"Wait here."
I waited as Hiccup went inside alone, leaving me standing at the top of the stairs in front of the great hall. I could feel my own nervousness creeping up my throat, threatening to spill out. I subconsciously adjusted my clothes once again, as if they would never properly fit me.
The idea of becoming a Viking was enticing; I had no other family now, and if I could join this large one then what did I have to lose? Except I felt like I was betraying my old one. I could practically hear my father's voice echoing inside my head; he would be saying 'disappointment', and 'how could you'. I withheld the tears, knowing that if I cried now there'd be no respect at all from the others. My father was not cruel, nor was he disappointed in me at all. Back home I had to worry about 'honor', 'doing the right thing', and 'listening to the Elders'. Those were probably the exact reasons I left in the first place. Stoick interrupted my thoughts when he slipped outside of the massive doors.
"Ah, there you are."
I just smiled up at him with the bravest face I could muster. Inside I was screaming like a terrified child.
He clapped his hands together; "all you have to do is walk beside me to the back. I'll do the talking, and you just give everyone a smile and a wave, alright?"
I nodded, not daring open my mouth, because I figured that if I did only verbal spew would come out.
He opened the door and I followed him timidly; I felt like a tiny mouse next to an elephant, and I wasn't even short. My eyes attempted to adjust to the dim lighting. It took a minute, and there was a ton of awkward silence. I could practically hear my heart thudding in my chest. Suddenly the room burst with cheering and hollers. I composed myself as best I could with my hands clasped in front of me respectively. Vikings held large containers of mead, and by the smell, some had already had too much. Others were yelling and clapping- making as much racket as possible at my arrival; but all their attention was directed at me.
I had only ever held so much interest at my own ceremony back home, and that hadn't gone so well.
The warm, embracing feeling that emanated from the crowd was overbearing and I could feel myself tearing up at the sight. Stoick walked proudly next to me through the crowd, past the central fire pits, and towards the back. He hoisted himself on top of the nearest table and gestured for me to follow. My heart thudded with the intensity of the moment, and it felt like an eternity until I finally found myself facing the crowd next to the chief. Stoick held up a hand to signal quiet and the noise dimmed.
"Today," he began, and I felt the lump in my throat tighten, "we welcome a new member to the Hairy Hooligan Tribe." I swear, if I had to speak, my voice would come out like a squeak. I felt extremely nervous, but mostly since they were all so accommodating. "She has proved herself worthy of all traits that a Viking possesses…"
I have?
"She saved my son…"
Well, he saved me too…
"Fought off a tyrannical dragon…"
Tyrannical?
"Has excellent battle skills…"
How would he know that?
"Survival skills…"
Okay I guess that ones true.
"And shows a care for everything and everyone around her."
I had to stop and think about what he had just said. I didn't realize that others would notice such things about me, and I dared not let a tear fall. I just stared up at Stoick with awe… how would he know those things about me? It's not like… Hiccup! I would kill that boy, I swear.
"Now, Meyla," he turned to face me, "do you wish to join our tribe as a member, Viking, and sister?"
Well, I didn't really have a choice now did I?
"Yes." I breathed, glad that I had managed to not choke on my words.
As loud as thunder, cheers erupted throughout the massive hall. Hands held up mugs and yelled my name.
'Meyla!'
'To Meyla.'
"Then I welcome you to our home. From now on, you shall me known as Meyla Habborth."
The erupting booms of voices were nearly overwhelming, I had to tune out most of the noise or my hearing would eventually die. The party kicked back into full swing and Stoick and I stepped down from the table. I sucked in a breath and mustered up the best voice I could after an emotional moment like that. "Thank you."
"Ah, welcome to the family dear," he patted a massive had on my shoulder and sauntered off into the crowd.
Several more Vikings came up to congratulate me, though I knew none of them. Finally, I made my way around the hall and was greeted by a few familiar faces.
"There she is!" Ruffnut called and ran over. "Way to go, you're one of us now."
Tuffnut snorted, "it's not like she wasn't before."
"Well now it's official Blunder-head," she shot back.
I smiled at them, "thanks guys…"
Fishlegs and Astrid wandered over and joined the group.
"Congratulations!" Astrid grabbed me and pulled me in for a hug, which I had not been expecting but took with a smile. "You look great too," she laughed.
"No thanks to you," I teased. "So what do we do now?"
"Party!" Ruffnut hollered and raised her arms excitedly.
AN: I actually wrote this chapter and the next as one, and then realized it was so long that I had to divide it in half. The next one ill be uploaded by tonight.