Chapter Twenty-One: Helping Out

Astrid brushed Hiccup's bangs out of his eyes, but the auburn colored hair just flopped back into place. She sighed and stroked her hand through his messy hair. There was no taming it.

Hiccup had been unconscious for three days. Gothi had to give him stitches for the arm wound, and Hiccup seemed to be coming down with a new illness that ironically wasn't Inyitits. The Hofferson girl had been disappointed to find out that her betrothed was coming down with something that Gothi didn't know anything about, and profoundly hoped that she and the other Dragon Riders wouldn't have to fly all over the archipelago again to find a cure.

Hiccup whined in his unconscious state and Astrid felt her heart break in two. He was in so much pain, and she couldn't do anything. Astrid's blue eyes then brightened.

Or could she.

Astrid grabbed her axe and ran outside, surprising the healers that were near Hiccup's bed. Astrid had never left Hiccup's side unless she had to get a drink of water, something to eat, or use the bathroom. Other than that, Astrid was always beside the unconscious viking. Astrid ran to the Dragon Training Academy, and was pleased to find that the other Dragon Riders were there.

"You guys, we need to do something to help Hiccup," she said. She knew that Ruff, Tuff, FIshlegs, and Snotlut were just as worried for Hiccup as she was, and wouldn't hesitate to help him.

"But what can we do, Astrid?" asked Ruffnut. "He doesn't have Inyitis."

"And we don't know if his new illness is curable or not," added Fishlegs.

Astrid walked up to them. "But we have to try. It's better than sitting around and doing nothing and letting Hiccup suffer for something that he doesn't deserve. He's part of the team and he's our friend. We have to help him." The Hofferson sheathed her axe to her back and crossed her arms. "So, let's start simple. What do we know?"

"Well, Hiccup got sick after the battle," said Snotlout.

Astrid nodded. "That's a start. So what happened during the battle that could've gotten Hiccup sick?"

Fishlegs suddenly snapped his hands together. "The darts! Didn't you mention that Ingvar's men brought darts with them?"

"Yes!" Astrid said, a hopeful smile appeared on her face. "Why didn't I think of that sooner? There must have been something in the dart that hit Hiccup that made him sick."

"We just have to find it," said Fishlegs.

"Right. Now let's get to it," said Astrid. The Dragon Riders walked to the beachy shore that was still messy from the battle that took place three days ago. Astrid scuffed her boots into the sand. A few darts were hidden under it.

"Where was Hiccup when he got hit?" asked Fishlegs.

Astrid pointed to Ingvar's beaten up ship. "He was fighting Ingvar with Toothless up there."

The Riders ran onto the deck of the ship and began to look around. The dragons sniffed around and Stormfly soon caught the faint scent of his Hiccup. The Deadly Nadder followed it and eventually came across the same green tassel dart that had struck Hiccup in the leg. Stormfly squawked and Astrid walked up to his side and picked up the small dart. A purple liquid was oozing from the sharp tip.

"There was something inside of it," whispered Astrid. She could feel her rage building up toward Ingvar. How dare he hurt Hiccup? He didn't do anything to him! Astrid took a few deep breaths and calmed down. She held out the dart to the others.

"This is the dart that hit Hiccup," she said. "Fishlegs, do you think you can get some information out of this?"

Fishlegs' large hand took the dart from Astrid's smaller ones and he examined it over. "I'm pretty sure I can," he said. "It will take me a while though."

"How long?" asked Snotlout.

"Probably by tomorrow afternoon if I get started now," Fishlegs replied.

"Then what are you waiting for?" asked Snotlout. "Go!"

Fishlegs mounted Meatlug and the two flew back toward Berk. Astrid blinked at Snotlout in bemusement.

"Wow, Snotlout. Are you...worried about Hiccup?" she asked.

"Of course I am! What do you think I am? Heartless? He's my cousin so it's completely normal. Don't judge me!" Snotlout shouted.

"I wasn't judging you, I'm just...a little surprised," said Astrid.

"Us too," said Ruffnut and Tuffnut in unison.

Snotlout rolled his eyes. "Let's just pretend that this never happened. Okay?"

Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Astrid shrugged and they all mounted their dragons and flew back to Berk. Astrid decided to head to the Haddock hut to see how Stoick was doing. Hiccup's father had been upset at the news and did his best to visit Hiccup as much as he could. Astrid walked up the last few steps and knocked at the door. Stoick opened it.

"Hello, Astrid," said Stoick. "How are you?"

Astrid shrugged. "Okay, I guess." She sighed. "It just isn't the same without Hiccup."

Stoick nodded sadly and stepped aside to let Astrid in. She sat down on one side of the table while Stoick sat on the other.

"How are you feeling?" asked Astrid. The Inyitis patients—including Hiccup's father—had all been released just yesterday. They were told to make sure that they stayed hydrated and eat enough food so their bodies would heal quickly.

"Much better," replied Stoick. "A little tired sometimes, but better than before."

Astrid nodded and then told Stoick what she and the other Dragon Rides were doing.

"We found the dart that Ingvar shot at Hiccup," said Astrid. "Fishlegs is at his house right now studying it to see if he can find whatever illness is plaguing Hiccup."

Stoick smiled. "You all are amazing friends to Hiccup."

"He's our best friend. If it wasn't for him, we'd probably still be fighting to the death with dragon's right now," said Astrid. "I hope he gets better soon."

"He will," Stoick said reassuringly. "I know that for sure."

Astrid smiled softly and then stood up to leave. She had been taking care of Toothless since Hiccup wasn't able to due to his current state. The Hofferson ran down the stairs and made her way to the Great Hall once again and stepped inside. She frowned worriedly at the sight of Hiccup. He was pale and didn't seem to be getting any better.

Toothless had been extremely worried for his Rider, even more worried than Astrid. Toothless had been by his bedside since Hiccup had gotten the stitches and always had his head under Hiccup's arm. Hiccup wasn't aware that Toothless was there, but Astrid knew that the Night Fury's presence brought the young viking some sort of form of comfort.

Astrid patted Toothless on the head. "Hey, buddy. Wanna go for a flight?"

Toothless' green eyes turned to Astrid and he warbled in response. Astrid nodded as if she understood what the Night Fury was saying and the two walked outside and soon were airborne. Astrid almost forgot how joyous the feeling of flying was. She and the other Riders had been flying a lot recently, but it wasn't for fun. Astrid closed her eyes and took bliss in the cool winds that ruffled her hair. Toothless' mood even seemed happier than before. The Night Fury surprised the blonde with multiple twirls and spins, and even dived underwater and dived back out of it just like he had when Astrid first met him. She laughed as water sprayed on her face, and she realized that it was the first time she laughed in a long time.

Toothless and Astrid eventually flew back toward Berk and returned to Hiccup's bedside at the Great Hall. He didn't look any worse, but he didn't look better either. Astrid bit her lip. She was so worried for him.

Astrid sat down on a stool and Toothless resumed his place under Hiccup's arm. All Hiccup did was stir at the contact, and he mumbled a few incoherent things. Astrid sighed. She placed the back of her hand on Hiccup's forehead and frowned. He was warm. Astrid took a cloth and dunked it in a water bucket, wrung it out, and placed it on Hiccup's forehead. Hiccup sighed and Astrid sighed too.

"Hiccup...I know you probably can't hear me, but, get well soon, okay? We're doing all that we can to help you. We're here for you," the blonde said.

Silence was the only thing that replied.