Capítulo 78: 78. Dancing and Dreaming
Friday.
It was Friday.
In any other week, in any other month, in any other year, this would be just another day.
But this Friday was special.
This Friday would be the culmination of nearly five years of dating.
Five years of ups, downs, and all arounds.
Five years of surviving both the mundane, and the impossible.
Five years of ever-growing love.
This Friday, Hiccup and Mirabel were getting married.
And Friday was today.
Hiccup and Mirabel were both there to greet the day, as the sun arose from its nightly slumber. Slowly bringing light to the world around it.
They both knew that, for as joyous as the day would be, it would also be incredibly hectic.
They likely wouldn’t get a moment alone for upwards of twelve hours. Perhaps even more.
And so, in the burgeoning daylight, they stood.
At the peak of one of the Encanto’s towering mountains, watching that light on the horizon slowly rise.
This was the same mountain where their relationship started.
The same mountain where, after a rather embarrassing evening and a rather unfortunate night, they both expressed their blossoming romantic feelings towards each other.
“It’s been so long…” Mirabel sighed, standing side by side with her fiancé.
He wouldn’t be her fiancé for much longer.
“Yeah…” Hiccup agreed, trying not to wince at the memory of his irrational behavior. “Pretty much everything has changed, since then…”
Still keeping her eyes on the sunrise, her hand found his.
“…Not everything.” She whispered.
And they both grew smiles on their faces.
They just stood like that, for a time. The sky progressively becoming bluer.
Soon, they’d have to return to their homes. If they wanted any hope of catching some sleep before the day really started.
And what a day it would be.
But before they departed, not to meet again until they were united in the bonds of marriage, Mirabel turned to the man standing beside her.
“I know we’re not supposed to do stuff like this until the actual wedding, but…I want you to promise me something.”
Hiccup met her gaze, and nodded. “Anything.”
The cool, early morning breeze flowed through mountaintop. Tousling her dark curls, and his auburn locks.
“No matter what…” Mirabel started. “No matter what happens, no matter what we’re up against, no matter what we do…we do it together.”
From the way she was looking at him, he couldn’t deny that request even if he wanted to.
“Absolutely.” He said, cupping her face with a hand.
“It’s you and me…always…”
They locked eyes, both their hearts pounding.
And in this moment…
This almost magical moment…
They had to fight every urge in their bodies to keep themselves from kissing each other.
Not until the wedding!
An annoyed warbling from behind alerted them to a tired Toothless, a drowsy Mariposa behind him.
“You’re right, bud!” Hiccup laughed. “We should get some more sleep.”
As the two hopped onto their dragons, they spared each other one more glance.
This would be the last time they ever saw each other, before they were husband and wife.
Mirabel gave him a small wave. “See you later.”
Hiccup returned it, with a teasing grin. “See you later…Mrs. Haddock!”
This made the girl smirk, and roll her eyes. “We all know you’re the one taking my name!”
Hiccup chuckled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
And so, they left the place where it all began.
To enter a new stage in their love.
They parted for the last time, as boyfriend and girlfriend.
They would no longer be simply betrothed.
The next time they met, they’d become something entirely new.
But first…
They had about an hour and a half before they needed to get up. They were going to make the most of it.
It was going to be an incredibly busy day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pedro’s River was where the ceremony would be held.
Ever since discovering it, Mirabel had felt a sort of connection with the place.
And after Alma gave her vigorous approval, the necessary preparations were made to turn the lake into their ideal wedding venue.
A wedding arch was placed just outside the river, adorned with greenery and a splattering of white flowers.
Similar flowers could be found all over the clearing. Scattered along the grass, floating serenely on the lake, or lining the pews that had been arranged.
There was also just one cactus. Put in a very special spot.
Nearly the entire family was there, as well as the Vikings, and several people from the town.
The new Candle Holder was getting married, it was a momentous occasion! Everyone present lent a hand to ensure this day was as special as possible.
And it was up to Hiccup to keep everything in order.
Dressed in his usual blue button-up and khakis, he still had some time before he needed to change, the man was trying to make sure everything went smoothly.
“I-I think we could use a few more flowers over there…thanks!”
“Ruff, stop raiding the snack table!”
“Snotlout, quit trying to lift things you obviously can’t. Just let Luisa do it!”
“Milo, stop sending Ruff to raid the snack table!”
Hiccup was really trying not to stress out.
He knew Mirabel.
He knew that she wouldn’t care if a few things went wrong, here or there. If anything, she’d be happy that it gave her a funny memory.
But deep in his heart, he wanted her wedding day to be just as special as she was.
He wanted her to have a picturesque moment in her life that she could look back on, even after they’ve been married for decades.
And so he tried to make sure that everything was…
Not exactly perfect. But very close to it.
And it was hard to do that with Tuffnut blaring in your ears.
“So, you’re getting married…” He chuckled, crunching an apple far too loudly for the other Viking’s liking.
Hiccup suppressed a sigh. “Yeah, that’s the idea.”
Here by the river, under the warm morning sun, Tuffnut saw fit to give Hiccup some advice before the big moment arrived.
Some very unsolicited advice.
“Good news!” Cheered the male twin. “I’ve been to two weddings! I crashed both, but neither were as high-profile as this one.”
“There’s lots of pressure, and judgement! And not just from me…”
“But don’t worry, Little Hiccy!” He said, as he grabbed Hiccup’s shoulders and gave him a jostle. “I’m here to help you through it!”
Hiccup’s annoyance gave way to befuddlement.
“…Wat, Hiccy?”
The Thorston continued to prattle on.
“Now I’ve seen the way Mirabel looks at you.” He said, with a look of somber understanding on his face. “Everyone has that doubt, that not-so-subtle disappointment, that longing for something more…than you.”
“Thank you for summing that up…” Hiccup droned.
“Seriously, Hiccy! She’s the spawn of demigods, for Thor’s sake! You gotta make yourself worthy of her!”
He then pulled the young Haddock close, giving his nose a front-row seat to his sweaty pits.
“But with me as your Best Man, your spirit guide, if you will…you’ll learn to embrace your inner Viking!” He proclaimed, wearing a triumphant grin.
“We’ll show those naysayers, of which there are many, that you’re more than just a malnourished runt!”
Hiccup wasn’t expecting to be insulted on his wedding day.
And yet, here he was.
“Y’know, with your bad hair, strange teeth, and that twig you call a neck…”
Fishlegs was walking by, carrying a basket full of goodies, and he grew a frown at what he was hearing.
“Give it a rest, Tuffnut. Hiccup’s fine as he is!” He then smirked. “Besides, we all know I’m the Best Man!”
“What? No way!” Snotlout exclaimed, as he came rushing in.
“I gotta be the Best Man! Me and Big-H have been tight since we were kids!” He smugly said.
As he reached up to hug an arm around the man in question’s shoulder, he was regarded with a raised eyebrow.
“You beat the crap outta me for almost a decade…”
“I-It was just a prank, bro!” The stout man hastily excused, with a nervous grin.
A second one-legged man hobbled into the fray.
“Step aside, lads! Real Best Man, coming through!” Gobber said, dusting off Hiccup’s shoulder with his hand. His other hand was affixed with a bouquet of flowers.
“Isn’t that right, my favorite apprentice?” He asked.
“I was your only apprentice…” Answered Hiccup.
To which Gobber laughed. “Exactly! That’s why you’re my favorite!”
When the scruffy man walked in, Hiccup really had no idea what was happening anymore.
“Really hate to disappoint you guys, but Self-Exile Bros gotta stick together!” Bruno said, standing uncharacteristically proud.
“The Dragon Master’s Best Man should be the junior Dragon Master!” Antonio protested, once he arrived.
“I’m the Best Man, because I’m the best, man!” Camilo argued, as he followed his brother.
The stomping of the ground told them that a mountain of a man was arriving.
“Tell me…” Stoick began. “Who better to be Hiccup’s Best Man, than his own father?”
Snotlout was at the end of his rope.
“JUST TELL US WHO IT IS ALREADY!” He snapped.
And now Hiccup was awfully confused.
“…Wait, did I not tell you guys?” He asked.
He could’ve sworn he did, weeks ago. He thought everyone was just messing around.
But when he received an assortment of shaking heads, he realized he screwed up.
“I thought it was kinda weird, not picking the Best Man until the day of…” Bruno said, before shrugging. “But y’know, it’s your wedding…”
Chuckling anxiously through the uncomfortable sweat that was sprouting from his pores, he gave them their answer.
“I-I actually picked my Best Man a while ago…you see- “
There was a deep croon, as Toothless plodded up to his rider. Looking the same as he always did.
Except for the white bowtie that was wrapped around his neck.
And just like that, they all deflated like popped balloons.
While Hiccup continued to look sheepish, the Night Fury gazed upon them all with an air of haughtiness.
And in that moment, they all shared a single thought.
Smug lizard…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pepa was about to have an aneurysm.
Or at least, that’s what it looked like to Mirabel.
With her faced scrunched and her fists clenched in concentration, she was trying her absolute damnedest to ensure there would be clear skies. Just as she had for the last week.
And it was clearly having an effect on her.
She had heavy bags under her eyes, she was moving more sluggishly than normal, and her usual peppiness was nearly nonexistent.
This couldn’t be allowed to continue.
Mirabel was in Casita, her bedroom in particular. A bit bigger now, to accommodate the incoming arrival.
She was with her mother, who was getting her hair just right. And her aunt, who felt like tagging along.
The two women shared stories of their own weddings, as a comb worked its way through the girl’s curls. Pepa loved telling that old memory about her special, rainy day.
But her retelling today was subdued, and oddly slow.
Which told Mirabel all she needed to know.
Abruptly standing from her seat, comb still stuck in her hair, the bespectacled girl faced her aunt.
“Tia!” She chided. “It’s okay! I don’t need the skies to be constantly clear!”
Pepa began clutching her braid, while frantically muttering.
“B-But it’s your wedding!” She argued. “Y-You want your day to be special! And that means no rain, o-or snow, or- “
“What I want…” Mirabel butt in. “Is two things.”
She held up a pair of fingers.
“To marry the man that I love, and for everyone else that I love to enjoy themselves.”
“And you clearly aren’t having a good time, right now…” She spoke, her voice dripping with concern.
“It’s alright! There can be a drizzle, or a sprinkle, or a flurry! It’s not gonna kill me!”
Mirabel then grew a teasing grin. “It’ll give me a story to tell just as many times as you tell yours!”
And this got a small laugh out of her aunt, who finally allowed herself to calm down.
She inhaled, a small, dark cloud appearing over her head. Rumbling with thunder.
And then she exhaled, dissipating the cloud.
The weather outside was now a bit overcast, and windy. But it was still pleasantly warm and sunny.
“See?” Mirabel asked, patting the woman’s arm. “Isn’t that better?”
Seeing the bright smile her niece was giving her, Pepa managed a shaky smile in return. And she nodded.
Satisfied, the bride went to move back to her chair. Removing the comb that was still trapped in her coiling curls.
And then she noticed the look Julieta was giving her.
The woman was absolutely bursting with warmth, and maternal pride.
Walking forth, she embraced her daughter in a hug.
“You are a brilliant, compassionate, wonderful young woman…” She said, as she removed the comb. “And Hiccup is very lucky to have you!”
“Darn right, he is!”
Isabela wore a proud grin as she sauntered into the bedroom.
“By the way, sis? Hiccup is a total bridezilla!” She put a hand to her chin, in mock thought. “I dunno, you might wanna call off the whole thing…”
“Don’t listen to her. He’s been fine.” Dolores said, entering the room as well. She was followed by Luisa.
Julieta had finally finished Mirabel’s hair. Her dark curls cascaded down her head, flowing looser than they usually did. Each lock having a luxurious sheen.
And when she stood, and they all got a good view of her dress…
They were completely captivated.
“Y-You look just like a princess from a fairy tale!” Luisa sniffled. “But real!”
The gown was long, nearly covering her feet. With a voluminous, frilly skirt. Its silky sleeves were marked with butterfly patterns, and the faintest hint of gold outlined the trim.
Her lime green glasses remained.
“Calling it now, he’s gonna faint.” Isabela said. She was trying very hard to play it cool, despite how inclined she was to sniffle as well.
Pepa had clutched her daughter, and a small drizzle was showering over them both.
The sight of her baby girl, her youngest child, in a wedding dress was simply incredible to Julieta.
“You look amazing, Mija!”
Mirabel tried not to shrink under all their praise, a shy blush coming to her cheeks.
“Th-Thanks…” She uttered.
She found herself wondering just how Hiccup would look in his suit…
Dolores then perked up, and listened.
“…Ten minutes until the ceremony. We should probably get going.”
Picking up her skirt so she could actually walk, Mirabel left her room. Alongside her other relatives.
As they made their way down the stairs and through the courtyard, she couldn’t help but think that in just ten minutes, she’d be getting married.
In just ten minutes, their five-year relationship would be finalized.
Ten minutes.
That was basically nothing!
And yet, the wait would feel agonizing.
Their dragons were waiting for them, outside. Mirabel stepped out into the cool air, and took a deep breath.
These were her final moments, as an unmarried woman.
She turned around, and took a minute to examine her home’s front door.
She gazed upon the depictions of each and every member of her family, the image having changed to reflect each new addition.
And she grew a smirk.
Looking up towards the house itself, Mirabel asked a simple question.
“You ready for one more?”
In response, the building clinked its tiles merrily.
“You bet I am!”
Beaming, the girl then went to mount her dragon.
They soared, towards Pedro’s River. All of them ready for a truly magical day to begin.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Are you nervous?”
“No.”
“You look nervous!”
“I’m not…”
“Don’t be nervous!”
“I’m not!”
Hiccup’s snap was punctuated by the harsh straightening of his bowtie, as he glared into the mirror before him.
Glowering at his own angry reflection, he cooled down and sighed.
“I-I’m sorry…” He softly said. “You’re right, I am nervous!”
Augustin placed a supportive hand on the man’s shoulder.
“Well don’t be!” He cheerily said.
“When I was getting married to Julieta, I could barely stand! That’s how anxious I was!”
“But when she came walking down the aisle…everything clicked!” He dreamily sighed at the memory. “All my worries just disappeared! Suddenly, all that mattered was me and her.”
“And that’s all that matters today! You, and Mirabel!”
“Trust me, everything will be just fine!” Augustin said, while readjusting the young man’s skewed bowtie.
“Aye, the beanpole’s right.” Spoke Stoick, as he moved to his son’s other side.
“On the day I married your mother, I made a vow…to kill anything that threatened the wedding.”
“And I’ve made that vow again, son.” He said, surprisingly heartfelt. “Trust me, nothing’s going to happen on my watch. I’ll tear apart anyone who tries something!”
“Hush now, Stoick!” Valka scolded. “You promised! No violence during the wedding!”
“I promised minimal violence.” The chief clarified.
Hiccup was terribly confused, but he still found some comfort in both their words.
“Thanks, dad.”
“You’re welcome.” Spoke two voices at once.
Both men, so radically different in size and demeanor, glared at each other with rather cross expressions.
But they decided to simply leave it at that.
There would be no fighting, during their son’s wedding.
Suddenly, there was knocking.
Gobber opened the door to Hiccup’s little room in the stables, the last time he’d ever use it in such a way.
“It’s almost showtime!” Said the blacksmith.
After tousling his hair a bit, to get it just right, Hiccup stood from his chair.
Gobber released an impressed whistle, when he saw what the man was draped in.
“Not too shabby, lad!”
Hiccup wore a dapper, white suit. Adorned with a white bowtie, and garnished with a corsage of golden flowers.
Hiccup inhaled deeply, to steel his nerves.
“Okay, okay…it’s go time.”
As they made to exit the stables, Gobber saw fit to make idle chatter.
“Y’know, I never thought ye’d get married…” He said, as he hobbled next to the man.
“Thanks for that, really. Appreciate it…” Hiccup sighed.
“I’m just saying…” The one-legged man faced the other with a proud grin. “That I’m glad I got to see it happen, with my own eyes!”
“As am I!” Stoick agreed.
Valka chimed in with a warm smile. “And I as well!”
Augustin was just along for the ride.
Despite feeling briefly insulted, Hiccup had to admit.
He never thought he’d be getting married either.
Truly, it was going to be a magical day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Five minutes to go.
Mirabel had arrived, though Hiccup hadn’t seen her. Superstitions, and all that.
He stood at the altar, trying not to fidget around on his feet too much. Toothless sitting behind him.
Everything was in place. All the guests had arrived, from close friends and family, to folks from the town. Their venue was ready.
And it looked gorgeous, if Hiccup said so himself.
In the pews, everyone had taken their designated seat. Every guest dressed in wedding-appropriate attire. Though exactly what that attire entailed differed for Colombians and Vikings.
Snotlout jumped a foot in the air, when he found a cactus under his bottom.
As he waited, a few people would come up to him. Offering words of encouragement.
“You’re gonna do great, kid!” Bruno said. “…A-And no cryptic jokes that could be misconstrued as prophecies, I promise!”
Julieta fawned over him, messing with his hair as she always did. “You look so handsome, Mijo!”
Isabela approached him with a stern glare. “I had five years to get rid of you, and I couldn’t. It’ll probably go down as one of my biggest failures…”
“But…you really make my sister happy. And I’d be lying if I said I haven’t grown a bit attached…” She sighed, with a growing smile. “So I guess I’ll lay off.”
“…A little.”
She then waved him off, taking her position at the other end of the altar with Luisa. The hulking girl giving him two thumbs up.
“Talk to you after the ceremony…hermanito!” The flowery woman said.
During this brief period of time, that felt like it lasted hours, he’d catch various people walking off somewhere he couldn’t quite see.
He imagined this is where Mirabel was waiting, and she was probably being offered similar words.
He suddenly felt himself being jostled, and looked back to see Toothless. Playfully nudging him.
“Yeah, I’m ready bud!” Hiccup grinned, while scratching his friend’s chin.
As he was giving his dragon pats and pets, someone else walked up to him.
“So…finally tying the knot, huh?” Astrid asked, observing their serene surroundings.
Hiccup nodded, trying to ignore the shiver those words sent down his spine.
And then Astrid asked something strange.
“Hey, do you ever wonder what would’ve happened if you stayed? On Berk, I mean.”
Hiccup grew a wry grin.
“I imagine me and my dragon would be dead.” He spoke, ruefully.
But the shieldmaiden was unrelenting.
“But what if that didn’t happen?” She questioned. “What if, somehow, everything worked out? What if you never found the Encanto?”
“I-Is there a purpose to these questions?” The groom pondered.
Astrid shrugged, with a nonchalant expression.
“I’m just curious.” She admitted. “Now answer them!”
With a small sigh, Hiccup considered her words.
“…Maybe there was a way for things to work out on Berk, without me leaving. Maybe I’d still be living there…” He mused. “But…I don’t want that.”
“I don’t want to imagine a life where I didn’t find this place. Where I didn’t find my family, and Mirabel.”
Astrid regarded him with an intrigued, but unsurprised expression.
“…I figured you’d say something like that.”
“Well, either way, things still turned out alright. So I guess there’s no use in worrying about what if scenarios…” She said, about to head back to her seat.
Though before she did, she had a wedding gift to deliver…
WHAP
“OW!”
“What was that for!?” Hiccup demanded, clutching his aching arm.
“That was a traditional Hofferson wedding punch!” Astrid explained with a grin. “It’s supposed to bring good luck to newlyweds!”
And then she strolled back to her seat, and casually sat down. As if she hadn’t just pulverized all the bones in Hiccup’s arm.
He was positive that wedding punch thing was made up, anyways…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just a few minutes after the arm incident…
The music started.
Under the bright blue sky, streaked with puffs of white, the music started.
Beside the shimmering lake, butterflies dancing atop the waters, the music started.
Every head in attendance perked up, when the music started.
A jaunty tune, with a glint of elegance.
And now that the music had started…
It was time.
Isabela had already done the work of scattering flowers around, so a flower girl wasn’t needed.
Manuel was tasked with bearing the rings, and he dutifully walked down the carpeted grass. Glaring daggers at the little things sitting on the pillow in his hands, as if daring them to fall off.
Valentina had to fight the urge to shout “YEAH! You bear those rings!”
And now that Manuel was here, all that was left was…
Hiccup straightened up his posture, ruffled his hair for what had to be the fiftieth time that day, and readjusted his bowtie.
And when he was done, he looked down the way to see-
A visage of pure beauty.
Walking gently down the way, her arm intertwined with her father’s, and with a wide smile on her face…
Was the most indescribably stunning woman Hiccup had ever seen.
It took a sharp chuff from Toothless to remind him to close his dropped jaw.
There was a mythological concept that he'd learned about, during his time in the Encanto. Ethereal beings, of otherworldly grace.
If Hiccup recalled correctly, they were called angels.
And that's what Mirabel looked like right now.
Everyone in attendance was clearly in agreement, seeing as how their awestruck eyes never left her for a moment. Following her every movement as she approached the altar.
And when she arrived at the altar, removing herself from her teary-eyed father’s soft hold…
She was glowing.
She was smiling so brightly, she was literally glowing.
Or at least, that’s what it seemed like to Hiccup.
Mirabel must’ve noticed how enraptured he looked, as she soon released a fit of quiet giggles.
“You look nice too…” She whispered, with a demure grin.
And Hiccup grew that lopsided smirk. The one she’d adored for five years.
If it was up to them, they’d be gawking at each other for at least another three hours. But then, someone else started speaking.
“Friends! Family! Flying reptiles!” Began their very bald officiator. “We are gathered here today to witness something truly incredible!”
“The union, of two cultures. Two worlds. And most importantly…two souls!”
“This young man, and this young woman, born impossibly far apart, have somehow found each other. Through fate, magic, or perhaps a bit of both, they are now standing here before you all. Ready to be joined in holy matrimony.”
They’d barely even started, and already the front rows were looking awfully weepy.
“Now, I understand the bride and groom would like to exchange vows. So let’s get straight to that, shall we?”
Mirabel was up first, retrieving a small piece of paper.
She glanced over it once, familiarizing herself with the words. She didn’t want to be constantly looking down.
Once she was ready, she began to speak. Softly, yet clearly.
“There was a time…when I was nothing.”
“There was a time, when the amazing people in my family were seen only for their gifts. And because I didn’t have a gift…I was nothing.”
“Things are very different now…and I take full credit for that!” She said, an obvious joking tone in her voice. This earned her a few laughs.
A heartfelt quality returned to her. “But even then, when it felt like I was doomed to fade into the background, forgotten by my own family. When it felt like no one wanted me around…”
“…You did.”
In this moment, there was nothing else in the world for Mirabel. All that mattered was the man in front of her.
“You were my friend, when no one else would even spare me a glance. You’d laugh with me, and listen to me, and go along with whatever crazy thing I’d come up with that day! You were my first friend, my best friend…you still are…”
A warm smile graced her features. “And of course, that friendship turned into something more…”
“Hiccup, I love you with everything I am. Everything I could possibly be!” She proclaimed, her eyes twinkling with passion.
“They said I didn’t get a gift, but y’know what? Whatever crazy magic cloud that brought you to me…that’s gift enough!”
If the pews were looking weepy before, they were downright drenched in tears now.
And they weren’t even done, as now it was Hiccup’s turn.
Wiping a few stray droplets that were threatening to spill, he retrieved his own note.
Clearing his throat, and trying to remove the lump that was forming, he spoke. Calmly, yet passionately.
“There was a time…when I was useless.”
“There was a time, when I was hated by my people. When my own father saw me as nothing more than a mistake.”
“Every attempt I made to help backfired. Any attempt I made to get noticed worked, but in all the wrong ways.”
“I tried to get some respect, by killing a dragon…” He glanced back to the dapperly dressed lizard behind him. “Clearly, I failed!”
When the chuckling from his last comment died down, he continued. With a slightly somber look.
“It got so bad…that I had to leave. I had to leave, and find somewhere else I could stay.” A wry grin formed. “And I found something, alright…a freaky little village full of witches, tucked away in the mountains of Colombia!”
His grin was replaced with a more sincere one.
“And in that village, there was a girl. A girl who got me, in a way that most people didn’t. A fellow hiccup, who seemingly couldn’t do anything right. No matter how hard we tried to get just a little recognition. Not even asking for much! Just some basic, human acknowledgement…aside from disappointed scowls, of course…”
“That girl was a shoulder I could lean on, someone I could talk to without judgement. Someone who didn’t just put up with my oddities, but embraced them. And in return, I embraced hers…”
His pine green eyes sparkled with adoration. “That girl was my best friend. Then she was my girlfriend, then my fiancée. And now…I’m honored to soon be calling her my wife. I’m honored to become a part of her incredible family…”
“Mirabel, I love you with everything I am. Everything I could possibly be…and no matter what comes at us, we’re gonna face it together. Because I believe, if its you and me, we’re basically-no, unquestionably unstoppable!”
Mirabel’s heart was fluttering like it had never fluttered before.
Their hairless officiant, smiling pleasantly, looked to the both of them.
“Do you, Mirabel Madrigal, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish, forevermore?”
Mirabel nodded vigorously, her curls bouncing wildly.
“I do!”
“And do you, Hiccup H-Horrendous Haddock III…” He stuttered, saying the name. Perhaps he was wondering just what type of culture gave their people names like this.
He quickly got back on track. “…Take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, honor, and cherish, forevermore?”
Hiccup took a deep, almost wistful breath.
Because he knew.
This was the last time he’d be hearing that name.
“I do!”
It was then time to exchange the rings.
Manuel walked forth, as carefully as possible. Holding up his pillow.
The rings were simple, golden bands. But each one was engraved with different symbols.
Hiccup took the ring marked with winged serpents, and placed it on the bespectacled girl’s finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed…”
Mirabel took the ring stylized with butterflies, and placed it on the fishbone’s finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed…”
They then took each other’s hands, and just admired each other for a moment. Nothing but eternal love in both eyes.
And for the Madrigals in particular, this moment elicited gasps.
Because this was the image they’d seen.
This was Bruno’s vision, from all those years ago, right in front of their faces.
Their dragons were stationed off to the side, and the Berkians were a bit out of the visions frame, which even explained why they weren’t seen in the tablet.
Bruno usually hated seeing a vision come true…
But there was an exception to every rule.
There was one more thing that needed to be done.
The couple were given an assortment of unlit candles, with both Hiccup and Mirabel lighting one separately.
They brought their candles together, to light another one. And extinguished their individual candles.
They took hold of the candle they’d lit together, a symbol of their unbreakable bond, of their unending commitment to each other.
And finally, it was time.
“And now, by the power vested in me, it is my honor to declare you husband and wife!”
“You may kiss the bride!”
Deep brown met pine green, both eyes seeming like they were filled with the very stars.
Gently, the groom lifted the veil covering the bride’s face.
Without a moment’s hesitation, their lips met.
And just like that, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III was no more.
Standing in his place, existing for only a scant few seconds and ready for the next lifetime, was the newly christened…
Hiccup Madrigal.
The cheers were instantaneous.
From celebratory hoots and hollers from the Madrigals, to victorious bellows and battle cries from the Berkians, to joyous screeches and hisses from the dragons, and a whole lot of clapping from the crowd.
Bright flashes signaled the capturing of photos, sure to be prized for years to come. One or two of which were definitely going in the living room.
Julieta and Augustin were overwhelmed with exuberant tears, and Stoick formed a sharp grimace a times. To hide his own droplets.
Valka knew, once he was alone, he'd definitely let them flow.
Even the butterflies flittered about in a beautiful formation, seemingly congratulating the couple as their union was made official.
Everyone was happy with this.
But none were as happy as the newlyweds themselves.
An insurmountable joy was radiating from them, that could be both seen and felt by all.
They made it.
They were married.
They were one.
If you’d have told Mirabel five years ago, that her husband would fall out of the sky on the back of a dragon…
If you’d have told Hiccup five years ago, that he’d meet his wife in a magical village in an entirely different country…
They’d have heavily questioned what substances you were abusing.
But this is real. This is their reality.
And they loved that.
Standing from his seat, Stoick spoke with a mad grin.
The ceremony was over, which meant…
“Now the fun really begins!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Berk.
The Great Hall, specifically.
This was the location chosen to hold the reception.
The whole town wasn’t invited to this part. While the ceremony was open for anyone to witness, Hiccup and Mirabel wanted the reception to be more intimate. With only their family and friends being present.
And also, organizing a village-wide teleport sounded like a huge hassle.
There was a great feast, with a wide array of foods piled up on the tables.
Thankfully, the foods were actually edible. The local chefs had made good use of Julieta’s recipes.
The celebrations continued on their way to the island, and all the way up to the hall.
“That was wonderful! Truly wonderful!” Alma cheered to the newlyweds.
“Thanks, Miss Alma…” Hiccup replied.
But then she gave him a shocked look, as if he wasn’t supposed to address her this way.
“Come now, we’re family! Call me Abuela!”
Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly.
“O-Okay, Miss Abuela…” He said.
The old woman regarded him with a bemused expression, while his new wife just laughed.
Upon entering the hall, and seeing mountains of actually seasoned food, quite a few mouths began salivating.
Camilo especially had to be held back, while he reached for the feast like a manic squirrel eyeing an acorn.
But while the temptation to just dig in was certainly there, now wasn’t the time.
After all…
The newlyweds had yet to share their first dance.
Everyone watched with great anticipation, as Hiccup muttered some quiet instructions to a band of musicians.
At his word, the rhythmically inclined Vikings began playing a certain tune.
One Stoick had taught him, for a time such as this.
One unfamiliar to a majority of the guests.
One three of the guests knew quite well.
“Oh, I love this one…” Gobber sighed, savoring the melody.
As the song’s gentle beginning played out, Hiccup found himself idly whistling.
But soon, it wasn’t just time for him to dance.
It was time for him to sing.
And while he wasn’t much of a singer, or a dancer…
For her, he’d do anything.
“I’ll swim and sail on savage seas…
With ne’er a fear of drowning…
And gladly ride the waves of life…
If you will marry me…”
No one present had ever heard Hiccup sing before, not even to hum a little ditty. It was quite the surprise.
And while his singing voice was certainly unique…no one could really say it was bad.
“No scorching sun…
Nor freezing cold…
Will stop- “
Before the song had truly gotten started, Gobber was feeling the beat. So much so, that he had to join in.
Loudly.
“WILL STOP ME ON MY JOUR…”
He then realized that everyone present was glaring harshly at him, and quieted his boisterous voice.
“…Ney, sorry…” He bashfully said.
Trying to ignore the interruption, Hiccup continued his ballad.
“If you will promise me your…heart…”
And now, Hiccup passed the spotlight onto his wife.
Because this song was a duet.
Mirabel joined in, with her melodious voice.
“And love me for eternity…”
From her position at the opposing end of the hall, she began advancing towards him. Likewise, Hiccup moved to meet her.
“Mi Carino, MI Querido…
Your mighty words astound me…
But I’ve no need of mighty deeds-
When I feel your arms around me!”
Now that they’d met in the middle, the two began dancing energetically with each other. The music picked up tempo to match the new pace.
The next part was Hiccup’s.
“But I would bring you rings of gold-
I’d even sing you poetry!
And I would keep you from all harm!
If you would stay beside me!”
Mirabel sang once more.
“I have no use for rings of gold,
I care not for your poetry!
I only want your hand to hold!”
Hiccup finished the verse.
“I only want you near me!”
As the song reached its climax, their audience was mesmerized by the way the couple whirled and twirled around each other.
How much did they rehearse this?
“To love, to kiss, to sweetly hold!
For the dancing and the dreaming!
Through all life’s sorrows, and delights-
I’ll keep your love inside me!
I’ll swim and sail on savage seas-
With ne’er a fear of drowning!
And gladly ride the waves of life-
If you would marry me!”
With a finishing flourish, Hiccup lifted Mirabel up into his arms. The both of them laughing ecstatically.
And on that note, the young married couple’s first dance was done.
Or…it should’ve been.
“MEEEEEEEEEEE- “
Gobber seemed intent on keeping the song from reaching its end.
“I’M STILL GOIIIIIIIING-” He then saw Stoick raise a hand to slap him, and once again hushed himself.
“I’m done…”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The festivities continued on for a time, with partying and feasting and age-appropriate drinking….
And some non-age-appropriate drinking…
While Hiccup watched Mirabel share a dance with her father, a mug was slammed right onto the table he was sitting at.
Flinching back from the splashing liquid that almost got into his eye, Hiccup saw Valentina looking quite animated. Mariano standing behind her.
“Drink up, not-so-little guy!” She urged, grabbing a pair of mugs for her and the man behind her.
“We finally made it!” She cheered. “All three of us would-be Madrigals, part of the family!”
“And it only took five years…” Mariano snarked.
While initially startled by their sudden appearance, Hiccup found himself smiling.
Their little comradery, formed over a tumultuous camping trip, had finally reached its conclusion.
And so, he raised a mug. And joined them in their drinking.
He was surprised to discover that his mug was filled with apple juice.
An eating contest was declared, between Gobber, Fishlegs, and Camilo.
An entire third of the feast was placed before each contestant, and they were given three minutes to finish it all. Or faint trying.
Not only did Camilo manage to win, he blew his opponents out of the water.
He was finished in about a minute and thirty seconds. And when Gobber and Fishlegs physically could not eat anymore, he casually devoured their portions as well.
“He’s a bottomless pit…” Dolores whispered, more than a bit disturbed.
After a solid six hours of rejoicing, everyone present raising their voices high to celebrate the new marriage, it was time for the Madrigals to head home.
Except for two.
Before they teleported back to the Encanto, Stoick took a moment to speak with his son.
"Well, I guess that settles it..." He sighed. "You won't be the chief of Berk."
"Didn't we already agree to that?" Hiccup asked.
Stoick gave a shrug. "Aye, but I was still hoping you'd change your mind."
"Guess I'll have to really start looking for a new successor..."
Hiccup started considering his father's words.
He was right, Berk would need a new chief. But it wouldn't be him.
So what were their options?
Fishlegs didn't have the disposition for it, Snotlout was far too self-centered, either of the twins would run the island into the ground...
But...there was one more child born in his generation.
Hiccup looked back into the hall, and saw Astrid absolutely pummeling Snotlout in an arm-wrestling match.
Stoick followed his gaze, before looking down at his son once more.
And the younger man smirked. "I think you'll figure something out!"
Catching onto his meaning, the chief gave the blonde woman a scrutinizing gaze.
He'd have to think on this, but...
She wouldn't make a bad chief.
That was a discussion for later, though. Now it was time to see his boy off.
Placing a proud hand on his shoulder, Stoick smiled brightly. “Remember, son…you’ll always be a Haddock!”
With a grateful nod and a wide smile, Hiccup moved to join his family.
His official, legally bonded family.
Stoick kept hollering after him.
“AND YOUR CHILDREN WILL BE HADDOCKS!”
“Alright, dad!” Hiccup called back.
“AND THEIR CHILDREN WILL BE- “
“ALRIGHT, DAD!” He shouted, silencing any more screams.
He continued down the stairs leading to the hall, where the Madrigals were waiting for him down below.
But just before he reached the ground…
“THAT WAS A GOOD SHOUT, SON! VERY HADDOCK OF YOU!”
Hiccup groaned, while rolling his eyes.
“This is gonna be the rest of my life…” He mumbled.
Mirabel giggled. “Well, you got me for the rest of your life too! I think it’s a fair trade-off!”
“You make a good point!” Grinned her husband.
Camilo’s face was buried in his hands.
“Oh my God…how long are they gonna be this sickeningly sweet?” He asked.
Dolores gave her brother a half-lidded stare.
“Look at our parents…”
The shifter released an anguished wail, as he realized the answer was forever.
The ceremony was complete, the reception was over…
That only left one thing.
The Madrigals, Hiccup now counted among them, all soared into the air on their dragons. Appearing back in the Encanto in a flash of light.
But that was just to drop the others off.
Because Hiccup and Mirabel were setting off on their Honeymoon.
Under the setting sun, the couple prepared to depart. Saying their goodbyes.
“You have enough food, right?” Julieta asked, concerned for both her children. “Here, let me get you some- “
“Mom, It’s fine!” Mirabel said, shrugging off her worries. “We’re only gonna be gone for the weekend!”
“A freshly married couple…alone for two days…” Camilo grew a devilish grin. “They’re coming back with five babies!”
“They get pregnant five times and have each baby, all within the span of two days?” Mariano pondered the ludicrous statement.
“Of course not, don’t be ridiculous…” Camilo responded. “…Quintuplets!”
Alma stepped forth, a proud grin on her face.
“I’ll look after the village while you’re gone!” She said. “Now go, go! You’ve just been married! Have some fun!”
The old woman donned a sly smirk. “But perhaps not too much fun, hm?”
Blushing at the chorus of snickers, Hiccup and Mirabel both hopped aboard their dragons.
“SEE YA MONDAY!” Mirabel cheerfully said, as they flew into the skies.
Pushing through the clouds, they were soon enveloped in a bright light.
But Mirabel didn’t know where they were going.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hiccup did, though.
They soared over Berk, heading west.
In secret, Hiccup had chosen a location to build a lodge. A quaint little abode away from their abode, located in a completely secluded spot. Inaccessible without a dragon’s help.
With some assistance from the Berkians, he’d built a cabin fit for a Candle Holder and/or Dragon Master.
Soon enough, they arrived at what looked to be a positively gargantuan mountain. As wide as it was tall, with jutting pillars of rock piercing through the clouds.
But Hiccup knew the truth.
He’d found this place, over a month ago. While scouting for the Screaming Death.
On top of the colossal cliffs, was an idyllic forest. With a splattering of lovely lakes, and even a beachside.
As far as he was aware, no one else knew this place existed. There wasn’t a hint of civilization on the hunk rock.
It was beautiful, wholly theirs, and away from the family’s prying eyes and listening ears.
The perfect Honeymoon getaway.
Coming in for a landing in a clearing amongst the trees, Hiccup eagerly presented their residence for the next few days.
“I call it…La Casa Haddock!” He said, gesturing proudly to the building. “It doesn’t really apply anymore…but I thought it was funny.”
Mirabel gazed upon the log cabin.
It was small, covered in wood carvings and draconic designs. Like all Berkian architecture.
But the designs here seemed to carry a bit of Encanto flair, as well.
It looked really cozy.
“Well?” Mirabel playfully asked. “Are we going in or what?”
It took Hiccup a second to catch her meaning, but he was soon forming a smirk.
“As you wish, milady!”
He quickly turned to Toothless and Mariposa.
“Aw man, it’s been a long day!” He spoke, with a fake yawn. “I think we’re gonna turn in for the night…so you shouldn’t bother us…until morning…”
The two dragons glanced to each other. Neither of them having a clue what he was talking about.
Hiccup then moved behind Mirabel, and picked her up bridal style. Making her giggle with surprise.
Kicking the door open, the couple entered their temporary lodgings. Ready to spend the night enjoying each other’s company.
…
And other newlywed activities…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was a bright Saturday morning, the very first morning of their marriage, and Hiccup and Mirabel figured they’d take a walk through the forests. See what they could find.
In their usual clothing, of course. They weren’t about to go on a hike in a dress and a tuxedo.
Their dragons trailed behind them, looking around the woods with mild interest.
But suddenly, Toothless stopped.
He whipped his head around, ear-flaps at full alert.
He’d heard something.
His companions noticed his strange behavior, and ceased their strolling.
“Uh…bud?” Hiccup asked, growing worried.
Toothless kept listening, because he knew he’d heard something. He knew he’d-
CROON…
There it was again!
His suspicions confirmed, the Night Fury rushed off into another part of the forest. Leaving his friends reeling from the shock.
“What was that about?” Mirabel wondered.
“I dunno…” Hiccup answered. “But we gotta find out!”
And so they hurried to follow the black dragon.
The Night Fury rushed through the trees.
The sounds were getting closer, something was definitely here.
What was odd to Toothless, is that these were clearly dragon calls. But they weren’t of any species he recognized.
And yet…they sounded strangely familiar.
He’d ceased running, and was now sniffing around for the source of the noises.
Peeking around trees and bushes, and nosing his way through the underbrush.
As he did so, those sounds became louder than ever before.
He found it, definitely.
But what was it?
The Night Fury arrived at a clearing, surrounded by trees, and covered in ferns.
And in that clearing, was his mystery dragon. Sleeping atop a pile of leaves.
Though its species, he wasn’t sure.
All he could discern was that it was white.
Feeling a bit trepidatious, but also extremely curious, the dragon carefully crept into the area.
Stalking around the dragon, he tried eyeing it from different angles. But he wasn’t able to get a good look.
Luckily for him, the other dragon solved that problem for him.
Because she was waking up.
Slowly arousing from her slumber, her smooth white scales glimmering in the sunlight, she unfurled her wings from around her head. Giving Toothless a view of her face, for the first time.
And what he saw astounded him.
From the large eyes, the rounded muzzle, and those distinctive ear-flaps, there was no question as to what she was…
She was a Night Fury!
But…she was white. And her eyes were blue. And she had a few less nubs than he did.
But she was still a Night Fury! Or at least a Fury of some kind!
It’s been so long since Toothless has seen another of his kin, he couldn’t even remember. The last Night Fury he had any memory of was himself.
He’d resigned himself to the fate that he was one of a kind, in perhaps the worst way possible.
But not anymore!
Overflowing with inquisitiveness, Toothless continued to approach her. Slowly, and gently, to show he meant no harm.
As she continued waking up, she began observing the dragon before her with intrigue. She hadn’t seen a dark cousin in quite some time…
The distance between them closed, the two dragons began making warbles and croons. Introducing themselves.
And inadvertently getting lost in each other’s eyes…
A twig snapped.
The white dragon immediately looked behind the black one, as the sharp sound reverberated through the woodlands.
And she caught two bipedal forms, peering at them from behind the trees.
With a growl, the white dragon released a plasma blast towards the two. Hoping to scare them off, or worse. If they were foolish enough to come near again.
Her blast devastated a nearby tree, blowing an entire chunk of the trunk out.
But despite the fact that they were nearly sent to fiery graves…
Hiccup and Mirabel were amazed.
There was another Night Fury!
Though…not quite as Night.
“Oh my Gods…” Hiccup whispered.
The sight of his companion with another reptile that looked so much like him was incredible to the man.
So incredible, that he didn’t see the white lizard preparing to fire at him again.
Luckily, Mirabel did.
“Watch out!” She cried, tackling him to safety.
She just married him! She wasn’t losing him already!
The white dragon continued to growl at them, but Toothless jumped in her way. Pleading with her to stop attacking his loved ones.
“H-Hey, it’s okay We’re friends!” Hiccup tried, as he and Mirabel both stood. “No need to kill us!”
But the white dragon clearly didn’t believe that.
With a panicked yelp, she beat her wings and soared into the air.
Toothless frantically tried to chase her, to stop this dragon that looked like him from getting away.
He clambered up a tree, following her into the skies as much as he could.
He arrived at the treetop just in time to catch her fire a blast into the morning air.
She then flew into the blast, and-
Nothing.
She was gone.
The not-quite-Night Fury was gone.
With a pitiful croon, Toothless lamented the fact that he was alone again.
Down below, Hiccup and Mirabel were discussing what they’d just witnessed.
“This is crazy!” Mirabel excitedly uttered. “Another Night Fury!”
But Hiccup didn’t think that name fit. These were clearly two different species, even if they were closely related. Like leopards and snow leopards.
“No, no, it’s more like a…”
“Bright Fury- “
“Light Fury!”
Hiccup’s suggestion was intercepted by Mirabel’s. And he had to admit…
“Yeah, yours is better…”
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