The morning sun shone bright the next morning. Toothless had been sneezing all night and Hiccup stayed by his dragon's side every moment. Terrible Terrors sang along with the birds outside, slowly waking up the Dragon Riders on the base.

''Good morning, sleepy.'' came Astrid's voice from the staircase, which forced Hiccup to blink his eyes open from where he lied, arms wrapped around Toothless' head resting on the floor. ''How's our warrior?''

''Still sick. And getting worse.'' informed Hiccup as he got to his feet. ''Fever got grip of him.''

Astrid handed him a cup of water, which he took with pleasure.

''We'll start looking for the ingredients today, don't worry.'' she said.

''I'm not worried.'' he replied very confidently. ''He fought this eel pox once. He'll do it again.''

''I hope you're right.'' said Astrid, kneeling down to touch Toothless' head. ''He's very hot, indeed. Maybe you should stay with him while we search for the cure.''

''Absolutely not, Astrid.'' replied Hiccup almost immediately. ''I'm gonna help save my dragon. May it be the simplest task, I don't care. But I'm not gonna sit around watching my dragon get worse, waiting for you guys to return.''

Astrid eyed him for a long moment. She knew her boyfriend easily got upset when it came to his dragon. There was no point in trying to force him to stay here if he didn't want to.

''Okay.'' she said at last very softly. ''I'll stay here with him. You and the other guys go to Healer's Island and grab everything. I'll see to him while you're gone.''

Hiccup twisted around to look at her. ''You will?''

''Of course.''

Astrid would usually fight to be part of the action. He was glad she'd stay here with Toothless. He just couldn't wait around for his teammates to come back, not if he had something to say about it.

He approached his love and grabbed her hand with care. He then leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek in thanks. Slowly, he backed off and made his way out of his hut.

''Hiccup?'' she called, reaching out a hand as to stop him.

Hiccup turned around to face her and their eyes met.

''Just be careful.''

''Whoa, you sound just like my dad…'' he remarked. Last time he'd gone to collect the ingredients for eel pox, his father had told him the exact same thing. He grinned and added. ''When am I not careful?''

And with that, he left the building to go gather the riders for their search.

Toothless whined at Astrid's feet. She knelt down by his side and pressed a soaked cloth on his burning forehead.

''Don't worry, Toothless.'' she reassured the Night Fury. ''He'll be back before you even know it.''

''Alright, Riders.'' called Hiccup to his gathering teammates around the fire pit in the center of the Clubhouse. ''We got a long day ahead of us. Fishlegs, do you have the list?''

''Yes I do.'' he replied, waving the paper as proof. ''We're gonna need one Buckthorn Root, lightly roasted. Well, Snotlout, that could be your job. Like last time...''

''That's very funny, Fishface.'' replied Snotlout to the comment. ''But when I get you that root, you're gonna realize how great of a cook I am.''

''We're not the ones who'll eat the root, Snotlout.'' said Fishlegs. ''But go ahead and prove yourself to Toothless.''

''Don't mind if I do..!''

''Alright, next we're gonna need a dozen Rock Blossom. Meatlug and I can take care of that.'' he pointed and carried on. ''A handful of Goatweed and one Wild Dagga Plant.''

''Uh, I hate to break it to you,'' said Tuffnut, raising his hand to speak. ''but Wild Dagga Plants don't grow anymore this time of year.''

''Oh, really?'' asked Snotlout, clear mock in his tone. ''How can you two muttonheads be so sure of that?''

''Long story.'' said Ruffnut, waving her hand as to chase a fly.

''Don't ask why because we don't know.'' began Tuffnut, bringing his hands to his back as he began swaying slowly. ''But we recently went climbing near the volcano for some of our unexplainable and dangerous reasons and - they are purple flowers, right?''

''Yes.'' answered Hiccup flatly.

''Oh, good. Well, they were all dead.''

''Probably by the cold, yah know?'' added Ruffnut as evenly as Hiccup had replied just before.

Hiccup returned his gaze on Fishlegs. ''The Northern Markets must have collected some before they got killed by the frost. You guys will search for the rest. I'll go to the market.''

''Why does he get to do the dangerous stuff?'' whispered Tuffnut in his sister's ear as the rest of the riders walked to their dragons, bags set and ready to go.

Astrid walked up to her teammates who were saddling up and about to leave.

''I'll be here when you get back.'' she told the Riders.

''Wait. Astrid, you're not coming?'' asked Fishlegs, obviously surprised their greatest warrior wouldn't be part of the collect.

''I'll stay and watch after Toothless. Everything will be ready for when you get back.'' she informed them, sure of herself.

Hiccup climbed behind Fishlegs on Meatlug.

Fishlegs eyed his leader and suddenly understood the situation. He nodded with a smile.

The Gronckle beat her wings, lifting herself off the ground and was followed by the rest of the team, except Astrid, Stormfly and Toothless, of course.

Hiccup twisted around to face the Monstrous Nightmare and Zippleback. ''You guys head for Healer's Island. We'll see you later, good luck!''

Snotlout and the twins took off south while they flew north.

Hiccup's mind was so busy with thoughts of Toothless that he didn't notice time fly by, and soon enough, land came in sight; the Northern Markets.

This place crawled of Dragon Hunters and mischievousness. But Hiccup told himself he'd be quick. He wouldn't be staying long enough to be recognized and be attempted to kidnap. At least, he hoped not.

Fishlegs flew Meatlug down, low enough for the pine trees' tops to brush the dragon's belly. The clearing soon came in sight and they flew down in the forest.

''That's right.'' said Hiccup as Meatlug came to a landing. ''We don't want to make an entrance. If ever they saw a dragon, it wouldn't be long and many Hunters would be on its trail.''

Hiccup hopped down. He checked if he hadn't lost anything during their flight. His hand sensed his hunting knife hiding between his boot and leg. He met eyes with his friend and thanked him silently.

''I'll send Astrid to fetch you later. Our dragons will be too tired to travel all the way back here.'' said Fishlegs, brushing his girl's cheek, who licked back. ''Are you sure you don't want me to stay with you to find that Wild Dagga Plant?''

''I'm sure, Fishlegs. Really.'' said Hiccup honestly. ''You go find what you're supposed to. I'll see you later at the Edge.''

Waving farewell, Fishlegs took off to Healer's Island to join the others.

Once he was out of sight, Hiccup turned his defiant eyes toward the clearing visible through the trees, and started walking towards it.