Note before the chapter
I thought it would be a good idea to reiterate the state of Berk in this timeline, since it was last mentioned in chapter 11 of Breath of Hyrule. In this timeline, following the defeat of Drago's Bewilderbeast and death of Drago Bludvist, the dragons from the White Bewilderbeast's sanctuary remained on Berk for a little while. Then, the Berserker Bewilderbeast(the female Bewilderbeast seen in Race to the Edge) moved into the White Bewilderbeast's sanctuary. Following this, most of the dragons originally from there left Berk and returned to the sanctuary. When the Dragon Riders raid the Warlords ships, most of the dragons are brought to the Bewilderbeast sanctuary by Valka, while only a small amount come to Berk. This means that Berk is using it's HTTYD 2 design instead of being stupidly overcrowded with dragons and dragon buildings like it is in HTTYD 3.
Anyways with that out of the way, enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 2-A Pleasant Surprise
Zelda takes Link's left hand in her right hand as they approach the outskirts of the village of Berk.
The village is located on a decent sized cape of the island, with a large vertical column-like mountain separating the village and the rest of the island. The Hylians walk on a wooden bridge that is secured to the side of the mountain. Looking to the left, Zelda sees a large building with a curved teal roof and dragon figuredead, sticking out of the cliff below them, with dragons occasionally flying in and out.
They step off the bridge and walk into a plaza, looking around. To their right, a long stone staircase climbs up to a pair of doors leading into the mountain, flanked by two giant statues. To the left are several two story houses, one of which has a blue Deadly Nadder figurehead carved from the protruding end of the roof beam. Straight ahead of them is a large single story open air building with lots of tools, and smoke rising from a chimney. A little to the right of the building, a path grants access to the lower areas of the village, while to the right of the path, a larger house stands apart from the others.
"I remember Hiccup saying that he worked at the blacksmith forge when he was younger," Zelda says, "That forge looking place would be a good place to start looking."
She and Link resume walking, heading for the building. As they cross the plaza, Zelda notices an air of excitement amongst the Berkians, though they eye the Hylians, and especially Terrako with suspicion.
Both Zelda and Link's eyes widen upon approaching the blacksmith forge looking building, and seeing a beautiful two headed dragon standing next to a grinding wheel. Zelda searches her memory, and remembers that the two headed dragons are called Hideous Zipplebacks. This individual is green with blue mottling on its back, necks, and tails. The spikes on its neck, back, and tail are also blue. Zelda also notices that the left head is more bluish teal, while the right head is more pale green.
However, her admiration of the Zippleback is cut short by a large man walking up to the left head of the dragon. It opens its mouth and the man hammers something into the dragon's upper jaw. After a moment, the Zippleback closes its jaw and walks away, nodding both its heads in thanks.
Zelda approaches the man and cautiously asks "Excuse me, is this the blacksmith forge?"
The man turns to look at her, and Zelda's eyebrows momentarily shoot up at the man's appearance. His stock frame is clothes in a sleeveless dirty tan shirt and dirty light and dark brown striped pants. He wears a short fur vest over the shirt and has a long braided blonde mustache, with the right ride being much longer than the left. On his head, he wears a small metal helmet with two long horns sticking upwards, and a brass visor covering his eyes. Zelda also notices that the man is missing both his right leg and left hand, with the hammer actually being plugged into the stump of the man's arm.
"Yes, This is the blacksmith shop, what der yer want?" the man asks in a bored tone.
Zelda takes a breath and replies, "We're looking for Chief Hiccup Haddock the Third.
The blacksmith looks at them with aroused interest and raises the visor of his helmet, revealing blue eyes and a blonde unibrow. "Who are yer? I've never seen ye before?" he asks, a challenge in his tone. However, he suddenly frowns, studying Link. "Lad, the color and design of your tunic look familiar. Like the one Astrid started occasionally wearing several months ago," the blacksmith says, some confusion evident in his voice.
"Maybe it looks familiar because I made the tunics, both the one Link is wearing and the one that Astrid occasionally wears," Zelda says with a smile.
The blacksmith looks at her, even more confused. "Alright, out with it. Who are ye, lass?" he asks once more.
"I'm Zelda, Crown Princess of Hyrule," she says, before gesturing to Link and Terrako. "This young man with me is my personal bodyguard and boyfriend, Link, while my other companion is Terrako, a little Guardian."
The blacksmith's jaw drops upon hearing Zelda's words, then he thinks for a moment. "Wait a minute," he says, "Yer the two that Hiccup and Astrid befriended when they vanished five months back, aren't ye?"
Zelda nods and the blacksmith smiles.
"My apologies lass, I'm Gobber, blacksmith, councilman, and dragon dentist. I've heard quite a bit about ye from Hiccup and Astrid. I take it that yer've come to see them?" Zelda and Link nod, but Gobber frowns.
"Is now a bad time?" Zelda asks, now worried, "We can stay outside the village until its a better time to see them."
Gobber shakes his head, grinning. "No, no, lass," he says in a cheerful tone, "Their wedding is this afternoon. That means that ye have to wait until the ceremony to see them together and until the party to talk with them."
Zelda and Link share a glance, before Zelda addresses Gobber. "That's wonderful! Is there any way we can see them before the ceremony and party?"
The blacksmith ponders for a second, then nods. "Yes, lass, there's a way. yer can go see Astrid, while your silent friend Link can go awkwardly stare at Hiccup. Astrid's house is the one over there with the Nadder figurehad and Hiccup lives in the house that's apart from the others. Being chief can have advantages." He points to the houses as he mentions them, before turning back to the Hylians. "Got that?" he asks.
Zelda opens her mouth to respond, but is cut off.
"Yes. Thank you Gobber," Link says.
Gobber looks at Link for a moment, then shrugs before turning back to his work.
Zelda and Link split up, heading for Hiccup and Astrid's houses. Terrako accompanies Zelda to the house with the large Nadder carving over the door. She knocks on the door and waits. After a moment, the door opens, and a middle aged woman steps out to study Zelda. The woman has blue eyes and blonde hair tied into two braids. She is wearing a brown short sleeved shirt, leather forearm bracers, a metal studded leather belt, a pale brown skirt, and dark trousers.
"Who are you?" the woman bluntly asks.
Zelda smiles as she replies. "I'm Zelda, Princess of Hyrule and friend of Astrid Hofferson."
Recognition dawns on the woman's face and she smiles. "Ah, you're the princess of the kingdom where my daughter spent two months. I've heard many things about you from her. I'm Ingrid Hofferson by the way." She holds out her hand and Zelda shakes it before Ingrid continues. "Are you aware that it is Astrid's wedding day?"
Zelda shakes her head as she replies, "No, Mrs Hofferson. I didn't know. I assure you that myself and Link-my bodyguard-have no intentions to ruin Astrid's wedding. She would kill us if we showed any sign of doing so anyway. In fact, we would be delighted to attend it."
Ingrid's smile widens as she responds, "Yep, Astrid would. Alright, you're clearly not a threat. I'll let Astrid know you're here and wanting to talk to her. I will request that your weird walking egg stay outside though."
Zelda nods and turns to the little Guardian. "Terrako, stay outside please," she says. Terrako lets out an annoyed whistle but doesn't make any move to go inside.
Ingrid reappears in the doorway, smiling. "Astrid said you can come up. Her room is on the second floor, which you can take the stairs up to," she says.
Zelda enters the house, looking around and seeing a kitchen, a family table, and some chairs around the fireplace on one wall. She then sees the stairs and walks up them, arriving at a closed door, which she knocks on.
"You can come in," comes Astrid's voice through the door.
Zelda opens the door and enters. Astrid's room is the entire second floor, with two windows, a closet, a bed, a small desk, and a throwing target being the main pieces of decor. Zelda also sees numerous weapons on the wall, including the deactivated Sheikah tech axe that Hiccup made, a round wooden shield primarily painted cyan, with some white and orange patterns, and several axes.
Astrid herself is looking out one of the windows, leaning on a double bladed metal battleaxe with light blue and pink strips of fabric wrapped around the bases of the blades and the upper handle. She is wearing her usual dark brown leggings, fur skirt with spiked leather strips, skull belt, a steel blue sleeveless tunic, and her shoulder guards. Her hair is in the style that Zelda is used to, mostly loose, but with a central braid that starts below her metal studded leather kransen headband.
She turns around and is about to speak, but her jaw drops open upon seeing Zelda. "Wh-what are you doing here Zelda?" Astrid asks breathlessly, "You're not a ghost, are you?"
Zelda smiles and raises her hands in a gesture of peace before replying, "I'm very much not a ghost, Astrid. I came here from Hyrule with Terrako and Link. Oh, and congratulations by the way."
Astrid smiles back, though a small blush appears on her cheeks.
Suddenly, a whistling sound catches the attention of both young women and they whip around to look at the window. A tan foot with four claws latches onto the windowsill, and Terrako drags itself onto the windowsill, whistling triumphantly. Zelda shakes her head in mock annoyance, while Astrid chuckles.
"Your mom asked Terrako to stay outside," Zelda explains. "Looks like he found another way in."
Astrid smiles at the little Guardian before clapping her hands. "Anyways, would you like to attend the wedding?" she asks the Hylian princess. Zelda nods and Astrid hesitates before continuing. "Would you also like to be one of my maids of honor?" she asks.
Zelda's lovely smile crosses her face as she replies, "Of course, I'd love to. It would be an honor."
Astrid grins before frowning thoughtfully. "One issue," she says, gesturing to Zelda's white jacket and short cape. "I don't mean to insult your attire, but usually, only the bride wears white. I don't want the villagers to dislike you for looking like a second bride."
Zelda chuckles and waves her hand in a placating gesture. "Not a problem, I have an alternative outfit."
Link knocks on the door of the Haddock house and smiles upon hearing rushed footsteps coming down a staircase. The door opens, revealing Hiccup, slightly out of breath, and wearing his casual chiefing attire.
His eyes widen at the sight of Link standing in front of him. "L-Link?" he stutters out, "What…what are you doing here?"
Link waves as he replies, "Came to see you. Congratulations!"
Hiccup's cheeks turn red and he chuckles. "Th-thanks. Please, come in," he says, stepping aside to let Link enter.
While Hiccup closes the door, Link looks around the interior of the house. Well-traveled stairs lead up to an upstairs room, while the main room has a central fireplace, table, and a large wooden chair, with a kitchen off to the side. A closed door presumably leads to another bedroom on the opposite wall of the main door.
"Is Zelda with you?" Hiccup asks as he gets two cups of water, while gesturing to an open seat.
"Yes, she's down at Astrid's house with Terrako," Link responds, sitting down in the offered seat and placing his bag on the table.
Hiccup hands Link one of the cups of water, then takes a sip from his own. "Do you want to attend the wedding?" he asks.
Link eagerly nods while taking a long drink of the cool water. Hiccup smiles before continuing. "Thanks. It mea-"
Hiccup is cut short by a rush of movement from upstairs, followed by Toothless bolting down the stairs, tackling Link, and barraging him with licks. The Hylian Champion manages to get his arms up, preventing the hard-to-wash-out saliva from getting on his Champion's Tunic, but laughs at the show of affection from the dragon. He also notices that the Night Fury isn't wearing his saddle and prosthetic tail fin.
A knock at the door catches the attention of both Hiccup and Toothless, along with Link, who gets back on his feet. Hiccup opens the door, and is promptly swept into a tight hug by a large man a little shorter than Hiccup, but much more muscular.
"Brother, congratulations!" the newcomer says in a loud voice.
Seeing Hiccup's startled expression, and gasping for breath, Link draws the Master Sword and points it at the newcomer. He looks at Link with a surprised and confused expression, while Hiccup looks at Link and shakes his head. Link lowers his sword, but doesn't return it to its scabbard.
The newcomer releases Hiccup, allowing Link to observe the man. He has pale green eyes, short spiky dark red hair, a small beard of the same color, and three streaks of black paint over his left eye, resembling scars. He is dressed in sleeveless brown leather armor with each piece bordered with silver metal, and on the chest piece, a design of a dragon is laid over the leather.
"Okay Hiccup, who is he?" the man asks, pointing a finger at Link.
Hiccup walks in between the Link and the newcomer holding his hands out to prevent them attacking one another. "Alright, introductions are in order," he says, before gesturing at Link. "Dagur, this is Link, my friend from the kingdom of Hyrule." He then gestures to Dagur before continuing, "Link, this is Dagur the formerly deranged, chief of the Berserkers and king of the Defenders of the Wing. He's an ally and 'brother' is his nickname for me."
The suspicious looks in both Link and Dagur's eyes fade, and Link sheaths the Master Sword before offering his hand. "Sorry about that," he says as Dagur shakes his hand.
"You're good," Dagur replies, before frowning thoughtfully. "Wait, Hiccup said that you are from Hyrule? That name sounds familiar."
Hiccup nods before addressing the Berserker, "Yes it should. Remember that five months ago, Astrid and I vanished with our dragons?" Dagur nods and Hiccup continues, "We were pulled through time and arrived in Hyrule. There, we befriended the princess, Zelda, and Link here, who is her personal bodyguard. That sword he has is the Master Sword, a legendary sacred relic that can seal the darkness and can only be wielded by the chosen hero. While we were in Hyrule, Astrid sparred with Link and he beat her several times."
Dagur's eyes widen as he nods thoughtfully. "Quite an impressive resume," he says.
"Where are Heather and Mala?" Hiccup asks.
"Sis went to see Astrid, and Mala is helping finish furnishing the place where the ceremony is being held," Dagur replies, "Oh and by the way, do you like my new formal armor?"
Hiccup does a double take and notices that the metal parts of Dagur's armor gleam and have almost no tarnishing, while the leather is dyed a deep reddish brown, as opposed to the normal faded brown leather that Dagur normally wears. Hiccup nods his approval before Dagur speaks once more, "And speaking of attire, brother, you should probably start getting ready."
Hiccup runs over to the door and looks outside, and upon seeing the sun's position, his eyes widen. "Thor, it's later than I thought, I should start getting ready," he says in a frantic voice, before running upstairs to his room.
Zelda and Astrid are talking about the Berkian ruins on Mount Lanayru, when Ingrid's voice interrupts them. "Astrid, Heather is here."
A smile appears on Astrid's face before she calls back "She can come up."
Zelda makes a stay put gesture to Terrako as the door opens. Heather steps in and hugs Astrid, smiles on both of their faces. After breaking the embrace and greeting each other, Heather notices Zelda and studies her, while Zelda studies Heather.
She's the same height as Astrid, has green eyes, and long black hair, tied up in a braid over her left shoulder. She is wearing a light slate long sleeved shirt, a black hooded short sleeved shirt over it, with a brown leather vest over both shirts, thin dark brown forearm bracers, dark grayish brown trousers, and brown boots. Her shoulder guards, knee pads, and skirt look to be made from metallic dragon scales.
"Astrid, who is she?" Heather asks, pointing at Zelda.
Before Astrid can respond, Zelda interjects, "I'm Zelda, Crown Princess of Hyrule, and friend of Astrid and Hiccup."
Heather looks at the Hylian with a startled expression, not expecting that answer.
"Heather, you know how Hiccup and I vanished for two months?" Astrid asks Heather, "We were pulled across time to her kingdom. We quickly became friends, and she helped get me and Hiccup back home."
Understanding dawns on Heather's face and she nods. "I remember that Terror mail. Dagur almost went crazy at the news of the two of you missing. The whole island was relieved when we got the follow up message that the two of you were safely back," Heather smiles before continuing. "Honestly, if the King of Dragons was still on Berserker Island at the time, he'd probably have left, that's how agitated Dagur was."
Zelda's eyebrows raise at the mention of the King of Dragons, and she remembers Hiccup saying that a large battle was fought at Berserker Island to protect the King of Dragons, a Bewilderbeast that was living underneath the island.
"Actually, since there was an egg, I'm pretty sure that 'he' is actually a she," Astrid points out.
"Fair point," Heather replies, before clapping her hands, "But we're getting distracted. You should start getting ready. Zelda and I can help you if needed."
Astrid smiles at them before responding, "You're right. I'll go bathe. You two can get my dress and jewelry ready. They're both in my closet." She then leaves the room to head downstairs.
Following her instructions, Zelda and Heather open the closet doors and look for Astrid's wedding attire, with Zelda noticing a suit of armor adorned almost entirely with what look to be Nadder scales. Heather finds the dress, and takes it off the hanger, while Zelda gets the white bearskin cloak, and pieces of golden jewelry.
After placing the stuff on Astrid's bed, Zelda walks over to Astrid's desk, where she had set down her bag. She releases the clasp on her short cape and sets it down on the desk, then takes her belt and jacket off. Heather looks at the Hylian princess, and now that she's only in a lightweight white long sleeved shirt and a gold trimmed white vest, Heather notices an irregularity between the princess's arms, plus the fact that her left hand seems to be a claw.
"I don't mean to impose," Heather says in a hesitant voice, "But is something up with your left arm?"
Zelda frowns, then sees that the shape of her prosthetic is noticeable underneath her shirt. "Yes, something is up. I lost most of the arm four months ago to a final attack from Calamity Ganon, the ancient enemy of my kingdom," she replies, smiling sadly. She then pulls up her left sleeve, revealing the Sheikah tech prosthetic.
Heather's eyes widen, and she smiles warmly at the princess. "How are you adjusting to the loss?" she asks.
Zelda's smile fades as she responds, "I sometimes feel like the original arm is still there, which is weird, but I've gotten used to the prosthetic." She pulls the sleeve back down, indicating that she's done discussing the matter. Heather gets the message, and doesn't press any further.
Zelda takes a second jacket and short cape out of her bag, and puts them on. They are identical in design to the ones she took off, but the main fabric is pale ice blue instead of white. The color had been a suggestion from Hiccup, and after he and Astrid had returned to Berk, Zelda had asked the castle seamstress to make a jacket and short cape for her cold weather attire in the color.
Heather nods her approval of the palette swap. "That's a nice shade of blue. The white looked good, but we don't want you looking like the bride," she says in a cheerful tone.
Zelda smiles before replying, "That's what Astrid also said. Hiccup actually suggested this pale ice blue color."
Heather smiles at the statement. "That sounds like him. Now, want to help me smooth out the unwanted creases on Astrid's dress?" she responds.
Zelda nods, and the two young women start smoothing the dress.
Two hours north, a large four winged Stormcutter soars towards Berk, with a rider standing on the dragon's back. The rider turns their head to the left and sees the large disturbance near the surface of the ocean following them, with a black spike occasionally breaking the water's surface. The rider smiles and looks back south, hoping that they can make it in time.
Couple notes about the chapter
Regarding the timeline, Dragons: A Breath of Hyrule occurs over the span of about two months, while the start of The Dragon Riders Ballad is three months after the ending of Breath of Hyrule.
Astrid's mother is based on her appearance in HTTYD 3
Gobber is in his attire from HTTYD 3, while Heather and Dagur are in their Race To The Edge outfits, but with slightly different color schemes to fit the more formal air.
My take on Hiccup and Astrid's wedding will be next chapter. I'll address it more in a note at the start of the next chapter, but I'm not going for a 100% historically accurate Viking wedding. Instead I'm basing the wedding off Hiccup and Astrid's wedding in HTTYD 3, and and the various Berkian wedding traditions mentioned in Race To The Edge.