Everything I Wanted
Pairing: HiccupXMaria[OC].
Rated M for Mature.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of HTTYD or the songs I may or may not use.
12: Could Begin
It was August at last and a stressful month for Hiccup as he knew that by the end of this, he had to be at least engaged so he could stay chief of Berk. It was times like these where Hiccup hated Viking laws and customs, but he guessed in this case, it made sense. A chief had to have an Heir and the only way to get that was to have sex with a woman and produce a child. The problem with that theory is that all women would want to marry for love, not to become the baby-maker. Thankfully, the Viking Council permitted the use of marriage contracts, allowing a male who is to become chief to choose his bride. This seemed decent, but it was complicated.
The process began when a male of ruling age had to select his future wife. Some contracts were setup when Heirs were born, assuring that they ended up with who parents wanted to lead together. Such wasn't used much anymore. In this case, Hiccup is of age to be chief, and already is the head of Berk. However, he is not married and does not have a legitimate Heir of his bloodline to carry on the tradition when Hiccup retires or dies. For this, Hiccup would be allowed to choose from any woman his age off any island around the Viking inhabited islands who were available to be married.
This was when things got crazy because every woman at the time of their sixteenth birthday, was set a bride price by their parents. This price was determined by the status of the female in the Tribe and her child bearing capabilities. It did matter, for if a woman could not produce a child, the marriage would crumble as the upcoming chief needed a blood Heir to carry on the family name. A lot of Heir's would choose a bride of noble stature and some married what is considered a commoner. In Hiccup's case, he knew who he wanted out of love, not convenience to the situation he was currently faced.
Once a bride is selected, the woman undergoes a physical exam to ensure her maiden barrier is in tact, after that, contract negotiations will start where the families of the two people to marry would handle the arrangements, date, and more. When all payments and details were finalized, the wedding would take place. If anything came up between the segments of choosing and final signing, the contact could turn void, and the process would have to start all over again. A lot went into this as there were traditions to follow and some of them were...awkward to have to do.
Hiccup had been doing his research in the Berk Archives of Laws and Traditions that could not be changed unless voted by the Viking Council. One tradition stuck out like a sore thumb and Hiccup wasn't sure if Maria would go for it, of course, he wouldn't know until he spoke with her about this whole matter. They weren't even engaged, not even dating so how could he worry about a marital tradition if there wouldn't be a wedding. Hiccup had to suck it up and talk to her about the possibility of being together but adding in he wanted to marry her because he loved her, not just because he needed a wife to stay chief. Surely, Maria would understand and agree.
There had been a few instances that Maria and Hiccup went flying on Toothless, enjoyed a picnic in the cove or sailing at sea but nothing was made official of them dating even though everyone saw how happy the two made one another. Hiccup and Maria shared a few small kisses, holding hands while walking, giving one another a hug goodbye and even her coming over to his place to have dinner, just them though. Hiccup had to make his move soon, why not plan a date for it? A set time for the two of them to be together and Hiccup asks if she'll marry him. Hiccup knew the traditions. First, he had to make her a proposal gift to request with.
Hiccup knew what he was doing today, spending it in the forge to make Maria something, as soon as he figured out what to use for a gift. For Maria, she knew she loved Hiccup and wanted to be with him but hadn't had the courage to tell him how she felt. Also, she could never get him alone when she did find the courage to say something. Interesting predicament she was in.
"I just have to come out and say it to him," Maria informed herself. Yes. She had to find Hiccup and tell him how she felt. It was early still so she would wait a little while.
(Lunch)
Maria was walking through town with Brant and Henrik; it became her adopted job to care for Hiccup's son as well as her own. Sometimes she watched the other village kids too, but today it was just Brant and Henrik who were playing with their wooden sword and shields, Hiccup had made a smaller set for Henrik. Gods bless the man's soul; he was a saint. Maria passed the forge a few times and saw Hiccup hard at work on something but couldn't make out what it was. The four of them; Hiccup, Brant, Maria, and Henrik were going to be having lunch together, that's why Maria was hanging around the place Hiccup was most of the morning.
"Daddy, hurry up! We're hungry," Brant complained at the front window of the forge.
"Patience son," Hiccup chuckled as he tucked away what he was working on and left the forge to greet the two boys and Maria. "Who is up for a picnic in the center of town?" he asked as the boys cheered and Maria nodded happily. This was her chance to tell him how she felt because the two boys would surely be up and running around. Hiccup grabbed a blanket and then held Maria's hand as the four of them reached their location. Hiccup and Maria put the blanket down, then Brant and Henrik brought over two rocks each to hold it down in place.
"Thank you boys," Maria smiled. After that, Hiccup set out the food for them to enjoy and they all sat down on the blanket to relax and eat peacefully.
Valka and Stoick were walking by, and Stoick pointed the four out. "I give it until next tomorrow before he asks her," Stoick chuckled.
"I give it until tonight," Valka challenged.
"Loser does dishes and laundry for two weeks?" Stoick grinned.
"You're on," Valka replied as the two shook on it and kept walking to leave Hiccup and his future wife alone, also warning others on the way not to bother the two or face Hiccup's wrath. After the boys had eaten, as expected they were starting running around and playing together, just like brothers would.
"It's such a beautiful day," Maria breathed out. Hiccup stared over at her, the gift he made was under his armor, saved for when he asked.
"Not as beautiful as you," Hiccup replied as Maria blushed at him then looked away embarrassed. Hiccup hooked her chin and placed his other hand on hers as she looked back at him. "I mean it, Maria. I've never met anyone as kind, caring, understanding, or as beautiful as you. Seeing you every day, even if just for a second makes my day better,"
Gods, he was such a sweetheart. Maria stared into his eyes; this was her chance. "Hi-Hiccup, there's something I have to say to you," Maria began softly as Hiccup was leaning in to kiss her and Maria was slowly closing her eyes, nearing him as well.
"Say it then. Tell me," Hiccup urged. Their lips were inches apart from touching as anyone in the market place and close by were watching the scene in utter silence. "Please tell me?" he asked.
"I lo-" she paused when Hiccup pulled away from her after a familiar roar could be heard. Hiccup heard the whistle as he looked up and saw a Night Fury heading right from them and it wasn't Toothless. The Night Fury was almost white with magenta colored eyes; it formed an almost white blast in its mouth.
"Hold that thought, Milady. Everyone take cover!" Hiccup yelled out. When his dragon wasn't right next to him, Hiccup panicked. Maria wouldn't survive in a shot like this. Hiccup grabbed her arm and shoved her out of the way as the blast fired and Hiccup barely had time to grab the silver shield with the symbol of a Night Fury on the front and crouch low to hide behind it.
"HICCUP!" Maria cried out with worry. The smoke cleared as Hiccup's shield got tossed out of the slowly disappearing cloud of smoke. Hiccup was on his back with the strange Night Fury pinning him down, snarling. "Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine, just stay back. Everyone keep away," Hiccup ordered. Without warning, Toothless charged in and headbutted the other Night Fury away from Hiccup with a menacing growl, fangs bore. Toothless turned his attention to Hiccup, crooning and trying to ask if he was alright. "I-I'm okay, bud. Thanks for the save," Toothless nodded and licked his cheek then prepared to pounce the other dragon. The white Night Fury screeched, and the two started fighting when the white one tried to attack Hiccup again.
Toothless wouldn't have it, he clashed skulls with the white one as the two bit and clawed at one another. After five minutes, the white dragon threw Toothless into the stairs of the Great Hall, and he let out a pained warble, trying to get up and recover. "Toothless!" Hiccup yelled for his friend. The white dragon snarled at Hiccup again preparing to attack. "Ut oh," Hiccup backed away slowly and ended up trapping over Henrik's wooden sword and fell on his back.
"Hiccup, get out of there!" Valka urged. Hiccup was trapped, there was nowhere he could run that would save him. The Night Fury stepped over Hiccup and glared intently, opening its mouth to fire again. At that moment, Hiccup closed his eyes waiting for it, but it never came.
"NO! Don't, please don't hurt him!" he heard Maria plead loudly. Hiccup opened his eyes as he saw Maria standing in front of Hiccup, her back to him with her hands out trying to stop the Night Fury from charging and it worked too. The white dragon stopped and stared at her, and then it was caught off guard by Toothless firing a blue blast at it and springing to action by Maria being pulled back by Stoick and Valka, Toothless took a predatory stance over Hiccup, snarling at the white Night Fury.
Suddenly, Toothless growled and roared at the white Night Fury as his back spines split apart then a blue glow emitted from Toothless's spines, back, sides, nostrils, and mouth. Toothless was protecting his human from danger; everyone could see that now. Seeing the blue, the white dragon halted its movements, closed its eyes then bowed to Toothless respectfully. Toothless snorted as the glow faded and looked at Hiccup, nudging him and trying to get Hiccup to his feet.
When Hiccup was up, he took a minute to recover and balance himself. Brant rushed over into his arms, crying as he'd been scared of his father.
"Daddy, why did that dragon attack you?!" Brant wailed.
"Ssh, it's okay. I don't know why but Toothless will make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else, alright? Calm down now, I'm here," Hiccup soothed.
"Hi-Hiccup...help," Maria whispered out in fear. Toothless tried to get over to Maria, but it hurt to be on the front right paw. Hiccup put Brant down and pulled Henrik behind him for safety. Hiccup watched the white Night Fury start circling Maria and sniffing her.
"Just stay still, Maria. If it wanted to hurt you, it wouldn't have hesitated," Hiccup instructed. The dragon stopped and sniffed at her waist, then started growling lowly.
"Hiccup...What do I do?" Maria tried not to move.
"Do you have your dagger on you?" Hiccup asked, and Maria nodded once. "Okay, slowly take it out and toss it away from you," Maria grabbed the handle lightly as the dragon prepared to pounce. Maria got scared and threw the dagger quickly. At this, the Night Fury stopped growling and sat back on its hind legs. Hiccup grabbed a fish from a stand and threw it to Maria as the dragon's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Offer it to the dragon, on both of your hands but mind your fingers," he said.
Maria did as she was told and the dragon snatched the fish quickly to down it in two bites, then it gave a gummy smile to Maria before regurgitating half the eaten fish up and at Maria's feet. "Now what?" Astrid asked.
"Relax, it's something I've seen before with Toothless. Maria, pick up the fish and take a small bite out of it," Hiccup told her.
"What? Are you crazy? It was in that dragon's mouth, and raw fish will make you sick," Fishlegs protested quickly.
"Zip it, Legs. Maria, trust me okay. I'm bonded to a Night Fury, I know what's going on, but you have to do as I say. I promise you won't get sick, but it will taste nasty, so try to keep it down," Hiccup informed. Maria bent down slowly and picked up the half-eaten fish, then brought it to her mouth and took a bite. First, she chewed and swallowed, then it came back up, but she forced it down and stuck her tongue out. The Night Fury crooned with delight.
"Okay, ew," Ruffnut and Astrid shook a little that Maria had done it.
"Good work, Milady. Now, I want you to close your eyes and turn yourself, so your dominant hand is out to the dragon with the palm up and facing out. Make sure your head turns away from the Night Fury too," Hiccup instructed. Maria nodded as she did what Hiccup said to do. The Night Fury moved closer and sniffed her palm, then closed its eyes and pressed the snout to the palm gently.
Maria glanced at Hiccup who was smiling at her. "What did...I do? I don't understand," Maria said as the Night Fury pulled its nose back and licked Maria's face with a happy smile.
"You bonded to that dragon. I recognized the behavior when it started circling you curiously. That's how Toothless and I started too; it's all part of the bonding process, beautiful. And if I'm not mistaken, that's a female Night Fury, well, in this case, I suppose it would be a Day Fury because of her color, she likely blends in with the clouds like as Toothless does with a night sky," Hiccup explained.
"B-But why me?" Maria asked.
"I don't know. Sometimes the dragon just picks the person it bonds too. Perhaps though as a theory, I think she admired your bravery and fearlessness of jumping between her and me. It takes a lot of courage to get between a Night Fury and its prey. So, she's yours now. A forever ally, partner, and friend. Just as Toothless is to me. I think you should give her a name," Hiccup smiled. Maria looked at the dragon now, all the features she had.
"You have beautiful snowflake designs on your wings, hard to see far away but, I think the perfect name for you is...Frostwing," Maria stated. The dragon jumped around happily and nuzzled against Maria's face tenderly. "Well, okay then. Frostwing it is. Welcome to Berk," Maria added with a broad smile on her face before she looked at Hiccup who was nodding in approval. Maria couldn't help it, she rushed over to Hiccup and tackled him in a hug. Before Hiccup could say or do anything else, Maria leaned up and kissed him deeply. Hiccup's eyes widened a little; then he closed them to kiss her back.
It was the most romantic kiss anyone had ever seen, happening right now between their chief and the woman who was sure to become his wife soon after all this. The kiss had held for almost a minute before Brant tugged Hiccup's pant leg, that got the two to break their passionate lip-locking.
"Daddy, what's this? It came out of your armor when Frostwing pinned you," Brant asked holding something silver and circular in his hands. Hiccup looked at it, finding out that it was the gift he made for Maria. Hiccup took it from his son and then looked at Maria.
"Maria? Will you...tell me what you were going to before all this happened?" Hiccup asked. Maria blushed a little trying to look away, but Hiccup didn't let her. "Please?"
"I love you," Maria said quietly. "I love you, Hiccup, and I want to be with you as a lover for however long you will let me be that way," she added. Hiccup could only smile as he held her hand and opened the circular object with a clip, then place it around her wrist while reclasping it until it was secured not to fall off.
"I love you too, Maria, so how does forever with me sound?" Hiccup asked as Maria's eyes widened and gasps were heard around the area. "Would you make me the happiest man alive and do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife and Chieftess?" he pushed.
"A-Are you sure...you want me forever?" Maria asked.
"I've never been surer of anything else in my life. Will you marry me, Maria?" Hiccup this time got himself on one knee, looking up into her hazel eyes. Maria felt tears slip from her eyes as she smiled and nodded to him.
"Yes, yes, I will!" Maria shouted for everyone to hear it. Hiccup got to his feet, and the two shared another kiss, a deep one too. Frostwing and Toothless both fired a blast into the sky, when they touched, the explosion sparked apart it beautiful white and orange sparks, showering down but fading before reaching anything. Everyone was shocked, Hiccup and Maria hadn't even been dating but just got engaged to be married! There were so many questions to be asked and yet, none of them had the heart to ask at the moment. Hiccup and Maria looked too happy to have their moment broken up by curiosity. There would be another time inquire, for now, Stoick and Valka knew one thing. The wedding planning could begin.
