*Peeks in shyly* Hello! Well, four months is a nice little wait isn't it? I promise it wasn't intentional. I lost my grandfather recently, and that really put a damper on my writing. Either way, I'm back know, and I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

—

The last thing Astrid remembered seeing was the unrelented madness in Dagur's eyes. Before that, she had found the mermaids hiding deep within the bowel's of Dagur's ship. Assessing the room and it's structure, she came to realize that she would either have to carry each mermaid out herself, or a hole would have to be blown in the side of the ship. The blonde knew a boy who flew the Nightfury, a dragon that could do the job. For now, the teen needed to release the maids from their captive chains.

—

Up on deck, madness continued to stir. Snotlout, now after seeing the true devotion between Astrid and Hiccup, turned his sights elsewhere, to a young blonde who was laughing as she blew up a large horn-like device with her brother. The female twin looked like a goddess of destruction, and he would gladly let her stomp his heart into dust.

While this was happening, Valka continued to circle up in the clouds. She could still hear the faint sounds of a stolen mermaid's song. Then in the next instant, it was silenced. She drew closer to the boat, to gauge the disarray and the carnage. The smoke and flames only showed her that her husband was still fighting, and the battle was slowly coming to an end. She directed Cloudjumper to glide over to Hiccup.

"Whatever was luring us in has been destroyed, it's safe now!" She called.

Hiccup nodded once and then dive-bombed the ship. He knew his task, so when the time was at the most opportune, he coaxed Toothless to fire at the helm. The blast rocked the ship, but didn't break through. He shot once more, enough to pierce the hull below the waves. He then remembered that Astrid was still down below. Instead of continuing his barrage, he flew to the back of the ship and blasted at the rutters that powered the monster. The ship came to a halt.

—

After the grateful mermaids were free of their bonds, they collapsed to the puddles of water on the floor, and made busy wetting their cracked skin. Astrid then took her axe, the weapon surely damaged beyond repair and beat the wall with the blade. She would do no damage, but maybe Hiccup would hear the sound and know where to shoot.

Contrariwise, the boat rocked with a thunderous bang, as the boy blasted the other side of the hull. Astrid slipped on the damp water and fell to the ground. Finding escape for the mermaids hopeless, Astrid fled from the room with promises to return once she figured out a way to get them out. They were grateful for the relief she gave. The blonde hurried into the hall, only to find the floor tilting and water creeping towards her.

The boat was sinking.

Within the dark confides of the ship, Astrid was having a hard enough time finding the exit. It would only be a matter of time before the water rose and trapped her inside. It was well enough that she could breathe underwater, but being trapped wasn't on her list of things she wanted to do.

—

Stoick had taken a great deal of damage. His arms ached, his throat was sore with his shouts, and his head pounded with blood loss. Drago eyed him down with cunning and pride.

"The mighty chief, siding with the demons of the ocean. How foolish can man be?"

"You tell me," said Stoick. "Hunting children of the sea itself. Don't you know that water takes care of her children?"

Drago chuckled, like he had heard his favorite joke. "You believe the water has a voice? You've been listening to those foolish creatures too much. They are liars. They blame the evil they cause on some existential being."

Stoick swung his hammer. "You will not call my family liars." He growled.

"Come at me then!" The man roared, his staff hitting the hull.

Stoick didn't need permission. He thundered over the desk and swung his hammer in a true viking style. This fight felt like it had lasted a life time. Just clear this threat, and everyone would be free. That's what the cheif continued to tell himself. In a moment of carelessness, he left his side open to the man. He watched as Drago reeled back with his staff and set to stab him in the gut. But Stoick reacted quickly and seized the staff on both ends. Then the two vikings played tug of war on the weapon, trying to break free of the other. Stoick pulled hard and spun the man around, Drago's back now facing the edge of the ship.

"Your reign of terror ends now," Stoick bit. "I won't let you hurt anyone anymore!" And with a hefty shove, Stoick threw Drago and himself off the edge of the ship.

Stoick never mentioned that he had kissed his wife, and in return, was given her breath. The two crashed into the water, Drago immediately letting go of his weapon in an effort to survive. Stoick pulled the staff around the man's neck and swam deeper, pulling Drago along with him. Finally, after a few agonizingly long minutes, Drago's struggling ceased and his body fell limp. Stoick kept his hold on him still, for fear of the man pretending.

Two soft hands grabbed his shoulders. "It's is done." Valka said, her voice relieving the tensing in his soul. He let go of the enemy, and allowed his wife to swim him to shore.

—

Snoutlout, Fishlegs, and the twins had fled the boat with the destruction of the crew and weapons. There was nothing but rumble and bodies left aboard the ship.

"Where's Astrid?" Fishlegs asked, looking at the riderless Nadder circling above.

"I thought you were watching her back!" Snotlout shouted over to Fishlegs.

"That was your job!" Ruffnut defended.

"Then she's still inside the ship!" Fishlegs shouted, turning his Gronkle downwards. At that moment, a bang erupted from the ship as Toothless shot another blast.

"Stop! Astrid's still on board!"

Terrified, Hiccup detached himself from Toothless and dove into the water. He scanned the side of the ship and found a break, but it wasn't wide enough for him to fit through. Luckily, his Nightfury descended into the water only a few moments later, and offered his teeth and claws for assistance.

—

Astrid finally found the door to the lower deck, but to her displeasure, it had been closed and locked during the fight. She threw herself at it, pain rippling in her sore shoulders. There had to be another way out, especially since water was coming in.

She hurried back down the hall she came and rounded the corner, only to stop.

In the shadows, a figure stood, watching her. She braced herself for a fight and the tilting floor. Her broken axe laid forgotten in the confines of the ship. She would have to fight hand to hand.

The soldier took a step forward and sneered at her. "Well, well. While my plan may have failed tremendously, I will at least have this victory," Dagur grinned.

"Oh sh—!" before she could finish her exclamation, he was charging at her, his blade swinging back and forth like a scythe. She was defenseless, not even a dagger.

The ship gave a sudden jolt as a blast echoed from outside. The already sleek and sloping surface shifted and Astrid slipped.

Dabur did as well, but forward with his blade sticking out. Astrid heard him shout in ferocity before the pain in her chest overwhelmed her.

Dying in battle was always the way a viking wanted to die. It showed honor and courage, and gave them a place in Valhalla. Astrid was hoping for something a little more dignified, that she wouldn't go down without a fight. Maybe she'd even be a little older before she met her demise. But now it didn't matter. It was over and she could rest.

—

By time he found her, it was too late. The sword in her chest was indication enough of what transpired. At first, Hiccup just stared, open mouthed, at the image of his broken and battered bride. Numbness over took him, like he was in a nightmare and it was soon disappear. But as Dagur came back into the scene, also looking for an escape, Hiccup's vision turned red.

"You did this…"

Dagur didn't answer. At this point, he was resigned to the fact that he would die on this ship. Soon it would sink, and if he didn't suffocate first, then the mermaids would find him. some sick and twisted part of him was happy Hiccup was going to kill him. Let the boy be overcome with rage, let him murder in his anger, and let him reap revenge.

Hiccup leapt out of the water, his eyes dotted black and soulless, as his teeth filled his maw. If you were to ask Hiccup later, he wouldn't remember what deed was done.

—

The village gathered on the docks, waiting for the last two of the party to arrive. Stoick held his wife in his arms as Fishlegs stood behind Rosethorn in her chair. The twins and Snotlout were reserved and quiet for once. Even the freed mermaids gathered and watched.

Then, without ceremony, Hiccup's head surfaced and cheering broke out. But it was reigned in rather quickly when they saw the look of tragedy on his face.

"Hiccup?" Valka asked.

He pursed his lips and raised Astrid up to lay on the dock. The gathered crowd gasped in grief and left some room. Hiccup raised himself to lay next to her, one arm cradling her head as his tail brushed against her leg. He swallowed harshly. "Astrid." His voice was hoarse with unbidden tears. "Oh Astrid," he whispered as touched her cheek gently. "My darling Astrid…"

Her image blurred as tears bid up in his eyes. It was finally sinking in, she was gone.

"I'm so sorry." He cried, resting his hand on her cheek. "I wasn't strong enough, not fast enough, not brave enough." He sniffed. "But I loved you. Nothing in this world can take that away.

"If only I had more time. I could have figured out a way for us to be together. I could have taken care of you as you had for me…" Slowly, he lowered his head to rest against hers. He tapped her nose lightly with hers. "You're everything to me Astrid. And I'm so sorry I couldn't return the favor." The merman kissed her cold lips and then crushed her body to his own while he wept.

While this transpired, a strange set of clouds rolled in. The sea turned still, like night time over a lake. The sounds of rushing water echoed from under the dock as the liquid began to glow. Hiccup only came out of his trance when the planks began to tremble.

When he raised his eyes, he witnessed the fantastic sight of a woman forming out of water. Her clear face smiled, and she drew close to him. A transparent hand came out and wetted his cheek.

"Dear, sweet Hiccup. Do not cry. For this day, in greatest battle, you have arose victorious!"

"But at what cost?" He mourned.

"My daughters, your sisters, they are safe. And the land dwellers are at peace with them. A war waged for centuries has been put to rest. You and your friends have done the impossible. Thank you." She bowed.

"Y-Your welcome, my lady." He returned.

"But my child, I see the anguish in your soul, and in thank you. I will grant you one wish. Any wish you heart desires."

The answer seemed so obvious, until Stoick spoke out to him, "You can be human again." He debated with himself. The love of his life still laid in his arms, as the tribe he had come to love watched with anticipation. He scrunched his brows. What was the point of being human without Astrid?

"I've decided," the told The Water. "I wish…for you to heal Astrid, and bring her back to life."

The queen in all her goodness, only smiled and reached out her arms. Hiccup passed on the body of his lover and The Water take her. A flood of waves, and the two were gone into the sea. Hiccup waited with a bated breath as the moments seemed to drag on for hours. The whole crowd was silent.

Then as the clouds above began to part, a blonde head peered out of the water. hiccup's chest swelled with elation. Astrid glanced at him, and then ducked underwater.

"Hey wait!" He chirped, preparing to jump in with her. But she leapt out of the water, giving everyone a display of her brand new crimson tail.

She swam up to her love and rested her arms on the dock. "Well, that's one way to elude death." She smirked.

Hiccup bit his lip as he gazed down at her smiling face. He had almost lost her, but the water he had known all his life gave her back. And not as a tease either, but forever. "You're so beautiful," he blurted.

"Hiccup?"

He bent forward and kissed her sweetly on the lips. "I love you, and I never want to be away from you again."

"You don't have to be." She grinned back.

The gathered crowd cheered, but once again, the celebration was cut off as Stoick called for attention.

"Everyone! The Water was right. Today is the day that man and mermaid may finally live in harmony!" He looked over to Hiccup and Astrid, before looking to his own wife. "We don't have much of a choice anyways."

A few folks laughed.

"From here on out, we will include the merfolk in our village, and treat them as equals. May wonderful things come from this alignment. But for now, let us celebrate our victory!"

Fishlegs cheered emphatically before Rose tugged on his sleeve and lured him in for a kiss. The gathered crowd, mermaids and men, all went up to the great hall to drink and be merry.

All but Hiccup and Astrid.

The new mermaid glanced down at her tail.

"How does it feel?" Hiccup asked.

"Odd," she admitted. "Like…I never had legs. It's just an extension of my spine and I just…can't even explain it."

"You look beautiful."

"You already said that."

"I know, but I want you to remember it." He kissed her again.

She sighed with content. "Finally, we can be together."

"Forever?"

"Forever and always."

I don't know when I'll start my next story, but just keep on the look out! Thank you all for being so patient with me! I love you all so much!

Before I go, I'd like to know what you're favorite part of the story was!