Pheda straightened, the light of the Crystal illuminating the entire cavern. She glanced at Honest, then at the crowd of dragons gathering, and took a deep breath. You'll be fine, Pheda. You'll be fine. Everything will be fine. Surprisingly enough, Honest gave no indication of having heard her thoughts. Pheda frowned, then shrugged. Something weird was definitely going on, but now was not the time to figure it out.
Toothless' green eyes reflected in the light, and his blue-and-green glowing scales shimmered like those of no other. He moved to the front of the Hanging Crystal, and spread his wings. He roared, calling the Council to order. Having gotten their attention, he turned to Pheda. "It is time."
Pheda inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying desperately to gain confidence. She found none.
'You'll be fine,' came Honest's voice in her head. 'You'll. Be. Fine.'
Pheda came forward, and stood beside Toothless, fighting the urge to back out. She took another deep breath, then spoke. I know that this is probably confusing for you, and it's pretty weird for me too. Apparently I can speak telepathically to dragons, which is going to take some serious getting used to.
Anyway, the village of New Berk is under siege, and unless we help them right now, then the dragons' only allies outside the Hidden World will be destroyed. I don't know what our enemy wants, or anything like that. New Berk is vulnerable without dragons, and you know that they would never leave your sides in a time of crisis. It wasn't until after Grimmel was defeated that you were sent here, and it was for the continued safety of both human and dragon. Now your allies are in danger of death. Will you help them?
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Honest stepped forward, unbidden. 'Pheda is right. When humans threatened dragonkind, Hiccup Haddock the Berkians have always been there for us, never giving up, never stopping, undaunted by the danger until the enemies that sought to destroy us were themselves destroyed. If we leave our only allies to fend for themselves in their greatest time of need, what right have we to ask for help when we need it? There may yet come a time when the humans are our only hope, and we must not rid ourselves of our only allies when that time may soon be upon us.'
A Titanwing Scauldron flew up on level with the Crystal, and bowed midair. Toothless nodded at him, and he landed. "My Liege, my Alpha, how do you know this? How does Flaming Honesty know this? She's barely a Broadwing. Are you certain that she is telling the truth?"
"You think I would lie?!" Honest asked, agape. She detracted her teeth and snarled. "'Honesty' is in my very name. Do you really think I would go against it? My father knew what he was doing when he named me. I would never betray his honor."
Toothless spread a restraining wing. "Yes, Wavetalon, that is a valid question."
Honest stared at her grandsire, aghast.
"And yes, Honest, Flamefang knew what he was doing when he named you Flaming Honesty. I trust you wholly. You would never tell a lie, or betray your dragons to live a life as you have lived yours."
"I would never," Honest repeated, still angry with Wavetalon, "do anything of the kind."
Wavetalon bowed his head. "I meant no disrespect, Future-queen. I am merely concerned that weaknesses not properly addressed may cause us to find ourselves in an awful situation."
Honest retracted her teeth, and forced her hurt pride into a corner. "You are forgiven, Wavetalon, Elder of the Scauldrons. That is a valid concern. Forewarned is forearmed, you know."
She forced a smile. "What other worries do you have, and how would you have them put to rest without giving up the needed mission?"