Holding onto the hardened gronkle lava and axe tightly, Hiccup bitterly clambered up towards the cave.

Astrid didn't want me to even know about their camp, let alone where it was, let alone join. I'm that much of a screw-up.

Hiccup clenched his jaw. Fine then! When he not only survived, but was the one that got rid of the night fury problem, they'd all see that he wasn't useless!

By now, the sun was beginning to set. Dusk covered the island in a warm purple glow. Leaves rustled and twigs snapped underfoot, but Hiccup was too bitter to care about attracting any dragons.

Avoiding the stream, Hiccup managed to get to the cave without a confrontation. He collapsed by the ashes of the fire, dropping the axe and gronkle lava. Squawking, Throggsjorn flared his wings and sniffed at the clump of metal.

Hiccup sighed, smiling despite himself. "Hey there, little guy."

Throggsjorn nuzzled Hiccup's side, wagging his tail. Drinking the remaining water from his flask, Hiccup picked himself back up and glanced at the late afternoon sky. If he was quick, he should be able to refill his water supply before the night fury ventured out.

Patting Throggsjorn's head, Hiccup left the cave and began for the stream. He brought his flask and axe, using the latter to help him clamber down the boulders quicker.

It wasn't long before he reached the small clearing where the stream ran through. Hiding in the bushes, he scanned for any sign of the monstrous nightmares.

Nothing.

Hiccup stepped into the open, feeling uneasy, as if he was being watched. He crouched by the water and silently filled the flask, heart beating faster.

Something's definitely here.

The ground beside the stream was patchy, with uneven indents scorched into the soil. Hiccup strained his eyes, squinting. He thought he saw a line, a flicker of movement, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared.

Having filled his flask, Hiccup carefully stood up, holding his breath.

The air was still. Not even the leaves rustled. The only sound was the slight trickling of water.

Steeling his nerves, Hiccup began walking backwards towards the cave, having attached the flask to his belt.

Leaves crunched from across the stream. Hiccup's eyes widened and he hid behind a boulder. Taking a breath, he glanced at the stream.

A silvery line slithered towards the water. All of a sudden, Hiccup realised what it was.

Changewing.

Barely breathing, he watched as the dragon revealed itself, the red scales striking against the green foliage. Deciding to vanish while the dragon was distracted, Hiccup crept from boulder to boulder, managing to put a small amount of distance between him and the changewing.

There was another outline. Hiccup stilled.

Of course there's another; changewings are pack dragons!

Hiccup spotted another three outlines, all of which headed towards the stream. One by one, they revealed themselves. The first changewing greeted the others with a low roar, sitting upright and acting as a look out as the other three drank.

It turned towards Hiccup.

He ducked behind the tree. Listening closely, he heard the sound of crunching leaves. The dragon was approaching.

Hiccup thought fast. If he moved to another source of cover, he'd make a sound and they'd all attack. If he didn't, he'd get spotted and they'd attack. Great.

A twig snapped right in front of the tree.

Hiccup held his breath and slowly crouched down, picking up a small rock. He tossed it to the side.

The changewing snarled, vanishing and following the sound. Hiccup didn't relax, immediately climbing up the tree.

Boiling acid blasted where the rock had landed as the changewing realised what had happened.

Hiccup didn't dare climb higher, too afraid to make a sound. He watched as the four changewings disappeared.

Debris crunched and twigs snapped around the tree. Hiccup's heart was beating so loud he was sure it would give him away.

One changewing reappeared directly below him, red scales glistening.

It sniffed at the air. Hiccup gulped silently.

There was silence. Nothing moved.

A breeze rustled the trees. Maybe it would spread his scent?

The changewing growled low on its throat, scratching the tree as it turned. Another responded with a similar sound.

Facing away from him, the changewing laid down and turned itself invisible. Hiccup couldn't tell where the others were or even if they'd stayed, but he guessed they were trying to track him like a boar.

Boars can't climb, surely it won't spot me as long as I don't make a sound, Hiccup hoped, sending a silent prayer to the Gods.

The breeze returned, icy cold. Hiccup resisted the urge to shiver, gaze never leaving the silvery outline of the changewing. He tried to think logically.

The changewing's falling asleep. If I wait long enough, maybe...

The sky darkened and the night set in. The changewing had yet to move, but a small draconic snore had escaped it. It was almost cute, but the trying-to-track-him-like-prey ruined it.

Hiccup maneuvered the axe out of the way and took his hands off the upper branches, silently climbing down. Leaves crunched underfoot and he froze.

The changewing's tail swished, but it didn't wake up.

Hiccup climbed the boulders, using them to avoid the noisy debris. He stepped slowly, not daring to speed up.

A small area of woodland was between the boulders and the path up to the cave. Gritting his teeth, Hiccup slid down the boulders and gradually stepped down onto the floor.

The leaves crumpled.

The changewing stirred, subconsciously reappearing. Hiccup's palms were sweaty and his grip tightened on the axe as he cautiously took another step.

No response.

Growing in confidence, Hiccup continued.

Snap!

Hiccup stilled as he stepped on a dead branch. The changewing jolted, flaring its wings. It sniffed at the tree but noticed that the sent was gone.

Growling, it shifted its attention to where the sound had come from. Hiccup's heart was pounding. He couldn't see the changewing's face from here, so maybe-

An earth-shattering roar erupted in the forest. Hiccup screamed, darting into action. Burning acid landed behind him.

Hiccup clambered half hazardously over the boulders, holding the axe between the changewing and him. Green acid coated the boulder and Hiccup skidded to a halt, climbing upwards and skipping out that section of the path.

Furious, the changewing roared, the sound filling the entire island. Several similar roars echoed the first and Hiccup's heart filled with dread. The others were coming.

Sprinting over the rocks, Hiccup ducked under acid and charged for the cave. The changewing scurried after him, unable to get airborne between the trees and cliff edge.

Acid landed on his helmet and Hiccup threw it off. He could just about spot the cave.

Something blurred in front of him.

"Squark!"

Hiccup stopped, jaw dropping. Throggsjorn dived at the changewing, hitting its wing with fire.

"No!"

Distracted, the changewing fired upwards, but Throggsjorn was too quick. He twisted in the air, using the low hanging tree branches for cover.

Hiccup ran for the cave, feeling guilty. He ascended until he was above the pair and grabbed the axe.

"Throggsjorn!" he called, and the tiny dragon flew to the side. Hiccup threw the axe, the blade slicing the sky in two.

It landed harmlessly beside the changewing.

"Oh come on!"

Hiccup continued running, making a break for the cave. Throggsjorn flew beside him, firing at the changewing from all angles.

Snarling in confusion, the changewing spat the last of its acid blasts randomly. It howled, searching desperately for its prey.

Hiccup and Throggsjorn made it to the cave, put of breath. Hiccup hid the entrance with vines and pressed his back against the deepest part of the cave.

A silhouette of the changewing projected against the vines, illuminated by the moon. It paused and sniffed, before scurrying away.

Hiccup collapsed against the floor of the cave. Throggsjorn cooed, nuzzling his arm.

"Thanks little guy," he said between breaths, "you really saved my skin out there.'

Throggsjorn seemed to glow from the praise and Hiccup chuckled.

"You guys sure are loyal, huh. When protecting your pack."

Throggsjorn didn't respond, already asleep. Hiccup gave him a couple pets before following his lead and shutting his eyes.

***

Hi! As always, thanks for reading! I also wanted to say thanks to Whiplash246 and browhal1 for commenting and voting!

What do we think of Throggsjorn's daring rescue?

How would you have handled the changewings? I'm pretty sure I'd try to sneak past and then get shot ngl

Next part tomorrow!