They stopped for the night before they made their way back to Berk, almost everyone was asleep apart from Hiccup, Ragnar, Astrid and Heather, Shale, of course, was awake but she was keeping her distance from the rest of them.

Heather was fidgeting slightly, which didn't go unnoticed by everyone else.

"You all right?" Ragnar asked.

Heather shook her head. "No, i-it's just that I think it's time to tell you the real reason why I came to Midgard."

Hiccup sighed. "I knew you weren't telling us the full story."

"Given the importance of our mission I didn't want to think of me are any different or maybe I was just too afraid," said Heather hugging herself. "But after everything we've gone through, you should know. I came to Midgard and the Chantry because I was hunted, in Asgard."

Astrid looked at her. "Why? For what reason?"

"I was framed, betrayed by someone I thought I knew and I could trust," she said. "Her name was Marjolaine—she was my mentor… and a friend. She taught me the bards arta—how enchanted with words and song, to carry myself like a high-born lady, to blend in as a servant… The skills I learned I used to serve her, my bard-master because I enjoy what I did.

"She was a remarkable woman. I cannot fully express the admiration I had for her or the depth of my affection. I thought I knew her. My devotion to her blinded me to her… less than noble attributes. You could say it was my fault. There was a job for us here in Midgard, I was given this satchel full of documents. I was to place them in an estate in the capital and given strict orders not to look at them."

"And of course you looked at them," Astrid smiled.

Heather shrugged. "My curiosity got the better of me. Something told me that I needed to know what was in those letters. It turned out that Marjolaine had been selling information about Asgard to not only Midgard but other countries. It was treason."

"But isn't that what bards do?" Astrid asked.

"Some," Heather admitted. "But I always assumed that Marjolaine only operated within Asgard. This was an unhappy surprise for me. My life as a bard taught me that my loyalties should be kept fluid. My concern was not that she was a traitor, but that her life would be in danger if she was caught. Asgard has been at war with so many countries. It takes a harsh view of such things… as I later discovered."

"Most countries don't appreciate treason," Hiccup pointed out.

"I should have left well enough alone, but I didn't," Heather continued. "I had to tell, Marjolaine I feared for her life. She brushed aside my concerns. She had admitted her guilt but said it was in the past. However, the other bards in our company were uneasy with these documents as well hand she relented admitting that we could do some observations to her plans.

"I believed her. I kept believing, up till the moment we made our way back to the estate and were ambushed. She made it look as if we were stealing intelligence files from Midgard and made me look like the ringleader."

"What happened then?" Ragnar asked.

"The Midgard guards captured me and locked me in a dungeon, the officer was going to have his fun with me before selling me to the highest bidder."

"How unpleasant," said Astrid.

"I was then rescued by a Revered Mother, who had been the one who gave Marjolaine the papers," Heather then smiled. "Though she insisted that I saved myself by finding the courage inside of me, she just reminded me never to give up hope. I then let jailbreak out of the dungeon and found myself in the Chantry. The Reverend Mother gave me a chance of a new life in the Chantry here in Midgard. Midgard protected my person in the Maker protected saved my soul. Now you know the reason why I'm here. The real reason."

"Thank you for trusting us with this," said Hiccup.

Heather breathed a sigh of relief. "It feels good to have this finally off my chest. Thank you for listening and understanding."

The next morning they were on the move and Ragnar was leading them down a path which bypassed all the roads when they suddenly saw a man being confronted by several guards.

"What's going on down there?" said Astrid as she bent down.

Hiccup looked to the unarmed man and recognised his face. "Think I've seen him before, he was part of Cailain's honour guard."

Ragnar nodded. "That means we fought beside him during the Battle of Ostagar."

Fishlegs looked at the garden recognised the emblem. "I know that emblem belongs to Bann Loren. He is known for being both well-known and little loved for the fluidity of his allegiances.

Valka frowned of the guards. "I get the feeling that those guards aren't there to help him."

Hiccup agreed, and just as they ran down towards them, one of the guards stabbed the unarmed man through the chest with his sword. It was then that they noticed them charged towards them.

They stood no chance, and they will quickly cut down by the overwhelming forces. Speedfist quickly went over to the unarmed man in order to attend to his injuries.

"I recognise him," said Ragnar. "His name is Elric Maraigne, a member of Cailan's honour guard and a close confidant of the king."

"Then what is he doing here," said Snotlout asked.

"He's still breathing, but there's nothing I can do," said Speedfist.

Elric opened his eyes and saw them. "Thank you. I didn't expect the Bann's men to notice my escape so quickly. I tried to hide here in the woods, but there wasn't time. And now I'm a dead man."

"What do you mean, there wasn't time?" Heather asked.

Elric looked at Hiccup and Ragnar. "You two were there in Ostagar. You knew how things went. For me, it was either this or die in some darkspawn's belly or… or be hung as a deserter."

"Yes, I recognised your face," said Ragnar.

Elric looked at them. "You were there with the Grey Wardens. Duncan's new recruits. I was to guard the King. He was my friend, understand?" He then closes eyes as if reliving a terrible memory. "Maker. All that time in Bann Loren's prison and I couldn't stop thinking about all they suffered that one night at Ostagar…"

"We don't always get to choose our deaths," said Hiccup.

Elric nodded. "No, perhaps not. But I've been given the chance to set things right. If it's the likes of you who sees me to my final hour, perhaps things happen for a reason."

Hiccup leaned in closer. "Do you still have this key?"

Elric laughed. "The Maker has a sense of humour, doesn't he? I suppose it's for the best, however—had I kept it, it would have been in Bann Loren's hands by now."

"But you said Cailan entrusted to you!" said Valka.

Elric looked at her, ashamed. "I was afraid. I thought I could lose it on the battlefield, so I stashed it in the camp. Please—it's probably still there."

"You don't think the darkspawn found it?" said Ragnar.

"I hope not. Do they know how to work the lock even if they did?"

"The darkspawn are more cunning than we give them credit for, but the King trusted that lock with his secrets. I'd guess that the contents of that chest are still intact," said Valka.

"The keys behind a loose stone in the base of a statue. I'll draw a map for you so you'll know where to search," said Elric.

Hiccup quickly pulled out a map and a quill and Elric, very shakily, drew an X on it. He then turned and faced the others.

"You'll be taking me along, won't you? Call me sentimental, but I left some darkspawn that really deserve a sword through the middle," said Ragnar.

"The events at Ostagar still haunt my thoughts, son, and no doubt Ragnar as well. If that is where we are headed, I think it best that we accompany you," said Valka.

He looked at the other, and they nodded as well it would seem as if they were in agreement. They would return to Ostagar, it should be relatively safe the darkspawn had no doubt spread out, meaning that they would have to deal with very little resistance.

"It is vital that the King's documents do not fall into the wrong hands. As for Maric's sword, it is too powerful to be pawed at by those monsters. Same for the king's other arms and armour," said Elric. "And… and if you happen to find Cailan's body, see it off. He was our king. He shouldn't be left to rot amidst the darkspawn's filth."

Then with one last breath, he collapsed, and Speedfist closed his eyes.

"He's gone," he said.

"Then let's go to Ostagar I believe it's time that we returned," said Hiccup.

With the assistance of Ragnar, they were able to navigate past the largest of the darkspawn groups and managed to reach the ruined city with very little difficulty. Snow-covered everything and everything was even in more ruins there were corpses of those who fought on the front lines.

Astrid looked at Hiccup. "So this is where it all began?"

Hiccup nodded. "Yeah, I remember feeling a bit apprehensive not only for the battle but for the Joining."

"I know how you feel," said Ragnar. "I expect most everyone expected it to be a glorious battle in that we would be celebrating afterwards. Though no one anticipated Drago leaving the battlefield like that."

They ran into several darkspawn along the way, but it was not like in those days when they were just recruits. They took apart the darkspawn with ease, and they worked perfectly in unison, almost as if they knew each other's moves.

Hiccup led them to where they had the War Council had gathered.

"This is where we planned for the battle," said Hiccup. "I remember all the arguments, Drago saying to my cousin and he was putting too much faith in our order, Uldred saying they could use magic to light the beacon and of course the revered mother arguing the use of magic."

"Sounds like a barrel of laughs," said Eret.

They follow the map where Elric put the X and found the key amongst the rubble. They began to search through the compound to look for these documents which they found that Cailan's tent.

"Judging by these documents it's a pity we had not to place more trust in Asgard and less in the king's own father-in-law," said Ragnar looking for the notes.

"According to this one Cailan had made plans to ally with Orlais," said Hiccup looking at another.

"So it's true," said Ragnar. "He had convinced the forces of Orlais to ally against the darkspawn."

"Empress Celeen was merely awaiting his response," said Valka.

"A response that never came and now never will," said Ragnar bitterly. "Thanks to Drago treachery."

"I have always suspected that Drago was the one that tipped the templars of my presence," Valka frowned. "I'm guessing that he feared that Hiccup may challenge Cailan to the throne someday and to tarnish Stoick reputation."

"I never wanted to be king," Hiccup groaned. "I've only agreed to this because I don't want Drago in charge."

"So he created his own worst enemy," said Astrid shaking her head.

Fishlegs examined one of the documents. "Uh, guys. Drago may have had another reason for betraying betrayed Cailan."

Hiccup looked to the document. "This one he's written to the Empress, and he's written in quite a familiar form of writing."

Astrid's eyes widened. "You don't think he was planning on marrying the Empress."

"It would indicate that, and maybe Drago got wind of this," said Hiccup.

"A note from your father expresses his concern for Cailan not producing an heir," said Ragnar leaning in to look at the document.

"It's true that the Queen has not produced an heir yet and there have been rumours that she is barren," said Hiccup. She then looked at them grimly. "I think this is best to keep it between us. If the nobility here discover that Cailan was planning on divorcing Devi it will shatter his image and more people will go to Drago's banner."

They nodded in agreement.

They made their way along the bridge and what they found second. It was Cailain's body which was stripped naked and tied to a pike like some sort of trophy. Seeing his body brought back memories of the battle.

He may not have been the best king, but he didn't deserve this fate. It saddened Hiccup and judging from the looks from the others they all felt the same. He at least deserved a proper burial way could be laid to rest.

However, before they could do anything an Emissary appeared. It began to cast a spell and tell me the corpses of the fallen warriors rose an advance towards them with their weapons drawn.

They quickly drew their weapons and advanced towards the walking corpses. One by one, they fell, but the Emissary had vanished. Hiccup bend down the tracks it left behind.

"It's heading straight for the Tower of Ishal," he said.

"We best go after it," said Ragnar.

"What about the King?" Astrid asked.

"We can give a proper burial once we know that the darkspawn presence here is crushed."

They then ran after the Emissary.

They reached the Tower of Ishal wand when they got there, they found that these commanders were wearing Cailain's armour and arms.

They didn't know what hit them and one by one they slew the commanders until there was none left. He then began to remove the armour from them, and as they did, Hiccup looked at the armour sadly.

"What's the matter, son?" Valka asked, noticing his sad expression.

"I don't know, it just feels wrong to find this here," he said, looking at his cousin's helm. "Pored over by darkspawn and thick with their rot. It was his."

Valka nodded sadly. "I know, I feel it too." She then placed a hand on Hiccup shoulder. "But he is not the first king to ever fall in battle or even the first to fall to the darkspawn."

Hiccup nodded. "Yes, but this wound cuts deeper."

"And it will bleed longer, but we must keep moving. No doubt the darkspawn are eager to give us plenty of more reasons to mourn."

They chased after the Emissary through several underground tunnels until they found themselves on the battlefield. Where they found corpses of those, who fought on the front lines and then they found the Emissary.

It cast another spell and this time raised the corpse of a Troll with two plates stuck in its chest along with any nearby warriors. Wartihog swung his battleaxe right through the Troll's leg and was aided by Ragnar, who fired arrows at its eyes.

Valka and Speedfist combined their power and blasted the Emissary with a powerful bolt of lightning that fried it to a crisp.

Hiccup and the others meanwhile dealt with the undead warriors. They stabbed them and hacked them to pieces with their blades or crushed them.

In no time at all the forces were overwhelmed by their might and then Ragnar removed the blades from dead Troll and examined them.

"There Duncan's," he said, tossing them over to Hiccup.

Hiccup looked at them and knew he was right. "It must have been the last darkspawn he took down before he died."

"He never gave up that's what counts," said Sten.

"I see movement," said Heather as she readied her bow.

"More darkspawn?" Astrid asked.

"I don't sense any more."

Then they saw two figures approaching them, one was middle-aged and judging from his attire he was a knight though he wore no emblem. Hiccup recognise the other person that he was supporting it was Dagur.

"Stand down," he ordered and looked at Heather. "Heather, it's your brother."

Heather's eyes widened as she lowered her bow.

"Ahoy," said the knight when he spotted them. "Mind giving us a hand?"

Without hesitation, they quickly rush towards the two of them, and Valka and Speedfist immediately began to heal them with magic.

Dagur smiled at Hiccup. "So you manage to survive the massacre after all."

"Barely, if it wasn't for my mother," said Hiccup gesturing to Valka who was currently healing Dagur.

Dagur looked at her. "So you're Hiccup's mum, and you're a mage."

Valka smiled. "I'm relieved to see that he was alive Dagur."

"And there's someone else I would like you to meet," said Hiccup and then turned to a nervous-looking Heather. "Dagur, this is your sister."

Dagur was speechless when he looked at Heather and looked back at Hiccup. "What else did I miss?"

Hiccup began to explain everything that transpired after the Battle of Ostagar, Drago betraying the King and taking power. The Civil War and rather reluctantly the fate of his father.

"Dad's dead," said Dagur, shocked. "He ordered me to go on ahead with the main battalion because Johann's forces were delayed because of rain."

"Leaving only a token force," Ragnar assumed. "Johann must've taken advantage and killed everyone in the castle. Then he came to Drago told whatever story he liked and was again a high position."

"I'll kill him," Dagur growled.

Heather looked at her brother. "Dagur, this may not be the best time, but I have to know how today become separate with the rest of the family?"

Dagur looked at her sympathetically. "That was my fault, you were about two years old, and we were playing near the harbour. I had a few issues back then."

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "A few?"

"Okay, a lot of issues," Dagur admitted. "I thought it would be fun to pretend we were pirates, so we took this boat. I placed you inside, and I was about to hop in, but then I remembered that I had forgotten my favoured dagger, and when I came back, the boat was gone. It turned out it was anchored to the harbour."

"I must have sailed directly to Asgard where I was found by my adoptive mother," said Heather.

"Our father was furious with me, we had already lost our mother, and now he had lost his daughter. We assume that you must have died out on the sea, I gave myself after that."

"What a tale," said the knight.

"And you are?" Snotlout asked.

"Oh, where are my manners," he said and bowed. "Sir Aaron Hawthorne, at your service. I am more commonly known as the Landless Knight of Midgard. I fought alongside King Cailan during the battle, in the midst of it, a troll appeared out of nowhere and killed, crushing him within his palm. Commander Duncan avenged him by killing the troll, but after he did so, he lost what strength he had left was killed."

"How did you survive?" Astrid asked.

Aaron closed his eyes. "It was chaos, I suddenly found myself pinned to the ground by a troll was not unconscious. I don't know how long I was out when I opened my eyes the battle was over, I decided to go and look for survivors. I heard there was a scouting mission within the Wilds, figured be the best place to find any lucky survivors."

"That when he found me," said Dagur. "My party was ambushed by the darkspawn before the battle even started. I woke up to find myself in a Chasind hut, and they nursed me back to health. Sir Aaron then found me and told me what happened during the battle, I've only recently healed enough to travel."

Aaron looked at Hiccup. "So, what are you doing here?"

"How we came across one of Calian's honour guard, and he told us of some secret documents that have to be retrieved," said Hiccup. "We've only recently just collected the rest of my brother's armour, and we were just about to put him to rest."

"You found his body?" Dagur looked up.

Hiccup looked at the others and then looked back at Dagur. "Yes, but it's not exactly a pretty sight."

They soon returned to Cailan's body both Dagut and Aaron were adjusted when they saw the body.

"Such disrespect," said Aaron.

Dagur just stared at the corpse. "Ugh. They've left him here to rot. We need to do something."

"He is of royal blood and deserves a pyre," said Elissa Astrid.

Hiccup nodded. "He was a good man who hoped too much and died too young. He deserves what little honour we can afford to grant him."

They then removed Cailan from the pike and set up a pyre within the woods away from the ruined city. They placed his body on top of it, and Valka andSpeedfist set it on fire and while it burnt Ragnar pressed a leaf against his lips and the most beautiful sound exit from it.

They all had gathered, human, elf, dwarf even Sten and Shale were there. Heather, who was the only one who spent her time the Chantry said a few prayers as the body burned.

It wasn't much, but at least Cailan had a decent funeral, he deserved that much. They waited until the last of the embers died.

"We can't stay here," said Valka.

"She's right. The darkspawn are already on the move," said Ragnar.

"Let's make our way back to Berk."