Thanks to Godspeed83, Tahlibahli, Wildfire's Flame, SamS14 and Silvolde for the Feedback!

To those of who who've I've been messing with about this chapter for the past two weeks, this is for you!

Godspeed83: I'm not going to spoil the actual problem with Hiccup, but you are close. I suppose you'll know for certain in a few chapters.

Enjoy!

(Page Break)

"HICCUP!"

Fishleg's scream of elation was so loud that it awoke Snotlout, who was notorious for sleeping through Dragon Hunter attacks. In moments, the Dragon Riders were assembled at the stables.

Hiccup winced as he dismounted Toothless and was instantly crushed by a Thorston Sandwich and Fishlegs, with even Heather joining in on the hug. Finally, everyone let go, and Snotlout blurted the question on everyone's mind.

"How's the head?"

In the earliest days of Hiccup's conscious recovery, he had made mention to Astrid several times of splitting headaches he would get. Astrid had passed that information on to Heather, knowing the girl was as anxious for Hiccup's recovery as she was. Heather, in turn, had evidently told the rest of the Riders, something Astrid didn't want to happen, as she didn't want to overwhelm Hiccup. She was just glad she kept the news of Hiccup's more serious issues to herself.

Hiccup, for his part, didn't seem fazed. "It's better, thanks."

Astrid stared at the Riders. "While I'm pleased to see you guys, your T-Mail said you needed help?"

Fishlegs slowly nodded. "We found out who the person behind Krogan and Viggo is."

Hiccup frowned and looked at Heather. "I don't understand. How does this help us find Shattermaster?"

Everyone froze, and Astrid laughed quickly. "Sorry, we were playing a game on the way here. About our previous adventures."

Praying desperately to all the gods that she was convincing, Astrid turned to Fishlegs. "Who's the one in charge?"

Eyes flicking from Hiccup to Astrid, Fishlegs sighed. "It's Trader Johann."

Astrid drew back in shock and stared at Heather. "When did you find this out?"

Heather was still looking at Hiccup. "As soon as we found out, we sent a Terror Mail."

Hiccup looked out towards the sea, deep in thought. "Send a Terror Mail to my Dad and our other allies." He thought back to the past year, how Johann would interact with him on Berk. "And I'm going to pay Johann a visit."

Beside him, Astrid frowned. "Are you sure that's the best idea, Hiccup?"

Hiccup sighed. "Honestly, no. But Johann knows I haven't been on the Edge recently. He would have no reason to think I know who he really is."

Heather shook her head. "So what's your plan?"

"To end this without bloodshed." Hiccup climbed on Toothless. "I have to try."

Astrid, realizing appealing to Hiccup was pointless, crouched beside Toothless. "Don't take him." She whispered. "You know what he's going through."

And know Toothless did. Countless times the past year, the dragon had watched his Rider forget. Never noticing the lapses in memory. The Night Fury could see how it was affecting his Rider's Mate, and wanted to ease her struggle. So, he did the simplest thing he could. Toothless walked over to the sunny side of the launch pad and laid down.

Hiccup shook his head and dismounted. "Useless Reptile." He muttered. He returned to the group and sighed. "Scratch that plan." He looked at Fishlegs. "Have you learned anything from the Dragon Eye?"

Fishlegs was about to nod, but noticed Astrid's glare and shook his head instead. "Not…Not that much, actually."

Hiccup narrowed his eyes at his tone and glanced at Astrid, then at Toothless. Then he sighed. "Why do I feel like you guys are trying to prevent me from doing anything?"

Astrid glanced at Heather. "We're just trying to help."

"Help?" Hiccup gestured to the now sleeping Toothless. "Or protect me?"

Astrid took a step closer. "You're still recovering."

"Astrid, I'm fine." Hiccup smiled. "Trust me."

Astrid sighed. "I do trust you. You know that. But, what's your plan, Hiccup? Just walk up to Johann and try to convince him that dragons aren't the cruel monsters everyone thinks they are? That's going to get one of us killed."

Hiccup nodded. "I know. But something has to be done."

"But do you have to do it?"

Hiccup stared at Astrid for a few seconds. "What's that mean?"

Astrid, realizing her mistake, tried to back-peddle. "Nothing. I just-"

Hiccup shook his head, hurt evident in his eyes. "You are trying to keep me from doing anything. You think I'm still hurt."

Astrid tried to respond, but Hiccup just walked away, heading to the Clubhouse. As soon as he was gone, Heather looked at Astrid. "What was that?"

She sighed. "Nothing."

(Page Break. Man, I miss those lines.)

Hiccup sighed, shaking his head. He should have known Astrid would have reservations about him coming. She had been beside him constantly since the beginning, watching over him. Her words came back to him. But, I never really stop worrying over you. That's just how it is.

Hiccup walked into the Clubhouse and froze, looking around in confusion. Why was he on the Edge? Didn't he and Astrid just talk about Toothless and his Dad?

"Oh, how's Astrid's leg?"

"Hiccup?"

"Healing well, I trust?"

Astrid sat down beside him, and Hiccup started. When had he sat down?

"You okay?"

Hiccup sighed and rubbed his eyes. "My migraine has a migraine." He frowned. "How's your leg?"

Now Astrid frowned. "My…leg?"

"Yeah." Hiccup stared at the wood floor, thinking hard. "We were...fighting Viggo, and…you got shot." He brightened. "Hey, maybe this will shake some memories back!"

Astrid wasn't as optimistic. "Hiccup, that was…months ago." She sighed. "I know that this past year is fuzzy, and while I'm glad you're recovering, I don't think you should be on the Edge."

Hiccup sighed. "I know, but what do you want me to do? If Johann really is behind the Dragon Hunters, the Riders are going to need you. But so do I."

Astrid stared out one of the windows. "I don't know. Plus, you are our leader. We need you as much as you need us." Now she sighed. "What if you stayed on the Edge, but didn't go on any missions?"

Hiccup closed his eyes. While he didn't like the idea, if only because Toothless was the most powerful dragon and he was the best Rider, the memory lapses seemed to be happening more frequently. Whether that was due to the stress of recovery, or something else, he didn't want to make a crucial mistake during a vital mission. After a long pause, he begrudgly nodded.

Astrid smiled at him. "Thank you." Quickly pressing a kiss on his cheek, she stood and left the Clubhouse, leaving Hiccup alone.

Once the door closed, Hiccup stood, beginning to pace. Twice now, he had slipped up. Not realising quite a bit of time had passed between now and Astrid getting shot, and forgetting where he was. They were slowly growing more severe.

They had started a few weeks ago. Exactly what they were, Hiccup didn't know. At first, they were minor. Forgetting what time it was or how long he had been outside. He never said anything to Astrid, figuring she had enough to worry about.

But they were slowly getting worse. Hiccup had hoped that, with time, they would go away, but that didn't seem likely.

All he could do was hope.

(Page Break.)

Astrid leaned against the door of the Clubhouse and gave a quavering sigh. For months, ever since the memory problems had begun, she had debated telling Hiccup, not wanting there to be any secrets between them. Because the last time she had lied to him, it almost destroyed their relationship.

But this was far worse than keeping Heather's secret. If there was a chance that Hiccup being kept in the dark would fix this, then it was worth whatever would happen.

Astrid would see Hiccup recover, whatever it took.

(Page Break)

Chapter Notes!

I. I have a headcanon that Astrid's been in love with Hiccup since HTTYD 1, and chooses to express it rather than say those three words. So, she's going to do everything in her power to protect Hiccup.

II. The line about Astrid's leg is a reference to the S3 episode Defenders of the Wing Part One. Basically, Viggo was taunting Hiccup about Astrid's injury.

III. The most challenging part of this story by far is trying to maintain a balance between the Hiccup that remembers, and the memory issues. I can't have him constantly forget, but I can't have him remember everything, becasue there goes the plot. It's quite hard. Fun, yet hard.

Thanks for reading!