TWENTY-TWO: The Greater Good

It was bittersweet as Astrid headed north for the Healer's Isle of the Lugnuts Islands, for it brought back all those memories of when they were younger, mid-teens learning to fly and partner their dragons and protect their home from rogue dragons, Outcasts, Berserkers, sickness and the weather. Her lips curved up in a nostalgic smile at the memories of who she had been-who they all had been-and how much simpler life had been then. Hiccup was growing in confidence, his bond with Toothless already far deeper and closer than any other and the young Viking, still scrawny and awkward, had been developing into the fearless leader they admired and followed today.

She sighed, her legs tightening around Stormfly's body as they banked slightly, the rhythmic jerk of her wings soothing as she drifted through her recollections. Of course, she hadn't always been as kind to him as she should have been-and still was reticent at showing her feelings...but a lifetime of being brought up as a tough viking shield maiden wasn't so easily shrugged off. She was better at fighting off an entire hoard of enemies than sitting down and having a sharing session with her friends about her inner hopes and fears but she was certainly getting a lot more time than she had anticipated to ponder her situation now.

And she missed Hiccup. Sure, she missed the others as well-it was certainly very quiet without having the twins around, constantly destroying things and baiting Snotlout-but the yawning gap in her life was the constant presence of the auburn-haired young Viking whose emerald eyes expressed everything even without saying the words. Thumper nudged under her ribs and her breath caught, before she smiled.

"I'll keep him or her safe, babe," she murmured. "But first, we need those ingredients..."

The old healer on Stippling had about half the ingredients...though in small quantities only, so Astrid had decided to collect everything, just in case. She wasn't sure how much of the cure she would need, so she was determined to make enough...and keep some for herself, just in case. She had Eel Pox when the bad outbreak hit Berk when they were sixteen and she had been feverish and almost delirious when Hiccup had returned from Eel Island with the ingredients, but he had gently helped her into the Great Hall and ensured that she had the second dose of the cure-after his father-and was then tucked up with her family to rest and recuperate. She had felt rotten then and couldn't imagine becoming so sick out here on her own-with Thumper to care for.

For a moment, she doubted the wisdom of what she was doing, travelling alone to a strange island to collect ingredients for a very sick Tribe to which she owed nothing. A Tribe she would need to return to and help brew the potion and deliver it to the ailing members...but even as she had the thought, she shoved it aside. She was a Dragon Rider-and they delivered assistance where needed, no matter the danger or difficulty, because that was who they were. That was who Hiccup had made them to be. And she had given her word.

Stormfly banked and swooped over the shallow bay that led into the small but verdant Healers' Isle, coming in to land by a stream that wound its way down to the beach. Gratefully, Astrid slid from the saddle and her legs wavered, muscles cramping from hours riding and she clung onto the Deadly Nadder until they recovered. Then she walked around, inspecting the area and knelt to slake her thirst with the ice-cold stream water. It was pure enough for the potion so she filled a couple of water skins to take back for the potion. And then, fishing out the simple list she had found in the dead Healer's hut, she began her quest to collect the ingredients.

She had made it about three-quarters of the way down the list when she realised that she was not alone. The island was eerily quiet, with not even the chatter of sea-birds on the beach and she wondered what was preventing them from hunting in the tidal pools as they did elsewhere in the Archipelago. There had to be something here that was keeping them away and she rolled her shoulders, feeling the comforting weight of her axe bump between her shoulder-blades, where it was safely slung. She gestured to Stormfly and the Nadder raised her head, cawing a query.

"Be alert, girl," Astrid said softly. "I don't like this at all." Stormfly chirruped and moved a few feet away, her head alert as she scanned the surroundings. Quietly, Astrid gathered another handful of Rock Blossoms, making sure she had at least three dozen for the batch of mixture she was planning to make, before moving on to the last two ingredients. She knew the eels were back on Stippling but she still needed molenuts and some nosewort. For a moment, she wished Fishlegs was here, for his extensive knowledge of botany would make the task so much easier. She could vague recall her grandmother showing her nosewort when she was a child, a herb with leaves shaped very much like a bulbous nose, that was believed to be good for colds and runny noses.

"You can find this in damp, cold places-like where you would expect to get a cold and need it," her Gramma had said and she smiled, headed down to a damp, cool gorge where the little river ran through marshy banks...that were laden with the precious herb. Awkwardly, she crouched down and began to swiftly pick the slimy grey-green leaves. A small smile lifted her lips.

"Hmm...they should call this Snotwort," she chuckled as she stowed her harvest in her bag, then rose.

She was instantly on alert, her hackles raised as she listened. There was a strong sense she wasn't alone, the edge of another creatures breathing just audible at the fringes of her hearing. Instantly, she rested her bag down and fastened the flap, then pulled her axe into her hands. Stormfly hissed, her spines raised as she turned.

"I know, girl," Astrid murmured. An answering hiss sounded and her eyes widened...and then she threw herself aside as a huge glob of steaming green liquid flew through her former position and landed just by her satchel, hissing and dissolving the moss. Looking up, Astrid growled in her throat as a Changewing appeared, its yellow eyes narrowed and fixed firmly on the pregnant woman. "Of course-it would have to be a Changewing," she grumbled, knowing how ferocious the highly territorial dragons were. "I mean, it couldn't be a couple of Terrible Terrors in search of a quiet life, could it? What am I saying? Oh Thor, I've turned into Hiccup now..." And as she spoke, she dived forward, her roll awkward but accurate enough to grab her satchel and swat the dragon hard on the nose with the flat of her axe blade, before diving away as it roared and spat more acid at her.

Stormfly screeched and launched a volley of spines at the dragon as her rider dashed away, flinging herself into the saddle and urging the Nadder to launch. Responding immediately, Stormfly flung herself into the air, dodging another mouthful of acid and rolled to avoid yet another. Astrid hung on and then threw the dragon into a tight turn, allowing her to shoot more spines and use her own flame to drive the angry Changewing back. Two spines embedded in its wing and it shied away as the rider made sure her enemy was pushed back. And then Astrid sighed, seeing the dragon turn and vanish. From this angle, she could see the compression of the mud and moss as the creature headed back for its den...and out of curiosity, she followed, not knowing what she would find.

What she was not expecting was a dozen small hatchlings and a dead mother Changewing, the babies curled against her and emitting pathetic little warbles. The remaining adult, clearly injured even before Astrid had defended herself, limped up and regurgitated a pathetically small meal of fish that wouldn't feel the babies. They were clearly newly hatched-the shards of their jewelled shells were still strewn around the little clearing-and just a bit too small to feed themselves. And the injured adult was struggling. It had clearly tried to dig up some food and Astrid recognised a number of mole nut pods that would be unpalatable to dragons-but vital for her. She paused and rested her hand of the agitated Stormfly's neck.

"I know," she murmured as the dragoon warbled. "It's never completely what you think. But I guess we can help them and they can help us..." She pulled on the dragon's spines. "C'mon, Stormfly. Let's go fishing..."

oOo

The storm lasted two days and Hiccup was getting more and more agitated, though he did his best not to show it. Chief Kjetil was insanely grateful for the assistance the three riders had offered and they were made honorary members of the Tribe in gratitude for fighting off the raiders. Heather and Dagur busied themselves helping repair damage while Hiccup busied himself completing his 'DragonEye 2'...though he was unable to test it because all his lenses were concealed close to the Edge. So after he had finished, he spoke to Kjetil and to Hjordis about Astrid. It took the woman less than a second to realise he was the man Astrid had loved and she slapped him without hesitation. Breathing hard, he accepted the blow without a word and then as the woman glared at him, he sighed.

"It wasn't my choice or my doing...and I came for her...but she had already fled. She didn't give me the time to sort it out so I could be with her. If she had waited, we could have left together...and now I am chasing her..." He shook his head. "I understand your anger. I am angry as well-at myself for not saying no quicker, at her for running, at my Dad for arranging the whole stupid thing without ever asking me, at Cami for not agreeing to break it off when she found out I didn't want to marry her and at Odin for allowing the whole thing to happen! But in the end...it is my fault. And I will have to travel to the ends of the world to put it right because she needs me. The baby needs me."

The Chief stared at him and then the woman rested a hand on his slumped shoulder.

"I understand what she saw in you," she murmured. "I mean, you are a good looking man, Hiccup-but it's your words, your sincerity that shines through. And knowing Astrid-as fierce and independent and brave as she is...it had to be a special man to snare her."

"And I was stupid enough to consider doing my duty to my Tribe above Astrid," Hiccup said with shame. He shook his head. "I love her with all my heart and I...." He closed his eyes. "Thank you," he murmured. "Thank you for being there for her when I should have been and..."

There was a sudden scratching at the door and every head snapped round. Kjetil shared a glance but Hiccup was already up, speeding to the door.

"Someone's out there," Hjordis realised but the young Viking was already pulling the door open, the blizzard of ice hitting him instantly and as he blinked, trying to shield his eyes from the ice driving into his face, something else hit him as well. He staggered back, disorientated and then fell over backwards as Heather raced forward and closed the door. The auburn-haired Viking lay on the floor with a small dragon clamped to his face.

"Ow," came the muffled protest as his dexterous hands reached up, tickled the red Terrible Terror and prised the creature from his face. There was a pause as the little dragon licked its eye and then he struck a leg out and waited. Sitting up stiffly, Hiccup untied the letter and nodded a thanks to Iggy, who flapped over to land on Toothless as he opened the paper and peered at the runes. And then he frowned.

"It's from Fishlegs," he read as Heather drifted closer, her eyes warmed with interest. "It's about Snotlout. He's vanished."

"What?" Heather gasped and even Dagur drifted closer.

"Snotnose will be fine!" he said easily but Hiccup shook his head.

"He's the Heir," he reminded the Berserker. "He took over when I left." There was a pause and Kjetil stared.

"What?" he mouthed.

"Hiccup is the son of Chief Stoick the Vast of Berk," Heather explained. "He is the rightful Heir to Berk..."

"...which explains the arranged marriage..." the Chief of Stippling said, his face filling with comprehension. "And you chose Astrid..." Hiccup nodded.

"Too late to stop her leaving," he admitted. "And Snotlout is my cousin and my replacement as Heir. If he is missing...the line of succession, which has been unbroken for three hundred years will fail..." He pressed his hand to his forehead. "And I cannot allow that to happen." Leaning forward, Heather's green eyes scanned the runes.

"He had an argument with Stoick...and Gobber...and Spitelout...and pretty much the whole of the village over who was the better Heir...and pretty much everyone voted for you so he ran off in a fit of temper and said they would all miss him..."

"Which he had done about forty times since we've been on the Edge-though he always comes back two hours later because he misses a comfortable bed to sleep in," Hiccup said tiredly.

"Fishlegs says he headed north-and then hit a storm..." Heather read. "And he guesses Snotlout must have hunkered down to ride out the storm...but he hasn't come back..."

Hiccup groaned.

"I am so close..." he sighed. "Astrid was here, a few days ago...and we know where she was heading...and I can catch up to her...but at the cost of Snotlout's life...?" Dagur clapped him on the shoulder, his face filled with false reassurance.

"I'm certain Snothat will be absolutely fine..." he said and then met Hiccup's unimpressed look. "Okay...I admit it...he may be in trouble..."

"Gah!" Hiccup buried his head in his hands. "Thor...do you ever want me to catch up with Astrid? Or is this my punishment for not going straight after her?" He sighed. "That would be just typical. I mean, I do what a good son and a good Heir should do...and I end up losing everything." He ran his fingers through his hair. "But I have to go. I just hope Odin and Thor will protect her until I can return. Until I can apologise and let her punch me and just hold her once more..." Then he finally clambered to his feet. "Toothless-we're heading back."

The Night Fury's head snapped up and he gave a quizzical warble. Hiccup rolled this eyes.

"Yeah, I know-you want to see Stormfly as much as I want to be with Astrid-but Snotlout and Hookfang are in trouble and I have confidence that Astrid and Stormfly will be able to look after themselves for the few days it will take for us to go home, find Snot and drop him off on Berk once more..."

There was an unimpressed growl. Shoulders slumping, Hiccup stared into his dragon's eyes.

"We both know this is what we have to do," he pleaded. "Look, I want to be with Astrid...but how would I feel if Snotlout died and I knew we could have saved them? If I abandoned Berk and then let their new Heir die? A Chief protects his own and I am still the leader of the Dragon Riders. Snot and Hookfang are our responsibility." He offered his hand and the Night Fury gave a reluctantly warble, then pressed his nose unhesitatingly into the boy's palm. Quietly, Hiccup dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around the dragon's neck. "Thanks, bud..."

"You're really doing this?" Heather asked, folding her arms and scowling at him. "Astrid needs you!"

"And you think I don't know that?" Hiccup asked, her, looking up. There was self-loathing in his emerald eyes and she gasped in realisation at the agonies he was suffering. "Heather-this is something I have to do. And you can stay here and look for her, if you want...but I have to ask if you'll come with me and help me save Snot from whatever mess he has gotten himself in to?"

"What kind of mess can he get himself into anyway?" Heather asked. The auburn-haired Viking sat back on his heels and sighed.

"Well...he and the twins released the Skrill from the ice block against the Chief's advice and almost destroyed the village. He brought a bunch of Changewing eggs from their island which he sold...and almost destroyed the village. He flew off in a huff, ended up smacking into a waterspout and in saving him, he and I both got marooned on Outcast Island-boy, that was fun...."

"I get your point," Heather sighed. "Okay..."

"And me?" Dagur asked with an amused smile. He wouldn't say it but he was impressed at Hiccup's decisiveness and determination, no matter the cost. The Hooligan looked up.

"I think you need to check on home," he suggested. "Windshear and Toothless are much faster than Sleuther and if we are to have any hope of reaching Snot in time, we're going to have to travel at top speed." Dagur nodded.

"I get it," he said after a pause. "I understand. Don't like it....but it makes sense..." He paused. "But call me when you need me. I will come, brother." Hiccup got to his feet and clasped his hand.

"Thanks, Dagur," he said and then yelped as he was hauled into a huge hug. He winced as the buff Berserker almost squashed him. "Air..." he groaned and Dagur finally released him.

"Take care," he advised as Hiccup carefully put Iggy into his saddlebag and swung into the saddle, checking his prosthetic was clipped into the tail assembly before he headed to the door. Heather followed him without hesitation, a smile lifting her face.

"You need me," she said and whistled for Windshear. The answering roar of the dragon told the Berserker that her dragon was waiting. Hiccup looked up and then offered Kjetil a nod of thanks.

"I have to go," he said without preamble. "My cousin, the new Heir to Berk has gone missing. But I will be back-and I will find Astrid."

"But the storm..." the Chief said and gestured helplessly. Hiccup offered him a smile as he opened the door and braced himself.

"It's in the hands of the Gods," he said and then vanished into the storm.

oOo

Stormfly was a great fisher and despite the fact she and her rider had been hard at work, gathering ingredients, she excelled at flipping up and catching fish-or snatching them from the sea. Working together, the Nadder and the Viking managed to land a large haul of fish that Astrid managed to get into a net from her saddlebags that she had brought for the ingredients. Tired, sprayed with salt and smelling of fish, they soared up and circled the shallow gulley and the desperate Changewings before they cautiously landed.

The injured Changewing roared and immediately lurched forward, eyes narrowed but Astrid fearlessly dropped to the ground, crouching with a hand extended. Cautiously, she fished a cod out of the net and held it out. The Changing growled so she tossed it slightly to one side. The dragon paused, then grabbed it and devoured it in one bite. Still tense, with Stormfly at her back, her spines raised, she grabbed another fish...and then another, tossing them further and further back towards the hatchlings which timidly came forward. She felt her lips tilt in a smile as the little dragons began to rip pieces of flesh off the offerings. Finally, she rose and grabbed the net, then strewed the fish in a wide arch towards the red dragons. Stormfly gave a little croak and bobbed her head. Then Astrid backed away.

"I mean you no harm," she said clearly. "I know you want to protect your young...as do I...but I need those nuts. I have brought you to fish in return..." She inched towards the nuts and the dragon gave a low growl..and then backed away. Cautiously, she scooped up the precious legumes and emptied them into her pack urgently before she backed away, swinging into the saddle. "Thank you," she said quietly. "And...good luck..."

The Changewing gave a growl and then turned to the babies-just as another roar sounded. Astrid's head snapped up and she saw a huge, unfamiliar dragon with a mouthful of mismatched fangs, deep purple pupilless eyes and fearsome claws. The creature was grey and black, its wings ragged but no less effective. And then it gave a strange roar that Astrid recognised.

It was the roar Toothless used to locate objects in the dark.

That dragon is blind.

And at that moment, the monster snapped round to face the girl and the Nadder and she tightened her grip on her axe.

"Where are Hiccup or Fishlegs when you could use them?" she asked. "Thor, I know they would love this. Some new dragon-which I'm sure they would have wanted to have checked on the DragonEye if it wasn't destroyed in the volcano-and they could geek over it to their hearts' content..."

The dragon roared and the Changewing noticeably cringed. Astrid's glared hardened.

"It is blind and uses sound to locate us," she murmured. "Stormfly-can you fire spines over to the far side of the gulley?" The Nadder immediately complied and the impact of the spines loosened stones that bounced and banged to the rocky ground, causing the strange dragon to turn away, roaring and spitting a yellowish liquid that erupted into flames as soon as it coated the rocks. Eyes widening, she gestured and Stormfly fired again, misdirecting the dragon. Four more times it fired before it could attack no more.

"He's empty," she murmured. Five shot limit. And as she thought it, they took off, circling the dragon and taunting it with screeching roars that had it bellowing an empty challenge. The Changewing babies were cringing as well. "NOW!" Stormfly raked the dragon with her fire and it shrieked in rage, taking off to try to attack the dragon that was tormenting it. But Astrid flipped Stormfly round and more spines impacted around it, causing more rocks to shatter. Roaring in distress, the dragon shook its head. Astrid slammed her axe against the walls of the gully, causing the sound to echo back and forth dissonantly and the Changewing roared as well before attacking the interloper. Finally, it took flight and Stormfly followed until it finally headed away from the island, not looking back. Hovering, the young woman looked down, feeling Thumper jab her under the ribs. Below, the Changelings looked up and the hatchlings gave small cries of relief, fluttering up and down and chirruping. The surviving adult gave a fierce roar...but Stormfly replied spiritedly and the other dragon lowered its head and gave a small warble, sitting by its dead mate.

"I understand," Astrid said quietly. "I think it's gone...but you know what to do now." She smiled. "Good luck!"

And with the chirps and roars of farewell still echoing after them, they soared up into the sky, saddle bags bulging finally with all the ingredients they needed and heading back for the uncertainties of Stippling...and the raging outbreak of Eel Pox...