"Hiccup? Hiccup, can you hear me?" asked Astrid anxiously.

Hiccup moaned, tossing feverishly in his bed. The girl winced as her eyes fell on the stump of his leg. Toothless stood beside her and gently nuzzled his rider. Hiccup groaned and moved towards him. "Dad…"

"Stoick!" Astrid poked her head outside the door. "He's calling for you."

"Come on, Gobber. It's time, if he isn't too restless." Stoick stepped inside, making an effort to move silently. "Hiccup? I'm here, lad."

"Dad," croaked Hiccup, moving restlessly. "Where…"

"Just rest, son." Stoick sat on the bed next to him, placing an anxious hand on his forehead. Still so hot…

"Let's try it on him." Gobber lifted the wood and metal contraption and pulled back the blanket to reveal Hiccup's stump.

"You're putting the metal leg on him now?" asked Astrid.

"Why not?" shrugged Gobber. "I think he should have it when he wakes. Would've helped me." He gently fitted it to the remains of the leg and smiled. "There. Perfect fit."

"I'll do better, Dad," murmured the delirious boy. Hiccup's face was pinched with pain and flushed with fever. "But dragons… can't kill a dragon…"

"Oh, Hiccup," whispered Stoick. "You were right all along." Tears pricked at the Viking Chief's eyelids and he hurried back outside.

"Stoick!" Gobber hurried after him.

"He's so young," whispered Stoick brokenly. "And the way he looks… what if he doesn't pull through this?"

"He'll pull through," Gobber assured him, putting a hand on his friend's arm. "He's stronger than he looks, Stoick."

"He'd better," said Stoick determindely. "We're going to need that boy."