To The End - A Tuffnut Love Story (HTTYD)

23. Tribal Tradition

Okay I have an important announcement! I was originally going to eventually tie this story into the new HTTYD movie, but I've decided against it. Some of the ideas I have just wouldn't work well with the plot of the new movie. That being said, I'm going to sort of write my own "third movie," possibly including a few asspects of the actual third one. But that's all for now, enjoy the story!

***

Iris had just finished training with the other dragon warriors and was on her way home to relax for a bit. After six months of rebuilding, Berk was finally a fully functional village again. However, when she arrived to her cabin, there was a note on the door.

Come to the beach at sundown.
With love, Tuff

A warm smile spread across her face. Of course, she knew why he wanted to meet at the beach tonight, it was her eighteenth birthday. She couldn't wait to see what kind of event Tuff had planned on the beaches of Berk. Holding the note to her heart, she sighed and entered her home.

***

The sun had almost completely sunk below the horizon when Iris began to make her way to the beach with Arrow. Upon their arrival, Iris was met with a beautiful scene. There were small fires lit along where the sand met the dirt. A long table had been set up with a delicious looking feast. All of the dragon warriors and riders were there; even Hiccup was able to make time to come to Tuff's celebration for Iris.

Someone grabbed her from behind, causing her to let out a sqeak of surprise. "Happy birthday, Iris," she heard Tuffnut shout.

Iris hugged him tightly, "I can't believe you did all of this."

"Really? I mean, it's a special occasion, and you're a special person," he explained, hugging her back just as tightly, "why wouldn't I go all out for you?"

Letting go of him, Iris couldn't stop grinning, "I love it. I love you."

Tuff landed a kiss on her lips before responding with dreamy eyes, "I love you, too." He then grabbed her by the hand and led her into the party announcing, "the guest of honor, has arrived!"

Everyone took turns wishing Iris a happy birthday and bringing her small gifts. The feast began soon after, everyone digging in hungrily. Sand wraiths played in the shallow waters right off shore, splashing joyously together. As the full moon rose higher, people filtered out back to the village to sleep. And although Iris was exhausted, Tuffnut insisted that she stay just a bit longer. When it was only he, Iris, and Arrow remaining, he turned to her with a grin, "I have one more thing for you..follow me."

Iris followed Tuff as he walked further down the beach to where boulders littered the sand. They weaved through the maze of stone until reaching the other half of the sandy shore. "Now stand right..." Tuff moved Iris around until she faced the water, "here! Perfect. And Arrow, you too."

The dragon gurgled in acceptance and sat beside Iris, who grinned in amusement as the viking shouted from behind them, "and no peaking!" After listening to him rustle around for a bit, Tuff stepped in front of the two, his hand behind his back. There was a look of seriousness on his face. Iris was confused at first, until he knelt infront of Arrow.

Flashback

"You have to find the flower that reflects her soul," Thorn explained to Tuff, "for Mora, it is the sea lily." He paused for a moment, then went on, "along with the flower, there must be a gift of great meaning and feeling, proving your devotion. It may only be bestowed to her at the apex of a full moon; that is when our ancestors' judgement is most clear."

Tuffnut listened intently to the warrior's words, "the ancestors will speak their final judgement through her sand wraith sibling, so be ready to please them. Without their approval, your chance is lost, and you're never to have another."

End of Flashback

Tuff gave Arrow a respectful head bow before draping a beautiful cloak of iris flower petals over her. He then stood and took one of Iris's hands in his. His other hand lifted a single purple iris flower to her. "I believe you were named Iris for a reason," he stated with a small smile as she took the flower in her free hand. She could hardly believe this was happening.

"Iris," Tuff took a deep breath, "I'm asking for your permission," he paused to give Arrow a gracious look, "and for the permission of your ancestors. I know I'm not one of your tribe.." When he saw tears of happiness brimming Iris's lilac eyes, he almost wanted to cry, too. "..But I promise that I will serve you, take care of you, and love you with every ounce of my being, for the rest of my life," he spoke sincerely, "if you will marry me."

Arrow sniffed the flower cloak around her, and the one that Iris held. Finally, she looked at Tuffnut. After a long, tense pause, Arrow bowed to him in respect.

Tuffnut smiled in relief and looked back to his excited love. "I believe that leaves just one more thing," he spoke as he fished something out of a pouch on his belt. Iris watched his hand unfold, revealing a necklace identical to his. "The Thorstons have always worn baby dragon teeth around their necks," he explained shyly.

Iris felt her tears break free as she laughed, throwing her arms around her love.

Almost falling backwards, Tuff stumbled, but was stablized by Arrow. He smiled into Iris's neck, squeezing his eyes shut; he'd never been so happy. And when the hug ended, Iris took the necklace and hung it around her neck. "You really did go above and beyond," she admired with a giggle as Tuff wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"I wanted it to be perfect," Tuffnut explained. Iris leaned up and kissed him. It was a long, passionate kiss, full of emotion. And through the full moon, her ancestors watched in approval.