Chapter 27
A/N: Please don't hate me but the ceremony will be in next week's chapter. This one started to run on so long there was no way I'd be able to write everything I wanted to this weekend without it feeling rushed or forced. It does feel good to be back though! I've missed you all!
"So, if I'm understanding this correctly, the four hundred boar feast does not actually consist of four hundred boars?" Tengan asked as she continued to write in one of the three open journals before her. The center one glistened with half dry passages detailing all the Berserker Union Ceremony customs her soon-to-be sister regaled her with over the past few weeks. To it's right, her newest personal journal sat open, it's own passages pitifully short the last few days. Most of her free time had been spent on the third journal: a personal recount of every interaction Tengan could recall having had with Dagur from the moment they met until his departure from Caldera Cay nearly three weeks ago. Every thought and emotion she had towards him was laid bare in those pages, from her unbridled fury and disgust during their earlier years to her overwhelming love, devotion, and respect she held for the man today.
"Exactly." Heather answered as she adjusted the one small window in the library to capitalize on the sunlight. "As far as I know no ceremony has actually had four hundred boars. The closest I know of was somewhere around two hundred."
"Well." Tengan began as she placed her quill down and began to stand. "It's incredibly lucky for us Dagur's not overseeing the main preparations. I have a hunch he'd demand at least four hundred."
Heather snorted with laughter. "Oh he tried to demand five hundred on his to-do scroll. He'll have to survive with the seventy five Snotlout and the Twins brought back. That's still almost a whole boar per person in attendance." Retrieving said scroll from her belt, she unrolled it and began to skim through the contents. "Last day of prep. Really all that's left for you is the final gown fitting later today and that journal for Dagur. He was really adamant on incorporating that part of your people's custom into the ceremony. Is it finished?"
Finally rising completely from her chair, the expecting mother pressed the palms of both hands into the small of her back as she stretched. The last few weeks saw her stomach continue to grow with slow, steady progress. With the extra weight came an almost consistent dull ache in her lower back that only eased when she laid on her side with a rolled fur propped between her knees. Grimacing slightly, she shrugged. "Almost. But I never will be able to finish it. The purpose of the journal is to document our lives together. It will be up to this little one" She gently rubbed her swelling bump. "to finish our passages after we've passed on." Standing on her tiptoes, she attempted to peer over Heather's shoulder. "Any chance you'll let me help out with something else? I'm sure there's something-"
"Oh no you don't!" Heather jumped away, quickly stowing the mildly crumpled scroll back in her belt. "My brother was very clear on keeping you well away from the preparations. He'd be heartbroken if you ruined one of the surprises." She smiled, the gesture softening her usually stern features. "Hiccup and the others have a pretty lax day too. Why don't you take Rumble, Windshear, and Shattermaster out with them for a bit of exercise before the fitting? I won't have enough time today."
Tengan's eyes narrowed playfully. "You can't fool me. You're just trying to keep me out of the way." She released an overly dramatic sigh. "I'll go. If only because once Dagur gets back and sees how big I'm getting it'll be near impossible to fly without him hovering Rumble's flank." Her playful expression slipped from her face as she glanced at the mid-morning sunlight streaming in from the open window. "Today marks three weeks. If he's not back by sundown-"
"I'll saddle up Windshear and we'll go looking for him together. That, I promise you." Heather returned the serious expression as the two women gripped each other's forearms. "Now go, he'll be back by tonight and I am not going to let him gripe about something as trivial as a misplaced flower arrangement."
Tengan gave Heather a warm smile and curt nod before carefully making her way down the stairs and outside. As she meandered towards the small group of huts the Riders had been using the past few weeks, she paused to greet every Berserker who hailed her. All the islands residents had learned of the upcoming ceremony and almost seemed more excited for the excuse to drink and celebrate than she was. Many of the women praised the small future chief or chieftess she was growing and, if the conversation she had overheard the other evening was correct, many were betting eggs and milk on whether it would be a boy or a girl.
"Hey, there you are!" Hiccup hailed with a somewhat exhausted smile as he trotted over. "Toothless and I just finished-" He broke off suddenly, one hand coming up to rub the back of his head. "Well, just finished our last task. Where are you headed?"
Tegan smiled back at her friend, well aware of the heavy bags under his eyes. Between patrols at the Edge and frequent stops on Berserker Island to uphold his promise to Dagur, she knew he had been getting very little sleep. She hadn't truly realized the extent of his exhaustion until he agreed to all the Riders staying on the island for the final few days before the Union Ceremony with no argument. "Where you just came from. Heather asked me to exercise Windshear and Shattermaster for her so I'm heading up to the stables."
"I'll come with you." Hiccup offered with a weary smile and a small sigh as he turned to start trudging up the hilly path once more.
"You said you and Toothless finished working not a minute ago." Tengan stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "Why don't you head back to the hut and take a quick nap? I think Astrid had mentioned readying the stables today for the guests from Berk. I'll see if she has a minute to help me."
"As far as I know she's still up there." He agreed, his expression torn. "Are you sure? I could always walk you up there anyway. It's a long way to go alone." The one-legged viking offered sincerely despite his not too subtle glances towards his temporary lodging and waiting bed.
"First of all I'm never really alone anymore." Tengan teased as she gently rubbed her swollen stomach with her free hand. "And yes, I'll be fine. It's a path I've taken many times before." Patting his back, she began the climb. "Oh but if you aren't too tired AND looking for something else to do I'm sure Heather could use the extra pair of hands." She called lightly over her shoulder.
"You know a nap sounds great right about now." Hiccup quickly stammered as he took a few steps away from the hill. "I'll see you later this evening then!" His eyes darting around for any trace of the dark haired Berserker, he quickly shuffled off before Heather appeared to summon him for yet another chore.
With a small chuckle, Tengan turned to climb the steep hill, a daily challenge she relished in. As her child continued to grow, the hill presented a slightly harder challenge each day. Twice this week she had to stop halfway up to rest on a fallen log as the dull ache in her back complained at the exertion. "Walking is the least difficult thing we'll have to do if the Fliers attack again, little one. We can't completely rely on your father and the dragons to protect us." She spoke to her stomach through gritted teeth as the crest finally came into view. Pausing long enough to take in several greedy lungfuls of air, she approached the bustling group of people surrounding the stables.
Astrid was busy barking orders to the young teens Heather had assigned to her to clean out and organize the stables. Over the past couple days, all of the stalls had been swept, scrubbed, and new bedding had been laid out in each one. Considering all the guests form Berk would be arriving by dragon, it was imperative the stables be ready for the half dozen or so new inhabitants that would land the following day. "Comeon now, they won't hurt you!" The blond roared to a small boy who had dropped a bucket full of fish as Barf and Belch approached from behind. "No! Back off you two, you already had your breakfast!"
"I see the twins still haven't taught them any ground manners." Tengan commented dryly as she sidled up next to her frustrated friend, her smile widening as the Zippleback plunged its heads into the bucket.
"You would think coming of age would have had more of an impact on them." Astrid replied with a heavy sigh as she resigned to letting the dragon have its prize. "It's probably better you missed that party." She fully turned to face Tengan, a warm smile on her face. "At least tomorrow's celebration will be organized. Despite a few missteps, the stables are almost ready. Did you need something?"
"Actually, yes." Tengan responded with an equally genuine smile. "Heather asked me to take Windshear and Shattermaster out for a bit of exercise. I was wondering if I could borrow you and Stormfly for an hour or so to help. That won't put too much of a strain on you, will it?"
"An hour I can definitely do." Astrid agreed with a curt nod. "They should be able to finish up without me at this point. I'll check in when we land and should still be able to make it to your final gown fitting. That Oga works quickly. Are all Berserker seamstresses so…. dedicated?"
Tengan nodded in agreement. "Dagur wasn't lying when he spoke of going all out. It seems they, well I should say we, put our all into whatever passion drives us." Cupping her hands over her mouth she let out three distinct dragon calls to summon the Skrill, Razorwhip and Gronckle.
Astrid copied the motion with a single Nadder call. "No wonder you two get on so well. Any news of when he'll be back yet?"
"No, not yet. And today is the last day of the three weeks he asked for." She admitted with a frown, the expression quickly shifting back into a small smile as several young teens fell over themselves as they scrambled to get out of the way of the emerging dragons.
"He'll be back. Dagur would never leave you waiting. Neither of you." she added with a small glance at her friend's protruding belly.
Tengan began to respond but her words died in her throat as Rumble shouldered his way to the front of the small group of dragons and pressed his cheek against her stomach. Closing his eyes, he hummed deep in his chest, the vibrations traveling through his skull to the growing child. Smiling, she reached under his chin and rubbed small circles around the smaller scales. "He's been doing that almost every day now." She explained to Astrid before stepping away to greet Windshear and Shattermaster.
"Dragons are naturally protective of their young." The blond commented as she climbed into Stormfly's saddle. "It seems Rumble's decided to adopt your's as his own." She gazed over at the pair of riderless dragons. "Alright you two! Let's get those tails in the air. There's a good breeze out by the sea stacks! Perfect for some fast turns."
Tengan carefully climbed into Rumble's saddle as the dragon laid flat against the ground to accommodate her. Laughter escaped her as they took to the air, Windshear trailing close behind Stormfly, while Shattermaster hovered close to Rumble's right wingtip. She eyes the Gronckle as they angled out to sea, aware his right wing seemed to stall for a beat or two every few seconds. While he had mostly healed from the horrid injuries the Fliers had given him a few months back, it seemed he would never again be able to maneuver with the same dexterity he once had. The handicap seemed to do little to deter the perpetually happy Gronkle. Every time his wing stalled he simply tilted his body to the left until it started back up again. "Maybe we should focus on dives or formation flying instead?" Tengan called out to Astrid as she discreetly gestured to their injured member.
Astrid frowned thoughtfully as she watched Shattermaster stall and tilt once again. "Good plan. We don't want to over-tire the dragons before tomorrow."
"What do you mean by that?" Tengan asked, her head cocked to the side. "Don't tell me you have something planned for the dragons in tomorrow's ceremony! They can't get anywhere near the village square without freaking out!"
Astrid smirked. "Now where would you go and get an idea like that?" Urging Stormfly forward, she cheered as the Nadder put on a burst of speed, followed closely by a clearly excited Windshear. "No more talk! It's time to see who can get closest to the waves after diving off that tall stack!"
The hour quickly turned into two as the two girls playfully competed. Several times they swapped mounts and repeated their dives and races with every possible combination of Rider and dragon. Tengan had to admit she was rather impressed when Astrid and Shattermaster managed to beat her and Windshear in a race when the pair dropped and carefully hovered through a small opening between two large sea stacks that the Razorwhip had to fly around. The dragons seemed to enjoy the time out in the air and sea spray. All four had to pull air into their massive lungs with a bit more force than usual when the young women finally halted the exercise.
"You know we've gone way over the hour." Tengan commented quietly as she sat on the largest stack with the back leaning against Rumble's side.
"Well, then the stables better be perfect by the time I get back." Astrid replied with a smile as she retrieved several strips of dried chicken from Stormfly's saddlebag before offering a few pieces to each of the dragons.
"I'm going to miss this after tomorrow." Tengan added suddenly as she stared out at the endless ocean before them. "I know Hiccup will want to head back to the Edge as soon as possible. You've already left it unmanned for too long as it is. And as much as I want to believe we'll see each other all the time…"
"You'll have responsibilities here now too. Not to mention trying to raise a mini Dagur." She teased gently as she settled into a crouch in front of her friend. "Hey. Don't forget you're a Rider too. Always will be. We may not see each other every day but we've always got your back." She gently pressed her fist into Tengan's shoulder.
A booming roar split the quiet air above the resting dragons and Riders as a large shadow blotted out the sun. Enormous ebony wings flared out on either side of the bright yellow body as Sleuther began to drop towards the small group. As his head tipped down to control the slow descent, Dagur's beaming face appeared over his back. "There's my baby!" he hollered as he swung over the saddle and dropped the remaining few feet from his dragon's back onto the rock below.
Half out of joy for their reunion and half out of fear her staggering lover was about to topple off the edge, Tengan scrambled to her feet and forcefully yanked Dagur away from the ledge, her eyes wide. "It's about time you made it back!" She teased, tears of relief pricking the corners of her eyes as she threw her arms around him. "You cut it close. I was getting worried." She whispered in his ear as his typical leather spice smell filled her lungs.
Dagur's arms closed around her as he squeezed as tightly as he dared while still allowing space for her rounded belly. "Oh I've missed you two so much! Never again!" He promised as he gently lifted her off the ground.
The embracing lovers barely had time to pull away when a wiggling Shattermaster forced his snout in between them, his tongue desperately searching for Dagur's face.
"He missed you too." Tengan giggled as she backed away from the Gronckle, content to avoid the over enthusiastic greeting the dragon insisted upon for his returning rider.
"Hey boy! Did you take good care of our girl while I was gone? I bet you did!" Dagur lifted the dragon's massive head in his hands, pressing the heels of his palms into the reptile's somewhat squishy cheeks. "Oh, hey Astrid!" He added after a moment, his eyes flicking to the blond for a moment. "What are you doing out here? Not going to lie, I was expecting Heather when I saw Windshear."
Astrid slowly rose to her feet and dusted off her skirt. "She's busy prepping for tomorrow. Tengan asked me to help her exercise this lot since the stables were almost done." As she spoke she meandered across the now considerably crowded sea stack to Stormfly.
"That was your project?" Dagur asked as he deftly sidestepped Shattermaster's searching tongue and wrapped his arm around Tengan once more. "They look great!"
"You've been to the stables already?" Tengan asked as she tilted her head back to catch a glimpse of the viking towering over her.
"Had to drop a few things off as soon as we landed. Part of the reason it took me so long to get back." His smile morphed into a teasing smirk. "There's a surprise for you back at the stables. Want to see it?"
Shifting out of his arms, she stared back, her eyes narrow. "What took you three weeks to find and return to our island, Dagur?"
He shrugged and grinned, avoiding her gaze. "Guess you'll have to fly back with me and find out."
The now slightly larger group of five dragons quickly winged their way back to the clifftop stable. Shattermaster, though clearly exhausted from his exercises, still found the energy to loop and twist around Sleuther, to the mild annoyance of the Triple Stryke. As they landed in the neatly swept clearing reserved for take offs and landings, Tengan slipped from Rumble's saddle and glanced around the comparatively quiet space. It seemed the teens, finished with their tasks, had fled before Astrid could reassign them and the dragons still housed inside were content to chirp and whistle quietly to one another. "Where is it?"
His boots dully thudding against the packed earth, Dagur marched over and offered his arm. "It's inside. Comeon, I'll show you." Glancing at Astrid over their shoulders, he raised his voice slightly to be better heard. "You should come too. From what I hear you know each other."
"So it's a person? Or perhaps a dragon?" Tengan needled him for any additional clues as the trio walked towards the open door, the dragons happily crawling along behind them. Her questions were answered as a shrill chirp sounded from within the dark stable, followed by a small green blur darting out and thudding against her chest. Staggering under the weight, Tengan managed to grab hold of the now recognizable Terror as it purred and pressed against her. "Kelp! However did you get here?" She greeted the small dragon with a slight squeeze. "You're heavier than the last time I saw you! What has Mother been feeding you! Wait-" Her expression froze as she glanced between Dagur and the empty doorway. "Wait, does that mean?"
"See for yourself." He answered plainly as he gestured broadly to the stable's doorway with his free hand where three figures quickly appeared. Makara and Frewin emerged, followed by a sapphire blue and ebony Raincutter, its ivory spots and speckles almost blinding as it crept out into the sunlight. "It wasn't safe for you to travel that far south but I knew how much you wanted them to be here." He explained quietly, a warm smile appearing as he caught sight of her stunned expression.
"Well don't just stand there like a plains deer before a torch!" Frewin boomed, the gleam of his massive grin contrasting against his dark complexion. "Come and meet Wavebreaker! I want to learn all you know about my new partner!"
Time seemed to simultaneously move impossibly fast and stand still. Tengan found herself crushed in a hug between her parents one moment, and grinning as Kelp and Rumble greeted each other with mismatched roars the next. For what felt like several minutes but could have only been a few seconds, she stood patiently while both her parents lightly touched the curve of her belly and expressed their undying joy and love to their unborn grandchild. At some point, Makara had pulled Astrid into the fray as well; embracing the young warrior before asking her to elaborate on the few adventures she had read about in Tengan's more recent letters. A large chunk of time was spent introducing Wavebreaker to the other dragons and marveling in his unique abilities. More than once, Tengan silently wished she had brought along her small journal. It had just become too uncomfortable to carry lately, as its pocket was sewn into the beltline of many of her shirts. The conversation always seemed to steer back toward one central point; Makara and Frewin's joy at being able to be present at the upcoming Union Ceremony.
"I hate to break up this reunion." Astrid started with a gentle hand on Tengan's shoulder as the conversation began to wind down. "But if we aren't down at Oga's hut for your final gown fitting Heather WILL have my head."
"Oh?" Makara voiced, her head cock inquisitively. "You've decided on incorporating the traditional white gown most viking ceremonies use?"
Tengan, leaning heavily against Dagur's side for the physical support and the mental comfort he always provided, nodded. "Yes, it is something important to the Berserkers, I mean, my people. All women skilled with sewing have had some hand in crafting it. Would you like to come along?"
Makara's eyes twinkled as she smiled. "Of course, Little Scribe. I would love to see the island you now call home. Dagur has been regaling your father and I with plenty of stories of his tribe and the dangers you've all been pushing back these past few moons."
Frewin nodded in agreement as his eyes met Dagur's. "I for one am excited to see the sparring arena you mentioned. It's been a good long while since I've been able to test my steel against a skilled viking warrior."
Dagur chortled as he gestured towards Frewin. "Pops you are in for a treat!" His eyes gleamed at the prospect of testing his strength against his soon-to-be father. Offering Tengan his arm, he began to lead the group out of the stables and down the long, winding path to the village center.
Tengan, her arm clamped down on Dagur's arm to keep her balance, walked slowly. Every once in a while she would answer a question asked of her directly or would offer a comment here or there, but mostly she was content to listen to the conversation around her. It brought relief and warmth to her heart to see her betrothed and both her parents enjoying each other's company. Occasionally her mind wandered back to Wavebreaker and her smile widened. There was much for her and Frewin to catch up on.
As they neared the first line of huts, Frewin and Dagur splintered off and jogged towards the area while the others finished their trek towards the lead seamstress' hut. As they approached the closed door, a loud, partially muffled voice carried through the door.
"No! All wrong. I mean, seriously, you call this proper bunching? The stitches will come loose the second she goes to dance. And the hem in front is way too long! Her belly isn't that huge yet!"
"Is that… Ruffnut?" Astrid asked in disbelief as she paused in front of the closed door.
"Ah, you refer to the female twin who rides the Zippleback?" Makara asked as she quietly observed the pair of younger women.
"Yes, that would be her." Tengan answered with a patient sigh. "None of us knew she had such a…. passion for sewing. Think we should get in there before Oga takes her head off?" She added to Astrid with a small smile.
"Only because we won't have enough time to replace your gown if she bleeds on it." Astrid responded with a light chuckle as she shouldered the heavy wooden door open.
It seems the others arrived just in time. Oga would later argue that the scissors she was holding were simply to trim the fur on the shoulder pieces but Tengan was never really convinced. No one holds a blade overhead in a clenched fist for a benign reason. Although, none could admit Ruffnut's criticisms were wrong. As Tengan shed her outer garments and allowed the gown to be draped over her shoulders, she noticed the front WAS a bit too long and the gathered bits of cloth at her hips did end up having to be redone after one of the stitches came loose.
"Let's see how it looks now." Makara spoke up roughly an hour or so later as she, Oga, Ruffnut and Astrid all took several steps back.
Tengan beamed at the onlookers, her heart beating rapidly. After the last minute alterations, the gown looked simply divine. A three-quarter sleeve, white cloth gown gently hugged her frame, stopping just an inch off the floor. A Gronckle Iron belt, it's design similar to her betrothal necklace cinched just above her rounded belly, drawing attention to the growing child. Her forearms were clasped in matching Gronckle Iron bracers, long delicate scrolling designs embossed in the metal. A capelet of white fur sat upon her shoulders, held in place with a delicate chain that rested along her collarbone and attached to a pair of matching Berserker seals, also made of the same shimmering iron, on either side. The final piece, a delicate shining circlet of braided bands of metal sat on her head, although much of it was consumed by her wind mane of hair.
"I'm so sorry I'm so late." Heather gasped as she burst through the door. "I ran into Dagur and had to catch him up on all the prep. Tengan did you know your parents are-" Her sentence cut off completely as she caught sight of the finished gown. "You're going to make my brother cry tomorrow." She finally commented with a wide smile.
"Of that I have no doubt." Makara responded as she fought to look away from her radiant daughter. "You must be Heather. I thank you for the hospitality you've shown my family." She inclined her head in a slight bow.
Heather hastened to repeat the action. "We're all family now. It's the least we can do." She smiled once more before sinking into an empty chair. "Although, I will admit I'm glad all of the prep is almost done. It will be nice to just sit back and enjoy the festivities tomorrow."
"Everything is finally done then? I'm impressed." Tengan shifted and held her arms aloft while Oga bustled about her, tugging on the gown in several places to ensure the seams were perfect. "I thought you'd be busy well after sunset." She mused, pausing the adjustments several times to push her hair from her eyes as the circlet shifted.
"You bite your tongue." Heater wearily chided as her head dipped backwards and her eyes closed. "I can promise when my Union Ceremony comes we'll simply recite the words and eat whatever is lying around."
"Oh?" Astrid chimed in with a sly glance over at Ruffnut. "Has Fishlegs asked you yet?"
"Yeah." Ruff added, catching onto Asrid's meaning. "I haven't seen any evidence of a betrothal gift. Unless he gave you a dragon egg….. that would definitely be a Fishlegs kind of gift."
Makara smiled at the younger womens' gentle taunts, her eyes momentarily glazing with distant memories. Tengan's continuous fidgeting with her hair caught her attention once more. "What were you planning on doing with your hair, Little Scribe?"
Tengan paused as Oga moved to adjust her belt. "I hadn't planned on doing anything special with it actually. I recall a few of the braid patterns you taught me but have never had the patience to get them to lie flat."
Makara chuckled. "Fair enough. If you like, since our evening is now free, I can create the Waterfall pattern if you'd like."
"Waterfall?" Ruffnut spoke up as she dodged a lazy swipe from Heather. "Are you going to dye your hair? That would ruin the whole color scheme we've been working on!"
Tengan struggled to contain her laugh, aware old Oga was likely almost out of patience with the vocal Rider. "No, Ruff. It's a style of braiding. They'll travel up one side of my head against the scalp and pull away as they cascade down the other. The last three or four inches are left unbraided to mimic the rolling waves and foam at the bottom of a waterfall. It takes a couple hours to complete and needs… wait" She glanced over at Makara. "I don't have the scented oils."
Makara's smile deepened. "I have them in my bags. I had an inkling you might want it." She turned her smile upon the other young women. "Since your daily tasks are complete you'd all be welcome to accompany us. As my daughter explained the process does take a couple hours and good company always makes the time go faster…. If that's alright with you Tengan." She added quickly, her tone slightly abashed as she seemed to realize she spoke for her adult child in her own lands.
Tengan smiled, heartened by her mother's deference to her position. "That's an excellent idea, Mother. What do you all say?" Her smile split into a grin as the others agreed. As soon as Oga deemed her gown officially complete and she shimmied back into her normal clothes the group left with repeated promises the young women would be back an hour after noon to ready themselves for the ceremony.
Within the hour the women were settled comfortably in the main room of Tengan and Dagur's hut with a pot of stew warming over a cracking fire. While most of the group sat in the chairs and benches strewn about the hut, Tengan sat on a pile of furs on the floor before her mother as she worked diligently through her winding curls. As they ate, laughed and talked, the untamable curls slowly came to heel under Makara's skilled fingers. The scented plant oils slicked the braids and wafted across the room, adding a peaceful haze to the cheerful discussion that ranged from Tengan's pregnancy to the upcoming ceremony, to Fishlegs' recent dilemma with some uncovered history about a few dragon hunting ancestors, to Makara's recent journeys, and everything else in between.
"There you two are!" Tengan greeted from her perch on the floor as Dagur and Frewin eventually stumbled through the doors, their shoulders heaving with exhaustion. "Good sparring session, I take it?"
"Either way their timing is perfect." Makara commented as she gently tilted her daughters head back and forth. "You're done, Little Scribe."
"And that's our cue to leave." Astrid spoke up for the others as she stood, dragging Heather and Ruffnut to their feet alongside her. "We'll see you tomorrow at Oga's, Tengan. Night!"
Dagur dutifully grinned and held the door open as the young women slipped past him. "What have you been up to, baby?" He asked, still slightly out of breath as he walked over. "Woah!" He commented, his eyebrows raising in mild surprise as he beheld her new hairstyle. "I had no idea your hair could DO that." He smiled, fixated with the braids as he helped her from the floor and onto an overstuffed cushion on the wooden bench nestled near the fireplace.
"It's called the Waterfall." Tengan explained patiently, smiling as she felt Dagur fingers glide in between the loose ends of the braids dangling before her left eye. "I hope your evening was as productive."
"You have a fine man there, Tengan." Frewin asserted as he bent low to plant a kiss atop Makara's brow. "It took me several attempts to get the upper hand in the sparring ring. And with that Triple Stryke of his? Wavebreaker and I could hardly keep our own." He grinned as he settled into an empty chair as if there was nothing more enjoyable than being bested by his daughter's suitor in combat.
"Ah, so that's why you were gone so long." Makara mused with a sly grin. "When you mentioned sparring I hadn't thought you meant on dragonback."
Dagur grinned broadly as one arm lazily slid over Tengan's shoulders. "No way would Sleuther and I ever miss the chance to spar with you, Pops. You've gotta show me how you did that twisting dive before you head back. Was it more like a-"
Tengan smiled and allowed herself to listen contentedly as the conversation buzzed around her. In that one, seemingly endless moment, the whole world seemed at peace. "I'm so glad you all were able to bond." She admitted during an appropriate lull. "I know I should have explained more in my letter but I couldn't chance it falling into the hands of the Fliers."
"I will say." Makara began with a nod towards Dagur. "I was surprised to see him, of all people, land on our Shores a couple weeks back. If I hadn't remembered your letter explaining how he had redeemed himself and the new rise of the Berserkers he may not have survived beyond our beach." Her tone was unwaveringly serious. "Even then, he was not the person I was expecting when you spoke of finding your partner."
"Ouch, Ma. That really hurts." Dagur teased lightly, his free hand coming up to his chest. "You've cut me to the core."
"Oh hush child." Makara scolded gently, a smile on her face. "But when he spoke of his love for you, and brought us news of our unborn grandchild, we knew you made a wonderful choice."
"Thank you, Mother." Tengan responded with a slight nod of her head. "When you say we… Father, were you already home?"
"Of course." Frewin smiled and nodded. "Your mother sent for me when she received your last letter and I decided to wait and meet your betrothed. Like I said before, a talented warrior and a promising leader. I agree with Makara, you've chosen well." He finished with a smile and nod towards Dagur.
"Wait." Tengan added as she cocked her head to the side. "If that's the case then why did it take you all the full three weeks to make it back? I've calculated the distance and it should have taken a week at most to get there, and that's accounting for stealth flying and detours. Even if you rested a day or so, it should have taken just over two weeks to come back."
Frewin, Makara, and Dagur all made very brief eye contact with one another before the trio broke into laughter. Frewin, having recovered the fastest, cleared his throat. "Well, you know how our people are. Once they learned who Dagur was; a dragon rider, betrothed of the chieftess' daughter, a chief of a tribe we have little knowledge of, we're lucky he's not still sitting among a gaggle of scribes."
Dagur nodded in agreement. "No one seemed to notice I kept trying to hint we had to leave soon and that you were waiting for me. They all insisted Sleuther show off his tails again, or I recite another Berserker drinking song, or-"
"And I take it you were having a wonderful time being the undivided center of attention." Tengan cut across him with a knowing smirk.
"Maybe a little." Dagur admitted quietly as he gently tugged her tighter against his side.
"Aye, the passion of our people runs deep." Frewin nodded. "Speaking of which, Tengan, Dagur was telling us on our flight over that you have a private library for your discoveries. Any chance I could take a look while we're here?"
Tengan's face fell. "Yes, of course you may, it's just…." She took a deep breath. "There's not going to be much to see, I'm afraid." She forced a small, sad smile as she felt Dagur rest the hand not comfortingly squeezing her shoulder on her thigh.
"Little Scribe." Makara called her daughter's attention with a firm voice. "Do not for one moment think we are disappointed in you for the choice you had to make. Your suitor made it quite clear the choice you had when your base was under attack. What is our duty? Above all else?"
"To protect the knowledge we collect." Tengan answered in a small voice. "But I failed at that Mother. Twice."
"You have done no such thing." Makara quickly responded, her voice still stern. "When your works were stolen, something that has happened to Custodians before you I will add, Dagur helped you hunt them down and take them back. When it became clear they would be used for evil once more, you made the difficult decision to prevent it." She straightened in her chair, radiating all the authority of a chieftess and parent. "Listen close for this is my final lesson to you. Protecting the knowledge you collect does not mean preventing harm to a book or scroll, although it is a worthy ambition. To protect, is to ensure what you learn is shared with those who would use it to grow and better our world while ensuring those who would not are kept in the dark. You have done just that, and if you had decided to return to the Shimmering Shores I would have named you Custodian for your actions."
"You should heed your mother's lecture." Frewin added with a small smile. "She's wise beyond her years. Although I do not, even for a moment, believe that to be the last one you ever get from her. Take it from someone with experience in this area."
This time, Dagur, Frewin and Tengan all burst into laughter as Maraka galred evenly at the trio. Struggling to keep her breath even, Tengan smiled up at Dagur for a moment, silently thanking him for the gift of her parents' presence, before turning her attention once more to her father. "I think we have enough time to see the library before heading to bed."