The Weight of Betrayal (Dance of Power Trilogy: Book 2)

by TriumphantFury

Berk has changed for the better, but now our favourite couple must embark on a new adventure in the realms of the gods. Where power is a twisted dance and trust is rare. Now Astrid must find her niche in this strange new world alongside a man she loves, but barely knows. Secrets will be revealed and relationships will be tested as a whole new host of enemies emerge over the horizon

22. Amends

Here it is. The final of the four super emotional chapters of self-discovery. Thank goodness I was fully aware that these ones would likely lead to some pretty strong reactions from some readers, and I was not disappointed. The best part though, is that I warned all of you at the very start that things are rarely exactly as they appear. So, with that in mind, here you go...

Agentwalkoff: These chapters had me pretty emotional while writing them. You're right though. Hiccup and Astrid are made for each other.

JustJayne-on-AO3: I can certainly see why you would be upset, but if you had read on past the beginning, it likely would have made more sense. Although, I must admit that your rage reaction is startlingly similar to Astrid's...lol. Sorry if that also makes you mad, but it's kind of true. I answered you on AO3, but I feel that I should say it here too. Yes, all couples 'should' talk about their problems, but some things are more difficult than others. Astrid is just as guilty of this as Hiccup is. I can honestly say that in over 11 years together, my husband and I have overreacted out of anger or pain, bottled things up, fucked up, blown up, and made a right old mess of things. What makes us work is the fact that at the end of the day, we also always make up; because we both understand that no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes.

Angryhenry: The opposites battle is definitely going to happen, but not in this book.

CB73: It does seem like someone was certainly doing some hefty meddling way back in the day :P At least now they all understand why Astrid is so powerful and they can adjust her training accordingly. Hopefully they can eventually get her temper a little more in check too, so that she doesn't accidentally make Hiccup destroy the realms for her... :S

Guest: Graven: Thank you very much. The comments are always appreciated, and I am glad that you like the story so far. As for the Hiccstrid relationship, well... things are not always as the first appear and the ride is not quite over yet :P (By the way, I ship Hiccstrid to the end as well)

Guest: Shadow: Thanks so much for that. I do not think there is anything wrong with polyamory relationships either, as long as everyone involved is on the same page... I guess you'll just have to read on and see ;)

Surfy: It really is like a beautiful Pandora night, and I love it too! The perfect setting for all this emotional mayhem and dark magic. PS: camping was great :D

NightShadeOfTheLight: Both of those are very good predictions. I think that might be the first one I have seen about what the Phoenix rising from the ashes means, and I love the theory of Minden and Snotlout's marriage forming a treaty. So good. Thank you so much for that!

Superlego99: I'm glad you liked it, and I suppose I can forgive you for the short review :P Summer college classes are awful! (I too had to attend them back in the day, and it sucked. Hard...)

Now Account: Understandable. I might have almost rage-quit on me too, but the ride is not quite over yet and nothing is ever as it first seems ;) I'm glad that you noticed that he was using the darkness to shield himself. He is so terrified of losing her, that he actually offers to share if it is the only way. Something that we all know he would not love in the slightest. I bet he really wishes that she had lashed out and killed someone too. Truthfully he is trying to tell her, in the most blatantly painful way possible, that he would do ANYTHING for her. Even if it goes against every fibre of his being. I am glad you were able to find the small hint of humour in there though. I felt I had to add some to soften the emotional shock as best I could... :S I assure you my Little Minot (sorry, Miraculous Ladybug reference alert), one chapter does not a plot make...

Guest: Angelica: You managed to get your review in just as I was working on uploading this! Lol. Of course your babies made it through. They are absolutely perfect for each other in every way, after all. Springtime should be interesting, with the whole Cuithanna thing. I have it all planned out already, but unfortunately you all will just have to wait a little longer :P Although, I'm sure neither Cuithanna or Hecate would complain in the slightest, or get in the way, if Astrid wanted kids one day. After life settles down a bit, that is...

_

After their passionate love making in the forest, Hiccup had bundled Astrid into his lap and just held her. An unexpected wave of peace flowing through her at the casually tender gesture, as the two of them sat curled together on the mossy ground amidst the glowing crystals. Leaning her head against his chest and listening to the steady thrumming of his heart as the racing pace of hers slowed, Astrid finally allowed herself to truly cast off all of the emotional baggage of this dark day. Along with all of the stress and worries from the last couple months.

She knew who she was (sort of), what she was capable of (mostly), and what she truly wanted (absolutely). Thanks to some very poor choices, and a shipload of luck, she was now more sure than ever about who she wanted to be; and who she wanted to be with. It was a wonderfully gratifying thing. Although she still couldn't help being a bit shocked that Hiccup wasn't even mad at her for her behaviour tonight. Honestly, she would be totally pissed in his place. After a while, Hiccup's soft voice broke the silence. "I am sorry for earlier, mi'lady."

His words confused her. What in Helheim could he possibly be apologizing for?! Furrowing her brows in surprise, Astrid turned her head slightly to gaze up into his face. Meeting her eyes, he offered her a lopsided grimace. "I was so worried about guarding myself against the pain of losing you, that I did not see just how badly I was hurting you because of it. I am sorry for that. When I use the darkness to shield myself, it tends to make me rather cold as well..."

He trailed off as he turned away from her to gaze towards the crystals instead. As if he would find the words that he needed concealed within the gleaming pillars. She started to tell him that it was okay, but he cut her off. "It was never your fault, and the fact that I let you feel that it was for even a moment is unacceptable. I mean, I really, really wish that you had just yelled at me or hit me instead. Unfortunately the darkness does not exactly let you choose your poison when it decides to take over."

His lips twisted up in a grimace for a moment. Clearly he was picturing the events of the night again. Astrid had the sudden yearning to apologize again, but of course he didn't let her. Placing a gentle finger over her lips as he took a deep breath, he turned warm eyes back to her. "I know I said that I would never be played the fool by anyone, but that was not entirely true," Hiccup confided with a sigh. "I have always been, and will always be, your fool Astrid. The thought of losing you made me more afraid than I have ever been in my life."

"I knew that my connection with Cuithanna caused you pain and that her magic is extremely potent. I knew what it could do to me, and that we were essentially a zippleback bomb just waiting for someone to pull the pin, but I did not stop it. I was never really angry with you, Astrid. I was angry at myself for letting it happen. Angry at myself for letting it get that far, but I took it out on you anyways. I am sorry that I am not the perfect man that you deserve. I am sorry that I sometimes get angry and say things that I do not mean. I may look like a god, but I am still human. Beneath all this," he added. Gesturing vaguely to himself as he looked away again.

Reaching up to pull his face back to her, there was so much self-loathing in his green eyes that Astrid almost felt like she was drowning in the weight of his guilt. "Stop it, Hiccup! You are exactly the man that I want, and you are far too perfect sometimes," Astrid told him firmly. "You had every godsdamn right to be a little out of control of your emotions this time. Gods know that I was, and that's what started this whole mess." She offered him a soft smile then as she added, "I honestly thought that I was going to have to grovel on my knees to get you to even talk to me. Never mind letting me explain."

"You will never have to beg me for anything," Hiccup replied lightly. "You mean more to me than my own life. If anything I should be the one grovelling on my knees, and I still will if you would like me to. After all, I inexcusably let you think that I might actually be able to leave you. As if I ever could. It would take a heck of a lot more than a dark magic tantrum to chase me away. I love you."

Feeling as if her heart may just burst in her chest, Astrid chuckled lightly at that before leaning up for a kiss from his marvellous lips. "I love you too, Hiccup. Besides, I wouldn't let you get far anyways. You're mine for eternity, remember," she added cheekily. "I told you back at the end of summer that I had no intention of giving you your heart back, and I meant it. I also told you that I don't want mine back either, and I don't."

Casting her eyes down for a moment, Astrid took a deep breath to steady herself before meeting his gaze again. Knowing full well that this meant the end of whatever she might have had with Ilweran, and vaguely wondering how much it would hurt to watch him walk away from her forever. However bad it was and however deeply it cut, Astrid felt that she entirely deserved it. No matter what Hiccup said to the contrary. "Not even so that I can share it with someone else," she started again. Her voice coming out surprisingly steady, all things considered. "I know who I am and what I want Hiccup, and it will always be you. Only you."

"Thank you mi'lady," Hiccup sighed in relief. "I know I said that I would try to share if it was the only way, but I was really hoping that I would not have to. I am still a night fury, after all. I seriously doubt that it would end very well for Ilweran..." She felt a small growl rumble through his chest at that and she couldn't stop from shivering slightly at the thought.

His eyes softened in response to her tremors as he tightened his arms around her. "Sorry... Primal instincts," he replied with a grimace. "Animalistic nature aside, I still have no intention of giving your heart back either. Not now or ever, but I do not actually mind sharing that one small part with him. Just not the rest of you." Startled by his words, Astrid simply arched a brow at him and Hiccup offered her a small shrug in return.

"I know that you have been worried that you would drive a wedge between he and I by choosing one of us. That you would have to hurt one of us, or say goodbye to one of us to do it, but that is just not so. You do not need to take any of your love away from me in order to be able to love him too Astrid. Love does not work like that." When she continued to gaze at him in confusion, she couldn't help noticing that same curious light of hard earned wisdom shining in his beautiful emerald eyes now. Reading her expression, he allowed a small smile to grace his lips. "Did you love your family less when you started to love me," he asked.

"No, of course not," Astrid replied quickly. "That's not the same type of love though."

"Exactly. There are so, so many types. Love is not a loaf of bread that must be divided into smaller pieces if it is to feed more than one," Hiccup clarified. "It is a patchwork blanket of many colours that we spend our entire lives creating. Every time a new type of love is found, another section is stitched in. Another colour joining the pattern as the blanket continues to grow. Your love for him may not be quite the same as your love for me, but that does not make it less real. Less meaningful."

"The woven bonds between each individual strand of thread only serve to make us stronger than we could ever be alone. The more bonds we have, the safer and warmer we are. Real love is not fragile Astrid," he added softly. "It will surely twist and bend with the tides because it must, but as long as you allow it to be flexible, it can never be broken." This man... Astrid thought, as she felt her heart melting straight into her feet. She likely would have swooned at his eloquence if she hadn't already been sitting down.

Gazing up at him in wonder now and placing a tender hand on the hard line of his jaw, Astrid felt tears of happiness prick her eyes. "How could you have ever let yourself believe that I wouldn't want you," she asked him in utter amazement. "You are the most wonderfully romantic idiot that I have ever met, and you are so sweet that it makes me teeth hurt sometimes," she teased. "Who in all nine realms wouldn't pick you if given the chance? Not that they will ever have the chance, but still!" He just rolled his eyes and grumbled at her before leaning back down to kiss her again.

The two of them had run back to the palace hand in hand after that, and she had never felt so free. After a quick bath, Astrid dressed in fresh clothes that were much less revealing. Hiccup now donning an outfit in colours that blatantly matched her own. Clearly displaying for everyone that they were still together. As she finished braiding her hair up, he came over to take her in his arms and kiss her. "Are you ready to talk to Ilweran now," he asked gently. Trailing his hands softly over her back and making her shiver pleasantly.

Astrid searched her mind for any lingering feelings of unease and came up empty. Sure, she wasn't overly excited to talk to Ilweran. She was definitely in a better place now than she had been though. Hiccup was right again. That run had been just what she needed. "I think so. Are you coming with me," she asked. Not sure if he was ready to let them be alone together yet.

Of course, he surprised her again. "No, I am not. I have already talked to Ilweran. Now you two need to sort this out with each other. I am sure that it will be awkward enough already without me there. I need to be able to trust both of you together without myself there chaperoning if we are going to return to any semblance of normalcy after this. Well, as long as you promise not to try and lure the poor man in against his will again," he added with a cheeky wink. Astrid huffed at him and rolled her eyes. Making him laugh.

"Though I am sure that he will be somewhat braced for another assault anyways," he teased. "I expect he would probably start screaming and running for the woods at the first sign of dizziness." Astrid couldn't stop a snort of laughter from escaping her at that, and Hiccup smiled at her as his voice took on a gentler tone. "I trust you Astrid. Completely. You said that you want me, and I believe you."

"I still trust him too," he added quietly. Surprising her yet again. He just shrugged at her. "How could I not? After all, he forced himself to run away from something that nearly every man would surrender to in a heartbeat. Including him, I should add. Stormfly will be able to find him for you and I will be listening if you need me. Just reach out with your mind until you find something green."

"Thanks Hiccup," she sighed as she leant her head against his chest. "I don't deserve you, but I love you so much that I don't really care. I'm not giving you up for anything."

"I am the one that does not deserve you mi'lady, but I plan to spend every day from this point on trying to remedy that. Especially since I have no intention of letting you get away from me now." She looked up into his face and he cracked a grin at her. "Besides, you two need to deal with this before we get back to Alfheim. Otherwise things are going to be very, very awkward at home. Although I suppose we could use it as an excuse to ditch the charade..."

"What are you talking about," she asked. Peering up at him suspiciously. "What do you mean things are going to be awkward at home? Ilweran doesn't live with us."

"Actually... He is going to be living with us for a while..."

"WHAT?!" She was too stunned to care that she was shouting.

"I figured out a way for you to practice your sparring without losing all semblance of sanity," he stated calmly. Clearly choosing to ignore her outburst. "Thor and his wife Sif are going to be coming to stay with us for a while right after Samhain. Sif is a Valkyrie. Gifted with magic, but nowhere near as powerful as the elves. I already sent Lintiëram to them, and received confirmation, so it is a little late to back out now. As you are supposed to be Ilweran's lover as far as the Æsir are concerned, it only makes sense that Ilweran come to stay with us. Unless you would rather we go and stay at the palace..."

As Astrid continued to gaze at him stupidly, he chuckled softly. Pushing her mouth closed with a gentle finger under her chin before pressing a kiss to her lips. "It will be fine, Astrid. I had already talked to Ilweran about it, and he agreed. He confirmed tonight that he is still willing, if we are. He is going to stay in the room next to ours, NOT in ours, and there will be a concealed door linking the two. One that I am sure he will probably keep well warded from his side now that he knows what an evil creature you are," he added with a laugh as she felt her cheeks heat again. "Anyways, it will not be nearly as awful as the fiasco in Asgard, and it will only be until Yule."

Blowing her bangs out of her face with a disgruntled breath, Astrid glared up at him. "You didn't think to mention this sooner," she asked grumpily.

He raised an eyebrow at her as his eyes darkened ever so slightly. "It was only decided very recently. I was planning to tell you about it tonight, after the consort selection where Cuithanna inevitably chose either him or me. Both of which I knew would hurt you deeply, no matter how much I may have tried to deny it. I was hoping to brighten your day with a somewhat more pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, that did not get to happen."

"Until today, I did not really think that it would be an issue either. Despite your confusion, Ilweran has never had any intention of giving into his desire for you. So much for that, I guess..." he trailed off quietly. The slight catch in his voice reminding her that she should be careful. He was handling this remarkably well, but that might not last. "Besides," he added in a somewhat lighter tone. Clearly trying to keep his mood cheerful for her sake. "Would it have changed anything?"

"Probably not, no. I'm so sorry, Hiccup. I know you keep saying that it's not my fault, but I still feel terrible just the same," she sighed. Feeling his arms tighten around her in response. "I do have a question though." Hiccup hummed for her to continue as she gazed up into his face. "Are you truly the Dark God? If you are, does that mean that Ilweran is actually the Light God?"

"That is two questions," Hiccup said with a chuckle. She grumbled incoherently at him and he laughed again before his face grew serious. His lips twisting up thoughtfully, as if he was considering how to word his response. "Yes Astrid. I really am the Dark God. Lord of the Hunt and Death in the flesh. Master of both pleasure and pain. Does that bother you," he asked quietly.

Astrid pondered that for a moment. She didn't really understand exactly what it meant, but she was smart enough to know that it was a big deal. If the new energy dancing through her own body was any indication, then Hiccup was even more powerful than she had ever imagined. Powerful enough to truly destroy the universe if he lost control, just as he'd said. The thought didn't frighten her though. It really was as if she had already known and was just admitting it to herself now.

"No," she answered firmly. "It doesn't bother me at all. I love you. Besides, it would be more than a little hypocritical of me to say yes," she pointed out with a smirk. "Isn't the Dark God supposed to be Hecate's lover though," Astrid couldn't help asking in confusion.

"Am I not your lover," Hiccup countered cheekily, and Astrid felt her mouth pop open in surprise again. "Actually, I am just Hecate's male counterpart. Either goddess can claim either god whenever she chooses. Although personally I much prefer bad girls," he added with a wink. Then he barked out a laugh at the stunned look on her face before leaning down to kiss her.

"But you bear Cuithanna's seal," she stated in confusion as he broke away.

"Actually, I bear my own seal and Hecate is just supposed to be the one that bestows it. She has not left Urdarbrunnr in many years though, so she let her sister do the honours," Hiccup clarified. Astrid was going to ask him why the Dark God's mark so closely resembled Cuithanna's, but he was gazing into her eyes with such a look of loving wonder that it cut her straight to the core. Distracting her thoughts. "You never cease to amaze me mi'lady," he said softly. "As for Ilweran, that is a difficult one to answer. He is not the Light God, but he will be some day. He does not know this though, and he is not supposed to yet."

"Ugg, more secrets," Astrid grumbled. Making Hiccup chuckle again. "We're gods," she drawled then. Even surprising herself with the casual use of the term. "Why do we still have so many godsdamn restrictions?!"

"Welcome to my world, mi'lady," Hiccup teased. "I guess it keeps us from running amuck," he added with a shrug at the sight of her raised brow. "After all, that is why Loki is imprisoned and creatures such as Fenrir and Jörmungandr exist. The rest of the races are not really supposed to know exactly what we can and cannot do. Just because you have power, does not mean that you should flaunt it."

"Why not?! It was incredibly sexy when you bested Odin on his home turf," she joked. Giving him a teasing wink as she trailed a finger suggestively down his chest and abs.

Hiccup chuckled darkly at that. "We bested Odin on his home turf mi'lady. It was not just me, but it is still good to know that you find my viciously callous behaviour sexy," he smirked back before claiming her lips again. Then he grinned at her. "Just because you can crush an island beneath your fist does not mean that every man on it deserved to die because of one that angered you. Magic such as ours is surprisingly indiscriminate and incredibly destructive. Which means that you do not get to tell Ilweran the good news yet. It will go straight to his head, and monstrous nightmares are so cocky and emotional," he added with an eye roll that made Astrid giggle.

"And night furies are the evil offspring of lightning and death. So what? He'll be stoked about it. Maybe he can earn it faster if he knows about it, and then he can be a god too and we can all bask in our awesomeness together..." Hiccup arched a brow at her in response. "Alright, fine," she huffed in defeat. "I'll go make amends with our new housemate and future Light God and I won't tell him anything fun or exciting that may distract him from how terrible a person I am."

Hiccup burst out laughing at her deliberately martyred expression. "I happen to quite like the terrible person that you are," he offered brightly. "I always assumed that you were meant to be the light to my dark, but I was wrong. You are my perfectly shadowy match. Maybe we do actually need Ilweran around, if only to keep us both somewhat in the light. Not too much though. Bad just looks far too good on me," he added with a wink. Astrid couldn't help chuckling in agreement at that.

"I suppose we'll just have to hope that he's not too afraid of me now to stick around," she added blandly. "Maybe he'll run away screaming before I even get to apologize." Still grumbling, she stretched onto her toes to beg for another kiss. Then she stepped away and whistled for Stormfly. The nadder must have still been waiting close by, as she was touching down on the balcony barely a moment later.

"I am sure he will listen, as long as you are gentle with him. He is quite a delicate little flower, after all," Hiccup stated with a chuckle. Making Astrid roll her eyes again even as she giggled softly. Thinking how mad Ilweran would be at hearing someone call him a delicate little flower. "I will see you at the festival mi'lady" he said then. Giving her a reassuring smile as she hopped into the saddle.

Blowing him a kiss, she spurred Stormfly into the sky. The two of them simply gliding over the strange landscape. Astrid was in no real hurry to go anywhere at the moment anyways. The coming talk would be just as uncomfortable in an hour as it would be right now. "You and your mate seem to be alright," came the warm and motherly tone in her mind after a while.

"We are, Stormfly. Better than alright even," Astrid replied with a grin. Laying down on the saddle as she ran her hands over her battle sister's softly glowing scales. Simply enjoying the memory of her recent run and romp with Hiccup. "I did something so terrible that I didn't think I would ever forgive myself for it, but he somehow forgave me enough for both of us. I just hope Ilweran is at least half as kind..."

She felt Stormfly chuckling beneath her then. "Those boys will not deny you anything, hatchling," she said with another laugh. "Ilweran is a gentle soul. He will forgive you too. You know, if you were a nadder, you could mate with both of them as much as you wanted..."

"STORMFLY," Astrid gasped. Clutching at the saddle as her dragon actually rolled over in the air with croaking chuckles. "That is so not funny, Stormfly! Oh my gods! Don't ever say that to Toothless! I know that nadders don't mate for life, but night furies do," she stated firmly; and somewhat guiltily.

"Relax little one. I was only kidding," Stormfly said. Her tone much more serious now. "You and your mate will figure this out. You love each other. Sometimes we just need to fall in order to remember why we fly in the first place."

"Thanks girl. I'll remember that," Astrid told her gently. Then she let out a sigh of resignation. "Can you find Ilweran for me please? I need to shake the rest of this weight off of my shoulders. I refuse to let it keep me down and hold me back anymore." The nadder warbled in agreement. Banking back around as she sniffed out the half-elf prince. Making towards a small clearing with a brightly glowing stream babbling through it.

It wasn't until they were almost to the ground, that Astrid realized the large purplish mound she had taken to be more crystals, was actually Tintallë. As they came in to land, the huge monstrous nightmare raised her beautiful head. Meeting Astrid's eyes for a long moment and giving a very low growl. Stormfly gave an angry croak in return and flapped her wings once. The spines on her tail lifting slightly. With a grumble Tintallë huffed a breath then, releasing a puff of smoke, and curled back up under her wing.

Looking away from the enormous dragon, Astrid caught sight of Ilweran sitting on a rock by the edge of the stream. His long legs dangling over the water as small squirrel-like creatures with bushy red tails, glowing horns, and tiny fangs ran around in the grass nearby. A large doe with a speckled hide of blue and purple foraging beside him. It really was a magical sight and Astrid was reminded once again of the Light God in the dance. Ilweran had changed his clothes as well and his white-blonde hair was glistening with the same purplish colour as his dragon. Not a single hint of anger, menace, or pain shining through the flawless features. No aura of chilling emptiness to shadow his beautiful glow.

Ilweran appeared as warm and kind as ever. Yet, in his own way, he was almost as dangerous as Hiccup. Would be as dangerous as him one day. Looking Ilweran over, it was so easy to see the similarities between the two men, as well as the differences. No wonder everyone thought of them as brothers.

Ilweran already seemed like the light to Hiccup's night. The calm and reassuring lighthouse within a raging storm of swirling darkness. Where Hiccup was prone to dangerous mood swings and chilling cruelty, Ilweran seemed nearly unflappable. When a certain someone wasn't using dark magic to entrap him, that is. Would becoming the Light God for real change him much? Or was he already so close that she would barely notice?..

His musical voice suddenly cut through the magical moment and her musings then. "Please do not tell me that you came here to dazzle me again. It was quite hard enough to break free the first time and I am not sure I would be able to walk away from you a second time. I highly doubt that Hiccup would let me live if it were to happen twice, and I am not fool enough to believe that you are here to profess your undying love for me."

He hadn't even turned to look at her. Simply continuing to gaze blankly down into the crystal clear water. He sounded slightly wary and hurt, and Astrid was instantly caught between the unreasonable urge to both laugh and cry. Wanting to run over and wrap her arms around him, but seriously doubting that he would appreciate that very much right now. "No, I'm not here to dazzle you," she started quietly. "I'm here to tell you how incredibly sorry I am for doing it in the first place, Ilweran. I stole your will from you and that will never, ever be okay. If you decide to hate me forever I really wouldn't blame you for it."

"Hel, if you never want to talk to me, or even see me again, I would totally understand. I was jealous and angry, but that is no excuse. I used my powers to hurt two of the people I care about most in all the worlds. I can't take that back. No matter how much I wish I could." She studied the side profile of his handsome face as she spoke. Looking for some sign that he had heard her, but it remained completely blank. Still, she had to believe that he was listening as she at least tried to make it right.

"I would just hate for you to spend the rest of eternity thinking that I was only using you, because I wasn't. I wanted you too. I love you," she said softly. Realizing wth a jolt that she meant it. Somewhere along the way, she had come to truly love Ilweran.

"I just...love Hiccup more," she finished lamely. "I can't lose him. I won't lose him. Not for anything, and no matter how much it hurts. I do love you Ilweran, but if you need me to profess undying devotion to you in order for you to stay, I can't do that. Hiccup is my soul mate, and that will never ever change..." Her voice was audibly choking up as she forced the last of the words out. Biting down hard on her lip now to try and stop the tears from falling.

"I was so sure that, after Celeste, no one would be able to get to me again. That I was safe inside the shell I had created around my heart," he said quietly. Still not looking at her. "After knowing the joy of love and then having it ripped from me by fate, I chose to lock myself away rather than risk feeling that pain again. It may have been empty and lonely in my shell, but at least I was protected. I swore that I was done with making a mess of my life. I was older, wiser, and stronger, and I would not let myself give into temptation again because I was better than that. Turns out, I really am still the same idiot that I always was..."

Astrid made a sound somewhere between a whimper and a groan at that as she felt her heart rip in two again. Huffing a sigh, Ilweran pushed to his feet and walked over to her. Looking into her face for a moment before holding his arms out for her. Falling into his embrace, Astrid started bawling again. Hugging him back tightly as she choked out apology after apology between gasping sobs. His hands making soothing circles on her back. Gods, she had done so much crying today. It was amazing she still had any tears left.

"It is alright Astrid. Trust me, I get it," he said softly against her hair as her sobs finally slowed. "Despite my best efforts to resist it and deny it, I have come to love you too, you crazy woman. You are a terrible influence on me, but I am not sure that I would have behaved much better in your place, really. At least I am not in thrall to you right now, so that is one thing to be thankful for," he added with a chuckle. "Although, other than painful death by Hiccup, being your personal sex slave might not be all that bad. I cannot really think of a better way to spend the last hours of my life, if I am being honest."

Astrid choked out a laugh at that. Leaning away from him to look up into his face as he gave her an easy smile. "I would never let Hiccup kill you," she said with a sniffle. "He already knows that you couldn't have blocked me out. No one else can," she added in a slightly more smug tone now. "Except for Hiccup apparently, but it's not very easy for him to do either." At that, Ilweran's eyebrows drew together slightly in confusion. As she gazed up into his face, she called just enough of the magic to her to make her crescent moon glow again.

Ilweran's eyes flew wide as the mark blossomed on her forehead. "Apparently I'm related to Hecate," Astrid told him before he could ask. "I know, right. That fun fact might have been nice to know before today. Golwen suspected as much, but she thought that I already knew." She offered him a half-hearted shrug as she said, "so there you go. The Light God got spelled by the Dark Goddess herself, but he somehow managed to escape her web. Even if he had to punch a wall, threaten violence, and take a jump shirtless off an almost fifty foot high balcony to do it."

He continued to stare at her forehead for another long moment. Then Ilweran started laughing. "Whatever it takes to keep my freedom I guess," he chortled. "I suppose that explains the strong resemblance between you and Cuithanna. I thought that it was just coincidence, but apparently not."

"I am sorry about the threats of violence though," he added quietly. "I wish I could say that they were empty, but they were not. My temper is usually not quite so close to the surface, but your dark magic was calling to it. It was like I was the tinder, you held the flint, and everything was just waiting to go up in smoke. It was all getting to be too much. Fighting you off while trying to settle the storm within. My fire magic has a tendency to react much the same as my dragon's does. When I get really angry, which is thankfully not often, it just sort of bursts out of me. Then I have to reign it back in before I unintentionally hurt someone."

"I am not proud of it, but I would release my hold on the storm before I handed over my will," he sighed in resignation. "Do not get me wrong Astrid, I would lay down my life for you. I will never become your slave willingly though. Since both actions would have resulted in my immediate death anyways, I would rather it be on my own terms." He gave her an apologetic grimace as she gazed up into his face.

Astrid fought back a shudder at that. "That's okay. I don't blame you in the slightest," she assured him. "I was raping you for Thor's sake! You would have had every right to lash out and attack me for it. I know I would have."

"True. Although it should be noted that rape is not usually that enjoyable for the victim, so I guess I can forgive you," he said with a wink that made her giggle. "Honestly though, after I had gotten my mind back the shirtless part started to scare me the most," Ilweran added then. Grinning at her look of disbelief. "Seriously. I thought your evil lover from Helheim was going to murder me on the spot when he walked into this clearing and saw me half naked with she-demon claw marks on my back and shoulders..."

He offered a lopsided smirk before his gaze darkened slightly. "He was all dark and menacing and crawling with these weird shadows. I was sure that I was already dead. After he scared the shit out of me though, he just listened to me instead. Seeming to understand my feelings better than I did, and I think he has for some time really. He apologized to me for letting it get this far, and then he told me that whatever happened from here was up to you and not him. That he refused to hurt you by hurting me. It was a bit surreal actually, since his unreasonably calm acceptance was honestly a fair bit more terrifying than if he had shown up with swords drawn."

"You've got that right," Astrid agreed. Thinking of that same chilling calm when she had first gotten back to the room and found Hiccup waiting for her. It really had been much worse than rage could ever be. Even if she now understood exactly why Hiccup had to keep his anger on such a tight lock-down, it was still scary to imagine what might be lurking just out of sight beneath the surface. "My man is pretty terrifying though. Both of them, really," she teased and Ilweran snorted a laugh at that as he shook his head at her bemusedly.

"Sorry about the scratches by the way," she added guiltily. Weird crawling shadows... Astrid thought as she mulled over his words. Suddenly remembering her crazy dream from a month ago. As well as the shadows in Hiccup's eyes tonight. She looked up at Ilweran then. "Can I just ask you something? When you say 'weird crawling shadows', what do you mean?"

"I am not sure how to explain it really," Ilweran replied with a small shudder. "He seemed to just appear out of the shadows. Like the darkness was somehow alive and clinging to him. Or I guess, more like he was the darkness."

"I see," she said quietly. "One more thing, and then I will try to stop making you think about it. Was Hiccup... solid... the whole time?"

Ilweran looked at her intently for a long moment. His eyebrows furrowed slightly. "No, he was not," he answered slowly. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, I had a dream a while back. I don't really want to talk about it, because it scared me half to death at the time. In the dream he was hurting someone and he wasn't exactly solid. He was sort of see-through and there was this weirdly creeping darkness covering him. Then he spoke and his voice echoed strangely. Like there were a whole bunch of Hiccup's talking." She shivered slightly at the memory. Feeling Ilweran's arms tighten around her slightly in response, before she continued. "It was pretty unsettling, but I thought that it was just my delirious and stressed out mind creating it. Now I'm not so sure."

"Partially solid, crawling shadows, sinister green eyes with the slit-pupils, and oddly echoing voice as if he was occupying many realms at once," Ilweran summarized. "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. He looked like Death itself. Hence, I thought that I was already." He shuddered again as he gazed past her into the dark forest.

"When we were talking earlier, after he forgave me, he told me that he is the Dark God," she confided. Careful to keep from saying anything that might give the full game up as she remembered that Ilweran wasn't supposed to know everything yet. "I'm pretty sure that he meant it literally too," she added softly. Ilweran should know this much at least, she thought resignedly. He continued to gaze into the darkness for another long moment. "Ilweran," she asked quietly, and he finally met her eyes again. A far-away look still in his bright amber orbs. "Do you ever get the feeling there is something important that Hiccup isn't telling us?"

"Honestly? I think there are a lot of important things that Hiccup is not telling us," Ilweran answered easily. Surprising her with the lack of discomfort or judgement in his tone. "I have suspected some things for quite some time, but I refuse to confront him about them. For one, he really is terrifying. Mostly though it is because he will tell us when he is ready. He always does. For how forgiving he is of the faults of others, I think that Hiccup is sure we will reject him once we learn the truth about him."

Then Ilweran smiled at her. "Not that anything he could tell me would really bother me. I would much rather be his friend than his enemy. No matter what or who he is. I would not be overly surprised to learn that he truly is the Dark God, as Hiccup has always been far more powerful than is strictly natural or necessary."

"Even when I first met him in Rome, I could feel how strong his magic was," Ilweran added thoughtfully. "Unnaturally so for a human, and even for an elf, and it has only grown stronger since his arrival here. If he is the Dark God, then it explains why Cuithanna seemed to know him the moment she laid eyes on him, and why you and he are such a perfect fit. I suppose it also means that I am especially lucky to be alive right now."

Astrid's heart ached at those words as she once again realized exactly what she had willingly risked in her desire for vengeance. "I'm so sorry Ilweran. I never meant to put you in this situation. I was just so mad in the moment that I didn't even bother to think about what might happen afterwards. You were just trying to be a good friend while I simply handed myself over to the darkness instead of trying to restrain it. You let me into your shell, and the first thing I did was show you why you shouldn't have. I'm sorry that I'm such a monster," she offered sadly. Resting her head against Ilweran's chest with a sigh as she apologized yet again for her stupid choices.

"We are all a bit monstrous my dear," he chuckled before adding gently, "I did not 'let' you into my shell, Astrid. I never had any intention of 'letting' you into my shell. I hated the fact that I was even weak enough to want you in the first place. You were not mine to want, you never would be, and I was perfectly fine with that. I still am, in fact. You and Hiccup are made for each other and I have never seen him so happy as he is with you. I would never willingly get in the way of something like that."

"I certainly cared for you as a friend and of course my body desired you, but I was thoroughly convinced that it would never be more than that. Desire. I really did not want it to be more than that, and I was more than strong enough to resist basic lustful urges. Unfortunately for us, life rarely works out the way we expect and feelings do not simply disappear because we want them to. If anything, they tend to grow stronger. I should have already known that better than most, but I seem to have forgotten it along the way," he stated quietly.

"I hated myself for wanting you too," Astrid reminded him. "That just didn't seem to matter though. My feelings for both of you just got stronger with each passing day. Really, it's your own bloody fault for being so damn similar and so damn perfect."

"I mean, come on," she groaned exaggeratedly. "He's dark, dangerous, and ridiculously sexy, but such a sweetheart on the inside. You're like a delicious ray of golden sunlight, both inside and out, no matter what you try to say to the contrary. It's not fair to a woman's sanity. Being surrounded by you two at every moment is enough to drive anyone crazy." Ilweran allowed that with a shrug and a cheeky grin that made her giggle.

"I think Hiccup recognized the mess we were in long before either of us did," she added softly. "Rather than getting mad or forcing me to choose though, he just let me make my own mistakes. Even though it had to be tearing him apart inside to think that he might lose me to his best friend at any moment. I don't think I could have done the same if I was in his place. After all, I snapped and used dark magic on you simply because Hiccup kissed Cuithanna while under the influence of dark magic himself. I mean, I really snapped..."

Ilweran huffed a quiet laugh at that. "You certainly did. I was sure that Hiccup was going to murder me anyways, despite the fact that I was the helpless victim here. For the first time in my entire existence I might add," he teased. Making her blush. "Yet somehow I am still alive. You know, for how evil he can be, he is truly just a genuinely kind man underneath it all."

"It's not just him. You are both pretty gentle souls. Yours just shines through the surface a lot more," Astrid offered kindly. Receiving an eye roll in return as Ilweran muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'ruined'. "It's a good thing," she made sure to add. "I didn't expect either of you to ever forgive me for how much I hurt you, but somehow you both have," Astrid said with a slight grimace.

Then in hopes of brightening the mood, she added cheekily, "still, if you're willing to stick around, then I'm gonna keep you. I guess you'll just have to get used to having a weirdly jealous lady friend in your life. Honestly, I probably would have still snapped if Cuithanna had picked you instead, so it was always bound to get messy." Ilweran looked slightly surprised at that and she just shrugged at him with a lopsided grimace.

"It's the truth. I do feel pretty possessive of you too, even though I know full well that I have no claim to you," she revealed with another slight blush. "Besides, I would miss you if you were dead. Especially if you were my thrall. All that wasted effort." He snorted another laugh and hugged her tighter as she smiled into his shirt. "Speaking of surreal things though," she started again. "I hear you are going to be living with us for a while. That should be interesting..."

"Yep," he replied. Making the 'p' sound pop. "Interesting is a good word for it. As long as you promise not to force me into yours and Hiccup's bed though, we should be fine. It would probably take me at least a century to forgive you for that, if he did not kill me first." She giggled at the thought of that for a moment. An image flashing through her mind of the two boys coming out of a drunken haze, only to find themselves naked in a bed together. Priceless.

Looking up into his amber eyes again, she was glad to find them shining with that wonderfully familiar light of easy humour. Not a hint of awkwardness between them somehow. Despite everything that had happened. She was also pleased to find that the intense confusion she had been fighting with for months had now disappeared. The attraction for him was still there of course, but it was far less distracting and came without all the gut-churning guilt attached to it. Even standing here in his embrace felt perfectly comfortable in all the right ways now.

Sure, she could clearly remember the feel of his insanely skilled hands on her. Not to mention his mouth. The way his golden eyes blazed with a wolfish light in his desire, as well as the perfect lines of his marvellous body. All of it was now tattooed on her mind. It probably always would be.

It just didn't affect her in the way she had expected it to. Even with Cuithanna's wild magic still swirling in the air. It felt more natural now. Less of a raging fire of forbidden desire, and more a gently smouldering ember of love and respect. Still more than a friend and not quite a lover, but this 'something in the middle' felt much healthier.

It was like she had needed to almost lose everything in order to finally find herself and figure out what was truly important. She did not have to chose between them in order to love them both. Hiccup was right. There were so many different kinds of love. She would not bottle up her worries until they exploded again. She knew who she was and what she wanted. Thankfully it seemed that her boys were on the same page, so that was a double win.

Still, a very tiny part of her mind couldn't help wondering what it would have been like to lay down with Ilweran without the stain of shadow magic robbing her feelings and darkening the experience. Not wanting to dwell on that in the slightest though, she brought her focus back to the blonde man in front of her instead. "Hey Ilweran..." she started. Deliberately leaving the words hanging in the air. Keeping her tone light, yet expectant, as he met her eyes.

Tilting his head slightly, he furrowed his brows in confusion. "Yeah..."

"Thanks for not making it weird," she finished brightly.

She hadn't been able to resist saying it. Grinning up at the dumbfounded look on his face. Then he promptly burst into slightly hysterical laughter. His head actually coming down to rest on her shoulder as his whole body shook with the force of it. Eventually getting himself back under control, he leaned back to meet her eyes again. "Dear gods, you are terrible woman!"

"Weird does not even begin to describe this," he said with another laugh. Gesturing between the two of them before replacing his arm around her. "I freely admit that the image of your incredibly perfect body in both of my personal beds is now permanently burned into my mind. Along with your taste, and your smell, and everything else that I probably should not know about you. As I am sure that it will always be thanks to my cursed elven mind. You have completely ruined me, and invaded all of my sacred spaces at the same time, you evil wench."

Astrid choked out a laugh and Ilweran smirked again before his gaze softened slightly. "Despite that, I would rather move on from this like it never happened. Going back to whatever it was that we had before. Or onto whatever new, and hopefully healthier, direction our relationship takes instead as I doubt we can actually go back after this. That sounds much more appealing than dwelling on our bad decisions until I am forced to walk away from you. You and Hiccup are far too important to me to let this come between us."

"Mistakes were made, yes, but we are humans. We fuck things up all the time, and then we bounce back. It is our gift." She fought back a sob now instead as she hugged him tighter for a moment. Ilweran rested his cheek on her hair with a sigh. Then he spoke again, and his words caught her off guard. "If, and that is one heck of a big if, it ever happens again, it has to be consensual honey. Is that clear," he asked quietly.

There was a barely noticeable hint of warning in his voice and she nodded against his chest as she bit her lip. Remorse for her actions crashing through her again. "It is alright Astrid. I promise that I am not mad at you," Ilweran offered as he obviously sensed her pain. "After all, I love you. As long as you want me around, I cannot really walk away. You should know, I still have no desire to crawl into bed naked with another man. If I ever did it for anyone though, it would be for you, and it would be with him. Anyone else I would kill first..." He trailed off with an exaggerated eye roll and a grimace.

Astrid choked out something between a sob and a giggle as she buried her face in his tunic. "Funny. That's the same thing that Hiccup said when he forgave me," she mumbled against the silky fabric. Grimacing slightly as she pictured her months of tormenting nightmares again. Excessively glad now that they hadn't come true. Probably only because the whole thing had been her doing, and not either of theirs. "I can't deny that the thought does seem kind of tempting," she added teasingly. "You are both pretty godsdamn sexy, after all. What woman wouldn't fantasize about it? At least a little? I mean, isn't that just a common desire amongst the ladies of the realms anyways..."

Ilweran barked out a laugh. "Thanks for that, and you are not wrong. An unfortunate number of ladies seem to harbour that particular fantasy. Though there is also an unfortunate number that would simply like to see Hiccup and I together without a lady in the middle, but that is never, ever, ever, ever, ever going to happen. No matter how much persuasion magic you use. I would happily go back to Nidavellir and feed myself to a deathgripper first," he stated with a dramatic shudder that made her giggle.

"I'm so sorry Ilweran," Astrid mumbled dejectedly again. Despite the lightened mood of a moment ago. She just couldn't believe that Ilweran was taking this so well. "I'm sorry that I can't give myself to you in the way you deserve. I hate that I am still hurting you, even when I'm trying to make it right..."

You are not hurting me Astrid," Ilweran cut across her. His tone allowing no room for argument. "I did not think that I would ever be able to love again. It is nice to know that I was wrong, even if it is not entirely in a way that I expected. Still, love between a man and a woman does not need to be a physical thing to be real, my dear. It is not as if anything will really change for us at all. Our feelings are just out in the open now, but I find that everything is a little less confusing when you look at it in the light."

"After all, I have felt rather protective of you for quite a while now. Since Midgard in fact, though it was certainly not love at the time. At least I am not quite as overwhelmingly possessive as Hiccup can be since I am not part night fury," he added with a small smile. "Thankfully, that also means that I do not expect anything from you, and I never have. I doubt that I will ever be able to see you as a sister now, but I am more than happy with us simply remaining as close friends."

"That sounds good to me," she sighed as she gazed up into his face. "And thank you for not hating me. You had every right to, but I honestly can't imagine my life without you in it now."

"I cannot imagine my life without you either. Even if you really are a just a vicious little demon," Ilweran added pointedly. Astrid peeked back up at him in confusion at that, and he gave her a lopsided smirk. "You seem to have weaselled your wicked way into both of our fractured hearts of stone. I am afraid I may never be the same again for it," he drawled. "You know, most goddesses select side consorts that they want to have sex with. Not you. You prefer yours to be of the abstinent variety."

"I would never ask you not to sleep with other people," Astrid assured him. Even though a small part of her really didn't want to share him, she knew that she had absolutely no right to feel that way. She had given up any claim on him the moment that she had made her choice to stay with Hiccup.

"Do you want me to start having sex with other women, Astrid? Would that make you feel better," Ilweran asked blandly. She grimaced before she could stop herself, and he simply chuckled in response. "That is what I thought."

His bright humour was so infectious that Astrid couldn't keep from laughing as well now. "Gods, I wonder how mad I'll be when you do start dating other women," she offered thoughtfully.

"Probably pretty mad," Ilweran replied easily. "You know what though? I have been practically celibate, aside from Celeste of course, for nearly fifteen years. Despite having been single for eight of those, I might add. I think I can hold out a little longer," he added with a wink. Making her giggle again.

"Now, what other men are you planning to add to this unusually abstinent harem that I am now the first lucky member of," he asked with another eye roll. "Just so that I know in advance. That way Hiccup and I can dispose of them sooner rather than later. I may not be sharing a bed with you, but I will still happily put a blade through the throat of any man that gets even remotely too close to you..."

"Ugh, you two are worse than my father and brothers," Astrid grumbled indignantly. "I can look after myself, you know. Besides, I still have no idea what that even is. You and Hiccup have both now accused me of amassing one, though. What in Hel's realm is a harem?!"

"Nothing that you need to concern yourself with," Ilweran smirked. "If you do not know what it is, I will not be the one to enlighten you and put crazy ideas in your head. Gods, I am not sure how we did not figure out that you were related to Hecate earlier, since you are pure evil," he joked lightly. His laugh rumbling through his chest even as his words made her cheeks flare with heat again. A tinge of remorse seeping in despite his return to a more playful tone.

Grinning at her sudden blush, Ilweran released her and stepped away. "Well, should we head back to the festival, my dear? I am sure they all want to stare at us, whisper about us, and just generally make us feel incredibly uncomfortable. We should not deny them the joy," he teased flippantly. Giving her another easy smile and making her laugh now instead.

"That sounds absolutely awful, but I suppose so," she replied with a smile of her own. "At least someone should get to find pleasure in our pain. Maybe your mother and Golwen will finally stop trying to hook us up. Especially since the wild elven prince is back," Astrid added as an afterthought.

"Is he now," Ilweran asked with a devilish smirk twisting up one side of his shapely lips. "I mean, we never actually consummated the thing. Maybe I just lied about all those women before you, and maybe Minden actually is my little sister. Humans lie all the time, after all. I could still be a virgin for all you know..."

"Pfft, yeah right. Trust me, your centuries of experience were on full display in that bedroom," Astrid scoffed with an eye roll before she could stop herself. "If you're a virgin, I'll eat my kransen." They looked at each other for a long moment. Then they both broke down laughing again. Astrid climbing back on Stormfly and clutching her aching ribs as tears of humour ran down her cheeks now.

Landing by the clearing, Astrid jumped down and gave Stormfly another scratch and a hug. Ilweran leaping down from Tintallë a moment later. Looking around, Astrid spotted Hiccup standing with Golwen, Lerina, and Cuithanna. His back to her. Grinning at Ilweran once more, Astrid made her way quickly towards Hiccup. Darting as sneakily as she could through the crowd of elves she launched herself at his back before he could see her. She had meant to surprise him, but somehow Hiccup turned and caught her. Wrapping his arms around her instantly as he rasped a laugh.

"I take it everything went well," he asked gently. Hugging her tighter for a moment and placing a kiss to her hair before setting her back on her feet. Draping one arm casually over her shoulders now as Cuithanna and the others all smiled gently at her. Looking up, she saw Hiccup gazing past her, and she turned to see Ilweran strolling up to their group too. Astrid noticed that many of the elves were pausing to watch the three of them. Most of them looking interestedly between Ilweran and Hiccup, more than anything.

"I certainly think so," Ilweran said easily. Coming to a stop a few feet from Hiccup. "We still all good, bro?" There was a slightly nervous light in Ilweran's golden eyes, but he didn't look away from Hiccup's intense green gaze.

Hiccup looked down at Astrid for a moment. One brow raised. She nodded at him in response. Placing her hand against his chest and leaning into him as she wrapped her other arm around his waist. Hiccup smiled softly at her before glancing at Ilweran again. "Yeah, we are just fine bro." He held his hand out to Ilweran. When Ilweran grasped it, Hiccup pulled the blonde man into a three way hug with him and Astrid. Making them all laugh as they broke apart again.

Then Hiccup grinned down at her. "So, mi'lady. Would you like a dance with the real Dark God," he asked lightly. "Dark God and Dark Goddess for a change. The elves have never seen that before." There was a gleam of wicked humour in his eyes now. As well as the slightest hint of a challenge. As if he was daring her to try.

"Absolutely," Astrid answered back with a devious grin of her own. Laughing again as he smiled and pulled her into the middle of the crowd just as a new song started up. This one just as sensual as the one she had used to help lure Ilweran in. Complete with the heavy drum beats. As they began to dance she couldn't help wondering what the elves were seeing this time. True magic, most likely. Her and Hiccup were stalking around each other. Their eyes never leaving the other, but it was nothing like any of the previous dances. Not even close.

This was not hunter and prey. This was perfectly matched predators playing with each other. She could feel the night drawing in around the two of them. Could see the air around them warping with the strange magic as Hiccup called it up. His pupils turning to slits as his fangs flashed in the oddly glowing light of this realm. Her waning crescent mark was shimmering on her forehead again and she knew that her own eyes would be radiating that strange darkness too. Swirling and writhing with shadow as the dangerous magic coursed through her body as well now.

She was not using her gifts on him though. She didn't have to. He simply brought out the darker side of her and she was more than happy to let him. His intense power was pulsing through the air in waves, but it didn't feel cold to her anymore. Rather, it felt perfectly right. Neither of them sacrificing even an inch to the other, but simply letting their demons play. Twirling sinuously around the grassy clearing together instead.

No one else was actually dancing anymore. They were all too busy watching. The elves actually backing away to give Hiccup and Astrid much more space now. The glowing orbs hovering around the outer edge of the clearing even began to switch between a bloody red and a strangely luminous black. Apparently of their own accord.

The play of colour spoke of dangerous desire and dark power. It made Astrid truly feel like the two gods that they were. Powerful beings of the dark or waning moon, showcasing their might through shadow magic, and Samhain was their time. They were the Hunter and the Huntress. Raiders of the Storm. A mated pair of gloriously dark panthers. Prowling the night in the throws of ecstasy while they laughed at the gates of mortality.

He had been right. They were sharing the darkness now and it was wonderful. Everything else disappeared aside from the two of them. Their souls singing to each other in a way that no others could ever hope for. When he held her, it left her feeling as light and insubstantial as a phantom. Making impossible lifts an incredible reality and leaving her hovering in the air a little too long to be natural. Like she was no longer restricted by the world around her. They made their own rules now.

As the song came to a close, Hiccup dipped her back almost to the grass as he pressed his lips to hers. Her hand coming up to twine into his hair as she kissed him back deeply. Breaking away, he grinned wickedly at her and she smirked back. Suddenly becoming aware of the heavy press of silence all around them. The ominous way the music had suddenly stopped as a hush settled over the entire clearing. Hiccup pulled her back upright and kissed her again before allowing her to finally glance around at the crowd.

The elves were all standing perfectly motionless. Staring at the two of them with unmistakeable awe in their lovely eyes. Gaping around in confusion, Astrid caught sight of Cuithanna then. The goddess was staring at her too. A wide smile on her face as her rainbow eyes danced. Now that she knew, it was much easier for Astrid to recognize the resemblance between the goddess and Brenna Hofferson. It must have been the additional elven features that had distracted her at first. That and her jealousy...

Catching Astrid's gaze, Cuithanna raised her goblet to Astrid. Tilting her beautiful head in an unmistakeable bow. Then Hiccup startled Astrid by dropping down to one knee in front of her. Holding her hand in his and pressing a kiss to it, before bowing his head low to her. Just as he and Ilweran had done to Cuithanna.

Promptly, all of the elves began to follow suit, including Ilweran and Queen Lerina. Rendered completely speechless, Astrid gaped at them all in shock. Her heart was pounding and her face felt incredibly hot. Looking down at the reverent form of Hiccup before her. Then around at the silent clearing. Everyone from the Dark God himself, right up to the most elite of the elves, were all paying respect to her! Gazing back at the goddess for a moment Astrid bowed her own head low. When she met Cuithanna's eyes again, the goddess winked at her cheekily.

Son of a half-troll, Astrid thought in shocked wonder. She made Hiccup kiss her on purpose, didn't she?! Just to push me... "I did tell you that she has a reason for everything that she does," Hiccup suddenly said from beside her. His voice tugging Astrid out of her daze as she realized that he was standing again. All of the elves also rising and beginning to dance as the music started back up. Ilweran offered her another small bow and a kind smile from across the glade, before turning away to talk to Golwen and Cuithanna.

Chuckling at Astrid's blush, Hiccup pulled her back towards him as they began to move to the new melody. Pressed close together in a much more tender and intimate dance now. "It is just not always easy to understand her methods at first. You will get used to it though," he added gently. Astrid looked up into his face and he smiled at her. Leaning down to press his lips to hers again, he kissed her until she was perfectly dizzy.

After that, the rest of the festival seemed to pass by in a happy blur. The relationships between them somehow even better and stronger than they were before as the magic of the festival singing through Astrid's veins helped serve to keep her awake. They had watched the other elves perform more of their own dances, songs, or poems over the next couple of days. Ilweran even taking over Hiccup's usual role and putting on an illusion based show of old histories for the entertainment of the children. Something which impressed everyone with the extent of Ilweran's mastery of the challenging art. Hiccup simply grinned at his friend while holding Astrid on his lap, as they shared a seat on the dais instead.

Since everything fell apart and somehow managed to get put pack together, Astrid's glorious Dark God was now remaining firmly at her side. Apparently refusing to leave his mate again and Astrid wasn't complaining about it in the slightest. With Hiccup's arms around her, she watched Ilweran dance with other women with a new lightness in her heart despite that ever present possessive jealousy she would probably always feel. It was still nice to see that he was allowing more of the wild predator to shine through his sunshine image again.

He really did seem like a lone wolf on the prowl. Amber eyes flashing and taking on a slightly silver hue under the blue light of the moon as a predatory smile twisted his perfect lips. Although it only served to make him more beautiful as he burned even brighter somehow. Now she understood what Golwen had meant when she spoke of Ilweran's glow having dimmed after Celeste. No wonder ladies had thrown themselves at his feet before, despite the callous way he had treated them. Who could possibly resist him? He already looked like a marvellous god of light and he hadn't even received his bloody seal yet!

Still, Ilweran had not really returned to his wild ways, despite Astrid reawakening his inner shadows. At least, not completely. Though he was certainly much more carefree and flirty, he was not exactly offering his body up on a platter. As a matter of fact, he denied every single advance that came his way. When Astrid finally mustered up the courage to ask why, he simply pointed out with a smirk that he had already hooked up with a lady at this festival. Stating that it had nearly cost him his life, and he was now sworn to a life of celibacy because of it. Words which made her cheeks heat with a sudden flush as Hiccup and Ilweran both chuckled at her.

Now that she was not distracted by emotional baggage, Astrid started to notice just how desired her boys were. It really did seem like everyone wanted them. She actually lost count of how many times she had found herself laughing freely with Golwen as they watched numerous elves of both genders flirt with Hiccup and Ilweran over the remaining days. Both of the men politely refusing before attempting to discreetly run away. Frequently using her and Golwen as excuses, which they both thought was utterly hilarious.

Although it actually wasn't all that surprising that the elves chased them, to be honest. That everyone in every world so far seemed to chase them. Ranging between six and a half to seven feet tall on average, the elves were already something of giants amongst the realms (excluding the Jotuns, of course). At a little over seven feet tall now at least, Hiccup was even tall for an elf. Ilweran sitting at close to the same, if not a tiny bit taller. At five foot nine, Astrid had never felt short in Midgard, but standing between the two of them made her feel like a child. Her face only coming up to their mid-chests. Not that she was complaining about the view or anything...

Though the other elves were certainly beautifully toned and perfect, the well-muscled frames of the god-princes remained somewhat broader and bulkier than the rest of their kin. Likely thanks, in large part, to their mixed heritage. Serving to make the already tall men seem even more imposing. Likewise, their half human features carried a much more rugged and intensely masculine appearance. Something that stood out noticeably amidst the sea of slender faces with triangular jawlines ending in delicately pointed chins. Who wouldn't fantasize about taking a frolic between the sheets with either of these glorious men? They really were absolutely perfect.

Now that things had settled down, Astrid had actually danced with Ilweran again. More than once, though it was in a much more friendly way this time around. Although he had pretended to be afraid and run away from her the first time she asked. Actually warding her off with some of the strange flower cuttings and making everyone laugh. Then he gave in with a shrug and a grin. Throwing the flower cuttings at Hiccup, and leaving he and Golwen chuckling behind them as Ilweran spun Astrid out into the crowd. The other two following suit shortly after.

Since unlocking her true powers, Astrid had found a new connection to the world around her. The dragons, both wild and bonded would stop to nuzzle against her when they saw her. Just like they did with Hiccup. The animals of the realm even seeking her out as well to pay her tribute. One of those massive deer-like creatures she had first seen by Ilweran in the clearing, this one with similar starbursts in its fur and sporting brightly glowing antlers, had even brought his ladies over to meet her. The magnificent beast bowing to her in much the same way as the stag had bowed to Hiccup at Mabon.

Now she understood the real reason why. The stag at Mabon may have scented the night fury at first, but he had bent his head in respect to the God of the Hunt. Astrid may not actually be Hecate, but as her descendant, she was still a Goddess of the Hunt. It was an incredibly heady and powerful feeling. How long had it taken Hiccup to stop being awed by this magic?..

At one point Astrid had found herself making her way over to one of the pillars topped with the banishing flames. Strongly considering casting off the memory of her foray with Ilweran. As she gazed into the flickering black flame, she thought back to what he and Hiccup had said. Realizing that they were right. She didn't really want to simply wish it away. She wanted to remember her mistakes instead. Not so that she could dwell on them, but so that she could learn from them. She now knew who she was and the incredible darkness that she was capable of if she wasn't careful. She would never choose to willingly forget what had brought her here.

As Samhain drew to a close, and the time came for Cuithanna to return to her tree, Hiccup surprised her yet again. Grasping Astrid by the hand and pulling her towards Ilweran and the Goddess with a determined light in his eyes. Cuithanna had nodded and smiled at Astrid before all four of them took off into the trees. The other three adjusting their pace slightly so that Astrid could keep up. When they had reached the sacred ash, a beautiful and twisting old tree fluttering with brightly coloured prayer ribbons, Cuithanna hugged each of them in turn. Pausing as she released Astrid.

"I am so sorry for angering you my dear," she started in her lovely bell voice. "Your self-doubt was holding you back and you needed to find your strength. My twin sister has always had a tendency to respond rather aggressively when goaded, and I suspected that you might as well. Apparently I was right." She smiled wider as Astrid gave her a sheepish grin. Astrid looked up at Ilweran guiltily again, but he just laughed and nudged her with his elbow. Blushing scarlet, Astrid searched for the right words to ask Cuithanna what was on her mind now.

Of course, she didn't have to. "Your grandmother will be very proud of you when I tell her. I am sure that she knows already, but she will likely want to brag about it. Hecate has grieved every single day since she gave your mother up to the care of humans. Something that she has regretted greatly for many years," Cuithanna said sadly. "Sadly, her human lover had fallen in war shortly after they were together. As is the tale for far too many of your kind, as humans can be a rather aggressive race."

"How is that possible," Ilweran asked suddenly. "How could Hecate take a human lover? The boundary has been closed since shortly before I was born. Is Brenna immortal?"

"No, she is not," Cuithanna offered gently, "although she was born as an immortal." Ilweran started mouthing the word 'how', but Cuithanna cut across him. "I do not have much time to explain it, but there are ways. Just as there are ways around the boundary wards for those powerful, resourceful, or clever enough to find them. Now, at the time, Hecate believed that returning the child back to the care of human women was the only right option left to her. Unfortunately, as with the rest of our mistakes, the thing could not simply be undone once it was carried out.

"Hecate was the one that took away your mother's immortality, you see. There is a potion that can be used for such a purpose. Though it has mostly been forgotten amongst the other races, for it must be willingly drank and no immortal would willingly give up their immortality. A baby will happily suckle it from a finger though. Sadly, after consuming the potion, Brenna could never be permitted back to Urdarbrunnr. Mortals cannot cross the boundary, as you are well aware, and immortality cannot be granted quite as easily as it can be taken away." Cuithanna's tone was gentle. Her rainbow eyes overly bright as she met Astrid's startled gaze.

"Hecate gave my mother up and took away her immortality? Why?!" Astrid couldn't help the question from bubbling out. Even if it might be rude to ask, or not Cuithanna's answer to give.

Cuithanna offered her a sympathetic lift of shoulders. "Our younger sister, Skuld, was cast out of our home for falling in love with a human and having a child of him. Cut off from her family and banished to Midgard for many centuries, she has only recently returned to Urdarbrunnr."

"Bríghid is Skuld?!.." Hiccup interrupted. His tone distinctly surprised. Astrid looked at him in confusion, but he was gazing intently at Cuithanna now. His posture rigid and his eyes wide. Ilweran looking equally as stunned.

That was when Hiccup's words about his training all came back to her. He had definitely mentioned learning the arcane arts from a Druidess named Bríghid. "Skuld, the Norn of Fate and Future, taught you magic," Astrid gasped at him in shock. No wonder he was so godsdamn powerful and good at everything! He really had been destined to become the Dark God, even before receiving his mark, and the Norns knew it! Those plotting and scheming...

"Indeed," the goddess answered her with a chuckle. Cutting off Astrid's grumbled thoughts mid-rant. "My sister was very taken with her Little Shadow Rider. In fact, she still speaks of him often. Even though he is not quite so little anymore." She looked over at Hiccup again with a coy smile. "I think she misses you." Hiccup let out a hoarse laugh at that. Still looking slightly dumbfounded.

"She also happens to be the friend that introduced me to Celeste," Ilweran said quietly. Astrid gaping at him in shock now too. Ilweran gave a hollow laugh before he glanced at Hiccup. "Do you ever feel like your fate is not your own and your path has already been chosen for you," he drawled sardonically.

"Every godsdamn day bro," Hiccup agreed with another chuckle.

Cuithanna gave a tinkling laugh and winked at the two of them before turning back to Astrid. "Now, I suspect that Hecate feared suffering much the same punishment as Skuld. So she sent her child to Midgard instead, where Skuld secreted it away to a vast city to keep it safe. Taking away her immortality so that the bright spark of her untapped power could be more easily concealed amidst a swarm of humanity. That way, the child would have the best chance at a normal and happy life, away from meddling and power-hungry fools. The blood of the goddess running through her veins would have painted an immense target on her back, after all."

"Do you realize what a weapon you could be in the wrong hands, my dear," Cuithanna asked gently. Astrid bit her lip in acknowledgement as she felt her face blanch slightly. She had lost control of the darkness within once already, after all. Astrid was well aware of just how dangerous she was. Thank the gods she wasn't alone in this. Cuithanna's beautiful rainbow gaze shone with sympathetic understanding as Astrid met her eyes again.

"Raised by human women in the temple of Aphrodite, your mother likely grew up resenting her heritage. Ever cursed with the magical allure of the Night Goddess, but unable to explain it or understand it. Much like you my dear," she added. Giving Astrid a knowing look as both of the boys chuckled quietly. Cuithanna smiled half-heartedly at Astrid then. "Hecate has watched over your mother ever since her birth, with a heaviness of guilt in her heart. Confining herself to the Well of Fate as a self-imposed punishment."

"When she foresaw that Brenna's temple was to be raided, Hecate begged Skuld to save her. Skuld and her child then carefully arranged for your father to arrive in Rome on the very day that Brenna was to be sold. His little island home in the northern archipelago became a safe haven for your mother, and you, as well. A place where Brenna was finally able to have a family of her own. The bright spark of magic passed down through the female line masked by the multitude of dragons that thrived in the area. It was one of the few gifts that Hecate was able to give to a daughter that would never know her. Not because Hecate did not want her to, but because it was not safe," Cuithanna finished sadly. A depth of pain filling the goddess' striking rainbow gaze now.

Astrid felt a tear slide down her cheek as she listened. No wonder her mother rarely spoke of her past. No wonder Brenna had never made mention of the family that she left behind when she married Troels Hofferson. It was because she didn't really have one. Raised as an orphan in a temple before being sold for her looks, she would have sensed that she was different, but not how much so. Probably hating it too, just like Cuithanna had said. All while being completely unaware that she was actually part true goddess. "Can my mother still use magic then? Even if she is not immortal," Astrid couldn't help asking.

"I expect so," Cuithanna answered gently. "She has just never been taught to access it. Even without it, Brenna is still more powerful than a mere human could hope to be. The loss of her immortality would have lessened her abilities greatly, but not enough to make her fully human. You have likely never seen her take up a weapon or respond with violence, and that would be why. Unlike Minden," she added with a glance at Ilweran, "Brenna has worked so hard her whole life to blend in with those around her, that she instinctually shies away from anything that might mark her out as different or strange. In fact, your mother has done so well concealing her truth, that I suspect she may have now forgotten it herself."

Cuithanna pulled her in for a tight hug then, which Astrid returned gladly. As the Goddess released her, Astrid stepped back with a sniffle. Feeling Hiccup's arms wrap around her waist and his solid body press against her back as Ilweran's fingers twined through hers. She looked up at both of them gratefully as their warmth seeped through her. They smiled down at her in return for a moment, before Hiccup looked over at Cuithanna.

"I wish to bring Astrid with me at Yule," he stated casually. Making it sound more like a proclamation than a question while still remaining polite. "I will not put her through the same traumas of the last two festivals. We are a mated pair, and I want her with me."

Cuithanna beamed at the two of them. "Certainly Melindo! I would love for my grandniece to meet me as I arrive." Then she leaned in to give Astrid a kiss on the cheek. "I shall see you again at Yule, my dear. We have much to catch up on." Astrid smiled at her as she stepped away.

"You had better get used to seeing me at the tree too from now on," Ilweran added loftily. Hiccup looking over at him in mild surprise for a moment. "What? You do not honestly think that you two are abandoning me. I have been used and abused by all of you and that means we are now a package deal," Ilweran said with a shrug.

He offered Cuithanna a mischievous smirk then. Not looking ashamed in the slightest as Hiccup and Astrid both chuckled. "If her and her sisters are going to meddle with my fate and continually set beautiful sirens loose on me, then she is just going to have to get used to me imposing myself into her personal space as well. It is really only fair. Besides," he added with a grin at Hiccup, "I want to be there to watch Astrid chase you through the forest with an axe when Cuithanna's magic makes you do something stupid again."

Hiccup choked a laugh at that and Ilweran grinned even wider. Recovering, Hiccup grinned back at him. "You had better be careful, brother. Unfortunately for you, she is just as likely to chase you through the forest with her axe. I mean, I am sure that Astrid will save me from the wicked sirens..." He shot a teasing wink at Cuithanna then that made her tinkle a laugh as she shrugged in return.

"I would absolutely save you babe," Astrid chimed in. Glancing up at Hiccup with a somewhat smug grin as she tightened her grip on him possessively.

"My hero. First you protect my pants, and now my neck. I am forever in your debt mi'lady," Hiccup answered smoothly. Grinning at Astrid when she giggled before placing a tender kiss on the end of her nose. Then he glanced over at Ilweran again. "Tough luck bro. I doubt the persuasion magic embedded in her fancy love pendant is powerful enough to save you from a serious maiming."

"Fair point," Ilweran agreed with a shrug. "Not that it matters, since I would probably let her catch me anyways. It sounded like the make-up sex was pretty amazing the last time you allowed her to kick the shit out of you. What are a few shattered ribs when the rewards are so sweet?" Astrid felt her face go straight to scarlet at that.

Ilweran chuckled wickedly at her embarrassment as Hiccup gave a hoarse laugh and punched his friend in the shoulder before replacing his arm just as possessively around Astrid's waist. "Try it, and you will have more than a few shattered ribs," Hiccup growled.

"Might be worth it. I mean, healing magic is my specialty bro," Ilweran reminded Hiccup with another laugh. Hiccup let a feral growl rumble through his chest warningly then, and Ilweran grinned at him. "Jealousy fuelled sex certainly has its perks, after all. Right princess," he added with a conspiratorial wink at Astrid and she blushed again.

"Oh I have missed you, Meldanyo. It is good to see your light shining again," Cuithanna replied with a laugh of her own. "You must admit, those beautiful sirens have done you good." She placed a hand against Ilweran's chest with a bright smile as he allowed that with an eye roll. "Of course you should come too. It is always best to change all the traditions at once, I think." Then she gave each of the boys a kiss on the cheek as well. Clasping Astrid's free hand in hers once more as she backed up towards the trunk of the ash.

Before Astrid could say anything, there was a bright flash of golden light. The Goddess' form simply fading from being as the hand Astrid was holding disappeared. Leaving only a curiously tingling warmth in its place. A gust of warm wind circled them, and the leaves on the ash rustled gently as if in farewell, before everything returned to stillness. Astrid sighed quietly as she lowered her hand while continuing to stare at the prayer flags. Hiccup's solid arms still wrapped around her waist and Ilweran's fingers still twined through hers. "What does Meldanyo mean," she asked quietly.

"It means 'my dear' or 'my beloved' in ancient elvish," Ilweran answered easily. "It is what she used to call me many years ago. Before I started privately resenting my role as her consort, that is. After that she sensed my unease and began to use my given name instead. Likely for my sake rather than a sudden loss of concern for me," he clarified with another shrug. "I did tell you that she cares for a great many things. I did not see it at the time, but I did realize afterwards that I was one of those things. Even though I did not deserve it in the slightest."

"Don't be ridiculous," Astrid replied promptly as she glared at Ilweran. "Of course you deserved to be loved. You both do. You boys are absolutely perfect just the way you are, so stop beating yourselves up about your bad choices. Gods know I've already done that enough for all of us. It's about time we stop wallowing and doubting ourselves already." Turns out Cuithanna loves both of them too, she mused to herself then as she took in the stunned looks on both of the boys' faces. Then again, who wouldn't... I know I do.

"Well, that certainly put us in our place brother," Hiccup said then. His devilish green eyes shining with mirth as Ilweran muttered an affirmative. Both of them shaking their heads at her with a laugh. "Shall we finish packing you two," Hiccup asked after leaning down to kiss her again. "As much as I love Svartalfheim, I am ready to see the sun again." Ilweran and Astrid both agreed with another chuckle. Turning as one to head back to the palace.

As she ran beside her boys, Astrid couldn't help thinking that her time here had been such an emotional ride. Nearly losing everything, including herself. Only to gain it all back and more. She would almost be sad to leave, but Hiccup was right. Though Astrid may be related to the Goddess of Night, she was definitely looking forward to seeing the sun again too. She had to admit, tomorrow looked much brighter now than it ever had before.

_

And so ends our crazy roller coaster ride from hell. Hopefully that answered some long held questions you had at the same time as it assuaged your fears about our favourite couple/trio's future. Now we can get back to the Hiccstrid we know and love. Carrying on with the more exciting, action packed, devious, and (hopefully) less emotionally taxing, part of the journey. Though I have no promises that the feels with end here. I am a cruel, cruel mistress, after all ;)

This is also another moment where I got to do the unexpected. I know many of you suspected that this might be the point where they all happily start partaking in a polyamorous relationship. Some of you loved it, and some of you downright hated it, but honestly, would it be? I did say that there very well might be a dream three-some down the road, but it is certainly not going to be any time soon. It is also not going to be brought about by something like this. Hiccstrid are absolutely made for each other, and if it does happen, it would be a one time dealio. Not a forever 3-way. Could you all really see Hiccup happily sharing Astrid with another man? Even if that man was his best friend? Not bloody likely!

It would be more likely that Cuithanna would be looking for a new man to fill the role of 'Light God' after Ilweran's untimely death...