Okay, so last story I CLEARLY explained before the story even began that there is a reason I chose Eret over the rest of the gang to help Astrid….People, please read the author's comments before and after the stories! This is not an "Astrid cheats on Hiccup" story, as I do not write that way and never have. I would NEVER break those two love birds up.

Anyways, this is the next chapter.

Astrid woke up to a blood wrenching screams from beside her. She darted up with a large gasp, her heart racing, knowing the screams were coming from Hiccup. She could already hear footsteps coming up the stairs to the room. Eret entered with Valka behind him. They had been downstairs talking prior to Hiccup's outburst.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"I—I don't know—"Astrid started to reply.

"Toothless—"Hiccup was saying in between his screams. His voice was breaking and low. "I'm—okay—" Tears were welling up around his eye lids.

The dragon was using his snout to try to motion the boy's side slightly, trying to get him to realize he was there. He cooed worriedly, wondering if Hiccup would realize by noise he was there.

Valka sat down on the side of the bed and touched Hiccup's forehead. Immediately Astrid could see her concern on her face strengthening. "His fever has risen again—"

"Hiccup, wake up," Astrid said into his ear quietly. "You are home. Please—" When he screamed again, she broke into sobs. She put her head up against the side of his, feeling his burning, sweaty forehead against her's. "Hiccup—please, wake up."

He suddenly thrashed, causing Astrid to sit back up. "Get out—Toothless—"

"He's hallucinating," said Eret, reaching for the dry cloth that fell from Hiccup's head. "I'll get some fresh water."

As he descended down the stairs, Hiccup thrashed more violently, kicking his one good leg, moving the other slightly under the furs. "Leave me alone! Toothless!"

Valka pulled him up to a sitting position in her arms, holding him as though he were a child, his head leaning against her shoulder. He suddenly stopped screaming and jerking violently. His noises were replaced by sobbing. His good arm found its way around her around her neck, and he in turn buried his face under her chin. His sobs were making his breathing irregular; he winced every other breath.

Valka didn't know what to do or think. Never had Hiccup clung to her so tightly. He seemed as though he were a toddler, waking up from a horrible nightmare. She remembered the night she had come home to see him. He was holding her the way she had imagined him when he was little that night, if she had been able to comfort him. A warm feeling took over her body, just for a few seconds.

She held him like that for a few moments. Eret had returned up the stairs. When he saw Valka holding Hiccup, he stepped back out, giving the family some space. He felt slightly awkward being in the house. These guys were family. Even though he felt somewhat off placed, he didn't want to leave Valka and Astrid alone to help Hiccup. If he could be of any help to them, that was what he wanted to do. Until they turned him out the door, he would stay.

Hiccup seemed to have fallen asleep again. His sobs and heavy breathing subsided. Gently, Valka laid him back down, keeping mind of his arm. She turned back to the doorway, made eye contact with Eret to come inside. She reached into the bucket for the cold rag, rang it out, and dabbed Hiccup's forehead with it.

"I wish this fever would break," Valka said, breaking the silence. She pushed Hiccup's covers up more in the attempt to keep him warmer. She sighed, and turned to Astrid. "Are you all right?"

Astrid nodded and sighed. She wiped away a few tears on her face.

After a moment of silence, Eret looked to the skylight. "The village should be stirring up here soon. Valka, should we get Gothi?"

"No—"she said quickly. "He won't have it—"

"Valka—"

"I said no," she said again, very firmly.

Eret sighed and walked off again, taking his seat at Hiccup's work bench. He couldn't understand completely why she was being so stubborn about bringing Gothi over. But, Hiccup was not in his soul care. If Hiccup had been his brother, son, child…He would have already been at Gothi's once the sun had risen.

There was a knock at the door downstairs.

"Fishlegs!" Astrid said quietly, panic hitting her. "We were supposed to go riding. Eret—"

Eret put his hands up and shook his head. "It'll just make them wonder why I am over here." He had a point. Valka was wanting to keep Hiccup's return a secret. With Eret over this early in the morning, everyone would be wondering why he wasn't out on patrol like they would be assuming.

Valka stood and went down the stairs. They could hear her and Fishlegs talking for a few minutes. Astrid looked over and saw Eret rubbing his temples. They were all tired. It dawned on Astrid that Eret had never asked to leave, or asked if they needed help with Hiccup, other than carrying him up the stairs from the boat. He was just there, trying to help them.

"Eret—"

He looked up at Astrid, and decided to approach the bed. He sat down beside her on her side. She wasn't making eye contact with him, but she didn't need to. After a moment of silence, he placed a hand on her shoulder. She found comfort in it.

"Thank you," she said quietly. She looked up and gave him a weak smile.

"You are welcome," he said gently. "If I am overstepping my boundaries, or if you want me to leave, please tell me. I don't want to invade your privacy."

"No—No!" Astrid laughed lightly, holding back some tears. "When—" she sniffled, swallowed, and started again. "When we arrived at the docks, we knew we couldn't get him inside the house without help. Not that far, or as fast. I knew I could trust you. You are a private person, Eret. The gang—well, you know. It wouldn't have remained this private."

"Astrid, I hate to intrude on this. But, if Hiccup becomes worse, we really need to get Gothi over here." The look on Astrid's face told him he might have overstepped his boundaries. "I know you guys don't want to upset the village. I know you don't want to induce panic. But, Gothi would be the better choice right now. Maybe she has something stronger to help Hiccup's fever, and his chills."

Hiccup coughed heavily suddenly, wincing at the pain somewhere in his body. Astrid moved the cold rag around his sweaty forehead a little bit more. She never had she seen him this vulnerable. Even when he lost his leg, it wasn't like this. But, maybe it was because Gothi had him heavily medicated. Maybe Eret was right. They needed to bring Gothi over to help Hiccup.

Valka returned upstairs again with a tray. She had brought up some fruit for the three of them to share, a fresh piece of fish for Toothless and Hiccup's broth. She sat the tray down on the side table, and propped Hiccup up on some pillows in order to feed him the broth.

After Valka had two spoonfuls in Hiccup's mouth, Astrid asked, "What did you tell Fishlegs?"

"I told him that you weren't feeling well."

"He didn't ask about Hiccup?"

"Astrid, outside of this household no one knows he's back. Until he is better, we won't let anyone know."

"Not even Gobber?" Astrid asked.

Valka seemed a little taken aback. She spooned another bit of broth into Hiccup's mouth. She had forgotten about Gobber. She knew that they could trust him with Hiccup.

"We may want to have Gobber come visit. The village won't suspect if he comes." Valka said.

Hiccup tossed his head to the side a little bit, coughed hard, and moaned. His body continued to shake under the furs. Earlier, Valka had thrown two more over him. She pushed his wet strands of hair from his forehead gently. He turned his head and leaned into her touch, trying to relax.

Astrid sighed. She turned to Eret. She wanted Gothi. Hiccup had been home for half a day, and he seemed to be getting worse than improving. She knew it would take some time for his health to improve, but she did feel better with the thought of Gothi coming over to check on him. "Are you sure we shouldn't go get Gothi?"

"If the village saw her over here there would be a state of panic."

Hiccup coughed hard again, a low moan escaping his throat. Since his shreaking he couldn't get comfortable. His fever had risen, his chills were worse. Astrid rubbed her head out of frustration and exhaustion. How much longer would this go on? She didn't want to tell Valka off, and she didn't want to upset the village. What was she going to do?

Toothless cooed slightly, and placed his head on the bed. He nosed his face up towards Hiccup's face, gave him a gentle lick on the face. Toothless even seemed defeated that the dragon slobber didn't seem to make Hiccup jolt. He despised being licked by Toothless.

"You did tell Fishlegs that Astrid was sick, didn't you?" Eret said quietly. "He would tell the Dragon Riders. With Snotlout's mouth, and the twins, the village would hear of Astrid feeling ill. And in turn, if anyone saw Gothi over they would probably assume it was for Astrid."

Valka sighed. She nodded. She turned to them both, and gave Astrid a small smile. "I did tell Fishlegs you were ill—didn't I?"

Gobber arrived at the Haddock home with Gothi in the evening. The rain had finally gone. The sun had almost set. The sky was mixed with pink and orange behind them. Valka opened the door for them and invited them into the home, and paused to admire the view before she closed the door behind them. She let out a sigh, preparing herself for what was about to come.

"Ev'nin', Valka," Gobber said. "I 'eard Astrid was under the weather t'day."

"Hello, Gobber; Gothi," Valka said quietly. She realized Gobber's facial expression changed when he made eye contact with her. She knew it was obvious she looked tired and run down. No one was able to sleep with Hiccup's current physical state.

Valka closed the door behind her and latched it shut. When she turned she noticed Toothless was standing at the top of the stairs. Valka saw Gobber and Gothi eying him.

"Wait, what's—"

"The town cannot know, Gobber," Valka said, grabbing his arm earnestly.

"When did Hiccup get home?" Gobber asked Valka.

"Last night. He's unwell," Valka said to him. She turned to look at Gothi. "Gothi, I am sorry I lied to you, and Fishlegs. But, I had to protect Hiccup."

Gothi nodded to Valka, giving a weak smile, indicating she understood.

"So, Astrid isn't sick?" Gobber asked. He was clearly still confused as to what was going on completely.

"No," Valka said. "Come, upstairs."

Toothless turned as they approached the stairs and went to Hiccup's bedside. He was moaning every few minutes by this point, tossing and turning. His chills were becoming more severe. If Eret hadn't been there, Astrid would have lost her patience with Valka's lack there-of urgency over Hiccup at this point.

They had thrown another fur over Hiccup in the meantime, hoping it would ease his chills. They had continued to feed him broth but his fever continued to rage. Eret had continued wiping Hiccup's head with the damp cloth over the last several hours.

Gothi didn't wave Astrid or Eret away when she approached the bed. Typically, her bedside manner was not quite up to par, but today, she seemed extra kind. She didn't even ask Eret to leave the room, but he thought it best if he took a step back to allow some privacy for the family. He stood in the doorway instead.

Gothi reached out for Astrid's hand and gave it a little squeeze, and smiled slightly at her before she began her examination over Hiccup. No one spoke while she did. She gaged his fever and she then started pulling back some of the furs, checking his hydration, running her fingers along the bruises. Her expression changed to concern as she eyed current imperfections. She also checked on his shoulder and arm. She undid the sling holding Hiccup's shoulder in place, and gently lifted his arm. Hiccup winced slightly from the gentle movements, but she relaxed it again. As her examination continued, her expression softened.

The elder bit her lip, dumped out a small bag of sand onto the ground, and began to write.

"She says that Hiccup's body is trying to heal itself. He's in a small coma," Gobber said.

Valka sighed. "What can we do?"

"Gothi—"Astrid spoke up. Her voice was going in and out. "The fever and the chills. What can we do to help him through that?"

Gothi gave a weak smile, used her foot to smooth out the sand, and scribed again.

"Keep him covered up, like you are now. Continue with the broth. She will bring some extra herbs over this evening."

Valka nodded. "Anything else, Gothi?"

"She says his shoulder still isn't in its socket," Gobber said.

Eret felt the panic hit his chest at her words. He approached the group then. He saw the look on Astrid's face when she comprehended what Gobber had said. He knew she was on the verge of losing it. Without any hesitation, he picked her up from where she sat on the bed and began to carry her out of the room. She struggled against him, but she wasn't any match against him.

"No, Eret," she said to him.

Toothless lowered his head, moaning slightly.

Eret managed to get the struggling woman out of the bedroom right as Astrid could see Valka and Gothi begin working on Hiccup's arm. They could hear the crack and pop of Hiccup's arm being adjusted as he shut the door behind them, and the shrieks in pain as he pulled the door shut behind them.

"Noooooo!" Astrid screamed loudly, and she crumbled at the top of the stair way. Eret caught her as she did. He pulled her close, and allowed her to sob uncontrollably into his shoulder for however long she needed to.

Valka sat quietly with Eret at the dining room table, both nursing a cup of what was warm tea. It had cooled. It was now the middle of the night, and the rain had returned. They sat in silence. Not only were they taking care of Hiccup's physical state, but also Astrid's. After they had set his arm and she had stopped crying, she seemed to have disconnected herself from them all.

The truth was, she was horribly upset with both Valka and Eret. Hiccup was moaning in his sleep a little less, probably because since they had reset his arm, correctly this time. That was what made her most upset with Valka.

She was being stubborn with Eret. He had purposely dragged her away from her husband while he was being treated. It bothered her because she wasn't there with him when they snapped his shoulder back into place. She felt the need to be there with him.

Astrid was being stubborn with both of them, and she knew it, but did not want to admit it. She wanted Hiccup to be better. Gothi had told her on her way out he would not be better over the course of a few hours. She had pulled some herbs from her pocket and handed them to Astrid, telling her they would help her sleep. Valka had given her some hot tea earlier, and Astrid knew that she was trying to help Astrid sleep. Instead of drinking the tea, she dumped it out of the window.

Hiccup continued to shake. He moaned suddenly, the first noise he had made in over an hour. When he did, Toothless could hear his name. Astrid heard it as well.

"Too—less," he said again, before a small cough escaped his mouth.

Astrid reached for the cold broth they had been feeding Hiccup. It had some extra herbs in it from Gothi. It seemed to be helping him rest a little easier as well.

He choked on the third swallow, and Astrid stopped. She willed a few tears away, and sighed.

Toothless laid his head on the bed beside Hiccup. A moment later, Astrid saw him nosing his way under Hiccup's blankets. He rested his chin gently over Hiccup's legs. Astrid giggled slightly at the extra lump under the covers.

She seemed to have dazed off for a little while. A crack of lightning stirred her back to reality. She looked back at Hiccup, and realized he wasn't shaking as badly as he had been a few moments prior.

"Hmmmm," she sighed. She freshened the cloth up again, and rubbed it along Hiccup's face once again.

Hiccup coughed a few moments later, and in turn Toothless came out from under the covers. He growled lowly, then left the bed, going to his slab of stone. Astrid could tell he was equally frustrated and worried.

She laid down beside him, feeling his body slowly begin to shake after moments passed. Her mind began to wonder.

"Toothless…."

He came over when called, and she directed him again to lay against Hiccup for a few moments. The dragon simply nuzzled against Hiccup's legs again. He cooed as well when Astrid rubbed his face gently. They could see the concern in each other's eyes.

A few moments later, Hiccup's shaking subsided again.

"Toothless, help me get him moved…"

Valka jumped when a hand touched her shoulder. She had fallen asleep.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Valka," Eret said quietly to her.

"It's okay, I need to go check on my son," she said gently. When she looked around herself, she realized she had actually slept a solid few hours at the kitchen table. The sun was beginning to come up. She felt slightly panicked, and jumped up from her chair. Eret stopped her.

"Easy," he said. "Walk upstairs, quietly. Don't be alarmed, okay?"

Valka gave him a stern look, and took to the stairs. But did as Eret had told her. She approached the doorway, and found Hiccup not in his bed. A wave of fear hit her, but once she looked around the room, she relaxed.

Toothless laid curled up in himself, with both Hiccup and Astrid curled in between, resting against his body asleep under some furs.

"Astrid must have moved him while we were asleep at the table," Eret said.

"But, why would she do that?" Valka asked quietly.

Eret guided her over to where they laid. Toothless lifted his head when he heard them approach, but he relaxed and put his head back down, cooing gently. Valka's hand touched Hiccup's forehead.

"His fever—it's—"

"Breaking," Eret said. "For now, at least. He's also not chilled."

"Toothless's body heat—" Valka said quietly. "That makes sense."

"Toothless's body heat must have kept Hiccup stable while they were inside the boat," Eret said.

Valka smiled slightly and sighed. "Well, as long as they are resting comfortably, that's what matters."

Eret agreed with her. For the first time since Hiccup had arrived home, Eret felt peace in the Haddock home. He knew the next few days were still critical, but it was at least a start on the right path for them.

"Valka—I am going to go home for a little while. Would you be okay while I am away? I need to go check on Skullcrusher. I am honestly surprised he hasn't started knocking down homes looking for me."

"I had Gobber go check on him for you earlier," Valka said. She smile. "Thank you, Eret. Without you, I don't think Astrid or I would have survived under this roof together while Hiccup has been ill."

Eret gave a small chuckle. "I have a feeling you might be right about that one."