I am terribly sorry that I was a day late in uploading! To be honest, I completely forgot about it yesterday… Anyway, I am so sorry. Here is the new chapter now! Better late than never, right?

CHAPTER 8 – The Reception

Music, laughter, and chatter resounded throughout the hall, as drinks and food were passed all around. Mrs. Hofferson had taken Astrid hostage, and was dragging her about to greet all her guests. Hiccup had been swept away to the bar by the young men of the tribe. Rapunzel and her mother sat quietly at a table in the corner, observing their surroundings.

"I think it's quite nice, actually," Rapunzel remarked. Queen Primrose nodded, taking a sip of wine. "There's a certain…rustic charm to it," the princess continued, smiling, "it reminds me a bit of the Snuggly Duckling."

Her mother sighed. "Please, Rapunzel, don't start trying to convince me to preserve that place, I have no authority in that area—"

"I'm not!" Rapunzel replied, affronted.

Queen Primrose gave her a pointed look. "I'm really not," the princess muttered. Her mother shook her head, and turned about to survey the dance floor. "Oh look," she said, "here comes the bride." Astrid and her mother were making their rounds, and were now approaching the two royals. Rapunzel stood, and brushed off her long green skirt.

"Hello," said Astrid, once they had arrived at the table. Queen Primrose rose to greet Mrs. Hofferson.

"Hey," answered Rapunzel, smiling, extending her hands to grasp Astrid's. The bride hesitantly placed her hands into the princess' grip. "I'm so happy for you! The wedding was beautiful," Rapunzel said warmly. Astrid smiled tentatively. "Thank you."

"I can't wait for you to come to the University! I think we'll be great friends," the princess continued encouragingly, beaming. Astrid nodded quietly. Then she thought of something.

"Wait," she said, "I have a quick question. What am I supposed to do about Stormfly?"

Rapunzel peered at her, puzzled.

"My dragon, my Deadly Nadder."

"Oh!" the princess cried, "We have stables and other housing for pets! Some of the other girls have horses, and whatnot, and they asked the same question! Oh, I should tell you about the University's other features too, by the way! We have a—" Astrid listened silently as Rapunzel chattered on.

Meanwhile…

"Are you ready?"

Hiccup stared inquisitively at a highly intoxicated Tuffnut. "For what?"

"For your first—"

"Dance! Fer yer firs' dance!" Gobber butted in quickly, shouldering Tuffnut out of the way. The large man slid Hiccup's drink out of his hand, and pulling the groom to his feet. "Yer gonna need yer wits abou' yeh fer this, laddie!"

"Wait, what are you talking about?" Hiccup asked, hastily running his fingers through his hair.

"Yer firs' dance wi' Astrid as 'usband an' wife!"

"Oh," Hiccup said, as he was pulled to the center of the dance floor.

"Now wai' 'ere, I'll go ge' yer bride."

Hiccup lingered aimlessly in the middle of the festivities. Finally, Gobber returned with Astrid, who looked vaguely confused. She greeted her husband with a quick peck on the cheek, and swiftly whispered in his ear, "Do you know anything about this?" Hiccup shook his head as she pulled away.

"Strike up th' band!" Gobber commanded, grinning, "everyone, th' bride and groom's firs' dance!" The same small band of six men from the wedding began playing a gentle, enchanting melody. "Now, dance, you two!"

The newlywed couple exchanged a glance. Astrid shrugged. Hiccup returned the gesture, before smoothly grabbing her hand and placing it on his shoulder. He took ahold of her waist, and seized her other hand, to create the traditional position for a waltz. His bride grinned. "Have you ever done this before?" she asked slyly. "No," he replied, gradually moving to one side, "but I've seen pictures." Astrid laughed, and followed his movements. Soon, they had figured out the steps, and were gliding around the wood floor. "Alright, I admit it. This is pretty cool," said Astrid, her skirt swirling around her ankles.

Hiccup smiled. "I recall you saying that the first time you rode a dragon."

"Well, maybe I enjoy dancing just as much," Astrid giggled.

Meanwhile…

"Oh, mother, look!" Rapunzel exclaimed. Queen Primrose looked up from her plate of food.

"The bride and groom are dancing!" The princess sighed, "It's so romantic."

Her mother smiled. "I always loved this part of weddings," she said, scooching her chair closer to her daughter, "I couldn't wait until my wedding, when I was little. I started planning it when I was six!" Rapunzel laughed. Queen Primrose gazed happily at her child. Then something in her eyes darkened. "I wish I could have… been with you. When you were six. If only…" The princess frowned. "Mother," she said, "please don't bring that up. Not here. This is a party; I don't want to be sad." The queen sighed, and nodded. Rapunzel gave her a quick hug. Suddenly, the background music changed from a relaxed tempo to a fast-paced, joyous beat.

"Oh look, other people are dancing now!" She announced, glancing at the dance floor. "Can I go, mother?" Queen Primrose nodded. Rapunzel grinned, then shot out of her chair and leapt onto the dance floor.

Meanwhile…

Hiccup was having a hard time keeping up. Just when they had really gotten into the waltz, the musicians had switched gears. Now Astrid was twirling blissfully about the floor. And his leg was killing him. "Astrid," he wheezed, "my leg." His bride turned to look at him. It took her a moment to get it. "Oh!" she said finally, "Okay, come on. We can go sit."

Hiccup shook his head. "If you want to keep dancing, you can—"

"No," she said firmly, "I'm coming with you." She linked arms with him, and led him through the crowd. "We're married now, remember." Hiccup smiled gratefully. They reached the bar, and Astrid went to help him get on a high stool, but he stopped her. "No, let me help you; you're in that dress!" he said, and lifted her carefully, setting her on the stool. "We're married now, remember," he noted, hoisting himself onto the stool next to her. Astrid rolled her eyes, and ordered two drinks from the bartender. Hiccup watched her.

She noticed him staring at her. "What?"

"Nothing. You're beautiful, is all."

Astrid smiled briefly, and stared at her hands in her lap.

"I can't believe it," Hiccup said, placing his hand on top of hers.

His bride glanced up.

"You're mine now, and nothing can ever take you away from me." Hiccup shook his head in disbelief.

Astrid entwined their fingers. "Yep," she said. She paused. "Except, you know… death. And that university." Hiccup stiffened. "You didn't have to ruin it like that."

Astrid grumbled, "You're right, I'm sorry." The groom exhaled testily. The bride scrutinized their clasped hands. Suddenly, Snotlout and Tuffnut appeared.

"Heyyyyyyyyy," Tuffnut drawled.

Snotlout yawned. "Did you know it's nighttime? Outside? Already?" he asked, slightly slaphappy.

"Really," said Hiccup sarcastically. Astrid stared into the distance.

"Yup!" declared Tuffnut, staggering over to a column to lean on, "It's real dark too."

"You're gonna need to watch your step when you go over the stoop of your house. Your marriage is cursed if Astrid trips," said Snotlout, nodding in agreement to his own statement, as he sat on a stool.

"I see," Hiccup commented, taking a swig of his drink, which had finally arrived.

Snotlout grinned. "So," he said, "how has your first six hours of marriage been?" Hiccup opened his mouth to reply, but Astrid cut in. "Great!" she said, and then yanked Hiccup off his stool, and dragged him to the corner of the room.

"What?" her husband asked irritably.

"There's something wrong. Can we please just sort this out? Please?" Astrid begged him, "We've only been married for a few hours, and we've already had an issue. This is supposed to be a happy day. Can we make up? I really am sorry about what I said before, about death and the University."

Hiccup frowned. Then he sighed in surrender. "Fine," he said, "It's fine." Astrid searched his face. "It's really fine! I just overreacted," Hiccup assured her, touching her forearm. "Listen, I love you…"

Astrid flung her arms around his neck, and buried her face in his shoulder. "I love you too."

Hiccup wrapped his arms around her. He could feel her breathe; hear her heart beat in time with his. How could he ever have been annoyed with her? They are partners now, they carry each other's burdens, feel each other's pain. Whatever harshness she had displayed before, was because of an issue she was dealing with, an issue, which was now his problem too.

"You're not alone anymore," Hiccup said into her ear. Astrid squeezed him tighter. "We belong to each other now. All of me is yours, and all of you is mine. That includes our past, present, and future." Hiccup drew circles on her back with his thumb. "Whatever problems we have, we deal with together. As a team."

His bride pulled away to look into his green eyes. "You know what my problem is. I have to go to the University."

"Yes. But not yet. So I don't want to waste another moment moping around." Hiccup dipped down and lifted her up like a baby. "Hiccup!" Astrid laughed, only to exclaim, "Your leg!" The groom shrugged, "It's fine for now," he said, "Come on, it's time to go." He exited the front of the Great Hall and whistled for Toothless.

"Go where?" His bride inquired.

"Home."