So I lied. I said that there were only going to be seven chapters.

But then people requested an epilogue.

So here's an epilogue. (Thanks QueenAurora for helping me through the writer's block XD)

Epilogue

"This is not a town of happy memories." Hiccup said, wincing.

Wrenlou nodded solemnly. "I don't understand why you wanted to come back in the first place."

Hiccup shrugged, flinching a bit as he did so. One week wasn't enough to heal, even under Wrenlou's careful ministrations. "I guess I just feel like I need...closure. Does that make sense?"

"There are less traumatizing ways of doing so, Hiccup."

Hiccup smiled. "It's all I can think about lately..."

"All I can think about is food. Can we get some,or are we doomed to stand in this spot forever?"

Rolling his eyes, Hiccup laughed, and they headed into the marketplace.

He was struck with an almost overwhelming sense of deja vu as they wandered through the stalls, admiring the things on display. Wrenlou must have sensed his discomfort, as he was never farther than a hands-breadth away from Hiccup. The protectiveness Hiccup would usually find somewhat annoying was, however, comforting.

Finally, the two men collapsed under the shade of a tree. The circumstances were eerily similar to when they had first arrived in Rome two weeks prior.

Wrenlou tossed an orange to Hiccup, who promptly peeled and ate it. The sun was nearing the horizon, meaning that soon, they would leave for Dragoncity.

"I'm just imagining what Broghan will say when we finally get back, and he sees you all beat up." Wrenlou said.

"My money is on 'Oh, not again.' "

Wrenlou laughed, and was about to reply, when Hiccup jolted forward.

"What's wrong?"

Hiccup didn't respond. Instead, he pushed himself off the ground, narrowing his eyes.

Was it really...?

Slowly, he walked forwards, until he was directly behind the man. Hiccup cleared his throat, and he turned to face Hiccup.

"You son of a bitch!" He shouted, punching Cassius across the face.

Cassius straightened up indignantly, hand pressed to the side of his face, but his eyes widened with recognition when he saw Hiccup. He raised his other hand in a gesture of surrender. Hiccup ignored him, striking another blow, this time to his stomach.

Cassius doubled over gasping. Hiccup was preparing to hit him again, but stopped in his tracks. "I'm sorry." Cassius murmured as he struggled to breathe. "I'm sorry."

Hiccup lowered his hand, and slowly unclenched his fist. "No, I don't think you are. I think you're a coward."

Wrenlou had run up to Hiccup, and he grabbed Hiccup's arms, restraining him. "Hiccup, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to kill him." Hiccup pulled against Wrenlou's grasp, but he was still weak, and didn't accomplish anything.

"No, you're not. Who..." Wrenlou trailed off as Cassius stood up again, vaguely recognizing him as the man who had arrested Hiccup.

"No, I deserve it." He said softly. "I..."

Hiccup stopped struggling, breathing heavily. "Damn right you deserve it."

"Hiccup, stop it." Wrenlou said, tentatively letting him go.

Narrowing his eyes, Hiccup pointed to Cassius. "He almost killed me. And if he had, you would be the one after him, not me. Don't even try to deny that."

Wrenlou glared at Hiccup. "No, I won't. But please, be rational about this. I don't need you going to prison for actually killing someone this time." His face softened. "Please, Hiccup."

Hiccup took a shaky breath, and silently regarded Cassius, who stood up a bit taller. "I'm sorry." He said again. "I was wrong, and I was an idiot."

"You've got that right." Hiccup said under his breath. He had no intention of letting Cassius get away from him.

No intention until Cassius knelt on the ground, head bowed. "I apologize. And...I ask for your forgiveness."

Hiccup almost laughed. "Forgive you?" He said incredulously. "Forgive you? Just like that?" He shook his head in disbelief. "You arrested me for something I didn't do, you had me whipped, every single day, tortured me, and left me out in the sun to die. You called me a liar, a murderer, you tried to justify your actions as avenging Antoninus." He let out a short burst of mirthful laughter. "That's not something that qualifies forgiveness."

They had caught the attention of the market goers, and a loose circle had formed around them.

"I know." Cassius said somberly. "Yet...perhaps you're a better person than I am."

The hatred and anger Hiccup had been harboring snapped. Was he really a better person than Cassius? A moment ago he had been ready to kill the man, and the only reason he hadn't was because Wrenlou had stepped in.

No. He wasn't a better man than Cassius.

But he could start being one.

Hiccup closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. I can't believe I'm doing this. "I forgive you."

Wrenlou smiled, sagging a bit in relief. Cassius still didn't stand, although he did look up at Hiccup hopefully.

"Get off the ground you idiot, I'm taller than you anyway." Hiccup said grudgingly.

Cassius got to his feet, watching Hiccup, as if afraid he would suddenly change his mind. "Thank you."

Hiccup had to force away a sneer. "You can thank me by getting out of my sight."

Cassius nodded, and turned to leave, but stopped, pulling something from his belt. He handed the small rod of metal to Hiccup.

"Inferno." Hiccup took the sword into his hand, examining it, trying to ignore the ghosts of pain that flashed through his chest where he had been burned with it.

Cassius left then, without saying anything else. Hiccup watched him leave, still in shock that he had simply forgiven the man.

Wrenlou placed a tentative hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "We should go."

Hiccup followed him out of the city, towards where their dragons were waiting.

"I don't think I've ever seen you so angry at someone." Wrenlou said, hoisting himself p onto Snowflake.

Hiccup shook his head. "I don't know what happened. I...lost control I guess."

It took Wrenlou a long time to respond. "I can't believe that you actually forgave him. After..."

Hiccup pat Toothless' head, and locked the prosthetic tailfin into its position for taking off.

"Well, you know." He smiled suddenly. "When in Rome..."

Then, he shot up into the swiftly darkening sky.