Wodenfang: Thank you so much for the review. I'm glad that you liked it. The swords are one of my favourite magical items in this world :)

CB73: I feel like I should apologize in advance for every chapter. Lol *more evil laughing*

BeeeTeee: I responded to you via message. All I need to say here is that I am sorry you felt that way, and everything will come clear in time. Art is subjective, and not everyone will like everything. I will try to make everything fit together properly, but not always in perfect order. Sometimes with use of flashbacks or similar means.

Rainnnn: I'm just glad you found the time to review. I promise everything will come clear very soon. You're absolutely right. About Hadrian, and about the swords being a lot like a certain night fury rider. Also "I would give my left foot" was actually ironically clever word play this time, but I am so glad that you spotted it! :D I was hoping that someone would! I will tell you that I used Tolkien Elvish for my story, so you can look up the words if you want. Cuithanna means 'Giver of Life'. Just a hint...I will give a meaning for the elvish or any other strange words, unless it is going to give to much away.

As I have fully accepted the fact that I am no good with animation, I am still trying to find something to use as cover art for this thing. If anyone thinks of something, or feels inspired at any point, I would love to see it. Thanks!

Also, I have a pretty good basis for the powers of his swords, but if there is anything that you would like to see, feel free to message me or review. The story is complete, but that doesn't mean that it can't be edited. Or it might make its way into future chapters of the next book in the trilogy.

_

Ever since that last night with Hiccup, Astrid had taken to spending more and more time at the smithy with Gobber. It was the only place that she really felt normal these days. With Gobber, she didn't have to hide her feelings about Hiccup. Well, at least not ALL of her feelings about Hiccup. After all, the two of them were the only ones that knew Berk's lost heir was most likely still alive. The two of them probably missing him the most, as well.

Of course Gobber had confronted her about her new axe the day after Hiccup had left. Cursing his observant nature, she had been forced to tell the old smith the tale Hiccup had regaled her with. All about his adventures in Rome, and then about his apparent need to meet some mysterious council. Gobber had listened raptly to Astrid blather as she described Hiccup's new armour and weapons. Though she had purposely kept her descriptions of Hiccup himself vague. Worried that she would get carried away with adolescent giddiness and give up the whole game.

She had also made certain to keep the full events of his visit to herself. Trusting no one with a life altering secret this huge. True to her word, she had never revealed Hiccup's greatest secret either. Not even Gobber knew about Toothless. Though he was fine with Sharpshot, Astrid just couldn't be sure how he would react to the idea that Hiccup had spared the life of, and was now friends with, a night fury. The most hated of all the dragons.

Even worse than Gobber's possible reaction though, was the fear that he would tell Stoick. The chief would likely disown Hiccup for such treacherous behaviour. Because of this, Astrid had been forced to concoct a story about how Hiccup had arrived, and then departed, by ship instead. Sailing away into the night like some mysterious vagabond. Astrid wasn't sure if Gobber believed her or not, but he didn't press her for more information. Probably sensing that she wouldn't or couldn't tell him the truth. For someone that had never liked secrets, she was sure wracking up a lot of them.

In all fairness, it had eventually turned out to be a good thing that Gobber knew about the axe. When the other villagers had begun to notice the gorgeous new weapon, it had inevitably led to questions. Where had she gotten it? Who had made it? It was clearly not Gobber's handiwork, after all. How could a family of fishmongers have possibly saved up enough gold to purchase such an extravagant item?

Lost for explanations and admittedly panicking a little, Astrid had been unimaginably grateful when Gobber stepped in to cover for her. The old smith quickly weaving up a fanciful tale involving a sailor from a visiting trade ship, and a mysterious parcel that he had been hired to deliver. "Said it was given to 'im by a young man on one o' their stops. Said the man paid 'im well ta no' mention where it came from though," Gobber informed the gathered villagers in a dramatically hushed voice. "Apparently this stranger figured the lass it was comin' to migh' not want it if she knew who it was from." Here he turned to wink at Astrid mischievously, and she had to bite down hard on her cheek to keep from laughing out loud in return.

Most of the people were simply in awe of the beautiful axe, having never seen its equal. Even Snotlout had grudgingly acknowledged that it was spectacular, which never ceased to amuse Astrid. Some of the unmarried women actually grew oddly jealous though as word began to spread. They would try to corner Astrid on her way to and from the forge or in the Mead Hall. Hoping to weasel out information on who the stranger was and why was he sending her such expensive gifts. Some of them even getting rather rude about it when Astrid would just shrug and walk away. Not that she really cared what anyone else thought. Her own parents were grilling her harder than all the rest of these nosy busybodies, as even a blind fool would recognize the axe as a gift from a wealthy suitor.

For months afterwards, Astrid's father had constantly badgered her for clues. Where had she met this man, and where was he now? Was he from the Archipelago? Was he a foreigner? Growing tired of all of their questions, Astrid had eventually just opted to play dumb. Telling everyone that she hadn't the faintest idea who the strange admirer was. Claiming that she had only accepted the axe because no one in their right mind would throw away such a well crafted weapon. Trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, while carefully keeping her new pendant hidden beneath her tunic to avoid their scrutiny.

The real problem had come in when the chief had heard about the gift. When he demanded to see it, both Gobber and Astrid had waited on tenterhooks while he inspected the carvings carefully. Would Stoick recognize Hiccup's work? If he had though, he didn't show it. Perhaps he just didn't want to see it. It must be hard for a father to spend five years wondering if his only son was alive, and if he was, would he ever return home. After giving it one more look, Stoick handed the blade back to Astrid with a quiet nod. "Look after that axe lass. That is a weapon worthy of only the greatest warriors. I doubt very much that there will be another like it."

For the first week after Hiccup's visit, Astrid had done her best to avoid her family. Her mother in particular. Constantly afraid that someone was going to notice a change in her. She felt so different on this inside, older and wiser. Surely it would show on the outside. Some blatantly obvious sign of her foray into adulthood and physical intimacy. She had been especially nervous up until the time of her next moonblood. Constantly on the verge of going to Gothi for the herbal remedy, but worried that if she did, word would somehow spread.

Eventually Astrid had realized that she was not pregnant, and that no one seemed about to cast her from the tribe either. Following this, she had begun to settle into a comfortable routine. Helping her family with the chores during the day and visiting Gobber in the evenings. Still accompanying her mother to the stream every week on wash day, where the women all gathered to scrub the linens and share gossip. At least listening to the married women's intimate talks only made Astrid smile now, instead of the embarrassing blush that used to creep up her cheeks.

Ruffnut also began to accompany the women much more often after her marriage to Fishlegs. Astrid found that she actually got along very well with the girl. Ruffnut seemed calmer and more content somehow, now that she was a wife. Astrid's mind would inadvertently stray to Hiccup every time she thought about this and she would unconsciously place her hand over her pendant where it rested beneath her tunic. She sometimes noticed Ruffnut looking at her curiously during these moments and Astrid would quickly drop her hand. Returning to her washing as if nothing had happened.

Astrid had not heard from Hiccup since that night, which admittedly bothered her a little. Though he had promised her that they would see each other again some day and she had to believe him. She just wished she knew where he was. That would likely ease her mind somewhat. She was certain that he would never have taken advantage of her. He must just be too far away for Sharpshot to be able to deliver letters.

Between the pendant, the axe, the note, and the letters and sketches, Hiccup had left her with way too many reminders of him to just disappear without a backward glance. There was also the vivid memory of the pain in his eyes before he had flown away from her. It had meant something to him, too. Though she couldn't deny the fact that his silence made her furious. He probably had a good reason, but that didn't mean Astrid wasn't still going to hit him when he finally came back. She just might soften the blow a bit if his excuses were good enough.

As she could not hope to get a letter to him either without a visit from Sharpshot, it seemed as if she would simply have to wait and see what the future brought. Right now she was content, if not truly happy. Helping out her family and tribe. Living the life of a Shieldmaiden, without the burdens of maintaining her own household. Snotlout was still pursuing her relentlessly though, and no amount of violence on her part was deterring him. It was exhausting. Astrid had smashed his face against a tree yesterday and the idiot had only made some comment about 'liking it rough'. Gross!

If only Hiccup would come back and just take me away, she would think wearily to herself. Trudging up the hill from the docks after yet another day of unloading fishing boats. The days had all begun to blend together into an endless monotony. Soon enough, the season was changing and it was time for the fall festival honouring Freyr. As she participated in the celebration, Astrid felt like she was simply going through the motions. Her heart just wasn't in it. All she wanted was for Hiccup to be here with her. On the night of the bonfire, she had drunk herself silly for the first time in years.

Waking up the next day with a terrible hang-over, she vowed to never stoop to that level again. She would deal with her feelings in a much healthier way. By going out into the forest and killing trees. The violent outbursts helping to make her feel slightly less girly and weak. She didn't understand why she couldn't stop thinking about him. It hadn't been like this before. Of course Astrid had always been excited to receive each one of his letters, but she had never spent the days between desperately hoping to hear from him. It was pathetic.

As the harsh storms of winter began to make their appearance, Astrid slowly started to come to terms with the empty space in her life. Not really missing Hiccup less, just worrying about it less. He had left his heart with her and he would need to come back for it someday. Trapped inside with her family most of the time now, she was caught between being too busy with chores and illnesses to bother with much else, and having endless free time where the only thing she could do was think. She couldn't wait for this winter to be over so she could go back to spending time outside the house. At least there weren't usually raids during the winter months.

Eventually winter snows did give way to spring blossoms. The village coming back to life after the months of gloom and darkness. When the spring festival for Freyja came around, Astrid danced around the Maypole with the other young girls and unmarried women. Tying her ribbon around it while the heavy weight of guilt pressed down on her. She was not a maiden anymore, and should not be dancing with the maidens. Still, she would do what she had to in order to survive and keep her secret.

With the springtime came a fresh wave of raids by the dragons. Astrid feeling more guilty every time that she had to defend her family and village against the poor creatures. It wasn't their fault, really. The queen was making them do it, but that mattered little. It was her minions that were destroying homes and stealing desperately needed food stores and livestock. So it was her minions that the people hated and feared. Stoick's continued dark moods making her and Gobber shudder at the thought of telling him what they had learned about the queen from Hiccup. These days the chief was likely to fly into a rage and outcast them for not telling him about it sooner.

So was the routine for her days. Wake up, worry, eat breakfast, worry, then help with chores. After her chores, Astrid would usually be in a towering rage about Hiccup's continued silence. She would go and kill trees to let off steam before returning to the village. Either going straight to the forge afterwards, or stopping by Ruff and Fish's new lodge.

Then she would go home, eat supper, and worry some more. Sometimes lying awake for hours. Other times, she would get up and take out her hidden stash of letters. Reading them over again before finally falling sleep. Only to do it all over again the next day.

She wasn't even sure how it had happened. Maybe she had just been so trapped in her cycle of worry and anger that she had completely missed the honest passing of time. Before she knew it, three years had gone by without her notice. She still had not seen or heard from Hiccup since that night, but that fact didn't seem to hurt as much now as it once had. The painful ache of sadness fading gradually into the dull burn of past anger. Time had succeeded in healing the tears in her heart. Though she doubted they would ever disappear entirely.

She was now spending less time at the forge, and more time with Ruffnut. Often staying late into the evening and sharing meals with Ruff and Fish. Their lodge had a comfortable warmth to it. A sense of love that she had always hoped to feel in her own home one day. Now it looked like that was never going to happen. The couple had actually offered to let her move into their lodge if she wanted to. They had plenty of extra room as they still had no children. Astrid had honestly begun to consider it too, just for the change of pace it would provide.

Today though, the couple had been busy, so Astrid had been visiting Gobber instead. Sharing a quiet dinner with him in the Mead Hall and reminiscing about things that might have been if life ever went according to plan. As she made her way home through the darkening village, Astrid was only thinking of ways that she might finally broach the subject of moving out. Without offending her parents, of course. It was not customary for an unmarried woman to move out of her family home, after all.

When she arrived at her house however, it was to find both of her parents waiting for her at the table. This was unusual and instantly raised her suspicions. When her mother motioned for her to come join them, the somber expression on her mother's face put Astrid on her guard. Her mother was usually quite a cheerful person, with flaxen hair and laughing blue eyes that Astrid had inherited. If her mother was upset, then this was surely going to be something that Astrid really wouldn't like.

"Astrid, honey, we have something to tell you. The Jorgensons came to see your father and I today." Astrid bristled and sat up straighter in her chair, thinking she knew what was coming. "They have made another request for you and the price they offered was even steeper this time. Honey," her mother paused to take a deep breath. Looking distinctly unhappy as she avoiding meeting her daughter's eyes now. "We've accepted their offer. You are to marry the Jorgensen boy as soon as arrangements can be made for the ceremony."

Astrid's blood ran cold. "WHAT?!" Her parents had sold her to Snotlout! She couldn't believe they would do this to her. She was just opening her mouth to start raging and screaming when her father cut her off.

"Now Astrid, we know that you made it clear you planned to remain a shieldmaiden, but we really think this is the best thing. You are now 22-years and you are quickly running out of options for a family. Hiccup has been gone for eight years and I feel it's now safe to assume that he doesn't plan to return. If he is even still alive. Snotlout will be the next chief of Berk. You are duty bound to show the proper respect to us as your parents and to him as your future chief. The contract has already been agreed upon Astrid and you should be pleased. It will improve your status greatly and give you a better place in the village."

"No," Astrid hissed out between her teeth as she narrowed her eyes at her father. "It will improve your status in the village. It is not what I want. It was never what I wanted, but do you care? No, you simply sold me to the highest bidder to better your fortunes. I am merely required to do my duty to this family and allow myself to be married to that idiot without too much fuss." Her father's face started turning dangerously scarlet and Astrid knew he was about to lose his temper.

Standing, she glared at her parents. "I hope you are happy in this decision, for I will never be. I shall never be a good wife to Snotlout. I will fight him every single step of the way. He knows this, and yet he still had his father buy me anyways. As if I am some spirited animal that he can break. I will be at the creek if you need me." With this Astrid turned and stomped from the house; slamming the door on her way for good measure. Her mother's soft voice saying 'I told you she'd take it well,' following her outside.

She was proud of herself in the fact that she did not allow a single tear to fall until she was out of sight of the village. Stalking between the hearth-lit houses with her head held high and daring anyone still outside to try and talk to her. Upon reaching the forest however, the dam broke and Astrid staggered blindly the rest of the way to the creek. She felt like she was caught in a bad dream and at any moment someone would wake her up. Surely she had just fallen asleep in the mead hall and was having a nightmare.

Reaching the grassy bank, she collapsed to the ground and curled into a small ball. Rocking herself through her grief as she clutched at the pendant beneath her tunic. Hoping the building darkness around her would simply swallow her up. As her sobs quieted, Astrid slowly became aware of another presence near her. A gentle hand resting on her shoulder. Looking up and expecting to find her mother, she was surprised to see Ruffnut sitting on a rock beside her. "What are you doing here," Astrid muttered. Raising herself to a sitting position as she rubbed at her swollen eyes.

Ruffnut sighed softly as she gazed back towards the water. "Honestly, I was already here. Just finished a good cry myself actually." Confused, Astrid began to ask why, but Ruff didn't need the prompt. "Fishlegs and I had a visit with Gothi today. You know how we've been trying to get pregnant for the last two years. Well, turns out the problem is me. I can't bear children."

Astrid's heart broke again for her friend. Much worse than it had for herself. That was the worst news any woman could receive. To learn that they were barren. After all, most men only married so that they could be provided with heirs. A barren wife was a pointless wife. "I'm so sorry Ruff. Here I am crying myself hoarse over something silly and you're in real pain. Is there nothing anyone can do?"

Ruffnut smiled sadly and took Astrid's offered hand, squeezing it tight. "Nah, there's nothing to be done. We've already tried all the potions and remedies Gothi could provide. Fishlegs says he doesn't care, really. That he loves me anyways and his brothers can worry about providing the grandsons. It's funny in a way. I never really thought I wanted children. Babies are always screaming and leaking some sort of goo, you know. Now that I know I can never have one, they suddenly don't seem so gross."

One lone tear slid down Ruff's cheek as she said this. Then she let out a chuckle, broken by a sob. "Tell me though. What's happened to you? I didn't realize cold stone could feel that much misery." She grinned through her pain as Astrid lightly punched her for that.

"My parents have agreed to a marriage contract between Snotlout and I," Astrid grumbled with an eye roll. "Apparently Spitelout offered a price that my father couldn't refuse. He claims that it's to improve my status in the village, but it's really only to improve theirs. It's already agreed, the bride price paid, so it's too late to do anything about it now." Astrid thought Ruffnut would scold her for wallowing in self pity when there were real problems in the world. Instead, Ruffnut began laughing.

"Just what on Midgard is so damn funny," Astrid finally snapped grumpily when Ruff just kept laughing.

"Seriously, it's not funny," Ruff offered as she dabbed at the tears of humour now streaming from her eyes. "What's funny is your reaction. Come on, I'm as revolted by Snotlout as any other sane woman would be, but why is this so devastating for you? You know as well as I do that women rarely get any say in who they are betrothed to; and Snotlout may very well become the next chief. It would be an improvement in your status. Gods know he will be easy enough for you to boss around. He's as terrified of you as he is attracted to you."

Here she paused. Eying Astrid closely, who was fingering her pendant again. Though she may have taken the sketches from her wall, she had never quite managed to stop wearing the necklace. That felt too much like giving up all hope. Besides, the thing always seemed to emit a warmth that she found soothing when she thought of Hiccup. Though that was probably just her imagination.

"Unless..." Ruff hedged slowly.

Astrid looked up quickly at the question in her friend's voice as she nervously dropping her hand from her tunic. "Unless what," she countered.

"Unless, you have been waiting all this time for someone else to return. Could that be why you're so upset by this news? You have already given yourself to another." Astrid was about to deny this adamantly when Ruff waved a hand at her. "I've watched you gazing off into the distance with a wistful smile when you think no one is looking. The knowing look that you get when the older women share dirty bedroom stories. I've seen you fingering some sort of necklace through your tunic at those moments. We've all seen your axe."

A small smirk twisted Ruff's lips now as Astrid's cheeks flushed a telling pink. "I know you're in love with Hiccup, Astrid," she stated blandly. "Judging by that axe, he's still in love with you too. If my suspicions are correct, that axe wasn't delivered to Gobber. And it certainly didn't arrive by way of a stranger from a trader's ship. What I don't know is how he managed to get here and then leave again without anyone spotting him, but then again, he always was pretty smart."

Astrid was stunned into silence for a moment. How could she have let herself be so obvious? Wait, Ruffnut had known for years?! "Why have you not said anything," she asked.

"Mainly because you're my friend. I doubt anyone else has noticed your behaviour. Other than Gobber, Fishlegs and I, I doubt anyone else recognizes Hiccup's signature all over that axe either. No one else cared to know him well enough to see it. Fish spotted it right away of course and then he told me, but I warned him to hold his tongue on threat of dismemberment. I would never have compromised your friendship or your life by spreading something like that around the village."

Ruff fixed her with a sympathetic look now. "It wouldn't do any good anyways. You're the only one that's seen or heard from Hiccup in years, Astrid. A fact that you have kept secret all this time, which clearly means that Hiccup is not planning to return anytime soon. It's no wonder your parents are looking to the next best option for you; even if they know it'll make you angry."

"Perhaps they're hoping you'll learn to actually like Snotlout over time," she added. Shuddering softly and pulling a face at that prospect, which finally made Astrid laugh. "Well, that's enough wallowing for one day. It is getting pretty late, after all. We'd better head back and see if anyone misses us."

Once back in the village, Astrid hugged Ruff hard before they went their separate ways. She was still amazed at how much Ruff had matured over the last few years. Sure, Ruff had always been the smarter twin, but Tuffnut was typically the more sensitive one. It was almost like becoming a woman had turned Ruffnut into an entirely new person. Then again, hadn't it done the exact same thing to Astrid herself? All she knew was that, after today, Astrid was suddenly extremely grateful to be able to call the other young woman a friend.

*

The next afternoon, the announcement of the marriage contract was given in front of the entire village. The mead hall was packed with people. All of whom were looking curiously between the ecstatic young man and the murderous face of his future wife. They clearly felt that Snotlout was either very brave, or very stupid, for ignoring Astrid's glare during the meeting. The excitement was apparently over now though, and everyone was getting ready to disperse, when the doors to the hall were suddenly pushed open. The people turning in surprise to gaze towards the source of the sudden interruption.

Paying no bother to the interested stares of the villagers, Gothi simply ambled her way to the raised Dias. The people all parting to let the aged wise woman pass. When she reached the front, Gothi promptly began to scribble a message in the dirt on the floor. Gobber quickly stepping forward to translate. "She says tha' she has received a vision. According ta her, the gods will not bless this union until the war with the dragons has been resolved." Looking to Snotlout, Gobber added wryly, "tough luck tha'." Then the old smith shot a cheeky grin at Astrid.

A few people in the hall chuckled at Gobber's comment. Snotlout, on the other hand, remained both oblivious and undeterred. "So we will double our efforts to reach the nest. My father and I will not rest until we free Berk of this dragon scourge," he proclaimed boldly. "Then I will return victorious and claim my bride," Snot added with a leer towards Astrid.

It took everything she had to not punch in his stupid face. Right here, in front of everyone. The only thing holding her back was the look on her father's face. Clearly, he would not permit her to bring shame to their family by causing a scene. Though, as she glared at Snotlout's smug expression, Astrid started to wonder if the satisfaction of hitting him might actually be worth the punishment afterwards.

She was suddenly distracted from her thoughts by a sharp pain on her leg. Looking over, she realized that Gothi was tapping Astrid on the shins with her staff. Seeing that she had gotten Astrid's attention, the elder then motioned for Astrid to keep quiet and follow her outside. Not that stealth was really necessary. The whole hall was still in an uproar from the bombshell Gothi had just dropped. The village hadn't had anything this exciting happen since the chief's errant son had run away. No one even noticed as the two of them quietly left.

Once outside and away from the hall, Gothi turned to face Astrid. "I have bought you time child, though I cannot say how much," the old woman croaked with a shake of her head. "I have indeed had a vision, but it was not about this silly marriage contract. In it, there was fire and ash raining from the sky. Sails of ships in the distance were burning to ember as cries of agony filled the air. Apart from it all, a lone figure stood beside a large black dragon. He was looking into the void as a strange green fire burned around him, casting him in flickering shadow."

Before Astrid could even begin to comprehend Gothi's shocking words, the old woman fixed her wise and intense eyes on Astrid's surprised blue ones. Effectively silencing Astrid with just a look. "I can feel it in my aging bones that Berk faces a great danger," she added. "Though I could not see the crests on the sails. Unfortunately, visions are often unclear and scattered. Hard to decipher until they have already come to pass. This one, however, I believe will be perhaps clearer to you than it is to me."

Astrid's breath hitched in her throat at that. She had never heard the old woman speak before now and had honestly taken her to be a mute. This was not what shocked her, however. "Why would you think that I would know anything about this vision?" Her voice came out as barely more than a whisper. Her hands clenched into tight fists at her sides to conceal their trembling.

Gothi simply smiled knowingly at her. "I was on my balcony that evening child. I saw you with the young man on the black dragon when he delivered you to your house. I have seen much of the world and it was immediately clear that you two had been intimately joined. I do not claim to know who he was, but I know that you do. Do not worry, for I will keep my silence just as I have done these last three years. One of the advantages of being a mute is that I'm excellent at keeping secrets."

She winked and cackled at the expression on Astrid's face. "I will help you if I can child, for it is clear from my vision that our village's future may one day rest in his hands. For better or worse. I think I am right in assuming that when the time comes, you will be the deciding factor in whether or not this mysterious man saves us all." Then Gothi's clear blue eyes shifted slightly to glance over Astrid's shoulder for a moment, as they wandered over the holstered weapon the young woman carried instead. "Nice axe by the way," she quipped. An unexpectedly youthful grin gracing her wizened face as she turned and hobbled away. Leaving Astrid to stare dumbfounded after her.

_

SO much more angst! Guess it was good that Gothi saw them, after all. What do ya'll think her vision means? Will the time she bought be enough to save Astrid from arranged matrimony?

PS: Once again, I apologize CB73. It was like you read my mind...lol