"Astrid..."

Astrid heard the whisper. It was hoarse. Broken. It was Hiccup.

She ran towards it, finding him, covered in blood and groaning as he held his gut.

"Hiccup!" she gasped, holding him to her.

"Astrid..." He replied, louder than before.

"It'll all be okay, Hiccup," Astrid hoped he'd be able to stay alive, "I promise."

"ASTRID!" A voice screamed, and she turned to see Dagur bring an Axe down on her head.

"AAAAAAAAAAH!"

Astrid woke with a start and looked over to see Stoick by her side.

"Astrid, dear," He said, soothing her by rubbing her back, "Are you okay? You seemed to be having a bad dream."

"I'm fine," Astrid sighed in relief, "Just shaken a bit."

"Well, I'm glad you're okay," he replied, "I was worried for my future daughter in-law."

"Thanks," Astrid blushed, but soon lost it when she remembered Hiccup, "Did Hiccup return last night?"

"I'm afraid not," Stoick sighed, "I'm very worried for him."

"Same," Astrid replied. "I just wish we knew what happened to him."

As if an answer from the gods, the roar of a Zippleback filled the air. Astrid stood and ran downstairs, opening it to find Barf and Belch.

"Barf! Belch!" She exclaimed and hugged the heads, "Im so glad to see you guys, but where are the twins and Hiccup?

Barf, as if answering, grabbed a note from Belch's saddle and dropped it into her hand. She quickly unraveled it and read, the note.

Astrid

Need help! Hiccup badly injured. Unable to escape Solitary Sound island.

Please get here ASAP!

~Ruffnut & TuFFNuT

"Stoick!" She exclaimed, "Look! Its Hiccup and the twins! It isn't good."

Stoick looked at the note and his eyes widened.

"Astrid," he ordered, get the riders ready. We leave ASAP."

"Already ahead of you!" She exclaimed, "Flying to the stables and summoning Snotlout, Fishlegs, Gustav, Spitelout, Gothi, Bucket and Mulch.

"All of you follow me," Astrid "We have no time to lose."

"It'll take us a day and a half to get there." Snotlout groaned, "Face it! Hiccup's done for."

There was suddenly a shadow above them and a hooded figure leapt down. Astrid smiled at the person weakly as the others looked shocked.

"Well," the person spoke to Snotlout, "I'm no expert when it comes to dragons, but when it comes to direction, I know how to get to Solitary Sound within a day."

"How?" Snotlout exclaimed, "We taught you all we know."

"Because, Astrid and I have been practising together," the person replied, "And in doing so, I found some tricks of mu own. Now, if you're finished jabbering on, follow me."

With that, the riders took off, slipping into the clouds.

Ruff yawned as she sat up and stretched her limbs before standing up and looking about. Toothless was up and about, sniffing at some plants and grinned once he saw she was awake.

"Ready to go home?" She questioned him, stroking his head.

Toothless nodded in agreement and they made there way back to the beach, but something caught Ruff's eye. The Berserker's command centre, which she could see from the hill they'd slept on, appeared to be vacant.

"Something's wrong here," she said, climbing on Toothless, "Let's take a look, Toothless."

Toothless cooed in agreement and took to the sky. Soon, they landed in the empty clearing. Ruff looked about for anything that might suggest where they went, searching crates, barrels, tents and satchels all left by the evacuated populace. After half an hour Ruff was starting to go a bit off her, well, her nut, to be blunt.

"Ah!" She growled as she punched the column and then flipped a table, "There's nothing h... Wait a second."

She returned her eyes to the table and spotted a fairly new rolled up map sitting in the corner of the tent. She quickly unravelled it and found a map of the archipelago and the surrounding areas. The Edge was highlighted, but that wasn't what caught her eye as it seemed old, faded and dried. What did scare her was the fresh, dark arrow that went from the camp all the way to Solitary Sound Island. The island where Hiccup and Tuffnut were trapped.

"Oh, Thor," she gasped, jumping onto Toothless as quickly as she could, "Toothless! Hurry! Hiccup and Tuff are in trouble!"

Toothless' ears perked up at this and within seconds was up in the air above the island, Ruff holding on as she fixed his tail out. Soon, they were over the ocean.

"I'M COMING HICCUP AND TUFF!" She cried as they made there way back to Solitary Sound.

Hiccup woke to see Tuff taking his traps out of the cave, worry plastered on his face.

"Tuff?" He questioned, grunting as he sat up, "What's wrong?"

"Dragon Hunters!" Tuff gasped and grabbed his axe and sword, "The sails were on the horizons. We're basically done for."

"What about Ruff?" Hiccup questioned.

"No sign of her," Tuff sighed, "And now we're gonna die too."

"Okay, just..." Hiccup started, but was cut off by Tuff.

"Wait!" Tuff thought, "If I can hold them off, there might be a chance to save you. I'll block the cave mouth. It's a long shot, but it might work."

"No, Tuff, I'm going to help you." Hiccup tried to stand, but fell back in a heap.

Tuff turned and sat Hiccup up, making sure he was okay.

"Hiccup," Tuff reprimanded. "You need rest."

"Tuff, you need help." Hiccup finally forced himself up, grabbing a sword, "I may be damaged, but you can't take an army by yourself. If I join you, we can at least hold them off for a bit longer."

"Hiccup, I..." Tuff started.

"Tuff, I trust you." Hiccup steadied himself, "You can trust me."

Tuff sighed, but agreed that he'd need the help.

"Okay, Hiccup," he shook his good hand, "But, only when it's necessary. Agreed."

"Agreed," Hiccup nodded and limped to the cave's entrance, assisted by Tuff.

End of Chapter Four

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