Hiccup watched the skies anxiously. He had requested Dagur come to attend the meeting at the Wing to discuss the threat Johan was to all of them. He hadn't received any confirmation the Berserker chief would attend.

"He'll come Hiccup," Astrid said. "You know he will."

"The old Dagur I know would come," Hiccup replied. "This new one though, I'm not so sure. He's got priorities now none of us have."

"I don't think you need to worry," Fishlegs said. "Look! Its Jager!"

"And Windshear," Astrid said eagerly.

"And, Enigma?"

The white and grey dragon landed before the others, eagerly prancing up to Hiccup and the others. She cooed while nudging each of them. No one was on her back and there wasn't a saddle on her. Did she leave Iris behind without any guard?

Once Jager and Windshear landed Hiccup had his answer. Dressed warmly was Iris sitting in front of Dagur on Jager. The purple dragon crouched down slowly and cautiously so she could get down easily. Dagur was right beside her, hovering like a mother hen. Even Heather, after waving eagerly at them, stayed close to Iris.

"I am not going to break," Iris snapped suddenly. "Get away from me! Shoo! Shoo!"

"Did they do something wrong?" Tuffnut asked.

"I dunno but did Iris get fatter?" Ruffnut asked.

"Idiots," Astrid growled. The twins looked at her and she just scowled at them.

They are going to end up dead, Hiccup thought to himself. At least Snotlout isn't here to make a fool out of himself. Not that it will stop him later.

"Thank you for coming," Hiccup said quickly before anymore stupid remarks could be made. "I didn't expect you to come Iris."

"Well surprise," she said drily. "Ignore that. Sorry. Everyone keeps acting surprised when I do something that its getting irritating."

"I can imagine," Astrid grumbled. "Come on. You and Heather come with me. I'll show you around. You didn't get much of a chance last time."

Before anyone could respond Astrid grabbed both girls and dragged them off. Hiccup could hear her eagerly talk to both about what had been going on outside of dealing with Johan. It seemed to cheer up the Berserker chieftess.

"I'm guessing things are different now," Hiccup commented.

"You're telling me," Dagur chuckled. "I'm going to be a dad my brother. Everything is changing."

"Wait," Ruffnut said slowly. "If you're gonna be a dad that means-"

"Yep," he said proudly.

"Iris laid an egg," Tuffnut shouted. Hiccup groaned.

"No it means she's pregnant," he sighed.

"Close enough."

"Not even close enough," Fishlegs argued.

"Shut up," Dagur snapped as Tuffnut opened his mouth. He quickly snapped it shut. "Let's get this show on the road!"

"It is good to see you Chieftess Iris," Mala said kindly. "You look much better than the first time I saw you."

"Greetings your highness," Iris said politely.

"Please, call me Mala."

"Then call me Iris. And I feel better than the first time I came here. I actually got to see my arrival this time." Mala chuckled at her slight joke.

"I heard you are expecting an heir," Mala said. "That must be exciting."

"It is. However I think everyone has lost their minds around me because of it. They act like I'm going to fall over from a slight breeze. Even my dragon won't let me ride her."

"Given what has happened I don't blame them. Personally I'd have wrapped you in wool and hid you away from the world."

"No offense Mala but I'm glad I'm not married to you then."

Both women laughed at that. The whole flight here Iris was nervous about meeting Mala again. If she was honest she was more worried about Mala and Dagur meeting again. They might have met twice before but if her memory served her right, this meeting was when interest began to rise between them. Iris knew nothing would happen but she still had the dark thought lurking in the back of her mind.

At Mala's gesture Iris followed the other woman to the meeting area. It was held outside so all the dragons could be there as well. Enigma was perched on a large rock, pawing at Stormfly who wiggled her tail at the Fury Howler.

Once they entered Dagur stood up. He came to her side, smiling warmly at her, and led her to their seat. He hadn't even spared at glance at Mala who only looked at him because of his approach. Otherwise she began addressing the group once they sat.

It was the usual stuff. Johan was a threat. Something needed to be done about him as well as his lackey Krogan. Hiccup wasn't there as he and Snotlout had gone to bring the leader of the Wingmaidens. While they waited the subject about how to protect the Dragon Lenses that Johan was after came up.

"We should split the lenses between the Defenders of the Wing and Berserk," Fishlegs began. "Both tribes will be able to keep the lenses safely out of Johan's reach."

"The Riders could keep all the lens here," Mala suggested. "Our island is highly defended and not so easily breached."

"Berserk can also protect the lenses," Dagur argued. "Our people are strong and our own Riders can guard them."

"Like they guarded your chieftess?" Mala asked. He scowled at her. "Chief Dagur, your people maybe strong but your defenses are clearly lacking."

"Now that's a low blow," Astrid argued. "The only reason the Dragon Flyers got Iris was because she was out fighting with their Riders. Otherwise their island was never breached."

"However Berserkers are hot headed and temperamental," Mala countered. "How can I trust they won't leave their island to chase after an invader only to have the enemy sneak back and steal the lenses? Look at their conduct when Chief Dagur was gone. They were lawless beasts."

"Not all our people were," Iris said firmly. "And I think your views of Berserk is clouded Queen Mala. Things have changed since Chief Dagur and I returned."

"You are still new in your position Chieftess Iris," Mala said. "There is still much for you to learn and your position isn't stable."

"Is that a threat?" Dagur growled.

"An observation."

"Hiccup said we would split the lenses between the tribes," Fishlegs said nervously. "So not one island is going to have them all. The Wingmaidens will have a portion of the lenses too."

"It would be better to keep them all here," Mala argued.

"So you can use them against Hiccup?" Dagur snapped. This time Mala glared at him. "How do we know you wouldn't turn your back on all of us and hand them over to Johan? Doesn't your island have the biggest weak point? A lava eating dragon that can be used as a hostage?"

"If we are going to discuss weaknesses," Mala growled.

"Shut up both of you," Iris snapped as she got to her feet. Both leaders stared at her in surprise. "This is nothing more than a pissing match and both of you know that. Queen Mala, your claim Berserk is weak because of what happened to me is disgusting and you know it. Dagur, you really think a dragon who eats lava is going to let someone hold it hostage? It'll probably eat them instead. So instead of acting like idiots, knock it off and wait for Hiccup to get here with the Wingmaiden leader."

"She said it alright," Ruffnut snickered.

"Be quiet. I know you called me fat. I'll show you fat."

"Calm down," Dagur began but Iris just growled.

"STOP treating me like I am going to fall over dead! All of you! I'm tired of it! I get it, something absolutely fucking terrible happened to me and I almost died along with our child. That doesn't mean I have to be tiptoed around for the rest of my life!"

"That isn't." Heather tried to speak. However Iris didn't listen.

With a glare she left the meeting ignoring the calls and protests from the others. Enigma jumped down and bounded after her. The Fury Howler gave a whine, nudging at her hand.

"You are just as bad," Iris snapped. "You've been avoiding me and won't let me near you. Now that I'm mad now you-oh."

Enigma moved in front of her and laid down. She looked at Iris with concern while giving a whimper. All Iris could do was sigh. Her friend was worried about her. Yet she just yelled at her.

"Let's go," Iris said quietly. "I want a ride with my friend. Away from everyone."

With a croon Enigma stood up so Iris could get on. She heard footsteps approaching and got settled just as Dagur rounded the corner. He looked concerned.

"Iris," he began.

"Nope," she interrupted. "No. Not. Nada."

"You don't even know what I was going to say."

"I don't want to."

"Iris I'm sorry." She stared at him as did Enigma. "Seriously. I am. It wasn't professional of me to start arguing with Mala but you heard what she said!"

"I'm not upset just about that," Iris sighed.

"I know. I'm not going to apologize for being worried about you. That's part of my job as your husband to worry about you."

"Its infuriating! I just want things to be normal but everyone panics if I sneeze one too many times. Can you imagine if everyone flocked around you for itching your nose? Cause that's how it is sometimes!"

Dagur frowned as he walked closer. He stood next to Enigma, just looking up at her as Iris looked down at him. Before either dragon or Rider could react he grabbed her and pulled her off. Iris yelped and grabbed onto him but he didn't let her go.

"I will never stop worrying about you," he said quietly. "Just like I will never stop loving you. Right now, just, what happened happened because I neglected my duty as your husband and chief. I won't let that happen again. So be mad at me for worrying, for everyone worrying, but it won't stop because you are someone worth worrying about."

She stared at him, returning his frown with her own. His words made sense, not that she wanted to admit it. It was only natural to worry but she also wanted space. She didn't want to go outside only to have a crowd following her. Well, it wasn't a crowd but it felt like it with Ellie and her dragon lurking behind her or one of the other Riders with their dragon following after her.

"I hate it when you are right," she finally growled. "Fine. Everyone is allowed to worry but can the not so secret escort stop? I have Enigma, she won't let anything happen to me."

"I'll talk to them about it," Dagur said. "They kind of decided to do it themselves and I just let them do it." He cupped her face with his hands. "Feeling better? Not so irritated now?"

"I feel like you should have been mad and yelled," Iris grumbled.

"I would have but your mom explained to me what happens during pregnancy. So I kind of knew you might blow up over things that bother you. She made sure I understood if I got mad over it I'd end up missing an arm or leg or both."

That made Iris snicker. Of course her mom would take the time to explain everything to Dagur as well as threaten him. Vivian left nothing to chance.

"Well at least you-ouch." Panic spread across Dagur's face. "Calm down! They kicked me. Pretty good at that."

Dagur sighed in relief but quickly crouched down to place his hands on her belly. She watched him as a smile grew on his face with every little kick and punch he felt. All the fighting must have riled the baby up. This was the most active they'd been so far.

"Sorry to interrupt but we got a problem," Astrid said. "Hiccup needs us! They've been attacked!"

"Go," Iris sighed waving her hands at Dagur.

"I'll be back," he promised.

Iris just smiled as he kissed her before running after Astrid. She followed after them at a more civil pace and watched as Mala mounted Windshear to ride with Heather. Everyone was already ready to go. The moment Astrid and Dagur got on their dragons they took off in a hurry.

At her side Enigma gave a soft coo. It sounded as if she was almost sad she couldn't go with. If that was true then she was speaking for both of them. Iris felt her heart sink as she watched them grow smaller and smaller until she couldn't see them anymore.

Waiting behind like this was going to suck.