Chapter title: No Surrender No

Author's Note: Thanks to all who reviewed, favorited and alerted. Every single one means the world to me. Continue if you would, it really lifts my spirits to know if you're enjoying this.

Disclaimer: HTTYD is the property of Dreamworks and I claim no ownership of any characters or places you might recognize.

Astrid woke at dawn, when the sun began its slow rise and spread its morning colors of golden yellow and red all over the village.

She hopped out of her bed and raced towards Stormfly's stable by the house, only pausing to pick up her axe on the way out. She figured she might have been the earliest one to rise – she usually was, even on calm days – and planned on writing a note to the rest of the search party when they arrived. Fishlegs could lead them towards the spot where they had found Hiccup's saddlebag. It was certainly where she planned to start. She hastily scribbled a note and hopped onto Stormfly's back, who flew her to the Great Hall where she would stick it to the door.

However, when she arrived, the sight that met her filled her heart with gratitude. Almost every single Rider, who had been out looking for Hiccup yesterday, were assembled on the wide stone steps leading to the Hall, some chatting amongst each other while they waited. Fishlegs, Ruffnut, Tuffnut and Snotlout all turned as they heard Stormfly flapping her wings to land at the base of the staircase.

"Well, you certainly took your sweet time getting here," Snotlout grumpily said and crossed his arms defiantly, like this whole thing had been his idea to begin with.

"Yeah, don't we have a whole day of destruction to get done?" Tuffnut added in.

Ruff leaned in next to her brother, even though she spoke loudly for anyone to hear, "Bro, we're still searching for Hiccup."

"Wait, we're still on that? Ah, same thing," Tuffnut shrugged.

Astrid found Fishlegs' eyes, knowing he had at least been responsible for dragging those three muttonheads out of bed this morning, no doubt bearing many complains as he did so. Although, she suspected they had probably slept as poorly as she had, despite what they claimed. He nodded at her silently, his way of saying it wasn't a big deal.

Still grinning with confidence and thankful astonishment, she yelled out today's plan and orders. Within 10 minutes every single Dragon Rider took to the skies. She watched with pride as various species of dragons rose into the air, their Riders sitting focused on their backs, and then they headed west. Fishlegs was in the lead, while Snotlout rode right behind him, a pouting frown etched into his face, since he wasn't allowed to be in charge this time. Astrid turned to Stormfly and scratched her chin lovingly.

"What do you say, girl? Ready for another round?"

Stormfly screeched happily in answer and bent her legs to make it easier for her Rider to mount her. Before Astrid could however, the Deadly Nadder snapped her head towards the sky as something caught her attention. The blue and yellow dragon roared loudly and rose to her full height, her eyes still trained to the spot in the clouds.

"What is it, girl?" Astrid squinted her eyes as she tried to locate whatever her dragon had spotted. She only had to wait a few seconds before a dark speck became visible from the horizon. She blocked the low, morning sun out of her eyes with her hand while she focused on the shadow as it grew slightly larger. It was headed straight towards Berk. With a startle, she realized it was a black dragon, flying raggedly through the air. On top the black dragon, sat a hunched rider. Her fingers twitched and tingled. She was just about to give in to the impulsion of jumping onto Stormfly, brandishing her axe to meet the threat head on, when recognition dawned on her. Relief, gratitude and glee followed shortly after. Her heart panged, and she couldn't help the smile that spread over her lips and the huffed laugh that escaped her mouth.

Hiccup!

It was only when he got closer, hovering over the village, that the smile began to turn into a frown. Toothless didn't move with his usual grace and speed. Instead, every beat of his wings seemed like a tremendous task and he faltered every now and again, rapidly losing altitude only to fight his way back up. On his back, Hiccup sat listlessly, his lean frame bent awkwardly over the saddle as he hung on for dear life. They soared haltingly until they reached the base of the hill some strides away from Astrid and Stormfly. Toothless clearly meant to land as gently as possible but he misjudged the distance from their position down to the ground. Instead, he crashed into the hard earth and both dragon and Rider were sent tumbling ahead. Hiccup flew over Toothless' head as he was tossed out of his saddle and together, they slid forward until they came to a completely stop some strides after, dust whirling and shimmering in the air.

Astrid coughed and waved away the choking dust. The cloud lifted to reveal Hiccup crouched at Toothless' head. The Night Fury hadn't risen from his position. He simply laid there, his big chest moving rapidly up and down, completely spent. Hiccup was breathlessly murmuring soft, comforting words while his gentle fingers was rubbing soothing circles on his neck. Astrid dared to edge closer and stifled a gasp at what she saw.

Hiccup's clothes were ripped and singed in some places, and his auburn hair was tousled and filthy. His skin was almost as pale as snow and covered in dirt and specks of dried blood. His prosthetic was bent and twisted beyond repair. Bruises and scratches littered every inch of him while a couple of burns and gashes were visible through the tears in the shredded clothing. His hands shook where they caressed his dragon, who weren't fairing much better than his Rider.

"Hiccup?" Astrid tryingly asked.

Hiccup looked up at her. His green eyes were clouded as they tiredly found hers and for a second, he didn't seem to recognize her. Then a faint whisper of his old self sparked within his orbs as lucidity briefly found him. His legs were trembling as he rose and staggered a single step forward.

"Astrid," he greeted breathlessly. A smile graced his lips for a millisecond at the sight of her, carefree and happy, like he hadn't even been missing for almost two days. Then his eyes rolled into the back of his head. His knees buckled under him and he crumpled to the ground.

Astrid jumped the last distance to catch him before he slammed into the grass. She almost went down with him, his long limbs flailing limply around her. She lowered him down easily and placed his lolling head in her lap. She called out for help to the several villagers, who had come out when they heard the crash. Some ran to get the Chieftain, others to get the town healer. She paid them no mind.

Her thoughts were all centered on the one-legged Viking before her. His brow was furrowed and his features tight. His chest bounced up and down in a rapid rhythm as he struggled for every breath. Even though his eyes were closed, he didn't look like he was sleeping. He looked like he was suffering and in pain, like whatever nightmare he had endured out there continued in his dreams. It pulled at her heart to see him like this. Her hand hovered over his chest while she pondered whether or not she actually wanted to see what was hiding underneath. In the end, gruesome curiosity got the better of her. She gingerly lifted up one of the torn edges, red coating the end. Underneath she saw a deep gash that was still lazily leaking, dried blood crusted around the wound. Her stomach reeling, she decided she didn't want to know anymore. Instead she turned to his face as she grabbed one of his slack hands, tears prickling at her eyes. She glanced back to Toothless, who was looking at her through half-lidded eyes, his green orbs alit with fatigued sadness. He whined a single time before his eyelids too slid shut.

Thor, what happened to you?

Behind her she heard the harsh footfalls of Stoick the Vast as he came thundering towards them, his deep voice laced with worry as he called out his son's name. Softer footfalls followed in his wake. Astrid looked down at the bloodied, unconscious young man in her lap, her heart constricting painfully and prayed to the gods that they weren't too late.

TBC