"Are you ready for the festival?" Astrid smiled, waiting for Freya.
"Of course!" Freya smiled, walking out the door with her best friend. They wore thick cloaks to shield themselves from the harsh winter wind of Berk. The center of the village was decorated with lanterns and lights, torches on nearby houses. Music was echoing throughout the village, upbeat tunes playing on pan flutes, drums and stringed instruments. The village was celebrating one year since Hiccup's coronation as chief and the fight with Drago. Everyone's dragons were scattered about, some baby Gronkles trying to sneak up and eat the food on the table, children played with Terrible Terrors and others roared happily at each other. Hiccup smiled and talked with different villagers, making sure they were all ok. There was a long table from the great hall, stacked up with hot food and snacks. Most were dancing, the children jumping around playfully to the music.
"Hey there." Astrid led Freya over to the gang, Eret still looking out of place standing amongst them.
"You're looking lovely tonight." Eret smiled at Astrid, who tucked her hair behind her ear, looking away embarrassed. Freya elbowed her in the side.
"Thanks." Astrid smiled shyly.
"Well, I'll leave you guys to it." Freya smiled, winking at Eret, mouthing 'Go for it' with a thumbs up. She turned and started looking around for the six-foot lanky boy she loved. A hand grasping hers from behind caught her attention and she turned to see said boy.
"Looking for me?" He smiled.
"Now why would I be doing that?" She smiled back playfully.
"Care to dance milady?" He bowed slightly, one hand behind his back, the other offered out to her.
"How could I refuse?" She acted along, curtsying at him and taking his hand. The two took to the center of the dance floor, others following. They lead the next dance, Hiccup not as coordinated as he could be with another foot. He almost stood on Freya's foot, apologizing throughout the dance for it. As the music finished, each couple bowed and curtsied to each other, finishing the dance. Hiccup escorted Freya to the table of food as she filled up her plate with fruits and tarts.
"Very healthy." Hiccup remarked, smiling down at her.
"I haven't had sweets for two years Hiccup, I'm just catching up." She defended herself. He laughed, kissing her forehead sweetly.
"Freya!" She turned her head down to a small girl tugging on her cloak. Freya knelt down to eye height with the girl.
"What is it little one?" She smiled.
"Will you tell us all what your adventure was like again?" The girl asked shyly.
"I'd love to, but you'll have to convince big ol' Chief Hiccup to let you borrow me." Freya stood, chuckling. The girl shyly hid behind her.
"Hey there." Hiccup knelt on one knee, looking at the girl.
"Can Freya tell us a story?" She asked, sucking on her finger nervously.
"Well, I suppose I can let you borrow her for a while." He sighed dramatically. "But you've gotta look after her, or she'll get herself in trouble." He whispered to the girl, who giggled at him.
"Yes Chief!" She saluted him, grabbing Freya's hand.
"I'll be back." Freya smiled, pecking Hiccup on the lips. He watched her, as she was lead over to a group of children sitting in a circle on the floor. Freya sat on the ground with them and they moved in closer, ready to hear her story. His affectionate looks didn't go unnoticed by the others, his mother especially.
"You love her a lot, don't you?" Valka smiled at her son, stroking his hair. He looked up at her glancing down shyly as he answered.
"Yeah. She's my world." He looked over at her again. She had her arms up, showing the children something big.
"Well, you're a chief now, you'll need a wife soon." Valka smiled. Hiccup looked at his mother again.
"What if she's not ready?" His brow furrowed.
"She is." Valka assured. Hiccup had an idea, bouncing excitedly.
"I'll be back." He smiled at Valka, running off to find Gobber. He dragged him to the forge, telling him what he planned.
"Tonight?" Gobber puffed. "It's a stretch, but... Oh, alright." He finally agreed. He had gold on hand for fixing dragon teeth, so he melted down one. "I've made plenty of these, but this will be my best." He smiled proudly. "For my princess." Hiccup smiled, glad to have Gobber's blessing.
"It's perfect." Hiccup smiled, putting it in a small wooden box and stuffing it in one of his leather pockets. The two walked out together, Gobber having changed his appendage back to his mug. Hiccup walked over to Astrid, standing next to her, watching Freya.
"Hey Chief." She nudged him.
"Astrid." Hiccup protested.
"Sorry Hiccup." She smiled; noticing the way Hiccup was watching Freya. "Are you gonna marry her?" She asked. Hiccup smiled down at Astrid, pulling the box from his pocket discretely and passing it to Astrid. She opened it carefully and gasped.
"Hiccup... This is beautiful!" She breathed.
"Gobber helped me make it." He shrugged. "Do you think she'll like it?" Astrid punched him in the arm.
"You're such an idiot. Of course she'll like it. She'll love it." Astrid showed the ring to the rest of the gang, earning 'wow's' and nods of approval.
"Ok now give it back before she sees." Hiccup nervously closed the box and put it back in his pocket. He looked over to the increasing crowd sitting around Freya, some adults listening to her story. She blew ice in the air and the sparkling snowflakes rained down over the children, who cheered happily. Freya had the little girl who asked for a story on her lap, the sight making Hiccup smile. He knew she adored children. The music picked up again as Freya finished her story, the parents of the children around her ushering their kids to bed. The little girl in Freya's lap had fallen asleep. Freya carried her over to her mother, kissing the girl's temple.
Hiccup and Freya were the last ones outside after the party, Hiccup made sure of that. They sat on the steps of the Great Hall, watching stars together. Freya's arms were around Hiccup's, her head leaning on his shoulder.
"I never want this moment to end." Freya said quietly. "I never want us to end." She kissed his cheek softly. He turned his head and kissed her sweetly.
"We won't." He stood up. "Freya," Hiccup took a deep breath to suppress his nerves. He held her hands, bringing her with him. Once she was standing, he knelt on one knee. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He pulled out the ring. His heart was pounding in his chest like never before and for the first time in a long time; he was scared. He was scared of losing her again.
"Hiccup I..." She started; his heart fell. "I'd be the honored one." She smiled. "Yes. Yes!" Hiccup let go of a breath he didn't know he was holding, slipping the delicate, intricate ring on her finger, jumping up to kiss her passionately. "It's so beautiful." She admired the ring. "Did you make it?" She asked, recognizing the way the design was crafted.
"Gobber helped me." He nodded. "Y'know, for a second there I thought you were going to say no." He hugged her.
"Hiccup." She pulled away to look at him; holding either side of his face. "I am yours, and you are mine. Always." She said softly.
"Always." Hiccup confirmed, kissing her again.