I KNOW! ITS BEEN MORE THAN A WHOLE MONTH! (In my defense... Writing was part of my plans for winter break but suddenly being under no pressure to do anything at all taunted me to do... nothing. So... Star Wars and cookies & milk instead.)

Last chapter! I know... Would you believe me if I told you my original plan for this story was meant to end around the part where the Riders rescue Hiccup on Dragon Hunter Island? That was a long time ago, wasn't it? (if you even remember that part) Took quite a turn, mmmhhh? Anyway, enjoy this bit, hope you like it ;)

Everyone had seen it happen. There wasn't a single soul on that island that hadn't witnessed the ruthless battle between the three fearsome leaders. Flyers and Hunters had been smiling in triumph when their leader had taken down Viggo Grimborn and then cheered when the leader of the Dragon Riders was dangling over the object of his death. But the tide quickly turned when the ex-Hunter took down the Dragon Flyer and used his final breath to drain the life out of him. The crowd below had fallen dead silent when the blade slid out of the body. The fighting stopped and everyone stared. Hunters fighting on the ground quickly froze on the spot as they watched their leader fall. And just like a flock of Night Terrors, they fled the scenes.

"Retreat!" yelled a Dragon Hunter, raising his mace high above his head. "Head back to the ships!"

Like a massive wave, the enemy ran back to the shore, outnumbered and leaderless.

"That's right! Get out of here!" shouted Snotlout, soaring above the crowd. "Hit it, Hooky!" The Monstrous Nightmare growled low and fired down at the Hunters, urging them to pick up the pace. More shouts of pain exploded through the air before the Dragon Hunter colored ships set sails and hurried out at sea.

Berserkers cheered their victory along with the Outcasts in a very rough manner while the Wingmaidens and Defenders of the Wing gathered for greetings and compliments.

It all seemed like the nightmare was over, but Astrid knew sorrow would follow. Soldiers had been killed on both sides and their bodies covered the plaza. But worst of all, Hiccup had been engaged in close combat and based on the last she'd seen of him... let's just said the odds hadn't been quite equal.

"Hurry, Stormfly!" she urged her dragon and the Nadder beat her wings faster, quickly reaching the top of the cliff the battle had taken place. She landed and set eyes on the three bodies lying in a strange pattern and rapidly hopped off her dragon to reach her betrothed's side.

"Hiccup!" she called, collapsing next to her leader. She gently lifted his head off the ground and rested it on her thigh. She leaned down, carefully brushing the hair out of his forehead. "Hiccup? Can you hear me?"

Hiccup winced at the sound of her voice, furrowing his eyebrow and baring his teeth before blinking multiple times in an attempt to open up his eyes.

"Astrid?" he whispered, barely audible.

"Yeah?" she whispered back, eyes bright.

"Did… did we win?" he asked. He dug his eyes into hers, but he needn't an answer to his question. The sparks in her sky-blue irises said it all. He reached a hand out to press against her rosy cheek but Astrid caught it before he could touch her, squeezing it tight.

"Yeah. Yeah, we won." She smiled and Hiccup straightened up a little. Astrid leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his.

"Hiccup! You're alive!" called Tuffnut's unmistakable voice.

The couple broke apart at the shout and watched their friends hover above their heads, their dragons still a bit too pumped up after the recent events.

"I am," sighed Hiccup, loud enough for Astrid only to hear. He waved at them, watching them fly back down to the plaza, where the bloody battle took most space.

"It's finally over," said Astrid, bringing Hiccup's attention back down to her. But Hiccup didn't feel victorious at all. Well, a little. But something seemed lost. Like their triumph had come to a heavy cost…

"Where's Viggo?" asked Hiccup suddenly, twisting around. Astrid didn't have time to stop him. His eyes immediately set on Viggo's form lying motionless a couple of feet away from him. "Viggo!"

Hiccup didn't hesitate and half-walked half-stumbled to the ex-Hunter, collapsing next to him like a dragon with broken wings. Mud and blood covered the ground, staining his hands as Hiccup pulled himself off the ground and clutched at Viggo's armor. Knowing all too well that he was gone, he buried his face in the inside of his elbow resting on Viggo's chest. The rising and falling of the middle were terribly missing but Hiccup didn't want to move yet. He felt a gentle hand settle on his shoulder but didn't push away Astrid's attempt to comfort him.

"He's gone…" she spoke softly and Hiccup rose his head, looking down at Viggo's face. His expression didn't look like he'd been in pain though. There wasn't a twist of regret or of anger. He looked peaceful, almost as if his purpose of life had been filled in the last few moments of his life.

…

The village was very busy after the battle. The wounded were being tended to. Some had quite a few serious injuries, but nothing a Berserker or an Outcast couldn't handle. Help had been sent from Berk for cleaning up. Gothi had joined in on the medical team, not exactly the patients' favorite healer. The dead had been removed from the plaza's ground and the rain had washed up all the blood off the stones, leaving it looking like nothing had ever happened around here. In the distance, the enemy ships were still in view, slowly fading away where the ocean met the sky. The Wingmaidens, as well as the Defenders of the Wing, looked after the dragons that'd been involved in the battle, from Singetails to Gronckle Shattermaster.

Ships were selected for the funeral. Bodies were covered with a white drape, hiding the wounds the soldiers had died from. Darkness crept too early on the island. Hiccup wasn't ready to say goodbye. All of this. All this war, it hadn't been fair. And Viggo was the one who'd paid the price for them all... But as Hiccup stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ships get sent, he knew the unavoidable was coming.

He clenched his fists to his side, the cold breeze of the night ruffling his hair. He listened as footsteps came closer and tilted his head to the side to see Astrid joining him, bow and arrow at hand.

"How'd you find me?" he asked in a low tone, looking down at the different tribes gathered by the docks for the funeral.

"I knew you'd be off in the distance, far away from the crowd," replied Astrid making Hiccup turn his head slightly to the side.

"You know me too well," commented Hiccup as he returned his eyes on the ships.

"I do. And I also know you would never forgive yourself if you didn't take part in Viggo's funeral."

Hiccup looked down to see her offering the bow and arrow. He stared at it for what felt like forever but finally grabbed the instruments. He felt heavy and exhausted. But Astrid was right. Despite that Viggo started out as his greatest enemy, the very reason he was fighting this war, he'd become an ally and even a friend. And Hiccup would always remember him as just that and even more so. He sensed Astrid back away to give him the space he needed. The crowd below gradually lit up from the darkness, hundreds of arrowheads lighting up like fireflies in the meadow.

Torches burnt bright all around the village's edges and Hiccup reached to light his tip, examining as the flames licked it gracefully. He breathed in, shutting his eyes. Mixed feeling battled inside of him as if the end of one war had triggered another. The chant reached his ears and Hiccup let the words sink in. Like a song reaching deep inside, he felt the emotions rise to the surface.

"There do I see my father, my mother, and my brothers and my sisters.

"They bid me take my place among them in the Halls of Valhalla…"

Hiccup exhaled and stretched his arm, pulling the arrow back. Images flashed before his eyes. Memories of when he first arrived at Dragon's Edge. All those emotions he'd lived when he'd first faced Viggo. All the hatred that had built up inside of him. He was confused then. And he's still confused now. How can one start as your greatest enemy and suddenly become your closest ally? A figure you'd look at as if you were staring into a mirror? Inflict so much harm on others and end up sacrificing everything to save your worthiest opponent's life... Hiccup didn't understand it. He didn't even know if he'd been ready to do the same for him. And for that... He opened his eyes, allowing a tear to stream down the side of his face and said,

"Where the brave shall live forever."

The world slowed down and he released the arrow, sending it spiraling through the air and down on the ships among all the other flaming arrows. The sails caught aflame quickly and the ocean lit up, its bright orange light reflecting on Hiccup's face despite the distance.

"You know…" he started, hinting Astrid to come closer. "He knew he wasn't gonna make it. He knew it all along…"

He felt her hand in his hair, where she'd usually braid his hair. The cold touch of her skin was comforting in a way he couldn't quite explain. All he knew is that he appreciated it.

"Viggo wasn't always a good man," she said, turning her gaze on the flaming ships ahead, the smoke barely visible against the starry night sky. "But deep down, he always had a good heart. And you only could see that when the rest of us couldn't. His will to sacrifice all for the great of others proved his worth. Don't let your grief blind you, Hiccup."

Hiccup pulled his smile to the corners of his mouth for a split second before blinking and looking down at the ground once more. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Astrid didn't resist and rested her head against his shoulder.

…

Krogan's form lied motionless in a sad boat, facing up at the dark night sky, the blazing flames of the funeral ships bouncing off the walls of the rocky cliff of the island's foundations that slightly curved outward.

Heather and Snotlout stood above him silently, staring down.

"Should we say something?" asked Snotlout, holding the stained white drape in his hands.

"Yeah," replied Heather, her arms crossed over her chest. "Enjoy your eternity in Niflheim, loser."

Snotlout snickered before dropping the drape over the corpse and setting it adrift from the short, shadowed beach they'd chosen to dispose of the body of the worst person to ever walk the Earth.

"Are you guys done down there?" called out Astrid from top of the cliff.

"Comin'!" responded Heather, cupping her mouth. "Hurry up, Snotlout."

Snotlout pushed it off and ran after her, making their way back up to attend the actual funeral. Not Krogan's.

Astrid watched them join the crowd from a distance away and looked up to Hiccup still staring at the blazing flame with intensity.

"Well, it looks like it's finally over. The dragons are safe. We can rest now," she said. Her tone was convincing and the confidence in her words strong but Hiccup knew otherwise.

"Well, I'm gonna have to disagree with you there," he replied, making Astrid stare in surprise.

"What does that mean?" she asked, narrowing her eyes as he moved forward, crossing his arms over his chest.

"This might just be the beginning, Astrid," he said, a sad tone to his voice as if he was speaking a harsh truth. Which he was. "There'll always be someone else seeking to rid the world of dragons. Always. I see that now."

"And what makes you so sure?" asked Astrid, watching him as he slowly turned around to face her, the bright orange lighting up half of his face, plunging the other half in darkness. It gave him a grim look, one of a fearless leader and Astrid knew not to argue when he wore this mask.

Hiccup didn't answer. It couldn't be put into words anyway. He just knew. Astrid understood him. And she trusted him as well as his judgment.

"Then we'll be ready," she simply said before turning her head back to face the blazing ships, their heavy smoke reaching up to the sky, guiding the brave souls to the Halls of Valhalla where they belonged.

The End.

R.I.P Viggo. He was like Iron Man to me.

Congratulations if you've made it this far into this fan-fic. I apologize again for all the delays. I think next time I'll just write the whole thing and publish a chapter every week. That actually sounds like a pretty good plan.

Alright, see yah!

Rain