Hello, all you awesome people! :D So, yes, 'tis me...once again...

I have no idea how long this fanfiction is going to be, but I can't imagine it going over 24 chapters. That's right, guys! It means we're almost finished! I try to update once or twice a day, and sometimes three times a day if you guys are lucky. :) So, that's it...

Yeah. And my birthday's next week.

"He's getting worse," Astrid said hastily as she and Halima entered the Haddock abode. "His fever's gotten higher, and he's been throwing up again."

Halima nodded, her face grave as she and Astrid climbed the stairs to Hiccup's loft once again. He looked awful, laying on his back, his upper body in Valka's lap while she ran her fingers through his hair in what looked like a comforting gesture. He was pale and shivering, his cheeks flushed.

Halima crossed the room and began examining her patient. Hiccup hardly made a move or a sound aside from the occasional whimper that escaped him. Astrid watched, feeling helpless and wishing that there was something else she could do. After a few minutes, Halima stepped back.

"There's improvement," she said. "His body's fighting back. That's the reason for the fever and the nausea."

"Does that mean he's getting better?" Astrid asked.

"If he can fight through this stage," Halima said, "then he should be fine. But of course, he's still very weak."

"But he's fighting it, right?" Astrid asked.

"Yes," Halima said, "but his body can only do so much. Keep doing what you're doing, give him the medicine I brought over, make sure he stays hydrated, and try to get him to eat something. Even if it's something simple. He needs something in his system."

Valka and Astrid nodded in unison. Afterwards, Halima left the residence. By the time she did, Hiccup was sleeping fitfully, his deep breathing wheezy and raspy and hardly sounding healthy.

"He looks awful, Valka," Astrid said. "Is there nothing else we can do?"

"I don't think so," Valka said. "Not yet." As she spoke, her fingers danced through Hiccup's hair, and Hiccup's breathing evened out just a little bit more. "His body's fighting it off. We have to just let it do what it has to do and hope for the best."

Astrid nodded. "What should I do?" she asked helpfully.

"Heat up some water," Valka said. She reached over, picking up a bag from the desk and handing it to Astrid. "Here. Soak a few of these herbs in it, and then bring it back. We need to give Hiccup some."

Astrid nodded once again as she bolted down the stairs. Valka turned her attention back on Hiccup as he stirred, moaning as he tried to either switch positions or sit up. Valka put her hand on his cheek, keeping him from too much movement. He stilled again, but his whimpers continued.

Astrid returned just a few more minutes later with a cup, its contents steaming. "Here," she said as she handed it to Valka. Valka took it from the girl gingerly. She slid one of her hands underneath Hiccup's head and lifted him just a bit. With her other hand, she brought the cup to his lips. His feverish, clogged mind told him to reject it, which he did, tossing his head to the side opposite of the cup. Valka was patient. Worried, but patient. She tried again, but Hiccup kept avoiding it. When she finally managed to get him to swallow some, he choked, his mind still telling him not to accept it.

"Come on, Hiccup," Valka coaxed as she tipped the cup so that little by little her son swallowed the medicine. "Swallow. Swallow it, Hiccup." Astrid watched, her hands folded losely in front of her. She didn't know what else to do, but watching Hiccup in this state for so long was nearly killing her.

It took nearly ten minutes, but Hiccup finally downed the contents of the cup. Valka set it aside, grabbed another handful of snow – now half-melted – and put it against Hiccup's forehead. He shuddered, but made no other move.

At length, his eyes slipped open. He gazed up at Valka, and then looked over at Astrid as she sat down on the side of the bed.

"M...Mom..." he rasped. Valka met his eyes as she put her hand against his cheek in a reassuring gesture. "Wh...what...?"

Valka shook her head. "It isn't important," she said. "The important thing is you're going to be fine."

"Don't..." Hiccup said, "don't feel...fine..."

"I know," Valka said. "Not yet, but you will. Soon. I promise."

Hiccup nodded, and closed his eyes for just a moment.

When he opened his eyes again, it was morning. Sunlight was streaming through his window. Toothless wasn't on his stone slab. Hiccup figured that he was out, probably doing Alpha things. He was the Alpha dragon, after all.

He also noticed that Valka was laying beside him, sleeping soundly. He decided not to wake her. There was no point. Instead, he stood up, taking caution so that he didn't shake the bed or make too much noise. He put his hand on his forehead. No, he didn't have a fever anymore. He felt sweaty and miserable, but not as bad as he had the day before. Too much movement made him feel as though he were going to be sick, but he easily ignored that.

He didn't feel sick, but he didn't feel completely well, either.

After making sure his mother was still asleep, he began down the stairs, taking caution so he didn't trip. He didn't feel sick, but he felt unbelievably weak. His legs were shaky, and his wounded leg felt sore. Nothing major, which made him pleased.

The main floor of his house was empty, but bright from the sunlight pouring through the windows. Crossing the room, he sat down at the table with a sigh. Just the walk downstairs robbed him of what little energy he had. He put his arms on the table, and rested his head on top of them, closing his eyes.

Before he had the chance to fall asleep, the door opened, and he lifted his head once again. Astrid stepped through, taking one look at him before gasping.

"Hiccup!" she shouted.

Hiccup put his finger to his lips, and Astrid quieted. "My Mom's sleeping," he said.

Astrid walked towards him and sat down beside him. "What are you doing up?" she said angrily, her voice a harsh whisper.

"I..." Hiccup thought for a moment. What was he doing up? "I was just...I didn't feel as bad as I did yesterday, so I figured..."

"No," Astrid said. "You should be resting. Your fever just broke last night. You don't have the strength to be up and moving here and there."

"Mmmm...yeah...I'm getting that..." Hiccup said. "Now I'm tired."

"Yeah, well, you can't sleep here," Astrid said.

Instead of responding, Hiccup fell asleep.