Hey, I'm back! I really need to stop taking such long breaks in between everything! XD Please enjoy this next chapter. Not a lot going on, but it will definitely start picking up a little bit more in the next chapter.

In case anyone is interested, I'm starting do to commissions for fan fiction. If anyone is interested, or if I get enough people interested, I'll put up a link in my bio for anyone to go a look at the list. Please let me know if you're interested!

(Astrid's POV)

I sighed in frustration as I waited for the other teens to arrive, watching the sun set slowly. Tonight was when Gothi was finally going to tell us what was happening with Hiccup, what was out there that was to be fearful of. I looked up hearing the small group heading in my direction.

"Finally, what took you guys so long?" I demanded.

"We were eating, geez. It's not like the world is ending right now." Tuff complained.

"Sorry Astrid, I couldn't pull them away from the dinner table." Fishlegs apologized, looking nervous.

"It's fine. Gothi's expecting us soon though, lets go."

"So what do you think has Hiccup and Gothi freaked out, how worried should we be?"

"Whatever it is, I'm sure it's nothing that I can't handle." Snotlout bragged.

"I'm not really sure what to expect…. But I'm really worried about Hiccup…." I voiced.

"He's fine, he has Toothless with him! Nothing to worry about." Snotout commented as we reached Gothi's door.

I rolled my eyes, irritated that Snotlout was being a little to casual about this, and knocked. The door flew open instantly causing us all to jump back in surprise. Gothi appeared in the doorway looking at us expectingly.

"Um, evening," I said weakly, "You told us to come talk to you, about Hiccup? At night…when you told us to come."

She nodded and turned her gaze towards the setting sun, blocking the way into her home. We remained silent for a few seconds before Snotlout's patients snapped.

"Are you going to let us in or not!" I held back a laugh as Gothi smacked his staff against Snotlout's head, demanding for silence.

"What are we waiting for?" Ruffnut whispered to me as Gothi turned her attention back to the setting sun.

"For night to be here." I replied. Gothi confirmed with a nod, glaring at the sun for not moving fast enough.

"Do we really have to wait, so what if the sun's up or not." Snotlout complained.

I bit my tongue to hold back my demands for Snotlout to keep quiet as we watched the last remaining lights faded and the sky was a deep blue. Gothi instantly made a fire, the flames warming the cool hut. We entered slowly, watching her toss herbs in as we chose places around the fire. Fishlegs let out a sleigh yelp as he was pulled closer to Gothi, black smoke curling from the flames.

"What's happening…." Tuffnut whispered as the smoke began taking a form. A large tree soon stood before us, over the open flames. Gothi scribbled something into the fallen ashes, Fishlegs reading it quickly.

"She says… this is Yggdrasil."

"The one in lore, connecting the world's together?" I asked, which Gothi nodded again. We continued to watch as the tree began to lose it's leaves, becoming very thin and frail.

"Now what?" Ruff frowned.

"I think it's dying." Fishlegs said.

"Wait, Hiccup said that there was a dying tree in his dreams," I turned to Gothi, "Is this the tree, the one that was visiting Hiccup?"

Another nod.

"Ok, wait, why would Yggdrasil, a legendary tree, come to Hiccup?" Snotlout voiced.

"I don't know…. Gothi, you said you couldn't talk to us last night because… certain things weren't set into motion yet. What did you mean by that, what's happening?"

Gothi gestured back to the fire, the smoke taking on a new shape. Two human forms appeared, one I recognized as Hiccup instantly, the other was much bigger and unknown.

"The larger form… is Odin." Fishlegs read Gothi's writings, sounding very stunned.

"Wait, Odin, the Lord of the Gods? That Odin? Why is everyone so interested in Hiccup all of a sudden?" Snotlout frowned, crossing his arms.

"What does he want with Hiccup?" I asked, worried. A spear appeared in Odin's hand and the form brought it down, the spear going through Hiccup.

"What!?" I stood, fear filling me. "Odin…. Is Hiccup being hunted by the Gods!? Why, what has he done? Do they think he's to blame for what's happening?"

Nod, this time, Gothi looking saddened; I had enough. Standing, I turned away from the fire and marched strait for the door only, but only so far before Gothi brought her staff down in my way.

"I'm going to find Hiccup and bring him home." I said, glaring at her.

"Now, at night?" Tuffnut frowned at my logic.

"I don't care, I'm not letting anyone hurt him." I glared back at Gothi, but she merely pointed back to Fishlegs.

"Um, she wrote that it's not your time to get involved. You're part will be played when it's time."

"Play…my part?"

~**linebreak**~

(Hiccup's POV)

I poked the fire weakly, pressing against Toothless, trying to stay warm. Night had fallen, the wind becoming cold as it blew into the cave. With a combination of a large fire, blankets, and Toothless' belly fire, I was able to keep myself comfortable. I let out a long yawn, but continued to fight sleep, I didn't want to be caught with my defenses down. But sensing that I was exhausted, Toothless gently pushed me down as his wing covered me.

"No Toothless, what if we get discovered? We'll need to get away quickly."

He merely huffed, ruffling my hair as he settled in, curling around me gently for extra warmth. Seeing as I wasn't going to win this argument, I moved closer to him, relaxing into the warmth that he had made. I let out a sigh of comfort before I fell asleep. I was thankful when I woke in the morning, not plagued by talking trees and was feeling very rested. Stretching, I let out a soft moan of contentment before sitting up, sunlight greeting me. A soft roar sounded next to me, Toothless yawning awake before licking my cheek.

"Morning bud." I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck. He rumbled his 'Good morning' the nuzzled against my stomach. "Yeah, I'm pretty hungry too." I stood and learned out of the cave, peering up at the sky. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, so maybe they weren't above this island anymore.

"Alright Toothless, lets go see if there's anything to hunt here." I said, pulling my knife out of my pack, tying it back onto the saddle. We made our way down the hillside cautiously before entering the forest. I was thankful for the coverage hoping it would be enough to hide from Odin as I hunted. In about an hour, I let of a noise of distress as I was reminded of how horrible a hunter I was. Sitting on a fallen log, I pulled some dried meat out and began eating, holding a few out for Toothless.

"Ok, new plan, I have a few maps in my pack. If we're able to find which island we're on, I should be able to plan a course back to Berk. Then we can tell my dad what's happening and… then we'll go from there."

Toothless gave a nod, flashing his gummy smile, I scratched under his chin, thinking. "Do you think… that maybe this is my fault?" He let out a snort, clearly upset that I would even suggest it. "I know, but… I just feel like I'm going insane. I don't know what to do, I feel like I'm running in circles."

I smiled weakly as Toothless nuzzled against me to comfort. "Thanks bud."

We remained like that until Toothless let out a warming growl, eyes narrowing on something behind me. "What is it?" I turned cautiously, jumping slightly when I found a stag with large antlers staring at me.

I sat up quickly, Toothless instantly blocking me from the animal. "Bud it's alright, it's just a stag."

"Don't trust everything you see child." I looked back up at the stag, only to find Thor standing in it's place. My eyes widened in fear, stepping away from the God as Toothless continued to shield me. "Please do not fear me child, I wish to help."

"Sorry if I don't believe you since your father attacked me." I snapped back.

"I understand your resentment towards my father and myself, especially after our last encounter, but you must trust me. You will not survive on your own."

"I have Toothless, I'll be fine."

"No offense to your friend, but he can't protect you from everything."

Toothless let out a deep growl. I placed my hand on his head to calm him down. "…What do you want from me."

"Answers."

"I told you everything, there's nothing else really."

"I have my own questions, if you'd be willing to listen," Thor smiled sending my nervousness, "Come, I have food awaiting you and your friend."

My stomach rumbled in need of food, face burning slightly. "You didn't do anything to them did you?"

"Roasted and seasoned, nothing more, nothing dangerous."

"…Fine." We followed Thor to a secluded alcove, a small fire cooking meat placed center. My mouth watered at the smell, realizing how much I missed my dad's cooking… when he actually did so.

"Please eat," Thor said sitting by the fire, "Once you've had your fill we'll talk."

"Did you… bring anything for Toothless?"

" A basket filled with cod," Thor pointed to a woven basket, "I hear it's his favorite."

"It is." I smiled weakly as Toothless knocked over the basket and began to eat. I took one of the sticks holding roasted meat and ate a chunk, moaning softly as it actually melted in my mouth. "What is this?"

"Deer, I'm guessing you've never had it?"

"Only boar's and bird's for game, definitely no deer." I replied, taking another bite. "So… you had questions…."

"That I do, if you'd like to talk now."

"Only if you don't mind if I continue to eat."

"Not at all, try and get your strength back." I finished up the first stick, picking up another as Toothless settled down behind me. Leaning back against Toothless, I began to eat again. "He really trusts you… he is your friend."

"Yep, we're really close." I laughed softly as Toothless nuzzled my cheek. I tore off a piece of deer and tossed it into his mouth.

"You really fascinate me Hiccup, you're unlike any human I've seen."

I felt my cheeks burn in embarrassment. "I'll take that as a complement."

"A huge one. I find it odd that your name does not match your personality. Who titled you?"

"I was told my mom did… before she died." I said weakly.

"I'm sorry to hear she passed away."

"She was really sick when my father met her, but they instantly fell in love. He said, when I was born and held in her arms, someone had commented on how scrawny I was. My father was insulted, but my mother only laughed and thought it was fitting as she was ill, that my size only meant I had a big heart. She wanted to name me 'Hiccup' so that when I accomplished something big, everyone would know that size of muscle doesn't matter. She died a few years after I was born."

"And you have done amazing things, she would be proud."

"Yeah, being the downfall of Yggdrasil, she'd be thrilled." I muttered, petting Toothless.

"Hiccup… I don't believe you are the cause of the World Tree dying."

I looked up in amazement. "Really?"

"Indeed. Your defeating of the Red Death did help us, it was a dangerous monster that we couldn't bring down."

"Why is that?"

"While my father will never admit it, I believe that it was impervious to our power as we use magic. So only a mortal's strength could bring it down."

"So I accomplished something good! Why does Odin think I'm causing Yggdrasil to die?"

"There are two reasons that I can see. As Odin believes we could bring the Red Death down, he believes we have become weak when you claimed victory. He's fooled into thinking you hold powers that you will eventually use to overthrow us."

"But I don't, how did he even come to that conclusion?"

"Because of what Loki has told Odin. He keep whispering lies into our father's ears fully convinced that you are to blame. He's completely sure that you're the cause."

"But you don't?"

"No… unfortunately Yggdrasil has been dying long before these events. It's unknown by mortals, but there is a protector of Yggdrasil, Mother Goddess. She gives life to the tree and who keeps the connection to each would open. But she disappeared years ago and Yggdrasil slowly began to die. It's only recently that Odin has been aware of this and why your involvement makes you his reason for it."

I moaned. "Unbelievable… maybe it's that shadow's fault and not mine. Nobody brought that thing up."

"Shadow, what shadow?" Thor frowned.

"Some shadow has appeared in my dreams, it keeps telling me that it's going to find me. So Odin isn't he only one hunting me."

"Wait, Hiccup, has this shadow appeared only when you sleep?"

"It also spoke to me in my village's Elder's hut… saying we need to talk."

"No… that's not possible, how can that barrier be that weak…. And why would he haunt you?"

"Um, sorry, but is there something I should know?"

"You're not suppose to… but if he's coming after you as well…. Yggdrasil serves another purpose than connecting the world's, it also is a holding cell."

"For who?"

"Ragnarök."

"Wait, I thought Ragnarök was an event in which the world ended, not a person."

"Ragnarök is not a person, not even close. He embodies the essence of evil that man holds, what evil acts mortals are capable of. He was locked away long ago in Yggdrasil, Mother Goddess keeping the lock strong so he couldn't escape."

"But you said she disappeared years ago, why is Ragnarök escaping now?"

"Mother Goddess must have done something before she left, knowing something was going to happen to her. But what… We need to go to Yggdrasil."

"What, now?"

"No, tomorrow, my father's on high alert. We might get a chance in the morning, but you need to get your rest."

I looked to the skies, surprised to find the night sky had formed. "How…."

"You slept rather late today and we've talked for awhile. Rest Hiccup, I will watch over you."

~**linebreak**~

(Normal POV)

Hiccup pulled his blankets out of the pack and wrapped them around himself before laying down. Toothless ruffled Hiccup's hair, a large wing completely covering the teen. Thor heard a muffled "Thanks bud", then the world became silent. Watching for a bit, Thor was intrigued as Toothless curled around the hidden form for extra protection and warmth. The dragon released a wide yawn, but refused to close his eyes.

"Rest dragon, I know you've watched over Hiccup the past few days. You can't protect him if you're tired, I can keep guard."

Toothless let out a growl, clearly not happy being told what to do. But he soon tucked his nose under his wing and fell asleep as well. Thor sighed, relaxing slightly as he watched the other company fall into a deeper sleep.

"Hail Thor." A voice rang out from the forest, a person entering the clearing. Thor stood quickly, hammer ready to strike, but relaxed seeing the figure clearly.

"Baldur, what brings you here?"

A teen, appearing to be a few years older than Hiccup, entered into the fire's circle of light. A crop of thick black hair fell just above his ears, steel blue eyes looking around the alcove with interest. "Father sent out searches as soon as the human fled, very worried."

"But why are you here."

"You were very strong, very adamant about how innocent this child was. I knew if I found you, I'd find the mortal."

"I won't let you take him." Thor frowned, blocking Baldur's path.

"I have not interest in taking him."

"Then why do you wish to see him."

"I'm curious as you are."

"…Very well, but I will be keeping an eye on you."

Baldur nodded and walked towards Toothless. "The dragon… is asleep, correct?"

"Yes, and as long as you don't attack, you'll be fine."

Bending down, Baldur cautiously lifted the wing, a look of surprise crossing his face. "This? This twig is what Loki is so worried about?"

"Looks can be deceiving. He's friends with a Night Fury and brought down the Red Death."

"Perhaps Loki does have something to fear."

"Perhaps."

"I know that tone Thor, I did not say for me to fear."

"No, I think Loki has pushed blame onto someone to quickly. But I want to know why, what purpose does he have?"

"I don't know, but we must act quickly if you plan to spear Hiccup." Baldur said. "What must I do?" He asked, standing again, letting the wing drop.

"Keep Odin as busy as possible, keep him off our sent."

"What will you do?"

"I'm taking Hiccup to Yggdrasil."

"Odin is on high alert for that area, he'll know when you set foot there!"

"Which is why I need you to distract."

"Why take the chance?"

"Yggdrasil had commended help from Hiccup, to have him heal. I don't think he's the problem, he's the solution. Having him there, to have him heal, will end this nightmare."

"I trust your judgement, and I'll do what I can, but be careful. If Odin finds you against him, he'll say traitor."

"I know what I must do. I suggest you take your leave, I have much to ponder before the sun rises." Baldur gave a quick bow before disappearing. Taking his place by the fire, Thor looked towards the sky, thinking about what the future held.