The Beacons
Toothless strolled up the slope after stretching early in the morning. Moonbeam and Mystery were still resting, and he wanted to learn if anything important had happened with Hiccup since he had not come back to rest at all with them that night. He had no idea where Hiccup had gone or if anything good had happened.
How human mate-making ceremonies worked was still uncertain to him.
He met Aragorn as the man was walking outside the Golden Hall den and smoking his pipe. Seeing that always made him want to laugh at the humans and Hobbits who were doing the smoking. They looked almost like dragons, smoke rising from their mouth-pipes.
Maybe the smoke smells good to them. I do not know.
Aragorn nodded to him.
"Good morning, Toothless, or do you prefer Burning-Star?"
He thought about it for a moment before answering. Both names were fine, but his first name felt like a special one which was best used by Hiccup. The second name, the one he was born with, was a proper Night Fury name which everyone in the pack used now.
Further, Aragorn was like an Alpha in his own way, so having a proper name with him was probably best.
"Good morning, Aragorn. Most call me Burning-Star now. I do not mind either way."
"Very well, Burning-Star."
"Have you seen Hiccup?"
"Yes, he is having breakfast inside."
He purred to Aragorn in thanks and then turned for the Golden Hall den. There were more people than usual inside this morning. No other packmates were here, since they rarely had reason to go inside.
Sure enough, Hiccup was there, sitting alone at a table while eating bread.
And now to learn what happened!
He strolled over to the table and sat down next to Hiccup, subtly scenting him. But he could not smell anything conclusive right now.
"Brother, how are you this morning?"
Hiccup groaned while tearing apart his bread.
"Tired. I didn't sleep well at all."
"No? Where did you go?"
"Back to my little house."
He purred.
"Did she keep you busy?"
"Very busy. I'm really sore now too."
"Are you? Where?"
"Arms, legs, even got my sides while she was at it. Got a few bruises from that."
He nodded.
"I can see how that would happen. You were... busy a long time."
"Yeah, we kept going until late at night. She didn't want to stop."
"Good for her. I am glad she was with you."
"Me too, I guess. Gods... I'm never going to forget that night."
"I hope you do not."
Hiccup glanced at him, looking slightly confused.
"Where'd you and Moonbeam go by the way? You just left..."
He shrugged while barely hiding his amusement.
"Your duel-fight would not end, so we left to rest on our own."
Hiccup's eyebrows lifted.
"Really? Rest? Is that what you call it?"
"We are not together as mates every day!"
"Could have fooled me..."
"It is true. We are not... lost to that wanting! And how would you know unless you are watching us?"
"Uh, I see you two fly off together, or I just notice that you both are missing at the same time. What else am I supposed to guess?" Hiccup grinned.
He huffed and started poking Hiccup's shoulder with a paw.
"We are not talking about me and Moonbeam. We are talking about you and Adney and why you did not sleep well and are sore now..."
Hiccup looked confused until he finally realized something, at which point his eyes went very wide.
"No! We didn't... do that..."
Hiccup's voice died away as he realized that people at nearby tables were staring at them. Hiccup continued with a whisper and glare while pointing a finger at him.
"Adney and I are not... mates..."
"Oh, I thought you would be."
"Nope! We dueled, talked, and... went to sleep... on our own... apart, ugh..." Hiccup facepawed.
"Do you want her?"
Hiccup sighed and leaned forward until his head fell on the table with a thud. He eventually looked back up at him. There was a red mark on his forehead where he had hit the table.
Hiccup was being more twisted than usual.
"I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. She's a good friend, yes, but I don't know if she's... more than that."
Toothless's tail tapped on the floor as he thought about what to say.
He is fouling his flight on this. But he must decide for himself if he wants her.
He gently nudged Hiccup's shoulder.
"You do what you will do. Just so you know, I approve of her if she is your future-mate or not. Your decision with her."
"Thanks..." Hiccup grumbled.
"But think about this... my cubs and your cubs together as family."
"Yeah, that would be good."
"You must have cubs for that to be."
"Really..."
"Yes."
"Thank you for telling me that. I'll keep it in mind..."
Hiccup went back to eating his bread.
"So, what is your plan for today?" Toothless asked.
"For today, don't really have anything important planned. There's a meeting with the farmers in the Westemnet, more archery training with Legolas, forgework with Gimli, and checking in with the pack. Actually..."
"What?"
Hiccup turned to him with one of his grins that always meant he had a big idea. That was worrying.
"I've been thinking about making a training academy."
"An academy? What is that?"
"It's a place where people can go to learn about something. In this case it would be Furies, probably cubs and fledglings, learning things like human history, culture, songs, and stuff like that. Humans could learn about Furies' history, stories, traditions, and the such. What do you think?"
He purred in approval.
"I like it. Having both of our kinds learn about the other is good and will make more bonding."
"That's the plan. Great, one more thing to add to the list for after the war."
Hiccup finished his breakfast and then followed Toothless outdoors. As usual, it was a bright, sunny morning.
Could be a good day for some flying. I need more practice with the corkscrew maneuver.
He took a moment to pause on the steps of the Golden Hall and simply observe all that he could see. Men and women were working at their usual tasks, storing and carrying supplies, and coming and going from Edoras. Flame-In-The-Night, Snowfall, Snowflame, and Free-Flight were sitting around one of the Furies' dedicated drinking wells. He had helped modify it so they could draw water on their own using a paw-operated lever.
Everything was peaceful and nothing was abnormal.
Except that Aragorn was running at full speed through the city.
Where are you going in such a hurry?
Aragorn ran up the steps toward the Hall.
"Where is King Theoden?" Aragorn breathlessly asked.
"He's inside with his commanders. What's wrong?"
"The Beacons are lit!"
Aragorn pointed toward the distant White Mountains.
"There is a fire!" Toothless barked in surprise.
Sure enough, Hiccup could also see a bright, flickering light near one of the tallest peaks.
Then he realized what this meant: this was a call for help by Gondor.
"Oh gods, that's not good..."
Aragorn said nothing else as he turned and started running up the steps of the Golden Hall.
Hiccup and Toothless stared at each other, seeing the significance of what had just happened.
"Alright, you go get the Alphas and have them meet us in the Hall."
"I will!"
Toothless threw his wings wide and started gliding down into Edoras while Hiccup followed after Aragorn up the steps and into the Golden Hall. Eowyn, Eomer, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, Theoden's advisers and commanders, and common folk were present within. All of them were gazing at the King before whom Aragorn stood, having clearly just delivered the message.
Theoden stepped away from the table with the maps and then paced with his hands behind his back and his eyes downcast. A hush fell over the entire Hall as everyone knew what he was thinking about: riding to war.
Then the front doors of the Hall opened as Toothless, Flame-In-The-Night, and Snowfall nosed their way inside.
Theoden watched them as they walked inside and sat down, and then he nodded at something, apparently having made a decision. He raised his clear, firm voice into the tense silence.
"And Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim!"
Theoden spun around and faced Eomer and company.
"Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow. We have two days. On the third we ride for Gondor and war!"
"My Lord." "My King." "Yes, my King."
Eomer and his other commanders snapped to attention, inclined their heads, and began to depart to obey the command.
"Ring the bells!" Eomer shouted as he left.
Aragorn, apparently satisfied, ran from the Hall as Legolas and Gimli went with him.
Bells started ringing throughout Edoras only moments later.
Theoden then turned his attention back to the Alphas and strode over to them. Hiccup similarly joined them.
"Flame-In-The-Night, Snowfall. You understand what this means?" Theoden asked.
"You and your pack are leaving these ranges to go fight for another pack of humans," Snowfall answered.
"Yes, we are. We must. We swore an oath, and we people of the Mark hold to our oaths. It is also the right thing to do."
Theoden paused before continuing.
"I do not command you, nor can I even ask that the pack join this battle. I only want to know if any of you will fly with us."
Hiccup spoke up.
"Burning-Star, Moonbeam, and I will fly there immediately. We can take news to Gondor. Alphas, will you trust me to speak for the pack to the people of Gondor?"
Flame-In-The-Night and Snowfall both nodded once.
"Yes, you may speak for the pack," Flame-In-The-Night answered.
"Thanks."
"We spoke with all in the pack," Snowfall added, "and there are some who want to fight. Not all of us will fly because some of us must stay with the cubs and help protect our nest-city here."
"Those who will fight will fly later with the Rohan humans. We want to be there to protect you," Flame-In-The-Night said.
"That aid would be most welcome," Theoden answered.
Flame-In-The-Night then stepped forward and rested his chin on Theoden's shoulder.
"We would not want those we care about to be hurt," Flame-In-The-Night then said.
The two shared a moment of peace, and then Flame-In-The-Night stepped back.
"We will tell the pack!" Snowfall barked.
The two Furies spun around and dashed outside. Theoden swiftly vanished into a back room within the Hall.
"Come on, bro. We should go get ready to fly," Hiccup nudged Toothless.
"Yes, we should."
They both departed from the Hall and saw a flurry of activity outside. They paused on the upper slope to watch as Edoras came even more to life in response to the bells' summons.
Men were coming forth and gathering in large groups, surely to receive their orders and learn what was happening. Horses were being led out of their barns and being saddled. Men were rushing off to the nearest forges and supply rooms. Women and children were already carrying bags of supplies to wagons.
The entirety of Edoras was mobilized in minutes. Several riders on horseback were already galloping away across the plains to carry the summons to the rest of Rohan.
"They're so fast," Hiccup muttered.
"We are accustomed to war and can be ready to depart on short notice. We have been making ready for this since the incident with the Palantir," Theoden said, coming outside to stand with them.
Theoden had already put on a layer of bright armor.
Hiccup nodded.
"My old tribe was always ready for another dragon raid. Everyone had their roles, whether fire-detail, nets, fighter, or watching over the livestock."
Theoden frowned and stared off into the south.
"It is before the walls of Minas Tirith that the doom of our time may be decided..."
"How many riders do you think you will have?" Hiccup asked.
"I pray for twelve-thousand at least, though I know not if that is enough."
They stared together in a grim silence until Merry and Eowyn came forth. Merry stepped before Theoden and then knelt with his Barrow-dagger's tip on the stone steps.
"King Theoden, I know that I am only a Hobbit, but would you accept my service? I would be ashamed to be left behind when all my friends are off to battle."
Theoden's grim look softened.
"Gladly, I accept it. You shall be Meriadoc, Esquire of Rohan!"
Merry beamed with eagerness.
"And he will ride with me to Dunharrow," Eowyn added, "A Hobbit will not be a great burden for me and Windfola."
"You are coming with us?" Hiccup asked, surprised.
"I am," Eowyn answered.
"Not into the battle itself. It is our tradition that the women of the Court farewell the men as they ride off to war," Theoden added.
Eowyn said nothing to that, instead merely staring ahead and holding her peace. Hiccup entirely understood her frustration; she should have every right to fight for those she cares for. At the same time, Theoden was just very concerned for her safety... as his adopted daughter.
"We should fly to the pack now," Toothless nudged him.
"Yeah, we should. King Theoden, we are leaving now. I guess we will see you there."
Theoden grimly nodded.
"Stay safe, Master Haddock. You have a new Hall to build here after the war is won, and I pray that I shall be there to see it and anything else you may bring about."
"King Theoden," Hiccup bowed.
Theoden then strode away toward a group of his commanders.
Hiccup and Toothless glided away from the Hall together, observing all the activity down below. A few rows of men were already riding out of the city on horseback, likely to take news to the surrounding villages.
Unsurprisingly, most of the pack was gathered together on the slope below the Hall.
Toothless touched down among them, and Moonbeam immediately hopped over to nuzzle him.
"I am flying with you," she declared.
"I know, my dear mate. You told us already..."
"What does the rest of the pack say?" Hiccup asked as he dismounted.
"The fledglings and cubs are staying here. The Alphas, your sire and dam, Starlight, Wind-Biter, Wings-Of-Ice, and Growls-At-His-Shadow will fly with the humans. Everyone else is staying here to protect Rohan and the young. Your sire and dam will first fly to take news to other human nests in this range," she answered.
"Good idea," Hiccup mused, "they can carry a message much faster than anyone on horseback. Mystery is staying here, right?"
"Yes, she is staying with the fledglings to do work. Your other brother is also staying here."
They were all very glad of that. Breath-Of-Sky had never seen war and hopefully would not. He also lacked flame, so he would not be able to contribute to a battle.
They were interrupted when Snowflame bounded over to them. She looked very worried about something.
"Snowflame, what's wrong?" Hiccup asked.
"Is Eowyn going to the fight?" she asked.
"She is going with, but I don't think she will be in the fighting."
Snowflame purred softly in evident relief.
"Good. I wanted her to go flying with me soon. Maybe I should fly along with her to keep kinship with her."
"That sounds like a good idea, if your parents are okay with it. You could fly with them to Dunharrow. That is where Rohan will gather to prepare for the fight."
She nodded once.
"I will do that."
"How are your wings? Let's see them again."
She fanned them wide and gave them several firm flaps. There were bright scars on her wings and those scars would likely never fade, but her wings were fully usable now. She had already practiced flying for upward of an hour.
"They are strong again. My belly does not hurt either."
"I'm glad to hear it. Take care!"
He patted her shoulder and then faced Toothless and Moonbeam as Snowflame dashed away toward Windripper.
Toothless and Moonbeam were both shuffling in place with twitching tails.
"You two are eager, huh?"
"Yes, I want to fly this flight!" Toothless growled.
"Are either of you hungry?"
"We ate enough yesterday. We are ready to fly," Moonbeam answered.
"Alright then, I'll see you both up at my house. I've got some stuff to get and something to do first!"
"We will greet our kin one last time," she added.
He left them to have a little more time with Breath-Of-Sky and Mystery before the departure, and he trudged back up the slope to his house. Once there he put on his dark leather armor, his helmet, and his Elven travel cloak, and he slung Inferno over his back. His travel pack had all his necessary supplies, a change of clothing, food, and his wingsuit, and would easily strap onto Toothless's saddle. He also stored his Dwarven dagger found up north into his supplies.
Alright, that should be everything...
Then he remembered the other very important thing he had to do before departure.
Gods, she'd kill me if I forgot to say goodbye. Goodbye...
He paused, wondering how different everything would be if he and she had more time together without the war in the way. Idle talking and working together in the forge with her had been very enjoyable and pleasant. And then there was everything that had happened last night with the duel and the talking afterwards.
He paused at the front door of his simple house. Just like his forge, this had been a place of peace and refuge from the almost constant activity since his arrival in Rohan. While he needed little stuff to feel at home, the house felt very empty because he was the only one who could live in it.
Then he shut the door and made his way through Edoras.
Alright, are you at the forge or at home? Probably the forge... to keep her mind off... everything...
The men he passed made way for him, even greeting him by an assortment of titles.
"Black rider..." "Dragon whisperer..." "Master Haddock..."
I do look impressive now. A long way from the village screw-up.
He arrived at the forge where she frequently worked. Sure enough, she was inside and working on sharpening an assortment of weapons.
"Adney!"
She spun in surprise.
"Haddock! You heard the news!"
"Yeah, that's why I thought I'd stop by. I'm uh... leaving now."
She crossed her arms after setting aside the sword she was working on.
"Are you? You are dressed for it. So you are the vanguard or something like that."
"I, Toothless, and Moonbeam are flying to Gondor first. We'll let them know that Rohan is coming to help them."
She nodded.
"Sounds reasonable. Do you plan to do any actual fighting?"
He shrugged.
"Not with a sword."
"Good! I wouldn't like your chances if you had to."
"Okay, lots of confidence in me. Thanks for that. I'll stick to the bow and staying on Toothless."
"Probably a good idea."
"Yeah, for sure."
She nodded and stared at him, as if waiting for anything more he had to say.
He blinked.
Uh, right...
"Hey, I just wanted to say... I really enjoyed last night, even if I might have gotten a scar out of it," he rubbed his shoulder.
"Oh, come on! I didn't hit you that hard. I tried though!"
"Yeah, you need some practice, but so do I, so that's fine! Anyway, I don't know how long we'll be gone, but we'll definitely be coming back here when all this is done. So I'll see you... not tomorrow, but... eventually!"
"Shouldn't I be telling you to stay safe?"
"Probably."
She sighed and looked away, avoiding his gaze. She was clearly worried for him and trying to hide that.
He stepped over to her without even thinking about it and gently hugged her. She returned the hug. That was when he realized that he was hugging her and she was hugging him back.
It was... nice and confusing at the same time.
"Stay safe if you can," she whispered.
"What? When have I ever done anything stupid?"
She pushed him back and rolled her eyes.
"Want me to make a list?"
"Whatever. Try not to burn down the forge while I'm gone."
"I'm not the one who has a history of accidents in the forge!"
He was about to reply with more teasing when a crowd of soldiers arrived outside the forge and started clamoring.
"Got those swords ready yet?" "Come on!" "Got a long ride ahead!" "Goin' ta war!"
"Just a moment!" Adney cried to them and then spun on him, "I need to get back to work."
"Okay, I need to go also. Bye, I'll be back... not tomorrow, but eventually! Promise!"
"You better come back."
He bowed to her, picked up his bag of supplies, and left the forge without a backward glance.
Alright, that could have gone worse.
It was still so unclear where exactly they stood since he couldn't figure something like this out in a single day. At least they would have all the time after the war to learn what they were to each other: very good friends or something more.
Toothless and Moonbeam saw him and bounded over to him. They were clearly curious what had been happening.
"I was talking to Adney. Had to let her know that I'll see her... around."
Toothless stepped over to him and nudged his shoulder while purring.
"Yes, you and she can learn more about life when we fly back here."
Hiccup patted him on the neck, fingered Toothless's glowing pendant around his neck, and took a deep breath to steady himself. Then he noticed their parents and Breath-Of-Sky bounding closer.
Far-Flight and Sky-Dancer hopped up before them and nervously approached.
He and Toothless faced them, not being sure what to say.
So he said nothing and instead gave them a pair of hugs around the neck. They both crooned softly to him and rested a foreleg on his back in hugs of their own. Then Toothless and Moonbeam both rested their chins on their shoulders, in the Fury equivalent of a hug. Finally, Breath-Of-Sky butted heads with him and Toothless.
"You two cubs must stay safe!" Sky-Dancer barked.
"Mom..." "Dam..."
She huffed and rolled her eyes.
"I am a dam, so I must worry about you."
"We will be fine. Nothing can happen to us while we're there for each other!" Hiccup cheerfully explained.
Moonbeam flung out a wing and very gently hit his head.
"And I will be there to keep them both out of trouble!" she laughed.
"Good, we know you will," Far-Flight purred.
"Fly fast, brothers!" Breath-Of-Sky huffed.
Again, Toothless went to him and butted heads with him.
"And you, little brother. Stay here, be responsible, and help the pack and the good humans!"
"If I must..."
Satisfied, Far-Flight and Sky-Dancer then turned away and leapt into the sky, turning their flights out over the plain into the east to carry the message of war to the far villages. Breath-Of-Sky returned to the other fledglings, probably to talk about what was happening.
Hiccup watched them go and then steadied himself.
Alright, it's go time!
"You two ready to fly? Tailfin fine, bro?"
"Yes, it is," Toothless answered.
"Do either of you know where we are flying?" Moonbeam asked.
"Nope," Hiccup answered.
"What?" she and Toothless barked.
He laughed and smirked.
"Of course I know the way. Just twisting your tails."
They both growled amicably at him.
"Just gotta follow the mountains south for now. Let's go!"
He strapped his bag of supplies to Toothless's saddle, put on his helmet, took his place in the saddle, and then they jumped for the sky, turning their flights into the southeast.
Out over the crowd of soldiers and horses assembling throughout Edoras and out on the plains. Over the golden fields of grass that flowed in the warm wind and the small streams that wove through the valleys.
He looked back over his shoulder at Edoras once they were several minutes into flight. The massive Golden Hall stood out sharply up on the central hill, like a flash of golden fire upon the blue sky. It was almost like the Meduseld was a beacon of its own.
That simple, small city was where the Fury pack and the people of Rohan promised loyalty to each other for the first time. They had changed the world there.
So much had happened in Edoras and the surrounding lands in the last month and a half. The pack had integrated well into Rohan and into the individual duties each one of them took on. The incidents that had happened had been resolved peacefully so far.
But what he was having to do right now, leave the place that he called home and was fond of, was too familiar. It had happened now with Berk, the Shire, Rivendell, and now Edoras.
A tear streaked down his cheek.
"Are you afraid?" he shouted over the wind.
"I have you and Moonbeam with me. Why should I be afraid?" Toothless shouted after slowing to a glide.
"I am. I just feel like something will go wrong."
Toothless glanced back over his shoulder.
"Do you want to fly some on your own?"
The joy of gliding was appealing, but it was terribly impractical right now.
"No, that would slow us down. Let's just get there as soon as we can."
Toothless then returned to flying at full speed, swiftly catching up to Moonbeam as she slowed down to wait for them. Then they raced together across the golden field until the land rose in the slope up into the mountains.
Their flight rose higher until they started to pass the lowest level of clouds hovering over the White Mountains. The snowcapped peaks passed underwing on both sides, and the air was cold because of the great height. They passed through the last cloud and emerged in the open sky.
Then they both tensed, staring into the southeast at a massive, billowing cloud towering on the horizon. The cloud was very dark, except for faint flashes of lightning from deep within, and hovered over the whole horizon.
It did not look natural.
Moonbeam winged closer and brushed Toothless's wing for reassurance. Then he and she roared aloud in defiance and continued on toward the cloud of shadow.