***I do not own How to Train Your Dragon or its characters.***
Hey, guys! Just getting the hang of this whole upload thing on Fanfiction.
Honestly, I was not expecting such love I have been getting from the story. Thank you!
Also, I have been editing some things around. I know someone asked for more Toothless feels, and that will come soon. Right now, just trying to get through what I thought was the most difficult to write.
Also, some of you might be asking why I chose Eret over Snotlout or Fishlegs to come help Valka and Astrid. There is just…something about Eret I like. I get the feeling he could be a big-brother to Astrid. He also seems more trustworthy. In this story you will probably start understanding why I chose Eret.
Also, I am open to any suggestions. There are a few more chapters planned after this one. I am coming up on some writer's block. Hopefully that goes away soon!
Dawn was beginning to approach. The wind and rain were still surrounding the island of Berke. The storm had died down considerably. No one had slept yet. No one could, despite the fatigue they were all feeling, especially Valka and Astrid.
After arguing with Eret for an hour, Astrid finally agreed to take a bath to warm up. Toothless was kind enough to heat the water up for her. She didn't soak very long. Once she felt the chill leave her body, she was back upstairs with Hiccup. Soon after, Valka had left to go warm herself up.
Astrid sat down at the edge of their bed with a freshly wet cloth to place over Hiccup's head again. His fever hadn't gotten any worse, but it had not broken for that matter. As she studied him, she braided her damp hair.
The way she felt right now, she wished Hiccup was the one braiding it. When her anxiety was setting off, Hiccup always made her soak in a hot bath, and afterwards he'd braid her hair for her, and talk to her until she felt at ease. Only he ever noticed her anxiety. She'd always cross her arms and almost would hold herself. He never pointed it out to her until they were alone. After marrying and moving in with him a year ago, it took a long time to let him see her so weak. With him being so sick and injured, at this point she didn't care who saw her emotionally weak.
Eret was the only one out of their friends (or everyone on the island for that matter) that she allowed her guard down with. Even with Fishlegs, she never let herself completely off guard. Since Stormfly showed a lot of trust in Eret over everyone outside of herself and Hiccup, it was easiest for her to let her guard down with him.
Astrid rewet the cloth again a little while later. This time, she found herself becoming loss in Hiccup's facial features. A cut was lining his jaw looked as though it would scar. His lip has been split open and healing; a large scab was over it. She brushed his hair back from his face, and saw what appeared to have been a deep gash in his hairline. It appeared as though it had almost completely healed.
She laid down next to him, as close as she would allow herself to. She let out a deep breath, and once she felt more settled in, she could hear his breathing. The breaths he took were shallow. Suddenly, he coughed, and then winced in pain in his sleep. Astrid wondered if he had a few broken ribs. She placed her hand on his good arm gently, thankful to feel his touch again. He was home. That, was something she was thankful for. She closed her eyes, finding comfort in her thoughts, and she fell asleep.
"Eret," Valka's voice said quietly.
Eret felt somone shaking him awake. He opened his eyes, realizing he wasn't in his loft, and then remembered he was at the Haddock home. Gaining his bearings, he realized he had fallen asleep at Hiccup's work desk.
"Eret," Valka said again. This time he made eye contact with her. "I am going out to see Gothi. Can you stay here with Astrid and Hiccup? I won't be too long."
He rubbed his eyes, yawned and nodded. "Why are you going to go see her?"
"I am going to go get some herbs from her."
"For?" he asked curiously.
"For Hiccup's fever…among other things," she said quietly. She saw him eye her questionably. Finally, she sighed. "I am afraid he's gotten an infection. I'd rather be safe than sorry. He's been beaten to Valhalla and back again."
"Valka, why not bring the old broad here?" Eret asked. "Surely she could help him."
Valka shook her head. "If I brought her here Hiccup wouldn't forgive me. You know how proud he is. You know how he feels about his father. He's afraid of looking as a weak chief. No, we don't need Gothi over here. Not yet at least."
Eret shook his head. He didn't agree with Valka of not allowing Gothi over, but that was her wish. "Okay." He sighed. "How is he?"
Valka looked over at the bed. Astrid had been asleep for maybe half an hour, and Toothless lay at the floor beside Hiccup's side of the bed. He hadn't moved since he had his shoulder reset.
"He's still unresponsive. He's dehydrated—"
"That is a surprise considering you and Astrid just rescued him from a monsoon," Eret said. Valka slapped him in the back of the head. "Well—"
"—and he's wheezing, which indicates to me he might have an infection or illness in his chest. He's lost some weight, too. I'll return. Just look after them for me."
Eret nodded. After Valka left, he waited for his body to adjust a little more. Finally, when he felt more awake, he checked the fire, put another piece of wood into it, then turned to check on Hiccup again.
Toothless growled lowly from being startled, but calmed once he realized it was Eret.
"It's not like you to growl at me, not anymore at least," Eret said to him. He knelt down and rubbed the dragon's chin. That was when he noticed the scales around his snout were a little worn. As he looked, he could see that a leather muzzle had been around Toothless's face for some time. Not long, but enough to rub from Toothless struggling to break it lose. He knew the signs all too well.
"Toothless, I'm sorry, my friend," he said gently. He continued to study the dragon's body. Other than the marks on his snout, he looked okay. He then noticed the saddle was missing, and the mechanical tail. Thinking about it, he did not recall seeing those items in the boat, but of course he was trying to take care of Hiccup.
Eret's attention changed over to Hiccup when he heard him cough hard. Hiccup winced through the coughs that rattled his body. He didn't wake, and settled himself down. Eret was surprised Astrid hadn't woken up. Eret reached for the cloth on Hiccup's forehead. It was rather dry. He touched Hiccup's forehead again, and felt a small twinge of panic go through him.
Hiccup's fever was rising slightly.
Valka arrived home with the herbs from Gothi's shortly after sunrise, carrying them in a jar. She was thankful at this point that she had not run into anyone in the village. The last few days, the locals had been asking when Hiccup would return to the island. Some had begun to worry, and were trying to figure out how they could get Spitelout to be chief in the event Hiccup didn't return.
Valka pulled off her cloak as she walked through the door. She hung it on the coat rack near the fire downstairs to help with the dampness. She then pulled a bowl from the table closer to her, sprinkled the herbs in to it, capped the jar, and began crushing the herbs into a finer powder.
She leaned against the table waiting for the water in the kettle to warm up. It didn't take long, seeing as she didn't want the broth too warm. She poured the water into the bowl, tested it and realized it was still too warm for Hiccup to swallow. She sighed, stood with her hand on her hip and waved the steam away with her other hand. She sighed again.
The steam continued to rise, and this was when she leaned forward on the table, and let herself relax slightly, letting her guard down. This was where the tears began to form inside her eyes, letting her emotions take over her body.
Her son was injured.
Her son was sick.
He hadn't been fed properly, he had lost weight.
He had possibly been beaten, abused. The rope marks on his wrist indicated it.
Of course, she wouldn't know until he woke up and had the strength to talk to her.
She leaned back up, leaned herself back against the table, and thought again.
She knew Eret was confused as to why she wouldn't bring Gothi over. Even in the early mornings, the whole village was nosey. If they had seen Gothi walking up towards the Haddock home, the whole town would have been talking. Had they realized it was Hiccup who was injured and sick, they'd, again, be thinking they needed a new chief.
Stoick had a way about him. Even when he did come home injured, he always was…well, Stoick. His size made him intimidating, his booming voice made him unapproachable. His strength not only gave their small village strength, but also an everlasting hope. Stoick had injuries occasionally. A gash here, a broken finger there. The worst condition he came home with was Eel Pox. Nothing like Hiccup's current state.
Hiccup, well, he was small but mighty. Despite everything Astrid had told her he had been through over the years with the village people, he still managed to have confidence, most of the time, and keep order in some way. With him being so vulnerable right now, she wanted to keep him safe, until she knew she needed Gothi. Valka had cared for many dragons over the years without help. She could have gone for the herbs on her own, but to save time, she went to Gothi for them instead. The elder did not ask her why. She simply obliged and sent Valka on her way.
She waved the steam away again with her hand once more, then proceeded up the stairs to help her son. She found Astrid awake sitting on her side of the bed. Eret was sitting where Valka had planted herself half the night. A small bit of anxiety rushed through her again.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"His fever has increased," Eret said quietly, moving out of the way so Valka could take her seat beside her son. She placed the bowl on the nightstand.
She touched his forehead and cheeks, realizing his body temperature had indeed gone up. She pulled the furs off of him a little bit more. His skin still felt very cold, and he was shaking worse than he had before.
"Another blanket, please, Eret," she said, reaching for the water bucket and rag. She looked over at Astrid. Gray sacks were forming under her eyes. It was then that Valka realized she probably hadn't been sleeping well over the last few weeks with Hiccup being gone. She remembered not sleeping well herself when Stoick was away, one reason why her pregnancy with Hiccup was difficult.
Valka stood up to help Eret place the blanket over Hiccup, then she took a seat again, and began to wipe Hiccup down again with the rag. She paused to lean her head down over his chest. His heart rate sounded okay, but his breathing he was struggling with. She could hear his lungs crackling.
"I've got some herbs that should help this," she said quietly. She rested the rag back into the bucket, then reached over for the bowl. "Astrid, could you hold his head up. See if we can't get him to swallow some of this."
Astrid repositioned herself to help Hiccup. She held his head up, but found herself shaking. Eret placed his hand under Hiccup's head as well, noticing she was struggling. She was physically weak. Eret made eye contact with Valka briefly, letting her know of his concern.
Valka spooned some of the broth and poured it into Hiccup's mouth. She rubbed his cheeks gently, and he swallowed a little bit. He only swallowed about five or six spoonfuls before he coughed hard. He winced loudly.
"How long should we wait before the herbs start working?" Astrid asked.
"Give it time. He has only been home for a few hours," Valka said.
"I wish he would wake up," Astrid said quietly.
"What did you do when he lost his leg, Astrid? Didn't you say he was unconscious for about a week or so?" Eret asked.
It was something they didn't really talk much about. Astrid sighed and thought a moment. She was biting the inside of her cheek, and crossing her arms like she always did when she was nervous. At that moment she wished he was awake to comfort her.
"Back then it was only his leg. Yes, he had some exhaustion, and we had to worry about his leg becoming infected. But, he wasn't like this. Not all over like this. We were all worried. But, eventually his health improved."
"Eventually," Valka said. "Give it some time. In the mean-time, try to catch up on sleep, okay? I know you haven't been sleeping well."
Astrid nodded. "Does Gothi know about Hiccup?"
Valka shook her head. "No one knows outside of this room. And I want to keep it that way, got me?" she asked the two of them. "Hiccup is in good hands between the three of us."
"I am telling you right now, Hiccup. Fix the saddle!"
Hiccup had welding tools thrown down at his face where he laid on the ground. One of them clipped the center of his forehead. He glared angrily up at the face that stared directly back at him: Dagur. His red hair was down past his shoulders now. He had missing teeth, and he was filthy all over. He looked as though he had crawled out of a hole only five moments before. Which was accurate considering they were inside a cave on Outcast Island.
Hiccup attempted to push himself up into a standing position. Pain was sheering through his side, feeling confident that he had a few broke ribs. The fall he and Toothless took earlier was the cause. He was confident they would have escaped had the gears on the saddle not been destroyed in the fall, and if he hadn't been knocked unconscious.
"Fix your saddle, Hiccup, so I can ride Toothless," Dagur said after a brief pause.
"I won't let you ride him, Dagur," Hiccup said. He wrapped his right arm around himself, using his left to hold himself. The pain in his side ached. "Even—even if I were to fix the saddle, do—do you really think he would let you ride him?"
"Oh, he will," said Dagur, with an evil grin taking hold of his face. "I have my ways, Hiccup."
Hiccup gave a low laugh. "I won't fix the saddle. I won't let you ride him."
Dagur threw himself at Hiccup and pushed him into the stone wall behind him. Hiccup felt his ribs break more. He tried not to let Dagger see his pain, but he couldn't hold back the wince that escaped his mouth. He slid down to the floor, using the wall for support to stay sitting up.
Dagur was now standing above Hiccup. He leaned down and held the mallet out to Hiccup. His breath smelled like rotten cabbage, much like the cabbage Mildew grew when he lived on Berke. Calmly, Dagur said again, "Here's your mallet. Now, the saddle."
Hiccup took in a breath. He felt his heart racing. He didn't want Dagur to see him scared. He mustered up some courage deep inside of him. "No, Dagur—"
Dagur swung his right fist back and connected it with Hiccup's jaw. The force threw Hiccup back to the ground. He could hear Toothless cry out from wherever he was in the cage. Hiccup hadn't actually seen where he was at just yet. Obviously, they had him pretty tied up or else he would have been there with Hiccup, defending him.
Hiccup put his hand up to try to tell Toothless he was all right. That was when he could taste the blood in his mouth.
"Hiccup, why are we playing this game?" Dagur asked. "Why are we dancing around this issue? You are under my imprisonment. Therefore, you do as I say—"
"Or what, Dagur?" Hiccup pushed the mallet away again. "You aren't going to get anywhere by bullying me. Even if I were to fix the saddle, Toothless won't let you ride him. He would throw you off. He would—"
Dagur tackled Hiccup again. In the struggle, Hiccup landed belly down, and Dagur grabbed his right arm and twisted it behind his back. The rattling upset Hiccup's side, causing him to wince. Dagur forced Hiccup to his knees. He then pinned him against the same wall he had fallen into previously.
Hiccup heard Toothless's squeals but he couldn't figure out where he was. He assumed he was in the cave with him, tied up somehow. He could hear chains not too far away rattle.
"You are wearing on my patience," said Dagur. "If you haven't caught on to my tone, Hiccup, I am not playing around. I want my saddle. I want it! So, the sooner you work on it, the sooner this little dance will end." He grabbed Hiccup's arm tighter and pulled. Then, he grabbed his hair. Hiccup couldn't hold back keeping his pain inside anymore. He winced in pain. He felt the air in his lungs leave him.
"Without that dragon, you are skinny and weak, Hiccup! Get that through your brain! You can't win with it!" Dagur was pushing Hiccup's head into the ground. "I am in control here! I will make the calls. I am telling you to FIX THAT SADDLE OR ELSE!"
A moment of silence went by, other than Hiccup's heavy breathing, trying to fill his lungs back up, and regulate. Hiccup could feel Dagger's long nails cutting into his forearm as he twisted it behind his back. Hiccup was feeling his heart thumping in his temples. His ribs were shearing in pain.
Suddenly, Dagur pulled more on Hiccup's arm. He held in his breath so not to cry out to upset Toothless more than what he already was. He could still hear the dragon's chains echoing around the room.
"Well—"
"My answer is still the same, Dagger—No—"
Hiccup suddenly felt his arm pull and snap. The pain radiated through his whole right side like water flowing through a dam. Hiccup screamed when the pain became too intense, and he felt his world go black around him.
Keep in mind, guys, I started writing this before Dagur actually became friends with Hiccup in RTTE. When that started happening, I attempted to try to convert it to Drago completely, but it wasn't working out at all. I like Dagur now, I really do, but let us pretend he is still as deranged as the first episodes of the series stated he was in, just for the sake of the story.
Thanks!