*Serious question for you guys. The next chapter in queue currently has two versions completed. One with smut, one without. It's up to you guys which one gets published on Tuesday. I know that it is rated M, but I don't want to ruin the story by flooding it with smut, and I'm not sure how much you guys really want to read anyways. Leave a review letting me know your vote please!*
Yubel578: Very soon, and yes, I would have to agree. She will most likely want to jump his elven bones. Lol
DeathBerryHime: All in good time girl, lol. Hiccup is clever, but he can sometimes miss the obvious answers that are staring him in the face. And yes, Gothi is the true MVP here. She sees all.
Rainnnn: I love Eret too and I always knew that he would show up again while I was writing this. As for the ending of the first book, well, I did say that I was still adding and changing things constantly. I have revamped and re-added chapters that I had originally cut out, so it is now sitting at around 170,000 some-odd words. Still, we are definitely well over half way. PS: I love seeing everyone's speculations about the story, so thanks :D
CB73: They are totally smitten and hopelessly done for. I'm sure even Snot will notice something is burning between the two. After all, a few flying sparks can be missed, but a raging inferno is a different story.
Guest: Thank you very much and I'm glad that you liked it.
_
After spending the whole rest of the night reminiscing about his time with Astrid, Hiccup was having a hard time containing his good mood. What he wouldn't give to have her in his arms every single night. Simply holding her as she slept. As much as he would have preferred to stay, Hiccup had been forced to escape back to the trees rimming the village when she looked away to open her door. Wanting to ensure that he was nowhere near her when the light from inside illuminated the entrance. Still, he had stopped to watch from the shadows as Astrid turned back to peer through the dark for him.
Arriving back at the cove a little later, Hiccup had found her axe still lying on the grass. Waiting until the darkest moments before dawn, he returned to her house and left it propped against the wall just inside her front door. She would find it in the morning. Then he sat and reminisced in the forest a little more as he waited for sunrise. His heart feeling lighter than it ever had.
Returning to the village at first light, Hiccup ignored the curious stares of the early morning villagers as he weaved his way through the houses. He was only here because he needed to stop in at the smithy before training to ask Gobber for a favour. When he arrived at the forge, the old smith opened the door and stepped aside to let him in. No questions asked. Apparently Gobber didn't think Scáth was too terrifying a monster to be alone with.
"Pardon my early intrusion, sir," Hiccup started politely. Smiling behind his mask at the thought of calling Gobber 'sir'. "I am in need of training weapons for the recruits to spar with. I can make them myself, but I will require use of your forge and some materials. I can assure that you will be reimbursed handsomely for it."
Gobber studied Hiccup hard for a moment as he tapped his hammer hand against the work bench. Then he huffed and said, "I don' need ya ta pay for use o' the forge. You saved us all, and yer makin' these weapons ta train Astrid and the others so that we can save our own arses next time we decide ta do somethin' stupid. I'll even make them for ya if ya want, since I know yer busy with the dragon stuff an' all that." Hiccup had just started to pull the sketches out of his pocket, when Gobber suddenly cracked a huge smile. "And don' call me sir, 'iccup. It don' feel right."
Hiccup's head whipped around to stare at the old man in shock. "What?.."
Gobber just waved his hand in the air. "Ah, Gothi told me. She also said that if I didna' keep my mouth shut about it, she would feed me a cup o' holly berry tea."
Sighing, Hiccup rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. "I knew she had me figured out. Nothing gets by that woman, does it?"
Chuckling, Gobber shook his head. "Nope it doesn', but come here and let me look at you. Gods ye've gotten tall! What happened to ya, my boy? Yer bigger than yer father and yer ridin' a night fury ta boot! I shoulda known Astrid was tellin' the truth when she said you'd be the first one ta ride a dragon. Well, I really shoulda guessed it was ya after tha' meeting. Yer the only one I know with a mind tha' clever and a tongue tha' sharp."
Hiccup simply chuckled and pulled his hood and mask off. Watching Gobber's eyes go wide as he took in Hiccup's unexpectedly handsome features. "No wonder Astrid looks so happy these days," Gobber stated in surprise. "Ye've got yer father's build and yer mother's looks. The best of both worlds."
That had Hiccup snorting a laugh, even as he shrugged in acceptance. "Poor Snotlout. He ne'er stood a chance at winnin' her heart, did he," Gobber then added deviously.
"No, I do not suppose he did," Hiccup quipped back. Now Gobber was chuckling too as he pulled Hiccup in for a tight hug, which Hiccup returned gratefully. Shocked by how much shorter the burly smith was than him now. Gobber had always seemed like a giant to Hiccup when he was a boy. Though in all fairness, everyone seemed short when you were a seven foot tall beast.
After embracing him hard enough to crack a human's ribs, Gobber finally released him. The burly smith still holding Hiccup at arms length for a moment longer, and Hiccup met his mentor's eyes again with a grim smile. "Honestly Gobber, Snot nearly lost far more than his chance with Astrid when he was groping her in the square the other day," he added quietly. "Is he always that physical with her?"
"No, not at all," Gobber was quick to reassure, and Hiccup breathed a small sigh of relief. "She'd kill him if he was. We all think he was just tryin' ta mark his territory, ya know. He's got a bit o' a complex about his height, tha' one. Thinks he can win Astrid over with straight brawn instead. As if he could out-brawn Astrid." Both men chuckled at that as they moved to sit on the stools by the workbench now. Hiccup taking a moment to look around fondly at the old place that used to be his refuge from torment.
"So," Gobber began again, and Hiccup turned to look at him instead. The crass old man levelling his stern glare on the young man in a way that took Hiccup straight back to his youth. "What exactly are ya goin' ta do abou' Astrid's arranged marriage?"
It was not what Hiccup expected Gobber to ask, but he wasn't overly surprised by the question. After all, Gobber cared about Astrid too. "I am not sure," he answered truthfully. "She desperately wants her freedom, and that is what I will give her. Though it is really in Snot's best interest if I can find a political loophole to get it nullified with before I am forced to kill him, since I will not permit him to touch her. Unfortunately for him, the slimy cretin did everything right it seems. With the contract at least."
Cracking his knuckles menacingly, Hiccup gave a frustrated growl. Looking down at the workbench now as he folded his hands together in front of him to keep from breaking something. "What do I do Gobber," Hiccup asked with a sigh. "I am trying to be a good person and do the right thing, but it is... Difficult. Every time he touches her, I have to hold myself back from doing something that will make her unhappy."
"She jokes about it, but I do not believe she would actually like it if I killed him. The longer this carries on though, the more likely it will be that Snotlout does something stupid to push me too far. I am not really a good person anymore and it would be far too easy. Humans are ever so fragile..." He trailed off quietly, before realizing exactly what he had just said.
Hiccup glanced up nervously at Gobber again to see the old smith eyeing him speculatively. One bushy eyebrow raised. They stared at each other for a long moment, before Gobber finally huffed out a laugh. "I guess it's good for Astrid tha' she's got yer heart too. Only a man in love would be tha' desperate ta end a marriage. Though I doubt there will be a need for such drastic measures," he chuckled. Clearly thinking that Hiccup was exaggerating.
Unclenching his hands and flexing the tension out of his fingers, Hiccup allowed his hard green gaze to settle on the laughing blacksmith. "I know that you think I am simply speaking out of desperation. Boasting and throwing carelessly passionate words around like a love-sick young man. I wish that was true, Gobber. The boy you used to know would not have dared to even dream of fighting Snotlout for Astrid's hand, but the man sitting before you now has bathed in the blood of more than one idiot like him. I am not overly proud of it, but it is the truth. Snotlout's very life depends on me finding a way to get Astrid's contract revoked peacefully."
Gobber's mood seemed to sober instantly as he looked into Hiccup's eyes. Almost appearing to search the green depths for some hint of the gentle child that he used to know. Hiccup simply stared back dispassionately. Wishing that he could offer some reassurance to his old mentor, but he just couldn't bring himself to fake it. All this constant lying to the people that he had cared most about during his human life was getting rather tiring.
"Fair enough," Gobber finally assented. "I guess I should try ta come up with some new schemes myself then too. I used ta be pretty good at weaselling out of stuff, back in the day. I think yer right in the assumption tha' Astrid probably wouldn' want ya ta actually kill Snotlout. Maybe just scare him a bit instead." Then he suddenly grinned widely as his pebble tooth stuck out comically over his upper lip. "Yer not a bad person 'iccup. So what if ya've killed a few people."
Hiccup gave a choked laugh at that, which he quickly disguised as a cough. Gobber merely continuing like he hadn't noticed. "That doesn' mean yer a monster. I, myself, have spilled some blood in my time an' I turned out fine. The fact that ya haven' killed Snot yet, that makes ya a pretty good person in my books." He laughed as he took in Hiccup's surprised expression. Patting him paternally on the back before gesturing to the bench in front of them. "Now, didn't ya have some designs tha' ya wanted ta show me?"
"Yeah, I guess I did," Hiccup chuckled. Relieved by the sudden change of conversation. Reaching into the pocket of his cloak again, he took out the drawings he had made last night. Explaining to Gobber about how he wanted the sparring weapons weighted to increase the difficulty. That way, the proper weapons he planned to make later would feel substantially lighter and easier to use.
"We normally do not push the recruits this hard during the training," Hiccup confessed somewhat guiltily. Remembering again the sight of Astrid limping into the arena yesterday morning. "Unfortunately there is not much of a choice this go round. They need to be ready to face the queen before she has too much time to heal. We simply cannot coddle them," he found himself saying before he realized it. It was just too comfortably familiar to talk to Gobber, he had completely forgotten that he was supposed to be careful.
Gobber raised a bushy eyebrow at him now. "So ye've trained youngins how ta ride dragons before, eh," he hedged. "This isn' the first time around for ya?" Then, as Gobber saw Hiccup floundering for excuses, the old smith simply waved his hand again. "Ya don' need ta tell me, 'iccup. The less I know, the less I have ta try an' lie about when someone asks me. I'm just glad yer back, for however long ya choose ta stay."
"Thank you Gobber," Hiccup sighed gratefully. "For listening, and for being such a good friend. I will leave these with you," he added as he placed the drawings on the workbench. Then he got to his feet again as he replaced the mask and hood. "I have to go to the training ring now, but I will come back and help you build those whenever I get a free moment." Gobber just nodded and smiled before patting him on the back and walking him to the door.
*
Astrid awoke that morning feeling absolutely wonderful. Not a single ache to be found in her body. As she dressed for the day, she glanced up at the wall of sketches behind her bed and smiled. Looking forward to the moment she would be near Hiccup again. Even if she had to pretend that they were strangers, at least he was still within reach.
Glancing around to make sure she had everything, Astrid wondered briefly if she should leave her axe at home again. She really didn't want to lug the extra weight, but what if they weren't hiking today. Then she huffed a sigh as she realized that it didn't really matter, since she had left the axe in the cove last night. Guess she would just have to visit Hiccup later to get it back. It was a shame really...
Grinning at the thought of another night with Hiccup, Astrid made her way downstairs. Finding her parents and brothers already sitting around the table eating leftover stew for breakfast. She smiled happily at them as she grabbed her own bowl. Laughing and joking with her brothers as she wolfed down her food, while her mother eyed her curiously. Wanting to escape before her mother could start asking questions, Astrid quickly rinsed her bowl in the lukewarm washtub before waving a chipper goodbye and rushing to the door.
When she made to open it however, she noticed that leaning next to it was her axe. Hiccup must have snuck here in the middle of the night to return it for her. The pressure of love filled her chest again as Astrid picked up the axe and hugged it to herself for a moment. Then she raced up to stash it back in her bedroom before dashing to the academy. Several villagers gaping at her in surprise as she hurried past.
Arriving at the arena, Astrid wasn't the least bit surprised to find Hiccup and Ilweran already there and waiting beside the packs again. Greeting them both with a happy smile, she moved to grab her weighted bag without complaint for once. "You seem to be in a good mood, Miss Hofferson," Ilweran suddenly stated calmly. Though she was sure that she could detect a hint of humour in his musical voice. Looking up at him, she could see that his surreal golden eyes were sparkling with laughter. "I thought that you would be simply exhausted today, but you look perfectly well rested," he added teasingly.
Admittedly, it caught her a little off guard to have Ilweran joking around with her so freely. Although he and Hiccup were clearly close friends, Astrid hadn't had overly much interaction with the beautiful white rider yet, aside from lessons. "I'm not sure I know what you're implying," she replied flippantly enough. Though she could also feel her cheeks burning slightly. "I am feeling much better today, but it's probably just the magic of a good night's sleep."
Ilweran's perfect lips lifted in a wicked smirk at that as he turned to Hiccup. "You put her to sleep? Gods, you must be absolutely terrible in bed," he stated with an arched brow. Glancing back towards Astrid again as he added, "I am ever so sorry for your suffering my dear. Perhaps you should have spent the night with me instead…" His tone heavily laced with mock sympathy, though his eyes clearly said he was kidding.
Hiccup laughed and shoved his friend. Ilweran shoved him back, and the two men promptly started pretending to wrestle as Astrid shook her head at them. Just then, the rest of the gang began to file into the arena and the riders were suddenly struggling to regain their professional manner. The Berkians' expressions ranging from confused to startled at the sight of the imposing riders acting like teenagers and Astrid stifled a giggle behind her hand. Clearly hearing her laugh, Ilweran winked at her cheekily as he and Hiccup shouldered their packs. Astrid catching Ruff's shocked blue eyes and shrugging before slinging her own pack over her back and following them out the gate.
The hikes became a daily routine. The lake at the top became their practice ground. The trips getting quicker as they got more used to it. Usually reaching the village before it was dark now. Some days they would repeat the horrible series of exercises that Hiccup had put them through the first day. Other times they would practice debate tactics.
Though Astrid had to admit that all this pain was almost worth it just to watch Snotlout vomit and collapse from the exertion sometimes. Or throw hilarious tantrums as he struggled his way through the brain training. It almost made it easier to handle all of the times that the idiot tried to touch her. Though she also couldn't help noticing that Snotlout would often shoot an arrogant smirk towards the dark rider every time before he put his hands on her. As if he was still foolishly trying to mark his territory. The stupid boy might as well be peeing on her, and Astrid was sorely tempted to throttle him for it.
The first time Snot had put his arm around her, Astrid had been unable to stop herself from grabbing his wrist and throwing him into the wall of the arena. Her body instinctually lashing out at the feeling of hands on her that were not Hiccup's. Hearing both riders chuckling quietly at the display, Astrid shot Hiccup a wide grin as Ruff and Tuff laughed hysterically at the crumpled form of Snot. Unfortunately, news of this episode had somehow gotten back to her father. She suspected it was Snotlout's doing. After sitting through a very painful lecture about how she was supposed to be learning to accept Snot instead of shaming her family, Astrid decided it was better to not resort to all-out violence.
Barely resisting the urge to break Snotlout's fingers now, she would simply snarl at him and chase him away. Threatening all sorts of violent punishments in the process. Then she wouldn't be able to stop herself from looking towards Hiccup to see his reaction. He usually appeared to not have noticed, but every now and then she could hear a quiet, but still incredibly menacing snarl. His hands twitching before clenching briefly into tight fists as if to hold himself back from something. At this rate, Astrid might become a widow before she even got to be a bride.
On more than one occasion, she had mentioned this humorous thought to Hiccup. Joking that it would be much quicker if he just killed Snotlout. That would get her out of the marriage contract without all of the painful politics. He would laugh along with her, but there was a curiously sharp edge to the sound. Clearly he was less than pleased with his cousin's behaviour too, but it was still all in good fun. Hiccup may be a hulking monster with a dangerous aura, but he was still Hiccup. He wouldn't kill someone for real.
Just when they had started getting used to the weight of the packs, the riders had given them each a crude and heavy weapon to haul up the mountain as well. Gobber had even had the nerve to engrave 'Good Luck' into Astrid's bulky new axe. She couldn't believe he would stoop to that level. The jerk. Even worse, the recruits now had to start sparring with each other at the end of every lesson, with and without weapons. No matter how mentally or physically exhausted they already were.
Oddly, the riders chose to bring Eret along for most of the practices now. Apparently to even out their numbers, as well as to help with the training. No one minded though, since Eret turned out to be a great teacher. As a matter of fact, Ruffnut seemed particularly pleased about this new addition to their group. Whereas she had been a tiny bit more fearful and reserved around the riders, she felt no such unease around the Celt. Constantly pretending that she required more help with the weapons just so that Eret would assist her. Then she would make the burly man extremely uncomfortable as she squeezed his biceps and snuggled up to him while Hiccup and Ilweran chuckled softly at their friend.
Astrid couldn't help noticing that the two riders never participated in the sparring. She didn't know Ilweran all that well, but the Hiccup she had grown up with had never liked fighting, so maybe that was why. Just because they were ridiculously strong and fast, and could jump from great heights without injury, didn't inherently make them good fighters. It would actually make it even easier to run away instead. Whatever the reason, her brain usually hurt too much by the end of the day to bother asking Hiccup about it. Though it was starting to irk her, it was still just one more secret on top of the already heaping pile he was keeping.
It had been two weeks since they had started training, and she was beginning to settle into a comfortable routine with her days. Dragon academy in the morning/afternoon, dinner with family, and then sneak to the cove to visit with Hiccup, and sometimes Ilweran and Eret, in the evening. Astrid soon discovering, to her surprise, that the handsome light rider was much less intimidating than she had first assumed. Outside of training, Ilweran was just as sarcastic, charming, and easy going as Hiccup. Even sharing the same dry and often twisted sense of humour. The two of them were so similar in fact that it was easy to see why they were such good friends.
Despite being ruthless drill sergeants, Hiccup and Ilweran were still nice enough to release them from Helheim early every now and then. Most of them used this welcome free time to rest aching backs and minds, but Astrid much preferred to spend it with Hiccup. Today was one of those 'recovery' days, and after dropping her heavy pack on the ground at the arena, Astrid raced home to eat a quick meal. Taking off to the cove again on a rushed goodbye before her parents could ask questions or assign her chores. Dashing through the trees like she was being pursued.
Emerging through the hidden opening in the cliff, Astrid felt a huge smile light her face at the sight that awaited her. All three men sitting by the pond with no shirts on. Trousers slung low around their hips as they relaxed beside the water. Sweet mothers in Valhalla, she thought as she stopped to stare at them. They were absolutely beautiful. It just wasn't fair to women-kind that there were only three of them, and one of them was already spoken for.
Hiccup looked deliciously tempting as ever as he leant back on his hands. His long legs stretched out in front of him as his tanned skin glistened intriguingly in the afternoon light. She allowed her eyes to trail slowly over his long, lean body. Relishing every dangerously sexy inch of him that was all hers to enjoy. His elegant night fury tattoo standing out stark and black on his broad back. The tail flowing around to follow the sensual curve of his oblique as it disappeared below the waistband of his trousers.
Ilweran looking similarly lithe and delectable with his white blonde hair and exotic mix of rugged and delicate features. The tanned skin of his well muscled back decorated with a beautifully intricate monstrous nightmare tattoo. His trousers slung equally low around his hips. Offering an unobstructed view of the solid ridges of muscle running down the centre of his abdomen and the inside curves of his hip bones. The light rider really was incredibly beautiful. Hiccup was still the only one that she wanted, but she couldn't seem to stop her eyes from wandering over Ilweran's body anyways. There was just something irresistible about both of them.
Eret looked just as broad and even more muscular. Nearly as appealing as the riders, but in a more natural way. His handsome and square jawed face was less angular than the other two. The perfect curves of his huge biceps slightly marred by a smattering of scars. It wasn't a flaw by any means, as it simply made him seem even more masculine. The solid expanses of his back and chest marked with the same strange curling patterns that her axe bore. The blue ink on his lighter skin was an interesting contrast to the two golden-skinned riders with their black marks. Though his light skin and blue tattoos were not the only contrasting features.
Somehow, having Eret beside them like this, it only accentuated Hiccup and Ilweran's surreal allure. Eret was a fine specimen of a human male. Handsome by any degree. Yet his impressive looks paled in comparison to the riders'. The absolute human-ness of him bringing out the inhuman beauty of the other two.
They were almost too perfect to actually exist. More like the unobtainable and untouchable image of the ideal man. The disparity between the other two and Eret being like the difference between an impossible dream and stark reality. Yet here they were. Solid, real, and very touchable indeed.
Ruff would just die to be here right now, Astrid chuckled to herself. Picturing Ruff loosing her mind with jealousy if she was to ever find out that Astrid got to look at these beautiful men all she wanted. Honestly, the crazy female twin would probably chase her around the village with Tuffnut's mace. The thought making her smirk as she started towards them again. Waving and smiling widely when they turned to look at her.
"Please tell me that you are here to swim with us," Ilweran called out as he returned her wave. "I would rather get naked with a gorgeous mermaid than with these two any day." That had Hiccup chucking a clump of grass at Ilweran as the blonde man just grinned back at him.
Laughing at his two friends, Eret beckoned to her to join them. "Ya babe, you came at the right time," he teased with a cheeky glance at Hiccup. "Skinny dipping is much better when a beautiful lady is involved."
Astrid took one look at the freezing water and grimaced. "Not a chance boys," she stated with a shudder. "That pond is way too cold for me, but you three have fun. Don't let me stop you. Go ahead and strip down the rest of the way, and I'll just sit here and watch."
Smirking as Ilweran and Eret both chuckled, she came over to sit by Hiccup. Only to have him reach out and pull her onto his lap with one of his blindingly fast movements instead. Laughing at the surprised look on her face, Hiccup wrapped his arms around her as he kissed her neck. The magic tingle of his lips causing her to shiver and close her eyes as she leant back against him.
"Oh, I bet I could keep you warm enough in that water," came a musical voice. Breaking into her moment, and Astrid opened her eyes to see Ilweran wink mischievously at her. "It is never too late to take a better lover you know," he added deviously. Eret barking a surprised laugh at that before reaching out to bump his fist to Ilweran's.
"Be careful, brother," Hiccup warned softly. His body tensing behind her even as his lips continued to trail over her neck.
"What are you going to do brother? Bore me straight to sleep? I believe Astrid can make her own choices and if it is satisfaction she wants, I am right here." He held his arms out as he gestured to himself, and Astrid could barely contain her snort of laughter. Though she personally also thought that Ilweran was treading on very dangerous ground, judging by how rigid Hiccup was sitting. Even if the laugh in his golden eyes was a very obvious sign of good humour.
"That is a very tempting offer. Two beautiful men are way better than one," she shot back with a smirk.
The blonde man simply grinned at her and made a beckoning motion with his fingers. "Come sit on my lap beautiful and we can talk about the first thing that pops up," he purred as he patted his leg. Adding on a suggestive eyebrow wiggle for good measure.
Astrid both felt and heard Hiccup's throaty growl at that. The ominous sound making her quickly vacate his lap now as Eret chuckled. "Now you've done it," the Celt muttered with an eye roll. Then Hiccup was launching himself at Ilweran. His long frame flying through the air past her as Ilweran hastily put his arms up to block.
The force of the impact made a surprisingly audible thud. Almost like two solid tree trunks smashing together. Knocking the blonde man off his boulder and carrying them several feet before the two men began rolling and tussling on the ground. Their play wrestling seeming startlingly real as feral snarls ripped from Hiccup's throat every now and then. Their movements so fast that Astrid found it a little hard to follow. Simply looking like a violent blur of tangled arms and legs to her eyes.
"They're a bit scary, aren't they," Eret said quietly as he watched the two men brawl. "When I met Hiccup, he was just a little runt of a thing. Could barely hold up a sword without tipping over. Now him and Toothless are humongous monsters with new friends that are just as big and scary as them. I don't know where he's been or what he's done, but it has changed him greatly. I don't think it's in a bad way," he added thoughtfully. "It's just… You have to admit, those two don't even seem human…"
Astrid gazed towards the two unnaturally large, powerful, and beautiful men as she contemplated Eret's words. They perfectly reflected her own thoughts from a few moments ago. He was right too. The riders didn't seem human. Though Hiccup had once been, he certainly didn't act like one now.
"He has become quite a monster of a man, hasn't he," she offered Eret as she smiled fondly at the other two. "They both are. Though in all fairness, you aren't exactly small or weak yourself Eret. I'm not sure how any of you got so big, but I don't seem to see any of the women complaining about it. Monsters or not, they still want to jump your bones; frequently."
She grinned and chuckled at the grimace Eret gave her at that. "Point taken," he assented. "Thank you for that reminder, by the way. I'm sure Hiccup told you, but not all the ones who've tried to marry me this week were maidens. A few were almost old enough to be my grandmother..." Eret shivered dramatically as he trailed off and Astrid couldn't help but laugh at him again.
Then, just as suddenly as it started, the wrestling match was over. Hiccup had Ilweran in a headlock and both men were laughing. "She is mine, and you cannot have her. Go find your own beautiful Viking maiden, you dirty scoundrel," Hiccup joked before releasing his hold on his friend's neck. Standing and reaching down to pull Ilweran to his feet instead. Both of them somehow still looking just as frustratingly perfect as always. Not a hair out of place or a smudge of dirt to mar their handsome features.
"Unfortunately for me, I think you have already claimed the most beautiful one," Ilweran chuckled in return. "I suppose I will just have to remain a lonely bachelor forever. Such is my lot in life." Then he sighed dramatically and Hiccup shoved him again as they made their way back over to the rocks they had just vacated.
As Hiccup reached out and pulled Astrid onto his lap again, she smirked at the two of them as she said vaguely, "that certainly answers that question." Smiling wider when Hiccup simply arched a brow at her. "I thought that maybe you two didn't participate in the sparring practice because you weren't very good at fighting. Apparently, I was wrong. You don't participate because you're too terrifying. I'm starting to think the crazy villagers might be right, and you guys really are just hideous monsters risen from Helheim."
"Hideous monsters from Helheim," Hiccup scoffed. "I have no idea what you mean. Clearly, we are both weak and pathetic humans that are simply afraid of fighting the big, brave Vikings. Just ask Snotlout."
"Hey now, I am human," Ilweran stated indignantly. "Well, sort of... I am still not sure what you are brother. Though she certainly got the hideous part right," he added with a smirk at Hiccup. Causing he and Hiccup to both burst out laughing as Astrid stared between them in curious wonder. What did Ilweran mean by 'sort of'? Had he just admitted that he wasn't completely human after all?
"Speaking of hideous monsters and women who want to jump my bones..." Eret cut in again as he glanced back towards Astrid. "Could you please ask your friend Ruffnut to stop squeezing my behind whenever she sees me? It's getting rather distracting, and is frankly quite dangerous when I'm in the smithy working with hot metal. Not to mention that she's married for Thor's sake!"
He finished with a scowl, as Hiccup and Ilweran started laughing at the Celt now instead. "You guys wouldn't find it so funny if she was doing it to you," Eret accused grouchily. Only serving to make the riders laugh even harder. "Maybe if you would stop disappearing whenever she gets close, mine wouldn't be the only behind getting accosted! In fact, if you guys cared about me at all, you'd offer yours up to give mine a break."
Struggling to contain her own mirth, Astrid leaned back against Hiccup's chest again. Moving her hand to where his rested on her thigh and distractedly playing with his black ring as she watched the sunlight glint off the emeralds inset into it. "Why don't you just confront her yourself Eret," she asked innocently. Grinning at the look of horror on Eret's face. "You're a big boy that should be able to look after himself. Just put her sternly in her place like a real man would. Maybe Snotlout could teach you how."
"If I was going to ask Snot anything, it would be how to repel women the way he does," Eret scoffed. "And no way am I asking her myself! She's terrifying! Even more so than these two," he added with a grin of his own as he gestured at Hiccup and Ilweran. The whole group burst out laughing again as Ilweran began to make fun of Eret for being a wuss. Eret chucking a rock at him in return.
As the other two men joked with each other, Hiccup wrapped his arms around Astrid again. His breath tickling her slightly as he spoke against her hair. "I am actually glad you came today," he muttered softly. "I have to leave and I did not really want to go without saying goodbye." Worried, she turned to look into his face now. Surely he wasn't disappearing on her already?!
Seeing her concern, Hiccup placed a tender kiss on the tip of her nose before saying, "it is not like that. I am just going to find some wild dragons for you recruits to practice on. Though I would not suggest you try to ride any of them, but you will at least be able to approach them. I will be back as soon as I can manage." Then he leaned closer to whisper in her ear, "I am yours for as long as you want me, mi'lady. No matter how far I may need to go, I will always return to you, for I cannot live without my heart."
Those words nearly made Astrid melt, and she immediately adjusted on his lap so that she could kiss him properly. Getting as predictably carried away as always, and Ilweran suddenly got to his feet as he cleared his throat loudly. "And that is our cue to leave," he stated. Slapping Eret on the back with a chuckle as the Celt rose from his spot on the grass too. "Unless you wanted to stay for the show…"
"No thank you," Eret replied with a laugh. "I have no desire to watch my little brother get lucky. Even if it is with the most beautiful woman on this island. Gods in Asgard, they are worse than rutting deer!"
"Sorry," Astrid muttered as she tore her lips away from Hiccup's. Slightly mortified by her utter lack of self control. All three men chuckling at the rising blush on her cheeks.
"I need to leave anyways," Hiccup offered as he tightened his arms around her for a moment. Not looking abashed in the slightest. "I was hoping to find the dragons at night when they are a little more docile."
"I thought you guys were going for a swim," Astrid asked in surprise.
"Unfortunately, you arrived a bit late for the show mi'lady. We actually already jumped into that freezing pool of death before you got here," Hiccup informed her blandly. "I needed to wash the smell of Viking off, and they offered to suffer with me. The filthy savages just wanted to see you naked." Astrid felt her blush deepen at that, even as she scowled at Ilweran and Eret accusingly.
"Guilty as charged," Ilweran quipped with a grin. He and Eret laughing and bumping fists again as Hiccup rolled his eyes at them. Kissing her once more before gently lifting her off his lap. Then they all started putting their clothes back on. Eret's simple tunic and fur combo taking substantially less time than Hiccup and Ilweran's armour and cloak get-up.
Once the riders had both donned their gear again, Astrid stretched up to kiss Hiccup one last time before he left. "Do not worry, brother. I will take good care of her while you are away. I promise that she will not get too lonely," Ilweran suddenly quipped from behind her. The light rider winking slyly at Astrid when she glanced back at him. Hiccup meeting his friend's eyes over her head as his muscular arms wrapped protectively around her shoulders. His lips pulling back briefly to expose his vicious white teeth.
"Careful brother," Hiccup growled softly. "It may be simple payback on your part, but I will choke you again, and this time I will kill you." Ilweran held his hands up in a sign of surrender, grinning at Hiccup, and Astrid couldn't stop from joining in their laughter this time. Hiccup hugging her tighter to him for a moment before finally letting her go as Toothless came over to stand beside his rider. The huge night fury leaning forward to press his snout against her stomach.
The action was painfully familiar and Astrid couldn't help the spike of worry that shot through her. Wrapping her arms around the dragon's huge head, she mumbled, "you take care of him for me, Toothless. Keep him safe, and bring him back." The night fury gave a gentle warble and smiled at her. Nodding his great black head in affirmation as she stepped away. Hiccup leaping onto his back and bowing to her before the two took off into the sky.
As Astrid trudged back to the village with Eret and Ilweran, she couldn't help her lingering trepidation. A dark cloud of despair beginning to form over her. The others tried to coerce her into conversation, but her heart just wasn't in it. At the edge of the trees, Eret continued on to the village after a pointed look at Ilweran and a final wave in their direction. Ilweran, after glancing around to make sure they were alone, stopped instead and reached out to place one hand comfortingly on her shoulder. Smiling at her as she looked up into his kind and handsome face.
"He will be back, Astrid," Ilweran offered gently. "Hiccup has carried a flame for you all these years. Even when he thought that you could never be together, he still never let you go, and he never moved on. If you can handle all of the crazy and the need for some secrets, then he will always be yours. I know, because I had a woman of my own once that was something like you. I cared for her dearly, and I may have had to leave her for stints of time, but I never left for long. She still owns my heart and likely always will, even though she no longer walks this world."
Then he sobered slightly as he locked his amber eyes on her blue ones. "You must still be careful with him, my dear. He loves you and so he is gentle with you, but he is even more dangerous than he seems. Be mindful of your words and actions around him, as he would do anything to protect you and please you. Our type tend to get rather territorial of those we choose, and him much more so. Do not ask him for something unless you really mean it."
Then he strode away from her before she could ask him to clarify. What had he meant by 'their type' getting territorial? Did he mean dragon riders? And why had he said that she needed to mind her words and actions? About what exactly? Though she suspected that he might have been hinting about Snotlout with that part. Particularly her jokes that she wouldn't mind him dead. Would Hiccup really kill Snotlout just because she asked him to? Gods, this was all so confusing!
Watching Ilweran walk away as she thought over his words, Astrid couldn't help feeling like she was missing something important. There were so many things that didn't make sense to her. So many questions that Hiccup had avoided answering while claiming that it was for her safety. Could she really stay with him without knowing anything about him? Would she honestly be able to look past all of the secrets and just be satisfied with what he could give? Maybe, but she doubted it. Astrid Hofferson was not the type of girl that just sat by and ignored things that bothered her.
_
So Gobber knows too. That Hiccup is the one behind the mask, as well as that he is definitely not the same gentle little boy that ran away from Berk. Honestly, I always wanted Gobber to be in on the secret, as Gobber was Hiccup's only confident and friend for years, taking on the role of acting father. It only seems right that he fill that role again. Also, Gobber is probably one of my favourite characters in the entire series, aside from Toothless.