Awaiting
Eogar permitted Hiccup to take apart one of the empty homes for parts to use. There was enough lumber on hand that no additional trees needed felling, not that there were any forests nearby.
Hiccup knew that he was not a mason or a carpenter, but he understood design and use of the tools he had available. In contrast with something intricate like the automatic tailfin, a small barn was easy to design, though it was far more strenuous and exhausting to build.
Toothless and Moonbeam put their backs and paws into helping with the construction of their new home. Well, their new barn, which was basically the same thing as far as they were concerned. It would be nothing but four walls, a roof, a big door they could open on their own, and a single room large enough for two Furies to rest in and move around in. That was all they needed.
Working together, the three of them leveled the ground next to his house so he could eventually put down an even floor. Then they helped him dig holes for and drive the four main corner posts into the ground. Next came the tedious work of putting up the walls and sealing the cracks, for which he used a mix of mud and straw. The door could swing open from the inside and could be locked and unlocked from the inside by the Furies alone. Finally came the roof, slanted heavily and lined with straw. With the main frame done, they started on the floor, which was to be half covered in straw and half covered in rock. The pack helped a lot by bringing back from the river large rocks of various sizes, which could be made into a floor that could be warmed.
It was hard work that had left them weary after three days of working. Adney had, once she heard about the project, helped out a lot by working on the construction and providing equipment. Hiccup evenly spread the last of the bale of straw and stepped back outside to admire the finished construction.
It was not elegant or beautiful, but it was practical.
"Is it done?" Toothless asked.
"Yep, check it out," Hiccup answered.
Toothless snorted and padded over to it, nosing the door open to look around inside. Moonbeam followed him inside and sat down in the straw.
"So, what do you two think?" Hiccup asked, leaning against a door frame.
"It is bigger than my den in the Shire. I like this one much," Toothless nodded.
Moonbeam pawed at the straw and looked around.
"I can sleep in here," she mumbled.
"Great. What about Mystery?" Hiccup asked.
"I talked with her about this. She knows that I and Burning-Star will need a den of our own. She can stay with Breath-Of-Sky, your sire and dam, and the rest of the pack here."
"Speaking of pairs, how are you and Adney?" Toothless asked, smirking.
"Going well. I taught her and her brother how to play maces and talons," Hiccup answered.
"Do I know that game?"
"I don't think so. Want to learn? It would be ironic if you do."
"Yes, learning that game could be good because I could help teach the cubs."
Hiccup nodded while wondering why he hadn't thought of that himself. He had played very simple games with Breath-Of-Sky, and teaching other Furies how to play human games could help both sides have another good way to interact.
"Great idea. What better way to help new people bond than over a friendly game?"
Moonbeam yawned, lay her head on the ground, and covered her head with her tailfins. Toothless similarly lay down with a yawn, so Hiccup started closing the door.
"I'll let you two get your rest. You need it."
They both purred in thanks.
Hiccup held the saddle as he strode to the stables. It was time for more him to practice riding horseback. Doing so was almost an obligation of life among the Rohirrim, and it was also an excellent opportunity to spend time with Adney. She was teaching him everything he needed to know, and also laughing at his mistakes. In his defense, Berk had no horses, and flying on dragonback was not the same.
But he was determined to learn until he was at least acceptable on horseback.
Adney was already waiting outside the stables with her mare, Silver Reed, and one of the old training mares named Feneorl.
He smiled, liking how Adney's hair blew in the wind.
"Morning, Adney!"
"Morning, Haddock. How's the leg?"
"I won't complain. Whining about it has never helped before!"
"Sounds like stubbornness issues to me."
"That's me!"
She rolled her eyes and whistled. The grey mare, Feneorl, snorted and trotted over to her.
"Go easy on him," she instructed, indicating him.
Feneorl turned to him and trotted his direction.
I am so doomed...
Feneorl must have remembered this activity from many years of being used to train young Rohirrim. The old mare stopped before him and let herself be saddled. He remembered how to do that, although it was easier since there was no bit or bridle.
Together, he and Adney mounted their respective horses. Her lessons of how to lead the horse with gentle taps, words, and directions were foremost in his thoughts.
"Come on, girl, let's go," he patted Feneorl on the neck.
The mare snorted and started walking as Adney and Silver Reed fell in beside them.
"Not bad, Haddock! You haven't fallen off yet."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm still getting the hang of this."
He took a deep breath.
"It's so different from flying."
"True, but horseback riding is like flying in another way."
"You would know."
She laughed and tossed her head, letting her hair billow in the wind.
"This way of life is in our blood. This is who we are!"
She cried aloud something in Rohirric. Silver Reed leapt forward into a gentle gallop. He and Feneorl followed after her and Silver Reed out the main gates. The plan was to make a lap around Edoras.
Her words about who the Rohirrim were struck him. He had wondered whether the Rohirrim would become dragonriders now that some of the Furies were living here more permanently. However, there was an aspect of the idea of dragonriders that almost established the rider as being superior, or that the dragon's purpose was to be ridden.
The Furies might indeed make close friends among the humans, and the Furies would probably offer to share the gift of flight in those friendships, but there could not be any forcing of friendships. Neither would any of the Furies be pressured into accepting a saddle as though they were obliged to be a mount.
Toothless strolled among the pack to hear news about what was happening far away in the ranges. Flame-In-The-Night had returned after leading the others to the pack's island. Everything went well with that flight. More of the humans were returning to normal life throughout Rohan, and that was good. It also meant that there was more work to do.
Everyone in the pack wanted to contribute in some way. The far fliers who watched the prey-flocks were away for the day and would be replaced by others the next day. Even Wing-Of-Ice helped out by heating the forges and working with his back and paws.
Well, everyone contributed except for Dreamcatcher... if that was even her. She did nothing except sleep, mumble, and walk around, sometimes wandering out onto the plains and needing to be found. She was completely harmless to everyone and never tried to snap or bite, which was fortunate. He had no idea what would happen if she was violent, but Flame-In-The-Night and Snowfall had assured them that she would not turn violent. They had helped her somehow. There was also someone always responsible for following her while she was awake.
He left the pack and flew up to the barn-dens where he and Moonbeam now slept. Before entering, he dashed several barn-dens down and checked on one of the larger ones. Breath-Of-Sky and Mystery were dozing on the ground outside.
Inside, his sire and dam were resting on new straw. They had asked to be given one of the barn-dens to be their own. Hiccup had easily arranged for that.
They had not yet confirmed whether they had a new cub, but he was sure they would tell him and Hiccup when they knew. His dam would probably know before Moonbeam could.
Satisfied that they were well, he bounded back to his barn-den, slipped inside, and lay down with Moonbeam. She was already asleep.
Hiccup was probably still in the forge and working on making his new leg-paw even better. The first one he got was not as good as he wanted.
Further, Hiccup was taking more of his nights of sleep alone in his den.
Neither he nor Hiccup were upset about that. Some amount of space was good for both of them to have.
Hiccup wearily sighed and rolled onto his side, pulling the wool blankets with him. As warm as the blankets were, they didn't feel like a sheltering wing. Having spent many nights under one of Toothless's or Sky-Dancer's wings, something felt lacking about his current arrangement, being alone in the dark.
There was no constant hum, warmth, or purring of Furies at his side. But that was necessary and understandable given that both his parents and Toothless and Moonbeam were hopefully going to need their own places. They'd almost certainly allow him to stay there and rest with them if he wanted, but...
But it felt important to be on his own in this small way.
Still restless, his thoughts turned to everything that had happened over the last couple weeks since Flame-In-The-Night had returned.
He had finished his prosthetic after giving up on some of the crazier design elements in favor of more practicality. He had mediated a small dispute, a peaceful misunderstanding, between a shepherd and one of the Furies. One of the sheep had died of natural causes, and the packmate decided to eat it without properly explaining what happened beforehand.
He successfully taught Toothless and Breath-Of-Sky how to play maces and talons, which felt very appropriate, even though both Furies naturally needed a human to move the pieces on the board for them. He went horseback riding with Adney, helped her in the forge, spoke with her almost every evening in the Golden Hall, and greatly enjoyed watching her from afar.
Spending time with her every day reinforced that she was not a girl. She was a woman who had picked up a lot of responsibility around her family's house, given that her mother had died long ago.
He hadn't confided in anyone, not even Toothless, just how confusing the thought of her was. On the one hand, she was somewhat of a wit, smart but humble, simple but not dull, hardworking but also playful, and kind to the Furies. She was a good person, and he saw her positive qualities.
But he also felt more basic interest in her. A desire to kiss her, feel her, and...
That instinct was surely natural, but it still felt strange that there could be such a mix of interests, physical and otherwise.
Or maybe it was not strange. Maybe that mix of interests was exactly what was needed for a couple to work out. A couple that only had physical interest or who only listened to instinct could not build a life of trust together since they never really knew each other. On the other hand, a couple who only respected each other as people and who never let physical interest into their lives at all would never have kids or enjoy all that life had to offer. Maybe both were needed.
It was very quiet being alone in the dead of night, but if he was not at peace with himself now, how could he be at peace when life was much busier later?
He rolled over onto his other side, not that doing so helped him fall asleep any easier.
Toothless woke up in the dark, hearing a gentle knocking on the den's door.
"Are you both awake?" Snowfall asked from outside.
He yawned, got to his paws, and nosed open the door.
"Alpha, what is it?" he asked her.
"Dreamcatcher is gone again. We need help finding her," she groaned.
"Both of us?" he yawned again.
"If you do not mind. Could you search toward the mountains?"
"We will."
He went over to Moonbeam and nuzzled her awake.
"We need to help find Dreamcatcher," he whispered.
She groaned, got to her paws, and followed him outside.
"Fine. You lead me."
Together, they took flight toward the mountains. He could see several other packmates in the dark sky as they flew off in other directions. Dreamcatcher wandering off was becoming a frustratingly regular occurrence. She could not be watched all the time every day and night.
"Split up to cover more territory? Signal with flame if you see her," he asked.
Moonbeam huffed and winged away from him. He flew on toward the mountains, searching the plains and small valleys for a conspicuous dark shadow. It helped a lot that the night was clear and the moon was bright.
He had flown about halfway to the White Mountains when he spotted a flash of fire to his left. A quick flight followed before he spotted Moonbeam and a Night Fury on the ground. He landed before them and confirmed that the other packmate was Dreamcatcher. She was ignoring him, staring ahead at the distant mountains.
"Dreamcatcher, we found you," he said.
"Found me yes. Go there go there," Dreamcatcher answered, still staring ahead.
"What? Go where?"
"Mountains high up go there! Waiting for me! Waiting there!"
He glanced at Moonbeam, and she shrugged, probably as confused as he was. Dreamcatcher's way of speaking since her thought became rotted was very... like a young cub or a fledgling who had not learned how to speak well. It was as if she had lost or forgotten most of her life.
"What is waiting there?"
"Him! Go there be warm! Sleep there!"
"You want sleep? Good. You should follow us. We will take you to your den," Moonbeam purred.
"Den mine? He not there. Where?" Dreamcatcher warbled.
He hung his head and took a deep breath as the terrible answer flew to him and chilled his soul-fire. The pack had buried Growls-At-His-Shadow in snow high up in mountains so that rot did not eat his body.
Dreamcatcher probably had a dream that her dead mate was sleeping up in these mountains, and she had wanted to go to him.
"I do not know. You should rest at your den. Follow us," he softly purred.
"I can lead you," Moonbeam solemnly added.
Dreamcatcher glanced from him to the mountains and back to him before shrugging.
"Okay..."
Hiccup filled the bucket of water and turned back for the barn that his parents had claimed a month ago. Sky-Dancer had not moved much in the last few days, preferring instead to sleep in and only leave the barn when she absolutely had to. Even while awake, she lay on her belly while groaning and grumbling, especially in the morning. She needed to be brought water and fish, though she rarely touched the food on those days. She even had some trouble keeping the fish and meat down. That had led to an absolute mess which he had... gladly... volunteered to help clean up. She had, naturally, been very embarrassed and frustrated even though she let him help. Further, she had started avoiding food entirely on some days.
He had his suspicion about why she was feeling sick and weak, but he was going to let them share the news once they were certain enough.
He arrived at the barn.
"Mother?"
"Son," Sky-Dancer groaned.
The door gently swung open from inside as she pushed it open with her nose. Then she immediately went back to the straw and collapsed, so he walked over to her and crouched before her.
"How are you?" he asked.
"Ugh," she groaned.
"Got it. Where is father?"
"Flying to get fish."
He nodded and set the bucket before her.
"I brought you some more water. Think you can keep it down?"
"Probably... the hurting is not very bad."
She started lapping at the water. He gently scratched her neck to give a little comfort until she finished drinking.
"How are you and Adney?" she warbled.
"We're doing well. I think I really like her."
She weakly chuffed.
"You humans have twisted mate-taking ceremonies."
He gently twisted one of her ears.
"Hey, Burning-Star told me that you made Far-Flight wait a while before you and he... got together."
"Not for too long! I was not going to let him out of my paws. After so many winters of searching and finding no one at all."
She sighed and lay down on the ground after curling her tail around to rest under her chin.
"Do you want my life advice, my cub?"
"Sure."
"Adney would be a good mate for you, and you would be good to her. What are you waiting for?"
He sighed and frowned, wondering that himself. What was holding him back? Not lack of interest or any doubt about her character. No, this was probably, like his own prior flaws in his relationship with Toothless, his own internal issue.
"For one, I cannot do anything without getting her father's permission first. That is the custom here. Also, how can I be sure that she'll want me? I've never been the best at understanding women."
"You cannot know for certain."
"Uh..."
"Did you know that Burning-Star would not bite off your paw when you met him in the pond-valley place?"
"No, I had to trust him, but that's not the same thing. You females don't know how much power you have over males."
"No?" she chuckled.
"Yeah, at least for humans. What if I'm not good enough, smart enough, or strong enough for her?"
"You doubt yourself? What about her? Think about this from her place. A strange male who is very different from her pack, knows forging like she does, has a warm soul-fire, and is kin to a dark wing pack is thinking about her as a future mate. You are the very special one, and you have interest in her. She doubts herself... maybe more than you!"
He stared at his boots, in shock as he thought about what she said. Adney had never shown any sign of self-doubt. No, she was a hard worker who was dedicated to Rohan and helping out her people. She was always working now, doing something to help out in Edoras.
Was she keeping busier to secretly prove herself to him?
It was undeniable that he was someone special in Rohan. He had seen far-off lands, was a full member of a pack of dragons, had been in battles, and had been gravely wounded. None of that had happened to her. She could not point to any epic adventures or grand quests she had been on.
It was entirely plausible that she might feel inadequate by comparison to him. Was it that simple?
"Maybe. I'm also not sure if you and Moonbeam might need help soon."
She rolled her eyes and softly chuckled.
"Far-Flight and Burning-Star should take care of us then, but you have my thanks for offering to help. This time will not be as bad as with Burning-Star and Breath-Of-Sky."
He blinked, realizing what she meant.
"Wait, you know? You have a cub?"
"This getting sick is what I felt before. Yes, I have a cub."
Oh my gods. I'm going to have a baby dragon brother or sister!
"Great. Have you told anyone else yet?"
"Only Far-Flight. You may tell Burning-Star and Moonbeam, but keep this in our family-pack for now," she softly groaned, probably in more discomfort than she was trying to let on.
"I wish you didn't feel so miserable," he grumbled.
She purred after the moment passed.
"This sickness is not very bad and will not last many days. Moonbeam will feel it worse with her first cub," she explained.
That news was both reassuring, that Sky-Dancer wouldn't feel as much since this was her third child, and discouraging, that Moonbeam would feel the most misery.
"If only there was something we could do for her, for you both, to help with that. Lightning was in a lot of pain in birth too."
"Do the Rohan humans know any hurt-helping plants?" she asked.
"Plants? I could go ask but I'm not sure if..."
He froze, staring at the wall as he remembered. There was a wild herb that helped to slow poison, calmed the mind, and greatly soothed pain. He knew because he had felt its effectiveness himself. There was no reason to think that it wouldn't help with her problem.
"I know! I'll be back!"
He flew to his feet and ran as fast as he could to the Golden Hall. Eogar would be best to ask who he should go to.
It probably doesn't grow around here on the plains.
He threw open the main door and ran inside. It took only a brief search before he spotted the elderly attendant among those eating their midday meal.
"Eogar! Who should I go to with questions about plants?"
"About plants? What kind?" Eogar asked.
"Healing plants or herbs that help with pain."
"That would be me!" an elderly woman answered from down the table.
He strode over to her and respectfully bent his head. Just like Haerfara, she was old, wrinkly, had a slight hunch, and reminded him a lot of Elder Gothi.
"I do not believe I know you, my lady."
"The name's Hilunda. You've a question about the uses of plants in medicine?"
"Yes. Do you know of Athelas? It is also called Kingsfoil."
"I do. That's a weed. No use for it that we know of."
He grinned.
"Well, I know for a fact that it can help with pain. Where is the nearest place it can be found?"
Hilunda frowned and grumbled while stirring her porridge.
"Probably on the lower slopes of the White Mountains," she answered.
"That's all I needed to know. Thank you, Hilunda."
He bowed to her and, breathless and eager, ran from the Golden Hall to go find Toothless. The two of them had a flight to fly as soon as possible.
While the full potency of Athelas was something that only Aragorn and his kin knew how to use, he was almost certain that he could make that herb into a tea or a fragrant mash, either of which would probably help with stomach pains or worse.
Even as he ran he remembered the need for caution. His great ideas didn't generally turn out well if he acted without thinking them through.
Exposing a pregnant Night Fury to a strange plant could be a very bad idea.
Hmm, probably would be best to start without actually having her eat it. Athelas probably isn't dangerous, but that's definitely something to make sure of first.
It took more searching before he found Toothless playing a game with Storm-Chaser and Tail-Hunter. He took a while simply to watch Toothless playing with the cubs, leaping after them and trying to pin their tails.
It was very heartwarming how well Tail-Hunter seemed to have bounced back from what happened a month ago. She and Storm-Chaser went everywhere together, as though they had always been sisters, which they probably had been in a way. Even before, they had been close playmates.
Toothless eventually noticed him and strode toward him, bringing the cubs with him.
"You look like you want to talk," Toothless said.
"Yeah, I do."
"One moment..."
Toothless lay down on the ground, covered his ears with his paws, and grinned up at him.
"Talk now..."
Tail-Hunter and Storm-Chaser mimicked him, covering their ears with their paws.
"Sure, sure. Very funny. You don't want to hear about our parents?"
Toothless's teasing vanished as he got to his paws.
"What about them?"
He stepped over to Toothless to giddily whisper.
"Keep this between us and Moonbeam. Mom told me that she is sure that she has a new cub."
Toothless blinked and purred very deeply.
"No teasing?"
"I wouldn't joke about this."
"What is it?" Storm-Chaser barked.
Toothless laughed and whipped her with his tail. Tail-Hunter pounced at his tail.
"Nothing! I knew they would!" Toothless chuckled, mostly ignoring her.
"That's why she has been sick and not feeling well."
Toothless's lifted ears fell.
"Moonbeam is also feeling different. She is not yet hurting or losing her food, but she is more tired."
They avoided looking at each other, not wanting to betray their excitement at the possibility. Nothing was definitive and might not be for weeks still, but they could wonder.
"We can do something to help them and all the future dams. We should go find Athelas," Hiccup suggested.
"Athelas... the plant can help their hurts not hurt so much?"
"I think it might. It helped me and Frodo feel better and heal faster."
"Good idea. Where should we look for the plant?"
"The slopes of the White Mountains. You know what it looks like, right?"
"Yes, I remember. I also know the good smell."
"Good. I'd like us to go as soon as we can. Think we can do that now?"
"I will tell Moonbeam!"
"And I'll get ready to fly!"
"Flying!" "Can we fly too?" the cubs asked.
"Not unless you want to work for the pack!" Toothless chuckled.
"No!" "No working!"
Toothless stuck his nose around every bush while searching for those plants Hiccup was also looking for. This Athelas plant, if they could find it, could help their dam and Moonbeam to feel much less pain from having cubs.
That would be very good. He was not sure which would be worse, to know that his dam was hurting or to know that his life-mate was hurting. Probably his life-mate hurting, because that was his fault, but both were very bad.
He found another of the small plants, bit off a stem, and ran back to Hiccup. The plant had a very warm smell that filled his thoughts with peace.
Hiccup received the plant, nodded in agreement, and put the cutting in his bag. Toothless then returned to searching or hunting as he preferred to think about it. The good plant was a type of prey that was hiding from him and Hiccup. Normally, he would not be interested at all in plants, but this was a very big exception.
His thoughts wandered to the pack and to the small changes that had happened in the last few weeks. Snowflame and Windripper had agreed to fly back to Gondor, even though they were not going to live in the ruins of Minas Tirith. She wanted to be around Eowyn and also to be able to carry messages to the pack. Windripper naturally went with her. Their being gone also helped Rohan with the limited food situation.
"Found some more!" Hiccup shouted.
He dashed over to Hiccup's side where, sure enough, there was a patch of several Athelas plants.
"Is this enough?"
"Probably. Bro, do you know of any plants that are bad for you dragons?" Hiccup asked as he filled the bag.
"Bad plants? There are some flowers that are not for eating."
"Bad flowers? See any of them here?"
"Not recently. Why?"
"I wanted to make sure Athelas couldn't hurt you or unborn cubs."
He thought about it. Nothing about Athelas smelled dangerous, but he would not know about this specific situation.
"I do not think it is dangerous, but we can ask Sky-Dancer and the other females if they know anything."
Hiccup nodded, finished filling the bag, and strapped it to the saddle. They were finished and ready to fly home, but Hiccup leaned back against a boulder and began staring out across the plains toward Edoras.
Something was still nibbling at Hiccup's tail, so he padded over to him.
"You are thinking about something. What is the problem?"
Hiccup sighed and crossed his arms on his chest.
"I keep thinking about Adney and how I... how do I know for sure that she is the one?"
"What do you mean, the one?"
"The one I will marry. The one I am meant for."
He grumbled and nudged Hiccup's shoulder.
"There is something twisted in that thinking. Saying that there is only one female in the world who you could be a good mate with is wrong."
"I guess I've always thought about it as you find your soul-mate who you are meant for," Hiccup explained, shrugging.
"No, there are more than only one who you could be happy and warm with. What you said sounds like you are saying that you have no control or responsibility because if you are not happy that is because you are not with the perfect mate. No one is perfect."
"True."
"What you must think about is does she live the way you would want your mate to live. Is she a good thinker, warm in her soul-fire, and wanting from life what would fly with your life-flight? If yes to that, then ask her. Just do. You foul your own flight too much."
Hiccup shrugged.
"We already knew that."
Far-Flight and Sky-Dancer sniffed at the bucket of tea, wrinkling their noses in interest at the steaming Athelas brew.
"This is the hurt-helping plant-water?" Far-Flight asked.
"Yes, Athelas. Burning-Star and I asked other females in the pack to smell it and taste it first. None of them were at all worried. What do you think?" Hiccup replied.
Sky-Dancer stuck her nose into the tea and took a single lick.
"It will help with the hurts," she declared after a moment.
"And it's safe for you and the cub?"
"Yes. I smell and taste no rot-danger in it."
"Alright, you know best."
She started lapping at the hot tea while purring softly. It looked like she was almost immediately relieved or comforted by the soothing brew.
"Can you make more of this good water?" Far-Flight asked after nudging him.
"Yes, I just need to find more of the plant. It's really easy to make the tea. Just boil some water, add the leaves, and let it soak."
She finished lapping at the tea and then trotted to him.
"Thank you, son. I think I will sleep now."
"You're welcome, mom."
She lay down to go to sleep with Far-Flight curled up with her. Hiccup watched as she fell asleep without showing any signs of pain or discomfort. That apparent lack of pain even so soon after she drank the tea was a very good sign.
"Well, I'll go tell Burning-Star and Moonbeam."
He left their barn and strode home to give Toothless and Moonbeam the good news. They were sure to be home now late in the afternoon.
"Brother, Moonbeam!"
"What?" Toothless barked.
He entered their barn and saw them resting together. Moonbeam opened her weary eyes and faintly hummed at him.
"What is the news?" Toothless asked.
"The tea looks like it works. It won't do much about feeling tired, but it will help with pain and morning sickness... if that happens to you."
She purred very softly.
"Thank you. You are so good to us."
"I try my best."