I am so very pleased with this chapter! First off it hasn't been a long time since I updated last! WHOOHOO! I DID IT! And THEN I wrote all of this today! In one day! And third and most importantly, let the suspense commence!

Remember last chapter I told you guys to be prepared? Yeah, brace yourselves ;)

Chapter 14: Death Row

Lightning flashed before peals of thunder broke out across the ocean. From Brawn, the oncoming storm could be seen without even looking. Many of the inhabitants were thankful that the Miserable Muttonheads and the Lugubrious Lava Lout tribes had left Brawn early that morning long before the storm accumulated on the horizon. With everything else going on for the Hooligan tribe, it would further raise tension to organize a rescue mission out to sea.

It had been decided that the real signing of the Treaty would take place in a few months' time when Hiccup could stand on his two feet again and the mastermind behind this plan was prosecuted. For the time being, Trevor the Tank could not be proved innocent or guilty in the act of treason against the Haddocks. Only time would tell of his innocence, but Stoick the Vast was convinced that Pike only used Tank's prior blowup as a way to confuse the tribes and cause more dissention. The council of chieftains allowed Tank to return home with his tribe, but with his tail between his legs. He wouldn't be causing any brawls anytime soon.

Thor's great thunder shook the great walls of the Mead Hall. Stoick noticed the mead in his mug ripple for a moment. This storm would be massive. The plan for the Hooligans to return to Berk in a fortnight's time would be led by Spitelout and Gobber, and the Haddock and Hofferson families would return to Berk when Hiccup had healed further. He hoped in a week or two, but there was really no telling. Hiccup had been fighting fevers and coughing fits all night long. Gudrik, however, was confident in the boy's strength.

The mighty doors opened with a heave of the guards and in tromped the entourage escorting the traitor, Iven Pike. The man's beard had grown in over the last few days, thick and scratchy along his neck and jaw. His dark eyes were steely and cold, but that ever present smirk still remained. Stoick wished with his entire being that he could slap it off his face.

Stoick felt the small form beside him bristle, and he rested a gentle hand on her shoulder. This would be the first time Astrid had ever seen Pike. Hiccup finally konked out earlier that morning and she insisted on being present for the treacherous man's sentence. Stoick could almost feel the surge of adrenaline course through her veins when Pike gave her a long look and not-so-subtly winked. Astrid gripped her axe tighter in her hands. Pike laughed derisively and kept walking. Stoick actually gulped, waiting for the axe shaft to shatter and splinters to fly into his eyes.

"What a piece of work."Astrid growled under her breath.

Olaf's hand rested on hers to appease her. "That he is. He hasn't made any of this easy."

"I say we just lop his head off and burn the remains-"

"Astrid!" Olaf hissed. Stoick gave a mild chuckle. Sometimes he honestly wondered when she became so violent. Perhaps that was his brother, Fearless Finn's doing. After all, the man had given that first axe as a gift when she was barely walking.

Pike and the guards halted in front of Kiev. The chief of Brawn watched the shooter with steely eyes for but a moment before nodding shortly to Astrid. Standing from her seat, she walked forward with heavy steps until she was toe to toe with the man. She searched his eyes, dark, probably handsome at one point when he was young and innocent. If he ever was. She wracked her brain while she stared at him, going so far as to thrust her axe blade into his face to gauge his reaction. He barely flinched, while many women in the Hall gasped. She was a scary young woman for sure!

Astrid finally stepped back, blue eyes icy. "I've never seen him before."

A heavy sigh filtered through the crowd, many frustrated. The hope that Astrid would recognize the man diminished. They were back to square one.

Kiev patted her shoulder before she walked back to her seat. "It's alright. It's alright!" He stated louder the second time to ease the tense murmurs. "Even if Miss Hofferson had recognized this man, he is still going to be punished for what he has done." Kiev fixed his steely eyes back on Pike. "But first, we have something to settle."

Pike's eyebrows rose with slight curiosity, though he didn't seem to be overall worried about his fate.

"The chieftains of the tribes and their councils agree that because we need more information as to who would order the assassination of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, we therefore offer you a choice." Pike laughed derisively at Kiev's pause. Growls of dissent rose again, and Kiev quickly continued, "We can kill you on the spot for treason against the chieftainship of Berk. Or you can give us the information we need and you will be put on probation for thirty years' time in the mines of the Lugubrious Lava Louts. That little trick you played in framing Trevor the Tank has backfired-"

"Assuming it was framing," Pike finally spoke, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs. The people silenced instantly to hear his words. He cocked his head to the side in a mild shrug. "Maybe he did it. Maybe he didn't-"

"Enough!" Stoick slammed his fist against the table. Astrid and Olaf barely covered their jump. "We've put up with your fun and games long enough! Make your choice!"

Pike turned and gave the chieftain a wide, evil smirk. "You want a choice? Fine, here's my answer," Then he turned to Astrid: "I will not tell a soul who hired me. In fact, maybe I just decided one day, 'hey, there's a big ole' village to do at Brawn in a few months and heck, that scrawny special kid from Berk is going to be there. Maybe I'll kill him just because I can!'" The guards tightened their hold on their weapons when he made short cold steps toward her. Astrid hardened her gaze the closer he got, the men on either side of her bristling protectively. "Maybe I actually enjoyed watching him writhe on the ground, drowning in a pool of his own blood. Maybe I didn't need to be hired by anyone! Maybe I'm not a bounty hunter and you people just think I am because of that stupid paper you found. I could make a living off assassinating important people just because I can and I am good at it!" The guards pulled on his chains and pressed weapons to his frame when he leered toward Astrid across the table.

Astrid trembled with such fury, waiting for instinct to take over and watch her axe blade plunge into his skull. Pike sneered in her face. "You are a bunch of cowards and fools to think that someone like me doesn't know what they're doing and to think that I would just turn in everything I know. I would rather die than give away a single bit of information and then spend the rest of my life working myself to death in the mines. I won't be somebody's slave." He whirled suddenly, the guards jumping and nearly running him through. "Taking a man's freedom is worse than killing him. So if you're going to kill me, do it."

Kiev wasted no time and gave no further thought. "Prepare the stake."

The villagers burst into a flurry of conversation and jumped to their feet as the guards yanked on the chains. Pike returned his evil glare to Astrid as he walked backwards. Standing between Stoick and Olaf, Astrid kept her eyes fixed on him until suddenly a massive clap of thunder shook the building. Peals of rain fell from the sky, blurring the square and village beyond.

"Awww!" Iven Pike whined, twisted back to pout at Kiev. "Guess I have to wait to die, don't I?" Astrid stomped over to him as he continued, "I mean, you can't exactly burn a man at the stake if you can't even light a-"

Astrid's fist connected with his jaw, throwing him against the guards. He spit blood and laughed. Kiev laid a hand on her shoulder gently and ordered the guards, "Take this scum back to his cell. As soon as this storm lets up, he dies."

Xxx

Thunder rolled across the skies, shaking Gudrik's hut with such force as to wake the single patient resting. Hiccup awoke with a sharp gasp, gritting his teeth against the pain shooting through his torso. He coughed and moaned raspily, tossing his head to the other side of the pillow.

A warm hand rested on his forehead and he flinched. "Easy lad. Just a storm brewin'."

Hiccup shivered in response, his jaw quivering for a moment. Gudrik slid the covers up before placing a rag on the boy's forehead. Another fever, another long day. He was still pale as a sheet and couldn't stay awake or talk for more than a few minutes at a time—all normal responses for high blood loss and serious injury. Gudrik was honestly impressed that a young man of such small stature could be doing so well. His memory was fully intact, he had no problems reading or writing (minus the fact that he had to write with his right hand…) and he recognized everyone who had come to visit him. Even when Colt had stopped by for a visit, Hiccup had grasped the teenager's hand tightly and strongly whispered, "You are not a coward." The teenager looked as if he might cry at the encouraging words, but managed to stay together.

Hiccup hadn't had any major signs of infection either. The healer knew his daily checks on the wound and changing the wraps were paying off. The only problem so far was restoring the movement to his left arm. It was hard enough being a left-handed individual anyway. Hiccup smiled when he told the healer that he thankfully could do many things with both hands. Sadly many of those things involved hard work, blood and sweat. Or riding.

He wouldn't be doing any of those things in a while.

Hiccup hummed a whine when the thunder clapped above them again. Gudrik patted his arm. "It's okay, lad. Try to get some more rest. You've only slept for a few hours this time."

Hiccup cracked his eyes open and frowned. His lips cracked when he whispered, "Where's Astrid?"

"She went to Iven Pike's sentencing," Gudrik scratched his grey beard with a deep frown. "Chief Kiev sentenced him to the stake, but the storm broke out as they were leading him out."

"He didn't take to the 'betray your boss and join the miners' plan, eh?"

Gudrik scoffed. "No. Word has it he approached Astrid and father to say he'd rather die than give information. Sadly that means his answers will die with him."

"He could hurt other people," Hiccup swallowed thickly. "I don't want to gamble Astrid's life, or my father's. There's too much at stake to take chanc-" A harsh cough cut him off. A small cup of water touched his lips and he drank the water heavily. It only soothed his raw throat, rather than eliminate the coughing. His voice and throat were tight and scratchy. He would never take good health for granted again.

And it had only been a few days.

"It's true," Gudrik set the cup aside after refilling it for later. "We can't afford to take chances anymore. Too risky."

"Mmm…" Hiccup nodded heavily. A low warble on his left side and a wuff of air blowing his hair off to the side caught his attention. Toothless lay beside the bed with his chin resting next to Hiccup's shoulder. Hiccup's eyes brightened and a smile broke on his face. "Hey bud! Where've you been?"

Toothless snaked his tongue out, repeatedly licking Hiccup's chin, nose and then entire face. Gudrik laughed at the exchange until the dragon had both paws on the bed and loomed over the boy in the attempt to coat his hair with saliva.

"Alright alright, get off 'im before you hurt 'im!" Gudrik finally managed to put a hand on the Night Fury's nose and push him down.

Hiccup slowly raised his left hand, watched carefully by Gudrik, and set it on Toothless forehead. "I missed you too, bud." Toothless gave a low whine and rubbed his nose against Hiccup's size. His boy smelled of exhaustion and fear and sickness. He could tell the sickness was minor, but it didn't stop the black creature from worrying. Hiccup glanced at Gudrik, "No really, where've you been? I've been awake a few times now."

"First time you woke was too early for him to come in. I only let Astrid inside that first night to keep you less than crowded. When you woke yesterday afternoon he had been here before, but a friend… Fishlegs was it? He came by to take Toothless for some fish. It took a while of convincing but the dragon finally went with him."

"And I woke up while he was gone." Hiccup frowned. "Sorry bud."

Toothless huffed in annoyance and licked his hand. Hiccup's face tightened in concentration as he gradually put his arm back down on the bed. He exhaled heavily, mostly in frustration. "I don't want to complain because I'm so lucky and should have no reason to complain…" Gudrik raised his eyebrows questioningly. "But I wish my arm worked."

"Yes. As I said before, it will just take time to heal. Lots of exercise and healing, but just as laughter is the best medicine, time is often the best healer."

Hiccup nodded, feeling himself drifting off again. "Mmmm so tired of being tired…"

"You lost a lot of blood and you're body is working hard to repair itself. It's good." Gudrik continued to speak even after Hiccup closed his eyes. "Tomorrow we can give you some word searches or something to entertain yourself, if you like."

"Soundsssgood…" Hiccup mumbled before he was out. Toothless licked his friend's left hand lovingly before curly back up beside the bed.

Gudrik stood with a tired sigh before standing and heading towards the door. A feminine yelp sounded behind the door when he opened it and he smiled at Astrid standing there with a hand extended toward the knob. "A little on edge?"

The blonde shrugged. "You could say that. How is he?"

"Doing well. He just nodded back off."

Astrid walked in, frowning at the cloth on her love's forehead. "Another fever?"

Gudrik nodded, "He was cold so I pulled the blanket up. It's natural-"

"How many fevers until it stops being natural?" Astrid scowled.

Gudrik matched her frown and carefully responded, "It's not a matter of how many but what causes it. These fevers are natural to the healing process after so much blood loss and intense healing. If he were to get a fever where he acts like a rabid dog, frothing at the mouth and shaking like a leaf in autumn, we might have more reason to worry."

Astrid closed her eyes and sighed, taking the chair he had occupied. She gently held Hiccup's hand in hers, stroking his knuckles. "I know. I'm sorry… you've done a lot to help us. The least I could do is not get upset-"

"I've handled much worse, believe you me. I've learned not to take it personally. Your loved one is hurt and sick. It would selfish of me to not keep that in mind." Astrid smiled back at him when he grasped the door handle and backed out of the room. "Be sure to get some sleep tonight, Astrid. You have a wedding in three weeks."

Astrid stared at the door long after it had closed. Three weeks. Only three weeks left. She turned her eyes back to Hiccup and snuggled against his forearm. "Three weeks, love. Three weeks."

Xxx

The red Terrible Terror snuck through the gap under the door, growling to itself as it shook water drops off its lithe body. Carefully trained for stealth, it avoided the guards standing guard every twenty feet of the jail. The small dragon finally found its target in the last cell in the back of the jail. His arms were chained over his head and his feet shackled to the floor. He looked haggard and exhausted with a blank expression, but without fear.

Iven's dark eyes snapped to his left when he caught the flash of movement. He made no moves as the Terrible Terror crawled up his leg, torso and left arm. It chewed on his pinkie finger for a moment before giving a sharp squeak at the man. He wiggled his fingers as silently as he could with the chains. He honestly didn't want to get beaten for harboring a dragon in his cell.

Then he noticed the dragon glancing down at the small parchment wrapped around the Terror's back ankle. Iven tensed before twisting his wrist awkwardly to pry it loose. The dragon held still and even used his little teeth to help. Whoever had trained this dragon had done a thorough job, Iven thought to himself. He didn't notice his tongue sticking out of his mouth in concentration. One sharp jingle of chains would surely draw the attention of the guards and fisting his hand would only be obvious.

The paper finally came loose and he held it between his first and middle fingers, using his thumb to smooth out the roll. As he read the message, written in small, scrawled ink, an evil smirk spread across his face. He had to use all of his willpower to not break into peals of uproarious laughter.

The dragon flicked its tail on his cheek, impatiently regaining his attention. The man held the note out with his fingers and the terror slapped it onto the ground. Iven scowled at the lizard as it crawled back down his body to the ground. He tried not to wince when its talons dug too hard into his skin a few times. The dragon caught the paper in its mouth before giving a short derisive growl to the man. Then it disappeared into the shadows from whence it came.

A short chuckle flew past his lips before he could help himself. Sure enough, a guard stomped before him with his spear drawn. "What're you laughin' at?"

"Wondering who will eat my remains first: the birds or the dragons?" Iven chuckled again darkly. The evil glint in his eyes sent shivers of worry down the soldier's spine, but he tightened his stance.

"Keep quiet, you, or I'll rip out your tongue. Chief Kiev gave us that jurisdiction." With that, the guard stomped back to his post.

Iven watched him until he disappeared from sight. His evil smirk never wavered. Oh, it was going to be a good night. For him anyway.

Xxx

Astrid's brow furrowed and she huffed impatiently. Twenty minutes trying to figure out the last word to this stupid word cross that Gudrik had convinced her to do. She just had to whine about boredom. Honestly though, she couldn't just stare at the bags under Hiccup's eyes a moment longer. He'd finally fallen into a deep sleep without coughing every few minutes and his fever had finally dropped off again. This was probably the most peaceful he'd looked since…

She grit her teeth at that particular train of thought. Annoyed and angry couldn't possibly and properly cover how she felt at the moment. They'd waited all day for the rain to let up so they could go through with Pike's death sentence.

But of course, the rain never did let up. She prayed deeply that it would stop but by the time dinner time rolled around and it was still pouring buckets outside, Kiev announced the sentence would take place in the morning, rain or no rain.

Astrid could still hear the rain pattering on the roof. Toothless snored on the other side of the bed, content to stay beside his boy for the end of time. She had felt really bad when Hiccup had woken the second time not twenty minutes after Toothless had left. Toothless hadn't left his side since he had been let in, but of course the one time he leaves, Hiccup wakes up. She rolled her eyes and glanced at his snoozing face with a smirk. He always had been difficult.

The young girl huffed in frustration and tossed the small booklet onto the floor beside the table. She was tired of words, tired of sitting here, tired of sleeping even though she was still behind on it. She had noticed the bags under her eyes when her mother carted her off to take a bath. She felt wonderful after all the dirt and grime and grease was gone from her body, but she couldn't pretend not to notice the bags and pale skin and thin frame. It had only been a few days since she'd overeaten at the market and she'd lost this much weight already?

Leaning against the bed, she nuzzled her nose into Hiccup's long hair. It would need to be cut before the wedding. She hoped he would be able to get lots of sun before then. She loved how the sun increased the shine of his auburn hair. If the afternoon light hit his hair in just the right spot, she could see the red highlights streaking from his scalp to the tips.

Running her fingertips past his ear and toward the back of his head, Astrid grinned when Hiccup sighed heavily and grumbled something unintelligible in his sleep. Even when fully unconscious, she could still get through to him.

"You're such a crazy lovesick Viking…" she whispered. She planted a kiss on his cheek, then gently on his lips. "My crazy lovesick Viking."

Toothless' head snapped up from the floor without warning, his ears perked as he stared at the window.

"Toothless?" Astrid asked, sitting up. She leaned to see who he might've seen out the window but the village was dark beyond the glass. "What is it?"

The Night Fury tensed and jumped to his feet, listening at the window. Astrid stood and walked around the bed, searching for what he might be seeing. A low growl began in Toothless throat and she glanced at him. "What? What is it?"

Then she heard it.

The distant screams.

Astrid looked back out the window with tense shoulders, looking up and down the street in search of the problem. Gudrik's name was on the tip of her tongue before a bright light bloomed from beyond the houses she could see. The more she watched, the more screams of terror she heard.

Raging fire rose from the buildings beyond, heaps of smoke rising in great clouds toward the dreary sky. Again Astrid began to call Gudrik when swooping figures caught her attention from the skies. Her eyes narrowed and she leaned upwards.

Dragons flew through the skies above the burning section of the village. Fury built up in her chest at the distinct outline of riders on their backs. Who and why! How dare they!

But her fury quickly changed for terror when a line of dragon riders swooped directly toward the healer's hut, each rider armed with flaming arrows and each dragon's maw opened wide, ready to fire.

Toothless roared suddenly just as Astrid whipped around, throwing herself over Hiccup's prone form. The window exploded, shard of glass flying in all directions. Burning arrows slammed into the opposite wall, catching drapes and cloths. The wood caught quickly and within seconds, the room was a raging inferno.

"No!" Astrid cried, ripping the blankets away from Hiccup before they caught fire. "GUDRIK!"

Toothless roared in fury, scrabbling at the door. He jumped toward the window, too big to escape but looking out at their assailents. A second round swooped in and he growled in warning. Astrid screeched and buried Hiccup again, crying out when an arrow snagged her bicep. It flew into the wall behind her but blood flowed down her arm.

Astrid coughed heavily just as Hiccup began to wake up. Gudrik finally slammed through the door, limping. Astrid saw an arrow wound on his leg but he ran toward them. "We've got to get out of here! They're after Hiccup! Move, move!" Pushing an arm under Hiccup's back, he pushed him into a sitting position.

Hiccup suddenly screamed in intense pain, now fully awake. Gudrik quickly shouldered his left side, doing his best to be gentle and quick. "Take his right side, come on! They're coming back around!"

Astrid gritted her teeth, helping him to raise Hiccup and move toward the door. Hiccup growled at the pain in his shoulder. "W-what's going on-"

"Attack! We've gotta move faster!" Astrid cried, glancing over her shoulder. "Toothless! Come on!"

The Night Fury growled out the window a final time in warning before retreating after them. Astrid stepped toward the door but Gudrik led Hiccup towards her right. "No no! Not the door! We'll be shot down instantly!"

"Well, where would you have us go?!" Astrid screeched, more afraid than angry.

"Hold him up!" Gudrik ran toward a large cupboard, leaving Astrid to shoulder Hiccup's entire weight. Why couldn't he still weight 90 pounds like he had five years ago? Toothless growled, tucking his tail close to their legs to protect the prosthetic. He nudged his head under Hiccup's left arm, trying to help.

Hiccup and Astrid coughed heavily, watching on as Gudrik threw everything out of the cupboard with fluid movements. The healer then grabbed a nearby axe and began swinging towards the back of the furniture.

Astrid growled at him angrily as Hiccup began to slide toward the ground. "Gudrik, what are you doing! We have to get out of here right now!"

"I'M TRYING!" Gudrik shouted back with a mighty swing.

The sound of splintering wood filled their ears and Gudrik continued to swing fiercely. Finally he slammed his foot against the bottom half and a large gaping hole was revealed.

Astrid coughed painfully before finding her voice. "A-a hole?"

"A tunnel! Let's go! Hurry!" Gudrik jumped forward and scooped Hiccup out of Astrid's arms, holding him bridal style. Hiccup gasped and coughed again. "Go, Astrid! GO!"

Astrid tore into the darkness, cool air slapping her in the face. Gudrik was hot on her heels, Hiccup groaning with every stomp of the healer's steps. Toothless followed them into the tunnel, roaring when more arrows shot into the house just behind him.

Astrid could feel the downward slope but without a torch she couldn't see a thing. "T-Toothless!" She cried, coughing. "C-come here, I can't see!"

The Night Fury joined her at the front and led the way within seconds. A sharp turn appeared and Toothless followed it, the humans on his tail. Finally the smoke that had infiltrated the tunnel dissipated and they breathed clean air once again.

"H-here is good for now." Gudrik finally panted. Astrid came to a stop beside him, pushing Hiccup's sweaty hair out of his eyes. Hiccup still groaned in his arms. "Here, sit down." Astrid followed his example, sitting along the wall. Gudrik slowly lowered himself until he could set Hiccup down in her lap, both their legs facing the opposite wall.

Hiccup shuddered with each intake of breath. As best as he could in the dark, Gudrik checked him for injuries. He couldn't feel anything and his chest injury still seemed alright, but he needed light and supplies.

Gudrik faced Astrid as best he could in the darkness. "I will be right back. I have a few supplies stored down here and some light. Don't move him. Toothless, could you guide me?" The dragon huffed in annoyance at having to leave his boy but he consented.

"Wait-" Astrid started.

"It won't take but a minute. Trust me." Gudrik said before parting, Night Fury in tow.

The silence was heavy aside from the couple's gentle coughs and heavy breathing. The darkness seemed to swallow them from both sides and the echoes of their breaths told of the inexplicable depth of such darkness. The chilled air was a comfort in comparison to the intense heat just moments before. But it wasn't long before Hiccup shivered.

"'ssstrid…" Hiccup moaned just above a whisper.

"Shh I'm here," Astrid stroked his cheeks gently. "We're safe now."

"What happened?"

Astrid pressed her forehead against his, thankful he couldn't see the fury building in his eyes. "They tried to kill you again."

Thoughts? Questions? HIT ME! XD Special thanks to KateMarie999 for actually being the amazing person who uploads my story for me, puts up with all my nonsense and helps me proofread this awesomeness ;) Thankies!

Next chappie is just as intense! Stay tuned!

Also I have over 200 followers on Tumblr! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE! Dragonriderofberk for those who are interested in checking out my blog and raising that number even higher ;) I LOVE YOU ALL! 3

~EmK