A few hours after Hiccup had drifted off back to sleep, Gothi and Stoick came in at the same time. Astrid stood to greet them. "He woke up for a bit and drank some of the broth," she reported. "He just fell back to sleep. The short time he was awake took a lot out of him."

"Aye," Stoick said. "I bet that's to be expected." He turned and looked at Gothi. "Right?"

Gothi nodded as she set her medicine bag on the chair that Astrid had previously occupied and set her staff down. Astrid stood next to her, ready to assist if need be, while Stoick and Toothless watched for now.

Stoick hated feeling so useless when it came to the caring of his son. He usually found him standing off to the side, watching as those more skilled cared for him. He thought back to when Gobber had to cut off Hiccup's leg while they were still on Dragon Island. It had to be done right then, or Hiccup wouldn't have made the journey home. What had remained were just remnants of the limb. The only things left attached to him were charred pieces of skin and bone. There was no chance of saving the limb.

He remember how he had to be pushed to the side so that Gobber could work. Amputation required precision and timing to ensure minimal blood loss. He couldn't even stay close by to offer his son comfort. At least this time, it was different. A collapsed lung was more or less treatable and wasn't as permanent as losing a limb. The chief was able to stay close by and offer comfort to his only child during the more difficult part of his recovery.

The vast man still hated that this happened, and he wasn't there from the start of it. He had to stay behind on Berk to protect the village in case Hunters had decided to attack while they were vulnerable and weak from hunger. Thankfully that didn't happen. But what did happen is that his son was returned home to him, barely clinging to life with that damned tube sticking out of his chest. He wanted to throttle Fishlegs for taking such drastic action, but at the same time, he was grateful that the teen acted quickly.

Stoick was pulled from his thoughts when Astrid placed a hand on his shoulder, getting his attention. "Did you hear me?" she asked.

Stoick shook his head. "Sorry, lass, I was thinking."

Astrid offered a smile of understanding. "Gothi said we can take the tube out and cauterize the area."

Stoick frowned a bit. "I thought it was too stitched up."

"Normally, yes," Astrid began explaining. "When the collapse is caused by blunt force, stitching of the incision is common practice. But because Hiccup nearly drowned, Gothi thinks it's best to cauterize to lower the risk of infection."

The chief nodded in understanding. "What do you need from me?"

"To help hold him down while I... burn him," Astrid said, struggling to get the words out.

"Aye, I can do that," Stoick said, feeling grateful that he could be helpful in some way. He gave Toothless a pat on the snout and walked over to Hiccup's bedside, ready to be of assistance.

Toothless, himself moved to the foot of the bed to get a closer look at what was happening. He watched as Astrid picked up his rider's fire sword that had been placed on the house's armory wall. He couldn't figure out why she had it. There was no danger. At least he didn't sense anything dangerous.

The Night Fury kept a close eye on the blonde Viking as she stood over Hiccup and ignited the sword's flames. He quickly glanced at Stoick, who was holding his son down. Another glance and he saw Gothi wrapping her hand around the metal thing that had been forced into him. Why were they pulling it out if it was helping his human?

Toothless growled at the three humans standing over Hiccup. He wasn't going to let them hurt him.

"Easy, Toothless," Astrid soothed in a calming tone. "It'll be okay. This needs to happen."

The dragon picked up on her tone of voice and settled. Everything was okay. Hiccup was okay and didn't need the metal thing anymore. He retracted his teeth and ceased growling but kept a careful eye on them to make sure no mistakes were made.

Faster than anyone them could blink. Gothi pulled out the metal tube, and Astrid placed the flaming sword on the wound site. Hiccup let out a scream. It was weak and barely audible, but a scream nonetheless. Astrid pulled the sword away, placing it in a water barrel to extinguish the fire, while Stoick sat Hiccup up so that Gothi could properly bandage his chest.

All the while, Hiccup groaned weakly as he was jostled around and cared for, but he did not wake up. Toothless leaned forward and sniffed his rider. He still smelled sick, but the smell was slowly going away. The dragon crooned with worry that his human wasn't better yet.

Astrid placed a gentle hand on his snout. "He'll be okay, Toothless. He's getting better, just a bit more slowly than normal."

Toothless looked at her momentarily, then gave her a sad lick before going back to watch over Hiccup. Gothi and Stoick carefully laid him back down and pulled a blanket up to his chest.

Once she was sure Hiccup was settled back into the bed, Gothi put her supplies away and picked up her staff. Astrid stood over her to offer a rough translation. "She says, 'Keep an eye on his breathing to make sure his lung stays inflated. Continue to give him the necessary herbs that help him breathe easier. He'll most likely have shortness of breath for quite some time.'"

"Aye, Gothi," Stoick said. "We'll make sure he's taken care of and get you if anything happens."

Gothi picked up her bag and bowed in respect for her chief, that often sought her talents and left.

Astrid sat back down in her chair and just stared at Hiccup as she took hold of his hand. Stoick watched her for a moment, thinking about how much their friendship had blossomed in recent years. He remember when she couldn't stand being in the same room as his son. Now here she was, holding his hand, keeping vigil as he recovers from his latest brush with death. Something she had been doing since the Battle of The Red Death.

"Why don't you go home for a bit, lass," Stoick suggested. "Sleep in your own bed and visit with your parents. I'm sure they miss you."

The blonde warrior thought about his request. Her own bed sounded tempting, as did seeing her parents, but no, she had to be here for Hiccup. "I'll be fine," she whispered.

Stoick shook his head. Gods help their children. They will be just as stubborn as their parents. "No, Astrid, you need to go home. You'll be no good to Hiccup when he wakes up if you're dead on your feet. Go home, visit your parents, and get a good night's rest."

"And if he wakes up while I'm gone?" Astrid asked

I'll be here, by his side, the whole time. If he wakes up, I'll come get you," Stoick promised.

Astrid sighed and let go of Hiccup's hand. "I'll go home... for now."

In the early hours of the following morning, Stoick was awoken to the sound of his son coughing. He was quick to help Hiccup sit up to help him breathe better. "Easy, son. Just try and take in deep breaths."

Between coughs, Hiccup did his best to do as his father told him to. After a few minutes, breathing became more manageable, and the coughing stopped. It still hurt to breathe, but at least he didn't feel like he was dying.

"Better?" Stoick asked, keeping a firm grip on Hiccup's shoulder to keep him balanced.

"Yeah," Hiccup answered, placing a hand on his chest, expecting to still feel the metal tube, only to realize it wasn't there anymore. "My lung?"

Stoick offered his son a small smile. "It's working on its own again, but Gothi wants to keep you on bed rest for a bit, just to be sure."

Hiccup opened his mouth to argue that he had to get back out there and find Viggo. Only to close it when he realized it would be useless. He was in no condition to be flying. He'd pass out as soon as he and Toothless got a few feet off the ground. "Any idea how long?"

"A week or so at best," Stoick answered. "Given that there are no further complications and you take the herbs given to you. Speaking of which," the chief stood up, walked over the hearth, and filled a bowl with the broth stewing over it. "Drink some of this. It'll help with the pain and your breathing."

Hiccup carefully pushed himself up against the headboard so that he'd have something to lean against. Once he was settled, he took the bowl from his dad and set it down in his lap. With a shaky hand, he managed to hold the spoon and take a few sips.

As he drank the broth, the pain eased, and the feeling that he was breathing in nails lessened. In no time at all, the bowl of broth was empty.

"Feeling better?" Stoick asked.

Hiccup nodded. "Yeah."

"Good," Stoick said. "Why don't you get a bit more rest, and I'll go update Gothi and Astrid on how you're feeling."

Hiccup didn't need to be told twice. He was still exhausted. His body was screaming for more rest, and for once, he was going to listen.

After two weeks of near-constant bed rest and herbal broths, Gothi gave Hiccup the go-ahead to be up and about, but no flying. She wanted him to stay on Berk for another week to make sure everything was okay.

Hiccup stood on the docks with his dad and watched as the first trade boats arrived at Berk. It had taken some convincing that it was safe for the tradesmen and women to travel again. Eventually, they decided it was worth it and made the long journey back to aid Berk.

"Let's get those get those ships unloaded, now," Stoick ordered the dock workers. "Quickly."

Hiccup crossed his arms over his still sore chest. "This never would have happened if Viggo wasn't trying to get at me."

Stoick looked over at his son, feeling the guilt that weighed heavily on his son. The boy had nearly died to save the village and an innocent dragon. "And Berk never would've been saved if it wasn't for you. You risked a lot to ensure our survival." The young man looked up at his father. "Hiccup, your foe, revealed his true colors. Only a coward endangers innocent women and children as a means of intimidation. This is a dangerous game, son. But I'm confident bravery will always triumph over cowardice."

With that said Stoick walked away to help assist the dock workers as the boats were unloaded. Hiccup knew his father was right, but the sticky feeling of guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders. He had to make this right. Viggo had to be stopped before any more harm could come to his home. Toothless walked up behind his rider so that they could walk back into the village together to make sure the storerooms were ready.

This chapter marks the end of Sickness Of The Sea. I hope those of you that read it, have enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun writing it. Please consider leaving a review, and letting me know what you think.

Until next time.