They got there in only a few minutes, doubled over and panting for air, but they weren’t late, which was the important thing. Only half the villagers were seated yet, and everyone turned to watch as their group ran in. Frey snickered at them from where he stood next to Wrath at the altar, fele in hand.

Vero. She was wearing a black, lace suit with a long cape hanging from one shoulder. Her hair was tightly braided at the top of her head and all the way down her back, black marks were painted on her neck and face.

“Everyone, we will be starting soon!” Odin stepped forward, only slightly winded from the run.

Johan tok a deep breath and straightened up. His and Note’s saved seats were in the very front row.

He looked around. Their work had really paid off, the venue was perfect. Exactly what Signe deserved. It was outside, and exactly like she asked for. It was simple and elegant. Right at the edge of the island with the woods surrounding them on one side and the ocean stretching out on the other. They had cleared the ground just for this, built a whole new arch and hand-picked flowers from the Death cave to decorate with.

Everyone was wearing their best outfits, many also armed with impressive weapons, and everyone seemed really happy and excited, chatting away as the rest of them came to take their seats. Even though none of them knew Vero very well, all of them loved Signe.

Johan had barely sat down when Hilda appeared in front of him.

“Johan,” Hilda hissed a whisper. “What are you doing, you need to go to Signe now!”

“Huh-?”

She grabbed his arm and pulled him with her, giving no explanation. She dragged him off into the woods, barely slowing down when he stumbled and his hand flew to his head.

Go to Signe for what?!

“You can’t walk her down the aisle from your seat.” She scolded. Johan’s eyes widened.

“...What?!” Johan didn’t know that! He wasn’t prepared! “She should have told me that-”

Johan faltered.

He sucked in a sharp breath as Hilda let go of him and rushed over to the bride.

Her long hair was loose down her back, the side pieces braided back and a few loose strands left around her face. A link of souls dangled from her ear below the silver ear cuff and on top of her head was a gold crown with deep green jewels hanging from the spikes.

Like always she was wearing a white dress. She always preferred gentle dresses with tight tops and lots of detail. This one was no different. The bottom of the skirt was heavily embroidered in gold thread, the light fabric flowing gently with the wind.

What really stood out though, was her smile. It was small but somehow packed with so much happiness that he was blown away. Johan swallowed. How could he ever have doubted this marriage?

“Hi.” She smiled gently.

“Wow.”

She sucked in a breath through her nose. “Really?”

“Signe… I don’t even know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I know.” She raised the bouquet of blue flowers. From behind her Hilda gestured for them to come, then both her and Ulfhild gave a small smile as they went back to the venue.

“Are you ready for this?” Johan asked, offering his arm. Signe grabbed it with a deep breath.

“This, I am ready for.” She nodded tensely but confidently.

“Nervous?” Johan teased with a quiet laugh. She was so still and quiet, so different from how she normally acted.

“A little,” She let out a breathy laugh, eyes twinkling up at him in amusement. “But it’s the exciting type.”

Frey started playing a slow song just before they arrived. Johan could hear the shuffling and the chairs scraping against the ground as everyone stood up. The guests gasped as they came into view, even a choked sob from one of the old men Signe drank with.

Signe’s smile was blinding and her eyes didn’t leave Vero from the second she saw her. Unsurprisingly, Vero was not smiling, but what came as a shock to Johan were the tears. She had a hard expression on her face, the corners of her mouth tensely drawn down and while none of the tears shed, the shine they gave off was easy to see even from across the venue.

Soon they got to the altar. Signe looked down to get up the step and as she did, Johan met Vero’s eyes.

Then just as quickly they both looked back to Signe. Johan helped her keep her balance and the music faded to a stop as he gave her away. He gave Signe a short nod before stepping back to take his place by his seat next to Note.

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Frey came sauntering over to his seat right next to them at the very edge of the row.

“Good job.” Johan muttered. The music was good. Frey beamed at him.

Odin held up a hand and everyone fell silent.

“Welcome everyone, please sit!” Odin started and quickly wiped a tear as everyone sat. “We are all here on this beautiful day to bind two people in the eyes of the Jotun. Our very own Signe and her chosen other, Vero. I remember it like yesterday. The first time Signe brought her home. As do most of you.” Laughter filled the air and Johan let out a snort. He doubted anyone would be forgetting that day any time soon.

Odin continued. “Since that day I have had the absolute pleasure of getting to know her and have with my own eyes seen the wonderful relationship the two share. I’m honored to be here today to share this moment with them and you all.

“First we will hear words from the brides. Signe, if you would.” Signe smiled gently down at her and Vero’s hands before meeting Vero’s eyes.

“Vero, when I first met you-” Johan’s face dropped at her words. Oh no. “You stood there menacingly, covered in blood and looking like you were going to kill me, spear in your hand and your face shocked, but you helped me to my feet and despite my head whirring with emotions, I still remember thinking about how beautiful you were.”

Ok. That was not as bad as Johan expected it to be.

“Through hard times you were always there, pissing me off.” Oh there it was. Johan silenced a sigh and shared a quick look with Note. Frey didn’t quite manage to hide his surprised laugh. “At times I thought I hated you, and I did. I really did. I hated seeing you and I especially hated when you opened your mouth, demanding a fight. But, those fights, as much as I hated them at the time, helped me so much. I was not in a good place and getting to release my anger with you was a blessing. In our marriage I hope there are many fights to come, and though I’m in a much better place now, I won’t go easy on you.”

Ah. Johan blinked quickly, tears filling in his eyes. Beside him Note shook with silent sobs, one hand over his mouth and the other squeezing Johan’s.

Odin’s deep voice trembled just barely as he spoke. “Vero, if you would.”

Vero tok a small step forward, closing some of the distance between the two, her eyes never straying from Signe’s.

“Signe. I love you. From childhood I’ve seen fighting done in various ways. To this day I have never seen anyone more graceful. That day I challenged a weak girl, and I found a warrior. You used my own weapon against me and showed me something I could never even dream of. I knew that day that I could never let you go. I never stopped searching for you. In our marriage we are equal and I can’t wait for our life together.”

Signe looked so happy.

Johan sighed as Odin started speaking again. Signe deserved this. She deserved happiness. If Vero was the one then fine. Johan would deal with it.

“Do you, Signe, take this woman to be your wife?” Odin asked. “Will you love her, care for her, protect her, both in sickness and in health for the rest of your life?”

“Yes!” Signe sparkled in happiness.

Odin turned to Vero. “Do you, Vero, take this woman to be your wife? Will you love her, care for her, protect her, both in sickness and in health for the rest of your life?”

“I will.” Vero promised seriously.

“And now,” Odin started, grabbing a thin, red rope that hung from his belt. “I tie their fates together.”

Johan watched as Odin draped the rope lightly around Signe and Vero’s intertwined hands. He’d never actually been to a wedding before so it was interesting to see how they did it.

Odin straightened back up and opened his mouth to continue. Then paused.

Johan froze as Odin glanced at him, then hesitated for a second before speaking.

“I ask the…Jotun Fate to bless this couple,” Oh… Johan’s eyes widened and Signe quickly glanced back at him in surprise. “May they never stray from each other, may they always find happiness in each other and may they live to see a big family together.”

As he spoke, murmuring started up around them. Johan squinted at Odin, then at Vero and Signe, then their hands. Asking for his blessing? When he was sitting right there?

Odin cleared his throat, glaring everyone back to being silent. “We offer this sheep for the couple’s future.”

“Wait, what?!” Johan couldn’t keep it in anymore when the sheep, that apparently was going to be sacrificed for him - what the fuck, was led down the isle by Einar.

Beside him Frey suddenly started wheezing with laughter, Johan turned to see him barely staying on the chair.

“We are sacrificing for Fate when he’s sitting right here.” Frey managed to calm down enough to say, only to start laughing even harder. “And he clearly has no idea why!”

Johan stood up. “Signe, I appreciate the gesture but you don’t have to kill a sheep for me to accept Vero, I already do!”

Signe looked just as confused as he felt. She opened and closed her mouth multiple times, before finally saying faintly. “We’re not going to kill it.”

“It’s tradition.” Note said from his seat, and tok Johan’s hand. He slowly sat back down, very confused.

“As Note said,” Odin started, clearly also feeling the confusion. “It is tradition to ask Fate for a blessing, as well as giving an offering for it. It’s not a blood sacrifice though, it just makes the sheep sacred as Fate’s property.”

“If I had known I would have gotten a million sheep.” Vero added seriously, much to Signe’s obvious happiness. Johan ignored them. This was done at every wedding?! But Johan had never blessed anyone! He didn’t even know if he could do that! How many sheep did he own?!

Odin scratched his chin, eyeing Johan thoughtfully. “Though I have never done this with Fate as a guest before, we will still follow tradition! Though it would be rude to talk about someone and not speak to them directly.”

Johan could only watch as he bent down to take the sheep’s lead from Einar who happily bounced back to his parents.

“To Fate we offer this sheep, it will live in peace on this island, to be protected from any danger and to live a happy and comfortable life for the rest of its years as a symbol of forever for the couple, Signe and Vero.”

Through it all Odin kept his eyes on Johan. “And so we ask you, Fate, will you bless this couple?”

Uhhhhh. Johan stared. He didn’t think he had to powers to bless anyone, his dad never mentioned it- “Y-yeah…?”

Everyone cheered and Johan jerked forward as a laughing old man clapped his shoulder with surprising strength. Johan looked to Note for help but he had also joined the rest in celebration.

“Silence!” Odin bellowed. “I hereby declare Signe and Vero married! You may kiss the bride!”

The cheering started up again, louder this time. Johan quickly stood up with everyone as Vero pulled a laughing Signe in for a deep kiss.

“Party time!” Frey shouted, playing a song.