Thora's POV

Hiccup grabs my hand and we run outside together. I keep my free hand on my veil so it doesn't flutter away. Nightstar, Toothless, Dark Moon, and Emerald zip outside after us, shooting a round of plasma blasts into the air. Toothless nods to the other dragons and they all shoot fire into the air after them. The sparks float to the ground like red hot snowflakes, making an automatic smile fall across my face.

The party launches into full swing. We sit down and eat the prepared meal, allowing people to come up and share their favourite stories. Snotlout comes up and shares the story of the Snogglenog and how it was so much better than Astrid's yak-nog. Everyone laughs while Astrid shakes her head, failing to hide the small smile on her face.

More stories are shared, more laughs are heard, and the party winds down little by little. Everyone takes to the dance floor near the end of the night. A familiar tune starts up, making Hiccup and I look to the nearby band. Valka smiles and gives us a thumbs up as Cloudjumper waits beside her.

Everyone falls silent as Hiccup takes my hand, his eyes shining with an astounding sort of love.

"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 scorching sun, nor freezing cold will stop me on my journey," he sings softly, sweeping me into his arms.

Gobber and Valka grin as my mouth falls open a little in shock. Hiccup told me this was his parents' song. He taught it to me, but I didn't expect it to be for this.

"If you will promise me your heart and love..." he trails off, his gaze hopeful.

There's a long pause as I rest my hands on his shoulders lightly.

"And...love me for eternity," I sing quietly, embarrassed by singing in front of others. A few cheers rise from the crowd, urging me to continue. "My...dearest one, my darling dear, your mighty words astound me. But I've no need of mighty deeds when I feel your arms around me."

Everyone cheers as Hiccup swings me away across the floor.

"But I would bring you rings of gold. I'd even sing you poetry," he sings, joy in the tone.

"Oh really?" I laugh.

He just continues singing, "And I would keep you from all harm, if you would stay beside me."

"I have no use for rings of gold, I care not for your poetry. I only want your hand to hold." I smile, my voice growing stronger. I haven't sung anything in forever, yet here it doesn't feel so weird.

"I only want you near me."

"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," we sing together as we keep swinging around and dancing. "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."

We stop, Hiccup dipping me low to the ground and giving me a long kiss. Everyone erupts into mad applause as we return to our feet and take a bow. Valka steps forwards and hugs us both, tears in her eyes. We return it, my face still burning with heat.

As the party ends, Hiccup and I wish everyone goodnight. Once they're all gone, he scoops me up into his arms. I yelp in surprise and throw my arms around his neck. He smirks and presses a kiss to my cheek, making me roll my eyes.

He whistles to our Furies, who come bounding towards us. Together, we head towards my house. Once there, Hiccup refuses to put me down and instead gets Nightstar to shove the door in. Again, I roll my eyes.

"Good thing it wasn't latched," I mutter.

He walks inside, and our dragons roar happily before zipping onto the dragon living quarters up above the main room. Hiccup finally puts me down on the couch before turning and going to latch the door. We remain silent, a shiver running up my spine as I sit there.

He turns to me just as the shiver causes me to noticeably flinch.

"You cold?" he asks, his voice soft.

"A little. I'll be fine," I say, shaking my head.

"No no. I'll make a fire. Hold on."

He unsheathes his Dragon Blade, lowering it near the pile of wood already in the fireplace. After a few tries, it lights, and he leans back, satisfied. I fidget in my dress as he starts getting more kindling on the growing flame.

"This dress can be so uncomfortable," I say, trying to reach the ties on the back.

Hiccup takes off his cape, draping it over the back of the couch. "I know, or...well, I can imagine."

I can't help but laugh. That causes him to smile as he kicks his one boot off, unbuttoning some of his shirt. I glance to his missing foot, my lips puckering a tiny bit. He moves around so easily that I forget he lost it sometimes.

He comes up behind me, pushing my hands away and undoing the bows tying the dress up. I shimmy out of it, still wearing the under-gown. I feel freer without it on, able to move my arms and legs easily.

Hiccup, his shirt open and exposing his lean chest, sits down on the couch in front of the fire, placing his fingers together in a steeple over his mouth. The flames of the fire reflect in his eyes, making him seem far more contemplative than he really is. I move closer to him, reaching up to brush my fingers along his hair.

"What are you thinking about?" I whisper, tracing his biceps absentmindedly.

"I...I wish my dad could've been there. He always wanted me to settle down, become someone's husband and be a chief. He didn't get to see me become either," he admits.

I reach up to start delicately adding another small braid into his shaggy hair. "Stoick is proud of you. I know he is," I say. "And...he's in Valhalla. I can tell you without a doubt that it's a beautiful place."

Hiccup nods, swivelling his body to me. He wraps his arms around me and cuddles me against his chest, resting his lips against my hair as he takes a deep breath. I repeat that same action, feeling my face heat up as my hand brushes his bare stomach.

"I...I know we didn't exactly have the relationship that others do before marriage, but..." He smiles a little as his hand rubs my arm. "I really do love you. I don't know if you believe me, but I do."

I look up at him, our noses almost brushing. I shut my eyes, feeling him ghost his lips against my cheek.

"I believe you, Hiccup. I hope the years ahead are...perfectly memorable," I murmur, feeling a tiny knot of guilt settling in my gut.

Ten years. My time is already waning away.

Hiccup's fingers brush my chin and tilt my lips to his, joining us in a gentle, tentative kiss. I'm nervous, but I'm happy that this is with him; the one man who makes me feel like I'm more normal than I truly am.

"Want to head to bed?" he breathes, our foreheads touching.

I give the barest trace of a nod. "Mmhmm."