I felt something moving under my head, up and down, like breathing and there was a steady thump coming from my right.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Thump-thump.

I cuddle closer to whatever it was since it was so warm and soft. Something, an arm perhaps, was wrapped under my back.

It was a blissful feeling until…

"Shall we wake them up?"

The voice sounded familiar, in some way, I couldn't pin point it but it was certainly a male.

"Nah" replied a female voice.

I cracked my eyes open slowly and squinted them a bit before they adjusted to the light. Raising my head I saw the twins looking at me deviously "H-hey…"

A smirk spread on Ruffnut's face "So, how was yesterday with Hiccup?" she asked in a sweet voice.

I rubbed my eyes a bit, still sleepy "We just talked for a bit…" I went to get up but to my surprise I was pulled back down by my waist and I heard a disapproving hum from my right. My eyes snapped in that direction to see Hiccup sleeping peacefully against the wall as I felt him reposition his arm a bit, now higher on my back.

I blinked hardly and stared at him with slightly widened eyes. This was definitely wrong. So, so very wrong. I didn't even remember falling asleep like that… We were talking and it seems that we both were tired and drifted off into sleep. I slapped myself inwardly and turned to look at the twins "A little help? Please?"

They both exchanged glances "Bro, are you thinking what I am thinking?"

Tuffnut gave a nod "I think I am thinking about the same thing sis" then he turned to look at me with a giant grin "Just give us a moment" he snickered out as they got up and rushed out of the clubhouse.

What had I gotten myself into…?

I glanced back at Hiccup who was sleeping peacefully and sighed. He looked so calm and placid. Then I noticed a small smile appearing on his lips. It made me wonder if he was dreaming and what it was about. I yawned a bit and leaned my head back onto his shoulder. As I closed my eyes and was about to drift back into sleep I felt something cold and wet splash over me.

I shot up straight while I gasped for air, so as Hiccup.

"What in Thor's name?! Tuff! Ruff!"

The twins just snickered "No need to thank us dear Hiccup" Tuffnut said before both of them marched towards the entrance.

"Yeah! You can do it another time" Ruffnut added then they were gone.

My shirt, my pants and my hair clung to my skin and I would be lying if I said I didn't mind it. I hated it. I felt like a drowned rat like this.

"Great…" I grumbled as I stood up.

"Don't even say" mumbled Hiccup then he got up too.

My eyes locked with his "At least you didn't lose the bag with your clothes when your dragon got caught by the hunters"

He let out a sigh as he started to walk to the entrance "I could give you a sweater or something and maybe a pair of pants till your clothes are dry. I don't Astrid or Ruffnut will be willing to share right now"

I gave a small nod and we headed to his hut. When we got there he rummaged through the chest at the foot of his bed until he found a long sleeved dark green tunic and a pair of brown pants, then he walked out so I could change.

The tunic was kind of big on me, since Hiccup was taller than me, it was better than nothing though. The pants were also slightly big but they wouldn't fall off anyway. After I braided my hair fast, I fixed a bit the tunic, got on my boots and grabbed my wet clothes.

I opened the door just to be met by a chuckle "They fit you, you know?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever" I replied as I rolled my eyes playfully and walked back to the clubhouse as Hiccup got in his hut.

I had to put my clothes to dry and the back of the clubhouse seemed like a pretty good idea, also I was hungry and, really, I didn't want to have to go too far from the clubhouse now.

After I placed the clothes on the platform in the back of the clubhouse I walked in and went to get myself something to eat. I didn't even actually pay attention to the others that were staring at me with eyes as big as the damn moon. I grabbed a plate and got myself so scrambled eggs, then sat down at the round table next to Fishlegs.

It was kind of neutral ground in my opinion. I still wasn't sure if Astrid was still put on strangling me but I didn't want to risk.

I was about to take a mouthful of the creamy goodness when my hand froze in the air as I noticed all still looking at me.

My eyes shot up to theirs and I cocked a brow, confused "What?"

Astrid was eyeing me dangerously but she said nothing. It seemed like she was in some way calm but still hated my guts. Which… well… I guess it was good?

"Why, why are you wearing Hiccup's old tunic?"

"And pants"

I looked at Fishlegs then at Snotlout "Well, those two mutton heads" I started as I gestured to the twins "Woke me up by throwing a whole bucket of cold water on me. Hiccup noticed and lend me this tunic and pair of pants till my clothes get dry on the platform in the back of the clubhouse" I replied simply and started eating.

The three nodded and continued eating. The twins though, frowned and looked at me with disappointed gazes. I looked at them pleadingly. Both exchanged glances then gave me a nod with two devilish smiles.

I rolled my eyes and kept on eating.

Hiccup joined after a few moments and sat between Fishlegs and Astrid. The breakfast went on with some small chit-chat but overall it was nothing about me. Which was literally like a blessing.

After all finished I helped Astrid clean the dishes. We exchanged some words here and there and it seemed like she was coming around. As slow as it was, it was better than nothing.

I was looking now at my still wet clothes spread on the wooden platform. A sigh left my lips as I placed my hands on my hips.

"Um, Marianne?"

I turned around to see Fishlegs "Yeah?" I asked as I took some steps towards him.

"Could you and Phantom come so we can check the Dragon Eye projection?" he questioned with enthusiasm, but still slightly cautious.

I chuckled a bit and nodded "Of course"

We walked to his hut where Phantom and Meatlug, Fishlegs' Gronckle, were playing. Fishlegs walked in and we followed. His hut was pretty organized, with maps, notes, notebooks, journals and books placed in a certain order on his desk along with a charcoal pencil and some ink. There were some dragon figurines sitting on the top of a shorter bookshelf near the window. In the opposite corner sat a big bookshelf fully packed with books of different sizes and widths.

He must have read all of those.

Fishlegs grabbed the Dragon Eye and placed it on a chair, the dragon like mouth facing a partially empty wall. He looked at Phantom then at me "He just need to make a low flame"

I nodded and petted Phantom's head who opened his mouth while he made a low fire in it. In some moments there was a bluish projection on the wall. I looked at it astonished as Fishlegs took some steps closer and started reading.

"Okay. Sand Wraith. So he is a Tidal class dragon that buries itself in the sand to avoid sunburns and to surprise its prey. Interesting" he scribbled something in a notebook and continued "Habitat, around water or in water, usually on sandy shorelines or beaches"

I hummed and petted Phantom's head.

"Fast, extremely agile and maneuverable. It's considered to be the most intelligent dragon of its class"

"Did you know that? Huh, smart pants?" I chuckled out as I looked at Phantom.

He laughed in his own way "Of course, I am genius"

I glanced back at the projection as Fishlegs told me some more. Apparently Sand Wraiths can sense vibrations in the sand which allows them to judge the rough size and weight of what is above them.

Their vision isn't the greatest since they spend their time under sand but it came with time, so Phantom was pretty much fine. They have this pouch, like Gronckles, and they can expel blinding sprays of sand and dirt. And they are hard to find.

After we talked some more, Fishlegs ended up giving me some books saying that when I finished those I could come back to grab some more. I guess I had to read now.

When I got back to the clubhouse, I went to check on my clothes just to see that they weren't there. I left the books inside and came back to the place I put my clothes to dry and started to look for them.

Nothing.

Nada.

Zero.

How the hell did they disappear? If I give it a second thought it could be just the wind and maybe they fell down, but when I looked down from the platform I didn't see them. I groaned inwardly and decided that maybe I should check right down, maybe they got somehow there.

I looked literally everywhere around the huts. I was already going too far. They couldn't just have gone missing like that because of the 'wind'. It easily could've been a wild dragon or maybe a Night Terror that thought it would be great to make a nest from them... I rolled my eyes and entered the clubhouse.

It was already around afternoon and I was drinking water like it was the only thing that would keep me alive. Outside was pretty hot, this summer was a damn pain.

I didn't even notice when Fishlegs walked in. After I finished drinking all the water from the lamb skin, I putted it down on the round wooden table and glanced at Fishlegs who looked at me slightly worried.

"What?"

He relaxed a bit, but still had this worried expression like a mother's whose child got a bruise and she already imagines herself the worst that can happen.

"Are you alright?"

I gave a nod and a reassuring smile "I am fine. It's just way too hot outside and I've been out most of the day"

"Oh, alright. What were you doing though? If you don't mind me asking"

I waved him off "Of course I don't mind. My clothes disappeared from the back of the clubhouse so I've been searching for them" I let out a long breath "Thought that maybe the wind somehow got them off but now I am keen to think that a dragon took them" shrugging I continued "I'll go later to take a walk through the forest, and who knows, maybe I have luck"

He nodded with a small chuckle "Okay. We are going with the others to a island nearby, we need to get some supplies from there and we'll be back before sunset I guess. If you need us, send a Terror mail, okay?" with that he headed out of the clubhouse.

"Yeah. Thanks!" I replied as he turned back and gave me a smile before he left.

Great. Just great. They were going without me. How great. They could do anything though. It wasn't like I had feelings and someone could hurt them. No. Not at all.

Maybe I was overreacting though…

I shrugged it off and decided to read while it would cool off outside. So read for the next few hours.

It was still too hot outside so I fixed my hair into a loose bun instead of the braid I made that morning. I rolled the sleeves of the tunic before I walked out and headed into the forest.

There wasn't anyone around as they already left hours ago, which made me more than happy.

I walked into the forest that was pretty much peaceful and pretty quiet, guess most of the creatures that lived here were already heading to their homes to rest over the night. A slight breeze combed through the green leaves of the trees and the needles of the evergreens. Here and there were scattered different small flowers. Even through the soles of my boots I could feel how soft the grass was. I couldn't stand the urge to feel it with my bare feet so I got the leather boots off.

It was such a good feeling to have this connection with the nature, to touch it and sense it under my feet. I felt genuinely free in those moments, like when I am flying with Phantom or when I swim. It's so good, like all the worries vanished so as the world they come from.

I hid the black leather boots between some rocks and started running through the forest on my bare feet.

The small wind was rushing through the loose ends of my hair and all over my skin, caressing it like the sweet fingers of a mother stroking her newborn's cheek. I took in deep breathes of the fresh pine air that filled my whole body with the life needed oxygen that fueled my legs.

I even forgot slightly why I was in the forest. I just didn't care what was happening. I lived the moment.

After a bit I stopped shortly at a creek to wash my face and drink some water that tasted so good in that moment: sweet and refreshing.

Then I laid for a while on a big stone that was still warm from the rays of the sun, which were very faint now since it would be dusk soon enough.

I guess I drifted off into sleep because when I opened my eyes it was already dusk and the stars were starting to pop up on the dark blue-purplish sky. I got up slowly and looked around.

It was nothing like it was some hours ago. As I began walking on the now cold grass, I started to be a bit scared. It reminded me somehow the darkness from the storm, how alone I felt and fragile in comparison with the nature.

After some minutes of walking I realized I was lost in the forest "Why in the name of Thor I had to run here…"

I wanted to yell for help but then thought about the wolves that maybe were here. If there were wolves… And maybe wild boars… And who knows, maybe a wild dragon who won't listen to me even if I would show it that I am no threat.

I was trying to tip-toe through the trees, carefully stepping around so I wouldn't get on a twig or something and make some noise.

I heard some leaves shuffling and turned back fast to look in the direction the sound came from. It could be everything.

A squirrel? Too late for them to be out. A dragon? Too big to hide behind those bushes or in the trees. Maybe a wolf? I shuddered at the thought and took some steps back.

Suddenly someone grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth with a rag.

I screamed but it was all muffled by the cloth that was tossed in my mouth. I tried to get free as I elbowed the one that was holding me and stepped on his feet but it was no use since mine were bare.

The man just chuckled at my attempts as another bulky man walked out of a bush holding a sack. I couldn't figure out his face because it was way too dark so I guess both of them couldn't see mine either.

I debated once again and tried to get free from the one who was holding me but he just held me tighter, almost squeezing the living out of me. I squeaked behind the rag as my eyes turned watery.

The other one raised the sack above my head and before all went black I saw his smirk. That shit eating grin.

I attempted to escape once again but it was futile. The man turned me around and the other tied my wrist tightly behind my back, but when he got to my ankles he hesitated a bit "Wasn't he missing a leg?"

"No. I don't think so. By the description it's him so let's get back faster"

So they were after Hiccup.

But I looked nothing like Hiccup… Except the clothes and the dark auburn hair… Damnit. I had boobs though, like come on, how could one not notice that? Even in the dark.

One of them grabbed me up on his shoulder like a bag. I wanted to debate but it would be useless since both my ankles and my wrists were tied and I had a damn sack on my head.

They started walking and I just had to wait and see where they were taking me.

So much for a walk in the forest.