More Than a Servant (Cinderella AU)

Chapter 8

Three Years Later

"I can't believe that this is happening!" Astrid murmured as she looked down at her wedding gown. "And to think that three years ago I was sweeping the fireplace and mopping floors!"

"You'll make a better princess than a servant." Ruffnut chuckled as she placed the crown of beautiful blue and white flowers atop her stepsister's head. "There, beautiful! You look like a real princess!"

Astrid looked at herself in the mirror and smiled proudly at her reflection. Her face and hair were no longer covered in soot and dirt and she was dressed in fine silks that didn't feel scratchy or coarse on her body. Years ago she never would have thought she could have gotten away from her horrible stepfather, yet here she was with her beloved stepsisters and getting prepped to marry Hiccup. And during those three years they had grown close, letting their love blossom and bloom into something beautiful. During their time at the palace, Heather and Ruffnut had grown close two Hiccup's friends- much to Astrid's delight. Heather had gotten along well with Eret and they were due to marry in two weeks while Ruffnut and Fishlegs had gotten married a month earlier. Astrid was happy that her sisters, the only people who treated her kindly in the household after her mother passed, were given what Alvin wanted to give them: a good husband, a life of luxury and a comfortable life.

"So, are you ready for your big day? Or are you going to hide in a closet like Ruffnut did?" Heather asked jokingly, referring to the moment on her sister's  wedding day she had gotten so nervous she hid herself in her own closet and refused to come out until Dagur came to carry her all the way to the alter. Astrid was rather grateful that the wedding ceremony wasn't so big, just her, Ruffnut, Hiccup and his friends, his father and Gobber and Eret, otherwise her poor sister would have been the kingdom gossip for a year!

"Of course! Come on!" Astrid laughed as she walked out of the room. Outside of her room, the six Terrors waited patiently for them, each neatly groomed and had a small white bow tied around their necks with bright smiles on their little faces.

"Aww, did you two do this to them?" Astrid asked with a small laugh.

"We sure did! Even Smoky and Skullcrusher got the treatment!" Ruffnut replied with a snicker. "Come on! We can't leave the groom waiting!"

The three girls hurried through the castle till they reached the garden. Outside were numerous chairs set up and filled with guests from their village and guests from other kingdoms who had came to see the prince get married. A long carpet with scattered white petals led to a beautifully painted gazebo with Hiccup, his father and his best men standing at his side. Astrid heard a small croon and turned to see Smoky approach them and nuzzled Astrid lovingly before kneeling his head down and motioning her to climb onto his back.

"Alright I guess you're delivering me to Hiccup." Astrid chuckled as she seated herself on his back and allowed him to carry her up to the alter with Heather and Ruffnut taking the lead.

"You looks stunning milady." Hiccup whispered as Astrid slid off Smoky and gave her a smile.

"You've been telling me that for the past three years, fishbone." Astrid teased, earning a small chuckle from Stoick. "And of course I know it."

"Can we begin the ceremony? The guests are getting antsy." Gobber asked, nodding to the guests from far off kingdoms who were getting fidgety with all the dragons around them.

"Of course." The soon-to-be wed couple replied with a laugh.

Once the officiator was finished with his readings, the two said their vows and sealed it with a kiss. The guests cheered loudly as the dragons screeched in excitement and blew fire into the air. Toothless had ran over from his seat to give his rider a big wet and sloppy kiss on the cheek and nuzzled Astrid before rushing off into the gardens with Hiccup yelling and his friends behind him. Once the prince had washed up and changed his clothes, the celebrations began with all the dancing, drinking and eating. As she was eating, Astrid noticed a familiar figure standing under the shade of one of the fruit trees with a large owl-like dragon. She excused herself from the table to go see who it was and smiled when she saw it was Valka.

"How are you enjoying your wedding my dear?" The fairy godmother asked.

"Quite well, though it all still feels like a dream." Astrid responded and frowned. "This isn't a dream, is it?"

"No its not my dear, you know why I'm here?"

"Uh...payment?"

"Oh goodness no, I'm not here about having you repay me for what I did for you out of the kindness of my heart. I'm here to see them." Valka chuckled, pointing her staff in the direction of the king and prince. "You know how fairy godmothers came to be?"

"I...I assumed they were fairies who watched over certain children." Astrid replied and Valka shook her head.

"Some are real fairies with the sparkly wings and wands, but some of use were humans once. We died protecting a child or doing something for a child we cared so much about." Valka explained. "And for me, it was giving birth to the young prince. I had been trying for years to give my husband an heir for the throne, and when I gave him one, I gave my life to bring him safely to the world."

"You...you were Hiccup's mother?" Astrid gasped and Valka nodded. "But why-"

"My son needed someone like you Astrid. As I watched you grow up, I knew that you were meant to be with my son." Valka took Astrid's hands in hers and gave them a small squeeze. "Please, take good care of my baby."

"I...I will." Astrid promised. Valka gave her a smile and kissed Astrid's forehead.

The bride felt her hands disappear and felt a cool breeze blow past her. When she opened her eyes, Valka and her dragon were gone, leaving a small patch of frost where she last stood and the smell of lavender.

"Milady, is everything alright?" Astrid heard her husband ask as he approached her.

"Yeah, everything is fine." Astrid answered and gave him a smile. "Shall we go back to the party?"

"How about we go for a little flight?" Hiccup suggested. "Toothless is very bored at the moment, unless you want to go dance and suffer foot aches from Snotlout."

"Actually, a flight sounds a whole lot better." Astrid chuckled. "Come on, before your father notices."

☆ The End ☆