Hello all,

Yeah I know I took forever, this time I found it very hard to do the ending. Yes this is the last chapter, I know it is hard to say goodbye. *Sniff* Anyway read away and I'll speak further in the Author's Notes.

While Merida, Hiccup, and their friends saw to Toothless and Freya; their parents returned to the castle to handle the matter of a rewritten treaty. For the past year the King and Queen made changes to some of the laws and sent messages to the other lords and Stoic of the changes. It had taken a year to go through the treaty with a fine tooth comb and make all the changes. The greatest change to the laws in the treaty were none of the descendants of King Fergus would be required to wed the other lords heirs. Also more laws were added to prevent a repeat of the incident last year, next time a lord would kidnap an DunBroch heir, whether alone or together; it would mean any involved would loose their head after they would be disowned by their clan. The new treaty was the other part of the punishment for Stoic and the other lords involved, and while they did not like it they would sign it.

It was after Merida and Freya showed Hiccup, Toothless and the others around town that they returned to the castle where the King and Queen were holding a meeting. In the great throne room each lord sat at a table with his men. To the right was MacGuffin and Dingwall, while to the left was Stoic and Machintosh. Even the young princes were there though they yawned and looked like they were dosing off. The group slipped into the room discreetly as the queen spoke. "So the treaty will be signed tomorrow at the festival where the marriage between Hiccup and Merida will be announced. Any questions?"

Merida stepped forward. "Will ladies be allowed ta compete in the games?"

"Aye Merida ladies can compete too." The Queen laughed.

"Will there be an archery competition?" Merida asked.

"Aye, and we may as well hand ye first place if ye compete lass." Fergus teased.

"Any other questions?" Elinor asked, but when no one else stepped forward she continued. "Very well A am sure yer all tired from the journey Maudie and the others will show ye ta yer rooms." While the other lords Macintosh, Dingwall, and MacGuffin were led away it left the Vikings to talk privately. Merida was urged to come sit by her father with Freya following after licking Toothless. Soon the princess sat down and Freya came to sit by her chair.

"Now then it seems that the issue wit' Freya is resolved, and since Gobber ruined the surprise fer Stoic, allow us ta explain. Three months ago when it became clear that ye were nae changin' yer mind about Hiccup we began ta correspond wit' Chief Stoic about makin' arrangements fer yer weddin'. Especially when Stoic reported that Hiccup was nae changin' his mind either. In short at the closin' o' the festivities is when ye are ta wed." Elinor explained.

"So our weddin' would be in three days?" Merida asked as she remembered these festivals often lasted three days. She peeked over at Hiccup who looked both happy and nervous. Normally planning things behind her back angered her, but not this time.

"Aye lass, but just say the word and we will call it off." Fergus replied.

"What? Nae! A am just surprised is all." Merida answered looking over at Hiccup who was grinning back at her.

"So yer nae mad at us fer makin' plans fer ye?" Elinor checked.

"Normally A would be, but nae. A am nae mad about this." Merida replied almost giddy, Elinor seemed to relax while Fergus groaned. While Fergus had hoped that 'pushing' Merida would get her to change her mind, Elinor was simply glad that her daughter was not arguing with her about this.

"Ah good, now we have made most the arrangements, but there are a few thins' ta discuss. Namely yer weddin' dress, choice of bridesmaids, and a few other minor details." Elinor said ignoring the look Fergus gave.

"O' course ma." Merida replied listening intently.

"Alright bridesmaids?"

"Astrid, Heather, and Ruffnut." Merida replied without missing a beat, then proceeded to point them out to her mother. "Unless o' course A am allowed ta have a dragon as a bridesmaid too."

This time Elinor groaned and barely concealed her smile as she wrote the names down. "There, now as fer the issue o' the dress we will discuss that later. Fer now our guests must be tired and tomorrow will be a long day."

"A can show 'em ta their rooms." Merida bounced up from her seat. While the King and queen remained in the throne room Merida first showed Stoic and Gobber to their rooms, Gradually she showed the younger Vikings and her friends to their rooms some even shared rooms. Astrid, Heather, and Ruffnut shared one room, while Fishlegs, Snoutlout, and Tuffnut shared another. Finally it was just Hiccup and Merida trailed by Toothless and Freya. The pair walked silently side by side. "A hope my parents didnae put ye on the spot. My ma loved ta plan thins' out fer me without even considerin' me first." Merida finally said.

"What? No I am not upset or anything in fact I am happy and surprised." Hiccup replied.

"So yer nae upset ta be marryin' in three days?" Merida wanted to double check.

"No of course not." Hiccup looked over at Merida as a smile and a blush crept over her face, and he caught her hand causing her to stop and turn to face him. In the next moment Hiccup reached up to touch her cheek, then pulled her in to kiss her. They had been apart for a year, and so neither wanted to part ways as Merida wrapped her arms about Hiccup. They would have remained together longer had they not heard giggling just down the hall. The pair stopped and looked to see three heads poking out, and Merida already knew who they were.

"Oi! Ye wee devils are suppose ta be in bed." Merida called, years may have passed and the young princes may have grown older and taller, but they never lost their mischievousness. The three still pulled pranks, stole sweets, and got into loads of trouble. "Donae make me send Freya after ye. Off ta bed now."

With that the princes dashed off back to their room. "You send Freya after them?" Hiccup asked.

"Aye, it was the funniest thin' ta happen. About a month after we came home Freya was allowed ta sleep in my room, and one night she heard the wee devils sneak by my room ta go fer a snack in the kitchens. She must o' thought they were thieves or somthin' because she was scratchin at my door wantin' out. So A got up and let her out, then followed her down ta the kitchens. Maud and some o' the other maids were still up and chattin' away at the table. They didnae know what ta make o' Freya and A as we came in, but then Freya found were the princes were hidin' and eatin' a plate of Maud's cakes. Maud and the others went ta wake my parents while Freya took hold o' the back o' their shirts and carried 'em ta the throne room. My dad could nae stop laughin' at the sight of his three sons all poutin', arms folded across their wee chests, and dangling from Freya's mouth." The image of the three princes caught red handed by Freya caused both of them to laugh.

"Well I had best go to bed, princess. We have a big day tomorrow and over the next three days." Hiccup finally spoke after the laughter subsided. Nodding Merida showed him to his room and left him with a kiss goodnight, Freya followed behind Merida after licking Toothless.

The next morning was a bright and beautiful one, but unfortunately no one had time to notice. Elinor was busy with Maud trying to get Merida into a proper dress. Luckily this time Merida's input was taken into consideration, the dress was not so tight she couldn't breathe, and instead her hair was braided back with a cord to help keep her wild hair in check. Stoic and Gobber were helping to make sure Hiccup looked the part of the Chief's son and suitor to Merida. Hiccup was allowed to wear his usual leather amour but it was cleaned by Gobber for the occasion, he also was wearing the Viking helmet a last remnant of his mother, and a furr cloak much like Stoic's.

However Hiccup and Merida were not the only ones to dress their best, since it was a special occasion everyone came intending to look their best. The staff at the castle were busy and rushing about to help their guests and to prepare for the festivities that were to come today.

As always the festivities took place outside, and again the royal family had royal seats to witness most of the events or at least the main event. Like the event years before King Fergus started to fumble over the announcements and it was left to Queen Elinor to speak for her husband. Rising from her seat she spoke up. "As many o' ye know this event marks the end o' the old treaty and beginin' o' the new one, but more importantly it marks that a year had passed since the war. Today we nae only announce the beginnin' o' this festival and the signin' o' the new treaty, but the marriage o' our daughter the princess Merida ta Hiccup Horrendous Haddock son o' Stoic the Vast o' the Hairy Hooligan Vikin' clan!"

A loud cheer went up at the announcement, as always Elinor knew just what to say to the crowd, while Fergus often fumbled. Holding up her hands she waited for them to quiet down. "A am pleased ta announce that at the end o' these festivities in three days time will be their weddin'. So please enjoy the celebration, but first the signin' o' the new treaty!"

Along side the royal seats sat a table, quill, ink, and the treaty. One by one the lords and Stoic came forward and signed treaty until finally Fergus signed last. As soon as this was done the treaty was taken away by an armed escort back to the castle for safe keeping. "Now let the celebration begin!"

Soon many rushed off to join in one contest or another Astrid and Iain Macintosh joined the sword fighting competition. Both were highly competitive and had become good friends teasing that the other would win. Both groaned when Snotlout said he would win and beat both of them. While Stoic and Gobber challenged Fergus and the other lords to the drinking contest. Rory entered the log tossing contest, while Fishlegs told some local children and Duncan Dingwall about the different dragons when they came up showing interest. The princes' plotted to steal Maudie's cakes, and even roped Ruffnut and Tuffnut into helping. Heather was the braver one coming up to Queen Elinor and encouraging her to take part in the festivities rather then just watch. Leaving Merida and Freya free to join Hiccup and Toothless.

Over the course of the next three days Hiccup and Merida spent most their time together with Toothless and Freya. Their friends and family spent the festivals days much like they had the first day competing in contests, eating, drinking, and spending time with new friends. Any other time spent was preparing for the marriage to take place at the end of the festival. Elinor and Maudie helped Merida pick out a dress, and work out the finer details of the wedding. It would be a mixture of customs since Hiccup was a Viking. Some of the Viking customs had to be 'toned down' because simply put not all Viking customs were acceptable, some were downright offensive to the bride.

Eventually the big day came...

When Queen Elinor and Maudie came to wake Merida, the princess was already awake and trying to brush through her wild hair in preparation of it being braided with a chord. "Yer hair will be easier ta comb once washed lass." Elinor laughed as Maudie and some other maids fetched some buckets of heated water for a bath. While at the same time some of the other male servants fetched water for Hiccup's bath. While Hiccup fumbled over what he was suppose to say in his wedding vows.

After their individual bathes, Hiccup still tried to memorise his lines while in the bride's room this was heard: "Ouch! A thought ye said my hair would be easier ta comb after a bath, ma!"

"It normally would be if ye didnae have yer father's unruly hair, hold still! Maud hold her!" Elinor replied.

How they ever were able to dress and make it to their own wedding was a mystery between combing Merida's hair, and Hiccup trying to memorise what he was suppose to say. Eventually though Elinor managed to work through the mess of hair and braid it, and Gobber had Fishlegs help Hiccup with his lines as he got the boy presentable. "Now ye are ready ta marry a princess."

"Shhh Gobber, you will make me forget my lines!" Hiccup replied causing the old Viking to groan, then the door burst open and Snotlout stepped into the room.

"No need to fear the main man is here!"

"Great! Thank you Snotlout now I forgot my second line!" Hiccup groaned.

"Line? Your kidding right? You are marrying a princess and your worried about words?" Snotlout asked laughing. "Wait why do you need these words? Viking wedding do not have this many words."

"They are Scottish vows. Hiccup has to learn them for his wedding." Fishlegs spoke up, then read the verse to Hiccup having the groom repeat it.

"I give you my body, that we two might be one." Hiccup repeated.

"That sounds so girlly." Snotlout laughed, normally Hiccup largely ignored his obnoxious cousin, but today he was too nervous of messing up.

"Snotlout! Get out before I throw you out!" Hiccup snapped.

"Alright geez, I am going." Immediately Snotlout left. Hiccup continued to fumble over his lines until he heard a loud laugh, Snotlout had left the door open and now Fergus took up the doorway.

"A though A had trouble rememberin' those bleedin' lines."

"So how did you memorise them?" Hiccup asked.

"A pretended it was somethin important, like battle plans or tactics." Fergus shrugged, "My best man and A spared as A recited my lines before the weddin'."

"Really that worked?"

"Aye it worked, ye just have ta pretend yer lines are somethin' that interests ye." Fergus shrugged.

"King Fergus has a point there, pretend yer lines are a new dragon ta write in the book o' dragons." Gobber added. Needless to say the tactic worked, and soon it was time to head for the wedding ceremony. Hiccup, Stoic, Gobber, and his male friends were first to arrive aside from the other clansmen. The location was beautiful a clearing over looking the sea, benches were provided for quests to sit on for the ceremony, there was also plenty of room for the dragons to be present. But what caught Hiccup's eye was a portrait on display, it sat by where Astrid and the other bride's maid would come to stand. The portrait was of Freya and displayed her in a deep blue dress with gold trim, and she stood holding a sword in front of her, the blades end sticking into the floor board, and both hands resting on the hilt end. It was obviously painted in loving detail because Freya wore the half smile, perhaps the King and Queen simply wanted her present in some form. But it also sent a powerful message and reminder. Silently Hiccup preyed to Thor that Freya DunBroch and his mother were watching from afar and at peace.

The the bagpipes started, and Hiccup winced knowing that many of the dragons hated the sound, perhaps their ears were too sensitive for the sound? Either way some dragons decided to move off and distance themselves from the sound. The bagpipes playing also signalled that the bride and her escorts were coming. As with any wedding Merida was on the arm of her father King Fergus, followed by her bridesmaids Astrid, Heather, and Ruffnut. Then her mother followed with Freya trailing behind and keeping Merida in view. However due to the crowd, Freya eventually went around to keep Merida in view. The night fury came to stand by the portrait of Freya and by where the bridesmaids would come to stand.

Hiccup focused on his bride-to-be, Merida wore a royal blue dress with gold trim, and her red hair was contained within a firm braid by a gold chord and circlet. Around her neck she wore the love knot pendent he made for her. Soon she came to stand before him as King Fergus gave her to him and stepped back then moved around the couple to stand before them by Chief Stoic, since both men were the leaders it was also their job to perform the marriage. Both were asked to do this because the wedding was a mixture of traditions.

King Fergus cleared his throat, and started. "We come ta bare witness ta the union o' Hiccup Horrendous Haddock, son o' Stoic the Vast Chief o' the Hairy Hooligan tribe ta the Princess Merida first daughter o' King Fergus and Queen Elinor o' Clan DunBroch. If any wish ta speak out against this union speak now, otherwise keep yer yap shut!"

Queen Elinor faced palmed, but when no one spoke up Fergus continued. "Good now this weddin' is a union o' two peoples a promise, and a bond. Fer nae only do we unite two people we unite two clans as brothers. Hence the Chief o' the Hairy Hooligan tribe will now speak."

Stepping aside Stoic came forward to speak. "As in Viking tradition, the bride and groom exchange swords."

On cue Hiccup unsheathed the sword at his belt and presented it to Merida as Stoic continued. "This sword is the Haddock family heirloom given to the bride to one day give to her son."

Merida accepted the sword with the customary bow then as she had been told stabbed the blade into the ground in front of her. "Next the bride gifts her husband with a blade as well."

Following suit Merida drew her own blade and presented it to Hiccup. "This sword is the sword of her clan given to her husband to protect and guard his bride to the end of their days." Hiccup did the same as he accepted the blade and soon it was stabbed into the ground. "Now for the exchanging of rings and vows."

As both exchanged rings, Hiccup was surprised to give his vows perfectly. "Now for the completion of the ceremony King Fergus will speak." Stoic stepped aside to allow King Fergus to continue the marriage.

"As per tradition the Hand fasting ceremony." As Fergus moved forward he pulled out a sash of the DunBroch clan. "Please take hands."

Both Hiccup and Merida took hands and allowed Fergus to bind them together as husband and wife. "Now ye are bound in life, love, and wedlock. Two lives now one as man and wife in this life and the next. Ye may now kiss my daughter."

As the pair kissed a cheer went up, and two night furies shot bolts into the air. It had been a long strange and unorthodox courtship, but at long last they were married. Together they would live happily ever after and share in new adventures with Toothless and Freya of course.

Author's Notes:

First off I didn't want to just skip over the wedding so I ended up researching both Viking and Scottish weddings which turned out to be harder then it sounds. So it might be accurate, it might not but also its a mixture of traditions like one reviewer thought and so is not perfect. Also finding a good note to end on just seemed difficult to do, there were a couple of ways I considered ending the story. But as you all know I over think on things and it takes forever to post a chapter. So I figured after much debating with myself 'keep things simple'.

I hope you all enjoyed the story and this last chapter. I have had a few people suggest a sequel to this based off of the next How to train your Dragon movie, which I do have some ideas for. But feel it is too early to say whether I will write a sequel or not. I will have to decide when I see the second movie and figure out how to work the Brave characters into it in a realistic and natural way.

In the mean time I am considering writing a fanfiction for The Hobbit or the Star Wars The Old Republic game. I am a fan of many things. But any interested can check out my other stories and see what I am up to.

Anyway it has been a lot of fun writing for Fate & Dragons, and it had been amazing to have so many review and follow the story.

Hugs,

Lesliezin