This was not what he had wanted to happen. Perhaps in a perfect world the two would have found the needed herb on that island and returned in good spirits but instead… Castiel was just as sick as the others. He squeezed her hand gently, feeling a lump of dread in his throat but he was the chief and it would not do well to fret. It would only worry the villagers further. He steeled himself against his silent distress and faced his daughter “no” he told her sternly “you are still too inexperienced upon dragon back. I rather send someone else.” It was hardly the main reason for him to refuse and that was something that his mother could see in his expression but only frowned faintly. She would try to work him through it later- Blizzard was the reasonable choice, even if his daughter still had a lot to learn about riding.

Blizzard looked at Hiccup with narrowed eyes and screamed out a bellowing roar of frustration because it was obvious how much Ava wanted to do this and how prime he was for the job. Did he not trust his own daughter to get it done? Valka put a hand against his snout to subdue him but he didn’t fall for her soft touches, jerking his head away though it failed to deter her from her main goal in the slightest. “Son, Blizzard is one of the fastest and the strongest flyers of this visit. We are pressed for time, surely you see the logic in sending them… Blizzard will not allow anyone else to fly him and Toothless-” The black dragon eyes his prosthetic tailfin and rumbled a complaint. “It will have to be Ava.”

Hiccup forced himself to keep his voice level “It’s too perilous of a journey. She’s not ready. Please do not question me any further. I do not want you seeking this flower.” He told Ava again.