Another hella long chapter, but I just couldn't find a good spot to break it. There's simply too much happening over such a relatively short period. Lots to take in this chapter, and it may not be quite what you expected, but I hope you still enjoy it just the same. On the upside, I can promise a hefty dose of mythology, a good serving of laughs, some badass Astrid, and a fair few feels. Stay safe all :)
Now Account: I may miss a few points, but hopefully the next few chapters cover the ones that I don't get here. It's true that you can definitely see what traits Hiccup got from each parent, since we know he can't have gotten his sense of humour from his father. Viggo is right to be scared of Hiccup, and now Ilweran. The fact that Hiccup can perform multiple spells at once is impressive all on its own, and I don't think anyone that meets either Hiccup or Ilweran would have a hard time believing in worlds beyond Midgard. And of course Hiccup suspects something. That boy is smart. As for the two of them being 'closer than brothers', you're not wrong about that being a subtle hint. Makes Astrid's dilemma seem a little more understandable... ;) Yes, I did have the thing about the hybrid dragon in there, and I figured you wouldn't overly mind waiting to find it. Just like Ilweran, you are much too clever to miss the obvious unless it's because you're in denial :P lol. Beauty job spotting those little Easter eggs back in the 'Decent into Helheim' chapter. Knew you would!
CB73: I doubt that Viggo and Ryker will be able to miss the message. Especially since Ryker now has to spend the next few days on a broken ship with an angry crew and a rotting corpse while waiting for rescue. Lol. I honestly really love Ilweran's progression in this one as well. Coming out from behind his safety net in order to find himself. It really shows how he and Hiccup are so different, yet still so similar. Hiccup never had a safety net to hide behind, and I doubt that he would have anyways.
KevinLazar: I agree. It really was like torture, and even Viggo doesn't deserve that. Out of all the villains in the HTTYD, I think Viggo is my favourite (next to Dagur of course). He is not straight evil, he changes. You're right too; Ilweran is probably gonna be a wee bit peeved with Hiccup when he does get his seal. The trip to Helheim is certainly going to be an eye-opener for Ilweran as well. I can't wait for Hel to meet him :P As for published copies of TGoP, I have some printed paperbacks that I can offer anyone that is interested. Just pm me :)
Superlego99: I love their pet names for each other too! If only they had them back in Berk, but I think it's adds a little more playfulness to this much darker sequel. As for the trip to Helheim... There may be less 'monsters' in the realm of the dead than their are in the upper realms... I suppose you'll have to wait and see.
The Deep Sadness: Thank you very much for that. I'm glad you are enjoying it so far, and I too love the true mythology in these. (I love the marvel universe as well, but it's certainly not historically accurate by any stretch...)
_
Back on Alfheim, Astrid had been working her ass off at magic and sparring since the boys left. That first night, she had totally stomped both Thor and Sif in their spars. The thorough beating she gave Thor leading him to apologize for his lewd comments, but Astrid had just laughed at him. Assuring him that she wasn't offended in the slightest. It simply felt too good to win for once. How could she possibly be mad? Not only that, but she was now able to beat both of them at least half the time. Even her spars with Golwen were quite evenly matched now that Astrid was no longer holding herself back.
The fact that she was still essentially human, but was now able to beat Golwen sometimes, only stirred up questions that had been bothering Astrid for a while. She decided to bring it up on the third night while sitting on Golwen's bed with the enchantress, Kaitlyn, and Sharpshot. The two women sipping elven wine, joking about the open display of affection the other night, and contemplating how scared the boys were going to make the trappers when they got there. It was how they had been spending the end of each day so far, and it made Astrid overly glad that Golwen had decided to come stay with them.
"Golwen," Astrid began, as she leant back on her hand. Her ribs still aching from laughing. "How come elves never use enhancement magic?"
The enchantress' flawless lips twisted into a thoughtful frown at that. "I suppose it is because it would be extremely taxing on our systems," she supplied with a shrug. "I mean, our bodies are using a constant supply of enhancement magic just to function. Regulating the use of it much like our heartbeat and breathing. When we run or fight, we expend essence instead of physical energy, and everything has a limit. If it was life or death, we could certainly use a short burst of it, but it would cost us."
"We are essentially essence balls in a flesh sack, my dear. Even more literally than the other races," Golwen added with a chuckle at Astrid's look of disgust at the term 'flesh sack'. "It is why we do not move at top speed all the time. It is better to reserve such things until they are truly required. That, and our bodies tend to literally tear themselves apart if we try to push them more than we already are."
When Astrid's eyes flew wide at that, Golwen smiled grimly at her. "All the other races, and most of our animal friends too, are all fully capable of that same awful ability in times of high stress, my dear. Many a soldier has torn their own shoulders from the socket, or ripped tendons right off of bone, during battle. It is quite normal. Our muscles are, quite frankly, stronger than our connecting tissues can handle."
"I guess that's true," Astrid grimaced in return. "I mean, I know quite a few people back home that have severely injured themselves by lifting more than their body could actually handle. It just never occurred to me that the same would apply to elves. Aren't you supposed to be perfect?"
Golwen choked out a laugh at that. "We only look perfect, my dear," she supplied with a grin. "Of course such injuries can be healed with magic, but those precious few moments could mean the difference between life and death in a real battle. When the first elves designed these bodies, they had no need for additional bursts of power or strength. They never needed to worry about pushing their strength to the limit. Enhanced abilities became the main model they built upon. Remember, there was no such thing as war back then, and life was slow. The first elves only wished to keep up with the dragons for sport."
"Now there have been a very few part elves, like Ilweran for example, that are able to use some enhancement magic above and beyond the typical, but that is extremely rare. He also needs to be very careful with it, for he is more of a risk to himself than to others. Still, it is why he is able to move somewhat faster than a normal elf," Golwen clarified at Astrid's arched brow. "Ilweran is not exactly normal though, is he," she added cheekily. Catching Astrid by surprise. Did Golwen know more than she was letting on?..
Honestly, Astrid wouldn't be overly surprised if she did. Before Astrid could think up anything to say though, Golwen simply winked at her before carrying on. "As Ilweran becomes more elf than human, that gift may gradually fade away, as they so often do. Aldanil's certainly did. Though, like Aldanil, it will likely transfer to naturally increased abilities rather than magically enhanced ones. I strongly suspect that, much like Aldanil and Ilweran, you will also be able to function at a somewhat higher level than the typical elf. You already were when you fought Sif the other day."
"Was I," Astrid gasped in shock. She hadn't felt like she had been moving that fast! Although, now that she thought about it, whenever Sif, Thor, and Golwen sparred, it was a pretty close match. Astrid had just been the odd one out before now. The slow human.
"Indeed you were," Golwen pointed out. "A true goddess will always be more powerful than the 'lesser' beings that challenge her. Not that you are invincible either. That pace would certainly not be sustainable for any significant length of time," she stated bluntly as she settled her violet eyes on Astrid. The expression in them unexpectedly serious.
"I know," Astrid reassured her. "I mean, I certainly wasn't as tired as Sif, but I still felt the drain on my reserves from that spar. I would never do that during a real battle. I'd be completely useless after the first twenty minutes of fighting..."
"That you would. Then you would be dead, Aldanil would be in a towering rage, and the coming of Ragnarok would likely be the least of our concerns. May the gods have mercy on us all if that ever happens," Golwen chuckled lightly.
Astrid couldn't help but giggle in agreement. "Hiccup is a wee bit protective of me, isn't he," she grinned.
"You two are the most terrifying creatures the realms have ever seen," Golwen grinned back. "Good thing you are a soul pair, since no one else would be able to handle either of you monsters," she teased cheekily. "Anyways, back to the matter of elves and enhancement magic, are we not strong enough and fast enough already without it? Why would we even need more," Golwen added with another shrug. "No being should ever be completely unstoppable, Astrid. Cuithanna would never allow it. I did tell you before that there is nothing quite so dangerous as absolute power, and I think you now have an even better idea why."
Those statements were still lingering in Astrid's mind as she made her way back to her own bedroom later. The prospect sending a chill down her back. Making her once again thank the Norns that both Hiccup and Ilweran were such good men. It also made Astrid realize that she really needed to work on controlling her own temper. Especially after talking to Golwen. Astrid hadn't fully realized it until now, but she really was almost as dangerous as Hiccup in her own way. Perhaps she should learn to be a little more in control of her powers, so that she didn't accidentally destroy the worlds during a tantrum either.
Still, her new physical prowess meant that they had at least moved onto sparring with magic as well now, instead of strictly physical weapons. That added a whole new level of challenge, and Astrid couldn't wait to show the boys her new skills. Speaking of new skills, ever since that explosive meltdown with Sif, Golwen had suspected that Astrid might have some elemental magic as well. Turns out that she was right about that too.
Now, Astrid was spending a good portion of their arcane lessons learning how to call on her newly discovered wind magic. Honestly, it was pretty cool, but she wasn't great at it yet. It also sure made one heck of a mess when she lost control of it. A fact which never ceased to amuse the two ladies. Leaving them in fits of giggles as they both tried futilely to straighten their tangled hair and clothes.
For the first couple of days, Sif and Thor had taken to constantly badgering Astrid about the whole scene with Hiccup and Ilweran. Oddly enough, they weren't incredibly surprised that Ilweran hadn't snapped at Hiccup for kissing Astrid. As Thor said, Hiccup did what he wanted, and everyone else was too scared to try and stop him. No, they actually seemed more interested in the fact that Hiccup had not pushed Astrid away. That he had, in fact, picked her up and held her closer.
Of course, women tended to lose their heads when they were near him, but it was always one sided. Though he had fooled around with some temple priestesses over the years, it was rarely, and only ever on his terms. Apparently Hiccup did not usually respond well to attempts at forced intimacy from anyone. He was never cruel or violent of course, but Sif did refer to him as cold and detached instead. Often using subtle actions or sarcastic teasing as a way to discreetly assert dominance over the situation. The result of which usually meant the women just wanted him even more, before he simply walked away without a backward glance.
Sif's words reminded Astrid strongly of that first trip to Asgard. The way Amenmeit had kissed Hiccup, and he had managed to maintain his charade while holding her at bay at the same time. The way he had literally held her chin to keep her from kissing him again. It wasn't until Odin continued to push the matter that Hiccup actually reciprocated any 'real' interest. According to Sif, that was the way Hiccup normally behaved.
Though countless women still tried, it was generally accepted that no one would ever actually be able to seduce the Dark Rider. For most, it had become more of a fun pastime now to try and hook him, or even just coerce him into a bed. They had long given up any real hope of success. Apparently his response to Astrid's kiss had been the first time in five years that Hiccup had seemed just as willing as the woman that was trying to accost him.
So Hiccup hadn't been lying when he said he had remained hers, even while they were apart. Astrid couldn't help feeling a smug sense of pride wash though her at that. Even as she continually brushed off their questions. Repeatedly telling them that it was complicated, and insisting that it was 'not a big deal'. When they pushed for more juicy detail however, Astrid informed them that she and Hiccup had grown up together. Claiming that the two of them had been friends since childhood. Insisting vehemently that it had simply been a friendly kiss that had gotten a bit carried away.
"And really, can you blame me," Astrid asked Sif with an eye roll. "As you said, no female can deny Hiccup's strange sexual pull. That man is downright dangerous." Sif had giggled and sighed in agreement. A comically wistful look on her face that was incredibly reminiscent of Ruffnut, as Thor laughed at his wife's antics.
Golwen had thankfully backed Astrid up by reminding the other two that elves were very free spirited creatures. Pointing out with a laugh that some of that promiscuity was bound to rub off on Astrid after all her months on Alfheim. That explanation seemed to finally satisfy the other two, and they left it alone after that. At least all the drama was helping to keep Astrid busy from thoughts of her boys, and keep the others from asking questions about what the boys were doing.
It may have only been five days since Astrid had kissed them both goodbye, but she still needed the distractions. Not to get her through the days of course. Her boys were tough. They would be fine. No, it was the nights that were the hardest. Unless she was absolutely exhausted by the time she dropped into bed, she would spend the whole night tossing and turning in a depressingly empty bed. Lost in chaotic dreams and surrounded by the smell of Hiccup, as she longed to feel a pair of warm arms wrapping around her. Waking up to her hands searching for something that wasn't there to find.
Sharpshot had even taken to curling up beside her at night now. His warm little body offering some comfort, but not enough. She just hated not being able to talk to them when she wanted or needed to. Sure there was Lint and Ana, but familiars took time to get a message to someone. It was not instant. All this worrying got her thinking, though, and she came up with a plan. If Hiccup could place a rune on her pendant that could conceal her from someone as powerful as Odin Allfather, what else could the runes do?
"Umm, Golwen," she started nervously during their lesson the following morning. The enchantress just smiled and hummed for her to continue. "So, I have been trying to think up some sort of gifts for Hiccup and Ilweran, for Yule you know, because I know that they are both probably going to give me something amazing, but I suck at gifts," Astrid mumbled. Mentally scolding herself for babbling. "Anyways, that's not the point. I meant to ask you, is there a way to create an object that will allow two people, or more than two people, to communicate with each other instantly? Regardless of distance? Like how dragons and their riders communicate, but without the bond."
Golwen took a moment to ponder that. A delicate finger tapping her chin thoughtfully as her brow furrowed slightly. "I am honestly not sure that anyone has ever attempted such a thing before," she finally said. "I do not see why not, though," she added with a shrug. "We would just need to find the right rune and spell combination. We would also need to create a powerful enough object to carry such magic first."
"You're going to help me," Astrid spouted excitedly. Unsure if she was ready to start meddling with experimental magic without help yet.
"Of course I am, silly," Golwen grinned back. "If there is a chance to discover some new use for magic, you would have a rather difficult time keeping me away, to be honest. Now, I have a hunch that if anyone has a book that may help us, it would be Aldanil. I am quite sure many of these tomes are not 'Order approved' reading material, and as such, they will be much more interesting and informative." The two women burst out laughing at that before fanning out to start scanning the vast collection of books.
Locating several that looked promising in the concealed section of the library, Astrid headed back to meet up with Golwen again. The enchantress conjuring up three plush cushions in the middle of the floor and setting her own bundle of volumes down before taking a seat. Kaitlyn trotting over from the doorway to join them as the two women opened up the books and started leafing through them. After a few hours, they had a pretty good list of spells and runes to start testing. That night, Golwen had turned a bowl from the kitchen into a magical object strong enough for them to experiment on.
Sif and Thor had eventually joined them in the library. Offering their own skills to the ordeal. Finally, after two more days, they had found a combination that worked. Casting the enchantments on two other bowls, the Riders then each took one and flew off in different directions. Feeling a nervous sort of excitement churning in her belly, Astrid held her bowl in both hands as she focused her mind on it. Feeling a slight tingle flow from the wood and into her fingers.
"Can anyone hear me," she thought towards it. Feeling a little stupid, and Stormfly chuckled at her.
"I can," came Golwen's gentle bell voice. Sounding as if the enchantress was speaking from right beside her.
"Me too," Thor chimed in. "I must say, you ladies sound just as beautiful like this as you do up close," he added teasingly.
"Keep it up and I'm going to hit you," Astrid grumbled at him. Even as a sense of giddiness threatened to overwhelm her. They had done it!
"Can't. I'm much too far away for physical retaliation," Thor reminded her cheekily. "Feel free to keep throwing insults at me instead, princess. I like it rough."
"My gods, you are absolutely terrible," Astrid groaned back.
"The absolute worst, darling. Can you blame me though," he offered with a chuckle. "Aggressive women turn me on. Why do you think I married Sif?" That made Astrid snort a laugh of agreement as Golwen's tinkling chuckle sounded through the connection. Meaning that the enchantress could still hear everything Thor and Astrid were saying.
Rolling her eyes in exasperation as Stormfly continued to laugh at her, Astrid grumbled again before focusing back on the bowl. "Why, exactly, did we let Thor hold the magical bowl," she asked Golwen.
"Because he would have cried like a little girl if we hadn't," Golwen drawled back. Surprising Astrid with the unusually casual language. Although, she supposed that someone's 'thought-voice' likely wouldn't need to be as proper as their spoken words. The dragon's certainly weren't...
"Believe me, no one wants to deal with that kind of drama," Golwen added with a chuckle that made Astrid giggle. Astrid could practically envision the enchantress rolling her own eyes too. Thor barked out a laugh at that, and Astrid could almost feel his shrug of acceptance.
"Okay, so we know it works. Unfortunately... I'm going to cut the connection now, you guys. Meet back at the house?" Astrid inquired with another laugh. They both agreed, and Astrid felt another slight tingle run through her fingers as the magic died down. Her and Stormfly giving a joyful yell and performing a couple graceful loops in celebration before heading back towards the tree house.
Once they got back, Astrid decided her best option was to seek help from Thor now for the next part. After all, he was the only blacksmith left in the house. She described to him exactly what she wanted, and he agreed with a grin. Heading off to the workshop as the women went outside to spar. Using strictly magic instead of weapons today. Astrid still on a high from their earlier success and feeling pretty confident in herself.
As Astrid blocked a well aimed freezing jinx Sif aimed at her legs, she called up a fire ball and lobbed it at Golwen. The enchantress throwing up a ward to deflect it back. Forcing Astrid to flip out of the way before it struck her in the chest. At the same time, Sif summoned a huge boulder and hurled it at Astrid while she was distracted. Noticing it too late, Astrid was forced to call on her enhancement affinity to avoid being crushed to death. Catching the boulder with a small grunt as the waves of magic pulsed through her muscles. Feeling like an intense stretch.
With a sudden inspiration, Astrid boosted her power to near-goddess level for a brief moment as she pressed her hands together harder to smash it instead of simply throwing it back. Raising the smaller rocks into the air with a muttered spell, she then launched those at the two women. As they both cast hurried spells to block the unexpected barrage of multiple projectiles, Astrid summoned up the wind. Causing gusts of fallen leaves to surround and blind Golwen and Sif. Conjuring a set of ropes during the chaos, Astrid sent them flying towards Sif now. They wrapped around her legs and arms, making her stumble as she struggled against them for a moment before dropping to the ground.
Astrid had just started to congratulate herself when she felt a sudden tug at her ankle. Before she could react, she was hoisted into the air by one leg and left to dangle as Golwen smirked at her. "Excellent job, Astrid. Never let yourself get distracted by a victory though," Golwen reminded her. "Just because one opponent is down does not mean that the rest are." Then she waved a hand and released the magic in a flash of purple. Astrid only barely managing to flip around and land in a crouch instead of face-planting into the dirt, just as Thor walked out of the house.
"Wow. That was quick," Astrid exclaimed in surprise.
"You know, that has got to be the first time a woman has ever said that to me," Thor replied cheekily. Choking out a laugh and rolling her eyes, Astrid muttered a spell to vanish the ropes around Sif before helping the woman to her feet.
"Honestly, I just can't get over the fact that you are already holding your own against multiple opponents in a magical spar. Not to mention the way you crushed that boulder into pebbles! The strength that would take. I mean, it's just... unprecedented," Sif stated quietly. A distinct tone of awe in her voice as she gazed past Astrid to meet Golwen's eyes.
"Well, Astrid is not like anyone that we have encountered before," Golwen offered with a shrug. Coming to stand beside them. "I am quite sure that Aldanil would have been blowing us all away too, but he was already trained when Ilweran found him. I, myself, am constantly amazed at the ridiculous displays of power Aldanil is capable of and I doubt he has even let us see the full extent of it."
"I know what you mean," Sif agreed. "Hiccup has been incredible right from the start, and he has only gotten more powerful with each passing year. I can still remember the ridiculously strong aura of that man when he first arrived in Asgard. Tall, handsome, and incredibly dangerous. I was there that day, and you should have heard the ladies of the court talking about him." Sif's blue eyes met Astrid's then as she added, "believe me. You are certainly not alone in being attracted to both of them."
Astrid was saved having to think up a response when Thor suddenly called out, "tall, handsome, and dangerous. You ladies wouldn't happen to be gossiping about me, would you?"
"Of course not babe," Sif called back. Shooting Astrid and Golwen a devious grin before clarifying, "we were talking about Hiccup and Ilweran."
"Figures," Thor grumbled as he meandered closer. "I mean, even I kind of want to take a tumble between the sheets with them, and I can honestly say that I have never wanted to do that with a man. Ever. It is rather disturbing, to be honest," he pointed out with a shudder. "You know, there was a time when women desired me too," he added with an eye roll. "I guess this is what happens when you become a decrepit old mule deer. All the young bucks move in to take your herd." All three ladies burst out laughing and shook their heads at Thor. He simply smirked and held up his hand in response.
Two silver pendants on leather chords were dangling from his fist and a tiny silver disc was pinched between his fingers. Glistening in the golden sunlight. With a squeal of delight now, Astrid ran over to meet him. Taking the pendants and looking at them excitedly before throwing her arms around him in thanks. Actually making the thunder god stumble with the force of her enthusiasm. "You're welcome, princess," Thor chuckled as he hugged her back. "I mean, Hiccup probably could have made them prettier, but..." he trailed off with a shrug and Astrid stepped back and swatted him in the chest with a laugh.
"Don't be ridiculous! They're perfect," she gushed. The other two women coming over to take a look at the necklaces as well. One a stylized panther with glinting green eyes and its mouth open in a roar. Lips pulled back menacingly as it bared its impressive fangs at some invisible foe. The other was a beautifully intricate wolf with golden eyes slitted partially closed. Its head tipped back as if baying at the moon. The carefully carved wisps of fur looking perfectly soft enough to run your fingers through. The amount of detail in them was breathtaking, and she felt a huge smile split her cheeks. They really were absolutely perfect! Just like her boys.
Astrid hugged Thor again before rushing into the house as the others laughed behind her. It might be rude, but she was too excited to care. Heading into the workshop, she grabbed the athame and a candle off the side shelf before plopping herself down at the workbench. Laying both the new necklaces on it tenderly along with the tiny silver disc. Lighting the candle with a snap of her fingers, she ran the athame's blade through it three times. Muttering the purification spells that Golwen had taught her.
Satisfied, she proceeded to carve the communication rune into each of the pendants and the disc. Then she held each one in her hands and muttered the ancient spell over them. Feeling the small drain on her reserves each time. At the end of it, she was left feeling tired for the first time since she had discovered her new powers. Not that it bothered her. She was way too happy for that. Taking off her own delicate silver amulet, she carefully unhooked the metal clasp before sliding the plain silver disc onto the chain and closing it again.
A giddy sense of accomplishment was washing over her as she slid her necklace back on and tucked it safely back beneath her tunic. Then she wrapped the other two carefully in pieces of silk that she had gotten from Golwen. One green and one gold. Cradling the little bundles, Astrid rushed upstairs to hide the pendants. Placing them at the bottom of one of her drawers of clothing, and patting them lovingly before making her way back downstairs. As she rejoined the others in the main room for dinner, Astrid couldn't help wondering just where her boys were and what they were up to right now.
*
The grasping fingers of shadow honestly felt like death. Reminding Ilweran strongly of rotting corpses grabbing at him with dead hands, and he fought back a shudder as he and Tintallë flew through the pitch black gateway. An odd sort of pressure weighing down his chest and stealing his breath away. It truly felt as if he was suffocating and he struggled futilely to draw a breath. His mind instinctually panicking. Before he could get really concerned about it though, they were emerging out the other side into an unexpected world of dark beauty as his lungs filled with precious air again. Looking around in relief, Ilweran felt his jaw drop.
They were hovering over a wide courtyard, complete with flickering torchlight and splashing fountain. Rainbow crystals of light dancing within the water. Small benches and softly glowing lamps of green and white were scattered here and there. Strange black trees with mysteriously dancing red leaves sprouting up around them. The ruby red foliage shining faintly as it knocked together with an oddly crystalline tinkling, as if the trees were shivering. Flower beds overflowing with pungent night blooming flowers decorated the spaces in between with tasteful disorder.
Beyond this bright area of mystical light and colour, Ilweran could see ghostly spectres lurking in the icy mist. Seeming to follow some sort of grey stone road that wound its serpentine way though the endless expanse of the afterlife until disappearing into the gloom. At the end of the road nearest them was the golden roofed bridge of Gjallarbrú. The tall and willowy form of Modgud in her long black robe watching over the newly departed souls seeking entry across the bridge over the wide river of Gjöll. The choppy iron grey waters looking cold and dangerous as it churned its way through the formless landscape.
Modgud turned in interest at the presence of new arrivals, before waving a friendly greeting in the direction of the two Riders. Without even pausing to think about it, Ilweran waved back. Catching himself off guard with the ease of the action. Wasn't Helheim supposed to be loaded with vicious and bloodthirsty monsters?! Not pleasantly cheerful bridge guardians.
He could feel a strange wind battering his face, despite the fact that the air should be still. Looking around in confusion, Ilweran caught the shape of a truly enormous eagle through the gently swirling fog. Aimlessly flapping its impressive wings in a slow and steady rhythm as its sharp yellow eyes scoured the lands below. From what he had learned of Niflheim, that must be Hraesvelg. Though Ilweran had never imagined that the giant eagle would be quite so... giant...
Now he wondered, if he peered far enough in the right direction, would he be able to see Nidhogg? Even if Nastrond was incredibly far away, a monster that was able to feast on the World Tree must be positively titanic in size. That, and Ilweran could certainly see the hulking shapes of other massive monsters stumping around far beyond the wards. The combination of high walls, Gjoll River, and runic magic keeping them at bay. Nothing in, nothing out. That was the way it was supposed to work, at least.
Completely awestruck, Ilweran turned back towards the fortress in front of them again. Everything from the surrounding fence and fountain, to the gleaming walls of the towering palace was made of the same black and green stone as the entrance gateway. Polished smooth and reflecting the light of the lamps and torches. Enhancing the glittering diamond-like structures embedded within the stone and making them seem like dancing waves of green water. It was absolutely breathtaking. It also felt unreasonably inviting, given the location. Ilweran could easily picturing himself sitting on one of the benches beneath the fluttering trees, immersed in a good book.
"Not what you expected from the realm of the dead," came Hiccup's slightly sarcastic drawl from beside him. Shaking Ilweran out of the trance he seemed to have fallen under. Glancing over at his brother to find a lopsided smirk on his face, all Ilweran could do was shake his head. "Everyone appreciates beauty bro, and Hel has had a long time to decorate," Hiccup added with a laugh. Then he and Toothless were gliding silently down to land in the courtyard and Ilweran had no choice but to follow.
Jumping down from the saddle, Ilweran found himself following Hiccup through the gardens towards the main entrance. He and Tintallë both staring around in awe at the unexpectedly massive trees that had seemed much smaller from above. As they got nearer, Ilweran allowed his gaze to wander over the palace of stone in front of them. The immense doors decorated with more of the shining silver runes and scrollwork. A large pile of what looked to be red leaves from the trees mounded beside the steps.
As they neared it, the mound suddenly started to shift. A deep bass growl issuing from it that shook the ground and chilled Ilweran straight to his core as hot, putrid breath swirled around him. What he had taken to be leaves was actually a ridiculously massive wolf. At least forty feet tall at the shoulder with a shaggy coat the colour of clotted blood. The fur seemingly wet and matted in places. Huge orangey-yellow eyes glaring hungrily at the approaching group as three foot long teeth dripped saliva in ropey strands.
Ilweran could feel Tintallë readying herself for a fight. Knew that there would be steam dancing over her scales, and he made to reach for Menelmacil. Before he could though, Hiccup suddenly spoke. "Hey Garmr! It is me, buddy."
Just like that, the savage mound of muscle, fur, and teeth became a gigantic simpering puppy. The vicious snarl changing to a ridiculous smile as its massive pink tongue lolled out comically. Leaning its head down to sniff at Hiccup as he reached up to scratch behind its huge, floppy ears. A low grumble of pleasure rumbling through its chest now.
"Sorry for waking you from your nap," Hiccup apologized with a chuckle. The beast giving him a disgruntled huff of agreement before gazing past him to where Ilweran stood rooted to the spot. Mouth hanging slightly open. Hiccup just shook his head with a laugh. "Get over here scaredy-cat. He needs to know your scent if he is to keep from killing you in the future."
Ilweran just stared at his brother for a moment. Sure that he had lost his mind. You do not just offer your hand to the hound of Hel, unless you want to lose that hand! Hiccup just continued to gaze at him with that lopsided smirk on his face. A glimmer of challenge in his eyes.
Grumbling to himself, and somehow convincing his legs to move, Ilweran finally took a step closer to the wolf. Then another. Tintallë's unease flooding through the bond and nearly making him turn around and run. Where would he go though? He was trapped in Helheim until Hiccup got him back out.
Once he was near enough, Ilweran held his left hand out to be sniffed. Sure that he was never going to see it again, and cursing his decision to come here in the first place. When Garmr looked at the offered hand and began to lean towards it, Ilweran actually turned his head away. Not wanting to watch his own appendage get gobbled up. Gods, was this how Tyr had felt during the binding of Fenrir?!
There was a brief pause. Warm breath from the beast's nose wafting over his skin as the impossibly loud sound of avid sniffing filled the otherwise silent air. Then Ilweran felt something wet and warm pressed against his hand. Very wet, and very warm. The texture slightly ridged and bumpy. It actually felt like...
Chancing a peak, Ilweran felt a tremor of surprise run through him instead before he burst out laughing. The terrifying wolf had his nose pressed against Ilweran's hand as he gazed at him with huge puppy dog eyes. "Well, that was unexpected," Ilweran chuckled. Reaching out with his other hand now to scratch the dog's fur. The feel of it the perfect blend of rough and smooth. Much like a regular wolf. "I was sure I was about to kiss my hand goodbye."
"Pfft," Hiccup scoffed. "As if he would simply eat your hand. If Garmr was going to kill you, it would have happened already. Right boy?" The wolf seemed to growl in acknowledgement of that. Nuzzling against Hiccup and Toothless again before laying back down. Curling up in a ball with his nose buried in his bushy tail.
Hiccup and Toothless both rasped laughs at Ilweran's startled expression before starting up the wide steps towards the open front doors. Sharing a brief glance, Ilweran and Tintallë started up behind them. Shooting another look back at the unexpectedly gentle and now slumbering mound of fur on their way. So much for their first encounter with a real 'monster' of Helheim...
Entering through the doors, they stepped into a brightly lit and surprisingly grand foyer. Complete with vast crystal chandelier overhead that was throwing an oddly soothing green light down on everything. Silver brackets carrying torches of green and gold fire flickered on the walls amidst yet more of the magical, yet decorative, scrollwork. There were hallways and staircases branching off in almost every direction, and Ilweran found himself turning in circles like an idiot as he tried to take it all in. Honestly, anyone watching would think that it was his first time in a palace.
"So, where do we go from here," Ilweran asked when he found his voice again. "Where is everyone, and where are all the other monsters?"
"No idea," Hiccup answered with an easy shrug. Ilweran gaping at him in shock at his casual tone. "Probably in the dining room or the library, or both. We may have to wander around to find them, as the runes make it hard to track individual sparks of magic within the walls. I am sure that Hel already knows that I am here though. Nothing happens here without her knowing about it, and she will likely find us first to be honest..."
Just then, there was a scuffling sound from one of the hallways behind them and Hiccup cut off abruptly. Glancing over Ilweran's shoulder and his eyes got wider. Slightly nervous, Ilweran made to follow Hiccup's gaze, but before he could turn all the way around, he was suddenly hit by something that honestly felt like two fury boulders. The force of the blow making him huff out all the air in his lungs as he was taken to the ground. Tintallë growled and started forward, but Toothless snapped at her and held a wing out.
Ilweran had no idea what had hit him, but the smell of wet dog was invading his nostrils. Setting him instantly back on guard after the run-in with Garmr outside. Without even having to think about it, his battle training kicked in and he was twisting out from under the heavy creatures. Rolling back to his feet, Ilweran reached for his sword again. Before he could grab it, there was a flash of green and a sharp pain seared through his hand. Making him hiss out a breath through his teeth and pull his hand back quickly.
Glancing at Hiccup in surprise, Ilweran saw a grim smile on the man's face. "Consider that your one and only warning shot," Hiccup stated smoothly. Then he casually stepped between Ilweran and whatever the beasts were that had attacked him. "Hati, Skol," he said in the stern voice that one would use on children. "What have I said about pouncing? That is not how we greet visitors."
"Sorry Uncle Hiccup," two gruff voices chorused then. The stout creatures clambering upright before lunging at Hiccup now. Wrapping their sturdy arms around him in a tight hug. Without a moment's hesitation, Hiccup hugged the beasts back.
The unexpectedly tender gesture shook Ilweran out of his stunned and battle-ready state as everything flooded in on him at once. Looking closer, he realized that the creatures that had attacked him were actually two burly young men that seemed to be about eighteen years of age. At a little over five and a half feet tall, they were short and compact. Incredibly muscular, with sparsely scruffy beards gracing their rather heavy jaws and bedraggled ginger hair hanging past their shoulders in a tangled mass.
When they released Hiccup and stepped back from him, they set their gazes on Ilweran again. Despite their slight difference in height, their remarkably similar facial features, including their bright yellow eyes, made him strongly suspect that these two were twins. Then he suddenly remembered what Hiccup had called them. "Hati and Skol..." Ilweran started slowly, and Hiccup turned slightly to meet his gaze.
"Yes," he said coolly. Brow raised as if daring Ilweran to say more. When Ilweran remained silent however, Hiccup gestured vaguely between the three of them. "Ilweran, meet the twins. The slightly taller one is Hati, and the more talkative one is Skol. Twins, this is Ilweran Lerinasson. The Prince of the Elves, and my big brother."
The two sturdy young men stepped forward then and offered Ilweran what could only be seen as a bow. Even if there was a somewhat animalistic quality to it. "Nice to meet you, your highness," they both chorused in unison. Looking up out of the side of their eyes and meeting his gaze with slightly bashful expressions now as they folded their clawed hands behind their backs.
"Sorry for pouncing on you, sir," the one that had to be Skol added then. "We didn't know you were a prince, and Uncle Hiccup says it's not nice to greet people like that. No matter who they are." They both shrugged and rolled their eyes at that. As if they thought that 'Uncle Hiccup' was just overreacting. "Nobody EVER comes to visit though and the others never want to play! It gets so boring," Skol finished with an exaggerated moan. Hati nodding vigorously in agreement.
Their behaviour and their mannerisms reminded Ilweran strongly of children, and he found himself staring at them for a long moment. These two stalky young men that bore a definite resemblance to the wolves they were supposed to be, but also carried such an air of childlike innocence that it called to the father in him more than anything else. The moment he realized that, Ilweran burst out laughing. "That is alright boys," he chuckled. "I am a prince, not a flower, and I am really not that delicate. I just was not expecting it. That was a pretty good job of pouncing though, you two. You caught me completely by surprise which is never easy to do."
The boys grinned at him in obvious pride. Displaying wide mouths filled with rather sharp teeth. Then, just like toddlers, they swooped in and wrapped their arms around Ilweran's waist as well. Catching him by surprise again for a brief moment, before he chuckled and hugged them back. "Next time, give me some warning first," Ilweran teased as he released them. "And call me Ilweran please, boys. I hate all that 'your highness' stuff. Gross..." He grimaced as if he had just eaten something distasteful, and the two men laughed in response as their smiles got even wider.
"Okay Uncle Illy," they said at the same time. Reminding him strongly of Ilmara, and Minden when she had been a small child, and his heart warmed to them instantly. Who could deny the affection of children? Even if those children looked like grown men, they clearly were not mentally. He met Hiccup's eyes then and saw his friend smirking widely at the use of the awful nick-name. Ilweran just rolled his eyes with a shrug, but let it slide.
"Alright you two," Hiccup chimed in then. Reaching out to muss the twins' already messy hair and making them squeal and dance away from him. "Leave 'Uncle Illy' alone for now. Where are the others?"
"In the library," Skol answered brightly. Hati grimacing in distaste at the thought, and Ilweran had to bite back a grin.
"Thank you Skol," Hiccup replied with a laugh as he mussed Hati's tangled mane again. Causing the young man to bat him away with a small growl. "We are going to go visit with the others, but I am quite sure that the dragons would be happy to play with you. As long as you play outside, that is," he added pointedly.
"Okay," they both chorused excitedly. Smiling hugely at Hiccup and Ilweran and hugging them both again before taking off towards the massive doors to the courtyard. Calling to Toothless as they went. The two dragons promptly turned tail and loped excitedly out after them without so much as a backwards glance. With a chuckle and a shake of his head, Hiccup gestured for Ilweran to follow him towards one of the staircases instead.
Once he was sure that the twins were out of earshot, Ilweran glanced over at Hiccup again. "They are not what I expected them to be," he told his friend honestly. "Are they not the offspring of the dreaded Fenrir though? Destined to devour the sun and moon during Ragnarok? I will admit that they do not seem incredibly dangerous, but would it not be better to destroy them now? Before Ragnarok comes?"
"Oh, they are certainly dangerous," Hiccup replied easily. "They are maturing incredibly slowly mentally, but they are as powerful as their father physically. Perhaps we should just go back downstairs and kill them right now. Before they have the chance to give us a reason to." Then Hiccup paused and turned to face Ilweran full on. "If your mother had told you that you had to devour the sun or risk her disappointment when you were five years of age, what would you have done?"
"I would have done my damnedest to devour the sun," Ilweran answered without thinking. Then he paused too as his own words crashed over him. Finally meeting his friend's green gaze, Ilweran offered an embarrassed grimace. After all, he had basically just suggested that they kill innocent children because of the possible future sins of their parents. A truly monstrous idea, no matter how you looked at it and who those children were. Which made Ilweran the real monster here. "Point well made, brother," he added as he cast his eyes down in shame at himself.
"They have accepted you as part of their pack now," Hiccup informed him bluntly. "As such, they will be loyal to you until the end. Do not abuse such a gift by assuming that you know what the future will hold." Then Hiccup simply patted Ilweran on the shoulder before continuing on up the staircase and down a large corridor on the left. Halfway along which was a set of wide double doors. Immaculately carved out of some sort of dark wood with bright silver fixtures.
Hiccup turned to him with a devious grin now. "You wait here," he said cryptically. Then he pushed open the doors and walked out into the room before Ilweran had the chance to ask why. He suddenly heard a woman's excited voice greeting Hiccup warmly, followed by the distinguished voice of a well-spoken man.
"Welcome back," the man stated brightly. "I did not expect the God of Death to grace us with his glorious presence again so soon," he added in a clearly teasing tone. "Why are you not out stealing the hearts and souls of innocent young maidens instead? They do tend to throw their virtue at your feet, man. I have never understood why you deny them."
What?! They know that Hiccup is the Dark God?! Ilweran felt his eyebrows raise slightly in surprise at the easy familiarity between Hiccup and these people. Clearly he had been here many times before. Ilweran also couldn't keep from feeling slightly miffed. He, himself, had only recently learned about Hiccup being the Dark God, yet these people talked about it as if it was old news. Just how long had he been on Loki's side anyways?
He was shaken from his musings by the sound of Hiccup's sarcastic drawl. "We all know that neither the hearts nor the souls of innocent young maidens hold any pull for these dangerous loins. Only a true goddess of darkness could sway this savage beast, and there are not many of those beyond Urdarbrunnr." Ilweran could practically sense Hiccup's smirk as he danced around the joking question like a pro, and there was a chorus of laughs in return. "Is anyone else here though," Hiccup added then.
"Not today," came a women's soft voice. "I actually even gave most of the servants the day off, aside from a few kitchen staff. Though I can't for the life of me figure out what the dead do with a day off. Especially since they can't exactly leave," the woman giggled. Two male voices laughing along with her.
"Excellent," Hiccup replied. A grin still in his voice. "I have some news about our missing human. Also, I brought you a surprise Beautiful," he added brightly.
The lilt of musical humour in his voice and words made it blatantly obvious that he was still speaking to Hel. Ilweran couldn't help wondering if the use of the pet-name 'Beautiful' meant that there was something between Hel and Hiccup. After all, didn't Ilweran himself refer to Astrid by the same name. Was Hel the second girlfriend, perhaps?
"Oh, really," came Hel's trill of excitement. "What is it?"
"Something else that sorely tempts the virtue of many a young maiden," Hiccup offered with a chuckle. Deciding to ask Hiccup about his relationship with Hel later, Ilweran assumed that this was his cue. Taking a steadying breath, and vowing to deck Hiccup for that jibe once they were out of here, Ilweran walked around the corner and into the room.
The first thing he noticed was the sheer size of the library. It was multiple stories tall, and had innumerable shelves of books lining every wall. Silver ladders on casters were staggered on each level, and plush chairs of leather were scattered about beside a vast fireplace. Complete with cozy fire crackling away within. The next thing he noticed were the two people standing with Hiccup. One was a tall and slender man with an athletic build. Shoulder length black hair framed his angular face as his intelligent grey eyes studied the newcomer closely. His features reminding Ilweran strongly of Loki, but the eyes were definitely Sigyn's.
The other was a woman. She would be slightly shorter than Astrid, but she was still tall for a non-elf. The figure beneath the simple wrap-style black dress she wore was slender, yet curvy, and her long black hair fell in gentle waves down her back and over one side of her remarkably pretty face. The slightly scarred and greyish skin that he could see covering one half of her body did not really diminish her appearance the way one would expect. She just seemed so very alive, that it honestly served to make her more intriguing.
The bright blue eye on the visible side of her face was staring back at him in complete and utter shock, however. "Hi," Ilweran offered with a small wave. Feeling rather awkward all of a sudden.
She stared at him for a moment longer. Then she squealed. Her hands coming up to clutch at her mouth with giddy excitement as she gaped between Ilweran and Hiccup. Ilweran arched a brow in confusion as he met Hiccup's gaze, but his friend just smirked at him.
"Oh. My. Gods," Hel said slowly, once she had found her voice again. "You actually brought him! Is it my birthday?! Oh my gods! Quick, somebody pinch me!"
Ilweran was even more confused at that, as Hiccup just started laughing at his dumbfounded expression. "Hel may or may not have something of a crush on you, your highness," Hiccup teased. His eyes shining with humour as Hel scowled and punched him.
"Oh my gods, Hiccup," she gasped as her visible cheek flushed pink. "You don't just tell people things like that! Now he's going to run away, and I'll never get to talk to him, and you know I've been watching him for three hundred years, and now he's here, and..." Then she abruptly cut herself off as she realized just what she had said. Clasping one hand over her mouth again in horror as she peeked at Ilweran from behind her hair. "Please forget I said that..." she moaned softly. Voice muffled by her palm.
Struggling to hold back a laugh, Ilweran sauntered forward. Leaning down and grasping her other hand, he brought it to his mouth. Pressing a gentle kiss to it before meeting her blue eye with a smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, my dear," he offered. Trying to dispel her embarrassment. "I assume that you are Hel Lokisdaughter. I must say, I did not realize that I had such a lovely lady waiting to meet me down here. Although, if you have been watching me, then you should already know that I never run away from beautiful women," he added with a wink. Watching her flush pink again as a small smile replaced the grimace twisting her lips.
"Dear gods," the other man spouted then. "Is charming the undergarments off of ladies something that they teach you handsome bastards up on the top tiers, or is it just part and parcel with being an elf?"
Hiccup snorted a laugh, and Ilweran couldn't help joining in as he turned to face the speaker. "Believe me, we are not all so gifted with words up there. Many on the upper tiers could not even charm the underpants off of a troll. Not that you would want to, but still," he added jokingly as the man who had to be Vali snorted a laugh of his own now. Grinning, Ilweran offered his hand to the man. "Ilweran Lerinasson, but I am sure that you already knew that."
"Wild elven playboy prince and most sought after bachelor in all the realms for nearly four hundred years until Hiccup came along and forced you to share the coveted title," the man replied with a chuckle. "Who does not know of you," he stated with an eye roll. "Vali Lokisson. Pleasure to make your acquaintance," he added as he grasped Ilweran's hand in a firm handshake.
"Likewise," Ilweran smiled back. After the introductions, they all settled into seats by the fire. Hel choosing one right beside Ilweran, as Hiccup began to explain about what they had learned from Viggo.
Vali was listening intently to Hiccup, and asking impressively intuitive questions. Hel, on the other hand, was more focused on the man beside her. Ilweran could feel her staring at him and inching closer to him as Hiccup spoke, but he pretended not to notice. At least he now understood Hiccup's vague question about a second girlfriend of the half-dead variety... he thought. Suppressing a chuckle while wondering vaguely how jealous Astrid would be right now. Despite the fact that they were nothing more than friends.
When Hiccup mentioned the amulet though, Hel seemed to snap out of her lusty trance. Turning to Hiccup, she arched a brow at him. "You say the amulet appears to be made of methril?" When he nodded in response, she sat forward in her seat. "Did you happen to bring it with you, by chance?"
"Of course I did," Hiccup replied with a laugh. "I thought that you might want to look at it." He removed the amulet from his pocket and passed it over to her. Hel taking it and studying it closely as Hiccup added, "we were also hoping that you might be able to give us some idea as to where it may have come from."
Hel flipped the thing over a few times and ran the fingers of her scarred hand over the engravings. "You're absolutely right," she said distractedly. "This metal is definitely methril, which means that this certainly did not originate in Midgard. If you are willing to leave it with me, I can probably figure out where it started its journey. Though I cannot tell you exactly who gave it to the human, or even how it made its way to Midgard in the first place." She gave a delicate lift of shoulders as she passed the amulet over to her half-brother. The look on her face distinctly grumpy.
Assuming that she was just as upset at being foiled by a human as the rest of them were, Ilweran reached out to place a hand over hers. "Even having a starting point would be of great help at this point," he supplied kindly. Hel turning to smile at him gratefully as she placed her other hand on his. Noting the dramatic difference in temperature between the two appendages with mild interest, Ilweran made to pull his hand back then, but she was holding onto it with a surprisingly strong grip. Of course he could have still pulled his hand away with a bit of force, but that felt rude. Looking over, he met Hiccup's gaze then. His brother shooting him a smirk, and Ilweran suppressed a sigh as he rolled his eyes discreetly.
"It is made in the old style. I have not seen one like this in well over five thousand years. I will look through the archives and see if I can find any trace of such an amulet changing hands," Vali offered then as he studied it now. "It may be a bit of a long shot, but I seriously doubt that many of these have made their way across the boundary lines." The four of them dived into speculation about the amulet then.
As they spoke, Ilweran was surprised to find that he quite liked both of Loki's children. Much like the wolf twins and Garmr, these two were nothing like Ilweran had been raised to believe. They were not monsters by any definition of the word. Vali was a refined and highly intelligent man. His understated good looks and stately bearing meaning that he would have no trouble mingling with the upper classes of any realm. If he was in the upper tiers, he would likely have his pick of the ladies, and be a welcome dinner guest amongst the courtiers.
Hel was vibrant, feminine, and bubbly. Possessing of a beautiful figure and pleasing features on the living half of her face that seemed to light up with her excitement. It was impossible to resist being drawn in by the animated way she spoke. It was also incredibly obvious that, as an exile her entire life, she was desperate for affection. She was still holding onto Ilweran's hand as she talked, and continuing to inch minutely closer. Then, without warning, she slowly leant the rest of the way into his neck. Her cheek resting on his shoulder and her nose brushing against his skin gently as she sniffed him.
Ilweran tensed in surprise. Barely resisting the urge to jump out of his seat, he simply glanced down at her instead. Embarrassed, Hel suddenly sat back in her chair as her cheeks went straight to scarlet. Her vibrant blue eye looking positively mortified. "Oh my gods. I'm so sorry. I don't even know what came over me. You just smell so good, and you're so warm and I couldn't help it, and..." she stammered. Releasing his hand finally so that she could clasp hers over her face again.
Looking over at his brother, Hiccup and Ilweran locked eyes. Then they both burst out laughing. "It is not your fault, my dear," Ilweran chortled then. Meeting Hel's gaze again. "That really is just an elf thing. My face, my body, and my smell are all perfectly designed to draw you in. As you can see, they are exceptionally effective at it. I am sure Hiccup has drawn you in, in much the same way. Do not be ashamed by it," he added with a reassuring smile.
"It is the truth," Hiccup added with a grin of his own as Hel grimaced at the two of them now. "Being elves, I can assure you that we are incredibly used to it by now. On that note though, we should probably get going before Ilweran gets himself in trouble," he added with a sly wink and Ilweran grumbled in response. Barely resisting the urge to make a rude gesture at his friend.
It wasn't like Ilweran really owed Astrid any sort of loyalty in that way, but he still couldn't fathom fooling around with anyone else anyways. Didn't even want to. Not just because it would upset Astrid and make her jealous, either. Although the idea of hurting Astrid was honestly still incredibly distasteful to him. "We still need to make one more stop before we head back to Alfheim anyways," Hiccup finished with a chuckle at Ilweran's obvious discomfort.
"Oh, can't you stay just a little longer," Hel asked quietly. Her eyes resting on Ilweran's face hungrily again, and making him bite back on another laugh instead.
"It is not goodbye forever," Hiccup told her with a grin. Rising from his chair at the same time as Ilweran. The other two following suit shortly after. "I will bring him back with me next time I come to visit. We really do need to get back though," he added with a glance at Ilweran.
"But you only just got here," Hel moaned. Reaching out to grab onto Ilweran's tunic jokingly as Vali started laughing. The latter shooting Ilweran a mildly sympathetic look as he rolled his eyes. Ilweran offered him a grin and a shrug in response. Hel ignored them both.
Still clutching Ilweran, she glanced over at Hiccup. "Are you really going to take him away from me so soon, Hiccup?! You know how long I've waited for this. Can't you just leave him here for a while, and then come back for him later. Like, perhaps a century or two? Or three? You promised that I could play with him..."
"I promised nothing of the sort," Hiccup laughed lightly in response. "That is not really up to me though. I suppose if he wants to be played with, then I probably could just leave him here and come back for him later," he joked. Shooting a devious glance at Ilweran.
"I dare you to try it," Ilweran drawled back before flashing a wicked smirk at Hiccup. Receiving a grumbled sigh in return.
Turning his attention back to the woman in front of him, Ilweran found her gazing up at him with huge doe-eyes that would tug at any man's heartstrings. "You aren't really ready to leave, are you," she asked imploringly. Her bangs falling back with her tilted head as both her bright blue and her clouded orb cut him to the quick. The open plea in them hard to miss. Huffing a sigh, he reached up to gently remove her fingers from his tunic. Holding her hands in his for a moment instead as he met her eyes.
"I am sorry, my dear," Ilweran started gently. "Unfortunately, I cannot stay." He locked eyes with Hiccup again for another moment. Receiving a barely perceptible nod in return. "You see, one of the most sought after bachelors in all the realms is not really a bachelor anymore. I happen to have a rather beautiful woman waiting for me back on Alfheim, and I doubt she would be very pleased with me if I stayed down here instead of returning to her."
"She would be super pissed bro," Hiccup supplied with a chuckle. Surprising Ilweran slightly with the lack of resentment in his voice, and he glanced at his brother with an arched brow. Hiccup offered Ilweran a small smirk and an eye roll in response as he added blandly, "though extremely beautiful, she also happens to be rather temperamental and violent. If I leave him down here, I will likely suffer a very painful death for it." Ilweran barked out a laugh at that as he grinned at Hiccup now. Receiving another eye roll in response.
"She really is rather violent," Ilweran told Hel with a shrug when she gazed between the two of them questioningly. "More like a wildcat than anything else. As such, now that she has been allowed to sink her claws in, I am afraid that I am at her mercy until she decides to let me go."
"Oh..." Hel's face fell noticeably as her voice trailed off now. "Being trapped down here sucks. By the time I meet anyone, it's already too late. They're either dead, not interested in love, or already spoken for," she grumbled sadly. Dropping her eyes to the floor then, and Ilweran felt oddly terrible for hurting someone that he had only just met. Someone that he would never in a million years have imagined ever could or would have a thing for him.
At least it was painfully obvious that Hel's crush was of the girlishly innocent and genuine variety, and not the money and status grabbing kind. Placing a gentle finger under her chin, Ilweran pulled her face back up to meet his eyes. "I am sorry my dear. If she ever tires of me, you shall be the first to know," he teased. Hel choked out a laugh then as a small smile lifted her lips.
"I doubt she will, but I'll hold you to it," she shot back. Then she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Laughing as well, Ilweran hugged her back. Brushing her bangs aside and pressing a gentle kiss to her cold and scarred grey cheek that made her flush bright scarlet again before stepping away. Then he shook hands with Vali while Hiccup hugged Hel goodbye before kissing her cheek as well. The other two following them back downstairs and out into the courtyard where they found the twins and the dragons curled up together under one of the softly glowing trees.
At the presence of their Riders, the two huge dragons looked up. "Come on sleepyheads," Hiccup laughed. "I know you guys probably played pretty hard, but we still have one more stop before you two get to take a nap." Grumbling, Toothless and Tintallë unwound themselves from around the twins. The two young men simply yawning and rolling over to cuddle with each other instead.
Ilweran felt his heart warm again at the sight of them as he had a sudden fatherly yearning to take them inside and tuck them into bed. Hiccup seeming to read his thoughts and giving him a gentle smile and a nod. The two of them walked over and picked up the surprisingly heavy youths. "Those things were fun. Can we come back and play with them again soon," came Tintallë's chuckling voice in his mind then. The huge white dragon coming over to press her muzzle against Hati's forehead once as Ilweran held him.
"I suppose so," Ilweran grinned back at her. "After we see how difficult it is to get back out of the Underworld that is," he added pointedly. Receiving a rasping chuckle in return before heading back across the courtyard with Hiccup. Carrying the twins up the steps and into the palace like a couple of oversized toddlers.
Hel and Vali led the way to the twins' shared bedroom then, and turned the sheets down on the beds for them. As Ilweran set Hati down gently and pulled the blankets back up around him, the young man rolled over and clutched his hand for a moment. Waking up just enough to mutter, "thanks Uncle Illy," before drifting back off to sleep.
"You are very welcome little man. Sleep tight," Ilweran muttered back. Feeling like his heart might explode. Giving the young wolf's hand a gentle squeeze and mussing his hair slightly as he glanced up in time to see Hiccup run a gentle hand through Skol's tangle of ginger hair too. A soft smile on his face as he gazed down at the slumbering man who still looked so childlike, despite his size.
"Gods, you're just as perfect as I thought you'd be. I already knew that Hiccup was perfect, but I never imagined that you two would be so godsdamn similar," Hel moaned quietly from the doorway. "I mean, it's just not fair to womankind," she added grumpily, and Ilweran turned around with a chuckle at that.
Offering her a shrug in return, Ilweran answered lightly, "I believe I have heard that somewhere before, yes." Then he grinned cheekily as he added, "how about you brother?" Hiccup choked back a laugh and smirked at him, before all of them headed outside again.
"So, how do we get out of here," Ilweran asked Hiccup now as they made their way down the front steps.
"Well, that is where it gets weird," he answered vaguely. "You will need some of my blood to get through the barrier, and it needs to be inside of you if Tintallë is going to get through as well." At Ilweran's raised brow, Hiccup rasped a laugh. "Do not worry brother. We do not have to blood-bind with each other or anything. Just a small flesh wound will do."
Coming to a stop beside their dragons, Hiccup pulled out one of his stilettos and held it against his palm. Then he gazed at Ilweran imploringly. "I will only cut my hand once. You know I heal fast bro, so if you want to get out of here, I suggest you do not spend overly long dwelling on it. Unless you are suddenly changing your mind about becoming Hel's play thing..." With that, Hiccup closed his eyes and scrunched his face up slightly. His black and purple mark flaring to life again before he drew the blade across his palm. Leaving a deep gash in its wake as the blood started to well up.
Faint flickers of green and dark purple were dancing within the viscous liquid as Hiccup opened his eyes again to gaze at Ilweran with an arched brow. Those same eerie shadows dancing within the emerald. With a chuckle and a shake of his head, Ilweran flicked his wrist. Grabbing the knife from its holster and drawing it across his own palm before clasping hands with Hiccup. He had expected something to happen, but he had not known what. What he was not ready for was the sudden rush of barely contained power that flooded through him at the touch of Hiccup's blood.
A wave of icy cold started in his palm and proceeded to flow up his arm and into the rest of his body. It was not like the painful pins and needles of dark magic. It was more like the cold tendrils of the crawling shadows, except that they were inside of him. Pulsing with a weird sort of dangerous and animalistic energy that he had to extend impressive amounts of focus just to control, as it longed to burst out of him. He felt like he could probably do absolutely anything right now. Challenge gods, level mountains, destroy an entire village with one tantrum...
Ilweran had to wonder if this is what it always felt like to be the Dark God. No wonder Hiccup kept his anger reigned in so tightly most of the time. Mesmerized, Ilweran watched his palm seal itself back up now. Courtesy of Hiccup's temporarily borrowed powers. Feeling a searing hot pain shooting through his hand as the magic did its work, and it didn't bother him in the slightest. His brain was too overwhelmed for much else. "Does your blood do this to everyone," he couldn't help asking.
"No," Hiccup answered simply. "There are very few that could even withstand the magic to begin with. Most would either lose their minds or die. Not to mention that the power has to be shared willingly, which is not something that I am prone to partaking in. Especially since it feels so disturbingly intimate."
"I know what you mean," Ilweran muttered as the waves of icy power pulsed uncomfortably beneath his skin. Making him feel like Hiccup had become a part of him. He had wondered briefly what Hiccup meant by most not being able to withstand the magic, but the overwhelmingly potent sexual energy of Hiccup's power was disturbingly enticing, and trumped all other coherent thought. Ilweran was immediately horrified at the way it pulled him towards his brother. Giving an involuntary shudder, he backed up a step to give himself more space from the almost magnetic source of the magic.
Hiccup just chuckled in response. His horned dark moon mark fading back out of sight again. "Yeah, it does take a bit to get used to. Just keep your hands to yourself handsome and we should be fine. Oh, and try not to get angry or you might unintentionally destroy something," Hiccup said with a shrug as Ilweran gaped at him in mute shock now. "It will not last long though, so we should probably get going before it wears off," he added pointedly. Speechless, Ilweran simply nodded before leaping onto Tintallë as Hiccup got back on Toothless.
They both waved goodbye to Hel and Vali before taking off. Hiccup muttering a strange spell that sounded like it might be from the Rökkr Manuals, though Ilweran had not known the language could be spoken. Still, the words were definitely demonic in origin, judging by the oddly raspy and crackling sound of them. Almost like dancing flames as they devoured dry pine needles. Maybe he would ask Hiccup to teach him the language of shadows when they got home.
Just as he thought this, the gateway opened up in front of them. Shaking Ilweran from his musings. Without a word, Hiccup and Toothless soared straight through it with Ilweran and Tintallë tight on their tail. There was that same pressure on his chest, but the unfamiliar power flowing through his veins lessened the weight of it greatly. Allowing him to pass though with only limited discomfort at the touch of the deathly tendrils.
As they emerged back into the swampy world, Ilweran couldn't help mulling over everything that he had just seen. Everything that he had felt. The two of them making their way towards Bifröst in relative silence. Speaking occasionally, but Hiccup mostly left Ilweran to his thoughts.
Everything that he had been told and everything that he had thought to be true and real, was a lie. The solid footing that he had based his entire life's path on, had not been solid at all. For nearly four hundred years he had walked around with blinders on. Part of him doubting small portions of the tales, but never seeking out answers. Opting to follow despite his gut telling him that things were not as they appeared. Simply because he was too godsdamn scared to be even more different than he already was. Too scared to be labelled as a traitor
Who were the real traitors here, though? He had met the monsters now, and they had turned out not to be monsters at all. As far as he could tell, the only villain that he had met in Helheim today, had been him. That thought in itself was incredibly sobering. Ilweran honestly couldn't even recall most of the journey to Asgard. At some point, the cold magic had faded from his body, along with the feeling of unimaginable power. Instead of shaking him from his thoughts, it had only served to give Ilweran even more to think about. He had been so distracted by it all that he had missed the entire trip through both levels of the Void.
He cursed himself for being so out of it, before setting his thoughts aside for later as they arrived at the white marble and wrought gold gateway of Asgard. Coming out the other side, they bypassed the city of Asgard completely. Thankfully it was nighttime, so no one was likely to spot them. Staying high to avoid the bright orbs of light that lined streets covered in a fine dusting of powdery white snow. Making their silent way towards Loki's cave. Landing in the shadow of the cliff where the roiling river started, the two of them gazed up at Franang's Falls.
Ilweran couldn't pretend that it wasn't weird to be here with someone else. He had snuck here a fair few times over the last twenty years, but it was always alone. The ever present worry of being caught hanging over his shoulders. Though he was somewhat surprised to find that he wasn't so worried anymore. He was wiser and more skilled now, and he wasn't alone. He would not have to rely on stealth, cunning, and his abjuration affinity as he struggled to hold Odin's wards at bay.
With a slight smile twisting his lips at that thought, Ilweran watched as Hiccup simply waved away the immensely strong protection ward instead. Once again displaying just how powerful he was. They both jumped down then. Ilweran casting a concealment illusion over himself as Hiccup summoned up the darkness. Both of them becoming little more than shadows, before making their leisurely way up the path to the cave.
Ilweran had to admit, this was a much more enjoyable climb with the illusion masking him. Rather than trying to hurry and hope that he wasn't spotted as he scaled the cliff. Thankfully elves were quick, and his minor enhancement magic certainly helped, but it was nice to not need either of those things for a change. Reaching the dark opening, they both cast off their disguises. Grinning at each other before sauntering the rest of the way into the cave.
_
I'm sure it's not exactly what you all expected from Helheim, but that was the point. If it was a chaotic world of blood and violence, it would only stand to prove that Ilweran's original teachings were right all along. Now though, he is truly being forced to reassess everything that he thought he knew. About the larger picture, and about himself.
What do you think is going to be the end result of this trip?
*Also, for those who expected violence, that will be coming soon enough, but it will involve both our boys AND Astrid* Finally! :D