It took Toothless time and a lot of echo blasts, but he found Hiccup's helmet. A curious Thunderdrum had assisted him, on the promise that the Night Fury would introduce her to the dragon friendly human. Toothless had agreed to her request. He would take Hiccup to meet her, eventually.
When Toothless had snuck into Mead Hall, Hiccup charged for him, hugging and greeting him. He returned the helmet, and Hiccup had shouted with excitement. Toothless heard his name called all over the building. Hiccup told everyone Toothless had fulfilled his mission. His rider was sitting with Toothless and scratching beneath his chin, when a Zippleback hatchling sniffed his tailfin. He swatted it, and it 'eeped' before running away.
He muttered, and Hiccup said, "Yeah, bud, the others came back with their babies. Aren't they cute?"
No. They are tiresome and get under paw.
"It was great to see the island and all the little guys." Toothless listened with half an ear. Hiccup had gone to the island. Meatlug was still on Berk when he left—she must be the one who took him. Meatlug was not the sharpest spike on the Nadder, but Hiccup was safe with her, as long as she didn't sit on him.
"I asked Hookfang to bring me home, and everyone decided to leave. I was an accident, but I started the return migration." Hiccup began scratching a new spot, and Toothless leaned into his touch.
That explains why we have the little nuisances.
"We loaded the kids on an old ship and flew the babies here. Nobody knew where the dragons went—the tribe was thrilled they came back."
Everyone? Toothless huffed. That won't last. Hatchlings are a pain.
"Everyone but me. I looked for you on that island, bud. You deserve to fly with the others, but when you didn't come back, I thought you were gone for good." He hugged Toothless tighter. "I hated losing you."
You thought I'd be happy without you? Toothless crooned, then whapped him with an ear plate. Stop being an idiot—I wouldn't abandon you.
Hiccup rubbed his arm. "Okay, I deserved that one. Come on, Bud." Hiccup patted his side. "Let's see what's going on."
Toothless grumbled. He had not seen Hiccup for days. Hiccup touched the helmet many times since Toothless returned, and the mission was worth it for that, but Hiccup was his.
"Toothless. Are you just going to stay there all night? I want to show you the feast." Toothless ignored the persuasive tone. "We have fresh caught trout, but if you like the dried stuff better, the other dragons can eat it."
Fresh trout? He followed Hiccup, sniffing for the fish. Hiccup approached a snoozing Hookfang and greeted him.
"Hey, big guy. I wanted to say thanks for the ride back. I know you had the babies to look after and everything, but you were a big help to all of us.Y'know, these kids of yours are cute. Do you mind if I take a look?"
Hookfang opened one eye. Better you than me, kid.
Hiccup squatted down in front of a yellow hatchling and spoke as if the little pest could understand him. "Well, looks like your one of Hookfang's kids. Are you going to grow up to be like your dad? He's really fierce." Toothless watched the exchange. Hiccup believed the hatchling was cute, but Toothless would free him from that ridiculous idea. At least Hiccup was done with his thank you's, and free to lead him to the promised trout.
"I'm going to get a little closer to you, okay?"
Toothless growled, and Hiccup said, "I'll be with you in a moment, bud." Toothless knew what the hatchling planned to do, and jumped between the two of them. The dragonet hit his wingtip, and used it to launch onto Hiccup's shoulder. Toothless hissed at the scrap of scales, and it ran to its sire. Good. It could stay there, not threatening his rider.
"What was that about? Dragons climb on me all the time, and you're upset a baby sat on my shoulder. I'm not going to hurt him. Besides," he continued, "Hookfang gave me permission."
I didn't give you permission. That thing is dangerous. Toothless huffed. Stay away from it.
Hiccup straightened up. "Fine, I'll leave him alone. Look, he has a brother. Maybe there's some fish I can feed him."
Toothless blocked his path, and head butted him backwards. No Nightmares. You have no idea how risky it is to get near one. They will burn you. He shoved Hiccup backwards a second time. We are leaving.
"Fine, fine. We'll go see Astrid. There shouldn't be anyone threatening there—Astrid's probably the scariest person in the room."
Astrid sat on the floor, cooing over an infant Nadder. "Hiccup, look at Stormfly's babies. This green one keeps climbing on me, and that one," she pointed to a blue and cream hatchling, "wants to know everything. She had to sniff me all over, then chewed on the spikes on my skirt; she's going to be a bold one."
He is teething, and those mouths are made to bite things into pieces. Do not tell my rider they are safe—Hiccup needs his leg. Toothless watched in horror as Hiccup started scratching it under the chin. No! Toothless knocked him to the floor, as several small spines flew overhead and embedded themselves in a post. He barked at the little pest. Leave him alone. He's not a toy. Toothless growled at Hiccup, who was trying to draw the hatchling toward him. Don't touch them. They will use your scrawny hide for target practice.
He heard Stormfly chirp. Toothless, you worry too much. He won't die from petting a dragonet.
"Look Astrid, they're talking to one another. I hope that's an apology for his attitude; he was just as rude to Hookfang's kids."
Do you hear him? This is the kid who decided to set me free. He jumps out of the saddle to fall through the sky. He fought Her and lost a leg. He has a death wish.
He tried to play with Hookfang's hatchlings? Toothless nodded; Stormfly called her babies to her, and tucked them under her wings. Good luck.
"Are you jealous of these little guys, Toothless? You're more important to me than any of them—you know that."
Toothless helped Hiccup stand, then grabbed him by the sleeve and hauled him across the room. He marched through a flock of Terrors, stopping short in front of Stoick and Gobber. Hiccup stumbled to a halt.
"Happy Snoggletog, son." Stoick raised his brow. "To you as well, Toothless. Is there a problem?" Toothless and Hiccup both answered.
"Yeah, something's gotten into Toothless; it's like I can't go anywhere without his permission."
Your son is a moron.
"I tried to play with one of Hookfang's hatchlings, and he pitched a fit."
Nightmares breathe fire a day after they hatch, and set themselves on fire two days later.
"He chased the little guy off, and wouldn't let me near any of the others. I asked Hookfang, and he was fine with it."
That hatchling was trying to flame himself. Toothless growled at him, and Hiccup frowned back.
"Astrid had one of Stormfly's babies—they're so cute, Dad, you've gotta see them—but when I scratched one, Toothless knocked me to the ground and yelled at her."
Him. You almost got punctured by the little pest. Twice. He looked at both men, and jerked his head toward Hiccup. I'm trying to keep him alive, and he's complaining. I could use a little help.
"Toothless isn't any happier with you, Hiccup. You're upsettin' him for some reason." Hiccup spluttered, indignant, and the three of them ignored him. "When was the last time you saw them argue like this, Stoick?"
" is new. Toothless does not become upset without cause, and I am not convinced he is in the wrong, Hiccup."
"Dad, you can't be serious. He's being ridiculous. There's no chance any of the babies can replace him, and he knows that." Hiccup waved his hands, exasperated. "This jealousy isn't needed, bud. I'm yours."
If you survive. He added a half bark, half exhale, hoping to get his point across.
"I swear I heard the dragon "harrumph" at us, Stoick. He's got some point to dragging the lad over; you're Hiccup's father and I think Toothless wants your help."
Stoick studied them. "Aye. Toothless," Stoick said, "I have questions I want you to answer as fully as you can. Is that acceptable?" Toothless nodded.
"Toothless, my son believes you are jealous. Is this true?" Toothless shook his head. "There's no chance whatever?" Toothless barked a laugh.
"I'm calling that a 'no,' Stoick." Toothless nodded at Gobber, and he grinned back.
"Toothless, are you angry at Hiccup?" Toothless glanced at his rider and chuffed. Stoick said, "You are not angry." It was a question, and Toothless responded by thwacking his rider with an ear flap.
"I don't think he's angry, exactly, but something like it. Annoyed, maybe, or fed up." Toothless nodded. Gobber was speeding things along nicely; he would have to hack up a fish for him as a thank you.
"What have I done to upset you? Tell me, bud, and we can fix it."
I did. You decided I was jealous of a bunch of clumsy dragonets. Toothless glanced around the room. A crowd of dragons began gathering around them, Stormfly and Meatlug in front.
"I believe Toothless is frustrated, son. I have questioned him and Gobber has understood him; you have done neither. Toothless," Stoick addressed him, "are you fed up?"
A nod. Oh, yes.
"With my son?"
You have no idea. Another nod.
"Is he refusing to listen to you?" Stoick's lip twitched. "Thor knows he's good at that."
Toothless wished Hiccup understood him this well. An emphatic nod.
"I'm not that bad." They ignored Hiccup a second time, and Stormfly cackled.
"You've my sympathy, Toothless. He's no better in the forge." Gobber never took his eyes off Toothless, but said, "Have you noticed how many dragons are watching, Stoick? They're mighty interested in the four of us. Have been for a while. I don't think saying there's nothing to see here will work on this lot, either."
"Fine. I can handle this." Stoick scanned the crowd. "I cannot stop you from watching, but you are free to go. If you remain, do not interrupt these proceedings, and keep your youngsters under control. Are we clear?" Stormfly gave a mighty squawk, and the rest responded after her. "Good."
"Toothless, is Hiccup acting unfairly?" Toothless shook his head. He might be stupid, but he wasn't trying to hurt anyone.
"Is he being stubborn?" Gobber's eyes were merry. "Acting like he doesn't have a thought in his noggin? Is he being a muttonhead?"
Toothless rose onto his back legs, looked Gobber in the eye, and dropped his chin twice. Both men laughed, and half the nearby dragons joined in.
"Thanks for that, Gobber. I thought," Hiccup shook his finger at Toothless, "you were supposed to be on my side."
"He is. That is why he brought you here." Stoick's attention was fixed on Toothless. "Is Hiccup risking himself with the hatchlings?"
Yes.
"Can we have a demonstration? Perhaps someone in the audience could help."
Stormfly stepped forward, carrying one of her clutch. She set the terror-sized dragon in front of her and groomed his forehead; he wriggled in excitement, and Toothless tapped his paw on the ground.
One. Two. Three.
Five spines released. Stormfly caught four of them, allowing the fifth to zip underneath Hiccup's nose.
"Whoa!" Hiccup lurched backward. Toothless retrieved the spine—it had gone straight through someone's tankard—and delivered it to the men. Stoick tapped it, and the point drove halfway into the tabletop. Hiccup's stared at the spike, his expression awed. "Are all her spikes like this?"
Stormfly chirped at Hiccup. His. Yes, and some are sharper.
"That's amazing." Hiccup looked at Stormfly and her hatchling, then into the distance. "These would be great for crossbows. I could cut off the ends and tip the bolts with them. It should remain balanced enough to use, at least at closer ranges."
Stoick thumped his hand onto Hiccup's shoulder, immobilizing his son, and Toothless snarled at his rider before whacking him with a wingtip.
"And you're ganging up on me. Fantastic." Hiccup turned his head toward Stoick. "Could you let me go, Dad?"
"Fine." Stoick freed his son, and Toothless wrapped his tail around his rider.
"Do you think you could help us out, lass?" Gobber pointed at the spike. "I'm not in a hurry to touch that spine, but it shouldn't hurt you." Stormfly nodded, and delicately plucked it out of the tabletop. She tossed the spike on the floor, and Toothless incinerated it. "Thank you. I'd like to see him keep his other limbs."
Stormfly cocked her head, considering. She walked toward Hiccup, her jaw open wide, holding fire in her throat. Hiccup took a step back, and Stormfly snapped her jaw shut. She stared pointedly at her hatchlings, who were trying to blast the stone floor. She turned her back on Hiccup, gathered her offspring, and stomped off.
"It looks like you have two dragons annoyed with you, lad." Gobber teased his moustache with his hook, extracting a bit of carrot from it. "Still think Toothless is in the wrong, do you?"
"Yes. Yes, I do. I don't know what got into Stormfly—I wonder if she's training her babies." He got the faraway look again. "Maybe she'd let us watch."
"That was the demonstration I asked for, son." Stoick broke in. "If that spike went through you, you would be badly injured, possibly poisoned. Nadders are quick to move, with sharp beaks, and they fire magnesium blasts."
"Stormfly's not dangerous, Dad. She's powerful, and I wouldn't want her mad at me, but there's no risk."
"She is an adult, knows who you are, and can control her reactions. Her babies cannot control themselves. You are not a person to them, but a plaything. Toothless has experience with hatchlings and you have none; he is trying to keep you alive, Hiccup."
"The thing about babies," Gobber added, "is they don't pay attention to anyone. You can't expect their parents to keep the youngsters contained, not when there's so many of them. Saying no doesn't work on 'em, either."
"Okay, okay, I get it." Stoick folded his arms. "I'll keep away from Stormfly's babies. And Hookfang's."
"Continue." At Hiccup's incredulous look, Stoick said, "Staying away from a handful of hatchlings does not negate the risk of being around the rest of them. Correct?"
"Dad, this conversation is really one-sided." Hiccup blew his hair out of his eyes, a tell for his frustration. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry so much—I'm safe with Toothless beside me. Isn't that right, bud?"
Toothless swiped his tail, knocking Hiccup to the ground. He stood over his rider and gave a low rumble. If you do not cooperate, I will sit on you.
"If you want your dragon to stand guard over you, I do not object. If you want freedom, give us a better answer. You are the only person on your side, Hiccup. Think about that."
Give the boy what he wants, Toothless. Let him play with mine. Meatlug waddled over. Her hatchlings were too immature to be dangerous, and Meatlug would keep an eye on all of them. Toothless helped his rider stand; a moment later, he hit the floor with a thud. One of Meatlug's clutch had crashed straight into Hiccup's leg. Toothless knew his rider was the most fun the hatchling had had all day, and soon Hiccup was surrounded by active baby Gronckles. They explored Hiccup, while Gobber and Stoick traded comments.
"I've got to admit, they're fun to watch. I never knew the young'uns could roll themselves into a ball."
"Aye. They move quickly, too. Is the green one chewing on his leg?"
"Never expected to see that, but it's not surprising. They eat rocks, so they're eating ores. Give the youngster enough time and with the strength of that jaw, Hiccup's leg will be bitten clean through."
Hiccup struggled with the onslaught of dragonets. One was chewing on his hair and a second was licking his wrist, in case he was rocky and edible. His moving chest fascinated them, and they were using him as a hill. Meatlug watched indulgently, as Hiccup was pinned down, tasted, climbed, and sniffed. One made itself into a ball and rolled straight between Hiccup's legs and onto his chest. Stoick, Gobber, and Toothless winced.
"Oww! Ohhh," he moaned, "don't do that again, okay? It hurts." He looked at Toothless, his eyes pleading. "Can you help me up?"
No. You wanted hatchlings, and Meatlug agreed. Talk to her. He sat, making a show of listening to Stoick and Gobber. Right now, they were better company than his rider.
Several minutes passed. Toothless was having an easier time of communicating with the two men, and some of Gobber's jokes crossed the species barrier. He was chortling at one when Hiccup joined them.
"Hi, Dad." Hiccup's hair stood up in spikes, and his vest was missing patches of fur.
"Hello, Hiccup. Did you have a good time? The babies enjoyed themselves, and Toothless was able to protect you from danger."
"Yeah, it was fine, just...great." He fidgeted. "Not as great as I expected, but still good."
"Perhaps you might watch them for their parents, since you have had success with it."
He threw up his hands. "Okay, it wasn't what I thought. They're not the type of babies I can play with."
Toothless nudged him, then indicated Stoick. Apologize.
"Sorry, Dad. I should've listened, and you were right."
"Accepted. Now apologize to Toothless. He had to drag you over here and get our help, because you did not pay attention to his warnings."
"I shouldn't have ignored you, Bud. You were trying to protect me, and I thought there was something wrong with you." He rubbed his neck. "I'm sorry, Toothless."
Good. Now be safe.
"I'll be careful around the hatchlings. I don't want to be a Gronckle toy again, ever. Come on," he spoke to Toothless, "let's find something that trout."
"Hold up." Gobber looked at the three of them. "There's something you're all missing here. The youngsters have found out Hiccup's a fine plaything; what's going to stop them from looking for him?"
"I'll shoo them away, I guess."
"They won't care, lad. You're a toy for the bairns now. You can't rely on their parents to rescue you. Hookfang didn't worry about you with his youngsters, and you'd be hurt if Toothless hadn't stepped in. How are you going to protect yourself?"
"I'll figure something out. Toothless will help, won't you?" Toothless heard his rider's voice. "Toothless? Where are you?"
Toothless spoke with a group of dragons, then led them to his rider. They surrounded Hiccup. He reached down to pet one of the terrors, and it leaped onto his left shoulder, while another sat on his feet. Toothless offered a smug grin to Stoick and Gobber.
Problem solved.
"It looks like Toothless found you a guard squad, son. The terrors ought to keep you safe from the hatchlings, and enjoy doing it. I suspect they don't enjoy having the little ones around you, either." Toothless gave them a gummy grin. "Well, I don't mind an extra Terror or two in the evenings."
"Wait, Dad, I don't need a guard when I'm in bed. I'll be fine without them." A green terror hissed at Hiccup, and the others followed suit. "Oh, come on."
"Hiccup, you are not to endanger yourself with any hatchling or dragon youngster on the island of Berk. You will have this guard until Toothless deems otherwise. Do you understand?"
"Okay, okay. No hatchlings on Berk. It's not like I have a choice."
"No, son, you don't."
#
The dragonets, Toothless noted, were learning to keep away from Hiccup. The terrors prodded at his rider when he tried going anywhere they disliked, but were fine with Hiccup going to the beach, and wandered away to pursue other interests. Toothless settled in for a nap. He woke to the sound of his rider's voice.
"Well, hi. Where did you come from? Oh, you got a friend to help you, huh?"
Toothless looked up to see a Scauldron at the edge of the water. It had melted a path through the ice and bent its head down to get scratched. Beside it was that silly Thunderdrum he'd asked to help, and her hatchlings.
Oh, itchy armpits, they weren't standing on Berk, and Hiccup could be around them. Toothless heaved himself to his paws.
"Let me take a look at your little guys." The collective blast sent Hiccup backwards, and he cracked his head on a rock. Toothless sent a terror to lead Stoick to his unconscious son, then began telling the Thunderdrum dam she couldn't show up unannounced with her dragonets, even if the human was friendly.
Toothless and Stoick missed a loophole.