Hiccup had cleared a spot out of the snow for them to sit, and had laid down a blanket. Despite the chilly evening, neither were seized by shivering.
"Are you thinking about him?" Astrid asked, eyes dreamy, but unseen.
Today had been a whirlwind, but the official mark of a new life. One she hadn't expected to be excited about, but a rush of thrill and contentment had filled her heart.Hiccup worried his bride would be agitated, or disheartened of his true feelings.
Sensing his apprehension, she added, a tear twinkling in the corner of her eye, "Stormfly was on my mind. I love our life and I love you. Yet, I couldn't help think about her...about how different our lives could have been without dragons. How different it will be now, without them."
Hiccup squeezed her hand, and used his other to wipe a stream of tears from his eyes. He sniffled a little, as did she."Toothless opened up a door, a way of life...acceptance, growing, openness, that I never imagined. A life I never could have imagined. Change brought this life to us and change is what will keep pushing us forward. The people of Berk are an adaptable people."
Astrid grinned at his profound deduction. "You sound like a mature chief already."
Hiccup gave an honest chuckle and put his arm around her. "I have thought about toothless and the dragons throughout the day. It's scary to think our connection to them is done. But I realized that will never be the case. They will be ours, in our hearts and memories, just as we are in theirs and to them. Today I decided that, and I realized how thankful I am to have you. We have each other."
"And that's what really matters." She agreed.
Hiccup smiled as Astrid leaned into his chest.