Before leaving to go into the woods, Hiccup wanted to know more about Zathrian, and with some help or direction from Ragnar, he approached his second-in-command. She was a young girl, roughly Hiccup's age with long brown hair, and the staff strapped to her back indicated that she was a mage.

"Andaran atish'an Grey Warden," she said respectfully. "My name is Lanya, and I am Zathrian's first…" She then took note of Hiccup's confused expression. "…what you might call an apprentice, perhaps. I have been studying under the keeper all my life. I am… a bit curious of the outside world. Do you mind if I ask a question or two?"

"From enough I've got a few questions as well so long as you don't mind answering them I would be more than happy to answer yours," Hiccup offered.

"Thank you," said Lanya smiling. "I hear human cities are very large; thousands upon thousands of souls packed together in their houses. Is that true?"

"Yes," Hiccup nodded. "Some cities are larger than the eye can see."

"How very loud that must be with everyone talking all at once. I try to imagine those of our people living in such a place, surrounded by walls of stone and indifferent. It… is a difficult thought."

Hiccup sighed. "It isn't an easy life for them; that's true."

"I suppose you met many of my kind in your travels. My heart goes out to them. It's said that one day, we will have a land of our own. We Freefolk gather ancient wisdom in preparation for this. When that day comes, all elves—even those were forgotten—well reclaim their former glory."

Hiccup hopes they were successful, but of course, the big problem was trying to own land. He very much doubt that Asgard would give up the land they had taken from them centuries ago.

Lanya looked at him curiously. "I… have a question if it's not too impolite to ask. Do your people… regret what they did ours?"

Hiccup rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "I'm afraid that is up for debate, especially the Exalted March that conquered Alfheim. Also wasn't exactly an Exalted March as only Asgard committed the forces no doubt they saw a good opportunity to expand their empire. However, your people weren't helpless the victims because they were threatening Meridian. Personally, I think they went too far, taking the land given to you by Andraste and wiping all reference of elves from history."

"I see, though it is difficult for our people to accept," said Lanya. "I suppose there were good and bad on both sides of the war. A poet once wrote of them, before the fall of the Alfheim: 'Like dragons they fly, glory upon wings. Like dragons, they savage, fearsome pretty things. But you don't need me to quote poetry to you. Perhaps you have some questions of your own."

"If you don't mind my saying, you got a different accent than the rest," Hiccup noted.

"My parents were servants to a human merchant whose caravans plied the southern routes. One day, bandits killed him and my parents both. I was the only survivor, just a young girl, and the bandits took me. I was their… servant… for several years."

"They're dead?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry."

"Long years have reflection have allowed me to come to terms with it, to put them in perspective." She smiled and looked around the ships. "I can only imagine what would have happened had the clan not saved me from them. I owe them my life for that. And more."

"How'd they happen to rescue you?"

"The bandits killed a scout when the clan passed near their camp. When the clan discovered him, Zathrian came looking for his killers. He followed their tracks for almost a month. And when he finally caught up to us, he fell on the bandits like a terror. No one could stop him. I sat there and watched him attack them in a blur, and I revelled in every blow. When he saw me, the fury in his eyes turned to pity. He took me back to the clan, and I have been here ever since."

"So you became keeper?"

"I am not a keeper. I am Zathrian's first. Though because I was not born into the clan, becoming his first was very difficult. We Freefolk have old traditions. The clans come from the ranks of the nobility that once ruled the Dales, you see. The keepers of the clan have the strongest and purest blood that reaches back to the days of Arlathan. I had to compete against the other candidates for first, to be better than them in everything simply because I was not of the old blood."

Hiccup frowned. "Wait, Ragnar's father was keeper does that mean he's a noble?"

"No, it doesn't work quite like that."

Hiccup frowned. "What did Zathrian think of all that?"

"He was proud of me. I've always thought of him as a father, in a way, and he could not hide his pleasure when I became his first. The clan has placed great trust in me. One day, I will lead them and be the one who secures our future."

He nodded. "Trust me, I know the burdens of being the leader in debating have all this turns out I may end up being King." He then turned towards the Freefolk elves and can help but notice the suspicious looks they were giving. "I didn't expect a warm welcome, especially given the circumstances, and I concern the sense of deep resentment within most of your people."

She sighed. "They have a reason. Since the days of Arlathan, my people have been either subjugated or homeless."

Hiccup nodded. "Arlathan… The old Elven Empire."

"It was our ancestral home, long ago with the humans first came to these lands. We were free then and immortal. We did not know how to deal with the humans, and in the end, they turned their power against us and destroyed Arlathan. Our ancestors were enslaved, and our culture lost forever."

"But if I remember correctly both humans and elves banded together in order to fight against the Imperium."

"Yes. After a millennium of slavery, our people were freed by Andraste, the human's prophet who spawned the Chantry."

"But your people still worship your Elven gods, not the Maker."

She nodded. "We worship the Creators, as we always have. We give thanks to Andraste for her part in our freedom, but we do not worship her or her god."

After speaking with Lanaya, Hiccup decided to ask Zathrian some questions.

Hiccup glanced up at Zathrian. "So, I spoke to Lanaya."

Zathrian raised an eyebrow. "And what did she have to say."

"She's got a high opinion of you."

His face became warm. "And I of her. One day she will be keeper after I am gone. She is more than ready."

"Seems to have a good head on her shoulders. She said you've been keeper a very long time."

"That's true." Pride showed in his voice. "Hundreds of years, if you must know. Slowly the Freefolk will all know once again the agelessness of the elves. For now, only a few of us have regained that ability." Wariness showed in his eyes. "But I cannot say any more on that. I trust your curiosity is sated?"

Hiccup's eyes widened. "Ragnar told us how the elves used to be immortal, but I didn't believe it until now." He twitched a shoulder. "She said you lost your family."

Zathrian's voice was pained. "I… would rather not speak of it. It is very painful for me, even now after so long. The werewolves were responsible. That is all you need to know, and should adequately explain my hatred of them, no? Let us leave it at that."

"Sorry. Didn't mean to…" Hiccup sighed. "Listen, Ragnar, lost his parents before he got to know them."

"Yes, I know that," said Zathrian. "His father kept on saying how we should interact with humans." Hiccup noticed the bitterness in his voice. "But look what happened he got killed by both humans, and city elves and his lover could not live without him so much so that she left their child. It only proves that we should stay far away from humans, no offence."

"None taken, but from what I understand they were just bandits, not exactly the best of humanity or city elves."

"Regardless, he does not change the fact of the crime they committed, and I understand that Drago Bludvist tried to have your father murdered, would you want vengeance on him if the plot succeeded?"

"I would bring him to justice, but sometimes the easy way is not always the best way."

"Some actions cannot go unavenged no matter the consequences."

They were making their way through the forest to track down the werewolves. Ragnar was leading the way since he had a better idea of the terrain and he was the best track among them.

There were several orcs in the area, but it was only a small group of them, so they were easily dealt with. Still, they had managed to find the Freefolk camp there would have been massive casualties, and the last thing they needed was for the taint to spread.

Hiccup looked at Ragnar, he could only imagine what he was going through. "You want to talk about it?"

"What is there to talk about?" Ragnar asked, looking up at him. "We have to find this Witherfang in order to cure my people."

"I know, but isn't it strange that the werewolves have been here so long only now do they decide to attack?" Hiccup asked. "Zathrian himself mentioned that you come here to this part of Midgard for tradition."

Ragnar sighed. "Look I don't get it either, but once we cure all my people, we can then start asking the big questions. Besides, right now a werewolf in the station's little consequence compared to that of the Blight."

Ragnar then turned on his heels and began following the traps deep into the woods.

Heather then approached Hiccup looking concerned. "I've never seen him act like this before."

Hiccup nodded. "Neither have I, is usually so come and collect."

Heather looked at him, curiously. "You think something else is going on besides this werewolf infestation."

"That's my hunch, and sadly my hunches are often right," said Hiccup.

Ragnar continued at a point as they made their way deep into the woods, but this time he was accompanied with Heather. Given the seriousness of this mission and the Freefolk in their weakened state Hiccup had ordered Fishlegs, Speedfist, Sten, Shale and the twins to stay behind. Hiccup, Astrid and Valka guarded the middle while Snotlout, Toothless and Eret brought up the rear.

Ragnar held up a fist, bringing the party to a halt just before a footbridge over the small stream they'd been following. He gestured for them to be on guard when werewolves burst out of the woods in front of them.

One of them drew itself up. Dark brown fur covered the beast, which stood nearly seven feet in height. It snarled. "Hrrr… The watch-wolves have spoken truly, my brothers and sisters." It snapped at him. "Another of the Freefolk, come to put us in our place, come to make us pay for our attack."

Ragnar blinked. "You speak? I thought werewolves were savage beasts."

"We are beasts, but we are no longer simple and mindless. Let that thought chill your spine. You speak to Swiftrunner. I lead my cursed brothers and sisters. Hrrr. Turn back now, go back to the Freefolk and tell them that you have failed. Hrrr. Tell them we will gladly watch them suffer the same curse we have suffered for too long. We will watch them pay!"

Hiccup looked at the wolves, taking in both their size and their claws. "You're the werewolves who ambushed the Dalish, then?"

"We are." It slashed a claw at the air in Ragnar's direction. "I regret only that we did not inflict every single one of them with the curse that night."

Hiccup glanced at Ragnar. He was just as confused as he was. "You sound as if you hate the Freefolk a great deal."

"That we do. How dare they send you here against us! Turn and leave, while you still have the chance!"

Ragnar shook his head. "I would prefer to talk to you. I mean, you no harm."

Swiftrunner snarled. "Was it not Zathrian who sent you? Hrrr. He wishes only our destruction, never to talk!"

"You talk of Zathrian as if you know him." Ragnar narrowed his eyes. It looked as if Hiccup was right and the hahren seemed to have left a few things out.

"Hrrr. We have never met, he and I. He would not survive the experience, I swear it."

"Why, exactly? Why do you hate him so much?"

"You know nothing, do you? Nothing of us and even less of those you serve. You are a fool, and we are done talking. Run from the forest while you can. Run to the Freefolk and tell them they are doomed."

Ragnar quickly drew his sword and sliced the head off the charging wolves in the throat, dropping it in its tracks, but the others were upon them almost before he could defend himself. He noted almost absently that these werewolves were more feral in appearance than Swiftrunner and his companions had been.

The wolves with the werewolves circled the combatants, coming in to try to flank the warriors. The mages kept a steady stream of spells to prevent the fighters from getting overwhelmed.

Toothless let out a furious bark and Hiccup swung Starfang at the werewolves came anywhere near her. Eret threw herself into Valka, knocking her out of the path of a leaping werewolf. The humongous wolf not aside with the back of his paw, sending him and crashing into a tree. Valka quickly raised her staff and fired a bolt of lightning into the beast.

A werewolf, its fur singed and smoking, raked its claws down Astrid's leg before Snotlout could knock it in the jaw with his mace and Heather quickly moved in to assist. The twins were fending off a werewolf by themselves, and with some excellent teamwork, they were able to kill it.

Hiccup smashed the last werewolf to the ground with her shield, and Ragnar took the opportunity to shot an arrow at its throat.

"Status?" Hiccup asked, walking to where Valka was helping into a sitting position

Ragnar pulled the arrow out of the werewolf. "These things are as tough as trolls."

"And to think the Freefolk fended off an entire pack of them," Eret groaned clutching his shoulder.

"You all right?" Hiccup asked.

"Think my shoulder has been dislocated," Eret winced.

"Then brace yourself," said Ragnar as he positions himself behind him. Then with a sharp thrust push down on Eret's shoulder fitting shoulder back in place.

"Ow!" Eret winced. "Thanks."

"I'm telling you it's just a scratch," Astrid insisted clutching her leg.

"Then you won't mind if I heal it," said Valka as she began to heal her leg.

Ragnar turned and looked at Hiccup. "You were right about the werewolves, something big is going down."

"And it would seem as if Zathrian is in the centre of it," said Hiccup.

"He certainly neglected to mention that they could talk," said Snotlout. "I mean I didn't know werewolves could talk."

"They shouldn't," said Astrid as Heather helped her to her feet. "I don't these are your normal werewolves."

"Hard to tell considering that we haven't seen any werewolves for centuries," said Hiccup.

"That Swiftrunner guy really wanted to eat Ragnar," Eret pointed out.

"And they certainly seem to hate the Freefolk," said Heather. "But if they can talk perhaps we can negotiate."

"Assuming they're up to negotiations, you saw what happened when we try to talk to them," Ragnar pointed out.

"Regardless we have to keep going, we don't have Astrid has been affected or not by the curse," said Valka.

"I'm telling you I'm fine!" Astrid insisted.

"Keep a close eye on her," Hiccup instructed. "Let's keep going."

Soon they were back on the move following the tracks the werewolves left behind.

"Whatcha think of the Freefolk?" Snotlout asked as he and Eret guarded the rear.

Eret shrugged. "I know little enough of the Freefolk other than the fact that my mother was one. Or so I was told. She had fallen in love with an elven woodcutter and accompanied him back to the city, leaving her clan behind for good. And there, of course, the woodcutter died of some filthy disease and my mother was forced into prostitution to pay off his debts. Oldest tale in the book."

"That's horrible."

"Is it? It seemed normal enough a tale growing up, no different than the other elven boys in the whorehouse." He shrugged again. "I didn't know my mother, either, of course. She died giving birth to me. My first victim, as it were. We were all raised communally by the whores. It was a happy enough existence, ignoring the occasional beating until eventually I was sold to the Wolves. I brought a good price, so I hear."

"Sorry to hear it."

Eret looked taken aback. "That's very kind of you to say, but it's not necessary." He shrugged. "It could have been much worse. Shall I tell you about what happened to the other whorehouse boys who did not fetch a decent price with the Wolves?"

"If you say so," Snotlout shrugged.

"My original point is that my mother's Freefolk nature was always a point of fascination for me." He sighed. "I eventually thought that it would be better for me if I ran off to join the famous Freefolk when one of their clans drew near Rocros City." He chuckled ruefully. "Naturally, the reality did not live up at all to the fantasies I had constructed as a boy. But," he waved dismissively. "Such is life."

Eventually, they reach the grove and as they walked a couple of the trees seemed to bend and sway in their direction, but none actually moved towards them.

Snotlout immediately panicked. "Okay, the trees are moving. Why are the trees moving?"

"These are not your normal trees," said Ragnar. "These are sylvans."

Hiccup frowned. "A what?"

"Believe it or not, trees can get possessed by demons. This section of forest has a bloody history, and it's not uncommon for spirits to be drawn over the veil and end up inhabiting a living tree instead of a living body."

Astrid just stared at him. "A… possessed tree. You're having me on."

"And yet the trees seem to be moving on their own," said Ragnar.

"Are we in danger?" Hiccup asked.

"Just try not to provoke them.

An oak with light coloured leaves shook as they approached. A voice, sounding almost intrigued, seemed to float from it as it turned to face them. "What manner of beast be thee that comes before this elder tree?"

Hiccup blinked, he had never had a conversation with a tree before. "Can't you see me? I am a human."

"Ahhhh, yes, I remember thy kind. So brief of life and all but blind to the peril you cause, the lives you take, such chaos is sown within they wake." A branch extended, stopping about a foot from her. "Allow me a moment to welcome thee. I am called the Grand Oak, sometimes the Elder tree."

Hiccup reached out and took the branch, shaking it as he would a hand. "I am pleased to meet you. I'm Hiccup Haddock."

"Did anyone else notice that this tree is rhyming?" Tuffnut asked.

"No, Tuff, we hear it too," said Astrid.

Valka looked intrigued. "One can only imagine what manner of spirit is involved here."

The oak's voice grew hopeful. "And unless thou thinkst it far too soon, might I ask of thee a boon?"

"Why do you speak in rhymes?" Hiccup asked.

"I do not know. Why dost thou not? Thy words seem plain, a mundane lot. Perhaps a poet's soul's in me… Does that make me a poet tree?" It laughed, leaves shaking.

Hiccup rubbed the back of his head. "A poet tree. Yes, I get it."

"It was but a simple jest, a jibe to entertain my guest." The tree seemed to bow.

"Perhaps you could assist us with our plan, we have to save the Freefolk clan," said Hiccup.

It rumbled slightly. "I have but one desire, to solve a matter very dire: as I slept one early morn, a thief did come and steal an acorn." The leaves shook. "All I have is my being, my seed. Without it, I am alone indeed. I cannot go and seek it out, yet I shall die if left without."

"His cool acorn in the forest," said Ruffnut as he pulled out a strange-looking acorn.

"Why did you pick it up?" Hiccup asked.

"Because it was cool," said Ruffnut as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Ragnar shook his head and then pointed to the early corn in her hand. "Is this the acorn you lost?"

The tendrils took it from her almost reverently. "My joy soars to new heights, indeed! I am reunited with my seed!" Another tendril handed Valka a staff of knotted wood. "This cannot pass without reward; I shall give what little I can afford. Keep this branch of mine with thee, and pass throughout the forest free."

"I must be going on my way, perhaps we shall speak again one day?"

"I wish thee well, my mortal friend. Thou brought my sadness to an end. May sunlight find you, thy days be long, thy winters kind and thy roots be strong."

"That has to be the strangest conversation in the history of conversations," said Hiccup.

"At least he was helpful," said Ragnar.

Hiccup and the others came across a magical barrier, and with the assistance of the oak branch provided by Grand Oak, they were able to pass through it. Once they were for the barrier, they saw some ancient ruins in the middle of a clearing.

"What is that?" said Astrid.

"It's possible that it is ancient Ensal ruin or it might even be elven," said Hiccup.

"Regardless the trailer seems to lead towards it," said Ragnar.

They began to advance over towards the ruin they ran into Swiftrunner and other werewolves.

Swiftrunner looked surprised upon seeing them. "The forest has not been vigilant enough. Still, you come. You are stronger then we could have anticipated. The Freefolk Clan chose well. But you do not belong here, outside. Leave this place!"

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "You don't expect us to leave, do you?"

"You came even though we warned you not to. You are as treacherous as the Freefolk! We will not harm to come to Witherfang."

"Why do you call the Freefolk treacherous? You're the one who ambushed them?"

"And they deserve no less! You are an intruder in our home! You came to kill, as all your kind do! We have learned this lesson well! Here Witherfang protects us. Here we learn our names and our beloved! We will defend Witherfang and this place with our lives!"

Suddenly the werewolves then pounced on them they soon found themselves in a pitched battle. Valka quickly fired a fireball blasting a werewolf just as it pounced on Hiccup and then he quickly stabbed in the chest with his sword.

A werewolf had managed to knock Astrid to the ground and was about to strike up her when Toothless pounced and bit down on its arm. It howled in pain and attitude the opportunity to slice its head off with her axe.

Eventually, the only werewolves left standing was Swiftrunner in the advanced towards him. Ragnar was about to shoot in with his elbow when suddenly a white dwarf appeared in her wet, tackling him to the ground.

Swiftrunner then ran off the wolf followed down the path.

"I say that we just ran into Witherfang," said Heather she helped Ragnar up.

"Safe bet, that was not your typical wolf," said Hiccup.

"So are we standing around here for?" said Snotlout.

With that they began chasing after the white wolf and when they turn round the corner, they saw ancient ruins.

"What is that?" Astrid asked.

"Perhaps it's not old Ensel fortress, it might even be the Elven," said Hiccup.

"And it's probably a good bet where the werewolves hold up," said Ragnar.

When they got closer they saw werewolf standing guard outside.

"We are invaded! Intruders have deceived their way into the forest's heart! Fall back to the ruins! Protect the Lady!"

They watched as the werewolves entered the fortress.

Hiccup looked at Ragnar. "What he meant when he said he said 'protect the Lady'. What lady?"

"Maybe an apostate hiding with them?" Ragnar offered.

"Let's press on."