Second sneak peak into 'The Weight of Betrayal' and it's a doozy. Oh boy... I have stressed over what part to post for the last week. Wanting to grasp your attention, but also not wanting to give too much away. At first I was just going to post a section from the first chapter. Although it is good, and I like it, the end result just felt too basic to kick your brains into overdrive. I am evil, after all... Finally, I decided on this little morsel. Reminder before you read it; it is just an excerpt from a chapter. The real thing is MUCH longer and MUCH more involved. Still, I think it should raise a few eyebrows... Enjoy!

OechsnerC: Haha, thanks! I love it too. Curse the humans is right ;P

CB73: Such is the way with most prophecies it would seem. Odin may despise the fact that the Riders are outside of his sight and his control, but perhaps he should tread carefully. Hell hath no fury, after all... It should also be noted that Ilweran is no angel, and Hiccup is VERY good at being bad ;)

Guest 1: Thanks :)

Cadet staff-srgJAG19: Me neither :P

Now Account: Facking love it! Beauty name! Lol. I'm glad that you liked the first sneak peak. Let's see if you like this one as much...

Rainnnn: Cozy is a good word for it, as I live in the Rocky Mountains...lol. Your assumptions on Odin are impressively correct. It is rarely clear who the real bad guys are right away in real life... Their Riders maintaining their choice is a very important distinction in the prophecy. Keeping everyone that knows on their toes (Dr. Seus moment anyone?..lol) I have done a lot of research, and so yes, Loki is not a blood relation to Odin or Thor. He was adopted by Odin, and his parents are both giants. Probably why he seems genuinely more powerful than his adopted Æsir kin...

*As for the exposition and conflicting facts in Odin's thoughts, he is probably just hoping for some sort of bond between the new human and the other two. Astrid would be forced closer to Hiccup and Ilweran simply by becoming a bonded rider, and it only makes sense that the only 3 human Riders would stick together. Ethnic groups do it all the time, after all. Also, Hiccup's friendship with Thor proves that he is fully capable of caring for people, he just chooses not to. Also an important distinction, I might add. I have adjusted the future chapter to more accurately portray this, so thanks for the heads up.

HootingOwls: I'm very glad that you liked it, and it's nice to hear that you couldn't put it down. That is an immensely flattering compliment indeed :)

Guest: SH4MEN17: I also have a dirty mind, so no judgement here. Lol. Odin will certainly do something to try and break Hiccup. Using Astrid. But just what... well... you'll just have to wait and see I guess... ;)

_

The trip back to the gateway had been a quick one. As Hiccup and Ilweran weaved their magic together to open Bifröst, Astrid tried to gather her thoughts. She had no idea what was going to be expected of her when she met with this strange Council. What would they be looking for in her mind, and what would they ask her to do? She didn't even know any magic yet! A fact that made her uncomfortable, but which both men had assured her was actually a factor in her favour. The others would be less suspicious of her if she didn't appear too powerful.

At least they were allowing Heimdall to transport them straight to Asgard this time instead of travelling through The Void again. Venturing back into the mysterious land between realms was not something she wanted to do in a hurry. It had taken her three days of sleep just to recover basic human functions. At least the lavish rooms in the Silver Palace were extremely comfortable, and she had gotten to be with Ilweran. She would gladly travel through that terrible forest over and over again, as long as she got to spend three days in bed with her handsome prince on the other side.

Memories of their lazy days together flashing through her mind as she reminisced. A small smile growing on her face as she pictured his golden skin glistening in the soft light filtering through the shining glass windows. His silvery hair fanning out across the pillows and a laugh in his warm amber eyes, as he held her against his muscular chest. His fingers trailing gentle feather-touches over her back as she smoothed her hand down over the hard ridges of his abdomen. Following their sensual path south...

When the great arching doorway appeared, Astrid found herself pulled from her pleasant fantasies. Drawn in by the beautifully dancing rainbow colours instead. As the huge doors swung open, all she could see was more flickering rainbow light inside. Hiccup gave her his trademark lop-sided smirk as he turned in his saddle to look at her. "See you on the other side Hofferson," he stated cheekily. Toothless winking at her before they shot through the gate on a solid push of massive black wings.

Laughing, Ilweran gestured towards Bifröst. "After you, my dear," he grinned. "That idiot will be waiting impatiently for us, and I will be right behind you." Giving him a slightly nervous smile, Astrid hunkered down in the saddle and spurred Stormfly forward. That same sense of vertigo took over as she lost all sense of up and down. The disorienting dance of light filling her vision as she passed through the doorway. Feeling a strange tug in her gut, she was pulled in whatever direction she needed to go. The movement completely out of her control.

As she came through the other side of the doorway, she looked around in surprise. It was both exactly as she had pictured it, and nothing at all like she expected. Asgard was indeed a marvellous sight to behold. She only caught a very brief glimpse of white stone buildings glinting with gold far below them. Then that same guiding force pulled her and Stormfly towards a high tower positioned on the outskirts of this bright city. Tugging her forward so fast that the gleaming city turned into little more than a blur of white.

As they drew nearer to the ground, they seemed to pass through some sort of invisible barrier. A weight pressing on her chest briefly as the air around her seemed to waver and bend. It was like trying to push your way into a huge soap bubble. She felt her ears pop, and then they were through the curious border dome. The strange sensation passing as quickly as it had come. Stormfly finally coming to rest on a high balcony that surrounded the entirety of the top floor of this border access pillar.

Hiccup was there waiting for her, just as Ilweran had promised. Standing on the balcony and leaning casually against Toothless' foreleg. Looking for all the world as if he couldn't care less about being in the home realm of the gods. He grinned at the surprise on her face, before looking behind her and tilting his head in acknowledgement. When she turned in her saddle, she saw Tintallë spreading her beautiful white wings to land gently beside Stormfly. Ilweran jumping off before his dragon had even touched down. Following their lead, Astrid hopped off of Stormfly and made her way towards the two men.

"We will leave the dragons here and walk to headquarters. It will make Odin happier that way. He does not like new Riders getting a strategic aerial view of the city before they have been deemed trustworthy," Hiccup drawled with an eye roll. "Not that I would normally give a shit about Odin's feelings, but we are trying to start you out on his good side. The dragons can go wherever they wish, but there is a large stretch of wood near the west side gate that contains plenty of wildlife. Ideal hunting ground for gigantic monsters," he added. Smirking at Toothless as the night fury rasped a laugh.

"Oh, okay," Astrid muttered in surprise. Not overly excited to be in this unfamiliar place without her dragon at her side. Still, she had Ilweran and Hiccup. "You heard him girl," she said to Stormfly. "Go on and hunt with Tintallë and Toothless, but stay in touch..." she finished, slightly nervously.

"You will be fine, hatchling," came the comforting reply. "I will be merely a call away." Then the nadder shook her regal crown and rustled her wings. Fixing Hiccup and Ilweran with a piercing look that very clearly said, 'look after my Rider'. Toothless gave Hiccup a strangely pointed gaze as well, before spreading his huge wings and lifting off from the tower. The other two dragons following right behind him. Astrid watched them go for a moment, before turning back to the boys.

"Let's go before I change my mind and head back to Midgard to hide," she teased. Smirking at Hiccup as he barked a laugh at her, before stretching up on her toes by Ilweran; placing her hands on his sculpted chest as she begged for a kiss. His eyes flickered to Hiccup's again, a curious note of apology in their amber depths, before he leant down to meet her. Placing a chaste kiss of tingling fire against her lips that was too brief for her liking, but still made her heart flutter just the same. Then he put an arm around her shoulders as he led her inside the tower.

After a barely noticeable pause, Hiccup joined them. Unusually silent for once. She shot him a confused glance, and he just shrugged at her. Finally offering her another lop-sided grin as he said simply, "I do not really enjoy being on Asgard. It is best for your sanity if you just try to ignore my weirdness, princess." She chuckled at him as they waved to a handsome, dark skinned man sitting inside a strange translucent dome of rainbow light. Astrid could only assume that this was Heimdall. He smiled and waved back as they started down a winding staircase that circled the inside wall.

When they strolled out into the street, her eyes had a difficult time adjusting to the light. Everything seemed to be made of the same bright white stone. The buildings all seeming to reflect the afternoon sunlight to the point where it actually hurt her eyes. Squinting against the glare, she glanced up at Ilweran's face as she brought one hand up to shield her eyes. "Which way do we go from here?" Everything was pressing in on them, blinding her and obstructing her view of the buildings to either side of them.

He gestured down a wide street on their left. Dropping his arm from around her shoulders as he did so, and taking her hand instead. It was slightly darker once they reached the protective shelter of the stone walls. Allowing her to finally appreciate her surroundings. The lane they had entered was incredibly crowded. Lined on both sides with bright shops hocking all kinds of wares.

Beautiful pottery and colourful bolts of fabric, exotic and familiar foods, and delicious smelling spices were everywhere. The loud sound of many voices filling the air around them with an incoherent blend of languages. Everyone seeming to be speaking at once. There was so much to look at, and she found herself whipping her head back and forth comically. Trying to take it all in at once.

Hiccup let out a chuckle as he watched her struggles. "You know, we can always come back and look around after we meet with the Council. It is not like you have to see everything right this moment. Hel's hound, you look like a terrible terror loose in the larder." Blushing slightly, Astrid stuck her tongue out at him. He simply smirked back, "would you like me to show you some better uses for that tongue, Hofferson?" Ilweran barked out a laugh as Astrid simply gaped at Hiccup.

"Oh my gods, you are so dirty Haddock!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "I'd be careful if I were you. Ilweran may just remove your tongue for that type of language."

"Ha, I would like to see him try. Anyways, he is used to it by now, right brother," Hiccup grinned at Ilweran. A devilish light shining in his green eyes. Sending that same uncomfortable heat coursing through her veins again.

Ilweran, in his defence, simply laughed. Grinning back at Hiccup as he replied, "he has a point, my dear. As much as I would love to defend you from this wicked demon, I doubt that I could take him. Besides, that is just the way he talks to everyone. Or have you already forgotten the filthy language that he used to lure in all those poor, unsuspecting maidens on Berk?"

"Very true," Astrid replied with a grimace. "Ever the playboy, huh Haddock," she added. Picturing the array of simpering women that had literally thrown themselves at him, right from the first day that he had returned to her life. He winked at her, and she had to fight back against a curious flash of jealousy. Attempting to sound natural as she joined in with the boys' laughter. They were making their way towards a towering building at the end of the street. A wide open square laying between them and their destination. As they neared the front steps, Astrid stopped and stared.

The building was marvellous. Tall, wide, and snowy white. The gently sloping peaked roof edged in gold leaf and topped with a large dome. Massive carved doors awaiting them at the top of a broad staircase of the same white. On either side of these huge doors, and carrying on to either end of the wide veranda, were vast and intricately carved columns.

All the etchings depicted scenes of dragons and riders twisting around each other. Intertwined with images of nature and battle in equal measure. Accents of gold leaf standing out against the bright white stone. Woven throughout the designs and edging all of the columns, windows, eaves, and doorways. It was undoubtedly beautiful, but also incredibly intimidating. The whole place spoke of power and refinement.

Gulping back her discomfort, Astrid took a deep breath and started up the steps with Ilweran. Hiccup dropping back slightly as he eyed the crowd with his intimidating green gaze. Flanking the couple like an ever-watchful guard dog. Astrid watched in surprise as the people around them actually flinched when they caught Hiccup glaring at them. Moving to give the group a wider berth as they passed by. Were people here really that scared of Hiccup?

The wide doors swung open of their own accord as the trio neared them. Pulling her focus back to the building in front of them. Before she could have time to panic, Ilweran guided Astrid into the huge entryway. Hiccup passing through the doorway right behind them. Inside, there were many more doorways and hallways leading off in every direction. A bubbling stone fountain filled the centre of this foyer. The ceiling above them opening up to the curved interior of the large dome. The entirety of which was painted to look like the summer sky.

The inside was richly decorated with murals and tapestries. All of them depicting scenes of dragons and nature. As the large doors swung closed behind them, the bustling sounds of the street completely faded out. Replaced with the gentle sound of a light breeze rustling through leaves and quiet birdsong. A comfortable warmth surrounded them as the soothing scent of a spring morning seemed to permeate the air. Lush green plants and fragrant flower blooms were everywhere. It was almost as if the were outside in the forest, instead of in the middle of a crowded city.

Astrid was busy gawking around in wonder. She didn't even notice the elf that had approached them from one of the hallways off the foyer. "Hello Prince Ilweran, Aldanil. It is good to see you back in the upper tier." The softly musical voice called Astrid back from her gaping, and she jumped slightly at the sight of this newcomer.

This elf was easily seven feet tall, and just as beautiful as every other elf she had seen so far. His flowing brown hair, tanned skin, and delicately angular face giving no hint as to his true age. He smiled gently at her, his eyes straying down to where her hand was clasped in Ilweran's. "I expect this is the new bonded one then," he inquired politely as he raised a slender brow. Directing his question to Ilweran.

"That would be correct, Elder Noldo," Ilweran answered, equally as politely. Grinning down at her with a twinkle in his gorgeous amber eyes and stealing her sanity for a moment as she lost herself in his beauty yet again. Finally tearing her gaze away from him, she looked back at the man he had referred to as Elder Noldo. So this is the Head of the Order, Astrid thought in surprise. He doesn't look any older than Ilweran, but he must be positively ancient! I guess all elves really are frozen in time...

Elder Noldo smiled warmly at her again. "Welcome to Rider Headquarters, my dear. I expect you are quite anxious to get this over with, and frankly, so am I," he stated with a chuckle. A mischievous gleam in his rich brown eyes as Hiccup and Ilweran laughed along with him. Gesturing towards one of the many hallways, he said, "right this way, Miss Hofferson. The Council was notified already and is waiting for you."

"They knew I was going to be here today," Astrid asked in confusion.

Elder Noldo simply nodded his head in response. "Indeed, Miss Hofferson. Aldanil sent Lintiëram to us last night so that we had time to assemble the Council members." Astrid looked at Hiccup in surprise, and he just offered her a casual half-shrug in return. With a smirk and a slight raise of eyebrows, he gestured for her to follow Elder Noldo as the elf made his way out of the foyer.

With a last reassuring squeeze from Ilweran's hand, and a small smile from Hiccup, Astrid moved to catch up to Elder Noldo. Hiccup and Ilweran trailing just behind them. As they arrived in front of a beautifully carved door, Elder Noldo turned to face the two men. "I must take her in alone for the initial questioning, but I will return for you two as soon as it is done. It should not take too long, so you may wait right here if you would like." They both nodded, and Astrid waved to them as she stepped through the doorway.

Inside, she was greeted by the sight of an elegantly dressed array of elves. All of them sporting the same long cloaks of various colours over top. Clearly Ilweran and Hiccup's cloaks truly were Order garb. Some of these elves bore the golden skin that she had come to know well. Others had beautiful ivory skin that was paler than any she had ever seen before. Even in the relatively sunless lands of the archipelago.

These strange fair-skinned elves possessed hair in startling shades of blue, purple, green, and red. Their eyes were equally as spectacular. Instead of the familiar browns, blues, and ambers of the other races, their eyes were incredibly bright violets, indigos, reds, and yellows. Astrid realized in surprise that she had not encountered another set of green eyes thus far, aside from Hiccup's. Perhaps green eyes were just not very common in the other realms, except for Loki of course. Although she couldn't be certain, Astrid strongly suspected that these pale creatures were the ones known as the dark elves.

She had always envisioned dark elves as being sinister little things. Mean of stature and drab of looks. The dark and seedy opposite of the glistening and golden children of the sun that were the 'light' elves. Just goes to show how ignorant the humans are, Astrid thought wryly. These 'dark' elves were certainly the opposites of the light elves, but not in the way one would expect.

They were just as tall, regal, and painfully beautiful as the others. Only with much fairer skin. Appearing even more exotic and magical thanks to their fascinating colouring. The same ethereal glow backlighting their pale features. The same bright spark of humour gleaming in their breathtaking eyes. Elder Noldo strolled calmly to the empty seat in the centre of this stunning group then. Making Astrid aware of how rude she must look as she stared shamelessly at these beautiful creatures.

Facing her full on, Elder Noldo folded his slender hands in front of himself. "Astrid Hofferson," he started in a tone of gentle authority. "You have recently become a bonded dragon rider. As a bonded rider, you are now possessing of extraordinary powers that must be honed and applied responsibly. All new riders must submit to an interrogation by the Council of Elders, as a precautionary measure. Do you agree to be questioned by the Order of Dragon Riders?"

He leaned forward then. Tenting his hands under his delicate chin as he rested his elbows on the desk in front of him. "You should know before you answer," he added ominously. "If you refuse our questioning, you will likely be branded as a traitor and shall be dealt with accordingly."

Feeling her back stiffen at this thinly veiled threat, Astrid gazed back at him defiantly. "That is quite the choice that you are giving me."

"It is no choice at all," he replied evenly. Meeting her blue gaze head on.

"Exactly what I said," she stated with a small smirk. Oh my gods, she thought as she bit back a chuckle. I'm just as bad as Hiccup. The sarcastic bastard would be so proud of me right now. The beautiful woman sitting on Elder Noldo's right side answered Astrid's slight smirk with one of her own. Tilting her head in a quiet show of respect. The woman was clearly a 'dark' elf. Her delicate ivory skin enhancing the otherworldly purple of her hair and eyes. Astrid allowed her surprise to show for barely a moment, before turning her gaze on all of the others again.

"If you are going to raid my mind for information, you may as well begin. I am not very skilled at shielding yet, so it is not as if I could keep you out anyways. Even if I wanted to," she said to them. Catching a few of them off guard with her bluntness. "Rest assured that you will find nothing in my head that should not be there. I am no traitor."

"Very well, young rider," Elder Noldo stated with his own small smirk. Before she could even wonder if it would hurt, she felt the gentle brush of many minds against her own. Suddenly, colourful images began to flash before her eyes. Long forgotten images of her childhood on Berk with her friends. Playing with Ruffnut when they were toddlers. Acting out war games with the boys when they were slightly older. The constant threat of dragon raids on the village ever looming over them all.

She saw again, as the other children began to alienate the chief's awkward son. Shunning him for not being 'Viking' enough. Astrid had simply pretended that she didn't like him either, as she desperately wanted to fit in. The memories made her feel incredibly bad now, but Hiccup had not held it against her.

These were followed by fond memories of her father and brothers teaching her to fight, as her mother taught her archery and swordsmanship. The picture seemed to freeze momentarily on her mother's face, and Astrid could have sworn she heard a murmur from someone. Then it was gone. The images changing to her days of dragon training. A young Hiccup present, but rarely participating. Then he was somehow besting them all, while Astrid raged and stormed at him. Sure that he was keeping secrets. Then he suddenly disappeared without word one day, and life had simply carried on without him.

She watched with pride as her teenage self released the dragons from their pens one night, on a guilty whim. That action preceding all the years of being forced to continue helping with the raids. Protecting her people while trying to avoid hurting the beasts. Then the images raced through her arranged betrothal to Snotlout. A contract that was nullified with the arrival of Hiccup and Ilweran. All thanks to Ilweran fighting Snotlout for her hand, and winning of course. As she had watched the two Riders take on the Red Death the first time, she knew what would come next. Bracing herself for the embarrassment.

Sure enough, there they were. Memories of her stolen moments with Ilweran. All of her secrets, laid bare for these strangers. Every touch... Every kiss... Every caress... Each tender word they had spoken to each other. All the intense desire that his touch spawned in her. The fiery tingle of his lips on her skin. The overwhelming love that she felt for him was now theirs to enjoy.

These horrifying scenes were interspersed with all of the witty banter and easy friendship she shared with Eret and Hiccup. Eret offering his kind support to the villagers as they prepared to take on the gigantic alpha dragon. Hiccup and Ilweran spending their days teaching a very select group of Vikings to ride dragons. All of them celebrating with her on the day she had bonded with Stormfly. Even Hiccup had seemed relatively pleased that she was now one of them.

Hiccup, she thought distractedly, as the images from the last couple months flew past. A boy that she had known in her childhood, tried to ignore in her youth, and rarely given a thought to until his return this summer. Each moment of their reunion was being brought to the forefront of her mind. From laughing with him as they joked and reminisced, to watching him flirt and fool around with the Viking women as they threw themselves at his feet. Ruffnut, Cami, and Heather all chasing relentlessly after the gorgeous Rider as he played them all.

Another unexpected flash of jealousy scorched her at these memories. A small, and terribly confused, part of her wishing that she could have had a chance with the shadowy man. Who wouldn't wonder what it might be like to receive his attentions? Unfortunately, she had lost her shot when she had shunned him as a young girl. He had forgiven her, but he had never really forgotten. Surely he would never be able to love her.

Along with that depressing thought, came the uncomfortable sensations of longing that she still inexplicably felt for the handsome Dark Rider. The repeated urges to give in to her desires for him, and the way that he never seemed to care. Clearly, the feelings were not mutual... She watched again as he terminated the filthy rapist that was Stormheart. The rage and sadness bubbling up inside of her in equal measure as Astrid thought of Heather, and what that man did to her.

Hiccup had killed the pig himself. Simply for the twisted pleasure of taking a life. He and Ilweran laughing about it afterwards, as if was merely a game to them. Ilweran's dark side had surprised her, but it had not made her want him any less. He was a protector and a warrior, not a murderer. Still, alongside these conflicting scenes of love and brutality, came her unbidden need to feel Hiccup's dangerous hands on her body. The horrifying way that his violent actions excited her sexually. The reality of these unfaithful thoughts simply becoming the seasoning in the already simmering stew of her shame.

At last, the awful show ended with the Vikings' slaying of the Red Death. Cleverly burning her with her own fire, before the three Riders left Midgard behind. Leading to Astrid's subsequent arrival atop the entry tower in Asgard. As the images faded and the room swam back into view, Astrid sucked in a shallow breath. It may not have hurt physically, but it had still been incredibly demeaning. Having strangers know every one of her secrets, as if her privacy meant nothing to them. She was merely a potential soldier, being weighed and measured.

Looking around at the Council, she noted shock on many of the faces. Elder Noldo had his eyes closed. A slight grimace on his face as he pinched the bridge of his slender nose between thumb and fingers. The woman on his right however, was giving Astrid a speculative look. Her head tilted gently to one side and her delicate eyebrows drawn together. As if she had somehow seen a deeper meaning in the memories that she had just witnessed. Finally Elder Noldo opened his eyes again.

Settling the warm brown orbs on Astrid as he huffed out a sigh. "My goodness," he stated casually. As if they had merely been chatting about the weather, instead of rudely invading her entire life history. "That certainly complicates things." There were a few awkward chuckles from the other Council members as they continued to stare at her.

Surprisingly, it was the beautiful woman on Noldo's right that broke the tension of the moment. "I do not see what is so complicated, Noldo. The only thing that I understood from our investigation is that this woman is certainly no traitor. I saw no trickery, and I saw no affiliation with Loki or his brood. Clearly, Prince Ilweran recognized the same things in this woman that I do. She possesses a kind heart and impressive strength of character, and I would be honoured to have her as part of the Order. I see great potential in her. With the proper training of course."

With a sigh, Elder Noldo turned his gaze on the elven woman. "That," he said quietly, "is exactly my point. Prince Ilweran is what complicates things. The Allfather is not going to like this..." Then he raised his voice to address the remainder of the council. "I happen to agree with Golwen," he said, gesturing to the purple haired woman on his right. "I saw no signs of affiliation with the Trickster or his kin. It is my opinion that she be accepted into the Order of Dragon Riders. She should be welcome to take up residence here with the rest of the Order to begin her training immediately."

Astrid was astonished. That was it? They had accepted her, just like that? "Thank you," she proclaimed sincerely. "I would consider it a great honour, though I do have one request. I have no desire to remain in Asgard. Instead, I wish to reside on Alfheim with Ilweran." There were a few uncomfortable glances at these words, but she held firm. This was important to her.

"How did I know that was coming," Elder Noldo muttered. Golwen laughing lightly beside him as she smiled at Astrid. Offering her an inconspicuous wink as Astrid grinned back. Still grumbling to himself, Elder Noldo stood up from his chair. "I suppose I should let the boys in for this. I suspect that they are getting restless out there, and I do not want those two left together and unsupervised for too long." A chorus of laughter rang out as he made his way around the desk and back to the door.

_

Well, that happened...

Confused?.. I don't blame you.

Just what exactly is happening here?! How did we get here?! Any thoughts people?..

I figured this one might cause heads to roll more than a description of Alfheim and Bifröst ever would. Mostly mine, probably. Lol :P

I may or may not post another sneak peak. I guess it depends on how long it takes me to write the sequel. Once I get far enough along, I will just start posting the new story instead. Well, hope it was worth it... lol