A/N-So, what did you think of the last chapter? I know there's not a whole lot of angst in this particular book, but hopefully that helped. Things are going to (mostly) wind down from here, but the countdown's still on: 4 chapters left after this one!

As always, please let me know what you think! Though I ask I don't just get a copy-paste response of something I've already been given, no need for half the reviews to look exactly the same...

Chapter 32

Awakening

"Ooohhhhh!"

I groaned, turning my head but feeling unable to even open my eyes. I let out a sigh of resignation, still too tired to get up. When it came out more like a huff than a typical human sigh, I realized I must have been still in some dragon form. Forcing myself to open one eye, I saw I was on a large mat inside Hiccup's house, and looking down my snout, I saw bright, gleaming snow white scales and a Fury-like form.

Suddenly, all of the memories of the battle with the Christian invaders came flooding back all at once, slamming into me like a sledgehammer: the Mead Hall, Hiccup and Toothless, the miraculous healing process I had enacted...

I jumped up, the exhaustion fading away and leaving me no longer tired at all, at the memory of why I was still in Wind Fury form. Changing into my more typical winged humanoid form (if you can call that typical), I stood up fully. "Whoa!" I cried, stumbling immediately after. The fatigue apparently wasn't quite done with me yet, and I nearly blacked out again.

Moving slowly, I found a nearby column and leaned up against it, waiting for the swirling black in my vision to fade away. Taking a couple deep breaths, I then slowly moved toward the door, opening it and taking a look outside. It was cloudy, unsurprisingly, but I saw all the Vikings going about their usual business, all signs of the battle already gone. Either they still knew how to rebuild extremely quickly, or I hadn't just been out for a night, and I was betting on the latter. Turning to look down the pathway leading away from the house, I spotted Astrid walking by, and smiled for a moment before heading out.

I stepped down the walkway and slowly strode up behind her. "Hey Astrid." "Aaaahhh!"she yelled, jumping into the air and spinning around, ready to give the person who startled her a black eye. When she saw it was just me, her face melted from a look of surprise and anger to relief, then to surprise again, then back to anger all within about 3 seconds. "Don't scare me like that!" she snapped. "And what are you doing walking around out here? You realize you've been out for three whole days?"

That stopped me dead in my tracks. "Wait, wait, wait, three days?" I asked. "And I still feel like this?" She nodded, then shrugged. "You passed out after you, uh, well, whatever you did," she stuttered, "you know, for Hiccup and Toothless, and you haven't moved since. Everyone thought you had killed yourself, and your family has been worried sick!" I felt a look of guilt cross my face. "How did they react while I was out?" Astrid crossed her arms. "Well, your mother and sister have been over here like every other hour since Fishlegs and I let them know, and your father basically left a death threat with the village if you didn't manage to come around." I grimaced. That sounded just about how they would react.

"Well, I'm alive now," I placated, "and by the way, if I have to heal anyone again somehow, remind me to definitely find a different way to do it." Astrid gave me a curious look. "Why did you pass out anyways?" I shrugged and smiled shyly. "I kind of forgot in the heat of the moment that in the story I read, that dragon can't just use the fire on a whim like I did. They save the fire for years before they use it. I guess it's a physical price they pay, hence the fainting." I looked around, surprised both at the fact that I wasn't being swarmed by Vikings seeing as how I was now awake, and the fact that I didn't see any sign of the dynamic duo anywhere. "Where is Hiccup, anyway?" I asked. this time Astrid was the one shrugging. "Not really sure," she answered. "I haven't seen them since they left the house a couple of hours ago after checking on you. I heard Hiccup mention something about the cove though, and they can't get too far." "Why not?" Astrid smiled. "Because Toothless can't really fly once again."

I raised an eyebrow. "Why can't he fly? He's got both tailfins now." Astrid nodded, then pointed at Hiccup's house. "He's gotten so used to Hiccup controlling the second fin that apparently he has a tendency to crash often when flying alone. I bet that's why they're at the cove though: to practice being themselves again." I nodded. "Well, thanks then. I need to go find them."

I turned to take off, and as I spread my wings, I felt Astrid grab me firmly on the shoulder. "Hold on a minute there, Hawken," she warned, turning me back to face her. "You are certainly not going to be flying this soon after waking up, especially after what happened to you." I groaned, but nodded reluctantly. "Fine, fine, I'll walk," I complied. "I just hope they're there then." Astrid let go of my shoulder, then began walking toward the path to the forest. "And where are you going?" I asked, starting after her, quickening my pace as the villagers finally noticed me. "With you," Astrid answered. I laughed. "Oh, come on, I know my way there. You don't need to baby me." She nodded, smiling. "I know, but I'm still going to make sure you don't start flying halfway there." I glared at her, but she ignored me. "Plus, I also need to see Hiccup. He's been worrying me with that new leg of his, trying things I don't think he should be just yet." I nodded in agreement, and we disappeared into the forest, barely ahead of the villagers who were trying to talk to me all at once.

A long walk is great for a weary soul. Halfway into the 2 mile hike I finally started feeling awake, and a whole lot better. Of course, Astrid still wasn't taking any risks, and I stayed grounded the whole way. We reached the cove after about a half hour, and I could hear a bit of a commotion down below. I looked at Astrid, who just shrugged in response, and we quietly slipped into the crack leading down into the cove entrance. We stayed quiet mainly just because I had convinced Astrid to let me surprise Hiccup. As I peeked out, I saw Hiccup sort of half-limping, half-running around, chasing Toothless, who was bounding around the cove in his usual energetic style. Hiccup tripped over a rock, but when he fell, instead of groaning, he laughed. "Oh, it feels soooo good to have those toes again," he giggled as he sat up.

"Good to see you enjoying yourself again," I said loudly, walking out into the open. "Aaaahhh!" Hiccup yelped, jumping up, losing his balance, and promptly falling over again. "Don't do that!" he snapped, but I could see a smile forming on his face. "Oh, come on now," I retorted, "you should expect that sort of thing by now." "Yeah, well, I was expecting you to still be unconscious, like you have been for the past three days," Hiccup shot back, dusting himself off and standing up again. Behind me, Astrid stepped out into the cove, and Hiccup turned to face her. "And why are you here?" he asked. Before she could answer, though...

WHUMPH! "Aaaahhhhh! Toothless!" I yelled as I was pounced on and pushed to the ground, and then promptly covered in dragon slobber.

::You're alive! I was so nervous when you didn't wake up, and you didn't move, but you're awake now! And thank you so much for bringing back Hiccup's leg and my tail! thankyouthankyouthankyou!:: Toothless continued to ramble on and on and on as he applied layer after layer of slime to my face. I sputtered and tried to push him off. "Yeah yeah, I get it, you're happy!" I griped, trying to keep him from licking me again and failing to move him away. "Look would you get off already? You're welcome!" I looked to the side to avoid another tongue swipe, and saw Astrid and Hiccup doubled over in laughter. "Yeah, some help you two are," I snapped. "Great friends I have." I looked back up at Toothless, then built up some extra muscle and finally managed to shove him off to the side. I got up and stumbled over to the pond, and proceeded to scrub my face clean of dragon spit. As I washed my face off, I heard Hiccup walk up behind me and say, "Sorry, but that was funny! And payback for scaring me earlier." I just glared at him, and he smiled in response. "Besides, it's about time someone other than me got that treatment too." I threw water at him and turned to glance at the black dragon, who was still squirming in excitement. "Oh, shut up, I can guarantee it's worse for me than you, Hiccup," I grumbled. ::Why is it worse?:: Toothless queried. ::A lot of dragons express happiness like that!:: I dried off my hands and turned to him. "Yeah, well, I can understand you, so it's like talking to another person, and people don't lick each other." "Most of the time," Astrid remarked behind me, and I heard Hiccup snort in laughter. I glared at the two of them. "Only perverted lovers do that," I snapped, "and I don't think that qualifies here."

I looked down at Hiccup's left leg, where there was once again a full boot on instead of a metal stick. "So I hear you like your new leg," I drawled. A wide, characteristically lopsided grin formed on his face. "You wouldn't believe how happy I am," he said. "Over two years of having to deal with that fake foot and all its problems, phantom pains, yadda yadda yadda, and now it's all behind me! I can actually feel things with it, I can swim normally again, I can run without major fears of tripping or getting it stuck! Think about it!" I laughed and looked at Toothless next. "Learned to fly again yet?" I asked innocently, a smirk drawing across my face. Toothless looked back at his tail and flexed the two fins, then shook his head, a little embarrassed. ::Not yet, but I'm getting closer at least,:: he admitted. "Well, did you two really expect to be back to your old selves in only a couple of days?" I asked. "I've already seen Hiccup tripping over himself numerous times, and I've only been awake here for a couple of hours." I smirked again. "Though that may just be him being his regular klutz self." Astrid snorted. "Oh, he's just clumsy," she teased. "Hey!" Hiccup snapped, giving us a glare as we both started giggling. "I'm still getting used to a whole NEW LEG here! Give me a break!" I stopped laughing and gave him an amused look. "Alright, I'll be nice and stop," I said. "How many times has Toothless crashed so far?" Now it was Hiccup's turn to start chuckling, and Toothless growled at me, his cheeks probably cherry red under the black scales. "Oh, he landed in the pond probably about ten times, and there were a few ground 'landings' so far too," Hiccup explained, still smiling. He sighed, and lost the smile. "He is getting better though. Who knows, he may be able to fly by tonight." Hiccup cast a concerned glance at his companion, and I could tell something was eating at him.

I folded my arms. "Alright, spill, what's wrong now?" I asked. Hiccup looked at me, and started to say something, but failed. He tried again, but still couldn't make the words form. I raised an eyebrow. Finally he explained quietly, "Toothless doesn't really need me anymore. I mean, he can fly on his own, he's not tied to me in order to get around." he looked at the dragon. "What if... I mean... is there a chance that he might just leave at some point now?" My eyes widened in shock, and my mouth dropped open. He really thought that would happen? After all they went through. Toothless hissed and walked up to Hiccup, then turned and smacked him upside the head with his tail. ::Are you nuts?:: he snapped. ::Don't ever even suggest that idea again! I haven't left yet, I'm not leaving now, and I don't plan on making any attempts at leaving ever again! Got that?:: He then promptly covered Hiccup's face in drool, and grabbed him in a draconic version of a bear hug. I sighed in relief. "I don't think that needs any translation, does it?" I asked. Hiccup laughed and gasped out. "No, that... pretty much settles it! Toothless, I love you too, but I need to breathe!" I turned to look at Astrid, who was trying to hide a smile herself.

After a little persuasion, we managed to convince Toothless to let Hiccup get a little air in, and I suddenly realized something very important I needed to do. "Oh, uh, by the way guys? Can you let Stoick know I'll be back as soon as I can? I need to go talk to my family." Hiccup gave me a look of confusion for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "Yeah, you'd better do that," he said. "Your sister wouldn't leave my house for 3 hours yesterday." I smiled at that thought. "You'll be back later like today or tomorrow, though, right?" he asked. I laughed and shook my head. "Knowing my mother, I'll probably be held for interrogation through tomorrow anyways." I turned to go, and then another thought hit me. "Oh, crap! I have to get my graduation gown tomorrow too! Yeah, Hiccup, I won't be back until Thursday." He nodded, and Astrid clapped a hand on my shoulder. "We'll let the chief know, don't worry." I smiled. "Thanks."

I turned toward the direction of the portal, spread a pair of wings, and made a short glide up to the ring of trees. I waved to the trio below in the cove, and stepped through to the other side. Little had changed at the house, thank goodness, and I walked up to the back door and opened it, looking carefully in. "Anyone home?"

"HAWKEN!" I stumbled back as Holly came racing around the corner and plowing into me, squeezing me until I thought I would pop. "Astrid told us what happened! Are you okay?" she asked, looking up at me with concerned eyes. I smiled and hugged her back. "Just a little something I wasn't prepared for, that's all. It just made me really tired." I went and sat down on the couch, and Holly followed me, a questioning look on her face. "How did you do it?" she asked. "Healing Hiccup and Toothless, I mean. I saw them when we went to check on you, and Hiccup had a foot again! And Toothless had his tail!" I laughed. "Tell you what. Later tonight I'll tell you what happened. Right now, though, where is mo-"

As if on cue, my mom walked out of her bedroom and out into the living room, giving me a look that made me cringe. She had some tears in her eyes, and her arms were crossed. "You have any idea how much you scared me?" she asked accusingly. I spread my hands out wide. "What?" I protested. "You think if I can save a life or two I'm going to pass on that chance? Especially if they're my best friends? Hiccup and Toothless would have died if I hadn't done something!" My mom nodded. "But what if you had died from saving them? You were out for days!" I stood up and walked over to the greenhouse. "Is my life just so much more important than an entire village? My efforts took an extremely exhausting tool, alright, I'll admit, but nothing I did could have actually killed m-"

I turned around and stopped talking when I saw her just smiling. My arms dropped. "You're just giving me a hard time, aren't you," I said. She walked up and put her arms around me, giving me a hug of her own. "It's a mother's job, isn't it?" she asked jokingly. "No, Hawken, I'm actually very proud of you. You did the right thing, and I'm just happy you're alright." She stepped back and looked at me. I spread my hands again. "Well, if that's all done with, yes, I'm glad I'm alright too. But there's, uh, still a little bit of unfinished business I was supposed to take care of, concerning the invaders." "No, you're not leaving again," my mom said. "While you may have been out most of the time, you've been over there for about 5 days. It's time you spent a little time with your family, and you have a couple of things you need to do here as well. Not to mention you have to go pick up your cap and gown tomorrow, remember?" I nodded and smiled. "Well, it's not like I didn't expect that to happen." "And, you are going to have dinner with your family, and you are going to tell us what happened over there. Something like that doesn't go by without a story," my mom said with a smile. I sighed. "Of course."