If nervousness could kill, Hiccup would be dead right about now. It had been maybe 2 months since Astrid's 22nd birthday party where Hiccup not only threw her the best surprise party of her existence so far but also proposed to her, asking her to marry him after 6 months of dating and battling with himself of the issue. It had been a long battle with his inner feelings on the subject of marrying again. Even on his wedding day, sitting alone in his room he was thinking about everything that led up to this particular moment in his life. Marrying Astrid Hofferson, soon to be Holgerson.
Hiccup was almost fully dressed, he'd be wearing his formal attire today which consisted of his metal leg, one brown boot, black pants, a light gray shirt with a thin black vest, his cloak made from Toothless's scales clipped to his shoulders by his brown shoulder pads. Hiccup wasn't big on a lot of metal on his person, it weighed him down. Hiccup still had to put on the cloak, attach his shield and sword. He knew Astrid was at his mother's old place getting ready with her and Asta, her mother.
Stoick was staying with Gobber downstairs while Viggo and Thora were in their rooms getting ready, Snotlout and Tuffnut were staying with Fishlegs. Ruffnut and Runa had also chosen to stay with Astrid at Valka's because that is where the other girls close to Astrid were staying. Toothless was laying on his slab of rock resting, well watching Hiccup pace back and forth nervously. "I can't believe I'm standing here again bud...getting ready to get married to Astrid..." Hiccup sighed softly. He was happy about it, truly he was.
Hiccup thought back to when it started, 8 years ago now when he was thrown from Berk, cast out for befriending Toothless. He changed outcast island for the better, gave it life. At 16 he became chief of the island after being adopted by Alvin as Hiccup Holgerson. This didn't change regardless that Hiccup had allowed Stoick back in his life and they accepted one another as father and son now. Alvin had legally taken in Hiccup when he was an outcast and in the eyes of Vikings, this made Alvin his father but Stoick would always be his blood father.
Hiccup's mind wandered now to his first marriage, the one to Camicazi. This brought a smile to his face, he had been dressed differently that day wearing just his stuff from Berk and light armor. He was 17 when he got married to her, then 6 months later, Viggo had been born. Then 1 year later, Thora had been born. Now at 19 he had the perfect life, perfect family. Then the unfair, tragic day came when Cami was taken from him after giving him yet another child whom he loved dearly.
For 3 long years, he said he would never love again that no one could ever replace Camicazi. And that was still true, nothing would ever replace Cami in his heart or his children's. But his heart did love another, and that was Astrid. His kids loved her too so it was even better. Astrid was the young woman he loved before he was cast out, but she had never noticed him. But here they were, about to get married. Everything worked out how it should, and what made him feel better was that he had Cami's blessing on it.
Toothless lifted his head as he heard footsteps on the stairs leading to the upper level of Hiccup's home, that meant Stoick or Gobber were on their way up to check on him. The ceremony was in an hour, not that Hiccup needed time reminders, he was incredibly good at being on time. There was a knock on the door, "Come in." Hiccup stated calmly. The door opened to reveal Stoick, Gobber, and Alvin there.
"Looking pretty sharp there son." Stoick chuckled.
"Should of seen him when he married Camicazi. Big step up from that..." Alvin snickered.
"Haha you two. What's up?" Hiccup rolled his eyes with a smile.
"Thora needs a little help with her outfit and was asking for you to help her." Gobber added.
"Got it." Hiccup smiled as he exited the room and went to Thora and Runa's since they shared one and knocked. "Its daddy sweetheart. Can I come in?" Hiccup asked lightly.
"Yes daddy..." Thora said gently, Hiccup walked in and crouched down to help her with her outfit then stood back. "You look so beautiful baby girl." Hiccup smiled, she looked every bit of her mother down to blue eyes. Her hair was dark brown but looked black, Hiccup still couldn't get over it.
"Daddy, is mommy going to be with you today when you marry Astrid?" Came Viggo's voice from behind them, he turned to see his son now. He hugged them both gently.
"Mommy is with us always kids. You know that, she'll always be around." Hiccup smiled kissing their foreheads.
"So can we call Astrid mommy after today?" Thora asked lightly.
"I'm sure she'd really like that. You and your sister will be walking in with Astrid today, and you son...I have a special job for you. I need you to hold on to these rings for me, when Grampa Al asks for them you give them to him okay?" Hiccup said to Viggo handing him the red pouch which contained the gold bands for Astrid and himself.
"Okay daddy!" Viggo smiled wide.
"Hiccup, its time son. We best be getting to the hall." Alvin told him.
"Ready." Hiccup said as he stood up and held his children's hands. "Gobber, will you run Thora to my mom's. Thora is walking in with Runa ahead of Astrid so she needs to be with them." Hiccup stated with a smile.
"Righty-o, 'Iccup." Gobber said smiling.
"Go on with Uncle Gobber okay? He's going to take you to Astrid and Nana Val for me. I'll see you in an hour. I love you baby." Hiccup said giving his youngest a tight hug.
"I love you too daddy. See you in the hall!" Thora replied as she took Gobber's hand and they left Hiccup's house.
"Ready to get married again son? Don't remember you being this nervous 5 years ago..." Alvin smiled.
"Exactly...lets go." Hiccup remarked as he held Viggo's hand while they left the house and walked across the field towards the great hall.
(With Astrid)
"Don't be nervous dear. Hiccup loves you with his everything..." Valka tried to tell the nervous bride in her living room.
"What if he runs away...what if...he's not ready..." Astrid said now beginning to hyperventilate.
"Sweetheart, it he was going to run, he would of a long time ago. I promise you that when those doors open wide you will see him standing there with a look of nothing but love for you." Asta said finishing the work on the dress so Astrid wouldn't trip over it. Runa handed Astrid her flowers while there was a knock on the door, Valka went to answer it and saw Gobber with Thora standing there.
"Hello, Valka. Hiccup asked me to bring the lil one by." Gobber explained.
"Sissy!" Runa giggled rushing to tackle Thora down in a hug. The two girls rushed in to play.
"Girls don't ruin your clothes!" Valka called to them, "Thank you, Gobber. How's Hiccup holding up?" Valka asked quietly.
"He's alright, nervous himself but hanging in there. How's Astrid?" Gobber asked now.
"Same as Hiccup. She's ready too, will you ask Hiccup if he wants to start early?" Valka smiled.
"On it. I'll let you know." Gobber said rushing off towards the hall to talk to Hiccup.
(The Great Hall)
Hiccup was in his place, making sure everyone else was in their place. Nothing would go wrong today, he'd make sure of it. It'd be a perfect day, just like it was 5 years ago. Alvin approached him now with a hand on his shoulder, "Why don't you relax a little. Stoick and I can handle this lad." Alvin said calmly.
"I know but I just...don't want anything to go wrong..." Hiccup sighed out closing his eyes.
"Oh while I've got you here...Which name am I marrying you under?" Alvin asked.
"Hiccup Holgerson-Haddock. I'm both so it seems proper to have both." Hiccup stated. Alvin nodded as Gobber rushed in now getting his attention, at first he worried something happened to Runa. "Gobber, what's wrong?" Hiccup asked quickly.
"Course not, 'Iccup. I just came from your mother's she said Astrid is ready and asked if you wanted to move up the time to now?" Gobber asked him.
"Everything is ready here too. What do you say son?" Alvin asked curiously.
"Lets do it." Hiccup smiled, why not? Why wait another hour for it, they were both ready to get married. Gobber smiled as he rushed out again to tell Valka, Asta, and the others.
"Alright, you heard the chief! Everyone to your places!" Alvin called out, in a rush everyone moved to their places. Hiccup stood at the front with Alvin who would be preforming the ceremony. In order for Hiccup's best man and groomsmen was Toothless as best man, then Viggo, Fishlegs, Snotlout, and Tuffnut as groomsmen. Stoick was by the door to open it when the girls arrived and the rest of the village were in their seats.
(With Astrid)
Gobber had returned and informed Valka that Hiccup said to go ahead with starting early, so now they were all rushing to get things together and be ready to get to the hall. Valka and Asta were guiding Astrid who was taking deep breaths to keep it together, it was time. She was marrying Hiccup today, and in the next 10 minutes too. Runa and Thora were standing in front of her with their small bouquets. Ruffnut was standing behind Astrid to make sure her dress trail didn't get caught on anything.
For Astrid's side of the wedding party, she had her maid of honor Stormfly of course then for bridesmaids she had Ruffnut, Heather who was another girl from the village that Astrid was close with, Runa and Thora. Valka would standing with Stoick and Asta with Gobber. Alvin would be heading the ceremony seeing as he was the original chief of outcast island before Hiccup took over and being it was his island at the time, he still held the status to marry a couple and was honored to marry his son to Astrid.
They all left Valka's house and headed towards the great hall. The walk was quick, perhaps 10 minutes at best. It was slow because Astrid needed time to compose herself before seeing Hiccup. It was still so unreal to her how it all happened, how it came to this. To think 7 years ago, she hated Hiccup and now she was marrying him. They started out as teens, and she had ratted Hiccup out, she was the reason that he was cast out. If she hadn't found him in the cove that day, he would of left and no one would of ever known what happened.
But no, she told he was harboring a dragon which forced him to have to be in the ring that day, which started it all. The endless searches for him were heartbreaking every time they ended up with no trace. Astrid had been with Snotlout for a month but all she thought about was Hiccup, that is when she realized how brave it was for Hiccup to train a Night Fury, to risk being cast out just to show everyone the truth and got cast out for it. Then 6 years later he showed up on Berk, to save them.
This man whom she was marrying today in mere moments, saved her more times than she could keep track of. This man who became a chief at 16, got married at 17, had two kids by the time he was 19 and adopted one. He built this island, and ran it perfectly and this was the man who she was saying I Do too. Nothing could deny she loved him, and even to admit that deep down after he was cast out she had a crush on him but felt after what had happened that he'd never return or have feelings for her. Oh how wrong she was, how wrong they both were. It took years but now they were both there at the hall. Astrid outside, Hiccup inside. They hadn't seen each other since last night and now they'd face each other again, and be married.
"Hiccup, they have arrived." Stoick called to him.
"Alright, lets do this then. I'm ready." Hiccup said taking a deep breath. The room instantly became quiet except for the soft tunes being played by the musical Vikings. The door opened as the first to walk in was Asta and Gobber, arms linked because he was escorting her. Next was Stoick and Valka, same with their arms linked. Two other Vikings took their place at the doors as Runa and Thora walked in throwing flower petals, then it was Ruffnut, Heather, and Stormfly last. All of them lined up in order as the music changed.
This was it. The moment Hiccup had been waiting two months for, to see Astrid in the family dress that his parents had given her and would be put away to give to the future wife of Viggo since it went to the future daughter in law according to tradition. Hiccup stood firm with his hands at his sides as the room came to a stand as the Vikings opened the door and revealed Astrid standing there. His mouth dropped open in sheer shock of how gorgeous she looked.
The dress was one layer of white that draped her arms and fell as long as the tips of her boots, which were also white. The dress was square cut at the top but not too revealing, there was a leather belt around her waist, a white veil resting attacked to her headband which had been decorated with small flowers. In Astrid's hand were a bouquet of yellow, purple, and blue flowers. She was beautiful, he couldn't believe it. This was actually happening, he was marrying her today.
Astrid smiled wide as she slowly made her way down the make shift isle, it wasn't a long walk and when she reached Hiccup, he offered his arm to her with a smile of his own. "You look amazing, Astrid..." He whispered softly.
"You don't look half bad yourself there chief." Astrid giggled blushing a little. They both faced Alvin now with a nod to show they were ready.
"Dreki tribe and guests from our allies the Hooligan tribe, today we come together to bare witness to the union of our chief and his lovely bride. I know its not tradition but the chief makes the rules and I was informed earlier that he and his bride have written their own vows. So at this time by order of the chief, I will pass this to the bride because the chief says ladies always go first. Astrid?" Alvin stated, she nodded as she and Hiccup faced one another, their holds linked to one another.
"Actually...we're saying them together..." Astrid blushed a little.
"Then we're doing the I Do's and ring vows..." Hiccup added.
"Well then, proceed son." Alvin smiled to them.
Astrid and Hiccup both took a breath and began together staring in to one another's eyes. "I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give you myself in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regards. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life." The recited together smiling.
"Its so beautiful!" Runa and Thora beamed happily.
"On with the I Do's?" Alvin asked, both Astrid and Hiccup nodded. "Astrid, you first. I ask you, Astrid Hofferson. Will you take Hiccup Holgerson-Haddock, who stands beside you as your husband? With this understanding, do you take him to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and to be faithful to only him, so long as you both shall live?" Alvin asked.
"I do." Astrid replied lovingly.
"Likewise, I ask you, Hiccup Holgerson-Haddock. Will you take Astrid Hofferson, who stands beside you as your wife? With this understanding, do you take her to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others and to be faithful to only her, so long as you both shall live?" Alvin stated looking to Hiccup now.
"I definitely do." Hiccup remarked which made Astrid giggle lightly.
"Of course you do. Now for the rings...may I have them, Viggo?" Alvin asked holding his hand out. Viggo handed him the red pouch as Alvin smiled and took the rings out. Golds bands with their initials on the inside, and a lovely engraving pattern around the outside. "Astrid, take this ring and place it on Hiccup's finger as you repeat after me. Hiccup, I choose you above all others, to be my husband. I offer this ring as a token of our love. And with it I join my life to yours." Alvin said smiling.
Astrid took the large, thicker band from Alvin and positioned it on Hiccup's left hand ring finger. "Hiccup, I choose you above all others, to be my husband. I offer this ring as a token of our love. And with it I join my life to yours." She said gently sliding the ring on his finger.
"Now you, Hiccup. Repeat after me... Astrid, I choose you above all others, to be my wife. I offer this ring as a token of our love. And with it I join my life to yours." Alvin stated again only changing the names and one word.
Hiccup smiled as he took the smaller band and placed it at the tip of Astrid's finger. "Astrid, I choose you above all others, to be my wife. I offer this ring as a token of our love. And with it I join my life to yours." Hiccup slid the ring on her finger.
Alvin smiled, he was very proud of Hiccup for all he'd done and will continue to do. He'd come a long way from where it began and to see him standing here marrying the love of his life brought him a joy like no other could ever receive. "Astrid and Hiccup, you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made.
You have kissed a thousand times, maybe more. But today the feeling is new. No longer simply partners and best friends, you have become united in matrimony and will now seal the agreement with a kiss. Today, your kiss is a promise. It is with great pleasure that I pronounce you husband and wife...Chief Hiccup...You may kiss your bride." Alvin told him.
Hiccup faced Astrid, his Astrid, his wife. He let got of her hands as he moved his hands to her veil and flipped it over her head as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him, they smiled at one another as he leaned in close pressing his lips to hers in a passionate, deep kiss. The room uproared with applause for their chief and now chieftess's marriage. They broke apart after a moment and faced everyone.
"May I present for the first time ever. Mr. Chief Hiccup and Mrs. Chieftess Astrid Holgerson-Haddock!" Alvin announced loudly.
"Woo!" Everyone cheered. Runa, Thora, and Viggo rushed to them quickly and hugged them tightly.
"Is Astrid our mommy now, daddy?" Runa asked him.
"Yes she is kids." Hiccup replied to her now.
"Ca–can we call her mommy?" Thora asked.
"Why don't you ask her?" Hiccup winked at them, the three kids faced Astrid now.
"Astrid...can we...call you mommy?" The three asked bashfully. Astrid crouched down in her dress and smiled at them.
"I would be honored if you'd call me mommy kids." She said to them, they smiled wide and hugged her tightly.
"Mommy!" They said happily as Astrid hugged them back, then Hiccup knelt down and did the same. Astrid cried freely now, she was so unbelievably happy in this moment. Everything she went through led her to this moment, marrying Hiccup and gaining 3 amazing children. What could be better? The group of them stood up and accepted hugs from their parents, Gobber, their friends.
"Alright...now that's over...I think you all know what's next!?" Hiccup announced.
"PARTY TIME!" The village yelled out with excitement. And that's exactly what they did for hours, it was only 3 in the afternoon too. They ate, danced, sang, and over all had an amazing time. Hiccup was happy, he was truly happy again and tonight he would show Astrid just how happy he was to have her in his life forever more.