Waking with a groan, Hiccup takes in his surroundings. He's in a cell. Again.

"Please! Let me out! I need a heale-" Once again, his words are cut off by a scream, bringing the pain back.

"Guys, he's awake!" The shouts of Vikings fill his already pounding head.

"Healer!" Hiccup manages to muster out one word before passing out again, his vibrant green eyes rolling back into his head.

Astrid begins barking orders. "Gothi! Someone get Gothi! Fishlegs, get that bucket of water! Snotlout, stop flirting with me!"

Grinning, Snotlout acts much too full of himself for Astrids liking. "You know you can't resist me, babe. I'll get you one day." Astrid knees him in the gut, and the male Viking grains while falling over.

"Astrid?"

"Think again, honey." Astrid states, with sarcasm dropping off her words like venom.

"Astrid, Gothi is here!"

"Um, Astrid?"

"What do you need, Fishlegs?" Astrid roars at the quivering boy.

"I, um, got the water." Astrid brushes him off.

"We don't need that anymore. Someone said Gothi was here?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Cut the act, muttonheads. Gothi, you have to help Dragon Boy." The twins smirk at Astrids insult, and Gothi nods in understanding of what she is to do. She enters the cage, and lifts up the shirt. Gasping, she turns and runs. Everyone stares at where Gothi had been, not knowing the old woman could run so quickly. She came back in a few moments, carrying various herbs and medicines. She takes off the shirt completely, shocking everyone again. He has even more scars than last time, and one place on his side is pulsing with what seems to be poison. The roar from another cage startles them all out of their stunned state. Dragon Boys pet was whining in pain as he saw what the strangers condition was like. The only reason the Vikings hadn't harmed it yet was because of Astrid. She reminded them that Dragon Boy would get quite angry if his creature was hurt. Turing her attention back to Gothi, Astrid watches as the healers hands are nearly invisible, due to the speed at which she moves. When she finally finishes, she writes something in the dirt. Gobber comes up and translates for us.

"She says not to disturb him, and that he will get better if we make sure that the bandage doesn't come off."

*~~~*

Seven days later, wakes up. Realizing that he is still alive, he rejoices.

"I'm not dead!" At the roar, two things happen. First, Astrid comes running over to Hiccup, her face laced with relief. Second, Toothless jumps up and prances around at the recovery of his friend.

"Dragon Boy! You're alive!"

"Hiccup! I told you we should have stayed away from that stupid Drago!"

"I know Bud, I know." Hiccup turns to face the Viking in front of his cage.

"You can speak sort of normally!"

"I've been practicing. Will you let me out?"

"Sorry, chief says we can't. Oh, and by the way, you're having another trial. This afternoon."

"Really? What did I do this time?"

"Let me see... First, you flew off after having agreed to stay here. Second, I don't know. Chief just doesn't like you very much."

"Why would he like me? I'm just a freak to him." Astrid sighs, knowing she has to get going.

"I'll see you later, Dragon Boy." She turns around and is about to leave, when Hiccup calls out to her.

"Hiccup."

"What?"

"Call me Hiccup. I trust you enough to not tell anyone else my real name." Astrid nods weirdly at Hiccup.

"Alright. Whatever you say, Drago-" Hiccup stiffens noticeably. "I mean, Hiccup." She turns around, ready to go again, and this time, she really does leave.

*~~~*

Hours have passed, and the sun is no longer hanging overhead. The noise of a rusty cage opening rudely awakes Hiccup from a peaceful sleep.

"Come on, laddie." Gobber sighs, knowing he might not cooperate. Oddly enough, though, the boy nods eagerly and follows the blacksmith out placidly. Stoicks booming voice begins the trial.

"Before we question you, do you have anything you would like to say?" Hiccup smiles, knowing that this is going to be fun.

"Certainly! First of all, thank you for saving me. Without the treatment I was given, I would have died in less than a day. Second of all, thank you for not hurting Toothless. For both your sakes and mine. Third of all-"

"Enough!" By this time, Stoicks face was a pleasant shade of red.

"Why, though? Didn't you ask me to say something?" Hiccups face looks as innocent as ever. "I was only answering your question!" Grumbling, Stoick lets the subject drop.

"Dragon Boy, you have been charged with freeing a dragon. You have also been charged with riding a dragon. Do you oppose any of these accusations?" Smiling, Hiccup once again surprises the crowd.

"Nope! I everything you said I did. Also, you might want to know that I used some of your leather earlier."

"What?" Gobber cries out, looking panicked.

"No, I was just kidding! But yeah, I freed a dragon, and ride a dragon. Is that it?" Stoick was positively glowing by this time.

"You, boy, are sentenced  to-" A large noise cuts him
"Come out, boy! You know you can't resist a fight! You WILL help me take control over them! Or are you too scared?" Hiccup jumps up in alarm, paling considerably.

"Stay here. It isn't safe. I can deal with... him. Then you can sentence me with whatever." Easily breaking the chains holding him, he walks to his dragon.

"I'll be back soon." With everyone staring in awe, Hiccup breaks the cage open, and mounts Toothless.

"Wait boy! I'm not done with you!" Stoick roars in rage, but the young man had already fled outside. "What are we standing here for? We need to get him!" Astrid, who had been watching the whole scene play out, gulps in nervousness. Snotlout, being the stupid guy he is, sidles up to her.

"Don't worry babe, I'll-" A fist hits his face.

"Shut up." The blond girl seethes at him, before stalking off. Rubbing his aching jaw, Snotlout mutters under his breath. "What's up with her?"

The truth was, Astrid didn't know why she felt nervous. As she went outside, however, it was a different story.

"What do you want, Drago? You know as well as I do that I won't ever help you." Drago laughs cruelly at the stubborn boy. "What's so funny? Do I have something on my face?" Hiccup mocks.

"Oh boy, I can and will get your help. Oh, you'll see. You will!" With that, Hiccup's sworn enemy begins to laugh harder.

"Again, what's so funny, One-Arm?" Drago's laughter comes to an abrupt stop.

"What did you call me?"

"You heard me, One-Arm."

"Do you value the loves of these people?" Hiccup, for the first time, looks startled.

"What's with the subject change, One-Arm?"

"Stop calling me that, Hiccup!"

Hiccup has gotten annoyed by now, and begins to mock Drago again. "Stop calling me that!"

"One last chance. Do you value their lives?" Brushing off the question, Hiccup answers quickly. Almost too quickly.

"Nope." Sensing a lie, Drago decides to test this piece of information.

"So you wouldn't care if I did this?" Drago grabs at the nearest person, who happens to be Astrid, and holds her own axe to her neck.

"Don't!" Hiccup cries out, but Drago increases the pressure the second he takes a step towards him and his captive.

"Come with me with no resistance, and I won't kill her." Hiccup gulps, knowing he has no choice.