Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Frozen, Rise of the Guardians, Tangled, Brave or How to train your Dragon.

Ch. 4 Rite of Marriage

Once on Berk, things pretty much started the same. The group was met by a welcoming party, although this time not formal at all, and the group was lead apart. Hiccup got manhandled back to his childhood home by Gobber and Merida was snatched by Astrid, while flying on Stormfly, to bring her to an unknown location. Leaving their friends awkwardly with Fishlegs who seemed to be overwhelmed by both nerves and excitement.

"So, first of, hello everyone." Fishlegs began, nervously clutching his hands. "Welcome to Berk. I am Fishlegs."

Everyone greeted the nervous Viking awkwardly. Jack was itching to break the ice by crossing over to Fishlegs and help him ease up. Rapunzel too radiated sympathy, but they were the guests and there were certain rules applied. It was therefore very fortunate that Heather belonged to both parties and, as being original escort rather than guest, could harmlessly take over. She stepped forth, took Fishlegs lovingly by the hand and beamed at everyone else as co-host.

"The ceremony will take place in the Arena, follow me." She told them and turned pointedly on her heel to lead them, together with Fishlegs, into the heart of the village of Berk. There they soon stood inside the large dome that was once used for killing Dragons and training young Vikings to do so. Then, it was transformed into a place for learning how to train Dragons. Now it had the look of a stadium once again. However, Jack knew there used to be a round, hollow roof in the night and winter time and with Autumn at its end, it should have been there, but it had been removed, using a opening and closing mechanism of large gears. This was not the only structural change, the stadium usually didn't have seats either, just a high railed ledge all around the circular building, but now it had low benches at different levels, from the very top till the ground level. The Berkians had also given the walls new deep brown and red paint, Hiccup's Chieftain colours, and there were tapestries with the new crest and Merida's Keltic sword for Dun Broch on them. Hiccup's invention, the flag of blue Dragon fire had been given a place of honour behind the wedding arch, in the middle of the arena. The flag was not ignited yet, no doubt Toothless would light it at some point during the ceremony.
"This is where the entire wedding ceremony will take place. It is tradition to select a place of value to the couple and since this place is the place where we changed our ways and where Hiccup took Merida to be part of our world, it was without a doubt the most fitting place." Heather informed the group.

"As some of you who have been here before probably noticed, the roof has been removed." Fishlegs pointed out gesturing to the absent ceiling. "Normally this time of year it is always installed, but as you tonight will see, we need Dragons to be able to fly in and considering the vast number of people a bit of air wouldn't heard." Fishlegs addressed his last words directly to Jack and Elsa. Jack showed him his gratitude with a broad smile and Elsa thanked him so heartedly that she unintentionally made the Viking shy and awkward again.

"Right Hiccup, sit down!" Gobber called enthusiastically, while he dragged Hiccup inside his old house and threw him on a chair like a sack of potatoes.
"Let's get started. Let's get you ready to shed yer boyish hide of a bachelor and ready to be a strong husband."

"Actually Gobber, I am already married. Merida and I already spoke our vows in Dun Broch, this is just a formality." Hiccup clarified and he tried to get back on his feet, Gobber's enthusiasm and his way of saying the words "strong husband' gave Hiccup a strong feeling of foreboding.

"Right!" Gobber grabbed Hiccup roughly by the shoulder, making him stagger a bit under the big blacksmith's weight. "We will do the 'washing' different and quick then, but you will do the 'journey through death, that is the most important part! Seeing as you are going to lead us all, you must prove your mettle!"

"I already carried a boulder across Land Dun Broch, Gobber!" Hiccup argued. He knew of the journey through death and that was dreadful enough.
"So I rather skip 'the felling a tree or herding a dozen wild boars'.

Gobber was clearly put off by this and Hiccup took this chance to glare all remaining wavering out of the big man's thick skull.
"Right, right, let's be off to fetch yer father's axe hen and leave it at that for now. With you being the great Dragon Master and all that, who need physical prove." Gobber sighed resigned and turned to leave the house again. Hiccup followed, but only with half his dread gone. He was not sure he was ready to face his father's coffin where the axe lay, ever.

"Where are we going?" Merida asked Astrid apprehensively. At first she had just been waiting for the fierce Viking woman to tell her on the way. For all she knew the way might not be long, but well away from Berk, she began to recognize some islands and she really wanted to be more prepared.

"Nadder Island." Called Astrid over the howling of the wind and confirming what Merida had already guessed.
"It is part of my personal invented Bridal Ritual for you. See, originally you would be lead by your married relatives to clean yourself from maidenhood, but you are not from here and, technically, you are a married woman already. Plus, none of your friends who could stand in as your family are married yet, so it calls for a bit of improvising." Astrid explained spirited.

"So what is first?" Merida wanted to know, not feeling better in Astrid's care.

"You will go through a cleansing, because even though you already spoke your vow, the day and with that the ceremony is not over yet. Both ceremonies will bland together once you and Hiccup retire into your new home. So, I will ask you to jump off Stormfly once I give you the word. Don't worry, it will be quick. When you come up, Stormfly will reach her tail to you and snatch you out of the water and into the saddle, so grab on tightly. This will serve as a game of trust, courage and strength, as well as a cleansing."

Astrid was obviously very enthusiastic about her idea, but Merida couldn't say she shared that emotion. She was all for, when it came to pushing herself and risking falling off a high mountain, but water was different. She had taught herself how to swim a little in shallow pools, just in case she ever needed to survive in water, but this was a deep sea underneath them, not to mention the height she was asked to jump from.

"Can you swim?" Astrid asked her.

"Yes," Merida answered, feeling her drive to prevail building up inside her. "Ay taught maself long ago."

"Good, hang on for now. Stormfly, fly lower!"

With Astrid's command, the blue Dragon headed straight for the grey freezing looking water below. However, she knew exactly when to stop descending and straightened herself to continue gliding, with still some speed, only a few feet from the water's surface.

"See that cliff up ahead?" Astrid shouted to get Merida's attention. Merida looked away from the forboding water. Astrid wasn't pointing at anything and she didn't have to. Other than the sheer wall of rock directly in front of them, there was nothing else she could mean. The longer Merida squinted at it, the more detailed it got. A little away from the edge of the cliff stood a little structure of stone and wood and roughly resembled the huts on Dragon's Edge. That was their destination.
"After Stormfly fishes you from the water, we will land on that cliff. Heather and I are using this spot for training from time to time and it is ideally secluded and right in front of Nadder borders. There I will hand you over to Valka to do your hair and make you ready for the Nadders and the Wedding."

Merida raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to ask a burning question. Why would she need to be battle ready for her Wedding? But she thought the better of it and swallowed her question. Astrid seemed to think it perfectly normal and, after all, this was still a different land with different customs. All would become clear at some point.

"Alright, try to undo your braid first, it will be easier to comb once it's wet." Astrid instructed her suddenly.

With a weird jump of her stomach Merida reached to the tangled mess that had started only a few hours ago as well-groomed braid.

"Ready?" Astrid asked her way too soon.

"Almost!" Merida replied in a high-pitched voice. She began to feel very anxious again. Quickly she gave her braid one last painful pull and took a deep calming breath.

"Alright Stormfly, stop!" Astrid commanded and with a jerk backwards, Merida felt the Dragon stop.

'Better tae get it over with!' Merida thought and as soon as she felt safe to stand up, she took the initiative

"As soon as you resurface, Stormfly will reach down to you." Astrid repeated.

"Here ay go then." Merida said to herself. She was still a little shaky of the round back of the Dragon and the strong wind would soon overpower her and so she jumped, before she could fall down. With her arms and legs as close together as she could manage, she plummeted into the water. In temperature there was not much change. After all, the icy wind had already made her fingers and toes numb. No, it was the way the water formed an enclosing mess that brought her the intensity of the cold. She began to move her numb feet rapidly and circled her pulses, not only to get moving, but also in an effort to get warm. Very soon the churning water around her had become warmer and when she poked her nose into the air above, she realised how much warm energy the water had absorbed in that sort time. As promised, Stormfly's tail was right there for her to grab onto. Once she found the strength in her fingers, which was a challenge on its own, the Dragon gave her no easy way to get back on the saddle. Merida was flung aggressively from the water and hit the saddle hard and soaked. She had absolutely no time to steady herself and Astrid had to grab her before she slid away again.

"Congratulations on completing this task, Merida! Now try to hold on a little longer. Directly ahead lies the hideout ." Astrid turned in the saddle to beam at Merida. "You can relax, you did fantastic!"

"Here we are, Hiccup!" Gobber announced unnecessarily at the sight of the tomb of Stoick the Vast and gave Hiccup a powerful push down its stone steps, seemingly oblivious to Hiccup's discomfort. Or at least he acted like it. Hiccup knew best how close Gobber and his father had been, Hiccup considered Gobber as good as family. Still, this was an ancient tradition, one that Gobber himself never had to endure, he could as well be lacking the imagination of what it would be like to be in Hiccup's shoe.

"Go on," He said encouragingly. "once you have the axe you can come up. It is as simple as that. But. Eh, I won't be here for the second task I'm afraid. I am unmarried and therefore unfit to accompany you in the bath house and with your training after that. Spitelout will do that, as an married man and your family member.

Hiccup, who had prevented himself from falling head first into the tomb by grabbing either side of the gaping stone hole that was the entrance, whipped around so fast that he almost fell anyway. He threw Gobber a look that wiped the optimistic smile from the old blacksmith's face.

"I know, lad, but be glad it is not him AND Snotlout, that would be unbearable."

Hiccup felt not reassured and couldn't turn his frown upside down. He simply turned his gaze down the entrance of the tomb again and started his descend to his father's last resting place. He moved slowly, the stone steps were not made for metal legs. Hiccup kept reminding himself what lay in the coffin he would soon see and kept reliving his father last living moment. The moment where, despite all that had happened between them, defined Stoick the Vast best: A true warrior who wouldn't think twice about sacrificing himself for his family. A lump grew in Hiccup's throat to a point of unbearable pain once he halted in front of the coffin. The axe he needed, made by Gobber and used till the bitter end by his father, lay carefully placed on top of the lid. Before reaching for it, Hiccup made an anti-clockwise circle around the coffin. Slowly and solemnly.
"I, I will make you proud, dad. I will always try to." Hiccup whispered to the head of the coffin. "It's certainly not what you had planned for me, it's more. After today, I will be a king, chieftain and the bridge between Dragons and Vikings. It's a lot, but I will always try my best. I am sure you know that by now." Hiccup imagined the look his father would give him and smiled as he carefully took the axe off the coffin. "You will get this back, dad. I promise." Hiccup told him, remembering how fond his father had been of that axe. Then, before he would turn to leave, he placed a mournful hand on the coffin. "Rest in peace, dad." He whispered and with that, he turned to begin the heavy task of heaving the large axe up the steps.

Merida was glad to be dry again after her cold ordeal. Valka was much more patient than Astrid and less demanding than her mother. She welcomed Merida warmly in the small hideout on the cliff to get her traditionally ready for her second wedding.
Apparently, in Viking culture hair and headdresses were much more important than fancy clothes. Merida was completely stripped down to her underwear, even her corset had to go, for which Merida had already hoped. No, all Merida was asked to wear was a basic comfortable dress of fine wool in her favourite green colour, the colour that matched her Dragon Fletcher's scales perfectly. On top of the dress she got to wear a hard leather bodice of deep brown, a piece of weak armour, basically. Lastly, her hair was re-done by Valka. She entwined her hair with flowers and a tiara with autumn leaves was placed cleverly on top of her head.
"Astrid told me that your father is known as the Bear King, is that correct?" Valka asked her after a long serene silence in which Merida had completely surrendered herself to her care.

Merida therefore blinked and needed a second to find her tongue.
"Aye, he is." She blundered. As peaceful as the situation seemed, Merida was still intimidated by Valka's presence and immediately she wondered whether she had been too blunt in her reply, but Valka spoke on without any hint of offence.

"Then I give you this cape to wear for your wedding. It is made from bearskin so you can carry that title." She said gracefully and turned around to fetch the said cape which was hanging just behind her on a hook. The cape was a soft dark brown that matched her dark green dress in a way that made her bright hair and light skin seem to glow. Valka placed it lightly over her shoulders to leave as much of her dress in sight and fastened it with a bronze buckle.

"It's nice." Merida remarked truthfully and she smiled to her reflexion. Even though she would be the Viking bride now, the cape brought her back to be a Highlander and her father's daughter.

"This is my gift to you, Merida. Today, you and Hiccup will be given a title you will carry throughout your reign. It is also tradition to use weaponry as wedding gifts. You will therefore present Hiccup with this sword." Valka spoke directly into the mirror, to Merida's reflected face and she placed a sheathed sword in Merida's hands, which she gripped doubtfully.
"Hiccup at his turn will present you with a shield and you will use these pieces of weaponry against one another in ceremonial combat once I give you the word."

All of this was strange to hear, but Merida sorted out her priorities and turned around to ask her about the part that troubled her most.
"Yu are our officiator at the Wedding?"

Valka smiled a bit amused. "Yes, Gothy as our elder is naturally picked for this job, but few understand her written word and even though he means best, Gobber can cause riots by misreading them. Aside from this, we have spectators in high seats today and they wouldn't be able to see what is happening, that's why I will be playing this role. As the chief's advisor I am entitled to do so."

"Aha." Merida tried a subtle nod while she suppressed a swallow. Viking vows were intense, they were not allowed to be strayed from and would even be judged after death, even a brave warrior like Astrid thought best not to submit to it. Merida knew for certain that she wanted to marry Hiccup, she had fought against every odd to get to this day, but knowing that she would have to convince her mother-in-law as speaker of their gods was scary. There were still things she was unsure of, of course there were! What if Valka deemed her unworthy after all?

And so Hiccup and Merida each endure a training too extreme for the matter at hand. Spitelout let Hiccup dodge true aims to kill and Astrid let Merida into an ambush of fire, spikes and her own personal assault.
Merida believed she looked positively wild by the point she had to leave for Berk and developed a concern for public image she never thought she was capable of having. Hiccup on the other hand was so relieved to be free of Spitelout and hop on Toothless that he might look too giddy and too simple minded for a heavy task such as Kinghood.

However troubled, the desire to be at the right time to be able to finish the Wedding together drove them both to do perfectly. First Hiccup arrived on Toothless. In addition to his already powerful looking armour he had been given a tunic of chainmail under an enlarged version of his usual shoulder armour which joined together in the form of a powerful chest piece. He wore a dark red leather belt with a holster for the sword he would receive from Merida and on his back he carried the beautiful ornate shield for Merida, lined with Gronckle-iron and carved with Celtic symbols in dark blue paint. For male Vikings hair was as important a feature, so Astrid's famous braids in Hiccup's hair had been returned. For his own Wedding, Stoick the Vast had worn braids in his beard, now Hiccup wore them in an elegant half circle in the lowest layer of his hair-do.
As planned Toothless lit the Dragon fire flag before he and his rider were seen by the spectators on the levelled benches in the Arena. Toothless landed smoothly before the Wedding Archway and under great applause Hiccup dismounted and greeted his mother with a polite bow.
A silence fell over the entire building as Valka showed her son where he and Toothless were to stand, right before the glowing Dragon flag at the right side of the Archway, Toothless a few inches behind Hiccup. Then, in the time it took for Hiccup to take a cleansing breath, they all heard Fletcher's screeching call to announce Merida's arrival. They flew in from the left side and were placed there, at the left side of the Archway, Merida directly facing Hiccup with Fletcher just behind her. A minute of anticipation passed.

"Now, before we began the ceremonial Wedding of our new Chief Hiccup and Queen Merida, I allow their friends Princess Elsa of Arendelle and Jack Frost to enter and present their gift." Valka announced in a clear voice that carried easily up to the highest seats in the Arena. She held her arms up for attention and looked up to see where Jack and Elsa were sitting. The silence was broken by what intrigued muttering. Many were wondering why this gift had to be given now and not after the ceremony.
Ignoring the somewhat negative attention, Jack took Elsa into his arms and together the soared down the levelled benches to the centre of the Arena. There Elsa found her grace and with a clear calm voice she addressed the royal couple and the audience:
"Jack and I thought it appropriate and thoughtful to give you a gift that would not only symbolise the unity of your worlds, but also speak of our love for you both. A tapestry for your new shared home, made by our frost and snow. We also asked lady Valka if we could present it now, so that we could use it as a part of the ceremony."
Thus spoken, she and Jack took each a side of the Archway, Jack took Hiccup's side at the right and Elsa took Merida's on the left. Then they simultaneously raised their arms up to the Archway and released their magic. Jack created the image and Elsa added its colour and stability. Hiccup and Merida marvelled together with the audience at what was created before their eyes. A tapestry like no other, thin in mass, but strong and closely woven in appearance. It showed exactly that what Elsa had promised them, a perfect union of Celtic and Berkian culture. The image showed the Sword of Dun Broch as Jack once made on the bark of a tree when he first met Merida, perfect replicated from their flag, but in glittery silver, a Viking helmet was placed halfway above it with its horns like Dragon wings framing the sword and bringing the tapestry in the form of a shield of arms. The tapestry was coloured dark blue, with the sword an helmet left silver and the Night fury-like wings were coloured dark mauve.
"We will leave you two to it." Jack said to his friends in a low voice, flashing them both his infectious grin. Then he took Elsa in his arms again and flew her back to their seats.

"Now, underneath this beautiful gift, in concert with the Dragon fire flag which represents both the power and wisdom of our leader, I ask bride and groom to present their gifts to one another." Valka spoke and all was silent again. The woman's voice was ever so calm, but carried a certain fierceness that had made her so perfect match for her late husband, Stoick the Vast. It effected the royal couple most of all. They silently nodded to each other and as in a slow dance they moved simultaneously closer to exchange the Sword and Shield and moved apart again, all the while gazing into each other's eyes.
"Each take this piece of weaponry in promise of protection and devotion to one another. Vow not only to accept the gift of strength and protection, but also to swear to uphold it. Not only for one another, but also for your children and all who follow you and chose to fight alongside you."

"We promise!" Hiccup and Merida declared to each other in unison and allowed themselves to share a heartfelt smile, because they knew what was coming next.

"Now, in view of your role to Berk, we ask you to demonstrate your strength. Chieftain Hiccup, you will act as the Sword of Berk, be our strength in wisdom in the same way you let us and Dragons to times of peace! Queen Merida, you will be our Shield, show us the bravery and determination that comes with stepping forth to defend all you hold dear!" Valka stepped back, disappearing threw the Archway behind her and Hiccup and Merida knew what to do. They both stepped back, each backing away from the centre till they almost hit the lowest of the benches behind them at either side of the Arena. They readied their weaponry and prepared for a run-up. Simultaneously Hiccup and Merida took a deep breath, eyes fiercely fixed on one another, they had been one up till now and would remain that way. The so called 'ceremonial fight' would only last shortly and was purely meant for them to show their wit, agility and stamina, only a few manoeuvres and then they were truly allowed to be 'together'.

"Begin!" Valka's voice called from behind the Archway and Merida and Hiccup collided, sword hitting shield with a clash.

The first strike had to be predictable for the match to begin, but then the clever minds of both fighters began to show. First Merida agilely disappeared behind her shield, which she then slid towards Hiccup's prosthetic leg to uproot him. It was a clever move and because of her speed she would certainly have surprised a warrior of larger size, but Hiccup was as agile as Merida and aware of his disadvantage. He went down, but only just, he bent his knees to keep his balance and jumped away, prosthetic first. Hiccup came up again like a spring, then it was his turn to use his speed. Merida was light on her feet, but her shield wasn't, just as Hiccup's metal leg was his weakness, Merida's heavy shield was hers. Of course, everyone knew it wasn't a real fight, meaning to harm one another. Hiccup would never strike with his sword, even though it was not sharpened. He was only meant to show the audience what he was capable of. He knew Merida would duck again behind her shield, she had trained with Deadly Nadders and Terrible Terrors and knew when it was best to retreat, using the weight of the shield as her advantage. Hiccup drove his sword home on the shield to let her knew his attack had passed. On hearing the metallic clung of the signal, she pushed against her shield with sudden force, seeking to uproot Hiccup yet again. Hiccup felt its impact, but cleverly used his close contact with the shield to pry it from Merida's grip with his sword. Thus disarmed Merida paused for a second to look Hiccup straight in the eye. They could stop here, but Merida had discovered in that moment of disadvantage that she was not ready for defeat. She showed Hiccup her fire and he understood with a smile. He prepared for her attack, which came immediately. Even though she had done it twice already, Merida's attack from below came too quick for Hiccup to anticipate. She tackled him successfully with just sticking out her leg and moving her body in half a circle and snatched his sword from him in the moment he fell. In turn Hiccup reached to Merida's abandoned shield and with the strength only he could possess, he heaved up the shield and placed it powerfully between them. Now Hiccup and Merida both had been 'defender' and 'protector', as well as 'victor' and 'loser'. The combat was over and they were declared by the whole of Berk to be a perfect match, entrusted by all to lead and serve them as Lord and Lady of the Hairy Hooligan Clan of Berk.

AN: Not to pat myself on the back, but I really love this chapter :) if you do too, please review!