The Eternal Valkyrie: War of the Realms (HTTYD fic)

Part 14

Chapter 13

"Sooo....... Astrid what's the plan for getting inside?" Hiccup asked as the dragons flew over the lava plains.

"Oh, oh! I know!" Snotlout piped up and raised his hand much to Hookfang's embarrassment. "We'll go through one of the tower windows!"

"No," Astrid said as Snotlout tried again. "We'll blow up one of the towers and use it as a distraction to sneak in?"

"Snotlout, I don't think blowing up stuff sends a good 'we-come-in-peace' message," Fishlegs interrupted.

"Well unless our soon to be host likes blown up stuff." Tuffnut then piped up.

"Yeah, you never know." Ruffnut added, for once agreeing with her brother.

"Okay, I have to concede to that point of logic." Fishlegs mumbled as they approached the fortress. Instead of flying over it or blowing something up Astrid indicated for them to land. The dragons touched down right in front of the large black gates.

"Is she gonna knock the gate down with some Valkyrie magic?" Snotlout asked Fishlegs who was beside him in a whisper. Fishlegs just shrugged as he didn't know. The group watched Astrid hop off of Stormfly and approach the gate. Everyone leaned forward as Astrid cracked her knuckles and raised her hand. And then she proceeded to knock three times on the door.

"That's it?!" Snotlout asked as even Tyr frowned. "You're just going to knock?"

"Why sneak in when they can just open the door for us?" Astrid turned back to say. "Besides if we do have to blow something up then we have the excuse of having knocked first."

"She does have a point there." Heather mused with a smirk.

The looming black gate started creaking before it opened to reveal two cat-like lava animals. Their tails swished as they both looked at Astrid and the gang.

"Hello...... uhm," Astrid had expected guards not giant cats but she asked anyway "May we have an audience with Sutr?"

The lava cats stopped growling and stared at each other for a moment. Astrid and the others assumed that they were communicating with each other, or maybe even mentally talking with Sutr. It seemed to be the latter as the cats took a step back to indicate that the group could enter. As they walked past the cats only seemed to growl at Tyr and Frey. Soon the gang found themselves in a large cavern-like throne room. There were four small but long lava-falls around the room and in the middle stood an intricate large black throne with a large red giant lounging on it. The giant had hair like fire and a crown that was likely crafted from either black marble or basalt.

"Now....... What brings a group of Midgardians to my humble abode?" The giant asked as he made no move to sit straighter. "And with two Asgardians no less."

"Greetings your Highness..." Astrid started but was stopped when Sutr held up his hand. "I wish to get this over with. State your business Midgardian."

Astrid nodded. Normally she wouldn't want to be interrupted so rudely like that but no one knew how this giant would react. She quickly reached into the satchel around her waist and pulled out the crystal crown Thor had thrown at Odin. When Sutr saw the crown he did sit up a little straighter. "Where did you get that?" He asked as he narrowed his eyes. "If you lie I will crush you."

"It was thrown at Odin's feet a day ago." Astrid told him. Sutr made growled upon hearing that.

"Bring it here girl," He ordered and Astrid approached with the crown placed in the palms of her hand. She held it up for the giant who took it with much more care than any could have imagined. Sutr inspected the crown with precision. The giant frowned before turning back to the group. "Where is she?" He asked as he stood up now to his full height.