Hiccup held Snowfire and Icewing close as Astrid recounted the story. As soon as Hiccup sat down near to Gyda and nodded, the two hatclings had buried into his arms. The gold Nadder and her brother curled up on either side of him, touching as much of him as possible. Toothless provided him a backrest. This prevent Astrid from sitting in his lap, which was something he wanted. He wanted to hold her as she told him what happened.
He still needed some form of contact and he could not bare to have her out of his sights. She could have easily been one of the frozen Vikings still guarded over by dragons from the nest. Hiccup solved that problem by extending his good leg out and laying it behind her. She scooted closer, seeming to need contact with him as well, and leaned against the knee above his metal leg.
Gyda sat against the rock wall to the right of the Fireworms' cave. She kept her gaze upon Wildfire as he and two smaller Fireworms played in the grass. Frostfire and Palewing sat upon Shadowfire's back. Shadowfire laid in a half circle and provided both a barrier and part of a guard to keep unwanted visitors from overhearing. Stormfly, Windwalker, Frost, Pale, and the twin Nadder younglings' older brother added to that guard. Hiccup knew the Elder dragons would have joined as well had he not gestured for them to get some food and rest when their replacements arrived and took their guard posts.
That gesture and every dragons' reaction to Hiccup did not go unnoticed by the two female Night Furies. Both had followed Hiccup and Astrid over to Gyda and now sat by Shadowfire'e tail, within the barrier the bigger dragon provided. Iggy and Buttercup went to fetch the male Night Fury so he could rejoin his mate. Hiccup made a mental note to reward those two somehow. They had proven themselves in this attack.
Hiccup glanced around the cove as Astrid finished. The twins continued annoying a still paralyzed Snotlout. Their dragons and the mates of those dragons watching over them at Hiccup's gestured order when he passed by them on the way to Gyda's side of the cove. Another gesture the Night Furies watched closely. Fishlegs, Meatlug, and Boulder aided Gothi in examining the other frozen Vikings, three Terrors, and one Gronckle that had been stung in the attack. Gobber kept the rest of the tribe down towards the sea opening end, far enough away that Hiccup knew none would over hear what he discussed with those seated with him.
All in all, Hiccup found himself pleased by the response his nest gave. Humans and dragons acted as one family, with a few exceptions that were on the human's side of things. Even with himself out and his father unable to do anything, everyone who had the authority to act stepped up and nothing fell apart. Hiccup knew that Astrid had the bigger responsibility for that happening and had no hatchlings currently needed his assurance, he would show his beloved just how proud he was of her. Their chaperones would have just had to deal with the kiss he gave her.
His fury over his nest being attacked still remained though. That Speedstinger leader had a lot to answer for and as soon as he thought of a plan, Hiccup would meter out justice. The thing within him purred and seemed to agree.
[Alpha, where is Sharpshot?] Sneaky asked, from her place in Astrid's lap.
"I sent him to the Changewings," Hiccup answered, keeping his voice low. The thing within him seemed bent on adding to his voice each time he spoke now and he did not need his words to carry. "We saw the Speedstingers and I thought they were going to attack the Changewings again. I sent Sharpshot to warn them."
"Maybe we can send a dragon for him," Astrid suggested. "The queen may even send us some aid. They have fought these dragons before."
Hiccup smiled at her. The light green and white Nadder titled is head and then turned around.
[I can go, my alpha,] he said.
Hiccup nodded. The Nadder tipped his head. He could not bow in full due to Shadowfire's neck being right under his chin. He stepped back and took the skies. Just as he disappeared over the trees on the rim of the cove, Iggy, Buttercup, and the male Night Fury landed. The Night Fury tipped his head to all seated in the opening Shadowfire provided. Iggy and Buttercup bowed to Hiccup. An act that did not go unnoticed by the male Night Fury, or unwatched by the females. Iggy and Buttercup then joined Frost and Pale upon Shadowfire's back.
Hiccup felt Toothless tense as the male Night Fury nuzzled and greeted his mate. Hiccup watched as the male Night Fury froze. The Night Fury then lifted his head, his gaze zeroing in upon Toothless. Hiccup saw the Night Fury's nostrils flare and heard Toothless take several deep breathes. The Night Fury's eyes fully dilated.
[Little brother?] he asked, his voice rough in his surprise. [This is where you have been? Mother and Father have been worried gray over you and you've been here?] The Night Fury's gaze saw Toothless' tail and Hiccup tensed. [What happened to your tail? What is going on here? First the human female says her intended is the alpha of this nest and is human and now I find you.]
[Hello to you too, big brother,] Toothless said. [My old elders would love that you spit that out in one breathe.]
[Your old elders? Brother, what are you… You are apart of this nest? But, brother, Mother.. Father, you…you're second son, brother. You're supposed to be Nest Protector.]
[I am Nest Protector,] Toothless said. [Just of this nest and not of my old one.]
The male Night Fury's wings fell, looking exactly like Toothless did in the images when Hiccup put the first tailfin on.
[What is going on here? What is this place?]
Prince: Yep, more Night Furies. Hehe, well, they aren't gonna stay. They are with the male from the other chapter and all are headed north. Well, we'll have to wait and see if Astrid lets us know that. She tends to keep things to herself as much as possible. Makes it a bit hard for the authoress of her tale to write it sometimes.