself up against the pillows on this overly plush bed as she read, Astrid couldn't help feeling incredibly loved, and just like a princess. Admittedly, it had been tough to get used to at first. Seeing those doorways down the hall from this one and knowing what they were for. Although she had found a concealed staircase closer to this end of the hall so at least she didn't have to walk past them all the time. When she had finally gotten up the nerve to look in the rooms however, she had been mildly surprised.
That uncomfortably jealous part of her had been certain that the rooms were maintained in good order. Just waiting for whenever 'Prince Ilweran' decided he had mourned Celeste long enough and could go back to his wild ways. Instead, she had been greeted with the sight of dimly lit rooms with heavy shades drawn. Once beautiful furniture stacked neatly against the walls while the mattresses, pillows, and bedding were all conspicuously absent. A fine layer of dust coating everything.
It was easy to see how impressively luxurious these suites would have been. Each of them having their own bathing room attached, just like at hers and Hiccup's treehouse. They were not quite as fancy as Ilweran's room, but they were still lovely. Their shadowy disuse making Astrid think of an old woman who had once been beautiful. When you took the time to look closely, you could see that all the lines and colours of glorious youth remained, but they now felt faded and sad. Like the ghost from an old story.
It could not be clearer that these 'mistress suites' really had not been used in many years. That realization making Astrid feel slightly better about what she had heard about the dangerously handsome prince. Sure, the way Ilweran had treated women was still somewhat appalling, but he had obviously changed. Astrid couldn't imagine the Ilweran Lerinasson that she knew behaving in such a way nowadays. He was 394-years old, after all. Could she really hold his past against him. She had made some pretty bad choices of her own and she was only 24 years, for Thor's sake.
Still, in a morbidly curious sort of way, Astrid kind of wanted to know exactly how many women had passed through this wing before Celeste came along and changed everything. At the same time, she really didn't. Did it actually matter how many women there were in his past? Obviously it was a lot. At least she was the only woman that he had ever let in his bed, and without him even. That thought gave her a strange warmth in her heart as she realized just how much he must trust her.
Despite Ilweran's care and kindness, it was Hiccup's arms that she really longed to feel around her during these lonely nights, and there was a small measure of comfort in that. Snuggled under the silky soft sheets, with one hand clutched around the dagger in its sheath and her axe leaning against the bed, Astrid couldn't help missing Hiccup. She hadn't noticed just how accustomed to his presence she had become. After sleeping alone for most of her life, it now felt strange and uncomfortable to not have that warmth beside her. The ache in her chest making her wonder what had happened to her? She used to be a warrior, and now she really was just a lovesick maiden.
They had been gone for four days already and it felt like time was absolutely dragging by. Astrid had somehow expected a quick overnight mission. That the boys would be gone and back in one day. Honestly, how long did it take to kill one person? At least Noldo had come to visit once already. He had laughed with Lerina and Golwen about Astrid sleeping in Ilweran's room, as they all joked about Astrid being the first woman to ever have both of the boys under her thumb. A teasing comment that never ceased to trigger Astrid's easy blushes.
Noldo had been quick to dispel her illusions about time frame. Pointing out that most of these jobs were rarely simple. That it often took more time to gather intel and form a plan than it actually did to complete the hit. Noldo was sure that this was what was taking them so long, but he was not able to tell her much about the mission in general. Claiming that he didn't have much information himself. All Astrid knew was that they were in Nidavellir and that they were actually on a capture mission for once, albeit an unusually dangerous one. That knowledge just making time go even slower as Astrid began to fret over her boys.
Apparently the man they were after had been cross-breeding dragons as well. Golwen and Lerina had been terribly angry when they heard that, and Astrid had to agree. The idea of forcing dragons of different species to mate with each other for sport seemed like a monstrous thing to do. Never mind the nightmares that could be created from such a process. She couldn't help worrying about her boys at that, though Noldo promised her that they would be just fine.
At least Astrid's skills with magic were improving in leaps and bounds, now that she had started to surrender a measure of control. Golwen following Hiccup's example and using illusion magic to aid Astrid whenever she began to struggle again. Before now, Astrid had been nervous to tap into Stormfly's arcane reserves. Her strong desire to keep a tight grip on the magic making it so that the sudden influx of power would often cause her to lose control of the spell entirely.
Now she was starting to draw on this extra reserve freely. Meaning that her enhancement magic left her much stronger and faster than she had ever believed possible. Still not anywhere close to the elves, but certainly better than any other non-magical being. There was a very good chance that she would be able to fight twenty warriors now and win as well. Honestly, Astrid couldn't wait to go back to Berk and challenge all of her friends to a match, just to see the looks on their faces.
Needing a change of scenery, Astrid had actually ventured out into the forest around the castle this afternoon. Going for a run just to clear her head, but being careful to take the axe and dagger with her. After spotting a young deer running through the trees near her however, Astrid had put on a burst of speed. Racing it though the forest now, simply to see if she could, as Stormfly kept pace with her overhead. Turns out, the speed was just as exhilarating as she had thought it would be. She had barely even felt tired afterwards. This life was amazing!
Arriving back at the palace afterwards, she was met by an extremely unwelcome sight. Golwen, Lerina, and Noldo were all standing in the main entryway and Thor was with them. Astrid actually didn't mind Thor. When she had met him on Asgard, he had been cheerful, easy to talk to, and had a great sense of humour. No, Thor was not the unwelcome one.
Standing beside him however, looking just as unreasonably appealing as last time, was Amenmeit. All five of them turned at the sound of Astrid's approaching footsteps. Thor raising a hand in greeting while the elves all shot uneasy glances at each other. Amee just smiled pleasantly at Astrid. As if completely oblivious to the sudden tension in the air.
"What is SHE doing here," Astrid hissed from her spot at the doorway. Her hand already reaching for her axe, as she glared at Amenmeit. Wanting to run this women through right here and now. Thor's eyes widened in surprise, but Golwen was already at Astrid's side. Having raced across the foyer in a blur to stop Astrid from drawing the blade.
"Thor has come for a short visit, and Amee has decided to accompany him," Golwen answered in a deceptively friendly tone. One hand casually clamped onto Astrid's shoulder to restrain her. "I think she was hoping to see Aldanil or Prince Ilweran, and was unaware that they were away on a mission at the moment." Then she dropped her voice as she whispered to Astrid. Her lips barely moving at all. "They have been sent to check up on you. Do not do anything rash. The two of them are leaving tomorrow, as Lerina refuses to allow Amenmeit to stay for longer than that."
At Astrid's surprised glance, Golwen shrugged minutely. "It is not actually that unusual. They will not suspect anything. Us elves do not generally permit the other races to remain on realm for very long, and especially not without being invited. Thor is able to cross the boundary wards because he is a Rider of the Order, but any others would need to request entrance at the gateway. I do not know what Amee wants, but we will play nice for now and simply keep an eye on her," Golwen added. Throwing a very convincing smile at the priestess who just grinned back.
Astrid grumbled, but relaxed her stance slightly before walking over to join the group with Golwen at her side. As they neared the others, Thor stepped forward. Smiling brightly at her as he reached for her hand and raised it to his lips. "It is lovely to see you again. You are just as stunning as last time we met, beautiful lady," Thor said with a cheeky wink.
Astrid scoffed at him and rolled her eyes. "Thank goodness Hiccup and Ilweran already warned me that you were just a charming bastard, or I might be tempted to think you were hitting on the hen while the rooster was away," she teased. Thor allowing that with a shrug as everyone else laughed.
Then Amenmeit stepped towards Astrid, and all three elves tensed. It was subtle, and likely only Astrid noticed because she was so used to them, but it was obvious they still expected Astrid to attack Amee. As if they doubted her ability to restrain herself. Sighing inwardly, Astrid forced a smile onto her face as she met the priestess' gaze. To her surprise, Amee bowed her head slightly. "I know that the last time we met was not under ideal circumstances and I am sorry for that, but I hope that maybe we can start over?"
Astrid's jaw might have actually hit the floor. She simply stood there gaping at Amee for a long moment, until the priestess extended a hand towards Astrid in a sign of truce. "I do not expect you to like me, but I would like us to not be enemies. I have great respect for Hiccup and the royal family, and by extension, you." Astrid shot a glance at Golwen then and it was easy to read to prompt in the enchantress' eyes.
With a sigh, Astrid reached out her hand and grasped Amee's. If she was going to live in this world as a mercenary, it was time to learn how to play her advantage. After all, Amee thought that Astrid was a consort of the elven prince. "This does not mean that I forgive you for your behaviour, but Ilweran would want me to permit you a second chance before passing judgement. Do not make me regret this choice," Astrid stated as she shook hands with the woman she would rather be killing. Her voice ringing with an impressive amount of authority.
Amee smiled at her in gratitude. Golwen and Lerina offering Astrid discreet nods when Amee dropped the handshake and turned away. With that, Thor and Amee went to grab their bags and take them to their rooms in the guest wing, while Astrid and Golwen headed off to their afternoon practice session. Golwen leading her to the library instead so that Thor could come and watch. That way he could relay back to Odin about how Astrid was progressing with her magic.
When Thor and Amee joined them in the library, accompanied by Noldo and Lerina, Astrid was glad that Golwen was apparently limiting her to summoning and warding spells. Usually they would be practicing enhancement magic or conjugation in the afternoons. Clearly, Golwen did not really want Odin to know about Astrid's affinity for enhancement magic. It turned out to be especially good, as Astrid was having a rather hard enough time keeping her focus while Amenmeit was in the room.
Still, Thor and Amee were both incredibly impressed with what they had seen of Astrid's skill level. "You have only been practicing the arcane for a little over two months," Amee spouted in surprise, as Astrid effectively blocked the muttered spell Golwen directed at her. Thor's eyebrows lifting in disbelief as well.
"Yes. Why," Astrid couldn't help asking. It didn't seem like that big of a deal to her. After all, the elves were way better than her.
"That's amazing, Astrid," Thor intoned. "Most apprentices are barely getting the hang of calling on their magic and summoning simple items by their third month of training."
"Oh," was all Astrid could think to say. Apparently Hiccup had been telling the truth when he called her a remarkably fast learner. She caught sight of Golwen's half smirk then, and was once again thankful that the enchantress was sticking with 'simple' spells today. She could only imagine what Thor and Amee, and consequently Odin Allfather, would think if they knew that Astrid was lifting boulders, racing deer, and projecting fire spells already...
At that thought, Astrid couldn't stop her lips from twisting up in a smug smile. "Well, I do have the Order's Head of the Arcane Arts as a teacher. Not to mention that Hiccup and Ilweran have been instructing me in the mental arts for months," she offered with a shrug. Trying not to sound too full of herself, and Golwen chuckled softly as she grinned at Astrid. Astrid smirking back at her.
"Still impressive," Thor repeated with a smile of his own. "At this rate, you'll be a full fledged soldier of the Order in record time." After that, despite the presence of Amenmeit, Astrid just couldn't help but smile for the remainder of the day. Still, she headed off to Ilweran's wing earlier than usual after the nightly sparring practice. Normally she would sit around and talk with Golwen, Lerina, and Little Flower, but she just couldn't stomach it. She wished Thor had come alone. Why oh why did he have to bring that bitch with him? Why were men so weak when it came to attractive ladies?
Though, admittedly Thor did not know of Astrid's bitter resentment for Amee. Since no one aside from the elves knew that Astrid was actually Hiccup's lover, they obviously would not know that Amee's apparent seduction of the Dark Rider was a cause for jealousy. An unfortunate side-effect of the ruse, it would seem. It was rather difficult to explain a deep hatred for someone that had apparently done you no wrong.
Sensing her Rider's unease, Stormfly had shuffled her way into the enormous bedroom. Croaking sympathetically before laying beside the bed and gently resting her head down on Astrid's stomach. Astrid simply lay there, wide awake, running her hand aimlessly over her battle sister's warm scales while mulling it all over. How did Hiccup and Ilweran do this? Constantly playing nice with those they obviously disliked. How did Hiccup remain so cool and collected when those around him were actively pushing him to his limits? No wonder the two of them lived on Alfheim where they could just be themselves most of the time.
Astrid had no idea how long she had been staring at the ceiling, lost to her thoughts. The room around her lit with the gentle blue glow of the sister moons. Stormfly had long since dozed off and was snoozing peacefully beside her. Suddenly the nadder awoke and peered towards the doorway. A barely audible growl issuing from her throat. Sitting up herself, Astrid followed the dragon's gaze as she listened for any sound that her weak human ears might pick up.
Finally, there it was. The distinct sound of muffled footsteps out in the hallway. This was followed by the soft swish and subsequent thump of doors being opened and closed as quietly as possible. Checking her axe and noting the lack of glowing runes, she knew she wasn't in mortal peril at least. Clearly whoever it was was not here to outright attack her. With a glance at Stormfly, Astrid grabbed Ilweran's dagger instead and crept out into the sitting room. Pressing herself against the wall beside the door where she would be able to ambush the intruder. Stormfly creeping just out of sight in the bedroom as the poison spines on her tail lifted in readiness.
As the noises in the hallway drew closer, Astrid focused on steadying her breathing. Hoping to remain as silent as possible. Finally, the unwelcome guest reached the last door at the end of the hall. After a long pause, the handle turned and the door swung open. Astrid could see a dark and slender shape silhouetted by the moonlight. Golden headband glinting faintly. Waiting until they had just crossed the threshold, Astrid pounced. Grabbing the intruder in a tight headlock as she pressed the tip of the dagger against their side hard enough to make the person squeak in alarm, but not enough to pierce the skin.
"One wrong move and I'll gut you like a fucking fish," Astrid growled at Amee as the woman tried to twist away while grabbing at the arm around her throat. At her tone, Amenmeit stopped struggling as she wheezed through her compressed windpipe. Then a barely noticeable dizziness started to swirl in Astrid's head. The feeling confusing her momentarily, as she felt a slight desire to suddenly let the woman go. Realizing that Amee was trying to use her persuasion magic, Astrid abruptly threw up a much more solid mental barrier to block it out. Her head cleared instantly, and she jabbed the point of the dagger harder into Amee's side.
The subtle push of the magic against her shield suddenly disappeared, but Astrid refused to let her guard down. She was a quick learner, after all. "I've been taught shielding by three of the most powerful mages in all the realms, you foolish woman. Did you really think I would be so easy to sway? Try that again, and it will be the last thing you ever do," she purred dangerously.
"I'm sorry," Amee gasped quietly as Astrid tightened the chokehold around the woman's neck. "I just want to talk to you."
"Why," Astrid asked abruptly. "What is so important that it couldn't have waited until tomorrow? What possible reason could you have for sneaking into my bedroom in the middle of the night? It had better be good, or I'm going to assume you came here to attack me and my dragon will happily tear you apart for me." Stormfly croaked in furious agreement as she stalked around the corner of the bedroom doorframe. Her pupils the narrowest of slits as she gazed at the unwelcome harlot that had angered her Rider.
"I just wanted to apologize again for my behaviour in Asgard. Away from the prying ears of the others," she said softly. "After all, I know that you have feelings for Hiccup..." Then, as she felt Astrid tense, she quickly added, "please don't kill me! I haven't told anyone! I swear it on my life!"
Tightening her hold slightly, Astrid glared at Amee as she prodded her side with the dagger. "Your life is what it will cost if you are lying to me, or trying to trick me. My dragon is much less forgiving than I am, and I am not forgiving in the slightest. Push me once bitch, and there will be nothing left of you for the others to find in the morning," Astrid replied pointedly. Stormfly coming over to block Amee's path to the door now as she squawked angrily too.
Amee's gaze flicked nervously between Astrid and Stormfly for a moment. "I'm not trying to trick you, I promise. It's just that I could see it in your eyes. That day in Asgard," Amee gasped out then. When Astrid finally dropped her arms and took a step back from Amee, still holding the dagger at the ready, the priestess eyed her warily as she brought a hand up to rub at her aching throat. Gazing at Astrid with those impossibly dark orbs lined with kohl.
"I have been a priestess in the temple of Freyja for 150 years, and you learn to recognize emotion when you see it. No matter how well it's hidden," she said with a sigh. "I didn't say anything then, and I won't say anything now. After all, it's not as if you are the first woman that has fallen for both of them. So, so many of us have longed to be the one to finally nab either of them, preferably both, but we never could. There is just something about those two, you know," she added quietly as she glanced around the darkened room.
"I've never been in here," Amee said then. A slight hint of what could be jealousy concealed carefully beneath the friendly tone. "I've been in one of the suites down the hall, of course, but no one was ever allowed in here. Ever." Amenmeit levelled her gaze back on Astrid then. "Prince Ilweran must really love you." That brought Astrid up short. Surely Ilweran cared for and trusted her, but Astrid doubted very much that it was love. Not that she was going to tell Amee that...
"I would ask how you did it, but I know better than most that love is a tricky and confusing mistress. She tends to do her own thing without a single care about how we feel about it," Amee added lightly. Chuckling softly as she shook her head, and Astrid couldn't help agreeing with that statement. "I have wished more than once that someone would love me like that. I had hoped that it might be Hiccup one day, but that will never happen. Don't get me wrong, he was certainly never cruel to me, but I'm honestly not convinced that he is truly capable of love..."
At that she gave Astrid an apologetic shrug, as if to show sympathy for Astrid's plight. Astrid barely resisted the urge to bark out a laugh instead. Clearly Amee was just as clueless as the rest of them when it came to Hiccup's feelings. Fighting back against the smugness that was threatening to blow her cover, Astrid simply cocked one hip and pressed her fist to it as she gave Amee a pointed gaze. "That might be because you were trying to use persuasion magic on him," she stated coldly. Shifting her gaze to the dagger for a moment as she added, "people don't tend to enjoy having feelings forced upon them."
"You're right," Amee agreed. "I just wanted him to want me back, you know. Even just a little bit, but he never did. Apparently it didn't actually matter whether or not I was using my magic. He knew that I was, but he never got mad about it. Ilweran never got mad either, though all of us priestesses have tried to sway him more than once. Just to see if we could. It's not like it ever worked anyways, and they both know that us ladies of the temple are not nearly powerful enough to make either of them our thrall."
She sighed softly as she met Astrid's gaze again. "I'm not really here to talk about my desire for Hiccup or Ilweran though, since I am just one of far too many that will never have any claim to them. A sentiment which I am quite certain that you understand all too well when it comes to Hiccup, though you have at least managed to ensnare the elven prince. No, I'm here to apologize about the way I acted that day. That had to have been absolutely terrible to watch, and I am not proud of myself for it."
"Then why did you do it," Astrid asked bluntly. Ensnare the elven prince, she thought in disgust. As if Ilweran was just some sort of trophy animal you sought out for bragging purposes. Pathetic...
"Because I had to," Amee replied simply. "I'm a ward of the temple, and in the employ of the governing body. That means the Æsir own me." That shook Astrid roughly out of her thoughts. Seeing her surprise, Amee just shrugged. "There are worse things I could be. Anyways, when Odin required a priestess for the job and was offering a hefty reward in return, I volunteered. Thinking that it would be an easy one. Seduce Hiccup."
"I'd already done that before and he had seemed receptive enough. Well, as receptive as he ever is, I suppose. As he told Odin, he is not one to be swayed, coerced, or controlled after all. Still, why should this time be any different? At the point I realized just how much I was helping to hurt everyone, I wanted to back out. Unfortunately, Odin reminded me that I chose it, and he was absolutely right," she growled in disgust. Her delicate brows furrowing with unexpected anger.
Then her expression became apologetic again as she looked back at Astrid. "I grew up dirt poor, Astrid. I took the job in the temple because it was good pay, and it would finally get me out of the slums. It was better than being sold off to some stranger as their second wife or mistress, anyways. Now my income is what supports the rest of my family. Odin would have every right to cut off my wages if I disobeyed him, and I will not allow my youngest siblings to starve because of my feelings."
"Hel, he could even have me thrown out of the temple if he wanted to. Making me live on the streets or take up work in the 'pleasure district' as a lowly prostitute. Neither option sounds very appealing to me. I don't expect you to pity me or forgive me though," she hurried to add. "Hel, I wouldn't forgive me either. I just really don't want us to be enemies, as that woman that you met is not who I truly am. I was playing my part in this awful game just as much as you were. Deep down, aren't we all willing to do a certain amount of terrible things just to not end up as the losers?"
Astrid glanced at Stormfly for a moment as she asked the nadder about her thoughts on this. Stormfly, however, was studying Amee with a speculative gaze. "I think we should take her up on the offer of truce, hatchling," came the motherly voice suddenly. Sensing Astrid's stunned rejection, Stormfly was quick to add, "she is a priestess in the temples, little one. She has access to every Rider and every noble. We have already seen that. She could prove useful some day."
Then the nadder let out a gentle croak of laughter. "It is time we start playing our role in this chaotic world too, hatchling. You know what they say. Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. Besides, she is clearly much weaker than you. We can always kill her later..."
"Good point girl. I like how you think," Astrid chuckled at her battle sister. Hiccup wasn't the only clever one! "Alright. I suppose I will try to overlook your appalling behaviour and agree to an actual truce with you instead. Giving you an undeserved chance to prove that you are not the classless whore that I took you to be," she said to Amee. Seeing the woman's lips lift in a small smile as she laughed lightly in acceptance of that. Before she could get too excited though, Astrid added, "but it will not be given freely. It must be earned."
"If there is information I require that you can provide, or if there is something that I need your particular 'skills' for, I will call on you. I assure you that I will make it worth your while financially. Riders are certainly paid well by the Order, but I too know what it is to grow up poor and have to work hard for every little thing that you get. Before being sold off for your looks to the highest bidding husband, that is. Also, as a showing of faith," Astrid added with a wicked smirk, "I will not tell Hiccup and Ilweran that you snuck in here tonight. They are not overly happy with you either, and I'm sure you are well aware that they are not exactly kind to those that anger them." Amee nodded vehemently as she held her hand out again.
Grasping it, Astrid met the black and gold flecked eyes of her newest ally in this twisted dance. "Oh, and one more thing," she said as she released Amee's hand. Twirling the gleaming dagger she still held and watching in satisfaction as the bright silver metal flashed dangerously in the moonlight. Amee flinching slightly at the sight of the plainly visible runes of power decorating the blade. "Truce or not, if you EVER touch Hiccup or Ilweran again, I will cut your fucking hands off and feed them to my dragon," Astrid threatened. Not bothering to conceal the tone of callous rage in her voice now. Stormfly growled menacingly and licked her lips, and Amee gulped nervously before nodding again. With one last glance between Astrid and Stormfly, she hurried back out the door.
"That was an unexpected turn of events. Pity I didn't get to stab her, but this works too I suppose," Astrid shot at Stormfly. Flipping Ilweran's dagger into the air and catching it again before returning it to its sheath. "I still don't trust her, but I feel completely comfortable using her for my own gains instead. After all, she did the same to us." The nadder gargled a laugh at that as Astrid moved to watch the dark shape of Amee disappear back down the long hallway. Astrid now had a spy firmly planted into Odin's midst, and if Amee tried to double cross her, Astrid would simply kill her. With another smug smile, Astrid closed the door before making her way back into the bedroom. Feeling mighty proud of herself indeed.
*
Back in Nidavellir, the group had just arrived outside the boundaries of Bluntaxe's estate. A sprawling and immaculate stone manor complete with large gardens. A wide river acting as a natural barricade around the outside edge as smaller streams burbled their way through the terraces. Winding pathways lit by brightly glowing lamps were everywhere and the skylights overhead allowed the bright moonlight to stream in between the latticework of dragon-proof steel bars. Casting strange shadows over the scene. It was easy to see that this province had once been a wealthy and prosperous one before Volgar took it over.
There was a small army's worth of guards stationed at the entrance and around the perimeter. There would be more in the tunnels that ran beneath. Blocking every known access to the house and its occupants. Sharpened wooden spikes were set into the earth on each side of the bridge that spanned the river, as well as ringing most of the way around the fence. Leaving the bridge as the only access in or out. The whole place looked poised for a battle of some sort. It would seem that Volgar really was expecting an attack.
The two Riders cast extremely strong sight spells on Meririk and his men then. The magic wouldn't last forever on the dwarves, but it would hopefully grant them improved night vision for long enough to give them a better chance against so many. Then, with a last nod, the dwarves headed off towards the bridge and the main gate. Blending into the shadows between torches, so as to avoid being spotted before the signal. Hiccup and Ilweran heading off down a concealed staircase into the much darker passage below. Their massive dragons remaining above to help the outnumbered dwarves with the much larger guard.
Finding the patrolling guards on the lower levels, Hiccup and Ilweran made quick work of them as they moved to seal off the last accessible tunnel before backtracking to the warded off section. Using their throwing knives and extreme stealth, they simply left the bodies where the fell. It would not overly matter if someone discovered them now. Only taking the briefest of moments to summon their blades back before moving on. Reaching the entrance to the heavily warded tunnel, Hiccup and Ilweran glanced at each other. Gold eyes locking on green. "Are you ready for all Helheim to break loose brother," Hiccup asked his friend brightly.
Ilweran grinned back. Amber eyes dancing in the dimly flickering torchlight. "Absolutely. There is no one I would rather go to Niflheim with." Then he smirked cheekily. "At least if we lose here, we can gain our merits back by challenging Nidhogg at Nastrond. I refuse to be devoured twice without putting up one heck of a fight."
"Agreed," Hiccup answered with a grin of his own. "Although the Shore of Corpses might be a welcome escape from what would be waiting for us in Alfheim. Can you imagine how angry Astrid would be with us if we died?!" Both of them burst out laughing again. Clasping forearms in the Rider Salute before channeling their magic together to smash through the ward. As the powerful blast of gold and green light hit it, the incredibly strong barrier exploded with a sound like shattering glass. The earth around them shaking violently. The torches blinked out in a cloud of dust as the tunnel was thrown into darkness.
That was the signal. They knew that up above them, Toothless would now be using his magic to douse the lamplights. Leaving the scene lit by only the massive skylights above. That way Meririk and his men could use the darkness as an advantage to take on the small army positioned at the gates. Toothless and Tintallë hiding and helping from the shadows. As the dust below settled, both men peered into the dark passage before them. The empty tunnel ahead still somewhat visible thanks to Ilweran's elven eyesight, and Hiccup's draconic vision.
The acrid stench of urine and faecal matter, mixed with the rusty iron of old blood, filled the air. Overlaid by the sickly sweet smell of decay that was wafting out towards them now. Making Hiccup want to gag. They waited for an attack, but there was no movement beyond the warded zone. With one last glance at each other, the two Riders drew their swords and walked forward into the all-consuming darkness.
_
So...that was a chapter...
Turns out Odin did send someone to check on Astrid, but at least it was Thor. I know you all felt like Astrid was progressing slowly with her Magic, but now we know that she is hella advanced. She should NOT be where she's at already. Seems Golwen might just be right about her... :P
How do you all feel about the way Astrid dealt with Amee? Better yet, what do you all think of Amee now? Bit of an uncomfortable truth to realize that she is basically an Æsirian Geisha. A classy escort owned by the temples. Given status and wealth, but only as long as she serves her purpose and her employers. We all wanted to see her as simply a hoe-bag villain, didn't we? Do you think Astrid was right to accept a truce with her? Do you think she will prove useful, or is she going to double-cross them?
As for the boys in Nidavellir, I really enjoyed the world building there. The underground world that feels like it's not, but only if you don't stray from the beaten path. The tunnels beyond the torches however, feels like something straight out of the Mines of Moria. I also couldn't help myself from having a sort of discreet animosity between the dwarves and the elves. It's not hostility or hatred by any means, but in every single other fantasy series I have ever read or watched, the gruff dwarves and the haughty elves always have some sort of grudge against the other for no apparent reason. I thought they should here too. If the dwarves refer to the super tall elves as 'sky-walkers', what do you think the elves call the dwarves in return? Lol
I know I've said it before, but I just love the relationship between Hiccup and Ilweran so much. The banter between them, as well as the comedic shenanigans are so much fun to write. They are just such good friends that are so beautifully comfortable with each other. The same sense of humour and magnetic personalities, similar pasts, a shared path of pain and pleasure, both of them born with the weight of a role of authority forced upon them that they never had any interest in carrying, and one incredible warrior woman that has them both wrapped around her dainty little fingers. No wonder the two of them get along so well. Honestly, in a strictly emotional sense, their relationship could hardly be closer if they were actually gay, and I love that fact.
I guess we get to see the capture of Volgar Bluntaxe next chapter. What do you think the Riders are going to find in the tunnels? How about their efforts so far? I think Hiccup is right to believe that this mission would have been a bit much for Astrid's first. Perhaps it really is a good thing that they left her behind. Things have already gotten pretty messy, and they are probably going to get even messier from here...