Until They Can Return in Peace - How to Train Your Dragon

Chapter 2 - Hiccup

Astrid walks back to the village as the guys stare at me blankly. I watch her for a moment. So strong and full of hope. I guess I'll never fully understand how highly she sees me. Every day she surprises me with her valiance and compassion for all she holds dear.

"You okay?" Fishlegs asks.

I sigh deeply, "Yeah. I'm just... nervous. I am actually going to marry Astrid Hofferson".

It's the nerves but also the fact that the biggest day of my life won't have my best friend. I guess that's why I am so thrown off today. Just these huge things that are happening without all of them here. It's just strange.

"Ah get over it, Astrid will be fine" Snotlout says and I roll my eyes.

"Shut up Snotlout" Fishlegs says.

"Well, lets get to work" I say leading my friends to the great hall.

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Everyone is fast pace and upbeat in preparation for tomorrow's ceremony. I swallow the lump that had been building in my throat the last half hour and go to Gobber.

"There you are! We have a catastrophe!" He says lifting his arm and wooden hand in the air.

"The twins are a catastrophe now? What happened to them just being destructive?" I shrug my shoulders.

"Not just that! The floral arrangements are late, I have to finish welding your crests for your robes!..." he goes on.

"Hold up Gobber, just go finish the crests and leave the rest to the people. They've done things like this longer than I've been alive. I know everything will work out".

"This is more of a headache than I thought.... actually... your father's wedding was just like this. But at least I don't have you breathing down my neck every Thor-forsaken minute" he scratches his chin.

I don't want it a big fuss.

He takes a deep breath and hobbles over to his blacksmith stall.

Just then I hear Ruffnut scream.

"AHHHH TUFF. THATS BOAR PIT RULES NOT COMMON ALTERCATIONS IN LIFE IN THE MORNING!" She angrily punches him.

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard! When is it not boar pit rules?!" He slams his helmet against hers and glares into her eyes.

"Whoa whoa okay gang relax" I say holding my hands out in front of me before they get in another tussle.

"Why can't the Heads just be even in the carving?"

"Ugh don't you think we thought of that?? ......... because I didn't", Tuffnut then says in an embarrassed tone.

The twins then continue to banter and carve the heads of their dragons for the village square.

I sigh in defeat of the couple minutes I know I won't get back.

I walk over on the giant circle deck that sits in front of the great hall. Fishlegs is behind me talking to a lady about the layout. I walk up the few stairs that go up to the platform which will hold Astrid and my vows. The first royal couple to be married in New Berk.

I see the stone with which many pictures of our past are represented. On the front, an image of myself at 15 years old reaching my hand out to none other than the night fury himself. The very moment my life and many others would never be the same. Not thinking, I put my hand up and place it on the stone that had been carved to define his snout.

The coldness of the solid rock reminded me of his coldblooded scales.

"Miss you bud" I smile weakly.

I let my arm fall to my side as I admire the other wonderful creatures displayed.

Such incredible things they were.

"He misses you too, Son" I hear my mother walk up to the monument with me. There is a heaviness in her voice that resembled mine.

"I know. It's... been harder than I thought" I say as she puts a hand on my shoulder.

"It has. You know I devoted half of my life to live among them and protect them. But now we must find out what it is we're meant to do here. As Berkians and as a family" she says then turning to hold my shoulders.

"I know that we had a different perspective on life. You and I were the ones that saw hope for a better future of peace. Even dad wished that Vikings and dragons wouldn't fight anymore. We've made peace, and now it's up to us to lead the change again. How?"

"Hiccup, stop focusing on the change. It can't change overnight. However, I know you have every bit of the potential necessary to lead us into it over time. But, one thing that will change overnight is your martial status" my mother warmly smiles. I hug her tightly as we laugh a bit of the tension off.

"I wanted to give you this" she hands me a medium-sized box that looked like it had been made many moons ago.

I open it and see two beautiful bracelet cuffs sitting on a bed of silk.

I am amazed, but I look at her confused.

"Well you'll have your chieftain cuffs for tomorrow, and those are for Astrid" she picks one of them up and examines it.

"Still in good condition thank goodness, but these were worn by each Haddock chieftess bride since we have established our tribe. Of course she will wear them in becoming a Haddock, but it also symbolizes the unity between the couple and what beautiful things they will do as they rule."

She returns the cuff to the box and I close it.

"Wow. Thank you mom" I smile at her much better than I have in a while.

I hug her tightly as I notice my bride to be arrive to the great hall with her parents. She excuses her self and comes to mom and I.

"Ready for the ceremony walkthrough?" She asks taking my hand.

"Yes! But first I need to show you something. You're going to love it".

"I'll be in the hall when you two are finished" mom says walking up the stairs.

Astrid sees the box and looks at it with wondering eyes, then they pop wide.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Nothing! I just... I think I know what that is" she replies with excited eyes.

"Oh. How do you...?"

She cuts me off, "I guess... it's something every young Viking girl knows. Something that is within royal tradition that only one woman every generation has the honor of wearing" she tucks a loose strand of her long blonde hair behind her ear.

My stomach flutters slightly as I open the box. I suddenly am taken back to Snoggletog many years ago where Astrid received her first axe. Her blue eyes wide with joy and a touch of unbelief.

"Yes. And you are that ONLY lady of our generation that gets handed these" I proudly hand her the box. I kiss the temple of her head.

"Thank the gods" I add and we both laugh.