Chapter 3: Astrid, Hiccup, and a Dragon

Astrid finally finished washing up not noticing that Hiccup is just on the cliff above her. Astrid slowly climbed out of the water and grabbed onto her clothes and put them on since getting dry is impossible with the rain coming down, not hard but enough to keep her from getting dry. She couldn't help but think of poor Hiccup though as she got dressed. The closer he got to becoming chieftain, the more depressed he seemed to become. She hated seeing him so sad about things but he really couldn't do anything and neither could she, no matter how much she wanted to change things. She grew up in the way of the Viking and this is one of those things that just can't be changed. That is one thing Astrid wished she could do, change like Hiccup. He dared to be different from everyone else and he still ended up a Viking of sorts but how is she supposed to just change. 'I guess there isn't any real answer is there?' Astrid asked herself as a dragon came crashing down into the water below which splashed Astrid. "Oh come on, I know I'm not exactly dry but now I'm soaked inside and out."

Astrid complained drying herself the best she could and then the dragon popped out of the water which splashed Astrid again. She was just about to complain again when she noticed a red liquid on her. Astrid looked up in horror as she saw the dragon. The dragons' right cheek had been ripped from mouth to ear. Its wings have a spear in each wing, blood coming from the holes in its wings. Its side had also been torn and a spear sticking in its side. 'Night Fury.' Astrid whispered and then rushed into the water and helped the dragon out of the water. She had learned a few techniques for getting things like hooks and things out of Vikings but she never thought about having to help an injured dragon. "What to do?" Astrid said thinking of her next move and then decided it best to find the elder. "Stay there, the water should help. I'll be right back." Astrid then ran up the hill and made her way toward the village. She had been running when she noticed someone in the road covered in what looks like bloody mud. Astrid ran over and fell to her knees to clear the mud off the person.

Once the person had been cleared of mud, Astrid fell back, her hands covering her mouth. She shook her head a few times and then ran even faster toward the village. Once she reached the village she stopped right before she ran into the Elder. "Calm child, what is wrong?" The elder asked seeing the panic in Astrid's face.

"It's Hiccup Elder, he is bleeding badly and his prosthetic is badly damaged." Astrid said clearly panicked for Hiccup.

"Go get Gobber, I will go and tend to Hiccup." Astrid pointed the Elder in the right direction and then ran off quickly and panicked.

Gobber is now in his shop finishing up a few little details to the small item that Hiccup wants made for Astrid when Astrid came running up to Gobber. Gobber quickly hid the item and looked up at the panicked girl. "Astrid, what is wrong, ya look as pale as a ghost." Gobber could tell that Astrid is frightened.

"Goober, it's Hiccup, he is badly injured." Astrid said hurriedly as she turned around. "Come one." Astrid waved Gobber to follow her.

Gobber knew that the only reason that they needed him for an injury is for Hiccups prosthetic leg. The Vikings owe everything to Hiccup and this is a small way of helping him, so he left, no questions asked. Once they reached Hiccup, the elder had covered up the part of his leg that the blood is rushing from. Astrid didn't know what kind but she knew that the elder had put some kind of herb on his leg before wrapping it up. "Let me at him." Gobber said rushing over to Hiccup and then picked him up softly and carefully as not to irritate his leg anymore. "I will get him taken care of."

"You've done well child, let's return." The elder said as she started walking away when Astrid spoke up.

"Hold on elder, there is a dragon with injuries as well, down in the lake below." Astrid said and the elder nodded. The two headed down into the pit. The rain had then started to pick up. "Elder, we have to hurry." Astrid said still worried for Hiccup.

"Help me with the dragon and do as I say." Astrid nodded and then the two went to work. "We must first treat the wings. Astrid, climb onto the dragon and break the spears right next to the wing so that we can safely rip them out without doing to much damage." Astrid had assumed that much but didn't have the ability to think well in this situation and with Hiccup in trouble, it made things worse.

Astrid quickly climbed on top of the dragon and then grabbed onto the axe that she had with her at all times and broke the spears and ripped them out. That's when she noticed a big blue spot on its back. The dragon howled from the pain but continued to let them help. The water has risen up to the elders' stomach making things harder. "Astrid, we must get out of here." Astrid nodded and then helped the dragon out of the area and to higher ground.

Meanwhile in the village, Gobber had set Hiccup in his room and then started working quickly. "Stoick, keep his leg elevated, I need to grab some things from the shop." Stoick nodded and rushed over to his son.

'Hold on my son, you'll be ok.' Stoick whispered while putting pillows and things under his leg to keep it elevated. Soon Gobber had returned with a few items in hand and quickly went back to work. "Have you seen Astrid?" Before Gobber could respond a very tired and panicked Astrid came in through the door.

"How is he?" Astrid asked out of breath.

"Don't ya worry young one, Hiccup will be fine, he just needs to stay in bed for a week or so." Astrid slowly walked over to Hiccup on the opposite side of Stoick and grabbed onto his hand. 'You'll make it Hiccup, you always do.'

Soon Gobber had started replacing the old prosthetic with the newer one and threw the other to the floor for the time being. Astrid saw this and tears finally started falling from her eyes. Astrid could feel her breathing becoming rasp but she knew that soon, more then just her lungs would be sore.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter and thanks for the reviews. Please review and please continue to review. Thanks again.