"I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.

I should think so – in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!"

-J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit


Chapter 2: A First Meeting

Gothel couldn't believe this! How had they sent that infernal letter?! She had given this tower ever protection she could think of and than some, so how had that old coot found her flower?! The moment the little girl had shown her the familiar yellow atrocity Gothel wanted to pack up and flee. The only reason she remained was because they would find her for sure if she left. Still, they didn't know everything; otherwise Aurors would be at her window instead of this simple letter.

After snatching it from Rapunzel and sending the girl away, Gothel had to sit and think. She could go a couple of years without the flower's magic, but she wasn't thrilled to have her flower out of her sight. Rapunzel would be exposed to the magical world but not the Capital of Corona per say. It has been roughly eleven years since the Dark Lord's fall and the Death Eaters were all but forgotten. It was doubtful there was any picture of her anymore. Besides she had always been a behind the scenes kinda witch so none of her victims would be able to recognize her even though she hasn't changed at all.

After thinking over the possibilities and her chances to get caught she decided it was safe to allow Rapunzel to attend Hogwarts, with a few conditions of course. The kingdom of Corona wouldn't be wondering about a girl in England going to school and as long as Gothel was careful no one would be suspicious. With an exasperated sigh she climbed the wooden stairs to Rapunzel's room to discover the crying girl balled up on her bed.

Gothel rolled her eyes, "Rapunzel."

She mumbled something into the covers of her bed.

Gothel's frown deepened. "Rapunzel I don't like you mumbling."

Her little head shot up, her watery eyes glistened, "you won't let me go." She sobbed pitifully.

Gothel let out a sigh of annoyance, "Actually sweetie, I think its okay for you to go-"

She jumped up with a joyous shout and clasped her mother in a tight hug.

"But there will be some rules," Gothel said. Rapunzel gazed up at her, "You must understand Rapunzel that it isn't perfectly safe there. Bad things have happened to students and staff. People are cruel and selfish. Don't trust them completely, your gift is uniquely yours so people will still try and take it. That is why I don't want you to tell anyone about your gift."

Rapunzel nodded energetically, "Tell no one my secret and be careful," she summed up.

"Not even the teachers, the headmaster, or anyone else in charge of you while you're there. Not even you're closest friends, okay?" Gothel pressed this on the naive child.

"Okay!"

"I love you."

"I love you more," was the blondes' automatic response.

"I love you most," Gothel said, and pecked a kiss on her forehead, "now let's go have supper and I'll arrange things so you can get your school supplies."

Rapunzel's eyes were huge, "I get to go and buy me own things? I get to leave the tower?" Gothel frowned at the wonder in her voice. Sadly, Gothel couldn't order or get everything herself. They needed the girl to be there for her robes and wand.

"Don't forget how dangerous it is out there," she sat down and gave the child a bowl, "It's just safer that way."

"Yes mom," Rapunzel grinned. Gothel hid her sneer with a glass of water. If Dumbledore forced her to be the bad guy she would be, but until then she would play his game. It was only a matter of time until the pieces were brought together by fate. Then that old fool would pay for all the trouble he caused.


Hiccup leaned only a little over the side of the ship. If he squinted he could just make out the edge of a place called DunBroch.

"Bye Useless!" a sharp shove had Hiccup pin wheeling his arms for balance. He saved himself last minute by grabbing the lip of the shield hanging just below the edge of the water and pushing himself upright. Turning around he found Snotlout laughing like a drunken troll. He scowled at the much larger boy.

"Wonderful. I wonder what kind of fish you will be before I-"

"Hiccup!" Stoick came up to the boys cutting off Hiccup's threat, "you got all ya need?"

With a quietly sneered, "freak" Snotlout returned to his rowing position. Hiccup decided to ignore that and focus on his dad.

"Who are these people I'm staying with?" He asked in a wary tone.

"King Fergus has agreed to let you stay in his castle. He has a girl your age going to your school," the chief explained staring at the land growing nearer by the minute, "we sent each other letters. My English is better than I thought it was. Thanks for the help, by the way."

Ah yes the letters. How could Hiccup forget? Stiock speaking English actually wasn't that bad. It helped with the trades and politics, but his writing was…well a sheep with a bad hoof could write as well as Stoick. It being like this, Hiccup had to write Stoick's responses and it had gotten colorful between the two. He hadn't read Fergus's letters, but he was surprised Stoick wasn't getting ready to attack the DunBroch castle as an alternative of leaving Hiccup there.

"That damned skirt wearing little fish chum! Who does he think he is? My people did nothing of the sort!" Stoick growled at the letter, "May Thor strike him with a hundred bolts!"

Hiccup blinked confused, "What did he say?" Stoick only waved his hand.

"Okay, here's what you're going to write…Ye cowardly kilt wearing lass. My boy is going to a school over on the mainland. He'll be staying with ya or so help me, I do just what you're accusing me of doing! You think Vikings are barbaric now, I'll show you how barbaric we can really get!" A couple of endearing insults and a jab at his mother had ended the letter and Hiccup was sure he would be camping on the road until school started.

Hiccup shook off the memory as the shadow of the castle consumed the Viking ship. When had that gotten so close? Hiccup looked up at the building. It seemed sturdy and squat. The grey stone was a bored contrast to the green rolling hills and tall green trees beyond it. A group of men was waiting at the docks for them. They were all wearing kilts, furs, weapons and armor. They didn't seem that different from the arriving Vikings really. Besides the kilts, Hiccup's eye twitched with nerves.

This could be bad. Stoick was the first off. Gobber and Hiccup came up behind him. A tall man, almost as tall as Stoick, stepped up to them. He had a short bread and hair that was flaming red. He was missing a leg which had been replaced by a wooden one like Gobbers'. He was muscular and big and intimidating with his long sword and scowl.

"Chief Stoick the Vast?"

"King Fergus DunBroch?"

There was a moment of tense silence. Hiccup's heart was pounding so hard he wondered if his ribs will be bruised. He kept his face a cool mask though. He was ready to step in if it got bad. He could reason a lot better than Stoick. They didn't want a fight here.

Both men burst into laughter and after the shock wore off, Hiccup was able to relax his tense narrow shoulders.

"So this is the bloody Viking that demanded mae help. You're a wee bit smarter lookin' than I first thought, "Fergus chuckled.

"Aye and I thought I'd be dealin' with a scrawny wining rat of a Scotsman," Stoick replied. Both men howled with laughter again.

"Com' on then, let's get ye a drink back at the castle," Fergus clapped his arm around Stoick's broad shoulders. The party at the docks cheered and started climbing the stairs to the castle. Hiccup hid his grimace as he lugged his rucksack and somewhat larger bag up the stone carved steps. Gobber walked by and grabbed the larger bag with no comment or sideways glance and continued up. Hiccup silently thanked him and quickened his pace to catch up.

Finally they reached the top. Hiccup felt exhausted yet when he glanced back down he figured it wasn't as far a climb as he let his imagination get him to believe. So much for being a Viking, he thought bitterly. He caught the ugly mug of Snotlout heading up and moved faster to stay ahead of his cousin. He really didn't need to deal with his idiot cousin alongside a cliff edge.

The grey walls looked less impressive up close. Without the cliffs and hills it looked extremely squatted. Some of the bricks looked like they were ready to crumble with moss and small plant life growing in their crevices. They crossed a draw bridge to enter a town square. It wasn't much bigger then Berk nor was it anymore amazing. Hiccup did see a blanket of some kind with amazing Celtic knots circling and curving around its center in meticulous patterns. The gold in the knot work set beautifully against the rich green in the rest of the fabric.

Actually the more Hiccup looked around the more he noticed some of the beautiful things this small kingdom had to offer. Knot work decorated many of the weapons, cloths, fabrics, and wood works around the humble homes. A delicious smell of fruits and spiced cooking meat floated from one of the settlements. They entered the castle grounds as servants went about their duties. The men that had followed King Fergus dispersed to who knows where. Some of the trade goods, gifts, and other items the Vikings brought were whisked away by the servants, including Hiccups luggage and Stoick, Hiccup, Gobber, and a few others were ushered into the castle.

The King gave them a little tour around the place. To Hiccup the halls seemed dark, the rooms looked cold, and the stairs looked precarious not to add the deadly weapons the Scotsmen liked to decorate with. The place looked gloomy and grey if it wasn't adorned in the weapons and tapestries they hung on the walls. Just like home, but more organized, and older. Definitely older, of course their castle wasn't burned down by a thirty foot long firing breathing dragon every couple of years or so.

"What do you think boy?" Gobber asked in Norse so that their neither host nor his servants could understand them.

Hiccup shrugged half halfheartedly, "it looks comfortable enough. Their art is interesting, their weapons are impressive." He didn't know what the warrior was asking.

"No! I meant the DunBroch lad," Gobber rolled his eyes, "You wrote the letters that Stoick sent. You must know that Fergus thought we were plannin' a raid and had some bad mixin's with Vikings before."

Hiccup paled a little," No, I didn't know! I didn't get to read his letters. Dad struggles with writing English not too much with reading it." Hiccup looked up at the King and his Dad chatting away and laughing about hunting trip stories they were sharing, "Please tell me it wasn't a Viking that took his leg." He whispered to Gobber even though the King wasn't listening. His hands were clammy and Hiccup wiped them on his pants. The tour group entered the kitchens.

"I don't know. What convinced him to let you stay here?" Gobber shrugged.

"Dad said some girl is going to the same school-"

"That's right!" Gobber cut him off, "Stoick told me that a princess here was a witch."

Hiccup dropped his jaw. A princess? A witch? So King Fergus's daughter was a witch?

"A witch? Ugh! This place is full of freaks like him then," Hiccup turned to see that Snotlout was one of the Vikings that had joined the tour of the castle. Before he could say anything though a racket brought everyone's attention back to the kitchen.

A flustered woman was holding a flailing baby that had a pastry in its mouth. She had another baby under her arm that had some sort of cream all over his little face. A third baby was sitting next to a plate of pastries and had pushed several bowl and platters to the floor to reach them. The servant woman was making distressed noises as she tried not to drop the two she was holding and stop all three of them from getting the sweet desserts.

"Boys!" Fergus barked. He marched up to the poor woman that was just as covered in food as the babies were. The children looked up at the King and all three of them smiled at the same moment. Hiccup thought it looked creepy. He also recognized that each baby had a mob of red curly hair. Their blue eyes gleamed. They were triplets and down right devious, Hiccup was sure.

Fergus lifted one of them from the servant woman and chuckled. He turned to Stoick, "these here are mae devilish sons. Harris, Hubert, and Hamish. They are a wee bit too young to be joinin' us fer dinner so this might as well be the only time ye get to see 'em," Fergus grinned. He made no indication to any particular boy when he had introduced them so Hiccup didn't know which was which. He didn't think Fergus did either.

"Fine boys ya have. I'm sorry I can only stay a single night," Stoick said also grinning at the children whom a couple of servants were taking to clean up. The babies were busy trying to get their chubby hands on more sugar, but they continued to give the Vikings curious glances until they were whisked away.

"Aye, we could have had a fine huntin' trip, Stoick! Maybe next time, but since ye'll be here fer a night we must celebrate!" Fergus claimed loudly. Shouts of approval came from the surrounding crowd, and the Vikings that understood enough English to get that a party was on its way started muttering to each other excited.

"Wha'd he say?" Snotlout demanded. He looked around the cheering group that began heading its way back up the stairs to Odin knows where.

Hiccup rolled his eyes, "You don't know English? I'm better then you at something? Loki must be laughing." Snotlout scowled at him. Hiccup was sure that his smart mouth was going to get him killed. Before Snotlout could do much of anything Gobber answered his questioned and ushered both boys after the crowd.

"He said that since we're here for only a night the King is throwing us a party," Gobber answered sounding somehow bored and hopeful at the same time. Hiccup took the chance Gobber gave him and slipped through the crowd and back to the front with his dad and the King.

They entered a large dining hall. Six tables were set up, one faced horizontal to the rest. Hiccup knew that this table at the head was going to be for the royal families. The room was large with stairs and railing so the people on the second floor could look over. A fire crackled in the hearth and tall candles gave the place a comfortable golden light. It almost seemed cozy. Hiccup wondered if Scotsmen food was as tasteless as Viking food when he heard Fergus.

"Oh that's right! Ye havenae met mae queen o' lass yet!" Fergus gasped. Oh gods, Hiccup thought, I forgot about the princess witch. "No worries though. The feast is about tae begin and they'll be here fer that. Ye'll like mae daughter Stoick, she's a real spit fire her." Stoick grinned. Hiccup worried more. Was she ugly? Did she have huge broad shoulders, a brick of a forehead, meaty arms, and warts? Or crazy? Maybe she was an idiot or violet. Or worse, she could be all of those with a horrible smell of rotten eggs to add to the disgusting mix.

"Speak o' which. What 'bout yer lad? I donae think ya introduced him," Fergus looked back into the crowd. He looked right over Hiccup, not even noticing the small boy. In the back Fergus spotted Snotlout who was still asking about things that were being said in English. Of course he would think that, Hiccup thought annoyed.

"Is that 'im back there?" by the Gods! Am I that invisible? Hiccup smacked himself on the forehead.

"Eh?...oh, no. That's my nephew, Snotlout. This," Stoick placed his hand on Hiccup's narrow shoulders, "is my son, Hiccup."

Fergus's eyes fell on the boy. They seemed curious, confused, and there was a light of humor in them. Probably was the King trying not to laugh at Hiccup's name. Hiccup did his best to hide any nerves or annoyance he had and gave the King a slight bow, "Hello your Majesty." Fergus grinned.

"No need tae be callin' me that lad! Yer a guest to mae hoom fer the comin' month. Call me Fergus," he patted the boy on the back. Hiccup did his best to smile.

"Yer also goin' to that magic school," Fergus stated. He said magic the same way people said pig, "can hardly believe Merida is toa."

"Aye, I didn't believe that letter's scrawl at first either," Stoick commented.

"Magic is such nonsense!" Fergus grabbed a pint off the table.

"Aye! What says our kids are magic anyways?" Stoick joined him. Hiccup stood as the two men began comparing and harassing any and all ideas of magic. Hiccup decided he wouldn't be missed or even noticed and slipped out the door and eventually back outside. The sun had disappeared while he had been in the castle. Torchlight sent dancing shadows around the area he had found. An open field ran to the walls of the castle, a wood building of some kind to his right. Stepping closer he decide it had to be the stables when a horse stomped it hoof at his approach.

Light came from one of the open stalls. Hiccup wasn't used to horses. They would never be able to climb the cliffs or travel the bogs that he had to call home. And he didn't want to think about what the dragons would do to them. He gingerly stepped up to the open door; he just wanted a closer look at the big and powerful looking mammals.

To his disappointment it was a small colt that stood there instead of the taller beasts that would poke their heads out every now and then. The small horse didn't keep his attention however; a person was standing beside the black horse. More like a child in size, but Hiccup couldn't be sure; a huge mane of fire red hair hid the person's face and shoulders. A dusty green dress came from the mass of curls and brushed at the hay covered floor. Hiccup heard a voice speaking quietly to the horse.

Curious, Hiccup took a step forward. Before he could react the sharp end of a sword rested against his throat. The deadly blade was held by the person in green whom turned out to be a girl his age.

"Wat's ye doin' sneakin' up on me?" she demanded loudly. Her blue eyes blazed on her oval face. Freckles danced across her nose and her crazy hair brushed her waist unevenly. It looked like she never brushed or cut it. The sword gleamed at Hiccup menacingly.

"I, um, you see, I just wanted to look at your horse and-" Hiccup stuttered out to the wild looking girl.

"Yer one o' them Vikings!" she accused. She glanced him over, "a bit scrawny fer one o' those aren't ya?" Hiccup would have bristled at that but the girl just kept talking, "Da thought the letters yer Chief sent were a riot. Mum wasnae happy though. She thinks yer down right barbaric. Ya came here to see the horse? Wat's yer name anyhow?"

"Could you put the sword down first?" Hiccup asked warily. This girl seemed nuts on a normal level. At least she was only demanding his name. Was she one of the servants? The girl complied and lowers the sword, but Hiccup noted that she kept a strong hold on it.

"I'm Hiccup." He said.

She pulled a weird face, with her brows furrowed and her slim nose wrinkling, maybe confusion, "'Cuse ya?" she asked definitely confused.

"No that's my name. Hiccup," he took a half step back. The girl's eyes shot down and back up. Okay so she might be crazy and confused but she was also sharp, Hiccup perceived. She probably knew exactly how to fight with that sword too.

"Wat kinda name is that? Did yer mum have hiccups when she named ya?" she asked.

"No. Vikings have this weird belief that the worse the name is the more likely you are to scare off-" Hiccup was cut off.

"Vikings are a bunch o' nutty brutes in the frozen North. Yer name isnae scary either. 'Sides they probably are stupid names," the girl rested the free hand she had on her horse's neck and patted him.

"Mine isn't the worst," Hiccup agreed. She snorted at that but there was a smile on her face.

"What's your name then?" Hiccup asked. The girl put down her sword and kept the smile on her face.

"I'm Merida DunBroch." Hiccup felt like someone dumped him into the icy sea.

"DunBroch? Isn't that the name-"

"Merida!" A loud woman's voice echoed down the stables startling some of the horses.

"Oh Nae! She's come tae drag me tae that feast with all those plunders!" Merida's smile dropped into a scowl.

"Do you hate Vikings that much?" Hiccup asked and he heard footsteps come down their way. Merida turned her eyes from the door to him.

"Nae, they actually sound like fun. It's mum wantin' me to be a lady that's the problem. And I have to go to school with one of them. His goin' to think I'm weak and act like a big brute and idiot…unless they're all like ye, but the letter da got didnae sound like they are."

He didn't really know if he should be offended or complimented by that. Before Hiccup could tell her that he was the boy she was going to go to school with, a woman step into the stall with a dark scowl on her face.

"Merida! The feast is already started and ye are covered in dust! Wat's the guests going to think?" The woman stopped when she noticed Hiccup cringing back while Merida stood up, her spine held straight. "Oh ye have a friend here."

"They won't notice mum."

The two started arguing at the same time and the woman held up her hand to stop the loud argument that startled the already nervous horses. Poor Angus was pushing against the wall with all the yelling.

"Enough! Merida let's go. Young man, ya best be coming as well. Yer one of our guests aren't ya?" she said calmly.

"Yes madam," Hiccup said.

"I am Queen Elinor. It's a pleasure to meet you," she said as she ushered both children back into the castle before Hiccup could introduce himself.

"Now Merida. Ye'll get along with the Chief's son. He'll be staying here a month and go to school with you. Won't it be nice for ya to have a friend before school starts?"

Merida raised an eyebrow, "Even if he's a Viking? Have ya seen him mum?" The queen's eye twitched in possible irritation.

"Ah, well," Hiccup tried to speak.

"I glanced him sitting at the head table with yer father and the Chief," she said coolly.

His cheeks reddened with frustration. Why did everyone here think Snotlout was him? Well, bad question. Of course they would think Snotlout was the Chief's son but still! Hiccup didn't pay attention and accidentally stepped on the rim of Merida's dress. She tripped with a squeak of alarm. Hiccup lost his footing when the dress wrenched out from under his boot. Both children toppled to the ground in undignified heaps.

The queen turned to see the aftermath. She sighed at the sprawled youths, "Merida, a princess doesnae trip. You have to be more graceful. Come on, you're okay," she helped the girl and Hiccup up. Merida shot Hiccup a glare.

"Sorry," he muttered. Merida snorted in a most un-princess like fashion and turned her attention back to her mother.

"Is the prince really a gorilla? Ugly? Stupid? Does he have a pig face?" Merida shot off.

"Merida! Don't speak about our guests like that!" the queen snapped and gave Hiccup a worried glance. It's true that Snotlout was all those things but not Hiccup. Nor would Hiccup be telling Snotlout what Merida thought of him.

"Actually, your Highness-" Up roaring laughter and singing drowned out the rest of his words as they entered the Dining Hall. Fergus, Stoick, and Gobber were singing horribly to some sort of Scottish folk song. Hiccup wanted to cover his ears before they started bleeding. He looked over to Merida to see her grimace and laugh at the scene. The queen looked like she was trying to stop her eyes from rolling at her husband and his new friends.

Fergus spotted his wife from a top the table and quickly hopped down, "Elinor! Ya found them! Stoick, meet the queen of DunBroch!"

Elinor walked forward elegantly, her spine was straight, head held high, and she moved like she was floating over the floor more than walking. Her royal blue dress drifted dreamily. Several of the Vikings fell silent as she entered the room. Hiccup was impressed on how she claimed the attention of a room full of unruly Scotsmen and Vikings just by her walk.

Merida followed her, though she seemed to march rather then walk or glide. Her arms swung wide to and fro as they made their way to the head table. Hiccup followed trying not to be as awkward as he felt and failing miserably. He stumbled once and caught Merida giving him a questioning look. She was probably wondering why he was coming to sit at the head table instead of going off to join some other bench. Well she was up for a surprise.

There was a seat for Hiccup between Stoick and sadly, Snotlout. Snotlout gave him a sneer, and then he saw Merida and quickly tried to look charming. If a pig could ever look charming. From the way she wrinkled her nose, she wasn't impressed. In fact, it looked like all her fears had been confirmed…if Snotlout had been the Chief's son.

"Chief Stoick the Vast, it's a pleasure to meet ya," Elinor gave a slight bow.

"It's grand to know you," Stoick said. Hiccup noticed his father's cheeks were a little rosy. He sighed and wondered how this evening was going to turn out.

"And this is Merida!" Fergus grinned as they sat back down and food was dished out. Pork, vegetables, deer, fruits, apples, sauces and fish, Hiccup had never seen so much colorful and good smelling food in his short life.

Stoick nodded to the princess while all this was happening, "Well its best I introduce the ones I have here with me. At the end there is Gobber." Gobber waved his mug and sloshed it all over himself.

"That one next to him is Snotlout," Snotlout's head snapped up at his name. He already had a drumstick crammed into his mouth so when he made eye contact with Merida and tried to smile it looked horrid. Merida pulled a ridiculous face and glanced at Hiccup to smile at him. Hiccup smiled at her fake gag face. "He's my nephew."

Elinor raised an eyebrow and Merida's eyes widened. They had been sure that Snotlout was the guest they were expecting to stay.

"But, if his not then…" Merida looked to Hiccup across from her. He was sitting right next to Stoick so then…"You!" she said in the same accusatory manner as when she called him a Viking. Hiccup only shrugged.

Stoick took no noticed and placed his huge hand on Hiccup's head to ruffle up his hair, "and of 'course my son Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third."

Hiccup swatted away his dad's hand with an indigent, "Dad!"

"He'll be goin' to that magic school with ya," Stoick said to Merida. Merida nodded to Stoick politely but she was still glaring at Hiccup.

"Why didnae ya say anythin'?" she demanded. Elinor frowned at Merida's manner but decided not to comment. She paid closer attention to Hiccup now.

"I didn't get the chance. You were talking too fast," Hiccup said.

Merida frowned, but accepted that answer. She much rather go to school with the shrimp across from her then that pig sitting next to him.

It was much later in the evening. After the endless train of food and many mugs of alcohol most of the Vikings were passed out or just making fools of themselves. Snotlout had finally given up talking to her or trying to insult her and Hiccup for going to magic school after Merida used his helmet as a hammer before her mother could stop her. It only took one hit anyway. He went to go sulk or something, Merida didn't care.

Merida looked over to Hiccup who was trying to coax his father to stop a party trick involving a dagger, a pork rib and a shield.

Merida wondered if he was a coward or not. He certainly wasn't like these other Vikings around the room. He seemed scrawny, weak, and klutzy. His head looked too big for his body. He also had messy brown hair that almost covered his eyes, and a slightly crooked toothed grin. A splash of freckles danced across his nose. It was his eyes that interested Merida though. They were an emerald green and almost piercing. It was like nothing could escape his sight, and he was analyzing and discerning everything. It felt like he could find your weakness easily, they were intelligent eyes, much older than the boy that had them.

She hadn't really had the chance to talk to him during dinner. Fergus and Stoick had been too busy loudly exchanging stories. Snotlout had kept getting in the way and Hiccup had stayed quiet most of the time. She wondered if he knew more about magic and this school then she did. Maybe he could help her figure out her confusing supply list. Why would she want to bring a frog as a pet anyhow?

Elinor placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's late. Why don't ya show Hiccup to his room and I'll take care of yer father and the others?" The queen suggested.

Merida frowned, it was a pout to her mother really, "But mum, we aren't little," she tried but couldn't stop the yawn that cut off her sentence,"- kids. I can stay up and help."

Elinor gave a soft smile, "I know, but we have to send our guests off early tomorrow and that teacher is coming from the school to help you get your things." Merida gave a halfhearted shrug and stood up. They didn't really know when the teacher from the school was going to show up, but Merida didn't want to be tired when he did. She and her mother intervened Stoick's performance, much to Hiccups relief.

"Com' on. I'll show ya to yer room if ya like," Merida offer while Elinor was half laughing, half scolding the grown men beside them. Hiccup hesitated a moment before he followed her up a staircase and into one of the winding hallways of the castle. He followed her in silence. Merida noticed him glance her way once in a while. He still looked as tense as when she pulled her sword on him. Ah, thinkin' of which…

"Sorry aboot pullin' mae sword on ya back at the stables. I was a wee bit jumpy and in a bad mood thanks to mae mum," Merida tried to apologize and explain her actions.

Hiccup gave her a sideways glance again then looked at a passing tapestry, "Don't worry about. It's not the first time someone's pointed a deadly weapon at me. Probably won't be the last." The silence returned. Why have people pointed…Viking, right. They are violent and savage, according to mum. They were defiantly lively from what Merida saw. Why did this feel so awkward? Merida stared at him again. He was holding back and definitely uncomfortable. He was a, oh, what did that note call 'em? A wizard? Yeah that sounded right and Merida wanted answers, so she decided to hell with it.

"We're going to a magic school together," she stated. She watched his shoulders hunch at that.

"Uh-huh," was his only response. Weird.

"Have you done anything with magic?" she pressed. This boy was irritating. He was too reserved and short with his words.

Hiccup looked at her startled. This time he didn't turn away from her gaze, "No, have you?"

Merida narrowed her eyes not sure if she could trust his word. She looked for any sign of deception. She only saw curiosity, and fear though. He looked like he was trying to cover up his nerves but Merida could tell.

"No…I havenae," she sighed disappointed, "I was hoping ye could help me with all this…this…" she couldn't think of the word to describe what it was like to have your world turned upside down.

"Madness?" Hiccup guessed.

"That's it! Geez I wish there was some explanation or help instead o' just givin' these vague letters, a pat on the back and a 'good luck! See ya in the fall!" Merida mockingly waved to the empty hall. She dropped her arm with a scoff.

"You have no idea either?" Hiccup asked. He seemed to relax a touch. Merida shook her head.

He chuckled. Merida gave him a confused look. Had he lost it or was Viking humor just weird? They had seemed normal at the dinner…well, normal-ish, "Man, I thought you were some sort of terrifying monstrous witch that was going to turn me into a mouse before school started."

"Wat?!" Merida shrieked and gasped, "I donae know anythin' about castin' spells."

"Yeah, I know that now," Hiccup grumbled. Merida scowled and punched him in the arm, "Ow!" Hiccup rubbed the bruised appendage.

"Don't judge someone before ye get to know them 'kay? There's no reason for ya to be afri'd o' me. Wat if mae da had done that eh? They would have attacked ya before gettin' to port! This feast wouldnae have happened then! Ye all would be dead!" Merida went off on her rant. She hated being judged for being royalty, for being a girl, and now for being a witch. Sure some of the servants looked at her funny but she wasn't feared. Fear was a dangerous thing that could cost lives if one wasn't careful.

"Okay! I'm sorry! Geez, what's your problem?" Hiccup growled surprised by her blow up. Sure he got what she said, but by Odin that was a sudden turn.

"My problem?! My problem is mum telling me I cannae live mae life as I like! Mae problem is that I have to act right so other people can live happy! I want to be happy toa! Mae problem is because I'm a girl and I'm royalty I cannae be free! Mae problem is I'm a damn princess!" Merida panted and fell silent. Hiccup gapped at her. She sudden realized who she was talking to and a hot embarrassed blush lit up her face as bright as her hair. She spun on her heels and started matching down the hall.

"Hey! Wait!" Hiccup wouldn't be able to find his room if she disappeared. She ignored him and kept walking. Merida couldn't believe she had just said that to a complete stranger she didn't know. Besides, in his culture he was technically royalty too, but he was also a boy so she didn't think he could understand. She had told the Viking boy she was ashamed to be a princess! What will he do? What will he say? Geez, the girl really hated her big mouth and temper some days. A hand caught her shoulder to stop her. She brushed it off to glare at the whizzing boy behind her. When he seemed certain she wouldn't leave him again he doubled over to catch his breath.

"Wait a moment," he gasped, "please."

Merida was wary, "I thought Vikings were healthy. "

Hiccup scowled up at her, "Can you just show me where I'm sleeping tonight?"

Merida's surprise showed as she was reminded of what she was supposed to be doing. She looked around the hall she was in and sighed. The room the Viking would be staying in was behind them. Her brothers' bedroom was just down the hall though.

"Let me do somethin'' first," she said and stepped up to the door. She knocked a rhythm that the boys knew meant it was her at the door. Hiccup raised an eyebrow and still seemed annoyed.

The door opened soundlessly. Merida and Hiccup entered the dark room. The sound of pattering feet had Hiccup pause.

A candle was lit and the sight of Merida's three brothers appeared from the gloom.

"Thanks fer not messin' with the feast boys," Merida said. Hiccup didn't see where she pulled them out from but suddenly Merida had a plate of pastries in her hands, "here's mae end of the deal."

The three boys grinned and attacked the plate. Merida chuckled at their behavior, "be asleep before the servants come check on ya. Night." She waved and dragged out the Viking boy behind her.

Hiccup gave a questioning look to the red head. "Wat? Those little monsters would have done something terrible at the feast if I didnae bribe 'em with their favorites."

Hiccup shrugged at that. He followed the strange girl back the way they came. He didn't know what to think about her. In a way she was a lot like the girls back at Berk, strong, thick-skulled, and loud, but in many other ways she was nothing like them. Her culture seemed to demand she be reserved and have a restrained grace that she obviously didn't have naturally like her mother. Just from the two times he watched them interact he could tell there was some tension between them.

It's like me and Dad, the uninvited thought circled his head. Since he could relate he wondered if he should say anything. It would be a pain if he was stuck with this girl swinging swords and yelling at him all month and it would be nice to have an alley to go to this school with too. It really was disappointing that neither of them had any idea of what this place would be like.

"Here ye are," Merida lightly banged her fist against the large wooden door. She wouldn't look him in the eye and it could have been a trick of the torch light but he thought he saw her blushing. So she was embarrassed of admitting that she didn't like her position to him. She had omitted a personal problem to a stranger. Hiccup took a deep breath.

"Thanks," he walked past her and opened the door.

"Breakfast will be at sunrise since yer clan will be leavin' early," Merida was staring at the floor and started walking away.

It was now or never. "Hey, um," Hiccup looked at the dark room instead of the princess, "I not exactly the amazing vicious leader my dad wanted me to be either. When you think the Chiefs' son I'm not the image that comes to mind. He and I both know that so, uh, yeah." Hiccup felt the blood rush to his face. He knew the red head was burning holes into the back of his head with her eyes. He really wasn't good at these kinds of things.

He shrugged uncomfortably, "His still my dad though." There was a long silence, "Anyway, s-see you in the morning." He quickly shut the door before she could say anything. Geez that had been so bad. It's not like he told her any Hooligan secrets or anything, but he could be stuck with this girl for however long this school thing would go on. He had no idea what she thought of him or how this would go, but he didn't want to start this trip out by making the first witch he met into an enemy.

He stumbled around the room and banged his shins against the desk before his found a candle and lit it. He sat down on the bed and put his head into his hands. It didn't feel like this was really happening to him. He expected to wake up in his bed at home from the roar of another dragon raid. He still couldn't believe he was anything magical and Merida didn't seem any more so than he did! Part of him still wanted to think this was a joke but the way the villagers at home had been watching him he was beginning to believe it was reality.

They had a given him looks of fear like he was a dragon, anger, confusion, aw, and scary interest. Not the interest like they were waiting for him to kill himself like they used to, but more like he was a performing bear. Over the past few weeks he wondered if they didn't see him as human anymore. They certainly had given him more notice and yet somehow pushed further away from him. He hadn't even known that was possible! Dad had kept giving him looks like he was already in his grave.

The other kids either harassed him or ran from him. Many didn't want to train around him only one that didn't seem to really care was Gobber. The man kept going about things like always after that talk in the Great Hall.

Hiccup really didn't get that guy sometimes. The people here didn't seem so bad, but that might be because they didn't want to be attacked by a few dozen Viking warriors. Hiccup got up to get ready for bed. He decided he'd put all his thoughts on hold for the night. He climbed into bed. The cushions and pillows were soft and the blankets and quilts were warm and thick. It was nothing like his bed back home.

Only one last annoying thought bugged him before he fell into the oblivion of sleep. What is the teacher from the school going to be like?


After Class Speech

The stage light glares on the dark wood stage. The audience waits for the appearance of their author. A loud crash and banging is heard behind stage. Shouting comes from the curtained back. Finally the cloaked figures walks out. He has an angry scowl on his face. His eyes may have been hidden but the front rows could still feel his glare.

"Hey all of you readers out there," The Critic placed an arm on the podium and leaned forward, "Here's the second chapter. It's not like anything I thought it would be. Next chapter will have more movement." His scowl turns into a crooked grin, "I think I'll finally give you a little action. And all in all, you want to see those kids get together and off to Hogwarts soon." More crashes could be heard. The Critic didn't give any acknowledgement to the loud noises, "Thanks for all the reviews you've given me. It really does help get my fingers typing." The Critic straightens out. "I will be happy to try an get a chapter out once a month or so. Thanks for reading and-" The Critic cuts himself off and steps around the podium to look down at the audience. "Why is the front row empty?" Several people shift uncomfortably in their seats remembering the smoke from last chapter.

The Critic shrugs a bang goes off somewhere off stage, "Geez! Could you keep it down back there! I know we want the weapons ready for the latest attack on the media , but I'm talking to the very important readers!" he shouted behind him. He turns back to the audience, "Oh, and the twerp that wrote my script is missing so if you see a little guy with black hair and-" Suddenly another bang interrupts the Critic. The doors at the back of the theater had been thrown open violently and the back row could see the retreating figure running down the hall.

"He's making a run for it!" The Critic jumps into the crowd and climbs up heads, shoulders, and seats to get to the door, "Bring the flame thrower!" he shouts to the crew behind stage.

"Don't forget to review and tell me how I can improve the story!" Echoes back from the hall to the bruised and battered readers. The strange author is gone once again.