"Alpha?" Gyda began as Ringfire tipped her head and moved to curl back upon herself and head towards the cliff. "May I get my grandkids out of the house first? They might not take well to the noise."

"Oh, sure. Sorry."

Gyda grinned, tapping her son's neck. "No worries, my alpha."

"Gyda," Astrid began as Shadowfire began to dive from the line of dragons, "Mom will watch them for you, if Frost and Pale need some time away from them."

"Thank you, Lady Alpha," Gyda replied. "I'll tell my son."

[The human acknowledges your rank as alpha,] the Nightmare from the first group said. [I did not know humans would understand such.]

Hiccup turned to the Nightmare and he frowned. "That human is the mage that lets us understand you," he said.

The Nightmare chittered and lowered her gaze. [I meant no insult, alpha of the nest. I am just surprised. My mother always said I should think before speaking when surprised. Even as an elder I sometimes forget her advice.]

Hiccup stared at her in silence for a few heartbeats. "I see," he said finally. "I suggest trying to remember."

[Yes, alpha of the nest. I apologize.]

"I grant you mercy," Hiccup said.

That Nightmare had already annoyed Toothless with her questioning. Her belief that Hiccup would ever steal anything from his brother serving to irritate Hiccup as well. Hiccup knew the dragons would use the term human in much the same way they used dragons. Humans were humans and dragons were dragons. Yet the tone the Nightmare had just now had been the same as the Nadder when speaking about Astrid and that aggravated Hiccup. Realistically he knew the dragons would be just as unsure as the humans about all of this. but Astrid was his queen, marriage rites preformed or not, and Gyda was the sister he never knew he wanted until he met and got to know the mage.

[Thank you, alpha of the nest,] the Nightmare said.

[I shall go make the opening,] Ringfire said, curling upon herself and disappearing over the edge of the cliff.

Hiccup looked up at the sky and frowned. He turned to the Riders.

"Ruff, Tuff, you, Barf, Belch, Sugar, and Spice follow Ringfire and keep that sun peeking through the clouds from bothering her."

"Can we help her blow the cliff face?" Tuff asked a hopeful grin on his face.

"No."

"Aww, man," Tuff grumbled.

Hiccup snorted. "We'll find something else for you six to blow up later."

Ruff and Tuff stared at Hiccup and he could have sworn both sets of eyes twinkled. Ruff turned to her brother.

"Our boss man is so generous. He gives Snoggletogg gifts early."

"I know everyone thinks Astrid is his favorite because of the betrothal, but.. I think we are his favorites, sis."

The two Zipplebacks lowered their heads slightly and followed the Whispering Death over the side of the cliff. The twins were still talking even as the dragons dove out of sight. Hiccup glanced at Astrid, finding her holding her hand over mouth and snickering.

[Alpha,] Knowledge began.

[We can aid,] Wisdom continued.

[Them if,] Knowledge said.

[You wish,] Wisdom finished.

"Please. Thank you."

The Elder Zippleback tipped his heads and then followed the others. Hiccup looked over and frowned. He shifted in Toothless' saddle and caught Fishleg, Torgeir, and Snotlout's gaze.

"Go on back and help them with the decorating," he said. "I'm gonna take all of these to the field we spoke to Lorekeeper and the others in that first day and let them rest until Ringfire gets the opening made."

"Uh, but, Hiccup, what about you?" Torgier asked.

"Yeah, cousin," Snotlout said. "We all want you to help us decorate."

Hiccup smiled. "I know but they need rest. They have flown far and I'm sure all of their wings are sore. I don't want you all to miss the chance to spend time with your dragons before tomorrow, so go decorate."

"If you're sure," Fishlegs said softly.

"I'm sure. I doubt it'll take Ringfire long. I'll come help afterwards."

The three Vikings nodded their heads. Their dragons and the dragons' mates tipped their heads before banking to dive back in the village plaza next to the beginnings of the Snoggletogg tree. Hiccup turned back to Astrid. He opened his mouth.

"I'm coming with you," she stated before he could speak.

Hiccup snorted as the remaining nest dragons snickered. Hiccup noted the Nadder from the second flock looked amused while the ones from the first flock appeared confused.

"Follow us," Hiccup said, not wanting to delay the dragons getting somewhere to rest by explaining.

Stormfly and Toothless shifted out of a hover, heading for the field. Hiccup glanced over his shoulder pleased to see the remaining nest dragons following and the two flocks following them.

They reached the field and Hiccup pointed down. Toothless dove. Stormfly landed beside him. Windwalker landed next. Winddancer and the rest of the Elders landed after him. The two flock then landed. The Nadder from the second flock was joined by others that Hiccup guessed were the elders of their species, while the elders of the first flock joined with the Gronckle. Both sets moved closer to Hiccup, Astrid, and the nest dragons.

Before anyone could say anything a series of chitters and squawks had everyone looking up. A third flock of dragons, also mixed though holding more Nightmares than the others, dove down from the clouds. By the directions their tails were in, Hiccup guessed this group came from the west. A lone blue-green Nightmare dove lower but did not land. It hovered just above everyone. It chittered something that sounded questioning.

[You can speak the Common Tongue,] Toothless said in answer. [My rider is the alpha of the nest and he and his intended upon the back of the Spike-thrower can understand you.]

The Nightmare blinked but focused its gaze upon Hiccup. [Hello, alpha of the nest,] it said, its voice male. [I must admit my surprise, but I know Wind-shriekers are not prone to flights of fancy.]

[Ooh, good,] Stormfly said. [A respectful greeting.]

Hiccup looked over. Since Stormfly stood close to Toothless so that Astrid would near as possible, Hiccup reached out and scratched her wing. Stormfly tilted her head and cooed at him. Hiccup smiled and looked back to the Nightmare.

"Were you and those with you heading to the hatching nest?" he asked.

[Yes. We were told the Lava-dweller that blocked the currents is dead.]

"You heard correctly."

[Do you know how she died?] The Nightmare asked. [We have heard varying accounts.]

Hiccup patted Toothless head. "My brother fired a plasma bolt into her mouth as she built up gas to flame us."

[On your order, my alpha,] Toothless said.

"I know, Toothless, but I will always tell everyone what you did to help bring about her death."

Hiccup scratched the top of Toothless' head and his brother cooed. Hiccup then looked up at the Nightmare.

"Please," he said, "you and those with you, land and rest your wings. We are making a place for the two flocks here to rest until tomorrow. Offer no harm or insult to my nest or those who live in it and you are free to rest as well."

[Thank you, alpha of the nest. As the oldest, I agree to those terms.]

The new flock landed and those Hiccup guessed were the elders moved away and came close. Hiccup knew that many would be unnerved with so many dragons surrounding them, but he felt only comfort. He glanced at Astrid, finding her relaxed and unalarmed. He smiled. She had come a long way from the days where her goal had been to be the best in dragon training and win the honor of killing a dragon in front of the tribe. They all had come a long way.

[Alpha of the nest,] the Nadder from the second flock began and Hiccup shifted his attention to her. [I am curious and I suspect the other elders are as well. How did this nest come about?]

Hiccup frowned, still not wanting to relive that time. He looked down at Toothless' head.

"Brother, why don't you and Stormfly tell them in the Old Tongue," he suggested, knowing it would be faster and he would not have to hear all that happened.

He also knew Astrid would not look guilty when certain events came up because she would not know the dragons were speaking of those moments. Hiccup would do all he could to ensure Astrid never felt guilty again. She was too beautiful to be marred by sadness.

Toothless tilted his head. [Sure, brother.]

Dark: Heh, push Hiccup and he'll use other means to protect those he loves. And Astrid will be right there backing him up.

Kirika: Hehe, well, the Changewings have a slight surprise for Hiccup coming up. And that meeting with Toothless family…. Hehehehe, you'll see.