Hiccup's eyes snapped open. The contest had not lasted long. The celebration for Shadowfire's win had lasted a lot longer. This caused everyone to return to their sleeping dens rather late into the night. It seemed Toothless' father decided to let everyone sleep in as Hiccup could see light starting to shine softly through the openings in the ceiling. The den remained dark though, darker because Toothless and Moondust insisted upon laying both of their wings over the ones who slept between them.

Still, Hiccup needed up. He needed out. Pain began to shoot up his leg, making his teeth clench. He had to get away from the den before the pain got too much and disturbed those still sleeping. Not an easy feat since Astrid was once again curled into and half onto him. Both kept to their vow and did nothing to break their chaperones' trust, but both also took advantage of the fact they could sleep next to each other. Though in Astrid's case right then, more sleep on each other since much of her upper body rested upon Hiccup's chest while her head lay tucked under his chin. Her right leg stretched over both of his and bent at the knee, hooking his left one in place.

Hiccup would have growled if not for the pain as Astrid stirred. Her hand, which had been encircling his waist, slid up to his belly. She then pushed herself up, removing her head from under his chin. Hiccup could not see, not with the darkness in the den, but he knew she was staring down at him.

"Your leg?" she whispered.

Hiccup merely hissed softly. Toothless, Moondust, Sharpshot, and the boys were still asleep. He would not disturb them. He had already done enough by disturbing Astrid. He was grateful that she knew what the problem was though.

Astrid set back from him. Hiccup mourned the loss of her warmth until he felt her hands gently grip his leg just above the leather straps used to secure the metal leg to his stump. Hiccup could not stifle the moan the erupted as Astrid began to massage and the pain immediately dulled a tiny bit.

He wanted to curse himself a heartbeat later as Toothless stirred. Both wings covering Hiccup, Astrid, the boys, and Sharpshot, rustled and lifted. Hiccup heard deep breaths to either side and got the impression both Toothless and Moondust were sniffing. Though why Hiccup could not fathom and did he have time to do so either. Moondust trilled something. Sharpshot, asleep beside Hiccup's head, uncurled. The boys, in their spots from the night before, grumbled. Toothless' sharp rumble had them sleepily exiting the den along with Sharpshot. Moondust shifted, allowing Astrid to use her as a backrest, while Toothless scooted back and nuzzled into Hiccup's hair, cooing.

Hiccup could only smile. His leg still hurt but his flock worked to make it better. Hiccup went to lay his head back but a green light burst into the dark den, momentarily blinding him.

[Uh, sister,] he heard Toothless say half in question and half in terror.

When Hiccup could see again, horror filled his very being.

He lazily dove and rose into and out of the clouds, enjoying this pre-sun time. None ventured out at this time. They remained tucked into their sleeping dens in their nest, safe, secure, content. He did not mind the solitude of the skies though the hole in his soul reminded him another usually shared this with him.

The other insisted he traverse this flight alone. The other was needed elsewhere. He was needed there. Flock needed him there.

He barrel-rolled, laughing as the cloud he was flying through wisped around him. His laugh was not as deep though and he promised himself that he would do this again when he had the company his soul called for.

A shout from below had him cursing his foolishness. Dark though it might be, the stillness of the sea meant any could hear his wings.

He rose quickly into the clouds, trusting them to hide him. He zigged and zagged as he and the others in his flock had learned to do many seasons ago. When he felt safe enough, he dropped back out of the clouds, hovering just under them and looked back. He hissed and horror filled him.

His wings beat frantically. No more playing. No more lazily flying. He had to go. He had to get there. A day or more if the weather turned bad, lay between him and his destination. He had to arrive. He had to warn those of his flock. That ship he saw was heading for them.

"Gyda!"

Hiccup's horror-filled shout had everyone scrambling. The alpha pair bounded out of their den. Shadewing jumped out of his, landing sideways. Spitfire leapt out hers, wings flared, teeth bared, and a hissing snarl slipping from her muzzle. Guards stationed at the chamber's entrance rushed in, white wings and black wings raised and rattling as growls echoed from their muzzles.

Those of the Berkian nest, and Onyx, Sunburn, and Silent also reacted. The teens fell into defensive stances. The dragons, even Toothless' boys, ready to face whatever monster had come after Hiccup. Skulder, terror on his face, moved to join Fishlegs when the teen gestured for him to do so. Gyda slipped around the humans and under Hookfang. She entered Toothless' sleeping den. Her eyes widen.

She grabbed Astrid, lifting the teen with some difficulty. Hiccup had been lighter due to his unconscious state. Astrid was not that. Still, she did not offer resistance. Someone else, however, did. Gyda paused at a low and dangerous sounding, but very human, snarl.

"Alpha, your queen needs all of the flock around her. Come."

Hiccup sat up. Gyda felt his gaze upon her and knew if she so much a twitched wrong right now, Hiccup would strike her down. He still remained the loveable teen she knew from the shows, but Astrid was his and he would kill to defend her. Had killed to defend her. Gyda knew he would not hesitate to do so again.

She knew others would probably be bothered by that. They would not understand why he would harm someone he called friend and had on several occasions stated she was like a sister to him. Gyda understood though. She had been around dragons most of her life. A dragon protected flock. They protected their nest. One rule overrode those two long held beliefs though. Harm or attempt to harm a dragon's mate and the bond of flock flew the coop.

Hiccup was human and would always remain human, but he affected many of the mannerisms of a dragon. Most of his family were dragons. It was natural as breathing for him to react at times like a dragon. Gyda had no delusions to the contrary. She was tribe. She was flock. Astrid was his queen. If Gyda hurt Astrid after yanking the teen from him, Hiccup would go ballistic.

She backed out of the den, trusting those behind her to move aside. Hiccup slipped out and followed. Silence fell in the cavern, even Snotlout and the twins kept their mouth shut. Gyda was grateful. Hiccup was too keyed up for questions that were best left to later.

In the middle of the cavern, Gyda stopped. Hiccup stared at her. Gyda pointed to the floor.

"Sit, please."

Hiccup did so. Gyda set Astrid on her feet.

"Sit in his lap."

Astrid did so. Hiccup immediately caged her with his arms and bracketed her with his legs.

"Stormfly."

The Nadder moved over at Gyda's call.

"Backrest, please."

Stormfly sat down behind Hiccup. Toothless, Moondust, Sharpshot, Sneaky, and Spitfire joined them. Toothless and Moondust laid to either side of Hiccup and Astrid while Sneaky and Sharpshot laid over their legs. Spitfire sat down beside Gyda but watched Hiccup and Astrid. Toothless' boys padded over, confusion marring their muzzles.

"Find places to lay down where you can touch Astrid," Gyda said before looking around. "Everyone, gather close."

She knelt at those in the cavern, even the guards, obeyed her request.

"Astrid," she said gaining the teen's attention. "Your flock is here. Your intended holds you. Remember that. Now close your eyes and look inward. You need to embrace your core and welcome its power before it becomes unstable."

Astrid closed her eyes. Gyda saw Hiccup tighten his hold slightly, pulling Astrid closer to him. Gyda sighed. She began instructing Astrid as she had done Hiccup when he finally accepted that he was to become a mage. As Astrid followed her words and eased into her power, Gyda vowed to find the mage that covered Gothi, Hiccup, and now Astrid's potential. Whoever it was had a lot of explaining to do. Ancestors help them if their explanation was not satisfactory enough.

Literally Nobody: It's okay if you miss the chapters. Real life before fanfic, my friend. The story will be here when you get back. I'm glad you liked that part. It's actually becoming easier to write those two the more I do it. I think a good portion of my readers want to see someone, anyone, have words with Loki. Actually, the female has a crush. Shadowfire is quite oblivious to females liking him. He can spot it a mile away if a female likes someone around him, but when he's the one someone likes, … blind as a bat. Frost is gonna crow when he learns about this. Have a good day/night

Kirika: Happy Easter to you too. And yep, Shadowfire is in for it.