The incessant din in the mess hall was dying down as Stoic made his way to the head of the hall to begin the week's village meeting.
"Al, please sit still." Astrid whispered, holding her son's hand so he wouldn't run away.
"Here, pass me Freya." Hiccup whispered.
Astrid gave him the bundle that was their sleeping daughter and pulled Alvis on her lap. He wiggled and complained the whole time Stoic droned on about the harvest, property damage, expeditions, frost, until…
"…And that is why Anderson is not allowed yaks anymore. A'right, that's all the business for today. Now it is my honor to welcome a new member of the Hooligan Tribe, my very own granddaughter."
The crowd cheered as Hiccup and Astrid got up to bring Freya to him. Snoutloud, displaying his usual classy sense of humor, wolf whistled. He and Tuffnut laughed stupidly and high fived.
"You'd think after ten years they'd get bored of teasing us." Hiccup muttered.
"Eh, that way they'd have to think of new material and you know Snoutloud's brain doesn't work that fast." Astrid said under her breath.
They had to squeeze through the crowd and Stoic momentarily lost sight of them.
When they emerged from the sea of villagers Alvis, who was supposed to be sitting patiently waiting for his parents was leading and carrying the baby.
"…Lad, why is Alvis holdin' the wee one?" Stoic asked through gritted teeth so no one else would hear.
"He followed us into the crowd, grabbed her from me and started screaming he was 'it'. " Hiccup explained. "Just go with it."
Stoic cleared his through.
"Ah, yes, as I was saying…my own granddaughter."
He bent down and took the baby from his grandson.
Stoic lifted her above his head and she let out a piercing wail. Talking above it he said
"And her name is Freya Thrud Haddock!"
The crowd cheered again in welcome to the newest Hooligan. Freya continued to cry her eyes out.
Outside the mess hall as everyone was dispersing from the main doors to go home, Astrid rocked her desperately.
"Shh, shh, Mommy's here…aw, Hiccup I can't get her to calm down. Why don't give it a try?"
Hiccup cradled her in his arms but didn't have any better luck. He was at a loss until he had a sudden idea.
"Alvis, take your sister."
Alvis obediently reached up for her and held her clumsily over his shoulder.
Freya's sobbing calmed into hiccups. She yawned and closed her eyes.
"I was right. She just wanted her big brother."