Ruffnut chuckled under her breath. She hid her prize behind her back. Barf and Belch growled in unison. "Oh, shut up, you!" Giving the two heads a mean look, Ruffnut watched as her parents argued over who would inhabit the additional body that had been attached to their house. Sitting down with her back against Barf and Belch, Ruffnut enjoyed the show. They were this close to knocking their helmets together.

"They will not have the old rooms," the twin's mother argued. "I've barely managed to remove the stains from your son and daughter's last escapade."

"Oh, so they are my son and daughter now, are they?" the man grumbled. "But when they burned those Berserker ships they were yours." He pointed his finger at her accusingly, "I taught them better than that," his voice boomed.

"Thor's foot, you did! You gave them leave to keep a dragon in here," she retorted, throwing her hands up in the air. "Of all the foolish thing to do, it had to be that!"

"Exactly!" Ruffnut threw in. To her delight her father's face grew red. Though it might have had more to do with him stepping in a puddle of dragon drool than her actual words. They both turned to glare at daughter and dragon. Ruffnut gave an embarrassed little laugh. "Forget I said anything."

"Young lady," her mother started, arms crossing over her chest, "do you think this is amusing? I have been working and working to greet my new daughter properly. Look at this place! It's an absolute mess after days of cleaning." Her eyes narrowed in a deadly glower. "It's like you don't even appreciate my efforts."

The door flew open and her brother ran in. He completely ignored the elders and made for Ruffnut. "What have you done with her?" he yelled, grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her hard. "What have you done with my Macey? Macey, where are you?" Tuffnut cried, releasing his sister. "What am I going to do? Oh gods! A lifetime of bad luck."

"Ruffnut, give it back," the older man sighed. "Thor almighty! I love you both, but I swear upon Odin's beard that if you ruin this wedding, I'll have both of you hanged. By your ears."

"Don't look at me," Ruffnut said sullenly. She hated being caught.

"Ruffnut, the mace," her mother returned calmly. "Now!"

Sighing deeply, Ruffnut searched behind Barf and Belch's front leg. She pulled out the weapon and threw it at Tuffnut. It caught him in the stomach. "There's your stupid mace."

Tuffnut hugged the mace to his chest. "I don't think it's safe to allow Macey out of sight," he told his mother, clutching the handle even tighter. "I'll just take it with me to the dock."

"You will do no such thing," she assured him, snatching it from his hands. "Your father and I will keep this for you. As for you, young lady, I expect you to be the soul of grace and dignity when you meet your new sister. Remember, her dowry will finance the rest of your life."

It had already financed her new clothing and a pair of long knives. Ruffnut looked down at her light blue tunic and black boiled leather leggings. She nodded obediently, knowing fully well that a clout over the head would be merciful if her mother's mood turned black. After all, the matriarch was right. Tuffnut's bride brought a small fortune with her. There was no use in disliking someone whose friendship could prove advantageous. All the things she could get, Ruffnut smiled. "Understood." Or at least she thought she did.

Her brother had been treated to a more special outfit. Scrubbed clean and dressed in the best clothes he had ever worn, he looked almost handsome. Ruffnut thought he was rather excited about the whole wedding business. She understood if truth be told. A Viking wedding was one of those affairs where mead flowed and excitement was all around. That was not even mentioning all the pranks that could be pulled on the guests. Ruffnut already had a few good ones planned. She even had the perfect victims in mind. And she would have a few full days.

As Viking weddings went, one that lasted less than three days was considered a dull affair. Given that this wedding sealed a pact between two clans and had a great political importance, the bride's and the groom's family had settled on five days of feasting. The schedule had been discussed over and over again. The bride would arrive of the first day. She would exchange vows with the groom at sundown, and then the sacrifices to the gods would be made. Ruffnut could not wait for that. Thor would never see a better dragon race in a thousand years; she was willing to be her right arm on it. And that was her good arm. After that it would be time for the bride to undergo a purification ritual and the groom would be taken away by his male relatives and friends to a night of drinking and carousing. The second day Freya would be prayed to for blessing and fertility and in the evening another feast would be held in the Mead Hall. On third day the bride and groom would receive gifts from their guests as separate individuals. The fourth day was the bedding day. Ruffnut already knew what she wanted to sneak in the bed of the newlyweds. And finally on the fifth day the newlyweds would be given gifts as a couple.

"Where is the bridal crown?" mother asked as she stepped over Barf's neck. "The bride will need her crown."

"It's right there, mother," Tuffnut pointed to the low table near the window. He seemed annoyed. Or possibly scared. Both were fine by Ruffnut. "Can we go already?" He was ignored. Tuffnut picked the circular ornament up and held it in front of his face, analyzing it.

A bridal crown signified woman's purity. Usually it was made of flowers and sweet smelling herbs. Berk had a slightly different custom. The bridal crown Tuffnut held was a bronze circlet on which a few flowers and herbs had been tied to ward away evil spirits and protect the bride. Spikes and wiry vines tangled along its length, but the inside was smooth as silk.

"I wore that when I married your father," their mother reminisced with a small smile on her face. "What days those were. We were so young then. Oh, my little Tuff, you are all grown up." Due to an excess of affection, their dear mother threw herself on her son and crushed him in her loving embrace, effectively cutting off any possibility for him to breathe.

Ruffnut struggled to keep her laughter in as her brother wheezed and struggled to break free. Unfortunately for her, she was not quiet enough. "Of, Ruff. Don't worry, your days shall be here soon." Their mother turned to her. She tried to dodge, but Belch's head came in behind her and cut off her retreat. "Just make sure to pick a nice strong Viking. It's always important that he can be able to fight alongside you," the woman instructed, squeezing her daughter.

It was Tuffnut's turn to laugh and he had absolutely no problem with displaying his amusement. "Yeah, Ruffnut. Pick someone strong. I suggest Gobber," he teased good-naturedly. "I'm sure he could be induced to take you."

Breaking free of her mother's strong arms, Ruffnut jumped over whatever obstacles happened in her way and crashed into her brother, sending both of him and herself crashing to the floor. There she proceeded to strangle him. Tuffnut returned as good as he got. It was their play ever since they'd been babes. Before they could crawl, they were pinching and kicking at each other. Other siblings had different ways to show affection, this was theirs. "What did you say?" she yelled, even as her father dragged her off.

"Do you have wool stuffed up your ears?" Tuffnut mocked. He stopped short when he felt the sting of his mother's ministrations upon the back of his skull. He seemed to hold in a yelp. Another time he might have cried out. Aye, her brother was all grown up.

"Enough you two," their mother complained. "All you do is fight. You'll ruin these nice clothes. Best climb that beast of yours and make for the dock. The Chief had been gone enough time already."

Climbing back to his feet, Tuffnut glowered at his sister. "This is not the end of it," he warned her. However he was much too interested in that bride that Hiccup had promised him. For the past few years both their parents had been bothering the twins to settle down and produce children. Apparently the only thing a mother wanted more than children was grandchildren. And the perfect opportunity had been thrown his way. Tuffnut grabbed it with both hands. A bride had been found for him without him having to lift a finger.

Barf and Belch flew at an easy pace, neither rider seeing any need to rush. Now that he stood only a hairsbreadth away from meeting the woman, Tuffnut's eagerness seemed to melt in the back of his mind. All joking aside, what if he did not like her? For all he knew, Heron the Wise could have dressed a mountain troll in a dress, put it on a ship and offer it as a bride. He shuddered. Suddenly, the whole business did not seem quite so attractive.

"Scared?" Ruffnut taunted him. He only nodded. "I'm glad to hear that," she offered without a whit of solemnity. "I hear those Vandal women are big and mean, exactly what you need in a wife. She'll snap you in two like a twig," Ruffnut laughed.

"Maybe I'll be lucky and she'll think you are me and snap you in two," he answered with a grin of his own. He imagined a wider, stronger version of Astrid with her arms around Ruffnut. He realised with a start that he did not want that. Alas it was too late to turn back, though he was sorely tempted.

Everyone was counting on him to seal the alliance. No matter what she looked like, he would have to swallow his distaste and play her husband. If only for a few days. After that he could run off on Barf and Belch if he did not like her. A brilliant plan. Feeling more at ease, Tuffnut helped his sister land their dragon.

People had already gathered from all around the village to witness the arrival of their grain-giver. The human sea parted as he and Ruffnut passed between them. The boast had almost reached the bridge. Toothless landed on the ground next, but Hiccup was not on his back. From their left, Astrid gave Tuffnut a smile and mouthed something he did not understand.

Looking away from the Chief's wife, he saw a plank being lowered from the ship to solid ground. Hiccup was the first human he sea, but he did not hold Tuffnut's attention. On his friend's arm, a woman was being led towards them. Ruffnut had been wrong. She was not at all big and muscular. In fact, slim and petite as the female was he doubted she could do much damage even if she tried. Blue eyes searched her face. Brown orbs stared back at him with interest, they widened almost imperceptibly at the contact. She lowered her gaze, soft looking hair spilling over her shoulder.

"Tuffnut! Hey," Hiccup greeted him, his hand touching the woman's in a manner that indicated he desired her attention.

"Hiccup," he replied absently, too busy staring at the woman.

"May I present to you," he paused, took in the crowd and spoke louder, "to all of you, Lina, last daughter of Heron the Wise and formerly of the Loutish Vandals!" The men and women cheered, welcoming her into their midst, for soon she would belong to the Hairy Hooligans. "Lina, this is Tuffnut Thorston, son of Tuffnut Thorston, rider of a Hideous Zippleback and part of the Hairy Hooligans tribe."

"I am honoured," she answered in a faint voice that made it hard to decipher if she spoke the truth or if she was merely being polite. Lina looked up. "I am thrilled to meet all of you," she addressed the people. "I have heard much of the courage and skill of the people of Berk. It is an honour to become one of you."

Ah, but she had a skilled tongue and she had known exactly how to flatter his kinsmen. Tuffnut looked over his shoulder at his sister. Smart women made him nervous, especially when he thought he might like one. Ruffnut raised one eyebrow at him and gave an odd little smile as if to say he was on his own.

He wasn't running for the hills, or rather cliffs, which was more apt to describe the geographical characteristics of Berk as it happened. He seemed happy enough to gaze at her as she made her way off the boat. The Brawny Maid gathered her sails and the rest of her entourage removed to land.

Her husband-to-be walked closer to her and Lina lowered her gaze from his face. He was handsome, with wide blue eyes and long blonde hair, and tall. A Viking by gait and measure, the man was everything she could have ever hoped for in a potential mate. Yet he walked with his shoulders stooped, more out of habit it would seem rather than because of necessity. It made him look a tad shorter. Mayhap she could encourage him to correct his posture.

The hilarity of the thought struck her. Encourage him, would she? She did not even know him. But she would. And he would know her. And mayhap if she prayed to the gods hard enough, she might have the good fortune of a good marriage. The fact remained, he could simply be overwhelmed by the situation. Men were a curious mixture of bravery and folly when it came to the matters of the heart.

Lina resisted the urge to touch her cheek and feel the burn of the hot blood beneath the skin. She hoped the blush did not make her look like a tomato. Tuffnut Thorston had given her his arm after the Chief released her and the introductions went on. Linda had made the acquaintance of Astrid, the Chief's wife, Gobber, the local smith, Mulch and Bucket, Tuffnut's sister, Ruffnut, Valka, the Chief's mother, along with the other riders Snotlout and Fishlegs. Out of them all it was Snotlout that amused her most. There seemed to be a rivalry between the male dragon riders and it showed even in front of strangers like her.

Snotlout Jorgenson had stridden up to them, tall as an oak tree and wide as a bull. He was not taller than her future husband, but to Lina's mind he had a decent height, and dark as a stormy night. But he smiled insolently at them and punched Tuffnut in the arm. "My fair lady, allow me to rescue you from this beast at your side," he had started boldly. "She's too good for you, Tuff," he had spoke to his friend then, "and she too will realise it soon enough. Just don't cry when she comes running to me." He'd given her a suggestive look.

Ruffnut had simply grinned and then gave a small nod. As if Thor himself had reached out from the clouds to grab the rival, Snotlout was pulled off the ground. He went up with a yell, and everyone laughed as Barf and Belch threw him in the air. Ruffnut cheered the two headed dragon. Luckily for him, his own dragon, Lina thought she heard the name to be Hookfang, dived after him. Fishlegs' approach had been a tad subtler and he seemed devoid of any intentions that might have lurked through Snotlout's brain, for which Lina was grateful. One man to mock her tender sensibilities was quite enough. Astrid and Hiccup were civil and she could already perceive they would be good friends if she opened herself to them. The dragons worried her though. They looked magnificent, she could not deny, but their very presence spelled danger.

Ruffnut presented herself as a special case. The twin sister of Tuffnut, she did not seem to have her brother's easiness around her. In fact, she could have been a dragon herself, Lina suspected, and do a splendid job at it. It seemed to Lina that the blonde was trying very hard to censor herself. Perhaps she resented the newcomer for stealing her brother away. Twins tended to have a strong bond. It was normal. Lina did her best to put the other woman at ease. One smile had been enough though to make Ruffnut throw her veneer away and revert to a slightly feminine version of her brother. They were very alike and not only when it came down to their looks. It seemed that dragons were not to be worried over after all.

So, flanked by the twins and surrounded by strangers, she was led to the Mead Hall. It was there that she would meet the head of the Thorston family, who apparently was also named Tuffnut. Her own son might one day he named Tuffnut. Her daughter might be a Ruffnut. Somehow, the thought niggled at her. Children. Would she even be able to have children? Viking women were supposed to have broad shoulder and broader hips to bear strong sons and they needed a full chest to nurse them through the long winters. Only the strong survived after all. Perhaps if she had known her birth parents her fears might have been put to rest, however that was not the case. She would need to trust her gut instinct and go with it. And every tiny piece of her screamed that what she had was good.

The problem was that if she did not give her husband heirs, the law allowed him to put her aside and take a new wife, or at least have a concubine upon whose children he would settle all his worldly possessions. She resisted the urge to shudder. There was no reason to be thinking that far ahead into the future. There were potions to try and prayers to say. The goddesses might even take pity on her and give her the child soon. She was young and healthy enough.

The whole of her island relied on her marriage to provide the Loutish Vandals with dragons. She had to please her husband. He looked an affable sort of man if a bit uncouth with the way he parlayed back and forth with his sister and Snotlout. And he was a good man. She had to keep telling herself that a few more times before she could accept it as the truth. It would all turn out fine, she decided half a heartbeat later when he pulled her just a fraction closer, her elbow tucked against his ribs. Lina shoved the dark thought away.

"You are too tense," he said in a soft voice. "How will you enjoy the festivities like this?" Lina detected amusement and curiosity in his voice. "Like my sister always says, let all your troubles fade away before a party."

"What do you do after the party?" she asked with a confused smile, having expected at least a reminder of the fact that Vikings were strong, enduring people. He gave her an odd look, probably distracted by a shout from the crowd. "With the problems?" Lina added for clarity's sake.

"Ignore them," Tuffnut answered promptly. "There will always be someone willing to solve them for you. This way, you can actually enjoy watching them trying. And in the end they'll have solved it better than you would have anyway."

Lina's composure dissolved into a small smile. She could not argue with the man's logic, if it could be called that. All he lacked was confidence. "You and your sister seem very close," she noted pleasantly. It was her hope that Ruffnut would come to like her. Life would be infinitely easier then. After all, who would know Tuffnut better than the sister he grew up with?

"We have always been so," was his short reply. "Are you not likewise close to your sisters?"

"To some more than to others," Lina confessed unabashed. While she loved all her sisters as fellow kinswomen, to some she felt a deeper kinship. "I was much closer to Edda than I was to any of the other three of my sisters. We were closer in age and temper and almost always together."

"And you are the youngest." It wasn't really a question, however Lina confirmed the information he put forth with a nod. "I'm also the youngest. Tuffnut was actually more eager to see the sunlight than me. My father thought he would get no son."

The truth of it showed. Ruffnut held more sway between the two of them. Lina suspected that Tuffnut would happily follow his sister into the frozen fires of Hel and back if only she took it in her head to ever set foot there. Which Lina saw as probable at some point.

"He must have been relieved when you came along." As all men were when they saw themselves with a heir on their hands. "My father had only daughters. My mother's mother as well." Though she spoke of the people who had taken her in. She might still have blood siblings somewhere. "But I am sure I could give you a son."

"A son or a daughter. Both would do just as well." He gave her a warm smile. "If you'd ever seen my sister or Astrid in a fight, you would know what I mean. They are as fearsome as any man I've ever known and then some."

But she wasn't, Lina wanted to say. A daughter of hers could well end up like the mother. Instead she held her tongue. "They do seem skilled, and both ride dragons. It would be a very foolish man that one who did not fear them."

"They usually do," Ruffnut laughed. "Though we sometimes get the occasional fearless Viking who thinks he can compare with either of them. Most flee before any true damage can be done, but there have been one or two with singed body parts. Ruffnut is fond of scaring the enemy off with fire. Hiccup's woman prefers setting Stromfly's spikes on them, though the Deadly Nadder has the hottest flame."

"What about Barf and Belch? How do they comport themselves in battle?"While she admired the Chief's wife, Lina was certain she was more interested in the dragon she would live with. She wondered if the giant pet might be of some use around the house. "It must be convenient to have double firepower in one package."

Tuffnut laughed. "Barf and Belch cannot produce fire one without the other. Aptly named, Barf will blow out a flammable gas, and Belch will spark it, producing flames. I cannot control the dragon without my sister and she cannot fly without me. Barf and Belch are sort of like a mirror for us."

"These dragons are fearsome anyway. I would not climb on one's back to be sure." Her husband-to-be could keep his beast. "But I am glad for them all the same."

Their conversation was cut short as the entered the Mead Hall. Lina knelt in front of Tuffnut's parents to receive their blessings. She saw Tuffnut do the same, as the other guests took their places at the table. "It is time to join the destines of the two Viking standing before us on this day. " Lina heard the people chanting as she was pushed to stand before the Chief, Tuffnut to her left. "Fellow Vikings lend me an ear and hear these vows that are to be made."

Silence fell over the whole room. Lina took a deep breath. Hiccup continued. "If there is anyone present that can bring valid objections to the union of these here Vikings, Tuffnut, son of Tuffnut, and Lina, daughter of Heron, speak, and if you hold your tongue, you might as well bite it off if you think to part them later."

No one said a thing. Hiccup nodded. "Then let us proceed. On this Day of the Moon, I, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock, ask you, Tuffnut Thorston, do you take Lina, daughter of Heron, to be a partner to you in all the blessing and hardship the god see fit to bestow upon you?"

"I do," Tuffnut replied solemnly, which drew more than a few surprised looks from the gathering. Lina remembered only then Hiccup's warning, but she had no time to think about potential pranks for it came her time to pledge herself at the altar.

"I now ask you, Lina daughter of Heron, do you take Tuffnut Thorston to be a partner to you in all the blessing and hardship the god see fit to bestow upon you?"

"I do," she agreed with the same solemnity her husband had adopted.

Someone brought the Chief a large bronze chalice. Hiccup held it up in the air. "You are all witnesses to these words. Now it is time to give Jörð, mother to us all, her due." He produced a sliver knife from his belt and handed it to Tuffnut with a nod. The Chief lowered the chalice and Lina could see the clear mead in it. The scent of it floated to her.

Making a small cut on his arm, Tuffnut allowed a few drops of blood to fall in the beverage. Lina held out her own hand, pulling the sleeve away to bare her arm to the kiss of the blade. Red drops slid into the chalice. Hiccup stirred the mixture softly. He held it up once more. The people gave a cheer the name of the earth goddess on their lips.

Hiccup spilled the contents of the chalice on the ground. The earth swallowed the offering greedily.

"May Jörð bless them!" the Chief yelled out.

The others repeated the blessing three times in reply.

Notes: Very short explanations

Jörð is the Norse goddess of the earth

Day of the Moon (Monday) – the name comes from the Norse god of the moon, Máni

Viking Weddings – they really were considered a dull affair unless they lasted longer than three days

You can find more information on the web if you are interested. I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. If you have the time and inspiration, feel free to leave a review.