Chapter 13

The next time I opened my eyes, I was on a raft in the middle of the ocean. I was startled for a second but I relaxed when I saw that Hiccup was under me wing safe and sound. But a sickening reason, I could still smell his blood. I lifted my wing a little higher and saw that half of his left leg was missing and wrapped up in a bandage.

"We had no choice." I heard his father say as he knelt down in front of me. "His leg was too badly mangled and there was nothing we would bet him to a healer in time. He'll live, we just have to give him a new leg when we get back." He explained gently putting a hand on my head.

I was devastated, my little brother's wings had been clipped just like mine. At the time, I didn't care if I never flew again, I just wanted my little brother safe. But now he would probably never walk again. I wrapped my wing a little tighter around him and hummed the same song I had for Tynan all those years ago. It felt good to hum it for my brother again.

When we got back to the village, everyone was a little nervous at first but at the time I really didn't care because I just couldn't take my eyes off my brother who was still lying unconscious in his father's arms as we made our way up to their house. When we got to the house, Hiccup's father laid him by the fire pit and told me to watch him while he brought his bed down. I laid close to him and kept hoping that at some point he would open his eyes.

When his bed was brought down his father laid Hiccup on it and pulled the covers over him. It was only hours later that the man with the hook and peg leg came in and showed us the leg he had made for Hiccup. It looked suitable for him, but I still wondered if would really allow him to walk and run and help me fly like before. Without protesting, I let them put it on him and they left to help the village understand and rebuild after a long week.

Days went by and Hiccup still didn't wake up. But by day three, I saw him stirring and his eyes fluttering open.

"Brother, you're finally a wake." I crooned nuzzling his face.

"Hey Toothless." He said weakly. "I'm happy to see you too Bud." It was at this point he realized where he was, and was quite shocked to say the least. "I'm in my house, uh, you're in my house."

I jumped around excited to see him finally awake and as strong as ever. But then he pulled back his blanket and saw his leg. My excitement then turned to concern. As he stood up, I stayed close to him in case he needed me. He took a deep breath and then took his first step forward. He cringed and fell but I caught him just before he hit the floor.

"Thanks Bud." He said as he leaned against me for support.

As we walked to the door, I could feel my tail, and I thought to myself that now he and I now had more things in common. We now matched, we had both lost something vital to us.

When we made it to the door he opened it then slammed it shut again. "Toothless, stay here." He said as if he were worried. He opened the door again and then got a look of surprise on his face. "I knew it, I'm dead." He said flatly.

"No but you gave it your best shot." His father whom I came to know as Stoick, chuckled. "So what do you think?"

Everyone came and surrounded him. I couldn't see him anymore but I knew he was safe. After about a minute, I jumped through the crowd to meet him and I saw he had a new saddle. As he put it on me, I felt good to have the saddle on again. Astrid and several of the other kids were on the backs of dragons and prepared for a flight around the island.

"You ready?" Hiccup asked me. I could only laugh and say yes.

As we took off, I felt just a wave of excitement and peace wash over me. After all this time, I finally had my brother back and we were finally home. I knew that someday he would grow old and pass away, but for now I was going to enjoy every single moment with him. Even after he was gone I would still watch over his family, because he was my family too. He was my brother, now and forever.