Tangled Vows

Chapter 30

Putting the dancing behind them, Astrid wasn't finished with the fair and dragged Hiccup to the rest of the places they had yet to visit. There were so many other stores that Astrid wished to visit, and so many other places and events that Astrid wanted to see.

"How about over there?" Astrid pointed to an area of the festival that was farther from the other places. It seemed to have targets or something nearby, and a fair amount of straw bales surrounding it.

"Wait." Hiccup called out to Astrid before she could run off again.

Grabbing her hand, Hiccup took Astrid off to the side of the walkway and knelt before her. Just as Astrid was about to ask what Hiccup was doing, he began to untie her loose shoelaces and picked up her foot to place it upon his leg. Astrid held Hiccup's shoulders for balance and watched as he tied her laces for her.

"Thank you," Astrid managed to mutter out, slightly dazed by the warmth of Hiccup's hands upon her leg as he tied her shoes.

Hiccup smiled as he stood again, finished with her laces. "You're welcome."

They stood there for a moment, staring at one another. Something was stirring between them, a change in the wind as they basked in one another's company. Something new was emerging, and Astrid was curious to see where it would take them.

"Come on, let's go." She announced with a little less enthusiasm than before. Hiccup's touch still lingered upon her skin, and it disturbed her train of thought.

As they wandered their way over to the other side of the fair, where Astrid had pointed, they made their way past various other stalls at the fair. One in particular caught Astrid's eye as they made their way past it, though she had no intention of taking part in it.

"Is that a photo booth?" Astrid asked, pointing to it before turning to see whether Hiccup was looking in the same direction.

He nodded as he looked at it too.

"I think it is. You want to go?"

Astrid shook her head, "No thanks. I've been in one before, remember?"

"With me?"

"Yeah," Astrid nodded eagerly. "I think it was the first time we came here together years ago. I don't remember much from it, but I remember going to the photo booth here and getting our picture taken there. We got this amazing Polaroid strip with all our silly photos on it. It was my favourite photo in the world."

"Really?" Hiccup asked sceptically.

"Of course! I loved it, it was my most prized possession. It's just a shame that I lost it. I looked everywhere for it, but I couldn't find it. I was so heartbroken." Astrid sighed sadly. But with a shrug, she erased the sadness from her face and replaced it with a hopeful smile. "Anyway, let's get going."

Eventually, they made it to the stall in question, and it turned out to be an axe-throwing arena. People from all walks of life were invited to take part, whether they had any experience or not, everyone who was interested could take part. 

As they walked up to investigate the stall, there was a young boy with his father attempting the challenge, struggling to throw the axe far enough to hit the bale of straw with a paper target pinned upon it. But whenever he did manage to hit it, or come close to it, the gathered crowd would cheer for the boy, encouraging him to keep trying.

"You interested?" Hiccup nudged Astrid with his elbow, his arms crossed over his chest as they watched the young boy attempt it again.

Astrid smiled, shaking her head as she turned back to the scene.