Berk's BIG Problem

A Forest Within The Cave

"I spy, with my little eye - something beginning with the letter 'T'."

"Is it tree?" Replied a bored Tammy.

"Yes! How do you figure it out so quickly."

"Because we are COMPLETELY SURROUNDED BY THEM!" Exclaimed Tammy.

"Ah, but I could have said your name, which begins with the letter 'T', or a type of tree like a tamarack, or a tanoak, or even a tupelo! Have you seen its pink leaves in spring? They're so gorgeous!"

As Lily-Rae bragged on about trees, Hiccup looked down at Tammy who met his gaze.

"How do you handle her?" He mouthed.

"I don't." Came the simple silent reply. Hiccup chuckled at this dry humour.

"What are you chuckling about?" Hiccup immediately stopped as he looked down at Lily-Rae. She looked like a four year old girl doing an angry pout with her arms crossed.

"I wasn't."

"Oh really?"

"Hmm-hum."

She still didn't look impressed.

"Oh cheer up Lily!" Contended Tammy who shouldered her side, "at least he's less stressed out. It's better to laugh than pout."

"Whatever." Lily-Rae angrily mumbled, turning away and continuing her path. Tammy looked up at Hiccup who shrugged with an eyebrow raised. Silence cascaded over them. It was quiet peaceful and Hiccup's consciousness relaxed in the gentle breeze that smoothed over his skin. It felt really good.

So good in fact, that he walked straight into a tree.

The tree shook, a handful of green leaves drifting down to the ground. A couple of angry tweets tweeted from high above. Hiccup pinched his nose as a couple drops of blood slid down his fingers.

"Stupid tree. Sorry up there."

"Are you alright? That looked like it hurt?" Asked a concerned Tammy.

"I'm fine. Oh gods." He said as he looked at his bloody hand.

"What? What's happened?"

"You haven't got any tissues, have you?"

"Erm, Lily-Rae?"

"Yeah Tam?"

"Do you have any tissues?"

"Why do you need- oh you've got to be kidding me!" She blurted out.

"Well do you?" Requested Hiccup.

"Let me check my pockets."

"You have pockets?" Asked a surprised Tammy.

"Yeah."

"Since when?"

"Since I made this outfit a few years ago, thank you very much." She replied sassily, reaching into her pockets. "Sorry, I must've left them at the den. But we can't worry about that right now, we've got to get you hid then look for tissues. The cave isn't that far away, so we've got to get on the path again."