The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 56

Thanks to Ana and Dustin's efforts, Saoirse could make a full recovery but completely lost sight in her already scarred eye. She was understandably overwhelmed and distressed, unable to stabilize her emotions and help herself emotionally heal.

I empathized with her feeling overwhelmed with the new change and offered to help her with her anxiety. But I knew accepting her new disability would not happen overnight, and it would come with many shortcomings as she learned to live with it.

But the one we all knew could help her was Zyrah. Even though Zyrah was completely blind, she never lost her sense of awareness. For the next few months, Zyrah worked to help Saoirse accept and cope with the loss of sight. Zyrah knew Saoirse would be imbalanced at first, constantly stumbling and tripping, with a lack of depth perception.

Saoirse desperately wanted to use her sword again, but even Zyrah told her that learning to swordfight with one working eye would take some time.

"But you relearned how even being completely blind!"

"I know, but that took a very long time; even with my expertise and training, I had to refocus all of my senses. It did not happen overnight. I don't want you overexerting yourself."

Saoirse's training would be put off as she readjusted, not just to her eye but also to living on New Berk. And despite the adversity, I could tell she was truly happy to be with Nuffink at last, and I could tell everyone was delighted with how happy they were now that they were together.

"Well, it seems we finally have a moment of peace!" During a meeting in the great hall, Hiccup remarked, "And with summer approaching, we can move forward with our postponed plans."

"Finally!"

"Plans? What else were you guys planning before we came back?" I asked.

"There was the discussion of my retirement and allowing Zephyr to claim her chieftain title," Hiccup replied, grinning at his daughter, "and her and Tannr's wedding. But Tannr still has to do some chief training." I couldn't help but chuckle, noting that Zephyr and Tannr's relationship reminded me of my parents.

"But I think the top of the list would be your guys' wedding." Hiccup finished.

"Wait, really? I thought it would get shifted until later."

"Laeli, I don't think you'd want your wedding to be in the fall or winter. You know how sick you get." Astrid commented.

"Oh, that's true."

"Plus, c'mon! You guys came back here engaged and already prepared to get married!" Zephyr added with a beaming grin, "I can just see it! You and Eyarr, summer wedding, standing in front of Grandpa's statue, Ana holding the ceremony! Gah! I'm excited at the thought of it!"

"Never took you for a romantic!" I teased.

"In all seriousness, we've seen the change you've brought out in each other. A very positive change, and we're happy to celebrate your wedding." Hiccup assured.

"I've been waiting to plan your wedding since you announced your engagement!" Zephyr enthused, her round cheeks practically glowing red in excitement. I was so flattered by how thrilled she was for me and incredibly touched by what the Haddocks were happy to do.

That being said, the preparations began almost immediately.

I soon found myself being fitted for a dress, and while I let the seamstresses do the fitting and the selections of fabric, I did mention I wanted to make my dress... well, me. I ended up choosing a lightly woven wool fabric, that had fine silk trim on the bodice, with slightly gathered short sleeves. I'd only seen and felt silk fabric a couple of times prior to this, and feeling it for the first time was nothing short of fascinating.

I opted to make my accompanying belt later on.

Of course, the men also began helping Eyarr with his prep, granted it wouldn't be as elaborate for him. But it was high time he got a new tunic!

"So, what's a typical wedding here like?" I asked one evening while Astrid, Ana, and Zephyr were visiting. Eyarr was in his old bedroom putting stuff away while the ladies and I chatted around the hearth as I worked on embroidering traditional patterns onto the dress with a lovely, shiny red thread.

"Oh, very boisterous." Ana laughed.

"It is, but the ceremony is quite lovely. Our elder at the time, Gothi, held the ceremony for my and Hiccup's wedding. She wrapped this gold and white fabric around our hands, signifying our bond. And we both wore capes, I wore a white one, and Hiccup wore a brown one to represent our chieftain titles."

"So I guess the bride and groom don't wear fur capes at other weddings?"

"Only if one of the couple or both are of a noble birth." I stopped my embroidery and thought for a moment.

"Would that mean I'd wear one? But Eyarr doesn't?" I slowly inquired.

"Well... that would be up to you." Astrid replied, "Since you're the daughter of a chief, you would already wear it anyway. Again, if you choose to."

"Wear what?" We turned to the sound of Eyarr coming into the main room.

"Oh, we're just discussing bride and groom attire." I explained, "According to Astrid, capes are a common accessory for someone of noble birth or marrying someone of noble birth." He raised an eyebrow at this.

"What of it?"

"Well... since it's well known I'm a chieftain's daughter, it's assured I'd wear a cape at the wedding. But you could as well. I wanted you to decide on that." I saw him purse his lips in thought.

"I guess I never really had the thought occur to me before... but to be frank, I'll opt out. Since it'll be during the summer, I don't want to overheat with fur on my back." I chuckled a bit.

"That's fair. Will everyone else be okay outside during the day? I know I will be." Gods, I was so looking forward to the warming weather.

"Oh, sure! We'll be fine!" Ana assured with a slight scoff.

"I suppose it's settled then. I just gotta finish this embroidery. Then what's next?"

"The brooches for you."

"Oh, that's right."

"They will be made of gold, so they'll be heavy."

"I know. I was wondering, though. Would it be possible to have the ocean swirl as the design? It's the one thing I couldn't stop thinking about. Astrid, I saw Stormfly's face on your old brooches, and it gave me the idea of having something personal be a part of it."

"That's so sweet of you." She beamed, "I don't think that will be an issue. Just talk to Gobber. He'll also help make the rest of the gold accessories."

"Nice! How's his new apprentice coming along?"

"From what I've heard Gobber say, the young man is showing good promise! If Gobber likes him, I'd say he's a good fit."