A/N- Posted 5/22/2015 I don't own HTTYD.

First off, all previous chapters have gone through a rigorous editing. A few plot points have had greater detail given, some have been added and a select few have been squeezed out for the moment. None of this changes the story as it stands but has been done to better set up future events. While not necessary (I don't think) I would suggest going back and rereading the previous chapters if you have been following the story before 5/22/2015. Most of the changes may not even be noticeable. I did feel it was necessary however.

Secondly, thank you all for your feedback on the name of the new Nadder. I decided to go with the suggestion by silverwolvesarecool. I liked all the ideas though and have stored some of my other favorites for use on future dragons.

In response to LexiLou12.

Thank you very much for the review! Your point of Hiccup's lack of reaction were duly noted and inspired a few changes in the previous chapters. I tried to reference a few more points for Hiccup's emotional repercussions. Don't worry though, Snoutlout's death will come back to haunt Hiccup in more than a few ways. Thank you for bring the lack of reaction to my attention. This story is juggling many major and minor plots and sometimes a may forget to address all the issues going on. It is thanks to readers like you that can continue to improve.

Now! On to the story!

Chapter 11- Defensive Measures

Toothless POV

Hiccup's quick trust of the Nadder that had just tried to kill us not only bewildered me but also inspired me. He was so quick to extend a paw, or hand in his case, to someone he saw in need. After the Nadder placed his snout in Hiccup's hand, I heard Hiccup say with soothing calm, "That's right. We're all friends here." He paused for a moment before continuing, "I can't keep calling you just 'The Nadder.' How about Tempest?"

The Nadder took a small step back and paused, a look of confusion on his face. "I already have a name, though. It's Groenn. Why should I change it?" he said with a hint of anger.

Hiccup looked flustered and looked at me confused. "Wait, dragons have individual names?"

I let out a low chuckle before responding, "Of course we have names. Why should we not, we aren't beasts."

"But… why did you never tell me? I mean, does that mean that you have another name besides Toothless?" Hiccup replied. He looked very embarrassed.

I settled down on the ground, letting out a quiet sigh before responding, "Before I met you, I was named Obsidian, but that name is now in the past. I no longer wish to be associated with a name marked with such failure."

Hiccup looked like he was about to contradict me but the Nadder, Groenn interrupted, "Seeing as you are ignorant of our ways I will forgive you for your trespass. My name was given to me by my parents. It is the last thing I have from them before the queen slaughtered them." Groenn settled down before glancing at us in confusion as if suddenly realizing the company he was in, "Uh, how did you two end up together? And how do you understand our speech?" His second question aimed at Hiccup.

Hiccup and I glanced at each other before I responded, choosing my words carefully and slowly turning to face Groenn, "We found each other… drowning, lost among our people. Together, we clawed our way to the surface and found a home. Hiccup, here, is my brother and shares part or my soul and thus understands our speech." I choose to be cryptic as I did not yet know this stranger and did not wish to share more than was necessary to prove a point.

Groenn seemed to accept this before continuing, "I can't feel the queen in my head anymore. How are you doing this?"

"Best we can tell our combined magic and willpower is enough to shove off the queen's psych control. Hiccup here shields my mind with his own and the queen's mind can't control Hiccup's mind, so he isn't at risk."

Groenn looked up at Hiccup with new found respect. "So that explains her increasing anger. She has been in a fit because she knows your still alive and in the area but can't seem to seize control of your mind. In all honesty I think that she is scarred. She has the dragons in a frenzy looking for you. I was the initial scout for this area because she noticed a hole in her control. Now she probably can't feel me either so she will send more dragons here."

Hiccup looked at me with a look of hope and anticipation. "We could free more of the dragons! Just as we did for Groenn."

"No Hiccup. She will send hundreds of dragons after me and I would do everything to protect you. Many dragons would be killed and in the end we would both be dead. No, you need to go with Groenn and escape. I will stay here and turn myself in. This way fewer dragons will be hurt. This is my duty as a Dark Wing to both you and the dragons."

"What?! No, no, no. Why don't we just leave? Find the edge of her control and leave. It shouldn't be too far from here. If we just head east we should be out of her range in an hour or so, right? We can leave gather some allies and come back."

I thought about it for a minute before realizing I was being foolish. There wasn't a reason to stay and fight. It would be better for everyone if we left the area. "That might actually work." I answered.

Then, Groenn spoke up. "Would it be too much trouble for me to come along? The queen will surely be hunting me as well now and I have nothing left for me here now. The queen has taken everything from me."

Hiccup quickly piped up, "Sure, I don't see why not. Give me a quarter of an hour to pack some supplies."

And so we left our home, flying east, hoping to escape our enemies.

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Hiccup POV

We had been in the air for almost an hour and had begun searching for an island to land on. The journey had been fairly mundane except for an occasional jolt coming from Toothless's artificial tailfin. I would have to check on it when we landed.

Farther ahead on the horizon an island came into view. From my map, I knew it to be the island of Droutt, home of the Meathead tribe. The Meatheads were a strange group. They enjoyed a fight like any other Viking but I didn't know what they thought of dragons so I figured we would stay clear.

I told Toothless my plan to avoid the island up ahead and signaled Sharpshot and Groenn to follow. I clicked Toothless's tail into position to start a gradual turn away from the island. As I did however I heard a sharp crack and our flight suddenly became more erratic.

Fearing the worse, I turned my head to look at Toothless's tail. One of the pulleys had snapped and was slowly unravelling. I realized it had probably become frayed during our near continuous use on our old home. I also knew we only had a few more minutes in the air before it completely failed.

With no other options I angled us towards Droutt. Hopefully we could make it.

As we drew near, our flight continued to worsen. About a quarter mile out the tailfin snapped off. Groenn caught it, but at this point I wasn't really concerned with it. Toothless flared out his wings hoping to glide the rest of the way. We almost made it but an evening wind coming in to the island threw Toothless's balance off sending us into a tumble.

Toothless suddenly jolted throwing me from the saddle. Fearing I was going to fall I was startled when I was suddenly embraced by Toothless legs and wings. He had purposely thrown me off so he could better protect me!

I few seconds later we were jolted by a heavy thud. Thankfully we had hit a large sand dune and it had reduced our fall speed. After another moment we slowed to a halt. It was then I noticed our matched heavy breathing.

His wings slowly unraveled from around me letting me loose. I carefully unraveled myself from his embrace and stood up. We had made it, but it now seemed we were stranded here until I could find a way to repair the tailfin.

Suddenly, I remembered where we had crashed. Droutt, island of the Meatheads, home of Vikings.

A/N- Summer will be great they said, you will have so much time to write they said. Apparently my summer has not been as freeing. Granted I have been rather busy editing the past chapters, making sure all the plot points are in sync.

So, what do you think? Please leave a review.

P.S. I am not as familiar with the books as I am with the movie and T.V. show. I read the first two when I was younger (pre-movies) so I don't really know the Meathead tribe. I have tried using the web site but it doesn't give much detail. I try to remain canon when I can but in this case I am kinda in the water. Do most other authors make it up or are there some interactions or characters I should be aware of? I choose to use the Meatheads because I wanted to include Thuggory as he seemed like the kind of character that would suit some of my needs in the next few chapters.