I ran away for good... I think...

Chapter 19

Hiccup's Pov:

Toothless and I have just arrived back at the Edge after leaving Berk a couple of hours ago. I left when Thali had fallen back to sleep and left mum and Astrid watching over till I get back. The first thing I do after arriving back is to seek out Eret to make sure everything is alright. I found Eret in the Clubhouse with a few other dragon riders.

"Eret," I said as I walked in. "Hiccup. How is Thalia?" Eret asked. "Not too good. She is getting sicker by the hour. Berk's Healer said it is something called Children Influenza patently it is like Eel Pox, but it is an illness that only children can get and can make them extremely sick." I explained. "So, is there a cure for this sickness?" Eret asked me.

"Gothi doesn't know of a cure. So, I have sent Heather and Dagur to the Defenders of the Wing to speak to Mala and their Healer as they had something similar go around the children a year ago. And see if they know anything about a cure" I said. "

Fair enough. So, what has bought you back here? I thought you would not leave Thalia's side at all." Eret said with a smirk on his face. "Ha-ha, very funny. I came to get a few things and Thalia wants her Bubbles." I said with a smile on my face. "So, what are you looking at there?" I asked him. "I sent scouts out this morning after Heather, Dagur and Valka left at dawn and they have just come back."

"Who did you send out to scout?" I asked Eret. "I sent out Freya, Ingrid, Magnus, and Bjorn but...?

"But??" I asked. "But only Freya and Magnus came back," Eret said. "What about Ingrid and Bjorn? Where are they?" I asked starting to get worried about what he might say. "But Ingrid and Bjorn have not come back." He stated. "When were they meant to be back?" I asked him. "They should have been back 4 hours ago," Eret said with worry lacing his voice.

'Shit. This is not good, not good at all. What happens if they have been caught by Dragon Hunters.' I thought. "Okay, Okay. Let us not worry too much, they could have stopped off at an Island to rest or they are staking out one of the Hunters ships." I said trying not to think that something has happened to them.

"We give them until tomorrow to come back and if they don't, we then send out a search team to go and look for them," I demanded. "Got it Chief," Eret said. "You don't have to call me Chief you know, that right?" I said. "Oh, we know but you kinda are the Chief Hiccup. You run this Island." Eret said. I nodded knowing it was true.

"Right I am going to send a letter to Berk to let Mum know that I am staying here for the night. I am not going back until Ingrid and Bjorn are back safely." I said. Eret just nodded then I walked out of the Clubhouse to go and send a letter to my Mother and one to Astrid on Berk.

Astrid's Pov:
It was starting to get dark out and Hiccup was still not back from the Edge. Since he left, I have not left Thalia's side at all. She hasn't woken up again yet and if she does, I would not know what to say. Valka left an hour ago to go and see Stoick so, I am alone with Thalia at the moment. It was about 10 minutes later when the Chief and Valka came back to the house.

"Hiccup still not back yet?" Stoick asked. I just shook my head and was starting to get worried. "I am sure he is fine. Something must have happened on the Edge if he isn't back yet." Valka explained. Just then a Terrible Terror flew in through the window and landed in front of me on the bed. I noticed it had two letters tied to its leg. I reached forward and untied the letters then the Terrible Terrie took off and flew back out the window.

"There is one for you Valka," I said passing her the letter. She took it from me and started to read it. "Hiccup is going to be staying at the Edge for the night," Valka said. "Why?" Asked Stoick. "According to Hiccup 2 of our scouts at the Edge left this morning and haven't come back yet. Patently they were meant to be back at midday. And if they are not back by tomorrow morning, he will be sending the search team out." Valka explained.

"What does that mean if they haven't come back yet?" I asked. "It means Astrid that they have either been caught by Dragon Hunters or they could be in trouble," Valka said. "Val, who are these Dragon Hunters that you have mentioned?" Stoick asked his wife. "I want to know too. Hiccup mentioned them to Heather and Dagur before the left and I asked him about them, and he just shut me down." I said.

"Hiccup doesn't really like to talk about them. He has had quite a few runs in with them over the years. The Dragon Hunters are led by brothers called Viggo and Ryker Grimborn they trap and capture dragons and sell them for a profit. Hiccup would attack their ships to free the dragons that they had captured." Valka explained. "Hiccup has been dealing with these Hunters for how long Val?" Stoick asked.

"For about 6 years he has been dealing with them. Viggo knows how to get under Hiccup's skin and he plays with Hiccups mind through a game called Maces and Talons." Valka said. I didn't even know what to say about what Valka had told us, then I remembered my own letter in my hand from Hiccup.

Astrid,

As you probably heard from Mum, I am staying here on the Edge for the night. Eret told me that two of our scouts Ingrid and Bjorn went out this morning to scout the Islands around us and they have not come back yet. We are going to wait until tomorrow till we what to worry about. I don't know when I will be back it could be tomorrow night or could be in a couple of days. I will not be leaving here until I know they are back safely. Could you please look after Thalia until I get back? I need someone I know that I trust to keep an eye on her for me. I know Mum will be busy helping Dad probably with the Village but if you need anything just let her know and she will help you. Tell Thali that I love her and will be back soon. I love you M'Lady take care.

Love,
Hiccup

"When did Hiccup say he will be back?" Stoick asked Valka. "He doesn't know when he will be back. He said it could be tomorrow night on in a couple of days." I said before Valka could. "But what about his daughter?" Stoick asked us. "He has asked me to keep an eye on her. I mean when Hiccup and I marry she will be my daughter so I might as well start getting to know my daughter." I stated.

"That is fine, but you need to eat something Astrid. You have been in here since Hiccup left." Stoick told me. "Come down to the Great Hall for a while and get some food. She will be fine on her own for a while." Valka said. I nodded to agree to know that they both are right. I need to eat, and Thalia would be fine as she is still asleep.

"You can bring some food back for her just in case she is hungry as she hasn't eaten anything since last night," Valka stated. I kissed Thalia on the forehead then stood up and followed Stoick and Valka out the door and the three of us started the walk to the Great Hall.