The title for this chapter is from 'Limits by Bad Omens'. Such a good song, and it perfectly fits not only the chapter, but Astrid's emotions. Anyways, it's looking like the next update will be another two week wait. I'm trying to get all caught up, but the action chapters are quite time-exhaustive to write well. Hopefully the end result makes up for the painful delays :S
See ya'll in two Saturday's time. Oh, and a huge 'Thank you!' and 'Welcome!' to all the new readers, followers, favers, and reviewers! I absolutely love to see that my work is reaching new eyes, minds, and hearts :D
CB73: Sif and Thor almost had a breakdown at all the PDA, but yes, Sif is quite the romantic. The 'beauty queen cry' was a pretty telling hint. Lol. Thank you for that compliment. It is lovely to hear when a chapter flows well, as you're never quite sure it will come across as you (the writer) envision it. The violence awaits now though, and it certainly won't be Astrid's 'communication' type either :P
NightHowler0: Glad you liked it :) and thank you so much for that. Glad I was able to clear it up for you.
KevinLazar: I know, right! About godsdamn time too :P Thank goodness Thor realizes that Hiccup is dangerous as all heck, though that may not be the only reason he is willing to keep the secret for them...
Now Account: It was pretty good, wasn't it :P I'm glad you enjoyed the filthy humour during the 'reveal' section, since I was giggling most of the time while writing it. Lol. I agree that they may need to be more careful with what they say, but Thor and Sif likely do not know all the legends of the Norns. I mean, the Æsir don't really recognize or talk about them, now do they. And of course Astrid doesn't want to tame Hiccup. Who in their right mind would? ;) Just like no one that say Astrid in her tight armour and going full goddess would really want to tame her either. They really are a match made in Helheim (Thanks Ilweran for that cheeky jibe :P). Now to bring on the violence!
Surfy: Thanks :D Yes, Astrid is going to remember her own Yule gift, but unfortunately not until they get back from Vanaheim. By the way, I just love how much joy my writing gives you :P lol. Here's another one that should give you some smiles. I know how much you love badass Astrid.
SL99: You're right. Thor likely has more than one reason for his willingness to help conceal their relationship, but Sif is probably a pretty good part of it. Our loveable thunder god is more mature than he seems, and has his own shadows to contend with. I can't wait for Astrid to use her new gifts on the mission as well ;) I love that I have been able to increase your use of dry sarcasm. It really is one of my favourite go-to's after all. For my characters and in life. Lol
epiphany23: So glad to see you found this one enjoyable too! I was hoping you would show up in the comments section :P I can understand why you would want to wait for the rest of the chapters so that you can binge them, but I will miss you until then. Lol. Oh well, hopefully you'll leave me some awesome reviews at the end :)
The Deep Sadness: Aww, thank you so much! Welcome to the story :)
virus47: Thanks for that! I always love seeing new names in the reviews section :) Honestly, I love the idea of Ilweran and Astrid as well, and I really have nothing against polyamory as long as everyone is happy with it. Just not sure Hiccup is there quite yet... lol
ooOOoo
After making her way upstairs with Hiccup to prepare for the mission, Astrid laid the box containing the incredible bow gently down on the bed. Gazing at it lovingly as she suddenly felt Hiccup's warm arms wrap around her. His solid body pressing against her back. "Have I told you lately that you are the most beautiful woman in all the realms," he teased. His voice soft as he bent down to press a tender kiss to her neck as his words and touch sent another wave of tingles through her scalp.
She was just about to turn in his embrace when a gentle knock and Ilweran's voice shouting "are you decent," suddenly sounded at the adjoining doorway. At Hiccup's laughed acknowledgement, Ilweran pushed into the room with a smirk at the two of them. "Sorry, just needed to make sure that you were not naked before I came in here," he shot at Hiccup.
"Pfft, yeah right," Hiccup grinned back. "You were probably hoping I was naked, you pervert."
"A guy can dream," Ilweran pretended to sigh in return. "Seriously though, do you mind if I borrow a few extra weapons from you bro? I do not much feel like stopping at the palace and talking to mom first."
"Help yourself," Hiccup replied with a chuckle. Stepping back from Astrid and pressing the release on the wall beside the clothes chest. Ilweran darting inside to grab a handful of daggers and a strange silver wire loop like the one that Astrid had seen Hiccup take to Nidavellir. As he came back out, Ilweran let his golden eyes wander over Astrid for a brief moment. That startling light of hungry fire shining in them for the first time since Samhain. Though it was carefully restrained, and obviously intentional, this time.
"You really are absolutely stunning my dear," he purred at her. Seeming to parrot Hiccup's earlier words as his alluringly musical voice sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. His elven charms clearly turned up to full strength. "I strongly suspect that you are going to be the most dangerous assassin the Order has ever seen."
"What's that supposed to mean," Astrid spouted in surprise.
Ilweran just smirked at her question. "Put it this way princess. I know that if you showed up in my bedroom in the dark of night, I would certainly let you do whatever you wanted to me. Including murder," he added in that wonderfully low and wolfish growl he rarely used. Glancing down her body once more before meeting her eyes again with a devilish wink. Hiccup choking out a laugh from beside her at that, before snarling at Ilweran.
Astrid was taken completely off guard by Ilweran's words and tone. Was he seriously hitting on her for real right in front of Hiccup?! Did he have some sort of death wish?! Then Astrid looked down at herself as she suddenly remembered that she was wearing her brand new set of body hugging and incredibly appealing armour. Honestly, she might as well just be standing here naked, and she promptly burst out laughing.
"You're not wrong, you charming bastard. I am unreasonably beautiful," Astrid shot back jokingly. Putting her hands on her hips as she flipped her bangs back with a dramatic head toss. "Speaking of which, shouldn't you handsome devils both be putting on your yummy armour too? We can all stand around and ogle me later."
"You sound just like Minden," both Ilweran and Hiccup chuckled in unison. Looking at each other and grinning. The sight of their unnaturally similar movements and mannerisms making a hysterical laugh bubble out of her now instead.
At Ilweran's raised brow, Astrid just grinned and shrugged at the two of them. "Are you absolutely sure that you guys aren't twins," she teased.
"He wishes," Hiccup joked. Shoving Ilweran back towards the concealed door.
"Meet you guys downstairs in ten," Ilweran chuckled as he walked the rest of the way to the door and opened it back up. Then he turned back to Astrid with a wicked gleam in his golden eyes. "Want to come help me get undressed instead, princess? I promise to make it a good show." Glancing over at Hiccup he added cheekily, "I would need WAY more than ten minutes though." Then he shut the door with a laugh. Right before a gleaming blade buried itself to the hilt in the wood exactly where his face had been.
Giggling as she watched Hiccup summon his knife back, Astrid made her way back over to the bed to look over her beautiful new bow. Hiccup silently stepping up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist again. Tilting her head back to beg for a kiss, Astrid grinned up at him. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"
"Yes, I think you made that quite clear last night," he quipped back. Astrid laughed and kissed him again. Then she stepped back from him with a smirk.
Before he could say anything, she turned him around and pushed him towards the clothes chest instead. Giving him a gentle swat on the butt as she teased, "I didn't come up here to be romanced, Haddock. I came up here to watch you get undressed. Now start stripping."
Plopping herself down on the edge of the bed, Astrid crossed her arms and legs pointedly as she stared at him with an arched brow. As if waiting to inspect a prized yak at the markets. Glancing back at her, Hiccup burst out laughing. "As mi'lady wishes," he said with a smirk and a bow. Winking at her as he pulled his tunic and trousers off with exaggeratedly slow motions before sliding into his armour.
She was gripping her own forearms almost painfully by the time he was done. Every part of her wanting to take him back to bed instead. Unfortunately the stupid mission, and their friends, were waiting for them. Laughing at her grumpy expression, Hiccup came over and pulled her up from the bed and into his embrace. Kissing her hungrily as she ran her hands over his chest and abs now. Loving the feel of the perfect ridges of muscle moving beneath the super thin leather.
After a few moments, he broke away with a groan. "I am going to ravage you when we get back," he teased. Running his hands over her back. Then he laughed as her stomach let out a loud grumble. "First though, I think we need to feed you some dinner."
"Yes please to both," Astrid replied as she leant in tighter to him. Stretching up for one more kiss before moving to the weapons closet. Selecting an assortment of daggers and throwing axes that she secured through the loops and sheaths already on her belt, she then started stashing throwing knives in her wrist bracers. Hiccup carefully showing her how the mechanisms worked, before moving away to strap on his same weapons from last night again.
Darting into the weapons closet himself for a moment, he also grabbed a selection of extra daggers, a small black object that she recognized as the half-mask he had worn in Berk, and one of those slender filaments of silver wire that Ilweran had just borrowed. "What's that for," Astrid asked curiously. Watching him secure the blades and wire to his belt before putting the mask in Toothless' saddle bag, as she hefted her axe onto her back and pulled her braid back out from under it. When Hiccup glanced at her, she pointed to the strange loop of metal.
"This..." he said. Taking it off his belt and holding it up so she could see it. "...Is a garrotting wire." At her confused head tilt, he stretched the loop out, clutched one end of it in each hand, and mimed wrapping it around his own throat and pulling tight as he pretended to gag.
"That sounds absolutely awful," Astrid couldn't help spouting. Feeling herself blanch slightly at the thought of wrapping something around a person's throat and slowly choking them to death. How horrible...
Hiccup let out a dark chuckle at her expression and wound it back up. "It certainly is awful. For both sides of the job. Requiring a strong resolve and an even stronger stomach. Not exactly the type of weapon you would be using as a first timer," Hiccup pointed out as he hooked it onto his belt with another laugh. "Regardless, they are still handy to have with you even if you do not plan to use them for their intended purpose. A length of strong, thin, and flexible wire has many uses. It saved mine and Ilweran's life in Nidavellir, remember."
"Oh yeah," was all Astrid could think to say. She knew that Hiccup had looped the zippleback bombs together with wire of course, and she had seen him put the garrotting loop on his belt that morning. She just never thought to put two and two together. Without looking at Hiccup now, she moved to secure her new bow and quiver onto Stormfly's saddle instead. Adding a spare tunic and set of leggings to her bag, just in case. The stark and violent reality of this moment finally starting to win out over her previous excitement.
"Are you sure you are ready for this, Astrid?" Hiccup's tone was much more serious now. Shaking her out of her thoughts as she turned back to meet his intense green gaze. "Most apprentices would have a year of training, at least, before they even started accompanying experienced Riders on tracking and/or capture missions only. You and I both know that this cannot be a capture mission."
"Even if I am able to use my powers to help our target escape, the process is rarely clean and I still need to provide a decoy. That means that someone is going to die in Vanaheim," he clarified grimly. Her stomach lurching slightly in response as she recalled the oddly sexual yet intensely morbid scene with Stormheart in Berk. Was she ready to face something like that again? To watch her lover take yet another life?
Reading the understanding in her eyes, his lips twisted into a humourless smirk. "Not only will you have to watch Ilweran or I commit murder, again, but you may very well have to yourself. It will not be sexual or romantic either, by any stretch of the words. This will not be justice dealt to a despicable criminal. This will be the cold-blooded murder of a man whose only misdeed is choosing to stand on the opposite side from Odin Allfather. Or possibly a guard that is merely being paid to protect him."
"This is a test Astrid," Hiccup reminded her. "Noldo clearly thinks that you are ready to be signed off as a full fledged Rider, but Odin will not be so easy to convince. Once you are no longer an apprentice, he holds no more sway over you. I suspect Thor is largely being sent along with us so that he can report to his father on exactly how your first mission went. If he is held under oath, he may not be able to shield you so you will need to be careful. That means no uncontrolled outbursts and no magic beyond the normal, practical, and reasonable."
Astrid gazed back at him as she thought about what he said. He was right, after all. This was going to be huge. Controlling and limiting her magic was not really the thing that worried her most. It was the prospect of what she may have to do. What she may have to bear witness too. No matter what she might try to tell herself, the idea of taking a life was still alien and uncomfortable to her. The thought of watching Hiccup and Ilweran do it was equally as unsettling. There was no denying that from this point on, nothing in her world would be the same. She would not be the same.
Could she stain her hands with blood and still be her. Could she commit horrific acts and still come out the other side undamaged? Looking out to the balcony, she met the wise yellow eyes of her beloved dragon, and it gave her comfort. She could do this! No matter what happened, or how it changed her, Astrid was not alone in this. She had a wonderful man at her side, and she was loved by so, so many others. That was more support than any one person could even begin to hope for.
Locking her eyes back on Hiccup's, she gave him a resolute nod. "As long as you are there with me..." she started.
"Always," Hiccup promised. Coming back over to take her in his arms.
"Then I suppose I could probably do just about anything," Astrid finished with a grin. Leaning up to kiss him again. Stepping away, she linked her fingers through his as she pulled him back towards the doorway. "Now let's go feed the human some dinner before she starts getting cranky," she added teasingly.
With a chuckle, Hiccup reached into one of the drawers to grab his Order cloak. Draping it over his shoulder before allowing Astrid to drag him the rest of the way out into the hallway. Laughing, her and Hiccup headed back downstairs hand-in-hand. Ready to stand together in the face of whatever life threw at them.
After a quick dinner, the other four Riders all donned their hooded cloaks over their armour. Golwen looking painfully lovely in gently shimmering iridescent black leather and a dark purple-black cloak. Her long violet hair braided back from her perfect face. Thor looking impressively large and masculine in his moulded methril body plates. His cloak a deceptively friendly shade of royal blue that seemed to perfectly match his personality.
There was no denying that with the wide hoods shadowing their faces, and the remarkably perfect lines of their powerful bodies beneath the close fitting leather, it made them all look like an imposing league of elite warriors. Created by the gods for the sole purpose of war. There really was just something about those cloaks, Astrid thought with a chuckle. Noting the way the blend of mystery and danger still sang to her blood as she looked over the handsome god-princes admiringly. Both of them still looked positively scrumptious, even with the matching scowls twisting their lips.
The other two Riders didn't actually seem to mind the long garments nearly as much as Hiccup and Ilweran did either. Now Astrid couldn't help wondering whether she would hate the cloak or love it when she finally got hers. Or more importantly, would she look equally as impressive, or just ridiculous. Dressed, armed, and ready, they all mounted their dragons and took off for the gate. A flash of green lighting the treehouse behind them for a moment as Hiccup reinstated the defensive wards over it.
With a little instruction, Astrid was able to help Hiccup and Golwen open Bifröst for the entire group. Not that either of them needed her help, but it was nice to finally know how to use the portal herself. As soon as the massive doorway of light appeared, the other three all passed through the gate without a moments hesitation. Ilweran and Hiccup, on the other hand, hung back with Astrid.
"You ready for this princess," Ilweran asked gently. His tone equally as serious as Hiccup's had been.
"As I'll ever be," Astrid told him with a sigh.
"You can do this Astrid, and we will all be right there beside you," Ilweran offered softly. Then, with a last reassuring smile, he and Tintallë disappeared through the shimmering doorway as well.
"Remember, you do not need to land on the tower this time," Hiccup reminded her. "Heimdall will already know who he is transporting. Break the connection after you cross the boundary wards over the city and just head straight to Order headquarters instead. Everyone else will already be waiting for us there." Astrid nodded to show that she had heard him as she continued to stare at the gateway. Offering her a small smile as well, Hiccup gestured for her to pass through before him. Screwing up her resolve, Astrid spurred Stormfly forward and into the strange space of disorienting dancing rainbows.
There was that same tug in her gut that she had felt on the last trip to Asgard. As if there was a fish hook in her belly that was dragging her where it wanted her to go. Her whole world rolled over and she lost all sense of up and down for a moment. Then, just like last time, she was out the other side. Gazing down at the gleaming white and gold of Asgard far below as the connection pulled her in. Noting in surprise that the whole scene was covered in a soft blanket of snow as most of the buildings bore festive decorations for the holiday season.
The air was cold as it rushed past her, but not exceptionally so. Then Astrid felt the press of the boundary dome over the city and her ears popped. At that point, she focused on releasing herself from the connection. Envisioning herself almost reaching a hand into her abdomen and unhooking the lure from her body before letting it go. Instantly, her and Stormfly began to slow to a coast. Astrid barely resisted the urge to shout with joy and pump a fist in the air. She had done it!
Shooting a smug grin at each other, her and Stormfly banked towards the massive square that fronted Order headquarters instead. Stormfly spreading her wings wide and kicking a cloud of snow at Ilweran and Tintallë that had everyone laughing as she touched gently down beside them. Barely a moment later, Hiccup and Toothless set down silently beside her. Without a word, all of them leapt off the dragons and started towards the marble front steps of the huge white and gold building.
It wasn't until they were halfway to the double doors that Astrid realized there were still six of them. "Are you coming with us," Astrid asked Sif in surprise. Moving to walk beside Golwen, Sif, and Thor at the front of the group.
"I would think so," Sif replied with a shrug. "I mean, it's not exactly customary, but Elder Noldo usually allows me to accompany Thor on missions. We have been fighting together for more years than Thor has been a bonded Rider, and I am already wearing my armour," she added. Glancing down at her methril chest plate, bracers, and greaves pointedly.
"Oh. I guess that makes sense," Astrid offered as she noted Sif's obvious armour now too. "I thought maybe you just wanted to witness all your hard work paying off," she teased with a smirk.
"That too," Sif grinned back. "I want to see you kick ass out there girl. Golwen and I worked our butts off to make you the perfect warrior that you are, after all." At that, the three women all burst out laughing. Reaching out to high-five each other.
At the boisterous display, a group of Riders that had to be from either Asgard or Vanaheim glanced up from the spot beside the doors. Judging by their features and height, Astrid was quite certain that all of them were quite newly bonded as well. When they caught sight of Thor and Golwen, they all waved their hands and smiled in greeting. Then, as Astrid reached the top of the steps, she felt their gazes wander over her with curious interest. A distinct gleam of appreciation on every face.
Before Astrid could blink, Hiccup and Ilweran were suddenly on either side of her. Hiccup pushing his hood back slightly so that the young men could see his face better. "You should really work on shielding your thoughts better boys," he started quietly. An unmistakable tone of menace to his velvet voice. "It is never a good idea to let another Rider know that you are coveting his woman."
"That woman especially," Thor stated blandly from just ahead of them.
The group blanched in unison at that. Gaping fearfully between the light and dark rider for a moment. Hiccup flashing his fangs at them as Ilweran cracked his knuckles with a scowl. Just like that, the huddle of men turned and booked it down the steps. Reminding Astrid strongly of scared little mice when they see the cat come around.
"Just like timid little mice," Hiccup chuckled. Almost as if he had read Astrid's thoughts as well, and she glanced at he and Ilweran in surprise. Meeting her gaze, Hiccup offered her a grin. "Apprentice Riders are so skittish," he joked brightly.
"To be fair, you did threaten them," Astrid felt the need to point out.
"We did not," Ilweran chimed in. "We simply reminded them of proper etiquette. For some reason they just always run away from us." He pretended to sigh forlornly and Astrid had to fight back a giggle then.
"Can you really blame them," Thor drawled from in front of the now open doorway. "You two are terrifying."
"Terrifyingly sexy maybe," Hiccup countered. "Just you wait, Beautiful. You are running with the baddies now, which means everyone will be scared of you too." He winked at Astrid then and she nudged him with a shoulder.
"I look forward to it," Astrid shot back with a grin. All of them laughing again as they made their way into the vast foyer. The huge doors closing behind them and shutting out the sounds from the street as the soothing symphony of nature flowed around them instead. Just like last time, Astrid couldn't help being impressed with this little sanctuary of wildness that the elves had created. Right within the heart of a bustling city. Now, rather than inspiring awe and wonder though, it simply made her feel at home. Like she was back on Alfheim.
Just then, Astrid caught sight of Elder Noldo striding towards them from one of the side corridors. Long emerald cloak billowing around him, and Astrid felt a sudden rush of nerves. This was the moment. She was here, she was going on a mission, and she had absolutely no idea what to expect. At least Hiccup and Ilweran were with her.
"Finally," Noldo started in a tone of mild humour. "Odin has been here since early this morning. Waiting for you all to arrive. He has admittedly started to get on my last nerve."
"I bet he has," Hiccup chuckled. "Though I am not sure why he thought we would jump just because he said to? He knows very well that I never come when I am called. Only when I feel like it. The harder he pushes, the more I rebel," he added with a shrug.
"Oh, we know. You are too much like a wildcat Aldanil," Noldo grinned in return. "If I did not know better, I would think you were one. I did tell Odin that he was wasting his time showing up here so early, but he insisted on staying," he added with an eye roll. Gesturing for them to follow him back down the hallway as they all laughed.
Reaching a partially open door halfway down the corridor, Elder Noldo rapped once with his knuckles before pushing it open. All of them filing in behind him and removing their hoods respectfully. Standing in the middle of the room, dressed in impressive gold robes with blue detailing and holding a long golden spear with a large sapphire in the end, was none other than Odin Allfather. He looked every bit the god that he claimed to be, and at the sight of him Astrid felt an unexpected flood of rage coursing through her. A tingling wave of her magic pulsing beneath her skin in time with her anger.
She had thought that she was over that display with Amee. Was sure that she would be able to face Odin with her head held high. Playing the game just like Hiccup and Ilweran. Apparently the wounds were still a little too raw for that right now. Before she could do anything rash though, Astrid felt the gentle caress of Hiccup's emerald presence brushing across her mind.
"It would not do to use your magic here, mi'lady," he warned when she permitted him access. "Besides, it is much better revenge to never let them see that they are getting to you. That makes people much more uncomfortable."
Astrid knew perfectly well that he was right, but such things were much easier said than done. Still, she needed to try. "Ugh... fine," Astrid grumbled. Glancing up at Hiccup and seeing a smirk twist his lips as he discreetly met her eyes. With a tiny sigh, she focused hard on containing her emotions. Envisioning using her hands to ball up only her reactive dark magic until it was little more than a tiny spot of burning bluish-purple light crammed into the farthest corner of her mind.
"Well done," Hiccup offered with a small smile. Clearly sensing the barely discernible change in the air. "Now just keep it there until after the mission, and we will be fine." Astrid rolled her eyes at him before gently nudging him with her elbow again. Glancing around at the others now, Astrid realized that the entire exchange had taken little more than a moment. No one had noticed a thing, thank goodness.
Well I'm certainly off to a great start, Astrid thought grimly. Now she just needed to hold it together for the rest of this meeting... "About time," Odin suddenly growled at them. Shaking Astrid back to the present. "What in Helheim took you all so long?" Odin was glaring at his son, but Thor just gazed back at him mildly. Completely unruffled by his father's outburst.
"The long and short of it is that we had to wait for the lovebirds to finish up. We came as soon as we could, but some things just can't be rushed," Thor responded cheekily. Lifting his shoulders in a casual shrug as Astrid felt her cheeks heat with a telling blush at the double meaning behind the words. Thor shot her a grin then as Hiccup and Ilweran both choked out laughs.
Odin looked like he really wanted to say something to that. Peering over at them and seeing Astrid's blush, his stormy blue-grey eye then wandered between Ilweran and Hiccup. Both of whom were standing noticeably close to Astrid, like towering elven sentinels. Without missing a beat, Ilweran grinned back at Odin and moved slightly closer to Astrid. His arm now brushing against hers. Astrid's face got even hotter then as she gazed up at him in return. Despite the fact that they had not really done anything to display their relationship (or lack thereof) that one action seemed to satisfy Odin's moment of mild curiosity.
His lips twisted into a small grimace beneath his beard then. "Elves..." Astrid heard him mutter in a tone of disgust. Making it sound like a dirty word. Astrid felt Ilweran shake with silent laughter, and she had to fight back a laugh now as well. With a last glance at Ilweran, and a shake of his head, Odin raised his voice to address the lot of them this time. "Since you have arrived so late, I won't drag this out. It has been brought to my attention that a young lord on Vanaheim has chosen to side with the Trickster..."
"Which one," Thor asked interestedly. Cutting his father off, and Odin arched a bushy white brow at him. "Obviously the Trickster is my baby brother Loki, but which lord is it," Thor clarified. Not looking abashed in the slightest at Odin's grimace of discomfort at the familial term. Astrid hadn't thought it possible, but she was somehow starting to like Thor even more now as she bit back on another laugh.
"Aleixo Katsaros," Odin said simply, and Sif gasped in surprise. "Yes, you heard right," Odin added in a more somber tone. "I greatly respect Aleixo's father, and this news disheartens me. As of yet, I do not suspect that Alastair Katsaros is involved in his son's scheming. As such, to hopefully avoid retaliation from his father, this needs to be a clean elimination. That way I can deal with Alastair without his son, or his son's guard, getting involved and possibly swinging him to Loki's side as well."
"By 'clean hit' he means eliminating enough people to ensure Alastair maintains a healthy respect of Odin's authority," Hiccup told her blandly. "It is a tactic widely used by both sides. If they fear you, they are less likely to retaliate against you. No one really likes a suicide mission, no matter how righteous."
"Sounds like a pretty standard hit. So why are you sending us two? Why not just Thor, Astrid, and Golwen? Or better yet, one of the other Riders perhaps," Hiccup drawled in a tone of distinct boredom. The sound of his voice catching Astrid off guard, since he had just been speaking to her through the mental link barely a second before. Talk about multi-tasking...
"Most trained Riders should be more than able to dispose of one man and a few guards. Five of us seems a bit excessive. Even if you ignore the fact that it will be much harder to sneak five people into a secure estate," he added with an arrogant shrug. Hiccup's words shocked Astrid, and she couldn't help glancing sideways at him. Wasn't he supposed to go on this mission by decree of Loki? To take care of 'loose ends'? Also, he would seriously let her go alone?!
"The game has many facets," Hiccup suddenly reminded her. "Odin is no fool. If I appear too eager, he will suspect that I have ulterior motives. Of course I would never let you go on a mission without me, but Odin does not need to know that." That made sense, and Astrid glanced towards Odin again to see him looking at Hiccup with an appraising eye. Confirming what Hiccup had just said to her.
"I thought you of all people would be thrilled at the idea of yet another kill to add to your already extensive list," Odin sneered. Clearly resenting the way Hiccup continued to question and bait him.
"You are not wrong," Hiccup assented calmly. The tiniest hint of a laugh in his musical voice. "I just like to know the why's before I kill someone, you know. After all, this is the second unusual mission you have sent Ilweran and myself on in less than six months. Just wondering if this was going to be our new thing or not. If so, can I just say that I love the way you make sure to keep me on my toes Allfather." Odin scoffed and rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Ilweran snorted loudly though, and Hiccup smirked at him. All of the others simply gaping at Hiccup in stunned silence. As if lost for words at the sheer gall of him. Ignoring this, Hiccup just turned back to Odin again. "So, we go to Vanaheim, sneak in, and kill Aleixo and any of his guard that get in our way. Then we sneak back out and disappear into the night as if we were never there. Like I said, it sounds pretty straightforward."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly as he continued to stare down Odin. "A little too straightforward. Pardon my suspicious nature, but what is the catch? It is not customary for an apprentice Rider's deciding mission to involve their love interest, after all. Things tend to get rather messy and complicated that way. So I repeat, why, exactly, do you need Ilweran and myself in particular."
Glancing back at Odin, Astrid was surprised to see his face redden slightly. As if he had just been caught in a lie. "Well..." he started slowly. Rubbing at his beard nervously, and even Noldo was now glaring at Odin accusingly. Clearly he had not been aware of any 'special' circumstances when he had allowed Astrid to be selected for this mission. "It seems that someone has alerted Aleixo to the fact that he is a target, and apparently he has decided to make a stand."
"I knew it," Hiccup growled. His whole demeanour changing in a second, and Astrid felt a sudden wave of unease wash through her. Hiccup's rage actually seeping through the connection between their minds. "You know that he has a potential ambush awaiting us, yet you still see fit to send Hofferson? The last mission you sent us on was a godsdamn bloodbath, and this one may be no different! What good could you possibly think that would do for her?!" The look in Hiccup's eyes was pure murder incarnate, and Astrid watched as Odin actually flinched. The others all staring between the two men in mild fear now.
There was a long moment where no one moved or spoke. The silence seeming to drag out endlessly around them. Astrid hadn't thought it was possible, but this suddenly felt much more dangerous than their last meeting. Hiccup had been prepared for that. Right now Hiccup was mad enough that he wasn't even letting her into his mind so that she could try to calm him down. Everyone else also seeming to sense the danger as well, as all aside from Ilweran and Astrid took a subtle step further away from Hiccup.
Odin gulped once. His Adam's apple bobbing nervously. Then he straightened his back and met Hiccup's furious gaze with a determined expression on his creased face. "Noldo and the Council gave me the impression that Miss Hofferson is ready to receive full Rider status. This seemed a very good way to test whether or not she was truly ready to complete her apprenticeship, as we cannot afford to coddle our Riders these days. I would think that you would be happy for her," he added. His tone slightly suspicious now as he glanced between the two of them.
"There is a mighty big difference between coddling a Rider and simply easing them into murder. Why would he be happy that you are sending a first timer on a potential suicide mission," Ilweran intoned then. Astrid hadn't even noticed it, but Ilweran's expression was equally as menacing as Hiccup's, and his hands were balled into tight fists. "I know that I am certainly not."
Odin blanched slightly as he met Ilweran's furious golden gaze now. "In your position, that is understandable," Odin acknowledged awkwardly. Offering Ilweran a small, yet still respectful, head tilt. "I regret putting you in this situation with your beloved, your highness. I would have sent my guard to assist, but I assumed that you would not disapprove of the chance to be there to help ensure her safety instead."
Ilweran's amber eyes narrowed as he grumbled something unintelligible under his breath at that. "Ultimately, the decision must come down to Miss Hofferson," Odin added softly. "I wanted to give her the opportunity, but she is more than free to turn it down. If she does not feel ready, there is no shame in admitting to it. There will always be other, less risky, missions that she can go on."
Astrid knew what he was doing. Odin was both trying to make up for doubting her when they had first met, and also trying to prove Noldo wrong. Odin didn't think she could possibly be ready. Had no idea just how powerful she was, and he wouldn't find that out any time soon either. He was just deliberately sending her on a dangerous mission because he was sure that she would back down. Assuming that she would run instead of fight. Meaning that he could overrule Noldo by shining doubt on his judgement and drag out her apprenticeship a little longer.
Well, Odin could just go fuck himself. Astrid Hofferson did not back down from a challenge. If Odin was going to throw her to the lions (a wonderful expression she had heard Hiccup and Golwen both use), she wasn't only going to go down fighting. She was going to win. Then she was going to come back and rub her victory in his stupid face. Odin would regret these rash decisions. Maybe not right away, but someday...
"I want to go," Astrid stated firmly. When every single one of them turned to gape at her in astonishment, Astrid had to resist the strong urge to look at Hiccup. Instead, she simply stood up straighter and met Odin's disbelieving eye. "Elder Noldo and the Council are right. I feel ready. If you believe this is the best mission for me to test my abilities, then so be it. One would hope that you would not be cruel enough to send me like a lamb to slaughter."
She stared Odin down now, as if daring him to try and backtrack. The tension in the room so thick that you could probably cut it with a spoon. "Very well Miss Hofferson," Odin finally said. A barely detectable tremor in his voice as he looked between Astrid's set jaw and Ilweran's savage scowl. The predatory wolf shining through the amber eyes in a way that Astrid had never seen before. It honestly even made her a little nervous.
Clearly Odin was now worried that Astrid was going to get hurt or die and Ilweran would hold him responsible. Then the elves would turn on the Æsir. Little did Odin know that the elves turning against him was really the least of his concerns if Astrid got hurt. Resolving to watch her back for the sake of all the realms, Astrid placed a reassuring hand on Ilweran's arm as she reached out the other to subtly rest it on Hiccup's. Feeling her hairs stand slightly on end at the low thrum of magic pulsing off of both of them, though it was much more noticeable from Hiccup.
With another sigh, Astrid gazed back at Odin. Clearly it was falling to her now that everyone had suddenly become mute, and she forced herself to keep up her calm facade. "Now that's settled, is there anything else that you need to tell us before we go, Allfather," she asked politely. Her voice seeming to snap everyone else back to attention as well.
"Yes," Odin replied with a tentative smile at her now. Though it never reached his eyes. "We have had limited time for scouting missions, as we did not want to allow Aleixo too much time to recruit. We have been able to map out the estate, and provide a way in and out for you though. Vi is waiting to meet you at the Temple in Yngvilia with the information you will require, as well as any new details his scouts may have uncovered."
"In one of the meeting rooms I hope," Golwen suddenly stated. Chiming in for the first time since they had arrived, and Astrid felt Hiccup abruptly break the connection between their minds. The link snapping back on her almost painfully. Unable to avoid glancing at him, Astrid noticed that Golwen, Ilweran, and Hiccup were all gazing between each other intently now. Almost as if they were silently communicating something amongst themselves.
Odin glanced towards Golwen in surprise. As if he had only just remembered that she was there. By the time his eyes landed on her though, Golwen and the boys were already back to normal. Leaving Astrid even more confused then before. Until Odin uttered his next words, that is...
"Of course not," he said. His voice slightly perplexed, as if wondering why Golwen would need to ask. "Amenmeit was positively delighted at the thought of seeing Hiccup and Ilweran, since she missed them in Alfheim. She has, therefore, offered up her private rooms for our purpose." Those words struck a nerve in Astrid that she wasn't overly surprised to discover was still rather sensitive. The rest of her already so tightly wound that she barely even noticed her sense of reason fluttering away.
"This just keeps getting better and better," Ilweran muttered quietly. He and Hiccup meeting eyes over Astrid's head before both of them looked down at her with matching grimaces. Then several things seemed to happen at once. Ilweran barely managed to grab Astrid by the waist just as she started lunging across the room. A blade in her hand and her eyes locked on Odin's throat. Only vaguely aware of Ilweran's strong arms wrapping around her.
The prince pulled her tight to his body then in an attempt to restrain her. Astrid was too focused on Odin to really care. Watching as the Allfather blanched and took a couple of hurried steps back from them, and she knew her eyes must be wild with rage. Odin gripped Gungnir in both hands then. Raising the spear slightly as the sapphire in it began to glow. In response, Hiccup stepped sideways. Placing part of his body in front of Astrid and Ilweran.
"Give me a reason," Hiccup purred dangerously. A feral smirk twisting his lips and his stance noticeably defensive. Even in her near-blind rage, Astrid could see the green magic dancing over Hiccup's hands now as he readied himself to defend his mate. Could feel the waves of power thrumming through the air around him as he stared down Odin. Not a single chance in all the realms that everyone else couldn't feel it too. The entire room falling deathly silent as Odin blanched right to the roots of his white hair before lowering Gungnir ever so slightly. As if that was a sign of truce.
Astrid couldn't care less about gestures of peace right now. Refusing to let Odin out of her sight, Astrid flailed against Ilweran's solid embrace. Not even realizing how much of her enhancement magic she was using against him, though she was thankfully sane enough to not use her knife on him at least. She just wanted to get to Odin before the stupid old man forced Hiccup to start a war."Let me go," she finally growled at Ilweran when he seemed determined to keep his hold on her.
"Not a chance," Ilweran ground out between his teeth. Struggling to drag her back towards the doorway now as she still fought to escape him. Desperately trying to get to Odin, even as Thor casually stepped between the three of them and his father. His face unusually pale as he eyed up Hiccup warily. "A little help man," Ilweran shot at Hiccup then.
With a last sneer at Odin, Hiccup finally relaxed his stance. Moving closer to the two of them instead. As Hiccup used his body to fully block her view of Odin, Astrid felt herself settle down slightly, but not nearly enough. It wasn't until Hiccup, being mindful of the sharp blade she held, actually grabbed her wrists in his hands and locked his eyes on hers that she finally started coming back to herself. The wonderful haze of mild persuasion magic beginning to swirl through her mind and numb her body. Urging her to calm down, and she couldn't have resisted him if she'd tried. Didn't really want to either.
Feeling Astrid go limp in his arms, Ilweran hauled her out of the room with him as Hiccup and Golwen both followed along behind. Everyone else just gaping at the four of them in stunned silence now. "This was fun, but we should probably get Astrid some air. We will be outside if you need us," Hiccup quipped with a grin before shutting the door. Then he grabbed Astrid as soon as Ilweran placed her on her feet and planted a firm, but fleeting, kiss right on her mouth.
Even with such brief contact, the wonderful tingle of his lips made Astrid melt the rest of the way as her body leant in towards him of its own volition. "You are the sexiest creature I have ever seen," Hiccup teased as he released her and quickly stepped away before anyone else could see them. "I think Odin may now be more afraid of you then he is of me." At those words, Astrid felt a blush race into her face.
"Not likely," Ilweran intoned dryly. "Everyone knows that you are the most terrifying creature to walk the realms, bro. Did you see his face when you stepped in to protect her? Not to mention the way he submitted and lowered his spear. Absolutely priceless. Although, the way he tripped over his own feet trying to get away from Astrid's outburst was pretty good too."
"Well, you did warn him that she was probably still ready to put a blade through him. It would be his own damn fault if any of the three of us attacked him," Hiccup stated with a chuckle. "As your personal guard dog, it is my responsibility to protect you and your lady after all," he added with a wink that made Ilweran bark out a laugh.
"You know it," Ilweran shot back. "Speaking of my lady, thanks for not stabbing me by the way," he added as he glanced over at Astrid now. The best she could manage was to offer Ilweran an apologetic grimace in return. Bashfully peering up to meet his bright amber eyes. Pleased to see that at least he and Hiccup both looked rather amused by the whole thing.
Still, as she carefully placed the knife she held back into her bracer, Astrid felt her cheeks reddening even more. The realization of what she had just done setting in. Not only had she shouted cuss words at Odin the first time they met, she had now rounded that off by attempting to kill him. She was never going to live this down...
Golwen simply moved to wrap an arm around her shoulders with a laugh as they started heading back down the corridor towards the foyer. "I am just proud of her for not immediately resorting to volatile magic in her anger this time," Golwen pointed out with a grin. That just made Astrid blush even harder.
"Only because Hiccup had already warned me not to," Astrid grumbled now. "I already had that part of me under control. My temper on the other hand..." She trailed off with a lift of shoulders, and then they were all laughing. Emerging through the massive double doors and out into the soft orange light of the setting sun. "I just, wasn't ready for it is all," Astrid offered in her defence. "I know that I agreed to a truce with Amee, but that doesn't mean I wanted to see her again this soon."
Ilweran just smirked at her. "That, my dear, was rather obvious," he laughed. "I am sorry for manhandling you though," he added lightly. "I just could not let you kill Odin in front of Thor. It seemed wrong."
"Thanks for that," Astrid grimaced at him. Then she let her lips twist into a cheeky smile instead. "As for the manhandling, it was actually kind of hot," she teased. "You should be careful, handsome. Behaviour like that might just give a lady inappropriate ideas," she added with a wink. Golwen tinkling out a laugh and dropping her arm from Astrid's shoulders as she reached out to high-five her now instead.
"I will make sure to remember that if I happen to encounter a lady in my travels," Ilweran chuckled as he shook his head at the two of them. Receiving indignant scoffs from both Astrid and Golwen now as Hiccup laughed and reached out to bump fists with him. "Speaking of being careful though," Ilweran started again as he glanced back at Astrid. "One of these days I may just misconstrue your jokes as a real offer, princess. Then you will have to live with the guilt of my death on your conscience AND explain to my mother why I died."
They all started laughing at that as Hiccup smirked at Ilweran. "I am sure your mother will figure it out," Hiccup pointed out. "Unlike myself, you are just a filthy horn-dog at the core. It was only a matter of time before you reverted back to your old sleazy ways," he added. Slinging an arm around his friend's shoulders now and Ilweran shoved him in return. Rolling his eyes and muttering curses at Hiccup as Golwen and Astrid laughed even harder.
At that moment, Thor, Sif, and Noldo started coming down the steps towards them. Gaping in confusion at the jovial display mere moments after Astrid had been in a murderous rage. "Are we all okay now," Thor asked loudly. Arching a brow at the four of them.
"Absolutely," Astrid shouted back. "It was just a little fit, but I'm over it now. He did ask for it," she reminded Thor with a dainty shrug.
He allowed that with a chuckle as he came over to her. "I freely admit that tact has never been my father's strong point," Thor replied with a grin as he held something small and black out to her. When she glanced at it in confusion, he added, "since we are going to Vanaheim, you may want this."
"Oh! Thanks," Astrid exclaimed. Taking the object from Thor and looking it over, she realized that it was a mask. Much like the one that Hiccup had used to disguise his face in Berk in fact, but without the snarling teeth.
"I am sorry that it does not match your armour," Elder Noldo offered with a shrug. "You will receive your 'official' mask and a cloak after you complete this mission. Then you can come back and rub it in the Allfather's face; and so can I," he added with a grin at her. "This is not what I expected, but I have complete faith in you Astrid. You are a goddess, after all. It is time that Odin learned to respect and fear you in the way he should."
Astrid smiled back at Noldo gratefully. His words spawning a surprising warmth in her chest, and she was darting forward to hug him without even thinking. Then feeling slightly embarrassed at the gesture. She had never really had much contact of any sort with Elder Noldo after all, and now she was hugging him. That felt like a pretty big step. At six and a half feet tall, he was certainly shorter than Hiccup and Ilweran, but still much too tall for her to easily read his expression with her head pressed against his chest like this. Now she was suddenly nervous that he might be mad or offended by her exuberance.
Before she could move away and apologize though, he simply embraced her back with a chuckle. Then she heard a spluttering cough from the direction of headquarters. Glancing out from around Noldo's arms, Astrid noticed Odin standing in front of the doorway with a look of utter astonishment on his face. A fair few non-elven Riders staring at them in shock as well. Apparently public affection was not a common practice for the Head of the Order.
Peeking up at Noldo now, Astrid saw that he was gazing back at Odin. A small smirk playing around his shapely lips. Then Noldo surprised Astrid by placing a tender kiss to her hair before releasing her. Odin's face turning a splotchy red in response as his mouth dropped right open. Visible eye wide in shock.
Glancing back up at Odin, Noldo lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "What can I say? Miss Hofferson is quite the enchanting goddess. As you can imagine, we elves have become rather attached to her," he joked.
"That we have," Golwen agreed. Moving closer to Astrid again to drape an arm over her shoulders and place a kiss on her cheek. Making Astrid's face feel like it might be on fire as she gave Golwen a small smile in return.
"I did warn you about that," Ilweran intoned cheerfully as Hiccup sniggered quietly beside him.
Odin stammered wordlessly in reply for a few long moments. Staring between the four elves and Astrid in stunned silence, and then glancing at his son and Sif, who both simply grinned and shrugged. "Not gonna lie," Thor offered in a tone of easy humour. "Maybe it's just that Alfheim air, but Sif and I have grown rather fond of her too."
At that, Odin's mouth twisted into a scowl beneath his beard. "Elves..." he muttered again before stalking off angrily in a swirl of golden robes. Gungnir tapping out an angry staccato on the polished stone floor every second step. The sight of his scandalized fury making Astrid have to bite back on a laugh, and she wasn't sure whether she should thank Noldo or not.
"I really do love a good rumour to round out the evening," Noldo stated flippantly as Hiccup and Ilweran barked out laughs at him. Shaking his head, he added, "Odin is going to have so many questions for me now that I will not feel the slightest need to answer." With another chuckle, Noldo gazed back at Astrid again with a warm smile.
"Dear gods! Now he's going to think I'm sleeping my way through the Council just to get signed off as a Rider earlier," Astrid found herself giggling in mild embarrassment.
Noting her slight blush, Noldo scoffed dramatically. His smile morphing into a wicked grin instead. "That would never work. For a bribe to succeed, you need to offer something that is otherwise difficult to obtain. As an elf, finding bedmates has never really been a problem for me," Noldo pointed out cheekily, and they all started laughing.
"Perhaps now he will be slightly less surprised when he finds out about you and Aldanil though," Noldo mused in a quieter, but still teasing tone. "Odin will simply assume Aldanil is just one of many high ranking immortals lured in by your exquisite charms, which is not technically incorrect..." That made Astrid snort a very unladylike laugh and smirk at Hiccup as he met her eyes and shrugged in acceptance.
"He is not wrong," Hiccup assented. "They all want you mi'lady. They just cannot have you." Astrid longed to reach out and touch him at those words, but knew full well that she couldn't. Not here. Not quite yet, at least. Instead she had to settle for simply granting Hiccup a coy smile in return.
"Exactly," Noldo added with a wink. Glancing over at Ilweran now instead. "Speaking of which, what did you think of Miss Hofferson's new symbol," he asked in a deceptively polite tone. "The Council and I all felt it rather suitable."
"You all are hilarious," Ilweran growled in return. "Maybe next Samhain, we will set her loose on you instead. Then we will see if you still think it is funny to be her helpless play thing."
Elder Noldo just chuckled at that. Grinning down at Astrid again as he said, "do not let him give you any ideas Miss Hofferson. Despite your beauty, I have no real desire to find myself on Aldanil's hit list."
"Darn," Astrid pretended to grumble. "I mean, you are pretty sexy for a really, really old man."
They all burst out laughing again at that. Sif and Golwen chiming in their agreement as the Riders and Sif all leapt onto the waiting dragons now. Noldo waving at them from the steps with a laugh still on his handsome face as they took off for the gateway again. Astrid making sure that her dark magic was still firmly locked in place in her mind as she watched Hiccup and Golwen weave the spell again to take them out of Asgard.
ooOOoo
What did you all think? Was it worth the wait? :P
Also, I love that even Elder Noldo does what he can to irritate Odin. Although, we already saw hints of that right from the beginning. I mean, he's absolutely ancient and a ridiculously powerful elf! No wonder he would chafe under Odin's 'rule'. No one orders the elves around without some backlash and attitude in return ;)
Side note, did you guys notice the way that Thor spoke of Loki? Calling him his 'baby brother', even though Odin would obviously rather he didn't. His familial nonchalance is very telling of the man that Thor is, and also might be more important than we all realize... Everyone has shadows...