Astrid held Hiccup's hand after they ate some yak jerky her mother sent with them. Her thumb caressed his knuckles, enjoying the fact that he spoke of what happened with peace and confidence. It had been a long journey with many unpleasant and painful moments to get to this point, but she could see his past was a distant memory to him right then.

"So, Onyx's son is why you can affect the mannerisms of a dragon?" Skulder asked.

Astrid turned to the man, feeling a bit sorry for him. She could well believe he never thought his journey would end him up here. He was holding up well though. She had to give him that. She also wondered just how his quest to find what he believed was the true past of Berk and the Hooligan Tribe brought him this far north. As far as she had been taught, the Hooligans came from the south, from the mainland Vikings who chose to brave the dangers of the unknown and seek their fortunes in the chilled waters of the Archipelago.

She jerked, her gaze moving over towards Onyx and then to Toothless. She felt Hiccup's hand squeeze hers in a way she knew he was silently asking if she was well. She returned the squeeze, her thumb resuming its lazy circles. Hiccup waited a heartbeat but he answered Skulder. Astrid half listened to him, her mind racing.

From what she saw, Toothless' aunt had used her status to steer the nest and its members in a version of history she saw as right. It did not matter that the history was wrong and misrepresented. She had deemed those in her care should believe the way she wanted.

Astrid realized it just how close it flew to the history the Vikings spouted. They believed the dragons demons and taught that to the exclusion of any other explanation. They believed strength, and only the strength they deemed worthy enough, to be the greatest thing a Viking could strive for. They had Hamish the Second looking like a buff Viking warrior child when he had actually been as lanky as Hiccup. Given Skulder's presence here, they may have lied about which direction the Hooligan Tribe came from. They orchestrated it so that those who followed in their wake believed only what they wanted

Astrid wanted to find these people and give them a piece of her mind. Berk had almost died in full due to the stupidity they deemed was right. Hiccup and Skulder both defied those long held traditions to look beyond what was believed and find out the truth. At least Hiccup had found the truth of the dragons. They had yet to see if Skulder had found the truth of Berk's past.

"Then what now?" Skulder asked and Astrid dragged her focus from her thoughts. "You have passed the tests and we are here. Where is the vault?"

Astrid, as well as everyone else, turned to the three that guided them this far. Onyx still looked a bit out of it and Astrid found she could not blame him. It must have been a shock to learn his son chose the path he had and then hear his and see his son once more. Sunburn glanced at the dragon and sighed.

[The vault is near to the Great Hall as the humans called it,] she said. [You must find the device they used to unlock it though.]

"More tests?" Tuff asked. "Didn't boss man already pass the ones you had for him?"

"Yeah," Ruff added. "We enjoy puzzles as much as the next Viking but this getting to be a bit too much."

"When did you ever enjoy any puzzles?" Tuff demanded, staring at his sister.

"Since forever," Ruff replied as if the answer was obvious.

"I seem to recall you complaining when Gruffnut told us all about the dungeon he found. The one the dragons built with all those puzzles they designed to keep humans out."

"Wait, hold on," Snotlout interrupted before Ruff could respond. "Dungeons that dragons built? Puzzles they designed? Was this Gruffnut hit over the head as kid or something?"

"Yes, why do you ask?" Tuff questioned.

Astrid saw Snotlout's mouth open to reply but only stared and blink. He then turned to Hiccup and Astrid swallowed her chuckle. The look Snotlout gave right then was silent plea to end the torture.

"Guy, let Sunburn finish."

"Aye, boss man," the twins chorused.

Astrid shared an amused look with Hiccup. She then looked back to Sunburn as Hiccup gestured for the dragon to continue. Sunburn, Onyx, and Silent stared at the twins as if not quite sure what they were seeing and hearing was completely real. She placed her bottom lip between her teeth to keep the grin and the cackle in. Right now was not appropriate for either.

[The vault was sealed to keep the things within safe,] Sunburn stated. [The device hidden to ensure that. I know not where it was secreted away. Myself and my rider had already left the nest to scout out the new nest and make sure the humans we were fighting at the time did not find it.]

[And myself and my rider were in the air keeping watch over the flock leaving,] Onyxwing said, his voice showing he was still half there and half not. [Another dragon/human pair was charged with hiding the device and then closing the tunnels between here and the nest.]

Astrid saw Toothless stir from where he laid beside Moondust. [How exactly did that get hidden from Father?] he asked.

Onyx sighed. [Your great grandfather, myself, and my rider decided the knowledge of these tunnels and this place needed to fade from nest history. The human and his flock we were fighting at the time had already killed an entire nest of Wind-shriekers to the southeast. We felt the dragon/human pairs leaving and making no secret of leaving would draw him away and keep this nest safe. It was hoped that doing this would keep the young ones from questioning things or bonding with a human until the threat was dealt with.]

[So why were they not reopened when that threat was dealt with?] Toothless demanded.

Astrid felt Hiccup tense and knew he wanted to move his brother's side. Onyx's next words caused everyone to freeze though.

[It was not fully dealt with.]

Literally Nobody: Hehe, Snotlout has a good heart but he is really in a rough spot. If his grandfather disowned Spitelout, he would have legal right to kick all three of them out of hut. While the rest of the tribe would step up to make sure the three of them were taken care of it would still be a tough thing to go through. Onyx's son will never hurt Hiccup and yes, Hiccup is at peace knowing partially what is within him. Hehe, not much of a meal. Just some jerky and water. Have a good day/night as well.

Kirika: Hehe, well the full answer is not going to be revealed in this story. Onyx's rider wants to speak to Hiccup personally about all of that. We'll get a partial answer for now.