In the nick of time
Rapunzel watched in horror as the most pathetic boys she'd ever seen in her life attempted archery to win her sister's hand.
"You have got to be joking." She mumbled as each failure after the next just continued.
She sighed and looked away, feeling awful for Merida.
Just then, she looked over and realized Merida wasn't sitting next to her anymore. She caught her dad's eye and shrugged innocently, smiling in confusion.
They looked up in shock when Merida came out from under a cloak and boldly announced that she was fighting for her own hand.
Rapunzel looked worriedly at her mother and father and then at Merida, her hands going to her mouth as Merida dealt arrow after arrow and singlehandedly winning the competition.
She would have cheered had she not seen her mother angrily storming up to Merida.
She bit her lip and looked down as her sister was dragged back to the castle.
"You didn't know about this did you lass?" Fergus asked her.
She looked up at him and shook her head. He looked very upset, but a big part of Rapunzel was absolutely cheering for her sister.
Rapunzel got up and finally ran to the castle, ignoring her father calling her name.
She reached the castle and panted, holding her knees, trying to catch her breath. She finally tore off the blasted head piece she was wearing and tried stretching her dress out. She stopped when she heard Merida running out in tears.
"Merida?" she called, running after her. She jumped aside as Angus came flying from the stables, nearly hitting her, "MERIDA!" Rapunzel called.
She put her hands on her head in desperation and walked around in a dither when she threw her hands up and finally grabbed her white mare, Lily.
She had a hard time getting onto Lily with her ridiculous dress, but managed and finally took off after Merida. She was avoiding all the trees and branches from snagging her hair.
She called after Merida and got no answer when she suddenly shot forward.
"Lily!" Rapunzel gasped, holding her stomach in pain, "What was that for?"
She coughed and got up, looking around. She didn't see anyone, but Lily was rearing up and acting strange. She went to her and tried to calm her down.
"Easy girl." Rapunzel soothed.
She suddenly heard Angus in the trees and grabbed Lily's reins and led her to the sound.
She came around a corner and finally spotted Merida crying at the base of a tree.
"Meri." Rapunzel said and ran to her, "Meri are you okay?"
"How…how could…s-she?!" Merida sobbed.
Rapunzel put a hand on her shoulder and comforted her, sitting down next to her. Merida leaned into her sister and sobbed. Rapunzel held her shoulders and put her head onto hers, "It'll be okay."
Merida wiped her nose and looked sadly at Rapunzel, who could only smile encouragingly.
They suddenly heard a strange noise and looked up in alarm.
"What's that?" Rapunzel asked nervously.
"Mum destroyed me bloody bow!" Merida said, angrily.
They held hands and stood up, looking around. They heard a loud crunching sound, as though a giant of some kind was coming towards them. They could have sworn they heard voices too. But it was the growling that scared them.
"What if it's Mordul?" Rapunzel whispered in fear.
"We should run…now!" Merida said, backing up with her sister.
Just then a giant black creature jumped from the trees towards them. They both screamed and ran the other direction, trying to climb a tree. They were so panicked they didn't even see the kid on the dragon yelling, "Whoa, boy! Stop! STOP!"
The creature finally came to a halt and collapsed.
"Okay, that was the worst landing I have ever seen." The boy grumbled, getting off.
He looked up when both Merida and Rapunzel shrieked, still climbing the tree.
"Oh great." He mumbled.
"What is that thing?!" Merida cried, slipping from the branch and falling to the ground, screaming.
"Merida!" Rapunzel cried, trying to reach for her.
Merida backed into the tree and closed her eyes, sure that the advancing creature was going to kill her.
She heard Rapunzel yelling and throwing pinecones at the thing, "Get away from her!"
The creature backed up and the boy came in front of Merida, shielding her, "Toothless! Back up and sit! Now!" he ordered sternly.
The creature did as it was told and Merida looked at the strange boy in front of her. He turned to look at her and she found she was looking into the kindest green eyes. He had shaggy brunette hair and freckles and looked rather strange. He was obviously not from around here.
She looked down and nearly gasped. He had a missing leg. It had been replaced with a strange metal contraption, much like her fathers.
She looked back up at him and he smiled sheepishly at her, "Sorry about the scare, he's harmless, I promise."
Merida brushed her hair from her eyes and gathered her composure and looked up the tree at Rapunzel.
"Merida, are you okay?" Rapunzel called down to her.
"I'm fine." Merida called back.
Rapunzel climbed down and landed by her sister and looked at the strange boy and worriedly at the strange creature behind him.
"Who are you, exactly?" Merida asked the boy.
"My name's Hiccup." He told them, holding out a hand.
They glanced at it nervously but eventually Merida took it and shook his hand, "I'm Merida, and this is my sister Rapunzel."
He nodded and smiled at them.
"Where are you from?" Rapunzel asked him, brushing the twigs and dirt from her hair and dress.
"Uh...Berk." he explained.
They looked at one another and shrugged, shaking their heads, "Never heard of Berk." Merida admitted.
"What is that?" Rapunzel finally asked him, pointing to the giant black creature, who was sitting diligently and scratching its ears like a dog.
"This is Toothless, and he's my dragon." The boy said proudly, putting a hand on the dragon.
"What?!" Merida gasped, "There ain't no such thing as dragons!"
"Are too." Hiccup smiled, patting Toothless.
Rapunzel came closer against her sister's whispered rants.
"Don't go near that thing!" Merida hissed.
"Is he dangerous?" Rapunzel asked.
"Nah, only if he's threatened or if I am." Hiccup admitted.
She nodded and held out a hand, squirming a little inside. She'd never seen a dragon. Like Merida, she'd always thought they were legends or stories. But yet, here was one right in front of her. She was very intrigued.
Toothless met her hand halfway and let her pet his nose. She smiled at the creature and realized how adorable he really was.
"Meri, come here! He's precious." Rapunzel laughed. Toothless wagged his tail.
Merida sighed and came up to her sister, giving Toothless a look, "You don't hurt my sister, you understand?" she asked it.
He cocked his head and sniffed her hair.
"Auch." She grumbled, waving it away.
"So…no offense, but are you two lost or something?" Hiccup asked, assessing their ripped and dirty clothing.
"No." Rapunzel assured him, "We actually live right up at that castle."
"Unfortunately." Merida mumbled.
"It's kind of been a long day." Rapunzel told Hiccup.
He nodded, "I hate to ask, but is there a chance I could find a place for me and Toothless to rest up there?"
"Well…" Rapunzel said, "You'd be welcome, but the dragon…"
"We basically have four clans who are just riling up for some adventure and I think a roasted dragon on a spit would be their idea of fun." Merida admitted.
Hiccup winced, "Ah, gotcha." He looked to Toothless, "Okay, buddy, you're gonna have to stay out of sight, to the trees with you." He said.
Toothless grumbled but then took off.
"Wow." Merida breathed, "Saints alive…"
"So, Hiccup…" Rapunzel asked, leading the way while Merida whistled for the horses, "What brings you here?"
He shrugged, "Sort of a journey. I kinda got lost from my friend though." He admitted.
"You have another dragon?" Rapunzel asked.
"No, he's…he's sort of flying around right now, not sure where he went." Hiccup said.
"He might be up there, then." Merida suggested.
"Tell us about Berk. Who are you exactly?" Rapunzel asked.
They listened as he explained that he was a Viking and the son of the chief there. He told them about how he and his friend decided to just explore the world together and somehow he landed here.
Rapunzel was suddenly struck with an idea.
"You say you're the son of the chief?" she asked.
He nodded.
"What's his name?" she asked innocently.
He told her and her eyes lit up and she glanced mischievously at Hiccup and Merida. She grinned and climbed onto Lily, "I'm going to go and tell Mum we're coming home." She said, "You stay with Hiccup and take your time." She said, riding off quickly. She only had so much time to do what was needed. Maybe this Hiccup could be the answer they were looking for.
…..
Merida stayed fairly silent and Hiccup had to wonder if that was just who she was or if she was upset about something.
"So, uh…is it some kind of reunion or something?" he asked, looking at all the ships and tents.
"No…unfortunately it's my betrothal ceremony." She grunted.
He looked at her awkwardly and he could see her looking down sadly.
"You mean your village does that?" he asked.
"Yes." She nodded, "But I'm determined not to be married." She said indignantly.
"Couldn't agree more with that." Hiccup said.
She looked quickly at him.
"I mean, you should be free to do what you want. You shouldn't be forced to do anything." He explained.
Merida smiled at him, brushing her crazy hair behind her ear.
They finally reached the castle and she sighed, going inside with Hiccup.
…..
Rapunzel was busy copying the letters on her mother's table. She was finally done and folding it up when the window blew open and caused quite a mess on the table.
"Argh!" she grunted and picked everything up quickly.
"Don't tell me you gave up painting?" a familiar voice asked in the room suddenly.
She looked up and froze. Then she turned and saw him, "Jack…" she breathed.
He smiled as he came into the room, nodding.
She couldn't believe she was seeing him. He hadn't changed a bit. He was just the way she remembered him. She got closer to him and finally smiled, "Jack…"
"Hi Rapunzel." He said, "Boy your hair got long."
She squealed with delight and jumped right into his arms for a hug. He laughed at how excited she was to see him.
"I knew you'd come back! I knew it!" she cried happily.
"Course I would." He said.
"But…where were you?" she asked him, frowning, "Why did you leave me?"
He frowned as well and looked at her sadly, "I was the reason you were sick and I couldn't take care of you."
"Why didn't you stay?" She asked.
He sighed and backed up, holding his staff, "It's sort of complicated."
She looked down and then realized she needed to get downstairs and fast.
She gasped and turned, "I have to go!"
"Whoa, slow down, what's the hurry?" He laughed, "I just got here to talk to you and you have to leave?"
"We can talk plenty later, Jack, but I have to help my sister." She said, rushing out the door. He followed her and couldn't help but assess her dress, "What exactly were you up to?" he grinned.
"What?" she asked, turning and realized how disheveled she looked. She brushed her crazy braided hair behind her ears and stopped at the entrance and was relieved to see Merida and Hiccup coming up.
"Hiccup?" Jack asked.
"Jack?" Hiccup looked up, questioningly.
"Wait! Jack?" Merida asked staring at Jack as though he were a ghost.
"Uh…yeah…I think we've established I'm here." Jack said, putting his hands up.
"You know him?" Rapunzel asked Jack.
"Yeah. He's the friend I told you about." Hiccup answered for Jack.
"You…" Merida said coming up to the boy she remembered seeing so long ago, "I remember you."
Jack nodded and smiled at her, "Thanks for helping Rapunzel."
Merida nodded, smiling, "You haven't changed one bit."
Jack laughed, "Yeah, I'm kinda stuck this way."
"What's that?" Merida asked Rapunzel suddenly, noticing the paper in her hand.
Rapunzel quickly hid it behind her back and grabbed Merida's hand, "Your ticket to freedom, come on in boys!"
They led the way inside where chaos was ensuing with a ton of drinking clan members and disgruntled suitors.
Hiccup and Jack looked uncomfortably at one another. Even though Jack knew he wasn't seen by anyone else, he still found he wanted to stay out of sight and hoped Hiccup could as well.
Hiccup followed the girls up to the thrones where their parents waited for them.
"She's here! Quiet!" one chieftain said. It got silent as Merida sat down, glaring at her mother while Rapunzel stood and held out a piece of paper for her parents.
"What's this?" Elinor asked, taking it.
Her eyes went wide and she stared from Rapunzel to Hiccup, "What is this?!" she repeated.
Rapunzel turned and faced all the men in the crowd. Jack took a seat near the stairwell and watched her. Even in her disheveled state, she looked absolutely stunning.
"Gentlemen, I'm excited to announce that my sister, Merida, has chosen her suitor."
"What?!" Merida yelled, glaring at Rapunzel. She got up and grabbed her arm angrily, "What do you think you're doing?"
Rapunzel smiled at her, "Trust me on this." She said quietly and cleared her throat. She looked at Hiccup who was looking suddenly very uncomfortable, "This is Hiccup of Berk!" she announced.
"Uh…Hi." Hiccup waved awkwardly.
"He is the first born of the Viking Chief Stoick! And like all of you, he has come to also win my sisters hand."
"Uh…I what?" Hiccup asked, suddenly regretting meeting these two crazy girls.
"And she has accepted!" Rapunzel announced happily.
The clans all roared in anger, but she merely put her hands up calmly and told them that they all fought well and hard, but it was Hiccup who won her heart.
They looked ready to argue but she merely turned, gave her mother and father a smile, winked at Merida and smiled apologetically at Hiccup, who stared at her like she was a loon.
She sat back down as her father and mother made order from the chaos and announced that the letter was proof of a betrothal and that if Hiccup was chosen, then it was to be.
Merida glared at Rapunzel, "What is going through that thick head of yours?" she growled.
Rapunzel merely smiled, "I believe I just saved you from the troublesome trio over there."
Merida looked over as one of the suitors was picking his nose.
She sighed and looked over at Hiccup, "And who says that he's going to accept me?" Merida asked, "This isn't going to work."
"Oh it will." Rapunzel smiled, "But no one has to know now, do they?"
…..
Once it had calmed down, Fergus and Elinor treated Hiccup as an honored guest and requested he tell them all about where he came from. They seemed enamored with him, probably because he reminded Fergus of himself and because of all the suitors they'd seen today, he was by far the only decent one.
Poor Hiccup tried so hard to get out of there and explain that he had no intention of marrying Merida, but couldn't seem to interrupt them.
He looked up at Jack, who could only sit on the roof beams and give him a thumbs up, laughing.
He was of no benefit whatsoever.
By the time he could talk, both Fergus and Elinor had gone to bed and he was left standing alone in the kitchens holding a mug of ale and staring after them.
Jack finally came in and laughed again.
Hiccup glared, "You could have done more." He grumbled.
"Hey!" Jack said, putting his hands up, "I'm invisible, remember?"
Hiccup rolled his eyes, "You could have like frozen the blonde loony or something."
Jack laughed, "She might be on to something. I mean did you see those guys? One was actually scratching his butt. And believe me, Merida is quite a catch."
"Why don't you marry her then?" Hiccup yelled.
Jack laughed, "Invisible…"
"Augh!" Hiccup growled, throwing his mug in the air.
Merida finally came into the room and Hiccup knew what was coming. He backed up and squirmed.
She rounded on him and Jack, who actually was a little nervous, being that she could see him.
"I want you both gone by morning, do ya hear me?" she threatened, "Gone far away."
"Done." Hiccup said, throwing his hands up angrily and leaving, "Wasn't planning to stick around anyways."
Merida stared angrily after him and stormed away to find her sister. Saints help her she was going to flay her alive.
Jack looked awkwardly at both Merida and Hiccup retreating in opposite directions and decided he'd end up staying on the rooftop tonight.
…
Hiccup was walking when he heard footsteps behind him. He assumed it was just Jack, but turned and found Rapunzel chasing after him, "Hiccup, wait!" she called.
"Oh great." He groaned, "Not anymore, lady, I am gone, thank you!" he said as he continued to walk away.
"No, Hiccup, please, I'm sorry, but I had to do that."
"Don't care." He muttered.
She continued to follow him, "Wait, please…At least hear me out!"
"Done listening." He yelled back.
"Hiccup, wait! Take me with you." She said suddenly.
He did stop just then and turned to face her, "What?"
She panted, "Take me with you, please."
"Why?" he asked, wondering if maybe this girl was really crazy after all.
She frowned and looked at the castle, "I need to find out who I am."
Hiccup faced her and sighed, rubbing his head, "Look, you seem like a good kid and all, but-"
"Hiccup, please…I have to find out where I came from and who I truly am. At least let me come with you and as soon as I find where I was born, you can be on your way again, I promise."
He sighed and looked at her sadly, "You sure about this?"
"Yes." She said, nodding, "And when I make a promise, I keep it."
"What about your parents, your sister?" he asked her.
She sighed and looked down sadly, "They'll understand, I think. But I'm not telling them."
"Then why the big display in there?" he asked angrily, "Was I just some attraction for your little show?"
"No!" she said, defensively, "I only did that so the others could leave and not start a war. Merida isn't ready to marry anyone, I never meant for anyone to get hurt and I am sorry."
Hiccup still glared at her.
She sighed again, "Merida has taken care of me since Jack left me here, and I had to help her. If you had a sister, you'd do the same, wouldn't you?"
Hiccup looked down and sighed.
"I am sorry, Hiccup, I promise you don't have to do anything you don't want to do." Rapunzel told him, "But if you take me with you, I'll never ask for anything again, ever."
Hiccup looked at her hard.
"I promise." She repeated earnestly.
At last he sighed and finally nodded, "We'll leave at dawn, be ready."
She smiled and ran up to him, hugging him, "Thank you Hiccup!"
He chuckled and nodded, watching her leave.
He suddenly realized that Jack wasn't with him.
"He's more useless than you are, buddy." Hiccup said to Toothless, who'd been hiding in the trees above him.
Toothless cocked his head to the side and stared at Hiccup.
"I'm surrounded by noodle brains." Hiccup grunted, kicking a rock.
…
