"Do you truly think that?" The Alpha asked. "Even under the pressure of war, you couldn't make a decision?"
"Truly? I don't know. I have my moments but they're rare. I wish that I could figure out a way to have more of those times." Hiccup pressed himself against Toothless' side.
"Are you afraid of a potential war? With your father that is?"
Hiccup looked at his hands. Both dragons watched as he came up with an acceptable answer.
"If my father was to get through the fog, we would fight. I wouldn't like it and I'd have a hard time giving orders and watching potential mistakes get people killed. But I won't hesitate. It would break me but if it meant the dragons were safe, than fine. Twist and shatter my bones, send me into a sadness I couldn't recover from, even kill me. But the safety of my people is more important."
"That sounds pretty strong to me. Selfless even. If you don't think that, that's strong, than I don't know what strong is."
"I would do it out of fear. Because it would be a necessity to save my people."
"You're delusional. Fear is not a weakness. It simply is. It will influence what you do and how you do it. It will make you scared and you'll want to make the safe choices. Fear is okay but don't let it control you. But that's how I look at it. I know the feeling.
Being a leader isn't easy. I won't tell you how to lead your people. From what I can see you do that just fine. From what you and your mate have said, it sounds like you simply don't want people hurt. And of course you don't, no good, or 'great' leader would. I think that you should talk to your people about a potential war. Listen to what they say. If what you say about the trust your people put in you, than most if not all should be willing to defend this place. Even if it cost them their lives and potentially not return to their mates and kin. But you must realize that if they are willing then you must be. Utilize and leverage them. You may feel bad for using them but you must.
You don't know me very well but promise me that if a war is to break out you will fight. And you will win. You have a strong people and an ally who will gladly help if you call upon him." The Alpha's tone was serious but also soothing. "When I leave this place I'm going to contact some other Alphas. I will tell them of the new Alphas here."
"Thank you." Hiccup whispered. "I don't want war though. I want to make peace with my father. If just one village would change their way. See that dragons aren't the killing machines they think we are."
"Have you talked to your father about it? Have you tried for peace with him?"
"We've tried a few different times." Toothless said. "Personally I don't think there is any way that they'll consider it at all. No matter what we do, or how far we go, they chase after us. We tried to talk more than once. We lost our old home in our last encounter. But if Hiccup wishes for peace than I will not do anything until I'm forced to. If we don't want a war than we'll have to do something soon."
"Hmm. Well I think that's the end of my questions. I'll probably be leaving in the morning but I'll be stopping by the Nadder and Nightmare controlled areas. I'll try to send them your way. You should expect the Nadder. She's pretty sensible but likely to bring some others with her for protection, just incase. I wouldn't be surprised if the Nightmare King doesn't show up. Or even tries to attack you. If he does attack you just maim him and he'll back down. He talks big but in reality he's just a big softy." He laughed and curled into himself.
"I suppose we'll have new friends soon." Toothless chuckled. He hooked Hiccup's waist and pulled him close. "Now sleep. I mean it human."
When Toothless and Hiccup woke up the Alpha had already left. Hiccup sat at the edge of his shelf looking down at the dragons milling around. He thought about what The Alpha told him. He scolded himself about it. He wondered why someone he didn't know much about had to be the one to get through to him. He wondered why even though Toothless had told him the same thing it didn't change anything. He lost Toothless among the other dragons.
The lost dragon laid down next to his human. "Who you looking for?" He smiled.
"I won't ever figure out how you do that." Hiccup crossed his arms. "I blink and you're gone, and then you end up right next to me."
"I saw you thinking about something and came up to ask about it. So what's up? What's eating you?"
"I was thinking of last night. For some reason what he said is still with me. He called me strong like you do."
"Why is that so special?"
"I don't know. You tell me. I've known it for a long time, are you just realizing it now? Do you think I tell you that to flatter you? I tell you because you seem to forget. Not us. You forget who and what you are. You forget the people you know, the allies you have. Did it just take someone who you're not close with to make it click?" Toothless flipped onto his side, giving Hiccup a smug look. "Don't you just hate it when you're right? Don't you hate it when something you've been telling someone finally gets through to them?"
"Shut up Toothless." Hiccup whispered.
"Oh come on Hiccup how long have I been telling you that what you're experiencing is normal? Huh? How many times have I told you, that you look at yourself too lowly?"
"Please Toothless?"
"No Hiccup. I've believed in you for years. Everyday I tell you you're doing fine and great. And every time you blow me off. It's like what I say doesn't matter." Toothless whole demeanor fell. Hiccup turned to his large friend and climbed on top of him. He placed his cheek on Toothless' shoulder.
"Of course what you say is important. It's the most important even. But you're supposed to be on my side. You're supposed to believe in me.
I'm tired Toothless I'm going to sleep."
