The Dragon Lords' Sacrifice (Toothcup: don't worry he's human)

Blessing Of The Sacrifice

After saying farewell to Gobber. Hiccupa caught up with her father and followed him along back to the house where they discussed what Hiccupa wanted done with her personal effects. Hiccupa had little opinion on the matter as it no longer mattered to her anymore she told her father he was free to do what he wanted. Her father asked about memorials in her honor statues or paintings Hiccupa scoffed at them and said she found them unnecessary but, if her father and the village truly had their hearts set on it she would not deny it in the end. 

It was after more discussing of practical matters that a knock was sounded at the door. Hiccupa looked towards her father curiously. "Aw, I think I know who that should be." he said answering the door.

Gathered outside were a number of Viking women in ceremonial garb with flowers woven in their hair amongst them was Gothi and Ruffnut as well. They entered carrying baskets and had solemn expressions. "Greetings, we have come Hiccupa, to prepare you for your blessing by the Gods ceremony." one of them said.

"Right, well then Hiccupa I will see you at the ceremony." Stoick said kissing his daughter on the forehead and exiting the hut.

The women then set to work filling the pot with water bringing out the bathing basin and sprinkling flowers and scented oils in the water. Others descended upon Hiccupa wanting to know what she planned on wearing to the ceremony when she gestured to her usual uniform of green tunic, leggings, skirt, and fur vest the women clicked their tongues in disapproval. Hiccupa then rolled her eyes and led them up the stairs to her room where she pulled out the few garments she had.

When the women saw the two dresses they approved of them. Then it was deciding which she should wear. One of them was an off white linen dress which had belonged to her mother the other was a green dress Hiccupa wore on rare special occasion's such as official visits and Snoggletog. 

Then it was decided the bath water was ready and Hiccupa was to undress and the women would help her bathe. Only Hiccupa was refusing to comply. Used to being a private person due to all the time spent on her own and not wanting to disrobe in front of a bunch of strange women from the village. Finally a truce was made and a screen was prepared for Hiccupa to bathe behind and the women would help her dress and braid her hair when she was ready.

Hiccupa stood behind the screen where she undressed and then submerged herself into the bath enjoying the feel of the hot water and the scents of the oils and flowers. She often had baths but not nearly as luxurious since hauling water was so much work and it took time to heat water. Often it was a lukewarm affair while her father was gone. Then after halfway filling the basin she had to empty the basin when she was finished. Often too much work to make it worth her while.

While she bathed she overheard the women talking amongst themselves Ruffnut being unusually quiet maybe because she was without her brother. When Hiccupa finished she climbed out of the water drying herself in a towel and then pulling on a shift to protect her modesty. Stepping out from behind the screen the women immediately descended upon her dressing her in the off white linen dress and then braiding her hair adding flowers and the like.

Hiccupa couldn't help but feel like the bride before the wedding rather than a virginal sacrifice about to meet a violent fate causing her to shudder. The whole time the women offered empty praise and reassurrance glad it wasn't them or their children meeting this fate but the village hiccup instead. Needless to say they made sure to voice their gratitude at the fact of her volunteering.

Yet the women felt guilt as though what they were doing was wrong they were going through the motions to carry out a senseless task. What difference did it matter if the poor girl wore a dress or had had a bath she was going to her death either way in the end.

It was time to leave the hut Hiccupa was dressed and ready the women assembled to act as her escorts as well as sisters of Freya and Frigg. They left the hut and descended the stairs making the procession through the village. Villagers stopping to pay respects. Hiccupa despised the whole ordeal not wanting to be the center of so much attention so many eyes looking at her.

Yet she wanted the Gods and Goddesses blessings all the same to give her some hope for the ordeal she had yet to go through.

They reached the sacred grove at the edge of the forest where most sacred ceremonies took place naming ceremonies, marriages, funerals they all took place here. All were gathered solemly in silence Hiccupa stood at the center Gothi the elder was there, her father the Chief, Gobber her mentor, and her uncle and cousin. Also, close to all the village was in attendance as well.

Much of the ceremony was conducted in silence Gobber narrating for once reading all the runes Gothi wrote in the earth correctly. Offerings and blessings were made on behalf of all the gods and goddesses but especially beseeching freya since Hiccupa was a maiden. Once completed the villagers departed in silence leaving their blessings and respects to the gods and to Hiccupa.

Stoick came up to Hiccupa laying his hand on his daughters shoulder "How are ye holding up daughter?" he asked tenderly.

"Fine. Dad I guess." she said. "Just emotionally exhausted at this point in time."

"Well is there anything you would like to do to ease your mind right now?" Stoick asked his daughter helpfully.

Hiccupa thought a moment "Yes, there is something before I leave Berk I want to be in the woods alone for awhile then I will return for dinner. Of course if that is alright, dad?" 

"Of course go ahead you deserve to do what you want." Stoick said with mock cheer he was a bit disappointed his daughter wanting to be alone but then again this was his fault he thought. He should have been a better father been around for his daughter more when she was growing up perhaps than she wouldn't be so introverted. Preferring her own company to that of others unfortunately for the Chief this epiphany was too little too late.

When Hiccupa saw the look of hurt on her father's face she had a change of heart "Dad would you come with me please? I can show you my favorite parts of Berk and what I do on my own time." she said with a forced smile.

Stoick beamed at his daughter "Yes, I would love to." he said.

Hiccupa and Stoick returned to the hut fetching her notebook and charcoals and headed into the woods to sketch and draw the landscape for the last time. Seeking the peace and calm that nature herself provided her children if they were only willing to come outside and stay awhile. It was a calming afternoon for Hiccupa and Stoick only focused on the present. Hiccupa pointed out her favorite place the cove. The sound the wind made when it blew through the tree branches. The dappled sunlight when it glistened through the forest cover. The different sounds the birds and animals made as they journeyed through the forest. These Hiccupa sketched out in her journal for the last time as well as her father.

They sometimes talked or just enjoyed each other's company and the peace of the day. When they saw it was growing late in the day they decided to leave for home. Hiccupa took in one last look of the cove before leaving for the last time. That night Gobber and a few other Vikings were in the hut having a last supper if you would. Hiccupa could barely eat a bite just nibbling at a bit of bread when she thought of the next day.

She said good night to her father for the last time and went off to bed to lay in her cot and peer out the window at the moon.