Chapter 168

Hiccups POV:

It's been four weeks since the wedding of my cousin Angelina and her now husband Brant and in that time a lot has happened since then. For starters the two newlyweds spent their week-long honeymoon on my island enjoying the various activities it had to offer but mainly stuck to the Hawaiian beach and Irish plains. I couldn't blame them considering those were not only the most peaceful and relaxing parts of my island but also the most romantic parts where a couple could just enjoy being with each other. I knew this since it was something me and Blanca often did ourselves when we just wanted some time to enjoy the peace and each other's company. When their honeymoon was done I personally took them back to their tribe where I was given a few shark skins as payment for bringing them back and opening up my island to them. I did try to turn them down but they insisted since I didn't have to open up my island to them and did it out of the goodness of my heart so the least they could do was repay me with some of their tribes' main product.

Besides that, I'd been training with my snake guardians and improving their fighting skills with a few of them improving their rank among their people and earning the own snake wrapper automatons. Besides that, I'd also had to do some more sorting when it came to diamonds from my mine on dragon island after my mining spider automatons hit a rich vein so I had to send out my load sharks a lot more than once per day or risk over flowing my mine carts. I actually had to build two more load sharks just to keep up with the diamond production which had surprisingly sky rocketed with the discovery of this new vein but it was worth it. With the sudden increase of my jewel storage I decided to try my hand at jewelry making and putting my excess gold, silver and bronze to use besides just letting it gather dust. I found I was really good at making gold arm bands, necklaces, ear rings, rings, pendants and other such things all of which were now in my vault.

I did have trouble getting the jewels in just the right places, which lead to the creation of my latest automaton that I use for adding the detail to jewelry, inserting the gems and on occasion for spying. This automaton took the form of a bug known as an earwig with the pincer like tail and six legs but was the size of my pinky but thinner than it so it wouldn't weigh enough to cause any damage to the jewelry if it was on them but due to its size this type of automaton took some time to build since I had to do this delicately and carefully.

To describe these automatons besides their size, as their name explains they take on the form of earwigs with an outer shell of gronkle iron like most of my automatons with four separate joints making up the body, not counting the head. I gave this automaton two multi jointed antenna that can be used to lift and place the smaller gems into the jewelry easily and carve in patterns into the jewelry while it's still soft from the heat. Along with this I'd given this automaton two small peer stones for eyes so it could see and so I could see what they see with the life stone in its head allowing it to function. The other end of this automaton had pincers made from small curved blades that were also incredibly sharp which are used to move larger gems but also have a speed stinger venom tip for enemies. I'd also given the tips of their feet a small piece of latch stone allowing them to climb on walls and other surfaces so they could easily be mistaken for the actual bug. It took me a few days but I now had four of them kept in my forge for when I'm working on jewelry, which was surprisingly as relaxing to me as forging weapons.

Jewelry making wasn't the only thing I had planned for these little guys though since using them only to make jewelry would be a waste of their capabilities. I knew they could be used to spy in people's houses without being spotted so easily unlike my scouters, which are more suited for spying on people out in the wilderness. Then came the day I decided to mix both jewelry and spying by making jewels with secret compartments that could only be opened from the inside which is where these automatons came in. They'd be placed in the hidden compartments and sold to the wives, daughters or actual people who I know were going to be trouble and then be released when nobody was looking. This way I'd have spies on the inside without needing to go through the trouble of breaking into their homes or following them and risk being exposed. After I figured that out I'd finally figured out a name for the little guys and that name is 'Jewel wigs' since they're main purpose is to help me make jewelry and even with their other job jewelry is used.

Other than that, I'd mostly been spending time with my parents by helping my mom out with the dragons who visited Berk, helping my dad around Berk with his chiefly duties which he was grateful for and of course spending time with Blanca. Speaking of Blanca, she'd been acting strange lately as if she wanted to tell me something but was afraid to do it and whenever I tried to talk to her about it she'd make up an excuse to leave and run off before I could ask her anything. I'd try cornering her so I could talk to her about it but since she was a snake guardian with the ability to glide like a Valkyrie cornering her was not an easy thing to do. I'd tried talking to Verta about it but she was as tightlipped as possible claiming that it was something Blanca needed to talk to me about herself as it was something that would affect our lives and our future.

Surprisingly Astrid had been acting strange as well by doing everything she could to avoid me to the point that she jumped through the open window of a hut when she saw me coming. From the screams of surprise, I heard from inside the hut followed by Astrid coming out covered in food I'm guessing she interrupted the family's lunch. Whenever I tried to talk to her about her behavior she'd do what Blanca does and make up excuses to leave with them getting more ridiculous each day. Her latest excuse was she needed to go help her mom shave her father's back hair which her mother over heard her say and then took her to actually shave her father's back hair. We didn't see her again till nightfall and even then, she had a disgusted look on her face that was as pale as the moon but I couldn't blame her since I'd been in her position once when it came to my father and it was not pretty.

Still though I had the feeling that the behavior of Blanca and Astrid were connected somehow since I had seen them talking through the eyes of my scouters in the village. Call me paranoid but I was worried about the both of them since I do care about them both in some way since Blanca is my wife and my childhood crush on Astrid may have faded with time but it was still there. Sadly earlier today Astrid and her family is out of town with her family, visiting some old friends of the family who are part of the Grown Hills tribe, which made me a little nervous since Ulrik would be there. I just hope he'd keep away from Astrid since the last thing I wanted was for her famous Hofferson anger to be the cause of a full-blown war between our tribe and the Grown Hills tribe. Other than all of that things had been pretty calm for me in life but that didn't mean I let my guard down since as I've learnt from past experience these times of peace never last and I had a gut feeling the next interruption to my peace would be a major headache.

Grown hills tribe

Nobodies POV:

It was a busy day in the Grown Hills tribe large market place that as usual was a beehive of activity with multiple people buying things from the stalls and merchants crying out prices and other things to get the attention of passersby. The majority of people had their minds set on the market place and what they were looking to buy on such a lovely day but there was one man whose mind was elsewhere entirely. This person was none other than the son of the tribes' chief and the tribes' heir Ulrik who was wondering around the market place trying to clear his head of his recent conversation with his father. Despite him moving out of his fathers' house months ago his father still tries to control the major factors in his life but that was understandable since he was his fathers' heir. Most recently however his father had been driving him crazy with ordering him to find himself a wife so he could start a family and so he could retire knowing his family line was secured.

For Ulrik the problem wasn't finding a girl who was interested in him since he had no shortage of admirers considering he was one of the finest warriors in the tribe, wealthy, good looking and to top it off he was going to be the next chief. The problem he was suffering from was finding a girl that he himself fancied since none of his admirers really struck his fancy and whenever he did consider one of them his mind would drift back to a certain axe wielding blond he met on Berk. That blond was none other than Astrid Hofferson who'd been the first woman to ever turn him down when he tried to turn on the charm and use it on her. He tried turning to his father for help with a proposal but the first proposal failed when she claimed she was already dating Berks heir Hiccup Haddock. Ulrik subconsciously rubbed the back of his neck where the brand from Hiccups prosthetic still remained and always would as a reminder to Ulrik what happened when they first fought. After that battle Hiccup not only took the dragon he wanted as his mount but also his gold and the woman he wanted as his wife.

Then came the day he returned to Berk where Hiccup Haddock was to choose a bride from one of Berks ally tribes and as expected his father offered up Ulriks younger sister Freya. Now Ulrik knew he and Freya had never been especially close but when it came to that event he was rooting for her as it would mean Ulrik would have access to Hiccups Island as his brother-in-law and be able to unlock the secrets to training dragons. Along with this Astrid Hofferson would be available again meaning she wouldn't have the excuse that she was courting someone to block his fathers' bridal price. Then he discovers Hiccups married to some foreign girl who turns out to be as he put it 'a freaky snake beast' and refuses to even consider his sister as a bride and to make matters worse for him, he had to listen to her cry about it all the way home.

His latest talk with his father wasn't making forgetting these times easy since he took the time to inform Ulrik that he'd be seeing Astrid again when her family came to visit some old friends on the island. He knew if he tried talking to her she'd most likely punch him or inform Hiccup when she got home and that would lead to another confrontation with the dragon rider which is the last thing he wants. It also didn't help with his father constantly talking about how badly he wanted the designs for Hiccups ship shed and bathhouse since he believed it would draw more people to the island with the knowledge their ships would be safe. He'd tried to convince his father to simply hire architects to design the ship shed themselves but his father kept telling him that even if he did their designs wouldn't be able to lift a candle to Hiccups designs.

It was then he was brought out of his thoughts by the sound of someone singing a tune his tribe members often sung from time to time and turned to see a woman in a dark green dress with her brown hair tied back doing her shopping. He smiled at the memory of when one of his tribes' men brought that woman back to the island as his new wife after an arranged marriage and how back then she was a fierce warrior who took pride in wearing armor and carrying her mace on her also remembered how she couldn't stand the man when she first arrived due to him constantly telling her what was expected of her. He'd go on about how she shouldn't carry a weapon or wear armor but wear a dress and carry a basket for groceries for the house and his dinner. She was furious when he said this to the point that she actually punched him in the nose right in the crowded market place leading him flying into a fishmongers stall. After that Chief Nigren ordered her to go through bridal training claiming that the tribes bride trainer might be able to talk some sense into her head about how a new bride should act. She spat at him claiming the bridal training she was going to be put through wasn't going to change her feelings for her husband or silence the warrior within her soul.

Surprisingly when Ulrik saw her again a month later after she went through bridal training that fierce warrior seemed to be no more. When he saw her again she was wearing a dress and humming a pleasant tune as she did her grocery shopping while telling the merchants she was going to make her loving husband his favorite meal for dinner. Ulrik got a bit curious and wanted to make sure she wasn't poisoning the man since he was a friend of his father's so he went to spy on the two through an open window that same night. What he saw through the window surprised, pleased and disgusted him all at once since the woman was on her knees giving the man a foot massage while he smiled down at her. When he told her what a good wife she was to which she replied by telling him that all she sought was his happiness.

Ulrik didn't know what the woman in charge of training new brides who were having trouble adjusting to new lives, had done to her but he knew that if they could turn a stubborn and fierce shield maiden like that into an obedient housewife he shouldn't complain because the woman he chose for a wife would go through the same training. His smile widened at the thought of him in that man's place and Astrid in the woman's place but as he did he couldn't help but wonder what the woman in charge of training the women does to girls to turn them into such obedient wives. He rubbed his chin in thought thinking about all he knew about the woman in charge of training the brides and realized he really didn't know that much other than her name being Lifen Lung ,she was from a foreign land, came to their island looking for work and offered her services in training new father gave her a try in helping him tame his new bride who'd become Ulrik and Freya's mother who went from a stubborn woman into a devoted and loving wife. When the men of the tribe saw what she'd done her services came into demand. The demand was so high that Nigren gave her a job in which men hired her to help with all the wives or future brides who seemed unhappy with their lives claiming their women would be happier when they understood a few things. Because of this it's assumed Lifen Lung just has a few words with the girls, teaches them a few lessons and helps them fall into their new roles as wives and since everyone was happy nobody batted an eyelash at how strange it seemed.

He shrugged knowing that the methods Lifen Lung uses aren't as important as the end result since that's what truly mattered to him in the end. It was then he realized that if Lifen Lung could turn a mighty warrior like that woman once was into what she is now with a few words then maybe she could still claim Astrid as his bride. He knew he'd need to talk to Lifen Lung first to see if she'd be willing to use her methods on Astrid to make her see what a great guy he is and how she should be with him. He immediately made a dash through the market place towards the outskirts of the village where Lifen Lung lived, claiming she enjoyed her solitude in comparison to the hustle and bustle of the village.

It didn't take that long for him to reach the hut Lifen Lung lived in which was a modest two floor hut like most of the homes the villagers lived in. He immediately began knocking on the door and waited a few seconds before a voice from inside said.

"Just a minute please." There were a few scraping sounds inside followed by the sound of a door closing before the door opened to reveal an elderly Chinese woman wearing a simple dark green kimono with her greying hair tied back in a tight bun. "Heir Ulrik, what an honor to have you visiting my humble home."

"Hey Lifen Lung I was hoping to talk to you about some things." She smiled and stepped aside.

"Then please do come in and have a seat so we can discuss what you need."

Ulrik walked in and found himself in a simple room with a fire pit in the middle, two chairs on either side, a bookshelf against the right wall with stairs leading upstairs behind it and at the back was a simple dining room setting for four. There were a few things to show she wasn't from around these parts such as the paintings on the walls which looked a bit like thin tapestries, some odd dolls on the bookshelf, a statue of four dragons on a side table and other such odd decorations. All in all it looked like a typical home of an elder who just enjoyed old antiques and wanted to live a peaceful life. Ulrik walked into the house and sat down in one of the chairs by the fire place while Lifen Lung sat down in the other before she smiled and asked.

"So what can this old lady do for you this fine day?"

"You see there's this woman I desire but the problem is not only is she a member of another tribe but doesn't want anything to do with me." Lifen Lung raised an eyebrow. "I want you to do what you do to the new brides who are having trouble adjusting to their new lives to her in order to make her give me a chance." Lifen Lung looked at him with a raised eyebrow before she sighed.

"And why do you not simply go to this girls village and talk her into giving you a chance?" Ulrik let out an aggravated growl.

"Because that damn dragon rider Hiccup Haddock is there and he made it clear last time he didn't want me near her." He then pointed to the back of his neck. "And I have the branding burn on the back of my neck to prove it."

"Well I can't talk to her on Berk myself as it would seem suspicious and if you are able to bring her to me in my own home somehow then I worry what that dragon rider would do to me if he finds out." Ulrik reached into his satchel before he pulled out a large leather bag and tossed it to her with it landing in her lap and opening up to reveal it was full of gold coins.

"That will be half your payment and you'll get the other half when the job is completely done." Lifen Lung looked down at the gold before a smile formed on her face as she turned to him.

"Bring the girl to me and I'll take care of the rest." Ulrik raised an eyebrow.

"And why can't you just do it on Berk?"

"Besides the dragon rider no doubt keeping an eye on the girl I prefer to have a talk with the girl here in my own home as the environment has a calming affect me allowing me to open up the minds of the women to my form of training."

"And just out of curiosity what does your training consist of?" Lifen Lung just smiled.

"The true method is a secret but I can reveal is I explain some things to the girls while in an environment that's better for opening up the mind." Ulrik just nodded.

"I'll let you know when the girl arrives and bring you the girl that same night." She nodded.

"Any requests on how you'd like her to act?" Ulrik found this question a little odd but decided to ignore it.

"Well I want her to actually find me attractive and let me know while enjoying spending time with me." Lifen Lung nodded.

"Very well and if you have any more things you want me to talk to her about just let me know." He nodded and left the hut not knowing what Lifen Lung had in store for Astrid.

Three days later

Nightfall

Earlier that day in the afternoon the Hoffersons arrived on the Grown Hills tribe island and in that time Ulrik had been keeping an eye on Astrid looking for the perfect opportunity to get her to Lifen Lung's house. So far she hasn't left her parents side meaning he couldn't make his move and the one time he did she pointed her axe at him and threatened to take his head if he came any closer. Before he could reply to that her parents came by and told him to back off or they'd tell his father who would no doubt be annoyed since they're friends of Hiccups who wouldn't be happy. Knowing he wasn't going to get near her he went to ask Lifen Lung for help which lead to the creation of a plan in which Lifen Lung would act like a fragile old woman who needs help getting home due to an old injury acting up and ask Astrid for help. Minutes ago they put their plan into action with it succeeding with no trouble whatsoever and now Ulrik watched from the shadows as Astrid helped Lifen Lung into her home. When the door closed he walked away while looking up at the sky as he said.

"Odin I hope this works." With those words he walked away.

In the hut

Astrid gently sat Lifen Lung down in one of the living room chairs as Lifen Lung smiled at her and said.

"Thank you for your kindness young lady." Astrid smiled at her.

"It's no problem madam." Astrid turned to leave but before she could Lifen Lung held up her hand.

"Please stay for a cup of tea, it's the least I could do to repay you kindness." Not wanting to offend the elderly woman Astrid nodded.

"That sounds nice but it's going to have to be quick since my parents might begin wondering where I am." She nodded and slowly stood up.

"Just give me a moment to prepare the drinks." A minute later Lifen Lung handed Astrid a clay cup of green liquid with a smile on her face as Astrid took the cup and smiled back. "This drink is a special blend from my home country, it may be bitter but it's very relaxing." Astrid nodded and took a few sips finding the drink to be bitter like she was told but smiled at Lifen Lung none the less and kept drinking until she began to feel dizzy as Lifen Lung smiled. "Sweet dreams." Then everything went black for Astrid as she slumped in the chair while Lifen Lung stood up and walked over to a bookshelf. "Time to get to work."

After that Astrid wasn't seen till the next day making her parents worry until she claimed she was helping an old lady home who insisted she spend the night since it wasn't safe for someone to wonder the streets at night so she allowed Astrid to stay the night. What truly shocked both her parents and Ulrik was when she agreed to spend the day trying to get to know him as a person and the shocks didn't end there. In the days that followed Astrids behavior towards Ulrik and in general continued to change with her parents concern for their only daughter growing more and more. Their concern began after the first day she spent with Ulrik, someone who she'd claimed she wanted to never see when they were sailing here.

Two weeks later

After that day in which she agreed to try to get to know him she was nearly always by his side, laughing at his jokes, smiling at him, complimenting his good looks and other such things. Three days later she actually cooked him something and took it over to his house for him so they could enjoy it together and this worried her parents even more. Then her behavior got even more strange and their worry only increased as she'd begun leaving her axe behind when she'd normally carry it everywhere, she'd begun hanging onto Ulriks arm as if he were her hero and when he bought her a light blue dress she squealed like a child and kissed him on the cheek before the dress became the only thing she wore when going outside. This was one of the most uncharacteristic things she's ever done since she normally detests wearing a dress as it gets in the way of her fighting skills. Along with this, every afternoon she goes to meet Lifen Lung for tea but doesn't come out of the hut for at least two hours which is a lot of time for a simple cup of tea.

Despite all this the thing that truly worried her parents was the way she'd been acting recently since she'd begun doing whatever Ulrik told her to do. It was as if she'd become his servant who was happy to do whatever was asked of her but the thing that completely assured her parents that something was up was on the day they were to leave. They'd packed up their things and their ship was fully loaded and they were ready to go but they were stopped at the sight of Astrid standing at the dock where it met the land. She was standing there in the same dress Ulrik gave her with the one who gave it to her at her side with an arm wrapped around her waist and her axe in her hand. He let go of her before she gave him a kiss full on the lips right in front of her parents before she ran up to her parent as her father asked.

"Astrid, what was all that about?" She tilted her head.

"What was what about dad?"

"That kiss you just gave Ulrik."

"Actually that's what I wanted to talk to you both about." They looked at her before her father gestured for her to continue.

"I've decided I want to stay here." Their eyes widened before her mother asked.

"Astrid what are you talking about?"

"Mom I'm happy here and I think this life of peace is one I'd enjoy."

"But where would you live?"

"Ulriks offered me to stay in his houses spare room until I can find my own place." Their eyes widened as she smiled and let out a sigh. "He's such a sweet boyfriend." Their eyes widened as her father asked.

"Did you just call Ulrik your boyfriend?" She nodded.

"After I gave him a chance I learnt he's actually the kind of guy I wouldn't mind dating and maybe one day marrying." Their eyes widened in shock that only increased when she continued with. "He's also helped me realize that the life of a shield-maiden isn't for me and the life of a simple housewife is more my style." Her father almost had a heart attack when she held out her axe. "Thanks for everything but I don't think I'll be needing this anymore." Her mother hesitantly took her axe as Astrid continued with. "I'll write you if anything big comes up." With that said she turned around and ran back up to Ulrik who wrapped his right arm around her waist again as her parents stared before boarding the ship but when they were out of the harbor Jacob Hofferson turned to his wife as he said.

"When we get back we're going to see Hiccup." She nodded.

"Without a doubt, that was not our daughter who we raised and if anyone can figure out what's going on with her it's Hiccup Haddock." With that in mind they took off for home as fast as they could wanting their daughter back to normal and away from that pig Ulrik as soon as possible.

3 days later

Hiccups POV:

I was sitting at one of the tables in my library talking with Blanca who was sitting across from me, about a possible vacation to China so we could revisit the places where we fell in love just to help her relax a bit since these past few weeks she's been worried about something. Sadly it was then our conversation was cut short when one of my male snake guardians with his long hair tied back in a bun slithered in and bowed. Before I could ask what was happening he said.

"My apologies for the intrusion master but there are two Berkians here who say they need to speak with you urgently." I waved my hand as I said.

"Escort them in!" It was then I was surprised when Mr and Misses Hofferson walked in with a snake guardian on either side of them but before I could open my mouth Mr Hofferson said.

"Hiccup, we know you don't like people on your island but we wouldn't have come if it wasn't important."

"What's going on?"

"It's Astrid lad, something happened on our trip to the Grown Hills tribe." I sighed and shook my head.

"Don't tell me she was arrested for punching Ulrik." He shook his head.

"I wish!" This caught my attention and turned to them before Misses Hofferson said.

"After our first night there she started acting differently." I raised an eyebrow.

"Differently?"

"She started hanging out with this man as if she belonged with him." I sighed and shook my head and poured myself a drink of water from a jug on the table.

"If that's the case then perhaps she just developed a crush on the guy and is trying to get to know him better." I brought the goblet to my lips and began drinking as Mr Hofferson nearly yelled.

"It's Ulrik and if that's not enough to show you something is wrong, she's taken to wearing a dress and gave up her axe with the life of a shield-maiden to pursue a life as a simple housewife." Hearing this I spit my drink out and coughed a few times.

"That's insane." I put my goblet down. "Astrid would never give up her axe and she most definitely would never give up her dream of being a shield-maiden to be a housewife." Mr Hofferson then said.

"Now you see why we're worried." I sat back down.

"But what could not only give up her dream but also hold onto the arm of a man she continued to say disgusts her."

"That's what we're hoping you can find out." I nodded.

"I'll leave in the morning and do some stealth recon with my ninjas and automatons." They nodded.

"Thank you lad and if that boy touches my daughter in any way then you bring him to me." I nodded before turning to the snake guardians.

"Please escort our guests back to their ship." They nodded and made their way out with the Hoffersons while I sat back down. "Something is definitely up if Astrid is behaving this way." I rubbed my chin. "The question is what is it?" Blanca then said.

"Hiccup, I've been putting off telling you this since I didn't know when the right time would be but I think it's time I told you." I turned to her.

"What is it Blanca?"

"Hiccup, at the wedding dinner of your cousin, when I walked away it was because I saw Astrid walking away and I wanted to see what was wrong." I nodded. "We spoke and I learnt she has feelings for you." My eyes widened. "She was actually planning to talk to you about trying a relationship but she was always too afraid and then when she found out we were married she gave up hope on ever being with her." I was surprised when I was told Astrid actually wanted to try a relationship with me. "At the wedding we actually spoke and I told her if she was willing to share you with me than I'd be happy to talk to you about trying a relationship but I could never find the right time to discuss it with you." I let out a sigh.

"Blanca, we'll have to talk about this when Astrid is back but for now I need to prepare for a stealth mission on the Grown Hills tribes island."

"Just be careful and find out what they did to Astrid." I raised an eyebrow. "She's become a friend of mine and I know she'd never give up her dream of being a shield-maiden for anyone." I nodded.

"Now that's something that I know to be true since when someone actually told her she should give up her dream she had to be pulled off him by two Viking men before she could had the chance to kill him." Blanca nodded. "Now I've got to go prepare since being in a crowded tribe like the Grown Hills tribes village, it won't be easy to remain unseen." With that said I left the library to prepare.

Two days later

Yesterday at sunset I'd flown in onto Toothless and set up camp in a clearing away from the village with my tent being the only thing being set up. After camp was set up it was beginning to darken and I knew it would be the perfect time to do a sweep of the village and hopefully figure out what's going on with Astrid. I'd summoned my ninja to help me out with this while also ordering them to play to their greatest skill and remain unseen in the shadows. I told them I'd be doing the same and much to my surprise my grootslang coat took on the form of a black ninja outfit which included a mask that just covered the lower part of my face but no cape. I didn't dwell on it for long however and took off to do a little reconnaissance of the area I was camping and found myself to be the only one in that part of the forest which was good.

This morning I went into the village to do some reconnaissance and get an idea about what was happening there while placing some automatons and I was not happy with what I found. When I got back to my tent at sunset I needed a goblet of mead to help with the major head ache that had formed in my head after witnessing how things were in this village and how Astrid was behaving. The majority of women acted like typical housewives which I understood since that was the way some tribes worked but I felt like there was something off about the behavior of some of them since it was as if they weren't in control somehow. Then there's Astrid and when I saw her I knew something was definitely wrong with this village since she was acting so unlike herself. When I first spotted her she was walking through the market place in a dress with a smile on her face that was so unastrid as she went shopping while muttering about what she should make for Ulriks lunch and dinner.

When it came to Ulrik she behaved like he was her entire world and whenever he told her to do something she acted like a loyal dog and eagerly set out to do what she was told. The thing that completely confirmed something was up was this afternoon when I sent in one of my Jewel Wigs to the house she was staying in and saw through it that Ulrik was having her massage his feet which is something she'd never do if given the choice. What sold it though was that she was doing it all with a smile on her face before he ordered her to come over to him and he pulled her into his lap before he started making out with her. Then came the thing that confirmed there was something suspicious was happening since she left claiming she needed to continue her lessons with someone named Lifen Lung and Ulrik told her to hurry back while I let loose a jewel wig so I could keep an eye on Ulrik.

Presently I'm silently following Astrid as she makes her way through the village towards a hut on the outskirts of the forest hoping to figure out what's going on with her. I stayed hidden in the shadows as she knocked on the door to reveal an old Chinese woman who I assume is Lifen Lung, behind it who smiled at her before she stepped aside to allow Astrid in. When the door closed I quickly used my ox flame boots to rush up to the side of a closed window and allow a jewel wig under the gap beneath the shutters. Hiccup watched through the eyes of the earwig as Astrid sat down across from the old woman who smiled at Astrid before she said.

"Astrid, it is time for your lessons to begin!" I watched as Astrid's iris's shrunk down before she said.

"I am looking forward to today's lessons on how to be a good wife."

I knew mind control when I saw it and this was no doubt some form of mind control but the question is how it was done so I could stop it from being used again. While the old woman stood up and walked over to the bookshelf I had my jewel wig quickly run across the floor and onto the bottom of Astrid's dress and climb up higher while keeping an eye on the woman. The woman pulled out a red book from the bookshelf and then much to my surprise the dining table on the other end of the house lifted back facing the back wall as a trapdoor opened beneath it. The elderly lady walked up towards the edge of the entrance and turned back to Astrid as she said.

"Come child, your lessons await."

Astrid walked down the trapdoor with the elderly woman into a large room with a bookshelf against either wall, a desk against the right wall and at the back a single chair with a tall back and leather straps on the arm rests, legs and back. The woman walked Astrid to the back and sat her down in the chair before tying her down with the straps but Astrid didn't put up a fight whatsoever. When the woman had Astrid fully strapped down by the head arms and legs she walked over to a wall that from the jewel wigs position I could now tell had a lever on it. When she pulled it a cranking sound echoed through the room as my jewel wig looked up showing me a large metal ring being lowered down from the ceiling. I knew something was about to happen that might shed some light on what this woman's been doing to Astrid so I had my jewel wig leave her dress and run up the wall so I could watch. When the ring came down fully it was around both Astrid and that woman and I took note of a lantern on top of it. The woman lit the lantern and pushed it before it began circling around the ring as the woman said.

"Your place is at Ulriks side." I was surprised when Astrid replied.

"My place is at Ulriks side."

"You find no greater joy than making Ulrik happy."

"I find no greater joy than making Ulrik happy."

"You're duty is to obey what Ulrik tells you to as you find great enjoyment in doing so."

"My duty is to obey what Ulrik tells me to as I find great enjoyment in doing so."

This went on for an hour with her telling Astrid new things before she was let out of the chair and lead back upstairs where she was brought out of her trance and sent back to Ulriks house. As she walked I went back to the jewel wig at Ulriks house while I silently followed her and saw Ulrik was enjoying a few laughs and drinks with his friends. What made my blood boil however was when he bragged to them about how he finally got the girl he deserved and all it took was paying Lifen Lung to talk her into giving him a chance. He didn't know what Lifen Lung talked to her about or how she did it but in the end the only thing that mattered was the end result and in this case it was getting the girl he deserved. After Astrid arrived back she began serving the men drinks like a waitress and it was at this point I couldn't take anymore and left.

One hour later

I was pacing in my tents main room while smoking my dragon pipe as Toothless watched in concern but I was busy thinking about that technique that old lady used on Astrid. I don't know why but it somehow seemed familiar as if I'd seen or read about it somewhere but I couldn't remember where. It was then I thought back to the royal library in the Forbidden City back in China thinking I might've read about it somewhere from there since the woman was clearly of Chinese origins. It was then I was struck by a memory of a conversation I had with Ling Cho one night when I found him looking down at a necklace with hatred in his eyes.

He went on to explain to me that there was once a woman who used a brainwashing technique on the servants of nobles and had them steal from their masters for her, going so far as to do the same to the children of said nobles. Her reign of terror came to an end when she tried to do the same to Chin Wu when he was five and snuck out of the palace but he and the guards found them in time before she could really begin. Before she could be captured though she said a trigger word that caused some of the guards who'd unknowingly fallen victim to her, to attack their comrades in defense of her. She used the distraction to escape but not before he was able to grab her necklace which snapped off and allowing her to disappear. He never forgot her though nor could he ever forgive her for what she had done or tried to do because to him there is no worse crime than stripping away the free will of another human being.

I snapped my fingers as I realized I might've just found out the hiding place of one of China's most wanted criminals but before I did anything I needed proof and I had the feeling I'd find my answers in that hidden room in her home. With these thoughts in mind I turned to Toothless and said.

"Come on bud, we've got work to do." He stood up and stretched before following me outside where I mounted him and took off.

Half-an-hour later

I was down in the woman's hidden room going through the various scrolls and books which from what I could tell didn't have any answers. I knew I still had plenty of time since before I came down into this room I snuck into her bedroom where she was sleeping and sprayed some of my knockout gas in her face making sure she wouldn't wake up till the morning. It was then I dropped a book on the ground picked it up but I then noticed a length of rope beneath the desks top and muttered.

"Well now, what do we have here?" I crawled over to the desk and pulled the rope before the sound of wood being struck echoed through the room and I sat back up to find the top of the desk had lifted up to reveal a hidden compartment with four books in it making me smile. "Got ya!" I immediately sat down and began going through the books.

Three hours later

To say I was disgusted would be the biggest understatement of the century since the first book that was bound with a red leather cover was a journal detailing her conquests back in China including where she hid most of her stolen goods that were never recovered. The second book that was bound in blue leather was a journal detailing her life here in her village and what she'd been doing besides brainwashing women. The third book bound in black leather were blue prints and instructions on how her brainwashing technique worked and how to make one of them. Then in the third and final book bound in a dark green leather cover I found a list of people she'd used her brainwashing technique on, along with what she programmed into them and why. I was surprised to see multiple men on the list until I read about how they were suspicious about the women's new behaviour only to be brainwashed into ignoring the changes.

One thing all of these peoples programming was two key phrases with one being 'it is time for your lessons to begin!' which would put the person back into their trance and 'time to teach "insert name" a lesson'. When this last phrase was said the victims would then attack whoever was named without mercy and restrain them until given their next order. Despite all this however the journals were the most valuable because they showed her name wasn't Lifen Lung but Lan Zhizhu which was all the confirmation I needed to know that she was the criminal from China. I knew despite all this if I tried anything she'd use the final implanted order to have the people attack me while she made her escape meaning for now I needed a plan on how to not only capture her but also save the people. Before I did anything though I needed to inform the Hoffersons what's going on, return to China and get help from Chin Wu and Chin Wu who no doubt wanted that woman back to face justice for her crimes. Above all though I needed to inform the Hoffersons since they're more than likely wondering what's happened to Astrid. With these thoughts in mind I put everything back in place, erasing all evidence of me ever being there and made my way out of the room and back to my campsite.

Three days later

It's been three days since I discovered the truth about the woman and what happened to Astrid and in that time I'd been kept very busy with planning and trying to keep the Hoffersons in check. When it came to the Hoffersons it was not easy since as soon as they were told what was going on with Astrid they went mad, honestly they were so angry they made my father when he's angry look like a child throwing a fit. Fortunately Blanca and Verta had accompanied me, knowing this might happen and used their snake wrapper automatons on the furious parents and even they were having a difficult time holding them. I couldn't blame them though considering Astrid was their only child and they were not happy to find out she'd basically become a plaything and servant to Ulrik. When I was able to calm them down enough I promised them I'd sort things out and make sure Ulrik pays for what he's had done to Astrid and what he's had her do.

Now I'd arrived here in a few minutes ago and requested an immediate audience with the emperor and Ling Cho and after a minute I was immediately summoned. Now I was being led down the hall that lead to the throne room where Chin Wu and Ling Cho were waiting for me. The large doors were pushed open and I was greeted to the sight of the all too familiar throne Room with Chin Wu smiling from atop his throne and Ling Cho standing next to him. I walked until I was ten feet away from the throne before I bowed and said.

"I thank you for seeing me on such short notice your majesty."

"It is no trouble Hiccup Haddock, after all you've done for my country it is the least I could do and I am happy to see you again." I straightened up.

"I just wish it was for a more pleasant reason than the one I've come with your majesty." Chin Wu raised an eyebrow.

"The emperor wishes to know what it is that trouble you Hiccup."

"Do you remember the criminal Lan Zhizhu?" I noticed his expression sour while Ling Cho tightened his hands into fists.

"The emperor can never forget that witch or all that she did and tried to do to the emperor himself." Ling Cho then asked.

"If I may Hiccup, why are you bringing up that wretched woman now?"

"I'm bringing it up because I know where she is" Their eyes widened as they gasped. "and I'm going to need help to take her down." Chin Wu then asked.

"How do you know it is truly her?"

"She's using the same brainwashing methods on villagers including my friend Astrid and when I investigated her lair I discovered her journals detailing her life from here in China, including her escape after the failed attempt to kidnap you."

"What aid do you need to capture her."

"I'd like to request the use of ten of your top men." Chin Wu nodded.

"I shall arrange for them to be at your side within an hour." Before I could reply Ling Cho stepped forward.

"Hiccup, I'd like to request that I am able to accompany you to capture that criminal." I raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you want to come?"

"I can never forgive that woman for what she'd done to so many innocent people or what she tried to do to the emperor." I nodded.

"I can respect that." He smiled. "Now we've got some planning to do." He nodded.

Next day

I was making my way through the market place of the Grown Hills tribe with Blanca at my side while Ling Cho followed behind with ten of Chin Wu's finest men surrounding him. As I walked down the surprisingly barren market place I went over the plan I had come up with in which I'd give a drink to Astrid's that was poured from my anti mind control pot which would free her from the brainwashing. After she was free I'd go onto explain to Chief Nigren his tribes bride trainer was a crook and explain what's been happening before Ling Cho and the men would arrest her while Blanca and Verta helped me administer the anti-mind control drink. If she was caught in a crowd though and activated the trigger word that would make people attack then the men would handle the crowds while my ninja ensured she didn't escape.

It was then I was brought out of my thoughts when I saw a large crowd gathering in front of a stage where Nigren was standing on a stage with the woman I immediately recognized as Lan Zhizhu at his side while Freya was on the other. I turned back to Ling Cho and signaled him to come closer and whispered the new plan into his ear since if we went with either of the first ones there'd no doubt be a lot of injuries which is something we wanted to avoid. When we reached the crowd Chief Nigren held out his hands as he said.

"Friends we are gathered here today for a major announcement." While all attention was on him I released my Anubis Khopesh and stabbed it into the ground making it turn to quicksand as Nigren continued with. "Today is a good day for today I announce my sons engagement to Astrid Hofferson." Hearing this I gasped but it was drowned out by the applause at which point I was sure everyone's was sunk into the ground up to their knees as I pulled my khopesh out making it solidify trapping them while Astrid and Ulrik walked onto the stage with Astrid wearing that same dress I saw her wear before and Ulrik with his arm around her waist. "And now a few words from the happy couple." Astrid stepped forward as I made my way forward into the crowd with Blanca before Astrid said.

"I just want to say thank you to Lifen Lung for opening my eyes to the place I truly belong which is at my future husbands side." Everyone applauded as I made my way to the front of the crowd and said.

"I wouldn't be too grateful to that woman Astrid." My voice may have been low but it got her attention and the attention of all those on stage drawing eyes to me as chief Nigren asked.

"Hiccup Haddock?" I nodded.

"It's nice to see you again chief Nigren even if it is under these bad circumstances." Before he could reply I turned to Blanca. "Blanca would you be so kind?" She nodded and tossed her snake wrapper at Astrid who gasped as it wrapped around her body trapping her arms against her sides.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" I hopped up onto stage and turned to him.

"Just wait a minute." I pulled out my pot from my coat and turned to him. "Could you pass me your water skin for a moment." He glared but did so before I poured the contents into the pot and walked up to Astrid who was struggling but Ulrik cut me off.

"What do you think you're doing to my future wife?" I felt my blood boil when he said this and switched my prosthetic into its dragon claw form before grabbing him by the neck.

"Freeing her from a fate worse than death."

I then threw him to the side before he recovered and charged at me but I snapped my fingers before the chain of Earth's kyoketsu shoge wrapped around his legs making him fall to the ground. Earth immediately appeared on the stage with the knife of his weapon in hand as he forced Ulrik up and held the blade at the ready. I grabbed Ulrik by the throat. I looked him in the eye with my eye patch opening up to reveal the eye of the dragon burning in anger as I said.

"Don't try anything Ulrik, I'm nowhere near done with you."

I then walked up to Astrid while my eyepatch reformed as she kept struggling until I grabbed her cheeks with my prosthetic holding her mouth open before I held the pot up to her lips and poured the water down her throat and held her mouth shut until she swallowed it all. When I was done I let her go as Blanca took off her snake wrapper making Astrid collapse but I caught her as she groaned in pain. I handed her over to Blanca as Chief Nigren walked up with Lan Zhizhu and asked.

"What is all this about lad?"

"This is about the old woman who stands next to you is one of the biggest fools on this island." Lan Zhizhu realized I was referring to her and asked.

"How am I a fool young man?" I looked at her with no emotion.

"You're a fool because you messed with someone I cared about." Before she could reply the voice of Ling Cho who was now at the front of the crowd with the men hiding behind some people said.

"And you're a fool for believing you could escape your past and justice for your crimes." She turned to him but before she could say a word he continued with. "Last time we met you left this behind." He tossed her necklace at her but she caught it and after examining it her eyes widened. "Brings back the memories doesn't it Lifen Lung?" She looked at him. "Or should I call you Lan Zhizhu?" Her eyes widened before Nigren asked.

"What's going on here exactly." I turned to him.

"Your friend here is a wanted criminal who used to use her brainwashing technique to make servants of nobles steal from their masters for her and attempted to use this method to kidnap the emperor but failed before escaping and disappearing." I turned to glare at the Lan Zhizhu. "It seems she continued her old ways here but instead turned women into whatever their husbands desired." Lan Zhizhu quickly replied.

"That's ridiculous!" She turned to Nigren. "These men are clearly confusing me with someone else as I have no idea how to even brainwash someone." Before Nigren could reply a familiar voice from behind me said.

"Oh yes you do!" We all turned to see Astrid getting up from Blanca's arms while glaring at Lan Zhizhu. "You drugged my drink then took me into that secret lair of yours where you tied me to a chair and began brainwashing me into basically becoming Ulriks servant." She then stepped forward. "But what you didn't know is your little mind trick made me act as what you told me to become but you what you didn't know is that I was aware of everything that was happening." She marched towards her. "Finding Ulrik attractive, give up my axe, become a house wife and GIVE UP MY GOAL OF BECOMING A SHIELD MAIDEN." At this point Blanca was trying to hold her back. "I SHOULD BLOOD EAGLE YOU MYSELF FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME!" I walked up to her.

"Astrid, calm down." She looked to me. "She's going to face justice for her crimes back in her homeland and I'll be sure to put in a few requests for it to be brutal and painful." She glared at me but nodded before she walked back to Blanca's side as I turned back to Lan Zhizhu who had backed away to the edge of the stage.

"That's what you fools think." She turned back to the crowd. "TIME TO TEACH HICCUP AND HIS COMRADES A LESSON!" As soon as the words left her mouth the irises of over half the crowd shrunk before all those under the effect simultaneously said.

"WE'D BE HAPPY TO TEACH THEM THEIR LESSON!" I smiled as they all tried to charge but couldn't move due to their legs being trapped while others cried out in confusion.

"What in the world?" I smirked at her.

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't do something to make sure history didn't repeat itself." Nigren then asked.

"What did you do?" I turned to him.

"I used my Anubis khopesh to turn the ground into quicksand that made them sink up to their knees before I pulled it out making the ground solid again." He opened his mouth to reply but I cut him off. "Don't worry, I'll let them all out after they've all been freed from the brainwashing but until then they'll have to keep trapped while I deal with the crook." I turned back to Lan Zhizhu who was fleeing from the stage as I sighed and asked. "Why do they always try to run?"

I quickly took off after her while releasing my shadow sickle while swinging it by the chain fast before I threw the sickle towards her shadow and smiled when it slammed into her shadows neck. Her body immediately jerked back before she fell to the ground and began clawing at her neck as if something was wrapped around it as the chain stiffened. I stood still as I began pulling the chain back to me while dragging her body back towards me before the sound of footsteps rushing behind me caught my attention. I turned to see Ling Cho with the men running up to me making me smile as I said.

"Just give me a minute to fully restrain her and I'll hand her over to you."

They nodded before I pulled her back fully and pulled my sickle out of her shadow allowing her to breath but before she could run I launched two of my bola at her completely tying her up. When I didn't think this was enough I took out one of my bronze spiders and had it land on her front before extending its legs around her body and hooking together behind her. I smiled as I turned to them before I said.

"She's not going anywhere so just keep an eye on her." They smiled before Ling Cho asked.

"We appreciate it Hiccup Haddock but may I ask when we shall be taken back to China?"

"Just as soon as things are taken care of here since there are a lot of people who need to be freed from her brainwashing and I believe it best we raid her lair for anything useful before destroying it." They all nodded.

"Agreed!" I smiled before turning to the stage and my eyes widened at the sight of Astrid trying to reach Ulrik in anger with Blanca holding her back. "Please excuse me, I need to stop Astrid from killing Ulrik." With that said I rushed off to help Blanca.

Six hours later

It's been six hours since I captured Lan Zhizhu and in that time things had been very busy for me starting with me needing to help hold Astrid back from killing Ulrik after he asked if the engagement was still on. I had my ninja drag her out of the town square and away from him before she could do something that would mean big trouble in the future. After that I had a large cauldron brought onto the stage with six mugs as I used my bottomless water skin to fill my anti-mind control pot before pouring the contents into the cauldron and repeated the process until it was full. When it was full I had my ninja each take a mug and fill them up while I did the same before we began feeding the contents to the affected villagers. This whole process took half an hour and by the end of it we nearly had a full scale riot on our hands since many of the women weren't too happy with their husbands. I did get many thanks though since the majority of them forgot what it was like to control their own bodies and many detested the lives they were forced to live.

It took an hour before I thought they'd all calmed down enough to be released from my trap but sadly I could not have been more wrong since the moment they were freed the majority of women attacked their husbands. After that I summoned Amr who blasted the lot of them with his black flames leaving them all paralyzed before I summoned my Anubis warriors to help separate the women from their husbands. I promised them their paralyzation is only temporary and they'd be given their ability to move again after they'd calmed down enough and things had been sorted out.

After that I lead five of Ling Cho's men on a raid of Lan Zhizhu's house while the others remained behind to help guard Lan Zhizhu who I didn't want to risk escaping but that was only the first reason she was being guarded. The main reason is there were more than a few women and men who had an axe to grind with that woman for the years she made them prisoners in their own bodies. I couldn't blame them though but she was going to face the price for her crimes but it would have to be in her homeland where she her life of crime first began to be judged by the emperor himself. After the raid we walked away with all her books, journals, scrolls, the items and paintings she used to decorate her home and the items from down in her lair. The thing that surprised me though was the secret room behind the back wall and in this room we found a couple of old artefacts that were stolen from the palace years ago and were thought lost to the world. Once we emptied out the entire house of anything valuable or useful I placed a few of my bombs around both the house and the lair before leaving. When we were all outside I pulled the pin on one of my bombs and threw it into the house and when it went off, all the other bombs went off with it and once the flames died, all that was left was a small crater.

Now I was standing in the forest with Blanca with both of us watch Astrid who was now back in her regular attire as she hacked at the trees with her axe that I returned to her. We didn't interrupt her, both of us knowing she needed to get all that anger and hatred out of her system or else it might have an effect on her health. When she finally stopped to breath she was panting heavily and I let out a sigh knowing she'd tired herself out and made my way up to her. She looked up at me as I asked.

"Feeling better?" She panted before she shook her head.

"No, I can never forgive that bastard for what he did to me."

"Giving up your dream?" She growled.

"He did something just as bad as that if not worse." I raised an eyebrow as she looked down. "He made me expose my body to him." My eyes widened. "He saw something that was meant to only be seen by the man I marry." She looked ready to break down. "I can still feel his stare on me and that repulsive lust in his eyes." I then spotted tears begin falling onto the ground. "I feel as if he fully violated me even though he didn't touch me claiming he was saving it for our wedding night." She dropped to her knees as she stared down at her axe. "I'll never be able to look at my own reflection knowing I'd so easily become nothing but a slave to his will." Her tears fell on her axes head. "I'm not worthy of calling myself a shield-maiden." Hearing this I felt as if a dagger was being plunged into my heart since the thing I admired most about Astrid was her determination to achieve her dream and hearing her say this it felt as if the Astrid I know was slowly dying in front of me. "I don't even deserve to wield an axe or any weapon anymore." I just stood there and watched as she sobbed until I couldn't take it anymore and grabbed her in hug making her gasp before I whispered.

"You have no idea how wrong you are Astrid." I pulled away from her to look into her eyes. "Astrid what happened to you wasn't your fault." The tears continued to run down her cheek. "You weren't the first person to fall for her tricks and although I can't erase what happened to you I can make sure she never does it again and I've ensured nobody can do the same thing to you again." She stared at me before she screamed.

"HOW?" I raised an eyebrow. "How can you be so sure nobody will be enable to enslave me again?"

"Because the pot you drank from is one of the mystic gifts from the gods and by drinking from it, you've gained an immunity to any form of mind control."

"And what if they use other methods that won't brainwash me but break my will?"

"I know those methods won't work on you." I smiled at her. "You're Astrid Hofferson, one of the most strong willed and determined people I've ever met in my life." I sighed. "Astrid I know it'll take time to heal from this experience but your wounds will heal and although they may leave scars you can learn to live with them."

"How would you know?"

"I know because I've been in similar positions in my past adventures and from even before I met Toothless." She stared at me as I sighed. "Day in and day out I had to deal with glares, insults, beatings and being degraded by those who were meant to protect me." I could see guilt in her eyes. "Now I could've done what you're doing and let the pain destroy me but I used it to fuel my determination to prove myself and make me stronger." I then turned her face to look into my eyes. "Now Astrid listen to me." She nodded. "You can either let this event destroy your future and the amazing woman you are or you can do what I did and use what happened to you as a lesson that'll make you stronger than you were before."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I'm saying this because despite what you may think I've always admired you not for your beauty but because of your personality and strong will." She looked at me confused. "Whenever you've desired something you work hard for it, you never give up no matter what stands in your way, you've always raised your weapon in defense of the tribe and above all no matter what threat life throws at you you've never turned around and run, you always take on the threat head on." I gently pulled her into another hug. "Those are just some of the things I admire about you Astrid." I pulled away and looked her in the eyes. "Don't let this one bad experience be the death of the woman who I've always admired." She stared at me before giving a teary eyed smile and nod making me smile as I stood up. "Good, now I want you to stay with Blanca while I finish sorting some things out with Chief Nigren and make sure Ulrik pays for his crimes." She nodded.

"I'll try Hiccup."

"There is no try Astrid, you either do or do not." She raised an eyebrow. "It's something the Buddha told me when I was training with Master Shen and at first I didn't get it either until he realized that I only try it means I don't believe I can do it." She nodded. "Astrid it may take time to heal but I believe you can do it." She smiled at me as I turned around and began to walk away but before I could she grabbed my hand making me turn to face her as she looked down.

"Thanks Hiccup and did Blanca tell you what we talked about at your cousins wedding?" I sighed and ran my real hand through my hair.

"She did and although I was surprised at first I'm willing to give it a try if you both are." Astrid smiled. "But I can't say I love you the same way I love Blanca since that type of love takes time and although I do have feelings for you it'll take time for it to bloom into love if it can at all." She smiled and nodded.

"I understand Hiccup, I'm more than willing to wait for your feelings for me to grow into love." I smiled and nodded but then she punched me in my real arm but thanks to my armor. "That's for keeping me from killing Ulrik and the woman who made me a prisoner in my own body." I chuckled and shook my head but was caught off guard when she grabbed my hand and pulled me forward into a deep kiss that lasted five seconds before she pulled away as I stared at her in surprise while she looked away blushing. "And that's for saving me and everything else." Before I could reply a giggle caught both of our attention and we both turned to see Blanca looking at us with a smile on her face as she said.

"Astrid I think it best for now we leave Hiccup to figure out things and finish off the things he needs to do." She nodded and left with Blanca leaving me alone in the clearing until a chuckle from behind me caught my attention and when I turned I saw Ling Cho standing there with a smile on his face as he said.

"Women, one of life's greatest mysteries are they not my friend." I sighed and nodded.

"It's times like these I wonder if we men will ever understand them."

"An eternal quest that shall never come to an my friend." I nodded.

"So is there a reason you came looking for me or did you just come to enjoy my confusion of the mystery that is women?" He frowned.

"Chief Nigren wishes to speak with the both of us." I sighed.

"Why do I get the feeling this meetings going to be a headache for me?"

"I cannot say but it's possible he wishes to discuss Lan Zhizhu."

"What's there to discuss?" He raised an eyebrow. "We've already informed him of who she is and what her crimes are while supplying sufficient evidence to prove we're not lying." He nodded.

"It might be something else." I shrugged.

"Well there's only one way to find out." I looked around. "But where are the men and Lan Zhizhu?"

"The men are guarding Lan Zhizhu in the dungeon until we can finish up business here." I nodded and turned back to the direction of the village.

"Let's go see what he wants then since the sooner I'm away from this island the better."

Ten minutes later

Both me and Ling Cho were in Nigren's house sitting across from him with one of his children on either side of him with Ulrik on the right and Freya on the left. For a few moments we sat there in silence before I sighed and said.

"Alright Chief Nigren, would you mind telling me why you summoned both me and Ling Cho here." He smiled.

"I see you're still the kind of man who likes to get straight to the point." I nodded. "I've always liked that about you lad." I didn't reply but crossed my arms. "Anyway the reason I've asked you here is to give a formal apology for what happened to Astrid and to thank you for opening my eyes as to what was going on in my village." He smiled. "Although I wish the reaction of the women wasn't so violent but it's like they say, there is no beast more fierce than a woman in a rage." He chuckled but I just kept a straight face.

"Your apology is meaningless since it's your son who's in the wrong." Ulrik quickly replied.

"How was I supposed to know she'd brainwash Astrid?"

"I'm talking about how you paid Lan Zhizhu to deal with Astrid instead of just accepting that she isn't interested in you and what you had Astrid do while she was under Lan Zhizhu's influence."

"Oh, come on." He waved his hand. "It was just a change of clothing choice, a few chores, some massages and being good arm candy." I stood up so fast the chair nearly toppled over as I yelled.

"YOU HAD HER DO MORE THAN THAT YOU BASTARD!" He leaned back. "Now those things I could forgive but you also had her show you her body and that's something I can never forgive." Nigren turned to his son.

"Is this true Ulrik?" He looked away as he said.

"She said she'd do anything for me and that she was my woman so I didn't see the harm and it's not like there's anything wrong with it." Nigren gave his son a disappointed look that quickly turned to one of shock as I slammed into Ulrik using my ox flame boots speed mode to slam him into the opposite wall, pinning him to it by the neck using my prosthetic upper arm that was now in its dragon claw form as I growled.

"Not like there's anything wrong with it?" I pressed harder making him gasp for air and claw at my prosthetic. "NOT LIKE THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT!" At this point his face had begun turning blue. "Astrid is one of the strongest women I've ever met and what you did was basically violating her body to the point where for the first time in my life, I actually saw he brought to tears." I looked down in sadness loosening the pressure on his throat giving him a chance to breathe but then my anger returned and the pressure was back. "WHAT YOU DID MADE HER FEEL AS IF SHE WASN'T WORTHY OF BEING A SHIELD-MAIDEN OR EVEN WIELDING A WEAPON!" I then unfurled my eye patch revealing the eye of the dragon as I looked into his eyes. "I should blood eagle you right now but I don't think it's punishment enough for scum like you." I was brought out of my thoughts when a hand landed on my shoulder and I turned to see Ling Cho standing there.

"Hiccup, I can understand your anger with this man but killing him will not undo the past." I growled.

"But it will at least ensure he never does what he did to Astrid to any other girl."

"Hiccup you may feel you will receive justice for what he did to Astrid but what you shall get is unfulfilling vengeance." I growled. "We must let his tribe decide his punishment Hiccup, only then will justice truly prevail." Before I could reply chief Grant walked up next to him.

"I assure you Hiccup, I will personally punish my son for what he did and make sure he never goes near that Astrid lass again." I growled and pulled away letting Ulrik drop to the ground and walked up to Nigren.

"I know a man in Rome who pays good money for new people to be thrown into the coliseum." He stared at me. "I don't normally do business or even talk to him but if your son comes anywhere near Astrid again, I'll hand your son over to him with extra pay to have him thrown to the lions." Nigrens eyes widened. "Got it?" He nodded making me smile. "Good!" I then walked over to the chair and sat back down as Nigren helped his son up and sent him home claiming they'd discuss his punishment later. "Is there any other reason you called us here or was it just to try and apologize for your sons actions." Nigren sat back down in his seat.

"Well I was actually hoping you'd put some thought into my previous offer for building my tribe a bath house and boat shed but now I'm thinking now isn't a good time to discuss these sorts of things."

"When you've gotten your tribe back under control with the women calming down enough to not attack the men, write me and we'll talk." He nodded before Ling Cho asked.

"If I may ask, what is your reason for calling me here."

"Well I was curious to know what'll happen to Lan Zhizhu."

"The emperor shall decide her fate but I can assure you she shall never use her evil training methods again." He nodded.

"I was also hoping you'd send message to the emperor informing him that I'd like to discuss the possibility of opening up a trade route with my island."

"I shall inform the emperor of your request." He smiled until Ling Cho continued. "However I do not believe a trade route will be possible due to the great distance between our lands." Nigren nodded before I stood up and said.

"If that's all I believe Ling Cho and I have a dangerous criminal that needs to be delivered back to China and I also have to escort Astrid back to Berk." He nodded before I made my way to the door but stopped when Nigren said.

"Oh and Hiccup!" I didn't turn to face him but I did stop walking. "Please tell your father that none of this was my tribes fault as we didn't know what that woman was doing to our women and the last thing we want is a war to come out of this." I nodded and left the house and walked away only to be stopped by four men who surrounded me and I could tell they were four of the men who were attacked by their wives by the bruises on their faces.

"Can I help you?" A man with two black eyes a messy black beard and bald head stepped forward.

"You can explain why you had to ruin our lives." I raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Our lives were great with our wives being loyal, loving and obedient to us but then you had to come along and ruin it." He pointed at his face. "My wife kicked me out of my own house and their going to be having us do all the work that's meant to be done by a woman."

"It might do you some good to do the work you forced upon them for years." He glared.

"Doesn't matter, all that matters is our lives are ruined thanks to you and now you're going to pay." He raised his fist and swung at my face but I raised my hand and grabbed his fist in a tight grip.

"Clearly you don't know who you're dealing with."

I then twisted his arm making him kneel down before I spun him around and throw him into the wall of a nearby hut making him groan in pain as he blacked out. Another guy charged at me but I struck him in one of his nerve points in his chest using my thumb, index and middle finger making him drop to the ground unconscious. It was then I was grabbed from behind by one of the other men who wrapped his arms around Hiccup holding him in a tight grip while his friend walked up with his fist raised ready to punch me. When he was close enough I smiled and raised my legs before thrusting them forward, kicking the charging man in the chest before a large flaming bull burst from his back. The bull roared and swung it's legs before it ran away and dragged the screaming and struggling man away while the one holding me loosened his grip in shock. This allowed me to push my arms forward and slam my elbows back into his gut making him drop me in shock before I turned around and grabbed his lowered head and pulled it down into my knee slamming his head into it knocking him out cold.

I smiled at my downed opponent until I heard the sound of rushing feet behind me and turned to see a small crowd running towards me with Nigren, Ling Cho, Blanca, Astrid, Ulrik and Freya at the front. When they reached me Nigren asked.

"Hiccup, what in the world is going on here?"

"These men weren't too happy with their wives going back to their old personalities or their wives reaction to how they've treated them over the years." He nodded. "They blame me for as they put it ruining their lives and wanted to teach me a lesson." I then raised an eyebrow. "How did you know about things here though?"

"Hiccup when a man is screaming as he's dragged by a giant flaming bull down the street it tends to draw attention to things." I nodded.

"I believe it best I leave now since chances are there are more men like them who are not too happy with what I did." Before he could reply Ling Cho stepped forward.

"I believe that would be best Hiccup as the emperor is most likely what is taking up so much of our time." I nodded. "I'll go and have the men collect the Lan Zhizhu from the dungeon so we may return to the portal door where we shall meet up with you." I nodded while Nigren had men pick up the unconscious men as he said.

"While you do that I'll have these men taken to the dungeon for attacking a guest." I nodded as I turned to Blanca and Astrid while the crowd dispersed.

"Well ladies I believe it best we get back to the camp since Toothless is most likely wondering what's happened to us." They both nodded as I turned to Astrid. "By the way Astrid, I hope you don't mind a small detour to China before we drop you off back on Berk." She shrugged.

"I don't mind as long as it's not too long since my parents are probably worried about me." I chuckled.

"Worried?" She raised an eyebrow. "Blanca and Verta had to use their snake wrapper automatons to keep them from coming here and ripping Ulrik apart and even then my snake wrappers were having a tough time holding them in their rage." She smiled at this. "Now come on, we need to head to the portal door now to meet up with Ling Cho and the others."

Six hours later

It's been six hours since my little fight on the Grown Hills tribe and in that time a lot had happened like for starters Ling Cho and the men had a little fight of their own. Some of the men who fell victim to Lan Zhizhu powers to make them ignore their wives strange behavior wanted to blood eagle her for her crimes. Fortunately, their fighting technique focused on pure brute force and mixed with their anger they didn't stand a chance against the men who were escorting her and Ling Cho. After we got back to the Forbidden City we were immediately led to the throne room where Chin Wu and the royal council were waiting for us to decide Lan Zhizhu's fate for her crimes.

They originally wanted her to be flogged to death but I stopped them claiming that it was too good for her and since she made people prisoners in their own bodies, she herself should be a prisoner in a cell. It was decided she'd be placed in solitary confinement in the most secure prison in all of China where she'd spend every day completely restrained and unable to move. I admit it was cruel but after what she did I had to say it since being a victim of mind control myself I couldn't let her be given a punishment like the death sentence.

As for the artefacts we rescued from Lan Zhizhu's house, they were on their way backs to their proper places with the families they belonged to. Then there's the reward I was given for capturing Lan Zhizhu who had a large bounty on her head that only grew larger with every passing year that she was at large. I tried turning the reward down but both Chin Wu and the royal council insisted I take the reward as it was well deserved for bringing in a criminal that the authorities in each town had been on the lookout for years. The reward I was given was two large chests full of gold coins, items, jewels, jewelry and gold statues and the thanks of not only the emperor but the entire royal council all of which insisted we stay for a celebratory feast in my honor. After that me and the girls were lead away to the hot springs with Toothless being lead out to the courtyard to enjoy some fish that was prepared for him.

After the bath we were each dressed up for dinner with me being put in a black formal kimono with a red nightfury on the back , Blanca given a white kimono with light blue snake patterns decorating it and Astrid being given a blue kimono with a light blue flower pattern on it. Astrid wasn't really big on being put into another dress but she accepted it knowing that it'd be rude to turn down a gift from the people in their own land. There was one good thing that came out of the dress though and that's how beautiful she looked in it making her blush and Blanca giggling at Astrid's embarrassment. Dinner was a delightful affair with Chin Wu asking me to tell him of anymore adventures I'd been on since our last meeting to which he followed up with a request to use my golden spider to show them. After spending three hours doing so we were finally allowed to leave and return to Berk with my reward money and Astrid who was happy to be going home to her parents after so long.

When we got back the second we set foot into view of the Hoffersons who were looking out their window hoping to see their daughter they literally jumped out the window to greet her. They had her in a bone crushing hug within a minute of leaving their house before bombarding her with questions if she was alright, what happened, was she injured, if she had any memory of what happened while she was under Ulriks control and other such things. Then they turned their attention to me who asked me what happened in the village, if I did anything to Astrid, what happened to Ulrik, is there going to be war, what happened to Lan Zhizhu and what took me so long in returning their daughter.

They weren't too happy to hear that I'd taken their daughter out of the archipelago for dinner with an emperor instead of bringing her straight back. They did calm down bit when I told them that I'd also ensured that Lan Zhizhu wasn't let off easy with the death sentence and would instead spend her life in prison, completely restrained and unable to move. They were grateful to hear that and after that they wanted a full explanation of what happened but it was late so I convinced them to get their answers in the morning. After that I let the Hoffersons return to their homes but when her parents were out of sight she pulled me in for another kiss on the lips and when she pulled away she just smiled and said it was both a thanks again for saving her and saying goodnight before running off to her hut. Blanca giggled at the sight of my shocked face before she dragged me away telling me we had things to discuss and after the day I had I'd more than earned a good nights rest. When we got home I took Toothless to his room in the stables while Blanca went to our bedroom. Once Toothless was settled into his room for the night and returned to my own room where Blanca was waiting for me in bed awake claiming she had a hard time falling asleep without me to cuddle.

Now I was in bed with Blanca cuddling into my side as I stroked my beloved wife's hair as she gently breathed while slumbering and enjoying the realm of dreams. As Blanca slumbered I couldn't help but think about my future and how I was now going to be trying a relationship with Astrid despite the fact that I'm a married man who loves his wife. What made things more complicated however was that my wife is the one who recommended I try having a relationship with another woman and possibly taking her on as another wife. I sighed knowing with this added onto my life things were going to be a lot more complicated for me but then again when had things in my life ever been simple. I sighed knowing that I needed to handle this like when I was entering a new environment, I had to study the possible coming challenges that might come and adapt to them. With these things in mind I went to sleep and drifted off into the sweet realm of slumber while thinking of ways to deal with the coming challenges.

AN: And there you all have it, this is the chapter where Hiccup and Astrid's relationship begins and in the future love shall form from it but not till later chapters will it fully bloom. Anyway, I hope you all have a lovely valentine's day and will enjoy it with those you love if you have someone like that in your life and if you don't then welcome to the club but don't let it get you down since as my father puts it 'there's a lid for every pot'. Till next time PLEASE REVIEW since I'm a little disappointed with the lack of reviews for the last chapter so please be kind about the reviews and if you have any requests for the next adventure let me know and have a nice day.