Chapter Nineteen

A/N: Well, here we are. Last chapter. Thank you all for sticking around and reading the story. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the amount of support, reviews, favorites and follows I got while writing this!

The sequel "Escarpment" will be posted soon enough (maybe tomorrow, maybe not. It's hard to tell.) I'll keep you guys updated as it comes along.

Also, really long chapter! Because why not? XD

One more thing! I hate to admit it because this IS the last chapter...but it might sound a little awkward. I have a little bit of writer's block but not enough to stop me from writing... I went ahead and finished the chapter because I wanted to update but, just a heads up, it might sound weird...

Darkness. All he can see is darkness. He feels oddly warm, although it's clear to him this heat is coming from another source. Not a fire, it's not that hot. No...this is a living warmth. He can feel a heart beating against his own chest, soft breaths whispering across his cheek.

Hiccup draws in a breath, a deep one. The amount of relief he feels from it tells him he must have been breathing shallowly in his sleep. He vaguely hears a sound as well but it's muffled. He can't tell what it is.

He tries to move but his body feels too heavy. Like something is holding him down. Panic starts to build in his stomach. What happened? Where is he? He remembers the Berserkers, how he ran to find Gobber, how he stayed behind in the Forge and eventually fell asleep. Was he captured? Has Dagur managed to take him away? Somewhere quiet and secluded so no one will ever find him...

His heart begins to pump faster. Adrenaline rushes through his veins as his mind clears up a bit. As he begins to wake up a bit more, his hearing focuses in on the sound. He can now make it out to be a voice. A girl's voice.

"Hiccup...please don't do this...please wake up..."

Wait...is that...Astrid? Oh gods...did they capture her too?!

"Hiccup please..."

She sounds so desperate. Like she's on the verge of tears. What have they done to her?! Hiccup suddenly doesn't care how tired he is or how leaden his body feels. He needs to make sure she isn't hurt.

"No...Hiccup...please wake up...!"

Suddenly, that mysterious warmth grows warmer. He feels a pair of hands clutching him, another body pressed close to his. Astrid starts to sob, loudly. He hands grip him so hard he's sure they'll leave bruises. He can plainly hear her crying, feel the wetness of tears soaking his tunic.

Swallowing the dryness of his throat, he tries to say something to her. But all that escapes is a broken whisper. He's sure she didn't hear it. Hiccup silently curses himself, gulping again and opens his mouth. This time, his voice is slightly louder. No words form, just another weak sound...but Astrid hears it. Her body goes stiff and she sits up. Does she know he's awake? She doesn't say anything...

The amount of light that pours in through his heavy eyelids is nearly blinding. He blinks several times as he adjusts to the sunlight. It really is Astrid... And they haven't been captured! He recognizes the Forge immediately. But...wait...why is Astrid crying then? Does she think he's... Hiccup inwardly groans, realizing his mistake. She thought he was dead. He must look the part... He tries one more time to speak to her. This time, it works. "Astrid...?" His voice cracks, pathetically but she doesn't seem to mind.

As soon as the word leaves his lips, Astrid whirls around to stare at him. Her cerulean eyes rimmed with red, her cheeks soaked with tears. She was crying! Gods, he's so stupid!

She looks directly into his eyes and seems to see something inside them. Her breath catches and her eyes well up again. Only this time, a relieved smile graces her lips. "HICCUP!" She cries, excitedly and throws her arms around his neck.

Chuckling a little, he asks her, "Are you crying?"

She doesn't answer his question. She only returns it with a laugh of her own. She whispers his name, her own voice breaking with gleeful relief. "Oh gods...you scared me to death! Don't ever do that again!" She demands, tightening her grip on him.

He snickers again. "Sorry...I didn't think it would be so hard to wake up..." He remembers how hard he tried to stay awake but it was inevitable. That accursed darkness was relentless, pushing and prodding until he gave up and let his eyes fall closed.

"I guess it's okay then..." She murmurs against his shoulder. "I won't punch you this time..."

He smirks. "Thanks..."

Without warning, Astrid suddenly pulls away from him. There's an odd look on her face, one he's never seen before... It's almost intimidating. That is, until she cups his face in her hand and kisses him. He gasps, his breaths suddenly turning short again. A shiver runs through him and his mind goes blank. How does she do this?! Every time it's the same! Astrid kisses him and he just...falls apart. It's both irritating...and wonderful at the same time.

When Astrid finally pulls away, she's smiling at him.

"What was that for...?" He wonders dreamily, still recovering from her kiss.

She grins. "Just for being alive..."

Hiccup smirks at her, about to apologize for scaring her. It's only then that he notices the two other presences in the room. Directly behind Astrid, are Toothless and Gobber. The Night Fury wiggles his butt and coos, loudly when Hiccup sees him, causing the boy to laugh. Astrid turns around and smiles sheepishly at them. Her arms are still wrapped around Hiccup's shoulders. She's almost cradling him...

Toothless suddenly jumps up and runs over, apparently tired of waiting his turn. The dragon purrs and mews happily as he licks his Rider's cheek once, twice, three times... Hiccup finally has to raise his arms to ward off the Night Fury's affection.

"Okay! Okay!" He laughs. "I got it! I'm glad to see you too, bud..." He scratches the dragon's ear and Toothless purrs, nuzzling into Hiccup's hand.

Astrid smiles at them. "I hate to ruin the moment, but we really should get you home, Hiccup." She says, once again taking notice of the large blood stain on the front of his tunic. "It looks like your wound has reopened..."

Hiccup frowns at it, wondering why he can't feel any pain. Is he really that numb...? "Well, to be fair, it never really closed..."

Gobber comes over to inspect the injury. "She's right, Hiccup. Let's get you home and patched up." The blacksmith ushers Toothless and Astrid away. He scoops Hiccup into his arms and heads for the door.

"Wait..." Hiccup mutters. "Are the Berserkers gone?"

Gobber nods. "Don't worry about that, lad. While we were coming to find you, I told Bucket and Mulch to go collect them. They're in jail, waiting for your father to return."

Hiccup shrinks down at the thought of his father. What will he do when he finds out Dagur tried to have him assassinated...? Whatever he does, it won't be pleasant for those two Berserkers...

Hiccup flinches as Gothi wraps another layer of bandages around his waist. This makes how many layers? Four? Five? He wishes she would just stop because he's definitely not numb anymore that really hurts! Finally, the old woman stops and steps back from him, as if allowing him some breathing room. She guides his shoulders down onto the bed, telling him to rest. Then, she reaches into her satchel and pulls out a little packet of herbs. She sets it on the nightstand before turning back to Hiccup.

Her hand feels warm against his forehead when she touches it, making sure he doesn't have a fever. Seeming satisfied with that, she pulls away. Gothi offers him an appeased smile. He'll be just fine.

"Thanks, Gothi." Hiccup says, laying a hand over his aching body.

She nods and walks downstairs. Not two seconds later, he hears several other pairs of feet hurrying up the steps. Toothless appears first, his emerald eyes wide and excited as he bounces around the room, droning and warbling with joy.

Astrid comes in after him and immediately goes to Hiccup, sits down on the edge of his bed and hugs him. Her relief is nearly tangible. "I guess it all worked out in the end..." He isn't sure if she's talking to herself or him but he nods anyway.

I guess it did...

Gobber's booming laugh fills the room as he appears. Hiccup's mentor smacks him on the back, grinning from ear to ear. "Gothi was up here for so long I was beginning to wonder if you needed another rescuing!"

"Yeah..." Hiccup smirks, rolling his eyes at the insinuation. "She's a real chatter box." All three of them laugh.

When Stoick comes in, the mood entirely changes. Astrid backs off a little and Toothless jumps down from his perch in the rafters. The dragon tilts his head, curious what his Rider's father will say.

However, Stoick doesn't stop in the entryway as he usually does. He barges straight into the room and over to Hiccup until he's looming above the injured boy, looking almost frightening. Or, he would look frightening if not for the relief that is shining in his eyes and the smile plastered on his face.

"My boy..." He whispers. Stoick envelopes his son in a near bone-crushing embrace. "I'm so sorry." He says. "I should have been here. Those Berserkers wouldn't have been able to-"

"Dad, it's okay." Hiccup says, squirming slightly at the pain in his stomach. "You couldn't have known. And what's important is that no one died, right?"

Stoick pulls away, smiling at his son. "You're right." He says, tussling Hiccup's hair. "Dagur failed. And that's what matters."

"Speaking of Dagur..." Astrid mumbles, suddenly looking distressed. "What are we going to do about him...? I mean...not to be rude or anything but...it's not like he's going to back off, is he?"

Stoick frowns. "No, I don't think he will."

Hiccup tenses at the thought of him. He lowers his head so no one will notice the fear on his face. He doesn't want to be afraid of Dagur...but he can't help it. The man has tried to kill him several times...and almost succeed every time. Now Hiccup can't help but shudder at the thought of him...

"He'll come back again..." Stoick continues. "Unless we find him first."

Hiccup's head snaps up again, looking confused. "You're going to look for him?"

"Of course we are!" Gobber cuts in. "He tried to off you, boy! He deserves to be thrown in prison for the rest of his life! Unless, of course, I get my hook in him...he won't be so fortunate if that happens."

Astrid notices the freaked look on her friend's face and places a comforting hand on his shoulder. She knows this isn't what Hiccup wants. He doesn't want to put his family in danger just to avenge him...but he also has to understand that they're not doing it to satisfy him. They're going after Dagur for selfish reasons. He almost took Hiccup away from them... It will make them feel better to have him under lock and key. Or under the ground. Whichever comes first.

Hiccup swallows hard and bows his head again, despite Astrid's comforting touch. He doesn't want to think about his family or friends getting anywhere near Dagur the Deranged... It sickens him to the core. Of course, there is one bit of information he needs to know. "When...?" He squeaks.

Stoick shakes his head slowly. "No time soon. For now, I want to stay here and make sure you recover before I go tramping off again."

Hiccup offers him a lop-sided smile. "Thanks."

Suddenly, Stoick gets up. "And I'm upping the security around the island. I want no unauthorized ships landing on our shores! The next time the Berserkers attack, it might not end so well..."

Hiccup nods, sullenly. He's not entirely sure what his father means by 'upping the security' but he's got the feeling some things are about to change on Berk. Maybe forever...

"This is Berk. Since our war with the dragons, times have been pretty peaceful. Until recently, of course. We might not be in an official war with Beserkers but the truce feels flimsy. They're going to attack again soon. And as much as I want to believe that we'll be able to hold them off, I know that, eventually, they'll get in. One way or another. I need to be ready when they do..."

"Sir."

Dagur glances up from his map, written in the dirt. There's a foul expression on his face. "What is it?" He demands.

"We got the information you asked for." The other Berserker holds out the form of a dead pigeon in his hand. Tied around its leg, is a note...

Dagur nods and takes the note, unfurling it...he smirks. "Well done." He says, grinning at the soldier.

"What are your orders, sir?"

Dagur slips the intercepted document into his pocket. "Pack up. We're moving out tonight."

"What shall I tell the captains?"

Dagur's tone is nearly humorous when he says, "Tell them...we're headed for the mainlands..."

A/N: And there you have it... *evil grin*. I even have cliffhangers on the last chapter! XD