"What happened in here?" A guard had appeared in the doorway and was surveying the mess.

"My girlfriend's got a stomach bug."

The guard raised his eyebrow. "No kidding. Well, you're all being let out to use the bathroom, you can get cleaned up. Ladies first."

Cordelia and Amelie helped Astrid to her feet and held her weight. They took a few steps forward and Astrid stumbled. Cordelia turned to the twins. "Ruffnut, come and help us."

"What? Me? Everyone knows I'm useless at caring."

Hiccup sighed. "Just do it, Ruff. Please." Ruffnut grumbled, but went and supported Astrid from behind. They left the cell with the guard.

A second guard came through with a large bucket of water and a mop. The male prisoner turned to Hiccup. "You scrub, I'll mop." Hiccup picked up a sponge from the bucket and together they set to work.

"Thanks." Said Hiccup.

"Don't mention it."

"I'm Hiccup."

"Audun."

By the time the women came back the cell was mostly clean. Astrid was looking a lot better, although she was still very pale. The guard lead Hiccup, Snotlout, Fishlegs, Tuffnut and Audun to a small stone building. Tuffnut hurried into a stall, yelling something about needing to pee. Hiccup went to one of the sinks against the far wall and inspected the plumbing. The People Of Hope had rigged up a similar system to the one Hiccup had built at the Edge with a tank of water and a pulley system to release it. Hiccup stripped off his shirt and ran it under the tap. Once the clothing was as clean as possible given the lack of soap, Hiccup wrung it out and hung it on a hook to dry. Then he slipped into a stall which, to his delight, contained a large tub. He scrubbed his skin in the cold water until he felt somewhat cleaner, then left and put his shirt back on. It was still dripping.

"Seriously?" Said Tuffnut. "You're going to have to do more than that if you want to impress Astrid. Drowned peasant is so last season."

Audun rolled his eyes. "I don't think Hiccup's fashion sense is on that girl's priority list."

"And anyway, Astrid's already impressed." Said Fishlegs. "They've been dating for over a year, Tuffnut."

"Wait, wait, wait." Tuff held his hands up. "They're dating?"

Hiccup stammered. "What? What did you think was going on?"

"Oh, I thought you were spending loads of time with Astrid because she's developing a clothing line and you're her model."

Fishlegs sighed. "Tuffnut, they call each other 'Babe'."

"And we've kissed in front of you."

Tuffnut flicked his hair over his shoulder. "You, my good Hiccup, know nothing about the culture of the Archipelago's fashion industry."

"Ha! Of course he doesn't." Said Snotlout.

Back in the cell Astrid was hunched over a wooden bucket that one of the guards had obviously produced from somewhere. Hiccup ran to her and took over from Amelie. "Hey, Astrid." She shifted but didn't acknowledge him. Hiccup rubbed his hand up and down her spine.

"She was sick in the loo whilst we were washing." Said Cordelia.

Hiccup kissed Astrid's shoulder. "You're really not feeling good, huh?" Astrid turned to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He held her tightly. "Are you in pain still, Angel?"

"I'm feeling a lot better than earlier."

"Oh Thank Thor!" Yelled Tuffnut. "She's fine, everybody."

"Tuff, Astrid's clearly not fine." Said Fishlegs.

"Yeah. 'Better than earlier' isn't really saying much. Twidiots."

"Hey, leave me out of this, Snotlout!" Said Ruffnut.

"I'm exhausted." Whispered Astrid.

Hiccup kissed her cheek. "Do you want to lie down?" Astrid nodded. Hiccup lay back with his head against his satchel and Astrid curled up against his chest. Cordelia placed the bucket nearby. Hiccup stroked Astrid's arms, trying to soothe her. Astrid groaned and sunk into Hiccup's embrace. When she said his name, she sounded lost and afraid. Hiccup held her close.

Ruff was staring at them in awe. "Is anyone else finding it strange to see Astrid being so pathetic? I mean normally she's strong and powerful; now she's a feeble wreck. We practically had to carry her to the bathroom. It's almost like-"

"Ruffnut!" Said Fishlegs. "Astrid's coping amazingly. She's-"

"Ruff's right." Astrid said.

Before Hiccup could say anything, Snotlout spoke. "Look, Astrid. I know I'm an idiot and I'm mean to you and everything, but I do care. And this is clearly one of the worst experiences of your life. You were in agony earlier, I could see it on your face. If that were me, I'd probably have been screaming for my mum. You didn't even scream at Hiccup, and he was in the same room. All I'm saying is, well, massive respect, okay."

Astrid nodded. "Thanks, Snotlout."

"Get some sleep." Snotlout crossed the cell and dropped his coat on top of Astrid. She smiled weakly at him. Hiccup went to stroke Astrid's hair back from her face but she pushed his hand away.

Fishlegs sighed. "Astrid, let Hiccup look after you. You don't have to be strong in front of us, we're your friends."

"Yeah," Said Amelie quietly, "You've been blessed with friends who care and a boyfriend who clearly really loves you."

"I know." Said Astrid simply. She tilted her head to look at Hiccup. "I love you too. If things were reversed, I'd do the same for you."

"I know, Astrid." Hiccup kissed her tenderly and Astrid closed her eyes.

When Hiccup woke up the next morning, the cell was full of bright sunshine. He looked for Astrid and spotted her playing a game of cards with the other prisoners. Hiccup propped himself up on his elbows and Snotlout glanced over. "Well look at that, Princess Hiccup is finally awake."

"Why didn't you wake me?" It was clearly late morning at least.

"Astrid threatened to stab us with her axe if we woke you up." Tuff said. Fishlegs glared at him.

Astrid stretched and stood up. "Yeah, you looked exhausted. I thought you needed the sleep."

"How're you feeling?" Hiccup got to his feet and moved closer to Astrid.

"I'm fine."

Hiccup took her hands in his and squeezed gently. "Seriously, Astrid?" She nodded and Hiccup touched her stomach. He couldn't quite say the words.

Astrid smiled slightly. "Baby's fine too."

"Have you had breakfast?"

"Nope. It was fish."

"Yeah, it was pretty grim." Said Snotlout. "We didn't save you any, threw most of it out the window for the terrible terrors."

Hiccup sat down near Fishlegs. Astrid sat next to him and lent against his shoulder. Hiccup kissed the top of her head. "What're we playing?" He asked nobody in particular.

"Audun's teaching us Fluffle." Said Fishlegs, "It's a traditional game from the Wanderers."

"Wait, you're a Wanderer?" Hiccup asked Audun.

"Yep. That's why the People Of Hope won't let me go."

"What are you even doing here?" Said Cordelia.

Audun laughed. "I came to make a treaty. Got captured instead."

"Been there." Said Ruffnut.

Astrid glanced at Ruff. "When? We never send you to make treaties with anyone."

"You should." Said Tuffnut. "We'd be awesome at it."

The door to the cell was pushed open. Heather and the man in the emerald cloak entered. Cordelia, Amelie and Audun immediately stood shoulder to shoulder and the riders copied them. The man walked along the line, silently surveying each prisoner in turn. When he got to Astrid he stopped. "I heard you were unwell last night." Astrid didn't respond, and the man continued, "You should have said something, we'd have transferred you to the hospital." He stood close to Astrid and reached out his hand to touch her face. "We can't have our most beautiful prisoners dying, can we?"

"Get away from her." Hiccup practically snarled at the man.

"Oh, she's yours, is she?"

Astrid spoke with clarity and venom. "I belong to no one."

The man's lip twitched. "We'll see about that." He turned to Hiccup, "Come, your trial awaits."

Guards grabbed Hiccup as he called Astrid's name. They dragged him from the cell and he tried to look back, but within moments he was gone.

Heather turned to the guards. "Leave us." The guards bowed and backed out of the cell.

"Astrid! Are you okay?" Heather wrapped her arm around her friend.

"I'm fine. What are they doing to Hiccup?"

"It's trial by arrow. If he survives being shot, he's innocent. I've told the king the trial isn't necessary, but they're not letting any of you free otherwise." Heather felt a huge wave of guilt at the look on Astrid's face.

"What are we going to do?" Said Snotlout. "Man, where's Hiccup and his plans when you need him?."

"I've requested that you all sit with me to watch the trial." Said Heather. "I'm not sure there's anything we can do besides pray to Odin that Hiccup doesn't die."

"Are you serious?" Said Astrid. "We need to break out of here, find our dragons, get Hiccup and leave."

"It's not that simple. They have our dragons ready to be executed. If there's any sign of a struggle they'll 'sacrifice' the dragons to Penelope, the 'goddess of peace'."

Cordelia stepped forward. "Your friend is right. Hiccup has a much better chance of surviving than your dragons."

"They're not hurting Hookfang!"

"Snotlout," Said Heather, "Nothing will happen so long as Hiccup does the trial. We can free the dragons afterwards."

"And what if Hiccup doesn't survive?" Said Astrid.

Fishlegs sighed. "Astrid, you know Hiccup better than anyone. You know he'd risk anything for the dragons."

Astrid's hand moved to her stomach, and Heather felt a pang in her chest. This was the last thing Astrid needed. "I get it, Astrid." Said Heather gently. "You need Hiccup."

"You're right." Said Astrid quietly. "But my feelings can't get in the way of our work." Heather bit her lip and touched Astrid's shoulder. Watching Astrid go through this was going to be worse than finding out that Dagur was her brother.

A guard reappeared. "Alura, your presence is required." Heather nodded, then lead the riders outside. The other prisoners followed. Tiered seating had been set up in the centre of the village. Heather smiled coldly at the king who was already in the royal box. They were on the ground, as close to the 'trial' as possible. Heather took Astrid's hand and squeezed, her heart thundering in her ears.

A guard brought Hiccup into the centre of the square. As Hiccup's chains were untied, he scanned the crowd. His eyes settled on Astrid and he mouthed something at her. Heather couldn't tell what he'd said. Beside her, Astrid whispered, "No matter what." It was not the 'I love you' Heather had expected them to exchange, but whatever they'd said was enough. Hiccup faced forward, his shoulders relaxed. Heather would always admire his bravery.

The king stood and addressed the crowd. His voice boomed as he read out Hiccup's charges. He spoke at length about the rules of the trial, and Heather let it wash over her. The entire community seemed to have turned out to see Hiccup shot; vendors were selling roasted nuts and children were chasing each other through the stands. The jubilant nature of the event made Heather extremely uneasy. She looked at Astrid, whose face was expressionless.

"Archer!" Shouted the king. The crowd fell silent and Astrid clutched Heather's hand. Hiccup was facing the archer with his eyes open. The king raised his fist. "Fire."

Heather could feel her pulse in her fingertips as the arrow sliced through the air. It made contact with Hiccup, who fell forwards. Where was he struck? Why wasn't he moving? Heather felt sick, and looked at the pregnant woman beside her. Astrid lent forward in her seat, and for a second Heather thought Astrid was going to faint. "His arm!" Shouted Astrid. "Oh, Thank Thor!" The crowd murmured as Hiccup got to his feet, clutching a hand around the arrow poking out just above his right elbow.

"Hiccup Haddock!" Shouted the king. "The Gods find you innocent of kidnapping Alura." Hiccup opened his mouth but the king continued to speak as he crossed the arena. "To thank them for their mercy, you must make a sacrifice." Cloaked warriors led the dragons into the arena, bringing them to a standstill in front of the riders. The dragons were docile, clearly drugged. Heather's heart tightened at the sight of Windshear, her tail dragging on the ground.

"No!" Gasped Astrid.

A man dressed in long white robes followed the dragons. He was clearly some kind of religious leader. He raised his hand and pointed a slender finger at Hookfang.

"No! Hookie!" Snotlout had to be held back by Fishlegs.

Hiccup was given a long blade, which he turned over in his hands. The king smiled. "Kill the dragon and you're free to go."

"No." Hiccup was looking evenly at the king.

"Fine," Said the king. He raised his sword above Hiccup's head, but before he could bring it down, Hiccup held aloft his blade.

"Okay." Hiccup's voice trembled and his hands shook. "Okay, I'll do it. Just- ju- just let us go."

"He's going to kill my dragon!" Screamed Snotlout. "Why's he-"

Astrid had vaulted over the barrier. Heather, Fishlegs and Hiccup all screamed her name, but Astrid didn't stop. She ran like she was possessed. Heather expected her to go to Hiccup, but Astrid came to a holt by Stormfly. She produced a dagger from her pocket, cut the leather ropes and climbed onto the dragon's back.

"Come on!" Heather shouted to the others. They knocked the barrier down, and Astrid threw the knife to Tuffnut. The guards were scrambling to contain them, trying desperately to restrain the dragons. Stormfly ran to Hiccup and Astrid yanked her boyfriend into the saddle behind her. Heather cut Windshear loose and the dragon mewed softly. "Come on, girl, push through. You can do it." Windshear shook her head as if trying to free herself from the effects of the drugs. Heather climbed onto her back and they took to the air just as warriors lunged at Heather. There was a searing pain in her ankle but she ignored it.

The twins and Snotlout were still trying to free their dragons. Heather shot spines at the cloaked figures surrounding Ruffnut. Ruffnut looked over her shoulder. "Hey! Little close there, Alura!"

Hookfang was now loose, and Snotlout made a dive for Toothless. Astrid, Fishlegs, Heather and the twins were laying down cover fire to hold back the People Of Hope. Before Snotlout could begin to tackle Toothless' bindings, the king strolled through the flames and raised a sword above Toothless' head.

"Stop!" Screamed Hiccup. "Hold your fire!"

The king raised his eyebrows. "Your move, Hiccup Haddock."

For a second his words hung heavy in the air. Heather did not envy Hiccup and the choice he would have to make. Hiccup spoke in Astrid's ear and Stormfly landed. Hiccup slid off the Nadder's back and his voice was filled with fire and determination. "Do not hurt these dragons."

"To be sacrificed to the Gods is a great honour. They live in bliss, safe from the Dragon Hunters."

"Hang on," Said Hiccup, "You don't work with the Hunters?"

"Oh, we work with them." The king was still holding his sword. "But only so we can protect the dragons they surrender to us."

"We rescue dragons, too. Alura, she rescued and trained a razorwhip."

Heather flew close to the ground. "It's true. The Gods no longer want you to sacrifice dragons. I come with a message; surrender your dragons to Hiccup Haddock."

The king looked intently at Heather. "You are not Alura." He spat. "You have been brainwashed by your captors. Return to the old religion!"

Hiccup was stood in front of the king. "Ally yourself with us. We'll help you save dragons. I'll even teach you to train them, to ride them."

"Impossible." Said the king. "You would stop our sacrifices to the Gods. Those sacrifices are the only thing that keeps this tribe safe."

"We'll protect you. Whatever threatens you, you don't have to face it alone."

As Hiccup and the king continued to argue, Heather watched Astrid out of the corner of her eye. She had slipped unnoticed around the back of the crowd of warriors. The People Of Hope were so enraptured in Hiccup's demonstration of Stormfly's skills that they paid no attention to Astrid cutting Toothless' tail free. Within seconds, his bindings were slack and Astrid was on his back. Toothless was in the air, Astrid's foot in the stirrup that controls his tail.

The other riders all flew upwards as well. Toothless shot plasma blasts at the arrows fired to bring them down. The twins cheered as their wall of fire exploded. Hiccup shouted, "Go! Meet at The Edge!" Then he drove Stormfly back towards the crowd. Heather and Astrid both hesitated, and Hiccup yelled, "Go!" over his shoulder. Toothless carried Astrid away, and Heather thought she saw a tear on her friend's cheek.