Hey everyone! So so glad another update is coming your way. Life has been SOOO busy (I am going into my last year of college, yikes) but I have never forgotten how freakin' much I love this story. I think this chapter went super well, I really like it. Read review and enjoy, I adore that you are still sticking with this passion project!

FUN FACT: Here is something interesting that I hadn't thought about before: Hiccup states multiple times this he is very against killing or hurting dragons, while all other vikings boast about their kills. Ironically, Hiccup is the only one we see kill a dragon in the entire first movie.

Chapter 40: Formulating a Plan

The second Toothless had bounded in and the door closed behind the group, Chimera let Hiccup go as he tripped over his feet almost into the fireplace. He whirled around and threw his arms in the air as she sheathed her dagger.

"What in the Hel was that about?!" he yelled, eyebrows crinkling together.

Cicero took a seat and Chimera crossed her arms. "Sorry it had to be like that, Hiccup, but we needed to get you out of plain sight."

"Oh so slandering me in front of a huge crowd was the way to do that? With a private letter I wrote to my father?"

The dark elf exhaled loudly. "Well okay, correction: we needed you to be hated and out of plain sight."

Hiccup shook his head, tightly closing his eyes. He looked back up. "Wait, I'm sorry," he said. "I am not following anything, and…" He turned to Cora. "Cora, I don't even have words, I'm so sorry, I was going to tell you, I just-"

Cora put her hand up. "I knew, Hiccup. Thieves don't do surprises. It's okay." She smiled sweetly. "When you ask, I'll have an answer."

Hiccup smiled back momentarily before anger dominated his features again. He turned towards the pair. "You two have some serious 'splanin to do. Skyrim hating the Dragonborn, are you serious? You're going take away all these people have?"

Cicero stood up, hands up in dismissal. "Hiccup, this was something that had to be done."

He crossed his arms defiantly. "I'm having a hard time believing you."

"Alright look," Cicero responded, losing his patience. "Neither of us have to be here."

Cora stared at the ground, rolling back on her heels. "Arguably we don't want you to be here," she mumbled.

Cicero ignored her. "But Hiccup, you are in grave danger."

"Yeah? And why is that?" he spat back.

Chimera stepped forward. "Because we aren't the only people in the Dark Brotherhood with connections to Astrid and Cora isn't the only means she has to come after you. The entire province is catching wind that a powerful affiliate wants the Dragonborn in the Void," she explained. "We need to throw the Black Hands off your trail, because the further you get in your quest the easier it will be to find you. And the more people like mondo-meat who are out there willing to protect you, the bloodier this could become."

Cora paled visibly. "There are more people like you two?"

Cicero nodded. "They are few and far between, but still out there. Even though the five tenants were abandoned long ago, there are still some solo groups that run themselves throughout Tamriel."

"But to better answer your question Cora, no, there aren't more people like us." She added, eying Cicero knowingly. "We came here to warn you rather than kill you. Other Black Hands seeing this from an outside perspective only want to appease Sithis, but we understand what's at stake if you die."

Hiccup remained quiet, plunging the room into an awkward silence that made Cora shift uncomfortably. His eye darted around wildly. "So what's our next move?"

"What kind of assets do you have as queen, Chimera?" Cora chimed in.

"Not many, if I'm being honest. We've have to plan our attack carefully."

"How did your father even manage to win the war?" Hiccup chimed in. "In talking to Balgruuf, it seemed as though the Legion had you outmatched."

Chimera narrowed her eyes. "I am not entirely sure myself," she said. "Let's just say my father had lots of friends in high places. He had spent years strategically placing his supporters in the highest spots alongside Imperial allies.

"They all struck at once, forcing leaders to surrender. Not even Tullius suspected someone like Legate Rikke. She was under my father's thumb the second she realized his distaste for sympathetic organizations like the Thalmor. The thought of revenge makes people…pliable."

"Will we have those people at our disposal?" Cora asked.

"Unlikely," she said. "They were loyal to my father, not to me."

"What will happen to other Jarls siding with the Legion?"

"Nothing, as long as I rule. If they are willing to be a part of this empire, I welcome them."

"Alright, we're getting off topic here," Cora interrupted. "Who do we have on our side then?"

Chimera crossed her arms, getting back to business. "Everyone in my network has agreed to protect Hiccup, so that eliminates our sanctuary in Dawnstar, the Thieves Guild and the College from our list of suspects. I have Bryn and Nazir taking up their duties at high command, and I'm sure we can reach out to others using their channels."

Cora nodded. "I'm sure the guild can be an asset to us. Maybe even one of the Blackbriars."

"Agreed," Chimera nodded. "That would work if you can make that happen, Cora. Compiled together, our web is huge. But our biggest challenge is going to be making it seem as though you're no longer in Skyrim, Hiccup. That will keep the Black Hands busy while you complete your duties as Dragonborn."

"And after that?" Hiccup asked.

Everyone took turns glancing at each other.

"And after that, we smuggle you out and you return to Berk with Cora. Leave cleaning up the messes to us. By then, you'd have done more service to Tamriel than can ever be repaid."

Cora shook her head. "This is a really rough outline of a plan."

"But at least we have some ideas," Cicero countered.

Hiccup turned to the pair, narrowing his eyes. "How do I know we can trust you? You were pretty quick to abandon us the first time."

Chimera sighed. "I know it will be hard for you to believe us, but we're here to help. There is too much riding on this for betrayal."

Cicero leaned into her. "And?"

She looked at him sheepishly briefly before turning back to Hiccup. "And I realize that Astrid is someone who I need to let rest in the past. Regardless of her motive now, it is your quest that truly matters to us and to the world."

Hiccup ground his teeth together. Cora scooted closer to him and interlocked her fingers is his. The Viking didn't move. "I just don't understand why she would do this."

"When souls enter to Void, they take drastic measures and have strange motives to ease their spirit," Cicero said. "Maybe this is just her way of coping in her new afterlife. Maybe she craves familiarity."

"It just doesn't sound like her," Hiccup muttered.

Chimera stepped forward, putting a hand on his shoulder. She placed his letter to his father in his hand, manually curling his fingers around it. He looked up at her miserably. "Astrid surprised us all. But this is the world we live in, Hiccup, and even though it's going to take some getting used to, this life is the only one we have."

Hiccup mustered a smile, unfolding the letter and staring down into it. To his amazement, the piece of parchment was blank. His eyes widened.

"Wait, where's my letter?" he asked.

Chimera smiled. "By now, I'd say halfway to Berk."

0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

"Let me get this straight," Jarl Balgruff said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're going where?"

Hiccup swallowed roughly. "To Valenwood, sir."

"And why on Nirn would you be going there?"

Cora stepped forward. "The High Queen needs him," she said. "She plans on taking him there to better instruct him of his diplomatic duties in other provinces."

The Jarl raised an eyebrow, eyes moving back to Hiccup. "When do you plan on returning to your quest as Dragonborn? The little stunt in the square yesterday put everyone on edge, myself included."

"I understand, but as soon as I am able I will be returning. It will be a quick venture. No more than a few weeks."

Balgruuf sighed, leaning back into his throne. "Well, speaking as though you haven't framed this as asking for permission, I have no means to stop you," he said, eyeing Hiccup. "But do remember, all of Tamriel is betting their lives on your success. Do not leave for long."

Hiccup bowed gently. "Of course, Jarl Balgruuf," he said. "And thank you."

Cora smiled gently as the pair turned to leave.

"Oh, and Hiccup?" he called after them.

Hiccup turned around, stomach turning despite his better judgment. "Yes?"

He grinned knowingly. "Next time, have your counterparts do the talking. You are not a talented liar."

The Viking flushed and tried his best to stand taller, brain straining for some kind of a response.

The Jarl raised a hand before he could speak. "Once again, young Hiccup, your secret is safe with me. To anyone outside of this room, you are in Valenwood. Regardless of your previous dealings with your father or your duties on Berk, you leave me no choice but to continue to believe in you."

He cocked his head. "Well…thank you, sir."

"Of course. Like I said, anything for the Dragonborn. I do not understand your secrecy, but if there is anything you do end up needing, please let me know. Your defeat is not an option."

The pair exchanged a quick glance before bowing again.

"Thank you again, Jarl Balgruuf," Cora said curtly.

He threw her a wink.

The two exited Dragonsreach, meeting up with Chimera and Cicero just outside the double doors. Once they were out of earshot of the guards, Chimera leaned in.

"He buy it?"

Hiccup sighed. "No, but we can trust him."

Chimera scowled. "That's not what I would have liked to hear, but I guess that's as good as it's going to get."

"How did everything else go?" Cora asked.

"Swimmingly," the dark elf answered. "The Rift thinks you are in Cyrodiil, The Pale thinks you are in Solstheim, Haafingar thinks you are in Blackmarsh and, if you trust Balgruuf, Whiterun thinks you are in Valenwood."

"So I take it we actually have a plan now?" Hiccup asked, the pair walking down the stairs and into the plaza of the Wind District.

Cicero put a finger to his lips, eyes tracking a guard as he walked by. "Keep your voices down," he almost whispered.

Cora leaned in. "What do we do now that we've gone dark?"

"I was about the ask Hiccup the same thing." She turned towards him. "What is the next step?"

Three pairs of eyes were on him at once, blinking curiously. He swallowed hard. "Well we have the Elder Scroll," he said. "And if Paarthurnax is correct, I have to read the scroll from the Throat of the World to learn a shout to defeat Alduin. After that, I really don't have any idea."

"Sounds like we need to get you out of here and to the Greybeards as soon as possible."

"What do we tell them about all the weird places they are hearing the Dragonborn is?" Cora asked.

Hiccup exhaled sharply. "I'll sit this one out. I don't want anyone else seeing through me."

Cicero shook his head. "We probably should tell them the truth, honestly," he said. "We don't throw in all the details, but we inform them that Hiccup has to continue with the rest of his quest in secrecy."

"I agree," Chimera said. "They will understand. We will set out as soon as you are able."

The group split up and headed for the Whiterun gates.

Chimera and Cicero broke for the city entrance and Hiccup stormed away to gather supplies from Breezehome. Cora trailed behind him.

"Hiccup!" she called. "Hiccup are you okay?"

He ignored her, throwing open the door to the house and let it raddle on its hinges. Cora slipped in just as it was closing, banging against the frame roughly. Hiccup ran a hand through his hair and turned to face her.

"Cora, this is crazy," he said. "What am I even doing? I'm lying to everyone."

The elf exhaled sharply. "We are lying to protect you. We need to keep you and the mission safe."

"Yeah, but trusting Chimera and Cicero?" he said, gesturing to the door. "They already betrayed us once! Delphine betrayed us, Astrid betrayed us, what's next?"

Cora opened her mouth to speak, but Hiccup cut her off. "And then you run off and kill some person. I'm sure she was a bad lady but you still put an arrow in her chest."

Her mouth hardened and Hiccup's gaze instantly fell to the floor.

"You know that's not fair, Hiccup," she said flatly. "Maybe rethink that one."

"Oh, so you just want me to forget the fact that you killed someone?" he countered.

Cora stepped forward. "I am not your enemy, Hiccup. Why are you picking fights with me?"

He let out a groan and stomped his foot. "I don't know! I'm just so…angry!"

Cora could feel heat boiling in her blood, but she forced herself to calm down. She knew the truth. "It's Astrid, isn't it?"

Hiccup paused, looking deep into her eyes. His green irises soften and welled with tears. "Yes," he said miserably, hanging his head. "I don't know why she would do this."

Cora took a few careful steps toward him and slipped her arms around his torso. He threw his arms around her shoulders and kissed her head.

"This isn't your fault, Hiccup," she spoke muffled into his armor. "She made her own choices."

"But it is so unlike her to make any mistakes."

"You know that axe she gave you? She told you to make your greatest weakness your best strength."

Hiccup glanced at the weapon, leaning up against the wall in the corner. "What about it."

"Maybe it's time to rethink what she really meant. Maybe she knew this was going to happen. Maybe she wanted you to see this as an opportunity, not a hindrance."

Hiccup was quiet a moment for closing his eyes and sighing, tightening his grip around Cora. "I feel like you're just making that up."

The elf shrugged. "Maybe I am. Or maybe it's just a new way of thinking about things."

Hiccup pulled her away from his body so he could see her face before pressing his forehead into hers. "When did you become so wise?"

She giggled. "I don't know. I just want you to be happy, Hiccup. And know that I am always here for you."

"You really think this plan is going to work? And we can trust the murder couple out there?"

"To be honest, I don't really know. But we will always have each other."

Hiccup looked deep into her eyes. "When this is all over, you come home with me." He took her hand in his. "And you become my wife."

She smiled. "If you pull this off, I'll give you everything I have and more."