Hello! This is my second chapter update today...I did one earlier. And now, as I promised...SHOUT-OUTS! :D

HiccupHaddockIII: I know! Poor Hiccup! Why must I be so EVIL to him!? I'm glad you seem to like the story so far! I love getting feedback from my readers. :)

midnightsky0612: I KNOW! I AM SO EVIL! *cries*

Kuronique Misaki: Thanks so much! I'm so glad you like it so far! :D It makes me smile like a fool whenever I get reviews. :D

OTHER: This fanfiction is actually probably going to go over ten chapters. Funny, it was supposed to be a one-shot, but I got inspiration, and then BAM!: ten chapters. I don't know how that works! *shrugs* Enjoy chapter 5! :D

Astrid was worried like one wouldn't believe about Hiccup. He was shivering violently from chills that wracked his frame, and it seemed no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't break his fever. She really hoped that Valka got back soon. Hiccup needed the herbs badly.

At length, Astrid couldn't handle just watching him shiver while doing nothing besides holding his hand. She switched positions and then lifted Hiccup's head into her lap, brushing his bangs from his face in a soothing manner. Really, she didn't know what else to do. She felt helpless. She hated feeling helpless.

Valka ran through the door, kicking it shut behind her without pausing or turning around. Astrid turned towards her, but said nothing. After Valka didn't return the gaze, Astrid returned her focus to Hiccup.

Meanwhile, Valka heated water, crushed the herbs into it, and then made it back to Hiccup's side.

"We should probably move him back to his room," Valka said as she stirred the steaming contents of the bowl. She found a cup, poured the liquid into it, and then shook Hiccup gently.

He mumbled something incoherent, and then opened his eyes. They were glazed over and slightly unfocused, but he looked at both Astrid and his mother regardless.

"Astrid…" he said, looking up at her as she leaned over him. "Mom…"

"Yes, Hiccup, it's alright," Valka said, helping him sit up. "Here," she said as she curled his fingers around the cup, putting her hand over his in an attempt to stop his frequent shaking. "Drink this. Careful, it's hot."

"W-what is it?" Hiccup asked.

"Yarrow, peppermint, and elderberry flowers," Valka said. "The yarrow and elderberry flowers will help your fever, and the peppermint will help your nausea and your fever as well. Drink it slowly, though. We don't want you throwing up again."

Hiccup nodded, sipping the herbal drink. Astrid rubbed his back while Valka kept her hands around Hiccup's. After about five minutes, once the contents of the cup had been downed, Valka took the cup and set it aside.

"Do you think you can walk to your room, Hiccup?" Valka asked.

"Yeah…I-I think so," Hiccup responded, nodding his head.

"Alright," Valka said, putting her arm around Hiccup's shoulders. Astrid stood up, ready to assist in any way possible. Valka helped Hiccup to a stand and then lead him upstairs, Toothless in tow, Astrid grabbing the discarded blankets before following as well. Hiccup limped, and would have fallen multiple times if he didn't have Valka helping him. Once they reached the loft, Valka helped Hiccup lay down on his bed, and Astrid put the blankets over him. Toothless sat by the bed, cooing sadly at his sick rider. Hiccup put his hand on his dragon's head weakly, smiling unconvincingly.

"I'll be okay, buddy," he said. "It's just a fever."

Valka and Astrid exchanged worried glances, but said nothing. What was to be said? Neither of them knew just how sick he was, and neither of them were too excited about finding out.

"Why's he sick all of a sudden?" Astrid asked Valka in a whisper so Hiccup wouldn't hear her. Not that he was paying attention. He was scratching Toothless behind the dragon's ear, smiling slightly. "Do you think this happened because we didn't dress the wound properly?"

That was it; Astrid spoke the words Valka had been dreading. If the wolf that bit Hiccup carried some sort of disease…

"You have to tell me what happened from start to end," Valka said, glancing over at the bed while Hiccup drifted off to a fitful sleep. "Anything you can remember."

"Well…the wolves didn't exactly seem too afraid of approaching us," Astrid said. "And Hiccup had Inferno. As far as I know, wolves don't usually go towards fire if they can avoid it, and they attacked us first."

"So they attacked you?" Valka said. "You posed as no threat? They just up and attacked?"

"That's about it," Astrid said.

"Wolves don't usually do that," Valka said. "They don't normally attack people, and they also don't usually go towards fire."

"So…what are you saying?" Astrid asked, although she already knew the answer. She just didn't want to think about it.

"The wolf pack carried a disease," Valka said, glancing over at Hiccup to make sure he was still sleeping and not listening to their conversation. "I don't know which one yet, but either way, it's not good."

"What do we do?" Astrid asked.

"We should keep doing what we're doing," Valka said. "I'll try to get Hiccup to eat some broth, and then we'll send for a healer tomorrow if he doesn't improve by then. I honestly don't know what else there is to be done."

As much as Astrid wished to deny it, she knew that Valka was right. They just needed to keep Hiccup safe, make sure he was resting, eating, staying hydrated, and also keep his fever from going up. Those were all probably the most important things.

"Alright," Astrid said. "What can I do to help?"