Hear No Evil || ×TatoTheDestroyer×

×THIRTY-SIX×

Your legs bounced in anticipation. Your mother had just reassured you that your father would be out shortly, but it felt as if time was stretching on and on, and the wait was becoming antagonisingly slow. You took slow sips of your drink, trying to make it last until your father came out, purely because it'd be too awkward to have to get another cup of water in this atmosphere. Hiccup was tense and worried too. The soothing hand you kept on his upper arm had little to no effect by now, as the anticipation was eating away at him too. He had not been able to calm his nerves, and if anything, they continued to grow. You'd be lying if you had tried to say that you were patient and calm right now because you too were being gnawed away by anxieties.

After what felt like days, your father emerged from his study and came into the dining room, a suspicious-looking Valka tailing him. She looked as if she was trying to contain excitement or fear, or a mixture of both. You held your cup to your mouth and proceeded to take a long sip. "Well, it's been done and said. Valka, if you would?" Your father stepped aside to let Valka come forth. This time, she couldn't contain the grin that plastered itself across her face. "The arrangement has been made. You two will be wed two springs from now." You spat out your drink and felt Hiccup tense at these words. This was not the news you were expecting. You had been thinking this entire time that you were going to be given away to some man, and to become a stranger's belonging. But no, your father wanted you to marry Hiccup? Your hands were shaking, and you shook your head as if to clear your thoughts. "Did...did I hear you right? You arranged a marriage for me, with Hiccup?" Your father and Valka nodded, the latter barely able to contain her excitement. You abruptly stood, shaking, but maintaining your balance. "I—I need some air." You burst out the front of your house, trying to make your way over to Astra. "Are you okay?" She asked worriedly, coming to your aide just before you collapsed to the ground.

"I—I don't know if I'm honest." You took a shaky breath. "Father arranged my marriage, but to someone, I didn't expect." She tilted her head to the side, a questioning croon escaping her maw. "To whom?" You sat, leaning against her side, and rubbed your eyes with unsteady hands. "Hiccup." She sat on the name for a moment, before bursting with joy. "Aren't you glad? All this anxiety for nothing! You still get to be with your beloved, sia itov. What is there to be upset about?" You sighed, leaning your head back against her body. "I don't really know how to put this feeling into words, Astra. I'm so...so...overwhelmed."

"(Name), are you okay?" You sat upright quickly, your body going stiff from how poised you kept yourself. You looked over at the owner of the voice, seeing your father edging his way towards you. He was somewhat still scared of Astra, but when she dropped her head to the ground and took a long blink, eyes opening with round, wide pupils, you could see he was being more trusting of her. He sat down in front of you, looking at you with a confused look. "Don't you love Hiccup?" He asked curiously. You sniffed. "More than anything." He settled a hand on your knee, causing you to look up at him. "I want you to know that one, he's not handling it any better than you are. I think we put you both into shock," you chuckled a little, knowing Hiccup was probably freaking out in front of Valka and your mother. "And two?" You asked. "Two is me telling you, that from the last time I saw you I had this...feeling, this gut instinct, that there was something between the two of you. So I did some digging through the past month and heard word through the trades that you two had gotten together. So I decided I'd arrange a marriage between you both, to secure you to each other. This wasn't done for safety, or land, (name). I know you love him, and I want nothing more for you than eternal happiness."

You surged forward, wrapping your arms around him as you tackled him in an awkward sort of hug. "This means the world to me, Father. I just..." You pulled away, looking to the side. "I—oh, nevermind, it's nothing." He gave you a look but didn't press for an answer. "Well, we should go inside, and see what he says, don't you think?" You only replied with a nod, getting to your feet and helping your father up, before following him inside. From what your father had said, Hiccup was in a full panic mode, but when you saw him he seemed fine. Tense, but okay nevertheless. When you made eye contact he smiled and gestured for you to take a seat beside him. You did so reluctantly, still in a state of shock from this whole ordeal. He pursed his lips but didn't say anything. "So?" Valka asked, eyes sparkling. Hiccup looked at the table briefly, before looking at you with a huge grin, and taking your hand in his. "Of course I want to marry you."

"Then it's settled!" Your father beamed, clasping his hands together. He sat across from the both of you, Valka doing the same. Your mother stood behind your father's chair, hand resting on the back of it. "Now we have discussed a few things, but we thought that the rest should be discussed with you both." He turned his attention to Valka, who did a double-take before nodding, realising that he wanted her to speak. "Since Hiccup is the Chief, it must be a traditional Viking wedding. This includes hosting it on a Friday, for Frigg and Freyja so they may bless this marriage, the bride's dowry, the wedding gift from the groom's family, your transitions from childhood to adulthood, how the bride's hair will be arranged, what weapons the groom will carry, bruð-hlaup, and more. I could go on for days on these things, but for now, we should cover the simplest things first. We'll start with the dowry and gift."

You nodded every now and again, zoning out. Hiccup seemed to be the only one of the both of you that was truly invested in this. You were only half listening, knowing only that your dowry would be half your father's wealth when he passed, and that the groom's gift would be...something. You didn't quite catch that one, but you were unsure if it's because you weren't listening, or because they were discussing it in hushed voices. They also discussed refreshments and that the after-party may last a few days due to the copious amounts of food and ale. By the time you parted ways, the sun had sunk almost the entire way, and the moon was already visible, being almost full. You were still in shock, even as you said your goodbyes and flew away on your dragon companions. Never in a million years were you expecting that outcome. Hiccup looked over at you, being aware of how quiet and reserved you had been. "Are you okay?" He asked voice soft but audible as Toothless came in closer. You nodded absent-mindedly, eyes ahead on the darkened sky. He sighed.

This was one hell of a roller-coaster, and you didn't know how to feel at all.