Stoick decided to give it a few days before he confronted Bjarte. He chose to act like his son would and let the time temper his anger. Bjarte was still the son of a chief who was a good friend to Stoick. Their tribes still shared a treaty. So, with those thoughts in mind, Stoick placed a hand upon Bjarte's shoulder on morning two days after Hiccup and the others left for Toothless' hatch nest.

"Bjarte, be needin' ta speak ta ye," Stoick began.

"Sure, Chief Stoick," Bjarte said.

Stoick patted the man's shoulder. "Steinar be tellin' me what ye thought up."

Bjarte sighed. "Sir, that was Hopeless business."

Stoick's eyes narrowed. "This be me island, boy," Stoick growled. "These be me people. That be me son ye put in danger. Never conduct a plan upon me island without me say so."

"Chief?"

Stoick looked over Bjarte's shoulder and found Eydis standing just down the path towards the dock along with Phelgma, Spitelout's wife, Runa, and a few other women from the tribe. All had expression of confusion that slide into anger.

"What do you mean?" Eydis asked. "What plan put Hiccup in danger?"

"Chief," Bjarte began.

"Silence," Stoick replied, glaring at the man before looking at the women. "Eydis, this be-"

"Respectively, chief," Eydis began, "don't try to claim that this is chief only business. Hiccup is your boy by blood, but he is my boy by choice. Brynjar and I already see him as a son even if Gothi hasn't performed the rites. What put my son in danger?"

Stoick watched as Eydis' eyes widen then narrowed into a glare aimed for Bjarte.

"That fool who tried to get my husband to break the betrothal. That was your idea?! How dare you?! What'd Hiccup ever do to you that you'd be willing to hurt him like that?!"

"Ma'am," Bjarte began. "Please don't shout."

"I'll yell this from the rooftops, you fool boy! Your idea almost killed my son and the hero who saved everyone in this tribe! What right do you have to do that? This ain't your home, boy. This is ours and we don't take kindly to someone hurting one of our own like that!"

"Eydis," Stoick said, making sure his voice carried his authority.

She did need to let him handle this as it was a matter between tribes. He did enjoy her laying into Bjarte like that though. The fool boy did put Hiccup in unnecessary danger and he also tried to harm something that keep Hiccup from becoming the hate filled person Stoick saw a glimpse of. Still, all of the women with her were glaring at Bjarte and Stoick knew he would have to do something or Bjarte would face their combined wrath.

"Hmph!" Eydis said. "I'll let you deal with the fool, chief. Right now, I'm tempted to use his head for target practice."

"And we be helpin' her," Runa stated, her fists resting upon both hips.

"Chief!" Bjarte protested. "They be threatin' me! What ye do 'bout that?"

"That they be tempted ta harm ye is no crime."

"But I'm the son of a chief ye 'ave a treaty with!"

"That treaty meant nothin' ta ye when ye put me son in danger that could 'ave been avoided." Stoick leaned down, getting right in the man's face. "Never 'gain, boy. If ye 'ave an issue like that ye best come ta me first or ye'll regret it and yer father'd 'ave nothin' ta say 'about how I be dealin' with you."

[You took my son's tailfin?]

Hiccup swallowed hard and looked up at the blue-eyed Night Fury. She had remained quiet as the tale began. Since it was Toothless' family he was speaking to and he was not sure how much or how little Toothless' brother told them, Hiccup decided to withhold very little as he gave the story. He would bare his desire to kill a dragon. He would own up to his transgress against Toothless and his role in harming their son. He did leave out his reasons. They were no longer valid to him. He had no right to harm another just to gain acceptance. He had no right to use that want as an excuse to his brother's parents. That he had used it as an excuse before now sickened him.

He heard Astrid and his friends grunt seconds before he heard Astrid's voice.

"I can only guess you are addressed as queen of the nest," Astrid began, moving to stand beside Hiccup.

Hiccup reached out, placing a hand upon her arm. He wanted, needed, to stop her. She stared at him but then looked back to the Night Furies. She tipped her head.

"I am Astrid, ma'am. I am Hiccup's intended. He seems to have left something out and seems reluctant to tell you the whole truth of the matter."

"Astrid."

"No, Hiccup. We were so wrong back then. If we had once looked beyond what we thought we wanted and saw what we had right in front of us instead, Toothless would still have both of his tailfins. You would still have your left leg."

[Yep,] Toothless' brother said. [Future queen of her nest right there. Young alpha, you would be better off just letting her speak.]

Hiccup's brow furrowed. "I still should have never harmed Toothless just to gain acceptance!"

[Gain acceptance?] Toothless' father asked.

Astrid laid a hand over Hiccup's but looked up at Toothless' family. "Sir, we held many wrong beliefs before the war ended. We were wrong about the dragons and why they raided us." She faced Hiccup. "We were wrong about who he really was and how much he meant to all of us and we did not see how great he was with our narrow minds."

[You did not respect the young human before the war ended?] Toothless' mother asked.

"No, ma'am," Astrid said, looking back up, "and we have to live with that shame and dishonor and make it up to him daily."

"Astrid! I forgave you! I forgave everyone!"

[So why then do you not forgive yourself?] Toothless' father asked softly.

Hiccup jerked, looking up at the Night Fury.

[My oldest did tell myself and my mate the tale you are giving when he and my daughter-in-law returned home. Neither of us were pleased to know a human knocked our son from the skies but to know you worked so hard to restore his flight and then did all that you have done allowed us to view the entire tale in a new light and with a fresh wind. Seeing you now, I see why my oldest praised you so highly when he spoke of you. I see now why my second chose to stay with you. I see why even my youngest who has the fire of all her ancestors in her words respects you.]

Toothless' father then looked at Toothless.

[Son, you call him brother, correct?]

[Yes, Father.]

[Then bring him up here please.]

Hiccup blinked but had little time to protest as Toothless ducked his head. Astrid and Snotlout placed Hiccup upon Toothless' saddle. Toothless gave Hiccup no chance to speak before his wings flared and he joined the other Night Furies upon the higher ledge.

[Please, young alpha, stand before me.]

Hiccup slide from the saddle and moved to do as Toothless' father asked. His jaw dropped as Toothless' father stepped closer and nuzzled him.

[Face the nest, young one.]

Hiccup did so and his eyes widen as Toothless' father placed a wing over him.

[He is the alpha of his own nest,] the male called out, [but he is also my son. Welcome him and the flock he brings home.]

All the dragons began roaring, even Toothless and the bonded ones.

BravemanJones: Ice-spitter is a Whooly Howl. In the Rise of Berk game, the flavor text for them states they shoot balls of ice, so that's how I came up with the dragon name for them.

Dark: Hey, welcome back. :) Yep, everyone, even the twins knew something was up with Hiccup and yes, only Astrid was truely able to set it right. Well, considering that Toothless' older brother and sister-in-law have been home a while, it.. well, think you can see how that went by now ;)