They ventured into the ruins cautiously there was no way to tell how many werewolves were in these ruins.

"This place is definitely human-made," said Ragnar taking note of the ruins. "However, I do recognise several elven artefacts."

"Maybe the Esnal used this place to store artefacts," Heather suggested.

"But they never made it this far south," Astrid reminded. "The only went as far as building the Imperial Highway and some fortresses like Ostagar."

"We may never know its origins," said Hiccup. "However, my mind is more focused on Witherfang and this Lady the werewolves mentioned."

Valka nodded in agreement. "With this Lady is she may be the one that taught the werewolves to speak. If that is the case, then we can assume that she is an extremely powerful mage."

"Perhaps if we find that we find Witherfang," Astrid suggested.

"Or vice versa," said Ragnar.

"Either way we have a lead and we cannot lose it," said Hiccup. "One thing is for certain however the werewolves have a massive gradually Freefolk, especially Zathrian." He then looked at Ragnar. "Would you know of him?"

"I know that he's at least a century years old," said Ragnar.

"What?" Snotlout stared. "You're saying that elf is over a hundred years old."

"There have been rumours when he has found a way to regain our immortality," Ragnar explained. "Though he is not really shared any such spell with any of the other keepers, it is possible that he found it by accident."

"I thought the Freefolk try not to meet with other clans?" Heather frowned.

"All the clans only gather once every 10 years and something we call the Gathering. It is there we share all her findings with one another and discuss the best course of action to deal with humans and the elves that lived in the cities."

"Yes, your father said that you guy should interact more with humans," said Heather.

"That he did and some people were listening to him, but then he got killed by bandits. In the last Gathering, Zathrian made a big push for all the clans to live in isolation from humans. My father's dream ended even before it began."

"So he likes to keep to himself," said Hiccup.

"He does protect the clan fiercely, but you already knew that."

"I definitely got the sense that he was hiding something," said Heather.

"Indeed, some I like must have a few skeletons in his closet," said Eret.

Before they could discuss the matter even further, they soon found themselves standing in front of several werewolves, and they looked thirsty for blood.

The werewolves moved towards them, Eret drew her weapons, a pair of twin swords and Valka readied her staff. She then blasted them with a fireball which caused them to attack as a pack. Toothless and jumped into the fray and pounce on one of the werewolves and Astrid drew her battleaxe.

Ragnar quickly pulled out his bow and fired several arrows. He took down about two of them before they were upon them and Hiccup raised his shields to hold them back while Heather snuck behind them and stabbing them from the rear. Snotlout swinging his mace around hitting any werewolf that got near him and the twins stab them with their spears.

"That was fun," said Ragnar as the last of the werewolves fell.

"By fun, you mean utterly terrifying then yes it was fun," said Snotlout.

"We must be getting close by now," said Hiccup.

"If we turned back we would lose the ground we've gained," said Ragnar.

"Then we push forward," said Hiccup.

Hiccup stepped into the next room, which was full of werewolves all of them ready to attack.

They were just about to draw their weapons when a giant among the wolves, nearly eight feet in height stood appeared in front of them. The other wolves ranged behind him, but he held up a hand to forestall them. "Stop! Brothers and sisters, be at ease! We do not wish any more of our people hurt. I ask you this now, outsider: are you willing to parley?"

"Like you parleyed with the Freefolk?" Fury filled Ragnar's voice.

"Hrrr, that was different." The giant grey werewolf lowered his head and held out his hands. "The Lady believes that the Freefolk have not told you everything, so she has asked that you be brought to her. She means you no harm, provided your willingness to parley in peace is an honest one."

Hiccup could see the fury in Ragnar's eyes and walked up to him. "This may be our only chance to find out what's going on," he whispered.

Reluctantly, Ragnar nodded. "Then take us to this Lady."

The werewolf nodded slowly. "Follow me. But I warn you, if you break your promise and harm her, I will come back from the Fade itself to see you pay."

They followed the werewolf into another chamber there was a large hole in the ceiling which failed the chamber with light another client they could see a massive tree. The werewolves were standing around them and in front of them, standing next to Swiftrunner was a woman.

The woman was clearly a spirit. Her skin was tinged green, and vines grew up her naked body, forming into hands as they reached the ends of her arms. Her hair flowed down her shoulders like spilt ink.

"I bid you welcome, mortal. I am the Lady of the Forest." The Lady's voice was hauntingly beautiful as it echoed through the chamber, like a mother talking to a child.

"Really?" said Ragnar in a disrespectful voice. "You seem more like the Lady of the Ruin to me."

"You will not speak to the Lady in this manner!" Swiftrunner started to surge forward.

"Hush, Swiftrunner. Your urge for battle has seen only the death of the very ones you have been trying to save. Is that what you want?"

The brown werewolf knelt before her, a gesture of respect and adoration. "No, my Lady. Anything but that."

"Then the time has come to speak with this outsider, to set our rage aside. I apologise on Swiftrunner's behalf. He struggles with his nature."

"As do we all, Lady," said Hiccup.

"Truer words were never spoken. But few could claim the same as these creatures: that their very nature is a curse forced upon them. No doubt you have questions, mortal. There are things that Zathrian has not told you." The Lady smiled, descending a few paces down the steps.

"Is that so?" Ragnar's voice was sceptical. "Such as?"

"It was Zathrian who created the curse that these creatures suffer, the same curse that Zathrian's own people now suffer."

Hiccup could see the surprise in Ragnar's eyes. There were no lies within the Lady's voice, and even there, she had no reason to lie to them.

The woman continued speaking. "Centuries ago, when the Freefolk first came to this land, a tribe of humans lived close to this forest. They sought to drive the Freefolk away. Zathrian was a young man then. He had a son and daughter he loved greatly, and while out hunting the human tribe captured them both."

"Hrrr…" Swiftrunner's voice sounded pained and reluctant. "The humans… tortured the boy, killed him. The girl they raped and left for dead. The Freefolk found her, but she learned later she was… with child. She… killed herself."

"So Zathrian cursed them, I take it?" Hiccup asked.

Swiftrunner looked at her, then nodded slowly. "Zathrian came to this ruin and summoned a terrible spirit, binding it to the body of a great wolf. So Witherfang came to be." He stood. "Witherfang hunted the humans of the tribe. Many were killed, but others were cursed by his blood, becoming twisted and savage creatures…"

"Twisted and savage just as Witherfang himself is," the woman said. "They were driven into the forest. When the human tribe finally left for good, their cursed brethren remained, pitiful and mindless animals."

Swiftrunner gazed at her with enraptured eyes. "Until I found you, my Lady. You gave me peace."

She touched his face, a loving, motherly gesture. "I showed Swiftrunner that there was another side to his bestial nature. I soothed his rage, and his humanity emerged. And he brought others to me."

Ragnar looked very conflicted. "Why did you ambush the Freefolk? For revenge?"

A soft sigh escaped the woman. "In part." A note of anger entered her voice. "We seek to end the curse. The crimes committed against Zathrian's children were grave, but they were committed centuries ago by those who are long dead." She shook her head. "Word was sent to Zathrian every time the landships passed this way, asking him to come, but he has always ignored us. We will no longer be denied."

The low growl from Swiftrunner was filled with frustration. "We spread the curse to his people. So he must end the curse to save them."

"Please, mortal…" The woman held out a beseeching hand. "You must go to him. Bring him here. If he sees these creatures, hears their plight… surely he will agree to end the curse."

Hiccup sighed. "Why would Zathrian agree to come here alone?"

"If Zathrian comes, I shall summon Witherfang. I possess that power. I also have the power to ensure Witherfang is never found. Tell Zathrian this. If he does not come, if he does not break the curse, he will never find Witherfang, and he will never cure his people."

Hiccup could tell that she was not making an idle threat. He was concerned however that the werewolf won't be able to hold back their anger towards Zathrian, but the Lady seemed had some sort of calming effect on them, and she did appear to be reasonable.

Hiccup sighed. "You don't leave me much choice, but I will do as you ask."

The Lady nodded and then wandered over to a door. "Outside of this chamber, the passage leading back to the service has been opened for you. Return with Zathrian as soon as you can."

As they left Valka leaned in to whisper in Hiccup's ear.

"She's Witherfang."

Hiccup was afraid of this. "Then, her threat is genuine."

"While I don't agree with her methods, I have to say that Zathrian isn't much better," said Astrid.

Hiccup agreed that is immediate for was to Ragnar who had been very quiet ever since they left. He can only imagine what he was going through, on the one hand, he wanted to save the clan and while on the other he couldn't let Zathrian get away with what he had done. As per usual, their little task was a lot more complicated than it seemed.

Hiccup placed a hand on his sword when he saw the keeper standing at the entrance to the ruins. Either he'd followed them, or he'd known exactly where to find them all along.

"Ah. And here you are already," said Zathrian.

"Why am I not surprised to see you here?" Hiccup asked, walking towards him.

Zathrian narrowed his eyes. "Did you? Aren't you the intuitive one."

"How did you get here?" Ragnar asked. "Wouldn't the forest keep you out?"

"I am a keeper, with access to the magic of the ancients. I was never barred from this place."

Valka narrowed her eyes. "Obviously he wishes to see whether we have done his work for him.

Zathrian glared. "I am keeper of this clan and have done what I must. Did you acquire the heart?"

"We need to talk, Hahren," said Ragnar.

"So you wish to play games, da'len?" Zathrian shook his head. "I can sense you do not have it. Why are you leaving the ruin?"

"To fetch you, and bring you back to the Lady of the Forest," said Hiccup.

"Oh? Is that what the spirit calls herself now?"

"You knew?" Ragnar's eyes widened. "You knew?" He started to step forward, and Heather grabbed his shoulder. "Ma banal las halamshir var vhen." He shook his head. "Is'ma tel'him."

"Ir abelas, ma suledin…"

"Mana. Hahren, ma ghilana elvhen din'an. Halam sahlin."

"Da'len…"

"Mana. Ma halam. Ma ghilan'him banal'vhen. Ar'din nuvenin na'din. Var halani, sela ar tu na'lin emma mi."

"Ma emma harel, da'len. Dirthara-ma."

"Fen'harel tu ven, era'lin."

Ruffnut leaned towards Eret. "Do you have any idea what they're saying?"

Eret narrowed her eyes. "Do I look like I speak Elvish?"

"Can't you elves speak English for the rest of us?" Snotlout grunted.

Hiccup for once agreed with Snotlout. "Look, this argument is getting us nowhere, we need to speak with the Lady."

"And what does she want with me, if I might inquire?"

"What do you think she wants?" Ragnar practically spat.

Zathrian shrugged and eyed Ragnar with disgust. "To survive, I suspect. That is the common nature amongst all such creatures, the will do survive." He shook his head. "You do understand that…"

"That she is Witherfang?" Ragnar narrowed his eyes. "Tel garas solasan, harrellan."

"She is the powerful spirit of this ancient forest that I summoned long ago and bound into the body of the wolf." Zathrian shook his head. "Her nature is that of the forest itself. Beautiful and terrible, serene and savage, maiden and beast. She is the Lady and Witherfang both, two sides of a single being. The curse came first from her. Those she afflicted with it mirrored her own nature, becoming savage beast as well as human."

"The curse came first from you," said Ragnar.

Zathrian clenched his fists and actually took a step towards Ragnar. "They attacked my clan, and they were the same savages that they have ever been. They deserve to be wiped out and not defended." He inhaled, and his face softened. "Come, da'len. I can force the spirit into Witherfang's form. He may then be slain and the heart taken. Help me save our people."

Ragnar's smile was cold. "The werewolves have regained their minds."

"Even so, they are still the same worthless creatures that their ancestors were. They deserve nothing more than the misery they possess." Zathrian shook his head. "This is not your battle, Grey Warden. Let us just take the heart and be done with it."

"I am making this my fight," said Ragnar.

"If you do not help me get the heart, then my hunters are not cured, and you will get no assistance against the darkspawn."

"Do you still have so much hatred after all this time?"

"You were not there. You did not see what… what they did to my son. To my daughter. And so many others." He shook his head. "You of all people should understand. You lost your parents to bandits! How can you defend these beasts? You know how we must struggle to be safe, how we must fight for justice. I could not let their crimes go unanswered!"

Ragnar closed his eyes. "Yes I do, but that's no excuse of tormenting them now. You did suffer injustice, but these werewolves had nothing to do with it all those involved are long dead. And right now who's suffering the most?"

Zathrian's face was furious. "Very well. You wish me to go and talk? I will do so. But what if it is only more revenge they wish? Will you safeguard me from harm?"

"I will protect you from them."

"Ma serannas," said Zathrian, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The werewolves shifted and growled as they walked back into the chamber with Zathrian. Hiccup was afraid that hostilities were inevitable, the only question was whether who would start it werewolves or Zathrian.

Zathrian looked at the Lady and narrowed his eyes. "So here you are, spirit."

"She is the Lady of the Forest. You will address her properly." Swiftrunner started to surge forward, and Ragnar stepped between the werewolf and the keeper.

"You've taken a name, spirit?" Zathrian's voice was mocking. "And you've given names to your pets? These…" He looked around, and his eyes narrowed. "…Beasts who follow you?"

"It was they who gave me a name, Zathrian. And the names they take are their own. They follow me because I help them to find who they are."

"Who they are has not changed from whom their ancestors were. Wild savages! Worthless dogs! Their twisted shape only mirrors their monstrous hearts!"

Swiftrunner gazed down at Ragnar before turning back to the Lady. "He will not help us, Lady! It is as I warned you! He is not here to talk!"

Zathrian shook his head. "No, I am here to talk, though I see little point in it. We all know where this will lead. Your nature compels it, as does mine."

"It does not have to be that way. There is room in your heart for compassion, Zathrian. Surely your retribution is spent."

"My retribution is eternal, spirit, as is my pain. This is justice, no more."

"Are you certain your pain is the only reason you will not end this curse? Have you told the mortals how it was created?"

"He said he summoned you and bound you to a wolf," said Hiccup stepping in to assist Ragnar.

"And so he did. Witherfang and I are bound as one being. But such powerful magic could not be accomplished without Zathrian's own blood." She turned her gaze on Zathrian. "Your people believe you have rediscovered the immortality of their ancestors, Zathrian, but that is not true. So long as the curse exists, so do you."

Zathrian shook his head. "No, that is not how it is!"

Ragnar then turned furiously upon Zathrian. "You would betray our people for revenge," he said coldly, but he did not move from his position between Swiftrunner and Zathrian.

"It is not a betrayal. I did what was necessary. I did what was just, and it still is!"

"The curse would not end with Zathrian's death," said the Lady, lifting a hand in a gesture of pacification. "His life, however, relies on its existence. And I believe his death plays a part in its ending."

Swiftrunner snarled. "Then, we kill him! We tear him apart now." He started to push forward, and Hiccup used the hilt of Starfang to shove him backwards.

"For all your powers of speech, you are beasts still," said Zathrian, all but spitting the words. "What would you gain from me? Only I know how the ritual ends, and I will never do it."

Swiftrunner turned and gestured. "You see? We must kill them all."

Hiccup exchanged looks with Astrid, and she was looking slightly nervous. If it came to battle, whose side, exactly would they be on?

Zathrian apparently had thoughts along the same lines. He turned to Hiccup. "See? They turn on you as quickly. Do what you have come here to do, Grey Warden, or get out of my way."

"You're not exactly promoting peace either," said Valka. "Besides you practically insulted them how did you expect they would react?"

Hiccup had to agree, Zathrian was the cause of all this and him and looked as if he was looking elven version of Drago. "You will end that curse if I have to force you myself."

Astrid drew her battleaxe. "We're standing for what's right, here. No matter what."

"Then you die with them! All of you will suffer as you deserve!" Zathrian started to intone a spell.

Then Ragnar did something that no one expected him to do. He grabbed Zathrian's robes and pulled him towards him and then with a cold look in his eye, punched him hard in the stomach.

He bent and picked the keeper up by the front of his robes. Zathrian started to gesture, and Ragnar hauled him off his feet and shook him. "I said I'd protect you from them," said Ragnar, eyes narrowed. "No one here will protect you from me."

Zathrian blinked at him, eyes slightly dazed. "No more. I cannot defeat you."

Swiftrunner growled behind him. "Finish it. Kill him now."

"No, Swiftrunner. We will not kill him." Ragnar felt the Lady's hand on his shoulder. Her voice was gentle. "If there is no room in our hearts for mercy, how may we expect there to be room in his."

Ragnar lowered the keeper to the ground and then held him to prevent him from falling. Zathrian shook his head. "I cannot do as you ask, spirit. I am too old… to know mercy. All I see are the faces of my children, my people. I… I cannot do it."

Ragnar looked at Zathrian with a fixed expression. "Zathrian, if there's one thing I've learnt from travelling with humans, is that hatred leads only to more hatred and a non-ending cycle of violence. If you give in to hatred, you end up hurting those you swore to protect. Is that really what you want?"

Ragnar glanced at Heather, who smiled at him and nodded.

Zathrian looked at him. "Perhaps I have… lived too long. This hatred in me is like an ancient, gnarled root… It has consumed my soul." He clutched Ragnar's arm to keep from falling as he turned to look at the spirit. "What of you, spirit? You are bound to the curse just as I am. Do you not fear your end?"

"You are my maker, Zathrian. You gave me form and consciousness where none existed. I have known pain and love, hope and fear, all the joy that is life. Yet of all things I desire no more than an end. I beg you, maker… put an end to me." She knelt. "We beg you… show mercy." Around them, the werewolves began to kneel as well.

Zathrian pushed Ragnar away and fell to his own knees in front of the Lady. "You shame me, spirit. I am… an old man, alive long past his time."

"Then, you will do it? You will end the curse?"

"Yes. I think it is time. Let us… put an end to it all." He inhaled, then looked at back no. "Before I do this I should tell you that your father knew what I did and tried to convince me to undo the curse, he foresaw that my clan would suffer if I did not do it and like a fool I ignored him. Your father would be so proud of you."

They all watched as Zathrian made his way to the altar.

Both the Lady of the Forest and Zathrian vanished in the emerald light. It seemed to spread out, blinding. When she managed to blink her eyes clear, men stood where there had once been werewolves.

"It's… over." The man that stood where Swiftrunner had been sounded almost ready to burst into tears. "She's gone, and… we're human. I can scarcely believe it."

"What will you do now?" Ragnar asked him.

"We will leave the forest, I suppose. Find other humans, see what's out there for us. It should be quite interesting, don't you think?" He kept looking down at his hands, turning them forward and backwards.

"Head north. Or west, to Berk. Perhaps we will meet again one day."

Swiftrunner nodded. Then he shook his head. "I never got your name."

"Ragnar."

He looked up at regnal. "Thank you. We… we'll never forget you." The former werewolves left the chamber.

"I think its best that we head to the surface," said Ragnar.

They soon made it back to the clan, and they found that everyone suffering from the curse had been completely cured.

"It is done," said Lanaya as they entered the camp. Her eyes were red, as though she were fighting back the tears. "The essence of the wolf's heart has banished all traces of cursed blood from the hunters." Her voice was strong but sad. "It is too bad that Zathrian had to die. I…" She swallowed. "I felt it when he departed. I think he was ready to go."

Ragnar dropped his voice low so as not to be overheard. "Did you know about his connection to the curse?"

Her face grew troubled. "I suspected, but… Zathrian did not like to talk about that." She shook her head and wrapped her arms around herself. "Nonetheless, the curse is over, and no one else will be subjected to it."

"He was a hero, in the end, Lanaya," said Ragnar.

A tear escaped her eye. "It will be difficult to fill Zathrian's shoes. He was our keeper for many centuries, and he will be sorely missed." She raised her head, drew her shoulders back, and took a deep breath. "But I am keeper now. As promised, allow me to swear by the name of Mythal, She Who Watches, that we are indebted to you. Call, and we shall come, with great speed and purpose, and we shall strike at your foes. This, I swear."

"Ir abelas, lethallin."

"Ma serranas."

"How long before your people are ready?" Hiccup asked.

She glanced at where the hunters were. They looked better, but it was clear they were still weakened. "It will be some time. The curse leaves the hunters slowly, and they must regain their strength before they are ready to fight." She inhaled. "It has been a long time since the Freefolk marched to war… but I trust that, in the end, we shall make a difference for you."

"I have no doubt," Hiccup nodded. "Once we're rested will head straight back to Berk and inform my father. It's time that we bring the fight to Drago."

Drago had summoned yet another King's Council, and he was now at the end of his rope.

"A large group of humans has exited the forest, and they claim to be former werewolves," said Viggo. "Apparently the Freefolk keeper cursed their ancestors, and the attempted to lift the curse by infecting the keeper's people."

"But I'm getting used too stubborn to release the curse," Tyrell assumed.

"Apparently it only took the coaxing of the Grey Wardens for him to release the curse," said Viggo. "Of course now we have the problem of the Freefolk clan now joined the fight and they may bring other clans into the fold."

Drago treated his teeth. "So not only does he have mages, templars and dwarves, he also has the backing of the Freefolk elves?"

"By my estimate his army now rivals ours," said Viggo.

Krogan looked at Drago. "Our allies are ready to attack them at your word, my Lord."

"Do that, and we will destroy ourselves," said Viggo. "Besides I have heard rumours that an archdemon has been seen telling us this is an actual Blight."

"We are running short on coffers," said Johann looking at Drago. "I do have a plan for us to bounce back, but that is something we can discuss in private."

Drago nodded. "What about the assassins we hired?"

"Grimmel is still content of fulfilling our contract," Johann assured him.

"See that he does, because now the only thing that will make me happy is when I hear that Stoick's runt is dead," Drago growled.