The name of the female Nightmare in this chapter was suggested by Crystal Collision. The name of the female Zippleback was suggested by Massive HTTYD Fan. Thank you both for your suggestions. :)
They arrived to find a war zone. Nadder spikes stuck deep in many of the homes near to the plaza. A few Vikings, under Byrnjar's guidance, were pulling the spikes out with tongs from the blacksmith. Everyone stopped as the dragons landed. Byrnjar grunted and moved to stand in front of Hiccup. Astrid noted Sharpshot rode upon her father's back but kept glancing towards the Academy. For a moment Astrid wondered where Stormfly was. She and Sharpshot had been left to help keep an eye upon Heather as Gyda warned the girl would run.
"A lone Nadder landed in the plaza just before evening meal last night," Byrnjar began. "Thankfully everyone was in their houses or the Great Hall because it proceeded to sling spikes into everything. Stormfly, Firestorm, and several of those dragons from inland helped Gobber capture it. They placed it in the Academy. Gobber told us to wait until the morning to clean up. He and many of the dragons are at the Academy right now trying to figure out what's wrong."
Hiccup tilted his head. "Thank you, Mr. Hofferson," he said before looking around. "Where is Phelgma?"
"'ere, Chief," the farmer said, walking from the direction of the Great Hall.
Hiccup gestured towards Shadowfire and the humans he carried. "We have Heather's parents. Can you got get her?"
"Sure, Chief."
The farmer turned and headed for the jails. Hiccup shifted and tipped his head to Gyda. She dismounted and aided the parents down. Just as the mother's feet touch stone, Phelgma and Heather walked out of the jails. Heather kept her head low until her mother called for her.
"Heather!"
Phelgma wisely released Heather's arm. The teen raced across the plaza and dove into her parents' arms. Astrid smiled. Some things that had happened had been worth it to see that. The father looked over his wife's head and stared at Hiccup.
"How can I repay you?"
Astrid glanced at Hiccup, knowing he would want to say the man owed him nothing.
"For now, sir, you and your family need time to recover," Hiccup said. "We can work out repayments later. Phelgma, may they stay with you?"
"So long as da lass don't steal nothin' 'gain."
Heather's parents frowned. Hiccup cleared his throat.
"Alvin told her to take something from us in order to free you," he said. "I trust she will not act in such a manner anymore." That last bit had been said while staring at Heather with a lifted eyebrow.
"I promise," Heather said, lifting her head from her mother's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Hiccup." She turned to Astrid. "My apologies to you too, Astrid."
Astrid grunted but did not say anything. Astrid knew Heather's actions had been due to her parents' abduction but having another girl flirt with Hiccup rankled Astrid. She had stood with him after learning of the Red Death. She had flown into danger at his side. She cared for him while he recovered. He was hers.
"Follow me," Phelgma said, leading the family out of the plaza.
Hiccup turned to the other Riders. "Good job everyone," he said. "Go on home." He sighed. "Come on, bud," he said looking down at Toothless. "Let's go find out what's wrong with that Nadder." He looked at the Whispering Death. "Follow us and afterwards we'll find you a den."
[As you wish, Alpha,] the Whispering Death said.
Sharpshot jumped down from Byrnjar's back and moved to his usual spot upon Hiccup's back. Toothless rose, the Whispering Death following. The other riders and their dragons headed for their own house, human and dragon alike walking slowly in their exhaustion. Astrid leaned over so she could whisper to the female Nadder.
"Will you please follow Hiccup?"
The Nadder did not speak only flared her wings and rose to level out beside Toothless. That Hiccup stared at her wide-eyed tore at something within Astrid. She wondered if he thought she was angry with him. His curt way of not acknowledging her explanation had annoyed her but she understood. They had a duty to get the mission over with and get everyone home safely. The reports on actions and decision could have waited until they were back on Berk soil. Besides, she knew Hiccup was reluctant to let her go into danger. Knowing Gyda was backing her must have been a balm for Hiccup and learning that the backup was not in play may have spooked him.
They landed just the Academy's side of the connecting bridge. They found every Elder dragon, Windwalker, Boulder, the female Nightmare from Gyda's home and whom Hiccup named Wingblaze, the female Zippleback who also had been at Gyda's and whom Ruff suggested be named Sugar and Spice, Stormfly, and Firestorm ringing the arena. Gobber stood in the arena tossing some fish into one of the pens via the small hatch at the bottom of the doors. A Nadder screeched and squawked in anger. Astrid felt the Nadder she rode jerk.
[I recognize that voice,] the Nadder said. [That is my intended.]
[Alpha!] Lorekeeper said, moving away from the ring of dragons and bowing to Hiccup. [Did your intended's father find you?]
"Yes," Hiccup said, dismounting.
He turned to the female Nadder just as Astrid's feet hit grass. Stormfly and Firestorm moved away from the ring and stopped beside Lorekeeper. Both bowed to Hiccup before looking at the new dragon.
"You said the Nadder in there is your intended?" Hiccup asked.
[Yes, alpha of this nest. I know his cry. He is mad.]
[Alpha,] Stormfly said, [it's the same Nadder that threatened Astrid.]
The female Nadder curled her neck so she could stare at Astrid. [He threatened you?]
"The first day we met," Astrid said. "Before this became the nest it is now."
[What did threaten to do?]
[Impale her with a tail spike and hold her in his talons while she died,] Firestorm said.
The female Nadder went still then she hissed before looking at Hiccup. She bowed to him. [Alpha of this nest, may I speak to him?]
"Sure," Hiccup said. "Hearing you are free might calm him down. Follow me."
He headed into the arena. Astrid walked right behind him before any dragon could move. She was not about to let him face this alone. She would him let face nothing alone. She heard Toothless grunt and Stormfly chitter something that had Firestorm snickering. She also heard the distinct tread of two Nadders and the footsteps of a Night Fury and a Nightmare. It still amazed her that what had once brought terror to Vikings now brought her comfort.
Hearing the dragons move and speak both in the Common and Old Tongue reminded her the war was over and no one would have to lose their lives to a tyrant again. It also reminded her of the one who ended the war and who right now thought she was mad at him. She would resolve that as soon as she could. She wanted to go back to the being held and kissed. Two activities she knew she had not seen herself ever doing that first day of dragon training. Two activities she did not think she could go a day without now. Funny how a few months could change things.
[My love,] the Nadder began as they reached the pen door.
The screeching and squawking stopped. A soft croon echoed in the pen.
[It is me, my love,] the Nadder said. [The human alpha of this nest and some of his nest-mates freed me.]
A screech had every dragon, including the female Nadder snarling.
[Respect, my love,] she said firmly. [The human male is the alpha of this nest and you tread close to exile and my parents revoking our courtship with your continued insults.]
The penned Nadder crooned again. The female looked to Hiccup.
[May he come out and see me? To know I am unharmed.]
Hiccup looked at Gobber and tipped his head. Gobber sighed but moved to the lever by the door. The female Nadder stepped between Hiccup and Astrid and the door. Gobber pushed the lever down. The log holding the door lifted. Nothing happened. Gobber grunted. He grabbed the door and opened it. Astrid saw the yellow Nadder look around and when he spied the female bound out of the pen. To Astrid's surprise, and apparently Hiccup's as well given he gasped, the female Nadder smacked the yellow Nadder with her wing.
[That was for threatening to kill the future queen of this nest,] the female Nadder said. [You risked your own death with that, my love.]
The male Nadder squawked. The female grunted.
[Common Tongue. You know how to speak it. Apologize to the alpha of this nest and his future queen.]
The male cooed. The female snorted.
[No. Common Tongue. Give them the respect they deserve, my love.]
The male sighed. [Fine,] he said. He looked at Hiccup. [I apologize, alpha of this nest. My actions and words the day we met and today are not worthy of how I was raised or the position you hold.] He then looked at Astrid. [I apologize, future queen of this nest. My actions, insults, and threats are not worthy of the position you hold either.]
"I understand why you did what you did," Hiccup said and Astrid caught the glance he sent her way. "Astrid?"
"I understand too," Astrid said and felt her heart grimace at the surprise upon Hiccup's face.
She wondered what was going through his mind to be surprised by her reply. She did understand the Nadder's actions. Had Hiccup been taken by a dragon before her eyes, the next dragon she met would have gotten an axe to the skull. Before the day ended, she would talk with Hiccup away from the village.
"I grant you mercy," Hiccup said, looking back to the male Nadder. "I have not forgotten what you threatened to do to Astrid though. You may rest here on Berk with your intended after I have Gothi check her over and make sure she is unharmed from her captivity. If you stay will be up to Astrid."
[I understand and accept your judgement, alpha of the nest,] the male Nadder said, his voice and tone much more civil and respect.
Hiccup nodded and looked up. "Winddancer, will you and Windwalker guide them back to the plaza? Windwalker, then will you get Gothi and ask her to check the female over?"
[Sure, Alpha,] both Nadder said.
[Alpha of this nest,] the male began, [did the female Spike-thrower who asked for mercy for me that day stay here?]
"Yes," Hiccup said. "I believe she has a cave on the north side of the island." He looked up at Winddancer who nodded her head.
[That is my intended's sister,] the male said. [May we rest with her until your intended makes her decision?]
Hiccup tilted his head. "You may," he said. "But cause no more damage or chaos in the nest."
The male Nadder tipped his head. [As you will it, alpha of this nest. Thank you for rescuing my love. I tired to get others to aid me in freeing her but no dragon would, not even a Tusked-king my flock's elder used to speak of before he died.]
"You are welcome," Hiccup said. "Now follow Winddancer and her nephew to Gothi."
The two Nadders tipped their heads to Hiccup and moved out of the arena. Winddancer and Windwalker met them. All four rose into the air and banked back towards Berk. Hiccup turned to Astrid, opening his mouth. She placed a finger upon his lips.
"We need to talk," she said softly, "but I want to get this charcoal out of my hair first. I want to be Astrid."
"You're always Astrid," Hiccup whispered.
"The one you do not frown at, Hiccup."
"But…"
"I think you need to get the Whispering Death and the Scauldron settled right now," Astrid whispered. "I'll go get this charcoal out and we can meet in the cove and talk, okay?"
Hiccup sighed. "Okay."
Astrid smiled. She caressed his cheek with her fingers, tempted to kiss him but she resisted. She wanted the charcoal out of her hair. She wanted no trace of 'Heather' to remain. She turned and headed out of the arena and climbed one Stormfly's back.
She would go home. She would get her mother to aid her in cleaning her hair and braiding it again. She would also ask her mother some questions that were plaguing her since she learned how little Hiccup knew of the feelings couples could experience in their courtship and beyond. Then she would meet Hiccup in the cove. She would tell him she was still with him. She would explain why she did what she did. She would then kiss him like she did on the sea stack and somehow get him to hold her again. Nothing less would satisify her.
