A/N: Contains lemon (after the feast). You have been warned!

Thirty Two: His Valkyrie.

The flight back to Berk was much more relaxing than the tense flight into the unknown on the way to Knobbly Butt. Snotlout was haranguing the twins about how come they attended Hiccup's wedding when he hadn't been invited-and Ruff and Tuff were glorying in baiting him. Heather and Fishlegs were pressing Astrid for details while Hiccup flew alone at the front of the phalanx, lost in his thoughts. The wind was cold in his face and Toothless was flapping along faithfully under him but inside, he was in turmoil. He really couldn't believe that he had said what he had to those Chiefs, to men who commanded hundreds and hundreds of men at arms and who were nominally allies of Berk...though much more nominally now, he guessed.

"Son," Stoick called, pulling Skullcrusher alongside the Night Fury. Blinking, Hiccup looked up and his shoulders slumped. Stoick had said almost nothing during the Trial and very little during the brief trip back to their lodgings to collect their possessions and dragons and thank Mala, Throk and Atali and dragons before a hasty exit. Alvin was travelling home by ship as was Bertha but Heather and Dagur were flying back to Berk because the Berserker siblings wanted to celebrate Hiccup's wedding a little more properly when he got home. And the young Viking guessed his father would be less than pleased at his performance.

"Hi, Dad," he said, forcing his voice to be cheerful. "We're making good time. And the weather looks set fair for the flight..."

"That's good news," Stoick said gruffly, staring carefully ahead. "Are you warm enough?" Hiccup nodded, wondering when his father would get to the point and tell him off for basically alienating half their allies.

"My leather tunic is pretty warm and the undershirt is actually pretty thick wool," he admitted. "Astrid made sure I was properly wrapped up..." He couldn't help the small smile that lifted his lips and Stoick harrumphed as he finally looked over at his son.

"You really love that lass, don't you?" he said in a softer voice. Nodding automatically, Hiccup snatched a glance over his shoulder to see Astrid describing something large to Heather and the Berserker nodded with a wide grin.

"With everything I have," he said evenly. "Toothless as well. Of course."

"I loved your mother the same, I think," Stoick said softly. "The moment I set eyes on her, I knew she was the one for me, that I would marry her. And obviously, I was a fair bit older than her, but I was lucky that she saw through my idiotic macho Viking front and realised I wasn't a total muttonhead...though I apparently did my best to convince that I was one..." Hiccup chuckled.

"I see messing up with women is a Haddock family trait," he admitted. Stoick drifted closer.

"I'm not sure you made any friends in there," he told his son as Hiccup tensed.

"I know-and I'm sorry, Dad-but in the end, I had to protect my own."

"The way you put them down, the way you terrorised those Chiefs, all of them proven in battle and vicious as they come...well, that wasn't the son I raised," Stoick commented. Hiccup took a shuddering breath.

"I'm sorry," he repeated. "But they wanted to execute her-I saw it in their eyes. Only a death would have satisfied their desire to remind us that dragons couldn't be allowed to be used as weapons-of defence or attack."

"I think you are right," Stoick commented thoughtfully. "Not very subtle, are they?"

"Not at all," Hiccup said. "But they were hypocrites, breaking the Treaty to deal in dragon auctions while protesting that Astrid violated an agreement-which she didn't."

"I think they were surprised by how you faced them, how you completely undermined their arguments and then used a show of force..." Stoick told him. Groaning, his son ran his hands through his hair.

"I had no other choice," he sighed.

"I'm proud of you," Stoick said.

There was a pause as Hiccup looked at his father in shock.

"Dad?" he asked in an astonished voice. But Stoick was smiling, his eyes twinkling.

"Hiccup-you are a brave and stubborn young man, a leader and a fellow-Chief-but those men do not see that," he explained. "They see a skinny young Viking missing a leg and talking about befriending dragons. They assumed you were weak and would not stand up for what you believed. They thought they could order you around and try to use the threats of force to corral your dragons and subjugate Berk. They wanted Astrid dead as a warning to anyone who rides a dragon that they would not tolerate a threat existing. And in one speech, you blew every assumption apart."

"Yeah...I'm doing wonders for my reputation as a peacemaker," Hiccup mumbled.

"Son-wanting peace and co-existence with dragons is admirable...but true peace can only exist when men who would take advantage are aware that there are people who will fight for peace. That there are those who will call them out and resist any efforts to break Treaties and threaten peace. And you proved you would fight for your love-and your dragons." Stoick's tone was grave. "You persuaded them that you would slaughter them if they made any move against Astrid or the dragons...or Berk. You spoke like a Chief, like a leader and like a protector. And I have never been more proud as when I heard you speak today."

"Really?" Hiccup asked. "I thought you would be ashamed of me for threatening them if they took Astrid."

"Men sometimes need to know that actions have consequences," Stoick muttered thoughtfully. "Astrid proved attacking you carried the highest of prices-and you reminded them that attacking her, that taking her would carry the same. Or worse. Today, you made Berk safer." Hiccup gave a wry smile.

"Still seeking the peaceful solution," he told his father and Stoick smiled.

"Whatever you wish, son," he said. "Now that I know you will fight when you have to." He paused. "I was worried, after you were so ill, so wounded, that you would not wish to enter conflict again..."

"I don't," Hiccup admitted in a low voice. "I mean, facing Johann had me so scared I could scarcely think. I thought he would hear my heart pounding in my chest and see I was scared to death...because seeing him, hearing him brought it all back. But I had Toothless with me and when Astrid arrived as well, I knew I was safe. I don't want to leave my bud and Astrid...but sometimes, you have to fight for what you believe." Stoick gave a broad grin.

"Just saying, son," he said proudly. "When I finally hand over the Tribe to you, I know they'll be in good hands." Eyes wide, Hiccup watched as he dropped back to chat with Dagur as the twins drifted closer.

"Now, little Hiccy, all we need is to arrange the final ceremonies of your hasty and rather nocturnal nuptials," Tuff announced. Brow furrowing for a second, Hiccup's eyes suddenly widened as he realised what the male twin was referring to.

"No, Tuff," he said firmly. "Absolutely, totally and completely...no!"

"You know, your ears have gone red?" Ruff asked him carelessly.

"Actually, he looks like a beetroot," Snotlout said unkindly. "You afraid that she's gonna be disappointed with that's on offer, cuz?" Cheeks literally feeling on fire, Hiccup gritted his teeth.

"It doesn't matter what you think, Snotty, because Hiccup is my husband and there is absolutely nothing about him that is disappointing," Astrid announced, accelerating to fly Stormfly just off Toothless's right wing. "You on the other hand..." And she shook her head, tutting.

"WHAT? How could you be disappointed by this beautiful face and buff body and...AAAGH! I knew it! I should have gone off for my nap..." Snotlout protested.

"I thought only babies had naptime," Heather teased him.

"WHAT? I meant beauty sleep..." Snotlout retorted.

"You'd need to sleep halfway to Ragnarok to get you beautiful," Fishlegs put in.

"Shut up, Fishface! This is the face that will be fighting off a dozen...no, a hundred beautiful, rich Heiresses who will all be enthralled by my Viking good looks!" Snotlout snapped.

"Well, shame all these Heiresses have no sense of direction because no one is fighting over you so far," Fishlegs pointed out.

"Why you..."

"I'm more interested in how we're going to work on Hiccup and Astrid...officialising their marriage," Ruff called casually, leering at the couple. Through his total embarrassment, Hiccup sneaked a look up and saw Astrid's cheeks pink as well at the implication. His heart sunk.

"Whatever we do, we will have Toothless and Stormfly on guard so anyone trying to come in or watch-yes, I'm looking at you, Snotlout-will get eaten by our dragons!" Astrid told them fiercely.

"Hey! They eat fish, not Vikings..." Snotlout protested but Astrid glared at him.

"I wiped out the Dragon Hunter Tribe," she reminded him. "And I am banned across half the Archipelago. Do you really want to seriously annoy me, Snotlout?"

There was a hasty pause and then four voices all piped up.

"No, Astrid," Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Fishlegs and Snotlout all said together. and dropped back. But Astrid drifted closer and smiled at her new husband.

"Don't worry, Babe," she reassured him. "I have seen your scars and I am not repulsed. I love you with all my heart. And I can't wait to 'officialise' our marriage."

"You know, people are aware of the Wine of Hela as being lethal but few people understand how deadly embarrassment can be," Hiccup sassed. "I'm not sure I can cope with the trauma on top of everything else..."

"Well, you better not be dying of embarrassment because I am going to be one very disappointed woman," she told him. "And don't worry-I've already told Dad he can explain Mom why there won't be any primping or preening or fuss. Just a small meal...and then time on our own at last."

oOo

Of course, it wasn't that simple, because everyone wanted to know what had happened and word of the marriage leaked out almost immediately-undoubtedly courtesy of the twins. A stampede of female Hoffersons descended on Astrid and the young woman wondered if it would have been better facing an army of Meatheads and Hysterics. Her Mother had been shocked and disappointed and delighted and frankly appalled at her hair. Astrid didn't have the heart to tell her that Hiccup had combed and rebraided it for her...and as far as she was concerned, he had made a pretty good job. And it seemed that every man in the village was trying to clap Hiccup on the shoulder, wishing him good fortune, a happy marriage...or a successful wedding night.

Battered and buffeted and literally dying of embarrassment at the ribald good humour, Hiccup was grateful when Stoick wrapped a meaty arm around his shoulders and steered him out of the scrum of well-wishing Hooligans.

"Feast in the Great Hall!" the Chief bellowed and there was a sudden exodus of Vikings from the Plaza, swiftly moving to stow their tools and finish tasks before heading up to enjoy the celebrations. Grimacing and gently rubbing his tattooed and formerly-branded shoulder, Hiccup sagged in relief.

"Thanks, Dad," he said wearily. "I thought I wasn't getting out of there..."

"Aye, well they do get carried away," the Chief said indulgently. "They mean well and none of them have an ounce of sense or boundaries but I was afraid your lass would have to come in swinging an axe to rescue you."

"Thor, I am never living that down, am I?" Hiccup groaned and his father looked down on him with twinkling eyes.

"I may let it drop when I have grandbabies to distract me," he said in a deadpan voice. Hiccup's eyes widened.

"What? Did you really imply...?" he stammered. Stoick grinned broadly.

"Just saying..." he chuckled as his son face-palmed.

"That's it. I am moving to Frost Isle. It would be quieter..." he groaned as Stoick burst out laughing.

"Son-you can do what you want...though I would hope that now, with the war with the Dragon Hunters ended, you may consider coming home," he said softly. "I miss you-and I'm not getting any younger. I know Arvid misses his daughter and it's time your friends and you started to take your places leading the island and training to take over." Hiccup looked up but his father was being honest. "I'm not getting any younger and I would like the chance to retire and enjoy being with my son's family..."

"DAD!" HIccup's cheeks were flaming again. Stoick chuckled.

"Just saying. And Gobber was right-you do blush far too easily!" he commented.

"DAD!"

"It's alright-I'll say no more...for now," Stoick commented. "Now shall we get you up to your wedding feast?"

"Only if you promise not to embarrass me any more on the way," Hiccup said sternly. The Chief looked at Toothless, who was giving a laughing warble. "And Toothless-you're better than that!" the auburn-haired rider grumbled. "I can see this is going be a long meal..."

But the journey up took a long time as well because everyone still wanted to greet their Heir and wish him happiness. It brought a lump to Hiccup's throat at the honest good wishes of his people and he found his facing aching from smiling and throat hoarse from politely answering the queries. And he wondered where Astrid had gone.

He found out when he finally reached the hall, for she was already seated at the top table, her hair crowned with flowers and in a long dress of light blue sheathing her slender figure, replacing her usual tunic, studded skirt, armoured epaulettes and binders. A braided golden belt was looped around her slim waist and she looked fed up-until she saw him, when her eyes widened and she looked relieved. He accelerated forward and she smiled as he slid into the seat at her side.

"And where have you been?" she asked him pointedly, though she was smiling. He rubbed the back of his neck, self-consciously.

"Sorry, dear," he sassed. "I mean, I think I have been patted, hugged and had my hand shaken by every single villager. Some of them twice. I really need a drink..." She gently lifted a mug and handed it to him.

"You should have had me there to protect you," she quipped. He groaned.

"I am never going to live that down," he sighed but she rested her hand on his.

"Hiccup-you threatened to burn the Archipelago to bare rock to protect me," she reminded him. "I protect you and you protect me."

"Always have, always will," he confirmed. "And there is no place I would rather be than by your side..." And then he sipped the mead and blinked. She grinned at his expression.

"Yup-Gobber got out the good stuff," she confirmed then took a sip of her own mug. "A couple of sips do get your head whizzing..."

"Ah...the only way to fell my ferocious Valkyrie...a mug of vintage mead," Hiccup sassed.

"Don't you go getting any ideas, mister!" she warned him as a plate of meat and bread was placed in front on her. Arvid served Hiccup a similarly loaded plate with a nod of respect. Smiling a thanks, the young man leaned closer to her with a wicked expression.

"Oh, I have many, many ideas...Mrs Haddock..." he whispered as she giggled. "And I see your mother managed to ambush you after all..." She sighed.

"I was astonished how much primping and fuss they could fit into a few minutes," Astrid commented. "I suspect she must have been ready for years..." Then Hiccup looked up and saw a humped shape raise her mug of mead and wink at him. He raised his mead to the Elder.

"Or Gothi warned her to be ready for when we came back," he added. Astrid's eyes widened.

"Why didn't I think of that?" she asked him. "I mean, it takes time to prepare a feast..." Hiccup chuckled.

"I never had our Elder taped as a romantic...but here we are," he murmured and speared a slice of roast yak on his belt knife, then offered it to his wife. "Milady? Would you like a nibble?" Her eyes widened.

"Did you just...?" she gasped as he grinned-and then she lunged forward and snatched the meat. "Mmm...delicious..." she mumbled, licking her lips. Then she carved a slice of roast chicken and offered it to him, carefully feeding him. He smiled back at her.

"I could get used to this..." he admitted, chewing. Then he swallowed-and leaned forward to peck a small kiss on her cheek. She turned and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh no...you are not getting away with that!" she scolded him and kissed him properly, eyes closing and hands sinking into each other's hair. The room contracted to just the two of them and it was only when they pulled back that they were aware of the cheers and whoops. Stoick was looking insanely proud and the twins were yelling advice-all of it nonsense. Hiccup sat back.

"You wanna get out of here?" he asked and she nodded.

"I thought you'd never ask," she agreed, rising and holding his hand.

"Where are you going?" Snotlout called as Heather glared at him.

"Toothless!" Hiccup called and the Night Fury bounded forward. Swiftly, Hiccup swung into the saddle and offered Astrid his hand. "Milady?" Hitching her skirts up, she sat behind him and wrapped her arms around him, her body pressed comfortably against him and head resting against his shoulder.

"I thought you'd never ask," she murmured as the guests all looked up in shock.

"But you've barely eaten anything!" Gobber protested, waving a leg of mutton around worriedly. Stoick smiled proudly and raised his huge carven mug, nodding to his son.

"Save me something for later," Hiccup said with a grin. "Much later..." he added to whoops and whistles. "And if anyone follows us, I will set Toothless on them! Enjoy the feast!" And then he leaned forward and Toothless bounded to the door and soared into the air, the cold immediately sobering the two young vikings somewhat...but Hiccup felt warm, with Astrid pressed against him. They circled above Berk as he took a few deep breaths.

"Hiccup?" Astrid asked, lifting her head. She could feel the tension in his body.

"Are you sure?" he asked her and she swatted his shoulder.

"The only reason why I'm not punching you is because we're flying," she told him tartly. "Now land us and I can show you."

"Your wish is my command," he said and they circled round and landed at the rebuilt Chief's house, the Night Fury neatly folding his wings and stationing himself by the door as the two young Vikings entered. The place still smelled new, the roof high and the platform that served as Hiccup's bedroom appearing larger and with a partial wall isolating it from the main body of the house. "Um...don't have a house of my own yet, Astrid. I mean, we're still rebuilding after the Dragon Hunter attack but when they insisted on building Dad's House, he ensured there were some modifications for a young couple...in case I ever found you and got round to finally tying the knot..." Astrid chuckled.

"He really does want those grandbabies, doesn't he?" she teased him and took his hand, leading him up the sturdy stairs. And then she paused as she saw the enlarged bed, laden with new, fresh blankets and pillows, the table cleared with a pitcher of mead and two mugs, a plate of honeyed cakes and several lanterns . Hiccup blinked.

"Gothi," he realised.

"And probably my mother," Astrid said as she turned back to her new husband and kissed him, his hands gently clasping her to him. As he pulled back, he tenderly removed her floral crown and expertly loosed her hair. "Really enjoying that husband privilege, aren't you, Babe?"

"Mmm hmm," he said, concentrating on loosing the last tresses from the complex braid they had wound it in. Looking up at him, her blue eyes filled with love, she smiled then backed towards the bed. He smiled and walked forward, kissing her again. Her hands were busy with his buckles and after a moment, they had to break apart.

"Ugh-how come you made a tunic so difficult to remove?" she complained, frowning as she struggled with a particularly stiff buckle. He helped her and then he pulled back, expertly slipping the whole thing over his hand and tossing it towards the stool-and missing. She chuckled as she looked at him standing there in his deep red tunic, his lean shape breathing hard. She flung herself forward, their lips crashing against each other again. His hands were on her hips, gently sliding up her sides and then down her back, tenderly exploring her taut, athletic shape that was hard with muscle from her active life as a warrior and dragon rider. Deftly, he untied her belt and it slid to the floor, then sat back on the bed, breathing hard. She sat by him as he removed his boot and then looked up.

"Sorry," he mouthed and untied his prosthetic leg. Carefully, he laid it aside in a position that clearly was habit, so it would always be ready and easily at hand when he needed it. Smiling, Astrid knelt down and kissed his leg, gently lifting the fabric to stare at the scarred truncated limb. Tenderly, she kissed it again, the action bringing a lump to his throat.

"It's part of who you are, so I love it," she told him simply. "I love all of you-even the bits that are missing or removable..." Eyes darkening with love for her, he pulled her up into a kiss, laying back and pulling her onto him. The kisses grew more heated, tongues exploring each other's mouths and hands roaming wantonly over each other's bodies. Sometime during the urgent frantic moments, Hiccup's tunic and Astrid's dress were shed and they battled and rolled for dominance. Smirking, he lay over her, seeing her breathing hard and pressed a tender kiss on the tip of her nose.

"You are beautiful," he breathed. "Brave and strong and determined...and loving and caring and everything anyone could want. I am the luckiest man in Midgard..."

"You better believe it," she breathed and then gasped as he lightly kissed her chin and then peppered featherlight kisses on her neck and throat, tenderly kissing along her collar bones and then moving back to her throat once more, his hands fumbling with her bindings and beginning to pull the fabric free. She braced her hands against his chest, feeling the play of wiry muscles as he breathed and moved, propping himself up with one arm which he freed her of the last of the fabric and glanced down at another 'husband privilege'. Smiling at his reaction-the fractional widening of his emerald eyes and the soft exhale of awe-she leaned up and kissed him, lips softly pressing along the line of his jaw, feeling his stubble rough under her lips. She pressed a lazy, wet kiss on his throat and another, causing him to exhale as her hands slid across his hot skin, feeling his nipples pebble under her hands.

Then he leaned down, kissing across her chest and palming a small breast, feeling her nipple harden under his rough skin before his lips sucked gently on the other. Her soft gasp of surprise and pleasure caused him to suck again, ensuring the peak was firm before he switched attentions to the other, a hand already sliding down her side and across her waist. Breathing hard, Astrid lifted her hips to help him remove her lower bindings and finally be naked beneath him.

He gasped as she pressed her mouth to his chest, tongue swiping his nipples and hands sliding down to his waist and pulling at his leggings. There was an awkward moment as he struggled to slide them down but soon they were kicked away, allowing him to bury his face in her neck, breathing hard. Smiling, she slid her hands down over his bulge, being rewarded by a soft gasp.

"Babe," she murmured his ear as he nipped her earlobe.

"Milady," he breathed. "My lady." And as he kissed her again, his hand slid down across her hip, sliding over the soft curls and brushing her folds. She gasped as his dexterous fingers gently brushed over again, feeling wetness under his fingers. Lightly, he pressed, feeling the slickness under his fingers and a small hard nub that he gently rubbed, hearing Astrid gasp. eyes half-lidded, her lips parted in a soft gasp. Emboldened, despite the pressure in his own loins, he swiped his fingers back and forth, the rhythm making her moan softly and shift restlessly. As he pressed deeper, his fingers slid into the slit, feeling warm wetness around his fingers as he gently pushed in and out.

Astrid moaned and writhed, hands gripping the blankets as he thrust his fingers in and out more boldly, feeling her tighten then spasm around him. Breathlessly gasping his name, he watched his ferocious valkyrie fall part, back arched and eyes closed, her head flung back as shudders rocked her. He tenderly kissed her again, waiting for her breathing to slow and her eyes to lazily open.

"H-how..." she breathed, dilated pupils searching his smiling face.

"Books," he murmured, gasping as her hand slid down and freed him from his own blindings. Smiling, she palmed his erection, fingers gently closing around the hot flesh, her lips curling in a smirk as she watched his astonished reaction, Gently, she slid her hand up and down his member, feeling him shift and he kissed her again, pausing to gently suckle on her nipples once more. She gasped.

"Babe," she whispered. "I want you..." He nodded, the blood pounding in his loins and aching desire filling every molecule of his being. She was his dream, his hope, the thing he had chased as he fought for his life. That he had escaped from death in that fetid cell to this Valhalla was beyond imagination-but she was here, smelling of flowers and warm and loving and wanting him, no matter what he had lost or had been done to him. She didn't mind. Because love didn't care. Smiling, she guided him to her slick entrance, her hand helping smear him with her moisture. He looked at her with hazed eyes, forcing himself to concentrate on her needs still.

"Are you sure," he murmured. "They say it hurts..."

"Nothing worthwhile is easy," she murmured. "And with you, Hiccup, the pain is always worth it..." He nodded, kissing her urgently and gently pausing, then lunging forward. She clutched at him and she felt her fingers tighten on him, knowing she was in pain-but she was Astrid and she would never make a sound, no matter how much it hurt. He just prayed that the books were right, that the pain was temporary. He pulled back a little and pushed forward again, the motion much easier. Swiftly building a rhythm, he felt her begin to relax as the initial, brief discomfort passed and her breaths began to hitch once more. And it was so much more, so different to anything he had imagined. Astrid was hot and tight, slick and perfect. They fitted together as if they were made for one another, each thrust coiling the knot on his body tighter and tighter, her gasps and whimpers growing more urgent as they closed on their own Valhalla.

Sloppily, he found her mouth again and they kissed, then he buried his head in her shoulder as he approached his climax, his motions ever more urgent. Time had contracted to these few seconds, the rest of the universe gone. There was only Astrid, her scent and her sight, the soft strands of hair brushing his face, her soft skin slick against his. She was warmth and safety and need and desire and as he moved, she moved with him. They were the completion of the other. They were one.

Astrid had wound her legs around his waist, her hips rising to meet him as they moved in synchronicity and she shuddered as he felt her grip him tightly, contractions rippling through her as her tension suddenly released once more. She cried his name, heedless of who may be listening and he added his voice to hers. Finally pushed over the edge by her release, he felt his own blind him with colour and light and heat, the final thrusts erratic as finished and slowed to a halt.

Breathing hard, drenched in sweat and utterly spent, he lay over her for a long moment, breathing hard and gazing into the relaxed face of the woman he adored, her sated smile filling him with another surge of love. Forcing his impossibly heavy body to move, he pulled out, rolling off her and wrapping his arms around her as he hit the bed. She snuggled against his body, as hot and sweaty as he was and just as satisfied. Lazily, she dragged a blanket up over the two of them and burrowed into his side.

"Books, hmm?" she murmured sleepily. He nodded.

"I told you I'd been thinking about this for a long time..." he confessed wearily, pressing a light kiss to her cheek. "I...um...did some research. And I asked Dad for some tips..." She chuckled.

"Your Dad?" she asked.

"Well, I couldn't ask Gobber," he sassed back and she smiled.

"Thor, no," she agreed and then she rested her head on his shoulder. "You were amazing, Babe."

"You were pretty amazing yourself, Milady," he breathed. "You know, I had thought I was lost as I lay in that cell. I thought I would never see you again. And when I lost my sight, when I slid into that coma...I knew I had to fight to try to hang on. I thought I had lost you-and I fought every second to be with you once more. To always be a Hiccup and Astrid." She chuckled.

"To Berk, maybe," she smiled. "Here, we're husband and wife, the Heir and his wife, dragon riders."

"And maybe one day, producers of the Chief's grandbabies," Hiccup pointed out. She swatted his shoulder half-heartedly.

"Getting ahead of yourself, my love," she admonished him. But he grinned, unabashed.

"Maybe not," he smirked.

"To our home and friends, we're Hiccup and Astrid," she told him and smiled. "You're the man I love and my future. But to our enemies and those who would threaten us, you've become the fearsome Dragon Master." He smiled and tightened his arms around her, his eyes closing with weariness.

"And his own Dark Valkyrie," he said.

The End.

A/N: So we finally reach the end. Astrid is back home, her soul stained but with Hiccup to protect and love her and keep her in the light. And yes, I finally wrote a lemon...after many many requests (apologies to all-it won't happen again!). Thanks for all your feedback and support-harrypanther.