Holy crow, did that last chapter go over well! I bet it was a nice change after all the feels I gave you recently. Not that the feels are ever really over when it comes to my stories, but still... :P I did promise that we were getting back into the twisting adventure part of our story now that the relationships between our characters are firmly established, even if all of the truths are not quite out yet... Since we are over halfway to the end, it's about godsdamn time shit gets moving eh?! Lol. As such, I think it's time for some correspondence from an old and relatively neglected friend now... ;)
*Just a note to clarify, in case anyone was confused. The apprentice portion of Rider training is based much like an actual apprenticeship for a trade. During the time of training, you are supposed to be highly scrutinized to make sure that you gain the right skills and are a good fit for the job. At any time during that point, your apprenticeship can be terminated by the powers-that-be if you prove yourself to be lazy, or a hazard (or similar). Though a bonded rider that was lazy would likely just remain as an apprentice for eternity, since you can't really un-bond a dragon and rider...
Anyways, after your official training is complete, your ticket (trade) can never be taken away from you. You continue to learn of course, but you are your own teacher at that point. This is why apprentice riders are supposed to live on Asgard for the first couple years of their training. It is so that they can be studied carefully to make sure that they are not misusing their powers, and will uphold the ideals of the Order. Once they are signed off as full Riders, they are free to live where they want and do what they want, aside from reporting for missions when called upon. This means that Astrid and Hiccup only need to really hide their relationship while Astrid is still an apprentice, since after that, Odin will no longer have any authority over her future. It would be like him trying to control Noldo, Saelind, or Golwen. None of whom are royals, but they are still quite safe anyways. Hope that helps...*
CB73: That is certainly a very good possibility. I suppose it all comes down to Thor's relationship with his father and just how honest he is with him. If Odin knew that Thor and Sif were going to Alfheim to train Astrid, then it would only make sense. On the other hand, if Thor was vague on details, then Odin may only be hoping to coerce some useful information out of his son when he gets back. Guess we'll just have to wait and see ;)
Surfy: Very true. If we simply go by Thor's behaviour in the Marvel Universe, he is rather rebellious when it comes to his father... Astrid's anger problem is hilarious. No wonder Cuithanna doesn't want to grant her the soul-bond access to Hiccup's powers yet. She barely has a handle on her own powers yet, and gods throwing tantrums is hella dangerous! Lol. You're very welcome, and I can't fault you at all for mom brain. Especially in these current times. I think we all have a bit of mom-brain :S
Now Account: Wish granted! Lol. I absolutely love the dynamic of these characters, and we did get to see that Thor was a bit of a goofball back in the Asgard chapters. It only makes sense that his wife would be equally awesome (the wife that the marvel comics totally forgot to give him apparently), and fit in with the group as well. You're absolutely right, by the way. It's probably a very good thing that Astrid stomped Sif in that spar, since I very much doubt Hiccup would have been able to resist retaliating if his mate was hurt. Right now it just looks like mutual physical attraction between them, which is to be expected, but that would be a bit of a dead giveaway... I loved cocky Astrid so much. She really does seem like the demigod that she is for almost the first time in that scene. Despite the danger to herself, Sif likely helped Astrid a great deal there. After all, Astrid is right. They should be just as afraid of her as they are of Hiccup.
Agentwalkoff: I'm glad you liked it. At least they are not having to avoid each other, and Hiccup doesn't have to pretend to not care about her. It's only reasonable that after so many months living with the boys on Alfheim that Hiccup would come to care about her as well. They only need to pretend they are friends until Astrid gets through the apprenticeship part of her training. Then Odin has no more say in her future, as apprentices are usually required to stay on Asgard and remain under careful scrutiny during their training to make sure that they are fit to be Order members. Astrid is already cheating that system a little. As for getting married, I don't think they will have a proper ceremony, but something a little more binding is in store for them anyways ;P
Superlego99: Holy jeepers, am I ever glad that I'm done with school (sort of). I'm still hoping to get a millwright apprenticeship through work when one opens up, but that is not quite the same...lol. I love the way they all interact as well, and I suppose we can only hope that Thor is not quite as close or loyal to Odin as his father might like to believe. After thousands of years, I imagine that Thor would probably be able to deal with his father in a way that many are not able to. Hiccup's powers were officially granted to him by Hecate (through way of Cuithanna), but it may certainly be more than that. He was born for his role, after all... I guess we'll just have to wait and see. BTW, I absolutely loved Astrid's speech as she laid the hurt on Sif. It was just so Astrid, but also a wee-bit Hiccup. Lol. Guess our cocky dark rider has had a bit of an influence on his mate...lol
Guest: Angelica: I love it so much too! Badass Astrid is my favourite! Honestly, after that, I'm not sure how the others would not start to assume that Hiccup and Astrid are together. They just simply seem to perfectly suited to deny! As for the soul-bond thing, yes, we are starting to see it emerging a little more as Astrid discovers her own powers. I'm not entirely certain as of yet whether we will see the ritual happen at the end of this book, or the beginning-ish of the next one. I just need to wait and see where it fits the best as the ending evolves, and I don't want to overcrowd this one too much either... *shrugs* Either way, it will be worth the wait. I promise ;P
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Sitting around the hearth after dinner, Hiccup kept finding his gaze wandering back to Astrid. He couldn't get the glorious image of his Dark Goddess serving divine justice out of his head, no matter how hard he tried. She was just so incredibly perfect. He could see Thor eyeing her up every now and then with a speculative gaze and it was driving him mad. Ilweran too, judging by the definite narrowing of the prince's eyes and the way he angled his chair minutely closer to Astrid every time he caught Thor checking her out. Hiccup strongly suspected that Ilweran was a few short moments away from pulling the concealed dagger out of his boot and pretending to clean his nails with it.
Still, the night fury in Hiccup was far worse than Ilweran could ever be, and it was all he could do not to snarl at Thor for even looking at Astrid like that. Needing to wrap his arms around his mate and hold her close. The predatory animal within longing to make his claim on Astrid clear. To kiss her until she couldn't breathe as she moulded herself against him. His distracting thoughts were making it terribly hard to follow the conversation, and there was very little chance that Thor and Sif would fail to notice. As a matter of fact, he had already caught Sif watching him closely, but he just shrugged his shoulders at her. Offering a smirk as well, just to make himself seem less guilty at being caught.
He had already been treading a dangerous line since the night before. Teasing Astrid back as she openly flirted with him. Leading to Sif thinking that display would be a good way to push Astrid's buttons. Honestly, it had taken all of his willpower just to keep the flirting strictly friendly last night instead of throwing her over his shoulder and hauling her upstairs. It had only been a month, and maintaining this charade was already pushing his limits. Hiccup wasn't sure he would make it another month without blowing the whole thing wide open. Although, everyone thought that he was a dirty bastard anyways. It wouldn't really surprise Thor or Sif that he was checking out and hitting on a beautiful woman. Might be surprising them more that he wasn't, actually...
Still, it was probably getting a little too obvious. As his eyes wandered over to Astrid again, and her azure orbs found his in return, Hiccup lost himself for another long moment. Then he snapped himself out of it when he felt Sif's gaze on him again. Finally deciding that it was better to just escape for a bit instead, hopefully with Astrid, he set up his excuse. Leaning forward in his chair and clearing his throat as he settled his gaze on Thor. "So, I have had a thought. Not that I want to remind you of emotionally painful things right now, but it would seem as if your wife is in need of a new axe."
Sif grinned widely. Fidgeting excitedly in her chair as she looked between Hiccup and her husband. Obviously she had figured out what he was going to say. Thor shot a glance at her before grimacing at Hiccup. "Way to get her all excited man! Now I can't say no."
Sif clapped her hands together with glee before reaching out and wrapping her arms tightly around Thor. He chuckled and hugged her back. Looking over her head, he met Hiccup's eyes again. "Well, what's the damage," he asked with a sigh. "How much is it going to cost for you to make my wife an axe, H?"
"Your soul might be enough. Though I would also consider accepting Mjölnir in trade," he said easily. Watching as Thor's eyes flew wide at Hiccup's serious expression. Then Hiccup burst out laughing and Thor let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. Making everyone else laugh as well. "Obviously I am kidding, you gullible fool. I was actually going to make her one for free since she is training Astrid for us."
"Consider it a mix between a thank you gift and an early Yule present," Hiccup offered lightly. Then he smirked at Ilweran. "Really Ilweran should be making it. It was his lady that broke Sif's axe. Since I am such a nice guy and all, I guess I will make it for him." Ilweran chuckled at that as he saluted Hiccup in sarcastic gratitude.
"I suppose I should at least help," Ilweran chimed in with a sigh of his own. "I mean, he has a point. Astrid's man really should be responsible for replacing the broken weapon since he clearly has absolutely no control over his woman." He and Hiccup grinned at each other as Astrid scoffed loudly from beside Ilweran. Punching the prince in the shoulder when he shot a wink at her.
"I'd like to see either of you two dorks try to control this woman," Astrid drawled with an eye roll. "I guess I'll help too. Not that I'm any use in the forge, but I did break the thing." Then she looked over at Sif with a mischievous smile. "You did say that you wanted an axe from Hiccup though. So... I guess you're welcome," she teased. Sif laughed and reached over to high-five her.
All three of them pushed to their feet at the same time then. Thor and Sif made to follow suit, but Golwen shot a quick glance at Hiccup before suggesting that Thor and Sif go for a flight with her before night fell completely. The couple agreed happily and started out the door with a wave. Hiccup giving Golwen a smile of thanks. She grinned back before following the other two outside. He, Ilweran and Astrid heading towards the workshop instead.
Once they were out of sight, Hiccup pulled Astrid close to him and pressed a kiss to her hair as she giggled and leant into his side. As soon as they entered the workshop however, Hiccup practically pounced on her. Pushing her up against the wall and devouring her mouth greedily. Needing to taste her as he crushed her body to his. Running his hands over her sides and back while forcefully reminding himself to be gentle with her. Though she may be powerful as a goddess, Astrid was currently still as physically fragile as a human. Gods, he couldn't wait until the day she finally wasn't. Only a hundred more years or so...
She moaned softly against his lips. Her hands taking the familiar path to his hair. After a few long moments, he broke away with a groan to let her catch her breath. Resting his forehead against hers and smiling at her as she grinned up at him. "You are the most incredible creature that I have ever seen mi'lady," he murmured quietly.
"You're not so bad yourself, Haddock," she replied with a smirk. Running her hands down to his chest and leaning up slightly to bring her lips back to his.
"I think you are both revolting and dangerous," Ilweran grumbled. Firing up the forge with a wave of his hand as he shook his head at the two of them.
"Nope. You think we are sexy," Hiccup chuckled. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy? Do you want a smooch too, Moon Pie," he asked cheekily. Winking at Ilweran before puckering his lips and making 'kissy' sounds as Astrid giggled adorably.
"From Astrid sure, but certainly not you," Ilweran countered easily. Laughing, Hiccup finally released Astrid before putting on his apron and rounding up his supplies. Actually looking forward to the manual labour for a change as he poured the molten steel into the cast. He quickly formed two sturdy retaining rings as it cooled before freeing it from the mould with a flash of green magic. Sure, he could easily make the entire axe with magic instead, but where was the fun in that?
As Hiccup began to work the axe head, Ilweran plopped himself down on a stool by the workbench. A solid piece of ash wood in his hand. Plucking the concealed dagger from his boot, Ilweran then proceeded to rough carve the handle. Getting the main meat off before switching to the actual woodworking tools. Their natural elven strength and speed, combined with little bits of magic here and there, still making both processes much quicker than normal.
Astrid hopped up onto the bench to watch them work. Playing with the wood shavings beside her as they all laughed together. It felt so perfectly normal that Hiccup found himself having a flash of painful nostalgia for their days in Berk. He couldn't help wondering how they were all doing. The dragons would be getting close to the time they would normally leave to lay their eggs. At least Minden would be able to explain it to the villagers. Still, Hiccup wondered if maybe the dragons would stay in the archipelago this year instead.
Ilweran pulled him from his thoughts then as he got up to grab the athame off one of the side shelves. Stopping briefly on the way past to look over the nearly completed axe head. Hiccup hadn't even noticed that Ilweran had the handle almost done as well. After muttering a spell over the athame and running it over a flame from his fingertip, Ilweran then started carving the customary runes of protection, strength, and wear resistance into the handle. Along with an array of beautifully decorative lines and swirling symbols of blessing.
Astrid's eyes grew wide as she took in Ilweran's work. Even leaning forward to inspect it closer. Ilweran glanced up at her and smirked when he saw the shock on her face. "What," he started in a dry tone. "You did not really think that Hiccup was the only one with any artistic talent, did you? Or did you assume that my nimble fingers were only useful in the bedroom?" He winked at her as a blush coloured her cheeks. "I can make pretty things too, you know. When I want to."
"Apparently," Astrid acknowledged with a laugh. "Guess I'm the only one that can't then. You two are WAY too similar for it to be natural, by the way. It's a bit creepy," she pointed out. "Are you absolutely sure that you aren't real brothers, somehow?"
"I do not think we are that similar," Hiccup muttered distractedly. Raising the formed steel up to his face as he gave it one more look over to confirm it was close enough. Checking the final bevels on the blades for straightness and uniformity, though he did not really need to. Of course it was perfect. "For starters, I am far better looking than Princess Ilweran. Much less delicate too," he added.
Without even needing to look, Hiccup reached up and caught the athame that Ilweran had just chucked at his head. "Sweet! Thanks bro," he said with a grin. Twirling the gleaming silver blade in his hand once, Hiccup moved towards the workbench as well. Quickly etching his own runes and designs into the blade now before the final quench. It would be virtually indestructible after that point.
Astrid leant back on her hands then as Ilweran set the axe handle on the table. Both of them watching Hiccup work now as Ilweran began to idly flick wood shavings at Astrid. She pointedly ignored Ilweran at first, before suddenly gasping in surprise when one of the pieces flew straight down the open 'V' of her tunic. Shoving him lightly (for Astrid) and almost knocking him on the floor as he burst out laughing. Blushing scarlet and grumbling curses under her breath, she tried to shake the piece loose from her breast bindings while still maintaining some small measure of dignity.
Finally content with his work, Hiccup casually flung the athame back at Ilweran. The silver blade pointedly burying itself in the table between him and Astrid and almost taking off one of Ilweran's fingers. Ilweran chuckled and flipped his middle finger up as he pulled the athame from the wood, to which Hiccup just smirked in reply. Grabbing the tongs and shooting Astrid a wink when she grinned at him. Then he heated the blade once more before plunging it into the oil bath to harden it.
Cooling it with a wave of his hand, he took the handle from Ilweran and slid it onto the tang. Locking it in place with the retaining rings he had forged earlier. The almost full-length tang was a much more discreet trademark of Hiccup's than his artwork, but it is what made his creations so strong. Sif's new axe would not be quite as indestructible as Astrid's, but not by any huge margin. At least it would certainly beat any old methril weapon. Allowing a tiny hint of smugness to grow in his mind, Hiccup inspected the new blade from edges to butt and back. Then he grinned and tossed it to Ilweran. The blonde man catching it easily and looking it over as well before making his way over to the supply cabinet.
Hiccup moved to place himself between Astrid's thighs instead. Leaning in to kiss her as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She smiled gently at him then. "I've always enjoyed watching you work in the forge you know," she said quietly. "Even when we were kids. You were always so confident and focused when you were smithing. It was the only time that you really let anyone see the Viking beneath the boy."
"Unfortunately that intense focus meant that I did not notice much going on around the forge mi'lady," Hiccup replied with a shrug. "Which usually got me into trouble. I always thought that only Gobber cared about what I was doing in there anyways. It is probably for the best though, as I used to get incredibly nervous and clumsy whenever you were around. I likely would have accidentally burned the smithy to the ground if I had ever realized I had such a lovely audience," he added with a smile. Astrid laughing softly before pressing her lips to his again.
Just then, there was a quiet flutter of wings at the doorway and Lintiëram suddenly soared through the open glass. Coming to land on the workbench beside Astrid. Glancing down, Hiccup noticed a scroll of parchment tied to the falcon's leg. "Finally," he exclaimed happily. Reaching out to remove the scroll and receiving a tender nip from Lint in return. Unrolling the parchment and scanning it quickly, Hiccup felt a dark smile twist his lips. Looking up, he saw both Ilweran and Astrid gazing at him in mild interest.
"Are you going to tell me who that one is from," Astrid asked drily. "Or are you just going to burn it and then tell me it's not important again?" She sounded as if she wasn't really getting her hopes up. Well, this is as good a time as any, he thought with a sigh, as he lit the parchment on fire. Hearing her grumble in exasperated defeat as the ashes sifted to the floor again.
Meeting Astrid's eyes for a moment, he said simply, "it was from Valka Haddock. Although I am not sure how much claim she still has to that name anymore. Anyways, she lives in a dragon sanctuary on Midgard, keeps an eye on dragon trappers in the northern seas, and also happens to be my mother."
Astrid's expression was exactly as he had pictured it would be. She gaped at him in complete shock. Mouth hanging slightly open and lovely blue eyes wide. "Your mother is alive," she gasped. Bringing her hands down from his shoulders to clasp them over her mouth.
"Apparently," Ilweran drawled. Looking up for a moment from the leather that he was wrapping around to create the grip of the handle. "I have known her for roughly fifteen years, but I had no idea who she really was. Her and Hiccup only met each other, again, three years ago. It was... an experience..." he trailed off vaguely as Astrid glanced at Ilweran in confusion.
Hiccup chuckled softly. The sound pulling Astrid's attention back to him. "That is one way to put it. I snarled at her and almost killed her." He offered Astrid a half-shrug at her startled expression. "Imagine my surprise when I went with Ilweran to check on a possible rogue dragon rider. Only to find that it was actually my supposedly dead mother. A mother that Odin had decided to spring on me during his quest for a weakness to exploit. Turns out she had befriended a stormcutter that took her to a large alpha dragon's nest, and she decided to stay there instead of coming home."
"WHAT?!" Astrid actually shouted the words at him. The sound making him wince as it cut sharply across his sensitive hearing. "Sorry," she muttered sheepishly. Then in a quieter tone she said, "your mother chose to hide away in a dragon's nest for over twenty years! Letting us all think she was dead! Even though she had a whole family waiting for her? Is she a bonded rider too?" As Hiccup shook his head 'no' he watched Astrid's face grow red with anger now. Her blue eyes sparking dangerously. "You were just a baby," she growled furiously. "How could she do that?"
"That is a very good question that you will have to ask her some day," Hiccup replied with a sigh. "I will never understand how she could have done it in the first place. I do understand why she stayed away though. After a while, you start to fear the idea of facing your past. Having them all reject you for the person that you have become. The truth is, the farther you run from your problems, the harder it gets to turn around. I was not so different really," he reminded her gently. "I came back, yes, but it was only because of you."
"Still doesn't make it okay," Astrid grumbled. Raising her voice slightly to be heard over the grinding stone that Ilweran had just started running the new axe over. Then she crossed her arms and pursed her lips adorably. Hiccup barked out a laugh before leaning forward to kiss the scowl marks from her brow.
"You are absolutely right. It does not make it okay and it never will be. I will likely never be able to forgive her for it. Still, I have chosen to overlook the past and start fresh with her in the now," he answered lightly. "As such, she has been doing me a favour. Keeping an eye out for some people that have been hiding from me. It seems that she has finally found them and now I need to, shall we say, tie up some loose ends."
"They need to be reminded of what happens when orders are disobeyed. I would also really like to find out how they managed to conceal themselves in the first place." Hiccup caught Ilweran's speculative gaze, and offered him a slight shrug in return. "It means that I will unfortunately have to make a quick trip to Midgard mi'lady," he said then. Turning back to face Astrid. "As I do not have a location, I will not be able to travel through the veil. Do you think that you will be okay without me for a few days?"
She studied his face closely for a few moments. Her lips still slightly pursed. As if she was making up her mind about something. Then she glanced over at Ilweran briefly before huffing out a sigh. "Hiccup," she started quietly. "Do you work for Loki?" Hiccup just stared back into her eyes. Readying himself for her fury, rejection, and disgust. Then, with one deep breath, he told her the truth. Or as close to it as he could right now.
"No, mi'lady. I do not work for Loki." She started to breathe a sigh of relief, but he cut across her. "I have indeed been working alongside Loki, but Hiccup Haddock does not swear allegiance to anyone."
Astrid gazed back at him silently for the span of a few heartbeats. "Why," she suddenly asked. "Why would you side with Loki at all? Isn't Loki a heartless monster intent on destroying the worlds?"
"He is not a heartless monster," came Ilweran's voice. The abruptness of it startling Astrid, and she turned to gaze at him in surprise.
"You know Loki too," she asked. Shock and disbelief blatantly evident in her tone. The fact that the Dark Rider was a traitor obviously was not that surprising to her, but the idea of the Golden Boy sitting on the Trickster's side seemed to be a stretch too far. Hiccup barely resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Ilweran was not THAT innocent!
Ilweran met her eyes with a soft sigh as he let the grinding wheel coast to a stop. "Of course I know him too. Though I have never worked for him, so you can stop looking at me like that. Still, Loki is a decent man and a lost soul. Abandoned by his true father and rejected by his adopted father. Odin raised him and then used him for his skills and his cunning. Shaping and moulding him into the man that he became. Then Odin betrayed Loki when he no longer served the Great Allfather's self image."
"Loki was sentenced to eternal torture because he tricked and killed one man that happened to be everyone's favourite. Odin has killed millions and no one seems to care. Yes Loki has been twisted and warped by hatred, but can you blame him? Would you not be the same if you had to watch your own son murdered? His entrails then cut out and used to bind you to a stone for eternity. Those ropey bands serve as a constant aching reminder of all that he has lost. All that has been taken from him by those he thought were his friends and family."
"Odin and Thor may not have actually participated in the binding, but they allowed it to happen. What family does that?! I know that I would likely be just as bitter and vengeful if I were in his place. I would rain down fire and brimstone on everything Odin held dear if he was to lay one finger on Minden, and no amount of torture and confinement would be able to stop me for long. It would just make me angrier as the darkness slowly consumed whatever good part was left in me. The Æsir may refer to Loki a monster, but Odin Allfather really is no better." With that, Ilweran studiously turned his attention back to the axe in his hands.
Astrid continued to stare at him for another long moment. Then she just shrugged her shoulders. "Okay," she said easily. Looking back at Hiccup now. "That makes sense to me. Just wanted to confirm which side we were on and why we picked it, you know. Just so that I know who I'm fighting for." Hiccup's felt like his jaw may actually hit the floor at that.
He began to search her face for any hint of anger or betrayal. Incredibly, there was nothing to find. She just grinned back at him when she read the surprise in his expression. "What? I told you that I'm with you, dork. If you're with Loki then so am I," she clarified with an exasperated eye roll and a gentle punch to the shoulder. As if this should already be obvious. "Besides, Ilweran is right. Odin is an asshole."
Hiccup finally barked out a laugh at that. Leaning forward to claim her glorious mouth again. When he broke away, he just gazed into those azure eyes in wonder. "You never cease to amaze me, mi'lady," he told her with a soft smile. At that, she pressed her lips to his again with a chuckle. Hiccup kissed her back exuberantly. Enjoying the wonderful feel of her hands in his hair. This glorious woman that was absolutely perfect and absolutely perfect for him.
Finally breaking away to let her catch her breath, he glanced over at Ilweran. The blonde prince was now applying the final coat of polish to the handle of Sif's new axe. Feeling Hiccup's gaze, he looked up. "What? You already know my stance on this. I do not really care what side you are on," he stated casually. Looking back down to inspect his work.
"I know," Hiccup said quietly. "I was not going to ask you about that. I was, however, going to ask you if you wanted to accompany me to Midgard..." he deliberately let the sentence hang in the air. Leaving it up to Ilweran. Judging by his words, he may just be ready to start earning his seal. The willingness to come out from behind the safety of his title and open his eyes and his mind to the truth of the worlds was all that was required after all, but Hiccup could not force him. Still, both of them knew that this was a huge moment. Even if Ilweran did not realize how much so.
Would he continue to follow, or choose to make his own path and lead? Ilweran could simply carry on as he was. Safe behind his royal status and acting as Odin's personal (if somewhat disobedient) mercenary soldier and high ranking elf. Pretending to be the good boy on the 'good' side, while secretly sympathizing with the enemy. Learning dark magic on the sly as he turned a blind eye to the fact that his best friends were technically traitors. Nothing lost and nothing gained.
Or he could take the final plunge and join them. Turning traitor against his entire race in the process. Turning against his own family. To be one of them while thoroughly betraying them, all at once. Hiccup would never hold it against his friend for choosing to stick with his people and his family. It would not make Hiccup respect him any less, nor would it change their friendship in his mind. There were always other ways he could earn his seal.
Ilweran rubbed at a spot on the handle with the rag. Lifting it to his eyes again and twisting it around to catch the light better. Smiling in satisfaction, he got up from his stool and walked slowly over to the workbench where Hiccup and Astrid were. Placing the rag and the beautiful new axe down carefully beside them. After a deep breath, he finally turned his amber eyes back to Hiccup.
"Sure. Why in Helheim not," Ilweran said with a shrug. "I mean, I am already a mercenary and a near traitor. Odin has never really liked me and I do not like him. Might as well jump the rest of the way off this ledge of insanity and throw out my status in the process. At least if we all end up in Nagrind we will still have each other. Though I would like to see Odin try to hold the three of us for any substantial length of time."
"You do know that you will be just as much of a villain as I am if you do this," Hiccup clarified. "If we are spotted or suspected, you will be labeled as a traitor. A betrayer of the realms and enemy of both Odin and the Order. You will be forced to run or face capture and imprisonment. Or even more likely, execution. Your claim to the throne has been the main thing protecting your neck all these years, after all, but if your mother disowns or renounces you..."
"I am well aware of that," Ilweran cut him off coolly. His amber eyes unusually serious. Then a wide grin suddenly split his handsome face. "I never wanted to be king anyways, bro. You know that. Besides, a life on the run could have its perks too. No propriety, no rules, no expectations. Either way, I sure as heck am not about to stand on the opposite side from you two. Especially you, you terrifying demon woman," he added. Winking at Astrid as she snorted a laugh.
Chuckling himself, Hiccup moved one arm from around Astrid to bump fists with Ilweran. "Are you leaving tonight," Astrid asked them quietly.
"Yeah. We will give Sif her axe, make our excuses, and then head out before Valka can lose the trail," Hiccup answered with another glance at Ilweran. Receiving a nod of understanding in return before looking back at Astrid. "Do you want to come with us, since I do not love the idea of leaving you here alone?"
"I assume you are not getting Heimdall to transport you for obvious reasons, so Stormfly and I will just slow you guys down," Astrid pointed out with a shake of her head. "It's okay though. I'll stay behind and keep training. This time. It will serve to keep Thor and Sif from getting suspicious, anyways. Just, hurry back please," she added quietly. Leaning forward slightly and looping her legs tightly around his hips, she pulled Hiccup the rest of the way to her. Pressing a hungry kiss to his mouth that had him seriously considering just letting the hunters wait another night. Or two... Or ten... Forcefully pushing those thoughts from his head, he leant back to meet her lovely blue eyes again.
"It should not take us too long," Hiccup assured her. "You are right that we will need to go through the Void, but our dragons are much faster than Stormfly. Are you sure you are going to be alright without us though," he asked her again. A hint of worry creeping into his voice and his stomach clenching with unease at leaving her as he drank in her perfect face. The features that were so delicate and feminine that it made his heart ache with the need to protect her, even though he knew she was fully capable of looking after herself. "Especially now that you know the truth and will be forced to lie?"
Astrid grumbled incoherently at that. Ilweran crossed his arms then as he peered into her eyes. "We are allowed to worry about you, you know," he said as he arched his own slender brow at her. "It is imperative that the others do not learn of what we are really doing. Hiccup and I trust them entirely, but that is not really the point."
"Unfortunately Golwen and Thor are both magically bound by their oath to the Order. They would be forced to report us. Even if they did not want to. You may not be my lover in a physical sense, but I do still care about you a great deal," he added casually. Chuckling as a blush heated Astrid's cheeks at that. "As such, I do not want to see you taken in for questioning by the Æsir either, my dear."
Astrid raised an eyebrow at him. "I actually don't think that Golwen is bound by anything," she said blandly. "Since she is only half-elf as well, I am quite sure that she is able to lie. She is also clever enough to find a way around a 'binding' oath too. I did a fair amount of reading on Huldra's Nymphs while I was staying at the palace and apparently they lie and manipulate all the time." Then she gave a giggle. "Judging by the way she treats Odin, I doubt she feels any real loyalty to him either."
Hiccup chuckled softly at her adorable stubbornness as he ran his hands over the sensual curves of her tiny waist. "You are not wrong mi'lady, but while we are off realm on a traitorous mission for Loki is not really the time to test that theory. We can always find some way to talk to her about it once we are back. Not while you are outside of our sight and protection though," he finished pointedly. Ilweran nodding his agreement as he settled his own gaze on Astrid with a stern glare.
She rolled her eyes at them both then. "I'll be fine you guys," she assured them in a slightly exasperated tone. "I've gotten quite good at playing the game by now, if you haven't noticed. Besides, I'm Hecate's granddaughter, the mate of the terrifying Dark Rider who is actually the Dark God, and Ilweran's... Well, honestly I'm not really sure what we are either," she added with a laugh. "Anyways, he is still the insanely powerful Prince of the Elves and really is rather protective of me as well." Ilweran grinned at her and she smiled back at him.
"No one in their right mind is going to want to risk getting anywhere near me. I doubt they would be brave enough to attempt to force information out of me either. I am the most desirable, and yet extremely undesirable, target in all the realms," Astrid stated with an exaggerated sigh. Making both men chuckle in agreement. "Regardless of that fact, I think that I am more than powerful enough to manage for a few days in our house with Thor and Sif."
"I'll still have Golwen, Stormfly, Thornshade, and Sharpshot here with me too," she pointed out. "I doubt anyone will come, since they don't know that you're both gone this time. I'm also sure that the others will probably still protect me even if I can't tell them why." She fixed her beautiful blue eyes on both of them in turn as she added sternly, "I expect you two to be careful. Just scare the humans and then get your butts straight back here. Frankly, you are both mine and I will not tolerate overly reckless behaviour from either of you. If you get hurt, get caught, or do not come back, I will be very angry with you and whoever hurt you. Do not make me get angry."
"Yes ma'am," Hiccup and Ilweran both chorused in unison. Looking at each other briefly before all three of them burst out laughing. Hiccup was struck with a sudden inspiration then. There was a way he could still protect Astrid without being with her. He had just never tried it before. If Skuld and Toothless could do it though, there was no reason that he couldn't. He was the godsdamn Dark God after all, and every person in this room knew that.
"May I see your pendant for a moment, mi'lady," he asked her quietly. Looking mildly confused, Astrid pulled off her silver necklace and handed it to him. Picking up the already cleansed athame, Hiccup carved his seal (his real seal) of a dark moon with a waning crescent resting over it onto the back of the pendant. Then he added a quick rune to the back of the silver case as well. Feeling a startlingly noticeable draw on his magic as both symbols flashed briefly with green, before fading again.
Good thing he had time to recover on the flight, he thought as he handed it back to her. "Your pendant now bears the seal of the Dark God, as well as a strong concealment charm," Hiccup informed her in response to her arched brow. "It will keep Odin from being able to scry you or those near you. Just as Skuld's seal protects me," he added as he pulled his own pendant out to show her.
"Oh," she exclaimed in surprise. Glancing at the necklace for another moment before turning her eyes back to her own pendant. "Your seal is a horned moon," she asked in surprise. "I thought it was a waxing crescent, like on your forehead."
"A horned dark moon," Hiccup clarified. "For the Lord of Shadows. Its opposite would be the horned full moon, just as your mark is a waning crescent rather than a waxing one. This is the actual mark that I bear on my brow as well, though Cuithanna and I agreed five years ago to keep a constant glamour of illusion over it to conceal my true role. The horned dark moon is much too recognizable, and no one is supposed to know what I am. They all just think that I am Cuithanna's consort."
At that, Hiccup called his glowing mark forward again. Allowing the illusion to slip and the black horned moon to shine in front of others. For the first time since Cuithanna had placed it on him too. Its curiously luminous colour may be strange and sinister with the pulsing hints of deep purple within, but it was his mark. Not Cuithanna's. Of course Hel had seen through the glamour and recognized the seal right away, but this was different. This was him consciously choosing to show it. Cuithanna had concealed the mark for him that first night and he had continued to conceal it ever since. Growing so used to the illusion that he barely even thought about it anymore, but these two were his family.
"That mark suits you better," Ilweran intoned then and Hiccup glanced over at him with an arched brow. Ilweran just chuckled in response. "Seriously. I never thought rainbow was your colour. You are much to evil for rainbow. The black matches your wicked soul." Hiccup couldn't help laughing in agreement to that.
Astrid simply stared at it with wide eyes. Seeming lost for words. "It's beautiful," she finally muttered softly. Calling his attention back to her. "Reminds me of the shadow serpents," she added thoughtfully as she traced her fingers over it. Making Hiccup shiver and close his eyes momentarily at the potent magic of her touch. Her fingers on his seal feeling more right than Cuithanna's ever had.
"Ilweran's right. The rainbow crescent never suited you, and I did wonder why you bore it when it just didn't seem to fit. I was going to ask you about it at Samhain, but then I forgot." He could see the glowing black and purple mark reflected in her beautiful blue eyes, and he gave her a half shrug of agreement. After all, he had always known that the rainbow crescent was really not his style either. It was just too... rainbow. "I like this mark much better," Astrid sighed. Leaning forward, she pressed a soft kiss to his brow then before placing her pendant back around her neck and tucking it safely under her tunic.
Then she gazed back up at him with a huge smile on her face. "If you guys are going to fly to Midgard, you should probably get going," she said quietly. "The sooner you leave, the sooner you can get back." Chuckling, Hiccup cast off his mark again and kissed her once more before lifting her off the workbench. Then he removed his apron and hung it back on the hook. Ilweran clearing away their mess with a wave of his hand before picking up the beautiful new weapon and giving it a small twirl.
Ilweran handed Astrid the new axe as they made their way out of the workshop. "I think you should give this to Sif," he said when she looked at him in confusion. "Since both of your boys made it for her, it is only fair for you to present it. You did destroy her wedding present after all," he added with a chuckle. Smirking at her as another pink flush crept into her cheeks. She promptly elbowed him in the ribs and they all dissolved into easy laughter again. Hiccup's shoulders feeling incredibly light for the first time in a long time.
*
Thor, Sif, and Golwen got back from their flight shortly after the other three had finished in the workshop. When Astrid had handed Sif the new axe, Sif had just about died of excitement. Jumping up and down like a child before hugging all three of them. "It's so beautiful," she gushed happily. Holding it like it was a precious baby. "Still not a nice as yours, but I guess I can live with that," she added with a grin at Astrid.
Astrid allowed that with a shrug of shoulders. The women all laughing as Sif hugged Astrid tightly again. Then she hugged Thor and Golwen too before proclaiming that they needed to go outside and spar 'right this instant'. Laughing now as well, Hiccup glanced at Ilweran and Astrid for a moment. Astrid met his gaze with a slight nod before he looked back towards the other two.
"Unfortunately Ilweran and I have to take a trip to Midgard. It seems that Valka has located some dragon hunters that are giving her trouble." Sif's face fell and Hiccup chuckled as he mussed her hair. "We will not be gone for very long and Astrid and Golwen will both be staying here," he added lightly.
"You're staying," Thor asked Astrid in surprise as Sif smoothed her braid back down with a grumble.
"You bet I am. I'm having way too much fun with you two crazies. Besides, I just annihilated Sif in that last spar. I'm not about to let her off the hook now," she teased lightly. Then, with a shrug she added, "their dragons are also much faster than Stormfly. I would just slow them down, and they need to catch up to the hunters before Valka loses their trail. I'd rather stay here and practice than freeze my butt off in the frozen north anyways." Astrid made sure to give an exaggerated shudder at that. Feeling quite proud of herself for her cleverness.
"Spoken like a warrior goddess and a prissy princess," Ilweran offered with a smirk at her. "I did not think it was possible to be both. Until now, that is." Astrid laughed and punched him. He pretended to rub his shoulder in pain as he glanced over at Golwen. "You will make sure that she does not kill anyone while we are gone?"
"Of course," Golwen answered with a chuckle. "I cannot promise that the house will remain in one piece though, and all of the wine will most certainly go missing," she teased. Astrid snorted loudly and grinned at Golwen. The enchantress offering her a cheeky wink in return as everyone else started laughing.
"I guess that is the best I can hope for," Hiccup drawled with an eye roll. Golwen shrugged in agreement as she smiled sweetly at him. "I should probably get Sharpshot to order more wine to restock the cellar then. Before you drink it all," he added with another laugh. Then he and Ilweran headed upstairs to change into their armour and grab their weapons as the rest of the group went outside to spar. The bright light of the sister moons and a quickly muttered sight spell providing more than enough light for Sif and Astrid to spar with Golwen and Thor.
When Hiccup and Ilweran came back down clad in their delicious armour, looking ready for battle, Astrid's heart swelled with a mixture of love and trepidation. They were just so godsdamn beautiful. She had not been lying when she said they were her boys. Astrid felt just as possessive of both of them as they were of her. She would honestly travel to the depths of Niflheim to retrieve them if anything happened, and she was beginning to suspect that she probably could if she set her mind to it. May the gods have mercy on anyone that tried to hurt her boys on her watch.
The gleam of silver in the bright moonlight winked at her from within their bracers then. The mixture of concealed and visible blades bringing everything sharply into focus. There would be danger, and she wouldn't be with them. Even though it only made sense for her to stay here, it still bothered her. She wouldn't be able to protect them, and she wouldn't even know if they were hurt. Astrid didn't know that much about the magical world yet, but the fact that these humans were able to hide from Hiccup had her worried. What if they had some sort of ambush set up?
Everyone was busy saying goodbye now while Astrid simply stood rooted to the spot. Her stomach clenching with worry as Tintallë and Toothless landed on the grass beside them all. The dragons now sporting their saddles and looking just as amped up for the hunt as the two men were. Looking over at her in slight confusion, Hiccup and Ilweran shared a glance before walking over to her. At the sight of her anxious expression, both of them pressed feather kisses to her cheek before turning towards their waiting dragons. As her beautiful boys sauntered away from her, Astrid's heart seemed to stutter in her chest.
Suddenly, she didn't care about the secrets that they were trying to keep. Didn't care if this would seem fucked up and crazy. Her feet simply started carrying her forward and she let her instincts lead for a change. The two of them must have heard her approaching as they both turned back around to face her. Grabbing the front of Ilweran's armour, Astrid dragged him down to press a firm but still restrained kiss to his lips. Hoping that he would take the hint.
He went rigid in surprise at first. Then he chuckled against her mouth. Pulling her ever so slightly closer to his solid body as he kissed her back gently. The curious tingle of his wonderful lips was coursing through her, but not overwhelmingly so. His warm hands holding her tenderly, but carefully. Never straying from her waist. It was a pleasant kiss. The type that you could do for hours without getting either bored or carried away.
Her hands came up to rest on his chest as she rose up on her tiptoes. She could hear Thor and Sif laughing at them in between wolf whistles. Breaking away after a few brief moments and meeting Ilweran's gaze, she couldn't stop herself from grinning when he winked at her cheekily. Then Astrid turned her attention to Hiccup. Seeing him eyeing her in wary confusion now.
In response, she simply looped her fingers through his crossed sword straps. Pulling his face down to hers and planting a hungry kiss on him too. A much hungrier kiss, in fact. Right in front of everyone. This one was not tender and refined, or restrained in the slightest. This was a scorching inferno of passion that devoured all sense of reason that got in its path. There was absolutely no chance that the others could even remotely pretend this was innocent. Or merely a friendly smooch.
Astrid could hear dead silence from behind her now, but she didn't care. She would think of an excuse later. Right now, she just needed to feel the blazing fire of Hiccup's lips. Needed to taste him once more before she watched he and Ilweran fly away from her and into possible danger. Her worry for the two of them overwhelming her sense of propriety and discretion.
Who cares if Thor and Sif thought that she was a slut, or that this relationship was weird? She was the godsdamn granddaughter of Hecate! They could all go to Helheim for all she cared. After the briefest of pauses, Hiccup's arms snaked around her. One of his hands wandering down to cup her ass as the other slid up her spine. Holding her tight as he picked her up off the ground and kissed her back exuberantly. Seemingly unable to resist the magic between them either. Even if it gave everything away.
Her hands were straying up to twine into his hair even as her legs came up to wrap around his waist. His sheathed swords were jabbing into her calves and she barely even noticed. She was too busy clinging to him like a leech as that familiar fire raced through her veins. He moaned softly at her enthusiasm as his tongue invaded her mouth. Tasting and stroking with the perfection of familiarity and sending an ache straight to the warm space between her thighs. Her body arching towards him in response as she clutched him to her even tighter. Taking his lip between her teeth and biting it gently just to hear him groan again.
She kissed him until her head was spinning and she was in real danger of passing out from lack of air, but it still wasn't enough. Before she could actually swoon in his arms though, Hiccup broke away. Still holding her, he gazed into her eyes for a moment, and there was so much love in that look that she nearly swooned again. Her heart stuttering in her chest as she thought about letting him go and promptly decided against it. "What was that for," he asked quietly. Making sure that the others wouldn't hear him.
"I was just about to ask the exact same thing," Ilweran muttered softly as well. Leaning closer to the two of them with equal parts humour and confusion buried in his amber orbs.
"Well, I couldn't very well just kiss Hiccup without the others getting suspicious," Astrid replied indignantly. Then she felt a blush heat her cheeks as she admitted, "well that, and I'm worried about you two." She had one of her arms still clasped tightly around Hiccup's shoulder and neck. Fingers still twined into the silky strands of his hair. Reaching out with the other arm, she ran a gentle hand over Ilweran's jaw. Then she was wrapping that arm back around Hiccup again as her body refused to lose contact with him for very long. "I don't know how long you'll be gone, and I couldn't just let you walk away without knowing that I love you. Both of you. What if you got hurt?"
"We will be fine, mi'lady," Hiccup reassured her. "The humans do not pose much of a risk. Besides, you know that I will always come back for you."
"As will I," Ilweran offered gently. "Though there is no real need to accost me for it," he added jokingly as Astrid giggled now.
"It is a little too late for that bro. You have already been thoroughly accosted, and Astrid is right that it looks slightly less incriminating this way... Though I would not get used to it if I were you," Hiccup drawled with an eye roll. "From one masochist to another, I would suggest you simply take the small perks where you can get them and be grateful for it." Then he smirked at his friend for a moment when Ilweran huffed out a grumbled sigh, before both of them glanced back at Astrid.
"There you go mi'lady, we both love you too. Do not worry about us. We are pretty tough," Hiccup reassured her with a grin. Smiling at Hiccup as he kissed her once more, Astrid finally dropped her legs from around him. Still, she grumbled slightly as he set her back on the ground, just the same. In response, Hiccup allowed his hands to glide slowly over her back and sides as he released her and she shivered at his touch. Extending all of her willpower not to throw herself back into his arms and never let go.
Chuckling knowingly at the sight of her distinctly clenched jaw and fists, he mouthed 'later'. That one simple word sent a hot rush of need flooding through her in response, and he flashed her favourite feral smirk before raising his voice so that the others would be able to hear him. "That was an unexpectedly pleasant farewell." Then he looked over at Ilweran. "How come you never kiss me goodbye like that when I leave you behind?" Finally, there was a chorus of laughter from the others at that.
Ilweran snorted a laugh of his own as he shook his head at Hiccup. "Probably because I never knew that you wanted me to," he replied cheekily. Offering a half shrug that made Astrid giggle. "I will try to remember for next time, handsome. Although I would personally think that making out with Astrid is much better." He shot her another wink and Astrid smirked in return.
"Fair point, brother. As adorable as you are, she is still a much better kisser," Hiccup grinned back and Ilweran choked on his laughter now as Thor wolf whistled loudly.
"If you know how good I am at kissing, then apparently I really need to stop drinking," Ilweran grumbled.
"You can stop drinking after Yule, Moon Pie, since you are probably going to want to be as drunk as physically possible then," Hiccup teased, and Ilweran arched a slender brow at him in confusion. "I specifically remember that you promised to service me at the festival as long as I showed just the right amount of thigh," Hiccup clarified. "I already have my dress all picked out." Astrid and Golwen both burst out laughing at that.
Ilweran looked dumbfounded for a long moment before shaking his head with a chuckle. "There is not enough liquor in all the realms to get me THAT drunk, bro..." he stated blandly. Hiccup blowing him a mocking kiss that made the others laugh again.
"And that round goes to me. I really do love leaving you speechless," Hiccup stated with a smirk at Ilweran, who flipped his middle finger up in return. Turning his devilish green eyes back to Astrid then, Hiccup's smouldering gaze made her knees go weak all over again. "That was lovely princess. Perhaps the hunters can wait until morning..." he teased. Trailing off as he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at her. Ilweran barked a laugh and shoved him roughly. Smirking at the two of them now, Astrid crossed her arms and casually cocked her hip out to the side.
"Think of it as incentive to come back in one piece," she shot back. Hearing the others laugh behind her as she winked at Hiccup. "Just get your sexy behinds back here as quick as you can. I'll be waiting," she added with a laugh of her own. Backing up a step from them as they saluted her and leapt onto their dragons. Both dragons rasping chuckles too as Stormfly came over beside her. Toothless and Tintallë pressed their heads against Astrid's stomach and received hugs in turn. Then they nuzzled Stormfly before taking off into the night.
Astrid turned back to the rest of the group then to find Golwen grinning widely. Her lovely violet eyes bright with humour. Thor and Sif looking slightly dumbfounded instead. "Umm... Not that I blame you, but... What the heck was that," Sif suddenly asked. Her voice rising slightly in her shock.
"It's complicated. That's what," Astrid supplied with a shrug. Making her way back over to them with Stormfly trailing behind her.
"I'd say. Although that is not actually the most complicated thing I've ever seen in my life," Thor stated with a grin. Then he glanced over at Sif with a mischievous smirk. "Hiccup seemed pretty receptive to that display of aggression. Apparently all you had to do was grab him by the sword straps and force him into a kiss babe."
Sif rolled her eyes with a laugh. "I've tried that darling. It didn't work. Maybe if I had the magical allure of Hecate though," she added with a wink at Astrid.
"That must be it," Thor added cheekily. Shooting a wicked grin at Astrid as his blue eyes danced with humour. "You two looked like you were about to make sweet, sweet love on the lawn just now. Although, that is just what happens when Hiccup actually allows anyone to kiss him, really. Perhaps Ilweran should have warned you about that before now," he chuckled. Then he asked brightly, "if you three are spreading the love around, does this mean that I get a kiss too?" Puckering up his lips and making lewd smacking sounds at her as Golwen started chuckling.
"If you wanted a kiss, you should have said something earlier. Now you're just going to have to wait until the boys get back and hope that they're still in the mood," Astrid replied in mock sympathy as Sif started laughing too and Golwen winked at her. Astrid grinned in return before putting one hand on her hip as she tapped her chin with the other one. "Now where were we? Oh yeah, I remember now," she stated. Promptly grabbing her axe and lunging at Thor, who's eyes flew wide as he quickly reached for Mjölnir to block her.
_
Oh Astrid, you are a beauty. Poor Thor and Sif must be so bloody confused right now. Good thing Thor rarely takes life too seriously, and Golwen is there to help Astrid smooth things over.
Also, the full truth is now out! Or, at least as much as Hiccup is allowed to give up. Both Ilweran and Astrid now know that Hiccup is a traitor, and they are even joining him on the dark side! Did you expect anything else? Maybe for it to be like HttK, where Astrid tries to sway him back to the side of 'good'? Of course it wouldn't be! Astrid and Hiccup are absolutely meant for each other, and Odin unknowingly made sure that Astrid wasn't overly fond of him to begin with. Setting everything in place for our glorious dark goddess to turn traitor as well. Taking the 'Golden Boy' right along with them. As Ilweran pointed out, who in their right mind would ever stand on the opposite side of Hiccstrid? I would love to see Odin actually try to capture the three of them. Perhaps one day, we will. The gears have been set in motion, after all... ;)
Astrid would never willingly choose to stand on the opposite side from Hiccup anyways, just as he would never willingly stand against her. They really are a soul-pair, aren't they :P
BTW, what did you all think of Hiccup's true mark? The Lord of Shadows really would bear the horned dark moon, after all. Did you guys ever wonder about it? Did it ever stir a nagging itch in your mind? I guess Astrid's suspicious in Svartalfheim were right, after all. The rainbow crescent never really fit his personality, and why would the Dark God bear the same seal as the Light Goddess anyways? Red flags, anyone?.. I'm so evil... ;)