Hiccup stared down at the hatchlings then looked back up at the adults. His gaze found the ones he had given safety from the waves to and he winced. He had told them they did not have to join his nest unless they wished to. He promised them the freedom of choice and yet his voice had their hatchlings responding as if he was already their alpha. Hiccup felt like a thief. He had stolen the young from their parents.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, gaze pleading with the four adults to forgive him.
The four dragons looked at each other, then at the other nest dragons, and then at their hatchlings. To Hiccup's shock, all four stepped forward and bowed, wings spread as they were able with the space available on the cliff.
[Humans did destroy our old nest,] the male Nadder said, [and did kill our previous alpha but it was not a dragon alpha that pulled our hatchlings out of the way of the sea. It was not a dragon alpha that gave us a place here without the expectation of a reward. It was not a dragon alpha that said their nest would ensure we had food both for ourselves and our hatchlings. The elders used to stay that hatchlings have an uncanny ability of realizing who is worth following and obeying and who is not. And all those hatchlings are correct. You are worth following and obeying. May we call you our alpha? May we join your nest in full?]
Hiccup shuffled closer, the hatchlings shuffling with him but never turning their gaze from him. They did make room for the adults, mostly by just sitting under them and shifting around as they were able to still stare up at Hiccup.
"Please stand," Hiccup whispered.
The four adults did so. Hiccup held out both hands and turned his gaze, determined to give the dragons a choice they could make even if he was not entirely sure how he could expect four dragons to press their beaks into his two palms if they did wish to. He heard the questioning chitters.
[He's giving you a choice,] the Sand Wraith said, and Hiccup heard awe in the youngling's voice. [To touch him or not.]
Hiccup smiled as he felt warm scales press against his hands and arms. He turned back, not surprised to find all four adults staring at him with dilated eyes.
"Welcome to the nest," he said softly.
He frowned when he heard Gyda and Shadowfire gasp and Astrid make a noise that sounded like a strangled version of what she shouted when Toothless plucked her from the forest on Berk.
[How interesting,] a new voice from waters beyond the cliff said. [It seems this place is no longer safe for those of my nest who use it. I shall have to speak to that Water-twister. She is lacking in her duties.]
Hiccup shifted so he could see over his shoulder and his jaw dropped. The Red Death had been the biggest dragon he had ever seen. This one dwarfed that one. He, by the voice in the Common Tongue, also rose out of the water further back then the Submaripper. Hiccup believed that had more to do with the dragon's twin tusks, the points of which hovered just off the cliff. The dragon looked at all around the cliff before his gaze focused upon Toothless.
[I used to believe Wind-shriekers were more intelligent than to fall for the tricks of humans.]
[Hey!] Toothless' sister said spinning to face the dragon in full. [Just who do you think you are, Tusked-king? I may not agree with my brother decision or fully understand them but he's smarter then you are.]
[Young female, I am the alpha.]
[You are not my alpha,] Toothless' sister said. [My alpha is my father who leads my nest. You, I don't know who you are.]
[You are not my alpha either,] Toothless stated, glaring up at the dragon.
His comment was echoed by every adult nest dragon, even Shadowfire. Hiccup glanced towards Gyda's son. He sounded confused, perplexed, and sad all in one which bothered Hiccup, but he knew that right then was not the time to find out why. He would ask Shadowfire later though. Just as his human friends no longer had to hold anything concern in that would fester, the dragons were free to bring their issues to him. He would listen, especially to those bonded to his friends.
Before anyone could say or do anything else, Pinpoint, returning with the others, screeched and dove. He landed in between Toothless and Toothless' sister. The fish he had been bringing back flatten under his talons. He glared up at the massive dragon.
[You,] Pinpoint growled.
Hiccup's eyes widen. Even the first day he met Pinpoint the dragon had not sounded that angry or held that much contempt in his voice as he did right then.
[Ah, Spike-thrower,] the massive dragon said. [As you are here, I trust your intended is well or you found another.]
Pinpoint hissed. [My mate is alive, no thanks to you.]
[I told you, young one, that I had no warriors who could travel that far to rescue a dragon from an island's worth of humans.]
Pinpoint growled. [It matters not,] he snarled. [She was rescued by warriors of the nest I now live in. Under his orders,] he added, using his tail to point at Hiccup. [The only one here worth the title Alpha in my eyes.]
[You poor delusional fool,] the dragon said. [Humans will always, always, go for the kill. That human will turn on you.]
"Okay that is enough!" Astrid stated moving to stand in between Pinpoint and Toothless. "You," she growled, pointing at the massive dragon, "have worn out your welcome. Leave. Now."
[And who are you to order me about, human?]
"My future queen," Hiccup stated, allowing his power to coat his words in his anger.
No one disrespected Astrid, not even massive dragons claiming to be an alpha.
"And she said you were no longer welcomed here. Return to your nest and leave me to mine."
Prince: Yep. He's in for a bit of a shock, don't you think?
Dark: Four of whom? And, hehe, Gyda had to think on her feet to explain that one.