It took the better part of two hours to patrol the entire island. Night had fallen in full by the time they made it back to Berk. By mutual agreement before the patrols began, the riders and the dragons with them met in the arena. There they could all converse without fear of the four newcomers overhearing. Only Riders or those who had valid reasons were allowed in the arena when the sun fell. Besides, the Vikings were still cleaning up and repairing damage from the snow storms. Night held no barrier when dragons were willing to provide light by holding their flame in their throats.
Gyda and Astrid arrived last, mostly because they took the long way around. They did not want to let the village see the new Night Fury just yet. Astrid worried Stoick would think it was Toothless, like she had, and wrongly believe that meant Hiccup was harmed in some way. She also knew that once everyone realized it was not Toothless, it would cause a frenzy. Someone would make the mistake of letting the newcomers know dragons could speak before Stoick and Hiccup could choose to let it be known them. Astrid was not sure how they would make it through Winter keeping that a secret, but Stoick wished it and Astrid would follow her chief's orders.
"Hey, T, where's Hiccup?" Tuff asked when the Night Fury slowly followed Shadowfire into the arena and at the urging of the bigger dragon, move to where everyone could see him. "Wait, when did Boss Man make an all black tailfin?"
"For that matter, how does Hiccup fly without a saddle?" Ruff questioned.
Tuff harrumphed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Hiccup always gets the coolest gear," he muttered.
"Uh, guys," Fishlegs said. "Look again. That's not Toothless."
The twins stared at him as if he had lost his mind. Astrid sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying to ward off a headache.
"It's another Night Fury!" Snotlout yelped.
Astrid saw a gleam appear in Tuff's eyes.
"Oh ho," Tuff said, walking over.
He began to poke and prod the new Night Fury, muttering to himself. He then gently gripped the dragon's wing and acted as if he was testing its weight. Astrid noted the Night Fury, while confused and uncomfortable, did not react with anger. He was really trying to keep his word. Astrid appreciated that, even if she was not quite ready to let him off the hook for doubting Hiccup's right to name the dragons of the nest. Hiccup was alpha and no one decried that. Astrid would not allow it. No one would discount Hiccup ever again.
"Tuff," Astrid began in an effort to stop the teen. The Night Fury was cooperating. There was no need to annoy the dragon. "What are you doing?"
Tuff stopped by the Night Fury's tail and looked over the dragon's right wing at Astrid.
"Making sure she's fit for our man Toothless," Tuff said. "He has to have the best."
[Excuse me?] the Night Fury asked, curling his neck so he could see Tuff. [I am not a dragoness.]
"You're guy?!" Tuff exclaimed, stepping back in his shock. Then his shoulders fell. "Aw, man, that won't do." He walked around and stood a hair's breathe from the Night Fury's nose. "Go back. Send a female, a female, Night Fury. We need a girl for Toothless."
"Tuff," Astrid exclaimed, sharply. "What are you going on about?"
Tuff turned to her. "We need more babies in this nest. Can you imagine the fun we can have with Night Fury hatchlings?"
"Oh, gods," Astrid muttered. "The last thing we need is for you to teach dragons capable of blending into the shadows how to pull pranks."
"Ooooo, that's an even better idea than I had," Tuff said, walking back to Barf and Belch. "I just wanted to get a lot and have them race, but yours is way better. Thank you, Astrid."
Astrid rubbed a hand over her face and groaned. She wondered what prompted her to utter such a statement. The twins needed no help to plan their shenanigans. They were perfectly capable of doing that on their own.
[Huh?] the Night Fury asked.
"Don't mind him," Astrid said feeling the headache from earlier building.
[I am so confused.]
"Tuffnut is..different," Gyda said.
"Hey!" Ruff protested.
"And so is his twin sister."
"Better."
The Night Fury looked around before focusing upon Astrid.
[No offense to you or your nest, soon to be queen, but that was weird and they are strange.]
Astrid chuckled. "No offense taken. Many of the nest feel the same way. Still not sure why they continue acting like that, to be honest."
"We told you already," Ruff stated, arms crossed over her chest. "It is our sacred duty to keep people paying attention."
Fishlegs walked up before Astrid could respond to Ruff. The Night Fury watched him warily, but still did not offer any aggression or insults.
"Where did you come from?" Fishlegs asked. "We thought Toothless was the only Night Fury, though he told us there were others. Are you alone? Where are the other Night Furies? Can you show us where to find them?"
The Night Fury blinked, glancing towards Astrid once more. Astrid found herself liking that the new dragon acknowledged her authority. Though it would have been better, and kept her annoyance from rising, had the dragon also acknowledged Hiccup's authority as well. It was past time for everyone, Viking and dragon alike, to realize how amazing Hiccup was in Astrid's opinion and it was something she would make sure happened. She owed him that much.
[Is he apprenticed to an elder?] the Night Fury asked, breaking into Astrid's thoughts.
"No, Astrid said, dismounting. "He just likes to study dragons. And until Toothless we didn't know a lot about Night Furies."
[I see. He speaks in one breath like the elders of my flock.]
"Been told that before," Fishlegs said, smiling. "But Astrid is right. I love to study dragons. All the dragons and I want to make sure everyone knows the correct information about them."
[An admirable goal,] the Night Fury said. [Though I am wondering about something,] he added then looked towards Stormfly. [I smell the blood and the death of dragons in this place. How are you and the others so calm? Why are you so willing to stand in here?]
[Our alpha has made this a nest of humans and dragons,] Stormfly said. [This place used to train the humans to fight us, now we use it to teach understanding between all members of the nest. The humans learn to live with dragons. The dragons learn to live with the humans. Alpha forgave us for the raids against his nest. We forgave the humans for the death and injury to the dragons. We all know the true cause. A cause that has been dealt with.]
[What cause was that?]
Before anyone could answer him, screams erupted from the village. Everyone tensed. Shadowfire, being the closest to the arena entrance, shuffled out. Astrid watched as his horns flared.
[Tail-stingers are attacking!]
"Riders, mount up!" Astrid ordered. "Everyone, drive them off and get the people to safety!"
[May I help?] the Night Fury asked.
"Yes," Astrid said, mounting Stormfly. "Try to stay unseen though. The rest of the nest does not know you are here and will think you are Toothless. It will worry many when they see Hiccup is not here too."
Prince: Yep, another Night Fury. As for the second part… we shall see.
Kirika: Honestly, he wasn't supposed to be here yet. He was to come with the Flightmares when they made another visit for Gothi to treat the mother. He decided he want to show up earlier instead. Cheeky dragon.