Gods this was a crazy night. Mildew's dead, so is Savage and Alvin, the Outcasts have left and hopefully won't return, and best of all, I was dancing side by side with the most wonderful person I could ever ask for: Astrid.

That reminds me, I still have to tell Dad and the others about Mildew dying. I'll tell everyone in the morning, they're all having a great time; I don't want to spoil it.

Plus, for once, I'm going to savor every last ounce of this night for as long as I can. For just looking at Astrid's face, her gorgeous smile and waving hair, it just makes me feel good.

We danced for a while more, but my ribs were aching and my head was pounding from the blows I took from Alvin. After the song was finished, I said "Astrid, I feel like death at the moment. Would you mind if I just turn in for the night?" She giggled a little, pulled me in and kissed me gently. "Of course my hero." She winked at me. "I'll see you in the morning."

I walked to the front of the Hall, passing through dancing and drinking Vikings who waved at me and patted my back. I came up to my dad and told him I was heading off to bed. "Of course son. I'll see you tomorrow." I turned from him and walked out the door with Toothless following me.

I wrapped my arms around my ribs in an attempt to hug the pain away. Toothless noticed me wincing and looked at me with big puppy dog eyes. "Don't worry, I'm fine Bud." I scratched his chin and he let out a purr.

We walked up the steps to my house and I looked at the damage that we caused in our fight with Alvin. Shingles were lying on the grass and torn apart, massive burning holes were blown into the walls and the wooden dragonhead that rests on the roof was almost torn to shreds. Looks like my dad and I have some chores to do tomorrow.

We walked through the doors, ran upstairs and we each lay down on our own beds and drifted quickly into a peaceful sleep.

I woke up feeling even worse than I did going to bed. My head felt like Gobber was smashing an anvil on it many times and my ribs were screaming in an immaculate chorus of pure pain.

I slowly lifted my head from my pillow and looked down at my chest and noticed that my suit that I had been wearing was taken off. On my chest were multiple ribbons of bandages overlapping each other. Dad must have had Gothi the village elder examine me while I was asleep for any serious wounds.

I looked to the table right across from my bed and saw a piece of paper that lists my injuries and the medications I need to take for each.

I put down the paper, got dressed and went downstairs not waking Toothless. I looked over at his tail while I left and noticed a bloodstained bandage was wrapped over it. He's a tough dragon; he'll be all right.

I walk out the doors and see the village cleaning up after last nights' battle. Picking up wood or filling up the holes that The Whispering Death left behind. I walked down the stairs and into the village square and Fishlegs came up from behind me and enveloped me in a bear hug. "Hiccup! You're all right!"

The massive teenager released his grip on me and I caught my breath again. "Ow, uh, yes. I am. I hope you had a good time at the festival last night, you know, when you weren't being held hostage by the Outcasts." He nervously laughed. Then he changed the subject. "So, what about The Whispering Death? Will it come back again?"

I glanced over to the hole where it dragged itself and Alvin. "Fishlegs, I may not be able to fully get that thing under control, but I don't think that it'll be bugging us any time soon," I reassured. He smiled gratefully. "I'll meet with you later at the dragon academy for the lesson today," he said as he was running off over to Meatlug.

I walked through the square looking for Astrid. I'm hoping she wasn't mad at me for ditching her at the festival last night. Instead, I bumped into my dad. He looked down at me and smiled. "Mornin' son! How are you feeling?" "A little sore. But I'll be fine." He smiled at me again. "Now get going, I have a lot to do this morning. Fixing up the house, cleaning up the wood, taking care of Mildew."

I still have to tell him.

"Uh, listen dad, I-" before I finished I saw Mulch and Bucket walking down the hill with a stretcher. Hanging out from the cloth concealing the body was a skinny arm and Bucket was carrying a walking stick on his back. I gulped. "So, I guess you know about Mildew now?" Dad nodded grimly. He may know Mjolnir crushed him, but he couldn't have known about his betrayal and how he made a deal with Alvin.

I sighed and said "Dad." He looked down to me and I told him everything. I told him how Mildew and Alvin were in cahoots and that it was all a part of his scheme to rid the island of dragons.

He looked distraught by the news. "I never would have thought he would do such a thing. I will inform the villagers of this. But not right now. We have important matters to attend to now. Go on Hiccup. I'll see you later." The chief walked over to Gobber and Spitelout and continued to clean up.

I smiled as I walked through the village. Seeing the place so alive just sent a warm feeling through me.

My heart jumped when I felt two arms wrap loosely around my neck and I was gifted with a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning Hero," Astrid said after she let me go and gave me the opportunity to turn around and look her in the eyes. She was wearing her usual clothes, the blue tank top and red leather skirt with spikes. "Good morning Astrid. Are you feeling ok?" Her face lit up. "I've never felt better."

At least she doesn't feel like death today.

We walked around the village with our hands intertwined as we helped pick up scraps of wood or do other jobs the Vikings wanted us to help them with. We passed by Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut and Tuffnut who were all just chatting and sitting around doing nothing.

The look on Snotlout's face when he saw my hand connected with Astrid's was priceless.

We joined the group and talked about last night. I explained what happened after I leapt onto Toothless and flew after Astrid. Their faces were beaming as I told them the story. "That sounds intense," Ruffnut put in. "I wish I could've blown up a bridge," complained Tuffnut. "If Alvin saw me running straight at him, he would've been all 'look out everyone! It's Snotlout! Back to the boats and retreat!'" Snotlout said boastfully. We ignored him.

We talked for what felt like hours and I loved every second of it.

A few days ago, I was thinking that this year's festival would be a memorable one.

It was, in fact, the best one I've ever had.

I can't wait for next year!