Author's Disclaimer: I do not own the Legend of Zelda or How to Train Your Dragon. I am earning no profit from this story other than the enjoyment of writing it and sharing it with others

The next few weeks passed without incident. Astrid and Link spent most of their time training together. All of the Dragon Riders and Link had gone on several raids to destroy a couple Dragon Hunter ships, but nothing major. Link and Astrid became close friends, despite getting off on the wrong foot. They found they both liked training a lot, and despite Link's tendency to be as mischievous as possible, he was mostly serious during raids and training sessions.

Link and Hiccup found that their battle tactics were very different. Link always wanted to just charge into battle recklessly, but Hiccup always wanted a plan. Whenever Hiccup had a plan, Link didn't always do as he was told. Once, Hiccup had told Link to defend Snotlout, but Link had seen Astrid in trouble and had flown off to rescue her. In the end, it was probably better that he had, as Link was able to prevent Stormfly being shot, and Snotlout was able to defend himself just fine. Hiccup had still been very cross.

Link woke up one morning with a raging headache. He had a faint recollection of his dreams the night before. Link had a feeling they had been important, but couldn't remember what they were about. Something about the princess. "Good morning, Link," Hiccup called cheerily.

"Good morning," Link groaned.

"You okay?" Hiccup asked.

"Yeah, my head hurts a little," Link replied, "it's nothing I'll be fine."

"Well, just take it easy today," Hiccup said, quite certain it was not just nothing.

Link nodded, "I think I'm going to go back to bed."

"Okay," Hiccup replied. Link lay back down in his bed, and Hiccup left the room to start the day.

A few hours later, Link was jolted awake. He was sweating. Link could remember his dream clearly now. Calamity Ganon had returned, and the entire world had been covered in Malice. Link had been forced to watch through a spectator's eyes as all of Hyrule was covered in the disgusting purple goo. But the infection hadn't stopped there. The entire ocean had been turned to Malice in seconds, and Link had floated across the sea of gunk, following the infection. The Edge had been covered in it. Hiccup, Astrid, and the others had been killed in the raging infestation of Malice. And yet, the tidal wave of evil still hadn't stopped. It had continued on to islands Link had never visited, destroying all life there. After the infection had finally stopped spreading, Link's point of view had floated up and up and up until he could see the entire world spread out before him. It was devoid of life, besides Calamity Ganon, who stood upon the ruins of Hyrule Castle, holding up two corpses. Those corpses were the only thing in the whole world that weren't purple from the Malice. Link's view had zoomed in, and now Link could see the corpses clearly. They were the dead bodies of the Princess Zelda...and himself. Link knew what the dream meant. It meant they had failed. It meant everything was gone, because Link had failed.

Link flung the covers of his bed aside. "I need to go home," he said to no one. He walked briskly outside, and whistled for Reaper. The Dramillion quickly flew to his rider's side. "We're returning to Hyrule," Link announced. Reaper nodded. "Where is Hiccup?" Link demanded. Reaper shrugged. Link looked around, but didn't see any of the Dragon Riders around. Link quickly scribbled a note down explaining his absence, then mounted Reaper and directed him toward Hyrule.

Hiccup

The Dragon Riders returned from a successful raid against the Dragon Hunters. Hiccup was excited to tell Link about his success, and make sure his friend's headache was gone. However, when Hiccup returned to his room, Link was nowhere to be found. "Where did he go?" Hiccup asked Toothless. Toothless picked up a piece of paper in his mouth and brought it over to Hiccup. "What's this?" Hiccup asked as he read it.

Dear Hiccup,

I've been having terrible dreams lately. They have reminded me why Hyrule needs me. I have taken the liberty of returning to my country to save the people. I thank you for your hospitality. Perhaps, if I do indeed defeat Calamity Ganon I shall be able to return and assist you in your war. I am very sorry for leaving so abruptly. I fear the princess will be unable to contain the Calamity any longer, so I needed to leave immediately.

Hoping to see you again,

Link

Hiccup held the note in his hand.He read it over again. And again. Then he sat on his bed and read it some more. Hiccup had known Link would need to return to his country. Calamity Ganon sounded really powerful. But Hiccup had hoped that perhaps Link would forget, and just stay on the Edge forever. It had been selfish, but Hiccup couldn't help himself.

"You okay?" Astrid asked from the doorway. "You've been in here a while. And where's Link?"

Hiccup didn't say anything. He just handed Astrid Link's note. Astrid read it. "Oh no," she said.

"We have to help him," Hiccup said, standing up again.

"No," Astrid said, putting her hand on Hiccup's arm, "we can't leave the Edge vulnerable. Vego's fleets have been getting bigger and bigger. We can't go to Hyrule."

Hiccup sighed, then nodded. "You're right, I guess. He's on his own."

Astrid nodded, "I'm so sorry, Hiccup."

"It's okay," Hiccup said. He rolled the note up, and angrily threw it into the trash. Astrid watched, concerned, but didn't say anything.

Hiccup walked out onto the landing pad. "Come on, Toothless," he said. Hiccup mounted his dragon, and spent the rest of the night high above trees, muttering to himself. He just didn't understand why Link had to leave so suddenly. Certainly there was time to at least say goodbye!