Suddenly married (slow updates)

Chapter 2

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Time seemed to pass quickly as Hiccup became aware of his arranged marriage.
He listened carefully every time he would hear his father speak of it, which was often as he and the other chief started exchanging messages as to when the two betrothed youngsters should meet.

To Hiccup it actually moved just a tad too fast, but he didn't mention that.
He'd just go along with it.

It had been weeks, and Hiccup finally stood at the harbor, seeing a ship dock in front of him.
He was in some of his finer clothes because this was it, this was the moment he would meet the woman that would be his wife.
He let out a sigh as he closed his eyes, it was early, earlier than he was used to getting up, so closing his eyes for a moment was nice, and he swore that he could have fallen asleep, standing right there if it hadnt been for his father nudging him.

He opened his eyes and was surprised to see a tall blonde man standing directly in front of him.
He nearly let out a yelp, but the man smiled at him.
"You must be Hiccup, my you've grown," the man said.
So it was true, he truly had met this family before.
"Though I bet you don't remember me"

"I don't, sorry"

"It's no problem at all, now, here is my dear Daughter, Astrid" he stepped to the side letting his daughter set forward.

His father hadnt been lying.
She was beautiful with her blonde hair in a braid swung over her shoulder, and her ocean blue eyes.
She had her gaze fixed on him, and yet it looked as though she was looking straight through him.

"It's nice to meet you, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the third" she greeted him, using his full name and title.

"Nice to meet you as well, Astrid Hofferson"

Then it became quiet.
The two betrothed averted their eyes.
It was uncomfortable.

Maybe if they had met as anything other than each other's future spouse it would have been easier, but it was clear that Astrid disliked the idea of the marriage as much as Hiccup.
She wasn't she, rather, she looked tired and uncomfortable.

"Well," stoick clapped his hands together, breaking the silence.
"Why don't you and Astrid here go for a walk? Get to know each other better?"

"Sure" hiccup nodded. "But only if you want to as well" he turned to Astrid, understanding if she would say no.

"Sure, you lead the way"

And so he did as both his and her father watched them leave.
They probably had some things to discuss themselves, without their children present.

The silence between the two of them was almost deafening, and Hiccup found himself more and more stressed by that fact.
He had never been shy and had never held anything back, which at one time truly strained his relationship with his father.
He should be able to say something.
Ask her to tell him something about herself, or do it himself, and yet it was like the silence which should have made him speak urged him to keep his mouth shut.

Looking over at Astrid Hiccup noticed that the look in her eyes, cast towards the ground, had become a little brighter.
Whether it was the silence calming her or something else Hiccup didn't know, but it made him relieved.

The silence wasn't awkward, though it wasn't nice either.
It was a nothingness, perfectly representing the two strangers that had been forced together.

But that silence didn't last.

Toothless had been on his best behavior the entire day, having to go without yet another morning flight, and he hadn't even been allowed to accompany Hiccup to wherever he was going, so when he caught a whiff of him he took it as a sign that he could go to him.