Chapter 10

"Hey where did that hunky mountain of muscles get off to?" Ruffnut asked as she gazed around, a hungry look in her eyes. Hiccup shrugged, having forgot all about the large bodyguard completely. He supposed now that the problems with Astrid and the other riders were resolved he really should –

"I'm right here." Eret's rough voice harshly growled from behind the group as he stepped out from behind a nearby hut. His face and exposed skin littered in scratches and he was clutching a large stick in his right hand.

The dragons standing amongst their riders were instantly on alert with the appearance of the rough looking man carrying a crude weapon. Serpentine eyes narrowed at him as they quickly bore their sharpened teeth. A clear sign of warning to the newcomer who they clearly perceived as a threat.

Hiccup whipped his head urgently back and forth, glancing at the on edge dragons as well as their equally on edge riders and he knew if he didn't step in something terrible would happen.

"Woah, woah, guys come on." Taking a step between the tense parties, his hands out in front of him, palms out, as he would with any wild dragon. "We don't have to do this." He said, sending a pointed look at Eret. The only reply he received was a fierce glare and his hand tightening on the large branch.

"Oh I beg to differ, traitor!"

"Eret, that's enough!" Astrid broke the line of dragons and riders and walked up beside Hiccup. Laying a comforting hand on his shoulder, gaining his attention.

"I'll handle him." She said a small smile on her face.

"But–"

"It'll be okay. He won't hurt me." Astrid broke her hand hold on Hiccup's shoulder and edged closer to Eret. Not in any way frightened of her long time friend but still weary, not knowing what he would do.

"Eret…" she started gently.

"Don't Astrid. I heard all of it." He shook his head in a disapproving way, "you really think you can stay with these – these dragon lovin' traitors!" Several growls could be hear from behind Hiccup, he too took offense to what the bigger man had said; narrowing his eyes in anger.

"Excuse me but I take exemption to that dig, good sir!" Tuffnut chimed in, "personally I would prefer professional dragon riding rebels oh – or the tamers of only the mightiest of fire breathing reptiles, or my personal favorite; debonair dreadlocked – "

"Tuffnut!" Everyone said simultaneously. Stopping the man instantly.

Tuffnut crossed his arms, pouting like a petulant child, "fine, see if I ever try to get us a cool title again." He muttered under his breath.

"Anyways," she drew out, "yes Eret, I do think I am going to stay with them. I want to learn about dragons and how they can be friends with them and are able to ride them. They ride dragons Eret. Dragons!" Astrid emphasized her point by sweeping her un-injured arm behind her. Motioning toward the dragons littered amongst the riders. All of which had yet to drop their guard, hackles raised and teeth still barred at Eret. Their unyielding fidelity fully on display.

Eret visibly grimaced as he swept his eyes over the rag tag group of dragons and Vikings.

"Yeah nope. Don't care."

Then before Astrid or anyone else could react Eret closed the distance between the two, sweeping Astrid up into his arms and over his shoulder. Again.

"Oh Thor! Seriously Eret, again?!" Astrid asked looking over her shoulder at mostly the back of Eret's head. His eyes only darting back to meet hers briefly, before he turned all his attention back to the now much more alert group in front of him. "Can we not discuss things like normal people?! There are other ways to do this than just throwing me over your shoulder like a brute and showing my ass to everyone?!" She screeched as she desperately tried to cover her leggings clad rear end with her single free hand. Unfortunately for her the angle of how she was dangling was not working in her favor.

"Oh don't worry Princess, we don't mind!" Snotlout chimed in, a lecherous grin plastered on his face as he eagerly took in Astrid's back side.

"Shut up Snotlout!" Hiccup and Camicazi said simultaneously.

"And stop looking." Hiccup added for good measure, before he moved his glare from Snotlout back over to Eret, he watched the larger man tighten his grip on Astrid and match his glare. Returning it just as hotly as he was receiving it.

A growl bubbled up in Hiccup's throat as a foreign feeling of possessiveness bloomed in his chest at the sight of the tattooed bodyguard stealing Astrid away, again.

"So here's how this is gonna go." Eret began, his stick waving slightly as he addressed the group. "Astrid and I are leaving. Now, I'm sure somewhere on this Gods forsaken island there is a boat. So you," he swung the stick directly at Hiccup's tense form, "will take us to it. Now." He finished, leaving no room for argument.

Hiccup toyed briefly with the idea of how quickly he might be able incapacitate Eret using Toothless. It wouldn't be hard, just a perfectly placed plasma blast or quick sweep on his powerful tale would easily take out the larger man. The only problem with the plan – Astrid.

Any hit to Eret right now would have directly impact her. Most likely causing more damage to her already injured shoulder.

Astrid began to squirm upon hearing Eret's demand of Hiccup. She could practically see the stony glare Eret must have currently been receiving from Hiccup; since it was only a short time ago that she had been on the receiving end of said glare.

There was no doubt in her mind that while Hiccup was silent his brain was frantically working to find a way out of this situation but considering her position on Eret's shoulder she knew help was a long shot. Which meant it was up to her to get Eret to back down and see the truth about why she wanted to stay here so badly.

Eret could be as boar-headed as a stubborn yak but even he could change his mind. And if anyone could change that stubborn brain of his it was her.

"Stop your moving Astrid." Eret hissed to the rapidly wriggling blonde on his shoulder.

"Not a chance Eret. You're gonna set me down and we're. going. to. talk!" Astrid bit back furiously. She had, had enough with all the men around her telling her what to do. For once in her life she was going to do what she wanted and no one – not even her own bodyguard would stop her.

"Astrid if you don't stop right now I'll – THOR ALMIGHTY!" Eret howled in pain, suddenly releasing his grip on Astrid and the stick. Dropping both unceremoniously to the ground as his hands went up to the tiny blue terrible terror latched onto his ear. Yanking on the cartilage furiously but unlike Eret, the small dragon was not releasing its grip.

Astrid let out a sharp cry as she hit the ground. The drop from Eret's hold had been completely unexpected, which left her zero time to brace her body for impact with the wooden decking. Which unfortunately happened to be directly on her already injured shoulder. Pain exploded all around her, akin to what she had felt on her ship the night of the storm, only this time ten times worse. The pain dulled her senses to the point that Eret's vivid cursing only became a soft murmur in the back ground. And the feel of a pair of hands grasping around her felt numbed and distant.

Astrid tried to desperately hold onto the feeling of the hands around her, she thought that were cradling her gently but she couldn't be sure. The world of pain she was submerged in making it impossible to tell. As she made one last attempt to push past the pain and back to reality Astrid thought she could hear someone urgently calling her name but the pain was to much and finally she succumbed to the pain. Letting it carry her into blissful darkness.

.o.o.o.o.

The first thing Astrid was aware of as she awoke was the dull drum of pain coming off her shoulder. Slowly pulsing like a heartbeat but no where near as intense as it had been only minutes ago.

Or however long ago it was.

Letting out an audible groan, Astrid strained to open her eyes as she began to stir.

"Hey, hey, hey, take it easy." Hiccup's distinct hushed voice cut through the pain and darkness putting her at ease instantaneously.

"H-Hiccup?" Astrid asked, her voice hoarse. Prompting her to wet her lips and try to swallow the minimal amount of saliva in her mouth to ease the sandpaper like feeling in her throat. Hiccup must have realized her struggle because not a minute later a cup of water was at her lips. Which she eagerly drank from.

Finally feeling grounded and awake enough after a long drink, Astrid opened her eyes and was instantly greeted with Hiccup's concerned green eyes.

"You're finally awake. Again." A lopsided smile pulled at his lips but the concern never left his face.

Astrid felt a flicker of guilt flair up in her chest for causing that soft look of concern on Hiccup's face. She had caused him so much worry in such a short amount of time she had been on the Edge. Basically she had been the definition of a horrible guest.

Oh, if only my teacher could see me now…she'd be so proud. She briefly thought before quickly shaking off the thought and focusing back on the man kneeling beside her bed.

Wait, bed?

"Wh-what happened?" She asked, looking past Hiccup momentarily at the group standing behind him. The riders, including Eret, who was now sporting a bandage on the side of his head, stood silent as they watched them.

"Well we were kind of hoping...you could tell us." Astrid furrowed her eyebrows at Hiccup's cryptic answer; not understanding why he was looking to her for answers. She had been the one who lost consciousness. Why would he ask her what had happened?

Just as she was about to open her mouth to ask Hiccup what he meant she felt a noticeable weight on her abdomen. As if something was laying on the middle of her. Pulling her attention from Hiccup, Astrid tried to look toward where the weight was, unfortunately she couldn't see anything past Hiccup's crouched form in front of her.

Hiccup noticed her attention shift from his face and try to look past him. Knowing she must have finally noticed their 'little visitor', he moved, letting her finally see past him and down her body.

Blue eyes widened impossibly large as Astrid stared at the small blue terrible terror, comfortably resting on her stomach. It's serpentine shape curled up into a tight ball as it slept soundly on her. Not bothered at all by all the attention it was currently receiving.

Hiccup flicked his eyes between Astrid and the small dragon, trying to figure out the connection between the two. Just as he had been for the past hour that she had been unconscious.

To say Hiccup and the rest of the riders had been surprised by the appearance of the blue terror would be an understatement. Stupefied would be more accurate.

Hiccup had been right in the middle of coming up with plans to get Astrid away from Eret, when Eret let out the most un-Viking like howl up to the heavens. During which he released Astrid, letting her tumble off his shoulder and to the decking. Landing directly on her already injured shoulder.

Hiccup didn't waste a second, rushing to her side as she writhed in pain on the ground. Quickly gathering her up carefully in his arms he tried in vain to calm her down, knowing she would only injure herself further. Unfortunately his pleas fell on deaf pain filled ears. Astrid only ceasing her movements when she physically passed out from pain.

Once the girl in his arms was still Hiccup turned his attention back to Eret, who was still flailing and cursing up a storm, with the terror still firmly in place. By now several of the other riders were trying – in vain – to pull the terror off of Eret but had yet to separate the two. For whatever reason, the small dragon was determined to inflict some damage on Eret.

Not that I blame the little guy.

Hiccup enjoyed the 'show' for another minute before his conscience finally kicked in and he put a stop to the attack. With a single authoritative whistle to Toothless the tug of war ended. Upon hearing his command, Toothless, promptly walked up to the struggling Vikings, wedging himself between them, before grabbing the terror in his gummy mouth and tugging. Separating the pair.

Pleased with his job well done Toothless happily pranced up to his rider and deposited the blue terror in front of an equally pleased Hiccup.

Slightly dazed the terror shook its head, Toothless's un-washable saliva flinging droplets all around him. Slowly the small dragons acidic yellow eyes blinked open, taking in its new surroundings until they fell directly on Astrid's unconscious form in Hiccup's arms. The change in the little dragon was immediate, no longer dazed, it snapped to attention. Barreling toward Astrid until it launched itself at her, landing carefully on her midsection. Which is where it stayed the entire time they reset Astrid's shoulder and she slept. Watching over her diligently until it fell asleep itself.

"Sneaky…" Astrid finally murmured, pulling Hiccup from his thoughts. Drawing his full attention to Astrid, he watched as she lifted a shaky hand and slowly moved it toward the still sleeping dragon. Before carefully petting its scaly head.

"You know that flying rat with wings, Astrid?!" Eret bellowed from behind them the moment he saw Astrid gingerly pet the hateful creature.

Eret had already been at his breaking point watching the tender interaction between her and Haddock but finding out that she somehow knew that asshole little dragon, felt like a kick to the gut. Sending him straight over the edge.

Quickly getting to his feet, despite the protest of the people around him and his aching head, Eret crossed the room and stopped beside Astrid's bed.

"That thing tried to bite my ear off Astrid and you're telling me you know the blasted creature?!" The level of Eret's voice growing with every word.

With his patience running incredibly thin from Eret's constant indignant attitude Hiccup rose to his feet. Squaring off unevenly with the man, Hiccup wore his anger and frustration for Eret openly on his face.

"First off, it's not a 'flying rat with wings', it's a dragon. An intelligent, loyal and amazing creature. Second, what difference does it make if she knows this dragon. I don't know if you noticed while you had her slung over your shoulder like a sack of potatoes, she didn't call any dragons for help. So that thing independently made the decision to rescue Astrid from the person it perceived was a threat to her. Which was you!"

Before Hiccup had a chance to react Eret was grasping him by the collar of his tunic. Pulling the fabric tightly in his fist as he wrenched Hiccup's smaller body against his own. A challenging and angry look in his amber eyes.

Despite being at an obvious disadvantage and the increasing pressure on his throat, Hiccup didn't back down. Furrowing his brow in an angry scowl right back at Eret.

This was his Island, he would never submit to someone the likes of Eret.

"Stop it! Both of you!"

Both men broke their intense match off and looked toward the bed beside them. Astrid's pale face met their own, an angry glare as fierce as their own firmly in place.

"Just stop!" Astrid's glare broke as the exhaustion she had been feeling began to seep back into place. "Please." She finished weakly.

Simultaneously both men deflated as they were flooded with guilt over the way they had been acting. Like two pompous alpha males, fighting to stake a claim over a female. Or in Hiccup's case, fighting for the integrity of all dragons – and also slightly over a female.

Eret, as gently as he could, released Hiccup's collar. Straightening the fabric some before crossing his arms over his broad chest before shuffling slightly away. As if nothing was wrong and the two weren't about to come to blows moments ago.

"To answer your question, Eret, yes, I do know this dragon. His name is Sneaky." A light smile graced Astrid's lips as she thought of their first meeting and how insightful and amazing it had been. "I shared my lunch with him a few days ago while back home. He left once all the food was gone and honestly I never thought I would see the little guy again." She gave the dragon, who was now very awake, a light scratch under the chin. His forked tongue darting out happily as Astrid hit a sweet spot.

Eret's mouth dropped at the revelation, while Hiccup's broke out into a wide grin.

"You fed that monster?! Have you lost your mind Astrid?"

Astrid cocked an eyebrow, "really Eret, monster?" She gestured to Sneaky as he greedily enjoyed the caresses that she was giving him. His back leg now thumping against her stomach.

Hiccup stared in wonder at Astrid as she fawned over Sneaky. The little sister of two of the deadliest dragon hunters this side of the Archipelago, had gained the trust of a dragon. All on her own.

Despite all she had been taught, everything she had grown up around, her own dragon hunting blood – she had bonded with a dragon. Unintentionally but none the less bonded. Sneaky had seen something inside Astrid, that even she probably didn't know was there.

Overcome by the awe he was feeling, Hiccup lost momentary control of his mouth, blurting out exactly what he was thinking.

"You're amazing." He quietly praised, before instantly regretting it.

A hot blush spread across his cheeks as all eyes turned to him. Even Sneaky was eyeing him up and down as he snuggled closer to Astrid's stomach.

"Uhhh wh-what I meant was," nervously Hiccup's hands and arms began to wave wildly as he tried to play off his slip of the tongue. "Th-that you-you…you gained the trust of dragon without even knowing it! Yeah that's it! I-I mean he followed you all the way from your home, here and-and fought for you. That's, well, that's…amazing…" Hiccup trailed off as his blush only seemed to intensify.

Eret shook his head as Hiccup finished his pathetic explanation. Getting a bit of sick enjoyment as the boy floundered. "Smooth." He whispered loud enough for only Hiccup to hear.

Hiccup shot Eret a glare before turning his attention to Astrid. She met his gaze, a small blush dusting her own cheeks with as a hesitant smile pulling at her lips. A small action that sent his heart soaring.

"Anyways." Eret drew out. Breaking the moment between Hiccup and Astrid. "I still don't like the idea of cavorting with the enemy. Human or lizard. No matter what they say." He gestured to the group still standing behind them. "I've seen what those dragons can do to a grown man and it ain't pretty Astrid."

"I understand that but can't you also see what's happening right in front of you?" She pleaded. "Look at Sneaky, or – or any of the dragons outside the healers hut."

Eret looked away muttering under his breath as he did, "probably all dropped as eggs."

"Eret!" Astrid chided as everyone else in the room including Sneaky narrowed their eyes at the former trapper.

Eret rolled his eyes and let out a loud sigh, "Ok, fine, I agree that something is going on with these winged beasts." Eret's face suddenly grew serious before he knelt down beside Astrid's bed. His knees scraping the wood as he did, drawing his attention to the dull ache in his muscles from the activities of the day.

Once settled he continued. "But I also know that these people are your brothers enemies. The same brothers who at this moment knows about your ship exploding, can't find you and are no doubt already tearing apart the Archipelago trying to find you, Astrid. If you really care about these dragons, this place and these people," he looked over his shoulder. Eyes connecting with Hiccups briefly before looking back. "Then we need to leave. Because staying here will only put a far larger and deadlier target on them then before."

Astrid's resolve broke momentarily after Eret finished. Her gaze flicking away from him, automatically finding Hiccup's. It almost scared her how she sought help so quickly from him. It was only a few days ago that she had no idea who Hiccup Haddock even was. And now, she was unquestionably searching his forest green eyes for the right answer. Knowing he would deliver.

Which after only seconds he did with only a tilt of his lips and a slight nod she had her answer.

"Eret, we've already discussed that, Hiccup and the others are willing to assume the risk. Also Viggo was searching for them regardless, me being here doesn't change that." Astrid said confidently, though the twinges of guilt still pulled on her heart when she thought about this place and the people and dragons being destroyed by her brothers.

All in her name.

It was enough to make her physically ill.

Suddenly tired of lying flat, Astrid tried in vain to sit up right but between Sneaky and her injured shoulder, it was a pathetic attempt at best. As she was about to give up she felt a large hand on her back pushing her forward until she finally sat up right.

Eret didn't remove his hand from Astrid's upper back right away, letting it linger for a moment longer than he should have. A gesture that wasn't missed by Hiccup.

Astrid passed a grateful smile to Eret and felt his hand slip back to his side. "Look Eret, I'm staying, I want to stay, I need to stay…but I understand if you can't." Astrid let her gaze drop from Eret's serious one, drifting down his face and to his broad chest. The borrowed tunic he was wearing hung open slightly in the front, leaving his scarred skin on display. One scar, no brand, in particular standing out to Astrid.

She could only see part of it but the angry red lines and partial shape of a dragon's wing and head stood out like a beacon. A horrible reminder from Eret's past.

He had never directly told her the story behind the painful look skin brand but Astrid had heard whisperings among the hunters. That it was a mark of a slave and he either had to have bought out his freedom or killed his former master. She wasn't positive which rumor was true but she assumed it was the later. Not that the men back home cared which it was really, most of them having their own unsavory past secrets.

Astrid lowered her voice, trying to keep her next words between just the two of them. "I won't force you to stay. Or – or do anything you don't want to do. I'm not like…them, Eret. You have a choice here." Amber eyes widened at the declaration. Triggering flashes in his mind of filthy hands holding him down as hot metal was driven into his flesh. While phantom bolts of searing pain shot across his skin, just like they did that horrible day. He could almost hear his screams still echoing around him.

Finally Astrid started speaking again pulling him from the horrible memories of his past. One, that he had know idea she knew about.

"So if you don't want to stay I'm sure we can get you a boat but I would ask you not tell my brothers where I am." Astrid paused as she let her words sink in.

"But…I would really like it if you stayed," she shrugged as best as she could with only one good shoulder, giving him a half smile as she did. "You're kinda my only friend."

Eret grew quiet and Astrid began to worry that he would take her up on her offer of a one way ticket out off the Edge. Then just as she was about to rescind her offer and beg him to stay with her. A smug smile spread across Eret's face. Stopping all of Astrid's frantic negative thoughts.

"What kind of a man would I be if I left the woman I'm charged to protect with this group? Hmm?" He paused before getting serious again, "but I'll tell you right now, I won't be getting on the back of one of those dragons. You hear me?"

Astrid nodded, tears prickling at the corner of her eyes, as her grin almost split her face in two.

"Oh thank Thor! Finally some eye candy around place!" Ruffnut crass voiced spoke up as she sauntered up to Eret, draping herself casually over his large bicep.

"Hey handsome. The names Ruffnut." She told him with a suggestive wink and growl. The gesture causing Eret's stomach to roll.

Gulping audibly, Eret tried to wet his suddenly very dry throat, as he passed nervous glances at the disgustingly flirty woman still hanging off of him. "I also want a lock on my hut door. A very, very sturdy lock."

.o.o.o.o.

Dang I stink at updating this story but don't worry it has not and will never be forgotten. Promise!

Anyways hope you enjoyed this chapter, more soon…ish.

Lizby