It feels like every time something happens, it results in me falling unconscious. It would be nice if I could just stay awake for one simple day. Once again, I'm back in bed, and if I'm reading the sun right, it's a new day. I find my sheet pulled up to my neck, and an extra pillow under my head. I lift my hand above the sheet and rub my head.
There's the sound of footsteps gets my attention. I look to my right and find Astrid carrying a shield with a glass of water and a bowl of oatmeal and an apple sliced into wedges. When she sees me awake, she smiles broadly.
"Morning Soldier." She says with a smile.
"Hey. Morning." I greet.
She sets the shield on my nightstand and first hands me the glass of water. It feels good against my dry throat. The apples taste fresh from the tree, and as I'm eating the oatmeal, she gives me a steady stream of information.
After both she and Skullette brought me home, Skullette went to Goathy to treat me after she had helped the Whispering Death. Who now has a spot in the Dragon Academy until we can find a use for him. Goathy had said that the impact of my hitting the tree ruptured my spleen. They couldn't save it.
I feel panicked until Astid says, "Don't worry you don't need one. And if you did, I'm sure they'd find you one." She says. I crack a smile.
Dad had successfully captured Tower 9 with little to no deaths. She tells me that rumors of my death have been running rampant among the Outcasts. And with that, most of the Outcasts have begun to rebel against Alvin, his numbers dwindling with each day that passes. We're to expect ships of Outcasts soldiers to be arriving soon.
As I'm the Dragon Conqueror, I'm obligated to greet them at the docks. They won't be arriving for weeks, so that should give me plenty of time to heal. The Vikings have been thinking about adding the Whispering Death dragon to the group of dragons included in the war. I can see where he'll be useful, but the idea is still up for debate.
Once I finish the oatmeal, the front door and I hear footsteps bound the stairs and Skulette rushes in and hug me when she sees I'm awake. "Good morning to you too." I say in humor.
"Oh my gods, I'm so glad your okay." She says.
"I'm fine." I say.
"Well not really since you're in bed, and you have bad bruises." Astrid interjects.
Skullette gets up and goes and sits on the other side of my bed as Astrid takes the dishes downstairs. "Why does she hate me?" Skullette asks when Astrid's out of hearing range.
I'm taken by surprise at first, but I simply tell her that things are complicated. From there I'm sure she can figure it out. But I have to say, they're getting along well compared to what I thought they would act towards each other. In fact, I think both of them carrying me back to my house was the only teamwork they did together.
Astrid returns, and the three of us talk for a couple hours. To my surprise, the girls didn't fight, interrupt each other, yell at each other, or start a fight. Even if it's all just an act, I appreciate it. They know I can't deal with their personal issues when I'm the face of the rebellion. I have other things to worry about that are, yes, more important than them.
And am I dreaming? Or are they actually laughing together? Who cares, they're getting along, and that's all I ask for. Skullette even tells me about a weeding that's going to take place in the village soon. I'm genuinely excited. It's rare that something joyful ever happens in Berk. Yes, believe it or not, marriages don't usually happen here on Berk.
The couple has personally invited me. They said they would be honored if The Dragon Conqueror would show up and support them But Astrid 'translates' it saying all I have to do is show up and be happy for them.
"That's one of the few things I won't have to pretend, Astrid." I say.
Around mid-afternoon, I'm given a visit by Goathy to check how I'm progressing. I thought that losing a major organ would entitle me to at least a few weeks in bed, but it turns out that Goathy wants me up and moving immediately.
As part of my rehabilitation, I am to take short walks around the village each day. That's no problem for me since I'm so sick of being in bed. And I'm so bored. This process will be counted as a breather for me. I'm recommended to start today if I want to get a head start. And she doesn't have to write that twice.
I'm out the door in minutes and Skullette and Astrid join me. We walk all around the village, keeping conversations and smiling and laughing. Now this is how I pictured spending time with them. Just being normal and having fun.
The next few days bring a flurry of activity as the wedding is planned. With dad away, Gobber wants is to be simple. Meaning two people sign a piece of paper and be given a new home in the village. But I personally insist they get a big blow out. Plus it was near the end of autumn. Autumn was a popular season after the harvest when plenty of food was available.
Weddings were held on Fridays, sacred to the goddess Frigga. Celebrations often lasted all week. Honey for mead which the couple drank together was collected during the summer months. Enough mead was gathered for a month-long period known as the 'honey-moon.' Following an exchange of swords, the couple exchanged rings. The groom entrusted a sword to the bride for the birth of their first son and/or daughter.
It's amusing to watch the planners haggle over details. People all over the village offer their services, whether it was cooking the food, providing entertainment, and even offered clothing for the bride and groom. But clothing wise, Bertha and the seamstresses have that covered. And there's defiantly no shortage of volunteers for decorations.
Rather than have it hosted in the Great Hall like we did for Snoggletog, it'll be held at the Dragon Academy. We'll lift the chain covering like we did for the Thawfest Games. That way, we can have the entertainment and an open floor for those who want to dance. There's nonstop talk all around the village; people chatting excitingly about the event. Maybe it's more than the festivities. Maybe it's because now that we're in war, we're so starved for something happy and exciting that we all want to be a part of it.
The strange thing is that I catch a few fishermen with Mulch catching a few clams. It seemed unusual since we've never had a use for clams. But when I manage to get a look at the bride's wedding gown while she was visiting the seamstresses for a fitting, it all makes sense. I linger in the doorway as one of the seamstresses fiddles with the skirt.
The bride, whose name is Jennifer, is a beautiful woman with sea green eyes and curly hair. The day of the wedding, the bride is allowed to wear her hair loose, so it reaches to her mid-back. She has a very slim figure compared to the other Viking women of the Village. A perfect hourglass figure. But believe it or not, the seamstresses seem to be having trouble fitting it for her since she's a bit petite.
The dress is a beautiful thing made with heavy silk with a low neckline and tight waist and sleeves that that fall from her wrists to the floor. And pearls. Everywhere pearls. Stitched into the dress and in ropes at her throat and forming the crown for the veil. No wonder we have so many empty clams in the trash, but when seeing the bride, it was completely worth it.
Bertha sees me in the doorway and invites me in. "Well, you're certainly the most beautiful bride I've seen." And the bride and seamstresses giggle and 'aw'.
Despite reservations from the planners and Gobber, the celebration is a smash hit. The outlining of the arena is lined with autumn foliage and a trio of colored corn for every odd count. The music is provided by a local band known around the village and a lone fiddler. By the end of the day, the entire arena looks unrecognizable.
A local artist had painted the entire floor to mimic the flowers that the Typhoomerang dragon burned in the forest. Only now the colors are more suitable for autumn. Red, orange, yellow and hints of brown. The picture extends until it's touching every single wall of the arena. Lanterns like we had for Snoggletog in the Great Hall, hand from the chain cover and give off a warm welcoming glow. Chairs have been placed for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. They've been placed so it's eight by nine seats.
But apart from the bride and groom, the food is the star of the ceremony. Tables from the Great Hall laden with delicious delicacies laden the outer border of the Academy. Everything we can think of and new recopies we've never seen. Whole roasted boars and pigs still turning on spits. Platters of fowl stuffed with savory fruits and nuts. Ocean creatures drizzled with sauces and begging to be dipped in spicy concoctions. Countless cheeses, bread, fruits and sweets. I've never seen such a gathering of food in my life.
I arrive with Toothless – who looks, cute, with a nice red ribbon tied to his neck – and we greet each and every Viking as we ready for the reveal of the bride. I'm wearing a suit made by Bertha that mimics my Dragon Conqueror uniform, but still suitable for the occasion. A long white tunic with a little poof in the sleeves at the end and that reaches to my waist, a brown belt, and navy blue pants with my typical boot.
I make my way over to the tables of food, each one providing a new temptation. The first table has twenty or so soups, and I encounter a creamy pumpkin brew sprinkled with slivered nuts and tiny black seeds. I try a green broth that I can only describe as tasting like summertime, and then I try a pink soup dotted with raspberries. I move to Skullette's bird made with her family's recopy and pick up a small part of the roasted bird, bite into it, and my tongue floods with orange sauce. Delicious.
Skullette soon arrives in a beautiful thin-strapped shift dress that fades from a light to a dark blue at the end. Her curly hair is half-up half-down, with a blue flower just at the base of the crown of her head.
We find each other and greet with a kiss. We walk among the crowd hand-in-hand, and I manage to find Fishlegs and the others. The twins are wearing the clothing of the same drown color. The only difference is the style. Ruffnut, a dress. Tuffnut, a suit. Fishlegs wears a white shirt that looks like it could be a hand-me-down from his father and Snotlout wears an exact replica of his normal clothes only the colors are black and white.
As Skullette leaves with Bertha to help with a last minute alter with the bride's dress, I find Gobber and converse with him and a small group of Vikings. When I look to my left, I'm floored at what I see. Astrid. She's absolutely breathtaking.
Her hair is down and straightened, so it's at her mid-back. But still wears her leather headband and her bangs still in her face. Her dress is strapless and is in magnificent shades of rainbow colors to mimic Stormfly. She also has a simple necklace with three baby dragon teeth. The dress hangs in such a way that she doesn't have to lift it when she walks.
I walk over to her when she notices me and I just stare. She giggles and brushes her bangs out of her face. "We should have these special occasions more often." I say. And her cheeks turn pink.
I take her hand lead her to the floor of the arena where the band is playing a traditional Viking song that gets people into the spirit of the party. There's a good enough crowd that we feel comfortable bobbing and bouncing and skipping to the beat. I twirl her and her dress flails out in a beautiful ripple that exaggerates the colors. She's laughing and even giggling, which I think she's done never in her lifetime.
With another spin, she's in my arms. My hands on her waist, hers on my chest. Lost in the moment, I lean in so our foreheads touch. She has the sweet scent of parsnip. We both smile and she looks up at me. Her blue eyes contrast against the orange and yellow. I'm about to say something when all of a sudden Gobber calls me over so he can start the ceremony.
I stutter trying to say something to Astrid, but instead I just look to her and say, "I'll be right back." Then follow Gobber through the entrance of the Academy as the floor clears and the groom, named Logan, readies himself at the altar.
An enormous tapestry with the symbol of Berk printed on it, drapes down from the chain top. A thin rug rolls out from the entrance of the academy, and up to the altar - which is a wide, thick stone placed down with a podium, and Goathy to give the couple a ceremonial prayer.
Gobber who's conducting the ceremony. The band plays the classic wedding ceremony tune, giving the fiddler the lead. Everyone gathers around as the gate slowly rises to reveal the bride. The families of the couple gather in the seats. Once the gates are open, the reaction is immediate. Everyone 'oh's and 'aw's' at the sight of the bride, and I look over to Logan who looks on the verge of crying from her beauty.
Gobber open the ceremony with an open prayer, then goes on welcoming and congratulating the couple. And highlighting the importance of family and friends attending the ceremony, then reads a passage from 'Thor's Book'. Then the couple exchanges their vows, and after the exchanging of swords, they exchange rings.
Before the bride kisses the groom, it is tradition that the bride brushes kisses with the chief as a sort of blessing and to ensure a long and healthy life and relationship. But since my Dad is away at war, I take his place since I'm the heir. We take each other's hands and brush kisses on both cheeks. Then a kiss with the bride and groom seals the union.
There are cheers and a toast with apples cider and petals of roses are flung in the direction of the bride and groom. The band and fiddler strike up a tune that turns all heads. Sure enough, Fishlegs takes Skullette by the hand and pulls her to the center of the floor and faces off with him. I don't mind, Fishlegs is harmless. People pour in to join them, forming two lines and the dancing begins.
I'm standing off to the side, clapping to the rhythm, when soft fingers pinch me above the elbow. "Are you really going to miss the chance to dance at a wedding?" Astrid asks. And I just smile.
While she is right, while nothing spells victory more than a happy Dragon Conqueror twirling around to music, without my father here to watch, what I know he would describe as a glorious ceremony, it just doesn't feel right.
Dancing transforms Vikings in a way that seems unworldly. Some twirls and spin, others hop up and down, rock back and forth. It varies all around. Everyone joins hands and make a giant spinning circle while the bride and groom dance in the middle. Then others jump in to show off their footwork. It feels like nothing silly, joyful, or fun has happened in so long. Yet another reason why I don't feel like celebrating without my father.
Then Gobber and four other Vikings role out a gigantic cake from the entrance of the Academy. Everyone backs up, making way for this beautiful and dazzling red creation with flame designs on the bottom layer of the cake, slowly snaking up to the top where there are touches of blue for the tip of the flame. It's topped off with a replica of a Terrible Terror. From what I know, the couple owns one. After the cake it sliced and past around, the dance floor opens again.
Then Eleanor, who's the village's best singer – early twenties, light brown hair and brown eyes – steps up on the altar and sings a traditional Viking song that many people say, was written by the gods for their weddings. In our language, it translates to "Friendship to Last." {0:00}
It's an after song for the bride and groom. They dance in the middle of the arena while other couples dance around them.
The band strings up a beautiful string a cappella and many other Vikings on the outside of the area simultaneously sing along. Now this song is too good to miss. I go looking for a partner, and surprise myself when I take Astrid's hand. I look around and Skullette's nowhere to be found.
I lead her to the floor and instead of twirling her like before, we simply stand there, her hands enclosed around my neck, mine on her waist. And we just rock back and forth to the music. We let the music control us. She rests her head on my chest, and I rest my chin on her head. When it gets to a certain part, then I twirl her and we even begin to make our way around the floor.
The other couples have made room for us, so we're on an open plain. We get so lost, I even pick her up and we spin together. Her dress flailing out, exaggerating her moves. I set her down and twirl her once more. Then when she finishes, my arm rests over her stomach, my hand cradling her waist, and my cheek just braising her temple.
She momentarily freezes, then looks up to me, and just stares. She turns slightly as the music fades. Our gaze never breaks, but she turns a slight shade of pink. My eyes slide over her skin to her lips. The softness of her mouth. She takes my hand with a feminine touch, closing her soft fingers over mine. Warmth pools in my stomach and spreads lazily through me as I unknowingly tug her hand and pull her closer.
It's like we don't even notice the other Vikings around. The entire world has recessed. My feelings begin to boil over, and I feel such an intense urgency. I raise a hand and tentatively press my two fingers on her lips; braising the skin. Her breath catches, a tiny sound that makes me realize how string she must feel too.
I lower my eyelids and dip my face toward hers.
"Hiccup," she says. No wait, it wasn't her.
The sound of my name slaps some sense into me. My eyes fly open and I jerk back a step. Astrid looks confused, which only adds to my fear.
I look to my left and find Skullette.