Helloo! Here is the next chapter and I hope y'all enjoy!
Shout Outs!:
WeAreNumberOne
I know, it made me so sad, it really was an end of an era for this story. Thank you. I'm really enjoying thinking all the ways I can bring the mcu into the story and make the Berk I've built fit into their world.
CHSHiccstrid
Personally I would love to spend a lot of time, slowly going through stuff but then we'd never get to the MCU and, truthfully, I thought we were going to get there a long time ago but I wanted to slow that down just a tad and make it a bit more natural but, still, large time jumps are unfortunately necessary. Glad :)
SmolAvidReader
Yeah, we all did, doesn't mean it's any less hard. Thank you, I thought the Ancient One would be a perfect fit for all the myths. Hehe, its gonna bite him in the butt. Have to spread rumors of the gods somehow, just for them to get convoluted later. Yes...soon!
You're welcome, and thank you for reading, I love reading your reviews and what you have to think about the chapters, makes my day :)
Journal 2, Entry 13: "Hel'of a Time"
Hiccup awoke to something soft-ish under his head but his head itself was too foggy to register that or anything else at the moment. His face scrunched, closed eyes wrinkling together despite the lack of light, and nestling into the thing under his head. He succeeded in bunching the fabric further and making it more uncomfortable.
He groaned as his mind struggled to come out of the induced haze and pushed against the ground—bed? He sat up and blinked several times. The world was dark. Not because it was night, it just was.
"Oh…great. Uhn, how did…" He held his head as he stood, stumbling a tad as pebbles under his prosthetic slid. He looked around the wispy world with a sinking feeling. "Niflheim, wonderful. Okay…okay, think Hiccup. How did we get out last time?"
He took a step away and glared at the thing that he'd been using as a pillow, a rolled up long coat that was similar to Loki's but distinctly was not. It made sense. It was his magic he felt at that Hall—if only he'd recognized it sooner.
He quickly hurried away from the alcove and scanned the land that was visible before disappearing into blackness or mist. He groaned, shoulders falling. "I'll never find the branch. It all looks the same!"
He withheld a grunt of frustration and started his trek across the realm, hoping and praying that Grimmel wouldn't return to check on him for a while…and that he wouldn't run into either him or Hela. She creeped him out with her attitude shift last time, not that she wasn't already terrifying in her own right.
He roamed Niflheim for a while but time, as it always had been in the realms of the dead, was impossible to tell. He passed by many souls but not their 'caretaker' or the other soul he really did not want to see.
He stopped on an uneven plateau and turned in a full circle. He reached out with his magic, desperate to find anything that could lead him to the branch that he and Loki had entered and exited from, but it came back with nothing. For possibly the first time, he cursed his magic. He knew that 'hearing' magic had been Loki's gift as his connection to dragons was to him but by Odin it was frustrating in times like this!
He tried reaching out through the bond to either Loki or Toothless but they were blocked and remained still, as if he was asleep. Great, just perfect. I'm stuck here with no clue where the branch is—where any of them are—and I can't call Loki for help. He wandered aimlessly around Niflheim as he felt around for the branch.
"That's it. I'm officially lost," He said to any souls that cared to listen.
"I was wondering when you would give up."
Hiccup yelped and jumped, landing so he was facing the offender with his hands closed and ready for a fight. "Grimmel!"
Grimmel sat on a large boulder with an obnoxiously large smirk, a knee bent up and an elbow resting on it. "You certainly took your sweet time to figure that you were hopelessly lost."
Hiccup shifted into a fighting stance, instinctively reaching for Loki's dagger then switching to Hela's, remembering his aversion to it. "What do you want now? To kill me? Why didn't you just do that back on Midgard?"
Grimmel huffed and rolled his eyes, smirk falling into irritation. "Believe me, I would love nothing more than to properly return you back to the realms of the dead where you belong…but Hela does not wish it, yet."
Hiccup's nose wrinkled and stepped away from the angry and insane dead god. "Well, that's not her call to make anymore. Even if you did kill me, Loki gets to decide where I'm going."
Grimmel sighed long-sufferingly and waved his hand. "Yes, yes." He slid off the rock and calmly approached Hiccup.
The small dagger grew into a sword and Hiccup backed away while pointing its tip at Grimmel. "Stay back! I'd rather remain lost than go anywhere with you."
Grimmel paused and stared down at Hiccup like he was a foolish child then continued his jaunt to the boy. Hiccup growled and backed up as he pressed closer, then swiped the onyx blade through his chest when he wouldn't stop. Grimmel laughed at Hiccup's astonishment as his body wisped around the sword and slowly regathered to a 'solid' form.
"Little mortal, we're in Niflheim. That blade does not harm me here."
Hiccup's breath caught as Grimmel reached out for him. He threw out a wave of magic that blasted Grimmel and many other curious souls back, allowing him a few moments to sprint across the field—desperately hoping the mists would hide him though he knew that was a vain hope.
Grimmel cackled from behind but he didn't dare turn around. "Yes, run! Please do! It's been far too long since I've had a good hunt."
An outcropping appeared through the mists and Hiccup darted towards it, slipping into one of the crevasses and wiggling up along it. It eventually opened up to a long stretch of barren rock with a small tunnel at about a hundred foot dash with cliff wall on one side and sheer drop on the other.
He mentally cursed, having left his latest Dragon Fly on New Berk because it was a tad cumbersome for simple travel. He peeked at the drop off. He would have to shapeshift to safely make that landing—if I had the Dragon Fly I wouldn't be so large and run the risk of Grimmel jumping on my back! Or not shifting fast enough and breaking both my legs…Last time I leave home without a way to fly that doesn't involve shapeshifting…
He eyed the distance again before warily looking at the cliff edge. His tense body finally bolted. He was almost halfway across the open path when a small rain of little rocks fell before him. He skidded, didn't even entirely stop to change directions, and dove off the cliff—just missing the growl of annoyance.
His heart raced and he fought to clear his mind and imagine the form he wanted. He may be Lokison but that did not mean shapeshifting came as easily to him as it did his patron. The ground was nearing and he fought desperately with the image. He flashed and quickly a little, green Terror scrapped along the ground and madly flapped to gain air and retreat from the mass of rocks that Grimmel was jumping down from.
He squawked in terror as Grimmel flashed him a grin and jumped down the same cliff as he had, landing with nothing more than slightly bent knees. Damn draugrs. He knew this chase was going to eventually end with Grimmel catching him unless Loki got to Niflheim insanely fast…which, while not out of the question, wasn't very likely.
A dagger whistled passed his wing and he hissed in surprise. His large eyes darted around for somewhere, anywhere to scuttle into and hide. He found a tiny crack in the base of the formation he scaled previously and dove in.
He scurried through the crack until it eventually ended—fortunately it was a little deeper than a man's arm was long. He curled into a tight ball and faced the entrance, teeth bared.
*O*
Nuffink, Dart and Toothless arrived through the closest Yggdrasil branch. New Berk was already in a fury of movement, had been since his call had come in. He ran a little ways from the branch, tossing off his knapsack and stripping Dart of her saddle bags.
"Mom! I have to go to Asgard to find grandfather. I don't think dad was able to call Loki before Grimmel hit him with a sleeping spell."
Astrid was already there and holding his vest and Dart's saddle. "Zephyr already went as soon as you called in."
Nuffink deflated a bit and stared longingly at the branch. "Ah, I wanted to see Asgard…"
Astrid managed a smile at his comment before turning serious again. "Do you know where Niflheim's branch is?"
He shook his head, mouth curling despondently. "No, neither dad nor grandfather wanted us anywhere near it."
She sighed and whistled for Stormfly. "I figured."
He grabbed her hand, fear in his eyes again. "Mom, what do we do?"
She took a breath and looked over his shoulder to Toothless who was pacing nervously around the branch and chuffed every few seconds that it remained unused. "We have to wait for Loki. He's gotten your dad back before—I doubt Hela actually wants him dead. Though why they'd kidnap him again is beyond me."
*O*
Zephyr cautiously wound through Asgard's forest, mentally slapping herself every few minutes as she would stop and stare in awe of the realm. She had seen it before, when Loki showed her and Nuffink the branch's location for emergencies but the glimpse she had then was nothing compared to this. If only I didn't have to come because of dad…
She continued running through the forest, afraid of teleporting and using too much magic with Heimdall so close despite having cast the cloaking spell over herself at least three times out of paranoia.
Pouncer's warm breath huffed against her hand after she stopped at the golden city's edge, breath lost with the grandiose sight. She blushed and pat his head, peeking around the corner and making a quick gesture for him to follow.
They wound through the city, hiding in shadows whenever someone would pass by, until they reached the palace. They slunk around its outskirts to the smaller entrance near grandmother's garden that both gods said would be safer to enter through.
They passed through the entrance and found themselves in Frigga's garden, but it was silent of anything but the native fauna. She peeked through the doorway, pulling back out as a group of women passed by, then ran down the hallway—mentally chanting the directions Loki had given them.
"I'm telling you Volstagg, the Bilge Snipe was half the size of this palace!"
A rumbling laugh echoed down the corridor. "You mean to tell me that you took down such a beast with an arrow?"
Zephyr and Pouncer darted into the darkest corner, he curled around her while she cast invisibility over them. She peeked underneath his wing to see a group of four walking by.
"Nay! It took five arrows, three to blind it and two flaming ones to burn the beast's innards enough to make cutting it down all the easier!"
A different chuckle, lighter than the second man's with an accent that neither man had, spoke, "Sure, Fandral. You took down a creature that even the mighty Thor would struggle with. And such size!"
A woman's voice echoed down the hallway as they walked farther away from their hiding place. "Next time you get drunk and hallucinate, think of a slightly more realistic battle. No one's going to believe that."
"Ha! Like Thor marrying you?!" The second voice asked. Whatever the retort was, was lost around the corner they turned.
Pouncer slowly uncurled and Zephyr looked around for any more passer-byers. None were forthcoming so they continued their trek, eventually making it to—she hoped—Loki's chambers.
She grasped the handle and pulled. The door resisted for a moment and she felt Loki's magic touch hers before retreating and the door opened. They hurriedly slipped inside before anyone else could wander by and closed the door.
Pouncer wandered around, sniffing the air and pieces of furniture.
"Loki?" She called softly, still fearful of someone hearing her.
No one responded and she sighed. Well, he has to know I'm here if his magic had to sense me to let me in. She walked further in and casually looked around, her curiosity getting the better of her when she spotted a bookshelf with a drawing that looked familiar. She picked it up and smiled at the familiar style that was her dad's. He and Loki were immediately recognizable but the other two humans on the parchment took her a moment to recognize—they're so young…when did dad draw this?
She put the picture back then sat with Pouncer, deciding to wait until nightfall for her grandfather to show.
He never did. It was well past sundown and many people would either be headed off to bed or to taverns.
She sighed. Maybe he wasn't on Asgard. Thor could have dragged him off for an adventure in another realm. She stood and slowly opened the door, looking around for anyone but the corridor was silent. She slipped out, then Pouncer wiggled through the doorway, tail helping it to close softly.
They padded down the hallway, counting doors as she went before turning down another wide hallway. Eventually, they came upon the ornate set of doors belonging to Frigga's private chambers.
She looked around once more before rapping softly on a door. There was no sound or answering call but her heart did thump loudly, fearing someone might have heard. She was about to knock again when the door opened, revealing Frigga's astonished face.
"Zephyr? By the Norns, what are you doing here?"
"I-" Zephyr started before Frigga cut her off, opening the door farther and looking into the corridor.
"Come in, quickly."
They were ushered in and herded to a chair. "Thank you, grandmother." Zephyr said when Frigga placed a tray of fruits and some cheese on the table between them.
Frigga smiled and nodded at Pouncer. "I am sorry. I have no fish with me."
Pouncer purred and butted her hand but curled up around Zephyr without complaint.
"Now," Frigga said firmly. "Why are you on Asgard? You come here at great risk which means this was not a light-hearted decision."
Zephyr set down the bunch of grapes she'd eagerly grabbed. "No…Where's g-Loki?"
Frigga's eyes narrowed and lifted her chin. "He's away for a while at a Meeting of Realms."
Zephyr's lips curled in, refusing to make eye contact with Frigga. "When will he be back?"
Frigga fought to keep her face only mildly worried. "Not for a few months, most likely."
"A few months!?" Zephyr cried, standing and pacing around the chair and Pouncer. "Can he come back any sooner?"
Frigga shook her head, heart rate rising. Whatever the reason was that Zephyr came, it was serious. "Not unless Asgard is under attack. Sit, my child, and tell me what is wrong—why is it you are here?"
Zephyr plopped on the floor next to Pouncer with a frustrated huff. "Dad and Nuffink went exploring…"
Frigga nodding. That was common for her first grandson, so something else was causing Zephyr's distress.
"They'd been gone for a few weeks, then—this afternoon—Nuf called over dad's new invention and—Grimmel took dad."
Frigga sat still, her only reaction was a slight widening of her eyes. She knew Hiccup had been kidnapped by Grimmel once before—after Loki had brought him back—but both refused to tell her the reason why it had happened and with the extra precautions her son had placed around Hiccup's home, that was the last she thought of it.
Eventually she breathed a little louder to remind herself to keep breathing. "Loki cannot come back any sooner than what the All-Father deems and I do not know Yggdrasil as he does. I will inform him the moment he sets foot back on our soil but… Hiccup will have to fight on his own until then. I am sorry, Zephyr."
Zephyr nodded, little droplets in her eyes. "I understand. I just hope dad's going to be okay."
Frigga knelt and quickly enveloped her in a hug. "I am sure he will be. Your father is uncannily strong of will and mind—not to mention his spirit is that of a Night Fury. He will be fine."
Zephyr nodded, quietly sniffling into her shoulder. "I know, thank you." She pulled away and quickly wiped her eyes. "I should get back and tell mom and the others."
Frigga nodded and stepped away. "That would be wise. Here, it is dark now, leave by my balcony—they will pay no attention to your familiar at this hour. Travel safe."
Zephyr mounted Pouncer and nodded gratefully at her grandmother. "Thank you again. I pray Loki will not be long."
They took off, disappearing into the dark sky and Pouncer's white bits melding with the bright stars.
*O*
Amora had been furiously pouring over her magic books and practicing the spells to perfection. It was her only vent since the youngest prince stopped giving her the time of day. Her cheeks burned at the thought. That whole situation had not gone according to plan.
The Midgardian brat was supposed to die at some other Midgardian nobody's hand so Loki could feel like he served justice to his Chosen. She shivered. Why would anyone want a mortal as their child? She always knew Loki was a little strange. He was a male Asgardian who was highly proficient with Æsir—of course he was going to be a little odd, but she never thought he was quite that…crazy.
She slammed her book shut and marched out of the Sorceress Hall, her mind was far too distracted with him to get anything productive done.
Agh! It was all going so well until that damned knife! I hid my magic, how could I have missed that mark he made—how did he remember it!?
She stood at the hallway's intersection and growled, fist clenching. Her blood still boiled some three-hundred and fifty years later. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Anger now would not help—neither would fearing his Jötunn half.
She paused her breathing exercises and blinked. Maybe that's a way to get back into his good graces. Surely after three-hundred years the sting of loss has mitigated and he has clearly told no other about his…condition. Now only if I can get close to him without earning his immediate ire…Hm. I believe Odin and Frigga's anniversary feast should be coming up soon.
She plotted as she walked back to her room. Her journey was halted by the voices of Thor's obnoxious friends and tucked herself away behind a statue. They never were on good speaking terms and now that Loki hated her as well…
She rolled her eyes as they prattled on about fatuous conquests and turned to continue on her way. She paused just before leaving the statue's shadow as the air down the corridor rippled then fell back to reality as a dragon sprang up with an auburn haired girl beside it then they raced down the hallway.
Her curiosity peaked, she followed the girl. The girl and her beast were odd, she could almost swear she'd seen someone or something of their likeness somewhere…
The girl turned a corner and she spied around the edge just enough to see her enter—Loki's rooms?! How on Asgard? How does she know him!? I have never seen her around and Loki has never spoken of a woman—one of the servants would have heard it.
She left, it was unlikely that the girl was going to leave the rooms any time soon. Where have I seen her? She settled into an obscure alcove and watched the doors to Loki's rooms.
She spent long hours contemplating the girl's familiarity and the only image that came to mind was that of Loki's Chosen. But surely it must have been several mortal generations, was it possible for a descendant to look so similar after that many years? She'd also heard that the Normans had been disbanded. Surely they must look different now.
She feared the girl was going to remain in Loki's rooms until he returned but well into the night, she and her beast crept out of his rooms and down the hallway.
Amora discreetly followed her to Frigga's chambers where they disappeared. That was an interesting development—the All-Mother knew of her and welcomed her in. She turned away for her own room. The girl was unlikely to reemerge from those chambers with anyone knowing.
She pondered as she walked. The beast that ran alongside the girl bared a striking resemblance to the dragon she saw had accompanied Loki's mortal. It was unlikely to be a coincidence.
Closing her door softly she pulled out her scrying bowl. She was going to solve this mystery and maybe learn why Loki so firmly kept his attentions away from her when she was one of few who looked favorably upon him as he openly used magic…
*O*
Hiccup remained curled up in the crack even after two voices began speaking just outside his hole, not that he could clearly hear what they were saying but he knew they belonged to Grimmel and Hela.
The argument died off and an arm stuck itself into the small hole. Hiccup felt sadistic glee as he saw Grimmel's hand near then jerk to a stop shy of his nose, Grimmel could feel his hot breath against his fingers. They stretched and wiggled, trying to grasp the elusive shapeshifter. Hiccup grinned like Sneaky when he saw Snotlout and pounced, sinking his teeth into Grimmel's hand. He was pleased to note that the 'flesh' didn't taste rotted though it did feel a bit like biting sandy fog.
Grimmel screamed and retracted his hand, Hiccup released him before he could be drug out. "He bit me!"
"You should have expected that, especially with how you chose to bring him here. Honestly Grimmel."
If Terrors had lips, his would have twisted upwards in a grin. Ha! Even Hela thinks you deserve it!
He heard Grimmel grumble something and a purple flash filled the dark space. A purple Terror crawled in and snarled at him. Startled, he snarled back and pressed against the back wall even more. Of course he can shapeshift!
Grimmel crawled farther in, teeth bared. ~Come out Lokis~on, Hela wish~es~ for an audience.~
Hiccup bared his own fangs. ~No. Return me to Midgard. I have no bus~iness~ in Niflheim.~
Grimmel stopped a few inches away from the growling green Terror, head tilted unimpressed. ~This~ is~ foolish~ness~. You will be here until sh~e dains~ your leave. Sh~e merely wish~es to talk.~
Hiccup still remained unmoved, glaring at Grimmel.
Grimmel huffed in his tiny Terror form. It was almost funny. ~Fine, I will drag you by force.~
He stood on all four clawed feet and sucked in air, preparing to blast the annoying mortal until he came to his senses.
Hiccup watched him with a little surprise before his wings fell, uninspired by his show of force. Grimmel had his shot gathered and, with a blank face, Hiccup fired a tiny flame into Grimmel's mouth, igniting all of the gathered gas.
Grimmel's eyes widened from surprise and pain initially then disgusted shock. He backed out of the hole, coughing and sputtering even after he returned to his normal form. It was a long minute of coughing before he could finally speak again.
"You insolent-" He coughed- "child! I'll-!"
Hela chuckled, cutting off his budding rant. "And he bested you again. My, you are getting weak in your old age."
"I am-" He broke off in another coughing fit- "I am not! He just happened to be smart enough-" cough "-to think that a dragon's insides were not fireproof, Grimmel grumbled.
"If the gossip of the dead are true, that is how he defeated the Dýrhyrr. You should listen to them a little more."
Grimmel huffed. "Maybe I would if I was in Niflheim-" cough, "-more and not guarding your precious treasure."
Hela growled. "My father is foolish to have entrusted it to the mortals. But that is not a topic for his ears."
The shadows shifted and Hiccup knew Hela was kneeling at the entrance. He repositioned his tail so it was a little more comfortable under him but did not bother to move otherwise.
"Hiccup? Come out please. There is no reason to remain in there until your father comes."
Hiccup didn't move or make any sound.
Hela sighed. "You can either stay in there until he arrives, or you can come out and speak with me like a mature man and possibly learn a thing or two."
Hiccup's large, round eyes narrowed in thought. He really didn't want to stay in here, but Hela still scared him, quite a bit actually. Not to mention Grimmel. He both hated and was terrified of him.
The shadows shifted and the rocks groand as Hela stood. "It is your choice, but know that no harm will come to you here in Niflheim."
The ground crunched as she walked away and he remained still for a while longer. Eventually, his curiosity and dislike of tight, enclosed spaces won out and he crawled out of his hole.
They stood about ten feet away and she smiled pleasantly as he emerged.
He hissed unhappily but did not attack. He wasn't that stupid. He shifted back to his human form and crossed his arms. "Okay…I'm out. What do you want?"
Hela sighed and walked towards him. "Many things… to rule Asgard is one, but that is not why you are here."
Hiccup flinched violently as she gently grabbed his shoulder and tried to back away but she held him tightly. His shoulders fell in defeat and allowed her to guide him wherever it was she was walking. "Well I am here—why?"
She shrugged. "I'm bored. And by the souls' estimate, it's been some three-hundred years." She laughed dryly. "I thought I told Loki a visit once a decade would not suffice—let alone that every few hundred centuries!"
Hiccup fought back a scowl, gripping Loki's dagger for the familiarity of it. "Sorry? Neither one of us are really fond of the realms of the dead." He shuddered at a few memories of Valhalla.
Hela grinned, and squeezed his arm. "Well, you'll have a little time here—let's make use of that."
Hiccup bit back a groan as Grimmel laughed.
*O*
Hiccup stared through the window at the empty sky, occasionally dotted with wisp-like clouds before they sank back down to Niflheim's ground. He rolled over onto his side on what had been donned as his bed. Apparently Hela had taken to the mountain he'd first woken up on and claimed it as her house. Over the centuries and through use of magic, its hollowed out caves and caverns had been turned into a somewhat nice place to live—if you liked constant darkness and the feeling of death. But at least it was free of moaning and wandering souls.
He closed his eyes even though he wasn't very tired anymore. It was hard, impossible, to tell if he'd been in Niflheim for a few days, weeks or—worse—months.
Hela wasn't bad company, much to his surprise. After showing him her house, she took him out to a plateau that had grass. Actual, green, living grass. She'd smiled knowingly and gestured for him to explore.
He did so hesitantly, fearful that this was some trick to trap him further but found he couldn't have been father from the truth. Near the middle of the grassy plane that was oddly desolate of the constant, groaning souls, was a shimmering plane. One could easily miss it if they were just passing by but if you were looking for something…
He walked up to it and gingerly touched it. It rippled like the doorway to Valhalla did, then came to life and showed a Great Hall and many people celebrating within. His knees gave out as he recognized the Hall, it was the Hall in Fólkvangr, his smile reached his ears when he saw his father with Gobber and the twins—all the Riders—grinning and holding tankards of ale. They didn't see him and he didn't try and reach out telepathically to them like Loki had done with him but he watched them tell their joyous tales even though he couldn't hear a word they said.
A slender hand rested on his shoulder, turning his attention away. Hela stood behind him somberly and watched. He looked back at the doorway once more before taking a deep breath and removing his hand. The window faded away to black. "Thanks," He said softly.
She smiled warmly—an odd expression on her Hiccup decided—but let her guide him back to her home. It was better than getting lost again.
After that, they'd fallen into a routine of sparring with the knife she'd given him, showing him the many ways it could be used beyond that of push dagger or sword—such as changing its length as it was thrown or even changing its shape somewhat. He suspected that there was something else she was training into his magic's instincts but for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what it was.
When he grew tired of sparring—always before she did—they would rest and… chat if that's the correct word. She'd ask him about the world, how it was changing and Berk and sometimes she would tell of her conquests—always the less bloody ones as she noticed Hiccup grew very uncomfortable with those.
Hiccup sighed and finally decided to roll out of bed, sending yet another prayer to the gods and Norns that Loki would arrive and save him. He really wanted to get home. He settled at the large table and grabbed some food—how Hela got food in Niflheim was beyond him except possibly for Grimmel leaving and gathering it. He'd followed him one day, hoping he was heading out to do just that, but Grimmel only shot him a smug smile and teleported away in a purple flash.
He slowly munched on his food and sketched in the notebook he thankfully always carried, designing a new Dragon Fly that wouldn't be so cumbersome to carry, thus not leaving him at the mercy of his slower—non-familiar—shifts. It also saved him from boredom during his 'captivity'.
"You've come far in your magic," Hela said as she sat.
Hiccup didn't look up as he closed his book. "Thanks," He said softly, taking another bite.
She frowned and leaned back in her chair. "What is it?"
He shrugged. "Would like to go home."
"Soon, I'd imagine. It is taking Loki an oddly long time to come here. Do your children not know how to travel Yggdrasil?"
"They do," Hiccup argued, squishing down the bit of uncertainty that something had happened to Loki—Thor always was dragging him along on some pretty stupid quests. Or worse, they might have been caught on Asgard.
Hela hummed and took some food for herself. "Well, I am quite enjoying your company."
Hiccup nodded silently, standing and walking back to his room to practice his magic.
*O*
Loki almost ran away from the Bifrost as soon as it closed, eager for time away from Thor. However, he had some different ideas and grabbed Loki's arm.
"Brother, how about a quest on Vanaheim after long and successful delegations?"
Loki felt a groan rising in his throat and stifled it. "Maybe later, Thor, I wish to be alone."
They walked along the Rainbow Bridge towards the city and Thor's eyes sparked knowing. "I see. Well, stick around for a little so father won't become suspicious."
Loki glowered at Thor. Must he speak so openly of it?!
Thor was oblivious to his mood, as always. "How many generations has it been now?"
"Eight," Loki said quietly.
Thor smirked at Loki. "I assume with your visits still happening, his magic carried down?"
Loki openly scowled at him. "Yes, now be quiet about it."
Thor huffed but said no more on the matter, his smile said enough though.
Loki grew more agitated as they entered the city, magic permeated the air and it was restless. He quickly identified it as his mother's and fear gripped his heart—why would her magic be so tense?
He disappeared from Thor's side without a word and Thor thought nothing of it except to roll his eyes. He appeared in his chambers and felt traces of magic, Zephyr's magic. Why would she be here…unless something's happened to Hiccup.
He feared that exact possibility when he felt Frigga's tense magic fill the realm but he'd held out hope—it was wrong. He didn't waste time and teleported to his mother's chambers, pacing the floor anxiously until she returned—which wasn't long.
She sighed upon seeing him and held her hands in front of her to keep from playing with them nervously. "I am glad you have finally returned. I assume you felt Zephyr's magic in your chambers?"
He nodded tersely. "Why was she here? What happened to Hiccup?"
Her shoulders fell, eyes sorrowful. "A month and a half ago, Grimmel kidnapped Hiccup-"
Loki lost control of his skin. He knew there had been something wrong with Hiccup's sleeping bond! Jör's had been aggravated for about that long, he should have known. Despite Hiccup's continued wariness of the Dýrsvells, they loved him—bar Drago's who still hadn't shown his disgraceful face—and Jör most of all.
"I'll kill him again! I should have sealed off Niflheim last time!" He paced icy paths into the floor, body trembling in fury.
Frigga's eyes widened. "Loki, that is not safe—to cut off a branch…"
Loki whirled around to face her, red eyes and lip twitching. "Then I'll seal it off to him. I've studied the books. I must go now."
Frigga desperately wanted to hold her son but knew to do so now was dangerous. "Be careful. Please."
He barely managed to nod to her then disappeared to Midgard's branch. He soon enough appeared on New Berk, Zephyr, Nuffink and a half dozen others of Hiccup's lineage waited for him—alerted as soon as he set foot on Midgard for two seconds.
He'd planned on traveling straight to Niflheim's branch, but Jör screamed over their bond at that idea—the Dýrsvell was rather incensed about the entire thing. They all were.
He exchanged a few quick words with Hiccup's progeny, most assurances he'd bring him back safely—as well as Astrid asking him to give Grimmel and Hela Hel for the act. He smirked deviously and promised to do so as they landed on the docks, giving him easy access to Jör who'd been pacing New Berk's waters for the last month.
Jör reared up upon sensing Loki's presence and roared loudly in his face—both a greeting and admonishment that it took him so long to return. Loki winced but said nothing, he did deserve that much. "Be still for a second Jör and we will retrieve Hiccup."
Jör calmed somewhat and sank back into the churning waters with only his head sticking out and cooed curiously.
Loki breathed and concentrated before sending his magic out and wrapping it around Jör, he grumbled as it squeezed him but remained silent otherwise. After a moment, Jör stood a little taller than Loki.
Loki looked him over carefully before nodding. "That will make it much easier to take you through Yggdrasil."
Jör grumbled and flapped his wings, feeling so tiny.
Loki nodded to Astrid and she and several other dragons gave them a lift back to the branch. Toothless stood at the branch, puffs of smoke rising from his nostrils as he waited. Loki patted his head then gripped both dragons and opened the branch, proceeding to jump through a few branches before arriving at Niflheim's. No one wanted a direct link to that realm.
Jör snarled at the branch and Loki agreed with him, Toothless' spines glowed blue. He took a few extra minutes to cast rune etching spells into several circling rocks; he would complete the spells once he knew for sure Grimmel was in Niflheim still.
He, Toothless, and Jör dove into the branch.
*O*
Hiccup panted as Hela threw him onto his back. A large, black spike flew for his head. He grunted and rolled, stopping and getting to a knee.
Hela grinned at him and threw another sword at his chest.
Hiccup threw a wave of Jötunn magic and created a shield, catching the spike in the thick ice and allowing him to run to the side—calling for his own black dagger. He elongated it to a sword and attacked only for Hela to gracefully redirect his strike and lash out with something that almost appeared to be a spear.
His obsidian stretched and quickly became a narrow shield, he still shuddered under the force of impact. The shield shrank back to a dagger and he threw it at Hela's calf, almost nicking her but she quickly evaded it and attacked again.
He stumbled back and held his black sword defensively and panted. He readied himself for another attack from Hela but faltered from the shock of his back heating up. He winced as black spike filled his vision and halted millimeters before his nose.
Hela frowned and recalled the spike, gripping his chin. "Never lose focus in a battle—not for any reason."
Hiccup hastily nodded but could only half focus—Loki is here, finally!
Hela sighed and turned to Grimmel who was watching on a ledge, grinning madly at Hiccup's frightened face. "Go out and meet our guest—and please do not start a war on my doorstep."
Grimmel huffed and jumped down. "That's his decision, not mine."
Hiccup tried to run past his captor's while they were distracted with each other—only to have Hela snatch his collar and yank him backwards.
She turned to him with a smile and drew him close. "Patience, Hiccup. My dear brother will be welcomed in soon enough."
Hiccup groaned and sagged in her grip but it didn't loosen. They walked out of the sparring room to the large main entryway, Hela's grip on his shoulder never fading.
Grimmel shouted outside of the closed doors, catching both Hela and Hiccup by surprise. One door slammed open then shut again, Grimmel pressed firmly against it.
Hiccup tilted his head as he took in Grimmel's shaken appearance, he looks kind of frosty—if that's even possible for his weird misty-soul thing.
Grimmel glared at Hiccup as he snapped. "Loki brought a Dýrsvell."
Some color drained from Hela's face. "How?"
Hiccup groaned and mumbled incoherently.
Grimmel started to sneer at Hiccup, but the doors trembled and were thrown open, a livid and full sized Dýrsvell glaring in. Toothless stood under his massive, tusked head, snarling at Grimmel then Hela.
Grimmel groaned as he picked himself up off the floor, scowling at Loki as he descended from the beast's head in his deadly Jötunn skin—frost and ice cracking along the floor with every step he took.
He stared straight at Hela, hands clenched and barely restraining his magic. "Return my son."
Hela looked a little skeptical at the Dýrsvell and Loki but smiled and rested her head on Hiccup's, not caring that he grimaced uncomfortably. "Now why would I do that? We've been having such a lovely time—catching up after three-hundred years." She seethed, seeming to be as righteously indignant as Loki.
Toothless stepped out from under Jor and roared, wings splayed.
Loki's scowl deepened. "He is of the living now. He does not belong down here and I am under no obligation to bring him here."
Hela huffed and gripped Hiccup's other shoulder as well. "Well if that's your attitude maybe I won't let him leave."
Hiccup groaned. "Please! Just let me go. I can't stand being around him anymore!" He waved wildly at Grimmel who rolled his eyes.
"I'm not necessarily fond of your presence either."
"Hela," Loki growled, Jörmungandr accentuating it.
Toothless marched past Grimmel, teeth bared, and straight to Hela. He growled, tail swishing slowly and dangerously behind him
She made no move to let Hiccup go. "You ought to be more careful, brother. If Grimmel could snatch him so easily, you leave him far too vulnerable for Thanos. He draws closer and eventually he will come here—it calls him."
Loki frowned. "What calls him?"
Hela laughed loudly, almost believing Loki to have feigned but could see he was not lying. "Odin's lies get better and better. If you do not know it I shall not tell you. You are safer not knowing."
Loki glowered at her, marching several steps closer and stopping only once they were near nose to nose. "If it calls to him, wouldn't it be better if I did, so we can protect it?"
She smiled but it wasn't pleasant. "Then you better ensure I'm released before then."
Loki snagged Hiccup's wrist and yanked him away from Hela who released him as the dangerous cold creeped up his arms from Loki. "Good day, sister."
She waved but their backs were turned, Jör watching her movements. "Do visit soon."
Toothless growled at Hiccup, urging him onto his back. He happily swung up but didn't break free of Loki's hold, not that it bothered him.
Loki scowled but didn't turn around, tightening his grip on Hiccup. He slammed the doors shut and turned Jör back to his smaller size before jumping on behind Hiccup then teleporting them all away.
They paused once back on Midgard for Loki to complete the spells, his fury encapsulating the area in ice that was not to melt for a long time.
Loki grabbed Hiccup's shoulder again and opened another branch, taking them on the journey back to New Berk.
Once they were on lush, green land again, Hiccup slipped off Toothless and collapsed, rolling in the sweet grass.
Toothless gleefully pounced on his rider, covering him in thick saliva and nuzzling him all over—checking for any malady, pleased to find none.
Hiccup rolled over to face Loki. "Thanks."
Loki sat on the grass near him, Jör wiggling between them and happily giving both Hiccup and Toothless a few licks and puffs of frost. "I am sorry it took so long—I was not on Asgard."
Hiccup frowned, looking up into the cloudy blue sky. "How long has it been?"
"Month and a half," Loki answered with a wince.
"Hm…" Hiccup looked down at his feet. "Astrid's going to kill me."
Loki couldn't help himself and snorted. "Are you truly well?"
Hiccup nodded, eyes distant. "Yeah, actually. It got really boring and lonely sometimes—but she wasn't bad. I mean, she's as bad a taskmaster as you are when it comes to training—but I only got a few scrapes from it. Really, Grimmel creeped me out more. Actually, he still hates me while she's…oddly infatuated. She kind of reminds me of the way Fishlegs would describe his aunt Gurda—not physically. Hela doesn't have a beard."
Loki laughed at the mental image but quickly sobered up. "Well, we should not have to worry about either of them any time soon."
Hiccup nodded. "Good—I'd like to keep exploring without worrying about getting abducted every time."
Loki peeked over his shoulder at the growing crowd but they held their distance out of respect of him. "I don't believe you'll be doing any more of that anytime soon."
Hiccup cringes. "Yeah, yeah I don't imagine Astrid's happy about this."
Loki chuckled dryly, taking in their looks. "Oh, I don't think any of them are."
Hiccup looks over then quickly looks back at the ground. "It's not fair, it's not even my fault! I got knocked unconscious before I could even call you for help."
Loki patted his back. "Best of luck, Liten Listig."
Loki was right. He wasn't able to leave the New Archipelago for over a year. Any time he left the island an escort of a dozen dragons, some with riders, would always follow him. It was mildly annoying but it did give him an excuse to hunker down and tinker, coming up with new inventions and improving old ones.
Loki walked through the village looking for his Chosen and spied New Berk's current chief, Ander, Hiccup's great-great-great grandson? By the Norns this is getting confusing. Hiccup had kept the title for a little longer than his predecessors, but eventually decided that he didn't want to spend the rest of his couple thousand years long life as chief, so passed it off to Zephyr who then later handed it off to Nuffink's son. The cycle continued, even if those who held the title would live for several hundred more years. Most would not go beyond thirty years with Hiccup's eighty being the longest run.
Hiccup was still often called chief and held the unspoken, honorary title of high chief—but it was only ever used in inter-tribe conflicts. Or if issues ever arose from outside of the New Archipelago which would threaten them, but that had yet to happen.
Loki rubbed his eyes as his head began aching from the thought of their convoluted history, political system, and just the way things worked around New Berk—even to an Asgardian it was boggling, yet it seemed to work just fine for them.
"Ander! Have you seen Hiccup?"
Ander looked up, briefly halting his discussion with a Viking and disgruntled dragon. "Uh…I, uh, saw grandfather testing his wings—oh about an hour ago in the glade. Where he's at now, I have no idea."
Loki nodded and started in that direction. The glade was empty, yet there were clear signs of Hiccup's presence and magic. He shook his head and followed the trail of his Chosen's magic to a cliff and searched the dragon swarm until he spotted Hiccup zipping through them with Toothless gleefully chasing him.
He stood on the cliff and waited patiently for Hiccup. He didn't have to wait long until Hiccup was diving for the grass then pulled up and landed almost gracefully.
"Need a little more practice," Hiccup said as his helmet retracted on thought. Once Hiccup cracked the code on the thought to action magic through runes he began incorporating it with gusto in many of his inventions.
Toothless landed with perfected ease and snorted at Hiccup, head held high.
Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, rub it in oh great alpha." He turned to Loki and could barely hold still. "Watch this, I just got it to work!"
Loki tilted his head as he watched Hiccup, unsure of what he was supposed to be looking for.
His attention was drawn to Hiccup's wings as they flapped then began to fold and collapse in on themselves until they laid flat against him and resembled the coat Loki favored. Hiccup grinned and spread his arms out. "Now I don't have to worry about leaving it behind because it's too bulky and will blend in nicely."
Loki was quite impressed, and to have all of it done without illusionary magic. He could only shake his head in fond amusement while Toothless glared at his rider's back. "Impressive, Liten Listig."
Hiccup beamed then started off on a tangent of making the design work for other Dragon Flies and species.
Loki smiled and drew him close, leading them back to the village. Eventually Hiccup tapered off that topic to exploration again, telling Loki of his plans to go west now.
Toothless rolled his eyes and trotted away, crooning into the air and flying off to find his mate. Loki frowned but his voice was too light to match it. "I thought you wanted to go further south…beyond France I believe you said."
Hiccup winced, remembering his last journey there. "You know…they're just ending a war in that area. I don't need to get involved."
Loki's lip twitched as his eyes sparkled mischievously. "So it has nothing to do with those white knights and them thinking you were some kind of witch that could speak to wolves?"
Hiccup leveled Loki with a heated glare. "Not at all. It's just getting kinda of hot to be headed south at this time of year."
Loki nodded as they stepped out of the woods and began making their way to Hiccup's hut. "Mh, theie loss."
Hiccup rolled his eyes and pushed away from Loki, muttering about crazy knights.
Astrid greeted them inside the hut with a smile, she blushed upon seeing Loki. "Oh, sorry—didn't know you were on Berk again or I would have set another plate."
Loki held up both hands. "No worries, I'll have dinner with the Thorstons." He hurried back out of the hut, not quite running, but close to it.
Astrid huffed and set a tray of mutton on the table. "My cooking isn't that bad. I've gotten better in the last three-hundred years!"
Hiccup nodded quickly and kissed her cheek. "Of course you have."
She leveled him with a withering glare. "You still don't like it."
He served himself a portion of the mutton before she could explode. "No! No, see! Much better than when you cooked at the Edge. It's actually edible."
She huffed and punched him in the shoulder before sitting across from him. They ate by firelight and in pleasant silence for most of the meal. Eventually Astrid set down her knife and looked up at Hiccup. "Hey babe, what would you say to having little feet running around here again?"
Hiccup paused, trying to decipher if she was asking or telling, but threw it all out the window—what did he care? "I think having another trickster running around would be wonderful."
Astrid rolled her eyes but smiled. "Just what the Archipelago needs, another one…well, they're going to get one anyway in a little over eight months."
Hiccup almost glowed and jumped out of his seat and twirled Astrid. "That's amazing!"
She laughed, both of them holding her still flat, for the moment, belly.
Well, this chapter got away from me a bit but I enjoyed writing it so I hope you had fun reading and see y'all soon!