Everything had to go as planned. Today was my big day. It all had to be perfect.

I took a deep breath and held my head high. Summer fastened the necklace on my neck. Asla was so excited, she was shifting all sorts of shapes; one minute, she was a bat, and the next time I looked at her, she was a dog. Kohora actually seemed a little proud of me, but she tried to hide it. Starrynight was bouncing all around me excitedly, and Astrid beamed.

Summer smiled at me. "It'll be fine," she said. But what was that...that hesitation in her voice? That hint of worry, that hint of dread, like she sensed something terrible? I was about to ask her when my favorite song of all time began in the main cave, echoing off the glistening obsidian walls.

I'll swim and sail on savage seas...

My heart pounded. "Oh gods, oh gods, it's really happening," I breathed, feeling lightheaded and nervous. Asla put her paws on my shoulders.

"Calm down," she ordered. "I know what this is like; so does Summer. But you just have to chill." I nodded and stepped out of the cave. I stood at the walkway lining the interior of the caldera, raised my wings, and glided down smoothly. Toothless stood in the middle, with Hiccup, Hookfang, Thrae, and Jack leaning against one wall. Astrid, Asla, Summer, Orca, and Stormfly came down and waited against the other wall. I stood in front of Toothless.

This was only going different than I had imagined it because I was imagining a human marriage, not a Night Fury one. Stormfly and Orca still didn't get this; why do you Night Furies get married? Asla had explained both the process and the reason for marriage.

"Number one, only royal Night Furies get married. Number two, Paintsplash, each marriage is held in a circular area, usually enclosed from the outside elements. They are always discreet, with hardly anyone invited, and music is rarely played. And the process is simple. The drake and the dragoness are in the middle. Each wears a necklace: the dragoness her engagement necklace, the drake a necklace given to him as a gift. They circle each other, rub noses, and twine tails. Then they each simultaineously shoot a plasma blast at the sky (or roof) and the deed is done."

"It's that simple?" I'd asked. Asla had nodded.

And now here I was, standing in front of Toothless. He was wearing a simple iron loop around his neck, with the Strike Class symbol etched into the metal. Hiccup had made it for him. Toothless looked genuinely nervous.

I gave him a weak smile, the music stopped, and then we began to circle each other.

----

It was more nerveracking than I thought for a small bout of circling, rubbing noses, twining tails, and then shooting randomly into the sky. But it was worth it. And I had never felt so exhausted in my life. I fell asleep rightin my cave, where crates of potions and ingredients and recipes were stacked, ready to be moved into the cave next to my cousins. I was conked out, but still vaguely aware of my surroundings. I was sure that Toothless had come in with Hiccup, licked my forehead, and then watched me with a smile on his face for a moment. Then he flew out.

And then I fell into a deeper sleep, dreaming of everything happy.

My life had been sorted out for once.