Chapter Forty-Nine: Thaw-weather
Astrid never got cold feet. Never. Not in the deepest of winter and not if anything big and dangerous was ahead of her.
Never.
Because she was a warrior. She was fearless Astrid Hofferson. One day her name would ring all over the barbaric seas and beyond.
Well, except for now. Now she had cold feet. Now she wanted to do nothing more than backing down.
But she couldn't and she wouldn't.
She wanted this. This was her wish. This had been her wish for month now.
But now…the actual waiting before IT….was killing her.
She paced her parents living room up and down and tried to calm her nerves by imagining a nice hunt in the woods. Lost of weapons, lots of fun…
Her mother entered the room.
"Oh darling. Don't be nervous. I know how you feel. I felt the same at my wedding day! But there's absolute nothing to be afraid of. Just don't forget to say yes. Alright?"
"Not helping mum." Astrid said through gritted teeth as she passed the mirror again.
"And tell me why again am I wearing this?" "The bride-grown? Because you're getting married." "Yes I know that but why not in my normal cloth. I look like doll!" "You are my baby doll. Besides, your cloths are hardly appropriate on your wedding day!"
Astrid sighed as her mother went on and on about the importance of this day.
It was spring.
Berk had gotten well over the winter.
No casualties to morn about, everybody had survived. A baby had even been born.
And now the snow was thawing and the first flowers broke the surface f the earth and the sun came out again.
The perfect time of a marriage.
Astrid fiddled with her engagement-ring. Gods, she was nervous. She'd already prayed to all goddesses but nothing helped.
She found herself wishing that Hiccup was hear.
He'd a calming and relaxing aura, he always had. He was peaceful soul.
"Yeah. And he's been dead for five month now. Get over it Hofferson." She muttered. "What did you say?" her mother asked. "Nothing."
The door opened again.
Her father stepped in.
"It's time he said smiling brightly.
(…)
Astrid knees still shook, even now hours later.
She was a married woman, sitting at the big table in the great hall and was being celebrated. Her husband sat next to her, holding her hand while villagers came forward and presented them something they would need for their new life as husband and wife.
Pots, frying pans, furniture, food(lots of it), clothing, carpets, curtains and many more things Astrid had never thought she would own, much less need.
Screw that, Stoick had given them their own house to "start a family".
Her cheeks were still red from embarrassment.
Tarin kissed her cheek.
"You're doing wonderful, do you know that?" "I do?" she asked and smiled at him.
"Oh yes." He kissed her sweetly on the lips.
On their table Stoick rose to his feet, his mug in hands. Everybody went silent.
"Well, there is no much I can say" Stoick began. "Nothing but I wish these two Viking son behalf of both, the Hooligans and the Bogglers, the best for their future. Getting married is a great thing and by uniting two great tribes and two great families I am sure any heir you will have will be a fine warrior and will make not just his parents but also his villages proud. I also welcome Astrid Hofferson to the family. And let me tell you this, I want grandchildren!" he said in a mockingly threatening voice and everybody laughed.
Astrid too but she could see it behind Stoick's eyes. A hidden message, a hidden pain.
Because otherwise I will never have.
Astrid nodded at him shortly and he smiled.
"Well" he shouted "Then let's raise our tanks to Tarin and Astrid. May the gods watch over your bond. Let the party begin. The last Viking standing was the one who did I right tomorrow!"
The all shouted loudly and the feat began.
Astrid enjoyed the evening immense.
And when Tarin carried he rover the doorstep to their new house she couldn't help but grin.
Good thing she hadn't listen to her cold feet.
It probably had just been the cold ground and nothing else.