Between Waves and Clouds

32 - The hunt

Nuffink didn't manage to get some sleep, that night. No mattered how many time he told himself Frost was with Tooth, he couldn't help but wait for his return to finally calm down. Why did he had this nagging feeling something had happened ? Was it because of Selina's reaction ? She had seemed so worried when he had her he was searching for the boy.

He spent half of the night straining his ears in hopes to hear the slightest sound coming from downstairs. A whine from the door, a creak from the wooden floor, ruffling from fur blankets, some footsteps or grumbling dragon... the slightest sound. But he heard none, and it felt like forever before sleep finally claimed him.

Astrid awoke in a jolt when the bed was suddenly lifted and she fell harshly on the floor. She quickly got back on her feet and took a defensive pose to strike back whomever attacked her. Though she dropped it as she recognized Toothless. His paws were covered in sand and salt residues, he had spread some of it on the floor and even on the blankets.

Visibly, he had been trying to wake her up for a while before resorting to lift the bed. The chieftess groaned and rolled her shoulders, trying to sooth the pain on her back, she was about to scold her husband's dragon but she noticed said husband was not there.

Toothless whined and nudged her stomach before jumping through the window. Sun had barely risen and the silent streets indicated no one was up yet. The blonde frowned, wondering what was up with the dragon, then worry built up in her mind and chest. Why was Hiccup not here ? She quickly dressed up and left her bedroom.

She was heading towards the main door but stopped as she noticed the crafted bed on the corner of the room. It was empty. The blankets hadn't even moved during the night. Frost had not come back. She frowned even more, wondering if this was linked to her husband's missing.

That's when she heard a loud roar coming from oustide. The fact Toothless was calling out with such hurry was really worrysome. The roar was so loud it had made the hutt quake and woke up the remaining inhabitants. Doors upstairs bamed and the chieftess saw her children rush down, weapons in hands and ready to fight.

''What's going on ?!''

''Easy, kids. There's something wrong with Toothless but I got this.''

''Where's Dad ?''

''... I got this, too.''

She saw their confusion but didn't say anything and left the hutt. She found the Night Fury outside, pacing restlessly under the wary gaze of his mate and Pouncer. The black dragon noticed the chieftess at the door and lunged forward. She didn't have the time to do anything he grabbed her in his paws and took off.

''Woah ?! Toothless, what are you doing ?!''

''Mom !'' Zephyr called out from the door. ''Where are you going ?''

''I don't know, but I'll get back as soon as I can !'' She shouted back, seeing her son steping out of the house, next to her daughter, both looked completely lost.

Astrid didn't like this. Not only the dragon was dragging her away from her home, but also away from the village ! When Toothless started to dive along the cliff of the fortress island, Astrid felt a lump form in her throat.

''Where are you taking me ?''

The black dragon didn't answer and kept on flying. When he finally slowed down, he deposited her near a cave entrance and landed next to her, in the sand. Astrid glared at the cave, then at the dragon.

''What are we doing here, Toothless ?''

Still silent, the dragon ran to the cave, forcing the chieftess to follow him. If Toothless came to fetch her alone, it meant something had happened to Hiccup. Her heart ached in worry and, without thinking, she ran after the dragon.