Much to his disliking, Thora was indeed sick and with eel pox too. Not saying he couldn't handle it, he knew the cure for it but the problem was that eel pox spread quickly and already his mother, father, and even the healer had it, as well as a good portion of the village and it'd only been 3 days. He didn't have a choice, he had to leave the island to get the cure for them. Stoick had refused to leave Valka's side who had refused to leave the kid's, and he needed his better riders to stay and protect the village, this meant he had to take the rookies from the Hooligan tribe. Something he wasn't looking forward too doing but he really had no other alternative.
Hiccup was in his house sitting by Thora's bedside trying to soothe her, Runa and Viggo were starting to show signs of catching it. "Don't worry baby...daddy is going to go get the cure okay?" Hiccup said softly as Thora coughed and nodded to him. "All you kids stay in bed okay. I'll be back by tonight." Hiccup added kissing their foreheads before backing up and turned to see Stoick there.
"Let me help son..." Stoick offered.
"Then do what I said to do the night I fought the red death...Take care of my kids. You haven't gotten eel pox yet so you can. Just make sure they drink water and light foods." Hiccup stated.
"I–I still want to be able to...talk to you, Hiccup...You've been ignoring me since that day in the hall..." Stoick asked calmly.
"And you think I don't have a good reason for avoiding you...I have bigger things to take care of right now. I'll talk to you when I'm ready too, Stoick. You want to get back in my good graces, for once in your life...LISTEN TO ME!" Hiccup snapped walking past him and outside with Toothless following him. Hiccup got on Toothless and flew to the inn where he knew the others were, he left Toothless outside as he walked in and knocked on the 3 doors that he knew they were behind. Snotlout and Fishlegs came out first, then the twins, and finally Astrid.
"Hiccup...Is...everything okay?" Astrid asked.
"No. The village is coming down with eel pox. My mother, father, and children are sick. So is half the village, I have to leave to get the ingredients for the cure and you're coming with me. Get your weapons, and meet me in the ring in an hour." Hiccup ordered as he walked away from them down the hall and back outside on Toothless to go to the ring. He left them there blinking in surprise.
"Uh...um..." The twins began.
"Did he just say...we're going with him? As in flying?" Snotlout asked.
"Well we certainly can't walk..." Fishlegs mumbled.
"But...we haven't flown anywhere by the ring...We've had no practice..."Astrid stated.
"Well looks like we'll get it today, he's counting on us so lets not let him down..." Fishlegs said, they nodded getting their weapons and then heading out the inn walking towards the direction of the academy.
(An Hour Later)
The group walked in the ring to see their dragons out and already saddled. Hiccup was leaning against the wall again, he saw them and walked over. "Mount up. We got a lot of places to go today and I want to be back by sunset..." Hiccup ordered as he got on Toothless's back and flicked open his tail by pressing the peddle down. The others didn't ask questions they just got on their dragons and looked at him for his command to go. "I know we haven't covered flying outside the ring, as Gobber would put it...I believe in learning on the job. All you need to know to fly is this..." Hiccup began looking back at them.
"We're all ears..." The twins said as they looked at him.
"Once your lift off the ground, bend forward. That tells them to fly out of the academy and tuck their wings when they do so. After you clear the exit, lean back to gain air and level out by sitting up straight. Left is lean left, right is lean right. The faster you lean, the faster the turn gets made. Its your judgment call, but if you make a call the dragon knows isn't good it will take control and do what is right. Pay attention to everything around you, mind your dragons wing spans and stay behind me. I'm leading...Clear?" Hiccup asked.
"Yes sir!" They said together. Hiccup nodded as he rubbed Toothless's head.
"Alright buddy lets go." Hiccup commanded, Toothless warbled in response and launched towards the exit, tucking his wings and spreading them once out. He hovered now to wait for the others. "One at a time. Snotlout and twins, your dragons can't fly out. They will walk out and launch out here. Let Astrid and Fishlegs go ahead." Hiccup called down.
"Got it." The twins and Snotlout replied. Fishlegs and Meatlug exited first, then Astrid and Stormfly.
"That's it...Nice and easy...Alright pull up and level out." Hiccup said calmly. They did and now hovered slightly behind Hiccup and Toothless. "Ruffnut, Tuffnut. Your turn." Hiccup told them, they nodded and had Barf and Belch walk out then fly from the bridge, Snotlout followed right afterwards on Hookfang. "Good work, now lets move out. We got 5 things to collect.1 Buckthorn Root, A dozen Rock Blossoms, A handful of Goatweed, 1 Wild Daga Plant, 1 Bloodvein Eel. First stop...is Healers Island and its about 5 hours from here." Hiccup stated putting his map away.
"Lead the way. We're right behind you." Astrid told him. He nodded and headed North off Dragons Edge, he hated leaving his kids alone especially when the two people he trusted most with his kids were sick as well. Normally if the case wasn't this bad, he would go alone because he was faster but he needed more hands to search for the plants needed. After that they'd be headed to a place all dragons hated, except Typhoomerangs...Eel Island.
After almost two hours of flying the weather had gotten bad. The closer they got to Healers Island, the worse the storm became and truthfully he was worried about the rookie riders following him. They were prepared for weather like this. "Hiccup...this storm is worse, we're getting thrown around back here..." Fishlegs called to him.
"Yes I know, Fishlegs!" Hiccup grumbled, he looked down to check what island they were near another island. He pulled out his map and checked it over, his finger following the trail. They were over the screaming death island, not a good place to land. Next was Shivering Shores, and then Healers Island. They'd been flying two hours, still 3 to go. "Alright, listen carefully. Fly up past the clouds..." Hiccup called to them.
"A–are you sure?" Ruffnut asked, Hiccup glared they nodded and rose up past the clouds, Hiccup followed them.
"Wow...Its so clear up here...But wait how will we know where we are?" Astrid breathed out looking over to him now.
"Healers Island is still 3 hours away, I'll keep track of it..." Hiccup stated.
"How?" Snotlout asked, Hiccup held up his right wrist where their seemed to be a small sundial there. The others blinked.
"Yes I made it. Always need a way to tell the time...It's about 11 in the morning right now. We should reach Healers Island by 2:00." Hiccup told them.
"That is...incredibly clever. Who knew you were so inventive..." Astrid smiled. Hiccup rolled his eyes and looked forward, "Oh right...we would of if we'd...given you a chance..." Astrid trailed off.
"Enough. It was 7 years ago, let it go and get over it. Just like I have..." Hiccup kept his eyes ahead. No one else said anything as they continued to fly in silence. Hiccup wasn't trying to be cold towards them but he didn't need the constant reminder of all the things he could of done for them if they'd given him just half a chance to be who he was. For Thor's sake they were riding on the backs of dragons, the same ones they had all trained against. It was unreal to Hiccup, truly it was.
After another three hours, Hiccup checked the map again. "So are we close?" Fishlegs asked.
"It should be right below us. Stay up here, I'll check the storm." Hiccup ordered as he and Toothless dived down below the clouds and looked around. The storm was gone, he sighed in relief then flew back up. "Its clear, descend slowly." Hiccup told them. He flew back down and waited for them, they came down slow and followed behind him. "There it is...Healers Island..." Hiccup said. Reaching the island he landed first and then the others followed his lead.
"So this is healers island...its small from above..." Fishlegs stated.
"That it is. Everything we need except the eel is here, we'll have to double back past Dragons Edge to get the last ingredient. I'm going to assign each of you something to locate, call it part of your training and do be quick about it..." Hiccup stated. They nodded. Snotlout, you're in charge of the Buckthorn Root. Make sure Hookfang gives it a light roast." Hiccup said.
"On it." Snotlout said as he and Hookfang took off.
"Fishlegs, you and Meatlug are getting a dozen Rock Blossoms." They nodded and headed off. "Astrid you and Stormfly are getting a handful of Goatweed. Ruffnut and Tuffnut, you get the Wild Daga plant." Hiccup ordered. "If anyone runs in to a problem have your dragon give their distress signal. They know what to do."
"Yes sir." They saluted and headed off to get what they were told. Hiccup sighed out as he leaned against a tree shivering a bit, just what he needed was to be getting the symptoms of eel pox right now. He had them, it was to be expected given he was around Thora the last 3 days taking care of her. He closed his eyes grunting a bit, there was the headache. After 15 minutes Astrid and Snotlout returned first seeing him there, it looked like he was asleep so they made sure to keep quiet.
"Uh...Is it just me or does he look...I don't know a little paler than when we left him?" Snotlout pointed out.
"Yeah, I noticed that too...isn't that one of the symptoms of eel pox?" Tuffnut said as he and Ruffnut landed now.
"It is, look he's shivering too...poor guy. Its from being around his daughter when she got sick...Wish we could do something for him..." Astrid frowned, at this Hookfang laid down by Hiccup and flamed up his body.
"Hookfang! What are you doing...You'll burn him..." Snotlout's eyes widened.
"No he won't. I told you, my armor is made from Toothless's scales...its virtually fire proof." Hiccup stated opening his eyes slowly now.
"Sorry...we thought you were cold...I guess he wanted to help..." Astrid said quickly.
"Dragons recognize when something isn't right, its their instinct to protect me since I helped them escape Berk..." Hiccup forced himself to his feet slowly and rubbed Hookfang's nose lightly. "Thanks boy. I'm alright now...where's Fishlegs?" Hiccup asked looking to the others. At that, Fishlegs landed holding the Rock Blossoms in a bag and smiling. "Good, that's everything but the eel then...When we fly over Dragons Edge, I'm dropping you all off. I'll go to eel island myself." Hiccup told them.
"Wait...hold up there Hiccup...You got eel pox too...you shouldn't fly alone, especially if you start getting delusional..." Astrid pointed out.
"Are you questioning me, Astrid?" Hiccup asked.
"N–no...just...its not safe for you to go alone." Astrid replied quickly not wanting to make him mad.
"I'll be fine..." Hiccup coughed slightly. "Mount up...we're wasting time." Hiccup ordered. They looked at one another with worry but nodded and mounted their dragons as Hiccup got on Toothless and they all took to the sky. They knew he wasn't okay but was pushing it aside because he knew how important this was to do.
(5 Hours Later-Dragons Edge)
"Alright, go land and bring those to Eira right away. I'll be back in 2 hours, maybe 3..." Hiccup told them.
"A–are you sure you can go alone...you look terrible, Hiccup..." Fishlegs offered.
"I'm the fastest flyer, your dragons won't even go near that place...its crawling with eels. Just stay here until I get back..." Hiccup said, they nodded and Hiccup adjusted Toothless's tail and they were gone in a flash almost. The other riders landed and ran the ingredients to Eira's house where she started working on the cure, they put their dragons away and went to the inn. Now it was up to Hiccup to bring back the eel. After another 6 hours, Toothless's roar was heard as the group rushed out of the inn to see him in worse than shape than when he left.
"Where have you been! It's been 6 hours...we were worried..." Astrid stated first.
"Ran in to some problems...Had to set down on the isle of night because of a lightening storm...Toothless and I have a lot more metal on us than anyone else...we can't get hit...And what are you worried about me for? I'm a survivor." Hiccup scoffed as he handed the bag to Eira now and she ran to her house to finish the cure. "Dreki tribe! The cure has been made, make your way to Eira's house for it..." Hiccup coughed again as people began to cheer and make their way towards Eira's. Valka, Alvin, and his kids came out slowly.
"Oh son...you got it too...go on you need it first." Valka told him.
"I'll go last...You know how I do things mom. Elderly and kids first, then the others, then me." Hiccup crossed his arms over his chest.
"But daddy...you need to get better too." Runa said quickly.
"And I will, after everyone else is okay...now go on and get in line." Hiccup smiled at them weakly. Runa nodded as she held Viggo and Thora's hands leading them to Eira's. Valka and Alvin followed behind them as Stoick approached Hiccup slowly watching everyone get in line to get the cure. Stoick noticed that Hiccup had labored breathing, still shaking violently. He looked terrible, before the Hooligans had a chance to react, Hiccup blacked out on the ground by Toothless.
"Hiccup!..." Stoick said with concern kneeling beside him. Valka rushed over now with the kids, they had already been given the cure and feeling better.
"What happened?" Valka asked.
"He just blacked out. His breathing was labored and he was shaking..." Stoick replied. Alvin knelt by Hiccup and put a hand over his head.
"Strong fever, lets get him to Eira. I think he's just over worried and stressed out. He's been going non stop since the red death." Alvin remarked as he picked up Hiccup and began walking him to Eira's house. Stoick sighed as Valka put her hand on his shoulder lightly.
"Give him time, Stoick...He's been through a lot these last few years, he'll come to you when he's ready. You unfortunately are going to have to accept that when you cast Hiccup out, someone else stepped in to raise him and although you and Alvin are enemies, you're going to have to learn to get along for Hiccup's sake. No matter what you do, or how hard you try to get Hiccup to accept you as his father again...he's always going to see Alvin as a father too. The sooner you show Hiccup you're willing to look past that and deal with it, the faster he'll come around and be willing to talk to you again. Just show him you're willing to try." Valka gave a soft smile.
"How Val...how can I accept that my own flesh and blood rather have my sworn enemy as his father..." Stoick shook his fists a little.
"By understanding Hiccup's side of all this..." Valka sighed.
"I know I cast him out, I know he had no place to go...But he was there, on Berk...he heard us say we regretted the choice to do what we did. He...could of told us it was him...Instead he hid himself and made us believe he killed himself..." Stoick said angrily, more at himself than anything else.
"And he did that for a reason, because when he was cast out he started a new life, Stoick. You wouldn't accept him! All because he learned to train a dragon and fly it...When I was taken, I learned they weren't dangerous either...but I knew you wouldn't accept it, so I stayed away...Hiccup and I, we're alike in so many ways...I was so happy to hear he was alive when I came here the night he had become chief...Stoick you have to understand what you put him through...not just not accepting him but all those times your ignored our son...Look at all he's done here in 6 years, this is what our son was capable of...you always said he'd become the strongest of them all and here is the proof..." Valka motioned to the village.
"I took the lad in because I could see he did no harm. He told me everything he went through, Stoick. Your problem is that you can't accept anything that doesn't go your way. Hiccup not being a Viking, so you ignored him. He befriended a dragon, you threw him out. As he's said, we gave him the chance to be different and given the freedom to be himself...this is what he made. You have to accept that Hiccup is never going to be like you, Stoick. Hiccup is not that kind of man..." Alvin said walking towards them now.
"How is he, Alvin?" Valka asked gently now.
"Combination of the eel pox and being very over worked. He flew 11 hours today, barely stopping and he's hasn't slept much because he'd been taking care of his kids...Eira says he should be fine tomorrow." Alvin enlightened her.
"Oh good..." Valka sighed in relief.
"You know...we should do something for him!" Fishlegs suddenly interjected.
"What do you mean?..." Astrid asked curiously.
"Well I mean...he's been so great to us even after all we did...we've given him a really hard time...I think we should do something...to thank him for everything. I mean...he saved Berk in that raid, he...brought us here even though he knew who we are and what we did. Its like Gobber said...Hiccup knew we'd find out about this place. And when that time came...he still accepted us here on Dragons Edge. He didn't have to do it, we all know that. But we're here, we have been for over a month now. He trusted us to watch his kids, he taught us how to ride dragons, trusted us to go with him to get those ingredients..." Fishlegs began to explain, the group looked at him listening closely now.
"Legs has a point...Hiccup knew who we were when he came to Berk, even though we didn't know who he was...and he didn't have to save us...he said that. Those dragons could of tore our home apart but Hiccup stopped them, even with the threat of losing his own island...He was still the Hiccup we knew, the kind, caring one. He let us come, to help like we offered and he did it all on his own..." Astrid added now.
"So...what do we do for him?" Snotlout asked.
"We should...throw him a party or something! A thank you party..." Tuffnut suggested.
"I'm sure with how busy he's been he'd like some time to relax...?" Fishlegs smiled happily.
"Daddy likes surprises." Runa exclaimed smiling then yawning out. None of them noticed Hiccup approaching them until he spoke to them.
"And daddy also knows when its time for his 3 little ones to get to bed." Hiccup said walking over know with a calm smile.
"Eira was sure you'd be out for the night son. How do you feel?" Alvin said patting his back a little.
"We've been over this, I don't need a lot of recovery time...However, it is late. Children you are up way past your bed time, its been a long day for all. Everyone to your homes...I'll see you all tomorrow. And riders of Berk...good work today...thank you, for helping me." Hiccup said as he picked up Thora and Viggo, Runa walking beside him yawning.
"U–uh any time...Hiccup...Night. Sleep well." Astrid said with a soft smile. Hiccup nodded as he walked off with his kids. The others shrugged and said their goodnights before heading to their own homes, the Hooligans returned to the inn and soon everyone was asleep. Hiccup slept peacefully known his village was safe, and no longer sick. It was a good feeling.