The Wedding

Well, Merida was back in her beautiful blue dress with golden lace. The only difference was that this time, she simply let her mother braid her hair and adorn it with wild flowers.

Rapunzel's mother had a bouquet made with lavender to help bring them good luck. And Merida nearly laughed with her mother found a horseshoe for her to carry.

"What's that fer?!" she laughed.

"You know it's tradition to carry an upright horses shoe." Her mother scoffed, "We'll tie it to the bouquet."

"Mum, I'm lucky. I've survived the worst battle in history and I'm marrying the noblest man." Merida said.
Her mother looked sadly at her and Merida finally gave in, "Fine, I'll carry the blasted heavy thing."

Her mother smiled proudly and walked around her with tears in her eyes.

Rapunzel was wearing a white gown with her crown and smiling at Merida, "You look so beautiful, Merida." She said, breathlessly.

"I feel strange but mayhap it's the jitters." Merida chuckled, looking nervous.

"Nonsense!" Elinor smiled, "You are the most beautiful bride and should have no cause for such jitters. Now, we'll be waitin' fer you out here, soon as those bells chime, you waltz yerself out here, young lady." Elinor said and took the queens hand, leaving Merida and Rapunzel alone in the room.

Rapunzel took her hands and grinned.

"Punzie…I'm…I'm scared." Merida admitted, "What if this is a mistake? We'll leave tonight and I don't know what to expect and I'm-"

"Shush." Rapunzel chuckled, "You and Hiccup are in love and your families are joining together as are mine. You'll never be far from home because now you have three."

Merida took a breath and smiled, "I love him." She said, "Tis strange sayin' that out loud but, I guess it's true. I love him."

Rapunzel smiled sadly at her, trying not to let her emotions show.

As though Merida read her thoughts she frowned, "Yer thinkin' about Jack, aren't you?"

Rapunzel kept her tears at bay, she was no longer crying over the fact that they could never be together.

"I love him just as much as you love Hiccup, but…he's right. And it hurts every time, but I know in my heart he'll never leave me. He'll always be here." She said as she touched her heart.

Merida put her hand on top of Rapunzel's and smiled, "As am I."

They laughed when the bells chimed and caused them to jump.

"It's time!" Rapunzel squealed.

Merida did a small jig with her, laughing, "Do yeh think he'll like meh dress?" she asked nervously.

"What's not to like? I personally think he'll love it." Rapunzel said, linking their arms and grabbing her flowers while Merida strapped her sword to her gown.

One of Hiccup's traditions was for the bride and groom to exchange swords as well as rings and she was actually quite impressed with that tradition, so she, of course, obliged to that.

"Let's go." Rapunzel said, walking out with her.

…

Jack snickered at Hiccup as he stood at the altar in the woods, waiting for Merida. His father as well as a Catholic priest would be initiating the vows, being that Hiccup was Pagan and Merida was Catholic. Although it was a bit of a controversy that nearly drove Hiccup and Merida's parents into madness, they agreed that instead of causing a war, they would unite and simply combine the two.

Of course the matter of children would be next but Hiccup and Merida had already planned that. They were going to settle and create a new village where Vikings and Catholics could live in peace and where dragons were respected as well as the rights of the youth. Naturally, they hadn't mentioned that to their parents yet.

Jack smiled, "No offense, but you kind of look…"

"Knock it off!" Hiccup muttered, dusting himself off nervously. He'd worn a new brown shirt and pants that were clean and nice looking for the ceremony. He was worried Merida would hate it, but everyone insisted he looked handsome and that she would be pleased.

He took deep breaths as he looked around the forest by the lake. It was merely a ceremony with their families to witness. Once the ceremony was over, there was a big celebration being planned in Rapunzel's kingdom. Some of Hiccup's villagers had come during the week as well as Merida's. Even dragons started flying around.

Toothless sat by Hiccup and Jack, waiting just as anxiously for the bride to show up.

The bells chimed and Hiccup looked up at Jack finally who smiled at him proudly, "You know I'm always here for you, right?" he said.

Hiccup nodded. Knowing no one else could see Jack made the fact that Jack stood by him anyways more encouraging for Hiccup. Jack didn't have to be here, yet he was, standing next to his best friend.

Jack looked up and smiled, leaning over for Hiccup to hear, "Wait till you see her, Hic. She looks beautiful."

Hiccup looked up and turned around. He felt lighter than air when he saw her face. She was smiling at him and he didn't think she'd ever looked more beautiful than she was as she looked at him, walking to become his wife.

Bagpipes sounded as she walked down proudly.

He smiled at her and she scrunched her shoulders excitedly. Rapunzel walked her a ways and then let Fergus take her hand to present to Hiccup. He clutched their hands into his meaty fist and smiled warmly, tears in his eyes. He nodded to Hiccup and then kissed Merida and let Hiccup lead her the rest of the way.

They held hands tightly as the priest and Hiccup's father both fought for the attention during the ceremony, but neither could care less. They simply held hands and smiled at one another. Not once did either look away, not even when a ribbon was wrapped around their hands intermingled with Merida's plaid. Not even when they exchanged swords and rings, or lit the candles and exchanged vows in Gaelic and in Norse.

By the time Hiccup got to finally kiss Merida, he was more than happy to do so. She jumped into his arms and both kissed happily to the cheers of their family.

Hiccup's father immediately embraced them both happily, shouting about how he was finally getting grandsons. While Fergus and Elinor ran up to hug the happy couple.

The priest merely shrugged and shook his head as he walked a way. He'd be enjoying the mead and wine tonight for sure for sharing the altar with a Pagan.

Rapunzel finally came up and hugged them both before they clasped hands and walked to the sound of bagpipes as they went to start the festivities. Toothless bounded along behind them happily.

Everyone walked out and Rapunzel was suddenly left with Jack. She smiled at him and he smiled back.

"Sure you don't want a wedding?" Rapunzel teased.

He laughed half-heartedly. Deep down he really wanted one, but he was still coming to terms with the fact that he was a spirit and she was a princess. All he could do was watch over her.

She took his hand and led him to the party.

…..

It was a success! Wine and honey-mead was served, music and games were played, and the whole kingdom celebrated the marriage.

The only people who were celebrating quietly were Team Runaway.

Once they'd made the toast and done the rest of the usual rituals, the four of them gathered in the castle while everyone partied away in the kingdom.

Merida and Hiccup were changing for their departure. They would travel and build a new village where all were welcome and their destinies could be free.

Merida hugged Jack while they waited for Hiccup and Toothless.

"I'll miss you." She cried into his shoulder.

He chuckled, "I'll miss you too you little spitfire."

She smiled up at him, "Will you come and see us?"

"You kidding? I'm all for causing some chaos in your village." He laughed.

"I'm holding you to it." She said as she turned to Rapunzel.

Hiccup finally came in with Toothless and walked up to Jack, shaking his hand, "I guess this is it." He said sadly.

"Nah, just for now." Jack reassured him.

Hiccup nodded, "You're my best friend Jack. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't." Jack smiled as Hiccup embraced him. He hugged him back while Hiccup walked up to Rapunzel.

"Thanks for getting us hitched." He laughed as he hugged her, "Maybe you aren't so crazy after all."

She sighed, "Take care of my sister."

"You know I will. But more than that I have a feeling she'll be taking care of me." He laughed.

Rapunzel giggled.

Toothless walked up and Jack patted his head, "See ya, buddy."

Rapunzel hugged him quickly, "Oh Toothless, I'll miss you so much!" she cried.

Hiccup got on Toothless and Merida gave her sister one last hug before she climbed up next to Hiccup.

"Don't forget Team Runaway!" Jack said as he stood next to Rapunzel.

Hiccup and Merida smiled as she put her arms around his middle.

Jack held Rapunzel's hand as they took off into the night, waving goodbye to everyone in the kingdom.

Rapunzel's tears flowed and Jack held her, "I can't believe they're gone." She admitted, choking on her sobs.

"They aren't gone." Jack smiled, "And neither am I. They're just off to find a new adventure together." He admitted.

"Guess that means it's our turn." Rapunzel chuckled, wiping her eyes.

Jack smiled, "No, just you."