Hiccup felt kind of ridiculous in the long fur cloak that Stoick had forced him to wear, but besides that, he was confident in his attempt at wardrobe choice. He had replaced his usual leather boot with a fur one, to match the stupid robe. Under the robe, he wore a coat of a deep indigo, with a medallion of the crest of Berk just above the breast pocket. His pants were pretty much the same; the men didn't have to go that far. He was already beginning to question his decision to make Fishlegs his best man. He'd successfully talked Hiccup's ear off and it had only been maybe fifteen, twenty minutes. Hiccup sat on a stool and huffed out another sigh, looking around at the assembled group of people. His father stood just behind him, watching the open doorway. Hiccup turned half-way around and looked up past his father's greying beard and sighed. "

So, since it appears we have time," said Hiccup, rubbing his hands up and down his legs absently, "Do you have any last-minute advice?"

"Always do as she says," said Stoick, wishing his father had told him that before his marriage to Valka. "Trust me; it'll save a lot of arguments."

"Well, I already do that, so I'll just," said Hiccup, ruffling his hair. "I'll just… keep doing that."

Stoick was about to tell him that that was the smartest move he could hope to make in a marriage, but Gobber rushed into the hall. He had been posted outside to watch for the women. It had been about two hours since everyone had assembled. He nodded to Stoick, and Stoick took his place behind the wedding arch. The nod meant the bridal party was mere minutes away. The assembly perked up, sitting up straight and taking on more dignified postures. Fishlegs miraculously stopped talking. Hiccup rose quickly to his feet and pushed the stool out of sight. He handed the wedding bands to his father and turned to face the aisle. He faked a confident smile and screamed internally while fighting the urge to vomit. The band provided a wedding march as a soundtrack to his anxiety. The first one into the hall was Ruffnut, and she looked both emotional and annoyed at the same time, arms folded across her chest and her pace far quicker than normal. She took her place on the right side of the arch just as Ingrid came into the room. Valka was immediately after her. Hiccup snuck a quick peek at his father and saw that he was beaming at Valka. She blushed slightly and looked down at her feet for a few seconds before taking her place behind Ingrid. Hiccup's internal screaming grew louder and more desperate, knowing that the next person who was coming through that door was Astrid. He wanted to look away, to give himself a moment to compose himself, but he stayed firmly in the same position, the confident grin plastered on his face. And there she was, looking stunning in her wedding clothes. Hiccup met her eyes and she grinned excitedly at him for a second before returning her face to normal. She held nothing in her hands, where most brides held a bouquet of flowers. She did, however, have a rose in her hair. When she took her place next to him, the assembly sat and the wedding march stopped. Stoick took a breath and Hiccup's internal screaming became strangled sobbing, because he was absolutely certain he was going to mess up at some point.

"It is with the utmost pride that I stand here this morning. Of all the wedding ceremonies I have been forced to preside over, this is the only one I ever really wanted to perform. It was not too long ago that I myself stood in my son's spot, with that beautiful creature about to become my wife," said Stoick in his fatherly yet commanding tone. His eyes flickered to Valka for a moment before she rolled her eyes and gestured for him to get back to the ceremony. Stoick complied. "No doubt Hiccup is just as nervous as I was. He is doing a better job at hiding it than I did, to say the least. It is one of life's richest surprises when the accidental meeting of two life paths lead them to proceed together along the common path as husband and wife. It is one of life's finest experiences when a casual relationship grows into a permanent bond of love. This meeting and this growth bring us together today. Astrid and Hiccup, will you take vows here before all of us which symbolize the manifested vows you have already made and will continue to make to each other throughout your lives?"

Astrid and Hiccup both replied with, 'We will'. It was customary for the male to go first in the ceremony, so Hiccup suppressed his internal sobbing and racked his brain for the words he had wrestled with for months. Fortunately, he found them.

"Astrid Hofferson, I acknowledge my love for you and invite you to share my life as I hope to share yours. I promise to walk by your side, to love, help, and encourage you," said Hiccup, impressing himself with how eloquently his words came. "I vow to take time to share with you, to listen, and to care. I will share your laughter and your tears as your partner, lover, and friend. I promise to always respect you and honor you as an individual and to be conscious of your needs. I will seek through kindness and compassion to achieve with you the life we have planned together. I promise to never leave your side, through thick or thin. That is my promise to you."

"What have I to give you, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third?" asked Astrid, her tone lending some comic relief to the situation. Words weren't exactly her forte, so she knew she had to use her presentation of the words to show how sincere she was. "I have the promise to take you as my only love from this day forward. I have the promise to stand by your side, to attempt to listen to you, but ignore you when you say something stupid. I have the promise to comfort you when you cry, and to join your laughter with my own, especially if you slip and fall in a mud puddle. That is what I have to give to you. I hope it's enough."

"The circle is the symbol of the sun, earth, and universe. It is the symbol of peace," said Stoick, placing Astrid's wedding band in Hiccup's hand and Hiccup's in Astrid's. "Let this ring be the symbol of unity and peace in which your two lives are joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever you go, return unto one another and to your togetherness."

"I give you this ring, wear it with love and joy," said Hiccup, sliding the thin gold band etched with a vine just above her engagement ring. Astrid smiled reassuringly, giving Hiccup the courage to go on. "I choose you to be my partner, to have and to hold from this day forward for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish as long as we both shall live."

"Love has given us wings, and our journey begins today," said Astrid, giving a quick glance to the doorway, where the dragons were assembled. She gave them a little wave and turned back to Hiccup, not caring that his hands were a little sweaty. She understood why. She slid Hiccup's wider etched gold ring onto his left ring finger, her eyes not leaving his. "Hiccup, wherever those wings may carry me, I will stay by your side as your wife. Take this ring as a sign of my love."

"You are mature people who have established individual patterns of living. Yet you have found not only a need for companionship, but the satisfaction of that need in each other's company. It is this love, based upon a responsible understanding, that will aid you in creating out of your two lives a marriage and a happiness you will share together," said Stoick, giving the two a proud smile. Valka and Ingrid wiped their eyes and Ruffnut made a gagging sound. Stoick gave her a stern look before returning to the matter at hand. "Stand fast in hope and confidence, believing in yourself and believing in each other. Now that you two have come before your friends and family and have declared your love and devotion to each other, I greet you with them as husband and wife. Go on then, lad. Kiss the woman."

Hiccup sighed and gave his father an unamused look. He looked back down at Astrid and she smiled, her top teeth biting down softly on her bottom lip. He grasped her hands firmly in his and her teeth released her lip as he leaned in towards her. When their lips met, the assembled crowd rose to their feet, cheering, stomping, and clapping. Astrid and Hiccup paid them no mind. They kissed each other softly at first, seeking and giving comfort and reassurance, but it soon grew deeper and more passionate. His hands released hers and moved to her hips. Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck, pulling him closer to her. He nearly stumbled because of his prosthetic, but he managed to keep his footing long enough to not make a fool of himself. The crowd cheered on long after their lips broke apart and the newlyweds turned to wave to their friends and family. They smiled at each other as though they were the only two in the room as they walked back down the aisle and to the dragons. Toothless lowed happily and Astrid hugged his neck. Hiccup stroked Stormfly's nose before Astrid yanked him away to the west wing of the town hall, where the wedding feast would be taking place. Once inside, Hiccup peeled off the ugly cloak and dropped it like a dead animal.

Upon seating themselves at the main table, the attendants presented the meals to all of the guests. It was bulky, hearty, Viking food, served with mead, ale, and wine. The crowd was far from quiet. If anyone wanted to speak with the newlyweds, they had only to waltz up to the main table and yell loud enough to be heard over the crowd. Valka and Ingrid both attempted to make touching speeches to their children, but the noise was far too much for them to be heard. They merely shook their heads and said something about telling them the next day. Neither Astrid nor Hiccup could make out exactly what they were saying. When three hours had passed, the food had been consumed and the drinking had long since begun. The people had remained entertained by singing drinking songs, drinking toasts to the newlyweds, downing drinks in one go, and basically just drinking a lot of alcohol. When he felt enough time had passed, ordered quiet. The crowd hushed almost instantly.

"I know that this marriage is a cause for celebration, and I know very well that we tend to get…carried away with our celebrating," said Stoick, remembering how hectic and noisy his own wedding feast had been. "But now is the time for the first dance, the final wedding rite of passage."

"Now?" said Hiccup, mentally hyperventilating because he forgot to practice. He hadn't danced since long before he lost his foot, and he'd been none to graceful back then. He expected he was even less so now. "But, Dad, Astrid hasn't even finished eating yet."

"That's okay, Hiccup," said Astrid, realizing based on his tone that he was likely going to embarrass himself dancing. She put aside her fork and knife and rose out of her chair. "That was my third helping. I'm full anyways. C'mon Hiccup. Let's dance."

Hiccup gulped as he realized he wasn't going to be able to get out of this. Astrid smirked evilly as he took her hand, seeing the look of fear and defeat in his eyes. She led him to the section of the town hall that wasn't occupied by tables and chairs, the one under the circle of strung up lanterns. Hiccup took several deep breaths, but they did nothing to slow his racing heartbeat. Astrid knew how to dance, she just didn't like to. This one time, she'd pretend she did just to make him seem more awkward. When they positioned themselves as closely to the center of the section as they could, most of the people rose from their seats and crowded around to watch. Some stayed seated, continuing on drinking and eating. Valka, Stoick, and Ingrid were at the front of the crowd, watching with encouraging smiles.

Astrid began mentally playing out the scene; he would start out by holding her the wrong way, ease into doing the wrong steps, and end with a graceful trip and faceplant combo. Astrid smiled inwardly at how funny it would be. She imagined the laughter of the guests and the embarrassment on his face as he struggled to rise to his feet. She laughed almost inaudibly and reached up to brush a wisp of hair from her eyes. The glint of her rings caught her eye. She pulled back her hand and looked at them for a moment. She imagined the embarrassment on his face again and found that she no longer relished in it. In her fantasy, she told the others to leave him alone, helped him to his feet, taught him the steps, and was altogether supportive. Like a friend was supposed to be. Like a wife was supposed to be. Once the crowd settled, she took his right hand and placed it on her left hip, clasping his left off to the side with her right. She placed her left hand on his right shoulder just as the music began.

"It's your left, your right, your forward, and your backwards. One step only. Slowly," she whispered into his ear. When she pulled back she smiled. He gave her a look of confusion and she let out a little sigh. She pulled him along with her as she took one small, slow step to the right, to the left, backwards, and forwards. "Like that, until the song is over."

Hiccup was too stunned that Astrid was actually helping him for a change that he didn't do anything but silently follow her directions. After a minute or so, he began to follow the pattern more comfortably. He pulled Astrid in closer, moving his right hand to the small of her back. She smiled up demurely at him and he returned it with a loving smile of his own. He leaned down and kissed her lightly, earning a few hoots and catcalls from the spectators. Astrid gave Hiccup a 'Boys will be boys' look and he twirled her, growing more and more confident in his dancing by the second. When the song ended, Hiccup stepped back and bowed. Astrid laughed and curtsied as though the two had planned this all along. The crowd cheered and surged into the dance space as the next song began. The couple had to rush out of the area to avoid being squished between the bodies of the party-goers. That was fine by Hiccup; he had much quieter plans for the evening. It was only maybe three in the afternoon, but the sun was already beginning to set. Winter was close; soon they'd be spending six hours a day in total darkness. Hiccup led Astrid outside of the town hall, where they could finally talk without having to yell.

"Gods, Astrid," said Hiccup, leaning back against the side of the building. "I thought you were going to let me make a fool out of myself back there."

"Oh, I would've," said Astrid. She held up her left hand. "The only issue is this wedding ring. Cursed thing makes me loving, supportive and understanding. I don't know how much longer I can stand this."

"Whoa, calm down," said Hiccup, placing his hands on her shoulders and then pulling her in for a hug. "You're going to have to put up with occasionally being loving supportive and understanding for the rest of your life. You promised, remember?"

"I can still fall on you to wake you up in the mornings, right?" asked Astrid, her voice slightly muffled by his chest. "That's my favourite thing about mornings."

"Sure Astrid," said Hiccup, stroking her back. "You can still fall on me to wake me up in the mornings."

"Then you and I shouldn't have a problem," said Astrid, pulling back. "So, wanna go see the inside of the house now? You'll finally find out if you were specific enough or not."

"That was the reason I brought you out here," said Hiccup. They linked hands and sauntered off in the direction of the house, enjoying each other's company. "You think they'll miss us?"

"Hiccup, it's our wedding feast," said Astrid, smiling at the setting sun. The brilliant hues of oranges, pinks, and purples took her breath away. "Of course they aren't going to miss us."

Hiccup laughed and the two continued on to their new house. Everything inside their old ones that they'd need had been moved the day before. Everything else was thrown away or made into firewood. A few rooms of the house had already been finished long before, like the kitchen and extra bedrooms. Hiccup and Astrid's things had been placed in the correct rooms among the pre-existing décor. Valka had said there was one room in particular that she wanted them to see, though she never fully explained why. Hiccup began to grow anxious when they came close to the front door. The cross-hatched walls and thatched roof of the exterior were not new to him, nor were the bricks and stones that made up the short pathway to the front door. Once they were close enough, Hiccup rested his hand on the doorknob and looked at Astrid. She nodded encouragingly. Hiccup took a deep breath and opened the door. It wasn't that he didn't hate the interior, but he had worked himself up to have much higher hopes for it. The walls were painted a deep cherry red. They were decorated with Hiccup's sketches and blueprints; even his old breast hat was hanging on a peg above the hearth. There were two couches and a table, each decorated with little tidbits and trinkets. The main sitting room led off in two directions, towards the stairs and through another doorway. Hiccup poked his head in the other room. It was the kitchen, with a fire oven, counters, rows of pots and pans mounted on the ceiling, and a few knives lining the walls. Nothing too interesting was to be seen in there. Hiccup left Astrid to examine the trinkets on the small tables and went up the stairs. There were four rooms on that level. One of them was an empty room with the same paint as the sitting room on the walls. He smiled, knowing that Stoick had decided to let Hiccup choose how to use the room. Another of the rooms was a guest room, with a barrel to place possessions in, a clothing chest, a desk, a lantern, and a bed with a lumpy tan pillow and a wool blanket. The next of the rooms was clearly his and Astrid's because the bed was cut to accommodate two people instead of one. There were more blueprints, sketches and maps along the walls. The baseboard went up to about waist level, cut from shining cherry wood. There were two clothing chests, a vanity, and a fireplace. The bed was flanked on either side with an end table, a lantern set on each, just waiting to be lit.

It was the fourth and final room that got to Hiccup, because he knew that this was the one Valka had been talking about. Hiccup stepped inside, leaving the door ajar behind him. It wasn't the largest room in the house by any means, but it was the one that spoke the most volumes to him. Immediately to his right was the outside wall of the closet. To his left was the opposite wall, painted in a sunset shade of red and ivy vines painted on as decoration. In front of him, slightly to the right was a rocking chair with a velvet embroidered pillow resting on it. Slightly behind that was a clothing chest. Immeadiately in front of Hiccup, placed just underneath the window, was a cradle, carved from pine wood with red blankets. Hanging from the ceiling above that was a mobile, with carvings of different kinds of dragons as the decoration. A smile came to Hiccup's face as he saw what was nestled in the corner of the cradle. He reached down and scooped it up in his hands. He knew that Valka herself had put the small stuffed dragon in the cradle. It had been his least favorite poessession as a child, but it had easily become his most treasured. He was happy that his mother had thought to place it in his future child's nursery. At that thought, he felt arms wrap around his waist and a chinresting on his shoulder.

"I see Valka got a little carried away with her decorating," said Astrid softly, hugging him from behind. He put the dragon back in the cradle and turned to face her. "After all, we aren't going to need a nursery for a while."

"I like it," said Hiccup, smiling as his eyes swept the room. "It's going to be great."

"This whole marriage thing seems a lot more complicated when you see the bigger picture," said Astrid, switching from having her arms around his waist to wrapping them around his neck. "In the long run, it's so much more than just being happy together."

"Oh, it certainly helps if you marry someone who makes you happy," said Hiccup. He leaned down and caught her lips with his. The kiss began soft and sweet, but Astrid pulled him in closer and deepend the kiss. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and clutched it, shifting her lips and pulling herself closer. Hiccup pulled away and transformed their position into a hug instead. "Just because I've never actually told you this before, you make me very happy, Astrid. Even when you punch me and fall on me first thing in the morning. Do you think they'll come looking for us here?"

"Oh, sweet, innocent Hiccup," said Astrid, pulling back just enough to meet his eyes and give him a fake sympathetic look. "Trust me when I say that they have a very good reason not to come anywhere near this house until morning."

Hiccup wasn't quite sure whether to be worried or happy about that statement. He had a feeling Astrid would tell him which one was the proper reaction, but not for a long while.