First Friends

Chapter 6

I pushed myself up and tried to walk. I stopped when I heard a slight clink and looked down at my right paw. My heart sank, and I looked up with mournful eyes at Hiccup and Stoick. My young master gasped when he saw my missing paw.

"There was nothing we could do to save it, so we did what we thought was best other than," he paused, casting about for the appropriate word, "doing away with you."

I looked down again at my new metal paw, not much more than a peg with a flat metal pan and fake claws made of iron. Hiccup pulled me onto his lap before wincing and pushing me away. I watched him, temporarily forgetting my new appendage, and burbled in concern.

"I-I'll be okay, Tiger. I'm just sore," he gasped, clutching his belly where the bandages were quickly turning a very scary red. I nudged him down gently and wriggled under his head, making myself his pillow. I was big enough now, so he wasn't scared of hurting me. It took a bit of adjusting on my part to get used to the feel of the metal leg under my chin, but I recovered fairly quickly and gave him a quick lick on the forehead, grooming him and letting him know I was there. Then I laid my head down and fell asleep.