"I Do.... NOT!!"

Chapter 3: Night Fury Help

                           .....Astrid's POV....

Hazy consciousness stole into my mind and I slowly became aware of a small hand holding my hand. I turned my head to see Boreal curled up on a pile of pine needles, sleeping heavily. I looked at his tear and dirt smudged face, breathing a deep sigh of relief to see him safe and peaceful. I turned my head the other way to see a crackling fire and a large black dragon shape silhouetted against it.

     The dragon shifted and turned to look at me. I gasped as his deep green eyes met mine. He cocked his head and made a low purr. I sat up and then fell back down, gasping in pain. My leg stung and throbbed from the morning's disasters. I then noticed a fur blanket that was placed over me. The night fury stepped over the fire and came to sniff my bandaged leg, then took the edge of the fur blanket in his mouth and moved it back up over my shoulders.

      I reached out a hand to touch his smooth black scales, but he jerked away, crouching with one leg in the fire and his eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry... this doesn't look like you're trying to eat me." I told him, and closed my eyes. Exhaustion was sweeping over me again. The night fury shook his head and lumbered out of the cave while making a series of low grunts and growls.

     I didn't know how much time had passed, but the next time I opened my eyes, the cave opening was dark and the fire the night fury was tending danced brightly. Boreal was awake and squealing with delight as the night fury moved his tail about and Boreal tried to catch it. I smelled good food and my stomach rumbled. As if the night fury had heard it, it brought over a wooden slab in it's mouth with some wonderful smelling fish and an assortment of cooked greens from the woods.
   
     I thanked it and quickly devoured the fish. I studied the night fury closely as I finished the amazing greens. Since when did dragons cook amazing food and save humans from other dragons? Where did this beast come from? Boreal saw me smiling at his antics and came to sit by me. "Is your leg better?" He asked me eagerly. I pulled back my fur blanket and we both winced at the dirtied bandage. "I don't think so Boreal... This will take some time." I told him.

      We sat together in calm silence, with the night fury occasionally bringing in wood with his mouth to tend the fire. Eventually it walked over to me and carefully moved my blankets aside. It lifted it's head and made a low moaning noise at me, as if it was apologizing for something. I cocked my head and studied it, then Boreal pulled on my arm. "I think it wants to help your leg." He said, looking intently at the bandage. "Uh... Should I try to take off the bandage?" I asked.

     The night fury and Boreal both bobbed thier heads yes, so I gingerly pulled the bandage of bit by bit, wincing and crying softly as the painful ordeal finished. The night fury sniffed the wound and moaned again, sounding like it was trying to tell me something. The dragon circled me and nudged Boreal aside, making a gentle warbling noise.

        Boreal stepped aside and I swallowed nervously. What was the dragon trying to do?
In one smooth movement the dragon pinned my arms with his paws and began licking my wound. The pain was terrible and for a moment I could only squeak in surprise. Then my brain caught up with what was happening, and I started screaming. Boreal stared, frozen in fear as the dragon continued licking my wounds. The excruciating pain lasted a few moments more before I lost consciousness.

                          The next morning.....

The smell of campfire and fish slowly pulled me from a fitful sleep, full of nightmares and random stabbing pains from my leg. I tried to sit but gasped in pain and stayed flat when my body refused to cooperate. Boreal was playing with the night fury again, running around it's large body and hiding from it's curious gaze. The dragon shuffled about and kept hiding it's face from Boreal, like it was trying to play hide and seek... The dragon caught my eye then and warbled in greeting, slowly coming over to sniff at me and tug my fur blanket back. My leg still throbbed, but I could see the bandages had been freshly washed, dried, and put back in place.

       I stared in awe at the dragon, now with it's head cocked and watching me with big, curious green eyes. I had to admit, this dragon was beautiful, and strangely friendly.
     Suddenly, the night fury's large black ears stood up straight and he started intently at the cave entrance. He dove away from the entrance further into the black recesses of the cave and went totally silent. The familiar voice of Snotlout's father perked my ears and I cried out, "We're in here!" Footsteps soon sounded at the entrance and several burly vikings rushed toward Boreal and I.

     "Aye Las! Where ya been?! Yer village was worried sick." Spitelout said. "Boreal and I managed to escape the dragons. I've only got a leg wound. It will heal in time," I said, accepting his help up. I winced and stayed on one leg, my wounded one dragging helplessly. "That's a mite big leg wound," Gobber told me as he positioned a stretcher under me.

     "Please let's get out of this cave." I told him, worried for the night fury hiding in the back of our cave. The two Vikings hoisted me up and carried me out, with Boreal following close behind. As we joined the main party Snotlout rushed up to me and gawked at my leg. "Gosh what did that beast do to you?! Where is it! Let me at em'!" Snotlout yelled, looking around him with his axe poised.

     "It's dead, no thanks to you." I snapped, slowly laying down on the cot. "Gee. No thanks at all for my telling them to check the cave?" Snotlout whined. "If you had payed better attention in battle she wouldn't be in the cave in the first place!" Stoick's booming voice spoke. He slapped the back of Snotlout's helmet as he passed, sending Snotlout into the nearest bush. "Whatever. We're safe now. Can we go?" I begged, eager to see the rest of my family.

     Stoick nodded and the party headed off, back to Berk. After a painful and slow trip up to my familie's hut- Ruffnut, one of the Thorston twins, helped me hobble to my bed. My mother wrapped me in a big hug as I sank slowly to my bed. "Oh my precious girl! I knew you'd beat that beast. You've got the strength of a dragon and the heart of a chieftess, but I was so worried." I groaned and closed my eyes, trying to keep myself from screaming.

     Try as I might, the moment Gothi touched my leg I shrieked, unable to contain the pain. I felt hands holding me down as the bandage was removed and I struggled to rise. It hurt so bad! I heard gasps and concerned murmuring around me, and after several minutes of Gothi and Gobber working on my leg I passed out- unable to handle the pain.