"And then it was over. With the archdemon dead, the darkspawn horde quickly crumbled. Most fled back into the Deep Roads. They would remain a threat in the years to come, but the Blight had been ended before it had truly begun. Midgard had been saved, and the entire kingdom rose up to joyously greet its new king. The Grey Wardens stood redeemed, and a new age had begun… but at what cost?"

Ragnar sat back as he put his quill back into its inkpot and closed the book here just finished written, with the title that said: The Blight of Midgard. There was still one or two things to change and alter, but this will be the first elven book in such a long time.

After the battle, there had been a massive body count, and the city received a lot of damage. Among the dead were Viggo Grmborn, who managed to fend off wave after wave of darkspawn buying them times of addicted kill the archdemon.

Ragnar still wasn't entirely sure how Hiccup survived, but no sooner had the battle ended that his mother disappeared. There was no way that was just a coincidence, but if Hiccup knew about anything he sure wasn't saying anything.

T


oday was Hiccup's coronation, and he was going to announce his engagement, Astrid. With the death of his father now him becoming King that left a massive power vacuum within Berk, but he gave the teyrnir over to Ake, and if that wasn't enough he made him the Command of the Army in his new Council.

Hiccup also gave the Arling of Aresgan over to Fishlegs and named him the new Minister of Law, was now his job to settle the unrest within the alienage. So many nobles had lost their lives, leaving a massive power vacuum, especially within the Bannorn thanks to the civil war.

Then he heard the door open behind him and saw Heather walking towards him in a green dress than match perfectly with her eyes.

"So, you finished it," she said, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him on the cheek.

"Just a few things to altar, like not divulges secret information about the Grey Wardens and stuff like that," said placing his hand over her arms.

"I can't wait to read it," she said. She then pulled out of his chair. "It's time."

It was now time for the coronation Hiccup was now kneeling before Grand Cleric Elemena with nobles, friends, family and soldiers watching.

"I hereby proclaim you Hiccup the First of Midgard," she said, placing the crown on his head.

Hiccup then rose to his feet and waved to his audience, and immediately they burst into cheers.

"I hope that I can prove you worthy of wearing this crown," he said to them. "And as King, there are few things that I have to do. This victory was not only thanks to the brave men and women of this kingdom, but many individuals took part in the Blight, and it's only right that I reward them. First Enchanter Irving and Knight-Commander Greagoir, please step forward."

Both the First Enchanter and Knight-Commander then stepped forward and kneeled before him.

Hiccup looked at Greagoir first. "Knight-Commander, you and your Templars have done this country a great service which will not be forgotten. You and your knights will be mentioned in the records for service of bravely."

"We are honoured your Majesty," said Greagoir.

Hiccup then turned to Irving. "First Enchanter Irving, I have very little influence over the Circle and given recent events I cannot grant you the freedom that many of you probably want."

Irving nodded. "I understand."

"However, I will look into a matter of allowing the mages of the Circle new opportunities across the country with Templar support of course," Hiccup assured him. "We can certainly do with some clinics, and perhaps we can organise some sort of military service."

"We will make sure that we won't squander the opportunity you give us," said Irving and then he and Greagoir made their way back to the crowd.

"Duran of Orzammar step forward!" said Hiccup.

Duran then approached Hiccup, but he didn't bow, considering that he wasn't a native to the country was understandable.

"If the Blight has taught us one thing, it is that your people face the struggle of the darkspawn every day and it's something we can no longer ignore," said Hiccup. "To that end, I hereby offer full military support of Midgard to the new king of Orzammar, and will aid in reclaiming the Deep Roads."

"Pleased to hear that your Majesty," said Duran and made his way back to the crowd.

"Keeper Lanaya, please step forward," said Hiccup.

Lanaya then stepped forward and much like Duran she did not bow either.

"We cannot forget the aid that the elves have given us, and while I cannot give back your homeland, I can give you land for yourselves. For this day forward I hereby grant the Hinterlands to the north of the Korcari Wilds, including Ostagar, to the Freefolk elves. I will also attempt to make life here for the city elves more bearable by giving them a voice in the Landsmeet."

Lanaya stared at him. "He would give us our own land?"

"I know it is rugged ground, and there is much to sort out, but I hope that this is the first step to restore trust you are to peoples."

"We accept gladly," said Lanaya and then they have back to the crowd.

Hiccup then look towards the crowd. "I also declare that the Arling of Amaranthine, once the land of Arl Johann, is now granted to the Grey Wardens. So they can rebuild, following the example of those who went before them. Now I believe it is time for us to celebrate!"

Everyone immediately burst into cheers.


Ragnar and Heather were with Speedfist they were discussing their future plans.

"So the Chantry is planning an expedition to the Temple of Sacred Ashes, and they want you to lead it?" said Speedfist looking at Heather.

"Orders from the Divine herself apparently," Heather smiled. "It makes sense and the only one in our party that has spent time with the Chantry. I'll be heading over to Asgard to get everything sorted out."

"I need to get to Asgard as well," said Ragnar. "I need a given report to Warden-Commander Clarel, they're going to have many questions to answer. Problem is I don't know all of them."

Heather rested her head on his shoulders. "And these we can make the journey together, but I have a feeling we'll be together again soon."

"I look forward to it," said Ragnar as he wrapped his hand around her waist and then looked at Speedfist. "What about you? Would you plan to do now that you're a Grey Warden?"

"I'll be making my way to Soldier's Peak, I wondered if I can't research the Blight is still so much that we don't know. There are good and make sure that my experiments are not as extreme as Avernus."

"Good to know," said Ragnar. "Though I think the problems for the Grey Wardens are hardly over. We may have ended the Blight, but it was rather too soon."

Heather looked at him, bewildered. "I can't believe you're saying such a thing."

"Don't get me wrong I'm glad that we ended, but only Midgard suffered the Blight while all the other nations were barely aware of it. The Grey Warden numbers have declined of the last few centuries, and I doubt they're going to get any better now."

"Well, I sincerely hope you're wrong," said Speedfist.

"So am I."


Snotlout and Wartihog were talking to Duran and Natia, and they were drinking rather a lot.

"Just heard from my sister. Apparently, the Assembly decided to make me Warrior Caste," said Natia.

"Well, you certainly deserve it duster," said Wartihog.

"My mother has stopped drinking, and now she's pulling her friends lowly presence," Natia chuckled.

"When about you Duran?" Snotlout asked.

"Oh, I'm going to be busy training my nephew need to make sure he doesn't turn out exactly like his father. Also, I need to keep the Assembly in line, especially when we introduce these new proposals. I'm confident with the additional aid of Midgard and the casteless, we might very well be able to reconquer a good portion of the Deep Roads within the next decade."

"Hiccup put me in charge of preparations for Orzammar," said Snotlout proudly. "So we may end up seen each other again real soon."

"As for me and stay up top and where things go with Felsi," said Wartihog.


Hiccup and Fishlegs were talking things over with Kallian and Lanaya.

"You wish for me to become the first Bann of the Alienage?" said Kallian shocked.

"I do hope to install more banns. First, we have the same this works," said Hiccup. "Additionally you will also have a voice in the Landsmeet, Lanaya. I don't think it wise that we distant our people from one another."

Lanaya nodded. "Yes, our isolation was an important factor during the Exalted March."

"We will, of course, help you however we can," said Fishlegs. "Though I do fear that it will take some time, the war took a heavy toll on Midgard."

"I'm actually concerned whether Asgard will try and invade you in our weakened state," Hiccup frowned.

"That is a worry," Fishlegs agreed.

"All of which we can focus on another time," said Kallian. "Right now, we need to celebrate this glorious victory."

"I'm with her," Lanaya smiled.


Astrid and Ake were currently with Sten, who was remaining as stoic as ever.

"So I take that will be returning to your homeland," soon after looking at Sten.

"The Blight and I must give my report to be arishok," said Sten.

"That'll be a long journey," said Ake.

Sten nodded. "Yes. It will be different to travel alone after… so much time spent with companions." His eyes then turned towards Hiccup. "These people… they call him 'hero'. It's a strange word, but I think I understand it's meaning. The arishok on occasion has declared a qunari to be qunoran vehl, one who serves as an example to others. Such examples are always made after their death, however. A death in service to the Qun. A living qunoran vehl would be too proud."

"Do the qunari celebrate and put on parades?" Astrid asked.

"When a qunoran vehl is declared, certainly. It is one of the few occasions when the qunari are permitted to engage in… revelry. There is imbibing of spirits, public chanting, meditations abandoned… it is madness."

She stared at him, she found it very hard to imagine Sten doing any of that. "That would be quite a sight."

"It is… interesting. It can take days for the Ben-Hassrath to restore order. There may even be executions."

"Well, I wish you a safe journey," said Ake.


Sten wasn't the only one planning to leave as Eret was going to do the same.

"You're really leaving?" said Ragnar.

"The Wolves have no doubt realised by now that I'm here," said Eret. "Besides I'm the kind of guy that likes to wander around. It's been a joy and a privilege fighting alongside you, my friend, but it's the way that things got to be."

"Got any plans on what to do next?"

"I might do some freelance assassinations, after all the only skill I have. The advantage of being freelances that I can decide what kind of job I want to do."

"Well, just watch yourself," said Ragnar.

"Don't worry, this time I'm going to make sure that when I take a contract that it'll be someone I know, I can take on."


Hiccup and Astrid now had some time alone now they wan the Palace balcony looking down the city.

"You know I'm surprised that your mother decided to leave so suddenly," said Astrid.

Hiccup sighed. "She's an apostate, can hardly blame her for making a quick getaway, especially with the end of the Blight."

"Still would have been nice if she'd been there for the wedding."

Hiccup knew that he had to tell her what had happened, but not today, not while they were celebrating their victory.

"I don't know what will come next, but I'm glad to have you by my side," said Hiccup.

Astrid smiled. "Same here, there was going to feel strange being Queen."

"You don't have to marry me if that concerned you."

Astrid laughed. "And what be your mistress? No, I see it as a new challenge, and you know how I like challenges." She then looked at him suspiciously. "Look I don't know how you survived, but I get the feeling that Valka was involved and that's why she left."

Hiccup remain silent.

Astrid then placed a hand over his. "You don't have to tell me now, but I hope that you tell me the truth someday. Whatever you did to survive and glad you did it because I can't think of a world without you."

The two of them then kissed.


The next few days passed, and now Hiccup was now attending his first King's Council meeting. He had named Tyrell as his new Chancellor, Fishlegs was there as the new Minister of Law, Ake was the Commander of the Army, Grand Cleric Elemena was also there. With Viggo Terence as he had no heir that left his teyrnir up for grabs and so he decided to give it to Levi, restoring his family's land and titles, additionally making him the Treasure. He had a long and hard for his new spymaster and spiny selected the new bann of the alienage, Kallian. Gothi was also there is the court mage, a position which had not been established for some time now.

"I hope I have not been keeping you waiting," said Hiccup as he took a seat at the head of the table.

"Not at all your Majesty, we are after all here at your convenience," said Tyrell.

"Excellent now let's discuss the situation of the realm," said Hiccup.

"I regret to inform you that the Treasury is completely empty, we're going to have to restart our trade very soon," said Levi. "Fortunately thanks to our new allegiance with Orzammar and the creation of the Freefolk colony down south we now have our far more opportunities than before. I'm very confident that we can get things back up and running very soon."

"Good," Hiccup nodded. "Now what's the state of the army?"

"I'm afraid the Blight and the Civil War has taken a heavy toll. We're still trying to counter the casualties at Ostagar, but it's slow going. Though I estimate that we have lost over a third of our forces, I estimate that it will take at least 10 years before we can get things into fighting shape."

"We are looking for any mages wanting to join the military," Gothi added. "I've already come up with several candidates all I need now is the approval of the Grand Cleric."

"I will look at the dossiers after the meeting," said Elemena.

"Now what of Devi, has there been any trace of her?" Hiccup asked.

"I'm afraid our spy network is not as strong ever since Lord Viggo died," said Kallian regretfully. "I am trying to refill the gas as quickly as possible, but on the information I've heard, she seems to have disappeared off the map. Unfortunately, she's not alone has Krogan, and a few more loyalists have disappeared alongside."

"So she might come looking for revenge," Hiccup colluded.

"To have a hard job of that, you're quite popular among the common people and the nobility," said Ake. "She is nothing more than a pariah now, I'll be surprised she can survive with what little resources she has left."

"Still it's better safe than sorry I want her found," Hiccup ordered.

"Of course," Kallian nodded.

Hiccup looked at Fishlegs. "What is the situation of the new laws we're passing?"

"I have created a few new proposals that would give the elves living in alienage is more rights," said Fishlegs. "I'm hoping that we can pass the law allows the elves to retaliate in self-defence as we do not want another incident like the one Bann Kallian found herself in."

Kallian moved a little uneasy. "There is still a bit of undress, especially after we revealed slavers were stealing our people, but ever since you've made me a bann majority of the elves have finally calmed down. Though a few of them are still sick from the plague."

"I have managed to establish several clinics, to deal with the injured in the city," said Gothi. "Your people more than welcome to enter."

"I appreciate it."

Hiccup just sat there looking at his Council, and he can help but think with these people in charge they have a real chance of possibility to Midgard. Perhaps they could even become a shining example to the other nations though he suspected the road will not be easy. Still, he can't help but feel excited about the future.