The hatchlings all crowded around Hiccup and Astrid and began crooning. Ringfire purred.
[They are singing,] she whispered. [They only do that when they are happy.]
Hiccup sat down. Toothless padded over, curling around behind Hiccup so he could lead back. Astrid sat down and Hiccup bracketed with his legs before encircling her waist with his arms. She laid back against his chest. He placed his chin upon her shoulder. The hatchlings chittered. The three smaller ones crawled into Astrid's lap, wrapping into a small ball. The bigger one laid his head upon Hiccup's good knee and crooned a soft and slow sound.
"This really is the best part," Hiccup whispered. "I don't think I'd mind being alpha if it meant I could do this all the time."
[Well,] Toothless whispered, [considering Stormfly and others are now mated and will be going to the Hatchery mid-winter, you'll get to do this for all their hatchlings.]
Hiccup blinked. "I know they're going to come get me, but what about when they get home? Snot will be okay with Hookfang's kids staying but I doubt his dad or grandfather will be and I'd really rather the hatchlings not stay in that house."
[The nest I grew up in had a single den for hatchlings to stay in while their parents were busy,] Ringfire said. [It sat at the heart of the nest and at least one adult was always in the den, watching the hatchlings for the others. The watcher rotated at regular times to prevent exhaustion.]
Hiccup jerked. Astrid snickered.
"What ideas are running through your mind now?"
Hiccup frowned. "How did you know?"
"I know that jerk," she said. "And I can just bet you've got that 'This is the best plan ever' look on your face."
Hiccup snorted then nuzzled her neck with his nose. "You know me too well," he whispered before looking up at Ringfire. "Do you think you could look for a cavern not that far underground from the village but large enough that it could house the hatchlings? Being near the village means people from the tribe can help watch the hatchlings and should we ever be attacked, all who can't fight can hide in it with the hatchlings."
[I believe I know of one that would work already,] Ringfire said. [Would you like to see?]
"Yes, please."
Astrid gently picked the ball in her lap up and set the hatchlings down beside the bigger one. He lifted his head off Hiccup's knee. Hiccup and Astrid stood. Toothless cooed at the hatchlings as they extracted themselves from the ball. He looked to Hiccup.
[I'll watch over them while she shows you this cavern, brother.]
"You sure?" Hiccup asked stunned.
Toothless turned back to the hatchlings as they slither close to him. Hiccup hummed at seeing a longing in Toothless' eyes. Toothless looked back up to Hiccup.
[I know she won't let any harm come to you. I'll return that by making sure no harm comes to her hatchlings.] Toothless winked. [And she's a mother, so she will make sure you two behave.]
Hiccup felt his cheeks warm and he coughed. Ringfire chuckled.
[I guess you act as their chaperone?] Ringfire asked.
[Myself, Sharpshot, and Stormfly. Course with Stormfly mated, Windwalker will join the ranks. As will Sneaky since Sharpshot's courting her.]
[Then I shall assume the role while I show our alphas this cavern,] Ringfire said. [Thank you for watching over my hatchlings.]
Toothless gave her his gummy smile. Ringfire lowered her head. Hiccup and Astrid climbed onto her back between her wing joints. Ringfire then slithered along the ground and into a tunnel. The tunnel curled up and around. Ringfire followed it.
Soon they were in large cavern. No river ran through this one but there was light. Ringfire slithered close to an arched opening across from the tunnel they used to enter the cavern. Hiccup blinked. He could see down into Ringfire's den and watched Toothless nuzzle each hatchling as the little ones began to crawl all over him. Hiccup smiled sadly. Toothless was crooning softly but the sound carried.
"He's singing to them," Hiccup whispered. He was not sure how he knew except that the sound was similar to the crooning the hatchlings gave earlier. He looked to Astrid. "I wonder if he is lonely," he continued in the same whisper.
Astrid stared at him, eyes narrowed as Ringfire slithered away from the overlook, back to the tunnel entrance. Ringfire lowered her head. Hiccup and Astrid hopped off.
[I believe,] Ringfire said softly, [that your brother is wishing for hatchlings of his own.]
"I'm going to have to find his family," Hiccup whispered. "It would do him good to see them again and they might know where other Night Furies for him to meet are." Hiccup took a deep breath. "I just hope they won't try to kill me for hurting him."
[I am sure they will weigh how happy he is here in this nest and make their judgement based off that, Alpha.]
Hiccup sighed. "I hope you are right, Ringfire." He then looked around. "The size is good, but how would we ensure that there would be enough water for the dragons and humans?"
Ringfire shifted so that the tip of her tail pointed down another tunnel entrance. [The river that flows through my den is fed by a small lake through there.]
"What feeds the lake?"
[A big river that snakes its way through soggy land with twisted trees to the north of here.]
"Ah, the Northern Swamps. I know what feeds that. Snowmelt from the mountains." Hiccup looked around again. "Is there a way into here from the surface that the humans can reach and use?"
[No, my alpha, but I can make one if you wish. I would just need to know where you would want the entrance.]
"Hm, let's get back," Hiccup said. "I'm going to have to speak to my father. He would know the best place to put a tunnel."
"Wait," Astrid said. "Ringfire, I need to speak to Hiccup. We'll step to the middle there so you can still see us."
[Of course, Lady Alpha.]
Astrid tipped her head and then walked over to a point equal distance from the arched opening and Ringfire. Hiccup followed, a little wary.
"Hiccup," she began, keeping her voice low, "why do you think Toothless is lonely?"
Hiccup sighed. "He hasn't seen his parents in I don't know how long. And I believe he left before his sister reached youngling status. And his older brother left before he reached youngling status."
"That just mean he needs to see those members of his family. That's not the same as being lonely."
"But his family's not here, Astrid."
"You are his family, Hiccup. You and Sharpshot."
Hiccup looked down at his metal leg. He felt Astrid step closer and caress his cheek.
"I agree with Ringfire," she whispered. "He enjoys playing with Gyda's grandkids and you saw him down there with Ringfire's children. For that matter, think of the times he's playing with my little brothers. He loves children, Hiccup. I think he wants to be a father, but I don't think he's lonely. Not when he has you."
Hiccup looked up and smiled. "Thank you," he whispered.
Astrid leaned close and placed a soft kiss upon his lips. She pulled back, slightly. "I love you," she whispered. "I will always love you, so stop fearing that I'll change my mind."
Hiccup jerked. "How-" He sighed. "My comment."
"I'm beginning to see beyond your words, Hiccup. I know your past is something that can't be wash aside and you still worry that things will go back to what they were. Trust me when I say I will not allow that. I love you and that's not going to change."
Hiccup wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close. "I love you," he whispered.
Astrid hummed and hugged him closer. Hiccup held her for several heartbeats before releasing her. They did need to get back to Toothless. If Ringfire's hatchlings were anything like Gyda's grandkids, it was likely they would need a nap soon or at the very least need to eat.
"Ringfire," Hiccup began as the Whispering Death lowered her head to allow them to climb on. "With your hatchlings does that now make you the oldest of your species living in the nest?"
[I guess,] she answered, slithering out of the cavern once they were secure upon her back.
"Does that mean you are now an Elder?"
Ringfire paused. [I am unsure of that, Alpha. I would need to speak to the Flame-skin Elder as he is the oldest of them and you would have to approve my being one.]
"Well, you have my approval," Hiccup said. "I welcome your council."
Ringfire chuckled as she entered her den. [And again you show why we dragons were right to name you our alpha. Your honor knows no limit.]
Hiccup dismounted when Ringfire lowered her head. He rubbed the back of his neck, unable to respond to her comment. Just as he still got tripped up about Astrid's love for him or the fact that he had a family in Toothless, Sharpshot and a father that actively tried to make up for past transgressions, Hiccup still struggled to accept the dragons' deference to him, not to mention the tribe's acceptance of him. He felt Astrid's right hand slip into his left one.
"Come on, Hiccup," she said softly. "We should go on a patrol."
Toothless slipped away from the hatchlings and silently padded closer. The hatchlings crooned sadly. Ringfire bowed to Hiccup, then slithered over and curled around her children. They settled again and soon Hiccup heard four soft snores.
Hiccup waved to Ringfire and then followed Toothless out of the caves. As soon as they were on the beach at the cave's entrance, Hiccup pulled Astrid into his embrace and kissed her. He knew why she suddenly mentioned a patrol. She must have seen his unease and was giving him an out to regroup. She really did know him well.
"Thank you," he whispered when he pulled back.
Astrid smiled, caressing his cheek. "You are doing better," she whispered then leaned closer and kissed him.
[Gah, again with the suffocating lip action. I'm going to go lie in the sun. Call me when you two are done.]
Hiccup pulled back and turned to his brother, wishing he could muzzle him right then. He looked up to the sky as Astrid snickered.
"We should go," Hiccup said. "Stormfly and the others are due back after mid-day. Dad wanted to hold a celebration for them. We need to tell the Elders and the kin of those returning."
Soon they were back in the skies with Astrid once again operating the tailfin and Hiccup holding close to his chest. The thing within him purring loud enough to drown out the sound of the wind.
Kirika: Welcome back. I'm glad you've returned. Hehe, I hope I did not disappoint. And yep, the Whispering Deaths are being affectionate with the alphas and so very cute, no?