Hiccup took a seat at the edge of a nearby pool, dipping his legs in while he waited. He sighed happily as the water washed up over him. A dark shadow moved through the fog and a second washed up next to him. Toothless laid down behind Hiccup and two heads poked through the fog.
"We heard you're in need of us." Said Black. "Something about your father and those ships spotted earlier on." Followed Blue.
"That's the jist of it." Hiccup leaned back against Toothless.
"And what do you actually need?" One head said. "Yeah, what is it?" Continued the other.
"I need you two to bring my dad to those ships. In the day, without being seen." Hiccup explained.
"Oh is that it?" Black asked. "And we'll walk on land too if you ask real nice." Blue laughed.
"I understand what I'm asking. But-"
"Do you?" The pair interrupted.
"Yes of course I do." Hiccup growled.
"Relax, Hiccup." Toothless soothed. "Listen you two." Toothless' voice became stern and commanding. "We've chosen you because we believe that you're the most qualified to do what we need, without any issues. If you don't think you can't do it then say so. We'll find someone else. But sit here and act as though you're the first person we've asked to do something like this." A silent and invisible crowd began to form around them. Hanging on every word.
"And yet you're willing to risk another life. We don't want to end up like those scouts that are long gone, and probably dead. People are talking and wondering if you're still fit to lead." The Seashocker chastised their alphas.
Toothless sat up and puffed out his chest. "Let them talk. And let them believe whatever they wish." A deep anger rumbled in the Night Fury's throat. "If people believe we aren't fit to lead then leave. We don't hold you here. Never have and never will. And if you believe that the decisions we've made aren't the correct ones then voice your concerns. Don't sit here and question our motives when you don't know the whole story. And won't come to us and ask for it.
Yes, those scouts are gone. Likely dead even. But their absence should prove to you that there is something out there. And Color and her team are among those we've sent out and lost. Do you truly believe there is nothing out there when the team who watches our greatest known enemy suddenly disappears. Do you believe they've abandoned us? Do you believe she abandoned her mate? I find that hard to believe."
"And what of the humans?" A voice in the fog asked.
"The humans who are here are our allies. A small number but led by a powerful man we loathed. His very existence making us believe he was sent by the gods themselves to kill our kind. But now allies with us. No questions asked. Simply shown the error of his ways and now understands what's at risk. Understands what combining our forces will do. Not just for them but for us as well. But we must be willing to forget the past and look forward to our future. One that will be much brighter with our forces combined.
We, as your alphas know, things are changing. And whether you believe it's for the better or the worse, it is happening. I will not lie to any of you; there are dark times ahead. A war with an unknown enemy. The freeze that will come soon enough and now with more mouths to feed than ever before.
And that you dare believe that Hiccup and I and everyone who helps run this place aren't working to make everyone's lives better is blasphemous. We don't sit high on the mountain making decisions on a whim. We aren't trying to save a hundred or two hundred people. But thousands upon thousands. We don't constantly speak with all the different leaders just to ignore them. We know that right now things are chaotic. Many of you have had your regular lives flipped and changed. Forced to be here instead of your regular homes. But we didn't make that decision because we can. We did it because we believe it's what's going to save the most people in the long run. We know finding anywhere to be alone or a halfway decent sleeping spot is near impossible right now. We know there are concerns about food especially with the freeze on the way. We know there are concerns about the lost scouts and this somehow elusive Bewilderbeast. And of course the humans who we've seemingly entered a haphazard alliance with.
So as your alphas. We ask that you bear with us. We know that trust and even loyalty are beginning to stretch thin. But know that every decision we make has all of you in mind.
And let me tell you this. As a dragon. As someone who's been around a human for nearly a third of my life now. I've learned a lot and the most important thing I've learned is to think about the future. Something we as a species so rarely do because we're more focused on surviving day to day. But humans, especially those who were born to lead do not think that way. You don't need to survive today if you thought about how to, ten days ago. And that the most simple answer is often the best and worst solution to problems. So rarely do we, as a species, choose an answer that isn't the easiest. Yes humans do too but not every time, not like us.
You must trust that the life Hiccup wants for us is more than we could ever think of. All he wants is for when we're gone that our children live lives where they aren't constantly in fear of something. Of an attack, or where their next meal is coming from. But that takes time. Not only time but immense will. Not only a will but a willingness to make decisions that look bad now but will pay off later. And when it fails you can laugh and spit on our ideas and laugh at our idea of better lives. But when it succeeds and you get to live a safe, happy, and ultimately easy life, you best remember who brought you there.
Now. You heard what Hiccup asked of you. Can you two do it?" There was a pause.
"Yes, we can do it. And we're sorry for questioning you, our alphas." The pair of heads bowed in shame.
"There's no reason to apologize, and raise your heads." Toothless leaned down and put his chin on Hiccup's shoulder. "You have every right to question us. It's your lives that hang in the balance just as much as ours. We simply ask that you have faith for now, and see these dark times through with us."
"Then you have our faith." Blue responded. "And we didn't mean for our comments to be so, hostile. We've simply have so many come to us for answers and not having any to give them. You have no question of our loyalty to you both. This is our home and we like those who lead it." Blue followed. "We're just as concerned as everyone else."