Disclamer: I do not own Dreamworks Dragons or any of the characters used.

Been a while since the last chappie so enjoy chapter 4 :)

It had been a few weeks since the Typhomerang incident and Ryyan had not been back to the Academy. Not by choice, a nasty case of chicken pox had gone about some of the children and between Ryyan and her father they had their hands full. She had seen the other teens from time to time, but the most their conversations ever went to was a simple 'Hello'. Oh in the case of the twins and Snotlout it was, 'Hello, watch out!' before they would cash into the side of a house.

Now that the children were all better, Ryyan had a moment breathe and sit down. She had to take over the last three children when her father's knee kept acting up and she was exhausted.

Of course, a moment's peace was literally a moment, for they were low on herbs and other medicine and the chicken pox outbreak had used up the last of most of their supplies. Ryyan would have to make a list.

With a huff she pulled herself up from her bed and made her way downstairs.

When did it get so dark?

"Dad?" Ryyan called. The healer was closing up the windows.

"Right here lass. Have a good old sleep did you?"

Ryyan rubbed her eyes. Her head was aching. "Sleep? What time is it?"

"The sun is just about to set."

She wanted to punch herself. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I was supposed to make a list."

Rodan just laughed, "Don't fret Ryyan. I already started it when you were at Dunden's. It was the most I could do what with the leg giving me jip."

He crossed back to his chair by the fire, "Though I must admit I have done zilch about dinner I'm afraid."

The teen just shrugged, "I can try to put something together."

"Or, you can go up to the Great Hall." Rodan put forward, "There is still some fish I can have for myself."

"But Dad."

"Go and have a night to yourself. But do be careful it is going to be a cold night."

As bad as it was to leave her father behind, Ryyan did think that a night in the Great Hall sounded nice.

"Okay, but promise me you won't burn the house down kay?"

"Your faith in me is astounding at times Ryyan." Rodan said and waved her on out the door.
The sun had disappeared behind the roof tops and the sky had turned pink and purple. Ryyan could already see in the distance a procession of Vikings heading up to the Great Hall.

"Looks like a big turn out." Ryyan said out loud. She took her time heading to the Great Hall, her mind still longed for her bed.

"Must have been a good lonOof!" Something bumped into the back of her legs and she stumbled forward. "Sorry I ... oh great."

The thing turned out to be a sheep. Not just any sheep, it was Fungus. And where there was Fungus, there was Mildew.

'Perfect.'

The bitter old man shuffled around the corner, grunting under his breath in his usual manner. "Stupid dragons, oh. You there girl."

Ryyan cringed. He never bothered to address her by name, only 'girl' or 'brat'. "Yes Mildew?"

"Is ya father done with my medicine yet?"

"No, he is not quite done yet."

"Baa." Mildew spat out, "I was promised my medicine this week. My rheumatism has been playing up again."

"As heart wrenching as that is Mildew, it should be ready in two days. Been quite busy lately."

"Good." He pointed a bony finger at her, "And make sure it one of your father's batches. I won't having any of that garbage you call medicine like the last time." With that he went on his way, and Fungus bleated at her angrily before following.

Ryyan crossed her arms and glared at them leaving. "Cantankerous old coot." She grumbled. Her mood soured and her head still sore, she continued up hill to the Great Hall. Mildew never trusted her around his ailments. One little mistake with the mixture and Mildew went around with some lovely purple spots on his knees for a week. Nothing life threatening, but hilarious none the less.

By the time she had reached to giant doors, the hall was already a flurry of activities. Dragons flew about over the tables and plenty of servings were being passed about. Ryyan looked about in vain for a seat. At the back of the hall nearest to the large tapestry she spotted the Riders and their dragons. The Zippleback was playing tug of war with a salmon while the other dragons looked to be sleeping.

Hiccup, seating at the end of the table with his back to Ryyan, looked deep in conversation with Astrid, who caught Ryyan looking. She must have said something to Hiccup because he swivelled around. He smiled and waved her over. This got the attention of the other teens, who one by one watched her walk over.

"Evening Ryyan." Hiccup said. Astrid gave her a nod, and Fishlegs gave a meek wave.

Ryyan stepped around Hookfang's mass, but the sleeping dragon's eyes snapped open and he lifted his head. Ryyan automatically stepped away in fright as the Monstrous Nightmare stared at her.

Snotlout chuckled from the other side of the table, "Careful Reek. They can smell fear."

"Knock it off Snotlout." Astrid shot at him.

Ryyan stayed still as Hookfang craned his head towards her, sniffing the air about her. She saw his pupils dilate. A positive sign. She risked holding out her hand, to which the dragon nudged it playfully. Ryyan relaxed and gently scratched his snout, his scales humming under her fingers.

"Oh come on, really Hookfang?!" Snoutlout yelled, his arms out in protest.

Hiccup shrugged and moved over in his seat. "What can I say? A natural." At his feet, his dragon Toothless glanced up from his curled up position, blinked twice, then went back to sleeping. As Ryyan sat down, a plate of cooked chicken was passed down to her with a cup of water. She mumbled her thanks dug into her meal.

"How has your day been?" Fishlegs asked her, "I heard about the chicken pox."

"Everyone did." Hiccup agreed.

"The worst of it has been treated, with just two minor cases with Dunden's little girls but nothing serious. A good night's sleep and medicine and they should be fine."

"So, aren't you going to get the pox now?" Ruffnut asked in the middle of putting Tuffnut in a headlock.

"You're such an idiot. She can't get sick, she's a healer." Her twin said with a muffled voice.
Ryyan shook her head, "Everyone can get sick. I've already had chicken pox before."

"That's right, when we were eight. Rodan kept you inside for a whole week." Hiccup said

"And you thought I'd been sent away."

"Huh. I thought you were dead." A bone was tossed at Snoutlout's head.

"So Astird," Hiccup went on with their previous conversation to let Ryyan continue eating in peace. "You were saying that you'd like to take tomorrow's training excursive."

"Yeah. I already have a great idea in mind." Astrid lent forward, keen to share it. "Spine Dodging."
Fishlegs went two shades whiter. "That doesn't sound too safe."

"Sounds awesome." Tuffnut said once he freed himself from the headlock.

"How it works is we set up an obstacle course and Stormfly will launch spikes at certain points." Astrid explained.

"That sounds ... really dangerous." Ryyan said. Fishlegs nodded vigorously. "I will have to agree with Ryyan on this one."

"It's supposed to help improve our reflexes so when we are faced with wild dragons we are ready for anything," Astrid looked way too excited about it. Ryyan just stared gobsmacked at the teen Viking.

"Ryyan, there's a bit of chicken hang out your mouth." Hiccup pointed to his own face to indicate where. Ryyan wiped a sleeve across her face. "What Astrid is meaning to say is that in some cases it can be very dangerous for us and out dragons so, better to be safe than sorry."

Ryyan poked at the bones on her plate. "So, if I get and influx of hole riddled Dragon Riders tomorrow ... blame Astrid."

The others started laughing.

"What?" Astrid asked, "This will be good for us."

"Look," Hiccup held up his hand and got control over the group. "We will give it a try and see how it goes." He leaned in a little closer to Ryyan, "Though just to be on the safe side, do be prepared."

"Can do." Ryyan went to pick up her cup, but Toothless pushed his head between the two, making strange gurgling noise.

"Easy there bud." Hiccup placed his hand on the dragon's head, rubbing him affectionately. It still baffled Ryyan how the boy and the dragon had such a close bond. "Can I?" She asked curiously. Hiccup nodded and Ryyan placed a hand against Toothless neck. She could feel his pulse beating faster than the average human.

'A faster pace. Possibly keeps the body temperature regulated to withstand fire and the colder climate. A thick coat of scale, maybe duel layered.' Ryyan stored these little cliff notes in the back of her mind.

"Not so scary now is he?" Hiccup asked. Ryyan dragged her hand along his neck, his scales were so smooth.

"You said that all dragon's have a sweet spot." She said.

"To our knowledge." Fishlegs cut in, "All the dragons we've come across have displayed a positive reaction when petted in certain spots. Finding the right one however takes time and an innate understanding of ..."

While Fishlegs was rattling on, Ryyan and moved her hand under Toothless's jaw and gave it a quick scratch. The dragon dropped to the floor in seconds, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth.

"Well," Fishlegs patted his hands together. "That happened."

"Fast learner." Astrid observed. Ryyan picked up her cup and kept it close to her face to hide the fact she had gone pink. The twins started to get more hostile and were rolling about the floor like children. Snoutlout just sat back and enjoyed the show while Astrid got up and went for seconds.

"You okay Ryyan? You look flushed." Hiccup asked, pressing palm to her forehead.

"Just overworked, that's all." His fingers felt cool against her skin. When he removed his hand she took a good long sip of water.

"Ryyan have you considered training?"

She very nearly spat the water in Fishlegs' face. "Sorry?"

The large boy looked very serious, "I don't see you wouldn't be able to. You seem to be able to handle yourself around dragons very well."

"Fishlegs does have a point." Hiccup added on.

Ryyan felt the colour in her cheeks fade. "I ... don't think I'd have time."

"It could help with your errands. You wouldn't have to worry about taking a whole day getting from one side of the village to the other..."

"Thanks but no thanks." She barked.

Both Hiccup and Fishlegs were surprised at Ryyan's shift in attitude. Her hand around the cup looked tight enough to crack it. "I'll stay on the ground for now." She mumbled pathetically.

Astrid returned with another plate and the conversation went back to training exercises. Ryyan didn't utter a peep for the rest of the evening, but did look up from time to time to otherwise appear engaged in the Riders.

Her head felt like it had been struck with a hammer.

As the noise of in the hall began to die down, Ryyan thought it best to head home. Her splitting headache was getting worse and she was in need of sleep. A good long sleep. The twins and Snoutlout were long gone and tone of the table was a lot more civilised.

"Hey Ryyan?"

The girl blinked and snapped her head up to attention. "Yeah. What? What Astrid?"

"You okay." Astrid asked, her brow creasing with concern, "You look a little ... out of it."
Fishlegs and Hiccup both stopped talking and turned their attention back onto Ryyan. "If you still angry about what I said I am sorry to offend you." Fishlegs babbled.

"What? Oh no. No I'm not mad Fishlegs. Just ... tired and plus Mildew ruined whatever was left of my good mood today."

A nod of understanding when about the table. "Yup. Mildew had an uncanny talent for doing that." Hiccup said. Ryyan couldn't agree more.

"Still," He lent to one side, his bangs falling across his eyes. Ryyan remembered as kids pushing them away so that he could see when talking to her. There was no way she could do that now. "You need to make sure you take care of yourself too. Who else will look after our hole riddled Vikings?"

"Shut up Hiccup."

"Yes milady."

Ryyan snorted at the couple. It was an odd couple, but still it worked. "It will take more than hard work and a grumpy old man to knock me." She said, "But, all the same ... thanks for ... you know, caring."

Perhaps another hour with the gang wouldn't harm her.