Ooooooooookay...before anyone can yell out angrily at me, let me just sort of defend myself. I know it took a while to get this chapter in and I'm really sorry. At first, the reason was because I had trouble in college and had to study and catch up. Then I got a job that took up the majority of my week. I still have that job, but I got off during weekends. So now the only reason this chapter took a while is simple: THE STINKIN' DIALOGUE.
Like omg, I actually finished this chapter a week ago, but the dialogue took forever to write. Because, I want it to be as authentic as possible, so I found a translator to help me with Scottish slang and pronunciation. Not an easy thing to do let me tell you that. Most of it was so hard to read, that I had to edit A LOT of the dialogue with Merida because it was just too hard to understand what she was saying.
Ugh, so stressful.
Now, I want to tell all my readers (because this story got surprisingly a lot and I'm so happy and thankful to you guys), anyway I want to tell you that this will probably not be the first time a chapter took a while. And that's because I have a whole plot planned out for this story, and I want it to be done really well. So every time I finish a chapter, I do a lot of editing to make sure it's right. Sure, some grammar mistakes are overlooked, but the overall story is something I take seriously. So, I hope you guys will be patient with me and enjoy! :-D
And again, thank you so much for all your reviews! They really mean a lot to me. I'm an inspiring writer, who is currently working on a book, and I like when people criticize my writing. So, if you guys want, feel free to review about my writing style as well, lol.
Chapter 4: Princess of DunBroch
"Can ye believe it? Another raid by those barbaric Vikings!"
"Reit? What's Kin' Fergus doin'? Naethin' in mah opinion."
"It's th' princess actually. Th' queen is too distracted findin' her a suitur. An' it's really her tha' does aw th' work in th' kingdom."
"Who's 'at? Standin' aw by himself?"
"Fa cares? Let's jist go tae th' bar. Ah need some swally."
Hiccup exhaled a breath.
He was sure those Scotts were going to recognize that he wasn't a local. That would've been really bad, especially since his people had just paid them a rather messy visit. The only thing Hiccup could be grateful about at the moment was that his dad had already left about a day ago.
The trip over here had taken about the same time, so Hiccup was thankful they didn't run into each other.
Jack had left an hour ago to get the other Guardian. So that left Hiccup to deal with Princess Merida of DunBroch. He was ashamed to admit it, but Hiccup had not thought about the fact that it was dangerous for him to go into the kingdom. He was a Viking after all, and they dressed, well, differently than these people. They would know who is was instantly.
That fact was proven when those two Scotts had spotted him, even though he wasn't even inside the kingdom yet. He stood just outside the grand walls, waiting for...well a plan.
After all, he couldn't just walk in. That would be the best idea if he wanted to get decapitated.
"Okay, the first thing I need to figure out is how I'm going to get in without tipping them off that I'm a Viking." Hiccup glanced to the side to see a family passing through the gates and into the kingdom. His eyes widened in realization. "Wait, all I need is clothes. I mean, the only real difference between a Scott and a Viking is the way they dress. Well, that and they have a stronger accent. Plus the whole raiding thing..."
He shook his head. "That's not important. Where am I gonna find some clothes?"
Hiccup's best bet at getting some clothes would be to grab some at night. And by grab, he meant borrow.
It's not stealing, he firmly told himself. I'm just borrowing it for the time being and, after, I'll return it to the owner. That person probably won't even miss it.
The moon shone down on DunBroch, providing Hiccup enough light to navigate his way through the dirt path. It was close to midnight and everyone had gone to bed. Besides the grand Castle, the homes where the locals resided weren't as great as he had thought. Most of the people were fast asleep inside tents and the only a few people seemed to live in real houses; but even those were in shambles. This surprised him. Hiccup knew for a fact that DunBroth was on the top of the list of places Vikings raided, so he assumed it would be more, what? Wealthy?
Hiccup held back a yelp as his foot made contact with a large, hard rock. He stumbled backwards, clutching it as it throbbed and fell backwards into a crate full of hay. The sharp ends felt like tiny pinches all over his body and he bit down tongue, holding back a groan.
That's me, Guardian of Childhood. Dad would be so proud.
Hiccup pulled himself out and stretched his back which had been curved in an uncomfortable angle. He suddenly missed Jack. Working alone was never something Hiccup enjoyed doing. Company was always appreciated in his eyes. Hiccup gasped as, out of nowhere, a sudden chill filled the air.
His mind went to Jack, maybe he forgot to tell him something. But Hiccup turned and stared into the hollow eyes of a shadow-creature.
He held his breath, anticipating an attack, but was surprised when the thing just blinked at him before fading away into darkness. Heart pounding, Hiccup decided to move before the thing decided to change its mind about attacking him.
Okay, so Pitch's fiends are here. That probably means they went after Jack too. I gotta get close to Princess Merida, but how? Not like I can just walk casually into her castle.
Hiccup sighed, running a hand through his hair. Staring at the moon, he had a strange feeling, as though it was watching him as well. He blinked, breaking out of those thoughts. Now was not the time to get delusional, he had to come up with a plan.
And by next morning, he did. A very, very, stupid plan.
"Ah, can not believe yoo're still hostin' this dumb competition."
"Hush, Merida. Thaur was no reason tae cancel it. An' a princess does not say, 'dumb'.
Merida wanted to continue her argument, but had used up all of her oxygen already. Her body was currently constricted by a blue silk dress and her hair was tucked tightly into a white head covering. All in all, she wondered how she hadn't passed out already.
This dress was just screaming: Beautiful but at the risk of stopping your blood circulation.
"But, Mom! Ah tauld ye, Ah dornt want tae get married. Dad says Ah dornt have too," she complained loudly, which was a mistake as the dress seemed to just squeeze tighter with every word. Merida wheezed dramatically and feigned choking by clutching her throat.
Elinor rolled her eyes. "Dornt be such a baby. Besides, th' clans hud awreddy arrived this morn, no sense in tellin' them they need tae go home."
Merida crossed her arms and turned away. But with the dress it looked awkward since her arms could barely reach each other and she had to wobble in order to turn. There was a knock on the door and a servant stepped inside.
"Th' competition is 'bout o begin, m'lady."
"Thenk ye, we'll be thaur soon."
She nodded and walked out. Elinor turned to her daughter, who still had her back turned.
"Merida," she spoke softly. "How dae ye kno' ye won't like th' sons?"
"Fur one thin', they've ne'er seen me befor' an' yit their gonna fight a challenge tae win mah hand!"
"That's how it goes, Ah explained it tae ye!"
"But it's not what Ah want! Ever 'hink about 'at?"
They glowered at each other. It was times like these that Merida saw the resemblance between her mother and her. She got almost all her features from her dad; curly red hair and blue eyes. But when it came down to arguing, she and Elinor seemed like twins. They both held the same sneer and narrowed eyes with scrunched up noses.
There was another knock on the door, demanding Elinor's attention.
Elinor called out to the servant, saying that she'll be right out before trying again to convince Merida. She sighed. "Merida...please. Jist go alang wit' it fur now. 'En we'll talk, okay?"
Ay coorse Ah dornt want tae jist go alang wit' it! Merida wanted to shout.
But instead she said, "Alrigh'. Let's go before Ah die ay suffocation from this dress."
The competition commenced and if Merida was being honest, she couldn't recall half of it. After the first clan's son, Lord Macin-something, had embarrassingly missed a simple bulls-eye with his arrow, she zoned out. She thought about how long it would take for this clown show to be over. Is Angus fed? She should check it out. Would her mother notice if she slipped out for a moment?
Suddenly though, for the first time since this challenge had begun, something interesting happened.
A thin, frail looking boy stepped out from the crowd with something strange by his feet. He wore a dark green shirt underneath a very large yellow and black kilt that was painfully too large for him. The kilt stopped just above his feet and the top-portion was draped over his shoulder with a pin keeping it in place. Although it did not successfully keep the sleeve from slightly falling off his shoulder so Merida wondered what the point was.
By his feet was some sort of contraption. Composed of old-broken materials, it looked like a large square crate painted a sickish yellow color. The only thing that registered through Merida's head from it was the chipped, wooden bow attached at the very top.
"Who is 'at?" Elinor muttered to Fergus. "Ah didne see hem come in wi' th' other clans."
She glanced at Merida, who shrugged in response. Elinor rose from her seat and everyone went silent. With her head held high, she scrutinized the boy, who cringed under her piercing stare.
"State yer nam," she said.
The boy seemed to gather up some form of courage and bowed to the Queen before speaking.
"Y-Yar Highness," he said in a slightly trembling voice. Merida narrowed her eyes. His Scottish accent was very strange, almost forced. "Ah, am Hiccup of th' Breckenridge clan, a-and Ah am hare to win Princess Merida's hain in marriage."
The crowd exchanged looks while muttering towards one another. Sweat beaded down the boys face but he didn't break his eyes from the Queen.
Merida crossed her arms, smirking. Things jist got interestin'.
Elinor and Fergus locked heads and began discussing. Merida brought herself closer to hear but her dad grabbed her face in his large hand and pushed her away. She frowned. After a minute, Elinor glared at Fergus for something he had apparently said and he leaned away with raised hands.
Elinor sighed and rolled her eyes. She then rose out of her seat again. There was silence.
"Th' rules clearly state 'at aw willin' clans ur able tae participate," she said. "But ye stand haur alone, so may Ah ask, whaur is yer clan?"
Hiccup seemed to have an explanation ready at hand. Although, as he spoke, it sounded pretty rehearsed to Merida. It perked her interest more.
"Mah land was raided by those vile Vikings!" he cried, the drama in his words contradicting with his awkward stance and even more awkward voice. Merida wondered how he even made it to their land without getting attacked. "My faither an' Ah were tha last to survife, but we were ambushed. Ah managed to kill them awe! But at a price; mah faither. His lest words were his dyin' wish; 'at I find the worthy an' um, amazin' DunBroth clan an' fight fur the princesses hand."
"Listenin' tae yer parents wishes, that's a noble an' good quality in a man." Merida didn't miss how Elinor snuck her a glance. "An' th' fact ye managed tae overpower those Vikings-" Hiccup flinched at the way she spat out the word. Nobody paid attention to that though. "-is impressive. An' as Ah said, we can not turn down any clan."
Elinor paused before continuing. "Normally we require a fuw months notice ay yer arrival...the circumstances ay yer clans tragic death is an exception. Ye may proceed wi' th' competition."
Hiccup didn't move for a moment. He seemed too stunned to do anything. Merida laughed lightly, thoroughly enjoying watching this boy embarrass himself. She reached behind her chair, making sure her bow and arrow were still hidden from view.
Ah dorn't care if he manages tae perf'rm a miracle an' make a shot, she thought. Nobody has a right tae make thes decision fur me. An' Ah intend tae make 'at fact known, clearly.
"R-Right!" Hiccup declared with a hint of apprehension. "I shall naw begin!"
"Wow, an' Ah thooght he was jist gonna stan' thaur," Merida mumbled sarcastically. Fergus laughed under his breath.
Hiccup took a breath and position his contraption so that the bow that rested atop was aimed at the targets. He closed one eye and focused on where his arrow's tip was, moving it slightly from left to right until he seemed satisfied. His brows were furrowed in deep concentration.
Something in his expression grabbed Merida's attention.
There was a determination to his face and stance. His shoulders, which were previously slumped, were straight with purpose. His eyes now held a bright fire beneath the nervous green and his hands moved swiftly and naturally as he worked. It was obvious to her that working with mechanics was something he had an affinity too. To Merida, it reminded her of how she was whenever she would grip her bow, or shoot an arrow. It was natural to them. It was right.
She leaned forward, eyes focused on him.
Hiccup gripped a handle at the back of the machine that she now noticed was attached to some rope. He took a deep, slow breath and pulled, hard. Instantly, the arrow was pulled back in union with the rope and released from the bow. It whizzed through the air. Everyone held their breath, then released as the arrow met its target.
A bulls-eye.
Nothing happened at first. Then the crowd erupted into noise that sounded like a mix of gasps, grunts and cheers. Fergus jumped out of his seat and clapped his big, beefy hands. Elinor remained seated, as did Merida, both too shocked to move.
"Now 'at was an impressife shaw!" Fergus said, breaking his girls out of their trance.
Elinor cleared her throat and finally walked forward. Everyone went silent. As many times before, Merida couldn't help but be impressed with her mothers ability to only look at people and make them go still. She sure was some Queen.
"Hiccup ay th' Breckenridge clan," she spoke, "that was a well, interestin' display ay intelligence an' resoorcefulness."
"It was?" he replied dumbly. Merida arched a brow. He seemed genuinely shocked that anyone found his machine impressive. It made her wonder where he really was from.
Elinor then went on a speech about how each clan had displayed a great effort, but the fact that they had two winners to this competition (Hiccup and that other blonde weirdo) meant that they would have to do yet another. She went on explaining how it would go. Merida though, paid no attention. As everyone gazed transfix at the Queens words, she quietly slipped out.
From behind her chair, she put on the hooded robe she had stashed and grabbed her bow and arrow. If the people thought Hiccup's performance was a shocker, then they haven't seen nothing yet.
Hiccup still couldn't believe it.
It worked. His dumb plan is actually working so far.
Not only was he relieved that his invention had worked, he felt something deep in his stomach at the Queens words that he had never felt back at Berk. A swell of pride.
She had praised him so highly that the rest of her words were drowned out and he could only focus on that. She thought his invention was clever and even useful. At Berk, everyone had thought his works were nothing but burdens on them. Hiccup couldn't help but feel good about himself right now. After all, he had created this contraption in only a few hours after hearing what the competition was going to be. It had taken a while for him to salvage items and materials, including clothes for himself, but he managed.
Hiccup was proud of himself. Was that such a bad thing?
After all, he had only heard about the whole suitor-thing for the princess this morning from a gossiping couple passing by. He hadn't exactly had much time to figure out what he was going to do, but he did it. It was strange. Only a day ago did he felt like getting close to Princess Merida was an impossible mission. But now she was only a few feet away.
Speaking of which, his eyes couldn't help but trail over to where she sat, wondering what she thought of his performance.
Confusion and slight panic quickly replaced all the pride.
Where'd she go? Hiccup wondered. She was here, wasn't she? Oh no, what if I did something to annoy her? How am I gonna talk to her now?
Suddenly, he noticed that all eyes were on him. Wait, no. Not on him, but on something behind him. Hiccup turned, and found someone standing with a bow and arrow at their feet. Their face was covered in a hooded robe and they raised a hand, pulling it off.
Gasps were heard all around.
The hooded figure was none other than Princess Merida herself.
"I am Merida!" she called out defiantly. "First born tae clan DunBroch! An' I will be shootin' fur mah own hand!"
And I thought I had issues, Hiccup thought, stunned at her risky actions. Though it is cool.
"Merida!" He had completely forgotten about Queen Elinor, who stood appalled with a terrifying glare in her eyes. "What ur ye doin'?!"
Merida ignored her mother and slung her bow, readying herself. As she raised her arrow, something stopped her arms and Hiccup tried not to laugh. Her actions were impressive, but the thing now stopping her was a simple blue dress.
"This accursed frock!" Merida cried out in frustration.
She bent low before straightening out her entire body, large rips opening up like mouths in random places of the dress. Hiccup hoped it wasn't expensive, because there was no way they could return it now.
The next few moments happened so fast that it took all of Hiccup's focus just to keep up. Merida began shooting out her arrows. No, she wasn't just simply shooting. She was killing it! She hit every bulls-eye with easy movements and even managed to split Hiccup's arrow in half with her own. His jaw dropped in awe. Unfortunately, he seemed to be the only one impressed.
The crowd was too surprised or offended to do anything. But that was nothing compared to Queen Elinor's reaction. She kept calling out to Merida, demanding she stop, but of course that only seemed to motivate the princess more. Every arrow shot was like a slap in Elinor's face that said, I won't stop and nothing you will say can make me!
Finally, Merida was done. A satisfied expression crossed her face before she frowned and turned to stare up at the Queen, their faces only inches from each other.
If he thought her appearance in the competition was interesting, he was in complete shock when Merida suddenly ran away. Alone? Oh, no, she decided to drag someone along with her.
Hiccup had no time to react when he was lurched sideways, half running and half dragged by Merida, who held his arm in a vice-like grip. Not sure what to do, he picked up his pace to match hers. The only thing motivating him right now was his logical side telling him that, where ever they were going, it'd be a good place to talk.
Apparently, Merida had decided to take him to her room in the castle. Hiccup wanted to say something, when she forcibly pushed him through the door, closed it shut and spoke.
"Ye can drap th' fake accent now," Merida said in a forward manner.
Hiccup gulped and accidentally let out a nervous laugh. "I-I dan't knaw what ya meen, princess."
"Please dorn't lie tae me, after aw, Ah cood hav' yer head if Ah wanted tae." She laughed as his face dropped and went very pale. "Dorn't worry, A'm not 'at ruthless. Actually, A'm not mad 'at ye snuck intae th' kingdom."
"You're not?" Hiccup froze. "Shoot!"
"Ha! Ah knew ye weren't a Scott!" Merida began circling around him and Hiccup couldn't help but compare her piercing stare to the Queens. "If yoo're not from haur, oo are ye?"
"Well, um, my name really is Hiccup. The last name though, Breckenridge, I took it from a story I once read about some Scottish warrior. Um, princess-"
"Merida," she corrected him with narrowed eyes. If there was anything that pushed Merida's button, it was when people called her that.
"Sorry, Merida, if you don't mind me asking, I'm an intruder, why aren't you being more cautious around me? Or calling the guards or whatever?"
She snorted a chuckle, looking more un-princess-like by the second. "Guards? Please, Ah dorn't need protection. All Ah need is mah bow. An', no offense, ye dorn't exactly look 'ard tae take doon. Yoo're mair like a wee-lamb."
"Wah? I resent that!"
Merida glared mischievously and swiftly unsheathed the sword that sat resting against her bed. Before he could even blink, she aimed it at him.
"Whoa! Duh-okay! I'm sorry!" Hiccup raised his arms over his face, as if that could shield him from the sharp end of that sword. A few heartbeats later, Merida sighed and pulled down her weapon. She rolled her eyes.
"Yoo're an embarrassin' opponent tae have reit now, Hiccup." She slammed in onto the floor and leaned against the hilt. "Have some dignity at leest."
Hiccup couldn't help but smile, his face looking as though he was thinking of a fond memory. "You sound like Astrid."
"Who?"
"No one. So, are you willing to listen to what I have to say before you decapitate me?"
Merida crossed her arm, smirking. "Ah might."
He laughed shakily. "Well, I'm not your enemy, so don't worry about that. I'm actually here to, well, make you an offer."
"Offer? Whit kind o' offer?"
Hiccup glanced around nervously. "Ah, is there any place we can talk in private with no chance of being interrupted? It's kind of a long explanation."
Merida put a finger to her chin, thinking. She lit up. "Ah noo a place. We can tak' Angus."
"Sure hope you're not talking about cattle."
The sound of stomping feet echoed down the hall and Merida's breath caught. "Oh, no. Yoo'd better hide."
"From who?"
"Mah mother."
That was enough of an explanation for Hiccup. Just thinking about the way the Queen had looked at him before spiked fear in him. He looked frantically around for a spot to hide. Merida grabbed his shoulders and roughly shoved him down and under the bed. He complained loudly. "Shush! She's haur."
As she said this, the door swung open and Elinor stocked her way in. Merida had never been much afraid of her mother, instead always challenging her. But the expression on Elinor's face had her taking a few steps back. She moved until her back hit the tapestry that hung proudly on the wall, taking the sword with her for some reason. Maybe subconsciously she felt more protected with it.
"You will go downstairs an' apologize tae th' Clan Leaders, now!" Elinor shouted, the veins in her neck straining with her anger. "I've ne'er bin more disappointed in ye Merida!"
Merida should have apologized for running off, but if anything was ever difficult for her to do, it was saying sorry. "Mom, I-"
"I dorn't want tae hear it! Ye will do as Ah say an' go down thaur now!"
She wasn't listening, and this angered Merida very much. She returned her mothers glare with one of her own and took a step forward. They've fought many times before, but this particular one felt different somehow. The air between them wasn't just angry, it was furious, almost threatening.
"I told ye before, didn't Ah?" Merida retorted back. "I dornt want tae get married! Why should Ah, jist coz ye said so?!"
"Merida," Elinor's tone was slow and steady, as though she was doing her best to keep her patience in front of a little child, "yoo're a princess. Ye have duties an' obligations, not tae mention traditions tae follow. Do any ay those things mean anythin' tae ye?"
"No!" Merida exclaimed.
For just a split second, her mothers face turned hurt and she wanted to take her words back, but then Elinor hardened her expression. Her eyes turned stormy. "I'm sorry ye feel 'at way, but ye have no choice. Ah didn't have one, th' princesses before you didn't. Stop with 'is selfish attitude awreddy, Merida, an' grow up."
Her mothers words cut through Merida and she had to blink back tears. Her mouth began to speak words she didn't think she'd ever say. "Tradition an' bein' Queen? That's aw ye care about! Am still yer daughter! Doesn't 'at mean anything tae ye?!"
"This isn't about ye bein' mah daughter or not! It's about takin' responsibility fur somethin' ye were born tae do, an' that's rule a kingdom! A future Queen needs a suitur if she wishes tae rule, Merida!"
"I dorn't care about bein' Queen!" Merida began to act on impulse and she raised her sword towards the tapestry. Her mother had woven it with her own two hands for Merida and, before, it had been something beautiful. Now all it did was bring disgust to Merida's stomach. "I'm ne'er gonna to be like ye! Ah dorn't want tae be like ye!"
Merida slashed the sword down on the tapestry. The sound of tearing fabric went across the room and back, lingering in the air. The image of her mother and her was now torn, separating the two, as if illustrating Merida's words.
For a moment, nothing could be heard but Merida's heavy breathing.
Then, her mothers face exploded into rage. She grabbed Merida, ripping her bow right from her back. Merida's breath hitched. She felt naked without her bow, as though her mother had taken a limb rather than a weapon. Her mother walked over to the fireplace.
Normally, the fire that burned bright was comforting. It's warmth would spread through Merida, calming her. It also reminded her of her hair and she couldn't help but think she had a special connection to the element. But now, she's never been more terrified of fire.
"What're ye doin'?!" she shouted.
"You need tae adopt a proper attitude an' this-" Elinor stared at the bow with disdain. "-will be th' first step!"
Elinor threw the bow into the fire.
"No!" Merida covered her mouth in horror. Her mother stared back at her with cold eyes. Tears clouded Merida's vision and, this time, she didn't hesitate to let them fall. Merida shook her head, as though she was the one disappointed and ran out of the door, her sobs following close behind her.
Hiccup was stunned, still hiding under the bed.
He was in shock for two reasons of course. One: the exchange he had just heard between the Queen and her daughter was intense and heartbreaking. It actually brought Hiccup's mind back to his own dad. The second reason: Merida had seemed to completely forget that he was under her bed. That meant he had to wait for the Queen to leave the room before sneaking out of the castle.
Hiccup was slightly ashamed of this, but his curiously got the best of him, and he snuck a peek at what the Queen was doing. His eyes widened at the sight.
Apparently, almost as soon as Merida left, Elinor had pulled the bow right out of the fire. She knelled beside the charred weapon, quietly sobbing into her hands. He almost wanted to go comfort her, but reminded himself that she had also said some pretty harsh things to Merida.
Elinor jumped when someone knocked on the door. "M'Lady? I'm sorry to bother you, but King Fergus is asking for you."
She cleared her throat a few times, shook her head and wiped her face with her hands. Almost instantly, all tracing of her previous breakdown was gone. Hiccup couldn't help but be impressed. She truly was a Queen of high standard.
Elinor rose and he retreated back, hiding from sight. She left the room and Hiccup waited just one more minute before crawling out and sprinting out the door.
He made his way down the narrow hallways and stairs that seemed more like a labyrinth than a home. The architectural structure of this castle fascinated him no doubt, but he had no time to be amazed. He had to find Merida.
Torches illuminated his path and sent shadows racing across his vision. Hiccup couldn't help but think of the shadow-creatures he'd face before at Berk.
Hopefully she didn't get too far, he thought. If anyone finds me here and figures out I'm not really a Scott, well...it was nice living so far.
Sort of.
If anyone has any trouble understanding a sentence, just message me and I'll explain what's going on. But I think, or at least I hope, I did a pretty good job with the dialects.
Don't forget to review! :D
