Apologies for the long silence. I got sick. Sinuses. Then my grandmother had to be placed in the hospital with fluid on her lungs and hearts and is now in a rehab center to get her strength back from that ordeal. Also this is, I think, the longest chapter I have written. It's being posted in its full length as a thank you for sticking with the series. I am enternally grateful so many like my stories and read them. Please enjoy the chapter. It is dedicated to all of my readers.
Gyda, assigned by Eydis and Phelgma to work with Runa and several other women tending to the freed slaves, curled the bandage over a laceration to the right arm of one. The man stared wide-eyed at Shadowfire and Melodia, who stood nearby and kept watch incase one of the four Lava-lout warriors got a wild hair about them and tried something foolish. Though her son was more known for being a jokester who loved to find, or create, humor in tense situations, Shadowfire knew when to show a serious side. He kept his movements free of anything that might seem aggressive to the man his mother tended but he did not let his guard down even after his comment about his niece and nephew. Gyda kept her face neutral, the man would not understand, but she did allow her pride in her son to flood her soul.
At Onyxwing's comment, Gyda glanced over her shoulder. Hiccup and Stoick sported the same furrowed brow. Astrid's jaw set in such a firm line that Gyda could well believe the teen's teeth would crack under the pressure. Spitelout appeared confused. Gobber had his eyes closed and he was rubbing his forehead. Snotlout and Fishlegs pinched the bridge of their noses. Their dragons, laying next to them as they stood opposite where the wounded were being attended to, gave dual snorts. The Thorston twins were out of Gyda's line of sight, aiding Phelgma and Brunhilda with the four Lava-louts. Gyda had no doubts both teens were grinning as if Loki day had come early. They had grown, as had the other teens, since the battle at Dragon Island, but they remained devotees to Loki and lovers of chaos. Onyxwing letting information out before its time a treat they would not miss if they could.
"How you be dat human?" Bertha demanded, the first of the visiting tribe leaders to regain her senses. "Dat big green one be makin' it seem as if dem days be long 'fore Vikings founded des islands."
Old Wrinkly held up his right hand. Fire coated his fingers and danced between the gaps. Some of the visiting Vikings and the wounded gave cries of surprise. A few of the visiting Vikings reached for their weapons. Low growls from the dragons reminded them where they were. Hands dropped from the hilts and the growls tapered off until silence reigned for a heartbeat before Old Wrinkly answered Bertha.
"I am a mage," Old Wrinkly said. "A mage who bonds with a dragon is allowed to live far longer than a normal human. That is how I am the same human the Foreverwing spoke of. I bonded with my brother, Onyxwing, the autumn before my twentieth winter."
The fire died as Old Wrinkly called his magic back within him. The visitors and wounded who saw the action murmured but no one reached for their weapons this time. Old Wrinkly lowered his hand but continued speaking before anyone else could.
"Dragons fighting was something I knew all my life. My tribe lived long with this truth. My grandfather told many stories of his childhood. Some of the stories of the time when his father was growing. A few were even during the time his grandfather was a child."
"Da dragons be attackin' ye like dey did ta us during our war?" Henrik asked.
Onyxwing snorted and moved to sit next to his brother. [No,] he said. [Those dragons back then had a far more important foes then messy land creatures who rejected the gift given to them when this world hatched.]
"Excuse me?" Ingvar demanded and though his tone dripped with his indignation, the Hopeless chief made no threatening moves.
[Magic,] Onyxwing replied, muzzle to the air and head turned away from the Vikings as if their very presence bothered the Night Fury.
Gyda kept her giggle in her throat. Onyxwing might have grown in a time when dragons did not love as humans did, that part of Nightshade's tales not changed due to her grief. However, Onyxwing had been with his human brother for most of his adult life and had learned to love and what it meant to be loved. He remained as much of a jokester as Shadowfire though.
[We never lost the knowledge that humans and dragons were given magic at the beginning of this world,] Onyxwing stated, still looking up and away from Ingvar though he lowered his head so his gaze could bore into the Hopeless' chief's eyes. [We also knew male and female human and dragons were given this gift in order to keep the balance this world needed.]
Old Wrinkly gave his brother a gentle nudge before taking over the tale. "Dragons fought each other," he said, looking at Henrik. "Humans were never a target for these wars. They only got injured or killed when battles were fought near to an island or village humans lived in." Old Wrinkly sighed. "Midway into those days, humans began killing the dragons for vengeance. Some of those killings turned into hunts for glory instead of revenge. The dragons still never targeted a human settlement on purpose."
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"By the time I was born, those who fought were too invested in their wars to ever think of something different. It became a matter of pride for them. They forgot what it meant to be a nest leader."
"And dis be somethin' ye know?" Mogadon questioned, his arms once again crossed over his barrel-sized chest.
Onyxwing and Sunburn gave low growls and glares towards the Meathead chief but none of the other dragons in the Hall made a sound. Gyda saw the other tribe leaders glance around the room and knew none missed that.
"It's the same as being a tribe leader," Old Wrinkly said, his tone slightly clipped and his gaze resting upon Mogadon. "Our tribe members swear allegiance to us. It is our gods-given duty to then ensure we lead, train, guide, and protect them. We can never see them as means to an end or as fodder for whatever war we desire to wage. The gods would strike us down for the arrogance."
"Ye a tribe leader?" Bertha asked before Mogadon could respond.
"Aye," Old Wrinkly answered. "My tribe is small in number and our home lies far beyond the boundary of your Archipelago."
He clapped his hands, earning a soft, surprised, squawk from Sunset and Sunrise. He sent them an apologetic glance as Hiccup reached across the table and stroked the twin Terrors' horns, murmuring to them until they settled back down. Gyda, who tensed when her new children cried out, relaxed as they laid back down on the table in front of where Hiccup still stood. Hiccup gave his ancestor one look, gaining a nod from Old Wrinkly before the elder continued his tale.
"I will tell you two stories of different battles fought during those days. One is a tale my grandfather told me. Another is a tale I lived through. In one, kindness is shown and in the other mercy is given. Both serve to end those terrible days."
"Ye give kindness 'n mercy," Thuggory began with a snigger, "ta da dragons?"
Old Wrinkly's gaze fell upon the troublesome Meathead heir with the full weight of a Viking chief. Gyda blinked. Stoick and Hiccup both gave similar glares though after Hiccup accepted Link and Nightjaw's presences in his soul, his glare held something deeper and far more primal. Gyda long suspected the magic Link and Nightjaw still wielded allowed Hiccup to tap into an ability dragons could use against their opponents and prey. It would explain the reactions he got whenever his voice became draconic. She never voiced her theory though, even if she was extremely curious about it. Hiccup would not take well to the knowledge he could cause anyone who faced him to experience deep-seated, paralyzing fear.
"I care little what you think, boy," Old Wrinkly stated, his voice pleasant and calm but none could mistake the bite it held. "I care little what you believe. I have seen many like you. All have failed in everything they have ever wished to accomplish. You are no different. You will be no different so long as you continue the path you are walking and refuse to learn from your mistakes."
Shadowfire gave a low hiss. [Better get some burn heal,] he murmured to Melodia who responded with a confused look.
Gyda, though, kept her snicker locked behind her teeth. Gloating over Thuggory's latest reprimand would be the height of impropriety but Gyda admired the burn Old Wrinkly masterfully executed.
Thuggory scoffed though Gyda could see the teen did so only to keep up some front. His eyes showed his uncertainty even as his face showed his disgust.
"Ye be nothin' more den some old man wot believe he be more den da gods make ye," the teen said, his own arms crossed. "Jest like-"
"Enough!"
Stoick's bellow served to silence both the snarling dragons who realized what Thuggory was about to say and the moaning injured who likely had no clue what was going on. The Lava-louts could not understand the dragons though Gyda knew the men realized something more was going on since prominent tribe leaders were conversing with beings thought to be nothing more than beasts. The five women were still asleep, though a glance showed Gothi and Hilda were nearing the end of the women's treatments. The freed slaves were a mix of Gaelic, Oriental, and Mediterranean origins, though Gyda had no idea how the Lava-louts accomplished that. She suspected the men knew only enough Old Norse to recognize and execute any orders given to them but not enough to follow the meeting with any great detail.
"We be gettin' far from da point of dis meetin'," Stoick said in the silence that fell.
"Aye," Henrik agreed, shifting to glare at Mogadon. "Yer boy be one statement from dishonorin' our hosts. Remember me boy be callin' young Hiccup 'is battle brother, old friend."
Mogadon reached over and smacked the back of Thuggory's head. Gyda held little hope the blow would have an effect. Whatever issue Thuggory had with Hiccup it went deeper than his sense. The boy was already cleaning up dragon droppings that Gyda knew the dragons were purposively leaving all over the village. He fought against the invading Lava-louts and Gyda knew he had seen Hiccup's skill as a warrior. She had seen the widening of the boy's eyes when Hiccup's sword took a man's life before the Lava-lout chief gained his flagship. Still Thuggory found moments to slip derogatory comments towards Hiccup ever chance he got.
"Finish yer stories, Old Wrinkly," Stoick said.
"He no be angered dat Stoick be takin' over."
Gyda's eyes narrowed and her gaze shifted to the Meathead general who whispered that comment. The man, neither of the two Hiccup said had been at Eel Island, jerked when everyone's eyes turned toward him.
"Wot ye mean?" Stoick demanded.
The man gulped and turned towards Mogadon. The Meathead chief grunted and faced Stoick.
"He be speakin' of Hiccup usurpin' yer place."
"Hiccup has not done that!" Old Wrinkly thundered.
His comment was echoed by Obsidian and the Changewing royals.
[My brother is the alpha of the dragons who live here,] Toothless stated, lifting to his hindlegs so that he towered over the table. [But every dragon in the nest understands Stoick's place. We all know the humans see him as the leader and that they still view our alpha as being too young to properly rule.]
Now it was Mogadon's turn to scoff. "Be yer brother wot faced dat slavin' fool," the man said. "Be yer brother wot declared da fool die 'n order dem dragons ta carry da judgement out. Be yer brother Stoick be havin' ta get permission from 'fore he could send dem Berkians onta dem ships."
"You are basing your assumption on a single day when this nest was invaded," Old Wrinkly stated. "You are missing what is really going on. Something my grandfather had to learn as well when he saved my brother's life."
"Wot ye mean?" Ingvar asked.
"One day two winters before I was born, my grandfather left to go visit his mother's tribe. Their island lay beyond a dragon nest known well by my tribe. Many in my tribe wanted to hunt dragons who lived in that nest, but my father refused to let them. He knew invoking the wrath of the nest's alpha would prove deadly for us."
[My father led that nest,] Onyxwing stated. [He refused to let his dragons be drawn into the battles fought all around us. The warring nest leaders were less than pleased by his refusal.]
"Dat green one be sayin' dem nest leaders be wantin' ta be da dragons' alpha," Henrik began leaning forward and staring Onyxwing in the eyes.
Gyda did not have to glance at Hiccup to know the teen was partially pleased. She knew he still wished Old Wrinkly's true age remained a secret for longer. She also knew he wanted everyone to see the dragons for what they truly were and not the violent myths humans created about them. Henrik spoke to Onyxwing as an equal and as a being capable of answering questions posed to him. Gyda knew Hiccup was overjoyed by that.
"Yer father no wish ta be dat alpha?" Henrik finished.
Onyxwing snorted. [The Alpha those nest leaders desired to be came from a prophecy dragons passed down from the beginning of this world. My father was content being the alpha of his own nest.]
"May we be hearin' dis prophecy?" Steinar asked.
Onyxwing glanced around at the dragons in the Hall with him. Obsidian and the Changewing queen tipped their heads. Toothless, apparently answering for the Berkian dragons, shrugged his wings like Shadowfire did. Sunburn snickered and waved her paw as if to tell the male Night Fury to get on with it. Onyxwing snorted at Sunburn but turned back to the visiting Vikings.
[At a time needed,] he began, his tone solemn and quiet yet his words reverberated over even the moaning injured and the murmurs of the women tending them. [Arise an Alpha fierce and bold. Dragons near and far, harken to these words. To him your allegiance is given. Under his wings safety and peace resides. Before him foes cannot stand. Dragons lose not your faith. The Alpha protects them all.]
Silence but for the wounded and the woman with them fell in the cavern. Gyda's brow furrowed. Lightbeetle spoke of a prophecy the day Hiccup's bond with his dragons became complete. She had been unable to tell anyone the prophecy though as the ground shook and everything that happened after interfered. Onyxwing continued speaking before Gyda could corral her wild and racing thoughts.
[My father believed the wars were pointless and that those nest leaders had lost their minds. No where in the prophecy did it say the Alpha would begin his rule with blood upon his paws. Any nest leader who sent dragons to my hatch nest were told this belief in a really loud roar that only got louder every time another visited. One nest leader, a Tusked-king who lived nearby, decided to force my father's allegiance. He had some of his nest kidnap me a week after I hatched and while I was out with my sister exploring my home.]
Old Wrinkly smiled softly and took up the narrative. "While returning home, my grandfather found the small flock of kidnappers. He was also a mage and a powerful one at that. He protected my brother until rescuers arrive and finished off the kidnappers." Old Wrinkly sighed. "I learned much later that the Tusked-king who ordered the kidnapping was the one to start the Days of Chaos and learned why he believed himself the alpha spoken about in the prophecy."
"You knew about Haddock?" Hiccup asked.
"Yes," Old Wrinkly said. "I was not happy about it, but I understood the reasoning the story was kept from me."
Gyda knew the tribe leaders had questions. It seemed Old Wrinkly realized that as well because he continued before any could voice those questions. Gyda kept her snicker in throat. The elder dragon rider appeared ready to end this meeting, or at least his part in it.
"That same Tusked-king had a brutal battle with a Lava-dweller five years after Onyxwing and I became brothers. The fighting lasted for months though it could have lasted for days. Many wars fought during those days lasted that long or longer. One war destroyed both nests fighting as every dragon, even the nest leaders, were killed due to the length of time that battle lasted." Old Wrinkly's brow furrowed. "Tell me, since you have spoke to the Land-sleeper, do you all understand how long a dragon can live?"
"Land-sleeper?" Henrik asked.
"Dragon name for the Foreverwing," Old Wrinkly replied.
"Ah, den, yes, dat one be sayin' he as old as da world."
"I see," Old Wrinkly stated. "That will make this easier then." He paused, seeming to gather his thoughts. "The minimum age a dragon can be when becoming an elder is seven hundred of our years old, though some nest leaders require their elders be a thousand years old. The Tusked-king was one such nest leader. He wanted older dragons for his elders though I never learned why. The elders myself and my family saved, and in doing so began the end of the Days of Chaos, hatched and were raised in that same Tusked-king's nest. Their parents and grandparents were hatched and raised in that nest. When the Days of Chaos began those elders' grandparents were barely hatchlings. That should give you some frame of reference for how long those wars were going on."
No one responded to his comment. Gyda suspected the visiting Viking forgot how to speak as a whole due to their brain malfunctioning after that little tidbit of information.
"By the time the war I speak of occurred nest leaders no longer engaged in the frontline fighting. They stayed far enough to the back and sent their dragons in ever increasing waves against their foes until one side broke. The war ended when the Lava-dweller ran out of warriors. The Tusked-king declared himself the winner and it solely due to having seven dragons still alive at the battle's end."
[Those were the elders my brother spoke of. They had been ambushed earlier in the fight and were too injured to return to his nest or rejoin the fight. The Tusked-king, as was typical of the warring nest leaders, left the injured elders and returned to his nest.]
"He wot?!" Bertha demanded.
[He left them. Dragons back then did not love, not like humans do. Some nest leaders realized their dragons were more than means to an end or bodies to fill a nest. Some actually cared, after a fashion, for their nest-mates. Those warring nest leaders never did. They had so many due to many mated pairs laying eggs that were constantly hatching or due to calling free dragons and convincing them to bow to the nest leader and fight in their wars. To that Tusked-king those seven elders were easily replaced.]
"One of the seven had his wings completely severed from his body," Old Wrinkly said. He looked to the floor. "Though we saved him and the others and tended their wounds when they finally let us, he slowly starved himself to death."
"Wot?" Riendar asked. "Why?"
"A dragon wot cannot fly," Steinar began, his voice soft and pained, "be like a warrior unable ta fight."
"How ye know dis?" Riendar asked.
"After I be lettin' Hiccup's volva heal me connection, I be askin' da dragons questions. Iffen ye be respectful, dey answer ye."
"Indeed," Old Wrinkly said. "The same can be said of humans," he added before sighing and rubbing a hand down his face. "That Tusked-king did find out his elders lived. He sent dragons to the small island we moved the elders to after we found them on the battlefield." Old Wrinkly's eyes narrowed and his hands fisted. "That Tusked-king exiled them because we saved them. He swore he was coming for them but had other matters to tend to before he could send aid. He told those elders, dragons who had served him all their lives, that because they chose aid from the filth and worms humans had become they no longer had a home in his nest." Old Wrinkly hissed. "Those dragons were unconscious when we found them. They fought our care when they woke. At least until their exile was announced."
[By the by, we found them many days after the battle ended and had we not stepped in to save them they would have been dead that day or the next one.]
"That's why the dragons hold no issue over the punishments incurred when they break Civility Laws," Old Wrinkly said when his brother fell silent. "Those Laws keep honorable nest leaders from thinking they can act like that Tusked-king and the other nest leaders who fought in those days. Those Laws give protection to the smaller nests so if a dishonorable nest leader tries to become the same as those nest leaders, they can gather allies and kill the nest leader without fearing a reprisal. The Laws give dragons within a nest the right to leave a nest and join another if their nest leader becomes dishonorable or if they feel they have to because of issues within the nest and none from their previous nest can harm or kill them for that decision."
"So why da dragons no kill dis Red Death wot started our war wiv da dragons?" Mogadon asked.
"Because the dragons were never ordered to raid other dragons," Hiccup said. "Humans lost the protection of the Laws after an incident cut us off from the Common Tongue. Since we could not understand the dragons, we could not collectively enforce the Laws."
"Wot be dis incident and why it be so bad da dragons fergot his helpin' dem elder dragons?" Mogadon questioned, looking at Hiccup but jerking his thumb towards Old Wrinkly.
[We did not forget,] the Changewing king said, leaving the group of Changewings halfway between chief's table and the group of younglings and adults who still kept an eye upon them.
Old Wrinkly and Onyxwing shifted so he had the room to join his mate. The king tipped his head but stared at the visiting Vikings.
[We always speak of the Human-With-Fire-In-His-Hands and the other humans and dragons who aided him,] the king continued. [Sadly, some began to believe those tales were nothing more than entertainment but many still believed them to be truth.]
"That no answers me questions," Mogadon said.
[Young alpha,] the Tail-basher from the female Bewilderbeast said, [may I speak to your visitors?]
Gyda wondered why the humans gave the name of Snafflefang to that dragon's species as Hiccup lifted his hand, palm towards the rafters. Tail-basher fit the dragon far better since Gyda had no clue how thieving and that dragon went together.
The Snafflefang dipped her head and moved to stand next to Old Wrinkly as he was the last in the line near to the chief's table.
[Dragons believed the humans who could understand the Common Tongue were dead and all that remained were humans who wished nothing more than to kill us or enslave and sell us to the highest bidder,] she said. [We learned too late they were not, but the Laws were already revoked. The remaining nest leaders at the time chose to rescind the protection due to the growing number of hunters and trappers.] She paused and then sighed. [That Tusked-king was the loudest to call for the removal.]
"He never got over Haddock's death?" Hiccup asked in a whisper.
[He loved Haddock far more than dragons knew how to love back then. To lose him like that and to know it was human jealousy that caused his death.] The Snafflefang hissed. [It did not help that his and his mate's second egg was stolen by humans before it could hatch.]
Gyda saw Hiccup's shoulders slump at the dragon's words just as Stoick sighed and stood to his feet.
"Des meetin' be gettin' long 'n I be knowin' Gothi 'n her healers be wishin' ta look ye all over 'fore we can eat da evenin' meal. Best we end now and resume tomorrow mornin'."
[Wait!]
The Changewing princess broke from the group of younglings, rushing to stand before the chief's table. Her parents screeched something in the Old Tongue, but she ignored them. She reared up, placing her paws upon the table and staring at Stoick.
[You can't end a meeting with bad feelings,] she said. [Dada said so. He said meetings have to end happy or no one would ever come to them again.]
Soft smiles covered the humans at chief's table. Stoick chuckled.
"Wot be yer idea, little lass, fer endin' dis meetin' happy?" he asked.
The princess grunted. [I no know,] she said, sounding angered at herself. [Dada never said how he make them happy, only that meetings have to end that way.]
[I know of a way,] Shadowfire said before looking over at his brother. [Frost, wanna be Stitch?]
[You have got to be kidding me,] Frost groused.
[Oh, come on,] Shadowfire goaded. [That song always made me smile.]
[You have lost your mind,] Frost stated.
[Noted,] Shadowfire returned with a chuckle. He paused for a breath, a smirk crossing his muzzle. [So, wanna be Stitch?]
[Mom!]
[Afa,] Sunrise's voice rose over Shadowfire's cackles at his brother's annoyed plea, [do I really have to claim them as kin?]
The Changwing princess got her happy ending to the meeting as laughter bounced off the stone walls.
Atomic R4y: Ain't always the way? ;) :p