Hiccup paused as he reached Gyda. Wildfire leapt from Hiccup's hands onto Gyda's shoulder. He bounced to Shadowfire's back and hopped over both his parents before running to stand on the top of Shadowfire's head. Hiccup and Gyda grinned. Toothless, Sharpshot, Frost, Pale, and Shadow snorted as Wildfire crowed like the roosters around Berk. Snowfire looked up at his brother and grunted. He calmly walked to the edge of Hiccup's hands then turned and looked up at Hiccup. Hiccup smiled as the hatchling flared his wings and bowed before hopping onto Gyda's shoulder and nuzzling his grandmother. Gyda reached up and scratched the top of his head.

"Good job," she murmured and Snowfire cooed.

Icewing chittered something that sounded like a question. Frostfire hopped to his mother's free shoulder. He shook his head and chirped. Icewing crooned. Frost's eyes narrowed and he chirped again, this time firmer than the last. Icewing crawled down Hiccup's arm and sat in his hands. She looked to her father then to her grandmother. Gyda stared down at Icewing.

"You heard your father," Gyda said.

Icewing cooed then looked up at Hiccup. Hiccup lifted an eyebrow.

[She wanted to stay with you, Alpha,] Palewing said. [We are not allowing her because she jumped onto your shoulder earlier without permission.]

"Ah," Hiccup said. He lifted his hands so Icewing was level with his face. "I'm not going to go against your parents' wishes, little one. They are not punishing you unfairly. I know you like sitting on my shoulder, but you can't just hop onto me without anyone knowing. Had I been in the forge and working you might have gotten hurt. That's something I don't want. So go on now, listen to your parents and be the good girl I know you can be."

Icewing chittered and rubbed her tiny cheek against Hiccup's nose. She then turned and hopped into Gyda's arms. Gyda smiled.

"You'll make a great father one day, Hiccup," she said.

Hiccup coughed, rubbing the back of his neck. Then he frowned. "Wait, did you understand Frost a moment ago?"

Gyda laughed. "No, but I know that tone he used. I used the same while he and Shadow were growing up."

"Oh."

Gyda grinned and then gestured with her chin to a point over his shoulder. Hiccup turned, finding Astrid staring at him with a soft smile. Hiccup walked over, taking her right hand with his left one. He resisted the urge to kiss her. There was more he had to do before he could. He looked to his father and tipped his head. Stoick grinned, moving to the middle of the circle. Hiccup took a deep breath as he felt a weight fall of his shoulders. His part in the event was over. He, as the dragons' alpha, had welcomed the returning pairs home. Now his father could tell everyone about the celebration. Hiccup looked at Astrid. He leaned over and gave into his desire. Astrid hummed and returned his soft kiss.

"Alright ye lot!"

Stoick's bellowing had Hiccup and Astrid pulling away from each other. They looked down, finding Stoick looking at everyone in the plaza.

"We're havin' a feast fer the returnin' tribe members but at night fall all but me boy and his Riders must be indoors. Aurvandil's Fire will blaze across the sky tonight."

"And Hiccup's going to confront the Flightmare?" Mrs. Larson asked.

"Ye know of anyone better?" Stoick questioned, looking to the woman.

"No," Mrs. Larson said. "I jest don't want the lad hurt, but I know I'll rest easier knowin' he be handlin' it. He'll keep us all safe."

Hiccup felt his cheeks warm as almost all of the Vikings in the crowd agreed with Mrs. Larson's comment. He looked to Astrid. She smiled, caressing his cheek.

"They see you and know they will live to see another day," she whispered.

Hiccup blinked. She had said similar words just after he had Mildew arrested. Hiccup sighed, his brow furrowing. Astrid squeezed his hand.

"You got this," she whispered. "We are all with you." She paused and laid her palm against his cheek. "I am with you."

"Thank you," Hiccup whispered.

He knew her last comment meant more than just this night and more than just her being at his side when he confronted the Flightmare. He pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her.

"I know I could not do any of this without you," he added in a whisper.

He could not. Without her at his side, Hiccup knew he would have never made it to this night. He would not have handled the dragon's calling him their alpha or the tribe accepting him. He knew the wounds inflicted from his past would have festered without her love to soothe and heal them. Toothless and Sharpshot's friendship would have helped but Astrid's steadfast support and love gave Hiccup the will to forgive. Her acceptance of his touch and his kisses gave Hiccup the proof he needed to know that he was worthy and that he had worth.

"I love you," Astrid whispered.

"I love you, too"

"Now!" Stoick bellowed and again pulled Hiccup and Astrid apart. "Let's feast!"

Night fell and green fire erupted across the skies. Hiccup and those who were going with him flew out of the village and headed inland. Hiccup waited until they were far enough from the village before holding his hand up. The dragons shifted into a hover. Hiccup tapped Toothless' neck. The Night Fury flew a bit forward then flipped over and came back so that they faced the group. Hiccup looked to Fishlegs and tipped his head.

"I've studied the previous times the Flightmare came to Berk," Fishlegs said. "It's always followed the same path. It starts in the Northern Swamp and follows the river into the village."

"Everyone," Hiccup said, "we are giving the Flightmare a chance to speak before anything is decided."

"You sure Astrid should be here?" Snotlout asked.

Hiccup's eyes narrowed. Snotlout jerked, thought that might have something to do with Hookfang jostling his rider.

"I'm not saying anything bad," Snotlout continued. "I know the Hoffersons have been desperate to clear Finn's name. I'm just…concerned."

"I'm not going to attack on sight," Astrid said and Hiccup knew she was talking through gritted teeth. "I am going to follow Hiccup's orders. I do follow our chief's son's orders, Snotlout."

Snotlout's eyes narrowed. "My grandfather told me to do that and you know it!"

"Enough."

Everyone looked to Hiccup.

"Snotlout, I understand your concerns but Astrid and I have already spoken and she is staying. Gyda, lead them on to the swamp. Astrid, please remain."

"Aye, Hiccup," Gyda said. "Alright you lot, move on."

Hiccup waited until they were all out of earshot before he looked over at Astrid.

"I love you," he said.

Astrid grunted. "While I enjoy hearing that, I know that is not what you want to say."

"What do you think I want to say?"

"Reprimand me for that snide to Snotlout. His concerns were valid. My commenting on the issue with Old Man Jorgenson was not."

Hiccup tilted his head. "I wasn't going to reprimand you." He shrugged. "I understood why you said it. Snotlout speaks without thinking even if he's gotten better at obeying and not showing off all the time. Are you okay?"

Astrid stared down at Stormfly's saddle. "I will be once this is over and we are back in Berk."

"Just know, in all things, Astrid, I want you at my side. I trust you. I know you will have my back."

Astrid lifted her gaze. "Always, Hiccup."

"Then let's go after them. I want to be able to enjoy Aurvandil's Fire this year."

Kirika: Hehe, I love the Edge as well. And I can say with 100% certainty that Garff will be in this version of HTTYD. I love that dragon. Hehe, Icewing is fun to write. Hiccup now has a fangirl in the form of a dragon hatchling :P

Guest: Hi, welcome. Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. Hehe, Toothless has been a blast to write. He's repeatedly calling kissing a suffocating lip action will continue since he knows how much that bugs his brother. He has claimed kin privilege to tease Hiccup. And it will come back to bit him later :P