*Notice! This chapter will be undergoing some pretty heavy editing In the very near future. I've decided that I kind of hate time skips, so I'm going to be reworking more flow into it to remedy that. There won't be any huge changes to the plot obviously. Just a little more information to fill in the gaps. Check back to read the new version :)*
You guys are getting this one a day early, since I didn't really want to make you wait until I got home from work at 10:00 tomorrow night.
Hunter's Bane: Thank's for your comment. I'm sure we will hear more from Astrid in future chapters.
CB73: I'm glad you liked it. As for the rest of your review... I'll just leave you with an evil laugh... ;)
_
Night was falling outside as Hiccup gathered the last of his supplies and prepared himself mentally. He had already performed the ritual purification bath. He was as practiced as he could be with the necessary incantations. The offerings were all packed up. This was as ready as he would ever be. It was time to see if the plan he had devised was possible. Now he just had to wait for Toothless to get back.
It had now been almost two years since Hiccup had said farewell to the woman of his dreams before leaving her and his entire world behind. So very much had changed in his life since then. He had met the gods and monsters of myth, and explored the realms more thoroughly than almost any before him likely had. Had gained power and knowledge that not even Bríghid could have prepared him for. Hiccup had left more than just his heart behind with Astrid that night. He had also left behind everything he thought he had known about himself.
Shortly after arriving here, Hiccup had used magic to properly heal the night fury's tail fin. Finally feeling confident enough in both himself and his powers to give it a try. Now Toothless was truly free to come and go as he pleased. No longer hindered by the limitations of the old prosthetic. This had turned out to be an exceptionally good idea, as the healed fin was also able to grow with Toothless. Since they had left the bounds of Midgard, the brothers no longer lived in fear of someone discovering their magic. Set free of the silly restrictions and surrounded by the thriving pulse of the openly arcane world, the magic of the bond finally began to take hold.
Although both Rider and dragon were changing, the effects of the ancient magic were certainly much quicker to manifest in the reptile than the human. The dragon beginning to increase in size at a noticeable rate, almost from the moment the two had arrived in Alfheim. Toothless was now nearly triple the size he had been when they left Midgard. His body almost 70 feet long from tip to tail. His wingspan was the most startling though. It had already been impressive for a dragon, but now the wingtips covered a staggering 130 feet. Even their home had expanded alongside the growing dragon, having been built with magic and designed for a Rider.
Starting as a modest sized treehouse with a few rooms and a workshop, it was now more of a tree manor. The grand home now sporting two huge balconies surrounding the whole of both stories. Doorways, passages, and living spaces alike all stretched and morphed by Hiccup in order to accommodate the much larger body of his best friend. As it was still only the two of them here though, the place felt utterly ridiculous to Hiccup, but there was nothing to be done for it if he wanted Toothless to be able to move around inside with ease.
Making his way out to the upper balcony off the library, Hiccup leaned on the railing. Gazing absently into the gathering darkness and wondering exactly where this new chapter of his life was about to take him. Suddenly a large black shape blocked out the sister moons of Alfheim. "About time!" Hiccup shot at his brother. Toothless said nothing and simply stretched his wings to land softly beside his brother.
It never ceased to amaze Hiccup how graceful and silent Toothless remained despite the drastic increase in his size. Having spent most of his life as a rather small dragon, Toothless was understandably proud of his new physique. Hiccup had to admit that it was wondrous and intimidating. Adding well to the image of frightful Shadow Demons that they had never quite been able to shake. Despite arriving on Asgard, introducing himself to the council, and being inducted into the sacred Order of Dragon Riders; Hiccup was still an outsider. Partly due to the fact that he was human and partly because of Toothless.
There had never been a bonded night fury over the entire history of the Riders, and as such, they were unsure what to make of him. No one knew how powerful he was or what he would be capable of. In a weird way, Hiccup enjoyed being an unknown aspect. It gave him a sense of control, knowing that even the other Riders feared him. It did get a bit tedious after a while though. Hushed conversations just out of his ear shot and nervous glances when he entered a room. It was just one of the many reasons he had chosen to live on Alfheim rather than Asgard with most of the Order.
Another reason was that he simply liked Alfheim. The weather was warm, but not uncomfortably so. The natural world dominating the view no matter where you looked. Sharply peaked and rugged mountains surrounded by vast swaths of misty forests of pine and cedar. There seemed to be endless lakes and rivers, with an uncountable number of waterfalls connecting them. The night sky dominated by two moons instead of just the one like he was used to.
The whole world spoke of peace and thrummed with the power of life. The elves seemed determined to maintain this sacred land and had built their homes accordingly. Using magic, they had encouraged the trees themselves to grow into the shapes they desired. Anything else they needed was sung from the trees fallen brethren. The elves recognized this lingering essence and did not shy away from it in quite the same way as other races did. They even had a festival once a year known as Samhain to celebrate it, and apparently the goddess that ruled over it. Hiccup had been invited to the first one shortly after arriving through the gate. Ilweran had brought him along, even though the other races were not usually permitted to attend.
It was at this first fall festival of the dead that Cuithanna had staked her claim on him. At first it had made him uncomfortable when the pregnant woman had approached him during the Samhain celebration. She seemed to be the guest of honour, yet she was singling him out. Who was she and what could she possibly want from him? A weak and pathetic human with a dark and shadowy past.
When she had placed her finger to his forehead, he had felt the spark burn through him at her touch. Her mark flaring between his brows as a flood of images invaded his mind. He suddenly knew exactly who this woman was. Recognized her as the true goddess that she represented. She had told him what would be expected of him now, and he had understood that this was not an optional burden. One simply did not refuse Cuithanna.
When the Beltane festival had come the following spring, Hiccup had performed his role in the ritual with a heaviness in his heart. Cuithanna knew of his reasons and she sympathized with his pain. Unfortunately, there was nothing to be done for it. Still, despite his reservations for this new position, it did offer the benefit of being accepted by the elves to live and work alongside them. The once reserved beings now offering for him to partake in their vast knowledge.
The elves were masters of the arcane and of creation. Be it art or warfare, the elves were the best. Hiccup had found he fit in here better than anywhere else. The elves did not fear and mistrust him as the other realms did. He had fallen in love with this world when he had first come through the gate, and then his relationship with Cuithanna meant that he had been permitted to make his home here. The elves, as a rule, generally did not allow those from other realms to reside permanently on Alfheim. He was the exception. Despite being her chosen one though, the elves still did not consider him to be completely their equal, as he was only a mere human. However, they did respect his creative abilities.
Through their tutelage, his magical knowledge had vastly improved right along with as his armoury. He had replaced all of his smaller knives by now with new ones of elven design. Made from gleaming silver metal that would never break or tarnish. They were elegant and slim stiletto blades that were enchanted to never lose their edge, no matter the abuses they were put to. The metal naturally repelling blood and gore, so the magic would never be tainted.
Hiccup had also made himself a new set of armour from Toothless' shed scales. Using methods he had learned from the elves. Their skill with the forge was unrivalled and they had discovered a way to melt down dragon scales and work them into a flexible leather-type material. It was light and breathable, yet incredibly strong. Impervious to all but powerfully magical or legendary blades, as well as most minor spells. It was also much more comfortable than the elaborate Methril armour the Order had to offer, but still just as effective.
Fashioned deliberately close fitting, the stretchy top felt no different from wearing a tunic. Or nothing at all, for that matter. The trousers cut slightly looser than his old leather ones had been, but still far from baggy. The heavy fur or animal hide boots of Midgard now replaced with lighter and closer fitting ones made from the same dragon-scale leather. The form-hugging fabric now accentuating the lean layer of muscle that his other armour had only hinted at. Making him appear taller and stronger, which suited Hiccup just fine.
He had only made slight adjustments to the design, in order to accommodate his own unique style of weaponry. Mainly adding concealed compartments as well as two spring loaded mechanisms in the bracers for his knives. The night fury insignia that he had taken as his symbol in Rome was now carved into the centre of his breastplate and dyed the deep red of arterial blood. His sturdy weapons belt carrying the same insignia on the front buckle. Inferno though, had remained a constant. Though he had swapped out the oil in preference of the ease of magical fire. It was also usually slung through a loop on the belt now instead of strapped to his thigh. At least it had been there; right up until tonight.
"Are you ready, brother," Toothless asked him. Hiccup nodded and moved to mount the saddle. Extremely grateful for the affinity in enhancement magic he had discovered early on, Hiccup added just enough force to his leap that it landed him directly on Toothless' back. Honestly, he would have needed a rope ladder to mount the dragon under normal human power. Chuckling at the idea, Hiccup braced himself as the great black wings stretched out to either side of him. The pair lifting off from the balcony and heading off towards the coastlands of Alfheim. Toothless' black hide blending into the starry background of night sky like a ghost.
The sacred forge was located at the far end of this region of Alfheim. Where an impossibly huge string of snow capped mountains and relatively dormant volcanos stretched as far as the eye could see in either direction. Serving as a dividing ridge between this land and the vast ocean beyond. In the middle of a circle of massive cedar trees, one such volcano stood alone. Separate from the rest and protected by magic as ancient as the realm itself. A wide set of beautifully carved stone gates at the base the only real hint as to what lay within.
It was in the depths of this sleeping monster where all great warriors must forge their own weapons once they were ready. If Hiccup had not spent the last seven years slowly mastering the arcane energies, even he would have been overwhelmed by the press of power surrounding this place. It was almost suffocating. The wards he had to dispel just to open the gates were extremely complex. No apprentice, minor mage, or bothersome trespasser could ever hope to gain access here.
He jumped down once they were through the entrance and greeted the ancient Guardian of the forge with a respectful bow. Two fingers held to his lips in a sign of honesty while his other hand was held over his heart to display openness. The deceptively youthful looking elf returned the greeting in kind before waving for Hiccup to follow. No consideration given to the lateness of the hour, as time did not really hold the same meaning in this land of immortals. Even Hiccup had no idea how long he and Toothless had been here, or would be here, and they felt no great concern to find out either. The trio simply winding their way down through the bowels of the mountain without a word, until they finally reached the core of the volcano.
Before them now stood an immense and ornate set of doors. There were so many intricate images carved all over them that it was actually a little difficult to pick out individual scenes from the mass. Hiccup's marvelling at the beauty of it cut short as the elf got straight to the point, as usual. "You have completed the purification process I assume." Hiccup affirmed that he had and the Guardian turned to the stone gate, opening his arms wide as if to embrace it.
"The doors you see before you have been sung from the very rock itself." Hiccup couldn't help being impressed at that. Here he had been assuming that the works of art had been magically chiseled out of the stone. An already impressive feat in itself. This revelation, however, was much more astounding, as only a very powerful mage would have been able to accomplish something of this magnitude. It was hard to sing a rock into anything, never mind gigantic and elaborate doors. "They were a gift from the mother goddess and her sisters in exchange for our people watching over this place," the Guardian added with a smile as he noticed Hiccup's astonishment.
"Well that explains it," Hiccup mused to Toothless as he nodded at the ancient elf. The dragon simply chuckling in agreement as he flashed the elf a gummy smile in return.
"Every single warrior that has succeeded in forging a weapon here has added their tale to the story you see carved," the Guardian continued. "If you are successful, your image shall join those of the masters before you. If you are deemed unworthy of the forge, the result is death. Take careful deliberation in what you seek to produce here. As once a blade has been created, it can only be destroyed in the sacred fires of its birth. If the enchantments you hope to place on it are too strong for your spirit to power, it will kill you."
"I can not accompany you beyond this point," the elven man added in a gentler tone. An almost worried look crossing his beautiful face briefly. "Good luck, young Aldanil. May the goddess be with you." With that, the Guardian gave another respectful bow before he turned and left. His rich robes of red and gold billowing around him.
"Are you sure you want to do this," Toothless asked now. A hint of worry creeping into his voice as his eyes followed the Guardian's retreating back for a moment.
"Absolutely," Hiccup said out loud. Then he pushed the heavy doors open.
*
The forge, as it turned out, was not really a forge at all. It was a huge fireworm nest inside a volcano. Once the offerings for the specific blade were presented, the queen of the nest must then be convinced of your intentions before she would allow it to be forged. Using her own magic, as well as that of her small, fiery offspring, to mould the offerings into the desired weapons. Though Hiccup had heard rumour of this form Ilweran, it still surprised him. Fireworm queens must be one of the few species of dragon that were able to harness their arcane energy stores.
Hiccup really wished he had time to stay and study these dragons, but he was here for a purpose. Taking out the unique celestial metals from his bag, he placed them on the rim of the pit. Sourced from the shattered remains of falling stars, they had been gifted to Hiccup by the Forge Master of Svartalfheim. To be used for this purpose alone. Next, Hiccup placed the scrolls he had pre-marked with careful runes beside the metals. These outlined the enchantments he wished to weave into the blades.
Following this were two small glass vials of blessed water collected at the new and full moons. Cuttings of mugwort, lilac, and a fragrant white flower native to Alfheim known as moonblossom, were lain to the right side of the offerings. They should act as enough of a containment barrier for the darker magics. On the left side he placed two candles; one black and one red. Lighting them with a gentle wave of his hand.
Lastly Hiccup removed a small, pure silver dagger decorated all over with runes of power. This was the most important part of the process. The one wishing to create a weapon had to give a sacrifice of the self to power the magic of the forge. In this way, the weapon they produced would be matched to them, unable to be wielded by another. The blade became an extension of their own body and spirit. This blood sacrifice also providing the salt required to anchor the magic in the physical realm.
Holding his arm out, palm up, he drew the edge of the dagger across his wrist. The extremely sharp blade leaving a deep gash in its wake. After watching the blood well up from the cut for a moment, Hiccup tilted his hand and allowed the viscous fluid to run off his arm. Clenching his fist to squeeze more blood from the wound onto the rock. Muttering a spell to keep it flowing as he carefully coated the simple altar. Legendary weapons were expensive. The candle flames sputtered and hissed as the blood hit them, but they did not go out.
Once he had given as much as he could to the forge, Hiccup looked up into the eyes of the queen. He was feeling distinctly light-headed and sluggish. Noticeably weakened by the blood loss. Unfortunately he already knew that the enchantments over the place prevented him from healing himself until after the weapon was forged. Such gifts were not granted lightly, after all. You needed to want it bad enough to be willing to risk everything for it.
She gazed back at him for a moment with her piercing golden stare as her powerful voice reverberated through his head. "What you desire can not be forged from only one sacrifice. The cost of the magic is too high. Even for you, Shadow Rider."
Of course he had already been informed of this when he had spoken to Cuithanna of his plans. Hiccup was no fool. He knew just what he was seeking, and exactly how much it may cost him to get it. Still, he was thrown slightly by the fact that she had called him 'Shadow Rider', instead of Aldanil or just Rider as most others would. How could a fireworm possibly know the name that Bríghid had bestowed upon him all those years ago?
Then he forcefully snapped himself back to the moment. He could try to riddle that out later. He could not really afford to waste time in here attempting to solve puzzles that probably had no easy answers. The queen could decide to kill him at any moment for asking too much. Not to mention that he was now in desperate need of a healing spell before he would even be able to leave this place.
Nodding to show that he understood her, Hiccup looked over at his brother. "We know. That is why we have not come with only one sacrifice." At his words, Toothless raised one foreleg and held it out towards Hiccup. Into the back of his own hand, Hiccup first carved a symbol to represent Toothless followed by quick, but precise, runes. Blinking through his weakened state as he drew Tyr (victory), Uruz (strength), and Wyrd (destiny), then topping them all with Eolh for protection to complete the bindrune. Then he did the same for Toothless. Carving his own symbol topped with the bindrune, before cutting the pad of his forepaw. The night fury watched the blood pool for a moment, before copying his brother. Adding his own blood to the ritual alter.
This had never been done before. Blood bonding rituals were incredibly dangerous and expressly forbidden. Very few even knew how to perform one. As the blood of man and dragon mixed on the altar, the runes Hiccup had carved flared to life. Black, purple, and white light dancing over their identical cuts as the candle flames slowly changing from comforting orange to a dark and unfamiliar red. Soon enough it would turn to a sinisterly luminous black as the ritual neared completion. Toothless moved his paw away from the rim then. Both he and his rider sharing a look before turning back to meet the assessing gaze of the fireworm queen.
"You both willingly accept the risk of this ritual you are about to perform? Blood magic is not to be used lightly. I know not what the result will be. It is clear that the blades forged will be unmatched in power by any before them. Surely you are aware that such power will not come without cost." Hiccup felt his jaw tighten defiantly as he nodded at the queen, and he sensed more than heard her answering sigh as she glanced towards Toothless. "This magic will also bond the two of you much more deeply than any before you has been. The consequences of this choice will be impossible to know until it is already much too late to turn back. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand. We are aware of the price of this magic and accept the risk," was Toothless' reply. Hiccup also confirming his consent and acceptance.
"Very well," the queen said. "So be it. Close your eyes, Little Shadow." Feeling another shiver of confusion, Hiccup still did as she said. He and Toothless backing away from the altar slightly as she called her call to her young. The fireworms from the nest beginning to clamber and scramble on top of the offerings and each other. Glowing brighter and hotter, as more bodies added themselves to the mass. The bright red glare of light filtering through Hiccup's eyelids as he allowed the suffocating heat to wash over him. Muttering the various spells of binding, guarding, and elemental summoning under his breath. Careful to maintain absolute focus as the glowing light of the runes danced wildly on his hand.
An intense feeling of heat was starting to spread out from the bindrune. As if he was holding his hand in a flame. The tongues of black fire burning up through the veins of his arm and into his chest. The truly difficult part was not the actual blood letting. It was controlling the rampaging inferno and resisting the urge to fight against it as it burned through you. Directing it through his veins so that it consumed everything, but left his mind unscathed to maintain his separate identity.
He and Toothless were being bound together by their very life force. If one died, so would the other. It had always been that way for Toothless. Now Hiccup was taking on the same burden as his battle brother. The heat inside his body seemed no different to that of the forge. He felt sure that if he looked, there would be black flames dancing on the surface of his skin. Matching the path of the inferno inside him.
In theory, the bonding magic combined both light and dark aspects. Meaning it should feel hot and cold in equal measure. Though Hiccup had long become accustomed to the icy cold of dark magic, this unexpected heat was a whole other matter entirely. Hiccup could feel the fingers of flame prodding at the careful barriers around his mind. Looking for any opening. Like a raging wildfire that was out to consume everything in its path. It honestly felt similar to hot knives cutting and slicing away at his defences.
Just as he was thinking that he couldn't fight it any longer, suddenly there was a bright flash, a rushing sound, and everything went black. When Hiccup came to, he was lying on the floor of the now cold room with Toothless standing over him. A distinctly concerned look on his draconic face. "Are you alright brother," Toothless asked. Huffing in his distress.
"Yes, I'm fine. What happened? We don't seem to be dead. Did it work?" Hiccup looked around excitedly and spotted two new swords lying on the edge of the pit where his makeshift altar had been. He moved to inspect them and noticed that there was not a single trace of blood, nor any of the other items, to be found. The cuts and runes on he and Toothless had also disappeared along with the painful internal fire and sluggish feeling of blood loss. The swords had replaced all of it, and they were the most beautiful things he had ever seen.
The blades were the same black, midnight blue, and grey swirled smoke pattern of Toothless' scales. Thin and slightly curving with a deadly sharp edge. Down the centre of each blade ran a thin blue line. Each had its name etched in delicate elvish script of the same colour near the guard with the stacked bindrune from the blood ritual etched beside them. The hilts and guards were pitch black wound around with delicate bands of silver wire. Inset into each pommel was a large teardrop emerald, the same colour as Hiccup's eyes and magic.
Calmacil, the Sword of Light, and Guruthos, the Shadow of Death. They were absolutely perfect. Hiccup picked them up and twirled them. Marvelling at how comfortable and light they felt in his hands. As if they were just extensions of his arms. Grinning, he turned back to Toothless. The dragon, however, was eyeing him warily. His narrowed pupils and pensive expression both confusing and somewhat alarming. "What's wrong bud?"
"Just wait until we get home. You'll see," was the only reply he got. The queen gave the two brothers a piercing glare then as Hiccup glanced back down to admire his new weapons.
Her voice was softer now, but still carried more than a hint of threat as she spoke to them. "Those swords hold within them the power for both incredible light and terrible darkness."
"Yeah, but so do I," Hiccup shot at Toothless with a smirk. Unable to completely break the sarcastic habit that was as much a part of him as the bond with his dragon. Toothless warbled a laugh in return, though he still looked uneasy for some reason.
The queen just puffed a smoke ring as she shook her head at them both. "Indeed," she agreed blandly. "You have received them only because I can see the goodness in your heart, and you carry the goddess' own blessing. Do not misuse this rare and dangerous gift you have been given." Bowing to the queen in understanding, they watched her return to her nest and young.
After a few more moments they left the chamber through the huge stone doors. Turning, Hiccup could see a new likeness of he and Toothless with the swords carved alongside the others. Then they made their way back up the steps to the surface entrance. Bidding farewell to the Guardian, who raised his brows when he saw Hiccup but said nothing, before flying back to their home in quiet contemplation. Neither paying any attention to their surroundings. Hiccup just kept marvelling at his new swords. Toothless refusing to talk about what was bothering him.
It was dark out still. The sister moons still hovering overhead, but there was no way to tell if it was the same night. Though Hiccup seriously doubted that it was, as the trip to the sacred forge was not a short one. If he had been paying proper attention however, he would have noticed that the world around him was no longer quite as dark as it should be. Though the moons were currently in their waning phase, the light they were casting seemed brighter, somehow...
When they finally reached the treehouse, Hiccup jumped down from the saddle before Toothless had even touched down. Too impatient to even bother with muttering a protection spell, though he knew that was kind of stupid. Landing lightly on the wide balcony, it took him a moment to realize that something really was definitely off. The jarring impact should have hurt his legs, but it didn't. The drop not feeling nearly as far as it actually was.
More than a little concerned now, Hiccup rushed into the tree house to look in the mirror he had placed in the bathing room. His heart promptly skipping a beat as he stood face to face with the answer to his earlier questions. What had happened to him?! Somehow, his whole appearance had changed in an instant. His eyes becoming larger and slanted under perfectly tapered brows. What scant freckles he'd carried over from his youth had suddenly disappeared. Replaced by the unnaturally unblemished complexion and deep tan colouring of the elves. His nose now less rounded at the end. His already high cheekbones now ever so slightly wider and more pronounced.
I look like an elf, Hiccup thought to himself in surprise. Not entirely though. His jaw was still the strong and sharply angular one he remembered. The rest of his face still maintaining a much more rugged appearance than the delicate features he was used to seeing on the elves. His eyes were the same brilliant green, though they now seemed brighter and greener against his darker skin. They also seemed to glow and spark with a deep arcane power. His hair still the same unruly mop of auburn it always was, but when he pulled it back, he saw that his ears were now distinctly pointed at the tips.
"Well, this is going to take some getting used to," Hiccup said to Toothless. Running disbelieving hands over his strange new face, as if to make sure that he wasn't just imagining it. Out on the balcony, his brother started laughing. Well, his lady had warned him that something like this might happen. That's what he got for dabbling in forbidden magics. At least it wasn't something worse. This he could deal with. He might have ended up looking like a half-dragon abomination instead.
"You're going to have quite a job blending in on Midgard the next time we get sent there for a mission," the dragon chortled. "You look much more elf-like than Ilweran. I wonder why that is? At least no one on Berk would recognize you now. You could stroll straight into the village square and no one would be any the wiser."
"Yes, but they would also probably try to kill me because I look so unnatural."
"I'd like to see them try," Toothless scoffed, puffing his chest out. Hiccup had to agree that his blood brother had a point. The so-called warriors of Berk wouldn't stand a chance against him. Still, he would have to figure out something to help conceal him whenever he was sent on missions to their realm. He just looked too different to pass as human now. He despised the thought of constantly wearing the ridiculous cloak and mask the order provided, and maintaining a constant illusion was far too much of a hassle to bother with.
Perhaps an unsanctioned trip to Midgard was in order. He had someone in particular that owed him a rather significant debt. Hiccup couldn't wait to see the look on the fool's face when he gazed upon the new forms of his old enemies, for the first and last time. First, he would make a visit to the cave. Hiccup did enjoy picking the man's mind for ideas. The half-Jotun was as intelligent and creative as he was devious. His own ring was a work of genius, and just what Hiccup needed now.
Of course, Hiccup already knew the basis of the spell. He just wanted to confirm the proper ritual. There was no room for mistakes with this type of magic. Trapping the essence of another inside an object was admittedly a rather dark concept, but it was also quite clever. That way the magic would feed on this internal essence instead of drawing from the owner. A hassle-free disguise for the wearer. An eternity of forced servitude for the trapped soul.
Hiccup could really only think of one person worthy of such a punishment. After all, it was only fair. A soul for a soul. He watched as a feral grin spread across the strange features of his reflection. Startled at the wild and predatory way it looked on his new face.
Yes, Berk's warriors would probably wet themselves like babes if they were to ever meet the dreaded 'Shadow Demon'. Not that they ever would. He could never go home now anyways, so he had self imposed a strict no-contact rule for his old life. Hoping that eventually they would all simply write him off as dead, since he could never explain any of it to them. So far he was managing to stick with it. He still felt an overwhelming press of guilt every time he remembered his last night with Astrid of course. Gods, what she must think of him now! At least he hadn't left her with child...
Still, he knew it was for the best and it was getting easier. Though he would admittedly still scry her whenever the warning runes on her axe activated for a raid. Just to check on her in case it was something worse. He had meant what he had said after all. He had left his heart with her and he had no intentions of taking it back. Even if she could never be his.
He did hope that she would be able to move on and make a life for herself. Though Hiccup despised the thought of someone else touching her, it mattered little. Astrid deserved to have a quiet and happy life with a family of her own. Both were things that he would never be able to give her. They were things that he could not even give himself. No matter how badly he may want them, and her.
Shortly after arriving in Asgard, Hiccup had learned two very important things about being a bonded rider. The first was that he was now virtually immortal. His life expectancy now matching that of his dragon. The second was that the price of this immortality was his fertility. Nature's cruel method of population control amongst the longest living of the races. The only way to get around this was through a very difficult and very risky magical ritual that was seldom performed and never undertaken lightly. Though Ilweran had managed to have a child with a human, so he wasn't sure if it was both sexes that were infertile, or just the women. Perhaps it had something to do with Ilweran being part human, himself.
Either way, it all amounted to the same thing in the end. No aging, no children, and no Astrid; which all added up to no going home. Apparently he would just have to spend eternity learning to live with the empty space in his chest where his heart used to be. Cuithanna offered comfort as best she could, but they both knew that it was not enough. It could never be, as the lonely centuries spanned out before him like an endless void. At least he still had the memory of their perfect moment together. The one bright light in the dark that he clung to, like a lifeline through the storm that raged inside.
Dragging himself out of his depressing thoughts, Hiccup took one more look in the mirror at his beautiful and exotic new features. Once again, as he had on the battle fields of Rome, he couldn't keep from wondering what his father would think of him. If he could see what his son had become, would he be proud? Or just afraid?
_
Angst! Get your angst here!
You all knew it was going to happen eventually. Elf Hiccup just had to exist, since the transformation is probably one of my favourite parts of the Inheritance books. I did try to put my own spin on it though. Blood magic is powerful and dangerous after all. As for Toothless' size increase, that was just something that I really loved from HttK. It is a way to mark out bonded dragons from unbonded ones though, and truly, the magic of the bond would have to have an effect on the dragons as well as the riders. It only makes sense.
Enjoy the foreshadowing, if you spotted it, for it truly has to be one of my favourite tools in the author's arsenal ;)