While Snotlout, FIshlegs, and Iseabail conversed, another group consisting of the other young adults formed.

"So clearly, the townspeople still don't know about our dragons being friendly," Hiccup said.

"Why dae ye say that, Lord Hiccup?" Wee DingWall asked.

Hiccup looked at the townspeople who went around them like they had the plague. Quite a few were even choosing to step in mud puddles then go to the cleaner area closer to where they were standing. He supposed the only reason they weren't panicking was because the young lord, ladies, and princess were with them.

"Um, I don't know. It's just a guess," Hiccup replied.

"Yeah, with everything that happened I wasn't able to have the dragon-riding lesson, the princess asked me to do," Heather admitted.

"That's fine, settin' up a place shouldn't take too long--," Merida began to explain how to set the lessons up when she heard Hiccup yawn.

She stopped and looked around at everyone. Most of their hair was disheveled, bags were starting to form under their eyes, and quite a few closed their eyes a few seconds too long each time they blinked.

"I think ye should all go and rest. The sun is nearly up, yet ye all have any go'en to sleep since yesterday mornin'," Merida told the group.

"I'd hate to admit it, but all the adrenaline from a few hours ago is gone," Astrid said as she messaged her shoulder and stretched her neck.

"Aye, ye all look like ye're about to die from exhaustion," Catriona said as she joined the group.

She looked refreshed, and clean. A huge contrast to the others.

"Did ye sleep or somethin'? Ye look so well-rested," Young Macintosh asked.

"Nae. It's a clan DingWall secret," Catriona replied, putting her hand on her cheek.

Ruffnut looked at Boyd, noticing he too looked refreshed and hummed, "Huh."

"Anyway, Merida is right, you guys should go ahead and go to bed," Hiccup agreed and ushered them all away.

"Wait, we can't-- we can't just leave St--Stormfly and rest out here," Astrid tried to protest but the lack of sleep started to take its toll on her as her speech began to slur.

"Ye've been awake long enough," Young MacIntosh told her and lightly pushed her inside the castle.

"Aye, dinnae worry about anything, yer dragons will be taken care of in the meantime," Merida told them.

Astrid finally relented and nodded. The rest were already heading inside, worrying more about sleeping than anything else.

"I'm perfectly capable of walking without needing to be pushed," Astrid told Ryan and pulled herself out of his hands. 

She continued to walk by herself.

"Aye, but ye're going the wrong way," Ryan replied and turned her back toward the door.

"Thor, that's embarrassing," Astrid mumbled and sped up.

"So what do I have to do to learn that DingWall secret? Can I trade Tuff for it?" Ruffnut asked the DingWall siblings.

"The MacGuffin clan has already claimed Sir Tuffnut," Catriona replied.

"Ugh," Ruffnut groaned in realization. "I knew I should've traded him when I had the chance."

"Aye, but maybe we'll tell ye later?" Boyd suggested.

"Hey guys!" everyone heard Tuffnut call from the sky.

Barf and Belch circled around them before landing with the rest of the dragons. Tuffnut jumped off and turned back.

"Tuffnut, what happened with Aileas?" Merida asked him.

"I'm here!" Aileas replied as she tried to get off the dragon. "Woah!"

She yelped and fell on top of Tuffnut who tried catching her but was too weak. Her dress was creased and dirty, but there didn't seem to be any major damages.

"Sorry!" she giggled and quickly stood up.

"I'm good," Tuffnut replied, his voice raspy from having the wind knocked out of him.

Aileas turned toward them, showing how her hair was disheveled. Her face was red and she was breathing hard but despite that she had a wide grin on her face.

"Aileas!" Iseabail gasped and walked over. "Are ye alright? Yer face is all red."

"I'm fine... just a little light headed," Aileas replied and swayed a little.

"See? I told you the rush would be worth a few stray hairs," Tuffnut commented as he stood up.

"Here, you should go lay down," Catriona replied as both she and Iseabail held onto her arms.

"Ye should hurry before yer father sees how messy yer gown has go'en," Kirsteen softly suggested.

"Aye... Da," Aileas sighed, her face seemingly more tired than excited now.

"What about her brother?" Hiccup asked Tuffnut.

"Don't you remember how big he is? There's no way he could ride on Barf and Belch with the two of us," Tuffnut replied like it was the most obvious thing ever.

"I think Hiccup meant if he was coming back as well or not," Merida reiterated.

"Oh, I have no idea," Tuffnut replied and stretched his arms out. "I'm going to bed."

Hiccup sighed and rubbed his eyes, "Okay, fine, you can tell us how it went later."

Tuffnut saluted him and followed everyone else inside.

Merida watched them go in then turned to Hiccup and said, "Ye should rest too."

"I know what you're trying to do, but, unfortunately for you, I won't rest until you do," he replied with a smile.

He knew she would stay awake to take care of everything if he didn't persuade her to sleep first. Merida smiled back and grazed her hand against his as she turned sideways.

"This is my kingdom Lord Haddock, and I can't be seduced away from it by any man, no matter how dashin'," Merida playfully retorted.

"Oh?" Hiccup asked and pulled her closer, his face leaning just a few inches away from hers as he continued. "I believe my dashing good looks have already seduced you. Or is this ring just a part of my imagination?"

Merida chuckled and replied, "I dinnae remember ye bein' this bold."

"I'm just full of surprises," Hiccup chuckled back.

"Merida!" Elinor happily called her for her daughter.

Merida pulled away from Hiccup and turned to her mom.

"Mum! Where are ye comin' from?" she asked.

"I'm so glad ye're back," Elinor sighed with relief before answering, "I had to speak with a few monarchs before they departed."

"How'd that go?" Merida asked, slightly worried.

She separated herself from Hiccup and turned completely toward her mom while still holding Hiccup's hand. Valka caught up and placed a hand on Hiccup's shoulder, giving him a knowing smile which he returned sheepishly.

Elinor sighed before answering, "Most of them were understandin', hesitant, but understandin' nonetheless. At the very least they were able to contain their composure. Well, except fer the King of Norrmannaland, he made his position very clear, but we'll discuss that later. Ye two must be exhausted, ye should rest."

"A-aye, but what about--?" Merida admitted, but tried to argue.

"Merida, ye're not taking the crown just yet. Please, let yer father and I take care of this," Elinor told her.

Merida hugged her mom and nodded. Elinor kissed her forehead and let go.

"The dragons need to be guarded, and we still don't know what the sorcerer was lookin' fer so maybe ye should do an inventory--," Merida began to explain.

"Merida," Elinor playfully warned her.

"If ye need anythin', just wake me up," Merida told her.

"Aye, I will. Dinnae worry, Valka will help with the dragons, aye?" Elinor asked and turned to her friend.

"Of course, ye two should just go rest for now," Valka agreed.

"Alright, we'll see you in a few hours," Hiccup told her and yawned.

Merida yawned as well and stretched her arms, "A nice rest is startin' to sound very appealin' to me, but I'd still like for Maudie to wake me in time for any meetin's ye may have."

Elinor smiled at her daughter. She was certainly becoming a true leader, always thinking about her people. Funny how that only happened after she stopped giving her lessons on leadership.

"Make sure to behave and protect the others, alright, Bud?" Hiccup warned Toothless who nodded with determination and turned to the other dragons.

The two then started to walk inside.
"But ye better sleep in yer own rooms!" Elinor warned making the two stop.

"Mum!" Merida groaned, her face redder than her hair.

"Ye have any explained what happened, I'm just bein' careful," Elinor defended herself.

"Elinor, let them be," Valka chuckled and turned to them, "Go on ahead, don't worry."

Hiccup and Merida looked at each other and blushed.

"It's a long road ahead. No need to rush," Merida reminded him.

"Yeah, we'll get there eventually," Hiccup replied and gave her his signature smile.

"Valka, that's nae appropriate and ye know it," Elinor told her friend.

"Elinor, ye seem to forget it's sunrise," Valka told her and motioned toward the two.

Hiccup and Merida were holding hands as they walked toward the castle. The sun rose and the light climbed down their figures. The sunlight reflected off their heads and two crowns of light were formed. Although they were closing the castle's door, they were opening many other doors as they took their first official steps as newly weds.