A/N: Wow! Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I tried to get out another super fast update in return to the heaps of feedback I got! Thank you all so much! ;)
I do apologize for the cliffhangers and the tension, but that's pretty much what you can expect for the ending of such a big series like this! But yeah, I loved to hear from everyone! And I hope you all like this chapter! CX
I don't know you. But I want you all the more for that.
Words fall through me. And always fool me.
And I can't react.
Falling Slowly — Once
(~**~) (~**~) (~**~) (~**~)
Astrid stood on the stoned pathway, her lips pushed tightly together as she watched silently. Ludi was curled around her feet, the cat looking up with plaintive eyes as she kneaded the ground with her paws. Astrid held the wooden horse tightly to her chest, her blue eyes heavy with a certain weight as she stared straight ahead. She went unnoticed in the chaos that was happening around her, the entire village too busy splitting up and arming themselves for the Night Furies. Children were hustled back inside, fathers and those strong enough and willing enough to fight were distributing weapons. Weapons that seemed much too sharp.
The storm was raging around them, white flashes lighting up the sky and shedding a cold glare over the goings-on. The blonde's clothes and hair stuck to her from all the rain, and mud long since coated her shoes from her sinking in the mud. She had told her parents that she would go and see Gothi; she had said that she would have felt more comfortable going alone and as soon as she could. She had expected more of a fight from her mother and father, but they had eventually caved and let her leave.
But she didn't know the way to Gothi. And she wasn't bothering to try and learn it.
She watched as groups left. She watched husbands kiss their wives, ruffle their sons' hair and kiss their daughters' cheeks. It was a heavy sort of feeling to watch them depart, in more ways than a simple one. Spitelout didn't seem to share the thought though, stone-faced and expressionless as he barked out orders to be followed. And the village listened to him, even though she knew that Hiccup's father was the Chief. There must have been a shift in power. Or was there even a central power? Somehow, with the hazardous way that things have been going now, it was starting to seem that, really, there was none at all.
Some were guarding the island, some were fortifying the buildings not only against the Night Furies, but the incoming brunt of the storm, and others were preparing to leave while others had already done so. It was hectic, and a mess, and Astrid knew for a fact that she could do what she wanted and not be burdened with complications or misguidance. Not now at least, but maybe later. It wouldn't much used to worry though— she had already made up her mind on what she was going to do. What she was supposed to do.
"So…father…" She'd said softly, having lingered by the door with the horse ever since her mother had offered her father's knowledge in place of hers. Her father had stopped short, surprised to see his daughter so close to the door and waiting for him. He had shifted the load of firewood in his hands, sopping wet and likely not to light in the first place, turning a curious look over at the teenager as he waited for her to go on. "Where did they take…that boy?" She asked, trying not to look as interested as she really was. "Mom said she didn't know, but that you were there."
"Oh." Her father had looked from Alva to Astrid, looking a tad confused. He shrugged. "I was there. Couldn't get very close though. Everyone was pressing to see what in Thor's name was going on." Astrid's grip had clenched around the wooden statue, fingernails digging into the designs as she waited tensely for him to go on. "I did hear that Bucket and Clueless were going to put him in the Dragon Stables. Somewhere he couldn't well get out of and cause more trouble I suppose." He said this as if it were a trivial thing, stepping around Astrid and making for the fire pit, which was gradually going out. The room was getting colder and colder without its warmth.
"Oh." She had said softly, forehead creasing. Dragon Stables? Where were those? "I guess that's the best place for him…" She murmured, Ludi's tail lashing as her tone took a much more careful sort of approach. But if her father noticed her sudden change, he didn't show a sign of it. He just leaned down with a sigh, trying to revive the wet logs as best he could. Astrid cleared her throat, having shifted her weight back and forth a little nervously. "You know…because it's so far away from everything else." She said, almost ending it in a question, but knowing better to as she switched it the last moment.
She had gone stiff, waiting for her father's answer. She had to know where the Dragon Stables were to do anything else. Her father paused, debating. Then he offered another shrug. "I suppose it is." He said in agreement, Astrid immediately wondering whether that meant the stables would be to the left of her house to the right. "There's not much of a way out either. I guess you wouldn't remember but it's part of the place you used to go and learn how to kill dragons before all of this. It was made to make sure that dragons could move around it but not be able to get out. So the dragon cages inside should be more than enough to keep Hiccup in one place." He said this as if Hiccup had a record of disappearing.
"I used to go there?" Astrid echoed, turning and putting the horse down on the table with a soft plop at this. She retired instead to petting Ludi, hiding her slightly-shaking hands as she stroked the animal. "So it's within walking distance?" She'd asked, wincing a bit at the rather obvious-sounding question. At least to her it sounded obvious. But that was just because she knew what she was trying, she told herself mentally. It would be fine. She didn't quite enjoy tricking the person who had seemed very friendly and loving to her. But she reminded herself that it was for a good cause at least.
"Yeah." Her father had answered, narrowing his eyes to thoughtful slits as he examined a log in his hands critically. "About a few minutes that way. You used to walk over with your friends all the time." He said, waving vaguely to the left of their house. Astrid followed his gesture, narrowing her eyes thoughtfully as she tightened her hold onto Ludi. "I wouldn't guess that you'd remember your friends, though." He added, dropping the subject now as he turned his back to the girl.
She'd paused for a long moment, forehead creased with thought. Below a rise. Somewhere to the left. Used to be able to keep in dragons so it must be rather big and noticeable. She'd just have to find it later on. "…no, I don't." She said slowly, finding her chance to excuse herself as she turned and looked at both her parents. "And I feel bad. About not remembering anybody. Or you two." She'd added, grabbing Ludi and tucking the little horse back behind the cat and out of sight. "…I think I should go see Gothi. Now. Before anything else happens."
Which led to an argument. Which came to an agreement. Which ended up in her leaving. Which resulted to her standing in the rain out of sight from her house, with a very wet cat sitting at her feet and a little horse close to her chest. The blonde was oblivious to the looks that were sent her way, some filled with sympathy, some filled with suspicion. All she was doing was focusing on what was going on, and waiting for the right moment for Spitelout to pass her. Though the thought of going up to face the man was frightening, she didn't have much a choice unless she wanted to go back to her own room and get her own things, which would bring questions from her family. And she didn't want to lie to them any more than she could help from now on.
It was forever until she found her moment. Half of herself would have rather missed it entirely, but she shook it off quickly. Spitelout, his sharpened sword in hand, had started to stalk across the clearing, going over to meet up with other Vikings that were nearer to the forest beyond. Astrid cleared her throat, her boots making a hollow sucking sound as she wrenched them out of the mud. She left behind deep footprints behind her, and Ludi leapt up to feet and looped behind her as she rushed to the man.
"Spitelout!" She puffed, voice a small squeak as she jogged after him. The blonde grimaced and cleared her throat as he turned and looked at her with one eyebrow raised. His eyes flashed at the sight of her, but he didn't say anything, going silent as he looked hard at the girl. She coughed again, clasping her hands tightly in front of her in order to try and stifle their shaking, and to try and hide it from sight. "I…" She paused, falling silent. Then she sucked in a sharp breath, looking up and meeting the man's gaze head-on. "I want to help." She announced, her voice steady. Spitelout looked surprised at this, and she used that as encouragement as she pressed on. "I want to help with the Night Furies. If you'll have me."
It was a moment before the Viking replied. Astrid reached up and pushed back her damp bangs that were sticking to her forehead, blinking against the rain as it hammered down relentlessly. "I thought you were sick." Spitelout said eventually, still having that suspicious air about him as he sized the girl up. She cursed inwardly at this, but did her best to maneuver around it. "You're feeling better then?" He asked, Astrid not quite enjoying the tone that his voice was adopting.
But nevertheless, the girl straightened, giving an affirmative nod. "I feel fine." She said, voice hard with resolution. "I got back from seeing Gothi. She said that my memory will return pretty soon." She fervently hoped that that seemed like something the medical person would say. She was winging it rather dangerously right now— but then again, 'winging it' was rather easy for her. She wondered how many times she had done it before now to give her such a way with lying. She'd been doing it a lot lately… "But I don't want to wait until then. I can fight just as well as I could before." She recalled the time that Hiccup had told her she was one of the best axe throwers in the village. Did Spitelout know that?
He must. Because he looked Astrid up and down once again, the girl able to see the gears working in his mind. He was torn obviously. A girl who'd been gone just as long as Hiccup coming back sick and without any memory at all. It sounded odd in the loosest sense of the word, and suspicious in the least. Shifting a bit as she could see the thoughts roaming towards the more negative region. Quickly, she took another step forward. "Please." She said flatly, eyes narrowing. "I may not be able to remember exactly what happened here, but I can see most of it already. I want to help." She paused briefly, then: "I have a feeling that the Night Furies could be related to how I lost my memory." Her fists clenched at her sides, and her eyes narrowed as she said this.
Spitelout stopped. Considered this. But then he shook his head, Astrid's heart and hopes dropping immediately at the refusal. Her shoulders drooped, and her eyes widened a little with indignation as she took her step backwards again. "No." Spitelout said. "You're staying here. Out of the way." He left no room for objection, and it was obvious by the way that he looked at her that he expected none to come from her mouth. She snapped it shut, swallowing back the bile rising in her throat as she found herself losing ground. "We don't know your story." He said, the way he said it almost coming out as a sarcastic scoff. Like he thought she knew more than she was letting on. "So you're going to go back home and stay there."
Who are you to tell me where to go? Who are you to be doing any of this? What right do you have to declare where I should go and where I shouldn't? The fierce thoughts slammed through her skull, and her hands balled into fists as she found herself being treated like some stupid child. But when she spoke, it was accompanied with a small nod of her head. "…I see…" She whispered softly, barely audible over the rain as she ducked her head low, closing her eyes. But she couldn't give up so easily. She had to least try for one thing…
"Can I at least have a weapon?" She pressed, looking back up with an imploring expression. "In case the Night Furies get this far I want to be able to do something. And I don't have any at my house I can use." She lied, thinking back to the pile at her bedside. But if she went and got one of them, that would arise unneeded questions from her mom and dad. And she didn't want that.
"They won't get this far." Spitelout snapped.
She kept her crestfallen look onto the man, pleading silently.
He growled under his breath, clearly growing impatient with the girl. She was delaying his leave, she knew. And it was starting to take its toll on the Viking as he glanced every so often to the group near the trees. She wrung her hands together, looking anxious now as she shifted and rocked on her heels, waiting with bated breath for his answer. And when it came, she tensed a little, but visibly. "You can look in the Blacksmith's." He said flatly, voice almost angry as he glared at her. "But go back to your house right after. You don't need to be out here; don't think you've gotten away from all of this with your little story."
Astrid flared inwardly at the jab, but she smiled innocently on the outside. "Thank you, Spitelout!" She said quickly, itching to get out of his hair before he could pause long enough to think it over more. She leaned down and hoisted Ludi back up into her arms, her wet bangs swinging back down into her line of vision again and Ludi's paws leaving muddied footprints against the fabric. But she didn't stop to try and fix either of those things. Juggling the weight in her arms, she turned and located the tall building that Spitelout had glanced to when he gave her instructions. That looked like a pretty good Blacksmith place. Hard to see in the all the rain, but she was going with her gut with this one. Oddly enough her gut was turning out to be more conniving than she had originally thought. "I'll stay!" She said, adding one more lie on top of the mix as she scurried away.
Spitelout looked after her, watching her go with an angry, suspicious look. And he reluctantly turned and walked the other way, jaw locking backwards as he made for the others. He would sort her out when he got back. After he'd dealt with the dragons.
And after he'd dealt with the traitor.
Astrid panted with the effort of slugging through the mud. Her boots sunk deep in the mess as she ran. and the raindrops kept landing in her eyes, causing her to flinch and blink them away rapidly. The storm was proving a major inconvenience for her so far. But she managed to make it to the Blacksmith's, freezing cold as she finally was able to get under a roof again. The air was chillier, and her teeth quickly got to chattering as she turned and put Ludi down on one of the tables. The cat immediately shook out her fur, eyes wide as she fluffed it up for warmth.
An axe. Hiccup had said she was best with an axe. She turned and started to rummage around as quickly as she could, casting rapid glances out to the island and looking over the village with darting eyes. It was gradually emptying of everybody that was going out for the dragons. The others would be patrolling the island. Which threw yet another gap into whatever scheme she was plotting. She wasn't even sure of her own plan yet, to be truthful. She was just following her — somewhat surprising — gut and knowing her main goal. She just had to do whatever she could to reach it.
Sword? No. Shield? Wouldn't do her much good…a mace? She wasn't sure she could manage that one.
"Astrid! There you are! Geez, we've been looking everywhere!" Astrid yelped sharply as her name was called, heat rushing through her as she leapt nearly a foot into the air. She slammed her head up against one of the shields hanging over her head, the girl wincing as she held the sore spot tightly, grimacing as she whined underneath her breath. Blinking open her eyes, she turned to wherever the voice had come from, straightening as she let her arms drop back down to her sides. Four teenagers her age were approaching quickly, four dragons in tow behind them as well, though one with two heads. "Well, I guess we didn't look in your house." The one who spoke went on, a burly, dark-headed teenager. "…that might've been a good idea…"
They all congregated beside her in the Blacksmith's, the blonde's eyes a little wide as she looked from one to another. A rather pudgy boy, the tough-looking one who'd spoken, and two that looked nearly identical, yet a girl and boy respectively. She tried to fish out names from her subconscious, but it wasn't really working out for her. Surprise, surprise. So she cleared her throat, making a face as she asked a little guiltily: "…who're you?" Ludi made a disgruntled noise, turning and hopping down from the table as she milled about the place herself.
"Told you Snotlout!" The pudgy one exclaimed, looking oddly fascinated as he leaned in for a closer look at her. As if she was some sort of experiment to be evaluated. The girl swallowed uncomfortably, taking a minute step backwards and holding out her hands a bit to right their distance. He drew back, giving her a rather sloppy-looking smile. "I'm Fishlegs. Don't you remember my name? Or is it bringing up anything?" She could hardly get out an answer for him before he was muttering to himself. "That's so odd. I wonder how you could have gotten like that. Maybe with just the right hit against your left temple…"
The darker-haired one cleared his throat, stepping forward and pushing Fishlegs out of the way. Something that Astrid was thankful for, and yet she couldn't help but take another step backwards as now he was suddenly in her bubble. Did everyone make a habit out of getting way too close? Or was it just because she was so odd now? "I'm Snotlout." The teenager said, his voice a little smug for the fact that he was just stating his name. "I would expect you to remember me at least. Because. You know. We're dating. Us. Mhm. We're going out." Astrid stiffened at this, eyes widening and her mouth opening a little bit as she searched for something to say. Was she really at liberty to refuse someone when they offered her logic? Yet something told her that he was just being-
"Don't listen to him, Astrid." Fishlegs sighed, rolling his eyes and causing a wave of relief to smash over the girl. "Nobody would go out with this, especially not you. You've got Hiccup." He said casually, not noticing as the girl went rigid all over again, her head snapping over to look at the boy intently. But he went on, giving up on talking too much as soon as it seemed important to her. "That's Ruffnut. And that's Tuffnut." He said, pointing from one twin to the other. "We're friends."
"She knows we're friends, dipwad." Ruffnut grumbled with a scoff.
Fishlegs shut up effectively, frowning.
Astrid shifted, blinking. "You're not….going out with the others?" She asked, glancing over to where the parties had vanished into the woods. "You seem like you're ready to leave. You have your dragons." One for each of them. Four and four. She tried to remember what Hiccup had told her as she tried to discern one species from the other, but she couldn't manage it. All she could tell was that one had two heads. And one's wings looked a mess. She wondered with a small frown if it could even manage to fly with the tattered messes.
"Actually, we were trying to find you." Fishlegs said, turning and looking at her apprehensively. "You wouldn't remember it. But…before you seemed like you were trying to help Hiccup. And…well….we were just thinking that maybe…" He paused before backtracking and starting over again. Which was good because there were so many pauses in his speech that she was starting to get a little confused on what their topic had been in the first place. "Snotlout didn't really think you lost your memory. And that it was all some sort of trick. Like…if you had a plan or something. But I guess that that's not true, since you didn't know who we were…"
"She could still be faking." Tuffnut said, tilting his head to the side sharply as he looked her up and down. Astrid frowned at his odd look, but all she did was clasp her hands together in front of her with a small clear of her throat. These were her friends? "…She's got me fooled." He went on as he shrugged his shoulders. "You're good at that."
"…thanks?" She said, unsure as it came out more as a question.
"Anytime." He said, giving her a thumb's-up.
"So you seriously don't have a plan?" Snotlout demanded, looking suddenly crestfallen. Like he was disappointed. Astrid turned and looked at him, straightening at his sudden mood change. He was looked at her almost expectantly. They all were, now that she thought about it. Was that normal? "You had one before. You didn't let us ask any questions, it seemed like you knew what you were doing. But then you left for such a long time and by the time you got back, you're like this." He frowned, biting back a small sigh as he leaned back into his hips.
The girl frowned, gathering herself before replying. "I don't know what you mean by 'plan.'" She said slowly, choosing her words with care. These didn't seem like the Vikings from before. They seemed a lot nicer. From what they said she could guess that they had been involved in some sort of plan together before, and if what they said was true and they were her friends, then….maybe she could get help from them. From them and their dragons. They hadn't left for the woods yet. And they'd been looking for her. All signs pointed to the fact that they didn't want trouble like this like she did. Like Hiccup did. Like any of the Night Furies back there did.
She glanced back and forth; suddenly weary to talk to these people she seemed to have connections with but knew nothing about. Again. "I'm…" She sucked in a quick breath, turning her back to the group and bending over again to rummage through more weapon, trying to track down an axe as she spoke uncomfortably. "I'm going to go get Hiccup right now." She said, pausing and waiting for a reaction. But nobody spoke, so she trained her eyes on what she was doing as she went on even slower. "I don't remember what I was doing before. It must have been something since I spent a few days with the Night Furies. And from what you all say. But I couldn't remember anything so…Hiccup sent me back here."
She leaned back a little on her haunches, blue eyes sad as her shoulders hunched grievously. Fishlegs looked a little concerned at the sudden change. Usually when Astrid was upset she either played it off or covered it up with violence. But now she just looked…confused and upset. "He told me that I needed to stay in Berk and say I didn't know anything about anything. So I wouldn't get hurt even more." Astrid looked down at the metal shield she held in her hands, blue eyes narrowed as she looked at her own reflection. "But…I can't. I can't just stay here when I don't know anything about him."
"You forgot Hiccup too." Fishlegs murmured, more of a statement than a question.
Astrid turned, putting the shield down and fixing the boy with an almost surprised look. His expression almost showed that he could see what was going on. Surely he couldn't, though. But they knew Hiccup longer than she had. Technically. Could they jump to such conclusions about the boy's behavior than she could? "Yeah." She said softly, pausing a moment before shaking her head quickly. "So I'm going to help him. I haven't known him for long but…I can't just leave him locked up. He's done a lot for me, and I have to help him."
"Sounds like he doesn't want you helping." Tuffnut noted rather rudely.
Ruffnut slapped him upside the head, and he gave a yelp of indignation.
"I don't care what he wants me to do." Astrid snapped. "This is what I need to do."
Ludi suddenly gave a loud squeak, Astrid turning and looking over at the noise with a jolt of shock. The cat was on her hind legs, little mouth opened wide as she yipped in Astrid's direction. There was another basket of weapons beside her, much better-looking than the one that Astrid had been tearing through. A smile graced her features and she brushed past the other teenagers and skirted over to where the cat was waiting. She turned, grinning as she offered a small pat on the animal's head, her tail curling up with pleasure as gave a small purr. But then she shrugged out, ducking underneath her hand and turning instead to pace in a small circle, as if to say: 'Alright you've petted me so hurry up now we don't have all day.'
Astrid complied, turning and shifted through the sharp metal a little more carefully than she had before. But it didn't take her long at all to track down an axe, the girl's face lighting up as she held the weapon in her hand. It felt light and heavy at the same time, balanced as she shifted it back and forth. It was curved at the edges, and there didn't seem to be any cracks or faded material. It was recently made, probably. Lucky find. She was about to turn back to Ludi, when the cat suddenly leapt up, slamming into her shoulder and scrambling there rapidly for a footing. The girl gave a loud exclamation, grimacing as claws grabbed at her skin, her head craned painfully to the side. She reached up and nudged the cat off before it could find a spot on her shoulder, the thing wearing a very resentful look on its face as it was shooed back down to the ground.
"What was that?" Astrid asked reproachfully. "You're too big to try and…do whatever you just tried to do to me."
"She used to always sit on your guys' shoulders." Snotlout said, reminding her of their presence as she jumped yet again. "Yours and Hiccup's." He clarified. "It would either be one of you, just walking through the village with a weird little cat on your shoulders." Ludi fluffed up, deciding that she wanted to try again. She jumped up for a second time, Astrid giving out yet another cross shout as she flared. She liked this cat better when it had been sleeping earlier. But she broke off as the cat instead crouched precariously on both of her shoulders, her back legs on one and front on the other. Astrid huffed. It worked, but- "You're going to fall off." She sighed tartly.
The cat sniffed stubbornly.
She sighed, getting up to her feet slowly. Ludi wobbled, but kept her balance. Astrid looked over awkwardly at the cat, eyes narrowed as it rubbed its head up against her neck tenderly. She frowned, another small echo running through her mind. It was her own voice, something she could remember herself saying clearly, just like when she'd had the horse in her hands.
Oh my goodness! This is the cutest thing I have ever seen before! She remembered as she stared at the cat. Doesn't this cute face have a name? Listen. I know how much Toothless meant to you. And in spite of what happened before, I know how much you meant to him. But he's gone now, Hiccup. You have to go back to your own life now. It was different than last time, her voice wasn't so high and soft with youth. This was recently. Another voice spoke up, bitter and sad. And with the two emotions so heavily mixed, she could match the words to Hiccup's face easily. He was my life. …Then let's start new.
"Astrid."
The blonde had gone rigid as she thought, and now she was jarred out of her reverie as she turned back to face them again. They were all eyeing her oddly, and she felt her face grow warm as she cleared her throat self-consciously. Fishlegs had been the once to speak, and he continued once Astrid gave him her attention. "We want you help you. You and Hiccup, we mean." He said. "Usually Hiccup knows what he's doing….so…" He trailed off, looking a tad worried. She wondered if he was doubting his words. She remembered what her father had said before. He looked sick. Did he?
"I might need your help." Astrid said anyway, perking at the thought as she glanced over the village and at the guards surrounding it. She lowered her voice to a small whisper, and the others had to lean forward to hear her over the pounding of the rain. "I need to get Hiccup out of the Dragon Stables. Wherever those are. I need one of you to show me and then help if there are any guards outside." Snotlout immediately took the job. Astrid tried not to focus on that too much as she went on. "The rest of you have to distract the others with your dragons. Or however you can." She glanced over at the forest, looking worried and unsure in her plan. She wished someone would try and offer their own contribution to what she was planning; she'd no idea whether or not this was the best way to do things. "We need to make a path to the woods and then be able to find our way out from there. Get all the Vikings near that path away."
"Got it!" Tuffnut exclaimed, looking excited along with his twin. "It'll be great." He snickered, turning and giving a high-five to his twin.
Fishlegs cleared his throat. "Do you want your dragon?" He asked, surprising the girl as she turned to look at him oddly. He turned and pointed over to the one that Astrid had surveyed before. The one with the torn wings. She stilled, locking eyes with the dragon and noticing how happier it was as she gave it attention. She tilted her head to the side, forehead creasing. She had a dragon? Had Hiccup mentioned it? She couldn't remember, but he probably had. "Stormfly could help with either. I don't know if you…"
"Actually…."
(~**~) (~**~) (~**~) (~**~)
Astrid pressed herself against the stone wall outside the ring, shoulders stiff and back just as much as she held her axe tightly to her chest. Ludi was still strung out over her shoulders, but the cat was crouched down closer to herself as she waited just as tensely for things to work out according to plan. Thor, please let things work out according to plan. Right about now, after having split up from the Blacksmith's, the others should be starting their distraction for the Vikings in between the ring and the forest. She had sent Stormfly with them, despite herself. She had told Snotlout to do the same with his dragon as well. It was hard enough for them to stay hidden on the way over. With dragons in tow, it would be entirely impossible.
Snotlout had shown her where the ring — and in turn, the stables — had been, and he had told her that she could wait outside while he took care of things. She didn't have any other idea with her, so she was subjected to letting him take the lead. Hopefully he would be able to come through with things. She was a little nervous so far, but she stilled after she heard Snotlout's voice, raised importantly and slightly aloof, just like he had been when he first said hello to her in the Blacksmith's. "Bucket! Clueless!"
Astrid winced. There were two?
Snotlout sauntered up to the two, who were standing at the opposite end of the ring, in front of the place where Hiccup was most definitely being caged. But he didn't even glance in that direction, turning instead to cross his arms and look at the two Vikings with a self-important clear of his throat. "My father wants to know where you are." He said, raising one eyebrow impatiently. The two straightened, looking at one another in confusion. Snotlout spoke before they could however. "He's been waiting for you at Raven's Point for an hour now!" He snapped. "You're keeping him waiting!"
"We thought we were supposed to watch the pris-"
Snotlout cut Bucket off before he could finish, heaving a dramatic sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are you stupid or something?" He asked sharply as he looked back up. "Look at that." He said, pointing to the heavily bolted door that led to the cages. "He's not going to be able to get out of that, especially if you locked him up. You're wasting manpower by just standing there." The two were looking at him oddly, and he knew that they were a little bit more than wary of him. So he added: "I'm sure my father would be glad to hear that you don't plan on meeting him." He said lazily, starting to turn. "I'll just go and tell him. He certainly won't be too happy, he's been waiting for so long already…"
"Wait." Bucket said, Snotlout stopping with an expectant look now. He paused a moment, surveying the younger teen. But, seeing as he was the son of Spitelout, he eventually gave a small sigh, glancing back at the entrance to the dragon stables, which was locked tightly. "Fine." He said, looking at Clueless, who gave a nod as their gazes locked. "Let's go, then." He said. "You don't have to worry Spitelout; we'll go meet him…where, exactly?"
"Raven's Point!" Snotlout snapped angrily now, losing patience. "I said that like five million times, haven't you listened to a single thing I've said? Now go! He's been waiting!"
That got the two of them moving. Shifting their hold on their weapons, the pair of Vikings made for the exit of the ring quickly, nearly tripping over themselves in their efforts. Snotlout watched them go, arms still crossed tightly over his middle as he tapped his foot pointedly on the ground. Astrid grimaced as the Vikings rushed past her, breath catching in her throat as she waited for one of them to glance back at see her, and to ask her what in the world she thought she was doing. But they were in too much of a hurry as Snotlout goaded them out, and they didn't look back once as they ran up the muddy ridge. She relaxed just slightly, blowing out a visible breath of relief as she shivered. But then she drew herself up, turning and rushing into the ring herself now.
"That was great!" She puffed, reaching up with a free hand to make sure that Ludi was still balanced where she perched. Expectedly, the cat was right where she had left her. Snotlout grinned at her praise, showing the palms of his hands as if to wave it off. Astrid turned, looking at the huge bolted door that stood between them and Hiccup."How do we open it?" She asked, teeth starting to chatter again as she pushed her wet bangs out of her hair for the millionth time. It seemed like an impossible-looking door to figure out how to open without much noise.
"I got it." Snotlout said, going over to the contraption beside it. "I've seen Gobber do it a bunch of times."
She hummed, letting him do the work as she turned and reached back around for Ludi. Letting her axe down briefly, she unwound the cat from around her neck, turning and putting her down as well, gingerly as she smiled at the little animal. She patted her head fondly before picking up her axe again and pushing herself back up. She let out a small sigh, hoping to alleviate some of her worry as she breathed out slowly. So far she had messed up several things very severely, and she was still working on it. And she didn't even know how Hiccup would accept her. Whether he would at all, or whether he would just tell her she needed to go back and remain safe. At the thought, her hands clenched tightly around the axe. She couldn't leave. Not again.
"There you go." Snotlout said suddenly.
Astrid stiffened as she realized that he'd cranked open the steel door. He was puffing a bit from the effort of doing it so quickly, but it was wide open now, though Astrid couldn't see inside the pitch black place. "Hiccup?" She asked, voice tense as she narrowed her eyes against the gloom. There was no answer. Why wasn't there an answer? She had imagined herself calmly stepping inside wherever it was that Hiccup was being held, triumphant in her words and expression. She would tell her side of the story and explain that she was in no circumstances going to be left behind. She would convey her feelings and demand for more answers.
That wasn't what she ended up doing.
She left Ludi without a second thought, holding the axe so tight in her hands that her knuckles belched themselves white. She brushed past Snotlout just as recklessly, suddenly growing concerned as she sprinted into the dark. Snotlout gave a harsh whisper of: 'Wait!' but she didn't pay any heed. She did, however, have to stop and let her eyes adjust to the darkness that met her. She could hardly see anything in this place it was so dark! She gave a small noise of discomfort, holding her axe close to her chest as she called out yet again. "Hiccup?" She was surprised how nervous and worried her voice had gotten in such short a time.
Eventually she could see good enough. She could see a small shape on the ground a couple yards in front of her, and she straightened as soon as her vision corrected itself. Going into motion again, the teenager rushed over, dropping to her knees and reaching over a little hesitantly. What was wrong? "Hiccup?" She pressed wearily, shaking the boy's shoulder a little rougher than she needed to. A small groan met her words, barely audible at all. Her frown increased, and she called again, daring to raise her voice a little bit. "Hiccup! What's wrong?" She asked, feeling her chest tighten and constrict.
"Here." Snotlout's voice sounded again, and Astrid looked up long enough to see Snotlout light one of the torches that were on the wall. It casted a soft orange glow in the metal room, shadows flickering and dancing in the corners. She shot the teenager a grateful look, having not thought of an obstacle such as this. She almost started to ask him if there were any more he could light, but she knew that the less they showed of themselves, the better.
Instead, she looked back down, shoulders drooping as she returned her gaze to Hiccup. There didn't seem to be any new injuries on him, save for the one that her father had said that was inflicted by Spitelout. Which was a relief, considering that she had been worried over other possible aggressors. But she hadn't really stepped back. She hadn't stopped to really look at Hiccup. She used to only look at the reserved expression that the boy always drew up whenever she would see him, or glance his way. She would focus solely on the odd expression that Hiccup wore; she never thought to try and look past such a cold front.
She never saw the haunted rings under the boy's eyes. She never stepped back and realized that he was nearly skin and bones. She never looked at each little scar that littered over his skin, traced them and wondered how exactly they had gotten themselves there. She reached out slowly, a little shakily as she drew her hand softly through his hair. She carded her fingers there gently, as if trying to offer some kind of comfort to the boy. His forehead was warm, she realized as she pressed her palm there lightly. Amid the frigid cold that the rain brought with it, only amplified by this metal hold, Hiccup seemed a bit unnaturally hot. He was bolted to the wall by a chain, which ended in a metal vice around his midsection a few feet away; it looked tight. She frowned, taking her hand back a little reluctantly.
He was asleep. Or unconscious. Most likely the latter of the two as she looked down and saw that he had lost a fair amount of blood from the sword wound. Not enough to be seriously alarming but enough to make her frown and straighten at once. "Use my axe, Snotlout." She said, sliding the weapon over to the teenager, who took it without much question. "You cut the chain as best as you can; I have to take care of his leg." The boy nodded, complying with her commands yet again as he turned and surveyed the work, deciding how to do this. Hopefully he was good enough of a shot that he wouldn't accidentally slice Hiccup apart. That wouldn't be very preferable.
She turned and shuffled down quickly, glancing to the door with a small frown. They didn't have a lot of time. She didn't know how much the twins and Fishlegs could stall. They needed to be quick with this, otherwise….she closed her eyes tightly, sending up a fervent prayer as she looked at Hiccup's state.
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Toothless slunk through the forest, taking care in putting his feet in places barren of twigs or leaves or fallen branches. He was making quick progress in his travel, having left the beach only half an hour ago. But he was already nearing Berk, and he didn't want to throw things off by making noise. He'd passed a few Night Furies as he had gone; only hearing snippets of whispers or the occasional overturn of a pebble in the distance. Something that barely signaled their presence. Toothless certainly hoped that the Vikings wouldn't hear such trivial things and run towards the commotion.
He had caught wind of parties of the Vikings. He could hear them talking through the rain and trees. But the Night Fury had dodged around them as best he could, as soon as he realized that he'd held the potential to run into them. He had figured that if it came down to it, they would treat him easier than they would anybody else. But after what happened to Hiccup, he wasn't as confident inside as he appeared on the outside. And taking in the darkness and the rain, there wasn't a real guarantee in the first place that he would be recognized at all. The only way would be if the Vikings paused long enough to spot his fake tail fin. And somehow he wondered if they would even pause for a moment before rushing at him.
But finally he reached Hiccup's house, the biggest house on Berk and at the top of the rise. He pressed against the back of it worriedly for a moment or two, trying to test the air as best he could through the water streaming down. When he came up with nothing, a big surprise there, the Night Fury risked enough to peer around the edge of the building, narrowing his eyes and looking as far into the clearing as he could, trying to concentrate on anything moving. Surely there would be Vikings crawling the island in an attempt to guard it?
But surprisingly, there was nobody outside. The place was entirely empty. He blinked, face falling a little with surprise as he turned and looked around a bit more openly. Where was everybody? A small feeling of suspicion clawed at his heart, and against himself, he felt a small prickling of worry for Hiccup. What if it had something to do with him? What if he was in more danger now after-?
"Night Fury!" A sudden scream ripped through the rain, and Toothless flinched quickly, whipping back to hide once more behind the house, knowing that it was too late. He had been too careless. He hadn't paid attention to what he was doing once he thought that Hiccup was in danger, and now he was. Quickly, in a panicked mind, he attempted to try and formulate a plan. He couldn't fly away, that was for sure. He could run back into the woods, but doing that might cause the Viking to find the other- "Night Fury!" The scream came again, and Toothless blinked rapidly, straightening and becoming confused instead. "Night Fury! Over there! On the beach!"
That was…Ruffnut's voice. He started again, turning and looking down towards the voice, having to twist his neck sharply in order to see. In the blur of the rain, shapes were sprinting towards the girl, who was invisible considering that she was down by the shore. Toothless frowned. No Night Fury was stupid enough to find a hiding spot that near the village. And he hadn't heard anybody following him on the way. He was torn on whether to try and figure out what was going on or keep trying to find Hiccup.
He perked, hearing more voices. He could hear Fishlegs' voice on the other side of the beach down below the island, yelling for help as well. "Help me!" He was shouting desperately. "Night Fury! I think I see one!" But as soon as he gave this shout, there came another. Just as oddly spaced out out of sight. This time it was Tuffnut. "Night Fury! I see a Night Fury everyone! It's a big deal come and see!" The dragon's eyes narrowed, head tilting to the side with a small frown. That wasn't right. That wasn't at all what the Night Furies were instructed to do. And unless Toothless went entirely blind and deaf as he was making his way over here, then….
As he listened to the teenagers' shouts, Toothless slowly allowed a small smile. He looked around the village, stepping out fully from the shelter of the house and finding there to be no regret in doing so. There was nobody around to see him. The Village was completely empty. Those outside had rushed in a confused scramble to the children down below. And those inside were shut up completely with their children. The male's tail curled up, and his smile only broadened. There were many things he could assume at the moment as he looked over to the clear space around him. There were many things he could think happened as he shot off, streaking through the village and ducking behind and to the side of houses to keep himself at least a little hidden. And as he listened to Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Fishlegs throwing a fit over Night Furies he was nearly a million percent sure weren't actually there, he could have went through every list of possible things for this to have originated from.
He should have known better than to let himself hope so much for something so impossible as quick as he did. It was nearly a million to one chance that what he was thinking was actually the source of it all. But as he ran and smiled to himself, he couldn't find any other person. None of the other teenagers were ever ones to start up things like this. And if they were to have acted before, they would have kept Hiccup safer. No. This could only be coming from one person.
Astrid.
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A/N: This was originally intended to be longer. But holy crap this is way too long as it is. But I already know the layout for the next chapter and I'm going to start it as soon as I upload this after fixing it over for any mistakes or edits that might be needed. So I will get working on that, but like I said, I'm going to wait for ten or so reviews before actually uploading it. I'm sorry to do it, but writing is always hard work and I want to hear feedback on what I'm doing! I actually got quite a few good pieces of advice/requests even that I took into consideration, so this is definitely helping me already! :)
Review please and I'll get the chapter out as soon as I can!