Happy Saturday all!
I have some bad news for you. Frequency of updates is likely going to change. No, I don't have writer's block. I promise. I am just working on some very intense chapters right now, so updates may need to move to every second Saturday for a little bit. Honestly, I thought I would have to do this sooner, but I've managed to keep up until now. Unfortunately the second half of this novel is pretty heavy... here's hoping I don't have to, but I figured that I should emotionally prepare you all in advance. Just in case.
CB73: Astrid is coming along quite well. Especially given how new she is to this world. At least she is now also realizing that she might need to learn some More restraint as well. It kind of feels like Ilweran and Astrid are both apprentices now, if in different ways. Astrid is just now realizing how powerful she is, and Ilweran is just now realizing that the man he has been his entire life was built on a foundation of lies and biased beliefs. It will be a tough road for both of them. That's a good point though. Can you imagine what would happen if the others found out that Hel is smitten with the Elf Prince! Too funny! Lol
Now Account: That is a very good visual indeed. And yes, aside from a very few, no one is faster than an elf. Much like David and Goliath though, it doesn't mean that they cannot be beaten in battle. Just that it is a lot more difficult, and not for the untrained. You're right about Golwen always knowing more than she lets on. She is much like Hiccup and Ilweran in that way. She's right too about how dangerous it would be to the worlds if Astrid died. Hiccup himself told us that back in TGoP. I agree that wind is insanely powerful, and also quite temperamental. It just felt like Astrid was a 'wind' person. Even her excuses for kissing Hiccup like she did were very breezy and non-chalant. A gentle breeze that got carried away, if you will :P I loved making everything in Helheim/Niflheim true to mythology, but also completely different. Just because they are monsters does not mean they have to be evil. As Hiccup reminds Ilweran of in the bluntest way possible. You're right. Ilweran and the Prince are now two very different people, and they need to be if he is to earn his seal. And no, Hel doesn't know about Astrid yet. As Hecate's descendant, Astrid would have the unconscious ability to conceal her life spark, much like Hiccup. It is the reason that Hel has never known about Astrid.
Surfy: Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that. My mom went through cancer as well (I know, first cancer and then a stroke. My mom just has all the luck...). Luckily she pulled through, but I remember how stressful and emotionally taxing it was on her and everyone around her. Fingers crossed that it all turns out okay, and I'm glad I can provide at least a small distraction every now and then. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Length and content :P lol. As for Astrid's communication spell, it would seem like tying the magic to herself would be a recipe for disaster. Slight (vague) spoiler alert maybe, but it actually ends up working out exceptionally well for Astrid that she has tied it to her own magic...
NF315: Spoiler alert! But yes, Bríghid/Skuld is Gothi's mother. Though I am not sure how much of a spoiler it is, since I have dropped a fair few hints, haven't I? Lol. As for the Thorston's, I hadn't really thought about that, but it is a fair assumption. Perhaps they will have some sort of ties to Thor and Sif... ;)
KevinLazar: Agreed. I love Hel too, and I certainly would not be that nice of a person if I had been exiled for so many centuries simply because of my heritage. Hel and Vali are some of my favourite non-elf characters too. They are just so genuine and good. Honestly, defying expectations is one of the things I really strive for in this series, and I'm glad I was at least able to accomplish that with the last chapter. And you are absolutely right. Ilweran really is too smart for his own good sometimes.
Superlego99: Haha, it's all good. I was waiting for your review before I posted this, just in case. (Not really, but let's run with that...lol) Thanks for that! The panther and wolf seemed to fit in my mind, as well as Astrid's wind affinity, and I'm glad you agree. The fact that she is essentially a goddess does make it more likely that Astrid would have more than one affinity as well. I loved writing the broader description of Helheim/Niflheim this time. Last time we saw it, Hiccup simply transported to inside the palace. Now we are seeing it from the portal, or outside the walls, and it gave me a lot more opportunity to include more mythology. Which is actually really helpful, since the bridge of Gjallarbrú actually ends up being important later on and it wouldn't have fit to try and describe it then. You all would have simply had to google it, which doesn't seem fair...lol. I love the way Hiccup keeps dropping sneaky little hints like breadcrumbs for Ilweran to follow. The truth is staring him straight in the face, but the denial is just too strong with that one :P He's gonna be so pissed at Hiccup when the time comes...
_
As they walked into the heart of the cave, Sigyn glanced up from her stool. Loki following her gaze as he turned his head towards the mouth of the cavern as well, and Hiccup had to bite back a laugh. A look of comical surprise had quickly replaced the mildly curious expressions of a moment before when they realized that it was both Hiccup and Ilweran, and not just one or the other.
"Hiccup. Ilweran," Sigyn exclaimed brightly. "How nice to see you both!"
"And at the same time too," Loki interjected. "This is an unexpectedly pleasant surprise!"
"It had to happen eventually," Hiccup offered with a grin. Freezing the serpent above Loki with another flash of his green magic. He could sense Ilweran gaping at him in surprise, but he ignored it. Although it would have worn off already, thanks to Hiccup's blood allowing his brother to share in his magic briefly, Ilweran had now experienced a small taste of what it was to be a god. He could not pretend that he was overly shocked at the things Hiccup could do anymore.
"You both look well," Sigyn stated brightly. "A bit skinny though. When was the last time you boys ate anything," she asked worriedly.
Moving over to place a tender hug around Sigyn's shoulders, Hiccup chuckled as he rested his chin on her blonde head. Her free hand coming up to clasp his arms gently. "We are elves mom," he reminded her sarcastically as Ilweran chuckled. "We do not need to eat." Then he pressed a kiss to her cheek as he took the bowl of poison from her before heading over to empty it into the basin again. Loki barking out a laugh as Sigyn huffed at him before getting up to hug Ilweran as well.
"It is the truth. I do not think I have changed size in over three hundred and seventy years, and I have certainly never been called skinny," Ilweran teased as he hugged her back. "I have missed your mothering though." He gazed down at her with a gentle light in his golden orbs then. "The stars are beautiful tonight, you know," he added lightly. "Rest your arms and your eyes for a while, if you like. We will keep him company."
Sigyn chuckled at that. "You two are such sweet boys," she muttered. Stepping back and reaching up to pat Ilweran on the cheek tenderly as she smiled at them both kindly. They grinned at her in response, and she laughed softly. "I will be outside if you need me," she added before making her way to the entrance and out into the night. Choosing a perch that was close enough to still hear them and participate if she chose, but far enough to give her a moment of peace.
"So, what brings the both of you here at the same time," Loki started interestedly after watching his wife leave. The affectionate gleam of love in his green eyes was almost palpable, and Hiccup suddenly wondered if that was how he, himself, looked at Astrid. "I must admit, I was starting to doubt that this day would ever come," Loki added. Pulling Hiccup out of pleasant thoughts of his own beautiful soulmate.
"Well, as it turns out, Hiccup is a terrible influence on me," Ilweran pointed out with a grin. Seeing Hiccup heading towards Sigyn's stool now and racing over to steal it instead. "He threatened and coerced me into joining him on a traitorous mission to Midgard. I, being the innocent and gentle Golden Boy, was forced to do his evil bidding." Rolling his eyes and flipping his middle finger up at Ilweran, Hiccup leant his long frame against a stalagmite instead. All three of them bursting out laughing.
Hiccup and Ilweran preceded to fill Loki in on what had happened in Midgard then. As well as what they had learned from Viggo. "You say his memory had been wiped," Loki said distractedly after they had finished their story.
"Yes, but it was not covered up well," Hiccup added with a shrug. "Still, it had to be someone powerful to have gotten around the Midgard wards and to have meddled with his mind in the first place. Viggo may be a human, but as we all know, not many are skilled enough to perform that type of magic on any being. We left the amulet with Hel and Vali, and they are going to try and track it for us. Unfortunately, Alastair and his son Aleixo have already been compromised," he concluded with a sigh. "Odin has not ordered a hit on them yet, but I am sure it is only a matter of time before he learns of their true allegiance."
"We did expect as much," Loki reminded him gently and Hiccup muttered an affirmative.
"It is a pity that they have both been compromised," Loki added with a grimace then. "I had hoped that it would only be one or the other. Even if they were never the brightest orbs to begin with, and not the best of men to boot, they still served a purpose. I suppose another will have to be assigned to Viggo in their stead now as well, as they cannot be used as contacts any longer."
He shot a look between Hiccup and Ilweran then before resting his gaze on Ilweran. "That you are here with Hiccup means that he has revealed to you the truth of his allegiance. Have you decided to switch sides as well, young prince," he asked casually. The deeper meaning of a pledge was obvious, if well concealed, and Hiccup bit back the urge to warn Ilweran of it. If Ilweran was to play the part that Cuithanna required of him though, then he needed to be smart enough to do this on his own.
Glancing over at the prince for the briefest of moments, Hiccup could read complete understanding in Ilweran's amber eyes. He suppressed a sigh of relief now as Ilweran turned his gaze back to Loki. "I have decided to stand with my brother. Wherever that may take me," he said simply with a gesture towards Hiccup. Loki and Ilweran locked eyes for a long moment at that. Ilweran's deceptively open gaze displaying no signs of hostility, but giving no quarter either.
Sensing that he was not likely to win this battle, Loki huffed a quiet sigh. "I guess that is the best I can hope for," he grumbled half-heartedly. Then he cracked a wide smile. "After all, you two are notoriously impossible to tame. Reminds me of myself in fact, and I suspect that it may be the human in you," he added with a chuckle. "Us half-breeds are never content to simply follow, are we? Tell me, is Astrid equally as rebellious my boy," Loki then directed at Hiccup.
Ilweran tensed noticeably at Loki's casual mention of Astrid, but Hiccup shot him a discreet warning glance. "She is something of a free spirit, yes," he replied easily as Ilweran relaxed back onto the stool again. Managing to look calm and carefree by the time Loki turned back to him.
"Pfft, free spirit," Ilweran scoffed. "No one in their right mind would try to control that woman. I would think violently reactive is a somewhat more accurate description of her. Although that in itself is a rather human trait, is it not," he drawled with an eye roll, and Loki burst out laughing at that. Hiccup chuckling softly as well, as he smirked at Ilweran.
Loki looked between the two of them again then. His jaw set, and Hiccup knew what was coming. "I would like you to eliminate Alastair and his son," Loki stated bluntly. "They are no good to us now, and they know too much. They know you," he added with another glance at Hiccup. "I will not risk having one I consider to be a son outed by men that are disposable." Ilweran arched an eyebrow at that, but said nothing. "You are far too important to me," Loki continued. "Wait until you hear that Odin is giving the order of course, but then make certain that you are the ones that take them out."
"Of course," Hiccup replied with a respectful nod of his head. Ilweran nodding in agreement as well when Loki turned to him with inquiring eyes. "Is there anything else," Hiccup offered then as Loki locked his green eyes on the dark rider again. "We have been away from Alfheim for quite long enough now, and I do not enjoy leaving Astrid outside of my protection."
"I understand your discomfort, and I will not keep you much longer," Loki agreed. Glancing out at the shape of Sigyn silhouetted by the moonlight as a gentle smile twisted his lips. "I could not imagine leaving Sigyn alone for any length of time either," he added softly. Then he turned his attention back to Hiccup. "I would like you to arrange for Senator Sophos to become the new contact for Midgard."
"That may be difficult, since Sophos is on Odin's side," Ilweran intoned blandly.
"No, he is not," Hiccup answered with a shrug. Watching Ilweran's brows lift in surprise. "He has just played his part very convincingly. His name does mean 'wisdom' after all," he added pointedly. "Perhaps you need to brush up on your Ancient Greek bro. Freyja would be so disappointed in you." Then he chuckled as Ilweran grumbled at him and flipped him the middle finger.
"Yes it does," Loki stated with a chuckle of his own at the display. "As such, he will likely be smart enough to conceal his identity from Viggo. Especially now that we know someone is actively using him to play both sides."
"As you wish. And before you ask, the answer is still no," Hiccup drawled. With that he signalled for Ilweran to join him before calling Sigyn back in. Each of them hugged her again and bid Loki farewell. Then they made their way over to the cave entrance as Sigyn moved to take up her usual spot beside her husband. Getting as comfortable as she could and holding the now empty bowl under the snake, she then nodded her head resignedly. With an apologetic grimace, Hiccup waved his hand to unfreeze the serpent before turning and strolling back outside as Ilweran loped along silently beside him.
Without a word, they concealed themselves before stealing back down the cliff to their waiting dragons. Hiccup reinstating the boundary wards as soon as they were back at the river. Then they took off back towards the gateway and Alfheim. Ilweran didn't speak again until they were already back in the Void. Slowing Tintallë slightly so that he did not need to shout over the wind. "Why do you unfreeze the snake before you leave," he asked when Hiccup and Toothless had levelled out beside them.
"Because if I did not, Odin would know that someone was there, and not just any someone. Someone powerful enough to pose a real risk," Hiccup replied simply. "What do you think he would do then? Who do you think he would suspect? Of all the possible traitors in all the realms, which one seems even remotely strong enough to strike fear into the Great Allfather?"
"You of course, and why not if Loki considers you to be family. It is hard to keep a bond that close a secret." There was no judgement in Ilweran's tone when he spoke. No disgust.
"Loki and Sigyn like to think of me as an adopted son, but the feeling is not exactly mutual," Hiccup answered with a sigh. "I certainly care for them and the others, but I do not need another family. I already have one. Two actually. The one of my childhood, and this new one that is my future. It may be a strange and dysfunctional family mind you, but it is ours and I think we wear it well brother. All things considered," he added pointedly.
Ilweran glanced at him in surprise for a moment before barking out a laugh. "I think we do too brother," he offered with a grin. Then his face grew thoughtful again. "I did notice that none of them know the full story. I suppose it does help that both groups are essentially imprisoned. That way none of them can get to know the real you. They must rely on only what you see fit to reveal." There was a surprising mixture of hurt and accusation buried within his amber orbs as they settled on Hiccup now. "Do I even know the real you," he asked quietly.
"You do now," Hiccup responded with a shrug. "Aside from Cuithanna and Hecate of course, you and Astrid are the only ones that do. You have always known me better than the rest have brother. Even if you were not aware of the specifics until recently."
"I suppose that is true," Ilweran said. Running a hand over his chin. "I have always suspected that you were more powerful than you let on, more complicated than words can describe, and kinder than most would ever suspect. Although anyone that saw you with Astrid or Ilmara would know that beneath all of your wickedness hides a heart of pure gold." Hiccup snorted a laugh at that and Ilweran grinned at him briefly. "I assume that neither Odin Allfather or Loki Laufeyson actually know how powerful you really are though. Am I right," he then asked calmly.
"No, they do not," Hiccup confirmed. "Hel realized that I was the Dark God right from the moment she met me, but she and Vali respect me enough to keep their silence about just how powerful I am. Not that they actually know the full extent of it either, and that is the way it should be. The way that it needs to be."
"Because Cuithanna says so," Ilweran stated bluntly. Catching Hiccup by surprise with his astuteness. Ilweran easily taking his silence as an affirmation. "I have a feeling that the hooded man is not the only one playing both sides and hiding in plain sight, is he? I doubt that it is simply to cause chaos though, so what is your real motivation brother," he inquired pointedly. Hiccup only offered him a half shrug in return.
Hiccup honestly wished that he could tell Ilweran everything, but now was not the right time. He would know soon enough. Really, Hiccup had been sure that Ilweran had figured everything out earlier when he had asked about the Light God. A part of Ilweran just had to suspect the truth behind Hiccup's casual hints. The signs were all there, and Ilweran had always been an excellent reader. Still, becoming a god was a daunting prospect, and Hiccup couldn't fault his brother for wanting to hide in his denial for as long as he could...
"Are you going to free Loki one day," Ilweran asked now as he arched a slender brow. Shocking Hiccup from his musings. "I have felt the power coursing through your veins, and I strongly suspect that you are fully capable of releasing the Trickster from his prison. You have not yet, but that does not mean that you do not plan to."
His golden eyes were incredibly serious as they studied Hiccup closely now. "What would you do if I said yes," Hiccup countered. Arching his own brow in response as he stared straight back into Ilweran's eyes. "Would you report me to the authorities brother? Or perhaps try and stop me? If you knew that I was about to bring about Ragnarok, would you try to talk me out of it?"
"If it is what needs to be done, I would not try to stop you," Ilweran answered with a shrug. "I have seen people that I believed to be on the side of good do incredibly monstrous things, myself included. I have now also met true monsters that turned out to be some of the most genuine beings that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Of course I do not love the idea of Ragnarok because of all the death that it will bring, but if it means the truly good people of the realms will finally have freedom and peace..." He trailed off with another shrug. "Well, then I would stand beside you brother and help you burn down the worlds."
Hiccup stared at Ilweran for a long moment. Searching for any sign of possible betrayal, and coming up blank. Ilweran was genuinely offering his help to bring about the end of the world if it was the right thing to do. If it meant the end of a tyrannical regime. No matter what the cost to himself or those closest to him. If it meant peace for all, he would risk it all, which meant that he was ready to take his place amongst the true gods. That was all Cuithanna and Hecate had ever asked of their soldiers, after all.
It had happened far quicker than Hiccup would have ever allowed himself to hope. Then again, Ilweran had never been a foolish, rash, or cruel man. He had also long held doubts about the role that he was playing, even before Hiccup had come along. It should not be all that surprising.
"Thank you," Hiccup told him simply.
"For what," Ilweran spouted in confusion now.
"For standing by me," Hiccup clarified. "For being the best older brother that I never thought to ask for. For being willing to open your mind and see the world for what it really is rather than what you are told that it is. It is never an easy thing to take off the blinders and see the truth of both the darkness and the light, but it is worth it in the end."
Ilweran just chuckled at that. "Oh, my blinders are certainly off now, and the world looks terrifying from where I stand. At least my little brother is a half-dragon demon god," he added cheekily and Hiccup snorted another laugh. "Which brings me to my next point..." Ilweran started again, and Hiccup hummed for him to continue. Then he nearly fell off his dragon at Ilweran's next words. "I would like you to help me blood-bond with Tintallë. I know the principle, but it would be nice to have someone experienced there in case things get out of hand. If you are willing, of course."
"Are you serious," Hiccup choked out in surprise.
"Completely," the blonde man answered simply. "I know what I am getting into, but I want to be prepared for whatever is coming down the road. I want the best chance I can possibly give myself of being able to protect those that I care for. Tintallë and I have already spoken about it many times since you told me about Toothless and yourself. I know that it will tie my life to her as hers is to me, but that is a risk I am willing to take. I cannot imagine wanting to live on without her anyways," he added with a shrug. Running one hand over the lovely white scales of his dragon and receiving a rumbling chuckle in response as Tintallë glanced back at him with yellow eyes brimming over with love.
"You are just full of surprises right now Moon Pie," Hiccup teased. "If you are not careful, you are going to end up just as terrifyingly irresistible as I am. I may not be able to stop Hel from kidnapping you next time." He received an eye roll in response before they both burst out laughing. "Okay brother. If you are sure, then I will help you."
"After Yule though," Hiccup added thoughtfully. "Once Thor and Sif have gone home. You know the risks of it, and I am not sure what will happen after the magic takes hold. It may be rather difficult to conceal the immediate results from them." Ilweran nodded in agreement, and they flew on for another few moments in silence before Hiccup added, "do you think we should tell Astrid."
"Normally I would say yes, but I think we should keep this one to ourselves for now," Ilweran muttered dryly. "I do not want her to worry about me while she should be focusing on her own training. Besides, if I turn into a weirdly deformed elf/dragon hybrid, she probably will not desire me in the slightest anymore. An occurrence that I am sure you would not be overly disheartened by either," he pointed out with a laugh. Clearly joking as his eyes sparked with easy humour.
"If she was that shallow, she would never be with me," Hiccup couldn't help laughing in return. "You did not know me back when I was a talking fishbone, but she somehow still wanted me back then. She just has way too big of a heart. If anything, she would probably murder me instead for letting you risk your life with dark magic. At least it will probably get all of the other ladies off your back though when they realize how scary you are."
"Yeah, sorry to be a downer, but it did not really have that effect on you man," Ilweran stated blandly as he arched a brow at Hiccup. "I think it actually made them want you more. I will not hold my breath, in any case," he added with an eye roll. They both started laughing again at that.
"Speaking of Astrid though," Hiccup offered vaguely as they sped up their pace again. "Are we going to wake her up? Or surprise her again like last time?"
"Definitely surprise her," Ilweran grinned back. "I hope she is sleeping naked this time," he added cheekily.
Barking out a laugh even as he flashed his fangs in warning, Hiccup shot back, "she usually does sleep naked when she is in my bed. If you touch her though, I refuse to be held responsible for my actions. I would hate to have to explain to your mother and sister why you were murdered at my house."
"I would never do that," Ilweran answered promptly. "I may not be able to stop myself from appreciating a beautiful woman, but Astrid and I have a strict hands-off policy. It works better that way, since I am not at all ready to die."
"Fair enough," Hiccup chuckled. "Surprise her it is. You do realize that she is probably going to suggest we get naked too this time though, and that is a hard pass for me."
Ilweran choked out a laugh at that. "Me too, man. If she tries to lure me into bed with you two, I will just go and visit Golwen instead."
"Astrid will probably kick your ass straight into next week if you do that," Hiccup pointed out with a chuckle.
"Not that Astrid has any say in who I spend my nights with, but I never said that I was going to have sex with Golwen," Ilweran replied simply. "I was actually going to very carefully broach the subject of loyalties with her, for Astrid's sake. She could do with a female friend that she doesn't have to lie to." Then his lips twisted into a thoughtful smirk. "Although, a night of wild sex might not be so bad and Golwen would likely be more than willing. I mean, it has been a long time. Maybe I should just go over to let off some steam," he joked.
"I know that is what I am going to tell Astrid you are doing with Golwen. Releasing some tension," Hiccup teased as Ilweran chuckled and shook his head. "Who knows? The jealousy perks will probably be worth it..." He trailed off with a wink at the prince. All four of them chuckling now as the two dragons joined in with their own rasping laughs at their Riders.
"Lucky pervert," Ilweran grumbled lightly. That same teasing gleam still in his amber eyes. "If I am risking her fury for your benefit, at least give her one screaming orgasm on my behalf then."
"If you insist bro," Hiccup pretended to sigh in resignation. The two of them laughing again at that. Sobering for a moment, Hiccup turned his gaze back to Ilweran again. The man that was his very best friend. Even closer than a brother. Would be even closer than a brother after he received his seal. A man that had accidentally fallen in love with the same woman as Hiccup, and through absolutely no fault of his own. Yet he was keeping his respectful distance just the same.
Huffing a sigh, Hiccup added in a much more serious voice now, "thank you for not pushing me. For real. I know that you love her too, and that it must suck to watch me with her. I know I would hate it in your place, but I just cannot let her go. I need her..." Trailing off with a lift of shoulders, he peered down into the vernal pools on the forest floor instead.
"I know you do," Ilweran replied lightly. "Just as she needs you." Hiccup glanced up again to see an easy smile on his friend's face. "I most certainly would not be up for sharing her if I was in your place either. It may be a little painful at times, but not overly so, and it makes it easier when I see how happy she makes you. I would rather have her in my life as just a friend than not at all. Astrid is your mate, and you two have something that she and I never will. I find that I am perfectly fine with that."
"I finally feel like I have closure from Celeste," Ilweran added with a shrug. "Now I am too busy searching for the man that I want to be amidst the scattered ashes of the man I was told to be. I am sure one day I will start having sex just for fun again, but I am in no rush. I mean, after almost four hundred years of being a sleaze, I think I have earned some more time off." Laughing in agreement now, both men leant lower in the saddles. Picking up speed again as they drew nearer to Alfheim and home; and for Hiccup, Astrid.
The sister moons were high in sky as the two dragons finally soared out of the twisting gateway of yew branches. Toothless and Tintallë making straight for the treehouse and quietly dropped their Riders on the second floor balcony outside of their adjoining bedrooms. Then they flapped down to curl up with Stormfly, Thornshade, and Joltalon on the grass below without a backwards glance. Well overdo for a long nap.
Peeking in the doorway to the master suite, it was easy to see the sleeping shape of Astrid silhouetted in the bed. With a grin at each other, Hiccup and Ilweran padded silently into the room while stripping off their weapons. Sharpshot rising from the bed with a toothy grin and coming over to take Hiccup's serpent ring from him, before the two men climbed onto the bed with Astrid again. Both of them biting back a laugh when she woke up just as surprised and excited as last time. After hugging them both tightly, she rolled back towards Ilweran as she snuggled up against Hiccup. Getting comfortable before asking how it went.
Both of them propped themselves up on an elbow as Ilweran then proceeded to tell her about their trip to Midgard. Hiccup simply allowing his fingers to trail over the bare skin of Astrid's arm, shoulder, and back as he gazed down at her. Clearly, she was naked beneath the sheets. Hiccup had to give Ilweran credit for how well he was pretending to ignore that fact for Astrid's sake. Hiccup wasn't bothering to. The feel of goosebumps rising on her flesh in response to his touch was just too delicious to resist, and he met Ilweran's laughing gaze once with a wicked grin when Astrid shivered noticeably. Her hips pushing back against him almost of their own volition.
"Anyways, we found him," Hiccup cut in after Ilweran had finished describing the initial meeting. "Turns out Viggo was forced to sell out the names of his contacts on Vanaheim in trade for a magical amulet as well as something else that has been wiped from his memory. Good thing we did not use the best we had as his contacts, but Loki and I already knew that Viggo had a tendency to play both sides before slithering away into the night. Ryker was a little reluctant to direct us to his brother's usual hiding spot, but we were eventually able to persuade him. They were using the mists of Breakneck Bog to hide their ships and Viggo's amulet to hide everything else."
"I expect we will be getting a mission very soon," Ilweran offered with a grin. "Although, I am surprised that we have not received one already. Especially since it is very likely that Odin Allfather already knows the names of the doomed men. Unless the stranger we saw in Viggo's memories was there with his own agenda, that is."
"If that is the case, then I suspect they will do whatever they can to ensure any loose ends are truly eliminated instead of just captured by Odin. That means making things messy enough to ensure that myself or Ilweran are sent for the job," Hiccup pointed out. "Unfortunately for him, I am no one's servant, and only I decide who lives or dies by my hand." Meeting Ilweran's golden gaze over Astrid's head and seeing complete understanding in the other man's eyes now. When Astrid glanced back at him, he offered her a slight shrug.
"The mysterious stranger has been sitting on the names of known traitors for quite a few months now. I very much doubt that they do not have a shady reason for doing so. Likely, they are playing both sides. If they have confronted either Aleixo or Alastair for information, then the double-crosser will want to make damn sure that those men cannot sell him out in exchange for their own lives. As long as they are unwilling to sell me out though, I refuse to condemn decent men to death. Even if Loki would like me to."
"It is true that the double-crosser will want to eliminate any that could out them on this side of the Void now as soon as they know someone is onto them," Ilweran added. "They went to great lengths to cover their tracks in Midgard, and they will likely do the same here. I just wish we knew why... Still, I doubt they were expecting someone like Hiccup to come along and discover their footprints in Viggo's mind though. Unfortunately for both Viggo and the stranger, we confiscated the amulet. Something like that is simply too powerful for a mere human to be playing with. It needed to be taken away before the man or his idiot brother could hurt themselves with it."
Astrid giggled at that. "So where is it now," she asked interestedly. "The amulet, I mean."
"We dropped it off in Helheim," Hiccup replied with a shrug. Astrid turned her head to gape at him and Hiccup chuckled at the surprise on her face. "Hel and Vali want to know how it works, so I left it with them. Hel should be able to tell us where it came from too. She is quite good with that sort of thing."
"You know Hel Lokisdaughter and Vali Lokisson?!" Astrid struggled to keep her voice quiet in her shock as her eyes bugged out of her face at his words.
"Yep," Hiccup answered easily. "You will meet them one day soon too, mi'lady. Both of them are actually quite nice, and Hel is rather taken with Ilweran..."
Hiccup smirked at his friend now as Ilweran rolled his eyes. "Rather taken is quite a large understatement," the prince drawled and Astrid glanced at him again. "She practically begged Hiccup to let her keep me for a few centuries so that she could play with me." Now Astrid was snorting a laugh at that as she grinned at Ilweran. "Luckily for me, Hiccup backed me up when I told her that I had a beautiful woman that was waiting for me back on Alfheim. Hel will just have to wait until you get tired of me, I guess."
"Well she's shit out of luck then. You boys are mine forever," Astrid replied flippantly. Making them all laugh again. "Speaking of which, does this mean that I get to spend the night with both of you again, because that would be positively lovely. I'm naked this time though, so you both should probably be too. It's only fair," she added coyly. Smiling up at the two of them in mock innocence as she raised her arms above her head in an exaggerated stretch. Purposely letting the sheet slip slightly to reveal the very top curves of her bare breasts.
Probably luckily for Ilweran's self-control, the silky fabric stopped long before much of her chest could be exposed. Still, Hiccup coughed to hide a laugh as Ilweran grumbled incoherently at her. His golden eyes straying halfway down her neck before he stopped them and brought them back up to look into her face again. "You are the most evil creature that I have ever met," he said simply.
"I'm sorry," Astrid said quickly. A slight blush colouring her cheeks as she folded her arms over her chest now. "I was only kidding. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"I know princess. So was I. You will never catch me complaining about seeing a beautiful woman naked," Ilweran grinned back. "Since I would rather not take an extremely painful one way trip straight back to Helheim though, I think I am going to go talk to Golwen instead." Ilweran shot a devious smirk at Hiccup now, who flashed his own knowing smile in return. Then Ilweran rolled off the bed and headed for the hallway. Summoning Menelmacil off the floor as he went and closing the door silently behind him.
"What is he going to talk to Golwen about," Astrid asked quietly. Still gazing at the door Ilweran had just disappeared through as she relaxed her arms again.
"Well, talk is maybe not the right word," Hiccup replied with a chuckle. "Proposition might be a better one..."
Astrid's eyes flew back towards him in surprise. "He's going to hook up with Golwen," she asked in shock.
"Maybe he has some tension to release..." Hiccup joked lightly. "And do not look at me like that, little missy! It is not me that is heading over to Golwen's room," he told her with another grin. "You will need to take that up with him, since I could not care less about his sex life."
"I only care about mine," Hiccup added. Bringing his hand back up to brush over her delicious pink buds through the sheet. She shuddered and moaned softly as her chest pushed up into his palm. The covers slipping the rest of the way off of her now. Her eyes sliding closed as her arched back caused her toned rear to rub against him enticingly.
"You're trying to distract me," she mumbled. Grinding herself back harder against him when she felt his growing erection twitch through his trousers. Then she forced her eyes open again so that she could study his face closely. Seeing the humour in Hiccup's eyes as confirmation, she rolled back towards him with a slight glint of accusation in hers. "Have they been having sex with each other this entire time?" Her tone was distinctly grumpy and Hiccup barked out a laugh before he could stop himself. Her eyes narrowing dangerously in response.
"I am honestly not sure," Hiccup answered with a shrug. "You will have to ask him." Then he smirked wider at her as he continued to trace her perfect mounds with gentle fingers. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy mi'lady," he teased. Watching her cheeks flush red in embarrassment even as another shiver of longing ran through her.
"I could go stop him if it is that upsetting to you," he added. More seriously this time as he met her blue gaze again.
"Don't be ridiculous," she scoffed. "I'll freely admit that I am a teensy bit jealous, but not anything like what I was when you simply kissed Cuithanna. Not nearly jealous enough to have you break in there and drag him out into the hall by his hair at least." Astrid winked at the laugh that Hiccup rasped out then.
"I'll yell at him tomorrow. Right now, my mouth is going to be far too busy for that," she added with a devious grin of her own. Crawling out from under the covers and tugging Hiccup's tunic off. Tossing it aside dramatically and making him laugh, before kissing her way slowly down towards his belt.
The warm touch of her lips on his bare chest was already making his blood heat. The feel of her tiny fingers on his skin sending jolts of painfully pleasant energy through him, and Hiccup sighed quietly. There really wasn't much that he wouldn't do for this woman if she asked him too. There was very little chance that Astrid wasn't aware of the power she held over him either. Over Ilweran too. Honestly, if she really pushed, she probably could have gotten them both naked. She truly was the most dangerous creature in all the realms.
As Astrid pulled his trousers down and took the tip of him into her hot mouth, a shiver ran through Hiccup's body. Her teasing touch promptly reminding him just how long he had been away. Propping his head up on an arm to glance down at her, Hiccup offered her a smile. "Gods I missed you," he teased. Twining his other hand through the golden mass of loose hair that she was fighting to hold out of the way.
Astrid gazed up to meet his eyes in return. "I missed you too babe," she grinned back. "So much. You're home now though, so just shut up and let me play with you," she joked. Circling her tongue over the end of his member and making him suck in a sharp breath through his teeth. Seemingly spurred on by the sound, Astrid carried on placing gentle kisses and feather touches over the super sensitive region. Making his hips buck up towards her like a puppet on strings and exploring every inch of skin she could reach, but never actually taking him into her mouth.
"Are you torturing me for leaving you behind," Hiccup finally asked with a laugh. "Or are you just really enjoying driving me crazy?"
"I'm not sure I know what you mean," she replied flippantly before running her tongue from base to tip again. Holding her open lips over the end for a long moment as her warm breath ghosted over him. Before simply placing a gentle kiss to the tip and moving away again. All while gazing up at him with mock innocence that he didn't buy for a minute.
"You are a wicked temptress mi'lady," he teased. "If I did not know better, I would almost think that you were trying to distract me now instead."
She smirked cheekily at him before beginning to kiss her way back up his body. Hiccup sitting up slightly to meet her partway, and their lips crashed together with hungry need. His arms wrapping around her to crush her gloriously naked body against him and pull her back down to the bed on top of him. Breaking away and gazing down into his eyes, her ocean blue orbs were dancing with laughter now.
"You're not wrong," Astrid offered with a casual shrug.
"You are playing a very dangerous game darling. Get me too riled up, and I might just decide to simply take what I want," he shot back at her. Encircling her wrists with his much larger hands, and pulling her hands gently behind her back until he could grip them both in one of his. Holding her just tight enough that she couldn't easily get away and bucking his hips upwards as he placed his other hand on her toned ass to press her into him. Growling low in his throat as he did.
He had only been joking, but now he watched in stunned amusement as the action made her eyes suddenly darken with lust as her pupils blew wide. "I kind of wish you would," Astrid groaned quietly. Grinding herself against him needfully. "Just, maybe not right now. There are a few too many people in the house for those sorts of games."
Chuckling now at his look of surprise, she grinned at him as he released her hands. After kissing him once more, she slid back down his body again like some sort of evil and sensual serpent of darkness. Smirking at him once more before finally closing her incredibly warm lips over his member. Placing one hand under his head and twisting the other through her golden locks to help hold her hair, he simply lay back and watched his goddess work her magic. Gods, this woman was absolutely perfect...
At first Astrid had been embarrassed and slightly mortified when Hiccup called her out for her jealousy over Ilweran. Then again when he had rightfully accused her of trying to distract him. She wanted to be with Hiccup of course. It just felt a little off to think of Ilweran having sex with someone else in the other room. Someone she considered a friend. The fact that Hiccup could sense it just made it that much worse. Thankfully her mouth on him was serving to distract both of them now.
Pushing that small inkling of jealousy firmly back out of her mind, she simply focused harder on the man beneath her instead. The way his hips rocked up to meet her. The deliciously husky moans he made as his fingers tightened in her hair. The way he sucked in a sharp breath when she brought her other hand up to fondle the tightening flesh beneath his member. Gods she loved this man. The texture of him and the taste of him. She knew every one of his ridges by heart, and exactly how to play him. Just as he knew every inch of her.
Astrid may have started this as a distraction, but now she was aching for Hiccup. The feel of him in her mouth and the sounds of his pleasure were driving her crazy. Making her muscles clench with need as she tried to discreetly rub herself against his leg to ease some of the pressure, but of course he noticed. With a chuckle, he bent his knee up to massage her centre with his shin, and she groaned with relief. The low sound making him pulse in her hand, and she stroked him faster in response.
Grinding her hips against him now, she handed herself completely over to instinct. Using both hands and her mouth to massage every inch of him. Wanting more. She could feel the veins bulging under her torturous touch and knew that he was close. Tasting salty pre-come on her tongue, she sucked harder. "Astrid..." Hiccup started warningly. Giving her the chance to ease off if she wasn't in the mood for a mouthful, but she didn't want to. Glancing up at him, she just shook her head with a grin. Not backing off an inch or letting him breathe.
His hand tightened around her hair convulsively as she pushed him the rest of the way over the edge. His hot pleasure filling her mouth somehow only serving to make her more excited. Honestly, she would never get over how good he tasted. That must be an elf thing. She had heard from enough women on wash day in Berk to know that the ending of such things was not usually overly appetizing. Swallowing it down, she placed a tender kiss to the tip before looking up at him with a smug smirk as she wiped her mouth.
Hiccup's eyes locked with hers, and the love and awe on his face made her heart stutter. "Have I ever told you how good you are at that," he laughed then as he pulled her back up towards him. Pressing a soft kiss to her lips before he began to taste his slow way along her jaw to her ear.
"Every single time, but I know it's a lie," she grumbled. Still slightly embarrassed. "I can't possibly be that good. I mean, it's not like I have much experience," she pointed out dryly. Giggling slightly as he teethed at her earlobe. Making her shiver.
"Experience is not everything, but feel free to practice your skills on me any time the mood strikes," Hiccup muttered against her ear. Tilting his head back to gaze into her eyes again. "I have never been so thoroughly distracted in my life." Astrid felt a blush race into her cheeks as she met Hiccup's eyes, and she opened her mouth to speak. Desperate to say something, anything, to reassure him.
Hiccup just pressed a kiss to her lips to silence her. "It is okay, Astrid. I am not mad," he added with an easy smile. "I know you love me. Just do me a favour and give him a hard time tomorrow," he teased.
"Oh, I certainly will," Astrid smirked back. "He's not getting off the hook that easy."
"Excellent," Hiccup chuckled. "Now, where was I? Oh yes, I remember," he mumbled as he started kissing his way down her neck again. "I do believe that I owe you at least one orgasm mi'lady," he stated with a laugh as he ran his tongue around one of her nipples. Making her gasp and arch towards him again as another ache of want shot through her. Her fingers twining into his hair as she pulled his mouth subtly closer to her needy breasts.
Astrid couldn't believe how quickly her body was coming to life at his touch. After being just fine for days without him, she somehow felt as if she could not last another minute more now that he was back. At her low groan of hungry expectation, Hiccup added cheekily, "preferably many more than one." Then he grazed his teeth over her sensitive peaks.
The heat of his wonderful mouth was sending her straight to the stars as her legs wrapped tightly around him. Then he was sliding his solid body over her. Kissing his way down her stomach at a nearly excruciatingly slow pace. Dipping his tongue into her navel and making her shudder violently before moving on. Finally nuzzling against the moist curls between her thighs, he hummed in appreciation.
Gripping his hair tighter then, she felt his tongue slip between her folds. Teasing and torturing her as it moved in ways she would never understand or be able to replicate. His nimble fingers never too far from her sweet spots as he quickly pushed her to the edge. Her hands moving to wrap around his biceps now just so that she could feel the muscles flexing as he worked. She had honestly been so excited already from pleasuring him that it didn't take long before she was shattering for him.
Hiccup shimmied his trousers the rest of the way off then before kissing his way back up her quivering body. Claiming her mouth greedily as he gave her a few moments to recover. Ever careful not to push her while she was still too sensitive. Then he was sliding his fingers back into her soaking wet centre as he teethed at her throat and ear lobes again. Tasting his way back down to her breasts as her chest pushed up to meet him. Her hips grinding hard against his hand as she clutched him to her.
Lewd moans were bursting from her lips even as she tried to quiet them for the sake of their house guests. It was no use though. Her sensitive body was singing for him again, and she was completely at his mercy. Seeing her struggles, he brought his mouth back up to help her silence her screams. Then she was kissing him back viciously as one of her hands strayed down to rest over the flexing forearm atop her lower belly. The knowledge of what was making the muscles dance beneath the skin pushing her even higher while her other hand fisted tightly into his hair.
His lips on hers were like magic. His tongue teasing and toying with hers, even as she tried desperately to devour him. The unexpected hint of playfulness amidst the throes of intense passion making her head spin. All too soon, she was crying out to the gods as he brought her to climax again. Her entire body still trembling as he settled back between her thighs and finally slid himself into her.
Astrid was already sweaty and exhausted, but she knew by the predatory gleam in his green eyes that this night was not even close to over. She was probably going to be stiff as a day of dragon training in the morning, but she couldn't be bothered to care. He was simply too good. Wrapping her legs around him and groaning loudly now as she forgot about their neighbours entirely, she felt a shudder run through her as her body clenched tightly around him. At that point she gave up trying to think and simply handed herself over to this wicked devil. Body and soul. He was her glorious sex god, and no matter how exhausted she was, she would never get enough of this man.
_
Looks like the futures of our handsome god-princes are beginning to fall perfectly into place...
You're welcome for that surprise sexy scene at the end there, too. I just couldn't leave it as Astrid and Ilweran being the last lemon you read. It simply didn't feel right to not give Hiccstrid some love.