Left In The Night

Chapter 57

Approximately three months later, winter had come to New Berk. A layer of freshly fallen snow covered the expanding village, with many incomplete buildings and construction materials all scattered about and abandoned for the day. Not a Viking in sight wandering about the village, only the sheep and chickens wandering about.

Instead, the village was gathered in the main square, just in front of the new great hall, where a grand statue of Stoick the Vast was erected.

At the foot of the statue, stood Hiccup and Astrid in front of Gothi, both in wedding attire. Astrid's dress was simple, made of white and off-white wool and linen, with a golden belt, bracelets, and two brooches decorated with Stormfly on her shoulders, pinning a white fur cape to the fabric. Her fair blonde hair was loose from its usual braid, styled quite nicely, and a woven crown of pink flowers sat atop her head, replacing her usual kransen.

Just across from her was Hiccup, in a lovely white tunic decorated with golden embroidery. He too, wore a golden belt and bracelets, and brooches of his own with Toothless pinning a stately brown fur cape on his back.

Gothi commenced the ceremony, using Gobber to call upon the goddess Freyja to bless their union.

A few steps below them were Astrid's parents, Valka, and Gobber, the latter of whom held a bouquet in his fake hand, unable to hold back the waterfall of tears, emotional to see his former apprentice, his students, grown up.

And at the front of the crowd were Ana, Zyrah, Konall, Rurik, Snotlout, Fishlegs, the twins, and Eret, and a few other close friends. Including Dagur, Mala, and Heather. Who, when they had gotten the announcement, absolutely insisted on coming. Mala was now nearing the end of her pregnancy, and when the three returned to Berserker Island, she would be on leave as she gave birth and settled into a routine of being a mother. But that would be for later.

Hiccup took Astrid's hands in his, caressing her hand gently with his thumb, receiving a beaming smile from the bride as Gothi wrapped their hands with a white cloth embroidered with gold. She tapped the center of the cloth with her staff, and stood back, allowing the new couple to share a kiss.

"To the chief and chieftess!" Spitelout cheered, quickly followed by the cheers and whoops of the villagers.

"It's so beautiful!" Fishlegs wailed, hugging Ruffnut tightly, who finally relented, hugging him back, admitting her own feelings for him. Snotlout was fighting back tears, and Tuffnut grossly forced him into his rewoven beard.

"Come, cry into my full, thick, beard!"

Zyrah, Konall, and Rurik just watched the spectacle in amusement, Zyrah leaning against Konall with a smile on her face, having pictured herself and Konall up there briefly, and she knew he shared the sentiment.

It appeared that their expressions had given away their thoughts, as Rurik playfully nudged his sister with a knowing grin.

"Soon enough, y'know!"

Despite the lingering heaviness of their dragons not being present for the celebrations, the reception was still quite jovial, with plenty of food, laughter, and music.

A great bonfire was lit up in the town square, the musicians playing a lively wedding tune for the guests to dance to. And many did, swirling and twirling around, many of them having already had too many mugs of mead. But it didn't matter, seeing the Berkians happy was all that mattered to the young chief.

Astrid was off chatting with Valka, and her parents when Hiccup got an idea. He hurried to the musicians, whispering instructions for a particular song to play. He told them to wait for the right moment to start playing.