I know I said I would respond to reviews with this chapter, but that might have to wait until I get home from work. Please enjoy the chapter.
Three leaders argued over what they saw. One rushed past the bone pile as soon as he was able. Two leaders, all but one of the heirs, every visiting general, and many dragons stared at Hiccup, though the tribe leaders also glanced at Stoick. Hiccup knew this. He could see this from the corner of his eye. He ignored all of it. Gothi and Gyda's parts in his plan caused much for those caught in it. Knowing what they intended to show the other tribes, Hiccup had thought himself prepared for what he would endure. He had not been prepared for them to be as his last trail before Onyxwing explained and Silent Knight introduced him to Nightjaw. He had not anticipated a life-size Red Death exploding from the side of the volcano.
The images were different parts of the simplified versions Gyda had shown them in her cave, but they dredged up the memories of the real fight. They invoked the abject horror Hiccup felt as Astrid was thrown from Stormfly's back. He knew he should acknowledge what happened and address those around him. He knew there would be questions from more than just the humans as even dragons who lived on the island were drawn by the commotion and watched the images as well. He also knew he could not turn away from his queen. He had once vowed to never put anything or anyone before her.
Watching her almost die once again had been more then he could withstand. He wanted to hold her, embrace her, but the marriage rites were not given. With the non-Berkian Vikings around, gripping Astrid as if she were his legal wife without those rites would cast her into dishonor. Hiccup knew some would try to use the dishonor as way to get around the betrothal in order to seek a marriage alliance. Hiccup refused to allow that, so he held her hand and forced himself to let that reassure him that she was alive. From the strength of her grip upon his hand, he knew she felt the same way.
Bones shifting from the pile above their heads alone held the power to divert Hiccup's attention, and only because Astrid looked up as if reacting to a threat. She relaxed a heartbeat later and her free hand fell away from her axe. Hiccup smiled and squeezed the hand he held. He knew she reacted in order to keep him safe as the pile was partially behind him. She stood down when she realized the culprits were Old Wrinkly's son and his dragons as they carefully made their way down the pile.
[Hello, Uncles,] Obsidian said, amusement in his tone. [Little surprised to see you three here. Far as I was aware, you ran the nest when your fathers were away.]
The man snorted while the two dragons chortled. None of the three offered an explanation. They all looked at Hiccup and he could see sorrow and pride in their eyes.
"You do my blood brother proud," the man whispered, his voice strained.
Hiccup felt a forceful mix of embarrassment and pride flood his soul. Every Berkian wished to know they honored their ancestors. That, more than Viking stubbornness, had been the reason no Berkian chose to flee their island during the war. They would not give up what their ancestors fought so hard to gain and to keep. Beyond the wish to know they honored them, every Berkian wished to know they made their ancestors proud. Hearing the man's words caused Hiccup to feel inadequate and unworthy. He still felt his part in ending the war was not as grand as the others said it was. He did not do it on his own. Everyone helped.
"I am Nuffink."
Hiccup was grateful the man introduced himself. He knew his thoughts would trigger Link and Nightjaw to react. How they realized he thought things that put himself down, Hiccup was not sure he would ever know. When they did, however, it caused his alpha call to rise, at least according to Toothless and Sharpshot. The nest dragons around him would then react, allowing the humans of his flock to know something was wrong. Both would take a dim view of his thoughts.
"I am honored to meet you," Nuffink said.
Hiccup frowned, but not because of Nuffink's statement. He realized Link and Nightjaw were already restless. A glance around showed that his dragons were not disturbed so his alpha call must not be reacting to his soul's companions. He turned back wondering if they were nervous over Nuffink and his brothers. It was not the first time they seemed to know who he was interacting with and responded accordingly. Given the history between all of them, Hiccup could see why they would be anxious.
[I am Nightwing,] the Night Fury said after a playful glare at Nuffink.
[And I am Silverwing,] the Terror said from his place at Nightwing's front paws. [Our brother tends to forget introducing us when he is overwhelmed.]
Nuffink jerked, his gaze cutting to his brothers. Hiccup bit his lip in an effort to not smile as both dragons stared at Nuffink with expressions of innocence. Toothless and Sharpshot loved to do the same with him at times. Nuffink grunted.
"Useless reptiles," he muttered.
[Forgetful human,] Nightwing returned in the same tone of voice.
Hiccup clenched his teeth, keeping his chuckle in. He heard the love and playfulness in their tones. He did smile this time though, seeing this as a glimpse of his future with his brothers.
"You aren't too good with names," Ruffnut said. "Nightwing? Silverwing?" Ruffnut sighed. She shook her head and then looked at her brother. "No creativity."
Tuffnut held his hands up and out from his body, palms facing the sky. "We weren't alive to teach him, sis."
Ruffnut moved around the dragons between her and Nuffink. She patted Nuffink's shoulder.
"Tough break, Less Wrinkly," she said, sounding genuinely sadden. "You missed out."
"Oh, gods," Snotlout muttered from behind Nuffink and Hiccup saw him place his head into the palm of his hand.
"Did she forget many of the dragons we've met have 'wing' in their names?"
Hiccup heard Astrid snort softly at Fishlegs half-whispered question to Meatlug and had to refrain from laughing himself. The other tribes were not close enough due to the half-circle of dragons and Riders so they could not quite hear what was going on, but Hiccup knew Henrik and Ingvar were watching closely. He also knew Steinar had not taken his gaze from Silverwing since the images faded. Hiccup did not want any to try coming closer to find out what was happening. The full truth of the dragons would take a while to give and they had no right to stay here for that length of time. The dragons who lived here had been gracious enough.
Nuffink chuckled. "Uncle Onyx told us about you and your brother," he said staring down at Ruffnut. He then turned back to Hiccup. "He told us of everyone in your flock, but might we be introduced to them?"
Hiccup held Astrid's hand up. "My queen, Astrid," he said with a proud smile.
He held no hesitation to give her proper title to Nuffink. The man would understand given his life with the dragons. With the other Vikings, calling her his queen while introducing her would invite them to question if that meant Hiccup saw himself as a king. Given that they feared Berk would use the dragons against them, declaring himself a king could be seen as proof he sought to conquer the Archipelago. They could view such as an act of war.
Nightwing tilted his head before chortling. He then gave a series of low coos and trills. Obsidian, standing between Astrid and the half circle of dragons and Riders, warble sharply. Nightwing trilled again, this time as if confirming what he had said before. Toothless, from his position pressed against Hiccup's right side as was normal, jerked. Stormfly and Sharpshot chittered and their tone suggested shock. Link and Nightjaw, though still anxious, remained silent and still.
[You are a lucky male, Nephew,] Nightwing said, his gaze boring into Hiccup's.
Hiccup frowned. He got the impression the dragon meant more than the luck of Astrid actually returning Hiccup's affections and wishing to live her life with him. Hiccup's eyebrow rose. Nightwing and Silverwing chortled while Nuffink appeared interested in the pebbles at their feet.
[Not our tale to give,] Silverwing said. The Terror looked around. [Might we be introduced to the rest of your flock?]
A snarl echoed from behind Hiccup before he could respond.
[That's close enough, human.]
Hiccup released Astrid's hand so he could spin. His eyes narrowed. Dagur, arms ladened with a collection of small bones, stood just beyond the dragons watching him warily. The male Light Fury stood between Dagur and Hiccup while the male's sister and one of the Flame Whippers bracketed him.
Hiccup was grateful Dagur did not continue walking. The dragons would react to defend. Hiccup was also grateful Dagur did not seem ready to fly into a rage as such was a common occurrence when things did not go Dagur's way. The dragons would react to that too and Hiccup knew some of the tribe leaders would take that as proof of Berk's intentions.
"What do you need, Dagur?" Hiccup asked, his tone even in an effort to keep Dagur calm.
Hiccup's brow furrowed slightly, realizing the dragons around him and the two within him were getting uneasy and annoyed.
Dagur jerked his chin down towards the bones. "Spoils of war, brother," he said, his eyes alight with an all too familiar gleam. "Glories to shove into the faces of those who still doubt you."
"Dragons don't view the bones of a dishonored foe as trophies," Nuffink said. "And taking one places you in the same dishonor as the foe."
A storm billowed upon Dagur's brow. "My brother and I need no advice from a lowly heir," he said, glaring at Nuffink and earning a growl from Nightwing and Silverwing.
"Your brother is the heir to his tribe," Nuffink pointed out, sounding undisturbed.
Dagur scoffed. "Shows what you know."
A loud, annoyed voice reverberated over the entire area before Dagur could continue. Given who it was speaking, Hiccup was not sure if it was an improvement.
"Yer show proved nothin', Stoick," Snorre said, walking away from where he had been arguing with Bertha and Mogadon. "I 'ave seen vola magic 'fore. Be nothin' but a ruse. Git us back ta yer cursed shores. Be time fer me and mine ta leave."
"Ye're leavin' da Thing?" Henrik asked. "Ye gave yer word ta find out Stoick's intentions wiv da dragons."
"Bah, be seein' 'is intentions. Be goin' ta ready me people. Ye can be fools iffen ye wish."
Hiccup pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off the headache growing behind his eyes.