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Hiccup's POV
"Well I am starving! Lets get some food!" Heith said. Helga punched his arm.
"Do you only think about food!" she said.
"Umm yeah!" Heith said.
Helga sighed and rolled her eyes "Ok, lets go. Ironclad,Hiccup are you joining us?"
"I don't know, maybe" Ironclad said shrugging.
"I'll go in a second" I said.
"Ok!" Helga said, then she, Heith and Kol then walked away.
"Why aren't you going with them?" I asked.
"I might ask you the same thing. And why so eager to get rid of me Hiccup?" Ironclad said.
I rolled my eyes "You know I didn't mean it like that"
"I am not hungry" Ironclad said, then his stomach growled "Ok, maybe I am."
"Come on, lets get some food" I said waving for Ironclad to follow me. We started walking to the Hall.
"How is Astrid? I have some more of the burning salve if she needs it." Ironclad said.
"She is fine, resting but fine. The Healer said if it wasn't for you she might not have made it" I said "Thank you"
"No problem" Ironclad said.
"Where did you get that anyway?" I asked.
"The burn salve? I made it. There is a special plant that can heal some burns." Ironclad said.
"How did you figure that out?" I said curious.
"She...she showed me" Ironclad said, looking down.
"I'm sorry..I didn't know" I said.
"Its fine" Ironclad said, taking a deep breath "She would be happy I used it to save someone, especially someone close to you"
I smiled and patted his back. We reached the hall and walked in. For a moment it was like it normally was, with people eating, drinking, laughing, talking, running around. But once we opened the doors all of that stopped. They all turned to us and silence fell over the room.
Helga saw us "Hiccup! Ironclad! Over here!" she said waving. She was sitting with Kol, Heith, and the other Berk teens.
We walked over, and I felt everyone's eyes on us. We sat down and Helga handed us two plates and cups, already filled. The plates had a loaf of bread, some chicken, and some root vegetables.
"I thought you two might come so I took the liberty of getting you your dinner" Helga said.
"Thanks" I said Ironclad nodded. He looked down at his plate and looked like he was contemplating something.
"Are you ok? I thought you liked chicken" Helga said, worried she had done something wrong.
"No...its just...I can't eat right now that's all" he said.
"Ok...why?" Helga said.
Ironclad tapped his mask, covering the lower half of his face.
"Oh..sorry, I forgot" Helga said.
"Why can't he just take it off?" Ruff said.
"Its a tradition in his tribe, he never takes it off in public." I said.
"I'm fine, just... I'll eat over there" Ironclad said picking up his plate and cup and walking over to a empty table in the corner. It was darker over there and I saw him take off the mask, but I couldn't see his face.
"I do wonder what he looks like" Helga said.
I shrugged "Its pointless to try. I never ask him to remove it because it is part of his tradition and I want to respect his privacy. Calypso was the only one who ever saw it" I said. I then realized what I said and we all looked down, except for the Berk teens.
"What? Who is Calypso?" Tuff said.
"She...she was Ironclad's betrothed" I said.
"Was?" Snotlout said.
"Yes" I said solemnly.
"Did she...um..." Fishlegs said.
"Yes" I said looking down, and gripping my cup.
"Oh..." he said "Sorry"
"Its fine" I said taking a deep breath "You didn't know and you were curious"
I then turned to see Ironclad still eating. I then saw a couple of the other girls in the tribe staring at him. One even went over to try and get a look at him.
I then stood up and walked over.
"I'm sorry, but can I ask you not to stare or bother my friend" I said to the young girl.
"Why?" she said, putting her hand on her hips.
"Because you need to respect his privacy" I said.
"Ughh fine. We just wanted to get a look at the new hottie" she said then flipping her hair and walking away.
I then saw Ironclad beside me, his mask was back on and he had an empty plate and cup.
"Thanks" he said.
"Your welcome" I said. We then walked back to the table and sat down.
"Sooo... Ironclad" Ruff said leaning over.
"Yes" Ironclad said.
"Oh Ironclad this is Ruffnut, Tuffnut, Snotlout, and Fishlegs" I said "Astrid showed them how to ride dragons while I was gone"
"Interesting" Ironclad said.
"So do you plan on staying in Berk long?" Fishlegs said.
"I don't know. But right now I don't want Helga to hunt me down, so I might be staying a while" Ironclad said shrugging.
"Really? Then maybe we can get to know each other better then" Ruff said. I glared at her and so did Helga.
Helga gave Ruff a serious death glare that would have sent a Monstrous Nightmare running for the hills and she backed off.
"Ummm I am going to check on Astrid" I said standing up.
"I'll join" Ironclad said and followed me out of the hall.
"Sorry about that..." I said rubbing my neck.
"Its ok...they are interesting" Ironclad said "What dragons do they ride?"
"Well the twins ride a Zippleback, Snotlout rides a Monstrous Nightmare and Fishlegs has a Gronkle." I said.
"Amazing, and all without the Amazing Dragon Rider?" Ironclad said sarcastically.
I laughed and pushed he shoulder. We reached the Healer's and entered.
Ari and Flint were no longer there but I saw the Healer mashing up some roots.
"Hiccup" she said standing up "And?"
"Ironclad" he said slightly nodding his head.
"He is an old friend of mine and was the one who helped Astrid on Outcast Island" I said.
"Yes, wait..did you make that burn salve that was on Astrid?" she said.
"Yes" Ironclad said.
"It worked wonders! Her burns are all but fully healed! And minimal scaring I might add" she said.
"How is she?" I said.
"She is actually up right now, I gave her a small bit of food and drink and she is resting in bed" the Healer said.
"Can I see her?" Hiccup said, eager.
"Yes" the Healer said and Hiccup bolted to where Astrid was.
"Now about that salve" the Healer said.
Astrid's POV
I was floating.
It was like when Hiccup took me on that first flight.
It felt like I was lightly touching the clouds.
My body felt free and weightless.
My eyes fluttered open and I saw I was in a dark room, on a bed. I sat up and groaned, the pain rushing over me like a wave.
I fell back into the soft bed and groaned in pain. I then lifted the fur cover and saw I was bandaged from head to toe.
I felt like I had been run over by a herd of Monstrous Nightmares and probably looked like I had too.
"Ughh" I said putt my hand over my face.
"Oh good you're awake" I heard a women say. I turned my head, not attempting to sit up again.
"Oh, hello Healer" I said.
"Here dear, have some food and water. You will feel better." she said. She helped me up and handed me a small piece of bread and a cup of water.
Once the water reached my lips I gulped it down quick. I didn't realize how thirsty I was until now.
"More" I croaked out. The Healer nodded and refilled my small cup. I had three before she stopped me.
"You can't have too much or you will upset you stomach and throw it all back up she said.
I nodded and munched on the bread. The Healer redressed some of my bandages and left the room saying she was doing to fix up something for the pain.
I sighed and inspected the damage done to my body. I saw bandages all on my legs and arms. My wrists were really bad and a couple of the nicks Corey gave me were still not fully healed. I saw though the burns were mostly gone. I remembered Ironclad had put something on me back in those caves.
Who was Ironclad anyway? How did he know Hiccup? She hadn't really talked to him but it sounded like he had been through something bad...really bad. He had helped me and Hiccup so he was obviously a good person. But what was his story? Why was he even there? Did Hiccup ask him to be there?
My mind was racing when the door opened again. I saw Hiccup and relief washed over his face. He slowly walked over an knelled beside me. I looked into his eyes and saw a mix of emotions.
He looked relieved, sad, guilty, and pain.
"I'm...so sorry" he said looking down.
I lifted his chin to look into his piercing green eyes.
"I'm ok, its because of you I am sitting here alive" I said.
"But it was my fault you were captured" Hiccup said, sorrow in his voice.
"It was my own fault!" I said "I was stupid enough to go to the island and I didn't see Corey until it was too late"
"I'm.." Hiccup said.
"Don't!" I yelled "If you say you are sorry one more time I will kick your butt across the island"
Hiccup chuckled and grabbed my hand, squeezing it slightly.
"I don't doubt that" he said.
"How are you?" I asked.
Hiccup laughed "Why are you the one asking me that question?"
"Because..I vaguely remember seeing the fight you and Corey had.." I said looking down.
"And.." Hiccup said wary.
"Well..I wanted to say...I am proud of you" I said.
"Really?" Hiccup said.
"You did the right thing...you really were the stronger man down there" I said.
Hiccup smiled softly and partially stood up, he had a tentative look in his eyes but slowly moved to kiss me. I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him close.
I smiled when we broke apart and moved to stand up.
Pain shot through my side and I cried out in pain. I fell back against the bed and gritted my teeth, squinting my eyes shut.
"Astrid!" Hiccup yelled worried "Healer, quick! Astrid is in pain!"
I was breathing heavy and opened my eyes to see the Healer and Ironclad in the room.
"I'm...fine" I said, trying to catch my breath.
"She is still weak. You need to rest and try not to move for the next couple days" the Healer said then handing me a bowl of massed roots.
I looked up at her skeptically.
"For the pain dear" she said. I then ate the roots and my body felt much better. The mixture curbed the pain and it felt like my body was suddenly lighter.
"Ahhh thank you" I said, handing back the bowl. The Healer nodded and walked to the door.
"Oh Hiccup, I do need to ask you some questions outside" she said. Hiccup nodded and left with her. I realized I was alone with Ironclad.
"Ironclad?" I said.
He looked into my eyes "Yes?"
"Umm thank you...for taking care of me down there" I said, twisting my pinky finger.
"It was no trouble" he said.
"Thank you though...I don't think I would have made it if it wasn't for you and Hiccup" I said.
"It was no problem" he said.
I sighed and gave him a look "I'm trying to thank you here, ok!"
He laughed "Sorry. I accept your gratitude" he said bowing slightly.
I laughed "So I never heard anything about you...who are you?" I asked curious.
"Who am I?" he said.
"Come on! I want to know about you! Hiccup and you seem you be friends but you weren't with the Riders." I said.
He laughed and sat down on a chair "Well what do you want to know?"
"Um...how did you meet Hiccup?" I said.
"Well that is a crazy story..." Ironclad said.
Ironclad's POV
"Oh Hiccup, I do need to ask you some questions outside" she said. Hiccup nodded and left with her.
"Ironclad?" Astrid said.
My gaze snapped up to lock with hers "Yes?"
"Umm thank you...for taking care of me down there" she said, twisting her pinky finger.
"It was no trouble" I said. What was I going to do let her die?
"Thank you though...I don't think I would have made it if it wasn't for you and Hiccup" Astrid said.
"It was no problem" I said. The treatment I had given her was basic at best, I only bought her the time needed to get her to the Healer.
She sighed and gave me a look that she did not want to be messed with "I'm trying to thank you here, ok!"
I laughed, she had some fight in her "Sorry. I accept your gratitude" I said bowing slightly.
She laughed...that laugh...why did her laugh have to match her's?
"So I never heard anything about you...who are you?" she asked.
"Who am I?" I said. It was a funny question, did she want me to go into a long story about my life?
"Come on! I want to know about you! Hiccup and you seem you be friends but you weren't with the Riders." Astrid said.
I laughed and sat down on a chair "Well what do you want to know?"
"Um...how did you meet Hiccup?" Astrid said.
"Well that is a crazy story..." I said.
*FLASHBACK*
The stupid storm was keeping me from sleeping. I tossed and turned, laying against Black Ice. Why was Thor so angry tonight! I just wanted to get some ounce of sleep!
I groaned and gave up trying to find some peace during the constant thunder, lightning, and pounding of rain outside the small cave.
Black Ice sat up, looking at me.
"Are you alright Rider?" Black Ice said.
"I'm fine...can't sleep though" I said.
"Night terrors again?"
"No..I can't get to sleep...that's the problem" I said rolling my eyes.
"Do you want me to stay up with you?"
"No, if you can sleep through all this go right ahead" I said.
I then pulled out my knife and worked on making some more arrows while Black Ice slept.
I then heard a loud scream and crash. Black Ice sat up and I ran to the entrance.
"What in Thor's name was that?" I said.
"Should we investigate?"
"I don't know, should we?" I said.
"We do not need to engage when we see them. If they are dangerous we can quietly leave and be on our way once the storm breaks"
"Ok" I said. We then walked out into the storm and from around where the sound of the crash came from.
I saw a black mass in a clearing and a small amount of smoke from one end.
I crouched behind a bush and saw a boy emerge from the mass, rubbing his head. He had copper brown hair and was wearing a green tunic. He looked to be around 14 or 15. The mass then moved and I saw it was a Night Fury!
My eyes widened and I turned to Black Ice he looked ready to fight if we needed too. I then pulled out my sword, ready for anything.
"Ughh, sorry about that Bud. I thought we could make it before that storm hit." he said.
He moved to inspect the lower, smoking half of the dragon. I saw that half of its fin was missing for some reason. But the most interesting this was that there was some pully system or something that connected the fin to the dragon's body were there was a saddle.
He was a dragon rider...and he rode a Night Fury. The Night Fury was supposedly the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. They were super rare, about as rare as Star Chasers. And this kid had tamed one and was riding it!
"Aww man...the tail is busted...how are we going to get something to replace it. I guess I could try and use some of my clothes, but that might not hold up..." he said.
This kid didn't look all that dangerous. Thor, he looked a little on the puny side and weak. But the act he was riding one of the most dangerous dragons alive was intimidating to say the least.
"Well I can try and figure something out in the morning.. right now we need to get out of this rain before we catch something" he said. The Night Fury then stood up and shook its whole body.
Then the round pupils turned to slits and he growled. He was staring right where me and Black Ice were hiding. I cursed myself, the dragon probably sensed us.
"Toothless?" the boy said. The Night Fury growled and moved into a protective stance in front of the boy, then leaped right where I was crouching. Black Ice was just as fast and leaped up to intercept the dragon.
I stood up and looked at the shocked boy.
"Toothless!" he yelled.
"Ok, who are you and why are you riding a Night Fury?" I said raising my sword.
"Who...who are you?" he asked pulling out a small dagger, shaking. I rolled my eyes. I had a sword, a full sword and a bow and arm on my back while this kid had a dagger.
"Look, call off your dragon ok?" I said.
The dragons were circling each other, growling.
"Why should I?" he said. Dang this kid had some guts.
"He attacked us first!" I said.
"You were spying on us" he said.
"We were trying to see if you were dangerous, which I guess is correct" I said.
"We aren't dangerous!" he said.
"Sure looks like it" I said.
"You...you...why are you here?" he yelled.
"Well you know taking in the sights, relaxing, what do you think!" I said sarcastically.
"Look, I put down my weapon and you do the same. Then I call off Toothless and neither side attacks...ok?" he said.
I was trying to read his expression. At first glance he looked young, puny, and scared. But once I started looking deeper I saw that this kid had been through something, he looked like he was a fighter deep down.
I sighed and nodded putting away my sword. The boy put away his dagger.
"Toothless! I'm ok, they won't hurt us" he said.
The dragon looked at me and then Black Ice, wary of the situation.
"Toothless" the boy said sternly. The dragon then moved away and stood by the boy.
I then whistled and Black Ice was at my side.
"I'm Hiccup by the way" he said.
"Ironclad" I said.
"This is Toothless...and I am guessing that is your dragon?" he said.
"Correct. This is Black Ice, a Star Chaser" I said, patting him.
"A Star Chaser? I thought that was just a rumor! Those are the rarest dragons out there!" Hiccup said.
"Yes, look...we have a small camp..and you can join us if you promise not to attack" I said.
Hiccup nodded and I waved him to follow me. We reached the cave and I started a fire to try and warm up the cold space. Black Ice and Toothless both shook off the water, spraying me and Hiccup.
Both dragons were wary of each other and Black Ice was giving me a mouthful about how we should leave as soon as the storm broke or why in Odin's name were they here in the cave.
I sat down, laying against the wall while Black Ice was beside me. Hiccup did the same with Toothless beside him on the opposite wall.
"So..Ironclad.." he said.
"How did you train a Night Fury?" I asked.
"Its a long story.." he said rubbing his neck.
"We have all night" I said.
"Ok.." Hiccup said. He then told me how he was a klutz around his tribe, finding Toothless, training and riding him, and then leaving and helping other tribes.
"Amazing..." I said.
"So how did you train a Star Chaser?" he asked.
"I found him, trapped in ice actually." I said "I saved him and we bonded because of that...we have been together ever since I was 7" I said.
"Wow..." Hiccup said.
The storm had finally let up.
"I see Toothless's fin is damaged...do you need help..um..repairing it?" I said.
"Do you have anything, like any light fabric or a tarp or something?" he asked.
"I think I have something" I said pulling out a thin bag I sometimes use to carry some of my trappings.
"How is this?" I asked.
"Perfect" Hiccup said, and I handed him the empty bag. He was able to use it to use fix the fin on Toothless.
"Thank you" he said when he was done.
"How did you figure out a way so he could fly?" I asked, looking at the contraption.
"I worked in the forge and invented things a lot" he said.
"It is really amazing. It allows him to fly and for you to direct his movements while flying." I said.
"Hey, I am sorry about...well before" Hiccup said.
"No problem. I would have done the same thing. We shouldn't have been spying on you like that" I said.
"Well thanks." Hiccup said "Um...me and Toothless were heading to a village a little ways away...I mean...do you maybe want to...um join us?" Hiccup said.
"Well..." I said.
"Come on, I need to at least buy you a new bag since you gave me your's" Hiccup said.
"Ok..but just the village and then I am gone" I said.
"Ok" Hiccup said hopping onto Toothless.
"You know, I don't need another bag...but that saddle looks really nice.." I said.
Hiccup laughed "Ok, once we get to the town I can grab some leather and make you one"
"Ok" I said getting on Black Ice.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
"So me and Hiccup went to the village and he made me the saddle." I said.
"Wow...so you became friends because of that?" Astrid asked.
"No, well we actually became friends because of the squid" I said.
"What squid?" Astrid said.
"Well..it all started at the village" I said "Hiccup had already made peace with the dragons there and the village was open to him. He only wanted to check in, when he was flying that night." I said.
*FLASHBACK*
"Thanks for the saddle Hiccup" I said. He had just placed the saddle on Black Ice.
"No problem. Thanks for helping us back on that island. I was finally able to get some new material for Toothless's fin." Hiccup said, gesturing to the new red fin.
"Looks good. Well...umm" I said "I guess this is where we part ways"
"I guess so" Hiccup said looking down.
"Um..maybe we will run into each other again some day?" I said.
"Yeah" Hiccup said.
I then shook his hand and hopped on Black Ice.
I waved and took off. We were flying for a while.
"I may not like that Night Fury, but his rider was a good person"
"Yeah, well you know us...we can't travel around him. You know how some tribes would react to us" I said.
"Maybe, but he could be a good friend to you...it isn't good to be all alone with a dragon. You need to be around your own kind sometimes."
"I am fine...ok" I snapped back.
"No you are not, and we are heading back now"
"What!" I said and Black Ice turned us around "Stop! What are you doing!"
We flew back to the island when I heard a scream. I flew down fast and hovered above the ocean. I saw Hiccup in the water, almost drowning.
I quickly took off the heavy parts of my armor and dove in. I tried puling Hiccup up but something was tugging him down. I whistled for Black Ice and he flew down close to the ocean. I reached up and he started pulling us to the shore. I had a firm grip on Hiccup but something else was trying to keep him down. I then looked down into the water and saw a tentacle around Hiccup's leg.
It was a squid! I grinned, Black Ice hadn't had squid in a while.
"Its a squid!" I yelled. I let go and Black Ice dove into the water, catching most of the tentacle in its jaws, and the squid swam away quickly.
I then swam back to shore with Hiccup. Toothless was distraught to say the least. I listened to his chest and heard a faint heartbeat. I then placed my palms on his chest and started to push up and down, breathing into his mouth to try and restart his body.
Hiccup then coughed up a massive amount of water and sat up, gripping his head.
"What happened?" he said.
"I was about to ask you the same thing!" I said.
"I was going out, getting some of the traps for me and Toothless.." he said.
"And why didn't you hover on Toothless?" I said.
"I would need to dismount and then he would fall into the ocean" Hiccup said. I groaned "Well don't ever do that again!"
"Ok...lesson learned." Hiccup said.
Black Ice was now on the shore snacking on that squid, very happy with himself. I saw Toothless change in his manner to us. He was now more open and warm, I guess saving his rider changed his view of us.
"So you came back?" Hiccup said.
"Well lets just say you grew on me ok?" I said.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
"So we stayed on that island for another week. Hiccup and I became friends because of that" I said.
"So why didn't you stay with the Riders?" Astrid asked.
"I liked Hiccup as a person but going around the islands wasn't my thing. I told him where I usually camp, on my own personal island so we could keep in touch" I said shrugging.
"Thats amazing" Astrid said.
Hiccup then came back into the room "Hey Astrid, the Healer wants you to try and rest"
"Awww but I was hearing all of Ironclad's stories about how you two met!" Astrid whined.
Hiccup laughed "You know because of that day I can even look at a squid right?"
I laughed too "That was crazy, I still cannot believe that actually happened"
"I know." Hiccup said "Now you have to rest, ok?"
"Fine" Astrid said in a huff. I stood up and walked out with Hiccup.