ERRMAGERRDD! We've hit 300 followers! Thank you guys so much for all the support! I never imagined that my first ever story would get this much attention, and I am deeply grateful for it. You are all amazing.
I have decided to split the last epilogue into 2 parts. Partly because it just felt too long, and partly to drag it out just a little longer for you all before you have to wait for the sequel. So that means that you will get 4 epilogues, instead of 3. You're welcome...lol ;P
Draconic king: Wasn't it just :P lol. I loved it too
OechsnerC: Thanks :)
CB73: I couldn't have said it better myself. The tough-love method may have worked for some, but certainly not for all. Hiccup showed the whole archipelago that it didn't matter if they never believed he was good enough to be one of them. He became so much more than they will ever be, and he did it his own way. Yes, Hiccup does feel very strongly for Astrid, and gods help any that try to come between that. Hiccup may just take Surt's place as 'The Destroyer of Worlds' if something was to happen to his mate... at least the in-laws are on board. Finally. As for Minden and Snotlout... guess you'll just have to wait and see ;P
htvhtgjtdhzr: Umm, Tuffnut is definitely in there... many times... saying ridiculous things as per usual... in this one too, in fact... lol
Rainnnn: I know, right! I did spoil you guys with the 2 chapters/week deal. Sorry about that... Lol. I'm excited for Astrid to start learning magic too :D and I loved writing that scene with her parents. I have a whole crazy back story for her mother that will eventually come to light. As for Stoick... yes, he does finally accept the truth of his mistakes, as well as the reality of what his son has become. Which is a very good place for him to be when the Riders leave Midgard. We will certainly see more of Stoick in the future, but just how much is yet to be seen.
_
Last night had been wonderful. For the first time, Hiccup had been able to spend the entire night with Astrid. She had fallen asleep snuggled into his side with her head on his chest. Her golden hair fanning out over his shoulder and arm while the soft perfume of lavender invaded his senses. The mass of silk glinting softly in the pale moonlight. The strands of it appearing more silver than gold. Her perfect lips carrying a delicate smile as her easy breaths ghosted over his skin, wafting him with her same potent scent of sunshine, citrus, and cinnamon. He had simply lain there, holding her and watching her sleep. Having no need to keep busy or move around for once.
As an elf, he was perfectly capable of staying motionless as a statue for hours on end, but his brain was usually far too busy to allow him to waste his nights like that. Not last night. Last night, he had felt only a peaceful serenity and an overwhelming stillness. Content to just be, for once. Waking her up with a gentle kiss as the sun began to rise outside the window, he had managed to coerce her into another round of lovemaking before heading out for his usual early morning flight. Just another perk of spending the night at her side. Toothless had rolled his eyes and grumbled at him grouchily for showing up late, but Hiccup just laughed as he vaulted into the saddle mid stride.
The whole next day was filled with preparations for the feast. Everyone was in high spirits and everywhere Hiccup went, someone would smile and wave at him. Or they would stop him for a casual conversation. It had indeed been a strange emotional ride during his time here. First he was the terrifying and unknown Scáth Rothaí. Dragon Rider and probable draugr from Helheim that the women fantasized over, but the people still all generally tried to avoid. Carrying on a forbidden relationship with Astrid and hating himself for it.
After he had revealed himself and beaten Snotlout at the duel, he became Hiccup the Promising. The lost heir, finally returned home. Bigger, stronger, and more 'everything' than they could have ever dared hope for. The village welcoming him back with open arms as if they had always known that he was worth something. Finally able to cast away his secondary disguise and spend time openly with Astrid. Then he had brutally murdered a man in full view of the village.
It didn't matter that the council of chiefs had absolved him of any crimes. Didn't matter that the man was a disgusting criminal. The villagers were still nervous of him, and rightfully so. He was no longer a possible draugr from Helheim, but that didn't make him any less dangerous than one. They had shied away from him and pulled their children back inside their homes when he had passed. He was used to this type of behaviour as the Dark Rider in the Order, so it didn't really bother him. The only part that did was Astrid's reaction.
She had honestly been afraid of him for a time. It was unfortunate, but unavoidable. He was sure that there would be many more times in the near future that she would feel the exact same way. He openly admitted that she would absolutely have good reason to. Too bad this knowledge didn't make the experience any easier to bear. She had come around eventually at least, even if the villagers were still afraid of him. Now everything had culminated into a strange combination of fear and pride.
The Vikings were treating he and Ilweran as if they were gods among mortals. Although he wasn't really surprised after their open displays of magic, it was still somewhat annoying. Tuffnut, if fact, had taken to trailing him all morning. Bowing down before Hiccup and fawning over him. As if Hiccup was the living embodiment of every one of Tuff's wildest dreams come true. Ruff had eventually turned up as well. Instead of saving Hiccup, as he had hoped, she had simply joined in with Tuffnut's antics.
Finally, Hiccup couldn't take it anymore. "What in Helheim is wrong with you two? Did Cami convince you guys to eat some sort of toxic berries in the woods, and now you are hallucinating and losing your collective mind as you slowly die?" He stopped in the centre of the square and crossed his arms impatiently. Glaring down at them with his most menacing scowl.
"Nope, not this time," Tuff stated with a grin. Completely unaffected by Hiccup's brooding and ferocious gaze. If anything, his grin got even wider. "It's just that it's not every day you get to bask in the radiant glow of the true face of chaos. I bet you could destroy anything you wanted, with just a snap of your fingers..." Tuff actually choked back a sob at this point as he snapped his own fingers dramatically. Hiccup fighting back a laugh as he cocked a brow at Tuff in exasperation.
With a sniffle, the male twin gave him a watery smile. "I'm sorry H. Oops, I mean, your heroic-ness. It's just... your crazy powers of destruction are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," he finished. Wiping a tear from his cheek as he stared at Hiccup in wonder.
"Ya, it was fantastic! You're like a god! I can't believe we were lucky enough to get to watch an actual son of Loki in action!" Ruff added with a wild flourish as both twins nodded enthusiastically. Hiccup just couldn't stop the bark of laughter that escaped him at her words.
"They think I'm both a hero and a son of Loki..." he shot at Toothless. The thought made him chuckle as the night fury rasped a laugh at his blood brother. "That is equal parts hilarious and ironic..."
"Are you actually crying Tuffnut?" Hiccup scoffed in disbelief. "Oh my Thor, you two are ridiculous. Listen to me! I am not a god, and I am not a son of Loki. I am just Hiccup, and if you two remember anything about me, you would know that I have always been excellent at destroying things. Now, I have somewhere I need to be, so can you guys please stop following me for at least a little while," he asked dryly. A hint of humour colouring his tone.
"Whatever you say Master Lokison," they both repeated as they bowed low to him again. Muttering to each other as they walked away. Rolling his eyes with another chuckle, Hiccup watched them go for a moment, before making his way to Astrid's house. Honestly, the twins were not the only ones acting weird today. Most of the Vikings were treating him as if he really was something special.
It made him intensely uncomfortable when they had all started referring to him as Hiccup the Hero. He simply wasn't a hero. What he had done to the queen wasn't noble or heroic. What it had been, was dark and twisted. Unleashing his inner demons on her, he had taken control of her mind before wiping her from existence. Using the most cruel means that he had in his arsenal to do it.
He could have just killed her. Ended her immortal life before stealing her essence to add to his own well of power, but no. He had chosen to destroy all of her instead. Even going so far as to burn the lingering shadow of her essence from the worlds. Something that was never attempted in the arcane arts. Despite being unimaginably difficult and dangerous as it usually required more energy than the caster could supply, it was also considered the worst punishment of all. To not exist in any form was unimaginable...
There could be no afterlife for the Red Death now. In short, he had become as evil as her at that moment. Also unfortunate, but unavoidable. Once again he thanked Bríghid and her wisdom for teaching him how to properly shield himself. Riders that received training from the Order did not learn how to channel dark essence away from themselves as one simply wasn't to use dark magics. It was forbidden.
Now he needed to have the dreaded talk with his father. He was bringing Astrid along as a buffer, just in case. He wasn't sure how his father was going to react to him after his defeat of the queen. Stoick hadn't said a word to anyone on the ship as he had gazed back at the eerily empty beach of the island. Not even a bone fragment remaining of the gigantic monster that had once been. Would his father hate and fear him now? Or would he hero worship him instead, like the rest of the villagers? As it turned out, Hiccup's fears were unfounded.
As soon as his father had opened the door to see his son standing there, he had pulled him into a fierce hug. When he finally let Hiccup go he was smiling widely. He beckoned them in and they found Gobber already waiting in the main room. The talk that followed wasn't anything like Hiccup had expected. Stoick apologized to him for all the years of neglect. He had apparently carried the burden of shame for the last ten years that he had been the one to chase Hiccup away. Glad that he could ease some of his father's torment, Hiccup told him the truth. Or at least close to it.
"I did leave at first because I was worried about your reaction to Toothless. That does not really matter though. Since I am a bonded rider, the Order would have tracked me down eventually anyways. I was always going to have to leave Midgard, Dad." His father's eyebrows shot almost to his hairline when he said this. Laughing at the look on his and Gobber's faces, Hiccup said kindly, "where do you think I learned to use magic? Certainly not around here!"
He felt Astrid shift slightly beside him at this half-truth, but she kept her silence. They didn't need to know everything about his life. If he told his father of his travels now, it would just raise uncomfortable questions that he would rather not answer. Thankfully Gobber broke the tension for him.
"You know, I was wonderin' who ya got to enchant tha' magical axe you gave ta Astrid. Never would'a guessed tha' it was you tha' did it. Not sure how Gothi managed ta keep tha' from me. Tha' woman's tricky as they come," he offered with a grin. "Still, I shoulda figured it out myself, I guess. Bloody impressive my boy! Ya always were too smart fer this realm anyways. Jus' don' you be goin' off withou' sendin' word ta us again! Ya hear me?" He gave Hiccup and Astrid both a stern look as Stoick chuckled.
Looking over at Astrid for a moment, Hiccup smiled mischievously at the two older men. "I know it is not really Order sanctioned, but I might have a way. As long as Astrid is not going to rat me out to the Council when we get back." Astrid was slightly confused by his words, but shrugged playfully all the same. At this Hiccup held out one hand and said "Moina." A dark shape began to materialize in his palm. He watched with some satisfaction as they all gasped with shock (including Astrid), as the sleek falcon appeared in his hand. The bird then fluttering up to land on his shoulder and nuzzle into his hair.
"This," he gestured to the falcon with a fond smile, "is my familiar. His name is Lintiëram, which means Swift Wing. He is able to travel freely between realms and can carry messages quite easily." With a wave of his hand and a flash of green, Hiccup produced two perfect replicas of the falcon's beautiful wing feathers. He then offered them to his father and Gobber. "Take these. If you need to get a message to me before Lint shows up, you can call him. All you need to do is hold the feather and say his name."
Stoick gaped in shock at his son with the bird on his shoulder, then looked at the magic feather now in his hand. "Lint-ee-a-rom" he said slowly, stumbling slightly over the unfamiliar word. At this the falcon lifted off from Hiccup's shoulder and came to rest on Stoick's knee instead. Gazing at him expectantly. Reaching out a careful and trembling hand, Stoick lightly touched the birds sleek feathers. Gaining confidence when the falcon simply closed his eyes and leaned into Stoick's touch. Then he smiled sadly at his son.
"I know that you can't stay, Hiccup. I guess a part of me already knew that and I just didn't want to accept it, but you don't belong here son. I can see that now. You were never meant to remain tied to this tiny island. Spending your days solving the minor gripes of the villagers, when there is something so much bigger out there for you. I just...need to tell you before you go..." Stoick seemed to be grasping for the right words. Never being one to express his feelings verbally. Instead of filling the gap in the conversation, or making a silly joke like he always used to, Hiccup simply waited patiently for his father to find his own way there.
With a last steadying breath, Stoick met Hiccup's eyes straight on. "I am so proud of you son. The man you have become as well as the boy that you used to be. I always was and I always will be. I did and do love you. I was just never very good at showing it. Can you forgive me?"
Hiccup smiled widely at his stubborn old man. "There is nothing to forgive Dad. I always knew that you loved me. I just always felt that I did not deserve it. I am not even sure that I do now, but it does not really matter because I love you too." Then he looked fondly over at the old blacksmith that had been his only friend and mentor for years. Looking out for him and parenting him, even now, despite the fact that Hiccup was a grown man.
"You too Gobber. I love you, you crazy old man. I am going to miss you both when we leave tomorrow, but I will try to come back someday soon. Now take on a new apprentice already or the village will fall to ruin once you cannot run the forge anymore!" They all burst out laughing at that as Gobber shrugged.
"If I can fin' someone worth teachin', I will. I was actually thinkin' that I would use Inferno. The first one that can figure out how in Thor's name ya made tha' bloody thing, gets tha job." Hiccup chuckled at that. Grinning his understanding at the old smith. Once you've trained a protégée, it's difficult to start over fresh with a bumbling newborn to the trade. If someone could demonstrate that they possessed real talent in understanding complex ideas, it would make it worth the effort in the end.
For a brief moment, Hiccup had wondered if he should tell his father about Valka. It just never felt like the right moment though. The knowledge of his willingly absent wife's existence would likely hurt Stoick even more than it had bothered Hiccup. Honestly, since leaving the sanctuary over two years ago, Hiccup had given very little thought to his mother and what she was doing. The fact that she had chosen to stay away, rather than come to Berk with Minden, was just more proof that Valka was not done running. Maybe she would never be.
For well over twenty years, she had not been a part of their lives. It was difficult to find a place for her in it now, even though Hiccup had already chosen to put the past behind them. He just didn't know where she fit into his world. One day, he would find a way to make it work, as she was a great ally in the protection of the dragons. Perhaps that day was almost here, now that Berk was no longer at war with the beasts. Still, until Valka was ready to face down her own demons, Hiccup would not inflict that same confusion or pain on his father.
Once they were in Alfheim, he would tell Astrid about it, he thought with a sigh. It was not as if he was helping to conceal Valka's faults, after all. He just didn't want to hurt his dad now. Not when he was already in the process of saying goodbye to his only son. Casting these depressing thoughts aside, Hiccup smiled warmly at his father as he joined back in the conversation. Astrid, noticing his brief lapse in focus, shot him a curious glance, but said nothing as she turned to laugh at a comment that Gobber had made.
Everyone was still grinning and laughing as Hiccup and Astrid got up to leave. Hugging and smiling as Gobber and Stoick saw the two of them to the door. Lintiëram swooping out before them as Hiccup opened it. As soon as they were outside, Astrid started to bombard him with questions about his familiar. How did he summon it? Would she ever have one? Would hers be a falcon too, or would it be something else? He chuckled softly and set to discussing the complicated rules of familiars with her as they made their slow way up to Gothi's hut to say goodbye.
The wizened healer had been a constant support for both of them. Patiently, or forcefully when it came to Hiccup, guiding them through their most difficult periods over the last few months. Astrid had found it absolutely hysterical when Hiccup had told her about Gothi walloping him with her staff; more than once... Clearly she was picturing the tiny and stooped old woman, waving her stick threateningly at a seven foot tall beast of a man, without a single shred of fear. Still, Gothi's steadfast belief that he and Astrid were meant to be together was probably one of the main reasons that they were here now. Walking hand in hand across the square and hopelessly in love with each other.
*
That evening the mead hall was packed to bursting. It seemed that every Viking on the island had come to participate in the festivities. Hiccup had stayed with Astrid the entire time, refusing to sit at the head table. He was not technically the heir anymore so he could get away with it. Cami had managed to weasel her own way out of it too. This meant that the whole group was packed around the same table again. Making it feel almost like any other communal meal, instead of a victory feast. Astrid was glad. They were leaving tomorrow, and she had no desire to spend a formal banquet separated from half of her friends for most of the night.
Now the food was gone and the mead was flowing. Astrid had noticed that both Hiccup and Ilweran never ate meat and rarely partook in much mead or ale. Hiccup had told her that the lack of meat was just an elf thing. As for the drink, Hiccup claimed that she would understand once she had spent some time around elven liquors. Astrid had never really enjoyed getting drunk, so his sobriety didn't seem strange to her. Besides, the other Vikings were drinking more than enough of the stores without their help.
As the alcohol content of the people went up, the formality went down. Tables and tribes blending together. By the time Tuffnut started on his fifth tankard of mead, he had taken to pestering Hiccup. Begging him to destroy something. Hiccup was studiously attempting to ignore his pleas. However, when Tuff and Ruff threw their plates up into the air, trying to goad Hiccup into some magic, Astrid watched with shocked humour as both Hiccup and Ilweran pointed softly glowing fingers at them. Causing the plates to explode into a shower of fine dust that rained down on the surrounding tables.
"I think I hit mine first," Hiccup grinned at Ilweran, as the twins started cheering. Ilweran had just begun to protest, when Tuff cut across him.
"Who cares! That was AWESOME!" Vikings at surrounding tables yelled their agreement and clanked their mugs together, as their table erupted into hysterical laughter. Astrid nudging Hiccup in the ribs as she shot a smirk at Ilweran.
"Show offs," she teased them. Earning her two wicked grins from perfect lips. Their handsome faces alight with childish humour. Gods they really are adorable, she couldn't help thinking as she realized that she would be spending eternity with these two beautiful jokers. Lucky me, she added smugly with a wide grin of her own.
After a while, occasional bursts of song started ringing through the hall. People had already begun to concoct a new Edda to commemorate the battle of the Red Death. Astrid's favourite however was still the recent Edda that had started circulating after the duel between Hiccup and Snotlout. The people had definitely taken some creative liberties with that one. It was now 'The Naked Duel of Berk' and the song version wasn't exactly the way Astrid remembered the real thing. The Boggies, especially, tended to sing this one more enthusiastically than the rest.
There was a time long ago when Hiccup would have blushed crimson and hidden his face upon hearing these suggestive songs. Especially since the song was about him this time. These days he would just chuckle softly or stand up and offer a sarcastic bow. Thinking back, she still remembered his blushing discomfort when he had returned to present her with her axe only five years ago. Now he just seemed to radiate a cool confidence, bordering on arrogance. After another rousing chorus of 'The Naked Duel' Astrid decided to ask him about it.
"It is not that I do not get embarrassed anymore Astrid. I definitely do. I have gained more confidence over the years, certainly, but I still get uncomfortable. Frequently. It is just that elves do not blush. Even my fancy ring cannot change that." He had spoken softly, so as not to be overheard by the others.
Still, Ilweran and Minden who were sitting across from them, picked up his words with their exceptional hearing. Minden nodded in confirmation as she quietly added, "he's right. I have not blushed a single time in my life despite being only a quarter elf. I've never cried either. Not even when my mom died, though I desperately wanted to. Everyone used to think it was very strange when I was growing up, but it has just always been the norm for me. You'll get used to it too."
Ilweran offered a reassuring smile as he reached out to place his hand over Astrid's where it was resting on the table top. "It is true, you will get used to it after a while. Just because elves cannot cry or blush does not mean that we do not still feel sad or embarrassed. We just show it in other ways. I never knew that elves were unusual until I started spending time around the other races." He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before turning his attention back to Cami, who was sitting to his other side, of course.
Astrid grew quiet as she pondered this unsettling notion for a while. It was such a small and insignificant thing to get upset about, really. What did it matter if she couldn't blush or cry anymore? She had never been very fond of those telling crimson glows that displayed discomfort. Nor of the blubbering and awkward waterworks that were more often triggered by anger than by sadness.
No, it was not the loss of these small emotional displays that upset her. It was more the bigger fear of the unknown. How much of her life was going to change now? Not just big, drastic things, like her fertility and her life span. Or the blatantly obvious things like her physical abilities and her appearance. Little things that she had always taken for granted may just slip away one day too, without her even noticing. When she finally got to come back and see her family, would they even recognize her? Would she even recognize herself? Who would she be once everyone else was dead and gone? Would she still be a Hofferson when there was no one left to remember that name?
Suddenly she felt a pair of warm arms wrapping around her waist. Pulling herself out of her depressing thoughts, she gazed up into Hiccup's worried green eyes. "I wish that I could offer you some small shred of comfort Astrid. Lie and tell you that nothing is going to change. I am not going to though, because it would not be the truth. I will tell you that most of the changes will be gradual. Giving you plenty of time to grow accustomed to them. I can also promise that the person you are inside will not change; even as your body and mind do. I will be here to remind you of that fact. Every step of the way."
Leaning into his embrace with a sigh, she said "Thank you Hiccup. I'm counting on that." He dragged her onto his lap to hold her closer as she let her gaze wander over their group. So many people that she had known her whole life as well as new friends she had just met. She wondered idly what would happen to them all now that the dragon raids were over. What would they do with all the extra time they were going to have? It was then that she noticed what she had failed to see before.
Her life was not the only one that was changing. Looking around at the group she saw Heather and Eret lost in their own conversation. Gazing deep into each other's eyes. They were probably holding hands under the table. She also noticed that Minden and Snotlout were sitting unusually close together. Stealing covert glances when they thought that no one was looking. Turning her face back to Hiccup's she saw him smile softly at her, his green eyes shining.
"You are right. A lot of people are going to be facing some big decisions and changes in the near future. Seems you and I were not the only ones to fall in love this summer." I really need to put up some mental barriers against this boy! Astrid thought grumpily as she felt the blush rising up her cheeks. Okay, maybe she wouldn't miss that after all.
Still, she smiled with him as she looked back at their friends. When she met Ilweran's gaze, he smiled at her too before rolling his eyes in the direction of his daughter and Snotlout. Astrid laughed and snuggled in tighter to Hiccup's chest. Content to spend the rest of the evening just like this.