Settling In
Haerfara looked as wrinkled as Gothi, and she had to be just as old also. That made her an elder, as far as Hiccup was concerned. She wore a plain brown tunic, and had a hunch, long white hair, and very thin arms. She also had wisdom in her eyes, despite being someone who spoke little and had apparently lived a simple life.
She was staring at him in clear surprise after having been given instructions from her Lady Eowyn.
"Young man, you want to learn that?"
Hiccup bit his lips and shuffled in place, not meeting her eyes for a while.
"I'll be honest, elder, it is very strange and awkward, but I need to do this for them. I made them a promise. If I may ask, what do you think of the dragons?"
She shrugged and waved a wrinkled hand at nothing specific.
"The dragons? They fought for us and are peaceful so far. What more do I need to know?"
Practical. I like it.
"Yeah, they told me that sometimes their women, well, their mothers, can have... problems in birth. I told them that humans have the same problem, but you have people who know about that and... can help. They want me to help with that because they trust me."
"I see. Do you know anything about it?"
"No, I don't."
"And I am to teach you?"
"Yes..."
"The female is not here now."
"True..."
"How long do we have until it is her time?"
"I'm not sure. A few days or weeks."
Haerfara crossed her arms and scowled.
"Fine. I will show you what I can, but I need to be there when it is time. No chance you are doing this alone."
He thought that was very reasonable; he wouldn't want to be alone for that the first time. Hunts-In-Deep-Waters and Lightning certainly wouldn't mind after he vouched for Haerfara. Still, her willingness to help with this was very welcome and surprising.
"Thanks for that. You don't mind helping them out?"
"This is what I know. If they kill me, so what? I've lived a full life."
"Alright, I can convince them it's for the best. And you don't need to worry about that. They're not dangerous... well, not unless they need to be."
Haerfara rolled her eyes.
"I'm going to teach a young man how to be a midwife for dragons. And I thought I'd done everything in life..."
"Yes, it's kind of crazy."
Then she grabbed a crutch, beckoned to him, strolled outside, and turned for some distant buildings.
"Come on, young man!"
He ran after her, surprised at how hale she still was and how quickly she got around. Though now that he thought about it, he had noticed that even the elderly among Rohan were very capable of getting around in their old age. Maybe it had to do with how much work they did through life and how much they lived with the land. Maybe they were just a tough, stubborn people.
In many ways, they reminded him of the good parts of Berk.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"The stables. We have a couple mares heavy with foals."
"Great..."
She put a wrinkled hand on his shoulder and smiled a kind, toothless smile which almost made him jump in alarm.
"Don't you worry, young man. I've taught dozens of lasses and helped bring a hundred babes into the world. I know what I'm doing."
"Wonderful. Can't wait to learn."
What have I gotten myself into?
Hiccup was away, learning something that would help him with Lightning and her cub-birthing. Having nothing better to do, Toothless was resting with his family. He, his sire, and his brother were curled up together on a large rock on the slope below the Golden-Hall-den. The rock had been eating up the sun's warmth all day, which made it a very good place to sleep.
Moonbeam flew back from the mountains and briefly spoke with him. She had seen something strange, a couple humans, up in the mountains. But she had also added that the being away from the pack was not pleasant, so she was willing to rest here with everyone else. That was good of her and was a very small step toward her making progress with being able to trust humans.
Just before sunfall, he heard a very familiar roar.
He jumped to his paws and roared aloud to answer the call as his dam dove for them. His sire and brother similarly jumped to their paws. She landed by the large rock and then jumped up onto it next to them.
"Dam..." "Dam..."
"Burning-Star, Breath-Of-Sky..." she nuzzled both of their noses before laying down at Far-Flight's side.
"How was the flight, my love?" Far-Flight purred.
"Fast and tiring. The wind was at our tails," she glanced up at the other two circling Furies high above, "and Lightning wants rest now. Burning-Star, does Hiccup have a den for them?"
"Yes, I know where it is," he answered, remembering Hiccup showing him to the barn-den that was prepared for the pair.
It was a simple barn-den with new straw to sit on, but that and privacy were all the pair would need.
"I will go find Hiccup!" Breath-Of-Sky cried and jumped for the sky, swiftly vanishing over the rock and above Edoras.
"Do you need rest, my mate?" Far-Flight asked.
"Yes," she purred and looked off toward the mountains, "but not here. I want to play in the snow."
"Then we will. I also need to tell you something important that Hiccup told me."
"What is it?" she asked.
Far-Flight paused and grumbled after looking around. Several other packmates were close enough that they might overhear anything he said, which was probably a secret.
"Not now. Burning-Star, will you watch your brother if we are not back at sunfall?"
"I will," he nodded.
His sire and dam then jumped from the rocks and glided away from the hill, flying low above the swaying golden grass and away toward the distant mountains.
He watched them as they peacefully flew wingtip to wingtip.
Why would they not be back at sunfall? Well, it was a long flight for her.
With none of his family there anymore, he jumped down from the rock and scrambled up the hill into Edoras. It was still hard for him to believe that everything was going well for everyone. The only problem so far among the packmates was the grumbling about when more food would be here.
Are there any waters with fish? It would be good to have fish also and not only four-legs.
That problem would likely be answered as everyone settled down into the routine and found work or hunting to do. Hiccup had previously mentioned that the making of duties and work for the pack would happen after Theoden and everyone else returned to Edoras. There was not much to do until then.
He saw Hiccup and Breath-Of-Sky running toward him.
"How did the learning go?"
"Well, I learned what... position the cub should be in, and also what must be done... but let's not talk about that. Is Sky-Dancer back?"
"She was, but my sire and dam both flew off to the mountains. They want some rest after her long flight."
Hiccup very slowly nodded, as if he was falling asleep where he stood.
"Right... well, we should go to Lightning and show her the barn."
"Want me to do it?" Breath-Of-Sky eagerly asked.
"Please. Have her and Hunts-In-Deep-Waters fly to us. We'll go to her new den."
Toothless interrupted him, having another idea.
"Actually, just bring them to Hiccup. I will bring Wings-Of-Ice; he will want to see his sister again."
"Good idea, bud!" Hiccup agreed.
Lightning strolled inside the empty barn, slowly spun once to inspect it, and then collapsed in the straw, hiding her head under her tailfins. She was asleep in seconds.
"Okay, that was fast," Hiccup whispered.
Hunts-In-Deep-Waters nudged him in the back and beckoned him outside the barn.
"She is very tired. The cub has been kicking much on the flight. We think it wants out."
He gave the Fury a scratch behind the ears, much to his purring approval.
"Don't you two worry about the cub. I and another old woman will help with it, as I promised."
"We know you will. Who is the old one?"
"Her name is Haerfara. She knows a lot about birthing cubs, has helped others learn, and will teach me. She also wants to be there for your cub, if you will allow it. I suggest she should be there."
Hunts-In-Deep-Waters chuffed.
"If you trust her then we will trust her. This cave-den will be ours only; no other humans will go in it. True?"
"Yes, it is yours only for as long as you two need it. All the humans have been told to not bother you."
Hunts-In-Deep-Waters huffed happily.
"Good. Being away from the pack is twisting to us, but it is good when the cub comes out."
"Why is that?"
"Dams sometimes bite at others when they are hurting and with new cubs they want to protect."
Hiccup stepped back from him in alarm at this sudden news.
"Hold on. No one told me about that!"
"Yes, they do not try to hurt any others, but they might snap if, in their twisted-hurting-thinking, they see others near the cub."
"But I could really get hurt if she... bites me."
Hunts-In-Deep-Waters blinked and gave a wary grumble.
"True..."
"She wouldn't try to bite me, would she?"
"No. No... Maybe. But I would stop that. I will be there for her and the cub also."
"That... very reassuring..."
Oh gods, so now I have to help with birthing a cub and hopefully not lose a limb in the process. Great! And I thought the danger was over after the fighting.
He sighed and slumped.
Occupational hazard...
"Anyway, Burning-Star said he'd bring Wings-Of-Ice up here soon to see her."
"Good. He can tell us what happened in the fighting and since then. Sky-Dancer told us some, but she does not know anything after she flew to us after the fighting."
He nodded.
"Just so you hear it now, only Snowflame and Starlight were hurt. Snowflame is... grounded for now, but her wings will heal again. No one else was hurt, and nothing bad has happened here. We can have the Alphas come talk to you tomorrow."
Then he heard the sound of diving wings as Wings-Of-Ice glided in. Toothless similarly approached on the ground after having led the other Fury here.
Whether they were going to wake her up so she could meet her brother was uncertain and not really his business anyway. His job was done there.
"Bud, it's time to turn in."
"Want to sleep under the stars?" Toothless asked.
"I have been for months so why stop now?"
Toothless shrugged, and they continued on down the slope through the dark. The moon shed its bright light on the surrounding plains as it crept from behind the flowing clouds.
Several softly purring voices greeted them as they passed by the outcroppings of rock. Wide, glowing eyes of various colors followed them.
Hiccup climbed up on the family's rock, took out his Elven cloak, and wrapped himself with it under Toothless's wing. Breath-Of-Sky lay at Toothless's back on the other side of the rock.
"Where are they?" Toothless grumbled.
"Your parents?" Hiccup whispered.
"Yes. They said they might not be back."
"Yeah, they might be... busy."
"Why?" Breath-Of-Sky rumbled.
Toothless grumbled in confusion of his own, so Hiccup tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention.
"Who knows?"
Then he whispered in Toothless's ear.
"They are flying together to... make another cub..."
Toothless's eyes went very wide, and his jaw fell open. Hiccup silently nodded.
"Oh, they will be back here when they are... rested," Toothless then said aloud for Breath-Of-Sky to hear.
"They could do it here," Breath-Of-Sky mumbled.
Hiccup and Toothless rolled their eyes and snorted.
"Nah..." Hiccup groaned.
"No..." Toothless huffed.
"Whatever..." Breath-Of-Sky said.
Everything settled down after that. Breath-Of-Sky started snoring after he fell asleep.
Hiccup took the opportunity to look around at the entire pack resting closely together on the slope. Each family naturally claimed their own rock to sleep on.
It was so good, the peace and growing trust. However, not much had happened yet between them and the people of Rohan. Excluding the brief meetings while traveling or the interactions which Toothless and Breath-Of-Sky helped with, the peace between the groups was more like just sharing space and seeing each other from a distance so far. That would eventually change after specific work could be decided on. There were plenty of opportunities for the Furies to help out by doing things like guarding borders, helping raid any remaining groups of Uruks, helping the shepherds, and other possible labor.
There was certainly no chance that anything like this could have happened back on the Berk he knew. It would have taken so much before they would have...
Purple eyes darted away from him and vanished, leaving only a shape on a far rock.
He started in surprise that she had been staring their way. How could it have been anyone else?
"I didn't know Moonbeam was back here."
"Yes," Toothless whispered, "she flew back before sunfall. She said she found a good place up in the mountains."
"Good for her. Why is she back here then?"
"She wanted to be close to the pack. She also said she saw a couple humans living up in a den in the mountains."
"That's strange. What are they doing up there?"
"Why knows?"
"We could fly out there and find out. But... it's not important. Probably guards or something like that."
Toothless looked out over the plain and then sighed.
"Do you think..." Toothless paused.
"Uh, yeah, I can think."
"Useless human. No, nevermind. She would not want that."
"Want what? Talk to me."
"I was wondering if you would help me fly a sky dance with her, but she would not want that."
Hiccup grimaced at that mere thought of having to help Toothless do that.
"What about, I don't know, on the ground like you did with Jumps..." he whispered.
They both glanced across the pack to where Jumps-At-Fire was resting, as usual on the edge of the pack. She had been talking more with others in the pack and had not sought out any places far off in the mountains. Even so, Hiccup thought she was not being as sociable as she could be.
Toothless wearily sighed.
"Maybe for a pair that already is, but not for one that is not yet. Moonbeam would not want that."
"She was watching you just a few minutes ago, bud."
"What?"
"Well, I'm sure it was either her or Mystery, and Mystery is not that big."
Toothless said nothing and curled his tailfin over his head, ending the conversation as a calm silence followed.
Hiccup sought out Jumps-At-Fire first thing in the morning. It was not hard to find her since she rested on the edge of the pack.
This would be the first time that he and she had truly spoken after he learned the truth about what had been happening between her and Toothless. Even now it was awkward to think about them... being with each other and... doing that...
But he also understood, from what Toothless had told him, that she had been hurt by betrayals and bad luck in the past. Those betrayals had made it very difficult, if not impossible, for her to trust Toothless or any male Fury.
And then there was the situation between her and Toothless, specifically that he and she were not seeing each other anymore. It was a very messed up situation, especially since Toothless was interested in Moonbeam now.
He approached her, and she lifted her head from her paws when she saw him.
"Good morning, Jumps-At-Fire!"
"Same to you, Hiccup."
"How are you?"
"The same as the rest of the pack. Sleeping much now," she answered and yawned.
"Nice to hear. We deserve it after everything that's happened. What do you think of this place?"
She lay her head on her paws and looked out over the golden plain.
"The humans do not want to hurt us, but they are not as warm as you are."
He sat down before her.
"That's because they don't really know us yet. They will. Their King, their Alpha, approves of us."
Her ears fell slightly.
"Do you think... do you think I should get a human friend?" she asked.
"Why do you ask?" he wondered, surprised that she suddenly asked about that.
"Because... Burning-Star suggested that I... get to know them."
He remembered that detail from when Toothless explained everything to him. Toothless had told her that she should think about getting to know humans. Having a human friend, or at least just getting to know them better, might help her learn to trust other people without... natural distractions.
She also did not know that he knew everything about what had been happening between her and Toothless.
"If you want to, you can. I don't think the pack will be going anywhere soon, so it might be good to get to know people here."
"Would I have to carry them like you do with Burning-Star?" she asked.
Why was she asking about that?
"It'd probably be good to. Flying together helps to build trust, but you shouldn't think you must do that for them. It's also different for me and him... because he needs me... to help him."
Then he realized that there was something he hadn't asked her about. Toothless had shared with him one key detail about her life; specifically, the loss of her first mate. The difficulty was in bringing this up without making it clear that he knew the answer beforehand.
"Have humans hurt you before?"
She blinked and looked away.
"Not me directly. Humans did... kill someone I knew once, but I do not hate all humans for that."
"Why not?"
"Because you did not do that. Only the ones that... trapped him did it."
"It's good to not be angry because of the past. Trusting others is the same."
"What do you mean?"
He chose his words carefully to keep them general enough that they could be unspecific life advice but also were specific to what was bothering her.
"I mean it can feel safe to be on one's own and not trust others. I should know about that."
"Why?"
"Because I was alone in my old pack. That's probably why I took up working in the forge; it was an activity I could do on my own without needing others. No one else back there appreciated me enough or could accept me for who I was."
"That is good to not need others. It is not safe to need them," she huffed.
"Maybe so, but safe means that you aren't changing. Was it safe when you flew for the first time?"
"I do not remember. Why does flying matter?"
"Because when you flew the first time you might have fallen, but you took the risk. It's similar when you try to get to know someone. They might lie or trick you or have problems, but they might not. It depends if you think most people are good or bad."
She considered all this.
"It is dangerous to trust. Flying is different because with that I can control it and be responsible on my own."
He thought it was a fair concern of hers. Being in control of her own life was understandable and a concern that he could relate to. Still, her suspicion was an obstacle in her life. That inability to trust was holding her back from her potential.
It was also not his or Toothless's job to try to change her. All they could or should do was show her another way, a better way. Anything after that was her responsibility to do.
Speaking of responsibility...
"I understand. Want to help the pack?"
"How?" she asked.
"We've been promised some cattle every week, but we might want some fish or other prey. I can show you where the rivers are, and you could go see if they have any fish in them."
Her ears lifted as she purred, clearly liking the idea.
It was both a practical request, since he did want to know if the named rivers had any good fishing available, and an impractical one in that this task gave her something productive to do rather than sit around. Maybe having some responsibility was part of what she needed to feel like she was being treated fairly and trusted.
"Yes, I can do that... for the pack."
He smiled.
"Great, follow me. I'll show you a map."
Hiccup and Toothless were peacefully gliding above Edoras to keep watch on everything below and to have some time to themselves. Not much had happened over the last couple days.
Their packmates rested a lot after the flying, battle, more flying, and settling in on the slopes of Edoras. No one begrudged them an afternoon doze on the sun-warmed rocks. Further, the Furies were slightly more active at night, which they could more easily do now in this warmer climate in which warmth was not as important for survival.
Hiccup had arranged to have one of the troughs regularly filled with well-water for any of the Furies who wanted a drink. It was either that or they find one of the streams near the mountains or out on the plain. Best, in his opinion, would be to modify one of the wells so that the Furies could draw water entirely on their own, maybe with a paw-powered pedal. That was one more project to add to his list.
"Look!" Toothless then shouted, breaking his thoughts..
"Woah, what is it bud?"
"Over there!"
Hiccup looked to the northwest horizon and saw what could only be a group of horses galloping toward Edoras.
"Yeah, I see them. What about them?"
"One of them is Gandalf!"
Toothless could probably see much better than he could.
"Good! Let's go see them!"
Toothless raced ahead across the plain toward the approaching horses. Sure enough, Hiccup saw that the group was led by a white rider on a white horse, though any further details were too difficult for him to make out from a distance. But there was no doubt who was leading this group.
"Yep! That's them!" Hiccup agreed.
"And Merry and Pippin!" Toothless joyfully roared.
"If you say so, bud! We should probably let everyone at Edoras know they're coming!"
"Good idea!"
Toothless spun around and raced back to Edoras with this good news.
"So, the Hobbits met friendly, walking trees in Fangorn, convinced the tree-Ent things to go to war against the bad Wizard, led an attack on Isengard, Saruman's city, and the trees released a river to flood the city? Did I hear all that correctly?" Hiccup repeated.
"That is an accurate assessment of what transpired," Gandalf agreed.
Hiccup shrugged.
"I'm not surprised by anything anymore. Loki could stop in for tea next Thorsday for all I know..."
Gandalf smirked and patted him on the shoulder.
"And I see from the lack of fire or shouting that the Furies have been peacefully settling in here," Gandalf said.
Toothless purred softly and stepped closer.
"Mostly. We are not going to live in the stable-dens or house-dens though. Hiccup has an idea for something better!"
"Better?" Gandalf's eyebrows lifted.
"Yes, I realized that..."
Hiccup was about to explain his plan when two more figures approached from behind the horde of Rohirrim riders. These new people were wearing Lorien cloaks and had in their mouths pipes emitting clouds of smoke.
"Hiccup!" "Toothless!"
Merry and Pippin ran forward without any hesitation, hugging Hiccup first and Toothless second. Hiccup messed up their hair, and Toothless put a forearm around their backs in hugs while purring to them.
But Hiccup realized something was strange or different about both of the Hobbits.
"Hold on, are you both taller?"
"Maybe you're just shorter," Pippin countered.
"You would know, Pip," Merry added.
"Hey, everyone knows that I'm the tall one!"
"Are not!"
Pippin smiled.
"Don't listen to him, Hiccup! Treebeard gave us some Ent-draught to drink. That helped us grow a few inches, but it didn't help Merry as it did me!"
"Pippin!"
"Just think of it, Peregrin Took, tallest Hobbit ever! Going to outdo even old Bullroarer, that's my new life goal!"
"When did you start having life goals?" Merry exclaimed.
"Hold on, both of you," Hiccup stepped back, "you drank... magic water and you got bigger?"
"Pretty much, yeah!" "That sums it up!"
If only Berk had that magic water for me. Maybe I should go to Fangorn and see if they will let me have some.
"Anyway, this place here is amazing!" Pippin looked around.
"Gandalf said that you and Toothless found more Night Furies and that they'd be here. Are they?" Merry asked.
Toothless lifted his head and roared a cry of summons which was answered seconds later as three pairs of wings lifted into the sky.
Far-Flight, Sky-Dancer, and Breath-Of-Sky touched down behind them and bounded up to their side.
Merry and Pippin's eyes were wide in awe.
"I don't believe it!" "It can't be!"
Hiccup gestured first to the Furies and then to the Hobbits.
"These are Toothless's parents and his little brother. These are two of the Hobbits who were some of the first friends we made here and who let us live in peace with them."
Breath-Of-Sky hopped over to Merry and Pippin and nuzzled them while Far-Flight and Sky-Dancer inclined their heads.
"How many of you are there?" Merry asked while scratching Breath-Of-Sky's neck.
"Twenty-three and one more very soon," Hiccup explained.
"Amazing!" "Wow!"
"You are small humans!" Breath-Of-Sky hummed.
"Well, Merry is small, sure..." Pippin smirked.
"Pippin!"
"And we aren't humans at all. We're Hobbits."
Motion broke up the happy greeting as King Theoden approached at the head of his warriors and advisers. Hiccup went over to greet him.
"Well met, Master Haddock, I see that all is well with the dragons here," Theoden greeted him.
"Yes sir, I need to talk to you about that. They aren't going to take stables or the empty homes."
"No? What will they do?"
"They live in a pack, so splitting them up doesn't work that well. For now they are going to be staying on the slope below your Golden Hall. Being outside is normal for them. With your permission I would like to build a new great hall. I understand that it would be a lot of work."
"A great hall?"
"Yes sir, they could rest in it together as a pack, and it would be theirs. I will do all the planning with them."
Theoden considered it.
"I would not object to it. We can speak more later about provisions and the timing of such an endeavor. How are the wounded ones?"
"They are getting better. Snowflame's wings look like they're going to heal well."
Theoden visibly relaxed in relief.
"I am glad to hear it."
Theoden and his company then continued on toward the Golden Hall, leaving behind only the members of the Fellowship.
Breath-Of-Sky had moved on from the Hobbits and was being scratched behind the ears by Legolas. Even Gimli was smiling at the young Fury.
Hiccup was very curious what had happened while they were gone.
"What else happened at Isengard?"
Gandalf stepped away from the rest of the group and beckoned Hiccup and Toothless over to where they could speak freely.
"What happened at Isengard, other than finding out that the Ents had destroyed everything there except Orthanc? We spoke to Saruman, though he rejected our offer of reconciliation."
"What happened to him? He was a Wizard like you. How could he go bad?" Hiccup wondered.
Gandalf's gaze darkened for a moment, as though he was troubled.
"Yes, he was the greatest of the Istari. His studies, originally noble in purpose, led him perilously close to the way of the Enemy. He studied Ring-lore and gained greater knowledge of how the world works and the ways he can turn the world to his purpose. Saruman believed that it is only great power that can hold evil at bay, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the everyday deeds, small acts of kindness and love, of ordinary folk that keep back the darkness. Perhaps that is why I always appreciated Hobbits more than Saruman could. I saw in them a strength that he never did."
"And that is why Frodo is best for the task," Toothless observed.
"Indeed. Bilbo bore the Ring for sixty years and showed few outward signs of its influence all that time until the end. Saruman came to crave the Ring for himself. He was truly smarter than I am, but he lacked wisdom and prudence. Knowing how to do something is not at all the same as knowing if one should do something. He used an ancient relic that he should have known not to use. In his pride that he could control the One, he used a... device that let him look far away. But he was seen by Sauron and fell to the temptation to be like him, even to the point of pledging service to his cause with the intention of claiming the Ring for himself."
Gandalf idly patted a heavy bag slung around his shoulder.
"But he has no power now, save for his voice. I broke his staff and cast him from the Order. He is locked in Orthanc within Isengard, and he will stay there until the war is over."
Gandalf then turned to Toothless.
"He said some very cruel things about your kind, Toothless."
"Did he? What did he say?" Toothless growled.
"He said that allying with dragons made a mockery of the House of Eorl and that Theoden was a traitor to mankind. He also insisted that the dragons were always destined to serve the Enemy and would turn on humans at the stroke of doom."
"What does he mean by that?" Toothless asked.
"I do not know. Theoden answered that the only traitor was Saruman for turning on a peaceful people who trusted him and never wronged him. He added that dragons who would risk their lives to fight for what is right will always be welcome to him and among his people."
Toothless growled in pleasure and approval.
"Theoden is a good Alpha-king!"
"I agree," Gandalf added with a nod.
"So," Hiccup smiled, "one servant of the Enemy is gone and Rohan was saved. What happens next?"
"That is for me to think about. It all depends on what the Enemy's next move is. Where will he strike, and where should I be on the board?"
Hiccup wondered whether Middle-earth had anything like maces and talons.
Maybe I can invent that game if they don't have it here.
"What about the Furies? They are happy here for now, and they are lucky that they didn't lose anyone at Helm's Deep," he asked.
They looked off toward the slope below the Golden Hall; several Furies were resting down below in the afternoon sun.
Gandalf looked uncertain for a moment.
"They must understand the need to fight, even if only for their own sake. But at the same time they are still few, and the loss of any one of them would be grievous indeed. As I told you both before, you are free powers in this world. Neither I nor Theoden can order the pack to obey. We will be sure that you know before the great battle of our time, wherever it happens."
"I don't know. That battle against the Uruks was a big one. There had to be ten thousand of them. How could it get worse than that?" Hiccup nervously chuckled.
"Sauron has hundreds of thousands at his disposal: Men, Orcs, Trolls, Fellbeasts, and others besides."
Hiccup's jaw worked without making any words. Not many people among the Vikings could comprehend numbers larger than what could be counted on two hands. He could, but these numbers, hundreds of thousands, were so massive that even he struggled to believe it.
"I... can't even imagine an army that big..." he finally mumbled.
Gandalf nodded and leaned on his staff, his white robes flowing in the wind.
"I pray that you never need to see one. But worry not for now! Tonight there is a grand feast up at the Golden Hall and throughout the city. I suggest that you bring some of the Furies along to join the party."
"Really? We would be welcome to the... party?" Toothless exclaimed.
"Of course. Theoden insisted that at least the two Alphas be present. There is something he wants to do with them. It may be because of you and your kin that Helm's Deep stood at all. There are hundreds of Men and Elves who live because of you all. And," Gandalf chuckled, "very little can do more to help bring two people together in peace than to share food and drink together at the same table, so to speak."
Hiccup snorted at the thought.
"Dragons eating from a table and drinking ale from a mug, yeah, that's probably not happening. Say, bud, how much you do have to drink before you get drunk?" he chuckled and nudged Toothless's shoulder.
"Drunk? Is that the twisted-talking and falling down you do after you drink too much happy-water-beer and ale?" Toothless asked.
"That was a contest, and I won!"
"Yes, you defended your status, and that was good. But you marked my den afterwards!"
"Huh?"
Toothless forcefully nudged him with a paw.
"You relieved yourself of waste-water in my den!"
Hiccup's eyes went very wide as his cheeks turned bright red.
"Did not!"
"Does being drunk make you forget also?"
"Well, it can, yeah, but... I didn't... gods... I didn't do that, did I?"
"Yes, you did."
Gandalf burst out in laughter and had to lean on his staff.
"My apologies, watching you two together has become a great joy of mine."
Staring out into the night at the black shapes and shining eyes, Hiccup went over the list one more time, just to be sure they did not forget.
"Remember, this is a bonding ceremony! They will remember those of their pack who died in the fighting. Then there will be lots of eating, drinking, and storytelling."
"What should we do?" Snowfall asked.
"Just be there. Talk to the humans who will talk to you. No sharing food from your bellies. Tell stories and listen to stories. Cubs!"
"Me!" "Me!" "I am here!" "Food!"
"Be cubs!" he instructed them.
They warbled in confusion at the obvious and easy task.
"And remember that if you see any weapons, they are not there to be used against us. The human Alpha will tell all of his pack that we are a peaceful pack that wants to be at peace with them. Are you all ready?"
"We are!" Flame-In-The-Night exclaimed.
What had to be almost everyone in the entire pack got to their paws and then followed Hiccup up the slope into Edoras proper.
It was well after sunfall, but there were so many torches lit that it could have been late in the afternoon. Bonfires had been lit with slaughtered livestock turning on the racks. The hearths had been worked for several hours to bake breads. Men were carrying crates and rolling giant barrels out of storage.
Bet I know what that is!
Tables were set up outside the Golden Hall for those people who could not fit inside. It looked like the entire city and even people from some of the surrounding villages were going to join in the feast in some way.
Most of the Furies had previously mentioned that they preferred to stay outside the Golden Hall because of how different it was and how many people were going to be inside it. That was fine. There would be plenty of opportunity for interaction outside also.
Flame-In-The-Night, Snowfall, Snowflame, Free-Flight, Far-Flight, Sky-Dancer, Breath-Of-Sky and Toothless were going to follow him inside.
Those who were going with him walked up the stone steps that led to Golden Hall. There were no guards outside right now. The inside of the Hall was bright with light, the sounds of conversation, and the smell of foods.
Hiccup paused at the door and took a deep breath before flinging it open.
This is go time!
Just as expected, the inside of the Golden Hall was filled with activity. Wheels of cheese and mugs were laid out on the many tables. Rohirrim men, women, and children sat at the tables and were deep in conversation, laughter, games, and, for the men, drinking contests. There was also a large open space on one side of the hall; that space was set aside for them.
He led all the Furies who were going with him into the Golden Hall. All the conversation died away as dozens of heads turned to closely watch their entry.
Suspicion, awe, wariness, and curiosity were mingled in their gazes, none of which he was surprised by. There was no open hostility, which was very good sign.
He and the Furies settled down and waited for the ceremony to begin. Free-Flight and Breath-Of-Sky looked around eagerly with their ears lifted.
Silence fell over all with no one moving. Then Eowyn, wearing a long white dress, walked forward to the head of the hall while carrying aloft a silver chalice. She handed the chalice to Theoden who then stood. All attention went to the King as he lifted the chalice. Men and women throughout the hall lifted mugs of their own.
"Tonight, we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!"
"HAIL!"
Silence followed as all the present people of Rohan drank as one. Then Theoden lifted the chalice again and got the attention of all in the hall.
"We are not only here to remember our fallen."
He gestured to the assembled Furies.
"They came unbidden by us to our defense. Are they dragons? Yes, they are. Have they proven themselves as deserving of our trust? Yes, they have. Have they been wounded in our defense? Yes, they have. I asked that their leaders be present. Flame-In-The-Night, Snowfall, would you please come forward?"
The two Alphas got to their paws and slowly walked up the central aisle between tables of men and women. The men and women visibly stepped back or leaned away from them at their passing, but there was no shouting, jeering, or wailing of fear.
Theoden stepped forward from his throne to meet them.
Silence fell over the hall until the King spoke.
"There would be dozens more of my people dead if you had not come to our aid. I, Theoden, son of Thengel, Lord of the Mark, make this oath to you and your pack that the people of Rohan will never forget your deeds at Helm's Deep. Further, we shall be allies for all time. You will always be welcome with us for as long as you wish to live among us. This I swear."
Flame-In-The-Night slowly turned in place and looked out over everyone in the Hall. He beheld all the Rohirrim staring at him and Snowfall, glanced at her, and then spoke to the Hall.
"And we will not forget that you let us live in your territory and that you helped us when we were hurt. We will always help protect you humans. We want peace."
Theoden lifted his chalice, and the entire audience lifted their mugs after refilling them. All then drank as one.
Hiccup leaned against Toothless's side as the mugs were emptied and slammed onto tables throughout the Hall. He wiped away a tear from his cheek.
So this is what happens when people... just... try...
"Let the feast begin!" Theoden cried.