Layout is a little weird for this chapter, as FFNet is not allowing me to bring up the toolbar in the document manager. Anybody know why that would be?..

*Note: I fixed the layout issue and now all of the chapters should be fine.*

CB73: It is always rutting season for dragon riders after all. Lol.

DeathBerryHime: I agree. They probably shouldn't taunt Snot like that. Me feels that everything may be about to blow up in their face soon... At least Astrid is an immortal bonded rider now too :)

Guest: I'm sure word is spreading around the village about their obvious affection. Hiccup will have to reveal himself soon.

Rainnnn: I absolutely love Minden too! As for Snotlout, do you really think he's currently capable of NOT doing something stupid? Lol ;)

_

While it had been hilarious to watch Snotlout run around with his pants on fire, Astrid was still overly glad when the lesson finally ended. It had also been wonderful to let loose and be herself with the boys for a change. Laughing and joking with Hiccup and the others as if they were alone in the cove, instead of surrounded by nosy riders-in-training. Of course, there had been a few times she grew worried that they had pushed Snotlout too far. That he was nearly mad enough to go to her parents to complain about her behaviour. He hadn't yet, but it was still a definite possibility. That was a problem for tomorrow though.

Right now she was out on her first flight with her new dragon, and it would take a whole lot more than a lecture from her disappointed parents to kill her good mood right now. If anyone had seen Hiccup and her touching or kissing, she would deal with it later. Admittedly Heather, Ruff, and Fishlegs were still giving her odd looks as they helped the other recruits pen the new dragons up at the academy, but she opted to mostly ignore them. Forgetting about it shortly after they had left, since Hiccup and Ilweran suggested they use the remaining daylight to teach Astrid the basics. Minden tagging along to watch, and help out where she was needed. Also to give Astrid support, girl to girl, as she put it.

Astrid was pleasantly surprised to discover that it didn't really require much assistance from either the boys or Minden. The nadder was patient with her and riding was instinctual. She soon realized that as long as she didn't try to overthink it, flying with her new dragon was as natural as walking. The two of them working together to understand the others desires. Almost seeming to read each other's thoughts. It was wonderful and gloriously free.

They were taking the standard route that Hiccup and Ilweran had been patrolling every night. Not really expecting a raid, but still staying alert just in case. The queen had to be sending her minions somewhere by now. She would need food in order to regain her strength, but thankfully they hadn't come to Berk yet. This was probably a good thing too, as up until today they'd only had two dragon riders to defend the entire village. Now they had twenty-one more including Minden, though the others would need some serious training before they would be much help in a fight.

Night was beginning to fall and they were quite a ways out from Berk, so Hiccup signalled that they should start heading back. Just as they made to circle around, Minden spotted a small group of dragons a decent distance away. Judging by their direction though, they were also flying towards the village. It appeared the small pack had not spotted them yet, as they seemed intent on their target. After getting the attention of the other three, Minden pointed to the dragons and said, "those ones weren't with me. Were you guys expecting any other visitors?"

"Yes we were, but only unwelcome ones," Ilweran replied dryly as Hiccup chuckled. Both of them turning to look at Astrid and her nadder.

"I guess you two are about to get your first taste of arial battle," Hiccup remarked as he met Astrid's gaze. "I would like to ask you to stay out of harm's way and let us take care of it, but I know better than to tell you what to do. I doubt that you would listen to me anyways, even if I did." Astrid gaped at him with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. She had been half-expecting him to try and shoo her back to the village. Reading her expression, Hiccup raised his shoulders in a shrug. "You deserve the chance to test your limits," he offered with a grin before glancing back at the other two.

Ilweran was all business for once as he addressed the group. "These are the first raiders we have seen so far, and they likely will not be expecting to fight other dragons," he stated. His words seeming mostly directed towards Astrid and Minden. Not that this offended Astrid in the slightest. After what she'd seen at the nest, it was pretty clear that Hiccup didn't really need a pep-talk on dragon fighting…

"If we just frighten them, they will probably retreat," Ilweran continued. "There is not really enough of them to launch a full assault. I am guessing they are more of a scouting party than anything." He turned his gaze towards his daughter then. "Minden, you take Astrid and get in front of them. Come straight up the centre and separate the pack. Hiccup and I will circle around behind and close in from the sides."

"Works for me," Hiccup agreed. "That way they should already be scattered before they catch sight of us. Just be careful you two," he added. His eyes resting solely on Astrid now.

Astrid had a moment of nerves as she thought about diving headlong into battle during her first ever flight with her dragon. The nadder, seeming to sense this, looked back at her with a reassuring chirp. Yellow eyes shining with unmistakable encouragement and faith. Feeling slightly better, Astrid scratched the dragon's scales in gratitude as she nodded once to Hiccup. Then Minden swooped over and grinned widely at her. "You ready," she asked brightly, as if this was just another practice drill.

Swallowing down the last of her fear, Astrid grinned back at the willowy blonde. "You bet I am!" Both girls laughed as they knocked their forearms together before spurring their dragons around to head off the pack. Following Minden's lead, the two of them circled around underneath the raiders. Coming up from their blind spots, the first two warning shots caught them completely by surprise. Startled screeches biting into Astrid's ears as the pack split.

Before they could regroup, there was a recognizable scream from Toothless. The dragons panicked at the sound and turned in the opposite direction, just as a blast of orange flame from Tintallë cut them off. They swung back around, but were stopped by an exploding blast from Toothless. As they growled in fear and made towards Astrid and Minden again, Astrid's nadder suddenly reared up and launched a barrage of spines at the leader. Making Astrid grip tighter with her knees as she tried not to fall off. Bori releasing a fire ball at the group a split second later.

That was it for the raiders. With a few more terrified screams, they turned tail and took off into the gathering night. Heading back in the direction of the nest. As she watched them fade into the last rays of sunset, Astrid quickly attempting to reseat herself on her nadder and get a tighter grip on the rope she was using as reins incase they faked out and turned around. If the nadder made any sudden movements right now, Astrid was likely to take an unplanned bath in the ocean. That would certainly dampen her mood somewhat. Pun intended.

Watching her struggles with appraising eyes, Hiccup glided over to hover beside her. "Hmm, it appears that I will need to make you a saddle sooner rather than later," he offered with a chuckle. "I had been planning to make them all at once, but yours is definitely priority." She shot him a confused look at that, and he just smirked at her. "With how much of a natural you are, I imagine that you will want to be up in the air as often as possible. A saddle will help you stay on your dragon, which will give me some peace of mind at least."

Allowing that with a laugh, Astrid scratched her nadder's neck affectionately. Leaning down towards her crest as she asked, "would you like that girl? A nice saddle made just for us by the best blacksmith in all the realms?" The nadder squawked happily at her, making Astrid laugh again. Though speaking to the dragon like this also made Astrid realize that she had yet to give her nadder a name. How do you even name a dragon though?

As she pondered, Astrid remembered again the way her beautiful nadder had charged through that pack of wild dragons without a hint of fear. Blasting, spinning, and throwing spines like a whirlwind. "Hey girl, what do you think of 'Stormfly' as a name," she inquired as she met the dragon's wise yellow gaze again. "Seems pretty fitting to me." The nadder looked at her for a moment longer, seemingly considering the name. Then she gave a cheerful squawk as she opened her huge mouth in a wide grin. Taking that as an affirmative, Astrid grinned back at her. "Stormfly it is, then."

With another happy chirp, they swung around to head back to Berk with everyone else. Hiccup chuckling beside her again as Toothless warbled grumpily at him. "I know bud," Hiccup smirked at the sulky night fury. "Astrid gives WAY better names than I do, but it is much too late now. You will be Toothless, the Terrible Night Fury forever."

Laughing, Astrid grinned at the two of them. "Aww, don't feel bad Toothless," she soothed. "You're a handsome and terrifying boy dragon with an adorable name. Stormfly is a pretty girl dragon with a tough and scary name. That makes you even." Toothless just rolled his eyes and huffed at her, making the whole group laugh now as they leisurely soared back towards home. Hiccup replacing his mask with a sigh as both he and Ilweran pulled their hoods back over their heads.

*

Hiccup felt another surge of joy fill his chest as he watched Astrid on Stormfly. Since she was a bonded rider, Astrid no longer had to follow the carefully regimented training schedule of the others. She was free to fly with her nadder as often as she pleased, and she was already proving to be a natural at it. As they had chased off the wild dragons, Hiccup couldn't help being impressed by just how quickly the pair had taken to each other. When he had first flown with Toothless, it had been a hilarious disaster. Though to be fair, both he and Toothless had been learning to fly at the same time since he was using an artificial tail fin.

Hiccup knew he shouldn't really be all that surprised. Astrid never did cease to amaze, and she had always been an absolute natural at almost everything she tried. She was like his very own warrior goddess, and it seemed that she had found her match in Stormfly. The two of them were marvellous together. A beautiful and dangerous team of warriors, right from the start. Watching them work had been one of the best highlights of this already glorious day. Now though, he just wanted to get back on the ground and finish what they had started that afternoon.

As they reached the shores of Berk, Minden pulled Bori to a halt as she glanced over at Astrid again. "Be careful with that dragon," she quipped. Shooting Astrid a sly grin and a wink as Ilweran sniggered. Then they both waved goodbye before heading in the direction of the village proper. Astrid following them with a bewildered expression before looking back at Hiccup in confusion. He simply shrugged at her. Chuckling quietly behind his mask as he turned Toothless towards their camp instead.

When they were at last in sight of the cove, he tore his hood and mask off impatiently. Leaping off the saddle before Toothless had touched down and racing to Stormfly at top speed. Catching Astrid in his arms as she was mid-way to the ground. "What..." she started, but he pressed his mouth to hers and spun her around in his exuberance. When he finally set her on her feet and released her, they were both laughing. Then he looked at her for a moment with a wicked grin before pulling her back towards him. Before she could say anything, he was kissing her deeply and running his hands over her. Making her moan into his mouth as she pressed herself against him.

Pulling back to let her catch her breath, Hiccup moved his lips to her neck. Nibbling and kissing his way greedily down to her exposed collarbone. He bit down on the sensitive spot as she sucked in a sharp breath. Her knees going weak as his arms held her up. He was being rougher than usual since he wasn't worried about shaming her anymore, but she didn't seem to mind in the slightest.

Tomorrow they would break the news to her parents anyways, so it didn't overly matter if they saw the love bites. Not that her parents could do anything to Astrid or the Riders anyways. The three of them would be leaving this realm soon enough. Besides, she was a bonded rider now too. She was no longer required to follow the humans' stupid rules about chastity and marriage.

Remembering again the glorious moment of her bonding as eternity now stretched out before them, Hiccup felt another surge of emotion flood his chest. His usually tenuous grip on his self control slipping even more in his excitement, and he didn't even care. Rather, he revelled in her gasp of pleasure as he deliberately left his marks of ownership on her beautiful skin. Her reaction making it blatantly obvious that she wanted it too. Shuddering in his arms as her hands moved up to twine into his hair and pull him closer. Tilting her head back to allow him more access.

"What in Midgard has gotten into you," Astrid giggled as her body shivered with longing. "You ignore me and evade me for weeks. You piss me off to the point of wanting to hurt you physically. Now it's like you can't keep your hands off of me."

She laughed again as he hummed softly against her skin. Running his tongue gently over the new bruise he had left at the base of her throat, before bringing his eyes back up to meet hers. "I really am sorry about the last few weeks mi'lady, but you are mine forever now. I do not plan to keep my hands off of you ever again. You can hurt me later if you still want to though," he added with a smirk.

"Works for me," she joked. Smirking back at him before pulling him in for another kiss. Her tongue twisting and gliding with his in a sensual dance. Releasing her hands from his hair now she began to tug at his clothes instead. Trying to push his cloak off of him, almost roughly. Stepping away for barely a moment, Hiccup practically tore his weapons, cloak, and armoured shirt off before pouncing on her again.

As his arms enveloped her, Astrid moaned deeply against his mouth in surrender as she ran her nail tips over his bare skin. Leaving trails of sweet pain in their wake. Shivering slightly at her touch, he began to tug at the hem of her tunic. Loosening it from her skirt before dragging it over her head. Almost tearing the fabric of her bindings in his urgency to remove them as well. Dropping to his knees as he kissed and nipped his way down her perfect chest and taut stomach.

Reaching the feminine swell of her hips, he pulled her boots off in a rush before sliding down her skirt and leggings. Pausing for a moment to admire his glorious Valkyrie bathed in the moonlight, before gently pushing her back towards the boulder behind her. Once she was close enough to hop onto it, he ran his hands down to her thighs. Then, lifting them one at a time so she would know to balance herself, he placed her legs over his shoulders as he reached out to connect their minds. Knowing that, this time, she would feel it.

Astrid was taken off guard at first. Bracing her hands on the rock behind her, she looked down at the mop of auburn hair between her thighs. Before she could even begin to feel embarrassed though, she suddenly felt a soft brush against her consciousness, and she somehow knew that it was him. It was almost like a gentle hand running over her mind. This was immediately followed by a deliciously savage hunger that overwhelmed her senses. The image of her own naked body flashing before her eyes, coloured with the distinct flavour of a lust that was not her own.

She gasped in surprise at the bold touch of his magic as he grinned up at her. The predatory gleam in his eyes clearly stating that this time around, he was the hunter and she the prey. That look, combined with the curious sensations in her mind, sent her reeling. She didn't know how he was doing it, but it was driving her wild. A blush rising in her cheeks as she realized exactly why her womanhood was right in front of his face. Then his mouth was on her, and all coherent thought promptly vacated her mind.

Of course Hiccup had nibbled, teased, and playfully tasted her before, but this was different. This time he seemed intent on devouring her, and the feel of his tongue running slowly up the full length of her slit hit her like a lightning strike. Her whole body arching towards him and her toes curling as he stopped at the top to circle her sensitive bead a few times. His warm breath ghosting over the delicate flesh. Cooling the moisture that was already coating the apex of her thighs. Taking her hands off the boulder to knot her fingers back into his hair, she allowed herself to watch as his tongue glided lazily back down to plunge into her hot depths.

He was taking his time. Seeming to revel in the taste of her as he moaned softly against her skin. The small vibrations traversing her sensitive nerve endings taking her even higher. She could see the shine of her moisture on his lips. Taste an unfamiliar, but not unpleasant, salty sweet taste on her tongue that she instinctively knew was her, and abruptly the smoulder inside her switched to a raging blaze. Making her wonder again at just how Hiccup was planting thoughts in her head that were strong enough she could actually see and taste them.

Then he slid one hand up from her thigh. Pressing his fingers into her as he brought his tongue back up to tease her pleasure pearl. Curling his fingers around to stroke the place he knew would bring her to climax. Suddenly she found that she didn't really care how he was doing it, she just didn't want him to stop. Clutching her hands tighter into his hair, she pulled herself towards him. Grinding back against every stroke.

He was being much rougher than usual with her, and it truly startled her just how much she was enjoying it. Every touch coming at just the right moment, and at just the right pace. Her answering mewling cries were embarrassingly loud, but she couldn't seem to stop them. The inferno inside of her was spreading too fast. Burning every shred of resistance in its path. The incredible sex god between her thighs reading her body like an open book. Almost as if he really was following her thoughts.

This strange idea took over, and she began to just let her body lead the way. Marvelling as Hiccup continued to kiss, bite, and stroke every single place that her mind could dream of, exactly when she wanted him to. An intense pressure that she had never felt before beginning to build in her core beneath his expert touch. Stealing her breath and robbing any control she had over herself, as base instincts and lust overruled any lingering shred of propriety. Her body burning in his hands. Unable to hold herself up any longer, Astrid collapsed back as she at last surrendered completely to her man's dominant fancy.

Wrestling off his trousers with his other hand while Astrid was too overwhelmed to notice, Hiccup could feel the heat building fast as her lust surrounded him. Feeding the flames of his own desire as he let himself get lost within her mind. Locked inside her, he was giving her exactly what she wanted as soon as she knew that she wanted it. Some of her desires even catching him a little by surprise. The moment she gave up control completely though, her innermost thoughts rocked him to his wicked core. Seems his little creature of light wanted some pain...

There was a curious sense of overwhelming pleasure igniting inside her as he sang to her body. Pulling all the stops to satisfy his woman. Giving into the surprising domination she longed for, he brought his mouth to her tender inner thigh and bit down. Definitely harder than he normally would have with her. Before he could start to feel too bad about hurting her, she gasped with shock and clutched painfully at his hair. Her body seizing violently around his fingers as she let out a loud moan. An unexpected flood of her sweet juices rushing out of her as she shook and panted through her orgasm.

He gently unwound her legs from around his shoulders as he got back to his feet. Wrapping her creamy thighs around his waist instead, he pushed himself roughly into her slick opening while she was still clenching and quivering. Her answering cry was oil on his fire and her eyes flew open to gaze at him with heady lust. Not even giving her a moment to adjust, he began to rock himself into her at a hard and fast pace. Knowing how overly sensitive she was from her first orgasm, as the new mixture of pleasure and pain took her even higher.

Connected like this, he could feel everything that she was. Her intense passion at his aggressive dominance was calling to the monster within. Making him want to give her more. She was crying out loudly at every thrust and he paused only long enough to drag her to the ground beneath him. As she clutched at him, he brought his mouth to hers. Tasting herself on his lips, she groaned deeply and kissed him even harder.

He reached back to grab her hands in his now. Raising them over her head, he pinned her arms in place with one hand as he began to caress her with the other. Switching between gentle and rough as he skimmed or squeezed. Whichever she desired in the moment. Feeling her muscles clench around him deliciously as the spikes of carefully controlled pain stoked the raging fire inside her.

Astrid struggled under him then, as if trying to pull her hands away. Locked in her mind with her, Hiccup knew full well that she didn't really want him to let her go though. She only wanted to feel forced into submission by someone she knew wouldn't actually hurt her, as so many strong women secretly desire. Deliberately flexing to hold her tighter, Hiccup relished in her answering groan as her hips lifted to grind hard against him. Her pleasure at this aggressive dominance singing to the beast within. Once again proving that this woman was not only perfect, but absolutely perfect for him.

Pulling one of her legs up and pressing her knee to her chest, Hiccup let himself sink even deeper into her hot folds. Loving the way she panted and writhed beneath him. Ripping all his carefully constructed walls down as he watched her come apart in his hands. He had never let the monster out to play with her before, and it admittedly surprised him just how much she wanted it. Which was good, since he doubted he could rein it back in now anyways. The beast was out of the cage, and it was in charge now.

His lovely warrior goddess was now as helpless as a lamb to a wolf. Pinned beneath him by her own leg as he roughly restrained her hands by those delicately fragile wrists. Forcing her to take every inch he gave her without mercy. Sliding his free hand down, he lifted her hips to give himself even better access. Slamming into her as she rose to meet him.

Finally releasing her hands as she neared her second climax, he fisted his now free fingers into her hair instead. Using it to tug her head roughly to the side and nipping hard at her exposed throat as she cried out and arched her body towards him. She was responding so beautifully to every rough bite or gentle caress. Her nails sinking deep into his skin as she tore bleeding gashes into his back, completely lost in her uncontrolled passion. Trading pain for pain as her desire consumed her. He didn't care. He wasn't really hurting her, and his own wounds would heal.

He could feel her next release building as she muttered wordless pleas to the gods. Almost sobbing in her ecstasy. He brought his hand up from her hip and gently caressed her firm, round backside before placing a hard slap on it. Biting down on the delicate skin of her neck again at the same time. The intense mixture of degradation and pleasure pushing him right to the edge.

Then her walls clenched violently around him again as she came with another flooding release. A ragged scream tearing from her throat and ripping the night in two. Finally, as he'd wanted to do since that very first night, Hiccup plunged himself as deeply as he could into her and released his seed. Feeling Astrid cling desperately to him as her second orgasm rocked her. Clearly intent on not letting him move away either, as her body milked him of everything he had left to give.

Face buried in the silky tangle of hair by her shoulder, Hiccup smiled as he felt her pulse and squirm around his twitching member. Of course, he would still keep up the charade tonight. If only to avoid the awkward conversation, as that particularly heartbreaking news was best left for another time. For now, it was enough that he knew he didn't need to pretend at being careful anymore. Shifting slightly lower now, he laid his head on her heaving chest instead. Listening to the sound of her racing heartbeat as he mused over just how much had changed in such a short time. Seems Snotlout would get to keep his hands, and his life, after all...

*

As Astrid floated back down, she eventually remembered that Hiccup was still inside of her. Not that she could actually find it in herself to be worried about that fact though. She was too content and exhausted, and it just felt to right with him nestled against her, for her to want to push him away. Never had they made love like this before. Hiccup was usually so careful with her. Touching her with patient and gentle caresses, and being ever conscious of leaving any marks on her skin that might give them away. This time he had viciously ravaged her, and it had been rough, sexy, and wonderful.

Her ass cheek ached where his big hand had slapped her. Her neck and thigh also felt like they may have some decent bruises, but somehow she wasn't upset by any of these things. Quite the opposite, in fact. Never in a million years would Astrid Hofferson have imagined that she would desire pain, or that it could feel so good. She had always kind of believed that proper intimacy had to be gentle and romantic. This had been neither, yet she still didn't feel used and abused in the slightest. All she felt was deliciously satisfied, as his warm body pressed her into the grass. Apparently, something about Hiccup brought out a darker side of her that she never even knew she had.

Focusing on calming her embarrassingly loud breathing, Astrid looked down to where Hiccup's head was resting on her chest. Feeling her shift, he raised his eyes to meet hers. Grinning at her as he released her leg so that she could wrap it around him instead. Reaching up his other hand to finger the silver pendant she was still wearing. She laughed at the look on his face and brought her fingers up to trail through his silky tresses. "That was unexpectedly vigorous," she teased. "Was it the sight of me riding a dragon that finally did you in?"

"I did not hear you complaining at the time," came his chuckled reply. "Though I will admit that watching you straddle a fire breathing war machine did help drive me over the edge of sanity." That made her giggle, and he smirked at her as he dropped his hand from her necklace. Pulling out of her and her mind at the same time, and her whole body clenched painfully in response as if reeling from a strike. Causing her to let out a hiss at the overly intense wave of sensation.

"Sorry," Hiccup muttered sheepishly as he dragged her up from the ground with him. "I probably should have warned you before I did that. Next time..." He trailed off then as he looked her over. Her favourite lopsided smirk slowly twisting his lips. "Hmm, I think a quick wash might be in order." He chuckled again, as an image of her with tangled hair and sweaty, flushed skin suddenly flashed before her eyes.

Dear gods, was that what she honestly looked like right now, Astrid wondered in horror. Her hands quickly flew up to her rat's nest of hair before she huffed a sigh of agreement. Her eyes raking over Hiccup and noting yet again that he was not sweaty at all and his sex rumpled hair only looked more attractive. Stupid elves, she grumbled to herself, even as she glanced towards the deceptively placid pond with a small shudder. "That water will be freezing Hiccup," she exclaimed as she tried to blindly pick the knots out of her bedraggled hair with just her fingers. "I'm not getting in there!"

"I would hope not," he agreed with a curious glint in his eyes. Then he walked across to a small depression in the ground that was lined with rocks and whistled for Toothless. She had noticed it before, but never really thought much of it. Now she realized that it sort of looked like a modified bathing tub big enough for two. Its sizing meaning it would be comfortable for someone of Hiccup's stature to stretch out in, but also that it would take forever to fetch enough water to fill it.

As he turned his back to her though, Astrid forgot all about the water conundrum as she got her first glimpse of the gouges she had left in his skin. Deep parallel scratches oozing a steady trickle of blood. It looked more like he'd just been attacked by a wild dragon, than had a wild romp with his lover. Glancing over his shoulder at her, Hiccup must have noticed the shock on her face. "No need to look so upset mi'lady," he stated lightly. "I have suffered much worse wounds from much less enjoyable circumstances." With that he waved a hand glowing with a soft emerald light in the general direction of his back.

As he turned again to greet Toothless, Astrid watched in astonishment as the green wave licked over him. Sealing all of the bleeding cuts and leaving only pink lines behind, as of days old injuries that are almost healed. He then muttered a strange word and she actually gasped out loud as a sphere of water lifted from the pond and came to rest in the depression. Releasing its shape to fill the small hole in an instant. Toothless shooting a small fireball into a moment later.

Looking over his shoulder, Hiccup motioned to the little pool. Inviting curls of steam dancing over the surface in the cool night air. "What? How did you think I have been bathing myself," he asked with a devious grin. "I mean, it would be awful hard to hide from the tribe if I was getting naked in the village every other day."

"Not that way," she replied honestly. Still too shocked to think up something clever or witty. Hiccup laughed loudly at that before coming to take her hand and drag her over to the pool. Astrid climbed in to find it wonderfully warm and just deep enough to sit in comfortably. "So, you can use magic," she started again as Hiccup settled behind her.

"Yes, I can," he answered with a shrug. His skilled hands now gently helping to untangle her mess of hair. "You will be able to as well," he added with a chuckle. "After some training of course." Then he wrapped his arms around her to pull her closer, and she relaxed back against him for a while. Forgetting his words for the moment as the warmth of the water soothed the sting from her muscles and backside.

After a good soak, they finally climbed out and dried off. Astrid dressing quickly, while Hiccup waved a hand to release the water back to the ground before struggling into his trousers. Then he glanced over at her again. "Speaking of magic and you," he muttered as he strolled over to Toothless. Grabbing a small cloth sack out of one of the saddle bags. Then he went to sit on a log by the fire pit and whistled distractedly as he began to take out small bundles of unknown herbs. Another blue-purple burst came from out of the dark and ignited the kindling sitting ready.

Idly braiding her damp hair back, Astrid wandered over to see what he was doing. Watching interestedly as he placed a small cooking pot on one of the rocks around the fire and summoned yet more water from the pond. Adding the dried plants to it as it came to a boil. Promptly removing the pot from the fire, he produced a mug with another flash of green and poured the tea into it. Passing it to her as he said, "drink!"

Cupping her hands around the warm vessel, Astrid took a curious sniff. It smelled like mint, and something else she couldn't identify. Blowing on it to cool it, she asked curiously, "what is this?"

In response, Hiccup shot her a look out of the side of his eye and shrugged. "Now is not really a great time for you to be with child," he supplied simply. "You know, the battle with the Red Death and all that."

"Oh," was all she could manage as realization struck. Of course, he had released his seed inside of her. Gulping down the hot tea, she made a mental note to get the recipe from him later so that she could make it herself next time. Looking for a topic change now, she finally recalled his words from earlier with a gasp. "Wait! I'll be able to use magic? How?"

"All bonded riders can," he offered simply. Making it seem as if it was no big deal. "It just takes a lot of training to master it is all." Then, seeing that she was not going to be content to leave it at that, Hiccup began to explain to her all about what would happen now that she had bonded with Stormfly. She would have to return with him and Ilweran after they defeated the Red Death. Receiving her training in another realm, since magic use was apparently highly restricted in Midgard.

Astrid couldn't really care about the why's of it. All she knew was that she was free. Free of her arranged marriage, and free to be with Hiccup. He wouldn't have to leave her behind, and she wouldn't have to watch him go. Sighing, she allowed the relief to wash over her. Though his words did bring to mind another question. "Is that why you and Ilweran didn't just kill the Red Death with magic," she asked. "Because you're not allowed to use it in front of people?"

Taking the empty mug back from her, Hiccup seemed to consider his answer for a moment. "Yes… And no," he finally replied. "Yes, because it is forbidden and as members of the Order we are supposed to uphold the laws of the Æsir. If it was simply about the law, we may have just done it anyway and begged forgiveness afterwards. We did not though, because it would take an immense amount of energy to kill her with magic and that would likely kill us as well. There are spells that would be able to do it of course, but they are all dark magics that few know how to use and even fewer are willing to try. Dark magic is dangerous even at the best of times."

In a convoluted way, Astrid guessed that made sense. She really had no idea how magic worked so of course she wouldn't realize that it had limitations. She had always just assumed that if you could use magic, you could do anything. Apparently she had a lot to learn before she could be a proper Rider. It was all too confusing to cram into one night though, so she dropped the subject for now. Opting instead to broach a question that had been on her mind since meeting Minden.

"You and Minden seem very friendly with each other..." she grumbled, looking towards the fire instead of at him. Though he had not shown any interest in Minden today, that didn't mean that he never had. After all, Astrid had certainly not been his first five years ago, and as much as she may want to believe otherwise, she was still a little doubtful that she was his last. After all, Minden was exceptionally beautiful, absolutely perfect, and a wicked flirt that very obviously wanted him. What man could resist that, and why would they even want to try?

Instead of a telling stint of awkward silence, Hiccup surprised her by barking out a laugh. Astrid looking over at him in confusion, only to find his eyes alight with humour. "You are not the first one to think that," he admitted with a shake of his head. "Minden is exceptionally beautiful, and you would know that I was lying if I said otherwise. Still, there is no romantic relationship between us and there never has been. We get along well, and I certainly care for her, but it is in a purely platonic way and she understands that. My heart has only ever belonged to you Astrid," he added, and her heart seemed to swell in her chest.

Before she could swoon though, he suddenly chuckled as he leant forward to rest his elbows on his knees. Green eyes shining brightly in the fire light. "Though I should warn you, thanks to Ilweran being her father she possesses the free spirit of the elves. This means that she has a wicked mind and is a shameless flirt. She has been trying to take my clothes off for years because she thinks it is hilarious that it upsets me. I assure you, it is harmless." Then his expression grew unexpectedly thoughtful. "Though I may just have to set you on her if she tries again. It would be nice to not have to worry about losing my pants all the time..."

Astrid couldn't help but laugh at that. "Don't worry babe. I'll protect your pants," she joked. Grinning widely at him. "No one gets to take them off of you, but me."

"Thank you, mi'lady. My pants and I are in your debt. As a matter of fact, you can take them off as often as you would like. Preferably not in public, though I am willing to try almost anything once," he grinned back. Making her laugh again.

Leaning against his side now as he put his arm around her, she asked, "how does Ilweran have a daughter almost the same age as us when he himself is no older than you; and you are only 25 years?"

Hiccup just shrugged as he gazed down at her. "That is a topic that you will have to broach with Ilweran himself. Suffice it to say that he is older than he appears. Though for obvious reasons, while we are here she will be posing as his sister."

At those words, Astrid found herself recalling his insane excuses from last night. Excuses that suddenly didn't seem quite so insane anymore. "Oh my gods!" she exclaimed. Sitting up abruptly and causing Hiccup to look at her in surprise.

"What?" he asked. Slightly alarmed by her sudden outburst.

"Hiccup, am I immortal now too?"

As she looked at him, Astrid watched the unease flicker across his face. His eyes shifting to the side uncomfortably for a moment before they came back to settle on her face. "Yes," was all he said. Just one word. As if it there was nothing else that he could think of to say about it. To be fair, she was honestly having a hard time wrapping her head around the idea. Her parents were going to have a pretty hard time believing it too. It just seemed too crazy to be true. How could she possibly explain it in a way they would understand…

Puzzling over what she would say to her parents, Astrid slowly started to realize that this was not really the blessing it first seemed. Her family was not immortal. Everyone she had ever known was going to die, and she wouldn't. Her parents, her brothers, Gobber, Ruff and Fish, Cami, Heather, Eret; all of them were going to fade away with time, while she remained frozen. The place she had grown up in would fade too, the people moving on. One day, she would come back to this world, and she might not recognize it at all.

At least she would have Hiccup. It must have been so much harder for him to not have anyone these past ten years. She couldn't even imagine how horrible it would be to live forever while she had to watch him wither and die without her. How mad she would have been herself as she aged while he did not. It would have made her furious, despite her best efforts. "No wonder you were afraid to come back, and no wonder you didn't want to tell me," she finally got out as she met his gaze again. Knowing that he would understand her thoughts without her even needing to voice them. After all, he had already spent years living with, and growing accustomed to, this strange new reality.

"It was the one thing that I was most afraid to tell you," Hiccup admitted with a sigh. "I promise we will figure out something to tell your parents though, and I will be there beside you the whole time." He smiled at her reassuringly before looking up at the now starry sky. "Unfortunately, you really should get home. Stormfly can stay here with Toothless if you would like, instead of returning to the academy. We will meet with your parents after training tomorrow. Ilweran and I will explain everything to them. Well, almost everything," he conceded. Winking as he stood and reached out to her.

Giggling and blushing like a godsdamn maiden, Astrid took his hand and rose to her feet. Kissing him goodbye before making her familiar way back through the forest. Wondering yet again how he always managed to win her over. She had been absolutely furious with him this morning. Now she was just a hopelessly romantic fool all over again. At least now she finally had some proper answers.

Too lost in her thoughts, Astrid didn't notice the figure crouching in the shadows at the edge of the forest. Narrowed eyes silently watching her return home. Shaking hands clenched into tight fists.

_

Uh oh...

And you thought those last cliffhangers were evil :P