"Should we really be doing this?" Fishlegs asked as he took another tentative step away from the open door of Astrid's house, where he was supposedly keeping watch. The rain always seemed to fall at angles in Berk and right now it was angled to come in through the door and soak Fishlegs' pants from the knees down.
Astrid looked up from the bag she was packing, "Why shouldn't we be?"
Snotlout and Fishlegs shared a look over her head,
"Uh, because the Chief said no?" Snotlout said.
Astrid waved her hand without looking away from her bag, "We can get closer than the adults since the dragons apparently don't hurt kids. Plus, he only said we can't go help with the watch. He never said we can't go to the cave on our own. The grownups need our help even if they don't know it."
Snotlout shuffled a bit, "Yeah but wouldn't the Chief-"
"He isn't doing well. All the adults say so. We can help fix that." Astrid said standing, "This will prove that we can help. Now where are those two?"
Snotlout shrugged, "Don't want to go out in the rain? Don't really blame them. Not that I can't handle a bit of rain." He lifted his chin and put his fists on his hips. On all accounts he looked ridiculous. Astrid rolled her eyes.
"You know, I'm not really allowed out in the rain," Fishlegs put in, looking out at the downpour, "I could get in a lot of trouble."
Looking up at the ceiling Astrid took a deep breath and counted to seven. Sometimes she felt like there was no hope for her generation. Fishlegs was too cowardly, Snotlout boasted too much- which wouldn't be bad if he could at least follow through on his boasts, the twins were- well the twins, and the Hope and Heir of the Hooligan tribe was currently being held by two dragons who thought he was their baby, or something ridiculous like that.
"Then stay home." Astrid said, "I don't care what you do so long as you don't get in my way." She glanced at the door when she heard the twins burst in. Finally! Good thing they were leaving soon; Astrid's mom would have a fit when she saw the trail of mud they all tracked in. If they came home victorious Astrid would have the chance of not getting in trouble at all.
"It's about time," Snotlout said, "Did you bring them?"
"Oh yeah," Ruff said as her brother opened the sack he carried. Inside were five daggers, the only weapons that they could get a hold of and use. In another year or two Astrid would get her very own axe; as soon as she was strong enough to lift one. For now she practiced with the hatchet but wasn't allowed to 'play' with it. She considered taking it but that would be noticed and then her parents would be looking for her sooner than she wanted them too.
The kids each took a dagger.
"This is so cool!" Snotlout said, "We're going to be heroes!"
'If you stick to the plan." Astrid said. There really wasn't much of a plan yet. She needed to get the lay of the land around the dragons to really come up with one. She was mostly bringing the others so they didn't blab.
"So we ready?" Tuffnut asked.
"I guess," Fishlegs said as he checked the room for anything they may have left behind.
"Let's go." Astrid said hoisting her pack. She took a deep breath and stepped out the door. Into the rain and into the large frame of Ethelred, Mr. Hofferson's best friend; Astrid cursed, they had forgotten about keeping watch. Ethelred looked down at them somewhat surprised as the rain poured off him, his dark hair dripping into his eyes.
"Where are you off to?" He asked as he looked behind Astrid at the other kids and their packs.
"We wanted to go hiking." Astrid said. She could see Snotlout nodded enthusiastically out of the corner of her eye.
"In this rain?"
Astrid shrugged, "We're Vikings."
Ethelred raised his eyebrows and looked behind her into the house, "Yer father home?"
"No, he's at the Great Hall." She hoped he would leave and let them go, she crossed her fingers behind her back.
Ethelred grunted, 'Then you all can come with me."
"Why?" They all asked.
"For the company." Ethelred said as he turned to go.
"Company? We never get to be company! Alright!" Tuffnut said and he high fived his sister.
"Moron," Snotlout muttered, "We've been caught. Now we won't get to go."
It was true. If the twins didn't give it away Fishlegs certainly would. Astrid cursed under her breath; they hadn't even made it out the door.
Seeing as the aversion to mud was merely about being clean and Vikings being too lazy to wash their young, the Nightmare didn't think there would be a real reason to keep the hatchling inside the cave on the second day of rain. Besides, her hatchling seemed to like being wet; he was obviously bored and wanted to play outside. Quite frankly, the Nightmare wanted him outside as his abundant energy was quickly driving her up the wall. It wasn't raining all that much, a constant drizzle really, at least, for a dragon.
The hatchling enjoyed playing in the mud and rain, building a village out of. the mud complete with rivers and lakes, pulling up grass and using sticks for the buildings. The Nightmare watched him from the entrance of the cave; staying out of the rain herself to keep her inner fire lit. He barely noticed he was drenched for most of the day as his mud village became more and more intricate. The Nightmare curled her tail around him though, keeping him safe in the enclosure. Even through the rain she could smell the Vikings up over the ridge.
At dusk she barked for her hatchling to follow. He didn't respond or let on that he had heard. The Nightmare rumble-chirped her inside noise to let him know to go inside before catching him by the back of his shirt and bringing him in herself.
"Hey." He said as he pulled his feet up, curling into a ball. The Nightmare brought him in out of the rain and put him down next to the fire. Her hatchling sighed as the Nightmare snuffled over him and licked the mud off of him and his coverings. "Thtop! Why do you keep doing thith?" Hiccup tried to push the dragon off but she ignored his small hands until she was done. Grumbling, Hiccup wiped the spit off. The Nightmare rumbled in amusement as she settled herself to block the entrance.
Now that Hiccup was inside next to a fire and out of the rain he noticed how cold he was. The wash from the dragon wasn't helping as he sat there shivering in his wet things. "Would be nithe to have dry clotheth." Hiccup said to the dragon. She huffed; her mate would be home with supper soon.
"I could go home, get thome new clotheth."
The Nightmare growled as she always did when he mentioned going home. A breeze blew into the cave and Hiccup scooted closer to the fire, "I'm cold."
The Nightmare let out a long breath, she had learned to ignore the little one's chatter at this time of day. He'd dry off eventually. He was probably hungry; being hungry or tired usually led to him wanting to go back to his village and sire.
Hiccup, on the other hand, was starting to think there might be something to his father's rule about playing in the rain.
The sun was high enough in the sky to reach into the cave. The warmth of sunlight on her scales woke the Nightmare. She shifted, stretched, and sighed contentedly. It had been a while since she had slept in; her hatchling woke just before dawn every day. Her mate was still sleeping, curled around the other side of the hatchling's bed. With a yawn she checked on her little one. While it was nice to sleep in it was unusual for the hatchling to not be awake. Crooning she nudged him, but he groaned and curled in tighter. Her hatchling was warm, more than usual, and his smell had changed. Something was wrong with her little one.
She barked at her mate to wake him then nudged her hatchling again.
"My head hurtth." He said instead of moving. The Nightmare looked at her mate in concern; she didn't know what to do. She hadn't observed anything in the Viking nest that helped her right now.
Her mate sniffed Hiccup then gestured up where the Vikings always watched.
The Nightmare narrowed her eyes. How dare he? This was their hatchling now, not the Viking's. She was not going to lose another one. Moving over Hiccup protectively she growled in reply then ducked down to groom her little one; maybe that would make him feel better.
Nothing worked though. Hiccup didn't get up, didn't eat, he simply lay in his nest with heat coming off him. "I wanna go home." He moaned softly, "I want my dad."
The sound of him broke the Nightmare's heart. She crooned and wrapped around him. Didn't he know his sire wasn't a good parent? The Nightmare was better. The hatchling had never been left alone by her, hadn't been cooped up. She took good care of him. Why would he want to go back?
Hiccup was miserable. His head and throat hurt and he couldn't stop shivering. He felt hot and cold all at once. He wanted to go home, he missed his bed. He missed his dad. Whenever Hiccup didn't feel good Stoick kept a bowl of boiled water next to the bed with herbs in it so the whole room smelled minty. He would came home more frequently during the day and sit with Hiccup at night if he couldn't sleep. One time, when Hiccup was really sick, Stoick had stayed up all night with him even though it was raid season and sleep was precious.
Hiccup knew that the dragon was trying to care for him but the cave was dark and drafty. The nest smelled of smoke and old fish, not mint. The Nightmare was too hot and scaly, nothing like his father. Even when she rubbed circles on his back with her chin it only made Hiccup miss his dad more.
By midafternoon Bur and Edith were quite concerned. They had seen the small dragon leave and come back but they hadn't seen Hiccup. At all. The sun was out and the day was as warm as Berk could get but Hiccup was nowhere to be seen. The larger of the two dragons hadn't been seen either. They were discussing whether one of them should take the risk to go down to the cave when Spitelout and Gobber showed up.
"How's the lad doin'?" Gobber asked, leaning against a tree. With only one good leg it had been a long trek for him. Edith and Bur exchanged a worried look.
"Hasn't come out today." Bur said. Gobber straightened up and Spitelout turned from the sleeping roll he was laying out to look at Bur.
"What do you mean?" Spitelout said.
"I mean we haven't seen hide nor hair of the boy all day." Bur was frustrated; not just at the fact that he was forced onto this shift, but also because he was worried about what would have changed overnight to make the boy a no show all day. Had Bur missed something the day before that indicated the dragons had tired of the lad? He really didn't want to go to Berk and tell Stoick that they hadn't seen his son that day.
"Did they leave in the night?" Spitelout asked. Gobber was as close to the edge as he dared, looking down for any sign of life. Smoke was steadily coming from the cave; rising up in wispy spirals.
"No." Edith said, "The small one's been out and back."
"I'll creep down and check. I don't know how close I can get without spooking them off though." Spitelout said.
Gobber stood up, "No, I'll go. Jus' let me change out my axe. No, don't you argue," Gobber said before Spitelout could protest, "I'll seem like the least threat missin' limbs like I am." Gobber tuned the others out as he took his axe off and put his hammer on, having brought it just in case. Using his one hand he grabbed the bag containing items Stoick sent for Hiccup and set out down the hill to the left of the cliff.
Gobber walked quickly through the trees to the clearing and tried to be non-threatening, not an easy feat for a battle hardened Viking approaching the den of enemies. He made sure to stomp his foot and even whistled as he came into the clearing so the beasts would know he was there. Gobber heard a deep growl as he neared the cave's entrance. A gruff bark caused the growls to cease. A deep red monstrous nightmare crept out and sniffed at him. Holding his ground, Gobber slowly held is arms up,
"Don't mean ya any harm, beastie. Jus' want ta make sure the lad's doin' okay."
The dragon glanced back inside the cave before giving Gobber a thorough look over. Locking eyes with Gobber the dragon stepped away from the entrance. Gobber moved past the dragon into the cave, aware that the dragon followed closely before blocking the cave's entrance. No chance of getting the boy out. Even with the fire it was dark in there. Gobber could see the other dragon lying on the other side of the fire, but no Hiccup.
"Hiccup?" Gobber called. His fear was growing larger by the second as he looked frantically around the cave. His mind was going to all sorts of dark places when he noticed a rustling near the second dragon,
"Gobber?"
Gobber sighed in relief and moved towards Hiccup's voice, "Why aren't ya outside lad?"
There was silence for a moment then Hiccup's quiet voice again, "Don't feel good."
The dragon gave a low growl as Gobber approached but didn't move against him. Gobber's eyes adjusted by that time and he could see the boy sitting up against the dragon's side on a bed of moss and leaves. Kneeling down Gobber placed his hand on Hiccup's forehead.
"You are a bit warm." Gobber might not know much about children and fevers but he could at least tell that this child had a fever. He was unprepared for Hiccup to climb into his lap and wrap his arms around Gobber's neck. "Now lad, no need to be clingy." But he was holding on to Hiccup just as tightly.
"I wanna go home," Hiccup whispered into Gobber's neck, "I want my dad."
"I know, lad," Gobber patted the boy's back in what he hoped was a comforting way, "But the beasties want ta keep ya for some reason and we'd rather not frighten them into taking ya away."
The Nightmare snuffled at Hiccup and he let go of Gobber to push her away. She sniffed but backed off and Gobber raised his eyebrows as Hiccup laid his head on Gobber's shoulder again, reminding the man of why he was there.
"What doesn't feel good?" He asked, trying to remember Stoick's instructions for when Hiccup wasn't feeling well. It wasn't an easy task as the last time he had heard them was over a year ago and Hiccup had never been ill when Stoick wasn't home. Mostly because Stoick timed it so he only went away to visit other chiefs or look for the nest when Hiccup was least likely to come down with something, usually in the dry parts of summer, and kept his trips short.
Hiccup shrugged. Stoick had warned Gobber about Hiccup's tendency to be vague when he was ill, keep pressing the boy to find out his symptoms.
"Well, you've got a bit of a fever, ummm," Unfortunately, Gobber couldn't remember other symptoms. Hiccup pressed in closer. "What would your father do right about now?" Gobber asked eyeing up the dragon as it leaned over his shoulder.
Hiccup shrugged again, pushing the dragon away. "Athk quethtionth? He utheth mint. And my thpethial blanket."
At that Gobber grabbed the bag he had brought, "Yer dad sent some things for ya." He put the bag in the boy's lap.
"Like what?" Hiccup opened the bag and pulled out a clean shirt. Putting that aside he rummaged around and found his baby blanket. Settling back against Gobber he pulled the blanket up so it was over one shoulder.
"Why don't you change into some clean clothes?" Gobber asked.
"I don't want to. My head hurtth when I move." That would explain his apparent disinterest in the sack. And a second symptom. Dehydration was supposed to be a problem too, wasn't it? Gobber found his water skin.
"Here lad," Gobber took the top off and gave it to Hiccup, "Just a small sip, there ya go. Keep at it." Hiccup finished the water and leaned on Gobber again, his eyes growing heavy. He didn't bother to push the dragon's head away and let her snuffle over him but he held his blanket tighter so she couldn't take it.
Gobber tried to refrain from tightening his hold on Hiccup when the dragon moved closer, repeatedly telling himself that the dragon meant Hiccup no harm. He especially didn't want to make the beast think that he meant to take the lad away, just yet. The dragons could easily kick him out and Hiccup needed Gobber to get along with the beasties; till the boy felt better at least.
"Why don't you have a lie down and sleep for a bit while I go get some things to help ya feel better." Gobber said. Hiccup didn't respond; he had already fallen asleep. Eyeing the dragon Gobber carefully set Hiccup down and spread the blanket over him.
"I'll be right back. If yer as smart as yer seemin' to be you'll leave him be and let me get him what he needs." Gobber said to the dragon that was currently curling around Hiccup. Gobber could've sworn the deep bark was directed at him as she tucked Hiccup under her wing. The other dragon let him leave and Gobber headed to the river to fill up his water skin before going back to the others.
The Nightmare watched the one-legged Viking hobble out and turned back to her hatchling. He still smelt wrong and had heat coming off him but he was calmer. She groomed him again; erasing the smell of the Viking. The Nightmare hated to admit it but a Viking had done more in a few minutes than she had all day. She didn't want to let the thing back into her nest but she was still unsure about what to do for her hatchling and the little one was clearly unwell.
Gobber limped into the clearing, cursing the woods under his breath. Traipsing through the trees and brambles was not easy with a wooden leg. The other Vikings sat round the banked fire talking.
"Aren't you two supposed to be off ta Berk?" Gobber asked by way of greeting.
"Yes, of course. We'd just trot on off and tell the Chief that we've nothing to report because we haven't seen the boy." Edith responded shortly. It had been a wet few days and she wanted to go home.
Gobber chuckled as he sat on a log by the fire, "Don't blame ya. Boy's got a slight fever and headache, which is why ya haven't seen him."
"Great." Edith said rolling her eyes. Bur elbowed her; as much as this inconvenienced them it was worse for the boy.
"How bad is he?" Spitelout asked after giving Edith a sharp look.
"Not too bad, I think. Wants his dad, but I wouldn't tell Stoick that; he'd come out here faster than Thor's chariot to try and get the lad. Those dragons are keeping a careful eye on him, but the beasts let me into the cave to see him." Gobber paused for a moment, "Do you know what Stoick does when the boy's sick? I got more water for him but all Hiccup mentioned was somethin' about mint."
"You know more about that than I do; Stoick leaves the boy with you when he goes off." Spitelout said watching Bur and Edith as they got themselves ready to go.
"Your son's 'bout Hiccup's age, you have experience with this." Gobber said as he massaged his aching leg.
"Thistleface looks after him, says I'm useless at it."
Edith gave an exasperated sigh. She pulled some packets out of a bag by the fire, "Here." She gave them to Gobber, "There isn't much mint left but there's yarrow and chamomile; see if he'll drink a tea of them. Guaranteed Stoick's given the boy all of them at one point or another. Take the kettle and a mug. Is there water in the cave?"
Gobber thought about it, "None that I saw."
"Take the bucket and fill it. How bad's his fever?"
"He's only a little warm."
"Is he flushed?"
"No, I don't think so." Gobber scratched his chin, "His head hurts though."
"The yarrow and mint'll take care of that. Keep him drinking and let him rest. It should clear up by tomorrow and he'll be himself in a day or two."
"What do we tell the Chief?" Bur asked.
"Nothing about the fever," Spitelout said, "That'll only make him worry. Say the boy's safe enough. Yer not lying; if the beasts will let us tend to him when they can't then he's better off than we thought."
Bur nodded and he and Edith gathered their things and left for the village.
"You goin' back down?" Spitelout asked.
"Yup. Lad fell asleep before I left. I should get back before he wakes up."
Spitelout nodded, "Leave the bucket with me, I'll fill it and leave it outside the cave. The kettle's full so take that. Gobber?"
Gobber stopped and turned back to Spitelout.
"You don't think they'll take off with him once he's better do you?" Gobber heard the concern in Spitelout's voice.
"I don't know. If they're as smart as I'm startin' to think they are they'll let the lad go home soon." Gobber left without waiting for a response. He wanted to be there when Hiccup woke up.
Gobber wasn't there though. Hiccup woke to the snapping and cracking of the low burning fire. His head was pounding and the heat coming off the dragon that was curled around him wasn't helping. It was stuffy next to her under her wing.
"Get off." Hiccup said pushing against her till the Nightmare shifted away from him. He had thought Gobber was there but his head felt foggy and it could have been a dream. The Nightmare crooned and started licking him. Hiccup was getting tired of being covered in dragon spit but right now he didn't care enough to protest.
"Can I pleathe go home?" Instead of growling or snapping when he mentioned home the Nightmare crooned and nuzzled him. "Pleathe? I don't feel good and I want my dad." He sniffed.
He sounded so small and needy. The Nightmare didn't know what to do. He was already home. She wasn't going to give him back to his sire; he was her hatchling now. There was a ruckus by the cave entrance and her mate was shifting to let the one-legged Viking back in. Closing her hatchling in with her wing she growled quietly at him; aware that her hatchling didn't like loud noises right now.
"Ah, get out of the way ya overgrown lizard," Gobber said, but the insult wasn't really meant; he was more concerned about Hiccup.
"Gobber?" Hiccup peeked out from behind the wing.
"Aye lad, just left ta get ya some things." He put the kettle over the fire then knelt next to Hiccup. "Now where'd yer blanket get to?" Hiccup climbed into his lap again, but Gobber was expecting it this time and held the boy steady while he rummaged around Hiccup's bed of moss for the blanket. The dragon muttered and turned her head, but kept an eye on her hatchling.
"My blanket?" Hiccup watched Gobber for a moment then looked up at the Nightmare, "Did you take it?"
The Nightmare grumbled but wouldn't make eye contact; the blanket smelled like the hatchling's sire and she didn't like it.
"You did take it." The boy stated, "I want it back. Pleathe?"
He sounded so pitiful that the Nightmare gave in even though the way he cuddled with the strange Viking in her nest grated on her. She snorted in Gobber's face then reached under her far wing and gave the blanket back to her hatchling. Hiccup took it and held it close, keeping a bit of it next to his face; it smelt like home. Gobber pulled it over Hiccup's exposed shoulder.
"There ya go. Where's the bag I brought earlier?" Gobber eyed the dragon; she grumbled and pointedly looked away. "Come on beastie, the lad's shivering so give me the bag."
The Nightmare knew her hatchling was shivering. He hadn't stopped shivering since this morning. She couldn't understand what that bag that smelt like Vikings, specifically her hatchling's sire, could possibly do to help that. Then again, she didn't know of anything to help the shaking stop. So she gave the bag back as well.
"Thank you." Gobber said as he accepted it. He pulled out a larger blanket, the one from Hiccup's bed, and wrapped it around the boy and held him close, rubbing Hiccup's arm. "That should help warm ya up. Now, Edith said there isn't a lot of mint left but she gave me two other herbs she thought yer dad's given you when you were sick." Gobber got the packets out of his pouch, "So when the kettle's goin' I'll make you a tea out of one of them. Ya want to choose?"
Hiccup shook his head, "I wanna go home."
"I know, lad," Gobber said gently rocking the child, "But the dragons won't let ya."
The big dragon by the door snorted. He then seemed quite interested in something outside. Shifting, the Drake let Spitelout in with the bucket.
"Didn't think they'd let me in." Spitelout said setting the bucket down and eyeing the mother nightmare as she growled at him.
"Watch out for her," Gobber said, "She's protective and doesn't like Vikings.
Spitelout scoffed, "How's the boy?" He came around Gobber and knelt to see his nephew.
"Been better." Gobber said.
Spitelout felt Hiccup's temperature, "Not that bad."
"If he were home," Gobber said, "He's in a drafty cave with a bed made of moss." Hiccup was far too quiet and still as far as Gobber was concerned. Normally the boy was brimming with energy. The kettle was steaming and Spitelout got up to make the tea, mixing yarrow and chamomile. He kept an eye on the Nightmare who, in turn, kept an eye on him. She insisted on sniffing the tea before Hiccup could have it.
"Cause you know all about medicine," Spitelout muttered as he handed the mug to his nephew. The Nightmare growled at him.
"Where'th Dad?" Hiccup asked.
Gobber and Spitelout shared a look, "He's back in the village lad." Spitelout brushed Hiccup's bangs back, "He was here a few days ago, but he is quite busy."
"Someone's always here though," Gobber put in, "Just up the ridge. And yer dad's here whenever he can be. Why don't ya drink yer tea?"
Hiccup made no move to drink his tea, only stare at it. He hadn't been forgotten, but his father hadn't come for him either. Yet again the village won the competition for Stoick's attention. At least he wasn't alone though. Hiccup snuggled into Gobber and told himself that it was just as good as having his father there, even though he didn't believe it.
A/N: One chapter of part two left! Poor baby, but see, dragons just aren't equipped to raise a human child. To all the others who are done with that stupid lisp only a few more weeks (for Hiccup) of it. That tooth should finally be ready to come down and he's left the other one alone so after he loses the second tooth the adult one should come down right away meaning no lisp! I cannot tell you how excited I am to phase it out. Just so new readers know, I do post a schedule on my profile that tells you when my main stories will be posted and I (try to) keep it updated. If it's ever behind just let me know and I'll fix that, but it's currently gone into May so we're good for a while. Anything not on the schedule is a oneshot. Something like Pirates is really a collection of oneshots centred around a theme, not a continuous story and may not be updated in any particular order.
Kas3y: Fair enough. I don't think she liked him because of Toothless, though, I think it's because he took a stand for something. Their whole lives he's been trying to be something he wasn't and now, finally, he's standing up for something he believes in. Not to fit in or make others happy, but because it's important to him. And he takes it seriously. There's no jokes or sarcasm, just Hiccup and I think Astrid likes what she sees in that moment. Someone with strength of character who will protect those that they love. At least that's the interpretation I had in the cove scene after they found the nest. I understand if you don't like her though, like I said, not a huge fan on Valka myself and I know she's generally liked.
Yes, I think you may be able to guess, lol. Like I said, though, not planning on deviating too much from the movie in this fic.
KaliAnn: Yeah, that would be a good idea, didn't think of it to tell the truth. Also, in that moment they reminded him of Hiccup and there is no way he would have let Hiccup do that. The guy is far too protective. The play date would be interesting to say the least, if it worked out the way the Nightmare wanted…
xxsnowfallxx: Thank you so much ! It's good to know I'm improving, I've been working on putting in more details and you should see some of the edits I get from CB on the matter ("NO NO IT! Vague. What broke her heart." Is my favourite edit from this chapter.). To answer your question about hearing/seeing Hiccup: not really. They can't see him inside the cave because they're sitting above it. They can kind of hear, but not what's being said. And the Gobber thing was answered in this chapter. I like to think I did you one better
As always special thanks to CB for the edits.