Hey guys ! New chapter !

Disclaimers : I don't own the stories of How To Train Your Dragon nor Rise Of The Guardian, all credits go to Cressida Crowell, William Joyce and Dreamworks Animation Studios.

Hope you enjoy !
Love and scales !

Chapter 16
Gathering

Two days had elapsed since the departure of the dragon riders to gather the allies. They had decided to split in smaller groups so they could reach more clans in the same time.

Elska, Snotlout and Reekfrid were going towards the Dragon Edge to rally the Wingmaiden and the Defensors of the Wings.

Astrid, the twins and Loathfetor were going south-east, seeking for the Berserkers and the Meathead, they closest neighbors from former Berk.

Hiccup, Fishlegs and Eret were going to see if the first visit of L League to the Bearclaw had been enough to make them allies, and convince them to join them in battle.

Everyone agreed for Hiccup to take care of this peculiar case since he was the most capable to changing minds. They had also agreed for Team A to remain on New Berk and protect it if needed.

Each team knew it was a time trial. Without the raiders to lead Kosmozis' men into false tracks, there would find New Berk more easily, so the dragon riders had to make sure to come back before their enemies.

Each of them was in a hurry and remained focus on their task, but those who have stayed on the fortress island, it was nothing but waiting, and it was the worst.

Despite of this, Joke kept himself busy. Helped by Gobber, Spitelout, Mulch, Bucket and Goathi – in the limits of what the elder could still do – they were the village's management in the stead of their missing chief.

It was not easy because everyone was talking about Hiccup, using him as an excuse to complain if the tasks were not completed as efficiantly as if the young chief had done it, but they had to deal with it.

After all, the villagers didn't have the right to reproach the acting chiefs for not being used to this kind of duties. Only two of them were granted excuses. Gobber had to take care of his smithy too, and Joke being pregnant had to take it easy.

Surprisingly, once Joke was going to an house were they needed help, the vikings were already calmed down by just seeing him with his growing belly and the Light Fury who was now always by his side to keep an eye on him.

They were really thankful for the young man to scramble for them despite his condition, and it often filled them with guilty. Joke suspected it was the reason why Gobber had made him in charge of smoothing the conflicts, not because he had the tact most vikings lacked.

Still, going from one part of the village to the other was getting really tiring on him. He still didn't complain about it. Lumiverse had took the habit to leave her hatchlings at the shed, under the good care of a Deadly Nadder couple, so she could accompany him everywhere.

Joke was really grateful for her to watch over him, and made her know that by stroking and thanking her everytime she was doing something for him. She was always walking by his side, she was stoping and waiting for him when she was getting to fast for him, she was cooing to him encouragingly when she was feeling him tire. Sometimes, she was even pushing obstacles out of his way, such as branches, boxes, even peebles he could hurt his feet on.

She really was pampering him all day long and, by sunset, she was walking him home, then coming back to her hatchlings to get them back to the cove. Joke used to find some time to visit them, he didn't like the idea to separate Lumiverse from them, and it reassured Gobber to see him take some break. Actually, the black-smith didn't like seing him work so hard in his condition. It was worrying him even if Goathi had promised to keep an eye on him.

Three days after the riders' leaving, the first team came back. Astrid, Loathfetor and the twins had recruited a lot of people. The Berserkers had send twenty of their finest riders, led by Heather herself, the clan chieftess, and also a good friend of Astrid.

The Meatheads were not a really numerous clan and only had on their island dragons from Boulder and Tydal class, yet they still joined the fight. Only seven warriors were there, but they were riding were powerful dragons : Catastrophic Quaken and Scauldrons. They also brough a great asset for all allies of Berk : a Shellfire.

Those giant tydal dragons had powerful cannonball-sized plasma charges and only one specimen was enough to destroy a whole island. This dragon had actually been rescued from a group of barbars who wanted to use him as a weapon, earning the Meatheads complete loyalty from the mighty beast they treated almost like a god.

However, the riders were also bringing bad news. On the way to the Meathead island, they had passed by former Berk, and saw with horror it had been destroyed, burned down to ashes. There was no remain of the village and only scorched earth were once layed green forests. They couldn't be sure of it, but they were convinced it was Kosmozis' work, he sure had been infuriated not to find their new location.

Finding an explanation did not sooth the vikings' shock. For all they loved their new island and couldn't stop saying it was more comfy, resourceful and spacy than the previous one, they still had born and grown up in former Berk so the place was a peculiar part of their heart.

On ce she was back, not even taking some time to rest from the trip, Astrid joined the acting chiefs. After all, they had to welcome their allies and settle them. Joke had never been found of all the politics and diplomatic exchanges and had never been at ease for public speeches, so he had to take on himself to do so in Hiccup's absence.

Astrid recommended him to wear a large and thick cloak in order to hide his belly. A pregnant man maybe be not something strange in the Storm family, but it was for other people, and they couldn't risk to scare off their allies.

The following days promised to be quite harsh for the chief's husband, but his sister was there to support him until the two other teams get back. Three more days were enough for Elska, Snotlout and Reekfrid to come back, but noone was able to say how long the last team's mission will last. They didn't know the Bearclaw clan enough to say it.

o*o*o*o*o*o

The trip had been long and pretty harsh due to a storm coming down from the north, forcing the three riders to make a stop, waiting for the strong wind to drop. The trip was supposed to take two days but was getting longer. Hiccup hated the idea to linger, but Eret assured him it was better getting back home later than never.

Hiccup could have ignore him if it was not for this spark of worry in his hazelnut eyes. After all, Eret was part of their clan since his 'adoption', and now he was building a relationship with Astrid, he was more linked to them than ever. He had as many reason as Hiccup to get back home in one piece, to get back to the young strong lady Hiccup called friend and sister-in-law.

Eret patted his shoulder in comfort and turned back to watch the storm. The three riders and their dragons had landed on a rocky isle and had found shelter in a cave. The onyl animals there were bats they had spotted in the depth of the cave, with which they had kept a safety distance to not disturb them.

The wind was roaring outside, almost flat, carrying pourring rain as heavy as the worst tempest on former Berk. Lightning and thunder were pursuing each other while the light remained in the thick cover of clouds, far enough from the earth to avoid danger.

The real danger was the wind, so strong, so powerful and furious Fishlegs even doubted Stormcutters could venture in it.

''We're about a few hours from the Bearclaw territory.'' Eret stated. ''We can wait for the storm to calm down before resuming our travel.''

Hiccup nodded in agreement, the dragons needed some rest anyway, judging how fast Toothless had fallen asleep once they sat. Skullcrusher was looking intently at the raging storm outside while Meatlug was drowsing while serving as couch for her uneasy rider.

He was fidgeting his fingers nervously, his breath unsteady and quick.

''It's okay Fishlegs. It's just a storm, it will pass.'' Hiccup reassured him.

''I'm not worried about the tempest, Hiccup. What if we are doing this for nothing ?''

''What do you mean ?''

''We're not even sure the Bearclaw clan want peace with the dragons. The first expedition didn't have to fight with them, but they still evacuated the dragons-''

''Not all of them.'' Eret corrected. ''Most of them stayed there, we only evacuated the village's surroundings.''

''Maybe, it's still not encouraging.''

Even if he didn't want to admit it, his stout friend's anxiety rubbed off on Hiccup. It was true the Bearclaw clan was not giving any garantee to change their mind about dragons, maybe they were traveling this far for nothing, but they still had to try.

''What do you think about it, Eret ? You went there already.''

''Honestly, I don't know. Their chief has a past with dragons, and villagers are united. I don't think Scarlar the Hunter is completely against the idea, but it will take time to convince him.''

''Regarding Kosmozis' resources, we have to try.'' Hiccup concluded before turning back to Fishlegs.

The dragon lover blond viking didn't seem convinced, his hesitant look spoke enough.

''We need all the help we can get.'' Hiccup claimed. ''The Bearclaw cla nhad dreadful warriors, even without the help of the dragons.''

''Hiccup is right.'' Eret added. ''Even if they don't agree with us about dragons, we need their arms and weapons.''

''… I hope you guys are right.'' Fishlegs finally replied. ''I don't like the idea to be away from home that long.''

Hiccup could only agree on that. He stood and joined Eret next to the entrance of the cave. If the former trapper was looking to east, watching for the slightest sign the storm was dissipating, Hiccup looked straight to west. He pictured the face of the person he left there and was hoping to find again soone. He wondered how things were going on on New Berk.

Without him knowing this, at the exact same moment, Joke was doind the same thing as him, looking at the horizon, thinking of him, wondering how he was doing, hoping everything was fine and that they would be reunited soon.

Wrapped in a thick fur cover, he had sat on a tree stump, a few steps from the edge of the cliff, looking as the rising sun coming out of the ocean and painting the sky with smooth blue and pink colors. Exceptionally, Lumiverse had stayed with him for the night. Since the previous day had tired him so much Joke had been barely able to walk home on his own, she had helped Astrid get him to his hutt and had refused to leave him since she was too worried.

Astrid had stayed too, she had fallen asleep in a chair Gobber had crafted two days prior so the pregnant man could sit and stand easier than if he did on the edge of the bed. Joke had woken up in the middle of the night because of a slight pain in the belly, caused by the weight of the baby, and had smiled seeing his sister there.

He had put a cover on her so she wouldn't get cold and left the house, followed by his dragon. Lumiverse hadn't really slept, watching for a sign her rider was waking up to make sure he was okay.

This little walk to the cliff reassured her, allowing her to lay against the stump an dfinally close her eyes and sleep for the three hours they remained there. The cold air of New Berk was stimulating, mostly during the night, making him forget about his tiredness and allowing him to clear his ideas.

As he was contemplating the landscaping of the dawn, he heard faint footsteps coming close. Astrid stoped next to him, tightening her grip on the fur she had wrapped around her shoulders, and looked at the sunrise too. A comfortable silence surrounded them for a few minutes, the only sounds were the early birds chirping, the waves crashing down bellow against the cliff, and the steady breathing of the sleeping Light Fury.

When a chilly wind brushed upon them, Astrid shivered and finally talked.

''Still ahving troubles to sleep ?''

''No, I was just thinking. Thinking of Hiccup.''

Astrid eyes him for a couple seconds.

''He'll come back, don't worry.''

''I'm not worried, just impatient.'' He smiled softly while stroking his belly.

The movement of his hand under the cover didn't go unnoticed by his sister. She made use of the large size of the stump to sit against him, trying to share some warmth.

''I assume you've got some ideas about her name ?'' She inquired with a little smile, nudging his shoulder.

That made him smile and chuckle.

''Maybe, yes. But Id' like your opinion about it before telling him. I think this idea is double-edged, I'm not sure it will make him happy or angry.''

Astrid got curious about it.

''Spil it.'' She said, saving her opinion for later.

''I'd like to name our daughter Valka, after his mother.''

Astrid felt touched hearing this, and couldn't help but smile. That was so her brother to think this way, but since she also knew Hiccup, she understood his hesitation. Her smile faded a bit and got filled with awkwardness.

''You know how he is. I think he'll be touched but won't accept it though. He might not want your daughter to try and live up to the woman she's named after.''

Joke nodded in understanding, but he still felt a bit disappointed. He lowered his head and looked at his plump belly, his hands around him stroking the nightshirt he was wearing.

''What about using it as her second name ?'' Astrid proposed, smiling softly.

As she had expected, it gave back his good mood to her brother, drawing on his face his characterictic smirk and this mischievous spark in his eyes.

o*o*o*o*o*o

Hiccup woke up in a jolt as someone shook him. He calmed down recognizing Eret, and sat up to look up at his built friend.

''The storm has dissipated enough, we can resume our journey.''

''Great. Can you wake up Fishlegs while I make sure Toothless' gear is ready ?''

Eret nodded and headed to their common friend, who was snoring louder than his usual thin voice would foretell.

Hiccup stroked his best friend's scaly head and met lime green eyes and a soft vibrating sound.

''Let's go, bud, we're alsmot there.''

The dragon let out a gargling noise and got up without waiting. The dragon seemed as impatient as his rider to complete their mission and get back home, to their family.