Hiccup's POV

Everybody sat in rapt attention as Astrid finished her story. I saw Astrid looking at us as she tried not to fidget.

"Oh Astrid." I say. "I'm so sorry for what you had to go through."

"Yeah." Heather commented as well. "If I'd ever were to meet that husband of yours, even if he was my ancestor, I'd knock his lights out. You were definitely justified with that curse of yours."

"So you don't hate me then?" Astrid asked. "I'm a magic user, a witch. I know how hated they are."

"Astrid......" I call out. "We don't hate you." I tell her calmly. "Whether you're a witch or not doesn't matter. You are still the woman I fell in love with."

"Thank you Hiccup." Astrid tells me while sniffing a little. "I was so worried you would hate me and wouldn't want to be near me if you found out."

"Astrid....... Never... Never ever think that again." I tell her determinately. A small smile slips on her face as she seems to accept the situation.

"I'm sure you all have a few questions after my tale." Astrid tells us as she wearily flops down on the couch. "I'll try to answer them to the best of my knowledge."

I decide to ask the first question. "So the locket you gave me?"

Astrid nods. "Yes it is the same one that contains my fail-safe." She confirms.

"Wait..... Then why did you give it to me. Wouldn't it have been safer hidden?" I ask confused.

Astrid lets out a little laugh. "Because I trust you with it Hiccup. I have no doubt that it will be just as safe with you. It is also one of the two things I need so that we can finally be together."

"What's the other thing you need?" I ask curiously.

"My spellbook." Astrid stated. "I can't seem to find it. It is not in its hiding place."

"Eh....." Heather said drawing our attention. "This book wouldn't have been about this big, with a brown leather cover and runic designs over it right?" she asked a little hesitant.

"Yes" Astrid nearly screamed looking ecstatic. "That should be it! You know where it is?"

"I saw it a couple of times in the library. My brother was paging through it." Heather tells us.

"Oh no. That book must not stay in your brother's hands. It is dangerous." Astrid told Heather as she began floating around the room. "One of your ancestors must have found it." Astrid mumbled.

"I......I... could try to check if it is still at home." Heather says quickly.

"You would do that?" Astrid queries while looking a little hesitant.

"If it's a chance for you to find happiness, then I would gladly." Heather states in a confident voice. "Besides, I think all of us would more than likely want to see you snogging the living daylights out of Hiccup."

"Heather!!" I shout as a blush begins creeping over my cheeks.

"Oh hush honey." I hear mom comment. "I've already told Astrid that she should give you one hell of a make out session if she got the chance to."

"Mrs. Haddock!!" Astrid now yelled as the wispy aura around her spiked.

"I was wondering." Sadie speaks up for the first time. "What was the wording of your curse, because Heather doesn't seem affected by it."

"Oh, let's see." Astrid said while looking pensive. She then began to recite her spell.

Powers of vengeance, come to me

Hear my cry, listen to my plea

Right the wrongs that have been done

Rain justice down from Father to son,

mother to daughter,

Wicked they be, like wicked react

Giveth sorrow for every pitiful act

lest there be one

who holds no greed in their heart

they shall be spared from the start

Tortured mind and restless spirit

Let them be felt until they freeth

Let no peace nor rest be had

Until they right their miserable path

"So the curse wouldn't affect a family member if they weren't greedy or had any malicious intent?" Gobber asked as he twirled the end of his mustache.

"Yes, I did not want to condemn anyone who had a good heart." Astrid states.

"It's great that Heather isn't affected, but didn't you and your brother grow up together?" Fishlegs asked Heather timidly.

"Actually no. Dagur is my half brother. My mother was his father's mistress and when she passed away Dagur welcomed me to the family against his parent's wishes." Heather tells us.

"So it has to do with how you were raised then and later acted?" Dad asked.

"Yes, but the ones excluded from the curse cannot undo it." Astrid stated firmly. "Only those who put aside their greed and pride while showing true remorse can lift the curse."

"Astrid, I think there is just one more question to be asked." Dad stated. "Whatever happened to your uncle?"

Astrid sighs and then says. "I do not know exactly, but after losing control of my father's business, uncle retreated back to his country home. He would rarely write to me and he was still angry about what I had done. He passed 2 months before me." Astrid paused at this point. "In his eyes my actions must have looked like a betrayal but I stand by them."