How To Train Your Mandalorian;

CH IV; The Sacred Vows

Characters: Hiccup Haddock, Stoick the Vast Haddock, Gobber, Astrid Hofferson, Snotlout Jorgenson, Spitelout Jorgenson, Ruffnut Thorston, Tuffnut Thorston, Fishlegs Ingerman

Ships: Hiccstrid, for now

Description:

Mandalorians, fiercest warriors in the galaxy and often some of the most stubborn organics, or inorganics, you'll ever meet. Enter the idea to colonize a planet in wild space well outside of normal territory. This world was called Arteo. Watch as Hiccup Horrendous Haddock The Third tries to make himself a proper Mandalorian as he and his people face the threat of dragons.

Chapter Description:

Weddings, you either love 'em or hate 'em, but there's not really a way out of this one, will it do some good or ruin what little Hiccup has left?

Disclaimer:

I do not own Star Wars, I do not own How to Train Your Dragon. I am but a humble fan trying something I haven't done before in mixing these two together, may Disney, who may soon be the entertainment overlords please spare me their wrath and lawsuits, I wouldn't have much to give them anyway.

A/N:

So for those who have had questions about pieces of this story not relating well to Mandalorian culture I write the following; While I am not completely ignorant of Mandalorian culture that exists within legends I do not claim to be a lore master. I specialise primarily on the Clone Wars and Dark Times eras meaning a lot of what I know comes from the Republic Commando series from Karen Traviss. Now while she is a divise author I admit to loving that book series for the way it portrays Mandalorians and for the way it handles the very real aspects of the lives that Clone soldiers experienced, and by extension what a number of actual soldiers must go through. That said a good portion of the way I've represented things for Mandalorian culture has come from this alongside my use of online sources in order to have better access to vocabulary. I know this leaves some things lacking and I do apologise for it. I do hope that it can be seen past however as I do plan on continuing this story and seeing it through a myriad of parts and installments. For those who have questions regarding other pieces of the story whether or not they relate I must sadly say I've done my best to quite literally keep the spark of the original movie intact and taken creative license where necessary. For those looking for an somewhat more in-universe explanation; Berk and Arteo exist outside the realms of the known Star Wars galaxy, quite essentially a frontier world which these Mandalorians have no way of escaping to return back to the stars they know. It has left them in dire straits and in conflict with the powerful Dragons of Arteo. As such even the most important and valued of Mandalorian tenants have been eroded, forgotten, or even purposely ignored in order to survive. That is the best reasoning I can give for some of the artistic license I've taken, that said every comment is valuable and I am working on changing things that I can, such as House Haddock will not refer to Stoick and Hiccup's family given that the Haddocks are the top dogs of Berk. So I hope you will all continue to read this, and that this clears up a bit of confusion, I really was trying, and will continue to try, explore a Star Wars Mandalorian version of Berk where they are quite usually on the brink between survival and total annihilation. If anyone has questions please feel free to leave a comment/pm for me, I do take all of it seriously and am working hard to keep this story going while struggling through college, as well as keep in mind what is suggested and offered to me about information I have not found or been able to appropriately use. Thank you all so much for your support and please enjoy!. There is another AN at the end which was written when I originally completed this chapter.

Mando'A and other dictionary

Buir- parent, father or mother

Manda- heaven, afterlife only for the warriors

Kama- beltspat/leg cover, serves as armour

Haran- hell

Haar'chak- "Damn it!"

Ad- child, son, or daughter

Aliit ori'shya tal'din- "family is more than blood"

Vod- brother, sister, comrade

Ad'ika- little child

Mishuk gotal'u meshuroke, pako kyore- "pressure makes gems, ease makes decay"

Jatnese be te jatnese- "best of the best"

Vor'e- thanks

Nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la- "not gone, merely marching far away"

Mandokarla- the right stuff

Buy'ce- helmet

Verd ori'shya beskar'gam- "a warrior is more than their armour"

Ba'vodu- uncle

HUD- Heads Up Display (shows targets, basic vitals, etc.)

Copaani gaan- "need a hand?"

Ke'pare- "wait"

K'oyacyi- "cheers/hang in there/come back safely/stay alive"

Nar dralshy'a- "Put your back into it/try harder"

Sooran, shab- "suck on that, chum/ass"

Ret'lini- "just in case"

K'atini- "suck it up"

K'uur- "hush"

Ni dinu ner gaan naakyc, jorcu ni nu copaani kyr'amur ner vod- "honour my offer of truce, for I would not willingly shed my brother's blood"

Udesii- "take it easy/calm down"

Ne shab'rud'ni- "Don't mess with me" (extreme warning, likely to be followed with violence)

Kaysh mirsh solus- "he's an idiot" (literally his brain cells are lonely)

Mir'osik- shit for brains

Oribuyce, kih'kovid- "all helmet, no head"

Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde- "we are one when together, we are one when parted, we will share all, we will raise warriors"

Tihaar- alcoholic drink

Berk, Chief's Home

Hiccup awoke bleary eyed and tired, his muscles crying out to do nothing after the beating he'd sustained yesterday. His cheeks burned as he thought about having to face his father as soon as he went downstairs. Astrid's plan had worked a little too well if Hiccup had to be honest. He had the birds and the bees talk one too many times last night for his liking, Manda why had his father had to stay up just to remind him of that. Throwing the blanket off his bed and moving to his desk Hiccup couldn't help the want to draw that Night Fury who'd threatened him and Astrid.

Sketching out the dark flat almost spade shaped head with its nose pulled into folds, jaws parted, teeth shining in an invisible light. Shadows glide together in the darkness, forming the rest of the black dragon as it holds its paws in front and talons in plain sight. The sun had risen shedding light through the drapes pulled over the window.

"Ah! Ad'ika what do ya think you're up ta. You need to start gettin' ready." Stoick boomed and slapped his son on the back. Hiccup slammed into the desk and his pen sliding out of his grasp.

"Dad! Hi Dad… Hey… Dad." Hiccup quickly snapped the flimsi book closed and tried to spin away. Stoick pulled Hiccup from the chair and tossed him to his feet.

"Come on, down the stairs with ya, Gobber brought along that masterpiece of an armour set you and Astrid made. Haran ad'ika I didn't know you could forge armour better than weapons.

Berk, Hofferson Home

Astrid moaned slightly, her body was filled with a dull ache from the tension and practice yesterday. Manda I taught Hiccup to throw one hell of a left straight. Astrid rolled over, pushing her head into the pillow. The door flung open and Hettir stomped in, shattering what peace was kept in the wee hours of the morning.

"Haar'chak Buir!" Astrid growled flipping over as she noted the lack of light in her window. "There's no way it's time to get ready."

Astrid sat up, her hair spiked and sticking out like someone had taken an axe to a bush. Her eyes struggled to stay open. Forcing her eyes open wide for all of about two seconds Astrid catches her father setting, what look like weights on her bed, the blanket collapsing slightly under them.

"Buir…"

"Ast'ika get yer shebs out of that bed right now, ya need to have yer hair braided, yer armour on, and ya need to practice. There'll be a number of people looking to challenge you, or Hiccup, fer the contract we've drawn up. People may see 'im as weak, but he is the chief's ad and that makes 'im important." Aranar steps into the room, her hand trailing the wall. Astrid's bleary eyes focused on her mother and with an exasperated groan the young woman flung herself out the bed with flip. "Now come on, I need ta braid yer hair ad'ika."

Astrid made her way over and collapsed into the offered seat before the mirrored desk, the fine coating of dust that had been there yesterday long since gone. Aranar softly tugged at Astrid's hair pulling and knitting the locks into an interwoven braid making the waterfall of hair appear like streams drawn together and crossing each other to form of a river.

"You're awfully quiet Astrid, ya haven't fallen asleep on me h've ya?" Aganar wished she could see, to know her daughter's beauty on the day she would wed, but at least she was here.

"Buir… I… I don't know if I want to do this…" Astrid's voice was little more than a whisper, and Aganar could feel the shift of her daughter's neck and shoulders downward. Releasing her grip on the nearly completed braid Aganar's hands trailed to those shoulders and cupped them with her calloused and hard hands.

"Ast'ika, ya are the strongest of us, of all the warriors yer age. Most couldn't do what you've been asked ta. You defended me when times got tough. You stuck by Hiccup's side despite the bullying he received. You, my ad'ika, are my gift and my legacy. Aliit ori'shya tal'din, Hiccup is yer vod, and whether ya love 'im or not you'd be by his side anyway. Remember my dearest ad, mishuk gotal'u meshuroke, pako kyore. Ya and he'll be the jatnese be te jatnese of that I h've no doubt." Slowly Astrid's shuddering shoulders halted and a hand swept at her face, wiping what few wet trails remained.

"Vor'e Buir, I don't know what I would do without you." Astrid spun circling her arms around her mother and pulling tight. Aganar let her own arms trail over her daughter.

"You'll always h've me ad'ika, even when I join the Manda, nu kyr'adyc, shi taab'echaaj'la."

Berk, Chief's Home

Hiccup finished locking the plates onto his bodysuit with a snap. The mirror his father had brought out showing the picture of a proper Mandalorian, something Hiccup had never felt he'd looked like before. Stoick smiled as he watched his son hold his buy'ce in his hands, not noticing the sad slant to Hiccup's eyes in the reflection. Stepping forward those Bantha sized hands fall onto Hiccup's shoulders.

"My ad'ika, ya are ma proudest achievement… I'm sorry fer any and all I've done, I should've looked at who ya are, not what ya look like… Mandokarla Hic'ika." Stoick turned and stepped to the door, sparing but a single glance at his son, the helmet with its horns held in those small hands. "Oh Valka, how I wish ya could see yer ad'ika right now."

Hiccup examined the buy'ce, a row of horns a its center, two more at forty-five degree angles from the black visor. Leather with two red stripes covering either of the cheek pieces, the glossy black surface of the helmet sent light dancing off of it. Hiccup's eyes fell as he slid it on and made for the door, stopping short as his hand passed through air instead of landing on his sword hilt… osik.

The steps groaned less under him than they had under his father as Hiccup found Gobber waiting for him. The portly blacksmith had a mug in his interchangeable hand and was sitting at the table, a package of wrapped paper. The blonde haired man smirked as Hiccup came down the stairs, looking a soldier ready for war.

"Verd ori'shya beskar'gam. I's good ta see ya lad. Now I got somethin' fer ya, hope ya don't mind, but Stoick told me ya and Astrid h've been training in tha woods, now I can't have ma apprentice workin' with inferior equipment." Gobbe picked up the package and handed it off. "Ya earned it lad."

Hiccup pulls away the paper, emerald eyes alighting on the silvered edge of a sword. Pulling the rest of the packaging away his eyes widen at the straight edged longsword, a vibration matrix set into the hilt with a trigger device next to where his pointer finger would rest. Even more surprising the weapon was fitted for a lefty. Hiccup's eyes fell slightly, I didn't do anything to deserve this, I'm just going through with my father's orders.

Berk, Great Hall

Hiccup stood at the back of the hall, most of the tables and chairs pushed to a circle creating a ring the Chief's table set into it and an open center. Stoick stood at the head of the table, Hiccups ba'vodu Spitelout and his cousin Snotlout on Stoick's left. The doors creaked open revealing Aganar and Hettir in their blue and greens. Aganar steps off to one side, and Hettir does as well, revealing Astrid.

The young woman had thought heads would turn at their entrance, instead every head turned to catch an eyeful of Hiccup's handywork. A deep ocean blue X shape with an orange interior decorated the face of her buy'ce, slight gold trimming around the points of her visor and a blood red trim outside the gold. A green backdrop to the masterpiece, seeing the armour this morning had left her breathless, now she got to see everyone else.

Of all the reactions, none mattered as much as the man in black, red, and a slight bit of green armour standing next to a behemoth of a man making him look small, short, and weak. A horned helmet was held beneath his arm and his jaw was hanging, eyes wide, and his shoulders pulling back to stand just the tiniest bit taller. Astrid was glad for the helmet, it hid her glowing cheeks, unlike the man waiting for her who was almost as crimson as the red markings on his armour. Astrid made her steps down the aisle with the utmost care, watching for any pranks the twins might try, leave it to them to try and spoil a wedding. Yet the walk to the head table was uneventful, even if long.

"We are blessed by the Manda! Ta h've these two here to be joined as partners for their lives," boomed Stoick's voice, slamming into the walls and filling every empty piece of air. "My son is the heir ta the town! Ta the House of Haddock and our tribe of Hairy Hooligans! So it is with ma best and most deep request that we begin this ceremony."

A chorus of shouts rung out from gathered Mandalorians, their feet pounding a tempo into the ground of the hall. The clank of mugs and glasses filling what space in the air remains before Stoick raises his hands and slowly the shouts, the noise, dies.

"Mandalorian Vows are meant ta be sacred, ta be shared between tha two involved. Normally I would n'ver break such a tradition… but when tha two are the Chief's son and his lady… well sadly I must. I must ask that Astrid Hofferson, and Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, display for us their prowess on the battlefield." The room erupted in murmurs, more than most about Astrid fighting Hiccup.

"She'll kill 'im."

"I saw 'em yesterday, she'll rip 'im apart."

"No way in dar'yaim does the boy survive the first thir'y seconds."

"Nah, I give 'im even odds, thir'y one seconds." Stoick finally loosed a growl as Hiccup and Astrid entered the impromptu ring. Silence fell across the hall, dying to the growl and the ring of weapons being drawn. Hiccup's vibro-sword sliding from the scabbard at his hip and Astrid's axe glinting in the yellowed lighting, much like torches wandering in the slightest breeze of air. Hiccup lowered, bowing to the ground, his sword swept to his left and helmet out to his right. Astrid pulled her helmet free, losing the blonde locks tucked into an intricate web of a braid, her diamond eyes locking with Hiccup's emerald, a glint of happiness as the pair's lips tug into full blown smiles. Astrid copies, careful not to allow the contact between their eyes to break. Drawing themselves up they slid their helmets back onto their heads, hiding their growing smiles behind the black visors a dim glow of their HUDs showing the foggiest shadows of their faces, Astrid's blue and Hiccup's green. Their weapons settled before their helmets and Stoick pulled himself to his impressive almost seven feet tall height.

"Ta tha jatnese be te jatnese. May the best verd win… BEGIN!" Like a rocket Astrid pushed off her foot and twisted sending her full strength into a cleave towards Hiccup's neck, lightning as blue as her eyes trailing the weapon. Hiccup ducks beneath, sweeping his leg and sending Astrid tumbling.

The young woman hissed rolling onto the ground and spinning on the ball of her right foot to block as green lightning trailing Hiccup's blade smashes into the haft of her own weapon. Astrid pushed him off and quickly responded jabbing with the but of her axe, Hiccup deftly twisting right and slamming the pommel of his weapon into her side before pushing off and sliding across the ground. Astrid released a growl and a huff of breath escaped her lips.

Hiccup darted back in, swiping right and left, then snatching at her axe with his right hand. Astrid's face broke into a smirk. Ducking underneath the attack Astrid launches herself off her bent knees driving herself into his stomach. Hiccup gasps, as he falls onto his back. Astrid draws her axe up and swings it in a downward arc. Hiccup rolled right, kicking out at Astrid's greaves. The axe head bites into the wood sparks flying as Astrid is knocked backwards.

Hiccup shot to his feet and following up with his attacks as Astrid bounced from one foot to the other, twirling around Hiccup's blade in a masterful display of agility. Dodging left Astrid spun out striking Hiccup's sword and causing his arm to shake before his hand released the weapon.

It clattered the ground, Hiccup darting in limiting the range of Astrid's axe and pulling his knife from his belt. The young woman stepped back, and Hiccup caught her ankle with his own. Astrid released her grip on her axe and snatched Hiccup's outstretched right arm. Gravity took control drawing them down.

"Ungh!" Astrid groaned, shoving Hiccup off her and drawing her own dagger. Knees bent, knife held and pointed straight at Hiccup, the young man similarly armed, holding his weapon in his left. Astrid lunged forwards and Hiccup caught her wrist with his right. Astrid delivered a quick kick to his side, and Hiccup grunted as he took it. The grip on Astrid's wrist tightened like a vice made of iron. Something started to shift inside her body and Astrid yelped releasing the weapon. Hiccup swung his leg inside, just like before, and letting gravity pull them down Hiccup holding his dagger right over her throat.

"Yield M'lady, I have you right where I want you." Hiccup's nasally voice pierced Astrid's thoughts and sent her attention from the dagger pressed ever so faintly, just feathering against her throat to the green back-lit black visor staring down at her. Their chests were heaving, a slight clink as the metal met metal.

"By the MANDA! KANDOSII! KANDOSII!" Stoick boomed. The room erupted into cheers Astrid smirked within her buy'ce, then pulled her legs up and encircling Hiccup's stomach and reversing their positions and forcing Hiccup's dagger to his own throat. The entire hall went silent as Astrid lowered her helmet and lightly tapped her forehead to his, a Keldabe kiss… Astrid's eyes widen beneath her visor as her mind caught up with her body. "KANDOSII! Come get off yer soon-ta-be ya h've other things ta be doin'."

Astrid released Hiccup's arm and offered her hand as she used her other to brush dust off her kama. "Copaani gaan?"

Hiccup took it, letting Astrid haul him up. The pair retrieved their weapons, Astrid vaulting the table and joining the Chief. Hiccup sheathed his sword and started to follow suit.

"Ke'pare!" Snotlout growls jumping into the arena and dragging his hammer out. "I challenge the heir! For Astrid's hand!"

"Hiccup?" Stoick looked at his son, halfway over the table, his legs still dangling over the edge. Releasing his grip and landing back in the arena the young man glares at his cousin through his visor.

"I, Hiccup Horrendous-"

"Just cut to the chase Useless," Snotlout grouses, hefting his hammer and resting it on his shoulder. Hiccup's lips turn downwards and he draws his sword once more. Slowing going to bow, his eyes still locked on Snotlout.

"I accept." Snotlout didn't return the gesture, rushing forward and seizing the opportunity of Hiccup being out of position. The blow whiffs through the air, Hiccup rolling across the ground and coming up with his blade aimed at Snotlout's chest. "You don't have to do this Snot…"

Snotlout's answer was to twist and send another hammer swing towards Hiccup. Jumping right and using his blade to turn the hit to a glance Hiccup focused on Snotlout's face. His head was open to attack, and that made this all the more difficult. Ducking the next strike Hiccup jams the pommel of his blade into Snotlout.

"Hrk!" The other grunted before bringing his hammed down on Hiccup's back. Beskar wasn't as much of a joke as durasteel though. Hiccup moaned as an explosive blast of air left his lungs and sent him onto the ground.

"K'oyacyi Hic'ika!" Astrid bellowed slamming her fists into the table. Hiccup grunted and shoved his arms beneath him and got up. The world wasn't spinning and Snotlout had his back to him, the other boy waving his arms above his head and strutting around the ring. "K'oyacyi!"

Hiccup snatched up his sword and lunged forward, the blade glancing off Snotlout's armour and making him turn around. As Snotlout spun on the ball of his foot his face met with Hiccup's gauntleted arm, a wet crunch filling the room as Snotlout falls to his back, blood running from his misshapen nose. Hiccup caught Snotlout a delivered a kick to his side.

"KANDOSII!" Astrid screamed. "Nar dralshy'a! Put 'im in his place Hic'ika!"

Hiccup delivered a second kick, his foot getting caught by Snotlout's hands and pulled from underneath him. As Hiccup landed on the ground Snotlout pounced him, striking the smaller man in the chest two or three times before Hiccup responded in kind. Hiccup jabbed into Snotlout's throat sending the other man sputtering and wheeling away.

"Sooran, shab!" a voice bounced into the mock arena. A few others threw insults at the way of the short choking Mandalorian. Hiccup picked up his sword and held it at a ready, drawing his knife in his off hand, ret'lini. As Snotlout picked up his hammer and moved back towards Hiccup the heir tossed the knife in the air. Snotlout tracked the weapon, seeing too late what had happened.

Hiccup darted forward, a flurry of combos attacking the surprised shorter man and sending him on the defensive. Snotlout used the haft of his weapon to parry Hiccup's strikes, but the wood was flexing beneath them, and the divots being carved away wasn't good. Snotlout turned, pulling his shoulder tight and letting Hiccup's next blow land right on the plate. Green lightning sparked as the pair made contact, in a flash the hammer came up and knocked into Hiccup's chin.

The heir sailed backwards, sliding across the ground while his buy'ce struck farther away than he could reach. Snotlout began sauntering over as the dagger landed next to Hiccup's left hand, blade tip buried in the wood only barely. Snotlout had eyes only for his target.

"K'atini Hic'ika! K'oyacyi!" Astrid pulled her axe from her back mounted her foot on the table before something large caught her on the shoulder. Astrid glared with a heat that could melt a dragon's heart at Stoick whose massive hand had her like a dragon trap. "Let me go! Let me GO!"

"K'uur! If ya h've any faith in yer trainin' of 'im you'll sit yer shebs down." Astrid buried the axe into the table and sat back down.

"If anthin' happens ta him… You had better find a v'ry deep hole ta hide in Chief." Stoick's adam's apple bobbed and he turned his gaze back to the ring.

Snotlout stood over Hiccup, pulling his hammer up. "Do you yield Useless?"

"No, but you should. Ni dinu ner gaan naakyc, jorcu ni nu copaani kyr'amur ner vod." Snotlout's arms paused, it was all Hiccup needed. The strike started to fall, the room going silent and time seeming to slow. Hiccup snatched his knife and stabbed right into the side of Snotlout's shin and calf.

"AAHHHHHH!" Snotlout rolled to the ground clutching at his leg, hammer falling uselessly off to Hiccup's side. Getting his feet under him Hiccup dove for his sword as Snotlout looked up, blood still streaming from his nose as his brows furrowed and his pupils dilated, a snarl covering his face and revealing his teeth. Hiccup held the sword before him and flicked it back on, a slight amount of green lightning sparking along the blade.

"Udesii Snotlout, yield no one will think any less of you." Hiccup kept his eyes locked with his cousin who limped over to his hammer and hefted the weapon from the ground. "Ne shab'rud'ni..."

Snotlout rushed forward growling. "Cui ogir'olar!" He lashed out swinging his hammer in a number of strikes and lines, Hiccup weaving in between them while his chest really started to heave beneath the chest plates. As Hiccup ducked he led Snotlout towards one of the support columns, not escaping the notice of the other warriors.

"Kaysh mirsh solus" whispered a warrior as Hiccup passed.

"Mir'osik." Hiccup ducked Snotlout's blow and the other struck the support column. The shudder travelled through Snotlout's arm causing him to drop his hammer, Hiccup pushed off the column tackling Snotlout to the ground and striking his larger, but shorter, cousin in the face two or three times with the pommel of his kad before levelling it at Snotlout's throat.

"Yield, Snotlout Jorgenson. Oribuyce, kih'kovid." Snotlout released a groan, blood covering his face as Hiccup finally took the time to notice how his jaw pounded with pain was like stabbing himself to touch.

"I… yield…" for the loser the world went black, the hall breaking into shouts and screams and cheers. Astrid launched herself into the ring taking Hiccup to the ground and sending his sword skittering over the floor. She pulled her arm back and smacked him hard on the shoulder.

"OW! What was that for?" Hiccup staring at the reflective visor before Astrid pulled it off and stared at him, trying to bore through his brain through will power.

"That was for not fighting to win!... and this is for everything else." Astrid gave him a heavy peck on the cheek with her lips. Hiccup stared back, his hand reaching up and brushing the spot where her soft lips had met his skin.

Half an Hour Later

"Alright shut yer traps!" Stoick looks around the room as the last stragglers speaking quiet down, a few hushed tones being all that remained. "Now I know ya all want to gossip about what j'st happened for the next couple hours, but let us not ferget why we're here. My Son is gettin' married!"

Hiccup glances at Astrid, she was next to him, holding an ice pack to his chin. Snotlout had been taken directly to Gothi for treatment given how bad his nose was, the young bastard would be lucky to be in dragon training after the piss poor performance, at least that was Astrid's opinion. Hiccup reaches out, letting his hand stay just near Astrid's, the young woman pushing forward and intertwining their fingers together.

"Now as tradition expects the sacred vows are ta be kept between tha two involved, will ya being doin' it that way?" Stoick turned to look at Hiccup and Astrid. The pair weren't even listening to him. Stoick had feared what might happen putting those two together, but watching them sit there, not saying a word and noticing absolutely nothing else about the world around them, he just knew. "I think its time we give 'em some space!"

Walking over Stoick gently leads the pair away and into a side room adjoining the main chamber. Astrid and Hiccup turn as he smiles down at them.

"Hiccup and Astrid, do ya know the vows?"

"Yes"

"Then I leave ya ta take them alone, may the Manda watch over ya. Come join us once yer done, and we'll have a party, how does that sound?" Hiccup simply looked away.

"It would be wonderful Chief-"

"Call me Stoick lass."

"It would be wonderful Ch- Stoick." Astrid presses the button sliding the door shut and leaving herself and Hiccup in a small room, a tapestry of the Hairy Hooligan House hanging next to a small set of candles. Hiccup gazes in wonder, the room was almost as black as night, its entirety painted jet black. Astrid's armour let off a faint shimmering glow from its gold and blue hues, shadows dancing across the pair in the candlelight.

"You know for a highly advanced space faring race of mercenaries I'm really surprised we haven't found a better form of lighting for a wedding than candles, it's a little cliche don't you think?" Hiccup was waving his arms and shifting his weight between his feet. Astrid just smiled and held out her hand once again.

"You really need to learn when to shut your mouth."

"Astrid Hofferson, are you a… a closet romantic!" Hiccup's smile seemed to brighten the room. Astrid's face flushed crimson.

"I-I-If you k-know w-what's good for y-you… you'll shut up." Hiccup gives a light squeeze to their interlocked hand.

"M'lady, if you don't want to do this, for any reason, we can always lie, say the vows at our own time and choosing." Astrid's eyes went wide locking with Hiccup's. Was he really suggesting…

"You are insufferable don't you know that." Astrid's punch caught his arm, their hands still held tight. "Why can't you just order me to do it, why do you have to be so haar'chak nice and shabla empathetic. At least if you weren't like that than I could hate you for all this happening, even if it was neither of own faults…"

"First, OW! We need to work on your communication skills, punching people is not okay. Second, why would I force you to do anything? You're Astrid Hofferson. By the Manda I should be thanking every god in existence I was able to know your name, let alone be your best friend, but what kind of frie- what kind of partner would I be if I asked you to do something you weren't ready for?" Hiccup had began rubbing circles on her arm with his free hand. Astrid's face went from a light red to a deep crimson, and she ducked down to hide it from view. "You know I'm supposed to be the insecure one, not you, right?"

"Manda Hiccup! Why can't you just make this whole thing easier for the both of us, if we just hate each other than at least we know where we stand." Astrid felt something warm and wet start to trail down from her eyes. She was so weak, talk about 'Fearless' Astrid Hofferson, she can't even marry someone she was told to marry. Something caught her chin, raising it to meet those seeking emerald green eyes.

"Astrid, I don't know what tomorrow will bring, I don't know whether dar'yaim will arrive, if it'll be sunny, or rain and hail like it usually does. But I know that there is no one on this planet that I wouldn't want by my side for any of it other than you. There will always be a Hiccup and an Astrid, whatever that may come to mean, whatever you want it to mean. There will always be a Hiccup and an Astrid, and I will always come for you, always." Astrid's diamond eyes searched through those shining emeralds, and she closed her eyes, her chest rising and a long exhale out.

"Alright Hiccup, I guess it's now or never right?" Hiccup just gave her that lopsided smile and gave another squeeze to their conjoined hands.

"Any time is good for me, but I'll say my piece, you answer when you want, whether it's today, tomorrow, or never." Hiccup trailed one hand down to her free one and caught it. "Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde."

Astrid searched his eyes once more, a tremor running through her body and ending where Hiccup delicately held her hands, their rough calloused form somehow feeling soft. Breathing deeply once more, and then releasing it Astrid opened her eyes and let them harden like steel and matching Hiccup's gaze.

"Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde. There's no way you're braver than me Hiccup Haddock."

"I wouldn't dare dream of it Astrid Haddock." The pair exited the room and looked at the Mandalorians downing Tihaar like water and attempting to quite sloppily dance or fight their way in the center ring. Stoick still sat at his table, and the pair could feel his eyes on them. Making their way to the back of the hall where his table was Stoick passed two plates in front of them.

"Now I expect ya two will want ta t'rn in early, Dragon Training and such in the mornin' so just share a glass of Tihaar with the old man and let a few people congratulate ya than be on your way?" Hiccup blinked, his father had never done that before, whenever there was a clan function, no matter how much Hiccup wanted out, he'd always been pulled along… now though….

"Of course Dad, why not?" Hiccup downed the first glass of Tihaar, as well as the second before even starting on his food. He was loud, boisterous, and very un-Hiccup. Astrid was watching it all, she'd quickly begun pulling his Tihaar out of his grasp to keep it out of his stomach, Hiccup had glowered at her for that one.

After a near scrape with one of the older Mandalorians over something he wanted Hiccup to pay up for Astrid had quickly called it a night. What had started with an amazing display of prowess and courage had devolved faster than a hyperdrive on full power. His father's words had caused a shift in Hiccup, one that after the first couple of people who paid respects to the Chief instead of the newly wedded and left Hiccup even more sour. As his mood had spoiled and Astrid careful to keep more liquor out of his system it had eventually gotten to where Stoick had demanded they both leave, as much for their safety as for the others. The Chief had been growing red in the face, enough to match his beard, with every person who chose to disrespect his son in front of him, but of course there was nothing Stoick could do constantly being asked to intervene on one thing or another, the town simply couldn't enjoy a party, especially on the eve of a Nest Hunt.

Berk, Haddock Home

The door hissed and Astrid stalked in, followed by Hiccup who had his and Astrid's helmets attached to his belt. Astrid was about ready to shout at Hiccup over his dying attitude over the course of evening, even wheeling on him to do so before she watched his form retreat up the stairs. Pounding her steps after him she reaches one of two doors on the floor, one was at the end of the hallway while another was on her right. Considering the right door was the only one open Astrid took a chance and stopped in it's doorway.

Hiccup was pulling his armour off and flinging the softer pieces at the wall that was bare. He stacked the plates up in a closet and stood, bodysuit only glaring daggers at the wall. The room was large given Hiccup's size. A bookshelf made of wood alongside a desk with drafting lights and writing utensils were on her right. Hiccup was standing next to a bed made for two with a simple head and footboard. The metal walls shone with a dull silver and the brown of the floor contrasted, there was a single large carpet in the center underneath the bed that provided a soft place to put your feet upon waking up. In a word, cozy.

"Why's the left of the room empty?" Astrid's voice caught Hiccup unaware and the young man turned to see her before noting he was in nothing but his bodysuit.

"W-w-well i-it's f-f-for you a-actually… I… I knew it would be hard… I thought you could use some space of your own… m-make the place feel mo-more like your home too?" Hiccup had tried in vain to cover himself before snatching the blanket off the bed and swinging it over him. Astrid just smiled, what had she done in her life to earn someone who would go to such lengths for her.

"Well that is very nice of you, but if you intend on keeping that blanket we are going to have a problem. Is there a place for me to change?" Hiccup nodded. Going over he opened a footlocker next to the blank wall Astrid hadn't noticed.

"Just a few of your things, I had your Buir bring it over last night. The rest we could move over the course of the next couple days. There's a bathroom at the end of the hall, that closed door you hopefully saw? I mean your Astrid Hofferson you probably saw it and knew what it was… I'm rambling aren't I?" Hiccup rubbed his shoulder and turned to face her, his face burning slightly.

"Makes sense, you were very thoughtful, and yes I noticed but didn't know what it was. Yes you were rambling. I'm gonna take this." Astrid grabbed one of her sets of nightclothes and walked away. "You better be changed and in that bed with the comforter spread over the entire bed, if we have to share then I'm definitely getting some of that blanket."

A/N:

I thought this was a good place to stop, I'm still not likely to write lemon, it's not my style which if you are one of my returning viewers/readers you might notice some similarities between the characters I choose to write. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, the idea behind the combat display Astrid and Hiccup underwent was to start to showcase just how much Astrid's training has helped him. I also thought it would be a fun parody to the modern first dance of a wedding. As for the challengers I figure Snotlout would be the character stupid enough to do that, and I haven't decided if he should get a redemption for the hell he took out on Hiccup both in the ring and in the past of this story as he technically was the de facto leader for the twins. If you have an opinion on Snotlout at this point please feel free to give it to me and I'll take it into thought. Toothless and Astrid and Hiccup having to figure out what to do will return next chapter as Dragon Training starts and the pair's encounters with the strange Night Fury seem even curiouser after Gobber reminds them that a dragon always goes for the kill.

Please leave a review, suggestions, constructive criticism etc. I'll try to be more punctual with getting this up on all three sites instead of having it on Fnet for like three days and then posting to the others, sorry about that.

-Six out!