Well, here we are, the final instalment. Thank you for reading, enjoy and I'll see you at the end.

Cathrath

Epilogue

Hiccup stepped back and wiped the sweat from his eyes as he grinned at the mountain of a youth standing opposite him. He raised his sword to indicate his need for a break and his opponent did likewise.

Together the pair made their way over to the water trough on the far side of the academy and Thuggory took a large gulp of air before dunking his head into the water to cool down. Hiccup tried not to laugh. He didn't think Thuggory would be to keen to stick his head in the trough if he knew that Snotlout often used it to cool his backside down after Hookfang set light to it. Thuggory withdrew his head and shook the water out of his eyes, sighing in bliss.

"What?" he asked, noting Hiccups amusement.

"Nothing," Hiccup said turning away to hid the grin.

They both slumped to the floor in the shade of the wall and tried to catch their breath. It was a warm day for winter and it had been a hard work out. Thuggory ran his hand through his wet hair and turned to his friend.

"Thanks for making good on your promise to spar with me Hiccup," he said smiling.

Hiccup shrugged and held out a jug of water which Thuggory took gratefully.

"No problem, sorry it took me so long."

Thuggory drank deeply and handed the jug back to Hiccup.

"It was hardly your fault Hiccup. You weren't in any condition spar with me when you left the Island of Thor but I'm glad we got around to it in the end. It was well worth the wait though. Astrid wasn't kidding about you being good, you have some serious talent my friend."

"Nice to know I'm good at something," Hiccup joked as he took his own swig from the jug before wiping his mouth and setting it down between them.

"Im serious Hiccup you really are good. Some of those moves you pulled I know I couldn't and I've been training for years. You move more like an eel. I could barely keep up with you," Thuggory said giving his friend a look of admiration.

Hiccup coloured at the unexpected praise. It meant a lot to him coming from someone like Thuggory.

Thuggory looked around the arena taking in the training tools and chained roof.

"So this is where you train your dragons," he said as he looked around. He had been in the arena before but back then it had been used for dragon fights.

Hiccup nodded.

"Yeah, we call it the Dragon Academy now."

"I still can't believe you kept it quiet for so long," Thuggory said looking back at Hiccup.

Hiccup shrugged.

"It wasn't easy in fact it nearly got out when Dagur came to sign a treaty with my father a few years back. It was the first time we had seen him since he became Chief and it didn't go well. The twins had fallen out with each other and Barf and Belch, their Zippleback, went on a rampage around the village. Dagur caught it and wanted to kill it and use its blood to sign the treaty. It nearly ended in a war right there and then but we managed to stage a mock Dragon attack and Dagur ran for it."

Thuggory smiled at this.

"Must have been fun to see the little twerp run away with his tail between his legs?"

"That little twerp nearly got me killed a few months ago," Hiccup reminded his friend seriously.

Thuggory nodded.

"True. I wonder what those two are up to now?"

Hiccup shrugged.

"Who cares, as long as they stay far away from me."

Thuggory nodded again in agreement and then looked across at Hiccup.

"Want to go again?"

Hiccup shook his head.

"I'd love to but you know...getting married in the morning," he said with a shy smile.

Thuggory smiled.

"That's true, and let's not forget your birthday celebrations tonight."

Hiccup groaned and rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, that to."

He hadn't wanted a fuss about his birthday. Everyone was busy with wedding plans and looking after the visiting tribal heads and guests that had been invited to the wedding. Hiccup didn't want to cause any more work for anyone but his father had insisted. Eighteen was an important age for a Viking, especially when you were the heir to your tribe so what should have been a few days of celebration was turning into a week's worth.

"I still can't believe you're getting married before me," Thuggory said with a laugh.

Hiccup smiled at the thought. It was true but the preparations had taken a lot longer than he had thought. It had been a long two month wait to get to this point.

Prompted by his father the village had tracked them down to the cove the morning after the Time of Offering celebrations. It was tradition to drag newly engaged couples before the chief so that they could formally announce their intentions and make the engagement official in the eyes of the tribe.

To this end Hiccup and Astrid had been startled awake by a cacophony of shouts and cheers as the tribe descended on them and before long they had been dragged back to the village and ceremoniously dumped on the steps of the great hall in front of his father. Hiccup had then had to go through the ritual of Handsal.

He had stuttered his way shyly though the ritual, declaring his love and devotion for his intended and repeating his proposal which Astrid once again accepted. The deal had been sealed with a handshake between their families. In the eyes of their parents and the tribe Astrid and Hiccup were officially considered engaged from that moment on.

Hiccup had hoped that would be it and they could get down to setting a date for the wedding but he had forgotten about the other formalities involved. Astrid's bride price for one, the payment he would make to Astrid's father for her hand. It had all seemed unnecessary. To him Astrid was priceless and to set a price to 'buy' her seemed more than a little insulting but it was tradition and he had no choice this time but to go along with it.

The negotiations should have taken place between himself and Astrid's father but in reality it had been his own father that had haggled and negotiated on his behalf. He had sat in the background holding Astrid's hand as the two friends haggled over their children's future, enjoying themselves immensely in the process. Finally a fee had been settled on and Hiccup had sealed the deal with another handshake. He had absolutely no idea how much he had agreed to pay for Astrid, it really didn't matter. He would have given everything he owned to marry the woman he loved and no amount of money, cattle or land could amount to her value to him.

However if Hiccup had held any lingering hopes of a quick wedding they had soon been dashed. Whilst other people could enjoy that luxury being the heir to the tribe made it difficult. There were protocols to follow with a wedding such as this and it seemed that it was considered bad manners not to invite the chiefs of any tribes they were allied to. Seeing as they had recently signed treaties with half the Archipelago this had led to a very long list and going on the amount of people that had been arriving over the last week, everyone had accepted. Of course Hiccup and Astrid had an input as well. They had invited their friends Thuggory and Camicazi and Hiccup had sent a Terrible Terror to Symon. They had been sure of the Bogbuggler's and Meatheads acceptance but Hiccup hadn't been sure if the Elder would allow Symon to leave his studies. He had been delighted though when a Terror had arrived several days ago to say that she had allowed him to come and that he would be arriving that afternoon.

Although the preparations had taken longer than expected Hiccup had hadn't been idle. In addition to throwing parties and feasts the one other thing Berk was good at was building houses, a legacy of the days of the dragon war when houses were destroyed most nights. Although it was far from being completed the tribe had joined together to help build the soon to be newly weds a home to call their own. Hiccup was proud of what they had achieved so far and he hoped that Astrid, who hadn't seen the inside yet, would approve.

It had seemed like the wedding day would never come but finally the preparations were completed and tomorrow, tomorrow he would finally be getting married.

Thuggory nudged Hiccup with his elbow.

"You still with me?" He asked in amusement at Hiccup wistful and vacant expression. Hiccup turned and smiled.

"I was just thinking about how long it has taken to get to this point. I thought I would never be getting married with all the preparations that have been necessary. It turns out being an heir and getting married really isn't a simple affair."

Thuggory groaned.

"Don't I know it," he said in despair.

Hiccup looked at his friend in understanding.

"It's your own fault, you're the one who wanted to marry another tribes Heir, but you only have to a few more weeks to wait. Your preparations were even more complicated than mine."

Thuggory sighed.

"True, who would have thought that merging two tribe's would require so much paperwork. It's driving Cami crazy but she understands it's necessary. I suppose a few more weeks aren't going to make a lot of difference."

Thuggory then stood and offered his hand to Hiccup who took it. Thuggory helped his friend to his feet.

"I suppose we should go wash up," he said as he returned the sword he had been using to the rack.

Hiccup looked down at his dust and sweat stained tunic.

"Might be a good idea, I don't think Astrid or Cami will approve of the way we smell or look right now," he said laughing as he tried and failed to brush the worst of the dirt away.

Thuggory grinned.

"Oh I don't know," he said bunching his muscles dramatically.

"They might like us looking and smelling a bit rawer and Viking like."

Hiccup laughed again and shook his head.

"You can chance it if you like but I know what Astrid will do to me if I turn up like this. If it's all the same to you my friend I'd like to keep my remaining limbs."

Thuggory slumped.

"Guess you're right, I'm not really in the mood for running from Cami either."

He wrapped an arm around Hiccups shoulders and swept the other dramatically towards the academy exit.

"Lead on then brave warrior...to the bath house...clean clothes...and happy, non violent fiancées and lots and lots of mead."

Hiccup laughed and together they made their way towards the bath house.

On the other side of the town Astrid and Camicazi were making their own preparations for the evening.

"What do you think will suit me best, the blue or the red?" Astrid asked as she held up the two shirts for Camicazi to see.

Camicazi giggled.

"What!" Astrid said in annoyance.

"It's just...when did you get so..well, you know..girly?" Camicazi said trying to contain her laughter as she sat down on Astrid's bed, regarding her friend closely.

Astrid looked a little sheepish at this. Was it that obvious?

"Um...well...I mean I don't really think I'm being that girly...am I," she said looking at Camicazi.

"Well yeah, you kind of are...I mean since when did you start to worry about what clothes you wore...oh and the red suits you better by the way," she added.

Astrid sighed and placed the blue shirt back in the cupboard before sitting down next to her friend.

"I don't know what's come over me," she said quietly.

"Don't you? I've got a few ideas. He's tall, good looking, excellent with sword, the Hero of Berk, blessed by the Gods, loves the colour green...need I go on?"

Astrid gave Camicazi a sideways look and smiled shyly.

"Yeah...that could well be the reason," she said softly then scowled at her friend.

"If you tell anyone I'll kill you," she said fiercely.

Camicazi just laughed.

"That's the Astrid I know, and to think Hiccup was so worried that you wouldn't have him that he checked with me first to see if you would say yes."

Astrid pulled back from Camicazi and gave her a wide and shocked look. Camicazi instantly slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Oh bother...that was meant to be a secret," she said.

Astrid's look darkened.

"How many more people knew about the proposal before I did?" she asked in annoyance.

Camicazi shrugged.

"Well, Thuggory knew after I told him."

Astrid's look darkened even further. She understood their parents knowing about the proposal. Hiccup would have had to have asked their permission before asking her but to find out that he had checked with their friends as well. She felt almost insulted, had Hiccup distrusted her feelings that much? Camicazi saw the anger encroach on Astrid face and she quickly stepped in before it got out of hand.

"Astrid wait, now don't go getting the wrong idea," she said quickly

"It wasn't that Hiccup was unsure of your feelings towards him it was just that he really didn't think he was good enough for you. He loves you so much that if I had said I thought it was a bad idea he would have given you up. It would have broken his heart and destroyed his soul but he would have done it...for you."

Astrid's face softened. She remembered the letter the he had written to her as a finally goodbye when he thought he was about to die. He had wanted to burn it but she had kept it and it was now safely locked away in a box were she kept her most treasured possessions.

"Please don't be mad at him," Camicazi begged as she wrapped her arms around her friend.

Astrid leaned into the hug and smiled. She wasn't angry anymore. This was just who Hiccup was and it was why she loved him so much.

"I'm not. Gods, I'm getting married tomorrow Cami...I can't believe the days finally here. I thought it would never come," she said smiling softly at the thought of finally marrying Hiccup.

She stood and pulled the red shirt over her head, then attached the new fur hood that her father had given her around her shoulders and looked long at herself in the mirror.

"What do you think Cami? Will I steal his heart again?" She said as she turned, placing her hand on her cocked hip.

Camicazi smiled and stood.

"His and everyone else's if you keep dressing like that," she said in earnest.

She turned Astrid round to look back in the mirror.

"Now let's make it the perfect package and do something different with your hair."

Before the sun had even set below the horizon the evening's celebrations were well underway. One thing Berk knew how to do was throw a party. Gradually the hall bean to fill with people and Hiccup was watching the door closley. He was waiting for Astrid before he joined in. Not that he was particularly keen to get drunk or anything. Mead really wasn't his thing and he had had quite enough of the stuff over the last month with the Bridal-ale that he and Astrid had to drink each day, sweet honeyed mead that made him feel a little sick. Plus he still had the formal part of his birthday celebrations to go through and he needed a clear head. Turning eighteen was an important time for a Viking. He was now an adult in the eyes of the tribe and allowed to be involved in council meetings and important tribal decisions.

He looked up as the door to the great hall opened again. He felt distinctly disappointed when Thuggory and Camicazi entered. Where was she? He felt a small wave of panic grip him. Had she changed her mind about getting married to him, was she avoiding him? He was about to slump back into his seat to nurse his fears when he finally saw her and what he saw took his breath away.

Astrid stood in the doorway, tall and slim as she always was but dressed in a way he had never seen her dress before. Gone was her familar blue shirt. Instead she wore one of bright red with a soft fur hood over her shoulders. The colour suited her well. Her hair was different to. She had a fine golden plait which framed the left side of her face until it joined the rest of her hair in an intricate plait across her left shoulder. She looked beautiful and Hiccup fell in love all over again.

She smiled as she saw him and made her way over. He shook his head to clear his stunned thoughts and moved forward to meet her.

"You look amazing," he said as they reached each other and shared a chaste kiss. They weren't really meant to be touching or alone together in case they let themselves get 'carried' away before the wedding night. It had been one of the hardest parts of the engagement to put up with. Another stupid pre marriage tradition as far as Hiccup was concerned but it was kind of allowed when they were in company. A gently kiss and touch could hardly be described as going into 'forbidden' territory.

Astrid smiled against his lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You to," she said as she took in Hiccups attire.

He was still wearing his long sleeved green tunic but he had over laid it with a second short sleeved one of a slightly different shade of green, no doubt to ward off the cold but the combination did look good on him.

"Hey, you two...stop it...you know the rules...none of that," came a gruff voice and the couple looked away from each other to see Gobber limping his way over to them.

Astrid smiled and slowly lowered her arms from Hiccups neck, bringing her hands down across his chest so as to keep contact with him for as long as possible. She smiled as she felt him shiver under her touch.

"Your fathers ready to start your gift presentation," Gobber announced to Hiccup as he reached them.

Hiccup sighed.

"Do we really have to do this?" He asked as he took Astrid's hand and began to follow Gobber toward the dais.

"Why ask stupid questions," Gobber shot back over his shoulder.

"Its tradition and you're going to follow it for once," he added as they reached the platform.

"You'll be fine," Astrid said as she squeezed his hand in reassurance.

Hiccup sighed and climbed the dais towards his father. At seeing him Stoick raised his arms and the hall fell silent.

"Everyone thank you for joining us at this happy time. Tomorrow we witness the lawful and happy union of my son and his beautiful bride, Astrid. It has been a long few months but the day is now upon us and I'm sure that you will all join me in wishing them the best of happiness and future," he said loudly raising his mug of mead high and the crowd followed suite with loud cheers.

Stoick raised his hands once again for silence.

"Yes, yes thank you. However that's a celebration for tomorrow. Today we witness a rite of passage that has been passed down from Chief to Chief of the Hooligan tribe, a rite that has been conducted when an heir reaches the age of eighteen winters, the presentation of the tribal gift."

He gestured for Hiccup to move forward. He did so nervously.

"My son Hiccup has now reached that age," Stoick continued, placing a hand on Hiccups shoulder. He then turned to address his son.

"Hiccup, are you ready to receive your gift from the tribe?"

Hiccup looked at the crowd and then at his father.

"I am," he said clearly, glad that his nerves were not showing in his voice.

"Then kneel my son and receive our gift," his father said formally.

Hiccup did so and Stoick turned to a stool beside him on which sat a square flat box. He opened the box and drew out a thin circlet of gold.

He then turned back to Hiccup.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, each member of this tribe has freely given an item of value and personal worth which have been joined in the fire of the forge to make this circlet as a gift to you. This is not a crown but a symbol of joining, a sign of the tribe's faith and trust in you and of your duty and commitment to them as their heir and future chief. Do you accept this gift and the weight it bears?"

Hiccup looked up at his father.

"I accept this generous gift and what it symbolises with all my heart. All that the tribe requires of me I will willingly give if it is within my power and the law to do so," he said solemnly speaking the words of the ancient ritual with confidence and pride.

"Then join with us and we will become one," Stoick finished, placing the circlet on Hiccups head. He then extended his hand and helped Hiccup to his feet. As he did so the hall erupted with the sound of cheers and songs.

"Well done," his father said quietly to Hiccup, gripping his shoulder with pride once more before grabbing his mug and joining Mogadon who was well into the party by now and trying to dance with Bertha who didn't seem too amused at her fellow chiefs antics.

Hiccup quickly descended the steps and joined Astrid once again as the party around him got back underway. She pecked him on the cheek.

"Well done," she said adding her own praise to his fathers.

She looked closely at the circlet and noted the fine design. Gobber it seemed was as much an artist as Hiccup. Well she supposed he had to have learnt it from someone.

It wasn't something Hiccup would wear every day it was something for special occasions, weddings, funerals, his own included and of course the day he took the chieftain vows. It was a symbol of his commitment to the tribe and theirs to him. He didn't need the circlet to prove or show his worth though. It was merely a formality and tradition where Hiccup was concerned. After all, he had more than fulfilled that requirement to date but she had no doubt that he would do so again before long. It was just who Hiccup was and she wouldn't change him for the world.

Smiling she took his hand and pulled him through the crowd to commence his celebrations in earnest.

The celebrations continued for most of the night and Hiccup was feeling tired and more than a little under the weather. Snotlout and the twins had managed to coerce him into one of their drinking games. He wasn't one for alcohol at the best of times and the few drinks he had been able to stomach were now making his head ache and the room swim. Thankfully Astrid had seen his plight and rescued him before he could get pressured into anther round. They were now sitting on a bench in the corner of the great hall, trying to keep out of everyone's way.

"I feel terrible," Hiccup groaned as he leaned back against Astrid who had her own back up against the wall.

"Well it's your own fault, you let the twins drag you over there," she chided.

Hiccup groaned again and he reached up to remove the circlet, hoping that the removal of its weight would help alleviate his growing headache.

"I know, I know. I thought it would only be a couple of drinks, not a whole barrel of mead," he groaned again, closing his eyes but then opened them again quickly as closing them just made the world spin more and the sickening feeling worse.

"You're exaggerating," Astrid said with amusement as she played with the ends of his hair. She was suddenly struck with an idea and began to braid the long ends.

"What are you doing?" Hiccup asked as he raised his hand to feel what she was up to but Astrid just swatted his hand away.

"Leave it alone," she said in annoyance as she finished the first braid and started on a second.

Hiccup sighed and let her carry on. He could always take them out later.

"Is this a hint that I need my hair cutting?" He said trying to turn and look at her.

Astrid pulled on the braid she was weaving.

"Ow. What was that for?"

"Oh you know...things, and no, your hair is a perfect length. I could braid hundreds of these things in it," she said with a smirk.

Hiccup tried to look at her again but she tugged harder this time.

"Seriously Astrid, what's with the hair pulling? What have I done?" He asked again. He had to have done something to upset her but he couldn't for the life of him think what it was. She only dished out the pain when he was in trouble.

She leaned round and whispered in his ear.

"Um... oh I don't know...how about asking everyone else if it was OK to propose to me before actually getting round to asking me yourself," she said teasingly, enjoying watching him squirm and his eyes widen in alarm as she told him she knew of his secret discussions with Camicazi. Suddenly he stiffened.

"OK...go on...get it over with," he said biting his lip and squeezing his eyes shut in anticipation.

"Get what over with?" She asked innocently.

"The beating," he said as his shoulders slumped.

Astrid smiled but she didn't hit him like he expected. Instead she kissed his cheek and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Now why would I do that?" she said gently.

Hiccup dared to open his eyes a little.

"You're...you're not mad," he said warily thinking that this was too good to be true.

She kissed him again and smiled as she felt the tension leave him.

"No...I was at first...but Cami explained why you spoke to her first and I realised that was why I loved you so much."

Hiccup half turned to look at her more closely.

"Astrid...you will be there tomorrow...won't you?" He asked in a quiet voice, his eyes wide and vulnerable as he looked at her.

She kissed him on the lips.

"You try and stop me," she said smiling, laying her forehead against his.

Hiccup smiled and kissed her back. They were both deep into the kiss when a loud voice startled them apart.

"Oi, I thought I told you two to knock it off," Gobber said as he joined them.

The pair turned to smile sheepishly at him. However, neither let go of each other's hand. Gobber shook his head in mock disappointment, a half smile on his face.

"Oh I give up. You never will follow the rules with you Lad."

Hiccup gave his mentor a wide grin.

"Well if I can break you two apart for a few short minutes I have something to give you Hiccup," Gobber said as he sat down opposite them.

Hiccup and Astrid sat forward and Gobber handed Hiccup a long sheath containing a dagger.

"Happy birthday lad, the blade is my gift to you but the sheath well that's the rest of your gift from the tribe."

Hiccup looked up in surprise.

"Rest of my gift?"

"Aye lad, everyone was very generous. I had so much gold that I had some left over after making your circlet so I added the rest to the sheath."

Hiccup looked at the object in his hands more closely. The leather had been reinforced with iron as was the normal practice but then it had been decorated in a fine sheet of gold. The gold was etched in a similar style to the circlet. Hiccup was stunned at the tribe's generosity towards him. He looked at his mentor.

"I don't know what to say," Hiccup admitted, unable to find the words to express how much it meant to him.

Gobber smiled at his apprentice's speechlessness and shrugged.

"Ah well, you mean a lot to us lad. Now what do you think of the blade?"

Hiccup pulled the long blade free and was instantly surprised by its weight. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Is this...Gronckle Iron?" He asked, although he already knew the answer.

Gobber nodded then cupped his hand around his mouth and leaned closer.

"Don't tell anyone but Fishlegs found the right combination of rocks again, were keeping it a secret. Don't want another stampede like last time."

Hiccup grinned at the memory. No they definitely didn't want a repeat of the Gronckle mania that had swept the tribe last time. He looked at the dagger. It was one of the best pieces he had ever seen Gobber produce.

"Thanks Gobber. It's fantastic," he said beaming at his friend.

Gobber nodded.

"You're welcome lad."

Then he stood.

"Oh well, better back to the party, and you two better be getting home soon. You've got an early start in the morning and I don't think either of you will be impressed with each other if you over sleep."

As he moved away he called out over his shoulder.

"And keep your hands to yourself," before disappearing back into the crowd.

Hiccup held both of the tribe's gifts in his hands, turning them over and noting the dragon designs etched there. Every Viking received a special gift on their eighteenth winter from their family but for an heir of the Hooligan's the circlet was a traditional gift from the tribe. He couldn't even begin to express how the objects made him feel. To know that every member of the tribe had donated something of personal value to make them was very humbling and touching. Then finding out that people had donated more than was normal just added to the deep feeling of honour he was experiencing.

Finished with the braids Astrid looked over his shoulder to see what he was looking at.

"They really are beautiful," she said.

Hiccup nodded.

"I know its tradition but I'm really touched that everyone felt I was worth it," he said quietly.

His words struck Astrid and she hugged him close.

"Hiccup I know you don't think highly of yourself but you are so wrong to think that way. You mean a lot to us...to me...you need to start trusting and believing in yourself."

Hiccup nodded. It was true he needed to become more confident now that he was an adult. Childish fears and worries needed to be put behind him. It was a new life and he would try to make them all proud.

Hiccup woke with a loud cry of alarm, sitting bolt upright in bed and breathing in heavy laboured pants. He was also drenched in sweat and shaking from head to toe. Loud foot falls came from below and Hiccup cursed. He had woken his father with his cry.

The trap door to his room lifted and the form of Stoick appeared at the top of the stairs, a candle in his hand. Toothless also roused from his slab and moved closer to the bed.

"What is it...what's happened?" Stoick asked in concern as he entered the room.

Hiccup stretched out a hand to stroke Toothless and Stoick noticed that his sons hand was trembling. He moved across the room and sat down on the bed beside Hiccup. Outside the first light of dawn was just starting to show.

"Was it the nightmare again, the one with the flames?" Stoick asked knowingly. In recent weeks Hiccup's shouts had woken him on more than one occasion. After some gentle persuasion Hiccup had confessed about the nightmares, of being trapped by flames, a legacy from his experiences on the Island of Thor.

Hiccup shook his head.

"No...not that one...not this time," Hiccup said quietly. Still stroking Toothless to help calm himself.

"Want to talk about it?" Stoick asked gently. Eighteen his son may be but he was still his boy.

Hiccup looked a little embarrassed.

"Um...well...it's a bit silly really..." he said in embarrassment as he recalled what had awoken him.

"Come on, out with it," Stoick said firmly.

"Um...well...I was being chased by a really angry...um monster..."

"I see and what did this monster look like," his father asked trying to keep his amusement in check, he had a fair idea.

Hiccup glanced down and began to play with his bed furs, his face colouring further.

"Um...it had blond hair and a really big axe and no matter what I did I couldn't get way from it..."

Stoick held up his hand.

"Ah...I know the one. I had exactly the same one...the night before I got married to your mother," and he grinned at his son.

"You kind of felt as though fate was chasing you...that you couldn't escape...that no matter where you ran, it...she...would always find you?"

Hiccup smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah...that about sums it up."

Stoick clapped his son hard across the back laughing. Hiccup doubled over at the blow coughing.

"Nothing to worry about then, its perfectly normal to feel a little bit nervous when your about to get married. I felt the same, even though I loved your mother, it's a big step, a change not only in identity but in your life style as well. It's not a bad thing though...you wait and see lad," he said grinning as he stood up from the bed.

Hiccup straightened and smiled shyly at the thought of his impending wedding.

"Well seeing as your awake we might as well make a start on getting you ready. We've got lots to do before midday," Stoick said moving around the room and lighting the other candles, then the fire.

Hiccup took a deep breath and swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his nerves building at the thought that he had only a few more hours of bachelorhood left. He felt around for his prosthetic and fumbled with the straps, his fingers trembling as he did so making the job take longer than normal. His father came back over and looked closely at his son.

"You need a shave," he said bluntly.

Hiccup raised a hand to his face and felt the rough surface. Shaving was becoming a regular thing now and he was glad that Astrid didn't like the idea of him with a beard, he looked ridiculous with one.

"Hold out your hands," his father commanded.

Hiccup looked at him in confusion but did as he had been instructed. He was surprised to see his hands shaking violently.

"Well you're not shaving yourself this morning that for certain. You can consider it a wedding gift to the bride that I'm not sending you to her with your face in tatters," he father said firmly as he moved to grab Hiccups wash basin and shaving blade.

An hour later Hiccup was seated downstairs, freshly shaven a large plate of grilled fish and eggs in front of him. Normally he would have woofed the lot down in one go but his nerves were starting to mount to a point where was feeling nauseous so he just pushed the food around the plate. Stoick smiled as he watched his son.

"If you don't eat something your going to faint before we even get to the ceremony," he scolded pushing a plate of bread and butter towards him instead.

Hiccup took a slice and nibbled around the edges. Stoick just sighed. It was going to be a long morning.

On the other side of the village Astrid wasn't fairing much better. She hadn't been plagued with any nightmares but now she was awake her nerves were starting to get the better of her, and one thing that Astrid didn't handle well was feeling out of control and nervous.

"Damn it," she cursed as she tried for the tenth time to plait her hair right, the way Camicazi had done for her the night before.

Her mother entered the room and looked at her daughter who was getting increasingly frustrated with the simple task.

"I don't know why you're bothering love. You'll have to undo it when you have the last of your baths this morning," she said in amusement.

Astrid groaned and gave up playing with her hair. Her mother was right. This would be the final of her ritual purification baths and she would be glad when they were over. It wasn't that she was averse to bathing, she enjoyed going to the bath house, but these weren't normal baths. She had to listen to the women of the tribe giving her advice on how to be a good wife, what her new husband would expect and need from her. There had also been lots of more intimate advice which had made her blush to the roots of her hair. No doubt Hiccup had been getting similar advice during his ritual baths but it was downright embarrassing. She knew people meant well but they had always just found things out together for themselves. Being married to each other wouldn't be any different as far as she was concerned.

"Come on then, the men will have finished by now," he mother said as she tried to hurry her daughter along.

Astrid gave herself one long last look at in the polished mirror and then stood to follow her mother, only a few more hours to go and she would finally be married to Hiccup.

Hiccup paced backwards and forwards in front of the temporary altar that had been erected in the southern field.

"Hiccup for the love of Thor will you stand still," Thuggory exclaimed in annoyance as his friend passed in front of him for the hundredth time.

Understanding that his rider's friend wanted his master to stand still, Toothless stepped forward to grab the bottom of Hiccups Tunic, bringing him to a sudden stumbling halt.

"Toothless..." Hiccup said sharply in annoyance as he re found his balance.

Toothless just whined at him and cocked his head to one side. He could sense his rider's anxiety but couldn't understand what was bothering him. Hiccup sighed and stroked the Night Fury in apology.

"Sorry bud," he murmured before reaching up to fidget nervously with the collar of his tunic. It was new, with a high straight collar rather than the open throat ones he preferred. He found it uncomfortable and more than a little tight. He wondered if this was what a noose felt like.

Thuggory sighed again in frustration and stepped forward to take Hiccups hand away from the fabric.

"You can stop that as well, you'll tear it," he said firmly, feeling more like a mother hen right now than a friend.

He looked at Hiccup and noted his wide, nervous look and shook his head in amusement.

"You look like a trapped deer about to be shot," he said laughing.

Hiccup gave his friend an annoyed looked.

"It's Ok for you to joke. What if she doesn't turn up? What if she's changed her mind? What if...," but he was stopped by Thuggory firmly shaking his shoulders.

"Hiccup enough. You love each other right?"

Hiccup nodded.

"You trust her?"

"Yes of course I do," Hiccup protested.

"Then stop worrying, Astrid will be here. Don't forget were early, she's not due for another half an hour," he said gesturing to the sun overhead. The wedding would take place when it was at his highest.

Hiccup slumped.

"Oh, gods Thug I'm so nervous," Hiccup admitted.

"Really, I would never have guessed," Thuggory laughed.

Movement from the direction of the village caused Hiccup to look around. Gradually people were making their way into the field and Hiccup took a few deep calming breaths as they approached. Soon Astrid would be making her way across that field.

One of the group broke away and moved towards them, a tall youth of their own age in yellow robes. Symon smiled as he reached them and Hiccup shook his hand warmly in greeting.

"How are you holding out?" Symon asked as he looked at his friend.

"Terribly," Thuggory said in amusement, answering on Hiccup's behalf.

Hiccup shot him another annoyed look. Thuggory was obviously enjoying his friends discomfort but Hiccup would make him pay for it when his own turn came. He looked back at Symon.

"Ok I admit it, I'm a bit nervous," Hiccup said with a half smile.

"Thuggory is trying to keep my feet on the ground though...when he's not enjoying watching me squirm," he said looking across at his burly friend.

"Trying and failing miserably," Thuggory admitted with a shrug, rolling his eyes.

Symon grinned.

"Well, I won't keep you. Your bride will be here soon. I just wanted to pass on a message from Elder before the ceremony began. She said to tell you that Thor would bless your union and that she and the temple would add their prayers to your own at the time you make your vows."

Hiccup looked stunned at this.

"Is it normal for the temple to do that?" He asked in surprise, looking at Symon and then Thuggory in turn.

Thuggory looked a little awed at the information and Symon shook his head.

"No, I've certainly not heard of anything like this before. The temple is normally neutral in all things but I think on this occasion it's special. You made quite an impression my friend."

Hiccup was about to say more when he saw movement again at the far side of the field. His father was now approaching and Hiccup swallowed nervously.

"Well I'd better go take my place," Symon said as he noticing the start of the wedding procession.

"Good luck Hiccup and congratulations," he said as he shook Hiccups hand one last time before joining the large group of witnesses that had gathered.

Hiccup looked at his father as he reached them and noticed that like him he was wearing a golden circlet, his own tribal gift. Hiccup had to admit that Gold probably wasn't the best colour for their family. It clashed terribly with their hair.

"Well, my boy, are you ready?" Stoick asked with a wide grin.

Hiccup swallowed nervously and nodded. His father moved up onto the altars platform and Hiccup joined him. He glanced at Thuggory who gave him an encouraging smile. Hiccup didn't return it though because his attention had been drawn to the group of women that were now approaching. As they got closer they parted and he got his first clear look of Astrid.

Hiccup hadn't known what to expect Astrid to be wearing for the wedding. He supposed that she would wear the same things she always did but he had been wrong. For the second time in as many hours he found himself staring at her in awe. Gone were her normal armoured shoulders guards, spiked skirt and leggings. Instead she wore something he thought he would never have seen her wear in his lifetime and probably never would again. She was wearing a long woollen dress of pale blue, fixed at the waist with a long golden belt and her golden hair was free of its normal braid, framing her face perfectly as it hung loose over her shoulders. He couldn't remember ever seeing her with her hair down before, she looked stunning. Her head was adorned with a bridal crown. A beautiful weave of flowers which Hiccup suspected hadn't come from Berk. They looked like ones that grew close to the volcano on Dragon Island. She took his breath away and Hiccup had to be poked from his state reverence by his father. Shaken from his stunned state he quickly made his way down the steps to greet her. He bowed deeply to her and held out his hand. She took it with a shy smile and he led her up towards his father.

"You look beautiful," he breathed quietly to her as they climbed together.

Astrid gave him a sideways glance and blushed with a small smile. She didn't care right now if people saw her like that. She had done all this for Hiccup and was pleased that it had had the desired effect if the rapture in his eyes as he looked at her was anything to go by.

They reached the top of the platform and stood before their chief.

"Ready you two," he said quietly to the pair. They both nodded and he looked up to address the crowd.

"People of Berk, honoured guests, we are gathered here this day to bear witness to the joining of these two people, a joining not only of man and woman but of families and friends. Before we proceed I must ask if any witness here declares that this marriage is unjust or unlawful."

The question was a necessary part of the ceremony and whilst no objection was expected both Astrid and Hiccup tensed during the short pause, but the field remained silent and Stoick continued.

"Very well, let us proceed. Bring forward the offering to the gods."

Thuggory stepped forward and held out a bowl which contained dragon scales. One thing that Hiccup had been absolutely adamant about was that there would be no sacrifice of any kind. He'd had quite enough of that. Instead Astrid and Hiccup had agreed on a different offering, something more akin to the Berk way of life. A fallen scale from each dragon on the island had been gathered and coated with Monstrous nightmare saliva. The bowl would then be set alight and placed on the altar as an offering.

Hiccup took the bowl from Thuggory and placed a black scale from Toothless into the bowl, Astrid did the same with a blue one from Stormfly. Hiccup then turned to Toothless.

"Would you mind bud?" He asked holding the bowl out.

Toothless climbed up beside him and very gently let out a small plasma blast that lit the saliva.

"Thanks bud," Hiccup said, and he scratched his friend between the ears in gratitude before the dragon stepped back down to stand beside Thuggory and Stormfly with a small chirp.

Hiccup offered the bowl to Astrid who placed her hands beside his and together they handed it to his father. Stoick took the bowl and placed it on the altar behind him, amongst the symbols of the Gods that rested there to bless the altar and the union. He then turned back to the couple.

"Let the exchange of the ancestors take place," he said moving onto the next step.

Again Hiccup turned to Thuggory who handed him an old and ornate sword. Astrid did likewise towards Camicazi and took the short handled axe that she was offered, it had been her Uncle Finns. They both held the weapons out to each other. Astrid raised an eyebrow at the sword that Hiccup offered her. It was clearly old and she could see soil still on its surface.

"Did you break into a real grave?" she whispered, shocked that Hiccup of all people would follow that ancient customer.

Hiccup smiled and shook his head.

"No, don't be silly. I would never do that. The swords real, my grandfathers in fact but my dad staged a mock grave and had Tuffnut jump out at me in the dark to scare me into thinking it was my grandfather's ghost...worked as well...scared me half to death," he whispered back feeling embarrassed at the confession that he had been tricked so easily. He should have been expecting it.

Astrid tried to hide her smile but was failing miserably.

"Come on you two, were at the important bit now," Stoick chastised quietly to the pair and Hiccup took a deep gulp. It was time for the vows.

"Do you Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III take this woman Astrid Ilera Hofferson to be you wife?"

Hiccup raised an eyebrow at hearing Astrid's middle name. He didn't even know she had one but noted that it could come in handy later. Then he took a deep breath and looked at Astrid, making sure to meet her eyes.

"I Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III accept this woman and pledge that all that I have, my possessions, my sword, my life and my soul are hers. I will love, honour and defend her till the end of my days when I join the Gods at their table in Valhalla."

He then took her hand gently in his own.

"I also pledge that we will be equals in everything, marriage and status throughout our lives together."

Astrid's eyes widen at this last part and she felt tears come to her eyes. He had not only just pledged his life and soul to her but had done something unprecedented. A woman was normally subservient to a man once they had married. Not that Hiccup would have enforced that rule but he had just declared publicly that she would have equal status to him in the marriage and a status akin to his own in the tribe as heir and then chief when the time came.

"Oh...Hiccup," she said fighting back the tears as he held out the sword to her, his engagement ring resting on the blade, waiting to become a ring of marriage.

A loud sniff came from beside them and Stoick wiped quickly at his eyes as he struggled to contain his own emotions.

"Ah...um...and do you Astrid Ilera Hofferson take this man Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as your husband?" He said trying to regain his composure.

Astrid tried to blink the tears away as she looked deeply to Hiccups green eyes.

"I Astrid Ilera Hofferson accept this man and pledge that my sword arm will be ready and my axe sharp and bright to defend him should his life and soul be threatened. I also pledge that I will love and honour him till the Gods call me home. I declare that he is the best of us and that he is and always will be my soul mate, in this life and the next."

She held out the axe towards Hiccup her own ring resting on the blade. They took the blades from each other and removed the rings, handing the blades to Thuggory and Camicazi. Hiccup stepped closer to Astrid, taking her left hand once more.

"Astrid with this ring I ask that you bond with me as my wife, do you accept this symbol of our joining?"

Astrid squeezed his hand before stretching out her fingers.

"I do with all my heart," she said and Hiccup slipped the ring onto her finger.

She then took his left hand in her own.

"Hiccup this ring is a symbol of our joining, a symbol of the start of our journey and new adventure together, do you accept it as my husband?

Hiccup smiled softly.

"I do with all my heart," he said as she slipped the ring back onto his finger where it belonged.

Then clasping hands they turned back towards their chief who raised his arms in the air and looked at the assembled crowd. He raised his voice to address them.

"Then in the eyes of the gods, this tribe and these witnesses I declare that this man and this woman be lawfully joined in marriage as husband and wife and may their union be blessed from this day forth."

He then looked back at the newlywed couple.

"You can now kiss the bride," he said smiling at his son.

"I'd thought you'd never ask," Hiccup said as he wrapped an arm around Astrid's waist, pulling her towards him and into a gentle kiss before spinning her around and laughing happily. All around them the crowd erupted into loud cheers of congratulations.

Hiccup drew his new wife close to his chest.

"Finally," he said in relief looking deep into her eyes.

"No more running Haddock. Your mine," she said smiling.

Hiccup smiled mischievously.

"You never told me you middle name was 'Ilera', that might come in handy one day," he said smirking at the thought of the fun he could have teasing her with it.

"Don't you dare even think about it," she said swatting him playfully.

Hiccup pouted.

"Oh...so you're not going to break out my middle name when I'm in trouble and what's with the 'Haddock', your one now as well," he reminded her.

Astrid smiled at this. It was true she was no longer Astrid Hofferson, she was Astrid Haddock now.

"I could always divorce you," she teased.

Hiccup kissed her again.

"You wouldn't dare," he said against her lips and the short kiss became long and deep.

Finally they gently broke away and followed the crowd towards the great hall. The day was far from done but for the two lovers the first hurdle was over. After what seemed a lifetime of waiting they were finally married.

Hiccup looked across at the woman lying beside him, noting the way the soft moonlight reflected across her pale skin. He slowly turned onto his side so as not to disturb her and reached out to stroke her hair as it fell across the pillow, smiling softly as he recalled the events of the last few hours.

The festivities had gone well and everyone had enjoyed themselves immensely and probably still we're if the faint sounds from the Great hall were anything to go by. They hadn't stumbled over the sword across the threshold, the last of the bridal ale had been drunk without him being sick and Hiccup had sunk his sword deep and true into the wooden support of their new home. All three acts adding further blessing to their union and future but for the newlyweds these had been trivial things. There had been only one thing on their minds, the final hurdle.

Nervously they had been led from the festivities to their house and a few select tribal members had witnessed the formal removal of Astrids bridal crown, after that though they had been left alone and both were grateful that a public consummation of their marriage was something long since retired to history.

It had been nervous and awkward for them both. Neither being totally sure of what to do despite all the advice they had received but together they learned. Following their instincts and the path that love and passion had shown them. No doubt they would get better as they learned about each other in this new and exciting way but it had been enjoyable for them both even though there had been some pain on Astrid's behalf. He had been warned about it of course and hated himself for hurting her but she had not complained and had reassured and encouraged him.

He leaned over and softly kissed her cheek and she stirred slightly, a faint smile touching her lips at the contact. It had certainly been a rough ride up to this point but his dream had been completed. He was finally one with the woman he had loved for so long.

He looked lovingly at his wife and couldn't help thinking about everything that had drawn them to this point. The adventures they had shared, the excitement, the disappointment and the despair that had come with them. They had survived it all, maybe with the help of the gods, who knew but one thing Hiccup was certain of, there was no one on Berk or even possibly in the whole world who was as happy as he was right now.

"I could get used to this," a soft voice said and he smiled when he realised that Astrid was awake.

"Get used to what?" He said, his own voice soft as he leaned in closer to her.

She turned on her side so that she was facing him.

"You watching me while I sleep," she said smiling gentle at him and laying her palms against his chest.

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him.

"Anything for you...my love...my wife," he said as he leaned down to kiss her.

Astrid wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him over her.

"Wife...that has a nice sound to it," she smiled, caressing his face tenderly and looking deep into his eyes.

"Almost as good as 'husband'."

Hiccup smiled and kissed her again. The kiss soon became more passionate and they began to once more clasp at each other in a desperate and passionate dance of love.

Yes the adventures had been exciting up till now but they had just begun. Who knew what the future held for them, what new trials they would face. All they cared about right now was each other and they knew that this would be their greatest adventure of them all.

THE END

Oh man it's finally over. I can't believe what grew from a few scribbled notes in the back of a notebook. This has been a labour of love writing this and I'm almost sad to see it end. I hope that you feel the same way because I've loved this story from beginning to end. I confess that I never intended it to be so long or for it to become so focused on Astrid and Hiccup, it just grew that way and I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks you to the Viking Lady web site for the guidance on wedding formalities and the I hope that I closed all the loops. If you were wondering about the rings, that story will be covered in the sequel.

Thank you to everyone who has followed, favourite, supported and reviewed since this story's birth. You helped spur me on and back into the world of fanfiction writing and I'm sorry I ever left. The story continues in the sexual 'Between Darkness and Light' which I hope you will follow. I have a note book full of ideas. I also have a shorter one shot story idea I'm working on called 'Acceptance'. I'll post more details in my profile.

Again thank you all for reading. I would love to know what you think of the finished product so please review and tell me.

Until next time.

Cathrath