Before: Mm, I've been hesitant to post this story. This has actually been my secret baby and, well, I guess I've just been weary about sending it off into the world. But stories are written to be shared so…here you go. I hope you enjoy (by the way, this is the short but not all the chapters will be short).
Disclaimer: I do not own either How to Train your Dragon or Brave (although the various OCs that will be appearing later on are mine. But I don't mind sharing so...).
Prologue
Waves crashed harshly against the coast. Worried villagers looked out at the moonless sky and listened to the howl of the wind as it whipped through Dunbroch. It was going to be a bad storm and many of the people living nearest to the coast were already getting ready to find refuge near the castle grounds since it was the closest highest point they had.
It was no surprise that no one noticed the dark shapeless forms cutting through the waves heading right towards them. The vessels fought against Thor's wrath, their eyes gleaming as they took in the sight of the castle in the distance. They had been out at sea for days, pillaging and plundering small villages and tribes, all in order to assuage Dagur's frustration and anger at being lied to by, not only Hiccup, but all of Berk. His men were scared to approach him. Only two days ago, he'd maimed one of his strongest Viking simply because the man had advised him to seek refuge since it looked like a storm was coming.
The Viking had gotten his kneecap broken for his troubles and had immediately been taken away to be tended to. Everyone knew though that with an injury like that, he would barely be able to walk let alone fight amongst the rest of the Berserkers.
No one had questioned him after that for fear of getting their own kneecaps broken.
Dagur grinned. "Soon we're going to have some fun. The bloody kind."
Inside the castle, not even the whistling wind could be heard and everyone slept soundly (except for the triplets who were in their room…decorating).
King Fergus and Queen Elinor lay curled up in each others arms, safe and content. A few rooms over, Merida lightly hummed as she dreamed about going on a hunting trip with her father and then getting a cooking lesson from her mother.
No one saw them come. And no one heard them until the screams sliced through the silence of the night.
Note: Okay, so this chapter is testing waters. Think of it as a teaser. If people are interested, I'll post the next chapter. Unlike my other unfinished story (sorry people who are waiting on Stray – I haven't forgotten about it), I actually have this one planned out and I know where I want to take it. It's all a matter of writing it. Mm, you can think of this as taking place after Brave (although because I'll be leaning more on the 'realism' of How to Train your Dragon, there will be no mention of magic. Sorry). In fact, I will never be mentioning the fact that Elinor turned into a bear. The whole thing will be referred to as the incident. Maybe later on in the story I'll make a reference to what happened between Merida and Elinor (a version that is devoid of the magical elements) but don't count on it. As of now, you'll just have to make due with imagination.
This story has the potential to get very dark. But there will never be anything too explicit. I'm not sure if it's safe to label it T because I think it's also borderline M (so I guess I'll go M just to be safe). Mostly for the themes and a couple of curse words here and there.
Also, don't expect Mericcup. In fact, don't hope for Hiccup to come in anytime soon. This story will deal heavily with Dagur and Merida. There will be different point of views spread throughout, some OCs, some not. But don't worry people, most of them serve as outside perspectives as to what's going on between the two or as tools to reveal necessary or important background information (reading A Song of Fire and Ice now so I'm heavily influenced by that).
Oh yes, you can consider this to take place after 'The Night and the Fury' from season two of Dragons: Defenders of Berk.
I enjoy feedback. Tell me if you like; tell me if you don't (but please be courteous and tell me why you didn't like). Constructive criticism is always a plus with me.