Hiccup sighed. He knew it was the way of the dragons he led, and the male had threatened his brother. Still, watching any being die left him drained. He took a deep breath in through his nose and out through his mouth. His dragons ceased their attacks and the light which had flared began to fade. Hiccup stared down in silence for a heartbeat before lifting his gaze. Ruff and Tuff, stationed at the duel entrance gates, pressed the activating levers down. The gates rose. Hiccup blinked as the green and gold Sand Wraith brothers flew into the arena, landing beyond where the Night Fury male's corpse rested. Hiccup had been expecting Astrid, Stormfly, and the flock under her command to be the ones to enter.

[Greetings, honored alpha of the nest,] the older of the two said, keeping with his habit of formal speaking. He even tipped his head, though he kept his wings tight against his body. [It seems we have come at a rather awkward time.]

"Greetings, Sand-spitters," Hiccup said. "I must admit my surprise. Is everyone well?"

[Better than him,] the younger quipped, tail pointed at the dead Night Fury.

Hiccup's eyes narrowed. Before he could express his displeasure at the jest, the older brother wing-slapped the younger.

[Have some respect. The Wind-shrieker faces the ancestors' exile now.]

Every dragon in Hiccup's line of sight shuddered. Hiccup frowned. He knew some of how the dragons honored those who died with no taint to their charge. Lorekeeper and the other Elders had asked for more time before explaining the full process, stating the ritual was something humans might not have the stomach for. Hiccup trusted his dragons and gave them that time. Still from the reaction he saw, the exile the Sand Wraith spoke of must be kinned to Odin refusing a Viking entrance into Valhalla. Hiccup found himself shuddering as well.

[Honored alpha of the nest.]

The older brother's voice pulled Hiccup from his thoughts.

"Yes?"

[If you so will it, my brother and I will remove the dead from your stone den. Your nest should not have to suffer the stain of one who has refused your judgement.]

[Must you be so formal?! He said you don't have to do that!]

The older wing-slapped the younger again. Hiccup bit his lip to keep from chuckling as the younger began grumbling in the Old Tongue. The nest dragons held no compulsion to keep quiet and began chortling. The human riders gave varying sounds of amusement. The Sand Wraith brothers had proven entertaining to all who had a chance to interact with them. Especially since the older insisted on speaking formal to those who held a high rank in the nest and the younger groused about it frequently.

[Honored alpha, may we clear your stone den?]

"Please," Hiccup said, fighting to keep his mirth out of his voice.

Both dragons tipped their heads and then carefully maneuvered the dead dragon out of the arena. As soon as the gates closed behind them, Hiccup looked at Fishlegs. Soon the Night Fury alpha walked out of his pen. Hiccup noted the male looked fearful and sad.

"While they deal with the dead," Hiccup said softly, "we'll continue."

The Night Fury sighed. [I can only offer my apologies for the actions of my nest-mate.]

Hiccup frowned and tilted his head. He spun on his good heel, causing Sharpshot to sputter in surprise. Toothless and Moondust gave questioning warbles as Hiccup marched around the dragons surrounding the arena. The dragons gave questioning chirps and squeaks. Hiccup merely gave murmured reassurances. He offered no explanation. He knew many would think him mad and some would try to bar his way if they understood what he was doing so he kept quiet.

"Hiccup."

He stopped just past Shadowfire's student, who stood on the entrance-side of the Tall-singer male. Hiccup looked up, not surprised that Astrid figured out his plan. She swore she developed the talent for doing so as their courtship advanced. He gave her a reassuring smile but continued on. Ruff and Tuff hesitated only a moment when he gestured for the gates to be lifted. Hiccup walked down the ramp. He was not surprised to hear Stormfly's claws and Astrid's boots hit stone, nor was he surprised to hear both following him. Duel thumps from where he had stood also did not surprise him.

He did not reprimanded any of them. He knew it was futile to do so. His queen, her sister, and his flock would not let him face what they perceived as a threat alone. Not anymore. He did wish Toothless and Moondust had never learned they could squeeze through the chain roof if they kept their wings tight and wiggled through. He could have done without the amount of scales they always left in their wake. They never complained such hurt them, but Hiccup was never sure. There were always four small piles whenever the pair chose the direct route into the arena.

Hiccup continued past the confused looking Night Fury alpha. He gripped a barrel near to Barf and Belch's old pen and rolled it closer to the dragon. Sitting it on one side, Hiccup hopped upon it. He held his hand out, palm up towards the dragon as the others reached him. Astrid immediately claimed his left side, with Moondust at her left. Toothless claimed Hiccup's right while Stormfly guarded their backs.

"Please sit," Hiccup said. "It would be more comfortable."

The Night Fury's hind end slowly dropped. Hiccup saw a flash of pain race through green eyes as Astrid placed her hand upon his shoulder. Hiccup recognized the sorrow. He had seen it in his father's eyes many times.

"Your mate flies with your ancestors now?" he asked softly.

The male blinked the slowly closed his eyes. He lowered he head.

"How long?"

[Since before I was injured. She..she would fish on her own. Said it gave her time to breath. We were young and newly leading the nest. She…she came from another and had.. never led before. The human alpha who.. I sought revenge. He got past my guard with his shiny claw.]

"And in your grief the one you thought was your friend took more control than you wanted him to?"

[I was a fool to think he had grown past his youngling beliefs. He loved hearing about the alphas from the Days of Chaos. I thought…] The male sighed. [It matters little what I thought. I failed my nest.] He looked to Moondust. [I failed you. I should have never believed his son. I should have asked you what happened on that patrol. I am so sorry, young one.]

Hiccup felt Astrid stir and glanced over. His queen had an armed draped over Moondust's neck. Moondust pressed into Astrid's side. Hiccup heard a tail and a pair of talons scraping. He glanced over the shoulder Sharpshot did not claim. Toothless' tail entwined with Moondust's and Stormfly had her wing over Moondust's wings.

[You have found a wonderful nest.]

The male's voice pulled Hiccup's focus back around.

[Far better than the one you left. I know it will not mean much, but I am happy for you.]

Moondust did nothing more than tip her head though she never broke contact with Astrid's side.

"What will you do now?"

The male's wide-eyed gaze snapped to Hiccup. He would have laughed but the situation did not call for such.

[I stand in violation of your nest, young alpha. My life is yours to decide.]

Hiccup grunted. "The one who died violated Civility Laws against my nest. He paid for his crimes. I'm not punishing you for them."

[But I landed without your permission. I let two others land without your permission. I did not stop insults and threats given to you. I hold the blame.]

"No, you do not. My nest is new, well new after the war, and dragons are still learning I'm the alpha of it. I can't punish you when I don't punish others who have just learned my status."

[You…you are like no human I have ever known.]

That earned the male many snorts and snickers and not just from the dragons. The dragon blinked, looking around the arena before looking back down at Hiccup. Hiccup smirked.

"I've been told that before."

Before the male could respond, a familiar shriek built. Hiccup looked up finding some of his dragons reacting to something from the sea while others still kept their focus upon the Night Fury alpha. Hiccup's eyes widened as six new Night Furies flew into view. To Hiccup's greater surprise all six were forced to hover as Obsidian, Spitfire, and half of his dragon father's honor guard appeared from village side of the arena. Snarls and shrieked warbles from one of the six Night Furies had every nest dragon but Moondust roaring in anger.

[Mother! Stop! You don't know who you insult!]

[That's your mother?!]

"Seriously, son?"

[Couldn't resist.]

Guest: Happy Snoggletogg to you as well. Sorry it's a bit late. Hope yours was well. I look forward to the Thing as well.