It quickly became a competition between Gyda and Astrid as to who would fill the basket the fastest. Each took turns and timed it by Sneaky counting. She gave her word that she was count fair, just like she judged Hiccup and Astrid's snow race fairly. Astrid let Gyda go first, citing, with a wink, that Gyda was the eldest This resulted in an already full basket of goat weed. Both ladies were certain that Gothi would not mind having two baskets. At least they hoped she would not.

Stormfly and Windwalker stayed out of the competition. They sat next to each other, reminding Gyda of a mated pair of turkeys she once saw at a children's petting/feeding zoo, and conversed in low chirps and chitters. Shadowfire took advantage of the moment by flopping onto his back and letting the sun warm his belly scales. The dragon had gotten spoiled by the fact many places in the Archipelago they went to had wide open areas he could use to lounge in the sun, since he tended to stretch wings, neck, and tail when he, as he put it, sunbathed. A word he had to explain to any who heard him call his activity that, which up to this point were mostly the Hoffersons. Hiccup, if he did not know about it from Astrid, had yet to question Shadowfire's tendency. Fishlegs had yet to ask about it either. Gyda was certain as soon as the lad finished his side project of counting all the dragons currently living upon Berk, and documenting who lived where, Fishlegs would be back around to question Shadow, Frost, and Pale more about their species. Gyda was also certain either Frost or Shadow would mention the sunbathing and that would open a whole other can of worms. Gyda was not actually looking forward to that. Somethings about her time she never understood and knew she would never be able explain to someone outside of her time.

It being Astrid's turn now, Gyda stood aside. This allowed her to see Shadowfire jerk and lift his head.

[Alpha's back,] he said. [Wait, that's Moondust he's riding.]

That caused multiple reactions. Astrid's gaze snapped skyward. The Nadders surged to their claws. Shadowfire rolled to his paws. Sneaky stopped counting and flew to Shadowfire's head.

[It's just Alpha and Moondust,] Sneaky said.

Gyda rushed to Shadowfire's side. She rooted into one of two bags sewn onto the leather straps that ran from front corners of his saddle, over his foreleg, connecting with the belly strap just under the patch of harden scales that kept his chest arrow-proof. She turned as Hiccup and Moondust landed. She handed him the small cast iron kettle she carried in that saddlebag. He took it frowning.

"I know what's wrong with Toothless," she said before Astrid had a chance to question him or he had a chance to ask her about the kettle. "You can use that to brew the concoction you need to heal him."

Hiccup looked down at the kettle then back up to Gyda. "The tale?"

"Aye."

"Anyone want to tell me what's going on?" Astrid asked.

"Toothless accidently ate an eel and it's not agreeing with him," Hiccup said. "Moondust said I have to get him to throw it up before it gets worse."

Astrid frowned. "You can back to get buttercup tea," she said.

Hiccup titled his head.

"Gothi taught it to me too."

"Ah," Hiccup said before stepping forward and staring at Astrid. "Get the others back to Berk when they get their ingredients."

Astrid's eyes narrowed. Hiccup cupped her cheek with his hand. Gyda, though technically a human chaperone for them per Eydis' request, looked towards Shadowfire's saddle and began to fiddle with the straps. She kept her ears trained on them though. She would give them visual privacy, mostly because she knew Stormfly and Sneaky were watching them like hawks, but she would not neglect all of her duties to them. She did feel honored that both trusted her enough to act this way to each other. Kisses and hand holding aside, Hiccup and Astrid were a highly private couple and would not be this way if the other teens were present.

"You are my queen," she heard Hiccup whisper. "The dragons will obey you over Gobber. And I know I can trust the nest to you. You have never failed me."

Gyda wondered if Hiccup knew just what those words meant to Astrid. Gyda was not dumb, nor blind. She was also one of a two who Astrid trusted enough to speak to about problems she faced, the other being Eydis. Many a night after Astrid warmed up to Gyda, they had sat in Astrid's room speaking about various things. Just before Gyda's house was finished and she moved out, Astrid had confessed a fear that she would fail Hiccup again. This fear only got worse as the marriage contract was signed and witnessed.

"Don't go alone," Astrid whispered.

"I'll take Fishlegs and the Gronckles. Meatlug carries a net so Fish can bring back interesting rocks for Meatlug and Boulder. I can use it to trap Toothless and make him take the tea."

"Take Gyda with you, please."

Both of Gyda's eyebrows lifted.

"I would feel better if she went with you. She can make barriers."

Gyda heard Hiccup give a soft chuckle then the sound of him kissing Astrid. Gyda kept her focus upon Shadowfire's straps. She would intervene if she had to but she would still let them have the illusion of some privacy.

"Moondust," Hiccup said a few heartbeats later.

Gyda turned. If Hiccup was addressing the female Night Fury, then the moment between he and Astrid was over. Gyda found Hiccup looking at Moondust.

"Thank you for letting me ride your back but I think I'll ride on Shadowfire back to the island. I don't have a saddle to hold onto with you and I'm not using your sensing lobes to keep myself sitting. Is that okay?"

Moondust tilted her head. [Why are you asking if that is okay with me, Alpha? Your safety is paramount over all. If you feel unsafe on my back, don't get on my back, please.]

Hiccup sat the kettle down and placed both hand on either side of Moondust's head. "I don't want you to feel bad or that you've done something wrong because I'm riding Shadowfire back to Eel Island. It's nothing you've done."

Moondust cooed and nuzzled into Hiccup's chest. [I know, my alpha. I understand. Besides, with you not on my back, I would not worry about you if I need to act in order to contain Toothless or keep him safe from the other dragons on the island. Thank you for considering my feelings though, Alpha.]

Hiccup smiled and placed his cheek against the top of Moondust's bowed head. Then he stepped back and looked to Gyda. She in turn, tapped Shadowfire's foreleg. He lowered and shifted his leg out. Gyda then gestured for Hiccup to proceed her. Hiccup smiled, grabbed the kettle, and climbed up. Gyda climbed up after him. She attached the tether lines from her harness to the connecting hooks. Shadowfire stood. Gyda glanced down at Astrid and pointedly placed her hands upon Hiccup's shoulders. She caught both the slight frown Astrid gave and the small smile and nod of her head.

"We'll be back as soon as Toothless is better," Hiccup called down.

"Okay," Astrid said and Gyda could hear the tightness of her friend's voice.

"Moondust," Hiccup said, his head turning. "Go ahead and help Sharpshot keep an eye on Toothless."

Moondust bowed and was airborne and banked in the direction of Eel Island before Gyda took two breathes.

"Gyda?" Hiccup questioned.

"You tell him, Hiccup," Gyda replied. "You know my son will listen to you."

"Uh..okay. Go find Fishlegs and the Gronckles, Shadowfire.

[As you command, my alpha,] Shadowfire said before running to the edge of the cliff the meadow sat upon.

He dove off, flared his wings, caught an up-thrust of air, rose, then banked and head towards a rocky grassland in the middle of the island. Gyda hoped the Typhoomerang from the tale would be lenient to Toothless or that Moondust and Sharpshot could get to it and explain the situation in time. She knew Hiccup would blame himself if any harm came to his brother.

Prince: Hehe, Hiccup will learn, but the thing within him did not rise to coat his words. It recognized that Moondust was not acting out of spite but acting in order to protect Hiccup. That should have raised at least one eyebrow, me thinks. ;)