Fifty-Two:

Astrid stared at him for a whole minute, shocked from her exhaustion and eyes narrowing in anger.

"What?" she demanded. Hiccup gave a small grin.

"I. Am. Going. To. Steal. A. Forge," he repeated very slowly. "Look, we need weapons and other metal goods and I…"

Astrid closed to a few inches from him, her eyes flashing.

"Hiccup," she growled through her teeth, her azure eyes flashing with irritation, "there are more important things that we need before a forge. Food, for example? Warm clothing? Seeds? Livestock? Tools…"

"A forge will…"

"HICCUP! Devastating Winter is coming!" Astrid snapped, jabbing him in the chest with a finger. "We are isolated and alone here! We don't have a tribe to protect and support us and the temperature is dropping really fast. If we don't make preparations soon, we won't survive!"

"We have the dragons and I…"

"Can't you take anything seriously?" she growled. "We have to start preparing now, rather than flying off on some mad, stupid quest of your so you can play around inventing useless devices that don't do anything except cause destruction!"

Hiccup stilled, eyes widening and staring at her in shock, his face hurt.

"Is that what you think?" he said hoarsely. Suddenly realising what she had said, Astrid back up a pace, her anger evaporating.

"No, no! I didn't mean that!" she said urgently. "Hiccup…" The boy backed up, shaking his head.

"You wouldn't have said it if you didn't mean it," he said quietly. "I understand it doesn't seem important to you. But how do you think we're getting weapons? How will your axe be serviced or my sword mended? Or is that just me playing around as well?"

"That's not what I said…" she protested.

"That's exactly what you said," he accused her. "I thought you understood why I wanted to do this…so we could be properly protected and…"

"And we wouldn't need to be so protected if you hadn't insisted on going off trying to rescue a load of dragons all on your own without trusting me to help you?" she retorted.

"And I'm supposed to just leave them to suffer? What if it was Stormfly still imprisoned?"

"But she's not-she's here…and we took all of Berk's dragons…"

"But Barf'n'Belch flew back to the twins and Hookfang took himself back to Snotlout!" Hiccup snapped. "They are back on the Arena for nights, restricted though not caged…"

"Can you two please try to argue more quietly, some of us are trying to sleep," Henryk yawned, his crumpled shape appearing from the gloom, a small candle in his hand. His tow hair was sticking wilding in all directions and he glared at both of them. "Honestly, it's like having some of the younger kids…" And he trailed back into the gloom, heading for his little bed. Astrid stared at Hiccup for one moment then burst into giggles. Though hurt, the boy found his emerald eyes crinkling as well at the admonishment. He raised his hands.

"Let's talk in the morning," he sighed. "I'm sure we can do something about both our concerns-once we have rested." She nodded.

"I'm sorry," Astrid told him, almost reaching for his hand but pausing, unsure how he would react. "Hiccup, not all your inventions self-destruct. Look at Toothless's tail and saddle! They're amazing!" He managed a small sad smile.

"I know," he sighed. "But what you said was really…hurtful, Astrid." He turned away. "Get some sleep."

oOo

She awoke as she was gently shaken, curled in her furs sleeping against Stormfly. After their argument, she had slept at the far side of the cave from him, curled away from Hiccup who had pointedly snuggled up against Toothless's chest. She had lain awake longer than she had wanted, cursing her own stupidity in hurting the boy when she knew he was sensitive about his inventions, which had been denigrated through his entire life.

You idiot! You know how he was taunted...when they're mostly really good ideas. And if he's encouraged, he can do amazing things...but your temper made you hurt him...all because you were mad at how close you came to losing him. Gods, Astrid-you really need to control your mouth…because he means so much to you and you know his friendship is all you can hope for. You blew it once with your jealousy: don't lose him as a friend because of your temper!

There was another gentle shake and her eyes opened-to see Hiccup crouching by her, his green gaze worried. He had an earthenware mug in his hand, the steam curling from it smelling pleasantly minty.

"I…um…made you some tea…" he said awkwardly. Yawning, she sat up and stretched, then accepted the warm drink with a smile.

"Thanks," she said gently. "Hiccup, I…"

"No, you were right," he interrupted her hastily, his eyes shamed. "What was I thinking? I just flew off and left you…and if you hadn't been there, you would never have known what had happened…I would just have vanished and would have died…" He swallowed, his pale throat bobbing. "I'm sorry, Astrid. I messed up…again…" She sipped the tea, then laid it aside and wrapped a hug around him, seeing him begin to blame himself horribly. He mumbled on for a few seconds then fell silent, his arms winding around her.

"It's okay," she reassured him. "I'm okay, Hiccup. I-I know why you wanted to do this…why you needed not to be who your Dad made you. And…you're not a victim, you're amazing! You just need to recognise when you need other people and plan better. We could have taken those dragons much more safely with a scouting mission and a plan…and you are a clever man, Hiccup! I know you can plot to rescue every dragon in the Archipelago! Let me help you…because I want to. I don't want those dragons in cages any more than you…but if it means they stay in cages a few days more if you are safe and alive, then I would leave them there. Understand?"

He nodded against her shoulder, a brief tightening of his arms before he pulled back enough acknowledgement. He rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Thanks," he said gently, his shoulders still slumped. "Astrid…what I'm going to say is hard…because we need to go to Snori." Her eyes widened but he raised a hand urgently. "Hear me out…I was the last smith on Snori…and if the Berserkers or others haven't taken the tools, I think I ought to…because I need them. And…and we may be able to find supplies…blankets, food, metals…" Her face was shocked. "You're right, Astrid," he said urgently. "We don't have a tribe to help us…but we may be able to claim some help from Snori to get us through…"

She sighed as she saw his eyes sparkle. The fact was it made sense, gathering what they could from the abandoned village before it deteriorated or was taken by others. If Hiccup-who had been captured there-was willing to return, then she would be too…on one condition.

"We need to check with Henryk that he is happy for us to visit his home village and take what we can find to help us," she said softly. Hiccup nodded.

"Okay," he sighed. "He may have things he wants to collect as well…" She scrambled up and stretched again, then walked out of the chamber to speak to Henryk. She paused at the threshold before leaving.

"It's a good, idea, Hiccup," she told him. "And I am sorry…" He gave a small smile.

"It's okay," he said and turned back to Toothless. "What d'you think, bud? Shall we go for a nice long flight to Snori?" The Night Fury gave an excited warble and bounced to his feet, trampling Hiccup in his eagerness. "OOF! Calm down, bud or I may not make it to even get aboard!" But he was laughing as spoke, before finally scrambling up. thoroughly licked and dripping with Night Fury saliva as he prepared to leave.

oOo

Well-wrapped and huddled low over the dragons, the three riders sped towards Snori. Henryk had agreed with going back to Snori, aware that they needed supplies and he had insisted on riding behind Astrid. his arms clamped tightly round her slender shape. Hiccup had watched in amusement as the much younger boy glared at him suspiciously and had stuck close to the girl, the look in his eyes showing he was very attached to her and was developing a crush. Smothering his smile, the Night Fury rider had sympathised-well, he had crushed on Astrid since he was ten…though she had been ten as well, to be fair. Now five years later, he had her as a friend and he knew she was fond of the younger boy…as someone she was responsible for. Henryk's developing feelings were unrequited-and a big corner of Hiccup's mind felt a surge of relief that they were.

It was sort of familiar and yet unfamiliar to be heading back to Snori…because though they had visited regularly, they had always travelled in secret and arrived in darkness, walking to the village. This time, they could approach directly from their home, flying low and fast over the grey and restless sea, icy spray whipped up by the frigid winds. In shock, Hiccup had realised that Astrid was right: Devastating Winter wasn't far away…and then they would be trapped in the caves, limited to what food and fuel they had stored and what they could manage to snatch between storms.

Of course, even though he had been bullied and ostracised, he had been part of the village and they had included him and n the preparations for winter. There had been food and warmth and company...even when he felt excluded from the sagas and games. Here there would just be the three humans and the dragons, another reason why he was so keen to get some forging equipment. If he could spend the long dark days creating weapons and tools, he would be able to get through the loneliness. He knew he had Astrid and Henryk but there was the fact he wouldn't have Gobber to keep him company for the first time in his life and he missed the old blacksmith more than he could express.

Ahead, the flat grey silhouette of Snori coalesced out if the mist. Hiccup glanced over at Astrid and saw her talking to the younger boy, her head inclined as she explained something.

"C'mon, bud-let's check the place is safe," he murmured and the Night Fury gave a small warble then accelerated forward, leaving Stormfly behind as they soared up and circled over the village, Hiccup's hands tightening on the edge of the saddle. His eyes widened at the carnage, seeing homes burnt, the stores gutted and the harbour wrecked. The forge was still standing, as were some of the cottages on the periphery of the settlement and he paused, hovering before he dived down and landed. Warily, he unclipped his leg and stood, staring at the village square, where he had nearly been killed and Toothless captured. The dragon gave a small croon and nudged him as he forced a wan smile onto his face.

"Yeah, it seems very real to me too," he mumbled as Stormfly landed with a squawk. Astrid leapt down and helped Henryk before turning to Hiccup and catching his hand.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Stian was killed over there," he murmured, gesturing, his eyes focussed on the spot. The body had been taken with the other fallen by Leifur and Astrid and laid with all the others on a rackety boat. All had burned and gone to Valhalla together. She squeezed his hand.

"You are still alive," she reminded him urgently, her eyes sweeping over his pale face.

"Stian wasn't a trained blacksmith but I was teaching him more skills," Hiccup said absently. "He was keen to learn though and he had no problem with me being so much younger, even though I was effectively his teacher…But he was brave, like a proper Viking and he…he died like one…"

"Hiccup-you were just as brave…and smarter," she told him seriously. "You managed to stay alive. You sent Leifur away and saved his life." She rested hand on his cheek. "It's okay."

He blinked then nodded.

"I'll go to the forge," he said dully and turned away. She watched him and sighed, realising he was recalling everything that had happened on Snori…and then she turned back to Henryk.

"He saved the Chief?" the boy asked and Astrid nodded.

"As a boy, he knew the Berserker Chief…and Dagur was horrible to him," she murmured. "He recognised the Berserkers and warned your Chief. It was enough to save his life. But no one would believe his warning because they didn't believe they would be attacked. Your village forgot that being Peaceable doesn't make you invulnerable…and cruel, treacherous men will take advantage and break Treaties. Hiccup knew that…"

Henryk stared after the auburn-haired boy…and his expression grew thoughtful. Then he grasped Astrid's hand. "Will you come to my house?" he asked. "We can take everything from there…because it is all mine…" She nodded and cast a concerned glance after her friend before she followed the younger boy.

Hiccup walked into the forge and looked around, Toothless a mere pace behind. It was much as he had left him, the hammer still resting where he had laid it aside as the Berserkers arrived. He walked slowly over and lifted the tool: it was a good hammer, nicely balanced and the other tools were also nice quality. Hjortur, the former blacksmith, had been killed with the villagers but Hiccup had met and liked the cheerful man and grieved for his loss. But he was without a village, a fugitive and needed all the help he could get. So he carefully began collecting the tools, methodically laying every single one in a tray and then fetching his leather apron. He paused and stared at Stian's-the man had been taller than Hiccup and had a larger and longer leather apron-before grabbing it as well. No one would need it now and it was good quality leather than could be recycled for other purposes. Calmly, he collected all the metal, half-made tools and weapons leather and wood and piled them up, then stared at the anvil, workbench, stools and forge pit.

He frowned and then looked at his dragon. "Bud-we need transport," he murmured and leapt into the air, his eyes scanning the little inlet of the harbour that lay a hundred yards from the forge. There was a fishing boat, her sails ragged but intact. Toothless landed on the deck and Hiccup inspected the vessel: she looked sturdy enough and there was plenty of room for the equipment he was taking as well as the supplies Astrid was collecting. He nodded, then direct the Night Fury back to the forge and began to ferry his precious prizes…starting with the heavy forge. Once it was on-and the boat hadn't sunk, he went back for the anvil, supplies and then the tools and other essentials from the interior. He paused, staring around the stripped building and smiled: he had taken everything…and then he paused, snaking a hand under the fixed shelf, retrieving a heavy knife and a sagging leather bag filled with coins and gems. Hjortur had kept his stash in the forge and as he was dying from the Berserker axe-wound, the old man had gone to Valhalla with a smile, knowing his accumulated wealth was going to the young man who had inherited his forge. Hiccup silently promised he would use the money to protect Astrid and Henryk.

Henryk's parents had a smallish longhouse at the edge of the village, the door still closed against the elements. The house had been deemed too small and uninteresting to be worth raiding but Henryk led her in proudly and she stood still for a moment, staring at a home not that different to her own. Then Henryk grabbed her hand and took her to his room, collecting his spare tunic and bed furs…before leading them to his parents room. Shyly, he fumbled in a chest and drew out a smoky blue cloth…a long dress. Blushing, he handed it to Astrid.

"This was my Mom's best dress," he mumbled. "Um…I want you to have it…please…" She paused and stared at him: she was looking for furs for warmth, preserved food and vital utensils…but there was something in his hopeful expression that made her want to not upset him.

"Thank you," she said. "Now shall we collect the furs and what food you have here? We need supplies…and whatever else you want to take from your home…" The boy looked up at her…then nodded, racing to lead her to food stores…

Stormfly helped then lift barrels of jerk yak and salted fish and boar, sacks of grain, vegetables and apples and pitchers of mead and ale. Henryk and Astrid searched almost a dozen homes when Hiccup found them, his emerald eyes widening in an admiring smile as he saw their haul.

"Wow…you're really raiding well!" he commented dryly and Astrid gave him a smirk.

"I am a Viking, after all," she told him superiorly. "Well, what have you managed, dragon boy?" she added cheerily. He gave a small shrug.

"Just taken the entire forge," he grinned. "Have you found any furs, cloth or leather? And pots and sewing equipment?"

"Hiccup-we don't have a hope carrying even this on the dragons!" she pointed out and he walked forward to pet Stormfly.

"That's why I have a boat in the inlet that we'll be using to carrying the goods back," he told her and beckoned Toothless over. "Wanna lend a paw, bud?" Toothless gave a grumble but allowed Hiccup to climb aboard then hovered up to grab a couple of barrels of salt fish. "Yeah…you would go for the fish first," Hiccup commented as they flapped off with Stormfly in pursuit. Astrid gaped as she saw the contents of the forge already neatly stowed and the Night Fury carefully place the barrels on the deck. Looking up with a grin, Hiccup met her azure gaze. "Is this satisfactory, Milady?"

Astrid just smothered her laugh…and nodded. "Come on," she said sternly, though her eyes were twinkling. "There is still a mountain of food to move!"

They had almost moved all the stores when Stormfly and Toothless suddenly lifted their heads and the Night Fury growled. Hiccup's head snapped round and Astrid reached for her axe as Henryk froze.

"It'll be okay," Astrid murmured as Hiccup threw himself into the saddle and urged Toothless up…to see ships pulling into the harbour. They flapped up…and then he froze, eyes wide. A pair of ships were mooring at the wrecked harbour, the devices on their sails horribly familiar. Hiccup stared wide-eyed for another second…then dived Toothless down to land by Astrid.

"Take the rest to the ship and set sail," he ordered breathlessly. "Outcasts!"

She couldn't help it: Astrid recoiled, her face flashing a telling instant of fear and the auburn-haired boy swiftly turned to her and his green eyes were understanding.

"Astrid-I will protect you," he promised in a level voice, his tone leaving no doubt. "I need you to take the rest of the supplies and Henryk and get the ship away. Use Stormfly to grab the mooring lines and get her to tow the ship. It will give you a head start."

She stared at him for a long moment, breathing hard…and then she slowly nodded.

"And what will you be doing while I bust my ass getting our supplies and your forge away?" she asked him slowly. He gave a small smile.

"Maybe having a friendly chat and a mead with Alvin," he told her with a lopsided smile, trying to sound reassuring because he could see how scared Henryk was. "I'll have Toothless with me, Milady. You get our friend and our things away and I'll buy you the time. No one is getting their hands on you again!"

Her head snapped round and blue eyes narrowed.

"And what about you?" she said suddenly, sounding more like the feisty would-be Shield Maiden. "Who's going to rescue you when it all goes wrong?"

"Nothing will go wrong," he assured her. She gave a humourless smile.

"Recall you saying something similar when you faced that dragon," she grumbled. He walked to her and took her hand.

"I'm not taming a wild and terrified dragon in front of my Dad," he reminded her softly. "I'm not trying to change an entire culture: I'm being me. Sarcastic, reckless, dragon-riding Hiccup. Hey, that's something I'm really good at! And we know Al is here-because he wants the bounty. He must have spoken with Dagur and my Dad and realised we might come here for supplies. But Alvin is an Outcast and he isn't too smart." He leaned forward and pecked a quick kiss on her cheek. "I promise I'll be careful, Milady. You get away and get that ship moving." She paused and held his hand for a long moment…then pulled away, grabbing the last few items, a couple of pots and a large bolt of green cloth that they had found in the last house. Henryk scrambled up after her and they flew off…and it was only when they had dipped down to land that Hiccup walked back to the Night Fury.

Toothless grumbled at him and the boy sighed.

"I can't ask her to face Alvin again," he said quietly. "No, don't look at me like that, bud. He must have done some really horrible things to her…she had such bad nightmares and such horrible bruises, even though she tried to hide them. I won't risk her again. You and me, buddy. We can do this." He swung his leg over the saddle and sat up, facing towards the harbour as he heard the heavy thud of feet growing rapidly closer. He lifted his chin and fashioned a smirk that he knew would annoy the Outcast leader no end.

"There 'e is!" Alvin bellowed. "The Dragon Conquerer!"

"I prefer trainer," Hiccup said dryly. "Hi, Al. Boy, you get around. Didn't think Outcasts had any business with the Peaceables! Have you moved in diplomacy? Or trade?" Alvin waved a sword furiously.

"'Iccup! Yer don't know 'ow much I've bin lookin' fer yer!" he roared.

"I can make a good guess," the boy shot back. "And I wouldn't come too close. I don't think Toothless likes you very much!" The Night Fury gave a low growl and his acid green eyes looked fierce with the pupils constricted almost to slits in his anger. Hiccup deliberately laid a hand flat on the top of his head.

"Yer lizard don't worry me," Alvin called, gesturing his men to stop moving since the dragon was aiming directly at the Outcast leader: getting killed definitely didn't feature in Alvin's plans. But he wasn't called Treacherous for nothing. "But we don't need ter be enemies, 'Iccup. Yer 'ave skills and so do I. Yer father ain't no friend ter me: 'e banished me unjustly from Berk twenty years ago. I owe 'im nothing. I can be a friend ter you, boy."

"I'm listening," Hiccup said thoughtfully, his green eyes narrowing.

"I can protect yer against Stoick…but I'll need a little cooperation in return," Alvin said, inching closer. Toothless growled.

"Easy, bud…Al's just about to tell us his proposal," the boy said lightly, his metal leg tensed on the control pedal of the tail. Alvin lowered his sword.

"Boy-we could made a formidable team," he suggested, his whining tone grating Hiccup's nerves. The wind was rising and a light sleet was beginning to fall. "With my knowledge of warfare and your knowledge of dragons, we could make quite the team. How does that sound?" Hiccup sat a little more upright, an eyebrow arching over his unimpressed emerald gaze.

"Insane? Demented? Delusional? Stupid?" he offered lightly. Alvin's face went puce with fury but he forced his tone to remain almost friendly, though he was clearly struggling against his desire to jump Hiccup and beat the sass out of him.

"Alright, then," he growled, his fists clenched tight. "We'll just have to agree to disagree. You're a smart boy-you know you can't run forever…and one day, you'll need an ally. I can't let you off the island…because I need yer and I made a pact…"

"And yet I'm going," Hiccup told him, seeing the trio of men trying to flank him. "Surely you didn't think I wouldn't have a better plan than this?" Alvin shrugged.

"Yer a young boy, 'Iccup," he said lightly. "Yer don't 'ave anywhere near enough experience ter best Alvin the Treacherous…" Toothless sprang backwards and coughed a small plasma blast that flattened the three would-be attackers who had completely failed to flank the boy and dragon. Then he sprang up and immediately launched a much larger blast that ruthlessly holed the hull of Alvin's flagship.

"One step more and you'll have to swim back to Outcast Island…or spend the winter in this wrecked village…" Hiccup told him sternly. "I'm saying this once so you remember this: I am not training you any dragons, Al. And if you come after me, I will defend myself and my friends. You hurt Astrid. I don't think I can ever forgive that. Steer clear of me…or you may find yourself on a burning ship to Valhalla sooner than you planned!" The Night Fury rose higher, a growl vibrating through his taut shape.

"Iccup…yer don't wanna cross me, boy!" Alvin threatened, waving his sword around angrily and almost beheading Savage. "I ain't a man ter be trifled with…and I'm a deadly enemy…" Hiccup gave a small smile.

"I-I was just thinking…maybe…does my Dad know you're trying to ally with me? I'm sure you agreed to help him get me. Maybe I should warn him…and see how he responds…because Berk has dragons and the people riding them don't have my sense of fair play…and no qualms about using them against unarmed Vikings…and firing first." His voice carried across the suddenly silent village square. "If I see you again, Al…I may be tempted to make sure you have Stoick as an enemy and Berk's dragons to face!"

And then he flipped Toothless round and they arrowed low over the village as the snow began to fall. Alvin glared at his men, screaming in rage and frustration but the catapults he had brought to down the dragons were on his ship…which was half-sunk and his men had rapidly developed an allergy to approaching the Night Fury, having seen three of their fellows blasted aside like children's toys. Hiccup leaned low over Toothless, glancing over his shoulder and checking that they weren't following or firing…and then he dived them down to the inlet and out to sea away from the main harbour to the shadowy shape of the ship, vanishing into the thickening snow.

Blinking against the snow, he swiped his face and accelerated low over the dancing grey waves, milky with ice and snow, Toothless roaring a challenge. The answering squawk had his heart soaring as they dinked up and landed on the deck by Henryk. The boy was huddled under an oilskin, hanging onto the rudder. Toothless immediately scampered to his side and raised a wing to shield him..and the boy's eyes grew round and his mouth formed an 'o' in shock. Hiccup smiled.

"Don't worry," he assured the boy. "Even though you like Stormfly better, Toothless seems to like you…and he won't let you get wet…" Henryk nodded, his teeth chattering.

"Th-thanks," he mumbled as Stormfly landed on the deck as well. Astrid leapt down and threw a hug round the auburn-haired boy.

"You're safe!" she said in a relieved voice and though he hugged her back, relief surging through his body, he still managed a wounded expression.

"Milady, I am hurt that you expect me to be captured every time I face someone," he teased her. "I'm aiming for every other time at least…" He was reluctantly expecting the gentle punch to the shoulder-even though she was trying to remember that he really didn't like being punched-but was as grateful for the brief following kiss on his freezing and soaked cheek. "Al is otherwise engaged and down one ship…but he's after us…in alliance with Dad," he reported as they joined Henryk under Toothless's sheltering wing.

"Outcasts and Hooligans?" Her azure eyes flicked over his serious face. "Are you sure?" He nodded. "So Alvin is after us, as well as Dagur and Stoick…"

"They all want trained dragons," Hiccup murmured wearily. Toothless grumbled. "Yeah…you're doing great, bud. I guess we can rely on the sails until the snow settles a little…it's looking brighter a few miles ahead…so maybe once we're through, the dragons can give us a pull."

Astrid stared at him and she sighed.

"I could have faced him," she told her friend and Hiccup shrugged, not denying her bravery.

"I know…but I didn't want you to have to," he told her gently. "I don't want to face Dagur any time soon if I can help it. I know…I can always rely on you, Astrid. But even the bravest warrior sometimes needs a break." She smiled in gratitude and pulled a fur around her shoulders.

"This was a good idea," she admitted. "Winter is here and at least we have some food and supplies to tide us through. All we need is to get home." She tucked a fur around Henryk as well, though her gaze drifted to the one-legged boy, leaning back against the side of his draconic friend. Toothless gave a little purr and spread his wing a little more to make sure all his human friends were protected.

"Home," Hiccup sighed. "An island called Nowhere." He glanced up at the Night Fury, who had a light covering of snow. "Suppose it's as good a place as any for two fugitives, two trained dragons and an orphaned boy from an exterminated tribe."

And as long as I'm with you, Astrid thought, staring at him as he closed his eyes and relaxed against Toothless, I know it'll be okay.