Chapter 4- Lost and Found

It had been almost two weeks since they Hiccup's fever started, and though Astrid got it down and at some point even gone, it still came back. She grew more concerned as the fever kept coming back and she knew he was having nightmares brought on by the fever. She had to figure out what else to do, to bring his fever down permanently, but what. She sniffled and grabbed a rag, made out of Hiccups shirt, but the water she collected was gone.

"No more water." Astrid groaned and hung her head. She'll have to go gather water from the lake again. She really didn't have anything to put it in other than Hiccup's helmet and one of the bowls she made out of wood. "That's it, Toothless! Come on I need you to help me carry him"

Toothless cocked a head, got up and walked to Astrid. She carefully got the boy on the dragon's back, a moan escaping the boy's mouth. Whether he was fully conscious or not was unknown but she shushed him in a gentle tone.

When she made it to the Lake she told Toothless to stay where he was and dragged Hiccup to the lake. Wading in the water she let the leaf bandages float away and held onto the boy. She shivered at the coldness of the lake and hoped it would help to get his fever down. Toothless watched with concern in his yellow-green eyes, as Astrid floated about the water. Astrid didn't stay in the lake too long and soon returned Hiccup to his spot in the cave.

Unbeknownst to them, like Ruffnut had said, the teens along with Stoick, Gobber, Mulch, Bucket and some other Vikings went to looked for Hiccup and Astrid just as the sun rose into the sky. They searched everywhere they could think of, including Outcast Island and Dragon Island. Those that didn't have a dragon took ships out and searched nearby islands as Stoick and the other teens flew out farther. The only island they didn't think of searching was a small island where you could walk from on side to the other in two days. This island had a surprisingly large mountain with a good sized lake at its base surrounded by a thick forest.

It had been Stormfly who decided to go to that island after hearing Toothless' roar one night as she searched on her own for her rider, her night fury friend and his boy. She landed on the top of the mountain, where she waited for Toothless. Astrid had taken notice to Toothless' behavior, but had to stay and watch Hiccup. When Toothless returned Stormfly roared outside and walked into the cave behind the Night Fury. Astrid ran to her Deadly Nadder and hugged her, telling the blue dragon how happy she had been to see her. Astrid told the dragon to go back and get Stoick and preferably a ship. The Nadder nuzzled her rider and left to retrieve the Viking chief.

Back on Berk, Stoick was looking over the many maps of their area with Gobber and the other teens. They were going over where they have and have yet to search, but they had looked everywhere.

"Wait what is that island, where is it?" Stoick asked pointing to a small blotch.

"Well, it looks like that island between us and the Outcast's island, but that island is small, there is barely any wildlife there." Gobber said and waved his hand.

"Mhm, did anyone check that island." Stoick asked and all the teens shrugged.

A sound outside the Great Hall alerted Stoick and the others. When they went outside, Stormfly had landed and was making a racket. Fishlegs approached the dragon and asked what was wrong, but the Nadder just got up flapping its wings. When they didn't follow, she landed again and walked to Stoick. She nudged the chief, squawked, and flapped her wings trying to get the large man to move. "What is yer problem?" Stoick asked as Hookfang and the other dragons approached.

Thornado, Stoick's blue Thunderdrum, and Stormfly seemed to be holding a short conversation with short squawks, growls and purrs. Almost immediately after they stopped all the dragons got into a frenzy, all trying to get the Vikings to follow.

It was Fishlegs who noticed that they were trying to get them all to follows. So they did and the dragons led them to one of the ships where Stormfly took flight and flew off a ways. Stoick told the teens to stay put and he followed the Nadder.

Hours later Toothless sat at the entrance for the cave while Astrid slept next to Hiccup, head lying on her arm. When he saw the, Stormfly and Thunderdrum, he jumped up and down and trotted to Astrid. She woke with a growl and sat up, "what is it Toothless? Is Stormfly back?"

"Hiccup? Astrid?" Stoick's voice came as he walked to the cave. When he looked in Astrid stood up, exclaiming his name. "Thank the gods you're both alright. You are alright aren't you?"

"Well, I'm fine, but Hiccup's sick." Astrid said trying her hardest not to tear up. "He passed out about a week two ago and his fever keeps coming back." Astrid explained as Stoick walked to where his son laid, his chest cover with his vest and a green rag on his forehead.

Astrid stood there and asked how they would get back, if he only came. "Don't worry, Astrid, I will return to Berk and bring back a ship."

"But, chief, that could take days and I don't think Hiccup will last that long." Astrid protested her voice breaking.

"Don't worry, just keep doing what you've been doing and I'll return as fast as I can." Stoick said and left his cape behind as thunder rolled in the distance. Astrid held it and watched the Viking leave, a look of worry across her face.

Stormfly stayed behind and comforted her rider, but as the rain started and Astrid sat back next to Hiccup her worry only got worse. She huddled next to Hiccup, covering both of them with Stoick's fur cape and Stormfly sat on onside and Toothless on the other. With the sudden wind and rain being blocked, keeping both teens warm, Astrid was able to fall back to sleep.

By the time Stoick returned, the storm and gotten worse and he had no choice but to wait until it ended to retrieve Hiccup and Astrid. They all waited inside the Great Hall eagerly waiting, but the storm only got worse and brought with it snow.

When the storm did end, the snow hadn't stuck and as soon as they could, Stoick launched a ship. With Thornado and some other dragons pulling it, they were able to reach the island by mid day.

Stoick walked past the freezing lake and hurried to the cave. "Astrid?" He called out as he walked in where he found Toothless and Stormfly curled up with Astrid and Hiccup cover between them. There was movement under the Vikings cape he had left and Astrid's head popped up. The dragons moved aside as the other teens walked I and Stoic lifter his son off the ground.

"Careful, he's really not in the greatest condition." Astrid said and had to restrain herself from going to him. Stoick reassured her and lead her to the ship.

Stormfly took to the air and watched as Toothless cautiously got on the ship with Astrid. Stoick ordered for them to set sail for Berk and laid Hiccup down near Toothless. Thornado took off, leading the ship back home with Stormfly and the other dragons surrounding the ship.

Hiccup groaned, as a shiver racked his body and his left hand clenched into a fist. Astrid wiped away the sweat from Hiccup's forehead and checked his chest. She felt he face heat up as she looked up, all eyes on them. "What are you all looking? Never seen someone care?" She snapped and the others just looked away while Stoick walked to her.

She glared unintentionally as he knelt down, "It's alright Astrid, and you don't need to take care of him anymore." He tried to sound reassuring but it came out more parentally.

Astrid just looked away, pursing her lips, and just laid down against Hiccup. Toothless who had his face hidden in his wing, looked up, feeling Astrid's distraught and gave a purr before spreading his wing and covered the two's bodies. He gave a sharp groan to Stoick and laid his head back down into his wings. Toothless gave a guttural purr and a huff that caused Astrid to look up at him. She gave him an "are-you-serious" look and chuckled lightly, before patting the dragon on the snout. She told him that she was alright, moved Hiccup's arm so she could get closer to him. Stoick sighed and smiled, before turned back to the front of the ship, leaving the two alone.

Hours later the ship docked in Berk, but the motion didn't seem to bother Astrid or Hiccup and Stoick carried his son home while Astrid's father came and took her home, their respected dragons following them.

The village elder came to Stoick's home to see too the wounds the boy still had. "Astrid had taken care of him on the island they got stuck on." Stoick explained and the elder nodded and wrapped the boy's chest, side and head. She then gave Stoick a mixture that would help him get over the illness he had. Stoick nodded and watched the elder leave to see Astrid, who by now was awake.

When the elder showed up, Astrid asked about Hiccup, but the elder just waved her off and looked at her shoulder. Astrid sighed and stayed quiet and found that she was more tired than she had thought and once again went to sleep.

A week later found Astrid up and about and explaining to Stoick once again what all happened, but it would be a while until something was done. Astrid told Stoick that, Hiccup and Toothless put Dagur out of commission for a while and that they really didn't have to worry. She went on and told him that, her kidnap was more of an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Berserkers and that it wouldn't happen again. Stoick just agreed and told her to go and let him and the other adults to take care of it.

Astrid left and grumbled, before going to see how Hiccup was doing.