I Love You to the Edge and Back (A How to Train your Dragon Fanfiction)

Chapter Seven: Betrothed on the Edge

Astrid was jolted awake by a tremendous quake shaking the Edge, followed by a deafening roar. She jumped out of bed, heading towards the window. When she got there, she wished she hadn't woken up at all. Hiccup's hut was on fire, the attacker retreating on the back of a dragon. Hiccup was all she thought about as she descended the stairs, taking two at a time.

Time felt to slow down as Astrid picked up an axe, and exited her hut. Her body seemed to move of its own accord, as she could only think of one thing. Finding Hiccup and bringing him to safety. What he did just months ago when she lost her sight.

By the time she got there, the other Riders were already there,  trying to get to Hiccup. The door would not open, no matter what they tried. "Can't a dragon blast it?" Astrid asked, voice laced with a mixture of hope and regret.

"No. It's made of the same fabric as the Dome. No dragon is getting through it," Fishlegs replied, looking solemnly at the door.

Just then, a support beam cracked, taking the hut down with it. All of the Riders took cover behind their dragons, avoiding debris as it fell. When the hut was done crashing, the dragons and Riders pulled various items off the Night Fury, who had enveloped Hiccup in his wings.

Toothless looked up, upon realizing they were out of danger, let Astrid take him. "Snotlout, send a message to Gothi. Hiccup is hurt," Astrid said, checking for a pulse. Thankfully, it was there, though it was rather weak.

"Be honest with me Gobber. How much time does he have?" Astrid asked, looking at what Gothi had written in the sand.

"Well, all she says is that he'll live. So, there is nothing to worry about," Gobber said, looking over at the Chief who kneeled by his son's bedside. Hiccup had taken residence in Astrid's hut while his was being rebuilt.

"Ah, poor Chief. As soon as the T. Mail came he's been worried sick about Hiccup," Gobber said, hook waving in the air. His blue eyes were clouded with concern for the Chief, and his son. "You know. I've seen him go face to face with the nastiest of dragons. He's faced fire so big, we thought he'd never survive. The poor man even watched his wife being carried off by a dragon. But never, ever have I seen him so scared."

Astrid's eyes widened. She never realized how much Stoick was, well, stoic. Sure, she knew he loved Hiccup, but not to the point of being scared. Stoick the Vast was never scared.

After a couple of minutes watching the Chief silently watch his son, Astrid left to go oversee Hiccup's hut being rebuilt. When Astrid got there, Barf and Belch were helping Hookfang raise one of the walls. That led one question to come across Astrid's mind. Who would do this?

Her question was answered as an Outcast ship was seen nearing the Edge. Astrid met them on the docks, surprised when they gave her a poster. "Have you seen this woman? She rides a dragon, and has been attacking leaders of villages, armies, and anything else there's a leader of. Worst of all, she's extremely accurate," he said. "Alvin barely escaped with his life."

"Yeah, we've been hit," Astrid said, gesturing to the rebuilding process behind her. The Outcast's eyes widened as they took off there helmets. "Alvin will be here as soon as possible. Is the Chief here?" They asked.

"Yeah. Their in my hut watching Hiccup. Do you know who attacked us?" She asked.

"Yes. Her name is Gerta. Gerta Grimborne. Her father was Viggo, or Ryker. I'm not sure which. We arrested her once she came on the island. And, in true Hunter fashion, she escaped. I'm guessing she's trying to avenge their deaths," he said. He sent his partner to go get Alvin from the ship.

"My sincerest apologies, Stoick. If there is anything we can get for his recovery, I'll send a team right away," Alvin said, sitting beside Stoick.

"No, no, its quite alright. Gothi says he just needs rest, and he'll be fine by morning."

"You aren't going to launch an attack on us, will ya Stoick. I don't think I want to go back to the old ways of fighting. I like being friends instead of enemies," Alvin pleaded.

"No Alvin. I ain't launching an attack. It ain't your fault the Grimborne family is crazy and power-hungry," Stoick replied. "And besides, Hiccup is still alive and doing okay. It isn't the first time I've sat and watched him while he's unconscious. Take when he lost his leg, for example. He didnt come around for a couple of days. Its only been a day," Stoick said.

"Alright then. I must be going to warn the Berserker Tribe. If you need anything, just T-Mail me," he said, getting up. Stoick nodded, and went back to watching Hiccup.

That night, with Gobber's help, Hiccup's hut was rebuilt. The Riders helped get Hiccup into his hut, moving the bed closer to Toothless's stone.  That way, they would know when Hiccup woke up. Stoick took residence by the door, guarding it in case anyone tried to finish Hiccup off.

The next hour or two was uneventful, Hiccup stirred every once and awhile, and everyone else was on edge, ready if an attack came. They went so fare as to sleep in their saddles, so they would be as efficient as possible. Their main priority was not comfort, it was guarding Hiccup.

After four hours of trying to sleep, Astrid called it quits. She crept over to Hiccup's hut to help his father. After saying hello to him, she headed upstairs where Toothless was watching Hiccup intently. "I know bud. Just let him sleep," Astrid said.

Just then, Hiccup's eyes fluttered open. He screamed, backing away from Astrid. "Who are you, and where am I?" Hiccup asked. Astrid turned to the Riders that entered the room, and said the four words no one wanted to hear.

"I think Hiccup lost his memory."