Despite whatever fears still lurked in her mind regarding the lumbering beasts residing on Berk, and she was not reserving the appreciation only for dragons, Lina found herself relaxing as the evening progressed. If there was one thing to be said about wedding feasts then it was that the food never stopped coming and the ale and mead refused to stop flowing.

Lina had watered her own beverage, for fear of becoming tipsy. She could not lose her wits. As it was, she was fumbling too much for her liking, still unsure of the appropriate behaviour for her circumstances. Mostly she kept her eyes on her husband, making small notes of his likes and dislikes, storing them away for later. There was much to be learned from just watching someone. Lina found that Tuffnut preferred yak sticks to any other sort of meat, but wild boar roasted with apples was also appreciated, as were honeyed goose and crisp fish. Tuffnut had rejected ovine flesh, as had many others of the dragon riders. Luna herself was not fond of lamb to be sure.

From time to time he would carve out the choicest parts of whatever meat was on his plate and he would place it on her with a smile. Lina would nibble on the offering and smile back at him, returning the favour by depositing some of her own food on his plate. She was no yet ready to feed him herself as she had seen some of the other women doing to their husbands.

Somewhere to her left Ruffnut started a brawl, breaking the serene atmosphere. Snotlout was presumably at fault as Fishlegs had heard him say something indelicate to the female twin. Ruffnut, of course, would not simply take the insulting words without reacting. So she lunged for the man, a bone with meat still on it in her hand. She used her weapon wisely, knocking Snotlout on the head, filling his hair with grease and his skull with pain. Snotlout flailed about, knocking some tankard of ale to the ground and accidentally hitting a few of the other guests.

That was all it really took for the rest of the company to join the fight. The hall erupted in chaos, shouts sounding out from all sides, men and women piled one onto the other, kicks and punches flying around. Lina gasped and crawled under the table, successfully avoiding being hit by a cup. Her brave husband jumped in the middle of the fray, giving out stinging blows to whoever happened in his path. He was stronger than Lina would have guessed.

But before she could admire her spouse for too long a time, he was driven to the ground by a one-armed, one-legged man shouting invectives. Lina rather thought his name was Gobber. She went white. She was barely even married, not at all ready to welcome widowhood. Picking up the first thing she could reach, which was a sturdy trencher, Lina left the safety of her hiding place. She dodged some of the more zealous fighters, avoiding touching anyone so as to not grab their attention. Sneaking through the mess of writhing bodies on the floor, she finally reached her husband and his foe. Lina lifted the trencher overhead and brought it down with as much force as she could.

The wood landed on Gobber's head with a deafening smack, breaking apart on his helmet. Lina's heart stopped when the man looked up at her, his hook lifting towards her face. She expected to the put to the ground herself any moment. She could also feel her husband's eyes on her.

To her utter surprise, booming laughter left Gobber's mouth as he jumped off of Tuffnut and grabbed Lina by the waist, hoisting her up like a child, or rather like a rag doll. Her weight must have meant little to him for her had her off her feet and swinging around. The next moment she was crushed to his chest, air supply cut off. She had been wrong. Widowhood would not be her fate after all. It would be Tuffnut's.

"You let go of my woman right now!" Her ears picked up the yell and the curses that followed after, but Lina barely had the time to make sense of anything before she was suddenly released to fall to the ground. It seemed her little sting left her two very unsure legs, incapable of keeping her above off the ground.

Thankfully, Frigg in her mercy took care of the new bride. She was caught before she could make an intimate acquaintance with the floor of the Mead Hall. Lina shook her head slowly in an attempt to regain her bearings. She looked up to her saviour and found herself peering into twin pools of blue. A smile crossed her lips. "Thank you," she managed to say before she was back on her feet.

"Nay, it is I who thanks you." And in the middle of a fight, surrounded by crawling people of all sides, Lina Heronsdottir received her very first kiss. It was surprising and fast and utterly mind-numbing. A shock of electricity shot down her spine as his lips touched hers and Lina swore she forgot how to breathe in that moment. Nothing mattered beside the pressure of his mouth on hers and the weight of his hand on the small of her back. And then it was over as quick as it had begun. Tuffnut pulled back. He touched her cheek with the back of his hand gently. "I've been waiting to do that."

Lina blushed a violent shade of red. "We should probably help your sister." How awkward and ungainly she felt. Lina pursed her lips in silent despair.

"Don't do that," Tuffnut advised her, a mischievous grin already on his face. "It'll only make me want to kiss you again." He laughed when Lina took a step back. She could not have escaped anyway as his hand was still at her back, holding her in place.

Whatever had been between them was broken as someone shoved hard into Lina, propelling her forward into Tuffnut. Her forehead smacked against his shoulder and she garbed at him to keep her balance. The only result achieved was an inelegant sprawl when the two of them fell to the ground.

As if amused beyond belief by the incidents Tuffnut laughed, clutching at her waist. Lina brought her palm to her forehead to rub the sore spot. She herself was laughing a moment later at the ridiculous position. That and his good mood was infectious.

"Let us see about my sister," he murmured.

They slowly got to their feet and navigated the crowd carefully in search of the lost twin. Mercifully for Lina, Ruffnut was easy enough to identify. She had somehow managed to engage another poor fellow beside Snotlout. Lina knew not how but the she had mananged to get her hands on a shield and proceeded to beat her opponent over the head with it. While permanent damage was out of the question, Lina was sure the man would have the strongest headache on the morrow, or possibly even this very evening. It all depended on his resistance and when he passed out.

For his part Tuffnut was happy to allow his sister a free hand in dealing with her for. He hadn't liked to Lina when he said the women of Berk were strong. So instead of jumping in to save Ruffnut, Tuffnut pulled Lina away, deaf to her protests.

What are you doing?" she asked, trying to extricate her hand from his grasp. "Your sister might still need help."

"She doesn't," Tuffnut assured his little bride. "Besides, there is something we must do."

Rather than seeing her curiosity, he felt it. Ruffnut was supposed to help him with the project he had in mind but she was otherwise engaged and Tuffnut wouldn't dream of ruining her fun. So Lina would have to take her place. And it was a good thing. They were going to spend a lifetime together. Hew might as well get her acquainted with what that would mean.

Barf and Belch were outside the Hall with the other dragon, but as soon as they saw one of its riders the beast trotted over, sniffing at the pair. "Barf, Belch, where is it?" he asked the dragon, his hand hold Lina's firmly. He could feel her pressing against him as Barf's nose touched the top of her head. "Don't worry. They know you're part of the family," he said, hoping to soothe her fears.

Lina made a sound that might have been an agreement, or not. Tuffnut couldn't say. But before he could ask, the dragon finished the inspection and began walking away, one head facing forward and one turned back towards them, beckoning them to follow.

"Where are we going, exactly?" she questioned, lengthening her strides to match his pace. She tightened her clutch on his hand as well.

"I want to check on something," she answered. They reached the destination quick enough. Barf and Belch where to remain outside and keep watch, while he and Lina would go inside and take care of business.

The barrels were exactly where Ruffnut said they would be. Tuffnut had Lina open one and peer inside. "This is oil," she said after a moment. "Oil made from herbs and flowers, but oil all the same." It was, of course, bathing oil. On special occasions it was added to water to produce a pleasant scent. "What could you possibly want with this?" She eyed him suspiciously and pride bloomed in his chest. He had known she was a smart one.

Tugging two chunks of fish from inside tunic, Tuffnut waited for her to connect the dots. "What do you think I want to do?"

"This particular oil is sensitive." She glanced at the fish. "Adding that to the mixture, while it won't ruin the scent, it will blacken the oil." She brought a hand to her mouth to stiffen a giggle. "I hope these are not the barrels that will be used for the purification ritual."

Adopting a mock-hurt expression, Tuffnut pretended to be affronted. "I would never." Though in truth, had she been the troll he'd imagined her to be, he would likely have. "These will be used in two weeks time."

His bride bit her lip. She turned a thoughtful eye to the oil, then to him. "I don't know." Tuffnut simply placed one of the fish in her hand and walked to another barrel.

He lifted the lid and threw in the fish. "What's there not to know?" He placed the lid back on and turned to her, eyes trained of her hand. It was time to see exactly what she was made of.

"Oh, very well," she sighed. She didn't look at the barrel, she even turned her head away, but she let go of her fish, right in the middle of the barrel. There was hope for her yet, Tuffnut decided. "Let us go now," she said, most sensibly. It wouldn't do to be caught after all.

They left hand in hand, giggling quietly at the mischief. His marriage would be a success. His wife, prim, shy and proper as she was, had already shown the makings of a true Viking.

Why he thought his heart would jump right out of his chest when she smashed the trencher on Gobber's head, fearless as a Valkyrie. Chooser of the slain, indeed. Not many men had his luck, Tuffnut decided, and it was a good thing too. He would thank every god he could remember the name of for having destined her to be his.

"I wonder if they will have noticed our absence," she whispered as they neared the Great Hall, Barf and Belch right behind them.

"We needn't explain ourselves to them," Tuffnut reminded her. "What business is it of there is a man wants to walk with his wife."

None, of course. As a wedded couple they were within their right. Had she been on her father's island the rules might have been different. But where she was, she stood his wife. Lina nodded her head as if she'd just remembered that detail.

It was very fortunate that when they returned the fight was just ending and the people of Berk were returning to their seats, each with their own spoils of war, be it a chicken leg or some yak sticks. The bride and groom they shouted bawdy jokes at, which Tuffnut met with an impertinent grin and his wife with a healthy flush to her cheeks.

"Just act normal," he whispered in her ear, before they were seated. Not that she hadn't been.

"Of course." His wife took a sip of her drink and gave him a crooked smile.

Likely as not he would end up counting the hours before the purification ritual was over. At this point he had to wonder why it had been insisted on such a long wedding feast. Three days would have done just as well. He took a gulp of his own drink and made a small sound of dismay when he realised there was no more mead in his cup. Lina, however, seemed to have read his mind for she held the pitcher and refilled his glass before he could even think to ask. Aye, the marriage was a very, very good thing to have happened to him.

Ruffnut wiped the grease off her hands, using an unconscious Snotlout as her rag. In his state he would never find out. And what one didn't know, couldn't hurt them. Not that Ruffnut had anything against hurting Snotlout, if anything she rather enjoyed it. Unfortunately by now even the likes of Snotlout knew not to annoy her overly much, except when he was tipsy. So Ruffnut, whenever she itched for a good fight, gave him ale, mead or wine to provoke him. And he fell for it. Every single time.

"Maybe you should let him breathe now," Fishlegs suggested, though he did not make a single move to free Snotlout. They rivalry was alive and thriving. Thank Thor for that.

"You think?" Ruffnut slapped Snotlout for good measure. He didn't even flinch. "Dead as a rock," she finally agreed. She pushed him away and sat down on the bench next to Fishlegs.

"I think she's nice, Tuffnut's bride," he suddenly said, looking at Ruffnut with something akin to hope in his eyes. "It's strange. I always thought he would be the last of us to settle down."

She shrugged and carefully ignored the strange look. "It could have been you to marry her," she pointed out, not unkindly. Though in her mind the image looked wrong. Lina was too delicate. Poor Fishelgs would probably crush her unintentionally. She choked on her laughter, but covered it with a hasty cough.

Before the current arrangement had been reached, both Snotlout and Fishlegs, along with her brother, were asked if they were willing to wed Heron's daughter. Snotlout had refused first, unable to get over the fear that perhaps the girl was blind in one eye, with a mouthful of crooked teeth and about as fertile as a rock. Of course, he hadn't said as much to the messenger who came to negotiate. In fact, Hiccup didn't even allow Snotlout to open his mouth on that occasion.

Fishlegs had done the same, although his reasoning had to do more with his own soul than anything. Apparently he and his boulder eating dragon were not nearly prepared for married life. Meatlug was the only woman in his life currently and if anyone had bothered to ask Ruffnut she would loudly let them know that the she-dragon would not accept competition. Which was one of the many reasons for which Ruffnut hadn't wanted to enter a relationship with Fishlegs anyway. They were better off as friends.

"I didn't want her," he replied after a few moments of silence. Ruffnut realised just then that he was looking at the bride and groom, happily sharing the last yak sticks on their table.

Something like a coo left her lips. They painted such a nice picture, heads bent close, whispering to one another. It looked innocent. And that was how Ruffnut knew there was nothing remotely innocent about their conversation. Having known her brother since before they were born, Ruffnut could honestly say that if Tuffnut looked innocent, he had likely done something which would earn him a clout over the head in mother ever found out. Which she normally did.

Returning her attention on Fishlegs, Ruffnut gave him a quizzical look. "If you ask her, I'm sure there are other nice girls on her island." She wouldn't be a very good friend if she did not attempt to help. "She might be the last of Heron's daughter's, but no one said anything about her being the only unmarried girl on her island."

Her companion laughed. "Please don't do that. I think Meatlug and I would like to travel a little first." He looked down at his hands. "There is so much of the world that we haven't seen."

"So Fishlegs the Finder, eh?" That actually suited him. "Meatlug will definitely like it."

Snotlout groaned, alerting them of his return to the world of the living. Ruffnut too gave a groan, for entirely different reasons. She stared at him with exasperation, wondering if she ought to knock him unconscious once again. He had the worst timing possible. Had anyone ever say as much to him? If not, Ruffnut was more than willing to enlighten him. Preferably with her fist.

"Welcome back," Fishlegs said dryly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Did you have a good sleep?"

"Everything hurts," Snotlout rasped, prompting a proud smile from Ruffnut. It was always good to know her skills were up to par. "I can't feel my brain."

"You mean to say that you usually can?" Ruffnut gasped, her mockery clearly appreciated by Fishlegs. "And here I thought Hookfang did the thinking for the both of you." She snickered unapologetically at the hurt look on his face.

"You're horrible," Snotlout announced a moment later as she struggled to his feet. "I mean it."

Wiping an invisible tear from the corner of her eye, Ruffnut sniffed softly. "My whole life, I've been waiting for those words. Finally, someone acknowledges my true nature." His compliment did not save him from a well placed kick to the knee. "Pretty words won't win me over."

"The freezing fires of Hel wouldn't win you over," was the reply she got. Snotlout sat down next to them and took the mutton from Fishlegs' plate, devouring it in less than five seconds. His impressive skills did not produce much on an impression of Ruffnut who was now busy thinking of Hel and other nice places.

"Are you ready for the race?" Fishlegs asked amiably, pushing the rest of his food in Snotlout's general direction. His appetite had been upset it would seem. Snotlout had that effect of people.

"The question is," Snotlout began, between shoving pieces of mutton in his mouth, "are you prepared to lose?"

"We won't lose," Ruffnut assured him. "Tuff and I, we have a plan."

"I hate those word. When you say that half the village usually ends up in flames," Fishlegs pointed out. "And during the wedding feast too."

"Lina won't mind," Ruffnut said with a small frown. The young woman didn't even look like she was enjoying much of the festivities. She could stare into her brother's face all she wanted even if the village caught flame. "She'll be too busy getting to know Tuffnut."

"Shouldn't we help them out? We know Tuffnut, after all." Fishlegs was full of kind thoughts. Unfortunately they were misplaced. If there was one thing her brother would hate, then it was their interference.

"You mean like tell her to keep a candle burning at all times during the night," Snotlout snorted. "I'm sure she'll be glad to know she is the wife of a man who fears the dark, Maybe she'll even let him hide under her skirts."

A kick to the head was Ruffnut's response to the insult. "No one insults Tuffnut, but me!"

Any further conversation dwindled into silence as Hiccup stood to his feet, demanding the attention of his people. Ruffnut rubbed her hands together and looked towards her brother. He was looking back at her with a smirk on his face. This was going to be so good. Ruffnut found herself almost hopping in excitement. If only Hiccup would hurry with his speech.

"People of Berk," the Chief spoke loudly, "you have witnessed the vows and given the gods their due in food and drink. It is time now for another offering. We are fortunate in our allies, and fortunate in the love the gods bear us. Let us not forget, we have dragons!" A cheer went up at that. Hiccup waited until silence reigned again. "We are blessed and the gods deserve our gratitude. The bride and groom deserve out wishes of a bountiful life. Let us not disappoint." A roar of approval cut him off. He smiled and pushed the hair back from his face. "People of Berk, I declare the dragon race open for any of you who wishes to participate."

Finally. It was time. Ruffnut jumped to her feet and raced to where her brother and his wife were. Lina's worried gaze gave her pause. What could she possibly have to fear? "Cheer for us, won't you sister?" Tuffnut asked her, throwing an arm around her shoulders.

The shorter girl appraised her with kind look. "Of course I shall. For whom should I cheer if not for my own family?" The easiness with which she said that made Ruffnut smile. As good a brother as Tuffnut was, a sister was more than welcomed to the group.

"Well said." She shook Lina gently as a show of affection. "Next time you'll join us on your own dragon."

Brown eyes widened considerably. "I couldn't," Lina protested. "I am no dragon rider. But I'll be happy to cheer you on the next time too."

"Nonsense, of course you are," Ruffnut contradicted her. "Isn't she, Tuff?"

"Isn't she what?" her brother asked, a confused look on his face. Ruffnut scowled at him. "What?"

"Lina would make a splendid dragon rider, don't you agree?" she gritted every word out, fully prepared to knock the sense back in her brother's head if it had somehow flown away from him during the mealtime.

"Of course," her brother said empathically, nodding his head. "We could teach you."

"I really don't think that a good idea," Lina insisted.

"It's a brilliant idea. You'll see." Ruffnut clapped her hands in excitement. "Cheer loud, little sister, and we'll win this for you."

"We are winning this for her anyway," Tuffnut said to her half a heartbeat later. He couldn't really seem to make up his mind about where to look. Ruffnut didn't feel the slightest amount of pity for him. But she saw her mother beckoning her away. She had no choice but to go.

"What are you doing, daughter?" the woman hissed, plastering a smile to her face and waving at her son and daughter-in-law. "We must give them time to know one another. How can they do that if you're glued to them?"

"I'm not glued to them," Ruffnut protested. "I was just being nice to Lina. I thought you said I had to."

"And when have you ever listened to me?" her mother grumbled.

"I'm doing it right now," the blonde felt obliged to point out. She and Tuffnut had their moments, but most of the time they did listen, even if only to the first part of the orders or instructions. "Besides they've been together this whole time. I think they even disappeared for a bit together during supper."

"How romantic! Have you seen anything?" her mother asked, clearly delighted with the development.

Would it put a damp on her mood if Ruffnut denied seeing anything? Probably. Nay, definitely. So Tuffnut shook her head. "I only know that they went out and came back in. That's it."

"Oh, you unromantic soul!" the woman lamented. "One day you will understand." She sighed and shooed her away. "Go to that dragon of yours now."

"It's Tuffnut's too," Ruffnut decided to remind her mother.

"Of course it is," she agreed. "Just go to that dragon and make sure to win."

"Oh, we'll win. We shall definitely win." Ruffnut kissed her mother's cheek and took off to where Barf and Belch stood, squabbling over a fish. Tuffnut was coming towards her with another fish in his hands. Seeing it in her brother's grasp, Ruffnut suddenly remembered their earlier plans. AT least now she knew why Tuffnut snuck outside with his wife.

She was starting to like Lina more and more.

"Barf, Belch!" Tuffnut called the dragon's attention. "Come on guys. Enough fooling around." The dragon thumped the ground with its tail. Tuffnut threw the other fish at the heads. They broke it in two and ate it. "Ready?" he asked his sister.

"I was born ready," Ruffnut replied with a winning smile on her face.

The twins climbed their dragon and were promptly flow to the starting line. Hiccup was there on Toothless, joined by Astrid and Stormfly. Fishlegs and Meatlug were behind Snotlout and Hookfang. Fanghook had Gustav on his back and other riders with their dragons were there.

The horn was blown once and all the dragons lifted themselves in the air. Two more horn blasts and the horde of them surged forward. Ruffnut grinned as Barf and Belch took speed. They would not lose this race. Her brother let out a battle cry. The fight had begun.

"Come on guys, fly faster," he encouraged Barf and Belch, a wide smile on his face.

Ruffnut echoed the expression. She closed her eyes and felt the wind blow her hair back. It was such a nice feeling. Flying was her absolute favourite activity. It beat teasing Tuffnut. It was certainly more fun than beating the living daylights out of Snotlout. It was the absolute best, on that she knew most riders agreed.

Ahead of them Stormfly released a rain of spikes. The move was, while not unexpected, very disturbing for Barf and Belch's flying. One tried to avoid them by ducking, the other by flying higher. Somehow they managed to pull through unscathed. Astrid laughed and Tuffnut yelled at the unfairness of it.

Vikings took racing very seriously. "Don't worry. We'll get them!" Ruffnut yelled over the howling of the wind. "You only have to be prepared!"

Tuffnut nodded. A determined look crossed his face. "Please say we'll take Snotlout out first!"

The idea hadn't occurred to her, but Ruffnut was more than delighted to agree to it. "Let's!"

"Barf, Belch!" they yelled together. "Find Hookfang! Quickly!" Snotlout wouldn't even know what hit him.