The Hall cleared. Those who remained only those who were to attend the meeting scheduled after the mid-day meal. The visitors had the tribe's leader, heir, and two of the generals present. Berk had Stoick, Hiccup, Gobber, and Spitelout to keep that even. The older Riders also joined the meeting this time but only to give their accounts. They would not have any authority to make any decision or join the debate sure to follow when the truth was revealed. Gyda also joined incase any visitor wished their ability to understand the dragons unlocked. Gothi attended but she was there as the voice of the gods. Every tribe's voice of the gods where required to join Thing meetings regardless of keeping counts even.
Toothless, Sharpshot, and Sneaky as named members of the Haddock clan were allowed to attend the meeting but they, like the Riders, would not join in debates or discussions unless called upon. Moondust and the boys, while also Haddocks, were spending time with Moondust's previous flock and were touring the nest, though keeping well away from the Fireworm cave. Every adult in the clan and every adult in Moondust's previous flock knew a meeting would bore the boys so this gave them a chance to get to know Moondust's side of their family.
Hiccup had wanted Nuffink and Zephyr, along with their dragons, to attend. They were Haddocks as well and by right should have been there. They along with Stoick and Obsidian warned Hiccup the visitors would focus upon Nuffink and Zephyr's age and the fact they had their lifespans extended instead of what Hiccup had to reveal about the dragons and the war. Hiccup agreed with them. Nuffink and Zephyr also said they wished to speak with the Stormcutters while the meeting was happening. Something that confused Hiccup.
Obsidian, Spitfire, and half of Obsidian's honor guards were not part of the nest or part of the Haddock clan. Obsidian and Spitfire did hold a connection to the Berkian nest, but the visitors did not know that. The night before, Hiccup and Obsidian discussed his inclusion to the meeting so he could give the tribe leaders a nest alpha's perspective about dragons and their culture. Stoick loved the idea. Since both held similar duties to those in their charge, the tribe leaders would understand Obsidian better than Hiccup.
Iggy and Buttercup, along with Duskwing and Shortfuse, rested in the rafters but Hiccup hoped the visitors saw that as normal given Terrors always did that. Hiccup did not want the visitors to know the Terrors where actually there as secondary guards. A precaution set into place in case any hostilities rose, though with Snorre and Dagur gone that fear might be reduced to the point of non-existent. Still, it was better to be safe rather than sorry, or so Gyda kept saying.
Since the Terrors loved to roost in the rafters while meetings were happening, Hiccup, with input from Astrid and Toothless, decided to task them with protecting the Thing meetings. They would also watch over the village from the tops of the huts and other building. He had been inspired to create such flocks after speaking with Flame Whipper guard leads at Obsidian's nest before they all left.
As reward for all the times they reacted in defense of the nest, Hiccup appointed Iggy and Buttercup the leaders of the special guard flocks. They held the authority to chose who could join them though Hiccup had to give final approval and Toothless had to oversee how the flocks were formed, trained, and utilized. It still made Hiccup smile that Iggy immediately suggested Duskwing and Shortfuse be named second-in-command. A suggestion that caused Duskwing to tumble off one of the tables in the Hall when Hiccup and Toothless spoke to the Terrors before the first of the visitors began arriving.
"So, Stoick," Mogadon started, pulling Hiccup from his thoughts. The Meathead chief stood and crossed his arms over his stout chest. "Ye gonna now give da full 'count of dem dragons?"
A low growl answered him. Hiccup waited a moment then lifted a hand. The nest dragons went silent instantly. The non-nest dragons fell silent a heartbeat later.
"Da dragons understand yer words, Mogadon," Stoick said, also standing. He glanced around at the other visitors. "Dey understand yer tones as well as how ye hold yerselves. Ye be visitors ta da nest. Dey take a dim view ta visitors demandin' things from members of da nest, especially da ones in charge of it."
Hiccup blinked. While Stoick used the term nest often, he still called Berk an island when speaking with the visitors. Hiccup had little time to ponder why the change because Stoick turned and gestured to him.
"Da full 'count be me son's ta tell. Fair warnin', da dragons take an even dimmer view ta ones wot insult Hiccup."
Stoick sat back down. Hiccup faltered slightly the collective gaze of all the visitors fell upon him. While only the Haddock clan, Gothi, and the two Berk generals were supposed to be the only ones at the chief's table, no one spoke against Astrid joining Hiccup. Stoick and the other Berkians smirked. Bertha cackled and loudly approved. Henrik and Ingvar also gave their approval with twin dips of their heads. Mogadon, who might have been the only one to protest, just shrugged. Right then Hiccup was grateful. His queen giving him a gentle hand squeeze gave him the strength to stand. He knew, as the dragons' alpha, he had to be the one to give the full truth even if he still had issues with speaking in front of groups of Vikings.
The Hall doors opened before he could open his mouth. Hiccup's brow furrowed as Irondust flew over the assembled visitors and landed on the table. Sharpshot, sitting in front of Hiccup, moved to the side so Irondust could stand there. The Terror bowed, his belly and wings touching the top of the table.
[Forgive me, my alpha. Illusion-scales were seen by several of the Tusked-king's honor guards as they patrolled the waters around us. The Illusion-scale queen and her flock, along with their honor guards are approaching the nest.]
Hiccup jerked, sending a questioning look to his father. Stoick sighed and faced the visitors.
"Meetin' be paused," he said, standing. "Please remain in da Hall. Me son be needed at da Harbor to meet some dragons who be visitin' da nest." Stoick looked back to Hiccup. "Bring'm 'ere, son. Dey be allies and dey should be in da meetin' as well."
Hiccup nodded.
"I'm coming," Astrid said before Hiccup could do anything else.
Chuckles erupted all over the Hall. The visitors, except Steinar, might not realize what was truly happening, but they all understood a Viking woman declaring what she would or would not do. Bertha even winked at Astrid while smirking. Hiccup snorted and grinned.
"I didn't expect otherwise," he said before turning to Snotlout.
Hiccup and Astrid had sought permission for the marriage rites as soon as they finished speaking last night. All who held the authority gave it, but warned the rites had to occur at the end of the Thing. Tradition called for ceremonies to happen just before the visitors returned to their islands. After a time of serious discussions, the gods demanded the host send the other Vikings off with merriment as laughter in the belly did more than anger in the mind. Hiccup suspected the gods were used just to give the Vikings an excuse to hold a celebration. Vikings did love celebrations as much as fighting at times.
The fact they had to wait also gave Hiccup time to finish the automatic tailfin he was constructing for Toothless. He still loved that his brother only wished to fly with him, but he knew Toothless would need times to fly on his own. While Hiccup and Astrid had their honey month, he was going to insist, even order, the dragons who guarded the hut to take turns so everyone had a chance to fly. He knew he had no chance to order them to forgo guarding the hut so he took what he could get. A dragon who could fly belonged in the skies. Hiccup would not take that from his dragons and would rather be skinned than to take it from his brother again. Besides Toothless and Moondust would need to have their mating flight soon and any hatchlings they had afterwards would need both parents to teach them how to fly.
Until the rites were given, Gyda, as their appointed chaperone, would have to accompany them everywhere. Snotlout and the other Riders would have to remain. The Riders had all trained to ignore the resistance the bond gave when riding another Rider's dragon, even if none but Hiccup were able to overcome the pain of riding a dragon not apart of the Rider's flock. They all knew there would times they would need to ride a dragon in the Rider's flock which prompted the training. Still, two dragons could not carry seven people at once. Hiccup knew his friends were annoyed but all nodded their heads to his gesture. Hiccup smiled and then leaned down to whisper to Sharpshot and Sneaky.
"Please remain and keep watch."
Sharpshot gave Hiccup a perturbed look. Hiccup just stared at his brother. Sharpshot hissed slightly but moved to sit in front of Stoick. Sneaky grunted but joined her mate. Hiccup scratched both by their horns before rounding the table. He knew his brother and sister-in-law were irritated but this was a simple greeting and Sage had visited the Haddock hut as the sun awoke this morning to speak with Sneaky. The Terror Elder advised it was highly likely Sneaky now carried eggs during that meeting. As Astrid would have to fly with him upon Toothless, the Terrors would have to fly on their own in order to join them. Hiccup did not want his sister to overtax herself.
Hiccup frowned as he headed for the doors. Only two dragons should be following him, Astrid and Gyda. Irondust, tired after his dash to the Hall, was allowed to sit upon Gyda's shoulder. Hiccup heard more paw steps behind him though. He glanced over his shoulder and grunted. One Light Fury, two of the Groncicles, and Melodia, who still remained a part of the patrol flock tasked with being Obsidian's honor guard while on Berk, followed Spitfire as she moved to join her brother in the procession heading for the door. Hiccup looked past Shadowfire's wing and saw his dragon father, and the other four of the honor guard who remained, smirking at him. Hiccup sighed but tipped his head. He knew what Obsidian was doing and appreciated the gesture even if he still believed himself not worth the effort. He would not dishonor his dragon father by voicing that belief though. He also did not want the headache as all in the Hall except most of the visitors would loudly protest his words.
Once outside, Hiccup gave Astrid the option to control the tailfin. He knew she missed Stormfly and knew the bond was agitated due to the absence. He hoped her focusing on keeping Toothless in the air and him holding her in the saddle would aid her in dealing with both the absence and the resistance at flying upon Toothless. Training to ignore the resistance aside, Stormfly remained on the other side of the island. Hiccup knew that would serve to overwhelm anyone, even his steadfast queen.
As they flew out to meet the Changewings hovering near the Harbor Guardians, Hiccup nuzzled Astrid's neck. He wanted to make sure his queen was not overly agitated. She titled her head, allowing him better access. Their caresses had gotten more intense with the permission to have the marriage rites given but they still kept to their promise to not push too far. A chitter from his right had all the dragons but Toothless snickering. Hiccup ignored the noise, focusing upon his queen and his desire to soothe her unease.
[Please, for the love of the ancestors, don't mate while on my back. I will never get clean no matter how many times I bathe.]
Astrid jerked and slightly sat away from Hiccup. Hiccup gave his brother the human version of a dragon's growl, though Link and Nightjaw did not added their power. In fact, Hiccup could feel his soul's companions' amusement and knew he would get no aid from them.
"I will pay you back for this," he vowed in a hiss, staring over Astrid's shoulder at the top of his brother's head.
Toothless merely laughed before shifting to a hover in front of the Changewings. Hiccup could see the adults had heard the exchange as all were either laughing silently or smirking. The younger princess glanced at her flock then looked at Hiccup.
[What is so funny?] she asked with no hesitation in her speech.
Hiccup smiled, despite his embarrassment. He still made visits to the Changewing nest over the winter and just before the Vikings started arriving, so he knew the princess was getting better with her mastery of the Common Tongue. He was proud of her and wanted to say so, but she spoke before he could open his mouth.
[I see. Your brother is being silly. I can wing-slap him for you, Friend Alpha. My new sister slaps Brother when he is being silly.]
[Sister!] the prince protested while the blue and pink Changewing hovering beside him chortled.
Hiccup's smile grew. During his visits he had gotten a chance to meet the dragoness the prince spoke of the day of Hiccup and Astrid's first lessons. The female held a different color to the Changewings in the prince's nest due her nest being far to the northeast, just beyond the border of the Archipelago. That her nest stayed in winter far longer than the prince's meant her scales kept a blue color, though that might change as she now lived further south. A fact that excited Fishlegs when he learned it.
Her nest also had the same issues with humans that the Changewing king's previous nest had as both were close to the humans who trapped dragons for profit. A fact Johann and Old Wrinkly explained before they left to aid the Nightmare queen. As such, the female kept Hiccup and his Riders at bay when they were first introduced. It took time but she came to trust Hiccup and his Riders. Hiccup was happy the prince and the female were able to become mates and that she was willing to join her new flock and visit a nest of humans and dragons. He wanted humans to give dragons peace, but he also realized he had to get some dragons to give the humans peace. The war had caused harm to both and both had to let the past heal or the future would never be attained.
He turned to the queen and his smile faltered a bit. "I apologize for the somewhat rushed greeting," he said. "We were having a meeting with other human nest leaders. They came to find out why we have dragons."
The queen tilted her head. [I see. We can come back another day.]
"Actually, we were wondering if you would join us. More humans came to find out why we have the dragons, but several have left for various reasons. One was someone my father and I were sure would resist and deny the truth, so we are not that bothered by him leaving."
Hiccup was also grateful Snorre would not be able to suggest marriage to any of his other daughters. He knew he would have to be physically restrained more than by his father's hand on his shoulder if that happened again. No one tried to usurp his queen's place in his life.
"The other who left," Hiccup paused trying to figure a way to accurately explain Dagur. "He was also not one I would trust," he said, choosing something simple. He knew the dragons would be confused by the human chief. He was a human and Dagur confused him. "But the ones who remain, both my father and I do trust. Since the human nest leaders hold ranks similar to yours, honored queen, my human father and I were hoping you could help my dragon father explain dragon culture to them."
Hiccup knew the Changewings would understand who he meant. He had explained to the king and queen about being adopted by Obsidian the first time he visited the Changewings after meeting Toothless' previous flock. Both dragons merely smiled but offered no explanation why they found that fact amusing.
The queen glanced at her mate. The king chuckled.
[We've already taught one nest of humans,] he said with a wink to Hiccup. [Why not teach more of them?]
Hiccup snorted while the others with him and the Changewing king chortled and chuckled. The queen, grinning, faced Hiccup again.
[We'll aid you, young alpha.]