The Eternal Valkyrie

Chapter 6

Hiccup and Astrid entered Hiccup's room where Astrid proceeded to tug at Hiccup's turtleneck. "A....Astrid what are you doing?" Hiccup squeaked as he tried to keep his clothes on.

"I'm trying to get your weird armor off." Astrid grumbled as she continued tugging.

"Astrid this isn't armor!" Hiccup said, taking a step back.

"Tunic then" Astrid corrected as she made another grab for Hiccup, intend to inspect his injuries. "You were going to show me where you were injured. Clothes off now."

"Pushy as well as blunt" Hiccup mumbled as he rolled his eyes. His cheeks turned red as this was the first time he had a girl in the room while undressing. Hiccup winced slightly as he pulled the sweater over his head. He heard a gasped and then looked at Astrid who now had gotten closer and grabbed his head to inspect his neck.

"Remind me again why I can't kill whoever did this?" She asked as she looked at the bruises which had formed on his stomach and neck.

"Because they threatened my parents." Hiccup told her as Astrid gave him a sad look.

"I'm sorry I got you involved." She mumbled as she and Hiccup sat on his bed.

"Don't be." Hiccup told her. "I wanted to help and my parents were already involved. Something was bound to happen."

"Well, I have an option which could guarantee your protection." Astrid said as she showed him the ring which had started to glow. "It seems someone wants to meet you."

Hiccup looked at her dumbly for a second, not comprehending what she was offering him, before it clicked. "A....Astrid.... I.... eh.... Wait, what do you mean someone wants to meet me?" Hiccup sputtered before the rest of Astrid's statement dawned on him.

"I guess I should tell you a bit more about the Dragon ring first." She said and Hiccup nodded vigorously. Surprises seemed to be hitting him every which way these last two days.

"The instructions on how to use the ring appeared in my head the same time Odin made the ring appear on my finger." Astrid told him. "This ring, unlike the other items, needs a passphrase to be used."

"So even if anyone else managed to get it, they can't use it." Hiccup said as his eyes widened.

"Correct. The Dragon ring is the most powerful item out of the five that were given to me. It can initiate a bond between a human and a dragon. Giving the host access to draconic powers."

"Wait, go back. Did you just say dragon?!"

"Yes dragons." Astrid smiled as she watched Hiccup's astonished look. "The dragons live outside of the nine realms and are ruled by the Alpha species." She explained. "As a favor to the Allfather they agreed to bond with those I choose via the ring. Sometimes a dragon will ask if they could bond with a particular person, however I was cautious and only ever bonded three dragons. One who protects me, and the two who are now bonded to my traitorous generals."

"And by draconic powers you mean like that ball of light you used to burn Dagur's pants yesterday?" Hiccup asked as he had wondered about that. Astrid nodded.

"My dragon's fire is one of the hottest." Astrid stated proudly as she bared her arm, showing him the tattoo of a bird-like dragon.

"That's beautiful" Hiccup commented on the tattoo.

"Stormfly says thank you." Astrid told him and laughed as Hiccup gave her a confused look. "Stormfly is the name of my dragon." Astrid explained. "She's a Nadder, and one of the vainest dragons. And now she is huffing up a storm." Astrid laughed as Hiccup was still looking at her with a dumbfounded expression.