Not sure if it was weather related or just modern technology deciding to take a vacation but my interent went out last night and that prevented me from posting. My wonderful internet providers have fixed it and y'all are getting two chapters to make up for the missed one. Also the Dramatis Personae will be updated with two dragon names for known species.

The big dragon hummed. [Young alpha, I look forward to the day you and your mate lay your eggs here. I would enjoy meeting your hatchlings.]

Hiccup saw Shadowfire, who had managed to stand after his fit of laughter early, drop to his belly and curl his head under his right wing. Hiccup saw shaking and then heard stifled giggles. Seeing Shadowfire laughing did not stop the embarrassment Hiccup felt or the heat in his ears to let him know they were red. Astrid did not look much better with her cheeks and ears also red.

[I said something wrong?] the big dragon asked.

"Eh," Gyda said walking away from the cave entrance and stopping in front of Hookfang, "humans don't lay eggs. Human hatchlings are birthed not hatched."

The big dragon blinked. [I am not sure I understand.]

Hiccup saw Gyda lower her hood so she could scratch her head then point at Toothless though her eyes remained upon the big dragon.

"Have you ever seen pods of swimming creatures the same length as him, with his same coloring on the top half of their body but white underneath?"

The big dragon glanced at Toothless then back to Gyda. [Yes, but who are you?]

Gyda tipped her head. "Apologizes," she said. "My name is Gyda. I am his mother," she added, pointing to Shadowfire.

"She's also the mage that unlocked our ability to use the Common Tongue," Hiccup said.

[I see,] the big dragon said. [An elder of the nest then. Yes, I have seen these swimming creatures you speak of. I hunt them.]

"I imagine you do," Gyda said. "Have you ever seen them when they have young?"

[Yes. It is a most peculiar and unsafe way to welcome a hatchling into the world too. So open to attack and how the poor hatchling does not drown is beyond me.]

"Humans hatchlings are birthed in a similar method," Gyda said.

Hiccup heard a collective gasp from almost every dragon, even Toothless' sister. The only dragon that did not seem surprised by Gyda's words was Shadowfire.

[Humans welcome their hatchlings with the mother being in the sea?] the big dragon asked, the drowning in her tone worse with her shock.

"No," Gyda said. "Human hatchlings come into the world within a room with the mother laying upon a bed, which is what humans rest and sleep upon."

The big dragon nodded her head. [Not unlike our nests.]

"Yes. Anyway, the mother is in this room upon this bed with other women, namely the human elder of the nest, the mother's mother, and some others to help. The actual giving birth part is similar to those creatures though."

[I see. At least that seems safer than those creatures. The hatchling does not have to worry about drowning and this nest the mother is in can be easily defended against threats.]

"The father and other members of the flock are usually outside the room," Gyda said. "With Hiccup and Astrid, though, when that time comes, I am sure most of the nest will be nearby."

[I'd like to see someone try to stop us from guarding the alpha's den and ensuring our alpha's hatchlings arrive into the world safe,] a nest Nightmare said, its voice male.

His comment was echoed by the rest of nest dragons. Hiccup glanced around than looked at Astrid. He still felt embarrassed and could see she was still blushing, but he knew she was as touched as he was that the nest dragons were that determined to keep their future children safe.

[This has been an interesting day,] the big dragon said. [But I must return to the water. My flock has guarded the waters of this island since dragons first began using it as a hatching nest. Young alpha if you or your nest are in need of my aid, just roar. I will come.]

Hiccup moved to stand next to Astrid instead of having her between him and the big dragon. He tipped his head. "Thank you."

The big dragon then lowered to the water. Hiccup stepped to the edge of the cliff, watching her progress. She swam out past the rising swells to where the water was darker in color. She then leapt into the air and dove, causing a massive splash.

"Fishlegs is going to have a field day when we get back," Gyda said. "A Sand Wraith to get to know and the fact a Submaripper guards the Hatchery."

Hiccup jerked, stepping back and turning to the mage. He pointed back out over the water. "She was a Submaripper? They were just myths. Bork even said so."

Gyda snorted. "Bork said a lot of things."

"Point taken." Hiccup looked back out at where the Submaripper dove. "Maybe I can ask her if I can sketch her so Fish will have a drawing for the new Book of Dragons." He turned to Toohtless. "Just so I'm thorough, what's the Submaripper's dragon name?"

[Water-twister.]

"Make sense."

[I don't understand,] Toothless' sister said in the silence that fell. [He knocked you from the skies but you allow him upon your back. You can't fly without him allowing you to.]

[Sister,] Toothless said, [my alpha can make things dragons have never seen. He made the tailfin that lets me fly. I'm sure if he put his mind to it, he could build a tailfin that let me fly on my own. Thing is, I don't want him to. I've already told him this. I told him I would rather have no wings and no flame than not have him with me when I fly.]

[Why? You can't come and go as you please. You can't do anything unless he lets you.]

Hiccup's eyes narrowed. "He is not a slave. No dragon that choses to live in my nest are slaves. I will not allow that."

[His voice,] the Sand Wraith whispered.

[He speaks with the voice of those ancient alphas I told you of,] Toothless said.

[We don't know how or why though,] Hookfang said. [Not that matters to any of us. He is Alpha. He is our alpha, voice or not.]

[Hey!]

[Where are-]

[You going?]

[Get back-]

[In the cave!]

Everyone turned as all the hatchlings, even those from the unsafe nests, rushed out of the cave. The adults watching over them rushed out as well. The hatchlings scurried through the paws of the other adults and clustered around Hiccup. Hiccup blinked, but instinctively began moving away from the edge of the cliff. The hatchlings all followed him. Once he was far enough away that he did not worry a hatchling would go over, he stopped and stared down.

"What are you all doing out?" he asked.

All the hatchlings chittered, a happy sound, and each cooed. Those that could nuzzled against Hiccup's legs. Some tried to climb him. Those that could not wagged their tails though with ungainly results that caused smacks to their neighbors. None of the hatchlings squabbled though. They all remained focused upon Hiccup.

[They heard you,] Knowledge began.

[They come,] Wisdom added.

[Because their alpha,] Knowledge continued.

[Called,] Wisdom finished.

Hiccup's jaw dropped.

Kirika: Hehe, I did too.

Dark: She may still slap him but I doubt she'd want to have her pillow sleep outside.

Prince: When is he not?