Giving Fantasia: The Taking Fantasia Sequel

Chapter 114: Pips Pan

Chapter 114: Pips Pan

"We don you!" Tuffnutt plopped the Viking helmet on Wendy's head. "Wendy the Wimp Shadow Worker! Honorary Viking of Berk – home of the Harry Hooligans and constituent of Chief Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III! Troops – doff your sacred helms!"

Tuffnutt removed his helmet. The Vikings followed suit, revealing matted, oily hair. Fleas skipped from Tuffnutt's dreadlocks as he chanted across the fire.

"Wear your horns proudly, Wendy the Wimp! Fight with Thor in your heart and Loki in your veins! Remember the Viking code: Stand taller than your helmet, but wear it always on your head! Wendy the Wimp, do you accept this honorary decree?"

Wendy giggled with the Vikings. The ceremony was  lighthearted, initiated from an impromptu campfire story. Hiccup had offhandedly suggested that Wendy join the tribe. Tuffnutt had agreed and began dictating her membership. It was a silly, goofy affair. 

Wendy was fairly certain that the ceremony was a joke. So she consented.

"I accept." Wendy tipped her helmet (which made the Vikings cheerfully groan). Then she curtsied (which made the Vikings and dragons groan). "I accept your christening and swear always to fight with Thor in my heart and Loki in my veins. Although I don't understand how I can stand taller than my helmet when it's actually on my head..."

"If you figure it out!" Tuffnutt bopped his helmet. "Then let us know! Loki did it once. No one can figure how. Eh, oh well. Back to business! Fishlegs? Snoutlout?"

"Yeaaaah?"

"You may kiss the honorary Viking."

"Yay!"

"Yahs!"

"No!" Wendy thrust out her helmet, discovering yet another valuable use (blocking unsolicited advances). As Snoutlout smooched the metal, she laughed. "No they may not! Tuffnutt, Ruffnutt I said no! No, no, no – "

"Alright gang." Hiccup untangled Wendy from the twins. They'd hoisted her over Snoutlout's lips, but luckily Hiccup intercepted. "Let's settle for the night. We're flying to Dragon's Edge tomorrow. We've got to restock before Drago arrives. He's probably looking for us right now, so everybody get some sleep."

Hiccup motioned to the stars. The night was clear but cold. "Wendy, Toothless, and I will take first watch. Everybody else – sleep."

"Night girl!" Ruffnutt socked Wendy's shoulder. "Don't let the bed bugs bite. For real there are bed bugs. And they bite."

Wendy grinned. Her shoulder creaked. "Thank you."

The boys bade similar goodnights. Tuffnutt punched her other shoulder. Snoutlout and Fishlegs blew kisses. Astrid was less fluffy.

"Here, put this in your pocket." Astrid flipped Wendy a cigar lighter. The lighter was fat, silver, and generated a soft flame. "You don't want to be caught in the dark. Literally. Night Wendy."

Wendy glowed. Astrid had said her name! For the first time! For some reason that made Wendy giddy. Aside from Ariel, she hadn't many female friends. So she did something outrageously sappy: she gave Astrid a hug.

"Goodnight Astrid!" Wendy stood on tiptoes. Astrid was tall, but Wendy managed a grateful squeeze. "Thank you for everything!"

"Oh Thor. You are such a wimp." Astrid maneuvered free. Her movements were gruff, but her goodnight kiss for Hiccup was extra sweet. "Night Hiccup."