Stoick stood off to the side as Hiccup told the tale. He watched Hilda hold her hand over her mouth when Hiccup spoke of the inferno and showed the results of him falling off of Toothless. Stoick closed his eyes, once again reminded of how close he had come to losing his son.
"That explains how ye got da Night Fury ta act like a trained dog," Padrig said and Stoick had to resist cracking the man's skull.
No one held the right to compare Toothless to a mere trained hound. All the dragons were more than Stoick ever thought possible, but Toothless was special. His species had every Viking fearing his signature sound, but he held compassion enough to befriend the one who had hurt him. He had the insight to know that same human deserved more than all the Vikings, especially Stoick, had given him. Stoick would forever remain both jealous and proud of Toothless. The dragon had earned his place and earned all the honor due a true warrior.
"But it nare explains why ye had ta tell dem dragons everyt'ing be fine 'fore dey move," Padrig added.
Stoick hated Padrig's tone, but he agreed with the man's words. Hiccup's actions with Toothless and the dragons in the arena should have only resulted with them declaring him their alpha. That the dragons who would wind up the mates of all but one of those arena dragons also calling Hiccup their alpha even before the images showed his valor, always confused Stoick. It did not make sense. They had not known Hiccup and had not yet seen everything the gods were to show all those who wound up in Gyda's home but still bowed to Hiccup.
When the wild dragons ceased annoying everyone and declared Hiccup their alpha, that made more sense to Stoick. Hiccup had, at that time, defeated their queen. It was a natural progression for followers to bow to the new leadership, especially if the new leadership did not eat them for failing. It made sense until Hiccup informed him the wild dragons had not known or seen the final battle and yet still declared Hiccup their alpha.
As confused as that still made Stoick, he had come to know many things since Berk became a nest of humans and dragons. Every Viking in existence was wrong and had been wrong about the dragons. Hiccup was far more superior than Stoick in leadership abilities. He also knew that even with the dragons bowing to Hiccup and obeying him, those bonded to other humans would still listen to their riders. Yet, like Padrig pointed out, Hiccup had to speak before the dragons left the line they had formed just after Hiccup yelled enough and moved to stand beside Stoick.
It started with Snotlout. As soon as Stoick finished suggesting Hiccup and his friend give the story of how this all came to be, the ever impatient boy stepped out of the line. Snotlout then moved towards the dais at the back of the Hall and made it halfway before realizing his was alone. The lad had turned back, calling for Hookfang. Neither Hookfang nor Wingblaze acknowledged him. Both had their gazes fixed upon Hiccup.
Stoick had put that off as Hookfang still trying to teach Snotlout manners. Stoick had not been blind. He saw the actions and heard the comments Hookfang gave Snotlout and recognized that the dragon had decided to be a father to Snotlout. Stoick had approved. Hookfang managed to teach Snotlout the importance of backing his leader. Snotlout had proven that when he pledged to follow Hiccup wherever he went.
When Meatlug, who doted upon Fishlegs like a mother to her child, did not move after the Ingerman lad walked away, Stoick knew something was odd. Stoick had stared at the dragons after that and found were all gazing at Hiccup. They seemed aware of their surroundings and seemed able to hear and make noises but none were capable of leaving where they stood or from looking away from Hiccup.
It had taken Gyda stepping close to Hiccup and whispering into his ear to resolve the issue. Stoick had stood there and watched as his son told the dragons everything was fine and all the dragons looked away from him as if nothing was ever amiss.
Hookfang and Wingblaze moved to curl around Snotloug. Meatlug and Boulder bounded over to Fishlegs and nuzzled against him. The two Zipplebacks bombarded the twins with headbutts and nudges. Firestorm laid his head onto Torgeir's lap. Shadowfire laid the top of his head against his mother. Stormfly, Windwalker, Sharpshot, and Sneaky joined Toothless in being near to Hiccup and Astrid. The young Nadder Dervla was housing moved to gather his siblings from the Terrors watching over them and joined Dervla at the far side of the Hall. The ones Hiccup had called Elders shuffled near to the pile of sleeping sheep and laid down, though none fell asleep. The Terrors watching the sheep flew back up into the rafters. Frost and Pale guided their hatchlings over to Gyda, though both had to ensure little Icewing did not race to Hiccup's side.
Stoick realized then he knew something else. His son held more power over those dragons than anyone had first realized. It seemed to have surprised even Gyda, and she knew the future they were to walk. Stoick had resolved then to find out what was going on.
"Yer boy really killed a giant dragon?"
Stoick did not blink or otherwise give any clues that the helmsman's sudden question caught him off guard. He simply turned his thoughts from memories and his own questions and focused upon the man, even as he heard Hiccup try to answer Padrig without mentioning the fact dragons could speak and had bowed to Hiccup. Stoick frowned at the helmsman.
"Aye, I be there" he said, not proud that he had almost killed his entire tribe but proud he had been able to see his son's moment of glory. "And I witnessed it," he continued. "So did most of da tribe."
The man tilted his head. "Intriguing."
Stoick grunted. "Why ye be here?" he asked, lowing his voice. "What did yer father hope ta gain by this?"
As soon as he recognized the man as Chief Henrik's son, Stoick knew the old chief was up to something. Stoick did not think the man was playing him for a fool. Henrik and Stoick were close friends. Stoick had saved Henrik's life many years prior. Still it did not make sense that Henrik would call upon Stoick, inform him of the Thing happening in the spring, and then send his heir to Berk right as Winter hit. Henrik had to have known Stoick would not send any that came with Hilda and Baneson back. The waters were too treacherous and it would be no issue to house Hilda's escorts until spring. Especially with the dragons aiding in bringing in enough food to last two winters back to back.
"Father knows ye wouldn't 'ave let da dragons move in without cause," the man, Steinar, whispered. "And he knows ye wouldn't turn'm 'round and seek more den this island ye call home."
"So why are ye here?"
"To give a voice in da Thing that's not jest from Berk. There be those who not believe ye, chief, even if ye are respected cause of survivin' dat Drago fellow 'n savin' me father in the process."
Stoick blinked. "Ye father sent ye ta live with us for the winter so ye could testify at the Thing?"
"Aye. I came not sure wot I'd find. I nare expected this. Ye boy really controls dem beasts."
Stoick rankled at that. "They are not beasts," he stated firmly. "The wood the feds the fires in here be brought in by them dragons. The food cookin' in them kettles be gathered by them dragons."
"Ye trained them ta fetch?" Steinar asked.
"No," Hiccup said walking over with Sharpshot on his back, Toothless at his right, Astrid at his left and Stormfly at Astrid's left. Windwalker came along at Stormfly's left. "We didn't train them or tame them. We befriended them. We have learned that dragons that gather like this tend to view their home as a nest and all in that nest strive to ensure the nest's survival. That is what they did with the Red Death. She just made them raid us or eat them if they failed to bring her food."
"Aye, I heard that in yer tale, young Hiccup," Steinar said. "But ye speak as if dem dragons ain't animals."
Stoick watched as Hiccup smiled, placing his hand upon the top of Toothless' head.
"Toothless could have killed me when I freed him, but he didn't. He could have killed me when I repeatedly visited him and he was essential trapped, but he didn't. I know of a whole island's worth of outcasted humans who don't show that much intelligence or honor."
Steinar stared at Hiccup in silence for several heartbeats before giving a gruff bellow of laughter. He then lifted his hand. Stoick intercepted the arm. He knew Steinar wanted to pat Hiccup's free shoulder. Steinar had accepted Hiccup's words when he laughed. Stoick knew that. Stoick also knew the dragons would not have reacted well to a new human slapping their alpha, even if it was meant to be a friendly gesture. Steinar stared at Stoick, eyebrow raised. Hiccup answered him.
"They are protective and they don't know you. Best not to do anything they might see as aggressive until they understand you mean us no harm."
Steinar titled his head. "Ye speak with wisdom far beyond yer age, young Hiccup."
Hiccup smiled and Stoick grinned at Steinar's shocked expression when Hiccup lowered his voice to say something else.
"And your father shows his loyalty to Berk by sending you to stand as witness for us at the Thing."
Stoick hid his own surprise as he learned something else. His son was not blind or unobservant and could rightly see through anything to the heart of the matter at hand. Stoick once again mourned that Valka could not be here to see her son.
Kirka: The reason so much focus has been on just this moment is because of Hiccup's shout. That's why it has been shown in some form from different views. Why Hiccup's shout and what it did to the dragons being important will we revealed later in full. You all got hints and teasers but no full explanation. Gyda is coming to a point where she is realizing the future she knew is not quite the same as the future that is happening around her. That will be expanded upon as we go further into this story. I'm glad you are intrigued, my friend.