They finally reached Lorekeeper's cave two hours later. It had taken a bit to get Toothless' saddle and tailfin on. The Zippleback seemed bent on standing as close to Hiccup as she could. Now Hiccup hoped Lorekeeper would know where the Zippleback Elder lived. Hiccup could honestly say he did not remember which den the dragon chose.

[Alpha?] Lorekeeper questioned as he exited his cave and bowed to Hiccup. [I was under the impression you would be fishing again today. I sent your lesson helpers to your water dens.]

"Huh?" Hiccup asked. "Water – oh, those are called ships. We're here for something else, actually. This Zippleback got separated from her flock. She landed in the village to rest. She also can't speak the Common Tongue."

[Odd,] Lorekeeper said, [but not uncommon given how long humans and dragons have been unable to converse.]

"Yeah, uhm, do you know where the Zippleback Elder lives? Toothless said we should bring her to him."

[Your brother is correct.] Lorekeeper lifted his head and turned southwest. [He resides in a cave in that direction. I am unsure how far. It takes me only a few flaps of my wings and I'm there though. I don't know how far that is in human.]

"Thank you," Hiccup said. "It's okay. We're going to fly anyways."

Lorekeeper bowed to Hiccup once more. [Then I shall take my leave, if you have no other need of me, Alpha. We are all taking turns to patrol the waters around the nest. The knowledge someone wishes you harm concerns us greatly. We will do as we can to ensure the nest and you are safe.]

"Thank you," Hiccup said. "That takes a weight of my shoulders and I know it'll take one off my dad's."

[Um, a weight?] Lorekeeper asked. [I see nothing but your human coverings and the Tiny-fang you call kin, Alpha.]

"Uh, oh, no, I didn't mean an actual weight. It's a saying. We use it when were wish to convey something has helped us. In this it means your patrols gives us peace of mind regarding the safety of the island."

Lorekeeper blinked. [I see why you chose a shorter, faster way to say all of that.]

Hiccup smiled. "Well, we humans are strange."

Toothless snorted. [Suffocating lip action,] he muttered.

Hiccup groaned. Lorekeeper tilted his head. The other dragons, except the young Zippleback, snorted.

[Do I wish to know?] Lorekeeper asked.

Hiccup felt his cheeks warm. He coughed. He heard Astrid land next to Stormfly and smiled when she slipped her hand into his. The young Zippleback, pressed against Hiccup's right side, chittered. Toothless warbled. The Zippleback chirped. One head moved to nuzzle against Astrid while the other nuzzled against Hiccup. Sharpshot never gave a chirp in complaint even if the Zippleback's head hit him.

"Toothless calls human kissing that phrase," Astrid said.

Lorekeeper blinked. He looked from Hiccup to Toothless and back again. [Does this embarrass you, Alpha?]

"No," Hiccup said. "Not really. It's just.. we've only just began courting and… well, Toothless likes to tease."

Lorekeeper laughed. [As do all siblings. Was there anything more you need of me, my alpha?]

"No," Hiccup said. "Keep safe out on your patrol. If you see anything and I or my friends are not available, my father will help you identify friend or foe."

[As you wish, Alpha.] Lorekeeper bowed. [May the winds forever be under your wings.]

"Uh, yours as well."

Lorekeeper smiled and took to the skies, banking north when he cleared the trees.

[It's good you responded as you did, Alpha,] Hookfang said as they all rose and banked southwest. [That is a traditional parting amongst dragons. One I had not heard in a long time.]

"Then I'll remember to say it more often," Hiccup said.

The young Zippleback chittered and Toothless warbled a response. Hiccup blinked when the head that seemed to like him the most nuzzled against his head mid-flight. Hiccup felt Toothless shift and flick his wings, working to accommodate the young dragon flying so close. Sharpshot moved to the other shoulder so the Zippleback could better reach Hiccup. Hiccup was never more grateful than when they saw the Zippleback elder sunning himself on some rocks. Two other Zipplebacks were with him. All six heads lifted as the Riders and their dragons landed. Hiccup dismounted and the young Zippleback pressed against him once more. The adult Zipplebacks fluttered down and bowed.

[Greetings,] the Zippleback elder's left head began.

[Alpha.] the other head finished.

[Is something,] the left head began.

[Wrong?] the right head asked.

"No," Hiccup said, and briefly wondered how many times he would say that word today. "This young one got lost in storm and found her way here. She can't speak the Common Tongue."

The elder's four eyes blinked at the same time. [Oh, my,] the left head said.

[That means she's from-] the right continued.

[The southwest.]

[We have heard tales-]

[Of a nest there who-]

[Stopped teaching-]

[The Common Tongue.]

The elder chittered. The young Zippleback chirped. She pressed against Hiccup and nuzzled him before stepping back. She bowed and slowly made her way over to a blue colored Zippleback standing next to the elder. The blue one began a warbling croon. The young Zippleback nuzzled the blue one, curled up, and was soon asleep.

[We shall watch out-] the elder's left head began.

[For her,] the right finished.

[And we will-]

[Teach her the Common Tongue.]

"Thank you," Hiccup whispered.

The adult Zipplebacks bowed. Hiccup remounted Toothless and all those with him rose silently into the air. They flew off and Hiccup was glad no one spoke until they were far enough away so as not to disturb the sleeping youngling.

"Why was that dragon clinging to Hiccup so much?" Snotlout asked. "Sickening if you ask me."

[She was lost-] Barf began.

[And scared.] Belch finished.

[She also was-]

[Not that old.]

"What does that have to do with anything?" Snotlout demanded.

[She was just in the youngling stage,] Meatlug said. [She had not been flying long, especially not long distances. Then she was separated from her flock.]

[Then she lands here and wakes to Mildew,] Shadowfire added. [That would give anyone nightmares.]

Meatlug and Stormfly snorted. Toothless grunted. Hookfang gagged and coughed while Barf and Belch shook themselves. Sharpshot chortled.

[Anyway,] Stormfly continued, [Hiccup is alpha. For a young one, those in authority over them give great feelings of security. That is why the young Flame-skin wished for Alpha to stay when Elder Gothi was sent after. The young Double-mind felt safe being that close to Alpha.]

"Bah," Snotlout said. "I could have protected her better."

[You are not the alpha,] Shadowfire said. [She would gain no sense of security with you.]

"Hmph, maybe I should be. I can be a great alpha!"

[Watch yourself, hatchling,] Toothless said. [Lest your mouth runs you into a challenge you don't want.]

"What? I didn't say I would challenge Hiccup!"

[You said you would be a better alpha, hatchling,] Hookfang said.

"I am not a hatchling!"

Hookfang jostled Snotlout slightly.

[Only hatchlings can get away with declaring meaningless challenges to the alpha,] Hookfang growled. [If you speak as anything but a hatchling right now, you challenge Alpha to combat. Combat that is to the death.]

[And should you manage to kill my brother,] Toothless growled, [I will kill you before I die.]

"Toothless!" Hiccup cried.

[Brother, if Snotlout challenges you like this, it would not be considered an honorable challenge. I and every dragon in the nest would be within our rights to kill him.]

[Brother Protector is right, Brother Alpha,] Sharpshot said. [I have seen something similar on a smaller scale. A flock near to my old one once had a leadership dispute. A young Tiny-fang sought to lead the flock but did not challenge the flock leader in an honorable manner. The rest of the flock killed him. The Elder of my old flock warned all of us to never dishonorably challenge anyone or that would be our fate.]

"Uh, Snotlout," Fishlegs said. "I think it's best if you stop."

Snotlout crossed his arms and turned his back on everyone. Hiccup sighed. Another thing he would have to deal with and the day had only just begun.

Dragons roared, spitting fire. Vikings ran, fighting back. Alvin growled as his men finally drove the dragons away. He turned, glaring down at his newest man.

"Yer saying ye forgot what happened?"

Dogsbreath's eyes narrowed. "I was bound and gagged and we wer watchin' Useless' story. I was jest wantin' to kill that woman."

Alvin's eyes narrowed. "Then ye are worthless to me, boy."

Dogsbreath's eyes widen. "Wait! I know how ye can git on Berk and git Useless."

Alivn just stared unimpressed. He had heard too many spineless cowards spill information in order to keep their lives.

"There's an old man," Dogsbreath said. "He hates dragons and Useless. He can be ye inside man."

Alvin's eyebrow lifted. "Ye must do better, boy," he growled. "I've heard all dis 'fore from better men then ye. People will say anythin' to keep dere lives."

Dogsbreath's eyes narrowed. Alvin stood to his full height. He heard Savage come to his side with several other Outcasts. Alvin smiled when the boy realized he no longer had upper hand. Alvin had seen many like this child. Tough to those weaker than himself but ran scared when someone who could kill them came by. He would make a great Outcast. It was a shame the boy would have to die. The blasted dragons took too much and destroyed too much for anyone who did not pull their weight to remain.

"Mildew was dere, jest like me. He saw wat Useless did," Dogsbreath said. "He might 'member it."

Alvin tapped a finger to his chin. "And ye are certain Stoick's little mistake is the Dragon Conqueror?"

Dogsbreath growled. "Useless is useless but the thing show'd'm ridin' a Night Fury."

Alvin tilted his head. "Ye didn't mention dat, boy." Alvin leaned over staring the boy in the eyes. "Ye best tell me all ye know, boy, or I'll feed ye to da dragons."