Refuge
Hiccup and Adney sat at the same table in the Golden Hall for dinner and random conversations on a rainy April evening. Her father and brother joined him and her for a while before heading off together.
Toothless and Moonbeam eventually brought little Morning-Star up from the barn to meet everyone and to have some chewed meat for her meal.
The Furies were slightly suspicious of letting anyone they didn't know well around their cub, which was entirely understandable. Far-Flight, Sky-Dancer, Hunts-In-Deep-Waters, and Lightning were similar in having healthy parental protectiveness of their very young children.
Moonbeam held Morning-Star on her head while the women and children in the Hall fawned over the cub from a short distance away. The cub's teal eyes were very wide as she eagerly looked around. She clearly enjoyed the attention and was curious about everyone around her.
Hiccup idly reflected on how life was simpler for young dragons since they didn't need to learn things like how to write or how to make complicated tools. On the other hand, not having any written language meant that they had to remember more, which probably made their memories naturally sharper.
Rohan was very similar in many ways. No one except the royalty, people who knew special trades, and a few scribes knew any writing, but everyone remembered songs and stories really well, likely because they had to have stronger memories.
Still, the lack of Fury cubs having any way to understand written communication was a minor problem.
Maybe I should teach the cubs to read. Writing is not practical, except maybe in dirt or sand by using a new tool, but being able to read could be very helpful.
His thoughts kept being drawn to his just over two month-old sister and his niece, and to what places they would have in the world. The pack was split in three locations, more or less, between Tolfalas, Edoras, and the Glittering Caves. It was by design that there were no humans at Tolfalas or in the Glittering Caves, at least not permanently in the case of the Caves. The only humans the pack would likely meet would be here at Edoras, the villages in Rohan, and the locations along the Bay of Belfalas or Dol Amroth where packmates rotated fishing duties and brought back portions of each catch.
That duty of assisting with catching fish was very welcome. Some of the pack had grumbled about how they were being provided for by others instead of catching their own prey as they always had. They feared that this reliance on others might make them weaker on their own. However, it was understood that helping the fishermen of Gondor resulted in larger catches for everyone than anyone could get on their own.
That the interactions were limited was probably for the best right now. Rohan and Tolfalas were the only places where the Furies could probably feel safe and secure. Gondor and Erebor had been attacked by Mordor Night Furies, and the other lands did not have the best reputations.
What would the future look like? The Furies had worthy work they could do to help Rohan by herding cattle, being guards, carrying news, and even aiding with heavy labor whenever there was such work to do. That was all better than a life of merely surviving by hunting wild prey.
Snowflame and Windripper had also helped out with reconstruction in Gondor. That work, while very limited so far, would certainly help as a show of good faith going forward.
Adney nudged his shoulder, breaking his thoughts.
"Huh? What?" he asked.
"You really missed that... impressive," she teased.
"I do my best. What did I miss?"
"Someone for you at the door."
He spun in the chair and saw Flame-In-The-Night staring at him from the main door. The Alpha clearly wanted his attention and also looked very worried.
Oh great, now what?
He got up from the table and went over to him.
"Flame, is something wrong?"
"Very wrong. Can you bring your brother and sire?"
This was very serious if he wanted Toothless and Far-Flight to be there.
"Alright, I'll get Burning-Star. Far-Flight is away right now."
"Okay, you can tell him and Sky-Dancer later."
He ran over to Toothless resting at Moonbeam's side. Toothless was already alert that something was wrong.
"Can you follow me? Flame-In-The-Night wants you there to hear something."
Toothless hopped to his paws and followed him outside the Hall into a gentle drizzle. They froze on the top steps when they saw that Flame-In-The-Night was not alone. Jumps-At-Fire was there and was standing with the Alpha at the base of the steps.
Wait, what is she doing here? Wasn't she at Tolfalas?
She and Flame-In-The-Night saw them, gestured to them, and bounded away toward the ledge where the pack had rested in the past. Hiccup and Toothless followed, wondering what was happening or had happened.
They all arrived, and Jumps-At-Fire calmly strode up to them after glancing at Toothless.
"Jumps-At-Fire, Flame-In-The-Night, what is wrong?" Hiccup asked.
"We had to flee the island," she immediately answered.
"What?" "Why?"
She growled and clawed at the ground.
"Strange humans appeared on boats! We went to tell them to leave, but we saw that they had nets and weapons! They were there to trap us or hunt us!"
Hiccup stared, stunned at this terrible news.
"And you all got out safely?" he asked.
"Yes, we fled to be with the pack in the caves."
"Those waters and that island are not safe for us!" Flame-In-The-Night hissed.
Hiccup started pacing, thinking about this bad news. Tolfalas didn't have large cliffs and was entirely accessible by water, like every island he remembered seeing.
Alright, who could have done that? Definitely not Gondor. Aragorn wouldn't order that or allow his people to do that. Maybe those lands further south, Umbar or something, but why?
He spun on Flame-In-The-Night.
"King Eomer is away right now, but Theoden is here. I'll let him know what has happened. Burning-Star and I should fly to speak with Aragorn about this. He might know more about what happened and what to do now. Sound good, bro?"
Toothless nodded once in agreement.
Flame-In-The-Night stepped away and spread his wings.
"I will fly to the pack and let them know that, other than the fishing duties, we are staying together now in Rohan and the Caves."
The Alpha then flew off, swiftly vanishing into the west in his haste.
Toothless faced Jumps-At-Fire.
"Are you flying with him to the pack and to Dark-Fire?"
"Yes, I will, but there is something I want to do first," she answered.
"What is that?"
She shuffled on her paws.
"I heard that you have a cub, yes?"
"I do. Morning-Star is my cub, and our new sister is Kindled-Dream," Toothless hummed.
She purred at that. Her asking about cubs got Hiccup curious about something else concerning her.
"How are you and Dark-Fire? Are you... together?" Hiccup asked.
She snorted and looked off into the distance as her ears fell.
"He is so like me, or like I was. He thinks that he cannot be wanted because he did bad in the past. I have talked with him much, hunted with him, and flown with him on many flights."
"You have flown with him?" Toothless snorted.
She glared at him.
"Not like that. Not a mating flight. He does not want cubs yet because he is not sure that we would be safe there, which was true, and because he thinks he cannot be wanted by me or be a good sire."
She hung her head with a sigh.
"Even after I tell him that I do want him. I guess I am not good with males after all, in any way."
Toothless glanced at Hiccup, who shrugged and threw up his paws in confusion.
"If I may ask, have you... only told him that you want him?" Toothless asked after briefly considering her problem.
"What do you mean?"
"You said you and he have not flown a mating flight, but have you done anything else with him?"
She blinked in surprise.
"Are you saying I should... offer him that?"
"No, but..."
He rolled his eyes.
"Listen. We males want females who are not afraid to... show what they want and fight back in good ways."
"What? Fight?" she asked, looking confused and suspicious.
"You want to win his soul-fire, yes?"
"Yes."
"You agree that he would be good to you and to any cubs you would have with him?"
"Yes."
"So ask him to fly with you up to a mountain or somewhere he feels safe. Talk to him about what you want. And, when he pushes back or doubts that you want him, you should... hit him."
"What!"
He laughed.
"Yes. Paw at his nose or something like that. Hit the rotted thinking out of his head if you must. Talking is not enough on its own. Do that, show that you can fight for what you want, and he will approve of it. If he does not want to jump at you then, he might truly have problems no one can help with."
She said nothing at first to that, though she looked up to the sky. She stared skyward for many wingbeats.
"I guess I was trying to not threaten him or push him at all. Maybe I should push him more," she sighed.
"Yes, you should. We both hope that you and he will be happy," Toothless whispered.
She hummed and looked at him and Hiccup.
"Would you let me see the cubs? I want to see what a dawn wing looks like."
"Yes, you should see them," Toothless answered.
She followed them back up the slope and into the Hall. Moonbeam and Sky-Dancer were sitting together while their cubs played and rolled on the floor. But Moonbeam saw their approach and stiffened, staring with narrowed eyes at Jumps-At-Fire.
Toothless huffed and bounded over to Moonbeam, nuzzling her neck.
"My dear mate, Jumps-At-Fire brought news of the pack. The pack at the island had to flee danger."
Moonbeam blinked and forgot her apparent frustration.
"What? What danger?"
"Bad humans with traps. Our kin flew to the Glittering Caves to be one pack together."
The nearest people sitting at tables started whispering together after they heard that.
"Jumps-At-Fire wants to see the cubs," he added.
Moonbeam stared at Jumps-At-Fire for a few wingbeats.
"Okay."
Toothless gently grabbed Morning-Star and carried the squirming cub to Moonbeam's front where he dropped her between Moonbeam's paws. Morning-Star mewled in protest while Sky-Dancer similarly carried Kindled-Dream over and dropped her with Morning-Star. The two cubs curled up together and yawned widely.
He looked at Jumps-At-Fire as she sat on her rear while gazing at his cub and his cub-sister. Jumps-At-Fire's eyes were filled with a mix of sadness and warmth. This was very different from how she had appeared whenever the topic of cubs had been brought up in the past.
Maybe she truly wants a cub for good reasons.
She looked up at him and Moonbeam while softly purring.
"I feel warmth for you, Burning-Star, Moonbeam. You will be a very warm sire and dam to her."
Moonbeam blinked, apparently surprised.
"And I wish you a warm life-flight, even if you have said things that I do not like," Moonbeam calmly whispered.
"That... was only for the pack if it was needed, and I would not hurt you and Burning-Star," Jumps-At-Fire whispered to her.
She stepped back from them and turned toward the door.
"I will fly to the Caves. Thank you for showing me the cubs."
She spun around, slipped out the door, and took flight.
Moonbeam fully relaxed once she was gone.
Hiccup frowned when he saw that. On the one hand, she had every reason to be suspicious of Jumps-At-Fire since she knew the full truth of what had been happening between Toothless and her in the past. It was at least possible that Jumps-At-Fire could harbor a secret vengeful streak and want to do something to take revenge. On the other hand...
No, there is no other hand. It is fair of her as a worried mom. Alright, time to give Theoden the news.
"I'm going to find Theoden and let him know."
He went in search of Theoden, eventually finding him reading in a study room in his living quarters.
"Theoden, do you have a moment?"
Theoden closed the book. Most people in Rohan did not read, but at least the nobility knew their letters.
"Certainly, Master Haddock. Praytell what is the matter?"
"The whole pack, everyone who is not here in Edoras, is now living in the Glittering Caves. The others had to flee the island. They said they were attacked by humans who tried to trap them."
"Trappers? None of the dragons were taken, were they?" Theoden asked, visibly worried.
"No, everyone got out."
"That is relieving and most fortuitous. What are you going to do?"
"I and Burning-Star will fly to Dol Amroth to speak with Aragorn. I'm not sure what can be done, if anything. The pack might be there in the Caves for a long time, other than their fishing duties."
Theoden nodded.
"I understand. That is their realm, now and always. Do you know of any threat to them not from the waters?"
"No, I don't. Do you and King Eomer know anything?"
"We have had no reports of any trappers or hunters or the such. Even if there are any, I do not see how they could move through Rohan without being seen."
Theoden stroked his beard in thought.
"There is one passage that leads into the Glittering Caves from up in the White Mountains, but very few outside of my family and the garrison at Helm's Deep know of that pass. Further, the pass can easily be sealed or destroyed by the dragons themselves."
"That would be helpful," Hiccup agreed.
"Very well. I shall inform the King upon his return about this threat to the dragons. They flew to our aid, and, as I promised, we will help protect them however we can."
Hiccup nodded and left to return to Adney. He sat down with her and held her shoulder.
"My love, I have to fly with Toothless to Gondor. There is a danger to the pack."
"What happened?"
"They were driven off their island by trappers. Everyone not here is living in the Glittering Caves now."
"How long will you be away?"
"Three or four days, not sure. Depends on how long we stay there to talk to the King or if anything else happens."
She gave him a peck on the cheek.
"We'll be here. I can stay with my father and brother for a few days. You keep fighting for your own and trying to make the world better for them, just like a King or Chief would."
"You sure about this?"
"Go on dragon-man, do your thing."
"Have I told you how much I love you?"
"Ever?" she rolled her eyes.
"Today?"
"No."
He kissed her.
"Okay, I heard that," she chuckled.
He reluctantly left her and went over to Toothless, Moonbeam, and Sky-Dancer.
"Mom, think you and father can keep Moonbeam safe for a few days?"
"Yes, we can. Is there a problem?" Sky-Dancer asked.
He frowned and crossed his arms.
"Everyone that was at the island had to flee to the Caves. Dangerous humans went to the island and tried to trap them there."
She grumbled and hissed at that.
"So what will you do?" she asked.
"We are going to speak to Aragorn and find out if he knows anything."
"Good idea."
He faced Toothless.
"Will you be ready to fly in the morning? I see no reason to put this off for later."
"I agree. We should fly in the morning."
"Can we land and talk?" Hiccup shouted.
"Yes!"
Toothless dove and touched down on a snowcapped peak high in the White Mountains. Hiccup hopped off him into the snow, shivered, and stood before him.
"What do you want to talk about?" Toothless asked.
"Us as brothers and best friends."
Toothless blinked.
"What about us?"
Hiccup slumped slightly without looking away from him.
"We haven't been flying much for fun at all. Not since... we fell, anyway. I want us to do something about that. Yes, it is harder since we both have families of our own, but we should still make an effort to find the time."
Toothless hummed in agreement.
"This is a good idea. I was wondering about that."
"I know. Flying together is part of us, you and me, and I'd like us to keep flying as friends and family when we have the time and not only because of duty like this."
Toothless rested a paw on his shoulder and purred.
"We will. I want that. Speaking of other things I want..."
"Oh great, now what?"
Toothless smirked.
"When are you and Adney going to make a cub? Do you need advice on what to do?"
The cold Hiccup felt suddenly vanished as he glared at Toothless.
"I do not need advice... with that. We've just been waiting until the time is right."
"Which is?" Toothless prodded.
"Not yet... soon though. We decided on next spring at the latest."
Toothless snorted and rolled his eyes.
"Waiting so long. Maybe I need to ask Adney if you are satisfying her."
"Good luck with that. I don't go sneaking around asking Moonbeam if you are there for her."
"There is no need! We already have a cub! Well, we have no cub-making need, but that does not mean we..."
"Ugh, let's get going! It's cold up here."
"Maybe to you," Toothless chuckled as he crouched down.
Hiccup rolled his eyes as he hopped on his back.
"Yeah, yeah, can't feel the cold... real funny."
They arrived late in the afternoon.
Dol Amroth was as active as they remembered it the last time they had flown here with Moonbeam. The massive city out on the outcropping was surrounded by jagged cliffs and foam-licked waves. Stone homes, courtyards of trees and fountains, different styles of banners, and men and women wearing colored robes passed underwing.
It was beautiful in a very different way from how Rohan was beautiful.
They glided between the taller spires and finally down into the open courtyard of trees and fountains before the citadel.
One of the King's attendants swiftly ran out to meet them along with several guards who were at ease.
"Master Haddock, Master Burning-Star, welcome. My name is Saelon. Your arrival here is most unexpected."
Hiccup calmly regarded the attendant while briefly musing on how amazing it was that he and Toothless could appear unannounced in a Kingdom, ask to speak to the King, and certainly get an audience with him.
"We have need to speak to King Aragorn as soon as he is available. It is an urgent matter."
Saelon respectfully bowed to them.
"Very well. I shall bring word to him immediately. You are both welcome in the citadel. Please follow me."
They followed him inside the building which looked so similar to the Citadel atop Minas Tirith.
Hiccup nudged Toothless's shoulder.
"Want to see the White Tree again soon?"
"Yes, I do! I hope it grew bigger."
"I'm sure it did."
They were left in the throne room while the attendant went into council chambers. They waited not even a minute before he returned with King Aragorn and a couple guards.
The King walked straight up to them and, in the presence of his guards and advisers, bent his head out of respect. Hiccup and Toothless did the same.
"Welcome yet again to Dol Amroth, Masters Haddock and Burning-Star."
"It is good to be back here," Hiccup smiled.
Toothless purred.
"Yes, Strider, it is warming to see you again."
Aragorn grinned at that.
"May I ask what occasion brings you both here?"
Hiccup crossed his arms.
"Yes, something has happened that we need to talk to you about. It might be best to speak about this in private."
Aragorn nodded and gestured toward a familiar side-passage after waving away his attendants and personal guards.
"I trust that you and yours are well."
Toothless hummed deeply.
"Yes, Moonbeam and I have a healthy cub, a female we named Morning-Star. She has a white spot like a star on her head."
Aragorn smiled at that.
"Morning-Star. Elaur would be her Sindar name. Master Haddock, have you any news to share?"
"Yes, sir. Adney and I doing well so far. No news on children yet, but we're waiting for when the time is right."
"A very good idea," Toothless grumbled.
"Thank you for that."
"What are brothers for?"
"I know."
Aragorn grinned and laughed softly.
"Some things never change," he said.
They left the Citadel, went outside, and saw the White Tree. It had more than doubled in height since the last visit, surely due to its being actively tended instead of growing on its own in the mountains.
Queen Arwen, clad in her fine Elven robes, came to them from where she had been tending the garden.
"Queen Arwen," Hiccup bowed his head as Toothless did the same.
"Welcome to you both. I see that you, Burning-Star, bear Lady Galadriel's gift even now," she greeted them and gestured toward the pendant.
"Yes, I must wear it now for my own good," Toothless softly hummed.
Oddly, she faintly nodded at that.
"I understand, for I gave a gift to another who bears wounds from the War, though his are the greater. I shall leave you to speak with my Lord in confidence."
She stepped away to depart, but Aragorn grasped her hand and kissed it.
"My Lady," he whispered.
They smiled, and then she swiftly departed, leaving the three of them alone. Aragorn gestured toward a bench before the White Tree, and he and Hiccup sat down there while Toothless lay down before them.
"What is the urgent matter?" Aragorn asked.
"The entire pack, except for those in Edoras, is now living in the Glittering Caves. Everyone at Tolfalas had to flee the island because of trappers. No one was hurt or caught, but the pack cannot live there anymore," Hiccup explained.
Aragorn frowned and stared long in silence at the sapling White Tree. Then he spoke.
"The tree is small still, and it cannot yet weather great storms on its own. What you told me explains several reports I received about greater Corsair activity for an unknown purpose. Further, several weeks hence I received a message from a warlord in Umbar. He wanted to... purchase a dragon from me."
Toothless growled, and Aragorn nodded again.
"Indeed. You know what my answer was to such an offer. Alas that Gondor has no great navy with which to secure those waters yet. It will be many years before we have enough might to adequately make safe that island. All the Furies will be living in the Glittering Caves and Edoras now, correct?"
"True, those ranges are safest for us now," Toothless answered.
Aragorn nodded.
"Yes, they are. King Eomer and the people of Rohan are most loyal. There is other news which I will share with you both in confidence. There was a dragon attack in South Ithilien three months hence. It was a Night Fury, and that dragon was slain. I kept news of that incident as quiet as possible for the good of the pack."
"Thank you," Toothless sadly hummed.
Aragorn continued.
"What is most significant is that Gondor has spies and informants in Umbar and the lands of Rhun, Harad, and even Nurn within Mordor. Many of the men who were formerly servants of Mordor sued for peace after Sauron's downfall. My reports are that there are no other dragons out there anymore."
"None at all? No other Night Furies?" Hiccup warily asked.
"Correct. Sauron employed them all in the strikes on Minas Tirith, Lorien, and Erebor. If these reports are true, then those in the pack are the only ones left, which makes their safety all the more crucial. I could possibly have dwellings constructed within Dol Amroth's walls for any of the pack who wished to live here."
Hiccup frowned.
"Thank you for the offer, but the pack plans to live in the Glittering Caves and Edoras. They feel safer there together."
Aragorn nodded in acknowledgment.
"I understand. Are the supplies of fish being provided sufficient? All in the pack are still welcome to continue their employ assisting with the fishing. I have heard good reports about the catches and the aid the dragons are providing."
"Yes, they are, and they plan to keep doing that," Hiccup answered, "Though some in the pack might be wary about doing that work... after what happened on the island. I still wish there was a place where they could be safe for good and have everything they need."
Aragorn briefly paced, looking very deep in thought.
"As for more permanent and safer locations, there is one. Do you remember a story about how the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age sent entire continents under the waves? Do you recall how Beleriand was lost?"
"I might have heard about that at some point in Rivendell. Gandalf and Bilbo told me a lot of stories."
Aragorn nodded and continued.
"Three peaks survived that drowning and became the Western Isles well off the Lindon coast. The isles are Tol Morwen, Himling, and, most importantly, the Dark Isle of Tol Fuin. Very few outside of the Elves know of those islands, for the other peoples of Middle-earth have no reason to sail those waters. Tol Fuin is uninhabited, much larger than Tolfalas, and over one hundred miles offshore. The Dark Isle could be another, better place of refuge for the pack, should any wish to fly there for the years while Gondor is still weak or even beyond that point. That island is not mine to bestow, but it is, as far as anyone knows, completely uninhabited as of now."
Hiccup considered that possibility. The idea of the pack isolating itself that far away from humans was a little more worrying than their taking over the Glittering Caves or trying to live on Tolfalas. However, it was an option that had to be considered and which held an appeal. Those distant islands would be safer than living close to human lands while there was a known danger.
"What do you think?" Hiccup asked Toothless.
Toothless hummed in thought, looking up at the clouds.
"If those islands are where I think they are, then they are far away from humans. Some of the pack might want to go there, but not now. The pack is staying together in Rohan. We can tell the Alphas about these other islands that might be safer."
"Yeah, and maybe we or someone else can fly to them to see how good those islands are," Hiccup added.
Aragorn nodded.
"Very well. I neglected to thank you earlier for the work you both did over the last year in flying throughout Gondor. There are still many who are aggrieved, but more people ask questions out of curiosity now. I heard that Snowflame and Windripper have helped in Ithilien, and the people of Calembel now await their visits from the friendly northern dragons."
Hiccup slumped, remembering the many visits and tense or painful encounters over the last year.
"Sometimes I wonder if anything is enough. Maybe there are too many people who don't want to change. Hopefully those visits helped enough to make a difference," he grumbled.
Aragorn put a hand on his shoulder.
"I believe it did. Establishing now near the beginning of the Fourth Age that the Furies are our allies and equals is a most worthy mission as laudable as any other. The foundation of the grandest city is built one stone at a time."
Hiccup faintly grinned.
"Galadriel said that even the smallest people can change the course of the future."
"As did Frodo, Sam, and you both in your own way."
Aragorn glanced to the Citadel.
"Do you have any other matters of council to discuss?"
"No," Hiccup stood up.
"You are probably weary after your flight here."
"Yes, I am," Toothless answered as he got to his paws and stretched.
"Then I shall have a meal brought for you both and quarters given for you to rest in."
"Thank you, King Aragorn," Hiccup answered as Toothless bowed his head.
They threw one last glance at the sapling White Tree, and then they turned back for the Citadel.
Hiccup stood at Toothless's shoulder on the cliffs behind the Citadel, more or less in the same place they had spoken to Aragorn the last time they had been here. They had both eaten their fill and wanted to watch the sunset on their own.
The only sounds were the whistle of the wind and the crashing of the foamy surf down below. The wind rustled their hair, robes, and wings. The distant horizon was lit with an orange and red glow as the sun fell out of view.
"What do you really think about that idea?" Hiccup whispered.
"Us dragons flying to our own range far away?"
"Yes, that one."
Toothless's ears fell as he gave a soft hum.
"I hope it is not needed. We are safer living with good humans than we would be hiding away from all humans just because some are bad. Us giving up on you would be..."
Toothless didn't finish his thought.
Hiccup almost instinctively began to reach out to hold Toothless's neck when he paused, suddenly fearful of touching him. As if touching him would make him want to fly away, though the thought made no sense.
Even after everything they had done so far, there was still danger in the world and hostility to dragons. There was no guarantee that this would ever change completely.
And there was still that ever-present concern about the Furies being subject to gold and hoarding temptation. None of them had a worse case than Toothless did, and he had his pendant to help keep him safe. However, they knew of no way to completely rid the Furies of that which may come from their ancient creator: Morgoth.
Toothless stepped closer and lay his chin on his shoulder with a soft purr.
"We dragons have stubbornness problems, just like you humans. Some of us might want to fly to those far ranges, but not all of us. Not me, Moonbeam, our kin, or the others who know humans best."
Hiccup hung an arm over Toothless's neck, joining him in gazing out to sea as the sun set beyond the horizon.
Toothless then snorted, stepped aside, crouched down, and sharply nodded to his back.
"We should go on a flight now."
Hiccup wasn't sure why, but he had to wipe away a few tears as he climbed on Toothless's bare back. The Fury then stepped over to the cliff and calmly leaned over into a glide and a peaceful flight in the warm wind that blew from the west. The roaring waves lapped in mounds of white foam upon the rocks below, and the white gulls cried as Toothless passed by.
Neither of them said anything, for they needed to say nothing.
Even though they knew that there was nothing visible out at sea, they kept finding their gazes drawn out to the horizon, possibly because of the memories of how the Elves were leaving for their true homes or maybe because of Aragorn's recent mention of islands hidden in the west.
Was there a song echoing from a distant shore across the sea and beyond the horizon?
Why did the white gulls call?
In the last of the red evening glow, Hiccup finally leaned forward and put a hand on Toothless's neck to get his attention.
"Ready?"
"Yes."
They turned back for the Citadel and rest before their journey home in the morning.
Finally back in Edoras, Hiccup and Toothless met with the Alpha pair and had just finished explaining everything they knew about the hidden island. They were on their own so they could speak freely. The Alphas were very interested by this offer.
"And that place is very far away where no humans ever go?" Flame-In-The-Night clarified.
Hiccup nodded.
"As far as I understand it. The island isn't even on most of the maps I've seen. That alone makes it a much safer place."
Snowfall grumbled, staring out at the plains.
"What does it look like? Can any of us live there well, safely and with enough food?"
He paused and glanced at Toothless. Neither of them knew much at all regarding what Tol Fuin was like as an island. All Aragorn had shared was its general location and the detail that the place was much bigger than Tolfalas.
"I'm not sure what the place is like, but there's one way we can find out."
Toothless blinked in surprise and then looked like he understood.
"We can fly there and see the place. How long will we be away?"
Hiccup briefly thought about the distances involved in a flight from Edoras all the way to the Lindon coast and then another hundred miles. The journey to and from would easily take several weeks.
"Two or three weeks, probably. The Western wind will make the flight back much faster. Do you want us to fly out there for the pack?"
Snowfall purred.
"If that is not too much to ask of you, please do. Yes, Burning-Star has a young cub, but she is safe here. We need to know what that island is like before anyone tries to live there."
"We trust you to know if the island is good and safe," Flame-In-The-Night added.
Snowfall sighed.
"We are sorry to ask this of you both, since you have kin you will be leaving."
Toothless started as he realized that there was another option. Further, this option might help someone who could use some help.
"Do you have a map you could use to show someone where to fly?" he asked Hiccup.
"Yeah, why though?"
Toothless glanced at Flame-In-The-Night and Snowfall.
"Because there is someone else who could fly this flight instead of us. Two others, actually."
There was a moment of quiet before anyone else guessed who he was suggesting.
"Wait, you do not mean them, do you?" Flame-In-The-Night whispered, visibly surprised.
"Yes, have Jumps-At-Fire and your brother fly this flight. They both know how to live outside the pack. They only need to be told where to fly."
He and Flame-In-The-Night stared each other down. The Alpha's thoughts on Dark-Fire and Jumps-At-Fire being together were not clear. Flame knew well about Jumps' problems in the past, and he likely did not approve of her.
Hiccup coughed.
"If I may, it's not hard to find the place; it's just a long flight. West to the shore, follow the shore for... a week, don't bother anyone, and then they'll see a smaller island without any trees. From there it is like a flight from here to the Caves, and the island should be so big that they can't miss it. They won't have any trouble."
Toothless purred.
"Yes, and the time on a long flight together might do them good. They both have reasons to want to be away from most of the pack."
Snowfall nudged Flame-In-The-Night's shoulder, drew him away, and whispered to him. The pair spoke for a while and then returned after making a decision.
"We will ask them to fly this flight for us," Flame-In-The-Night softly said.
They departed without saying anything else.
Toothless smugly purred to himself at the thought of Jumps-At-Fire and Dark-Fire going on this long adventure together, as they certainly would. She at least had experience being on her own, so she could be something of a leader for the flight. The time together could also help them come to understand each other better without anyone else around.
"What are you thinking about?" Hiccup chuckled.
"Just thinking about those two off on their own. I hope they enjoy their flight."
Hiccup nodded.
"Yeah. Think we should go see that island eventually?"
"Probably. We would need to check with our mates well before though."
Toothless was busy playing with Kindled-Dream. As usual, his cub-sister very much liked chewing on his tail in play. His parents and Breath-Of-Sky were away on their own, and Moonbeam was resting with Morning-Star.
Just the thought of his daughter sparked warmth in his soul-fire. She was already curious and playful, just like his new sister. The only frustrating part of having a cub was her not being able to control where she relieved herself, but that was to be expected. Such messes were easy to clean up in the barn-den.
"Bro! Got a moment?" Hiccup shouted.
Toothless spun around to face Hiccup, and saw that someone else was also there. Jumps-At-Fire was approaching at Hiccup's side. Why was she here?
"I do. Our sister is busy with us," he explained, sweeping around his tail and the tail-chewing cub.
Hiccup and Jumps-At-Fire both watched Kindled-Dream for a while. Kindled-Dream eventually noticed them, let go of his tail, and bounded to Hiccup, who picked her up and held her.
Finally, Jumps-At-Fire purred and stepped closer.
"I will not bother her or you. I just wanted to tell you that I and Dark-Fire will fly that flight to the far island," she said.
Hiccup nodded, stroking their sister's head and keeping her entertained.
"And I already showed her where to go and what to look for."
She huffed.
"I will look for ways the island could be attacked by humans, like Tolfalas was. If this new place is more difficult to attack from boats, that would help us."
Toothless purred, pleased that all those details were taken care of.
"Good. When are you and he flying?"
"In the morning. He is eager to fly this flight. He said that doing something instead of sitting around would be helpful," she explained.
"True. Having a flight to fly would make him feel more useful. We hope your flight goes well."
She purred.
"So do I. We might stay at the island on our own for several days to explore it, make sure it is safe, and... bond with each other."
Toothless chuckled.
"May that flight also go well!"
She smirked.
"I believe it will. He has wanting, I am sure. If he can understand that he is not bad or rotted... I will help him see his life in a better way."
Her mention of how Dark-Fire had been very violent brought back his confusion and frustration. On one paw, Dark-Fire was not now as he had been before. Dark-Fire had been entirely peaceful and avoided any conflict since he had been defeated, captured, and brought into Rohan's territory. Further, Sauron had been strengthening him or feeding the rot in his soul-fire.
On the other paw, Dark-Fire had willingly joined in the attack, and had apparently enjoyed doing so. That he was now sorry or regretted being part of the attack changed nothing. Remorse might change future behavior, as appeared to happen for Dark-Fire, but it did not eliminate his responsibility for having killed an unknown number of humans.
"Take care of yourself... and him," he finally grumbled.
She sighed and looked away.
"You do not approve of him?"
He shrugged.
"You do not need me to approve of him. I remember fighting him, and all the bad he is responsible for."
She heavily sighed and stared at his paws.
"And so does he. He regrets much, but you and I both know that we are not only our pasts, true?"
"You did not kill many humans, did you?" he countered.
Hiccup frowned.
"Well, bro, you were rather... destructive on the raids, not that I'm blaming you."
Toothless winced, remembering the attacks from long ago in what was like another life, let alone another world.
"I know, but I did not enjoy doing that. Also, you and I spoke with survivors who lost kin to the Mordor dragons."
Hiccup slowly nodded.
"Sure, how could we forget? But it's best to judge others on how they are, not how they were before. As long as we're sure he has changed, anyway."
Jumps-At-Fire nodded.
"I believe he has, and, speaking truthfully, I know him better than either of you do," she firmly said.
Toothless blinked, surprised that she was so confident and assertive. But that was good for her.
"True, you do. I wish you both warm flights."
She purred.
"Thank you, Burning-Star. I also wish you and Moonbeam warm flights as a new sire and dam. I will be sure to tell you and Hiccup what the island is like."
Hiccup smiled.
"Great! Can't wait to hear from you, however long that takes."
Hiccup carefully inspected the passage deep in the Glittering Caves. This narrow, twisting path that came from higher up in the mountains was the only known path into the Caves, other than the main entrance at Helm's Deep. While there was always a Fury gliding above the mountains and keeping a watch on the lands west of the mountains, this one pass was a potential vulnerability. Destroying the path by collapsing the cave on the far side, otherwise sealing it up, or rendering the path impassable was necessary now that the Caves were a more permanent home for the pack.
He settled on the best option being collapsing the path outside the Caves themselves while leaving the pass open to the air. The only path on foot was along a narrow ledge high in the mountains, and that ledge could easily be destroyed. Doing that would help keep circulation by letting the wind flow throughout the Caves while also making that path no longer a potential threat.
He returned to Toothless and woke him from his nap.
"I'm done. We can head back to the Alphas."
"Alright, what did you decide?"
"The path should stay open, but we can collapse the ledge outside. I don't think anyone will be able to sneak inside on the ground from that way."
"Good idea. It will also be good to have another way we could sneak out."
That was another good point. Having a secondary exit in case Helm's Deep were under another siege was prudent. There were other, smaller paths through which water flowed as it melted higher in the mountains, but those paths were too small for anyone, human or dragon, to use.
"True. Let's go."
They started on foot back through the winding passage until the path widened into a massive chamber filled with stalagmites, stalactites, and a small stream. There were smaller side-caves which made for perfect places for a pair to claim as their own home, which several of the pairs had done. Starlight and Wind-Biter, both pairs rescued from Minas Morgul, Flame-In-The-Night and Snowfall, and all their respective children had their own homes within the Caves. Bagronk, now Cloud-Swimmer, stayed with the two pairs he knew best. Lastly, Dreamcatcher also had her own place, though her situation hadn't improved much. She still didn't understand what had happened and hadn't shown any signs of remembering herself, though her condition hadn't gotten worse.
Toothless flew him through the Caves until they arrived near the main entrance. The Alphas had made their home very near to the front door, so to speak, so they could be the first to greet any visitors, such as messengers from Edoras.
They arrived at the ledge, but no one was there. Toothless glided down to the stream beside which Sun-Spark was watching a couple cubs splashing in the water.
"Welcome, Sun-Spark. Do you know where the Alphas are?" Toothless asked her.
"Welcome, Burning-Star. They flew to the mountains above to meet Jumps-At-Fire and Dark-Fire," Sun-Spark answered.
Hiccup started and glanced at Toothless in surprise. Nearly two months had passed since the two Furies had flown off on their own to find that hidden island. He was not truly afraid for their safety, but he had been wondering what had happened to them.
"We will fly to them."
Toothless left her, flew out the Caves' main entrance, passed over Helm's Deep, and ascended higher up the mountains.
"They're finally back!" Hiccup shouted.
"Yes! Only two moon-cycles after they flew! I was almost worried for them!" Toothless roared back.
"Really?"
"And I want to know what that place is like!"
"So do I."
They arrived at a ledge high above where the pack had rested before joining the defense at Helm's Deep. Oddly, only Snowfall and Jumps-At-Fire were visible, facing each other and speaking. Toothless dove in and landed beside them. Hiccup hopped down to stand at his shoulder.
"Burning-Star, Hiccup, warm flights," Snowfall greeted them with a purr.
"Warm flights, Snowfall, Jumps-At-Fire. We came to hear about the island," Toothless said.
Jumps-At-Fire huffed.
"I told Snowfall already, but I can tell you what we saw. The island is very big and green with many forests and wild prey-animals. Clouds and mist fly over much of the island. There are also many mountains. The entire island is like a mountain."
Hiccup shrugged.
"There might be a reason for that. Anyway, what about the coast? Is it like Tolfalas?"
She shook her head.
"No. There are more cliffs and only few places where boats could go. It would be very hard for humans to climb up to get to us. The waters around the island have much fish."
"Good to hear. Anyone plan on going there?" Hiccup asked Snowfall.
She hummed in thought before answering.
"The dark wings we rescued are still not as warm to the Rohan humans as the rest of the pack. They might want to go there if others also go. I would need to talk to my mate before we would suggest that for the pack."
"Where is he?" Toothless asked, not seeing either Dark-Fire or Flame-In-The-Night.
"He is speaking with his brother," Snowfall curtly answered.
Jumps-At-Fire stared into the distance, though she looked like she wanted to say something.
Snowfall huffed, stepped aside, and stretched her wings.
"I will go check on them."
She flew off, leaving them alone. Jumps-At-Fire glanced between them before staring off into the distance again.
"So, I guess you want to hear more, true?" she asked.
"Only if you want to talk. You do not need to if you do not want to talk," Toothless answered.
She sighed, lay down, and curled her tail under her chin.
"No, it is fair for you both to know. Our flight to the island was easy. We spoke more about our life-flights and our pasts. I told him what my sire did by leaving and what my dam taught me. He was made angry by what they did. His own sire and dam were..."
She paused before continuing.
"I probably should not say, but I trust you both to not speak of it. He and Flame-In-The-Night are not true blood brothers."
"What?" "What?"
"His dam was force-mated and got a cub from it, but Flame-In-The-Night's sire accepted the cub and named the cub his own. They were raised as true brothers. Dark-Fire learned that he was a little different from his adopted-sire, so they told him the truth. He secretly hated himself for being sired as he was, but he also loved his adopted-sire for accepting him. That is why he needed revenge after humans killed his adopted-sire."
Hiccup frowned, leaning against Toothless's shoulder.
What she told them about Dark-Fire's past certainly explained so much of his motivation and reason for hating. If only Dark-Fire had limited his anger and desire for revenge to the humans who deserved it, there was no way to know how much better his life would have been.
"He truly told you all of that?" Toothless asked, visibly surprised.
She huffed.
"He did, even though it hurt him to say much of it. I told him what he needed to hear."
"So, did anything change between you and him?" Toothless asked after a pause.
"Yes. We are a pair now, though we are not trying to get a cub. Not yet. He and Flame-In-The-Night are talking about us."
Toothless glanced to Hiccup, and Hiccup shrugged. This conversation was one for Toothless to lead since it involved him far more.
Toothless sighed and faced her again.
"I am... glad to hear it. He must trust you much if he wants you to be his mate and told you about his past."
She purred softly.
"I hope he does."
"What do you and he want to do now?"
"We will find a ledge or cave to make our own. He also wants to fly more into new ranges. You know that I like ranging far, so I would fly with him."
"Any reason why he wants to fly far from the pack?"
She grumbled.
"He still has problems with humans, though no hate anymore, and some twisted thoughts he needs help with. He also does not like needing to obey his brother as a pack-Alpha. I suggested that we could fly together to learn more about the ranges of this world. We would always fly back here to the pack."
Hiccup nodded.
"That could work. I can show you some places you might go and other places to avoid."
"That would help us much. Thank you. How are you and your kin doing?"
Toothless yawned.
"We are well. Morning-Star always wants to play and wanders too much. My sire, dam, cub-sister, and brother are well."
"Good to hear. What about you?" she asked Hiccup.
"Adney and I are doing well. She's taught me more horseback riding, and I've helped her learn a few tricks in the forge. We're very happy."
"I am glad to hear that. We were wondering how..." she paused and glanced aside.
Flame-In-The-Night, Dark-Fire, and Snowfall dove in and swiftly landed beside them. Flame-In-The-Night wasted no time as he approached. Dark-Fire similarly strode to Jumps-At-Fire.
"Hiccup, Burning-Star, we want to speak to Jumps-At-Fire on our own," Flame-In-The-Night brusquely said.
Toothless got to his paws and waited as Hiccup got on him.
"We want to talk to you about the island, but we will wait in the Caves," Hiccup offered.
Flame-In-The-Night sharply nodded once and then faced Jumps-At-Fire and Dark-Fire, both of whom were standing together.
Toothless jumped from the ledge and slowly glided down toward Helm's Deep and the Caves. Neither of them said anything during the brief glide. They dove through the main entrance and landed on the Alphas' ledge to wait for them.
Hiccup jumped down and started pacing.
"So, they seem to be doing better."
"They are. She must see something in him if she decided on him. I will not judge him. Their life-flights are their own to live as they want."
"Any thoughts about the island?"
He grumbled, his tail tapping on the rock as he thought about what she had described.
"It sounds like a good island. Having higher cliffs would make it safer if any dangerous humans were to find it. There being good fishing helps."
"Not only that, but there aren't many people who know about it. I still wonder if anyone will want to go there."
"We can ask the Alphas once they are back."
They visited Wind-Biter, Tail-Hunter, and Storm-Chaser, and got to play with the cubs to pass the time. Spending time with them also helped as a way to check in on how well Tail-Hunter was doing. As far as they could tell, she was doing well. She and Storm-Chaser teased each other and tussled as siblings should.
However, Hiccup noticed that she was still warier and slightly less outgoing than she had been before.
He approached Wind-Biter as she watched Toothless playing with the two cubs.
"Wind-Biter, may I ask you a question?" he whispered.
"Yes, of course you may."
He led her a short distance away so there was no chance they would be overheard.
"I just wanted to know how Tail-Hunter is doing. She looks happy."
Wind-Biter grumbled and looked down to her paws.
"We found out that she was secretly going to Dreamcatcher, who did not know her. We treat her as our own daughter, but she remembers her first dam. It does not help that Dreamcatcher lives here in the Caves, and that Tail-Hunter can see her almost every day."
"Would you want to go somewhere else?"
She grumbled, her ears flattened to her head.
"No, I and Starlight only want to be with the pack. We are all safest in numbers."
"I agree."
They returned to Toothless and the children, and he joined in on the play. Finally, both Alphas returned and flew to them while Jumps-At-Fire and Dark-Fire flew overhead deeper into the Caves.
Snowfall looked amused while Flame-In-The-Night looked tired or maybe frustrated.
"Burning-Star, Hiccup, you wanted to speak to us," Snowfall said.
Toothless nodded.
"Yes, Alphas. We wanted to hear your thoughts on that island Jumps-At-Fire and Dark-Fire flew to."
"Our thoughts? What do you truly want to know?" Snowfall chuckled.
Hiccup shrugged.
"From what you heard about the island, do you think anyone from the pack should go there?"
Flame-In-The-Night grumbled.
"We do not want to split the pack or push any pair to leave. It is good that we could go there if we are in too much danger here, but we are not. We think it is best to stay here in the Caves and help with the fishing."
Snowfall nodded.
"Even the new pairs want to stay here. We have asked them if they wanted to leave and go off on their own. They want to stay wherever the pack is ranging."
Hiccup was very pleased to hear that news. Having that hidden island as a possible place of refuge was like a backup plan. However, it was certain to be unnecessary. Between the Caves being impassable other than by the main entrance, and given that any enemy would need to pass over the plains of Rohan just to find Helm's Deep, the pack's current home was certain to be all the refuge the pack would ever need.