Chapter 5

The next morning, Hiccup woke up before everyone. The others had moved upstairs and were sprawled out all over the floor of his room. He slid off his bed quietly, careful not to wake Astrid and tiptoed through the room, avoiding stepping on anyone. He slipped downstairs quickly and out to the back of the house. He checked for British naval officers before sitting down on the back step, hoping that Toothless would return with the army of dragons soon.

He sat on the step for what seemed like forever and still nothing and he was getting frustrated. He leaned back against the railing to the steps and stared back up at the sky. Still nothing.

"Hey," Astrid said from behind him, making him jump, "You were up early." She laughed as she sat down next to him. "You waiting for Toothless?" Hiccup nodded.

"Nothing yet," Hiccup said, "Hopefully something soon."

"I'm sure he'll get back here soon," Astrid said and took his hand.

"I hope so," he said, "Who knows how long we can hang out here before they find us…They're searching every house on the island, so it can't be long before they do." Astrid said nothing and looked straight up into the sky along with Hiccup.

Suddenly, they heard screaming from within the house. Shots rang out and Snotlout's hammer flew through the window and landed in front of them. "Oh my god," Hiccup said, "Its happening. Astrid, run! Get out of here!" He tried to push Astrid toward the trees just behind his house but she resisted.

"I'm not leaving," she shouted. There was suddenly a large explosion from the second floor, sending the roof flying towards them. Hiccup pushed Astrid aside as a large piece of roof landed on him. "HICCUP," she screamed but before she could run to him soldiers jumped from the second floor and landed all around her. Hiccup moved slightly under the roofing. He seemed to be unhurt but stayed put.

The soldiers grabbed Astrid's arms and started hauling her off. Hiccup's heart dropped as he watched her struggle against their hold, but was unable to break free. The soldiers with Astrid met others at the front of the house and dragged them all down the hill and towards the main hut, where Hiccup had been kept.

Once he was sure they were out of earshot, Hiccup pushed the pieces of his roof off of him and ran back towards the house. He peered around the side to see the soldiers dragging his friends into the hut. "Oh my god," he said as he hit his head on the wall, "This is so bad." He decided to try to wait for the dragons before doing anything. Even though it took everything in his power not to run after Astrid.

Down in the main hut, the soldiers were securing the others into the same chains they had used to secure Hiccup. "No," Astrid screamed, "LET GO!" She struggled against their grasp before securing her to the wall, "You can't do this! You can't leave him there!" The soldier sneered at her as he slammed her arms above her head and chained them.

"He'll be dead before we even get up there," he hissed at her. She glared up at him before kicking him in the face. He slowly turned his face back towards her. She stared him dead in the eye and he sneered at her again before taking his musket and hitting her across the head with it, knocking her out cold.

"HEY," Snotlout yelled, "You can't do that!"

"Seriously, JERK," Ruffnut and Tuffnut screamed. The soldier laughed before leaving the hut.

'This is so bad," Fishlegs said. Everyone was silent. "Do you really think Hiccup is dead?"

"No way," Snotlout said and everyone else mumbled in agreement, "Hiccup can survive anything." As he said it, even he could hear the doubt in his voice.

Back at the house, Hiccup waited for any sign of Toothless so that he could rescue the others. But, there was still no sign of him. He sighed and thought about rescuing them without the dragons but realized that was a terrible idea. So, he waited.

After what seemed like hours, Hiccup fell asleep, leaning on what was left of his back porch. Toothless landed down next to him quietly a few minutes later and started nudging his face. Hiccup woke with a start and smiled up at Toothless.

"Thank god," he said as he jumped up, "Are the other dragons too close behind to save the others?" The dragon shook his head and Hiccup smiled. Hiccup jumped onto his back and he flew off toward the main hut. Toothless landed softly on the roof where the others had to save him. Hiccup lowered himself down through the hole in the roof and landed softly on the floor. Once he was sure the coast was clear, he gestured for Toothless to follow.

"Hiccup," Ruffnut and Tuffnut shouted, "And Toothless! We're saved!" Toothless began ripping the bars off of the others.

"What happened to Astrid," Hiccup asked as he lowered himself down next to her.

"A soldier knocked her out," Fishlegs said, "We haven't been able to wake her."

Hiccup shook her lightly, "Astrid," he whispered, "Can you hear me? Astrid," he said quietly. Her eyes started to flutter open slightly.

"Hiccup," she asked quietly. Toothless broke the bars above her head, "What's happening…?"

"Come on," Hiccup said and he lifted Astrid off the ground, "We need to get out of here before the other dragons get here." The others nodded and climbed onto Toothless who flew back out the hole in the roof. Everyone climbed back off of Toothless and gathered around Hiccup who was still supporting Astrid slightly as she continued to gain consciousness.

"So," Snotlout said, "What's the plan?"