A Son of Ice and Fire

A/N: Firstly, I just want to thank everyone for the support and I hope you'll keep enjoying the story going forward. I've started to get a lot of reviews, so I would like your input on how you would prefer I respond to them. I read them all, and have been replying to people personally if they have an account, but this will start to become more difficult as more guest reviews come in. Just for this time, I'm going to go through the bulk of the reviews at the start of this chapter, so if you want me to continue replying to the reviews like this, please let me know. For guest reviewers, hopefully you'll understand which response is aimed at you, hopefully I've made it clear in the first line of each response, if it's about the subject you reviewed on.

Secondly, I'm just letting you know that I haven't been feeling well the last few days, so I've decided to post this chapter now and leave the second half until I feel better. I hope you understand, and hopefully I can get on with part two tomorrow :)

Guest: Hiccup x Astrid was always something I had planned for this story, and I will continue to build that relationship up. There is still a long way to go, so I won't force it all into one season. While it is something I enjoy writing, I don't want to overdo it and make it the primary focus, when I have such a wide scale on which to build the story on.

Sam Hill: I wanted to leave Valka's actual relation to the main Targaryens a bit of a mystery. I was tempted to have her be the mad king's sister etc. but I don't doubt Robert would have made sure both she and Hiccup were killed if she was that important. So, I left it just at name value. You don't need to worry about me leaving Toothless out. I could hardly put HTTYD characters in a world where dragons exist and not have them ride dragons at some point. Some major things will go down before they get them, but they definitely will. With Hiccup's skills, I'm sure a flight suit wouldn't be too difficult, when it gets to that :)

Guest: To not make the story too saturated with Dragons (having like 10 new dragons suddenly appear from nowhere would sort of make the end against the white walkers a bit too easy) I intend to only give certain characters dragons.

Batmd: The Haddocks will meet Daenerys later, but not before a few of the other characters have. Originally, I planned on having Ruffnut and Tuffnut being at Dany's side by now, but I decided to wait until she is past the Qarth stage. I couldn't see a way to make it work, and so I delayed it.

Odinson: I really like that idea. Maybe once I get a bit later in the story, or I am struggling to find inspiration at some point, I may just write a one-shot on the history of house Haddock. If that goes down well, I could do the same for the other houses.

Guest: Your idea about House haddock following the Norse Gods is a good one, but I think it would be quite difficult to actually put it in. I've tried to put in as much from the HTTYD world as would make sense, but I'd rather just keep the religions in the background.

Blitz: Honestly, I've got a lot planned out, but Hiccup losing his leg is still something I'm a bit undecided on. I don't want to just shove it in there for no reason, but in the future, if I see a way for it to be put in that actually adds to the story, I will do.

Eye: Don't worry, Toothless will definitely not just be the name of Hiccup's sword ;)

Guest: I don't know where you got that feeling from, but I can wholeheartedly say that I had no intention of a Ruff x Tuff thing going on here. I've depicted the two characters as being the only thing each other has left, and so they are naturally close, but there will definitely be nothing between them like with Jamie and Cersei.

Guest: I don't think I'll change the world so that there are now going to be a handful of new dragon species, but I think I'll have to make one exception for Toothless :)

Guest: About the game of thrones characters POV, I'm still undecided if I want to do it. I have thought about just randomly adding a few flashback chapters from their POV, one from Ned/Robert during the rebellion with Stoick, or Margaery on how her and Astrid met etc. If a specific one is requested, I may change, and do present day from Daenerys or Jon for example.

Chapter 32: A way with the blades

Hiccup

Damn it Gobber. I'd managed for the first time to get Mulch on the ropes and then just as I was about to make him yield, you had to yell down to me. I completely lost focus, and within a second or two, Mulch had me locked under his blade. I gripped it with all I had, but with my weaker hand it just wasn't a winning battle. Soon it buckled under the pressure and I had to yield. Three straight losses, what an embarrassment.

"Good job Hiccup, just keep focused and next time you'll have me. Guess that training has paid off." Mulch said encouragingly. I smiled back, but inside I was furious. I'd been training against him for months with my left, working as hard as I could so it would be ready come battle, and now, because of one split-second lapse, I'd have to wait longer to prove it.

"I'm ready. Now. Let's do this properly. That's as good as I'm gonna get it. Can you do that for me?" I asked hopefully.

"Only if you're sure. It's a big step." He replied hesitantly.

"I'm ready. I'll be back in a minute." I said excitably, throwing the sparring sword to the ground, and rushing into the forge. Entering the forge, I quickly headed to the back room. I reached first for my helmet that sat on the centre of my desk. I have designed it to look similar in shape to that worn by the Unsullied. Or what I could adapt from pictures in the books from the castle's library. It is narrow, and has a detachable faceguard, rather than one lump of metal with eye holes. Unlike the Unsullied's, mine is black and red. The neck-guard is black leather, and the face of the helmet is all black. The top of the helmet is inspired by the one's used by the kingsguard, that I saw during the King's visit at Winterfell. Except, instead of three fins, I chose to sculp it with only one red fin starting at the forehead and going over the top to the back of my head. I made this a few weeks ago, this would be my first chance to test it. As long as I don't die, or it somehow blocks my vision, and I have to fight blind, all should be good.

Astrid

I was just looking on, a bit confused honestly. Is it bad that I expected more? The courtyard was now silent; the people who were watching just went straight back to their duties. Am I just making a big deal out of nothing here? I know not everyone can be supremely gifted with a weapon, but I… No, I shouldn't judge, that's not fair. Gobber must have known what I was thinking, as he turned and smiled at me.

"I know that look anywhere lass, you think you could beat him." He laughed.

"I don't think I could... I know I could." I said proudly. "But not without my axe. When we got ambushed, it got left behind. I can't do anything without it." I added sorrowfully. I've had that axe since I was ten, now it's rusting in a cave in the middle of nowhere. Just my luck.

"What's it look like?" Gobber questioned. I was a bit confused, but soon realised what he was asking and gestured out the length of the handle and width and size of the head. "Don't you worry. We'll get on made for you. I'm head blacksmith so you can count on it getting done." He vowed.

"Really? Thank you so much. I'm only really comfortable when I know I can protect myself. Are you going to be making it?" I asked eagerly, only just managing to stop myself physically bouncing up and down in joy.

"I'm afraid not," he started, and I instantly felt a little crestfallen, "I have an assistant that's a specialist in unique, personalized weapons. You'll have to come with me to see him later on." I couldn't help the butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. "That assistant made all of Hiccup's gear." The blacksmith said with a hefty laugh. What's funny about that?

"Doesn't look like it did him must good." I muttered under my breath, before I realised what and quickly covered my mouth. "I didn't mean that. Honestly I…" The blacksmith just cut me off with booming laughter.

"I'll tell him you said that." He joked. Or at least I hope he was joking. "I think the lad's not done a bad job. Sir Mulch is one of the finest swordsmen we have here, he's not master-at-arms for nothing." He said seriously.

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." I backtracked. After all he'd done for me, the last thing I'd want is for him to think that I've insulted him and hate me for it.

"Oh, and lass, you do know Hiccup was using his weaker hand, right?" Gobber said casually, before almost bursting into laughing. As I just stood there in a mix of disbelief and shock, I could just see the blacksmith still bent over in laughter out of the corner of my eye as I turned and faced back to the courtyard.

"Weaker hand?" I mumbled quietly. With his left, he's definitely no Jaime Lannister, but I have to credit that if that was his weak hand, then maybe I have vastly, vastly underestimated Hiccup's skill. Gobber stopped laughing, to lean forward on the railing, as he looked over to me. I could see the admiration for Hiccup in his eyes, as he faced me.

"Hiccup has always been gifted with a sword. He has this way with the blades. He'll play it down, but Hiccup may be one of the finest swordsmen in the seven kingdoms…"

Hiccup

Holding the helmet in my bandaged hand, and my two swords awkwardly in the other, I headed back out into the courtyard. I plunged one of the swords point first into the ground, before doing the same for the other, and then carefully planted the helmet on the ground. I promised myself since I was a child I would learn how to dual-wield swords, now this is finally my chance. I took a deep breath, before slowly removing the bandage to allow myself full control during the fight. My knuckles are bruised, and the hand is mildly swollen, but I can do this. I know I can.

I picked up the helmet, slotting it over my head. Mulch had returned with his actual sword, and placed his helmet on, keeping the visor open. I reached down with my left, grasping the freshly forged sword in my hand. I started making this after getting back from Winterfell. It's shorter than my main one, and I haven't had the time to engrave it yet, but it does have a beautiful shape. I span it around in my hand, checking the weight, and inspecting the blade. Here we go. I coiled my right hand around my main blade, smiling as the feel of the hilt crossed my palm. There was some pain, as I firmed my hold, but I could suffer it for now. With both weapons spinning effortlessly in my hands, like the blades were an extension of my arms, I nodded to Mulch, as he pulled his sword from its sheathe.

"You sure about this, Lord Hiccup?" He asked one last time. I nodded back.

"As sure as anyone could be." I grinned back from beneath my helmet. I stepped forward towards him, as he slammed his visor closed.

"GO ON LAD. SHOW HIM WHAT YER MADE OF!" Came a very loud cheer of support from Gobber. I looked up to see him shaking his hand as a fist in support. I couldn't help but smile seeing him bouncing about, but then I saw something that halted me in my tracks. Astrid. Why is she here? Oh Gods, this is going to be so embarrassing. Please don't tell me she was there all the time I was getting my arse kicked. You know what. It doesn't matter. Well, what have I got to lose. Apart from my head. Mulch please don't kill me. I shook my head to snap me out of it, and I turned back to face him. Circling each other, this soon became very real. Too real. Well here it goes.

Waiting on me to make the first move, Mulch jockeyed in and out, baiting my blade. I waited for my chance, and as he stepped into range once more, I took the first swing. Allowing the handle to swivel in my grip, I swiped down at his waist with my right hand. With barely a muscle moved, he deflected the blow down to the ground, before quickly spinning his sword back around towards my heart. With my left, I forced his blade back, slashing at him once to force his retreat. With both swords swinging almost seemingly within my hands once more, I waited for him to try to break my guard, but no attack came. As much as I have improved by training with him, it has also given him time to learn me. Learn my technique, my strengths, my weaknesses. He knows if he strikes first, with two swords I could easily withstand the assault and push my advantage home. I gritted my teeth, this time striking lower, and this time with my weaker arm. As he'd done earlier, Mulch expertly dealt with the left handed thrust, skimming my blade off of his sword and into the dirt. As I began to strike with my right, he jabbed the hilt of his sword into my left wrist, forcing my weapon from my hand. As the sword slammed into the mud, Mulch swiveled his sword back to block my strike. Locking together fiercely, the two blades glimmering as if they are fused as one. I tilted my wrist this way and that, trying to find just the narrowest gap to exploit. My hand burning, as my throbbing knuckles clutched the sword. I can't keep this stress on it as long as usual. I'll have to win this soon. My left leg planted deep into the dirt, I jolted my right foot forward towards him, close enough that our swords had been forced ever closer to his chest. In one swift movement, I pulled my blade down, ducking immediately as his sword swept over my head. Now primed beneath his eyeline, I turned my blade and struck up at his neck with the hilt. The hefty impact of the pommel against his neck-guard rocked him backwards, far enough that it gave me time to advance into the space he left behind and pick up my dropped sword. Mulch shook his head, grasping his sword firmly with two hands, as we faced off again.

Learning from the last two lunges, I waited longer, almost enticing him into my trap. The experienced warrior, though, must have been laughing. He stood firm, solid in his stance, with nothing to bend him. I had to try something new. I charged, swinging strongly with my right. But before I followed through the strike, I stopped halfway, leaving Mulch to raise his sword hastily to block. With no contact, I saw a look a confusion cross the man's eyes. With his stance now automatically defensive, and his sword away from his body, I took advantage. Hastily using my left and aiming down at the man's unguarded leg, I finally could gain some traction in the fight. Although my bluff strike had broken his resolve, Mulch salvaged a strong swing to push back my left-handed blow at the last moment. As he began to fall back further and further as I gained ground with strike after strike, it was clear he was barely holding on. With two swords, I could see the gaps in his defense, and now I could meander around his guard to press the victory home. The strike from my left hit his sword with such force it nearly knocked him to his knees, and the hit from the right had all but ended the duel. Yet as he deflected the attack, the pommel of his sword smashed straight against my wrist. My eyes instinctively closed as the surges of pain flowed vigorously from my hand up my arm. I quickly stepped back, only just managing to keep hold of the sword. Mulch stood back to his full height, taking my pause in strikes as a weakness, and for the first time, he rushed forward offensively. The first towards my right shoulder, then to my left knee, then the third at my centre. My left hand, although weaker, held firm to resist all three strikes. As the aching in my right hand seemed to mellow, I coiled my hand firmly, a smile crossing my lips. Now we have a fight. I stood up proudly, as two voices cheered me on.

As the shorter man slammed his blade onto mine, I jumped back, blocking two blows, and dodging the next. He pushed forward, with neat, precise blows. I shifted left, allowing the blade to skim inches from my chest, as I turned side on. Spinning on my axis, I perfectly evaded two more hits, using the momentum in my movement to rise with power and send the man hurling backwards from one synchronized blow from both of my swords. His sword trembling in his hand, as I shattered more and more blows onto the steel, staining his metal with dents. My swings now branding his blade for eternity with a reminder of this fight. Wind rushing through the gaps in my helmet, the rush surged within me, like an invisible power was pushing me on. Pinpoint blows struck towards the man's body, his sword now barely raising in time to counter my advances. The older man's experience and wisdom in battle had given him his chance, but now I had him on the ropes. A delicate precise right-handed blow slashed towards the man's waist. The tip of my sword struck before he could muster his resistance, but he blocked just in time to avoid serious damage. As his blade flashed mine away, my steel skimmed off his armour, clanging loudly as it hit. I withdrew my weapon, before striking at him again once more with my right. One forceful thrust later, and Mulch's sword laid dull, battered, and bent, resting in the dirt. My swords at his neck, the man raised his arms in surrender as he yielded.

I threw my swords point down into the ground, so they hung there, hilts to my waist. I quickly pulled off my helmet as the man opposite did the same. I let out a deep breath, smiling widely as I could hear Gobber cheering on loudly from above. Mulch looked pleased, as he nodded to me, and stepped forward.

"Very well fought, my Lord, looks like you don't need any more training." Mulch said breathlessly, still panting hard, as his face burned red from exhaustion.

"I learned from the best." I grinned back. "But I still have some work to do until it's battle ready."

"You'll get there, after seeing that I don't doubt you can get it perfected." He said optimistically, smiling at me as he walked to the side and retrieved his weapon. He looked carefully over the blade, his face dropping a little, as he stared at the almost unrecognizable sword. He looked up at me, a pleading look in his eyes.

"I asked you to fight me, Mulch, don't you worry, I'll have this fixed up good as new." I said happily, as I strolled over, and he passed the blade over. He grinned up at me as I shook his hand.

"Should I tell Bucket you are ready for your final challenge?" He asked eagerly.

"Soon, Mulch, soon." I vowed, holding up my injured hand. "Once this is healed, then I'll take Bucket on, maybe I'll even survive a minute." I joked. "Until then, I'll give it time to recover, I'd only do more damage to continue training now." Mulch nodded at me, as I turned to head into the forge. I held the helmet under my arm, as I pulled out my two swords from the ground and placed them on top of Mulch's across my arms. With a bounce in my step, I reached the forge, still with Gobber's cheers ringing in my ears.

Astrid

Well… That happened. Of all the things I'd been expecting, that, that was not it. How does someone even learn to fight like that? Gobber wasn't lying when he said Hiccup had skill, just severely underplaying it. From all the tourneys and duels I've been to, there has never been anyone like this. Most men fight with fire in their veins, putting full effort into every single, hammering with full power. This was different. Seemingly gentle, precise blows, and tactical strikes rather than just a flurry of attacks. I've always valued speed over power, but never before have I seen anyone used agility in combat with such ease. I need my axe, then I need to try him for myself. I can take him. All it takes is one good hit.

"Not bad for a fishbone, eh lass?" Gobber loudly voiced, as he made his way behind around me and stood at the top of the stairs. I stifled a laugh at the description, but soon started walking to follow him down to the courtyard.

"Where did he learn that technique? I've never seen anything like it." I asked openly, as we started descending the steps towards the ground.

"Not likely anyone has. Lad trained himself when his dad didn't let him in training with the others. It took him a while to get it down, but even now he's still not content with it." The man stated frankly, turning to look at me as his comment stopped me in my tracks. "Stoick never appreciated his son's gifts, still doesn't." He finished solemnly, before turning back around, and continuing down.

"Then what's wrong with him?" I asked firmly. "If Hiccup was a Dayne of Starfall, no-one would even question that he deserved to wield Dawn. I don't see how his father wouldn't be proud of him. That was incredible."

"Me neither, lass, me neither." Gobber said sadly, as we reached the floor and headed across the courtyard. "Even just a couple of years ago, Hiccup wasn't anywhere near as tall or strong as he is now, I guess Stoick just wanted more. The son he always wanted is right here, and the daft fool is blind to it." Gobber said honestly, with a shake of his head. I could understand it, Hiccup does look a lot different to the last time I saw him a few years ago. Wait, last saw him… We kept walking, and I racked my brain to find the memory, and as we reached the entrance it hit me. The boy I saved at that Tourney at Highgarden. It was Hiccup. Quite a bit shorter, and more nervous and edgy, but it was him. For sure. The same messy auburn hair and bright green eyes. How could I have not seen it sooner? At least I know for sure that he didn't know it was me…