Forty Two.

Hiccup awoke snuggled in Astrid's arms, warm and relaxed. He blinked twice before the pain hit him: his whipped back, his broken ribs, the horrible constant burning from his cut throat, the bruises on his neck, the residual pains from his lower half...but he was home and with his wife and somehow, it wasn't so bad. But as his eyes focussed and his mind began finally to work again, he found himself slipping back to Outcast Island.

He clutched at her and his eyes closed tight. He felt her stir but he couldn't help that: the memories crashed into him again and all he could see was Dagur and Savage and the guard who had tried to rape him and... His eyes snapped open. The dragons. He felt Astrid stir against him, blinking and yawning at his fearful embrace but he was able to force his limbs to relax because he was safe with Astrid. He kept chanting the words in his mind, kept trying to remind his shocked and traumatised brain that he was home and Dagur was defeated again.

But not permanently.

His mind floated back to the dragon cages...and the scared and beaten Whispering Death. That a dragon could sympathise with his plight, with his horrible pain, that had been inflicted upon him by fellow Vikings had curiously made him feel ashamed to be human. She had been badly hurt as well and he knew she hadn't deserve her pain any more he had. In fact, there were more similarities between her and him than he had realised: he had lost his mother and that dragon's hatchlings had been taken from her and used as weapons against Berk.

And one of them was looking for her.

He gave Astrid a gentle shake and her vivid azure eyes fluttered open. His heart leapt as she smiled at him. He knew he looked like a beaten slave but that she was here, sleeping with her arms around him, made him feel like a King. She smiled.

"How are you feeling?" she murmured. He managed a pained smile.

"Never better, Milady," he rasped. His voice was awful, strained and whispery. He had overstretched it talking to her the previous evening. "I was thinking..." And she smiled, her eyebrow rising in a challenge.

"Oh dear," she said with a smirk. "Now we're in trouble..." He blinked and then sighed.

"Very serious," he rasped. "You know we found the Screaming Death?" She nodded, stretching. "I know what it's looking for." She frowned. "I found its mother...on Outcast Island. And if we can get it to go to her..."

"It will tear Outcast Island apart-and bring Dagur down!" Astrid said excitedly, sitting up abruptly. Hiccup slid off her and hit the bed with a bang. He groaned. She looked down-and her face slipped into a mask of apology. He winced and clutched his head.

"Ow. Aren't I bashed enough for you?" he whined. She kissed his head immediately in apology and he snared her and pressed a tentative but very sincere kiss on her lips. "I forgive you," he teased her hoarsely. She pouted at him with a smile in her eyes.

"So demanding..." she sighed. He winced and achingly levered himself up to a very sore sitting position.

"I was wondered when you two lovebirds would wake!" a loud voice boomed and they looked up to see Stoick glancing across them from his seat by the fire where he was drinking a mug of mead and doing his morning whittling. As one, they both pulled the furs right up to their necks and flushed scarlet. The Chief burst out laughing. "Young love," he teased loudly. "Not that I haven't seen it all before, Hiccup..." The boy flushed even more red and stared in embarrassment at his lap.

"Dad..." he moaned, wanting the floor to swallow him up. "And you haven't seen Astrid..."

"Well..."

"DAD!" Hiccup thought his face would literally burst into flames. Stoick started chuckling.

"You know, it's actually fun to embarrass you once in a while," he said cheerfully and Hiccup face-palmed loudly.

"Dad..." he rasped, his voice giving out again. Stoick raised his hands.

"Okay, okay," he said, still laughing. "I'll leave you to get dressed. And Astrid-don't forget his poultice needs changing."

"No, sir...Stoick," she said respectfully, still behind the blanket. He rose, nodded and walked out to attend to his duties. Hiccup gave a huge sigh of relief.

"Sorry," he whispered. Astrid gently rested a hand on his shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze, then got up and began to get dressed. She watched him remain stiff in embarrassment as she fixed her clothes and then went to the fire, putting water on to boil and then watching him achingly slide his legs over the side of bed. "Astrid...we need to find a way of getting the Screaming Death to follow us to Outcast Island..." She frowned and starting working warm water into the fresh poultice.

"Dragon Nip?" she suggested, her strong fingers working the poultice to a dough like consistency. He slowly shook his head.

"Not strong enough," he sighed. "I think we'll need Dragon Root." She stared at him.

"But...none of our dragons can get near without going mad," she protested. Hiccup managed a small smile.

"One can: Meatlug," he reminded her. "Her all-rock diet seems to make her immune." Astrid gave a small frown.

"Hmm. Can't see Fishlegs being very keen on that," she admitted, walking forward to gently peel the old poultice from his throat. She gently raised a clean rag and washed the wound, nodding in satisfaction that the burn remained clean. Hiccup stared passively forward as she gently applied the fresh, warm poultice and hissed slightly. Her azure eyes flicked up as she secured the poultice using a clean bandage. He gave a weary smile.

"Thanks," he sighed. "No, he won't be keen but he's the only option. I'll check with him to see if we can find one. There was one in Mildew's field...I'm sure we can work out where we can dig up another..."

"Hiccup! HICCUP!" The door slammed open and the boy stiffened in shock and fear as Snotlout erupted into the room, panting. "I...need to speak...to you..." Warily, Hiccup pulled his legs back into the bed and curled them up under him, his eyes remaining on the panting boy.

"Um, why?" he asked carefully. Snotlout calmed his breathing.

"I was on Snotland," he began and Hiccup frowned.

"Do I need to ask? Snotland?" he rasped.

"My personal island," Snotlout said dismissively. "No-I found it...and him..." Hiccup scowled.

"Wanna try making sense?" he whispered.

"No offence but you sound pathetic!" Snotlout told him brashly. Hiccup rolled his eyes.

"Snotlout!"

"Oh, hey, Astrid. What're you..." Snotlout began and then he gaped: memory struck him. "Oh, wait-you two are...does this mean you two are...oh gods!" And Snotlout blushed.

"SNOTLOUT! Will you please tell us what you mean!" Astrid snapped, her eyes scanning the house for her axe. He frowned.

"OKAY! I was just enjoying myself on Snotland, enjoying a few stretches, watching Hookfang set things on fire...when I found the really cool wreck," Snotlout reported. "It wasn't there when I was last there so it belongs to me. I went to have a look when the ground began to shake and suddenly...I was knocked out. It was the Screaming Death." Hiccup stared over at Astrid and saw the same suspicion in her eyes as his.

"Erm, Snotlout-where is 'Snotland'?" Hiccup asked hoarsely. Snotlout looked shifty.

"Well, it's mine so it's a secret so I..."

"It's Short Pine Island, isn't it?" Astrid asked brusquely, having found her axe. Snotlout's eye widened.

"Okay, FINE!" he huffed. "How did you know?"

"We met the Screaming Death there on our travels," she told him, watching Hiccup's expression. The boy was frowning.

"Why are you alive, Snotlout?" he asked directly. His cousin folded his arms and looked belligerent.

"I was rescued," he sulked. "And the person who rescued me wants to talk to you, cuz."

"Who is it?" Hiccup's voice was suspicious.

"Uh-huh. Can't tell you. You need to see him."

"No." Hiccup's voice was flat. The skinny boy folded his arms and scowled. "Look-he's clearly an enemy because you won't tell me who it is. And I am not going to see anyone who is an enemy. I won't put myself at risk again like that...especially now." Though his face was hard, his hands were trembling. Astrid quietly walked to his side and rested a hand on his shoulder. He quietly raised a hand and tightened it round hers. Snotlout frowned.

"He wants to offer help in beating Dagur," he insisted. "Look, cuz-he insists on speaking only to you." Hiccup shook his head.

"If I see anyone, it is with Toothless and Astrid," he said quietly.

"You have to come with me, cuz," Snotlout said quietly. "Look, I asked the Chief to make you the Heir because you are brave and you will do the right thing. You're smarter than me, Hiccup. You see plans where I only want to blow stuff up. You give people a second and third and sometimes fourth chance. And you always see the way to win. But in this, even I can see this is something that has to be done. And when you come, you'll see this too. Please, cuz-trust me!"

Hiccup swallowed and stared at his cousin. He had never heard Snotlout admit Hiccup was better at him than anything-even when it was patently obvious. This had to be something that Snotlout was completely convinced about. He felt a chill run down his spine and stared at the floor, his green eyes darkening in fear. He knew what he needed to do...but he was afraid. What he should do...would put him entirely at the mercy of his cousin? He swallowed again and winced as his throat hurt. He closed his eyes.

"Okay, Snotlout," he said quietly. "Take me to him."

oOo

Astrid didn't want him to go and had argued fiercely with Hiccup but the battered boy had simply grasped her hand and kissed her tenderly. "I have to do this," he had rasped.

"But Hiccup..." she began. He sighed and scooched over to the clothes they had taken off him when he returned, snatching something. "I can't let you go, can't lose you..." He turned back to her and sighed.

"Whatever you say, Milady," he murmured. Her hand dropped to brush his and she felt cloth. She peered down-to see a ragged tunic clutched in his hands. She frowned and pulled it free-to see the tunic she and Stoick had made for the boy. She frowned as she opened it out, wincing as she saw the back had literally been shredded by a ferocious whipping. She lifted her eyes questioningly.

"When I saw Dad and Toothless go down, I kinda lost it," he admitted in an embarrassed tone, rubbing the back of his neck as he usually did when he was feeling really awkward. "I...er...attacked Dagur. Broke his nose. Almost clawed his eyes out. Had him down. But he had men and they dragged me away. And then...they whipped me until I passed out."

"Oh, Hiccup," she sighed. He gently took the tunic from her.

"I kept it, even though it was shredded, because you and dad made it. It was the last thing I had of him. It may have been the last thing I had of you."

"I am here," she reassured him. And then she hugged him tight. "You're far stronger than any of us. I couldn't have survived Outcast Island. None of the others, either. But you did...twice. No matter how horribly and cruelly they treated you. Gods, I was so scared that I had lost you. So I can't risk losing you again." She slid something into his hand and he looked down on his ring. He swallowed and slid it onto his left hand again, then slid his hands into her hair and forced her to look deep into his eyes.

"You won't lose me," he assured her hoarsely. "And I know how you can make sure I'm safe." Snotlout stared at him.

"Are you coming or not, cuz?" he asked suspiciously. Hiccup gave a small, knowing smile.

"Yeah," he said quietly, "but on my terms..."

oOo

Hookfang swooped low over the rocky outcrop that was the only real hill on the former Short Pine Island and circled once, then landed hard on the shattered beach. There was a huge tunnel heading down from the ragged hole in the beach and Snotlout cheerfully described how he had been mere inches from the dragon as it had exploded through the ground. Hiccup felt his grip on Snotlout tighten.

"Where is he?" he asked hoarsely. Astrid had carefully dressed him in a new green tunic, fresh leggings and a warm cloak with a scarf wrapped around his damaged neck. He wore his Gronckle iron shield painfully across his back and a sword on his hip. Snotlout landed boldly in the centre of the beach and leapt off, looking around.

"I've brought him. Just like you asked!" he announced. Hiccup felt his body tense as he saw a huge, bulky shape with a familiar helmet and enormous beard round the outcrop. Hiccup tried to calm his breathing because he had called it right. He fixed his eyes on the shape.

"Hi, Alvin," he rasped. The former Outcast leader stared at him and his scarred face twisted into a sneering laugh.

"'Ello, "iccup," he replied. "Yer ain't lookin' too frisky. I 'eard Dagur 'ad reserved some special treatment for yer when yer visited!"

"Why are you here, Alvin?" Hiccup said hoarsely, his battered face wary. He was grasping Hookfang's horns because he trusted the dragon more than his cousin to protect him. Alvin took a couple of large paces forward.

"I was thinkin' of askin' for yer help to get me tribe back, 'Iccup," Alvin said menacingly, 'but lookin' at yer, I think I should just hand yer back to Dagur and I'm sure 'e'll forgive me and 'and me Tribe back!" Hiccup narrowed his eyes.

"I think he prefers Savage," he said sarcastically. "Sure, he's stupider even than you, Al-but he doesn't have a spine either. Dagur doesn't want a rival Chief-he wants a number two! He'll never accept you back-and we both know it." Alvin narrowed his cruel dark eyes and inspected the battered, skinny shape seated on the dragon.

"Maybe yer right, 'Iccup," he admitted gruffly. "So I need yer 'elp." Hiccup inspected him closely, his green gaze carefully reading the man's face. One thing he could rely on was Alvin being treacherous. It was his nature-and he had long ago learned to use creatures' intrinsic natures to his advantage. Expecting Alvin to be anything other than he was wouldn't work.

"And what's in it for me?" he asked bluntly. "I mean, I already have a plan to defeat Dagur so why do I need you? Won't Berk be safer with the Outcasts under a new leader...one who will be subject to Berkian Treaty?"

"I'll sign any Treaty yer wants!" Alvin said slightly desperately. "I wants me Tribe back. They're MINE. I want Dagur to suffer fer what 'e did to me. And I know yer wants yer revenge on 'im." Hiccup paused and seemed to think about it.

"I want revenge on you as well," he said quietly. Alvin stared-and then laughed at him.

"'Iccup...yer don't 'ate me," he scoffed. Hiccup stiffened.

"Pretty sure I do," he said tonelessly. "You kidnapped me, you tried to kill me numerous times, you locked me up in Outcast Island, tortured me and threatened me with Toothless's death and with my execution."

"While Dagur framed yer, got yer Outcast, tortured and enslaved yer and beat and raped yer," Alvin sneered. Hiccup stiffened.

"Didn't say I didn't hate him as well," he said quietly. "Can't see what you have to offer."

Alvin stepped closer and his scarred face looked more desperate. "I knows Outcast island better than anyone!" he said urgently. "Whatever yer are planning-I can 'elp!" Hiccup felt a twinge of satisfaction at the man's anxiety. "I can get yer in. I can make sure Dagur is defeated! Me man Mildew were under orders to make sure yer didn't die. 'E saved yer life! Yer owes me!"

"What do you think?" Hiccup asked. And behind Alvin, flapping from behind the Outcrop, Astrid appeared on Stormfly and Stoick hovered in on Toothless, having silently arrived as soon as Alvin made himself known. Alvin turned in shock and then stabbed an accusing finger at Snotlout.

"And I saved yer life, Snotlout! Yer should've done as I asked!" The boy shrugged unrepentantly.

"He's my cousin and he wanted it this way," he said easily. "And for the record-I don't trust you either!" Alvin threw his hands up.

"I see yer 'aven't taught the younger generation any respect for their betters!" he grumbled at Stoick. The Chief tightened his fist.

"My son and Heir is running this meeting, Alvin," he said in a low growl. "I did not approve of this meeting-you know the history we have and the fact that I know you cannot be trusted-but he guessed you were Snotlout's new friend. We never found your body and you are a powerful warrior and survivor. He guessed you would bide your time. Snotlout admitted it was you when Hiccup called me." He looked towards his son. "So, son?"

Hiccup swallowed painfully: he was exhausted, still badly wounded and suffering all sorts of physical and psychological after-effects of his ordeals on Outcast Island. Facing Alvin was straining his resilience to the limits and he had only agreed when he had worked out a way for Astrid and Toothless to attend. His thumb slid over his ring and he felt his heartbeat slowed everso slightly. "I'm still not sure what Alvin has to offer above what we have..." he said thoughtfully. Alvin lurched forward.

"I knows the secret way inter Outcast Island!" he blurted urgently. "And with me man on the inside, we can get yer all in...for whatever plan yer 'ave, 'Iccup..."

"And you will sign a Treaty with us before we set out on the mission," Hiccup told him sternly. "If you become the Outcast Chief again, you will swear never to attack Berk or me or my friends or ally against us. If you don't, you'll probably be dead. Deal?" Alvin stared up at Stoick and made a mute appeal but the Hooligan Chief gave a pitying grin.

"My son has a plan and I have agreed to go with it," he said scornfully. "Decide, Alvin. You agree to Hiccup's terms...or we leave and we will end Dagur without you!"

"I AGREE!" Alvin shouted urgently. "Okay...I agree, 'Iccup." The boy gave a pained smile and nodded to the others to land.

"Okay," he sighed. "Now we all go back to Berk. I'll explain the plan when we get there..."