Ch3 That's Your "Horse"?

"You're really related to Stoick?" Merida questioned again still in a bit of shock.

"Yes," Hiccup tried not to laugh as he spoke, "He sent me to tell Fergus he was accepting his invitation to come and talk, I'm not sure about what, and would be here in a few days. That's why I'm here, honest."

Merida gave him a once over then nodded, "I believe ya. I'll show you to the castle."

"Are you sure I mean I don't want to make you walk all that way," he wasn't sure how to explain he had a dragon to find.

"Don't worry it'll be my apology for shooting at ya. Besides Angus can take us," she said climbing on her horse's back.

"Well uh actually I have ride so…"

"Ya have a horse?" Merida asked looking around, "Where is he?"

"He's not exactly a horse," Hiccup wasn't sure how to explain about Toothless and before he even had a chance to Angus whinnied and reared up so suddenly he threw Merida off, then just as suddenly he raced off in the direction of the castle.

"You ok?" Hiccup ran over to help her up.

"Ya I'm fine," Merida said readjusting her bow and quiver, "I don't know what got into him."

Hiccup let out a small chuckle and rubbed the back of his head, "Well it may have something to do with my 'horse'."

"What do you mean?" she asked giving him a confused look. It was then she noticed the dragon that was coming out of the woods and standing behind Hiccup, its scales shimmered slightly in the sun. Merida gasped backing away slowly, it didn't seem like it was about to attack and she noticed a saddle on its back but having never seen a dragon up close she was a bit worried, instinctively one of her hands went for an arrow while the other gripped her bow.

"No, no, it's okay. He's a friend," Hiccup said seeing one of her hands on her quiver. He decided it'd be best to make the introductions now, "Merida, Toothless. Toothless, Merida."

Toothless made a sound as if saying "hello" to her.

"This is your 'horse'?" she asked with a small chuckle.

"Well dragon but yeah. He's my friend, he can give us a ride," he tried to think of a way for Merida to not be afraid of Toothless but nothing was coming to mind.

"Can I touch him?" she asked with obvious curiosity and wonder, looking at both Hiccup and Toothless for permission.

"Uh yeah, sure," he was surprised she didn't seem scared anymore. Hiccup watched her approach slowly; when she was directly in front of Toothless she stopped as if not sure what to do so he decided to help, "Here."

He gently took her hand and brought it to Toothless' muzzle letting both of them get used to it. Toothless let out a content noise that made Merida smile.

"He's amazing," Merida said looking at him intently. Toothless smiled a little at her and cocked his head to one side looking at her too, she seemed nice though a bit strange to him.

As she continued inspecting him Merida opened his mouth and looked inside surprised to find he was truly toothless, "That's odd I thought they had…"

As if reading her mind Toothless lets his razor sharp teeth emerge from his gums, Merida removed her hands and jumped back a bit at how quickly they'd appeared.

"Teeth," she said obviously surprised as she watched the teeth retract again.

"Yeah, he does that," Hiccup said feeling a bit embarrassed for not mentioning it; "Well we should get you back to the castle so you can find Angus."

"Are you sure about this?" she asked a bit nervous after the teeth thing.

"It'll be fine, I promise," Hiccup said climbing onto Toothless' saddle and snapping his foot into the stirrup. "Just let me show you," he stretched his hand out to her, "Trust me."

Merida looked at his hand then at Toothless, who was still eyeing her as if trying to figure out if he liked her or not, she smiled at them and though she didn't need the help she grabbed Hiccup's hand, to be polite.

"Alright then," she hoisted herself onto the saddle.