Foreign desires of unforeseen transformations
Chapter 65 – Pending trial

Four days had passed since Hiccup's panic attack, but Toothless had just been significantly depleted of energy and in a very deep sleep. He hadn't mentioned it to Toothless at all, not wanting his boyfriend to worry or fuss, and his mother had left that choice up to him – thankfully, and she hadn't said anything either.

Toothless, however – after finally waking up after nearly nineteen hours of sleep – knew that something was bothering him – of course he knew, he couldn't keep anything from the bloody hybrid! Toothless, had continued to ask what was wrong, but he'd never insisted so strongly on an answer before…

Toothless had flown with Vissy twice more since that first flight – growing stronger each time and sleeping less afterwards – he was mostly healed now, and it was time to make plans for the home journey. They'd been debating on when to return to Berk, when Toothless had starting asking again…

"What's wrong Hicc? The truth this time!" Toothless demanded, watching as Hiccup paced the room. His auburn-haired boyfriend was obviously scared for his – Toothless' safety… but it was overkill! Something was wrong and he wanted to know what. He wasn't letting Hiccup get away with no answer this time, so he stood up and took Hiccup's hands into his own making eye contact.

"I just don't want you falling out of the sky!" Hiccup insisted, and even though it was only partially the truth, he just hoped Toothless would accept it as his full answer.

"Then why not let me travel as a human!? I can ride with you on Vissy." Toothless argued, knowing that his ameor was cool with that idea – he'd already asked her.

"B-because your venerable in your human form! It'll be just great if we get back to Berk and they attack you on sight."

Toothless sighed and shook his head – they'd been over this already – there was no way that Vissy would allow any harm to come to any of them, the other dragons would be on guard, and he wasn't as vulnerable as Hiccup believed him to be. They had no reason to believe that the villagers held any animosity towards the dragons, or himself, and he – Toothless, would also be on guard. As Alpha, he would have an entire flock of dragons there to command if need be – even in his human form. No, Hiccup was overly worried about him and he could take a good guess at the issue.

"You can't live like this Hiccup! You can't stop living to spend your life protecting me or Trid from everything and nothing!" Toothless told his stubborn boyfriend. He did miss the old Hiccup sometimes – the Hiccup that took risks and was mostly optimistic – but he knew that Hiccup wouldn't find himself again until this mess with the Tribe was over with. He sighed.

"I can't say what your tribe will or won't do…" Toothless continued, "I can't promise you there won't be trouble, but you said it yourself… we have to go back! You're just delaying that inevitable. You're afraid of losing me, Trid, your mother, and those you love and care for. I understand that Hicc, but you have to get past this! You have to stop letting it control you!"

Hiccup went to argue, but he ended up sighing in defeat. He knew that Toothless was right, he knew he'd been forever scarred by the traumas of his past – even if admitting it hurt his pride and… just hurt period – but if he wanted to heal and move on, he had to stop allowing his fears to control him... he had to wade through them. He nodded, leaning against Toothless with his head under his boyfriend's chin. He felt Toothless' arms surround him, holding him, and he felt safe, loved. Yes, he could do this… he had too!

It was time to go home!

Toothless and Valka had insisted that they leave sooner rather than later, and so, two days later, they were ready to leave for Berk.

"If anything goes wrong, you will always be welcome here." Heather told Hiccup as they hugged goodbye.

Hiccup thanked her for her hospitality, and for helping Toothless in his time of need, and he was relieved that Heather would kindly open her island to them should they need it… but, Berserker island wasn't safe for dragons; where he went, Toothless would follow, and where Toothless went, the dragons would follow.

"Come on Hicc, let's go and get this mess sorted out once and for all." Toothless said, taking Hiccup's hand. Toothless just wanted this all past them one way or another, then he could shake some sense into Hiccup.

The bags were packed and loaded, Valka had Trid up on Cloudjumper with her, and the twins and Snotlout were up on Barf and Belch and Hookfang respectively. They were ready!

After final farewells and thanks, they were finally airborne on Visskara, and on their way to Berk. Toothless sat at the back, behind Hiccup, so he could easily dismount and change forms should he wish too, or need too.

With a glance to his mother, and his squealing baby boy, he whispered to his boyfriend – "Please keep them safe. Whatever happens, protect my son! Keep them both safe for me."

"Of course, Hicc, but Trid needs his father too … and you know, I could never leave you behind." Toothless reminded Hiccup, that he just wouldn't be able to desert his boyfriend if all went to shit – he just couldn't do that.

"Toothless please! I need to know that they, at least, will be safe … that you will be safe."

"I won't make promises I can't keep Hiccup." Toothless told him, knowing that he would always stand by his mate's side. "We will all be safe. I promise you that I won't let anything happen to Trid or your mother, but I won't leave you again! We'll all be fine."

Hiccup sighed and leaned back into his boyfriend chest; he would just have to accept what Toothless could promise him. In a way, he respected the truth; the truth now was better than promises broken later – and he knew what to expect from Toothless at least.

Toothless wrapped his arms tighter around Hiccup, reminding his stubborn human that he was there for him, no matter what.

It was deadly quiet on Berk – except for the rustling winds and creaking branches, and it was well past midnight. Tybalt moved through the thick trees, deep in the North Forest where the canopy above prevented falling snow from landing on the frozen ground, and where scarce light and shadows dwelled. Tybalt was searching for someone, and the lantern he carried, held up above his head, caused insects and critters to scurry back to the safety of darkness.

Tybalt finally found the man he was looking for…

Mackvarish Salterson, who was sitting against a tree, warming his cold hands against his own flickering lantern – not that the small flame relived much of the numbness setting into his fingers, nor the bitter sting from the harsh winter elements.

"What took you so long?" Mackvarish sneered at Tybalt, tired, cold, irritated and ready to get to his bed.

"Fishlegs was still awake, had to wait for him to fall asleep. The moron was stuck in those fucking books again." Tybalt complained, explaining his tardiness in delivering what he'd been ordered to steal.

"Do you have it?" Mackvarish held out a hand expectantly, now on his feet in front of Tybalt.

"Of course I 'ave it!" Tybalt handed over the letter in his hand.

Mackvarish read the letter, his smirk widening at the context. It was Hiccup's letter to his mother, and it was proof that Hiccup cared more for that freak, Toothless, then he did for his tribe.

"This should do nicely." Mackvarish drawled. "Seems our dear Hiccup of a chief, has his priorities all confused bless 'im." The false sympathy in his voice was filled with insinuations and malicious meaning. "I'm sure that Idona and Sven, even Axel, has to agree that poor Hiccup just isn't in his right mind any longer. It's such a shame really."

Tybalt chuckled, "I really should make some time to visit dear ol' Sven. It's been a while since we caught up."

"Yes, now you mention it… I'll 'ave to visit Aulay. I'm sure the man can convince his wife that poor Hiccup has been too wrought with grief since Astrid died, far to grief stricken to remain a leader. It's simply for the best of the tribe, and Idona will be on the council seeing as it's Hiccup himself on trial this time. This disgusting dragon business just proves that, and well, it's a crime is what it is."

Chuckling maliciously, they walked back towards the village going over some other details of their plans.

It was the early hours of the morning, well before sunrise, when Hiccup's group returned to Berk.

They'd taken a slightly longer flight, landing in the forest to the North West of the island – not far from Valka's home. Radburn Wagner was on night patrol for the north of the island, and Visskara had gone on ahead to prevent the man from sending a signal or alerting anyone else. Hiccup was now riding Stormfly, and Toothless was in his dragon form to command the dragons more effectively.

"Vissy, did you have to destroy the lookout tower?" Hiccup moaned when he and Toothless caught up with her. "Of course you did! What am I saying?"

Visskara huffed. Poor Radburn was almost shivering in fear, standing on what was left on the wooden platform with no way down, but he sighed in relief when he saw Hiccup. Valka went on ahead to join the dragons. They were all staying at, or in case of the dragons, around Valka's house tonight.

"Chief? What's going on?" Radburn asked, looking between Visskara, Toothless, Stormfly and Hiccup.

"Climb on," Hiccup ordered, holding out his hand to help man over and onto Stormfly behind him, "I'll explain at mum's."

Hesitantly, the man did as he was ordered.

"How are you feeling?" Hiccup asked, turning to face his boyfriend as he came down the stairs to re-join them.

When they first arrived at Valka's house, Toothless had immediately gone up the stairs to change forms and to get dressed. He was certainly more modest about his body now, and it was strange just how much he'd been… humanised? That was probably the right word, he thought.

"Back's a bit stiff, tired, hungry… the usual." Toothless smirked, sitting down on the wooden bench-style sofa – next to Hiccup of course. Snotlout was snoring loudly from a blanket pile over by the book case, and the twins were still outside somewhere doing Thor only knew what.

Hiccup chuckled at him, shaking his head with an eye roll. He wanted to wrap himself in Toothless's arms, but he was very conscious of Radburn's presence.

"Tea!" Valka handed Toothless that lovely herbal tea he loved so much.

"Thanks a lot!" Toothless wrinkled up his nose, but Valka knew that he was grateful despite his sarcasm.

"I'll just prepare some food, shall I?" Valka said, not really asking as she went to do just that before anyone could answer her. They'd had the foresight to bring a few supplies with them from Berserker Island.

Toothless sipped his tea with a wrinkled nose, listening as his boyfriend continued to explain to Radburn what was happening. His pain was nothing compare to a few weeks ago, but his body ached; transforming always pulled and stretched at his healing wounds and bruises – it wasn't comfortable to say the least.

"… We decided it was better to, you know, sneak onto my own island then to cause a scene." Hiccup explained, as if it was an everyday occurrence.

"Probably for the best, yeah." Radburn nodded, but he couldn't stop glancing at Toothless. "Axel told me to report directly to him if any dragons showed up … what do you expect me to tell him?"

"Nothing he won't already know." Hiccup said. "I plan on getting some sleep first, then mum will return to the village and announce that I have returned. I plan to stay here until the trial."

"And you expect me to stay here 'till the morning?" Radburn asked, confirming what Hiccup had said before Toothless had re-joined them.

"Yes. Sorry, but it's for the best." Hiccup confirmed.

It was basically the middle of the night – about four am, the village would be fine without a lookout for a few hours (which needed fixing now thanks to Vissy), and his mum would relay the facts – not gossip and half-truths. The last thing they needed was to be ambushed, and this way, things would hopefully go more smoothly.

The next time Radburn looked at Toothless, Toothless made a kissy face at him. Radburn's ears turn bright red and he quickly looked away.

"Toothless!" Hiccup lightly admonished, but he still chuckled – he just couldn't help but laugh at Toothless' antics.

"The only eyes I want looking at me like that, are yours." Toothless said, pouting.

"And the only person I want you making kissy faces at, is me – wait – that didn't sound right." Hiccup blushed, especially when Toothless smirked before making kissy face at him instead.

Toothless leaned in with his exaggerated, puckering lips, and Hiccup put a hand on his boyfriend's chest to push him away.

Radburn coughed, feeling very awkward, and Toothless ceased his teasing with Hiccup to turn his attention to the man.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Raddy." Toothless teased with a voice full of regret and sympathy. "But I already have a mate, and I'm sure your wife wouldn't be too happy if you tasted these fabulous lips of mine." Toothless said, making Radburn nearly choke on his drink.

Hiccup gently smacked Toothless arm, trying not to laugh but ending up snorting instead. "Go talk to Gora!"

"No! Don't want to!" Toothless said, shaking his head and still smirking.

"Stubborn arse!" Hiccup muttered, causing Radburn to cough once more.

"Oh, for the love of!" Toothless shouted, now becoming annoyed at Radburn's reaction to them. "I love Hiccup! We fuck! Deal with it!"

This time it was both Hiccup and Radburn that nearly choked, and even Valka snorted in amusement having heard him from the food preparation area.

"What?" Toothless lifted his hands. "You obviously fuck your wife… the way she screamed in my ear during labour was a dead giveaway that you stuck it in at least once!"

"I-It's not that … w-what I mean to say is … w-well, I t-thank you for what you did for my wife but–" Radburn stuttered.

"Toothless isn't a woman!" Hiccup interrupted, suddenly serious.

"Thank Thor for that!" Toothless shuddered. "Why does it matter so much?"

"B-buggering just isn't the way Berk does things; it isn't right! Hiccup is the chief. He has responsibilities, has to be the role model for the tribe." Radburn insisted strongly.

"So, what you're saying is, is that, Hiccup has to be unhappy before you will follow him as the chief of Berk?" Toothless asked.

"N-no! Just that, w-well, he can't lay with a man, it's against the rules. And y-you're a dragon!" Radburn was getting frustrated and flustered.

"Now, really Radburn!" Valka went to butt in and rebuke the man, but Toothless stood up in anger.

Radburn rose to his feet as well, and Toothless stepped into his personal space glaring at him. Hiccup was trying to calm Toothless down, but it wasn't working – Toothless was pissed!

"The rules are fucking insane!" Toothless spat. "Yes, I am a dragon! I am the alpha dragon of all the dragons now getting frustrated outside because they can sense my anger at your imbecilic small mindedness. I love Hiccup! He loves me! Nothing you say will stop me being with him, so you might as well sit down and shut the fuck up!"

"Then Hiccup will be outcasted!" Radburn shouted.

"Toothless enough! PLEASE!" Hiccup shouted, but it was too late… Toothless had just punched Radburn in the face – knocking the man onto his arse with – quite probably – a broken nose. "Toothless!"

"He asked for it!" Toothless's voice boomed, shaking his bruising fist. Snotlout stirred, an incoherent mumble on his lips, but amazingly, he remained asleep.

"You can't just attack everyone that has an issue with us!" Hiccup chastised his boyfriend, examining Toothless' hand. "I expect nearly everyone on Berk will be the same bloody way."

"Then I'll just have to get rid of them then!" Toothless shouted, snatching back his hand, and still fuming with anger at the injustice – he didn't mean his words though.

"You can't do that Toothless, you'll have too…"

"It's fine Hiccup!" Toothless snapped. "I'll see you later!" And without another word, Toothless stormed out of the house to go find Vissy and Gora.

He didn't understand why people couldn't just keep their noses out his and Hiccup life. To him, it was simple; they loved each other, Hiccup was his mate, and that should be enough! Stupid fucking humans! If another dragon had challenged him regarding his mate… well, he would fight to the death if he had to! He knew however, that he couldn't treat humans like dragons, and he didn't like killing anyway – any loss of life was a waste, a shame, especially when there was another alternative.

Still inside the house, Hiccup shook his head as he turned away from the closed door. He was about to make sure Radburn was actually okay, when his mother threw a rag at Radburn for his bloody nose. "Leave him be Hiccup, he deserved it!" Valka said, glaring at the man, before ignoring the look of indignation on Radburn's face as she went back to preparing the food.

Toothless had returned a few hours later, still annoyed with Radburn, but in reluctant agreeance that he needed to stop overreacting – that punching everyone that insulted Hiccup, wouldn't win them any points in the 'Hiccup to remain chief' side of things. He'd assured Hiccup, that he'd just gone and vented to Vissy and Gora really, went for a short walk, and that he'd reassured the dragons that all was fine. He hadn't changed forms either, not wanting to drain his energy too much or worsen his wounds.

By ten o'clock that morning, after they'd all managed to get about six hours of sleep, Toothless had regained his somewhat optimistic attitude … but of course, he still made a point of glaring at Radburn from across the room – well, that was until Valka left to carry out the plans, and she had taken Radburn with her. The twins – that had wandered in at some point last night and crashed out on blankets by the stairs – had left as well, along with Snotlout and their respective dragons. Actually, all the dragons that had riders on Berk, had left that morning too.

Valka would inform the village of Hiccup's return, and announce that he was staying away from the village – staying at his mother's house – awaiting the date and time of his trial.

"We'll be fine." Toothless repeated around lunch time, sitting on the floor with Hiccup – both of them were watching Trid play with his dragon soft toys. "Either way, we have each other."

"At this point, I wonder if you're trying to convince me or yourself?" Hiccup turned his head to face Toothless.

Toothless chuckled, but then he shook his head and turned serious. "I hope that your tribe will take their head's out from up their arses and see sense, but – if they don't – well … we do have options. We can take Heather up on her offer for one, I'm sure your other allies will welcome us as well … or we could find somewhere deserted to set up our own home. We'll find a way Hicc. I promise you though – we'll fight to stay on Berk first. They'd be stupid to lose you!"

"If I'm honest … I'm starting to accept that staying here might not be an option." Hiccup voice aloud. "I'm surprise that, that thought doesn't scare me as much as it did before. You're right, we do have options – you and mum are helping me to see that." Hiccup sighed, leaned into Toothless' side, and then continued airing his thoughts aloud.

"I never wanted to be chief you know, but I was willing to make dad proud – to step up and accept my responsibilities. Astrid was there, backing my instructions and decisions, convincing the tribe to listen to me, but all I've ever been met with is resistance. People keep expecting me to be my father, to just appear one day as a copy of him. They don't want to accept my way of doing things. They don't like change. This – us, it's just something they'll see as another excuse to us against me … another way I'm not my father … … another way I'm different."

"You've made many great changes!" Toothless insisted. "The new jobs, the way we catch fish and harvest food, new allies, and even new building and stuff. They all seem happy with that."

"Maybe now! But every one of those changes were met with resistance – loud, arduous resistance. If it wasn't for Astrid, Fishlegs, and a few of our other friends… well, we'd still be stuck doing the same damn stuff and expecting everything to remain just peachy." Hiccup argued.

"Even Stoick faced protest and objections." Toothless pointed out.

"Yeah, well, Dad had that whole – 'I'm the mighty Stoick The Vast, and if you don't follow my orders, I'll run you thru' – thing going for him. Kind of helped that he was nearly Seven foot tall, imposing and, well, Vast!"

"And you have me and the dragons!" Toothless pointed out, then, after a moment of silence, he said. "If you still want to be the chief … then be the chief! Your own way!"

"It's not that simple." Hiccup shook his head.

"Yes Hicc! It really is that simple!" Toothless cupped Hiccup's face, looking into his eyes to drive his words home. "I know it's different for humans – that you can't just fight or kill those that refuse to follow you like the dragons do – but you are the chief! You are in charge, not them. So, be the chief, your way! You know what's best for the tribe, you know what the dragons need, and you know what needs to be done to make it work for everyone together. So, you tell them what will happen, what will be done, and you use your strengths to make it happen. There will always be some arsehole that complains, but stand your ground Hiccup, and make them listen. The entire point of being the chief is to command, is it not? Not to be dictated to by fucking idiots. You don't need to be your father Hiccup; you just need to be you. Without you, Berk stands to lose a lot … including the dragons."

Hiccup leaned his face into Toothless' hand, signed, and then nodded.

If his tribe didn't strip him of his chiefdom, didn't outcast him… then maybe Toothless was right. He had his family, his friends, and the dragons. He wanted what was best for the tribe – he always strived to make improvements that benefit everyone, and he did care about his people. He just wished that they would see him, and not expect another Stoick in the making. The dragons were apart of Berk now, a part of their tribe – they were a package deal with Toothless. Berk wasn't just home to his tribe, and it wasn't just the Hooligans that needed a leader… No, the leader of Berk needed to keep the peace between them both, lead both – the dragons and the Hooligans.

Maybe this was the key to them remaining on Berk… together!

No, he never wanted to be chief… but he was, and it was something that he wouldn't give up now, not without a fight. Being the chief had kind of grown on him, just like the dragons had grown on the Hooligan tribe.

Valka returned about six o'clock that evening, and she wasn't alone.

"Hiccup! I've been researching nonstop, and I've been reading the history and laws of Berk, and … Toothless?" Fishless had rushed in behind Valka, speaking fast, and apparently, he had much to discuss with Hiccup – but then his eyes had spotted Toothless in his human form and he froze.

This was the first time that Fishlegs had been in Toothless presence since Maligon's attack. The first time he'd seen Kalster knowing that it was really Toothless.

"Hi." Toothless waved his hand once. He was currently holding Trid, standing besides Hiccup.

"Wow, erm… I'm glad you're okay." Fishlegs was sincere, but he didn't seem to know what to say asides from that.

"Thanks. You were saying?" Toothless asked, curious to the news Fishlegs had for them.

"Ermm, right, yeah." Fishlegs sat down when Hiccup gestured him to do so, and he spoke directly to Hiccup. "While you were away, I've researched everything we have pertaining to the laws and history of Berk – well, what is written anyway, and I'm certain that no laws have actually been broken."

"What are you saying Fishlegs?" Hiccup asked, frowning – his father, Stoick, had always made it clear during his teachings, that a relationship between two men (or two women) was against the laws of Berk.

"Well, there's this one law that says, 'A chief's duty is to take a bride, wherein, they both swear an oath of fidelity during their wedding vows.' It also goes on to say that, 'The chief must sire a male heir." Fishlegs explained.

"I know that." Hiccup frowned in confusion – why was Fishlegs so happy about this? What did this have to do with their situation?

"Right, well, you were released from your wedding vows when – when Astrid–"

Fishlegs obviously couldn't say the word – he missed Astrid like most of the tribe did, as if there was something missing, a small yet painful black hole in their hearts where once it was filled by a spirited warrior. The reminder of her passing still stung, and Fishlegs didn't want to upset his friend with the tragic memory.

"Again, I know this Fish!" Hiccup said, not wishing to draw more attention to the subject of death. "I never cheated on Astrid!"

"NO! No, I didn't mean that. What I meant was, that you've done your duty!" Fishlegs stressed – Thor! He never meant to imply that he thought Hiccup was, or had ever been unfaithful – Hiccup loved Astrid! Everyone with a brain knew that. "You have a male heir now, so, you've fulfilled that part of your duty as chief."

"Fishlegs," Hiccup rubbed his face, "I know all this! How does this help me and Toothless?"

"There are no written laws about same gender relationships! It did say that buggering was denunciated on Berk," Fishlegs winced, "but it was never actually outlawed. The only explanation that I can find for this particular belief, was that, buggering was considered a barbarous and cruel pursuit – nothing more than an act of pain, torture and humiliation – an immoral fetish. In other words, it was denunciated for the benefit of those on the receiving end."

"Well, that's just great Fishlegs!" Hiccup's sarcasm was born from his annoyance – he had no idea where his friend was going with this, and there was a building shadow of betrayal; had his father lied to him? "I always wanted to be known as the fishbone that buggered a dragon because he had immoral fetishes! Oh, but that's just fine because it was never actually outlawed, just denunciated! With such a solid argument, I'm sure the trial will go spectacularly."

"Hold on Hiccup." Valka interrupted from her seat next to Fishlegs. She had been listening closely. "If there is no actual law against same gender relationships, and only condemned on a purely opinionated basis due to such immoral reasoning… then you have only to prove that your intent goes against these reasons."

"Exactly!" Fishlegs nodded. "And you can't be put on trial for being with another man. With this evidence, the trial will be forced to focus on the other charges."

"I'm lost!" Hiccup shrugged with his hands. His mind whirled and crashed, he'd heard what they had said but he couldn't control his disjointed thoughts: Had his father lied to him? What other charges? Had his father been ashamed of him? Wasn't being with Toothless the whole point of this bloody trial? Did the fact that he had Trid, mitigate his crimes? Were they still crimes?

"Right!" Hiccup heard Fishlegs say – obviously he'd missed part of the conversation while in his own head. "As long as you haven't…" Fishlegs coughed awkwardly, "erm… laid with, "Fishlegs glanced at Toothless pointedly, "erm – in his dragon form." Fishlegs was blushing, but he stumbled out his last words. "I-If you have, I mean – you really shouldn't mention that because then that would be … bestiality, and that would full under another law and–"

"NO! I mean … no we haven't done that!" Hiccup interrupted, before this could get anymore awkward or embarrassing.

"Great! I mean. Good. Technically you've never… laid with a dragon then."

"He means fuck right?" Toothless asked, with utmost innocence. "We've never fucked while I've been in my dragon form. I'd be too big anyway and–"

Toothless was interrupted by the sounds of embarrassed choking and splattering coming from Hiccup, Fishlegs and Valka. Valka then started laughing. Hiccup buried his face into his hands.

"What?" Toothless asked, frowning in genuine confusion.

"Oh Toothless, your naivety is rather adorable, but some things just shouldn't be said nor asked." Valka explained, still chuckling.

"Fishlegs!" Hiccup said, cutting off any response Toothless might have had. He just wanted to get on with this conversation, get it over with… he needed time alone to process what he'd learnt.

"Oh right, well, as I was saying…" Fishlegs said, looking between a mirth filled Valka, an embarrassed Hiccup, and a confused Toothless that looked a bit put out, and continued to explain what he'd learnt. "The legal charges for same gender relationship, will have to be dropped if we can prove that your relationship with Toothless is legit and loving – which may be tricky, but at least they can't force you to remarry as you've already sired a legitimate heir. Also, if you can prove that you've never committed bestiality, or at least convince them you haven't, then those charges can be dropped as well. That really just leaves, 'failing to act in the best interest of the tribe', which I think we can argue."

Hiccup sighed, resigned to stay there and listen, and discuss, and plan for his pending trial. His feeling of his father's betrayal pushed back – he would have to dwell on them later.