#ivegotyou

would you believe I've never drawn the Pan's Labyrinth characters before? :)

Doubtful? Here’s an excerpt...

Hiccup moved her hand up to his chest, just over his thumping heart. "Do you feel that?"

Astrid squinted, her own heart fluttering at his touch. "Yes. It's your heart.”

"Correct," smiled Hiccup. "And as long as it beats, I am yours. Whatever happens tomorrow will happen. But I want you to know that I... I love you, Astrid. And I always have. I've wanted to tell you that for so long, and now... before anything else happens..." He ducked forward and kissed her on her cheek. "I want you to know how I feel about you."

Chapter 4 is up!

SUMMARY: For the Dancing and the Dreaming: To celebrate their betrothal, Hiccup asks Astrid to perform a dance his own parents did, many years ago...

Here it is...

For the Dancing and the Dreaming:

"Congratulations, Hiccup!"

"Well done, Chief!"

"Can't wait for the celebration...!"

Chief Hiccup Haddock of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe of Berk nodded respectfully at the villagers who passed him. "Thank you. Yes, I look forward to it, too. I'll see you there."

Berk was in a time of joyousness. Today was the marking point that two months had passed since Hiccup had become chief. Over that short time, he had done some incredible feats, such as improve the village, fight off a tribe of invaders, and keep the peace at the same time. He deserved to be celebrated over. It was tradition, too, to see how far the chief had come after two months by having a party, which would take place in a mere two days.

"Soon to be a big day, huh?" said Astrid, who stood next to Hiccup. The pair were now betrothed. Hiccup had proposed a couple of weeks ago- and the village was partly celebrating that at the chief's party.

"Uh-huh," Hiccup replied, shifting. "One of the biggest days of my life."

"Hey, you aren't worried, are you?"

"Nah... me? No... of course not..."

Astrid raised her eyebrows. "Alright..."

Hiccup glanced at her. "I'm serious."

"So am I."

Hiccup sighed, knowing that this argument was already another win of Astrid's. "Anyways... this isn't just a big day for me. It is for both of us. We celebrate our betrothal very soon- we postponed the party just so we can do it at the celebration in front of everyone."

Astrid smiled at Hiccup and lightly touched his shoulder. "Yes, I know."

"And I've got something planned."

"What?" said Astrid, oblivious to what Hiccup wanted.

Hiccup turned to completely face Astrid and held her hands in his. She took into account that he was grinning. "I want us to dance."

Astrid pulled away at those words. "Dance?"

"Yes," Hiccup confirmed. "To 'For the Dancing and the Dreaming.' It's what my parents danced to at their betrothal celebration. I was thinking that, since it's a classic, we could do the same. You know, to carry on the tradition."

"But..." Astrid's eyes were distant as she thought. "That'd mean we'd have to sing, as well."

"I suppose, yes."

Astrid crossed her arms. "I won't do it."

"Why? Don't you know the dance?"

"Yes, but-"

"And the lyrics?"

"Yes, but-"

Hiccup once again cut her off, this time with a kiss on the cheek. "Then it's decided. The night of the party, we'll perform it for the village. Now, I have to go check on something. Chiefly duties. We'll practice a couple of times this week. I'll see you later, milady." With one last kiss, he was gone, leaving Astrid fuming and a little annoyed.

"Fine," she muttered. "I'll do it, dragon boy... but only for you."

She cast one last look at Hiccup's disappearing figure over the hill, then turned away, wondering what in Valhalla she was going to do.

***

Over the next couple of days, Astrid and Hiccup would spend their nights going over the dance. It seemed flushed and awkward to Astrid the first time they did it.

"Remind we why we're doing this again?" said Astrid as Hiccup twirled her in a circle.

Hiccup pulled her back in, then spun them. "Because I want to celebrate our betrothal. It's not every day someone is engaged." He grinned at her.

Astrid wanted to swat at him, but they were doing the dance and couldn't without slipping them up. "I know that, Hiccup. But..."

"But what?"

Astrid couldn't quite come up with a reason. Was she hesitant to dance? Sing? She didn't quite know. "I guess nothing..." She smiled as Hiccup twirled her again. "You think we can do this?"

Hiccup raised an eyebrow. "We're Hiccup and Astrid. We can do anything and everything."

At that, Astrid had to smirk. Because it was true. Together, they could accomplish whatever they wanted to.

***

"Hiccup Haddock III...," growled Astrid. She was glaring at her betrothed, though she wasn't angry- just more of distressed. "You said we'd have more time to practice."

It was a couple of minutes before the betrothal part of party began, and Hiccup and Astrid had been too tired after the Chief's celebration part of the party to go over the dance one more time. They were now standing outside of the Great Hall, Vikings filing in past them. Astrid was worried that the dance would go wrong, as they'd only practiced it a couple of times- and the singing part only once.

"I'm so sorry, Astrid," Hiccup apologized, looking so guilty that Astrid immediately forgave him. "I ran into Toothless, and... we tried to catch up with each other."

Astrid's heart softened. "Oh. Well, it's alright."

The newest alpha of the dragons was having a bit of a hard time getting used to controlling all of the dragons. He was so busy most of the time that Hiccup and him didn't get to see each other much anymore. Sometimes, Toothless wouldn't come home at night because he was too busy. Astrid hated to see when Hiccup's hopeful expression collapsed into disappointment. The two were best friends. It was cruel that they were separated so much.

"Is... is Toothless coming?" Astrid asked.

Hiccup sighed. "No... he couldn't. Too busy with something."

Astrid felt a pang of pity. "I'm sorry."

"Thanks...," said Hiccup. "Still... I'm sorry." He straightened, then offered an arm to Astrid. "Are you ready, milady?"

Astrid linked her right arm with his left. "Always."

The entered the room.

Loud din filled their ears when they came deeper in the Hall. The pair quietly took their place in front of the room. Astrid felt uncomfortable as she looked around at the growing crowd. She was wearing a dress- something she had only agreed to for tonight. She preferred her skirt, shirt, and armor more to these garments.

"Attention, people of Berk!" Hiccup called into the crowd. The people in the room silenced at their chief's voice.

"We gather here again tonight to celebrate the betrothal of the amazing Astrid Hofferson and myself." Hiccup's grin was so huge that Astrid couldn't keep a happy smirk off of her own face. "We've decided to remember this day by doing a dance for you all... a dance my parents did at their wedding."

Astrid scanned the congregation to find Valka covering her mouth, overwhelmed by memories.

"Astrid and I are going to perform, 'For the Dancing and the Dreaming.'"

The chief faced Astrid and sucked in a breath. Astrid could tell he was a little nervous and offered him a smile. Hiccup's shoulders relaxed at her comfort, and he began to sing in a gentle voice...

"I'll swim and sail on savage seas

"With never a fear of drowning..."

Hiccup's voice was surprisingly pleasing to hear, and Astrid felt a sort of exhilaration fill her that she hadn't felt any of the other times they had rehearsed.

"And gladly ride the waves of life

If you would marry me

No scorching sun nor freezing cold

Will stop me on my journey

If you will promise me your heart..."

He offered her his hand, the start of the dance.

"And love..."

Astrid clasped his hand tightly, beginning her part. She pushed past her anxiousness and only thought of how much she loved Hiccup.

"And love me for eternity

"My dearest one, my darling dear..."

Everyone was taken aback at the sort of sweetness in the fierce warrior's voice. Astrid ignored the people's reactions, focusing on Hiccup alone. They began the real dance, and Astrid allowed herself a smile.

"Your mighty words astound me

But I've no need for mighty deeds

When I feel your arms around me."

Hiccup pulled back his arms from Astrid's shoulders, then grabbed Astrid's hands and started to do a kind of merry jig. Astrid was stunned. This wasn't part of the dance! So why was Hiccup doing this? She watched as he grinned at her, like this had been his plan all along. Hiccup seemed to be improvising... improvising on his joy alone.

"But I would bring you rings of gold

I'd even sing you poetry-"

Astrid chuckled, and muttered, "Oh, would you?"

"And I would keep you from all harm

If you would stay beside me."

Astrid joined in, doing random spins that Hiccup reacted to perfectly, and laughing with delight. It was just her and him in her mind. No one else.

"I have no use for rings of gold

"I care not for your poetry

"I only want your hand to hold-"

Hiccup grinned, then shouted with such passion,

"I only want you near me!"

Astrid beamed as Hiccup twirled her, bursting with joy. They started to sing together.

"To love and kiss to sweetly hold

For the dancing and the dreaming-"

They were now dancing out of pure love. And, strangely, this dance seemed better than the original.

"Through all life's sorrows

"And delights

"I'll keep your laugh inside me!

"I'll swim and sail a savage seas

"With never a fear of drowning

"I'd gladly ride the waves so white-"

Hiccup pulled Astrid close enough to kiss as they both sang the last line.

"And you will marry me!"

Caught up in the moment, Hiccup leaned forward and kissed her. Still smiling, Astrid did not protest, and was almost sad when they had to withdraw back to face the audience. Her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest- not from nervousness, but from the euphoria of their affection.

They were met with a thunderous applause of cheering and stomping. Astrid knew why... that song... they had been amazing.

Hiccup glanced at his betrothed. He was still holding her hand. And Astrid didn't think she'd ever want to let go.

"I love you, milady," he whispered. Through all of the noise, no one heard what he said... except Astrid. And those words... they meant everything to her.

She smiled at the man she so dearly loved, tears pricking her eyes. "Me too. So... so much."

I know your mind goes to the worst places sometimes.

I know you run when fear gets loud.

But even when you think I don’t have your back—

I do.

Even when you’re convinced you’re alone—

you’re not.

I’m here. I’ve been here.