Hiccup turned around to face the queen, tilting his head.
[He has saved my daughter and that grants him our help. Right now you are that help and he would well be advised to remember that.]
The queen stared over Hiccup's shoulder as she said that. Hiccup heard a rustle. He turned back, finding the Scauldron had lowered his head.
[As you wish, queen of the nest,] he said, sounding resigned.
Hiccup did note that neither of the Scauldron's parents protested the queen's harsh tone to their son. He made a mental note to ask Toothless and Sharpshot later. If they were to be speaking and interacting with more leaders of flocks, pods, and nests, Hiccup knew he needed to know how not to offend the other leaders. He did look to the two Scauldrons. He had a question that needed answering right then.
"Sir, ma'am," he began, "can you spray water without heating it?"
The pod leader blinked. [And unusual question, land alpha,] he said. [Why do you wish to know?]
"I know Tidal class dragons can't stand being out of the water too long. I'm not sure how long we'll be and I didn't want his skin to dry out."
The pod leader smiled. [I see,] he said. [Again you show your wisdom and care, land alpha.] He looked to the queen. [May my mate and I keep our son's skin hydrated?]
[Of course,] the queen said before looking to the other Changewings and chittered. [They now know that your spitting is not to been as an attack.]
[Thank you, queen of this nest,] the pod leader said before he and his mate walked back into the waves lapping the shore.
They both gathered a mouthful of water before heading over to their son. The pod leader waited until the last boulder was removed and the Changewings and Hiccup were out of the way. He then gently sprayed his son with the water, careful to not hit the injured wing. The mother then sprayed her son's back, also careful to not hit the wing. The young Scauldron hummed, staring at Hiccup. The parents stepped back and smiled at Hiccup.
[I see why my mate has allied our pod with you,] the mother said.
Hiccup smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. He coughed before turning to the Scauldron. He slipped around to look at the wing and winced again. Bone jutted up and down but not through skin. Hiccup turned to the royal pair.
"Ma'am," he began, "do you know where we can get some young trees about this big around?" he asked holding his hands up with the longest finger and the thumbs of both touching.
[How will trees help?] the king asked.
"We can fashion them into a splint to keep his wing straight while the bone heals," Hiccup said. "We'll also need some vines to tie the splint together."
The queen blinked. She looked over her shoulder and chirped. The four that had removed the boulders flew up and inland. They returned soon. Two carried the trees Hiccup asked for while two carried many vines. They laid them down near to Hiccup. He smiled.
"Thank you," he said to all of them before they could move away.
The Changewings chittered and Hiccup got the impression that they were surprised. One Changewing tipped its head before the four returned to their spots near to the cliff face. Hiccup turned to the royal pair.
"May some of my friends approach?" he asked. "I will need their aid."
[Any who are needed may do so,] the queen replied.
Hiccup turned to his friends. "Gyda, Snotlout, and Fishlegs," he called.
All three dismounted and walked over to him. He saw Astrid glare at him. He looked to the young Nadder and then faced his intended again. She sighed and tipped her head. Hiccup smiled. He still needed someone to keep an eye on the Nadder and he trusted Astrid and Stormfly to do so.
"Snot, you and Fish, sheer the bark off those trees and make sure no splinter is sticking out," Hiccup said.
The two boys moved to the trees. They pulled belt daggers and went to kneel. A loud screech on the cliff had everyone looking up. A slightly smaller Changewing hissed down at Snotlout and Fishlegs. Hiccup moved over, looking up and holding his hands out in a placating manner.
"They won't hurt anyone," he said softly. "I promise."
[You lie!] the Changewing screeched. [Humans with weapons can't be trusted!]
It opened its mouth. Green acid shot out. It sizzled against an iridescent barrier. Hiccup heard snarls and a young sounding squawking hiss.
[Let me up!]
Hiccup spun. Shadowfire sat upon the young Nadder. Stormfly had her beak in front of the Nadder's. Hookfang, Toothless, and Meatlug kept an eye upon the Changewing.
"Gyda," Hiccup said, gesturing to the Scauldron, "ease his pain. Guys, sheer those trees."
He rushed to the Nadder before the words were all the way out of his mouth. Stormfly moved back. Hiccup dropped in front of the Nadder, grabbing his jaw.
"Calm," Hiccup said.
The Nadder crooned, his eyes alternating between dilating and slitting.
"Calm," Hiccup repeated, firmly.
The Nadder whimpered. [He flamed you, my alpha.]
Hiccup ran his fingertips over the top of the Nadder's muzzle. "Elder Gyda had my back," he said, softly. "We are guest here. I should have told them what I was going to have Snotlout and Fishlegs do. This was on me."
[But, you're…you… He shouldn't have tried to kill you. You can't die, my alpha. I don't want to live in a world like before. I don't want to live in any other nest but yours.]
"Shh," Hiccup soothed. "I need you calm, young one."
The Nadder crooned but Hiccup felt as the dragon began to relax. Hiccup looked up at Shadowfire and nodded. Shadowfire moved away. The Nadder stood. Hiccup stood with him, still scratching the Nadder's beak.
"Will you be okay?" Hiccup asked.
[I will try to remain calm, my alpha.]
Hiccup scratched the Nadder's jaw. "Just please stay with Astrid and Stormfly."
[None shall harm your queen, my alpha. That I vow.]
Hiccup stepped back. Sharpshot crawled up and latched upon the harness' clawholds. Hiccup curled his neck.
"Brother?" he asked.
[The queen of this nest said all who are needed can approach and you need a guard.]
Hiccup sighed but did not tell Sharpshot to get down. In truth he missed having his brother's weight upon his back. He looked up, catching Astrid's gaze. She stared down at him, eyes narrowed. He subtly shook his head, his gaze cutting to the young Nadder. Astrid's eyes narrowed more and her hands gripped the handles upon Stormfly's saddle until her knuckles were white. Hiccup expected her to disregard his wish and dismount anyways.
Kirkia: Actually it more that he's not real sure what he's supposed to do when meeting another nest's leader. This is really all new territory for him. And the prince of the nest did give an overall introduction but did not tell Hiccup to give individual names. Hehe, Hiccup is confused but the dragons are more confused by him. He acts like no human they have ever seen :p