I own nothing.
Day 1 (Seven days till the wedding)
"Could things get any worse?" Hiccup ran his hands through his fresh cut auburn hair, agonizing over the numbers.
He sat at the desk in his house, pouring over Berk's financial ledger. Gobber sat in the chair across from him, while Valka peered over his shoulder. Toothless laid on the other side of the room, lazily opening an eye when he saw fit.
"We have enough to get through your wedding, but none after that. And it could be worse – remember that time you lost all Berk's gold and -" Gobber saw the frustration in young man's face as he looked up, "Memory for another time."
Beside Hiccup, his mother reviewed the numbers, "I can't believe Stoic didn't allow anyone else to do the finances."
Hiccup groaned, "He and I were the only ones on the council who were good with numbers. And when he tried to talk to me about it, I never made time to listen."
"Tis' true…" added Gobber.
"Well don't rub it in that I didn't spend enough time learning from my late father."
"Oh, yes that too, but I was talking about the numbers, Gothi knows measurements for medicines, but beyond that no one on the council is a good with numbers, not like you two – why this one time-"
Hiccup's glair became sterner.
Gobber sat back in his chair, "Story for another time…"
"Could your father have hidden the money away?" Valka asked.
"I've looked everywhere!"
"We'll come up with something. We always do, son." She put her hands on his shoulders, squeezing them with reassurance.
Gobber leaned forward, "You'll always have hardships and some years will be lean. We'll get through this."
"Do your really believe that?" Hiccup felt a twinge of optimism.
"No, but I thought you might want to hear something your father would say."
"Ugh, right now I'd love to hear him say where he might be keeping more money. These numbers don't add up and it's not like him to have been so far off. I just wish I would have discovered our gold inventories didn't fall so short of the paper balance before I picked a wedding date."
"You'd still be short."
"I would have pushed the wedding back till spring and made it work. Now we have every tribal leader we've allied with coming here for a 7 day wedding celebration and when it's over I'll have to explain the council why we can't replace the 4 fishing boats that won't make it another year. And if the tribe finds out! I'm already dealing with the threat of mutiny."
Gobber added, "Also, that virus took out some sheep last winter, so the herds have been thinned, we should buy more…"
Hiccup groaned again, prompting him to stop.
Valka moved her hands to her son's face and lifted it, "Hiccup, stop. All these problems will work out. Don't forget, your father's good will and your own efforts to help your allies will bring in highly prized wedding gifts. Other chiefs will bring sheep, yaks, chickens, maybe even gold. You'll see Berk will be fine. As far as mutiny, people who complain are the sort of people who lack the charisma and ambition to take up arms."
"Ay, and you have Toothless as the Alpha controlling all the dragons now. Only a fool would rebel against that." Gobber added.
"Besides," Valka added. "Having traditional Chiefly wedding will unite the people. Show them the good times that can be had by peace and unite them through common values."
Hiccup tossed his pencil aside, "I pray to Odin you're right." Most Berkians loved Hiccup, but Vikings, a lot stubborn to change, had little patience for mistakes. Hiccup recognized the looks of doubt on faces when he gave speeches and noticed hushed tones when he entered rooms. No one dared to organize against him yet, but Stoic once warned him the first few years as a new chief could be the ones where he faced the threat of being assassinated by a usurper.
Valka smiled, "Get changed. I saw some ships on the horizon and you'll have to be at the docs to greet guests."
Valka and Gobber got up to leave, "Mom, you mentioned going through dad's things earlier, I found one last trunk we missed, under the stairs. I opened it and it seems to be old smelly boots, socks, and thing I couldn't figure out why he'd kept, but if you'd like to go through it sometime, I could use the trunk for other stuff."
Valka looked down and hesitated before replying, "I'll come for it later. My new place isn't organized yet. Probably never will be with all that has to be done."
Valka stayed with Hiccup when she first came back to Berk, but moved out a week ago, into a cozy hut near the stables, which Hiccup put her in charge of. He also would wanted privacy with his new wife.
Hiccup walked his guest to the door, "Don't mention this to anyone. I'll tell the council after the wedding and suffer the consequences then."
As they walked out, taking the path to the left, he called after them, "And especially don't tell Astrid."
He watched them go.
"Don't tell Astrid what?" A feminine voice asked.
Hiccup cursed to himself turning to his right, "Astrid – you're not supposed to be here! We can only see each other at public events up till the wedding. It's bad luck, untraditional and your parents will kill me."
"Quit changing the subject, Chief – what are you hiding."
Hiccups mind raced, "I have a dress for you! And that is why you're here."
"Yes, but I knew about that - it isn't really a secret."
"Your mom was supposed to be here for it."
"Well you know with her favorite daughter, Ingrid, coming home for her lesser daughter's wedding, she has to clean the house and make sure all the food is in order at the hall. Not like Elie Hofferson has unlimited time to do things for me."
Astrid followed Hiccup into the house, "You know that's not true, your mom has been helpful and is excited your sister is coming home," he stopped her in the middle of the room. "Wait here and don't let anyone see you."
"Probably too late for that," she mused.
Hiccup went upstairs then came down with a silky blue gown adorned with intricate golden stiches. "Good thing Stoic was a hoarder, I found this in an old chest. It belonged to mom before they were married."
"I can't believe it is in such good shape." She held the dress up. The front of the dress was plain, except for a few lines which would follow her natural curves, but the well-crafted stiches on the back sewn around a sunny yellow panel were crafted into little Dragons – zipplebacks, night furies, gronckles, monstrous nightmares, and naders.
"I had the best seamstress in the village do a few fixes. There was a piece in the back that couldn't be fixed, so I had a yellow train added. Same yellow as Stormfly's points."
She turned it around, "I love it! Who is the best seamstress?"
"Speaking of your sister, I suppose it was once her, but now, everyone knows its Snotlout. Well his mom, Aunt Betty, but her arthritis has been acting up, so it defaults to Snotlout."
Astrid laughed.
Hiccup leaned against his desk, "Put it on."
"Now?"
"Ships approach, we have to greet guests. Go on, I'll watch to make sure it fits."
She laughed. "You'll turn around, shut your eyes, and cover them."
"Um, did you not notice Toothless in the corner? He's not getting this sort of treatment."
The black dragon lifted his head. Disinterested in the conversation, he tucked his head under a leathery wing.
"Looks like your dragon is more of a gentleman than you!"
Reluctantly, he did as he was ordered, mumbling, "Better not be like this next week…"
"What was that?" She called as she pulled off her clothes.
"I said I love you, m'lady, and can't wait till after the wedding."
"Just after the wedding?"
"Is there something before I should be looking forward to?"
"Um, the week of feasts and celebrations that only comes with the wedding of a chief? Your many guests? The wedding itself?" She slipped into the dress.
"Oh yeah, but you forgot – having to impress everyone, reviewing treaties the other chiefs will bring, talking politics, having to lead hunts, having to keep my people in line (aka the twins), spend a night hunting up north – alone, and still having to take care of every other duty I have as chief. Oh, and the million little things I need to do for the wedding itself."
"Babe, you love doing all those things. Turn around."
Hiccup opened his eyes and turned to look at her, his eyes widened and he smiled like a love struck teen, "You look amazing."
"Thanks. Now come here, you. I need help getting this thing tied in the back."
She turned around, pulling her hair aside. He pulled the dress tighter, tugging at the laces in the back. He looked down at the creamy-white bare skin around her neck and his eyes moved past the curves of her collar bone and down the front of her bodice, where a tiny bit of cleavage beckoned him to move closer.
He dropped the strings and moved his hands to her shoulders, his lips moving to her neck and kissing their way up her face. He breathed in her warm, light scent – Rosemary soap.
He slid his hands down her arms, then spun her around, pushing her against the wall. Breathing growing heavier as he brushed warm lips down her face, her neck, then her chest.
Her own breath quickened with the pace of her heart, fingers wandering into his soft locks of hair, absently tugging and sliding.
He pulled up from her neck top her ear, panting, "So beautiful…No one will know…my room. Seven more days…too long."
She laughed, pulling his head back by his hair, but letting him continue to press the rest of her into the wall. "You really have the words to charm a maiden. This might be why you haven't gotten further sooner."
"Alright - my Love, the bed beckons us, my sheets long to intertwine with your soft legs. My pillow aches to feel the caress of your ivory skin. Let us not disappoint these inanimate things for arbitrary laws of judgmental society."
Astrid laughed harder and pushed the rest of his body back, "Maybe this is why you've not completed your vows yet."
"Yep. On the list. On the bright side, I've read more Viking love poetry than anyone else in the village. Or maybe ever. Let's go with ever, because you can't prove me wrong."
"Tie my dress."
"Wait, I can still make my case for a trip upstairs."
"No."
"Babies come one week early all the time."
"Not the best argument. Ours won't."
"Everyone already thinks we've— "
"No, they don't! And 'everyone' better not be my parents."
"Um, probably not…"
She turned back around. "Tie me up."
"That's a yes then?"
"The dress."
"I knew what you meant."
He fumbled with the ribbon, quietly telling her, "I've missed you, Astrid. I've been so busy. I think this is the first time we've been alone since it happened."
"I've missed you too, babe. I know we see each other all the time, but we never talk or can be like this."
"Like two islands in across from each other in the same sea, always seeing each other, never touching."
"More bad poetry?"
"How do I remember them all?" He looked down at the laces of her dress, this time he did pull them taunt, crafting a perfect bow. "You could see more of me if we went upstairs…"
"Stop." Astrid laughed, but said it in a way he knew he would get no further.
"So, your sister is coming? I thought she was seven months pregnant."
"Oh, you know, life of being married to one of the richest Chief in the region, you have your duties."
Hiccup felt a stab of guilt at the mention of riches. "Hard life."
"Tell me about it. But, I hear the wedding she is attending the event of the year."
"Seeing Ingrid Hofferson again, will be the event of my year."
"Hey!" Half-jokingly she added, "That's my older, better looking, golden-child-sister, your speaking of."
"Don't forget amazing cook."
"I don't have an inferiority complex about this at all…"
"She can sew or mend anything…"
"Should I be worried this whole wedding is an excuse to get to Ingrid?" She folded her arms.
Hiccup put his arm around her and kissed her forehead, "But you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, you're the smarter person I've ever met, and there is no one else I'd rather have at my side."
She smiled, "And you're having problems with your vows."
"I don't want to get hit if they're not perfect. Can you imagine the embarrassment of a chief being beaten by his wife at his wedding?"
"Or people would know not to mess with her."
"I've got one last thing for you, before the big gift." He walked over to the fireplace and took a key off the mantle. "Key to the house. You can start wearing it, you know, show everyone you're the keeper of the house, and the one really in charge of my life."
"Don't you forget it," She said tying it around her waist with a yellow belt.
The door opened and Tuffnut walked in, without announcing himself. However, after entering, he knocked on the door.
The couple jumped from each other.
"Tuff, we've talked about this!" Hiccup scolded.
"I know and I knocked. I'm not known for timing. Astrid, what are you doing here? We've talked about this, you can't be alone with Hiccup. People already think you're-"
"We've never talked about that." Astrid narrowed her eyes.
"Well it's implied… you know better. And I'll never learn. So this one is on you. And speaking of learning, Hiccup, I found another book of poetry. I didn't think we owned any books at the Thorston residence, but it turns out, this one was keeping the kitchen table legs from being uneven. Whoa, hopefully mention the leg thing doesn't make you self-conscious, I mean because of your leg, which you only have one, that is even - that is, oh wait- really neither is even…I digress..."
"Not new or surprising" Hiccup added. "You could give this to me at any time, is there a real reason you've come over? It clearly wasn't to practice your knocking skills."
"Hmm – practicing knocking. That might work. But yes, chief, I have a reason." Tuff lifted his arms as though making a dramatic announcement, "I actually took the time to read that book of poetry, a couple of times and well - I've been thinking, every great leader has a bard who immortalizes their story. And what with your heroic dragon training and future successes as our fearless leader, I would like to be your bard."
"Wow, Hiccup, your own bard, to immortalize your heroic deeds." Astrid's voice oozed with sarcasm.
"Thanks, Tuff, but-"
Tuff put his finger over Hiccups lips, "Shhhh, you're too honored for words, and that is why I am here, to speak the words for you, and yes, about you."
Astrid laughed again, "Maybe he can write your vows for you."
Tuffnut knelt, "Yes, my liege, I would be honored to immortalize your love in words that will last for the ages…"
"I think I'm good…"
Astrid touched his arm, "not from what I heard."
"I've been overthinking it," Hiccup shrugged.
Ruffnut yelled from outside, "Hey you guys, there is a ship docking. Hofferson! Haddock! Un-dock from each other and get your butts down there."
As Hiccup took Astrid's arm to walk her out the door, he whispered, "Told you everyone is thinking it."
"The Thorsten twins are hardly a good example for anything."
They walked to the door, but Astrid put her hand on Hiccup's chest, halting him, "You have to change, too."
Hiccup looked down at his red tunic. With all the work he was doing around the village these days, he'd become accustom to wearing simple clothes or his flight suit.
"That's not what a chief should wear," she said as though delivering bad news.
Toothless removed his head from under his wing and look at his friend then the chain mail strewn on the kitchen table.
"Ok. You go on. I'll meet you at the docs."
"I don't get to watch you change?" She winked at him.
"I won't be taking anything off…" He mumbled while walking to the table.
"I know you don't want to, so I'm offering moral support."
"I have to, so I'll do it. Everyone wants me to look the part. You want me to look the part…"
Hiccup lifted the heavy cold chain mail over his head. Each little chain weighing him down, imprison him in his roll.
"And take your helmet, you don't have to wear it, but -"
"I know – part of the chief's ensemble."
He put a belt over his chain mail, like the one his father, the old chief wore. It too felt restrictive and not quite right. Astrid helped him with his cloak, then handed him an old sword to sheath at his side - a family heirloom, more decorative than useful.
"You look complete." She smoothed back his hair.
He nodded and released a light smile, but the response felt like a lie - he didn't feel complete.
