This was by far the hardest chapter to write and took many paths before getting to this point. Coupled with the fact that I got sick and... I am sorry for the delay. I do hope you enjoy this and I can say for certain that after this, no more waiting. Hiccup's plan to get the Vikings to see the truth and the Thing officially starts in the next chapter. Also, this is a long one.


Evening saw the ships spotted north of the Foreverwing slowly turning into the harbor waters. The delay meant Moondust had a moment to spend time with her blood flock as the six who accompanied her mother were her brothers and their mates. Toothless had a moment to formally meet his in-laws. Even Hiccup had a moment to spend with Moondust's former alpha, continuing to avoid Dagur in the process. Obsidian joined Hiccup and the other alpha during the delay as he wanted to speak to Hiccup as well.

Hiccup wished for those moments now that he was standing upon the walkway that connected all the docks to the switchback path up the cliff face. He preferred them to dealing with Snorre and Hagan. Both chiefs annoyed Hiccup greatly. Both were never shy about their beliefs that the gods gave them the right to enslave others. They also were not shy about their opinions on Hiccup, and those opinions were worse than those his tribe spouted before the Red Death battle.

Hiccup used to believe his father agreed with their words, at least about Hiccup, as the man never countered them whenever either had a chance to visit Berk. It was only much later, long after he awoke from the induced healing sleep, that he learned his father never knew the men said anything to him. With great reluctance, Stoick admitted to never paying attention to anything concerning Hiccup when visitors came to the island. At least unless it was a tribesman complaining about something Hiccup had done. The admission still stung even if Hiccup forgave his father, though he would be the first to confess he had to remind himself of that forgiveness whenever he learned such things.

"Somethin's wrong."

Stoick's confused mumbled pulled Hiccup from his thoughts. He glanced up at his father who stood to Astrid's left. The man's brow furrowed until his eyes barely showed. Hiccup turned back to the waters, staring at the ships to find out what bothered his father. Steinar, there due to his father possibly being on one of the ships spotted, gave words to the reason before Hiccup could speak.

"Chilblain's ships no be amongst dem."

Hiccup frowned, realizing the man was right. "Maybe Hagan had to leave later than the others. Ice could have blocked him."

Even as he said that, Hiccup knew that was not the cause. Chilblain lay at the far northern part of the Archipelago. They had actually flown over the island and its well known mountain on their way to Obsidian's nest. It was entirely possible ice from Devastating Winter lingered to bar Hagan's departure but that would have also impacted Henrik. Shivering Shores lay between Chilblain and Thunderhead and lay closer to the former more than the latter. Any lingering ice would have been a problem for Henrik as well.

"Hagan no be comin'," Henrik said as he and his two generals were the first to disembark and make their way to the connecting walkway. "Be sayin' he no place himself in harm's way and be stayin' ta prepare his people. Fool be thinkin' ye readyin' fer an attack."

"Hagan no be a fool, ye old goat."

Henrik glared at Snorre as the rotund chieftain, his two generals, and his heir, Einar, came closer. Hiccup noted all of them had their hands on their weapons but were smart enough not to draw them.

Henrik grunted. "He be a fool. He be da one wot started screamin' at us all ta do somethin' when we all hear 'bout Berk's dragons. He be backin' out when we choose honor over war."

"Dragons be demons," Snorre stated, his voice full of disgust. "Gods'll punish us fer not killin' dem."

Hiccup's eyes narrowed but he kept his tongue still. He was merely Hiccup, Stoick's heir, to these men. They did not know he was Hiccup, alpha of the Berkian nest. At least not yet. Speaking out would dishonor Stoick. Hiccup would rather be skinned alive than to willingly dishonor his father.

Snorre's words still caused fire to race through Hiccup's soul though. He felt and heard Link and Nightjaw give low growls. He felt and saw Toothless and Sharpshot tense and heard a rattle, a sound Stormfly gave when she was readying to fight.

A hand slipping into Hiccup's brought a chilling relief to the flames. He glanced over finding his queen staring at the chiefs though Hiccup knew her focus was on him. Hiccup took a deep breath in through his nose and out through his mouth. The fires receded. Link and Nightjaw calmed. Toothless and Sharpshot relaxed. Hiccup heard Stormfly's soft chitter and knew she was standing down as well. Hiccup gave Astrid's hand a gentle squeeze in gratitude.

Old Wrinkly may have spoken of it first but his immediate departure south prevented him from aiding Hiccup about it. Stoick and Astrid, however, were able to help Hiccup keep his calm, thus preventing any of his dragons from lashing out in a bid to defend him, or remove the one who caused his anger. Something that Hiccup knew would destroy him more than anything he endured before he became the dragons' alpha. Hiccup was no murderer, even if he would kill to keep someone safe, and he wanted none of his dragons to think they could repay him by killing someone who angered him. Or use such a method to gain his favor for any reason.

Astrid's parents, Gobber, Gothi, and the older Riders were also told about his call and what power that had over the dragons in the nest. All vowed to help him as well. That none made him feel like a failure over this still touched Hiccup.

Hiccup noted none of the visiting Vikings missed the entire exchange. Henrik bore a thoughtful look. His generals glanced between Hiccup, the dragons, and Astrid. Snorre openly glared while his generals seemed apprehensive. Einar appeared to want to make some snide remark but kept his mouth shut. Hiccup wondered why. Einar, like Thuggory and Camicazi were not shy about speaking whenever they wanted to, even if it was customary and honorable for an heir to keep silent while chiefs talked unless a chief spoke to them.

"Come."

Stoick's voice caused Hiccup to drop his musings. He knew what his father was about to do. Now that they knew these were the last of the chiefs to arrive, Stoick wanted them in the village as soon as possible. The first meeting of the Thing, the first official one, could start in the morning after the newly docked chiefs could rest, but the oath binding all to peace would start as soon as Henrik and Snorre stepped into Berk's plaza.

"Evenin' meal be soon ready. We can celebrate all ye arrivin' safe and then ye all can rest."

"Send dem demons on," Snorre demanded. "We no be walkin' wiv dem."

"They no be demons," Stoick growled. "But I will ask Hiccup to take them back up." Stoick stood to his full height. "No one be harmin' the dragons while ye be on Berk's shores."

"Beasts attack me or mine," Snorre began.

"Be only attacked iffen ye be a threat," Stoick said, cutting the man off. He turned to Hiccup. "Be takin' them back, son."

"Sure, Dad."

"Might I be goin' wiv him?" Steinar asked.

Hiccup glanced at him. While it was tradition for an heir to keep his tongue still until spoken to, once a meeting was ending an heir could ask a question to any of the chiefs around them. Hiccup wondered why Steinar wished to accompany him instead of walking with his father.

"Son?" Henrik questioned sounding more than slightly surprised and concerned.

Hiccup guessed the man was puzzled. A reaction Hiccup understood. Steinar had been on Berk's shores since the calmer part of winter started. Henrik likely wanted to assure himself that his son was well after being in such close proximity to dragons. As well as learn what Steinar had observed during that time.

"I be needin' ta ask Hiccup somethin'," Steinar explained.

Hiccup turned his gaze to the Shivering Shore chief. He hoped the man allowed Steinar to go. They had resumed their talks since that day Deepminer left and Steinar helped Hiccup in avoiding Dagur whenever a dragon related issue did not give Hiccup a valid reason. Hiccup had yet to get the heir onto the back of a dragon though and he still wanted to. This would present the perfect opportunity.

Dragons could walk up and down the switch-backing walkways connecting the docks to Berk but that would take time. Dragons had to contend with wings and tails while walking. Flying would be faster and Hiccup knew his father wanted faster.

"I be fine if Stoick no be carin'," Henrik stated, his tone resigned.

"I be havin' no issue."

Stoick openly agreed with Hiccup's plan to get Steinar in the air. The other Vikings respected Steinar for the glories he earned in his battles, even if they might think him a bit mad for defending Berk having the dragons. Seeing Steinar on the back of any dragon, much less the famed unholy offspring of lighting and death, and living to tell the tale could go a long way to showing the visiting Vikings that dragons were not dangerous. The only downside to the whole thing was that Hiccup knew he would have to give Thuggory and Einar a ride on Toothless and asked Astrid to let Cami ride with her on Stormfly or they could be accused of showing favoritism. Hiccup also resolved to face that when the time came, even if he hated the prospect.

Steinar grinned and waited until Hiccup settled into Toothless' saddle before gingerly slipping in behind Hiccup. He made a point to gently pat Toothless' side. Hiccup knew he would have scratched Sharpshot's horns had the Terror not crawled over Hiccup's shoulder and gripped the front of Hiccup's harness.

"Son?"

"Be safe, Dad, 'n faster. See ye up dere."

With that Toothless bounded down the connecting walkway. Hiccup heard Stormfly's distinct tread following behind them and smiled. Astrid had immediately released Hiccup's hand when Steinar explained his reason. She knew how badly Hiccup wanted Steinar to experience flight. Hiccup made a silent vow to show her how much he appreciated her as soon as they were able.

"By da gods!" Steinar exclaimed as Toothless took off.

Hiccup felt pride fill him as his brother chose a controlled take off this time. As playful as the Night Fury could be, Toothless knew exactly when to be serious and when to be a prankster. Hiccup loved his brother all the more for that.

Despite the hurry to get back into the village, Toothless chose a lazy glide up and wide circle back to land. Hiccup did not direct his brother's flight. He knew what Toothless was doing and agreed with it.

"Dere be no words," Steinar said softly as the circled above the village. "Hiccup, thank ye."

Hiccup glanced over his shoulder finding Steinar staring all around with awe in his eyes. The man's gaze found Hiccup's and stayed there.

"Dis be more den I ever be thinkin'. I be feelin'," Steinar's face crinkled as if he was trying to find the right word to say.

"Free," Hiccup suggested.

Beyond the thrill of flight, beyond the sense of belonging when in the air with his brothers, Hiccup thrived in the sense of freedom the winds gave him. Up in the clouds problems could not touch him. Disappointments that once weighed heavy upon his soul were rendered so small as to be non-existent. Here, above the land and the waves, he was just Hiccup. He was just a young man spending time with his flock. Nothing more and nothing less.

He wondered if Steinar felt the same. By the fact Steinar's face cleared, Hiccup had his answer.

Toothless circled the village once more, then began a lazy spiral down to land in front of Hiccup's hut. Stormfly touched down a heartbeat later. Steinar slipped off Toothless. Hiccup followed. He saw Steinar watching Stormfly as the Nadder nuzzled Astrid and preened the hair that hung over her face when Astrid dismounted.

"Hiccup, iffen me father agrees ta peace," Steinar began softly, his eyes still on Stormfly and Astrid, though Hiccup knew the man was not watching due to any feelings for Astrid.

The man still appeared as awed as he had been while flying.

"Ye think we can see if a dragon be willin' ta bond wiv me? I be watchin'. Dey love ye all completely when dey choose ye."

[Bonds are everything to a dragon,] Stormfly said before Hiccup could reply.

Hiccup smiled. Some would assume he would reprimand Stormfly for what they would call, 'speaking out of turn', but Hiccup never minded any of his dragons voicing their thoughts. They always proved they would let him talk when the need arose. This was not a formal meeting and thus strict rules about proper rank privileges did not need to be followed. A lesson Obsidian and Moondust's former alpha gave Hiccup while they waited for the ships to get closer. Hiccup still found it amusing that the dragons followed similar rules as the Vikings for such things.

"If your father agrees," Hiccup began, "I will personally introduce you to every dragon living in the nest. If any choose you they know they are free to leave and find a new home. I will never force my dragons to remain if they don't want to."

Steinar smiled and Hiccup watched as the man laid a gentle hand upon the top of Toothless' head.

"No matter if me father agrees or not," Steinar said, "I be wiv ye, Hiccup. No dragon be harmed iffen I have any say 'bout it. 'n any I find dat be injured I personally tend ta dem until dey be healthy 'gain. I vow that."

Hiccup smiled. "Thank you," he said softly.

A heady rush surged through his soul. It was just one, and there was a vast number to go, but his nest had managed to fully open another's eyes. Hiccup knew he wanted to experience this feeling again because each time it meant another's ignorance was washed away. Each time it meant peace could last a little longer. Each time it meant everything he and his nest had endured and overcome had been worth it.

Watching Steinar begin to give scratches to every dragon around him, Hiccup welcomed the challenge tomorrow would bring. He and his nest were ready for it.


Kirika: I am glad you are recoverying. And hehe, yep, Hiccup does have a great peaceful heart. :)

NightshotShadowFury: Hehe, more the latter than the former. ;) :P