Chapter Fourteen

"Ow…ow…" She whispered in her mind.

Starting to become aware of her situation, Teeth couldn't help but notice how painful it was getting to breathe. Every single time she inhaled, a sharp pain would run down her back. But the pain was tiny, compared to when she shifted herself.

"GAGGHHH!" She screamed in her mind. Her back instantly riveted in agony, to where she swore she was shaking.

"Is she waking up?" A voice called out. It was one she never heard before.

"I'll tell the others. They'll want to know she's probably going to make it." Another voice sounded. Again, it was one she didn't recognize.

Groaning, she tried to reach up to rub her face, being very difficult to do so. Aside from the pain in the back, she felt weak. As if she had no energy inside her to draw from. She felt light headed, making her feel like she was spinning in the darkness.

Feeling a stick rest on her arm to push it down, she reluctantly obeyed, not having the strength or fight to resist.

"Easy, lass. Slow down and let your body go at its own pace…" The first voice sounded again.

"…w-wh-"

She felt the stick rest over her lips, silencing her. Honestly, it frustrated her being told what to do, and to be restricted.

Doing the only thing she could do, she tried to force her eyes open. Blinded by the light, combined with the energy required to even crack them open, she instantly closed her eyes again. She was so confused. Where was she? Who were these people?

As she was thinking, she had the sudden urge of anger and hate rush through; not helping her exhausted and confused mentality. Mikael! Mikael betrayed her! Betrayed his own blood and tribe! Her back was stabbed because of what he did to her! She had to have been taken prisoner. To be a toy for him to torture and to get 'even' with.

"I'm going to kill you…" She thought to herself, resolving to always try to end her brother, even if it meant the death of her. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of her giving in to him.

Spurred on by the sudden anger and realization, she let her inner fury rejuvenate herself a little bit. Forcing her eyes open, all she could see through the light was blurred looking ceiling. She could see objects standing above and looking down at her. Forcing her eyes to stay open, she didn't even try to make out the details. She was simply keeping her eyes open to let them adjust, and to show her body that she was getting up; regardless of what it thought.

"Easy, lass! You need to wake up at your own pace!"

"…this is my own pace…" She whispered weakly, finally blinking her eyes to help them adjust. Taking as deep of a breath that her body would let her, she growled. "…let m-m-me be…o-or kill m-me n-now!"

"Oi, she's definitely got a fire inside of 'er."

Feeling the stick rest on her chest to keep her down, she slowly reached up and tried to push it off of her. Whatever may happen, she was going to fight! Opening her eyes again, she could see the stick was more of a staff, with some old dragon teeth and feathers tied to it. Not swayed, she struggled against it. About to grab it, she could hear the ponding of multiple people running.

"Teeth!"

Even more confused, as she swore it sounded like Hiccup, she slowly looked over to see Hiccup and the rest of the Riders standing in the entrance of the doorway. "…w-what the?"

"Easy, Teeth. They're helping you. Just relax for a second, okay?" He continued to assure, taking a seat next to her.

For some reason, seeing him and the Riders seemed to instantly relieve her. She knew that whatever happened, or however she got wherever she was, they would protect her until she could stand on her own.

"You didn't tell me she's got the heart of a forge's fire!" The voice growled, almost accusing. "For a Viking, she's got more fight in 'er than some men back at Berk!"

"Funny you should say that, Gobber." Astrid replied. "She's a blacksmith too. Besides, there's a reason why she was the next Chief."

The thought then hit her. Teeth slowly turned to Hiccup, with a concerned look. It was the first time for any of the Riders to see her worried. "…dad?" She whispered, unable to communicate everything she wanted to ask.

Hiccup's face instantly fell, to which he looked down from her gaze.

That was all she needed. She of all people knew what that look meant. Closing her eyes, her body so badly wanted to shed a tear, to which she simply fought it.

"I'm sorry, Teeth…" Astrid whispered, resting her hand on Teeth's.

"…h-hel…p me up…" She gasped, trying to make motions to sit up.

"You need to rest, Teeth…" Astrid tried to say, only to be cut off.

"M-my d-dad is d-dead!" She tried to shout, only sounding like a hoarse whisper. The anger and frustration inside of her was helping her be more aware of what she could and couldn't do; mainly since the back was still hurting her and making it impossible to move without some help. "My men…are dead…I c-can't rest-t when until I'm either killed, or I av-v-venge them!"

"Help her." A voice called out. It was the second voice she heard. Or at least, recalled hearing. It was powerful and authoritative.

Feeling both Hiccup and Astrid help sit her up, she felt something soft get placed behind her, letting her sit up on her own.

Wincing due to the sharp pain in the back, she finally was able to observe those that were watching over her. The one that was using the staff to stop her from moving, looked like an elder. She was exceptionally short, though looked wise at the same time.

Next to her, was a bulky Viking. He had a hook for a hand, and he had a braided mustache that dropped down to his chest. His leg was also missing, making her wonder what his story was.

Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and leaned back. "…I don't…I can't-"

"What do you remember? What happened to you?" Hiccup asked, scooting up closer to her. Stoick placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him down and pulling him back at the same time.

Taking a few deep breaths, she took a moment to get her head together. "…we were betrayed…" She whispered, finally cracking her eyes open. "…my damn brother…he sided with Viggo…stabbed me from behind…"

Hiccup and Astrid looked at each other, with the other Riders doing the same.

"I don't know how…but the island was a trap…" She continued to whisper, shaking her head to vent out her anger. "…it wasn't a prison island…it was a Fireworm nest…"

"Fireworms?" Heather replied with a quizzical look. "I thought they migrated to another island?"

"Maybe it was another colony." Hiccup suggested. "Or Viggo forcibly relocated them."

"Is that how they sunk your ship?" Astrid asked, resting her hand on Teeth's.

Teeth nodded, gritting her teeth to bear with the pain and the memory. "…we were fools. Idiots. I should have just killed Viggo and his brother when we captured them…you can never trust an oath breaker's word-Agh!" Wincing, she recoiled back as her back shot with lightning like pain, being sharp and precise. Trying to take normal breaths, she closed her eyes as she asked. "Were there any survivors…other than…me?"

Hiccup just looked at her with a depressed look. Reluctantly, he shook his head. "We…didn't find anyone when we found you. Heather came back earlier today, and didn't find anyone either. She sent those we found to Valhalla for you…"

Looking up at Heather, she could only whisper. "…thanks…"

"It wasn't a problem." She replied with a shrug. "I'm…sorry."

Teeth only closed her eyes, returning to her position of leaning against the pillows placed behind her. Shaking her head, she sarcastically muttered. "I'm an heir to an empty throne…no one left to rule…"

"That's not true! What about all those islands? Back where you're from?" Astrid quickly called out, shocked to hear her say that.

"…with what men? What power do I have?" She growled. "Even if I went home, who would want to follow me? Those that supported me are now burnt bones and ash! Either in Helheim or Valhalla…I'm the mutt that survived the only attack that doomed Talen Wrathen and the Marauders.

"You're not a mutt, Teeth." Hiccup argued. "No one called you that except your brother!"

"He's right though. I am a mutt. I always was. I lived like a Wrathen, but I didn't have the blood of one!" She growled. "The only time anyone would have followed me, is if they saw me actually lead, or if they saw my dad pass it to me. Now, I can't claim the title if I wanted too."

Everyone stared at her, wanting to argue that she was wrong in thinking that.

"…besides...Mikael would have gotten there before I could tell everyone what actually happened. He'd say that I was the reason we were butchered. I'd be put down by my own peop-Agh!"

Astrid stared at her as she winced in pain. Seeing her settle down, she couldn't help but feel lost with her.

"…how long until I can walk?" She growled angrily, trying to keep her anger and hate bottled up.

"Weeks." Gobber explained. "Even then, you won't be the same without some pain. So a month or two tops."

Grunting, Teeth tried to shift herself up to sit up higher, to which her body forced her to stop. "Gah…" She huffed, reluctantly giving up. "Fine…give me two weeks to rest. I'll get out of your hair then…"

"You're not in our hair." Astrid replied, almost a little frustrated at the thought. "You're staying until you're healed."

"Oh? And if I decide I don't want to stay here? What'll you do about it?" She challenged. "Two weeks tops. Then I'm leaving to hunt down that coward and traitor of a Wrathen! I'll gut Mikael while he lives, make him watch me feed him to a Nightmare or whatever I can fin-Agh! Rrggghhh…"

All the Riders looked at each other, knowing she would leave the moment she was healthy enough to.

"No. You don't have a say in this, Teeth." Hiccup growled, finally having enough of her hot attitude. "You're our prisoner now."

Opening her eyes, she glared at him with look to kill.

"Until we think you served your time for keeping Astrid, you're stuck with us."

"…Hiccup…tread lightly…" She growled while trying to throw the covers off. Feeling something grab her by the shoulder by a force she hadn't experienced before.

"He speaks the truth, lass."

Looking up, she let out a small gasp as she saw a behemoth of a man holding her down.

"He's not the one doing this. It's me." He growled. "My son told me what you did, helping them try to fight Viggo and his army of Dragon Hunters. However, I cannot excuse you for keeping one of my best Dragon Riders as collateral. Until I come to a decision of whether to spare you, you are indeed a prisoner to Berk."

"Agh!" She grunted, wincing for the countless time. "I was more than fair to Astrid! I was-"

Stoick squeezed her shoulder, silencing her. "When I pardon you, and I will, I'll give you a boat to take for yourself wherever you want to go. With supplies that you'll need." Letting a casual smile grow on his face, he quietly added. "I'll make my decision in a month or two. You should be able to sail by yourself then."

Teeth's face darkened, hating the situation she found herself in. Honestly, she was glad she wasn't needing to worry about being on her own. At least, right then. "Fine…since I don't really have a choice." She growled, finally relaxing in her bed. It almost made every sigh in relief, glad to see her calm down.

"Chief Stoick the Vast. Hiccup's father." The man introduced, letting go of her shoulder.

Looking back up at him, she nodded at him as a greeting; since that was all she could do. "Teeth. Supposed Matriarch of the Wrathen Clan and Chief of the Southern Sea Marauders. I guess not anymore…"

"Ah, well, Chief Teeth." He addressed respectfully. "Rest easy. Gothi will leave the necessary supplies for you to heal. I'll be back in a few weeks to check up on you. In the meantime, please, take all the time you need to recover.

"Aye, when he says he'll be back, he means that I'll be back to check up on you." The other man called out, stepping up next to Stoick. "Gobber. His right-hand man, often errand boy, and Berk's blacksmith; at your service."

"Pleasure…" She whispered, observing the self-proclaimed smith.

"Hiccup, may I have a word with you?" Stoick asked, turning to walk out.

"Yeah, sure thing." He replied, turning to follow him. With a smirk, he looked over at Teeth as he left. "Keep her down, Astrid. Might need to chain her to her bed."

Teeth didn't say anything. Glaring at him as he left, she slowly sank back into the pillows and closed her eyes, now being surrounded by the rest of the Riders.

Walking out, Stoick turned to Hiccup with a grim expression. "Hiccup, you know what she's going to do the moment she's healed?"

Sighing, he nodded. "She's going to chase after Viggo and her brother. Even if it kills her. She said it too."

Stoick nodded. "Is she a friend?"

Taken back by the question, he looked up at his dad. "Of course! Astrid was never really a prisoner. Nor collateral. It was just a way for us to free more dragons after we beat Viggo!" Looking away, he quietly added. "At least, that was before…"

"Make sure she knows that."

"Knows what?"

"That she's a friend."

"Uh, sure…why are you telling me this?"

"Because she's not going to listen to you if she doesn't believe you're friends. And she'll just run herself into her fate."

"Being killed by Viggo…or her brother." Hiccup whispered, frowning at the thought.

"You know that Viggo is going to be chasing after you now, right?" Stoick continued to grill. "With a renewed passion. Just like Dagur when he escaped Outcast Island.

"Yeah, we're planning on it."

"Hiccup…I know you want to continue to explore islands and protect dragons." He began to counsel. "But if you need to come back to Berk to regroup and to strategize, do it. We'll help you fight them. This isn't something you have to do alone."

"No. We can't involve Berk!" He quickly replied, almost in a panic. "We saw what they were willing to do an entire people. They attacked and killed their leaders! And all their fighting men! They'll do the same to us. You can't afford to lose anyone, including yourself!" Looking inside, seeing Snotlout try to make a move on Teeth, he shook his head. "It's better to keep our numbers small. They can't track us, and we can hit them at random places. We can keep him guessing. Besides, when Teeth's healed up, she'll be great help us."

"Will she choose to stay with you?"

"I'll convince her to stay. Trust me." He replied. "I've been thinking of how to convince her to stay long before you actually talked to me about it. I couldn't help but feel…feel like she was missing something while being a Marauder. Maybe I can help her find that while she stays with us."

Sighing, Stoick patted his shoulder. "If anyone can help her, it's you and your friends. We'll leave after Gothi finishes helping Teeth. You think she'll be fine here, or should we take her to Berk?"

"Leave her with us; she won't do well on a different island, being watched over by strangers. Between Fishlegs and Heather, we can take care of her." He assured. "Fishlegs knows what would help heal her faster; not like Gothi, but he can read her notes. Heather has plenty of experience of working with bandages. Since she lived on her own for a while."

Stoick nodded, turning to walk towards the clubhouse. "Very well. Just be careful, son."

"I will, dad." He replied, turning to walk back inside, not surprised to see Snotlout on the floor with Heather standing in-between him and Teeth.

Gothi then motioned Gobber to do something, to which he nodded in acknowledgement. Walking next to where she lay, he gently began to roll her over, careful with his hook.

"Rrggh…what are you doing now?" She growled, unable to resist. "Couldn't let me be?"

"We're helping ya', lass." He replied in an uncaring tone. "Now sit still before we have to tie you down."

"If only that was the first time I heard that…" She huffed angrily, forced to lie on her stomach. "You remind me of Grange. The fool…"

"How was he a fool?" Astrid challenged, shocked to hear her speak of him like that.

"He sacrificed himself for nothing. To protect me…" She growled. "He could have done so much more if he had just left me."

"He swore to protect you! We found him next to you! And you're still breathing because of him!" Astrid quickly fired back.

"…I know…" She whispered, shutting her eyes tight to stop tears from falling. "…everyone was willing to die for me…even my dad…they all died for the Wrathen mutt."

Gothi was starting to take the bandages off, all while Gobber was mixing some vials together.

"I heard Grange fight Mikael…I heard him lose." She continued to whisper. "I heard him say that I was already dead…which is why I originally acted the part. I listened to Grange die, and what Mikael said to me, since he thought I was dead. Heh, idiot. Never bothered to check whatever he hunted was actually dead. After I was left alone, I tried to chase after him…but, I couldn't. That's why you found me with my dad's sword…Mikael took it from him to use against me, but he left it as my grave marker."

Hiccup couldn't help but feel torn with her story. It was a dirty trick by Viggo, and even dirtier with what Mikael did to his own family and clan.

"How did Viggo know how to counter us so well? The White Wake caught fire like dry timber in a bon fire." She whispered. "Gagh!"

Gothi began to place moist bandages over where she was stabbed, pouring some extra oil on them after laying them down.

"That stings…" She whispered, flinching uncontrollably and gripping the sides of the bed to help fight it.

"Teeth, Viggo always seems to be two steps ahead of us. No matter what we do." Hiccup began to say, taking a seat so she could look at him without straining her neck. "He knew you would be coming…which is probably why he had Fireworms ready to use against you."

"You tried to warn us. You warned us that he usually had a trick always planned out. And you were right." She gasped, feeling a new layer of cloths get laid over her back. Closing her eyes in pain, she growled. "I should've learned to keep you with us. To help us. Most of our men were on the ship as it burned, which is how we were overrun on the beaches."

"Teeth, I'm sorry for what happened; and I didn't want to remind you of what you went through by bringing that up. The reason why I was reminding you of that, is because I want you to know that we're still fighting them. We're still at war."

Opening her eyes, she simply stared at him wide eyes.

"I know you. More than you probably think I do." He continued to say. "I've had lots of experiences with people like you. You're driven by revenge. And it makes you predictable. Even though he thinks you're dead, it wouldn't take much for him to learn you're still alive. All it'll take is a scout to spot you, and he'll be waiting for you; like he did with your dad and his men."

"What are you suggesting, Hiccup?" She growled quietly, demanding the short answer.

"That you willingly stay with us. At least until we end this war." He answered. "Aside from recovering from what's happened to you, you can fight alongside of us. I want you to fight with us."

"And if I don't want to?"

"That's your choice. But how are you going to get close to Viggo and Ryker? Or even your brother? Face it, Teeth, you need us and you know it."

Sighing, she instantly winced and arched her back as Gothi began to wrap a bandage tight around her, with Heather helping. "Grrrrgghh…" She groaned, reluctantly giving into the idea.

"Whatever happens after, that's your business." He replied. "But if you returned to your home, saying you avenged Talen and all his men, I'm sure they won't see you as a mutt. As you say you are."

"…fine…" She growled. "For now, I'll agree with that. Besides, we're allies, right? We're supposed to help each other."

"I'm not helping you because you're an ally, Teeth. You should know that." He replied firmly, making sure she understood what he was meaning. "I'm helping you, because you're our friend."

Teeth's eyes slightly widened at the comment.

"So stay and recover. When you're healthy enough, I'll help you at the forge. We'll get you outfitted with the best gear and material we have. Because you're a friend."

Unable to say anything, she simply nodded; the only way she could visibly tell him thank you.

"Come on, guys. Let's leave Gothi be and let Teeth get some rest." He announced. "Twins, you're up on patrol anyways. Better get going."

"Ahh, come on, Hiccup!" Ruffnut whined.

Astrid also began to walk away, but just as she walked past Teeth, she gently kneeled down so they could see each other. "I'm with Hiccup on this. You're our friend."

Teeth again nodded.

"But I'm going to add something…" She whispered. "Start believing it." At that, she turned to leave Gothi, finishing up wrapping up the bandage.

Thinking of what they told her, she slowly began to give into her body's exhaustion. Staring at nothing, she slowly fell back into a black world.

The night had just set in. With the twilight sky in the background, everyone was at the clubhouse, eating some yak chops that Heather had prepared. Hiccup, Heather, Astrid, and Fishlegs were simply sitting there, trying to force food down. With recent events, no one was exactly hungry.

Then, hearing someone walk into the room, they turned to see Snotlout set his course straight to the food.

"How is she doing?" Hiccup asked, looking at him anxiously.

"She's still out." He replied, a little dejected at the subject.

Looking down at the Astrid's hut, Hiccup shook his head. It was honestly a waiting game. At least, waiting for Teeth to be able to walk on her own; never mind her ability to fight.

"Hey, so…are we going to chase after Viggo? You know…with Teeth?" Fishlegs asked, looking over at Hiccup.

"That's the idea. We'll be fighting Viggo and the Hunters no different than we have before." He replied, returning his attention to his plate.

"But…what about…you know…her and hunting dragons?" Fishlegs stammered.

Hiccup quietly set down his fork, not saying anything at first. Looking up at him, and then to everyone else, he then explained. "There's a reason why I want her to stay with us. Not just to recover."

Getting his message, Astrid pushed her plate away. "You think you can change her mind? She's more stubborn than even you."

"So was my dad." He quickly replied. "And look, I changed his mind. I changed all your minds about dragons. Why can't we change her mind with all of us working together? Besides, it's the best chance we have to convince her to trust dragons in general."

"It's worth a try, Hiccup…but what happens if we convince her and she tries to return home? She said herself that her people won't be happy with her, and if she tries to change their livelihood, all while bringing the news that Talen and most of the men in the clan are dead…how do you think they'll react to that?" Heather suggested, looking at him with a worried look. "It'll be a reason for them to…well, kill her. If Mikael did go back home, they'll support him, not her. She even called herself a mutt. Her men were the only ones supporting her, not the islands."

Hiccup looked down, not saying anything.

"It's a risk you took." Astrid added, looking at him with sadness. "But Teeth might not feel the same about dragons like you do."

"Either way, it's an opportunity that we need to take." He countered. "Teeth was willing to listen to us when Astrid was kept on the White Wake. How much more will she hear us out now that she's in the opposite position? And that we're helping her?"

Snotlout then stretched, letting out a long yawn to get everyone's attention. "Never fear, Snotlout's got this. Aside from my obvious masculinity, I'll give her a ride on 'ol Hookster and that should be enough to convince her!"

Everyone groaned, shaking their heads at the claim.

"If only it were that simple." Hiccup whispered. "She didn't react that well when Astrid and Stormfly took her for a ride."

"It might change now." Astrid quickly replied. "When I took her for a ride, she wasn't alone or a sole survivor. She literally has nothing other than her name, and one of her dad's swords. Her life…all that she knew and grew up with, is gone. I think that's what she meant when she said she couldn't go back. Everything she knew, and knows, isn't relevant anymore. The men she'd have been commanding, even the role she was promised to be given, simply doesn't exist anymore."

Hiccup simply stared into nothing. It was still a lot to hope for, that Teeth would accept dragons as friends and stop hunting them.

Heather, who was quiet during the entire conversation, then softly spoke up. "It's a little more confusing than that. I do think she can change, but…"

Everyone turned to her, wanting to hear what she had to say.

Sighing, she shook her head and looked down. "I of all people know what if feels like to have everything taken from you. Even being betrayed by a family member…"

Everyone remained silent, knowing who she was talking about.

"I've done things I thought I'd never do. Like when Astrid and I tried to get Dagur ourselves; and when I was working with the Hunters." She continued to say, being a little ashamed of her past with Hiccup and the others. "That changed when you guys saved me, and invited me to stay with you. You gave me a purpose. " Turning to look over at Astrid's hut, being where Teeth was residing, she shook her head at the thought of her and her circumstances. "Teeth might be a little harder than me to convince, but all she needs is to have some kind of purpose. Once she finds it, it'll be harder for her to let go of it. Which is why I think we can convince her to change. Her purpose as future chief and blacksmith is gone. So help her find a new purpose, and she'll naturally want to stay."

Everyone looked at each other, nodding in agreement that she was right.

"Heh, well, that shouldn't be too hard." Snotlout replied with one of his smirks. "Who wouldn't want to stay to be with me? Honestly, the only problem I can see, is that we might have to think of ways to keep her away from me!"

Everyone groaned a second time, face palming their heads.

"Snotlout, the only problem we'll have, is making sure you don't push her away!" Astrid growled. "Just don't annoy her too much. I don't know if I can protect you from her."

Snotlout shrugged, leaning back in his chair and looking smug.

"Then it sounds like a plan." Hiccup announced, standing up from his chair. "Astrid, you're the closest one to her. I want you to keep her involved when she's able. Help her walk when she wants to, and whatever else she needs."

Astrid nodded, acknowledging her new responsibility.

"Everyone else, it's back to the grind. Routine patrols, with offset shifts to cover Astrid. I'll bug Johann to see if he can't keep us updated on some Hunter's whereabouts. However, when Teeth's up and walking around, I want you to include her in your activities. Invite her at least."

"You got it, Hiccup." Fishlegs replied.

"And one more thing, don't remind her of what happened, alright?" He replied with a serious tone. "I don't think I needed to say that, but just as a general reminder. Let's make this an experience she won't want to leave."

Everyone again nodded, understanding the need to say that.

"For Teeth?" Astrid asked, a little hesitantly, raising her mug.

"For Teeth." Everyone chimed in, also raising their mugs.

And just like that, whether she knew it or not, the hunter named Teeth, was inducted into the Dragon Riders.