Chapter 64

Hiccups POV:

It's been five days since I defeated the fachan and things I'm happy to say have been nothing but peaceful for me. The village I saved is now back on track with the plants growing back along with their crops allowing them to once again enjoy the fruits of their labors. Back in the village that I stayed in the children would often ask me to retell the tale of how I took the fachan down and how I got the poisoned arrow that was powerful enough to kill it. I didn't mind since the kids were kind and they didn't pester me like some adults and women did in the other places I visited. I did have to deal with some problems with the women though with some of them flirting with me but it wasn't all-bad since some of them brought meals to the cottage I was staying in. These meals mostly consisted of baked goods that I always found to be delicious and satisfying. Speaking of the cottage I've been staying in; some strange things have been happening there besides my feeling of being watched. Some of the bread I left out has been missing pieces as if someone took a bite out of it, I hear someone chuckling when I'm alone and never see anyone around and Toothless keeps sensing something when he comes inside but when he looks around still nobody. I chalked it all up to rats and my imagination but I had the feeling it was more than that. I shrugged and figured as long as whatever it was wasn't causing trouble than I'd be fine but made a mental note to keep my guard up when alone in the cottage.

Now I was lying down in the green fields with Toothless, looking up at the clouds as they passed by and just enjoying the peace and quiet this place offered. It was something I rarely got to enjoy when visiting new places since it always ended with adults wanting me to talk to me, challenge me and women wanting to flirt with me. It was nice to get some time to just sit back and enjoy the beauty, peace and quiet that nature offered me. Still I knew this peace would not last with my luck, there was going to be some new monster for me to fight in order to protect the people of this land. I just hoped I was able to enjoy some time to myself before anything else came up. I closed my eyes as I let out a sigh and just enjoyed the warmth of the sun shining down on me. As I lay there I started thinking about what I should do after I'm done with Ireland since I knew I could always go home but there were other places near Ireland that I could visit like Scotland or England. I figured I'd deal with it when the time came since for now I just wanted to enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasted.

1 hour later

I sat up letting out a yawn and stretching out my arms and looking around realizing I fell asleep while enjoying the warmth of the sun. Not surprising since Toothless was comfortable, the ground was soft, the sun was warm and the place was just so peaceful so it wasn't that hard to fall asleep. It was then I saw Connor walking towards me so I stood up to greet him but as he got closer I saw he had a rolled-up scroll in each of his hands. When he reached me he smiled at me and said.

"Hello Hiccup, have a good nap?" I smiled.

"Best one I've had in a while since it's so peaceful."

"I know!" He chuckled. "Back when I was young I used to love to come out here on sunny days, lay in the grass and just let my worries melt away."

"I can understand that and is that why you came out here?" He shook his head.

"As much as I enjoy relaxing in the fields and the peace they offer I've come here to ask a favor of you." He held up the scroll. "I got a message for my friend Kermit in a neighboring village two days walk from here and I was hoping you and Toothless could deliver it for me." I smiled and turned to Toothless.

"What do you think bud?" He raised his head. "Think we can do it?" He crooned before I turned back to Connor. "I'd say that was a yes." He smiled and handed me the scrolls before pointing to one.

"That's a map to the village while the other is the message." I nodded.

"Is there anything I should know about the village?"

"Well you should bring a bit of gold with you since it has a market place and they might have something you like." I nodded before I mounted Toothless.

"I'll stop by my ship to pick up a bit of gold and some food before I head off." He nodded before we took off.

Nightfall

I was sitting against Toothless in front of a camp fire where we'd be staying the night and continue to the village in the morning since the last thing I wanted was to disturb anyone so late and possibly cause a panic. The place we were camping in was pretty nice with nice green fields but I kept having the feeling I was being watched. It felt like I was back in the cottage I was staying in but different in a way but I couldn't tell how. Still to be safe I kept my hand on my gronkle iron sword in case of bandits since if I were in true danger I'm sure my star sword would come to me. I stared at the flames of the fire beginning to think that I was letting my paranoia get to me. It was at that moment Toothless raised his head and began growling so I took out my sword as I asked.

"What is it bud?"

It was then a man with a long grey beard and hair, dressed in dirty brown rags with a hood over his head and a brown scarf covering his mouth but his beard stuck out from under it. Even though he was wearing rags that covered his body I could still see his skin was pale as the moon and he was scrawnier than I was before Toothless. Now that was saying something but I could tell his eyes were focused on my food but a growl from Toothless stopped him from coming near. I signaled Toothless to stand down as I stood up and looked at the man and said.

"Don't worry about him, as long as you don't threaten either one of us he won't hurt you." The man went back to staring at my food before he said.

"Please could you give me some of your food?" He held out his hands. "I haven't eaten in days but I have nothing to offer you in return but my blessing." I smiled at him.

"I don't need anything in return for helping someone." I didn't take my eyes off him as I picked up my food bag and held it out to him. "Take as much as you like sir since I can purchase food more in the village I'm heading to."

He looked at me with tears beginning to form in his eyes as he took the bag with one hand that quickly fell to the ground from the weight of the bag showing how weak he was. It wrenched my heart a bit seeing this as he held out his other hand for me to shake. I gladly took it but did so gently since I didn't want to hurt the poor man and as I did I felt a small burning in the palm of my hand before he let go and said.

"The least I can do to repay your kindness young man is give you my blessing and wish you a life of prosperity, wealth and good luck." I smiled at him.

"That and your smile is more valuable to me than any gold or wealth."

He smiled at me before reaching into the food bag and pulling out a bit of boar jerky but when he removed his scarf and hood to reveal his mouth I backed up in horror. There was no skin on his cheeks and what skin there was on his face seemed to be hanging from his skull. He looked at me and said.

"There are many spirits in this land Hiccup but remember some of us aren't too friendly and those ones can't be brought down or pleased so easily but through their darkness a star of light will always shine." I then blinked and he was gone but I just shook my head muttering.

"Why strange things keep happening to me, I will never know!" I sat back down against Toothless who was looking at me in concern. "Don't worry bud, I have the feeling he won't be bothering us again but one of these days we have to go somewhere there is no chance of us needing to deal with any magical entity so we can just relax."

He crooned in agreement before I looked down at the hand he shook and saw a burn mark in the shape of a Celtic symbol I didn't recognize before it vanished. I lay back and looked up at the stars making a mental note to talk to Connor and Seamus when I got back to see if they know anything about what just happened.

Morning

We landed outside the village that the map leads to but there was something very strange about this town. There was a strange fog covering the ground, the sky wasn't visible through the grey clouds covering it and most importantly the village streets were completely deserted. There were stalls set up but no products or merchants to go with them, streets that should have people walking around them or children playing were empty, house shutters were closed with no sign of opening up but the creepiest thing of all was the lack of any form of sound in the village. It was so quiet with the only sound filling it being the sound of the wind blowing through the alleyways and empty paths. Toothless and me walked through the deserted streets looking for any form of life whatsoever before I called out.

"HELLO!" I looked around. "ANYBODY IN THIS VILLAGE!"

I then heard a door open and looked to it and saw a man with a brown moustache gesturing me over. I walked over but kept my hand on my sword. When I was close enough he saw Toothless and backed up a bit before I said.

"Don't worry, he won't hurt you as long as you don't threaten us." He looked still looked uneasy. "Alright he'll stay outside but don't try anything."

The man nodded as I signaled Toothless to wait out here but to keep his guard up. He growled and nodded before he lay down in the grass as I walked in. I looked around the house and saw a typical Irish cottage with a coal fireplace, some chairs, a dining table and some stairs leading upstairs. I looked at him and said.

"I'm looking for a man named Kermit, friend of Connor." He nodded.

"That would be me lad."

I handed him the message as he gestured for me to take a seat while he began reading the letter. I admit I wanted to ask him about what was happening in the village but I felt it best to let him finish reading the letter first. When he finished he let out a sigh and collapsed into the chair next to me. He began rubbing his eyes as he turned to me and said.

"Thank you for bringing me the message lad but now I think it would be in your best interest to get out of this village."

"Is this because of my dragon outside because I can promise you that he won't-"He raised his hand.

"It's not because of that lad."

"Is it the same reason the place looks like a ghost town with nobody leaving their homes or opening their windows?" He sighed.

"You noticed that?"

"I'd have to be blind to miss it." He looked down.

"For the past few weeks our village has been terrorized by a banshee."

"A banshee?" He nodded. "I thought they were only to signal someone of their coming death." He nodded.

"Yes, lad but there are also those who use their screams to drive people to slam their heads against walls until they crack open their skulls killing them before it eats the front of the brain."

"Is that why everyone's hiding?" He nodded.

"They're all too scared to come out fearing they'll be its next victim so take my advice lad and get out while you still can." I felt an all too familiar weight form in my hand and I knew what it meant.

"I'm not leaving!" He looked up at me. "I'm going to stay to bring an end to this villages torment." He looked at me as if I was insane.

"Lad, do you have a death wish?" I smiled at him.

"Let's just say I've dealt with monsters before and always come out on top." I'm guessing he could tell there was no stopping me so he looked down.

"The beast only comes out at night but are you sure you want to face her lad?" I smiled and held up the hilt of my star sword before releasing the blade making Kermit lean back in shock.

"Yeah, I'm sure!"

"Then all I can do is wish you luck lad." I nodded before I walked out of the cottage to get some practice in.

Nightfall

I was waiting in the middle of the village with my sword in my hand as I looked at the fog-covered grounds with Toothless looking down from above in the sky. I made sure he was at least six miles above the ground since from what I've been told the banshee can sense any living creature within five miles. I had him flying above incase the banshee tried to make a run for it so we could give chase and finally put an end to it so it would never cause pain to anyone ever again. It was then I saw a fog beginning to rise in the distance followed by a haunting wail echoed from it. I glared at the fog knowing it was the banshee coming so I prepared my sword and yelled.

"BANSHEE!" I pointed my sword at the fog. "COME AND FACE ME YOU WRETCHED DEMON!"

The reply I got back was a loud shriek as a white-skinned woman with glowing red eyes, sharp fangs for teeth, red glow coming from the back of her mouth and black hair that seemed to flow as if she were under water flew out of the fog. I pointed the tip of my sword at her to challenge her and she took it by extending her claws before flying towards me at top speed letting out another shriek. I stood my ground though as she charged towards me, never letting her scream stop because I assume she was trying to drive me to suicide but I was immune to any form of magical mind control so she was wasting her time. I'm guessing she realized this because she stopped screaming when she got close and took a swipe at me with her claws. I stepped back avoiding her swipe before she took two more strikes but I just kept backing away from them. It was when she brought her claws down in a downward slash but I tuck and rolled out of the way before I asked.

"Is that all you got you old hag?" She let out a shriek at me and took another swipe at me but I ducked underneath her claws but she was able to slice of a few hairs. "Not bad!"

She glared at me and lunged at me as I stepped to the side barely dodging her strike before I took my chance and delivered my own strike with a quick slash of my sword. She dodged it but took the opportunity to shriek at me before slashing another claw towards my head. I was barely able to step back and dodge it but I did lose a few hairs that floated down my face. I took another slash at her with my sword but she ducked underneath the strike and used the momentum of my strike to knock the sword out of my hands. I watched as it went flying into a nearby cottage door before she used the distraction to deliver another slash aimed at my chest but this time it was partially successful. She succeeded in scratching my armor leaving a deep claw mark dented into the chest plate. I thought this was impressive since my armor was made of gronkle iron and nothing I ever tried was even able to dent it so to actually leave a mark was something. I didn't have much time to dwell on it though since the banshee went back to slashing at me while I was distracted giving me barely enough time to dodge her claws. Soon I realized she was trying to lead me away from my sword but I smiled at this and said.

"If you're trying to get me away from my sword then you're wasting your time." I held out my hand to summon my star sword making it fly past the banshee who was barely able to avoid it before I raised my sword in the air before I pointed it at her. "You're avoiding my blade because you know it can do you harm but your attempts are worthless since my blade will bring an end to you, you filthy old hag."

Her reply was another shriek towards me and charged at me full speed with her claws raised but this time when she brought them down on me I swung my sword up to meet them. I smiled as my blade cut right through her claws, which went flying to the ground before turning into smoke that blew away in the wind. I grinned at the banshee as she shrieked at me before I asked.

"Oh, did I break some nails hag?"

She glared at me before she dived towards me but I stepped to the side with my sword raised and brought it down towards her arm. She wailed in pain as her lower arm fell to the ground, turning into smoke that was blown away in the wind. She glared at me as I lunged towards her with the tip of my sword facing her chest as I yelled.

"NOW YOU WAILING DEMON!" I thrust my sword forward. "DIE!"

I succeeded in stabbing her right in the chest making her give out a shriek that was so loud I actually let go of my sword to cover my ears in order to stop them from bleeding. The next thing I knew cracks began forming around the banshee's body and light begun shining through the cracks, air seemed to be to be sucked into them as a strong whirlwind began forming around her. I felt it pulling me towards her but I stood firm and dug my feet into the ground so I didn't budge. The next thing I knew there was a ear piercing scream that made the banshees original shriek seem like a whisper before there was a bright flash followed by a huge shockwave that threw me back into the walls of one of the cottages. The last thing I remember seeing was Toothless flying down to land in front of me as the light of the moon broke through the clouds before everything went black.

Three days later

I was once again in my cottage lying down on my bed in just my pants with one hand behind my head and the other holding a crystal white comb above my face as I examined it. This comb was all that remained of the banshee I had slain and was given to me by Kermit when I woke up the next day with a minor concussion. Still this didn't stop people from celebrating the death of the evil spirit that had been tormenting them for so long and enjoying the sun that was no longer blocked by the clouds the banshee brought. Everyone patted me on the back either thanking me or congratulating me on my victory with some of the village children asking me to tell the story of how I defeated the beast. It wasn't so bad when I left with everyone wishing me a safe trip back along with sending me off with a bag of gold that everyone chipped in to fill and some baked goods. I told them the gold wasn't necessary but they insisted and by the looks on their faces I knew it was a lost cause to try and turn them down. When I got back things weren't that much easier since everyone saw the scratch on my armor and asked about it. I knew I couldn't lie to them since they all knew how strong my armor was after the local blacksmith asked if he could test it. Everyone was impressed since there were tales of scaring a banshee off but never any about destroying one. Seamus joked about how I was going to be a legend in Ireland and chances are I'd be beating the girls back with a stick when word got out. I rolled my eyes at his teasing and got on with my day.

I sighed and put the comb down on my nightstand before putting my now free hand behind my head as I looked up at the ceiling wondering if I'd be able to have a normal vacation now. I was brought out of my thoughts by a knock on my door. I sat up and threw my legs over the edge of the bed before I turned to the door and said.

"Come in!" Seamus walked in looking nervous. "Morning Seamus and what brings you here?" He rubbed the back of his head.

"Top of the morning to you lad, I just came to ask if you'd like to stay in the village tonight?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Well it's just that tonight is not a good night to be out of the village alone."

"And why is that?" He sighed.

"Lad that knowledge is a village secret so I can't tell you." I nodded.

"I understand but I'm staying in my cottage tonight whether you like it or not." He sighed.

"My cousin Gobber was right about you being more stubborn than a mule." He then looked at me with concern. "Just be careful lad!" He then turned around and left however I didn't know what he was worried about but I had a feeling I'd find out tonight.

Nightfall

I was sitting at the dinner table reading a book I bought from the marketplace with my spirit bow and arrows on my back in case something happened since Seamus seemed pretty nervous earlier. Earlier today though an eagle landed on my windowsill with a note that told merely said 'In times of darkness the light of a star can pierce the wolf of the full moon.' I didn't understand what it meant. I looked up at the eagle to see if it got the wrong address but it let out a screech before a small fog came and covered it before disappearing with the eagle. I knew it was my spirit guide but I didn't know what it meant by the letter. I shrugged it off and reminded myself that the spirits work in mysterious ways so it's best to just go

along with it.

It was then I heard Toothless growl outside so I closed my book and went out to see what was wrong. He was glaring at a hooded figure running towards the woods and I admit it was suspicious so I decided to investigate it. I turned to Toothless and said.

"Stay back bud, I'll check this guy out." He crooned at me. "It's a full moon bud so you can't hide in the darkness like you normally do but if there's any trouble I will launch a fire arrow to signal for help." He growled and nodded before I began following the hooded figure.

I followed the character into a clearing in the forest where he took of his cloak to show himself to be Connor with no shirt or shoes. Before I could ask what, he was doing the light of the full moon came down into the clearing. Connor then dropped to his knees screaming in pain. I wanted to run over to make sure he was all right but for some reason it felt as if I was frozen in the spot and could only watch as his skin seemed to be melting off leaving a dark coat of black fur. As this happened he grew larger and unsheathed claws on his hands before looking up at the moon as a muzzle seemed to push out of his face. When the muzzle stopped growing he looked up at the moon and began howling at the moon.

Seeing this I stepped back in horror accidently stepping on a stick, snapping it and the sound it made seemed to echo through the clearing. Connor turned to me and when I looked in his eyes I could only see the eyes of a vicious beast with no trace of the kind man I had come to know in my short time here. He growled at me but I just held my hands up and said.

"Easy there Connor, I don't want to fight you."

He just growled before he charged right at me as he barked and extended his claws. I knew with his speed I'd have a tough time out running him so I ran towards him and when he got close to me he pounced as I hit the ground and slid underneath him. I watched him fly over me before flying headfirst into a tree making it shake but I didn't take the time to see for how long since now I had the chance for a head start. I didn't know where I was running but I knew anywhere away from Connor right now was perfect. As I ran I had my eyes firmly on what was ahead of me when I should've kept my eyes on the ground as well since as I ran I tripped on a root that was sticking out sending me to the ground along with a single arrow. I was prepared to leave it until I saw the fletching was pure silver in color that seemed to be glowing in the moonlight. I was only able to stare at it for a few seconds before I heard Connor running in my direction so I grabbed the arrow and ran in a random direction with the arrow still gripped in my hand. Eventually I came to stop at the bottom of the cliff. I looked around for anyway out but before I could find a way Connor burst through the woods. He glared at me as he walked towards me on all fours like a wolf getting ready for the kill. It was then I noticed the arrow was glowing brighter than ever and I realized what it meant. I took my bow off my back and notched the arrow aiming it at Connor hoping that the arrow wasn't going to hurt him but in case it did I said.

"If this hurts you, forgive me my friend!"

He pounced towards me as I released the arrow and watched as it flew towards him before piercing his chest but to my surprise it didn't just imbed itself in his chest. The arrow went right through his chest leaving a faint glow before coming out the other end but it was impaling a wolf that looked to be made out of shadows while Connor fell to the ground in midair as if something had pulled him down. It was then the shadow wolf began twisting around as the arrow in its chest began to glow even brighter before the wolf faded into nothing with the arrow evaporating into shining white dust that disappeared. I then heard pained roars from Connor and watched him roll and twist in pain on the grass wishing I could help but I didn't want to take the risk that he'd attack me again. It was then the wolf fur began to sink back into his skin as his body shrunk while the muzzle pulled back into his face. In seconds the wolf was gone leaving only a shirtless Connor in ripped pants laying on the ground groaning in pain. I put my bow back on my back and walked up to him before kneeling down by him and shaking his shoulder asking.

"Connor, are you alright?" He groaned and looked up at me.

"Hiccup?"

"Yeah it's me!" I looked at him with concern. "I'm here for you." He groaned as I helped him up.

"I take it you know my secret?"

"If you mean you turning into that wolf thing then yes."

"I'm sorry I kept it from you." He looked around and I could see the shock in his eyes. "It's still nightfall with the full moon shining down on us!" I nodded.

"Yeah it is."

"Hiccup you don't understand; the full moon turns me into that beast." He looked down.

"Well I think I killed that beast with an arrow." He looked up at me.

"What do you mean?"

"I shot one of my arrows that seemed to be pulled towards you but it went through you and carried out a wolf that looked to be made of shadows, which then just faded out of existence." His eyes widened before he looked down and muttered.

"The curse of the wolf is destroyed." I wanted to make sure I heard him properly so I asked.

"What?" He looked up at me.

"Twenty-five years!" I cocked my eyebrow. "I've been trapped with that wolf for twenty-five and now- "He put his hand on my arm. "I'm free!" Tears began forming in his eyes. "I'M FINALLY FREE!" He grabbed me by the shoulders before pulling me into a hug that was so tight I was afraid he'd never let go. "OH, THANKYOU SO MUCH HICCUP HADDOCK!" I accepted the hug before he pulled away.

"If you want to thank me then explain to me what happened to you when we get back to the village." He smiled.

"Gladly lad but it's going to be a long walk!" I cocked an eyebrow.

"Who said anything about walking back?" I took out one of my fire arrows before launching it into the sky signaling Toothless to come and get us and soon enough we were off.

One week later

I was lying on my bed going over the past two weeks that have been pleasant but didn't start out that way. It turns out Connor was what the locals called a werewolf, which was a person who was cursed to become a half man half wolf every night of a full moon. Connor had been suffering from the curse for twenty-five years from when a werewolf he was defending the village against bit him. Everyone in the village knew about the curse but knew he'd do anything to avoid hurting them, which is why he walked into the clearing to keep them safe from himself. The arrow I shot him with the arrow I freed him from the curse and to this he would not stop thanking me every time he saw me. Sadly, for me word spreads fast in Ireland and soon enough people were coming to meet the man who slayed not only a fachan and a banshee but also cured a werewolf, all of which were said to be either impossible or near impossible without dying. Unfortunately, there were people who had come to ask for my assistance in dealing with some problems their villages had been having with werewolves. These cases turned out to be normal wolves that had been separated from its pack so a quick relocation was all that was needed to take care of the problem.

Now I was flying over the fields with Toothless and enjoying the simple beauty that they possess and figured that I should enjoy the peace while it lasted. I knew with my luck I wouldn't be able to enjoy it for too long but little time is better than no time. It was nice when Toothless and I could just fly and enjoy some time together with nobody else with us on the ride. It was relaxing to just sit back and enjoy the ride without someone behind me asking question or screaming in either in joy or terror to the point where I had to fight the urge to throw them off while we're in the air. I looked down at the grassy fields feeling a sense of peace as I looked down at them until I saw a man waving up at me before gesturing for me to come down. I had Toothless take us down so we could see what the guy wanted from me. When we landed I looked at him and saw a man with long brown hair tied back into a ponytail wearing a fur pelt but the thing that caught my eye was the long wound going over his eye leaving his one eye blind. The wound looked to have been made by some sort of jagged whip and pretty fresh to. I pulled my attention away from the guys scar and turned to look at his whole face as I asked.

"Can I help you?"

"Are you the one who slayed the banshee?"

"Yes I am." He smiled.

"I am Killian and I am here because my village is in great danger and you might be the only one who can help."

"What's the problem?"

"My village is attacked every night by a dulluhan." I rubbed my chin.

"I think I've heard of them." I pulled my hand away from my chin. "Aren't they the horsemen who carry their heads under their arms?" Killian nodded.

"This one continues to attack my village and kills one of my own every night before dragging their soul away in that demon wagon he and his horse pull."

"Have you tried offering gold since I'm told that can drive them off?"

"We have tried making those offerings but we're running out of gold and we need what we have left to keep our village running."

"Has anyone else tried to defeat the dullahan?" Killian looked down and I could see tears forming in his eyes.

"I tried and it used its whip to take my eye before returning the next night and taking away my brother."

"I'm sorry to hear that but what makes you think I'd be able to stop it?"

"You killed a banshee, a rogue spirit like the dullahan so I'm hoping you'd be able to defeat it and free my village from its torment along with freeing the souls trapped in its wagon." I could see the sadness and hope in his eyes and the more I thought about it the more I knew I couldn't turn Killian down and let so many people die.

"Give me a chance to gather some things and we'll go." He smiled before thanking me as I took off on Toothless to prepare.

Nightfall

I was standing in front of the village that was being terrorized by the dullahan with my star sword on one hip, a bag of gold coins on the other, my spirit arrows and bow on my back, my scimitar throwing knives on my upper arm and my eagle shield on my lower arm. Toothless was waiting on the roof of a nearby cottage since I had the feeling I'd need his speed if the dullahan decided to run at the sight of the gold coins. I saw a fog beginning to approach the village followed by the sound of a horse's neigh and the sound of wagon wheels turning and hitting the pebbles of the small stone path that lead to the village. It was at that moment I saw the dullahan, which looked to be a headless man in a black coat and riding on a black stallion with glowing red eyes. This horse was pulling a wagon that had human skulls with candles in their mouths and when they got closer I could see the wheels were made with what looked to be thigh bones while the rest was built using what looked to be dried human skin. It made me sick to my stomach to see such a horrible thing before I walked forward to face the dullahan.

We met half way with me ready to unfold my shield if the dullahan tried anything and I had a feeling it would with what it happened to Killian. The dullahan held its head up, which had skin that resembled rotting cheese and looked at me with a smile that sent a shiver down my spine but I didn't move. It was then he reached for his waist and pulled off a whip that looked to be made out of a human spine. He cracked it once against the ground but I didn't move, not even when he raised his whip and brought it down towards me but I quickly raised my shield and unfolded it sending out a shockwave, which sent the whip back towards the dullahan. It spooked the horse making it jump a bit but the dullahan was able to calm it down and glare down at me as I said.

"Nice try but your nights of tormenting this village come to an end tonight."

The head just laughed before the whip was raised again and brought down towards me but this time I stepped to the side as I reached into the bag with the gold coins. I pulled out a hand fall and tossed them at the dullahan with a few landings on both the horse and the rider. My eyes widened when the coins seemed to stick to the skin and start smoking showing that it was burning the dullahan and if the screams were anything to go by, it was painful for the dullahan. When the smoke stopped the gold had dissolved and he turned his horse around before running away from me. I knew he'd be back if I didn't stop him now so I whistled to Toothless who was quick to fly to me and in seconds we were giving chase.

We were easily able to catch up in the fields but when we were right next to each other the head glared at me before the body cracked the whip at us but I blocked it with my shield sending out a shockwave but it didn't slow the dullahan down. I knew if I wanted to bring it down I'd first need to stop it from running. I figured if I freed the carriage he might stop so I had Toothless slow down enough to get where the carriage was being pulled and saw it being held by straps made of something but I had the feeling I didn't want to know. I grabbed three of my scimitars throwing knives and threw them at the straps cutting them and setting the carriage free. I could see the head glaring at me but he only slowed down for a few seconds but then sped up again. Seeing this I took out my bow and one of my fire arrows before launching it ahead of us and when it landed a ring of fire circled us bringing the dullahan to a stop. It held its head up to glare at me as I smirked and said.

"Did you really think you could get away from me that easily?" I then glared as I unfolded my shield and unsheathed my star sword. "Let's end this."

Toothless growled in agreement before we charged at the dullahan charged at us with his whip held high but when we were close enough I had Toothless toss me off his back and towards the dullahan where I tackled the body of the horse. The body and I went tumbling to the ground but I kept a firm grip on my sword before we stopped rolling and I jumped away from the body and got up. The dullahan stood up with the whip in one hand and the head in the other glaring at me as I smirked before I said.

"Let's see how good you are on your own two feet."

He cracked his whip at me but I stepped to the side barely dodging it as I unfolded my shield and prepared to fight the body while Toothless kept the horse busy. The dullahan cracked his whip at me again but I blocked it with my shield and began running towards the dullahan. The dullahan kept trying to hit me with his whip but I just dodged it or blocked it with my shield as I sheathed my sword and reached into my bag before pulling out a handful of gold coins. When I was nearly right in front of the dullahan I opened up my hand with the gold and held it up before slamming my hand with the gold into the dullahan's chest. The head let out a scream that was almost as blood curdling as the banshees before it fell to its knees, dropping the whip and trying to wipe the gold off its chest. I unsheathed my sword and raised it as I yelled.

"THIS ENDS NOW!"

The body held the held up to look at me only to see me thrusting my sword forward stabbing right through the head and into the body. There was an ungodly scream before the body crumbled into ashes. I then heard the screech of a horse in pain and turned to see the horse following its riders' example and turn to ashes under Toothless who had it pinned. It was at that moment the sound of moans filled the area and I turned to where the sound was coming from. I saw the carriage turn to dust while what looked to be gold see-through people began to float out of it as a light shined down on them. A few stopped to look at me smiling as one mouthed thank you to me. I realized those were the souls that the dullahan had taken and they were now passing onto the afterlife. I smiled knowing I had done a good thing before I noticed the dullahan's whip lying in the grass and picked up before I examined it and shrugged figuring it would make a good trophy. I rolled it up and mounted Toothless before we took off to tell the village that the dullahan was no more.

Four days later

I had been busy these past four days dealing with people wanting me to retell the tale of my victory against the dullahan and my other victories. Besides that, more men wanted to wrestle with me more than ever knowing I was strong but I always won against them. I barely had time to enjoy a game of hurling without someone calling me to the side to see if I could tell them some of my tales when I was done. It seemed like the only times I got to myself now was when Toothless and I were flying or when I was in the cottage sleeping like now. It was then someone cursing in Irish along with the sound of vines sprouting woke me up. I looked towards the sound and saw a man with a small red beard in a green suit, ripping the vines off that were sprouting from one of my forest arrows that was in his hand. The thing about the man that was most surprising though was his height since he barely reached under my knee in height and that was with his hat on. I threw my legs over my bed and walked over to him but he didn't notice sine he was too focused on the roots. I kneeled down next to him and asked.

"Need some help?" He jumped in fright and turned to me.

"Bless me soul lad, ye nearly scared the green off of me." I chuckled.

"Sorry but I'm guessing you're a leprechaun."

"That be right and if ye help me with this arrow I'll be granting ye three wishes." I smiled at him before I took the arrow out of his hand and the roots came off with it before he turned to me.

"Let me guess, for your first wish ye want me to show you where I hid me gold."

"Slow down there now." I gestured to the table. "Let's sit down and talk about this first because I need to get a few things clear before I do anything." He nodded but when I blinked and he was gone until I turned to see him sitting on the table so I stood up and sat down at the table before I began talking with the leprechaun.

Half an hour later

In the past half hour, I had learned a bit about the leprechaun like his names Rooney from the clan O'Riley, he was the one watching me in the cottage since he lived nearby and was curious about the foreigner who had moved in and as for the three wishes, since I had caught him with my arrow he now owed me three wishes. We were still sitting at the table as Rooney said.

"Alright lad I'm guessing your first wish is for me to show you where I hid me gold." I shook my head.

"No, I don't want any of your gold." He looked at me as if I had just grown into a bear doing the jig.

"Did you just say you don't want me gold?"

"I mean I don't want your gold since I've got more than enough gold back on my island."

"I'm sorry lad but everyman who catches one of me clan or another leprechaun wishes for the leprechauns gold."

"Well I'm not that type of guy but tell me, is it true that leprechauns make shoes?"

"That we do lad and you won't meet finer shoe makers in all of Ireland."

"Well in that case I wish for you to make me a pair of comfortable shoes." He smiled at me.

"Gladly lad, will it be alright if I drop them off tomorrow?"

"Sounds good but before you go would it be alright if I asked you some things about leprechauns?"

"If I can ask ye a few things about ye lad." I shrugged.

"Sure, but why would you be interested in me?" He smiled.

"Let's just say ye been making quite the reputation among not only humans lad." I don't know why but for some reason when he said that I had a bad feeling in my gut.

AN: Hey all I hope you all liked the chapter and sorry if you were expecting more from the leprechaun but cut me some slack. Hiccup just went up against multiple beasts so I figured he deserved a break when it came to dealing with the wee man. By the way the poll is still up and you have till Monday to vote so if you haven't you better hurry because then another poll is going up. Also a message to those who want to see Hiccup deal with a kelpie and the loch ness monster you should know that they're both Scottish not Irish and I haven't decided if he'll be dealing with them yet.