Well all, here it is. The very last chapter of Book 2. Stay safe, stay healthy, and enjoy :D

Firstly though, I just wanted to offer a huge thank you to all of you readers. Those that have stuck it out with me since the beginning of this adventure, and all those that have stumbled across my work somewhere along the way. Both now and in future. You guys are the reason that I have now finished not one, but two books in this world. At half a million words already, this series has become more than I ever imagined it would be, and that is all because of you. That being said, you are also the reason that I will continue to write. See you all in the next one!

Shadow6409: Thanks! Amazingly I managed to actually stick to my post schedule this time. Hooray :P

CB73: Are the preparations over, or are they only just beginning? Astrid may be a full fledged rider now, but as you said, this multi-dimensional chessboard is still full of players. Or should I say, Maces and Talons board ;) Do we really know who is playing the Traitor? Are we absolutely sure who the Honourable Chief is, and who exactly is the Chief of the Marauders? Which side will win? Which side do we want to win? So many questions...

KevinLazar: Truth! Only the very stupidest would be suicidal enough to fight Hiccup for a mate. There are still so, so many things about him that I have kept close to the chest. Waiting for the big reveal in the third instalment. All of our riders are going to change so much together, it's hard to even speculate. As for Astrid blood-bonding with Stormfly, I am really on the fence about that still. I would like her too, in a way, but there are also some very good reasons why she shouldn't. For one, deadly nadders don't mate for life either... Either way, she will not get left behind while the boys excel. That is the only thing I can say for sure :P

virus47: I know, right?! I can hardly believe it either! Now to stress myself out over the third one for a change. Lol

SL99: Thanks for the heads-up on the typo. You were absolutely right and I already went back and corrected it :) It is very possible that Ilweran's powers will be something of a balm to Hiccup's. It only makes sense, and it would provide the much needed balance the the (irritatingly vague :P) prophecy speaks of. I suppose we will just have to wait and see as Ilweran discovers his new magic. At least you'll have some time to try and decipher that prophecy while you wait for the third one. Honestly, I really struggled to make it vague and confusing, while at the same time giving you hints. Just as Cuithanna said, "it will continue to not make sense until the moment that it suddenly does." ;) The only thing I can say for sure is that Ilweran's fangs will definitely not grow up from the bottom. As much as I love the animation in HTTYD, it is just not biologically sound for a predatory animal to have fangs like that. Unless he blood-bonds with a hippo too, I suppose...

Now Account: Meh, solid bones makes a solid creature :P Yes, everyone does have their own theories about the marriage knot. Unfortunately all of us have to wait for that little trinket to get revealed. Gotta leave something for Book 3 ;) You're right that Cuithanna basically confirmed that Hiccup hasn't found all of his powers yet. He hasn't really had a reason to yet, after all. Ilweran will take a while (and a couple pushes) to discover many of his too, but he also won't ever be quite as powerful as Hiccup. Not only because night furies are unmatched, but because we can deny it all we like, but Death always wins in the end. It is one of the base laws of nature. Life grows and evolves from death, but death is the inevitable end for everything. Us, our world, the universe. No matter how hard life fights. Thank goodness Hiccup has a good heart... Seems Fate and her sisters chose their players very well ;) As for the fire and ice part, you are exactly right. As the Dark God, Hiccup would barely feeling the crawling ice of death, but he would feel the pain of the burning fire. Ilweran would be the exact opposite. Just like he says, fire belongs to the land of the living. Ice is the realm of death.

I know, right!!! Tintallë is a mutha-fuckin titan wing!! Woot Woot! (Yeah, it seems night furies are just born as an alpha species though. It would be a bit overkill for them to also have a titan wing form...)

ooOOoo

The past half year had gone by remarkably fast. It felt like only yesterday that Minden was hiding out at the Sanctuary with Valka. Helping to raid dragon hunter ships and rescue injured dragons - at the same time wondering exactly where her life was headed. Living alone in a dragon nest might suit Valka, but it wasn't Minden's idea of forever. Minden craved crowds and excitement, and gods willing, possibly even love. A small part of her continually seeking that warm spark of community and family that had disappeared with her mother's final breath. That same part starting to truly worry that she may never find that kind of happiness again.

When she had first touched down on Berk, Minden had been shocked to realize that Hiccup had grown up in this tiny and godsforsaken place. He just seemed so worldly. Although the years that he had spent with Toothless were likely to blame for that. Apart from surprised, she had also been wary. Having heard from Hiccup some of the tales of his past, Minden had expected to spend her time here biting her tongue and barely tolerating the barbarians. Remaining ever prepared to put the brutes firmly in their place if they so much as looked at her wrong. After all, it certainly wouldn't be the first time.

Fully expecting to stand out because of her appearance, Minden had been relieved to find this wasn't exactly the case. Her white blonde hair, and amber eyes were obviously unique. As the only part elf among a realm of humans it was just something that one got used to. Thankfully Heather and Camicazi were nearly as beautiful as Minden. Astrid and her mother even more so. Brenna Hofferson even sporting honey-toned skin only a few shades lighter than Minden's own. The older woman's delicate features reminding Minden strongly of the people of the Mediterranean, and making her wonder where exactly Brenna had come from. Clearly she was not from the barbaric archipelago.

It wasn't just the women that had been more than expected. Minden soon realized that most of the Vikings were actually a rather agreeable lot. The men never even batting an eye at the idea of fighting alongside a woman, which was a welcome change from the patriarchal societies of the south. In fact they were not so different from those she, herself, had grown up with. Of course there were always some exceptions.

The most notable of those undesirables, of course, had been Stormheart. A repulsive man that Hiccup had dispatched so beautifully that the villagers still spoke of it. The gory scene soon joining many of the other eddas told more for entertainment than for memory. As beloved and frequently requested as the violent tale of Beowulf. Even now, the people could be found gathered around the communal hearth in the Mead Hall in excited expectation of a show. The village storytellers standing before the group - draped in hooded cloaks of blackest cloth - as they acted out the events.

The epic had become a somewhat embellished, but mostly accurate retelling of Stormheart's deplorable past and subsequent gruesome murder. Told in dramatically hushed voices, as the bards worked to coerce a shudder or scream from their frightened and enraptured audience. The characters morphing over time until they were more like gods and monsters than men. Hiccup's dark and sarcastic nature taking centre stage, as he used devious cunning rather than 'honourable' battle to slay the beast and save the fair maiden. Minden couldn't help wondering if the people even noticed the distinctly Loki-ish qualities that they had bestowed upon their hero.

The once-runty and bullied son of the chief was now sharing a place with both the Trickster God and the monstrous draugrs of myth. His name alone now evoked to remind children of what can happen if they misbehave. Leaving Minden to field questions about Hiccup that she didn't really care to answer. If he hadn't seen fit to tell them about himself, then she certainly wasn't going to either. Let the people speculate instead. Besides, their portrayal of Hiccup and Ilweran as Æsirian warriors never ceased to amuse her. If only the people knew the truth...

Now that the Red Death was destroyed though, the only real issue these days was Mildew. A cantankerous and smelly old man with crazy hair, missing teeth, and a seriously unnatural love of sheep. He was always lurking around the village and going out of his way to make trouble. Turning up at the worst possible time and blaming the poor beasts for just doing what came naturally. The assortment of aged yellow teeth and claws hanging from his walking staff clattering together as he shook it around. Trying to work the people into a frenzy so that they would send the dragons away; usually to no avail. Thankfully the villagers liked the dragons more than they liked Mildew.

Minden had never had the patience to deal with losers like Mildew. Still, the companionship she had found here made the small irritation he caused feel easier to ignore. For the first time since her mother had passed, Minden had a family. Or as close to one as she could. Fishlegs and Ruffnut had welcomed her into their lodge as if they had known her forever. Heather and Eret moving in as well, and Cami returning to visit regularly as the trip from Bog was much shorter on dragon-back. The decently sized Second Ingerman House overflowing with laughter, light, and love.

Much like the rest of the village, Snotlout had proven to be more than he first appeared as well. What had initially annoyed her had now become endearing. Over time, Minden had come to realize that his arrogance was more of a front than an actual part of his being. A way to guard himself against his overly critical father. Admittedly, it couldn't have been easy to grow up in the shadow of Stoick the Vast, and now his son Hiccup the Brave; Hiccup the Heroic.

Stoick the Vast was another enigma. Minden wasn't entirely sure what she had expected of Hiccup's father, but it wasn't what she had found. A massive mountain of a man that was nearly as tall as her own father, but much broader. His red hair and stubborn disposition being the only things about him that had really reminded her of Hiccup. Just like his village though, Stoick the Vast had more to offer if one was able to peer deep enough beneath the armour.

During her first months here, Minden had started to understand why Hiccup and Valka had both opted to leave this place. Though Stoick was a wise and caring chief, he was also terribly traditional. Inflexible was an excellent word for him. The man was like an oak tree - solid and steadfast. Holding firm with his roots deeply embedded in the past, even as the winds of change battered at his branches. He can't have been an easy man to live with. Pushing his family to the highest of standards and expecting them to fit into his carefully ordered world, despite the fact that neither of them ever could. That a man like Stoick would fall in love with a wild child like Valka was astounding.

As the armour was slowly chipped away, Minden finally caught glimpses of the man within the mountain. What she saw was a father and husband who was simply lost and afraid. Left on his own to care for a small child when his wife was taken. Any headway in the war that Valka might have made with her protestations had been shattered that night. Instead of seeking peace, Stoick had begun to fight the dragons harder than ever. Hoping to keep his only son from suffering the same fate.

Unfortunately for them both, Hiccup's penchant for exploration, invention, and trouble made life difficult. Keeping the adventuresome boy safe had to have been a trying task for a man that was already struggling to run a village. Concealing his own grief from everyone for the sake of the tribe's future, while alienating his only son in the process. Hiccup's distinctly unviking-like way of thinking leaving Stoick floundering in the waters at his wits end. Longing to communicate with the boy, but neither of them knowing how to begin. Where do you start to set down a foundation when you have no common ground to stand on?

Nowadays, Stoick spoke of his son often, and with immense pride. His green eyes twinkling with humour above his bushy red beard. Carrying hints of Hiccup in their shape, as well as the light they held when he laughed. His nose, his hands, his mannerisms were all so reminiscent of Hiccup that it was almost comical. The way they both gesticulated when they spoke, wore their quiet and reserved strength like infallible battle armour, and seemed to have a near tireless sense of discipline and purpose. Looking at him now, it was easy to imagine Stoick being much like Hiccup in his younger years - before life wore him down and responsibility took hold of the reigns that is.

Despite all the changes, the seasons still carried on in their relentless march. The island village of Berk slowly becoming draped in heaps of snow as winter truly took hold. The houses now looking like little cozy caves nestled within the glittering drifts. Orange light shining through cracks on shuttered windows and promising warmth and shelter within. The still night air occasionally broken by the squeaks and garbled roars of baby dragons. Those little bundles of scaly love rolling and tumbling through the frosty piles without a care in the world. Their parents watching over them with sleepy interest. Safe at last from the clutches of the vile queen dragon, they no longer feared for the future of their offspring.

As the Norse version of Yule had drawn nearer, so too had the dragons' mating season. Minden had warned the villagers about the possibility that the dragons would leave. Informing them that many preferred to return to their place of birth to nest. Fishlegs had prepared himself for days to make sure he was ready to say farewell to his beloved Meatlug, much to Snotlout's amusement, but it had turned out to not be necessary. Clearly the dragons had decided that Berk was more than suitable for nesting. Most of them, especially those that had become part of households, had simply stayed and laid their eggs on the island.

This however, led to a whole different problem. Realizing what was about to happen, Minden had rallied everyone up to gather all the eggs and move them to safe locations far away from the village. No one really understood why, but they bundled up in their winter furs and got to it anyways. After all, no one really argued with her when it came to matters of dragon behaviour. When a stray gronkle egg, missed because it was well hidden in a disused shed, hatched with the force of a zippleback explosion, it became instantly apparent why she had made such a fuss.

Norse Yule was an interesting time as well, even if one discounted the new addition of dragons. The nights filled with loud music, ungainly dancing, and heavy meat dishes washed down with overly sweet mead. The latter two of which Minden still wasn't a fan of. Unlike Hiccup and her father, she was human enough to require sustenance. Thanks to both her father and her elven heritage though, she had just never acquired a liking for meat. The vikings, on the other hand, revelled in the rich food and drink as well as in the opportunity to share it with friends.

Many nights the villagers were to be found braving the weather to gather in the Mead Hall. Sharing stories and drink around the main hearth in daily feasts. The children waking up early on Snoggletog morning - anxious to see what small trinkets and treats Odin had left in their helmets. The overwhelming amount of laughter and joy in the air nearly making one forget about the abysmal weather; if only for a short time. Now that the festivities were over though, the storms were all that remained.

Minden and her dragon were not used to this climate. Neither of them overly enjoying it much either. Never in a million years would Minden have imagined that she would willingly choose to settle in a place like Berk. During her childhood years, she had resided in a small village much like this one. The people themselves nearly as hardy and immovable as the stone beneath their feet, no matter what the world chose to send their way. The winters had certainly been dreary, but not like this.

Instead of sleet and snow, there had been rain. Torrential rains that lasted for nearly a whole season. Soaking the soil until it overflowed as rivers burst their banks. Flooding both the villages and the farmers' fields; providing the water needed for the growing season. The warmth of the returning sun in spring causing the air to grow humid - as if the rains continued to linger even though the clouds had departed.

After her mother's death, Minden had found Borealis. Knowing she needed to leave or be married off to the lecherous old nobleman that owned the village, Minden had been faced with a tough decision. Travel to a place she knew, but had not seen in many years, or go on an adventure into places unknown. The two of them could have gone west towards the lands of her birth, but they had selected the latter option and tried their luck with flying south instead. Upon discovering the bustling cities and consistently warm climate, they never looked back.

She had never thought it possible, but after the third blizzard in a row, Minden was seriously starting to wish for rain. Her nervous eyes continually turning upwards to check the rafters for any signs of stress fractures under their heavy burden. After all, the relatively breathable wood and thatch houses of her youth, though excellent at keeping the rain out, could never have withstood storms like these. They would have collapsed in a pile of splinters before you could say 'look out'. Apparently the Hooligan's timber homes were built as solidly as the people that resided in them.

Now her and Bori could count themselves among these hardy barbarians. Who would've thought that two heat-loving creatures would come to dwell in the unforgiving land of the midnight sun. It was not an easy transition, but Minden loved a challenge. Her days spent working with both the dragons and the villagers as a way to keep busy. Finding new and inventive ways to add some harmony to this sudden and unexpected friendship between man and beast.

When she wasn't doing that, she was helping keep the riders in top form. Teaching them aerial battle tactics used for fighting humans instead of dragons. Something that Hiccup had tasked her with, even though he hadn't explained why. Although it only made sense that they prepare for an attack of some sort. It was only a matter of time before word reached the dragon traders that there was a whole archipelago flocking with partially tamed beasts. Who could possibly resist a bounty like that?

Minden wasn't overly worried about the hunters though. The shipping lanes would still be frozen over for another few months at least. Thanks to winter, word would spread much more slowly between traders. No, today she was happy. Her and Bori twirling and gliding through the chilly blue skies; Minden bundled up in beautiful white and black furs provided for her by Astrid's mom. Watching from above as the small group of dragons and riders darted around a wooden vessel anchored just within the icy harbour. Taking advantage of one of the rare storm free days to get some practice in with the gang, and letting them lead the charge for a change.

She had to admit, they were doing quite well for having never fought humans before - on land or in the skies. Of course, all of the training that Hiccup and her dad had put them through certainly helped, but there was no getting around the fact that these young people had no experience with warfare. The allied tribes had enjoyed peace for many years now, after all, and fighting dragons was nothing like fighting humans. To remedy the fortunate lack of enemies, Stoick had requested simple ships be built for their use instead. Gobber, Spitelout, Eret, and Astrid's dad and brothers all helping out. Acting as a stand-in army while launching fake bolas and arrows at the riders.

There was no doubt that Heather was a natural. Her green nadder Windshear diving effortlessly between the bolas as the raven-haired warrior raised her bow. Taking out Spitelout on the launcher with a perfect hit that left a splatter of reddish paint across his chest - an undeniable kill shot. The big man shouting "aww, come on," and shaking his fist at Heather in good humour as she laughed and soared past. Snotlout, seeing Gobber about to hit Windshear from beneath, used a clever trick shot that Minden couldn't help smile at. Snot had also improved in leaps and bounds since the fight with the Red Death. Unfortunately Ruffnut and Tuffnut still got hit often, and Fishlegs still had a tendency to scream and fly away, but they were definitely getting better too.

Deciding to call it a day, Minden signalled for everyone to head back to the village. The riders convening back at the arena as the villagers trudged across the ice to warm up at the Mead Hall where food and drink would be waiting for them. "That was well done you guys," Minden congratulated her team as they all dismounted. "Heather, that was an incredible shot. Just don't let yourself get distracted next time. Gobber would have gotten you if Snotlout hadn't been watching your back."

Heather blushed and nodded before thanking Snotlout who shrugged and grinned back. "The same goes for all of you," Minden added to the whole group. "Humans are not like dragons. They will not back down or run away simply because you bring down one or two of them. That is why you need your teammates. Look after yourselves and each other." Then she smiled at them. "Now let's get to the Mead Hall for lunch before we all freeze to death."

The others started laughing as they removed the saddles from their dragons. Hanging them up in the pens and tossing their dragons some fish before meandering out the gate. Snotlout lingering behind instead - obviously hoping to spend a few moments alone with his girlfriend. "You know babe, white looks almost as good on you as it does on your brother," he teased with a grin. Making Minden snort and flip her middle finger up at him. With a wink and a laugh, he moved closer. "Seriously though, you look beautiful. Just like a goddess of winter," he muttered. His warm hands settling on her hips and making her melt towards him for a moment, before she quickly stepped away.

A look of hurt confusion flitted across his face before he abruptly stifled it. The poor boy just couldn't understand why she was so guarded around him. Sharing only chaste kisses and brief touches, even though Minden was certainly not a maiden. Not that Snotlout really knew that, but she was sure that he suspected it. Unfortunately, this was all new for Minden too.

Though there weren't many of them to speak of, Minden had never actually let herself care for any of the other lovers in her past. Had never been worried what would happen if her father found out about them. So what if he killed them for touching her? It was one of the reasons that she had hoped to find love with Hiccup in the beginning. Surely her father would be slightly more lenient if the man was his trusted friend?

Snotlout, on the other hand, didn't know just how powerful and deadly Ilweran really was. Couldn't possibly know the type of danger that he was in every time he tried to romance her into bed. After all, Snotlout thought that Ilweran was Minden's big brother. A little overbearing perhaps, but too far away to pose a real health risk at the current moment. What would he think if he learned that Ilweran was, in fact, Minden's rather overprotective and very scary father? A father that could use magic to scry her and find out exactly what she was up to at any given moment. Would Snot still want her, or would he run away screaming?

Recovering quickly, Snotlout closed the gap between them again. Pressing himself close to her, and her back hit the stone wall of the arena. Minden cursing inwardly because she hadn't even noticed that she had backed herself into a corner. His hands on her waist were not forceful or rough though. Rather, they were gentle and soothing. His eyes pleading quietly as he leant up towards her. "I won't hurt you," he murmured quietly. Obviously thinking that Minden was shying away because she had been hurt by a man before.

It wasn't exactly true, but it was as good an excuse as any she supposed. "I know that, I just..." she started, but he didn't let her finish. Bringing one hand up to twist his fingers carefully through her hair, Snotlout pulled her lips down to meet his. Without even stopping to think about it, Minden let herself melt into the kiss. Her arms coming around to circle his broad shoulders and pull him closer. The mixture of desire and nerves melding together and making her head spin.

Eventually breaking away to catch his breath, Snotlout rested his forehead against hers. Gazing into her eyes with a soft smile. "I wish I could take you back to my bed," he moaned. "Just this once." His tone was only half teasing as his lust-darkened blue eyes drank in her face.

"You'll do nothin' of tha sort if ya value your life," came a bland voice from the entryway. With a squeak of surprise, Minden scampered away from Snotlout. Looking around to see Gobber and Gothi standing below the iron gate. The stocky old smith chuckling at the stunned look on Snotlout's face as he glanced over at them too. "The chief wants you," Gobber added with a grin at Snotlout. "Silent Sven's sheep got out of the pen again. Stoick says you and yer friends need ta round 'em up before they wreck the village, while he an' Spitelout help fix the fence."

"Ugh, fine," Snot grumbled back. "But if he doesn't keep them in the pen this time, I'm turning them into a feast of mutton and forcing Sven to serve it in the Hall." The he gave Minden one more quick kiss before following Gobber out of the doorway. Leaving Minden alone with the wizened old healer.

Minden waited until she knew that Snot and Gobber would be out of earshot before settling her amber eyes on Gothi. One slender brow arched in accusation. "Let me guess," Minden drawled blandly as she crossed her arms. "This wasn't just a coincidence. You two came here to interrupt, didn't you?" She wasn't really expecting an answer. Gothi knew full well that Minden couldn't yet decipher the elder's scrawls, and Gobber wasn't here to translate.

"Of course I did," the elder replied flippantly. "Your father asked me to keep an eye on you for him, and as he is the prince of the elves, I could hardly refuse." Minden's eye went wide in response. Both to the fact that Gothi knew who Ilweran really was and his true relationship to Minden, but also because she had never heard the mute elder speak before. "You should be more careful with him, you know," Gothi added. "The boy does not realize the precarious position that he is in."

Minden couldn't help rolling her eyes at that. "I wasn't going to jump into bed with him, and Dad wouldn't kill him just for kissing me. I mean, not after he kissed Cami at the end of August. It just wouldn't be fair." She sounded petulant and she knew it, but Minden just couldn't seem to care. Wasn't it bad enough that her dad could scry her whenever he wanted to? Did he really have to get the village healer to babysit her too? For gods sake, she was a grown woman!

"I am not so sure that 'fair play' is in your father's vocabulary anymore child," Gothi offered slyly. "Perhaps it would be best to let him get accustomed to his new outlook before you push him too far."

"What's that supposed to mean," Minden scoffed. "His new outlook... Are you telling me he has suddenly changed his mind about Snotlout? I mean, he was fine with it when he left, but who knows. Maybe you two are pen pals now," she couldn't help adding with a disbelieving snort. There was no way that her father would come here and talk to this old woman without stopping to visit Minden too. Of that, Minden was absolutely sure. Although, perhaps he could've written Gothi a letter...

Gothi simply gave a toothy smirk in response. "No, but I do not need to speak to him to know what he has become. Fate spins a nearly inescapable web my dear, and Ilweran Lerinasson's story was written long ago. As was yours, child," she added cryptically. Then she cackled wickedly at the look on Minden's face before making her way back out of the arena. Stooped, wizened, and mysterious as she leant heavily on her staff. Leaving Minden to stare after her in stunned silence.

"Ugh, seers are the absolute worst," Minden finally grumbled under her breath. Now completely understanding how Gothi knew so much about her and the others. Was it possible that Gothi knew that Valka was still alive too? Just how many secrets was the ancient healer concealing beneath that deceptively frail exterior? No wonder she pretended to be a mute! Huffing in confused frustration, Minden scratched Bori under her scaly chin before making her slow way back to the village.

ooOOoo

That's it, that's all folks. For now at least. I will post a page following this chapter that will be used to reply to any comments though. I will also upload sneak peek snippets from the 3rd book (eventually), just like last time. Unfortunately I don't even have a vague timeframe for when that might happen, so maybe just keep a lookout. If you haven't already, I'd suggest you subscribe to the story instead though so that you don't have to keep checking back and then suffer crushing disappointment ;)

I was originally going to end this one with a hefty dose of moral ambiguity, but I figured there is going to be enough of that in the 3rd book anyways. Besides, I just couldn't resist taking a quick trip back to Berk to visit the gang. From Minden's perspective too, for once. I know I missed them, and I was willing to bet that you did too. I promise that we will see a lot more of them in the 3rd instalment.

Also, Gothi coming in for the win! Definitely my MVP in this whole world, for sho. Like Hansel and Gretel, she just be dropping breadcrumbs wherever she goes. Love that crazy old woman :P lol