Chapter 10: Young hearts meet

Dear schoolgirl, in chapter 5 you asked if any of Hiccup's children will bond with Toothless' kids. At that time I didn't know, as the plot was still developing. But look here, check it out! Hope you enjoy the result.

Summary:
Silverwings has been able to accept the fact that her lover Nighthawk has a close bond with a human. Through ups and downs she eventually is able to fully accept Hiccup. Nighthawk is overjoyed to meet his children. Hiccup extends a formal invitation to her to come visit Berk. Travelling is made possible by a group of dragons and humans that carry her children in a basket. Silverwings agrees to this. Much moved by everything that passes, she speaks out her wish to bond for life, to which Toothless joyfully agrees.

Having arrived at the oceanfront after a hard day's flight over the mountains, the group settles down for a leisurely day. Nighthawk teaches Silverwings and the children how to swim in the ocean. They are detected by scouts from Berk, who depart as quickly as they arrived to inform the island that Toothless is bringing his dragoness and offspring. They sure spread the word, because when the travelling group comes within eyesight of Berk, all dragons fly out to meet them, and the people of Berk cheer at their arrival. The group touches down in front of Hiccup's house, which is built next to Stoick's. Stoick, Astrid, Stormfly and the children all stand outside to welcome them.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Chapter 10. Young hearts meet

Hiccup's family
After landing I assessed the situation. So this is Hiccup's nest. That yellow-haired woman must be Astrid, his mate. The huge male definitely is his father Stoick. And those are his children. That Nadder who is standing close to Astrid must be Stormfly. I nodded a greeting to her. She nodded back and observed me with open curiosity. Then I watched how Hiccup managed only to take a few stiff paces before Astrid reached him and threw her arms around him. Their children swarmed them both, shouting "Daddy, daddy!" That word I didn't recognise, but it sure meant something most affectionate. I saw Hiccup and Astrid press themselves against each other. So human mates also need to feel each other's body, I liked that. I shot a glance at Nighthawk. He was looking over his shoulder and when I followed his gaze I saw the other dragons had landed too. The humans were dismounting and lowering the baskets.

My attention shifted again to the clamouring humans in front of me. A little behind the noisy bunch stood Stoick. I observed his bulk. So huge, so… strong. So utterly unlike his son! I could not break my gaze, the way he stood there, feet firmly planted on the ground, yet poised for action and ready to strike. It takes one predator to recognize another and realisation hit me this male is a seasoned dragon-killer. Meeting his eyes was like colliding into solid rock and I could not suppress a shudder. Nothing there of the outgoing friendliness of the humans I had met so far. Reluctantly, I averted my eyes; a proper stare or even a stare-down would not be possible. This male would not budge and neither would I. It would get us straight into a confrontation, and I could not afford that to happen. From now on I had to play by yet unknown rules.

So this is Hiccup's father, and chief of his tribe. Suddenly alarmed, I thought: does that mean he is chief over me too? Why had I not thought of that before? The idea galled me at once. Nevertheless I had to do something to acknowledge this man of importance, so I looked into his eyes again and made a slight bow with the head. He returned the gesture with an ever so slight inclination of the head, without taking his eyes off me, without anything yielding in his gaze. I felt my back stiffen as aggression flared up; he was no bigger than a bear, and of them I made short work…
He too measured me up with a cool, calculating look. Another surge of rebellion coursed through me. Oh yes, a WILD dragoness. A Night Fury originating from the WILDERNESS, what threat does she pose to the fine balance on your island! Another moment of thought made me realize exactly this is his task: assess possible threats to his tribe. With an effort I battled my aggression down. Did I not do the same, to protect my children? The thing that stung me however was the authority he radiated. I was my own master and intent on keeping it that way.

Deliberately I took my eyes off him and looked for Nighthawk. He sat close by, watching the unloading of our children. He was smiling, happy to be home. I looked back to Hiccup and his family, only to be surprised that this time they were all staring at me. Immediately my ears flattened and I stepped back, much to my annoyance.
"Don't be shy, Lady Night Fury" Astrid said to me.
Shy? Who's shy! Annoyed, I flicked my wings, but she had already turned and swiftly walked over to Nighthawk. Stroking his neck, she said "She is beautiful, Toothless, as beautiful as you are. I am so happy for you." Nighthawk snorted and gave her a playful push. The children crowded Nighthawk too, shouting "Hello Toothless! Hello, hello!"
Astrid's remark and the obvious display of affection took me by surprise. You are much loved, my darling. They say you are beautiful, so they noticed! That's nice… nice indeed. It made them rise in my opinion.

Hiccup gave them a warning though: "Please keep your distance from the dragoness. She is very much on edge! She lived a solitary life and the dragons swarming her was a bit much. She is not like Toothless or the dragons here. You have to get to know her better first. You know, why don't we show them to their new house first, and make further introductions later. That way they can settle a bit."
That was a great relief, to have a little time to ourselves first.

Young hearts meet
By now I felt a yearling wriggle against my side. Immediately I put my wing over it and lowered my head to see who it was. I had only established it was Tumble when an exited scream made my head fly up again. It was Hiccup's youngest child, a little female by the looks of it.
"Babies, babies!" it cried out, jumping up and down "Toothless, your babies!" Toothless beamed, but also looked around to me and tossed his head.
"Oh, and of your dragoness of course. I'm sorry" the little human added quickly.
The yearlings had all fled under my wings by now, except for Fireweed. Once she reached my paw, she looked back at the loud little creature and hissed at it. The child started, but then a broad smile lit up its face. "Oh, mommy, daddy, I like that one. It's so brave! Is it a boy or a girl?" Facing Fireweed again, she shouted "I like you. I like you!"

Fireweed watched the child in astonishment. Her head rose and her ears perked up. When she looked at me confused, I repeated to her "She likes you, my daughter."
"She LIKES me" Fireweed echoed. Digesting the fact, her eyes started to shine. Being proud and fierce, she was not as readily liked by humans as easy-going Heather or sweet, shy Pinecone.
"That is Fireweed, Kari" Hiccup said. "Her name is Fireweed." Both Hiccup and Astrid looked at their child with amusement.
"A girl like me!" Kari uttered delighted, and she waved her hand at Fireweed. But then her hands closed over her mouth in sheer amazement when Fireweed sat down on her haunches, met Kari's gaze and made a wave-motion back with her front paw.

Nighthawk approached us and nudged his daughter "Why don't you go over to Kari and greet her? Hiccup just told his family to not approach us, so it's up to us."
Fireweed hesitated, then took a few steps, ears and wings alert. Kari also took a step, but Hiccup stayed her. "Let her come to you at her own pace. And don't grab her or anything" he told her.
The child went on her knees and held out one hand, asking "Will you come to me, Fireweed? Please, please?"
Fireweed cautiously advanced, sniffing the air.
"Oh Toothless" Kari sighed, briefly looking up at the dragon she had known all of her life. Then she looked back at Fireweed who pattered ever closer. Fireweed studied Kari's expectant face and the hand in front of her. Then, with a flick of her wings, she craned her neck, closed her eyes and put her nose against Kari's fingertips.
Next to me Nighthawk gasped. "It's almost how I touched Hiccup for the first time" he breathed while sharing a meaningful glance with him.
Fireweed opened her eyes, pulled back a bit and, after another look at Kari's radiant face, shot under my wing too.

Our new home
We were setting off to the 'new house' when Kari approached Nighthawk and asked in an expectant voice "Toothless, can I ride on your back?"
The child was unpleasantly surprised when Nighthawk shook no and turned his back on her to have a look at the yearlings under my wing.
"Little starfish" Hiccup said "Toothless has changed. He is a daddy too now, just like me. He has to take care of Lady Silverwings and his own children. That is the first thing on his mind now."
"But… but… will he never let me ride him again?" she stuttered, much disappointed.
"Well, not today" Hiccup said. "But you know what? You ride on my back and we both will bring Toothless and his family to their new home. …Oww, you've grown since I left, you're getting heavy" he puffed when he hoisted the child up. Again I wondered at how amazingly balanced humans are on only two legs when Hiccup walked with his daughter riding on his shoulders, leading the way up a steep slope towards a forest.

Why do we walk to a forest? And what exactly is 'a home'? I wondered. So I asked Nighthawk.
"It's a house, like the wooden structures you have seen" he explained. "It's like a cave, a place to call home. We started to build one in the woods about a moon before we set off on our journey to the Mainland. I wish we could have gotten a real cave, but all caves on Berk are already occupied. I myself have been living a little distance into the forest, with a delightful tree to hang from. In winter I stay in Hiccup's house, in an annex with an extra entrance so I have my own corner."
He continued "For our home we cleared a patch of forest this spring. It is on a gentle slope facing south behind a rocky outcrop that shields us from the prevailing winds. We made it in a cave-like shape. It's not completed yet as Hiccup thought you might have ideas about how it should be finished."
Hiccup, how thoughtful of you, and again you show how clever you are. A home among the trees, not in the village! I like that so much!
The whole thing moved me. It spoke of so much hope, while there was no certainty at all that I would agree to come. What if I had refused you? It makes me feel so special, Nighthawk, so welcome… And I shot him a grateful look.

Up the slope we went, until we entered the forest on a well-used track. While walking, my thoughts went back to Hiccup's children. They had me perplexed for a moment as they were all of different height and coloration, unlike my children. But then of course they were of different ages, because humans only lay one egg at a time. It was obvious they had traits from both Hiccup and his mate, except for one young male that had the looks and build of Hiccup's father. Kari had brown hair like Hiccup's but my guess was she did not have his mellow temper.

My yearlings definitely delighted her. Riding on her father's shoulders, Kari looked down on them, how they hopped in between Nighthawk and me. "Oh, look at the babies, daddy, they are so cute. And I recognise Fireweed already, it's that one" she said.
"You think they are cute?" Hiccup replied "Kari, you know dragonets and these are as fierce as their parents."
"Fierce? she asked in amazement "Is the dragoness that fierce? Because Toothless isn't fierce at all."
"YOU haven't seen Toothless being fierce. He decided a long time ago to be friendly to us, and he has always been to you, but that doesn't mean he isn't fierce, my daughter. I have seen him aggressive and then you'd want to hide under the nearest stone! Don't underestimate him or the dragonets. Your cute little Fireweed has bitten Haldis. She's quite something."
The child was undaunted though and for a moment there was a glimmer of admiration in her eyes, before she pulled a straight face again.

I relished being in a cool forest again, but it differed much from the taiga-forest that I am accustomed to. It was denser, the trees were thicker and many carried foliage instead of needles. We had not even walked that far when we took a turn to the right and continued down a newly made path which soon gave way to a clearing. The soil of the clearing was freshly turned up, though here and there patches of grass had grown. The trees that had been taken down were nowhere in sight. Even most of the stumps had gone, though a few with flattened tops remained.

The thing that caught my eye immediately though, was a large wooden structure, set against the slope. Words fail me to describe it, as I do not know human-made structures. But there was a wooden floor, slightly raised from the ground, and wood to three sides and over it. It was cave-like in that the inner space would stay dry. Delighted I hopped inside to find enough space for us all. Overhead a stout pole had been placed so Nighthawk could hang down from it, something he likes more than I do. Nighthawk, nervously hovering near, had started to rattle "…maybe we line the floor with slabs of stone so we can build a fire in winter because we have to be very careful lest we burn the house down and Thump will come to build a nest that is if you want to, but you can also do it yourself or I help you of course or make one for you I mean but we already gathered a pile of moss and-" A slobbery lick from me silenced him and I purred my delight. "It looks like it will work, Nighthawk. It's cave-like and it looks fine to me" I said, which made him utter a sigh of sheer relief.

We both sat down and looked out from the house. Facing us sat the yearlings, gaping at the wooden structure. Hiccup and Kari stood some distance away, watching us.
Looking around, I raised my wings in joy. "Forest! We will live among the trees, like at home… uhm, like back in the taiga" I corrected myself. Nighthawk shot me a quick glance, and then suddenly hopped out. He stepped away a couple of paces, gave me a glittering look, and… burned a circular patch of soil. A bed! Sizzling ground! Irresistible! I took a leap and landed flat on my belly in the middle of it. The heat slammed against my scales - aahh - and I relished digging my talons into the ground, raking the soil. Then I rolled over on my back and extended my wings to catch the wonderful heat, my wriggling body pressed against the fresh-hot embers. I heard laughter, Hiccup and his daughter were laughing out loud at my antics. I got up, made a jump at Nighthawk and chased him around with a playful growl. After another lap though, Nighthawk turned like lightning and slammed me to the ground. I seriously need to learn some of his tricks! Sniffing my hide, covered in ash, he said "You smell terrific, love. You have the smell of Berk all over you now. Welcome home, Silverwings, my darling. Let's be happy here."
In answer, I raised my head to the sky and shot up a purple blast of fire.

Late that night…
I woke up, sensing something was wrong. In the dim light of predawn I scanned around me. Nothing out of the ordinary. Then I looked into the makeshift nest of moss: four, only FOUR yearlings there! Panic struck me and I leapt to my feet: Fireweed was missing! Nighthawk woke with a start. "Fireweed" I gasped. One glance in the nest was enough for him. "You stay here with the children, I go look for her" and off he was.

I saw him search around and sniff. Suddenly he seemed to pick up her scent and, nose to the ground, he disappeared from view. I stayed behind and tried to be as silent as possible with my heart hammering in my chest, as the other children were still asleep. From a distance I heard soft calling growls from Nighthawk. Why don't you call out loud? Then it went silent. My heart skipped a beat. I was at the point of roaring out myself, when Nighthawk returned with Fireweed on his back. In a quick trot he neared the house.

"Mammy" the little thing sobbed. She shivered from head to toe. "In my wings, quickly" I said and immediately rolled onto my side.
"I found her in a tree halfway Hiccup's house" Nighthawk whispered to me. "I called and she answered me. I saw her trail in the dew laden grass and then I had her scent."

The little one in my wings gave a soft whimper. Her shivering lessened. But then she said "I've been so bad" and started to wail loudly. Now the other children also woke up, looking drowsy and confused. "Yes, you have been disobedient and you did a dangerous thing, walking out all alone" I told her. But I opened my wings so Nighthawk could lick her for comfort. He washed her limp body until she stopped crying. Then we put her back in the nest, together with her brothers and sisters who looked at her stunned.

"Why did you leave the nest, Fireweed? You must tell mammy and me" Nighthawk told her.
"I… I woke up" she answered "and then I thought of Kari. And then I wanted to see her so bad. And then I walked. And then I heard something. And then I got afraid. And then I climbed in a tree."
So she had wanted to see Kari! Worried, I looked over to Nighthawk, who nodded solemnly.

But then a movement on the path caught our attention. There, just outside the tree line, in a thin wrap that fluttered in the night breeze, stood Kari. She clearly did not dare to take one more step and stood there like frozen.
"Kari! Kari!" Fireweed called to her, eyes wide and ears perked up. Bewildered we looked from one child to the other.
Nighthawk said "I will get her. But then I must go and fetch Hiccup." So he went to the child, made her mount him and brought her in. The child shivered, and not only from the cold, as she looked terrified.
"Can you keep her warm, dear? I have to get Hiccup. Will you please wrap her in your wings? She has lain in mine, so she knows" Nighthawk said before he bounded off.

But not in mine, I thought. Irritated, I threw my wing around the child and rolled onto my side. I sensed she didn't dare to move a muscle, and I also lay stiff and unmoving. She was cold indeed, especially the feet as she didn't wear any foot wraps.
I could spit some fire on them, I thought moodily. Is this what living on Berk will be about? Humans approaching our nest at any odd time?
"Mammy?" The voice of my daughter snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked over to the nest where my children still gaped at me speechless. But Fireweed asked "Can I go to Kari, please mammy? She is afraid."
Bewildered, I nodded a yes. Fireweed hopped out of the nest and slipped into my wings. Kari relaxed at once. Then I felt them both wriggle and a bit later… heard them giggle… they were giggling! Seriously! I did not know what to do anymore. I wanted to say something to my other children that gaped at the slight movements within my wings, but I was at a loss for words.

Luckily Nighthawk rushed in with Hiccup riding his back. It suddenly annoyed me. What are you, a beast of burden? Yet relieved I opened my wings. Hiccup went on a knee, picked up his daughter and gathered her in his arms. "Thank you, Silverwings" he said.

"Kari… why…" he addressed the child "what were you thinking, child. There could be wolves around!"
The child's face fell. "Sorry daddy. I…"
While putting his outer fur around her and sitting her down on his lap he continued "And what were you thinking approaching a dragon's nest like that? Toothless will be mad at you."
"Toothless?" she asked surprised. She looked up at her old friend, only to find him staring back at her with a stern face. That shocked her and her voice shook when she asked him "Toothless, don't you… love me anymore?"
When Nighthawk still did not yield, she burst into tears.
"Child, did I not teach you the proper respect for dragons?" Hiccup asked.
"Yes, daddy" the child sobbed.
"Toothless is unhappy with you now and he has a right to be. This is his family and his house. You disturbed their peace."

But he stroked her head which calmed her down. In a softer voice he asked "Just tell me now, why did you leave the house? I don't understand."
"I… I woke up. And then I thought about Fireweed. And I wanted to see her so much, just to… to… So I went out. And then-"
Suddenly she looked down. There was Fireweed. Unbidden she had crept near and had placed her paw on Kari's foot, looking up at her. I saw Hiccup and Nighthawk gaze at each other and again share a meaningful glance before they both turned their heads to me. But understanding had dawned already. My heart started to pound and thoughts tumbled through my head, while the child continued to speak. Are they bonding? Is this bonding? But how…? And so quick? Fireweed, my wild, wilful child? Why she? How…?

Hiccup's voice snapped me back. "So you care much about Fireweed, my daughter?"
"Yes daddy" she answered, raising her eyes to meet father's, smiling shyly.
"If that is so, then you also have to care for her well-being and for the well-being of her family. And that includes having respect for the peace of their house."
"Yes, daddy", the child answered in a small voice, adding "I am sorry, daddy."
Hiccup added softly "You need to apologise to Toothless and Lady Silverwings, don't you think?"
The child nodded and approached us with a red face. Hands fumbling the thin cloth, she said "Toothless, Lady Silverwings, I am sorry to have disturbed you." She fumbled some more, looked at me and added "And thank you for keeping me safe and warm."
That surprised me. So the child understood now, and had made a proper remark all by herself. It made me look at her twice. Nighthawk, satisfied, gave her a little lick on which the child instantly threw her arms around his neck.

Rising to his feet, Hiccup said "You have done a dangerous thing, leaving the house all by yourself. But your mother and I will speak about it in the morning. First you have to go back to bed. It's far too early."
Nearing her father again, the child asked hesitantly "Are… are you mad at me, daddy?"
"Well, let me tell you here and now" Hiccup said to his daughter in a stern voice "you know how dangerous the forest is, especially at night. But you never thought of that before going out."
"No, daddy" the child answered, her shoulders falling.
"You are never to leave the house like this again. And if you ever feel the urge, you come to me and wake me up."
"Yes, daddy."
"You are forbidden to go to Toothless' house or anywhere near. And you will go to the fish distribution every day for this entire week to clean up and scrub the place." At that her head hung even lower.
"And after that you will return home straight away and help me carry a heavy basket full of fish to Toothless and his family."
At that her head jerked up, only to quickly try and resume her demure posture.
I couldn't help but smile on the inside: This way the child learned she had done something wrong, but at the same time she would visit us under the guidance of her father. How very clever.
Turning to face us Hiccup said "Thank you again, Toothless and Silverwings." He then lifted the child in his arms and walked away.

"Fireweed, back into the nest" I heard Nighthawk say while I gazed after Hiccup. Just before he disappeared in the trees, Kari looked back over his shoulder. I followed her gaze and saw Fireweed looking back at her, wings twitching, before she flopped down on the moss.
I went over to her. "Mammy-" Fireweed started, but I pinned her down under my paw. The humans have their way of disciplining, but this is mine: restraining them, letting them feel who is on top. The weight takes the fight out of them and they know I will not take my paw away until they surrender. But all the same the pressure is reassuring, I remember that of the time when I was punished by my mother.
Through my paw I felt the tension in my daughter's body. But as always there was no resisting the pressure, and her body slowly slacked. "Shh, my child, go to sleep now" I told her and shoved her over to her siblings. "Close your eyes, all of you" I told them and went to licking every one of them to make them go to sleep.

While I watched Fireweed finally fall asleep I thought: so the humans discipline their children too, that's good. And it had been such a relief that Nighthawk had put us first in his thoughts and actions, and had not yielded to the child's plea. I had not realised it had worried me, until I felt relief from this realisation.
I looked at him as he sat at the front of our house, upright, silently gazing up to the pale sky. No, all those years among humans had not bent him around, however friendly he is towards them. Suddenly I realised that this applies to me too: I don't have to give myself away. Living with humans does not necessarily have to lessen you as a dragon.

When I looked back at Fireweed once more I felt a pang in my heart. Why you, my daughter? My beautiful, fierce daughter. Of all my children I had thought you at least would eventually reject living on this island and return to the Mainland to continue living in the ways of old. And now you have bonded. What will that bring you?

Quietly I went over to sit beside Nighthawk. He gave me a small nudge and put his wing over me. "It is not all bad, Silverwings, though you may think so… For me it is different, I have been through this. I am surprised; in a way pleasantly surprised even. But Fireweed, with her character… And Kari, with her mother's temper, who is a bit spoiled… We will not encourage our daughter, but we must guide her… and we will, you and I."
This speech made me feel better and in silence we sat together until we dozed off.

oOoOoOoOo

To be continued…