The next morning, Hiccup, the Riders, some of their family members, Stoick, the Council, which now included Brynjar, the dragon Elders, and an assortment of dragons, including every mated dragon in the nest, stood in the field he and the others first spoke to Lorekeeper and the nest dragons in. Hilda and Baneson still did not know the truth of the dragons, though Hiccup could see Hilda staring at him and the dragons as if she knew something was being hidden from her. Baneson still tried to cause issues but Padrig had kept his word. He did not let his sister and nephew know there was more going on and he kept Baneson in check. Hiccup and Stoick had yet to decide if he should gain the ability to understand the dragons. They had both planned to speak to Steinar after the mated pairs left the nest. To get his opinion on the matter.
Because those three still did not know, Stoick suggested this sending off be done away from the village plaza. Toothless actually agreed with Stoick as not only were the nest dragons leaving, the three flocks that rested in cavern Ringfire opened up were also leaving. They had all decided safety in numbers was the better course and all would travel south together.
Since his friends would be without their dragons for as long as they would be gone, Hiccup did not speak but let his friends say their goodbyes. He stood to the side with his father and the others, watching and keeping his hand upon Toothless' head even as his heart broke of the tears upon Fishlegs' cheeks, the shine in Astrid's eyes, the slight sniffling from the twins, and Snotlout's boisterous comments of Hookfang and Wingblaze having the best hatchlings in the Archipelago.
As soon as the bonded dragons moved away from their riders, Hiccup left his father and his brothers to stand before the mated pairs of dragons. He faced the nest dragons and smiled.
"This is not a goodbye," he said, mostly for his friends' benefit. "This is your home and never doubt you and all of your young will be welcomed back. I stand ready and excited to welcome you home when you return. Go, with my blessings and the gods' and ancestor's protection. Return, whole, hearty, and we shall celebrate."
The dragons, even the visiting flocks, roared and as one rose into the air. Hiccup did note the bonded dragons were slower about rising, but they still did so. They all looked back, but they finally banked and headed south. Hiccup smiled sadly, both pleased the dragons could restart a tradition that the queen had blocked and happy that the entire mass of flying dragons were going at the pace of the bonded dragons who seemed to fight leaving. He also held sorrow that they were leaving but hope still rested in his soul. They knew this was home and they would return.
Before he could turn and see about his friends, Willowing, who did not leave as she did not have a mate, and her parents walked over. As their younglings were hatched the last season, they had opted to not leave this season. Hiccup was actually surprised they had stayed in the nest as along as they had, but he left it to them not wanting to be far from their daughters after so long away. A want, Hiccup could not blame them for.
Just as they reached him, Hiccup saw the Flightmare and her daughter land next to Ringfire. Gothi had not been able to see to the mother Flightmare until late in the day due to accidents and injuries incurred with decorating and small competitions between the villagers. Competitions inspired by the Terrors, which Sharpshot, Sneaky, Iggy, and Buttercup won by virtue of finishing a scale faster than the next flock of four, even as all the flocks did their assigned tasks to perfection. Given that Gothi had no time until after evening meal, Hiccup told the Flightmares to join the flocks in the new cavern and rest until the morning where he would speak to them after sending off the mated pairs. He had not expected Willowing and her parents though.
[Alpha,] Willowing said, bowing, [my father has a question for you, if he may.]
Hiccup smiled. "Of course," he said, focusing his attention upon the male Nadder.
Said Nadder lowered his head and spread his wings. Hiccup's jaw dropped. He heard gasps from his friends and murmurs from his father and the Council.
[My daughters and son-in-law's tale broke our hearts, alpha of the nest,] the Nadder began. [But hearing its end, hearing that you willingly forgave them and gave them a home here gave us joy. Myself and my mate are one in this. We do not want to be away from our daughters and any young the may have in time. We could have lost them to that monster and would have never known. Alpha who has given hope and a future to not only my daughters and my son-in-law but to all dragons who call this nest home, may my mate, my younglings and myself find a place here? May we call you our alpha?]
Hiccup tilted his head. "Please stand," he said.
The Nadder straighten. Hiccup looked to the female Nadder.
"Please come closer."
The female moved to stand next to her mate. Hiccup smiled and lifted his hands and turned his gaze. He heard Willowing chitter and then felt warm scales press into both palms. He turned back and began scratching both Nadders. They cooed and their eyes half-closed.
"Welcome home," Hiccup whispered. He then tilted his head again. "May I give you and your young names?"
Hiccup blinked when he heard Willowing giggle. He glanced over to find her watching her parents. She noted his regard and chittered.
[They are as struck silent as every dragon that presses into your paws,] Willowing said. [It's endearing.]
Hiccup chuckled but turned back to the parents. He scratched their beaks for a few heartbeats more but did remember that the Flightmares also wished to speak to him and he had a group of friends who were missing their dragons. The Nadders shook themselves when he lowered his hands. They stared at him, heads twitching back and forth so both eyes could see him. They then looked to Willowing.
[I see what you meant, daughter,] the mother said. [I could hear the purr. I could feel the peace.]
[I knew we were safe,] the father said. [That we would always be safe and welcomed.]
Hiccup glanced at Toothless, finding his brother smiling and nodding his head. Hiccup frowned. The purr had been spoken about. The feeling of peace not as much. More to find out about and no doubt tied to the thing within his soul. Hiccup did hope someone, somewhere would explain it and what it was for. He was still coming to terms with its power to freeze the dragons that bowed to him, but Toothless had been adamant that the dragons did not care.
Willowing giggling again pulled Hiccup from his thoughts.
[Mother, Father, Alpha asked if he could give you and my siblings names.]
The two Nadders blinked and turned back to Hiccup.
[Sorry, Alpha,] the father said. [We heard you, but the purring was so soothing we did not really want to interrupt it.]
[I know that feeling,] Lorekeeper said, the Nightmare elder staying as he too did not have a mate.
The remaining Elders nodded their heads. Knowledge and Wisdom and his mate Blue and Star not with the nest as they went with the mated pairs. Blue and Star was carrying eggs and as Elders both dragons would have authority over the nest dragons, even if the bonded dragons were considered part of Hiccup's inner circle. Pepper and Piper coming to stay with Gyda in the interim so she could continue her Common Tongue training.
[We would be honored to carry a name of your choosing,] the mother said in the silence that fell after Lorekeeper's comment.
"It is your name," Hiccup said. "You will have the ability to chose which you want. I'm not going to force a name upon you."
[We know, Alpha,] the father said. [But we will still be honored to carry that name.]
"If you're sure," Hiccup said.
[We are.]
Hiccup sighed, He took that as he did not really see a way to make sure the dragons knew they did not have accept a name they did not like. He turned to the Flightmares then looked back to the Nadders.
"Excuse me," he said, "they asked to speak to me yesterday but with everything going on, I didn't really have a free moment."
[Of course, Alpha,] the mother said. [We actually need to collect our little ones from the one you call Phelgma. She was kind enough to watch them so we could speak to you.]
Hiccup smiled. "Okay. Willowing, you'll get them settled into a den, right?" he asked, looking at the Nadder.
[Yes, my alpha,] Willowing said bowing.
Her parents bowed as well and soon all three dragons were in the air and banking towards the village. Hiccup smiled as the Flightmares waddled closer. His jaw dropped again when both bowed to him, wings outstretched.
[We would also like to call you our alpha,] the daughter said. [If we may.]
Hiccup closed his mouth and then smiled. "I would be honored to be your alpha."
The Flightmares cooed and nuzzled against him. He scratched both, having already given them the choice to let him touch them or not. A questioning chitter from above had Hiccup looking up. He blinked. A flock of what looked like eighty Changewings hovered overhead. Hiccup smiled.
"Hi," he said. "Visiting?"
The lead Changewing shook its head. [Not really, young alpha.]
Hiccup tilted his head, recognizing the voice of the Head Guard and the queen's sister.
[May we land?]
"Of course. You and everyone in that nest are welcomed anytime."
The Head Guard chittered and all the Changewings landed. The Head Guard then moved around the Flightmare's tails and bowed to Hiccup, though she did not spread her wings.
[We know that part of your nest is leaving, young alpha,] the female said. [The Head Elder spoke of the hatching nest and the fallen queen almost destroying that tradition. Now that she is dead, we knew those who follow that tradition would try again. My king and queen have asked several warrior guards if they would volunteer for a special task. Myself and those with me have agreed to this task. We, if you'll permit us, will remain to help guard your nest while many of your members are away. We stand ready to follow any command you give, young alpha.]
Hiccup found he had no answer and no chance to answer because as she finished the Scauldron pod leaders and the young male Ruff had taken to calling Scauldy, landed to the other side of the Flightmares. All three Scauldrons bowed their heads, though the did not spread their wings. Hiccup blinked then realized the young male's wings was healed. He smiled but shifted his gaze to the Changewings, his father's voice echoing in his mind.
Always, son, always finish with one tribe mate or guest before moving to the next.
"Thank you for your offer," Hiccup said. "Welcome to the nest. We'll find places for you all to sleep and rest."
The Changewings stood. The Head Guard chittered, glancing at the Scauldrons then staring at Hiccup.
[Some Acid-fantails are also joining us to help patrol the waters around the nest.]
[Excuse me,] the Scauldron pod leader said. [That is something we also wished to speak to you about, honored land alpha. My son's wing is fully healed thanks to your kindness and generous spirit. We also know many of your nest are leaving. We would like to bring the pod closer and help guard the nest while they are away. If the Acid-fantails would wish to hold the inlets and coves, we shall keep watch over the deep portions of your nest's waters, honored land alpha.]
[That would be wonderful,] the Head Guard said. [And work well with the Acid-fantails that volunteered.]
Both dragons looked back to Hiccup. He smiled, still scratching the Flightmares who did not seem to care about the other dragons and did not seem inclined to move any time soon.
"Thank you," Hiccup said, looking at the Changewings and the Scauldrons. "I welcome all of you and your aid."
I think Alvin is in for a bit of a surprise, don't you all?
Kirika: Hehe, yeah, this one is a big one. And here I thought it'd be shorter. Guess the characters proved me wrong. Glad it brings you happiness, my friend.
Prince: Hehe, Astrid and stubborn, two sides of the same coin. It will take a bit for her and for all who care about Hiccup to come to terms with what happened but at least with Hiccup's vow that he would not let things fester anymore that coming to terms will happen. Now, I'm not so sure Hiccup's truly taming Astrid or she's taming him. I do know both are providing great amusement to Toothless and lots of fodder for teasing.