Author's note: Let me say beforehand that this is originally a piece of a longer story, and as such, it might seem unfinished and confusing.

Disclaimer: I don't own HTTYD.


Astrid ran through the corridor as fast as she could, checking each cell. They were mostly empty, some were even used as a storage. Then, a small sound could be heard from the next one, which sounded like a whimper, only much quieter. Astrid looked into the small cave, and her heart skipped a beat. He was there, amidst the dirt, mud, mildew, curling into himself like a ball, seemingly sleeping. The girl dropped the keys in the haste to get to Hiccup, and cursed herself for it. She coudn't waste even a moment, not now when time was so precious. The bars finally opened and she dropped to her knees by the young dragon trainer, grabbing his shoulder to wake him up.

Hiccup whimpered a little and tried to squirm out from Astrid's grip. When she continued to shake him, he reached up a hand still half asleep and tried to push it away. The Viking girl was shocked at the strengthlessness of the boy, but she couldn't give up.

"C'mon Hiccup. You have to wake up. Wake up."

Hiccup pulled his head out from under his arms and said with a sleepy, confused, raspy voice:

"I don'wanttogo...Le'mmesleep...'mtired..."

"I know Hiccup, I know. But you have to wake up, we're going to bring you home." Astrid fought back the tears that came at hearing the dragon trainer's voice. What did they dare to do to him?!

Hiccup wasn't quite awake yet though, it's been the first time in days they let him rest and even if it was an uneasy, restless sleep, the boy was grateful for a few hours of silence and peace. He barely even recognized someone was talking to him, let alone understand the words. But the shaking continued and he felt the comfortable darkness slip out from under his fingers. He whimpered again as his body started to register reality. His mind was extremely fuzzy. He was beyond exhausted.

"I wanna sleep..." He said, his hand grasping around for the disturbance and latching onto it. Astrid saw she was making progress. She didn't let herself be distracted by the boy's appearance either - she didn't want to focus on the healed and still healing scars on his face and hands.

"I know, I know, but there's someone you have to meet. You can go back to sleep after that."

"No..." His vioce was so weak the girl had to strain her ears to hear it. And was that... fear? She swore bloody revenge on every single member of this cursed tribe.

"C'mon, Hiccup, it's Toothless. Don't you want to meet him?"

His dragon's name seemed to bring Hiccup a little more awake.

"To-Tooth...less...?"

"Yes, Toothless. He's waiting for you right outside. Don't you want to go?"

Hiccup fought a little after hearing Toothless' name, and he managed to wake up, though his head was still swirling and he couldn't process many things. He concentrated hard on the person talking to him. It was a girl... And he knew this girl...

"Ast...rid?" He was scrunching his face in thought.

"Yes, Hiccup, it's me!" The Viking girl could have cried from happiness when Hiccup recognized her. Seeing the boy trying to sit up, she grabbed his shoulders - why were they so small? - and she helped him sit upright against the wall. It was then when the boy finally opened his eyes. Astrid gasped at the sight of the glazed over green irises, which couldn't focus on her fully.

"Reallyyou? Wha'reyou doing here?" The dragon rider slurred a bit.

"I've come for you! Everyone's here, we've come to take you home!" Astrid smiled a bit and stroked a few dirty, muddy locks of hair out of his forehead. Hiccup didn't answer, he stared in front of himself, clearly fighting against the confusion in his head. All the while Astrid noticed something else that made her blood boil with rage. There were two rusty, huge chains attached to the boy's wrists, not longer than his arms. They chained him! They chained him like a wild animal! She grabbed her axe before the boy would open up to the world around him and with a few swift strikes Hiccup wasn't bound to the wall anymore. The loud crashes finally shook him a bit aware though, and he stared at the broken chains for a moment, before looking at the panting girl.

"'m I dreamin'?" Hiccup's voice cracked, and Astrid kneeled down before him, gently touching his face.

"No, I'm really here. And I'm getting you home. Toothless is here as well. He's waiting outside. Come, can you stand?"

Hiccup nodded as he started to push himself upwards along the wall, but didn't get far before sliding back. Astrid quickly caught him and pulled him up, swinging one of his arms over her shoulder so she could keep him upright. She tried not to think about how light he actually was.

"All right." She spoke softly to him. "Now we're going to walk out, okay? Stay with me."

The boy nodded again, some determination shining in his unfocused eyes as he leaned on Astrid while stepping forward once, twice... He ignored the shaking of his legs, just kept on moving steadily, letting the girl take on most of his weight.

They advanced slowly, but surely, and Astrid prayed to all the gods that there wouldn't be any problems. If only they could get to the exit where she came from... There's Toothless and Snotlout and Fishlegs with their drangons and Stormfly. There woud be no army that coud take Hiccup from them again. But in here, she was alone and even if she was a fierce warrior, the boy couldn't even stand by himself, let alone run or fight.

The gods, however, turned their backs on her, as two Viking warriors noticed them and shouted at them to stop. Astrid growled in anger.

"Just give me a minute." She helped Hiccup lean against the wall. The boy whispered back.

"'reyou goin'tobe okay?"

Astrid's heart clenched at the worry in the dragon trainer's voice. He was in such a state and he was still more worried about her than himself. She smiled confidently.

"Are you kidding? They have no chance."

Hiccup's weak chuckle gave her more strength to deal with these two bastards, along with her anger. She detached her axe from her belt and stepped forward. The two men laughed. They found it amusing that a weak little girl would think she can take them on. It was still funny when that girl charged at them with a bloodcurdling battle cry. The fun faded though when they were rapidly losing the fight. Even the two of them couldn't get around her to corner her, as they were risking their limbs with the crazy swinging of the axe. Astrid was no longer furious. She was so much angrier. These people probably had a large hand in what happened to Hiccup. They had to pay. As soon as they realized she had the upper hand, her job was easy. In not more than two minutes, the two men laid in front of her, crying and bleeding. She huffed in anger as she kicked the bundle one last time and she ran back to Hiccup. The boy was still standing, even though his legs seemed to give away any moment, but the little determination he had kept him from tumbling down to the floor. Astrid felt pride, it must have been really hard for him to do that, but he lasted. He was still so strong. The rest of their journey was uneventful, it seemed like the main fight at the front kept this tribe occupied, and the girl congratulated her people for distracting their enemy. And soon, her heart jumped, they were out!

Toothless was right there in a flash, with his head in Hiccup's chest and huffing hot air into the cold body. The boy's eyes lightened a bit more at seeing his best friend and petted the dragon's head.

"Toothless...!"

By then, Snotlout and Fishlegs also arrived.

"Astrid, finally! Do you have any idea how hard it was to keep that dragon out here? One more second and he would've torn off our arms to rush in for Hiccup!" No one listened to what Snotlout said.

"Oh, gods, Hiccup, are you alright?" Fishlegs seemed like he would break down at the sight of their friend. Hiccup, on the other hand flinched and tensed up, trying to edge away from the boys. Astrid noticed, but she held him tight.

"Shut up, you guys! He's still disoriented, what are you doing, screaming and running?!" She hissed, successfully shutting both of them up. "Let's go, the sooner we get away from this cursed island, the better!"

She helped Hiccup onto Toothless' back and she sat up behind him holding him in place as the Night Fury started to run, but just fast enough for Astrid to be able to hold his human on him. The other two dragon trainers and Stormfly took off and looked out for anything that could mean trouble. The ship they were going to use was Berk's fastest and it waited at a beach in the back of the island.

Astrid had to command Toothless to slow down as Hiccup finally lost consciousness, but thankfully they weren't far, just a couple more minutes and they would be sailing to safety. They didn't encounter anyone that tried to stop them from leaving and they got on the boat without trouble. As soon as they were on board, they left the island behind. The girl took Hiccup under deck and laid him in a buch of fur blankets, then tugging him in hoping they would warm the cold body. Toothless curled himself around the makeshift bed and laid a wing on top of the bundle his human was in, providing some extra warmth. His greenish-yellow eyes spoke of sadness, worry, and relief. After months, he finally saw his rider, he could be near him, but he hated to see Hiccup so hurt. Astrid stroked the dragon's head comfortingly.

"He's going to be okay. He's the strongest person I've ever met."

Toothless purred softly in reply and then laid his head by Hiccup's side.

The Viking girl left them to be alone, Hiccup would be safe with Toothless and she still had work to do. She talked to the Vikings on board, filling them in a little then waited for Snotlout to arrive, as he flew back to the main battle when the ship sailed out of the beach. He had to sign the success of their special mission, to get Hiccup back. When he got back, he reported that the people of Berk already are on their ships and sailing home as well. Astrid calmed down a bit. Luckily, everything went as planned. They'd have to be on their guards from now on, as these people probably are going to come back for the boy. Only, they will be waiting this time and protect him. Fishlegs fell behind saying he saw something. A few minutes later he came back with a scared expression.

"Dragons! They have dragons!"

"What?" Astrid knew this was coming. Why else would they need Hiccup? But still, she wished this wasn't the case.

"They are riding dragons, not all that well, but they are doing it!"

"Are they following us? Did they see you?" Astrid jumped onto Stormfly, who descended just enough so her rider could get on her back.

"No, I don't think they noticed me, and they are probaly just looking for us, they were scanning the area."

"Good. You, Fishlegs, come with me, we're going to lead them away. Snotlout, you stay here in case anyone finds the ship. Use any means necessary to keep them from reaching Hiccup!"

The Jorgenson boy nodded and the two of them took off toward the riders.

It was already dawn when they arrived back. Astrid talked with the captain for a minute then went down under deck to check on Hiccup. The boy was awake and he was petting Toothless. At the sound of the girl's footsteps he tensed up a little and turned to her. He stared at her for a moment, while Astrid decided it would be best to just stand and wait it out, remembering last night's episode when the boys came out of their hiding places. Then, Hiccup relaxed and a soft smile lit up his bruised face.

"Astrid."

The girl smiled as well and walked over to the boy, sitting down beside him. She took his hand into hers and looked at him.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine" At his friend's disbelieving, scolding look he winced, but kept to his statement. "Really, Astrid, I'm all right. Just a little tired."

The girl's look softened but she knew he wasn't telling the truth. He still seemed much better compared to the night. He could focus more, his eyes were clear as well.

"Let's say we switch places. I'm the one looking like you, and you're me. Would you beieve me if I said I'm all right?"

Hiccup looked into her eyes sheepishly.

"...No."

"So?"

"It's nothing some sleep won't solve" He smiled. Astrid knew he was just saying that to reassure her, but she didn't pry. He really seemed extremely tired and sleepy, so she kissed him lightly on the cheek and went to the door when Hiccup's soft voice called her name.

"Astrid?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For coming" He turned to look her in the eye. "For saving me."

"Anytime, Hiccup. Anytime."

She then left the boy so he could get some sleep. It would be at least two days before they got home. No matter how badly she wanted to fly to Berk, Hiccup just didn't have the strength. She guessed he only awoken a few minutes before she arrived and he already could hardly stay awake when she left. Astrid hated those people who took Hiccup away from them even more. Especially for that the confidence was gone from his eyes completely, only leaving behind uneasyness, fear and timidness.

She told the other teens to be calm around Hiccup and don't be so loud. Fishlegs nodded eagerly before heading down to check on his friend as well, but Snotlout didn't promise he would do that. In the afternoon the twins caught up to them and asked about Hiccup. Astrid reassured them and sent them forward to tell Berk about their arrival. She knew they weren't the type to act calm and quiet.

Hiccup had awoken several times during their journey back, most of the time from nightmares, but he never stayed up for more than a few minutes. Fishlegs decided to treat him and when he emerged from under the deck having finished tending to his wounds he was on the werge of tears. From what he told, Hiccup's whole body was a broken mess. Cuts, bruises and burns littered his skin, telling the tales of long and painful tortures, and he had a few broken ribs and the boy also mentioned that his left arm was most likely broken as well, and it only just healed.

"It was a miracle it healed well because the treatment was really poor and careless."

Snotlout disappeared undeneath without a word after hearing it all, and they let him spend time with his cousin in peace.

By evening Hiccup could stay awake for a bit longer, and Astrid brought him some food. She felt horrible when Hiccup eyed the food with great hunger in his eyes. He probably didn't get much to eat in the last four months, and that's why he looked like a skeleton rather than a teenage boy. The dragon trainer ate slowly though, and Astrid knew it was because she was right there. He didn't want her to worry.

The next day came with a surprise. Hiccup was up and about, and was getting Toothless ready to fly by the time Astrid woke up.

"Hiccup?"

"Hi, Astrid... Uh, hi, Astrid..." The boy's stuttering brought a smile to the girl's lips. He always did this when he was caught doing something he didn't want others to know about.

"What are you doing?"

"Uh, I was just... I wanted to go flying? I mean, I'm sure Toothless is going to go crazy if he stays on the ground any longer. And I really missed our morning flights as well."

"Are you sure you're up to that? You still look like Hel" Astrid looked Hiccup over. He still seemed a bit weak and he had bags under his eyes, like he didn't actually sleep all day before. Hiccup was standing strong though, his stubbornness kicking in.

"I'm fine, Astrid, I really am!"

"... Hiccup, you know no one expects you to be "fine" after what happened, right?"

"..."

"Right now everyone is relieved that you're alive! You don't have to act like nothing happened at all! You don't have to prove anything!"

Hiccup frowned sadly.

"Maybe it would have been better if I died..."

"What are you saying?!" Astrid was terrified even at the thought. The boy seemed to have regretted it, because he started to explain himself.

"Astrid, it's not what I meant... I just... I messed up real big this time... I couldn't keep it up... I told them... how to train dragons. I have to do something about it, I..." His rant was cut short as the girl suddenly wrapped him in a tight hug. His ribs started to ache a bit but he didn't have the time to pay attention.

"A-astrid?"

"You...! You're the biggest idiot I've ever seen! It woud have been better if you died?! You messed up?! Hiccup if you really think after everything you've gone through you still need to explain yoursef, and you still need to be the one who can be blamed then I'm going to tie you to the mast and sail you off the end of the world!" Astrid held him a bit away from herself and she grabbed the sleeve of his tunic, pulling it up. "If you dare say that all these don't show that you made them run for their money before giving in, I'm going to hit you so hard you will feel it even a hundred years from now on!"

The boy stared down at the scars littering his arm where bandages didn't hide them.

"But Astrid... Even if that's the case, I still gave them power they will most likely use to hurt and conquer others, Berk involved!"

"Shut up! I don't care! No one cares! You know what?! I'm happy you showed them! I'm happy because if you didn't, maybe you would be... would be..." Astrid's voice died down. She lifted her face and Hiccup's breath got caught in his throat. Astrid was crying. He realized it just then, that the girl had probably was terrified for him, fearing that maybe they won't find him alive. The last few months must have been painful and desperate for her as well. He dropped his head.

"I'm sorry, Astrid. I'm sorry. You're right. Please forgive me."

The Viking warrior just shook her head and punched him lightly on his shoulder.

"That's for saying those things" She then took Hiccup's chin into her hands and kissed him affectionately. "And that's for realizing it was stupid."

Hiccup hugged her and whispered into her ears:

"Thank you."

Toothless watched the whole scene worried but it seemed like the two humans came to an understanding and he felt a huge amount of guilt leaving his rider. He grumbled at them softly before dramatically trotting back down under deck whining about the canceled flight.

Not that he would have budged even if Hiccup wanted him to.


Umm, so as I said, this is a part of a bigger story, but my friend said it woud make a nice oneshot as well. However, I decided to put this up for vote: I would like to hear you guys' opinion on the matter. Would you like to know how did Hiccup get into this mess and whatever happened after they got back to Berk, or should I leave it as it is?