Astrid turned to Moondust as the other three dragons flew out of the Academy. She knew from the wings flaps that Hiccup had them bank over the arena and knew why. He was as protective of her as she was of him. She knew many in her family believed she would be angered by his protective streak. As if his desire to keep her safe would diminish all she had trained for and accomplished.
She really had no idea why they believed such. Hiccup being protective of those he cared for proved his love for them. He would do anything to keep those he loved safe. Facing the Red Death showed all those on that shore that. Of course, those same family members swore Hiccup would demand she give up being a warrior right after the marriage rites were performed.
It seemed that even watching the gods' message in a mage's home far from this time, people still did not know Hiccup at all. Nor did her mother's distant relatives know her either. Astrid enjoyed Hiccup's protective streak and the fact that he loved her as a warrior. He understood her and even though he swore she brought the best out in him, Astrid knew the truth. He brought the best out in her. He pushed her to strive more, do more, be more than she was the day before.
Moondust shaking her head like Toothless did at times, pulled Astrid from her thoughts. She reached out and ran her fingertips over the top of Moondust's head. Moondust cooed and leaned into the touch.
"Please don't feel bad that I couldn't ride on your back," Astrid said.
Moondust snorted. She stood and moved around to face Astrid. She chittered something that had Sneaky hopping out of Astrid's lap. Astrid frowned until Moondust laid the top of her head against Astrid and purred.
[I hold no offense to that, future queen of the nest. Bonds are something all dragons understand. A flock forms a bond that is woven tight and sure. My mother always told me that a mated pair of dragons will form a bond that binds both together for eternity. You hold no control over the effects of the bond you share with Stormfly.]
"I just don't want you to feel bad or that it's your fault."
Moondust chuckled. [And that proves why you will make a great queen of the nest. You care as your mate-to-be cares.]
"I do. I know many in the tribe thought my single focus on training was to win the glory of killing a dragon in the arena, but it was more than that then. I wanted to restore my family's honor. I wanted to make sure I could help keep the tribe safe. We were at war and I had to keep everyone safe from the threat we thought dragons were. Glory and accolades were extra but not my main goal."
Moondust moved back and sat down so she still faced Astrid. [And what is your goal now?]
Astrid smiled. "The same. I want everyone safe. Just now I want the dragons to be as safe as the humans. I want the young, human and dragon alike to grow in a place where war is a distant memory and they don't have to fear waking to their family, their flock, having lost someone."
"Useles got ye speakin' ta dem beasts too?"
Moondust spun. Sneaky and Sharpshot flew to Astrid's shoulders. All three dragons went from relaxed and calm to snarling warnings at the figure in the entrance. Astrid looked over the female Night Fury's coiled body.
"Only Dragon Riders are allowed here, Baneson. Go home."
Baneson snorted. "Arena fer killin' da monsters, Hofferson."
"Not anymore," Astrid responded. "Now leave. You are not welcomed here."
"I go where I please. Ye coward ain't ta tell me what ta do."
Astrid stood to her full height, Sneaky and Sharpshot riding out the maneuver but staying upon her shoulders. "Leave."
She saw Baneson's eyes blink, but the fool shook himself and walked into the arena proper.
"Ain't nothin' ye can do, coward. Yer precious promised not be 'ere ta stop me. Not dat he ever could."
Astrid reached for her axe, still attached to her back. She drew it by dropping behind her back instead of over her head as she normal did. She did not want to hit either Terror still snarling upon her shoulders. Baneson cackled.
"Wot ye aim ta do wiv that?"
Astrid never got a chance to answer. The air rippled all around and six Changewings appeared in a half circle around Astrid, three standing to one side of the still coiled and snarling Moondust and three to the other side.
[Young queen-to-be,] a seventh one said materializing at Astrid's left side. Astrid recognized the voice as the Head Guard. [Are you okay?]
Astrid hummed and Sneaky chittered to the Changewings in the Old Tongue. All seven dragons began snarling. The Head Guard stalked around the line and closer to Baneson. Astrid went to call the female back but noted Baneson freeze and just stare at the dragon as if mesmerized. Two other Changewings moved forward, grabbed the still dazed Baneson and dragged him out of the arena. Astrid heard Padrig's surprised cry and then saw the man step into the arena. The dragons snarled. He held his hands up, showing he was unarmed.
"Easy," he said. "I mean no harm ta the lass. I saw me nephew head dis way and tried ta stop'm. I be knowin' Stoick said dis place be off limits to any but Dragon Riders and deir families."
"It's okay," Astrid said, remembering that Hiccup told her Padrig knew the dragons were not animals though declining to have Gyda unlock his ability to hear the dragons before his chief could be asked the same. "He will not hurt me or any of you."
The dragons immediately stopped snarling though they stayed on alert. The two Changewings that dragged Baneson out returned and joined the friends in the half circle around Astrid. Astrid saw Padrig look around and nod his head.
"I be takin' me nephew back ta village. Sorry, lass dat I denna get ta'm in time."
"You are not at fault for his beliefs or his words, Padrig."
"I be knowing, but I be also knowin' had he done anythin' dem dragons would nare a left any of'm. I be knowin' dem dragons see ye as Hiccup's queen." Padrig paused then stared at Astrid. "At dat trial, three men dat looked like dey once be nobles but were shifted back in influence be glarin' at ye and yer family. Day be three old men, but even old men make trouble iffin dey set deir minds ta it."
"Can you point them out to me next you see them?"
"Do ye one better, lass. One be kin ta dat Snot fellow."
Astrid's eyes narrowed. "That's Old Man Jorgenson. I know what they were mad about. Thank you for telling me."
Padrig tipped his head. "I be admittin' da truth. I be doin' dis cause I nare want Hiccup ta turn his dragons upon me tribe. I be knowin' holdin' treaties and friendship be da best way to keep dat from happenin'. I'll now collect me nephew and be on me way."
The man then turned a left the arena. Astrid heard a thud and then heard Baneson's cry.
"Ye hit me!"
"Hit ye more iffin ye dunna get dem stupid ideas outta yer head, boy. Ye be leavin' Hiccup and his promised be. Ye bother'm anymore and I be dumpin' ye in da sea. Now git back ta village and away from where ye be knowin' ye ain't allowed fore I drag ye dere by yer ears."
Astrid bit back her chuckle knowing it would not help the situation. She did look to the sky, a sudden want for Hiccup's presence. She needed to talk to him about Old Man Jorgensen. Hiccup would know what to do to keep her family safe from the bitter old man's anger.